21 Apr

Ri Pt io n bS c Su THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF

40 PAGES

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010

Thailand protesters back down after live fire threat

JAMADA ALAWAL 7, 1431 AH

Space shuttle safely home after one of last missions

Some Europe flights resume but travel chaos not over

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NO: 14705

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150 FILS

Inter Milan overpower Barca 3-1 in semifinal first leg PAGE 20

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Mixed reactions over maids’ medical test proposal

By Ben Garcia and agencies KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Immigration Department has come up with a controversial new proposal to introduce mandatory medical examinations for all domestic helpers whenever they renew their residency visas or on their return from foreign trips or vacations in order to prevent the spread of contagious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis.

“I don’t know what kind of proposal

Jail term of Kuwaiti woman who killed maid reduced this is! Why? Do they think their domestic helpers are prostitutes, sex slaves or sex objects in the comfort of their homes? [Do they believe] that in order for them to be safe, they need their housemaids to undergo AIDS tests? It’s another disgusting proposal,” said one visibly unhappy Filipino community

KUWAIT: Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Sabah attends the opening session of the “Transparency in Oil Industries” symposium yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat (See Page 5)

Kuwait sees oil in $75-90 range Minister warns against speculation KUWAIT: Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Sabah yesterday said the current oil price is “good” and that he expected it to remain within the $75-90 a barrel range. “The oil price is good ... I think it will remain in the range of 75-90 dollars a barrel,” Sheikh Ahmad told reporters after opening a symposium on transparency in oil industries. The minister however warned against speculation and volatility in crude prices.

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Mideast least hit by finance crisis KUWAIT: The Middle East, particularly the energy-rich Gulf, has been the region least hit by the economic downturn, the Paris-based credit insurance group Coface said at a conference yesterday.

“Middle East countries have shown resilience being able to maintain positive growth of 1.4 percent in 2009,” Coface said at a one-day country risk conference organised with Kuwait-based Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corp.

The group has calculated what it calls the “growth shock” of the global financial crisis by taking the percentage point difference in GDP growth between 2007 and 2009. For the whole world, GDP growth declined 5.8 percentage points while it fell 3.6 percentage points for the Middle East, just ahead of emerging Asia which fell 3.9 percentage points, Coface

said. “Everyone thinks that the best region in the crisis was emerging Asia, but in fact it was the Middle East,” Coface CEO Jerome Cazes told AFP in a telephone interview as he could not attend because of travel disruption in Europe resulting from the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.

The United Arab Emirates was the most affected by the crisis with its growth rate declining by 8.8 percentage points, followed by Iran’s which fell 7.6 percentage points.

Economists speaking at the conference forecast positive growth for the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) this year with signs of credit market easing. “This year is genuinely a year of recovery ... 2008 and 2009 are behind us,” chief economist at HSBC Bank, Middle East, Simon Willams said.

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leader on the condition of anonymity.

Filipino workers, like all expatriates coming to work in Kuwait, must first undergo a series of medical examinations before being allowed to enter Kuwait.

“What If she caught any diseases at her workplace? Isn’t it the duty of the sponsor to help her recover or give him or her

the necessary medical assistance and not to deny him or her a residence permit?

That is a basic human right, and we shouldn’t be denied that,” the community leader asserted.

Some are supportive of the new medical test proposal, however. “I fully support the Kuwaiti government’s decision if

they think this is the right thing to do and for the best for their country,” said Indonesian Embassy Spokesman Aris Triyano. “That is their right and we can never say anything against it.”

Khalid, a Kuwaiti citizen sponsoring two housemaids from the Philippines, also agrees with the proposal, arguing

Privatization of power plants priority of govt Shareholding firm to build Subiya station • Govt eyes 13 mega projects

By A Saleh and agencies KUWAIT: The first private power station will be offered for public writing through a shareholding company in June 2010, high-ranking sources said. “The Kuwaiti government is taking first steps toward privatizing public services by drafting a law to establish a shareholding company for the slated Subiya power plant,” sources told Kuwait Times, adding that a team of legal experts is expected to finalize the draft law in June 2010. After completion, the new company will be the first of its kind established by the government in cooperation with the private sector.

The Cabinet had earlier announced the establishment of several companies as part of the state’s four-year mega development plan. “A team of legal experts are compiling a draft law for the Subiya power station company. The draft law would be referred to the government and then the Assembly for endorsement,” sources said. The sources said the company would seek private sector partnership in C ontinued on Page 14

KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry’s special task forces held joint exercises with the US embassy in Kuwait at Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah Security Sciences Academy yesterday. Director General of the General Administration of Special Task Forces Brig Gen Ali Madi Faisal said in a statement that the exercise is aimed at cooperation between the forces and the US embassy to fight terrorism and provide protection to VIPs in the country. The exercise included several drills for response to potential terrorist attacks, he added. — KUNA

Rashed proposes 72 MPs, sixth constituency

By B Izzak KUWAIT: Liberal MP Ali Al-Rashed said yesterday that he plans to present amendments to four articles in the constitution which essentially call to expand the National Assembly’s membership and accordingly the Cabinet.

Rashed has not yet finalized or submitted the amendments but is working to complete them to submit them to the Assembly, amid strong opposition from several MPs who accuse the

lawmaker of working on behalf of the government.

The lawmaker said that his amendment to article 8 of the constitution stipulates to increase the Assembly’s membership from the present 50 to 72 MPs, and to create a sixth constituency between the fourth and fifth electoral districts, which are predominantly tribal.

The amendments would also propose to increase the number of MPs elected from each constituency to 12 from the present 10.

Tribal activists have been complaining that they are discriminated against with regard to the number of MPs elected from their areas because the number of eligible voters in their districts is far higher than in other constituencies. The membership of the Assembly has remained unchanged at 50 since Kuwait embraced parliamentary democracy in 1962.

Increasing the Assembly’s membership will allow raising the number of Cabinet ministers from the current 16 to as much as 24 because

business magnet Dubai struggled through a debt crisis.

“It does seem to go counter to Qatar’s open-door policy,” said Shadi Hamid, deputy director of the Brookings Institution in Doha, the Qatari branch of the Washington-based think tank. “Qatar has become the conference capital of the Middle East. Everyone is coming to Doha. Qatar has been able to present itself as a regional force and a major diplomatic actor, offering a neutral ground where discussion can take place, and it has been able to do this quite successfully. That’s why this move (was) somewhat confusing,” he said.

Though the government gave no reason for the initial plan to scrap the visa-on-arrival facility, analysts say it appeared motivated by a desire for quid-pro-quo treatment for Qatari citizens abroad. “The idea behind it seemed to be reciprocity: C ontinued on Page 14

under the constitution, the number of ministers must not exceed one-third of the Assembly’s membership.

Rashed said that he also plans to propose amendments to article 98 to make it mandatory for the new Cabinet to win the confidence of the Assembly before assuming office. At present, the new Cabinet is not required to win the confidence of the house and it can assume office immediately after being sworn in by the Amir.

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Egypt protesters taunt police, call for reforms

Qatar suspends visa plan DOHA: Qatar, which sees itself as a diplomatic and cultural hub in the Gulf Arab region, has suspended plans to make visitors from many countries obtain visas before they travel, Qatari media and an airline industry source told Reuters. News of the plan, floated earlier this month, surprised investors and drew objections from airlines and tourism-related businesses, local media and the source said. The plan would have required citizens of 33 countries, including the United Kingdom, United States and several Asian nations, to obtain tourist and business visas before travelling to Qatar. Those citizens can now get visas on arrival.

The new rules had been due to go into effect on May 1, the airline industry source close to the matter told Reuters. A more restrictive policy would appear to run counter to Qatar’s efforts to attract foreign investment, which it stepped up recently by relaxing business rules just as its neighbour and long-time

that it should in fact be applied to all expatriate workers, regardless of their profession. “They should not single out housemaids, AIDS and hepatitis, for example, don’t exclusively target housemaids; anyone can contract them,” he said. Khalid voiced a wish for the medical examination to be streamlined, however, to avoid any complications. “I hope that if the government implements it, they make it easier for all.

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CAIRO: Egyptian activists shout anti-government slogans and hold placards that read “Shoot Us” during a protest outside the parliament yesterday. — AFP

CAIRO: Protesters gathered in central Cairo yesterday, condemning calls by politicians and officials loyal to President Hosni Mubarak for security forces to open fire on pro-democracy demonstrations. About 70 people joined the protest, the third in two weeks calling for more political freedoms and an end to an emergency law that allows indefinite detentions. Though small, the demonstrations could gain traction ahead of a parliamentary poll later this year and a 2011 presidential vote that might mark an end to Mubarak’s 29-year rule.

Hundreds of police stood watch on yesterday’s protesters, who included the Sixth of April Youth movement

and political opponents to Mubarak’s National Democratic Party (NDP).

The protest came two days after a lawmaker loyal to Mubarak said demonstrators should be shot at. “I would have questioned the Interior Ministry for being soft on these outlaws ... Do not use water hoses to disperse these outlaws, shoot at them directly,” NDP member Nashaat Al-Qasas told Egypt’s parliament.

Qasas later backed away from his statement and top NDP official Saf wat El-Sherif said the par ty backed Egyptians’ right of expression and condemned all calls for violence or shooting.

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NATIONAL

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Envoy sees strengthened ties

Amir visit to Italy of great significance KUWAIT: The upcoming visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Italy will be the first visit of a Kuwaiti Amir in 18 years, and so it is of great significance, said Italian Ambassador Enrico Granara yesterday. “We are very, very pleased by the decision of the Amir to visit Italy because it is the first visit of a Kuwaiti Amir (to Italy) in 18 years,” the ambassador said. The last visit ‘of this kind was led by the late Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah after the liberation of Kuwait, as part of a European tour during which he visited the allied countries. “(This visit) has a historical significance, and we really hope that bilateral relations would benefit, and we need to work on this.”

Cabinet, Parliament blamed for price rise KUWAIT: The Cabinet and Parliament share responsibility over the problem of price rise, said participants at a seminar held recently by the National Forum in Farwaniya. The event was held to discuss increasing living costs.

The state’s failure in imposing effective supervision over prices, proves its failure to protect consumers in Kuwait from steep price rise and monopoly, noted the participants.

They further blamed the parliament’s members for addressing issues that form the main points of concerns for citizens.

And while explaining the troubles that citizens face in regards to increasing prices in various fields that include edu-

cation, accommodation, health as well as food supplies, reported Al-Qabas.

The participants pointed out several reasons that escalated the problem like the spread of unemployment.

Meanwhile, in a poll on AlWatan Daily’s website, 63 percent were in favor of the idea that the government should release the names of those with dual citizenships, reported AlWatan. Of those who participated, 27 percent rejected the idea and 10 percent considered the issue unimportant. The poll, posted from April 11-18, is part of a weekly survey proposed by the website and featured participation from more than 7,500 visitors.

in the news Environment violators KUWAIT: Environmental laws should be strictly enforced in order to prevent any environmental violations, said Mohammad Al-Enizi yesterday. The industrial environment sector at the Environment Public Authority (EPA) made his comments after an inspection of the Esherej area in Doha. The inspection revealed 47 factories violating environmental procedures and negatively impacting the marine life in the area. Al-Enizi added that the inspection team will continue to survey the area and that those polluting the environment must be punished by the law.

No exporting of revolution KUWAIT: The Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, Ali Jannati, denied allegations that his country is responsible for “exporting revolutionary action,” reported Al-Watan. He pointed out that Iran plays a major role in maintaining the security of the region and indicated that Iran seeks positive relations with the region’s countries and countries around the world. He added that the country’s nuclear project is specifically for peaceful means. The ambassador made his comments during a reception at the Iranian Embassy to celebrate Iranian Army Day. He reiterated the strength of Iranian-Kuwaiti relations. The military attaché to the embassy, Mujtaba Qamsari, said that Iran has never been a source of concern to its neighboring countries. He explained that Iranian troops are a defensive forces whose goal is to spread peace and security in the region and around the world.

Call for Center’s closure KUWAIT: The Shiite Principles Assembly recently urged the Wathakker Islamic Preaching Center to pull its shutters down for “expressing opinions that offend Shiites.” In a press statement, the Assembly further indicated that the Cabinet had failed to commit to a previously made promise to close the center down for instigating sectarianism, reported Al-Watan. They further accused the center of taking advantage of the government’s inaction to continue “their provocative activities.” He asserted that the government shut the center down in order to protect its integrity.

Motor accidents KUWAIT: A young male citizen nearly lost his life in a car accident in Salmiya when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a lamp post, reported Al-Watan. Police and paramedics responded to the emergency and brought the driver to Mubarak Hospital. In an unrelated incident, three expats in three separate cars were involved in an accident on Jamaal Abdul-Nassir Road. The expats suffered various injuries and were hospitalized in Sabah Hospital. Meanwhile, a driver suffered mild injuries when he crashed his car on the corner of Journalism Street and 4th Ring Road. He was taken to Sabah Hospital by paramedics.

He noted that the visit by the Amir to Italy was taking place a few months after the visit made

by H.H. the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and before that the visit by the Managing Director of Kuwait Investment Authority Bader Al-Saad.

“We tend to see this series of visits in succession, up to the highest level, as a clear sign that Italy and Kuwait are determined to reinforce and expand their cooperation in every field,” he said.

The ambassador said that the Amir would be meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The Kuwaiti delegation will be holding an event, hosting representatives of the Italian business community.

The Amir is being accompanied by a delegation of the public and private sectors. “My understanding is that the Kuwaiti delegation will make a presentation of the new fiveyear plan to their Italian counterparts, drawing the attention of the Italian side-both the government and the private sector of how the Italian businesses can be associated to this plan, which entails a number of projects in the civil infrastructure, not just the oil and gas sector.”

He said that Italy was “very satisfied” with the current and perspective plans and opportunities that Kuwait had to offer to Italian companies in the area of oil and gas infrastructure, but noted that “more progress” needed to be made in the area of civil infrastructure. “We hope that the major Italian players in this field will be encouraged by the Kuwaiti delegation to boost their presence in Kuwait.”

In terms of bilateral trade,

Italian Ambassador Enrico Granara Granara said that his country ranked as the sixth largest exporter to Kuwait, and that despite the general economic downturn which occurred between the second half of 2008 and through most of 2009, “Italy’s exports to Kuwait declined at a lesser percentage than with other countries in the region, and that is a very important indicator. (The drop) was around 10-11 percent.”

Putting this figure in context, he reminded that in 2007 up to mid-2008, Italy boosted its exports to Kuwait to an overall figure of 836 million euro (around one billion US dollars), noting that this figure includes machinery for plants in Kuwait.

As for trade relations, he said that this was complex because it included the work done by Italian companies in the construction of infrastructure that the Kuwaiti authorities put in tender, and also the transfer of technology, together with the increase in the economic potential of Kuwait.

One major example of bilateral economic cooperation involving the transfer technology was the Shuaiba Olefins II Plant of the Petrochemical

Industry Company (PIC), which was inaugurated by H.H. the Amir in late February. Sixty percent of the construction of the plant was done by an Italian company, and the other 40 percent by a Korean company.

“I label this as one of the major examples of the bilateral economic cooperation which involves the transfer of state-ofthe-art technology, one coming in view of expanding productivity - and in this case it was the downstream chemical products which allows Kuwait to become one of the major players in the production of aromatics, which is a component in the production of plastics.”

Asked about areas of bilateral cooperation, the ambassador said that in politics, the views of Italy and Kuwait were “converging” on almost all important worldwide issues, including the Middle East at large and the Israeli-Palestinian situation.

“We know that Kuwait has a high consideration for the role that Italy can play at a multi-lateral level, and I suppose that this would be a subject of conversation between H.H. the Amir and his Italian counterpart.”

Apart from international political cooperation at the multi-lateral level, he said Kuwait and Italy needed to find “more energies and resources to expand our relation in other areas.”

He referred to agreements signed on the sidelines of the visit of H.H. the Prime Minister to Rome in late November of 2009, including the operational memorandum of air transport.

As a consequence, Wataniya Airways will begin operating three flights a week to Rome on May 31 for a summer schedule ending on October 30.

“We see this as a very interesting development because it is destined to expand our communications. Italy and Kuwait will therefore be connected on a daily basis - four flights weekly

by Kuwait Airways in code share with Alitalia, and three flights weekly on the other days

by Wataniya. We hope this will increase the number of Kuwaiti visitors to Italy, and it will be a substantial boost to our bilateral tourism,” the ambassador said.

Another agreement signed in November was a general agreement to expand bilateral agreement in the area of health, but this required additional protocols after identifying the areas where this cooperation could take place. “There is already de facto cooperation in the sense that a number of Kuwaiti patients are going to Italy for specific treatment, such as marrow transplant for people suffering from thalassemia.”

Moreover, he said Italy could play a role in the research of diabetes, noting that an attempt was made in this regard on a Kuwaiti initiative a couple of years ago outside the framework of an agreement but was suspended. — KUNA

Amir to visit Vatican on European tour KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will be visiting the Vatican on Sunday as part of his European tour aimed at bolstering relations with European countries.

Relations between the Vatican and Kuwait date back to the 1960s especially with the fact that Kuwait was the first Gulf nation to forge diplomatic ties with the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XV lauded Kuwait in previous statements, saying that the Gulf state had played an important role in the GCC and Mideast regions by bolstering peace and security. He also commended Kuwait’s resilience in overcoming the tragedy of war and mishap, deeming it as a brave stance for such a small nation which always respected the notions of democratic and religious freedoms.

Officials at the Vatican always shed light on Kuwait’s tolerance to other religions and noted that Kuwait supported dialogue between Christianity and Islam.

In 1992, Kuwait agreed to open an embassy in Vatican City as part of both states’ keenness on bolstering diplomatic ties while in 1996, the Vatican’s Minister of State

for Foreign Affairs Jean Louis-Tauran visited Kuwait, marking the first visit of a high-level Vatican official to the Gulf country.

In the same year, then Crown Prince Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah paid a visit to the Holy City meeting with John Paul II, a step further solidifying bilateral relations.

In November 2009, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah met with Pope Benedict XV, presenting him with a rare copy of the Holy Quran.

Sheikh Nasser also met with Vatican Prime Minister Tarcisio Bertone, discussing with him means to further bolster relations.

The State of the Vatican is a landlocked sovereign citystate whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, the capital city of Italy. It has an area of approximately 0.44 square kilometers and a population of just over 800.

Vatican City was established in 1929. It is distinct from the Holy See, which dates back to early Christianity and is the main episcopal see of 1.147 billion Latin and Eastern Catholic adherents around the globe. — KUNA

KU seminar on use of nuclear energy

By Hussain Al-Qatari

KUWAIT: Dr Tareq Beshara.

Al-Refaei (left), Dr Nader Al-Awadhi, Dr Haitham Lababidi and Dr Ahmad

KUWAIT: The Kuwait University Research Center held a seminar on Sunday at its Khaldiya campus to discuss the use of nuclear power as an alternative source of energy in Kuwait.

Among the speakers were Dr Haitham Lababidi, Assistant Manager of the KU Research Center as well as Nader Al-Awadhi, Vice Chairman of Kuwait Institute for Research and Science and a number of other experts in the field.

The seminar discussed the possibility of implementing nuclear power in Kuwait as a second source of energy after oil. Among the many disadvantages of producing oil is pollution, which is posing a threat to nature and is reaching very alarming rates in Kuwait alone.

Dr Lababidi explained during the conference that the implementation of nuclear power will reduce pollutants and be more effective, and is becoming a necessity nowadays for any advanced country.

NATIONAL

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

3 Males only post in Kuwait

Kuwaiti woman fights for prosecutor’s job

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The Administrative Court, in its first instance, refused the case filed by Shuruq Al-Failakawi to be appointed general prosecutor. This is the first case of its kind in Kuwait and Al-Failakawi decided to follow her case through to the end.

“Even if I lose the case, and I don’t occupy the position of general prosecutor, I’m sure that one day a Kuwaiti woman will become a prosecutor, or even a judge,” Al-Failakawi told the Kuwait Times.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receiving at Bayan Palace yesterday Chairman of the Board of the Social Reform Society Humoud Al-Roumi and members of the new board of directors. The Amir also received Chairman of the Board of Bashaer Al-Khair Society Abdulhamid Al-Bilali and members of the board. The society board chairmen presented a book on the achievements of their societies over the last 17 years to Sheikh Sabah who lauded the social reform activities of the associations. — KUNA

Exemption for specialist expat doctors

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Expatriate doctors, above the age of 65, will now be exempted from retirement if they have specialized in fields

considered rare by the Health Ministry, high-ranking sources said yesterday. “Appraisals of expat doctors who reach retirement age are carried out by hospital directors and director

of health districts,” officials said, adding that the ministry is conducting a general evaluation of administrative, technical and medical staff who have passed the legal age of retirement,

including ministry undersecretaries. The assessment process was requested by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Both Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti doctors will be subject to it.

in the news Airport cancels 31 flights KUWAIT: Five flights that were scheduled to depart on Monday from Kuwait International Airport (KIA) bound for Amsterdam, Rome, Paris, London and Frankfurt respectively were cancelled.

This followed confirmation from European civil aviation authorities that the airspace there had not yet been reopened following the closure due to the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, reported Al-Qabas. These cancellations raise the total number of cancelled flights from KIA since the beginning of the problem last week to 31, said Issam Al-Zamel, the head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s Operation’s Department.

Al-Juwaihel sues ministry KUWAIT: Mohammad Al-Juwaihel recently filed an official complaint with

the Public Prosecution Department (PPD) against the Ministry of Information (MoI). He accused them of causing insult and defamation. Al-Juwaihel responded to a letter that the ministry had sent to Scope TV before he was interviewed by the channel. In his complaint, he stated that the Ministry had warned the channel against broadcasting his speech, further describing him as ‘a persona non grata,’ ‘offending a part of society,’ and ‘damaging national unity.’ Furthermore, he criticized the ministry for referring to him using the ‘so called’ term, reported AlWatan. The Ministry had attempted to prevent Al-Juwaihel’s interview from being broadcasted, going as far as sending representatives to try and dissuade the channel’s management. However, the administration went ahead with the broadcast.

Key role for diwaniyas KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti people have always maintained close relations with one another, interacting closely with each other and with members of the ruling family through the country’s diwaniyas, which are the forerunners of today’s parliament, according to a former minister. Khalid Issa AlSaleh, the former Minister of Public Works, said that especially in the days prior to the country’s independence, the diwaniyas resembled public parliaments for the populace, reported Al-Qabas. Speaking at a gathering held at the Dar Al-Marafi to discuss the principles of patriotism, AlSaleh said that since its beginnings Kuwait has been a safe haven for stability, with people from troubled areas of Iraq once seeking a living here despite Kuwait’s harsh desert climate.

She graduated from Kuwait University’s Faculty of Law in 2008, and works as a investigator with the General Investigations Department. “I don’t see any difference between my job and the job of a prosecutor,” she said. “I investigate misdemeanors while prosecutors investigate the crimes.

We both apply the law.”

The Ministry of Justice opened a job vacancy and began accepting applications after the position was closed for about two years. “When I applied they refused to accept my application because I’m a female,” she added.

“Even the staff at the place were laughing at me. They told me the position is only for males. When I demanded a written rejection, they refused and said verbal refusal was enough.”

When her application for the job was refused she submitted a complaint to the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice, the Minister of Justice and other officials in charge. “Only the Minister accepted to receive the com-

plaint,” she said.

“He didn’t reply until today.

This encouraged me to file my case with the Administrative Court, which refused it at the first instance. I will first file my complaint with the Complaint Checking Committee to determine whether the advertisement published in the newspaper regarding the vacancy was constitutional or not. I will definitely appeal to the Constitutional Court before I lose the legal window period to file an appeal,” Al-Failakawi explained.

According to Al-Failakawi there are no laws regulations, codes, internal memos, or constructional rules limiting the position of prosecutor or judge to males only.

“The Ministry of Justice has decided to accept only males for these posts, without official written regulations. There is no evidence in Islamic Sharia for such discrimination,” she pointed out.

The family, friends, and teachers of Al-Failakawi are supporting her and encouraging her to continue her case.

Shuruq Al-Failakawi

Safe, healthy food for primary school kids KUWAIT: Education minister Dr. Moudhi Al-Humoud has emphasized the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) eagerness to ensure that it provides a safe and healthy diet for primary school children.

Responding to recent reports in local daily Al-Rai expressing doubts over the bids put forward by various firms to supply catering services for local primary schools, Dr. Al-Humoud issued a statement stressing that the ministry would never accept any illegal behavior or

attempts to interfere in ministry decisions to win catering or any other supply tenders. The minister also stated that the initial tender to provide school meals for primary school pupils had been cancelled due to the unrealistically high costs cited by those firms submitting bids, with the subsequent bids for the lower-priced tender set to save the state around KD 10 million in total.

On the subject of a Ministry of Health (MoH) report stating that one of the

three catering firms which submitted bids was located in an industrial area, Dr. Al-Humoud pointed out that nothing in the report indicated that the company’s products did not comply with health, hygiene and safety standards, which they do.

“On the contrary,” she said, “the Ministry of Health itself has a three-year contract with a catering firm located in an industrial area to provide meals to its hospitals.”

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NATIONAL

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Local media figures looking forward to 7th Arab Forum

By Nisreen Zahreddine KUWAIT: A number of Kuwaiti journalists have expressed their enthusiasm about the forthcoming seventh Arab Media Forum, with this year’s event, taking place in Kuwait between April 25 and 27, being held under the motto, ‘Media: Technology and Communication.’ The prestigious forum will take place under the patronage and with the attendance of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah. Kuwait University Media lecturer Dr. Yassin Al-Yassin said that the forum is a successful event by all measures since it achieves communication and interaction between all sorts of Arab journalists.

KUWAIT: A massive blaze broke out at a co-operative society located in Sabah Al-Salem yesterday.

Firemen from Qurain and Mishref centers extinguished the flames which had spread to an adjoining telecommunications tower. Emergency crews from the Ministry of Electricty and Water cut off power supply. No injuries were reported. — Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

Iranian man dies in car accident KUWAIT: A 40-year-old Iranian man died at the scene after sustaining severe head injuries in a car accident on the First Ring Road near the Ice Skating Rink.

The body was removed for autopsy and an investigation has been opened into the case to determine the reason for the accident, reported Al-Watan.

Death in Mangaf The dead body of an Iranian man was recently discovered at his apartment in Mangaf.

Emergency personnel were quickly at the scene, reported Al-Watan, with crime scene officers removing evidence before the body was taken for autopsy.

An investigation has been opened at the local police station.

Gunman targets car An Egyptian motorist driving along Airport Street in the Yarmouk area was shocked when bullets smashed through the windscreen of his car, thankfully missing him. He immediately called police to report the

incident, reported Annahar, with crime scene investigators inspecting the vehicle and removing evidence in order to identify the gunman. An investigation is underway.

Indian attacked Paramedics rushed a 39year-old Indian man to Jahra Hospital after finding him covered in blood in a street in Saad Al-Abdullah following a mugging and beating carried out by thugs who stole his wallet, reported Al-Sessayah. An investigation has been opened at Taima police station to catch the culprits.

Suicide bid An Asian woman recently released from the local psychiatric hospital sustained severe injuries after throwing herself from the top of a building in Farwaniya in an attempt to end her life. The woman, who worked for a family living in the building, was found lying unconscious on the ground by other residents who immedi-

KUWAIT: An Asian expatriate was arrested for trading in heroin recently. Officers from the General Department for Drug Control were tipped off on his activities. An undercover agent struck a deal with the suspect to buy two grams of the contraband, and 320 grams of heroin was found concealed in his Jleeb residence. The suspect was referred to relevant authorities. ately called an ambulance, which rushed her to the local hospital.

Malicious caller A Kuwaiti citizen went to his local police station in Riqqa

after receiving a malicious phone call from an unknown male caller who threatened to kill his son, reported Al-Watan.

He provided officers with the caller’s number and an investigation is underway.

The academic added that the forum reflects a positive image for Kuwait, voicing hope that it would achieve its goals and deliver a real, positive message to society.

Local journalist Majed AlShatti described the upcoming forum as a cultural event, saying that providing such an opportunity for journalists and other educated members of society of various views and perspectives to meet and exchange opinions was a good idea in itself, which suggests that Kuwait has talented national manpower with the ability to play an important role at the wider Arab level.

Al-Anba columnist Faisal AlZamel emphasized the significance of this year’s ‘Media: Technology and Communications’ event title, saying that focusing on this subject would help to achieve a closer interaction between media personnel and technology.

Kuwaiti author Taleb AlRifae said that the forum had already managed to become a major event for the Kuwaiti media. Kuwait has always been a pioneer in media issues, he went on, saying that the guests’ active participation in the forum also marks it out as a special event.

Al-Rifae added that Kuwait has always been and still is a pioneer in introducing and encouraging pan-Arab strategies and introducing new technology to the region, especially in the media sector.

Another leading Kuwaiti media figure, Yousef Al-Jassem, said that the forum provides an important opportunity to renew relations and hold meetings between media personnel, which will help in developing concepts within the media and to reinforce professional relationships for all those working in the field. This in turn will help to further reinforce Kuwait’s image in this field, he added.

Al-Rai TV presenter Zeinab Khan said that the forum had been a great success in providing an opportunity for direct meetings between media figures and other educated people in society. Khan asserted that the media is in itself a message, with the forum providing an important service in Fellow Al-Rai TV presenter Abdullah Yoviyeen expressed great excitement at taking part in the upcoming event, saying that the participation of young media personnel in the forum is a tremendous positive achievement, adding that it’s extremely important for young people in the media to take part in such events.

Ali Al-Zoubi, a writer and researcher at Awan newspaper, called the forum “a beacon in Kuwait’s modern history and a media ambassador for Kuwait in the Arab and Western world.”

Al-Zoubi said that the forum manages to focus on events and issues that are extremely significant and could lead to major

changes in the Arab world. He also asked whether or not the Arab world would remain only a passive consumer of new technology, asserting that the Arab media should be aware of how to benefit from its use.

Another Kuwait University Media Lecturer Khalid AlKahes said that the forum brings great cachet for the Gulf media scene generally, voicing hope that it would continue to do so.

His academic colleague at the university, Yousef Mustafa, said that the forum should focus specifically on Kuwaiti media figures and the country’s media as a whole, insisting that it needs to better reflect the image of Kuwaiti media at the Arab level.

Another media figure, Nouriya Al-Saddani, lauded the forum and efforts of the governing body’s Secretary General Mahdi Al-Khamees, saying that the idea behind the event is in itself a unique and pioneering concept. The event has become a primary and significant one which reflects national patriotism and a sense of belonging, in addition to becoming one of the most important annual events for Kuwait, she said.

Journalist Ghaleb Al-Osaimi expressed hope that the forum’s governing body would be turned into a regular association, organizing more such activities for members, describing the forum itself as a

point of real transformation at the local media level.

Al-Watan columnist Khalid Al-Shallal, meanwhile, praised the choice of guest speakers at this year’s forum, describing the selection as a great success, and adding that Kuwait’s climate of media freedom helps in the discussion of the sensitive issues being examined during the event.

Another Kuwaiti media figure, Samira Abdullah, described the forum as an annual “axis of integration” for media personnel from across the Arab world, voicing hope that the event would see discussion of various issues including the media portrayal of women, education and children.

Al-Watan TV presenter Ali Hussein Abdulrahman said that the forum is a great demonstration of Kuwaiti democracy. His colleague Barakat Al-Wakyan, meanwhile, asserted that media figures had dreamt of holding such a gathering in Kuwait for many years, with the forum being the realization of these aspirations. The forum also helps in building bridges of understanding among media personnel and other educated members of society, he said, as well as providing a setting where all viewpoints can meet and break down the barriers between Arab media representatives and their peers in the Western media.

Letters to Muna Al-Fuzai Greetings Muna, read your piece on expats and driving licenses. There were statements made about licenses not being issued to certain nationalities as ‘they are accustomed to driving rickshaws.’ Now that was extremely racist and unwarranted. What if Kuwait is referred to as - from camels and mules to Mercs and Bentleys? Or from wooden dhows to yachts? You being a journalist are trying your best to be fair and just with everyone.

But your voice gets drowned in your fellow Kuwaitis’ sick remarks. I don’t know whether I should stoop to that level or not.

Let me say this- I love your Kuwait. I thank her for whatever the country has given me.

But please realize that she’s (Kuwait) there because of us and we are there because of her!

I don’t want to even start talking about young Kuwaitis who flash their old Datsun’s and create a ruckus in the middle of the night in residential areas, them driving at break neck speeds in their SUV’s or fast cars or for that matter chasing down expat women on the road, driving with their foot on the dash board or placing a kid with them in the driver’s seat while holding the steering wheel. I have seen young children stand out from the sun roof while the car is zooming at a speed of 120km/h. I can go on, Ms Al-Fuzai, I really can! But it is just that the locals want to pin every fault or glitch in Kuwait’s system onto the expats. Women feel unsafe to use public transportation in Kuwait because there are young local ‘elements’ who create havoc in buses. They abuse, spit, pass lewd remarks and sometimes even offer money to a lady for all the wrong reasons! Let’s not talk about safety in taxis. You had written an article a year or so ago on the topic!

Hindsight being 20-20, it’s the expats who keep Kuwait on its heads as a mark of respect. Like I said earlier, I love Kuwait but does Kuwait love us? I don’t think I will get an answer to this. Back to the hindsight point - expats are the reason why vehicle finance giants like Ayaan and others are making pots

I

of money. This is because expats can’t afford to pay cash on vehicles. We pay a premium rate of interest. Kuwaitis have disposable income, well a majority of them do and it keeps changing hands. Who gets the surplus?

It is we, the expats.

God bless Kuwait.

Regards, Reader Hi Muna, I am an expatriate (Indian). While I was on my way to work, I was intercepted by traffic police on 18th April around 4 pm at Jleeb AlShuyoukh. The traffic police collected my registration paper and driving license, and asked me to park my car at the road side.

After parking the car as he ordered, I returned to him. He was very busy issuing tickets to all the drivers who passed by that road. Finally, he called out my name and returned my registration paper, driving license. To my surprise, I received a traffic violation ticket for not wearing a seat belt even though I was wearing it and there were no passengers with me in my car. (He neither spoke or explained to me and also did not give me a chance to talk to him.) He was so duty-bound that even he demanded registration papers from an Arab expat who was carrying an LPG gas cylinder on his shoulder.

Moral: Do not be surprised to receive traffic violation tickets from public friendly traffic police even when you adhere to traffic rules of this great nation.

Reader Hi Muna, With regard to your article that was published about expats and driving in Kuwait, I liked this sentence, ‘Honestly, the country’s horrible traffic planning should be discussed more openly.’ Yes, its true and we need to face it. The roads are old and the population is swelling. We need modern roads, underground and local metro railway projects. Also socially, more respect should paid to public transportation system, as some are not willing to give up

their luxury car. In Europe the transportation system fits every social class. There should be more collective responsibility in making transportation easier, faster and modern.

Kind regards, Labeed Hello Ms Muna, I regularly read your ‘Local Spotlight’ column in Kuwait Times. You are doing a great service to society. I would like to bring to your notice the plight of many expatriates who have applied for the renewal of their residence permits from the third week of March this year. Their residence permits are not being renewed due to the problems that arose between Shoon and the companies. Apparently, the new system has not been fully functional.

Associated problems are preventing residence permit renewals. Even mainstream oil companies like KOC and KNPC personnel are not able to renew their residence permits.

This is a big problem for expatriates who have to travel due to emergencies, attend important family functions, business tours and personnel with on and off duties.

They are not in a position to travel as either the residence permit is not renewed or is renewed for one month only.

If a new technology is adopted to help citizens or residents, it is understandable to have teething problems and to take care of these teething troubles. The old system should be kept in place and fully functional.

The situation is causing severe stress and inconvenience to the residents due to the implementation delays of the new system.

All the more, there is absolutely no clue as to when the problem will be resolved.

I request you to bring this to the notice of the highest authorities and help resolve the issue (one way is to immediately revert to the old practice till the new system is fully functional) to bring relief to sufferers.

Kumar muna@kuwaittimes.net

Mother condemned over teen torture KUWAIT: Police in Mubarak Al-Kabeer are still attempting to trace a young Kuwaiti man accused of torturing his teenage sister, who suffered thirddegree burns to both arms as a result of his actions. In a new development in the case, the mother of the perpetrator and victim has been criticized by investigating officers for terminating the contract of the family’s maid, who witnessed the assault, and having her deported to prevent the woman testifying as a witness against her son. Detectives also condemned the mother’s subsequent allegations against the maid in a press interview, suggesting that the mother’s decision to speak to the press while the case has not yet come to court may be a criminal offense punishable by law.

nAtionAl

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

5 ‘One of the most difficult challenges’

Kuwait holds forum on oil sector transparency

By Rawan Khalid KUWAIT: The Kuwait Transparency Society organized their fourth forum titled; ‘Transparency in the Oil Industries.’ The two-day forum, which started yesterday morning, is being held in the Al-Mourjan Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel under the auspices of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, started the forum with a speech. “The oil sector is considered one of the most important parts of Kuwait,” he said. “The government will not hesitate to strengthen the level of transparency that exists with the companies working in this field. I am sure we will hear lots of visions and ideas on how to develop our oil industry.”

KUWAIT: ‘Transparency in Oil Industries’ forum in progress. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

in the news GCC agricultural panel MUSCAT: The GCC Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee yesterday held its second meeting in the Omani capital, under the chairmanship of Abdullah Yacoub Bishara. During the meeting, the committee members discussed a number of issues, mainly food problems in the GCC countries, crop development, processing and export as well as the quality of agricultural production in the region. The meeting also saw analysis and discussion of a variety of ideas and strategies presented by institutions involved in crop development and the study of this matter, the statement added. The committee meeting’s findings are expected to be presented to the GCC Consultative Body meeting due to be held in June, as a prelude to submitting them to the 31st GCC Supreme Council session scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi. —KUNA

515 school buses KUWAIT: The Education Ministry has signed a contract with Kuwait Public Transportation Company(KPTC) to supply buses that transport students in Farwaniya and Mubarak Al-Kabeer educational zones. The contract period will extend to three years. The Assistant Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs Ayesha Al-Roudhan said that according to the terms of the contract, 515 buses will be supplied.

At least 334 buses will ply in Farwaniya, and 181 buses will ply in Mubarak Al-Kabeer. She said the contract is valued at KD 7.4 million, reported Awan. Al-Roudhan said the Administrative Affairs Sector finished preparations to transfer students during 2010-2011 scholastic year. At least 1,500 buses will transport students to various schools.

Motorcycle cop hurt KUWAIT: A motorcycle police officer suffered several broken bones and other injuries in a crash on a street in Zahra when his bike was hit by a truck, throwing him into the street. The accident took place when the officer’s attention was diverted from the road by children coming out of a local school. As he was greeting them, he failed to notice the truck, resulting in a collision, which saw his bike sent skidding to the roadside. Emergency personnel were quickly at the scene, with the injured officer being rushed to the local hospital, reported Al-Watan. An investigation has been launched into the accident.

Municipal conference KUWAIT: The fifth Gulf municipal conference called here yesterday for allowing the private sector to be more engaged in the development plans of the GCC member states. The two-day conference, which wrapped up earlier in the day, recommended that GCC income sources be diversified and developed by involving the private sector in the planning and operation of fresh development projects. As for food security and safety, the conferees emphasized that an independent food control agency be established in each GCC member state, and food laws and supervisory and analytical activities be revamped. They called for spurring the exploitation of waste in collaboration with the private sector, and adoption of Gulf specifications for housing and construction waste output, in addition to a fresh uniform mechanism for recycling and treating electronic waste in the GCC member states. —KUNA

During her speech at the forum, Karin Lissakers, the Director of the Revenue Watch Institute (RWI) said “the governance of natural resources is one of the most difficult challenges facing the modern world. We are all aware of what happens when it is done wrong. Improper resource extraction has led to poverty, conflict and corruption. Nearby, Iraq has suffered years of conflict, corruption and instability because of its oil. Also, Yemen is struggling to manage its bountiful resources.

With good governance, the extraction of these resources can generate revenues to foster growth and reduce poverty. Ensuring this requires trust building, transparency, and the ability to hold governments accountable.”

“We have all seen cases in the oil sector where opacity and silence have created mistrust and

suspicion,” she continued.

“Affected communities and ordinary citizens often assume that the government is in cahoots with companies in order to keep the wealth for themselves. Sometimes, companies feel that governments and citizens are ganging up on them to reset the rules and renegotiate contracts. This is where I believe transparency comes in,” Lissakers added.

The main sponsors for the forum are the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, Al-Watan Daily, and Kuwait Airways. In attendance on the first day of the forum was Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, the Minister of Oil and Information, and Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad AlSabah, the Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs, State Minister for Development Affairs and the State Minister for Housing Affairs.

Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi

kuwait digest

US troops logistic service contract

‘K

uwait has done everything in its disposal to provide all logistic support for the US troops to topple the dictator, Saddam Hussein and free the Iraqi people from its long grip,’ wrote Fauzia Salem Al-Sabah in her Al-Rai column. She pointed out that Kuwait opened its air space, land and national waters so that the US troops could carry out their mission, which jeopardized its security and stability. ‘Kuwait also lost billions of dollars in providing free services like low-cost fuel and building a US camp in Doha and we, as people, wrongly expected that our relation with USA was one of sheer friendship,’ she added. She

noted that the US has only one policy and agenda that varies from time to time according to interests.

She added that all economic support provided by Kuwaiti companies to the US troops would continue and that companies like KGL would surely win a $2-6 billion worth six-year contract, as it had a long history in providing logistic services since its establishment in 1982, had good assets, own a huge fleet of buses and trucks and around 20 sub-ventures. ‘Although KGL is completely capable of providing all the services needed by US troops, the tender surprisingly went to a Jordanian company that was established only six years ago,’

she underlined.

‘We do realize that the decision was a political one and we are not blaming the US administration for making it. We can only blame the Kuwaiti government for not interfering in due time to get a Kuwaiti company win the tender, that would revive KSE and provide enough liquidity to do so,’ she remarked.

She noted that American friends had ‘let Kuwaitis down.’

Furthermore, Al-Sabah wondered how the Jordanian company would provide its services on Kuwaiti territory, and whether it would seek assistance from local subcontractors and give small fractions of the total contract’s value!

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NATIONAL

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Stage set for review conference

Kuwait calls for quick CTBT implementation UNITED NATIONS: Kuwait said yesterday the success of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), scheduled to be held here on May 3, will be measured by the implementation of its goals, mainly the access to the Treaty by non-state parties, such as Israel.

KUWAIT: Indian Ambassador Ajay Malhotra attending the Al-Mulla-OIC event organized at the Marina Hotel recently.

OIC renews commitment to Kuwait market

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: The Al-Mulla Group hosted the visiting Oriental Insurance Company (OIC) Limited Chairman and Managing Director RK Kaul, who started a three-day visit to Kuwait with OIC General Manager Ajit Saxena. The duo addressed the local media Monday at the Marina Hotel where they also met with some of their clients and also renewed their confidence with Al-Mulla and their commitment to the Kuwaiti market.

OIC is the largest general insurance provider in India with over 15,000 employees spread across 1,000 branches. The company has been catering to insurance needs of India since 1947. They have international offices in Nepal, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. In 2009, despite global crisis hitting several financial institutions, banks and many other money lending businesses, OIC recorded a 19 percent growth. The estimated OIC growth projection in 2010 was placed at 15 percent and according to Kaul, it can be easily achieved with the help of their business partners elsewhere in the world.

“The global crisis was felt by many and we were affected as well but on a very minimal level.

There has been some slowdown, say from nine (percent) slowed up to seven. We are the second fastest company in India with a 19 percent growth rate in 2009,” he enthused.

Despite stiff competition after the entry of private insurance companies ten years ago,

Addressing a panel of a General Assembly one-day thematic debate on “Disarmament and World Security” called for by Assembly President Ali Treki, Kuwaiti Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said “we believe that the success of the upcoming Conference will depend on the implementation of some of its goals and reaching some other goals, mainly the access to the Treaty by non-state parties”.

“We believe that all Review Conference decisions, especially the 1995 decision on the Middle East, should be implemented. Israel should be called upon to access the NPT and place all its nuclear installations under the IAEA safeguards,” he added.

He also indicated that “we have to stress during the Conference that the acquisition by nuclear states of nuclear weapons constitutes a threat to international peace and security.

This is why it should prohibit the production of new nuclear weapons and should stress the importance of implementation and the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-TestBan Treaty (CTBT)”.

Addressing the opening session, Secretary-General Ban Kimoon urged the international community to focus together and without delay on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in order to ensure security and stability worldwide, including in the Middle East.

“A renewed focus on disarmament and non-proliferation will greatly benefit international security and stability. But we can only achieve our goals through engaging with each other in a spirit of trust, cooperation, solidarity and mutual reliance,” Ban told the gathering.

“In particular,” he added, “I urge States parties (to NPT) to agree to practical measures to achieve the full implementation of the Treaty pillars, as well as its universal application, and to implement the resolution on the Middle East,” he stressed, in reference to Israel and the need to get rid of its nuclear arsenals.

He recalled that the “positive” atmosphere that prevailed during the nuclear security summit in Washington last week and the US-Russian signing of a new START Treaty in Prague earlier this month “exemplify a new engagement and understanding of the importance of nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferatioin”.

He expressed hope that this “new political momentum contributes to a successful outcome” to the upcoming NPT Review Conference.

“Now, more than ever, a concerted effort on all fronts is needed to achieve this longstanding goal of the UN,” he concluded.

Treki told the gathering that the international community cannot afford during the upcom-

ing NPT Review Conference fail to reach a successful outcome that addresses, in a balanced manner, the rights and obligations related to the NPT Treaty.

He expressed satisfaction that a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone was established in Africa, and “I exhort the establishment of other Nuclear Weapon Free Zones around the world, including the Middle East. In this regard, all countries, including Israel, should join the NPT and comply with relevant UN resolutions in this field”.

However, he added, the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is a “legitimate aspiration of all countries that are willing to foster their economic development,” insisting that these aspirations should be met in accordance with the provisions of the NPT and that this right be exercised in full cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

US Ambassador Susan Rice told the Assembly that her Government’s commitment to the NPT is a “cornerstone of our security strategy”.

“We look forward to the NPT Review Conference next month, when the United States and the other NPT signatories will work to reverse the spread of nuclear weapons and to build momentum for their eventual elimination.

“All nations must recognize that the nonproliferation regime is undermined if viola-

tors are allowed to act with impunity,” she said in a veiled reference to Iran.

While success of the NPT Review Conference is not assured, she added, the US will work tirelessly to ensure that the NPT is strengthened.

“My delegation pledges to be a constructive, flexible, and consensus-building voice during the Review Conference to make sure that this unique opportunity is not lost. But we cannot do it alone. We encourage all delegations to put aside dated arguments and build on today’s momentum to make real progress on disarmament, nonproliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” she urged.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin called on all member states in the Assembly “without exception, and first and foremost those that have nuclear arsenals, to join efforts with Russia and the US in this field and to contribute actively to the disarmament process”.

“We are convinced that only through collective efforts we can succeed in achieving effective disarmament and a nuclear-free world,” he said, calling on the UN to maintain and enhance its role as the central forum to discuss the issues of multilateral disarmament and to encourage practical steps by all member states aimed at achieving global security. — KUNA

KUWAIT: RK Kaul is posing here with Al-Mulla and other OIC officials.

—Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh according to Kaul, there has been more confidence and trust bestowed in their products and services. So, they are not bothered about competition, “We are providing services that are dependable and trustworthy. So, we don’t mind other businesses, we all deserve to survive, earn and exist,” he said.

The OIC is wholly owned by the Government of India. Its office in Kuwait opened 50 years ago and is now completing their 25 years in conjunction with Al-Mulla Group. “We have grown to a size of three million Kuwaiti dinars, as we have a 2.5 percent market share here. We are the largest foreign insurance company in Kuwait, but we still have lots to

improve,” he admitted.

When asked if they have plans to expand business by merging or considering other companies to sell and market their products, Kaul noted, “We are content with the services offered by Al-Mulla Group. We are very pleased with the way Al-Mulla is handling our business. We are proud of our relationship, and we have no plan of abandoning or replacing AlMulla as our partner,” he said.

When asked if new products would be unveiled in 2010, Kaul said, “We have been trying to add health insurance policy in Kuwait. I think in a very short while, it will be added. Addition of new products is constant, continuous process. So, there

are more coming-up,” he said.

Kaul admitted that since the Islamic Sharia Compliance insurance companies are growing, and are very popular nowadays, it is in the process of studying Takaful. “It’s a growing area, and we are studying that.

But as of today, we do not offer Takaful insurance,” he said.

Prior to his appointment as chairman and managing director of OIC, Kaul served as a General Manager of National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) Kolkata. His experience can be traced back to 1977, when he first assumed position as career officer of the NICL. He also worked for the Kenindia Assurance Company Limited in Nairobi from 1993-1999.

MoH planning new projects KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) plans to complete several projects in the near future at a total cost of KD 68 million. A senior MoH official said that the projects are extremely important to the ministry, which has promised the Higher Committee for Economic Development that they will be completed in a timely manner as part of the government’s work program.

The ministry official said that the MoH is currently awaiting the Ministry of Planning’s appointment of a project director to oversee the projects’ execution in order to begin work on expanding eight local hospitals, including the Ibn Sina, Al-Razi, Amiri, Jahra and Farwaniya, at a total cost of nearly KD 60 million.

DAMASCUS: The Syrian-Kuwaiti Damascus yesterday. — KUNA

parliamentary friendship commission delegation pictured in

Kuwait supports Syrian stances DAMASCUS: Kuwaiti visit to Syria aims at seconding Syria’s stances towards Arab issues, Head of Syrian-Kuwaiti parliamentary friendship commission MP Dr Yousiz Al-Zilzila said yesterday.

Kuwait is proud of Syrian stances towards Israeli aggression, Al-Zilzila said, adding that the visit is also directed towards emphasizing deeply-rooted “brotherly” bilateral relations of which His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah stressed in many occasions.

The delegation will meet today Syrian Parliament Speaker Mahmoud Al-Abrash, Chairman of the foreign relations committee

in the parliament Suleiman Haddad, along Syrian MP and Chairman of Syrian-Kuwaiti parliamentary friendship commission Ali Ibrahim, Al-Zilzila said.

It will meet Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Utri today, he said, adding “we asked Ambassador Aziz Al-Daihani to arrange a visit to President Bashar Al-Assad to express gratitude, appreciation and support for his honorable stance.”

Meanwhile, Ibrahim said “we are looking forward to boosting bilateral parliamentary relations,” to help come up with a unified Arab vision, discuss participating in regional and international conferences

tackling Arab issues along lining up all resources against Israel.

Kuwaiti and Syrian parliaments are “influential” and “strong,” he said, and noted the fact that leadership in both countries respected their legislative bodies.

He added that Kuwaiti parliamentary experience was “remarkable” and its diplomacy was characterized with freedom.

Ibrahim said that he was keeping a close eye on Kuwaiti parliament especially that the Syrian community in Kuwait is estimated at 150,000 and thanked Kuwait for hosting fellow Syrians. — KUNA

in the news Kuwait-Azerbaijan meetings MOSCOW: Kuwaiti delegation to Azerbaijan discussed yesterday boosting parliamentary cooperation and working for unified stances directed towards achieving peace, Head of Kuwaiti delegation MP Dr. Massouma AlMubarak said. Talks with the Azerbaijani side were “constructive” and “positive,” AlMubarak said over the phone on the sidelines of meeting Azerbaijan’s Parliament Deputy Chairman Bahar Muradova. In her meeting with Muradova, Al-Mubarak suggested establishing a forum grouping female parliamentarians of the Islamic world specialized in issuing resolutions and legislations concerned with women affairs, she said adding that the Azerbaijani side seconded the idea. As for the delegation’s meetings with officials concerned with family, women and child affairs along those of human rights, both ends stressed the significance of working for a comprehensive implementation of international resolutions and coming up with national laws to protect these categories. — KUNA

Omani educational experience MUSCAT: A Kuwaiti educational delegation met the Omani Undersecretary for Education and Curricula Dr Muna Bint Salem Al-Jardaneyah here yesterday discussing educational cooperation between the two countries. The officials reviewed the Omani educational experience and the latest programs implemented in the field. Later the Kuwaiti delegation visited the directorate general for educational program, where they were received by the General Director Saeed Bin Saef Al-Amri. — KUNA Praise for KUNA role BEIRUT: Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) Director Laura Suleiman yesterday spoke highly of the role played by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) in the extension of cooperation among all Arab news agencies. Speaking while visiting its office in Beirut, Suleiman lauded KUNA and its Board Chairman and Director General Sheikh Mubarak Duaij Al-Sabah for supporting the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) and for promoting and reinforcing cooperation among its member agencies. — KUNA

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Israel celebrates I-Day as Arabs mark Nakba JERUSALEM: Israelis fired up barbecues in packed campgrounds and beaches across the country yesterday as they celebrated the 62nd anniversary of the creation of the Jewish state. The air force and navy held displays, including a helicopter overflight of the president’s residence in Jerusalem.

President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and chief of staff Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi staged a singalong of Israeli songs at the presidential residence.

Celebrations kicked off at sundown on Monday with fireworks in honor of Israel’s founding on May 14, 1948, corresponding this year to April 20, according to the Jewish calendar. The occupied West Bank was sealed off from Israel and annexed Arab east Jerusalem for the duration of Israel’s only secular public holiday. US President Barack Obama released a statement to honor the anniversary and affirm his country’s “unbreakable bond” with Israel. He said he looked forward “to continuing our efforts with Israel to achieve comprehensive peace and security in the region, including a two-state solution” with the Palestinians. “We once again honor the extraordinary achievements of the people of Israel, and their deep and abiding friendship with the American people,” he said. Ties between Israel and its main ally have been deeply strained as

Netanyahu has rebuffed US and Palestinian demands for a halt to settlement construction in annexed Arab east Jerusalem.

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, one of just two Arab states to have signed peace treaties with Israel, also used the occasion to call for renewed peace efforts. “I am pleased to congratulate you on the occasion of your Independence Day celebrations,” he said in a letter to Israeli President Shimon Peres. “I would like to take this opportunity to call on you once again to redouble your efforts to get the Middle East peace process back on track in order to end the cycle of violence and bloodshed.”

Meanwhile, thousands of Israel’s Arab citizens marked the Nakba, or “catastrophe,” that attended the Jewish state’s creation, when some 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Protesters carrying Palestinian flags and signs with the names of destroyed Arab villages marched to the site of the village of Maskah, emptied in 1948, to demand the “right of return” for those exiled following Israel’s birth. Today more than 4.7 million UN-registered refugees live in camps in the occupied territories, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, and their fate is one of the thorniest issues in the decades-old Middle East conflict. — AFP

Lebanon PM likens Scud charges to WMD fallacy BEIRUT: Prime Minister Saad Hariri has likened Israel’s charges of Scud missile transfers to its Hezbollah foes in Lebanon to the fallacy over mass destruction weapons that led to the invasion of Iraq.

“All of a sudden, the press is telling us of the presence in Lebanon of Scud missiles, which are enormous missiles,” Hariri said during a visit to Rome, quoted in a statement issued by the premier’s office in Beirut on Tuesday.

“These allegations are similar to those which were made of the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq” before the 2003 US-led invasion which toppled Saddam Hussein, he told a gathering of Lebanese expatriates. “Such arms were not found,” he noted. “We are being accused of the same thing.

They are trying to play out the same scenario in Lebanon,” said Hariri, referring to Israel. “Before every tourist season, they raise threats against Lebanon.” Israeli President Shimon Peres on April 13 accused Syria of providing Hezbollah with Scud ballistic missiles, prompting Washington to warn that the trade “potentially puts Lebanon at significant risk.”

On Monday, the US State Department summoned a senior Syrian diplomat and demanded an “immediate” end to arms transfers to Hezbollah. “The most senior Syrian diplomat present in Washington today, Deputy Chief of Mission Zouheir Jabbour, was summoned to the Department of State to review Syria’s

provocative behavior concerning the potential transfer of arms to Hezbollah,” department deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid said in a statement.

He said the United States condemns the transfer of any arms, “especially ballistic missile systems such as the Scud, from Syria to Hezbollah.” “We call for an immediate cessation of any arms transfers to Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations in the region,” he added. Last week, an MP of the Shiite militant movement Hezbollah charged that US concern over the Israeli allegations on Scud deliveries served to encourage the Jewish state to attack Lebanon.

“With this position, (the Americans) are encouraging Israel to carry out an aggression against Lebanon that they are trying to endorse at the international level,” MP Ali Fayyad said.

“The United States is thus placing itself in a position of complicity in the event of aggression and it will have to take responsibility,” he said. Fayyad said Hezbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran, did not comment on “Israeli inventions on its arsenal” but Peres’s accusation had increased tension in the region. Syria has denied any such arms transfers.

Israel and Hezbollah, which is backed by both Damascus and Tehran, in July and August 2006 fought a 34-day war that killed 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mainly soldiers. — AFP

InternAtIOnAL

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Egypt presses UN on Israel’s nukes Israel reluctant to join Mideast nuclear talks UNITED NATIONS: Israel may come under new pressure next month at a UN meeting on atomic weapons as the United States, Britain and France consider backing Egypt’s call for a zone in the Middle East free of nuclear arms, envoys said. The 189 signatories to the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) will meet at UN headquarters in New York for a May 3-28 conference on the troubled pact whose credibility, analysts say, has been harmed by the atomic programs of Iran and North Korea and the failure of the big nuclear powers to disarm.

Israel, like India and Pakistan, never signed the treaty and is not officially attending the conference. The Jewish state is presumed to have a sizable nuclear arsenal, although it has never confirmed or denied having atomic weapons. NPT review conferences take place every five years. At the 1995 meeting, member states unanimously supported a resolution backing the idea of “a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons as well as other weapons of mass destruction.”

In a working paper Egypt submitted to fellow treaty members ahead of next month’s meeting, Cairo said the conference should formally express regret that “no progress has taken place on the implementation of the (1995) resolution” and call for an international treaty conference by 2011. The point of such a conference would be “to launch negotiations, with the participation of all states of the Middle East, on an internationally and effectively verifiable treaty for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-

free zone in the Middle East,” the Egyptian paper says.

Egyptian initiatives at NPT meetings are nothing new. But Western diplomats familiar with the issue said the five permanent UN Security Council members-the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia-might be ready to support such a conference, although not with a negotiating mandate. The diplomats, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the three Western powers might also encourage Israel to participate, although their position was that there could be no mandate for negotiating such a treaty now, when many countries in the region refuse to recognize Israel. Egypt is one of several Arab states that recognize Israel.

SHIFT IN US APPROACH Diplomats said backing from the five permanent Security Council members-the NPT’s five official nuclear powerswould help ensure broad support for Egypt’s plan next month. One Western envoy said Egypt’s insistence on a conference with a negotiating mandate was the main “sticking point,” while another expressed the hope that Egypt would compromise during intensive negotiations on the issue in the coming weeks. But Egypt’s UN Ambassador Maged Abdelaziz told Reuters the sticking point was Israel’s reluctance to participate. “We want the Israelis to sit at a table and negotiate,” he said.

“We’re flexible on the location and the format of the conference,” Abdelaziz said, adding that one possible idea was to have UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon oversee it.

Western diplomats said the US willingness to entertain the idea of supporting such a conference highlighted the sharp shift in Washington’s approach to Israel under President Barack Obama compared with his predecessor George W Bush. US support for a regional nuclear conference could further alienate the Israelis at a time when relations are already tense due to disagreements over Israel’s settlements policy in occupied areas the Palestinians want for a state. One Western diplomat said the Israelis were “understandably reluctant” to take part, even if the conference’s outcome would be merely symbolic. But it would be difficult to refuse if Washington began to put pressure on the Israelis, he said. “They (the Israelis) have an interest here,” another diplomat said. “If the Arabs get something they want on Israel, they’ll be more supportive on Iran’s nuclear program and further sanctions. Israel would benefit from that.”

Israel, like the United States, European Union and others, suspects Iran is developing atomic weapons, a charge Tehran denies. Iran, whose president has said Israel should be wiped off the map, says its nuclear program is peaceful.

Israel’s UN mission had no official comment on the Egyptian proposal. But an Israeli diplomat told Reuters the Jewish state will be ready to discuss issues like establishing a nuclearweapon-free zone once there is peace in the Middle East.

Several diplomats told Reuters that Egypt has made clear it sees Israel as a higher priority than Iran and has threatened to prevent the NPT

conference from reaching any agreements next month if it does not get what it wants on Israel. Decisions at NPT meetings are made by consensus.

The 2005 NPT review conference, which was widely seen as a failure, was unable to reach

any agreements after Washington worked to focus attention on Iran and North Korea, while Egypt and Iran attacked Israel and accused the United States and others of reneging on disarmament promises. — Reuters

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InternAtIOnAL

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

What Lib Democrats surge means for UK

Ben Hebbert, a student from England’s Magdalen College School sleeps on luggage at Indira Gandhi International airport, in New Delhi yesterday. (Right) A new cruise ship 122,000-ton Celebrity Eclipse is given a tradition welcome by a tug as it arrives in Southampton, England yesterday before leaving to pick up around 2,000 British tourists in the northern Spanish port of Bilbao. — AP

Europe accused of over-reacting to ash cloud threat BRUSSELS: Did Europe erupt into panic over the volcanic cloud threat?

With flights restrictions set to be eased Tuesday, airlines and the media were asking if officials had over-reacted much as they appeared to have done with the swine flu outbreak. The swift decisions to shut down airspace last Thursday was “motivated more by fear than science,” said Jean-Dominique Giuliani, president of the Brusselsbased Schuman Foundation, which studies European issues. “Could the real culprit be the principle of precaution, this symbol of the fear which terrifies decision-makers?” he asked.

The closure of European airspace due to the dust clouds from an Icelandic volcano had ramifications far beyond Europe, vexing the media from London to Sydney. “The health-and-safety

Armageddon I long expected has arrived,” bemoaned Simon Jenkins, in the London Guardian. “It was bad enough to have an idiot with a shoe bomb stirring equally idiot regulators to enforce billions of pounds of cost and inconvenience on air travelers in the cause of ‘it might happen again’,” he complained.

“Now we have a volcano and a bit of dust. It is another swine flu.” An editorial in The Australian daily echoed his message, decrying “this out-of-proportion outrage.” The measures by air authorities in Europe were “based on the assumption that the state is obliged to protect us from every imaginable act of nature and human malignancy,” the paper wrote.”A year ago politicians and public health agencies were panicking first and asking questions later over

swine flu. As it turned out, it was (at least to date) the pandemic that never was.”

The airlines, suffering massive losses from the shutdown of much of Europe’s air space, have lobbied fiercely for a more flexible approach to the ash cloud menace, while stressing that passenger safety remains essential.

“Risk assessment should be able to help us reopen certain corridors, if not the entire airspace,” said Giovanni Bisignani, head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), after airlines carried out test flights. “We are far enough into this crisis to express our dissatisfaction at how governments have managed the crisis,” he told aviation reporters in Paris Monday.

British Airways said that a test flight to assess the risk of volcanic ash

to its planes had found no problems, showing that a blanket airspace closure was “unnecessary”. Some 40 other test flights carried out throughout Europe also showed no engine problems from volcanic particles, the European Commission said. The airspace lockdown, the biggest since the 2001 9/11 attacks in the United States, also highlighted a lack of coordination in the response of European nations: there was no agreement on what level of volcanic pollution should warrant a flight ban.

European governments maintain their sovereignty over the issue.

However the EU’s Spanish presidency rejected the airlines’ criticism. “We are aware that they are going through a hard time,” Spanish Transport Minister Jose Blanco told reporters after a video

US helps Africa navies with floating academy Drugs and piracy threaten states, investors ABOARD USS GUNSTON HALL: Men in blue overalls haul on the ropes alongside American crewmen sporting hardhats shaped as Stetsons and decorated in the stars and stripes. “Pull harder! Coil the ropes!” one of the Americans barks at the “ship riders”, a term used for the West African sailors aboard the US amphibious landing vessel as she slips her moorings in the port of Dakar. This is a floating academy, part of an effort by the US military to train local navies and coast guards to combat rising instability in the Gulf of Guinea-an increasingly important source of oil and other raw materials for western markets which has drawn huge international investment.

The United States says the destabilizing effects of piracy, drug smuggling, and illegal fishing in the area are also costing West and Central African coastal economies billions of dollars each year in lost revenues. “You have an area that is traditionally a landwardfocused region which is awakening to the impact of the maritime domain,” said Captain Cindy Thebaud, commander of the US Navy’s Destroyer Squadron Six Zero and head of the project.

After two weeks of training in Senegal, the African officers and deckhands will spend a week at sea on the USS Gunstall

Hall alongside their US counterparts learning skills ranging from basic navigation to anti-piracy techniques. The training is part of US efforts to make Gulf of Guinea maritime security more robust but, with navies often coming low in the pecking order in African militaries, there is a need for increased investment in boats and other equipment. “There are challenges with resource allocations everywhere in the region,” Thebaud said. “But the education and the visibility is continuing to increase and, bit by bit, we are seeing increases in allocations in resources.”

THREATS HUGE, IGNORED The Gulf of Guinea, which runs down from West Africa through Nigeria and Angola, is becoming increasingly important due to its vast potential energy reserves.

Ghana will soon join traditional Gulf of Guinea oil producers Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, while Liberia and Sierra Leone have also made offshore energy finds. Critics say US policy is purely in self-interest, as the world’s top consumer will rely on the region for a quarter of its oil supplies within the next five years. But sailors said countries in the region were keen on the project as they understood the threat insecurity posed to governance and economic growth. “(Piracy

in the Gulf of Guinea) is not the same level as Somalia but it could have the same consequences,” said Lt Commander Emmanuel Bell Bell, a Cameroonian officer onboard.

Earlier this month Cameroon partly blamed piracy for a 13 percent fall in oil production last year. “In Cameroon we have shipping and oil. The slightest act of piracy creates an atmosphere of fear. It could lead to things shutting down,” Bell Bell added.

The training is part of Africom, the US command centre for Africa, but European nations have begun to take part in an effort to broaden the program and cooperation.

Commander David Salisbury, a British naval officer, said a thwarted hijacking of a ship off Benin and a Ghanaian raid on a fishing vessel in December were evidence of improvements. But he warned that threats were “huge and had been largely ignored” and “we should talk about progress in decades”.

‘GRANDPA ZODIACS’ The size and power of the USS Gunston Hall-a heavily armed ship that can deploy smaller landing vessels, machine gun-mounted speedboats and hundreds of soldiers-is far cry from the kit most of the sailors onboard are used to. “We are working with grandpa zodiacs with 42 horse power motors,” said Blawah Charles of Liberia’s newly established Coast Guard. — Reuters

Nick Who? becomes central player in UK election drama Voters take a closer look at third party’s policies LONDON: The once little-known leader of Britain’s third party, the Liberal Democrats, has blown the election campaign wide open with a surge in the polls after his confident showing in a leaders’ television debate. Previously largely ignored by the media, Nick Clegg has seized centre stage from the leader of the main opposition Conservative Party, David Cameron, who has been ahead in opinion polls for about two years.

Clegg’s party has moved into second place, above the ruling Labor Party, in some polls in recent days. It is extremely unlikely to win enough seats to form a government because of the way the electoral system is weighted, but would hold the balance of power in a hung parliament, where no one party enjoyed an overall majority of seats. Voters appear to be responding to Clegg’s call to “try something different”.

Many said he appeared “genuine and personable” in his 90 minutes of prime-time television exposure during the country’s first such leaders’ debate.

RAPID RISE Clegg, 43, the privately educated son of a banker, has enjoyed a rapid rise since entering British

LONDON: Leader of the British Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg, on board a train in London headed for Chippenham, England yesterday. — AP politics in 2005, becoming party leader two years later. Born to a Dutch mother and half-Russian father, and married to a Spanish lawyer, he is the most proEuropean Union of the main party leaders and can speak five languages. Clegg was an adviser at the European Commission before becoming a member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004.

In Britain’s 2005 election he was elected member of parlia-

ment for the Yorkshire constituency of Sheffield Hallam in northern England, when the Liberal Democrats picked up votes from Labor supporters angry over the Iraq war. Since taking charge of the party he has steered it away from a previous tax-and-spend agenda. He has whittled down a slate of expensive pledges to four election promises: fairer taxation, higher school funding for younger children, infrastructure investment and political

reform. His opposition to replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system may leave him open to attack from those who suggest he would jeopardize the country’s security.

And his former enthusiasm for Britain’s entry into the euro single currency will prove unpopular among those who want to retain national financial independence.

But the party’s criticism of the banking sector, largely blamed for the financial crisis, has appealed to voters, helped by its media-savvy finance spokesman Vince Cable.

At a time when the British electorate is still angry over an expenses scandal in which hundreds of lawmakers were shown to have made excessive expense claims, the Liberal Democrats’ long-standing call for political reform has also gone down well.

STRANDED SONS His party wants to delay measures to cut the country’s record budget deficit until 2011, but would then cut 15 billion pounds per year. A third of those savings would help fund what it calls a fairer tax system, paid for by a 10 percent levy on bank profits and scrapping ID cards among other measures. — Reuters

conference of transport ministers from across the European Union on Monday.

“This situation is causing them important losses, but safety is paramount,” he added.

And French Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau said: “I think that in the matter of air security.. you can never take too many precautions.”

Under the headline, “The Phantom Menace”, France’s financial daily Les Echos, said the authorities might be open to criticism for having been slow to reopen the skies. “But from there to calling into question the actual decision to totally close European airspace-that is another step,” it added. And the regional daily L’Alsace argued: “Any accident today, would have meant civil aviation chiefs being accused of criminal negligence.” —AFP

Africa suffers erratic climate ABIDJAN: From Africa’s humid jungles and cocoa plantations to its growing semi-deserts and wilting maize fields, erratic weather linked to climate change may be ruining subsistence crops and export commodities alike. But preparing African agriculture for a warmer world will involve investing in things the fast expanding continent needs anyway, such as irrigation, roads, fertilizer and better seeds.

Africa’s farmers complain they can no longer predict when the rains or dry heat will come. They sow, but the rains fail, or come late.

Seeds perish. “It doesn’t rain regularly like it used to. It’s a problem for our trees,” said Ivorian cocoa farmer Francois Gueye, his face lit by harsh sun piercing through cocoa leaves. “We thought we’d mastered the rainy season, but not anymore.” Gueye used to get three tons out of his farm in the south Ivory Coast village of Tanokro. Now he gets half a ton.

The world’s poorest continent is predicted to be the most affected by climate change blamed on human greenhouse gas emissions, although it hasn’t yet been proven that they are the cause of Africa’s worsening droughts and floods. “Africa is going to be hit the hardest,” said Christian Nellemann of the United Nations Environment Program. “In Africa, what used to be predictable is not any more. And rising populations will need feedingyou’re looking at an additional billion people in Africa in 40 years.”

‘ALREADY TOO HOT’ As with all climate forecasts, there are big uncertainties. While some cold countries at high latitudes may actually benefit from warmer weather as they will enjoy longer growing seasons, the tropics are likely to suffer, experts say.

“Agriculture in low latitude developing countries is ... especially vulnerable because climates of many of these countries are already too hot,” according to one World Bank assessment.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007 forecast that rain-fed crop yields in some nations could halve by 2020. Many climatologists now think that’s too gloomy. Another study by Stanford University

in February predicted that five staple African crops maize, sorghum, millet, groundnut, cassava - could see yields drop by 8 to 22 percent.

Africa’s valuable soft commodities are also expected to suffer-West Africa supplies two thirds of the world’s cocoa. Cotton output has halved in the past five years, with African growers blaming erratic weather as well as US subsidies to its own cotton farmers. Cotton is sensitive to drought. Once planted, the crop quickly perishes with no rain. “We’ve noticed a late arrival of the rains, coming late June instead of May,” said Nouhoum Traore, technical advisor in charge of production in Africa’s number two grower, Mali.

“Every time it happens, we lose a lot of cotton.” The research director at Kenya’s Coffee Research Foundation, Joseph Kimemia said that erratic rainfall and excessive drought had hurt coffee production, making crop management and disease control a nightmare. “Coffee operates within a very narrow temperature range of 19-25 degrees. When you start getting temperatures above that in some cases, trees wilt and dry up,” he said. In southern Africa, a dry spell has ravaged maize crops.

NO EASY SOLUTION Solutions to Africa’s climate woes are not all costly.

One answer is genetically modified, drought resistant seeds, which are helping West Africa cotton. The African Cotton Association says yields may recover 18 percent next season from GM seeds. Another one is to halt the retreat of Africa’s forests, which provide shade and trap moisture.

“There’s no trees here and its affecting rainfall,” said Brou Kouame, an agro climatologist in Ivory Coast.

“We have to put the brakes on deforestation and start replanting trees.” But analysts say the main solution is investment: African yields are low partly due to lack of fertilizer and irrigation.

“A key thing is rural infrastructure,” said Claudia Ringler of Washington’s International Food Policy Research Institute. “You need paved roads so they don’t keep being flushed away in floods, irrigation. A lot of this is coming from China.” — Reuters

LONDON: Britain’s third biggest party, the Liberal Democrats, have leapt in opinion polls after an impressive performance by their leader Nick Clegg in a TV debate with Labor Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron. The surge in popularity for the Liberal Democrats has made an inconclusive result after the May 6 election appear more likely. Below is a look at a few of the scenarios that could play out next: LIB DEM BOUNCE FADES, PARTY JOINS CONSERVATIVE COALITION This is probably the most favored outcome for investors who prefer the centre-right Conservatives’ harder deficit reduction approach. Liberal Democrat leader Clegg still has to face two televised debates with Brown and Cameron on the economy and foreign affairs-areas where his promises of a fresh approach may not be so convincing. The first debate was on social issues. While many voters are tired of the status quo, the worst recession since World War Two has done wonders to focus minds on policies and Clegg could struggle to hold his own. Viewers had no expectations, and little knowledge, of the Liberal Democrat leader last week. Expectations may now be too high.

In their favor, the Liberal Democrats are seen as the least tainted by last year’s expenses scandal, where members of parliament spent taxpayers’ money on, among other things, cleaning moats, pornography and mortgages. Voter apathy has been on the rise in recent elections. The expenses disclosures have turned that into widespread anger. But the Liberal Democrats have a fight on their hands to hold on to some of their own parliamentary seats, particularly from Conservative candidates.

The Liberal Democrats’ sudden surge in the opinion polls could just as quickly lose momentum, leaving the party as a relatively small, but crucial, player in a coalition government. After initial uncertainty on markets as the parties haggle over a deal, expect a relief rally in sterling once agreement is reached. Bond yields could fall in a similar fashion although both reactions are likely to be short lived.

LIB DEMS MAKE SOME GAINS, JOIN LABOUR COALITION It would be a brave investor who bets against the Clegg bounce fading a little. The Liberal Democrats do not have the army of union activists that centre left Labor can call on to knock on doors and rally voters. Nor does the centrist party have the large financial resources or the number of local government councillors at the disposal of the Conservatives, the pre-election race favorites.

Even if Clegg holds his own in the forthcoming foreign policy and economy debates, winning much more than 100 out of 650 seats seems unlikely. The party currently has 63 MPs. Using crude prediction models, Labor appears to be the biggest benefactor from a larger Liberal Democrat vote, putting Brown in the driving seat after the election on May 7. A bigger Liberal Democrat presence in parliament would mean the party would want a bigger say in coalition policies and that could spell trouble for Labor because the smaller party is unimpressed with Brown’s deficit reduction plans.

The Liberal Democrats have said they would be the budget deficit guarantors for markets in the event of a hung parliament, where no one party has overall control, so investors may feel more comfortable with the prospect of a Labour-led government.

Nonetheless, this outcome would probably see a fall in sterling and rise in gilt yields during any coalition haggling. Markets would also be on the back foot once a deal was in place because investors have already expressed concern that Labour’s deficit reduction plans are not explicit enough.

CONSERVATIVES OR LABOUR FORM MINORITY GOVERNMENT A Conservative or Labor minority government is hard to envisage but not beyond the realms of probability. However, any such outcome would be taken badly on markets with sterling falling and gilt yields rallying because of the uncertainties it would throw up over Britain’s economic policies. While not unworkable, the Liberal Democrats are aware of the consequences that could await British borrowing costs if there is any delay in executing deficit reduction plans and would therefore probably favor forming a coalition rather than refusing one.

LIB DEMS BECOME LARGEST PARTY IN PARLIAMENT It is worth remembering that under Britain’s electoral system, the Liberal Democrats only won about 10 percent of seats despite securing 20 percent of the popular vote in the 2005 election.

Because the system is biased towards the two big parties that command loyalty across the country, the Liberal Democrats will need a very large swing on top of that already seen this week to stand any chance of becoming the largest party in parliament.

Financial markets would react most violently if this scenario played out with sterling falling sharply initially and British government bond yields rising.

Investors are largely unaware of Liberal Democrat economic policies. That, combined with uncertainty over how the party would agree terms with any coalition partner, would probably rattle markets. Ordinary members of the party would probably prefer a Liberal Democrat/Labor coalition but if Labor wins fewer seats than the Conservatives, Clegg would be obliged to bring Cameron in to government. — Reuters

Pirates hijack 3 Thai ships NAIROBI: Somali pirates hijacked three Thai fishing vessels with 77 crew members over the weekend in one of their most daring raids so far, a maritime official said yesterday. Patrols by European Union warships since December 2008 to deter hijackings have done little to dent the enthusiasm for piracy among Somalis.

“This was in the Indian Ocean but far away from the east coast of Africa,” said Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the East African Seafarers’ Assistance Program. “This is the farthest hijacking to date.

They are now operating near the Maldives and India.”

Somali pirate attacks have continued apace and have spread south to the Seychelles and farther out towards India.

The European Union Naval Force said the three ships belonged to a Thai-based company, PT Interfishery Ltd, and were named Prantalay 11, 12 and 14. The Thai crew members were safe and well and the vessels were headed towards the Somali coast. “These latest hijackings are the furthest east of any pirate attacks in the area since the start of EU NAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta in December 2008, almost 600 miles outside the normal EU NAVFOR operating area,” it said on its website. According to the International Maritime Bureau, Somali pirates accounted for more than half the reported piracy incidents

worldwide in 2009 and nearly all of the hijackings, with 47 successful captures.

In another development, hardline Shebab militia fought yesterday with a pro-government movement in central Somalia in battles that claimed the lives of at least eight fighters and wounded 14 others, the groups said. The Shebab raided a town controlled by moderate Islamist Ahlu Sunna group, sparking heavy fire exchanges. “The holy fighters of Shebab launched a huge offensive on the supporters of the apostate government around Masagaway. They lost in the battle and we killed many of them,” Shebab spokesman Sheik Ali Mohamoud Rage said.

But Ahlu Sunna denied being defeated. “Our forces are still having the upper hand...

We will continue to fight until we liberate the oppressed in Somalia regions,” said Sheik Abdirahman Abu Yusuf, the Ahlu Sunna spokesman. The Ahlu Sunna group has fought alongside the Somali government troops against the Shebab in the central and southern Somali regions. The Al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab, who follow the very conservative Wahhabi interpretation and despise the Sufi Ahlu Sunna as “grave-worshippers,” recently destroyed Sufi clerics’ tombs and have banned their celebrations in the regions they control. — Agencies

InternAtIOnAL

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Obama hits the road to raise cash for Democrats Democrats face newly energized Republican Party LOS ANGELES: President Barack Obama acknowledged yesterday that Democrats face a hard fight in holding on to their majorities in Congress in the November election because of uncertainty over the economy.

“November is going to be tough. It is always tough to be the incumbent in this type of economic environment. Even though it is picking up, people are still hurting,” Obama said on a campaign jaunt to raise money for California Senator Barbara Boxer, who is in a tight race for re-election. The fundraising trip is seen as part of a stepped-up effort by Obama to swell the Democratic Party’s war chest before the election, in which a newly energized Republican Party hopes to loosen the Democrats’ grip on the Senate and House of Representatives.

As the election approaches, Obama will have to balance an already full domestic and foreign agenda with his role as fundraiser-in-chief to help vulnerable Democratic lawmakers who fear being punished by voters still skeptical about his healthcare overhaul and worried about high unemployment.

With polls showing the economy as the No 1 concern for voters, Democrats will likely emphasize the steps Obama has taken to restore growth, while

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE: President Barack Obama salutes as he boards Air Force One as he departs Andrews Air Force Base, Md on Monday, April 19, 2010. — AP Republicans will focus on the country’s huge budget deficit.

Boxer, a three-term senator and chairman of the Senate’s environmental committee, faces several wealthy Republican challengers, including former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina and former congressman Tom Campbell.

Political analyst Jennifer Duffy of the non-partisan Cook

Political Report said Boxer is “not in solid shape” and is facing the same sort of anti-incumbent fervor that candidates in other parts of the country are encountering.

“Voters in California are certainly as angry as voters anywhere in the country, given the state of things in the state government and the (budget) deficit they face,” she said.

OBAMA HECKLED All 435 House seats and one-third of the 100-seat Senate are up for election in November, with Democrats holding a wide majority in each chamber.

Republicans hope to make gains in part by capitalizing on antiincumbent voter sentiment in competitive congressional districts represented by Democratic lawmakers.

Analysts say Democrats could also be the main targets of a potential surge in specialinterest money sparked by a US Supreme Court ruling that allows corporations and unions to finance campaigns that favor or oppose specific candidates.

The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks money in US politics, says its conservative estimate is that the November election may cost more than $3.7 billion.

It says Democrats received about 57 percent of all campaign donations in the current election cycle as of Dec 31.

The Democratic National Committee expected to raise $3 million to $3.5 million at the three fund-raising events attended by Obama in Los Angeles. The money is to be shared between Boxer and the party, a DNC official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. During a speech at one of the events, Obama was repeatedly heckled by a group of protesters calling on him to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

“We are going do that” he said in an apparent reference to his intention to repeal a ban on gays in the military. He looked visibly agitated when the heckling continued. Angry supporters chanted his 2008 campaign slogan “Yes we can” to drown out the protesters. — Reuters

US summons Syrian diplomat over Hezbollah arms transfer Obama affirms ‘unbreakable’ US-Israel ties WASHINGTON: The United States summoned a senior Syrian diplomat Monday and demanded an “immediate” end to arms transfers to Hezbollah, criticizing any such shipments as an impediment to peace. “The most senior Syrian diplomat present in Washington today, Deputy Chief of Mission Zouheir Jabbour, was summoned to the Department of State to review Syria’s provocative behavior concerning the potential transfer of arms to Hezbollah,” department deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid said in a statement. He said the United States condemns the transfer of any arms, “especially ballistic missile systems such as the Scud, from Syria to Hezbollah.”

“We call for an immediate cessation of any arms transfers to Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations in the region,” he added. “Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism is directly related to its support for terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah.” The diplomatic quarrel is likely to put a damper on President Barack Obama’s administration’s year-long campaign to engage Syria, a former US foe, and energize its thwarted push for a broad Arab-Israeli peace, particularly between Israel and the Palestinians.

US Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, visited Damascus April 1, and after a meeting with President Bashar Al-Assad

Cuba’s situation ‘worst’: Cardinal HAVANA: The leader of Cuba’s Catholic Church said Cubans were impatient for change to get the country out of what he called a “very difficult situation” in an unusually blunt interview published on Monday. Cardinal Jaime Ortega told church publication Palabra Nueva (New Word) there was a national consensus that the government should “make the necessary changes quickly” to end “economic and social difficulties” on the communistled island.

“Its delay produces impatience and unease in the people,” he said. “Our country is in a very difficult situation, certainly the most difficult we have lived in this 21st century,” said Ortega, whose public statements are generally cautious. Cuba is still suffering the effects of three hurricanes that struck in 2008 and of the global financial crisis that so depleted the island’s cash reserves that the government stopped paying bills to many foreign suppliers.

President Raul Castro, who took over from ailing older brother Fidel Castro in February 2008, has been criticized for not doing enough to modernize Cuba’s state-dominated economy. He has said changes must be made carefully to ensure the survival of Cuban socialism after his generation is gone. Ortega, 73, said the longstanding US trade embargo against Cuba

also affects the island, as do “the limitations of the type of socialism practiced here.”

Relations between the Catholic Church and Cuba’s communist government were highly contentious in the years following the 1959 revolution, but improved since the 1998 visit of Pope John Paul II. Ortega said the church believes Cuba should release its estimated 200 political prisoners and called for the United States and Cuba to do more to improve relations.

The cardinal lamented the February death of jailed dissident hunger striker Orlando Zapata Tamayo, as well as the harassment of the dissident group “Ladies in White” by government supporters in recent public protests.

On Sunday, nine of the women dissidents were shouted down and jeered for two hours by 100 government supporters who crowded around them while they stood in a circle on Havana’s Fifth Avenue. They are demanding the release of husbands and sons imprisoned since a 2003 crackdown on government opponents.

“There should not be in our history this type of verbal and even physical intolerance,” Ortega said. Cuban leaders say the dissidents are mercenaries working with the United States and other enemies to topple the Cuban government. — Reuters

he described Syria as “an essential player in bringing peace and stability to the region.” Obama in February appointed the first US ambassador to Damascus in five years, a move Kerry said was “evidence that engagement with Syria is a priority at the highest levels of our government.”

The Senate approved envoy Robert Ford as the new ambassador last Tuesday.

But a day later, Washington expressed alarm to Syria over its possible sale of Scud missiles to Hezbollah militants, warning it would put Lebanon at “significant risk.” Washington expressed renewed concern Saturday over possible Scud missile supplies to Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite militant group backed by

Syria and Iran. The United States has labeled Hezbollah a terrorist organization.

Duguid warned Monday that such arms transfers “can only have a destabilizing effect on the region, and would pose an immediate threat to both the security of Israel and the sovereignty of Lebanon. “The risk of miscalculation that could result from this type of escalation should make Syria reverse the ill-conceived policy it has pursued in providing arms to Hezbollah,” Duguid said. “The heightened tension and increased potential for conflict this policy produces is an impediment to ongoing efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.”— Agencies

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Chavez calls Colombia’s Santos ‘threat to region’ Fidel Castro hails Chavez as political heir CARACAS: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told a summit of fellow left-wing leaders on Monday that the front-running presidential candidate in neighboring Colombia was a menace to stability in Latin America. “He is a threat to all of us,” Chavez said of former Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos, who is leading opinion polls ahead of next month’s election. The comment will dampen diplomats’ hopes of a rapprochement between US ally Colombia and Venezuelawhose government is the region’s leading critic of Washington-if Santos wins and replaces his former boss, President Alvaro Uribe. A feud between Uribe and Chavez has squeezed trade between the Andean nations and heightened tensions on the border.

Drawing applause from a partisan audience attending the Venezuelan-led ALBA summit, Chavez cited Santos’ record as defense minister including a controversial military strike against Colombian guerrillas in Ecuadorean territory in 2008.

“These people feel they have the support of the Yankees,” he said, also quoting recent comments by Santos about the need to keep “terrorists” at bay. Chavez was hosting allies from around the region, including Cuba’s Raul Castro, Bolivia’s Evo Morales, Ecuador’s Rafael Correa and Argentina’s Cristina Fernandez, for the summit which coincided with the bicentennial of Venezuelan independence.

CHAVEZ A NIGHTMARE FOR US - CASTRO During the day, the former soldier led military processions and other celebrations of the

200th anniversary of Venezuela’s initial declaration of independence from Spain. Opposition parties are angry he has turned the bicentennial into a show of support for his government. They say he has hijacked Venezuela, ruined its economy, and turned it into a Cuban-style dictatorship. Soldiers from allies around the world, including Cuba and Libya, paraded in Caracas, chanting revolutionary slogans. Newly bought Chinese jets and Russian guns were on display by the Venezuelan military.

“Civilians and soldiers united, the people and their armed forces, guaranteeing Venezuela’s independence,” roared Chavez, dressed in military fatigues. His friend and mentor, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, sent a glowing tribute effectively saying Chavez had inherited his mantle as the region’s champion against US power. “He is, today, the person who most worries the imperialists, for his capacity to influence the masses and for the immense natural resources of the nation,” Castro wrote.

“Both the empire as well as the mercenaries at its service, intoxicated by lies and consumerism, are ever more at risk of under-estimating him and his heroic people, but I have no doubt they will get an unforgettable lesson.” Chavez began his rule of South America’s leading oil-producer in 1999, and has steered an increasingly radical course since then, nationalizing huge swathes of the economy and declaring himself a Marxist. He was briefly ousted in 2002 for two days, but came back to power when pro-Chavez military officers gained the upper hand of a chaotic coup attempt. — Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

As India booms, social welfare struggles to catch up MADHOUN: India’s government is spending billions of dollars on welfare schemes, and plans even more this year. But that is news to Poona, whose daughter may soon die from that stain on India’s growth story - malnutrition. Poona, who married at 14 and breaks quarry stones for a living, shielded her daughter’s sunken face from a harsh summer sun with her blue sari. She does not know Urmila’s weight, but the whimpering 18month child looked more like a new born baby. “She eats nothing,” said Poona, a lower caste woman from a northern Indian tribal community in Uttar Pradesh state. “I feel scared of losing my child.”

Since helping the Congress party win re-election last year, welfare has fast become the government’s knee-jerk answer to policy dilemmas as it tries to ease food inflation, help growth trickle down to the poor, and win hearts and minds in a Maoist insurgency, many experts say. But these often

corruption-ridden and badly-run programs may add to deficit spending and hinder India from following rival China by broadening an economic boom to transform millions of its population from poverty to well-fed middle class consumers.

In Madhoun village, a mobile phone tower stood near. But, while symbols of modernity seep in, welfare lags. Villagers complain no officials come here, and that upper castes siphon off pre-school porridge meals to fatten their buffalo.

Sonia Gandhi, Congress party head, has drafted a food bill to give each poor family 35 kg of grains a month, as the government provisionally upped its estimate of the poverty rate from 27.5 percent to 37.2 percent of the 1.2 billion plus population.

It also comes after Congress introduced a “revolutionary” program to ensure 100 days of jobs for villagers each year. But these schemes’ foundation stones may be built on sand, many experts say,

threatening India’s ability to narrow a yawning income gap that may endanger its economic success story despite Congress promises of “inclusive growth” since its 2004 election.

GROWTH NOT EVENLY SPREAD Welfare programs can help millions in a country that has a third of the world’s poor. Some schemes work well in states like Tamil Nadu which has a tradition of better governance. But ridden by graft and often ill-conceived, welfare may have become an easy populist tool that is a second best solution to government reluctance to embrace difficult policies, like freeing up agriculture to markets-that may make deeper inroads.

Sonia Gandhi’s assassinated husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, famously said that out of every rupee spent on welfare, only 15 percent reached recipients. “There are areas where these schemes certainly work,”

said political analyst Mahesh Rangarajan. “They are blunt instruments. It is easier to hand out a kilo of rice than reform agriculture.”

India’s growth is slow at lifting poverty, in contrast to China where child malnutrition, a key poverty indicator, is at 7 percent.

Malnutrition in India has fallen only six percentage points, to roughly 46 percent, since economic reforms began in 1991. GDP per capita boomed by 50 percent during the same period. “There has been no improvement here,” said Shreevai, a social worker in Bahuri, a cluster of villages near Lalitpur.

“We want to be like the rest of India, but we don’t have the income.”

India ranked 65th out of 84 countries in the Global Hunger Index of 2009, below countries including North Korea and Zimbabwe-hindering India’s ambitions to channel its demographic dividend to fuel its global economic ambitions. “I’ve never seen a country with such fast

economic growth with such pathetic levels of nutrition,” said Lawrence Haddad director of the UK-based Institute of Development Studies. It is a stain that riles many in Congress after hopes its reelection would see it take on difficult issues like agricultural reform needed to boost incomes and productivity in the countryside where still half the population lives.

It has sparked pressure for more welfare after Congress won several elections helped by promises of cheap food as expectation of improved infrastructure and broader economic dissipate. Welfare counts for a growing part of the budget, worrying investors that it will make cutting a 16-year-high deficit from last year hard. The rural employment scheme now costs 1 percent of GDP, while the food bill would cost an added $2 billion. “People like (Sonia) Gandhi see their future is tied to how the under class and poor see them,” said Rangarajan.

NO AID FOR MONTHS But in Madhoun, a village of some 80 families, inhabitants said they had not received government aid for months. A health worker appeared once a week, signed attendance papers, and left. Children stood aimlessly, many with potbellies and lighter-than-normal hair, malnutrition tell-tale signs. Few children go to school, spending instead days in quarries. Seven children recently died in one week in a bout of diarrhea. Poona said doctors asked for a 1,000 rupee ($22) bribe for treatment-a charge echoed across several villagers. “I cannot afford to eat. How can I afford that?”

Poona asked.

In theory, there is no end to welfare schemes. There is a midday school meal scheme, a pre-school scheme as well as the rural employment scheme. But few are felt on the ground. “These programs have not been successful at targeting those that need it most,” said one senior UN official, who asked to remain

anonymous. Another UN aid worker estimated that only about 65 percent of pre-school foods reached the children in Lalitpur. The schemes have also done little to alleviate food inflation at an 11-year-high. Prices of lentils, mainstay of India’s diet, jumped by around 40 percent last year. So valuable are they that quarry owners paid villagers in lentils rather than cash.

“Kids here just eat stale bread.

We can’t get dal, prices have doubled. We just cannot afford it,” said Shreevai. In one of the few child nutrition centers in Uttar Pradesh, there were only six beds, three filled in a sign of the lack of awareness and distrust of government doctors by many villagers. Kranti Sitaram said she has food. She can even afford a mobile. But her 7month daughter Kirti lay listlessly, ill since the mother had fed her cow milk mixed with water from a well.

“For the rest of her life she will have problems,” said Shipli Sahariya, a health worker. —Reuters

N Korea preparing for third nuke test North Korea’s spies nabbed SEOUL: North Korea is preparing for a third atomic test that may come in May or June, South Korean broadcaster YTN reported yesterday, an act that could further isolate Pyongyang and complicate already troubled nuclear diplomacy. South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan dismissed the report, saying Seoul had seen no evidence. “If North Korea was making such

preparations, there would be related circumstances that can be detected ... there is no intelligence on such circumstances,” Yu told a news briefing. The preparations began in February and involve a level of technical proficiency that is significantly upgraded from the first two tests, considered partial successes at best, YTN quoted an unnamed diplomat as saying.

BAENGNYEONG ISLAND: Photo shows a giant floating crane lifting the stern of the South Korean warship.

South Korea said yesterday that six-party nuclear disarmament talks on North Korea will not be able to resume if the communist state is found to be involved in the sinking of one of its warships. —AFP

Thai ‘Red Shirts’ call off march, but sit-in goes on Army threatens broad crackdown BANGKOK: Thailand’s “red shirt” protesters called off a march to Bangkok’s business district yesterday after the army warned they would face bullets and tear gas, but they threatened to stay in a shopping district “indefinitely”. As night fell, thousands of supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra gathered across an intersection from the business district, using firecrackers to taunt hundreds of riot police and troops, many armed with M-16 assault rifles. The red shirts also tightened security in the shopping district they have occupied for 18 days, raising ten-

sions in a bloody six-week protest demanding new elections.

At least two luxury hotels in the shopping district announced they had closed for the rest of this week for safety reasons. “We will stay here indefinitely,” Nattawut Saikua, a protest leader, told reporters in the Rachaprasong district of high-end department stores and luxury hotels, adding they would only hold a rally at a second site in the business area if soldiers leave.

He called off the march after comments by an army spokesman who said troops would be tougher and use

BANGKOK: An anti-government protester wears a plastic bag over her head to prepare for the possibility of tear gas yesterday. —AP

weapons if provoked.

Analysts say the protest has evolved into a dangerous standoff between the army and a rogue military faction that supports the red shirts and includes retired generals allied with twice-elected and now fugitive former premier Thaksin. Despite the tensions, Thai stock prices rallied after falling 8.23 percent since clashes between troops and demonstrators on April 10 that killed 25 people. Foreign investors resumed buying this week, pushing the index up 5.7 percent yesterday, its biggest one-day gain in 15 months.

Brokers attributed the surge to a combination of factors: bargain hunting by foreign investors of Thailand’s recently beatendown shares, along with news the red shirts were calling off their march to the business district-a development that pushed the market up significantly in the afternoon. Analysts, however, doubt the rally indicates a new trend given few signs of a political compromise. Swiss wealth manager Julius Baer urged its clients to stay on the sidelines.

“Uncertainty remains very high in the short-term and this alone will prevent the market from recovering significantly until a clearer political outcome emerges,” it said in a

note to clients.

BIG TROOP PRESENCE While the protesters cancelled their march to the business district, hundreds remained at the entrance to it, where they had stockpiled sharpened bamboo poles, bricks and bottle rockets.

Several thousand other red shirts were dug in at the shopping district, about 2 kms away. “We can no longer use the soft to hard steps,” army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd told reporters. “If they try to break the line, we will start using tear gas, and if they do break the line, we need to use weapons to deal with them decisively.” He said some protesters were armed with petrol bombs, boards, grenades and dangerous acids. Late on Monday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva again rejected demands to call an election he would almost certainly lose, saying the red shirts must be brought under control.

Both sides want to be in power during a military reshuffle in September. If Thaksin’s camp is governing at that time, analysts expect it would bring about major changes by ousting generals allied with Thailand’s royalist establishment, a prospect that royalists fear could diminish the power of Thailand’s monarchy. —Reuters

North Korea has boycotted international nuclear disarmament talks for over a year and put conditions on its return that include ending UN sanctions imposed after its last test in May 2009 that dealt a severe blow to its feeble economy. North Korea, scrutinized by US spy satellites, can easily signal it is preparing for a test by moving equipment but that does not mean a blast is imminent, analysts said. A third test would improve North Korea’s ability to make nuclear weapons but also decrease its supply of fissile material, thought to be enough for six to eight nuclear bombs, experts say.

HEDGING ITS BETS Destitute North Korea may be trying to hedge its position, experts said. It needs the aid that comes with making progress in nuclear disarmament talks but also wants the world know it can rattle the region with another nuclear test if discussions fail.

“The North is likely to first show that it may conduct a test and then try to prod China and the United States (into making concessions),” said Lee Jong-won, an expert on the North at Japan’s Rikkyo University.

Leader Kim Jong-il is expected to soon go to China, his state’s biggest backer and closest thing it can claim as a major ally, where he may try to win sweeteners for returning to the six-country talks hosted by Beijing, experts said. Kim’s leadership has been tested by a failed currency move late last year that exacerbated food shortages among an impoverished public and sparked rare civil unrest.

This raised questions about his ability to anoint his youngest son as heir to the state his family has ruled for more than 60 years. Previous nuclear tests, trumpeted at home, have boosted Kim’s stature with his country’s powerful armed forces and rallied the masses around his guiding military-first rule. A German former aid worker in North Korea told reporters in Beijing that farmers had been resisting accepting the new currency following the reform which, she said, was threatening already precarious food supplies.

“Some people thought that after some time everything will be fine again. But then when they said at the beginning of January that nobody could use any foreign currency, then people became really unhappy,” said Karin Janz, who until Feb. 1 was North Korea country director for German NGO Welthungerhilfe. Market players, who have grown used to the North’s sabre rattling, said the report had no major market impact. The North’s two previous nuclear tests caused brief, and quickly reversed, falls in local shares and the Korean won. —Agencies

MANILA: Andal Ampatuan Jr (center) a principal suspect in a recent massacre that killed 57 political rivals and journalists, flashes the ‘Laban’ sign which means fight as he is escorted by guards at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Taguig yesterday. —AP

Filipino massacre suspect professes his innocence Muslim warlord endorses a presidential candidate MANILA: The principal suspect in the Philippines’ worst political massacre professed his innocence and endorsed a presidential candidate in a much-criticized press conference held in the capital’s maximum-security jail. “I know very well that I am not the perpetrator because I was in my town hall then,” Andal Ampatuan Jr, former mayor of a town in southern Maguindanao province, told a group of journalists.

Looking fresh and relaxed in a yellow shirt and arm band, Ampatuan endorsed Sen Benigno Aquino Jr, the opposition candidate who is leading in the polls ahead of the May 10 presidential elections. Aquino shrugged off the endorsement, saying he did not ask for it. His followers suspected it may have been a plot by the rivals of Aquino, who is leading in popularity surveys, to sully his name by linking it to a crime suspect.

The news conference sparked condemnation and fueled accusations that the current government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is favoring the powerful Ampatuan clan, which is suspected of plotting and carrying out the Nov 23

massacre of 57 people. “We condemn this in the strongest terms, this is so callous,” said Harry Roque, lawyer of the slain journalists. “This is another indication that we cannot get justice under this administration.” The massacre was unprecedented in a country known for election violence and political killings that have claimed hundreds of lives in the past decade.

Among the victims were more than 30 journalists and their staff - the deadliest known attack on media workers in the world. The killings elevated the Philippines to the top of a list of the world’s most dangerous places for reporters. At the conference, Ampatuan thanked Justice Secretary Alberto Agra’s controversial April 17 decision to clear a brother and a brother-inlaw of murder charges and repeated his family’s claim that Muslim separatist guerrillas in their Maguindanao stronghold, where the massacre took place, carried out the killings.

The decision not to prosecute the pair sparked street protests and public criticism from government prosecutors. Monette Salaysay, 55-year-old wife of the slain editor of a provincial tabloid,

said Ampatuan was trying to fool the public. “How can he pretend to be innocent?” Salaysay asked.

“If you can open my heart you won’t find anything but pure hatred against these killers.”

Prison officer Lloyd Gonzaga said Ampatuan operated through his lawyer to obtain permission for the conference. Prison authorities rarely allow inmates to hold news conferences.

Witnesses testified in court that Ampatuan led dozens of gunmen in blocking a convoy of the rival Mangudadatu clan members, followers and journalists as they were about to register a clan candidate to run in local elections. They were later shot on a nearby hilltop. Three days after the killings, Ampatuan turned himself in to police.

Prosecutors later filed an indictment against his father, clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., and dozens of others in February, in the country’s largest murder case since World War II war crime trials. Several relatives of the victims yesterday petitioned a local court handling the Ampatuans’ cases to suspend their high-profile trial until a new president has succeeded Arroyo in July. —AP

Malaysian lawmaker in trouble over polygamy KUALA LUMPUR: A ruling party lawmaker and his second wife pleaded guilty yesterday to entering into a polygamous marriage without official consent amid a debate in Malaysia over Islamic morality among politicians.

Lawmaker Bung Mokhtar Radin and actress Zizie Ezette A. Samad pleaded guilty in a lower Islamic Shariah court in central Selangor state to getting married without the consent of a registrar, said a court official, who declined to be named due to protocol.

Polygamy - although not widely practiced is legal among Malaysia’s roughly 20 million Muslims, provided marriages are registered in an Islamic court. Bung, 50, and Zizie, who is in her early 30s, married in December last year - confirming monthlong speculation in the local press of their liaison. Zizie has been quoted by The Star as praising Bung’s first wife as a “very good” woman.

Each faces a possible 1,000-ringgit ($300) fine and jail sentence of up to six months.

Sentencing has been set for May 18. Five friends and relatives pleaded guilty to abetting Bung. They face the same penalty as Bung and Zizie, said the couple’s lawyer, Amli Embong. Muslim men can marry up to four wives under the country’s Islamic law, which governs civil matters for Muslims. NonMuslims, who account for about a third of Malaysia’s population, are not subject to Islamic law.

Morality among public officials recently became a hot topic in Malaysia after an opposition candidate for Parliament acknowledged consuming alcohol in the past. Muslims in Malaysia are banned from drinking alcohol.

They can face fines, jail terms and caning if found guilty of the offense. Zaid Ibrahim, who is running for Parliament in a special election on Sunday, made the admission last weekend.

He said he has repented but added that ruling party coalition members were guilty of doing the same thing. —AP

Top Pakistan officials lose posts over Bhutto’s report

4 Afghan students killed in a crossfire KHOST: Four students were killed in crossfire between foreign soldiers and insurgents in eastern Afghanistan, the education ministry said yesterday. The incident took place in the Gurbuz district of Khost province at about 6:00 pm (1330 GMT) on Monday, it said in a statement. A spokesman for the ministry said that NATO forces opened fire on the vehicle. “The students... were killed in an exchange of fire between ISAF and the opposition,” it said, referring to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and militants. A spokesman for the ministry, Mohammad Asif Nang said: “Essentially the foreign forces opened fire on them.”

The ministry did not say how old the students were. The statement coincided with a release from ISAF that said four people had died in Khost after their vehicle was fired on by international soldiers while it was accelerating towards their convoy. It was unclear if the two reports referred to the same incident. All four of the dead were cousins, said their uncle Amir Salihan, adding that two of them were brothers. He said they were aged 12, 18, 18 and 19 years old. “All four were going to volleyball when this incident happened,” he said, adding: “They were not carrying weapons.”

In a statement, ISAF said that its convoy was returning to base when it was approached by a vehicle that turned off its lights and accelerated towards them. “ISAF personnel then fired warning shots, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. Several rounds were fired in an attempt to disable the vehicle, and finally shots were fired into the vehicle itself,” it said in a statement. “All four died of wounds at the scene,” it said of the occupants of the vehicle. Civilian deaths in Afghanistan’s ongoing conflict are an incendiary issue, and though most are caused by Taleban-linked insurgents, they are generally blamed on the presence of foreign troops.

NATO and the United States have 126,000 troops fighting the Taleban-led insurgency, with the number set to peak at 150,000 by August. The United Nations said in a report earlier this year that most civilian fatalities - 2,412 in 2009 and 2,118 in 2008 were caused by Taleban attacks. Civilian deaths caused by Western troops fell 28 percent last year compared with the year before, thanks to measures taken to protect civilians, it added. The deaths of four civilians earlier this month when US soldiers fired on a bus sparked furious protests in Kandahar and expressions of regret from NATO and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. — AFP

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KARACHI: Poor Pakistani families live along a railway track in Karachi. Thousands of families live in illegally constructed shanty houses on Pakistan’s railway land due to high prices of land, houses and rents. — AP

ISLAMABAD: Several senior Pakistani police and intelligence officials have been removed from their posts after a damning UN report into the killing of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto, officials said yesterday. The United Nations investigation released Thursday found that Bhutto’s death in a gun and suicide attack in December 2007 could have been prevented, and that the authorities deliberately failed to properly investigate.

“Eight officials have been relieved of their duties while the service contract of a retired brigadier has been terminated,” presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said. “Their names have been placed on the government’s exit control list,” he added, referring to a list of people barred from leaving the country. Oxford-educated Bhutto had twice served as Pakistan’s prime minister, and had just returned from exile abroad to stand in elections when she was killed in the attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Her death threw the world’s only nuclear-armed Muslim nation into chaos, sparking turmoil that ended in February 2008 when her widower, Asif Ali Zardari, led her Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to election victory. A three-member UN panel tasked with establishing the circumstances of her killing said it believed the Pakistani police’s failure to effectively probe the slaying “was deliberate”. The report also said the investigation was

Indian police arrest 3 over ‘human sacrifice’ Dismembered body found in a temple KOLKATA: Police in eastern India said yesterday they had arrested three men in a suspected case of human sacrifice, including two former colleagues of the victim, who was found beheaded in a temple. The naked, decapitated body of the man, a factory worker, was found last Wednesday in a temple in the Birbhum district of eastern West Bengal, about 200 kilometers from state capital Kolkata. “Three men—all in their late 30s—have been arrested over a week in connection with the beheading,” Birbhum district police chief Rabindranath Mukherjee told AFP by telephone.

He said two of the arrested men were

employed in a factory where the victim had once worked and the third was a local laborer. “We cannot say at this stage if it was a human sacrifice or not,” he added. The dismembered body was found near the holiest part of the temple, which was dedicated to the Hindu goddess of power, Kali, and the head was smeared with red vermilion and surrounded by flowers and incense sticks.

A local priest Utpal Bhattacharya said by telephone he believed it had been a religious sacrifice. “We heard that incidents of human sacrifice by tantriks (black magic practitioners) in different temples of the goddess Kali in Birbhum were common over a century ago,” he

said. The district of Birbhum is considered a centre of energy and power in Hindu mythology, he said.

Human sacrifice cases occasionally make headlines in deeply religious and superstitious India, particularly in poor rural areas where some people turn to practitioners of black magic for help. In March, a married couple in rural western India were arrested for allegedly killing five young boys because a mystic told them it would help the woman conceive.

And in September last year, police in northern India arrested four people after a nine-year-old boy was kidnapped and killed in another case of suspected human sacrifice. — AFP

severely hampered by intelligence agencies and other officials who impeded “an unfettered search for the truth” and that the government failed to provide Bhutto with adequate protection. Anjum Zehra, an official in Punjab province where Bhutto was killed, confirmed that five senior provincial police officials had been relieved of their duties and ordered to report back to Islamabad. State news agency APP reported that they included Abdul Majeed, a top police officer who headed the team investigating Bhutto’s murder. Saud Aziz, then-head of Rawalpindi police, and three of his senior colleagues were also shifted from their posts, APP said, while former head of the Intelligence Bureau Brigadier Ijaz Shah was put on the exit control list.

Another official removed from his post was retired brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema, who declared at a news conference that Bhutto died of head injuries caused by ducking into her vehicle-findings deemed a whitewash by the PPP. Babar said authorities would also try to question former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over the findings. He was in power at the time of Bhutto’s death, and currently lives abroad to avoid a criminal investigation at home. “The Pakistan People’s Party has already asked the prime minister to take action against all those involved including Musharraf,” Babar said. — AFP

Britain’s Indian curry comes back home KOLKATA: Britain’s version of the curry has come full circle in Kolkata, the Indian city that claims to be where it all began, and which is now celebrating the origins of the dish that has become a staple in many households. Chefs at a city restaurant are dishing out the ubiquitous Chicken Tikka Masala and Balti Chicken, as well as flavorful fish and lamb dishes, among nearly 50 versions of what the British commonly refer to as curry or “Indian food”. The 10-day “Taste of Britan’s Curry Festival” has been met with an enthusiastic response, the organizer said, underlining the passion for food among Kolkata locals, as well as a curiosity about the fuss over the humble curry, which grew out of a shared imperial history and has become particularly British.

“It was like a homecoming for the great British Curry, as Kolkata was once the proud seat of the British Raj in India,” said Syed Belal Ahmed, the festival director and editor of UK-based magazine Curry Life. “It is where the curry trail really started,” he said. While chefs elsewhere in India and across the border in Bangladesh may dispute that claim, there

is no denying the popularity of the dish, which even has a dedicated steet in the east end of London, Brick Lane, commonly called “curry mile”.

It is also a cuisine that is a serious industry by itself, with an annual revenue of some 4.2 billion pounds ($6.44 billion) and employing more than 100,000 people, estimates Syed Nahas Pasha, editorin-chief of Curry Life magazine. The festival at Hotel Hindustan International showcases some 50 dishes by four UKbased Indian and Bangladeshi master chefs, with a lunch or dinner buffet priced at 1,299 rupees ($29). “It is running to packed houses,” said Koushik Sengupta, food and beverage manager at the hotel.

Encouraged by the enthusiastic response, the hotel plans to incorporate some of the dishes into its main menu, with a few modifications mainly to dial up the spice levels, said Partha Mittra, one of the visiting chefs. “British Curry uses less spices to suit the English taste. Hence a little alteration will be required,” he said. The festival will travel to Madrid in June and to Dhaka in October, completing its homecoming in south Asia. — Reuters

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Rehabilitation of the tattoo I

By Libby Brooks

can still remember the moment I began to appreciate the potentially subversive power of the tattoo.

As a teenager, I acquired a copy of Julie Burchill’s novel Ambition, the story of toughtalking hack Susan Street, who is promised editorship if she completes a series of challenges set by her newspaper’s proprietor. I was hoping to pick up some tips on career development but, as the tasks unfolded, each one more outlandishly sexual than the last, I recognised that this would not be the case. What first alerted me that I was not in Judy Blume territory was the initial insistence that Street have the word “sold” tattooed just below her hairline.

Months after my adolescent probity had recovered from the lesbian orgy scene, I was still mucking about with my fringe in the mirror, wondering what it would be like to be permanently marked, and how you would go about hiding that humiliating brand. A little more than five years later, I got a tattoo of my own.

In the late eighties, when Ambition was published, body art was still considered the preserve of the dangerous and the daring. Circus freak aficionados might parade their crazy coverage at specialist fairs but, in most people’s experience, parlours were dingy, the designs basic and the act of tattooing mired in assumptions about social status.

These days, tattooing is as high street as ear-piercing and just as easily accessed. The inked dolphin on the ankle of the current Conservative leader’s wife Samantha Cameron is indulged as amusing evidence of her bohemian university days. Cheryl Cole’s laser treatment to remove “Mrs C” from the back of her neck is reported as just another redemptive episode in the UK national sweetheart’s saga following revelations of her footballer husband’s infidelity.

A new documentary film Tattoos: a Scarred History, released last week, attempts to unravel why it is that while tattoos are now so quotidian as to be unremarkable, they are still deemed worthy of remark. And what it means that, in a culture where our bodies are considered more mutable than ever before, increasing numbers of people from all backgrounds are willing to brand themselves for life.

Though prohibited in both the Old Testament and sharia, tattooing prefigures all religious proscription. The earliest known example of body art dates back to the neolithic mummy Otzi the iceman, who was found to bear nearly 60 carbon tattoos. In many indigenous cultures, tattoos operated as a rite of passage, a mark of belonging, or a form of

beautification. In western culture it’s notable that despite or perhaps because of - its association with otherness, body art fascinated the European gentry of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Queen Victoria was persistently rumoured to have had a tattoo, as was Winston Churchill’s mother, Lady Randolph.

To some extent, tattoos are still used as a cultural shorthand for the outsider: witness Lisbeth Salander, the socially remote heroine of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy. But it’s also arguable that the prevalence of Maori markings on British men has exsanguinated tattooing of all traditional significance. Body art has become a standard celebrity accoutrement, to be noted for its Hindi misspelling (thanks, David Beckham), its excess (sorry, Amy Winehouse) or the inked in haste, repented at leisure romantic debacles of everyone from Johnny Depp to Kerry Katona.

The art of tattooing has moved far beyond the sailor’s blue swallow - a reminder of the first land bird mariners would see returning home. As Neil Dalleywater, editor of the body artists’ in-house magazine Skin Deep, contends, the decline in social stigma has prompted a peak in quality of execution, with more and more people requesting unique designs. Perhaps it’s inevitable that, at a moment when the consumerist ethic tells us that fashion, hairstyles and makeup are at once utterly homogenised but also entirely change-worthy, according to our credit rating, permanence has prevailed.

Costly laser surgery - while making a great tabloid headline - is the provenance of only the very rich, after all. And, in a society bereft of acknowledged rituals, to tattoo or not has become a rite in itself.

Because Britain is crap when it comes to talking about class, there remains flotsam as far as tattoos are concerned. Thus, a discreet butterfly is graded far better than a so-called “tramp stamp” referring to the recent appetite among young women of a certain echelon for a marking just beyond their buttocks.

I got my tattoo - which I do not hold Julie Burchill responsible for in any way - when I was 21, as a message to my older self. While I’m occasionally irritated that whenever I show bare ankle I must also reveal Celtic knotwork, in general I’m glad of the permanent reminder of who I was then and what my hopes were for now. Perhaps I’ll think differently when the ink is cracked and faded under the support stockings. Samantha Cameron probably feels the same, though we haven’t talked much since the current election campaign began. — Guardian

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.

UK ‘hung’ parliament, electoral reform will come

By Jodie Ginsberg

B

ritish general elections almost always deliver decisive outcomes: since 1929 there has been only one election that delivered a ‘hung parliament’ where no party had a majority - and that was more than 30 years ago. But a hung parliament and a coalition or minority government now looks inevitable and if it doesn’t happen this election, it will in the next decade.

Electoral reform will swiftly follow.

Markets are jittery at the prospect of an outcome on May 6 in which no party wins an outright majority, given the need to deal urgently and decisively with the country’s debt.

The opposition Conservative party in particular has warned such a result would be a worst case scenario for Britain, which has one of the highest debt to GDP levels in the world and is emerging from the worst recession for more than 50 years. But they are trying to hold back an unstoppable tide. “If it’s not this time, it will be next time or the time after,” said Philip Cowley, Professor of Parliamentary Government at the University of Nottingham.

That’s because the rise in smaller parties - notably the centrist Liberal Democrats - is loosening the hold on the electoral system the two main parties have had since World War Two. New electoral systems for regional governments in Wales and Scotland have exposed many voters to coalition and minority governments that work.

Adjustments to the national system of ‘first past the post’ voting in 650 localities, or constituencies, have made the relationship between number of votes and number of parliamentary seats more obscure - and strengthened the case for reform.

As the system stands, Labour can

score fewer votes than the Conservatives but still command more seats.

In 1951, the combined share of the national vote of Conservatives and Labour was 96.8 percent. In 2005, the last general election, their combined share had dropped to 67.6 percent yet they still had a commanding 79 percent of parliamentary seats. “You cannot get to the point where the share of the two main parties is less than 60 percent and think that you can have a majority government,” Cowley said.

In the 2008 Hansard Society booklet on hung parliament prospects, academic Helen Margetts argues: “The prospects for a hung parliament and electoral reform in the UK are intimately linked; it can be argued that the former is both a necessary and a sufficient condition for the latter.” She notes this is because a hung parliament is the only circumstance in which the main parties are likely to consider electoral reform and that the conditions leading to a hung result would reflect an environment where reform is inevitable.

Labour has said already it would launch a “comprehensive programme of constitutional reform” if elected, promising fixed-term parliaments and a referendum on an alternative votes system for electing members of parliament. Given Labour has had 13 years to reform the voting system, the pledges which came a day after Prime Minister Gordon Brown set the date of the general election - looked like an attempt to woo reform champions, the Liberal Democrats, who could hold the balance of power in a hung parliament.

The Liberal Democrats, however, are dismissive of the proposals. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, basking in a surge of popularity in opinion polls, is dismissive of the Labour proposals,

calling them a “baby step in the right direction.” The Liberal Democrats, who had 22 percent of the national vote at the last election but only nine percent of seats, have long campaigned for

proportional representation, a system which is well established across Europe.

“Our view is that the electoral system is potty,” Clegg said on Monday.

“Any electoral system which could deliver a party the most seats which actually comes third in the proportion of votes is hardly a model of democratic fairness.”— Reuters

Long-term cost of violence C

By Murad Bustami

overed faces, stones and tear gas - this was the scene on the streets of east Jerusalem in last month’s “day of rage” declared in response to the opening of a synagogue in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter next to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In the weeks that followed, Jerusalem refused to leave the headlines with the Israeli government’s declaration that it plans to build 1,600 new houses in east Jerusalem and a hotel in the middle of the Palestinian neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Whether due to timing or substance, this time the Americans put their foot down, as did the Palestinian National Authority, who considered that such a step would completely undermine negotiation efforts.

Meanwhile in the streets, the growing lack of faith in negotiations is translated into talk about the possibility of a third intifada. The clashes which took place across Jerusalem and the West Bank are seen by some as the potential precursor to a wider conflagration. The crucial question - are we likely to see a third intifada soon? And what will it look like in the context of barriers and a separation wall? What will prevail as a result, the rifle or the olive branch?

These scenarios take us back to the debates from the 1960s and 70s between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X about the use of violence or nonviolence in the struggle for civil rights. King demanded change through nonviolent means alone, while Malcolm X believed that change should come through all means necessary. In this context, it is important to mention Frantz Fanon who said liberation can only be won through violence and became the intellectual inspiration for many violent struggles against colonialism in the 60s and 70s, specifically in the Middle East.

Today, many Palestinian and Islamic movements like Hamas and the Islamic Jihad are still captive to such violent visions, or as Fanon would call it “the prophesy of violence”, which I consider to be “the Palestinian favourite sin”. Only they introduce religious discourse to justify their actions.

Another important although somewhat ambiguous voice in this debate is that of Edward Said who both justified

armed resistance - but only in a limited fashion and in the framework of international law - and advocated a nonviolent peaceful struggle.

Said’s approach, which combines the ideas of Gandhi and Fanon, is a duet of violence and nonviolence that seems on the surface to be illogical. Perhaps there is some sense in his position if we consider that he refused to legitimise the targeting of civilians and, in fact, thought that suicide bombings contradicted the idea of “liberation”. Unfortunately, Said’s stipulation that armed resistance must remain within the limits set by the rules of engagement was ignored by many Palestinian factions.

I believe that the logic of violence completely contradicts the notion of nonviolence. The two cannot work together. In other words, Palestinian should use, if they must, an “amended intifada”, not only because it is the ethical and humanitarian response to occupation, but also because it is more effective, and in a language that many Israelis and internationals can understand.

An armed struggle which targets civilians, launches rockets and does not abide by international law will only have a negative and burdensome impact on the Palestinians.

It will radicalise elements in society, lead to more hatred and more suffering for both sides, and will also, no doubt, hamper the process of building Palestinian society.

Edward Said once commented that even in the midst of the struggle it is important to begin to plan ahead for the future of society after it achieves liberation and bear in mind that the qualities of a society under occupation will remain even after it achieves liberation. In my opinion, using violence to achieve liberation will only lead to internal violence and corruption post liberation.

Perhaps the experience of the nonviolent struggle in Bi’lin and Ni’lin in the West Bank, and Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem, where international and Israeli supporters work together with Palestinians despite the odds to build a future of mutual acknowledgment and acceptance, are the most prominent current examples for the spirit of nonviolence.

NOTE: Murad Bustami is a nonviolent activist from east Jerusalem — CGNews

Alonso’s audacious move sets the scene

By Alan Baldwin

H

ad he not jumped the start, Fernando Alonso might have won Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix and gone home with his second win in four races. As it was, in a chaotic race rich in incident, Spain’s feisty double world champion provided a talking point later on with a move full of significance for the Ferrari driver’s season. When Alonso barged past team mate Felipe Massa on the approach to the Shanghai circuit pit lane, risking a collision, it spoke volumes even if the team and both men were keen to play it down afterwards.

“I have to say that Fernando, he is a racer, and I have to say that Felipe behaved very, very well,” said team boss Stefano Domenicali. “It is not easy, and I can understand what could be his (Massa’s) feeling, but this episode has not changed our philosophy and for me that is the

most important thing.”

Alonso is the new man at the Italian glamour team but the same old steel lurks beneath the smile. There is no doubt about what he wants to achieve and where he thinks he stands in the pecking order.

He won on his Ferrari debut in the Bahrain season-opener and is eager to establish himself as a lasting number one. He was not going to just sit behind and cruise into the pits if he could find a way past.

Pino Allievi, Ferrari expert and veteran Formula One reporter for Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport, was under no illusions. “An abrupt way of reclaiming the team leadership with an unexpected and chilling manouevre,” he told his readers. “Typical of someone who, behind the peaceful exterior, hides the killer instinct of a champion.”

Brazilian Massa, a favourite son who has come back strongly from the life-threatening head injuries suffered in Hungary last year, had arrived in China as world championship leader.

He left Shanghai in sixth place overall, with Alonso third and well placed to take the lead at the next race his home Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. “I believe it was a pretty normal thing,” Alonso said of an incident that went almost unremarked in a British media celebrating Jenson Button’s second win of the season ahead of McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton.

“I knew that when two teammates are fighting there are rumours. If it was two different cars there wouldn’t be a problem,” he added. “I think Felipe had too much wheel-spin on the final corner and I had a bit of an advantage in the pitlane entry.” The Spanish and

Brazilian media suggested Massa saw it differently.

“Alonso put his car next to mine and when I saw it I knew we could have an accident. So I thought of the team and that made me lose more than three places,” he was quoted as saying. Those with memories going back beyond the start of the season will recall that Alonso and Massa have clashed previously.

It was Massa who stirred up a hornet’s nest last year when he suggested that Alonso must have known about his thenRenault teammate being ordered to crash deliberately in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix so that the Spaniard could win.

Massa had led the race until that point and ended up losing the title by a single point. However much they shake hands and smile, theirs will never be the easiest of relationships.

Apart from the Ferrari pair, the end of Formula One’s first swing through the Middle East

and Asia established an immediate hierarchy. Alonso, Button and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel have all emerged as winners.

Germany’s Nico Rosberg, with two successive podiums and a 40 record over illustrious teammate Michael Schumacher in both qualifying and races, has made the seven-times world champion look a shadow of his former self.

Far from being ‘murdered’ on the racetrack by Hamilton, as former racer Eddie Irvine had suggested he would be, Button has settled in at McLaren as if to the manner born and with an easy confidence.

He leads the championship now just as he did last year and has outqualified Hamilton 3-1 to boot. Vettel has had three poles and could have had as many victories. Already he looks like a champion in waiting but Button, Hamilton and Alonso can be counted on to push him all the way. Whether Massa can remains to be seen. — Reuters

analysis

Wednesday, april 21, 2010

13

Thailand coup not on the cards for now

By Martin Petty

B

lood has been spilled.

Armed troops are guarding the streets of the capital. Protests pushing for new elections have spiralled into anarchy, and the government is all at sea.

The climate is ripe for yet another military intervention in coup-prone Thailand, except for one thing - the army actually wants to keep the prime minister in power.

Despite potentially dangerous splits within the military’s ranks, and a bloody but futile attempt to put down a stubborn and provocative anti-government movement, most analysts say a putsch is not on the horizon, at least not yet.

They say the army might be lukewarm about Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who came to power in Dec 2008 after the army brokered a deal in parliament, but as long as he stands firm against the red-shirted supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a coup will not be necessary. “If Abhisit started to think about dissolving parliament now, then we’ll see a coup,” said a Bangkok-based security analyst and expert on Thailand’s military. He asked not to be named. “There are questions about his leadership, but no signs he’ll give up and, as it stands, the military is still in control.”

The bone of contention is an annual reshuffle of the powerful military due in September, when the royalist top brass will hand power to proteges groomed to maintain a status quo that favours Thailand’s influential business and establishment elites. If a government allied to Thaksin - a wily, graft-convicted tycoon the generals thought they had disposed of in a 2006 coup - came to power, it would almost certainly lead to an overhaul in the military’s chain of com-

Anti-government protesters guard the entrance to their encampment yesterday in Bangkok. – AP mand.

An army purged of royalists and loyal to Thaksin would be a doomsday scenario for a military that believes the country’s revered monarchy is under attack from Thaksin and the “red shirts” - a claim the protesters vehemently deny.

That threat, insiders say, is why a coup cannot be dismissed.

“They’re talking about it and weighing up pros and cons, probably more cons than pros, but it can’t be ruled out,” said a retired four-star general, who requested anonymity. “But the one thing they think a coup could achieve is to protect the monarchy,” he

added. “International pressure would be a concern, but that would be on the bottom of their list.”

In an interview with Reuters this week, Thaksin said a coup d’etat was possible, but warned of a backlash by a Thai public growing tired of military intervention after 18 coups or attempted power grabs in 77 years of on-off democracy.

The prospect of another junta in power would also upset investors in Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy, given how maladroit the last army-appointed government was.

Among its economic bungles were capital control measures that panicked

investors and led to a near 15 percent plunge in the stock market.

Clashes last week snapped six weeks of gains in the market. More unrest and political paralysis, economists say, will lead to further credit rating downgrades and turn long-term investors away from a country once hailed as a safe bet for business.

Adding to tensions, a challenge to the army comparable to that of the “red shirts” is now coming from within its own ranks. The government and the army leadership fears it has spies in the ranks, leaking information to “red shirts” in a bid to bring about a snap election and usher in a

return of pro-Thaksin generals who were demoted when the billionaire was toppled.

One dangerous scenario being talked about and floated by some “red shirt” leaders is how political splits that have emerged in the military might see troops take up arms independently, side with protesters, and face off with their fellow soldiers.

The army is known to have many “red shirt” sympathisers, especially among the rank and file, referred to by many Thais as “watermelons” - green on the outside but red in the middle.

They take orders from a top brass at the other end of the political spectrum, allied with elites, aristocrats and

urban middle classes, known as “yellows” in the colourcoded crisis. Underlining the fissures was the presence of shadowy black-clad gunmen who appeared among the protesters during last week’s crackdown.

They fired on troops, killing five soldiers, among them the commanding officer and a former bodyguard of Queen Sirikit, in what is being seen as a well-planned assassination.

At least 25 people died, including a Reuters TV cameraman, and more than 800 were injured in Thailand’s worst political violence in 18 years.

The mysterious assailants, dubbed “terrorists” by the government, may have been recruited and armed by hawkish retired generals close to Thaksin, some of whom serve in the opposition Puea Thai Party he backs from exile, experts say.

“It’s likely these fighters were put together by red shirts or military people to escalate the situation, cause bloodshed and force an election,” the Bangkok-based security analyst said.

“There’s a split in the military more dangerous than I have ever seen. There’s deep distrust and no secrets can be kept.”

Attitudes have hardened after last week’s clashes and another, perhaps bigger, crackdown appears likely, with neither the army nor the protesters willing to back down. Danny Richards, an analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit, said an imminent coup was unlikely, but that could all change with a major intensification of the crisis. “It’s a stalemate and something has to give,” he said. “A coup doesn’t seem likely at this stage, but things are unpredictable now and given Thailand’s history of military intervention, it’s impossible to rule it out. — Reuters

Ghosts of past shackle Bosnia’s economic future

By Paul Taylor

T

he ghosts of Bosnia’s past are shackling its economic future and there may be little prospect of improvement after the ethnically divided country holds elections later this year. The conflict between Serbs, Muslims and Croats may no longer be waged with heavy artillery and ethnic cleansing, but a toxic combination of de facto partition, obstruction and graft by politicians in each group keeps a stranglehold on the economy. “What sort of investment can we expect when our political leaders are sending such very bad messages to the world and to each other?” asks Svetlana Cenic, an economist and former finance minister of the Bosnian Serb Republic.

In the Balkans region, only Kosovo, which more than half of the international community does not recognise as an independent state, is in worse economic limbo - even more dependent on a drip-feed of foreign aid to keep its head above water. Fallout from the global financial crisis has deepened economic stagnation wrought by the rival Bosian communities’ inability to reform dys-

functional institutions created by the 1995 Dayton peace accords that ended the 1992-95 war.

A staggering 42 percent of the workforce is officially unemployed.

Taking into account the informal grey economy, the jobless rate is reckoned to be nearly 25 percent. While the country has a single market on paper, with free circulation of goods and the same rates of customs and value added tax, businesses often have to bribe or obey politicians in the two main entities to be able to operate, Cenic told Reuters. “Foreign companies... have to struggle to get all kinds of permissions and guarantees that no one will disturb them, that they will not be racketeered,” she said in an interview.

Hardline Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik has a tight grip on economic activity in his fiefdom, but things are messier in the Muslim-Croat Federation, where several layers of administration have to be greased.

“The perception of this country is still so bad that serious investors don’t want to risk anything,” former Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic told Reuters.

“The main problem is the political sys-

tem, not the economic system.”

For local private companies, the key to survival is often to stay close the governments in both Bosnian entities to ensure a share of contracts dependent on the state budget. Bosnia’s home market of an estimated 3.8 million citizens with just $4,600 in GDP per capita is too poor to attract much investment.

Access to the larger neighbouring markets of Croatia and Serbia is vital, but there are many non-tariff barriers.

A trade forum in the central Bosnian town of Mostar last week illustrated how politics continue to trump economics. Serbian President Boris Tadic came to promote business cooperation between the neighbouring former Yugoslav republics.

But he walked into a political lecture from Bosnian presidency chairman Haris Silajdzic, a Muslim, who warned “we must not push the problems of the past under the carpet.” Bosnian Serb companies and executives mostly stayed away. The main potential for investment in the mountainous country, still patrolled by European peacekeepers, lies in energy and infrastruc-

ture, but political feuding and selfenrichment continue to thwart big projects.

Austrian construction giant Strabag was chosen by the Bosnian Serb government in 2006 to build a 3 billion euro motorway from Banja Luka, the autonomous region’s capital, to the town of Doboj. But the company ran into financing problems because there was no competitive tender for the contract. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development refused to participate, and road building has still not started. Energy investments are held up because Bosnia still lacks a functioning national electricity grid, despite repeated promises to remove political obstacles.

The prime ministers of the two entities agreed in November to enable the Elektroprenos company to operate normally, but little has moved. The dispute may also endanger a potentially lucrative power deal with Italy and Montenegro. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has courted Dodik for joint energy projects, including the Bosian Serb Republic’s participation in the Russian South Stream gas pipeline,

a rival to the European Union-backed Nabucco pipeline from central Asia.

Another brake on economic growth is land ownership. While other former Yugoslav republics have reformed their laws, Bosnia still labours under a system whereby the government owns the land, and companies buy only the right to build on or use it.

This gives politicians a huge source of patronage, often requiring several layers of bribery to complete a building or run a business. Furtheremore, the lack of freehold ownership limits the amount companies can borrow and stifles growth, according to a senior international official in Sarajevo.

Add to that the 400 state enterprises in the Muslim-Croat federation alone, whose board members and top management are all political appointees, and it’s easy to see how politics continues to shackle the economy. While many Bosnians seem unhappy at this state of affairs, nationalist politicians have so far succeeded in fanning ethnic fears at election time to drown out economic discontent.

Don’t count on this year being any different. — Reuters

Is the Middle East ripe for an Obama plan?

By Stephen Collinson

W

ashington’s foreign policy echo chamber is reverberating with speculation that President Barack Obama could try to blow open the deadlock between Israelis and Palestinians with his own peace plan. There is debate over whether apparently carefully placed leaks on this theme in The Washington Post and The New York Times this month augur a new approach, are meant to pressure Israel, or are just a sign of US impatience. What is clear however, is that prospects for any fresh US strategy are darkened by hostility between the two sides, an American spat with the Israeli government and splits in Palestinian politics.

Obama is showing symptoms familiar to US presidents with long-term exposure to the Middle East - frustration, irritation and a resigned resolve to press on after more setbacks than peacemaking progress in his first year in office. “The truth is, in some of these conflicts, the United States can’t impose solutions unless the participants in these conflicts are willing to

break out of the old patterns of antagonism,” Obama said last week.

“Sometimes, we’ll take one step forward and two steps back and there will be frustrations.”

S o m e observers think that focusing the parties on “big issues” could defuse current rows over interim but emotive questions, like Israeli settlements. A US plan requiring direct talks between the parties seems attractive, because the administration’s efforts so far have bogged down on issues peripheral to an ultimate peace settlement. The president has waged a public spat with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Jewish settlements, been hampered by Palestinian political divides and failed to persuade Arab states to offer Israel incentives.

All this, as US foreign policy is overshadowed by Iran, as Obama seeks to frame new international sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program, which Israel views as a threat to its very existence.

Any new US plan would be designed to bypass current disputes in pursuit of final agreement. For instance, if the status of Jerusalem claimed partly or entirely by both sides as a future capital - can be solved, irritants like settlement

building in the city may no longer occur.

The administration says it has made no decisions on where to go next, but pledges not to surprise the main players. But an Obama plan would likely mirror suggestions laid down by expresident Bill Clinton before he left office in 2001. The “Clinton parameters” stipulate Palestinian sovereignty over Gaza and most of the West Bank, a solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees, an undivided Jerusalem and security guarantees for both sides.

But unveiling a new US plan would involved significant risk. “I am not sure that now is the right moment for the president to do that, since when you put something out there, you are stuck with it,” said Steven Cook, of the Council on Foreign Relations. Cook suggested a renewed effort to get Israelis and Palestinians to take part in “proximity talks” might be more of a low-risk option, and could provide cover for more significant covert contacts between the parties.

If both sides rejected a plan, or ensured its demise through bickering and mistrust, the president will have

wasted his best diplomatic shot. The president’s intervention may also be more effective later, when a deal needs to be closed. Grand plans for Middle East peace also have a habit of coming unstuck, as did the “road-map” sponsored by the Middle East diplomatic quartet. Still, there are those who believe a new US plan does have a chance - if it is properly supported. “It is something that has to be really well prepared. You have to have gamed out phases two, three and four if you are doing something like that,” said Daniel Levy, a former senior Israeli policy advisor, now with the New America Foundation. One unanswered question is whether at this time, the right-wing Israeli government and the Palestinians, split between Hamas and Fatah, share the same desire to end the conflict as Obama. Washington has tried to build urgency by arguing that with tens of thousands of troops in the Middle East, the conflict has become a threat to US security. Such comments also serve a domestic political purpose, as Obama faces a tide of criticism for his policy towards Israel from US lawmakers and the Israel lobby. — AFP

focus

Recession ending?

Some don’t buy it

By Meghan Barr

T

he clerk at the candy shop does not want to cry. She is determinedly cheerful, a professional smiler, dressed head to toe in bright turquoise.

But standing next to a display of plastic-wrapped candles and teddy bears, her face crumples at the most basic of questions: Are you doing OK? “I’m sorry,” she says, wiping her eyes with a shirt sleeve, her voice a shaky whisper. “Because at the end of the month, there’s nothing left. I don’t know what to say. It’s almost getting to the point where I don’t know what we’re going to do anymore.” For four years now, Julie Bittner has rung up customers in this little store on the charming grassy square at the heart of Twinsburg, Ohio. And from her view by the front window, she has watched the fortunes of a ransacked autoworkers’ hub slowly drain away. Streets once teeming with people are now deserted. Some days, she says, not a soul comes through the door.

She’s seen the headlines.

The recession is ending!

Unemployment is stabilizing! From Wall Street to Washington, the message comes: America, the worst is over.

Let the spending begin. But in places like Twinsburg - where for so many the misery goes on, unabated - people aren’t buying the rhetoric. If brighter days are ahead, they say, they’re still awaiting the dawn. According to an APGfK poll conducted in early April, many Americans’ impressions of the economy - and their own financial straits - haven’t budged in a long time.

“Who are they trying to kid?” Bittner says. “Are they trying to make you think it’s better so you’ll go out and spend?” Well, yes. The nation’s fragile consumer confidence, which sank to a record low about a year ago, could keep the fledgling economic recovery stuck in first gear, says Ken Goldstein, an economist at the Conference Board, a research group that keeps close tabs on consumers. “And when you’re stuck in first gear,” he warns, “there’s more chance to hit a pothole than if you are cruising over an open stretch of highway.”

In April, just 25 percent of Americans believed the economy was getting better, the exact same percentage as in September, according to the AP poll. An overwhelming 76 percent rated the economy these days as poor, compared with just 21 percent who said the economy was “good” overall. But on Sunday, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said that the US economy is growing faster than the White House expected, and that people are spending more. Last week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress that growth in demand by consumers and businesses will promote a moderate economic recovery in coming months.

That kind of good news is especially hard to reconcile in Twinsburg, considering the current state of affairs in Ohio, among the states most battered by the recession.

Ohio’s economy has actually worsened in the past year, according to the AP’s monthly analysis of conditions in more than 3,100 counties and 50 states. In February, it was the eighthmost distressed state in the US. In Clark County, Nevada, home to Las Vegas, the unemployment rate has soared from 10.1 percent to 13.9 percent in the past year.

The same can be said for California’s Central Valley, where the unemployment rate in places like Merced County remains stubbornly high, and where 1 out of 16

homes is in some phase of foreclosure.

In Twinsburg, where workers press metal sheets into car door panels, things are only about to get worse.

By now, the story of this place is practically a cliche: declining auto town in the heartland gone to rust. But look around. The houses are well-kept and middle-class.

The lawns have been mowed. There’s a Starbucks and a Walgreens and a pretty white church with a steeple.

People live here. And right now, they’re staring into a future that looks like a black hole. The hulking Chrysler stamping plant that once employed thousands will shut down forever in June, and the 400 or so workers left will scatter in search of a paycheck. For a while, people like Doug Rice, president of the local autoworkers’ union, still held out hope that a savior might step in and buy the plant, maybe turn it into a new manufacturing hub.

The plant’s slow death has spread throughout the town. As fewer workers stopped by for lunch, the Bob Evans down the block shed waitresses. Faced with declining revenue, the mayor laid off firefighters and raised taxes. Nowadays, the chattering old ladies who used to raid the candy shop for their grandchildren don’t drop in anymore. “It hit the coasts last year, or two years ago,” Bittner says. “But it’s been coming on here for a long time.”

Last month, when word leaked that a Canadian industrial liquidation firm had purchased the plant at auction and would likely strip out the equipment and essentially pillage the 66hectare complex, Rice climbed into his caravan and drove into the rising sun, stopping only when he crossed the Pennsylvania border. It was like a death in the family, he explains.

“I never thought I’d cry over my job,” he says. “But I mean, I literally broke down.

Cried like a baby. Didn’t want anybody to see me.”

An irrepressible optimist he avoids the evening news altogether, preferring history books instead - Rice is not one to lay blame or point fingers. He is quick to praise the president, state lawmakers, the local mayor. He even has kind words for the auto company that sold the plant he loved down the river. But does he believe the recession is ending? “It ain’t almost over with,” he says. “We have a long ways to go. A very long ways to go.”

There’s hope yet for Twinsburg. The Cleveland Clinic is building a new medical campus in town. The city’s economic development director, Larry Finch, has a map tacked to the wall above his desk that’s covered in stickers. Each one, he says, represents new development projects that might create new jobs. A plastics company. A boltmaking business. But he has yet to find one that can fill the gaping void left by the plant.

“Each of us is just a cog in a very big wheel that is rolling forward,” says Ken Mayland, an economist at ClearView Economics.

“Undoubtedly, people have a sense of despair and disappointment that the recovery isn’t touching them. But when you add it all up spending by businesses and consumers and others - it is propelling the recovery ahead.”

That’s cold comfort for Bittner, who can scarcely afford to buy lettuce at the grocery store. She’ll believe in the recovery when there’s more money in her pocket.

“You have to go with what you know instead of what you’re being told,” she says.

“I think they’re just trying to brainwash people.” — AP

NEWS

14

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Europe allows some flights but ash prompts new delays

NICE: Passengers stranded after the eruption of the volcano wait yesterday at Nice airport in southern France. — AFP

Turkey offers to act as Iran intermediary TEHRAN: UN Security Council member Turkey offered yesterday to help break a deadlock over an atomic fuel deal for Tehran and insisted that diplomacy is the best way to resolve Iran’s nuclear crisis.

“The solution for Iran’s nuclear program is through negotiations and the diplomatic process,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a news conference on a visit to Tehran. Davutoglu said that Turkey, which has resisted a US push for a fourth round of sanctions against Iran, “is ready to act as an intermediary in the issue of uranium exchange as a third country and hopes to have a fruitful role in this.”

“We will continue to try our best to see what we can do for this nuclear fuel swap,” he added. He was referring to a plan drafted by the UN nuclear watchdog last October that would have seen the major powers provide fuel for a Tehran research reactor in return for Iran shipping abroad most of its stocks of lowenriched uranium. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, who addressed reporters alongside Davutoglu, did not explicitly respond to the latest Turkish offer but said there were regular consultations between the two governments on the nuclear issue. “Turkey will do its part if Iranians deem fit,” Davutoglu said in reply.

Talks between Iran and the major powers on the UN nuclear fuel plan have

been deadlocked over Iran’s insistence that it only hand over its enriched uranium stocks as the fuel is supplied, and that the exchange take place on its own soil.

For Western governments, the prior removal abroad of a large part of Iran’s enriched uranium stocks is the centrepiece of the plan. They fear that Iran might otherwise covertly enrich the uranium to the far higher level required for a bomb, an ambition Tehran strongly denies.

Turkey has been hoping that its good relations with both Iran and the West may open the way to a compromise in which the uranium would be stockpiled on its soil until the nuclear fuel has been supplied to Iran. Iran’s decision to start enriching its own fuel for the Tehran reactor in February without waiting for a supply deal with the major powers infuriated Western governments who have since been pushing for a new package of sanctions at the UN Security Council.

But they have met resistance from veto-wielding permanent member China, as well as Turkey, Brazil and Lebanon.

And on Friday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is to visit Uganda, also a council member, for talks with his counterpart Yoweri Museveni that officials said would touch on the nuclear issue.

“Obviously as a member of the Security Council we are going to discuss the issue of nuclear energy,” Ugandan foreign min-

istry permanent secretary James Mugume told AFP. Mottaki said at the weekend that Iran would make contact with all 15 council members, indirectly in the case of the United States, on the fuel swap plan. On Monday, he said he believed a deal was still possible. “If the other side has serious political will for the fuel exchange formula, this can be a multilateral trustbuilding opportunity, especially for the Islamic republic to trust the other side,” he said.

On Sunday, Washington expressed interest in reviving the fuel plan but said the original UN draf t needed to be “updated”. “At the heart of this was the proposal that Iran would ship out significant amounts of enriched fuel and there would be an exchange for a corresponding amount of fuel suitable for” the Tehran reactor, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said. “Iran has never agreed to that element of the offer.”

Crowley said any new plan would have to be amended to take account of the fact that Iran has had seven months since the original offer in which to enrich further stocks of uranium. Under the October draft, Iran would have been expected to ship out 70 percent of its then stocks of low enriched uranium in return for the supply of fuel by France and Russia. — AFP

Rashed proposes 72 MPs, sixth constituency Continued from Page 1 Rashed also said that he plans to submit amendments to article 100 of the constitution which governs grilling of the prime minister and ministers and the way to file a no-confidence vote against any of them. He said that according to the planned amendment, any lawmaker planning to grill any minister must get the support of four other MPs to be able to file the request, and if it is to be against the prime minister, it must have the support of nine other MPs. In

both cases, only one MP will actually grill the prime minister or the ministers.

For a no-confidence motion or noncooperation against the prime minister, the motion must be signed by 15 MPs instead of 10 at present. For no-confidence motions against ministers, it remains unchanged at 10. The last article that Rashed plans to propose to amend is article 147 which deals with budgetary affairs. The new amendment will propose that any law or proposal by MPs that has a cost on the budget must clearly state on which chapter

of the budget it will draw the funds from.

The Kuwaiti constitution has never been amended since its promulgation in Nov 1962 due to resistance from opposition MPs and groups who also suspected government moves in that direction as an attempt to curtail public freedom and democracy. Any move to amend the constitution must be sanctioned by the Amir or two-thirds of the Assembly. A number of MPs have already criticized Rashed for his plan, saying he will be presenting the amendments that the government wants.

Qatar suspends visa plan Continued from Page 1 The countries exempt would have been those that allow Qataris to enter without a visa...” said Gary Wasserman, a government professor at Georgetown University in Qatar. “It would have been a self-inflicted wound on a country that desires to be a business and intellectual hub,” he said.

Qatar, the top exporter of liquefied natural gas, reported economic growth of more than 11 percent last year despite the global financial crisis and has been pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure, real estate, and education projects. It is also on track to open a new $14 billion international airport in 2011 as it looks to diversify government revenues and stimulate

employment. Around 40,000 British tourists visit Qatar every year, according to the British Embassy in Qatar’s website.

“Airlines were going to lose a lot of money because of this regulation, and the entire industry was shocked to hear the news of the change. We are still not sure why these measures were taken,” the airline industry source said. Analysts said the visa change may be cancelled altogether.

Qatar this year implemented a law allowing full foreign ownership in several sectors, relaxing rules that had limited nonQatari ownership outside free zones to 49 percent. It has also eased an already light fiscal burden, cutting its corporate tax rate to 10 percent earlier this year. Tax on foreign companies was previously as high as

35 per cent.

Qatar, which hosts Arab news network Al Jazeera that has often riled Doha’s Arab neighbours and Western allies alike, has not hesitated to break political ranks or assert its diplomatic independence when necessary. That boldness has contributed to its success as a regional mediator - Qatar has developed an ability to engage almost everyone from the United States to Hezbollah, and even its old Gulf rival Saudi Arabia. In January, however, the assassination of a Hamas leader in Dubai, blamed on Israel, in which suspects appear to have entered the emirate on fraudulent European passports, raised hackles throughout, and beyond, the region. — Reuters

LONDON: Europe eased its aerial lockdown yesterday with around a half of its scheduled flights taking to the skies, but more ash from Iceland’s billowing volcano prolonged the agony of most stranded passengers. Although the eruption of ash which has blackened the skies around the Eyjafjoell volcano lost some of its fury, plumes which headed towards Britain meant the runways at the continent’s busiest airport remained closed.

As some countries including France, Germany and Belgium allowed a gradual resumption of flights, passengers lucky enough to get a ticket home spoke of their utter joy. “I’ve never been so happy in my life going back home,” said Shahriar Ravari from San Diego, waiting at a Paris airport for a flight to Los Angeles with the end of his travel nightmare in sight. “I love France but to be going home is something else.”

Millions of people have been stranded across the globe since Europe began shutting down airspace on April 14 and the world association of airlines, IATA, says the crisis is costing the industry $200 million a day. Spain’s European minister Diego Lopez Garrido whose country currently presides the EU meanwhile rejected criticism that EU members lost precious time before coordinating the reopening of some countries’ airspace. “I think the European Union responded well to this huge crisis,” he told journalists on the sidelines of a meeting of the EU parliament in Strasbourg.

Eurocontrol, the body coordinating air traffic control across the region, said around 14,000 flights scheduled in Europe for Tuesday should take place, representing around half of the normal volume. “On a normal Tuesday, we would expect between

27,000 and 28,000. By the end of today, we expect that more than 95,000 flights in total will have been cancelled since Thursday 15 April,” it said.

Airlines such as British Airways and Germany’s Lufthansa have been at the forefront of pressure for an immediate reopening of the airspace and had hoped that yesterday would mark the beginning of the end of the crisis. While several smaller airports in Britain did resume operations, London Heathrow - Europe’s biggest - remained closed. British Airways initially cancelled all its short-haul flights after warnings from the National Air Traffic Services the situation was “worsening in some areas” before then shelving all its long-haul flights as well.

German authorities extended their closure to 1800 GMT although Lufthansa was given clearance to fly visually rather than relying on instruments, and staying in contact with traffic controllers. Lufthansa said it planned to carry more than 15,000 passengers on some 200 flights, around 11 percent of its normal daily schedule. Airspace over northern Italy slowly reopened with the flights leaving Rome and Milan. Flights also began landing at Belgian airports.

Norway reopened all of its airspace until at least 1800 GMT yesterday. In France Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau said 30 percent of scheduled national and international flights would fly from Paris airports.

Ireland and Sweden were among the countries that kept their airspace closed.

Denmark said it would temporarily reopen most of its airspace and airports, including Scandinavia’s largest airport in Copenhagen, from 0000 GMT to 0600 GMT today. The Copenhagen airport will be

opened, as will airports in the cities of Billund, Karup, Roskilde, Aarhus and Bornholm, Naviair said.

Australia’s Qantas Airways extended its ban on flights to and from Europe for another 24 hours but Air China said it had resumed routes between Beijing and destinations including Moscow, Stockholm and Rome. South African Airways cancelled what was to be its first flight to London since Wednesday. SAA announced yesterday morning that flights to and from London would resume, after a Lufthansa flight left for Frankfurt from South Africa on Monday evening. But as a new ash cloud moved over British airspace yesterday, SAA delayed and then cancelled the flights.

In Iceland itself, police said the plume of ash from the Eyjafjoell volcano was diminishing but warned that there was “still considerable volcanic activity at the site and three seemingly separate craters are still erupting”. The World Meteorological Organisation said the ash was expected to head towards the Arctic when the weather changes later in the week. A British navy ship, the HMS Albion, arrived in the northern Spanish port of Santander to pick up troops returning from Afghanistan as well as around 200 stranded holidaymakers.

The shutdown meant top footballers Barcelona had to travel by bus to Milan for a Champions League semi-final while German carmaker BMW had to partially halt production because spare parts had not arrived. The start of the world chess final between Bulgaria’s Veselin Topalov and Indian champion Viswanathan Anand today will not be postponed due to the ash cloud, organisers said. Planeloads of exports from garments to mobile phones meanwhile piled up in Asian airports. -— AFP

Privatization of power plants priority of govt Continued from Page 1 building, maintaining and operating the new power station.

During its regular session Sunday, the Cabinet underlined the importance of establishing another shareholding company that would build the Zour power plant, bearing the time factor in mind in order to avoid power outages expected in the coming two years. “The same criterion would be implemented to establish new power stations in the future,” the sources said, adding that a similar method would be followed to build the Zour-North and the Shuaiba-North power stations, as well as the new Khairan power plant.

They affirmed that privatizing power generation is an essential part of the government’s four-year plan to reduce the government’s burden and encourage the private sector to undertake partnership in shareholding companies, which could be economically feasible for prospective investors in the future. “Fifty percent of the company’s shares will be offered to citizens and 24 percent to the private sector, while 26 percent would be governmentowned,” they added. The sources said the managerial duties of the company and the power station would be allotted to the private sector.

Also yesterday, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of State for Development Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs, affirmed that the government is seriously keen on carrying out the development

strategy with up to 13 mega and vital projects to be executed in the first year of the plan, a senior official affirmed.

Sheikh Ahmad said during a meeting with state departments’ leaders that the first planned project would be the signing of the contract of the 1,100-bed Jaber Hospital, due to be delivered in four years.

The second venture is the construction of Boubyan port, currently in the phase of contracting, designing and assessment of the tender, Sheikh Ahmad said. He forecast the signing to be in two months, to be followed with the airport expansion project to accommodate 20 million people. He indicated that the execution of this venture would be complete in five years.

He indicated at signing the last of the contracts for Jaber Al-Ahmad, Saad AlAbdullah and Sabah Al-Ahmad towns, in addition to the northwest Sulaibikhat housing project, the causeway that would extend from the United Nations to AlJahra roundabouts, as well as Jamal Abdel Nasser road due in four years. Elaborating on the already signed contracts, Sheikh Ahmad mentioned the Subiya power station and the Zour reactor, due to be tendered. He indicated that this project might be launched after formation of a public shareholding company.

Citing other vital ventures, he indicated at the Kuwait University project, due to be finalized in 2014, adding that the feasibility studies of the Silk City and Boubyan Port had been finalized and would be submitted to the National Assembly in September or October. Privatization of Kuwait Airways will be done during the current fiscal year, he said, indicating at preparatory work for

establishing five companies - including a company for social security.

Land lots have been specified for a company for border checkpoints and warehouses, he said, declaring completion of the establishment of the companies for the production of power and Khairan town. He affirmed capacity of the government departments of overcoming the difficulties in the execution of the strategy, adding that the annual plan had been upgraded in coordination with the relevant departments.

Sheikh Ahmad added that the parliament had expressed “technical remarks” on the annual plan regarding required national labor, budgets and distribution of annual profits. The law of the annual plan that includes 833 projects, projected to cost KD 4.8 billion, would be blessed by the parliament, Sheikh Ahmad said, affirming the “execution responsibility” would be shouldered by the government. A report will be submitted to the Cabinet every three months to pinpoint the flaws and snags obstructing the execution of the plan as well as proposed remedies, he said.

The annual plan is attached with 45 proposed laws that should be adopted in two years, the minister said, indicating that a team of legal experts is giving a hand in this respect.

For his part, the Finance Undersecretary, Khalifa Hamadeh, said funds for some projects have not been earmarked because some of the terms have not been met - such as the allocation of lots of land and providing a timetable. He said a bill would be drafted in July for the next budget.

Mideast least hit by finance crisis Continued from Page 1 He expected the GCC economies to grow between 3.0 and 3.5 percent in 2010 as compared with 6.0 and 6.5 percent in emerging markets. The GCC consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. “The region is regaining access to international funding,” following a severe credit crunch that hit the credit market in the region as a result of the global financial crisis, Williams said.

Christophe Mariot, regional head of structured finance BNP Paribas-GCC, cited examples of major funding being over-

subscribed in both Saudi Arabia and Qatar as a sign of the return of confidence to the GCC credit market. Williams however criticised what he called “duplication of capacity” in which GCC states compete for the same activity. “The downturn was bad but not bad enough. GCC did not suffer enough losses from it,” said Williams, adding that GCC states must coordinate their economic policies rather than compete and duplicate.

Other speakers called on the GCC states to de-peg their currencies from the dollar and let them float to be able to effectively combat economic ills, espe-

cially inflation. “GCC states must target inflation directly and let their currencies float,” said Weshah Al-Razzak, professor at the Kuwait-based Arab Planning Institute. Razzak said that during the oil boom, GCC states were forced to follow US monetary policy by reducing interest rates when they should have raised them to fight high rates of inflation. Four out of the six GCC states still remain in the planned monetary union after the UAE and Oman pulled out. The GCC states sit on about 45 percent of global crude reserves and pump about one-fifth of world supplies. — AFP

Kuwait sees oil in $75-90 range Co nt in ue d f rom Pa ge 1 “We hope the increase in the oil price will remain within a reasonable range and that there won’t be spikes like before,” he said. “Hopefully, speculation will no longer play (a role) in the price of oil,” he said when asked about the impact of fraud charges against Goldman Sachs.

Oil prices declined Monday after the

US Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil suit against the Wall Street financial giant. It accused Goldman Sachs of “defrauding investors by misstating and omitting key facts” about a financial product based on subprime mortgage-backed securities. Last week, Sheikh Ahmad said the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries could step in to alter production quotas, which remained

unchanged since December 2008, if oil price soars above 100 dollars a barrel.

In Asian trade yesterday, oil prices climbed following a rebound by the equities markets which had fallen over concer ns from fraud charges against Goldman Sachs. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, was up 67 cents to $82.12 a barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for June rose 45 cents to $84.68 per barrel. — AFP

Mixed reactions over maids’ medical test proposal

Egypt protesters taunt police, call for reforms

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

They’ll have to do it fast, but also with high accuracy in order to avoid complete disregard for human rights,” he said.

Liza, who’s been working as a housemaid for five years with a Kuwaiti family, agreed with the proposal, but asked many questions about what would happen if the authorities found that she were suffering from some previously undiscovered medical condition. “It’s good for us because we’ll find out about the state of our health. But what if they found out that I have hepatitis or AIDS? Will I be deported, will they deny me a residency permit or will I get medical assistance instead?” she wondered.

Separately, an appeals court has reduced a jail term to seven years of a Kuwaiti woman who left her Asian maid suffer for 10 hours until she died after pushing her into a bathtub, a newspaper reported yesterday. The criminal court had sentenced the woman, whose name was not given, to 15 years in jail after convicting her of “intentionally” killing her maid by repeatedly beating her with iron and wooden objects, the newspaper said. Then the woman pushed the maid into the bathtub and left her motionless for 10 hours until she died, the paper said.

It quoted the Kuwaiti woman’s lawyer Yacoub Al-Sane as saying that the appeals court agreed to change the charge from

“intentional killing” to “beating that led to death” and accordingly reduced the sentence. Kuwait is home to over 600,000 Asian domestic helpers who often complain of maltreatment, non-payment of salary and tough working conditions. Many flee to their embassies.

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay on Monday criticised the treatment of an estimated 12 million foreign workers in the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Many are subject to illegal practices like confiscation of their passports, withholding wages and exploitation by job agents, Pillay said in an address at a Saudi Arabian university.

Sherif also said he trusted the police’s ability to deal with wisdom and restraint, state news agency MENA reported. In defiance of the warning, protesters gathered in front of parliament, shouting for police to fire on them and holding aloft placards reading “shoot us”. “The ruling party is a party of sticks and bullets,” they chanted. The protest ended peacefully.

Protests have been rare in Egypt but briefly gained momentum around the first multi-candidate presidential vote in 2005, when Washington was pushing for more democracy in the Middle East. Rights advocates say security forces have used

rubber bullets and tear gas to quell protests in the past, methods they say are meant to crush dissent and keep the government in power.

The independent Al-Shorouk newspaper had also quoted Hamid Rashid, an aide to the interior minister, as saying that “the law permits police and security forces to use force and open fire on protesters if they disrupt national security”.

He said protesters broke the law by taking to the streets on April 6, when security forces beat and detained some of them.

An emergency law instated after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981 gives authorities scope to detain people indefinitely under the banner of national security.

Washington has criticised Cairo’s handling of the protesters, but Egypt, one of the biggest recipients of US foreign aid, has dismissed the comments as interference. While the NDP is expected to win a huge majority in parliament, Mubarak has not said if he will run again. Even if he steps down, many Egyptians say the 81-year-old, who recently underwent surgery, will try to hand power to his son, Gamal.

Mohamed ElBaradei, former head of the UN nuclear watchdog, could shake up the race if he runs. Ayman Nour, an opposition politician who was imprisoned for alleged forgery after challenging Mubarak in 2005 polls, said Qasas should be tried for inciting violence. — Agencies

SPORTS

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

15

MLB results/standings Major League Baseball results and standings on Monday.

Tampa Bay 8, Boston 2; Washington 5, Colorado 2; Toronto 8, Kansas City 1; NY Mets 6, Chicago Cubs 1; St. Louis 4, Arizona 2; San Diego 3, San Francisco 2 (10 Innings); LA Angels 2, Detroit 0; Seattle 8, Baltimore 2.

American League Eastern Division W L Tampa Bay 10 3 NY Yankees 9 3 Toronto 8 6 Boston 4 9 Baltimore 2 12 Central Division Minnesota 9 4 Detroit 7 6 Cleveland 6 6 Kansas City 5 8 Chicago White Sox 4 9 Western Division Oakland 9 5 LA Angels 7 7 Seattle 7 7 Texas 5 7 National League Eastern Division Philadelphia 8 4 Florida 8 5 Atlanta 7 5 Washington 7 6 NY Mets 5 8 Central Division St. Louis 9 4 Pittsburgh 7 5 Milwaukee 5 7 Chicago Cubs 5 8 Cincinnati 5 8 Houston 3 9 Western Division San Francisco 8 5 San Diego 7 6 LA Dodgers 6 6 Colorado 6 7 Arizona 5 8

PCT .769 .750 .571 .308 .143

GB .5 2.5 6 8.5

.692 .538 .500 .385 .308

2 2.5 4 5

.643 .500 .500 .417

2 2 3

.667 .615 .583 .538 .385

.5 1 1.5 3.5

.692 .583 .417 .385 .385 .250

1.5 3.5 4 4 5.5

.615 .538 .500 .462 .385

1 1.5 2 3

SAN DIEGO: Padres’ Adrian Gonzalez connects on a sacrifice fly during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants. —AP

Mets tame Cubs as Padres down Giants NEW YORK: Angel Pagan hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning for New York’s first extra-base hit since Friday and top prospect Ike Davis had an RBI single in his debut for the Mets as they beat the Chicago Cubs 6-1 Monday night.

New York’s Jonathon Niese and Chicago’s Randy Wells each allowed a run. Fernando Nieve pitched 1 1-3 innings for the win after Niese went 5 2-3 innings and allowed eight hits and

an unearned run, striking out seven.

Wells gave up six hits and a run, but the Mets rallied once he left, following Pagan’s homer with Jason Bay’s RBI double, Davis’ single, and a wild pitch by Sean Marshall for a fiverun seventh. Jose Reyes pinch-hit to lead off the inning and was hit by a pitch from James Russell (0-1).

Padres 3, Giants 2 At San Diego, David Eckstein

homered in the bottom of the 10th inning to give San Diego its fourth straight win. Eckstein’s leadoff shot against Jeremy Affeldt just made it inside the left-field foul pole.

San Francisco leveled the game at 2-all in the ninth when Juan Uribe hit a hanging 3-2 curveball into the leftfield stands off Padres closer Heath Bell with one out.

It was Bell’s first blown save in four chances. Adrian Gonzalez and

Will Venable hit sacrifice flies to give the Padres a 2-1 lead heading into the ninth before Uribe’s second home run.

Cardinals 4, D’backs 2 At Phoenix, Matt Holliday went 3 for 5 with his fourth home run of the season and Brad Penny had his third strong outing as St. Louis opened a six-game road trip by handing Arizona its fifth loss in a row.

The go-ahead run came in the eighth inning on Colby Rasmus’ double, followed two batters later by a fielding error by Arizona first baseman Adam LaRoche. Rasmus singled in a run off struggling Chad Qualls in the ninth.

Penny threw six scoreless innings after the Diamondbacks scored twice in the first. Holliday’s two-run homer off Arizona starter Rodrigo Lopez tied it in the fifth. Ryan Franklin tossed a

perfect ninth for his fifth save in five opportunities.

Nationals 5, Rockies 2 At Washington, Willie Harris hit a homer and drove in four runs, Craig Stammen recovered from his shortest start in the majors with eight strong innings, and Washington moved back over .500 by beating Colorado before the smallest announced crowd in Nationals Park history.

Rays win over Red Sox, Mariners beat Orioles

Rugby teams cleared to play at WCup stadiums

BOSTON: BJ Upton capped a five-run third inning with a three-run homer as the Tampa Bay Rays completed a four-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with an 8-2 win victory Monday in the annual Patriots Day game.

Jeff Niemann pitched seven sharp innings to help Tampa Bay win its seventh straight, all on the road, and match the club’s best winning streak away from Tropicana Field in one season.

It was also Tampa Bay’s first sweep of a series three games or more in Fenway Park. John Lackey, who signed a 5-year, $82.5-millon contract with Boston during the offseason, allowed eight runs and nine hits in only 3 1-3 innings.

The Red Sox are off to their worst start since opening 1996. Boston was 0 for 30 with runners in scoring position in the series, with Jeremy Hermida’s two-run homer the only runs in the series finale.

Mariners 8, Orioles 2 At Seattle, Doug Fister took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Ken Griffey Jr. and Casey Kotchman combined to drive in five runs in Seattle’s win. After a two-out walk in the first, Fister retired the next 16 batters before Nick Markakis opened the seventh with a clean single to center.

Griffey had a two-run single in the Mariners’ 7run third inning and Kotchman hit a two-run home run in the third and a RBI double in the seventh. Jack Wilson also had three hits, including two doubles.

Orioles starter Brad Bergesen lasted only 2 2-3 innings. He was charged with six hits, seven runs, though only four were earned, and walked three without a strikeout. Fister finished with three hits and one seven innings. He walked one and struck on three.

Angels 2, Tigers 0 At Anaheim, California, Joel Pineiro pitched into the eighth inning and Fernando Rodney got the save against his former team, closing out Los Angeles’ win over Detroit. The Angels won their fourth straight after beginning the season 2-6.

Pineiro allowed nine hits in 7 1-3 innings, struck out four and walked none. The right-hander started two inning-ending double plays — one on a line drive by Alexei Avila that trapped Brandon Inge off first base in the second, the other on a comebacker

by Miguel Cabrera in the sixth. Dontrelle Willis allowed two runs and four hits over seven innings and struck out two.

Blue Jays 8, Royals 1 At Toronto, Jose Bautista hit two home runs and Brandon Morrow pitched seven innings as the Blue Jays ended a three-game losing streak.

Travis Snider also homered to help the Blue Jays win for the 18th time in 22 home games against Kansas City. Attendance was 10,314, the smallest crowd in the 22-year history of Rogers Centre and breaking the mark set last Wednesday, when Toronto drew 10,610 for a game against the Chicago White Sox. Morrow allowed one run and three hits, lowering his ERA from 12.00 to 7.31. He walked two and struck out eight. Kansas City right-hander Brian Bannister allowed six runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings, raising his ERA from 2.19 to 4.58. —AP

Only 11,623 spectators saw Stammen hold Colorado to two runs and five hits, lowering his ERA from 15.63 to 8.16. Against the Phillies today, the right-hander lasted 1 1-3 innings, allowing seven runs. Matt Capps pitched the ninth for his sixth save in six chances.

Harris drove the first pitch he saw from Aaron Cook into the home bullpen beyond right field for a threerun shot in the second inning. —AP

BOSTON: Tampa Bay Rays’ Gabe Kapler (19) is forced out at second base as Sox’s Dustin Pedroia throws to first base but cannot turn a double play in the ninth inning. —AP

CAPE TOWN: Super 14 rugby teams the Bulls and the Cheetahs will play remaining regular season games at their home stadiums as planned despite concerns over damage to pitches at the World Cup venues.

Parliamentary committee on sport chairman Butana Komphela said yesterday that football and rugby had “pledged to support each other as brothers” after meeting with representatives of the teams and South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins.

The Bulls, the defending Super 14 champions, said in a statement late Tuesday that the meeting was chaired “in a very constructive manner” by Komphela.

They also confirmed they will play their remaining home games at Loftus Versfeld as scheduled this Saturday against the Lions, on May 1 vs. the Sharks and May 7 vs. the Crusaders.

The Cheetahs’ Super 14 home games against the Blues and the Western Force will also go ahead at Vodacom Park, with the Cheetahs’ final home game on May 15 to be played in Kimberley, as was originally planned.

Komphela was reportedly unhappy with the grass at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria and Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein after personally inspecting the pitches last month. The venues will host a total of 12 World Cup games, including high-profile matchups Spain vs. Chile in Bloemfontein, and South Africa vs. France in Pretoria.

The SAPA news agency reported that Komphela read out at the committee meeting a letter from FIFA chief competitions officer Derek Blanckensee confirming the agreement between FIFA and SARU that the last games at the stadiums would be on May 8, subject to certain conditions.

The conditions included no matches in the stadiums after those on May 8, that only virtual logos were used to avoid damage to the grass, and that no training sessions take place in the stadiums with the exception of the “captain’s run” on May 7, said SAPA. No warm-up matches are be played in the stadium before the Super 14 games.

Komphela also proposed that the captain’s run be held elsewhere, despite FIFA’s agreement, according to SAPA. The Bulls final regular season game in the Super 14, on May 15, is against the Stormers at Cape Town’s Newlands stadium, which is not a World Cup venue. Bulls CEO Barend van Graan said they had agreed to deliver an “acceptable” pitch to FIFA. SARU president Hoskins said he was relieved the issue had been settled.

While both teams pledged their support for the World Cup, the Bulls and Cheetahs argued that moving their final home games would result in a loss of income for the rugby unions.

The Bulls are in line to play a home semifinal, should they qualify, at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. It’s a significant move for the Super 14 titleholders, who are traditionally followed by white supporters, to play a major rugby game in South Africa’s most famous black township. —AP

16

SPORTS

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

No answers, just whitewash over luger’s death PARIS: The International Luge Federation’s 20-page — is that all his death deserved? — report into the horrific accident that killed Georgian Olympian Nodar Kumaritashvili is exactly what was expected: a self-serving whitewash. His crash couldn’t be foreseen, the FIL claims.

Kumaritashvili committed “driving errors,” it charges. We’ll work to ensure that it doesn’t happen again, it promises.

What the federation doesn’t say, and likely never will: We are terribly, terribly sorry that a whole bunch of people — not just Kumaritashvili — may have messed up. It is truly insulting — to Kumaritashvili’s family, to other Olympians, to fans who were revolted and shaken by his death — that the FIL simply skirts over perhaps the biggest question behind the Feb 12 crash: whose respon-

sibility was it that the sliding track at the Vancouver Olympics proved to be so insanely fast? In hindsight, possibly fatally so.

Rehashing information that was long since known, even before Kumaritashvili was killed, the report reiterates that the track turned out to be far faster than anticipated, with a top speed of 153.98 kilometers per hour (95.67 miles per hour) compared to the 136 kph (84.5 mph) that its German designers had originally calculated. But the report doesn’t say why, nor whether the extra speed was a factor, perhaps a decisive factor, in the 21-year-old’s death.

According to my calculations, the expected and actual speeds were out by 13 percent. In a school exam, that would easily be the difference between pass and fail. Such a variation surely wouldn’t be acceptable in

exacting industries such as aeronautic engineering where people’s lives — as is also the case in luge — can depend on getting sums right.

So who got this wrong and why? Will they be allowed within a million miles of a luge track in the future? Was the high speed the designers’ mistake? The builders?

Someone else? And are they paying compensation to Kumaritashvili’s family?

The report doesn’t say. In fact, it doesn’t use the words “wrong,” “mistake” or “fault” at all. The FIL says experts who certified the track and computer simulations did not foresee that a luger could be catapulted off coming out of turn 16.

But if those are same computers that calculated the track’s anticipated top speed, can they and their programmers be trusted?

Maybe the FIL hoped that no one would notice its failure to explain why the track was 18 kph (11 mph) speedier than its designers originally calculated.

That glaring omission means that its report cannot be regarded as a credible effort to get to the root of why Kumaritashvili is dead. This was about showing the International Olympic Committee what the FIL did right, not what anyone — other than Kumaritashvili himself, of course — may have done wrong.

The report makes clear that the FIL knew that the Whistler Sliding Center’s unexpected quickness could be problematic.

“It was aware of the high speed,” page 19 says. “Based on this, it implemented changes it believed would mitigate the challenges posed by the higher than anticipated

speed.” Mitigate. Not solve, prevent or eradicate. Without explaining how, the FIL says it determined that “this speed was within the ability of the luge athletes.” It secured extra training runs at Whistler to help them cope.

“There were no indications there would be the possibility of an athlete actually leaving the track,” the report says. So only after Kumaritashvili smashed his head against a steel pillar at the exit of turn 16 did someone think to erect makeshift wooden barriers there and wrap the posts in padding.

Kumaritashvili won’t be brought back by the FIL’s stated insistence that the next Olympic track in Sochi, Russia, be no faster than 135 kph (84 mph). If speed wasn’t a factor in Kumaritashvili’s death, then why make lugers slow down in 2014?

The report doesn’t explain other than saying that Whistler-like speed “was not a direction the FIL would like to see the sport head.” The report’s page of detail about the last seconds of Kumaritashvili’s life — how his trajectory into turn 16 was not ideal, how he reached out with his right hand, how his sled catapulted him into the air — also misses the point.

The blow-by-blow account has the effect, doubtless unintended, of highlighting the contrasting silence about why the track was so much quicker than anticipated. That shows poor taste and poor judgment.

Anyone who saw the crash can describe what happened. The real question is why and should anyone beside Kumaritashvili shoulder some blame. Luge still isn’t providing all of the necessary answers. — AP

MONTREAL: Semyon Varlamov No. 40 of the Washington Capitals covers up the loose puck in front of Scott Gomez No. 91 of the Montreal Canadiens in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. — AFP

Bergeron lifts Bruins past Sabres in Game 3 BOSTON: Patrice Bergeron scored the goahead goal six minutes from fulltime to give the Boston Bruins a 2-1 win on Monday night and a 2-1 lead over the Buffalo Sabres in their Eastern Conference playoff series.

Mark Recchi bumped Tim Kennedy off the puck in the right corner behind the Buffalo net and fed it to Bergeron, whose quick shot from the right circle beat Ryan Miller. The sixth-seeded Bruins are home again for Game 4 on Wednesday night.

Mike Grier had given third-seeded Buffalo a 1-0 lead at 6:57 of the first period before Dennis Wideman equalized less than 9 minutes later.

Capitals 5, Canadiens 1 At Montreal, Alexander Ovechkin scored the fourth goal of Washington’s second-period outburst, leading the Capitals past Montreal for a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference series.

Semyon Varlamov made 26 saves in his first start of the series for Washington, which has won two in a row after losing the opener 3-2 in overtime.

Boyd Gordon, Brooks Laich and Eric Fehr each scored within a span of 7:27 as the Capitals chased Jaroslav Halak 8:33 into the second.

Tomas Plekanec spoiled Varlamov’s

shutout bid with a power-play goal 2:25 into the third. Matt Bradley scored the Capitals’ final goal with 44.1 seconds left in the third.

Kings 5, Canucks 3 At Los Angeles, Michal Handzus scored two power-play goals and Drew Doughty had a goal and three assists as the Kings chased Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo during a 5-3 victory over the Canucks on Monday night, taking a 2-1 series lead in their first home postseason game in eight years.

Brad Richardson and Ryan Smyth also scored and Jonathan Quick made 25 saves as

the sixth-seeded Kings moved ahead in the best-of-seven series with another standout game from their relentless power play, which has seven goals after connecting three more times in Game 3.

Mikael Samuelsson scored his fourth goal of the series for Vancouver, which trimmed a three-goal deficit to 4-3 before the Kings finished strong. Game 4 is tonight at Staples Center.

Meanwhile, Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres and Ilya Bryzgalov of the Phoenix Coyotes were named Vezina trophy finalists for the NHL’s top netminder, the league

said on Monday.

For Miller and Bryzgalov it is their first Vezina nomination while Brodeur has been nominated nine times, capturing the award on four occasions.

This season saw Brodeur continue his assault on the NHL record book, eclipsing Patrick Roy’s mark for career games by a goaltender and replacing Terry Sawchuk as the NHL’s all-time shutout leader.

The 37-year-old Montreal native led all goaltenders in games (77), victories (45) and shutouts (nine) and helped Canada to gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Bryzgalov’s play in net was key to help-

‘Pit bull’ Hamilton looks for easier way to the top LONDON: Likened to a pit bull by triumphant McLaren team mate Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton is looking for a less combative way back to the top in Formula One. Hamilton finished runner-up to world champion Button in China on Sunday, with the 25-year-old Briton yet to win this season while his compatriot has celebrated two victories in four starts for his new team.

“I feel I have had great races but he (Button) has taken the right decisions and taken the easier route,” the 2008 champion told British reporters before heading to South Africa for sponsorship-related activities.

“I have had the harder route and got good results but hopefully soon I will take the easier route.” Hamilton has won plaudits for his thrilling performances in Australia, Malaysia and China but he has also made it hard for himself.

In Australia he ran into trouble with the local police when he had his Mercedes car impounded for “improper” driving off the track. He started 11th and battled for second place before ending up sixth after a late tangle with Australian Mark Webber.

Button won that race in Melbourne after making the right call on tyres. In Malaysia, Hamilton started 20th after McLaren misjudged the weather in qualifying and scythed through the

field to sixth, gaining 10 places in the space of four laps.

“Lewis’s race craft this year has been fantastic, a joy to watch,” former McLaren driver David Coulthard wrote in a column in the Daily Telegraph yesterday. “But you do still get the feeling that something is bothering him.

“Whether it is his strained relationship with his father, a hangover from his incident with the police in Melbourne, or he has been out-psyched by the level of Jenson’s performance. I don’t know.”

Button, who jetted off for a holiday in Thailand with his girlfriend after Shanghai, is leading the championship again and has shown that he will be a real test of Hamilton’s undeniable talents.

“It’s the best time of my life, so far,” said the 30-year-old, who won six of the first seven races with Brawn last year. “You can write that as big as you want.

“I think we’re both doing a fantastic job. It’s good to have a team mate who’s that competitive. The guy will never give up. He’s like a pit bull. He is going to fight until the end and I love having a team mate who’s like that,” he added. “We are going to be pushing each other very hard this year. It’s shown over the last few races, I think.” — Reuters

ing the Coyotes earn a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2002.

The Russian posted career-best totals in victories (42), games (69), shutouts (eight) as the Coyotes set franchise records for wins and points in a season.

Miller turned in a spectacular performance at the Vancouver Winter Games helping the United States to a silver medal and was no less brilliant in the Sabres net, setting a franchise record 41 wins and matching a career high with five shutouts. The winner will be announced on June 23 at the NHL awards show in Las Vegas. — Agencies

Arum was grooming Valero for Pacquiao

CHINA: McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain gets out of his car after the qualifying sessions in this file photo. — AFP

NEW YORK: Venezuelan boxer Edwin Valero, who committed suicide on Monday in a jail where he was held for killing his wife, was a “sensational” fighter who was being groomed to fight Manny Pacquiao, promoter Bob Arum said.

Arum, who co-promoted Valero’s last two bouts, told Reuters that Valero (27-0) would have made an outstanding opponent for world welterweight champion Pacquiao, another of his fighters.

“He was a sensational fighter, sensational,” Arum said in an interview from his Las Vegas office. “He was just electric. A complete crowd-pleasing style. I was grooming him as a great future opponent for Manny Pacquiao.

That would have been a sensational fight.”

Valero, 28, was the World Boxing Council lightweight title though it had recently declared him “champion in recess” after being detained in March for mistreating his wife and then receiving treatment for alcohol abuse.

Arum said he did not know Valero very well, but despite hearing rumours of drug and alcohol troubles for the Venezuelan had not seen evidence of that himself during several meetings.

“The times I met with him, he was very polite, very reasonable,” Arum said. “I had heard stories about drug and alcohol abuse ... but I never realized the magnitude of it. The few times I met with him he seemed perfectly normal.”— Reuters

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

SPORTS

17

A loss for Brian Davis — but a big win for golf LAS VEGAS: What happened in the junk off the 18th green at the Harbour Town Golf Links could have all been avoided if Brian Davis had only taken the easy way out.

That, however, was never really an option. Davis was going to play the shot out of the hazard instead of taking a penalty drop because it was probably the only chance he had to finally win a golf tournament. And for that, golf can be grateful.

If this was some kind of fairy tale story, Davis would have won the tournament he so desperately wanted to win. It’s not, and Jim Furyk’s name is on both the winner’s trophy and the $1.026 million check.

Don’t expect Davis to be happy about that. He’s tried too long and too hard to win a PGA tournament, and this one was almost in his hands.

“You’re not playing for second, but playing to win,” Davis said. “But I can hold my head up high.” Indeed he can. And, in the end, that may be more important than the win that got away.

Because after months of being mired in the slime of Tiger Woods, golf needed Brian Davis worse than Davis needed to win his first tournament on the PGA Tour.

“It’s not exactly what I was thinking about,” Davis said. “But anything good for our sport is good, I guess.” In case you missed it — and the anemic television ratings would indicate all but the most die-hard golf fans did — Davis was in the hazard next to the final green with a wedge in his hand, needing to somehow get up-and-down in two to keep his overtime playoff against Furyk going.

After much deliberation with his caddie, he splashed out from a crummy lie to about 30 feet, giving him a chance to make it to stay alive. But something felt wrong, and he immediately called over a PGA official to tell him why. “I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye,” Davis said Monday in a telephone interview. “I didn’t feel anything, but I thought I might have seen something.” What Davis saw was his club almost imperceptibly grazing a reed in the hazard.

Under rule 13.4 — moving a loose impediment during a takeaway — that meant a 2stroke penalty, even if the offense was only visible in super slow motion replays.

And that meant the golf tournament for Davis. For six years the Englishman turned Florida resident has been trying to win one on this side of the pond. He could have pre-

tended he never saw the club graze the reed, and taken the chance no one else saw it either. But he didn’t. He’s a golfer. And golfers don’t cheat. Not on the course, at least.

“That’s what makes our sport so special,” Davis said. “It was just one of those things.

I had to call it and I did.” The golf community understood. They patted Davis on the back, and two prominent players on the senior tour called and thanked him for restoring some sense of integrity to the game. But what shocked Davis more was the reaction from people who don’t know the difference between a putter and a 6-iron.

The e-mails and phone calls flooded in Monday from around the country. Teachers even had their students write. “It was mostly ‘I just wanted to send you a note to say we

need more people like you in sports,”‘ Davis said.

“People saw it as an example to the younger generation to make the right choices.” In this case the right choice was the only choice for Davis. He may not play golf like Woods but, unlike Woods, he plays a gentleman’s game like a gentleman.

And instead of capitalizing on his newfound fame to sell shoes, he’s using it to sell awareness. Davis, who has had three bouts of skin cancer, is a spokesman for the Skin Cancer Foundation.

“If you see the damage it’s done to someone, it wakes people up,” Davis said.

“Coming from England we didn’t worry much about it because we seldom saw the sun, and by the time I became aware of it, it had already done a lot of damage.”

Davis hopes to get people slathering on the sunscreen like he does twice a day. He hopes even more fervently to win on the PGA Tour some day, and believes his time will come. It almost did Sunday in South Carolina, where he had to make an 18-footer on the final hole just to get in the playoff.

He’s sure he would have made that last 30footer, too, had it meant anything.

Instead, he halfheartedly hit it by the hole, knowing his big chance was gone. It was a bitter disappointment, but Davis was buoyed by the response to what he did.

“For me now it’s nothing but positive looking forward,” Davis said. “It’s going to be a good year for me.” It could be a good year for golf, too. And for that, some thanks should go to an Englishman who acted like a gentleman. —AP

Yang hopes to overcome stage fright at home event

FORT WORTH: Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 Z-Line Designs Toyota, celebrates in victory lane with his fiancee Samantha Sarcinella and his crew after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300. —AFP

Busch completes drive for 5 in a row at Texas

FORT WORTH: Kyle Busch won his fifth consecutive Nationwide race at Texas Motor Speedway on Monday, completing an impressive ‘drive for five.’ Busch joined two-time series champion Jack Ingram and Dale Earnhardt Sr., as the only drivers to win five consecutive races in NASCAR’s second-tier series at the same track.

Only about an hour after finishing third in the rain-postponed Sprint Cup race earlier in the day, Busch led 153 of the 200 laps in the 300-mile Nationwide race, that was originally scheduled Saturday. “This makes it a lot easier to get out of the car,” Busch said in Victory Lane.

It was Busch’s second consecutive

Nationwide victory, third this season and 33rd of his career. Only Mark Martin (48) and Kevin Harvick (36) have more career victories. Busch beat teammate Joey Logano, the pole sitter, by 0.688 seconds.

Busch’s victory provided a doubleheader sweep for Joe Gibbs Racing after Denny Hamlin won the Cup race. Earnhardt won the season-opening race at Daytona from 1990-94. Ingram, the second-tier series’ champ in 1982 and 1985, won five times in a row at South Boston Speedway in Virginia from 1985-86.

Since a runner-up finish to Harvick in November 2007, Busch has won every Nationwide race at Texas. He swept both

races in 2008 and 2009, and has led 810 of 1,000 laps during his winning streak.

“Apparently he has this place figured out,” Logano said.

“I felt like this is the best I’ve ever been here by far. ... I feel like we gave him a run for his money.” Reed Sorenson finished third, ahead of Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle and David Reutimann.

The top eight finishers were among 15 drivers who were in both races. Busch, Harvick and Biffle were the only ones to complete all 524 laps Monday. Busch took over the Nationwide points lead over Keselowski. — AP

LeBron’s 40 lead Cavs over Bulls CLEVELAND: LeBron James scored 40 points and took over in the fourth quarter as the Cleveland Cavaliers maintained home-court advantage by beating the Bulls 112-102 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

James added eight rebounds and eight assists for the Cavs, who led 96-93 with 4:30 left before the league’s soon-to-be-two-time Most Valuable Player decided to dominate.

James dropped a 3-pointer that he capped with a quick dance move and wink toward Chicago’s bench, made two free throws, a layup and two jumpers, scoring 11 straight as Cleveland opened a 107-98 lead with 1:36 left. Game 3 is Thursday night in Chicago.

Jazz 114, Nuggets 111 At Denver, Deron Williams led the injury-riddled Jazz to victory over the Denver Nuggets to level their Western Conference playoff series at 1-1. Williams had 33 points and 14 assists and Carlos Boozer added 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Jazz.

Chauncey Billups’ 3-point attempt from the top of the key in the closing seconds hit off the back iron and the Nuggets walked dejectedly off the court.

Williams and Kyle Korver made two free throws each in the final 11 seconds to hold off the Nuggets, who had overcome a 14-point third-quarter deficit to take a 102-98 lead with 41/2 minutes left. —AP

CLEVELAND: Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah (bottom) goes up for a shot against Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James in the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs. —AP

SEOUL: Returning home to play in front of family and friends should be an occasion to enjoy but Asia first major winner Yang Yong-eun is nervous ahead of this week’s Ballantine’s Championship on Jeju Island.

Yang, who held off world number one Tiger Woods at the Hazeltine Golf Club to claim the US PGA Championship in August, returns to the island of his birth for this week’s co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event.

“I’m a bit nervous since in 2008 I didn’t really perform well in front of my friends and family,” Yang, who finished tied for 43rd at the inaugural event two years ago, said in an Asian Tour news release.

“I guess there’ll be a bit more people rooting for me this time, and my main goal is to leave an impression with them... and ultimately put up a good show worthy of a major winner.”

The 38-year-old comes into the event in strong form having lifted the China Open title last week, skipping his sister’s wedding in the process.

“I heard that the wedding went very well. So I think for me and for my family right now, a lot of good things are happening,” Yang said.

“I wanted to win a tournament before I came to Jeju and I was able to do so. So it’s with a very joyous heart that I return to my hometown of Jeju Island.”

The world number 20, who only took up the game when he was 19, forms part of a strong field that includes three-time major winner Ernie Els, Swede Henrik Stenson, defending champion Thongchai Jaidee and American Anthony Kim. Born to Korean parents, the 24-year-old Kim is also in good form and eyeing victory after a final round sevenunder-par 65 gave him a best major finish of third at the U.S. Masters a fortnight ago.

“As far as my form is concerned, I’ve been scoring well and I’ve been playing pretty good golf,” said world number 10 Kim. “I’m pretty happy about how I’m playing in general, but mostly about how I’m chipping and putting. So if I can keep that up, I should be in good shape.”

Meanwhile, Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul and six other leading players from the ASEAN Tour will be granted entry into the lucrative Singapore Open, organisers of the Southeast Asian circuit said yesterday.

Namchok qualified for the co-sanctioned event, which last year offered $5 million in prize money, courtesy of winning the 2009 ASEAN Tour order of merit with the six other places being awarded to the top finishers in this year’s standings.

“I am in shock,” Namchok said in an ASEAN Tour release. “Last year was a great season for me... but this is an unexpected surprise. I can’t wait for the week to come.”

Britain’s Ian Poulter is scheduled to defend his Singapore Open title at the Sentosa Golf Club from Nov. 11-14. —Reuters

CHINA: This handout photo received and taken on April 18, 2010 from Volvo Event Management shows golfer Yang Yong-Eun of South Korea celebrating his win at the end of the final round. —AFP

Former IOC chief Samaranch gravely ill BARCELONA: Former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch, 89, has been admitted to a Barcelona hospital suffering from severe heart trouble and his prognosis is “very bad”, a hospital spokesman said yesterday.

“He is suffering from acute coronary insufficiency and is prognosis is very bad,” a spokesman for Barcelona’s Quiron Hospital told AFP. In a statement, the hospital’s chief of internal medicine Rafael Esteban said Samaranch was under “intensive observation”.

Samaranch was head of the IOC from 1980 to 2001. Only Pierre de Coubertin, the “father” of the modern Olympics and IOC chief from 1896 to 1925, has held the post longer.

He is credited with commercialising the Olympics by allowing athletes to embrace professionalism.

Samaranch is now an honorary life president of the body which runs the Olympics and remains active in Spanish sports administration.

In recent years he was a key part of Madrid’s failed bids to hold the Olympics in 2012, which London eventually won, and 2016, which went to Rio de Janeiro.

“I know that I am very near the end of my time. I am 89 years old,” he said in October 2009 before asking the IOC members for the honour of hosting the 2016 Games in Spain during Madrid’s bid presentation in Copenhagen.

Samaranch has been hospitalized several times in recent years, most recently in Monaco in 2009 after he fainted.

He was hospitalised in Lausanne, Switzerland for “extreme fatigue” on July 17, 2001, his 81st birthday, shortly after he stepped down as IOC head and in Barcelona in 2007 for high blood pressure. —AFP

SPORTS

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Indian Badminton Association Kuwait inaugurated

Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra lighting the lamp

General Secretary Thomas Moolayil

KUWAIT: The Indian Badminton Association Kuwait (IBAK) was formally inaugurated on April 16 by the Ambassador of India to Kuwait, Ajai Malhotra, at the Qadsiya Club, Hawally.

IBAK is an organization formed by the badminton loving members of the Indian Community. IBAK was originally constituted by a handful of members on March 7, 2010 and within a shor t span of 5 weeks has attracted over 185 members.

The President of IBAK Dr. Manimara Chozhan while addressing the gathering mentioned that the IBAK has officially been recognized and registered with the Indian Embassy.

He expressed the desire that IBAK should emerge as a single umbrella to support the needs of the badminton loving Indian community in Kuwait.

He also mentioned that steps have been taken to register IBAK for affiliation with other world bodies and Indian Associations involved with Badminton. Dr. Mani pointed out that IBAK aims at creating new champions who would go on to represent the country and do the association as well as the country proud. The Ambassador while addressing the gathering assured full support to the activities of IBAK and hoped that badminton would be a platform for the development of more opportunities for people to enjoy sport and that IBAK would be a good starting point for the same.

He wished the association well

President Dr. Manimara Chozhan and promised that the Office of the Ambassador would be a Patron Member and support the cause of IBAK. The General Secretary of the association, Thomas T Moolayil, addressed the gathering and introduced the committee members.

He confessed that he has been an avid badminton fan and has also been associated with organizations in India like the Trivandrum Club.

IBAK offers Premium, Associate and Affiliated Memberships and to recognize and support the needs of badminton lovers of other nationalities, also offers guest memberships. The gathering was attended by around 100 members and the function was conducted in an organized and professional manner.

The Master of Ceremony, Ms.Induja, hosted the function effectively and at the end of the official events, the Ambassador

witnessed an exhibition match put up by the committee members represented by Mathews, Chandramoulli, Pushkaraj and Dr. Mani.

IBAK conducted a one day tour nament for the gathered members, which was won by the tandem of Suresh and Bader. The tournament director Tibish Babu directed proceedings effectively.

The President and the General Secretary congratulated the hard work and effor ts of Siraj, Prasad, Jimmy, Noor, Gopal, Arief (for managing the often considered boring job of organising the day of an event itself; so efficiently), Induja — for being an effective and pleasant host, Tibish- for taking up the responsibility of organizing the one-day tournament as an impromptu tournament director, Chandra, Hari, Siddique, Ravi for

helping with the preparation leading to the event on the day as well as after the event too, Wing Commander Nanda Kumar for the moral and steadfast suppor t as well as delivering an impressive account of IBAK, Sunil, Presoon and Joy John for the moral support and encouragement, the money man! — Mathews Jacob for the successful registration of new comers, Sreekumar Unnithan for entertaining the crowed with his karaoke and sound system, Pushkar & Anil for being the support cast. The main sponsor for the IBAK event is UAE Exchange Centre WLL. For those who wish to be associated with IBAK, they can be reached at ibakwt@yahoo.com and the URL for the group is http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/gr oup/ibakwt

ICC prepares to airlift teams to T-20 WCup

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan cricketers Chanaka Welegedara (right) and Suraj Randiv attend a practice session. Sri Lanka has gone for a blend of youth and experience for the Caribbean Twenty20 Worlds that runs from April 30 to May 16. —AFP

Wimbledon champions to get one million pounds each

LONDON: The winners of t h i s y e a r ’ s Wi m b l e d o n singles crowns will own the world’s most prestigious tennis titles and receive a cool 1 million pounds ($1.53 million) each.

The men’s and women’s champions at the All England Club will each get 150,000 pounds more than the 2009 winners and nearly double the amount from 10 years ago but still just short of the $1.6 mill i o n o f f e re d b y t h e U S Open last year.

Total prize money for the June 21-July 4 event is 13.725 million pounds, an increase of 1.175 million from last year. The two r unners-up will receive 500,000 pounds.

“It is important we offer a level of prize money which is both appropriate to the prestige of the event and which gives the players full and fair re w a rd , ” Ti m P h i l l i p s , chairman of the All England Club, told a news c o n f e re n c e o v e r l o o k i n g Centre Court yesterday.

Explaining how the championships were able t o f u n d s u c h i n c re a s e s despite the gloomy economic climate, chief executive Ian Ritchie said they had benefited from longrunning arrangements with commercial partners.

“It’s important to be competitive,” he said.

“With the official suppliers and broadcasters there is a recognition and inter-

est in the success of the championships. “ We a re l o o k i n g a t longer-term contracts and i n c re a s e s i n v a l u e s o f these things. “We are in a virtuous circle really. We are re-investing and innovating and happily that is reflected in our income so we can look after everyone a bit better.”

G ro u n d t i c ke t p r i c e s have been held from last y e a r, d e s p i t e t h e d a i l y crowd limit being cut from 40,000 to 37,500 because i m p ro v e m e n t s t o C o u r t Two have cut the outside court space.

Organisers said there were no plans to show any World Cup soccer matches on the big screens around the complex. —Reuters

Sehwag out of World Cup CHENNAI: Explosive India opener Virender Sehwag is out of the Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean that starts next week due to a shoulder problem.

“Sehwag has sustained a shoulder injur y and been advised to rest for three to four weeks,” the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) said in a statement yesterday.

The batsman, who has been struggling for form in the Indian Premier League, played in Delhi Daredevils’s final game in the competition on Sunday.

Sehwag has been replaced by in-form Murali Vijay for the April 30-May 16 Twenty20 World Cup after gaining clearance from tournament organisers. India, champions in 2007, are in Group C with South Africa and Afghanistan. —Reuters

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) said it was preparing to fly teams participating in the Twenty20 World Cup starting next week directly from Dubai to the West Indies.

The move followed air travel restrictions over much of Europe due to volcanic ash following last week’s eruption in Iceland.

“We are doing everything possible to overcome the airline logistical challenges and we are extremely grateful to our commercial partner Emirates for putting forward a charter-flight option,” ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement yesterday.

The Twenty20 World Cup runs from April 30 to May 16. “The ICC Board endorsed the contingency plans being made by the ICC executive team to ensure that all players, team management, match officials, support staff and television crews and equipment can reach the Caribbean despite the ongoing disruption to air travel in Europe,” the statement said. Ireland, Zimbabwe and hosts West Indies are in the Caribbean already.

“The Board heard that arrangements were being made so that seven of the remaining eight affected men’s teams-New Zealand are travelling via the United States-could be airlifted direct to the West Indies from Dubai with the aid of ICC partners Emirates,” the ICC said.

Meanwhile, bomb blasts that wounded 14 people outside a cricket venue in Bangalore were not surprising and reflected poorly on India’s capacity to co-host the 2011 World Cup, according to players’ union head Tim May. “Obviously we were disappointed, but to a certain degree not surprised that there was an incident during the Indian Premier League,” May, chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, told Reuters yesterday.

“It appears that the actual security arrangements were not of the level to counter this particular risk. That disappoints us significantly.” Blasts from two bombs on Saturday blew off portions of an outer wall at a packed cricket stadium minutes before an Indian Premier League match featuring a raft of foreign players between the Bangalore Royal Challengers and the Mumbai Indians.

Local police, who after the blasts assured players the area was secured allowing the match to start an hour later than scheduled, defused another three bombs found metres away from the stadium on Sunday.

Authorities have shifted the league’s two remaining games from the southern Indian city to Mumbai.

May said sources within the Indian Premier League had described security arrangements

by Bangalore authorities as “a shambles” despite assurances of safety. —Reuters

Usain Bolt seen in this file photo

Bolt to run first 100m of season in South Korea RALEIGH: Triple Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt will get an early look at the 2011 world championships site when he runs a 100 metres at Daegu, South Korea on May 19, his manager and organisers said on Monday.

The race will be the Jamaican’s first 100 metres of the season and his first visit to South Korea, Ricky Simms, his agent, said in an email to Reuters.

It will precede Bolt’s previously announced 200 metres at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting on May 23. “He has tremendous support in Korea and everyone here expects another record from him,” Dong-Hoo Moon, co-president of the Colorful Daegu PreChampionships Meeting, said in a statement on the event’s website (http://english.daegu2011.org).

Bolt holds the world record at both distances, having run 9.58 and 19.19 seconds at the 2009 world championships in Berlin. The 2011 world championships are scheduled for Aug 27-Sept 4 in Daegu.

Bolt has eight confirmed races for 2010 with more announcements expected shortly, his management company said in a statement on its website (http://pacesportsmanagement.com).

The 23-year-old will lead Jamaica in a 4x100 metres relay at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia on Saturday, then open his individual sprint season with a 200 metres in Kingston on May 1.

After races in Daegu and Shanghai, Bolt will chase the 300 metres world record at Ostrava, Czech Republic on May 27.

Diamond League meetings in New York (June 12), Paris (July 16) and Brussels (Aug 27), all at 100 metres, also are on his schedule.

Three other Diamond League appearances are to be announced as part of his contract

with the new global circuit.

Meanwhile, Olympic gold medallist Sammy Wanjiru’s hopes of defending his London Marathon title have been boosted by the news that race organisers have arranged for a private plane to pick him up from Kenya, he said yesterday.

The move followed air travel restrictions over much of Europe due to volcanic ash after last week’s eruption in Iceland, raising fears that elite overseas runners would not be able to compete in Sunday’s race. Wanjiru will be joined by several other Kenyan athletes on the specially arranged flight.

“I have just done my last last morning run in Kenya and am about to start my journey by road to Nairobi where we shall be airlifted to Spain and await further instructions,” the 24year-old told Reuters by telephone from his home in Nyahururu.

An aviation source at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport said a Gulfstream jet from Egypt would land at the main Kenyan airport later in the afternoon to fly the athletes to Europe via a stop in Djibouti to pick up more runners.

Wanjiru, who also won the last Chicago Marathon, said another jet would pick them up in Spain for the onward leg of the journey to London. “Fatigue may affect us during the race and my agent has indicated to me that he another jet will pick us in Spain. I think travelling by road or train from Spain to London may be too long for us,” he said.

Other Kenyans expected to accompany Wanjiru on the trip are world marathon champion Abel Kirui, Duncan Kibet and Emmanuel Mutai, with runners from Ethiopia and Eritrea joining the travelling party in Djibouti.

“I have trained well and I am ready for the race. We shall run as a team to ensure we deliver the title with my colleagues,” Wanjiru added. —Reuters

SPORTS

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

19

A season to forget for Franck Ribery PARIS: Four years after his fairytale breakthrough at the 2006 World Cup, Franck Ribery is reeling from a season ravaged by injury, transfer rumors and now allegations of relations with an under-age prostitute.

Revelations about the human trafficking case in which Ribery and his France team-mate Sidney Govou were called as witnesses sparked a media storm at the weekend that refuses to be calmed. Bitterly for Ribery, his nightmare season had looked like it was about to turn a corner.

Bayern Munich announced to no great surprise yesterday morning that Philipp Lahm would be taking Ribery’s place at the press conference prior to the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Lyon the following day.

“This is, of course, an issue for us,” conceded Bayern’s director of sport Christian Nerlinger. “But for the time being, we have to concentrate on the football, including Franck.” Bayern instructed their players not to respond to journalists’ questions about the affair.

In yesterday’s training session, Ribery’s every move was pored over by scores of photographers, reporters and television crews from all over the world.

Over 1,000 kilometres from Munich, the Spanish press bristled.

Tuesday’s edition of the Marca daily claimed that “the scandal diminishes to an almost definitive extent” Ribery’s chances of joining Real Madrid, who were reportedly preparing a bid for the former Marseille man. Paradoxically, the one team that could stand to benefit

from the affair is Bayern.

Desperate to cling onto one of their marquee names, the Bavarian club’s directors presented Ribery with a luxury pen on his birthday earlier in April and said they hoped he would use it to sign a new contract.

His current deal expires at the end of June 2011 and, prior to the scandal, Ribery had vowed to make a decision on his future within ten days, with Real, Barcelona and Chelsea all believed to be ready to pounce should he

choose to leave Germany.

Persistent transfer rumours have already had a negative impact on Ribery’s profile. His contradictory statements about his future last summer saw ‘Kaiser Franck’ labelled a “diva”, with the usually appreciative German tabloid Bild even calling him ‘Mr Bullshit’ in a headline.

His start to the season was delayed by a scarcely credible series of niggling injuries including blisters, swollen toes and tendinitis in his left knee, earning him new nick-

names from the media such as ‘Krank Ribery’ (‘Sick Ribery’) and ‘the French Patient’.

Ribery admitted to a lack of warmth in his relationship with coach Louis van Gaal and the pair enjoyed frosty relations for a number of weeks before a truce was finally called.

The Dutch coach rallied to Ribery’s cause in front of the press on Monday, insisting: “He was only spoken to as a witness.”

Ribery has also run into trouble with France coach Raymond

Domenech, who continues to deploy captain Thierry Henry on the left flank despite Ribery’s frequent public utterances that he wants to play there.

Domenech recently promised to chase all the “egos” out of his squad “with a shotgun”. Was Ribery the intended target? He’s already the target of the European media ahead of Bayern’s meeting with Lyon tonight, 50 days before the World Cup and 20 days before Domenech announces his squad for the tournament on May 11.—AFP

Liverpool stroll keeps the heat on Hammers Liverpool 3

West Ham 0

SPAIN: Osasuna’s miedfielder Juanfran Torres (left) vies with Mallorca’s defender Ayoze Diaz during their Spanish League football match at the Ono Stadium. —AFP

Mallorca blank Osasuna MADRID: Real Mallorca climbed into fourth place in La Liga with a quietly efficient 2-0 victory at home to Osasuna on Monday, putting them back in poll position for Spain’s last Champions League qualification slot.

While all the noise and attention is focused on Barcelona and Real Madrid’s battle for first place, Mallorca continued their surprisingly steady progress towards a top-four finish in front of a halfempty Ono Estadi.

Ruben Gonzalez headed Gregorio Manzano’s over-achievers into the lead from a corner after 36 minutes, and Alhassane Keita sprinted clear to hammer home the decider at the end.

With five games left to play, Mallorca are fourth on 55 points, one ahead of Sevilla, who beat Sporting Gijon 3-0 on Saturday.

Mallorca last played in Europe’s elite club competition in the 2001/2 season under the stewardship of Luis Aragones

after equalling their best ever league finish of third the year before.

Leaders Barca saw their advantage over Real cut to just one point on the weekend, after they drew 0-0 at city rivals Espanyol on Saturday.

Real swept past Valencia 2-0 on Sunday to climb on to 83 points, a massive 24 ahead of their third-placed visitors who occupy the last automatic Champions League qualification berth. —Reuters

Howard: Everton belongs in Europe after recovery

WILMSLOW: Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has not given up on European qualification after the Premier League club clawed its way back into contention following a poor start to the season.

Everton is only a point behind seventh-place Aston Villa, which occupies the last likely Europa League spot, although Howard’s side has played two games more.

“We are pushing to get back into the Europa League at the moment. We feel that’s where we belong at a minimum,” Howard said in an interview with The Associated Press.

“Unfortunately, we are going to need the help of some other teams to pull that off. But we still have to focus on our three games and, if we can take maximum points from those and get a little bit of help, we will be OK.” Everton plays Sunday at Fulham, which features United States teammate Clint Dempsey. The team goes to Stoke the following weekend and hosts relegated Portsmouth on the final day of the season.

That Everton is in contention for European football for a fourth successive season was unimaginable when Howard conceded six goals in an opening-day 6-1 loss to Arsenal at home. The team was then beaten 1-0 by promoted Burnley.

“We didn’t get off to a great start, but we envisaged ourselves being even further up the table than we are,” said Howard, who is promoting the One Goal charity to provide education for impoverished children.

For Howard, who moved to Goodison Park from Manchester United in 2006, Everton’s revival is vindication of the team’s thrifty approach — although the club remains on the lookout for a major investor.

Everton has been outspent by its main English rivals after making no major signings in the last offseason. Manchester City is only eight points above the Liverpool-based side despite spending more than $300 million rebuilding its squad.

“Everyone would like more money, particularly when it

comes to buying players, but we do a really good job,” Howard said. “But we have shown this season that you can have your hundreds and hundreds of millions of pounds but it doesn’t make you a phenomenal team.

“What we have is spirit in abundance and we have talent.

And yes, we don’t have a massive squad but we do very well ... our manager (David Moyes) buys players and puts them in the right positions, and he is very shrewd in the transfer market. We know that with a good healthy start to the season we can be competing for honors.” Before that mission resumes in August, Howard will be on international duty at the World Cup in South Africa and the 31-year-old New Jersey native knows he won’t get many more chances to play at major tournaments.

Howard doesn’t want to emulate compatriot Brad Friedel, Aston Villa’s goalkeeper, by still playing at 38. “I can’t see myself playing for another decade, certainly not. But we will see. There is a lot of other things I want to do outside of

football, also within football, but no I don’t see 10 years,” Howard said. “I don’t know what the future holds, so at the moment I’m on the right path and I’m where I want to be.

“I’m contracted to Everton for another four years, and fingers crossed they want me for the next four years as I can’t envision myself anywhere else.” While Howard is focused on the US team performing well at the World Cup, he also wants the first time the tournament is hosted in Africa to be used to highlight the lack of education children receive on that continent.

One Goal is trying to get world leaders to commit to investing $16 billion annually to ensure the 72 million children currently unable to go to school can receive an education.

“I do feel in a privileged position as a footballer and want to make a difference,” Howard said. “One of the biggest issues in Africa is poverty. Education is a tool to overcome poverty.

When you look across the board, there is a lot to be done.”—AP

LIVERPOOL: First-half strikes from Yossi Benayoun and David Ngog and a second-half own goal from Robert Green earned Liverpool a 3-0 win Monday over struggling West Ham. The Reds are still five points off fourth-placed Tottenham, who also have a game in hand, but they extended their unbeaten run at Anfield to 10 matches and this was a simple warm up for tomorrow’s Europa League semi final first leg at Atletico Madrid.

Efforts from Benayoun and Ngog gave them a comfortable advantage at the interval and Green’s own goal completed a comfortable evening.

West Ham have not won away from home since the opening weekend of the season and remain just three points above the relegation zone with three matches remaining.

But coach Gianfranco Zola denied the defeat would damage morale, telling ESPN: “We just had a chat in the changing room and I am not concerned at all. No problem.

“We started well. We were quite comfortable on the pitch. We suffered on dead balls - normally we are very good defending against them but not today.”

There was also the worrying sight of Carlton Cole applying ice to his knee after coming off for the visitors. Liverpool dominated possession from the start and West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green had to turn a Maxi Rodriguez strike around the post with just a couple of minutes gone.

The hosts took the lead on 19 minutes following a Gerrard free kick on the right. The Liverpool captain whipped the set piece in behind the West Ham defence and the ball crept inside the post off Benayoun’s chest.

The Israeli, who joined Liverpool from West Ham and was being booed throughout by the visitors’ fans, refused to celebrate the breakthrough.

Carlton Cole won the ball in the air against Jamie Carragher and forced a save at the near post from Pepe Reina. Junior Stanislas also looped over with a free kick but Sotirios Kyrgiakos should have given Liverpool an unassailable lead when he thumped a header over from Gerrard’s corner.

They did manage to double their advantage when Benayoun knocked wide to Rodriguez. The Argentinian crossed for Ngog, who managed to get in front of Matthew Upson, and hit a shot with enough power to beat Green.

Cole broke from deep as the visitors attempted to keep the game alive but his long-range effort rolled wide of Reina’s goal.

Gerrard lifted a free kick high and wide as Liverpool looked to put the game beyond the strugglers.

Dirk Kuyt also had a drive pushed wide by Green after racing on to a knock-down from Ngog.

Another goal arrived thanks to more poor defending from the visitors. Gerrard sent over a free kick from the left and Kyrgiakos beat Upson only to see his shot come back off the post and roll in off Green. —AFP

LONDON: Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva (second right) closes in on West Ham United’s English forward Carlton Cole (left) during their English Premier League football match. —AFP

Herculez knows his odds are long

MEXICO CITY: Herculez Gomez grew up in Las Vegas, so he understands the odds are against him representing the United States at the World Cup. But he may be worth a bet.

Gomez scored twice more on Sunday for Puebla in a 4-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the Mexican league. He has 10 to share the league lead and is threatening to become the first American to finish as the Mexican first division’s top scorer. He had eight goals in the span of 10 games, mostly as a substitute.

“I know I’m the longest shot there’s ever been in the US, but I’ll take it. That’s all I can do,” said Gomez, who played twice for the US three years ago. “I know about odds, and I know the odds are stacked against me.”

US coach Bob Bradley is looking for forwards because two of his top three, Charlie Davies and Brian Ching, are

sidelined with injuries. Only Jozy Altidore seems certain to play, which makes it difficult to write off a striker such as Gomez who is scoring — and one named for the greatest hero of Greek mythology.

“A lot has to do with luck and timing,” Gomez said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I’m going to do everything I can in my power to be ready if called upon.” It was Gomez’s father who named his son Herculez and spelled it with a “z” to match the “z” on Gomez. “All the nurses thought he was crazy,” Gomez said. “He just wanted to give my name a little ring.” His season hasn’t been a myth.

Gomez is tied for the Mexican scoring lead with Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez of Chivas Guadalajara, who is expected to move next season to Manchester United on a $9.1 million transfer, and Johan Fano of Atlante. Hernandez has fin-

Matches on TV (local timings) UEFA Champions League Bayern v Lyon 21:45 Al Jazeera Sport +4 Italian Cup Udinese v AS Roma 19:00 Al Jazeera Sport +1 English Premier League Hull v Aston Villa 21:45 ShowSports 1

MEXICO: In this April 18, 2010 photo, Puebla’s Herculez Gomez celebrates his goal during a Mexican soccer league match against Cruz Azul, in Puebla, Mexico. —AP

ished his club season and is training with Mexico.

Gomez’s club season might also be over. Although he scored twice last Sunday, Gomez also was given two yellow cards, which should rule him out of the regular-season finale this Sunday at Toluca.

Puebla is appealing the second yellow card, which Gomez got for simulation — or diving.

“I’m not holding my breath.

You know how these things go,” Gomez said. “But I think the league would like to see a race for the goal-scoring title.”

The 28-year-old was a second-half substitute for the US against Argentina and started against Colombia at the 2007 Copa America. But then he had surgery twice in three years on his right knee and played as a midfielder in Major League Soccer, helping the Los Angeles Galaxy to the 2005 title.

“I started off showing a lot of promise, but I fell a little short of what people were expecting and so it was frustrating,” Gomez said. “But I’ll be quite honest. I learned a tremendous amount playing in the MLS and I owe a lot to the MLS. I’m the player I am today because of the league.” Since joining Puebla in January from Kansas City, he’s been playing up front, mostly as a substitute, for coach Jose Luis Sola.

“I think the style of play suits me a little bit better here,” Gomez said. “To be quite honest, it’s been a while since I’ve played up top as a forward. That could be the reason.

I know where I’m dangerous and where I can help a team out. I think my most dangerous place to be is in front of the goal.” US Soccer Federation officials will say only they are aware of Gomez, who was born in Los Angeles and moved to Las Vegas as a child.

“As a staff we are constantly monitoring and evaluating the fitness and form of US players both here and abroad,” was all Bradley would say. Gomez has become a minor celebrity in Puebla, 70 miles (110 kilometers) east of Mexico City. His parents, Manuel and Juanita, attended Sunday’s game on one of their few trips back to their Mexica homeland. His girlfriend Kristiane Thompson also has been to Puebla to absorb the excitement. —AP

www.kuwaittimes.net

ITALY: Inter’s Brazilian Maicon (left) beats Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes to score during a Champions League semifinal, first leg soccer match. —AP

Dazzling Inter bring Barca back to earth MILAN: Inter Milan produced a stunning per for mance to beat holders Barcelona 3-1 in the Champions League semi-final, first leg at the San Siro yesterday.

Goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito extinguished Pedro’s opener for Barca and sent the nerazzuri faithful into raptures ahead of next week’s second leg at the Camp Nou. It was a tactical masterclass from Jose Mourinho as his team wiped out memories of the foot-

balling lessons Barca gave them in the group stages back in September and November.

Mourinho showed he wasn’t messing around before kick-off by picking an attacking line-up with three forwards plus playmaker Sneijder in midfield and from the off they demonstrated a willingness to take on the champions.

It was they who created the first clear-cut chance on 18 minutes as Samuel Eto’o curled a leftfooter from outside the area that Victor Valdes failed to hold but

Diego Milito fired the rebound straight across the face of goal.

Inter were looking relaxed and confident but a minute later they fell behind through some dreadful defending. Former Inter left-back Maxwell ran far too easily down the left past three non-challenges, reaching the byline where he pulled the ball back and with Inter’s defenders preoccupied by Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the centre, Pedro came in off the right flank to drill the ball home from 15 yards.

The hosts kept going about

their task, though, and Sneijder slid a lovely pass into Milito in the inside left channel but again he dragged his shot just past the far post.

Yet on the half hour mark Inter got the equaliser they deserved as Maicon played Eto’o down the right, he pulled the ball back into the middle and Milito took it off Goran Pandev’s foot but then fed it on to the unmarked Sneijder at the back post for a right-footed finish inside Valdes’s near upright.

In that first half Barca had

enjoyed almost 65 percent of the possession — but Inter were showing that their coach’s assertion af ter the pair met in the group stages that you can play well without the ball, certainly rang true.

Mourinho had also said before kick-off that Barca were as good as they were back then but that Inter were much improved and their display bore that out.

Inter’s first half had been impressive but they started the second at a canter with Pandev

Bayern wary of weary Lyon for semi clash MUNICH: Fresh from squeezing past Manchester United in the quarter-final, Bayern Munich are cautiously confident ahead of yesterday’s semi-final, first leg, Champions League clash against Lyon.

But despite being near full strength and thrashing Hanover 7-0 on Saturday in the Bundesliga, plus Lyon having to travel 750 kilometres by bus because of volcanic ash grounding most European flights, the Germans are still cautious.

“We shouldn’t underestimate Lyon, whatever we do,” Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. “This team saw off Liverpool in the group phase and Real Madrid in the last 16.”

Bayer n’s French midfielder Franck Ribery, who coach Louis van Gaal is confident will play despite injury concerns, said his compatriots would be no walk in the park to beat.

“It will be very difficult against Lyon because they have a very good team. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to think about the final,” said Ribery, who has been linked to European giants Real Madrid and Barcelona this season.

Lyon are “very well organised, very aggressive and phyisically very strong,” van Gaal agreed. “They have players who are quick to counter-attack, all their players are strong dribblers.

“It’s always hard to play against teams like that.” Bayern will also be without captain Mark van Bommel and defender Holger Badstuber, whose form this season has taken him to the verge of the Germany team, both suspended after picking up yellow cards. But Bayern are no pushover themselves.

The Bavarians’ win over Hanover leaves them top of the Bundesliga with three games left, and with the treble of German league, cup and Champions League titles in their sights.

They last won the Champions League in 2001.

The two aces in van Gaal’s pack are Arjen Robben, fresh from his hat-trick against

Hanover, while striker Ivica Olic also scored two last Saturday.

Both scored at Old Trafford to stun Sir Alex Ferguson’s United in their fateful second leg quarter-final. Robben, who says he is playing “the best football of my life”, has been dubbed “Bayern’s Messi” by Lyon daily Le Progres, in reference to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, who take on Inter Milan in the other Champions League semi.

Bayern’s Argentinian defender Martin Demichelis is also likely to play for Bayern despite injury worries. Lyon have problems of their own getting to Munich with cancelled flights across Europe due to Iceland’s volcanic ash cloud meaning the French had to endure a bus trip to Bavaria via Zurich.

“It’ll be a total of 10 hours on the bus, which is hard,” said Lyon captain Cris.

“But there’s no choice and we have to accept it.”

Lyon drew 2-2 with Girondins Bordeaux on Saturday night in the third meeting between the clubs in the space of three weeks - they met in the Champions League last sixteen.

The result effectively knocks both sides out of the Ligue 1 title race.

With five to play, Lyon are nine points off leaders Marseille. Coach Claude Puel chose to start without top-scorer Lisandro Lopez, who only came on in the second period, but took a knock on the ankle and missed Sunday’s light workout.

Puel said the striker is “doubtful” for the clash in Munich with Lyon bidding to win their first Champions League title.

Centre-half Jean-Alain Boumsong has been out for two weeks with a calf strain, while Jean II Makoun (groin), Mathieu Bodmer (back) and Dejan Lovren (knee) were all absent in Bordeaux.

But midfielder Jeremy Toulalan says Lyon might be good for another surprise.

“Sometimes a team goes all the way even when no one thinks they will. Porto has done it before. “Maybe it’s our turn now.” —AFP

shedding off three players in midfield and then playing Milito behind the backline, the Argentine pulling the ball back for the charging Maicon to prod home his second goal in successive games, just three minutes in.

Messi finally woke up and got his first shot off on 53 minutes but Julio Cesar par ried it and the Brazilian stopper had to be alert moments later to block a closerange Sergio Busquets header from a cor ner, although the Spaniard should have scored.

But Barca could not handle Inter’s attacking flair and on 61 minutes Eto’o crossed from the right and Sneijder’s poor header bounced up for Milito, arriving at the back post, to nod home.

Julio Cesar stood tall again 11 minutes from time as he punched away a crisp Messi free-kick.

Barca took total possession of the ball in the closing stages and Inter survived one scramble in the box as Lucio blocked Gerard Pique’s prod from a tight angle on the line. —AFP

Liverpool and Fulham begin long journey to semi-finals

Preview

LONDON: Liverpool and Fulham began their slow journeys yesterday to the Europa League semifinals after being unable to fly direct to Madrid and Hamburg because of volcanic ash blowing across northern Europe from Iceland.

The two Premier League clubs set off a day early for tomorrow’s away legs of the competition, forced to go by road and rail for much of their journeys. Their fans face similar trips, and some say their problems have been ignored by UEFA. Liverpool has the longer route to face Atletico Madrid, taking three trains to get to Bordeaux in southern France and then flying to the Spanish capital. The players and team officials will make an overnight stop in Paris to break up the journey.

“We could have done without the disruption. But we will try to win against Atletico,” Liverpool manager R afa Benitez said after Monday’s 3-0 Premier League victory over West Ham. “I don’t think it gives them an advantage. We still have enough time to be ready for the game.” Benitez said he feared many of Liverpool’s huge army of supporters won’t make the game.

“The people working on the travel plans for us have been very good,” he said. “But all the fans, maybe they can’t go, and that’s a pity.

“We have fantastic fans behind the team when we go away, but I’m disappointed they might not be there.”

Liverpool hopes to have 1,600 fans at the game, but supporters club official Les Lawson said they had received little help from UEFA. “Where UEFA is concerned, football

supporters are always bottom of the list and the last to be thought of,” Lawson said. “What has happened is obviously exceptional circumstances, but no one has thought of how the fans will get there.”

UEFA said it took the decision to give the go-ahead as early as possible on Monday, having first discussed the travel problems with experts dealing with the ash cloud. European football’s governing body said it took everyone into consideration, including supporters.

Fulham scrapped plans to take a private jet to Hamburg and is now going by bus after traveling by train through the Channel Tunnel. The journey is expected to take between 10 to 12 hours.

Because of air travel restrictions, Fulham added two more buses to take fans to the game to make it five in total. With most fans going by other means, it is hoping that 2,500 supporters will make it to Hamburg for Fulham’s biggest away following for a European game. But supporters club spokesman John Aitken said yesterday that most of those would wait until today to decide how to get there.

“There’s another coach company who is running a service to Hamburg, but a lot of people are going to wait and see what happens,” Aitken said. “If they lift the flight ban they may be able to go. But, by then, it might be too late to rearrange anything.

“I know of one fan who’s going by motorbike. It’s a long journey, about 900 kilometers.” The second leg games are April 29 and the final is in Hamburg on May 12. —AP

Europa League

GERMANY: Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben runs during the training session in Munich. Bayern will play against Lyon at the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg match today. —AP

Doha Bank posts robust Q1 2010 results

NBK implements new record management system

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Goldman Sachs profit tops forecast

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

www.kuwaittimes.net

Oil minister to open Mideast oil and gas conference in Kuwait

Delegates attending the launch ceremony — Photos by Joseph Shagra

Gulfnet and Microsoft introduce latest cloud computing concepts ‘Gulfnet Cloud’ targets small, medium businesses in Kuwait

By Islam Al-Sharaa KUWAIT: Gulfnet Communications in partnership with Microsoft Kuwait yesterday introduced new computing concepts driven by the combination of the Internet and cloud services. Based on Microsoft technologies the new offering known as “Gulfnet Cloud” is the country’s first cloud computing offering that is set to benefit small and medium businesses in Kuwait to help them communicate efficiently and drive business success.

Based on Microsoft technologies Gulfnet Cloud provides complete mobility, seamless scalability, high security and guaranteed privacy of proprietary data stored and exchanged. Gulfnet Cloud business solutions also ensure total compatibility and integration with all Microsoft products and services as well as with third party solution providers. It is an ideal business collaboration platform with a myriad of powerful and

highly scalable solutions that provide seamless collaboration features.

Commenting on the launch, Ehab Mostafa, Country Manager, Microsoft Kuwait, said, “We are on the verge of a new era in computing, in which innovative software applications on intelligent devices, complemented by Internet-based data storage and services, will offer small and medium businesses (SMBs) increased control over their information while enabling seamless experiences across multiple devices.

This next generation of computing holds enormous potential as SMBs can look at the cloud as a cost-saving alternative that is flexible and convenient. We are pleased to partner with Gulfnet to launch this new offering in Kuwait with the aim of stimulating and enabling the country’s SMBs to become more agile and competitive.”

Wael Al-Sultan, COO, Gulfnet Communications added “It gives us great pride to be the first company to introduce a

cloud computing offering in Kuwait. Gulfnet Communications and Microsoft enjoy a longstanding relationship and with this cloud offering, we hope that small and medium businesses will recognize the convenience, security and reliability of both on-premise software and Web-based services which in turn will give them more control and flexibility over the technology they deploy - all at reduced costs. We believe this is the right balance that will help them achieve business success in today’s economy.”

Microsoft’s vision for the cloud focuses on empowering customers and offering them unprecedented flexibility in choosing client plus cloud combinations. By complementing traditional on-premises and device-based software with Internet-based storage and services, the cloud offers many benefits, including cost savings and efficiencies; choice and flexibility; access to greater computing power and the latest software and early access to new technologies.

Volcano has industry on edge, says Emirates boss DUBAI: Emirates airline’s president warned yesterday the European aviation industry could face an “implosion” if the volcanic ash cloud grounds flights indefinitely.

President Tim Clark told reporters in Dubai his airline, the Middle East’s biggest carrier, would deal with the crisis despite having a fifth of its fleet grounded. But he predicted that European carriers were especially at risk.

“There will come a time when the scale is just too big,” he said. Clark did not say how long he believed the industry could hold out, but he warned of “an implosion in the civil aviation industry” if flights across Europe continued to be grounded for two months or more. “Unless the states ... come in and bail these companies out, there won’t be many carriers left,” he said.

“You simply can’t afford to shut down something the size of Europe.” Emirates has sizable operations in Europe and estimates it is losing $10 million a day in revenue as a result of disruptions caused by the ash from the Icelandic volcano. Its base in Dubai has grown into a major air hub linking Europe with Asia and Australia. The carrier said it is putting contingency plans in place and has 600 crew members in Europe on call 24 hours a day ready to fly, but is being hobbled by shifting restrictions.

Separately, Dubai’s airport authority said it has deployed extra staff to support additional flights to European destinations as airspace slots open up. Emirates had flights yesterday to some European cities, including Vienna and Zurich. However, those were not the destinations passengers were hoping to reach. Clark said the planes were originally headed for four German cities — Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf — but had to be rerouted.

Fourteen flights slated to leave at midnight yesterday for the UK have been canceled because of rapidly changing restrictions. The airline says the shutdown has grounded a fifth of its fleet, or 30 planes, and disrupted travel plans for 90,000 to 100,000 of its passengers so far. Cargo operations have also been stymied.

Clark said 2,000 tons of shipments have been disrupted, including a 747 plane loaded with 110 tons of fish. Clark stopped short of accusing European aviation authorities of overreacting to

KUWAIT: Ehab Mostafa (left), Country Manager, Microsoft Kuwait and Wael Al-Sultan, COO, Gulfnet Communications during the launch.

KUWAIT: Minister of Oil and Minister of Information and Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah will open the 18th Annual Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference next week on the theme of “Oil Demand Recovery and Price Volatility: Growth Outlook in a Carbon Constrained World”.

KPC yesterday announced the event would kick off on April 25 and last till April 27, at the J W Marriott Hotel, Kuwait. The release said the participants in the event represent bodies and companies from over 50 countries and the venue thus offers a platform for fruitful interaction and exchange of information and expertise.

Co-presiding the event are KPC Chief Executive Officer Saad A Al-Shuwaib and Chairman of FACTS Global Energy, USA, Fereidun Fesharaki.

Speakers include Chief Executive Officer of TOTAL, France, Christophe de Margerie, and Executive Director of Upstream International, Shell International, The Netherlands, Malcolm Brinded, as well as Chairman and CEO of Hunt Oil Company, USA, Ray L Hunt.

On the topics to be covered, the release mentioned “Economic Recovery and Oil Demand In Middle East”, “Trading, Pricing and Risk Management”, as well as “Carbon Constrained World: Role of Alternative Energy Sources and Technology.”

The working sessions during the conference include one on Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and International Energy Agency (IEA) outlook chaired by Director of Research Division at OPEC Hasan M Qabazard and Deputy Executive Director of the IEA Ambassador Richard H. Jones.

Closer to home, the topics of interest also include challenge facing the oil and gas sector in Kuwait, issues relating to the Kuwaiti economy, prospects of production and strategies of marketing, and securing Kuwait’s energy needs in a manner that is consistent with environment preservation.

Among the other keynote speakers are Chairman and Managing Director of Kuwait Oil Company Sami F. Al-Rushaid, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Energy Company Sara Akbar, and Chairman and Managing Director of Oil Development Company and Managing Director of Corporate Planning at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Hashim M El-Rifaai. The sponsors of the event include Bank of America, British Petroleum, Deloitte, Exxon Mobil, Total, and Vitol. — KUNA

Abu Dhabi housing crunch to ease, mortgages still tough ABU DHABI: New residential supply in Abu Dhabi’s freehold areas this year will ease the emirate’s housing shortage as it pushes down prices, but a tight mortgage market will pose challenges, analysts and bankers said.

Some 15,000 to 20,000 new homes, most of them on the nearby Reem island and Al Raha developments will be delivered from mid-to late this year, with many built by the emirate’s leading developers Aldar Properties and Sorouh Real Estate.

The housing crunch in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates federation, had caused rental prices to surge in recent years, and investors paid high prices for initial bookings when freehold property became available in designated investment areas two years ago.

“The delivery of new stock is a

good test of market appetite and, as this new supply is absorbed, will define key rental benchmarks that should lead to pricing adjustments amongst existing stock, reflecting variances in location and quality,” Elaine Jones, chief executive of property management firm Asteco, said in the firm’s latest research report.

“In addition, these rental benchmarks should assist other landlords with new buildings in terms of their pricing strategies,” she said.

Apartment rents in Abu Dhabi dropped on average between 5 to 15 percent in the first quarter of this year, according to Asteco, while sale prices of apartments fell between 3 to 7 percent. This decline reflects an increase in the upcoming market supply and investors accepting lower prices to exit, Asteco said.

Aldar and Sorouh are on track to deliver thousands of units this year, while other developers are also bringing on stream hundreds more.

According to a Reuters poll earlier in April, house prices in Abu Dhabi are expected to fall 10 percent in 2010 while rents are seen declining by 15 percent.

Average house prices in Abu Dhabi have fallen some 50 percent since their peaks in 2008, according to UBS. Still, home financing remains tight as mortgage lenders have yet to resume lending due to high funding costs.

“You have only three to four active lenders and that won’t satisfy demand, so it is important that all banks play a role,” said Sundar Parthasarthy, head of consumer assets at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

“If all banks do not lend, it will be a

difficult year for all of us,” he said at the ongoing Citiscape Property show.

Some lenders, such as governmentbacked Abu Dhabi Finance, have lowered rates to around 5 percent from an average of around 8.5 percent last year.

“Banks and other mortgage (lenders) must make it easier for end users by bringing down rates. I would love to see that,” said Ali Eid al Mehairi, chairman of Abu Dhabi Finance.

But not all bankers agree.

“In the long term, you have to place it right because it is not a short game. You have to price it right as each bank has its own policy, its own cost of funds,” said ADCB’s Parthasarthy.

“You need to have adequate cushion for delinquency.” — Reuters

Dubai inflation hits low of 0.8% Global crisis highlights flaws DUBAI: Tim Clark, Emirates Airlineís president talks to journalists during a press conference at the Emirates Headquarters in Dubai yesterday. — AP the ash cloud, noting that safety remains a top concern for all airlines. But he said Emirates is flying to destinations, such as Moscow, that some forecasters have suggested could be at risk but where local authorities are allowing flights. “We have been operating to Moscow, even though it has been in this red zone,” he said. “We have been checking our airplanes as soon as they arrive. They’re all clear.” As more information becomes available through test flights operated by airlines and aircraft manufacturers, Clark said he expected restrictions to change.

“There is a certain amount of learning going on at the moment,” he said. “But I do think we’ll get it right next time, or even if this continues, there will be some evolution.” — AP

DUBAI: Dubai’s inflation slowed to 0.83 percent on an annual basis in March, its lowest level in at least two years, as housing and food prices fell, the Gulf Arab emirate’s data showed yesterday.

The global downturn slashed consumer price growth across the Gulf oil producing region from record peaks in 2008, with some countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar experiencing deflation last year. The consumer price index of Dubai, a member of the United Arab Emirates federation, showed inflation decelerated for the third month in a row in March. It stood at 0.89 percent in February, well below a peak of 10.8 percent for the full year of 2008.

On the month, consumer prices fell for a fif th month in a row in March, posting a decrease of 0.12 percent after a 0.22 percent decline in February, data from Dubai Statistics Centre showed. Historical data beyond 2008 are not available.

Prices in the key housing and energy component, which has a 44 percent weight in the basket, edged down by 0.23 percent month-onmonth in March, after a 0.86 percent fall in the previous month. Food prices, which account for 11 percent of the overall index, have been volatile, falling by 0.67 percent in March after jumping up 1.26 percent in the previous month, the data showed.

Dubai, which lacks the oil wealth of its neighbor Abu Dhabi, took a big hit from the global credit crunch last year after its real estate bubble burst, dragging down the UAE economy.

The UAE has yet to release federal inflation data for March. Consumer prices fell by 0.16 percent from a year ago in February. Analysts expect UAE inflation to pick up to 2.5 percent this year, from a nine-year low of 1.6 percent in 2009. The data for the UAE and Dubai are not directly comparable as basket weights differ. — Reuters

in Islamic finance: Experts

KUALA LUMPUR: Islamic finance has emerged relatively unscathed from the global economic crisis and Dubai’s turmoil, but experts say the dramas have exposed the need for tighter regulations and higher standards.

The Sharia finance industry, which abides by religious laws that prohibit the payment and collection of interest, is worth an estimated $800-950 billion and expanding rapidly in the Muslim world and in the West.

Moody’s Investors Service said earlier this month that the sector has a market potential of $5.0 trillion.

However, the global economic turmoil which felled some mainstream banking institutions, and Dubai’s financial fallout late last year has highlighted the need for the industry to shore up areas where it may be on shaky ground.

Dubai stunned financial markets last November when it said it might need to freeze debt payments by its largest conglomerate Dubai World. Last month it announced a debt restructuring plan with a 9.5 billion dollar

funds injection.

“What happened in Dubai is affecting both the conventional market and the Islamic market because the players in the market totally forgot proper risk management,” says Badlisyah Abdul Ghani, chief executive of CIMB Islamic, a pioneer Islamic bank in Malaysia.

“A lack of framework regulations are the single biggest threat to Islamic finance growth today,” he told AFP at a recent conference on Sharia finance held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

In Islamic finance, the customer and the institution share the risk of any investment and also divide any profits between them.

“There’s nothing wrong with the Sharia structure, it’s the law of the land and the regulatory framework that needs to be sorted out to ensure an Islamic financial transaction can be done effectively,” Badlisyah said.

Malaysia has the world’s largest market in Islamic bonds, known as “sukuk”, but it is facing rising competition from Singapore and European banking centers. —AFP

22

business

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Result shows world class operating ratios

Doha Bank announces robust Q1 2010 results DOHA: Sheikh Fahad Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Board of Directors of Doha Bank, announced Doha Bank’s financial results for the first quarter of 2010. Net profit for the first quarter of 2010 recorded an impressive QAR 315 million which translated into 25% Return on Equity. Sheikh Fahad said “This is an outstanding result and shows that Doha Bank is yet again generating returns on shareholder equity that are truly world class.” Doha Bank increased Net interest income by 13.6% to Sheikh Abdul Rehman Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Managing Director of Doha Bank said “The Bank has become extremely strong over the years with shareholders’ funds, as at 31 March 2010 of QAR 5.3 billion, registering an increase of 13.2% during the last twelve months. The paid-up share capital of our bank has increased over the years and, as at 31 March 2010 it is QAR1.9 billion reflecting the strong confidence we enjoy from our shareholders and this region.

Through the strategic utilisation of the shareholder’s funds by way of increasing our performance levels the return on average equity is 25% as at 31 March 2010 one of the best in the industry.

The Bank, given the scale of operations, has achieved a very high return on the average assets of 2.8% as at 31 March 2010 which is a clear demonstration of the effective utilization of shareholder’s funds and optimum asset allocation strategies”. Further, Sheikh Abdul Rehman said “The Bank’s core revenue streams have shown strong growth over the prior year period reflecting on the Bank’s intrinsic strength towards recurring earning capacity and also on the Bank’s productive operational performance”.

Talking on the key innovations and initiatives taken by

QAR 303 million. Total assets increased by QAR 2.2 billion, a growth of more than 5.3%, from QAR 42.2 billion as at 31 March 2009 to QAR 44.4 billion as at 31 March 2010. Net Loans & Advances increased to QAR 26.2 billion from QAR 24.2 billion for the same period last year, registering a growth of 7.9%, with Deposits year on year increase of 24.8% from 21.8 billion to QAR 27.2 billion as at 31 March 2010 evidencing the strong liquidity position of the Bank.

Doha Bank Chairman, CEO (center) and Managing Director Doha Bank in the first quarter of 2010, R Seetharaman, Group Chief Executive Officer said, “continuing our tradition of introducing innovative products and services, Doha Bank and Qtel launched ‘INFINIT’, a new program for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that combines high-end business services with advanced communication solutions and support.

INFINIT also offers free set-up and access to Doha Sooq, Doha Bank’s unique e-commerce website, the first e-commerce initiative by any leading financial entity in the Middle East”.

Seetharaman continued, “Doha Bank once again initiated a unique offering of 25 Kilos of gold, the biggest prize ever in Qatar, under our Al Dana Savings Scheme to reward cus-

tomers both for their saving habits and their loyalty to the bank, making it the most attractive and most competitive savings scheme in Qatar. We also launched a salary transfer scheme where customers have a chance to win a Porsche 911 and get their loan wiped up to QAR500,000.”

During the quarter, Doha Bank created a dedicated Customer Care Center, “Tawasol”, to ensure both standardization and improvement of the retail service quality being provided throughout the Bank.

The Bank has also launched a new balance transfer program where all new and existing customers can transfer their outstanding credit card balances to Doha Bank’s Dream Card and will enjoy 0% interest for a peri-

od of 90 days. This is in addition to the low interest rate currently enjoyed by existing Dream Card members.

Further initiatives were taken in Doha Islamic with the launch of a new account tailored for young savers named “Ajyal”.

This unique account offers young savers a host of benefits and features which include school kits, prizes and many privileges.

Also during the first quarter, Doha Bank and UNESCO signed a partnership agreement in a drive to continue greening and cleaning Qatar. Sheikh Fahad said “The Doha Bank and UNESCO partnership will further strengthen our mission and vision to protect our environment and reduce our carbon footprint towards achieving car-

bon neutrality. Doha Bank continues to develop more energyefficient products and services.

Our leadership and contribution in this field has garnered the Best Green Bank in the Middle East, Best Public Awareness Campaign from Qatar Today and getting recognized by the government for our active participation in Qatar Green and Clean projects which clearly reflects our dedication and commitment to the environment.”

In addition and in line with Doha Bank’s priority to expand the convenience of banking a new e-branch was opened at Al Muntaza in January 2010.

Seetharaman attributed the forward looking vision of the board, high level of commitment of management and staff, customer care, best suite of products and services, and ongoing product and service improvement as the main reasons for Doha Bank achieving this robust result. He said Doha Bank has been applauded by various highly respected financial sector specialists for its pioneering and leadership role in taking Financial Services experience in Qatar and Middle East to new heights. He concluded by saying, “We are committed to sustain the growth, profitability and stakeholder and customer expectations, and maintain our hall mark in terms of performance, innovation, security and quality”.

head.

TNI’s MENA fund has full access to Saudi Arabia and can invest up to 40 percent of its assets in the kingdom. Fund managers have been scrambling to increase their exposure to the oil-rich region, which boasts a growing population and massive government-sponsored infrastructure projects.

The long-only fund will follow a “sector neutral” approach and will focus on investing across sectors by keeping the weightings equal to that of the relevant index, Hayeck said.

Hayeck said investors need to have an investment horizon of three to five years

to capture growth opportunities. After the financial crisis, companies in the Middle East region have improved their balance sheets and businesses are catering more to local demand, according to the asset manager.

“We have seen lots of solid and sound balance sheets and businesses that are surprisingly cash rich,” he said.

“The vulnerability to foreign demand is not there.” TNI is also targeting institutional investors with a “special situations fund”, launched in August 2008. The fund has a mandate to invest across asset classes, including equities, debt instruments, convertibles and derivatives.

Rolls-Royce Phantom named ‘Best Luxury Car of the Year’ GOOD WOOD: The Rolls-Royce Phantom has been named ‘Best Luxury Car of the Year’ for 2009 at Kuwait’s inaugural ‘Car of the Year’ awards ceremony.

An initiative by the Kuwait-based auto magazine RPM, the first ‘Car of the Year’ awards showcased the public’s favorite and mostdesired automobiles in different categories. The organizers analyzed data collected from over 250,000 respondents to determine the winner in each category.

Commenting on the event, Yousef AlQatami, General Manager, Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive, said, “This is a tremendous honor for Rolls-Royce, as the winners of the ‘Car of the Year’ awards are chosen directly by the pub-

lic. It is also a further reinforcement of RollsRoyce’s status as the pinnacle luxury automotive brand.”

Accepting the award on behalf of RollsRoyce Motor Cars, Abbas Ashmar, Rolls-Royce brand manager at Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive, added, “This underpins that Phantom continues to lead the super luxury segment in terms of unparalleled driving characteristics, an outstanding refinement and engineering integrity,” The ‘Best Luxury Car of the Year’ award is the second accolade Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has won this month. Recently the new Rolls-Royce Ghost received the prestigious “red dot: best of the best” award for the very highest level of design.

RRMC Phantom (left) and Ghost (right)

Abu Dhabi’s TNI seeks up to $1bn for MENA fund DUBAI: Abu Dhabi’s The National Investor (TNI) hopes to raise up to $1 billion for its new Middle East and North Africa equity fund, targeting an economic and corporate recovery in the region.

The fund, which will close the first stage of fundraising on June 17, is targeting institutional investors across the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, and will be funded with $30 million of seed capital from TNI. “The fact that we are seeing it with $30 million indicates that we mean to grow this fund to be very large.

The capacity that we can see for the fund is between $500 million to $1 billion,” said Walid Hayeck, TNI’s asset management

Abbas Ashmar receiving the ‘Best Luxury Car of the Year’ Award

Saudi Electricity net loss swells on power buys

The special situations fund has returned 15 percent since inception and is up more than 6 percent year-to-date. “We have never marketed the fund aggressively to institutions and now want to build on the impressive track record,” Hayeck said.

The fund’s top holding is a sukuk instrument issued by Saudi builder Dar AlArkan. It also has investments in convertible notes issued by Abu Dhabi property developer Aldar Properties.

“The sukuk (Dar Al-Arkan) is trading at 102 cents to the dollar and yielding 11 percent. The yield is interesting and the level of risk is something we are comfortable with,” he said. — Reuters

RIYADH: Saudi Electricity (SEC) posted a worsethan-expected first-quarter loss yesterday after the utility in the power-hungry desert kingdom bought more power from independent producers and costs of new projects rose.

A loss is not unusual for the largest listed utility in the Gulf, which makes losses during the coolest six months of the year on lower power demand, but turns a profit during the hotter second and third quarters, closing every year in the black. Saudi Electricity posted a net loss of 782 million riyals ($209 million) in the three months to end of March, compared to 771 million riyals a year earlier. This is worse than a 768.9 million riyals average loss forecast in a Reuters survey earlier this month. “The widening loss is due to an increase in purchased energy from independent producers in order to meet the growing demand for energy and is also due to rising costs from the start of new projects,” SEC said.

The firm’s operational loss was 888 million riyals, down from 897 million riyals a year earlier.

“Energy consumption in Saudi Arabia is highly seasonal resulting in operating losses every first and fourth quarter of the year. This is due to the lower use of air conditioning during the winter season,” said NCB Capital. Saudi Electricity is planning to raise up to $1.87 billion from a sukuk, or Islamic bond issue in May to fund expansion. “The firm will start marketing the sukuk next week,” Chief Executive Ali Saleh Al-Barrak said in post-earnings remarks carried by the Dubai-based al-Arabiya television channel. The firm is executing projects to add 5,105 megawatts of new power capacity by 2012 as demand for power in Saudi Arabia is growing at a rate of 8 percent annually. Saudi Electricity shares last traded 0.9 percent below the previous day’s close, slightly underperforming the benchmark which was down 0.67 percent. — 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

.2830000 .4390000 .385000 .2680000 .2810000 .2630000 .0045000 .0020000 .0779370 .7593140 .4020000 .0750000 .7443750 .0045000 .0500000

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

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2871000 .4409510 .3875130 .2704370 .2835670 .0520700 .0399130 .2653940 .0369890 .2086940 .0031140 .0065240 .0025290 .0034480 .0042060 .0782050 .7619240 .4060380 .0765990 .7460880 .0065090

US Dollar Sterling pounds Swiss Francs Saudi Riyals

TRANSFER CHEQUES RATES .2892000 .4440650 .2723520 .0770870

.2930000 .4470000 .3930000 .2770000 .2900000 .2700000 .0075000 .0035000 .0787200 .7669460 .4170000 .0790000 .7518560 .0072000 .0580000

285.740 194.100 272.010 267.910 287.000 ASIAN COUNTRIES

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

3.132 6.475 3.432 2.527 4.064 210.200 37.191 4.165 6.469 8.951 0.301 0.292 GCC COUNTRIES

.2892000 .4440650 .3902500 .2723520 .2855750 .0524390 .0401960 .2672690 .0372510 .2101720 .0031360 .0065710 .0025470 .0034730 .0042360 .0787040 .7667830 .4089140 .0770870 .7508450 .0065560

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

77.000 79.330 750.100 766.840 78.633 ARAB COUNTRIES

Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound Yemen Riyal Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira Syrian Lier Morocco Dirham

54.750 52.244 1.289 206.510 407.730 193.700 6.298 35.324 GOLD

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

222.000 113.000 59.000

Bahrain Exchange Company

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer Euro Sterling Pound

Canadian dollar Turkish lire Swiss Franc Australian dollar US Dollar Buying

288.600 389.610 442.900

COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash

SELL CASH 271.300 767.320 4.420 288.400 566.600 15.800 53.600 167.800 54.320 393.000

SELL DRAFT 269.800 767.320 4.165 286.900

210.700 52.389 391.500

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

37.890 6.790 0.035 0.293 0.258 3.210 409.590 0.195 92.000 47.100 4.250 208.600 2.183 50.100 749.520 3.510 6.720 79.800 77.040 210.650 41.310 2.734 448.500 41.200 274.900 6.400 9.300 217.900 78.730 288.900 1.380

37.740 6.475

407.860 0.194 92.000 4.070 207.100

273.400 9.120 78.830 288.500

1,229.090

Sterling Pound US Dollar

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Nepali rupee Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Candaian Dollars

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 444.500 288.500

288.445 3.445 6.485 2.540 4.170 6.510 78.650 77.140 766.900 52.305 446.300 0.000032300 4.100 1.550 409.800 5.750 394.400 291.500

Al Mulla Exchange Currency

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 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

2.528 4.171 6.465 3.133 8.907 6.292 4.041

Currency 749.340 3.450 6.470 79.370 77.040 210.650 41.310 2.529 444.500

GOLD 10 Tola

Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees

288.450 287.761 443.561 393.575 270.577 707.007 763.492 78.513 79.209 76.889 407.041 52.358 6.486 3.439

US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal

*Rates are subject to change

Transfer rate 288.200 390.500 445.200 286.400 3.125 6.474 52.230 2.538 4.165 6.466 3.440 766.500 78.550 76.950

business

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

‘First of its kind in Middle East’

NBK successfully implements record management system KUWAIT: The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) announced the successful implementation of a new cutting edge Record Management system.

The system is the first of its kind in the Middle East and will manage all the banks documents and records in any format. This will allow for easier access to documents and reduce procedure time at the bank.

“The project is meant to further develop and enhance the services provided to NBK customers,” said Muhammad Al-Khonaini, Deputy General Manager at NBK. He added that this project is in line with NBK’s tradition of making use of new technologies in order to provide better services to its clients.

“This approach of handling data is becoming a standard worldwide. We decided to get on board with the new tendencies and technologies of Record Management,” said Al-Khonaini.

He asserted that in addition to the immediate benefits of the system, it will be easier for NBK to adopt future technologies that will be based on this globally standardized Record Management system.

“Any piece of information related to any client critical records will be accessible with this system, quickly and effectively”, said Assem Rashidi, Head of Mediterranean and Gulf Solution (MGS), the company working to install the solution.

The project started in April 2007 and was divided into phases. The first phase NBK had built a clear vision of this initiative and contracted with world-pronoun consultancy firm

Muhammad Al-Khonaini in order to layout the ground work and pave the way for a sold system implementation, with solid policy that was put in place. The second phase includes installing the Open Text ECM system in the headquarters of NBK. The third phase includes connecting all the local NBK branches to the system. The last phase will connect all NBK’s business areas to the system.

The system contains nine levels of security to protect against any cyber attacks and stores all the data in an encrypted form. The system also performs an immediate back-up to a mirror server to maximize information security.

resilient revenue growth delivered across our hotels and real estate investments as well as a recovery in our investment portfolio,” Prince Alwaleed said in an e-mailed statement.

Kingdom Holding, an investment company that has minority stakes in some of the world’s top companies, is a main shareholder in Citigroup Inc which on Monday reported its best quarterly results since 2007.

After Citi’s earnings announcement, Kingdom shares closed almost limit up

yesterday to 10.15 riyals before the Saudi firm announced its first-quarter earnings.

Earnings per share stood at 0.02 riyals versus 0.01 riyals by end-March, 2009, Kingdom said. Earlier this year it cut its capital by 41 percent, a move analysts said aimed at wiping out accumulated and unrealized losses which reached 65 percent of its capital at the end of the third quarter of 2009.

Losses of more than 75 percent of the capital would require a suspension in its stock. —Reuters

A new service in case of emergencies

Recharge your line with Wataniya ‘Recharge Me’!

KUWAIT: Constantly aiming at providing their customers with ground-breaking services and creative mode of communication, Wataniya Telecom recently launched a new life-saver service entitled “Recharge Me”.

With this latest addition to Wataniya’s umbrella of emergency services, prepaid customers should not get worried anymore about running out of credit!

Tailored for all, this exclusive service enables prepaid customers running out of credit or having just 100fils remaining on their account, to establish a connection when in dire need of making an important phone call or in case of emergencies.

“Wataniya Telecom strives to alleviate customer with unique experience using its services, ‘Recharge Me’ service provides an instant solution to our prepaid customers who do not have immediate and direct access to our standard recharging services”, said Abdolaziz Al-Balool, PR Manager of Wataniya Telecom.

He described it as a “great service yet another result of our endless endeavors to facilitate our customer’s telecom experience with Wataniya”.

Following two easy steps save the customer from a complicated situation or an emergency, either by sending RM 6666xxxx (donor no.) to 1991, or call *3*6666xxxx#. The donor should reply with “Y” in order to deduct an amount of 500 fils from his account and the requester will receive 450 fils as credits.

Cautious to deliver the best services with economically affordable prices, Recharge Me is yet another exciting addition to Wataniya Telecom’s portfolio of various life saver services. As Wataniya had previously launched both Collect Call and Call me back, both have

Abdolaziz Al-Balool excellent benefits to customers running out of credits.

“Collect call” offer prepaid customers, an opportunity to make calls, and charge it on the receiver of the call. This is provided that they accept the charges. While “Call me back” enables customers to request friends and family to call in case of insufficient balance.

For more information and details on how to use the Recharge Me service and the latest updates please visit www.wataniya.com or call customer care on 112.

The company has been a driving force in increasing the mobile market penetration in Kuwait (over 80%). Wataniya Telecom has grown rapidly through acquisitions and enjoys a remarkable expansion in MENA & ASIA. Driving operations are in Kuwait, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Algeria and in Palestine.

Alaqaria Q1 profit steady at $17.6m DUBAI: Qatar Real Estate Investment Company’s first quarter profit held steady at 64 million riyals ($17.59 million), the company said yesterday.

The company, also known as Alaqaria, posted a profit of 63.8 million riyals ($17.5 million) in the first quarter of 2009. Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Company was ordered by the government in January to take over Alaqaria.

After the takeover, Alaqaria will become a subsidiary of Barwa with the market capitalization of the combined firms reaching 11.1 billion Qatari riyals ($3.05 billion), the company has said. The takeover is backed by the government and Qatari Diar Real

Qatar index revamps to boost trading; Qtel in New weightings to reflect free float

Kingdom Holding posts 50% rise in Q1 profit RIYADH: Improved returns from investments and revenue from hotels led Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding to report a 50 percent rise in first-quarter net profit.

Kingdom, 95-percent owned by the nephew of King Abdullah, made a net profit of 75.2 million riyals ($20 million) in the three months to endMarch against 50.2 million riyals a year-earlier, it said in a statement.

“Subsidiaries and investments performed well with

23

Estate Investment Company (Qatari Diar), which owns 45 percent and 27 percent of the share capital of Barwa and Alaqaria respectively.

Barwa reported that first quarter net profit rose 8.3 percent to 210 million riyals (57.72 million) on Monday. The company said increased revenues from rents and services and the sale of property. Barwa’s activities focus on retail, office, hospitality and residential property development, while Alaqaria specializes in industrial housing.

Qatar is ensuring its key property firms weather the storm by pushing through defensive mergers and using the real estate arm

of the country’s sovereign wealth fund to invest in them. The world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, Qatar has said it will keep on spending to maintain growth momentum in its domestic market while it continues to invest in trophy assets overseas, like London’s Shard skyscraper project and the US Embassy in nearby Mayfair.

Consolidation in the oilexporting region has been on the rise since late last year as the financial crisis and an oil price slump ended an economic boom, forcing firms involved in everything from property to investment to search for ways to weather the downturn. —Reuters

DUBAI: Qatar will reshuffle its leading stocks index DSM 20 to boost liquid- launch on May 6, with stock weightings determined by companies’ free-float ity and transparency, adding heavyweight stocks including Qatar Telecom to capitalization and their average daily traded value. These will be measured at the benchmark, Qatar Exchange said yesterday. The renamed QE index will the market close on April 29, the exchange said in a statement.

“The new index will reflect what fund managers who benchmark against the index can accomplish,” said Keith Edwards, head of asset management at Doha-based investment company The First Investor.

Qtel, the fourth-largest listing on the Qatar bourse but which has been excluded from the leading index so far, will be one of five stocks added to the index. “Qtel is one of the major stocks in Qatar and should be in the index,” added Edwards.

Qatar Electricity & Water, the ninth-largest stock by market capitalization, Vodafone Qatar, Gulf International Services and Qatar Insurance are the other names joining the index.

“The increased transparency means that the selection of stocks will be clear and predictable to all listed companies and market participants,” said Andre Went, Qatar Exchange chief executive.

“The overall enhancements Abdullah Al-Fouzan, Senior Branch Manager MAK Branch at Gulf Bank and one of the winners. to the current index are beneficial to public investors in Qatar and will contribute to the development of the liquidity of the market.”

To be included in the revamped index, stocks must trade in a minimum 5 percent range annually and individuals KUWAIT: Gulf Bank launched must be allowed to own at least Al-Danah 2010 with more 1 percent of a company’s chances for its Al-Danah cusshares. tomers to win cash prizes Gulf Warehousing Company, throughout the year. The Bank Qatar Fuel, Medicare Group, holds weekly, quarterly and Qatar Islamic Insurance and annual prize draws for its cusQatar Meat and Livestock will tomers, encouraging them to be dropped. keep their money in their Qatar’s exchange, which in account for as long as possible 2009 entered a strategic partto enhance their chances of nership with NYSE Euronext, winning. has gained 7.7 percent this year The Bank held its eleventh to be the third-best performing draw on April 19, 2010, Guf Arab benchmark, behind announcing a total number of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

10 Al-Danah weekly prize draw Volumes remain lacklustre, winners, each awarded with with 6.2 million shares changing prizes of KD 1,000. The winhands on the index yesterday, ners were: Fares Mohammed 40 percent below the 12-month Moaadi Al-Otaibi, Hamad daily average. —Reuters Marzooq Fahad Benharran,

Gulf Bank congratulates winners of the Al-Danah weekly draw

Saudi to book $24bn surplus in 2010: CB RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will book a 91 billion riyal ($24.3 billion) surplus this year based on an average oil price of $75 per barrel, and will avoid a deficit if prices stay above $60, a state-owned bank said yesterday.

The kingdom may end up spending 12 percent above the 540 billion riyals it budgeted for 2010 and get revenues 48 percent above the planned 385 billion riyals, said Said al-Shaikh, chief economist at National Commercial Bank (NCB).

“Crude oil prices, based on a modest recovery in global demand, are expected to average $75 (per barrel) with Saudi production rising to 8.3 million barrels per day,” Shaikh told a conference.

The government has said it expects to make a 70 billion riyal deficit in 2010, implying a conservative $46 per barrel price for oil. Saudi authorities do not issue updates on progress made in the execution of the budget. The kingdom has stepped up public expenditure over the past two years to counter the effects of the global crisis, drawing on reserves that more than doubled due to Saudi Arabia amassing substantial revenues from oil exports as crude prices rallied to record levels in 2008.

The kingdom is investing $400 billion in the five years to 2013 mainly to enhance infrastructure in the country of 26 million people. After declining by almost 8 percent in 2009, net foreign assets held by the Saudi central bank are set to rise by almost 10 percent in 2010 to $445.2 billion, surpassing their lifetime record of 2008, Shaikh said, based on assumptions of daily production of 8.3 million barrels per day and a $75 average price for oil. This could yield economic growth of 3.5 percent in 2010, up from 0.2 percent in 2009, he said. Non-oil sector growth is set to reach 3.8 percent in 2010, up from 3 percent in 2009. —Reuters

Suod Abdulaziz Ali Bukehail, William Jafeir Bowman Kastro, Sandra Nouri Musaed Al-Saleh, Dalil Khalifah Dalil AlMutary, Abbas Ali Zalzalah, Aisha Ghazi Ahmed Mandi, Ibraheem Hamad Ibraheem Al Shayea and Gopakumar Sankara Pillai.

A minimum deposit of just KD200 is needed to open an Al Danah account. Not only does Gulf Bank’s Al Danah account allow customers to win, but it also encourages customers to save money. The more money deposited and the longer it is

Al-Fouzan and another winner kept in the account, the more chances there are to win.

Al-Danah also offers a number of unique services including the Al-Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator which is now in operation to help cus-

tomers calculate their chances of becoming an Al-Danah winner.

To be part of the Al-Danah draw customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 51 branches, transfer on line, or call the Telebanking service 1805805 for assistance and guidance.

Customers can also log on to

www.e-gulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s bilingual website, to find all the information regarding Al Danah or any of the Bank’s products and services or log on www.egulfbank.com/aldanah, to find out more about Al-Danah and who the winners are.

Senior Etihad appointments Etihad Airways yesterday announced that Geert Boven, the airline’s Executive Vice President Customer Services and Airport Operations, has been appointed Managing Director and a member of the Board of Amadeus Gulf, a joint venture global distribution company owned by Etihad Airways and Amadeus International.

Amadeus Gulf is integral to Etihad’s distribution system, and safeguards Etihad’s position with travel agents and other business partners in the Gulf region.

Boven’s appointment follows the decision by the current Managing Director Ghulam Saleh Al-Balooshi, who has been

with Amadeus Gulf since its inception in 2002, to pursue other opportunities after a very successful career with the company.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said: “Geert is one of our most experienced commercial executives and has played an important role in the development of Etihad since joining the company in 2005. His extensive experience in the aviation and travel industries will be invaluable at Amadeus Gulf.”

Etihad has appointed Chris Youlten as its new Vice President of Airport and Network Operations. Youlten, heading a newly combined airports and operations

unit, will be responsible for the operational performance of airports into the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub, and the Etihad network as a whole.

He has more than 25 years’ international aviation experience, including positions in Europe, the USA, Hong Kong and Australia. He joined Etihad in May 2008, initially as Head of Operations Planning before being appointed Vice President of Network Operations.

Hogan said: “Chris has played a key role over the past two years in ensuring the airline’s operational performance kept pace with Etihad’s rapid growth. He has the ideal background for leading the joint airport and operations team.”

Aldar starts new Abu Dhabi project, market tough: CEO ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi property developer Aldar Properties, plans to start building a “multi-million dirham” mixed-use project in the emirate shortly and launch the next phase of its Yas Island development despite a challenging market, its chief executive said yesterday.

The Al Bateen Park project will have 272 apartments that are pre-sold, as well as 75 villas and townhouses and other facilities, John Bullough

said, declining to be more specific about the cost of the undertaking.

Construction will start shortly and completion is set for August 2012, he said, adding that a start on the next phases for the Yas Island as well as the Al Raha Beach development would follow.

“We are not standing still.

We will always stay close to the market as we remain funded comfortably,” he told Reuters at a property exhibition.

“2010 will be a year of continued challenge and continued delivery,” he told a property conference on Monday. Bullough said Aldar will deliver 500-plus units at its Al Bandar project in June and will open a Ferrari World theme park in autumn.

Some 300 retail units will be opened at its Central Market project in summer, he said. Also, Aldar’s headquarters at Al-Raha will open shortly and office space there will be leased.

“We are focused on delivery mode and driving revenue from emerging investment portfolios that will generate revenues,” he said. “As we evolve, the revenues will increase.”

Aldar plans to announce its first-quarter financial results by the end of this month, he said. The firm had no plans to sell assets currently, he said. Late last year, Aldar sold infrastructure on Yas Island back to the government. —Reuters

24

BUSINESS

KSE stocks nosedive Global Daily Market Report

Sector-wise Regarding Global’s sectoral indices, they all ended the day on a negative except for Global Insurance Index which was unchanged during the trad-

ing session. Global Investment Index posted a 2.19 percent loss making it the top decliner. National Investment Company was the top decliner in the sector yesterday by ending the day with down 7.04 percent and closed at KD0.330.

Furthermore, Kuwait Projects Company (Holding), the largest investment company in the sector, aided the index’s decline by posting a 1.16 percent drop to close at KD0.425.

Global Banking Index was the second biggest decliner for yesterday. The index shed 1.91 percent from its value backed by Kuwait Finance House

(KFH) and Boubyan Bank being the top decliners in the sector. Boubyan Bank ended the day down 3.77 percent and closed at KD0.510. KFH ended the day down 3.70 percent and closed at KD1.040.

Regarding Global’s special indices, they also ended on a negative note with Global Islamic Index being the top decliner. The index posted a 2.63 percent loss backed by declines witnessed in the Islamic Banks.

Oil news The price of OPEC basket of twelve

Saudi, Dubai, Kuwait markets fall sharply MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended yesterday’s trading session on a negative note backed by losses witnessed in all market sectors, lack of news, and investors taking positions ahead of the soon to be released first quarter results. In addition, Global General Index (GGI) ended yesterday’s session with the biggest drop since February 17, 2010.

GGI shed 3.28 points (-1.58 percent) during the session to reach 204.30 points. The KSE Price Index decreased by 99.70 points yesterday and closed at 7,244.80 points. Market capitalization was down KD541.68mn yesterday to reach KD33.72 bn.

Market breadth During the session, 134 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards decliners as 101 equities retreated versus 11 that advanced.

A total of 99 stocks remained unchanged during yesterday’s trading session.

Trading activities ended on a positive note yesterday as volume of shares traded on the exchange increased by 61.90 percent to reach 282.03mn shares. Furthermore, value of shares traded gained by 61.40 percent to stand at KD74.39mn. The Services Sector was both the volume and value leader today, accounting for 32.32 percent of total traded volume and 40.97 percent of total value traded.

Gulf Bank was the volume leader yesterday, with a total traded volume of 38.27mn.

Oula Fuel Marketing Company was the value leader with a total value of KD16.07mn.

In terms of top gainers, Housing Finance Company took the top spot for the day, adding 7.94 percent and closed at KD0.136. On the other hand, Kuwait Slaughter House Company shed 13.33 percent and closed at KD0.325, making it the biggest decliner in the market.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

crudes stood at $80.89 a barrel on Monday, compared with $82.86 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Market news Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait, said first quarter net profit rose 1.10 percent to reach KD15.28mn, from KD15.12mn a year earlier. Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait total assets decline by 2.84 percent to KD3.03bn at the end of March, the bank said. Earnings per share for the period were 13 fils, up from 13 fills a year earlier.

DUBAI: Saudi Telecom Co (STC) plunged to a 12-month low yesterday after its first-quarter profit missed estimates, weighing on the kingdom’s index, which made its largest fall since Dec 9.

STC dropped 8.3 percent to its lowest finish since April 5, 2009, a day after reporting a 29 percent drop in quarterly profit. “STC is a sleepy, government-owned company and investors think it is not going anywhere,” said a Saudi-based analyst who asked not to be identified.

Zain Saudi Arabia also fell 3.7 percent after posting a first-quarter loss. The index dropped 2 percent, taking its losses to 2.6 percent since posting an 18-month high on April 11. “Many stocks have run up too far too quickly and so were ripe for some profit-taking,” the analyst added. Egyptian Resorts surged 10.7 percent on continued talk of a potential tie-up with another property firm.

Shares in Egyptian Resorts have jumped 17 percent since April 8 after Rowad Tourism sold a 5 percent stake in the developer.

“There are rumors in the market there might be a merger with ODH (Orascom Development Holding),” said Rania Samir from Pharos. “We are expecting something to be announced by the end of this month.”

Orascom Development, which is listed in Switzerland, is up 2.5 percent at 1330 GMT. Mobinil fell 1.2 percent, its fourth straight dip since co-owners France Telecom and Orascom Telecom patched up their differences. The pact quashed hopes of a buyout and removed a takeover premium from the stock.

“Most of the flow from Mobinil is coming to Telecom Egypt and Orascom Telecom,” Samir added. Telecom Egypt and Orascom Telecom rose 4.2 and 6.5 percent respectively. In Dubai, Du dropped 4.8 percent to a nine-month closing low, falling for a second day since unveiling plans for a 1 billion UAE dirhams ($272.3 million) rights issue.

“Many investors are reluctant to put money into the rights issue - they would rather sell now and then buy back once the issue is completed,” said Marwan Shurrab, vice-president and chief trader at Gulfmena Alternative Investments.

“These investors do not have the liquidity to buy into the rights issue - liquidity is an

issue for individual investors and companies.”

The index slipped 0.1 percent to a monthlow in its fourth straight loss.

“Nothing has changed in terms of attracting new buyers at current levels, so people are doing some profit-taking on a daily basis,” added Shurrab. “We’re waiting for Q1 earnings and for clarification on Dubai World’s debt offer.”

Dubai World creditors rejected an offer from the indebted conglomerate last week.

Doha Bank and Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ) rose 1.8 and 1.1 percent respectively, as both lenders reported a drop in first-quarter profit, but beat estimates.

“The market has come off a little bit over the past few days and so I think the results are already discounted,” said Mohamed Abu Ghoush, head of equities brokerage at Ahli Bank. Qatar will reshuffle its leading stocks index DSM 20 to boost liquidity and transparency, adding heavyweight stocks including Qatar Telecom to the benchmark, Qatar Exchange said.

HIGHLIGHTS SAUDI ARABIA The measure fell 2 percent to 6,715 points.

DUBAI The index slipped 0.09 percent to 1,744 points.

KUWAIT The measure fell 1.4 percent to 7,245 points.

QATAR The index rose 0.7 percent to 7,550 points.

ABU DHABI The measure fell 0.2 percent to 2,805 points.

EGYPT The index rose 1.9 percent to 7,531 points.

OMAN The index climbed 0.3 percent to 6,926 points.

BAHRAIN The index eased 0.9 percent to 1,541 points. — Reuters

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

BUSINESS

25

Fixed income trading drives results

Goldman Sachs profit tops forecast, UK opens probe NEW YORK/LONDON: Goldma n Sachs Group Inc said first-qua rter earnings nea rly doubled, a nd Britain’s financial regulator la unched a formal probe related to civil fraud allega tions a gainst the W all Street bank.

Goldman’s results came four da ys after the firm w a s accused of fraud by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in the structuring a nd mar-

ROME: (From left) Italian FIAT automaker vice chairman John Elkann, Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo and CEO Sergio Marchionne pose as they arrive for a press conference they held at the end of a shareholders’ meeting in the Lingotto building, in Turin, northern Italy. — AP

Fiat chairman Montezemolo leaves post after seven years ROME: Fiat group chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is leaving his post after seven years piloting the Italian industrial giant through tough times, to be succeeded by vice chairman John Elkann, media reports said yesterday.

Montezemolo will remain on the supervisory board, the La Repubblica newspaper reported on its website. Under his stewardship, Fiat autos weathered the economic crisis and became a key shareholder with 20 percent in US group Chrysler.

The news agency Ansa said that Montezemolo had told people close to him at Fiat that he was “relaxed, content and relieved” after spending seven years at the head of the giant Italian industrial group and piloting Fiat Autos through a transition period.

A group spokesman declined to comment to AFP. La Repubblica said that Montezemolo “is going after seven years but he remains on the

supervisory board.”

It said that “John Elkann will be the next chairman of Fiat.” The newspaper said that these changes would be announced at a press conference at the group’s headquarters in Turin at 1400 GMT (4:00 pm).

Fiat is best known for its cars, and the auto activities cover some top brands such as Ferrari with which Montezemolo has been particularly closely associated. Montezemolo is one of the architects, together with Sergio Marchionne, who rescued Fiat from a series of crises and put it on a sound footing before the global economic crisis struck, so that during that crisis it was able to step in as a savior of the then bankrupt US Chrysler group last year.

Fiat offered its small-car and clean-car technology to Chrysler in return for a stake in the group and access to its US dealer network, without outlaying cash. — AFP

Goldman said net income rose to $3.29 billion, or $5.59 per share, from $1.66 billion, or $3.39 per share, a year earlier.

Analysts on average had forecast $4.01 per share, according to Thompson Reuters I/B/E/S. Goldman emerged as Wall Street’s most influential bank after the financial crisis but has faced a backlash over its pay and business practices.

The forecast-beating earnings came as Britain’s Financial Services Authority (FSA) said it had started a formal investigation into Goldman Sachs International in relation to the SEC allegations. FSA said it would work closely with its US counterpart.

UK Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said on BBC Radio, “We have got to look at the whole system of constituting and regulating banks. We need a system of regulation, a system of levying banks, which is internationally applied.”

Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, the UK’s third-largest party, said the allegations against Goldman “are a reminder, if we needed one, of the recklessness and greed that disfigured the banking industry as a whole.” In the United States, political tensions were heightened by reports that the five SEC commissioners split along political lines last week in a vote on whether to file suit against Goldman. The three Democrats voted in favor of the legal action, while the two Republicans opposed it. — Reuters

LONDON: A security guard tries to stop a photographer from taking pictures of the offices of Goldman Sachs in London. The British Financial Services Authority said it was looking into US fraud charges against Goldman Sachs after Prime Minister Gordon Brown, accusing the bank of “moral bankruptcy”, urged a British probe. — AFP

India to take EU to WTO on generics seizures

MOSCOW: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (center) addresses the State Duma, Russia’s parliament, in Moscow yesterday. Speaking in an annual keynote speech to Russia’s lower house of parliament, Putin described the current economic situation as ‘far from benign’ but said the country had managed to avoid the worst effects of the global crisis. — AFP

Guard economic independence, Putin warns crisis-hit Russia MOSCOW: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin yesterday warned Russia to guard its economic independence by cutting its budget deficit, cautioning that while its recession has ended the economic crisis has not. Putin said Russia had a good basis to move out of the crisis but told the authorities to observe careful economic policies to avoid requiring international bailouts like other European countries.

“All of us... need to carry out a responsible financial and economic policy so that we don’t have to go with our hands outstretched to somebody, losing our economic and then our political sovereignty,” Putin said in a keynote address.

Putin described Russia’s relations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as “really good” but noted that even European finance officials appeared uncomfortable about receiving IMF bailouts.

“The sheer fact of these discussions is revealing,” the Russian strongman said in the address to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.

Although Russia was hard hit by the economic crisis, with GDP shrinking 7.9 percent in 2009, it did not request help from the IMF, unlike its neighbor Ukraine, which was granted a 16.4-billion dollar IMF loan package.

The hydrocarbon-dependent Russian economy was nonetheless punished for failing to diversify in the good times of high oil prices that largely coincided with Putin’s 2000-2008 presidency.

The Russian government has battled to ensure Russia did not experience a potentially explosive repeat of the 1998 financial crisis, when the state defaulted on debt and the country’s economy went into meltdown.

“The recession in our economy has ended. We also have very good starting conditions for mov-

ing forwards,” said Putin, adding that output statistics for the first quarter had inspired optimism.

Inflation has dropped to an 18 year low and Russia has a strong trade surplus, Putin said.

Putin confirmed the government’s prediction for 3.1 percent growth in 2010 but said that in all probability the eventual figure would be higher than this.

“But this does not mean the crisis is over,” he added.

The prime minister said cutting down the budget deficit was a priority for Russia, whose deficit in 2009 of 5.9 percent of GDP was its first deficit in a decade. It now faces a prolonged period of deficits, with the government predicting a 6.8 percent of GDP deficit in 2010 and 4 percent in 2011. Putin predicted the deficit would be whittled down to 3 percent of GDP in 2012 and warned: “In the future it is necessary to return to a zero deficit.”

His comments came as Russia prepares to borrow from the international debt markets for the first time since the trauma of its 1998 default with the launch of a eurobond with a volume of just under 18 billion dollars this year.

Officials are to hold a roadshow for the offering in New York this week and analysts are expecting the offering to be oversubscribed. In order to overcome the effects of the crisis, Russia has also been withdrawing tens of billions of dollars from state funds that were amassed during the pre-crisis years of booming oil prices.

It is also moving to relaunch a largely mothballed privatization drive. Putin appeared hit by the effects of a heavy cold, repeatedly coughing and clearing his throat during the address, which was also frequently interrupted by applause from the largely pro-Kremlin deputies. — AFP

keting of a debt product tied to subprime mortgages. “In light of recent events involving the firm, w e a ppreciate the support of our clients and shareholders, a nd the dedication and commitment of our people,” Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein sa id in a statement accompanying the Tuesday ea rnings report.

NEW DELHI: India will launch a formal dispute against the European Union at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over EU seizures of Indian generic drugs, a senior trade ministry source said yesterday.

Settling the dispute could take between 12-18 months, another ministry source who deals directly with WTO issues told Reuters.

New Delhi says it wants to solve the dispute “amicably” but there has been no breakthrough so far between India and its largest trading partner.

“As far as we are concerned, it’s a violation of TRIPS and needs to be taken to the WTO,” the senior trade ministry source said, referring to the international trade agreements.

“Pharma issue will go to the WTO. India is not satisfied by what is happening in the European Union,” the source added. A formal trade dispute has loomed for a long time between India and Brazil on one side and the EU on the other.

Developing countries believe the case, originally involving the seizure by Dutch customs of a blood pressure drug en route from India to Brazil, is a symbol of their mistreatment by rich nations and corporations.

According to WTO procedure, the case now moves to the dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO for a solution. India has said the drug shipments were consistent with WTO regulations. The issue is sensitive in a country with a thriving generic drugs industry with hundreds of millions of poor needing access to cheap medicine.

The move comes despite an earlier statement by the European Commission that the EU had taken the drugs seizures “very seriously” and implemented measures to prevent further incidents.

“We take this positively,” P V Appaji, executive director of India’s Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council, told Reuters.

“They (the drugs) are going to countries where they have approved the products for imports. That is clear. This is just denying access to generic medicines of affordable prices to the developing world.”

Global demand for generic drugs from Indian drugmakers such as Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Cipla Ltd is booming as nations battle rising health care costs.

The Indian generics business boom has lured Western drugmakers that want to raise exposure in fast-growing emerging markets.

“It is about time. This should have been taken up a long time ago,” Amar Lulla, the joint managing director of Indian generics maker Cipla, told Reuters of the dispute.

“Everybody is playing into the hands of the multinationals.This is high-handedness.

Goods are in transit, how can they be confiscated?” -— Reuters

UK inflation jumps in March on fuel costs LONDON: British annual consumer price inflation rose more than expected in March, pushed up by higher petrol prices and air fares, as well as by household gas bills, which failed to repeat last year’s record drop.

The Office for National Statistics yesterday said consumer price inflation increased to 3.4 percent last month from 3 percent in February, well above the Bank of England’s 2 percent target and economists’ expectations of a rise to 3.2 percent. While inflation for the first quarter is very close to the central bank’s February forecast, the CPI rate is not showing the steady decline from January’s 14-month peak that policymakers had hoped for based on general economic weakness.

“Today’s inflation release is certainly bad news for the BoE as a clear disinflation trend has not emerged yet,” said Chiara Corsa, an economist for Italian bank UniCredit. One factor making it harder to forecast inflation has been uncertainty about how much retailers are passing on higher import costs caused by sterling’s 20 percent fall since the start of the financial crisis.

Clothing and footwear prices, which have been pushed down by cheap imports for years, fell by their smallest amount since July 2007 — one reason Deutsche Bank economist George Buckley gave for inflation exceeding his forecast. Gilt futures fell and sterling rose on market speculation that the BoE could raise rates sooner than expected. But most investment bank economists said the data on its own was not enough for them to bring forward average forecasts of a rate rise from the last three months of 2010.

“Today’s figures should not have much bearing on interest rates. We still expect rates to remain on hold

for the remainder of this year,” said Ernst & Young economic adviser Hetal Mehta.

“Higher petrol prices will continue to feed through to higher consumer price inflation in the next few months, keeping the CPI rate above 3 percent, but unless the oil price continues to rise then these effects will fade,” she added.

If inflation does not fall below 3 percent this month, BoE Governor Mervyn King will have to write a letter in May explaining why the central bank has not yet got prices under control to whoever is finance minister after Britain’s May 6 election.

The BoE still has interest rates at a record low 0.5 percent, and completed 200 billion pounds of quantitative easing in February in response to the country’s deepest recession since World War Two. Economists still expect a gradual fall in inflation, as the one-off effects pushing up March’s annual CPI rate are slowly outweighed by weak growth and high unemployment, which limit the ability of firms and workers to raise prices and wages. The failure of household gas bills to repeat last year’s record fall accounted for a quarter of the increase in the annual rate between February and March.

Petrol prices and higher air fares, possibly due to earlier Easter holidays, contributed a similar upward thrust. The third-biggest factor was a rise in food and drink prices especially cucumbers, cauliflowers, lettuce, tomatoes and courgettes affected by poor weather. The earthquake in Chile pushed up the price of imported grapes. Nonetheless, some economists such as Citi’s Michael Saunders said it was too simplistic to blame high inflation purely on increased oil prices and one-off factors. — Reuters

German investor confidence rises strongly in April BERLIN: German investor confidence rose strongly this month as healthy industrial orders and exports buoyed sentiment, a closely watched survey showed yesterday. The ZEW institute’s index, which measures investors’ outlook for the next six months, rose to 53 points in April from 44.5 in March. That was well above economists’ forecasts of a slight increase to 45.1 and far above the indicator’s historical average of 27.3. “The financial market experts’ positive expectations seem to have been decisively reinforced by the recent increase in exports and stable incoming orders,” ZEW said in a statement.

Government data have shown that industrial orders surged in January and held steady in February, buoyed by increasing foreign demands.

ZEW said investors’ view of the current economic situation also improved in April. An index measuring that assessment rose by 12.7 points in April to minus 39.2. Germany returned to modest econom-

ic growth in last year’s second quarter after a deep recession, though it stagnated in the fourth quarter.

Alexander Koch, an economist at UniCredit in Munich, noted that “the latest news is definitely not encouraging at all, underscoring that the impediments for a sustained solid upswing remain ample.” He pointed to the disruption to air traffic caused this week by the volcanic ash cloud and the continuing Greek debt crisis, among other things.

“But this cannot cloud the overall favorable short-term outlook for the global economy and the German export industry,” Koch added.

The economy is widely believed to have contracted in the first quarter, when severe winter weather weighed on activity in the construction sector and elsewhere. However, “the stronger the statistical setback in the first quarter, the stronger the rebound should turn out in spring,” Koch said.

ZEW said 294 analysts were surveyed from March 29 through April 19 for the survey. — AP

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business

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Former Lehman boss to defend accounting moves WASHINGTON: The former chief executive of Lehman Brothers will tell House lawmakers that he has “absolutely no recollection whatsoever” about an accounting maneuver that a bankruptcy examiner says the company used to mask its perilous financial condition. Richard Fuld, Lehman’s former CEO, said he does not recall seeing any documents related to the so-called Repo 105 accounting gimmick, according to testimony prepared for a House hearing yesterday.

Last month, an examiner appointed by the bankruptcy court to investigate the Lehman debacle issued a 2,200-page report.

It found that the firm masked $50 billion in debt by using the so-called Repo 105 accounting maneuver since the report came out, interest has grown on Capitol Hill among lawmakers seeking to find out if the accounting gimmick was widely used by Wall Street firms to hide their debt.

Yesterday’s hearing before the House Financial Services Committee is the latest attempt to probe the matter and comes as

Former Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc Chief Executive Richard S Fuld Jr. — AP

the Obama administration is urging passage of a sweeping financial regulatory overhaul.

Fuld, who hasn’t appeared before Congress since October 2008, says in prepared remarks that the report “distorted the relevant facts” and that the accounting complied with standard practices. “The result is that Lehman and its people have been unfairly vilified,” he said.

The examiner, Anton Valukas, discovered that Lehman put together complex transactions that allowed the firm to sell “toxic” securities — mainly those made up of mortgages - at the end of a quarter. That wiped them off its balance sheet, avoiding the scrutiny of regulators and shareholders.

Then the bank quickly repurchased them — hence the term “repo.” Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will testify at the hearing that Lehman’s collapse highlights why the Obama administration’s proposal to reform the financial system is needed.

“Lehman’s disorderly bankruptcy was profoundly disruptive,” Geithner said, according to prepared remarks. “It magni-

fied the dimensions of the financial crisis, requiring a greater commitment of government resources than might otherwise have been required. Without better tools to wind down firms in an orderly manner, we are left with no good options.” Geithner’s predecessor, Henry Paulson, is not appearing at yesterday’s hearing.

In written remarks, he supported several pieces of the Obama administration’s proposed financial reforms, without mentioning the bill itself. “The government must have the authority to wind-down, and eventually liquidate, nonbank financial institutions in a manner that prevents harm to the system as a whole,” Paulson wrote. “We sorely felt the need for this authority at the time of Lehman’s failure, and, had we had it, I think the situation would have ended quite differently.” The chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary Schapiro, also was scheduled to testify yesterday.

She will say that after Lehman’s rival Bear Stearns nearly collapsed two years ago in a government-managed sale, the

SEC had little ability to prevent Lehman from going under. She did, however, concede that the SEC “did not do enough” to oversee the five largest investment banks, even though it had authority over them since 2004. That oversight program, she said, was “insufficiently resourced, staffed, and managed from its inception.”

Lawmakers are also likely to question Schapiro about the SEC’s case against Goldman Sachs. The agency filed civil charges Friday against the venerable Wall Street firm, claiming the bank misled investors about mortgage-linked securities.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, also scheduled to testify, said the central bank wasn’t aware that Lehman used the accounting move. And even if the Fed did know, it wouldn’t have changed the Fed’s view that the company was in bad financial shape, according to Bernanke’s prepared remarks. Although the SEC was Lehman’s chief regulator, the Fed began to monitor the firm after trouble surfaced in the financial industry.

Two Fed employees were placed at Lehman to keep tabs of the company’s cash position and its general financial condition, Bernanke explained. Beyond information gathering, the employees had no authority to regulate Lehman’s disclosures, capital standards, risk-management practices or other business activity, Bernanke pointed out.

The Fed and other government agencies were unable to engineer a private-sector rescue of the failing firm or come up with some other solution. Lehman was forced to declare bankruptcy — the biggest in US history — in the fall of 2008. That threw financial markets in the United States and around the globe into crisis.

Bernanke said the case underscores the need for Congress to pass a sweeping financial overhaul. That legislation includes a mechanism to allow the government to safely wind down ailing financial companies whose collapse could take down the entire financial system and the broader economy. — AP

WPI inflation seen at 5.5% at end of fiscal year

India CB lifts rates by 25 bps points, more tightening seen MUMBAI: India’s central bank yesterday raised key interest rates by 25 basis points, as expected, to battle near double-digit inflation, signaling gradual tightening ahead to sustain growth and manage record government borrow-

ing. The Reserve Bank of India also raised its cash reserve ratio (CRR) requirement for banks by 25 basis points, as expected to drain further liquidity from the financial system.

MUMBAI: Duvvuri Subbarao (center), Governor of The Reserve Bank of India, arrives for the annual monetary policy in Mumbai yesterday. — AFP

Burberry’s profit to top hopes as rich spend again LONDON: British luxury goods group Burberry added to evidence the wealthy are spending again, forecasting 2009/10 profit slightly above market expectations after a stronger than anticipated finish to the year. The 154year-old maker of upmarket raincoats and handbags also said on Tuesday it was confident of further progress in 2010/11 despite uncertainty over the pace and level of the global economic recovery.

Prior to the update, analysts were forecasting a consensus underlying pretax profit of 199 million pounds ($319 million) for the year to March 31, 2010, according to a company poll, versus 175 million pounds in the previous year. The group, known for its camel, red and black check, said underlying revenue increased 6 percent to 707 million pounds in the six months to March 31. That compared with analysts’ consensus forecast of a rise of 5 percent, a third-quarter increase of 12 percent and a first-half decline of 5 percent.

Second-half retail sales increased an underlying 15 percent, driven by strong full-price sales of spring and summer ranges. Underlying wholesale revenue fell a better-than-expected 6 percent, while underlying licensing revenue was also down 6 percent, in line with guidance. Shares in Burberry, which have more than doubled over the last year, closed at 704.5 pence on Monday, valuing the business at 3.06 billion pounds.— Reuters

British retailer Tesco posts surging profits LONDON: Britain’s biggest retailer Tesco yesterday unveiled soaring annual net profits, aided by a strong performance in Asia, and said it will create 16,000 jobs after emerging strongly from the recession.

Net profits jumped by 9.3 percent to 2.327 billion pounds (2.65 billion euros, $3.570 billion) in the group’s financial year which ran until the end of February, Tesco said in a results statement.

That compared with 2.133 billion pounds in the previous year and beat market expectations of 2.32 billion, according to analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires. Tesco added that underlying pre-tax profits leapt by 10.1 percent to strike a record 3.4 billion pounds.

Revenues, meanwhile, grew 6.8 percent to 62.537 billion pounds.

“By remaining focused on our strategy Tesco has weath-

ered the economic storm well,” chief executive Terry Leahy said in the earnings statement.

“Our positions in international markets and non-food meant we faced strong headwinds when the downturn came but it will be these parts of our business which will grow fastest as the recovery strengthens.”

He added: “Across all parts of our strategy-UK, international, non-food, services-our business is now stronger than it was before the recession. “With leaner operations, improved market shares, strategic acquisitions performing well and a strong organic development program, we’re well placed for sustained profitable growth.”

The company also issued plans to create 16,000 jobs this year, including 9,000 new positions in Britain. Tesco currently employs more than 460,000 people in 14 countries around the world and has a major pres-

ence in Asia including in China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.

“We have delivered a strong performance in Asia despite challenging economic conditions in the region,” Tesco said.

“We have grown sales and profits well-driven by new space and the strong performance of the stores acquired in Korea in 2008, which are now profitable.

“As economies generally in Asia start to recover we are seeing improving sales trends in all our businesses except Japan, where economic conditions remain subdued.”

Tesco’s share price edged lower in early afternoon trade on the London Stock Exchange, dipping 0.73 percent to 434.25 pence. “Despite a broadly progressive performance, the results still leave room for doubt,” said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Keith Bowman. — AFP

The benchmark 10-year bond yield fell to 7.98 percent immediately after the news as some players had bet on a bigger, 50 basis point rise, but bounced back later to 8.04 percent at 0630 GMT. The main 30-share BSE index extended gains to over 0.8 percent from 0.4 percent before the policy announcement. The rise follows a quarter-point hike in mid-March when India became the second Group of 20 economy after Australia to lift interest rates as the global economy recovers from its worst downturn in generations. “With the recovery now firmly in place, we need to move in a calibrated manner in the direction of normalizing our policy instruments,” RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao said in the policy statement.

Some economists said that while the central bank’s 8 percent growth forecast for the current financial year was realistic, it might have been too optimistic in its prediction that inflation will come off current highs over the course of the year.

“The policy statement is not hawkish enough to address the concerns on the inflation front,” said Rupa Rege Nitsure, chief economist at the Bank of Baroda in Mumbai.

“I feel RBI at this juncture is more constrained by the management of the government’s record borrowing program.” A gradual approach to tightening could also benefit the government politically, which has traditionally been more concerned keeping up fast growth rather than clamping down on inflation despite rising protests over high food prices. Price pressures are spreading beyond food to costs of fuel and manufactured goods such as cars.

March inflation reached 9.9 percent year-on-year, its fastest pace in 17 months.

Only China is growing faster among major economies, and analysts expect the central bank to continue increasing interest rates throughout the year to bring them back towards pre-crisis levels.

The central bank lifted the reverse repo rate, at which it absorbs excess cash from the banking system to 3.75 percent and raised the repo rate, at which it lends to banks, to 5.25 percent. — Reuters

MUMBAI: Women look at the display screen on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai yesterday. India’s central bank yesterday hiked key interest rates a quarter of a percentage point as it tries to contain inflation without undermining an economic recovery. —AP

BOJ, govt at odds on inflation targeting TOKYO: The Bank of Japan said inflation targeting does not work, setting it on course for a clash with the finance minister, who said it was worth listening to ruling party lawmakers’ calls for a binding target to escape deflation.

The Democratic Party-led government has influenced BOJ monetary policy before. Should Finance Minister Naoto Kan warm further to inflation targeting, that could lead to more monetary easing.

Japanese retail investors are also worried that deflation and rising commodity prices will hamper growth, a Reuters survey showed, which would support the BOJ’s stance of keeping its easy policy for the time being. Democrat lawmakers are pushing the government to take drastic steps to boost economic growth as public support for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s cabinet crumbles before an election expected in July for parliament’s upper house.

The group of Democrats calling for an inflation target doesn’t include senior party members, making it uncertain whether they can influence policy.

But there is growing disquiet over the slump in the opinion polls, which may make the government more susceptible to bold statements it thinks will appeal to voters.

“Given the declining popularity of the government, it is likely more out-of-the-box thinking will show up,” said Dariusz Kowalczyk, chief investment strategist at SJS Markets Ltd in Hong Kong.

“I would look at this with hope and not with worry. Everything should be done to turn Japan around, which is suffering from long-term deflation.” BOJ board members’ understanding of longterm price stability centres on a 1 percent rise in consumer prices. BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa said yesterday that this is better than an inflation target because it means the bank is not easily swayed by short-term price fluctuations.

Under inflation targeting, a central bank guides interest rates to achieve a predetermined rise in consumer prices over a certain period. A central bank without a target also tries to control prices but its desired level of inflation is less explicit.

The implications for the BOJ are significant because it could allow the government to hold the BOJ accountable for something economists say is likely unachievable due to a large output gap.

“We’re at a stage where some are having second thoughts about inflation targeting,” Shirakawa said in the lower house financial affairs committee.

“When the global economy was growing well in the

2000s, people focused too much on short-term prices. This led to an excessively long period of low rates, which created excess credit and led to increased leverage. When this was unwound, it had a big economic impact.”

Finance Minister Naoto Kan reiterated his desire for a 1 to 2 percent gain in prices in the same committee. Speaking to reporters earlier, he said he wouldn’t discount a proposal from within his own party to target a 2 percent rise in consumer prices over two years.

“It is not an outlandish target at all,” Kan said after a cabinet meeting. “I think it is worth listening to.”

Kan has been careful to avoid explicitly saying he wants an inflation target, but his past comments have given that impression. A leading member of a panel of 130 ruling party lawmakers is trying to persuade the party to adopt its anti-deflation proposals in its campaign platform for the election expected in July, but it is far from certain whether this will happen.

Deflation can hurt the economy as consumers tend to delay spending because they expect prices to fall more, which in turn depresses capital spending. Deflation can also hurt borrowing because real interest rates are higher than nominal rates.

Japanese retail investors turned positive on Japanese stocks in April for the first time in almost three years, as the global economic recovery sparked a rally in major share markets that pushed the Nikkei stock average to an 18-month high. This optimism, tempered by lingering worries about deflation, is in line with the BOJ’s and the government’s assessment that Japan’s recovery will continue due to growing exports, but that consumption and corporate spending will remain lacklustre due to Japan’s large gap between supply and demand.

The BOJ may lift its consumer price forecast for fiscal 2011/12 to zero change or slight positive growth from a forecast of a 0.2 percent decline when it updates its outlook on April 30, according to sources. That is still distant from the BOJ’s and Kan’s understanding of price stability.

Japan’s core consumer prices fell 1.2 percent in February from a year earlier, marking a full year of deflation. In response, the BOJ has kept its benchmark rate at 0.1 percent. Last month it doubled the amount of low-interest funds it offers to banks in three-month loans, in response to prodding from the government. The funding scheme has brought down money market rates, but it hasn’t led to an increase in lending to companies. — Reuters

China curbs pre-sales for property prices

LONDON: People walk past a Tesco supermarket in London yesterday.

Tesco PLC, the world’s third-largest retailer, reported yesterday that fullyear profit rose by 9 percent, in line with analysts’ forecasts. — AP

BEIJING: China yesterday tightened rules on advance sales of new property developments, in the third move of its kind in less than a week aimed at curbing rampant real estate speculation.

The Ministry of Housing and UrbanRural Development said in a notice on its website that developers cannot receive down payments for unfinished properties without first obtaining government approval. Once the government gives developers the green light to pre-sell properties, they must publish the prices of each unit in the development within 10 days of receiving approval, the ministry said.

The ministry said it was watching the real-estate market more closely after discovering some developers were hoarding properties to drive up prices illegally.

Developers who violate the rules or con-

duct advance sales in a way to create false impressions that supply is lower than reality will be punished. China on Monday told banks they could refuse additional mortgages to buyers who own two or more properties, after it last week raised the minimum down payment for second-home purchases.

UBS economist Wang Tao said the tightening measures should reduce the risk of asset bubbles and overheating in the sector.

“The subdued property prices may also help ease inflation expectations,” Wang said in a note to clients. “On the negative side, there are concerns that a too aggressive property sector tightening could bring down growth substantially and trigger other unwanted effect such as a rise in non-performing loans at the local level.”

The measures caused property compa-

nies to fall for a fifth consecutive session yesterday as developers and banks dragged the broader market, which closed down 0.03 percent, dealer said. “The pressure from the property curbs will still be evident, especially if the property market doesn’t show any signs of slowing down,” Xu Yinhui, an analyst from Guotai Junan Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires. China Vanke, the nation’s largest property developer by market share, fell 3.3 percent to 8.03 yuan and China Merchants Property Development declined 5.8 percent to 18.01 yuan.

China is trying various ways to prevent the growth of asset bubbles and keep a lid on inflation as the nation’s economy surges.

That has included a range of new measures to clamp down on bank lending blamed for fuelling speculative investment in the property sector. — AFP

technology

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

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10 nations tell Google of privacy concern on Buzz NEW YORK: Officials from Germany, Canada, France and seven other countries are raising privacy concerns to Google over the online search leader’s fumbled foray into social networking.

Google launched Google Buzz as part of its Gmail service in February. It quickly came under fire for automatically creating

public circles of friends for users, based on their most frequent Gmail contacts. After complaints, the company apologized and made changes to the service. But in the letter sent Monday to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, the officials said they are still “extremely concerned about how a product with such significant privacy issues was

launched in the first place.” Google Street View is another area of concern, with officials saying the company launched the mapping service — which includes street-level photos taken by cameras mounted on cars sweeping through neighborhoods — without “due consideration of privacy and data protection laws and cultural norms.” “In

that instance, you addressed privacy concerns related to such matters as the retention of unblurred facial images only after the fact, and there is continued concern about the adequacy of the information you provide before the images are captured,” says the letter, which is posted on the Web site of Canada’s privacy commissioner. Google

settings are prominent and easy to use.

“We recognize that Google is not the only online company with a history of introducing services without due regard for the privacy of its users,” the letter says. “As a leader in the online world, we hope that your company will set an example for others to follow.” — AP

representatives could not immediately be reached early yesterday morning.

The other countries that signed the letter are Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom. The officials called on Google to create default settings that protect users’ privacy and to ensure that privacy control

Shanghai Expo offers sneak peak in trial run

China’s ‘robot dad’ to show inventions to world SHANGHAI: Wu Yulu, a 49-year-old farmer from the outskirts of Beijing, has become a household name in China for his homemade robots. Now, the creations that he calls his children are about to gain international renown.

CAPE CANAVERAL: Space Shuttle Atlantis prepares to roll out of NASA’s vehicle assembly atop a crawler transporter to launch pad 39-a at Kennedy Space Center on April 19 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rollout was scrubbed due to weather and was re-tried again late yesterday. Atlantis is scheduled to launch on May 14 on a mission to the International Space Station. — AFP

Space shuttle Discovery, crew of 7 back on Earth CAPE CANAVERAL: Shuttle Discovery and its astronauts returned safely to Earth yesterday after making a rare flyover of America’s heartland to wrap up their 15-day, 6 million mile (9.7 million kilometer) journey to the International Space Station.

The touchdown was delayed by rain and fog that dissipated as the sun rose, allowing Mission Control to take advantage of the morning’s second landing opportunity. Discovery swooped through a hazy sky before landing on the Kennedy Space Center runway. NASA briefly considered bringing the shuttle in to the opposite end of the strip because of puffy clouds, but the glare from the sun was too great and flight controllers stuck to the original plan.

In the end, commander Alan Poindexter made what appeared to be a smooth touchdown, a day late because of rain. “Welcome home,” Mission Control said, radioing congratulations on the entire flight. “It was a great mission. We enjoyed it,” Poindexter said. “And we’re glad that the International Space Station is stocked up again.” NASA had promised a spectacular show, weather permitting, for early risers in Helena, Mont., and all the way along Discovery’s flight path through the Midwest and Southeast. With the space shuttle program winding down, there weren’t expected to be any more continental flyovers. This was, in fact, Discovery’s next-to-last flight. Only one more mission remains for NASA’s oldest surviving shuttle. As soon as it’s removed from the runway, it will be prepped for the final shuttle flight, scheduled for September.

Discovery zoomed over the North Pacific on its way home before crossing into North America over Vancouver, British Columbia.

Then it headed toward the southeast, flying over northeastern Washington; Montana; Wyoming; southwestern Nebraska; northeastern Colorado; southwestern Kansas; Oklahoma; Arkansas; Mississippi; Alabama; Georgia and finally Florida. NASA had anticipated the sonic booms might be heard as far north as Kansas. There were no immediate reports. Before the shuttle began its descent, Mission Control described to the astronauts the

route they would be taking to Cape Canaveral.

“Sounds like a great ground track,” Poindexter observed.

It was the first time since 2007 that a space shuttle descended over so much of the United States. NASA typically prefers bringing a shuttle home from the southwest, up over the South Pacific, Central America and the Gulf of Mexico. That way, there’s minimal flying over heavily populated areas. In 2003, space shuttle Columbia shattered over Texas during re-entry, but no one on the ground was injured by the falling wreckage. NASA wanted to maximize the crew’s work time in orbit, while minimizing fatigue. That resulted in this North American crossing.

Before leaving the space station Saturday, Poindexter and his crew dropped off tons of supplies and equipment. The main delivery was a tank full of ammonia coolant, which took three spacewalks to hook up.

A nitrogen pressure valve refused to open after the tank was installed, and for a day, NASA considered sending the shuttle astronauts out on a fourth spacewalk to fix the problem. But engineers concluded it was not an emergency and that the space station crew or future shuttle fliers could deal with it.

History, meanwhile, was made with the presence of four women in space: three on the shuttle and one at the station.

Discovery returned with a couple tons of trash and discarded space station equipment.

Most of that was jammed into a cargo carrier that rocketed away aboard the shuttle back on April 5. The carrier will be re-outfitted and fly back up on Discovery in September, and be installed permanently at the orbiting outpost.

Only three shuttle missions remain for NASA before the fleet is retired this fall after nearly 30 years of operation. Atlantis will carry up a small Russian lab and other equipment next month.

The same bad weather that prevented Discovery from returning home Monday also stalled Atlantis’ trip to the launch pad. The three-mile move from the hangar had been rescheduled for late yesterday. Liftoff is targeted for May 14. — Reuters

BEIJING: Lenovo’s chairman Liu Chuanzhi speaks during a press conference at the company’s Le Phone launch in Beijing yesterday. The device is an Android 2.1 powered smartphone that offers a large AMOLED display, Lenovo will target both enterprise and consumer customers and hopes to sell millions of phones during the next five years. — AFP

Wu, who received no education after primary school, has become a hero in Chinese media for his whirring, ticking and talking inventions, and now foreign media have taken an interest in him ahead of his appearance at the Shanghai World Expo which runs from May to October.

“I am a little famous now,” Wu told Reuters. “I have been doing this for over than twenty years but I feel that each year more people discover my inventions.”

“At the Expo I can receive everyone’s recognition. I am representative of all farmers, this is something very glorious.”

Wu said financing his automaton hobby was a huge burden on his family. Since he started building robots in 1986, Wu has burnt down his house and prompted his wife to threaten divorce after he spent all his money financing his tinkering passion.

Born into a family of farmers, Wu invented tools in his Mawu village to help farm more effectively such as changing his bicycle into a seeding machine.

His latest project is a robot that can give massages.

“I want to make more useful robots to help humans, I’ve also designed a robot which can help chop the meat when cooking,” he said.

His brightly coloured metal figures, with painted human features and clothes have already been shown in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong.

“It is possible I am able to visit the UK soon,” Wu said, adding that no date has been fixed but it was in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, organisers of Shanghai’s World Expo gave members of the public a preview of the massive event yesterday as they tested facilities and public transportation 10 days before the official start.

“The Expo looks great. I want to see all the foreign pavilions today,” said Wang Huifen, a 50-year-old hotel employee waiting to enter the huge Expo site.

More than 200,000 people visited the Expo on the first of six preview days before the official May 1 opening after a limited number of preview tickets were issued, an Expo Bureau spokesman said.

For China, the World Expo is the latest showcase of its growing global clout following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Shanghai has planned an Expo on an unparalleled scale to show it can rival the world’s greatest cities.

The six-month event is set to be one the largest gatherings of humanity, with 192 countries participating and organisers saying they expect up to 100 million visitors.

Only 10 to 15 pavilions were ready for visitors yesterday, the spokesman said, as workers scramble to finish work in time for May 1.

A 23-year-old surnamed Cao spread his arms wide, waving Chinese and Expo flags in both hands at a gate in front of the China Pavilion, a 60-metre tall inverted pyramid that towers over the Expo site.

“I am very happy to see Expo finally starting,” said Cao, adding he had just arrived in Shanghai from Beijing and planned to sell the flags over the next six months at five yuan (75 US cents) a pair.

Foreign media were not allowed inside the site for the preview. Fang Qian, 12, got the day off school after her mother’s real estate company offered them two of the pink preview tickets the day before. — Agencies

Made from scrap materials including wire and screws, Wu has invented over 47 robots which can pour tea, offer smokers a light and paint pictures.

SHANGHAI: A woman holding a child talks on a mobile phone in front of the Chinese pavilion outside the site of the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai yesterday. Shanghai’s Expo organisers gave members of the public a preview of the largest-ever World’s Fair as they tested facilities and public transportation ten days before the official start. Up to 100 million people are expected to flock to the massive sixmonth event from May 1, nearly all of them Chinese. — AFP

Facebook? Twitter? Microsoft tops social media use: Survey SINGAPORE: Twitter and Facebook are the bane of many bosses, but a new survey has found that employees at Microsoft Corp are the most social media-savvy in the world.

The survey, the first by sales and marketing contact database NetProspex, ranked the top 50 companies based on their social network membership, frequency of social media posts on Twitter and other blogs, and the friendliness or connectedness of a sample of employees for each

organisation. The NetProspex Social Index was determined after an analysis of more than 100,000 business executives from the Fortune 1000 companies in the first quarter of 2010.

“This report shows that in today’s business environment, employees throughout many of the country’s largest corporations are using social networks,” Gary Halliwell, CEO of NetProspex, said in a statement.

“This presents a new oppor-

tunity for sales and marketing prospecting and lead generation, as strategies adapt to encompass the landscape of social networks.”

The survey found that almost half of companies analysed have employees throughout their organisation on social networking sites, with Microsoft leading the way.

Not surprisingly, the list was dominated by technology and software companies, while online retailers such as

Amazon.com and eBay claimed two of the top five rankings.

Google and Walt Disney Corp rounded out the top 5, while Microsoft’s rival Apple ranked number 10.

Microsoft’s tech-savvy ranking comes almost a week after the company launched two new phones-the Kin One and Kin Two — aimed at the youth market and which will enable users to use Facebook, MySpace and Twitter accounts with ease. — Reuters

PRINEVILLE: A motel marquee welcomes Facebook’s first-ever data center currently under construction in Prineville, Ore., yesterday. The social networking site chose the high-desert timber town of 10,000 to take advantage of its cool nights and dry air in hopes of making its data center an energy efficiency landmark. — AP

Apple says iPad 3G available on April 30 NEW YORK: The high-speed mobile version of Apple Inc’s iPad will hit store shelves on April 30, and international pricing for the tablet computer will be spelled out on May 10, the company said yesterday.

The popular touchscreen device has sold more than 500,000 units of its Wi-Fi

model in the U.S. in the week after its April 3 launch. Demand is expected to remain high with the launch of the version that connects to AT&T’s third generationor 3G- wireless network.

The 3G model, which also operates via Wi-Fi, will cost an additional $130, meaning that the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models

will cost $629, $729 and $829, respectively. Apple said the iPad-a flat device with a color touchscreen whose uses include surfing the Web, watching movies, playing games and sending email-will be available at the end of May in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. — Reuters

HEALTH & SCIENCE

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Pacific fight against AIDS hampered by shame, ignorance MAJURO: In the staunchly Christian Pacific islands, the battle to combat HIV/AIDS is struggling to overcome shame surrounding the disease, which results in many patients being ostracised by their families.

An AIDS conference bringing together representatives from US-affiliated Pacific island nations and territories in the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro last week heard of the discrimination faced by those living with HIV/AIDS. “People think everyone with HIV is a sinner and that God will not forgive

them,” said Cathy Samuel from the atoll of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Samuel’s family was forced to move to another island to get away from what she described as the “embarrassment” of having a family member who died from AIDS. Another woman from Chuuk, who did not want to be named, said she was forced to move to Guam when her husband died after infecting her with HIV. “Even my own family ignored me when they found out I’m HIV-positive,” she said, saying moving to Guam

was necessary to raise her three children.

There were 29,629 reported cases of people living with HIV in the Pacific island countries in 2008.

The disease’s impact is restricted in most countries, with the notable exception of Papua New Guinea, where there were 28,294 reported cases in 2008. The true figure of people living with the disease was likely to be around 54,000 because of underreporting, the United Nations organisation UNAIDS says.

Levels of under-reporting in the

rest of the Pacific are likely to be similar, it said.

Samuel said that when she discovered her cousin was sick, she arranged for him to go to the hospital. After he was released, he stayed at her home, but she still did not know he had AIDS. One day when she returned home from work, she discovered the cousin had been taken by his parents back to his home island, a 70-mile (110-kilometre) boat ride from the main island in Chuuk.

Within a few days, he was dead and the family buried him immediately, an

action at odds with the local custom for the extended family to gather for the funeral, Samuel said.

“I got so mad,” she said. “In our culture, it’s not right (to hold a quick burial). They could have waited for me.”

“Then I learned that people on the island started banning family members from any community activities,” she said.

“Even after a few years, my family still felt embarrassed by what people think, so they decided to move to another island,” she said.

Samuel said no one with HIV

should be isolated from the community.

Temo Sasau, from Fiji, said when he told his supervisors he was HIVpositive, his pay was withheld despite having worked at the business for 11 years.

Sasau said that after his infection, he fell seriously ill, losing weight “until I was just bones.”

But he is now on anti-retroviral drugs that control HIV, and he said more openness was needed to ensure others got the life-saving drugs.

“The only time I remember I have

HIV now is when I take my medicine,” said Sasau who now works for the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation.

Zachraias Zachraias, who directs the Marshall Islands ministry of health’s HIV programme, said discrimination meant no one from his country had been prepared to talk publicly about their situation.

“Thank you for your courage to help the people in this room in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” Zachraias told those who had spoken out at the conference about the impact of the disease. —AFP

‘Set maximum sodium levels for different foods’

US food agency seek salty food cut WASHINGTON: Public health experts urged the Food and Drug Administration yesterday to force food makers to gradually cut the salt hidden inside their products, something the agency is considering. Americans eat about 11/2 teaspoons (7 grams) daily, more than double what they need for good health — and high enough to increase risk of high blood pressure and other problems. Most of that sodium comes inside common processed foods — from soups to frozen pizza to sliced cheese.

Yesterday, the prestigious Institute of Medicine said the food industry has not done enough to voluntarily cut back. It urged FDA to set maximum sodium levels for different foods in a stepwise rollback, so people have time to adjust to the change.

The FDA has not decided whether to regulate sodium levels, but “no options are off the table,” said spokeswoman Meghan Scott.

“There is no initiative at the moment,” she said. But, “there is very little debate any longer over the impact sodium has.”

The IOM is an independent agency chartered by Congress to advise the federal government, and is just the latest in a string of health groups to pressure the FDA in recent years to cut the salt.

The American Medical Association has said that if the salt in processed and restaurant food were cut in half over 10 years, that ultimately 150,000 lives a year could be saved.

One in three US adults has high blood pressure, in turn a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. And while being overweight and inactive raises blood pressure, too much salt is a big culprit as well. Government guidelines set 2,300 milligrams of sodium as the maximum daily intake — the amount above which health problems can appear. But the IOM says people need just 1,500 mg a day, even less if they are over 50. Yet average consumption is more than 3,400 mg.

Major foods makers have started reducing sodium in recent years, but have argued that they do not have tasty ways to replace sodium for deep cuts — and they fear consumer backlash as the taste changes.

But specialists say people do gradually get used to the taste of less sodium.

“The best way to accomplish this is to provide companies the level playing field they need so they are able to work across the board to reduce salt in the food supply,” said Dr. Jane E. Henney of the University of Cincinnati, a former FDA commissioner who led the IOM Experts recommend reduced salt intake. report. —AP

Indian doctor arrested over dumped foetuses AHMEDABAD: Police in India said yesterday they had arrested a doctor after 14 foetuses were found dumped in a garbage bin in the western city of Ahmedabad.

The gynaecologist told police he was cleaning out his clinic when an accident damaged some jars containing the specimen foetuses.

“Postmortem of the foetuses showed that they were specimens, as are often kept at medical colleges and clinics,” deputy commissioner of police Ajaykumar Chaudhary said.

“The report further said that the foetuses had been aborted six to seven years back.”

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation officials suggested that Jayanti Patel had dumped the specimen foetuses after closing down his clinic three weeks ago.

They were found by local residents on Monday.

Police said Patel has been booked for unhygienic disposal of bio-medical waste and was being questioned further. The gender of the foetuses has not been released, but police said they had not ruled out that the case was due to illegal sex-selective abortion.

Abortion of female foetuses is common in India as many parents want sons, and gender imbalances have worsened as modern technology such as ultrasound scans make it possible to know the gender of an unborn child.

In India, the preference for boys is partly due to the key role that sons play in Hindu funeral ceremonies.

Other factors are the substantial dowry gifts that a father must provide for his daughter’s new family at her wedding, and the fact that sons are often seen as breadwinners and daughters as financial burdens. —AFP

HANOI: A poultry trader holds a cage of live chickens and ducks at a poultry market in the suburbs of Hanoi yesterday. Health and agricultural experts and officials from nearly 80 countries and territories are gathering in Hanoi for the 3-day “International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza” from April 19-21. —AFP

Bird flu focus shifts to mid-sized farms HANOI: Mid-size traders and farms that sell poultry to small farmers could act as avian flu transmission hubs and there needs to be to better biosecurity at that level, a top United Nations expert said yesterday.

Bird flu outbreaks have generally been dealt with by culling birds, but health authorities are now trying to look up the supply chain to identify possible sources of infection, said David Nabarro, the UN’s senior coordinator for avian and pandemic flu.

“We are finding that if we have a much clearer understanding of the patterns of movement of the virus, and in particular build-up points, we can then do much more sophisticated control strategies that have less economic damage for poorer people and more impact,” he told Reuters in a telephone interview from Geneva.

“It’s the medium sized commercial poultry traders who have yet to introduce good quality biosecurity that are the ones on whom we are focusing most of our attention these days.”

Nabarro is participating remotely in the two-day International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza that started in Hanoi yesterday.

He could not attend in person because of

flight cancellations due to the ash cloud over Europe.

Since 2003 the H5N1 strain of bird flu has has infected a confirmed 493 people and killed 292, or nearly 60 percent. Most of the deaths have been in Asia.

Juan Lubroth, Chief Veterinary Officer at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, said better management of animal stocks and farms was needed, but he worried that the message was not getting through.

“We need to invest more in upstream approaches,” he said in Hanoi.

“We need to do a better job at improving some of these instabilities that we as humans have created with the mismanagement of natural resources, or increasing populations of susceptible animals, or the way we market and produce these without the proper veterinary inspection.”

He estimated that the mid-sized farms Nabarro mentioned accounted for 60-70 percent of farmed animals, but said systems were not in place to comprehensively monitor diseases among animal populations that may become a threat to humans.

“Not just influenza, we want to be tracking other pathogens of concern-and not just emerging infectious diseases, there are

some very old diseases that we know about that we are not doing enough about such as rabies or tuberculosis or foot and mouth disease,” he said.

Almost all of the human H5N1 infections to date were believed to have taken place directly from birds to humans, but health experts fear it could mutate to a form that could be easily transmitted human-tohuman, sparking a deadly global pandemic.

There have been two sizeable clusters so far-one in which eight family members died on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in 2006 and another in Turkey in which eight people were infected and four died.

In the Sumatra case, the virus went on for two generations and then stopped-a 37year-old woman was believed to have infected her 10-year-old nephew, who went on to infect his father.

Another smaller probable case of human-to-human transmission occurred in Thailand in 2004, where a mother died after tending to her sick daughter for hours.

The conference in Hanoi brought together hundreds of officials from around the world and Nabarro said they would assess avian influenza prevention and look at systems for pandemic response. —Reuters

Britons ponder whether to pay organ donors LONDON: Britons are being asked if people should get cash incentives to donate eggs and sperm, and whether the funeral expenses of organ donors should be paid in a bid to address a severe shortage in supply.

Britain has one of the lowest rates of organ donation, at just 13 per million of population compared with 35 per million in Spain where a “presumed consent” system operates, which effectively make everyone a potential donor unless they choose to opt out.

The UK medical ethics think-tank the Nuffield Council on Bioethics has launched a public consultation to look at whether people think it is right that donors should receive payments or other incentives to meet a growing demand.

Currently paying people to donate most organs, beyond offering modest expenses, is currently illegal in Britain but a shortage has forced many to seek treatment overseas.

About 8,000 people need an

organ transplant in Britain each year and hundreds die waiting for a suitable donor.

Professor Marilyn Strathern, chairman of the Council’s inquiry into the issue, said: “We could try to increase the number of organ donors by providing stronger incentives, such as cash, paying funeral costs or priority for an organ in future, but would this be ethical?”

The Council said incentives could be non-financial, such as offering letters of thanks, Tshirts, mugs or vouchers, or allowing future donors to jump the queue for transplants should they later need one.

“We also need to think about the morality of pressing people to donate their bodily material,” Strathern said.

“Offering payment or other incentives may encourage people to take risks or go against their beliefs in a way they would not have otherwise done.”

In 2008, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would

not rule out bringing in a “presumed consent” scheme for organ donation.

However the Organ Donation Taskforce said that evidence from across the world indicated that such a scheme would not improve donation rates.

In January, a study by fertility experts found that a drastic lack of sperm donors meant women wanting babies were resorting to importing semen from abroad or using do-ityourself insemination kits bought on the internet.

A change in the law in 2005 which removed donors’ right to anonymity has led to a sharp fall in the number of donations.

Data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) showed the number of patients receiving donor sperm fell from almost 9,000 in 1992 to about 2,000 in 2007.

The Council’s consultation will run for three months and it will publish its findings towards the end of 2011. —Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO: In this Friday Sept. 25, 2009 file photo, attendees at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) conference, smoke marijuana in San Francisco. —AP

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

HEALTH

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Tuna sushi in US busts recommended levels for mercury: Study PARIS: Tuna sushi bought at a range of US restaurants and supermarkets had mercury that breached levels set by health watchdogs, a study published on Wednesday said.

The offending samples included bluefin tuna, the hugely-prized species that has been plunged into a fierce conservation battle, the researchers reported in the British journal Biology Letters.

One hundred sushi samples were collected from 54 restaurants and 15 supermarkets in New York, New Jersey and Colorado, comprising “akami” (lean red tuna) as well as “toro” (fatty tuna).

The species were identified using a DNA fingerprint test and the samples were then tested for mercury levels.

A leading benchmark for safety is a maximum daily consumption of 0.1 microgrammes of mercury per kilo of human bodyweight per day, set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Calculated on the basis of a 60-kilo (132-pound) adult woman consuming a single order, samples of Bigeye tuna toro were found to have average mercury levels of 0.351 microgrammes per kilo, while Bigeye tuna akami had 0.344 microgrammes.

Bluefin toro samples had the equivalent of 0.123 microgrammes per kilo of bodyweight per day, and bluefin akami 0.180.

Yellowfin tuna, found in the samples only as akami, had 0.164 microgrammes of mercury per kilo of bodyweight.

“The mean mercury concentrations of all samples

A leading benchmark for safety is a maximum daily consumption of 0.1 microgrammes of mercury per kilo of human bodyweight per day, set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). exceed the concentration permitted by Japan and the maximum daily consumption considered safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency,” said the paper.

“Mean mercury levels for bluefin akami exceed those permitted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada and the European Commission.

“On average, one order of Bigeye tuna sushi, the species used most often for sushi, exceeds the safe maximum daily dose recommended by Health Canada and the safe limit established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and FAO [Food and Agricultural Organisation] for women of childbearing age.”

The study noted that mercury levels were higher in tuna sushi sold in restaurants rather than in supermarkets.

This was because supermarket samples were far like-

lier to be yellowfin tuna, the species with the lowest mercury contamination.

The study, led by Jacob Lowenstein at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, breaks new ground.

DNA fingerprinting-identifying genetic tags that are exclusive to a given species-has been used until now to help trafficking in endangered wildlife.

It is the first time that the technique has also been used in health research.

The authors say the findings are useful for people worried about ingestion of mercury, a toxic chemical that is passed up the food chain, progressively accumulating in larger carnivores.

Excessive mercury is linked especially to neurodevelopmental defects, including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, deafness and blindness.

Many countries have issued advisories notifying consumers about fish that are high in mercury, yet at the same time allow poor labelling of fish species, the paper says.

Bluefin tuna is considered a delicacy in Japan, where a single 220-kilo (485-pound) fish can fetch 160,000 dollars (120,000 euros) at auction.

Japan fought fiercely at a conference in Qatar last month of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to thwart proposed international trade in bluefin caught in the Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic. — AFP

Japan suspends exports over foot-and-mouth TOKYO: Japan suspended beef exports yesterday after detecting suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease in several cows in the south of the country, officials said. Three of 16 beef cows raised at a farm in Miyazaki developed mouth ulcers — a typical early symptom of the disease — earlier this month, prompting authorities to impose a ban that will last at least three months, said Agriculture Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu.

Japan exported 565 tons of beef, worth $40 million (3.8 billion yen) in fiscal 2009 ended March, mostly to Vietnam, Hong Kong and the US, according to the ministry. Virus samples tested positive in an initial examination, ministry official Keiji

Fushimi said, adding that results of more detailed tests are pending. If confirmed, the infection is Japan’s first since 2000, when an outbreak hit Miyazaki — a southern prefecture known for its prized beef — and northern Hokkaido. All 16 cows at the farm will be destroyed and shipment and transport of cattle and pigs in the area are restricted, affecting 27,000 cows and 183,000 pigs. South Korea has slaughtered thousands of cows since January, the country’s first outbreak of the disease in eight years.

The disease is often fatal for cloven-hoofed animals including cows, sheep, pigs and goats, causing blisters on the mouth and feet. It does not affect humans. — AP

WHAT’S ON IN KUWAIT

30 Birthday Greetings

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Najlaa Al-Naqi forum celebrates World Theater Day or the second year in a row, the Najlaa Al-Naqi Forum held a celebration on the occasion of the World Theatre Day, under the patronage of the general secretariat of the National Council of Culture, Arts and Literature, Badr AlRefa’ei, and with attendance from secretary assistant for the museums and antiques affairs, Ali AlYouha.

During the event, head of the theater’s department of the council; Kamilah Al-Ayyad, as well as Dr Fahad Al-Hajri; the assistant professor for acting and directing at the higher council of performing arts, were honored for their life achievements. The event featured attendance from diplomatic personalities representing various embassies in the country.

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elated happy birthday to the following members of ‘ Club Ilongo’ forever to Rechel Mae Quay April 13, Jocelyn Valenzuela April 13, Mary Grace Tamon April 10 and thanksgiving to Lilibeth Dimacutac. May the Lord shower you all more luck and good health. Greetings coming from you Pres.

Oliver, Adviser Marie Al Ameri, Jovelyn Hagorilles, Bong and Club Ilongo members forever.

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Najlaa Al-Naqi is posing with Al-Ayyad, Al-Hajri, AbdulAziz Al-Saree’a and his wife.

Kamilah Al-Ayyad

appy birthday to Wemmie Qdeviza. Best wishes from Manuel, Janice Custodio, Myrna, Llamelo, Rosebith, Judy, Ria, Marry, Rose, Abu Khalid, Beth, Tengi and all the staff of Mafaz Nursery School.

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he Indian Community School Kuwait, (ICSK) the first and largest school for Indians in Kuwait, will be publishing a special anniversary edition in May 2010, to commemorate 50 years of dedicated service to the Indian community in Kuwait.

For over half a century, ICSK has been inspiring students, helping them discover and develop their latent talents and increasing their awareness and responsibility to the community around them and the world at large.

The special anniversary edition, which will serve as a broad recorded history of the school and its present achievements, will also feature congratulatory messages, alumni reminiscences, educational articles and guidelines for students. The custom designed high-quality 50th anniversary edition will also make it a collector’s item among the global alumni and well-wishers of the school.

On this occasion, the school management takes great pleasure in inviting editorial contributions from alumni, students, staff, community members and friends of ICSK. Join us in celebrating the school’s 50 years of growth and educational excellence through your valued contributions.

Whether it is an anecdote, an unforgettable incident or a memorable experience that you had at ICSK, share it with the community by emailing your contributions to responsemedia01@gmail.com

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Mahma Kan Althaman exhibition

Below are the details of our next week’s exhibition: 1. Artist: Fatima Al Qadiri & Khalid Al Gharaballi. Title of Exhibition: Mahma Kan Althaman (“Whatever the Price”)/ 2. Exhibition Dates & Timing: April 27th - 29th, 2010 Opening: 27th April , 2010 - 7- 9pm. 28th April, 2010 - 11am 2 pm & 7- 9pm. 29th April,2010 - 11am to 2pm Venue: Sultan Gallery. South Subhan, Block 8, Street 105, Building No. 168, Kuwait Tel: + 965 24714325 Ext. 110. Fax: + 965 24714301 Fatima Al Qadiri and Khalid al Gharaballi Mahma Kan Althaman (“Whatever the Price”) 27- 29 April at Sultan Gallery, Kuwait. Opening on the 27th of April from 7 to 9pm.

The world’s first Kuwaiti comic book, Fatima Al Qadiri and Khalid al Gharaballi’s Mahma Kan Althaman (“Whatever the Price”) - the hermaphroditic lovechild of Moogambo, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and a 1970s Italian fotonovela, commissioned by Bidoun Magazine, will be on view at Sultan Gallery. A series of prints from the book will be on display alongside a selection of local designer Kleenex boxes and cutting-edge, Emirati perfumes.

Dr Fahad Al-Hajri

A view from the event.

Technical meet on Imbiber Beads - Technology merican Society of Safety Engineers, Kuwait Chapter continued its professional journey by organizing one more technical meet April 13th, 2010 at Hilton Resort titled “Imbiber Beads - Technology which reduces risk of Oil Spill”. The Program was anchored by ABS Srikanth, Head, Technical Events Committee .

He welcomed all the participants and briefed about the significance of the technical meet. He introduced the speaker Brian S Freeman, Business Development Manager from Integrated Environmental Solutions and the topic of the day.

During the presentation Brian delivered an

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‘Rongali Bihu’ celebrated by Asom Association

ICSK to publish 50th anniversary edition

interactive session where he briefed on the preparing for incidents involving Hazardous and Noxious substances(HNS). During the presentation, he covered the HNS Risks, Response and Vapor hazards, Spill Response Material, Adsorbets Vs Absorbents and Imbiber Beads. He further exhibited the Imbiber Beads Products to the floor.

The informative technical session concluded with an interactive Question& Answer session.

The technical meet was followed by the announcement on ASSE Headquarters Election Results, made by Mr. Rathish Thachanat ,

he Asom Association, Kuwait, celebrated “Rongali Bihu” April 16th, 2010 to welcome the New Year of the people of Asom, a state in the northeastern part of India. The Assamese New Year starts from the 1st day of Baisakh (“Bohag” in Assamese) that coincided with the 15th of April this year. To welcome the New Year, Khel-Dhemali (fun & games) was organized at Fintas Park, Mahboula. Delicious Bihu snacks like “khol pitha”, “ghila pitha”, narikol larru etc along with traditional Assamese food like doi-cira, doi-muri along with “gur” were enjoyed by all the members present.

Various games were organized for the children as well as adults. At the end of the day prizes were distributed among the winners. The event ended with a sumptuous dinner prepared by the ladies.

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Treasurer and on Recognition Ceremony for 2nd GCC HSE Excellence Award Results by Riaz Shareef, Head, Outreach Committee.

As a token of appreciation ASSE Kuwait Chapter Executive Committee handed over a memento to the speaker. The Technical meet was concluded with vote of thanks by Mr. Subbarao Palagummi, Head, Env & Health Committee.

Around 60 ASSE members & 10 HSE professionals from different companies attended the Technical meet. The meet concluded with a high tea partly sponsored by M/s. Integrated Environmental Solutions

Embassy information Embassy of UkrainE The Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait informs that it has started updating the information about Ukrainian citizens, who live and work in Kuwait. In this connection, we are asking you to refer to the Embassy and update your file in consular register in order not to be excluded from it. For additional information please call: 25318507 ext.106 or visit the embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait (address: Hawalli, Jabriya, bl.10, str.6, house 5). The consular section of the Embassy open every day from 09:30 till 14:30 except Friday and Saturday.

Embassy of inDia The Embassy of India has further revamped and improved its Legal Advice Clinic at the Indian Workers Welfare Center, and made the free service available to Indian nationals on all five working days, i.e. from Sunday to Thursday every week.

Kuwaiti lawyers would be available at the Legal Advice Clinic daily from Monday to Thursday, while Indian lawyers would be available on Sundays.

Following are the free welfare services provided at the Indian Workers Welfare Center located at the Embassy of India: [i] 24x7 Helpline for Domestic Workers: Accessible by toll free telephone no. 25674163 from anywhere in Kuwait, it provides information and advice exclusively to Indian domestic sector workers (Visa No. 20) as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters. [ii] Help Desk: It offers guidance to Indian nationals on routine immigration, employment, legal, and other issues (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iii) Labour Complaints Desk: It registers labor complaints and provides grievance redressal service to Indian workers (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iv) Shelters: For female and male domestic workers in distress; (v) Legal Advice Clinic: Provides free legal advice to Indian nationals (Embassy premises; Kuwaiti lawyers 3 PM to 5 PM, Monday to Thursday; Indian lawyers 2 PM to 4 PM on Sunday); and (vi) Attestation of Work Contracts: Private sector worker (Visa No. 18) contracts are accepted at the Embassy; 9 AM to 1 PM; Sunday to Thursday; Domestic sector worker (Visa No. 20) contracts are accepted at Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor Offices (KUDLO), Hawally, Al-Othman Street, Kurd Roundabout, Al-Abraj Complex, Office No 9, Mezzanine Floor; 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday to Thursday; 5 PM to 9 PM on Friday.

Embassy of PhiliPPinEs The Embassy of the Philippines wishes to inform the Filipino community in the State of Kuwait, that the recent supreme court decision to extend the registration of voter’s applies only in local registration in the Philippines under Republic Act no. 8189 and does not apply to overseas voters which is governed by Republic Act no. 9189, hence it has no impact on the plans and preparations on the conduct of overseas absentee voting. The overseas absentee voting for presidential elections will continue uninterrupted until May 10, 2010 daily at the Philippine Embassy.

Registered overseas absentee voters are advised to schedule their days off in advance to avoid complications in their schedules. Qualified voters are encouraged to get out and vote.

Information on Cuba

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he Government of Cuba decided last February 16, that all travelers, foreign and Cubans living abroad, coming to the island from May 1, 2010 and thereafter shall take out a medical insurance policy. To meet such requirement, travelers shall have a travel insurance which covers medical expenses or a policy for medical expenses with coverage in Cuba. For more information when planning your trip to Cuba please, visit our web site or any Cuba embassy or consulate next to you, or any Cuban Tourism Office. You can visit www.cubatravel.cu or at www.asistur.cu

WHAT’S ON IN KUWAIT

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

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Announcement Najlaa Al-Naqi Forum The Najlaa Al-Naqi Forum will hold a meeting with professor Sameeha Abu Dolo; the head of the Jordanian women’s development society, on Saturday April 24 at 8:00 pm. The event will also feature the inauguration of the charity expo for handicrafts made by widows and orphans, which will take place in Salwa, bloc 2, house 377.

‘A Serene Poetry Evening’ AWARE announces ‘A Serene Poetry Evening’ with Fatima H. Alwan April 26 at 7 pm, Fatima, an enthusiastic, anglophone, Kuwaiti writer and poet, and the author of two books of poetry; “A Dreamer’s Pulsing Thoughts” and “Poesy Whisperer”, escorts you in a thrilling journey to venture into the refulgent realm of classical poetry and wallow in the beauty and luxury of classical poetic forms. Fatima shall also uncloak her own creative poetic form, which she calls “Sparrowet”. For further details contact AWARE by Tel: 2-5335280 or visit us online at www.aware.com.kw emails may be sent to info@aware.com.kw Unveiling fashions of the Middle East Reflections of Who We Are: AWARE & Kuwaiti Youth Volunteers Present: tomorrow Reflections of Who We Are - “Unveiling the Fashions of the Middle East” A Middle-Eastern-Gulf Country Cultural Clothing Fashion Show & Charity Event (All proceeds will be donated to Animal Friends League) from 7-9 pm at PAAET College, Adaliya. Radiating confidence and reflecting on their cultural roots, Kuwaiti youth join hands with AWARE to model the culturally rich backgrounds of fashion from the Middle-Eastern Gulf Countries. Fashion is a prevailing custom or style of dress selected primarily on one’s national identity & religious beliefs. Nationals of Middle Eastern Gulf countries enjoy a style uniquely their own while sharing an element of modesty in their traditional dress. We invite you to join for a lively, traditional clothing fashion show as our models present, for the first time, costumes from Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. For further details contact AWARE at 2-533-5280 or email: info@aware.com.kw NAFO Annual Day celebrations National Forum Kuwait (NAFO Kuwait) will celebrate its Sixth Anniversary on Friday, April 23, 2010, at Indian Community Senior School, Salmiya, from 6:00 pm onwards. Indian ambassador Ajai Malhotra will be the chief guest.

Several traditional colorful programs, such as Dasavatharam (choreographed by E K Haridas Kurup of Kalabhavan Kuwait), Layavinayasam (instrumental fusion music by NAFO members and children), Mohiniyattam, inauguration and visual presentation of NAFO title song (written

by Subbaraman and composed by T S Radhakrishnan), comedy skit, cinematic dance (choreographed and performed by NAFO children), puppet show by Madhu Warrier and group and solo and duet songs (by NAFO competition winners) will be some of the highlights of the program. NAFO cultural competition winners and judges will be honored with trophies, certificates and gifts. “Nafoscholarsnet.com” a venture to bring together children of NAFO families studying in India and abroad under a professional network will be inaugurated by the Ambassador.

Auditorium door will be opened from 5:30 pm onwards. Since, NAFO Annual Day celebrations coincide with the festival season of Vishu, the function would begin with traditional Vishukkani and Vishukaineetam.

CHRISCCAA annual meeting Christian College Chengannur - Alumni Association, Kuwait Chapter (CHRISCCAA), executive committee, have decided to conduct its annual general body meeting on Saturday, April 24, at United Indian School, Jleeb, from 8 pm onwards. Presentation of Annual Report, Annual Accounts, selection of Office bearers and executive committee will be held during the meeting. All the association members are requested to attend the meeting. Contact any of the following office bearers for more details.

Mathew Alexander, President (99553036), George Mathew, vice president (94060522), Sunil Thomas, Gen.Secretary (66265702), Jacob Varghese, Treasurer (66223348).

Indian Lawyers Forum Kuwait Indian Lawyers Forum is convened for a family get together at the residence of Adv Sudheer Ramachandran on April 30, at 11 am at Abbassiya (next to BVP). To know the location, please call 99359680. All Indian lawyer members are cordially invited to attend the meeting. Those who are interested may contact: 97203939/ 97260159 or by email: lawyersforum@gmail.com Kala Balakalamela Kerala Art Lovers Association-KALA will conduct Arts and Literature competitions for Indian school children on April 30 at Indian Community School, Khaitan. The items include classical dances, essay writing, elocutions, recitations, singing, classical music and skits. The event is named “Balakalamela-2010”. Prizes to winners will be given away the same evening. Free entry forms are available at all Indian schools, J.Saji, general secretary KALA, said. For assistance and details, the following numbers may be contacted: 97817100 / 99122984/ 24317875.

Al-Thaalib Scholarship 2010 Al-Thaalib Scholarship is a financial aid scheme for under privileged school students in Kuwait, sponsored by Islam Presentation Committee (IPC) & Ministry of Awqaf in association with Friday Forum and Pakistan Kuwait Welfare Association. Last year we were able to provide financial assistance to nearly 900 students of various Indian & Pakistani Schools in Kuwait for the academic year 2008-09. These scholarships were given to the needy students irrespective of their religion or nationality. We are pleased to inform that the process for Al-Thaalib Scholarship for the current academic year, 2010-11, has begun for all Indian, Philippine and Pakistani Schools in Kuwait.This year we shall endeavor to reach the scholarship to as many needy students as possible to help them continue with their education without any financial hindrance. In order to avail this scholarship, applicants are requested to collect the Application Form, from Al-Thaalib Office located in CAMS, Ahmed Al-Jaber Street,

Hassan Mahmood

Aiman Farukh

Amaar Raza

Mehwish Javaid

Mubashir Hussain

Umair Saeed

Waleed

CAT finalists awarded he Annual Award Ceremony of ACCA is organised in ISCP to recognize the young talent in Professional Accountancy graced by Stephen Forbes the Director of British Council (Kuwait) as the chief guest who awarded the shields to CAT finalists on successful completion of their Certified Accounting Technician Course under the one year Fast Track program.

The ceremony was attended by distinguished commercial personalities and parents of the awardees to congratulate and encourage on the way to their career in business and finance. The awardees were Aiman Farrukh, Miss Mehwish Javed, Umair Saeed, Mubashir Hussain, Miss Fatima Amin, Hassan

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Mehmood, Saad-ul-Hassan, Ammar Raza, Zeeshan Naeem and Anwar Masood.

The Principal of the School Anjum Masood focused the importance of financial literacy in his address and appreciated the role of the faculty and the devotion of successful students.

The Guest Speaker Mohammad Sadiq (Director Sales - OTIS) highlighted the growing demand of Business Education in the region. The chief guest admired the efforts in promoting the quality education and assured his full cooperation on behalf of British Council. The owner of the school Abdullah Rashid AlHuffaiti presented shield to the chief guest and the guest speakers.

Presenting shield to the Chief Guest.

BMC celebrates Bangali New Year

angladesh Military Contingent (BMC) celebrated the Bangali New Year (Noboborsho) in Kuwait amidst countless festivity. A very exciting and colourful program was chalked out on

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this festive occasion April 17. The Bangla Noboborsho celebration started with an hour long cultural program organised by BMC ladies club followed by cake cutting marking the “Shuvo Noboborsho 1417”

Friends of Kannur celebrate 5th ‘versary

and entertaining the guests with varied array of traditional Bengali homemade cakes, sweets and other pure Bengali cuisines prepared by BMC Ladies Club.

The guests were spell bound by the songs,

dance, recitations and fun preformed in the cultural program.

Syed Shahed Reza, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Kuwait graced the occasion as the chief guest. Bangladesh Embassy

officials, few distinguished Bangladeshi expatriates, few senior officers of Kuwait Armed Forces, all BMC officers and their families and BMC soldiers witnessed this colourful program.

VOICE Kuwait celebrates anniversary film/T.V. Serial artists Saji, Senthil,Shaji are also participating in the function VOICE Kuwait, established in 2004 is to promote various cultural and educational activities among Keralites residing in Kuwait with an intention to do charitable activities in Kuwait and Kerala mainly medical, education fields and marriage and financial assistance for the poor families in India.

OICE Kuwait ( V i s w a k a r m a Organisation For Ideal Career And Education) is celebrating”Viswakala-2010” at Carmel School auditorium, Khaitan on Friday 23rd April, 2010 from 4.30 to 9 pm. In this auspicious occasion Indian film star Jagathy Sreekumar is the chief attraction. KVS (Kerala Viswakarma Sabha) President Adv.P.R Devadas and other

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SMCA conducts family picnic and sports day yro Malabar Cultural Association, Kuwait conducted the family picnic and Sports day at Kaifan Armature Athletic Stadium on April 16. The picnic is one of the major annual family events of SMCA. A crowd of more than 1500 members were gathered at the venue to cheer and share the joy of togetherness on a wonderful evening.

The president Sebastian George inaugurated the picnic and received salute in the march past. The sports events were organized in 4 different courts. The central arts committee was in charge of the competition schedule and results while the 4 area arts committees were given charge of charge of each court management. Nearly 1000 members participated in different competitions held under deferent age groups. Separate competitions were conducted for boys, girls, men and women. Couple games and group games were other attractions of the day. Teams

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riends of Kannur Expatriates association, (FOKE), the group of expatriates in Kuwait hailing from Kannur district conducted a colorful 5th anniversary celebration at Daiya auditorium on April 16, 2010. The colorful evening began with the welcome speech by the President Sri B. P. Surendran and General Secretary Sri T V Jayan introduced the various activities conducted by FOKE to the audience.

Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Ajai Malhotra officially inaugurated the celebration by lighting the lamp.

In his speech he recalled that it was FOKE 4th anniversary, the first public function he attended in Kuwait as an Indian Ambassador after he took charge in Kuwait. 3rd Golden Foke Award to the best personality hailing from Kannur district who excel in various socio cultural arenas was given to the famous theater artist Sri Ibrahim Vengara.

The memento and the award was given to Vengara by TA Ramesh, Country Manager, Gulfmart.

Ibrahim Vengara in his reply speech thanked the organization and said that Golden Foke award will be a great memory and is the great recognition on the 50th year of his drama career. A colorful souvenir to mark the anniversary celebration was released by Soorykanth and first copy was received by Dr Murali Gopan. FOKE felicitated

F

famous singer and the Chair person of FOKE Ladies wing Smt Ambika Sooryanarayanan by presenting a shawl by John Simon of Al Mulla Exchange. Comedy Artists who flew from India to participate in the anniversary celebration were felicitated by E D Titus (BEC), Dr Shaji, Ramdas (UAE Exchange) and Dr Murali Gopan. Dr Amir gave felicitation speech.

The cultural functions began with a ‘Rangapooja’by FOKE children. The visualization of famous patriotic song ‘Mile Sur Mera...’ by the FOKE Ladies wing kept the audience spell bound with the true spirit of India. Colorful fusion, break dance and instrumental music by FOKE kids took the audience to a new level of entertainment. The traditional Malabar dance of Oppana

by FOKE ladies wing was first of its kind experience for the packed audience. Popular dance from the northern India- Dandiya and South Indian dance form Karakattam conducted by the FOKE members portrayed the unity in diversity of our great country. Orchestra by FOKE members and the comedy skits by famous vodafone comedy star fame ‘Rasikar’ gave a real entertainment to the crowd. First ever attempt by FOKE, ‘Porul Mozhi’ a drama directed and staged by FOKE members kept the audience breathless.

The thought provoking drama took the audience to ages.

representing the four areas participated in the Tug of war.

Abbasiya Area won the ever rolling trophy for the event in both men and women. Face painting and kid’s games were organized by Mc.Donalds was a special attraction. Vicar gener-

al of Kuwait Rev. Fr. Mathews Kunnelpurayidom was the chief guest of the evening. Fr. Mathai Madathikunnel, Fr. Joseph Palatty and Fr. George Kottappuram visited the picnic spot and greeted the participants. The winners of the track

and field were presented with medals and certificates. The organizing committee under the leadership of Gen. Secretary Anil Thayil, Treasurer Thomas Kuruvila made all necessary arrangements to make the event memorable.

TV PROGRAMS

32

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Orbit / Showtime Listings

00:15 Streets Of Hollywood 00:40 E!es 01:30 25 Most Stylish 02:20 Sexiest 03:15 E! Investigates 05:05 Dr 90210 06:00 Cheating Death 07:45 Style Star 08:10 Style Star 08:35 E! News 09:00 The Daily 10 09:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 10:15 Ths 11:05 Ths 12:00 E! News 12:25 The Daily 10 12:50 Leave It To Lamas 13:15 Leave It To Lamas 13:40 30 Most Outrageous Celebrity Feuds 15:25 Behind The Scenes 15:50 Behind The Scenes 16:15 E!es 17:10 Kendra 18:00 E! News 18:25 The Daily 10 18:50 Streets Of Hollywood 19:15 Battle Of The Hollywood Hotties 19:40 Too Young To Kill 21:20 Bank Of Hollywood 22:10 E! News

00:00 House 01:00 Dawson’s Creek 02:00 Bones 03:00 One Tree Hill 04:00 Dawson’s Creek 05:00 Burn Notice 06:00 CSI 07:00 House 08:00 Dollhouse 09:00 Flash Forward 10:00 Bones 11:00 Hotel Babylon 12:00 CSI 13:00 Burn Notice 14:00 Bones 15:00 Dawson’s Creek 16:00 Dollhouse 17:00 Flash Forward 18:00 House 19:00 CSI 20:00 Lie to Me 21:00 Law & Order 22:00 Burn Notice 23:00 Midnight Man

00:45 Animal Cops Phoenix 01:40 Untamed & Uncut 02:35 Cell Dogs 03:30 Animal Cops Houston 04:25 Miami Animal Police 05:20 Monkey Business 05:45 Animal Battlegrounds 06:10 E-Vets: The Interns 06:35 SSPCA: On the Wildside 07:00 Wildlife SOS 07:25 Pet Rescue 07:50 Crime Scene Wild 08:45 Austin Stevens: Most Dangerous...

09:40 Beverly Hills Groomer 10:05 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 10:30 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 10:55 Monkey Business 11:20 SSPCA: On the Wildside 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 SSPCA: On the Wildside 15:30 Crime Scene Wild 16:25 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 16:50 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 17:20 Beverly Hills Groomer 17:45 Animal Battlegrounds 18:15 The Animals’ Guide to Survival 19:10 Crime Scene Wild 20:10 Animal Cops Phoenix 21:05 Untamed & Uncut

00:20 Ancient Rome: Rise And Fall Of An Empire 01:10 2 Point 4 Children 01:40 2 Point 4 Children 02:10 Silent Witness 03:05 Perfect Day 04:45 Ancient Rome: Rise And Fall Of An Empire 05:35 Bargain Hunt 06:20 Teletubbies 06:45 Me Too 07:05 Tweenies 07:25 Teletubbies 07:50 Me Too 08:10 Tweenies 08:30 Teletubbies 08:55 Me Too 09:15 Tweenies 09:40 Bargain Hunt 10:25 Ancient Rome: Rise And Fall Of An Empire 11:15 2 Point 4 Children 11:45 2 Point 4 Children 12:15 The Weakest Link 13:00 Eastenders 13:30 Doctors 14:00 Bargain Hunt 14:45 Cash In The Attic 15:15 2 Point 4 Children 15:45 2 Point 4 Children 16:15 The Weakest Link 17:00 Doctors 17:30 Eastenders 18:00 Silent Witness 19:00 Coast 20:00 The Weakest Link

00:00 Ainsley’s Gourmet Express 00:25 Come Dine With Me 00:50 Come Dine With Me 01:15 Chuck’s Day Off 01:40 Chuck’s Day Off 02:05 Bargain Hunt 02:50 10 Years Younger 03:40 New British Kitchen 04:05 Ainsley’s Gourmet Express 04:30 Daily Cooks Challenge 05:00 Cash In The Attic USA 05:20 Hidden Potential 05:40 10 Years Younger 06:30 New British Kitchen 06:55 Ainsley’s Gourmet Express 07:25 Daily Cooks Challenge 08:05 Chuck’s Day Off 08:30 Bargain Hunt 09:15 Antiques Roadshow 10:05 Antiques Roadshow 10:55 Cash In The Attic USA 11:20 Hidden Potential 11:45 Chuck’s Day Off 12:15 Chuck’s Day Off 12:40 Bargain Hunt 13:25 10 Years Younger

The Happening on Super Movies 14:15 Bargain Hunt 15:00 Bargain Hunt 15:45 Antiques Roadshow 16:35 Cash In The Attic USA 16:55 Hidden Potential 17:20 Chuck’s Day Off 17:45 Chuck’s Day Off 18:10 Bargain Hunt 18:55 Antiques Roadshow 19:45 Daily Cooks Challenge

01:00 Corleone-PG15 03:00 Welcome To Sarajevo-PG15 05:00 Big Night-PG15 07:00 Quand J’etais Chanteur-PG15 09:00 Grace Is Gone-PG15 11:00 Teknolust-PG15 13:00 Janis-PG 15:00 Ensemble C’est Tout-PG15 17:00 Heights-PG15 18:45 As Good As It Gets-PG15 21:00 Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired-PG15

00:00 Border Security 00:30 Destroyed in Seconds 01:00 Miami Ink 02:00 Street Customs Berlin 02:55 Street Customs Berlin 03:50 Massive Engines 04:15 Massive Engines 04:45 Mythbusters 05:40 How It’s Made 06:05 Dirty Jobs 07:00 Massive Engines 07:30 Massive Engines 07:55 Top Trumps 08:20 Street Customs Berlin 09:15 Mythbusters 10:10 Ultimate Survival 11:05 Street Customs Berlin 12:00 Border Security 12:30 How it’s Made 12:55 How It’s Made 13:20 American Chopper 14:15 Miami Ink 15:10 Mythbusters 16:05 Dirty Jobs 17:00 LA Hard Hats 18:00 Border Security 18:30 Street Customs Berlin 19:30 Destroyed in Seconds 20:00 How it’s Made 20:30 How It’s Made 21:00 Wheeler Dealers 21:30 Wheeler Dealers

00:30 Mighty Ships 01:20 Ultimate Power Builders 02:10 Mean Green Machines 02:35 Mean Green Machines 03:00 Beyond Tomorrow 03:50 Ten Ways 04:45 How Does That Work?

05:10 Mean Green Machines 05:40 Weird Connections 06:10 Mighty Ships 07:00 Junkyard Mega-Wars 08:00 Ten Ways 09:00 Space Pioneer 09:55 How Does That Work?

10:20 Stunt Junkies 10:50 Mighty Ships 11:45 Mean Green Machines 12:10 Weird Connections 12:40 Ten Ways 13:35 Space Pioneer 14:30 Engineered 15:25 How Does That Work?

15:55 Junkyard Mega-Wars 16:50 Brainiac 17:45 Eco-Tech 18:40 How It’s Made 19:05 How It’s Made 19:30 What’s That About?

20:20 How It’s Made 20:45 How It’s Made

00:00 My Friends Tigger And Pooh 00:20 Lazytown 00:45 Special Agent Oso 01:10 Imagination Movers 01:35 Jungle Junction 02:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:25 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:45 Handy Manny 03:10 Special Agent Oso 03:35 Brandy & Mr Whiskers 04:00 Fairly Odd Parents 04:25 Hannah Montana 04:45 I Got A Rocket 05:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place 05:35 Phineas & Ferb 06:00 Higglytown Heroes 06:10 My Friends Tigger And Pooh 06:35 Lazytown 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:20 Imagination Movers 07:45 Jungle Junction 08:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 08:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:00 Handy Manny 09:25 Special Agent Oso 09:45 Brandy & Mr Whiskers 10:10 Fairly Odd Parents 10:35 Hannah Montana 11:00 I Got A Rocket 11:25 Wizards Of Waverly Place 11:45 Phineas & Ferb 12:10 Suite Life On Deck 12:35 Replacements 12:55 American Dragon 13:20 Kim Possible 13:40 I Got A Rocket 14:05 Fairly Odd Parents 14:30 Phineas & Ferb 14:55 Replacements 15:15 A Kind Of Magic 15:40 Wizards Of Waverly Place 16:00 Hannah Montana 16:25 Sonny With A Chance 16:45 Fairly Odd Parents 17:10 Phineas & Ferb 17:35 Suite Life On Deck 18:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 18:25 Hannah Montana 18:45 The Replacements 19:00 Jonas 19:25 Suite Life On Deck 19:50 Sonny With A Chance 20:15 Hannah Montana 20:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 21:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 21:25 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody

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 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

00:00 Giada At Home 01:00 Food Network Challenge 01:00 Great British Menu 02:00 Daily Cooks Challenge 03:00 Barefoot Contessa 03:00 Iron Chef America 04:00 Barefoot Contessa 05:00 Great British Menu 05:00 Iron Chef America 06:00 Chopped 06:00 Food Network Challenge 07:00 Everyday Italian 07:00 Iron Chef America 08:00 Great British Menu 08:00 Iron Chef America 09:00 Chopped 09:00 Daily Cooks Challenge 10:00 30 Minute Meals 10:00 Food Network Challenge 11:00 30 Minute Meals 11:00 Food Network Challenge 12:00 Iron Chef America 12:40 Barefoot Contessa 13:00 Teleshopping 14:00 Teleshopping 14:20 Barefoot Contessa 15:00 Teleshopping 16:00 Great British Menu 17:00 Teleshopping 18:00 Daily Cooks Challenge 19:00 Teleshopping 20:00 Barefoot Contessa 21:00 Barefoot Contessa 21:00 Teleshopping 22:00 Tyler’s Ultimate 23:00 Food Network Challenge 23:00 Tyler’s Ultimate

00:30 Dead Tenants 01:20 FBI Files 02:10 Deadly Women 03:05 Undercover 04:00 Forensic Detectives 04:55 Real Emergency Calls 05:20 Dr G: Medical Examiner 06:10 Ghosthunters 06:35 Ghosthunters 07:00 Forensic Detectives 07:50 FBI Files 08:40 Fugitive Strike Force 09:30 Mystery ER 10:20 Forensic Detectives 11:10 FBI Files 12:00 Solved 12:50 Real Emergency Calls 13:15 Real Emergency Calls 13:40 Royal Inquest 14:30 Forensic Detectives 15:20 FBI Files 16:10 Fugitive Strike Force 17:00 Mystery ER 17:50 Forensic Detectives 18:40 FBI Files 19:30 Solved 20:20 Real Emergency Calls 20:45 Real Emergency Calls 21:10 Royal Inquest 22:00 Murder Shift

01:15 The Innocent 03:10 Deadly Stranger 04:40 Playing Mona Lisa 06:15 The Setup 07:45 My American Cousin 09:15 Mannequin 10:45 A Doll’s House 12:20 The Lost Brigade 13:40 Fast Food 15:10 The King And Four Queens 16:35 Topkapi 18:35 The Field 20:25 Crossplot 22:00 Under Fire

00:00 Chasing Time 00:30 Lonely Planet 01:30 Weird And Wonderful Hotels 02:00 Weird And Wonderful Hotels 02:30 Cruise Ship Diaries 03:30 Bondi Rescue

04:00 Finding Genghis 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 Weird And Wonderful Hotels 08:00 Weird And Wonderful Hotels 08:30 Cruise Ship Diaries 09:30 Bondi Rescue 10:00 Finding Genghis 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 Jailed Abroad 14:30 Jailed Abroad 15:30 Bondi Rescue 16:00 Finding Genghis 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 Jailed Abroad 20:30 Jailed Abroad 21:30 Bondi Rescue 22:00 Finding Genghis

00:00 Scrubs 00:30 The Office 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 Scrubs 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 Yes dear 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 The Office 13:30 Tyler Perry’s House of Payne 14:00 The Nanny 14:30 Malcolm in the Middle 15:00 Scrubs 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 Significant Others 18:30 Just Shoot me!

19:00 Community 19:30 Rita Rocks 20:00 Late night with Jimmy Fallon 21:00 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Reno 911 22:30 Weeds 23:00 Sauturday Night Live

00:00 The Martha Stewart Show 01:00 10 Years Younger 01:30 Turn Back Your Body Clock 02:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 03:00 The Monique Show 04:00 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 05:00 GMA (repeat) 07:00 GMA Health 07:30 What’s the Buzz 08:00 The Martha Stewart Show 09:00 Turn Back Your Body Clock 09:30 10 Years younger 10:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live!

11:00 The View 12:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 13:00 The Martha Stewart Show 14:00 GMA Live 16:00 GMA Health 16:30 What’s the Buzz 17:00 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 18:00 Look A Like 18:30 10 Years Younger 19:00 The View 20:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 21:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live!

22:00 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 23:00 The Monique Show

00:00 The Kingdom-18 02:00 God Grew Tired Of Us-PG15 04:00 Mongol-PG15 06:15 All She Wants For Christmas-PG15 08:00 Bolt-FAM 10:00 A Previous Engagement-PG15 12:00 Baby Mama-PG 14:00 Before The Rains-PG15 16:00 Bolt-FAM 18:00 Definitely Maybe-PG15 20:00 I Am Legend-PG15 22:00 Battle In Seattle-18

01:00 Revolver-18 03:00 Scorpion-18 05:00 Chocolate-PG15 07:00 The Flash-PG 09:00 Rock Monster-PG15 11:00 Underground-PG15 13:00 Devil’s Diary-PG15 15:00 Rock Monster-PG15 17:00 Broken Arrow-18 19:00 Vantage Point-PG15 21:00 The Objective-U 23:00 Boot Camp-18

00:00 Miss Pettigrew Lives For A DayPG15 02:00 Callback-PG15 04:00 Trapped In Paradise-PG15 06:00 Orange County-PG15 08:00 Committed-PG15 10:00 Christmas At The Riviera-PG 12:00 I Me Wed-PG15 14:00 Harold-PG15 16:00 Miss Pettigrew Lives For A DayPG15 18:00 How High-18 20:00 Bam Margera Presents: Where The #$&% Is Santa?-PG15 22:00 Easy-18

00:00 Snow 2: Brain Freeze-FAM 02:00 The Pagemaster-PG 04:00 Clockstoppers-FAM 06:00 Chill Out: Scooby-Doo-FAM 08:00 Barbie As The Island Princess-FAM 10:00 Clockstoppers-FAM 12:00 Tom And Jerry: A Nutcracker’s Tale-FAM 14:00 The Pagemaster-PG 16:00 Scooby-Doo And The Loch Ness Monster-FAM 18:00 Wall-E-FAM 20:00 Max Keeble’s Big Movie-PG 22:00 Tom And Jerry: A Nutcracker’s Tale-FAM

00:00 Lost 01:00 Heroes 02:00 Breaking Bad 03:00 Survivor : Samoa 04:00 Every Body Loves Raymond 04:30 Coach 05:00 24 06:00 Emmerdale 06:30 Coronation Street 07:00 Law & Order 08:00 Every Body Loves Raymond 08:30 Coach 09:00 Survivor : Samoa 10:00 24 11:00 Law & Order 12:00 Emmerdale 12:30 Coronation Street 13:00 Every Body Loves Raymond 13:30 Coach 14:00 Lost 15:00 Heroes 16:00 24 17:00 Survivor : Samoa 18:00 Emmerdale 18:30 Coronation Street 19:00 Grey’s Anatomy 20:00 Private Practice 21:00 Criminal Minds 22:00 24 23:00 Breaking Bad

01:00 Premier League 03:00 Brazil League Highlights 03:30 Premier League Review Show 05:00 Premier League 07:00 Portugol 07:30 Brazil League Highlights 08:00 Premier League 10:00 Premier League 12:00 Goals Goals Goals 12:30 Portugol 13:00 Brazil League Highlights 13:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 14:00 Premier League 16:00 Futbol Mundial 16:30 Goals Goals Goals 17:00 Premier League

06:00 UFC Unleashed 07:00 WWE Vintage Collection 08:00 LG Action Sport 09:00 British Triathlon Super Series 09:30 FIM World Cup 10:00 UAE National Race Day 10:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 11:00 Bushido 12:00 WWE NXT 13:00 NCAA Basketball 15:00 FIM World Cup 15:30 UAE National Race Day 16:00 V8 Supercars Series Highlights 17:00 V8 Supercars Series Highlights

01:00 Production Office-PG15 03:00 Lovely Still-PG 05:00 Living Proof-PG 07:00 Frame Of Mind-PG15 09:00 Music And Lyrics-PG 11:00 The Good Heart-PG15 13:00 Happy Go Lucky-PG15 15:00 For The Love Of Grace-U 17:00 Music And Lyrics-PG 19:00 Meet Dave-PG 21:00 Synecdoch, New York-PG15 23:00 The Happening-18

01:20 The Screening Room 01:45 Two Weeks In Another Town 03:30 The Screening Room 04:00 Ice Station Zebra 06:25 The Screening Room 07:00 All The Fine Young Cannibals 08:55 Boys’ Night Out 10:45 Caveman 12:20 Quo Vadis 15:05 Mandela 17:05 All The Fine Young Cannibals 19:00 The Screening Room 19:30 How The West Was Won 22:00 Foxes 23:45 Slither

00:30 Hell’s Battlefield 01:20 Ice Road Truckers 2 02:10 Mega Disasters 03:00 Duel in the Desert 03:55 The American Revolution 04:50 Secret Luftwaffe Of World War II 05:40 Shootout!

06:30 Hell’s Battlefield 07:20 Ice Road Truckers 2 08:10 Mega Disasters 09:00 Duel in the Desert 09:55 The American Revolution 10:50 Secret Luftwaffe Of World War II 11:40 Shootout!

12:30 Hell’s Battlefield 13:20 Ice Road Truckers 2 14:10 Mega Disasters 15:00 Duel in the Desert 15:55 The American Revolution 16:50 Secret Luftwaffe Of World War II 17:40 Shootout!

18:30 Hell’s Battlefield 19:20 Ice Road Truckers 2 20:10 Mega Disasters 21:00 Nostradamus Effect

00:00 Dr 90210 01:00 Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane 01:30 Dallas Divas & Daughters 02:00 How Do I Look?

03:00 Split Ends 04:00 Dr 90210 05:00 Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane 05:30 Area

06:00 How Do I Look?

07:00 Style Star 07:30 Style Her Famous 08:00 My Celebrity Home 09:00 Style Star 09:30 Dress My Nest 10:00 Peter Perfect 11:00 Whose Wedding Is it Anyway?

12:00 Ruby 13:00 Clean House 14:00 Clean House Comes Clean 14:30 Dress My Nest 15:00 How Do I Look?

16:00 Split Ends 17:00 Dallas Divas & Daughters 17:30 Style Her Famous 18:00 Running in Heels 18:30 Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane 19:00 Split Ends 20:00 Clean House 21:00 Dress My Nest 21:30 Style Her Famous 22:00 Clean House 23:00 Ruby

00:00 Globe Trekker 01:00 Angry Planet 01:30 The Thirsty Traveler 02:00 Spring 02:30 Chef Abroad 03:00 Chef Abroad 03:30 Top Travel 04:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 05:00 Globe Trekker 06:00 Planet Food 07:00 The Thirsty Traveler 07:30 Angry Planet 08:00 Globe Trekker 09:00 Essential 09:30 Dream Destinations 10:00 Distant Shores 10:30 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 Feast India 15:30 Entrada 16:00 Spring 16:30 Grannies On Safari 17:00 Globe Trekker 18:00 Essential 18:30 Journey Into Wine- Australia 19:00 Chef Abroad 19:30 The Thirsty Traveler 20:00 Globe Trekker 21:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 22:00 Planet Food 23:00 Rajasthan - A Colourful Legacy

00:00 Vh1 Rocks 00:30 So 80’s 01:00 Greatest Hits 02:00 Vh1 Music 05:00 Chill Out 07:00 Vh1 Hits 09:00 Vh1 Music 11:00 Aerobic 12:00 Top 10 The Cure 13:00 Music For The Masses 14:00 Vh1 Pop Chart 15:00 Vh1 Music 17:00 (P) Vh1 Weekly Album Chart 18:00 Vh1 Music 19:00 Vh1 Viewer’s Jukebox 20:00 Vh1 Viewer’s Jukebox 21:00 Top 10 The Cure 22:00 Music For The Masses 23:00 Vh1 New

01:00 Futbol Mundial 01:30 Rugby League Challenge Cup 03:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 04:00 Super 14 06:00 World Sport 06:30 Futbol Mundial 07:00 Snooker World Championship 11:00 Goals On Monday 12:30 NRL Premiership 14:30 Super 14 16:30 Premier League Classics 17:00 ICC Cricket World 17:30 World Sport 18:00 Barclays Premier League Highlights 19:00 World Hockey

01:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 01:30 Barclays Premier League Highlights 02:30 Premier League Darts 06:30 Premier League Classics 07:00 World Sport 07:30 Super 14 09:30 Brazil League Highlights 10:00 Futbol Mundial 10:30 World Sport 11:00 ICC Cricket World 11:30 FEI Equestrain World 12:00 Live Snooker World Championship 16:00 Futbol Mundial 16:30 Live Snooker World Championship

00:00 UFC - The Ultimate Fighter 01:00 LG Action Sport 02:00 WWE Bottomline 03:00 Bushido 04:00 NCAA Basketball

Battle In Seattle on Show Movies

Star Listings (UAE Timings) S TAR Mo vies 20:50 Eleventh Hour 22:25 A Sister’s Secret 00:05 That Thing You Do! 01:55 VIP Access 02:25 Tin Men 04:20 Eleventh Hour 05:55 A Sister’s Secret 07:35 That Thing You Do! 09:25 Meteor Storm 10:55 Tin Men 12:50 Wyvern 14:20 Say Anything 16:00 The Initiation Of Sarah 17:30 The Women 19:20 Alvin And The Chipmunks S TAR Wo rld 20:00 AUSTRALIA’S NEXT TOP MODEL 20:50 Charlie’s Angels 21:00 BOSTON LEGAL 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 Kyle XY 03:00 Scrubs 03:30 The King Of Queens 04:00 Stone Undercover 05:00 American Idol

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 17:00 17:50 18:00 18:25 18:50 19:00

Grey’s Anatomy Charlie’s Angels American Idol AUSTRALIA’S NEXT TOP MODEL Jackie Chan Adventures The King Of Queens THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Kyle XY Charlie’s Angels Grey’s Anatomy Who’s The Boss?

[V] Tunes American Idol Scrubs The King Of Queens Stone Undercover American Idol EAST WEST Charlie’s Angels Cops S19 Cops S19 Who’s The Boss?

American Idol

G ranada TV 20:00 The Paul O’Grady Show 21:00 Warzone 22:00 Emmerdale 22:30 Coronation Street 23:00 Warzone 00:00 The Crunch

01:00 Parkinson (Series 7) 02:00 Romance Wednesday: William And Mary (Series 2) (Double Bill) 04:00 Holiday Homes From Hell ** 05:00 Emmerdale 05:30 Coronation Street 06:00 The Crunch 07:00 Romance Wednesday: William And Mary (Series 2) (Double Bill) 09:00 Parkinson (Series 7) 10:00 New Homes From Hell ** 11:00 Emmerdale 11:30 Coronation Street 12:00 Come Dine With Me (Primetime Series 2) 13:00 Romance Wednesday: William And Mary (Series 3) (Double Bill) 15:00 Parkinson (Series 7) 16:00 Emmerdale 16:30 Coronation Street 17:00 Come Dine With Me (Primetime Series 2) 18:00 Romance Wednesday: William And Mary (Series 3) (Double Bill) Chann el [V] 21:00 [V] Countdown 23:00 Backtracks 23:30 Double Shot 00:00 Loop 00:30 [V] Tunes 01:00 [V] Plug 01:30 Loop

02:00 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 05:00 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 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30

Backtracks XO [V] Tunes [V] Plug The Playlist [V] Countdown Backtracks Double Shot 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

Fox N ews 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 Natio nal G eo graphic Channel 20:00 Fight Masters -Mixed Martial Arts 21:00 Long Way Down -Botswana To Cape Town 10 22:00 4Real -Liberia 3 22:30 4Real -Haiti 4 23:00 Theme Week -Six Degrees Could Change

The World 00:00 Seconds From Disaster -Amsterdam Air Crash S2.5 - 2 01:00 ABOUT ASIA -China’s Hollywood 02:00 Trapped -Cave Rescue 03:00 DogTown -The Abandoned S2-2 04:00 Monkey Thieves -Searching For Sanctuary 16 04:30 Monkey Thieves -Urban Exile 17 05:00 ABOUT ASIA -China’s Hollywood 06:00 Lockdown -First Timers 07:00 Triumph Of Life -Four Billion Year War 08:00 Trapped -Cave Rescue 09:00 Wild Detectives -Penguin Adventure 09:30 Food Lovers Guide To The Planet -Hong Kong 4 10:00 Theme Week -Shark Eden (aka Journey To Sha 11:00 Seconds From Disaster -Amsterdam Air Crash S2.5 - 2 12:00 ABOUT ASIA -China’s Hollywood 13:00 Wild Wednesday -Monkey Thieves : Street Life 18 13:30 Wild Wednesday -Monkey Thieves : Home Hunters 19 14:00 Wild Wednesday -Shark Men : Size Matters 15:00 Theme Week -Shark Eden (aka Journey To Sha 16:00 Diving The Labyrinth 17:00 Built For The Kill -Ocean S1-7

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

33 Flight Schedule Arrival Flights on Wednesday 21/04/2010 Airlines Flt Route Time Kuwait 166D Paris 00:15 Wataniya Airways 188 Bahrain 00:30 Wataniya Airways 306 Cairo 00:50 Gulf Air 211 Bahrain 01:05 Turkish A/L 772 Istanbul 01:15 DHL 370 Bahrain 02:15 Emirates 853 Dubai 02:25 Etihad 305 Abu Dhabi 02:55 Qatari 138 Doha 03:25 Kuwait 802 Cairo 04:45 Cargoluux 792 Luxembourg 04:50 Jazeera 503 Luxor 05:15 Falcon 201 Dubai 05:25 Jazeera 527 Alexandria 06:05 Jazeera 529 Assiut 06:10 Kuwait 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 British 157 London 06:30 Jazeea 481 Sabiha 06:40 Kuwait 382 Delhi 07:20 Kuwait 302 Mumbai 07:50 Fly Dubai 053 Dubai 07:55 Kuwait 676 Dubai 08:00 Kuwait 352 Cochin 08:05 Kuwait 284 Dhaka 08:10 Kuwait 344 Chennai 08:20 Kuwait 362 Colombo 08:20 Emirates 855 Dubai 08:25 Arabia 121 Sharjah 08:40 Qatari 132 Doha 09:00 Iran Air 603 Shiraz 09:20 Etihad 301 Abu Dhabi 09:25 Iran Aseman 6791 Mashad 09:55 Jazeera 425 Bahrain 10:25 Falcon 203 Dubai 10:30 Gulf Air 213 Bahrain 10:45 Wataniya Airways 182 Bahrain 10:45 Middle East 404 Beirut 10:50 Alnaser 711 Baghdad/Najaf 10:55 Wataniya Airways 102 Dubai 11:05 Jazeera 165 Dubai 11:05 Jazeera 437 Tehran 11:10 Jazeera 447 Doha 11:10 Mahan Air 5066 Mashad 12:20 Jazeera 171 Dubai 12:50 Egypt Air 610 Cairo 12:55 Kuwait 672 Dubai 13:15 Oman Air 645 Muscat 13:15 Jazeera 525 Alexandria 13:20 Saudi Arabian A/L 508 Riyadh 13:30 United A/L 982 Washington Dc Dulles 13:35 Royal Jordanian 800 Amman 13:35 Egypt Air 621 Assiut 13:40 Fly Dubai 057 Dubai 13:50 Jazeera 257 Beirut 14:10 Kuwait 562 Amman 14:20 Saudi Arabian A/L 500 Jeddah 14:30 Kuwait 552 Damascus 14:35 Jazeera 693 Shiraz 14:45 Nas Air 745 Jeddah 14:55 Qatari 134 Doha 15:05 Kuwait 544 Cairo 15:30 Kuwait 546 Alexandria 15:30 Nas Air 703 Riyadh 15:45 Bahrain Air 344 Bahrain 16:40 Jazeera 427 Bahrain 16:45 Etihad 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 Rovos 061 Baghdad 16:50 Emirates 857 Dubai 16:55 Gulf Air 215 Bahrain 17:15 Wataniya Airways 402 Beirut 17:15 Jazeera 217 Isfahan 17:20 Saudi Arabian A/L 510 Riyadh 17:20 Jazeera 493 Jeddah 17:25 Jazeera 239 Amman 17:35 Arabia 125 Sharjah 17:40 Jazeera 497 Riyadh 17:55 Srilankan 227 Colombo/Dubai 18:00 Wataniya Airways 304 Cairo 18:35 Yemenia 824 Sanaa/Doha 18:40 Wataniya Airways 106 Dubai 18:45 Kuwait 502 Beirut 18:50 Kuwait 542 Cairo 18:50 Kuwait 618 Doha 18:55 Wataniya Airways 202 Jeddah 18:55 Kuwait 786 Jeddah 18:55 Kuwait 674 Dubai 19:00 Jazeera 177 Dubai 19:05 Kuwait 774 Riyadh 19:10 Kuwait 614 Bahrain 19:20 Indian 575 Chennai/Goa 19:30 Fly Dubai 061 Dubai 20:05 Middle East 402 Beirut 20:20 Rovos 081 Baghdad 20:30 Jet A/W 572 Mumbai 20:30 Wataniya Airways 404 Beirut 20:50 Jazeera 459 Damascus 20:55 DHL 372 Bahrain 21:00 Gulf Air 217 Bahrain 21:05 Emirates 859 Dubai 21:15 Qatari 136 Doha 21:35 United A/L 981 Bahrain 21:55 Jazeera 429 Bahrain 22:15 Jazeera 449 Doha 22:25 Jazeera 117 Abu Dhabi 22:25 Lufthansa 636 Frankfurt 22:30 Shaheen Air 441 Lahore/Karachi 23:00 Jazeera 185 Dubai 23:05 Kuwait 548 Sharm El Sheikh/Luxor 23:10 KLM 0447 Amsterdam/Bahrain 23:10 India Express 393 Kozhikode/Cochin 23:10 Egypt Air 606 Luxor 23:15 Pakistan 215 Karachi 23:55 Jazeera 263 Beirut 23:55 Wataniya Airways 108 Dubai 23:55

Departure Flights on Wednesday 21/04/2010 Airlines Flt Route Time Kuwait 003 TBN 00:00 Jazeera 530 Assiut 00:05 India Express 390 Mangalore/Kozhikode 00:25 Lufthansa 637 Frankfurt 00:50 Indian 994 Mumbai/Chennai 00:50 Pakistan 206 Lahore 01:10 Turkish A/L 773 Istanbul 02:15 DHL 371 Bahrain 03:15 Emirates 854 Dubai 03:45 Etihad 306 Abu Dhabi 04:00 Qatari 139 Doha 05:00 Wataniya Airways 101 Dubai 06:50 Jazeera 164 Dubai 07:00 Jazeera 524 Alexandria 07:00 Jazeera 436 Tehran 07:15 Jazeera 422 Bahrain 07:35 Jazeera 446 Doha 07:40 Gulf Air 212 Bahrain 07:45 Wataniya Airways 181 Bahrain 07:50 British 156 London 08:25 Kuwait 545 Alexandria 08:35 Jazeera 256 Beirut 08:35 Fly Dubai 054 Dubai 08:40 Kuwait 543 Cairo 08:45 Kuwait 177 Frankfurt/Geneva 08:55 Kuwait 671 Dubai 09:00 Jazeera 170 Dubai 09:00 Kuwait 551 Damascus 09:10 Kuwait 561 Amman 09:15 Arabia 122 Sharjah 09:20 Cargolux 792 Hong Kong 09:35 Emirates 856 Dubai 09:40 Kuwait 117 New York 10:00 Qatari 133 Doha 10:00 Etihad 302 Abu Dhabi 10:10 Iran Air 602 Shiraz 10:20 Iran Aseman 6792 Mashad 10:55 Wataniya Airways 401 Beirut 11:35 Gulf Air 214 Bahrain 11:35 Falcon 204 Baghdad 11:45 Middle East 405 Beirut 11:50 Wataniya Airways 303 Cairo 11:50 Kuwait 541 Cairo 12:00 Jazeera 692 Shiraz 12:00 Rovos 062 Najaf/Baghdad 12:00 Jazeera 492 Jeddah 12:15 Alnaser 712 Najaf/Baghdad 12:15 Kuwait 103 London 12:30 Jazeera 238 Amman 12:30 Kuwait 501 Beirut 13:00 Kuwait 785 Jeddah 13:30 Mahan Air 5065 Mashad 13:40 Wataniya Airways 201 Jeddah 13:45 Jazeera 426 Bahrain 13:55 Egypt Air 611 Cairo 13:55 Jazeera 216 Isfahan 14:05 Oman Air 646 Muscat 14:15 Kuwait 673 Dubai 14:30 Wataniya Airways 105 Dubai 14:30 Royal Jordanian 801 Amman 14:30 Fly Dubai 058 Dubai 14:35 Egypt Air 622 Assiut 14:40 Saudi Arabian A/L 509 Medinah 14:45 United A/L 982 Bahrain 14:50 Jazeera 176 Dubai 14:55 Jazeera 496 Riyadh 15:00 Wataniya Airways 403 Beirut 15:10 Kuwait 617 Doha 15:35 Kuwait 547 Sharm El Sheikh/Luxor 15:40 Saudi Arabian A/L 501 Jeddah 15:45 Nas Air 746 Jeddah 15:45 Jazeera 458 Damascus 15:50 Kuwait 773 Riyadh 15:50 Kuwait 613 Bahrain 16:20 Qatari 135 Doha 16:20 Nas Air 704 Medinah 16:35 Rovos 082 Baghdad 17:00 Bahrain Air 345 Bahrain 17:25 Etihad 304 Abu Dhabi 17:35 Emirates 858 Dubai 18:05 Gulf Air 216 Bahrain 18:05 Wataniya Airways 305 Cairo 18:05 Jazeera 262 Beirut 18:15 Arabia 126 Sharjah 18:20 Saudi Arabian A/L 511 Riyadh 18:35 Jazeera 116 Abu Dhabi 18:40 Jazeera 448 Doha 18:55 Jazeera 184 Dubai 19:00 Jazeera 428 Bahrain 19:10 Srilankan 228 Dubai/Colombo 19:10 Wataniya Airways 107 Dubai 19:40 Yemenia 824 Sanaa 19:40 Kuwait 283 Dhaka 20:00 Jazeera 512 Sharm El Sheikh 20:15 Kuwait 361 Colombo 20:20 Fly Dubai 062 Dubai 20:50 Kuwait 331 Trivandrum 21:00 Middle East 403 Beirut 21:20 Jet A/W 571 Mumbai 21:30 Wataniya Airways 187 Bahrain 21:35 Gulf Air 218 Bahrain 21:55 Kuwait 801 Cairo 22:00 DHL 373 Bahrain 22:00 Kuwait 675 Dubai 22:10 Emirates 860 Duba1 22:25 Falcon 102 Bahrain 22:30 Qatari 137 Doha 22:35 Kuwait 203 Lahore 22:40 Kuwait 301 Mumbai 22:45 Jazeera 526 Alexandria 23:20 Jazeera 502 Luxor 23:30 United A/L 981 Washington Dc Dulles 23:40 Kuwait 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:50

FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 161

ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation available in Kuwait City from 1st of May 2010 with bachelors, looking for a decent Indian person. Interested please contact 22452889, 60015811, 99539718.

(C 2166) Sharing accommodation available for a south Indian bachelor in a furnished studio room close to Khaitan cinema bus stop with a Mangalorean Catholic bachelor (kitchen and bathroom attached), rent KD 25. Contact: 66036893. (C 2141) Room available in C-A/C flat with separate bathroom in Sharq near Mughal Mahal restaurant for working ladies from May 1st. Contact: 99567689, 55197093.

(C 2154) 21-4-2010

FOR SALE 2005 white mini-van, manual, 7-seater GM-Wuling Chinese made, service by Mutawa Al-Kazi Co, 55,700 km, regd. March 2011. Call: 99913384. (C 2164) Nissan Pathfinder, 2003 model, metallic golden color, km 170,000 SE.3.5, very good condition. KD 2,400, serious buyers can contact: 97615287. (C 2168) 21-4-2010 Mitsubishi Jeep, Nativa model 2009, silver color, excellent condition, cash price KD 3,400, done 12,000 kms only.

Contact: 55107856. (C 2158) Toyota Corolla 1.8 Xli, golden color, 2005, excellent condition, very low mileage, well maintained, ready to check, price KD 2,350, negotiable.

Contact: 66015265. (C 2156)

Accommodation available for family or working ladies opp. German clinic. Contact: 66455687. (C 2155)

Ford Tracer, 1998 model, insurance till next March 2011, price KD 750, serious persons contact: 99554160.

(C 2153)

Room for rent for Filipinos in a 3-bedroom, 2bathrooom C-A/C flat in Khaitan, along Airport Road.

Contact: 66882746 or 24712170.

Laptop Suzuki 1333 new (made Taiwan) 2.16 GHz C2D, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB, DVD writer, 13.3 wide crystal screen, wireless, webcam, MIc. Call: 97250299 97698074. (C 2159)

Sharing accommodation available in Abbassiya Queen’s beauty parlor building, one room separate bathroom only Keralite decent bachelors. Call: 99153497. (C 2157)

Laptop DELL Vostro 1400 new (made Ireland) 2.2 GHz C2D, 4 MB Cache, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB, DVD writer, wireless, Bluetooth, 14.1 wide crystal screen. Call: 22473767 - 97698074. (C 2160)

A sharing room available for a decent Mangalorean bachelor to share with another Mangalorean. Contact: 97539726. (C 2163) 20-4-2010

Laptop DELL Vostro 1510 new (made Poland) 2.4 GHz C2D, 4 MB Cache, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB, DVD writer, wireless, Bluetooth, webcam, 15.4 wide screen. Call: 22473766 - 97250299. (C 2161) 20-4-2010

Accommodation available now in Abbassiya near Bahrain Exchange for nonsmoking decent Keralites.

Also one room available for a couple or working ladies from middle of May, kitchen available.

Contact: 24334859, 99185377.

(C 2151) Sharing accommodation available for one bachelor to share with Goan family in two bedroom flat in Abbassiya near Unique Store No.2 opposite Uduppi palace hotel from May 2010. Contact: 66110593, 24313908. (C 2152) 19-4-2010 Single room available in a 2 bedroom flat, preferably for a single person with Goan family, near Khaitan co-op.

Contact: 66531884/99453500.

(C 2145) Two bedroom flat single room available in Farwaniya near clinic couples or small family, Indians only (family visa only) 60 KD only from 26-5-2010. Tel: 99482666.

(C 2140) Sharing accommodation available for a small family in a 2 bedroom, hall & kitchen central A/C flat near Emirates hotel Abu Halifa with Keralite Christian family. Contact: 97612421.

(C 2147) 18-4-2010 Sharing accommodation available in Abbassiya with Keralite family in a CAC building with separate bathroom from 31st March. Call: 99412951. (C 2136) 17-4-2010

1998 GMC Sierra - 3500 pick up, 6.5L diesel engine double wheel, in very good condition, full option, KD 2,250. Contact: 66714700.

(C 2150) 1996 Chev Silverado pick up 2w in very good condition, loaded with options. KD 2,050. Contact: 97485532.

(C 2149) 19-4-2010 Hummer, black, H2 model, 2005, full options, Alghanim maintained, 97,000 km, excellent condition. Price KD 8,000 (negotiable). Contact: 99728244, 97113173.

Mitsubishi Lancer, 2006 model, metallic silver color, km 118,000, GLX, full options, very good condition, KD 1,650, serious buyers can contact: 60048674. (C

No: 14705

2144)

LOST

Household items for sale, expat leaving Kuwait, fridge, AC, complete bedroom set, TV, sofa, dining table, and many more.

Phone: 66537038. (C 2142) 18-4-2010

SITUATION VACANT

Wanted a decent housemaid for a family in Mangaf.

Call 66391085, 23715767 20-4-2010

MATRIMONIAL Wanted bride, Keralite Orthodox boy, 29 years, B.Com, DCA, working in MNC Kuwait, seeks alliance from Christian nurses working in Kuwait. Email: jimmymathew1980@hotmail.com

(C 2165) 21-4-2010 Proposals invited from parents of well educated qualified boys for a Keralite Orthodox girl, 25 years, 165cm, B.Tech (E&C), working in a reputed firm, interested parties may respond with complete profile to seemaanniejohn@hotmail.com (C 2148) 19-4-2010 Proposals invited from parents of well qualified boys working in India or abroad for an Ezhava, Hindu girl, 23, working as lecturer, MES College of Engineering, Kuttivattom, Malappuram Dist. Please contact email: kalabhathilengr@yahoo.co.in (C 2143) 18-4-2010

I, Nayanam P.R., Pallikkattil House, P.O. Velappaya, Thrissur District, Kerala India, hereby note the public the loss of my mark lists and certificate of Bachelor of Commerce Degree examination 2004 September with Registration No.242077 of University of Calicut, which are damaged due to fire accident at our house in Salmiya, Kuwait and as such I intend to apply for the duplicate mark list/certificate. Certified that the aforesaid facts are absolutely true. (C 2167) 21-4-2010

MIDCELLIANEOUS Personal Training: For help in motivation, commitment, effective technique and results. An experienced international trainer is available to facilitate you achieving and exceeding your fitness goals. For bookings, call 65859449. (2139) SITUATION WANTED Indian male, MBA (HR) with 4 years UAE experience in Admin-Payroll-HR, specialized in Oracle HRMS, MIS reports, six sigma implementation experience, seeks job.

Call: 94061559, mrds1230@yahoo.com (C 2162) 20-4-2010 I am searching a suitable job as sales executive. I have good PR skills, my qualification is MBA (Marketing) and valid driving license. I can join immediately. Mob: 55355954.

(C 2146)

SPECTRUM

34 CROSSWORD 965

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Calvin Aries (March 21-April 19) Your pride is strong and you are always ready to master any problem. You are self-reliant and self-confident enough to accomplish what you set out to do. Of course, you can work sideby-side with others, but today you may prefer your own company. One of your greatest teachers is your own power of observation. Your power to absorb impressions of the world around you gives you great intuitive abilities. When you listen, your intuitive abilities will guide you toward successful opportunities. Travel today is favorable; whether it is for business or pleasure. Your enthusiasm is good when dealing with matters pertaining to the family or home. A project on the home front will end successfully. A science fiction movie is a great escape this evening.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You may feel that you

have grown by leaps and bounds lately. The progress in your life is easy to see. The habits and negative feelings of the past are truly behind you.

Intellectual, well-educated people play a more important role in your life now. This is a concern for something bigger than any one person; the good of the many outweighs the needs of the few. You are coming into a time of experimenting with new concepts and putting aside the old ideas you once had. A new community project is in order. You are at your most practical when it comes to dealing and working with others and this includes the service people with whom you communicate as well as your boss or a co-worker. You know just what to do.

Pooch Cafe

ACROSS 1. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar.

4. The 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet.

8. (computer science) The smallest discrete component of an image or picture on a CRT screen (usually a colored dot).

11. (Judaism) Sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

12. (Islam) The man who leads prayers in a mosque.

13. A lyric poem with complex stanza forms.

14. Having little physical or spiritual strength.

16. The United Nations agency concerned with the international organization of food and agriculture.

17. An agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank.

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

19. A unit of length of thread or yarn.

21. A state in northwestern North America.

22. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite.

24. A flexible container with a single opening.

26. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

28. A popular island resort in the Netherlands Antilles.

31. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code.

34. The smallest multiple that is exactly divisible by every member of a set of numbers.

37. A large fleet.

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

44. Relating to or near the radius.

46. The branch of computer science that deal with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively.

47. A human limb.

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

51. Large brownish-green New Zealand parrot.

52. Type genus of the family Arcidae.

53. (Hawaiian) A small guitar having four strings.

DOWN 1. An awkward stupid person.

2. A member of an Algonquian people living in central Canada.

3. Jordan's port.

4. A heavy brittle diamagnetic trivalent metallic element (resembles arsenic and antimony chemically).

5. The rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit.

6. An official language of the Republic of South Africa.

7. Naked freshwater or marine or parasitic protozoa that form temporary pseudopods for feeding and locomotion.

8. Hawaiian dish of taro root pounded to a paste and often allowed to ferment.

9. Tropical starchy tuberous root.

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

15. Informal terms for money.

20. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

23. A state in southeastern United States between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.

25. A Russian prison camp for political prisoners.

27. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element.

29. Date used in reckoning dates before the supposed year Christ was born.

30. Before noon.

32. A member of an agricultural people in southeastern India.

33. Being one hundred more than three hundred.

35. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Dali region of Yunnan.

36. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

38. Not widely known.

39. Designer drug designed to have the effects of amphetamines (it floods the brain with serotonin) but to avoid the drug laws.

40. (botany) Of or relating to the axil.

42. One who works hard at boring tasks.

43. An officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer.

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

49. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

50. A trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Do not shorten the morning by getting up late—this is a busy day.

Your business sense is fine-tuned today. You are able to spot a mistake quickly and work in a team effort is successful. Pay attention to all the opportunities that you can find to give an honest compliment or to create friendliness among all people. Your magnetic personality is showing and you could charm anyone you wanted.

You may be dressed in your best spring frock for a social occasion with your friends this afternoon. Enjoy the fun and let yourself relax—you may discover parts of you that was hidden for a long time. This evening may bring dreams and visions of the future— and then, that may mean you have found a good book!

Non Sequitur

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You are able to get to the heart of a disturbing matter this today and with simple solutions. Revealing the cause of an underlying problem can bring about some new and better future changes. You could be stubborn about a matter today and it may be wise to think about your own motives. You have an abundance of motor skills and during the noon break, you can put them to work to exercise some worries away. Walk, go to a gym, or just enjoy a different landscape for a while. You will come back more relaxed and ready to work on one thing at a time. While relaxing, take out a pen and paper and see what creative things could happen. Perhaps you will write a poem or create a picture. Enjoy your family this evening.

Leo (July 23-August 22) It’s a good time to begin new projects or a new job. You feel secure, efficient and comfortable with your colleagues and friends. Your charming personal manner and happy outlook enhances your attractiveness. You are expressive and animated and people love having you on their team or in their presence. A professional workshop may be offered soon and if so, accept the offer, it will look very good on your resume or to your present employers. Make your health appointments soon, in order to get them out of the way for the rest of the year. You might also think about where you would like to go for your vacation.

If you have family to care for, the vacation may need to wait until summer.

Enjoy spending a little time alone this afternoon.

Zits

Virgo (August 23-September 22) The time is favorable for research. Your mind is full of ideas today and you can create positive results from some difficult assignment.

Another person’s opinion can be very important to you at this time but remember; it is just that, another person’s opinion? Don’t hang your hat on it. You may feel that conditions are excellent for making good impressions; networking and attending social affairs will be profitable. You get a lot accomplished today and others are in awe of your speed and thoroughness. You receive a lot of attention and many compliments this afternoon while out with co-worker friends. Avoid scattering your energy—stay centered. Enjoy family time this evening. Put a notebook on your bedside table to take notes of your dreams.

Libra (September 23-October 22) Real-estate sales

Mother Goose and Grimm

can be prosperous today. Work in import-export can be productive as well. You find yourself in a very practical mood and working with, instead of against yourself. Get to know a coworker on a more personal level. Plan a social event to break the ice. Perhaps something as simple as visiting a new art store would be a good place to begin. A speculative venture should be avoided, however. Old friends call this afternoon with new opportunities for you. Your hard-earned reputation pays off now, just when you need it. You can, if you want, excel as a counselor—you have the ability to listen. Dive into something fun and intellectually stimulating with your loved one/s this evening. This will bring your energies into balance.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) This is an excellent time to sway others to your cause through speeches or clever arguments. Your thinking is most lucid and grasping. Be careful, though, from taking it to the extreme in trying to find a logical reason for every event that occurs, especially the actions of a loved one. You have moods that are best enjoyed through the company of friends this afternoon. There may be an opportunity for a party or other type of social gathering later today. Go for it! Marriage and other close relationships give rise to great expectations, as a new cycle gets underway in your life. This is a time to enjoy and appreciate your ties to others and to seek and promote harmony in the interaction between people.

Everything is working in your favor.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Your feelings at work may take on a positive, get-it-done attitude. Others may find that even the interruptions will not slow your progress. Circumstances could cause you to be firm with co-workers. However, suggesting a time to talk later will assuage those interruptions. Taking care of business is a major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned. You crave organization and you want to get things accomplished. Honeysuckle or orange blossom scents can be enjoyed in your home this afternoon. These scents can be purchased even if you do not have the plants. You work well with these scents and this can help you relax. Your friends may want you to join them in some group gathering this evening. This is a happy time.

Yesterday’s Solution

yester

Yesterday’s Solution to

INTERNATIONAL CALLS Kuwait Qatar Abu Dhabi Dubai Raas Al Khayma Al-Shareqa Muscat Jordan Bahrain Riyadh Makkah - Jeddah Cairo Alexandria Beirut Damascus Allepo

00965 00974 009712 009714 009717 009716 00968 009626 00973 009661 009662 00202 00203 009611 0096311 0096321

Tunisia Rabat Washington New York Paris London Madrid Zurich Geneva Monaco Rome Bangkok Hong Kong Pakistan Taiwan Bonn

0021610 002127 001212 001718 00331 004471 00341 00411 004122 0033 00396 00662 00852 0092 00886 0049228

Word Sleuth Solution

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You may have a sense of emotional coolness in the business world. Combined with an emphasis on the results of a project, this is just where your mind rests. Because of your business sense and your ability to concentrate on the important matters, you may be asked to supervise or lead others. Respect, status and achievement are central goals for you. These are the things you must keep in mind if others become a bit too sensitive. Creating a structure to empower and maintain your ideals and principles become a high priority. By taking on greater responsibilities, you become an inspiration to others. Your peace of mind may hinge on just how much focus you give the negative in your life.

Focus on the light—truth.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Quarrels could arise over money. Stay away from the subject of finances for now.

Honesty, reality, focus and timing are the important qualities that you need to become smart about money. Sympathy and understanding are emotional qualities that take on a greater importance. It’s wisdom, not knowledge that counts most now.

If you have been having dreams that you can remember, now is a good time to keep a dream diary. Remain with this activity for a week or so - you will be enlightened and inspired. There may be some teaching dreams but on the whole, you will find an interesting trend with a theme or some lessons that your subconscious is dealing with now. Grab a friend or family member this evening and enjoy some laughter together.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) A co-worker or family member has a fat problem. They may ask for your advice today. Although you may not have a fat problem you have an instinctive urge to join this co-worker friend in taking better care of yourself—perhaps a new regimen is in order.

A group of you may decide to join a noon exercise group and then enjoy a light lunch together. Great results can happen if each person commits for a short time—perhaps for six weeks at a time. After the six weeks, you can always agree to six more weeks. You will want to feel good about yourself and have a focus to do the things you want to do. This afternoon you will be spending time in research. An idea of yours, or someone else’s, needs research and you may be elected.

INFORMATION

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

35 FIRE BRIGADE Operation Room 777 Al-Madena 22418714 Al-Shohada’a 22545171 Al-Shuwaikh 24810598 Al-Nuzha 22545171 Sabhan 24742838 Al-Helaly 22434853 Al-Fayhaa 22545051 Al-Farwaniya 24711433 Al-Sulaibikhat 24316983 Al-Fahaheel 23927002 Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh 24316983 Ahmadi 23980088 Al-Mangaf 23711183 Al-Shuaiba 23262845 Al-Jahra 25610011 Al-Salmiya 25616368

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’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

(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:

Paediatricians: Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Internist, Chest & Heart: DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 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

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Olga Kurylenko thinks she will be single her ‘whole life’

he 29-year-old actress - who has been married twice claims she is so focused on her career, she doesn’t want to have to consider other people when making decisions and is happy to live her life alone. She said: “I think I’ll be single my whole life. It’s entirely possible I’m going to end up alone.

Because I don’t want to make any sacrifices for my own development and achieving what I want to achieve and I don’t want a family to get in the way of that. “I feel I’m not ready for that and I don’t know if I ever will be. Having people I love around me - friends and family - is great but I don’t necessarily need a relationship. And it’s not just about my career; I just don’t feel like settling down.” The ‘Centurion’ actress also admitted she feels she has “lived her life backwards” as she has now reached

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the age where many women want to settle down and marry, but she has already been through that phase in her life. She explained to Live magazine: “I’ve lived my life backwards. “I was married twice and I did it early. Some people my age might say, ‘OK, now’s the time to settle down and get married.’ But not me. “I’ve done it before, and I wanted it and I had fun and I loved it. But I’ve done it and I know what it is. I was settled my whole life from when I was 20 years old and I’ve always been in relationships. “But now I’m not and I’m keeping it open.” The Ukrainian beauty was married to French fashion photographer Cedric van Mol for four years until 2004 and mobile phone accessory entrepreneur Damian Gabrielle from 2006 to late 2007.

he stunning actress took Milo - her child with ex-husband Royston Langdon - to the French theme park where they met the new generation of Disney characters including ‘Monsters Inc’ hero Sully and Buzz Lightyear from the ‘Toy Story’ films. Liv was keen to get

into the spirit of things and even donned a pair of Minnie Mouse ears as she posed for photos. An onlooker said: “Liv and Milo were having so much fun and despite being the adult, it seemed Liv was the one enjoying it more! She couldn’t resist trying on Minnie’s ears and she still managed to look super stylish.” As well as putting on mouse ears, Liv recently revealed she loves playing dress up with Kate Moss. The ‘Lord of the Rings’ beauty is a huge fan of the supermodel’s style and goes crazy when she’s allowed in her wardrobe. She said: “Kate’s the most stylish person I know. I love playing dress-up with her and her closet.” The 32-year-old star also enjoys spending time with British designer Stella McCartney. She said: “A great night in? Stella McCartney’s house in the country. Once our kids are asleep it’s ‘grab a drink’ and take turns to talk boys and husbands.”

Liv Tyler enjoys a trip to Disneyland

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Lindsay Lohan faces $600,000 debt

he music mogul is preparing to tie the knot with his fiancee Mezhgan Hussainy in different countries, according to his brother Tony Cowell.

Tony told Real Radio: “My mum is in Los Angeles sorting out the lovebirds.

Mum’s final words to me before she flew off to Los Angeles were, ‘Last year he said he was never, never, never going to get married and this year he’s getting married four times, once in Brighton, once in Los Angeles, once in Barbados on a yacht and once in Hollywood.’ “ It was previously revealed Simon, 50, was planning to have at least two ceremonies, one in England and one in Los Angeles to please Mezhgan’s family. A source said: “He’s finding this marriage stuff stressful. He’s used to making up his own mind and now has to factor in other people’s feelings.” Simon’s exgirlfriend Sinitta has also claimed the ‘American Idol’ judge was going to have a Salvador Dali-themed wedding.

The ‘So Macho’ singer has put forward suggestions for decor at the wedding, including the Spanish surrealist painter’s famous melting clocks from his best-known work ‘The Persistence of Memory’. She said: “What Simon wants, Simon gets. The theme of the wedding is Miracles Do Happen Simon getting married just goes to prove it. “It will be a pretty surreal do - Salvador Dali-inspired. There’ll be angels and all sorts everywhere.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

he ‘Mean Girls’ actress - whose most recent movie, 2009’s ‘Labor Pains’, went straight to DVD - faces having her credit cards blocked after reportedly running up huge bills with lavish spending sprees. A source told RadarOnline.com: “Lindsay owes credit cards $600,000. One card cut her off last week and it’s only a matter of time before all her other credit cards cut her off too.” The 23-year-old star could be the subject of legal action if she fails to address her financial problems soon. The source added: “One credit card company is going to

discuss a payment plan for Lindsay. But if she doesn’t have the income and can’t make her payments, they are prepared to sue her.” Earlier this month, it was claimed the actress came close to being evicted from her Los Angeles home because she was two months behind on her rent. The actress paid her landlord $23,000 after receiving a legal notice demanding the sum. Much of Lindsay’s current income is believed to come from personal appearances, but her fees have been slashed to around $5,000 - $10,000 a time as her career has waned.

Gisele Bundchen wants more kids

Joan Collins thinks jeans are ‘terribly boring’

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he 76-year-old actress admits she does occasionally wear denim, but is surprised at the number of people who put on jeans daily. She said: “I haven’t liked jeans for years - probably because their ubiquity has become terribly boring. Do people really want to conform to looking just like everyone else? “Yes, I know denim is hard-wearing and practical, but do the ladies who lunch really want to wear long-lasting utilitarian gear, teamed with chic Chanel or luxury leather on top, while showing off at the Ritz or smart restaurants such as San Lorenzo and the Wolseley?

“A pencil skirt and opaque tights or simple dark trousers would look infinitely more elegant.” Despite launching her own brand of jeans with Topshop boss Sir Philip Green in the late 70s, Joan admits she is shocked at the cost of denim these days. Writing for the Daily Mail newspaper, Joan said: “It astounds me to hear some of my friends talking about their designer jeans that cost upwards of £500 - what a waste of money! “I see little difference between these and the knock-off styles abounding in the high street shops.”

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he Brazilian supermodel says four-monthold Benjamin, her son with her American footballer husband Tom Brady, has enriched her life so much she definitely wants more kids and claims she “couldn’t care less” about the impact more pregnancies could have on her body. She said: “I want to have lots of children. It doesn’t matter if my body changes.

It is the most marvelous thing. For example, they sometimes say that your breasts begin to sag, but I couldn’t care less.” Since Benjamin was born Gisele admits her priorities have

he ‘Resident Evil’ star - who started modeling when she was just 12 years old - thinks it would be “creepy” if she forced two-yearold Ever Gabo into work, insisting she only embarked on her career so young to help her family out of poverty. Milla - who is married to director Paul W S Anderson - said: “She’s not going to be a working child.

For me it’s kind of creepy, the whole working kid kind of thing. “We were struggling financially, we were immigrants from Russia and we really needed to succeed. My mom saw talent in me and she wanted to make the best and most out of it. “There is no real use for Ever to work.

I definitely want my daughter to just be a child. Work hard in school and find your passion, slowly.” As well as not wanting Ever to work, Milla, 34, is planning to scale back her own career commitments to spend more time with her family. She told People magazine: “When I’m not working, I want to be with my baby. The multitasking-Milla is a thing of the past. “I’m about prioritizing now. I can’t

changed and although she is still focused on her fashion career, raising her son is her main concern. She added to Britain’s Hello! magazine: “I’m not quitting the catwalk nor giving up my career as a model. I’m simply going to slow down because I want to spend more time with my son. “Benjamin is the loveliest thing.

He’s incredible. The love feel for him is indescribable. All I want in life is to be a good mother. I want to teach him good values, which is the most important thing a mother can give to her child.”

do all the modeling and movies that I want and still have time for my baby and my family.” However, Milla admits it can be difficult spending time with her daughter outdoors because the presence of photographers “p**ses off” other parents, meaning she has to send Ever to the park with her nanny. She explained: “She’s like, ‘Momma come to the park with me,’ and I say, ‘When Momma goes to the park, all the photographers come, so you go and play with your friends.’ It gets really tense at the park. “She’s getting used to photographers but she says, ‘I want to break them. Oh camera. I want to break them.’ Sometimes I don’t even see them and she spots them, like, from a mile away.”

— Bangshowbiz

SPECTRUM

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

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A photograph of Pablo Picasso is seen during a preview. — AFP photos

Works by Pablo Picasso are seen during a preview of the ‘Picasso in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’ exhibition April 19, 2010 in New York City.

New York museum honors its Picasso trove in new exhibit B

y staging a large retrospective of his works, a new exhibition will test the golden rule of art lovers and museum goers: Pablo Picasso never gets old. “Picasso in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met),” which opens on April 27, aims to reveal hidden details about his works.

The show will present 300 of the prolific Spanish artist’s paintings, sculptures, drawings and ceramics. Organized chronologically, it is an overview of Picasso’s entire career, from the harlequins of his Blue and Rose periods, to later Cubist paintings and colorful linoleum cuts.

“Why Picasso, why now?” asked the show’s curator and Picasso expert Gary Tinterow at a preview of the exhibit. Partly, he said, it was to showcase the museum’s collection, composed mostly of works given by donors over the years.

But researchers quintupled their efforts and exposed the works to an almost unprecedented level of scrutiny, he added.

Several paintings revealed hidden and until now unknown pasts by use of infrared reflectog-

raphy and radiography which allow researchers to peel back the layers of a canvas’ history. The 1906 painting “La Coiffure” revealed three full, completed paintings beneath the current image of a woman staring into a hand mirror while her hair is braided.

Analyzing “The Blind Man’s Meal,” a key canvas from Picasso’s Blue Period, researchers found a painting that was thought missing. “It’s just fascinating that an artist that has been so studied, mined so extensively, nevertheless can continue to bring forth new revelations,” Tinterow said. Each of the show’s 34 paintings was cleaned and reframed according to Picasso’s own wishes, said Tinterow, giving the show a unique coherence.

‘A measure of immortality’ While staging a Picasso show is usually considered a museum safe bet, bringing in easy acclaim and hordes of visitors, curators from The Met went to great lengths to distinguish this

show from others. “It’s really remarkable that we can, out of our own collections, draw from holdings some 500 works of Picasso to show the full range of his career,” The Met’s director Thomas Campbell said.

He added that the museum provides a special forum to show Picasso because of the resonance his works have with the museum’s permanent collection of classical art. The Met, Campbell said, was a museum for timeless works, not just modern art. He cited the words of expatriate writer Gertrude Stein, who was a friend of Picasso and donated a linchpin painting. She said the museum lends to art “a measure of immortality.” And in a quick jab to critics who might call the show a “cynical move that we would exploit our own collections in order to have a cheap exhibition,” Tinterow pointed to the depth of new research this show demanded. Picasso, Tinterow said, was a “subject here in house that could be profitably exploited-exploited, that is, for scholarly reasons.” — Reuters

These undated pictures provided by the Metropolitan Museum of Art show Pablo Picasso’s painting ‘The Blind Man’s Meal,’ (left) next to an X-radiograph of the painting. — AP

Expedition recreates ‘Bounty’ chronicle

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A visitor stands amid the installation ‘Balloon’ (2010) by German artist Katrin Meyer during a press preview of the ‘Art Cologne’ art fair yesterday in Cologne, western Germany. The 44th ‘Art Cologne’ taking place from today toApril 25, 2010 will showcase 180 modern, post-war and contemporary galleries. — AFP photos

A sculpture

by German artist Jochem Hendricks is on display.

our adventurers set sail in an open boat from Tonga in a bid to re-enact the epic 4,400-mile (7,040 kilometer) survival voyage of Captain William Bligh of HMS Bounty fame when he was cast adrift by mutineers in 1789. Bligh, widely acknowledged as an expert seaman, sailed a 45foot (14 meter) open longboat with 18 crew from near Tonga to West Timor in 48 days, surviving partly by catching fish and seabirds and drinking rain water. The feat - achieved without charts or compass - has been portrayed in novels, poems and in several “Mutiny on the Bounty” films starring Hollywood luminaries such as Clark Gable, Marlon Brando, Charles Laughton, and Anthony Hopkins.

The new expedition is sailing in a 25-foot (7meter) open deck boat, the Talisker Bounty, which sports two small sails. The team expects to take seven weeks to cover the distance. Led by Australian Don McIntyre, the expedition includes experienced Antarctic sailor David Bryce from Australia, Hong Kong businessman David Wilkinson and 18-year-old Briton Christopher Wilde.

“It is going to be really an adventure,” McIntyre told reporters as they set sail late Monday for open sea near Tonga’s Ha’apai group of islands. “Our boat is half the size of Bligh’s boat, so the challenge is trying to survive on board. Our biggest fear is capsizing.” On April 28, the crew expects to be at the location of the mutiny to mark its 221st anniversary before striking out on their journey across the South Pacific to Timor. The boat will head west to Fiji, Vanuatu, and then to Restoration Island, before sailing north inside Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to Thursday Island and through the Torres Strait to West Timor.

McIntyre said the group is trying to get close to what Bligh encountered by taking with them

In this photo taken Monday, April 19, 2010, people gather on a dock to farewell the boat crew of Don McIntyre (right) David Bryce, (second left) David Wilkinson (second right) and Christopher Wilde, as they set sail in their 25-foot (7-meter) open deck boat from Nuku’alofa, Tonga. — AP only what he had on board in 1789. Like Bligh, the crew has no modern navigational equipment such as charts, compass or lights. The team will film their re-enactment of Bligh’s saga of survival for a documentary. The mutineers, led by Fletcher Christian, eventually settled on Pitcairn

Island, where they burned Bligh’s ship, the Bounty, sinking its hull so they could not be found. About 50 of their descendants still live on the remote island, now overseen by Britain, which governs it as its last remaining territory in the Pacific. — AP

Landmark anniversary for Brasilia saddens architect Gallery employee Phillip Baumann looks through an untitled sculpture

by German artist Heinz Mack.

A visitor stands amid the installation ‘Ball’ (2008) by Rene Wirth.

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razil’s futuristic capital Brasilia celebrates its 50th anniversary today, but the architect behind many of its grandiose concrete buildings says he is sad the city fell short of his egalitarian vision. “Brasilia has changed a lot” from the original “well thought-out” conception, said Oscar Niemeyer, who at 102 years is still drafting and imagining projects in his office in the onetime capital Rio de Janeiro.

Overpopulation, Brazil’s enthusiastic adoption of consumerism, and the resulting vast gap between the well-paid public service elite and the struggling service workers catering to them have undermined the hopes Niemeyer, a fierce communist, once had for Brasilia. “The deep social divisions present in the new capital leave me sad,” he said.

Laid out in the form of an airplane (with the government’s executive buildings constituting the “cockpit” and offices and residences stretching out into the “wings”), Brasilia today elicits both wonder and unease in visitors.

It resembles a retro-future scene straight from “The Jetsons” or a Jacques Tati film, with UFO-looking domes, ministries atop square ponds, elegant spires and blocky offices deployed

along improbably broad avenues where Brazil’s normally vibrant flora has been all but razed to fit the rigid, clean lines and vast empty spaces. But it also reveals the fatal flaw in its designers’ plan: the overpopulation of a city originally built for 600,000 residents which today is home to more than four times that, 2.6 million people.

That means frustrating peakhour traffic jams and cars parked egregiously along curbs, pedestrians risking their lives crossing roads not meant for pedestrian passage and restaurants and shops located inside locales devoid of charm. “It’s obvious that I understand the problems derive from a metropolis that has grown and that unfortunately reflects the capitalist regime with all its vices and injustices,” Niemeyer said.

Thought up in the 1950s as a symbol of Brazil’s aspirations of federal unity and national integration, planning of the city in the unpopulated center of Brazil was handed over to Niemeyer, the late urban planner Lucio Costa, and landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, who vowed to build a different sort of capital.

They succeeded to such a point that Russian cosmonaut

Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer looks at the model used for the construction of Brasilia in the late 1950’s. — AFP Yuri Gagarin exclaimed on a visit in 1961: “I feel like I’ve stepped onto another planet, not Earth.”

Niemeyer, in his fragile old age, was unable to travel to Brasilia to attend ceremonies marking the half-century anniversary of the city he helped bring into the world. His fear of flying, and the impossibility of him making the

1,400 kilometer (840-mile) car journey to the capital, meant he would watch the celebrations on television, he told AFP in an email interview. He said staying home would also allow him the time to work on his next jobs, including designing a football stadium “of a rather surprising form.” — AFP

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Brooks & Dunn’s ‘Last Rodeo’ sees many stars shine on stage t was a night filled with laughter and song as country music’s biggest stars turned out to salute Brooks & Dunn during the taping of “ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn - The Last Rodeo” at the MGM Grand. Stars like George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood surprised Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn on Monday with renditions of their favorite hits, relayed their fondest memories and even played practical jokes on the groundbreaking duo, who are counting down the days until their final performance together after two decades. “Twenty years,” Taylor Swift joked, “to me that’s like a lifetime.” Swift surprised Dunn with a video that showed him doing an imitation of the 20year-old sensation’s trademark head shake.

“You had no idea how important that moment is because in 20 years that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him mess his hair up,” Brooks told Swift. Faith Hill remembered the group as country’s biggest practical jokers, telling a story from an early 1990s tour on which she opened for the duo. She turned in late one night in her hotel room and got an unwelcome surprise. “I pulled back my covers, tucked myself in bed and there it was: a slimy eel thawing out in my sheets,” Hill said. She sang a poignant rendition of “The Long Goodbye,” then left the stage. A moment later two waiters appeared with takeout boxes for the duo, who sat on stage during the taping.

“Oh, it’s eel from Faith,” Brooks said before popping a piece in his mouth. Dunn quipped: “I’ll save mine.” The fun will soon be ending for Brooks & Dunn, who are touring through the summer and will play their final concert on Aug 10 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Brad Paisley told the story of how they were solo artists until Tim DuBois at Arista Nashville came up with the idea to put them together, and told them to go write a song and see what happens. Brooks later said they came up with “Brand New Man” and “My Next Broken Heart,” a song played by Paisley, on con-

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Jennifer Hudson performs.

Taylor Swift performs.

Artists gather on stage during the finale of the Brooks & Dunn ‘The Last Rodeo’ tribute concert on Monday, April 19, 2010, in Las Vegas. (From left) Ronnie Dunn, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Jennifer Nettles and Taylor Swift. — AP photos

Kix Brooks accepts the ACM Milestone Award.

secutive days, and the partnership was sealed.

“Tim introduced us over an enchilada on a Tuesday morning,” Brooks told the crowd.

“He said, ‘I don’t need a boy singer, I’ve got Alan Jackson.”‘ Brooks & Dunn released their first record, “Brand New Man,” in 1991 and went on to become country music’s top-selling duo with more than 30 million albums sold and 23 No 1 hits.

They also served as role models and springboards for dozens of acts who followed, taking new singers and groups on tour with them. Each of the 16 performing acts got to choose a meaningful tune to play during the show, which will air May 23 on CBS. Strait received a standing ovation before playing “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” “People ask me all the time who I listen to, and I answer with three simple words: ‘Brooks and Dunn,”‘ Strait said. The night was filled with great performances. Lady Antebellum singers Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley coaxed Dunn and Reba McEntire on stage for “If You See Him/If You See He.” Chesney got them to

sing along on “You’re Going to Miss Me When I’m Gone.”

Miranda Lambert chose “Hillbilly Deluxe,” she said, “because it rocks.” And Underwood sang “Neon Moon” the night after making history with her second entertainer of the year win at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

The night’s most poignant moment came after poet Maya Angelou hailed them in a video address. “In their whole body of work, they’ve shown how much they care about the human condition,” she said. Singer Jennifer Hudson then performed a show-stopping version of “Believe,” reducing Hill and other members of the audience to tears. “Girl, have you heard you?” Brooks asked the singer.

Longtime friend McEntire wowed the duo with “Indian Summer” and Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Sugarland said they chose “Red Dirt Road” because they write their own material and wanted to pick a song that Brooks & Dunn penned themselves. —AP

Miranda Cosgrove is seen on stage.

Clash duo, Gorillaz bring down curtain on Coachella he Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival ended its 11th year on a playful note Sunday as former Clash members Mick Jones and Paul Simonon joined headliners Gorillaz to wrap up a day that also saw the welcome return of reunited indie-rock heroes Pavement. In the past, Gorillaz have come off as a musical cartoon, the artists behind the curtain while video images fit for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim hour would fill screens. But this time, the group was out front and with friends that also included Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea, soul legend Bobby Womack and ‘90s rap-pop group De L a Soul, which had performed earlier in the day on the same main stage.

Frontman Damon Albarn of Blur was in high spirits as the material ran from novelty dance-club fun to a bit more serious pondering. Womack turned up

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for “Stylo,” off the group’s latest release, “Plastic Beach,” and also at set’s end for an acoustic “Cloud of Unknowing.” The group also offered the album’s title track, which lifts from “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” the legendary pre-rap jazz poem by another Coachella weekend performer, Gil-Scott Heron, and De L a Soul joined in on “Feel Good Inc”. There still was plenty of video imagery and sonic tricks, but the band showed it can work as a genuine live act, more party-minded than wowing, yet capturing the feel of much of Sunday in particular at the festival.

Debuting his new solo-oriented band Atoms for Peace, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke drew an audience as massive as any of the previous days’ top acts, delivering numbers from his 2006 solo album, “The Eraser.” Most of the material was off-center, rhythmic and

probing, though anchored by his piano or guitar. He dedicated the song “Atoms for Peace” to Pavement and also offered versions of Radiohead’s “Everything in Its Right Place” and an acoustic take on “Airbag.”

Pavement, reunited after a decade apart, are still a bunch of regular guys-no star turns here, thank you. The superb hour-plus set included such still-winning tunes as “Shady Lane,” “Summer Babe” and “Cut Your Hair,” hook-enriched and bolstered by guitar workouts. The tragedy is that Pavement was ahead of the radio-programming learning curve and never received the airplay garnered by those that followed. The band was focused and tight but might have even come off stronger on a smaller stage or even in one of the tents.

French band Phoenix, looking as though it’s surely the next big thing,

Damon Albarn of Gorillaz (center) performs during the band’s headlining set on the final day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indi, California. — AP

drew an enthusiastic audience that included Jay-Z and wife Beyonce with entourage. The group’s surging powerpop is uplifting, and the masses filled half the Empire Polo Field for one of the weekend’s largest crowds. In the Mojave Tent, the Strokes’ Julian Casablancas was very rock star, holding court as fans packed in and chanted his name before he took the stage. In the midafternoon, Mute Math’s electronic-dapped rock held sway as well. An expected earlyevening performance by Sly Stone was delayed, and he didn’t appear until much later that night. The set was said to be chaotic, though some raved about seeing the soul music icon. Other standouts in the tent included the R&B shots of Florence and the Machine, and the quite-inviting pop blend of Mayer Hawthorne and the County, all in suits despite the desert heat. — Reuters

Aziz Ansari to host 19th VH1 tones down sleaze factor annual MTV Movie Awards A ziz Ansari says he’s preparing to host his first awards show, the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, by stalking veteran Oscar host Billy Crystal. “I’m outside of his house right now,” Ansari joked by phone Monday. “I’ve just kind of been watching Crystal from afar, outside his property.” MTV said Ansari, the 27year-old star of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” will host the awards on June 6. Network general manager Stephen Friedman said viewers loved Ansari on “Human Giant,” the sketch comedy show he created, which ran on MTV for two seasons in 2007 and 2008.

Friedman called Ansari the perfect host for “the movie

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industry’s most rebellious night on television.” The MTV Movie Awards honor the year’s best films in categories including best kiss, best fight and best global superstar.

“It’s a cool job for me because it allows me to do a lot of things I enjoy doing,” Ansari said. “With the monologue, I get to use my standup skill, and I love making short films and stuff, and that’s another thing the host gets to do.” The actor-comedian said he consulted his friends and past MTV Movie Awards hosts Sarah Silverman, Andy Samberg and Ben Stiller for advice. —AP

Taiwan singing sensation returns after losing contest A

Scottish singer and songwriter Amy Macdonald poses for photographers before a concert in Cologne, western Germany, on April 19, 2010. — AFP

Taiwan Internet singing sensation, whose voice has been compared with Whitney Houston’s and his sudden fame to Susan Boyle’s, reappeared on a local TV show that once eliminated him, his agent said on Monday. Chubby 24-year-old Lin Yu-chun returned to the Taiwan television talent show “Super Star Avenue” as a guest performer after being eliminated just over a week ago from a singing contest despite 5 million Internet hits. Videos of Lin crooning a pitch-perfect rendition of Whitney Houston’s 1992 “I Will Always Love You”

in a bowtie and bowl haircut travelled the world, making him an overnight celebrity.

“At the last final round he got some exposure,” said Stella Deng, manager of A-list Entertainment, Lin’s agent. “The next time is just a performance, not a contest. His fame may have topped off but will probably not decline.” Lin’s quick rise to international fame has earned him comparisons with Susan Boyle, a best-selling singer who unexpectedly became a superstar after her show-stopping performance on the “Britain’s Got Talent” TV program. —Reuters

s it begins its annual courtship ritual with the advertising community, VH1’s deportment is decidedly more understated than it has been in years past. Gone are the tawdry trappings of “Flavor of Love” and its innumerable libidinous offspring. Stalled out at a rest stop, the “Rock of Love” bus may have taken its last venereal voyage. The “Tool Academy” has lost its accreditation.

While VH1 hasn’t fallen out of love with irreverence, it’s also no longer in the business of facilitating glam-rocker Bret Michaels’ sexual conquests.

Instead, the Viacom-owned network is lining up a slate of unscripted series designed to reflect the concerns of its core demographic more faithfully. “As much as they’ve enjoyed the ‘Love’ franchise, our audience was getting a little fatigued by all those manufactured reality shows,” said Tom Calderone, president, VH1. “They want more authenticity in their reality, which isn’t to say that it can’t be comedic and light.”

To that end, VH1 is unveiling the most comprehensive lineup of original programming in its 25-year history.

Before the year is out, the network will introduce 44 new series, each of which will align with one of three genres: music, celebrity and “real life stories.”

Upcoming series launches include

“You’re Cut Off!” (June 14), a rehab of sorts for nine spoiled party girls; and “Money Hungry” (summer), a weightloss competition in which contestants risk losing $10,000 of their own cash if they don’t reduce their caloric intake.

Music-themed programming will account for 40% of VH1’s overall schedule. In conjunction with the release of her fourth studio album, “Bionic,” the network on June 13 will fete Christina Aguilera with all-new episodes of “Behind the Music” and “Storytellers.”

The new programming reflects VH1’s commitment to its “Gen Mix” audience, a demo composed of younger Gen Xers and older Millennials. Ranging between 25 and 34 years of age, the Gen Mix crowd is particularly attuned to celebrity-so much so that endorsements from actors and musicians are as influential as recommendations from friends and family.

On April 11, VH1 offered a preview of its more sober new celeb/music direction, premiering “What Chilli Wants,” starring 39-year-old TLC singer Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas; the practically demure launch drew 1.63 million viewers. “A lot of their new stuff should be an easier fit,” said one national TV buyer who had steered clear from some of the more outrageous VH1 fare. “But we don’t want to lose sight of (ratings) deliveries, either.” — Reuters

SPECTRUM

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

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Sri Lanka to host ‘Bollywood Oscars’ ri Lanka will host top Indian movie stars for the annual “Bollywood Oscars” weekend showcasing one of the world’s most ambitious and prolific film industries, officials said yesterday.

The three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) event from June 3-5 will feature premieres, celebrity parties, fashion shows and a Twenty20 cricket match. It will culminate in the glittering 11th annual awards ceremony in Colombo’s biggest sports stadium, which organizers say will be attended by 500 guests and watched by 600 million TV viewers in 110 nations.

“This is a very rare and wonderful opportunity for Sri Lanka. Thanks to the prevailing peace, Sri Lanka has received international recognition,” Duleep Mudadeniya, who heads the tourism bureau, told reporters.

Celebrities expected to attend include famous Indian acting dynasty the Bachchans-father Amitabh, son Abhishek and his wife, former Miss World Aishwarya Rai. IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan said he hoped the decision to bring

S Indian Bollywood actor and International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan poses with traditional Sri Lankan dancers at a press conference in Colombo yesterday.

— AFP

the event to Colombo-which comes after the end of the island’s long civil war last year-would encourage collaboration. “It is not purely about films, it is also about business networking and cross-cultural exchange. It is like a combination of Cannes and the Oscars,” Bachchan told reporters in Colombo.

The awards, first staged in 2000, are held outside India every year in an effort to increase the international profile of Bollywood films.

After the first IIFA awards in London, Hindi cinema ticket sales grew 35 percent in Britain over the following six months, organizers said.

Other sites have included Macau, Johannesburg and Amsterdam.

Bachchan said previous cities that hosted the event had since become popular sites for Indian films. “The potential to film in this part of the world (Sri Lanka) remains untapped, and this could change after IIFA,” Bachchan said. India’s production houses churn out about 1,000 new releases a year for enormous audience at home. Nearly half of the new movies are shot abroad. — AFP

Grand ‘Burnt’ sequel divides critics at Russian premiere ight years in the making, with a cast of thousands, the sequel to one of the most acclaimed Russian films of the 1990s opens this week, amid both praise and accusations of egomania. Nikita Mikhalkov, the actor-director who won an Oscar for his historical drama “Burnt by the Sun” in 1995, spent eight years working on a sequel, whose budget of at least 42 million dollars is a record for Russian cinema. Mikhalkov is a controversial figure in Russia, accused of seizing every opportunity to curry favor with the Kremlin and dominating the Russian filmmaking scene.

Nonetheless, “Burnt by the Sun 2” has been selected to show in competition at this year’s Cannes festival.

While the first “Burnt” film was set in the country house of a top Soviet official during Stalin’s purges of the 1930s, the action-packed sequel follows the same characters through World War II trenches, evacuation and Nazi-occupied territory.

Thousands of guests queued to attend the film’s premiere Saturday in the Kremlin, including top political figures such as nationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky-but not Prime

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Minister Vladimir Putin, who is said to be a close friend of Mikhalkov.

Many critics slammed the film, which opens across Russia on Thursday, as overblown and unstructured.

“This ‘great cinema’ turned out to be the biggest fraud in the history of Russian filmmaking,” Ksenya Larina said in a review for Echo of Moscow radio, blaming “the huge, inhuman ego of Nikita Mikhalkov.” “Over three hours, the viewer learns no more of the plot than from a two-minute trailer,” the popular daily Moskovsky Komsomolets complained, calling the film “a collection of separate episodes about the war.”

The suave moustachioed director, 64, is a household name in Russia known for film work dating back to the 1960s. But his image as a wealthy member of a privileged elite with close ties both to the Kremlin and the Soviet-era Commmunist Party grates with many. His father, Sergei Mikhalkov, was a poet and author of the Stalin-era Soviet national anthem.

He later rewrote the words in the Putin era.

While Putin was president, Nikita Mikhalkov made a television film for

ong Kong’s beleaguered film industry was a global powerhouse just two decades ago, pumping out 300 movies a year and boasting a fan base that stretched across Asia. Led by up-andcoming action stars Jackie

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Hong Kong’s stressed film sector hopes for rebirth

Taiwan actress Kelly Lin poses on the red carpet of the Hong Kong Film Awards in Hong Kong. — AP

Chan and Chow Yun-fat along with director John Woo, the city’s film sector was among the world’s most prolific by the late eighties, trailing only Hollywood and Bollywood.

Woo-whose later directorial credits include “Face/Off” and “Mission: Impossible II”-won acclaim for his gritty 1992 cop thriller “Hard Boiled”, which became synonymous with the wildly popular Hong Kong action genre. “That’s when Hong Kong film was in its golden age,” said director Mabel Cheung, who jointly produced the drama “Echoes of the Rainbow”, which won the Berlin International Film Festival’s Crystal Bear Award in February.

“There was a big market for Hong Kong films with all of these big names back then who were just starting. It was a very exciting time.” As the Hong Kong Film Awards drew to a close Sunday night, Cheung and others said they hoped the hard-hit sector would enjoy a revival by tapping the mainland Chinese market.

The industry’s swift and brutal fall from grace came as Hollywood lured away Woo and other film giants, moviegoers at home and abroad grew tired of the city’s formulaic action plots, and illicit piracy hammered profits.

Some of Hong Kong’s traditional markets, including Taiwan, Korea and Malaysia, also began developing their own cinema sectors, another blow to its oncemighty film industry, which splashed onto the international scene in the early seventies with late Kung Fu legend Bruce Lee’s martial arts blockbusters. By 2003, the sector was a shell of its former self with spiraling box office receipts and producing just 55 films a year.

his birthday and signed an open letter calling for him to serve a third presidential term. He has numerous official positions, serving as a cinema advisor for the Russian government and on the board of the trustees of the federal film-funding agency, as well as heading the Russian Filmmakers’ Union. His latest film’s tagline, “Great cinema about a great war,” prompted widespread mockery from bloggers.

Switching between 1941 and 1943, the film features a cold-blooded secret police agent who is attempting to track down a jailed Red Army colonel who managed to escape a Gulag camp at the start of the war.

The film also features brief scenes showing a heavily-accented, pipesmoking Stalin. Mikhalkov has said the film cost about 42 million dollars to make, although some reports have put its budget as high as 55 million dollars. It is unclear how much of this was state funding.

“Without making films in what I call a grand style, we cannot be a world power in cinema,” Mikhalkov told state television on Saturday. At the premiere, Mikhalkov said he

“Audiences got tired of the same film over and over again,” Cheung said. “They demanded new ideas. For a while, Hong Kong films lost direction.” Now there are early signs Hong Kong’s film sector may claw back some of its former glory with a new generation of directors eager to make a name for themselves, experts said.

“There is new blood pumping into an old industry and there is a general trend worldwide that people want to see local films,” said Jacob Wong, curator of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. The number of Hong Kong productions-estimated to contribute about 4.25 billion US dollars annually to the local economy-has been rising in recent years and the government is pouring money into a film development fund. “That’s how ‘Echoes of the Rainbow’ got made,” Cheung said, referring to the fund.

“Otherwise, it might not have seen the light of day.” Hong Kong’s stylistic filmmaking still holds wide appeal, Wong said, pointing to American director Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning 2006 film “The Departed”, which was a remake of the 2002 hit “Infernal Affairs”.

Another homegrown success story, “Bodyguards and Assassins”, was one of the best-selling movies on the Chinese mainland last year, he said. “It’s not a watershed, although it marks a turning point,” Wong added. Still, the industry’s future success depends largely on whether it can become a major player in the fast-growing mainland Chinese market, observers said.

“The (industry) is coming back because of the huge market in China,” said Brian Chung, chief executive of the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association. “There are maybe 5,000 movie screens in China right now. In five years, there will be 10,000. More screens means more money.” Hong Kong directors, who are already accustomed to tailoring films to different markets, have an edge over mainland producers, who often have a less international outlook, and are familiar with Chinese audiences’ tastes, Chung said. “The advantage Hong Kong directors have is that they can make a commercial film better than a director in China,” he told AFP. “The Chinese director treats the work as art, but the Hong Kong director will think of the film as a product suitable for the market.” There is also room for the Hong Kong and mainland film sectors to join forces with coproductions such as 2008 historical war epic “Red Cliff”, which smashed Chinese box-office records, observers said. —AFP

This undated photo obtained yesterday shows Nikita Mikhalkov holding a weapon on the set of his movie “Burnt by the Sun 2” during the production of the film in an unknown location. — AFP

wanted the film to remind the audience of how lucky they were to be alive. “We would like people who are coming out of the auditorium... to take a breath and understand what happiness it is that we can simply breathe the air,” he said. The film won praise from critics for a scene showing an elite Kremlin regiment joining a bedraggled group of ex-prisoners in snow-covered trenches.

“What am I going to do with your elite? We’ve got a war going on here,” a bluntly-spoken commander, played

by Yevgeny Mironov, complains. Later Mironov’s character addresses a passionate tirade at “Comrade Stalin.”

“Does anyone in the Kremlin understand how to beat the Germans?” he shouts despairingly. The Afisha entertainment magazine praised the scene as “powerfully done.” But other critics decried barnstorming scenes for lurid details and poor taste-particularly scenes showing a Nazi pilot trying to defecate onto a Red Cross ship and a Soviet nurse being asked to flash her breasts by a dying soldier. The scenes prompted “laughter in the auditorium,” Moskovsky Komsomolets wrote. — AFP

Zee Aflam brings Bollywood home hat’s better on a Thursday night than seeing your favourite actor or actress in a hit movie? Watching them two times in a row, of course! Every Thursday at 17:00 KSA and 18:00 UAE for the entire month of May, Zee Aflam brings viewers ‘Double the fun’ movie night, when they can enjoy back-to-back movie entertainment with their favourite stars.

The channel will air some of the best movies of Shahid Kapoor, Ayesha Takia, Bobby Deol and Katrina Kaif. Shahid Kapoor is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films as well as a trained dancer. Starting off his career by working in music videos and advertisements, Kapoor made his Bollywood debut as a background dancer in 1999.

Four years later, he made his debut as a lead in Ishq Vishk (2003) and won a Filmfare Best Male Debut Award for his performance. Following through with acclaimed performances in films like Fida (2004) and Shikhar (2005), he had his first commercial success with Sooraj R Barjatya’s Vivah (2006) a film depicting the journey of two individuals from engagement to marriage. Co-starring alongside Amrita Rao, the film was received favorably by most critics and became one of the highest grossing films of the year as well as Kapoor’s second biggest commercial success to date. Zee Aflam will be airing Kapoor’s Vivah as well as Vaah Life Ho Toh Aisi this month.

Ayesha Takia is an Indian actress who mainly appears in Bollywood films. Takia was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra to a Gujarati father, and an Anglo-Indian (half British and half Marathi) mother.

Takia started her career with commercials and music videos when she was fifteen, which brought her to the attention of the movie industry, and a few film offers followed. She signed a contract for Socha Na Tha. However, there were delays in making Socha Na Tha so Taarzan released first and was therefore her “debut” film. She won the Filmfare Best Debut Award in 2004 for her performance in Taarzan: The Wonder Car which is being aired on Zee Aflam this month along with her movie Sunday.

Bobby Deol was born into an acting family and is the son of the acclaimed Bollywood actor Dharmendra and the brother of Sunny Deol, also a successful actor in the Mumbai based Indian film industry. Deol has been featured mostly in thriller films, often playing wealthy but vulnerable middle class characters, affected by the corrupt establishment and women and often propelled into crime to avenge the deaths of loved ones. His films commonly involve themes of jealousy, deceit and revenge

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and in his more romantic thrillers often involve him caught in love triangles.

Deol was awarded the Filmfare Best Debut Award for his role in the 1995 film Barsaat and was later nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance in Humraaz in 2002. Aee Aflam will be airing Deol’s Chor Machaye Shor and Gupt this month.

Katrina Kaif is a British Indian actress and model who has appeared in Bollywood, Telugu and Malayalam films. Born in Hong Kong, she was raised in Hawaii, United States and later moved to her mother’s home country, England. At the age of fourteen she was approached by an agent and she began modeling and even walked on the London Fashion Week.

Kaif’s London modeling-work led her to discover by Londonbased filmmaker Kaizad Gustad, who gave her a part in his film Boom (2003). She moved to Mumbai and was offered a number of modeling assignments. Kaif saw success with the 2005 film Sarkar where she played the bit part of Abhishek Bachchan’s girlfriend. Her next release, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005), where she was paired opposite Salman Khan, earned her the Stardust Breakthrough Performance Award.

Kaif ’s first release for 2009, New York, with John Abraham was a critical and commercial success. Kaif’s performance was highly appreciated with the critic Taran Adarsh writing, “Katrina gives you the biggest surprise. Known for her glamour roles, Katrina proves that she can deliver if the director and writer offer her a role of substance. She’s outstanding. In fact, people will see a new, different Katrina this time.” In the year 2010, she is set to appear in the multi starrer film

Raajneeti that opens in June. She is currently filming for Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan along with Akshay Kumar, which is set to release in December 2010. Zee Aflam will be airing Katrina’s Yuvvraaj and Race this month.

Katrina Kaif

www.kuwaittimes.net

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rench Fashion University Esmod - Dubai, the leading fashion institution in the Middle East, is currently hosting renowned French fashion designer Alain Germain, who is engaging the students in a unique project that involves the creation of dresses inspired by illustrious 20th century artists. Select paintings of Picasso and other famous painters will be used by students as themes to create garments, which will also depict the cultural diversity of the 47 different nationalities at the University.

Germain is known for his distinctive costume designs that are inspired by simple objects, household articles and paintings, which is a novel design concept for fashion students in the region. Last year Germain collaborated with Esmod Dubai for an ‘object costume’ exhibition where students had to create garments and stage costumes made up of common objects such as paper, glasses, plastic cups, ceramic plates, kitchen objects and even shoes.

“Fashion designing is all about creative expression and I believe that thinking out of the box opens unlimited opportunities for young fashion designers. This is my second visit to Esmod Dubai and I am impressed with the talent, creativity and enthusiasm of the students here. The University is offering them the right platform to nurture their skill and understand the nuances of the ever-evolving fashion industry,” said Germain.

Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder, FFUE, said, “Having world-renowned fashion designers such as Alain Germain closely interact with our students has tremendously benefited them as it has widened their perspective about fashion designing. Our underlining goal of exposing our students to works of international designers is to make them eventually stand out with their own distinct creations. I believe the most important thing that they would have learnt from Alain Germain is how one can create brilliant designs by creatively using simple, everyday objects.”

French Fashion University Esmod - Dubai is one of 21 fashion schools under the umbrella of Esmod International Fashion University Group, the world’s first and oldest fashion design school. Esmod Dubai offers a three-year diploma program equivalent to a BA degree; publiclyaccessible short programs and customized short courses in make-up and fashion.

Manohara Odelia Pinot, 18, known throughout Indonesia as Manohara, is an Indonesian-American teen model and socialite who says she was tortured and beaten by her husband, a royal prince of Malaysia. — MCT

A fairy tale gone wrong T

he beautiful young socialite slipped the businessman a note scrawled in eyeliner on a crumpled napkin. “Help me,” it pleaded. She was a teenage Indonesian model who had married a Malaysian prince, but Manohara Odelia Pinot says her life with him was no fairy tale. Press accounts of her allegations of abuse and tales of her escape from an unhappy marriage have captivated this country - and further divided two nations that have long been Southeast Asian rivals.

Known across Indonesia by her first name, which means “thief of hearts” in Sanskrit, Manohara is viewed as a tragic heroine mistreated by an obsessed suitor who became outraged when she would not yield to his demands. In Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, she’s dismissed as a lying gold-digger under the control of a vindictive mother. For nine months, the 18-year-old alleges, she was held captive inside the estate of Prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra. Grabbing headlines in the Jakarta Globe and other media outlets, she alleged that he cut her with a razor and ordered his doctor to inject her with a tranquilizer before raping her.

“Imagine someone doing something like that to you and you are unable to move - you can’t do anything about it,” she says softly, her eyes tearing. “It was torture, mentally and physically.” Fakhry did not respond to interview requests. But he sued his wife and her mother, Daisy Fajarina, for defamation last summer, and in March, a Malaysian civil court awarded Fakhry a $1.8 million judgment.

Truth is out there

Models display creations by young designer Takahiro Kawamura.

A model displays a creation by young designers Yohei Onuki and Natsuki Arai during the So-en fashion contest at the Bunka fashion college in Tokyo yesterday.

— AFP photos

A model displays a creation by Tomoyuki Mizuno.

A model displays a creation

by Toshiko Imoto.

Models display creations

by Ayumi Mitsukane and Rie Hosokai.

Models display creations

by Mami Nishikado.

Haaziq Pillay, Fakhry’s lawyer, says the prince disputed every one of Manohara’s claims and questions why she avoided the Malaysian court proceedings. “From rape to cutting her with a razor to injecting her - these are only things a monster would do, a psychopath,” Pillay says. “My client wants the truth to come out. “She said she was afraid of the security, but this isn’t a cowboy society,” he says. “People don’t get abducted in the streets here.”

Manohara insists she will never pay the prince a penny and challenges him to file a second civil lawsuit in Jakarta, where she insists he’d receive a less positive reception. She’s also filed a police report - for alleged domestic violence - and warns that Fakhry will be arrested the moment he sets foot in Indonesia. Even before her marriage into Malaysian royalty, Manohara was considered a rare gem here and was named one of “Indonesia’s 100 Most Precious Women” by Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia magazine. Now, capitalizing on a saga that has obsessed Indonesians much like Tiger Woods’ fall from grace in the US, Manohara stars in a popular TV show about a young wife abused by her philandering husband and demands high fees for speaking engagements. Many viewers simply cannot keep their eyes off the young model, born to an American father and Indonesian mother, who has become a cat-eyed Paris Hilton of Indonesia. A full half-hour documentary of her alleged travails has aired repeatedly on Jakarta television, “at times almost a continuous loop,” according to the Asia Sentinel newspaper.

‘They view her like Princess Diana’ But not everyone is captivated. The Malaysian businessman who was slipped Manohara’s letter pleading for help says the 32-year-old prince, a thin man with deeply set dark eyes, wants his wife back and is pursuing the case against his family’s wishes. He is convinced that once he has Manohara back, he can persuade her to silence her criticism and resume their marriage, the businessman said.

“I have never seen a man so obsessed with a woman,” says Dato Kadar Shah, who was asked by government officials to help solve the matter. “The people in his province also love her. They view her like Princess Diana. He needs her back for his credibility.”

Manohara was just 14 when she met her prince.

Fakhry, the son of the monarch of one of Malaysia’s nine regional sultanates, approached the girl at a party in Jakarta where she sat with her older sister.

Within days, Manohara says now, she didn’t even recall him. But Fakhry remembered her. “You have two lovely daughters,” Fajarina recalled him telling her. “I would like to keep in touch with them.”

For years, the prince met with Manohara, with Fajarina always by her side. But on one cruise, Manohara alleged in a story in the Jakarta Globe, Fakhry raped her while her mother was in an adjoining cabin. Manohara, who was 16 then, didn’t tell her mother what happened. “I was in denial,” she says. “I knew if I changed my behavior, my mom would find out. I was embarrassed.”

Her mother admits she was blind to the

prince’s obsession. “I didn’t see the signs,” she says. “I thought he was charming.” Then in August 2008, the prince’s mother announced that her son was in love with Manohara and that the couple would marry immediately. Manohara says an aide to the royal family convinced her to go through with the ceremony to keep the peace. After that, she says, he told her she could return to Jakarta. “I kept saying ‘no, no, no,’ “ Manohara recalled. The teen acknowledges that she married Fakhry, but insists that she said nothing at the ceremony and signed no papers. Manohara soon returned to Jakarta to pursue her modeling career. But she says Fakhry called to say he felt terrible about the circumstances of the marriage and wanted to apologize.

Razor assault They agreed to meet in Mecca in Saudi Arabia for prayer and pilgrimage. Fajarina accompanied her daughter, but when it came time to fly home, Manohara says, she was spirited into a private jet.

“They left me on the tarmac,” Fajarina recalled.

“She was running after me,” Manohara says. “I could see her from the window.” For the next nine months, she alleges, she was injected with tranquilizers and threatened if she did not appear happy when attending functions with the prince. She claims the prince also cut her chest several times with a razor.

In a news conference last June, she showed photos of the alleged razor wounds taken at the time with a cell phone camera. The wounds are now gone, she said. Pillay dismissed the claims. “If you are cut on the breast, the marks are supposed to be there. Where are the scars?”

Manohara says she was able to keep hidden her BlackBerry and charger. She sent e-mails to her mother, who went to the Indonesian press about her daughter’s allegations. The tabloid press ran with the story. “Fairy tale of a prince and his bride turns to nightmare,” one headline screamed.

“Manohara says she was held as sex slave by her prince,” read another. A Jakarta Post headline trumpeted: “Manohara: I was drugged and abused.” Many Indonesians took to the streets, demanding Manohara’s return. A protest outside the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta turned violent.

Malaysian government officials believe that Indonesians have been stirred up by a sensationalist media.

Still hungry for news “Both governments have taken a stand and said this is a personal matter between husband and wife,” said Eldeen Hussaini, deputy director of bilateral relations between the two nations for the Malaysian Foreign Ministry. But businessman Shah says he was quietly asked to intervene in 2008 by government officials on both sides. He asked to meet with Manohara privately, but Fakhry declined. “I told him I just wanted to ask about the allegations,” he says. “If the girl said she was happy, I was willing to let things be.”

Last May, Fakhry and Manohara traveled to Singapore, where Shah was finally able to meet her. At a restaurant, Manohara slipped him the note. As soon as he left the restaurant, Shah said, he called Fajarina, urging her to rush to Singapore.

She arrived just before her daughter outwitted Fakhry and his phalanx of bodyguards and escaped, according to media reports. The teenager pressed the emergency alarm inside a Singapore hotel elevator, summoning security guards who allowed Manohara to run into the waiting arms of her mother. A spokesman for the US Embassy in Singapore said that Manohara’s mother had contacted officials there before the escape and that they had assisted the teen but did not offer details.

Nearly a year later, Indonesians are still hungry for news on Manohara. “It’s a universal fairy tale, a love story gone wrong. Young, poor girl meets prince. Prince turns into frog in her eyes,” said TV news anchor Dalton Tanonaka. “The truth lies somewhere in the middle, but the story remains great for gossip programs and rumor mills.” The prince is still suffering, Pillay says. “There’s an element of sadness because he truly loves Manohara,” he says. “If I was in his position, I wouldn’t love her anymore. But perhaps the prince thinks she is too young and was brainwashed by her mother.”

For the princess, the ratings for her soap opera remain high, and she’s starting a new cosmetic line. As for love and marriage, Manohara plans to take a time out to heal. She needs to purge the prince from her life, she says. “People want to know about my life,” she says. “They ask, ‘Who is Manohara dating?’ The answer is no one. I’ve got lots of time for that.” — MCT