11 May

ON IP TI SC R SU B

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

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GCC welcomes Jordan, Morocco membership Iran, Yemen and Arab revolts dominate Gulf meet

Kuwait, not Syria, to run for UN body UNITED NATIONS: Under pressure from fellow UN member states, Syria dropped plans to run for a seat on the top UN human rights body and allowed Kuwait to replace it as a candidate, UN diplomats said yesterday. Several UN diplomats told Reuters on condition of anonymity that Kuwait had confirmed to Western officials that it would enter the race for a spot on the 47-nation Human Rights Council in the Asian category. They said that Syria planned to drop out of the race for four spots available to Asian countries. Other candidates in the category are India, Indonesia and the Philippines.

There was no immediate confirmation from Syrian officials. One diplomat told Reuters that an “Asian group meeting will have to be called to confirm these changes.” Another Western diplomat told Reuters that Syria’s withdrawal and Kuwait’s candidacy is “great news”. Kuwait had been slated to be a candidate in 2013. The diplomats said it was unclear whether Syria would take Kuwait’s spot in 2013.

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RIYADH: Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz (right) and Kuwaiti Amir HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah drink coffee during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit yesterday. — AFP

Sons slam Laden’s ‘arbitrary killing’ US to grill widows WASHINGTON: The sons of Osama bin Laden broke their silence yesterday, denouncing his “arbitrary killing” and saying the whole family felt demeaned and humiliated by the father’s burial at sea. In a statement given to the New York Times, the sons asked why their father “was not arrested and tried in a court of law so that the truth is revealed to the people of the world.” Bin Laden was killed by US forces on May 2 after being tracked down to a Pakistani compound where he is believed to have lived for years, despite a massive global hunt for the architect of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks.

The statement denouncing his father’s killing is said to have been prepared at the direction of his son, Omar bin Laden, 30, and also called for the AlQaeda leader’s three wives and children to be released. “We maintain that arbitrary killing is not a solution to political problems,” the statement said, adding

that “justice must be seen to be done.” It also called into question “the propriety of such assassination where not only international law has been blatantly violated.”

Pakistani officials have said three of bin Laden’s wives were recovered from the house in Abbottabad after the raid, all of them Yemeni or Saudi, and 13 of their children. His Yemeni wife, Amal Ahmed Abdulfattah, was shot in the leg during the US Navy SEALs operation in which her husband died. Omar bin Laden, who the Times said was the son of bin Laden and another wife, Najwa bin Laden, condemned the shooting in the statement, which did not name any of his brothers.

“We want to remind the world that Omar bin Laden, the fourth-born son of our father, always disagreed with our father regarding any violence and always sent messages to our father, that Continued on Page 14

RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council yesterday welcomed bids by the kingdoms of Jordan and Morocco to join the six-nation grouping of Gulf Arab monarchies, its secretary general Abdullatif Al-Zayani said. “Leaders of the GCC welcomed the request of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to join the council and instructed the foreign ministers to enter into negotiations to complete the procedures,” Zayani told reporters. He said the same procedure would be followed with Morocco.

His remarks came after a summit in Riyadh of the GCC, which groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The impoverished Arabian Peninsula republic of Yemen has limited observer status in the grouping. Analysts said the unexpected announcement of the request by the two Arab countries may be a sign that Gulf leaders are seeking to cement ties with other monarchies against a wave of popular protests that have swept the Arab world.

“The GCC is increasing its more muscular role in foreign policy ... they are leading the counter revolution and it makes more sense for them to join with other Arab autocracies,” said Shadi Hamid, director of the Brookings Doha Centre. Hamid suggested they might be considering a two-tiered membership system. He and other observers suggested the partnership with the oil exporting region might be an economic boon to the two non-Gulf monarchies which have faced unrest in past few months.

Earlier, an official said the leaders of Gulf monarchies would discuss their tense relations with Iran, a stalled Continued on Page 14

Saadoun, Anjari file to grill PM Assembly passes several laws in first session

By B Izzak KUWAIT: Opposition MPs Ahmad AlSaadoun and Abdulrahman Al-Anjari yesterday filed a request to grill the prime minister over allegations of squandering public funds and irregularities in a number of issues. The grilling was submitted minutes after Prime Minister HH Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and his new Cabinet took the oath to become members of parliament. It also followed a walkout from the session by around 15 MPs as the Cabinet members began taking the oath in protest against the composition of the new government, which is Sheikh Nasser’s seventh in five years.

The grilling took everyone by surprise on two accounts - that it was submitted by MP Saadoun, the head of the Popular Action Bloc, although it had been already announced that it will be KUWAIT: Opposition MP Walid Al-Tabtabaei walks out of a parliament session as Prime Minister submitted by MP Khaled Al-Tahous, HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (right) is about to take the oath at the another member of the bloc.

National Assembly yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat (See Page 2) Continued on Page14

Qataris vote in municipal poll

Man jumps to death from Burj Khalifa DUBAI: An unidentified Asian man jumped to his death yesterday from the 147th floor of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, slamming into a terrace 39 floors below, police said. “The police operations room received a call about a suicide at the Burj Khalifa today, and investigation teams were immediately dispatched,” Dubai police said. He crashed onto the terrace of the 108th floor. Police said the man was employed at a company located in the imposing 828-m building. The National newspaper said on its website that he had asked for a holiday and been denied it.

Local news reports said the man, believed to be in his 30s, became the first to commit suicide from the 160-storey building, which broke engineering and architectural records when it opened in Jan 2010. A high-speed elevator ride to an observation deck at level 124 can cost up to 400 dirhams ($110).

A restaurant - billed as the highest in the world - is located just two floors below. An Emirati, Nasser AlNeyadi, jumped from the building in Jan 2010 to set a sky diving record, according to the owners Emaar Properties.

Emaar said it had recorded an “incident involving a male” at its Burj Khalifa site yesterday morning.

“The concerned authorities have confirmed that it was a suicide and we are awaiting the final report,” the statement said. It gave no further details on the incident. — Agencies

Max 40 Min 28 Low Tide 11:27 High Tide 06:31 & 16:44

HYANNIS, Massachusetts: Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger poses with his bride Maria Shriver following their wedding ceremony in this April 25, 1986 file photo. — AP

Arnie, Shriver announce split LOS ANGELES: It was a storybook marriage in 1986 that united a princess of an American political dynasty, Maria Shriver, and the gap-toothed muscle-clad movie star famous enough to be known by one name, Arnold. In many ways, it was a pairing of opposites: Her uncle was the late US president John F Kennedy; his father

an Austrian policeman. She was the rising star of a network TV news show; he was the pot-puffing star of “Pumping Iron”. He was a Republican with a soft spot for Republican former President Richard Nixon; her family was a pillar in the Democratic Party establishment.

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DOHA: Qataris voted yesterday in elections for the only municipal council in the conservative Gulf nation, which is yet to stage legislative elections promised after a constitution was created in 2005.

Voting began at 8:00 am (0500 GMT) and continued throughout the day as men and women, segregated, quietly cast their ballots at polling stations set up at 29 constituencies across the tiny Gulf emirate. Voting ended at 5:00 pm (1400 GMT) and results were expected to be announced late yesterday. “It’s an unprecedented experience. I’m voting for the first time,” Abdullah Radwani, a 47-year-old government employee told AFP as he left a polling station in the capital Doha. Qataris hope “municipal elections would lead to legislative elections,” Radwani told AFP. A total of 101 candidates, including four women, are vying for 29 council seats which represent the entire country in the election where 32,000 people are eligible to cast ballots. Only one woman served on the outgoing council. Posters of candidates have been on display across Doha, with many carrying promises related to services while ignoring politics. There were no posters of women

candidates. The contenders are also using the Internet and Facebook to post their manifestos.

A voter, who identified herself only as Maitha, said: “It’s a big day and we are proving that women and men are working together to serve the country.”

Ibrahim Al-Bakir, an engineer in his 50s, demanded extending the powers of the council so it could “make decisions on the country ’s projects and all of its affairs”. “We came here to prove that this (voting) is our right and we are practising it, but we hope for more,” said Bakir. “We hope this will be a step towards an elected Shura (Consultative) Council. We will continue to demand an elected Consultative Council that would represent the people’s will. The Consultative Council must also have the powers to fulfill the needs for achieving democracy.”

Qatar has a population of about 1.7 million, but nationals are estimated at over 200,000 people. Foreigners, lured by work opportunities created by the fast economic growth of the energy-rich nation, represent the majority. In June 2005, Qatar signed into effect a constitution for the first time since independence Continued on Page 14

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In My View

Underdevelopment and state of the nation

Fouad Al-Obaid

fouad@kuwaittimes.net Twitter: @Fouadalobaid

KUWAIT: Newly-reappointed Kuwaiti Prime Minister HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah takes the oath of office during the parliament session yesterday. (Right) Msallam Al-Barrak speaks during a parliament session at the National Assembly yesterday.

— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Prime minister urges all parties to act responsibly Avoid ‘political fatigue’ KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah yesterday urged all political stakeholders to exert efforts to resolve differences and get the country out of what he termed a phase of “political fatigue” by acting responsibly. His Highness addressed the National Assembly’s regular meeting after the new cabinet took the constitutional oath. “All parties have to make sacrifices. As we look forward to a bright future, we have a responsibility to set a practical mode of operation for a new phase of action, production, assessment, and accountability when it comes to national rights and duties,” the premier added.

Sheikh Nasser noted that the government is keen on productive cooperation with the National Assembly and on upholding the guidelines set by the constitution and also on realizing the principle of separation of authorities while working collectively for the best interest of the nation. The government, he stressed, welcomes constructive criticism and believes in objective monitoring of its performance.” This, he said, is the best means to dissipate tension and accelerate accomplishment.

Cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities is no longer a choice, but is a “duty and irreplaceable principle that protects our political system and our national security. Today we open a new page in our relationship with the National Assembly, based on honest and open heartedness, good intent, aiming at dialogue, understanding conciliation and harmony,” the premier noted. “We hope this sentiment and stance be reciprocated so that we might work together on realizing our nation’s comprehensive reform

plan,” PM stressed.

During his speech, His Highness tasked the ministerial committee for economic affairs to cooperate with the SecretariatGeneral of the Higher Council of Planning and Development, the Governmental Performance Follow-up Apparatus and

would be penalized. The commission is to present its bill in a month. Sheikh Nasser declared charging the ministerial educational commission with cooperating with the relevant authorities, civil associations with working out a plan aimed at addressing misconceptions, facing acts aimed at

KUWAIT: Opposition MP Ahmad AlSaadoun (right) attends the parliament session yesterday.

KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (right) attends a parliament session.

various government depar tments for drafting the platform of the government for the “coming period of time,” in line with the Constitutional Provision 98, so that it would be forwarded to the parliament as soon as possible, within the framework of the planning strategy-adopted by the NA. He also declared charging the ministerial committee for legal affairs with cooperating with the relevant authorities, the Fatwa and Legislation Department, for enacting a draft law designed to address causes of undermining the national unity, promoting sectarianism, tribal and factional thoughts that are intended to divide the society, so that the offenders

causing division and discord among the citizens, promoting patriotic identity and spirit, values of moderation and tolerance.

A report in this regard should be filed in three months.

He also declared assigning the ministerial commission for legal affairs and the ministerial commission for economic affairs with enacting a bill for setting up a national authority for integrity, combating administrative and financial corruption, as well as taking the proper measures in this respect. This bill is to be submitted in a month.

The Premier declared that the ministerial commission would review the bylaws

Environmental paintings exhibition kicks off KUWAIT: The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) organized an environmental paintings exhibition yesterday for school students to celebrate the Regional Environment Day. The exhibition dubbed ‘Degradation of Coral Reefs’ was held in collaboration with the Environment Public Authority and the Ministry of Education and sponsored by First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Deputy Director-General of the Environment Public Authority, Captain Ali Haider said in his opening speech that the exhibition came to celebrate the Regional Environment Day which marks the 35th anniversary of the signing of Kuwait Regional Convention for Cooperation

on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution in 1978 by countries overlooking the sea area of the Arabian Gulf.

Haider added that this agreement is the embodiment of the bonds of cooperation between officials in the offshore area in order to maintain “our marine environment while outlining a clear strategy of action aimed at protecting the environment from degradation”.

He said that the logo (the degradation of coral reefs) is a reality to the environment of the maritime area now after exposure to many pressures and influences in recent years led to the depletion of resources of wildlife as a result of the negative use and implementation of many projects without taking into account the environmental impact. — KUNA

and procedures related to the administrative and financial supervision of the state departments, holding comprehensive coordination with these authorities (such as the Audit Bureau, the Central Tenders Committee, and the Fatwa and Legislation Department), with the aim of increasing the supervision and averting recurrence of offenses and irregularities, enhancing transparency, equality of opportunities in all government works, as well as preserving public funds.

This should go hand in hand with speeding up execution of the ventures.

The commission shall file its report to the Cabinet in two months, he noted. Sheikh Nasser then declared assigning the ministries of information and communication with activating the procedures to enhance the role of the media for promoting the national interests and enlightening the public, maintaining and cementing the good ties with other nations for service of the common interests.

He charged the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs with cooperating to speed up the drawing up of a bill for establishing the public authority for food control to ensure validity of the food stuffs. Violators shall be punished according to relevant laws.

PM assigned the municipality with preparing a bill to toughen sanctions against those who promote expired food, with penalties including imprisonment and withdrawing licenses of the dealers.

“In view of the ongoing transformations in our region, with all the internal and external challenges involved, we need to be ready to deal with the outcomes and consequences by all means to preserve our stability and security, “ Sheikh Nasser remarked. — KUNA

‘Double penalty’ against violators KUWAIT: The Minister of Public Works, Labor and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs yesterday warned merchants against bids to evade the regulations more than once, stressing that authorities would take punitive action against the violations without exemption.

Dr Fahdel Safar said in a statement that teams of the municipality inspecting commodities and products in the country’s six governorates have been working continuously. Violators who receive penalties for violating the regulations risk to be subject to “double penalties” if they break the laws again, he warned.

Meanwhile, Fahad Dughaim Al-Otaibi, in charge of the municipality branch in Ahmadi, said in a statement that recent tours in the governorate resulted in closure of five stores in Ahmadi Market.

Offenders there were punished for using electrical power without permits.

Moreover, the teams have arrested vendors in Mahboula and Abu Hulaifa. Food products, vegetables and fruits were seized and confiscated, he added.

In Wafra, structures built on state plots of lands were removed. Two butchers were fined for slaughtering sheep at an unpaved public square. Furthermore, grocery stands were brought down, a restaurant was shut down for slaughtering, skinning cattle and cooking the meat without license, and up to 750 kg of rotting food supplies were also located and taken away.

The number of the stores that have been combed has amounted to 233. Two were given tickets for breaching health standards and ten for working without permits. Figures of the billboards that were removed at public places and roads reached 420. Those taken away from stores stood at 15. — KUNA

Court exonerates Al-Jassim KUWAIT: The criminal court exonerated columnist and lawyer Mohammad Abdelqader Al-Jassim of the charges that were included in the state security case filed by Amiri Diwan Affairs Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad.

The court decided that the columns of Al-Jassim did not violate the law and AlJassim did not insult HH the Amir either by his name or capacity in the columns including the “dialogue between Fawzi and Abdallah” column. It said that there is no proof that the accused referred to HH the Amir and that the article was published one month after the case was filed which disqualified it as proof.

The court also said the two columns he directed at HH Sheikh Salem Al-Ali were because Sheikh Salem Al-Ali is one of the prominent figures from the ruling family

and he wanted to urge him to participate in the political action and further reiterated both columns did not violate HH the Amir’s rights.

It is notable that the court did not consider the letter of the Amiri Diwan Affairs in which he asked to drop charges against AlJassim at the wish of HH the Amir and considered that letter non-existent in the case because Article 75 of the constitution related to HH the Amir’s rights to propose amnesty does not apply in this case.

Commenting on the ruling, Al-Jassim said on his Twitter page: The reason behind my happiness is that innocence was based on me not violating the law which means that what I sought, which is to elevate the ceiling of the freedom of expression has gained judicial support” (sic). — Al-Aan

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t is becoming clear over the years that our country is entrenched in a state of paralysis from which we can’t seem to untangle ourselves. Events that surround our region are proving to be dangerous as they uncover a reality we tried hard to cover. Even though an external threat poses a risk to our region, we should look deeper within ourselves to understand that perhaps our greatest challenge lies within the territory found in the pulpit of our mosques.

Last Friday, I witnessed the most ludicrous sermon yet. The preacher elaborated on a new scheme by the devil. He told us candidly - I am not sure that the words uttered are allowed to be published, perhaps you may understand them from the metaphor - that the reason some of us who don’t wake up at 4 am for the morning prayers is because the devil releases excess fluid inside our eardrums! As disgusting as the words may sound, and as candid as the preacher was explaining such a lewd thing, this only lead me to question the ongoing changes post OBL and of the challenges that our country and the rest of the region is facing.

The masquerade that preachers are trying to project onto a populace rendered scared by the prospect of eternal damnation leads to a society where fantasies replace reality. In such a society, notions of development join a long list of acceptable societal behaviors and rationalization, which are proper to our region or to those who enjoy adult stories and confuse them with reality. Magic and sorcery are high on the list of questionable beliefs. They unfortunately are not the only fantasy-like ideas that many in our country take for reality and that is the underlying problem. It is okay to believe in whatever you want, however, but the danger becomes apparent when you start confusing reality with irrelevant fables that originate in a distant past.

I would like to congratulate the newly appointed ministers and hope that they will take their ministerial posts seriously and earnestly work towards solving our many societal ills. I personally believe that this will not be the case but I would love to be proven wrong. What I would like to advise such ministers to do is to follow in the footsteps of their international counterparts whereby they should enlist the best and brightest to form their ministerial Cabinet and should entrust them with helping them come up with a master plan.

This should then become the top priority of each minister and then by decree, pass on to the following minister, ensuring a stable transition if and when the time arises.

Environmental awareness campaign proposal KUWAIT: A Municipal Council member made a proposal for a wide national environmental awareness campaign to be launched by the Kuwait Municipality, through cooperation with the United Nations Development Program.

“The environment is suffering from serious problems which will have far-reaching consequences if they are not tackled immediately ”, said Genan Bushehri Chairman of the Reform and Development Committee at the Municipal Council, mentioning in specific that the landfills of solid waste “were not set up in a correct scientific manner”.

Bushehri also wanted the legal department in the municipality to be shifted from the municipality minster ’s subordination to that of the Fatwa and Development Department, in order to ensure its “neutrality since it currently regards the Municipal Council as a foe”. —Al-Rai

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News

in brief

Special security to escort KAC flights KUWAIT: In anticipation of possible terrorist attacks to retaliate the killing of Al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden, the flight protection department at the Ministry of Interior decided to seek help from the antiterrorism special forces who will monitor all inbound and outbound Kuwait Airways (KAC)’s flights. Sources said that fight protection air-marshals will be used to escort some KAC flights and added that the number of personnel on board each flight was increased in addition to a 10-member security team per flight with a total number of 300 well-trained agents.

GCC states identify common issues KUWAIT: Credible sources recently said that the GCC states had identified a number of disagreement points concerning the GCC Customs Union and they intend to solve them over the coming years. The sources added that one of the most controversial disagreement points was unjust goods re-evaluation at various border centers with the aim of increasing their prices.

They added that bureaucracy, paper work and inspection procedures were also issues that were addressed.

“This might delay some goods and damage others”, said the sources noting that the different specifications between each GCC country was another problem for employing the treaty.

Municipal Council hopes for the best KUWAIT: The vice president of the Municipal Council has urged the new cabinet to work in the best interest of the country by maintaining cooperation with the parliament to enforce necessary regulations. Shaye’a Al-Shaye’a’s statements came in a press statement in which he insisted on the importance of putting political tensions on hold, urging the MPs to give ministers a sufficient period to work, and then hold them accountable six months later. Al-Shaye’a expressed hope that the returning Minister of Public Works and Minister of Municipality Affairs Dr Fadhel Safar will cooperate with the Municipal Council members.

MPs have right to grill: Al-Khorafi KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said that MPs have the constitutional right to grill any member of the cabinet, as per the constitutional text and the internal memorandum for the council. He pointed that questioning which some MPs are threatening is neither the first case nor will it be the last.

Al-Khorafi said “This is the democracy which we have accepted”. On the system of grilling and the possibility of joining them in one session, Al-Khorafi said that it depends on the timing of submitting the interpellations. If the period specified in the internal memorandum is over for discussing more than one grilling in one session, the discussion will be held in the same period unless the minister grilled asks for an extension of time. — Al-Shahed

RIYADH: Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and Kuwaiti Amir HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah are seen during the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh yesterday, as leaders of Gulf countries meet to discuss their tense relations with Iran, a stalled transition plan in Yemen and the popular uprisings shaking Arab nations. Picture (right) shows members of the Kuwaiti delegation. — AFP photos

Cabinet endorses National Authority for Monitoring, Handling Foodstuff Moves to toughen punitive measures KUWAIT: Among a gaggle of newly approved steps by the government is the intention to set up a National Authority for Monitoring the Handling and Marketing of Foodstuff, said Minister of Public Works and State M inister for Municipal Affairs Fadhel Safar, in statements he made to reporters yesterday, following the adjournment of yesterday’s National Assembly session. He said that in connection with recent outcries that the countr y is being inundated with spoiled food and that the government was not doing an adequate job of addressing this problem.

Safar said the main city municipality has proposed legislation to toughen punitive measures against those who deal in the marketing of spoiled foodstuff.

Moreover he stressed the fact that such legislation had been in the hands of the Alfatwa and Legislation Department to ponder over a year now.

About the proposed monitoring authority, he said the original proposal had been made by the municipality a long time ago and that it was at this time up to the civil service council to determine its viability. With regard to indications that the new government was chartering a new course of action to deal with the nation’s vital issues, Safar said the

prime minister had made it crystal clear that the government was bent on fostering amicable ties with the national assembly and on working assiduously to bring progress and prosperity to the people of Kuwait. Salem Al-Othaina, the newly appointed Minister of Electricity and Water promised to bring to completion what the preceding ministers had begun.

In a reception held in his honor attended by assistant undersecretaries and employees inside the ministry, he emphasized on the importance of the service ministry which deals with the lives of all Kuwait inhabitants. He said that this post is very challenging and elaborated that with the help and cooperation of the technical and administrative departments, he hopes to accomplish all his goals.

Al-Othaina told reporters “I know the size of the responsibility that awaits me, but God willing, I will be able to take on the challenge”. After receiving congratulations, he addressed the ministry officials to help him complete the building program started by the previous ministers. He continued “I will hold anyone who causes delay for the projects accountable at the end of the day. I will be answerable to HH the PM and country leaders regarding delays and hope that ever yone contributes towards attaining the set goals”.

KUWAIT: The ambassador of Jamaica, Audley Rodriques visited Kuwait Times and discussed matters of mutual concern with Editorin-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Alyan.

PIC to study Olefins III Program

Syrian artist gifts painting to Amir DAMASCUS: A Syrian artist yesterday gifted a painting to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a token of his appreciation for HH’s supportive stance towards recent events in Syria. HH the Amir was the first Arab leader to call President Bashar Al-Assad and voice support for Syria and expressed keenness on its security and stability, plastic artist Samir Mahmoud Zaza told KUNA. His remarks came after handing the art piece to the Kuwaiti Ambassador Aziz Al-

Deihani in Damascus.

“The stand of HH the Amir generated affection from Syrians and drove me to present something to express their gratitude towards such an honorable stance,” Zaza noted before wishing both people advancement and prosperity. Ambassador Al-Deihani said “Kuwaiti-Syrian relations, both at official and public levels, are sturdy, with both countries bonded by a mutual history and fate,” referring to Syria’s stance during Kuwait’s 1990 invasion. — KUNA

Govt set to tackle issues KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Ahmed Al-Mulaifi said yesterday that the government has adopted a new approach to fight corruption, sectarian, factional and tribal issues in accordance with clear, accurate and specific decisions.

Al-Mulaifi told reporters following a parliamentary session that everyone listened to the statement of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad AlSabah in which he outlined the new government approach, stressing that “the govern-

ment’s hands are stretched out to all inside the parliament with all their orientation”.

The minister pointed out that he had spoken personally with some MPs with regard to Ministry of Education issues and urged them to cooperate and contribute to sorting matters out and said that he welcomed advice on important matters. He expressed hope that the parliament members and the current government will work under the guidance of His Highness the Prime Minister to change the approach that prevailed in the past. — KUNA

Ahmadi gas problem 99% over KUWAIT: The Kuwait Oil Company has been able to remove 99% of the natural gas that contaminated Al-Ahmadi’s atmosphere since last year. This was revealed by Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij, based on daily reports that the governorate receives from the company.

Dr Al-Duaij revealed this during a campaign to plant 200 plants in Um Al-Haiman, carried out by the voluntary committee for residents of the area. The governor noted that a geological study is currently ongoing in Al-

Ahmadi.

Meanwhile, Dr Al-Duaij urged the Ministry of Health to carry out health tests to Um AlHaiman’s residents to check their medical status from any potential complications as a result of pollution.

He further noted that a study is currently placed at the Supreme Council of Environment’s agenda, pertaining relocating factories in West Shuiaba, which are responsible for Um Al-Haiman’s pollution, to another location.

KUWAIT: The most important goal set by the Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) this year is to conduct the detailed feasibility study for the Olefins III Program, and to get the approval of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) for its implementation, Saad Mohammad Alajmi, Deputy Managing Director for Admin istr ation an d Fin an ce said yesterday.

Al-Alajmi said, in an interview with Kuwait’s Chemistry magazine, that one of the main goals of PIC is to carr y out the stage of preliminar y engineering of China project, and to approve the projects of integration between the activ-

ities of refining and petrochemicals along with starting to implement the projects accredited by KPC. He also said that past fiscal year (2010-2011) was a year of achievements that will lead to fulfillment of several set goals of current year, adding that the company is resolved upon getting the Responsible Care Cer tificate that provides it with sustainable operational per formance in the domains of health and environmental safety.

R e g a rd i n g t h e m a r k e t i n g polic y of PIC, Al-Alajmi said that the company always seeks to focus on the fastest growing markets to bring the

A child dies every 15 seconds without safe water, says UN PARIS: Kuwait called on the international community here yesterday to counter the problem of water shortage in light of the UN reports stating that there is a child dying every fifteen seconds due to shortage of safe drinking water. The previous remark was made in an address delivered by Dr Hassan Al-Ibrahim, the permanent representative of the State of Kuwait to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) before the 186th session of the UNESCO executive council.

Al-Ibrahim said that Kuwait, “calls on the international community to weather the global challenge represented in water shortage, and to put this theme high on the agenda of the coming UN conference on Sustainable Development due in Rio de Janeiro in 2012 in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goal on water within the environmental sustainability.”

Further, he said that the warnings made by UN on the World Water Day which was marked on March 22, 2011, sounded an alarm bell reminding that 1.8 billion people will live till 2025 in countries or regions suffering from a shortage of drinking water. Al-Ibrahim added that, “about two-thirds of the world population will bear the brunt of this problem, while UN reports note that a child is dying every fifteen seconds due to shortage of safe drinking water.”

Regarding the establishment of UN women’s organization at the turn of this year, Dr Al-Ibrahim said that, “Kuwait asserts that setting up such a promising organization reflects an international awareness of the need of women across the world.

This will upgrade their status, improve their living conditions, and rid them of all forms of suffering though women’s conditions have not improved much after many years of calling for their rights, and efforts made in this regard.” — KUNA

highest returns for its produc ts, while it is also mak ing effor ts to open new markets whenever this brings better returns.

Moreover, he said that the actual profits of the company for fiscal year (2010-2011) hit KD 177.6 million according to the unaudited financial data, while its estimated profits for the same year amounted to KD 97.2 million with a rise of 180 percent, and with a rise by 214 percent compared to the actual profits of fiscal year (20092010) with a rise of KD 94.8 million.

Finally, he said that one of the most important goals that PIC achieved in the past fiscal

year is its success in getting necessary approvals from various Chinese bodies in March 2011 in order to start the engineering studies of China project, and to finalize the preliminar y feasibilit y study of the Olefins III Program as well as reaching an agreement with KPC on a number of possible alternatives for the project ’s materials. — KUNA

Waste has negative impact on hygiene: Al-Hasawi KUWAIT: Taking into consideration the amount of wastes produced daily in Kuwait and the foul smell, emissions, soil and underground water pollution they cause, Retired Brigadier, Jassim Al-Hasawi, the head of the committee entrusted with rehabilitating landfill sites, said that wastes have a very negative impact on both the environment and hygiene.

Al-Hasawi said that the tripartite committee responsible for rehabilitating and fencing landfill sites, built a one-meter thick surface layer to prevent water penetration. He also noted that the landfill sites were heavily guarded for the same reasons.

“We contacted the municipality requesting an immediate stop to random land-filling of agricultural wastes”, he added noting that the municipality had already agreed and purchased the needed equipment to break down the waste material. He also said that a huge site was allocated along Wafra-Mina Abdullah highway to receive millions of cubic meters of liquid wastes.

Al-Hasawi said that his committee has been working hard to stop burying thousands of tires and has instead been collecting them in a special site in Amgharah. He also wanted a special site to be allocated for hazardous materials like asbestos. — Annahar

KUWAIT: A course on writing reports was held under the patronage of Assistant Undersecretary for Education and Training Affairs General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf. The fifth course for preparing and writing reports came to an end in which 10 trainees participated, and seven passed the course successfully. The classes aimed at training officers and personnel in the Ministry of Interior on how to write reports in a comprehensive way. Another course for improving hand-writing was held at the same time and 15 trainees participated in it with 10 of them graduating with flying colors.

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News

in brief

Action against company KUWAIT: The Kuwait Municipality has taken legal action against a company that owns a warehouse in Al-Rai Area where 120 tons of bad food was discovered last week. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry was contacted to refer the subject to the commercial prosecution. This announcement was made by the Minister of Public Works and Minister of Municipality Affairs Dr Fadhel Safar, who said that the MCI will lock the warehouse and cancel its license. On a separate note, Dr Safar acted preemptively by mediating between a number of Bengalese employees and their workers to stop a strike which they were planning to hold tomorrow. Nearly 150 workers were planning to protest a decision made by their employers to deduct KD20 each month from their basic salary of KD60.

KUWAIT: Information Minister Sami Al-Nisf cutting the ribbon with Kuwait Times Marketing Director Adnan Saad is presenting a publication to Information Arab Ambassadors Jumaa Al-Abbadi of Jordan, Bahr Al-Oloom of Iraq Minister Sami Al-Nisf. and Farhat of Egypt.

—Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

35% of smokers quit KUWAIT: The percentage of people who quit smoking in Kuwait during the past years has reached 35%, said the chairman of the antismoki ng com m i t te e of t he Kuw ait S o ciet y fo r Smoking and Cancer Prevention (KSSCP) Anwar Burahma. In a statement made recently to the press, Burahma said that regulations pertaining smok ing ban in public places must be fully implemented. He noted that a representative from the Ministry of Commerce had explained that some coffee shops in Kuwait serve shisha in closed premises without licenses, but no serious action was taken to stop this practice.

Businessman acquitted KUWAIT: The Appeals Cour t has acquitted Kuwaiti businessman Qutaiba Al-Ghanim from charges of trading food products that are unsuitable for human consumption. The charges were pressed against him after some amounts of expired meat were found in his warehouse during an inspection raid. The first degree court had sentenced Al-Ghanim and his company’s legal representative to six months in prison, despite Al-Ghanim pleading not guilty to the charges, and explaining that he doesn’t personally supervise the warehouse. The Appeals Court’s decision was based on lack of evidence which could prove that the rotten foodstuffs were intended to be sold to the local market, as the defense’s attorney had argued that they were kept in refrigerated warehouses prior to their disposal.

Tackling sectarianism KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior undersecretary Lieutenant General Ghazi Al-Omar held a meeting recently with senior officials from various security departments to discuss recent developments in the local scene. The meeting focused mainly on the sectarian issues and insulting practices carried out by lawmakers at local mosques. On this regard, an agreement was reached for security to be tightened around Su nn i a n d S h i i te mo squ es in t he co u nt r y.

Meanwhile, a recommendation was made for the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, to install surveillance cameras at places of worship. Other subjects discussed in the meeting include procedures to be taken in order to restrain order at seminars and public gathering sites.

Minister Al-Nisf visiting the Interior Ministry booth.

KUWAIT: Al-Nisf touring the exhibition

Info minister highlights media’s role in Kuwait Private sector urged to play major role KUWAIT: Minister of Information Sami Abdullatif Al-Nisf highlighted the important role of media in turning Kuwait into a regional financial hub on Monday. During the inauguration of the 11th Exhibition of Media, Public Relations and Communication Technology, Al-Nisf, who doubles as Communications Minister, called for organizing more media events to attract investors and help promote Kuwait as a financial hub.

The minister hailed the exhibition, noting that it helps Kuwaiti media outlets stay abreast of the latest developments in global media. He also urged the private sector to support such events and exhibitions to assess Kuwait’s media and economic role in the region. The two-day exhibition’s organizer, Al-Jabriya Exhibition Group’s Chairman Ahmad Ismail Behbehani said

that the world’s interest in media has been developing over the past few years and taking new dimensions.

“Many of the successful institutions in the developed countries are depending on PR programs and activities to achieve their goals and rally support for their policies,” Behbehani said. He added that economic institutions also rely on media outlets to reach out to their dealers and customers.

Owing to the significance of this exhibition, KUNA was keen on taking part in it. The Kuwaiti News Agency pavilion featured its books and media services, including SMS, media training and photos and news archives. More than 44 institutions representing different government bodies, especially newspapers, radio station, TV channels and press houses participated in the expo. —KUNA

Al-Mulaifi stresses govt desire to address corruption files KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Ahmed Al-Mulaifi stressed here yesterday that the government is pursuing a new approach in completing the files of corruption, sectarian, factional and tribal issues as well as the fight against corruption in accordance with clear, accurate and specific decisions.

Al-Mulaifi told reporters following a parliamentary session that everyone listened to the statement of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-

Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in which he outlined the new government approach, stressing that ìthe governmentís hands are stretched out to all inside the parliament with all their orientationsî.

The Minister pointed out that he had spoken personally with some MPs in regard to Ministry of Education issues and urged them to cooperate and contribute to sorting matters out right, saying he would not hesitate to listen to advice to correct mistakes.

‘Pay your phone bills or get disconnected’ KUWAIT: The ministry of communications’ public relation manager, Ahmed Ramadan has urged all subscribers to clear their overdue phone bills before the M ay 29 deadline. R amadan explained that subscribers would receive a warning notice through their respective phone lines by May 15th to be followed by a second warning on May 22nd before the disconnection on Sunday, May 29.

In addition, Ramadan stressed that

phone lines whose owners had already made arrangements with the ministry to pay their bills by installments would be immediately disconnected if subscribers delayed payments. ‘Delays in paying the annual subscription fees for over 6 months will not be tolerated,” he added. The payment can be made online through the ministry’s website: www.moc.kw or through the government ’s official e - gate at : www.e.gov.kw.

Port project angers Iraq

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Although the Mubarak AlKabeer port project is in Kuwait’s territorial waters, Iraq has raised its objection against the new project.

Iraqi officials said the Mubarak AlKabeer port project is a provocation.

“It could harm the Iraqi economy and make Al-Fao port useless in addition to disrupting the navigation in the gulf,” one of the Iraqi officials said. Some Iraqi officials say that the Mubarak Al-Kabeer port could spark new disputes between Iraq and

Kuwait. They asked the Iraqi government to make a quick diplomatic move to contain the looming crises.

Iraqi expert Captain Kazem Finjan said Kuwait is not in need of transforming its biggest islands into a port because it has large commercial ports including Shuwaikh, Shuaiba, Julaiah, and Ahmadi - but it decided to build the project in order to harm Iraq. Finjan said the Mubarak AlK abeer Por t project is only one Kilometer away from Al-Fao province where Iraq plans to build its largest ports.

He expressed hope that parliament members separate between the previous governments and the current government that will work under the guidance of His Highness the Prime Minister to change the approach that prevailed in the past.

He said in this context that the government will issue a draft law on the teacher through a decision of the Council of Ministers, as is usual in cases of salaries. —KUNA

Duo held at airport for drug smuggling

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Airpor t customs officers arrested two Egyptians after finding nearly 12,000 narcotic tablets called ‘Tramadol’ in their luggage. A source said that the tablets were hidden in frozen meat and the duo were referred to the DCGD for fur ther investigation.

Road accidents A car accident took place on the Six th R ing Road near the Sheik h Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex resulting in passenger injuries. They were taken to Jahra Hospital for medical assistance.

A 22-year- old Indian suffered a bruised chest, a-21-year old Kuwaiti sustained various bodily injuries while a 50-year-old Egyptian suffered a broken leg during a car accident which took place on King Fahad Road near Um Al-Haiman. They were referred to Adan Hospital for treatment.

A 36-year- old Kuwaiti suffered deep lacerations on his face during a

car accident on the Seventh R ing Road and was taken to Adan Hospital.

A 35-year-old Kuwaiti suffered lacerations inside his mouth and broken teeth after his car flipped over near the Sheraton Roundabout. He was taken to Amiri Hospital.

A 41-year- old Bangladeshi was injured during a car accident in Hawally near Al- Qadissiya Spor ts Club. He was taken to Amiri Hospital for medical assistance.

Death A 49-year- old Bangladeshi was found dead at his residence. By the time the authorities discovered his body, rigor mor tis had set in. The body was sent to the coroner for an autopsy.

Body found The body of a young Indian man was found near the PAAET college complex in Shuwaikh. Probe revealed that the death was due to natural causes and an empty wallet was also recovered from the site.

NBK’s Travel Safe on offer for upcoming holiday season KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the best bank in the Middle East, offers its customers “Travel Safe”, NBK’s travel insurance package in cooperation with Al Ahleia Insurance Company during the holiday season. This offer is valid until July 31st, 2011 NBK stated: “the coming months are peak travel times. In their excitement to travel people often forget the importance of getting travel insurance to guard against an unexpected injury or illness or even a delayed flight or lost luggage, all of which can be an unpleasant and expensive experience”.

NBK’s Travel Safe addresses a wide array of travelers needs providing policy holders increased coverage at highly competitive rates through its alliance with Al Ahleia Insurance Co. NBK customers can apply and obtain their policy instantly at any of NBK’s branches located around Kuwait. In addition, policy holders can receive the required insurance certificate for their Schengen visa from Al-Ahleia Insurance Co. virtually hassle free when presenting their NBK Travel Safe policy.

Details of NBK’s travel insurance include: Insurance certificate for the Schengen visa ● Accident and sickness medical expenses (In and outpatient ) ● Dental expenses ● Medical prescriptions ● Personal liability ● Accidental death and disability ● Flight and luggage delay Banking with NBK offers privileges unmatched by any other bank in Kuwait. Apply by visiting your nearest NBK branch and receive your travel insurance instantly. Have a safe vacation!

For fur ther information k indly contac t Hala Watani at 1801801 or visit any of NBK’s branches.

D e t a i l e d i n fo r m a t i o n c a n a l s o b e fo u n d a t www.nbk.com. ●

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Parliament approves bill on teachers’ bonus, allowance Ministers quick to make promises

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday, the newly appointed Spain’s ambassador to Kuwait, Angel Losada, on the occasion of assuming the post.

KUWAIT: The National Assembly approved a draft law to grant allowances and bonuses to Kuwaiti Education Ministry’s members in its first reading yesterday. Forty-three members voted in favor of the draft law out of the 53 attending members while 10 objected. The law in its first article stipulates that the teachers will be rewarded the functional level allowance, supervision and guidance allowance of KD150 to be granted to all teachers, as well as a rare specialty allowance worth KD200. The second article of the law grants teachers a reward for the higher scientific qualification worth KD200 for Masters holders, KD400 for PhD holders, while Article III has amended the value of the reward of excellent work to be no more than KD1,500 dinars per year.

The fourth article stipulates that members of the teaching staff who pass the training courses agreed upon with the Civil Service Commission will be rewarded KD1,000 to those who pass these courses during the academic year.

The fifth article states that Kuwaiti teaching staff will be granted an entitlement bonus equivalent to a year-and-a-half salary for males and females who have been in service for 30 years and 25 years respectively and Article VI stipulates that the functional level reward and other supervision bonuses take the rule of salary either paid in full or reduced accordingly.

The National Assembly in its ordinary session yesterday presented a draft law to give an extra KD50 for those whose salaries exceeded KD1,000. The vote resulted in 46 in favor of it and 11 against it. Up 57 parliament members were present for the voting.

The government had previously returned the draft law to the assembly stating that such a law does not achieve social equality and wastes public fund. Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ali Al-Rashed said on behalf of the government that it should be given two weeks to review the draft law since it has a new outlook on it. A number of parliament members believe the approval of this draft law will achieve social justice and support the group of people who have salaries exceeding KD 1,000 and were not included in the KD50 raise that was approved by the assembly earlier.

Several ministers promised to steer their respective departments on track and accepted congratulations from well-wishers on being selected as a part of the new Cabinet. New Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi, who was assigned with the Ministry of Justice portfolio in addition to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor he held in the previous Cabinet, insisted that an antihuman trafficking law is his top priority.

Meanwhile, Dr Helal Al-Sayer promised a “com-

plete overhaul” of the medical services provided in the country through projects launched since his time as the Health Minister during the previous cabinet.

The new Minister of Education and Higher Education was active in addressing matters that concern members of the educational scene in the country, as he took part in a seminar held by the Kuwait Teachers’ Society to demand the enforcement of teachers’ allowances. During the event, Minister Ahmad Al-Mulaifi acknowledged “an error” in governmental directorates, and explained that “the fact that MPs aren’t satisfied proves that there is an error”. He indicated that the new government will adopt a “serious approach” towards reform, vowing to work for elevating the level of education in Kuwait.

And while the new Minister of Electricity and Water Salem Al-Othaina was quick to instruct senior ministry officials to make sure that no projects are delayed or suspended, the returning Minister of Public Works and Minister of Municipality Affairs Dr Fadhel Safar reiterated the importance of facilitating the process of executing main assignments which includes road projects. In the meantime, new Minister of Communications and Information Sami Al-Nisf indicated that a new strategy will come into place for the Ministry of Communications to “be put on the right track”.

Kuwait Digest

Reconstructing our way of thinking

By Mohammad Al-Sabty

W

e need to reassess the way we think. There is an error in the way the government deals with the persisting subjects, and an error in the parliament’s performance as well as the manner by which public gatherings are held. However, these errors don’t match with the major error in our way of thinking.

Unfortunately, we are communities that became familiar with the route to reform only recently- but seek to achieve it without making any effort. For example, there is a noticeably increasing rate of obesity in the country. However, most people suffering from this problem would rather look for other weight loss solutions like the gastric bypass procedures as easier alternatives than following a diet program. This happens despite doctors’ recommendations that such procedures should only be used to treat cases of morbid obesity. But our way of thinking always focuses on achieving good results through the easiest way. This is why the fat burning tablets have become common, because we believe that consuming these pills can magically make us slimmer.

This error in our way of thinking is also present in politics. For years, we’ve been busy discussing the sequential cabinet lineups, and making speculations on whether a certain formation is qualified enough to achieve reforms, and who in our opinion should be ousted or replaced. With this way of thinking, we imagine that the route to reform can easily be achieved via the selection of a certain governmental formula. This is not much different than a person thinking that taking fat burners is the only way to lose weight.

No matter who is selected for the cabinet, and no matter who gets elected to the parliament, the public will never be fully contented, because we have lost our way of thinking and are now convinced that reform can only be achieved through a simple and sole procedure. Reform can only be achieved through civil society, communities, gatherings and forums, which must produce individuals who are willing to act voluntarily and not to achieve certain political goals.

Reform can only be achieved when the society decides to take the hard road towards this goal, instead of sitting down and waiting for it to magically come to them.

Today, the new cabinet and speculations regarding its performance and MPs’ reactions dominates news headlines as well as the dIwaniyas. This happens, despite knowing that the end result will not be much different than what has happened to the previous cabinets. What we need are intellectuals who can take the society’s hand out of the road of unproductively, and towards the right route to productivity and reform. This can be achieved by activating the role of civil society organizations, instead of wasting time on useless speculations about the cabinet’s and parliament’s performances. — Al-Rai

KUWAIT: Ahmadi educational zone yesterday celebrated concluding its school sporting activities under the auspices of the zonal director Talaq Alhaim who stressed the importance of sports and thanked KOC for sponsoring the ceremony.

France stresses role of Kuwait in ‘Forum for the Future’ PARIS: France yesterday stressed the importance of working with Kuwait and the “close liaison” of civil society working within the context of the “Forum for the Future,” which is co-presided by France and Kuwait for 2011.

Foreign Ministry officials particularly drew attention to the “workshop” on sexual equality that was held in Kuwait on May 3 and 4 last and which produced a number of recommendations from civil society that are to be formally presented to France and Kuwait as co-presidents.

Spokesman at the Ministry, Bernard Valero, indicated that France wanted to promote this type of workshop and said his country “was working hand-in-hand with an important partner in the Arab world, Kuwait”.

“The Arab Spring has emphasized the indispensable nature of this dialogue” within the Forum, the official noted.

The “Forum for the Future” was set up in 2004 by the powerful Group of Eight (G8) countries and is co-presided by the rotating president of the G8, currently France, and Kuwait, representing one of the other member countries from the Arab world, in

addition to Pakistan and Afghanistan, which are also members.

Qatar last co-presided the forum for the Arab side and handed over to Kuwait earlier this year. “In close liaison with representatives of civil society, it is left to the copresidents, France and Kuwait, to organize three workshops during which recommendations are drawn up and which are then submitted to the (Foreign) Ministers,” Valero said.

This is set to take place at the end of the year at the final meeting of the Forum in Kuwait, after all partners have had time to examine the recommendations.

France is hosting a second workshop from June 5-7 in Marseille on the theme of “Transformation and Economic Integration in the Arab World,” the French official indicated. The venue and theme for a third workshop are currently under discussion by the civil society in Forum member countries. Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah met with his French counterpart Michele AlliotMarie in Doha in mid-January at the handover of the Forum presidency to discuss the plans for the year. — KUNA

PAAET rejects split KUWAIT: General director of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training has reiterated his rejection to the concept of separating the facility into two separate bodies, which he sees as being unnecessary.

Dr Abdulrazaq Al-Nufaisi was speaking to reporters during the silver jubilee celebration held by the PAAET’s teaching staff association. He noted that the parliament’s educational committee were convinced fol-

lowing a meeting with the PAAET administration that the current time is not suitable for the facility’s separation.

He said the focus should be on enforcing the new proposed law “that will enable the PAAET to achieve administrative and financial independence”.

The teaching staff association argues that a separation for the PAAET sectors is necessary to help both of them focus solely in improving their capabilities.

Kuwait’s size a factor in weather prediction KUWAIT: The small size of Kuwait makes it harder for meteorologists to precisely predict weather conditions and sudden climate changes. “In order to understand Kuwait’s weather fully well, one must study the climatic conditions of the entire area that Kuwait is part of, which includes India, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and the Mediterranean countries”, meteorologist Adel AlSaadoun said.

He noted that the location of low and high pressure areas depend mainly on the Earth’s rotation, which makes weather predictions inaccurate at some points.

Al-Saadoun further indicated that meteorologists use weather maps as a basis to learn the low and high pressure zones, by which they could predict the velocity and direction of wind.

Meanwhile, Al-Saadoun said that coordination between meteorological centers in the region is achieved through super vision by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO); which has regional agencies in each continent. — Al-Qabas

WANA Forum praises Kuwait AMMAN: Chairman of the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Forum Prince Al-Hassan Bin Talal yesterday praised Kuwait’s experiment in supporting development, which benefited countries around the world.

The two-day forum, which concluded earlier today, saw the participation of a galaxy of 120 Arab and international figures, including from Kuwait.

“The State of Kuwait had a pioneering experiment in the field of establishing generationsí fund, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and

the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development,” Prince Al-Hassan told a press conference at the conclusion of the gathering.

Kuwait Transparency Society Chairman Salah Al-Ghazali is representing Kuwait to the forum, which attracted Arab and foreign academics, intellectuals and figures from public and private sectors.

Prince Al-Hassan warned of economic impacts resulting from popular movements currently taking place in the Arab world. — KUNA

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Kuwaiti teenager dies in car accident on highway Fight breaks out inside diwaniya KUWAIT: A motorist died and two others were seriously injured in a car accident that took place on the Fahaheel Highway. Police and paramedics rushed to the scene after emergency callers reported an accident in which a car crashed into a light post. The driver, a 19-year-old Kuwaiti, was pronounced dead at the scene, while two 17-year-old teenagers, one of them being the driver’s brother, were rushed to Adan hospital where they were admitted in the ICU with several broken bones and bruises. An investigation is underway.

Kuwait Digest

More than an outcry

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

T

he sudden and exaggerated outcry over graffiti that contains insults to the wife of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) Aisha, is something that cannot be disassociated from a similar hyping of the alleged Iranian threat in the region, as well as the illogical campaigns made against the Cabinet and His Highness Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad over Kuwait’s stance regarding the tensions between Iran and the Gulf Arab states.

It’s hard to look into the current sectarianismboosting uproar over the graffiti, without reminiscing the campaigns made previously against Sheikh Nasser and the government regarding demands to tackle the so called ‘corrupt media’. It would be even harder to ignore the signs lifted by protesters during the protest held in condemnation of the graffiti incident, which included comments warning against the supposed Iranian threat, instead of focusing on the sectarian struggle that the insulting graffiti fuels.

What is also hard to ignore is the campaigns against media outlets that were labeled ‘corrupt’, simply because they expressed their opinions which are different from that of the protesters.

I am convinced that the majority of people who participated in protests were acting with good intentions that are away from sectarian and political games currently brewing in the country. At the same time, I am also convinced that shoving sectarianism and nationalism into those protests wasn’t a coincidence.

First, there were protests carried out against Mohammad Al-Juwaihel who was accused of insulting the tribal groups. Today, the same protesters are using the sectarian struggle card to gain public support. This, in my opinion, explains the unjustifiable exaggerated outcry over writings on the wall.

Before closing my article, I would like to apologize to the Revival of Islamic Heritage Society and the Islamic Salafi Movement over a mistake made regarding the topic I addressed in my previous article. In that article, I referred to the secretary general of the Salafi movement - who praised Osama bin Laden in a recently televised interview - as being a representative for the RIHS. In reality, it turned out that he isn’t actually a member of the NGO. Furthermore, it also turned out that the person I referred to in the previous article has previously seceded from the Salafi Movement, and thus his opinion doesn’t represent that of the Islamist political group. — Al-Qabas

Hit-and-run case Police are on the lookout for an unidentified driver who escaped after hitting a toddler on Ghous Street in front of Haddiya. The 3year-old child was rushed to Adan hospital with several broken bones.

Human rights authority soon KUWAIT: The National Authority for Human Rights will be inaugurated ‘soon’, said the undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice. The proposed chairman for the authority Abdulaziz Al-Majid noted in a recent interview that works are currently ongoing to finalize the authority’s draft law.

“The main goal of the authority will be focusing on reinforcing human rights in Kuwait through cooperation with all governmental directorates”, Al-Majid said.

He noted that their plans include cooperation with university students, religious clerks, lawyers, ministries’ representative, media personalities “and any individual capable of providing a beneficial piece of information in this field.

Meanwhile, Al-Majid explained that the recommendations that the authority will make are not compulsory for ministries to follow.

“The authority’s role will be consultative as it will make reports, statistics and researches regarding human rights conditions in Kuwait”, he elaborated, while noting that the creation of this authority comes in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The undersecretary added that the authority will work independently, and will defend any person subjected to any human rights violation. — Al-Qabas

Rice theft Police arrested an Arab man who stole 400 bags of rice from a local company he used to work for. It was also revealed that he successfully sold half the quantity. During investigations after the store owner reported the theft, police found 200 bags in a restaurant. The owner explained that he bought them from a trader and provided officials with necessary information. The suspect was found to be a former employee of the company where he committed the theft and was arrested after he admitted his role.

Air rifle attack A young man was arrested in Sulaibikhat after causing a serious leg injury to a 7-year-old boy after shooting him with an air rifle. Police reported to the scene after a woman reported that her son was found bleeding from a thigh wound inflicted by a shot fired from an air rifle.

The child was rushed to Al-Sabah hospital where he underwent an emergency surgery, while police were able to locate the suspect based on testimonies of eyewitnesses who said that a person was seen with an air rifle on top of a building in the area. They went to the suspect’s house, and were met by the owner who explained that his son usually hunted birds on the roof. He

turned his son and the weapon in after learning about the incident.

Car chase A Kuwaiti man in his thirties was arrested for drunken driving following a pursuit which started at Riga’ei street and ended on the Fahaheel highway. A traffic patrol chased a sports utility vehicle (SUV) whose driver refused to cooperate with orders to pull over after he was spotted driving erratically. The car chase went on near Bayan and Salwa area, before the suspect was forced to stop at the highway. He was arrested under influence with possession of contraband. It was also revealed that the suspect had charges pressed against him previously.

Bribery case Security officers apprehended a Pakistani man who attempted to bribe an officer at the Salmi border checkpoint to let him out of the country. The employee called the police after he was approached by the two suspects, who offered KD200 to allow one of them to leave since his name was blacklisted. The couple was ambushed, but one of them was able to escape before police arrived.

Drugs possession Investigations are currently on to locate a young man who was found with the possession of drugs. The male suspect attempted to escape after being told to pull over at a street in Salmiya, and soon opted to leave his car behind and escape on foot. His plan worked, but the police were able to identify him and found heroin in his vehicle.

Kuwait praises Sudan’s efforts in human rights GENEVA: Kuwait praised yesterday efforts exerted by the Sudanese Government in preparing its human rights national report, during the periodic review of this file in the human right council.

Kuwait also hailed the Khartoum Government for signing the Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the longest war in Africa, hoping that this would allow Sudan to endorse and protect the human rights and boost development and progress in the country.

Member in Permanent Mission of Kuwait to the UN in Geneva Nawaf No’man said the Sudanese national peace report was formed upon fruitful negotiations between the government and nongovernmental organizations, besides civil society institutions, in cooperation with human rights unit in UN mission in Khartoum. “ The high-level of the Sudanese delegation reflects the care and keenness of the government to endorse and protect human rights”, No’man noted.

Kuwait recommended continuing peace efforts and negotiations between various parties in Sudan in order to end Darfur crisis, allowing refugees to go back to their homeland. — KUNA

Plant fire affects turbines KUWAIT: A fire erupted recently inside the Doha Power Plant, resulting in a gas-fueled turbine to conk out. Two water desalination units were also affected. According to sources within the Ministry of

Brawls Four citizens were arrested for engaging in a vicious fight inside a diwaniya in Taima. Police reported to the scene following reports about a brawl that broke out when a young man stormed the diwaniya to confront an old enemy over previous disputes, but as luck would have it, his two brothers were present there as well. The four brawlers had to be put in separate cells at the area’s police station after they resumed their fight in the cell they were put in. Meanwhile, a man in his forties opted against filing a case against three brothers who beat him up badly after they caught him harassing their sister at a Fahaheel Mall.

The victim preferred to withdraw the case to avoid unnecessary attention.

Meanwhile, the brothers also chose not to press harassment charges against the man, believing that the beating he received was enough.

The man was released after he signed an undertaking to keep his distance from the aforementioned mall.

Electricity and Water, the blaze occurred due to a lack of periodic maintenance and said that a minimum of two weeks is required to repair it. Meanwhile, the sources who spoke on the condition of

Contestants on stage for the customs competition.

anonymity said that the three turbines at the Zoor Power Plants stopped working following a malfunction, which led to power outages in Al-Jahra, Al-Sulaibikhat and Al-Sulaibiya recently. — Al-Qabas

KUWAIT: US Ambassador Deborah K. Jones and other dignitaries at the opening of AMIDEAST office in the central business district of Sharq.

Grand opening of new AMIDEAST location KUWAIT: On May 9, 2011, AMIDEAST celebrated the opening of its new office in the central business district of Sharq, with a ribboncutting by Ministry of Higher Education Undersecretary Khaled Assad, US Ambassador to Kuwait Deborah K. Jones and CEO and President of AMIDEAST Ambassador Theodore Kattouf. AMIDEAST is an American nonprofit organization engaged in international education, training and development assistance.

Ambassador Jones remarked, “ The numbers of students that AMIDEAST’s Kuwait staff has helped is truly impressive. I know I was surprised to discover that last year alone they provided information to over 30,000 individuals. AMIDEAST Kuwait has provided free English language training to around 900 Kuwaiti high school students on the

English Access Microscholarship Program (ACCESS), fully sponsored by the US Department of State.

There are currently 74 KennedyLugar Youth Exchange Study (YES) alumni with 17 finishing their year of study in the US returning in June and another 13 preparing to depart for the US in August.”

“This move allows us to serve a more diverse mix of individuals and institutions seeking our services,” said Ambassador Theodore Kattouf, President and CEO of AMIDEAST. “Our new and larger office facilities will permit us to further expand and grow our corporate and individual training programs, accommodate a larger number of students applying for AMIDEAST scholarship and exchange programs, and ensure secure and adequate testing facilities.”

With over 20 field and project

A general view of the attendees.

offices in the Middle East and North Africa and more than 650 dedicated professional staff, AMIDEAST provides programs and services to improve educational opportunity and quality, strengthen local institutions, and develop language and professional skills for success in the global economy. In conjunction with the US Embassy in Kuwait, AMIDEAST advises students on study in the United States and administers US Department of State -funded programs including the Fulbright, English Access Microscholarship Program (ACCESS) and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange Program (YES).

The AMIDEAST Kuwait office is now located in Ahmed Al Jaber Street, the Commercial Bank Building, 2nd floor, opposite Dar Al Awadi tower, Sharq.

A traditional sketch from the Egyptian culture

Green Island hosts Arab Communities Festival

A Syrian cultural band.

KUWAIT: The Green Island recently hosted the Arab Communities Festival’ an annual event organized by the Touristic Enterprises Company featuring cultural activities from different Arab countries. The event featured various competitions, including contests for the best cultural costume, best dish from an Arab country’s tradition-

al cuisine, as well as largest flag. It also featured participation from cultural bands representing the Egyptian, Syrian and Lebanese cultures, who performed various sketches much to the delight of the attendees. The festival was sponsored by Abdullah Al-Yaqout Company, Quality Net, and Samah gallery.

A ‘dabkha’ dance from the Lebanese culture.

International WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

Japan to scrap plan to boost nuke energy Page 12

SANAA: Anti-government protestors shout slogans during daily demonstrations demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in the capital Sanaa yesterday.—AP

Security forces fire on Yemen protest, 4 dead Armoured vehicles move in, heavy gunfire heard SANAA: Yemeni forces fired at protesters blockading a government building on Monday, killing a shopkeeper and three protesters in Taiz, a city that has seen some of the largest demonstrations against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, witnesses said. Security forces, some in armored vehicles, moved in to disperse the protest, wounding at least 80 protesters in the industrial city. The latest violence came as the Arabian Peninsula country’s main opposition group awaited word on whether Gulf Arab states could revive a deal to edge Saleh out of power within a month.

Saleh, who refused to sign the transition deal, has clung to power despite three months of street protests that regularly draw tens of thousands of people, even though many of his allies have deserted him including a general who has backed protesters. “A large force of police and army attacked protesters and then chased them in residential areas. They opened fire and used tear gas heavily,” said Bushra al-Maqtari, an activist in Taiz.

A shopkeeper who ran a small kiosk was killed by a stray bullet, and two protesters were also shot dead amid heavy gunfire as security forces tried to disperse a protest near the education ministry, a doctor treating the wounded said. A third protester later died of his wounds, the doctor

said. Thousands of demonstrators in Taiz shouted anti-Saleh slogans and demanded the postponement of school exams, while protests erupted elsewhere in the impoverished country that Saleh has ruled for nearly 33 years.

Clashes were reported in the Red Sea port city of Hudaida, where security forces stormed a university campus to break up protests, wounding six, activists said. Six more people were wounded in clashes in Dhamar province, south of Sanaa. The unrest has included workers’ strikes. The Canadian oil company Nexen Inc, said it halted production at its Yemen operations because of a labour disruption.

Yemen produces around 280,000 barrels per day of oil, including about 110,000 barrels of light crude, which is in short supply globally after the loss of Libyan output in February.

The United States and neighbouring oil giant Saudi Arabia want the Yemen standoff resolved to avert chaos that could enable al Qaeda’s Yemen wing to operate more freely.

But neither has been successful in mediation effor ts so far. Yemen’s opposition coalition, which includes Islamists and leftists, said it still had hope that Yemen’s wealthy Gulf neighbours, meeting in a summit in Riyadh yesterday, could bring the

deal to end the crisis back to the negotiating table.

“The Gulf initiative is the last initiative the opposition can work with. We are waiting for decisions of the Gulf summit, and based on that we will take a decision,” said Sultan al-Atwani, a senior opposition leader. “ We expect the Gulf leadership to stick to the initiative as it is, and if that does not happen then we will meet to decide what (move) to take,” he said.

The opposition had said the deal, which Saleh refused to sign on April 30 in a last-minute reversal, was modified to let Saleh sign as party leader rather than president, as he demands.

But Atwani said the opposition did not accept those changes. The opposition now wants the Gulf states to raise the pressure on Saleh to commit to a transition. Yemeni youth groups leading mass protests have called on the Gulf states, under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council, to withdraw the plan.

Many demonstrators across Yemen-who include students, tribesmen and activists-have vowed to stay on the streets until Saleh goes. At least 154 have been killed in the unrest. “We expect the Gulf leadership to take a practical position on the distortions of President Saleh and supporting the choices of the Yemeni people,” Atwani said. —Reuters

Mississippi crests in Memphis MEMPHIS, Tennessee: The Mississippi River crested in Memphis yesterday at a height just inches short of the area’s all-time record but still soaking low-lying areas with enough water to require a massive cleanup. The soaking in Memphis was isolated to low-lying neighborhoods, and forced hundreds of people from their homes, but no new serious flooding was expected.

Officials trusted the levees would hold and protect the city’s worldfamous musical landmarks, from Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion to Beale Street, the famous thoroughfare known for blues music.

National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Borghoff says the riv-

er reached 14.58 m at 2 am yesterday and was expected to stay very close to that level for the next 24 to 36 hours. Reaching its high point means things shouldn’t get worse in the area, but it will take weeks for the water to recede and much longer for inundated areas to recover.

“Pretty much the damage has been done,” Borghoff said. The crest is just shy of the record of 14.8 m at Memphis reached during a devastating 1937 flood. In many neighborhoods, foul-smelling water approached the roofs of homes, and plastic bottles, garbage cans and rotting tree limbs floated on top.

Residents said they’ve spotted

snakes and fish in the water, while officials warned them of unseen bacteria.

Some greeted news of the river cresting with relief, but for others it was of little consolation. Rocio Rodriguez, 24, has been at a shelter for 12 days with her husband and two young children since their trailer park flooded. Told by a reporter that the river had hit its high point, she said: “It doesn’t matter. We’ve already lost everything.” Surrounding Shelby County and four others were declared disaster areas by President Barack Obama, which means that they’ll be eligible for much-needed federal disaster aid. About 500 people were in shelters. —AP

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Libyan govt bombards residential area: Rebels NATO warplanes hit sites in Tripoli

GAZA STRIP: Palestinians and International activists hold Palestinian flags as they try to approach the border with Israel during a weekly protest against Israel’s closure of Gaza, in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip yesterday.—AP

Israelis celebrate independence, Arabs protest JERUSALEM: Israelis celebrated yesterday the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the Jewish state, hosting parties and watching jet flyovers as Arab Israelis held a protest march in the Galilee region. In Jerusalem, a night of fireworks and revelry kicked off the celebrations the night before and, yesterday morning, citizens flooded into the city’s parks and green spaces to hold parties and barbeques.

Jet fighters flew in formation overhead in Jerusalem, and Israeli naval boats sailed in unison along the coastline in celebration of the anniversary. Several world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sent congratulations on the occasion. Israeli President Shimon Peres, who hosted a celebration at his home, hailed the anniversary as a proof of Israel’s resilience. “We proved that from stubborn earth we can create a flowering garden,” he said during a ceremony before soldiers and politicians.

Peres said the anniversary came at a time when the Middle East is being reshaped by political uprisings, and called on Israeli youth to “take this wonderful land ... and do not hesitate to redesign the future in a grand way.” “Design the Israel of peace. A democratic Israel in a democratic Middle East. An Israel where all citizens are treated equally, without regard for religion or nationality,” he urged.

The anniversary of Israel’s declaration of independence on May 14, 1948 is marked here according to the Jewish calendar, this year falling on May 10. Palestinians and many Arab Israelis mark the day by com-

memorating what they call the Nakba, or catastrophe, of Israel’s creation. The day is usually marked by Palestinians on May 14, but thousands of Arab Israelis also gathered in the Galilee yesterday afternoon to hold protest marches timed to coincide with Israeli celebrations.

Protesters, some in cars and others walking, moved between the one-time sites of the villages of Al-Damun and Al-Ruwais, which were among nearly 400 Palestinian villages destroyed in the war that erupted after Israel’s founding. More than 760,000 Palestinians-estimated today to number 4.7 million with their descendants-fled into exile or driven out of their homes in the conflict that followed the creation of the Jewish state.

Mohamed Kayyal, 55, was attending the march with his 10-year-old nephew, who wore a Palestinian flag tied around his head. “We come here to say once and again that we insist on our right to return to our villages and towns, from which we were expelled, and to insist on our rights to restitution for our property and to be able to rebuild,” he told AFP. Reema Ibdah, marching nearby, said she wanted her relatives, who lived in AlDamun before Israel’s founding, to be able to return and rebuild on what was once their land, and is now state-owned scrub and agricultural land.

“It is our right to go back to our village,” she said. “I want my grandmother and grandfather to come back to their houses.

They come here all the time to see the land where they lived. Why shouldn’t they come back?”— AFP

TRIPOLI: Libyan government forces bombarded a residential area outside Misrata yesterday, said rebels trying to maintain their grip on the city in the face of a fierce onslaught and siege. Fighting in the port city has ebbed and flowed over the past few weeks but Misrata is key to rebel hopes of overthrowing Muammar Gaddafi because it is the last city they control in the west of the North African country.

The Libyan leader has not appeared publicly since April 30, when a NATO air strike on a house in the capital killed his youngest son and three of his grandchildren, leading some Arab diplomats to question why he has remained out of sight. NATO has hit government targets around Misrata repeatedly and fresh battles erupted in Souk al Arab south of the city and at al-Ghiran near the city’s airport, a rebel spokesman said.

“The revolutionaries (rebels) entered the area of Souk al Arab .... Fighting is taking place there now,” said rebel spokesman Belkacem from Misrata. His comments could not be independently confirmed. Rebels took the town of Zareek, about 25 km (15 miles) west of Misrata, after fighting on Monday but were still trying to extinguish fuel tanks ignited overnight on Friday in a government attack, he said. “Gaddafi’s forces bombarded a residential area west of the city this morning at 0300 (local time). That area was subject to random bombardment,” he said by telephone.

NATO carried out missile strikes yesterday in the Tripoli area on targets which appeared to include Gaddafi’s compound, witnesses said.

Libyan officials said NATO air strikes in the Tripoli area overnight wounded four children and two of them were seriously hurt by flying glass caused by blasts. Officials showed foreign journalists a hospital in the capital where some windows were shattered, apparently by blast waves from a NATO strike that toppled a nearby telecommunications tower. The journalists were also taken to a government building housing the high commission for children, which had been completely destroyed. The old colonial building had been damaged before, in what officials said was a NATO bombing on April 30.

“The direction of at least one blast suggests Gaddafi’s compound has been targeted,” said one witness. No other information was immediately available. The Tripoli blasts occurred against a backdrop of deadlock in an insurgency aiming to end Gaddafi’s four decades in power and a dilemma for Western powers over whether to offer covert aid to the rebels. Allies including the United States, Britain and France face a choice over whether to exploit loopholes in the sanctions regime they engineered in February

BANGHAZI: A man kisses the tomb of Hussein Saad Al Awami, a rebel fighter who was killed Monday during fighting against Moammar Gaddafi troops, following his funeral in Benghazi, Libya yesterday. —AP and March to help the rebels, analysts and U.N. diplomats said.

Another option would be to circumvent sanctions secretly, but both courses risk angering Russia and China. They wield U.N. Security Council vetoes and are increasingly critical of NATO’s operations under a resolution aimed at protecting civilians.The government says most Libyans support Gaddafi. It calls the rebels armed criminals and al Qaeda militants and says NATO’s intervention is an act of colonial aggression by Western powers intent on stealing the country’s oil. After two months of conflict linked to this year’s uprisings in other Arab countries, rebels hold Benghazi and other towns in the east while the government controls the capital and almost all of the west of the North African state.

Fighting is escalating in the Western Mountains region near Tunisia and rebels on Monday said NATO struck government arms depots southeast of the battleground town of Zintan. The town was quiet yesterday with no government shelling or NATO air strikes, rebel spokesman Abdulrahman said by telephone.

“The revolutionaries are combing the area of Awiniyah where the brigades are believed to be positioned,” he said. The town is 25 km (15 miles)

Assad’s rule past ‘dangerous moment’ Heavy gunfire heard in Damascus suburb AMMAN: Syria’s government said the threat from a seven-week uprising against President Bashar Al-Assad was receding as security forces tightened control yesterday over protest centres across the country. “I hope we are witnessing the end of the stor y,” presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban told a New York Times correspondent allowed into the country for a few hours while most foreign journalists have been banned. “I think now we’ve passed the most dangerous moment.” Assad, who has maintained Syria’s authoritarian Baath Party rule since inheriting power from his father in 2000, held out the prospect of political reform when unrest first erupted in March but turned to the military two weeks ago to crush dissent.

A Damascus resident reported hearing heavy gunfire in the capital’s southwestern suburb of Mouadhamiya, which has seen protests against Assad’s autocratic rule. “I tried to get in through Mouadhamiya’s main entrance but there were scores of soldiers with rifles turning cars back,” the witness said.

According to unconfirmed reports by activists in the last two days tanks had entered the large suburb. They said Internet and telephone lines have been cut, a common tactic used by security forces before storming demonstration hotspots. Syrian rights groups say at least 630 civilians have been killed in the unrest nationwide and thousands arrested, prompting Western condemnation and sanctions. The European Union implemented an arms embargo against Syria yesterday in response to the repression and put asset freezes and travel bans on 13 Syrians, including a brother and a wealthy and influential cousin of Assad, but not the president himself.

Sources said Germany and Spain opposed adding the president to the list, over-riding strong backing from France and Britain.

The United States also slapped further sanctions on Syria last month on top of measures imposed in 2004 over its support for militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah and accusations it helped militants in the insurgency in neighboring Iraq. “This is a weapon used against us many

times,” Shaaban said. “Once security is back, everything can be arranged. We’re not going to live in this crisis forever.”

Officials have blamed most of the violence on “armed terrorist groups”, backed by Islamist groups and foreign agitators, and say around 100 soldiers and police have also been killed in the unrest.

Shaaban said armed militants had manipulated “the legitimate demands of the people”, calling them “a combination of fundamentalists, extremists, smugglers, people who are ex-convicts and are being used to make trouble”.

Tanks moved into the central city of Homs on Sunday and the army has also deployed in the southern city of Deraa where protests broke out on March 18, and the coastal city of Banias.

Troops were also outside the city of Hama, where Bashar’s father crushed an armed Islamist uprising in 1982. A resident said hundreds of demonstrators gathered before being dispersed by security forces and then assembling again.

In a boost for authorities, state news agency SANA said the government-appointed mufti, or Muslim preacher, in Deraa had withdrawn his resignation. Rezq Abdulrahman Abazeid said he had resigned last month after threats that he and his family would be killed if he did not join the protesters. SANA also said more than 1,000 people had handed themselves in under an amnesty declared by the Interior Ministry, which runs until May 15.

Several activists and opposition figures arrested as part of the crackdown-including Hassan Abdel Azim, 81, and Hazem alNahar-were released on Monday night, according to Ammar Qurabi, head of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria. Shaaban said she had been asked to open talks with some activists and had met veteran opposition figures, promising them a freer press, political parties and an election law, the New York Times said.

Activist Louay Hussein who attended the meeting with Shaaban said Fayez Sarah, Kamal

Sheikho and George Sabra have been also released.

“We said that the authorities should allow peaceful protesting and allow sit-ins so that the protesters can agree on political programs and choose their representatives who will negotiate with the authorities,” Hussein told Reuters.

Adding to international criticism, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who had close ties to Assad and sent envoys to Syria after the protests broke out to discuss possible reforms, disputed the official Syria account of the violence.

“It’s never right for a government to fire bullets on its people, because it’s not an armed group you’re firing at... it’s just people in this case,” state-run Anatolian news agency quoted him as telling Channel 7 on Monday night. Erdogan said more than 1,000 civilians had died and he did not want to see a repeat of the 1982 Hama violence or the 1988 gassing of Iraqi Kurds in Halabja, when 5,000 people died. — Reuters

TARTUS: A photo released by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on May 9, 2011, shows the funeral of Syrian Lieutenant Colonel Akram Maaruf in Tartus, 220 km northwest of Damascus, killed in clashes following weeks of unrest across Syria. —AFP

east of Zintan. The rebels face superior government firepower and resources but a rebel commander told Al Jazeera television his fighters had killed 57 troops and destroyed 17 military vehicles during a battle west of the insurgentheld city of Ajdabiyah on Monday. The commander also said two rebels were killed in the fighting halfway between Ajdabiyah and the oil port of Brega, where Gaddafi’s forces are entrenched. His statement could not immediately be verified.

The war has killed thousands and caused misery for tens of thousands of migrants forced to flee overland or by boat. Hundreds have drowned on unseaworthy vessels trying to cross the Mediterranean. Aid agencies say witnesses reported a vessel carrying between 500 and 600 people foundered late last week near Tripoli and many bodies were seen in the water. [nLDE74919R] “The tragic truth is we will probably never know how many people drowned in this latest tragedy,” said Jean-Philippe Chauzy, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration. Even before that, around 800 people have gone missing since March 25 after trying to escape Libya, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Most were from sub-Saharan Africa. — Reuters

Egyptian ex-tourism minister jailed for 5 years CAIRO: Egypt’s former tourism minister was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for squandering public funds, the second member of Hosni Mubarak’s cabinet to be jailed for financial misconduct.

A criminal court found Zoheir Garranah guilty of selling public land in Red Sea province below its market value to two businessmen, the court said in a statement.

The three were fined more than 293 million Egyptian Pounds ($49.34 million) and ordered to give back the land.

Garranah allocated one area of land to a company owned by Hisham al-Haziq, who is head of the board of directors of the Gamsha tourism development company. Further state land, also on the Red Sea, was allocated to property developer DAMAC, headed by Hussein Habib Sajwani. Sajwani and Haziq were tried in absentia. Egyptian officials said their whereabouts were unknown.

Garranah was the latest in a string of

former senior government officials to be investigated following an uprising that toppled autocratic President Hosni Mubarak on Feb 11. Last week, Mubarak’s widely despised interior minister, Habib el-Adli, was sent to jail for 12 years for money laundering and profiteering. Egypt’s public prosecutor extended Mubarak’s detention by 15 days yesterday as an inquiry continues into abuse of public funds and the killing of protesters, a judicial source said.

Mubarak, who has denied the allegations, was first detained on April 13 but has not left a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh where he was taken after suffering health problems under questioning. The interim military administration that replaced Mubarak and is preparing Egypt for free elections in September has been responding to public demands to hold Mubarak’s officials to account for abuses of power during his 30-year rule. — Reuters

Fear in Egypt over growing Salafists role CAIRO: The Islamist sect blamed for attacks on Coptic churches in Cairo had already been accused of stoking religious strife since the uprising that ousted the former regime which had kept them in check for decades. Salafists were mostly apolitical prior to president Hosni Mubarak’s ouster in February, but they have since begun forming political parties and raising their public profile.

Salafi leaders have denied involvement in mob attacks on Cairo churches on Saturday, although their followers were among the Muslims who tried to storm a church they said was holding a Muslim convert against her will. “Salafists played a positive role,” said Abdel Moneim al-Shahat, a Salafi cleric.

He said news had spread that the woman was detained in a building adjacent to the church after she got hold of a cellphone and called her Muslim husband.

“The Salafists persuaded people to go with the police to the church to negotiate her release. But they were fired upon. They did not come armed,” he said.

He blamed “thugs” for the violence. The incident was just the latest in a series of events that worried the Coptic Church enough to convene a synod on the Salafists’ newfound assertiveness. Salafists regularly stage protests demanding the Coptic Church release the wives of two priests the Islamists say converted to Islam, and Salafists were prominent in mass demonstrations in the country’s south against the appointment last month of a Coptic governor.

Last week, hundreds of Salafists also protested outside Cairo’s American embassy at the death of Osama bin Laden.

Many Muslims also fear the rise of the fundamentalists while secular groups still try to organize themselves into parties to enter parliamentary elections in September.

The Salafi sect, which is dominant in Saudi Arabia, believes most modern Muslims follow a corrupted version of Islam that should be abandoned in favour of the practices of the first three generations of Muslims, the Salaf. Mubarak’s government saw them as competition to the government-run Al-Azhar, whose theological teachings the Salafists deprecate, and as possibly violent extremists.

Mubarak’s regime published leaflets denouncing Salafi practices, such as the face veil for women, and rounded up Salafists after militant attacks including a suicide bombing that killed 20 people near a church in January. Yet security services were accused of usually tolerating the fundamentalists because most of their leaders preached an apolitical Islam compared with the Muslim Brotherhood opposition movement, which was banned before Mubarak’s ouster.

Although the group’s ideology has inspired such militants as bin Laden, many Salafi clerics proscribe rebellions against Muslim rulers and shy away from democratic politics, which they view as a Western innovation. But Egypt’s Salafists are now forming political parties, and they say Christians and other Muslims have nothing to fear from them. — AFP

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Russia investigates anti-corruption activist MOSCOW: Russia’s leading anti-corruption whistleblower is facing an investigation for damaging interests of a timber company, Russian officials said yesterday.

Lawyer Alexei Navalny is being probed for allegedly using his position of a regional governor’s adviser to force a timber company into an unfavorable deal, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said yesterday. The committee is Russia’s top investigative body.

Navalny rose to prominence a few years ago when he embarked on a one-man crusade against a handful of Russia’s state-owned companies, suing them for a greater access to their documents and more accountability in their spending.

He also set up a website that tracks down suspicious online government tenders for goods and services. The website says it has unearthed suspicious orders worth 16 billion rubles ($573 million) and made authorities cancel state orders worth 337 million rubles ($12 million).

The lawyer has so far attracted some 6.7 million rubles ($240,000) in private donations which helped him employ two other lawyers to trace and appeal murky deals. In one of the most glaring examples of tender abuse, the Interior Ministry famously ordered a gilded bed for its suburban residence but was forced to cancel that order amid Navalny’s campaigning.

Investigators say Navalny is suspected of damaging interests of timber produc-

er Kirovles by making the company’s director sign a deal to sell the timber to another firm. The transaction, the investigators claim, added a 1.3 million ruble ($46,6000) loss to the company’s balance sheet. Nikita Belykh, governor of the Kirov region where Kirovles is based, wrote in his blog in December , when police were first looking into Navalny’s activities , that his former adviser is innocent.

Belykh said Navalny was carrying out his orders to bring more transparency into the industry. He also complained that police took no action against the firm’s director, whom he suspects of mismanaging the company. Navalny’s efforts came under fire last week when a Russian web-search engine revealed that its web-money service had been forced to divulge personal information about donors to Navalny’s website to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

Neither the search engine nor the FSB gave any explanation for that request.

Navalny wrote in his blog yesterday that he had not been notified of any proceedings and pledged to keep on campaigning. A staunch critic of Russian courts and police, Navalny expressed confidence that even the most corrupt court in the world “will hardly manage to pass a guilty verdict on that total nonsense clumsily made up by policemen.”— AP

Somali government prevents legislators from traveling NAIROBI: Somali security forces prevented more than 40 parliamentarians, including US citizens, from leaving the countr y in the latest altercation between the country’s president and parliament, officials said yesterday. The US expressed concerns over the move and said several parliamentarians were threatened with weapons and that at least three were physically assaulted.

The US said the Mogadishu government, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is stifling peaceful political discussions and silencing critics.

“This action follows other efforts by the TFG in recent weeks to stifle peaceful political discussion and to silence its

critics,” the US statement said. “The United States reminds the TFG of the commitment it made to the United Nations Security Council to enhance reconciliation and complete the transitional tasks which include completing the constitutional process that will end the transitional period and bring sovereignty and legitimacy back to Somalia.”

The travel ban appears to be a part of a clash between the government and parliament over the president’s term.

New elections are supposed to be held

by August, but the president wants to extend his term without a vote. Some of the detained parliamentarians were traveling to an election workshop in neighboring Kenya. —AP

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France arrests seven suspected Islamists France tightens security in wake of Bin Laden death PARIS: French police captured seven suspected Islamist militants in raids in Paris and its suburbs, officials said yesterday, as France tightened security in the wake of the death of Osama bin Laden. Six suspects were detained on Monday but the main target of the operation, an Indian national who recently arrived from Algeria, was taken yesterday, according to officials close to the inquiry.

Interior M inister Claude Gueant had said Monday that France had no concrete evidence of a specific attack being planned, but security forces were in a heightened state of vigilance over the Jihadist threat. The first arrests were made on Monday in Paris and two largely-immigrant suburbs: Stains, where searches continued, and Garges-les-Gonesse, officials close to the inquiry told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Indian who was arrested yesterday was “the main target” and had “links with Pakistan”, an official said, also on condition he not be identified.

All the raids were carried out by the DCRI police intelligence service as part of a probe into an Islamist network alleged to have recruited militants in France and sent them to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The suspects are being held under anti-terrorism statutes at the DCRI’s headquar ters in the Paris suburb of Levallois, where they can be held for questioning for up to four days without

PARIS: French police cars arrive yesterday in Levallois-Perret, a Paris suburb, at the Direction centrale du renseignement interieur (DCRI), after the arrest of six suspected Islamist militants.—AFP magistrates being consulted.

They were identified partly thanks to intercepted Internet communications between suspected members of the militant recruitment network, police said. French officials told AFP recently that investigators suspect some of these fighters may have recently returned from the battlefield to France. “On the day after the death of Osama bin Laden I ordered reinforced

vigilance,” Gueant told reporters on Monday at a joint news conference in Paris with US Attorney General Eric Holder.

Paris residents have noticed a larger than normal security presence around tourist attractions and transpor t hubs in recent days, but Gueant said he had not ordered an increase in the terror alert level. France’s security status has been at the second highest level, “Red” or

“probable threat”, since 2005, when Islamist suicide bombers struck London and triggered fears of more attacks on neighbouring European capitals.

In 2008, officials reinforced security measures but stopped short of moving to the highest threat level, “scarlet” or “specific threat”, which would trigger draconian security measures and the closure of potential targets. French forces are fighting in Afghanistan as part of the NATO -led coalition battling Taliban guerrillas and Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network has repeatedly threatened to carry out attacks against French citizens and interests.

Al-Qaeda’s north African offshoot, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, has kidnapped several French citizens in recent ye a rs, s o m e o f w h o m h ave be e n ra n s o m e d a n d s o m e killed. Four nuclear workers are still being held. On April 28 bombers attacked a popular tourist cafe in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh, killing 17 people including eight French tourists. —AFP

New govt reaches out to radical sect: Nigeria MAIDUGURI: A newly elected state government in northeast Nigeria says they want to talk with radical sect members a day after a man claiming to speak for the group rejected an amnesty offer. The Borno state government spokesman says the new administra-

tion seeks to calm tensions with the radical sect locally known as Boko Haram. A man claiming to be a Boko Haram spokesman told the BBC on Monday that the group was rejecting a government amnesty offer.

Government spokesman Inuwa Bwala says

they want the group to reconsider their stance and “give us the benefit of the doubt.”

Boko Haram members have targeted police and clerics in a string of killings over the last year, and also have attacked churches and engineered a massive prison break. —AP

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13 die in gunbattle in northern Mexico Investigators find 11 decapitated bodies in mass grave

TEXAS: President Barack Obama returns a salute as he boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md yesterday as he travels to the USMexico border at El Paso, Texas, to speak about immigration reform. —AP

Obama hopes to elevate toxic immigration debate WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama will seek yesterday to “elevate” the toxic US debate over illegal immigration, in an apparent bid also to appease Hispanic voters who will be crucial to his 2012 reelection bid. Obama headed to El Paso, Texas, in his first visit to the porous southern US border as president, to highlight his efforts secure the frontier with Mexico and to call for a route to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. “He is trying to lead a constructive and civil debate on the need to fix America’s immigration system,” said a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of the president’s major speech. “He is hoping to elevate the debate,” said the official.

El Paso is situated on the Rio Grande, across the border with Mexico, the departure point for millions of illegal immigrants who penetrated the US border, but have no legal status in the United States.

Comprehensive immigration reform has sparked furious and bitter debate in the United States in recent years-the last attempt to enact comprehensive change by then president George W. Bush in his second term ended in failure. If anything, the prospects for reform-with US presidential and congressional elections looming next year-appear even less promising now.

“We are going to continue to be forceful about this in order to create space in the Congress,” said another official.

“Part of what you will hear him give is a call to action to the rest of the country to create the momentum we need to get this over the top.” The parameters of immigration reform appear clear-what is difficult is moving the debate forward. Many leaders believe a path to citizenship needs eventually to be laid out for 10.8 million illegal immigrants and their offspring, with some price to be paid for entering the country illegally. The concessions to immigrants would be matched by a redoubled border enforcement regime and attempts to punish US employers who use illegal labor.

Many Republicans insist the border must first be secured ahead of reform efforts leading many observers to feel reform has almost no chance and that Obama is therefore seeking a political payoff from discussing immigration.

Immigration reform is an article of faith for

Hispanic voters who are becoming an increasingly important demographic in presidential elections. Hispanic voters will wield particular influence in swing states in the next year’s November poll which could pave the way to Obama’s reelection-including New Mexico, Colorado, Florida and Nevada. Cynics also note that Obama’s approval ratings among Hispanics have dipped over the past two years.

When he took office in January 2009, Obama’s approval among Hispanics was 74 percent according to Gallup polling and reached a peak in May of that year at 82 percent. By April 2011, his rating had plunged to 54 percent. So, if Obama cannot pass immigration reform, he may benefit politically by pinning the blame for any impasse on Republicans. US officials however denied Obama was being driven by political considerations. “He has been very clear about this since the very beginning.

His marching order to us is to create a pathway to getting the job done. Period. That is why he is leaning forward on legislative action,” said one official.

The official said Obama wanted to “create a sense of urgency around the country that matches his sense of urgency on the issue.” The White House says that Obama will lay out a “blueprint” for possible immigration reform approaches, but it remains unclear whether he will propose any approach that has not been voiced before.

He will also argue that it is in America’s economic interest to pursue reform-even though, at a time of high unemployment, it seems unlikely lawmakers will back a bill bringing millions of new workers into the economy.

The administration also wants to make it easier for foreign students who come to the United States to study, to remain in the country when they graduate. Officials argue that it makes little sense for America’s universities to train thousands of foreign students, including some of the entrepreneurs of the future, then send them back to their home economies. “It makes little if any economic sense for us to educate the top entrepreneurs and job creators of the next generation, then send them and force them to leave and compete against us and create jobs elsewhere,” another official said.— AFP

MEXICO CITY: Mexican marines patrolling a lake along the border with Texas discovered a drug gang camp on an island, provoking a gunbattle that left 13 people dead, the navy said Monday.

Investigators in a different northern state reported finding 11 decapitated bodies and exhumed 22 remains from mass grave sites where they have found 179 dead people since last month. One marine and 12 suspected gunmen of the Zetas drug cartel were killed in the battle Sunday on Falcon Lake in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, the navy said in a statement.

The navy said the gunmen opened fire first when the marines discovered the camp, which the gang is believed to have used as a launching point for smuggling marijuana into Texas by speedboat. Marines seized more than 20 guns after the shootout, including several assault rifles. Falcon Lake, a dammed section of the Rio Grande, is where US citizen David Hartley was presumably chased and gunned down by pirates Sept 30. His body has not been found and Mexican investigators have reported no leads in the case. His wife, Tiffany Hartley, told authorities she and her husband were using personal watercraft on Falcon Lake when they were approached by pirates who shot and killed her husband. The couple, who lived in nearby McAllen, Texas, at the time, were returning to Texas after photographing a historic church on the Mexican side of the lake, Hartley said.

Mexican officials called off a search for David Hartley on Oct 14, but the case remains open.

The search was hampered when authorities received threats, pre-

sumably from the Zetas. The Tamaulipas state police commander and chief investigator of the Hartley case, Rolando Flores, was killed while the search was under way, his decapitated head delivered in a suitcase to a local Mexican army post.

Mexican authorities say they don’t know whether Flores’ killing was related to the Hartley

case because he had been in charge of several investigations.

The Zetas are locked in a fierce turf battle with the Gulf cartel that has turned much of Tamaulipas state into a virtual war zone. Last month, security forces discovered more than 40 clandestine graves containing 183 bodies. Many of the victims had apparently been pulled off passenger buses by Zetas gun-

to statements Monday from the Durango state attorney general’s office.

The Mexican army will continue excavating at a mass grave site. President Felipe Calderon’s security spokesman, Alejandro Poire, said Monday that “the finds were a result of a capture made by federal forces.” Poire said investigations into the mass grave sites revealed that the

Agents first discovered six decapitated men across from a middle school in the capital, which is also named Durango.

Investigators then found five decapitated men on a highway that connects Durango to the Pacific resort of Mazatlan. The heads lay next to the bodies. The attorney general’s office has not identified the bodies or the motives for the killings.—AP

Questions accompany drug suspect back to Venezuela

China clampdown ‘fool’s errand’: Clinton ancient civilization and we are of the Oriental culture,” Wang said.

“The United States is the world’s number one superpower, and the American people, they’re very simple people,” he added. The United States last year launched a drive to ramp up the number of students studying in China. Obama, who was born in Hawaii and grew up partly in Indonesia, has fashioned himself as the first Pacific US president. Long-running US economic concerns with China came back into focus yesterday as official data showed that China’s trade surplus ballooned to $11.4 billion in April and exports hit a record monthly high.

The trade surplus has been a long source of tension between China and the United States, which accuses Beijing of artificially undervaluing its yuan to fuel a flood of inexpensive manufactured goods for export. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said that the yuan’s value remained a top concern for the United States but recognized that it has risen against the dollar as China tries to tame inflationary pressure. Wang rejected allegations of currency manipulation, saying that the yuan’s value had nothing to do with China’s trade boom. “My biggest worry is that economic relations between China and the United States become politicized,” Wang said.

Despite the disagreements, US and Chinese officials say they have made progress in a number of areas to ensure that disagreements do not turn into fullfledged crises. Military officers are taking part in the annual talks for the first time.

China last year snapped defense ties for months after the United States approved a $6.4 billion arms package to Taiwan, which Beijing claims. A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the military officers’ involvement allowed the Pacific powers to speak frankly about sensitive security issues. “We hope we can break down misunderstandings and misperceptions that could potentially lead to some sort of miscalculation,” he said.— AFP

motives of the Durango killings were different than in Tamaulipas, but he did not explain or give any specifics.

Besides mass grave sites, there is public display of drug violence in the vast, mountainous state.

The decapitated bodies of 11 men were found Monday in two places in Durango, the state attorney general’s office said.

ACAPULCO: Forensic workers load a truck with two bodies after a gun-battle broke out in Acapulco, Mexico, Monday.—AP

US, China clash on rights WASHINGTON: The United States and China yesterday sharpened the tone in their disagreements over human rights as top-level talks looked set to yield only general promises of cooperation. The world’s two largest economies were wrapping up two days of wide-ranging meetings, with the United States pressing China to let its currency appreciate further and Beijing seeking an easing of US controls on sensitive exports. But human rights concerns took center-stage in the annual dialogue which comes as China carries out its biggest crackdown in years. Authorities have rounded up dozens of lawyers, writers, artists and other perceived critics.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in some of the sharpest US criticism yet, said that China was wrong if it thought it could hold off change in the wake of the pro-democracy protests sweeping the Arab world.

“They’re worried, and they are trying to stop history, which is a fool’s errand,” Clinton said of Chinese officials in an interview with The Atlantic magazine. Clinton nonetheless defended the US policy of seeking cooperation with China on a range of global issues, saying: “We live in a real world.” “We don’t walk away from dealing with China because we think they have a deplorable human rights record. We don’t walk away from dealing with Saudi Arabia,” she said. US officials said Clinton and President Barack Obama, who met the Chinese delegation at the White House on Monday, both raised human rights concerns behind closed doors.

But Vice Premier Wang Qishan, one of two Chinese officials leading the talks, said that Beijing has frequently tried to explain its views on protest movements to the United States. “I don’t think it is possible for events like the Arab Spring to take place in China,” Wang told “The Charlie Rose Show” in a rare foreign television interview. Wang said that US media offered a limited, distorted picture of China and that Americans are generally drawn first to Europe and secondly to South America. “It is not easy to really know China because China is an

men trying to recruit them. A similar discovery was made last month in the northern state of Durango, another drug cartel battleground.

Soldiers unear thed 22 more bodies , among them three women and 14 men , from mass graves in the capital of Durango city over the weekend, bringing the rapidly mounting toll to 179, according

BOGOTA: Colombian police officers escort alleged drug trafficker Walid “The Turk” Makled to a waiting plane at the military airport in Bogota, Colombia, Monday. —AP

Quebec unveils plan to develop northern territory QUEBEC: Quebec’s provincial government unveiled Monday a massive plan to develop Northern Quebec while at the same time environmentally protecting half of the area, which is almost 10 times the size of New York state. Premier Jean Charest unveiled his “Plan Nord” project that he said will lead to $80 billion in public and private investments and create 500,000 jobs over 25 years. The largely untouched area of 1.2 million square kilometers accounts for 72 percent of the French-speaking province and produces all of its iron ore, nickel and zinc deposits as well as rare-earth metals. The area, about twice the size of France, is sparsely populated and with few roads and airports to develop it.

The government said 11 new mining projects are under development and estimates $47 billion will be spent on the development of renewable energy and $33 billion on the mining sector and public infrastructure. An initial $2.1 billion will be spent by Quebec on roads and airports as well as feasibility studies, including one on the possibility of constructing a deep-water port on Hudson Bay The plan includes a large increase in hydropower electricity production, which is planned for export to the northeastern US Quebec is the fourth largest producer of hydropower electricity in the world.

Charest said 50 percent of the territory will not be developed for industrial purposes.

“It is the most important sustainable project for the future of Quebec and one of the most important sustainable projects for the world,” Charest said. Charest later said in an interview with The Associated Press that it’s important for Canada to develop the north and assert its sovereignty. He said he shares the same philosophy of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who has been a staunch defender of Canada’s northern territories.

“This is part of Canada that requires special attention,” Charest said. “The demand on our resources is going to remain strong for the next 30 years ... Northern Quebec has all the natural resources the world would hope to develop.—AP

CARACAS: Colombia’s extradition of alleged cocaine kingpin Walid Makled has Venezuelans asking about the huge payments he claims to have made to close associates of President Hugo Chavez and opposition leaders are demanding answers.

The allegations, lingering doubts and inquiries about millions of dollars in payments purportedly made to government officials and military officers has prompted the independent media to nickname him “Venezuela’s Deep Throat.” Opposition leaders are asking if Chavez was aware of alleged dirty dealings, how Makled amassed a fortune estimated at roughly $1 billion in a decade, if investigators will try to answer the questions and whether any officials will ever go to trial. Other Venezuelans want to know if Makled, who denies any wrongdoing, will be permitted to talk publicly about his case.

The suspected drug smuggler has repeatedly demanded that his trial be televised and expressed interest in talking to Venezuelan journalists about the allegations against him.

All the Venezuelan officials named by Makled as having taken his money deny his accusations. The claimed payoffs were presumably to let Makled’s drugs leave the country, though he has never said this explicitly. Chavez appeared on television Monday night, but did not refer to Makled’s case.

Lawyer Fermin Marmol, a critic of the president, wonders if Makled will be isolated or if authorities will grant him access to the media, lawmakers and opposition leaders. Or maybe Makled will clam up, possibly under pressure from the government or pro-Chavez prosecutors, Marmol said. “Is Makled coming with an attitude of silence or is he coming with the same attitude of talking and expressing his points of view? That’s the big enigma of the next two weeks,” Marmol said in an interview.

Colombia extradited Makled, a man the White House has called a major drug kingpin, to Venezuela under strict security and Venezuela’s secret police quickly escorted him from the Caracas airport to the headquarters of Venezuela’s intelligence service.

He faces drug smuggling and murder charges in Venezuela. Miguel Angel Ramirez, his defense lawyer in Colombia, said by phone that Makled plans to plead not guilty. Makled

has said in multiple interviews that he paid military and civilian officials in Venezuela for government favors, including a major warehouse concession at the port of Puerto Cabello, which is also a key conduit for drug shipments by sea.

According to Makled, he handed out about $1 million in payoffs monthly to approximately 40 senior Venezuelan military officials, including generals, colonels and majors. Makled said in a recent TV interview that he had videos proving Venezuela’s ruling elite is deeply involved in cocaine trafficking. He said he would disclose only to US prosecutors the videos and other “conclusive evidence” of drug corruption in Chavez’s inner circle. Makled would have his first court hearing within 24 hours, and his legal rights will be guaranteed, said Nestor Reverol, a deputy justice minister.

“He also will have the opportunity to be heard, and if anyone is involved, whoever it may be, all the weight of the law will be applied,” Reverol told reporters. Makled was captured in August in the Colombian town of Cucuta, on the border with Venezuela. Both Venezuela and the United States requested his extradition.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos decided to turn him over to Venezuela, saying Caracas made its request first. Santos also noted Makled was charged with more serious crimes in Venezuela , not only drug trafficking of which US authorities have accused him, but also two counts of murder.

Makled, who is the son of a Syrian immigrant, swiftly accumulated a fortune in Venezuela and was a port mogul and airline owner. He went underground in November 2008 after his three brothers were arrested at a family ranch on drug-trafficking, money-laundering and conspiracy charges. Authorities said they found nearly 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of cocaine on the property. Makled claimed the drugs were planted there to ensnare him. A Venezuelan journalist, Orel Sambrano, had been publishing articles suggesting the Makled brothers could have ties to assassins, and he was gunned down in 2009. Venezuelan authorities have charged Makled in that murder as well as the killing of a veterinarian, Francisco Larrazabal, who they say witnessed the drug raid at the family ranch. Makled denies involvement in the killings.—AP

Bolivia’s only female prez dies LA PAZ: Lidia Gueiler, the only woman ever to have been Bolivia’s president, died Monday at age 89. Her grandson, Luis Eduardo Siles, confirmed her death in an interview with Fides radio. He didn’t specify the cause but said she had been sick for weeks. Gueiler was only the second woman to lead a Latin American nation as president when she held the post for about eight months in 1979-80 between coup d’etats. Isabel Martinez de Peron, the third wife of Argentine leader Juan Peron, was that country’s president in 1974-76.

As president of Congress, Gueiler followed Bolivia’s constitutional line of suc-

cession and assumed the presidency in 1979 after a deadly popular revolt ousted coup leader Gen. Alberto Natusch Busch.

Gueiler called elections but no candidate won a majority to immediately become president as required by Bolivian law. Her cousin Gen. Luis Garcia Meza overthrew her 18 days after the vote, before a runoff could be held. Garcia Meza’s government lasted two years, in which it killed and imprisoned dozens of political opponents and cooperated with drug traffickers.

Garcia Meza is imprisoned in Bolivia for human rights crimes. Gueiler fled into exile after her ouster but returned from Chile in 1983. — AP

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Insurgents hit Afghan police in north 400 Taleban fighters attack checkpoints

DHAKA: In this April 14, 2011 photo, Rapid Action Battalion soldiers stand guard during a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh. An international human rights group urged Bangladesh yesterday to disband the special anti-crime force accused of torture and extra-judicial killings. — AP

Bangladesh criticized over ‘death squad’ DHAKA: Bangladesh’s government is failing to stop extrajudicial killings by an elite paramilitary force known as the Rapid Action Battalion, Human Rights Watch said in a report released yesterday. Some 200 people have been killed in so-called “crossfire” deaths by the RAB since the current Awami League government-which promised in opposition to end the killings-took power in January 2009, the report said. The government should either immediately reform the paramilitary group and hold it accountable for the killings or the force should be disbanded, the report “Crossfire: Continued Human Rights Abuses by Bangladesh’s RAB” said.

“Bangladesh is starting to get a reputation as a country that has a very powerful paramilitary force that is engaging in death squad-like activities,” Brad Adams, New York-based Human Rights Watch’s Asia director, told AFP. “ There is complete impunity... every RAB officer knows that if they go out and crossfire someone then they will not face prosecution,” he said in Dhaka, adding there was “no visible sign” the government was addressing the issue.

A spokesman for RAB said he was unable to comment on the allegations. “We have no idea about this report-no one contacted us. Until we have a full copy of the report, we are unable to comment on it,” Colonel

Mohammad Sohail told AFP. The report calls on the British, US and Australian governments, which have in the past provided training and assistance to the RAB, to immediately withdraw their support. “( The training) has clearly made no impact and that is because there’s no appetite to change behaviour inside RAB,” Adams said. “At the senior level it is clear that they don’t think there is a problem that needs to be solved. So you can’t train people to stop (crossfire deaths) where they’re either ordered to or permitted to,” he added. Over the last two years, there have been no prosecutions of any RAB officers for either human rights abuses or extrajudicial killings, the report said.

Manzural Alam, whose brother-in-law was killed by RAB in a crossfire incident, said the killing was a case of mistaken identity that RAB and the government had repeatedly refused to either admit or apologize for.

“Bappi was an MBA student with no criminal record. They said he was holding a weapon when he was shot but that is not true. He was completely innocent, his killing was just murder,” Alam said at the launch of the HRW report. The Rapid Action Battalion was set up in 2004 and admits about 600 people have died in what it calls “encounter/shootout” incidents over the last six years. — AFP

KABUL: Hundreds of insurgents launched a large-scale attack yesterday against Afghan police in a remote mountainous eastern province, a part of the country that is largely under Taleban control, officials said. Nuristan province police chief Gen Shams-ul Rahman Zahid said about 400 Taleban fighters armed with AK-47s, heavy machine guns and rocketpropelled grenades unleashed their assault around daybreak, pounding the checkpoints around a base housing police reserve units located about 11 miles (18 kilometers) south of the provincial capital of Parun. But by late afternoon, Zahir said the checkpoints had held their ground and had been reinforced by more police from Parun.

Yesterday’s attack is the second significant strike staged by the Taleban on Afghan government forces in less than four days and just one week after US commandos killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The first attack came over the weekend in the southern city of Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taleban and the economic hub of southern Afghanistan, where the Taleban attempted a full frontal assault on government buildings across the city. At least two dozen insurgents, two members of the Afghan security forces and one civilian were killed in two days of gunbattles in the city. The Taleban have said the Kandahar attacks were planned well before bin Laden’s death and were part of their spring offensive.

Zahid, the Nuristan provincial police chief, did not say how many police were under attack yesterday or the size of the security force based in the province, although it is thought to be small. He cited operational security. “We have requested from NATO forces and the Afghan army to help. They have not responded yet. I have ordered other units to go and help,” Zahid said. He gave no other details on the fighting but said it was ongoing. NATO said it was not aware of the attacks. There are few coalition or Afghan Army troops in mountainous Nuristan, near the Pakistan border.

The Nuristan and Kandahar attacks are the most ambitious since the insurgents declared the start of a spring offensive against NATO and the Afghan government last month. NATO has been expecting the Taleban to stage a series of spectacular and complex attacks, and the group has already carried out a number of them. But violence continued in other parts of Afghanistan as well. NATO said yesterday that

KANDAHAR: In this photo provided by ISAF Regional Command (South), Afghan Minister of Interior Bismullah Khan (L) and Afghan 1st Deputy Minister of Defense Army Lt. Gen. Mohammed Akram discuss the recent violence in Kandahar City during a news conference at the Joint Regional Coordination Center in Kandahar yesterday.—AP three of its service members were killed by roadside bombs, one yesterday in the east and two on Monday in the south. NATO did not release further details or their nationalities. So far seven NATO troops have died this month, a total of 158 since the start of the year.

In southern Zabul province, the Afghan Ministry of Defense said one of its commando units killed five insurgents, including two Pakistanis. It also said two armed foreign nationals, a Frenchman and a Moroccan, were detained “along with ammunition, weapons, military equipment and propaganda letters.” It provided no further details on the two foreigners. In eastern Paktika, the provincial governor’s office said six insurgents were killed and another eight captured in Afghan police operation.

In Nuristan, Mohammed Zareen, a spokesman for the provincial governor, confirmed a large attack was under way but had no details on the number of insurgents involved.

He said local residents were assisting the police. “We have only national police in area.

We don’t have army or NATO forces to support police,” he said. Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said Taleban fighters attacked police and that battles were under way. “There are large attacks by Mujaheddin on four police

checkpoints. Gun battles are going on,” he said in a message sent to news organizations in Kabul. The Taleban and other insurgent groups control large swaths of Nuristan, Kunar and other northeastern provinces near the Pakistani border. Insurgents retain safe havens in Pakistan’s neighboring lawless tribal regions and cross the border into Afghanistan to attack NATO troops. Hizb-i-Islami, a militant group made up of loyalists of regional warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, also has a large presence in the region. They are not thought to be taking part in the attacks. The area also has smaller ultraconservative Salafist groups.

Zahir said he had intelligence that the strikes were being carried out by Pakistanis and Arabs who have been crossing the border into Afghanistan. The Taleban also control the tiny capital Nuristan’s rugged Waygal district, which they overran with more than 300 fighters on March 29 and raised the white flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan _ as the country was known when it was under Taleban control before the 2001 US invasion. Zahir said they also directly control half of Kamdesh district.

“Unfortunately Waygal is still under control of the Taleban . We are waiting for the Ministry of Interior to instruct us. We have not acted to take it back after it collapsed,” he said. — AP

Fraud and corruption fears at Indian ‘charities’ NEW DELHI: Engineer Deepak Sharma thought he was dealing with a poverty relief project, but now believes he was caught up in a “Ponzi” fraud scheme-just one victim of India’s unregulated non-profit sector. He is fighting a legal battle to recover 100,000 rupees ($2,240) that he claims he lost to Anand Jan Seva (Anand Help to the People), a group which was set up in New Delhi in 2009 posing as a charity helping poor people.

It began work as an officially-registered non-government organization involved in community work in the Madangir district of the city, before it started to take cash from locals and return massive, rapid profits. “The charity boss turned up and gave away grain and sugar to poor people living nearby, helping lower middle-class families with their wedding costs, and organizing religious pilgrimages for the elderly,” Sharma, 25, said.

“He seemed so devout and trustworthy, the whole neighborhood supported him.” The NGO, which was licensed by local legal authorities, then offered a finance scheme which promised to double investors’ money within a few months. Sharma’s sister-in-law Sakshi gave Anand Jan Seva 1,000 rupees and soon got 2,000 rupees in return. Sharma first gave 10,000 rupees, and received 20,000 rupees back in August 2010.

“Looking back it seems strange that an NGO was doing this but we wanted to believe it. It was working so well and we got our money on time,” he said, trying to explain why he took the plunge last year and invested 100,000 rupees. Within weeks, Anand Jan Seva collapsed, saying it could not return anyone’s money. Its office was mobbed by furious investors who clashed violently with police. “Ponzi” schemes, which pay out returns from other investors’ contributions rather than from actual profits, are not new-but campaigners say the problem is worsened in India by fraudsters posing as charity workers.

Sharma is now one part of a huge legal case against the head of Anand Jan Seva, Anand Arora, who is the main accused in an alleged fraud worth billions of rupees. Arora was charged in September and remains in custody in Delhi as his case limps through the courts. The trial is a rare insight into how organizations claiming to be NGOs are part of every aspect of Indian life.

The national audit authority last November published a damning report revealing that only 3.5 percent of the NGOs which received grants from the environment ministry completed their projects. The auditors were unable to contact the remaining NGOs and, according to the report, “the possibility of misutilisation/fraud cannot be ruled out.” The environment min-

NEW DELHI: Indian engineer Deepak Sharma poses for a photograph in New Delhi on February 12, 2011.

Engineer Deepak Sharma thought he was dealing with a poverty relief project, but now believes he was caught up in a pyramid fraud scheme . — AFP

istry released 315 million rupees in grants to NGOs between 2003 and 2008, but could only account for 17.7 million rupees spent on completed projects.

According to the international Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), India is home to at least 1.2 million NGOs, employing some 2.7 million people and with an annual turnover of 200 billion rupees.

“The registration criteria for NGOs is absolutely insignificant and totally outdated,” said Robert Dequadros, who works with Credibility Alliance, a consortium of NGOs set up in 2004 to improve accountability in the sector.

“When we started Credibility Alliance, some 400 NGOs signed up. But once we put pressure on them to adopt good governance and accountability, 250 dropped out,” he said. “So many NGOs operate like thieves.”

One key problem is that many NGOs are established specifically to distribute funds from government coffers-meaning they are perfectly placed to funnel off cash before it reaches its target. “Often these NGOs are set up by relatives of government officials just to get money, since they know well how to work the system,” said Vinay Somani, who runs karmayog.com, a free online resource for the nonprofit sector. “In my view, government programs run through NGOs should be scrapped entirely.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, whose own reputation has been hit by corruption scandals over the last year, has said he wants to prioritise the fight against graft amid growing public anger.—AFP

US drone missiles kill 3 in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: US missiles killed three alleged Arab militants yesterday in a tribal region along the Afghan border, Pakistani intelligence officials said. The officials said two drone-fired missiles hit a vehicle in the Baghar area of South Waziristan, an area that has been used by militants to cross into Afghanistan, where many are involved in fighting US, NATO and Afghan forces. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. The official said local informants and intercepted satellite phone conversations indicated that the militants killed were Arab.

Yesterday’s strike was the second drone attack since US Navy SEALS conducted a raid on May 2 that killed AlQaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a garrison city that also lies in the country’s northwest. The American raid on bin Laden’s hideout heightened tensions between the two nations, but the United States has generally continued missile strikes even during sensitive times. Also yesterday, a morning explosion outside the district court in Nowshera killed a female Pakistani police constable and a civilian, and wounded several other people, said Liaqat Ali Khan, a regional police chief.

Preliminary reports indicate that a homemade bomb was planted at a police checkpoint situated at an entrance to the court where women are scanned and searched.

Khan said he believes the court in northwest Pakistan was targeted because of its proceedings against suspected terrorists and their accomplices. “It’s definitely a terrorist attack and they chose the court because many of their accomplices are brought here to be convicted,” Khan said. — AP

KABUL: In this March 22, 2011, photo Afghan National Special Force soldiers stand on tanks which were destroyed in Soviet occupation and civil war, during a training session at Camp Morehead on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan. — AP

Afghan special ops units a key to US exit PAKTIKA: A hundred or so turbaned, bearded Afghans packed the plastic mats outside the fort, staring skeptically at Afghan officials on a makeshift outdoor stage. The officials were making the case for setting up a local police force.

Off to the side, watching silently, were the US special operations troops who had made the meeting possible by flying in the officials and disarming the villagers before they entered the compound. If all went well, the Americans would later be training the neighborhood-watch-like police force to protect the villagers from the Taleban, and hastening the handover of security responsibility to the Afghans. The Associated Press got a rare glimpse at the ground level of this US special operations mission — one vastly different from the daring raid to kill Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

The US commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, credits increased use of special operations with helping blunt Taleban momentum, largely by taking out militant leaders.

Less well-known is the model Petraeus has supported alongside the expanded raids, whereby special operations troops pair with Afghans to provide protection, while training forces from local police to Afghanistan’s own special operators to take their place. The fledgling success of such units marks a subtle shift toward Afghan independence, and a possible exit strategy for the US Senior officials at the White House and in Congress are beginning to speak cautiously of a new specialoperations-led model as the way ahead in Afghanistan.

Roughly 100,000 US conventional forces would draw down to fewer than 30,000 conventional forces, while special operations forces would mentor local security forces and continue their high pace of kill-and-capture raids against militants.

Three senior administration officials and two officials in Congress laid out the plan on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive strategic discussions. Under the proposed scenario, special operations troops would keep hunting Taleban and Al-Qaeda, but most, including US Army Green Berets, Marine Special Operations troops and even Navy SEALs, would mentor and fight alongside Afghans for possibly a decade to come. There is precedent for that kind of trainand-fight force, like the US military mission that started in the

Philippines in 2001, where a few hundred US troops are helping Filipino counterterrorist troops battle a homegrown Islamic insurgency.

There would still be 20,000 to 30,000 US forces on the ground by the end of 2014, when the Afghans are supposed to be “in the lead” in the fight, one of the senior officials said.

But with relatively fewer US troops than the Afghans, the US would be backing them up rather than fighting the battles for them. It’s somewhere between the current counterinsurgency strategy with large numbers of conventional forces taking and holding territory, and the narrow alternative favored by Vice President Joe Biden during the Obama administration’s debate over Afghanistan policy in 2009. The new hybrid would be distinctly different from the special-operations-led mission of the Bush era, which was mainly focused on training Afghans to help hunt bin Laden, according to officers with several combat tours there since 2003.

Skeptics say it’s another form of costly nation-building the US can ill-afford, against an enemy that simply rests and waits until the Americans run out of time, money and manpower.

“Tactically, they’re a success, but how do you connect these forces with the Afghan government,” which most Afghans still don’t trust? asks retired Marine Col. T.X. Hammes.

“What’s to stop them fighting for their village, against the government?” Even the plan’s backers worry the White House may draw down conventional troops before the US-backed Afghan special operating forces have a chance to mature, leaving the US special-ops-backed Afghans vulnerable to being overrun and reliant on a skeleton crew of US logistics, communications and intelligence resources. Petraeus would not say whether a special operations-led model was one of the options he planned to present to the White House in advance of President Barack Obama’s deadline to begin drawing down US forces in July. But in an interview with the AP in Kabul, Petraeus had high praise for the Afghans. “Targeted intelligence-driven operations are increasingly led by Afghan special operations forces,” with little American help, Petraeus said.

Such Afghan-led forces conduct three to four raids a week against militant targets in the capital, he said.—AFP

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Storm moves away from Philippines, leaves 22 dead Officials fear flash floods, landslides

PYONGYANG: In this Oct 11, 2010 file photo, North Koreans sell food at a shop in Pyongyang, North Korea. The UN says hunger is driving some North Koreans to eat more wild grass.—AP

Debate rages about food aid to N Korea SEOUL: The UN says hunger is driving some North Koreans to eat more wild grass, and humanitarians are pressuring the US and South Korea to send food. But South Koreans who study the North say the crisis has been overstated. American televangelist Franklin Graham, who has warned of famine and joined calls for more food aid, arrived in the North Korean capital yesterday to discuss possible contributions from a Christian charity. After a visit there last month, former US President Jimmy Carter blasted Washington and Seoul on the issue.

“One of the most important human rights is to have food to eat, and for South Korea and the US and others to deliberately withhold food aid to the Nor th Korean people is really a human rights violation,” Carter said. The UN in March called for more than 430,000 metric tons (474,000 tons) of food aid to fend off disaster, and activists want the US and South Korea to override any political reasons for not giving. But activists, analysts and governments still argue whether North Korea is anywhere close to the famine it saw in the 1990s and what outsiders are obliged to do.

“It is an exaggeration to say there is a looming crisis,” said Kwon Tae-jin, a South Korean expert on North Korean food and agriculture. South Korea’s intelligence agency estimates that the North’s food production may actually have increased last year to 5.11 million metric tons (5.6 million tons), about 100,000 tons more than 2009. The agency head reportedly released the figures to a closed parliamentary committee. If the South Korean intelligence figures are correct, the difference between the North’s supply and demand is not large. Kwon, the exper t on Nor th Korean agriculture, said the North’s total need might be about 5.3 million metric tons (5.8 million tons) , some of which could come from imports.

“They won’t have a famine,” Kwon said.

In any case, figures for the North’s food production are likely to undercount the total, said the Daily NK, a Seoul-based media outlet that specializes in the North and has sources inside the country.

Many collective farms in the North underreport their food production to the central government so they can sell extra food to raise money for fertilizer and farm equipment, Daily NK said in a report posted online. Also coloring the debate are fears that outside aid is shipped to the military and Pyongyang’s elite, not hungry citizens. There also are suspicions Pyongyang is exaggerating shortages and seeking food donations in part so it can devote more resources to its campaign to build a prosperous society during the 2012 centennial of the birth of North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.

South Korea says it will resume largescale aid only after North Korea apologizes for last year’s deadly sinking of a South

Korean warship , which Seoul blames on a North Korean torpedo , and the North’s attack on a front-line South Korean island.

The US government suspended food handouts to the North in 2009 after monitors were expelled, and there are worries that any aid to North Korea could look like a reward for bad behavior.

Some observers say that even if South Korea is reluctant to send aid, the US should break ranks and send food now. If South Korea “prefers to let Koreans in the North starve, that is deeply regrettable, and the United States should at least urge them to change their policy,” Mor ton Abramowitz, a former US ambassador now with The Century Foundation think tank, wrote last month. “If they refuse, the US should abandon its support of the South on this issue.” Looming over the debate is the shadow of a 1990s famine that saw about a million of North Korea’s 23 million people starve, as natural disasters and decades-long mismanagement devastated North Korea’s centrally controlled economy. The UN report from March paints a stark picture: More than 6 million North Koreans, about a quarter of the population, need urgent international food aid. The World Food Program said last month it is launching an emergency operation to help feed 3.5 million hungry people in North Korea.

In interviews with 122 households in both cities and the countryside, the UN repor t found that only 4 percent had acceptable food consumption levels. It found significant levels of malnourishment, and noted that people were increasingly collecting wild grasses and other herbs for food to make up for food shortages. But the UN acknowledges holes in the report, saying households interviewed were “indicative” but not necessarily representative of the whole population. The UN also says it relied heavily on the North Korean government for key data, including crop production, current foreign aid and food imports.

Scholars studying North Korea question the credibility of any information from its government, saying the country lacks accountability and often uses such information for propaganda. Activists say that if food is sent and if the North allows outsiders to properly monitor it, the aid generally gets to the intended recipients. Jeff Baron, a retired North Korea specialist at the US State Department who helped monitor aid distribution in 2008, said that entire communities in North Korea often pitched in to help deliver food aid, moving bags from train stations and trucks to distribution centers. “For the leadership to divert the food away from the community, after it had been put in place by people in the community, hungry people, by the looks of them , would have generated a great deal of local anger,” Baron said. “The anger of hungry people could have consequences.”— AP

Taiwan to postpone US weapons purchase TAIPEI: Taiwan is postponing purchases of US-made Black Hawk helicopters and Patriot air defense systems that are part of a $6.4 billion US weapons package that has been strongly opposed by China, officials said yesterday. A lawmaker said the delay was caused by budgetary shortfalls, while the Defense Ministry blamed it on manufacturing delays.

Lin Yu-fang, a ruling Nationalist Party lawmaker on the legislature’s defense committee, said the government is either delaying purchases of new items or postponing payments for existing programs because of the funding shortfall. The procurement of six Patriot missile systems has been pushed back from 2014 to 2017 and 60 Black Hawk helicopters from 2016 to 2019 or 2020, he said. Defense Ministry spokesman Luo Shou-he denied that the postpone ments were caused by budget constraints and instead cited production delays by US defense contractors.

Taiwan’s Patriot air defense systems are being made by Lockheed Martin Corp, while Black Hawk helicopters are produced by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.

No immediate comment was available from either company before US

office hours yesterday.

The US remains Taiwan’s most important strategic partner and is required by law to provide it with defensive weapons. Last year, the Obama administration notified Congress it was making $6.4 billion in weapons available to Taiwan, including missiles, Black Hawk helicopters, information distribution systems and two Osprey Class mine hunting ships.

American arms sales to Taiwan are strongly opposed by China, which sees them as interference in its domestic affairs and says they undermine ties between Beijing and Washington. Senior Taiwanese officials have expressed concern that budgetary shortfalls amounting to several billion dollars are causing the government to struggle to meet a plan to turn the military into an all-volunteer service by 2015. Taiwan has an annual defense budget of $12.92 billion, while China is spending $92.57 billion on its military this year.

China claims that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two sides split during a civil war in 1949. Beijing is determined to unify with Taiwan, by force if necessary. — AP

MANILA: Tropical Storm Aere blew away from the northern Philippines yesterday, leaving at least 22 people dead but largely sparing vast agricultural regions where farmers welcomed the rain, officials said.

Disaster officials had feared the storm would barrel through provinces during planting season and set off flash floods and landslides. Af ter slamming Catanduanes province Sunday, it began to weaken and just grazed the country’s northeastern seaboard, bringing rain to farmland scorched by the summer heat.

“It’s a welcome relief for the farmers,” regional disaster response official Norma Talosig said by telephone from northern Cagayan province, where planting for rice, corn and peanuts has begun.

Still, disaster officials warned villagers to stay away from mountainous areas prone to landslides and from low-lying areas that could be swamped by flash floods, especially in the nor thernmost province of Batanes. Fishermen and ferry operators at the tip of northern Luzon island were advised to keep their boats ashore. The weather bureau said Aere was about 118 miles (190 kilometers) northeast of Batanes late yesterday as it pushed toward southern Japan with sustained winds of 40 miles (65 kilometers) per hour.

Officials in Taiwan have cautioned residents in the eastern

MANILA: A group of children look for salvageable materials washed to the shore after a storm yesterday in Manila, Philippines. Tropical storm Aere blew away from northern Philippines leaving at least 22 people dead but sparing vast agricultural regions where farmers welcome the rain. —AP and southern parts of the island of possible torrential rain. Aere caused at least 22 deaths in the Philippines, officials said. A 66year-old man remained missing in eastern Albay province.

Office of the Civil Defense officer Ronaldo Flores said damage to rice, corn and other crops

and livestock was estimated at $2.8 million (117.8 million pesos) in the eastern Bicol region alone. Nearly 210,000 people were affec ted by the storm, with 6,400 housed in evacuation centers. More than 50 flights were canceled or diverted.

President Benigno Aquino III delayed his flight home from a regional summit in Indonesia by a day, to Monday, due to the bad weather. Aere was the second tropical storm to batter the Philippines this year. About 20 typhoons and storms lash the country annually.—AP

Thai historian to be charged with insulting monarchy BANGKOK: Thai authorities drew anger from academics yesterday after they summoned a prominent historian to face a charge of insulting the monarchy, following his public calls for the institution to be reformed. Somsak Jeamteerasakul, a lecturer at Thammasat University in Bangkok, has been called up to be formally accused of lese majeste today morning, Police Colonel Mana Phaochauy told AFP, without giving further details.

Lese majeste is a serious offence in Thailand, punishable by up to 15 years in jail, and the monarchy is an extremely sensitive subject in the politically divided nation, which is preparing for a tough election fight on July 3. Somsak confirmed late Monday he received the summons “but they didn’t give any details about what I have done or when I violated the law,” he told AFP. Late last month, the academic insisted his eight-point proposal for reforming the monarchy-the framework for a controversial lecture he

gave in December-did not call for the institution’s overthrow. “Each and every one of my public statement(s) and written work is premised on the assumption of the continuation of the monarchy,” he said in a statement published by independent news website Prachatai.

More than 50 Thai and foreign academics living outside the kingdom signed an open letter released yesterday, protesting against what they called “the latest signal of the worsening atmosphere of freedom of expression in Thailand”. The accusation against Somsak “challenges” Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, said Kevin Hewison, director of the Carolina Asia Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in the statement.

“He has said that academic criticism is tolerated. How can he justify action against this wellknown academic?” About 500 academics, diplomats, activists and foreign media also attended a press conference by Somsak at Thammasat

last month, where he spoke of threats he had received as a result of his comments, the Bangkok Post daily reported.

Thailand has drawn flak from rights groups for suppressing freedom of speech using lese majeste legislation, which bans criticism of the royal family and the institution. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 83, the world’s longest-reigning monarch and revered as a demi-god by many Thais, has been in hospital since September 2009. On Monday he endorsed a decree to dissolve the lower house of parliament, paving the way for early July polls across the nation, which is still deeply divided after violence between opposition protesters and troops last year left more than 90 dead.

Somsak said he believed the complaint against him came from the military. Thailand’s powerful army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha has recently warned political figures to keep the revered monarchy out of debate ahead of the polls.—AFP

Japan to scrap plan to boost nuke energy TOKYO: Japan will scrap a plan to obtain half of its electricity from nuclear power and will instead promote renewable energy and conservation as a result of its ongoing nuclear crisis, the prime minister said yesterday. Naoto Kan said Japan needs to “start from scratch” on its long-term energy policy after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant was heavily damaged by a March 11 earthquake and tsunami and began leaking radiation. Nuclear plants supplied about 30 percent of Japan’s electricity, and the government had planned to raise that to 50 percent by 2030.

Kan told a news conference that nuclear and fossil fuel used to be the pillars of Japanese energy policy but now the government will add two more pillars: renewable energy such as solar, wind and biomass, and an increased focus on conservation. “ We will thoroughly ensure safety for nuclear power generation and make efforts to further promote renewable energy,” an area where Japan has lagged, he said. Kan also said he would take a pay cut beginning in June until the Fukushima nuclear crisis is resolved to take responsibility as part of the government that has promoted nuclear energy. He didn’t specify how much of a pay cut he would take.

“I believe the government bears a major responsibility for having promoted nuclear energy as national policy. I apologize to the people for failing to prevent the nuclear accident,” Kan said.

The operator of the stricken power plant, Tokyo Electric Power Co, has been struggling for nearly

two months to restore critical cooling systems that were knocked out by the disaster. Some 80,000 people living within a 12mile (20-kilometer) radius of the plant were evacuated from their homes on March 12, with many living in gymnasiums. Yesterday, about 100 evacuees were allowed into that exclusion zone briefly to gather belongings from their homes.

The excursion to Kawauchi village marked the first time the government has felt confident enough in the safety of the area to allow even short trips there.

Residents have been pushing hard for weeks for permission to check up on their homes.

The evacuees boarded chartered government buses for the two-hour visit. They were provided with protective suits, goggles and face masks to wear while in the zone, and were issued plastic bags to put their belongings in. They were also given dosimeters to monitor radiation levels and walkie -talkies. All were to be screened for radiation contamination after leaving the zone.

More visits are planned, but residents fear they may never be able to return for good. Many had been secretly sneaking back into the zone during the day, but the government , concerned over safety and the possibility of theft , began enforcing stricter roadblocks and imposing fines on April 22. The official visits were seen as a compromise that took both safety and the wishes of the residents into consideration.

The government and TEPCO in April projected that bringing the plant to a cold shutdown could

FUKUSHIMA: Villager Tetsuo Akimoto stands in front a barn with his cattle gone during a brief visit - his first since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami - to his house located near the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, in Kawauchi, Fukushima prefecture, northern Japan yesterday.—AP take six to nine months and residents might be able to return to resume their lives. But they admit that timing is a best-case scenario.

TEPCO released an image of the No. 3 reactor’s spent fuel pool, where fuel rods were covered with debris from explosions in March that damaged the building’s roof and walls. But officials said the fuel rods, protected by a metal screen, are believed to be largely undamaged. The reactor’s rising core temperature has become a new headache. Nuclear Industry and Safety Agency spokesman Hidehiko Nishiyama said officials suspect that not all of the cooling water may be entering the pressure container as intended.

On Monday, another utility, Chubu Electric Power Co., agreed to shutter three reactors at a

coastal power plant while it builds a seawall and improves other tsunami defenses there.

Kan requested the temporary shutdown at the Hamaoka plant amid predictions an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or higher could strike the central Japanese region within 30 years. The government’s decision came after evaluating Japan’s 54 reactors for quake and tsunami vulnerability after the March 11 disasters. The Hamaoka facility sits above a major fault line and has long been considered Japan’s riskiest nuclear power plant.

Kan said Japan will have to compile Japan’s new energy policy in a report for submission to the International Atomic Energy Agency in June. He didn’t give any numerical estimates for each source of energy in the new policy.—AP

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Issues

Pak squanders chance to bring military to heel

By John Chalmers akistan’s civilian government has a rare opportunity to bring the powerful security establishment to heel as the army writhes in humiliation over the surprise swoop by US forces on Osama bin Laden. It will probably miss it. “I think this is the first time since 1972 that the political government has a small window of opportunity to take the military on and change the skewed civil-military balance,” said Ayesha Siddiqa, an expert on the Pakistani army. “But they are losing the space so fast.”

The killing of Al-Qaeda’s leader on May 2 in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad just 50 km up the road from Islamabad dealt a body blow to the military’s prestige. It was embarrassed by the revelation that the world’s most-wanted man had been holed up for years under its very nose, and the public was shocked that a bunch of helicopter-borne foreign commandos could slip unnoticed into the nuclear-armed country.

Over the past week Pakistan’s media has been unusually scathing of the army’s apparent incompetence and intelligence failure. The army remains a potent and widely respected centre of power, however, and it is unlikely that the political class will find the will, agility or unity to challenge it. The military has ruled for more than half of Pakistan’s turbulent 64-year history and no civilian government has ever served out a full term. Although the current administration might become the first to survive the allotted five years, despite public disgust over its handling of the economy, it remains firmly under the thumb of the army when it comes to internal security and both foreign and defence policy.

A pro-democracy civil society group on Tuesday bemoaned a stark “absence of parliamentary leadership” in defining national security policy and overseeing its implementation. Even the United States sees the military as its main interlocutor: the first person it contacted in Pakistan after the bin Laden raid was Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Kayani.

President Asif Ali Zardari has tried on several occasions to assert his authority over the security establishment, and each time he has failed. His bid to bring the military’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency under the interior ministry in 2008 was quashed by the army. The same fate befell his efforts to reach out to old rival India and win US Congressional support for promoting civilian primacy in Pakistan. However, the discredit of the army over the bin Laden incident presented a fresh opportunity for the civilian government to reclaim some control over security policy.

The moment could hardly have been more timely. Just hours after the killing of the Al-Qaeda leader the deeply unpopular government shored up its grip on power with a new coalition partner and a few days earlier, the chairman of the US military’s joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, had accused the ISI of maintaining links with the Taleban. Despite that, more than a week since the bin Laden drama, there have been no signs that the politicians are pushing back or that the military is ceding ground. “I think it is an opportunity they have missed already,” said Cyril Almedia, a columnist for Dawn, a daily newspaper. “The political government we have has chosen to lie back, keep quiet and try not to be blamed for a crisis in the country.” “There is also the fear that if you take on the army at a moment of weakness you potentially invite its wrath further down the road.” Zardari could have demanded that Kayani or the head of the ISI resign to take responsibility for the military and intelligence failures. It would have been a risky step, though, given that the last time a civilian leader tried to sack the army chief, in 1999, he himself was ousted in a bloodless coup.

No heads have rolled in the security establishment and - far from taking responsibility for any failings - the army kept a low profile for a week and finally left it to the civilian government to explain to the people of Pakistan what happened. It had a heavy hand in that explanation, helping draw up a speech by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to parliament. In his address, Gilani said: “I want to dispel the impression outside that there is no harmony between the state institutions. They are on the same page.” Gilani announced that an inquiry into the incident would be overseen by a general. Siddiqa said that the army also appeared to have successfully steered the narrative in the right-wing media, which has not been asking “why was bin Laden here?” but “how come the Americans conducted this operation in our country?” “That is a method or turning the debate on its head,” she said.

“Nobody is asking the army chief to resign. Or the intelligence chief.” —Reuters

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Sectarian strife tests post-Mubarak rulers

By Tom Pfeiffer gypt’s army rulers face a dilemma as a bolder stance adopted by Islamists in the post-Mubarak era is worsening sectarian tension and triggering demands for the kind of crackdown that made the former president so unpopular. Armed clashes between conservative Muslims and Coptic Christians left 12 dead in a Cairo suburb on Saturday, touching off angry protests by some of the capital’s residents who called for the army to use an “iron fist” against the instigators. The violence has deepened fear among Christians, who complain of poor police protection and a new tolerance of Muslim extremists, raising the risk of new flashpoints in a country dogged by poverty, soaring prices and a faltering economy.

Police deserted their posts during the January and February uprising against Mubarak. Many have returned but many Egyptians say that has failed to stop theft and violent crime spreading as Egypt looks ahead to its first free elections in September. “The softness of the state is a problem right now,” said political analyst Issandr El Amrani, who expects the interim military government to restore a tough line against conservative Salafist Islamic groups and others that incite religious hatred. “It’s not going to be popular with a segment of the population but a government has to do unpopular things sometimes,” said Amrani.

Egypt, which relies on an image of stability to draw millions of tourists, has seen a steady increase in inter-faith violence in recent years, despite a pause during the uprising. Millions of Muslims and Christians massed in Cairo’s landmark Tahrir Square in defiance of Mubarak’s heavy-handed security apparatus, many waving banners bearing the Islamic crescent and Christian cross entwined. Many Egyptian Muslims condemned the weekend clashes in Cairo’s Imbaba neighbourhood, which began when a group of Salafists demanded to look inside a church where they suspected a female convert to Islam was being held against her will.

“Why are we distracting ourselves with this idiocy? We should be spending our effort building the country, not protesting and fighting,” a veiled woman in her 40s was heard telling a friend in central Cairo on Sunday. “I pray that no strife divides us.

If someone converted it’s God who judges him, not me or anyone else and in Islam we say ‘you have your religion and we have ours’,” said Ramadan Habiba, a bearded accountant in a suit outside a mosque.

The army has signalled a sterner approach, saying 190 people would be tried in military courts over the Imbaba violence. The decision marks a shift from past practice, when Mubarak’s government often dealt with sectarian strife by asking a religious figure to negotiate a reconciliation. “I think that kind of approach encourages fanatics to escalate their attacks,” Mustapha al-Sayyid, political science professor at Cairo University.

Although Mubarak ’s government repressed Islamists, rights groups accused his officials of failing to address sectarian violence head on by hauling in the culprits or punishing those blamed for whipping up such violence. The rights groups blamed this cautious approach on a fear of inciting Islamists further against the state, which fought an Islamist uprising in the 1990s. The army’s interim government vowed on Sunday to toughen laws criminalising attacks on places of worship. But analysts said such measures, though welcome, were still not enough. “There’s a decision to deal firmly with violations of the law but there is no clear vision of what to do in order to pre-empt a recurrence of

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these acts,” said Sayyid.

Witnesses at the scene of Saturday’s clashes said the army formed a security cordon near the church targeted by the Salafists when the shooting began, but

failed to intervene as a mob ransacked a coffee shop and a bakery owned by a Christian. Another church was gutted by fire in the violence, which left more than 238 people wounded. “All this shows there

Egyptian Christian and Muslim women protest in front of the state television building in Cairo on Monday against recent attempts to trigger sectarian conflict in the country. – AFP

is a real need to get the police back on the street. The army does not have the policing skills,” said Amrani. “Part of the security vacuum since the revolution is that there are no early warning signs. You need to be able to act fast when these rumours propagate.” Last week at the Al-Nour mosque in the Cairo district of Abasiyah, Salafists organised a “prayer for the absent” for Osama bin Laden, the Al-Qaeda leader killed by US special forces in his hideout in Pakistan on May 2. Dozens of military police rushed in to stop the memorial service in the mosque, a symbol of the Salafists’ struggle to assert their power, but stood helpless as they proceeded with the prayer under a banner of bin Laden.

Salafists have blocked a governmentappointed cleric from leading Friday prayers at Al-Nour for weeks, in favour of their leader Sheikh Hafez Salameh.

The army’s softly-softly approach so far when dealing with the Salafists may be aimed at avoiding religious confrontations given Egypt ’s brittle social balance.

Analysts say that tactic showed its limits in Imbaba this past weekend. “In this case, free speech was used to sow hatred against Christians,” said Sayyed. “That is not in the spirit of the right to freedom of expression, but I don’t think this comes to the minds of members of the (ruling) military council.” — Reuters

Assad turns to tanks to put down unrest

By Samia Nakhoul anks are pushing into Syrian towns. Snipers are on rooftops, shooting at anything that moves. Security forces are mowing down or rounding up protesters. The presence of heavy armour is familiar to the Arab world. It could easily have been that of US tanks sweeping into Baghdad in 2003 or Israeli tanks storming south Lebanon in 2006.

But the tanks are Syrian and the targets are Syrian protesters demanding the downfall of Bashar Al-Assad’s rule. Assad, 45, who promised reform when he succeeded his father in 2000 after four decades of rule by the minority Alawite sect, has opted for tanks and bullets rather than change and real concessions to address protesters’ grievances.

Across Syria, from Daraa in the south to Banias in the north, the grip of repression is tightening and the towns at the centre of the uprising are increasingly becoming isolated. It is getting harder for protesters and activists, inspired by revolts that toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, to move. Many have been detained or silenced. The army and security forces have sealed off the main cities with tanks, erected roadblocks, denying access and cutting some towns off from the rest of the country by severing Internet and phone links.

Residents who are occasionally reached by phone or through Facebook and Twitter say they hear about unrest in other cities from Arab satellite television stations and word of mouth. “The regime is closing ranks and trying to crush the opposition,” said Patrick Seale, biographer of Bashar’s father, Hafez Al-Assad. “I see the regime getting more and more unpopular using very vicious methods but surviving for the time being,” Seale said.

With the authorities using the military against unarmed protesters and with no prospect of the sort of outside intervention to try to stop Muammar Gaddafi’s assault on his people in Libya, the expectation is that Assad will retain the upper hand for now - unless Sunni officers rebel against him. But the price of remaining in power is going up daily.

“As long as the army and security forces remain loyal to Bashar, he will survive, but with a damaged reputation,” Seale said.

Nadim Houry, Human Rights Watch director in Beirut, added: “Regardless of whether the army and security forces crush the protests, clearly something has been fundamentally broken in Syria between the regime and a large chunk of the population. That’s not something that can be fixed by repression. The regime is fooling itself into thinking that tanks can resolve the issue. They may quash the protests but they can’t succeed in fixing the underlying issues.”

With international media banned from Syria, residents reached on the phone and amateur video recorded by activists are the only testimony to the crackdown against civilians who decided they too had to taste the freedom of the “Arab Spring”. Watching Syrian television or listening to the official media, it is hard to believe there is anything seriously amiss in Syria, beyond random attacks on security and military officials the government blames on unidentified armed gangs, foreign agents, and Islamist militants. There is no evident connection between the narrative of the authorities and the brutal experience of those who have risen in protest. Syrian rights groups said up to 800 people were killed since the protests erupted in March and thousands were arrested.

Since then, Assad has not directly addressed the nation. He

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appeared on television speaking to parliament and the cabinet. “Some people think he has been supplanted, that he has lost authority to the hardliners in the family,” said Seale. “He has not addressed the nation. He has not said what he wants to do. He has left it to the security forces.

One can draw from that that he may not be entirely running the show.”

In their response, Western capitals still wonder who calls the shots in Syria. Is it Bashar, or is it his younger brother Maher, who commands Syria’s Republican Guard and the elite Fourth Division of mainly Alawite soldiers, or is it his brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat, the former chief of military intelligence now deputy chief-of-staff of the army? In framing sanctions that target members of his family but conspicuously fail to name Bashar, Western policymakers appear to still nurture the idea that the Syrian president is a potential reformer held back by hardliners in his entourage.

Yet, as experts point out, the key issue is not whether Bashar defeats his own people but whether a military solution is sustainable without genuine reforms to remove the spark that ignited the protests in the first place. They argue that citizens, like in other Arab capitals, are rebelling not just against a lack of freedom and opportunity. They are also enraged by corruption that has enriched the elite while one-third of Syrians live below the poverty line. While billionaires cluster around the ruling family, national income inside a still very closed economy has stagnated for decades.

“The genie is out of the bottle. They cannot build reforms on a foundation of repression. The more violence they use the narrower the chance for reforms to be accepted,” said Houry. Nor, Syria observers say, can Assad hope to get away with the ruthlessness of his father, who used tanks and artillery to quash an Islamist uprising in Hama in 1982, razing swathes of the city at a cost of between 20,000 and 30,000 deaths. “If anyone thinks they can get away with another Hama they are short-sighted. Information in the age of WikiLeaks, social media and cellphones will flow out,” said Houry. Others think that because of Syria’s pivotal position in the Middle East - as an ally of Iran and Hezbollah yet a country that has dealt pragmatically with Israel - both the region and the world will continue to do business with Assad.

But despite the human cost Syrians have paid to protest against years of repression, economic hardship and corruption at the top, few students of Syria believe the minority Alawites, who have ruled the country of 20 million with a 75 per cent Sunni Muslim majority, will enact long-promised reforms. They said any meaningful reform - free elections, the rule of law and accountability - would unseat the Assad clan. “This is a minority regime. If they introduce real political reforms like proper elections, then of course they risk being out of power. They fear they will be massacred. The cloud of Hama still hangs over them,” Seale said.

Some give him credit for trying to liberalise the economy and modernise Syria but an explosion in the population, now growing at 2.4 percent a year, over the past three decades far outstripped the capacity of the economy to create jobs. Nevertheless, many Syrians and neighbours alike say any wish for Assad to leave is tempered by a bigger fear - that Syria, with its mosaic of Alawites, Sunnis, Christians, Kurds, Druzes and other groups, could implode into sectarian savagery similar to the conflict that ripped through Iraq after Saddam’s ousting. —Reuters

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SANGIN, Afghanistan: US Marines run through dust kicked up by a Black Hawk helicopter as they rush a colleague wounded in an IED strike for evacuation in the volatile Helmand province yesterday. — AP

Kuwait, not Syria, to run for UN body Continued from Page 1 The 192-nation UN General Assembly will hold its annual elections for one third of the seats on the Genevabased Human Rights Council on May 20. The council is the main UN body charged with monitoring member states’ compliance with international human rights norms. Critics say it spends too much time bashing Israel while ignoring violations by countries like Sri Lanka, Bahrain, China, Russia and others.

The original slate of Syria, India, Indonesia and the Philippines had been endorsed by Asia’s UN voting group and the Arab League. But Syria’s violent crackdown against anti-government protesters prompted some Western, Arab and Asian UN member states to suggest that Damascus should not be on the rights body when it was facing accusations of gross violations, Western

envoys said. “It is not really the time for Syria to become a member of the council of human rights,” French UN Ambassador Gerard Araud told reporters on Monday.

The United States under President George W Bush had shunned the rights council, considering it a tool of antiIsraeli forces at the United Nations. President Barack Obama reversed that policy two years ago, saying the United States could improve the rights council from within. The United States ran for and secured a seat. Had Syria won a seat on the council, it would have followed other states accused of human rights abuses by rights watchdog groups including China, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya is a member of the rights council, but the General Assembly suspended its membership rights in response to its violent crackdown this year against anti-government demonstrators that sparked a civil war. — Agencies

Qataris vote in municipal poll Continued from Page 1 from Britain in 1971 with the aim of introducing democratic reforms.

The constitution, which passed in a 2003 referendum, provides for legislative power to be vested in a Consultative Council, or parliament, made up of 45 members, two thirds of whom would be elected. The rest are to be appointed by the emir.

Currently, the Shura Council is named by the emir and, despite the changes, political parties remain

banned. Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jaber Al-Thani said in February that Doha was working on organising legislative polls “in the near future”, adding the election had been delayed because of “preparing special laws”. “We have taken our time because this is our first experience in Qatar” with parliamentary election, he said. Qatar has been spared a wave of street protests that brought down autocratic regimes in several other Arab nations.

Qataris however, are still waiting.

Arnie, Shriver announce split Continued from Page 1

Sons slam Laden’s ‘arbitrary killing’ Continued from Page 1 he must change his ways and that no civilians should be attacked under any circumstances,” the statement said.

“Despite the difficulty of publicly disagreeing with our father, he never hesitated to condemn any violent attacks made by anyone, and expressed sorrow for the victims of any and all attacks.”

The statement was given to the New York Times by American author by Jean Sasson, who helped Omar bin Laden write a 2009 memoir, “Growing Up bin Laden.”

A shorter, slightly different statement was posted on a jihadist website yesterday in which the sons said bin Laden’s burial at sea “demeaned and humiliated” his family. “It is unacceptable - humanely and religiously - to dispose of a person with such importance and status among his people, by throwing his body into the sea in that way, which demeans and humiliates his family and his supporters and which challenges religious provisions and feelings of hundreds of millions of Muslims,” the shorter statement, provided by the SITE monitoring group, said.

US President Barack Obama was “legally responsible” for “a criminal mission” which “obliterated an entire defenseless family ... contrary to the most basic human sentiment, and they rushed to dispose of the body,” it added. The United States has said it expects Pakistan will soon let it question the three widows. But Pakistan said that it had received no formal request for access to the women, as further details emerged of the backdrop to the dramatic assault. Bin Laden’s Yemeni wife, who was shot in the leg, has told Pakistani investigators that they lived in the compound where bin Laden was killed in the garrison town of Abbottabad - near Islamabad - for five years.

With the pivotal US-Pakistan relationship under severe strain, the White House had called on Islamabad to help counter growing mistrust by granting American investigators access to the women. “The United States expects to be granted access soon,” a US official said, without providing more details.

The three wives, along with several children, have been in Pakistani custody since the raid. Pakistan’s foreign ministry said it had “not received a for-

mal request from the United States” to question them, while a Pakistani military official told AFP that “so far no decision in this regard has been taken”.

“The family’s under treatment, they are under protective custody,” he said.

Ministry spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua added that the women’s countries of origin - Yemen and Saudi Arabia - had not asked that they be extradited.

The New York Times meanwhile reported that the elite US Navy SEALs who gunned down bin Laden had permission to kill Pakistani forces if necessary. The newspaper said President Barack Obama raised the prospect of a clash 10 days before the operation, resulting in two extra helicopters being deployed to protect the assault team. Citing a senior Obama administration official, it said the SEALs would have been allowed to fight back if engaged by hostile police officers or soldiers. “Their instructions were to avoid any confrontation if at all possible. But if they had to return fire to get out, they were authorised to do it,” the official said.

On Monday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani dismissed as “absurd” accusations that complicity or incompetence had allowed bin Laden to hide out for years in the sizeable compound two hours’ drive from Islamabad. He vowed a full investigation into the security and intelligence lapses - to be overseen by a Pakistani general - but also hit out at Washington’s decision to strike on its own deep inside Pakistan. Pakistan is a key ally in the US-led war on terrorism centered in neighboring Afghanistan. But tense relations have been stretched even further by the discovery of bin Laden living less than a mile from a military academy.

Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported yesterday that Pakistan granted US forces permission almost a decade ago to conduct a unilateral raid if Washington knew where bin Laden was hiding. Under the deal between then-military leader General Pervez Musharraf and president George W Bush, both sides agreed that in public at least, Pakistan would vociferously protest the incursion after it happened. Islamabad has done just that, saying its sovereignty was violated.

A spokesman for Musharraf’s political party - which he runs from selfexile in London - denied the claims. “It is a ridiculous claim. This is all nonsense,” said Mohammad Ali Saif, secretar y general of Musharraf ’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party.

“Mr Pervez Musharraf has already clearly stated that he did not have any understanding or agreement on this issue. “Musharraf has always said if there was any understanding, it was that our own forces will take action or carry out operations on Pakistani soil and that no foreign forces will be allowed to take action inside Pakistan,” he said.

Washington emphatically refused Monday to say sorry for the raid which killed the world’s most-wanted man, blamed for masterminding the 9/11 attacks on the United States in which almost 3,000 people were killed. “We obviously take the statements and concerns of the Pakistani government seriously, but we also do not apologise for the action that we took, that this president took,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

There is considerable US suspicion that there must have been some kind of collusion to enable the Al-Qaeda leader to live undetected in Abbottabad, and outraged lawmakers are demanding that billions in aid to Pakistan be suspended. But Gilani told parliament he had “full confidence in the high command of the Pakistan Armed Forces and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)”. The highly influential military establishment is perceived to be Pakistan’s strongest institution but the debacle has left it redfaced.

It has hit back at criticism, demanding that the United States cut its troop presence in the country to a “minimum” and threatening to review cooperation if another unilateral raid is conducted. Gilani also insisted Pakistan reserves the right to “retaliate with full force,” although he stopped short of spelling what, if anything, would be done if the US staged another high-profile anti-terror raid. A US official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the CIA had no plans to withdraw its top spy from Islamabad after his identity was allegedly divulged in a Pakistani newspaper.— AFP

GCC welcomes Jordan, Morocco membership Continued from Page 1 transition plan in Yemen and the popular uprisings shaking Arab nations. The summit “will discuss developments in Yemen and the GCC mediation, the situation in Libya and other Arab countries,” the GCC official told AFP asking not to be named. The GCC will also discuss “relations with Iran” and Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi’s recent tour of the region, he said.

Relations between Iran and its Gulf Arab neighbours have deteriorated sharply, with the latter accusing Tehran of seeking to destabilise Arab regimes in favour of popular unrest that has erupted in many Arab countries.

Shiite-dominant Iran strongly criticised Saudi Arabia’s mid-March military intervention in Sunni-ruled Bahrain that was aimed at helping crack down on a Shiite-led uprising there. Iran says it gives “moral support” to Bahrainis but is not involved in the protests there.

Bahrain and Kuwait have expelled Iranian diplomats, accusing them of espionage.

The Saudi daily Al-Watan said yesterday that GCC leaders must discuss “Iran’s attempts to interfere in their internal affairs”. The GCC summit was also expected to discuss

their March decision to create a development fund of $20 billion to help Bahrain and Oman - both experiencing political unrest. Al-Watan, urged that the regional grouping work harder to “stop the bloodshed in Yemen through their initiative providing for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh”. GCC attempts to get Saleh to agree a transition deal with the country’s parliamentary opposition have stalled after he refused to sign it.

Since the last GCC summit in December in Abu Dhabi, the Arab world has undergone profound changes that have triggered concern among oil-rich monarchies.

Qatar is actively involved in the international effort against the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

However, in other conflicts, the GCC has favoured negotiations. The GCC has also treaded softly over the unrest shaking Syria, but a delegation from the grouping recently travelled to meet with President Bashar AlAssad. “The GCC countries have not mediated, but may have offered advice to President Assad, stressing that security solution is not the only solution and that reforms are necessary,” said Saudi analyst, Abdul Aziz AlSager, director of the Gulf Research Centre based in Dubai. — Agencies

“There are promises... We hope they will be held in the wake of current events and aspirations of people” in the region, said Bakir. The Al-Thani family has dominated Qatar - which lies on a peninsula bordering Saudi Arabia - since the mid-1800s, and retain absolute control over all aspects of government. Qatar boasts natural gas reserves of 25 trillion cu m, the third largest in the world. A member of the OPEC oil cartel, it also pumps around 800,000 barrels per day of crude oil. — AFP

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Shriver announced their separation late Monday, cleaving a sometimes-turbulent 25-year relationship after “a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us”, the couple said in a joint statement.

The breakup comes about four months after Schwarzenegger ended a bumpy, two-term run as California governor, a job his wife never wanted him to pursue. Since then, Schwarzenegger, 63, has been fashioning a role as an international advocate for green energy, giving speeches and lining up work in Hollywood.

Shriver, 55, has guest-edited an edition of Oprah Winfrey’s magazine but also talked about the stress of changing roles after serving as California’s first lady. The joint statement said the two were working on the future of their relationship while living apart and they would both continue to parent their four children Katherine, 21, Christina, 19, Patrick, 17, and Christopher, 13. “After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion, and prayer, we came to this decision together,” the statement said.

Shriver moved out of the couple’s gated estate in Los Angeles, but they remain on speaking terms. They had brunch with their children on Mother’s Day Sunday in a posh restaurant in Santa Monica, and met privately on their wedding anniversary last month. Prior to the announcement, there were hints of a rift. The former governor tweeted frequently during his recent travels to Brazil, Nigeria and France, but Shriver was not mentioned in his online updates from the road. Shriver, also active on social networks, posted three updates on her Twitter page on the day of their 25th wedding anniversary, April 26, but did not mention the milestone.

About a month before the anniversary, Shriver wrote on her Facebook page that she was going through a transition in her life. “As you know, transitions are not easy. I’d love to get your advice on how you’ve handled transitions in your own life,” she said in a video posted on YouTube. “It’s so stressful to not know what you’re doing next. People ask you what are you doing and then they can’t believe that you don’t know what you’re doing,” she said.

Schwarzenegger has often said that Shriver, who is

keenly attuned to the risks of a life in politics, initially was very upset about his plan to run for governor. But when Schwarzenegger announced his decision on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in Aug 2003, he said his wife stood by his decision. During Schwarzenegger’s time in office, the family never moved to California’s state capital, preferring their secluded estate a few miles from the Pacific Ocean to the inland city 610 km to the north. Schwarzenegger commuted to work by private jet.

Schwarzenegger and Shriver long presented a gilded partnership that crossed politics, Hollywood and media. They are known for charitable work, and he also founded a committee with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell to encourage road, bridge and other infrastructure development. Shriver, the daughter of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, left her job as an NBC News correspondent after Schwarzenegger took office.

In a May 2009 commencement speech at the University of Southern California, Schwarzenegger alluded to the powerful influence Shriver had on his life. He said when people ask him the secret to success, “I say, number one, come to America. Number two, work your butt off. And number three, marr y a Kennedy.” As the state’s first lady, Shriver ran an annual women’s conference that attracted a long list of business, political and entertainment luminaries, along with an audience of thousands. She also was credited with overhauling the California Museum in the state capital, and, with Schwarzenegger, star ting the California Hall of Fame.

In 2007, Shriver said she wouldn’t resume a TV news career after the media circus surrounding Anna Nicole Smith’s accidental drug overdose. “It was then that I knew that the TV news business had changed and so had I,” she said at the time. In a 2009 interview with AP, she said “I’m too much of a free spirit” to consider running for elective office. Shriver stood by her husband during his campaign after the Los Angeles Times reported accusations that he had a history of groping women; Schwarzenegger later said he “behaved badly sometimes”. The breakup comes months after the death of Shriver’s father, Peace Corps founder and former vice presidential candidate Sargent Shriver, in January. — AP

Saadoun, Anjari file to grill PM Continued from Page 1 The other surprise was that liberal MP Anjari joined the grilling despite the fact that his group, the National Action Bloc, has not made any commitment that it will support the grilling. Sources said that Anjari’s participation caused tension within the six members of the National Bloc which later said that Anjari’s action represented his own decision and the bloc has nothing to do with it.

The bloc said in a statement that Anjari did not inform the bloc about his intention of taking part in the grilling “until moments before submitting it”. The grilling is expected to be debated after eight days or on Wednesday next week unless the prime minister requests a delay of two weeks, which will be automatically granted. Parliamentary sources said that the government is expected to demand to refer the grilling to the constitutional court to determine if the grilling is in line with the constitution. But state minister for Cabinet affairs Ali Al-Rashed said that the government will deal with the grilling like all other grillings “within the framework of the constitution and the law”.

During its first session in more than six weeks, the National Assembly yesterday voted to override the government’s rejection of a law passed by the Assembly a few weeks ago to grant Kuwaitis a monthly pay increase of KD 50. The law was rejected by the gov-

ernment on financial and legal grounds but MPs managed the required votes of 44 to override the government rejection and make the law mandatory on the government.

Under Kuwaiti law, the government can reject laws passed by the Assembly but the assembly can override such a rejection in a fresh vote but should manage a two-thirds majority.

Also, MPs passed a law calling to increase the monthly aid for married university students to KD 350 from KD 250 and for bachelors to KD 200 from KD 100. They also passed a law to force several pay rises for Kuwaiti teachers despite stiff government opposition. The law was passed in the first round and will be discussed two weeks later for the second and final round. Education Minister Ahmad AlMulaifi meanwhile said that the Cabinet will issue the law in accordance with the Kuwaiti constitution that all salary raises should be issued by the government.

The assembly also elected MP Adnan Abdulsamad as the new secretary of the Assembly to replace Ali AlRashed who was appointed minister.

In his first statement after the new post, Abdulsamad called for giving this new government time to perform because he “believes that it includes young faces who are enthusiastic towards reforms”. But the Popular Bloc refused to give any such time as it carried out its threat of grilling the prime minister in the first parliamentary ses-

sion if Sheikh Nasser was reappointed as prime minister.

The 42-page grilling was based on four major issues, all involving financial and administrative violations, costing the state several hundred million dinars. In the first issue, the grilling charges that the prime minister is responsible for financial violations in the Abu Fatira project, a state land opposite Maseelah, contracted by the government to a local investor who, according to the grilling, violated the rules of the contract costing the state more than KD 150 million. The grilling held the prime minister responsible because he ignored many warnings on the issue.

The grilling also accused the prime minister of failing to implement the four-year development plan which envisages spending KD 30.8 billion on development projects until the 2013/2014 fiscal year. The grilling alleged that the government has failed to establish any of the five public shareholding companies that would have carried mega projects like power-generation, housing projects and labour cities. The grilling also accused the prime minister of being responsible over financial and administrative violations in managing huge compensations received by Kuwait for environmental damages caused by the Iraqi invasion in 1990. It said that Kuwait has received $2.2 billion but the government has so far failed to manage the huge sum adequately.

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Giro’s ‘stage of respect’ ITALY: Giro d’Italia cyclists, sporting black armbands, took part in a “stage of respect” for Wouter Weylandt yesterday after the Belgian rider was killed in a crash the previous day. Organisers ruled that the day’s placings would not count towards the race’s final result.

“The stage will be neutralised,” Giro director Angelo Zomegnan told Reuters at the start of the coastal 216-km stage from Quarto dei Mille to Livorno. “Each team will race at the front of the pack for 10km.”

Weylandt, 26, died after falling off his bike coming down from Passo del Bocco on Monday and suffering multiple injuries. “It’s a terrible day, just as every death in this sport is terrible,” Zomegnan added.

Britain’s race leader David Millar told reporters: “Wouter was a guy you thought would never die. It is a shock because he was so full of life. “We have his best friend Tyler Farrar in the team and he’s going home tonight because for him it’s too much. “It’s not a day for racing for position or for the white (finishing) line on the road. — Reuters

Results and standings from MLB games on Monday.

Pittsburgh 4, LA Dodgers 1; Detroit 10, Toronto 5; Boston 2, Minnesota 1 (11 Innings); Philadelphia 6, Florida 4; Oakland 7, Texas 2; Cincinnati 6, Houston 1; Milwaukee 4, San Diego 3; Colorado 2, NY Mets 1; Chicago White Sox 8, LA Angels 0.

GB GB 3.5 5.5 5.5

Central Division Cleveland 22 11 .667 Kansas City 18 16 .529 Detroit 18 18 .500 Chicago White Sox14 22 .389 Minnesota 12 21 .364

4.5 5.5 9.5 10

LA Angels Oakland Texas Seattle

Western Division 20 16 .556 19 17 .528 18 18 .500 16 19 .457

1 2 3.5

Philadelphia Florida Atlanta Washington NY Mets

National League Eastern Division 23 11 .676 20 14 .588 20 16 .556 16 18 .471 15 20 .429

3 4 7 8.5

St. Louis Cincinnati Pittsburgh Chicago Cubs Milwaukee Houston

Central Division 20 15 .571 19 16 .543 18 17 .514 15 18 .455 15 20 .429 13 22 .371

1 2 4 5 7

Colorado San Francisco Arizona LA Dodgers San Diego

Western Division 19 14 .576 18 16 .529 15 18 .455 16 20 .444 14 21 .400

1.5 4 4.5 6

NY Yankees Tampa Bay Boston Toronto Baltimore

ATHENS: The guilty verdicts handed to former sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou yesterday finally offered Greece the chance to close an unsavoury chapter in the country’s sporting history.

The two Sydney 2000 Olympic sprint medallists received suspended jail sentences for perjury, seven years after the Athens Games where they were accused of staging a motorcycle crash to avoid a drugs test. Kenteris, 37 and Thanou, 36, were sentenced to 31 months in jail each, while their coach Christos Tzekos received a 33-month sentence for his involvement as the much delayed trial finally came to a conclusion. “My hope for the future is that we can prevent or

avoid this kinds of things from happening, especially regarding the doping side of things,” Vasilis Sevatis, president of the Greek Athletics Federation (SEGAS), told Reuters.

“We are continuously fighting this issue but for me the greater responsibility for this lies with the athletes themselves. They must reject it categorically.”

All three have exercised their right to appeal the sentences and to try to translate their jail terms into financial penalties, with court officials saying the appeals will be heard within 10 days. “It was certainly one of the most difficult moments of my tenure,” Sevatis added, recalling the events on the eve of the Athens Games. — Reuters

Houston starter Aneury Rodriguez just five days after they managed just one hit in five scoreless innings against him in his first major league start.

Brewers 4, Padres 3 At Milwaukee, Zack Greinke struck out nine batters over six effective innings in his home debut and Rickie Weeks homered to lift Milwaukee over San Diego. Greinke (1-1) bounced back from a disappointing star t Wednesday for his first win with the Brewers by allowing five hits to the struggling Padres, who came in with a major league-worst .215 batting average.

Milwaukee’s bullpen held on, thanks to a key double play turned by shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and Weeks in the eighth. John Axford pitched the ninth for his sixth save.

Weeks also drove in a run with a single in the second inning and then homered in the fifth off Padres starter Mat Latos (0-5) that handed the right-hander his 10th loss in his past 10 decisions.

Reds 6, Astros 1 At Houston, Travis Wood hit a threerun homer and pitched shutout ball

Rockies 2, Mets 1 At Denver, Chris Iannetta broke a seventh-inning tie with a homer that barely cleared the left-field wall as Colorado snapped its four-game skid.

Iannetta, who stretched out a double that led to Colorado’s first run two innings earlier, sent an 81 mph slider from lefty Chris Capuano into the tunnel down the left-field line for his fifth home run with one out in the seventh.

Matt Belisle (3-2) got two outs for the win, Colorado’s fifth in five games against the Mets this season. They swept a four-game series at Citi Field in April. Rafael Betancourt pitched a per fect eighth and Huston Street worked the ninth for his 12th save in 13 chances.

Pinch-hitter Willie Harris led off with a check-swing single but was thrown out by Iannetta trying to steal second base after Jose Reyes capped an 0-for5 night with a flyout to left.

MIAMI: Philadelphia Phillies’ Joe Blanton pitches against the Florida Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game. —AP into the seventh inning to lead Cincinnati over Houston.

Wood’s shot to the Crawford Boxes in left field made it 3-0 in the third inning and Ramon Hernandez pushed the lead to 5-0 with a two-run homer

BOSTON: Pinch-runner Jose Iglesias raced around from first base to score off Carl Crawford’s one-out double off the left-field wall in the bottom of the 11th inning to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Boston beat Minnesota the final three games of a four-game series, and won for the 11th time in 12 games in Fenway Park. The Red Sox closed out their longest homestand of the season at 6-5.

Hideki Okajima (1-0) pitched two innings, getting out of a two-on, one-out jams in each, for the win. Jed Lowrie drew a one-out walk against Jim Hoey (0-1) and Iglesias pinch ran. Crawford lofted one off The Wall and Iglesias slid in just ahead of the throw from short left by shortstop Matt Tolbert, knocking catcher Rene Rivera over as he scored.

Athletics 7, Rangers 2 At Arlington, Texas, Trevor Cahill pitched seven strong innings to earn his sixth straight win to start the season, and Josh Willingham homered and drove in five runs as Oakland beat Texas.

Cahill (6-0) matched the major league

PARIS: France coach Laurent Blanc has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Sports Ministry’s investigation into the racism row that has shaken French football, Sports Minister Chantal Jouanno said yesterday. Blanc attended a meeting in November at which members of the French football federation (FFF) discussed the idea of enforcing limits on black and Arab players in youth academies. “There is nothing leading to say that Laurent Blanc is backing discriminatory practices,” Jouanno told a news conference. “Laurent Blanc was attending this kind of meeting for the very first time. He did not have any project (to limit the number of Black and Arab players), no fixed opinion.”

Jouanno added that the investigation did not find enough evidence to launch a judicial procedure although she reiterated that racial quota enforcement was illegal in France.

“There is no element, no accumulation of evidence that leads us to believe there was discrimination,” she said. “There are not enough grounds to refer it to the prosecutor’s office.” — Reuters

MIAMI: The Philadelphia Phillies turned in four double plays behind the pitching of Joe Blanton, who came off the disabled list to his first victory of the season by helping to beat the Florida Marlins 6-4 on Monday.

Blanton (1-1) allowed eight hits but left with a 6-3 lead. He made his first start since April 23 after being sidelined with an impingement in his throwing elbow. The Phillies won for the 18th time in their past 21 games in Miami.

The Marlins’ start matches the best in franchise history, but they’ve lost four of their past five games to fall three behind the National League East-leading Phillies (23-11), who have the best record in the majors. Javier Vazquez (2-3), who lasted only 4 1-3 innings, allowed nine hits and six runs, five earned. Gaby Sanchez of Florida drove in three runs with his fifth homer and a double.

Crawford lifts Red Sox to victory over Twins

Tigers 10, Blue Jays 5 At Toronto, Max Scherzer won his sixth consecutive decision and Victor Martinez hit a two-run homer as Detroit beat Toronto.

Scherzer (6-0) has not lost in eight starts this season. His season-opening winning streak is the longest by a Tigers pitcher since Jeremy Bonderman won eight straight in 2007.

Scherzer allowed two runs and five hits in five innings, matching his shortest start of the year. He walked three and struck out five.

Martinez went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and Austin Jackson had four RBIs for the Tigers, who have won six of seven to even their record at 18-18. Toronto lost for the seventh time in nine games and dropped a seasonhigh five games below .500.

Blanc cleared in racism row

Greek sprinters found guilty

Phillies pound Marlins

MLB results/standings

American League Eastern Division W L PCT W L PCT 19 13 .594 20 14 .588 17 18 .486 15 20 .429 14 19 .424

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

lead with his sixth victory, and equaled his ry in more than a month, and Carlos Quentin BOSTON: Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie dives but can’t come up with a single by Minnesota Twins’ Luke Hughes during the third inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park. —AP career best by winning his seventh consecutive decision. The 23-year-old right-hander struck out seven, walked one and allowed five hits.

He became Oakland’s first 6-0 starter in 21 years. Willingham, in the Oakland lineup after appealing his one-game suspension for making contact with an umpire, hit a three-run homer in the third put the Athletics ahead to stay.

CJ Wilson (4-2), coming off a complete game victory at Seattle last Wednesday, allowed only two hits over seven innings.

White Sox 8, Angels 0 At Anaheim, California, Edwin Jackson pitched seven superb innings for his first victo-

homered and drove in five runs as Chicago routed Los Angeles.

Jackson (3-4) scattered five hits, struck out five and walked one after going winless in his previous five starts since beating Tampa Bay 51 on April 7. Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez also homered for the White Sox, who have won three straight for the first time this season.

Ervin Santana (1-4) gave up five runs and eight hits in six-plus innings, including Beckham’s two-run homer in the second and Ramirez’s leadoff drive in the seventh. Both home runs came on the first pitch. —AP

to almost the same spot an inning later. Wood (2-3) allowed six hits and struck out six with a walk in 6 2/3 innings for his first win since April 2, his first start of the season.

The Reds looked to have figured out

Pirates 4, Dodgers 1 At Pittsburgh, Neil Walker hit a tiebreak ing double in the eighth inning as surging Pittsburgh beat Los Angeles to move above .500 in midMay for the first time in seven years.

Garrett Jones led off the eighth inning with a walk before Walker laced a shot into the right-field corner off Los Angeles starter Chad Billingsley (22). Jones scored all the way from first to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead. Lyle Overbay and Ryan Doumit followed with a pair of run-scoring doubles as the Pirates won their third straight.

Jose Veras (1-1) worked a scoreless eighth for the victory. Joel Hanrahan pitched the ninth for his 11th save.

The victory lifted Pittsburgh to 18-17, the latest the Pirates have been above .500 in a season since they were 23-22 on May 29, 2004. —AP

No frontrunner in 2018 Winter Olympics race BERLIN: The three candidates bidding to host the 2018 Winter Olympics entered the final campaign stretch with no clear frontrunner emerging after an International Olympic Committee (IOC) evaluation report was issued yesterday.

The IOC released its technical report on South Korea’s Pyeongchang-bidding for the third straight time-Germany’s Munich and France’s Annecy, less than two months before the July 6 vote but stopped short of giving any one candidate the edge. “All three candidate cities could successfully host the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, with each city offering its own distinct vision and concept,” the IOC said.

Pyeongchang, which the report said could become a springboard to develop winter sports in Asia, came out on top in opinion polls conducted on site on behalf of the IOC, with 92 percent of city locals and 87 percent of South Koreans in favour of the Games being held there. “ We are confident that Pyeongchang would deliver an unforgettable Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games that have the power to inspire a new generation of winter sports athletes and provide a platform for winter sports to grow and thrive in new areas of the world,” bid leader Cho Yang-ho said in a statement.

Munich, which still has unresolved disputes with several land owners who refuse to release their properties for Olympic use, came second with 60 percent of Munich residents in favour of the Olympics, with Annecy scoring only 51 percent.

Pyeongchang, which looks to have maintained their slight overall advantage throughout the two-year campaign, and Munich received high

marks for their short travel times with the vast majority of athletes able to stay within ten minutes of their competition venue.

“On very first reading, we are absolutely thrilled with the IOC Evaluation Commission’s report,” Munich bid CEO Bernhard Schwank said in a statement.

“Right now we want to offer our sincere thanks to the Commission members for their full and frank assessment of our bid’s strengths.”

The South Korean bid was also praised for a “very compact concept.”

All their 13 proposed venues met or exceeded IOC spectator standards, the report said.

Munich was told it would need to improve plans to sustain high national support in the seven year run-up to the Games, with the bid surviving a referendum in the town of GarmischPartenkirchen, site of the skiing events, only two days ago.

Annecy won marks for its comprehensive environmental plan and what the IOC called a “workable model for Olympic winter Games sustainability.”

“Today’s report... is a real boost for the bid as it highlights the technical strengths of Annecy 2018’s vision of authentic Games in the heart of the mountains, with the athletes and for the future,” bid chief Charles Beigbeder said in a statement.

The bid could, however, present some issues regarding accommodation. Annecy’s accommodation plan was not as compact as their rivals which the report said would create “operational and financial challenges.”

Travel times were also longer than in the other two candidates. All three bids were rated as low risk in terms of security. — Reuters

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Williams hoping to develop Jaguar links LONDON: Former champions Williams hope to build a long-term partnership outside of Formula One with Indian-owned sportscar maker Jaguar, team chairman Adam Parr said yesterday.

Williams, struggling on the race track with their worst start to a season, announced a partnership last week with Tata Motors’ Jaguar to develop a limited edition hybrid 320kph supercar costing in excess of $1 million.

“The Jaguar announcement I think is very fundamental to understanding our business going forwards,” said Parr, who added the deal would be “earnings positive” in 2011. “Our plan is to develop a very strong relationship with Jaguar Land Rover outside of Formula One, to have a long term partnership based around high performance road cars,” he told Reuters in an interview.

“Although we are an independent team, our greatest years have been ones in partnership with a car maker,” continued the Briton after Williams Grand Prix Holdings announced what he termed “solid, decent” results for 2010. “ This Jaguar relationship is outside Formula One but...it brings stature, it will bring additional revenues to the company and also it’s an enormous vote of confidence in our business and indeed in our team. “That will help us attract better people and to perform on the track as well as off,” he said.

Williams’s results, the last before an initial public offering and listing in Frankfurt in March, showed a 33 percent increase in pretax profits on a like for like basis from 4.5 million pounds ($7.37 million) to 7.7 million.

Turnover was down from 108.3 million pounds to 91 million. The company said

cash at hand more than doubled to 27.2 million and debt reduced to 2.4 million from 9.3 the previous year and 24.8 in 2007.

The team have yet to score a point in four races this season, with Brazilian Rubens Barrichello and Venezuelan rookie Pastor Maldonado drawing their latest blank in Turkey on Sunday.

Parr said the slump, though temporary, had financial implications for the team in a sport where television and prize money paid to teams is dictated by the overall championship standings.

“Our performance on the track is fundamental to our future, but not over four races,” he said. “We cannot afford to have an extended period of non-performance. We must turn this season around very visibly and as soon as possible.”

Williams have not won a race since 2004, although they took a pole position in Brazil

last year, and their last title was in 1997 with Canadian Jacques Villeneuve.

Williams have already announced staff changes, with technical director Sam Michael and chief aerodynamicist Jon Tomlinson leaving at the end of the year and former McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan arriving in June.

The team have lost some big sponsors, notably troubled British bank RBS, but brought in the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA with Maldonado this season.

Parr had no qualms about showing a profit in a sport where teams have traditionally spent everything they can get their hands on to make the car go faster.

“The only way that this sport is going to be sustainable in the future is if an independent team like Williams can compete in Formula One on a budget that is less than its income,” he said. “Absolutely we should

be making a return on our assets, on our investment through Formula One as well as other business areas. “We have averted major problems in this sport and have a grid of 12 teams precisely because we all agreed that costs were out of control and spending should not determine per formance in Formula One.” Williams have also diversified with Williams Hybrid Power and a technology centre in Qatar and Parr hoped the team could build on the Middle Eastern relationship. “We believe it can be a relationship that can broaden and benefit the business, the sporting side as well in the near term,” he said. “Our partner in Qatar has identified the value of sport to promote itself and its nation, its economy and presence around the world. We hope that will be something that they would consider with us as well.” —Reuters

Bolt: Catch me if you can

NASHVILLE: Kevin Bieksa No. 3 and Tanner Glass No. 15 of the Vancouver Canucks congratulate goalie Roberto Luongo on defeating the Nashville Predators in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. —AFP

Canucks advance to West finals NASHVILLE: Daniel Sedin and Mason Raymond scored first-period goals, and Roberto Luongo made 23 saves Monday as the Vancouver Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 to advance to the Western Conference finals.

The Canucks, who had the NHL’s best record this season, reached the conference finals for the first time since 1994 and will face the winner of the series between the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings.

Raymond gave Vancouver the lead 7:45 into the game and Sedin made it 2-0 just 1:43 later. Luongo did the rest for the Canucks, who were outshot 24-19.

Vancouver recorded only nine total shots in the first two periods.

David Legwand’s goal 3:31 into the

second period cut Vancouver’s lead to 21, but the Predators couldn’t avoid elimination again and force a Game 7. After grabbing the early lead, the Canucks put the game away with defense. Nashville had 11 shots in the first period, but only 13 over the final 40 minutes.

The Canucks got some help to get their offense rolling as Predators defenseman Ryan Suter turned over the puck to Ryan Kesler right next to the net.

Kesler passed to Raymond, who backhanded a shot past goalie Pekka Rinne.

Sedin doubled the lead while Nashville forward Jordin Tootoo served an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for diving, after he was hit by Alex Edler.

Sedin connected just 36 seconds into the power play. —AP

BRUSSELS: Even if he is a few weeks late, Usain Bolt has the same old message: Catch me if you can. There was no sign of the world and Olympic champion in the early-season races he usually runs back home in Jamaica.

And sure enough, there were fears he was late with training, or worse, not fully recovered from last year’s back injury. Not so, said agent Ricky Simms.

“Everything has gone very, very well over the winter,” Simms said. “We are looking forward to his first race in Rome” on May 26, the third of the season’s Diamond League events.

The reason for the belated start to the season is simple. The Aug. 27-Sept. 4 world championships in Daegu, South Korea, start almost two weeks later than in Berlin two years ago and Bolt doesn’t want to peak early.

Also, since the defending champion does not have to qualify for the worlds through the national trials at the end of June, there is no need to peak twice in one season. And with Jamaican sprinting as strong as it is, even Bolt would not be able to make the team by just cruising through qualifying.

During the Kingston Jamaica Invitational over the weekend, Bolt’s training partner Yohan Blake impressed by clocking 9.80 seconds in the 100 meters. If it wasn’t for the slightly excessive 2.2 meters-per-second back wind, it would easily have topped the year’s fastest mark.

“He trains with those guys every day. So he sees where they are at, where he’s at” Simms said in a telephone interview. “He’s happy where he is at the moment.” Still, the triple Olympic and world champion is far from his best at this moment. “Of course, if someone runs 9.80 he is not going to be 10 meters ahead of him,” Simms said.

He’ll probably be happy to be just a nose ahead of his next competitor when he has his first race in Rome. Bolt will take on compatriot and former world record-holder Asafa Powell and European champion Christophe Lemaitre in his first race in Italy.

While Bolt can race Powell all he wants, what most people are really looking forward to is a duel with American Tyson Gay. In August last year, Gay produced a great 100 to beat Bolt in Stockholm to end the Jamaican’s two-year unbeaten streak and prove to everyone that, on any given day, even the greatest sprinter of his time can be beaten. Simms refers to that 100 as little more than “the race where he a had a problem with his back.” Bolt ended his season after the loss, got treatment, and started winter training in October.

A loss in a European meet is only a blip in a career laden with Olympic gold, world titles and world records. “What happened last year

FRANCE: This July 16, 2010, file photo shows Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt reacting as he wins in the Men’s 100 meters during the Athletics Diamond League Areva meeting at Stade De France in Saint Denis. —AP has had zero effect on him. He won every race except one,” Simms said. “He is not someone who looks at the statistics or read the reports.

He just does his thing.

He is the only one that can put pressure on himself and he doesn’t do that.” And don’t bet on Bolt and Gay facing off before Daegu. Bolt already set his schedule, with races in Ostrava

and Oslo following Rome. Many meets would not have the money to attract both stars. It is not necessarily a bad thing, said Simms. “You don’t want Federer-Nadal the week before Wimbledon. You don’t really want to play Manchester United-Barcelona this week if they also play the Champions League final,” Simms said. —Reuters

Saudi racer Al Faisal makes history by winning GT3 European Championship Red Bull champion Abdul Aziz Turki Al Faisal was the pride of all Saudis in particular and Arabs in general with his world class victory.

Achievements are recognized indeed by their size and importance on the global scene, and this is exactly the kind of achievement achieved by Abdul Aziz, the first Saudi to take part in the GT3 European championship. His historical victory added the element of pride to his athletic career and wining an international medal in the name of his country.

Abdul Aziz won the championship title in the first GT3 European championship round organized in the Algarve international circuit in Portugal. He came first with his co-pilot Edward Sandstroem on a BMW Z4 on the Need for Speed Schubert team. With this success, Abdul Aziz Al Faisal became the first Saudi to participate and win a GT3 European Championship Race.

The team’s happiness was completed when Csaba Walter and Claudia Huertgen of the same team came in second after the Graff Racing team on a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG driven by Mike Parisy and Philippe Giauque was penalized for violating the stopping rules. Third place went to the Faster Racing DB motorsport team also driving a BMW Z4. With that BMW won the first three places in the launch of the GT3 European championship.

After his victory, Red Bull champion Abdul Aziz expressed his feelings saying: “When I came into the race, I did not know

if the car I had just over taken was from the competitor’s team. I then asked the engineers on the radio, and as soon as they informed me that it was one of our competitiors’, I increased my speed.

“There wasn’t a lot of pressure; the car was easy to drive. Edward did a good job in maintaining the tires and he had to advance from the start.

“As for me, I brought the car to the finish line. The problem in such races is that you don’t know your position. I used the radio a few times to check my position and to see if

I needed to move forward, the answer was ‘no, just keep your position’. I suffered from the cars lagging behind since they were not moving aside so I can overtake them when the blue flag was raised, I worried about their moves. In reality, I drove the car to the finish line.”

“This victory is very important for the Gulf region and especially for KSA where car racing is growing rapidly. It’s a new sport that started in 2004 with the Formula 1 in Bahrain. I competed for 2 years in the Porsche GT3 Middle East championship,

winning the title last year and coming in second, this year. In fact, my participation in this international championship is a very important step. Frankly the victory was quite unexpected. But we have a great team and great colleagues as well as a highly performing car”, he added.

Edward Sandstroem, the Red Bull champion’s co-pilot and member of the Need for Speed Schubert team, said: “I am very happy to be a member of this team especially with the presence of my colleague Abdul Aziz Al Faisal and his excellent performance

during the race. I am also very happy with the results we achieved especially at the beginning of the season.

“The car is better than last year when we struggled a lot and our journey was hard if it were not for the tires that had helped us a lot. Now it’s easier because we have all the factors for success.

“I thank the Schubert team which has exerted a lot of effort. Now we have a stronger car than last year, and we have become on the same level with other cars, so we are able to compete for the title”.

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Cloudy future for Lakers after premature playoff exit LOS ANGELES: The aging and erratic Los Angeles Lakers faced an uncertain future on Monday after the NBA champions were embarrassingly swept out of the second round of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks.

In pursuit of a third successful championship in coach Phil Jackson’s final season, the Lakers were routed 122-86 in Sunday’s Game Four in Dallas, an abrupt and humiliating end to their 2010-11 campaign.

“This is the worst I’ve ever seen the Lakers play in a game that they need,” Lakers vice president and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson said after the champions had been swept aside 4-0. Lakers forward Ron Artest summed up the feelings of his team’s loyal but frustrated supporters.

“The Lakers fans have had their hearts broke,” Artest told reporters. “And all those people who aren’t Lakers fans are now laughing at

the Lakers fans.”

The headline for Monday’s sports section of the Los Angeles Times read: “You Old Softies”, while the front page of the LA Daily News was emblazoned with the word: “Destroyed”.

Another Daily News headline blared: “Done, with a Big D”.

For most of the season the Lakers thrilled and frustrated their fans in equal measure, losing games they should have won and winning a few just when it seemed they had no chance.

Many critics argued that the Lakers were increasingly vulnerable due to the team’s collective age and that the players could no longer sustain the defensive effort required for all four quarters.

However, when their big frontcourt men imposed their size advantage the Lakers looked every inch champions-elect for yet another season.

“We have to do a lot of things right to be able to play defense the way we want to, and most of it is about controlling the tempo of the game,” 11-times NBA champion coach Jackson said. “We’re not the fastest team. “I still think when they (the Lakers) are playing their best, they’re the best team in the league.”

That “best” proved to be an elusive target for the men in purple and gold. They surprisingly lost to the woeful Cleveland Cavaliers before the All-Star break and suffered a fivegame losing streak the week before the playoffs. “I don’t know where we lost it ... that drive, that bond we had in the past, that cohesive drive in order to overcome adversity,” versatile Lakers forward Lamar Odom said.

Just over two years ago, Kobe Bryant described the Lakers’ topsy-turvy form during the playoffs as “bipolar”, a term that was even more accurate about their uneven play this

season.

They initially struggled against smaller and under-manned New Orleans Hornets before winning the first-round series 4-2, and then failed to close out late leads twice against Dallas.

Jackson, the most successful coach in NBA history, had to be persuaded to return to the Lakers this season. “I came back with some trepidation,” he said. “Kobe’s knee was an issue and obviously our team was older.”

The Lakers have eight players aged above 30 under contract next season and their team has looked increasingly sluggish.

They already have the NBA’s highest payroll of $91 million and they exceed the salary cap by too much to sign any top-flight free agents until 2014.

Spanish forward Pau Gasol, who failed to spark during the playoffs, has three more years

and $57 million remaining on his deal while the underperforming Artest has three more years and $21.5 million left.

The only Lakers player under 30 with any trade value is the 23-year-old center Andrew Bynum and his career has already been frustratingly stop-start due to ongoing knee injuries.

While owner Jerry Buss has proved to be an astute team builder over the years, he faces an uphill task to resolve the plight of the current squad.

However, Jackson, who memorably described the Lakers as “Jekyll and Hyde” two years ago, sounded a note of confidence about the resiliency of the Lakers team he will be leaving.

“We all know they always come back and get themselves back in the race,” he said. “The Lakers are going to survive.”—Reuters

James, Wade lead Heat past Celtics 98-90 in OT

CHANDIGARH: Players of Kings XI Punjab celebrate as they claim a third Mumbai Indians wicket early on during an Indian Premier League cricket match between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians. —AP

Marsh brothers shine in IPL MOHALI: Shaun Marsh hit 43 and Bhargav Bhatt bagged four wickets as bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab stunned table -toppers Mumbai Indians by 76 runs in the Indian Premier League yesterday.

In another match, Shaun’s younger brother, Mitchell, took four wickets and Sourav Ganguly hit an unbeaten 32 on his comeback as Pune Warriors beat Deccan Chargers by six wickets.

Mumbai could never recover after losing three wickets for 27 runs and were bowled out for 87 in 12.5 overs chasing a 164-run target, with West Indies’ Kieron Pollard top-scoring with 17 in a dismal batting show.

Seamer Praveen Kumar did the early damage when he took two of the first three wickets, including that of skipper Sachin Tendulkar (six). Leftarm spinner Bhatt finished with 4-22, including three wickets in one over.

Australians Shaun Marsh and Adam Gilchrist (28), and Dinesh Karthik (31) helped Punjab post a competitive total despite a five-wicket haul by seamer Munaf Patel (5-21).

Marsh, who put on 70 for the second wicket with skipper Gilchrist, hit five fours in his 34-ball knock before falling to a superb diving catch by Pollard in the deep off Patel. Mumbai, who had already made sure of a place in the semi-finals, still lead with 16 points.

They are followed by Chennai (14), Kolkata (14), Bangalore (13), Rajasthan (11), Kochi (10), Pune (eight), Delhi (eight), Punjab (eight) and Deccan (six).

Paceman Mitchell Marsh, 19, earlier finished with 4-25 as Pune restricted Deccan to 136-8 before achieving the target with 10 balls to spare.

Former India captain Ganguly, who went unsold at the player auction before being signed up by Pune as a replacement for injured seamer Ashish Nehra, looked impressive during his 32-ball knock, hitting one six and three fours.

Opener Manish Pandey top-scored for Pune with 49, while New Zealander Jesse Ryder smashed a 20ball 35 with the help of two sixes and

five fours. Marsh, son of former Australian opener Geoff Marsh, and left-arm spinner Yuvraj Singh (2-17) were instrumental in restricting Deccan.

Deccan made a strong start after electing to bat when Ravi Teja (30) and Shikhar Dhawan (24) put on 51 for the opening wicket.

Marsh got a wicket in his opening over when he bowled Teja before dismissing South African JP Duminy (30), Sunny Sohal and Amit Mishra in his last over.

Brief scores: Deccan Chargers 136-8 in 20 overs (JP Duminy 30, R. Teja 30, S. Dhawan 24; M. Marsh 4-25, Yuvraj Singh 2-17) lost to Pune Warriors 137-4 in 18.2 overs (M. Pandey 49, J. Ryder 35, S. Ganguly 32 not out; D. Christian 2-21) by six wickets.

Kings XI Punjab 163-8 in 20 overs (S. Marsh 43, D. Karthik 31, A. Gilchrist 28; M. Patel 5-21, L. Malinga 2-24) beat Mumbai Indians 87 in 12.5 overs (B. Bhatt 4-22, P. Kumar 2-19) by 76 runs.—AFP

BOSTON: LeBron James scored 35 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Miami to a 98-90 overtime victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday and give the Heat a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Dwyane Wade scored 28 with nine rebounds and Chris Bosh had 20 points and 12 rebounds for Miami, which could eliminate the defending conference champions and advance to the East finals with a victory in Game 5 in Miami tonight. James, Wade and Bosh scored 83 of Miami’s 98 points and had 35 of its 45 rebounds.

Paul Pierce scored 27, Ray Allen had 17 and Kevin Garnett had seven points and 10 rebounds for Boston. James made up for a turnover at the end of regulation with a fallaway jumper to start overtime and give Miami the lead for good.

The Celtics scored just four points in overtime, shooting 1 for 6 and making four of their 18 turnovers. Rajon Rondo, who dislocated his left elbow Saturday night in Game 3, played 39 minutes with a padded sleeve covering what appeared to be a brace on his left arm, scoring 10 with five assists.

Thunder 133, Grizzlies 123 At Memphis, Tennessee, Kevin Durant scored six of his 35 points in the third overtime as Oklahoma City survived a thriller to hold off Memphis in a game that ended Tuesday morning.

With the victory, the Thunder grabbed back home-court advantage

MEMPHIS: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) loses the ball as he is fouled by Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley during the first half of Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series. —AP and tied this Western Conference semifinal at two games apiece. Game 5 is on Wednesday night back in Oklahoma City. The winner of the series will play the Dallas Mavericks in the conference finals.

The finish couldn’t have been more exciting in the second straight overtime game in this series. The sellout crowd stood through each overtime, though fans started trickling toward the exits as

the clock ticked past midnight locally.

Russell Westbrook led the Thunder with 40 points. James Harden added 19, and Daequan Cook had 10. The Grizzlies ran out of energy in the third overtime as they hit just 1 of 9 from the floor. Zach Randolph led Memphis with 34 points and 16 rebounds. Marc Gasol had 26 and 21 rebounds. O.J. Mayo had 18 and Mike Conley 16 before both fouled out.

Greivis Vasquez had 14.—AP

Preview

Pakistan eye history in Test series against West Indies PROVIDENCE: Pakistan are looking to become the latest international side to create history on Caribbean soil, when they begin their search for a maiden Test series victory against West Indies, starting on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium. On six previous visits, starting back in 1958, the Pakistanis have come awfully close, but they have failed each time. The visitors share the unenviable record of being one of the two Test-playing nations not to hold a Test series victory in the Caribbean along with Sri Lanka.

Pakistan have won just four of the 21 Tests they have played in the Caribbean, but there is huge optimism that Misbahul-Haq’s side, brimming with confidence having won the preceding One-day International series 3-2, can put this little matter to rest.

The Pakistanis have far fewer concerns about their line-up than their opponents. Though they have lost former captain Younis Khan to a family bereavement, there are strong signs that the batting still has backbone with the likes of Misbah, Mohammad Hafeez, and Umar Akmal.

The visitors’ bowling has been boosted with the arrival of Umar Gul, whose fast bowling will give the attack a greater edge, but the spin bowling of Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman, as well as Hafeez could prove decisive against typically leaden-footed West Indies batsmen.

All of this means that West Indies will have their hands full trying to protect their cherished record at home against the visitors - and the internal turmoil that has bedevilled the side will not make things any easier.

The Windies have not won a Test series, let alone a Test, in just over two years, and it would require an amazing performance, or an incredible change of fortune for them to turn the tide against Pakistan.

The hosts trimmed their squad to 13 following a warm-up match over the weekend, and predictably, fast bowler

Fidel Edwards has been recalled following a two-year absence, and veteran lefthander Shivnarine Chanderpaul has also been included.

Edwards was sidelined by a careerthreatening back injury that required surgery, and returned to serious competitive action this year, taking 22 wickets for his native Barbados in the WICB Regional first-class championship.

He has not played a Test since the illstarred tour of England two years ago, and is playing his first international match since the World Twenty20 Championship later that same year.

Chanderpaul has been embroiled in a public war of words with the West Indies Cricket Board, following his exclusion from the ODI series, which he claimed followed his refusal to retire from that form of the game.

The durable left-hander will have a major challenge though. He roundly criticised West Indies coach Ottis Gibson for interfering with his approach to batting,

GUYANA: West Indies’ Devendra Bishoo bowls in the nets during a training session in Georgetown. —AP

so the relationship between the two will be closely monitored. Australia-born left-hander Brendan Nash, the vice captain, has also been included.

He has been pigeon-holed as a player for the longer format of the game, and has not played an international match since the weather-ravaged Test series in Sri Lanka last year.

The return of Marlon Samuels to Tests for the first time in three years, following a two-year international ban for inappropriate contact with an alleged Indian bookie, will also be closely followed.He warmed-up for the task with a double hundred in the practice match over the weekend, but his batting during the ODIs seemed to betray him.

Since the ground opened four years ago just ahead of the 2007 World Cup, the pitch plays typically slow and low, but Sri Lanka, batting first, piled-up a big first innings total, and pressured West Indies for the remainder of the only Test that has been played here, resulting in a 121-run victory.

As always, the match will be contested with one eye on the skies due to Guyana’s famously fickle weather, with a 60 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms predicted in the long-range weather forecast.

Squads: West Indies (from): Darren Sammy (captain), Brendan Nash (vice captain), Devendra Bishoo, Carlton Baugh Jr, Darren Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith Pakistan: (from): Misbah-ul Haq (captain), Abdur Rehman, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Hammad Azam , Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Salman, Saeed Ajmal, Tanvir Ahmed, Taufiq Umar, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZL), Tony Hill (NZL) TV Umpire: Asoka De Silva (SRI) Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI), —AFP

ITALY: The teammates of Wouter Weylandt and close friend and training partner Tyler Farrar, who rides for Garmin-Cervelo (third from right) cross the finish line side by side and with their arms linked at the Giro d’Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race. —AP

Giro fourth stage ends in tribute to Weylandt LIVORNO: A poignant tribute to stricken rider Wouter Weylandt brought an end to the Giro d’Italia fourth stage yesterday as the Belgian’s Leopard-Trek team came across the finish line together. Weylandt died in a fatal accident on Monday’s third stage when he tumbled 20 metres to the road below as he negotiated a descent 25km from the finish line in Rapallo.

Amid a huge outpouring of emotion, the peloton agreed not to race the fourth stage, instead riding at a pace which effectively neutralised the race for the entire 216 km between Genoa and Livorno.

Leopard-Trek’s remaining eight-man squad came over the finish line here accompanied by Tyler Farrar of GarminCervelo, a training partner and close friend of Weylandt in the American’s adopted home of Ghent.

Farrar, who fought to keep control of his emotions in the final kilometres, is set to leave the race yesterday. As doctors prepared to carry out an autopsy which would later reveal that Weylandt died

instantly, the peloton held a minute’s silence before starting a procession that would last over six hours and finish half an hour later than scheduled.

Throughout the day the 23 teams on the race relayed each other, receiving applause along the way as fans and onlookers did their small bit to pay tribute to Weylandt, with many brandishing copies of Weylandt’s race number of 108.

After many riders had expressed their sadness and support for Weylandt’s family in an outpouring of emotion on Twitter, the peloton agreed to award all prize money from the stage to Weylandt’s family.

Weylandt’s partner Anne-Sophie-who is due to give birth to the couple’s first child in September-went to lay flowers at the scene of the tragedy before travelling with Weylandt’s parents to the hospital morgue in Lavagna, where his body is being held.

Pathologist Dr. Armando Mannucci said after carrying out the two-and-a-half hour autopsy that Weylandt “died instant-

ly” and “did not suffer,” according to the Ansa news agency.

The 26-year-old’s life came to a sudden end after he crashed on the twisting descent of the Bocco mountain pass around 25km from the finish line on Monday’s third stage, which ended in Rapallo. While travelling at speed his left pedal briefly touched a wall at the side of the road, propelling the Leopard-Trek rider 20 metres to the ground below where he landed heavily on his face.

Dr. Mannucci said Weylandt suffered fatal skull and facial injuries as well as damage to his pelvis and a broken leg. A toxicology report is underway.

Racing is set to resume in today’s fifth stage, a 191 km ride from Piombino to Orvieto and notable for the numerous sections of unpaved road, known in Italian as “strade bianche” (white roads) that pepper the final 19kms. Britain’s David Millar (Garmin) holds the race leader’s pink jersey, with a 7sec lead on Spaniard Angel Vicioso of the Androni team.—AFP

Pietersen ‘fascinated’ by England captaincy LONDON: Former captain Kevin Pietersen said yesterday England’s decision to opt for three skippers was “fascinating” but added “no-one knows whether it’s going to work”.

England will head into upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and India with separate captains for all three international formats.

Andrew Strauss remains skipper of the Ashes-winning Test team but his decision to retire from one-day internationals means fellow opening batsman Alastair Cook has taken charge of the 50-

over side. Meanwhile Stuart Broad, despite a lack of senior leadership experience, has been drafted in to replace Paul Collingwood as captain of England’s world champion Twenty20 team.

Such a three-way split is all but unheard of in international cricket and the 30-year-old Pietersen, England’s Test and one-day captain from August 2008 until January 2009, told Sky Sports: “It’s fascinating, we’ve now got three captains. “It’s the first time it’s ever been done but they are young with fresh ideas and Andy (England coach, Flower) has

had some good ideas so let’s hope this is another one,” he added.

“The three are going to have to put a lot of work in and no-one knows whether it’s going to work, so let’s see how it goes.”

Pietersen, who has not played since returning home early from the World Cup with a hernia injury in March, is due to make his comeback as captain of a Surrey side in a three-day game away to a Cambridge student team starting Wednesday, the Oval-based county announced yesterday. —AFP

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Saving the beautiful game A Radical Revision of the Rules of Football

By Ricardo Guerra early 25 years have passed since Diego Maradona scored the infamous “hand of God” goal that took England out of the World Cup in1986. A few months before the World Cup in South Africa, Thierry Henry, the French striker, flagrantly used his hand in a play that led to a goal against Ireland disqualifying the Irish from participation in that tournament. In between these two incidences referees have presided over a myriad of questionable calls and missed opportunities.

Football has changed significantly over the last decades as evidenced in the physiological characteristics of the players. Today’s players are taller, faster, stronger and more powerful than their predecessors.

They have an overall higher physiological capacity and thus the ability to cover more ground in less time. The dimensions of the pitch have not changed to compensate for the physiological changes. Consequently, the field became congested. It offers less space for stars like Diego Maradona or Zinedine Zidane to leave their mark as they did in years past.

The rules of the game have not evolved alongside these physiological changes. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body that determines the laws of the game, comprised of representatives from each of the United Kingdom’s pioneering football associations, and from the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), football’s powerful international governing body, have been slow to adapt. Teams play a very physical, regimented, defense-oriented game, relying heavily on tactical schemes and formations. At times it can be hard to watch the excessive defensive nature of games in a pitch that has become increasingly congested.

No rules have been passed to create more space or open up the pitch and make the game more offensive in nature. When a player is sent off with a red card, the game completely changes.

Suddenly, space is brought back to the game. Players are able to use their innate talent and ability to really demonstrate their skills.

Every sport evolves with time: technically, tactically and physically. There are many ideas that FIFA could look into in order to redress some of the problems the game is confronted with presently. Simultaneously, the rules of any sport should be revised to accommodate these changes.

Take for example, the case with the National Football League, the governing body of American football, which has a much more progressive approach as evidenced by the constant revisement of its rules in order to make the sport safer, fairer and more entertaining.

In contrast, FIFA has not made a major alteration to the laws of the game in years. The fact that FIFA has done so little so far to reverse such situation or at least promote a thorough examination of the rules of the game is simply inexcusable.

The game requires a major revolutionary facelift in the core of its rules in order to address issues related to the new physiological characteristics of the players, missed calls, excessive stoppage time, incessant fouling, low scoring and violence. Below you will find a series of straight forward suggestions in various domains of the game that may revitalize the sport in a way that would allow us to call this Godsend sport, the beautiful game once again.

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The Clock/Timing Device Problem Statistical and data analysis from the last World Cup show that the average playing time during the first and second round of competition was only 54 minutes. All viewers of international football

these days know that excessive faking of injury and fouling is killing the game.

Winning teams have all the incentives to stop play, waste time and consequently run the clock out. Some players are so gifted in the art of faking injury that they may potentially be better off on a Broadway stage or with a major acting career in Hollywood. How many times does one see players faking the most horrible injury then only a few seconds later storm back in the field at full speed as if nothing happened? The ridiculous and pernicious theatrics of these actions should be curbed and punished.

Currently the clock does not stop and a few minutes of injury time is given at the end of the match. In the proposed new system of rules, the countdown timing device would be visible for

referee inside the pitch. The new timing rules would be a major incentive in resuscitating and preserving the fluid nature of the game since there would be no benefit for players to waste time.

Extra Referees Modern football play takes place at an unprecedented pace. A single referee inside the pitch has a challenging task of covering a sizeable area and therefore is required to maintain a respectable fitness level. Sports such as basketball have three officials circulating a court that is significantly smaller in area than a football pitch.

Referees are human and obviously make mistakes and cannot see all that is happening on the field. Research shows for example, that referees call more fouls against the visiting team, and

penalty box would be required to play with a man down for the rest of the match and would also be subject to a penalty kick.

Furthermore, diving in other sections of the field would result in immediate expulsion from the match. Such flagrant and farcical acting makes a mockery of the rules of the game.

Therefore, rigorous penalties should be enforced. These rules would convince players to think twice before engaging in such unsportsmanlike behavior.

The Offside Rule The offside rule in football is probably the most difficult to enforce with precision and one that is greatly under-appreciated. The rule needs to be reformed, yet not completely abol-

space in the field of play and potentially lead to more goals being scored.

Rethinking Fouls The yellow/red card booking system of the game requires adjustment.

There are three categories of fouls in soccer depending partly on whether the offense is careless, reckless or the result of using excessive force.

Ambiguity reigns in the way different referees make use of the yellow card and interpret a play involving a foul. The application and use of the yellow card should be abolished.

A different system in which a certain number of accumulated team fouls would lead to a given player being sent off for an extended amount of time is worth consideration. For example, every time a team commits

SWITZERLAND: FIFA President Sepp Blatter (second left) plays with a ball next to Brazil’s former team captain Cafu (far left) outside the FIFA headquarters prior to the inaugural meeting of the FIFA Task Force Football 2014. The 22-members of the think tank comprises football representatives and experts. —AFP

Grandees float first ideas for change — FIFA GENEVA: World football chiefs have floated a first set of ideas to spruce up the game, including professionalising referees and allowing an additional substitute during extra time, FIFA said yesterday.

World football’s governing body set up a 22strong task force of officials, coaches, players, referees and medical experts under Franz Beckenbauer’s leadership last year to think up ways of making football more attractive by

all to see and the game time would stop every instance there is a foul, an injured player on the pitch, a corner kick or a free throw.

Therefore, the game time should be adjusted to account for the stoppage.

Rather than two 45 minute halves, the game would have two 35 minute halves with no extra injury time. During the last World Cup, fans were only watching about 27 minutes of actual playing time in each half. With the new system, total playing time would be extended.

Readjusting the time of each half would be necessary since stoppage within the construct of two 45 minute -halves would be too onerous.

An official time keeper outside the field would start and stop the clock based upon the command of the main

2014. They “agreed to propose allowing a fourth substitution in extra time, particularly for youth competitions,” FIFA said after a first meeting in Zurich “There was general agreement on the need to professionalise refereeing,” after Swiss and international referee Massimo Busacca, a member of the task force, reported on his own experience.

The group, which also includes Pele, Bobby Charlton, Cafu, Fernando Hierro, and Christian

against bigger players.

Currently, the main referee inside the pitch is supported by only two linesmen. Placing additional referees on the field — one on each half of the pitch and behind each goal watching the activity inside the penalty box — would address many of the issues related to missed calls. There have been reports that FIFA currently is deliberating possibilities into adding extra referees.

Diving/Acting Players diving in theater-like fashion inside the penalty box attempting to confuse referees into awarding them a penalty kick should be immediately red carded and suspended for two matches. Consequently, the team committing such an offense inside the

Karembeu also revived discussion of the controversial 2005 offside rule and proposed cuts in sanctions for some fouls.

Beckenbauer, who could not attend the meeting in Zurich, is due to make a broader presentation at FIFA’s Congress on June 1.

Apart from passing the governing body’s scrutiny, any rule changes must also be endorsed by football’s rulemaking body, the International FA Board. —AFP

ished as some suggest. Without the rule the whole tactical element of the game would be turned upside down and the game would be played in a completely different fashion.

Moreover, goal hangers, positioning themselves deep down field in close proximity to the opposition’s goal, would be potentially commonplace in a completely stretched-out pitch Reforms to the rule would include the creation of a newly demarcated attacking zone at both ends of the field. A dotted line would be drawn in between the midfield line and the top of the penalty box. The offside region (attacking zone) would be the space in between the goal line and the newly created dotted line. Limiting the offside area would create more open

five fouls they would be punished by the removal of one player off the field for ten minutes and have to defend a penalty kick against them.

All match play fouls and other offenses meriting a yellow card would just count toward the accumulated collective team foul number. The current criteria in place for red card offenses would just continue to be applied in the new system.

Forcing teams to play a man down for 10 minutes every time they commit five fouls collectively would go along way in addressing the issue of excessive stop of play due to fouling and the problem of lack of space that characterizes modern football. No matter what rule you have in place fouls will always be committed.

With the new rule teams more than likely would always play parts of the match with a man down since the lower threshold of five collective fouls would always be met. The proposed change would open up space in the pitch more frequently over the course of a game and the brilliance of individual play would once again reign.

The rule is a win-win situation since hypothetically even if a team did not commit any fouls the game would still benefit since there would be less stoppage time and brilliance of individual play would be less targeted physically.

Committing fouls would surely turn out to be a huge liability if some of these changes were implemented.

Technology/Instant Replay: A Philosophical Issue The use of instant replay has been debated over the last several years. It is one that has to be approached with much caution and deliberation since making use of it would fundamentally destroy the philosophical essence of the beautiful game.

Daily living and football play are characterized by a continuous stream of potentially fateful events that cannot be turned back and where there is no reversal of fortunes. To disrupt this essential philosophical dynamic of the game is unnatural, nonhuman and defies the omnipotence of God. It’s a recourse that we do not have in life and we should not have in match play. A football match — just as life — draws on competing themes such as justice, injustice, victory, defeat, happiness, sadness, tragedy and exhilaration. The complexity and drama surrounding such powerful emotional concepts gives the game a mystical and magical aura. The lure and mystery of the unknown is a central element at the core of daily living and of play in football. The outcome of a game is uncertain and that constant state of unpredictability is what makes football so dramatic, captivating and the passion of the masses.

The excessive use of instant replay, as in other sports such as American football, would be a shot to the heart of soccer, disruptive to the fluid nature of the game and lead to a monotonous character that is prevalent in every other sport that abuses such recourse.

American football is characterized by multiple set plays interspersed with a series of stoppage intervals and is not played in a fluid continuous fashion. The concept of instant replay is surely more transferable and less disruptive to the nature of American football than to the fluid nature of soccer.

Bill Shankly, the legendary Scottish manager, once said, “Football is a much more serious matter than life and death.” It is about time that FIFA takes a closer look at the laws governing the beautiful game. The fact that football’s governing body has been extremely conservative and slow to act in pushing for significant changes is unacceptable and at times puts the game to shame.

The archaic laws of the game now in place have not advanced concomitantly with the changing physiological capacity of the players and for that the beauty of the sport has taken a beating. Someone high up in the echelons of the football power structure should heed the call for change and usher the game to a new frontier.

Ricardo Guerra is an Exercise Physiologist. He has a Masters of Science in Sports Physiology from the Liverpool John Moores University. He has worked with several clubs and teams in the Middle East and Europe, including the Egyptian and Qatari national teams. The writer can be contacted at rvcgf@yahoo.com.

Polish police launch anti-hooligan sweep WARSAW: Polish police yesterday announced they had arrested 25 people in a crackdown on football hooligans, in the wake of trouble that marred the Euro 2012 host nation’s cup final last week.

“They were identified thanks to surveillance recordings. The evidence has enabled them to be charged with destruction of property, invading the pitch and attack ing securit y forces, including the police,” Poland’s police chief Andrzej Matejuk was quoted as saying by the national news agency PAP. Police said that more arrests were on the cards, as they had identified 70 individuals involved in the fracas in the northern city of Bydgoszcz on May 3.

“We want all those involved in the brawl in Bydgoszcz to be punished,” Matejuk said. The game pitted first division Lech Poznan against fellow high-

fliers Legia Warsaw.

After a 1-1 draw, Legia won 5-4 on penalties and supporters of both sides invaded the pitch, forcing the police to step in. They also smashed up seats and other stadium equipment.

The nor thern town of Ostroda announced it would no longer host July’s Supercup between Legia as cup-winners and whoever wins the league, expected to be Wisla Krakow.

Twelve of those arrested in yesterday’s sweep were Lech supporters, and the remaining 13, fans of Legia. Eight detainees have admitted their guilt, prosecutors said, and under plea-bargains agreed to suspended sentences of between four months and two years and stadium bans of four to six years.

Among those arrested was Piotr Staruchowicz, or “Staruch”, leader of a

group that rules the roost in Legia’s tough Zyleta stand, PAP reported. He made headlines last month assaulting Legia defender Jakub Rzezniczak after a defeat.

Legia had said he would “never” be allowed back into its ground after trouble in 2009, but climbed down in the face of a fan boycott.

After the cup final trouble, Polish authorities ordered Lech and Legia to play their next home matches in empty grounds. That sparked a street protest by some 3,000 Legia fans outside their stadium on Friday, some of whom wore masks and threatened television crews and news photographers. Inside, Legia beat league stragglers Korona Kielce 3-1.

Lech fans also tasted victory at a distance, as the Poznan side beat mid-table Gornik Zabrze 2-0 on Saturday. Putting

aside often bitter rivalries, fans of clubs across the Polish league also held matchday protests over the weekend.

They targeted centre -right Prime Minister Donald Tusk-an ardent football suppor ter-whose government has pledged to get tough with hooligans ahead of nex t year ’s European Championships which Poland will host with neighbouring Ukraine.

Even those at Lechia Gdansk, the club the premier supports, refused to take their seats and unfurled a banner reading: “Stand closed at the request of Donald Tusk”.

Since the demise of Poland’s communist regime in 1989, some fans here have formed groups that worship England’s once-notorious hooligan “firms”.

R i v a l c l ub s’ hool i ga ns orga ni s e “us t aw k i ”, or p re -a r r a nge d f i ght s.

Besides having clout inside stadiums, members of some hooligan gangs have been charged for mainstream crime outside, such as drug-trafficking and racketeering.

Last month, the government announced an anti-hooligan crackdown, with measures to be in place by Euro 2012. A key plank is fast-track handling of troublemakers, with special rooms being set up in stadiums with video links to courthouses from which judges will try the defendants. In addition, hooligans who have already been banned from Poland’s stadiums face electronic tagging.

Around 1,800 people are currently serving hooliganism-related stadium bans in Poland, a nation of 38 million.

They will be jailed right away if they breach their tag conditions. —AFP

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

S P ORT S

Triesman: FIFA asked for favors over World Cup bid

JAPAN: Players of Kashima Antlers (red) and Sydney FC (white) watch a free kick by Antlers’ Mitsuo Ogasawara in a Group H soccer match of the AFC Champions League. Antlers won the match, 2-1. —AP

Cerezo in AFC knock-outs TOKYO: AFC Champions League debutants Cerezo Osaka smashed four unanswered goals past Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng to reach the knockout phase yesterday, joining quake-hit Kashima Antlers in the last 16.

Earlier, 2006 champions Jeonbuk Motors confirmed their supremacy in Group G with a 6-0 rout of minnows Arema Indonesia, who depart the competition with just one point from six games and a goal difference of minus 14.

South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings joined in the goals-fest, beating bottomplaced Shanghai Shenhua 3-0 to secure top spot in Group H and crucial home advantage for this month’s one-off round of 16 matches.

J-League side Cerezo needed only to avoid defeat against Group G rivals Shandong but ner ves in the Nagai Stadium were not settled until the 39th minute, when Brazilian forward Rodrigo Pimpao Vianna put the home side ahead.

It was the cue for a second-half demolition job as Inui Takashi, Kiyotake Hiroshi and finally Kurata Shu put the game past Shandong, confirming Cerezo’s participation in the next round at the first time of asking.

Meanwhile, Kashima celebrated a battling achievement in progressing despite having their stadium badly damaged in March’s catastrophic earthquake and tsunami disaster, which also left the JLeague suspended for several weeks.

Kashima, playing in their temporary home of Tokyo’s National Stadium, came from a goal down to beat Sydney FC 2-1 and finish second in Group H behind Suwon, after already securing qualification last week.

Coach Oswaldo Oliveira hailed his players’ mental strength in shrugging off the earthquake tragedy, and said the Antlers were now focused on winning Asia’s top club competition.

“I think we should be appreciated for getting through the group round under severe conditions following the earthquake; the halt of the league, the change of home games, which affected the conditions and feelings of my players,” he said.

“The Champions League has been becoming tougher and tougher every year, but we don’t change our goal to achieve the summit,” added the Brazilian.

After Matthew Jurman’s nodded opener for Sydney, Kashima had to wait until the 64th minute for Yuya Osako’s equaliser through a close-range volley.

Six minutes from time, midfielder Takuya Nozawa secured the spoils with a low 25-yard free-kick which penetrated the Sydney wall.

In Jeonju, Croatian Kruno Lovrek scored in the first minute and again in first-half injury time, and then completed his hat-trick on the hour as Jeonbuk Motors roared past hapless Arema.

Kim Dong-Chan, Jeong Shung-Hoon and Kang Seung-Jo were also on the score -sheet as the dominant South Koreans finished the group stage with 15 out of a possible 18 points.

“We wanted to finish first in the group and I am happy that we did so,” said jubilant coach Choi Kang-Hee. “I am grateful to the players for giving their all until the end.” In East Asia’s final match, Suwon’s Ha Tae-Goon struck either side of halftime before Sin Se-Gye rounded off the scoring on 89 minutes, leaving hosts Shanghai rock-bottom in Group H. Al Shabab and Emirates can both qualify from Group D behind table-topping Zobahan later on Tuesday, with the round of 16’s final three positions to be decided today.

The top two teams from eight groups qualify for the last 16, before two-legged quarter and semi-finals followed by a one-off final in November. —AFP

LONDON: Former English Football Association chairman David Triesman has accused FIFA executive committee members Jack Warner, Ricardo Teixeira, Nicolas Leoz and Worawi Makudi of asking for favors in return for their votes for England’s 2018 World Cup bid.

Triesman was giving evidence on Tuesday to a British parliamentary inquiry into the reasons why England failed in its bid to secure the finals which were awarded to Russia last December.

British Members of Parliament involved in the inquiry also revealed the names of two other FIFA Executive Committe members who, it is alleged, were paid $1.5 million to vote for Qatar’s successful 2022 World Cup bid.

Conservative MP Damian Collins said the committee had evidence from the Sunday Times newspaper which it would publish that FIFA vice-president Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast were paid by Qatar.

Two other executive committee members were banned by FIFA’s Ethics Committee last year after a previous Sunday Times investigation into the World Cup bidding process.

The claims are an embarrassment for the game’s governing body with a total eight of its 24strong key decision-making executive committee having now been accused by the British media or its parliamentary representatives of corruption.

Its 75-year-old president Sepp Blatter will stand for a further fouryear term at its helm on June 1 in Zurich. He was first elected in 1998.

Asian Football Confederation chief Mohamed Bin Hammam is opposing him.

Triesman spoke at the parliamentary inquiry of the “improper and unethical behaviour” by the four men he named.

Giving exact details about the conversations, he said Warner asked for 2.5 million pounds ($4.09 million) to be “channelled through me” for an education centre in his home country Trinidad and Trinidad.

SWITZERLAND: A file photo shows former England 2018 World Cup bid chairman Lord Triesman (left) beside FIFA president Sepp Blatter in Zurich. —AFP After the Haiti earthquake struck leaving that country devastated, Warner then asked Triesman for 500,000 pounds to buy Haiti World Cup TV rights.

Triesman said Paraguayan Leoz had requested a knighthood in return for his vote while Teixeira told him “Come and tell me what you have for me”.

Thai Makudi wanted control of the television rights for a proposed Thailand v England friendly. “We had a number of conversations with Mr Makudi, telephone conversations,” Triesman said. “ These were some of the things that were put to me personally, sometimes in the presence of others, which in my view did not represent proper and ethical behaviour on the part of members of the executive committee,” he added. FIFA president Sepp Blatter responded to Triesman’s comment at a news conference in Zurich.

“I was shocked ... but one has to see the evidence,” Blatter said.

“There is a new round of information, give us time to digest that and start the investigation by asking for evidence on what has been said.

“I repeat, we must have the evidence and we will react immediately against all those in breach of the ethics code rules.” Collins clarified the allegations against Hayatou and Anouma.

“The Sunday Times submission, and this is to be published by us later, claims that 1.5 million dollars was paid to FIFA executive committee members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma who went on to vote for Qatar 2022,” he said, adding that the submission also said that Qatar employed a fixer to arrange deals with African members for their votes.

Mike Lee, who worked as a consultant on Qatar’s bid, gave evidence. “I personally have never witnessed any improper behaviour and have no evidence that the allegations are correct,” he said. The vote to stage the 2018

Velez blank Banfield in Argentina

CAF acts after referee attacked in Tunisia JOHANNESBURG: CAF disciplinary chiefs will hold an emergency meeting this week after an African Champions League fixture in Tunisia last Saturday was abandoned because of a crowd invasion.

Tunisian television showed a Club Africain player pushing Malian referee Komlan Coulibaly after a penalty appeal was rejected seven minutes from full-time in a third round game against Al-Hilal of Sudan.

Several hundred spectators then ran on to the pitch at the national stadium on the outskirts of Tunis and the match officials were kicked and punched as they tried to flee.

The referee and one of his assistants could not get through the angry crowd and raced back to the pitch where security officials prevented further attacks on them.

Some spectators set fire to seats in a stadium which accommodates 60,000 spectators and ranks among the most modern on the continent after being built for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.

This was the second fixture to be abandoned in the premier Pan-African club competition in as many months, and both involved 1991 Champions League winners Club Africain.

Zamalek of Egypt were booted out of the competition during April after a Cairo pitch invasion triggered by a late goal being ruled offside which deprived them of victory over Club Africain.

The Tunisians were fined for a minor pitch invasion when they hosted Zamalek in the first leg and now face expulsion while Hilal, who won the first leg 1-0 two weeks ago, are set to be awarded a group-phase place.

Spectators are barred from domestic football games in Tunisia-a country in upheaval since the ouster of longtime ruler Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali this year-but can attend African fixtures.

While Club Africain await the outcome of the CAF meeting in Cairo, bitter Tunis rivals Esperance were cele-

brating a comfortable passage to the next stage with a 1-0 win over Diaraf in Senegal.

Cameroonian midfielder Roger Toindouba scored the lone goal six minutes before half-time in a Dakar match of little significance as the ‘Blood and Gold’ had built a five-goal first-leg advantage.

TP Mazembe, the Democratic Republic of Congo club with sights fixed on a record third consecutive title, left it late to eliminate Wydad Casablanca of Morocco via a 2-0 home victory.

Solitary-goal losers of the first leg, the Congolese fluffed a penalty before Patou Kabangu broke the Lubumbashi deadlock on 75 minutes and Bedi Mbenza snatched the crucial second goal in stoppage time.

Wydad coach Fakhreddine Rajhi spent part of the second half watching from a Municipal Stadium stand after being shown a red card for persistently querying decisions of the match officials.

Al-Ahly of Egypt did not look like a team that has won the Champions League a record six times as they battled to break down Zambian visitors ZESCO United before Mohamed Barakat produced a 1-0 victory with the only goal of the tie.

Substitute Barakat struck midway through the second half when he combined with another long-serving stalwart, defender Wael Gomaa, to carve an opening and give goalkeeper Jacob Banda no chance.

Enyimba are the only Nigerian club to have won the competition and they secured a last-eight place thanks to a 10 home win over Al-Ittihad of Libya courtesy of a 70th-minute Victor Barnabas penalty.

This tie was reduced to a single match because of the security situation in Libya and Ittihad now drop to the second-tier African Confederation Cup with the other seven Champions League third round losers. —AFP

and 2022 World Cups was mired in controversy, with England at the heart of it.

Triesman was forced to resign from the FA last year after a newspaper sting in which he was taped during a private conversation claiming 2018 rivals Spain and Russia were conspiring to bribe referees at last year’s World Cup in South Africa.

A FIFA investigation found no substance to those allegations by Triesman. FIFA banned Nigerian Amos Adamu and Reynauld Temarii of Tahiti, president of the Oceania Football Conferderation, from its executive committee in November over a report in the Sunday Times that they had offered to sell their votes.

When England’s bid failed last December, receiving just two out of 22 votes, it sparked bitter recriminations and Roger Burden, the acting FA chairman, stated that he could no longer trust FIFA members and withdrew his candidacy for the job. —Reuters

TURIN: Chievo’s Gennaro Sardo (left) celebrates with his teammate goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino after he scored during a Serie A soccer match against Juventus. —AP

Chievo deal almost fatal blow to Juve’s CL hopes ROME: Juventus hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League were virtually erased on Monday after Chievo fought back from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw with the Turin side.

The draw - which saw the Juventus players booed off the pitch by their home fans - leaves the ‘Old Lady’ five points adrift of Udinese, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League spot with just two matches remaining.

Juventus coach Luigi Delneri said his side had suffered a momentary blackout when they conceded the two goals in just over a minute. “We have paid a high price for a minute’s madness, there was a blackout,” said Delneri.

“The boys played a good match, but were hit hard hard by the very rapid counterattacks of Chievo: such as the two occasions we conceded goals. “Luck really wasn’t with us, those shots that hit the post, or just the other side.” Delneri was philosophical about his chances of seeing out the year left on his contract.

“I still have my pride, so I will do everything to my best abilities till the end of the season. Then the club will decide,” said DelNeri, who was brought in at the beginning of this season to improve their

fortunes after finishing seventh last term.

Juventus had looked to be coasting to the three points after veteran Alessandro Del Piero scored from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, after Gennaro Sardo had fouled Simone Pepe. They doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second-half when Del Piero set up Alessandro Matri.

However, Chievo refused to surrender and scored twice in a minute to level the match and all but assure themselves of another season in the elite. Both goals emanated in the same way as captain Sergio Pelissier twice hit the post only for his rebounds to be scrambled home by Luca Rigoni in the 68th minute, and the second by Sardo a minute later.

Juventus pushed hard to get a third but twice they were denied by the woodwork, Giorgio Chiellini and former Italy international striker Luca Toni the unlucky parties.

However, Fernando Uribe also missed a golden chance to give Chievo the three points as with Gianluigi Buffon out of his goal the Colombian had an empty net to put the ball into but instead hit a tame effort that went straight to Juventus defender Claudio Marchisio. —AFP

BUENOS AIRES: Velez Sarsfield scored twice in the final seven minutes to beat Banfield 2-0 at home and open a fourpoint lead in the Argentine Clausura championship on Monday.

Velez, Clausura champions in 2009, have 27 points from 13 matches with Godoy Cruz, who won 3-1 at Newell’s Old Boys on Friday, second on 23.

Olimpo, 2-1 winners at Huracan on Saturday, and River Plate are a point further back.

Right-back Fabian Cubero beat the offside trap to tap in a rare goal in the 38th minute and put Velez ahead.

Substitute David Ramirez volleyed the second in added time.

“It was the moment to open a good lead over the rest,” said midfielder Ricky Alvarez, who has been in superb form for Argentina’s best club side.

“No, we’re not tired, I think the will, humility and commitment of this team overcomes that,” Alvarez told reporters when asked whether also playing the Libertadores Cup was taking a toll on Velez, who are in the quarter-finals of South America’s elite club competition.

River had been expected to hold the lead for at least 24 hours but went down to a shock 2-0 home defeat by All Boys on Sunday a week ahead of the “superclasico” away to arch-rivals Boca Juniors.

Boca, recovering from a poor start to the championship, won 2-0 at Argentinos Juniors to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

World Cup striker Martin Palermo, who had gone 10 matches without scoring, hit his third in as many matches to put Boca in front, stooping to head a rebound at knee height through the keeper’s legs for another freak goal in his varied repertoire.

Boca climbed to 10th on 18 points with six matches to go in one of the tightest ever Argentine league championships.

They are ahead of Estudiantes on goal difference after the champions drew 0-0 at Lanus, their 10th match without a win in the league and Libertadores Cup from which they were eliminated by Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno on penalties in the round of 16 last week. —Reuters

Bolt: Catch me if you can

16

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

Triesman: FIFA asked for favors over WCup bid

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Pakistan eye history in Test series against West Indies

Page 17

ITALY: Russia’s Maria Sharapova serves to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova during their WTA Rome Open tennis tournament match at the Foro Italico in Rome. (Inset) Fernando Verdasco of Spain returns a ball to Sweden’s Robin Soderling. —AFP

Deportivo out of bottom three MADRID: Deportivo La Coruna took a giant step towards safety with a 2-1 comeback home win over European hopefuls Athletic Bilbao at the Riazor stadium yesterday.

A 71st minute own goal from left back Xavi Castillo sealed a crucial three points for Depor who move out of the bottom three and are three points above the relegation zone with two games left to play.

Bilbao’s 16th defeat of the season is a real setback to their European hopes and, although the Basque club stay fifth, they are just two points ahead of Atletico Madrid and Sevilla who both have games in hand.

A disastrous defensive mix-up saw Depor fall behind after just three minutes with Gaizka Toquero taking advantage to slot home an early opener.

Depor have the worst goals tally in the league, averaging less than a goal a game, but levelled on 22 minutes with Mexican midfielder Jose Guardado teeing up Adrian Alvarez. The equaliser spurred on the home side with Adrian hitting the crossbar in the closing minutes of the first half. Depor striker Ivan Riki almost deflected a corner into his own goal in the second half, but the own goal was to come at the other end.

La Coruna launched a quick counter attack and the back-pedalling Castillo tried in vain to stop Adrian’s centre, sliding the ball into his own net. Depor, league champions in 2000, held on for a vital win as they bid for a 21st consecutive season in the topflight. Elsewhere Atletico Madrid, two points behind Bilbao, are at Racing Santander later on Tuesday looking to capitalise on their rivals’ slip. Real Madrid are in action later yesterday when they host strugglers Getafe in the capital derby at the Santiago Bernabeu.

If Real fail to win the match, bitter rivals Barcelona, currently eight points ahead, will be crowned league champions.

Getafe are languishing just one point above the relegation zone and hope to get one over on their more illustrious neighbours to aid their survival bid.

For Madrid pride is at stake although Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has an additional incentive as he bids to win the Pichichi award for the league’s top-scorer.

Ronaldo is currently on 33 league goals, two ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, with three games left to play. Barcelona are at Levante today knowing a point is enough to seal their third consecutive league title.

“It looks like the league is all wrapped up but it isn’t,” said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. “The sooner we can win it the better. “We don’t depend on other results but we have to focus on Levante who are having an excellent season and have gone three months without losing at home.” In other matches, Malaga host Sporting Gijon later yesterday in a six-point relegation battle. In-form Malaga have won their last four league matches to move three points above the drop, while Sporting are four points above the relegation zone. — AFP

Rodriguez treble boosts Liverpool’s Euro charge Fulham 2

Liverpool 5

LONDON: Liverpool boosted their late challenge for a top four finish in the Premier League as Maxi Rodriguez’s hat-trick fired the Reds to a 5-2 victory against Fulham on Monday.

Kenny Dalglish’s side romped into a three-goal lead within the first 16 minutes at Craven Cottage, with Rodriguez scoring twice before Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer allowed Dirk Kuyt’s weak shot to squirm into the net.

Moussa Dembele got one back for Fulham but Rodriguez struck again for his second hat-trick in three games and Luis Suarez bagged the fifth goal to complete the demolition.

Steve Sidwell’s late strike meant little to Fulham and Liverpool’s five-star display lifted them above Tottenham in fifth place and within four points of fourth placed Manchester City in the race for the final Champions League spot.

With only two matches left, Liverpool are more likely to have to settle for Europa League qualification, but a slip by City in their

game in hand against Tottenham on Tuesday will have the Anfield faithful dreaming of a return to Europe’s elite club competition.

Whatever the outcome of their European charge, Dalglish has surely done enough to persuade Reds owner John W Henry to hand him the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

Liverpool’s record signing Andy Carroll was missing again after suffering an injury in training, but the Reds arrived in west London in fine form and took the lead in 31 seconds.

Manchester United may be about to take Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles, but even Sir Alex Ferguson’s team haven’t scored such a fast goal this season.

Suarez broke away down the left and the Uruguayan’s cross was miscued by Fulham defender Carlos Salcido towards Schwarzer.

Schwarzer could only scramble the ball away from Kuyt and into the path of Rodriguez, who fired home emphatically.

Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher couldn’t have wished for a more perfect start on his 666th appearance, an astonishing total that made him the club’s second highest appearance holder behind Ian Callaghan.

It got even better for Carragher when Argentine midfielder Rodriguez struck again five minutes later. Lucas Leiva’s long pass picked out a surging run

from Glen Johnson on the right wing and the England defender’s looping cross to the far post was met with a powerful volley from Rodriguez that flashed past Schwarzer. Dalglish’s men were pouring forward in waves and they didn’t have to wait long for a third goal as Schwarzer blundered in the 16th minute.

Kuyt’s low shot from the right side of the penalty area should have posed no problems for Schwarzer, yet the Australian somehow allowed the tame effort to trickle through his legs and into the net.

Schwarzer hung his head in embarrassment as Dutch forward Kuyt celebrated his ninth goal in eight matches. After Raul Meireles was forced off early in the second half, Fulham scored in the 57th minute when substitute Bobby Zamora slipped a pass for Dembele to shoot past Jose Reina.

But Liverpool had too much firepower for Fulham and Rodriguez sealed his treble in the 71st minute. Taking John Flanagan’s pass 30 yards from goal, Rodriguez advanced unopposed before blasting an unstoppable strike into the top corner. Liverpool hadn’t finished there. Suarez capped a fine display as he jinked round Schwarzer to slot in the fifth in the 75th minute and Sidwell’s superb 85th minute goal was no consolation for Fulham. — AFP

LONDON: Fulham’s Bobby Zamora (right) challenges for the ball with Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel during their English Premier League soccer match. — AP

ROME: Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova made short work of her second round opponent in Rome yesterday, thrashing Ekaterina Makarova 6-1, 61.

Having said on Sunday that women’s tennis had improved its strength in depth in recent years and that the old days of breezing through the first couple of rounds were long gone, Sharapova disproved her own claims.

Her Russian compatriot was never in the match and only managed to hold serve once in each set. Sharapova was at her ruthless best and took all five of her breakpoint opportunities, saving the only two she faced.

Makarova also paid for a poor first serve percentage of less than one in two, meaning she was often under pressure. And it was far easier for the seventh seed than a week ago when the pair met in Madrid.

“I played her last week in Madrid and we split sets and I won in three sets,” said Sharapova. “It was a pretty tough and long match and I certainly wanted to get the job done faster today.

“I felt I had a much slower start last week in Madrid and that was something I wanted to change here. “My first two rounds (in Madrid) went three sets and I felt that wasn’t necessary. “It was a pretty short match and that will definitely help me going into the later rounds on clay.”

Joining the former world number one in the third round at the Rome International clay tournament at the Foro Italico was current number two Francesca Schiavone. The French Open champion had few problems in seeing off American qualifier Christina McHale 6-3, 6-1.

In the men’s competition seventh seed Tomas Berdych had little difficulty in dispatching Argentine Juan Monaco 6-2, 6-2 in an early second round match.

French 16th seed Richard Gasquet was the first man through to the third round as he thrashed Russian qualifier Igor Andreev 6-1, 6-2.

Spanish ninth seed Nicolas Almagro also had few problems in his first round clash against Italian wild card Simone Bolelli, winning 6-0, 7-5.

But 14th seed Stanislas Wawrinka was made to battle all the way as he overcame another Italian wild card in Fabio Fognini 67, 6-2, 6-4.

It wasn’t a good day in the men’s competition for the hosts as yet another wild card, Flavio Cipolla, lost to former world number three Ivan Ljubicic 6-2, 6-3.

His compatriot Mario Cilic also reached the second round as he prevailed in the battle of big-serving Croatians with Ivo Karlovic retiring while trailing 6-4, 1-0.

It wasn’t a good day for Asians as Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm lost 7-5, 6-2 to Czech Lucie Safarova and Chinese lucky loser Zheng Jie was beaten

by Italian wild card Alberta Brianti 6-4, 7-5.

Another Italian wild card, Romina Oprandi, caused the upset of the day, knocking out Estonian 14th seed Kaia Kanepi 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.

There were also first round victories for German 12th seed Andrea Petkovic and Russian 16th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova as well as Australian qualifier Anastasia Rodionova.

Meanwhile, former world number one Roger Federer believes the current dearth of top class American players is bad for the game. For the first time since the rankings were introduced no American is among the world’s top ten in the men’s or women’s lists.

Federer, however, believes the United States is merely suffering from a general lack of emerging talent which can also be seen elsewhere. “There are not that many teenagers in the top 100 so I think many countries are going through a phase where they do not have the talent they hoped to have,” said the Swiss, who is currently ranked third in the world.

“Even in France, Germany, England or America, all those countries are struggling and waiting for an up and coming player like we always hope for like Rafa (Nadal), Novak (Djokovic) and myself, or (Andy) Roddick or (Michael) Chang.

“This is kind of missing at the moment and those countries have to be patient and this creates a lot of pressure on the people working in the federations and the media, especially in the bigger countries like America.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how they get through it and I hope they are able to come along with some more big playersespecially for the States.

“I hope they get through it because it’s very important for the States to have big players.” He added: “In the women’s game I think we are all aware that if they wanted to or if they could play physically then (the Williams sisters) would be in the top 10 without any problems.

“It’s worse on the men’s side with just a few outsiders but it’s a fact that it’s the first time in history this has happened.

“It’s a bit disappointing for us to not have any Americans in the top players because it is always great to play against American players and have American players in the game but Roddick remains a former number one in the world and a Grand Slam champion.”

Federer added he was pleased with the restructuring of the calender this season to make Rome, rather than Madrid, the last clay event before the French Open.

Madrid is played at altitude whereas the conditions in Rome are more similar to those in Paris. “I think it is better. It is something that we always wanted to have from the beginning and I think we were not quite happy that Madrid was the last slot before Paris,” he said.

“I guess it was also something to do with the women’s tennis tournaments here in Rome. “Now it is all ironed out and obviously not having to go from altitude (in Madrid) and going from Rome to the French Open is easier and this is obviously much more similar to Paris than Madrid ever will be. “I think this way it is just easier for most of the players.” — AFP

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Merkel guarded on new aid for Greece

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GROHE shower range from Safat Alghanim Reflections Page 22

WASHINGTON: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (left) and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, sit as documents are exchanged during a signing ceremony in the Cash Room of the Treasury Department in Washington yesterday during the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue meetings . Geithner and Wang signed the ‘US-China Comprehensive Framework for Promoting Strong, Sustainable, and Balanced Growth and Economic Cooperation’. —AP

Greece may get more aid soon: EU New help hinges on austerity and reforms measures ATHENS: Greece may be offered more support soon, but any new help would come in exchange for further austerity and reform measures, European officials said yesterday.

A year after first getting bailed out, Greece still has trouble repaying its debts, with investors skeptical that anything other than a restructuring — a change in the debt repayment terms — will do the trick. To give the country some breathing space, European officials are considering helping with new measures.

One official from a euro-zone country said finance ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday may make a broad announcement on new support, but stressed that no concrete steps will be taken before the results of an inspection of the program are known.

The official said potential new aid “will of course be attached to new conditionalities. Nothing is free.” A second official said euro-zone governments want to see more concrete proof that promised measures — to combat tax evasion and privatize public assets — are being implemented.

Both officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was too early to put a number on new aid. Whether Greece receives more help with its financial crisis will likely depend upon a June report by debt inspectors.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country is the

largest contributor to a 110 billion euros ($158 billion) package of bailout loans that rescued Greece from default a year ago, said she needs to wait for the inspector’s assessment before making any decisions. “Only then can I decide what, and whether anything needs to be done,” she told foreign reporters in Berlin. “I am a person who draws her conclusions only when she has seen and analyzed the result, and nothing will shift me from that. I don’t think we would do Greece any favors by speculating in a disorderly way, and we wouldn’t do ourselves any favors either.” But it is speculation and rumor that has driven developments over the Greek crisis in recent weeks. On Friday, a report in a German online newspaper that Athens wanted to leave the euro sent the currency tumbling before Greek and European officials vehemently denied it. A secret meeting did take place in Luxembourg between the finance ministers of Greece, France and Italy, along with European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn and euro-zone head Jean-Claude Juncker.

Yesterday, a Greek Finance Ministry official denied a report that Greece expects a new bailout package of nearly 60 billion euros, saying it was “not true.” “The discussion that is taking place is about finding a solution that is credible, and in such a

way that there is no problem in covering Greek financing needs in 2012,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with ministry policy. There are no specifics yet regarding the details, the official said.

Talk of more aid for Greece helped market sentiment. The interest rate gap between Greek 10-year bonds and those of the German benchmark, while still alarmingly large, narrowed to about 12.6 percentage points from nearly 13 earlier in the day.

The inspectors from the ECB, International Monetary Fund and European Commission begin their inspection Wednesday — a regular quarterly probe into whether the government is meeting the conditions of the bailout. In return for the loans, the government has cut public sector salaries and pensions, increased taxes, opened up professions to more competition and overhauled the pension system. It also announced a 50 billion euros ($73 billion) privatization program.

But concerns have increased sharply over its ability to successfully implement the reforms and return to the long-term debt market next year, when the bailout loans alone will not be enough to service its debt. Revenues have lagged behind targets due to persistent recession. Another nationwide general strike Wednesday is unlikely to ease market tensions. — AP

Forget austerity, Romanians fixate on IMF shoe BUCHAREST: In Romania this week, it’s all about the shoe.

Romania has borrowed billions from the International Monetary Fund but some are wondering whether IMF envoy Jeffrey Franks needs a loan himself after he was seen wearing shoes with a hole on a visit with President Traian Basescu.

The image on Saturday has eclipsed any of Franks’ comments about public spending, layoffs or inflation in the

BUCHAREST: Jeffrey Franks, head of the IMF mission to Romania is seen during a meeting with Romanian President Traian Basescu, not seen, in Bucharest, Romania. In Romania this week, it’s all about the shoe. Romania has borrowed billions from the International Monetary Fund but some are wondering whether IMF envoy Jeffrey Franks needs a loan himself after he was seen wearing shoes with a hole (right) on a visit with President Traian Basescu. — AP

Balkan nation. Mysteriously, the photo of the shoe also disappeared yesterday from its previous location on the presidential website. No matter, the shoe kept dominating the news. “There is no excuse to go to the president of a country with torn shoes,” popular television commentator Mircea Badea said.

Franks was asked to comment on the shoe Monday at a news conference on the Romanian economy.

“I prefer to talk about Romania, not personal matters,” he said, but added “I changed my shoes today.” Style-conscious Romanians were still not satisfied with his footwear, with Realitatea TV noting that Franks was wearing a black suit with brown moccasins that had seen better days.

“And look what kind of watch he has, it’s one of those 10-euro electronic ones,” Badea noted. Cobbler Stefan Filipas from the western city of Arad then stepped into the debate.

“I am sure Jeffrey Franks wears those shoes because they are comfortable not because he can’t afford a new pair,” Filipas told the Glasul Aradului online paper yesterday. “I will repair them or send him a new pair crafted from Romanian materials, so he has something to remember Romania by, like we remember him.” The shoe also gave locals a good opportunity to criticize the IMF, which has urged Romania to take tougher austerity measures to trim its budget deficit to 4.4 percent this year. Franks was in Romania after the IMF and the European Union approved an extra 5 billion euros ($7.25 billion) precautionary loan.

“The boy with a hole in his shoe from the IMF who comes to give us lessons about how to manage the economy has avoided speaking about the real problems that we’ll face this year,” the daily Jurnalul National wrote yesterday. — AP

Egypt inflation climbs on surging food prices CAIRO: Egypt’s annual urban inflation rate surged past 12 percent in April, pulled higher by spiking food prices, the government’s statistical agency said yesterday. The figures showed that some of the key catalysts that sparked the uprising that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak remain firmly in place. Annual urban inflation climbed to 12.1 percent in April compared to 11.5 percent in March, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics said on its website. Food prices were up 20.7 percent in April across the country, compared to the same month last year, it said. Surging food prices were among the litany of woes about which Egyptians had complained over the past couple of years, and were widely seen as a key trigger for the mass uprisings that ousted Mubarak in February after nearly three weeks of protests.

Since then, the country’s economy has been hard hit, with key revenue sources like tourism and foreign direct investment hammered, while persistent labor unrest has quashed productivity. Economic growth forecasts for fiscal 2010-2011, ending in June, have been slashed to between 2 and 3 percent from the pre-crisis forecasts of around 6 percent.

The increasing inflation rate is “not demand driven, because obviously demand is dropping, and has been, since the second half of the fiscal year ... while prices have continued to climb,” said John Sfakianakis, chief economist with the Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-based Banque Saudi-Fransi.

He said the increase in inflation and prices was based on a combination of factors, including declining output that has created supply disruptions, as well as a depreciation in the value of the Egyptian pound that adds to the import bill.—AP

UAE economy to grow 3 to 3.5% in 2011 DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates’ gross domestic product is expected to grow by between 3 and 3.5 percent in 2011, the Gulf Arab state’s economy minister said yesterday.

“We are expecting for this year the GDP of the UAE to range between 3 to 3.5 percent,” Sultan bin Saeed alMansouri told reporters on the sidelines of an investment event. “Inflation will be under control. So far we predict it will be hovering between 1 to 1.5 percent,” he also said. “But I am not worried about it.”

Analysts polled by Reuters in March said they forecast the economy of the world’s third-largest oil exporter to expand by 3.4 percent this year and annual inflation to be 2.5 percent.

The UAE has not released 2010 growth figures yet but the Reuters poll estimates the economy expanded 2.2 percent last year. “The evaluation of the different sectors of the UAE economy has shown us that the different sectors are growing in a positive way, according to the expectations,” Mansouri said.

“Tourism has seen an increase so far in the first four months of this year.”

The UAE central bank governor told Reuters last week that the economy was forecast to grow by 4-5 percent this year, with little impact from the unrest sweeping much of the Arab world. — Reuters

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BUSINESS

GROHE shower range from Safat Alghanim Reflections Trendy colorful showers to refresh your senses KUWAIT: Safat Alghanim Reflections, under the Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons group of companies, announces the launch of its newest and exclusive line of showers in Kuwait designed to provide customers with the ultimate bathing satisfaction. The new GROHE shower range draws its inspiration from a spring color palette of vibrant flower hues available in a palette of appealing blue, purple, yellow, orange, red and white shades. “ This spring, indulge yourselves with the latest Safat Alghanim Reflections products devised to create a new feeling of freshness every time you step into the shower. The Rainshower Watercolor spring collection is guaranteed to invigorate and lift your moods especially after a stressful day. GROHE’s new line of showers is inspired by this season and everything it has to offer, “said Gar y Hatcher, Business Director of Safat Alghanim.

As with all GROHE showers, the new additions feature GROHE DreamSpray technology - for perfectly balanced water distribution to every single shower nozzle, while SpeedClean nozzles prevent the buildup of lime scale ensuring the spray face retains its pristine appearance. On the handle, the Eco-Button facilitates effortless water saving by reducing the flow rate by 40%.

Safat Alghanim Reflections provides the finest decorative pieces for people’s bathroom space in an effor t to cater to each customers taste and preferences. Customers can now indulge themselves in the com-

ments and turns it into a reality.

Dar Alghanim, the newest addition to the Yusuf A. Alghanim & Sons group of companies, and the newest landmark in Kuwait, is a ‘Home Building Retail Park’ located in Shuwaikh, next to

fort of a modern and chic bathroom while enjoying the extravagant colors and wide variety of appealing shapes and materials.

Safat Alghanim Reflections seeks to embrace your deepest desires of simplest bathroom require-

Dubai’s Arabtec Q1 net profit slumps

Alghanim garage. With the windmill marking its entrance, Dar Alghanim comprises of four different entities, namely Home & Garden, Reflections, Alghanim Building Center and Afkar. Each entity has been designed to meet the demands and requirements for building a home, and have been provided all under one roof to make the process easier and less time consuming for its customers.

Grohe AG is the world’s leading premium brand of sanitary fittings. As a global brand for sanitary products and systems, GROHE sets standards in quality, design, technology and sustainability, providing water to perfection. With its headquarters in Hemer and Corporate Center in D¸sseldorf, the company currently employs some 5 ,0 0 0 p e op l e wor l d w i d e, including 2,300 in Germany. In 2010, the company ’s kitchen an d bathroom f i t t i ngs a nd showers, automatic fittings for the commercial and contract sectors, and installation and flush in g s ys te m s ge ne rate d sales of EUR 980 million (unaudited figure).

Burgan Bank announces winners of Yawmi draw

DUBAI: Arabtec’s first-quarter net profit slumped 80 percent, missing analysts estimates, the Dubai builder said yesterday.

The largest builder in the United Arab Emirates by market value made a net profit after minority interest of 26.6 million dirhams ($7.24 million) in the three months to Mar 31, compared with a net profit of 134.5 million dirhams in the same period last year.

Analysts polled by Reuters on average expected the company to post a net profit of 58.2 million dirhams for the period. Revenue for the quarter was 1.24 billion dirhams compared with 1.55 billion dirhams for the year earlier period, Arabtec said in a bourse statement.

No other details of the results were immediately available. Arabtec said it will release the full report as soon as the final documents are prepared. Arabtec is expanding overseas to diversify its portfolio away from Dubai’s once-booming property sector which has been hit hard by the global financial crisis as developers slow or cancel projects and jobs are slashed.

In April, Nomura said Arabtec and Drake and Scull International may post improved quarterly profits as doubtful debt provisioning is likely to be lower in the quarter.

Property prices in Dubai have been under pressure since late 2009, when the financial crisis and a slump in oil prices ended a six-year economic boom in the Gulf region. —Reuters

First account in Kuwait to give away daily cash-prize KUWAIT: Burgan Bank amongst the leading and the most dynamic bank in the state of Kuwait announced the names of last week’s Yawmi account winners at the bank’s head office.

Yawmi is the 1st account in the countr y to give away cash prize everyday.

The lucky winners for the five daily draws took home a handsome cash-prize of KD 5000 each. The lucky winners are: 1- Sheikh Mubarak Faisal Saud Al-Sabah 2- Jasem Mohammad Abdulah Albudaiwi 3- Yousef Ahmad Abdulraheem Ateyah 4- Aqel Mousa Tamimi Zada 5- Khaledah Abdulkareem Sulaiman Alrodhan Congratulating the winners, Burgan Bank Chief Retail Banking O fficerGM Muneera AlMuk haizeem said: “I extend my warm wishes to the winners of last week’s Yawmi draw. Yawmi today is a well understood product, the popu-

larity of which can be seen from the number of increasing account holders. Burgan Bank has always been at the forefront of introducing innovative and differentiated products.

Now, every single day represents yet another chance of winning KD 5000.”

In 2009, Burgan Bank introduced a first-of-its kind draw account - Yawmi Account - which entitles customers who deposit KD 500 to win KD 5000 every single day (except weekends and public holidays). For every KD 50 deposited in your Yawmi Account you receive an additional entry into the draw, which means the more you deposit, the more chances you will have of winning. For example, if you deposit the minimum of KD 500, you will receive 10 entries into the draw.

Opening a Yawmi account is simple, just visit your nearest Burgan Bank branch and get all the details.

Or simply call our Call Center 1804080 and our executive will be more than happy to assist you. For further information visit www.burgan.com

Retail leadership team ready for the next step building for the future” said Stewart Lockie, General Manager, Retail. “This then is our top priority as a well trained and accomplished group is a happy team that in turn will ensure positive results for our clients. I believe in a strong team headed by strong leaders that can steer Retail in the position we would like to see ourselves in” Lockie added.

ABK is proud of its success in recruiting, retaining and developing Kuwaiti talent. To this end Retail Banking is a key supporter in providing new recruits with a career and development chart, whilst ensuring that each individual’s capabilities and talents are honed to their full potential.

KUWAIT: A significant and ongoing initiative in Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is to improve the quality of its customer care and pay great attention to nurturing customer relationships. Well focused on this aim, ABK’s Retail Banking division is always working to upgrade the product and service offerings for its clients.

Retail staff has recently undertaken new Performance Development training to help enhance their performance and development regardless of the role they undertake. The training was mandatory for all Retail staff, in an attempt to develop finer performance skills across the board in Retail, in order to serve customers professionally and proficiently.

“By investing in our people we are

Jet Airways rated best on time performer among Indian airlines dominant leadership position in the Indian aviation sector with a market share of 25.4%.

In the month of March, Jet Airways carried 4.03 lakh international revenue paying passengers with an overall seat factor of 75.9%. The airline also carried 8.43 lakh domestic revenue paying passengers.

JetLite, the wholly owned subsidiary of Jet Airways India Ltd, carried over 3.89 lakh revenue passengers in the month of March 2011 with a seat factor of 77.0%.

MUMBAI: Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline has been rated the best on time performer amongst all other scheduled domestic airlines with an on time performance of 94.9%. JetLite, the airlines wholly owned subsidiary was also not too far behind registering an impressive On-Time Performance 91% per cent respectively, as per the figures released by the Director General of Civil Aviation. Together the Jet Airways Group while posting its seventeenth month of consecutive growth also maintained its

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

.2700000 .4480000 .3910000 .3110000 .2820000 .2930000 .0040000 .0020000 .0745370 .7261920 .3810000 .0700000 .7118990 .0040000 .0430000

.2790000 .4570000 .3990000 .3210000 .2920000 .3000000 .0072500 .0035000 .0752860 .7334900 .4010000 .0770000 .7190530 .0072000 .0540000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2745500 .2766500 .4500560 .4534990 .3933070 .3963150 .3139510 .3163520 .2849060 .2870860 .0527490 .0531530 .0437880 .0441230 .2956350 .2978970 .0353230 .0355930 .2226140 .2243170 .0034150 .0034410 .0000000 .0062170 .0000000 .0025260 .0000000 .0032700 .0000000 .0038030 .0747790 .0753510 .7284430 .7340140 .0000000 .3913030 .0732330 .0737930 .7133020 .7187580 .0000000 .0064790

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

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co.

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.440 6.169 3.250 2.509 3.872 224.260 35.515 3.763

Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

6.408 9.146 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 73.616 75.852 717.030 733.030 75.155

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 47.500 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.445 Yemen Riyal 1.263 Tunisian Dinar 202.010 Jordanian Dinar 389.840 Lebanese Lira 183.100 Syrian Lier 5.960 Morocco Dirham 35.606 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 275.950 Euro 397.640 Sterling Pound 453.390 Canadian dollar 287.900 Turkish lire 177.570 Swiss Franc 316.280 Australian dollar 297.340 US Dollar Buying 274.750 GOLD 280.000 140.000

20 Gram 10 Gram

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees

SELL CASH SELL DRAFT 300.500 299.000 733.510 733.510 3.990 3.769 289.600 288.100 541.700 14.100 54.800 167.800 225.500 47.400 46.515 399.500 396.000 36.170 36.020 6.430 6.170

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

0.033 0.244 0.243 3.530 391.290 0.187 94.680 48.200 4.330 222.300 1.870 51.700 716.390 3.340 6.610 76.300 73.640 225.460 43.520 2.677 456.100 45.500 319.200 5.800 9.550 198.263 75.260 276.200 1.260

0.033

389.820 0.186 94.680 3.880 220.800

Sterling Pound US Dollar

317.700 5.800 9.340 75.160 275.800

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 454.100 275.800

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees

Selling Rate 275.850 290.585 454.452 397.440 314.004 730.088 75.080 75.747 73.530 389.664 46.395 2.509 6.172

3.261 3.787 6.397 676.638 3.519 9.113 6.017 3.935 90.720

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. 716.210 3.260 6.430 75.870 73.640 225.460 43.520 2.509 454.100

GOLD 1,561.540

10 Tola

Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

Currency US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Nepali rupee Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Canadian Dollars

Rate per 1000 (Tran) 275.700 3.265 6.180 2.525 3.780 6.455 75.165 73.720 733.000 46.465 458.200 0.00003280 3.910 1.550 391.700 5.750 400.200 292.800

Al Mulla Exchange Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) US Dollar 274.450 Euro 410.000 Pound Sterling 456.000 Canadian Dollar 288.200 Japanese Yen 3.435 Indian Rupee 6.145 Egyptian Pound 46.255 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.499 Bangladesh Taka 3.730 Philippines Peso 6.375 Pakistan Rupee 3.255 Bahraini Dinar 730.900 UAE Dirham 74.880 Saudi Riyal 73.300 *Rates are subject to change

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Iraq, Shell inch closer to $12 billion gas deal Final draft of agreement yet to be finalized

HAVANA: A man unloads luggage from an old car outside Havana’s International airport, Cuba yesterday. The Communist Party’s newly released economic guidelines also say the government will study the possibility of letting Cubans travel abroad as tourists, a long-time promise of Cuba’s leaders that has yet to be fulfilled. —AP

BAGHDAD: Iraq and Royal Dutch Shell have settled most of the pending legal issues that have delayed a $12 billion gas deal for more than two years, an Iraqi deputy oil minister said yesterday.

Since the signing of an initial agreement in 2008, Iraq has been working to finalise a joint venture between its South Gas Co, Shell and Mitsubishi to capture associated gas at southern oilfields.

Iraq has struggled for years with power blackouts and risks years more of electricity shortages. Using associated gas is a centrepiece of its master plan to boost electricity production to keep up with demand that is double the rate of supply.

Deputy Oil Minister Ahmed Al-Shamma said he expected a final draft of the agreement to be ready by next week but could not give a timeframe for when it would be presented to the Iraqi cabinet for approval and signing.

“I just came back from meetings with Shell in Istanbul. We have found satisfactory solutions for all the issues that we (disagreed) upon before,” Shamma said. “We have reached a common agreement.”

The deal has suffered a series of setbacks including legal hurdles and political opposition.

On Monday Deputy Prime Minister Hussain Al-Shahristani said the oil ministry had

KD stable against US dollar at KD 0.275 KUWAIT: The exchange rate of the Kuwaiti dinar against the US dollar was unchanged yesterday keeping to KD 0.275 per dollar, but dropped to KD 0.394 against the euro, said the daily bulletin of the Central Bank of Kuwait.

The bulletin also reported a gain to KD 0.451 against the sterling pound, an unchanged rate of KD 0.003 against the Japanese yen, and a drop to KD 0.314 per Swiss franc. Fears concerning European sovereign debt are again dominating the economic scene and dictating exchange rates of main currencies in international mar-

kets, particularly after recent speculation that Greece might opt out of the 17-state euro system.

Investors are focusing on assessment of how European decision makers deal with the sovereign debt crisis, particularly since Portugal joined in as the third state stumbling on sovereign debt payments and requiring and receiving monetary rescue packages.

To face these challenges, European Union leaders agreed initially, in a confidential meeting on Friday, to bring down conditions imposed on Greece in exchange for the USD 110 billion loan extended in 2010. Experts

Tabreed Q1 profit drops 21%, liabilities a concern DUBAI: District cooling firm Tabreed’s first-quarter net profit fell 21 percent yesterday and the company said its current liabilities and accumulated losses may hurt its ability to continue as a going concern.

The Dubai-listed firm, also known as the National Cooling Co., posted profit of 31.9 million dirhams ($8.69 million) for the quarter, compared with net profit of 40.4 million dirhams in the yearago period. Revenue for the first quarter came in at 246.6 million dirhams, Tabreed said in a bourse statement.

The company said current liabilities exceeded its current assets by 2.6 billion dirhams, while accumulated losses of 972 million dirhams amounted to 400 percent of its issued share capital as of March 31. “The above factors indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the group’s ability to continue as a going concern,” Tabreed said in the

statement.

In February, Tabreed secured a deal with creditors to refinance 2.63 billion dirhams in debt through an injection of funds by Abu Dhabiowned fund Mubadala.

Tabreed said the deal, which includes 3.1 billion dirhams of committed long term capital from Mubadala, and expected profitability and operating cash flows in 2011 will cover funding requirements up to December 31, 2011. “Given the completion of the recapitalisation, the group’s management and board of directors are confident that the capital structure of the group ensures the long terms stability of the business,” the statement said.

Tabreed is among a number of Gulf companies which had to restructure its debt after an economic boom, fuelled by record-high oil prices and easy credit, ended abruptly and caused a property market crash. — Reuters

predict an agreement to extend the payment period, or to bring down interest rate on the loan, in order to avert a euro crisis.

Fears of Greece failing to pay up next year, when the rescue loan repayment is due, increased recently. The EU is meanwhile seeking to enable Greece to benefit from the recently created euro-zone emergency fund to meet the payment deadlines.

As for other currencies, they were affected by eurozone reports, amid absence of fresh economic data from other main economic regions. —KUNA

ence. Finally, customers can assemble their favorite items individually at home or have them delivered and assembled through the IKEA delivery and assembly service, which is available at additional nominal charges.

Simplicity, efficiency and convenience are part of IKEA commitment to its shoppers, a step that reflects the staffís dedication to help making furniture and home accessory shopping simpler than ever before.

MARKAZ REPORT

Stress testing Kuwait banks Assessing recapitalization needs

Yemeni crude outage may lift Asia sentiment SINGAPORE/BEIJING: Yemen’s crude oil production loss of may reduce supplies to Asia and lift sentiment for medium grades when spot trading for July-loading cargoes kick off this week, traders said yesterday.

Nexen Inc , Canada’s No 6 independent oil producer, halted output on Sunday at the Masila and Block 51 fields in Yemen, which produce about 70,000 barrels of oil per day in total, because of labor action. It did not say how long the outage will last.

Yemen mostly exports Masila crude, sold via monthly tenders to Asia, while the Marib Light grade is used by its own refinery. The shutdown has made it unclear if buyers such as China’s Unipec, the trading arm of Asiaís largest refiner Sinopec, will get the supplies that have been committed to them.

Unipec, was to lift 4 million barrels of Masila crude for May and 3.15 million barrels in June, a trade source said. Unipec has in turn sold half of its May volume to India, and 1.15 million barrels from June to Thailand, he said. The trading company will be able to load half of its May purchase, the source said. Unipec does not plan to seek replacement barrels immediately and will watch the situation, he said. — Reuters

IKEA offers its customers a simple and convenient shopping experience KUWAIT: IKEA continuously explores creative ways to provide a convenient shopping experience which appeals to its customers. Itís simple-to-follow steps ensure that visitors get what they want at competitive prices and ultimately, a hassle free experience. IKEA staff members are always available to help customers locate items of their choice, and provide valuable advice to customer queries.

IKEA visitors are able to learn more about the available item by taking a look at the tags and information attached to them. The store provides its customers with shopping guide and pencils to note down items of choice and their location across the store. Staff members at IKEA are always on the call and are ready to answer questions, an initiative that assists customers in their overall shopping experience.

When their shopping list is complete, customers are urged to head towards the self serve area, to collect their items. IKEA dedicated staff members will present them with a choice of having their selected items delivered to their homes, and assembled by IKEA, or simply, to help them load larger items on their carts to ensure a hassle free shopping experi-

reached a final draft contract on the gas deal and sent it to Iraq’s cabinet for approval.

But Shamma said legal advisers from both parties were still trying to finalise a final draft, a positive step towards ending the saga.

“We left it now to the lawyers to draft the final agreement,” he told reporters. “The deal has been delayed because the country does not have instructions or laws that govern gas (production). There is not enough understanding. Gas is more difficult than oil in processing,” he added.

If a deal is reached, more than 700 million cubic feet per day of gas could be captured at southern fields to help deal with power shortages. —Reuters

KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Center ‘Markaz’ recently released a report which stress tests the Kuwait banking sector against its Real Estate and Financial Services sector exposure. Kuwait banks have endured stress since the unfolding of the financial crisis in late 2008. They have had to grapple with significant exposure to real estate and investment companies, two sectors that contributed to bank’s vulnerabilities as they underwent devaluation during the crisis. After growing at an annual clip of 30% during the hey days (2004-2007), the sector witnessed a 70% plunge in its bottom line thanks to high levels of provisioning primarily due to real estate declines and financial service distress. NPL’s skyrocketed to 10.8% of loans in 2009 from 2.7% in 2007. Loan growth fell nearly to 0% in 2010, a far cry from the 45% growth in 2007 in line with muted deposit growth and increased risk aversion. All this resulted in significant capital raising to strengthen the balance sheet and resurrect Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR).

The question is how are they doing now after nearly 3 years of crisis and provisioning? We attempted to examine this issue by stress testing Kuwait banks primarily for two risks i.e, real estate and financial services sector exposure. We looked at declines in the sector’s in isolation as well as in combinations. The worst case scenario anticipates a 30% decline in both sectors. The sector is more vulnerable to Real Estate declines with recap needs ranging between KD 200 mn and over KD 1.5bn under different value declines.

The sector’s Tier I CAR stood at 17% at the end of 2010, higher than the 16% registered in 2009 as several bank’s increased capital during the year. The stress test showcases that while the current Capital Adequacy Ratios (CARs) are safely above the limit, the sector is still vulnerable to declines in asset values in two of the country’s most important sectors, Real Estate and Financials, more so in the former rather than the latter. As per the stress test, over half of the country’s banks would fall below the 12% CAR minimum should Real Estate and Financial Services assets decline by 20% or more. Under the worst case scenario (seeing a fall of 30% in both Real Estate and Financial Services), all but one of Kuwait’s banks would fall below the CAR minimum.

Banking Sector Performance After averaging about 30% annual growth during 2004-2007, 2009 saw that average fall by half with sector earnings growing at 15%. Three banks registered losses while the rest all saw declines in their bottom lines. The situation normalized somewhat in 2010; the sector reported a net profit of KD 574 mn, 61% higher than 2009. Only two banks saw declines in net profit growth. Interest Income has been weakening slightly, seeing two consecutive years of declines, 10% and 22%, respectively in 2010 and 2009. This, consequently, has fed into Net Interest Income, which was flat in 2010 and declined 4% in 2009.

Provisions against impairments and loan losses skyrocketed in 2008 to KD 787mn, or 3.28% of loans.

The same declined by 9% in 2009 and a further 31% in 2010 to KD 492mn or 1.92% of loans.

The quality of the sector’s loan book (excluding Boubyan Bank and Kuwait Finance House due to differing reporting style) has fallen through the period between 2007-2010. The percentage of loans categorized as “High” quality was 60% in 2007, dropped to 50% in 2009 and is at 52% as of the end of 2010.

Conversely, the percentage of Past Due and/or Impaired Loans increased from 10% in 2007 to nearly 20% in 2009 before settling at 14% in 2010. Past Due and/or Impaired loans increased 76% in 2008 and a further 29% in 2009 before declining 27% in 2010 to just over KD 3 bn.

Loan Quality Note: Includes seven listed conventional banks.

Boubyan Bank and Kuwait Finance House excluded from analysis due to different reporting.

Capital Increases In light of rising NPL’s and depreciating asset values, Kuwait banks went through a round of capital increases in 2010. Eight out of nine banks raised capital by an average of 40% (100% in the highest case and 7% in the lowest) in order to boost adequacy ratios and combat asset devaluation. The sector’s aggregate capital was up 38%, or KD 531 mn, in 2010 (from 2008).

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KSE unfazed by political issue, stocks edge up GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange closed almost unchanged after two Kuwaiti lawmakers submitted a request to question the country’s Prime Minister yesterday. Furthermore, KSE issued a warning for the companies that did not release their financial results for the 1Q2011 yet.

Trading will be suspended in those shares if KSE didn’t receive the required details by May 16, 2011 before 8:30 am.

Global General Index (GGI), market weighted, ended the day marginally up by 0.03 percent, at 204.19 point. Market capitalization was up for the day at KD33.48bn. KSE Price Index closed at 6,522.9 point, adding 14.30 points (0.22 percent) to its previous close.

Market breadth During the session, 112 companies were traded. Market breadth was even as 44 equities advanced versus 34 that retreated. Yesterday’s performance was accompanied by mixed trading activity. The trades conducted in the Services sector. Total volume traded was up by 10.37 percent with 252.09mn shares changing hands at a total value of KD22.03mn (24.02 percent lower compared to the day before). The services sector was the volume leader yesterday, accounting for 44.88 percent of total shares. The same sector was the value leader, with 27.64 percent of total traded value. Al-Imtiaz Investment company was the most active in terms of values of shares traded during yesterday the session, with 7.58mn shares exchanged at an aggregate value of KD1.55mn.

Sector-wise Sector wise, five out of the eight sectors dropped; while three managed to close on a positive note. Global Real Estate Index posted the highest advance, appreciating by 1.26 percent. Share price of Mabanee Company rose by 3.95 percent and closed at KD0.790. Mabanee realized a 10 percent growth in its 1Q211 earnings figures compared to the corresponding period of 2010, at KD5.78mn. This translates to an EPS of 10.46 fils.

Global Investment index advanced by 0.51 percent on the back of Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) which added 1.22 per-

cent to close the day at KD0.415.

Meanwhile on the negative side, Global Insurance index was the biggest loser yesterday, down by 1.16 percent, on the back of Al-Ahleia Insurance Company, which closed at KD0.400 down by 4.35 percent.

Global Non Kuwaiti Sector lost 0.80 percent on the back of UAEbased cement companies.

Elsewhere, Inovest Company was the biggest loser in the sector shedding 5.13 percent closed at KD0.074.

Corporate news Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) approved on May 08, 2011 the

request of Commercial Facilities Co. to extend the period for buying back or selling 10 percent maximum of issued shares for additional six months till November 24, 2011.

Agility Company has been awarded a contract to transport an over-dimensional, 17.8-ton gas holder diaphragm from Germany to Brazil.

Oil news The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $108.08 a barrel on Monday, compared with $104.40 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Oil pares losses as dollar retreats LONDON: Oil prices pared losses of more than 2 percent yesterday as the dollar erased gains.

“The big thing driving oil at the moment is a stronger dollar... there are going to be excuses to take it up or downwards but what we’re trying to do now after these big moves is to get the market back into some kind of trading range,” said David Morrison, a strategist at GFT. Brent was 1 cent lower at $115.89 at 1205 GMT, recovering from a low of $113.58 earlier in the session. US crude was 28 cents lower at $102.27 a barrel, paring losses of more than 2 percent yesterday. The price response was mixed to higher Chinese crude imports and plans to increase margins for exchange-traded oil futures.

Chinese crude oil imports in April were the third highest on record, on a daily basis, at 5.24 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), up 1.7 percent on the year, official Customs data showed yesterday.

But a 17 percent drop in oil product imports to 3.22 million tons in April sent mixed signals to the market, as smaller refineries cut runs to cope with high oil prices, diminishing Chinese demand for feedstocks.

“Small teapot refineries more reactive to margins (10 to 15 percent of supplies) have very significantly reduced production and that should be taken into account... and makes the latest data less bullish,” said Christophe Barret, an analyst at Credit Agricole.

An unexpected jump in Chinese demand for crude oil is a doubleedged sword, analysts say, as signs of economic strength balance against prospects of another round of economic tightening in China.

“People are still trying to figure out how much monetary tightening will play a role in slowing growth over the next quarters,” said Jeremy Friesen, commodity strategist at

Societe Generale.

Higher margin requirements announced by CME Group Inc to curb volatility, briefly pushed oil prices down by as much as 2 percent on Tuesday, but whether the hike had any lasting impact on the day’s trading was debatable.

“Most people see a margin hike and expect the contract to fall as people reduce size to cover higher margins, but perhaps some of the rally yesterday was covering shorts ahead of the margin hike also,” said Carl Larry, an analyst of derivatives trading and markets research at Blue Ocean Brokerage. The CME, the world’s largest commodities exchange, raised the margin call on crude futures for a fourth time since February in an effort to tackle rising volatility.

Margins are deposits paid by investors in futures markets, where full payment is made when contracts mature, to an exchange or clearing house to cover the risk of default and are based on the largest mostlikely daily market move.

“Having high margin requirements makes it more difficult for speculative traders to enter the market, so naturally that will cause less speculative activity in oil markets,” said Ben Westmore, commodity economist at National Australia Bank.

The cumulative increase in margins to maintain positions on US crude benchmark West Texas Intermediate traded on NYMEX since February is 67 percent, with the cost rising to $6,250 per contract from $3,750. CME’s move comes after a volatile week of oil trading that saw US crude prices fall from over $114 a barrel-the highest level since 2008 — to $94 a barrel. The Chicago Board Options Exchange’s oil volatility index soared to the highest in almost a year during Thursday’s rout, touching 48.64. — Reuters

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ECB’s Nowotny backs longer Greek aid repayment VIENNA/FLORENCE: A Greek debt restructuring would have dire consequences, ECB policymakers warned, with one suggesting the bank would be unlikely to help the euro zone recover from the shock by delaying interest rate hikes.

Ewald Nowotny, one of three members of the European Central Bank to voice opposition yesterday to a restructuring, said he favored giving Greece more time to repay its aid rather than issuing new loans.

“You have to be aware that this would immediately have massive consequences for the Greek banking system and for the banking system overall,” Nowotny told Austrian radio. “That would only heighten the crisis.” Asked whether Greece would get extra aid, Nowotny said: “It does not have to be fresh loans. It could also be a

question of the time horizon of how long one has to repay,” noting that Greece had to repay 25 billion to 30 billion euros next year.

Greek officials said earlier the country wants international lenders to ease the terms of a 110 billion euro bailout and get fresh funding to avoid a default. After a new credit rating cut, by S&P, made an early return to markets even less likely, Greece denied yesterday a Dow Jones report that it expects a new aid package of nearly 60 billion euros ($85.7 billion) to deal with the crisis.

ECB heavyweight Lorenzo Bini Smaghi said a default or restructuring would be a disaster for those in the country. “I would call it political suicide-which leads many into poverty, as experience has shown,” he

said in a speech in Florence.

Nowotny and Bini Smaghi both said a debt restructuring would damage Greece and other countries in the 17-member euro-zone. Nowotny said it was primarily up to Greece to put its financial house in order but a restructuring must be avoided.

“I cannot understand the idea on the other hand of making more aid conditional on some kind of debt restructuring of the country receiving aid,” which would produce “perverse behaviour,” Bini Smaghi said. Asked about the fact that many in Germany were pushing for a Greek restructuring he said: “It is a self-harm position because the main creditors are in Germany.” Another ECB polic ymaker, Juergen Stark, said the program Greece agreed a year ago with international

tional capital flows,” Tumpel-Gugerell said.

“Similarly, exiting too late from stimulative fiscal policy may run the risk of triggering an adverse adjustment in global asset prices and global exchange rate configurations,” she added.

In Vienna, Nowotny also criticised a secret meeting of a select group of countries from the bloc last Friday, the existence of which leaked out. He said an official meeting of top euro zone officials planned for May 16 would have been the proper venue to discuss Greece’s problems.

“This (May 16) meeting and this group is the one that really decides such things. I think the improvised meeting of last Friday was unfortunate. It had only negative effects. It is important to return to orderly, serious negotiations.” — Reuters

lenders in exchange for a bailout was realistic and must be implemented.

“Greece has a high debt level, but Greece is not insolvent,” said Stark, a member of the ECB’s Executive Board which runs the central bank’s day-to-day business.

Another ratesetter, Gertrude TumpelGugerell, hinted there would be little help for Greece from the ECB in terms of delaying euro zone rate hikes. After the bank effectively closed the door on a June rate hike last week, economists now believe the ECB will raise euro-zone interest rates to 1.5 percent in July and follow up with another hike later in the year. “A delayed exit from accommodative monetary policy after a recessionary period may contribute to excessive risk-taking and large interna-

Merkel guarded on new aid for Greece German coalition source says extending bailout possible

ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou speaks to media after his meeting with the Greek President in Athens yesterday. Greece was again at the eye of a storm over debt yesterday with rampant talk of a second rescue or restructuring, and a warning that a Greek ‘disaster’ would hit the entire eurozone. —AFP

PADICO issues first corporate bonds RAMALLAH: Palestinian investment firm PADICO announced yesterday the Palestinian territories’ first issue of corporate bonds, worth $70 million (49 million euros). At a press conference in Ramallah, PADICO said it was issuing 7,000 five-year bonds, which will be privately placed and neither traded nor listed on the Palestinian stock exchange.

The investment company, which is publicly traded, focuses on investment in the Palestinian economy, and has interests in infrastructure, real estate and tourism projects. Chairman Munib Masri hailed the issue as a sign of the firm’s “commitment to investing in Palestine and ... confidence in the local economy.” “ We are taking the long view on things and hope to raise money through our corporate bonds to finance additional long-term investments; that is our vision and that is our strategy for Palestine,” he said in a statement. Masri acknowledged the “political risk” involved in investments in the Palestinian territories, but said the firm had maintained a “sustained track record of commercial achievements.”

In February, PADICO declared profits of $38.1 million for 2010, a 22 percent

increase in overall revenue. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad welcomed the bond issue, saying it showed the progress made by the Palestinian economy. “This is a happy and important occasion and a significant step towards further strengthening capacity and encouraging investment in Palestine,” he said.

Maher al-Masri, the chairman of the Palestine Capital Markets Authority, said he hoped the issue could encourage the Palestinian private sector to diversify its financing options, breaking its dependence on bank loans. “We are hopeful that other competent and solid companies in Palestine will follow suit and issue financial instruments that will augment the variety of financial intermediation tools in Palestine, and will also improve our credit standing as a financial market,” he said.

PADICO said each bond would be issued at a par value of $10,000 with a minimum subscription of 10 bonds per subscriber. The five-year bonds will carry an annual fixed interest rate of 5.0 percent for the first 30 months, and a variable annual interest of between 5.0 and 6.5 percent for the remaining 30 months.— AFP

Merrill sees possible oil fall, alone among peers LONDON: Bank of America Merrill Lynch said yesterday oil may correct sharply lower later this year if Libya starts producing again and the dollar soars, taking a polar view from peers which expect the oil rally to accelerate.

Goldman Sachs, which in April rightly predicted last week’s major correction in oil, has said it could not rule out oil prices will correct further in the short-term but would then rebound above recent highs due to tight global supplies.

JP Morgan, also said oil could rise above $130 a barrel in the third quarter and Barclays Capital and Deutsche Bank said the general trend should now be only higher. Merrill said however it saw a

flurry of factors that could push oil to below $100 a barrel in the months to come, including signs of oil demand destruction and the rise in credit risks, the end of a bond buying program in the United States and debt restructuring in the European periphery. “The potential drop in crude oil prices could be more pronounced if Libyan supplies happen to come back on line in H2 2011 and unexpected US fiscal tightening translates into a much stronger dollar,” it said, adding that Brent will average $94 a barrel in Q4 2011. But it said that with limited oil supplies in the short-term, Brent could trade close to an average of $122 a barrel this quarter. — Reuters

BERLIN/ATHENS: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Europe’s reluctant paymaster, said yesterday she could only discuss further aid for Greece after EU and IMF officials report on implementation of its existing rescue plan.

Speaking to foreign correspondents in Berlin, Merkel did not rule out additional funding for Athens, or a possible fresh easing of terms on its 110 billion euro ($157 billion) bailout, and she voiced confidence that the German parliament would back a permanent bailout mechanism for the euro zone.

“I need to analyse the findings of the European Central Bank, European Commission and International Monetary Fund first and I can’t comment before that,” she said. “Anything else would not help Greece or Europe.” A source with direct knowledge of the joint inspection mission visiting Athens said EU and IMF officials had not yet concluded whether Greece had met targets required to receive the next tranche of aid under its existing aid deal.

He stressed the inspectors were not discussing a new bailout package with the Greek government, which has acknowledged it may not be able to return to capital markets next year as planned.

A source in Germany’s ruling coalition said EU finance ministers were talking about “reprofiling” Greece’s existing bailout loans with the voluntar y inclusion of private investors. That could entail extending the maturity on existing loans and a further

reduction in the interest rate. However, he said there was no mention of a new 60 billion euro ($85.71 billion) aid package, which Dow Jones Newswires and business daily Handelsblatt reported was under preparation.

“They are discussing reprofiling the rescue loans and the possibility of involving the private sector on a voluntary basis,” said the source, who asked not to be identified.

French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde, asked about more aid for Greece on a visit to Zurich, said: “We have been rescuing for a year and we will keep up.” She gave no details. In Strasbourg, EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said it was premature to talk about a new package for Greece now but he expected a decision in a few weeks’ time on the next steps to tackle Athens’ refinancing needs. Euro-zone markets steadied amid growing expectations that Greece will receive additional aid to avert an early debt restructuring that could force investors to take heavy losses. But Greek and EU officials said reports that Athens would get a second bailout of 60 billion euros next month were either plain wrong, or at least highly premature, insisting talks on further assistance were only at an exploratory stage.

Analysts said the figure was merely a reflection of the amount that Athens is meant to raise on capital markets in 2012 and 2013 under its current EU/IMF program. The euro, which hit a three-week low against the dollar on Monday after ratings agency S&P down-

graded Greece deeper into junk territory and said it might have to write off up to 70 percent of its debt, regained some ground.

European shares rose partly due to a growing belief that the European Union would act to support Athens and prevent forced writedowns on its 327 billion euro debt mountain.

The cost of insuring Greek debt against default fell slightly.

But Greece paid an increased yield of 4.88 percent to sell six-month treasury bills on Tuesday to refinance maturing debt, higher than last month and well above the 4.2 percent average rate on its IMF and EU loans.

Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter was quoted as saying Greece might be given longer to repay 110 billion euros in loans under its existing EU/IMF rescue plan, and the interest rate could be cut again but rejected any thought of restructuring.

The chairman of euro zone finance ministers, Jean-Claude Juncker, said after senior euro zone policymakers met last Friday there was a consensus that Greece would need a second adjustment program.

Slovakia’s prime minister, Iveta Radicova, told Reuters Insider television in an interview that restructuring of Greece’s debt would become inevitable at some point, and the private sector should be involved. “The crisis in Greece is so deep that without such steps, any kind of only financial instruments is not helpful,” she said. — Reuters

Deutsche Post profit down but sales keep rising FRANKFURT: Germany ’s Deutsche Post AG boosted sales in the first quarter as growing demand in Asia and the United States lifted volumes at its DHL express delivery and freight business. The company said yesterday that net profit fell, however, because of a §1.4 billion gain in the year-ago quarter related to the sale of its Postbank subsidiary to Deutsche Bank.

Net profit dropped to 325 million euros ($464 million) from 1.75 billion euros a year ago.

Without the one-time Postbank sale, net profit rose 27 percent.

Revenue rose 6.9 percent to 12.84 billion euors , as the company enjoyed increased parcel and freight volumes and as it moved past restructuring costs from previous quarters. The company had no restructuring costs in the first quarter, compared to 54 million euros a year ago. DHL increased its contribution to earnings by twothirds, to 363 million euros from 219 million euros, as its express mail business saw doubledigit percentage increases in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions. Revenues at the traditional mail-carrying business were flat at 3.5 billion euros.

The earnings performance of 27 cents per share just missed analyst estimates of 29 cents per share. Deutsche Post shares rose 2.4 percent to §13.81 amid generally rising shares in morning trading German time. — AP

A prices board is pictured at a gas station in Strasbourg yesterday. The prices of the domestic gasoline beat a new historic record in France, reaching 1.5492 euro/liter. —AFP

MUMBAI: A visitor looks at the Tata Motors newly launched ‘Magic IRIS’ during the launch function in Mumbai yesterday. Tata Magic IRIS, a four-wheeler 3-4 seater small passenger carrier is essentially a better substitute for passenger carrying three wheelers and is priced at INR 1.95 lakh ($4,382). —AFP

UAE govt sees approval of public debt law soon ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates should soon approve a law allowing the oil producer to issue its first ever federal sovereign bonds and create a local debt market, a finance ministry official said yesterday.

The long-awaited law, regulating issuance and the amount of debt the world’s No.3 crude exporter may accumulate, awaits a presidential nod after the UAE’s top advisory council passed the bill in December. “The public debt law is now in final stages for approval and as for the ministry of finance it has already started taking measures after the cabinet’s resolution to establish a public debt bureau,” Nadia Sultan told a conference in the UAE capital.

“It is hopefully very soon,” Sultan, an officer in charge of establishing the federal public debt management office, later told Reuters.

The legislation would limit UAE government debt to 25 percent of gross domestic product, or 200 billion dirhams ($55 billion). The International Monetary Fund projects that UAE government debt, including that of some of its seven emirates, to fall to 16.4 percent of GDP this year from 21.0 percent in 2010.

The federal debt management office is expected to coordinate future issuance with the individual emirates, which until now have been issuers of sovereign

bonds in the Gulf Arab country.

Sultan also said an issuance plan has been under consideration but neither she nor other finance ministry officials attending the event gave more details, saying the process was still at an early stage.

The UAE minister of state for financial affairs said on Saturday that the OPEC member-rated Aa2 by Moody’s-had no plans to issue a sovereign bond this year but it could do so at the beginning of 2012 if needed. The second-largest Arab economy, home to some 5 million people, had originally set its 2011 federal budget with a gap of around 3 billion dirhams and expenditure of 41 billion.

Worried by unrest in the Middle East this year, the UAE has said it will spend $1.6 billion to improve infrastructure in less-developed northern emirates and has raised military pensions by 70 percent and introduced bread and rice subsidies.

Sources have said that plans to hike fuel prices have also been delayed. A finance ministry official said on Saturday the ministry would assess demands for extra spending at the end of the month.

The UAE, which has avoided the turmoil challenging autocratic regimes in nearby Bahrain and Oman, did not say how it was planning to finance these new measures. — Reuters

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business Australia plans $3.8bn budget surplus in 2 years CANBERRA: Australia is sticking to its schedule of returning to a budget surplus in two years despite devastating floods at home and recent natural disasters in Japan and New Zealand that are slowing economic growth.

Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan, who is also treasurer and architect of his government’s fourth annual budget, outlined to Parliament yesterday an economic blueprint for the fiscal year starting July 1 that would achieve a 3.5 billion Australian dollar ($3.8 billion) surplus in the 2012-13 year on the crest of a mining boom. A year ago, the Treasury had forecast a smaller surplus of AU$1 billion for the same fiscal year. The improved outlook comes despite natural disasters at home as well as in Japan — Australia’s most important trading partner after China — and in New Zealand, a near neighbor and one Australia’s few free trade partners. An earthquake devastated New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchurch, and killed at least 169 people on Feb 22. Japan’s northeast coast was laid waste by an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, killing more than 25,000 people. The Treasury predicts that record floods across much of the Australian east coast since November combined with a major cyclone that ruined crops, inundated coal mines and destroyed vital infrastructure such as rails and bridges would cut economic growth by half a percentage point in the current fiscal year and cost AU$9 billion in lost exports. The flooding killed 35 people, damaged or destroyed more than 35,000 houses and inundated downtown Brisbane, Australia’s second-largest city.

The government has already spent AU$5.4 billion on reconstruction, given AU$900 million in emergency relief to victims and introduced a new flood tax to raise AU$1.8 billion to help meet the damage bill. The Japanese and New Zealand disasters would drag economic growth down a further quarter percentage point to 2.25 percent for the year by reducing demand for Australian raw materials, the Treasury documents predict. “These events have shaken our economy, but they have not knocked it off course,” Swan told Parliament.

Australia’s AU$1.3 trillion economy _ underpinned by a resource boom driven by Chinese demand for iron ore, coal and natural gas — will speed up to 4 percent growth in 2011-12, boosted by disaster reconstruction spending in the northeast state of Queensland.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a peak business group, said while the government had found more than AU$5 billion in savings in the next fiscal year, it needed to cut far deeper into public spending. “It’s still relying heavily on good fortune from north Asia to bring us back into surplus,” the chamber’s chief executive Peter Anderson told The Associated Press.

International aid agency Oxfam applauded the government’s AU$500 million boost in foreign aid spending to AU$4.84 billion. The government said its foreign aid would rise to 0.35 percent of gross national income next fiscal year and to 0.5 percent by 2015-16.

Australia will also increase its refugee intake by 4,000 places over the next four years to 14,750 places a year. Treasury forecasts the current fiscal year will end with a deficit of AU$49.4 billion. The deficit will reduce to AU$22.6 billion in 2011-12 when net debt will peak at AU$106.6 billion, or 7.2 percent of GDP. The resource boom is expected to continue to gather pace, with AU$76 billion earmarked for new mining investment in the next fiscal year — eight times more than the annual investment figure before the boom began in 2000.

Australia avoided recession during the global economic crisis thanks to billions of dollars in government stimulus spending that turned a projected record surplus in the 2008-09 fiscal year into a record deficit. Swan said the government had to contain spending and deliver an early surplus as the resource sector continued to deliver Australia record trade surpluses, drive up wages and fuel inflation.

Australia’s jobless rate is expected to fall from 4.9 percent in March to 4.5 percent in 2012-13.

The government plans to halve processing times to 10 days for temporary visa applications by foreign specialist workers needed in mining projects.

Parliament is expected to pass the budget within a few months, but likely with amendments. — AP

China trade surplus surges, fuel for yuan critics in talks Fears of China growth slowdown seen overblown BEIJING: China stormed back to post a hefty trade surplus in April as exports hit a record while imports eased more than expected, weighed down by sustained monetary tightening and high commodity prices.

The surplus of $11.4 billion, nearly four times greater than expected, comes as China holds high-level economic and strategic talks in Washington and could fuel US criticism that Beijing limits the yuan’s appreciation to support its exports industry.

The trade account swung from a small, rare trade deficit in the first quarter, pushed by a stronger-than-anticipated 29.9 percent rise in exports over a year earlier to a record $155.7 billion.

Imports climbed 21.8 percent, well short of estimates and analysts were at loggerheads whether this should be read as a sign of surprising weakness in the world’s fastest-growing economy or simply deferred purchases because of soaring commodity bills. “Exports are much stronger, that’s the basic thing. Global demand is still pretty strong, a bit stronger than many people feared,” said Tao Wang, economist with UBS in Beijing.

“On the import side, we think that commodity exports had been ver y strongly up until February and there has been quite a bit of inventory build-up. So right now we think it’s going through some adjustment.” But Xu Biao, an economist with China Merchants Bank in Shenzhen, said the lower-than-expected imports might contain a much more serious warning.

“Concerns about a slowdown have certainly intensified, and the risks of a worst-case scenario for the Chinese economy, namely a relatively low growth rate and a high inflation, are on the rise,” he said.

The median forecast of economists polled by Reuters last week was for exports to rise 29.4 percent and imports to grow 28 percent, resulting in a trade surplus of $3 billion.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, exports rose 35.1 percent in April from a year earlier and rose 12.3 percent from the previous month. Imports gained 27.4 percent year-on-year and 7.4 percent month-on-month, the customs adminis-

JINJIANG: A laborer working at a textile factory in Jinjiang, southeast China’s Fujian province. China’s politically-sensitive trade surplus ballooned to $11.4 billion in April and exports hit a record monthly high, data showed, as Washington pressured Beijing for a stronger currency. —AFP tration said.

China’s trade numbers also registered an impact from Japan’s earthquake and subsequent nuclear crisis. Imports from Japan were $16 billion in April, down 14.9 percent from March, as production and shipments were interrupted.

The data showed China’s trade surplus with the United States swelled 16 percent to its widest since November. The data provides fresh ammunition to those US lawmakers who have linked the trade imbalance to China’s currency policy, saying a weak yuan gives Chinese manufacturers an unfair advantage in global markets and costs American jobs.

China’s overall trade surplus narrowed last year, but that provided little comfort for officials in Washington because the surplus with the United States grew 26 percent to more than $180 billion.

On the first of two days of talks on Monday, the United States pressed China on a range of familiar themes, including that Beijing should push the closely managed yuan up at a faster pace against the dollar. “This number will likely add to the pressure from Washington for Beijing to allow faster currency appreciation, but more importantly should per-

suade Chinese policymakers that a stronger yuan can be tolerated by the economy,” said Brian Jackson, an economist with the Royal Bank of Canada in Hong Kong.

For its part, China turned aside a chance to openly criticize the loose US monetary and fiscal policies it has argued in the past were weakening the dollar.

China holds about $3 trillion in foreign exchange reserves, of which some two-thirds are estimated to be held in dollar-based assets, so Beijing has a significant stake in the health of the currency.

Higher import costs, along with the government’s efforts to rebalance the economy in favor of domestic consumption to reduce reliance on exports, could lead to a smaller trade surplus for 2011 from last year’s $183 billion. Chinese officials hope a smaller trade surplus with the rest of the world could ease criticism from key trade partners over the yuan.

Still, there are plenty of signs that the government is tolerating faster yuan appreciation this year as it seeks to deal with the inflationary impact of rising commodity prices. China loosened the

yuan from a nearly two-year peg to the dollar in June, and this year the People’s Bank of China has guided the yuan to record highs. It has now appreciated about 5 percent since June and 1.5 percent since the start of this year.

China already is the world’s biggest exporter and so has little scope to increase its exports further, while its demand for imports is increasing in leaps and bounds alongside its turbo-charged growth, which last year topped 10 percent.

Investors have long feared an abrupt slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy, which could stifle a pivotal source of demand as a global buyer of everything from raw materials to consumer goods as many parts of the world still struggle to emerge from the global financial crisis.

The latest data showed that China, the world’s second-largest oil buyer, imported 1.7 percent more oil than a year earlier, bringing in 5.24 million barrels per day in April, the third highest on record on a daily basis.

Imports of copper were much weaker, down nearly 14 percent from March in volume terms. But rather than heralding a sudden drop-off in Chinese economic activity, analysts said the shortfall indicated that firms were shunning highpriced overseas supplies in favor of local producers and stockpiles.

The government sees little sign of a hard-landing in the economy. But it is likely to raise banks’ required reserves and interest rates while letting the yuan rise at a faster clip to combat inflation, analysts say. Inflation hit a 32-month high in March of 5.4 percent, keeping investors expectant of more policy tightening. Figures on Wednesday are expected to show that inflation eased in April to 5.2 percent as food prices, the main pressure behind inflation, are now falling.

“I think over-tightening is the key risk for China. However, it may be too early to call for over-tightening based only on April imports,” said Dongming Xie, China economist at OCBC Bank in Singapore.

“Compared with interest rate policy, maybe China may rely more on the currency policy to tackle inflationary pressure now.” — Reuters

Economic risks of disasters soar over $1.5 trillion: UN GENEVA: More than $1.5 trillion of the world’s wealth is exposed to harm from natural disasters, as the economic risks soar despite signs that efforts to reduce the human toll are working, the UN said yesterday.

A report for a biennial UN conference on disaster risk that opened here estimated that the amount of global GDP exposed to harm by disasters had nearly tripled from $525.7 billion 40 years ago to $1.58 trillion.

Meanwhile, the risk of economic losses in wealthy (OECD) countries due to floods has increased by 160 percent over the past 30 years, while for tropical cyclones the risk has grown by 262 percent, the report estimated.

“The risk of losing wealth in disasters is actually increasing faster than that wealth is being created,” said Andrew Maskrey, coordinator of the 2011 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.

“Losses from disasters are often at least as great as those a country is experiencing through high inflation or armed conflict for example,” Maskrey told journalists.

About 2,000 experts from around the world are attending the four-day conference. It includes a discussion spearheaded by UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon on preparations for nuclear accidents, following the destruction wrought by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on the Fukushima-Daiichi atomic plant.

The report by the UN’s disaster reduction unit said the damage inflicted by mainly natural disasters on housing, infrastructure and public assets such as schools and hospitals was “soaring in many low and middle income countries.”

Maskrey suggested that the costs were growing largely because prevention or mitigation measuressuch as land planning in hazard areas or resistant housing, schools or hospitals — were failing to keep pace with faster and broader economic growth.

In one example, the United Nations estimated that the amount of disaster losses absorbed by each Mexican government in power since 1982 has doubled from an average of $10 billion to $20 billion.

The report also reiterated warnings about growing pattern of extreme weather events that has been linked to climate change. The average number of annually reported disasters caused by tropical cyclones during the last four decades has tripled, and spans a bigger range of countries, according to the report.

However, the UN for the first time predicted a downward trend for mortality in weather-related disasters, especially in East Asia, despite sprawling population growth in flood plains or exposed coastlines.

“I think we’re now seeing the fruits both of improved development conditions in many countries as well as

TOKYO: Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) president Masataka Shimizu is surrounded by reporters after he met with Banri Kaieda, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry at the prime ministerís official residence in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP improvements in disaster preparedness, response and early warning systems,” Maskrey said.

Nonetheless, many governments admitted in a UN survey that they were having trouble applying disaster reduction measures, such as land planning, safe building codes or investing in stabilizing slopes, while they developed.

“This is really where the world is falling down,” said Maskrey, explaining that the vast majority of governments still baulked at longer term planning for the risk of a disaster that could happen every few decades rather than years. — AFP

China auto sales fall for first time over 2 years

ABIDJAN: A ship is loaded with sacks of cacao beans yesterday in the port of Abidjan. The exportation of cacao, of which the Ivory Coast is the main producer, ceased due to international sanctions against expresident Laurent Gbagbo. Some 400,000 tons of the beans are awaiting shipment in the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro. — AFP

SHANGHAI: China’s auto sales dipped 0.25 percent in April in their first on-year fall in more than two years, data showed yesterday, as the market’s explosive growth showed its clearest sign yet of cooling.

A total of 1.55 million units were sold in the country-the world’s top auto market-last month, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said.

The fall prompted CAAM secretary general Dong Yang to warn that auto sales forecast to see 10-15 percent growth this year-could in fact grow slower than China’s economy as a whole, which is projected to expand by seven percent.

April’s figure represented the first year-on-year decline since January 2009, when the nation’s vehicle sales dropped 14.35 percent year on year to 735,500 units due to the impact of the global financial crisis.

Sales in April were also down 15.1 percent from the previous month. The sales slump could in part be attributed to supply chain disruptions caused by the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March, Dong told a news conference in Beijing.

“We still can’t get detailed reports from Japan about the parts disruption, so we need more time to estimate the

SHANGHAI: Taxis wait in line near a train station in Shanghai yesterday. China’s auto sales climbed 6 percent in the first four months of the year, slowing sharply from the double-digit growth seen in recent years, an industry group reported yesterday. —AP earthquake’s impact on China’s auto industry,” Dong said. “But we did get reports from all Japan car makers about their production suspension in China.”

Toyota has said it was reducing pro-

duction at its Chinese plants by 50-70 percent until June 3 due to parts shortages, and Honda suspended production for half of May at some of its China plants, citing “routine checks”.

Japanese automakers’ share of the China market fell 3.07 percent in April from a year earlier while the share held by other international car makers increased, said CAAM deputy secretary general Zhu Yiping.

However, analysts said the market slowdown was mostly due to Beijing cutting off incentives that have been boosting sales.

Sales growth has slowed since mid2010 as the government began withdrawing stimulus measures aimed at cushioning the impact of the worldwide economic downturn. The government has raised purchase taxes on small passenger cars to 10 percent starting this year, ending an incentive that helped the nation overtake the United States as the world’s top auto market in 2009.

The only remaining incentive-a 3,000 yuan ($460) cash subsidy on certain small-engine cars-will likely end in June, which will add to the pressure on sales, said Zhang Xin, auto analyst at Guotai Junan Securities.

Some cities including Beijing have also introduced measures such as annual quotas on the number of new car licence plates to rein in buying as part of efforts to ease chronic gridlock and air pollution. — Reuters

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TECHNOLOGY

EMC introduces world’s first data co-processing Hadoop LAS VEGAS: Extending its leadership in providing customers with the most powerful and efficient ways to extract value from Big Data, EMC Corporation, the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, announced a comprehensive strategy for distributing, integrating and supporting the Apache Hadoop opensource software used for data-intensive distributed applications. The company is introducing the world’s first purpose-built, high-performance, data co-processing Hadoop appliance - the Greenplum HD Data Computing Appliance. The appliance marries Hadoop with the EMC Greenplum Database, allowing the co-processing of both structured and unstructured data within a single, seamless solution. In addition, EMC announced the availability of the Hadoop-based EMC Greenplum HD Community Edition and EMC Greenplum HD Enterprise Edition software. Combined with product certification by a dozen leading partners, these will enable technology innovations such as real-time data interaction, offer greater reliability, and make Hadoop much easier to deploy and use. Apache Hadoop has rapidly emerged as the preferred solution for Big Data analytics across unstructured data. Organizations looking for opportunity in an everchanging business environment are finding that Big Data analysis is the competitive advantage. Hadoopbased batch processing of unstructured and structured data at massive scale using commodity hardware has led to a profound change in analytics.

By extracting the knowledge wrapped within unstructured machine-generated data, organizations can make better decisions that drive revenue, improve service and reduce costs.

The EMC Greenplum HD product family enables an organization to take advantage of Big Data analytics

EMC to accelerate innovative use of flash storage technology

Bill Cook

Luke Lonergan

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without the overhead and complexity that comes with the cumbersome tools and solutions on the market today. Available in two editions Community and Enterprise Greenplum HD software provides a complete platform including installation, training, global support and value add beyond simple packaging of the Apache distribution.

EMC’s unique value and capabilities for Hadoop include: EMC Greenplum HD Data Computing Appliance - Apache Hadoop is seamlessly integrated with the Greenplum database in the Greenplum HD Data Computing Appliance. The solution supports Hadoop external tables, thereby enabling users to access data residing on the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) without materializing the data. Administrators can read and write files in parallel from Greenplum to HDFS, enabling rapid and simple data sharing. Cross-platform analysis can be performed using the power of Greenplum SQL and advanced analytic functions accessing data on HDFS. The combined solution delivers the industry’s only complete Big Data Analytics Platform.

EMC Greenplum HD Enterprise Edition - The Enterprise Edition is a

100 percent interface-compatible implementation of the Apache Hadoop stack. By maintaining Hadoop interface compatibility, the Enterprise Edition provides seamless application portability while delivering advanced features required by larger organizations. These include: Data management features such as snapshots and wide area replication Simple data loading and access using a native network file system (NFS) interface End-to-end manageability including simple cluster deployment, automatic failure detection and notification, multi-site management and rolling upgrades Best of all, these capabilities are delivered along with two to five times the performance improvement over the standard packaged versions of Apache Hadoop.

EMC Greenplum HD Community Edition - The Community Edition is a 100 percent open source certified and supported version of the Apache Hadoop stack comprising HDFS, MapReduce, Zookeeper, Hive and HBase. EMC Greenplum provides fault tolerance for the Name Node and Job Tracker, both single points of failure in standard Hadoop implementations.

In addition to its Hadoop offerings, EMC has created a vibrant and powerful ecosystem with twelve companies offering business intelligence, data transfer and other technology capabilities. These companies are Concurrent, CSC, Datameer, Informatica, Jaspersoft, Karmasphere, Microstrategy, Pentaho, SAS, SnapLogic, Talend, and VMware. This breadth of support is testament to the value EMC brings to Hadoop.

Technology companies and enterprises can now extend the trust they have in EMC to the open source data analytics tool. EMC Global Services has developed an integrated family of professional services, support and training to help customers accelerate the adoption of data warehousing and business analytics using the EMC Greenplum Data Computing Appliance. This includes a new Enterprise Business Analytics Assessment Service that helps customers identify, deploy, optimize, and operationalize advanced analytics in support of their key business initiatives. In addition, EMC will assist customers’ data migration and consolidation efforts from their Oracle, Teradata and other existing data warehouse environments onto the EMC Greenplum DCA.

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Sony to restore PlayStation Network by end of this month TOKYO: Sony said yesterday it aims to fully restore its PlayStation Network, shut down after a massive security breach affecting over 100 million online accounts, by the end of May. Sony also confirmed that personal data from 24.6 million user accounts was stolen in the hacker attack last month. Personal data, including credit card numbers, might have been stolen from another 77 million PlayStation accounts, said Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. spokesman Satoshi Fukuoka.

He said Sony has not received any reports of illegal uses of stolen information, and the company is continuing its probe into the hacker attack. He declined to give details on the investigation.

Sony shut down the PlayStation network, a system that links gamers

worldwide in live play, on April 20 after discovering the security breach.

The network also allows users to upgrade and download games and other content.

Sony was under heavy criticism over its handling of the network intrusion. The company did not notify consumers of the breach until April 26 even though it began investigating unusual activity on the network since April 19.

Last month, US lawyers filed a lawsuit against Sony on behalf of lead plaintiff Kristopher Johns for negligent protection of personal data and failure to inform players in a timely fashion that their credit card information may have been stolen.

The lawsuit seeks class-action status. Fukuoka declined to comment on the lawsuit. — AP

Apple pays compensation over Beijing store brawl BEIJING: US high-tech giant Apple said staff at its flagship Beijing store acted in self-defence when a fight broke out, resulting in injuries to a customer who has since been compensated, reports said yesterday.

Scuffles broke out at the Apple store in the Chinese capital on Saturday, with crowds jumping queues and smashing the store’s glass door as they rushed to snap up the popular iPad 2 tablet computer and the white iPhone 4 handset. “ The Apple Store Sanlitun was closed for several hours on Saturday after a group outside the store became unruly,” Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu told AFP in a statement.

“The store team acted to protect themselves and our customers by closing the doors and preventing the group from entering. The safety of our customers and employees is our top priority.”

According to state press reports, angry consumers rushed the store after a “foreign” Apple employee allegedly stepped into the crowd to push and beat people suspected of queue-jumping.

Yesterday, the Global Times reported that Ding Wencheng, 27, reached a 20,000-yuan ($3,000) settlement with the store for the injuries he suffered during the fracas.

Police helped mediate the settlement, the repor t said, but it was unclear if three other customers reportedly hospitalised during the melee were also compensated.

Consumers lined up for hours at Apple stores in Beijing and Shanghai when the iPad 2, the updated version of the tablet computer, went on sale in the world’s biggest Internet market on Friday.

Lines for the popular iPad 2 grew so

long that people began selling their places in the queue, while a secondary market also developed with consumers reselling the tablet computers for profit, reports said. — AFP

LAS VEGAS: EMC Corporation outlined an aggressive strategy designed to accelerate the adoption and innovative use of flash storage technology in information infrastructures. Flash memory stores and retrieves data an order of magnitude faster than mechanical hard disk drives and requires dramatically less power.

EMC was first to incorporate flash-based solid-state drives (SSDs) into enterprise storage in 2008 and has shipped nearly 14 petabytes of flash capacity in storage arrays since 2010, more than anyone in the industry. Half of all EMC Symmetrix VMAX high-end storage systems and EMC VNX unified storage systems ordered now incorporate flash capacity.

At EMC World today, Pat Gelsinger, EMC President, Information Infrastructure Products detailed a multi-faceted strategy that is designed to further drive adoption of this technology, lower costs for customers and dramatically speed storage and application performance. The strategy includes:

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A new PCIe/flash-based server cache technology- code-named “Project Lightning” - due later this year that will move data closer to the processor to dramatically accelerate performance. Integrated flash in the server as cache and as storage in the array, combined with EMC FAST software, creates a single intelligent I/O path - from the application to the data store. The result is a networked infrastructure dynamically optimized for performance, cost and availability and significantly more reliable than implementations relying on flash as direct-attached storage in the server.

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EMC plans to design, test and qualify MLC-based SSDs for enterprise-class applications and incorporate them into EMC systems later this year, making enterprise flash storage more affordable.

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EMC has sold and delivered several all-flash Symmetrix VMAX arrays to customers with extremely demanding I/O workloads. Later this quarter, all-flash Symmetrix VMAX arrays will be offered as a standard configuration option.

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EMC later this year also plans to introduce a new all-flash configuration of its VNX unified storage system that will enable support of more virtual servers and more intense workloads. As part of industry benchmark testing, an all-flash VNX system recently demonstrated record performance.

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To help facilitate these projects, EMC has created a dedicated Flash business unit to identify and exploit new market opportunities, new technologies and create and manage strategic partner and supplier relationships.

Microsoft to acquire Internet phone pioneer Skype for $8.5bn ‘Together we will create the future of real-time communications’ NEW YORK: Microsoft is buying Internet phone service company Skype for $8.5 billion dollars in a move aimed at carving out a bigger presence in an online arena dominated by Google and Facebook. The acquisition of Skype, which had reportedly also attracted interest from Cisco, Facebook and Google, is the largest ever by the US software giant.

“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said in a statement early yesterday announcing the purchase.

“Together we will create the future of realtime communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world.”

Microsoft said Skype will become a new business division within Microsoft with Skype CEO Tony Bates assuming the title of president of the Microsoft Skype Division, reporting directly to Ballmer.

Tens of millions of people use Skype to make low cost or free phone calls over the Internet using their computers or smartphones. Skype bypasses the standard telephone network by channeling voice and video calls over the Web. Buying Skype could be a way for Microsoft to shed some of its business software image and gain momentum in a hot smartphone market at a time when Internet lifestyles are going mobile.

Microsoft’s biggest acquisition until now had been its 2007 buy of digital marketing firm aQuantive for $6.3 billion. Microsoft unsuccessfully tried to buy Yahoo! in 2008 for $47.5 billion in another bid to make an online splash. Microsoft and Skype said the deal has been approved by the boards of directors of both the Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft and the Luxembourg-based Skype, which is owned by investor group Silver Lake.

Bates said Microsoft and Skype “share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers.

“Together, we will be able to accelerate Skype’s plans to extend our global community and introduce new ways for everyone to communicate and collaborate,” Bates said.

Silver Lake managing director Egon Durban said he is “excited about Skype’s longterm future with Microsoft, as it is poised to become one of the world’s most dynamic and

BERLIN: In this Jan. 11, 2011 file photo, the Skype logo is reflected in the eye of a reader using a handheld smartphone, in Berlin, Germany. Microsoft Corp. is nearing a deal to buy the popular Internet telephone service Skype in what could be the biggest deal in the software maker’s 36-year history, according to a published report yesterday. — AP comprehensive communications platforms.”

The companies said Skype will support Microsoft products like the Xbox game console and Kinect motion controller, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices.

Microsoft will also support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms. Magnus Rehle, managing director of Greenwich Consulting, said Microsoft is “buying a brand and a big chunk of customers.”

“It could (also) be a defensive strategy from them... to block Facebook and Google from doing it instead,” Rehle added.

Analyst Douglas McIntyre of 247WallSt.com said Microsoft “may expect that Skype’s primary value will be to drive its search engine share much higher and allow it to more successfully attack Google.”

“Microsoft’s real motive for a Skype buyout is likely to be to increase its mobile search engine share, something it has been unable to do so far,” he said. “Skype may be a cheap

ticket to the next huge search market.” Skype was founded in 2003 and acquired by online auction giant eBay in September 2005. It was sold to the investment group led by Silver Lake in November 2009 in a deal that valued the company at $2.75 billion. Skype has 170 million users and logged more than 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010. Skype last year announced plans for an initial public offering of stock and appeared on its way to profitability, but investors are evidently eager for a payoff.

Other members of the investor group led

by Silver Lake include eBay, CPP Investment Board, Joltid Limited, Europlay Capital Advisors and Andreessen Horowitz.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals which the companies said they expect to obtain this year.

Microsoft shares were down 1.16 percent at $25.53 shortly after the opening bell on Wall Street. — AFP

Google to launch online music service: Report

TOKYO: A clerk at Sof tbank sales floor checks a cabinet at a store in Tokyo Monday. Softbank Corp., the only Japanese mobile carrier offering the hit iPhone, said annual profit nearly doubled despite suffering damage from the March 11 quake and tsunami that battered northeastern Japan. — AP

NEW YORK: Internet giant Google could launch an online music service as early yesterday to rival Amazon’s “cloud” service, which allows users to store digital music online, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Citing unnamed sources, the neswspaper said on Monday that Google, like Amazon, has yet to secure licenses from the major record companies, and would limit users to a “streaming mode” to prevent piracy.

The new service, expected to

be announced at an annual developers conference in San Francisco, would initially be launched in a testing phase, only becoming accessible to the public at a later date, the Journal said.

The newspaper also reported that Apple is currently in talks with major record companies to launch a far more ambitious service than either that offered by Amazon or the new service planned by Google.

Amazon unveiled a service in late March that allows users to

store their digital music online and play it on a computer or an Android device. With Cloud Drive and Cloud Player, users can upload digital music, photos, videos and documents to Amazon servers and access the files through Web browsers or phones and tablet computers running Google’s Android software. Music bought from Amazon.com or Apple’s iTunes or from a personal collection is held in a digital “music locker” on the Internet and can be accessed

from computers running Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Chrome Web browsers. Meanwhile, Wael Ghonim, the Google executive who became a hero of Egypt’s anti-government uprising, has signed a deal with a US publisher to write a book, “Revolution 2.0.”

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt said Monday that it has secured the rights to Ghonim’s book, which it said will tell the “inside story of the Egyptian revolution and the lessons of the Arab Spring.” — AFP

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health & science

Postponing CT scans may be safe for child head injuries NEW YORK: Observing some children after a head injury may help reveal which ones need a computed tomography (CT) scan and which ones don’t, enabling many to avoid the radiation of an unnecessary test, according to a US study.

This is particularly true for children who have some risk of a serious brain injury, but aren’t showing serious symptoms, said Lise Nigrovic at Children’s Hospital, Boston, who worked on the study.

If a child shows up at an emergency

room very soon after a head injury, “you may just not have had enough time for symptoms to develop,” she told Reuters Health.

Or a child “may have some symptoms that make you a little concerned, but you just want a little time.”

Nigrovic and her colleagues reviewed data on over 40,000 children with a head injury who were taken to one of 25 different emergency rooms.

The original data had been collected by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network, with chart

notes showing whether each child was admitted for observation before doctors decided whether or not to perform a CT scan.

About 5,400, or 1 in 7, were observed. They were less likely to get a CT scan, 31 percent against 35 percent when doctors made that decision right away.

In both groups, fewer than 1 percent had a serious head injury.

Twenty-six children who were observed and sent home without a CT scan came back later for an x-ray. One of

those children did end up having a positive scan.

The researchers concluded that observing some children before making the decision about a CT scan might be a safe and effective way of cutting back on scans, giving the example of a child who fell off a swing, had a headache and vomited once, but were awake and talking two hours after the injury.

“We all want to make sure that we use CT scanning in the cases where it’s likely to be positive and that we save children from the radiation for those

that we know are very unlikely to be positive,” said Martin Osmond, at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, who had no ties to the study.

“This study adds important new information about who to observe.”

But he added that a few questions remain, such as how long it makes sense to observe children before deciding whether to do a CT scan or send them home. There are also questions about how safe it is to put off such a scan, which will need to be the focus of future research. —Reuters

Gulf ‘diabetes hot spot’ Lifestyle modification holds the key: Expert

By Sajeev K Peter KUWAIT: The Gulf region has become a hot spot for diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases as a result of rapid urbanization and emerging new lifestyles. Six countries in the Middle East and North African region are among the ten highest for the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the world, said a healthcare expert and diabetologist yesterday.

In an exclusive interview with the Kuwait Times, Prof Ambady Ramachandran, the chairman of Dr A Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospitals and president of the India Diabetes Research Foundation (IDRF), said lifestyle modification holds the key to controlling diabetes which is taking a huge toll on human life today. Prof Ramachandran arrived in Kuwait to attend the IDF-KMA Oration 2011. He has contributed extensively to diabetes care and epidemiological research in India for more than three decades for which he has gained national and international recognition.

According to him, the adverse geneenvironmental interactions due to rapid urbanization and westernization have escalated the prevalence of obesity and diabetes in most of these countries. “Diabetes is a metabolic disorder.

Human beings, both genetically and environmentally, were supposed to be running around and making food. But in the last one hundred years or so, there were drastic changes not only in the environment, but also in our lifestyles. So man has become a sedentary lifestyle animal, instead of an animal running around. We have become less physically active and almost like couch potatoes sitting,” Prof Ramachandran said.

He said the medical science has succeeded in conquering many diseases that kill people at young age like infections from bacteria and viruses. As a result of this scientific advance, the life span of an average human being has increased. Consequently, we are now meeting up with some degenerative diseases which affect the long life.

Diabetes is characteristically borne by

the modern lifestyle, he explained.

Obesity Diabetes is commonly prevalent in people with obesity which is central adiposity, in which more fat is being deposited around the abdomen in the shape of an apple. “If you are obese, you face the risk of diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis or cardiac disease. And diabetes can affect your

entertainment,” Prof Ramachandran said. “When people meet, they usually say, ‘let’s have dinner together or let’s go for an I talian breakfast today ’.

Nobody will ever say, ‘let’s go for a walk or we’ll play tennis today’. It is unfortunate that even though the system does not want you to take food, the modern lifestyle is forcing you to take it,” he pointed out.

KUWAIT: Prof Ramachandran talks to the Kuwait Times during an exclusive interview yesterday. —Photo by Sajeev K Peter body system such as blood vessels, arteries, kidneys, retina, kidneys, etc,” he said.

Stress factor “Above all, the mental stress factors of the modern lifestyle are also there.

We are in a rat race today. We always look at the watch and work. We don’t take food because we are hungry. We take food because it is time for lunch.

As the lifestyle advances, eating has become a part of our social life and

Evolution Looking at the process of evolution of how people get diabetes, he said, today, we are taking heavily processed high energy foodstuff containing high amount of carbohydrates, fat and sugar content. As a result, the man is consuming much more calories than what he can spend. “You are overburdening your system and the system deposits the food into the body as fat that can go into the liver, muscle or subcuta-

neous tissues. So you become big and fat. Remember, it is too much for you to handle and therefore there is a decompensation. And the pancreas gives up. You are not able to metabolize the big load of fat resulting in diabetes.

Treatment Today, the medical world has good tools both for diagnosis and treatment.

This is a chronic disorder for lifelong and therefore lifestyle modification, regulation of diet and the physical ac tivity are impor tant. Prof Ramachandran said the most challenging thing for a doctor in treating diabetes is how to motivate patients to change to a healthy lifestyle. There is an emotional side of the story as well as a result of psychological deprivation. Unlike other diseases, benefits of treating diabetes are not immediate, because it is a life-long disorder,” he said. “Stick to diet, do physical exercise, take the medicines regularly prescribed by the doctor and monitor blood glucose levels regularly. Walking for 20 minutes at least five days a week is not a big deal. And eat more fruits, vegetables, chicken and fish and avoid meat,” he advised.

Prof Ramachandran is a visiting Professor in the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Depar tment of Medicine, Imperial College London. His medical qualifications include MD, Madras Medical College, Chennai; Postdoctoral fellowship in Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Centre, USA; PhD, University of Madras; DSc MGR Medical University, India; Membership of Indian National Academy of Medical Sciences, and FRCP, London and Edinburgh.

Canadian Inuit not immune to obesity risks WINNIPEG: A changing climate and a more settled lifestyle have removed any protec tion that Canada’s Inuit people may once have had from diabetes, according to a report published on Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Researchers have long thought that the Inuit, the aboriginal people of nor thern regions of Canada, Alaska and Greenland, were largely immune to the health risks of obesity, because diabetes cases were rare.

But the Journal article, written by researchers at two Canadian universities, found that Inuit in northern Canada had diabetes at similar levels to the rest of the Canadian population.

“Stories (that) the Inuit were protected against diabetes go way back in time, and particularly the 1970s,” said lead author Grace Egeland of McGill University in Montreal, in an interview from Norway.

“With westernization and rapid changes in the Arctic, we’re finding they’re at basically the same risk as general Canadians.”

Melting polar ice has made it more difficult for Inuit to hunt for food over long distances. At the same time, they are increasingly settling in permanent communities and taking less-active, paying jobs, Egeland said.

The move from a hunting-based lifestyle has caused many Inuit to switch from a traditional diet heavy

on fish or caribou to store-bought food, rich in fats and sugars, and to increased alcohol consumption, Egeland said.

Those lifestyle changes add girth to a person’s waist and increase levels of a fat type called triglycerides, which are markers of diabetes. “ The changes have been quite profound on many levels,” Egeland said.

Type 2 diabetes, the main type of the disease, occurs when the body doesn’t effectively use or produce enough insulin, a hormone that controls the amount of glucose in the blood.

Researchers from McGill and the University of Toronto used data from a 2007-08 study of nearly 2,600 Canadian Inuit.

Their work found that 1.9 percent of those under age 50 had diabetes while 12.2 percent of those 50 and older had the disease. Those rates are slightly lower than, but similar to, the rest of the Canadian population.

The article reported that 35 percent of Inuit were obese, in line with the rest of the population.

The report focused on Canadian Inuit, but diabetes rates among Inuit people in Alaska and Greenland are also rising, Egeland said.

Worsening health in the North due to obesity is likely to drive up healthcare costs, Egeland added, with most Inuit living far from Canada’s biggest cities. —Reuters

PORT-AU-PRINCE: A baby is measured by a nurse checking for malnutrition symptoms at a free pediatric clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, yesterday. —AP

acetaminophen tied to blood cancers: Study NEW YORK: Chronic users of the painkiller acetaminophen are at a slightly increased risk for blood cancers, according to a US study.

But the risk remains low and it is still uncertain what role the drug plays, the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, added.

Earlier work has shown that aspirin use might lower the odds of dying from colon cancer but increase the risk of bleeding ulcers, though the picture has been less clear about blood, or hematologic, cancers.

“A person who is age 50 or older has about a 1 percent risk in ten years of getting one of these cancers,” said Emily White at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, who worked on the study.

“Our study suggests that if you use acetaminophen at least four times a week for at least four years, that would increase the risk to about 2 percent.”

Noting that the current study was the first large prospective one on the issue, as opposed to individual case reports, she added that there’s still no proof that acetaminophen causes cancer.

The new trials also need to be confirmed before being used in any treatment decision.

White and her team followed nearly 65,000 older men and women in Washington state, all free of any history of cancer, except skin cancer, at the start. At the outset, they asked participants about their use of analgesics over the previous ten years.

Over about six years on average, 577 people-or less than 1 percent-developed a hematologic cancer.

More than 9 percent of those, though, used high amounts of acetaminophen, compared to only 5 percent of those who didn’t get sick.

After accounting for things such as age, arthritis and a family history of certain blood cancers, chronic acetaminophen users had nearly twice the risk of developing the diseases.

No other analgesics, including aspirin and ibuprofen, were tired to the risk of blood cancers.

White said it’s still too soon to make any recommendations based on the study, adding that none of the painkillers is free of side effects. “Long-term use of any over-the - counter drug might have adverse effects. You have to weigh the benefits against the risk of all the drugs,” she added. —Reuters

China probes poisonings from lead battery plant

CHINA: In this photo taken Monday, May 9, 2011, medical workers attend to conjoined twin babies with a single body and two heads born on May 5 in a hospital in Suining city in southwestern China’s Sichuan province. The local Huaxi Metropolis Daily says the twins weighed nine pounds (4 kg) and measured 20 inches (51 centimeters) and have two spines, two esophaguses and shared other organs. Doctors were quoted as saying it would be nearly impossible to separate them.—AP

Chinese girls born in single body with 2 heads BEIJING: A hospital in southwestern China says conjoined twin girls with a single body and two heads have been born at its facility.

A staffer surnamed Wang at Suining City Central Hospital in Sichuan province says the girls were born Thursday. Wang said yesterday the parents, who are farmers, did not want to have the babies at first, fearing they could not afford to keep them alive.

She said they transferred the twins to a hospital in the nearby metropolis of Chongqing to be examined by experts.

The local Huaxi Metropolis Daily reported the twins weighed 9 pounds (4 kilograms) and measured 20 inches (51 centimeters). They have two spines and two esophaguses and share other organs. Doctors were quoted as saying it would be nearly impossible to separate them. —AP

SHANGHAI: Authorities are investigating heavy metals poisoning in a village in eastern China after discovering that dozens of people living near a lead battery plant were sickened.

Local authorities in Deqing, a village near the scenic city of Hangzhou, west of Shanghai, said Monday they ordered that nearly 2,000 people be given free blood tests. Initial results for 317 people found that 31, including 11 children, had lead levels exceeding safety standards. Some of the children were sent to Shanghai for treatment. Heavy metals poisoning is an urgent concern in China, where safety standards have often been disregarded by manufacturers and local officials.

Zhejiang Haijiu Battery Co., a major producer of motorcycle batteries, was ordered to suspend operations in Deqing after it discovered late last month that some people living near its factory were suffering from lead poisoning. Over the weekend, authorities sent a working group to the village to “rectify” the situation, the local government said in a statement.

Experts on heavy metals pollution and poisoning and medical staff were sent to the area to help with the probe, it said.

Aside from the Haijiu battery factory, investigators are checking 26 other heavy metals-related companies operating in Deqing’s development zone. Meanwhile, police were keeping Haijiu’s management under “control,” it said without giving any details.

Staff who answered the phone at Haijiu said their boss was away and would not return for several days, refusing comment.

Although Deqing is close to scenic mountain areas, it also lies within Huzhou, a major production center for the leadacid batteries used in many vehicles and motorcycles. China has had hundreds of pollution emergencies in recent years, many involving mass heavy metal contamination. Thousands of children were affected by lead poisoning in several provinces in 2009 and 2010 because they lived near metal smelters or battery factories. Lead poisoning can damage the nervous, muscular and reproductive systems. Children are particularly at risk. —AP

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

H E A LT H

Caring for poor, hospitals reach brink of closure CHICAGO: Two charity hospitals in the American midwest are facing a life-or-death decision. There’s not much left of either aside from emergency rooms crowded with patients seeking free care. Now they would like permission to shut down.

The crisis faced by those institutions, which have long provided care to people with low incomes, represent a significant development that’s gone largely unnoticed as the United States climbs out of recession. Many charity hospitals, already struggling with rising costs, are on the brink of failure because of looming budget cuts, increasing numbers of uninsured patients and a slow economic recovery.

“With economic downturns, you can finesse them for 12 months or 24 months,” said Jim Tallon, president of the nonprofit United Hospital Fund of New York, a research and philanthropic organization. “But now everybody’s used up all their tricks. That’s when people throw their hands up in the air and say we’re not going to be able to continue operating.” Safetynet hospitals have closed in several states in recent years. Of the 15 hospitals that shut down in New York City last decade, five were safety net hospitals; another filed for bankruptcy.

Such closings are a blow to low-income urban neighborhoods. Patients often must travel long distances to other hospitals, meaning lengthy waits in those emergency rooms and ambulances turned

away when the crush grows extreme.

“I’m devastated,” said Michael Yanul, a muscular dystrophy patient at a public hospital near Chicago that’s in danger of closing. “The doctors and nurses here have kept me alive. I can’t breathe on my own.”

Patients there face a four-hour bus ride to the next closest public hospital.

Charity hospitals are the descendants of almshouses opened more than a century ago. Cities, counties and religious institutions built hospitals with a mission to care for the poor. Later, medical schools took over some facilities. Others soldiered on, always underfunded. Today all US hospitals provide some charity care. But about 800 of the nation’s 5,000 hospitals do the lion’s share, often located in the heart of poor communities and serving a large proportion of patients who don’t have insurance or are on Medicaid, the government health care program for the poor.

From the recession’s start through mid-2009, the number of patients seeking free care at the hospitals increased 23 percent, according to the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems.

Patients who had insurance lost it when they lost their jobs, leaving the hospitals to absorb the costs.

Many states with budget problems cut back their financial help. Florida reduced its hospital reimbursement rate by 1.6 percent last year, then another 7 percent this year. Another 12 percent cut has been pro-

Say bye to obesity

posed. One Jacksonville charity hospital, expecting a loss of $60 million, said it would be at risk of shutting down. No one knows exactly how many hospitals have closed, but experts say the number will grow.

The fate of the two hospitals will be considered late yesterday by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Without money to solve the operators’ financial problems, the board may have little choice but to allow the hospitals to die. If struggling hospitals can hold on a few more years, they could benefit from the national health care law. Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will expand health insurance to more people.

However, “we’re worried people will have health insurance but they’ll have nowhere to go,” said Dr. Bruce Siegel, CEO of the national public hospitals group. Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital is the only hospital in gritty East St. Louis, a city of 30,000 across the river from its famous namesake, where industrial decline has left unemployment far above the national average and one-third of the city’s families below the poverty line. It has lost $5 million a year since 2000.

The state has cited the hospital for safety violations that would require nearly $6 million to correct.

“The building is 85 years old, is no longer safe to operate as a hospital facility and the cost of doing so is prohibitive,” the Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, the hospital’s operator, said in a report to

the state. In 2008, with losses mounting, the hospital shut down 130 hospital beds and stopped providing trauma care, sending victims of shootings and car accidents six miles across the Mississippi River to hospitals in Missouri. Still, the number of uninsured patients for the foundation’s two hospitals swelled by more than 300 percent during the recession. And the hospital had trouble getting timely reimbursement from Medicaid. Illinois, with severe budget problems, has been notoriously late in making Medicaid payments to hospitals and other providers, said East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. A few hours north by car near Chicago, Oak Forest Hospital is part of the publicly run safety net that takes all patients whether they can pay or not. The hospital helps poor patients sign up for government insurance, but it can take six months to get them on the program. The number of uninsured patients more than doubled during the recession, with the hospital carrying the costs. “Somebody has to take the responsibility,” Dr. Srinivas Jolepalem, a staff member who was laid off last year during budget cuts. Emergency room visits increased from 29,000 in 2007 to nearly 33,000 in 2009. The proposed closures have drawn crowds of chanting protesters to meetings.

“Very often there’s a lot of panic,” said Siegel of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems. — AP

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

W H AT ’ S O N

Announcements IWG dinner dance For those of you who still require tickets to the IWG Spring Dinner-Dance (Thursday, 19 May), we will have tickets available for purchase at Costa Coffee in Al Bida’a on Tuesday, 10 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

Moving Up Day ceremony Smart Nursery will celebrate its Moving Up Day Ceremony on May 14, 2011. The event will highlight the giving of awards for this year’s cream of the crop in the academe.

Ahmadi Music Group The Ahmadi Music Group, directed by Richard Bushman, is delighted to announce the forthcoming production of The Desert Song by Siegmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein. Fully-staged, with costumes, dancing, professional soloists, a cast of around fifty people and a full symphony orchestra, this will be a wonderful opportunity to experience an evening of musical theatre in the stunning new Performing Arts Centre at The English School Salmiya.

Tuesday 31 May, Preview Performance for students.

Wednesday 1 June, Black-tie Gala Opening Performance followed by Buffet Supper. Thursday 2 June, Performance. Friday 3 June, Performance. All performances start at 7pm at The English School, Salmiya. Emailing invitations@ahmadimusicgroup.com

Abdul Mohsen Abdul Aziz Al-Babtain awards best employees and managers

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y attendance of Saleh Al-Babtain CEO, Ghazi Al-Babtain - Business Development Manager and Mohammed Shalabi, COO. Abdul Mohsen Abdul Aziz Al-Babtain Co. set up an honoring celebration for its ideal employees and managers. The celebration had been set up in Nissan Showroom, Al-Rai Area, Friday, 29th April, among a big collection of employees. The company was keen on this honoring in recognition of the great efforts exerted by the staff in developing the company and going always towards the highest grades, and for reinforcing these exerted efforts and encouraging their continuance to keep the rank of the company. The event commenced with a moment of silence in honor memory of Philino and Richard who passed away as a result of traffic car accident.

Mohammed Shalabi, COO, during the honoring celebration presented the distinctive achievements done by the company during this year through the diligence of its employees and the continuous following up of its managers. Also, this presentation would show the obligation of the company to achieve the placed plans and the extent of it seeking to cooperate with all its divisions for achieving the desirable objectives.

Thus, Saleh Al-Babtain - Executive

President and Vice Chairman of AlBabtain Group, gave a speech in which he thanked all employees of the company for this achievement, appreciating their efforts, reinforcing the confidence of the management and wishing to see more achievements. Accordingly, Saleh Al-Babtain handed over the shields and incentive rewards to the honored persons.

The celebration had been attended by more than 500 employees of all departments of Abdul Mohsen Abdul Aziz AlBabtain Co., the honoring included the best performance at the level of the employees of the divisions, the best performance at the level of the managers of

the departments, and the best department of Al-Babtain Group supporting to Abdul Mohsen Abdul Aziz Al-Babtain Co. The honoring celebration concluded by a lunch on the occasion of honoring.

Abdul Mohsen Abdul Aziz Al-Babtain Co. being keen on setting up such splendid honoring celebration indicates the extent of care and interest which are taken by the company for all its employees of all divisions. This care is reflected on the fine-level performance of the company represented in all services and offers which are provided by Al-Babtain Group of Companies to its customers with the best means. Also, it is reflected in the communication of the company with its

public through the most modern and easiest ways in its recognition to the rank and importance of the customers.

It is noteworthy that Abdul Mohsen Abdul Aziz Al-Babtain Co. is managing the activity of sales in five showrooms in Kuwait, which are: Nissan - Al-Rai and AlAhmadi showrooms - Infinity - Al-Rai showroom, Rino - Al-Rai showroom, Citroen and “CMC” and “JMC” and Tadano - Al-Rai showroom. However, as regards to the activity of service, it covers two main service centers in Shuwaikh and Ahmadi, which are supported by seven speed service centers and eight spare parts selling outlets covering all areas of Kuwait.

Thanima to present legend play Thanima (The Human and Nostalgic Interaction of Malayalees Abroad) is presenting of yet another unique cultural event to the Kuwait cultural spectrum by enacting ballads of the epic Vadakkan Pattukal (Ballads of North Malabar) of medieval Kerala on stage. ‘Oru Vadakkan Veerakatha’, drama scope mega budget full length visual entertainer becomes a reality in the collective effort of Malayalee expatriate community in Kuwait spearheaded by Thanima. The play will be staged at 4.30 pm and 8.30 pm on 20 May at Al-Jeel Al-Jadeed School Auditorium Hawally. The drama combines both the legendary spirit of Vadakkan Pattu and the bravery of Kalaripayattu (martial art form of Kerala) and harmonizes with the technical excellence of silver screen. In 18 sets it will be on stage designed by acclaimed Artist Sujathan. Entry will be restricted through passes.

Al Taalib Scholarship 2011 Al Taalib Scholarship is a financial aid scheme for the under privileged school students in Kuwait, sponsored by the Ministry of Awqaf in association with Islam Presentation Committee (IPC), Friday Forum and Pakistan Kuwait Welfare Association. These scholarships were given to the needy students irrespective of their religion or nationality. The process of Al Taalib Scholarship for the current academic year, 2011-12, has begun for all Indian and Pakistani Schools in Kuwait. In order to avail this scholarship, applicants are requested to collect the Application Form from Al Taalib Office located in CAMS, Ahmed Al Jaber Street, Darwaza, Near Warba Insurance Co., Int’l Islamic Charity Organization Building, 2nd Floor, Al Sharq. The duly filled application form shall be submitted to Al Taalib office on or before 10th May 2011 along with all supporting documents specified in the Application Form.

IWA celebrates with children of Kuwait Society for Handicapped

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he Indian Women’s Association (IWA), comprising of a small group of committed women, in their own little way strive to bring relief and respite to those in need. Under the patronage of Ira Malhotra, wife of the Ambassador of India to Kuwait, the IWA attempts to reach out and make a difference to the lives of those facing the challenges of poverty, illiteracy and ill health. IWA remains persistent in their efforts at empowering others, and giving them the chance to achieve their aspirations.

IWA celebrated their 14 years of success in ‘lending a helping hand’ at the Arraya Ballroom of Courtyard by Marriott along with dignitaries and well-wishers who have always sustained and supported IWA. This event also provided a platform to showcase the association’s humanitarian and community service activities.

Ajai Malhotra, the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait and chief

guest at the event applauded the excellent work being done by the Indian Women’s Association, not only in Kuwait but also in India. He highlighted

people of Kuwait, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Independence, the 20th anniversary of liberation and the 5th anniversary of the reign of His

explained since 1998, IWA has been at the forefront of planning and implementing several humanitarian initiatives in India and Kuwait. The audience was

the organizations dedication to bring about change and help those in need in overcoming obstacles.

Muriel Alphonso, President of Indian Women’s Association, expressed congratulations to the leadership, government and

Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah as Amir of the State of Kuwait.

On behalf of IWA she acknowledged the Ambassador’s tribute and expressed her gratitude for his support to the IWA. She

enlightened about IWA’s humble passion to provide practical and sustainable support to the less fortunate.

As a start to their new year’s activities, IWA celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Kuwait’s National Day with the children of

Kuwait Society for the Handicapped (KSH). Sheikha Omniya Mubarak Al Sabah and IWA’s Patron, Ira Malhotra graced this poignant celebration. The colorful streamers of Kuwaiti flags and national dresses boosted the patriotic spirit and provided the perfect backdrop to bring smiles on the faces of these special children. It was a joyous evening filled with music and dance which helped to enhance the mood and morale of the children and the nurses.

An outdoor visit to the magic planet was also arranged for the children of KSH and generously sponsored by the Al Shaya Group. The bright lights, music and games were an added treat for the children who were overwhelmed with excitement by the amusement and games. The setting, which was quite different from their regular environment, made the evening even more special and memorable for the children at KSH.

IDF, KMA hold ‘Oration 2011’

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rof Ramachandran stated that rapid urbanization was leading to a significant increase in the number of diabetics in Asia and the Middle East.

Prof Ramachandran, a world renowned dialectologist is the Chairman of the A Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospitals, President of the India Diabetes Research Foundation, Visiting Professor at the Imperial College, London and Regional Editor of Diabetic Medicine (UK). He has more than 300 original research papers to his credit and was recently awarded the World India Diabetes Foundation (WIDF) Award for outstanding Investigator for Diabetes Research in India.

Prof Ramachandran was delivering the IDF-KMA Oration 2011 on 8th May 2011 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kuwait. Organised by the Indian Doctors Forum (IDF), Kuwait with the support of the Kuwait Medical Association, the oration this year addressed the topic “Diabetes in the Middle East : why is it high and different?”. Taking India as a prototype, Dr. Ramachandran presented his findings derived from numerous epidemiological and clinical studies he had conducted in

India and abroad. He said that Asians have lower threshold levels for risk factors such as body mass index and truncal obesity The Indian Doctors Forum has focused

tive web manager of the IDF, where group members are able to post queries on any diabetes related issue.

The oration was attended by a large number of Kuwaiti and Indian doctors of

a lot of its energy on diabetes this term.

In addition to various awareness seminars, workshops, ‘Meet the specialist’ programs and screening camps, IDF brought out its annual health guide for 2011 with diabetes mellitus as its topic. A unique web based initiative called the “Beat Diabetes Group” was also formed this year by Dr. Noble Zachariah, the innova-

various specialities. Dr. Ramesh Pandita, Consultant, K.C.C.C., introduced the Oration Awardee Prof Ramachandran.

Prof. Abdul Latif Ahmed Al Bader, President, Kuwait University and Secretary General, KIMS, was the chief guest of the event. Dr. Abdulla Bennakhi, the Deputy Director General of Dasman Diabetes Institute, introduced the topic of

the oration and spoke about the problem of diabetes in the Middle East. Earlier, the President of the IDF, Dr N Nampoory, in his presidential address enumerated the various activities of the IDF especially with regard to the management of diabetes. The Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy to Kuwait, Mr. Vidhu Nair in his speech lauded the efforts of the IDF in this regard and also presented the IDFKMA Oration Award to Prof.

Ramachandran. Felicitations were expressed by Dr. Ahmed Murad the treasurer, Kuwait Medical Association and Prof.

Dashti. The Vice-President of the IDF, Dr. Amir Ahmed compered the event and Dr. Murali Gopal, the General Secretary of the IDF delivered the vote of thanks. The event was co-ordinated by Dr Niranjan Kumar and Dr. Yousuf Dar. Prof. Ramachandran, during his stay in Kuwait, also delivered lectures at Dasman Diabetes Institute on aspects of primary prevention of type 2 Diabetes, and about “challenges in type 2 Diabetes today , new trials - confusion or frustration” to the Faculty of Medicine. He also delivered lectures to doctors at Amiri Hospital, Kuwait.

Notice to Filipino citizens

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otice is hereby given that under Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003”, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the election, and who are registered overseas absentee voters with approved applications to vote in absentia, may vote for Senators and Party-list Representatives. For this purpose, all qualified Filipino citizens not registered as voters under Republic Act No. 8189, otherwise known as “The Voters Registration Act of 1996”, (the system of continuing registration) shall file an application for registration while those who are already registered under the said Act shall file an application for certification. For purposes of the May 13, 2013 elections, the filing of applications for registration/certification and transfer of registration records shall be filed at the Post or other designated registration areas from October 31, 2011 to October 31, 2012.

The 30-day voting period is from April 13, 2013 until 3:00’o clock in the afternoon (Philippine time) of May 13, 2013 at any Philippine Embassies or Consulates. (The time for voting to be announced later). For details, please contact telephone number: 65184433 (Kuwait)

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eus is a beautiful and friendly 1.5 year old Persian male cat. Zeus is a laid-back and confident boy that likes to play and loves affection! He would be a fantastic new family member in a home with children over 8.

If you are interested in adopting please contact us on +965-6700-1622 or visit us on our website www.kspath.org Atlas is a happy 5 months old Geman Shepherd male puppy. He is a smart fella, super friendly and will enjoy long walks and a garden to run around in. Atlas would be a great addition to a family with children over 8. If you are interested in adopting please contact us on +965-67001622 or visit us on our w e b s i t e www.kspath.org

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31

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

W H AT ’ S O N

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Embassy encourages all Australians to register their presence in Kuwait through Smartraveller Online (see link below).

Australians who are registered are asked to update their details. The information provided will assist us in contacting you in an emergency. www.smartraveller.gov.au Kuwait citizens can apply for and receive visit visas to Australia online at www.immi.gov.au. This usually takes two working days.

All others visa applications are handled by the Australian Visa Application Centre Tel. 22971110.

Witnessing and certifying documents are by appointment only, please contact the Embassy on 2232 2422. The Australian Embassy is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm, Sunday to Thursday.

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GUST students showcase their artistic and musical talents

T

he Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) organized Annual Student Art and Music Exhibition which was inaugurated by Dr. MesferMesfer, Dean of Student Affairs, who said: ìGUST is always keen on highlighting student creativity.î The goal of the exhibit - which showcased over 120 pieces - was just that, students musical and artistic talents were on display for all to see and appreciate.

Dr. Robert Cook, Vice President for Academic Affairs was also present for the opening of the event and mentioned that the aim of the exhibition was to display works of art of all kinds made by GUST students and support their talent and continue to provide them with the tools they need to thrive.

Both guests of honor were pleased with the level of commitment and cre-

ativity shown by the GUST students and wished them all the best in all future endeavors within and outside the walls of the university. The students showed extreme detail in their pieces whether they were art or musical pieces. Several musical pieces were performed at the event including playing of traditional and more modern instruments, as well as a duet performed by GUST students Aseel Al-

Shammari and Mohammad Al-Enizi and another duet by students Ibrahim Al-Matoug and Dana Al-Khaldi which received grand applause from the audience and the request of an encore.

As for students Abd Al-Hajeri, Dalal Mallek, Dalal Boland and Abdulatif AlShatti, Osama Hani and Sara Khalil, all showcased their talents on the paino playing pieces that the audience aspired to.

EMBASSY OF BRITAIN The Visa Application Centre (VAC) will be closed on the same dates above. The opening hours of the Visa Application Centre are 0930 - 1630 Application forms remain available online from the UKBAs’ website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk or from the Visa Application Centre’s website: www.vfsuk-kw.com. And also, from the UK Visa Application Centre located at: 4B, First Floor, Al Banwan Building (Burgan Bank Branch Office Building), Al Qibla area, opposite Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City. For any further inquiries, please contact the Visa Application Centre: Website: www.vfs-uk-kw.com E-mail:info@vfs-uk-kw.com Telephone:22971170. The Consular Section will also be closed on the same dates.

For information on the British Embassy services, visit the British Embassy website: www.ukinkuwait.fco.gov.uk ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF GERMANY The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kuwait wishes to announce that as of 1 May 2011, the external service provider Al Qabas Assurex is operating a Visa Application Centre in support of the German Embassy. Short-term visa applications for travels to Germany (e.g. for tourism, visits, business) are to be submitted to the service provider Al Qabas who for your convenience will ensure that all relevant documents are included in your application. Your personal appearance at the Application Centre is not required. Address of the Visa Application Centre: Al Qabas Assurex Sanabel Tower (Al-Babtain) Mezzanine (M3) opposite Sharq Mall Kuwait 22924444 Fax: 22924442 Further information are available on the following websites: www.kuwait.diplo.de www.qavisa.com ■■■■■■■

Tamilosai’s trio program

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amilosai conducted a grand trio programme at Ruchi Restaurant, Abbasiya on May 6th, on Labour’s Day, Association’s 5th anniversary and a heart touching farewell to our favourite member and singer Miss Theresa. The programme was conducted by Thiru Atlas Ansari and presided by Sivakumar and Abu Thakir. Theresa was showered with lots of poems, gifts and mementos with blessings from all the members to continue her further studies in India.

There was a special Pattimandram with the title “Who is important Mudhaaliya or Tholilaliya?. The judge was Dr Kumar who made his first mark on stages a judge and the audience was carried away with his jokes and informa-

tion and the participants were Sivarnani, Pa. Sekar for Tholilali and Karthik and Kavi Sekaran for Mudhalali.

Of course Tholilali took the staff to victory. The Tamil quiz prize was taken by Ganesh. New members were Jhon Kennedy and Hari Narayanan. Engg.

Rajasekar, Dr. Kumar, Engg. Pa. Sekar, Dr. Paul Manuvel, Sadiq Batcha, Vittukkatti Masthan, Sivamani, Azizudeen, and Abu Thakir were highly appreciated by Tamilosai for their tireless work in making Lyperum Vizha a grand success by giving them a Ponnaadai as a token of appreciation.

Vote of thanks was given by Ajeesudin. The meeting came to a final close with a grand lunch on Vaazai Illai.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah.

Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca.

Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home. The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca. The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca.

Effective January 15, 2011, the only Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application form that will be accepted by CIC is the Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada [IMM 5257] form. All previous Temporary Resident Visa application forms will no longer be accepted by CIC and instead will be returned to applicants.

Should old applications be submitted prior to January 15, 2011 they will continue to be processed. To ensure that the most recent version of the Temporary Resident Visa application form is being utilized, applicants should refer to the CIC website. As of January 15, 2011, forms are to be filled in electronically. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday.

The forms are available on the internet at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM 5257E.PDF. A guide explaining the process can be found here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/525 6E.PDF. ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF GUYANA The Embassy of Guyana, recently established in Kuwait, announces that it is located at Block 3, Street 321, Villa 3, Mubarak Abdullah al Jabar, West Misrhef. The Embassy’s telephone numbers are 2539-7939 and 2539-4336; the fax number is 2539-3448. The Embassy can also be contacted by e-mail at Guyanaembassy.kuwait@gmail.com; its website address is www.guyana.org.

Kindergarten kids celebrate ‘Go Green Day’ at IIS

L

ittle drops make a mighty ocean.

Little kids also proved that their contributions also could make a big impact in protecting our mother earth.

KG kids celebrated “Go Green Day” in a grand way on Thursday, 21st April, 2011 at IIS to show their love and affection to their dear mother earth All the tiny tots were in green costumes on that day. One could see the reflection of green colour in every nook and corner of KG Department and feel as if they entered an enchanting world of young green plants with cheerful blossoms moving around. A special assembly was conducted in which these little kids cheered the mother earth by singing a melodious song, “With leaves so green”

in chorus. All the kids joyfully did the “Hand Print Activity”. Moosa Koya, Director, F.M. Basheer Ahmed, Principal, Narindrer Kaur, Vice-Principal and Shifana, KG Head were all in the company of sweet tiny tots and joined with them in their activity. Kids enjoyed a lot the company of elders. Hats off to the organizer of this event Mrs Shifana and her creative team. Then all the children listened to an interesting story depicting the importance of planting new trees and the miseries of cutting down the trees. At the end of the day, while leaving the school, the little kids carry in their heart the message of plant kindness everywhere and the love blossoms to cheer the ailing mother earth.

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EMBASSY OF KENYA The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to request all Kenyans resident in or training through Kuwait to register with the Embassy.

We are updating our database. This information is necessary in order to facilitate quick assistance and advise in times of emergency. Kindly visit in person or register through our website www.kenyaembkuwait.com. The Embassy is located in: Surra Area - Block 6 - Street 9 - Villa 3 Tel: 25353362 25353314; Fax: 25353316.

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EMBASSY OF NIGERIA The Nigerian embassy has moved its office to Mishref. Block 3, Street 7, House 4. For enquires please call 25379541. Fax25387719. Email- nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk

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00:45 Untamed And Uncut 01:40 Cats 101 02:35 Great Savannah Race 03:30 Last Chance Highway 04:25 Face To Face With The Polar Bear 05:20 Animal Cops Houston 06:10 Animal Crackers 07:00 Meerkat Manor 07:25 The Really Wild Show 07:50 Natural Born Hunters 08:15 All New Planet’s Funniest Animals 08:40 Breed All About It 09:10 Must Love Cats 10:05 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip 11:00 Animal Precinct 11:55 Wildlife SOS 12:50 Last Chance Highway 13:45 SSPCA: On The Wildside 14:10 E-Vets: The Interns 14:40 Lion Battlefield 15:30 Planet Wild 16:00 The Really Wild Show 16:30 Baby Planet 17:25 Extraordinary Dogs 17:50 Project Puppy 18:20 Great Savannah Race 19:15 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip 20:10 Cats 101 21:05 Wildest Africa 22:00 Mutant Planet 22:55 Buggin’ With Ruud 23:50 Lions And Giants

00:00 00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 04:50 05:10 05:35 05:45 06:05 06:25 06:50 07:05 07:25 07:45 08:10 08:20 08:40 09:00 09:25 09:40 10:40 11:25 12:15 12:45 13:15 14:10 15:40 16:30 17:15 17:45 18:15 19:10 20:00 20:45 21:15 21:45 22:40 23:30

00:00 00:45 01:35 02:20 04:10 04:35 05:00 07:20 08:50 09:20 10:10 11:55

My Family The Weakest Link Holby City Conviction Eastenders Doctors My Family Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Charlie And Lola Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Charlie And Lola Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Charlie And Lola Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Charlie And Lola My Family The Weakest Link Michael Palin’s New Europe Doctors Eastenders Holby City My Family Michael Palin’s New Europe The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Holby City Michael Palin’s New Europe The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Casualty Desperate Romantics Beautiful People

Cash In The Attic USA Come Dine With Me The Home Show Cash In The Attic USA Indian Food Made Easy Indian Food Made Easy Daily Cooks Challenge Cash In The Attic Indian Food Made Easy Antiques Roadshow Cash In The Attic USA Indian Food Made Easy

12:20 13:10 13:55 14:40 15:30 17:15 18:10 19:00 19:50 20:35 21:20 22:10 23:00

Antiques Roadshow Cash In The Attic Bargain Hunt Come Dine With Me Cash In The Attic USA Indian Food Made Easy How Not To Decorate Antiques Roadshow Cash In The Attic Bargain Hunt Come Dine With Me The Home Show Holmes On Homes

00:00 BBC World News 00:30 World Business Report 00:45 Sport Today 01:00 BBC World News America 01:30 Asia Business Report 01:45 Asia Today 02:00 BBC World News 02:30 Asia Business Report 02:45 Asia Today 03:00 BBC World News 03:30 Asia Business Report 03:45 Asia Today 04:00 BBC World News 04:30 Asia Business Report 04:45 Asia Today 05:00 BBC World News 05:30 Asia Business Report 05:45 Asia Today 06:00 BBC World News 06:30 Hardtalk 07:00 BBC World News 07:30 World Business Report 07:45 BBC World News 08:30 World Business Report 08:45 BBC World News 09:00 BBC World News 09:30 World Business Report 09:45 Sport Today 10:00 BBC World News 10:30 World Business Report 10:45 Sport Today 11:00 BBC World News 11:30 Hardtalk 12:00 BBC World News 12:30 World Business Report 12:45 Sport Today 13:00 BBC World News 13:30 World Business Report 13:45 Sport Today 14:00 GMT With George Alagiah 14:30 GMT With George Alagiah 15:00 BBC World News 15:30 World Business Report 15:45 Sport Today 16:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 BBC World News 18:30 Hardtalk 19:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 20:30 World Business Report 20:45 Sport Today 21:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 22:30 World Business Report 22:45 Sport Today 23:00 BBC World News America 23:30 Hardtalk

00:05 Cow And Chicken 00:30 Cramp Twins 00:55 George Of The Jungle 01:20 Adrenalini Brothers 01:45 Eliot Kid 02:10 Ed, Edd N Eddy 02:35 Ben 10: Alien Force 03:00 The Powerpuff Girls 03:15 Chowder 03:40 The Secret Saturdays 04:05 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 04:30 Ben 10: Alien Force 04:55 Best Ed 05:20 Skunk Fu! 05:45 Cramp Twins 06:10 Eliot Kid 06:35 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 07:00 Codename: Kids Next Door 07:25 Cow And Chicken 07:50 Angelo Rules

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

TV PROGRAMS 08:05 Cartoon Network Dance Club 08:15 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 08:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 09:05 The Secret Saturdays 09:30 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 09:55 The Powerpuff Girls 10:20 Robotboy 10:30 Hero 108 10:55 Ben 10 11:20 Chowder 11:45 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 12:10 Camp Lazlo 12:35 George Of The Jungle 13:00 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 13:25 Codename: Kids Next Door 13:50 Ben 10 14:15 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 14:40 Squirrel Boy 15:05 Eliot Kid 15:35 Ed, Edd N Eddy 16:00 Cow And Chicken 16:25 Chop Socky Chooks 16:50 Skunk Fu! 17:15 Chowder 17:40 Best Ed 18:05 Hero 108 18:30 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 18:55 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 19:20 Ben 10: Alien Force 19:45 The Secret Saturdays 20:10 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 20:35 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 21:00 The Powerpuff Girls 21:25 Ed, Edd N Eddy 21:50 Robotboy 22:00 Camp Lazlo 22:25 Hero 108 22:50 Ben 10 23:15 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 23:40 Chowder

00:40 01:35 03:25 04:20 05:15 05:40 06:05 07:00 07:50 08:45 09:10 09:40 10:30 10:55 11:25 12:20 13:15 14:10 15:05 16:00 16:55 17:50 18:45 19:10 19:40 20:05 20:35 21:00 21:55 22:50 23:45

Dirty Jobs Real Superhumans Mega Builders Mythbusters How Do They Do It? How Stuff’s Made Dirty Jobs Mega Builders American Chopper How Stuff’s Made How Do They Do It? Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security Street Customs 2008 Ultimate Survival Mythbusters LA Ink Dirty Jobs Street Customs 2008 Mythbusters Extreme Fishing Cake Boss Border Security I Could Do That How Stuff’s Made How Do They Do It? Is It Possible?

Mythbusters James May’s Man Lab Extreme Fishing

00:30 The Gadget Show 00:55 Kings Of Construction 01:45 Space Pioneer 02:35 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 03:25 How Does That Work?

03:50 Junkyard Mega-Wars 04:45 What’s That About?

05:40 Patent Bending 06:10 Superships 07:00 Da Vinci’s Machines 07:55 Head Rush 07:58 Sci-Fi Science 08:25 Weird Connections 08:55 Alien Storms 09:45 The Gadget Show 10:10 The Gadget Show

DIARY OF THE DEAD ON OSN ACTION HD

10:35 11:25 11:50 12:40 13:05 13:55 14:45 15:35 16:00 16:03 16:30 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:30 20:20 20:45 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40

Engineered Savage Planet Da Vinci’s Machines Patent Bending Sci-Fi Science Space Pioneer Kings Of Construction The Gadget Show Head Rush Sci-Fi Science Weird Connections Brainiac Space Pioneer How It’s Made How Stuff Works Weird Connections How Stuff’s Made The Gadget Show How It’s Made How Stuff Works The Colony

00:00 00:25 01:15 02:00 02:50 03:35 04:25 05:15 06:00 06:20 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:35 09:00 09:25 09:50 10:10 10:35 10:50 11:15 11:35 12:00 12:25 12:45 13:10 13:30 13:55 14:20 14:40 14:55 15:20 15:40 16:25 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:00 18:25 18:45 19:10 19:35 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:12 21:15 21:35 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:15 23:35

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Replacements Emperors New School Stitch Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Emperors New School Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Fish Hooks Good Luck Charlie Fairly Odd Parents Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Handy Manny Special Agent Oso Jungle Junction Imagination Movers Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Fairly Odd Parents Phineas And Ferb Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Suite Life On Deck Have A Laugh Suite Life On Deck Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Sonny With A Chance Jonas LA Fish Hooks Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana Suite Life On Deck Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Sonny With A Chance Jake And Blake Good Luck Charlie Have A Laugh Phineas And Ferb Fairly Odd Parents Replacements Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Jonas

06:00 Kid Vs Kat 06:20 Kick Buttowski 06:40 Pokemon 07:05 Phineas & Ferb 08:05 American Dragon 08:30 Kick Buttowski 08:50 Cars Toons 09:00 Zeke & Luther 09:50 I’m In The Band 10:15 The Super Hero Squad Show 10:40 Suite Life On Deck 11:30 Pair Of Kings 11:55 Phineas & Ferb 12:45 Kid Vs Kat 13:10 Cars Toons 13:20 Kid Vs Kat 13:50 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 14:40 Zeke & Luther 15:05 Suite Life On Deck 15:25 Cars Toons 15:35 Kick Buttowski 16:00 I’m In The Band 16:25 Suite Life On Deck 16:50 Zeke & Luther 17:15 Next X 2011 Winter Edition (Cema) 17:25 Next X 2011 Winter Edition (Cema) 18:25 Kick Buttowski 18:50 Next X 2011 Winter Edition Finale (Cema) 19:20 Up Up And Away 20:40 Phineas & Ferb 21:05 I’m In The Band 21:30 Zeke & Luther 21:50 Phineas And Ferb 22:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 22:20 The Super Hero Squad Show

00:25 Kendra 00:55 Style Star 01:25 Beauty Queens Gone Wrong 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 THS 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 10:15 THS 12:05 E! News 13:05 Holly’s World 13:35 Holly’s World 14:05 Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami 14:35 THS 15:30 THS 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 THS 17:55 E! News 18:55 Kourtney And Kim Take New York 19:25 Kourtney And Kim Take New York 19:55 THS 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:25 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

00:15 00:40 01:30 02:20 03:10 04:00 04:50 05:40 06:30 08:00 08:25 09:15 10:55 11:45 12:35 13:25 14:15 15:05 15:55 16:20 16:45 17:10 18:00 19:40 20:30 21:20 22:10 23:00 23:50

Fantasy Factory Mantracker World Combat League Fantasy Factory Aiya TV Gumball 3000: 2008 Mantracker World Combat League iEX 2009 Quattro Events 2009 Summer Dew Tour 2010 BMX Megatour Final Fu X Games Heroes Fantasy Factory Mantracker World Combat League Final Fu X Games Heroes X Games Heroes Quattro Events 2009 Summer Dew Tour 2010 BMX Megatour X Games Heroes Fantasy Factory Fight Girls World Combat League Aiya TV Fantasy Factory

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:50 04:45 05:15 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 10:20 10:45 11:10 12:00 12:50 13:40 14:30 15:20 15:45 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:30 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40

The Haunted A Haunting I Was Murdered Couples Who Kill Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghosthunters The Haunted Mystery Diagnosis Forensic Detectives Undercover Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

I Was Murdered FBI Files On The Case With Paula Zahn Fugitive Strike Force Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

I Was Murdered Forensic Detectives Undercover FBI Files Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls On The Case With Paula Zahn Fugitive Strike Force Deadly Women The Prosecutors Dr G: Medical Examiner

00:00 Market Values 00:30 Market Values 01:00 Departures 02:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 03:00 By Any Means 04:00 Pressure Cook 04:30 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 05:00 Food Lovers Guide To Planet 05:30 Exploring The Vine 06:00 Market Values 06:30 Market Values 07:00 Departures 08:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 09:00 By Any Means 10:00 Pressure Cook 10:30 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 11:00 Food Lovers Guide To Planet 11:30 Exploring The Vine 12:00 Market Values 12:30 Market Values 13:00 Departures 14:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 15:00 By Any Means 16:00 Pressure Cook 16:30 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 17:00 Food Lovers Guide To Planet 17:30 Exploring The Vine 18:00 Market Values 18:30 Market Values 19:00 Departures 20:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 21:00 By Any Means 22:00 Pressure Cook 22:30 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 23:00 Food Lovers Guide To Planet 23:30 Exploring The Vine

The

08:00 Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne 08:30 Dharma And Greg 09:00 Just Shoot Me 09:30 Malcolm In The Middle 10:00 Yes Dear 10:30 Seinfeld 11:00 The Drew Carey Show 11:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:30 Dharma And Greg 13:00 Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne 13:30 Malcolm In The Middle 14:00 Yes Dear 14:30 30 Rock 15:00 Seinfeld 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 The Drew Carey Show 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Just Shoot Me 18:30 Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne 19:00 Melissa And Joey 19:30 30 Rock 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 The Big C 22:30 Entourage 23:00 South Park 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

The

The

The

00:00 Diary Of The Dead-18 02:00 Tears Of The Sun-18 04:00 Armored-18 06:00 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon-PG15 08:00 Annihilation Earth-PG15 10:00 Against The Ropes-PG15 12:00 Face Off-PG15 14:15 Annihilation Earth-PG15 16:00 Inkheart-PG 17:45 Face Off-PG15 20:00 Ninja Assassin-18 22:00 Saw VI-R

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 PG15 21:00 23:00

TWO LOVERS ON OSN CINEMA

Balibo-PG15 Car Babes-PG15 Jump Tomorrow-PG15 Rugrats Go Wild-FAM A Christmas Carol-PG Messengers-PG15 Preacher’s Kid-PG Harold-PG15 Messengers-PG15 The Sorcerer’s ApprenticeTwo Lovers-PG15 Shutter Island-18

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 South Park 02:00 The Cleveland Show 02:30 Entourage 03:00 Just Shoot Me 03:30 30 Rock 04:00 South Park 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Malcolm In The Middle 06:00 Yes Dear 06:30 The Drew Carey Show 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Private Practice The Glades The Ellen DeGeneres Show Grey’s Anatomy The View Good Morning America C.S.I. New York Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Martha Stewart Show The View Private Practice Grey’s Anatomy Live Good Morning America C.S.I. New York The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Glee Any Human Heart Game Of Thrones Boardwalk Empire C.S.I. New York

00:00 Cold Case 01:00 C.S.I. 02:00 The Glades 03:00 Private Practice 04:00 Grey’s Anatomy 05:00 The Closer 06:00 Cold Case 07:00 The Office 07:30 Coronation Street 08:00 Smallville 09:00 The Closer 10:00 Private Practice 11:00 Grey’s Anatomy 12:00 The Office 12:30 Coronation Street 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 14:00 Smallville 15:00 Cold Case 16:00 The New Adventures Of Old Christine 16:30 Coronation Street 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:00 Smallville 19:00 Glee 20:00 Any Human Heart 21:00 Game Of Thrones 22:00 C.S.I. 23:00 The Closer

01:00 Orphan-18 03:00 Armored-18 05:00 Bad Guys-18 07:00 Obsessed-PG15 09:00 Air Force One-PG15 11:00 Mortal Kombat-PG 13:00 Journey To The Center Of The Earth-PG 15:00 Air Force One-PG15 17:00 Armageddon-PG15 19:30 Surrogates-PG15 21:00 The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day-18 23:00 Basic Instinct 2-R

00:00 Man Of The House-PG15 02:00 Down And Out In Beverly Hills-PG15 04:00 Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian-PG15 06:00 Jack-PG15 08:00 Beauty And The BriefcasePG15 10:00 Martha Meet Frank, Daniel And Lawrence-PG15 12:00 Everything’s Gone GreenPG15 14:00 The Perfect Score-PG15 16:00 Man Of The House-PG15 18:00 Mafia!-PG15 20:00 Serial Mom-18 22:00 American Pie 7: The Book Of Love-18

01:00 Soul Food-18 03:00 The Last Station-PG15 05:00 Man In The Chair-PG15 07:00 Sugar-PG15 09:00 Witness: The Kidnapping Of Patty Hearst-PG15 11:00 Beneath The Blue-PG15 13:00 Witness To Waco-PG15 15:00 Georgia O’Keeffe-PG15 17:00 Bran Nue Dae-PG15 19:00 In The Electric Mist-PG15 21:00 Karma: Crime, Passion, Reincarnation-PG15 23:00 Sea Of Love-18

01:30 03:30 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 PG15 21:00 23:00

Garage Days-18 Aliens In The Attic-FAM That Thing You Do!-PG Coco Before Chanel-PG15 Flicka 2-PG15 Love Happens-PG15 Cars-PG The Invention Of Lying-PG15 Flicka 2-PG15 The Time Traveller’s WifeTwo Lovers-PG15 Agora-18

00:00 Groove Squad-FAM 02:00 Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths-PG 04:00 Globehunters-FAM 06:00 Monsters Inc-FAM 08:00 Kung Fu Magoo-FAM 10:00 Groove Squad-FAM 12:00 Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs-FAM 14:00 Monsters Inc-FAM 16:00 Columbus III: The New WorldPG 18:00 G-Force-PG 20:00 Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home-FAM 22:00 Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs-FAM

00:15 Greenberg-18 02:00 The Box-PG15 04:00 Morning Light-PG 06:00 Hey Hey Its Esther Blueburger-PG15 08:00 Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel-FAM 10:00 Little Nicholas-PG 12:00 The Box-PG15 14:00 Nanny Mcphee And The Big Bang-PG 16:00 Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel-FAM 18:00 Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief-PG15 20:00 Passing Strange-PG 22:15 Glorious 39-PG15

00:00 NRL Full Time 00:30 AFL Highlights 01:30 AFL Premiership 04:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 05:00 NRL Premiership 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 AFL Premiership 10:30 ICC Cricket World 11:00 World Hockey 11:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights

12:00 FEI Equestrain World 12:30 Weber Cup Bowling 13:30 Spirit of Yachting 14:00 Aviva Premiership 16:00 ICC Cricket World 16:30 Super 15 18:30 FEI Equestrain World 19:00 Golfing World 20:00 European Tour Weekly 20:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 21:00 Trans World Sport 22:00 AFL Highlights 23:00 European PGA Highlights

Tour

00:00 AFL Highlights 01:00 Super League 03:00 ICC Cricket World 03:30 Premier League Darts 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 09:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 09:30 NRL Premiership 11:30 ICC Cricket World 12:00 Spirit of Yachting 12:30 Weber Cup Bowling 13:30 Golfing World 14:30 AFL Premiership 17:00 FEI Equestrain World 17:30 NRL Full Time 18:00 Spirit of Yachting 18:30 AFL Highlights 19:30 European PGA Tour Highlights 20:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 21:00 Futbol Mundial 21:30 Scottish Premier League 23:30 ICC Cricket World

01:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Le Mans Series WWE Vintage Collection UAE National Race Day Series Iron Man V8 Supercars Championship V8 Supercars Championship Sports Adventure WWE NXT UAE National Race Day Series City Centre Races City Centre Races Superstock Powerboat Series Full Throttle V8 Supercars Championship V8 Supercars Championship WWE NXT WWE Bottom Line WWE Vintage Collection UFC Wired UFC Unleashed UFC The Ultimate Fighter

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:55 04:50 05:15 05:40 06:30 07:20 08:10 09:00 09:55 10:50 11:15 11:40 12:30 13:20 14:10 15:00 15:55 16:50 17:15 17:40 18:30 19:20 20:10 21:00 21:55 22:50 23:40

Life After People Conspiracy?

Modern Marvels Surviving History Modern Marvels Sliced Sliced Tales Of The Gun Life After People Conspiracy?

Modern Marvels Surviving History Modern Marvels Sliced Sliced Tales Of The Gun Life After People Conspiracy?

Modern Marvels Surviving History Modern Marvels Sliced Sliced Tales Of The Gun Life After People Conspiracy?

Modern Marvels Patton 360 Battles B.C. The Korean War Last Voices Of World War I

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

9-5-2011

Personal Trainer

ACCOMMODATION

Easy full-body stretch

Sharing accommodation available for a single executive Indian bachelor, near Al Rashid hospital, Salmiya.

Central A/C, new building, separate room. Rent KD 70.

Contact: 66251716, 99550578. (C 3238) 11-5-2011

Here is a series of simple stretches that can be done almost anywhere, in street clothes, to shake out the stiffness prolonged sitting can cause.

Reach and rotate

Stand straight, reach arms upward as high as possible; twist at waist to right, then to left; repeat three times

Shoulder rolls

Let arms hang at sides; roll shoulders up and back three times; then roll forward three times

A big furnished room available in Salmiya Al Thugaira street for decent couple or a lady. Contact: 66373409, 75618576.

Hamstring stretch Put leg on table or chair; bend other a little at knee; lean forward and stretch raised leg gently; hold 10 seconds; change sides

Available room for rent with sharing accommodation for Manglorean or Goan family. Opp Jabriya Bridge, near Al Bahar Comp.

Hawally.

Contact: 99247271. (C 3325) 10-5-2011

Quadriceps stretch Reach back and hold ankle; pull heel toward buttocks until you feel stretch in front of thigh; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bend forward; hold 10 seconds; change sides

Sharing accommodation available eďŹ&#x20AC;ective today for a non-smoking bachelor in a double bedroom ďŹ&#x201A;at in Amman street, Salmiya. Call 97199146. (C 3322)

Calf stretch Stand facing wall with one leg behind the other; keeping knees straight, lean toward wall until you feel stretch in calf; hold 5 to 10 seconds; change sides

Backwards bend

Š 2011 MCT

Put hands on hips, bend knees slightly; bend backward with shoulders; hold 5 to 10 seconds; relax; repeat 3 to 5 times

Graphic: Paul Trap

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FOR SALE Nissan PathďŹ nder, model 2003, well maintained, good condition, serious buyers please call 66457115. (C 3329) 11-5-2011 Toyota Prado 2005, white color, 6 Clr, full option, without sunroof, km 101,000, KD 4750. Mob: 65085629.

(C 3234) 9-5-2011

3

28/160, planning vacation May-June.

Contact: gegekutty@hotmail.com / palliyilus@yahoo.com (C 3314) 4-5-2011

MATRIMONIAL Proposals invited for postgraduate (MBA) Kuwait employed, Orthodox girl

SITUATION WANTED

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Engineering, subject of specializations: well drilling and completion, production technology, logging, geophysics, reservoir engineering, is looking for a suitable job. Please contact: 66204579, email: sonyjohnk@gmail.com (C 3327) 10-5-2011

An Indian male, bachelors degree in Petroleum

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Source: University of California-Los Angeles Office of Environment, Health and Safety

Room with kitchen bathroom for a family or working ladies, opposite Lulu Hyper Market, Shuwaikh, Central A/C, Indian or Sri Lankan only. Tel: 65152017.

(C 3321)

Sharing accommodation available in Abbassiya near United Indian school and Apsara bazaar with Keralite Christian family in a C-A/C new building with two bedroom, two bathroom.

Working ladies or couples preferred.

Contact: 67731613. (C 3320) 8-5-2011

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DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers to use seats Airlines JZR THY ETH ETH UAE DHX FDB GFA QTR JZR JZR JZR FCX JZR KAC BAW IRC KAC KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE QTR ABY IRA ETD GFA FCX MEA JZR IRM JZR RBG KAC MSR IRC UAL RJA FDB KAC

Flt 267 772 620 3718 853 370 67 211 138 529 207 503 201 555 412 157 6807 206 382 302 53 352 284 362 344 855 132 125 603 301 213 203 404 165 5066 561 3557 672 610 6791 982 640 57 802

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 11/5/2011 Route BEIRUT ISTANBUL ADDIS ABABA LIEGE DUBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA ASSIUT DAMASCUS LUXOR DUBAI ALEXANDRIA MANILA / BANGKOK LONDON SHIRAZ ISLAMABAD DELHI MUMBAI DUBAI COCHIN DHAKA COLOMBO CHENNAI DUBAI DOHA SHARJAH SHIRAZ ABU DHABI BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT DUBAI MASHAD SOHAG ALEXANDRIA DUBAI CAIRO MASHAD WASHINGTON DC DULLES AMMAN DUBAI CAIRO

Time 0:35 1:15 1:45 2:00 2:25 2:55 3:10 3:15 3:20 3:35 3:55 5:15 5:25 6:10 6:15 6:30 7:10 7:15 7:20 7:50 7:55 8:05 8:10 8:20 8:20 8:25 9:00 9:10 9:25 9:30 9:35 10:30 10:55 11:10 11:50 12:30 12:55 13:15 13:20 13:25 13:30 13:35 13:50 14:00

SVA CLX QTR JZR KNE MHK ETD UAE GFA SVA KNE JZR JZR ABY KAC JZR JZR ALK KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC AIC JAI FDB JZR OMA VOS MEA DHX UAE GFA QTR UAL JZR JZR DLH SAI AXB KLM PIA

500 792 134 201 701 711 303 857 215 510 745 777 239 127 550 481 177 227 166 542 618 786 614 674 774 102 975 572 61 787 647 81 402 372 859 217 136 981 135 185 636 441 393 447 215

JEDDAH LUXEMBOURG DOHA DAMASCUS RIYADH BAGHDAD / NAJAF ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH JEDDAH JEDDAH AMMAN SHARJAH SHARM EL SHEIKH / SOHAG SABIHA DUBAI COLOMBO / DUBAI PARIS / ROME CAIRO DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN DUBAI RIYADH NEW YORK / LONDON CHENNAI / GOA MUMBAI DUBAI RIYADH MUSCAT BAGHDAD BEIRUT BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI FRANKFURT LAHORE / KARACHI KOZHIKODE / COCHIN AMSTERDAM / BAHRAIN KARACHI

14:30 14:50 15:15 15:45 16:00 16:20 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:20 17:20 17:25 17:35 17:40 17:45 17:50 18:00 18:00 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:00 19:20 19:25 19:25 19:25 19:30 19:35 20:00 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:15 21:00 21:15 21:25 21:35 22:00 22:10 22:35 23:00 23:05 23:15 23:35 23:55

Departur AXB DLH BBC AIC PIA THY ETH UAE FDB DHX ETH QTR JZR JZR GFA KAC VOS IRC BAW FDB KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY KAC QTR JZR ETD GFA JZR IRA FCX MEA JZR KAC JZR KAC IRM KAC RBG JZR MSR IRC

Depurture Flights on Wednesday 11/5/2011 Flt Route 390 MANGALORE / KOZHIKODE 637 FRANKFURT 46 DHAKA 982 AHMEDABAD / CHENNAI 206 LAHORE 773 ISTANBUL 620 BAHRAIN / ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 3718 HONG KONG 139 DOHA 560 SOHAG 164 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 801 CAIRO 94 DUBAI / KANDAHAR 6963 TEHRAN 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 177 FRANKFURT / GENEVA 671 DUBAI 117 NEW YORK 856 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 549 SHARM EL SHEIKH / SOHAG 133 DOHA 480 SABIHA 302 ABU DHABI 214 BAHRAIN 200 DAMASCUS 602 SHIRAZ 204 DUBAI 405 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 541 CAIRO 238 AMMAN 103 LONDON 5065 MASHAD 785 JEDDAH 3558 SOHAG / ALEXANDRIA 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 6792 MASHAD

Time 0:25 0:40 1:00 1:05 1:10 2:15 2:30 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:00 5:00 5:55 6:55 7:10 7:20 8:00 8:10 8:25 8:40 8:55 9:00 9:05 9:40 9:50 9:55 10:00 10:05 10:15 10:20 10:20 10:25 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:00 12:10 12:30 13:20 13:30 13:35 13:40 14:20 14:25

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

RJA FDB UAL KAC KAC SVA KAC QTR CLX KAC JZR KNE MHK ETD UAE KNE GFA ABY JZR JZR SVA JZR ALK JZR KAC KAC JAI FDB KAC KAC OMA MEA DHX UAE GFA FCX KAC QTR KAC KAC JZR JZR UAL KAC SAI

641 58 982 673 617 503 773 135 792 613 786 704 712 304 858 746 216 128 184 266 511 204 228 134 283 361 571 62 331 351 648 403 373 860 218 102 381 137 301 205 502 554 981 415 442

AMMAN DUBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI DOHA MEDINAH / JEDDAH RIYADH DOHA HONG KONG BAHRAIN RIYADH MEDINAH NAJAF / BAGHDAD ABU DHABI DUBAI JEDDAH BAHRAIN SHARJAH DUBAI BEIRUT RIYADH DAMASCUS DUBAI / COLOMBO BAHRAIN DHAKA COLOMBO MUMBAI DUBAI TRIVANDRUM COCHIN MUSCAT BEIRUT BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DELHI DOHA MUMBAI ISLAMABAD LUXOR ALEXANDRIA WASHINGTON DC DULLES KUALA LUMPUR / JAKARTA LAHORE

14:30 14:35 14:45 15:10 15:35 15:45 16:05 16:15 16:20 16:20 16:35 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:05 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:55 19:10 19:10 20:00 20:20 20:35 20:40 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 22:00 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:55 23:05 23:10 23:40 23:50 23:59

34

star CROSSWORD 314

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

s

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) You are productive and work well with others. Your management and directional abilities are in high focus. Your inner resources and emotions are accented. Expect a sense of support and good will from those around you. Perhaps you feel this is really you—how you feel. You may find that you enjoy your job or the responsibility it entails more than usual. There is a strong sense of justice and fair play today when you help someone understand and uncover the real truth of a problem. Sometimes you can become sidetracked by meaningless matters, but today you seem to be tuned in to most of the situations around you. This is a time to consolidate your friendships—strengthening them. Spending time with close, old friends is advisable now.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You may find yourself acting impulsively and spontaneously.

You could act first and think about what you have done later.

Rushing in where others fear to tread seems to be the mode of this day. This is attention-getting behavior. You could provoke a response from your surroundings and from others. There is something essential that causes something else to happen—a reaction or response. It is about time someone took the initiative to set out a plan or make a suggestion—others have not dared to speak. You make great headway in the workplace for yourself and your co-workers. You want something more imaginative and less mundane. You could receive unexpected help or support from those around you, especially someone younger.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. Thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and Pipturus albidus.

5. State in northeastern India.

10. A condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders.

13. South American armadillo with three bands of bony plates.

14. Indicated by necessary connotation though not expressed directly.

15. The month following February and preceding April.

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

17. A coenzyme derived from the B vitamin nicotinic acid.

19. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

21. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC).

22. The United Nations agency concerned with atomic energy.

25. The seventh month of the Moslem calendar.

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

35. 10 grams.

36. A desert in central Asia.

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

43. Spicy sauce of tomatoes and onions and chili peppers to accompany Mexican foods.

46. Wanted intensely.

50. One of two alternative forms of a genes that can have the same locus on homologous chromosomes and are responsible for alternative traits.

51. Port city on southern Honshu on Osaka Bay. 52. A game in which numbered balls are drawn and random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards.

56. Resonance of protons to radiation in a magnetic field.

57. Beyond or deviating from the usual or expected.

58. Covered with scabs.

60. An audiotape recording of sound.

61. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet.

62. Of or relating to or near the tarsus of the foot.

63. The part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands.

DOWN 1. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh.

2. Someone who copies the words or behavior of another.

3. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liver cells.

4. A peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

5. A highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series).

6. The capital and largest city of Yemen.

7. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

8. An officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer.

9. A unit of weight equivalent to 1000 kilograms.

10. A woman hired to suckle a child of someone else.

11. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

12. Lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise.

18. (Greek mythology) Goddess of the earth and mother of Cronus and the Titans in ancient mythology.

20. A light strong brittle gray toxic bivalent metallic element.

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

24. A federal agency established to regulate the release of new foods and health-related products.

26. A dark-skinned member of a race of people living in Australia when Europeans arrived.

27. A sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow).

28. A sharp projection on an edge or surface.

29. Fiddler crabs.

30. An agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank.

31. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

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

34. A sudden numbing dread.

37. Realistic Norwegian author who wrote plays on social and political themes (1828-1906).

38. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element.

39. South African term for `boss'.

41. A town in central Belgium.

42. The monovalent organic group C3H7- obtained from propane.

44. A member of the people inhabiting the Aleutian Islands and western Alaska.

45. Wild or domesticated South American cud-chewing animal related to camels but smaller and lacking a hump.

47. Any of numerous showy orchids of the genus Vanda having many large flowers in loose racemes.

48. Swedish oceanographer who recognized the role of the Coriolis effect on ocean currents (1874-1954).

49. A game in which darts are thrown at a dartboard.

53. Any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue.

54. The compass point that is one point south of due east.

55. A master's degree in business.

59. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) You cherish personal freedom and may have the urge to go exploring during your lunch hour. You may come across a superb investment idea. Channel your energies in the direction of completing the uncompleted. You have a great desire to understand the motivations and actions of your friends or co-workers and will be motivated to help another through giving advice.

You possess a penetrating mind that will attempt to sway others to more positive ways of thinking. Your analytical powers are superb and you will enjoy looking for new avenues of inner growth. This is a nice day that should just flow along. In particular, this afternoon you will do well in activities that include children, young people and your home and surroundings.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

You may spend a great deal of time designing and thinking about ways in which to beautify your surroundings. This may include work as well as home just now. Perhaps you could add a few plants around the office where you work—oxygen is a good thing. You could base many of your decisions on hunches. You are in touch with your own convictions and the beliefs of your friends. You accept others for who they truly are and can gain the confidence of most anyone. The power of attraction and desire for love is great this evening, but you should exercise caution before entering a new relationship just now. Also, you may be inclined to physical activities, like sports, especially with the opposite sex. Try working together in some fun activity.

Leo (July 23-August 22) There is a tendency to be too strict with your performance in the workplace as well as on the home front. You often may feel that whatever does not contribute to security and other long-term goals is trivial. Your ambition is intensified. There is excitement today because of an opportunity to meet interesting people through unusual means. Take everything that comes to you today and look on the bright side. This is a good time to practice discretion with any romantic advances. Your relationships with others, especially women, will be more harmonious. This is a good time to effect subtle changes in your social life. You have deep feelings and sympathies for others. You may go out of your way to understand a friend or relative now.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You are very communicative today—not just a little curious.

You enjoy talking, speaking or writing and can teach as well. Study, research and investigations of all kinds appeal to you. You are always searching for some kind of answer. Your mind is active and you could be testing and searching for limits. There is something essential that starts or causes something else to happen today. You are lightening fast when it comes to the business deal or business transaction. You seem to have direct insight into what is worthwhile in a situation. You have ways of cutting to the important parts of a situation. You seem to know what others may want or need—perhaps the customer. You can make a career out of your keen organizational skills at this time.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) This is a day in which you will enjoy positive energy all around you. Conference meetings are upbeat and many things are accomplished. With all this going for you and the people around you, you may feel comfortable and right with the world. The next project worth considering just now is better advertising. This may mean you carry through with a business product promotion. Your ideas are traditional and can be quite successful.

There is a passion for details, with the desire to do just the right thing this afternoon. You have a burning desire to have a place for everything and everything in its place. This can be hard on the digestive system if taken to extreme! Close relationships take on more emotional depth, now.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) A frustrating morning smoothes out quite nicely as you take control and direct events. This may mean that a co-worker is out for the day and someone is waiting for the co-worker’s signature or directions. You do, however, have universal energies working in your favor now so that if you hold your thoughts before you speak, focus and harmony can be easily realized.

You could be in the spotlight at work because of your accomplishments. A humble attitude will help you win friends and influence people. Any form of communication, including your vehicle, should get special attention today. Telephone conversations and computer transactions may be a bit slow for now. List making will help to keep you on-target all day long.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Yesterday’s Solution

This is a very important day with lots of action. You are very focused and attentive in all the appropriate places. Not to worry, you will see the positive results of your actions soon enough. You have lots of physical energy this afternoon and it would be a good time to involve yourself with some fun activity with young people. Being outdoors can be most stimulating at this time of year. This evening you may find your thoughts turn to self-improvement. You may search long and hard to find clever ways in which to improve on something you do or something you feel needs changing. Faith and your abilities will take you far. There is some entertainment coming to your town that you think your friends might enjoy and you hurry to spread the news.

You are at your most practical when it comes to working with others. You develop a knack for organizing things and people, as a sense of ambition takes hold. Work and achieving your professional goals mean a lot to you now. Others enjoy hearing your viewpoint, especially when you take the time to explain the reason for your insights. Because you are so intelligent, it is difficult for you to be patient with others when they seem to be on a different page than you. You have the ability to inspire and lead others through your attitude and your actions. Surprises in a personal relationship may tax your ability to be gracious. Create as many peaceful distractions as possible—you will be ready to listen at the right time. Try to see from a distance.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Administrative ability comes easily this morning and you are able to help coordinate people and events. This may mean you are now head caterer or you have decided to be on an entertainment committee, etc. You are able to influence and guide others in matters of importance; this could mean a dance contest. You may seek guidance with regard to your own work from higher-ups. Do not be afraid to ask questions today. Others value you for your ability to make practical decisions, but there is no disgrace in learning more by asking questions. You may glean new techniques from your co-workers as well as those you might consider under you. A great person shows their greatness by the way they treat others. This afternoon you enjoy young people.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

Being more closely involved with another person may well become your highest priority. Contracts and partnerships are seen as keys to success and they have plenty of lessons to teach you. This afternoon your mood may fluctuate as much as the weather. It would not be a good time to make any concrete decisions about a relationship or a business deal. It may not be possible for you to penetrate to anything remotely meaningful just now. Perhaps there is a sense of the artificial, the repetitive and the senseless.

Careful—you could be fooled. Your friends may keep you busy this afternoon and through this interaction you may find your spirits boosted. You may exercise your own bright and witty sense of humor tonight with a loved one.

A

y

e niv rsar n

Years

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

i n f o r m at i o n

FIRE BRIGADE STATE ST TAT TE OF K KUWAIT KUW WAIT A

112 Ministry of Interior

For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128

WWW.MET.GOV.KW WWW .MET.GOV V..KW W

BY Y DAY: DA AY:

Hot with wiith light to moderate north easterly eaasterly becoming south easterly easteerly wind, with speed of 15 - 38 km/h

BY Y NIGHT: NIGHT:

wiith light to moderate south easterly e with speed of 12 - 35 km/h Fair with to southerly wind, with

No Current W Warnings aarnings

WARNING W A ARNING STATION ST TAT TION

Hospitals 24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Ext.: 262 2627 27 - 2630

Fax: 24348714

Expected Weather Weather for the Next 24 4 Hours

website: www.moi.gov.kw

Sabah Hospital

Tel.: T el.: e 161

DIRECTORA DIRECTORATE ATE T GENERAL GENE ERAL OF CIVIL A AVIATION V VIA ATION T METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT D PARTMENT DEP A

22 °C

SALMI

37 °C

22 °C

ABDAL LY ABDALY

40 °C

23 °C

39 °C

22 °C

SFC. CHART CHART

10/05/2011 10/05/2011 0000 UTC

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

Rabiya

4732263

Roudha

22517733

Adhaliya

22517144

DAY DA AY

DA DATE ATE T

WEA WEATHER ATHER T

Khaldiya

24848075

Wednesday W eednesday

11/05 11/05

Keifan

24849807

Thursday

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salim

22549134

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Fajr

03:31

MAX. Temp.

MA AX. T emp.

39 °C

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Sunrise S i

04 59 04:59

MIIN. IN T emp.

MIN. Temp.

27 °C

Al-Khadissiya

22515088

Zuhr

11:44 11:44

MAX. RH M

32 %

Dasmah

22532265

Asr

15:20

M MIN. RH

13 %

Bneid Al-Ghar

22531908

Sunset

18:30

MAX. Wind MA AX. W ind i

N 50 km/h

19:55

T OT TAL AL RAINFALL RAIINF FALL A L IN 24 HR. TOTAL

Al-Shaab

22518752

Al-Kibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

Al-Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Firdous

24892674

Al-Omariya

24719048

N.Kheitan

24710044

Fintas

3900322

23980088

39 °C

26 °C

24884079

Ahmadi

WAFRA W A AFRA

37 °C

Al-Ardhiya

24316983

25616368

WARBA W A ARBA A - BUBYAN BUBY YAN A

24311795

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

Al-Salmiya

26 °C

North Jleeb

23927002

25 °C C

30 °C

24775992

Al-Fahaheel

36 °C C

UMM AL-MARADEM M

24775066

24316983

NUWAISEEB NUW WAISEEB A

24874330/9

North Jahra

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

25610011

Physiotherapy Hospital

South Jahra

Al-Farwaniya

Al-Jahra

26 °C

24772608

22545051

27 °C

34 °C

West Jahra

Al-Fayhaa

38 °C

PORT AHMADI POR RT

24575755

22434853

KUWAIT KUW WAIT A AIRPORT AIRPOR RT

24846000

New Jahra

Al-Helaly

23262845

Al-Razi Hospital

24770319

24742838

23711183

26 °C

Jahra

Sabhan

Al-Shuaiba

37 °C

24810221

22545171

Al-Mangaf

FAILAKA F A AILAKA

Sabah

24810598

Al-Nuzha

26 °C

24840300

25381200

Al-Shuwaikh

36 °C

Ibn Sina Hospital

22630786

22545171

KUWAIT KUW WAIT A CITY

23940620

W.Hawally

Al-Shohada’a

MIN.. REC.

Adan Hospital

Mishref

22418714

MAX. EXP. EXP P.

ALIYAH JAL ALIY YAH A

Clinics

Al-Madena

4 DAYS DA AYS Y FORECAST T emperratures Temperatures MAX.

MIN.

Wind Direction Direction Wind

W Wind ind Speed

hot + scattered clouds clo ouds

40 °C

28 °C

S-SE

15 - 35 km/h

12/05

hot

40 °C

29 °C

NW-N NW-N

12 - 35 km/h

Friday

13/05

clo ouds hot + scattered clouds

41 °C

29 °C

NE-SE

12 - 32 km/h

Saturday

14/05

scatttered rain clouds to increase + scattered

41 °C

29 °C

NE-SE

08 - 28 km/h

22434064 22435865 22544200 22547133 22515277 22616662 25714406 22530801

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION

PRAYER PR RA AYER Y TIMES

RECORDED D YESTERDAY YESTERDA AY AT AT KUWAIT KUW WAIT A T AIRPORT AIRPORT

Isha All i

l

l i

l

h

i

about the Civil ID card is 1889988

00 mm

10/05/11 10/05/1 1 02 49 UTC

d

Automated enquiry

V1 00

T1 06

PHARMACIES

AIRLINES

ON 24 HRS DUTY GOVERNORATE

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ADDRESS

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Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

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 Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

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PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 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-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

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22547272

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Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

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25625030/60

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23729596/23729581

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22635047

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INTERNATIONAL CALLS

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist 25340300

25710444

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22621099

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25713514

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23713100

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24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

Dr Anil Thomas

3729596/3729581 22641071/2

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Salem soso

22618787

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22619557

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22525888

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22610044

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

Neurologists

Dr. Adnan Ebil

22639939

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Mousa Khadada

22666300

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists

25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291 22666288

Rheumatologists:

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

Dentists

Internists, Chest & Heart

25339330

25655535

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

General Surgeons

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Ph.D. 2290-1677 Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg, M.A. 2290-1677

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 Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

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0093 00355 00213 00376 00244 001264 001268 0054 00374 0061 0043 001242 00973 00880 001246 00375 0032 00501 00229 001441 00975 00591 00387 00267 0055 00673 00359 00226 00257 00855 00237 001 00238 001345

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 11\, 2011

lifest yle G o s s i p

licia Silverstone has named her new baby Bear Blu. The 34-year-old actress and her husband Christopher Jarecki, 40, welcomed their first child into the world on May 5, and her spokesperson has no confirmed the name of the tot, also revealing he weighed in at 7lbs 15oz. The representative added: “Mom and Dad are completely in love with their beautiful baby boy.” It has been reported that the actress had a water birth at an unspecified Los Angeles medical facility, but has already returned home with her son. Before getting pregnant, Alicia made no secret of her desire to have a baby, and admitted wearing a

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pregnancy fat suit for her part in the critically acclaimed Broadway play ‘Time Stands Still’ made her even more broody. She previously said: “Wearing a pregnancy suit was so much fun. I loved the feeling of pretending to be pregnant and having little arms and legs and this big belly.

“I’ve been wanting to have a baby since I was two years old - I’m destined to be a mother.” The ‘Clueless’ star and Christopher wed in June 2005 on the shores of Lake Tahoe, California, after dating for eight years.

hitney Houston is seeking help for drug and alcohol problems. The 47-year-old singer - who has a history of substance abuse issues - voluntarily entered an out-patient rehab program around 10 days ago, her spokesperson has confirmed. The representative told People.com: “Whitney Houston is currently in an out-patient rehab program for drug and alcohol treatment. “Whitney voluntarily entered the program to support her long-standing recovery process.” Angela Bassett revealed earlier today that she and Whitney - who hasn’t appeared in a film since ‘The Preacher’s Wife’ in 1996 - are to work together again on a sequel to 1995 movie ‘Waiting To Exhale’ and it is believed the singer sought treatment prior to relaunching her big screen career. A source told website TMZ: “She’s cleansing herself to get ready for a new movie.”

According to the website, the treatment program allows Whitney - who was pictured at a Prince concert last weekend - to go out in public as long as she has a monitor. In 2009, Whitney confessed to being a cocaine addict herself in TV interview with Oprah Winfrey and admitted her and her exhusband Bobby Brown’s drug use spiraled out of control after she starred in hit movie ‘The Bodyguard’ in 1992. She said: “Me and Bobby were lacing our marijuana with base. We would buy a kilo. We were not pipe smoking. “You roll it up and you smoke it in your weed. It’s almost like heroin cocaine speedballs but you level it off with marijuana.” Earlier this year, Whitney and Bobby’s daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18, was accused of being a cocaine addict by a former boyfriend but denied his claims.

elly Brook has been left “devastated” after suffering a miscarriage. The 31year-old model-and-actress - who was almost five months pregnant with her and Thom Evans’ first child - was rushed to hospital late last week but doctors were unable to save the baby girl. Her spokesperson said: “I can confirm that Kelly and Thom have very sadly lost their baby. “They request that everyone please respects their privacy at this very painful time. There will be no further comment.” Kelly is currently at home with Thom and her mother Sandra after asking friends to give her time and space to grieve.

One pal told the MailOnline website: “Kelly is understandably devastated, she’s at home and she’s being looked after by Thom and her mum Sandra. “There’s nothing you can

K

Jones hid her struggle from husband atherine Zeta Jones hid her struggle with depression from Michael Douglas. The 41year-old beauty recently underwent treatment for Bipolar II disorder - which was triggered by her 66-year-old husband’s battle with throat cancer - but the ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps’ actor says his wife managed to conceal his condition from him for a long time before she sought help. He said: “It’s hard for your wife to say ‘I’m depressed’, you know. “It’s probably been going on for a while. But I wasn’t really aware of it. You know Catherine and Brits in general - Catherine is Welsh, you never see them in a bad spirits right? They always give the stiff upper lip, carry on and this and that. “I’m really proud of her. There are some great medications out there now for people, it’s an issue that affects a lot of people.” While Catherine has now returned to work, Michael - who was given the all-clear from cancer in January following six months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment - admitted their children Dylan, 10, and eight-year-old Carys do not know about their mother’s condition because it came so soon after their father’s illness.

He said on US TV talk show ‘The View’: “No, they don’t know yet. We gotta give them a chance, they’re just getting over the other issues. “Of course the hardest part is not the kids at the school, it’s the parents of the kids, you never know how much they’re sharing with their children.” Michael has had

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indsay Lohan was “very professional” on the first day of her community service. The troubled actress - who began her 360 hours of courtordered work on Friday- delighted staff at Los Angeles Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) with her positive attitude and caring display towards the homeless people at the facility. A source told RadarOnline.com: “Staffers didn’t know what to expect, but Lindsay showed up and was thoroughly engaged during the day. “Lindsay was truly humbled.

Staffers had her sort through donations and talk to the clients. Lindsay was especially moved by the children of these homeless women.” Despite her celebrity status, 24-year-old Lindsay - who was ordered to work at the facility as part of a 480 hour community service sentence handed to her last month for breaking the terms of her 2007 probation after she was recently charged with stealing a necklace from a Californian boutique - insisted on no special treatment and was happy to undertake the tasks she was given. The insider added: “Some people want to get their hours

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a tumultuous year in which he has seen eldest son Cameron imprisoned on drugs charges and his exwife Diandra launch legal action in a bid to gain a percentage of his salary from recent movie ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps’ and the actor believes his difficulties are “karma” for his previous good fortune. He said: “It’s been a long year-and-a-half. Life had been good to me for a really, really long time and I was thinking I’m going to get hit by a truck, it’s been too good. “So this karma in the last year and a half has kind of balanced things out, so I feel pretty good for the future.” “I joke about it but in the last year-and-a-half my oldest son got incarcerated, sent to federal prison, my ex-wife sued me, I got cancer.”

say to anyone at a time like this - she just needs to be allowed some time alone to grieve.” The ‘Piranha 3D’ star - who fell pregnant shortly after she started dating Thom is said to be “inconsolable” over her loss. A source told The Sun: “Kelly is absolutely devastated. “The baby wasn’t planned but she was thrilled and it would have been the best loved little girl in all the world. “She has always wanted children and a family and although she hasn’t been with Thom long they were so excited about becoming parents. “Now all those dreams are shattered and poor Kelly is inconsolable. Thom is being a tower of strength to her but he’s grieving too.”

enelope Cruz stays in shape by dancing for four hours a day. The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ star - who gave birth to her first child, son Leo, in January - keeps her petite figure with daily dance workouts she learned while training to be a ballerina. She said: “I love ballet and I love dancing and it’s a little boring for me to go to the gym because I’m used to the dancing discipline - it’s really hard but much more fun.”

Spanish born Penelope also credits Mediterranean cooking with keeping her weight under control and says she gets home to Madrid as much as she can. She explained to the Daily Mirror newspaper: “Spain is my country and Madrid is my city and I love living there. My family and friends are all there so that’s my place. I love Spanish food. My diet is the Mediterranean diet, which is good food. I eat well but I try to eat healthy.” However, Penelope doesn’t deny herself a treat every now and then and has previously admitted stopping off for a burger on her way to an awards ceremony. She said: “I ate an In-N-Out burger and then I went to the red carpet. What’s so surprising about that? I do it, like, once a week or once every two weeks. It’s my little treat for myself. I love the Double-Double with fries.”

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Cruz’s dance workouts

Houston seeks help for drug problem

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done with as little effort as possible. “This doesn’t seem to be the case with Lindsay. The women were initially excited to meet Lindsay because she is a celebrity, but that wore off very quickly and Lindsay has made it clear to everyone that she doesn’t expect nor want any special treatment.” As well as 360 hours at the homeless shelter, the ‘Machete’ actress has also been ordered to undergo 120 hours of janitorial work at the Los Angeles County Morgue. She was also sentenced to 120 days in prison, which she has been bailed from.

he 68-year-old musician proposed to girlfriend Nancy Shevell earlier this month with a $650,000 ring but the American heiress - who has been in a relationship with the singer for four years - insists they will not be having a lavish wedding. She said: “It will be small. Just our families. I don’t know the exact date. And don’t ask what I’ll wear because how dressy do you get to stand before a Justice of the Peace in his chambers, which is exactly what we’re going to do.” Nancy also revealed Paul’s “surprise” proposal took place in California and she was thrilled with the five carat ring he presented her with. She described the band, saying: “A vintage 1925 Cartier engagement solitaire diamond from Tate Galleries,” Nancy - who said the nuptials will take place “soon” - admitted she would prefer to remain in New York, where she

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is vice president for her family’s transport conglomerate, but she will relocate to her fiance’s native England and make regular trips back to the US. She told the New York Post newspaper: “I’d love to live here but it’s probably England. I still have a job here so I’ll commute once a month.” The wedding will be ‘Yesterday’ hitmaker Paul’s third, after he was married to Linda McCartney from 1969 until her death from breast cancer in 1998 and then to former model Heather Mills from 2002. Although he didn’t officially divorce Heather until 2008, they separated in 2006. Nancy has been married once before, to Bruce Blakeman. The 51-year-old businesswoman is also said to have been a big hit with the ‘Drive my Car’ singer’s five children, Heather, 48, Mary, 41, Stella, 39, James, 33, and Beatrice, seven.— Bang Showbiz

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

lifestyle Music & Movies

Glammed-up Grace Potter makes a star turn G

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.

They are also planning their own festival, Grand Point North, in Burlington, Vt. “It’s exciting. We’ve been planting seeds for about eight years,” said drummer Matt Burr. “It was the perfect storm of songs getting better and touring more and more and more. ... Everything kind of really hit perfectly.” Potter, from Waitsfield, Vt , met Burr and fellow guitarist Scott Tournet when she was a college student and working on her first album, 2004’s “Original Soul.”

Burr remembers the first time he heard Potter sing.

She was at a coffee house, and she played an original tune: “Apologies.” “I saw her play it at an open mic, I was one of many who was in attendance with my jaw on the floor,” said Burr. He and Tournet quickly signed on to work with Potter, appearing on her album, and a year later, they released their first album as Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, “Nothing but the Water.” Back then, Potter had many of the same qualities that make her so refreshing today: a husky, soulful voice, a deft skill as a keyboardist, good looks and a spark during her performances. But she was a brunette, more apt to wear jeans and a T-shirt during a performance, in contrast to her model-like persona today.

As the female leader of a band, Potter was unusual.

She recalls when she’d be mistaken as the manager of the band, or one of their girlfriends. So she resisted dressing in feminine gear, though she was a fashionista at heart. She also felt pressure to prove herself as a female musician.

“I worked extremely hard at my craft and at being a good songwriter, being a good guitar player, being a good organist because I didn’t think people would take me seriously,” she says. “I was so focused on convincing people that I was one of the guys, so it was weird for me. ... It was tricky.” She no longer has those worries. These days, she looks like a cover girl with her sleek tresses, sexy outfits and stilettos (she even wears them during sound checks). Not everyone is happy with her transformation. Some point to old photographs of a dark-haired Potter dressed in flannel and jeans and wonder if she made a calculated move to change her look for more attention.

Changing her look was calculated - but not for more mainstream appeal. Potter says it was the culmination of the band’s ramped-up new sound - and her

n Atlanta-area woman is suing music producer Jermaine Dupri over missed child support payments after a judge recently ordered him to pay her. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Margaret Dorsey told the Grammywinning producer in March to pay $2,500 a month and an additional $7,500 to Sarai Jones, based on the results of a paternity test. Jones’ attorney, Randy Kessler, said Jones hopes that she and Dupri “can work

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Pacino plays mentor to ‘Dapper Don’ in Gotti film Singer Justin Bieber arrives at the Manila International Airport yesterday. Bieber is in Manila for his ‘My World Tour:’ Concert. — AFP

ustin Bieber says “CSI” star Marg Helgenberger is “kinda lame” for calling him “a brat” in a recent interview. The teen idol took to Twitter Monday to scold the actress for her comments and to deflect a separate report about his alleged misbehavior on a Qantas flight. Helgenberger was widely quoted during the weekend as saying that Bieber, who appeared on two episodes of the long-running crime show, acted inappropriately on set.

“I shouldn’t be saying this but he was kind of a brat,” she told French radio network Europe 1. “He was very nice to me. But he locked one of the producers in a closet and he put his fist through a cake that was on the cast’s table.” Bieber replied, via Twitter: “It’s kinda lame when someone you met briefly and never worked with comments on you. I will continue to wish them luck and be kind.” A publicist for Helgenberger did not reply to an email seeking comment. And on another subject, Bieber questioned the newsworthiness of a minor incident during his recent tour in Australia.

Local media said a flight attendant ordered Bieber to return to his seat after he strolled down the aisle as the plane was preparing to take off.

Australia’s SkyNews reported that she told him that “his behavior was a security risk and that he had been acting like a child and would therefore be treated like one.” Commented Bieber: “She was right and I sat down. That’s news?” He added: “I know who I am and sometimes people are just going to say what they want. Keep your head up and be the man your mama raised.”

(Reuters has edited the spelling.)

Justin Bieber is 17. — Reuters

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l Pacino is telling a new mob family story, joining John Travolta for the crime saga “Gotti: Three Generations.” Pacino will play Gambino crime family underboss Neil Dellacroce, an associate and mentor to John Gotti Sr (Travolta). “Gotti” reunites Pacino with the film’s director, Barry Levinson, who directed the actor in last year’s TV movie “You Don’t Know Jack.” Pacino won an Emmy for the role as Dr Jack Kevorkian.

Levinson also was a producer on Pacino’s crime drama “Donnie Brasco” and co-wrote his court saga “... And Justice for All.” Fiore Films, an independent production company produced “Gotti,” made the casting announcement yesterday in Cannes, where the 64th Cannes Film Festival opens a day later. — AP

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Al Pacino arrives at the HBO Emmy party in West Hollywood.

new attitude. She is more determined to give her stage show everything - including strapping on high heels and learning to play the guitar. “It wasn’t just, ‘Hey I wanna dress up cute now,’ it really was from the bottom up a sense of production. Just like you would spend time making the lights perfect onstage, or the backdrop perfect onstage, what we put on our bodies needs to reflect the music, so the fashion has been a really fun new part of the production of the show because it is a show,” she says.

“It naturally happened, which was so great. We went from wearing flannels and mud boots but flicking the switch and really amping it up,” says Burr. “It’s healthy to change and grow. ... She just naturally sort of progressed into the best sense of the word diva.”

Part of Potter’s revitalization came as the band was at a crossroads two years ago. Her bass player had left, and Potter set out to record a solo record with renowned producer T Bone Burnett.

The band was thinking about going on hiatus, but instead, starting working on new music while on the road with two new members: bassist Catherine Popper and rhythm guitarist Benny Yurco. “I didn’t realize how much sonic change was going to be in that until I saw

together to co-parent their beautiful baby girl,” who is 7 months old. Dupri’s lawyer, James Kane, declined to comment. The lawsuit was filed at a time when Dupri is facing financial troubles. His mansion was up for foreclosure and set to be auctioned last week, but the sale was canceled at the last minute.

WSB-TV obtained records from the Georgia Department of Revenue, saying that Dupri owes the state more than

it, until I heard it on the records, and as we started playing music together, the musicality really did improve dramatically,” Potter says.

Their record label urged them to go into the studio with their new rocking sound, so she put the Burnett album in the vault. The Nocturnals’ third album continues to gain steam as it reaches the one-year mark, and Potter’s glow gets more luminous. Despite all her success, she still has a few naysayers. When she met one of her childhood idols, she was a bit dismayed when the female singer-songwriter started questioning Potter’s look.

“This whole sexy thing you’re doing, I mean - you can’t keep it up, you can’t do that forever. Don’t you want to be taken seriously as a songwriter?” Potter remembers the woman asking her. “‘How do think you’re going to do this when you’re 50 and you’re still trying to be in the mini-dresses?’” Potter didn’t skip a beat with her retort. “I’m like, ‘What the (expletive) do you think Beyonce’s going to be doing, tell me that?

Because she’s got it going on!’”— AP

File photo shows musician Grace Potter, center, from the band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, posing for a portrait with her band, background from left, Catherine Popper, Scott Tournet, Matt Burr, and Benny Yurco in Los Angeles. — AP

$493,000 in back taxes for 2007. Based off his 2006 income, Forbes.com said Dupri was one of hip-hop’s top earners, taking home $12 million. Dupri has produced hits for artists including Usher and Mariah Carey, and had a seven-year relationship with R&B singer Janet Jackson that ended a couple of years ago. He lives in the Atlanta area.—AP

Jermaine Dupri

race Potter is in the middle of an electrifying concert with her band, the Nocturnals, performing retro-rock grooves from their breakthrough album, when she takes what seems like a surprising detour and launches into a Beyonce song. “Why don’t you love me? Tell me, baby, why don’t you love me?”

Potter howls as she does a rendition of the Beyonce jam so pitch-perfect she seems to have morphed into the diva.

She’s wearing a mini-dress and stiletto heels that Beyonce might rock, shaking her long blond hair from side to side. The only big difference between the two singers: Potter has a guitar strapped around her body.

It’s taken years for Potter to release her inner-Beyonce, but it’s a transformation that Potter felt was necessary if she and the Nocturnals were going to fully realize their rock ‘n’ roll dreams.

“I think part of my growing up and part of my improvement as a frontwoman was finally embracing that spirit and that animal instinct to own it up there,” says Potter, speaking backstage before the band’s recent capacity-crowd concert at New York City’s Irving Plaza. “It took a lot of years for me to get comfortable, strutting my stuff, dancing like a fool, having that sparkly dress on that says ‘here I am,’” she acknowledges. “Because in the beginning, I was scared - I was scared that I wasn’t going to be taken seriously.”

It’s hard not to take Potter seriously now. The band has had a breakthrough year since the release of their self-titled album last summer, and the 27-year-old Potter, as the Nocturnals’ sexy-glammed up frontwoman, is poised for her own star-making turn. “If you’re looking at female artists, there are very few emerging right now that do what she does,” says Rick Krim, VH1’s executive vice president, talent and music programming. “She’s got an amazing voice, and a great stage presence. She’s fun, she’s entertaining and she’s got a great personality. It’s a great package.”

VH1 picked the Nocturnals as one of the acts to watch last year, and promptly added them to its “VH1 Divas Salute the Troops” concert in December. The group’s performance of their sultry single “Paris (Ooh La La)” riveted the crowd; album sales increased 113 percent after the concert aired, VH1 said. This summer, the band’s profile will continue to rise. The Nocturnals are booked for major festivals this summer, including their first appearance on the main stage of the

Film party: Everybody comes to Cannes, or wants to he Cannes Film Festival is like Rick’s Cafe Americain, Humphrey Bogart’s nightclub in “Casablanca” about which one character proclaims, “Everybody comes to Rick’s.” For film professionals, entertainment journalists and even fans worldwide, Cannes is the place where everybody comes-or wishes they could-for 12 days each May. The 64th edition of Cannes, which starts today, is one of the world’s prime celebritywatching zones and a launching place for big and small films, among them Woody Allen’s opening-night premiere “Midnight in Paris,” featuring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Adrien Brody, Marion Cotillard and France’s first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Other highlights include a Saturday night special as Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz turn out for a Cannes screening of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” over the festival’s first weekend, followed

by Monday’s premiere of Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life,” starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn. Cannes gives all three films a last-second publicity blast as they head into commercial theaters during the festival or immediately after.

“With the star power of Johnny and Penelope, it’s just great to have them walk down that red carpet there,” said “Pirates” producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

“You have the world media there.

That’s the biggest boost for us, because if you open a picture in May and you want to go to London and all these other places to promote it, there’s nobody there. They’re all in Cannes. So that’s where you have to be.” The notoriously press-shy Malickwho has made only a handful of films in a nearly 40-year career, among them “Days of Heaven,” which earned him the Cannes directing prize in 1979 — is expected to skip most or all of the public appearances filmmakers usually make at the festival. “He chooses to live his life in a private way and just focus on the art,” said “Tree of Life” producer Dede Gardner.

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“One of the very great differences working with him above all else is his honesty. He endeavors to achieve that in everything he does. Every moment he creates between the actors, there’s a spontaneity that he insists upon, which is mesmerizing to watch.”

Cannes organizers caught criticism last year for a lackluster lineup, but they have made up for it this time with a promising schedule of 20 films competing for the top prize, the Palme d’Or. Past winners include Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita,” Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver,” Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now,” Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” and Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11.”

“Pirates” and “Midnight in Paris” screen out of competition, while “Tree of Life” is up for prizes against a field that features films from three past Palme d’Or winners. Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, twotime winners for 1999’s “Rosetta” and

2005’s “The Child,” return with their drama “The Kid with a Bike,” starring Cecile de France. Danish director Lars von Trier, the festival’s 2000 winner for “Dancer in the Dark,” is back with “Melancholia,” a drama with end-ofthe-world overtones starring Kirsten Dunst, Kiefer Sutherland and Charlotte Gainsbourg, who won the best-actress award at Cannes two years ago for von Trier’s “Antichrist.”

Italian actor-director Nanni Moretti, the 2001 winner for “The Son’s Room,” comes to Cannes again with the papal saga “We Have a Pope,” in which he co-stars with Michel Piccoli.—AP

In this film publicity image released by Disney, Johnny Depp, left, Penelope Cruz, right, and Ian McShane, background are shown in a scene from, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.’—AP

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Before the roads improved, daredevil surfers used to travel for days to reach big waves on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. These surfers are headed for relatively mild surf in Cahuita, on the country’s Caribbean side.

The slothful joys of Costa

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he Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is known for reggae music, Jamaican food and an edgy vibe that occasionally spills over into violence. To us, it sounded like an adventure to spice things up after a week on the more popular Pacific coast of this Central American country. In small towns a couple hours south of Puerto Limon, where Columbus docked for 17 days in 1502, my husband, David, and I found reggae music blasting out of bars and the best food we had tasted anywhere in the country.

But edginess? Not at all.

If anything, the Caribbean was a calmer, cooler version of Costa Rica’s Pacific side-and with a lot fewer people. Aside from a raccoon who kept getting too close-and who nipped another hiker’s finger while trying to grab her daypack-the Caribbean coast was all about being happy and lazy. “Do you see this smile? Everyone here has it, and it’s real!” enthused Pierre St-Jacques, a transplant from Quebec, Canada, who, with his wife, Marise Vincent, runs the Blue Conga Hotel in Puerto Viejo.

A two-toed sloth hangs from a bush at the Jaguar Rescue Center near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

When we arrived a few hours before check-in, Marise recommended we borrow the hotel’s bicycles for a 15-minute ride to the Jaguar Rescue Center. Ahhh. The slowness of the bicycles, the coolness of the air-and the slothfulness of the sloths at the Jaguar Rescue Center.

We had found our coast.

The Jaguar Rescue Center has no jaguars now, but was named after a baby jaguar that it tried unsuccessfully to rescue in 2007. Run by a European couple who started by collecting snakes, it quickly became a popular place to drop off all sorts of sick and injured animals. Snakes have never been a favorite for us, and we were kind of over monkeys by the time we got there. Cute as they are, monkeys can be like hungry raccoons-aggressive. On our first afternoon in a little rental cabin on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast a week earlier, a capuchin monkey had raided our kitchen for a banana. Mostly, it was hilariousuntil it brought friends, and they bared their teeth at us. No, the sloths were our thing.

Called “osos perezosos” in Spanish, which means “lazy bears,” they have soulful eyes peering out of pointy faces and an owl-like ability to rotate their heads to see tourists cooing all around them. A volunteer named Drew Domkus explained the difference between two- and three-toed sloths, which goes beyond their number of digits. Threetoed sloths sport dark eye masks. Two-toed sloths are browner and move more quickly, which is not to say fast. They can reach the speed of a briskly walking human if really motivated.

Mostly, though, all sloths creep along at a sub-leisurely pace, moving even their arms and heads so slowly that they appear sick or drugged or both. Then they sleep for hours from all the exertion.

Although their ancestors used to be quite large, sloths these days are Surfers and cyclists and sometimes cyclists with surfboards populate Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast.

Rica’s Caribbean coast

the size of small dogs. They are in the same order of animals as anteaters and have surprisingly soft fur, as we learned when Drew let us touch them.

Sloth fur only appears wiry and coarse-an off-putting quality they enhance in the wild by harboring moss and insects, so they look as unappetizing as slow-moving compost heaps. (The rescue sloths were clean.)

For the rest of the week, we craned our necks at every lump of brown in a tree in what turned out be a vain attempt to spot a sloth in the wild. We searched for them at Cahuita National Park, a 2,600acre gem that juts into the ocean by the small town of Cahuita. There were capuchin monkeys in the trees, big silvery spiders in the bushes and-one hiker assured us-a yellow eyelash viper nestled near the path. But no sloths.

We even looked for sloths at breakfast, but instead were shown-by one of Costa Rica’s many warm and welcoming locals-fresh nutmeg and a brilliant green frog with spots. The frog was covered in a hallucinogenic slime, he told us by twirling a finger near his ear and saying “loco.” So, on our last day in Cahuita, we canceled a morning snorkeling trip because of rain and rough seas and opted instead for a sure bet: Aviarios Sloth Sanctuary. Although people travel from all over the world to visit that particular sanctuary, we did not expect it to trump our love-at-first-sight sloth experience at the Jaguar Rescue Center. Somehow, it was better.

We were not allowed to touch the sloths, which made sense after we heard about the illnesses humans have brought them in the past.

Instead, we took a canoe trip through the sanctuary’s outdoor refuge, where a guide pointed out several sloths in the wild-including a mother hanging high above our heads, teaching her baby to find leaves.

It was a sweet ending to our Caribbean stay, which had been far more laid back than the guidebooks indicated, based on the region’s distant and recent past. The Caribbean side of Costa Rica has a sad history for a country that is among Latin America’s most peaceful and democratic. Although Columbus landed on the Caribbean coast in 1502, the Spaniards developed mainly Costa Rica’s Pacific side and central valley. It was not until the late 1800s that anyone-specifically, a New Yorker named Minor Keith-laid a railroad track through the jungles and swamps along the east side.

At first, it was supposed to be a trade route for coffee exports.

When that did not pay well enough, Keith turned to bananas and eventually merged his company with a West Indies firm to create United Fruit Co. Many of Costa Rica’s railroad and fruit workers came from Jamaica, and huge numbers died from malaria. Their descendants and other black Costa Ricans were not allowed to work or travel freely outside the province of Limon, on the Caribbean side, until 1949.

Most of Costa Rica’s black population still lives on that side of the country, which continues to be poorer and more susceptible to crime. The area was rebuilding its reputation after murders in 2000 of two American teenagers in Cahuita when, last fall, a Californian tourist was murdered on a beach near Puerto Viejo. Yet we never sensed menaces anywhere in Costa Rica as we explored the Pacific and Caribbean coasts; the downtown of San Jose, the capital; and rode on public long-distance buses.

Costa Ricans-who call themselves “Ticos”-are warm and open, making more sustained eye contact than you get from strangers in

Seattle. They helped us overcome our lack of Spanish, using pantomime and patience to help us figure out everything from menus to bus schedules. A word about schedules in Costa Rica: Breathe. We found conflicting departure times for buses, and one ferry schedule for tourists said it was “not yet confirmed but probably it will be like this.”

The ferries run along the Pacific coast, which is much more popular with tourists than the Caribbean-partly because it does not have a

People gawk at Costa Rica’s bright-green frogs, but don’t touch them because they’re covered with unpleasant hallucinogenic slime. — MCT photos reputation for crime, and partly because it is dry in the winter, when the Caribbean side gets rain almost daily. We spent several days in Montezuma, at the southern tip of the massive Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica’s Pacific side.

Montezuma is a relatively isolated burg of 250 souls during the rainy season, which runs from May until November. But come December, the population explodes as foreign and Costa Rican tourists flock there to walk the beaches, swim beneath waterfalls and practice yoga in lush settings. We rented a small house two miles from town, perched on a cliff above the ocean. The reward for braving the steep, potholed road was the view from the house. A thick emerald carpet of trees and ferns plunged down the hillside to a sliver of beach and boulders. Pelicans, hawks and fork-tailed frigate birds wheeled and soared below us.

That’s where we got to know monkeys, too-the feistiness of the capuchin banana thieves that invaded our house as well as the lowpitched moans every morning and evening from howler monkeys that we rarely saw. Yet lovely as it was, Montezuma could not rival the sloths and low-key vibe of Costa Rica’s Caribbean side. — MCT

When to go: It rains almost daily on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast all year, but there is less rain in February, March, September and October on the southern Caribbean coast. The rain can be refreshing, given the high humidity and temperatures that reach into the 80s year-round.

The best time to visit the Pacific coast is the dry season, December through April. High temperatures in Montezuma on the Pacific coast are around 80 degrees; lows are around 70.

Getting around: Puerto Viejo and Cahuita on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast are a four-hour bus ride from San Jose.

Montezuma takes seven to eight hours by bus and ferry. Public-bus schedules

can be ambiguous and subject to change, but B&B owners and hotel staff are almost universally helpful in figuring them out. The buses are comfortable and cheap, often less than $10 to get from San Jose to a beach hours away.

Rental cars are affordable, but make sure the car insurance you typically use for travel will be valid in Costa Rica. Tour vans run between San Jose and beaches for $50 per person; reserve a day or so in advance.

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Indian court takes up

Australia ‘goddess’ swimwear

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top Indian court has agreed to consider criminal proceedings over an Australian brand of swimwear bearing the image of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi that has sparked angry protests.

The Allahabad High Court in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh agreed to hear a “public interest litigation” yesterday, brought by lawyers over photographs of the swimwear published in a Hindi daily.

The lawyers argued that the newspaper should not have published the photographs and that the Indian government should have pushed Australia to take action against the manufacturer, Lisa Blue Swimwear.

The photographs were from a fashion show in Sydney last week that saw models

take to the catwalk in swimsuits and bikinis covered in images of Lakshmi, the goddess of light, prosperity and fertility. News of the show triggered protests in India at the weekend, with Hindu groups in the northern state of Punjab burning Australian flags and photos of the swimwear in the streets.

Lisa Blue put out a statement promising to halt production immediately and apologizing for any offence the design may have caused. “This range will never be available for sale in any stockists or retail outlets anywhere in the world. “We apologize to the Hindu community and take this matter very seriously,” the statement said. — AFP

Dark hue has crisp look

Indian activists of the right-wing Hindu organisation Shiv Sena hold photocopies of models wearing swimwear featuring Hindu goddess Lakshmi as they burn an Australian flag during a demonstration in Amritsar.

—AFP

Lagerfeld: Chanel designer-cum-movie director

in decorating sporty and formal

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lue is back. This spring, blue is coming on strong in home decor. It’s in shelter magazines.

It’s on catalog covers. It’s being hawked by HGTV’s Sabrina Soto in TV ads for Target. Especially hot is a deep, near navy blue-the blue of the flag, say, or of a ginger jar. Often used in combination with white, it’s crisp, classic and oh-so-American. “I think it’s very sophisticated and classy,” said Christine Haught, a Bath Township interior designer. “It’s got a very polished look about it.”

Dark blue has long been a staple of traditional design, but this time around it’s sporting some updated pizzazz. It’s showing up in classic motifs that have been exaggerated to give them a fresh look, for example, as well as in ethnic patterns and contemporary shapes.

The color has the unusual property of feeling both sporty and formal at the same time, said Mark Woodman, an interior designer and consultant who is president of the Color Marketing Group, a color forecasting organization. Deep blue is associated with the Navy and orderliness, but it also conveys the relaxed attitude of a beach cottage.

Haught called it “country-clubesque, but not too stodgy and not too stiff.” Think of a blue blazer with khaki pants-dressy, but in a casual way.

Woodman is using the hue in a home he’s currently decorating. He’s painting it on the walls below a bedroom chair rail and using it as an accent color and a color in fabric prints. He’s even considering putting it on a bathroom ceiling. Haught and Lisa Cregan, author of a new book devoted to blue, suspect the renewed popularity of deep blue may be related to the patriotic wave the country is riding, although Cregan believes the association is subconscious.

Or it might be due to our economic instability, which tends to bring traditional, familiar styles to the forefrontstyles that often feature blue. Tough times also have us craving stress relief, and blue is known for its calming properties, noted Cregan, who wrote Blue: 350 Inspiring Ways to Decorate with Blue for House Beautiful magazine.

What’s more, deep blue is a color that appeals to both genders. “It doesn’t feel too sweet, and it doesn’t feel too masculine,” she said. Maybe its greatest attribute is the way it plays well with other colors, Woodman said.

Dark blue works with yellow, as it also pairs well as the color that falls opposite blue on the color wheel, orange, he said. It goes with deep terra cotta, aubergine and deep red. It’s a

way to freshen what Woodman called “the Starbucks colors”-sage, Tuscan gold and roasted red pepper. It goes with gray and even black, a look that’s becoming popular in fashion, Haught noted.

That kind of versatility is true of all blues, not just dark blue, Haught said.

Because blue is common in nature, it tends to acts as a neutral-”bluetral,” she jokingly coined it. “I mean, the sky goes with everything,” she said. Blue even works well with itself, Haught notedthat is, almost all shades of blue look good with one another. It’s a quality that doesn’t hold true for every color, she said, notably red and its tinted form, pink.

Blue always ranks high when people are asked their favorite colors, Woodman said, yet the color waxes and wanes in popularity in the home.

He said that’s because people tend to use grayed-down hues instead of crisp, clean versions of blue. “All of a sudden it becomes a little depressing,” he said.

While dark blue is a current decorating darling, other blues are popular, too, Cregan said. Bright Moroccan blue is part of the current trend toward exotic decor. Turquoise is hot, especially when it’s paired with orange or darker blues. Cregan’s book is covered in a slightly iridescent blue fabric reminiscent of Caribbean waters. It’s a happy color, one that Cregan said works well with silver. “It feels very modern,” she said.

She’s seeing other contemporary twists on what is often considered a traditional color. She pointed out a bedroom featured in her book, in which designer Steven Gambrel set watery, light-blue shades of blue against dark wood furniture with simple, somewhat masculine forms. Other designers are choosing to use blue with lacquer finishes, either on walls or on the insides of bookshelves to bring reflectiveness to what would otherwise be a dark space, she said. Cregan thinks blue will continue to find its way into homes. “People are much braver about putting their own personality out there,” she said. They’re much more likely than in the past to decorate their homes with what they like rather than what’s in style. And what many of them like is blue. — MCT

Target Home Decor offers a stylish blue/white floral collection that won’t break the bank. — MCT

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Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld appears at the end of the show for Chanel as part of “Croisiere 2011-2012” presented at the Cap d’Antibes, near Cannes, ahead of the 64th Film Festival, Monday.—AP

ederico Fellini just might have a successor. The world’s most famous fashion designer, Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld, has proven he has the stuff to fill the late, great Italian designer’s shoes, with an artsy black and white short movie that faintly brimmed over with Fellini-esque pathos.

Lagerfeld screened “The Tale of a Fairy” at Chanel’s 2011-12 Cruise show on Monday, two days before start of the Cannes Film Festival.

The ponytailed designer, ahem, director, was surrounded by the models, ahem, actors who starred in the 25-minute-long movie. Set in a rambling French Riviera mansion, it’s the story of gambling and well-heeled debauchery among a startlingly good looking group of jetsetters. Chanel muse Freja Beha Erichsen plays the fairy. — AP

Models display creations by fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel as part of ‘Croisiere 2011-2012’. — AP photos

Actress and singer Vanessa Paradis arrives for the show for Chanel.

Princess Caroline of Hanover and her daughter Alexandra arrive for the show for Chanel.

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About 300 devotees, including 120 foreign dancers, take part in a tango festival in Seoul .—AFP

Tango fever sweeps South Korea T

he sultry South American tango is winning a big following in South Korea, and Seoul’s third festival celebrating the passionate dance drew an international cast of enthusiasts.

Dancers from Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Canada and Argentina got into the swing with scores of Koreans for the Seoul Tango Festival from May 5-9. “I didn’t know so many dancers would come from so many places...it’s surprising to see such a huge tango festival here in Korea,” said businesswoman Lee Chae-Won, 27, who has just begun learning the dance.

But she is already under the sway of the tango and understands the attraction. “I think there’s some sort of emotional interaction with the partner, and it soothes my heart when I dance the tango,”

LONDON: Prince William and his bride Catherine have gone on their honeymoon, St James’s Palace said yesterday, while trying to keep the couple’s destination a closely-guarded secret. The royal newlyweds are hoping to keep their holiday private, in contrast to their fairytale April 29 wedding, watched by an estimated one million people on the London streets and two billion on television around the world. The honeymoon is the first test of the British media’s behavior towards the couple, with the palace warning it will take action against news outlets if they pursue them. “They have left for their honeymoon,” a spokesman for William’s office said, adding that they went “earlier this week”.

St James’s Palace has previously said that the honeymoon was jointly planned by the couple, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and would be spent abroad. “We are not confirming and we are not commenting on speculation on where they may be going on their private honeymoon. We are just confirming that they have gone,” the spokesman said.

“The couple have asked that their privacy be respected during their honeymoon.” William, 28, has two weeks’ leave from his job in the Royal Air Force, the palace added. The prince, second in line to the throne, is a search and rescue helicopter pilot on the island of Anglesey, northwest Wales.

The flight lieutenant went back to work after the wedding and has since been involved in rescues, including airlifting a judge who suffered a heart attack out of the Snowdonia mountains. The delayed honeymoon appeared to be an attempt at throwing the media off their trail amid fears that photographers would pursue the couple wherever they chose to spend their holiday. The prince said he enjoyed outfoxing the media after his stag weekend was held in total privacy. Royal watchers say he has an inherent hatred of paparazzi following the death of his mother Diana, princess of Wales, who was killed in a car crash in 1997 as she was being pursued through Paris by photogra-

she said. “It’s the indescribable interaction with the partner,” said another local dancer, Ma Sang-Heun, 31, a Seoul elementary school teacher. “It feels as if I am whispering secret words.” Tango took off in South Korea only about a decade ago but has grown rapidly in popularity, expanding from Seoul to other cities including Daegu and Busan which have studios dedicated to the dance.

About 300 dancers, including 120 foreigners, took part in this year’s Seoul festival. “A lot of Koreans have gone to Argentina to learn tango, and I think Koreans and tango go well together...with the passion, and all,” said high school teacher Park So-Young, 39.

“So in the future, the number of dancers will increase. My husband recently went to Argentina for a business trip and bought me tango shoes as a present.” The festival was staged at a number of milongas-specialist venues for the dance-in southern Seoul.

Daniel Liu, 39, formerly an engineer and now a professional tango dancer in Taiwan, was one of many who visited Korea for the festival. Enthusiasts increasingly travel to cities overseas for a kind of tango vacation, he said. “In Europe it’s like every weekend there’s a festival someplace, and in Asia it’s becoming something like that,” he told AFP. Koreans who fall in love with the dramatic dance join clubs to learn and practice, then visit local milongas both to dance and to network with others. “I used to go to milongas up to three to four times a week, and now I just dance whenever time allows,” said Han Jeong-Su, 38, also a teacher, who has danced for more than six years.

The hobby is relatively cheap, with most milongas charging a 7,000-8,000 won ($6.48-7.41) entrance fee. Monthly lesson fees don’t exceed 80,000 won. Six invited Argentinean performers stole the show at the festival, with their stage demonstration winning prolonged applause and whistles of appreciation. Many South Korean enthusiasts share a common desire-to visit Argentina one day and experience the dance in its home. “Going to Argentina to tango? That is my dream,” said Park.

phers. The two-week honeymoon will be a test of Britain’s newspapers as to whether they obtain-and use-pictures of the couple. It comes amid public debate in Britain over press freedom and privacy rights, with newspapers in a fury over celebrity superinjunctions which prevent them from publishing stories about their private lives. News of the honeymoon also comes after tabloid newspapers published photographs of Catherine’s sister Pippa Middleton relaxing on a yacht in a bikini. —AFP

File photo shows Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton as they pose for the media at St James’s Palace in London. — AP

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ntering Anish Kapoor’s latest sculpture through a dark, windowless revolving door, visitors experience a momentary blackout before emerging into a womb-like cavity-warm, oppressive and bathed in red light. This is “Leviathan” at Paris’s Grand Palais, the Mumbai-born British sculptor’s first work in France for 30 years, to be unveiled to the public today, and an experience one can only imagine is like being swallowed by a whale.

Famed for his critically acclaimed Cloud Gate in Chicago and Sky Mirror in New York, Kapoor is the fourth artist to be invited by the Grand Palais to create the annual Monumenta exhibition in its vast, glass-roofed central nave. Previous exhibitors at the historic Art Nouveau building, erected for the 1900 World Fair, were Christian Boltanski in 2010, Richard Serra in 2008 and Anselm Kiefer in 2007. “It’s fabulous. It’s a challenging space and that’s the main motivation for me,” Kapoor told Reuters on the sidelines of a preview of the exhibition.

In an interview with British media earlier yesterday, Kapoor dedicated his installation to artist Ai Weiwei, calling Ai’s arrest and detention by Chinese authorities “barbaric” and urging museums and galleries to close for a day in protest. Ai, an outspoken critic of China’s human rights record, has not been heard of since he was detained at Beijing airport on April 3. “This takes us back to a Sovietstyle time when the voice of artists was seen as dangerous,” Kapoor told the BBC.

Archaic force Inside Leviathan, the viewer is invited to take part in a physical and mental experience, a sensory immersion in a translucent membrane designed to interact with the architecture of the building in which it is housed. The red glow is created by daylight flooding from the nave’s glass roof and through the sculpture’s tent-like walls, and its intensity, as well as the temperature in the cavity, vary as clouds pass over the sun. From the outside, however, Leviathan offers a completely different experience, a feeling of awe at the overwhelming scale of the bulbous, rubberlike installation, which stands 35 meters (yards) high and fills the entire 35,000 sq meters (376,700 sq ft) of the nave.

“For me, this huge archaic force is linked to darkness. It is a monster burdened with its corpse, which stands guard over some forgotten regions of our conscience,” Kapoor explains. Perhaps reminiscent of the intimate, womb-like interior, however, there is still something faintly erotic about the outside of the sculpture and it is hard to shake off the feeling one is looking at a giant, three-balled massage device, rather than a mythical sea-monster. But as Kapoor says in a blurb on his work: “I think there is no such thing as an innocent viewer. All viewing, all looking comes with complications, comes with previous histories, a more or less real past.” — Reuters

Leviathan, a work of art by Indian born British artist Anish Kapoor is unveiled at the Grand Palais, in Paris yesterday. The 35-meter high air inflated monochrome Leviathan enables people to circumnavigate, and walk inside, the work which fills the cavernous Grand Palais, is presented here until June 23. — AP

f you missed the fried rice with pungent shrimp paste at Shophouse Seattle on Monday night, well, too bad. The down-home Thai joint has already shut its doors. Shophouse creator Wiley Frank spends most nights as sous chef at an upscale restaurant called Lark. But once a week, Frank and his wife transform a nearby bar called Licorous into a short-lived eatery dedicated to simple, authentic Thai street food.

His venture is just one permutation of an emerging class of restaurants called pop-ups, in which chefs set up temporary shop in breakfast spots, art galleries, financially troubled eateries and places that don’t normally serve food. Then, after a day, a week or a month, they shut it down. For chefs, pop-ups are a way to test new dishes, let off some creative steam, expand their brand to new neighborhoods and otherwise take risks without the hefty up-front investment required for a traditional restaurant. In Frank’s case, the pop-up is an outlet for his entrepreneurial tendencies that unlike starting a full-on restaurant leaves him time to spend with his family.

For customers, pop-ups mean access to high-end food at more affordable prices, as well as the thrill of taking part in something fleeting.

Pop-up restaurants, together with food trucks, were voted the top operational trend for 2011 by chefs surveyed by the National Restaurant Association.

Hudson Riehle, an analyst for the trade

group, said the here-today-gonetomorrow eateries are mostly springing up in larger cities. Pop-ups are gaining traction as culinary schools crank out a growing number of chefs eager to reach a younger generation of restaurantgoers with an increasingly sophisticated palate. Plus, the rise of social media gives these entrepreneurs a way to generate buzz quickly for a temporary eatery.

Money plays a big part in pop-ups’ appeal. Bonnie Riggs, an industry analyst for market researchers NPD Group, said that while restaurant traffic has started to recover following declines during the economic downturn, growth is expected to be essentially flat for the next few years. Especially among independent and high-end restaurants, which were hit the hardest during the recession and which continue to struggle to get financing, the race is on to entice people to go out to dinner more. “It’s a battle for market share,” Riggs said.

“Those who are the most creative and innovative, who pique consumer interest, those are going to be the winners.” Creativity and innovation can be easier to execute with a pop-up than a traditional restaurant, which needs to satisfy investors looking for a return. Dan Moody, a California-based chef, got his feet wet in the pop-up scene cooking for one of its pioneers, chef Ludo Lefebvre, who has been orchestrating pop-ups in Los Angeles since 2007. When Moody decided to strike out on his own, his first

thought was to go pop-up.

“I get to be more playful,” Moody said.

“At a restaurant, you have to think about how it would work operationally for a long period of time.” For instance, Moody said that at a physical restaurant he wouldn’t want to change the menu frequently, because people expect a permanent restaurant to keep offering favorite dishes. A lean pop-up gives Moody the freedom to offer some outthere dishes, such as his own riff on beef Wellington: sous vide filet mignon with porcini-dusted seared foie gras and mustard ice cream. “I think what makes (popups) hot and trending is the ability for a chef to come out and do something people wouldn’t normally get. People get to see a chef’s creativity, completely unconstrained by an owner, investors, anything like that,” Moody said. “It’s the chef’s food as he wants to do it.” Opening a pop-up isn’t without hassles or risks. Each city has its own set of rules when it comes to securing licenses and permits; for temporary restaurants in unconventional spaces, chefs are wading through gray areas of the law. It took Moody about three months to find a location, and another two to get Relate Restaurant in shape to open. —AP