8 Apr

RI PT IO N BS C SU THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF

40 PAGES

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

RABI ALTHANI 23, 1431 AH

NO: 14692

150 FILS

Rescuers dig for victims as Rio death toll hits 104

Solar-powered plane soars above Switzerland

Giant lizard discovered in Philippines

Robben sends 10-man Utd crashing out

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Kuwait, ‘US foe’ ink several agreements KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince receive the Iraqi vice president (left) at the Bayan Palace yesterday. —KUNA

Khorafi delivers Amir’s message ‘Don’t make comments that could spoil relations’

By B Izzak and A Saleh KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said yesterday that he conveyed a message from His Highness the Amir to MPs urging them to stop making statements that could spoil Kuwait’s relations with its neighbors and particularly mentioned the issue of Iraqi debt.

Speaking to reporters af ter an informal meeting attended by around 35 MPs, Khorafi said that he explained to MPs the Amir’s keenness that MPs’ statements on foreign policy should be responsible and that it should not undermine Kuwait’s relations with its neighbors. His Highness the Amir also appealed to lawmakers not to

make statements on the issue of Iraqi debt, insisting that the issue will be referred to the National Assembly to take its decision on it.

Under deposed regime of Saddam Hussein, Iraq during its eight-year war with Iran borrowed an estimated $16 billion from Kuwait. Authorities in Kuwait have repeatedly pledged to considerably reduce the debt but have always said that the issue of debt must be approved in the National Assembly.

Many Kuwaiti MPs have vowed they will oppose any government proposal to reduce or forgive the debt on Iraq which also owes Kuwait more than $25 billion in war reparations for Saddam’s 1990 invasion of the country.

Continued on Page 14

Inflation jumps 4% KUWAIT: Inflation in Kuwait during 2009 rose by four percent compared to the previous year, figures from the Central Statistics Depar tment showed yesterday. Inflation in 2008 was 10.6 percent. Consuming prices reached a record 136 points last year, showed the figures. They were 130.8 points in 2008. Inflation of food rose 2.3 percent and it increased by 9.3 percent for the beverages and tobacco, said the figures. Textile inflation swelled by 4.9 percent, while it was 5.1 percent for housing services, they showed. Inflation of goods and house services jumped by 5.9 per-

cent while inflation in educational and health services was up by 4.3 percent.

The global downtur n slashed growth rates across the Gulf Arab oil producing region, reducing consumer price growth from 2008 record peaks, with some countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, booking deflation last year. Kuwait’s consumer price index stood at 136 points in 2009, compared with an average of 130.8 points in 2008, KUNA said, citing data from the Gulf country’s statistics office. It did not give details. — Agencies

Israel ‘main threat to Mideast peace’ PARIS: The prime minister of Turkey, Israel’s only ally in the Muslim world yesterday branded the Jewish state the “principal threat to peace” in the Middle East. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks at a breakfast meeting in Paris marked a new low in deteriorating relations between Israel and Turkey, which once had close military and political ties. “If a country uses disproportionate force in Palestine, in Gaza uses phosphorous shells-we’re not going to say ‘bravo’,” he declared, referring to Israel’s January 2009 offensive against Hamascontrolled Gaza.

Operation Cast Lead, which was aimed at preventing rocket attacks by Gaza-based militants on Israel, left around 1,400 Palestinians dead and destroyed thousands of homes.

Erdogan said Israel’s justification for the offensive was based on “lies” and cited a report by UN investigator Richard Goldstone, a South African judge who accused both Israel and Palestinians of war crimes. “Goldstone is a Jew and his report is clear,” the Turkish leader told reporters invited to meet him at the Paris Ritz hotel.

“It’s not because we are Muslims that we take this position. Our position is humanitarian.

“It’s Israel that is the principal threat to regional peace,” said Erdogan speaking in Turkish, through a French interpreter. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hit back at what he said were Turkey’s repeated attacks. “We are interested in good relations with Turkey and regret that Erdogan chooses time after time to attack Israel,” he said at a Jerusalem news conference held to review his first year in office.

“It is a regrettable occurrence which I don’t think serves the interests of stability and improved relations in our region,” said Netanyahu, adding that he had not discussed the issue with Erdogan. Turkey is the only country in its immediate region to enjoy open military ties with Israel and has been a rare friend in the Muslim world, despite strong sympathy for the Palestinians among the Turkish public.

Turkey’s ties with Israel have suffered since Erdogan became prime minister in 2003 but this has accelerated since the Gaza offensive, which Turkey condemned. The situation has been further inflamed by political and ideological tensions between Erdogan’s government, led by the Continued on Page 14

In times of sanctions: Iran to export to Kuwait TEHRAN: Iran will export gas and water to Kuwait based on several cooperation agreements that were inked between both sides yesterday.

“We held ‘successful’ talks with Iranian officials in Tehran,” Advisor at the Prime Ministers’ Diwan Dr Ismail AlShatti said, adding that he conveyed a letter from His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah to Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi.

Shatti and the accompanying delegation met with senior Iranian officials including ministers of foreign affairs, commerce, energy, economic affairs and finance. The Kuwaiti delegation was able to seek ways to boost cooperation with Iran in several fields.

Shatti said the Iranian government approved a Kuwaiti request to establish a temporary cultural center until the construction of Kuwait Cultural Center in Tehran that included a mosque, library and other facilities is completed.

Kuwait and Iran signed several agreements in fields of economy, commerce, customs, Continued on Page 14

TEHRAN: Kuwaiti and Iranian officials hold talks yesterday. — KUNA

100 die as Kyrgyzstan descends into chaos Interior minister beaten to death by angry mob BISHKEK: Thousands of protesters furious over corruption and spiraling utility bills seized government buildings and clashed with police yesterday in Kyrgyzstan, throwing control of the Central Asian nation into doubt. Police opened fire on demonstrators, killing dozens and wounding hundreds. The eruption of violence shattered the relative stability of this mountainous former Soviet republic, which houses a US military base that is a key supply center in the fight against the Taleban in nearby Afghanistan.

The unrest in Kyrgyzstan did not appear likely to spread across former Soviet Central Asia, however. The chaos erupted after elite police at government headquarters in the Continued on Page 14

in the news CBK names new board KUWAIT: Shareholders of Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) elected a new board yesterday, but delayed a decision on releasing the old board from its responsibilities. The board of the Gulf Arab state’s third largest lender resigned in January, but the bank did not give a reason for their departure. Six of the members of the elected board are new, a bank spokesman said. Shareholders voted to delay a decision on releasing the old board from its responsibilities, a Reuters witness said.

KFH, Killam in joint venture KUWAIT: Islamic lender Kuwait Finance House (KFH) said it had set up a joint venture with Canada’s Killam Properties Inc to buy up to C$450 million of residential property in Canada. The joint venture is part of the Kuwaiti lender’s plans to expand in global markets, it said. “Residential real estate will be its first step to be followed with further investments in industrial, administrative, rehabilitation or senior citizens care real estate, according to market conditions,” KFH said in a statement yesterday.

Saudi warns cleric

BISHKEK: Blooded Kyrgyz police officers huddle together for protection, as they are attacked by protestors yesterday. — AP

Iran derides Obama’s ‘cowboy’ stance Ahmadinejad warns of ‘tooth-breaking response’ TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday warned his US counterpart Barack Obama of a “toothbreaking” response, as he condemned Washington’s new nuclear policy.

Ahmadinejad lashed out after the United States unveiled new limits on use of the nation’s nuclear arsenal, but suggested that exceptions could be made for “outliers” such as Iran and North Korea, both accused by the West of flouting UN resolutions concerning their nuclear programs.

“I hope these published comments are not true... he (Obama) has threatened with nuclear and chemical weapons those

nations which do not submit to the greed of the United States,” Ahmadinejad said in speech broadcast live on state television. “Be careful. If you set step in (George W) Bush’s path, the nations’ response would be the same tooth-breaking one as they gave Bush,” he said as crowds in the northwestern city of Orumieh cheered “Death to America!”

Meanwhile, US allies yesterday lined up behind Obama’s new policy aimed at reducing the likelihood of nuclear conflict.

But Iran - classified as a possible target under the guidelines - dismissed it as a “cowboy” policy by a political newcomer doomed to fail. Russian President Dmitry

Medvedev, in the Slovak capital Bratislava for an official visit, did not address the issue before leaving for Prague to sign a landmark treaty today with Obama aimed at paring US-Russian strategic nuclear weapons by 30 percent.

But Washington’s supporters in Asia and Europe welcomed Obama’s pledge Tuesday to reduce America’s nuclear arsenal, refrain from nuclear tests and not use nuclear weapons against countries that do not have them. North Korea and Iran were not included in that pledge because they do not cooperate with other countries on nonproliferation standards.

Continued on Page 14

RIYADH: A Saudi official says a cleric who announced that he will visit Jerusalem for a TV episode on claims to the city will be punished if he travels there. The state-owned AlWatan newspaper yesterday quoted the passports office spokesman Lt Col Badr Malik as saying visiting Israel is prohibited and any violator is punishable under the law. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Areefi told his viewers Sunday on his television show that he will visit Jerusalem next week to support Muslim claims to the city. Associates of the cleric have since said he was misquoted and does not plan to take the trip. If Al-Areefi visits Jerusalem, it would be an unprecedented trip for a prominent Saudi.

ADIC gets new head ABU DHABI: Khalifa Mohammed Al-Kindi has been chosen to manage the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), one of the oil-rich emirate’s wealth funds, the official WAM news agency said yesterday. Kindi was appointed in a decree issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, who is also the ruler of Abu Dhabi and chairs the council. The decree reshuffled the board of directors of the fund, which was established in 2007 and which focuses on investments in Abu Dhabi’s economy. The council’s investments include stakes in major banks in the emirate, including National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Al-Hilal Bank.

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Workers protest rights violations KUWAIT: A large number of Egyptian employees of a local construction firm recently staged a protest in front of the Kuwait Human Rights Society (KHRS) headquarters, stating that all other avenues of complaint had been barred to them, with their company’s administration and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) ignoring their plight.

KHRS Vice Chairperson Maha Al-Barjas agreed to meet with the protesting workers and listen to their complaints, reported Al-Qabas.

The workers informed her that they had been subjected to various serious human rights violations by their employers, including having their wages withheld for eight months, which left them heavily in debt, and being forced to pay fines after the firm itself delayed renewal of their residency visas.

Al-Barjas condemned the company, adding that such abuse of workers damages

Kuwait’s reputation, especially as it prepares to host the forthcoming periodic meeting of human rights organizations next month.

She also warned against the continuation of such abuses of workers’ rights, as well as criticizing the delays over resolving the problem of bedoon (stateless) people’s rights.

The senior KHRS official said that the society had taken measures to address the protesters’ problems by contacting a MSAL Undersecretary who has referred the issue to the ministry’s labor relations departments as a matter of urgency, although the department failed to deal with the matter when the workers approached it previously.

Al-Barjas said that she holds the MSAL accountable for its failure to resolve this issue through its failure to implement the relevant articles of the new private sector labor legislation concerning protecting workers’ rights.

Development plans await implementation

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday the Honorary President of the Kuwaiti Society for the Handicapped Sheikha Shaikha Al-Abdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah, accompanied by a group of workers at various care centers for people with special needs. It was attended by Acting Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah. —Photos by KUNA

Kuwait decides to build opera theater KUWAIT: The cabinet, in its weekly meeting on Tuesday evening, assigned the Ministry of Public Works to build an Opera Theater in the Capital Governorate, as well as renovating existing theaters to further boost cultural activities in Kuwait. The cabinet, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, also assigned the Ministry of Public Works to establish fully-integrated cultural centers in all six governorates, in coordination with

the Public Authority for Housing Welfare.

The Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Roudhan Al-Roudhan has been assigned to carry out necessary measures to renovate official theaters and supply them with necessary equipment to enable them carry out their cultural role, Al-Roudhan said in a statement after the meeting.

The Ministry of Public Works, he added, would be coordinating with official authorities to allocate places for

youths to exercise their hobbies in order to make good use of their free time.

The cabinet, meanwhile, approved a draft decree to grant a special allowance for members of the Fatwa and Legislation Department. The draft decree was referred to His Highness the Amir.

The cabinet members, took note of a message by former French president Jacques Chirac to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber

Al-Sabah over the former’s initiative with the President of Benin Thomas Yayi Boni to launch an international appeal to eliminate fake medicine.

The executives also took note of a message to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad from the Prime Minister of Ethiopia regarding ways of further boosting bilateral cooperation and relations.

His Highness the Prime Minister then briefed the cabinet about the recent visit of Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his talks with the

Kuwaiti officials that dealt with fostering relations in all domains, said AlRoudhan.

Sheikh Nasser also briefed the cabinet about the recent visit of Djibouti’s Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita and his talks with the Kuwaiti officials on ways of cementing relations.

The cabinet, on the other hand, reviewed decisions by the supreme council of planning and development. —KUNA

local spotlight

Die or take chances

By Muna Al-Fuzai

I

KUWAIT: Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Khalid Al-Sabah meeting senior Interior Ministry officials yesterday. —KUNA

f you are a regular visitor to government hospitals and local clinics in Kuwait then this article will interest you.

Otherwise, you might be one of cashrich people who seek treatment abroad when unwell. Can’t blame people like you! Not everyone can afford to receive health care in the private sector especially those that fall into the lowincome group. Let me focus on the health care provided by the government in this article.

Grouses against the level of health care provided in Kuwait are regularly reported in the local media, especially in newspapers.

It does not matter if a doctor or a nurse was hit or if one doctor assaulted one patient. Such everyday fights must end. No one has any right to assault the other person simply because they are dissatisfied with the level of service rendered.

If that is the situation, then we should stop consulting doctors. Patients should resort to self-help and take responsibility of their health. When they are not satisfied with the results, they can blame or hit themselves!

However, leveling allegations against well-known or expatriate doctors is unacceptable. We do not live by barbaric rules where uncouth behavior is the norm.

If a Kuwaiti thinks that he has the right to physically abuse his doctor, who is an expat, he is mistaken. He is not above the law. By enforcing the law, I do not mean that a penalty of KD 50 be levied.

There should be proper legislation in place; one that forbids a person, the attacker in case if he or she were a visitor, to receive treatment from the same medical facility where he or she carried out the act.

Another form of punishment should also be created against the perpetrator.

He or she should serve extra hours at any health center for social care home in the form of community service. Such anti-social elements should also be incarcerated as they pose a threat to society.

Solutions should be devised starting with proper law enforcement. People will then behave and think before they act. I think that the future of health services in Kuwait is murky.

There are no indicators that health care in this country will improve or change for the best. The affluent will be able to afford expensive medical treatment. What about those who can’t? Die or take chances. muna@kuwaittimes.net

KUWAIT: Indications suggest that Kuwait’s state bodies are still not ready to effectively implement the government’s development plan, according to local experts.

The most recent demonstration of this lack of preparation was a recent massive accidental disconnection of landlines, with the Ministry of Communications (MoC) failing to act to prevent this from taking place, with the Ministry of Social and Labor (MSAL) also experiencing major problems with the introduction of the computerized system there, which has caused substantial setbacks in the already-slow work rate.

Many service users say that poor planning and coordination

are the norm at the ministry’s labor offices in the Capital, Jahra and Farwaniya governorates, with frustration at bureaucratic incompetence and lengthy, fruitless queuing being widespread, reported AlQabas.

Users of the labor offices’ services also said that many of the staff in them leave long before the end of the work day, resulting in the long-suffering clients waiting for hours in lengthy queues for transactions to be completed by the overworked remaining staff.

Clients also expressed their frustration at the labor offices’ failure to complete simple transactions the same day, despite the introduction of the computerized system.

in the news Course change problems KUWAIT: The head of the Kuwaiti cultural office in Bahrain, Dr. Ali Al-Damkhi, recently met with the Assistant Secretary General for Academic Certification and Assessment Dr. Muna Al-Blushi to discuss several outstanding issues concerning Kuwaiti students studying at universities there. The problems affecting the students include disruptions to the Gulf University’s PhD course and the cancellation of the Delmon University’s Masters program, as well as administrators’ decision to change the curricula on courses already underway, reported Al-Watan.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Blushi informed Dr. Al-Damkhi that the Bahraini academic certification body would issue an official response on the points raised next Monday, April 12.

Suicide in Abu Halifa KUWAIT: A 32-year-old Bangladeshi man reportedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in a remote part of Abu Halifa. After receiving an emergency call from a passerby reporting the sad discovery, police were quickly at the scene, taking evidence and removing the man’s body for autopsy. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the man’s death and his motives for taking his own life, reported Al-Watan. It was revealed that he had been working for a local transport firm.

Investments for minors KUWAIT: Investments on behalf of the Public Authority of Minors’ Affairs were not affected by the global economic crisis, announced the authority’s general manager, Ali AlAlaimi. He added that they managed to achieve a 12 percent profit during the crisis and explained that the authority’s investment policy is to establish companies and engage in projects that have a clear economic feasibility, reported AlQabas. He explained that the authority attempts to work with those entitled to assistance from the authority through their website, which was recently finalized. He noted that they have established electronic connections to several directorates such as the Interior Ministry, the Public Authority of Civil Information, the Justice Ministry and the Fatwa and Legislation Department.

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3 Open seminar at Kuwait University

Financial security key to better health, social life

By Hussain Al-Qatari KUWAIT: The Kuwait University Center of Community Services organized Tuesday evening an open seminar titled, ‘The Sport of Saving Money,’ presented by Faisal Karkari, a personal finance expert. Karkari, author of How To Manage Your Money is the first Kuwaiti specialist in personal finance matters. Taking a unique approach on managing finances, Karkari stressed that in order to save up, one has to have discipline and determination, much like when playing sports and participating in athletic games. He stressed that by having financial security, one can achieve much more than while having a stressful financial time.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receiving yesterday at Bayan Palace Chairman of Saudi Telecom Company (STC) Saud Bin Majed Al-Duweesh and Chairman of VIVA Kuwait Adel Mohammad Al-Roumi. The guests briefed the Crown Prince on significant contributions the company made in social responsibility and charity works’ domain. Sheikh Nawaf thanked the guests for the distinguished effort exerted, as well as the role the company plays in improving quality of technological services it provides. —KUNA

“When you look at the latter factor, or the little daily expenses that we don’t feel the effect of, for example, you will notice that the amount of money that accumulates from these little expenses make up a substantial sum of money,” he noted. He gave examples like yearly individual spending on cigarettes, junk food, mobile bills and internet connection.

“Once you have cut down on some of these purchases, you will notice that you have more time to do things that you love doing.

You will also notice that these things—cigarettes, junk food—are bad for your health,” he said stressing that this strategy of cutting down on expenses will not only save money, but also have a good impact on the individual’s health. “By having free time, you will find yourself being more social, nourishing the tal-

ents you have and spending time doing things that are useful to you,” he noted.

To save up money means being stingy, Karkari begs to differ. “A smart person saves up money for a specific goal—a stingy person saves up without reason,” he clarified. He pointed out that to achieve financial security and independence, one must have will power and strength. “It is a long journey, but it is truly rewarding, and you can achieve it by making small changes in your daily spending.

Just cut down on unnecessary purchases, try to buy what you need, not what you want, and know that in the end you will be able to reward yourself,” said Karkari.

The expert also stressed on the importance of building a personal emergency fund, which should be at least three times the monthly income. “This can be your own bank

which will allow you to create your own loan system: If you need to borrow money, you can lend yourself instead of resorting to a bank loan,” he said.

The most important step before beginning to save up is to pay off debts. “You should always designate a percentage of your salary for paying off your debts. Once all debts and credit cards are paid, this percentage should go immediately into your savings,” explained the expert.

Faisal Karkari will be holding a personal finance course at the Kuwait University Center of Community Services. The dates will be announced soon at the Kuwait University website. The course is open to the public at an affordable fee. Karkari can be reached on his website: www.faisalkarkari.com .

in my view

Severe punishment for traffic offenses t is depressing to read through crime pages in daily newspapers.

This is mostly due to the significant increase in road accidents that cause several fatalities and injuries, ‘wrote Jaber Al-Hajri in his column that appears in Al-Qabas. He feels that people can notice an increase in the number of reckless drivers on the streets of Kuwait, especially youngsters who are less than 30 years old.

Despite the great efforts put in by the Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary Assistant Lt. Mahmoud Al-Dosary to curb

‘I

reckless driving, the culture of arrogance and stubbornness has not been contained, Al-Hajri observes. ‘In my opinion, this can only be solved by adopting several alternative measures, including compulsory conscription for youngsters so that they can learn self-respect and abide by laws,’ he wrote. Overall, the Interior Ministry will not be able to contain erratic driving practices carried out at streets nowadays alone. It needs assistance from the Parliament, the Cabinet to tackle these problems.

‘Furthermore, I agree with Lt. Al-

Dosary’s demands that traffic fines be increased, and that other measures be taken similar to those carried out in neighboring countries like a life-sentence for committing traffic offenses,’ Al-Hajri wrote.

People’s lives are very important.

Therefore, stiff penalties should be enforced on people who endanger people’s lives and fail to respect the laws. ‘I’d like to express gratitude and acknowledgment to traffic authorities for their efforts to protect people on the streets from reckless drivers,’ he concluded.

in the news Public sector jobs KUWAIT: A large number of Kuwaiti graduates and their parents have been visiting the Civil Service Commission (CSC) headquarters on a daily basis for the past few weeks in a bid to secure public sector jobs. A sizeable percentage of these applicants have accused ministries and other state bodies of failing to provide employment opportunities for highly qualified Kuwaiti graduates by refusing to appoint candidates nominated by the commission for civil service posts. The recent surge in the number of citizens registered with the CSC has had positive effects too, with at least 3,000 being appointed to public sector positions, enabling more Kuwaitis to register with the commission in their place.

Youth stabbed KUWAIT: A youngster was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital with serious injuries after he was stabbed in a fight with four men in Salmiya, reported AlWatan. The young man was driving through the area, accompanied by a female companion, and was forced to stop by a vehicle from which four youngsters jumped out and began attacking him. One of the brawlers stabbed him twice using a knife, causing him serious injuries. An ambulance responded to the scene and took the attacked man to the hospital. Police are in pursuit of the criminals.

KBC Football Cup

KUWAIT: The Secretary General of Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Bader Al-Refae inaugurated the annual Spring Formative Arts exhibition yesterday. It is being held annually since 1959, with participation of 60 artists who have displayed over 100 paintings. —Photos by KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Banks Club (KBC) recently launched its 2010 Football Cup tournament, which will last until May 1. In the first match of the tournament, the Boubyan Bank team beat their opponents from the Ahli Bank by 2-0. The first week of the contest will also see matches between Gulf Bank and Commercial Bank, Burgan Bank and Kuwait Finance House, and the International Bank and United Public Bank (the latter previously being known as the Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East or BKME), as well as witnessing a match between the National Bank of Kuwait and AlAhli Bank. Speaking about the event, KBC Secretary General Osama Al-Rashid emphasized the bank’s club’s commitment to organizing such activities for banking sector personnel, voicing hope that the tournament would prove to be a great success.

KUWAIT: Deputy chairman of the Patients Aid Society, Dr Adel Al-Tawheed and the World Health Organization’s regional manager for the East Mediterranean, Dr Hussein Al-Jazaeri exchanging trophies after signing an agreement. —KUNA

Ministers fall out over naturalization list KUWAIT: A disagreement has arisen between the Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Sabah, and the Minister of Interior Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, regarding the naturalization of a number of Bedoon military personnel, according to reports.

The dispute began after the Ministry of Defense (MoD) had prepared a list of 300 Bedoon servicemen and finalized all the procedures for them to be granted Kuwaiti citizenship.

After this was submitted to the interior

minister, however, he insisted that all the cases should be reassessed individually, supporting his recent statements to the press in which he indicated that he alone can make final decisions on any case of naturalization.

On hearing about Sheikh Jaber AlKhalid’s decision, Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak reportedly expressed some irritation, pointing out that as well as being defense minister, he chairs the Supreme Committee on Citizenship, which he said has the final word in all citizenship-related issues.

Phone line misuse KUWAIT: The Ministry of Communications (MoC) is preparing to introduce a new system to combat the illegal misuse of its phone lines to make illicit international calls. A ministry official said that the abuses, which cost Kuwait millions of dinars annually, are perpetrated by expatriate gangs that specialize in these activities. The new system being adopted by the ministry will help in greatly reducing the

misuse of its landlines, said the official, while acknowledging that “it isn’t possible to have complete control over the violations, as this is a difficult issue in the communications world.” The official explained that the MoC’s principal objective in introducing the new system is to ensure that the ministry is able to keep the problem under control and quickly apprehend the violators.

The MoD has made it known that it regards the interior minister’s decision to reassess the files as an insult to the integrity of the intelligence services and senior military officers who drew up the list, since it indicates that Sheikh Jaber AlKhalid does not trust those officials.

A senior MoD official asserted that all those included on the aforementioned naturalization list are wholly worthy of Kuwaiti citizenship, pointing out that some of them fought in Kuwait’s liberation war of 1990-91, while others fought in the 1967 and 1973 Arab wars.

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‘The first battle against corruption’

Kuwaiti lawyers call for major judicial reforms

By Ahmad Saeid KUWAIT: Kuwaiti lawyers have called for a number of major judicial reforms in the country. Among the most important and necessary reforms, they said, are the unification of different bodies’ prosecution departments, and adopting legislation allowing complainants to bring lawsuits against judges. The

KUWAIT: Firemen in action after a fire broke out in a carpentry shop in Al-Rai area yesterday. —Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

Carpentry workshop catches fire in Al-Rai: One injured

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: A carpentry workshop in Al-Rai caught fire on Tuesday evening. Firemen from Madina, Ardhiya, Shuwaikh Industrial Area support centers responded to an emergency call and reached the area. The blaze was contained in an hour and prevented it from spreading to adjacent buildings. A fireman who suffered knee injuries while tackling the fire was admitted to Al-Rai hospital.

Sexual assault A Filipina was raped after she agreed to clean the bedroom of a Bangladeshi that she works with. The Bangladeshi locked her in the room for three days and the woman was only able to escape after she found a mobile in his room and called police. The authorities arrested the Bangladeshi and charged him with rape.

other material objects before being brought under control.

Expat mugged A Saudi and four bedoons, all juveniles, were arrested by a police patrol while trying to rob an expat. They were all charged with attempted forced robbery and referred to the proper authorities.

School robbed Angry inmate An enraged central prison inmate being returned to his cell broke cameras and several

A school in Sulaibiya was robbed of 40 gold medals.

Police are investigating the incident.

“Currently, there are no standardized procedures for the recognition of lawyers,” he said.

“We suggest adding a certification examination that law school graduates should pass before being allowed to practice law.”

Al-Muthaffar also criticized the fact that at present, there is no legislation giving a court the right to estimate lawyers’ fees, as well as no clear policy on the issue of law school professors practicing law outside university.

Ubaid Al-Wasmi, a Kuwait University professor of procedural law said that any legal reform intended to fight corruption must start by making the right reforms to the judicial authority. One of the most important reforms is to unite the different prosecution bodies and departments, he asserted.

“Currently, misdemeanors are handled by the Ministry of Interior, while felonies are handled by the Ministry of Justice,” he said.

Al-Wasmi asserted that this is not only unfair on prosecutors who are doing the same job under two different authorities and with different degrees, but can also compromise the independence of judicial system.

In the meantime, the KU professor cautioned that some individuals go too far when considering providing more independence for the judicial system. “There are some suggestions that are said to be aimed at providing more independence for the judicial system, that sounds more like a draft of a constitution for an independent country,” he said.

Al-Wasmi said that some individuals fail to distinguish between judicial independence and giving judges immunity from prosecution, insisting that Kuwait should join the list of countries that allow people to file complaints against judges if the judges make clear mistakes which adversely affect the outcome of a case.

The visiting speaker from the Egyptian Supreme Judicial Committee, Professor Muhammad AboulEnein disagreed with AlWasmi’s proposal however, saying, “To allow people to sue judges would only make it harder for judges to hand down convictions since they would be afraid of being prosecuted for it.”

The distinguished Egyptian academic suggested that instead legislation should be introduced that would pay compensation to those affected by judicial errors. He also rejected suggestions that judges should be treated in the same manner as other civil servants.

“A judge is not an employee, he is a sort of ‘ruler,’ who derives his authority from the country’s ruler, therefore it wouldn’t be fair to treat him like any other public sector worker,” he insisted.

AboulEnein agreed, however, on the importance of unifying the country’s various prosecutorial bodies, concluding, “I find it strange that the National Assembly in Kuwait is busy with other, less important matters and is not giving appropriate attention to this issue.”

‘Top priority to security of Kuwait’ KUWAIT: Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah yesterday said he will not allow anyone to fiddle with homeland security and citizens’ safety.

His remarks came as he headed a security meeting at the ministry earlier yesterday, which was attended by Acting Ministry Undersecretary Lt Gen Ghazi AlOmar, Director of National Security Bureau Sheikh Athbi Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and ministry assistant undersecretaries.

Affirming that homeland security and citizens’ safety are top priorities, Al-Khaled conveyed greetings of the political leadership to ministry personnel.

Security men began regaining their prestige due to abiding by ministry regulations and being constantly vigilant while on duty, he pointed out.

He also briefed superior security leaders on latest developments on the local and international arenas, stressing the need to deal firmly with any outlaw or violator.

He concluded by expressing appreciation for efforts exerted by security leaders to protect homeland security and citizens’ safety, hoping for further work to be done for the sake of the country’s wellbeing. —KUNA

Encroachments to be demolished KUWAIT: The committee in charge of demolishing encroachments on state property decided to begin removing violations on state property in the Amghara scrap yard next week, reported Al-Anba. The committee chairman, general Mohammad AlBader met Tuesday with the Minister of Public Works, the deputy director of municipal council, Shaya Al-Shaa, and director general of municipality, Ahmad Al Subaih.

lawyers made their calls during a seminar held at the Kuwait Bar Association’s headquarters on Tuesday evening, with the high-level participants including academic experts, lawyers and a visiting delegation from Egypt’s supreme judicial committee. Kuwaiti lawyer Bassem Al-Muthaffar said that Kuwait’s current legal system contains numerous inconsistencies, with many parts of it needing to be reconsidered.

KUWAIT: Muhammad AboulEnein (right), Alhamid Al-Subaei, deputy head of Kuwaiti Bar Association, Ubaid Al-Wasmi and Bassem Al-Muthaffar at the seminar.

KUWAIT: A partial view of the attendees at the seminar. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

in my view

Time for action to ease financial woes

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cannot explain the silence of the parliamentary committee members regarding the current high prices of goods in local shops and Co-ops, writes Sami Al-Khorafi in Al-Anba. Neither can I explain their deathly hush on the subject of inadequate salary increases which are no long sufficient to buy the basic weekly groceries for ordinary citizens.

At various times, we’ve heard that wage rises are very close for all civil servants, then we heard about a grant of thousands of dinars for each adult citizen.

We’ve also heard reports of financial assistance for every Kuwaiti without exception, and of course we’ve heard

about a government initiative to reduce prices. We hear an awful lot, to the extent that we don’t know who to believe and who to disbelieve or when the problems facing all those at the mercy of high prices will be resolved. At present, just supporting their families and getting through the week takes all their salaries and they are left to put their chin on their hand and wait for a solution that never comes.

The absence of government supervision and the carelessness of NA members, along with the greed of some businessmen, are among the main headaches for citizens, who are burdened by the cost

of repayments for consumer goods they’ve bought, as well as by high prices everywhere coupled with low salaries, not to mention the demands of their children and other family members, leaving them clueless as to what to do.

People are cursing the world’s financial problems, which are blamed for being at the root of everything whenever the price of anything rises.

The only hope for citizens is the introduction of wage rises that should be introduced and approved fast in order to enable Kuwaitis to face the high prices.

So will the government and MPs look into this matter? I think it’s time.

KUWAIT: GCC participants in the 10th Fadiya Al-Saad Scientific Competition for Girls, that is due to be concluded today under the auspices of HH the PM, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah and the attendance of Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr Moudhi Al-Homoud, pose for a group photograph yesterday. —KUNA

in my view

Chaos and reprogramming one’s mind

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ollowing the invention of car satellite navigation or ‘satnav’ systems, tourism in Europe has become easier than ever, writes Ahmad Mohammad Al-Fahad in Al-Watan. Using these inventions, you don’t have to hire a tour guide to take you across countries so that you can see the great scenery and landscape

there; you can do it yourself.

While witnessing the beauty of nature in the trees, rivers and clear blue skies, a Kuwaiti citizen will be able to ‘reprogram’ their own memory, recalling that the sky’s normal color is blue, not dusty sand.

Those citizens who have gone through this reprogramming process will then also

start to wonder how it is that citizens of 27 different European nations can live without borders, using one currency and one passport, along with one type of license plate, while in Kuwait alone we have three types of vehicle license plates in different forms and carrying different data, the purpose of which is unknown.

nATionAl

Thursday, April 8, 2010

5 Attempt to escape from sponsor

Maid dies in Um Al-Haiman after falling from third floor KUWAIT: An Asian maid died after falling from the third floor of a building tors are looking into the incident. Meanwhile, an Asian woman tried to kill in Um Al-Haiman while trying to escape her sponsor’s apartment, reported herself by slitting the veins of her right wrist in her Hawally apartment, Al-Qabas. Paramedics responded to the emergency and found the maid still reported Al-Qabas. Her life was saved when paramedics arrived to the alive but suffering from severe injuries. She was admitted to the intensive scene and she was admitted to Mubarak Hospital. Police are waiting for her care unit of Adan Hospital where she eventually died. Criminal investiga- health to stabilize in order to begin investigating the incident.

Fire Tragic accident Al-Anba.

Investigations his identification. He was with the sponsor for the whole Firefighters extinguished a two weeks and that he raped her A Pakistani taxi driver was revealed that he was selling referred to the proper authorifire in a chalet inside an animal several times. A case was killed while driving underneath drugs for drug dealers currently ties. (Siyasa) farm in Kabad, reported Al- opened and the citizen was sum- the bridge between Khaitan and in the Central Jail. He was Security assaulted Watan. No injuries were report- moned for questioning.

Omariya, reported Al-Watan. taken to the proper authorities.

A captain working for the ed in the incident and an investiThe man was killed when an Baby abandoned Youth escapes Kuwaiti Army tried to use his gation revealed that an electrical SUV drove off the bridge and An infant was found aban- fell on top of his vehicle. Five A youth escaped from two military rank as a means to short circuit in an air conditioning unit started the blaze. doned on the first floor of Adan others were seriously injured young Gulf Cooperative Council break the law, reported AlMeanwhile, a fire was deliber- Hospital by a nurse, reported Al- when the SUV also crashed into (GCC) men, who kidnapped him Watan. He verbally assaulted ately started in an abandoned Watan. Police are searching for a minibus. The injured were and brought him to a location security guards at the Kuwait house in Khaitan, reported Al- the baby’s mother. taken to the hospital and police near Abdullah Port, reported International Airport after they Al-Anba. The youth was found refused to allow his sister to Watan. Paramedics extinguished are investigating the incident.

Animal attack

by Ahmadi police after he take photos of landing aircrafts. the fire before it could spread Shopkeeper assaulted jumped out of the moving vehi- The serviceman and his sister and no injuries were reported in A 33-year-old Filipina maid the fire. Authorities are still suffered several injuries after A shopkeeper from Salmiya cle in an attempt to escape. The exited a plane that had landed searching for the arsonists. she was attacked by a dog in a informed authorities at the youth explained that the young shortly after takeoff due to home in Salwa, reported Al- Rumathiya police station that a men were planning to sexually technical difficulties. Soon Maid raped Watan. She was taken to the citizen physically assaulted him assault him and he gave the after, the woman began taking The owner of a maid recruit- Mubarak Hospital and authori- and threatened to kill him with authorities a description of his pictures of other aircrafts on ment agency informed authori- ties are investigating the cause a gun, reported Al-Rai. The kidnappers. Authorities are still the landing strip. Security guards instructed her against ties at the Abu Hlaifa police sta- of the incident. shopkeeper explained that he searching for the kidnappers. such actions and were startled tion that a maid his office providhad a previous argument with Fugitive in custody by the woman’s brother who Drug abuse ed to a citizen was raped, reportthe assailant. A case was Customs authorities at the tried to make use of his military ed Al-Watan. The man explained A 34-year-old bedoon was opened and police are searching Abdaly border checkpoint rank in order to allow her to that a citizen asked to use a maid found passed out in his car in for the attacker. arrested a Kuwaiti fugitive in continue. An altercation took for a three-day trial period and Ardiya while high on narcotics, Drug dealer nabbed his 20’s trying to escape the place between him and the returned three days later report- reported Al-Watan. He was ing that she had run away. Two arrested, taken to the local A bedoon was arrested in country, reported Al-Seyassah. security officers and the disweeks later, the maid returned police station and referred to the Sulaiybiya for selling drugs and Authorities realized that he pute ended after the officers to the office and told the busi- General Department for Drug found in possession of a quarter was wanted for a previous drug filed an official complaint ness owner that she had been Control. kilogram of hashish, reported related case after looking into against the captain.

Role of women in integration project ‘vital’

KUWAIT: A traffic awareness campaign in progress in Omariya yesterday.

Food supplement prices slashed KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a decree to slash the prices of food supplements by five percentage.

The relevant announcement was made by the Assistant Undersecretary for Medication and Medical Equipment Affairs, Dr Omar

Kuwait chairs Arab Working Group meeting CAIRO: The State of Kuwait yesterday chaired the second meeting of the Arab Working Group, which has been tasked with devising a comprehensive Arab strategy to prevent any growth in the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency in the region.

The meeting, held at the Arab League headquarters in the Egyptian capital, was chaired by Dr. Mohammed Al-Tabtabae, who represented the chairperson of the Committee of Women’s Affairs in Kuwait, Sheikha Latifa Fahad AlSabah, who was the first person in the region to adopt this initiative to develop such a strategy. Kuwait hosted the first meeting of the Arab working group to develop this strategy.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the two-day gathering, Al-Tabtabae explained that the Arab Group had focused on the development of a draft Arab strategy for preventing juvenile delinquency among the region’s young people.

The meeting aims to develop the first draft of the strategy, which will be referred to the next meeting of the ministers concerned, which is scheduled to take place in June, so that Arab countries can adopt an integrated strategy which will have a positive impact on Arab societies. —KUNA

Al-Saied Omar.

The reduced rates will be applicable on all vitamin tablets, in addition to products that contain amino acids and proteins that are included in its components, reported Al-Watan.

Meanwhile, Dr Omar confirmed reports about the

ministry’s decision to allow the distribution of 11 types of medicines to expatriates.

These were previously provided exclusively to citizens owing to high costs.

The prices were slashed after the ministry welcomed the introduction of alternate brands.

KUWAIT: Commerce and Industry Minister Ahmad AlHaroun has stressed the importance of the role of Gulf women in the Gulf economic integration project.

Speaking at the opening of the first economic forum of Gulf women Tuesday evening, Al-Haroun said economic integration was a joint responsibility.

He said the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) made great countries progress in several economic integration projects, mainly the joint Gulf market. He emphasized that the government was keen on stressing the role of women.

He said such forums would pave way for a new phase of economic and development activities in the Gulf region, calling for increasing interaction among Gulf women.

Meanwhile, representative of the forum’s organizing committee and Director General of leaders group company Nabeela Al-Anjiri said in a speech that the forum aims to form a joint Gulf framework for businesswomen based on the social, cultural, and economic environment and joint characteristics of Gulf women who are active in the economic field. —KUNA

French FM seeks more support to Kuwait French Foreign Minister PARIS: Bernard Kouchner told parliamentarians here yesterday that France should be the advocate of Kuwait in the treatment of the border problem with Iraq, and this issue should be settled rapidly.

Speaking at the Foreign Affairs Commission in the French National Assembly, Kouchner said he had recently been to Kuwait and had seen there was indeed a problem and had discussed this

issue. “We recently went to Kuwait and we have gone several times to Iraq and said that this problem should be settled, not by a disdainful initiative, or by an initiative whereby Iraq says it is a problem we dont need to treat now,” Kouchner affirmed. “I think relative to the problem of the frontier, our ties with Kuwait are good enough that we should be their advocate in this matter,” Kouchner said in answer to questions.

Queried about compensation for the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait and the damages due to other countries, notably Kuwait, Kouchner said France favored a global negotiation on this subject but this had not started as yet.

He noted that Iraq, despite progress in its budgetary situation, maintains that all forms of compensation, outside of mandatory UN payments, are not on the agenda. —KUNA

NATIONAL

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Fit4fun celebrates World Health Day

Healthy activities in public spaces

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Proper exercise a nd a hea lthy lifestyle a re being promoted a t the Ma rina Ma ll by ‘Fit4Fun’ - a hea lth club for kids a nd teens ba sed in Ma hboula . The group w ill be orga nizing va rious exercises until Sa turda y World Health Day was first created in 1948 to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Since 1950, it has been celebrated on April 7 each year with a different annual theme to highlight a priority or a concern.

In Kuwait, World Health Day activities are sponsored by Fit4Fun. They started their four-day event outside of the Marina Mall compound yesterday. Everyone is welcome to join, have fun and learn about the importance of proper exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Peter Fitz, Managing Director for

kuwait digest

Teachers’ Society is sound asleep!

I

n his Al-Rai column, Mubarak AlHazza slammed a recent statement issued by the Kuwait Teachers Society (KTS) protesting against the Ministry of Education’s plan to prolong school timing at public schools. ‘I was speechless with shame while reading the statement and could not believe that it came from Kuwaiti teachers who ought to be more devoted to their jobs,’ he said. He described that the statement was written in a childish manner where a teenager blames another for ‘stealing his candy!’

‘The 500 word statement did not explain the reasons behind why the

motion was rejected. They simply explained ice as water,’ he added. He underscored that teachers should be able to reflect a nation’s culture and future.

‘What good can we expect from those who write statements that focus only on undermining others and the way they think!’ he exclaimed.

Further, Al-Hazza asked the teachers to visit India and China to realize the difference. ‘Students there stay in school more than twice as long as ours,’ he said.

He illustrated with the example of a private school he had worked for during his younger days, where he had to work for

eight long hours. ‘This is two hours more than students in public schools here. I was younger and stronger then and had no complaints with the heat or the amount of assignments given,’ he recollected.

Moreover, he challenged the KTS to prove ‘how shallow the ministry’s plan was’ as claimed in the statement and produce relevant documents to support the claim. ‘The statement contained insults and accusations from people who are only keen on getting paid for doing nothing. It is a shame that this comes from teachers,’ he concluded.

in celebra tion of ‘World Hea lth Da y’. This yea r’s theme, ‘1000 cities, 1000 lives’ w ill focus on urba niza tion a nd hea lth w ith the goa l of encoura ging hea lthy a ctivities in public spa ces, w hether it’s in pa rks, tow n ha ll meetings, a clea n-up ca mpa ign or closing off portions of streets to motorized vehicles.

Fit4Fun invited everyone to take advantage of the free demo and exercise tips from professionals.

“Our goal is to encourage people to indulge in the proper way of managing their lives through several exercise techniques,” Fritz said. “We’ll be here at the Marina Mall compound to promote healthy living.”

In addition to live demonstrations of physical activities by professional instructors, visitors can also enjoy checkups on their body fat, muscle mass and check the percentage of water in their body. Games and

other activities for children are available for the duration of the four-day celebration.

Fit4Fun is a private health club promoting healthy living through physical activities like dancing, martial arts, yoga, beach games and climbing. Fit4Fun embraces modern technology and transforms video games into challenging workouts. “We encourage the young to exercise in order to help them maintain a healthy life,” Fritz enthused.

You can learn more about the organization by visiting their website at www.fit4funq8.com

Legal action against minister, EPA KUWAIT: Attorney Fahad Al-Buraikan took legal action against the Public Works Minister, the head of the Environmental Public Authority (EPA) and the CEO of the company responsible for the Mishref water treatment malfunction, reported Al-Watan.

In his first lawsuit, against Minister Dr Fadhel Safar, Al-Buraikan asked to be provided with documents revealing the pro-

fessional status of a number of engineers working with the ministry.

He will be looking into the backgrounds of those responsible for the controversial actions that led to the Mishref malfunction.

He also held the minister accountable for the loss of public funds while attempting to handle the incident.

Al-Buraikan’s second lawsuit, filed

against the head of the EPA, accuses them of failing to carry out proper studies regarding the assessment of the environmental crisis that took place as a result of the mishap.

In the third lawsuit, filed against the project’s contractor, the attorney asked for the company to be held accountable for the errors that caused the mishap to occur.

in the news Banned books entry KUWAIT: MP Dr Jaman AlHarbash officially joined the inquiry filed by his colleague, MP Waleed AlTabtabae, against the Finance Minister Mostafa Al-Shamali, reported Al-Rai. Al-Tabtabae questioned who was responsible for allowing the entry of several banned books through the Abdali border. He added that the books should have been first examined by the Ministry of Information’s publications department.

KUWAIT: Khalid Al-Ghanim, the managing director and deputy CEO of TEC.

TEC approves growth plan for upcoming five years

By Rawan Khalid KUWAIT: The Touristic Enterprises Company in Kuwait (TEC), held its annual general assembly yesterday under the presence of the Audit Bureau (AB). It was attended by Managing Director and Deputy CEO Khalid AlGhanim, TEC’s Managing Director for Administrative and Financial Affairs Khalid Ben Sabt, and the Finance Manager Azam AlMandeel.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, Managing Director and Deputy CEO Khalid AlGhanim spoke to the media. He said, “The company has implemented some strategic plans during the past few years, and these were

accomplished within the short or long period.”

“The results prove that the company’s performance is exemplary. A profit of KD 6,373,432 was recorded despite economic change. However, the net profit for year 2009 was KD 957,337,” Al-Ghanim added.

“The company has charted out a growth plan for the upcoming five years, which will be implemented during 2010. Some of the projects include building new docks at Khairan resort, including renewing some Chalets. Khairan resort is now undergoing renovation.

“We will complete the Kuwait Towers’ maintenance from outside. In the Entertainment City, we will install new games that is aimed at the youth,” Al-Ghanim explained.

KUWAIT: The press conference in progress.— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Kuw aiti PM message RIYADH: Saudi Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz received yesterday a message from His Highness the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad AlAhmad Al-Sabah. Kuwaiti Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah delivered the message to Prince Naif during their meeting here. Sheikh Hamad told KUNA after the meeting that he conveyed to Prince a verbal message from Sheikh Nasser. “The message deals with the brotherly relations as part of the constant contacts, coordination and consultations between the leaderships of the two countries,” he added.

BEIRUT: Heads of Arab funds supporting youth activities meeting in Beirut. —KUNA

Beirut hosts Arab funds meeting BEIRUT: 30th session for heads of Arab funds supporting youth activities began here yesterday with the participation of several Arab states including Kuwait.

The meeting is a preparatory event for the 33rd session of Arab youth and sport ministerial council to be held under the aus-

pices of Lebanese President Michel Suleiman. The meeting focused on the financial aspects of supporting activities for Arab youths.

Lebanese Minister of Youth and Sport Ali Abdullah said on the sidelines of the meeting that the attendees had reached an agree-

ment on overcoming the financial liabilities facing Lebanese sport.

Meanwhile, Arab Ministers of Sport and Youth met with Lebanese Speaker Nabieh Berri and Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri, discussing with them issues facing Arab sports. — KUNA

Telephone services KUWAIT: The Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Communications Eng Rashed Al-Mai said that landline telephone services will be restored in Mishref next week. He added that the ministry’s contractor are currently working towards returning telephone lines to its previous state, reported Al-Anba. Another official from the ministry said that at least 17,000 lines will be repaired shortly .

Croatia visa KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the Kuwaiti nationals yesterday to apply for visa to enter Croatia in the period between March 1 and Oct 31, 2010. The procedure applies to all nationals willing to visit the former Yugoslav republic as tourists, according to a press release issued by the consular affairs department of the ministry.

Arab charity bazaar in Japan TOKYO: The Kuwait Embassy here took part in the 12th Arab Charity Bazaar which was held yesterday at the Ark Hills Square in Tokyo under the patronage of Princess Takamado.

The event, sponsored by the Swaaaj Society (with wives of Arab diplomats in Tokyo), was attended by the Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi’s wife Jamaila Al-Otaibi. It aims at helping the various charity societies in Japan.

Mrs. Al-Otaibi, who chaired the organization of the Kuwaiti pavillion at the bazaar, answered all questions by the visitors. Several traditional Kuwaiti foods, products and clothes were displayed at the bazaar which also featured Arab goods.

Al-Otaibi said, “Kuwait is keen on taking part in this fair every year for the humanitarian nature and the noble goals it embodies.”

She said that the Kuwaiti pavilion fea-

tured traditional clothing, dishes, coffee, incense and souvenirs and also displayed several cultural and economic publications.

Al-Otaibi said that Kuwaiti goods were offered at reasonable prices, thus increasing sales whose revenues will go to a special charity fund. The bazaar not only helps bring Arab and Japanese cultures closer, but also contributes to charity activities nationwide. — KUNA

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Iraq in ‘open war’ with Qaeda after bombings BAGHDAD: Deadly bomb attacks in Baghdad are aimed at pressuring political blocs battling to form a government, a top politician said yesterday, as Iraq declared “war” with Al-Qaeda over the surge in violence. Six bombs in the capital killed at least 35 people on Tuesday, two days after another coordinated set of attacks against foreign embassies killed 30 people. The sudden wave of attacks has fuelled fears that insurgents are making a return due to a political impasse following March 7 elections.

“They have a political motive - they are being used as pressure on the political blocs,” Baghdad Governor Salah Abdul Razzaq told AFP, adding that he believed the attacks were intended to put pressure on particular lists as they carried out negotiations over government formation. He did not say which blocs he was referring to or elaborate further. His remarks reiterate those of Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, following warnings from security officials that a protracted period of coalition formation could give insurgents an opportunity to further destabilise Iraq.

Iraqi political parties are still locked in negotiations in a bid to form a government, nearly a month after the election left four main blocs each without sufficient seats to form a parliamentary majority on its own. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s State of Law Alliance finished with 89 seats in the 325member parliament after the March 7 parliamentary elections, two fewer than ex-premier Iyad Allawi’s Iraqiya bloc. Allawi has accused Iran of seeking to prevent him becoming prime minister again by inviting all major parties except his secular bloc to Tehran.

Results from an unofficial “referendum” by supporters of a powerful Iran-based cleric yesterday placed both Maliki and Allawi far behind an expremier under whom Iraq’s sectarian conflict erupted. The April 2-3 nationwide poll organised by the radical anti-US cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr called Ibrahim Al-Jaafari as the top choice for prime minister. The poll that has no legal standing placed Jaafar Al-Sadr, the son of another senior cleric who founded Maliki’s Islamic Dawa Party and was murdered in 1980, in second place. Maliki came a distant fourth followed by Allawi.

The referendum is being seen as a way for the Sadrist bloc, whose leader has been living in neighbouring Iran for about two years, to avoid giving its backing to Maliki, who ordered a 2008 offensive against the group’s armed wing. Abdul Razzaq, a member of State of Law, added that he was unhappy with security measures in the capital, saying “there are still weak points”. “At inspection points, they are not using new technologies - they are using classical methods,” he said.

Iraq’s security forces have been widely criticised for using a sonar explosives detector widely panned as useless. The detectors appear to have failed to have stopped either Sunday’s vehicle bombs or Tuesday’s blasts targeting residential buildings. “We are in a war. In our case, it is an open war with remnants of Al-Qaeda and the Baath” party of Saddam Hussein, Baghdad security spokesman Major General Qassim Atta told AlArabiya television. “There has been support for terrorist groups from outside Iraq, from people who don’t want to see the political process be a success,” he added, without elaborating.—AFP

Rights group calls for war crimes probe in Yemen war DUBAI: Yemen’s government and the Shiite rebels it fought for years should investigate allegations they both committed war crimes and hold perpetrators to account, a human rights group urged yesterday. The Yemeni government and northern Houthi rebels reached a ceasefire agreement in February. But the truce contains no accountability provisions, said Human Rights Watch, and called on both sides to investigate the allegations. “In many cases these violations are wrapped up in the grievances that have fueled the conflict to begin with,” said Joe Stork, deputy director for the Middle East at HRW. He called for independent probes of alleged “serious laws of war violations” in order to sustain the truce and to prevent a repeat of crimes should the ceasefire break down.

The report by the New York-based watchdog, released in Dubai, outlines a series of alleged abuses based on interviews conducted with civilians and aid workers in October. HRW officials said they wanted to release the report in the Yemeni capital Sanaa but were not granted visas by the authorities. Allegations include indiscriminate bombing and shelling by gov-

ernment forces, on-the-spot executions and the use of human shields by rebels. HRW also accuses both sides of using child soldiers.

Houthi rebels have fought Yemen’s government sporadically for years, complaining of neglect and sectarian discrimination. Fighting flared up again last August before coming to a halt earlier this year. The cease-fire deal reached in February - one of several truces signed over the course of the six-year conflict - calls on the rebels to disarm and release captured soldiers and property.

Human Rights Watch said it based the 54-page report on interviews with civilians who witnessed fighting in Yemen’s northern Saada and Amran provinces, as well as with humanitarian aid workers.

The fighting has displaced tens of thousands of civilians since 2004. Christoph Wilcke, one of the report’s authors, said the government blocked researchers from visiting the scene of the fighting and sites of alleged crimes.

He said that HRW letters sent to both sides, outlining the findings and requesting additional information, received no response. —AP

INTERNATIONAL

7

Bashir grants Carter unlimited access

Sudan vote credibility hit by oppn, observer pullout KHARTOUM: The credibility of Sudan’s first general elections in two ment in the western Sudanese region of Darfur. “If I feel that security decades has been thrown into further doubt after a main opposition party conditions are not guaranteed -not just for the observers but for the peoextended its boycott of the vote and jittery EU monitors warned they may ple of Darfur - and if I am not certain these elections will allow for credipull out of war-torn Darfur. European Union election monitors, citing ble monitoring, I will not observe them,” EU head of mission Veronique security concerns, said yesterday they were re-assessing their deploy- de Keyser told AFP. Sudan is to hold its first multi-party general election since 1986 on April 11-13, which will include presidential, legislative and local polls. The vote is considered a prelude to a referendum on southern independence scheduled for Jan 2011.

The former southern rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement said late Tuesday it was extending its boycott to include the northern states in Sudan including Darfur. But it said it would still field candidates in the sensitive border states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, where the party enjoys support.

“After reviewing the situation ... we the SPLM for the northern sector have arrived at the conclusion to boycott elections in the 13 northern states of Sudan,” excluding the sensitive states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, Pagan Amum, the secretary general, said Tuesday night after a meeting of the SPLM political bureau. “We will continue to participate in the elections in southern Sudan, Nuba mountains (in south Kordofan), and Blue Nile, and we are sure the SPLM will win KHARTOUM: Members of an opposition group named ‘Girifna’ (We’re Fed Up) protest outside the offices those areas,” he said. of the Sudanese National Elections Commission on Tuesday, calling for ‘free and fair’ elections. — AFP Amum lashed out at Sudanese President Omar Al- Graham Elson, field officer with told a rally north of Sudan, as of participation in the election after initially stating it was conBashir’s National Congress the centre that was set up by US the election campaign begins to later on Wednesday, after it had fident the vote would start on Party, accusing it of intimida- former president Jimmy Carter, wind down. In the run-up to the given Beshir a list of conditions, time. But Sudan’s national election. “The NCP continues to denied anyone had been kicked elections, opposition groups including freezing “repressive” tion commission insisted issue threats to observers and out. wavered over their intention to security measures and pushing Tuesday that the vote will go you can imagine if they are Softening his approach participate and on what level. back the election date. ahead as planned on April 11-13. threatening observers to cut regarding observers, Bashir The Democratic Unionist The Umma and the DUP North and south Sudan were their limbs and noses, what will yesterday said he would grant Party, one of Sudan’s two main came first and second respec- engaged in a bitter decades-long happen to Sudanese people,” he Carter and his election opposition groups, said on tively in the 1986 elections civil war that left around two said, in reference to statements observers unlimited access in Tuesday it would present Hatim three years before Beshir came million dead and some four milBashir had made. Amum said the country. “In two days, pres- Al-Sir as presidential candidate, to power in a military coup. lion displaced.

Sudanese authorities had ident Carter will arrive and I will after an initial decision to boyIn a slight shift in position, The two parties signed the expelled observers with the receive him and will give him cott. the United States said on Comprehensive Peace Carter Centre in nine northern and his centre permission to go The other key opposition Monday it would accept a short Agreement in 2005, which prostates, saying it revealed the to any area of Sudan and to mon- party, the Umma party, is delay in the landmark elections vided for both the elections and NCP’s “intolerance”, but itor any area in Sudan,” Bashir expected to announce its level if it helped address concerns, the referendum. — AFP

INTERNATIONAL

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Russian, Polish leaders honour Soviet massacre dead

KATYN, Russia: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (left) speaks as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin looks on after a memorial ceremony yesterday. — AP

KATYN, Russia: In an unprecedented diplomatic show, the Russian and Polish prime ministers yesterday honoured 22,000 Poles murdered 70 years ago by Soviet forces in the Katyn Forest.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Poland’s Donald Tusk are the first leaders of their countries to attend a joint ceremony honouring victims of the notorious World War II massacre ordered by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. The event has cast a long cloud over their bilateral relations.

“This crime cannot be justified in any way,” Putin told reporters at the site but stopped short of apologising for the massacre, a gesture Poles have long urged.

For years, Soviet propaganda blamed the massacre on Nazi Germany. “A lie was told for decades, but we cannot blame the Russian people for it,” Putin added, insisting “inhuman totalitarianism” was responsible for the “martyred death of both Soviet citizens and Polish officers.”

He also urged reconciliation between Russia and Poland, which have also had tense relations since Poland cast off

Soviet communist domination. “In 21st century Europe, there is no alternative but for Poland and Russia to be good neighbours,” Putin insisted. “We still have a way to go on the road to reconciliation,” Poland’s Tusk said. “A word of truth can mobilise two peoples looking for the road to reconciliation. Are we capable of transforming a lie into reconciliation? We must believe we can.”

The two leaders laid the cornerstone of a new Russian Orthodox church at the site of the massacre, near Smolensk in western Russia, and paid respect to Soviet victims of Stalinist-era terror campaigns buried next to the Polish officers.

In spring sunshine, Poles and Russians including relatives of the dead gathered for solemn prayers at the memorial site in the Katyn Forest.

In April-May 1940, Soviet NKVD secret police massacred Polish military elites, including landowners, teachers, lawyers or doctors mobilised after Nazi Germany’s September 1, 1939 invasion of Poland. They were captured by the

Red Army following its September 17 invasion from the east.

Although the slaughter was committed in several places, Katyn has become its chief symbol. It represents what was perhaps the most flagrant lie proffered for half a century by Soviet propaganda, which long claimed Nazi Germany was to blame.

Although in 1990 Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev admitted that Moscow was responsible, even today few Russians -long fed on Soviet propaganda - know the truth about Katyn.

Katyn remains a painful issue in Polish-Russian relations, which have often been tense since Poland shrugged off Soviet-style communism in 1989, joining NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.

Russian courts have classified the vast majority of files in the Katyn massacre case, making it impossible to access information that could help find some 7,000 Polish officers still missing. On March 5, the Russian group “Memorial” called on President Dmitry Medvedev to

reopen the investigation into this “war crime and crime against humanity”.

As a sign of the new openness on this question earlier this month, Russia’s public Kultura television channel aired “Katyn”, a film by Polish director Andrzej Wajda about the massacre. After the ceremonies at the Katyn cemetery, Putin and Tusk were to hold talks in nearby Smolensk during a meeting of a joint task-force on “difficult issues” in bilateral relations.

Among the most contentious issues, is Poland’s decision to host US Patriot missiles on its soil and the possible involvement of Warsaw in the new version of a planned US missile shield.

Both are the source of considerable concern for the Kremlin. Poland has opposed the joint Russian-German NordStream project to build a natural gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea floor, thus bypassing Polish territory.

Warsaw sees this as a threat to its energy security, not to mention lost gas transit earnings. —AFP

Magistrate: Garzon knowingly acted without jurisdiction

Judge on trial for probe of Franco-era atrocities

MADRID: Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon (right) leaves the National Court with an unidentified man yesterday. — AP

Rwanda rebels tired of forest hideouts GOMA, DR Congo: Young mother and former Hutu rebel fighter Epiphany Mukamana did a little jig when she told of her pleasure at being able to escape her one-time base in the dense forest. “I am happy to have left the forest, I was tired,” said the 26-year-old at a United Nations camp in the city of Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mukamana arrived recently with her 10-year-old son, deserting the ranks of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) for a chance to be repatriated to her homeland across the border under a UN programme.

A handful of former Rwandan combattants have turned up in recent days at the camp in Goma, the main centre in the Nord-Kivu province. A Congolese army operation against the FDLR, launched in Nord- and Sud-Kivu in March 2009, had pushed the rebels out of the cities and villages they set up years earlier in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

They were forced to abandon their fields, livestock and small businesses to hide out in the remote forests. They were safer there, but life was considerably more difficult. “We had to loot, to steal to eat. It was tiring. That is why I left,” said Mukamana.

John Musabuyimana, 40, served in the mor-

tar division of a batallion at an FDLR headquarters set up in the Ntoto forest about 100 km west of Goma. Along with his wife and children aged three and six, he made it to a camp of the UN’s Disarmament, Demobilisation, Repatriation, Reintegration and Reinstallation program several days ago. “For resupplies, we attacked Congolese army positions,” he said.

“Then we salvaged rations and ammunition.

The fighters also had the right to go and do business, like in palm oil, for two months and then to return. But at the start of 2009, it became harder to live in the forest, and we had less freedom.”

To dissuade would-be deserters, FDLR officers - some of whom have been accused of participating in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda warned their troops that they would be killed or jailed if they returned home to Rwanda. “If we are stopped in the process of fleeing, we are considered like one of the enemy,” said Saidi Dahimana, 26, a former corporal in the same rebel battalion. “We could be whipped, imprisoned, even killed,” he said. “When you decide to leave, you must not tell anyone, it has to stay secret,” added the young man. He said he had left with his wife because he was “tired of the forest”.

All the former fighters denied that the FDLR was exploiting the region’s considerable mineral wealth, contradicting several reports from UN agencies and non-government organisations. Dahimana also said there had been no weakening of the FDLR, which one UN source estimates at fewer than 4,000 fighters in the two Kivu provinces.

“They are continuing to recruit young Rwandan or Congolese Hutus, from the age of 17, who undergo training of three months,” he said. “We are not afraid of the Congolese soldiers, they are not capable of fighting us,” he added. Dahimana went on to give a detailed explanation of the structure of the FDLR units to a UN official.

Under the UN program, he and other former Hutu fighters and their families will be taken to a reintegration camp in Mutobo in Rwanda, where they will spend at least two months before restarting their lives. For some of them, that will be 16 years after they fled into the Democratic Republic of Congo following the genocide in which about 800,000 people, mainly minority Tutsis, were killed. Last year 1,564 former rebels were repatriated under the program: 300 have returned since the beginning of 2010.— AFP

Two UK firefighters die in blaze LONDON: Two firefighters were killed when a blaze ripped through a 15-storey

James Shears

block of flats in the southern English port of Southampton, officials said yesterday.

Alan Bannon

Dozens of residents had to be evacuated after the fire broke out on the seventh floor at about 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) Tuesday.

Emergency services were called and about 20 fire trucks and supporting vehicles were sent to the scene. “The two firefighters will be sadly missed and will leave a devastating hole in the service,” said John Bonney, the local chief fire officer. Two other firefighters were hospitalised with minor burns on their hands.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute in parliament to the late Alan Bannon, 38, and 35-year-old James Shears. “We are sadly reminded today of the sacrifice made by members of our emergency services and we send our condolences to the family and friends of the two brave firemen who died in Southampton last night,” he told lawmakers.

“We pay tribute to the bravery and commitment demonstrated by all our emergency and public services.” — AFP

MADRID: Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon was facing trial yesterday for abuse of power for violating an amnesty by launching a probe into atrocities carried out during Spain’s civil war and subsequent dictatorship. Supreme Court investigating magistrate Luciano Varela decided to press ahead with a case brought against the judge, known round the world for his campaigns against former Latin American dictators, by three far-right groups.

He wrote in his ruling published yesterday that Garzon knowingly acted without jurisdiction in 2008 when he opened a probe into the disappearance of tens of thousands of people during Spain’s 1936-39 civil war and the subsequent dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.

“Conscious of his lack of jurisdiction ... he constructed artificial arguments to justify his control of the penal proceedings,” Varela said.

Varela’s decision will likely mean that Garzon, a polarizing figure, will be temporarily suspended from the bench of Spain’s High Court, which is responsible for cases concerning crimes against humanity, organised crime and terrorism. Among the groups which filed the complaint against Garzon was the Falange, the party that provided the ideological basis for Franco’s rule from 1939 until his death in 1975.

Garzon had argued that the repression and systematic extermination of political opponents during the Franco era amount to crimes against humanity and that the amnesty law passed in 1977, two years after Franco’s death, was not valid in this case. He ordered the immediate exhumation of mass graves - including one thought to contain the remains of poet Federico Garcia Lorca - and asked that churches and government ministries provide him with information they had on people who went missing during the conflict and under Franco’s rule.

But several months later he transferred the case to provincial courts after state prosecutors questioned his jurisdiction over crimes allegedly committed by people who had already died and which were covered by the 1977 amnesty. More than 200 human rights groups and jurists from around the world have signed a letter in support of Garzon that was sent to Spanish judicial authorities.

“If this trial goes ahead, it will be the first time that we know of where a judge, who is trying to reach truth, justice and reparation for over 100,000 people who disappeared, is tried,” the director of the Spanish branch of Amnesty International, Esteban Beltran, told a news conference in Madrid yesterday. Garzon is seen as a hero by leftists and international human rights groups but is accused by some Spanish conservatives of harbouring grudges and of constantly seeking the media limelight with his pursuit of high profile cases. He once stated that his goal was to change the world, one court sentence at a time.

Garzon made world headlines in Oct 1998 when he ordered the arrest of former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet in London, under the principle of “universal jurisdiction” which held that heinous crimes like torture or terrorism can be tried in Spain even if they had no link to the country. — AFP

LONDON: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah visit Innocent Smoothies, a company producing drinks, yesterday. —AFP

British party leaders go head-to-head in battle LONDON: British premier Gordon Brown and opposition leader David Cameron clashed over the economy yesterday, scoring points on a key campaign issue in their final parliamentary faceoff before the election. In a boisterous session in the House of Commons, each man accused the other of threatening Britain’s recovery from recession, an issue which has taken centre stage in the increasingly tight race for votes on May 6. Brown’s centre-left Labour party is fighting for a historic fourth term against Cameron’s centre-right Conservatives, who have seen their double-digit opinion poll lead shrink in recent weeks to just a few points.

Cameron is still tipped to win, however, and took the opportunity of what could be Brown’s last prime minister’s questions to try to turn the tables on Labour claims that the Conservatives cannot be trusted on the economy. The Conservatives want to scrap Labour’s planned rise in payroll taxes, warning it will damage economic growth and any chance of cutting Britain’s £167-billion ($254-billion) budget deficit.

“This prime minister would wreck the recovery by putting a tax on every job,” Cameron declared, ahead of a visit to businesses in northwest England and Wales where he will highlight the damage the tax could do to small firms.

He also attacked Brown’s record on defence spending, a highly emotive issue given Britain’s current involvement in Afghanistan, where 280 troops have died. Hitting back, Brown said that scrapping the planned rise in the payroll tax, known as National Insurance (NI), would take billions of pounds out of the economy at a time when it was most fragile. “To withdraw six billion pounds from the economy now would put jobs at risk, put business at risk and put recovery at risk,” he said. Amid the backdrop of jeering lawmakers from both sides, Brown spun

around a phrase Cameron once used against Tony Blair when he was prime minister, telling the Conservative leader: “To think you were the future once.” Brown was to face a different kind of prime minister’s questions (PMQs) later yesterday when he fields queries from members of the public submitted via email or Twitter, in a session his party has dubbed “people’s PMQs”.

All the party leaders are seeking to rebuild trust among voters angered by a scandal over parliamentary expenses last year. Plans to overhaul the political system are likely to feature alongside the economy as a major election issue, and both Brown and Nick Clegg, leader of the third Liberal Democrat party, unveiled plans for reform yesterday. In a speech in central London, Brown said it was “time to see an end to the old politics and to change our politics for good”. He promised to give voters new powers to recall lawmakers found guilty of financial misconduct and to hold two referenda on introducing elected members into the House of Lords and on changing the voting system.

Nick Clegg, leader of the centrist Liberal Democrats, earlier outlined his proposed reforms, including a cap on political donations, and insisted only his party could offer a real break from the “stench of corruption” in parliament.

“A vote for the Labour or the Conservative parties is a vote for corrupt politics,” Clegg said. In the House of Commons debate, he attacked Labour in particular, saying: “We all remember, back in 1997, the hope and the promise of this new government. Look at them now. You’ve failed, it’s over, it’s time to go.”

The Lib Dems have struggled to make their mark as the third party in a two-party system, although they could be key players if there is a hung parliament with neither Labour nor the Conservatives winning a majority. — AFP

Blood, explosions in Bishkek BISHKEK: Blood spread quickly around the body of a riot policeman led on a Bishkek pavement yesterday as stun grenade explosions echoed across a city turned into a tableau of violence and chaos. The square outside the offices of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was engulfed in a choking fog of tear gas and the crackle of automatic weapons fire filled the air as security forces charged and then retreated from the opposition protestors. An armoured vehicle, one of two captured by the protesters, rammed the gates to the Kyrgyz presidential administration but failed to break through and neither side appeared to have the upper hand.

Another vehicle stopped at the gates caught fire and was allowed to burn as the protestors blew whistles and waved Kyrgyz flags, shouting “Bakiyev Out!”.

The whereabouts of the president were not clear. Numerous protesters and riot police were bloodied in the chaos and AFP reporters saw half a dozen lifeless bodies carried from the area but there were no official, clear accounts of the numbers of deaths or injuries. A US journalist said while he had been in the hospital being treated for injuries he saw four dead bodies laid out: “I just got out of the hospital. Four people are dead. I saw them with my own eyes,” he said. None of the staff there however would explain how they died, though the corpses were riddled with bullet

wounds, said the journalist, Dalton Bennett. It was not clear if the riot officer lying in his own blood was dead or unconscious, but a handful of opposition protesters dragged his body to the side of the square and began trying to revive him.

Ambulances raced through angry crowds dazed by the thick smoke, stopping frequently to collect both protestors and police injured in the violence.

An initial explosion of violence in Bishkek gave way later to a tense standoff but some 500 riot police fired rubber bullets and water canons periodically at the protestors to keep them at bay.

Ear-splitting blasts of concussive grenades echoed periodically across the square. Protestors hurled rocks smashing the glass of the empty guard booths flanking the building’s gate after the police barricaded themselves inside and snipers took up positions on the roof. “Ordinary people want justice and freedom!,” protestor Aibek Mametov told AFP. “They want a better future than now, so they are fighting for it.”

Faced with the angry mob, civil servants fled by the back doors of the government building.

Stores in the centre meanwhile shut and pulled down their metal shutters, fearing widespread pillaging like that which followed 2005 street protests that forced Bakiyev’s predecessor Askar Akayev to flee the capital. —AFP

Thursday, April 8, 2010

INTERNATIONAL

9

Death toll hits 104

Rio scrambles to restore order amid more rainfall RIO DE JANEIRO: Rio de Janeiro braced for more rain yesterday as the death toll from flooding climbed to 104 and order slowly returned to Brazil’s second-biggest city that was thrown into chaos a day earlier. Rio’s mayor said traffic had improved after the heaviest rains in at least three decades on

MONTCOAL, West Virginia: West Virginia Gov Joe Manchin briefs reporters on the latest mine rescue operations yesterday. — AP

No signs of life heard in West Virginia mine MONTCOAL, West Virginia: Drills broke through into a stricken West Virginia mine early yesterday but rescuers detected no sign of the four miners missing since an explosion killed 25 people in a major US mine disaster. The rescue teams banged on pipes at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia, but heard no response from the men, Governor Joe Manchin told reporters.

Hopes were dimming that the men would be found alive after Monday’s blast, the largest US mine accident since 1984. However, Kevin Stricklin of the US Mine Safety and Health Administration said it may not be possible to hear any sound from more than 1,000 feet underground. “That’s a long distance to be able to hear people pounding on the roof of a rescue chamber,” he said.

Rescuers were drilling four boreholes down 335 m in a bid to vent the mine and hit a 6 m long chamber where the missing miners may have sought refuge. The holes were to be equipped with powerful fans to release the toxic methane and carbon monoxide that forced earlier rescue teams out of the mine on Monday. While the cause of the explosion has not been determined, the buildup of combustible methane gas is often cited in mine blasts and Massey has been criticized over safety violations.

Upper Big Branch mine was evacuated three times in the past two months due to dangerous methane levels, two miners told The New York Times, which reported that month that the mine was fined at least three times for ventilation problems.

Officials were likely to determine at midday whether the underground air is safe for rescue teams to get inside the mine, hopefully sometime in the afternoon, Manchin said. “This is going to be a big day,” he said.

Kidnappings add to ordeal for migrants SALTILLO, Mexico: After traveling hundreds of miles from Honduras, Eduvin promised to pay $1,800 to a Mexican people trafficker if he helped him to cross illegally into the United States. But when he finally reached Piedras Negras, a dusty Mexican border town, the trafficker said he wanted $1,000 straight away, or else he would hand the immigrant over to the feared “Zetas” drug gang. Eduvin did not yet have the money so the trafficker made a quick telephone call and gang members swiftly abducted the Honduran migrant, transporting him to a safe house.

“I found 21 other kidnapped migrants there,” said the lanky 34-year-old. Adding to the ordeals of traveling across unknown lands, an increasing number of illegal migrants are abducted as they try to cross Mexico by criminals seeking ransoms from their impoverished families back home, according to media reports and rights groups. Eduvin was relatively lucky - he managed to escape when one of his guards fell asleep, and although he refused to hand over the telephone number of his family, he was not tortured like some of those held with him.

Dozens of Mexican rights groups last month lamented spiraling migrant abductions, often including sexual abuse and torture, as well the complicity of Mexican authorities, in a special audience with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Washington, DC. IACHR rapporteurs said the information presented to them was “chilling”.

Mexico’s national rights commission last year slammed the abductions of almost 10,000 undocumented migrants between September 2008 and Feb 2009, as an alarming, growing trend.

Most of those abducted were from Central America, including almost 70 percent from Honduras, and the average ransom demand was $2,500 per person, the report said. Some 500,000 mostly Central American undocumented immigrants try to enter Mexico each year across its southern border, according to the Mexican commission. In the refuge in Saltillo, northern Mexico, to which Eduvin managed to return, 40 men and two women from Central America recounted stories of their journeys toward the United States.— AFP

Many of the miners’ families stayed up all night waiting for news of the drilling operation. “They are still prayerful and still hopeful that we will have a miracle,” the governor said. In 2006, a miner was rescued from a coal mine in Sago, West Virginia, nearly 42 hours after a blast killed 12 co-workers.

The first drill broke through into the mine before dawn, at 4:15 am, the governor said. “There’s progress being made,” said US Representative Nick Rahall of West Virginia on CNN. “We hope by the end of the day we can have some news for the families, and they can move closer towards closure on this.”

By early yesterday morning, a second hole had penetrated 150 m below the surface; a third bore was about 30 m down and a fourth was about to begin drilling, Manchin said. The bodies of 11 men, three of whom were related, have been identified and 14 bodies were still in the mine, located 48 km south of the state capital Charleston. Three of the men are believed to be in or near a rescue chamber equipped with food, water and air about 120 m from the spot where the first drill broke through, Manchin said.

Shares of Massey Energy opened down 4 percent at the New York Stock Exchange.

The Richmond, Virginia-based company is the largest coal producer in Central Appalachia, operating in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia. Analysts predicted Massey remain financially sound in the long term. Questions have been raised by experts and observers about Massey’s safety record and the laws governing the mining industry. Mining has always been dangerous, but 2009 was the safest ever for US miners, with 34 deaths, according to federal data, 18 fewer than 2008. —Reuters

“From the point of view of mobility, the situation is better than yesterday,” Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes told reporters at an early morning press conference. He urged residents to postpone meetings and avoid traveling in the city if possible. Schools remained shut for a second day. The government weather service predicted rain would continue until Saturday even after clouds broke briefly and rains eased on Wednesday morning.

A Fire Department spokesman said 39 people were killed in the city of Rio, famous for its beaches and Carnaval celebrations, while the remainder of the casualties took place in suburbs and in neighboring cities and town of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

In the nearby city of Niteroi, residents desperately searched for survivors in rubble left from 10 houses that collapsed from a mudslide, the Globo network reported. “I lost my sister-inlaw and a niece, and my nephew and brother-in-law are still missing,” nurse Samuel Franca, who managed to rescue his sister from the wreckage the day before, told Globo.

Globo images showed buses struggling to drive through flooded streets in western parts of the city, though transit had largely returned to normal in the central business district.

Paes called on those living in hillside slums at risk for mudslides - which were responsible for most of Tuesday’s deaths to leave their homes as the rains continued.

“Their lives are at risk,” Paes added.

Brazil’s popular football team Flamengo postponed a match with a rival team from Chile because of the rains. The

Tuesday turned highways into lakes, left commuters and residents stranded and sparked mudslides that crushed houses in hillsides slums. Rio’s Fire Department said rescue teams had stepped up searches for dozens of people missing as a result of floods and mudslides.

RIO DE JANEIRO: A man mourns for victims who died in a landslide in the Morro dos Prazeres area of Rio’s Santa Teresa neighborhood yesterday. — AP mayor on Tuesday said 1,200 people had been made homeless and that 10,000 houses remained at risk, mostly in the slums where about a fifth of Rio’s people live, often in precarious shacks that are vulnera-

ble to heavy rains.

Television images on Tuesday showed central parts of Rio flooded and abandoned cars under water. Near Copacabana beach, residents waded through ankle-deep water on their way

to work. The latest flooding and transportation chaos has renewed attention on Rio’s poor infrastructure as it prepares to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016. In January, at least 76 people died in

flooding and mudslides in Brazil’s most populous states of Rio, Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais.

Then, dozens of people were killed in a landslide at a beach resort between Rio and the port city of Santos. — Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

10

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Crusading Chinese lawyer gives up activism BEIJING: A crusading Chinese rights lawyer whose disappearance more than a year ago caused an international outcry said yesterday that he is abandoning his once prominent role as a government critic in hopes he’ll be allowed to reunite with his family.

In an exclusive interview, his first since he resurfaced two weeks ago, Gao Zhisheng said he did not wish to discuss his disappearance and whether he had been held and mistreated by the authorities.

He appeared thinner and more

BEIJING: Gao Zhisheng, a human rights lawyer, ponders at a teahouse yesterday. — AP

subdued than the stocky, pugnacious civil rights defender of the past, though he said his health was fine.

Nevertheless, Gao said, the ordeal had taken a toll on him and his wife and two children, who secretly fled China early last year to escape relentless harassment by police. “I don’t have the capacity to persevere.

On the one hand, it’s my past experiences.

It’s also that these experiences greatly hurt my loved ones. This ultimate choice of mine, after a process of deep and careful thought, is to seek the goal of peace and calm,” Gao, sitting straight-backed, told AP at a teahouse near his apartment in northern Beijing.

His eyes brimmed with tears several times when he discussed his family, especially when he described seeing their shoes when he returned home for the first time Tuesday. “I completely lost control of my emotions, because to me these are the three dearest people in the world and now, we’re like a kite with a broken

string,” he said.

Among the most dauntless of a group of human rights lawyers, Gao was a thorn in the authoritarian government’s side for much of the past decade. He advocated constitutional reform and took on sensitive cases involving evangelical Christians and members of the banned Falun Gong spiritual group.

He was jailed, tortured and watched by police until he went missing 14 months ago.

Vague statements from the government as to his whereabouts drew protests by international human rights groups, the U.S. and British governments and the UN’s torture investigator.

The more than hourlong meeting seemed partly intended to dispel concerns over the 44-year-old Gao’s health and state of mind since he disappeared in Feb 2009.

He showed flashes of his previously defiant self, mixing praise for the government’s building of the economy while calling for democracy.

But his desire not to talk about the past and his often roundabout answers raised questions about the current conditions of his freedom and whether he is still under police surveillance. Gao said his meeting with the AP was “a chat,” not an interview - which is forbidden under terms of a 2006 parole for a subversion conviction. He hinted at a compromise with authorities, a relinquishing of his past activism in exchange for contact with his family and perhaps one day a reunion.

“You know that past life of mine was abnormal, and I need to give up that former life. I hope I can become part of the peaceful life of the big family,” Gao said.

He later added: “You know the main basis for choosing to give up is for the sake of family feelings,” he said.

“I hope I can reunite with them.

My children need me by their side growing up.” Gao’s sudden resurfacing March 18 added to the confusion about him. For a few days, he spoke

with friends, family and the media by mobile phone, saying he was at Mount Wutai, a well-known Buddhist retreat, and wanted to be left alone.

That explanation was so out of character for the normally garrulous Gao that it brought speculation from friends and supporters that he was being pressured by the authorities.

Gao acknowledged that his seeming turnabout is sure to dishearten his backers and asked for their understanding.

“Everybody will be disappointed.

Some people were really involved, concerned, supportive, making appeals. So when they read my words they will definitely feel disappointed.

To them, I apologize. I’m extremely sorry,” he said. His previous imprisonment and run-ins with police - including a time in 2007 when security forces gave him electric shocks to his genitals and placed cigarettes in his eyes - helped him survive the last 14 months.

“I have a special characteristic and that’s no matter the circumstances I

can control my feelings or my emotions,” said Gao. “It’s like a mechanical function, and I don’t allow it to move and turn. I just exist as a material thing.”

Despite his retreat from the front lines, Gao said he was inspired by the Myanmar democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, though in her years in jail and under house arrest her family knew where she was, unlike him.

Even without his forceful presence, he expected a new crop of rights lawyers to push ahead promoting legal rights and democracy, undeterred by his troubles.

“Just because of the repression I experienced, don’t think that other people won’t do what I did. That’s not human nature,” Gao said. “If there’s one more of me or one less of me in the field, it doesn’t matter.

These years we’ve heard that a lot of others are eager to try. I still want to talk with them and hope they can learn a lesson from me.” — AP

Demonstrators surge into grounds of parliament

Protests force state of emergency in Bangkok BANGKOK: Protesters stormed Thailand’s parliament yesterday, forcing the deputy prime minister to flee by helicopter and sparking a state of emergency in the capital in an increasingly bold attempt to force elections. The red-shirted supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra retreated from parliament, but tens of thousands have remained in Bangkok’s main shopping dis-

trict since Saturday, defying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s orders to leave. The “red shirts” responded with angry defiance to the decree that gives the army broad powers, lets the authorities suspend certain civil liberties, bans public gatherings of more than five people and stops media reporting news that “causes panic”.

BANGKOK: Anti-government protesters hold a rally in front of the parliament yesterday before storming it. —AP

Panic as major quake hits Indonesia BANDA ACEH, Indonesia: A powerful 7.8magnitude earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra early yesterday, triggering widespread panic and tsunami warnings but causing no major damage. The quake struck Aceh province at the northern tip of Sumatra, an area devastated by the massive Asian tsunami of 2004, and set off wave alerts for waters off Sumatra and Thailand.

Seventeen people were injured, four critically, when houses collapsed near the epicentre of the quake in Sinabang, on Simeulue Island off the northwestern coast of Sumatra, officials said.

Residents of Banda Aceh, the provincial capital, said they felt the earth shudder with frightening intensity for about a minute at around 5:15 am (2215 GMT Tuesday). Many fled their homes or piled on to motorcycles to head inland in fear of destructive waves, but a tsunami warning issued by the Indonesian government was lifted about two hours later.

“I was sleeping when the quake struck. I woke up my wife and my two kids and all of us hopped onto the motorcycle and headed to higher ground,” said Agus, 30, who lost his mother and two siblings in the 2004 disaster. “I saw my neighbours were all panick-

ing too. It brought back bad memories of the 2004 tsunami... I don’t want to go back yet because my house is too near the sea.”

The quake struck at a depth of 46 km, according to the US Geological Survey.

Indonesian geologists said the epicentre was 60 km southeast of Sinabang.

Electricity was down in Banda Aceh but mobile phones were working. The people of Aceh are still traumatised by memories of December 26, 2004, when the Indian Ocean surged over the northern tip of Sumatra after a 9.3-magnitude quake split the seabed to the island’s west.

Indonesia was the nation hardest hit, with at least 168,000 people killed out of more than 220,000 who lost their lives across the region.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said sea level readings indicated a tsunami was generated in waters off Sumatra but it was not destructive. The threat was assumed to have passed two hours after the quake, although shipping and coastal structures still faced the danger of strong currents, it added.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed relief that the quake did not produce a killer wave. “Thank God

the quake didn’t cause a tsunami and the damage was minimal,” he told reporters before leaving for a regional summit in Vietnam. The National Disaster Warning Centre in Thailand issued a tsunami warning for the Andaman Coast, where an estimated 5,400 people were killed in 2004, but cancelled the alert when only small waves were generated by quake.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity. The Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge off the western coast of Sumatra and scientists believe it is only a matter of time before a major catastrophe strikes the area again.

“The quake was due to a collision of the Indo-Australian and Eurasia plates, the same as in 2004,” Indonesian geophysics and meteorology agency official Suharjono told AFP. “There’s still instability at the plate boundaries. We can’t predict if another big quake will happen here after today but we’ll continue to monitor the situation.” He said there had been at least four aftershocks. A 7.6-magnitude quake killed about 1,000 people in the port of Padang, western Sumatra, in September last year. — AFP

ASEAN tackles rights of women, children HANOI: Southeast Asia yesterday took another step towards addressing long-neglected human rights issues, with the inauguration of a commission to address the rights of women and children. Regional campaigners welcomed the creation of the body but said it could face the same limitations as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ human rights commission founded late last year. They expressed concern about the independence of commissioners, and whether either body can actually protect the region’s most vulnerable. Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, called the commission a step forward but said: “We’re really going to

have to watch very closely.”

At a ceremony in Hanoi, ASEAN proclaimed that the commission on women’s and children’s rights marks a “turning point” for the region. “These are the vulnerable half of the ASEAN community, the women and the children,” the bloc’s secretary general, Surin Pitsuwan, told reporters ahead of a summit which opens today. “So if we wish to become a compassionate community, a sharing and caring community... we have to take care of the women and the children.”

ASEAN aims by 2015 to form a free-market “community” of almost 600 million people committed to democratic ideals. Activists say

they expect the new commission to examine issues including human trafficking, child labour, child soldiers, and gender discrimination. Among its stated functions, the 20-member commission is to “promote and protect rights”; build judicial and administrative capacity; and encourage data collection, studies and research. Yap Swee Seng, executive director of Forum-Asia, an umbrella for regional rights groups, said the commission’s terms of reference lean more towards promotion of rights. “I think it will be difficult for the commission to embark on a protection mandate,” he said, a criticism also levelled at ASEAN’s human rights commission.—AFP

“We will declare war,” Arisman Pongruangrong, a protest leader, told supporters, urging followers in rural provinces to mass at city halls.

“No more negotiations.” The “red shirts” say that on Friday they will hold their biggest protest yet. But Abhisit, operating out of a military compound doubling as a safe house, said he would not use force to disperse the crowd. “The government’s goal is to help the situation return to a normal way of life, to maintain the sanctity of the law,” he said in a televised statement hours after the siege of parliament.

The scene outside parliament was among the most chaotic and confrontational since the protests began on March 12. Protesters massing outside the gates of the sprawling complex pressed up against a line of police in full riot gear. When some “red shirts” forced open the iron gate, police melted away and hundreds swarmed into the grounds, including dozens packed on a truck that drove through the main entrance. They pressed up against security forces outside the lobby doors but left after about 20 minutes, only to regroup outside the gates, brandishing guns and tear gas canisters they said were seized in scuffles with military police. Ministers had earlier held a cabinet meeting at parliament.

Some, including Abhisit, had left before the protesters broke through, but Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and several other ministers had to scale a wall in the compound and escape by military helicopter.

“We have achieved our mission today,” Korkaew Pikulthong, a “red shirt” leader, told the crowd through a bullhorn. Despite the tension, Thai stocks and the baht currency rose on confidence the government, with support from the military and the royalist establishment, would survive the showdown with the mostly rural and working class protesters.

Foreign investors have been ploughing money into the fastrecovering economies of Southeast Asia and have not left Thailand out despite the turbulence. Since Feb 22, foreigners have bought a net $1.73 billion of Thai stocks. However, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said prolonged protests could cause growth in the economy, Southeast Asia’s second biggest, to be “significantly worse” than a government projection of 4.5 percent. And the unrest could also delay an expected interest rate rise. Another month of protests, he said, “... would be intolerable, not only to the economy as a whole but for the sanity of Bangkokians”.

Abhisit faces pressure from Bangkok’s elite and middle class

and even his own government to halt the rally, but has held back to avert a confrontation many believe would cause greater damage. There was no sign of an imminent crackdown as “red shirts” paraded through the city on motorbikes, cars and pick-up trucks, waving red flags. — Reuters

SEONGNAM, South Korea: Choi Won-Il, left, captain of the sunken South Korean warship Cheonan, reacts during a press conference at a military hospital yesterday. — AP

Survivors say external blast sank South Korean warship SEOUL: Survivors said yesterday a big external blast tore a South Korean warship apart near the North Korean border, discounting theories that an explosion on board or a grounding sank the vessel.

President Lee Myung-Bak said he would seek United Nations involvement in the investigation into the disaster, and promised “stern measures” against whoever was to blame. US and South Korean teams are making initial preparations to lift the shattered hull sections from the bed of the Yellow Sea in search of clues to the sinking which left 46 sailors missing 12 days ago. A second body was found yesterday, leaving 44 missing and presumed dead.

The disputed border area was the scene of deadly naval clashes between the North and South in 1999 and 2002 and a firefight last November. Seoul’s defence minister has raised the possibility that a mine or torpedo may have sunk the 1,200-tonne corvette Cheonan. Other government officials have cautioned against speculation before the probe ends.

“We are going to carry out a very objective investigation, even with help from the United Nations, so that we may have results which cannot be denied by anybody,” Lee told a meeting with senior citizens. “We have to cooperate with experts from advanced countries and the United Nations to carry out a thorough probe and (when the results come out), the government must take stern measures.”

Lee’s office confirmed the comments but said it was unsure whether Seoul had formally approached the world body yet. The United States has already promised expert help, and Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan said British and French specialists would also be invited. The 58 survivors had been kept under wraps at a military hospital just south of Seoul.

They appeared in hospital pyjamas at a televised press conference yesterday as the government tried to rebut claims of a cover-up. Crewmen described a

desperate struggle to escape the stricken ship as they were plunged into darkness. “I was preparing to report for duty when there was a sound of an explosion which hurt my ears and I was thrown in the air,” said Senior Petty Officer Oh Seung-Tak. “Power was immediately cut. I was hit in the face by a flying computer and lost consciousness momentarily.

When I regained my senses, everything was dark.”

Oh said he groped in the dark to find the door handle, with the ship having tilted sharply sideways, and then cleared debris from the doorway. “All that crossed my mind at the moment was the images of my family members and that I must rescue myself. I managed to escape about 15 minutes later.” Oh, who was in charge of munitions storage, said he detected no smell of explosives from inside the ship. “I was sleeping when I heard the sound of a boom,” said Chief Petty Officer Kim Soo-Kil. In seconds, he said, he felt the ship tilting sharply. He escaped to the deck using a fire hose. “When I reached the deck, the moonlight was glittering on the water but the stern had disappeared,” he said.

Captain Choi Won-Il, who briefly shed tears, said officers at the time reported an external shock. “It seemed to be a shock from outside.” He was trapped in his cabin until crewmen broke it open, and climbed a fire hose to reach the deck. The disaster has sparked intense public speculation and a series of Internet conspiracy theories, including a suggestion that the warship hit an underwater obstacle and tore itself apart. “If a ship hits a rock or a sandbank, it would basically make a tearing sound,” said survivor Kim Byong-Nam. “So I believe it was an external shock.” The defence ministry said all survivors had reported hearing one or two booms before the ship tilted. It said the corvette was on routine patrol at the time, with some off-duty sailors dressed only in underwear. —AFP

N Korea sentences US man to 8 years’ labour SEOUL: North Korea announced yesterday it has sentenced an American to eight years’ hard labour and a hefty fine for an illegal border crossing. Aijalon Mahli Gomes “admitted all the facts” when he appeared at the central court in Pyongyang on Tuesday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

Representatives from the Swedish embassy, which represents US interests in North Korea, were allowed “as an exception” to attend the trial, the agency said.

The 30-year old from Boston was also fined 70 million won, equivalent to about $700,000 at the official exchange rate. Gomes, a former English teacher in South Korea and reportedly a devout Christian, was arrested in January - the fourth US citizen in less than a year to be detained for illegal entry. The hardline communist state pardoned and deported three previous offenders. Analysts said Gomes may also be freed after Pyongyang uses him as a bargaining chip in its nuclear standoff

Aijalon Mahli Gomes with Washington.

The United States and other members of a six-nation nuclear disarmament forum are pressing the North to return to the talks which it quit a year ago. “The North will find little gain in holding him for a long time,” Yang Moo-Jin, of Seoul’s University of North Korean Studies, told AFP. “It is likely to release him in sev-

eral months when the six-party talks resume.” Yang said the North’s chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-Gwan was likely to visit the United States around the end of this month, and the case would probably be raised if Kim holds informal talks with US officials.

Pyongyang wants Washington’s commitment to discuss a formal peace treaty before it returns to the six-party talks. It says it developed its nuclear arsenal in response to US threats and needs a peace pact before it can consider giving up the weapons.

The United States says other matters should wait till after the North rejoins the six-party dialogue and shows it is serious about denuclearisation. “The North is not going to hold him (Gomes) for eight years,” said Professor Kim Yong-Hyun of Seoul’s Dongguk University. “It is likely to suspend the implementation of the sentence and expel him as a goodwill gesture towards the United States to improve the atmosphere (before six-party talks).” —AFP

INTERNATIONAL

Thursday, April 8, 2010

11

Afghanistan plays down Karzai’s anti-West remarks KABUL: Afghanistan played down yesterday recent anti-Western remarks by President Hamid Karzai, saying they were not aimed at specific countries and would not affect relations between Kabul and the international community. A war of words between Karzai and the White House escalated on Monday following accusations by the Afghan president last week that the West carried out election fraud in Afghanistan. Karzai has not backed down from his remarks and appeared to sharpen the criticism further by singling out the United States for blame. Washington said it was frustrated by the comments and attempts to settle the feud had so far failed.

Yesterday, Karzai’s chief spokesman, Waheed Omer, said the statements were

aimed at individuals who had made fraud allegations and were “not necessarily” directed at any specific country. “When it comes to fraud in elections, you know, there (were) lots of discussions over the past six or seven months ... one-sided views mainly made by certain figures that I will not name here,” Omer told a news conference in Kabul.

THose figures “do not necessarily represent the country or represent any international organisation,” he said.

Karzai made his remarks, Omer said, to avoid a repeat of these fraud allegations in the upcoming parliamentary election. “So that’s why the president did that, and that was not necessarily targeting any specific country or any specific group of countries,” Omer said.

In his speech last week, Karzai said foreigners had bribed and threatened election workers to carry out fraud in last year’s presidential election, and singled out the former deputy head of the UN mission in Kabul - US diplomat Peter Galbraith - as well as the French head of a European Union monitoring team. Omer played down the effects Karzai’s remarks could have on relations with the West. “It did not have any effect on the strategic relations with the United States and the international community. Our stance and position are the same,” he said. “Issues that create conflict should be discussed and we hope that these relations get strengthened and reinforced.”

US President Barack Obama met Karzai

in Kabul last month during a brief nighttime visit to Afghanistan but that visit has largely been overshadowed by Karzai’s remarks. On Tuesday, the White House suggested it might cancel a meeting between the two leaders in Washington next month. Omer said Washington needed to clarify whether the trip would be cancelled. “Regarding its cancellation, we don’t have anything specific.

This (the visit) is the proposal made by the United States, they should give clarification,” he said.

In a development that could help placate Western concerns over fraud ahead of a parliamentary poll in September, Omer said the head of the country’s government-appointed election body and his deputy were to be

replaced. Last year’s presidential election damaged Karzai’s standing among Western countries with troops in Afghanistan after allegations of widespread fraud, including that carried out by officials in the Independent Election Commission (IEC).

It led to months of political limbo, with the IEC declaring Karzai the winner but a separate UN-backed body rejecting enough ballots to lower Karzai’s total below 50 percent and force a second round. “The working period of Mr Azizullah Ludin, director of the Independent Election Commission, has finished and will not be extended,” Omer said.

“Daoud Ali Najafi has also resigned from his position which has been approved by the president,” he added, referring to the body’s

chief electoral officer.

There have been several calls for Ludin to step down since last year’s Aug 20 vote, and Western diplomats have said the international community would not be pleased if Karzai reappointed him. Opponents accuse Ludin, a presidential appointee, of favouring Karzai.

Omer said both IEC officials would be replaced soon, adding they would be offered high-ranking positions elsewhere. He did not give more details. Holding a free and fair parliamentary election is seen as a crucial test for Afghanistan, which faces a resurgent Taliban, despite the presence of tens of thousands of Western troops, more than eight years since the militants’ removal from power. —Reuters

Indian FM’s trip to China a success

China, India leaders to set up top level hotline NEW DELHI: Indian paramilitary soldiers stand at attention in front of colleagues killed in Maoist rebel attacks after the bodies arrived at a military airport yesterday. —AP

India vows to hit back after Maoist massacre RAIPUR, India: Indian authorities vowed yesterday to hit back at Maoist rebels who killed 76 police in a brutally effective attack that undermined a monthslong government offensive against the insurgents.

The massacre, in the central state of Chhattisgarh, was the biggest single blow that the Maoists have landed in their decades-long struggle against India’s regional and central governments. Home Minister P Chidambaram, visiting the region, said the Maoists had executed a complex, multi-stage ambush in which a patrol was attacked and two sets of reinforcements had then come under heavy fire.

The deaths had been caused by gunfire and crude bombs, he said. Chidambaram said the government’s long-standing offer of talks with the Maoists if they laid down their arms had been “answered by a savage and brutal act of violence”. “If this is a war - and I would like to say this is a term we have never used it is a war which has been thrust upon the state,” he said. He said the army would not be sent in to fight the rebels but he declined to rule out using the air force. The Chhattisgarh state police spokesman said yesterday the death toll had risen to 76 - 74 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers and two other security force personnel. The guerrillas have stepped up attacks in response to the government’s “Operation Green Hunt” offensive, launched late last year in Maoist-hit areas across north and eastern India. Tribal groups and many rural communities have been left behind by the country’s rapid economic development, and poverty and discontent with corruption is seen as a major source of Maoist support.

Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai said the leftwing

rebels would pay a high price for the killings. “In the days and months to come we will hunt everyone down,” he said, adding that the government response would become “much firmer and fitting”. Indian newspapers voiced shock and anger over the massacre, with some urging the government to deploy the military. “It’s War!” thundered the front page headline in the Times of India which argued the jungle ambush had raised the stakes in the fight with the Maoists “to an unprecedented level”. “The Maoists have made their intentions clear. Dialogue will have to be off the table for now, until the state clearly establishes operational superiority,” it said in an editorial.

The Times joined other newspapers in questioning how the rebels could kill almost an entire company of armed paramilitary personnel, and cited experts who said security forces were ill-equipped, undertrained and poorly informed. The Maoist insurgency, which started as a peasant uprising in 1967, has spread to 20 of India’s 29 states and has been identified by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the number one threat to domestic security.

The Hindustan Times suggested that the government needed to reconsider its decision not to use the national army. “A military solution in tandem with state forces cannot be shelved indefinitely. This is a war,” the paper said. “The time for rhetoric is over.”

However Air Chief Marshal P V Naik expressed grave reservations and said he was against any plans to use air strikes. “The weapons we have are meant for the enemy across the border, so I am not in favour of the use of the air force,” he told reporters. — AFP

BEIJING: China and India agreed to set up a top level hotline yesterday, seal- Foreign Minister S M Krishna began his four-day visit on Monday - scant ing a “cordial” Beijing visit by India’s foreign minister that consolidated an months after tempers flared over reports of border incursions and a row over improvement in ties between the sometimes fractious neighbours. Indian the Dalai Lama’s visit to the disputed frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh.

But Indian Foreign financial crisis and tackling cliSecretary Nirupama Rao told mate change, according to the reporters the trip had gone well, foreign ministry’s account of the and both sides were pleased meeting with Krishna, posted with the new mechanism con- on its website. “China attaches necting the Chinese and Indian great importance to bilateral Prime Ministers, which could ties and is willing to work hard help prevent dangerous flare- with India for new developups in future. “These have been ments, taking the 60th annivercordial, useful, constructive and sary of the establishment of wide-ranging discussions,” she diplomatic relations as a turning told a news conference in point,” Yang said.

Regional security, particularBeijing. “The agreement to establish a hotline is an impor- ly in volatile Afghanistan, and tant confidence building mea- the threat of terrorism were sure and it opens up a direct among other key issues dischannel of communication cussed in the meeting, said Rao, herself a former ambassador to between the two leaders.”

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Beijing.

“Foreign Minister Yang said said the relationship had reached a “new phase of mature that both China and India should and stable development” in a stay in touch on these issues WANGJIALING, China: Mine workers and police gather at the entrance to meeting with Krishna in the and remain in regular contact...

Chinese leadership’s particularly on Afghanistan,” the Wangjialing coalmine where 115 workers have been pulled out alive from Zhongnanhai compound. said Rao. Krishna was visiting the flooded mine being built in Shanxi province yesterday. —AFP “History shows that friendship just a couple of weeks after between neighbours and com- Afghan President Hamid Karzai mon development are in the came to Beijing to ask China to interests of both countries, of use its diplomatic clout with Asia and of the world,” Wen neighbouring Pakistan to help added. Plans for a hotline were rein in a growing insurgency. made by Chinese President Hu His government has good ties Jintao and Indian Prime with Delhi.

The foreign ministers did Minister Manmohan Singh at a summit last year of the BRIC not discuss a recently released XIANGNING, China: Problems mounted for res- cial saying teams were inching towards the last two nations - Brazil, Russia, India report that a cyber-espionage cuers searching for survivors in a flooded China mine work platforms underground. One was cut off by a group apparently based in and China, Rao said. yesterday, with officials warning of a toxic gas build- submerged stretch 700 m long and the other by a That group will meet again southwest China stole docuup as the death toll rose to nine. Cramped conditions 300-m span. next week in Brasilia, for the ments from the Indian Defence and the risk of a gas explosion in the Wangjialing The rescue on Monday of more than 100 workers second leaders summit, and Ministry and emails from the mine in north China’s Shanxi province have compli- - some of whom had survived on tree bark, sawdust, both China and India highlighted Dalai Lama’s office, Rao said. cated efforts to find 29 workers still believed trapped paper and even coal - buoyed hopes of finding more. the importance and benefit of The report by Canadian in the pit, with some emergency personnel falling ill. But Liu said workers were having trouble operating So far, 115 workers have been pulled to safety drainage pumps in the tight mine shaft, while Xinhua cooperation on international researchers said the spy netafter more than a week trapped in the mine, in what said toxic gas had reached “dangerous” levels in issues. “What came across dur- work was likely run by individuofficials have described as a “miracle” for an industry some areas. “We are tired but, in rescuing people, ing these discussions was that als with connections to the plagued by deadly accidents and a poor safety record. you just don’t think about that,” Feng Yusuo, who led this relationship between the Chinese criminal underworld.

Nine bodies have been recovered, including two a team of miners volunteering in the rescue effort, two countries has more than Information might have been Wednesday, the rescue headquarters announced, but told AFP. “In the past five days I haven’t really restjust a bilateral dimension, it has passed to branches of the authorities say there is still hope for those trapped, ed. The work has been very tense. We have had no a global impact, and that a long- Chinese government, it added. even though they are believed to be in the deepest time to rest or wash. We sleep in a bus.” term strategic view is required Beijing has repeatedly and part of the state-owned mine.

AFP reporters have so far not been allowed into strongly denied it condones of this relationship,” Rao said.

“The work at the mine is continuing. We are dou- hospitals in the nearby city of Hejin to question surForeign Minister Yang Jiechi hacking in any way, pointing out bling our efforts so we do not waste time,” Liu vivors. Relatives were also being kept away, with said the two countries worked that its ministries and compaDezheng, vice-director of the Shanxi work safety doctors saying their patients need rest. Reports said together well on major global nies are also frequently targetadministration, told reporters at a news briefing. the workers were generally in stable condition but issues including combating the ed. — Reuters State-run Xinhua news agency quoted a rescue offi- some suffered from psychological trauma. — AFP

China battles to save 29 missing in mine

Bangladesh jails 29 over deadly mutiny HYDERABAD: Shafi Osman (left), a relative of Sania Mirza, mediators Major Qadri (second left) and Abid Rasool Khan (second right), and Farisa Siddiqui (right), the mother of Ayesha Siddiqui, attend a press conference as other family members look on in the background yesterday. — AFP

Divorce allows Pakistan’s Malik to wed India’s Mirza HYDERABAD, India: The celebrity wedding of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was back on track yesterday after he “divorced” another woman. Preparations for the high-profile couple’s upcoming nuptials had been marred by claims by Ayesha Siddiqui that she and Malik were married in 2002 - sparking a scandal that captivated millions across south Asia.

“Divorce papers have been signed,” Farisa Siddiqui, Ayesha’s mother, told a press conference in Hyderabad. “The settlement is done.”

The deal apparently ends a complex and often contradictory tale during which Malik consistently denied ever being married to Ayesha. After Malik and Mirza, both Muslims, announced they would get married on April 15, Siddiqui made a range of accusations including that she and Malik had signed a “nikahnama” (wedding agreement). She also lodged a complaint with police in Hyderabad, prompting officers to quiz Malik over the saga and confiscate his passport.

Muslim elders in the city, where both Siddiqui and Mirza live, negotiated the deal after days of frenzied press coverage and lurid speculation. The agreement involved a nominal sum of 15,000 rupees ($340) being paid to Ayesha, the elders told reporters. “My daughter’s wish was to gain a

divorce without any money,” Farisa Siddiqui said.

“She has got it. I am very happy that finally Shoaib gave her a divorce.” Malik, 28, has also been in Hyderabad, where he is scheduled to marry 23year-old Mirza, since the weekend trying to clear up confusion over his marital status.

On Monday he accused Siddiqui of lying in order to gain “cheap popularity” and again claimed that he had never been married to her. Before the deal, Siddiqui appeared on television news channels to denounce Malik as a cheat who dumped her because his teammates said she was overweight. Malik has admitted he began a telephone relationship with Siddiqui in 2001 after she sent him photographs - but he says he now believes the pictures were of another woman.

Mirza, whose short tennis skirts have drawn the ire of Islamist groups in India, is recovering from a wrist injury that has seen her world ranking slip from 27 in 2007 to 90. She has been a nationwide celebrity since 2005 when, aged 18, she became the first Indian woman to win a WTA Tour title. The sporting marriage, apparently unprecedented in the perennial rivalry between the south Asian nations, is planned just months after Mirza broke off her engagement to a childhood friend. — AFP

DHAKA: A special tribunal in Bangladesh yesterday convicted 29 paramilitary troops of mutinying last year against their army commanders and sentenced them to up to seven years in jail. The minimum punishment handed out was four months in prison, legal officials said. Those convicted were among soldiers who killed more than 70 people, including 57 army officers, during the two-day revolt at the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Dhaka in February 2009.

The sentences issued in northern Panchagarh district were the first by the tribunal, which sits at various locations and is headed by BDR chief Major-General Mainul Islam. Around 3,500 soldiers or border guards have been accused of involvement in the mutiny.

Many face punishment on charges of participating in the revolt and for the killings and the concealment of bodies. The mutiny, less than two months after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took office for the second time, threatened the stability of her government and raised fears of military intervention.

Instead of calling in the army to quell the mutiny, Hasina chose a negotiated settlement and may have spared the south Asian nation worse carnage, officials and analysts said. Her political rivals, including former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, said summoning the military would have crushed the revolt more quickly and saved lives. The dead included the then-BDR chief Major-General Shakil Ahmed, his wife and a number of civilians. The rebels buried most of the bodies in mass graves and tossed some into sewers.

The revolt undermined attempts to restore democracy after two years of emergency rule by an army-backed interim authority. The mutiny started during an annual meeting at the BDR HQ in Dhaka’s Peelkhana area over disputes on troops’ pay and objections to being commanded by officers drawn from the army. It quickly spread to a dozen other districts, including Panchagarh, but the rebels dropped their weapons and returned to the barracks within two days.

Home ministry officials said trials of mutineers would proceed for a few more months and added that preparations were underway to rebuild and rename the BRD. Bangladesh has a history of long periods of military rule and of turmoil under shortlived civilian governments. Analysts say the army still remains a threat to democracy in this impoverished country of over 150 million people and often takes direct or indirect control over administration while politicians squabble. — Reuters

OPINION

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Bolstered Pakistan’s PM to become a ‘firefighter’

By Zeeshan Haider akistan’s prime minister will see his position bolstered when he assumes most presidential powers, but faces an uphill task of bringing stability in the US ally where different centers of power vie for influence.

After two years of intense political wrangling, a parliamentary committee last week approved a constitutional reform bill in the parliament.

The legislation will effectively turn President Asif Ali Zardari into a ceremonial head of state and transfer most of his sweeping powers to Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

While the constitutional reforms are being hailed as a “Bill of Hope” for a country with a chequered political history, Gilani sees himself as focus of new crises if political uncertainty persists. “You think that the prime minister will become stronger after these amendments but I think now I will be the focus of all storms,” he told the parliament before the introduction of the bill on Friday. Political turmoil in the nuclear-armed South Asian country worries the United States, which wants to see a focus on eliminating Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants while it struggles to stabilize neighboring Afghanistan.

The Zardari government has faced several bouts of political turmoil since it came to power two years ago, with almost all crises centered on the unpopular president, who shot to power after the assassination of his wife, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, in late 2007. Gilani is a staunch loyalist of Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party, now led by Zardari, but the softspoken prime minister has tiptoed through all crises without making many enemies.

Many analysts believe even after he assumes more powers Gilani will tread a political path “cautiously” while dealing with the numerous centers of power, including a PPP dominated by Zardari, an assertive Supreme Court, a strong opposition and a powerful army. “A person of his temperament is unlikely to throw his weight around or cause friction with other centers of power,” said Rashed Rahman, editor of the liberal Daily Times newspaper. “An empowered prime minister like Yusuf Raza Gilani is likely to become more confident after assuming these powers and will try to keep things running smoothly so that he completes his term in office.”

Under the proposed constitutional changes, Gilani will be empowered to make key appointments, such as military chiefs, and will have the authority to advise the president whether to dissolve parliament. He is expected to stay loyal to Zardari and their party, however. “I think Zardari will continue to cast his very heavy shadow on the

P

prime minister because he is still chairman of the party of which Gilani is a member,” said Riffat Hussein of Islamabad’s Quaid-e-Azam University.

UNITED THEY STAND, DIVIDED THEY FALL Though Gilani has a reputation of being a man of principles he sometimes defied Bhutto during her stint in power in the 1990s and is also said to have had some differences with Zardari-he is unlikely to challenge the president. “There may be some strains between Zardari and Gilani but they will continue to work together because united they stand, divided they fall,” said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a political and security analyst.

But despite his loyalty to Zardari, the task for Gilani is not easy as he moves ahead.

The first major problem for Gilani is a growing spat between Zardari and the Supreme Court. The court wants the government to reopen old corruption cases against Zardari after it threw out a controversial amnesty protecting the president, many of his aides and thousands of political activists in December. The chief justice of the Supreme Court last week suggested the government send a letter to Swiss authorities, with the approval of Gilani, for the revival of graft cases against Zardari.

‘CAUGHT IN A NUTCRACKER’ Though neither Gilani nor his office has commented on the suggestion, officials of the PPP have suggested the prime minister might find himself in a dilemma. “The prime minister is caught in a nutcracker,” Rahman said.

“Without his approval, the letters to the Swiss authorities can’t go and if he approves them, it will put him in a very awkward position. He’s in a state of limbo right now.”

Much depends on how aggressively the court pursues the cases. Gilani has largely tried to steer clear of the row between Zardari and his top rival, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but the prime minister may come under attack from the opposition if he is seen as too close to Zardari.

Gilani has also maintained cordial relations with the army and is seen as reluctant to upset it. Washington has maintained strong ties with Zardari and analysts believe they do not expect the rapport with Islamabad to change significantly with Gilani leading the government. One reason is because the military has profound influence over ties with the United States. “The prime minister is most likely to play a role of a moderator between different centers of power,” Rizvi said. “He will be acting like a firefighter between the president, the opposition, the supreme court and army.” —Reuters

All articles appearing on these pages are the personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibility for views expressed therein. Kuwait Times invites readers to voice their opinions. Please send submissions via email to: opinion@kuwaittimes.net or via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves the right to edit any submission as necessary.

Daimler-Renault-Nissan deal puts spotlight on scale

By Chang-Ran Kim and Bernie Woodall he link-up between Renault-Nissan and Daimler shows the urgent need for scale in an industry still reeling from a collapse in demand and gearing up for massive investment in green-car technology. Under intense pressure to shave costs, automakers just outside the top global sales ranks are certain to face calls to develop or expand alliances or to explain to their shareholders why they are betting off going it alone.

That will mean renewed scrutiny of growth strategies by the likes of Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors, France’s PSA Peugeot Citroen, Germany’s BMW and even Italy’s Fiat, analysts say.

“We are going to see some significant mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and spinoffs,” said David Cole, director of the Center of Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Just three years ago, Daimler moved to unwind one of the least successful deals in the history of the auto industry, dumping its Chrysler unit for a $30 billion loss. Now, the Mercedesmaker has decided a more limited deal with the Renault-Nissan alliance headed

by Carlos Ghosn will give it the small-car technology and scope it needs in the face of tighter emissions and fuel economy standards.

In return, Renault-Nissan will get access to Daimler’s engines for Nissan’s luxury Infiniti brand and the opportunity to share vehicle platforms and bring down costs at a time when its own alliance has been seen as sputtering. Cole said the deal could be a blueprint for future collaboration in a high-cost area: developing the engine, transmission and now batterydrive systems that power vehicles. “The historic view is that the powertrain defines the personality of the vehicle in the eyes of consumers. That’s probably not true anymore,” he said.

FIAT TO FOLLOW? For smaller players such as Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp, developing technologies such as a complex hybrid system on its own was not an option, which is why it

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aligned itself with Volkswagen AG late last year. Similarly, last month, Mazda Motor struck a deal to buy hybrid technology from market-leader Toyota Motor.

Elsewhere, Italy’s Fiat last year teamed up with bankrupt Chrysler, and analysts said it could look for further partners in Asia after having formed joint ventures with Tata Motors Ltd in India and others in China and Russia.

“I could easily see Fiat shopping for another alliance in Asia,” said Logan Robinson, a professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and former auto executive.

China is likely to be a key. Its emergence as the world’s largest car market has been a boon to sales for US, European and Japanese car makers, but it has also created competitors such as Geely-fresh off its acquisition of Sweden’s Volvo- with deep pockets and global ambitions. Still, after the numerous false starts over the past two decades-most notably with the spectacular break-up of DaimlerChrysler after nine years — some analysts remain skeptical that alliances can deliver as promised.

“I’m hoping that others don’t go down this path” taken by Renault-Nissan and Daimler, said Erich Merkle, analyst at Autoconomy.com. “If you look at the history of alliances...they have a very checkered past. Most of them haven’t worked.

While financial markets tend to price progress in quarters, it can take four years or longer to capture the full cost savings from collaboration in developing a new vehicle even if everything goes as planned, analysts say.

TOUGH EXECUTION Even Nissan and Renault, lauded as a rare example of an alliance that has worked, has had a mediocre start. After a decade together, the partners admitted last year to needing deeper integration, putting in place a more formal structure to squeeze out synergies that engineers had resisted. The partnership saved near-bankrupt Nissan from demise, but Renault has fallen into a slump Ghosn has struggled to reverse.

That could be a lesson for Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, who faces the daunt-

ing task of integrating Chrysler after taking a 20 percent stake in the weakest US carmaker out of a US-government funded bankruptcy.

Marchionne has said that automakers need global sales of at least 6 million cars and trucks to be competitive on cost. The Daimler-Renault-Nissan alliance would just clear that hurdle with global sales of just over 6 million units.

Fiat-Chrysler remains short of the

mark, closer to 4.5 million units. But size alone is no guarantee of success. General Motors Co is a case in point. After its own 2009 bankruptcy, GM, like crosstown rival Ford Motor Co, is struggling bring the focus back to its core brands, led by Chevy. Even Toyota, the world’s top automaker, has proven that the bigger the ship, the tougher it is to steer.

Rather than seek tie-ups, Toyota has said it would slim down its vehicle line-up

to become more nimble and efficient.

FLYING SOLO Having failed to agree terms on a capital alliance with Frances PSA, Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors is seen by analysts in need of a partner to offset the cost of developing advanced technologies in areas like battery-powered cars. But Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko said last month that equity-based tie-ups were no guarantee of success. — Reuters

Who wants to pay forever? Hedging longevity risk

By Sarah Hills he ageing of Europe may open opportunities to sell savings products, but it also spells a real threat to parts of the financial services industry. Pension experts call it the “toxic tail”. Like the subprime crisis faced by by banks in 2008, the risk of people living for up to 20 years after retirement seems to have crept up on an industry based on using historical data to calculate people’s chances of an early death. Now, pension funds and insurers say the mounting burden of protracted pensions payments is increasingly concentrated on a small group of providers: them.

Trying to spread this longevity risk to include capital markets and governments, they highlight concerns about corporate solvency and argue that fundamentally, provision for retired people who outlive expectations is a sovereign role. “We don’t want to see the equivalent of a banking crisis in the pension market,” David Blake, professor of Pension Economics at Cass Business School, and director of the Pensions Institute told Reuters.

Nowhere better can the process be seen than in Britain, which is facing a crisis resulting from a combination of pension reforms and increased life expectancy. As home to the world’s second largest pension fund industry and one of the most sophisticated markets for private pensions, Britain’s experience is worth exploring: other European countries are moving in a broadly similar direction, shifting the burden of old-age provision towards funded, private schemes.

Global pension private-sector liabilities are of the order of $25 trillion, according to OECD data in a January Pensions Institute report, which cited estimates that every additional year of life expectancy at age 65 adds around 3 percent to the present value of some UK pension liabilities. Several factorsthe market crash brought on by subprime lending, new solvency rules for insurers due in 2012 and the stampede of babyboomers to retirement age-are adding urgency to providers’

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efforts to spread their exposure.

The UK has seen a flurry of over-the-counter longevity swaps deals, the biggest of which so far involved German car maker BMW in February offloading 3 billion pounds of risk from its UK pension scheme to Deutsche Bank’s insurance subsidiary Abbey Life. Abbey Life insured the longevity risk on the BMW pension scheme, taking responsibility for the payments and transferring a proportion of that risk to a panel of reinsurers. Building on these deals, pension providers are working to construct capital markets instruments to slice and dice longevity risk into tradeable portions.

But the pensions industry says such markets should be underpinned by a roster of government bonds that are structured to help maintain payments to people who are tending to outlive even current expectations-for example, those aged over 90. If that seems like a small group, the evidence is it’s the population segment most likely to grow. There are around 450,000 centenarians in the world today and experts estimate that thanks to ageing baby-boomers, there could be a million across the world by 2030.

There’s also mounting uncertainty about how many people will have died by age 90, and the Pensions Institute cites mortality projections which show some men at that age will live beyond 110 - a long “tail risk” which may boost liabilities significantly. “Longevity risk is a size that it should also go out to the capital markets,” said John Fitzpatrick, a partner at Pension Corporation, which buys out liabilities and sponsors some pension funds. He is also a director of a fledgling venture to make such a market happen.

So far, neither capital markets nor the British government have been enthusiastic about the plan, although investment banks are behind the latest efforts to build a tradeable longevity swaps market. Proponents of a longevity bond say they are receiving a more receptive response from the Conservatives, the party challenging Labour for government in elections due this spring, but the party declined comment. — Reuters

CIA victim once ‘rescued’ Afghan president

By Kathy Gannon and Adam Goldman he only prisoner known to have died in the CIA’s network of secret prisons once rescued Hamid Karzai, wading through rocket and smallarms fire to take the wounded future president to safety in Pakistan, according to his brother and former associates. The prisoner, Gul Rahman, died in the early hours of Nov. 20, 2002, after being shackled to a cold cement wall in a secret CIA prison in northern Kabul known as the Salt Pit, current and former US officials familiar with the case confirmed. His family is appealing to the International Red Cross to return his body.

Rahman was captured about three weeks before his death in a raid in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad against Hezb-e-Islami, an Afghan insurgent group led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, which was believed to have ties to Al-Qaeda.

Rahman was arrested along with Hekmatyar’s son-in-law, Dr Ghairat Baheer. Baheer, who was later released, was part of a Hezb-e-Islami delegation that came to Kabul last month to talk peace with Karzai.

Rahman’s brief association with the future Afghan president, reported by his brother Habib Rahman, adds an ironic twist to the account of his death at the hands of the CIA, and illustrates the complex history of the different Afghan factions still competing for power in this war-ravaged country. After Soviet forces withdrew in 1989, Afghanistan descended into civil war as the Islamic groups that ousted the Soviets fought each other for control of the capital, Kabul.

During fighting in 1994, Karzai, then deputy foreign minister, was arrested by Afghan intelligence, by some accounts

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KABUL: In this undated photo, Gul Rahman is shown.

Gul Rahman died in the early hours of Nov 20, 2002, after being shackled to a cold cement wall in a secret CIA prison in northern Kabul known as the Salt Pit, according to current and former US officials familiar with the case. — AP because he was in contact with Hekmatyar and other militia leaders to end the conflict. Karzai himself has said little about his confinement except that he escaped when rockets struck the building where he was held and that he made his way to Pakistan.

The Associated Press contacted Karzai’s spokesman, Waheed Omar, but he would not comment, although he said the president was aware of an AP story identifying Rahman as the victim of the CIA secret prison.

Further requests for comment over the past week have also gotten no response. According to Habib Rahman, his brother, Gul Rahman was sent to fetch Karzai by Hekmatyar, whose forces had long been suspected of firing the rockets at the building. Gul Rahman carried a letter for Karzai from Hekmatyar, saying he had been sent to rescue him at the request of Karzai’s father, the brother said.

Habib Rahman said his brother took Karzai to a safe house in Kabul, then

drove with him to the Pakistani city of Peshawar, where Karzai was hospitalized for two days. Although Karzai has not confirmed Rahman’s role, Hekmatyar spoke about it in an interview last year with the Afghan Pashto language Web site Benawa.com. Hekmatyar complained that Karzai had promised to release those who helped him “but look, Gul Rahman is still not released but Karzai is president.”

The whereabouts of his body are unknown.

Sam Zifiri, who was part of a Human Rights Watch investigation into the rocket attacks of the early ‘90s, said he believed the version provided by Gul Rahman’s brother was “an utterly plausible story.” “How Karzai got out of Kabul and through the front lines to Peshawar was always mysterious to us,” said Zifiri, who now works for Amnesty International. “We always just wondered as to how he did that. That was the question for us: Unless he had high level contact, how did he get through these front lines?” The AP interviewed Habib Rahman in Islamabad, at the home of Hekmatyar’s son-in-law that was raided in 2002.

Habib Rahman said his brother had come to Islamabad a day before the Oct 29, 2002 raid for a medical checkup for his allergies and was planning to return the next day to the Shamshatoo refugee camp near Peshawar, where he lived with his wife and four daughters and sold wood.

He said the agents surrounded the marble-fronted house at 1:30 am, arresting Rahman and four others. Hekmatyar’s son-in-law, Baheer, spent six years in the US detention center at Bagram Air Field and six months in the Salt Pit. He told The AP earlier he was stripped naked and shackled. Occasionally his interrogators would put a chair on his exposed belly and

sit on it.

“At the beginning they (Americans) were like animals, they were so angry, they just wanted revenge” for 9/11, Baheer’s son, Abdullah Baheer, said.

“Now we think it has changed, but then they were so cruel.” After Gul Rahman froze to death, the agency moved to improve its interrogation procedures. No one was ever charged in Rahman’s death, including the agency officer who ran the secret prison. The US Justice Department is now conducting its third review of the case, investigating Gul Rahman’s death and a small number of other CIA cases.

Last week, the FBI rejected a Freedom of Information Act request the Associated Press submitted for autopsy records in the death, saying it was relevant to “a pending or prospective law enforcement proceeding.” Last week was also when Habib Rahman learned of his brother’s final hours, hanging half-naked in a cold, dark cell. “It must have been horrific for him. I don’t know how he suffered. You know he could never take the cold. He always hated it,” he said. He picked up a carefully folded shawl and wiped his tears. In a red booklet in his pocket were two small pictures of Gul Rahman.

“We want his body back. We want them to let us give him a religious burial,” he said. “We will ask the Red Cross and the Americans to return his remains to us.” He has assumed responsibility for his brother’s family; the eldest daughter, Hajra is 17 and finishing high school. Her sisters are Abida, 15, Fawzia, 13 and Asma, 9. “I am the head of the family and responsible for everyone in our family. I have tried to look after them,” Rahman said. “It has been difficult but all of them are in school.” — AP

ANALYSIS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

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India gropes for response to Maoist menace

By Rupam Jain Nair

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ith the massacre of 75 policemen in a jungle ambush, India’s Maoists have shown they remain a potent national security threat despite a major four-month offensive to curb their operations.

Tuesday’s attack in a densely forested area of Chhattisgarh state was the deadliest to date and is likely to embarrass the government, which since late last year has been pursuing a concerted effort to flush the rebels out. Home Minister. Chidambaram said he was shocked by the high casualty toll. “This shows the savage nature of the Maoists-the brutality and savagery which they are capable of,” he said.

The ambush again showcased the Maoists’ ability to strike in strength and then melt back into their jungle hideouts before security reinforcements arrive. The insurgency, which started as a peasant uprising in 1967, has spread to 20 of India’s 29 states and has been identified by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the number one threat to domestic security. Little is known about the movement’s shadowy leadership based in the central state of Chhattisgarh, or its cadre strength, which is variously estimated at

CHHATTISGARH: Bodies of paramilitary soldiers are lined up at the site of a rebel attack in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh state, India. —AP between 10,000 and 20,000.

Since 2007, they have assassinated a federal MP, engineered a mass prison break for 300 of their jailed fighters, sunk a boat carrying elite commandos and held entire trains hostage. The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Tuesday’s attack was an assault on India’s democracy and urged

the government to launch an “all-out offensive” against the leftist rebels.

“There is no scope for discussion or debate any more. First we have to hit them hard. This must be a fight to the finish,” said BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

The Maoist influence is greatest in impoverished, remote areas, fuelling

the argument that growing social disparities thrown up by India’s economic growth has been a major factor behind the rebels’ expansion. “These are areas inhabited by tribals and the poorest of the poor, who have been bypassed by the economic boom,” said author and economist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta.

“It’s a perfect breeding ground for leftwing extremism.”

Ajai Sahani, executive director of the New Delhi-based Institute of Conflict Management, agreed that the failure to deliver good governance, security and basic services had played into the rebels’ hands. “The Maoists are not really strong. It is the state which is weak and has failed to deliver,” he said. The rebels insist they are fighting for the rights of the poor in India’s hinterland. The most common work in the forests of Chhattisgarh is subsistence farming and the gathering and selling of leaves for Indian “beedi” cigarettes-a job that brings in a meager 35 cents a day.

Until now, the government has resisted enlisting the military’s help in fighting the Maoists, relying instead on paramilitary forces. At the end of last year, the government launched Operation Green Hunt-a large-scale, coordinated offensive involving six states worst affected by Maoist vio-

lence.

But the rebels’ superior knowledge of local conditions and topography has thwarted efforts to take them on in large numbers. “The Maoists are like water. The minute you try to pressurize them, they spread all over,” said Longe Kume, a senior police officer in Jagdalpur, a region of Chhattisgarh dotted with rebel training camps. Rahul Bedi, a defense analyst with Jane’s Information Group, said the paramilitary forces were “under-equipped and under-trained” and argued that the government needed to re-think its strategy. “It is a man-intensive war. India needs more people and sophisticated weapons to fight it,” Bedi said.

KPS Gill, the former police chief of Punjab state credited with stamping out a Sikh nationalist insurgency in the 1990s, said Operation Green Hunt had been flawed from its inception.

“Somebody has picked up the strategy from some book and forced it on the paramilitary forces,” Gill said. “They are violating the basic principles of antiinsurgency operations by travelling in large numbers and in vehicles,” said Gill, who noted that victims of Tuesday’s ambush had been sent on a four-day patrol in an area they barely knew. “They were sitting ducks,” he said. — AFP

Players turn frequent flyers as troubled Iraq forms govt

By Ian Simpson and Suadad Al-Salhy

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raqi leaders, struggling to form a government after an inconclusive March poll, are travelling around the region to set out their political stalls, forge alliances and to enhance their reputations at home. Despite having almost 100,000 troops in Iraq, Washington has so far been absent from politicians’ travel itineraries. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Syria and the United States have their own favorite to become Iraq’s prime minister, Iyad Allawi, a secular Shiite Muslim with a cross-sectarian coalition, as they try to limit the influence of neighboring mainly Shiite Iran.

That could mean an Iraq more able to resist Iran, the world’s fifth-biggest oil exporter and locked in a stand-off with the West over its nuclear program.

Tehran has been a big influence since the 2003 invasion and Shiites outnumber Sunnis in Iraq, giving Iran an advantage. But the ancient rivalry between Iranians and Arabs and Iraqis’ strong nationalism is going to limit how far Tehran can go in shaping a government, at least openly, analysts said.

“I don’t think there is a foreign kingmaker in Iraqi politics,” said David Mack, vice president of the Middle East Institute in Washington. The Iranians “have their influence, they potentially want a government that will not be threatening to them. But there’s a limit.

I don’t think that they are in any sense able to control matters,” Mack told Reuters. The narrowness of the election as Iraq emerges from years of sectarian fighting, has given foreign players a role in Iraq’s efforts to assemble a government, with some analysts saying this makes politicians vulnerable to pressure from abroad.

“What we’re seeing is symptomatic of the weakness of the Iraqi state,” said Joost Hiltermann, an analyst with the International Crisis Group in Washington. “The neighboring states prey on the divisions in Iraqi politics.

The situation is very fluid and chaotic because there is no (single) strong player, on either side.” The fragility of the

post-election security situation in Iraq has been emphasized by an upsurge of violence in Baghdad province this month that has killed more than 100 people.

Security forces blame the violence on Al-Qaeda militants.

FREQUENT FLYERS Complex political talks at home have been supplemented with a whirlwind of foreign visits by political leaders since final election results were announced on March 26. Allawi’s cross-sectarian Iraqiya coalition finished first with 91 seats in the 325-seat parliament. Iraqiya, which drew substantial support from Sunni Muslims, was two seats ahead of the State of Law coalition of Shiite Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki. Forming a government demands 163 seats. Since the election, Iraqi politicians including Maliki and President Jalal Talabani have visited senior officials in Iran, a bulwark for Shiite Muslims. Leaders have also met there with powerful anti-US cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr, head of a leading faction in the Shiite Iraqi National Alliance (INA), which has close links to Iran.

Toby Dodge, an Iraq expert at the University of London, said Iran had first tried to boost Shiite voters’ participation in the elections. Now Tehran is trying to oversee a merger between Sadrists and State of Law as the core of a new government. “Clearly it has the most influence of any country in Iraq, much more than the US or Saudi Arabia. Iran has invested a great deal of money and a great deal of time in cultivating their allies in Baghdad,” he said. In turn, Qusai abd Al-Wahab, a Sadrist leader and head of the INA political negotiations committee, said the Sadrists had visited Iran, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia. They also have been invited to Egypt, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

“All the neighboring countries have the same weight for us. We wanted to send a message that we respect them as much as we respect Iran,” he told Reuters. Allawi, a former prime minister, has visited Turkey and Lebanon.

Other stops on politicians’ regional circuit include Syria and the Gulf states.

In one high-level visit, Vice President Tariq Al-Hashemi, an Iraqiya leader,

went to Qatar on Monday to discuss efforts to form a government, the presidential website said.

Mack, of the Middle East Institute, said politicians were garnering support from foreign capitals as well as boosting their profiles at home as talks to form a

government went on.

“We’re at the stage now where the audience is the other political factions, not simply whether a given political leader had popular support ... but whether a given political leader can govern the country,” he said. Although

no Iraqi politician has made a flight to Washington, US officials say they are in touch with all the main parties.

“We’re prepared to work with whoever emerges,” Ambassador Christopher Hill told reporters last week. —Reuters

Militants push Iraq toward post-election violence

By Alistair Lyon

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spate of attacks widely blamed on Al-Qaeda seems designed to tip Iraq back into all-out violence at a delicate moment when politicians are struggling for power after an inconclusive parliamentary election. Five months of political drift before a government was formed after the previous poll in late 2005 set the scene for the Sunni-Shiite carnage that convulsed Iraq in 2006-07.

This year, no clear winner emerged from the March 7 vote, fuelling fears another prolonged political vacuum could foster bloodshed. So far mainstream factions are talking, not shooting.

“This is not yet a glide path into civil war as in 2005-06,” said Iraq expert Toby Dodge of Queen Mary, University of London, adding Iraqi security forces were now much stronger. “For the moment it looks as though the Iraqi army has the capacity to keep the militias under control.”

This could change if violence proliferates, political disputes spin out of control and the security forces begin to splinter in the absence of strong state institutions. “Then we would be in a dangerous pre-civil war situation,” said Joost Hiltermann, deputy Middle East director of the International Crisis Group.

“It wouldn’t be the same sectarian war as in the past, but between various groups. It could go into a sectarian dynamic, but it is not as clear as it was then.”

AL-QAEDA FINGERPRINTS? There is no proof Al-Qaeda carried out the assaults that have killed more than 100 people since Friday-and some Iraqis harbor darker theories, implicating senior politicians.

Baghdad’s security spokesman has blamed remnants of AlQaeda and supporters of ousted Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein. The varied choice of targets would seem to fit the Sunni militant group’s goals of sparking civil war and proving the impotence of the Iraqi state as US troops prepare to leave.

At least 35 people were killed on Tuesday when bombs wrecked seven civilian buildings in mainly Shiite districts of Baghdad.

Two days earlier, 41 people died in suicide car bomb attacks on the Iranian, Egyptian and German embassies in the capital.

On Friday, gunmen killed 24 people in a Sunni village south of the city. Many of the victims belonged to the US-backed Sahwa (Awakening) movement of Sunni tribesmen and ex-insurgents who had turned against their Al-Qaeda co-religionists. That shift helped US troops and nascent Iraqi armed forces to weaken, but not destroy the network, which has still managed to

carry out a few spectacular suicide bombings since August.

The probable perpetrators of the latest attacks were sending three signals tied to a strategy of reigniting sectarian strife, according to Iraqi sociologist Faleh Abdul-Jabbar. “For the Sahwa it was a revenge message, telling them to return to the insurgency because the government could not protect them or pay them,” the Beirut-based academic said. “The regional and international message to Iran, the Arab world and Europe was that you shouldn’t support or deal with this government because we are here to destabilize everything. “The message to the government was that you cannot protect the people; your security achievements are a pipe dream.”

Abdul-Jabbar drew parallels with Iraq’s previous descent into civil war, but with complexities that defied any simple definition in terms of Sunni-Shiite polarization. “There are four Shiite factions, each with its agenda, class roots, cultural norms and political aspirations,” he said. “The Sunni bloc doesn’t exist.” Even though many Sunnis voted for allies of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a secular Shiite, it was wrong to see him as the voice of Iraq’s once-dominant Sunni minority, he added.

SUNNI DISCONTENT Nevertheless, Dodge said, sectarian tensions could intensify if Shiite factions exclude Allawi from a coalition government, marginalizing Sunni voters seeking a fairer share of power. If that happens, he said, Iraq would be “heading away from reconciliation, back into much more sectarian instability”.

Allawi gained 91 of parliament’s 325 seats, just ahead of a bloc led by Shiite Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki with 89. A Shiite Islamist alliance won 70 and Kurdish factions took 43.

Somehow these rivals must strike deals to form a viable coalition government if Iraq is to consolidate shaky security gains, tap its vast oil resources and rebuild its economy. Until they do, political uncertainty is an opportunity for Al-Qaeda and its allies to exploit. As Maliki and Allawi trade accusations about recent security breaches, the security force commanders appointed by one or other of the two leaders may wonder what their future holds. “There is real paralysis in the army and police,” said Abdul-Jabbar, noting that the defense and interior ministers in Maliki’s caretaker administration were both election losers.

Extended political deadlock carries greater dangers. “Violence is inevitable when the politicians begin to fight because they all have their own militias,” Sabah Al-Mukhtar, an Iraqi lawyer based in London, said. “Even the army and police are militias although they are dressed in the same uniforms.” — Reuters

Destitute and desperate, Icelanders opt for exile

By Marc Preel

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nna Margret Bjoernsdottir never thought she would be forced to leave her once wealthy homeland, but after 18 months of economic upheaval she has decided to join the biggest emigration wave from Iceland in more than a century.

“I just don’t see any future here.

There isn’t going to be any future in this country for the next 20 years, everything is going backwards,” lamented the 46-year-old single mother, who plans to move to Norway in June.

The former real estate agent who lost her job when Iceland’s housing market disintegrated two years ago said she feared she could soon be forced out of her large house in Mosfellsbaer, some 15 kilometers from Reykjavik. “I don’t want to sell it,” she said, vowing to “fight to keep” the comfortable wooden dwelling she, her daughter Olavia, their cat Isolde Tinna and their dog Candit the Bandit have called home since 2004.

Bjoernsdottir is not alone in planning to leave Iceland’s economic mess behind and seek a new future abroad. Most people in Reykjavik have someone in their surroundings who has already packed their bags and left. Emigration has rapidly picked up speed since the Atlantic island nation’s economy crumbled in late 2008, dragged

REYKJAVIK: Anna Margret Bjoernsdottir poses inside her home in Mosfellsbaer on the outskirts of Reykjavik. Unemployed and burdened with financial debt Bjoernsdottir has decided to leave Iceland with her daughter to Norway, joining the expanding flow of Icelandic emigration - at its highest since the 19th century.— AFP down by the collapse of its major banks. Last year it marked the largest exodus from the country since 1887. In 2009, more than 10,600 people left the country of fewer than 320,000 inhabitants, according to official statistics, with 4,835 more people moving away than immigrating.

Foreign workers, mainly

Poles, who since the beginning of the decade had been drawn to Iceland’s financial miracle, were the first to leave. But Icelanders like Bjoernsdottir have not been far behind, most heading to the country’s still prosperous Nordic neighbors, especially Norway. “I don’t think I can offer a good future to my daughter Olavia” in

Iceland, Bjoernsdottir said. Like many other Icelanders who have seen their worlds collapse since the financial turmoil began, Bjoernsdottir’s predicament stems from the decision, on advice from her banker, to take up a loan in foreign currency.

Repayments on her loan, in yens and Swiss francs, became

insurmountable after the Icelandic krona nose-dived following the banking sector implosion. “My loans are twice as high as they were,” she said, shaking her head in disgust. “The payments keep going higher and higher, so I have to leave, I’m forced to!” Bjoernsdottir lost her job in real estate at the end of 2008 as the crisis hammered Iceland’s economy. Since then she has picked up temporary teaching work, but that position also disappeared last September.

Analysts expect Iceland’s beleaguered economy to stabilize in 2010, but gross domestic product shrank 6.5 percent last year.

Other victims of Iceland’s financial woes have ended up with one foot in and the other out of the country. Svanbjoern Einarsson, a 44-year-old father of three, says he is trapped in the country due to an unsellable house that he does not want to abandon. Instead, the engineer has chosen to work for six-week stretches in Norway’s oil capital Stavanger on the western coast, with occasional one- or two-week breaks home with his family. “It’s very difficult. When I work I forget about it, but in the evening it’s very tough,” he said.

Long-term, however, he acknowledged his future may be in Norway, not Iceland. Like many of their countrymen forced into exile, both Bjoernsdottir and Einarsson blame Reykjavik for

their country’s plight. “I’m so angry about this government,” Bjoernsdottir said. Iceland’s first ever left-wing government came to power last year after the previous right-wing administration collapsed following a wave of protests blaming it for the state of the economy. But the current government is now under fire over a deal to pay out massive compensation to Britain and the Netherlands for costs incurred following the fall of the online bank Icesave in October 2008.

Iceland has agreed to pay out 3.9 billion euros ($5.3 billion) to compensate for money the two countries paid out to 340,000 of their citizens hit by the bank’s collapse. “I had great hopes when the left-wing government was elected, that they would do something against corruption and the abusive loans, but all they do is talk about Icesave,” Einarsson said. In a March 6 referendum, more than 93 percent of Icelandic voters rejected a deal to repay Britain and the Netherlands at a high interest rate. Reykjavik has since said it will try to secure a more favourable agreement.

Bjoernsdottir was among those who voted down the deal-and says the debacle strengthened her determination to leave Iceland. “I don’t want my daughter to have to pay for this,” she said. “I just have such a bad feeling about what’s happening here.” — AFP

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Who succeeds senior Iraqi cleric not just about piety

By Hamza Hendawi and Qassim Abdul-Zahra

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ehind the scenes in this holy city, Shiite clerics are quietly intriguing over who will succeed the sect’s most revered and politically influential leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, in a tussle that circles around money and foreign meddling as much as knowledge and piety. The 83-year-old Al-Sistani’s departure from the scene would dramatically change Iraq’s political landscape.

There are already signs that neighboring Iran is seeking to increase its influence in Najaf and has long-term hopes of seeing a figure closer to Tehran’s clerical leadership eventually ascend to Al-Sistani’s position.

Since the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein, Al-Sistani has used his patriarchal standing to keep stability throughout Iraq’s shaky shift to democratic rule by urging Shiites to stay away from any violence. At the same time, he has firmly promoted the rise and consolidation of Shiite power by urging his followers to turn out strongly in every election. AlSistani, who rarely leaves his modest Najaf home and does not grant media interviews, works from behind-thescenes, offering his counsel to senior politicians who privately seek his guidance and support.

His public pronouncements - carefully worded fatwas, or edicts, that address the nation - are observed by most Shiites in Iraq and elsewhere. But his inability to stop the brutal Shiite-Sunni violence of 2006 and 2007 has shown the limitations of his authority, which may be tested again if the violence of recent days does not soon stop. In attacks that appear reminiscent of the sectarian violence, about 120 people have been killed in and around Baghdad over the past week as Iraq sinks deeper into political instability after March 7 parliamentary elections failed to produce a clear winner.

It may now take weeks, maybe months, to form a new government. Aides say Al-Sistani has a clean bill of health, though a heart condition sent him to London for treatment in 2004. But his advanced age has been enough to spark maneuvering behind the scenes in Najaf, the cloistered holy city south of Baghdad that is the Shiite world’s foremost seat of theological scholarship, with dozens of religious schools.

Whoever replaces the Iranian-born Al-Sistani could play a role in shaping the future of Iraq and the direction of its recently empowered Shiite majority.

That makes the position a lure for Iran as it seeks to boost its position while American forces begin their withdrawal, due to be completed by the end of 2011.

Iran already wields considerable influence, largely because most Iraqi Shiite politicians lived there for years while in exile during Saddam’s rule. “Iran would like to shape Al-Sistani’s succession,” said Iran expert Alireza Nader of the Washington-based RAND Corporation.

But “the Iranian government may lack the necessary religious and ideological levers to shape the succession entirely to its liking.”

Still, insiders in Najaf say Tehran is beefing up its presence in the city, which has long maintained a stubborn independence from Iran’s Shiite theological centers. “There are sometimes attempts by hidden hands to meddle in the affairs of the marjaiyah,” said Sheik Ali Al-Najafi, the son and top aide to Pakistani-born Grand

Ayatollah Bashir Al-Najafi, one of the city’s four top clerics. Marjaiyah is Arabic for the collective Shiite spiritual leadership.

“It is to be expected that foreign nations meddle in Najaf,” he said, in an implicit reference to Iran. An aide to Al-Sistani said top clerics from Iran, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have recently opened representative offices in Najaf, with some collecting the Shiite tax known as “khoms,” or “fifth,” and enrolling students in seminaries run by their representatives.

“When the Americans leave, the Iranians will play with us as they please,” said the Al-Sistani aide, mirroring fears in Najaf and elsewhere in Iraq that Tehran’s influence in post-US Iraq would grow. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. Money is also a factor in the choice of a successor to Al-Sistani, say several Najaf insiders, who are in daily contact with the city’s clerical leadership.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of Najaf’s internal dealings.

For example, seminary students - there are an estimated 7,000 in Najaf, from across the Shiite world - are mostly poor and depend on the city’s top clerics for food and housing. Clerics who offer better living conditions and higher stipends attract more students, translating into a wider base of support.

Al-Sistani holds the title of “al-marja al-akbar,” or the “greatest object of emulation,” and is venerated in Iraq and around the Shiite world.

The world’s estimated 200-plus million Shiites can choose what cleric they follow, but even among those who have their own “marja,” Al-Sistani holds considerable weight. Choosing a successor is a complicated, informal process, without clear requirements beyond basic qualifications like knowledge and piety. Dozens of senior and middle-ranking clerics known as the “experts” take part, privately debating their choice and their view carries a great deal of weight.

Two grand ayatollahs in Najaf are seen as the top candidates to succeed him: The Afghan-born Mohammed Ishaq Al-Fayadh and the Iraqi Mohammed Said AlHakim. Both, however, are old and may only be interim figures. The 80-year-old AlFayadh is widely seen as the more likely. He has lived in Najaf for the past 40 years, enjoys only a fraction of the worldwide support AlSistani commands. But the Najaf insiders say he is the closest to Al-Sistani from among the city’s grand ayatollahs.

Al-Sistani has kept his distance from Iran’s regime and, significantly, does not subscribe to the religious principle on which the Islamic republic is based: “welayet al-faqeeh,” or the right of the most learned cleric to hold political power.

Al-Fayadh is known to conditionally subscribe to that doctrine, though that does not necessarily mean he supports Iran, or that Tehran would prefer him in the post.

More likely, Iran is looking long-term, hoping that by building its influence among Najaf’s lower clerics, it can ensure a figure close to its ruling clergy eventually rises to the top. Since there is no figure with Al-Sistani’s stature, it is possible a weak or ailing successor moves in as a stopgap. The insiders say it is also possible that no one takes Al-Sistani’s title, and the three other grand ayatollahs continue to function the same way as they do now. —AP

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NEWS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Khorafi delivers Amir’s message Continued from Page 1

SPACE: A handout photo shows reconstructed images of the progression of the 2009-2010 eclipse of the star Epsilon Aurigae as imaged by the Center for High Angular Resolution interferometer with the Michigan Infrared beam Combiner. — AFP

Astronomers solve enigma of eclipsing star PARIS: Astronomers yesterday said they may have explained the riddle of a dimming star that has perplexed skygazers for nearly two centuries. Located 2,000 light years from Earth in the northern constellation Auriga where it is one of the brightest stars, Epsilon Aurigae has triggered controversy ever since astronomers first noted in the 1820s that its light bizarrely halved in intensity for 18 months.

The phenomenon was later found to occur once every 27.1 years, sparking theories about what was the cause.

Suspicions centered on an

eclipse-some dark companion that swung between the distant star and Earth. But debate was also complicated by the fact that Epsilon Aurigae was found to be a binary star, meaning two stars that orbit around each other, although the two have never been visible at the same time.

For much of the 20th century, a popular idea was that the opaque object was some extremely cool, tenuous companion star, which scattered the light of the primary star.

Another hypothesis was that it was a light-gobbling black hole. The answer, according to high-resolution images pub-

lished in the journal Nature, points to a thin, dark and dense disk of dust that passes edge-on in front of the star, filtering out some of the light that reaches us.

Clouds of dust and gas are the building blocks of space, coalescing to form planets, stars and galaxies, according to cosmic theory. The pictures were taken last November by four one-meter telescopes at Georgia State University, whose infrared light was then amplified by a process called interferometry. The longawaited eclipse of Epsilon Aurigae, running from 2009 to 2011, was one of the center-

pieces of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy.

The images are a major technical feat, showing how very distant objects may be brought into closer focus, said University of Michigan professor John Monnier, whose institution made the interferometry instrument. “It kind of blows my mind that we could capture this,” Monnier said in a press release. “There’s no other (star) system like this known. On top of that, it seems to be in a rare phase of stellar life. And it happens to be so close to us. It’s extremely fortuitous.” —AFP

Qaeda members arrive in Somalia NAIROBI: At least 12 Al-Qaeda members have crossed from Yemen into Somalia in the last two weeks, bringing money and military expertise to Somali rebels battling the Wester n-backed gover nment, a senior Somali official said. Somalia’s Al-Qaedalinked Al Shabaab rebels are waging a deadly insurgency against the transitional government headed by a former rebel and are intent on imposing a harsh version of Sharia Islamic law throughout the war-ravaged nation.

A smaller group-Hizbul Islam-which has an alliance with Al Shabaab in Mogadishu, expressed its loyalty to Al-Qaeda yesterday for the first time and invited Osama bin Laden to Somalia. “Our intelligence shows 12 senior Al-Qaeda officials came into Somalia from Yemen in the last two weeks,” said Treasury Minister Abdirahman Omar Osman, adding that he had been briefed by

Hizbul Islam invites Bin Laden Somalia’s intelligence agencies. “They were sent off to assess the situation to see if AlQaeda may move its biggest military bases to southern Somalia since they are facing a lot of pressure in Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said by telephone yesterday. Osman did not say who the Al-Qaeda members were nor their positions in the organization. Western and regional intelligence agencies have long feared that Somalia’s porous borders and lack of a strong central government could make the Horn of Africa nation a safe haven for militants looking to attack the region and beyond.

Al-Qaeda in Yemen jumped to the forefront of Western security concerns after a Yemen-based regional wing claimed responsibility for a failed attack on a US-bound

transatlantic flight in December. “They brought money to Al Shabaab which had been facing difficulties to recruit more fighters because of cash shortages,” Osman said.

Some of the foreign commanders had landed in airstrips in the south disguised as humanitarian workers and two were in Mogadishu, he said.

Since plunging into anarchy in 1991, hundreds of thousands of people have perished from famine, war and disease in Somalia.

Multiple attempts to set up central rule have failed. Somalia’s current government backed

by African Union peacekeepers has been unable to wrest control of the sea-side capital from insurgent groups. Al Shabaab controls large swathes of southern Somalia and Mogadishu. —Reuters

Agility CEO mulls stepping down KUWAIT: Tariq Sultan, the CEO and Managing Director of the major Kuwaiti firm, Agility Logistics Co, may shortly step down from some of the positions he holds in the company.

The predicted move follows a recent dispute between the company and the United States government, which has accused the well-known Kuwaiti firm of forging invoices

for logistic services to US military forces in the area. According to reports, Sultan, who led the company to a prestigious status in the field of warehousing and logistics services in the region, is contemplating the idea of allowing several company officials to assume senior posts.

Furthermore, Agility revealed that it has delayed issuing its annual financial report

for the fiscal year that ended on December 31, 2009 for a few more days, postponing it until this coming Sunday, April 10, after the awaited results of the ongoing negotiations with the US Department of Justice regarding a possible compromise on the dispute.

As a result of this, trading on the company’s stocks will also be suspended until the same date. — Agencies

Kuwait, ‘US foe’ ink several agreements Continued from Page 1 power, importing water from Iran and holding cultural weeks. On the importation of gas from Iran, Shatti said the bulky part of the agreement was finalized and only few matters remained to be addressed through further negotiations.

He invited head of the Iranian follow-up team Dr Agha Mohammadi to visit Kuwait in order to complete talks of bilateral cooperation.

Mohammadi will visit Kuwait in the future heading a delegation of businessmen and experts in ports. A governmentowned Iranian company has announced plans to construct a 350-mile pipeline to export natural gas to Kuwait. “The result of the negotiations is very satisfactory and for this purpose the parties intend to establish a joint venture company,” Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Company Reza Kasaeizadeh said in a statement.

The announcement of the proposed deal comes as the United States is trying to mobilize international support for harsher sanctions on Iran over its alleged nuclear weapons program. The Iran energy sector this is vital to the country’s economy is often mentioned as a possible target of the sanctions. Analysts said Kuwait may have chosen to work with

the National Iranian Gas Company, which is owned by the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum, was because it had been snubbed on a similar project by Saudi Arabia. “One reason Kuwait has been looking at Iran is because Saudi Arabia has not allowed a gas pipeline from Qatar to Kuwait to go ahead since such a pipeline would go through Saudi maritime territory,” Dr Christian Koch Director of International Studies Gulf Research Center told The Media Line. “Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have also not resolved their dispute over the Dorra gas field,” he added. But Koch said he was skeptical this gas pipeline project would actually develop, particularly since similar deals on water have not materialized.

Washington has been pressuring its allies on the southern side of the Gulf to curtail their business dealing with in Iran.

This could be tricky, according to Jane Kinninmont, an editor with the Economist Intelligence Unit. “The Emirate of Dubai has close economic links with Iran, which is its single largest trading partner,” said Kinninmont.

“There are also up to half a million Iranian expatriates based in Dubai, many of whom are senior business figures.”

“Bahrain, where the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is based, is in discussions with Iran about the possibility of importing natural

gas, which Bahrain needs for its aluminum smelter [plants],” Kinninmont added. Iran’ nuclear program has increasingly become a major source of tension between the US and Iran. While Teheran, which holds the world’s second largest oil and gas reserves, claims the program is solely for power production, Washington says the energy program is being used as a screen to develop nuclear weapons.

The US has been pushing for stricter sanctions backed by the United Nations Security Council, following a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in February 2010 outlining Iran’s long history of clandestine nuclear weapons development. Sanctions backed by the Security Council would add to those imposed by the US and include all member states in the United Nations, but require both China’s and Russia’s support as permanent members of the Security Council and veto power holders.

Both China and Russia has extensive business ties with Iran. A failed deal for a planned nuclear plant in Bushear involved Russia offering Iran to provide and retain the plant’s fuel but was rejected for unclear reasons by Iran. Used nuclear fuel is the basis for producing weapons grade, or refined uranium, required in a nuclear weapon. — Agencies

Israel ‘main threat to Mideast peace’ Continued from Page 1 Islamist-rooted AKP party, and Netanyahu’s right-wing Israeli nationalist coalition. On Tuesday, Ankara “vehemently condemned” remarks attributed to Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman that likened Erdogan to controversial pro-Palestinian leaders Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez. Israeli website Ynet quoted Lieberman as saying on Monday that Erdogan is “slowly turning into Gaddafi or Hugo Chavez” and added: “It’s his choice. The problem is not Turkey, the problem is Erdogan.”

This spat followed tensions caused when Israel’s deputy foreign minister

Danny Ayalon gave Turkey’s ambassador a public dressing down in January to protest a Turkish television series that criticized Israel. After having kept Oguz Celikkol waiting, the envoy was made to sit on a low couch and the Turkish flag was removed from their table. Ayalon had pictures taken of the humiliating scene, infuriating Ankara.

One year after the Gaza battle, in a memorable outburst, Erdogan stormed out of a debate at the 2009 World Economic Forum in Davos after telling Israeli President Shimon Peres: “You know well how to kill people”.

Turkey is currently a member of the UN Security Council, which will soon have to decide whether to follow French

and US pressure to impose tougher penalties on Iran over its nuclear program.

At the Paris meeting, Erdogan pointed the finger at Israel’s undeclared stock of nuclear warheads, arguing that the fact that it had not signed the NonProliferation Treaty (NPT) should not exempt it from international safeguards.

“Is this situation logical?” he demanded.

“Should not being a member of the NPT mean you can do whatever you like every day?” He repeated his opposition to sanctions against Iran, which Western capitals accuse of secretly seeking a nuclear bomb, insisting the International Atomic Energy Agency has found no hard proof of Tehran cheating. —AFP

Khorafi statements coincided with a visit by Iraqi vice president Adel Abdulmahdi to the country during which he held talks with the Kuwaiti leadership.

In addition, Khorafi said His Highness the Amir also called on the Assembly and the government not to insult each other.

Khorafi also said that the MPs who attended the meeting asked him to convey their thanks and gratitude to His Highness the Amir for his keenness to preserve democracy.

MP Khaled Al-Adwah said His Highness the Amir’s message tackled two main issues: that statements by MPs should not intervene in Kuwait’s foreign policy and undermine Arab and neighboring countries, and the other that MPs should use a refined language in their debates after it has gone too low at times.

Adwah also said the meeting discussed amending the Assembly’s internal charter to give the speaker more powers to deal with MPs who violate law and order and rules of the charter.

He said that some MPs aim at interrupting the Assembly sessions and based on the present internal charter the speaker cannot stop them effectively. Adwah added that he thinks that a majority of MPs have supported the idea of amending the internal charter to give more powers to the speaker. “The meeting was positive and stressed on improving the image of democracy and upholding a high level of dialogue,” Adwah said.

For his part, MP Mubarak Al-Waalan however, had a different view, describing the meeting as frank and productive and “we needed a meeting like this in order to express our views on all issues, including the speaker’s handling of sessions.” He said the meeting tackled heated exchanges that take place between MPs sometimes, adding that every MP is personally responsible for what he or she says or does and such MPs should be held accountable only by their voters who voted them to the Assembly.

Waalan said “it is illogical that we start talking about amending the internal charter as if we want to curb the lawmaker’s authority, adding that those who feel insulted should go to court.” The lawmaker stressed that what is happening in the National Assembly is not abnormal if compared with clashes that take place in almost all world parliaments.

He said that he also asked Khorafi to convey to the Amir the displeasure of MPs over the government practices towards the Assembly, especially - that only a few ministers attend sessions. Among prominent MPs who did not attend the meeting were Ahmad Al-Saadoun, Mussallam AlBarrak and Faisal Al-Muslim.

Meanwhile, MP Askar Al-Enezi pledged obedience to Amir’s instructions to MPs that was conveyed by the speaker.

Also yesterday, MP Ali Al-Omair said that what was discussed during the meeting regarding the Assembly’s charter was intended to apply a more restrict procedure of enforcing the charter, “not to

amend the charter.”

Outspoken MP Musallam Al-Barrak boycotted the meeting with other members of the Popular Action Bloc. “If there was a message from His Highness the Amir, then His Highness is more than capable of summoning the lawmakers to personally convey to them such a message. A person who conveys a message is different than who says it without a mediator. A conveyed message is always subjected to mistakes,” Barrak told reporters.

Members of the Popular Action Bloc boycotted the meeting, which was called for by the speaker yesterday. Bloc members met at another location awaiting the outcome of the speaker’s meeting. The bloc had decided to not attend the meeting, saying that such a meeting could have been held in Parliament, rather than in private.

The meeting was attended by 32 lawmakers, including Jassem Al-Khorafi, Abdullah Al-Roumi, Dulaihi Al-Hajeri, Ali Al-Rashed, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Saleh Ashour, Adel Al-Saraawi, Mubarak AlKhurainej, Saleh Al-Mulla, Naji AlAbndulHadi, Adnan Al-Mutawa Youssef Al-Zalzalah, Askar Al-Enezi, Saifi Al-Saifi, Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Zunaifer Al-Azemi, Hussein Mezyed, Khaled Al-Adwah, Ali Al-Omair, Ghanim Al-Mai, Dhaifallah Buramiya, Hassan Johar, Adnan AbdulSamad, Salwa Al-Jassar, Maasouma Al-Mubarak, Rola Dashti, Faisal AlDuwaisan, Khalid Al-Sultan, Hussein AlHuraiti, Saadoun Hammad, Khalaf Dumaither and Mubarak Al-Waalan.

Iran derides Obama’s ‘cowboy’ stance Continued from Page 1 The US considers them nuclear rogues Pyongyang for developing and testing nuclear weapons and Tehran because it is suspected of trying to do the same under the cover of a peaceful program, something Iran denies. Outlining the policy Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the focus would now be on terror groups such as Al-Qaeda as well as North Korea’s nuclear buildup and Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Addressing thousands in the country’s northwest, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad derided Obama over the plan.

“American materialist politicians, whenever they are beaten by logic, immediately resort to their weapons like cowboys,” Ahmadinejad said in a speech before a crowd of several thousand in northwestern Iran.

“Obama, you are a newcomer (to politics).

Wait until your sweat dries and get some experience. Be careful not to read just any paper put in front of you or repeat any statement recommended,” Ahmadinejad said in the speech, aired live on state TV. Ahmadinejad said Obama “is under the pressure of capitalists and the Zionists” and vowed Iran would not be pushed around. “(American officials) bigger than you, more bullying than you, couldn’t do a damn thing, let alone you,” he said, addressing Obama. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - whose country is the only middle east nation considered to have nuclear weapons - dismissed speculation that the Jewish state could come under pressure.

“I’m not concerned that anyone would think that Israel is a terrorist regime,” he said.

“Everybody knows a terrorist and rogue

regime when they see one, and believe me, they see quite a few around Israel.”

Washington’s key European partners on its efforts to contain Iran’s nuclear activities welcomed the Obama initiative. British Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth said it “delivers strong progress” on pledges first made a year ago, adding Britain “looks forward to working closely with the US and other key allies and partners in the future.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero of France, like Britain a nuclear weapons state that backs global disarmament efforts, said Obama’s nuclear posture “is convergent with our views.” Hailing the US policy review as a historic shift in US nuclear strategy, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle urged Iran to see it and today’s planned Obama-Medvedev treaty signing as a sign that the international community is “serious about disarmament.” In Asia, key allies benefiting from being under the US nuclear defense umbrella expressed support, suggesting the Obama statement helped defuse concerns that they would be left vulnerable by a change in Washington’s policy.

“This is a first step toward a nuclear-free world,” said Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. “Deterrence is important, but so is reducing nuclear arsenals.”

Katsuya Okada, Japan’s foreign minister, noted that Japan, which is located near North Korea, China and Russia but has decided not to develop nuclear weapons of its own, was concerned about how the policy will affect its security. “The United States had assured its allies that this position will not endanger them,” he said. “This is important.” In South Korea, the foreign and defense ministries issued a joint statement saying the new US

stance would strengthen Washington’s commitment to its allies and pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons development.

“The government welcomes and supports” Obama’s announcement, they said.

There was no immediate reaction to Obama’s plan from North Korean state media. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key also welcomed the announcement.

“President Obama made good on his pledge a year ago to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in US security policies and set the world on a path to a nuclear-weapons-free world,” he said in a statement. “The review clearly states the long-term objective of US policy is the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, and implements the first of the actions that will be needed to get there.”

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai refused to comment on the new US nuclear defense policy, which also calls on China to explain its nuclear intentions more clearly. “China’s nuclear policy and China’s strategic intentions are clear. Since the 1960s we have repeated our position on many occasions and our position has never been changed,” Cui said, without elaborating. “I believe people with fair and just minds will not question China’s position.”

Beijing, which is said to have 100 nuclear warheads, has said it would not be the first to attack with nuclear weapons.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is to travel to Washington to take part in an April 1213 nuclear summit that will focus on securing nuclear material to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. The meeting is expected to bring together about 46 leaders. — Agencies

100 die as Kyrgyzstan descends into chaos Continued from Page 1 capital, Bishkek, began shooting to drive back crowds of demonstrators called onto the streets by opposition parties for a day of protest. The crowds took control of the state TV building and looted it, then marched toward the Interior Ministry, according to reporters on the scene, before changing direction and attacking a national security building nearby.

They were repelled by security forces.

The leader of the main opposition party said on the former state television channel that he had formed a new government and was negotiating with the president and demanding he step down. Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the claim. Dozens of wounded demonstrators lined the corridors of one of Bishkek’s main hospitals, a block away from the main square, where doctors were unable to cope with the flood of patients.

Weeping nurses slumped over dead bodies, doctors shouted at each other and the floors were covered in blood. Kyrgyzstan’s Health Ministry said 40 people had died and more than 400 were wounded in clashes with police. Opposition activist Toktoim Umetalieva said at least 100 people had died after police opened fire with live ammunition. Opposition activist Shamil Murat said that Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongatiyev had been beaten to death by a mob in the western town of Talas where the unrest began a day ago.

The respected Fergana.ru website reported later that Kongatiyev was badly beaten but had not died, saying its own reporter had witnessed the beating. The unrest began Tuesday in the western city of Talas, where demonstrators stormed a government office and held a governor hostage, prompting a government warning of “severe” repercussions for continuing unrest. The opposition called nationwide protests for yesterday, vowing to defy increasingly authoritarian President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Since coming to power in 2005 on a wave of street protests known as the Tulip Revolution, Bakiyev has ensured a measure of stability, but many observers say he has done so at the expense of democratic standards while enriching himself and his family. Over the past two years, Kyrgyz authorities have clamped down on free media, and opposition activists say they have routinely been subjected to physical intimidation and targeted by politically motivated criminal

investigations. Many of the opposition leaders once were allies of Bakiyev.

Anti-government forces have been in disarray until recently, but widespread anger over a 200 percent hike in electricity and heating gas bills has galvanized the fractious opposition. Police in Bishkek at first used rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons and concussion grenades yesterday to try to control crowds of young men clad in black who were chasing police officers, beating them up and seizing their arms, trucks and armored personnel carriers.

Some protesters then tried to use a personnel carrier to ram the gates of the government headquarters, known as the White House. Many of the protesters threw rocks, but about a half dozen young protesters shot Kalashnikovs into the air from the square in front of the building. “We don’t want this rotten power!” protester Makhsat Talbadyev said, as he and others in Bishkek waved opposition party flags and chanted: “Bakiyev out!” Some 200 elite police began firing, pushing the crowd back from the government headquarters.

The president was not seen in public yesterday and his whereabouts were unclear. Protesters set fire to the prosecutor general’s office in the city center, and a giant plume of black smoke billowed into the sky. Groups of protesters then set out across Bishkek, attacking more government buildings. At least 10 opposition leaders were arrested overnight and were being held at the security headquarters in Bishkek, opposition lawmaker Irina Karamushkina said. One of them, Temir Sariyev, was freed yesterday by protesters.

The US State Department called for peace and restraint on both sides. The prime minister, meanwhile, accused the opposition of provoking the violence in the country of 5 million people. “What kind of opposition is this? They are just bandits,” Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov said.

Unrest also broke out for a second day in the western town of Talas and spread to the southern city of Naryn. Some 5,000 protesters seized Naryn’s regional administration building and installed a new governor, opposition activist Adilet Eshenov said.

At least four people were wounded in clashes, including the regional police chief, he said. Another 10,000 protesters stormed police headquarters yesterday in Talas, where on Tuesday protesters had held the regional governor hostage in his office.

The protesters beat up the interior minis-

ter, Kongatiyev, and forced him to call his subordinates in Bishkek and call off the crackdown on protesters, a correspondent for the local affiliate of US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty said.

Witnesses said the crowd in Talas looted police headquarters yesterday, removing computers and furniture. Dozens of police officers left the building and mingled with protesters. In the eastern region of IssykKul, protesters seized the regional administration building and declared they installed their governor, the Ata-Meken opposition party said on its website.

Hundreds of protesters overran the government building Tuesday on Talas’ main square. They were initially dispersed by baton-wielding police, but then fought through tear gas and flash grenades to regroup, burning police cars and hurling stones and Molotov cocktails. Usenov said Tuesday’s violence in Talas had left 85 officers injured and 15 unaccounted for. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who met with Bakiyev in Kyrgyzstan on Sunday, arrived in Moscow yesterday at the end of a trip to several Central Asian nations.

“The secretary-general is shocked by the reported deaths and injuries that have occurred today in Kyrgyzstan,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said. “He once again calls on all concerned to show restraint. He urgently appeals for dialogue and calm to avoid further bloodshed.” The leaders of the four other former Soviet republics in the region were certain to be watching events in Bishkek with concern, but the authoritarian, and in some cases dictatorial, natures of their governments would likely allow them to squash any attempts to challenge their rules.

In Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, people have been too terrified to challenge Stalinist-style governments. In Tajikistan, the legacy of a 1990s civil war has made people wary of conflict. Immediate unrest also appeared unlikely in energy-rich Kazakhstan, where politically apathy is combined with a weak opposition.

After the March 2005 protests that brought Bakiyev to power, some hoped that the democracy he then promised to bring to Kyrgyzstan would spread to the other former Soviet republics in the region. But those countries responded by clamping down further, equating democracy with regime change. Just two months later, in May 2005, the Uzbek government brutally suppressed an uprising in the city of Andijan. — AP

SPORTS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

15 MLB Results/Standings Major League Baseball results and standings on Tuesday.

NY Yankees 6, Boston 4; Tampa Bay 4, Baltimore 3; San Francisco 3, Houston 0; Milwaukee 7, Colorado 5; San Diego 6, Arizona 3; Minnesota 5, La Angels 3; Oakland 2, Seattle 1 (10 innings).

American League Eastern Division W L Tampa Bay 1 0 Boston 1 1 NY Yankees 1 1 Baltimore 0 1 Toronto 0 1 Central Division Chicago White Sox 1 0 Detroit 1 0 Minnesota 1 1 Cleveland 0 1 Kansas City 0 1 Western Division Texas 1 0 LA Angels 1 1 Oakland 1 1 Seattle 1 1 National League Eastern Division Atlanta 1 0 NY Mets 1 0 Philadelphia 1 0 Florida 0 1 Washington 0 1 Central Division Pittsburgh 1 0 St. Louis 1 0 Milwaukee 1 1 Chicago Cubs 0 1 Cincinnati 0 1 Houston 0 2 Western Division San Francisco 2 0 Arizona 1 1 Colorado 1 1 San Diego 1 1 LA Dodgers 0 1

PCT 1.000 .500 .500 0 0

GB .5 .5 1 1

1.000 1.000 .500 0 0

.5 1 1

1.000 .500 .500 .500

.5 .5 .5

1.000 1.000 1.000 0 0

1 1

1.000 1.000 .500 0 0 0

.5 1 1 1.5

1.000 .500 .500 .500 0

1 1 1 1.5

BOSTON: New York Yankees starting pitcher AJ Burnett delivers to the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park. —AP

Yankees seize on Red Sox error BOSTON: The New York Yankees capitalized on a costly fielding error to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-4 in the American League on Tuesday.

With two outs in the eighth Boston shortstop Marco Scutaro fielded Derek Jeter’s routine grounder and only had to throw to first to retire the side. But the throw went in the dirt and off first baseman Kevin Youkilis’ glove, allowing Jeter to first, loading the bases.

Then Boston pitcher Hideki Okajima walked Nick Johnson to put the Yankees up 5-4 and ahead to stay.

New York’s Alfredo Aceves pitched two hitless innings to take the win, while Mariano Rivera got his first save of the year and 527th of his career, most in AL history.

Twins 5, Angels 3 In Anaheim, California, Joe Mauer,

Justin Morneau and JJ Hardy each homered, leading Minnesota over Los Angeles.

Twins starter Nick Blackburn returned to the site of his first big league start and took the win, allowing three runs over 6 2-3 innings with four strikeouts.

Minnesota closer Jon Rauch made his season debut with a perfect ninth inning to earn his first AL save.

Angels starter Joe Saunders gave up

three homers and five runs over five innings.

Athletics 2, Mariners 1 In Oakland, California, Mark Ellis hit a game-ending RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning, lifting Oakland over Seattle.

Oakland’s Kevin Kouzmanoff and Kurt Suzuki each singled with one out in the 10th. After Eric Chavez

flew out, Ellis singled into the rightcenter gap to score pinch-runner Eric Patterson.

Edwar Ramirez pitched the 10th for the A’s to earn his first win since 2008, when he was with the New York Yankees. Oakland starter Dallas Braden struck out a careerhigh 10. Seattle pitcher Kanekoa Texeira took the loss in his major league debut.

Rays 4, Orioles 3 In St. Petersburg, Florida, Carl Crawford drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double in the ninth inning to lift Tampa Bay over Baltimore.

Tampa Bay loaded the bases in the ninth against Baltimore closer Michael Gonzalez with a single, double and an intentional walk. Crawford lined a 1-0 pitch into right field, driving in the winning runs before a sellout crowd.

Evan Longoria homered in the sixth for the Rays. Adam Jones, Luke Scott and Matt Wieters homered for the Orioles, who were unable to put the game away because of a lack of timely hitting with runners in scoring position. Rays reliever Rafael Soriano got the win, despite struggling to get through the top of the ninth, while Gonzalez took the loss. —AP

Brewers down Rockies

Illness hits Armstrong ANGERS: Lance Armstrong’s preparations for the Tour de France were interrupted yesterday when the American was forced out of a low-key race in western France.

Seven-times Tour champion Armstrong pulled out of the Circuit de la Sarthe with gastro-enteritis after he missed the Milan-San Remo classic last month for the same reasons.

“Maybe we will have to change his programme again. That’s work for the coming days,” Alain Gallopin, a sports director with Armstrong’s team RadioShack, said in a team statement.

Armstrong, who had an indifferent start to the season, showed signs of improvement in last weekend’s Tour of Flanders, finishing the 262-kms one-day race in the favourites’ group.

“Lance was really keen on performing well, especially in the time trial of Wednesday afternoon,” Gallopin added. “He showed his grow-

ing condition in the Tour of Flanders, where he came in with the first group sprinting for fifth place.”

The 38-year-old Texan, however, is now due to fly back to the United States, missing three much-needed days of racing in France and the April 18 Amstel Gold Race.

There is also little chance that he will take part in the Fleche Wallonne and LiegeBastogne-Liege classics on April 21 and 25.

“He misses his family,” Gallopin told Reuters later on Wednesday. “Nothing has been decided yet as far as his racing schedule is concerned.”

Armstrong’s next race is likely to be the May 16-23 Tour of California. RadioShack said Armstrong would fly back to the United States, “as soon as his condition allows”. Sebastien Rosseler and team manager Johan Bruyneel also suffer from the same complaint. —Reuters

MILWAUKEE: Randy Wolf’s debut as a Milwaukee starting pitcher was a success, steering the Brewers to a 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies in the NHL on Tuesday.

Wolf struck out eight in 6 2-3 innings in his first start since signing a $29.75 million, threeyear contract in the offseason to bolster Milwaukee’s starting staff. Casey McGehee and Rickie Weeks did their part to help.

McGehee hit a three-run homer in the first and Weeks added a solo shot off Rockies starter Greg Smith in the fifth.

Trevor Hoffman gave up a run in a rocky ninth but recorded his 592nd career save.

Akmal brothers appeal PCB fines ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and his brother Umar filed appeals yesterday against fines for indiscipline arising from the Australian tour earlier this year.

“We have received their appeals in person and now it will be forwarded to an appellate tribunal,” Pakistan Cricket Board’s legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi told AP.

The PCB last month fined Kamran 3 million rupees ($35,200) while Umar was fined 2 million rupees ($23,500).

According to then manager of the team Abdul Raquib, the Akmal brothers spoke out in the media when wicketkeeper Kamran was dropped from the team due to poor performance after the second test in Sydney.

Lee retains contract MELBOURNE: Fast bowler Brett Lee has retained his Cricket Australia contract for 2010-11 but fellow pacemen Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken were among five players dropped from the 25-strong list released yesterday.

Batsmen Brad Hodge and David Hussey and wicketkeeper Graham Manou also lost their central contracts. The selectors have stuck by Lee, 33, who has retired from test cricket, despite injuries and poor form. He has been selected in the squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies starting on April 30.

“I suppose it’s a leap of faith, but a leap of faith in a player who’s taken 300-odd test wickets and has been one of our best, so we’re giving him that opportunity,” chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch told reporters yesterday.

Lee, who took 310 wickets in 76 tests, is currently playing for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League in a bid to find form following a lengthy recovery from surgery in December for an elbow injury.

The five promoted players are pacemen Ryan Harris and Clint McKay, wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine, all-rounder Steven Smith and batsman Adam Voges.

Contracted players will receive a minimum retainer of A$200,000 dollars ($186,000) plus match fees, tour fees and prize money. —Reuters

Umar Akmal also complained of a back injury, which a medical check up could not detect.

A PCB inquiry investigated Pakistan’s poor performance in Australia where it was beaten 3-0 in the test series and 5-0 in the one-day series.

The cricket board implemented all the recommendations of the inquiry committee last month, including putting Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers on a six-month probation.

Afridi was also fined after the Australia tour for ball tampering during the oneday series while allrounder Rana Naved and former captain Shoaib Malik were fined and banned from the national team for one year.

Mohammad Yousuf, who last month retired from international cricket, and Younis Khan were barred from the national team for indefinite periods.

Rizvi said that the deadline for the remaining five players to file appeals was April 16. The three-member appellate tribunal comprises two retired supreme court judges, Munir Sheikh and Jamshed Ali Shah, and a former high court judge Irfan Qadir. —AP

Giants 3, Astros 0 In Houston, Barry Zito gave up only three hits in six innings to guide San Francisco past Houston. Zito struck out five before he was replaced and the relief staff of Waldis Joaquin, Dan Runzler, Sergio Romo and closer Brian Wilson combined for one hit in the last three innings. Wilson earned his second save.

Giants newcomer Aubrey Huff had two hits and drove in a run in a game that was scoreless until the sixth. Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez allowed seven hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked four.

MILWAUKEE: Brewers’ Alcides Escobar (21) leaps after forcing out Colorado Rockies’ Todd Helton (17) in the sixth inning of a baseball game. The Brewers won 7-5. —AP

Padres 6, D’backs 3 In Phoenix, San Diego pitcher Chris Young allowed just one hit through six innings as the Padres downed Arizona. Young, who missed the second half of last season after shoulder surgery, struck out five. The only hit he allowed was a single in the fourth.

Everth Cabrera drove in four runs with a triple in the sixth and a double in the secon.

That matched his career high for RBIs. Arizona starter Edwin Jackson lasted just four innings in his Diamondbacks debut, allowing three runs, including a solo homer by Will Venable. —AP

SPORTS

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Woods ready to step into the unknown at Augusta AUGUSTA: All the hype and speculation about Tiger Woods will begin to ebb away when the scandal-hit world number one makes his long anticipated return to professional golf in today’s opening round at the US Masters.

The 14-times major champion has not competed in almost five months since his spectacular fall from grace and no-one, Woods included, knows how he will fare in his first tournament back.

Woods enjoys a huge comfort level at Augusta National where he has triumphed four times but his emotional state of mind is likely to be an unknown factor on the golf course this week.

Although by some distance the greatest player of his generation, he has not compet-

ed since winning the Australian Masters on Nov. 15 following startling revelations about his serial philandering.

Woods is scheduled to tee off in the second-to-last group with fellow American Matt Kuchar and South Korean KJ Choi today when hordes of fans and media will be closely monitoring his form.

Fellow American Phil Mickelson, a twice champion at Augusta, expects the game’s leading player to cope with the distractions and intense scrutiny.

“From a player’s point of view, we expect to see the same player that we have always seen,” left-hander Mickelson told reporters on Tuesday.

“I don’t think anybody out here will question his ability to perform at the highest

level, even though he has not competed in however many months.

“I don’t think anybody expected him to play well in the 2008 US Open,” Mickelson added, referring to the 14th major title won

by Woods despite severe knee pain and a double stress fracture in his leg.

“He had not touched a club in a while, nor played in a while and he was injured.

And yet he came back and he won.” Threetimes major winner Padraig Harrington felt the unravelling of Woods’s private life would have no long-term influence on his golf career, and perhaps not even this week.

“I think most players would see what went on in Tiger’s life as his personal side, which has no real bearing on his golfing life,” the Irishman said.

“Now, we don’t know what sort of bearing it’s going to have in the short term. He could be incredibly stressed.”

Asked if he would surprised to see Woods contending on Sunday, Harrington replied: “No. He’s favoured to win the tournament and those guys who set the odds know a lot more than I do.

“I would not be surprised at all if he was contending and I would not be surprised if he played better golf than ever, but there’s obviously a doubt to that. We will only be able to find that out on Sunday evening.”

If Woods performs well at Augusta, media industry watchers have predicted the U.S. television audience could exceed more than 20 million viewers.

CBS news and sports president Sean

McManus recently said this year’s Masters would be “the biggest media event other than the Obama inauguration in the past 10 or 15 years”.

While the return to golf by Woods has totally overshadowed anything else likely to happen this week, several other players have the credentials to win the prized Green Jacket.

Experience is always a prized commodity at Augusta National and Ernie Els, who has posted six top-10s at the Masters, along with Mickelson and Harrington, are almost certain to be in the title hunt.

South African Els, a three-times major winner, is also one of the hottest players in the game having won twice in his last three PGA Tour starts.

“He’s been playing some incredible golf ... and to see him cap it off with a couple of wins is exciting for the game,” Mickelson said of the smooth-swinging Els. “He is a big name and big draw and people want to see him play well and people pull for him to play well.”

Other likely contenders on an Augusta layout running fast and firm after several days of intense heat include Britons Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, American Steve Stricker and double U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa.

Long-hitting Angel Cabrera of Argentina defends the title he won last year after a nerve-jangling playoff with Americans Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell.—Reuters

Is Mickelson the new Woods’ role model?

AUGUSTA: Phil Mickelson watches his shot from the second fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta.

The tournament begins today. —AP

AUGUSTA: As surely as the azaleas bloom off the 13th fairway, Phil Mickelson comes up with a way to reinvent himself each year at the Masters. Funny Phil. Serious Phil. Thinking man’s golfer one year, feel player the next. About the only constant was that he always played lefthanded.

This time, though, he’s been spared the task of dreaming up a new persona. It’s already been done for him. He’s the kind of guy Tiger Woods wants to be. Devoted husband. Family man. Smiling. Generous. Friendly.

Nothing more profane than a “darn” coming out of his mouth.

The kind of guy you wouldn’t mind seeing your sister date. The guy you laugh with your friends about in the locker room because he’s out signing autographs by the hundreds while you’re taking a steam.

The guy whose life suddenly looks so good now that yours has gone so bad. So, Tiger, tell us. Who’s the phony now?

Not the lefty playing right behind you in a practice round Tuesday, that’s for sure. No one could fake that kind of boyish enthusiasm for 18 holes under a broiling Georgia sun.

Not the player who sat in the interview room afterward talking hopefully about his wife’s fight with breast cancer and the possibility his kids will get here in time to caddie for him in Wednesday’s par-3 competition.

Certainly not the guy who refused to take the bait and criticize the best player in the world for being a plague on golf.

“He doesn’t owe me an apology,” Mickelson said. “I mean, in the last 12 years, he’s done so much for the game of golf. I don’t know if there’s been an individual who has capitalized more on the opportunities that he’s brought to the game of golf than myself. He doesn’t owe me a thing.”

Maybe not, but weren’t you at least surprised that the player you’ve been chasing all these years was living a big lie all the time?

Shocked, perhaps, by the scope of the scandal that has enveloped Woods? “I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know what to say there.”

Mickelson has obviously decided to take the high road when it comes to the man whose career has always overshadowed his.

That’s what role models do. And, strange as it may seem, Woods could do a lot worse than emulate Mickelson’s style, if not his sometimes erratic game. Because while Woods so far has talked a good game about showing more respect for golf and its fans, Mickelson has lived it for the better part of 20 years. “I’ve always appreciated the fact that I get to play golf for a living,” Mickelson said. “This is an amazing job or opportunity and to play some of the great courses, and of all places, Augusta National, and it’s because people support the game. It’s because people watch on TV. It’s because people come out and support us, and I’ve just always been appreciative of that.” Woods hasn’t, and that may be one reason he’s been more successful than Lefty. Less distractions if you don’t have to deal with the unwashed masses.

While Mickelson smiled and looked at the gallery, Woods scowled and looked straight ahead. While Mickelson stayed long after his Sunday round to sign autographs, Woods headed straight to his private jet to get away. Mickelson also let his fans get a glimpse of his life, from the 1999 US Open where he vowed to leave in the middle of the final round if his wife went into labor to the more recent struggles Amy Mickelson has had with cancer. In Houston last week, his wife’s doctor caddied for him for a few holes, and her surgeon also came out to watch. “These two doctors have helped us in the toughest time of our life,” Mickelson said.

Amy Mickelson’s long-term prognosis is very good, Mickelson said, adding that she struggles now with medication and her quality of life. On the course, Mickelson wears a pink ribbon stitched into his hat in support of breast cancer awareness.

He comes to his 18th Masters mired in such a slump that he has cracked the top 10 only once so far this year. Many in golf expected him to flourish in the absence of Woods, but he made news only when fellow player Scott McCarron complained about the clubs he was using. Still, he believes his game is coming around and he can win a third green jacket.

He’s got a chance if he can stay loose, as he did in the final round last year when he and Woods made a run at the leaders from way behind. —AP

Masters winners list List of winners of the Masters golf tournament (USA unless otherwise stated): YEAR WINNER 2009- Angel Cabrera (ARG) 2008- Trevor Immelman (RSA) 2007- Zach Johnson 2006- Phil Mickelson 2005- Tiger Woods 2004- Phil Mickelson 2003- Mike Weir (CAN) 2002- Tiger Woods 2001- Tiger Woods 2000- Vijay Singh (FIJ) 1999- Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) 1998- Mark O’Meara 1997- Tiger Woods 1996- Nick Faldo (ENG) 1995- Ben Crenshaw 1994- Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) 1993- Bernhard Langer (GER) 1992- Fred Couples 1991- Ian Woosnam (WAL) 1990- Nick Faldo (ENG) 1989- Nick Faldo (ENG) 1988- Sandy Lyle (SCO) 1987- Larry Mize 1986- Jack Nicklaus 1985- Bernhard Langer (GER) 1984- Ben Crenshaw

1983- Seve Ballesteros (ESP) 1982- Craig Stadler 1981- Tom Watson 1980- Seve Ballesteros (ESP) 1979- Fuzzy Zoeller 1978- Gary Player (RSA) 1977- Tom Watson 1976- Raymond Floyd 1975- Jack Nicklaus 1974- Gary Player (RSA) 1973- Tommy Aaron 1972- Jack Nicklaus 1971- Charles Coody 1970- Billy Casper 1969- George Archer 1968- Bob Goalby 1967- Gay Brewer, Jr. 1966- Jack Nicklaus 1965- Jack Nicklaus 1964- Arnold Palmer 1963- Jack Nicklaus 1962- Arnold Palmer 1961- Gary Player (RSA) 1960- Arnold Palmer 1959- Art Wall, Jr. 1958- Arnold Palmer 1957- Doug Ford

1956- Jack Burke, Jr. 1955- Cary Middlecoff 1954- Sam Snead 1953- Ben Hogan 1952- Sam Snead 1951- Ben Hogan 1950- Jimmy Demaret 1949- Sam Snead 1948- Claude Harmon 1947- Jimmy Demaret 1946- Herman Keiser 1945- No tournament - World War II 1944- No tournament - World War II 1943- No tournament - World War II 1942- Byron Nelson 1941- Craig Wood 1940- Jimmy Demaret 1939- Ralph Guldahl 1938- Henry Picard 1937- Byron Nelson 1936- Horton Smith 1935- Gene Sarazen 1934- Horton Smith All tournaments at Augusta National Golf Course - Augusta, Georgi.a—AFP

Starace, Garcia-Lopez win CASABLANCA: Second-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain reached his first quarterfinals of the year when he beat countryman Marcel Granollers 6-3, 6-2 in the Grand Prix Hassan II on Tuesday.

Garcia-Lopez put pressure on Granollers’ serve, winning more than half of his return points in their first meeting. He

led 3-0 and held serve to clinch the opening set then won five straight games in the second. Garcia-Lopez, who went four rounds at the Indian Wells Masters last month, will next meet a Frenchman, either Stephane Robert or Florent Serra.

In another second-round match, Potito Starace of Italy routed Oscar Hernandez of

Spain 6-2, 6-1 to appear in his first quarterfinals since January.

Starace took Hernandez’s serve twice in each set without allowing any break chance to the 84thranked Spaniard. The 73rd-ranked Starace improved his record against Hernandez to 30 and will next play either Lukasz Kubot of Poland or Arnaud Clement of France.—AP

AUGUSTA: Defending Master’s champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina checks his putter on the ninth green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament.—AP

Greats join for first Masters tee shots AUGUSTA: Six-times champion Jack Nicklaus said the time was right to join four-times winner Arnold Palmer for the ceremonial first tee shots at this year’s Masters starting today at Augusta National.

“When I was first asked about it, I was still playing,” 70-year-old Nicklaus, who last competed at the Masters five years ago, told reporters on Tuesday. “So I didn’t. I had no desire to do that.”

Palmer, 80, has struck the honorary first shot as a solo act in recent years and wanted the “Golden Bear” to join him on the tee across from the famed old Augusta clubhouse.

“Billy (Payne, Augusta National chairman) called me and said that Arnold would like to

have me do it with him,” Nicklaus said. “I’m old enough now. I can do that, guys.

“I thought it would be a nice thing to do. So I’m here. Looking forward to it. I’m sure that we will have a nice time. “We’ll have fun and we’ll both belt it out there about 150 (yards).”

Nicklaus had floated the idea to Augusta officials of a competition for older owners of the Green Jacket. “We talked about lots of things, and they were trying to reduce Masters champions (in the field) to a (certain) age and so forth.

“I thought it might be nice if Tuesday or Wednesday we played nine holes or something ... to get the guys that played and retired (involved). But the Par 3 (Contest) takes care

of that and that’s fine.”

Nicklaus, who reigns as golf’s top major winner with 18 crowns, believes 14-times major winner Tiger Woods remains in hot pursuit of his record, despite saying the world number one’s top priority now is to get his personal life in order after his highly publicised marital troubles. “Why do you think he’s here?” Nicklaus said. “I mean, I don’t think he’s here for his health or anything. He’s here to play golf. “It’s the first major of the year.

He’s taking large steps to get his life back in order, and he wants to play golf. He’s excited about wanting to play and I think that’s great for him and I think that’s great for the game.”—Reuters

Tennis legend Navratilova diagnosed with breast cancer WASHINGTON: Tennis legend Martina Navratilova revealed yesterday she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The 53-year-old, who won 18 Grand Slam titles including nine Wimbledon singles titles, said she cried after finding out she had the disease.

Navratilova, 53, said when she heard the diagnosis she felt she had suffered her “personal 9/11.” “I was devastated,” she told ABC television’s “Good Morning America” on being diagnosed in February, when a routine mammogram revealed a cluster in her left breast.

She explained she had had a lumpectomy, that doctors had found the disease had not spread to her lymph nodes and that there was a “very small chance” of the cancer recurring.

“It is just in that one breast,” Navratilova said. “I’m OK and I’ll make a full recovery.” But she said that emotionally it had been a difficult time. “I’m this healthy person, I’ve been healthy all my life, and all of a sudden I have cancer. Are you kidding me?” she said.

Navratilova told US magazine People: “It knocked me on my ass, really. I feel so in control of my life and my body, and then this comes, and it’s completely out of my hands.”

According to the report, doctors say the former Wimbledon champion’s prognosis is excellent because the tumour was detected at an early stage.

Navratilova has already had the lump removed and will begin six weeks of radiation therapy in May. “It was a total shock because I’ve been so healthy,” she added.

“I thought, ‘I’m going to lose my boob and then my hair, and I don’t have that much. There’s a good chance it won’t come back’.”

The former world number one said she had intended to keep the news quiet but changed her mind when she realised she could persuade other women to go for check ups. “The sooner you catch it, the better,” she said. “So get the bloody mammogram.

“I went four years between mammograms. I let it slide.

Everyone gets busy, but don’t make excuses. I stay in shape and eat right, and it happened to me. Another year and I could have been in big trouble.” Born in Prague, Navratilova fled to the United States in 1975 at the height of the Cold War. She became a US citizen six years later but regained her Czech nationality two years ago, and has dual nationality.—AFP

WASHINGTON: This Sept. 4, 2008, file photo shows tennis great Martina Navratilova, AARP’s health and fitness ambassador, speaking during a celebration of the AARP’s 50th Anniversary, in Washington. —AP

Bondarenko upset at Ponte Vedra PONTE VEDRA: Unseeded Olga Govortsova of Belarus handed secondseeded Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine an upset 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 loss in the first round of the MPS Group Championships on Tuesday.

“I didn’t start well in the second set and at the break I was telling myself to be more aggressive,” said Govortsova, who is ranked 52nd in the world. “She moves well and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes so you have to be aggressive to beat her.”

Bondarenko, No. 25 in the world and a quarterfinalist here last year, couldn’t explain her early exit. “I don’t know what happened,” she said. “I don’t have any confidence and it’s tough. I’m playing scared to lose.” It was her fourth consecutive tournament in which she lost the first match she played. Eighth-seeded

American Melanie Oudin beat Rossana De Los Rios of Paraguay 7-5, 6-2. Oudin had a 5-2 lead in the first set slip away before rallying and broke De Los Rios’ serve each time in the second set. “I could have closed the first set a lot quicker,” she said. “But I did really well on the key points.” Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, ranked No. 2 in the world, had 77 percent of her first serves in and took 56 minutes to win her first-round match against Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder, 6-0, 6-4.

“The first clay court match of the year is always a bit tricky,” Wozniacki said.

“You have to get used to it but I actually felt pretty good out there.” “I have been serving harder but here I have to focus on getting first serves in,” she said. “I have to feel more comfortable getting first

serves in than serving maybe 10 miles an hour harder.” Fourth-seeded Elena Vesnina of Russia held off Australian Sophie Ferguson, 6-2, 6-3.

Seventh-seeded Virginie Razzano of France withdrew with a right foot injury.

Her spot was taken in the draw by American Vavara Lepchenko who beat Colombian Mariana Duque Marino, 6-1, 76 (2). In other matches, American Bethanie Mattek-Sands defeated Russia’s Anastasia Rodionova, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-5; Angelique Kerber of Germany beat American Vania King, 6-2, 6-3 and Japan’s Ayumi Morita beat Sesil Karatantcheva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. China’s Shuai Peng beat Chang Kai-chen of Taiwan 6-4, 6-2 and German Julia Goerges beat Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, 7-5, 5-7, 64.—AP

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

NHL results/standings NHL results and standings on Tuesday: Buffalo 5, NY Rangers 2; Philadelphia 2, Toronto 0; NY Islanders 4, Montreal 3 (So); New Jersey 3, Atlanta 0; Ottawa 5, Florida 2; Carolina 8, Tampa Bay 5; Washington 6, Pittsburgh 3; Chicago 5, Dallas 2; San Jose 2, Calgary 1; Colorado 4, Vancouver 3 (SO); Los Angeles 5, Anaheim 4 (SO). (SO denotes shootout win) Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF GA PTS New Jersey 46 26 7 211 186 99 Pittsburgh 45 27 7 244 228 97 Philadelphia 40 34 6 231 220 86 NY Rangers 36 33 10 212 212 82 NY Islanders 34 35 10 213 244 78 Northeast Division Buffalo 44 25 10 228 200 98 Ottawa 44 31 5 220 229 93 Montreal 39 32 9 212 214 87 Boston 36 30 13 195 194 85 Toronto 29 37 14 209 259 72 Southeast Division Washington 53 15 12 310 227 118 Atlanta 34 33 13 231 251 81 Carolina 34 36 10 223 250 78 Florida 31 36 12 201 235 74 Tampa Bay 31 36 12 206 253 74 Western Conference Central Division Chicago 50 22 7 258 199 107 Nashville 46 28 6 221 219 98 Detroit 41 24 14 221 211 96 St Louis 39 31 9 213 212 87 Columbus 32 34 14 213 254 78 Northw est Division Vancouver 48 27 5 263 215 101 Colorado 43 29 7 237 221 93 Calgary 40 31 9 200 201 89 Minnesota 37 36 7 214 241 81 Edmonton 25 46 8 203 270 58 Pacific Division San Jose 49 20 11 257 211 109 Phoenix 48 25 6 215 195 102 Los Angeles 45 27 7 234 211 97 Anaheim 38 31 10 226 240 86 Dallas 35 31 14 230 249 84 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L).

CALGARY: Miikka Kiprusoff No. 34 and Jay Bouwmeester No. 4 of the Calgary Flames stop a shot by Joe Pavelski No. 8 of the San Jose Sharks in the third period of NHL action. — AFP

Capitals sweep Penguins, Sharks beat Flames PITTSBURGH: Alex Ovechkin scored twice to tie Sidney Crosby for the NHL lead with 48 goals as the Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Tuesday. The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Capitals swept the season series from Pittsburgh. Crosby had a goal and two assists to give him his fourth 100-point season in five seasons, but Pittsburgh still lost its fourth in a row to Washington.

Ovechkin scored on a power play early in the third period, then added an empty-net goal with a second remaining. Nicklas Backstrom set up both during a three-assist game, giving him 67 assists.

after Colorado beat Vancouver later Tuesday. Rob Blake and Jamie McGinn scored for San Jose. Rene Bourque netted for Calgary.

Sharks 2, Flames 1 In Calgary, Alberta, San Jose clinched its third straight Pacific Division title by edging Calgary. Evgeni Nabokov made 38 saves for the Sharks, who stayed two points ahead of Chicago for best record in the Western Conference.

The Flames, on the other hand, missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003,

Blackhawks 5, Stars 2 In Dallas, Chicago extended its run of wins to four by overcoming Dallas. Marian Hossa scored after 36 seconds and Colin Fraser had the first of his two goals in the final minute of the first period. Patrick Kane also scored for Chicago and Jonathan Toews added a short-hander.

Dallas’ Steve Ott connected on the

Avalanche 4, Canucks 3 In Vancouver, Colorado beat Vancouver in a shootout to clinch a playoff berth. Matt Duchene used a strong deke to the forehand to score the only goal of the shootout.

Craig Anderson stopped 28 shots through overtime and all three in the shootout. Darcy Tucker, TJ Galiardi and Paul Stastny scored for Colorado, which had lost a season high four straight.

power play to reach the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career, and James Neal added his 27th of the season.

Kings 5, Ducks 4 In Anaheim, California, Los Angeles came from three goals down to to force overtime and then beat Anaheim in a shootout.

Justin Williams had a goal and an assist in the third period for the playoff-bound Kings, who trailed 4-1 late in the second period.

Michael Handzus scored the equalizing goal with just over a minue to go in regulation, then Anze Kopitar netted the decisive goal in the shootout. Teemu Selanne scored two goals for the Ducks, who were eliminated from the playoff race.

Devils 3, Thrashers 0 In Atlanta, New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur got his 600th career win with his second straight shutout. The Thrashers were eliminated from playoff contention for the ninth time in their 10-year history.

Dean McAmmond, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac scored for the Devils. Brodeur stopped 19 shots in his league-leading ninth shutout of the season and the 110th of his career.

Sabres 5, Rangers 2 In Buffalo, New York, Buffalo clinched the Northeast Division title by beating New York. Sabres goalie Ryan Miller made 30 saves, including a brilliant stop on Marian Gaborik.

Rookie Tyler Ennis had a goal and two assists while Drew Stafford had a goal and an assist for Buffalo, which won its first divisional title for three years. Jochen Hecht, with the go-ahead goal, Derek Roy and Toni Lydman also scored for the Sabres, who delivered a blow to the Rangers playoff hopes in the final week of the season.

Senators 5, Panthers 2 In Sunrise, Florida, Mike Fisher scored twice to help Ottawa to its their seventh win in eight games, downing Florida.

Jarkko Ruutu, Erik Karlsson and Chris

Neil also got goals for Ottawa, and captain Daniel Alfredsson had an assist in the 1,000th game of his NHL career. Shawn Matthias and Kamil Kreps each scored for the Panthers.

Islanders 4, Canadiens 3 In Uniondale, New York, Frans Nielsen scored the tying goal with two minutes left in regulation and added a goal in the shootout as New York edged Montreal.

The Canadiens were moments away from securing their third straight trip to the postseason when Nielsen wrecked the plans. He and Matt Moulson scored on New York’s only two attempts in the shootout to give the also-ran Islanders their fifth win in six games.

Maxim Lapierre’s breakaway goal gave the Canadiens a 3-2 lead in the third period.

Tomas Plekanec had a goal in the first for the Canadiens, who had won three straight.

Flyers 2, Maple Leafs 0 In Toronto, Brian Boucher made 23

saves in a shutout win for Philadelphia over Toronto. Claude Giroux scored on a first-period power play and Mike Richards scored an empty-net goal for Philadelphia, which passed Boston and moved into seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 86 points.

Hurricanes 8, Lightning 5 In Tampa, Florida, Rod Brind’Amour, Drayson Bowman and Eric Staal scored two goals each as Carolina won a high-scoring affair against Tampa Bay. Brind’Amour scored both of his goals during a fivegoal first period for Carolina. It was the 39-year-old center’s first multigoal game of the season.

Steven Stamkos scored his teamleading 47th goal, keeping him one behind NHL leaders Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. Brandon Bochenski scored twice for the Lightning and Andrej Meszaros had a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay. — AP

Relax, Scrabble fans: Basic rules aren’t changing NEW YORK: Scrabble purists can relax. News of a new version of the classic word game that Mattel plans to sell in the UK allowing proper nouns set off waves of dismay across the Internet.

But the basic game isn’t changing. Scrabble Trickster, due out in July in the UK only, not the US, will allow proper names such as city or celebrity names. It will not replace the original Scrabble in the UK or US. And the rules aren’t officially changing, said John D. Williams Jr., executive director of National Scrabble Association, authorized by Hasbro to speak about Scrabble. “This is just one new variation,” he said.

Hasbro owns rights to the game in the US, and Mattel owns it in other countries.

The controversy started when UK media outlets reported about the new version. In the US, where Scrabble is popular not only as a board game but also as an electronic game on Facebook and mobile phones — it’s the ninth top-grossing app on the iPhone and fifth on the newly introduced iPad — the articles were widely shared online and outrage spread.

“Proper nouns allowed in new version of Scrabble?!

Unbelievable...” one fan tweeted.

The game strikes a chord with people, Williams

said. “It’s such a part of the fabric of American life,” he said. “It’s about people’s love of words, it goes very, very deep. Certainly in our culture in North America you really don’t see this with any other game.”

Scrabble was invented in 1938 by an out-of-work architect named Alfred Butts in Poughkeepsie, New York. More than 100 million sets of the game have been sold in 29 different languages, according to Mattel’s Web site. As board games increasingly compete against video games and electronic devices, toy makers have introduced more variations, usually in limited editions, to keep them interesting.

For example, in 2008 Hasbro, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, introduced a new version of Clue that included younger characters and gave them first names — Kasandra Scarlet instead of Miss Scarlet — more weapons and new rooms including a spa.

Last year they put out Clue: Secrets and Spies that incorporates text messages into the game. Hasbro has introduced many Scrabble variations, including Scrabble Slam, a card game, and Scrabble Flash, an electronic version using blocks that click together, due out in the fall. They haven’t hit the same nerve among Scrabble fans. Mattel, based in El Segundo, California, could not immediately be reached. — AP

Skeet shooting teams

Kuwait skeet shooting team in Thailand

Kuwaiti shooters excel in Thailand

By Abdellatif Sharaa KUWAIT: Kuwait’s shooters collected seven gold, two silver and one bronze medals during the Asian Clay Shooting Tournament that was held in Thailand.

The last day of competition witnessed shooter Zaid Al-Mutairi claiming first place in the skeet event with a

score of 142/150 followed by the Thai and Pakistani shooters.

The skeet team of Zaid Al-Mutairi, Nasser AlDaihani and Salah Al-Mutairi took first place in the teams event with a score of 353/375.

Meanwhile the women’s team left a good impression as shooters Afrah Adel, Sheikha Ali and Iman Al-

Shamma took second place.

Head of Kuwait delegation, and deputy Chairman of Kuwait Shooting Club Engineer Duaij Al-Otaibi said those results prove the correct method followed by the shooting club board of directors under the leadership of Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah who gives the game great attention to ensure its continued success.

FIA issues clarification after ride height rumors

LONDON: In this Nov. 17, 2005 file photo, competitors take part in the World Scrabble Championships in London. News of a new version of the classic word game that Mattel plans to sell in the UK allowing proper nouns set off waves of dismay across the Internet. But the basic game isn’t changing. — AP

LONDON: Formula One’s governing body has written to teams warning them any system that adjusts a car’s suspension and ride height between qualifying and the race is illegal.

The move follows speculation some teams have been using devices or systems that give cars an aerodynamic advantage when qualifying light on fuel and then ensure the car has sufficient ground clearance when the tank is subsequently filled for the race distance.

A spokesman said yesterday that the International Automobile Federation (FIA) had written to the teams to clarify the rules.

“Any system, device or procedure, the purpose and /or the effect of which is to change the set up of the suspension whilst the car is under parc ferme conditions will be deemed to contravene Article 34.5 of the F1 Sporting Regulations,” he said.

The letter to teams added that the FIA believed “any self levelling damper system is likely to contravene (article) 3.15 of the technical regulations.”

Parc ferme refers to the period after qualifying and before a race when the cars are effectively off-limits to mechanics.

Article 34.5 states that a driver must start the race from the pit lane if any changes are made to the suspension of his car while

it is held under parc ferme. Article 3.15 refers to aerodynamics.

McLaren suggested at the Australian Grand Prix last month that Red Bull, onetwo winners in Malaysia last weekend, were using some sort of ride height control system. Red Bull have denied the accusation.

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh also said in Melbourne that his engineers were racing to develop a system of their own and hoped to have it ready by next week’s race in China.

“I think it looks like Red Bull and some other cars are able to run lower in qualifying than you would expect if they are then going to fill the car with fuel afterwards,” said

Whitmarsh.

“Frankly a few months ago if the engineers had come to me and said: ‘We’re going to design this system,’ I would have said: ‘Actually, I don’t think it’s permissible’.

“There’s some evidence that perhaps such systems are considered legal and if they are then we’re going to get one as quick as we can,” he added.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said at Sepang that his team would protest any rival using such a system.

Active ride systems, pioneered by the original Lotus team and then used to great effect by Williams, have been banned under regulations since 1993. — Reuters

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Mourinho talks up confident Inter’s Champions League bid ROME: Inter Milan’s strong mentality is the reason why they can look forward to ending more than 40 years of hurt in Europe by winning the Champions League title, coach Jose Mourinho said.

Inter set up a meeting with holders Barcelona thanks to a 1-0 win at CSKA Moscow on Tuesday to complete a 2-0 quarter-final aggregate victory that puts them among the continent’s four finest for the first time since 2003.

“It’s a total change from Inter’s history in

the Champions League in recent years,” Mourinho, whose men knocked out his former side Chelsea in the last 16, told reporters in Moscow.

“The mentality is right. We are a team with confidence and ability. Anything can happen in the semi-final or final, but next year the first foot Inter will put in this competition will certainly be full of confidence.

“If we don’t win this year, Inter will win in a few years time because this is the path.”

Mourinho was appointed coach of Inter at

the start of last season as a replacement for Roberto Mancini, who was fired after his failure to win the Champions League despite three successive Serie A titles.

Inter have not won the continent’s top prize since 1965 when they won the second of their European Cups by beating Benfica.

Mourinho is not the only one who has seen a marked difference from the side that has dominated in Serie A in recent years, but has flopped in Europe.

“They have crushed the ghosts that con-

ditioned their performances up to the group stage,” former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli told Sky television.

“Now Inter have great awareness of their ability, home and away, and this is the only mentality you can take in the Champions League.”

This season Inter have already met Barcelona twice in the group stage, scraping a goalless draw at the San Siro before being well beaten 2-0 away. But Mourinho’s men said they will not let that affect their confi-

dence.

“We played an ugly match at the Camp Nou,” said Serbia midfielder Dejan Stankovic. “But next time everything will be different.”

The one thing that might slightly spoil Inter fans enjoyment of their side’s new found European stature is Mourinho himself casting doubts about how long he will be around to maintain it.

“I am very happy at Inter but not in Italian football,” he said last week. “I don’t

like it and it doesn’t like me, simple.”

The Portuguese has been given a series of touchline bans for controversial gestures and outbursts and has stopped speaking to the Italian media before and after league games.

The irony for Inter is that, by becoming the third team Mourinho has taken to the last four after Chelsea (twice) and Porto on the way to victory in 2004, they may also have heightened their continental rivals’ desire to lure him away. — Reuters

Cavs down Raptors, Jazz silence Thunder CLEVELAND: The Toronto Raptors lost AllStar forward Chris Bosh to a broken bone in his face and saw their NBA playoff hopes dented with a 113-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.

Bosh was accidentally struck by a stray elbow from Cleveland’s Antawn Jamison in the third minute. Bosh, who had blood dripping from his nose and mouth as he was assisted from the floor, suffered a maxilla and nasal fracture to the right side of his face and was to stay in hospital overnight.

Jamison scored 20 points — 12 in the third when the Cavs opened a double-digit lead — and Anthony Parker had a season-high 18 as the Cavaliers won an 11th straight home game.

Cleveland wrapped up the NBA’s best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Jarrett Jack scored 23 for the Raptors, whose defeat clinched a playoff spot for the Miami Heat.

NBA results/standings

Jazz 140, Thunder 139 In Salt Lake City, Deron Williams scored a career-high 42 points, including a go-ahead shot with 1.1 seconds left in overtime as Utah pulled into second place in the Western Conference with a thrilling victory over Oklahoma City.

The Jazz overcame 45 points by Kevin Durant, who thought he was fouled on a 3-point attempt just before the buzzer that would have won it for the Thunder. Durant and several teammates stayed on the court pleading for a call that never came.

It was the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season, according to STATS LLC. Durant hit four of his seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Thunder rallied to force overtime. Carlos Boozer had 28 points and 15 rebounds for Utah.

Bobcats 109, Hawks 100 In Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte ensured its first non-losing season in its six-year history by downing Atlanta.

Gerald Wallace scored 28 points and Boris Diaw had 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Bobcats, who inched closer to their first playoff berth and can finish no worse than .500.

Atlanta’s hopes of reaching 50 wins for the first time in 12 years were squashed as it fell behind by 20 points after the first quarter.

Maurice Evans scored 20 points for the Hawks.

Bucks 79, Bulls 74 In Chicago, Milwaukee secured a playoff spot by beating Chicago. John Salmons scored 26 points against his former team for the Bucks, who were playing for the first time since center Andrew Bogut was injured.

Milwaukee wrapped up their first playoff berth since the 2005-06 season. They are tied with Miami for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Bulls, who matched a season low for points, remained a game behind Toronto for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

Rockets 113, Grizzlies 103 In Memphis, Tennessee, Kevin Martin scored 29 points to lead Houston over Memphis.

Aaron Brooks added 17 points and seven assists for the Rockets, who thwarted a late Grizzlies rally. Zach Randolph led Memphis with 22 points.

Knicks 104, Celtics 101 In New York, Danilo Gallinari scored a career-high 31 points, including the go-ahead basket with 36 seconds left, to help New York defeat Boston.

Earl Barron had 17 points and a career-best 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who temporarily avoided a third consecutive 50-loss season.

Ray Allen scored 17 points for the Celtics, who blew a chance to tie Atlanta for third place in the Eastern Conference. Boston botched its final possession and couldn’t get a tying 3-point attempt off in the final seconds.

Spurs 95, Kings 86 In Sacramento, California, surging San Antonio notched a fourth straight win by downing Sacramento. Richard Jefferson scored 18 points and Manu Ginobili had 16 for the Spurs, who moved into a sixth-place tie with Oklahoma City in the Western Conference playoff race.

Tyreke Evans had 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Kings, who have lost eight straight.

Pistons 124, 76ers 103 In Philadelphia, undermanned Detroit snapped an 11-game losing streak with a victory over Philadelphia. Charlie Villanueva scored 25 points and Rodney Stuckey added 24 for the Pistons, who won for only the eighth time on the road this season. Marreese Speights scored 21 points for the struggling Sixers, who have lost four straight.

Wizards 112, Warriors 94 In Washington, the hosts were up by double digits within three minutes and comfortably saw off Golden State. Warriors coach Don Nelson came up short in his first attempt at breaking Lenny Wilkens’ record for NBA coaching victories, remaining on 1,332.

Nick Young scored a season-high 29 points and JaVale McGee set career highs with 25 points and 15 rebounds. The Wizards had four players reach 20 points for the first time since 2007-08. —AP

NEW YORK: Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) and New York Knicks guard Bill Walker (5) scramble for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 104-101 win in an NBA basketball game. — AP

NBA results and standings on Tuesday: Charlotte 109, Atlanta 100; Cleveland 113, Toronto 101; Detroit 124, Philadelphia 103; Washington 112, Golden State 94; NY Knicks 104, Boston 101; Milwaukee 79, Chicago 74; Houston 113, Memphis 103; Utah 140, Oklahoma City 139 (OT); San Antonio 95, Sacramento 86.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Boston 48 29 .623 Toronto 38 39 .494 10 NY Knicks 28 49 .364 20 Philadelphia 26 51 .338 22 New Jersey 11 66 .143 37 Central Division Cleveland 61 17 .782 Milwaukee 43 34 .558 17.5 Chicago 37 40 .481 23.5 Indiana 29 48 .377 31.5 Detroit 24 53 .312 36.5 Southeast Division Orlando 54 23 .701 Atlanta 49 28 .636 5 Miami 43 34 .558 11 Charlotte 41 36 .532 13 Washington 24 53 .312 30 Western Conference Northw est Division Utah 51 27 .654 Denver 50 27 .649 0.5 Oklahoma City 48 29 .623 2.5 Portland 47 30 .610 3.5 Minnesota 15 62 .195 35.5 Pacific Division LA Lakers 55 22 .714 Phoenix 50 27 .649 5 LA Clippers 27 50 .351 28 Sacramento 24 54 .308 31.5 Golden State 23 54 .299 32 Southw est Division Dallas 50 27 .649 San Antonio 48 29 .623 2 Houston 39 38 .506 11 Memphis 39 38 .506 11 New Orleans 35 43 .449 15.5

Favorites Afghanistan march into final KUWAIT: Favorites Afghanistan carried their reputation of being one of the top non test playing nations in the Asian region as they carved an emphatic 5 wickets victory over Hong Kong in the semi finals played at Unity grounds in Ahmadi in the ongoing ACC Elite trophy.

Hong Kong chose to bat first after winning the toss and was in trouble soon as Nasir Hameed was back in the pavilion but Roy Lamson and Hussein Butt played enterprising cricket to put 49 runs on board. Roy played well to score 26 runs and Inlays Gull who came next rotated the strike and kept the score board tickling.

Hussein Butt a compact cricketer with great temperament top scored with 63 runs in which there were three sweetly timed sixes and four boundaries. Inlays made 23 runs and late onslaught by Najeeb Amar & Nadeem Ahmed enabled Hong Kong to post 205 runs in 50 overs.

Mohammed Nabi & Hamid Hassan took three wickets each for Afghanistan.

Flamboyant Afghanis started on a great note and Noor Ali & wicket keeper batsman Shehazad entertained the large Afghanistan supporters with quality cricket. Noor Ali scored 28 runs while Shehazad made a valuable 35 runs.

Spinner Nadeem struck twice for Hong Kong and brought them back in the game by dismissing Noor Ali & Shehazad but Mohammed Asghar striking with awesome power along with Raees

Ahmadzai posted a match winning 80 runs partnership.

Asghar hit a scintillating 55 runs while Raees stroked a lovely 38 runs. Mohammed Nabi the prolific Afghani batsman hit an unbeaten 35 runs with 2 sixes and 2 fours to win the match in the 45 over. Nabi had earlier taken three wickets and was rightly declared man of the match for

his all-round performance.

Nepal in final Malaysia playing quality cricket almost caused another surprise as they came so close to beat Nepal in a nail biting semi finals played at HUBARA ground at Ahmadi. In one of the most exiting matches played in the ongoing ACC Elte

trophy, Nepal prevailed over Malaysia by just 8 runs to reach the finals.

Malaysia won the toss and let Nepal use the wicket first. Mahesh Chettri and Anil Mandal opened for Nepal. Mahesh played excellent cricket to score 43 runs and the lanky Shakti Gauchan elegantly stroked 52 runs to give a solid foundation to the Nepal total.

An enterprising knock of 97 unbeaten runs by Sharad Vesawakar & 49 runs by Ghyanedra Mall was the highlight of Nepal innings. Malla was well composed and Sharad gave the much needed support and then opened up to exhibit some top class cricket. Malayasian bowlers Suresh Navaratnam, Shahrul & Eszrafiq Aziz took two wickets each.

Malaysia lost Damith in the very first ball but captain Suhan Kumar and Suresh Navaratnam posted 82 runs for the fourth wicket to take the game into Malaysian favor. Suhan scored a polished 70 runs with six hits to the fence while Suresh scored a memorable 115 runs in fact one of the best seen in the tournament so far.

The strongly built all-rounder pulled and drove with excellent foot work and timed the ball so sweetly to hit 3 huge sixes and 6 boundaries.

Shafiq Sharif scored a valuable 31 runs worth tons of gold almost took the Malaysian team to finals but the experienced Nepalese team did well to take the last wicket in the final over. Nepal will meet Afghanistan in the finals on Friday.

SPORTS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

19

It will be lonely for referees at the World Cup LONDON: Millions of football fans will be able to enjoy every detail of this year’s World Cup in South Africa using the most up-to-date technology, but the referees who make the decisions will be relying on their eyesight and good judgment alone.

“I’m not God,” Swiss referee Massimo Busacca said to players during a European Championship game in 2008. “I make mistakes.” Busacca and Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere are among the favorites to be awarded the task of officiating the final on July 11 — if they can steer clear of controversy.

The referees at the World Cup will be on their own, unlike the millions of critics on the touchlines and in front of television

screens who will savage their performances after viewing replays and slow motion from dozens of TV cameras. At previous tournaments, fans have issued death threats at referees who make calls against their teams.

Some refs have even quit the game.

The World Cup is the biggest test a referee will ever face, both professionally and personally. The 30 referees taking charge of the 64 games in South Africa have been selected already.

Ten of them come from Europe, six from South America, four each from the Asian, African and CONCACAF regions and two from New Zealand. Each official has his team of two assistants who have worked with him consistently over the last two years.

Notable omissions from the list of referees appointed to South Africa include Australia’s Matthew Breeze, who also failed to make the final cut at the 2008 World Cup. While El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico, with two, will all be sending referees, FIFA decided that the United States does not have a capable referee for the World Cup. While most of the European and Latin American referees are used to officiating in the most stressful circumstances, players are hoping they avoid some of the referees who take charge of games in countries like Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia or the Seychelles, where the speed of play is far more leisurely. Once they are at the tournament, referees and their assistants will be swathed in a

protective blanket of security, locked away from the world’s prying eyes at a luxury hotel where they will be provided with sports psychologists to boost fragile confidence and technological tools that allow them to study the strengths, weaknesses and favorite tricks of the teams they will be refereeing.

At home, viewers will benefit from multiple replays of contentious decisions that expose refereeing errors. FIFA has decided not to introduce any form of replay or goalline technology that would enable decisions to be corrected if necessary. Hostile at first to technology, most referees now agree they would prefer it to be introduced to spare them the vitriol poured on them in the

media and in the stands.

Nor will referees benefit in South Africa from the experiment currently being trialed in the Europa League, Europe’s second biggest club tournament, of extra assistants at each end of the field used as an extra pair of eyes in the penalty area. That experiment has only received a tepid response and may be dropped next year. The most surprising area of change, or a lack of it, is in goal-line technology, where FIFA has shelved all plans to allow technology to decide when the ball has crossed the line.

Cheating has become widespread in modern football and players are essentially too good at it to be spotted with the naked eye. Players are shown a yellow card for

simulation, but often they get away with it, winning penalties and earning a red card for the alleged fouler.

Ironically, players tend to escape mass condemnation for their cheating behavior while the referees are pilloried. Swedish referee Martin Hansson has survived to travel to South Africa despite missing a handball by striker Thierry Henry to set up a goal that qualified France for South Africa and eliminated Ireland.

Brazil’s Carlos Simon and Italy’s Roberto Rosetti are seen as referees at the peak of their job, but they may not be able to officiate the final because of a rule that bars referees from taking charge of matches involving their own country.—AP

LONDON: Liverpool footballers run during a training session at their Melwood Training Ground in Liverpool, north-west England ahead of their UEFA Europa League football match against Benfica.—AFP

Liverpool missing players, consistency for Benfica LONDON: Liverpool is short of personnel and in inconsistent form ahead of its attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Benfica in the Europa League quarterfinals today.

While Fulham and Hamburg hold 2-1 leads in their quarterfinals and Atletico Madrid appears to be in a strong position to get past Spanish rival Valencia, Liverpool must overcome the absence of a key trio.

Regular starter Emiliano Insua and impact substitute Ryan Babel are suspended, and midfielder Maxi Rodriguez cannot play after appearing for Atletico Madrid in the earlier rounds.

The Reds were expected to challenge for England’s Premier League and possibly reach a third Champions League final in five years, but they have won consecutive Premier League matches just once

Europa League Preview

SPAIN: FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts after scoring against Arsenal during their Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium.—AP

Messi floating on a sea of eulogies BARCELONA: The eulogies came cascading down after Lionel Messi’s four-goal Nou Camp salvo which destroyed Arsenal in the Champions League.

At 1.69-metre Messi is no physical giant, but like fellow Argentine Diego Maradona before him, his low centre of gravity and lower body strength make him almost unplayable on current form and Tuesday’s showing made him the first player to score four times in a Champions League knockout round.

Marco Van Basten, Simone Inzaghi, Dado Prso, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Andrei Shevchenko had all performed the feat - but only in group matches.

This time, the superlatives flowed from all quarters as Messi, still just 22, went one better than his hattrick against Stuttgart to hit 39 goals for the season to book the holders a semi-final against Inter Milan.

“Messi was extraordinary and decisive,” said his coach Pep Guardiola. “He is a special player right out of the top drawer.” Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger could only look on somewhat enviously as Messi, nicknamed ‘la pulga atomica’ - the atomic flea - sent the Premier League giants home with a flea in their ear.

“They are a great team but of course they also have Messi - the

first goal he scored when it seemed impossible,” said Wenger.

“In the biggest games, exceptional players still make the difference.

Messi is the best player in the world, and by a distance.”

Barca’s honorary chairman Johan Cruyff also eulogised the Argentine in his column for El Periodico newspaper. In Cruyff’s view what makes Messi great is that he keeps it simple - but does the simple things with panache.

“You see Messi and you think he’s doing impossible things. You seem him move, run, dribble, score and you think - he’s a genius, he does the most difficult things.

“But that’s not it. What’s great about Messi is he does very simple things. Or that he does what appears to us to be difficult simply and coolly,” said the Dutch maestro, who led Barce to their first European Cup in 1992. “Why is he the best player in the world? Because he has the ability to do difficult things without suffering, without getting in a flap.

“Leo floats around the pitch.

Sometimes you think he isn’t there, that he is hiding. “But he is there.

And his opponents know it.” Not that they can do much about it.

Messi pulled Arsenal to pieces with a hat-trick inside 21 minutes and a late fourth after Nicklas Bendtner had given Arsenal a shock lead. Cruyff explained that Messi

knows how to contain his energy, then seize the moment to strike like a vulture.

“Nobody at Barca wears himself out less than Leo,” opined the Dutch master, adding that with each goal Messi suddenly switched into top gear and ran some 30 to 40 metres before firing home.

“He had reserved himself for those instants.” “It is true he is unstoppable once he has set off” for goal, said Arsenal’s veteran French defender Mikael Silvestre.

With usual spearhead Zlatan Ibrahimovic out injured following his two goals in London it fell to Messi to play in a more central role than usual but he was unfazed as he linked with Pedro to his right and Bojan to his left to brilliant effect.

And afterwards, match ball tucked under his arm, the flea who atomised Arsenal, had put his fourgoal show mentally to bed to concentrate on the next victims - Real Madrid.

“I am very happy with this victory but we have to keep working - we have a very important match coming up” against domestic title rivals Real at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Even a workmanlike win will do, the Argentine insists. “The main thing is to win there - even by a single goal.” After Real, it will be Inter Milan’s turn to try to keep the flea under wraps.—AFP

in the last three months and find themselves trying to avoid elimination from Europe’s second-tier tournament. “It is frustrating that I can’t play for Liverpool in the Europa League,” said Rodriguez, who started Liverpool’s last nine Premier League matches. “I don’t like watching from the stands but I will be there with the supporters and we are confident we can do it.” If Liverpool advances, it will meet the winner of the quarterfinal between Atletico Madrid and Valencia. Rodriguez’s old club hosts Valencia with the clubs tied 2-2 after last week’s first leg.

Atletico is unbeaten in three meetings with Valencia this season and won a Spanish league match 4-1 at Vicente Calderon Stadium in February.

Valencia can call upon striker David Villa and Juan Mata for a forward partnership that has scored 11 times in this season’s Europa League, but the team’s record of just one loss in 11 European away games is under threat with defender Bruno Saltor and midfielder Ever Banega suspended.

Fulham recovered from a run of three straight Premier League defeats with a 2-1 win over Wigan at the weekend. The small west London club, which has never won a major honor, is still on a high after overturning a 3-1 deficit by beating Juventus 4-1 in the last round. But fatigue is starting to tell on a small squad in a season in which it also reached England’s FA Cup quarterfinals. “It’s tiring physically and mentally but we should always remember why we’re playing all these extra games,” defender Brede Hangeland said.

“To come this far in the Europa League and do well in the FA Cup is a good achievement for this club.” Fulham may have leading scorer Bobby Zamora available after he missed the win over Wigan because of an Achilles injury. “He’s a key player and we don’t look the same when he’s not playing,” Hangeland said. “Hopefully he’ll be back and 100 percent fit for Thursday to give their defense a few problems. “Although it was disappointing to concede a goal at the end in the home leg, we still know they need to beat us and that’s going to be a difficult task for them.” Hamburg is on course for a second straight semifinal appearance and has an extra incentive, with the May 12 final scheduled for the Hamburg Arena.—AP

Todayʼs matches on TV (local timings) Europa League Wolfsburg v Fulham ............................ 22:00 Al Jazeera Sport +6 Standard v Hamburg ............................ 22:00 Al Jazeera Sport +1 Atletico v Valencia ............................... 22:00 Al Jazeera Sport +5 Liverpool v Benfica ............................. 22:00 Al Jazeera Sport +3

OSAKA: Japan forward Shinzo Koroki (top) vies for the ball with Serbia’s defender Vojislav Stankovic during their international friendly football match. Serbia beat Japan 3-0. —AFP

Serbia ease past Japan in World Cup warm-up OSAKA: Forward Dragan Mrda bagged a brace to help Serbia ease past Japan 3-0 yesterday in Osaka as the teams build up to the World Cup. Although both sides fielded only their domestic league players, the result piles more pressure on Japan boss Takeshi Okada, two months before the big kick-off in South Africa.

The Serbians were dangerous from the off, when midfielder Radosav Petrovic played in Mrda, who beat three defenders before firing a sizzling shot to open the scoring in the 15th minute after hitting the post with an earlier attempt.

Mrda put Serbia two up in the 23rd minute, quickly collecting a rebound off Japanese goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki before striking home.

Japan had a couple of chances in the first half, but forward Shinji Okazaki’s shot missed in the 21st minute, while Yuzo Kurihara’s header went over the bar a minute later.

The visitors made it 3-0 when midfielder Nemanja Tomic netted a free-kick from dis-

tance in the 60th minute.

“We didn’t have enough time for preparation, but I think we showed the level of Serbian football in today’s game,” said assistant coach Radovan Curcic, who was standing in for Radomir Antic. “All of our players are from the Serbian league, but I think my players proved that they can compete against the current players of the top teams,” he added.

Most of the Serbian players have never represented their country before. Japan coach Okada said: “Our defence was unstable from the beginning. That was the cause of our defeat.” “They were stable in the second half, but I feel that we must play more aggressively when we are behind,” he added.

It was Japan’s last game before they announce their final squad in mid-May for the World Cup, where Serbia will play Germany, Australia and Ghana in Group D, while Japan meet the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon in Group E.—AFP

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Robben’s late strike sends Man United crashing out MANCHESTER: Bayern Munich staged a stunning fightback to send 10-man Manchester United crashing out of the Champions League as Arjen Robben’s late strike in the German side’s 3-2 defeat earned a 4-4 aggregate draw which put them through to the semi-finals on away goals.

Louis van Gaal’s side, who led 2-1 from last week’s quarter-final first leg, looked dead and buried as Darron Gibson’s strike and two fine finishes from Nani put United 4-2 ahead on aggregate before half-time at Old Trafford yesterday.

Champions League

FRANCE: Bordeaux’s Marouane Chamakh (center) and Lyon’s Aly Cissokho (right) vie for the ball during their Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match at the Chaban Delmas stadium.—AP

Lyon reach Champions League semis BORDEAUX: Lyon reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history despite losing 1-0 to Bordeaux in a tense quarter-final second leg here yesterday.

Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Bordeaux needed to win by two goals to turn the tie around and Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh sent the Stade Chaban-Delmas into raptures by putting his side ahead shortly before half-time.

Laurent Blanc’s reigning French champions raided forward throughout the second half, with Ludovic Sane heading wide from a Yoann Gourcuff corner and Hugo Lloris producing a brilliant save to deny Wendel late on.

The game’s closing stages unfolded amid intense urgency but Lyon held strong to book their place in the semi-finals after quarter-final exits in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and consign Bordeaux to an agonising defeat.

Bordeaux right-back Mathieu Chalme, whose handball provoked the penalty that gave

Lyon their third goal in last week’s first leg, lost his place in the starting XI to Sane, who moved across from centre-back to accommodate fitagain Marc Planus.

Lyon started with Bafetimbi Gomis up front after two-goal first-leg hero Lisandro Lopez was ruled out by suspension and it was the away side who threatened first when Michel Bastos cracked a 35-yard free-kick narrowly wide.

Blanc had called on Bordeaux to enjoy the occasion and with skipper Alou Diarra back in central midfield there were fewer signs of the defensive brittleness that was their undoing in the first leg.

Gomis headed over from Cesar Delgado’s left-wing corner but the first half was largely a story of the hosts growing into the game.

Wendel’s set-piece deliveries were a constant source of irritation, with Gourcuff beating Lyon goalkeeper Lloris to one inswinging freekick but heading just over in the 18th minute.

Lyon were gradually forced to retreat and

after Jaroslav Plasil fired over from long-range, Diarra drove a rising half-volley against Lloris’s crossbar from 30 yards.

The away side were eager for half-time to come but their defence was breached a minute before the break when Chamakh touched the ball home after Benoit Tremoulinas’s low cross had been flicked on at the near post by Jussie.

Gomis almost caught Bordeaux cold as the second half got under way, but having rounded Cedric Carrasso his tame attempt was cut out

by Planus.

Bordeaux’s final ball suffered from their desperation and Lyon coach Claude Puel sought to compound their frustration by sending on Miralem Pjanic in place of Gomis to clog the midfield.

Sane headed wide from a Gourcuff corner with 10 minutes to play and Lloris, a thorn in Bordeaux’s side throughout the first leg, then displayed tremendous reactions to palm away Wendel’s firm header in the 87th minute.—AFP

But Ivica Olic reduced the deficit just before the break and United defender Rafael da Silva gifted van Gaal’s team a significant break when he foolishly earned a second yellow card early in the second half.

Bayern went for the kill and former Chelsea winger Robben’s brilliant finish was enough to secure a semi-final showdown with French club Lyon and end United’s bid for a third successive final appearance.

After losing the lead in the Premier League to Chelsea at the weekend, United are now in danger of ending the season with just the League Cup to show for their efforts.

With Dimitar Berbatov’s lacklustre performance against Chelsea still fresh in the memory, perhaps it was no surprise that Ferguson was willing to risk Wayne Rooney as United tried to overturn a first leg defict for only the second time in seven attempts in the Champions League.

While United had their star man back from an ankle injury, it was Republic of Ireland international Gibson who gave United a dream start in the third minute.

LONDON: Manchester United’s Patrice Evra (right) vies for the ball against Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben during their Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium.—AP Rafael started the move by streaking away from Franck Ribery before picking out Rooney.

The England forward laid off a perfect first-time pass into Gibson’s path and, as the Bayern defenders backed off, the youngster lashed a fierce strike past flast-footed Bayern goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt for his first ever Champions League goal.

Bayern had barely recovered from that sucker-punch when they were hit by another blow as Nani doubled United’s lead.

In the seventh minute, United winger Antonio Valencia teased Holger Badstuber on the right edge of the Bayern penalty area before whipping over a low cross to Nani, who timed his run pefectly and deceived Butt with a superb back-heeled flick into the far corner.

United were dominant at that

stage but Bayern wasted a chance to get back in the match when Thomas Muller’s pass released Olic, only for the Bayern striker to take a poor touch and allow Edwin van der Sar to save.

Ferguson’s side looked to have wrapped up the tie four minutes before half-time as Valencia surged away from two Bayern defenders before crossing into the penalty area for Nani to dispatch a sublime first time finish past Butt.

Yet Olic gave Bayern a lifeline in the 43rd minute when he met Muller’s header with a fine finish that beat van der Sar from a tight angle. United were looking surprisingly shaky and Ferguson’s team still hadn’t steadied their nerves after half-time.

There was no immediate danger when Ribery pulled clear of Rafael just inside the United half, but the young right-back, who had

already been cautioned for dissent, showed his inexperience as he tugged at the France winger, earning a red card from Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli for his second booking.

Ferguson responded by sending on John O’Shea for Rooney to plug the gap in United’s defence, but Bayern went close as Ribery’s stinging volley forced van der Sar to parry with his fists.

Substitute Mario Gomez went close with a glancing header that skimmed over the crossbar and the pressure finally told as Robben broke United’s hearts in the 74th minute.

Robben was unmarked on the edge of the penalty area as he met a corner with a magnificent volley past van der Sar to leave England without a Champions League semi-finalist for the first time since 2003.—AFP

QNB reports 25.3% jump in Q1 net profit to QR1.27bn

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Maserati GranCabrio arrives

23

TMC recognizes Naser Al-Sayer & Sons

25

Thursday, April 8, 2010

www.kuwaittimes.net

CBK weathers financial storm, records growth

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) held its general assembly meeting yesterday at its headquarters with the attendance of 85 percent of the shareholders. A ten-member new board of directors was elected during the assembly which also reviewed the performance of the bank during the last year and projected a challenging but positive growth outlook for the bank in the coming years.

“In June 2010 the Commercial Bank will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, with the Amiri Decree establishing the Commercial Bank of Kuwait having been issued on 19th June 1960. During the past 50 years the Bank has witnessed significant developments in all banking and operational areas. The previous decade (2000 - 2009) has particularly been a landmark in Commercial Bank of Kuwait’s history with the Bank ranked as the second highest rated financial institution in Kuwait on the back of its strong capital base and strong franchise along with its revenue generating capabilities,” said Abdul Majeed AlShatti, Chairman and Managing Director, yesterday while addressing the shareholders.

“The past ten years have seen an increase in shareholders’ funds from KD 183 million in 2000 to KD 440 million in 2009. Assets also increased

from KD 1 .5 billion in 2000 to KD 3.6 billion in 2009, operating income increased from KD 54 million in 2000 to approximately KD 158 million in 2009. Similarly, the share price was 250 fils in year 2000 and closed on 930 fils per share at the end of December 2009 and was as high as KD 1.5 per share in 2007. As regarding the net profit of the Bank it was KD 30 million in 2000 increasing to KD 120 million in 2007 and to KD 100 million in 2008. Had the global financial crisis not occurred and the Bank not been required to build up additional provisions for improving its loan books, your bank would have been able to continue recording net profits for 2009 at acceptable levels,” AlShatti explained.

“Our achievements over the past period are a clear demonstration of the sound business strategies the management has adopted even in difficult times. All these achievements would have not been realized without the dedication, loyalty and hard work of all staff members and the executive management team whose efforts helped in maintaining the Bank’s position among top ranked banks. As such we have ended 2009 with the bank maintaining the second highest rating among Kuwaiti banks on the back of its strong capital base and with a capital adequacy ratio of 18.22% at 3151 December 2009,” he added.

Bank to celebrate 50 years of success

KUWAIT: Abdul Majeed AlShatti, Chairman and Managing Director, addressing the shareholders at Commercial Bank of Kuwait’s general assembly meeting. — Photo by Joseph Shagra Sustained performance The year 2009 was a difficult year for the banking industry, being strongly affected by the negative aftermath of the global financial turmoil which was at its peak in the first quarter of 2009. Add to this is the absence of political

stability in Kuwait with the dissolution of National Assembly leading to a new election. There can be no doubt that all these factors have collectively had negative implications for the banking sector and its customers as well. However, to limit and

weather such a critical and sensitive period, the Bank has adopted a conservative policy that placed a high emphasis on maintaining shareholders’ funds and enhancing the Bank’s capital base.

The bank’s profit before provisions was KD 130.9 mil-

lion and after the board of directors allocated provisions against the loan and investment portfolios, the net profit was KD 0.15 million with earnings per share of 0.1 fils.

Expenses were down on last year leading to a very efficient cost to income ratio of

16.74%. Gross Loans and advances increased by 2.8% or KD 74.0 million through selective lending, mainly to corporate clients. Total assets were KD 3.6 billion and total shareholder funds were KD 439.9 million at the end of 2009.

Strong capital base “Despite the negative impact, the financial crisis left on the national economy and the banking industry, the bank was able to limit the repercussions and to proceed with building up a strong capital base that will further enhance the bank’s competitive advantage and allow us to absorb any future defaults,” he pointed out.

At year end, the bank had a total of KD 285.5 million of loan provisions with KD 210.5 million of specific provisions and KD 75.0 million of general provisions, included in the general provision was KD 42.6 million that the bank has accumulated over and above regulatory requirements. The Bank has built this prudent cushion over the years against any future impact of the global financial crisis.

“We see difficult times ahead and the future effects of the downturn on Kuwait’s economy are difficult to predict. These extra provisions will also help the Bank to do business safely and hedge against any fallout from the meltdown. In addition to the extra general provisions, the

bank has approximately KD 91.9 million of retained earnings as at 2009. This further enhances shareholders’ funds which stood at approximately KD 440 million. The Bank also has a strong capital base with a capital adequacy ratio of 18.22% which comfortably exceeds the minimum 12 percent requirement of the Central Bank of Kuwait,” he pointed out.

In the election to the board, both Dirar Al-Rabbah and Ali Al-Awadhi shared the first place with 1,017,563,831 shares. The third ranked Anoud Al-Hathran with 1,016,636,053 shares, then Ahmad Al-Mishari with 991,460,815 shares, followed

by Bader Al-Ahmad with 972,860,962 shares in the fifth place, Tareq Al-Othman with 954,966,593 shares in the sixth place, and Mahdi AlJazzaf with 947,546,435 shares in the seventh place. Then the three standby members were Al-Mousa with Ali 132,614,634 shares, Abdulrahman Al-Ali with 97,120,916 shares, and finally Mohammed Al-Shatti with 14,114,695 shares.

One of the shareholders and standby members of the newly-elected board of directors Ali Al-Mousa raised objection to the ninth article of the assembly’s agenda regarding the clearance of the former members of the board.

He noted that it was his right as a shareholder to raise his objection.

Moody’s lifts downgrade rating threat on DP World Dubai has successfully ring-fenced DP World DUBAI: Credit ratings agency Moody’s said it was no longer considering an immediate downgrade to its ratings on ports operator DP World, saying contagion from its parent company Dubai World was no longer a threat.

Moody’s said it could even raise its rating on DP World if the operating environment continued to improve and if a potential creditor settlement with its parent company, Dubai World, led to stability.

“For this to occur, Moody’s would also expect the company to continue to balance its growth aspirations with the need to conserve cash, and maintain its financial profile within key financial parameters,” Moody’s said.

Moody’s had lowered DP World’s ratings to Ba1 in December and warned that it was considering downgrading again, citing a lack of government support and concerns regarding the restructuring of

Dubai World.

On March 25, the Dubai government unveiled a $9.5 billion restructuring plan for its debt-laden Dubai World conglomerate in a plan to give bank lenders their money back in five to eight years and repay two key bonds.

“Over recent months, and most recently in the announced restructuring proposal for Dubai World, many of our concerns regarding the possible contagion of the par-

UAE government deposits lowest since late 2008 Liquidity still tight in UAE banking system DUBAI: Government deposits held in United Arab Emirates’ banks fell 13 percent in the first two months of 2010 to their lowest level since late 2008, indicating policymakers are more comfortable with liquidity in the system now the worst of the financial crisis is over.

Gulf governments boosted their deposit levels at the height of the global financial crisis to help banks weather the downturn. Economic recovery has now reduced the need for them to keep money in banks although liquidity is still tight and credit growth is expected to be slow this year due to debt restructuring in Saudi Arabia and UAE-member Dubai.

Government deposits at UAE banks fell to 179.4 billion

dirhams ($48.86 billion) at the end of February, the lowest level since the third quarter of 2008, from 206.2 billion in December, central bank data showed. “We have been seeing that net government deposits in the banking sector has been coming down since the second quarter of last year across the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council),” said Monica Malik, chief economist at EFGHermes in Dubai.

“This is particularly as the central banks and the governments became more comfortable that liquidity in the banking sector was ample. However, it is important to note that the liquidity position is still tighter in the UAE banking system than in other GCC countries,”

DFM to introduce new tick system from today DUBAI: Dubai Financial Market, the Arab world’s only listed bourse, will introduce a new tick-size system for stocks from today, it said in a statement.

Stocks valued below 1 dirham ($0.272) will trade to three decimal places, instead of two at present, the bourse said. On March 4, DFM said it would introduce a new ticker system, only to then amend and then delay these changes the following week.

The switch is seen as trying to boost trading on the Dubai bourse, with annual turnover falling 43 percent in 2009 to a five-year low, analysts say. Thirteen Dubai stocks closed Wednesday at below 1 dirham. — Reuters

she said.

The UAE government boosted deposits in banks to a peak of 220.9 billion dirhams at the end of 2008, from 149.9 billion at the end of the third quarter to help limit the impact of the crisis.

Overall bank deposits in the UAE, the world’s third-largest oil exporter, stood at 958.3 billion dirhams at the end of February, down from 982.6 billion in December.

A senior finance ministry official said last month that UAE banks are strong enough to absorb any shock, even from restructuring of debt-laden Dubai World, and no capital injection was needed for now.

The UAE central bank has repeatedly said that banks, which are heavily exposed to state-owned conglomerate Dubai World, are more sound and liquid than a year ago. Its governor was quoted as saying in a daily paper yesterday that liquidity and deposit volumes in the system are normal and compatible with the economy and its needs.

However, bankers have said liquidity was still tight in the system as lenders kept chasing deposits for longerterm funding, with offshore credit hard to access. Analysts said the government withdrew deposits from banks to use them for investment programs to support growth, which is seen lagging its Gulf peers this year. —Reuters

ent company’s financial difficulties on DP World have been alleviated,” Moody’s said in a statement released yesterday.

“As a result, Moody’s believes that further negative rating actions on DP World should now be contained.”

The Dubai government had previously said DP World’s assets were ring-fenced from any potential claims by creditors and the company was not part of the broader restructuring plan. DP World is one of

the largest port operators in the world and is 77 percent owned by Dubai World.

Moody’s stated that DP World’s 2009 financial perfor mance was “resilient” despite seeing net profit from continuing operations fall to $333 million from $621 million in 2008.

In its earnings report, DP World had said it was seeing signs of recovery and raised its dividend by 19 percent.

— Reuters

Gulf steel mills struggle as ore prices shoot up DUBAI: Steel producers in the Gulf region, wary of a surge in iron ore prices, have urged mills to cut production until prices level off, industry executives said yesterday.

“People in the region are reluctant to purchase steel right now with the prices on the rise, but still there’s a bit of a shortage in the market and local steel mills are not producing at full capacity,” Karel Costenoble, general manager of MESTEEL, a Dubai-based steel industry networking web portal, told Reuters. The world’s top three iron ore miners-Brazil’s Vale, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto — who have the upper hand in the $80 billion iron ore business are pushing for a revamp of the decades-old annual benchmark system.

They want to replace the annual price contracts with quarterly ones and link prices to the iron ore spot market.

Steel billet prices in the Black Sea region and in Turkey climbed towards $650 per ton during the first week of April, sending steel prices in the United Arab Emirates to around $844 per ton from $547 earlier this year, Gulf traders said.

Uncer tain about when prices would level off, some mills in the region have decided to trim production.

“Everyone is skeptical and operating at lower capacity ... we are now only one shift per day, which is 40 percent of our capacity,” said Bhaskar Dutta, chief executive of Oman-based

Jazeera Steel, which has a capacity to produce 300,000 tons of steel tubes per year.

Projects in the region may also slow down, said Dutta, adding “Many companies in the Gulf have been having finance problems since the start of the economic crisis and now with steel costing more these projects might be delayed further.”

Price volatility is seen as the main factor which has the potential to hurt future sales of the metal, said Abu Bucker Husain, chief executive of UAE-based Al-Ghurair Iron & Steel. “We do not have problem in securing raw material ... the problem is with the price, which is so volatile that within a week we are seeing sharp unjustified increases,” he said. Al Ghurair is still operating at full capacity of 200,000 tons per year and is passing the added cost on to its consumers, said Husain.

“We have no other choice but to pass the added cost on to our customers; they were reluctant at first, but they are beginning to accept price increases.”

In order to minimize the volatility, industry insiders believe top ore miners should set prices on a monthly basis rather than quarterly, said a senior Dubai-based industry source.

“If anything it would be better to set prices on a monthly basis and avoid getting stuck with orders that were placed at a high price,” he said. — Reuters

KUWAIT: Marian Scheifler, the Chief Operations Officer of Investinspain, makes a point during the meeting.

Kuwait’s five-year plan creates interest for Spanish companies Investinspain official sees opportunities for JVs

By Velina Nacheva KUWAIT: Spain is seeking to intensify its relationship with Kuwait in light of the five-year development plan recently announced by the Gulf state, with this strengthening of ties expected to present many opportunities for joint ventures between the two countries, according to Pablo Cascon, the Commercial Attaché at the Spanish Embassy in Kuwait.

Cascon was speaking during a press lunch held earlier this week to mark a visit to Kuwait

by Marian Scheifler, the Chief Operations Officer of Investinspain.

Created in 2006, Investinspain, a government agency dedicated to promoting and attracting foreign investment to Spain, is a part of the Spanish Ministry for Industry, Tourism and Trade’s State Secretariat for Commerce.

Scheifler explained that as a public body, Investinspain informs potential investors about the various green field opportunities for investments, welcoming interest in both public and private investments.

With an extended network of offices worldwide, Investinspain is shortly to open an office in Kuwait, its fourth branch in the GCC after Oman, Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

Investinspain’s Kuwait office will also be in charge of reinforcing business relations between Kuwait and Spain in various economic fields, Cascon explained.

“We are trying to intensify the business relations between the two countries,” he revealed. “Our aim is to inform Spanish companies of the possibilities for joint ventures available here.”

For her part, Scheifler identified real estate, finance and investment and tourism, as Spanish sectors that Kuwaiti investors have shown

interest in investing in. She was quick to point out that Spain offers a host of other opportunities for foreign investment and partnerships with foreign companies in the fields of renewable energy, water desalination and transport.

“Spain is one of the leaders in the world in solar and green energy,” Scheifler asserted, adding that it also offers great investment opportunities in companies specializing in the construction of desalination plants, as well as voicing optimism about the potential investment opportunities for the two nations.

Spain, with 2.1 million m3/day, is the fourth largest producer of desalinated water in the world, with Kuwait being the third. Other fields in which Spain is seeking to engage foreign investment and to develop partnerships in include high-speed rail networks and infrastructure projects.

Scheifler explained that Spain has embarked on a multi-prong ‘Stability Program 2010-2013,’ which aims to reduce the country’s current budget deficit. Encouraging private sector participation in the national economy is one of the pillars of the Spanish program which aims to improve the economy’s efficiency, she revealed.

The most important challenges for Spain are tackling the fiscal deficit and unemployment, said Scheifler, adding that those challenges will be overcome within the framework of the program.

A major contributor to this optimistic outlook is the Spanish banking sector, which, as Scheifler pointed out, is one of the strongest in Europe.

“There are no restrictions on [foreign] investors investing in Spain in any sector,” she said, explaining that this is the case even if a non-European Union investor wants to invest in the country.

22

BUSINESS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Total assets up by QR42.5 bn since March 2009 to QR183.2 bn

QNB reports 25.3% jump in Q1 net profit to QR1.27bn DOHA: Yousef Hussein Kamal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar National Bank (QNB), announced QNB’s financial results for the three months ended 31 March 2010, in which net profit reached QR1.27 billion. This performance demonstrates the Bank’s ability to maintain its strong track record of

delivering a sustained growth in profitability for the benefit of shareholders.

Yousef Hussein Kamal added: “These outstanding financial results prove once again QNB’s strong capabilities and its leading position in the area, along with the ability to record a strong and balanced growth across all its activities.”

QNB Group CEO Ali Shareef Al-Emadi

QNB Chairman Yousef Hussain Kamal

Xerox brings efficiency to healthcare Simplified processes, reduced costs and better patient experiences DUBAI: The recent acquisition of Affiliated Computer Services, Inc (ACS) makes Xerox Corporation the largest provider to manage all document and business process needs within a healthcare organization - from clinical and operational to financial and administrative. Healthcare patients, payers and providers will benefit from the combined expertise of both companies with improved access to information, new opportunities for cost savings, and outstanding customer service.

Xerox works with healthcare organizations to manage documents that support their business, such as forms, medical records, manuals and patient educational materials. Through ACS, now A Xerox company, it also manages all aspects of healthcare programs, healthcare IT, clinical workflows, administration and patient accounting, care and disease management, and business office and revenue cycle operations.

“As healthcare undergoes transition, providers face the challenge of keeping their focus on patients despite the distraction of new IT and process requirements,” said Dan Smith, General Manager

for Integrated Marketing, Xerox, MEA (DMO).

“Having a single point of contact for all document and business process management needs will help organizations keep a steely focus on their real business patient care and outcomes.”

Xerox delivers powerful technological solutions that improve the delivery of care, providing document and business process management through the following services: Patient Records: Capturing and linking static documents into electronic patient records as well as implementing and managing Health Information System (HIS) software, provides clients with a comprehensive electronic medical records solution offering a fast and cost-effective way to manage patient information.

Provider and Patient Communications: From pre-admission to patient discharge and recovery, integrated services from Xerox and ACS, A Xerox Company, help providers transform data and documents used throughout the process into information that educates patients, improving the healthcare experience.

Dan Smith, General Manager for Integrated Marketing, Xerox, MEA (DMO).

For the three months ended 31 March 2010, net profit reached QR1.27 billion, up 25.3% on the net profit delivered in March 2009.

Total assets grew since March 2009 to QR183.2 billion, representing an increase of QR42.5 billion, or 30.3%.

Loans and advances and financing activities grew to QR117.7 billion, representing an increase of QR36.1 billion, or 44.3%. Customer Deposits and unrestricted investment accounts also grew by QR40.0 billion (43.5%) during the period to reach QR131.9 billion.

Net operating income increased

by QR341.5 million (25.9%) to QR1.7 billion. The increase in net operating income is mainly due to the increase in net interest income and income from financing activities of QR355.9 million (42.7%) to reach QR1.2 billion. Net fees and commission income grew by QR44.6 million (18.8%) to QR281.6 million.

Total equity attributable to the Bank shareholders grew since March 2009 to QR19.9 billion, representing an increase of QR3.2 billion, or 19.4%.

QNB Al Islami also succeeded in achieving excellent results during the three months of 2010, with net profit increasing by 119% to reach QR204.3 million. Financing activities increased by QR14.7 billion (184%) to reach QR22.6 billion.

QNB Al Islami total assets increased by QR13.0 billion (86.4%) to reach QR28.0 billion.

Ali Shareef Al Emadi, QNB’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “These excellent results reaffirm QNB’s ability to deliver consistent growth in all activities and across all locations in which it operates. It is also a reflection of the successful implementation of strategic goals with effective risk management. At the same time, these results are a reflection of QNB’s continuous focus on maintaining and enhancing service quality and providing customers with distinctive and innovative products that cater to their growing needs and expectations.”

During the first quarter of the year, QNB continued to extend its leadership in the Qatari and regional financial market with a landmark multiple currency term-loan of $275 million to purchase three new container vessels.

In recognition of QNB’s leading role in Qatari IPOs, QNB was appointed the Lead Manager to the first Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Mazaya Qatar, which was successfully concluded in January 2010.

Further evidence of QNB’s leading market position and its ability to deliver sustained growth in all activities is the affirmation by Standard & Poor’s of QNB’s credit ratings in March 2010, with a long-term rating of A+ and short-term rating of A1, with a Stable Outlook. QNB’s rating from the leading international ratings agencies including S&P, Capital Intelligence, Fitch and

Moody’s is the highest and on par with a small group of leading financial institutions in the region.

Testament to the Bank’s growing international reputation, QNB’s was one of the biggest year-on-year gainers in the Banker’s Magazine survey of the Top 500 Banking Brands in the World. QNB’s ranking this year rose to 210, up 39 places from the 2009 survey.

QNB extended its retail banking portfolio by launching Qatar’s first co-branded Titanium MasterCard in partnership with MasterCard International and Qatar Airways.

The new Titanium credit card targets the upwardly mobile and financially confident customer, offering a host of benefits, such as superior insurance packages, extended warranty options and a growing airport lounge access program to complement the Qmiles awarded for credit card usage as part of Qatar Airways’ loyalty program.

Also during this quarter, QNB completed the rollout of its Cash Deposit Card for Business Banking customers, which allows for roundthe-clock cash deposits at over 45 QNB Cash Deposit ATMs located strategically across the country.

The service is designed to complement internet banking solutions already available to all QNB Customers.

QNB Al Islami in February 2010 signed a landmark agreement with the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs to launch “Thimaar” a new e-payment system that is being distributed in the form of prepaid cards to beneficiaries of the Ministry’s Sandoq Al-Zakat program. As part of its efforts to help promote the State of Qatar internationally, in the first quarter of 2010, QNB partnered with the Qatar Tourism Authority as a Gold sponsor of the 7th annual Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition held in midFebruary. The Bank also participated in the Qatar Career Fair organized by the Qatari Embassy in London to highlight national opportunities for Qatari graduates graduating from renowned international universities.

To meet the requirements of its strategic growth, QNB participated in the Qatar Career Fair 2010, the country’s principal entry-level recruitment platform. QNB aimed to recruit 150 top Qatari graduates to fulfill diverse roles within the Group.

As part of its efforts to promote staff training, the Bank hosted an intensive Executive Development Program in the first quarter for the senior management team. This included training sessions conducted by an internationally renowned institution specializing in executive training in order to enhance the Bank’s career advancement programs and ensure the overall development and talents of the senior management team.

Ford recognizes AMG for after sales support achievements KUWAIT: Ford Middle East recognized Arabian Motors Group (AMG), the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury importer-dealer in Kuwait, for their after sales support initiatives in the country and on bringing Ford Motor Company’s Service Excellence standards to their dealership networks.

“This is a great accomplishment that we can all be proud of as it pays off our continued efforts towards delivering some of the best vehicle ownership experiences in Kuwait,” said Donn Muirhead, Group Aftersales manager for Arabian Motors Group. “With the support of Ford and through internationally recognized training programs, we are working to bring the highest levels of customer satisfaction and quality in our processes, products and services.”

AMG has applied various enhancements to its service operations as part of its continued efforts to provide dedicated after-sales service to its customers, including developing Specialist Workshop Teams that would tackle specialist repairs and Quick Service Teams focusing on standard maintenance and quick fix repairs. This specialized approach also means that each team has its dedicated leaders and quality controllers, an integral part of the process, giving more

peace of mind to the customer.

“We commend AMG for their dedication to the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands and their persistent drive to offer a better service experience,” said Chris Noel, Ford Middle East’s Regional Customer Services director. “AMG’s continued commitment to our Kuwaiti customers and service excellence initiatives reflect their determination to achieve some of the highest customer satisfaction levels in the local market.”

Other service initiatives implemented by AMG include: • Introduction of a Quality Supervisor and Customer Road Testers to focus on First Time Fix. • Introduction of customer welcome team to meet, greet and assist with customer arrival and parking.

• Introduction of an appointment controller.

• ncentives offered for customers who make and keep an appointment.

• Improved customer contact after completion of work to enhance collection process of vehicles.

• Customer handover team for after a vehicle is done with servicing.

Saudi aims to raise use of crude for power SINGAPORE: Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, aims to increase the use of crude oil for power generation, Saleh Alawaji, deputy minister for electricity said yesterday.

Saudi Arabia also plans to raise the use of feedstock for power generation to 2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) on a daily average by 2020, from 1.5 million BOE last year, Alawaji said.

The feedstocks include crude oil, oil products and gas, he told Reuters on the sideline of a regional power conference. Industry sources said last year the kingdom was burning more crude in domestic power plants to keep new wells pumping and produce cleaner electricity, and likely eliminating demand for imported fuel during the peak summer period.

“It depends on national policy, but that’s our intention to increase the use of crude oil,” Alawaji said when asked about the use of more crude for power generation. Using even more crude to generate electricity allows the kingdom to put to utilize fresh output from a major new oilfield while holding firm to its OPEC commitment to curb exports. It also helps the kingdom meet stricter

environmental rules.

Saudi Arabia also aims to increase use of oil products for utilities and lean less on natural gas, which is redirected to the expanding petrochemical industry, he said.

Alawaji, who is also acting chairman of Saudi Electricity Co (SEC), said the Gulf Arab state plans to boost installed power generation capacity to around 67,000 megawatt (MW) by 2020, up from 46,000 MW now, by investing $80 billion.

Saudi power demand is expected to rise to more than 60,000 MW by 2020, he added. There is a huge variation between peak summer demand and low winter demand in the oil kingdom.

Peak power demand last summer was 41,000 MW and it is estimated to rise to 44,000 MW this summer, while demand in winter is only around 30,000 MW, he said.

The kingdom, together with other Gulf countries such as Oman, Kuwait and Qatar, is conducting a feasibility study on nuclear energy. The countries can implement nuclear energy for power generation either on their own or collectively as a group, he added. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Philippine peso Egyptian pounds 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

.2840000 .4370000 .383000 .2670000 .2860000 .2650000 .0045000 .0020000 .0782350 .7622180 .4020000 .0750000 .7472200 .0045000 .0500000 CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2882000 .4393260 .3855370 .2692390 .2882530 .0517930 .0399850 .2670870 .0371180 .2065270 .0030600 .0065050 .0025390 .0034610 .0042220 .0785040 .7648380 .4075910 .0768920 .7489420 .0064760 TRANSFER CHEQUES RATES .2903000 .4427300 .2711460 .0773820

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.090 6.517

.2940000 .4460000 .3910000 .2750000 .2920000 .2720000 .0075000 .0035000 .0780210 .7698780 .4180000 .0790000 .7547320 .0072000 .0580000 .2903000 .4427300 .3882590 .2711460 .2902950 .0521600 .0402680 .2689730 .0373810 .2079890 .0030820 .0065510 .0025570 .0034860 .0042520 .0790050 .7697150 .4104770 .0773820 .7537160 .0065220

Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

3.447 2.541 4.091 208.000 37.302 4.178 6.466 8.971 0.301 0.292 GCC COUNTRIES Saudi Riyal 77.240 Qatari Riyal 79.580 Omani Riyal 752.440 Bahraini Dinar 769.230 UAE Dirham 78.880 ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 55.500 Egyptian Pound 52.600 Yemen Riyal 1.295 Tunisian Dinar 206.500 Jordanian Dinar 409.000 Lebanese Lira 194.300 Syrian Lier 6.325 Morocco Dirham 35.180 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 289.500 Euro 388.940 Sterling Pound 443.220 Canadian dollar 291.300 Turkish lire 192.510 Swiss Franc 271.830 Australian dollar 268.230 US Dollar Buying 287.500 GOLD 20 Gram 220.000 10 Gram 112.000 5 Gram 58.000

Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria Norwegian krone Omani Riyal Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal 10 Tola Sterling Pound US Dollar

SELL CASH 272.200 769.710 4.400 293.000 568.400 15.800 53.200 167.800 54.770

390.100 37.840 6.420

409.130 0.194 92.580 4.100 206.300 751.500 3.460 6.460 79.620 77.280 208.750 42.460 2.540 443.700 273.300 9.130 78.980 289.400

GOLD 1,216.690 TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 443.700 289.400

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound

391.600 37.990 6.800 0.035 0.298 0.260 3.170 410.860 0.195 92.560 47.600 4.270 207.800 2.183 49.400 751.860 3.520 6.560 80.050 77.280 208.750 42.460 2.743 445.700 40.900 274.800 6.400 9.300 217.900 78.980 289.800 1.380

SELL DRAFT 270.700 769.710 4.180 291.500

208.700 52.600

Rate for Transfer US 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

Selling Rate 289.350 293.915 446.300 392.170 269.830 709.215 765.875 78.760 79.455 77.125 408.315 52.586 6.523 3.459

Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees

2.537 4.184 6.457 3.075 8.929 6.312 3.077

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 Nepali rupee Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Candaian Dollars

Rate per 1000 (Tran) 289.050 3.435 6.460 2.545 4.180 6.450 78.760 77.250 768.000 52.550 446.300 0.000032100 4.100 1.550 410.300 5.750 395.900 300.800

Al Mulla Exchange Currency 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

Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 289.100 389.750 443.200 290.750 3.120 6.513 52.590 2.542 4.178 6.457 3.457 768.700 78.800 77.160

BUSINESS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

KUWAIT: Maserati GranCabrio, the most-awaited third model to complete Maserati’ s Trident family, was unveiled in Kuwait late Tuesday. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

23

KUWAIT: Umberto Maria Cini, Maserati Managing Director (third left) posing with the rest of Al-Zayani and Maserati officials during the GranCabrio launch on Tuesday.

The interior of Maserati GranCabrio

Maserati GranCabrio arrives in Kuwait

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Maserati GranCabrio, the most awaited third model to complete Maserati’s Trident family, was unveiled in Kuwait late Tuesday. The Al-Zayani showroom, exclusive distributor of Maserati in Kuwait, hosted the event at Al-Rai. The four-seater convertible was displayed

along with the other two in the series; the Quattroporte and the GranTurismo.

The unveiling of the GranCabrio was attended by dozens of car owners and enthusiasts who were stunned by the luxury vehicle revealed before them.

The GranCabrio represents the very essence of Maserati in terms of open-top cars. “It’s not just about luxuriousness,

but also about performance, precision, power, emotion and beauty,” said Umberto Maria Cini during the launch on Tuesday.

It’s a combination of all those tastes that car owners would love to possess.”

“It’s a Maserati in the purest sense of the word, from the unmistakable style of Pininfarina to the spacious interior, from the craftsmanship of each detail to the dri-

ving pleasure and performance,” he added.

GranCabrio enhances all five senses in a shared open-air experience, without sacrificing comfort or performance. GranCabrio is designed for sophisticated men and women who love to live life in an unpretentious manner.

During the launch, Marketing Manager with Al-Zayani Nader Jaber said that after

seeing the reaction of their clients he was optimistic that this new addition to the Trident family will expand the Kuwaiti market for them even further.

The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 liter V8, 323 kW engine and is the convertible with the longest wheelbase on the market. The roof is strictly canvas-made, emphasizing the link with the Maserati

tradition.

Derek Davies, Automobile Director at Al-Zayani Trading Company, said the GranCabrio is another opportunity for Maserati in the Kuwaiti market. “We are positive that it will catch the attention of our current customers as well as encourage new customers to join our growing Maserati family.”

Renault, Nissan, Daimler in small car, engine deal BRUSSELS/TOKYO: Renault, Nissan and Daimler said they would swap stakes and jointly develop cars in a tie-up that could lead to combined savings of 4 billion euros ($5.35 billion) over five years.

Renault and Daimler have been discussing cooperation plans for some months as carmakers worldwide seek partnerships that boost their competitiveness by sharing technology investment costs and gaining scale and access to new markets.

The three carmakers said yesterday they would take small stakes in each other. Renault and Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn told Le Monde the companies could raise their cross-shareholdings in future. The automobile sector is scrambling to meet tightening emissions reduction rules as it emerges from a savage downturn that has highlighted the need for profit-chasing carmakers to boost scale, conquer new markets and increase efficiency.

Ghosn said the alliance could expect to draw around 2 billion euros of synergies from the partnership over the next five years.

“If you have scale but you don’t make scale work for you through sharing platforms and sharing engines and making smart decisions locally, geographically, scale is just complexity and confusion,” Ghosn told a news conference in Brussels.

Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche said the potential synergies for Daimler would be of the same order of magnitude.

“Right away, we are strengthening

BRUSSELS: Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Dieter Zetsche (right) speaks during a joint press conference with the Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance Carlos Ghosn (left) prior to signing a special agreement yesterday in Brussels. — AFP our competitiveness in the small and compact car segment and are reducing our CO2 footprint,” he said in a statement.

Daimler, which along with the luxury Mercedes-Benz brand owns struggling Smart, is set to benefit from Clio-maker Renault’s

small-car expertise, while Renault and Nissan will be able to make use of Daimler’s engine knowhow. Zetsche insisted the new partnership would not resemble Daimler’s ill-fated merger with US-based automaker Chrysler, which ended in 2007. “Both the

start and the ending of (cooperation with) Chrysler will not compare,” he said. The three carmakers said they plan to cooperate on electric cars, passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, as well as jointly developing and sharing diesel and gasoline engines.

“Mercedes needs an ally in small vehicles-for them it is vital.

Renault needs to spread out development costs so the agreement is also important for their profitability,” a Paris-based analyst said.

Specifically, the cooperation includes the next-generation Smart fortwo and Renault Twingo models, including electric versions, as well as expanding the Smart and Twingo families.

It also includes the sharing and co-development of diesel and gasoline engines from the Renault-Nissan alliance to be used in the new smart and Twingo.

They will also be adapted and modified with Mercedes-Benz characteristics for its new generation of premium compact cars.

The carmakers plan to share gasoline and diesel engines coming from Daimler to Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan, providing the “opportunity for further collaboration”.

They also plan to share a Renault-Nissan diesel engine and transmission for the MercedesBenz Vito. Daimler will take 3.1 percent shareholdings in Renault and Nissan, who will both hold 1.55 percent of the German carmaker under the deal, the companies said.

Renault’s Nissan stake-the two already have large cross-shareholdings as part of their 11-year alliance-would slip to 43.2 percent from 44.3 percent. The French government pledged to support the partnership, and said the state would buy 0.55 percent of Renault to keep its holding at 15.01 percent. —Reuters

Once again: Midas Furniture awarded ‘Superbrands’ status

F

achievement, pointing to reasons attributed to the explosive success Midas continues to endure since opening its first showroom in 1994: • The superior quality of products

and care found at Midas.

• A dedicated team of tasteful designers who are kept up to date with the latest trends.

• Attractive prices geared towards multiple segments of Kuwait’s diverse population.

• World-class presentation of furni-

ture & accessories.

• The continuous and strategic openings of unique showrooms to guarantee customer reach.

• Expansion in company product

lines and activities in surrounding markets in the GCC and Arab world.

• Midas’ continuous effort to provide unique and outstanding services to all customers before and after their purchase.

Russell added, “Midas Furniture owes its customers for being able to meet the high standards set by Superbrands,” pointing out that customer trust is the company’s most valuable asset and is the driving force behind Midas taking the clear lead in Kuwait’s furniture retailing industry.

He also explained that because the brand is exclusively focused on offering furniture-related products, Midas was better fit to compete in the market.

Part of Midas’ competitive edge rests in its international team of seasoned interior designers who understand Kuwaiti tastes and know how to cater to them. The team has access to the world’s greatest furniture producers to ensure style, quality and value are always at the forefront of operation.

With this principle in mind, along with the mentioned points, Midas now commands a massive market share, entering 150 houses in Kuwait daily.

Midas is currently implementing bold expansion initiatives in the region,

KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held the Al Najma Account draw on 4th April, 2010. The draw was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry represented by Abdulaziz Ashkanani.

Commercial Bank of Kuwait was represented at the draws by staff members of Retail Banking Division, Technical Support Division, IT Security, and Advertising & Public Relations Department in addition to a large crowd of customers.

The winners of the Al Najma draw are:No Names KD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Style, quality and value wins the title or the second year in a row, Midas Furniture was awarded the “Superbrands” title by the Superbrands Organization in recognizing Midas as one of Kuwait’s most powerful and customer-oriented brands.

Director of Retail Operations, Russell Brown, was delighted of Midas’

Commercial Bank announces names of Al-Najma Account draw winners

primarily in the KSA, UAE and Qatar markets, after undisputed success in Kuwait and Jordan. Now in operation is the brand new world-class Riyadh Showroom, where both in-store traffic and product sales have reached unsurpassed levels. All in all, Midas showrooms report record breaking year-onyear sales.

New locations in the KSA cities of Al-Khobar and Jeddah are also in development. Superbrands evaluates brands according to global standards under designated committees for each country.

The commission in charge of Superbrands for Kuwait is composed of Badr Al-Humaidi, Khalid Al-Khalid, Dr Saad Al-Barrak, Nabila Anjari, Alqbandi Mohammed, Matthew Danilyz, Fadi Royce, Manar Al-Hashash, Safaa AlHashim and Dr Zuheir Al-Mezeidi.

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Hakeem Aldeen Yousef Ali Mohammed Shah Al Amgir Nadeen Hassan Salah Al Sadeq Saadoun Kayed Abbasi Afraa Thaher Eid Al Shammiri Laila Murad Haji Ashkenani Husa Sultan Ghadban Al Qwaimani Nushe Nushe Hassan Salem Marian Wladyslaw Zabinski Ali Bhai Mohamad Ali Anwar Fatma Mohamad Baqer Bahbahani Sabah Salman Shahir Qraidi Zaeila Abdulla Abdulmehsen Al Hasham Ali Fahad Aluayaan Al Muteri Abdulrahman Hamad Al Nasser Dala Kalid Ibrahim Qafaili Shaqha Radi Al Ajmi Amal Mohamad Abdulhadi Abusaadah Osama Mohammed Al Mursey Senjab Mohammed Yaquob Yousef Moamen Ahmad Hussain Awad Ahmad Mohamad Saad Al Azimi Nader Yousef Kamel Al Ansari Jasim Mohamed Laftah Barun Khalifa Duaij Khalaf Al Qallaf Layla Abdullah Mohamad Munwah Saoud Salem Mohamad Al Azmi Mufazzal Zafar Nuruddin Zafar Ameenah Ahmed Hasan Ghaze Ibrahem Abdulla Al Ghfeeli Mubarak Hamad Mubarak Al Faji Nadeen Hassan Salah Al Sadeq Mohamad Abdullah Qadah Emad Alden Doky Al Dager Nafisa Abbas Rampuri Fatma Ahmed Ali Al Qabendi Ahmad Mefleh Saleh Al Falah Sheikha Awatef Yousef Soud Al Sabah Omar Naser Abdullah Al Rishidi

100000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500

40 Faleh Mohamad Rashed Al Ajmi 41 Fhaid Mohamad Soud Al Ajmi 42 Menwah Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Osaimi 43 Ahmed Mustafa Ahmed Abdulla 44 Marwah Jamal Mahmoud Al Sharee 45 Sakina Taibali Joyowaje 46 Mahmoud Mohamed Abdelmajeed Jaber Obaid 47 Nawal Zaidan Zaeel Al Mutairi 48 Sajjad Saleem Mohammad Saleem 49 Zhra Jaber Kyad Al Shemry 50 Mansour Saleh Mansour Al Usaimi 51 Shahin Mousa Ibrahemi 52 Ali Ghanam Obidan Al Enzi 53 Aqel Chaseb Khazaie 54 Nasr Othman Abdulraheem Othman 55 Adam Wael Chafiq Al Souki 56 Mohamed Rida Misri Khan 57 Hamad Talal Yousef Al Nefesi 58 Abdulmohsen Ibrahim Al Sulttan 59 Hanan Fareed 60 Neeama Shaher Kredey Al Shrefe 61 Mathew Kalapurakal Jacob Chako 62 Abdulhadi Taqi Askar Naqi Al Saffar 63 Emad Mahmoud Hamdi Sleet 64 Soud Radi Sadeq Faleh 65 Abdlrahman Abdlhamid Abdlrahman Mahmoud 66 Adana Faisal Ali Hamada 67 Iqbal Fakhruddin Khalil 68 Abaas Abdalfatah Mohamaad Bakheet 69 Bader Abdulkareem Abdullah Al Rabah 70 Abdulah Mohammed Abdulah Al Tarmum 71 Yusef Meshal Hussain Al Adwani 72 Kalindi Anil Desouza Kanubhai 73 Bassim Essim Shaheen 74 Nada Rasan Madlol Mujawal 75 Yousef Gholoom Haji Ahmad 76 Adnan Javid Iqbal 77 Majid Abdulkarim Abdullah Ramadan 78 Guirui Han 79 Eisa Nadheer Fekri 80 Mohammed Nawaf Abdulaziz Al Enizi 81 Mohammed El Taher Mohammed Taha

500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500

Commercial Bank of Kuwait takes this opportunity to congratulate all lucky winners and also extends appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their effective supervision of the draws which were conducted in an orderly and organized manner.

Foreign firms eye Oman airport construction deal MUSCAT: Four foreign firms are in a race for the second phase of an Omani airport construction contract, in a deal expected to be worth up to 41 million rials ($106.5 million), a tender board official said yesterday. “The second phase of the Sohar airport airfield work will include the construction of the runway, aircraft parking facilities, electrical works and lighting systems,” the tender board official, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters.

South Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries put in the highest bid of 41.08 million rials, followed by Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Co (CCC)

for 41.03 million rials. India’s Larsen & Toubro tendered for 30.3 million rials, while Austrian builder Strabag bid 28.6 million rials. There are also two bids from local companies. Galfar Engineering put in a bid for 29.5 million rials and Desert Line bid 29.8 million rials. The tender was closed on January 4 and the government is evaluating the submitted bids for the contract expected to be awarded in the second half of this year. Oman is also building two other airports at Duqm and Ras Al Hadd while the Muscat airport is being extended. There are plans to build airports at Musandam and Sur. — Reuters

24

BUSINESS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

KSE stocks remain buoyant KUWAIT: The Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended yesterday’s trading session in the green, marking four consecutive trading sessions in which the index ended on a positive note. However, the Global General Index (GGI) ended in the red after three consecutive sessions of gains.

GGI shed 0.33 points (+0.15 percent) during the session to reach 213.80 points. However, the KSE Price Index increased by 13.20 points (+0.17 percent) yesterday and closed at 7,575 points. Market capitalization was down KD53.81mn yesterday to reach KD35.08bn.

Market breadth During the session, 131 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards decliners as 59 equities retreated versus 43 that advanced. A total of 108 stocks remained unchanged during yesterday’s trading session.

Trading activities ended on a negative note yesterday as volume of shares traded on the exchange decreased by 13.77 percent to reach 334.47mn shares. Furthermore, value of shares traded dropped by 19.46 percent to stand at KD63.78mn. The Services Sector was both the volume and value leader yesterday, accounting for 28.83 percent of total market volume and 32.58 percent of market value. Kuwait Real Estate Company saw 24.16mn shares changing hands, making it the volume leader. While Zain was the value leader, with a total traded value of KD4.73mn.

In terms of top gainers, National Cleaning Company took the top spot for the day, adding 8.93 percent and closed at KD0.305. On the other hand, National International Company (Holding) shed 20 percent to close at KD0.080, making it the biggest decliner in the market.

Sector wise Regarding Global’s sectoral indices, they ended the day on a mixed note with Global Food Index being the top decliner. The index ended the day down 2.73 percent backed by heavyweight Kuwait Foodstuff Company (Americana) being the top decliner in the sector.

GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT

The scrip posted a 3.66 percent drop yesterday and closed at KD1.580.

Global Investment Index posted a 0.82 percent decrease yesterday making it the second biggest decliner backed by National International Company (Holding) being the top decliner in the market. Furthermore, Kuwait Projects Company (Holding), the largest company in the sector, ended the day with a drop of 1.09 percent and closed at KD0.455.

In terms of gainers, Global NonKuwaiti Index took the top spot with a 1.78 percent gain. Contributing to the

index’s advance were Egypt Kuwait Holding Company and Ahli United Bank which ended the day up 4.48 percent and 4.35 percent, respectively.

Regarding Global’s special indices, they all ended the day on a negative except for Global Small Cap Index, which was the only gainer. The index ended the day up 2.11 percent backed

by Strategia Investment Company posting a 7.94 percent gain yesterday.

Oil news The price of OPEC basket of

twelve crudes stood at $82.59 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $81.31 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Combined Group Contracting Company has adjusted the item of current liabilities for FY08 and FY09, in its FY09 financial statements. Total current liabilities after adjustment for year 2009 KD57.26mn compared with KD77.83mn for year 2008. This redress was made as some credit balances were recorded incorrectly under this item.

Warba Bank is now registered with

the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) on the “Operating Islamic Banks” list and the listing is effective as of April 5, 2010, virtue of recommendation by the Finance Minister, The CBK Governor said. Kuwait’s Central Bank issued KD80mn of one-year treasury bonds with a coupon of 1.25 percent.

Investors submitted KD393mn in bids for the bonds, the central bank said on its website yesterday. The bond matures on April 6, 2011. The central bank on March 22 issued KD100mn of one-year bonds with a coupon of 1.25 percent.

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS

Qatar Bank leads Doha stocks to 17-month high DUBAI: Banks led Doha’s index to a 17-month high yesterday after Qatar National Bank (QNB) reported a 25 percent jump in quarterly profit.

Kuwait and Bahrain also claimed milestone highs as dual-listed Ahli United Bank (AUB) surged ahead of a slated stake sale and Saudi Arabia ended a three-day losing streak. Dubai slumped to a two-week low.

QNB climbed 0.4 percent to 138 riyals, with the stock up 21 percent this year.

“QNB’s earnings are driven by its strong underlying performance and benign asset quality,” HC brokerage wrote in a note, keeping a hold rating and target price of 160.80 riyals. Commercial Bank of Qatar climbed 1.2 percent and Masraf Al Rayan added 4.2 percent. The index rose 0.2 percent to its highest finish since Oct. 22, 2008.

“Qatar is on everyone’s radar this year, given its massive GDP projections,” says Matthew Wakeman, EFGHermes managing director for cash and equity-linked trading.

“Some investors were waiting for a pull-back to come into the market, but this hasn’t really happened.”

These investors are now increasingly buying in, Wakeman said. Index volumes hit a three-week high.

Qatar’s GDP is set to grow 16.1 percent in 2010.

AUB rose 3.8 percent in Bahrain and 4.4 percent in Kuwait after saying a Gulf investor had agreed to buy a 25 percent stake in a deal estimated at $1.32 billion.

Both listings are up by more than a third since March 28 as talk of a deal drew in buyers ahead of Tuesday’s state-

ment. Bahrain’s measure climbed 0.7 percent to its highest close since June 25, while Kuwait’s benchmark rose 0.2 percent to a 24-week high.

Dubai’s index fell 2.1 percent to its lowest close since March 24, the day before Dubai World unveiled a debt restructuring offer. “Stocks had a good run up before the (March) Dubai World announcement and a few things still have to be ironed out,” said EFG’s Wakeman.

Arabtec fell 3.4 percent, extending its retreat from Sunday’s three-month high.

It had surged after Dubai World said it would pay contractors, which include Arabtec. “People are selling ahead of earnings,” said Wakeman.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, one of two domestic lenders on a Dubai World creditors’ committee, fell 3 percent. Sluggish UAE economic growth and soaring provisions are seen weighing on domestic banks’ quarterly results. “More bank provisions are priced in and I doubt the numbers will justify investors taking cash of the table,” added Wakeman.

Retailer Jarir Marketing Co rose 1.9 percent after reporting a 10 percent a rise in firstquarter profit, sparking a late rally that lifted Saudi Arabia’s index.

Yanbu Cement dropped 1.1 percent after reporting a 19 percent fall in first-quarter earnings.

“Market sentiments were mostly dull amid a drop in Q1 earnings by Yanbu, creating apprehension (over) quarterly earnings,” said Mohammed Ishaq Ali, a fund manager at Al Rajhi Capital. “There is no catalyst to push the market upwards.”

BUSINESS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

25

Toyota... Heart of Gold

TMC recognizes Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons as one of the top 10 distributors in the world For achieving outstanding customer service resulting in record sales of new cars KUWAIT: In Toyota Motor Corporation’s recognition of Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer and Sons Automotive Co, the exclusive dealer of Toyota and Lexus records in sales, best customers service and excellence in marketing strategy in Kuwait, and at a special ceremony held by TMC at the Sahara Resort Club in honor of the heads of the Board of Directors and managers of the company’s outstanding performance, MNSS was awarded with one of the utmost prestigious awards granted by TMC for the second consecutive year. The Golden Award was only granted to 10 distributors around the world, and only two of those gold-

en awards are granted to distinguished distributors in the Middle East. This award is one out of 167 granted to Toyota distributors worldwide, MNSS received that particular award during the ceremony attended by Nasser Al-Mohamed Al-Sayer, Chairman of the Board and Faisal Bader Al-Sayer, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Musaed Bader Al-Sayer and Mubarak Al-Sayer, CEO Automotive / MNSS, in addition to a number of guests of honor from Toyota Motor Corporation among them were Hisayuki Inoue, Managing Officer in TMC. Nasser Al-Mohamed AlSayer, Chairman of the Board’s

MNSS, assured his faith in Kuwait and its economy, saying: “We are under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh / Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, and his good government, we will spare no effort to invest in various different areas that will support Toyota’s customers at all levels, which in turn will enable us always to be at the expectations and the goodwill of our existing & customers to be for life, and assures the fact that customers safety is one of MNSS top priorities, and in spite of the negative media concerning the subject of the accelerating pedal, we shall stay the best, because when the going gets tough, the tough

gets going”.

Nasser Al-Sayer added:” The awards we received from TMC for sales and Marketing are only the result of us at MNSS putting our customer’s satisfaction among our top priorities. The Best in the Business program designated to equip our staff with knowledge and skills to better serve our customers with excellence”.

Mubarak Al-Sayer, CEO Automotive / MNSS speech stated: “Since the Chairman began the Company in 1954, our Mission has been to be the Best in the Business in Kuwait, and our local research regularly confirms that we are. This alone is a

great testament to the determination and dedication of all our staff”.

Mubarak also added: “However, to be recognized as Best in the Business in an International sense by TMC through these awards adds an extra dimension entirely. The combination of Toyota and AlSayer has always been strong, but now we must work hard to make it even stronger than before. Our facilities program is continuing as planned with the new 20,000 m2 Ahmadi Service opening in June, and the new 33000m2 Lexus Centre opening in September. Work is starting on the new Shuwaikh 8000m2

Service facilities within three months.”

Hisayuki Inoue, Managing Officer at Toyota Motor Corporation said: “We at Toyota, and despite the recent global economic crisis, and the ongoing accelerating pedal issuer, we are still in the forefront of major global companies in terms of successful and superior quest for employing state-of-the-art technology, to insure that we offer our customers the best form of cars and production.”

In the same context, Hisayuki Inoue, TMC Managing Officer said: “The award from TMC to MNSS Kuwait is granted as a symbol of our recognition for

achieving the highest sales figures, and those results which reflect the success of the strategies implemented in achieving the objectives “The highest record in sales of new cars, best customer service, and excellence in marketing strategy in Kuwait”, and I congratulate you for such outstanding achievement, I would also like to express to you my sincere thanks for your contribution in making MNSS Al-Sayer not only the leading distributor in Kuwait, but one of the most appreciated Toyota distributors anywhere in the world.”

The ceremony followed the speeches and the distribution of certificates and award.

Greece advised on how to execute painful budget cuts

IMF experts begin work in Athens, as crisis hits euro

ATHENS: A National Mint employee holds up a twoeuro coin and the die used to strike it in Athens yesterday. Greece grappled with volatile, high borrowing costs yesterday as its finance minister sought advice from an International Monetary Fund team on how to speed up fiscal reforms aimed at quelling the country’s debt crisis. —AP

Euro-zone growth stalls on weaker investment BRUSSELS: Euro-zone growth stalled in the last quarter of 2009 as investment turned out weaker than expected, revised data showed yesterday, underlining the continued fragility of economic recovery.

The gross domestic product of the 16 countries using the euro posted zero growth quarter-onquarter in the October-December period, rather than the previously reported 0.1 percent expansion, the European Union’s statistics

office said. The economy contracted 2.2 percent year-on-year, more than the previously estimated 2.1 percent, Eurostat said.

The key change to the previous estimate was a deeper quarterly fall in private investment, which shrank 0.3 percent, rather than the previously reported 0.2 percent.

“It’s a bit of a disappointment,” Juergen Michels, economist at Citigroup, said of the GDP data. —Reuters

ATHENS: IMF experts advised Greece yesterday on how to enact painful budget cuts but steps to slash a massive budget deficit and stay abreast of loan repayments. The deterioratmarket doubts on the country’s ability to raise money to pay its bills kept borrowing rates ing climate has also spooked Greek banks, with Bank of Greece governor George high and drove down the euro. The IMF advisers began a two-week mission to Athens with Provopoulos telling the finance ministry the country’s four main lenders had applied to join meetings at the finance ministry, with markets in turmoil over Greece’s next fund-raising a state support scheme.

On April 22, the European National Bank, Eurobank, Union’s statistical agency Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank Eurostat is expected to asked for guarantees worth 15 announce that Greece’s public billion euros ($20 billion) under deficit in 2009 will be higher a 28-billion-euro support than the 12.7 percent of gross scheme put in place by the predomestic product announced by vious conservative administrathe government, Greek news tion in late 2008, semi-state reports said. agency ANA said.

The reports said Eurostat A finance ministry official could put the deficit as high as said the government had 14.3 percent, mainly on the already decided to extend the strength of huge debts by state bank support scheme by six hospitals. months. “The whole Greek The entire Greek state economy and the banking syshealth system has debts of over tem are under pressure so one 6 billion euros according to the needs to have the assurance of government, much of it to conadditional guarantees,” a tractors and suppliers. The finance ministry source said.

Greek finance minister on In London, the euro fell furTuesday acknowledged that the ther, driven down again largely deficit figure was already at by anxiety over the Greek cri12.9 percent because of highersis, and was being quoted at than-forecast recession but $1.3387 from 1.3397 dollars said that the final revision late on Tuesday. would be small.

At Credit Agricole CIB, ana“We are not talking about lyst Stuart Bennett said the major changes,” he told Mega euro continued to be undertelevision, suggesting a revimined by the situation in sion of less than a percentage Greece, which faces a deepenpoint. ing dilemma of huge debt, danThe IMF experts got down gerously high interest rates to work after a day of drama on and damaging market rumors. financial markets driven by The International Monetary many and varied reports of Fund experts are officially on a Greek strategy to find urgent mission to advise ministers on funding of a huge public deficit. how to manage budget cutbacks One report, belatedly denied and clamp down on tax fraud in ATHENS: International Monetary Fund experts leave the Finance ministry in Athens yesterday. The line with targets imposed by IMF team are officially on a mission to advise ministers on how to manage budget cutbacks and clamp by the authorities, suggested that Greece was having second the European Union. down on tax fraud in line with targets imposed by the European Union. —AFP thoughts about any formal IMF “During this technical assisThere is also concern that involvement in a joint financial tance visit, the IMF is expected enormous task of slashing its above 7.0 percent on Tuesday, bonds. “The strong rise in to analyze and make sugges- budget deficit by four percent- eased yesterday to 6.883 per- yields raises concerns about Greece’s crisis measures are rescue with the European the cost of debt for Greece,” based on estimates that are Union because of tough conditions on budget and tax issues,” age points this year in the cent. rapidly being outpaced by the tions the fund might impose.

That was still sharply above they said. midst of a growing recession. the finance ministry said.

Prime Minister George country’s deepening recession.

But at the same time the the level Greece considers Greece desperately needs The IMF mission was requested by Greece as it bat- market interest rates it has to bearable, and at BNP Paribas in Papandreou was to issue new The finance ministry has tens of billions of dollars of tles huge budget deficits and a pay on its debt have jumped up, London, analysts commented warnings about the situation at already been forced to revise loans at an affordable rate to cabinet meeting on its estimate on the economy’s be able to repay maturing debt mountain of nearly 300 bil- soaking up much of the intend- “the situation is very fragile” a ed savings. The rate or yield, and that a swirl of rumors was Wednesday, Greek media shrinkage in 2009 from 1.2 per- debt in coming weeks and lion euros ($402 billion). cent to 2.0 percent. months. —AFP Athens has set itself an which had leapt to slightly “weighing heavily” on Greek reported.

BUSINESS

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Thai finance minister says protests may delay rate rise NHA TRANG, Vietnam: Thailand’s finance minister said yesterday anti-government protests could delay an expected interest rate rise and might cause economic growth this year to be significantly worse than his ministry’s forecast of 4.5 percent.

It would be “intolerable” for the economy and people of Bangkok if the “red shirt” demonstrations lasted another month, Korn Chatikavanij told Reuters on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian finance ministers’ meeting in Vietnam. Thousands of protesters have occupied an upmarket Bangkok shopping and leisure district since Saturday as they stepped up pressure on the government to call elections. They briefly broke into the grounds of parliament yesterday.

The economy is recovering from a brief recession in 2009 and economists expect the Bank of Thailand to raise interest rates soon. Its next meeting is on April 21 but most economists expect rates to rise at the meeting after that on June 2.

Asked if a prolonged protest movement could delay the rate rise, Korn said: “Possibly.” “I am hoping that it doesn’t, because it would imply that we will have had all this sorted out sufficiently so that nobody needs to be concerned about the impact on the economy.”

In Southeast Asia, only Vietnam and Malaysia have so far raised interest rates as the global economy has recovered. Finance ministers meeting in Vietnam this week are expected to say they want to keep loose

monetary policies in place for the time being but stand ready to take action once the recovery becomes sustainable, according to a draft statement.

The World Bank forecast yesterday that Thailand’s economy would grow 6.2 percent this year, considerably more than the central bank and other Thai authorities predict.

Korn said that if the protests dragged on, they could have a big impact on gross domestic product growth. “If it stops today and in a way that allows us to move forward, then the impact, I think, will be quite minimal,” he said, adding he expected the country would be able to meet the ministry’s 4.5 percent growth estimate for 2010.

“But if it is prolonged, it leads to a sharp drop in tourism, it leads to a sharp drop in consumer confidence and therefore consumption, then it could be significantly worse.”

Another month of protests, he said, “... would be intolerable, not only to the economy as a whole but for the sanity of Bangkokians”. The government was ready to keep negotiating with the protest leaders, but Korn said it would have to restore law and order if the protest continued. He did not give any timeframe.

“Without a doubt, the government, when it comes down to it, will have to take a tougher line,” he said.

But he was hopeful the protests would wind down during the Thai New Year festival, Songkran, which runs

from April 13 to 15. On a normal year, many in Bangkok would leave the city for a whole week from this coming weekend to return to the provinces.

Protest leaders have, however, said they would step up the protest and stay on the streets until Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolves parliament.

On the baht, which has strengthened around 3 percent this year, Korn said “natural” factors were behind the appreciation and he expected the currency to rise further this year, although he would not say by how much.

One factor was the money flowing into the stock market. Foreigners have bought a net $1.73 billion of stocks since Feb 22. — Reuters

Geithner to visit Beijing today

China hints at readiness to let yuan resume rise BEIJING: US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will hold talks in Beijing today against a background of fresh signals from Chinese policymakers that they might be paving the way to let the yuan resume its rise. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the nation’s top economic planner, said China would monitor exchange rate risks facing exporters, while an economist from the agency said Beijing

should edge towards a more flexible yuan. “We should keep the yuan basically stable at a balanced and reasonable level, while strengthening analysis and monitoring and making announcements about risks in a timely manner to reduce exporters’ risks and losses,” the NDRC said in a policy overview issued on the central government’s website, www.gov.cn.

BEIJING: Pedestrians walk across a bridge as thousands of vehicles fill the streets in Beijing yesterday. The World Bank said that China’s growing economy had helped developing countries in East Asia recover from the global crisis, but warned against exiting pro-growth policies too early. — AFP

Ukraine leaders hopeful of new price for Russia gas KIEV: Ukraine’s new leaders said yesterday only a deal with Russia on a new price for gas supplies was holding up the draft state budget for 2010 and they expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with Moscow. “The only unresolved issue remaining for us now is the price of gas which we get from Russia. As soon as we have a new price for gas, we will send the draft budget to parliament,” First Deputy Prime Minister Andriy Klyuev told journalists.

The new leadership of President Viktor Yanukovich says a 10-year agreement signed in January 2009 exacts an unfair price from the ex-Soviet republic for supplies of Russian natural gas.

The price of Russian gas imports is a major drag on Ukraine’s economy which was hit hard by the global downturn. Ukraine’s hopes of securing a resumption of International Monetary Fund bailout credit by holding to a relatively tight state budget deficit in 2010 has placed even more relevance on gas prices.

The government last week committed itself to trying to hold to a budget deficit of 6 percent of gross domestic product- including the deficit incurred by state energy holding Naftogaz — as a condition for resumption of the $16.4 billion IMF bailout, which was suspended last year.

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov expressed confidence Ukraine would secure a revision of the current agreement between Kiev and Moscow. “We will achieve a revision of

the gas agreements”, Azarov told a cabinet meeting yesterday.

“I think that soon we will find a consensus with the Russian leadership and the price of gas will be lowered,” Klyuev told journalists. Precise details on the price that Ukraine is asking Moscow to agree to are hard to come by.

Under the 2009 agreement, Ukraine pays for its gas on a monthly basis, with the bill varying according to consumption. Interfax Ukraine news agency said on Tuesday Naftogaz had met its bill for March-estimated at $576 million.

Ukraine was paying $305 per 1,000 cubic meters in the first quarter. But Azarov said on Tuesday a rise in the price of Russian gas to $330 per tcm would bring Ukraine’s key chemical sector to a halt and seriously hurt the competitiveness of its metals industry.

Klyuev told journalists that the draft budget could not be finalized by the government and presented to parliament until the gas price issue had been settled.

Yanukovich and Azarov have held talks with Russian leaders on the issue and, as an enticement for a softer deal on prices, are holding out the prospect of a role for Russia in modernizing Ukraine’s pipeline system. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said he is willing to reopen discussion of gas prices though he says he sees nothing wrong with the present agreement. — Reuters

SINGAPORE: A model display of a high-end water front property development ‘The Residences’ in Singapore. Singapore’s housing sector is still sizzling despite government measures to cool it down, with demand fuelled by a strong economy and foreign investor confidence, analysts say. — AFP

The statement suggested policymakers are weighing what may happen if they let the yuan recommence its climb after keeping it yoked to the dollar since mid-2008.

Yesterday China’s central bank set the yuan’s mid-point at 6.8259 per dollar, the strongest for the yuan in 10 months. Dealers have been rushing to buy Asian currencies that may strengthen as well if China lets the yuan appreciate against the dollar.

For example, the dollar fell to a near 23-month low of 3.1930 Malaysian ringgit yesterday.

The yuan will presumably be at the top of Geithner’s agenda when he meets Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan today on his way home from financial partnership talks in India.

A US Treasury spokesman, accompanying Geithner in Mumbai, declined to talk about the subject matter of the meeting and said there would be no further statements about it. “The secretary and the vice premier have been working together to find an opportunity to meet in person for some time. The meeting was confirmed yesterday,” he said.

Washington has pressed Beijing to lift the value of the yuan, which critics say is held so low against the dollar that Chinese producers enjoy a grossly unfair advantage in global markets.

NDRC is a sprawling agency in charge of industrial policy which has a stronger voice than almost any other government agency, including the central bank, in China’s decision-making process about the currency.

Following “stress tests” to examine how exporters would cope with appreciation, the NDRC’s comments were possibly a sign the government wants to warn export firms to be ready for a stronger currency that could threaten already thin profit margins.

Zhang Yansheng, directorgeneral of the Institute for International Economic Research, a think-tank under the NDRC, said China wanted a freer-floating currency but was also wary of the potential pitfalls.

“We also want the yuan exchange rate to be more flexible and based on market supply and demand relation, but the US should be clear that it is a gradual process,” he told Reuters.

“Currently, Chinese enterprises do not have the capacity to hedge against currency risks and China also lacks an established system to manage foreign exchange risks.”

Beijing let the yuan rise 21 percent against the dollar between July 2005 and July 2008 before effectively repegging the currency near 6.83 to the dollar to help its exporters surmount the global financial crisis. The White House said on Tuesday that President Barack Obama would raise the currency issue with President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in Washington next week.

Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai, briefing reporters on

the summit, would not say whether Hu would discuss the yuan. But he said Beijing did not want economic disputes to get out of hand.

“Of course between China and the United States, including in the sphere of economics and trade and finance, there are sometimes differing points of view. But above all, our two countries have very important common interests in these important areas that are constantly strengthening,” said Cui. Speculation Beijing will let the yuan start climbing before long has been fuelled by an easing of Sino-US tensions over the currency in recent days.

Geithner said at the weekend he was delaying an April 15 report on whether China manipulates its currency. A finding to that effect would have infuriated Beijing.

Speaking in India, Geithner said yesterday that the yuan would take a broader international role, calling that a “healthy, necessary adjustment”.

Washington and Beijing are trying to cool tensions after US arms sales to Taiwan and China’s dispute with Google over Internet freedom made for a rocky start to 2010.

But with US unemployment stuck near 10 percent, Obama faces pressure to get Beijing to let the yuan rise.

Many US lawmakers say that by deliberately holding down the yuan, China is giving its firms an unfair subsidy that costs jobs in many countries.

The yuan rose slightly in the spot market yesterday, reaching 6.825 to the dollar, its highest rate this year.

Offshore forwards were pricing in about 1.6 percent appreciation over the next six months and 3.0 percent over the next 12 months, slightly less than had been implied on Tuesday.

While Washington’s delay of the currency manipulator report may give Beijing the space needed to resume yuan appreciation, most analysts think it will allow only a small rise, because it remains worried about the solidity of the global recovery.

Figures due this Saturday are expected to show China’s first monthly deficit since April 2004.

Although economists think a deficit would be an anomaly, it could still give officials pause before sanctioning a rise in the yuan. The commerce ministry in particular has repeatedly demanded that the yuan be kept stable until exports have recovered strongly. The central bank, by contrast, would like a firmer currency to ease inflationary pressure from a red-hot economy.

China should let market forces play a bigger role in setting the level of the yuan, a professor at the Chinese central bank’s graduate school said in a magazine issued by the bank which reached subscribers yesterday. “This kind of reform will further stress the role of market supply and demand in affecting the direction of the exchange rate,” Professor Wu Nianlu wrote in China Finance magazine. — Reuters

TOKYO: Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Masaaki Shirawaka answers questions during a press conference at the bankís headquarters in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP

BOJ keeps interest rate unchanged at 0.1 percent TOKYO: Japan’s central bank kept its key lending rate unchanged at 0.1 percent yesterday and signaled that a recovery in the world’s number two economy is on track despite the “critical challenge” of deflation.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) stopped short of officially upgrading its economic assessment, as was widely expected by markets, but hinted that policymakers may do so at its next meeting later this month.

Compared to the March meeting the BOJ “moved one step forward in our outlook” over the economy, governor Masaaki Shirakawa told reporters after a two-day policy meeting, noting that a recovery trend is becoming “clearer”.

With the pace of unemployment and corporate spending cuts slowing down and corporate sentiment recently brightening, fears of a double-dip recession “have drastically been reduced”, the BOJ chief said.

Asia’s top economy is recovering, led by robust demand from China and other neighbors that has boosted morale among major Japanese manufacturers for the fourth straight quarter, according to the BOJ’s Tankan survey last week.

The report showed companies expect a bounce in profits and plan to ease spending cuts on factories and equipment compared to the previous year, boosting Japan’s prospects of sustainable growth.

The World Bank yesterday upgraded its growth forecast for East Asia-

excluding advanced economies such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore-to 8.7 percent this year from its previous estimate in November of 7.8 percent.

However, the BOJ warned that while strengthening overseas markets and stimulus measures have buoyed the economy, weak domestic demand poses a key hurdle.

There is “not yet sufficient momentum to support a self-sustaining recovery in domestic private demand,” it said. The bank has kept rates unchanged since December 2008 at the height of the global financial crisis and is likely to retain easy credit measures for the near future due to deflation which it predicts to last until 2012.

The pace of recovery “is likely to be moderate for the time being”, and maintained an earlier view on the need to tackle deflation, which is a drag on growth: “It is a critical challenge for Japan’s economy to overcome deflation and return to a sustainable growth path with price stability.”

Core consumer prices contracted 1.2 percent year-on-year for the 12th straight month in February. The nation’s jobless rate stood at 4.9 percent in February for the second straight month and wages have yet to increase.

Despite the recent positive economic signs, the BOJ kept its “assessment largely unchanged because it wants to remain prudent”, said Dai-ichi Life Research Institute chief economist Hideo Kumano. — AFP

European pensions slash equities, diversify: Survey LONDON: European pension funds are shifting away from equities in favor of a broader range of assets that include corporate and emerging market debt, an annual survey showed yesterday.

Consultancy Mercer said its 2010 survey of pension funds also showed increasing interest in alternative assets, such as hedge funds, infrastructure and private equity.

The survey covered 1,000 pension funds with combined assets of more than 500 billion euros ($668 billion).

The main finding was the continuation of a trend away from equities, especially among pension funds from countries with what Mercer describes as a “structural bias” for stocks, mainly Britain and Ireland.

British pension fund allocation to equities, for example, is now around 50 percent of assets, the survey showed, compared with 54 percent last year and 68 percent in 2003, the first year of the survey.

But others also showed declines.

Dutch pension funds cut equity exposure this year to 23 percent from 28 percent.

And the trend looks likely to continue. Some 29 percent of UK pension funds and 35 percent of non-UK European funds said they were likely to cut domestic equity exposure further, with 20 percent and 33 percent, respectively, expecting to reduce non-domestic stock holdings.

Mercer said the trend reflected a

general move by the funds to become more proactive, searching for good investment ideas beyond traditional assets. Crispin Lake, a senior investment consultant, said this could be seen in the type of bonds that pension funds have been buying.

“What we have seen over the last year is really a shift away from government bonds to corporate bonds,” he said.

The survey showed the funds were increasingly moving towards what have been for them non-traditional investments. It showed, for example, a range of plans to increase exposure to hedge funds, private equity, high yield bonds, distressed debt, commodities, infrastructure and forestry.

One popular move was towards emerging market debt. Some 8.8 percent of non-UK European pension funds said they were looking to increase exposure to the assets, along with 5.4 percent of British funds.

“Many are looking at that as an alternative to (more traditional) government debt,” Lake said.

He noted that many emerging markets were now in better financial condition than developed markets.

Overall, at least 16 percent of the pension funds in the survey were trying to get exposure to emerging market growth through emerging market debt or other non-equity assets. — Reuters

TECHNOLOGY

Thursday, April 8, 2010

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US court deals setback to regulators over ‘net neutrality’ WASHINGTON: A US appeals court dealt a major setback on Tuesday to the efforts of US government regulators to force Internet service providers to treat all Web traffic equally. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of broadband provider Comcast Corp. in a case seen as a test of the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enforce “net neutrality.”

Net neutrality is the principle that ISPs provide the same speed and level of service to all Web users, regardless of size. Net

neutrality would prevent ISPs, for example, from blocking or slowing bandwidth-hogging Web traffic such as streaming video or other applications that put a strain on their networks or from charging different rates to users.

The three-judge appeals court ruled unanimously in the Comcast case that the FCC had not been granted the legal authority by the US Congress to regulate the network management practices of ISPs. The judges said the FCC had failed to demonstrate it has the authority to prevent Comcast from interfering with the use by its cus-

tomers of peer-to-peer networking applications, which consume large amounts of bandwidth.

The case ended up in court after two advocacy groups, Free Press and Public Knowledge, challenged Comcast over its 2007 blocking of the use of filesharing program BitTorrent and the FCC issued an order barring the practice. During his White House campaign, President Barack Obama came out strongly in favor of net neutrality, which is backed by companies such as Google, Amazon, Yahoo!, eBay and consumer advocacy groups, but opposed by telecommunica-

tions, wireless and cable companies.

Under its new chairman, Julius Genachowski, the FCC has begun drafting rules that would require ISPs to protect net neutrality. The draft proposed rules would allow broadband Internet providers to conduct “reasonable network management” and block spam, unlawful content such as child pornography and files that infringe copyright.

But they would not be allowed to discriminate against lawful content. The FCC has also embarked on a plan to make the United States a world leader in

high-speed broadband Internet access and the ruling could be a blow to this ambitious effort.

The FCC indicated Tuesday that the court ruling was not the final word. “The FCC is firmly committed to promoting an open Internet and to policies that will bring the enormous benefits of broadband to all Americans,” said FCC spokesperson Jen Howard. “It will rest these policies-all of which will be designed to foster innovation and investment while protecting and empowering consumers-on a solid legal foundation,” Howard said.

“Today’s court decision invalidated the prior Commission’s approach to preserving an open Internet,” Howard said. “But the Court in no way disagreed with the importance of preserving a free and open Internet; nor did it close the door to other methods for achieving this important end.”

Comcast welcomed the court decision. “(Comcast) remains committed to the FCC’s existing open Internet principles, and we will continue to work constructively with this FCC as it determines how best to increase broadband adoption and preserve an open and vibrant Internet,”

said Sena Fitzmaurice, Comcast’s vice president of government communications.

Steve Largent, head of CTIA-The Wireless Association, the telecom industry trade group, also welcomed the ruling. “The FCC needs to focus on the important task of making the promise of the National Broadband Plan a reality by spurring investment, innovation and job growth, and turn away from calls to impose restrictive regulations on broadband providers and the Internet ecosystem,” Largent said.— AFP

News Corp chairman believes most US papers to charge online readers

Murdoch to limit Google, Microsoft access to papers WASHINGTON: News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch said Tuesday that Google and Microsoft’s access to his newspapers could be limited to a “headline or a sentence or two” once he erects a pay wall around his titles’ websites. Murdoch, in an interview with journalist Marvin Kalb for The Kalb Report, also said he believed most US newspapers would eventually end up charging readers online, like he does with The Wall Street Journal and plans to do with his other properties beginning with The Times of London.

“You’ll find, I think, most newspapers in this country are going to be putting up a pay wall,” he said. “Now how high does it go, does it allow (visitors) to have the first couple paragraphs or certain feature articles, we’ll see. “We’re experimenting with it ourselves,” he said. The News Corp. chief said “we’re going to stop people like Google and Microsoft and whoever from taking our stories for nothing.”

Search advertising had produced a “river of gold” for Google, he said, “but those words are being taken mostly from the newspapers. And I think they ought to stop it, the newspapers ought to stand up and make them do their own reporting or whatever.”

Murdoch said he did not expect search engines would pay for access to newspapers. “We’ll be very happy if they just publish our headline or a sentence or two and that’s followed by a subscription form,” he said. Murdoch dismissed concerns that readers used to getting news on the Internet for free would be reluctant to pay.

“I think when they’ve got nowhere else to go they’ll start paying,” he said.

Murdoch was also asked about the rivalry between The New York Times and

the Wall Street Journal, which has announced plans to launch an expanded New York edition later this month. “I’ve got great respect for the Times,

except it does have very clearly an agenda,” he said.

“You can see it in the way they choose their stories, what they put on Page Oneanything (President Barack)

Apple’s iPad easier on airport screener’s eyes ATLANTA: Apple’s iPad tablet is friendlier than a traditional laptop when it comes to airport security.

The Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday that in general you should not need to remove your iPad from your bag. That’s because it’s relatively small and people who carry the device often don’t have bulky accessories like plugs and external drives that clutter the image when computer bags are screened. Screeners may still ask you to remove your iPad if they can’t get a clear image of the device. Apple Inc. delivered more than 300,000 iPads on Saturday, the first day the device went on sale. The iPad is not a personal computer, but it does allow users to do several of the key functions they can do on a computer, like send e-mail, watch movies and surf the Internet.

The models currently sold connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi; prices start at $499. A second wave of buyers may emerge when Apple starts selling versions that can also get online using cellular networks; those models start at $629. Many companies have tried to sell tablet computers before, but none has caught on with mainstream consumers. Strong marketing and

the wow-factor of the iPad have caused enormous interest, which means security screeners are bound to see more of the devices come through airports.

The TSA, which is in charge of airport security, is in the process of telling officers about how the iPad figures into screening procedures, spokesman Greg Soule said. Laptops generally have to be removed from computer bags and placed on the security conveyor belt separately.

But several manufacturers sell a laptop sleeve with a removable shoulder strap. It can unfold to lie flat on the airport X-ray machine belt.

TSA will allow you to keep your laptop in those bags during the screening process if security can capture a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop.

A range of so-called “checkpoint friendly” laptop bags can be found on eBags.com. TSA does not approve specific bags or offer guarantees that a traveler will not have to remove the computer, but it has encouraged manufacturers to design bags that will allow screeners to obtain clear images and give travelers the best shot at being able to keep computers in their bags. —AP

Obama wants.

“And the White House pays off by feeding them stories,” he said. Murdoch also said he reads The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post each day “because I’m going to be responsible for them.” He said he reads “a lot” of the New York Times,” but rarely reads The Washington Post although he “probably should.”

Murdoch also praised the Apple iPad calling the newly released tablet computer a “glimpse of the future.” He predicted the iPad would have eight or nine competitors in the next 12 months and said the devices could save newspapers. “There’s going to be tens of millions of these things sold all over the world,” he said. “It may be the saving of newspapers because you don’t have the costs of paper, ink, printing, trucks.

“I’m old, I like the tactile experience of the newspaper,” he said, but “if you have less newspapers and more of these that’s ok.” “It doesn’t destroy the traditional newspaper, it just comes in a different form,” he said. —AFP

SPACE: This TV image provided by NASA shows the Space Shuttle Discovery passing over China as it approaches the space station for docking early morning yesterday. —AP

Nintendo, Google jointly develop ‘web search’ game TOKYO: Japanese video game maker Nintendo said yesterday it had jointly developed a game with US Internet giant Google in which players compete to generate the most search engine results. Nintendo will release “Ando Kensaku” on April 29 as the first joint project between the two companies, a Nintendo spokesman said.

In the game, which is to be given a Japan-

only release for Nintendo’s Wii console, players compete by correctly guessing the most popular web search terms, and the word with the most hits wins, the spokesman said. The game, which will use Google’s search engine and allow four players to play together, will sell for 4,900 yen (52 dollars), the spokesman said. The two companies have no immediate plan to launch more joint projects. —AFP

Solar-energy plane lifts off on first test

PAYERNE: German test pilot Markus Scherdel, steers the solar-powered Solar Impulse prototype airplane during his first flight over Payerne yesterday. —AFP

PAYERNE: The Solar Impulse aircraft, a pioneering Swiss bid to fly around the world on solar energy, took off on its first test flight from an air base in western Switzerland yesterday. Tensions were running high in the team as an AFP reporter watched the high tech prototype lift into blue skies at a speed of just 45 kilometers per hour (28 miles per hour) after a one kilometer run down the runway at Payerne air base shortly before 10:30 am.

Propelled by four 10 horsepower electric motors, the gangling single-seater aircraft and test pilot Markus Scherdel slowly gained altitude for a scheduled flight of around two hours at an altitude of around 1,000 meters (3,280 feet).

The prototype, which is slightly smaller than the plane that will undertake the round-the-world flight, has a wingspan comparable to that of an Airbus A340 airliner but weighs as little as a family-sized car at only 1,600 kilograms (3,527 pounds).

Andre Borschberg, co-founder of the project, along with pioneering round-the-world balloonist Bertrand Piccard, said the first flight was primarily aimed at testing the complex aircraft’s behavior in the air. “It’s a very important moment after seven years of work,” he told journalists shortly before take off, adding that the team was “prepared, but facing the unknown.”

Piccard admitted that some of the components and novel control systems could go wrong during the first flight. “We hope that doesn’t happen, but it could happen,” he added. The Solar Impulse prototype had briefly taken off for the first time in December for a controlled 400-metre hop about one meter above the runway, but a full flight had been delayed for weeks until weather conditions improved.

The aircraft’s slender long wings are covered with about 12,000 solar cells that fuel its 400 kilogram battery packs and the electric motors. The tests are due to build up to a first non-stop 36-hour flight through darkness, followed by a five-stage flight around the world in 2012. —AFP

HEALTH & SCIENCE

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Intestinal germ helps sushi digestion PARIS: Japanese have an easy time digesting sushi and other seaweedwrapped delicacies thanks in part to an intestinal bacterium that hijacked genes from a marine germ, scientists report yesterday. The surprising discovery has shed light on the trillions of friendly germs that inhabit our gut, living in mutual self-interest with us.

By breaking down starchy plant fibres, these bacteria get their share of nutrition-as do we. Researchers in France studying a marine bacterium, Zobellia galactanivorans, found it had an interesting new class of enzyme that busts open a starch molecule called porphyran, found in red seaweed of the Porphyra species.

Scanning publicly-available databases of DNA codes, the team were astonished to find genes coding for the same enzyme in an intestinal bacterium, Bacteroides plebeius, that so far has only ever been noted in the faeces of Japanese. The scientists believe that B. plebius picked up the genes from a fellow bacterium that lived on

seaweed.

In a classic example of Darwinian selection, strains of B. plebius that had the imported genes had a better chance of survival than others, as they could feast on a major component of the Japanese diet. The Japanese eat around 14 grams (half an ounce) of seaweed each day, and Porphyra,

known as nori, which is used in sushi, is the most important food alga of all.

Recorded evidence of the central role of seaweed in the Japanese diet goes back to the eighth century, when tax archives showed that people could use the commodity as a means of settling their bill with the government.

The human gut is alive with bacteria

that supply the body with energy by breaking down plant starch through carbohydrate active enzymes, or CAZymes, that the body cannot produce by itself.

“Traditionally, nori is not roasted, and thus contact with associated marine microbes is promoted through Japanese sushi,” says the paper.

“Consequently, the consumption of food with associated environmental bacteria is the most likely mechanism that prompted this CAZyme update into the human gut microbe.” The study, led by Mirjam Czjzek of the Station Biologique de Roscoff, western France, appears in the British journal Nature. —AFP

Urban areas now home to over half the world’s population

1,000 cities mobilized in WHO urban health drive

SIERRA MADRE: In this April 2006 photo released by National Museum of the Philippines, a golden-spotted monitor lizard rests on a tree trunk in the Sierra Madre mountains, Philippines. —AP

Giant lizard discovered in the Philippines MANILA: Researchers have concluded that a giant, golden-spotted monitor lizard discovered in the forested mountains of the Philippines six years ago is a new species, according to a study released yesterday.

The 6.5-foot (2-meter) -long lizard was first spotted in 2004 in the Sierra Madre mountains on the main island of Luzon when local researchers saw local Agta tribesmen carrying one of the dead reptiles.

But it took until last year to determine it was a new species. After capturing an adult, researchers from the University of Kansas and the National Museum of the Philippines obtained DNA samples that helped confirm the lizard was new to science.

The Northern Sierra Madre Forest Monitor Lizard or Varanus bitatawa feasts on fruits and snails rather than carcasses, unlike many monitors, including its larger relative, the Komodo dragon, according to American and Filipino researchers who wrote about the discovery in yesterday’s peer-reviewed Royal Society journal Biology Letters. It spends much of its time

in the treetops and has unique claws that allow it to reach its favorite fruits. “I knew as soon as I saw the animal that it was something special,” Luke Welton, a graduate student at the University of Kansas and one of the co-authors of the study, said in a statement.

It is not that unusual to find a new species of tiny fish, frog or insect these days. But Welton and his colleagues said it was a “rare occurrence” to discover such a large vertebrate, particularly on an island hit by deforestation and nearby development. They compared their find to the 1993 discovery of the forest-dwelling Saola ox in Vietnam and a new monkey species discovered in the highlands of Tanzania in 2006.

“The discovery of such a large, charismatic, and strikingly distinct new species of vertebrate in the unexplored forests of the northern Philippines accentuates the degree to which the diversity of this global conservation hotspot is still poorly known,” Mundita Lim, chief of the country’s Department of Environment and

Natural Resources Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, said in a statement.

Eric R. Pianka, a lizard expert at the University of Texas at Austin, said in an email interview that it was an “incredible find.” “This is truly a spectacular discovery,” Pianka said. “Worldwide, there are about 60-plus species of monitor lizards. In all probability, some as yet undescribed species will be found on various islands in Indonesia,” he said.

The new lizard is related to two other fruit-eating monitors in the Philippines, all of which have seen their numbers drop significantly due habitat destruction, as well as hunting and trapping for the pet trade. “We hope that by focusing on protection of this new monitor, conservation biologists and policy makers can work together to protect the remaining highly imperiled forests of northern Luzon,” Rafe Brown, leader of the team that discovered the new species and curator of herpetology at the University of Kansas, said in a statement. —AP

Complex spinal surgery jumps in US elderly: Study CHICAGO: Older patients with lower back pain are increasingly getting more complex and costlier spinal fusion surgeries, resulting in higher rates of life-threatening complications and increasing costs for the healthcare system, US researchers said on Tuesday. A study of records from the federal Medicare program for the elderly and disabled between 2002 and 2007 revealed a 15-fold increase in the rate of complex surgeries to treat spinal stenosis-a common condition in the elderly in which the spinal canal narrows, causing pain in the back and legs.

And while the number of overall procedures to treat this problem dipped during the period, hospital charges for those surgeries rose by 40 percent on an inflationadjusted basis, Dr. Richard Deyo of the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and his colleagues reported in the Journal of the American Medical

Association. In a telephone interview Deyo said the trend in part is related to the introduction of new technology, such as spinal cages and special screws used to fuse vertebrae together.

But it also reflects savvy marketing by orthopedic device makers such as Stryker Corp., Medtronic Inc. and Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy unit, that has convinced surgeons more complex surgery is better, Deyo said. Studies, however, suggest complex spinal fusion surgeries offer little benefit over simpler procedures for most patients, and increase the risk of complications.

“It is driving up the cost of care without much evidence that it is improving care,” Deyo said. A study last year published in JAMA found that the cost of treating spine problems in the United States rose 65 percent in the past decade to $85.9 billion a year, rivaling the economic burden of treating cancer, which costs

$89 billion. Yet, for all of the spending, they found people with spine problems actually felt worse.

Deyo’s team studied three specific surgical procedures for lumbar stenosis: decompression, in which part of the vertebrae is removed to ease pressure on nerve roots; simple fusion, in which one or two discs are fused together through an incision in the back or abdomen; and complex fusion, in which more than 3 vertebrae are treated or the surgery is done from both the back and front. Overall, the procedure rate fell 1.4 percent during the study period, but rates of complex fusion surgery increased from 1.3 per 100,000 patients to 19.9 per 100,000.

“What happened was the most complex type of surgery increased 15-fold over that period of time, a far more rapid increase than we could explain just on the basis of more severe disease,” Deyo said. “What we also found is these more

complex operations are associated with a higher rate of serious complications.”

Patients in the study who had a complex fusion procedure had a nearly three times higher odds of a lifethreatening complication compared with those who only got decompression.

And overall hospital charges rose 40 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars, the team found.

Dr. Eugene Carragee of the Stanford University School of Medicine in California said in a commentary that the study should remind patients, doctors and insurance companies to carefully weigh the options for spinal surgery. “... the efficacy of basic spinal techniques must be assessed carefully against the plethora of unproven but financially attractive alternatives,” Carragee wrote, noting that “financial incentives and market forces do not favor this careful assessment before technologies are widely adopted.” —Reuters

GENEVA: The UN health agency yesterday launched a global ‘1,000 cities’ drive to counter a triple threat to health in fast growing urban areas that are now home to over half the world’s population. The World Health Organization predicted that most population growth in coming decades will take place in overcrowded, polluted, and often impoverished cities that house a concentrated array of the health problems faced by local societies.

“Urban health matters in critical ways for more and more people,” said WHO Director General Margaret Chan on World Health Day, urging cities to place health concerns at the centre of their planning. “Poor health, including mental health, is one of the most visible and measurable expressions of urban harm,” she told a WHO meeting.

The world’s urban population passed 3.0 billion in 2007, exceeding the rural population for the first time, according to the United Nations. The WHO warned that urban areas condense a threefold burden: infectious diseases exacerbated by poverty, chronic diseases such as heart trouble, cancers and diabetes fuelled by smoking, unhealthy “convenient” diets and sedentary lifestyles, as well as injuries caused by accidents or crime.

One of the WHO officials behind the drive, Lori Sloate, said a global network of cities could influence urban planning and management, “while there’s still time because we’ve just passed the tipping point.”

By 2030, six out of 10 people will be city dwellers, rising to seven out of 10 people by 2050, with explosive growth in Asia and Africa, according to Chan.

“In many of these cities slums have become the dominant type of human settlement,” she warned.

“Slums are productive breeding grounds for TB, hepatitis, dengue, pneumonia, cholera, and diarrhoeal diseases that spread very easily in highly concentrated populations.” Big cities are also growing far more quickly than in the past, outpacing the ability of authorities to build or plan for essential infrastructure including adequate health services, water and sanitation, the WHO said in a report.

Living and working conditions vary widely both within and between cities across the world and are the “causes of the causes” of ill-health, according to the agency. The WHO warned that cities in both rich and poor nations can house huge disparities in health. They include a 28-year difference in the life expectancy of people living in different neighborhoods within the British city of Glasgow.

Meanwhile, in Nairobi, a child living in a slum is four times more likely to die before the age of five than one in another part of Kenya’s capital.

Chan called the concentration of poverty in cities an “ominous trend”. “In developing countries the best urban governance can help produce 75 years or more of life expectancy,” she said. “With poor urban governance, life expectancy can be as low as 35 years,” the WHO chief added.

Some 1,300 cities in 120 countries have come forward to join the year-long campaign starting on World Health Day, a WHO spokeswoman said. The agency is encouraging them to open up public spaces to health by closing off portions of streets to traffic, to encourage exercise in parks and clean up campaigns. —AFP

‘Near-death experience’ explained by carbon dioxide study shows PARIS: People who have “near-death experiences,” such as flashing lights, feelings of peace and joy and divine encounters before they pull back from the brink may simply have raised levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, a study suggests. Near-death experiences (NDEs) are reported by between 11 and 23 percent of survivors of heart attacks, according to previous research.

But what causes NDEs is strongly debated. Some pin the mechanisms on physical or psychological reasons, while others see a transcendental force. Researchers in Slovenia, reporting in a peer-reviewed journal, Critical Care, investigated 52 consecutive cases of heart attacks in three large hospitals.

The patients’ average age was 53 years.

Forty-two of them were men. Eleven patients had NDEs, but there was no common link between these cases in terms of age, sex, level of education, religious belief, fear of death, time to recovery or the drugs that were administered to resuscitate them.

Instead, a common association was high levels of CO2 in the blood and, to a lesser degree, of potassium.

Further work is needed to confirm the findings among a larger sample of patients, say the authors, led by Zalika Klemenc-Ketis of the University of Maribor. Having an NDE can be a life-changing experience, so understanding its causes is important for heartattack survivors, they say. —AFP

GETTORF: An albino red-neck wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) pet looks out of mother’s pouch in the local zoo of Gettorf, northern Germany, as it enjoys the sunny temperatures of 17 degrees Celsius ( 62 degrees Fahrenheit) yesterday. —AP

‘5-a-day’ fruit and veggies have only limited impact on cancer PARIS: Eating lots of fruit and vegetables has only a small effect on warding off cancer, a study published yesterday says, although its authors insist that tucking into the recommended “five-a-day” is still good for general health. Doctors led by Paolo Boffetta at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, pored over eight years of data from a major European investigation into the relationship between cancer risk and food.

The investigation, which is continuing, covers nearly 470,000 volunteers recruited in 10 Western European countries.

Between 1992 and 2000, more than 30,000 of the participants were diagnosed with cancer.

Boffetta’s team found that high

consumption of fruit and vegetables gave only a modest protective effect against cancer.

An increase of 200 grams (about seven ounces) a day resulted in a reduction of cancer risk in the order of some three percent. Vegetable consumption by itself also gave a small benefit, although this was restricted to women, while heavy drinkers who ate many fruit and veggies had a somewhat reduced risk, but only for cancers linked to alcohol and smoking.

“The bottom line here is that, yes, we did find a protective effect of fruit and vegetable intake against cancer, but it is a smaller connection than previously thought,” Boffetta said in a press release issued by Mount Sinai.

“Any cancer protective effect of these foods is likely to be modest, at best. However, eating fruits and vegetables is beneficial for health in general and the results of this study do not justify changing current recommendations aiming at increasing intake of these foods.”

The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) issued a recommendation in 1990 suggesting that five servings of fruit and vegetables per day helped prevent cancer and other diseases.

“Worldwide, low intake of fruits and vegetables is estimated to cause about 19 percent of gastrointestinal cancer, about 31 percent of ischaemic heart disease and 11 percent stroke,” the WHO says on its website. —AFP

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WHATʼS ON IN KUWAIT

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Ambassador of Belgium - Gilles Heyvaert, Mrs Berengere Heyvaert, Mahmoud Abdel Hadi and Jan Verdyun, General Manager ‘Safir’ Marina Hotel.

Safir Marina Banquet team.

‘Safir’ Marina Hotel Kuwait hosts Chaine des Rotisseurs Gala Dinner he “Safir” Marina Hotel recently hosted its fourth Chaine des Rotisseurs Gala Dinner at the elegant Atlantis Restaurant. The event was held in the presence of a number of VIP’s and dignitaries including the Belgium Ambassador - Gilles Heyvaert and several members of the Elite Business community in Kuwait.

This year the hotel adopted the Asian theme which gave the restaurant tranquility and a traditional welcoming ambience. The elegant seven course dinner especially prepared by Marina expe-

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rienced Asian chefs presented the guests with exotic culinary delights displayed in all eye catching details under the guidance of the Executive Chef Maher Assad.

Jan Verduyn, General Manager, “Safir” Marina Hotel Kuwait welcomed the Chaine members and the VIP guests to the hotel to an epicurean journey. The evening commenced with an authentic menu consisting of delicacies like Lumpia Semarang, Assorted Sushi, Garcinia Mangodtana, Nam Prik Kaeng, and Lankan Hopper from the var-

ious Asian countries including China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and served on a five star dining level to the international culinary experts and professionals who appreciate quality cuisines. The Asian theme was a prelude to the ‘Asian Nights’ that was recently launched as a part of The “Marine Night” at The Atlantis Restaurant.

The ambience was reflected through the impressive decor, aromatic flavors, lighting and attire of the staff. Soft tunes floated throughout the evening adding a magical touch to the event, leav-

Kenneth Hill, Samir Harmouche, Samer Harfouche, Ahmed Serafi, Mamdouh AbdelHadi, Moataz El-Rafie, Dr. Neemat Eid, Mrs Salwa Najia.

Ambassador of Belgium-Gilles Heyvaert, - Jan Verdyun, General Manager “Safir” Marina Hotel, Nabil Hammoud, Muhmood Muhmood, Rhoda Muhmood, Saib Nakasha and Mrs Nakasha.

Indian carnival

ndian Carnival-2010 - Hot Stepper, the entertainment wing of Creative Indians Association announces their forthcoming event “Indian Carnival2010” on April 9th, 2010 at the Kuwait Entertainment City Doha from 2 pm till 10 pm. The day will offer tons of free rides, games, discount stalls, mouth watering Indian food stalls,

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dance performances, music, and a whole lot more of entertainment The highlight of the carnival would be performances by Rahul Vaidya - The winner of the Jo Jeeta Who superstar and winning team member of the musical reality show - Music ka Maha Muqqabla, Toshi Sabri - The finalist at the Star Voice of India and singer/com-

ing the guests contended and satisfied. The event turned out to be a truly outstanding experience.

The “Safir” Marina Hotel with its impressive styles and notable service by the staff offered the Chaine des Rotisseurs of Kuwait with the best of the best.

The Chaine des Rotisseurs is an international gastronomic society dedicated to bringing together both professional and non-professional members worldwide, who appreciate and share a mutual interest in cuisine and fine dining.

Mohammed Najia - Hospitality Advisor (Chaine).

'Fantastic blend of theatre and music'

poser of movies like Dev D, Horn Ok please, Summer 2007, Veer, Jashnn, Kisan, Vada Raha etc and Sharib Sabri, the winning team member of the musical reality show -Music ka Maha Muqabla and singer/ music director of the movie Raaz 2, Jail, Veer etc.

The show will be graced by the Indian Ambassador Ajay Malhotra.

ansouriya Secondary School for Girls, Ministry of Education, Kuwait added another feather in their cap when the French Department staged the first theatrical presentation in the school theatre on the 7th of April. The show was presided over by the attache of the French Embassy, Monsieur Oliver Desez and the French General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education, Mrs Manal Abdul Aziz. The unique show was an outstanding integration of Music, theatre and a tour of

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the famous places of France. The audience was spell bound with the acting expertise of pupils, mesmerizing song rendering in French and presentation of a diverse ideas.

The theatrical show was conducted under the patronage of the Principal Mrs Sawsan Al- Shaiji. The show was entitled 'Bon Voyage' where a Kuwaiti couple, visiting Paris and during their tour, they see all the landmarks of France-Eiffel Tower, Les Champs Elysee, etc. The French General Inspectorate presented an appreciation

certificate to Ms. Sama Al- Jassar.

A word of appreciation also goes to the teachers of the Department Ms. Sama, Ms Heba and Ms Dalia. A word of gratitude and recognition also goes to the students of the school. There were a lot of distinguished invitees from the French Embassy and the Ministry of Education. The vice principal of the school, Ms Amal Halabi and a large number of teachers were also present to witness the show.

Keep up the good work teachers and students.

Vedi honoured with ‘Pride of Asia’ award

Premier Football Academy

hairman of the Indian Citizens Committee - Kuwait H S Vedi was conferred the prestigious ‘Pride of Asia Award’ instituted by the Citizens Integration Peace Society at a gala function held in Dubai on March 14 amidst a glitterati of top celebrities and political leaders from India.

Former Governor and Union Minister to the Government of India Dr Bhishma Narain Singh gave away the award to H S Vedi and said that his contribution in developing people to people contact between India and the Gulf has been great.

Dr Singh said it was people like Vedi and others who have become an example for others to emulate the principle of co existence and brotherhood. "I was highly impressed with his simplicity and achievement when I first met him New Delhi", he recalled.

The award was given at an international meet on Indo-Gulf Friendship and Economic Cooperation organised by the Society.

Vedi said he was impressed with the topic of the seminar Indo Gulf Friendship and Cooperation which was timely and must be focused at a greater length. "For those who live in Gulf and have made their country of

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he Premier Football Academy will continue its association with Everton F.C. under the new patronage of the British Ambassador to Kuwait, Frank Baker, with Director of Football Mike Finn, Director of Administration Baker Al Nazer and the same established coaching team. The PFA will remain the only official English Premier League Academy operating in Kuwait at present.

The next course commences

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Saturday 10th April at Hassan Abul Centre. 0900-1100 Saturday Coaching Course and 1100-1300 Centre of Excellence all age groups and will continue up to 15th May. The PFA Hilton course commences 11th April. A full and exciting programme of courses and events is already planned for the season 20102011, including tournaments, tours and visits from Everton Coaches who will continue to provide training and support to

the PFA. Coaches Mike, Rob, Liam and Roman are currently visiting Everton Academy in the UK with 32 players and will return on the 9th April. The PFA team looks forward with confidence to a bright and exciting future as the Academy continues to develop and grow and thanks you all for your continued support. For further details contact Baker on 66918666 or email premier_fa_kuwait@yahoo.com

stay, a home away from their home such interactions are necessary as it enables us to identify newer area of cooperation and friendship" he added.

He said "For more than 45 years that I have stayed in Kuwait

and have seen its growth and development from a very close angle, I must say every year of my stay in this beloved country has been memorable. We served them with dignity and pride and earned their love and respect, we assisted

in their development and they called us partner in progress, we extended our hand of friendship and they offered us comfort and love. At no stretch of my life had I ever felt that Kuwait is alien to me as I became a part of it."

fter staging a sell-out opera last November, the first for Kuwait, the Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al Bida’a in cooperation with Behbehani GMC and Aurora Vision Company will be staging 2 performances of Verdi’s immensely opera “La Traviata”.

La Traviata, one of Guiseppe Verdi’s best loved works, is an opera in three acts based on Alexandre Dumas’ La Dame aux Camelias and it means “The Women Who Strayed”. It was first performed at the Teatro La Fenice, Venice, in March 1853.

The performances will be held on the hotel breathtaking beach on April 20th and April 22nd and tickets are available at the hotel reception for 27.500 KD each including drinks and canapes.

“We were looking for new ideas for the hotel to be seen as creative and the best one was to hold an opera on the beach “ said Gary Moran, General Manager of Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al Bida’a Kuwait.

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Regency Hotel honors Kuwait’s football team

Birthday greetings

European Chamber Opera to perform ‘La Traviata’ at Movenpick Hotel

fter being qualified for AFC Asian cup 2011, The Regency Hotel was keen to celebrate this unique event by honoring Kuwait national football team’s global contributions in general and their Asian achievements in particular.

A celebration party was held at “Maha” Ballroom under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed AlFahed Al-Sabah the chairman of Kuwaiti’s Olympic Committee with the presence of many VIPs including Faisal Al Jazzaf the president of the Public Authority of youth & sport, Sheikha Freeha AlSabah, Adnan Al-Mutawa the Parliament Member, Ahmed Yousef Al-Sabah the Kuwait Football Association committee president & Kuwait National football team players (Current & previous teams).

A souvenir group photo gathered the elite guests with their host Renato Moreto General Manager Michael Poux the EAM of the Regency hotel sided by

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WHATʼS ON IN KUWAIT

Thursday, April 8, 2010

any happy returns of the day to Mohammad Nassar on his M first birthday. Best wishes come from his parents and relatives .

birthday to dear Waleed Adel. Best wishes from friends.

Happy

Wedding Anniversary

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Sales & PR team.

Moreto was delighted to welcome these most notable guests and wished Kuwait national football team all the best of luck at Doha tournament. At the mean

time the elite guests shown their satisfaction and appreciation to the Regency hotel authentic hospitality, luxurious facilities, and the amazing gala dinner at the superb ballroom & conference hall.

anniversary wishes to Saji & Bency! From Rincy & Vinu, Moncy, Kochumol, Mekha, Snekha & Shintomon.

Wedding

appy birthday to Fajur Saleh.

Best wishes come from friends & H well-wishers.

Bangladeshis celebrate Independence Day alalabad Social Welfare Association (Jalalabad Association), Kuwait chapter organized a splendid event to mark the Independence Day of Bangladesh and to celebrate the 7th installation of their organization at Ramada al-Kuwait Hotel on 27th March. The journal of the organization Jalalabad Darpan was also issued on this occasion.

Md. Abdus Shahid of Bangladesh National Parliament was the chief guest at the ceremony.

He specially came from Bangladesh to attend the ceremony. Shabudddin (MP), Sarwar Hussain President Awami League Canada, and Advocate Amolendu Singha also accompanied the Chief Whip.

The Ambassador of Bangladesh Syed Shahed Reza was the special guest of the occasion.

Community members presented flowers to the distinguish guest. Shield of Honor were also presented by the community to Chief Whip and MP Shab uddin and to the ambassador.

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Jafar-uz-zaman Lal acting president of Awami League Kuwait, Isimail Hussain Secretary of JP Kuwait, Sheikh Akramuzaman secretary of Bangabandhu Porishod Kuwait, Abdul Khaliq Chowdhury, Muna Ahmad Jagirdar, Jalal uddin Khan Babul Abdul Muheet Nazmul, Mulana Qamar uddin Jalalabadi, Haroonur Rashid Secretary and Nazrul Islam President Jubo League Kuwait were also among the honorable guest.

The occasion began with the recitation of Holy Quran. After the National Anthem, one minute silence was observed for the Freedom Martyr and to tribute the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation. A cake was also cut by the chief guest and special guest on this occasion.

Convener Mayed Ali Mahboob and Dr. Jamal uddin gave the welcome speeches. Moinul Islam General Secretary of the organization, put light on

the achievement and objectives of the organization.

The honorable chief whip said in his speech that Kuwait is an all time friend of Bangladesh, and Father of the Nation was the best friend of the ruling family of Kuwait. He also said that the recent visit of honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hassina has strengthened the relation of the two countries, he also said that the large number of Bangladeshi expatriates living in Kuwait and other countries are contributing in the development of Bangladesh economy and their hard earn remittance are the most important source of foreign currency of the country.

The Ambassador of Bangladesh said in his speech that the Bangladeshi community should obey the rules and regulation of Kuwait and this will bring good repute to the country and the community. He also emphasize that community member should cooperate with each other and forget all

the differences for the betterment of the country as well as the community.

The president of the Jalalabad Association, A. Mumin Chowdhury, thanked all the guests, for attending the function and making it a memorable moment. He also pledged on behalf of the community that they will abide by the rules of Kuwait, and that he will continue his efforts for the improvement of the community in Kuwait, as well as his social activities in Bangladesh.

On behalf of community members, chief guest presented a Shield of Recognition to A. Mumin Chowdhury to appreciate his social activities in Bangladesh and Kuwait. Another Shield of Recognition was presented to Akhlaquz Zaman Munna on his social activities by MP Shab uddin.

The occasion was attended by the Embassy of Bangladesh in conjunction with large number of community from different organization and cultural

group, i.e., Biman Bangladesh Airline, UNICOM, Bangladesh Awami League, BNP, Jatioa Party, Jubo League, Mukti Juddo Shanghati Pureshod, Scha Sabok League, Sromik League, Bangabandhu Pureshod, Bangabandhu Shwanik League, Shamol Sylhet, Comilla District Somity, Barisal Division Welfare Somity, Chittagong Somity, Shanbag Somity, Sandeep Somity, Mangers Association, Jalalia Cultural Group, Sabug Bangla Cultural Group, Chaitali Cultural Group, Boishaki cultural group, Bangabandhu Shanskritek Jute, Ankur cultural group, Rongdanu Cultural Group, Moromi Cultural group, reporter from BBC Kuwait local reporters, Bangladesh Journalist Association, Ajkar Surjadoy, Khabar Group of Publication, monthly Morulakha, Bangladesh United Media Group, Probash Bangla etc., dignitaries of businessmen, politicians, engineers, doctors, and other community members.

TV PROGRAMS

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Orbit / Showtime Listings

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

ER Dawson’s Creek Life One Tree Hill Dawson’s Creek Burn Notice CSI ER Lie to Me Law & Order Life One Tree Hill CSI Burn Notice Life Dawson’s Creek Lie to Me Law & Order Big Love CSI Without a Trace Ghost Whisperer Sons of Anarchy The Janice Dickinson

00:45 Animal Cops Phoenix 01:40 Untamed & Uncut 02:35 Polar Bears: Living on Thin Ice 03:30 Animal Cops Houston 04:25 Miami Animal Police 05:20 Going Ape 05:45 Animal Battlegrounds 06:10 E-Vets: The Interns 06:35 RSPCA: On the Frontline 07:00 Wildlife SOS 07:25 Pet Rescue 07:50 Crime Scene Wild 08:45 Austin Stevens: Most Dangerous...

09:40 Britain’s Worst Pet 10:05 All New Planet’s Funniest Animals 10:55 Going Ape 11:20 RSPCA: On the Frontline 11:50 Miami Animal Police 12:45 E-Vets: The Interns 13:10 Pet Rescue 13:40 Animal Cops Houston 14:35 Wildlife SOS 15:00 RSPCA: On the Frontline 15:30 Crime Scene Wild 16:25 All New Planet’s Funniest Animals 16:50 All New Planet’s Funniest Animals 17:20 Britain’s Worst Pet 17:45 Animal Battlegrounds 18:15 Living with the Wolfman 19:10 Planet Earth 20:10 Animal Cops Phoenix 21:05 Untamed & Uncut 22:00 Living with the Wolfman 22:25 Living with the Wolfman 22:55 Animal Cops Houston 23:50 Planet Earth

00:30 01:20 01:50 02:50 04:30 05:30 06:20 06:45 07:05 07:25 07:50 08:10 08:30 08:55 09:15 09:40 10:25 11:15 12:15 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:45 15:15 16:15 17:00 17:30 18:00 20:00 20:45 21:15 21:45 22:15 22:45 23:15 23:45

14:30 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody 15:00 American Dragon 15:30 Kid vs Kat 16:00 Phineas & Ferb 16:30 I’M IN THE BAND 17:00 Suite Life On Deck 17:30 Aaron Stone 18:00 Iron Man: Armoured Adventures 18:25 Kid vs Kat 18:50 NEXT X EUROPE 19:00 Zeke & Luther 19:30 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody 20:00 American Dragon 20:30 I’M IN THE BAND 21:00 Phil Of The Future 21:25 Iron Man: Armoured Adventures 21:50 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody 22:15 Aaron Stone

Days That Shook The World Red Dwarf Jane Hall’s Big Bad Bus Ride Casualty Days That Shook The World Bargain Hunt Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Bargain Hunt Days That Shook The World Red Dwarf The Weakest Link Eastenders Doctors Bargain Hunt Cash In The Attic Red Dwarf The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Casualty The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Hyperdrive Extras The Keith Barret Show The League Of Gentlemen The League Of Gentlemen

00:20 Come Dine With Me 00:45 Come Dine With Me 01:15 Glamour Puds 02:00 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 02:40 The Clothes Show 03:25 Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes 04:15 Daily Cooks Challenge 04:45 Cash In The Attic USA 05:05 Hidden Potential 05:30 The Clothes Show 06:10 Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes 07:05 Daily Cooks Challenge 07:30 Daily Cooks Challenge 08:05 Saturday Kitchen 08:35 Bargain Hunt 09:20 Antiques Roadshow 10:10 Antiques Roadshow 11:00 Cash In The Attic USA 11:25 Hidden Potential

00:15 Streets Of Hollywood 00:40 E!es 01:30 Extreme Hollywood 02:20 Sexiest 03:15 15 Most Shocking Acts Of Violence 05:05 Dr 90210 06:00 Ths 07:45 Style Star 08:35 E! News 09:00 The Daily 10 09:25 Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami 09:50 Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami 10:15 Ths 11:05 Ths 12:00 E! News 12:25 The Daily 10 12:50 Kendra 13:40 15 Remarkable Celebrity Body Bouncebacks 15:25 Behind The Scenes 16:15 E!es 17:10 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 18:00 E! News 18:25 The Daily 10 18:50 Streets Of Hollywood 19:15 Battle Of The Hollywood Hotties 19:40 E!es 20:30 Ths 21:20 E!es 21:45 Pretty Wild 22:10 E! News 22:35 The Daily 10

American Violet on Super Movies 11:50 Come Dine With Me 12:15 Come Dine With Me 12:40 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 13:25 The Clothes Show 14:10 Bargain Hunt 14:55 Bargain Hunt 15:40 Antiques Roadshow 16:30 Cash In The Attic USA 16:55 Hidden Potential 17:20 Come Dine With Me 18:10 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 18:55 Antiques Roadshow 19:45 Daily Cooks Challenge 20:15 Come Dine With Me 20:40 MasterChef Goes Large 21:10 Come Dine With Me 21:35 Come Dine With Me 22:00 The Home Show 23:40 Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:15 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:15 17:00 19:00 21:00 22:45

Stray Dogs-PG15 De-Lovely-PG15 Land Of Plenty-PG15 CJ7-PG Hardball-PG15 The Truman Show-PG15 The Apostle-PG15 Jump Tomorrow-PG15 Grace Is Gone-PG15 Ceux Qui Restent-PG15 People I Know-18 The Dying Gaul-PG15

00:00 00:30 01:00 02:00 02:55 03:50 04:45 05:40 06:05 07:00 07:30 07:55 08:20 09:15 10:10 11:05 12:00 12:30 12:55 13:20 14:15 15:10 16:05 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00

Border Security Destroyed in Seconds Miami Ink Street Customs 2008 Wheeler Dealers Mean Machines Mythbusters How Stuff’s Made Dirty Jobs Mean Machines Mean Machines Ultimate Biker Challenge Street Customs 2008 Mythbusters Ultimate Survival Wheeler Dealers Border Security How it’s Made How Stuff’s Made American Chopper Miami Ink Mythbusters Dirty Jobs Verminators Border Security Street Customs 2008 Destroyed in Seconds How it’s Made How Stuff’s Made Heartland Thunder Half Ton Teen The Man with Half a Body

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:50 04:45 05:10 05:40 06:10 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:55 10:20 10:50 11:45 12:10 12:40

Engineered Space Pioneer What’s That About?

Beyond Tomorrow Cosmic Collisions How Stuff’s Made Green Wheels One Step Beyond Engineered Junkyard Mega-Wars Race to Mars What’s That About?

How Stuff’s Made Stunt Junkies Engineered Green Wheels One Step Beyond Race to Mars

13:35 What’s That About?

14:30 Human Body: Ultimate Machine 15:25 How Stuff’s Made 15:55 Junkyard Mega-Wars 16:50 Brainiac 17:45 Mega World 18:40 Science of the Movies 19:30 Brainiac 20:20 How It’s Made 20:45 How It’s Made 21:10 Mythbusters 22:00 Science of the Movies 22:50 Brainiac 23:40 Mega World

00:00 00:20 00:45 01:10 01:35 02:00 02:25 02:45 03:10 03:35 04:00 04:25 04:45 05:10 05:35 06:00 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:20 07:45 08:10 08:35 09:00 09:25 09:45 10:10 10:30 10:55 11:20 11:45 12:10 12:35 12:55 13:20 13:40 14:05 14:30 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:25 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:00 18:25 18:45 19:00 19:25 19:50 20:15 20:35 21:00 21:25 21:45

Hannah Montana Handy Manny Lazytown Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Imagination Movers Special Agent Oso Suite Life On Deck Replacements American Dragon Kim Possible Famous Five Fairly Odd Parents Phineas & Ferb Fairly Odd Parents Suite Life On Deck Higglytown Heroes Handy Manny Lazytown Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Imagination Movers Special Agent Oso Fairly Odd Parents Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Sonny With A Chance Jonas Hannah Montana Brandy & Mr Whiskers Fairly Odd Parents Hannah Montana I Got A Rocket 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 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 Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Replacements

06:00 American Dragon 06:25 Power Rangers Jungle Fury 06:50 Kid vs Kat 07:15 Phineas & Ferb 07:40 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody 08:05 American Dragon 08:30 Pokemon DP: Battle Dimension 09:00 Phineas & Ferb 09:30 Zeke & Luther 10:00 Phil Of The Future 10:30 Suite Life On Deck 11:00 Kid vs Kat 11:30 Power Rangers Jungle Fury 12:00 Aaron Stone 12:25 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody 12:50 Pokemon DP: Battle Dimension 13:20 NEXT X EUROPE 13:30 Phineas & Ferb 14:00 Zeke & Luther

00:00 00:00 01:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 05:00 06:00 06:00 07:00 07:00 08:00 08:00 09:00 09:00 10:00 10:00 11:00 11:00 12:00 12:40 13:00 14:00 14:20 15:00 16:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:05 04:00 04:55 05:20 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:50 13:40 14:30 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:30 20:20 21:10

01:20 02:40 04:10 05:50

Food Network Challenge Great British Menu Grill It! with Bobby Flay Iron Chef America Grill It! with Bobby Flay Barefoot Contessa Iron Chef America Barefoot Contessa Chopped Nigella Express Everyday Italian Nigella Express Great British Menu Iron Chef America Giada At Home Iron Chef America Chopped Nigella Express Kitchen Criminals Nigella Express Barefoot Contessa Best Thing I Ever Ate Food Network Challenge Barefoot Contessa Iron Chef America Teleshopping Kitchen Criminals Teleshopping Grill It! with Bobby Flay Teleshopping Teleshopping Barefoot Contessa Teleshopping

A Haunting FBI Files Murder Shift Serial Killers Forensic Detectives Real Emergency Calls Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghosthunters Ghosthunters Forensic Detectives FBI Files Royal Inquest Solved Forensic Detectives FBI Files The Prosecutors Guilty Or Innocent?

CSU Forensic Detectives FBI Files Royal Inquest Solved Forensic Detectives FBI Files The Prosecutors Guilty Or Innocent?

CSU

Made In Usa The Setup The Pope Must Die Sonny Boy

07:30 09:30 11:05 12:35 14:25 16:10 19:00 22:00 23:40

Topkapi A Green Journey The Heavenly Kid Popi Hennessy Little Dorrit Part 1 Little Dorrit Part 2 A Small Town In Texas Great Balls Of Fire

00:00 Chasing Time 00:30 Lonely Planet 01:30 Jailed Abroad 03:30 Bondi Rescue 04:00 Destination Extreme 04:30 Surfer’s Journal 05:00 Treks In A Wild World 05:30 Madventures 06:00 Chasing Time 06:30 Lonely Planet 07:30 Jailed Abroad 09:30 Bondi Rescue 10:00 Destination Extreme 10:30 Surfer’s Journal 11:00 Treks In A Wild World 11:30 Madventures 12:00 Chasing Time 12:30 Lonely Planet 13:30 Bondi Rescue 14:30 Wild Rides 15:00 First Ascent 15:30 Bondi Rescue 16:00 Cycling Home With Rob Lilwall 16:30 Surfer’s Journal 17:00 Treks In A Wild World 17:30 Madventures 18:00 Chasing Time 18:30 Lonely Planet 19:30 Bondi Rescue 20:30 Wild Rides 21:00 First Ascent 21:30 Bondi Rescue 22:00 Cycling Home With Rob Lilwall 22:30 Surfer’s Journal

00:00 Community 00:30 10 Things I Hate About You 01:00 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 01:30 The Colbert Report 02:00 Late night with Jimmy Fallon 03:00 Reno 911 03:30 Weeds 04:00 Sauturday Night Live 05:00 Community 05:30 Late night with Jimmy Fallon 06:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 07:00 Just Shoot me!

07:30 Malcolm in the Middle 08:00 Frasier 08:30 Tyler Perry’s House of Payne 09:00 The Nanny 09:30 Drew Carey 10:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:30 Just Shoot me!

11:00 Frasier 11:30 Eight Simple Rules 12:00 The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson 13:00 10 Things I Hate About You 13:30 Tyler Perry’s House of Payne 14:00 The Nanny 14:30 Malcolm in the Middle 15:00 Community 15:30 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Drew Carey 17:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 17:30 Frasier 18:00 Eight Simple Rules 18:30 Just Shoot me!

19:00 Modern Family 19:30 New adventures of old Christine 20:00 Late night with Jimmy Fallon 21:00 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report

00:00 01:00 01:30 02:00 03:00 04:00 Leno 05:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 Leno 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 Leno

00:00 02:00 04:00 05:45 08:00 10:00

The Martha Stewart Show 10 Years younger Look A Like The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Monique Show The Tonight Show with Jay GMA (repeat) GMA Health What’s the Buzz The Martha Stewart Show Look A Like 10 Years Younger Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The View The Ellen DeGeneres Show What’s Good For You GMA Live GMA Health What’s the Buzz The Tonight show with Jay Look A Like 10 Years younger The View The Ellen DeGeneres Show Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The Tonight Show with Jay

The Love Guru-18 Lars And The Real Girl-PG15 Genova-PG15 Speed Racer-PG Definitely Maybe-PG15 Uncross The Stars-PG

12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Ocean’s Thirteen-PG15 Red Riding 1974-PG15 Definitely Maybe-PG15 Paul Blart Mall Cop-PG15 Semi-Pro-PG15 The Wrestler-18

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 18 21:00 23:00

On The Doll-18 The Building -PG15 Prisoner-PG Twins Effect 2-PG15 Dragon Heart-PG Capers-PG15 Shifty-PG15 Dragon Heart-PG Shadows In Paradise-PG15 Jack Brooks: Monster SlayerAwake-18 The Mist-PG15

00:00 The Go-Getter-PG15 02:00 Fever Pitch-PG15 04:00 Mchale’s Navy-PG15 06:00 Fifty Pills-PG15 08:00 First Sunday-PG15 10:00 The Broken Hearts Club-PG 12:00 Rat-PG 14:00 Ghostbusters II-PG 16:00 The Go-Getter-PG15 18:00 Jason Byrne Live At Vicar Street Theatre-PG15 20:00 The Good Life-PG15 22:00 Bachelor Party 2-18

00:00 Barbie As The Princess And The Pauper-FAM 02:00 Space Buddies-PG 04:00 Just For Kicks-PG 06:00 Labou-FAM 08:00 Peter Cotton Tail - The MovieFAM 10:00 Just For Kicks-PG 12:00 Simba Junior To The World Cup-FAM 14:00 Space Buddies-PG 16:00 Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home-FAM 18:00 Bolt-FAM 20:00 Superman: Doomsday-FAM 22:00 Simba Junior To The World Cup-FAM

00:00 01:00 02:00 02:30 03:00 04:00 04:30 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30

Grey’s Anatomy Private Practice Sex and the City Sex and the City Survivor : Samoa Every Body Loves Raymond Coach 24 Emmerdale Coronation Street Criminal Minds Every Body Loves Raymond Coach Survivor : Samoa 24 Criminal Minds Emmerdale Coronation Street Every Body Loves Raymond Coach Grey’s Anatomy Private Practice 24 Beauty and the Geek Emmerdale Huey’s Cooking Adventure Bones Dollhouse Cold Case Life on Mars Sex and the City Sex and the City

Highlights 12:00 Premier League World 12:30 AFL Highlights 13:30 Barclays Premier League Highlights 14:30 ICC Cricket World 15:00 FEI Equestrain World 15:30 Futbol Mundial 16:00 Guinness Premiership 18:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 18:30 Goals Goals Goals 19:00 AFL Highlights 20:00 World Sport 20:30 Premier League World 21:00 Live Premier League Darts

00:00 NRL Premiership 02:00 Futbol Mundial 02:30 NRL Premiership 04:30 AFL Premiership Highlights 05:30 FEI Equestrain World 06:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 06:30 ICC Cricket World 07:00 Super 14 09:00 Goals Goals Goals 09:30 European Tour Weekly 10:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 11:00 Super League 13:00 Futbol Mundial 13:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 14:00 NRL Premiership 16:00 Brazil League Highlights 16:30 ICC Cricket World 17:00 European Tour Weekly 17:30 Super League 19:30 ICC Cricket World 20:00 WWE NXT 21:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 21:30 Guinness Premiership 23:30 World Sport

01:00 White Lightnin’-PG15 03:00 In Bruges-18 05:00 The Memsahib-PG15 07:00 American Violet-PG15 09:00 Grey Gardens-PG15 11:00 Quantum Of Solace-PG15 13:00 Four Extraordinary WomenPG15 15:00 A Shine Of Rainbows-PG15 17:00 Grey Gardens-PG15 19:00 Music And Lyrics-PG 21:00 The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor-PG 23:00 Charlie Wilson’s War-18

01:30 Never So Few 03:30 The Screening Room 04:00 The Comedians 06:30 The Screening Room 07:00 A Patch Of Blue 08:45 Hotel Paradiso 10:20 The Prize 12:30 Ice Station Zebra 14:50 Living Free 16:20 The Year Of Living Dangerously 18:15 Little Women 20:15 Butterfield 8 22:00 Zebrahead 23:40 They Call Me Mister Tibbs!

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:55 05:40

Lost Worlds Dead Men’s Secrets Conspiracy?

Nostradamus Effect Angels & Demons Decoded Rome: Rise and Fall of an

Empire 06:30 Lost Worlds 07:20 Dead Men’s Secrets 08:10 Conspiracy?

09:00 Nostradamus Effect 09:55 Angels & Demons Decoded 11:40 Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire 12:30 Lost Worlds 13:20 Dead Men’s Secrets 14:10 Conspiracy?

15:00 Nostradamus Effect 15:55 Angels & Demons Decoded 17:40 Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire 18:30 Lost Worlds 19:20 Dead Men’s Secrets 20:10 Conspiracy?

21:00 Life After People 21:55 Evolve 22:50 Dinosaur Secrets 23:40 How the Earth Was Made

00:00 01:00 01:30 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 05:30 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00

Dr 90210 Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Dallas Divas & Daughters How Do I Look?

Split Ends Dr 90210 Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Area How Do I Look?

Style Star Style Her Famous My Celebrity Home Style Star Dress My Nest Peter Perfect Whose Wedding Is it Anyway?

Ruby Giuliana & Bill Clean House Clean House Comes Clean Dress My Nest What I Hate About Me What I Hate About Me Split Ends Dallas Divas & Daughters The Dish Running in Heels Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Split Ends Clean House Dress My Nest Style Her Famous Clean House Ruby

00:00 Globe Trekker 01:00 Angry Planet 01:30 The Thirsty Traveler 02:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 03:00 Planet Food 04:00 Intrepid Journeys 05:00 Globe Trekker 06:00 Great Scenic Railways - 175 Years 06:30 Travel Today 07:00 The Thirsty Traveler 07:30 Angry Planet 08:00 Globe Trekker 09:00 Essential 09:30 Dream Destinations 10:00 Distant Shores 11:00 Chef Abroad 11:30 Entrada 12:00 Planet Food 13:00 Globe Trekker 14:00 Chef Abroad 14:30 The Thirsty Traveler 15:00 Sophie Grigson in the Souk 15:30 Entrada 16:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 17:00 Globe Trekker 18:00 Essential

00:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 00:30 Premier League 02:30 Premier League Review Show 04:00 Premier League 06:00 Portugol 06:30 Brazil League Highlights 07:00 Premier League 09:00 Premier League Classics 10:00 Premier League 14:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 14:30 Brazil League Highlights 15:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 17:30 Futbol Mundial 18:00 Barclays Premier League Highlights 19:00 Premier League 21:00 Premier League World 21:30 Futbol Mundial 22:00 Goals Goals Goals 22:30 Premier League Classics 23:30 Premier League

00:00 00:30 01:00 02:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 10:30 11:00

European Tour Weekly Premier League World Goals On Monday Premier League Darts AFL Highlights Mobil 1 The Grid NRL Premiership Futbol Mundial European PGA Tour

The Wrestler on Show Movies

Star Listings (UAE Timings) STAR Movies 20:10 Deadly Game 21:45 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Iii 23:20 Eleventh Hour 00:55 Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief 02:25 Deadly Game 04:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Iii 05:35 Eleventh Hour 07:10 I Think I Love My Wife 08:35 New York, New York 11:15 Deadly Game 12:45 Bye Bye Love 14:30 Halloween: Resurrection 16:00 The Darjeeling Limited 17:30 Predator 19:15 Predator 2 STAR World 20:00 EAST WEST 20:50 Charlie’s Angels 21:00 Cops S19 21:25 Cops S19 21:50 Who’s The Boss?

22:00 Grey’s Anatomy 23:00 [V] Tunes 00:00 [V] Tunes 01:00 [V] Tunes 02:00 7th Heaven 03:00 Scrubs 03:30 The King Of Queens

04:00 05:00 06:00 06:50 07:00 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 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00

Boston Legal American Idol Grey’s Anatomy Charlie’s Angels American Idol EAST WEST Jackie Chan Adventures The King Of Queens The Bold And The Beautiful 7th Heaven Charlie’s Angels Grey’s Anatomy Who’s The Boss?

[V] Tunes American Idol Scrubs The King Of Queens Boston Legal Samantha Who? Rules Of Engagement Desperate Housewives Private Practice Asia Uncut

Granada TV 20:00 Parkinson (Series 7) 21:00 New Homes From Hell 2 22:00 Emmerdale 22:30 Coronation Street 23:00 New Homes Frome Hell 2

00:00 01:00 02:00 Bill) 04:00 05:00 05:30 06:00 07:00 08:00 Bill) 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 Bill) 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 Bill)

The Springer Show Come Dine With Me (Primetime Series 2) Action Thursday: The Vice (Series 2) (Double The Inside Guide To (Series 3) Emmerdale Coronation Street The Springer Show Come Dine With Me (Primetime Series 2) Action Thursday: The Vice (Series 2) (Double The Inside Guide To (Series 3) Emmerdale Coronation Street Ballroom Bootcamp Action Thursday: The Vice (Series 2) (Double The Jeremy Kyle Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Ballroom Bootcamp Action Thursday: The Vice (Series 2) (Double

Channel [V] 21:00 Keys To The VIP Double Bill 22:00 [V] Tunes 22:30 [V] Tunes 23:00 Backtracks 23:30 Double Shot

00:00 00:30 01:00 01:30 02:00 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30

Loop [V] Tunes [V] Plug Loop Backtracks XO [V] Tunes [V] Plug The Playlist Keys To The VIP Double Bill [V] Tunes [V] Tunes Backtracks Double Shot Loop [V] Tunes [V] Plug Loop Backtracks XO [V] Tunes [V] Plug The Playlist Videoscope [V] Tunes [V] Tunes Backtracks Double Shot Loop [V] Tunes

17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30

[V] Plug Loop Backtracks XO [V] Tunes [V] Plug The Playlist

Fox News 00:00 Happening Now 01:00 The Live Desk 03:00 Studio B with Shepard Smith Live 04:00 Your World with Neil Cavuto 05:00 Glenn Beck with Glenn Beck 06:00 Special Report with Bret Baier 07:00 The FOX Report with Shepard Smith 08:00 The O’Reilly Factor 09:00 Hannity 10:00 On the Record with Greta Van Susteren 11:00 The O’Reilly Factor 12:00 Hannity 13:00 On the Record with Greta Van Susteren 14:00 Glenn Beck with Glenn Beck 15:00 Fox Report 16:00 Special Report with Bret Baier 17:00 The O’Reilly Factor 18:00 FOX & Friends First Live 19:00 FOX & Friends Live 21:00 America’s Newsroom 22:00 America’s Newsroom

23:00 Happening Now National Geographic Channel 20:00 Don’t Tell My Mother... -Don’t Tell My Mother : That I Am In Congo S1-3 21:00 Wild Wednesday -Monkey Thieves : Divided We Stand 14 21:30 Wild Wednesday -Monkey Thieves : Hard Times 15 22:00 Wild Wednesday -Shark Men : First Bite 23:00 Theme Week -Secrets of The Cross : Who Killed Jesus?

00:00 Seconds From Disaster -The Hindenburg S213 01:00 ABOUT ASIA -Secrets Of The Tang Treasure Ship 02:00 Interpol Investigates -Deadly Traffic 03:00 Monster Fish -Giant Stingray 04:00 Hunter Hunted -Isle Of The Cougar 05:00 ABOUT ASIA -Secrets Of The Tang Treasure Ship 06:00 Perilous Journeys -Into The Lost Jungle 4 07:00 The Living Edens -Tasmania: Land Of The Devils 08:00 Interpol Investigates -Deadly Traffic 09:00 Monkey Thieves -Return Of The Rebel 8 09:30 Hayden Turner’s Wildlife Chall -Garter Snakes 5 10:00 Theme Week -Secrets of The Cross : Secrets of The Jesus Tomb

Thursday, April 8, 2010

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ACCOMMODATION Single room accommodation available for bachelor (1 or 2) in Abbassiya opposite to Choice restaurant from 01.05.2010. Tel: 60630829.

(C 2105) One room available for Indian couple or 2 bachelors located at the back of Wataniya building, Sharq.

Contact: 66526098, 22494826. (C 2101) Sharing accommodation available for Muslim small family or couple in furnished flat with all facilities from May 2010. Interested please call 66212821.

(C 2106) 8-4-2010 Sharing accommodation one room available in Sharq CAC, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms flat beach side need small Indian family or two working ladies or one executive bachelor sharing with Keralite family. Rent KD 100. Call: 99849490.

(C 2097) Accommodation available for a single person with a decent Hindu bachelor in good location in Hawally.

Convenient to all bus routes from 1st May 2010. Contact: 99821445. (C 2098) Sharing accommodation available for one bachelor to share with Goan family in two bedroom flat at Abbassiya near Unique store no. 2, opposite to Uduppi palace hotel from April 2010, kitchen facility is also available. Contact: 66110593 or 24313908.

(C 2100) Sharing accommodation available in mulhaq room close to Khaitan Jamiya and bus stop with a Mangalorean Catholic bachelor (kitchen and bathroom attached). Rent KD 25. Call 66036893. (C 2089) 7-4-2010 Sharing accommodation available for Indian working ladies or couples in a double bedroom flat near Khaitan police station roundabout with all facilities. Call 99480468.

(C 2091) Sharing accommodation for two Christian bachelors with food to share with a Goan family in Abbassiya. Tel: 66269035. (C 2092) A furnished room is avail-

able with Keralite family in Abbassiya, looking for ladies or couples. Contact: 55687453. (C 2093) 6-4-2010 Sharing accommodation available behind Caesars bakery, Abbassiya. Only Keralites, decent bachelors.

One room and separate bathroom. Call: 99153497.

(C 2087) 5-4-2010

FOR SALE Toyota Corolla XLi 1.8, model 2004, silver color, excellent condition, done 82,000 kms only, cash price KD 2,100.

Contact: 97213518. (C 2103) Vintage 35mm folding Kodak camera, made in Germany, it was produced between 1950-1957, excellent condition, and price for Vintage collector. Serious buyers call 66554052 (9 am to 9 pm). (C 2102) 8-4-2010 Honda Accord Coupe (single door), full options, sunroof, 130,000 mileage, 1999 model, black color. Price KD

1,200. Call: 55522942.

(C 2096) 7-4-2010

MATRIMONIAL Orthodox parents settled in Cochin invite proposals for their son, 27/180, MBA, working with a financial firm in Kuwait, from parents of God-fearing professionally qualified girls preferably working in Kuwait. Please respond: pro.vaidyan@gmail.com (C 2094) 8-4-2010 Seeking alliance for Muslim girl, 27/148, MBA (Mar & Fin) CFA level 1 candidate.

Prof qualified (M.Tech/MBA) grooms settled Kuwait or abroad are invited. Contact email: abdulksahib@hotmail.com (C 2095) 7-4-2010 Proposal invited for LC graduate boy from Cochin working in shipping co. in Kuwait (fair, 27 & 172 cms) from parents of graduate Keralite girls. Contact: samstanes@gmail.com (C 2086) 5-4-2010

SITUATION WANTED Indian female (MBA in HR), 10 years experience in HR/Administration, specializing in recruitments, PMS, MIS reports & overall Admin functions. Proficient in MS Office. Good communication skills. Please contact: 66634322. (C 2084) I am searching a suitable job as sales executive. I have valid Kuwaiti driving license, my qualification is MBA (Marketing). I have good PR skills. I can join within a week. Please call: 55355954. (C 2085)

99305742, 55568346.

(C 2104) 8-4-2010

SITUATION VACANT

Required English speaking maid. Please contact: 99824597. (C 2099) 7-4-2010 English speaking maid for

a family living in Mangaf.

Preferably Indian. If interested, please contact 60055305 or 23741548

CHANGE OF NAME Sivakumar Krishnamoorthy, Passport No: F9732440, new name K Abdurrahman.

(C 2090) 6-4-2010

No: 14692

Indian male graduate BSc 30+ years experience mainly in purchasing dept (import) in Kuwait with furniture Mfr/Trd cos. Seeking suitable position in Kuwait.

Contact: 66461406.

(C 2088) 5-4-2010

TRANSPORT Transport available from Abbassiya to Salmiya, Hawally, Shaab, Al-Seef hospital (Ras Salmiya), Maidan Hawally, Farwaniya, Mina Abdullah.

Tel: 99262556, 55204127,

Flight Schedule Arrival Flights on Thursday 08/04/2010 Airlines Flt Route Royal Jordanian 802 Amman Bangladesh 045 Dhaka/Bahrain Wataniya Airways 188 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 306 Cairo Gulf Air 211 Bahrain Turkish A/L 772 Istanbul Jazeera 435 Mashad Ethiopian 620 Addis Ababa Jazeera 513 Sharm El Sheikh DHL 370 Bahrain Emirates 853 Dubai Etihaid 305 Abu Dhabi Qatari 138 Doha Kuwait 802 Cairo Jazeera 503 Luxor Falcon 201 Dubai Jazeera 637 Aleppo Jazeera 527 Alexandria Jazeera 529 Assiut Kuwait 412 Manila/Bangkok British 157 London Kuwait 204 Lahore Iran Air 605 Isfahan Kuwait 302 Mumbai Kuwait 332 Trivandrum Fly Dubai 053 Dubai Kuwait 676 Dubai Kuwait 284 Dhaka Kuwait 362 Colombo Emirates 855 Dubai Arabia 121 Sharjah Qatari 132 Doha Etihad 301 Abu Dhabi Jazeera 425 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 182 Bahrain Gulf Air 213 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 102 Dubai Jazeera 165 Dubai Jazeera 447 Doha Jazeera 113 Abu Dhabi Syrian Arab A/L 341 Damascus Jazeera 171 Dubai Egypt Air 610 Cairo Jazeera 457 Damascus Kuwait 672 Dubai Kuwait 772 Riyadh Wataniya Airways 432 Damascus United A/L 982 Washington Dc Dulles Royal Jordanian 800 Amman Egypt Air 621 Assiut Wataniya Airways 422 Amman Jazeera 257 Beirut Saudi Arabian A/L 500 Jeddah Kuwait 552 Damascus Nas Air 745 Jeddah Qatari 134 Doha Kuwait 546 Alexandria

Time 00:05 00:05 00:30 00:50 01:05 01:15 01:30 01:45 01:45 02:15 02:25 02:55 03:25 04:45 05:15 05:25 05:45 06:05 06:10 06:15 06:30 07:10 07:45 07:50 07:55 07:55 08:00 08:10 08:20 08:25 08:40 09:00 09:25 10:25 10:45 10:45 11:05 11:05 11:10 11:20 12:05 12:50 12:55 13:10 13:15 13:20 13:25 13:35 13:35 13:40 14:10 14:10 14:30 14:35 14:55 15:05 15:30

Kuwait Jazeera Kuwait Mihin Lanka Etihad Emirates Gulf Air Wataniya Airways Saudi Arabian A/L Jazeera Kuwait Jazeera Jazeera Arabia Iran Air Jazeera Srilankan Kuwait Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Jazeera Jazeera Kuwait Bahrain Air Kuwait Singapore A/L Jazeera Rovos Fly Dubai Oman Air Middle East Jet A/W Egypt Air KLM Wataniya Airways Jazeera DHL Gulf Air Emirates Qatari Kuwait Indian Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera Lufthansa Kuwait Egypt Air Bangladesh Jazeera India Express Pakistan Wataniya Airways

678 173 118 403 303 857 215 402 510 493 562 525 239 125 617 343 227 104 304 106 502 542 618 202 786 674 177 459 614 344 774 458 433 093 061 647 402 572 618 0445 404 183 372 217 859 136 178 981 429 117 449 636 1782 612 043 185 389 205 108

Muscat/Abu Dhabi Dubai New York Colombo/Dubai Abu Dhabi Dubai Bahrain Beirut Riyadh Jeddah Amman Alexandria Amman Sharjah Ahwaz Sanaa/Bahrain Colombo/Dubai London Cairo Dubai Beirut Cairo Doha Jeddah Jeddah Dubai Dubai Damascus Bahrain Bahrain Riyadh Singapore/Abu Dhabi Mashad Kandahar/Dubai Dubai Muscat Beirut Mumbai Alexandria Amsterdam Beirut Dubai Bahrain Bahrain Dubai Doha Geneva/Frankfurt Chennai/Ahmedabad Bahrain Abu Dhabi Doha Frankfurt Jeddah Cairo Dhaka Dubai Kozhikode/Mangalore Lahore Dubai

15:35 15:55 16:15 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:15 17:20 17:25 17:30 17:35 17:35 17:40 17:40 17:55 18:00 18:35 18:35 18:45 18:50 18:50 18:55 18:55 18:55 19:00 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:25 19:25 19:30 20:00 20:05 20:15 20:20 20:30 20:35 20:40 20:50 21:00 21:00 21:05 21:15 21:35 21:40 22:05 22:15 22:25 22:25 22:30 22:40 22:55 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:55 23:55

Departure Flights on Thursday 08/04/2010 Airlines Flt Route Jazeera 528 Assiut Shaheen Air 442 Lahore Egypt Air 607 Luxor India Express 394 Cochin/Kozhikode KLM 0447 Amsterdam Lufthansa 637 Frankfurt Indian 576 Goa/Chennai Pakistan 216 Karachi Bangladesh 046 Dhaka Turkish A/L 773 Istanbul Ethiopian 620 Bahrain/Addis Ababa DHL 371 Bahrain Emirates 854 Dubai Etihad 306 Abu Dhabi Qatari 139 Doha Wataniya Airways 101 Dubai Royal Jordanian 803 Amman Jazeera 164 Dubai Jazeera 112 Abu Dhabi Jazeera 422 Bahrain Jazeera 446 Doha Gulf Air 212 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 181 Bahrain Rovos 094 Dubai/Kandahar Jazeera 456 Damascus Wataniya Airways 431 Damascus British 156 London Jazeera 256 Beirut Kuwait 545 Alexandria Fly Dubai 054 Dubai Kuwait 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat Iran Air 606 Mashad Jazeera 342 Bahrain/Sanaa Jazeera 170 Dubai Kuwait 671 Dubai Kuwait 551 Damascus Wataniya Airways 421 Amman Arabia 122 Sharjah Kuwait 101 London/New York Emirates 856 Dubai Qatari 133 Doha Kuwait 771 Riyadh Etihad 302 Abu Dhabi Jazeera 524 Alexandria Gulf Air 214 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 401 Beirut Kuwait 165 Rome/Paris Wataniya Airways 303 Cairo Jazeera 172 Dubai Kuwait 541 Cairo Jazeera 492 Jeddah Kuwait 561 Amman Jazeera 238 Amman Kuwait 501 Beirut Syrain Arab A/L 342 Damascus Kuwait 785 Jeddah Wataniya Airways 201 Jeddah Egypt Air 611 Cairo Jazeera 458 Damascus Jazeera 432 Mashad

FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 161

Time 00:05 00:10 00:15 00:25 00:30 00:50 00:50 01:10 01:15 02:15 02:30 03:15 03:45 04:00 05:00 06:50 07:00 07:00 07:15 07:35 07:40 07:45 07:50 08:00 08:05 08:10 08:25 08:35 08:35 08:40 08:45 08:45 09:00 09:00 09:00 09:10 09:10 09:20 09:30 09:40 10:00 10:00 10:10 11:15 11:35 11:35 11:45 11:50 11:55 12:00 12:15 12:25 12:30 13:00 13:05 13:30 13:45 13:55 14:00 14:05

Kuwait Wataniya Airways Royal Jordanian Egypt Air Jazeera Wataniya Airways Kuwait Nas Air Saudi Arabian A/L Kuwait Kuwait Qatari Jazeera Etihad Mihin Lanka Kuwait Emirates Gulf Air Wataniya Airways Kuwait Arabia Saudi Arabian A/L Iran Air Jazeera Kuwait Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera Srilankan Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Kuwait Jazeera Bahrain Air Jazeera Kuwait Singapore A/L Fly Dubai Kuwait Oman Air Middle East Jet A/W Egypt Air Wataniya Airways KLM Jazeera Gulf Air DHL Kuwait Emirates Falcon Qatari Kuwait Kuwait Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera United A/L Kuwait Kuwait Egypt Air

673 105 801 622 176 403 617 746 505 773 613 135 182 304 404 1781 858 216 305 543 126 511 616 116 285 448 184 428 228 407 107 321 283 266 345 512 361 457 062 351 648 403 571 619 187 0445 240 218 373 675 860 102 137 301 205 480 526 502 981 411 415 613

Dubai Dubai Amman Assiut Dubai Beirut Doha Jeddah Jeddah Riyadh Bahrain Doha Dubai Abu Dhabi Dubai/Colombo Jeddah Dubai Bahrain Cairo Cairo Sharjah Riyadh Ahwaz Abu Dhabi Chittagong Doha Dubai Bahrain Dubai/Colombo Beirut Dubai Sharm El Sheikh Dhaka Beirut Bahrain Sharm El Sheikh Colombo Abu Dhabi/Singapore Dubai Cochin Muscat Beirut Mumbai Alexandria Bahrain Bahrain/Amsterdam Amman Bahrain Bahrain Dubai Dubai Bahrain Doha Mumbai Islamabad Sabiha Alexandria Luxor Washington Dc Dulles Bangkok/Manila Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta Cairo

14:30 14:30 14:30 14:40 14:55 15:10 15:35 15:45 16:00 16:05 16:20 16:20 16:50 17:35 17:40 17:40 18:05 18:05 18:05 18:10 18:20 18:35 18:40 18:40 18:45 18:55 19:00 19:10 19:10 19:25 19:40 19:45 20:00 20:05 20:10 20:15 20:20 20:45 20:50 21:05 21:15 21:20 21:30 21:35 21:35 21:40 21:50 21:55 22:00 22:10 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:55 23:05 23:20 23:30 23:40 23:40 23:50 23:55

SPECTRUM

34 CROSSWORD 952

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Calvin Aries (March 21-April 19) This is a delightfully romantic and social time. Your support system; family, home and those who give you nourishment become more secure. You are able to dispense with some of the frustrations in your life now by simply labeling them as unnecessary. Things are happening and your career depends upon your own ambition and drive; which are strong now. Good fortune and good luck surrounds you. It is easy for you to make correct decisions, find the right path and move forward where career and success are concerned. Life’s problems seem manageable and easy to solve at this time. Reserve, self-confidence and self-reliance will be your best attitude all month and will encourage success. Enjoy the young people in your family today.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Be aware of distractions today. Today is a better time to sell than to buy. This applies to material things, but extends to bonds, stocks as well. This afternoon you will make the effort to improve the channels of understanding and appreciation between friends. This could be the time to clear up any misunderstandings you have had recently. Plans with friends are discussed that might include some humanitarian, scientific or metaphysical goals. This may mean a class in herbal healing or the science of meditation, etc. You may seriously be thinking of taking on new concepts—putting aside the old ideas. It’s an ideal time to visit a bookstore or library. Laughter with friends this evening seals relationships and funny times are long remembered.

Pooch Cafe

ACROSS 1. The feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally.

5. A plant hormone promoting elongation of stems and roots.

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

11. A visual representation of an object or scene or person produced on a surface.

12. A three-year law degree.

13. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code.

14. A sudden short attack.

15. One of the most common of the five major classes of immunoglobulins.

16. A federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment.

17. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural).

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

21. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light.

22. Any organic compound formed by adding alcohol molecules to aldehyde molecules.

26. Make less active or intense.

29. A master's degree in business.

30. A high-crowned black cap (usually made of felt or sheepskin) worn by men in Turkey and Iran and the Caucasus.

33. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily.

34. (Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

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

42. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

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

46. An agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank.

47. (statistics) Approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value.

48. Airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc..

49. A barrier constructed to contain the flow or water or to keep out the sea.

50. A small cake leavened with yeast.

51. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma.

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

DOWN 1. English theoretical physicist who applied relativity theory to quantum mechanics and predicted the existence of antimatter and the positron (1902-1984).

2. Jordan's port.

3. Pertaining to animals or animal life or action.

4. Either extremity of something that has length.

5. (anatomy) Of or relating to the ilium.

6. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves.

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

8. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice.

9. Plant with an elongated head of broad stalked leaves resembling celery.

10. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC).

18. Having undesirable or negative qualities.

19. 1 species.

23. An official language of the Republic of South Africa.

24. The upper side of the thighs of a seated person.

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

27. A hard gray lustrous metallic element that is highly corrosionresistant.

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

31. A republic in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea.

32. A soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and univalent) metallic element.

35. Evergreen trees and shrubs having oily one-seeded fruits.

36. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

37. Type genus of the family Arcidae.

39. An officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer.

40. The sixth month of the civil year.

41. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism.

44. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

45. A nucleic acid consisting of large molecules shaped like a double helix.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Your job or professional responsibilities move at breakneck speed. Take the time to enjoy this day. You could find yourself visiting with a coworker or just enjoying the noon lunch break under a tree.

Your goals stand in stark contrast to the goals of others— adjustments may be needed. A business decision takes careful analysis this afternoon and a conference call may be in order. There is a need for compromise and for a new understanding. Take time to think through all the ideas. Small changes can have big effects later. Important financial decisions require more information than you realize. It’s important to gather all the facts necessary to give you a realistic idea of what you are getting into. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at home this evening.

Non Sequitur

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Other people tend to encourage you to make decisions prematurely today. Do not hesitate to delay decisions until you have had time to give important matters your full attention. Hastily conceived plans might seem attractive in the heat of the moment but might not look so smart when you have checked out the details. This afternoon you have the ability for sustained work that allows you to coordinate and organize like never before. You can bring into fruition particular projects or results from some psychological development. Be wise in your urge for independence. You are coming into a time of experimenting with new concepts and putting the old ideas behind. Enjoy the company of young people around you this evening.

Leo (July 23-August 22) This is a good day to enjoy. You are doing a good job on developing your personal resourcefulness. Your awareness of psychological processes enables you to relinquish old attachments and make an important transition in your growth. This may mean new growth in your professional life as well as in your personal life. A sense of regeneration gives you enthusiasm for leadership and improved recognition for your creative efforts. All of this concentration on the improvements you are making will show positive results soon. Some may not appreciate your intensity and if you push too much, you may limit yourself. Watch to keep a balance and don’t give up—there are wonderful rewards to enjoy soon. Laugh with friends.

Zits

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Going back to the blackboard, so to speak, this is just what today is all about; particularly this morning. You work at getting things right.

This could mean the right poetry to fit the right melody or the right drawing to fit the landscape or, etc. Big ideas and grand visions play a leading role today. Mysterious or mystical information fires your imagination. You find ways to express your ideas and look forward to completing a few on-going projects. Education and communication are the keys to dealing with new technological tools this week—be open to new ways of working—learn, share, discus! At home this evening—share a positive message with others. Talk about upcoming events and stay out of the financial doghouse for now.

Libra (September 23-October 22) Most of the coworkers around you get the silliness out of the way quickly. A new project is presented this morning and you and your co-workers are glad to get the work moving. Compromising and cooperation brings positive results. Practice caution in personal finances this afternoon, there is a tendency to go overboard. There could be group meetings to plan for this evening—perhaps a neighborhood crime watch or community organization. The planning that is scheduled will go easily. You may be jotting down notes before the meeting, much of this day. A former lover wants to introduce a new mate and whether this is a pleasant experience depends on the expectations. A friend offers a nice compliment this evening.

Mother Goose and Grimm

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) There could be some difference of opinion when it comes to a work issue this morning. Someone could be a bit too touchy; careful. Check out the circumstances before giving your thoughts on a problem solving issue. You have a hair-trigger mind today with quick reaction to outside impressions. It takes diplomacy, tact and patience to negotiate some important issue during an afternoon meeting. Acting on impulse can cause frustrations. Slow down, THINK about what you want to say and you will see positive results. Consider making a list to guide you successfully through the day. This afternoon you may find yourself searching for the deeper meanings of life and how it relates to you and your future. This evening is family time.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) A new sense of self, a more assertive personal style, a more dynamic approach to life is the hallmark of the cycle that begins for you now. Work projects or schoolwork seems to have workable solutions now more than ever before.

Doubts fade into the background and reserve is more and more a thing of the past. Rather than just accepting that which you have been taught, you will begin to seek answers from within yourself. Getting the facts and making sure that people get your message straight can make all the difference in the world. Any shortcomings in these areas can raise hurdles and cause problems. Relaxing with your friends and joking around in positive ways are part and partial of what makes this a good day.

Yesterday’s Solution

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You may decide to find work that is less stressful this year. You may not make this change right away but you stay aware and alert to any opportunities that look positive.

You may prefer to look for work that has more rewards mentally than monetary. There will be less pressure this year to earn top money. Becoming an independent contractor may be more appealing just now. This is a long-time process and you will not want to change overnight, but the inner push will be noticeable to you. Avoiding these changes could cause stress on your physical body. Your destiny is in your hands, rather than set apart. With your sense of humor, you may have a few creative ideas for a problem-solving situation today. There are some fun times ahead.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) If you remember

Yesterday’s Solution

that perfection is in the eye of the beholder you will do well today. Joint projects will run smoothly. Working with others in a business or family matter will also go well. Romance is strongly indicated all month when a fulfilling relationship begins or intensifies. New means of self-expression and communication are possible. You may find yourself changing your appearance, moving toward the unique and less traditional styles. You may find that both your personal growth and your career may depend upon how you can handle some sensitive psychological material that may be coming up for now. You will benefit by investigating situations before coming up with solutions—again, perfection is in the eye of the beholder.

INTERNATIONAL CALLS Kuwait Qatar Abu Dhabi Dubai Raas Al Khayma Al-Shareqa Muscat Jordan Bahrain Riyadh Makkah - Jeddah Cairo Alexandria Beirut Damascus Allepo Tunisia Rabat

00965 00974 009712 009714 009717 009716 00968 009626 00973 009661 009662 00202 00203 009611 0096311 0096321 0021610 002127

Washington New York Paris London Madrid Zurich Geneva Monaco Rome Bangkok Hong Kong Pakistan Taiwan Bonn New Delhi Mumbai Madras Hyderabad

001212 001718 00331 004471 00341 00411 004122 0033 00396 00662 00852 0092 00886 0049228 009111 009122 009144 009140

Word Sleuth Solution

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Probing discussions with co-workers may have you realizing that some changes need to be made in order to reach your goals. You will become absorbed in routine work and performing helpful services the rest of this week. A respected person’s opinion represents an important area of change at this time. Conflicts are overcome through compromise.

Karmic issues are clearly defined and you can resolve old patterns. An article you read or a scientific report brings you some fresh insight and, perhaps a new perspective to some of your ideas. Happiness is a wonderful rebound from hard work—and you certainly work hard. You will find that a close friendship has developed now with someone that you meet through your work environment.

INFORMATION

Thursday, April 8, 2010

35 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)

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SPECTRUM

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy split via Twitter ctor Jim Carrey and long-time partner Jenny McCarthy announced Tuesday they had split after five years together, breaking the news to fans via micro-blogging site Twitter. “Jenny and I have just ended our 5yr relationship. I’m grateful 4 the many blessings we’ve shared and I wish her the very best! S’okay!,” Canada-born

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funnyman Carrey, 48, wrote. Actress and former Playboy model McCarthy, 37, added shortly afterwards: “I’m so grateful for the years Jim and I had together.” The split was confirmed by Carrey’s publicist Marleah Leslie in a statement released to US media outlets.”Jim and Jenny have recently decided to end their five-year relation-

Hewitt’s boyfriend bed shock rated from last month after a year of dating. Jennifer claims her ‘Ghost Whisperer’ co-star taught her a lot about how men think and act and helped her revise some of her romantic ideals. The brunette beauty who has written a self-help book on relationships entitled ‘The Day I Shot Cupid’ - added: “We are sort of opposites - I am sort of this gushy hopeless romantic and he is sort of this realist. So, he really taught me how to look at the reality of things like love whereas I had my head in the clouds before.

He very much taught me some things and he taught me a lot about men and what they think.”

Catherine Zeta-Jones Michael Lohan to marry Kate Major 40s inspiration T

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he’s like, ‘How much more do we have to put in the bathroom?’ I’m like, ‘Excuse me, it’s my job. I need to test everything.’ “ Catherine has teamed up with Elizabeth Arden to create a limited-edition charity lipstick in aid of Look Good... Feel Better, an organization which helps boost the self-esteem of people undergoing cancer treatment and the actress is proud to be able to help. She said: “It really is amazing what the charity does for these women. They lose their hair and eyebrowswhat they had used, as woman, as a strength and for empowerment. So we thought that it would be a great idea to give back to strong, powerful women.” The lipstick, which costs $20, sees all of the profits from each sale going directly to the charity.

“I’m ecstatic. I’m very happy. Michael and I have known each other for four years, and it’s meant to be.” “Michael went down with me to Florida for Easter, to meet my father to ask his permission, and my father gave his blessing. “I’ve already talked to some of the bridesmaids, and it will probably be in New York, probably at the end of this year.” Michael was previously married to Dina Sullivan - Lindsay’s mother but the pair divorced in 2007.

As well as Lindsay, Michael and Dina have three other children, Michael Douglas, 22, Ali, 16 and Dakota, 13.

Nicollette Sheridan stands up to abusive Cherry icollette Sheridan has described ‘Desperate Housewives’ producer Marc Cherry’s behaviour towards her as “abusive and appalling”. The British-born actress - who is suing the TV executive for $20 million, alleging he hit her across the face and sacked her when she complained to network ABC “felt compelled” to take legal action to help others who have been forced to work in a “hostile environment”. A statement from her lawyer said: “Nicollette worked very hard on the show and was a model employee. Mr Cherry’s behaviour towards Nicollette was and is nothing short of abusive and appalling. The lawsuit is not something Nicollette wanted to do, it’s something she felt compelled to do. Nicollette asked ABC for help and protection from Mr Cherry’s abusive behaviour, and, ultimately, ABC was not willing or able to provide that protection. Sometimes the only way that a safe and normal work environment can be created is when a hard-working person like Nicollette stands up for herself and her rights, and in doing so help protect others who have had to work in a hostile environment.” The 46-year-old actress - who portrayed maneater Edie Britt in the show - filed a lawsuit against the TV executive at

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the Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday which alleged assault and battery, gender violence and wrongful termination. The blonde actress’ departure was announced in February 2009, and she was killed-off from the programme in series five, when her alter-ego died in a car accident. Nicollette is determined to see the case through, because she adored working on the show so much. The statement added: “We expect the case to be hard fought, and it will not be a surprise if ABC and Mr Cherry try to depict Nicollette to be something other than a team player and long-standing industry professional. She put her heart and soul into the role of the Edie character, a character that she truly enjoyed playing.”

Meanwhile, it has been claimed that while Nicollette’s co-stars - which include Teri Hatcher, Eva LongoriaParker and Marcia Cross - want to support her, they are desperate not to upset Cherry and put their jobs in jeopardy. A source told the New York Daily News newspaper: “They’re all silently behind her, but the actresses on the show enjoy the fame and success that Cherry has created for them. It’s unlikely that anyone will step forward to support Nicollette - their characters are all still alive on the show, and they have a lot more to lose than she does.”

— Bang showbiz

Katie Price rides to the rescue

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he 40-year-old actress who is married to Michael Douglas - admires the way women in war time were able to economize but still managed to look glamorous. She explained: “In the 40s, it was a wartime, and women had to make best of what they had, whether it be using super-red lipstick or throwing an eyeliner pencil up the back up the leg for the nylon. They had limited resources, and they made the best of themselves.”

However, the brunette star who has been the face of Elizabeth Arden for eight years - admits she doesn’t need to economize with her beauty regime, much to the unhappiness of her husband. She added to People magazine: “I’m still a fiend for Arden. I can’t get enough. Every time my husband sees anyone from Arden,

atie Price made a heroic rescue after her friend was thrown from her horse. The glamour model was riding with her stylist pal Melodie Pope when the accident occurred leaving Melodie on the floor in agony near Katie’s home in Woldingham, Surrey, South East England.

Katie, 31, immediately jumped into action, dismounting her own horse and putting Melodie - a mother of three - into the recovery position, before calling for help. She then arranged for the injured rider to be airlifted to the nearby East Surrey Hospital, where she was diagnosed with lower back damage. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “Katie was shocked when she turned around to see her friend hurled on the ground in a heap. It was a very nasty fall.

But she didn’t panic, not even seeing how much pain her friend was in. She just calmly called the emergency services and arranged for paramedics to come and help Melodie.” The glamour model also stayed with her friend at the hospital to make sure she would be OK, and although she kept a cool head, Katie was still shaken by the incident. The source added: “Katie cleared her diary for the afternoon to be by Melodie’s side until doctors told her Melodie was in a stable condition. “The pair were having such a lovely day riding near Katie’s home until Melodie was injured. She suffered excruciating lower back injuries.” Katie is currently filming for her reality TV show ‘What Katie Did Next’.

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ennifer Love Hewitt claims she once caught a former boyfriend in bed with another girl. The unlucky-in-love actress has been cheated on several times in her life, but the worst moment was when she walked on her ex romping with a girl she knew. Jennifer told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS FM radio show : “It’s brutal.

Once I found out on television and that was awesome. And then another time I found them together... and that was, woooo!

That was not good.” Despite having her heartbroken a number of times, the 31-year-old star insists she is still on good terms with her most recent ex Jamie Kennedy, who she sepa-

he 49-year-old father of Lindsay Lohan has popped the question to Kate and is “ecstatic” that she has said yes. He said: “I’m ecstatic. I’ve never met anyone who’s been there for me like Kate. She’s always been there for me.

The one thing about Kate is that she doesn’t come with baggage.” Kate, 27, is also thrilled to be engaged and says the nuptials will take place before the end of 2010.

Chivalrous Michael even asked her father for permission to marry her.

Former Star magazine reporter Kate said:

ship,” Leslie said. “They are grateful for the many blessings they have shared and wish each other the very best.” Carrey, the star of hit films such as “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “The Mask” and “Bruce Almighty,” was most recently seen in Disney’s 3-D holiday special “A Christmas Carol.”

Hefner ready to wed ugh Hefner is considering getting married. The 83year-old Playboy founder admits he is happier than ever with 23-year-old girlfriend Crystal Harris and hasn’t ruled out making their union official. When asked about whether he would consider marriage, he told E! Online: “It’s certainly possible. I certainly care enough for her... I certainly love her enough. We’ll see. All I want is for the relationship to be as happy as it is. I’m having more fun than I did when I was 20.” It seems as if the media mogul who has been married three times - has had change of heart as he previously vowed never to tie the knot again. He said recently: “I haven’t had a lot of luck with marriage.

I don’t have a good track record and I don’t want to screw this one up.” Hugh first started dating Crystal a year-and-ahalf ago, while he was still in a relationship with 20-year-old twins Kristina and Karissa Shannon.

However, in January he confirmed his romance with Crystal was “getting more serious” and asked his other lovers to move out of the Playboy Mansion into the neighbouring Playmate House. Speaking about suggesting the move to them, Hugh said: “When they thought about it, they thought it was a good idea. They will now be friends, but they won’t be defined as the girlfriends.

“They’ve been hanging out with a lot of the other Playmates and they see these girls travelling across the country to do promotion. They would like to be doing that, too.”

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SPECTRUM

Thursday, April 8, 2010

37

Lifestyle

Whitney hospitalised in Paris Europe would go ahead. Media reports said the star was being treated in the American Hospital in Neuilly, a clinic in a chic Paris suburb favored by French

merican pop diva Whitney Houston was being treated for nose and throat problems in a Paris hospital yesterday after cancelling the first European date of her troubled comeback tour. The 46-year-old, whose hits in the 1980s and 1990s included “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, had been scheduled to play a gig in Paris on Tuesday but cancelled it at the last moment. A member of her entourage said she was being treated here for “chronic rhinopharyngitis (a swelling of the mucus membranes in the nose and pharynx) and an infection whose cause has not been identified.”

Houston will also probably have to cancel the second date on the tour scheduled for Thursday in Manchester, England, said the person in her entourage, who spoke on condition of anonymity. There was no immediate news on whether subsequent concert dates in Britain and across continental

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Guitarist Slash finally goes solo for new album

File photo shows US singer Whitney Houston performs on stage during the 183rd edition of the TV show presented by ‘Wetten, dass..?’ (Let’s Make a Bet). —AFP

celebrities.

The health problems were yet another setback for Houston, whose career peaked in the 1990s, boosted by her acting appearance alongside Kevin Costner

Up for sale: he Beatles removed Mahatma Gandhi’s picture from the 1967 album cover of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in case it upset Indians, but such restraint is now a thing of the past. Today, Gandhi memorabilia is auctioned off in New York and London with his scant personal possessions attracting sky high prices, while his image is used on pens, billboards and souvenirs.

“People want to buy every piece of history associated with the great man,” Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of India’s independence leader, told AFP. “Anything that comes with a ‘Gandhi’ tag sells, and India has not been able to protect the items belonging to the father of the nation.” The auction in the United States last year of Gandhi’s glasses, leather sandals, pocket watch, metal plate and bowl triggered a major public debate over exploitation of his memory.

The Indian government first tried to prevent the auction and then seemed ready to buy the items itself, before Indian industrialist and liquor baron Vijay Mallaya stepped in with a winning bid of 1.8 million dollars.

Indian-origin British busi-

in the hit movie “Bodyguard”. She is attempting a comeback with the global “Nothing But Love” tour, which kicked off at the end of last year. Houston has sold more than 170 million albums worldwide but suffered a major career setback after admitting drug use during an abusive relationship with ex-husband Bobby Brown.

After a seven-year absence from the stage and recording studios, the entertainer released a new album, “I Look to You”, last year as part of her bid to regain past glory. The album was well received by critics but the promotional tour has been plagued with problems. At a concert in Moscow in December she stumbled as she sang her signature tune, “I Will Always Love You.” In Australia in February, disappointed fans stormed out of her first concert in the country in 12 years after the ageing diva failed to hit her famous high notes and struggled for breath. Houston only

Gandhi items-and his ideals The pen, which had an engraving of Gandhi on the nib, was withdrawn from sale and

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Slash e’s been a name in rock that has stood alone for decades, but on Tuesday guitarist Slash only just released his first solo album. Simply called “Slash,” the album features 13 original songs with a host of guest singers including rockers such as Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop and Chris Cornell to more pop-orientated acts including singer Fergie and Adam Levine from Maroon 5.

The first single, “By The Sword,” features singer Andrew Stockdale from the band Wolfmother.

“I just got to that point where I actually needed to do something on my own,” he told Reuters this week. “It’s one of the few things that I hadn’t done in my musical career.” The 44-year-old, who made his name as the former lead guitarist for Guns N’ Roses and parlayed that success to co-found Velvet Revolver, said he felt inspired to make the album to master his own destiny rather than relying on any particular group of musicians.

“I thought ‘You know, that would be a fun thing to do, where I get a bunch of different people to guest on my record as opposed to me appearing on everybody else’s records,’” he said. Both the guitarist and fans were surprised by the crossover talent of pop singers such as Fergie, with whom Slash made a surprise appearance at a recent Black Eyed Peas concert singing a version of the Guns N’ Roses song “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”

“She has this amazing rock ‘n’ roll voice and she’s sort of a closet rock ‘n’ roll singer,” he said, adding that before now he had never performed the hit 1988 song with anyone but his old band. “She’s got a lot of balls. For a female rock singer she’s one of the best women I’ve ever heard.”

Even though the British-born, Los-Angeles-based guitarist, whose real name is Saul Hudson, handled most of the songwriting duties and music arranging for his album, he did not single out any one song as his favorite. “It’s all pretty much in the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, even the slower songs, even the ballads,” Slash said.

Regarding his other projects, Slash said Velvet Revolver would return to auditioning for a new singer and “reconvene” after he spends six months on a worldwide tour. And as for his legacy, he downplayed his own reputation as one of the best guitarists of all time. “I never think of the word ‘legend’ you know, unless somebody else says it,” he said. “And then at that point it is almost laughable.” —Reuters

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Portrait of Jackson up for auction online n over-the-top portrait of Michael Jackson is going up for auction online. The eBay.com auction of the 50-by-40-inch (127-by102-centimeter) painting by Australian artist BrettLivingstone Strong will launch Wednesday evening, the portrait’s owner said. The colorful portrait, titled “The Book,” and reportedly the only painting for which the King of Pop ever posed, depicts Jackson in a red velvet jacket, clutching a journal at his Neverland Ranch. “I’ve had it an awful long time,” said toy inventor Marty Abrams, who acquired the painting with partner John Gentilly in 1992 from Japanese businessman Hiromichi Saeki as payment on a debt owed to them. “With the positive response to his music and the movie about him after his death, we thought it was a good time to sell it and for the world to see it.” For over 17 years, Abrams kept the painting in storage in a New Jersey warehouse. It was briefly on display at the Dancy-Power

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Automotive showroom in Harlem after Jackson’s death in June. The fantastical painting, which also features the fairy character Tinkerbell hovering in the background, is hanging inside Abrams’ home in Kings Point, New York.

The painting was originally sold to Saeki for $2.1 million in 1990. Abrams said the painting was appraised by Belgo Fine Art Appraisal and Restoration at $5.3 million in 2000, but he believes it is worth more now.

Abrams hopes it will fetch over $3 million in the auction, which is scheduled to end April 17. The minimum starting bid will be $2.75 million.

“Frankly, I thought instead of trying to call out to other people, let’s bring the people that are really interested to us,” said auction organizer Marc Samson. “The idea of doing it on eBay in an auction format seemed to make the most sense. When Marty’s son, Ken, came to me with the painting, it hit me across the face. This is the way to get it out there.”—AP

This file photo shows Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of India’s freedom icon Mahatma Gandhi, holding a ‘Mont Blanc Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Edition 3000’ fountain pen. —AFP

nessmen Ghulam Noon and Nat Puri last year paid 26,000 dollars at an auction in London for letters written by Gandhi and a piece of cloth signed by him. They then handed the items over to India. For many Indians the contrast is stark between Gandhi’s simple, anti-materialistic lifestyle and the commercial frenzy over his paltry belongings and saintly image. In South Africa, a house where Gandhi lived sold last year to a French

tourism company Voyageurs du Monde for 377,000 dollarsfar above the norm for a small house with a thatched roof in Johannesburg.

Gandhi only occupied it for a few years, but the company is planning to open the building as a museum and guest house. In one recent row, luxury brand Montblanc in February suspended sales in India of a “Gandhi” pen that cost 25,000 dollars. The limited-edition pen was launched

to supposedly mark the anniversary of Gandhi’s 1930 protest march from Ahmedabad against British salt tax, a key episode in his non-violent campaign for independence.

Montblanc hoped that the pen “honoring” Gandhi would help it tap into India’s wealthiest brand-conscious consumers, but instead it ended up in court over laws that say government permission is needed to use Gandhi’s image.

The German rock band The Scorpions, from left, Pawel Maciwoda, Rudolf Schenker, Klaus Meine, Matthias Jabs and James Kottak put their hands in cement as they are inducted into the Hollywood Rockwalk in Los Angeles, Tuesday. —AP

AG says Haim obtained 550 pills before death ctor Corey Haim employed “doctor shopping” to obtain 553 prescription pills in the two months before his death, California’s attorney general said Tuesday. Haim obtained the meds, which included Valium, Vicodin, Xanax and Soma, through seven different doctors and seven pharmacies, Brown said, and he used an alias on at least one occasion. Attorney General Jerry Brown said it did not appear the doctors knew Haim was obtaining prescriptions through multiple sources. He said investigators verified Haim filled the prescriptions this year, but have also found that thousands of pills were obtained in Haim’s name before then.

He called Haim-the star of 1980s films such as “The Lost Boys” and “License to Drive” — a “poster child” for prescription drug abuse. He said that it wasn’t just celebrities who were obtaining massive quantities of prescription drugs through doctor-shopping. “We think it illustrates a problem that is more widespread,” Brown said.

His office has pursued more than 200 cases statewide involving prescription abuse by both doctors and patients.

Haim’s activities described by Brown Tuesday are separate from a fraudulentlyobtained prescription Haim may have obtained. That prescription for the painkiller

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managed two songs before taking an extended break and relied heavily on backup singers, reviewers said, with some remarking she seemed disorientated and unable to remember the names of her band members.

After taking the world by storm in the 1980s, Houston later fell on relatively harder times with a dropoff in record sales, run-ins with the police over drug use and her divorce with Bobby Brown.

Brown was one of the hottest rhythm and blues singers in the late 1980s and early 90s, but became better known as the husband of Houston and for his frequent brushes with drugs and the law. The pair, who were divorced in 2007, starred in a television reality series, “Being Bobby Brown,” that featured their marriage, warts and all. Brown was detained in Atlanta in 1993 for lewd conduct and for brawling in 1995. He was arrested for drunk driving in 1996 and for alleged battery of Houston in late 2003. —AFP

Oxycontin was found during an investigation into a ring that illegally obtained prescription pads and used the stolen identities of doctors to fill them out. The pills Brown said Haim obtained in the two months before his

This image shows actor Corey Haim, who appeared in the A&E reality TV show ‘The Two Coreys.’ —AP

death included 149 tablets of the painkiller Vicodin and 194 tablets of the muscle relaxant Soma. He also received 15 tablets of Xanax and 195 tablets of Valium, both of which are depressants, Brown said. Haim, 38, died March 10 after collapsing in his mother’s apartment. Haim struggled with drugs throughout his life. He was also suffering from flulike symptoms before his death and his official cause of death has not been released.

Coroner’s officials have said they found four prescriptions in Haim’s name in the apartment where he collapsed, and all were prescribed by a doctor treating the actor.

Mark Heaslip, the actor’s agent, did not return a phone message seeking comment Tuesday. Brown, who is running for governor of California, said the doctors who prescribed medications to Haim told investigators they felt duped. He said Haim was able to get the medications by complaining of specific symptoms, such as shoulder pain and that the actor also used emergency rooms and urgent care facilities to obtain the drugs. He said investigators were able to find the medications obtained by Haim through a state database called CURES, which monitors prescriptions. The database is available to doctors and pharmacies, Brown said, but its use is voluntary. —AP

Montblanc issued an apology.

Contrastingly, there has been only a murmur of disapproval over billboards in New Delhi that show Mahatma Gandhi apparently in close conversation with Rahul Gandhi, the 39-year-old scion of the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, which has no relation to Mahatma Gandhi. The photo-montage promotes a newspaper aimed at India’s expanding middle-class market.

India’s ministry of culture say it is preparing further legislation to prevent Gandhi’s belongings being traded for money and to protect his

image from being misused.

“We want to pre-empt any auction of Gandhi items.

Selling or buying these heritage articles should be illegal but sadly most of the items have already changed hands,” an official told AFP. The reality is more complicated, Gandhi experts point out. “These modest objects have now become part of global economy and one should stop being hysterical about them,” said Tridip Suhrud, a Gandhian scholar from his home state of Gujarat. “If India starts buying all collectibles of Gandhi then they will be forced to pick up relics of other leaders, freedom fighters and erstwhile kings.

The list is long,” he added.

Gandhi often gifted his belongings to friends, family and even casual visitors, said Varsha Das, director of the National Gandhi Museum in New Delhi. “The task of collecting all his items is impossible,” said Das, adding that Gandhi wrote often dozens of letters a day. “If people want to sell them and make money, then there is no way one can stop them.” Das suggested that instead of chasing Gandhi items around the world, the government would be better to “preserve his real assets-nonviolence and peace.” — AFP

Buzz Aldrin voted off ‘Dancing With the Stars’ e could walk on the moon, but aged 80, Buzz Aldrin had a more difficult time gliding across the ballroom floor on “Dancing With the Stars,” as the astronaut was voted off the popular US television contest on Tuesday.

The second man to set foot on the moon failed to impress the judges with his waltz on Monday’s performance show in a night in which each dance told a story through movement.

Aldrin and his partner Ashley Costa told of an old soldier who returns home from duty to be greeted by his daughter, but the judges said Aldrin seemed to do more walking than waltzing. The couple’s score of 13 was the night’s lowest.

“I did this show for the fighter pilots out there, the military people and the eld-

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er geezers like me who would just like to see an elder come back week after week” on the show, Aldrin told the audience. Aldrin also talked about wanting to raise awareness of the US space program through the show. As he did his final dance, the other cast members saluted him.

Saved to dance another night on the top-rated US television dance show were celebrity Kate Gosselin and her professional partner Tony Dovolani, among seven other couples.

Emerging as frontrunners with high scores and dazzling moves were Olympic figure skating gold medalist Evan Lysacek and his partner Anna Trebunskaya, as well as singer Nicole Scherzinger and pro Derek Hough. —Reuters

In this publicity image released by ABC, Pamela Anderson, left, and her partner Damian Whitewood perform on ‘Dancing with the Stars’. —AP

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Travel

Rare blue diamond to be auctioned in Hong Kong rare 5.16-carat blue diamond is to be auctioned in Hong Kong yesterday.

Auction house Sotheby’s said the pear-shaped gem from a private collector was expected to fetch up to 5.9 million US dollars at the sale. The stone is the first blue diamond from the celebrated De Beers Millennium Jewels Collection to appear at auction.

The collection, displayed in London’s Millennium Dome in 2000, consists of 11 high-quality blue diamonds from the Premier Diamond Mine of Transvaal, South Africa. It was reported that the mine could produce only one blue diamond of such high calibre

the prices of diamond are relatively stable compared to other types of auction items,” she said. In December, a five-carat chickpeasized vivid pink gem set a percarat world record price for a diamond when it fetched 10.8 million dollars at an auction in Hong Kong. The price beat the 10.5 million dollars paid by a Hong Kong property tycoon for a sevencarat blue diamond in Geneva in May last year. According to Sotheby’s Hong Kong has become the world’s third largest auction hub after New York and London, spur red by China’s growing wealth and increasing taste for fine art. —AFP

A man stands next to a photograph of a Millennium Blue Diamond.

(Right) The blue diamond is rare, flawless and ‘fancy vivid’.

A Pakistani model presents a creation by Shamaeel during a the Fashion Week in Karachi.

—AFP photos

Pakistan

fashion week

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each year. Sotheby’s said gem sales in Hong Kong were on the rise-the city has overtaken New York to become the company’s second biggest market af ter Geneva.

Ter r y Chu, deputy head of Sotheby’s jewelry department for China and Southeast Asia, said diamonds were par ticularly appealing to new Asian buyers because of their stable prices and assured quality. “There have been a lot of new diamond buyers from mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and elsewhere in the region,” Chu told AFP. “I think after the financial crisis, the Asian buyers realized that

Models show creations by Pakistani designer Nauman Arfeen.

Pakistani models present creations by Asian Institute Fashion Design (AIFD).

N Korea leader sets world fashion trend, Pyongyang claims T

Members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) dressed in reaper costumes take part in a protest calling for the French fashion house Hermes to end the sale of exotic animal skin products in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. —AP

he trademark suit sported by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is now in fashion worldwide thanks to his greatness, Pyongyang’s official website said Wednesday.

Uriminzokkiri, quoting an article in communist party newspaper Rodong Sinmun, said the modest-looking suits have gripped people’s imagination and become a global vogue. “The reason is that the august image of the Great General, who is always wearing the modest suit while working, leaves a deep impres-

sion on people’s mind in the world,” it said. “To sum it up, that is because his image as a great man is so outstanding.”

The article quoted an unidentified French fashion expert as saying world fashion follows Kim Jong-Il’s style.

“Kim Jong-Il mode which is now spreading expeditiously worldwide is something unprecedented in the world’s history,” the stylist was quoted as saying. The suits consist of an overall-style zipped-up tunic and matching trousers, usually in khaki or blueishgrey.

The 68-year-old leader wears them even when receiving foreign dignitaries. During his outside “field guidance” trips in winter, he also dons a shapeless anorak and fur hat.

Kim and his deceased father Kim Il-Sung are at the heart of a personality cult that borders on religion, with near-magical powers ascribed to the younger Kim. Rainbows supposedly appeared over sacred Mount Paekdu where Kim Jong-Il was allegedly born, and he is said once to have scored 11 holes-in-one in a single round of golf. —AFP

This file photo shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Il reviewing military parade in Pyongyang. —AFP

SPECTRUM

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Fashion Models show creations by designer Shehla during Karachi Fashion Week. The event is scheduled to feature 52 designers — 49 of them from Pakistan and one each from Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates-in a follow-up to the first event held in Karachi last November.

—AFP photos

Japanese woman astronaut goes to space in style he latest creation by Japanese fashion designer Tae Ashida is truly out of this world-a blue cardigan and short pants outfit she made for her country’s astronaut Naoko Yamazaki. The US space shuttle Discovery blasted off on Monday with Yamazaki and two other female crew on board, bound for the International Space Station (ISS) on a historic mission that put more women in orbit than ever before. Ahead of her departure, Yamazaki, 39, asked Ashida, daughter of Japanese fashion guru Jun Ashida, to design her work clothes for the 13-day space mission and she came up with a slim knit cardigan in light blue with navy blue shorts.

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“As a female designer, I chose a design and color with a sense of grace ... so that she can feel at ease as she carries out a tough mission in a male-dominated, bleak atmosphere,” Ashida said on Wednesday. “It’s like a dream come true to see my clothes worn in space,” said Ashida. “I’m looking forward to seeing her wear my design.” Yamazaki also brought a miniature version of the traditional Japanese harp, known as a koto, to the station to play an ensemble with her countryman Soichi Noguchi, who has carried his Japanese flute to the station.

Yamazaki asked a Japanese musical instrument factory to make a miniature version of the koto, which usually measures about 1.8 meters (six feet), to meet the size limit for her space shuttle cabin luggage. “The sound is quite different from that of an authentic one, but I’m very much looking forward to seeing her play the koto in space,” said instrument maker Kenzo Ogawa, who produced the mini harp. Japan’s astronauts have shown a penchant for space entertainment in the past. Last year Koichi Wakata performed a series of zero-gravity challenges, including testing a “flying carpet”, folding laundry and using eye drops in the ISS, videos of which were posted online by the Japanese space agency. —AFP

Pakistani models present creations by Javed Khan.

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This picture taken on February 10, 2010 in Port Elizabeth shows a replica from a pattern of an antique South African beaded necklace. — AFP photos

This picture shows antique beaded accessories by ethnic Xhosa people.

This picture shows different colored beads used to make replica of antique South African beaded accessories.

This shows an antique beaded skirt worn by ethnic Xhosa.

South Africa dusts off antique beadwork for World Cup arefully sliding a red bead onto her needle, Nocawa Carow Vuso slips it down her string and affixes to the “keeper of my heart”, a replica of an antique South African necklace. It’s one of the old South African styles on display for the World Cup in Port Elizabeth, a city better known for its car factories than its fashion, and set to be a desperately-needed money-spinner when the June 11-July 11 football showpiece takes place.

The beaded necklace originally would have been made for a man by his wife. Now women like Vuso are relearning the forgotten patterns, and sometimes replacing traditional designs with football themes. “It’s the first time I’m working on old patterns,” she said. “I’m going back to my roots. I can do what my grandmothers were making in rural areas.”

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With other women from the city’s townships and from the Nomakwesi craft centre where she works, Vuso will exhibit her glass beads at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum. The display is just steps from the “fan park” where jumbo TVs will broadcast World Cup matches for those without tickets, especially the games from the city’s new stadium.

“Because of the influx of international visitors, we wanted to promote beadwork in South Africa and particularly from the Eastern Cape, very different and less well known to the beadwork of Zulu or Ndebele,” said museum spokeswoman Jenny Fabbri. Part of the collection includes original pieces by ethnic Xhosa artisans from the early 20th century up to the 1960s. Alongside their display will be modern reproductions of necklaces, bags, armbands, headbands, skirts and dancing

sticks-all adorned in colorful beads.

“The items will not be cheap,” exhibition curator Emma Taggart said of the reproductions. “It’s not just beadwork, but they’ll take a bit of history and will not be found anywhere else.” Wearing beadwork designed in the villages fell out of fashion in the 1970s, as more South Africans moved to cities, converted to Christianity, and fell under the yoke of white-minority apartheid rule.

Over the last 20 years, beadwork has made a comeback, said Ndileka Qangule, director of the Nomakwesi centre which she said was created “to revive dying skills”. “We’re in an urban environment. This is a skill that was being forgotten because it was not often practiced,” she said.

Modern beadwork is often of lower quality with plastic beads imported from China, said Fabbri.

“Now, what is produced is more simple. They

don’t make any more complicated stitches,” she said. “They use cheaper beads from China which are not very good”.

Faced with that reality, the museum hopes to sell more contemporary items that are cheaper and more fun, like necklaces with whistles. The women creating the beadwork also want to use the World Cup to make football merchandise that they’ll sell outside the exhibit-like beaded flags draping from pins, bags and jewelry in the colors of national teams.

“I’m proud because we’re going to make money,” Vuso said. “I’m a widow and my four children are waiting for me each day to bring back food.

Now, it’s going to be better,” she smiled. “My children like this as well. I’m teaching them how to make them and to the eldest, I’m teaching them the new patterns.”-— AFP

A woman strings beads to make a replica of an antique South African necklace.

Hot Nude Yoga:Shedding clothes to shed pounds ome people work out to look good naked. Others skip a step. Inside a heavily curtained fourth-floor dance studio is a male-only class specializing in “Hot Nude Yoga,” a form of sensualized tantric yoga practiced nude. A few classes are coed, but male-only gatherings tend to be more popular and have become a mini-phenomenon in the gay community, with studios in Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. A studioless group in Chicago practices in the apartment of a nude yoga enthusiast. Fans say the nudity aids in deepening their yoga practice while building a close, and emphatically nonsexual, community.

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“A lot of people, especially living in New York, don’t get the opportunity to connect with people in an intimate way,” said Aaron Star, who started the naked yoga movement. And while participants do occasionally report a frisson of excitement, Star and the practice’s aficionados make one thing clear: This is about physical fitness.

“This is about yoga and appreciating your body,” said John Cottrell, 40, who teaches naked yoga classes in Salt Lake City twice a month. He calls them a safe, nonthreatening space “to help men especially look at themselves in a different way.

“It’s just fun. It’s a great workout,” he says. Star

began the practice to appeal to a primarily gay male audience and achieved fame in the yoga world with his DVD series “Hot Nude Yoga,” which allows aspiring yogis to practice in the privacy of their homes. Hot, yes — in temperature, for starters. Awkward? That, too. At the small class I attended, an undeniable sexual charge hung in the room, making the exercise at times painfully weird and embarrassing. Many nude yoga classes revolve around partnering positions, a series of postures that put two men within striking distance of the other’s privates.

Not all serious yogis think the practice makes sense. “I don’t see the point,” said Mary Dillion, who teaches

clothed yoga in Manhattan. “I have a yoga practice that I like and I can be naked in my home.

I don’t need to do naked yoga.” And Joshua Stein, editor-at-large for OUT Magazine, who attended a class in 2008, says the quality of the yoga was diminished by the heightened sensuality. “It’s almost as if the yoga is something between an afterthought and an excuse,” said Stein, who is heterosexual. “It gives you this gray area where you can be intimate physically, but not so aggressively intimate as in a bath house or in a bar.” He describes being asked to do a child’s pose — a kneeling pose with arms stretched forward on the ground —

while a partner draped himself on his back.

“It’s not something you really need a partner to do,” he said. Star acknowledges that partner work is a popular feature of Hot Nude Yoga that “generates a certain amount of heat” and keeps his client list high. Still, practitioners say they constantly combat the notion that their classes are orgies veiled as exercise. At Nude Yoga NYC in Manhattan, nude yoga is not such a boys club.

Instructor Isis Phoenix, 29, said her coed nude yoga studio attracts “a well-rounded population of ages, genders and sexual orientations.” The men usually outnumber women two-to-one, however.—AP