10 April

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SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

Majority of expats against KD 130 health insurance

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Anger flares at Egypt army for lethal protest raid

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Obama, foes ink deal to avert govt shutdown

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www.kuwaittimes.net

No Rooney, no problem as Man Utd march on

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Iran expels 3 Kuwaitis, wants issues resolved Yemen recalls envoy to Qatar • Bahrain continues crackdown

12 killed in 24 hours in Gaza GAZA CITY: Israeli tank fire killed a Palestinian in Gaza early yesterday, taking to 12 the overall toll from the deadliest 24 hours since a devastating war more than two years ago. A truce declared by Palestinian armed groups in the enclave unravelled even before it could take hold as militants fired dozens of projectiles into southern Israel and the military retaliated. Hamas put security forces and emergency services in Gaza on 24hour alert amid the escalating violence and despite international calls for an end to hostilities.

But a senior Israeli security official also said the Islamist group ruling the Gaza Strip had asked for a ceasefire. “The political branch of Hamas has sent a message asking for an Israeli ceasefire” in exchange for a halt to Palestinian attacks, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. He said Israeli operations would continue for as long as Israel felt “its people cannot lead normal lives” because of the threat of Palestinian attack. He also indicated that Defence Minister Ehud Barak had indefinitely postponed a trip to Washington because of the gravity of the situation.

Earlier yesterday, around 30 mortar rounds or rockets fired from Gaza hit Israel, without causing damage GAZA: Palestinian mourners carry the body of Hamas militant Mohammed Awaja during his funeral in or casualties, military radio said.

Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. (Inset) The mother of 10-year-old Palestinian Mahmoud Al-Jaro Continued on Page 14 grieves over his body during his funeral in Gaza City yesterday. — AFP/AP

Max 32 Min 21 Low Tide 09:42 : 22:33 High Tide 05:01 & 15:01

KUWAIT/TEHRAN/MANAMA: Iran expelled three Kuwaiti diplomats yesterday in a tit-for-tat move after Kuwait vowed to kick out three Iranian envoys accused of having links to an active spy ring in the state. Kuwaiti e-paper AlAan said Al-Arabiya TV reported that the Iranian foreign ministry has given the Kuwaiti ambassador a ten-day notice for three members of the diplomatic staff to leave.

Iran has denied having any connection with the espionage network.

Earlier yesterday, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Iran is prepared to diplomatically “resolve” differences with its Arab neighbours as tensions simmer between Tehran and the Gulf monarchies.”If there are some mistrusts (between Iran and the Arab countries), we can sit down and resolve them through diplomatic channels,” Salehi said during a press conference translated into English by Iran’s Press TV channel. Relations between the Islamic republic and its neighbours have been strained in recent weeks, as Tehran insists on supporting the uprisings in the Arab world.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have accused Iran of plotting against their security, a charge rejected by Tehran. “Our official policy is non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” Salehi said. “We have only condemned the use of violence against defenceless people. This is our stance,” said Salehi, insisting that the “legitimate demands” of the people in the region should be heeded by their governments.

Iran has severely condemned the deadly crackdown of Bahrain against its Shiite opposition as well as a decision by its Sunni monarch to ask Saudi-led GCC troops to be Continued on Page 14

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MoJ working on issuing bedoon documentation Officials try to allay fears KUWAIT: A senior Ministry of Justice (MoJ) official said on Wednesday that the ministry’s Sharia documentation department is continuing to receive applications for marriage, divorce and inheritance certificates, amongst other documents, from bedoon (stateless) individuals. All bedoon people with valid security identification are now entitled to these documents he said, denying reports that the department makes applicants sign any documents stating that there are security restrictions against them or that they belong to any other nationality before issuing them with the certification in question.

Speaking during a tour of the Sharia documentation department at the court complex in Riqqae to assess employee wellbeing, Dr. Bader Al-Zamman, the MoJ’s Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Affairs, also revealed that the ministry intends to establish an office for the Central System for Remedying the Status of Illegal Residents (CSRSIR), the government body established to resolve the problems facing Kuwait’s stateless population. The establishment of this office will help expedite the issuing of responses to security-related enquiries for those wishing to obtain documentation or certification from the department, he asserted.

Dr. Al-Zamman further explained that the department is working hard to ensure that it can keep up with its usual duties of issuing official registration documentation to citizens and expatriates, as well as to bedoon applicants, adding that it has received a large number of applications from bedoons wanting the recently approved ‘non-Kuwaiti’ documentation.

The senior justice ministry official said that a number of bedoon people are hesitant about applying at the department for fear that they may be forced to sign documents which could ultimately harm their interests. He assured would-be applicants that such fears are unfounded, saying that

the department seeks to remove any such concerns and is providing the documents in downloadable form through the justice ministry’s website to further simplify the registration process and ensure that applicants can receive their documentation in the fastest time possible.

Dr. Al-Zamman also referred to the recent agreement between a number of ministries working to resolve bedoon-related issues and to facilitate the issuing of their official documentation under the new ‘non-Kuwaiti’ appellation. He added that the health ministry is accepting earlier documents issued on the basis of security authorities’ authorization as being sufficient for applicants to

attain birth certificates regardless of the nationality cited in the marriage licenses issued by the CSRSIR or the similar government bodies which preceded it.

The official also revealed that his department is drawing up a timetable to deal with applications from bedoon people wanting to amend marriage licenses, although priority will be given to those planning to marry or individuals who have received court rulings in favor of authenticating their marriage licenses, especially since many in these groups have children of school age, so they need these licenses to be amended in order to obtain birth certificates for their children. — Al-Rai

KUWAIT DIGEST

Holiday costs

By Nasser Al-Eidan

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he national holiday that will take place in the United Kingdom on April 29 due to the occasion of Prince William’s royal wedding will cost the British economy nearly five billion pounds. In the meantime, a nearly one billion pound profit is expected to be made by markets, cafes and parks during the holiday, which will reduce the total losses to nearly four billion pounds, according to a recent report published by the Telegraph English Daily.

More than 80 countries around the world recognize May 1 as a day off for the Labor Day holiday. However, we find that none of these countries are G20 states except for the United States, Mexico, Turkey, India and Russia. The reason why the other countries - which are mostly developing countries - don’t recognize Labor Day as a holiday is attributed to the cost the holiday has on the national economy.

I am hoping that the Kuwait Trade Union Federation doesn’t request that May 1 be recognized as a day off.

America founded the holiday as a way to honor the struggle of laborers against US authorities. The occasion is also marked in numerous places around the world as a day to host demonstrations and go on strike against various injustices.

Instead of demanding a day off on May 1 I suggest that all labor strikes and sit-ins that are scheduled to take place throughout the year be held on this day instead. While this would make the day a holiday so that demonstrations can take place it would also criminalize demonstrations throughout the rest of the year.

Before demanding a day off for a social, religious or any other occasion a study must be held to determine the economic impact of such an action on the state’s budget. This is especially the case considering that the economy already suffers during a holiday season because most public sector employees use holidays to travel. — Al-Rai

News

in brief

MoH holds emergency drill at dental clinic center

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) dental clinic center in Jabriya held an emergency fire drill last Wednesday, with emergency personnel working together to deal with a (purely hypothetical) fire and the resulting injuries at the laboratories there.

After the fire alarm went off, the building was immediately evacuated, with three ‘injured’ staff being treat-

Medical negligence insurance KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) is set to introduce health insurance including coverage for acts of medical negligence shortly, with the proposal currently under discussion between senior MoH officials and representatives of the Kuwait Medical Association (KMA). Mahmoud Abdulhadi, the director of the health ministry’s legal affairs department, revealed the ministry’s plans in a press release issued on Friday. Whilst stressing that the number of lawsuits filed in Kuwait alleging medical negligence is very low compared to other nations, Abdulhadi acknowledged the right of all patients to be compensated for any damage done through medical negligence and the legal responsibility of physicians towards their patients.

ed by paramedics, for first and second degree burns and other fire-related injuries respectively. Ambulances were quickly at the scene, and nearby hospitals were put on standby to receive the ‘injured’ individuals, with officials hailing the exercise as a success.

The drill was ordered by MoH Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs, Dr. Faisal AlGhanim, who worked closely with staff from all the facilities involved to coordinate the exercise.

Kuwait hosts Girl Guide committee meeting KUWAIT: The 16th GCC Girl Guides Committee meeting begins today in Kuwait, where it is set to last until Saturday April 15. The event will see discussion of the committee’s three-year working plan, as well as approval of a number of projects being undertaken, explained the head of Kuwait Girl Guides Association (KGGA), Hind Al-Holi, who is also the president of the GCC Scouts Committee. Al-Holi further revealed that delegates at the meeting are also scheduled to review the committee’s annual report and financial report, as well as studying the body’s accomplishments, training programs and other activities, as well as discussing future plans. The senior official explained that the meeting will also feature celebrations marking the centenary of the world Girl Guides movement, organized by the KGGA, under the auspices of Sheikha Firyal Duaij Al-Sabah.

Al-Holi voiced hopes that the meeting would succeed in attaining its goals of improving the status of women in the GCC, as well as helping to strengthen their capabilities. The chairperson of the committee’s training and programs division, Loulwa Al-Shatti, said the meeting would also feature discussion of the training and programs agenda, as well as an exchange of ideas on the committee’s next meeting in Oman. The committee is tasked with enabling GCC women to enhance their skills for the greater benefit of society, she noted.—KUNA

WFEO head commends Science Club GENEVA: The recently-elected Kuwaiti president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) yesterday lauded the Kuwait Science Club, calling it a great body which gives tremendous attention to the young.

Speaking during a visit by a Kuwaiti delegation taking part in the ongoing 39th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Adel Al-Jarallah Al-Khorafi expressed appreciation of the KSC’s role in supporting children and enhancing their scientific, technological and engineering knowledge, adding that this favorably assists with the country’s technological advancement.

Al-Khorafi also thanked His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for providing support for Kuwaiti inventors and other talented individuals through establishing the Sabah AlAhmad Center for Talent and Creativity.

The WFEO head hailed the center as a step forward in the field of sponsoring and supporting creative and talented people.

Discussion on quakes risks KUWAIT: Geologist and Kuwait University Professor, Dr Arafat Al-Shuaibi said that Kuwait is far from Iran’s earthquake center and that only a weak wave could reach Kuwait in case of a strong earthquake. He pointed out however, that humans can create disasters such as industrial earthquakes, which occur as a result of pumping oil or the construction of deep water wells. The geologist explained that there is no fear of a nuclear reactor disaster like the one in Japan occurring in Iran and said that he hopes security measures are being taken to ensure no harmful radiation leak.

Water network renovation KUWAIT: The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) is preparing to hire the services of an international consultant as part of their ambitions to renovate the country’s water distribution network. The decision would also include the construction of new water tanks. According to official sources, the MEW looks to improve water networks in order to meet the demands of the construction that has been ongoing for the past eight years and to accommodate the ministry’s future projects plans.

Meanwhile, other sources said that a large reshuffling is expected to take place in the ministry following the formation of the new Cabinet. The new structure would result in no longer giving undersecretaries more than one department to manage so that they can remain focused on their departments ahead of the summer season.

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kuwait digest

Improving police performance

By Mohammad Al-Shaibani

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KUWAIT: Under the auspices and in the presence of Kuwait National Guards chief Col Mohammed Farhan Al-Farhan, the Guards yesterday celebrated the graduation of its eighth batch of moral guidance trainees.

Majority of expats against proposed health care plan KD 130 per year for insurance

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The government is planning to establish the Kuwait Health Assurance Company (KHAC) to relieve some of the pressure put on public hospitals crowded with Kuwaiti and expatriate patients.

The plan will include building three new health insurance hospitals, along with 15 polyclinics, to serve both citizens and expatriates. The three hospitals will work at a capacity of 1,600 beds.

The new plan would increase the fees paid by expatriates for health insurance, from KD 50 to KD 130 per year. The increase would be applied in five years, when the new hospitals are built. The amount will include all medical services, from check-ups to laboratory tests,

which currently expats pay for even in public hospitals.

The announcement brought protests and resentment from expats who found the cost of KD 50 already too expensive.

“I’m strictly against this decision,” Gary, a 37-year-old Filipino told the Kuwait Times. “I have a family and the amount I’m already paying is too much for me.

They always say we don’t pay taxes in Kuwait but I would prefer to pay taxes than pay this amount for a medical insurance that I won’t even use.”

According to Layla, a 42-year-old Syrian, the KD 130 should be optional. “I think that the person should have the choice to either pay KD 50 for the current services or pay the proposed KD 130 to get the better promised medical servic-

KISR signs contract for setting up water research center KUWAIT: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) signed a contract yesterday with Al-Fulaij United Group, a construction company, for building and maintaining a center specialized in water research on an area of 3,500 square metres on the KISR’s premises at a cost of KD 5.700 million.

Director General of KISR Naji AlMutairi said, in a statement yesterday, that KISR will start with this contract the construction of one of the distinction centers set within its strategic turnaround project as part of the state development plan (2009-2014), adding that KISR had previously submitted an array of initiatives that were accredited within the same plan.

Al-Mutairi added that the activity of this would-be center will be oriented toward one of national priorities, namely the water security issue which has an advanced status within the state triage of priorities, making clear that the center will be founded upon KISR brilliant track record in this field, particularly as it holds distinctive experience, and poineering achievements that blazed a trail for other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. He also said that the new center will meet vital requirements for developing action in such domain, and weathers contemporary and future challenges, adding that it will contain laboratories and units for water processing and desalination with the use of traditional and renewable energies.

Further, Al-Mutairi said the center will devote its efforts to developing modern techniques on seawater desali-

nation through thermal and membrane methods in order to set specifications based on empirical outcomes.

He added such development effort will lead to building new commercial seawater desalination units of distinctive technical and economic efficiency in what contributes to increasing output, reducing costs, and securing the sustainability of water resources.

KISR will open the door wide, through this center, before investing in water field along with developing water desalination systems and processing, he said, adding that the new center will be a point of attraction for world thinktanks and international institutes that share KISR its interest in the R and D field and technology transfer through a specialized scientific administration adopting updated awareness programs.

Al-Mutairi said that Distinction Center for Water Research will be constructed in line with state-of-the-art methods and smart building and ecofriendly systems and in line with specifications of R and D world centers, expecting it to be operated by the beginning of 2014. He concluded by saying that the center will include chemical, physical, and bacteriological laboratories for receiving water samples, and preparing them for examination according to an accurate program of quality control, besides offices for researchers, professionals and technicians, and a main lecture hall, training rooms, and specialized laboratories on the treatment of industrial and sanitary drainage water. — KUNA

Online campaign demands Kuwaiti Gitmo detainee’s release KUWAIT: The lawyer representing a Kuwaiti citizen who has now been detained without charge or trial in the US’s Guantanamo Bay prison camp for nine years revealed on Thursday that the online petition he recently launched to demand his client Fayez Al-Kandari’s release has so far gathered 5,000 signatures, half of the 10,000 he wishes to collect.

Attorney Adel Abdulhadi said that he had launched the online petition campaign as Al-Kandari’s attorney and as a member of the panel of attorneys appointed by the Pentagon to defend him.

The lawyer urged all Kuwaitis to act immediately to do whatever they can to secure the release of both Al-Kandari and fellow Gitmo detainee Fawzi Al-Oudah, who have both been held at the controversial prison facility without charge or trial for almost a decade.

Abdulhadi also asserted that the US administration has taken a decision to continue the detention of fifty Gitmo inmates indefinitely, saying, “This calls for media, political, diplomatic and public pressure on the US administration to get them released.”— Al-Watan

KFAED always supportive of Lebanese development BEIRUT: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) had always contributed to the development of Lebanon, especially in the south of the country, said a Lebanese official yesterday.

Gassan Mutlaq, the chairman of Yareen Town Municipal Council, said that the fund had contributed to the rebuilding of 42 homes in Yareen Town, which was heavily damaged in the Israeli aggression of 1978 and more recently during Israel’s 2006 war against Lebanon.

Mutlaq thanked KFAED’s representative Nawaf Al-Dabous for the fund’s contribution to the people of Yareen.

Al-Dabous said that Kuwaitis are keen to help their Lebanese brothers, affirming that the activities undertaken in Yareen were part of the fund’s plans to strengthen ties between Kuwait and Lebanon. —KUNA

es,” she said. “Also, I think there should be a difference in payment according to the age and health condition of the person.

For instance, young people don’t need all these additional services but older people, or those with diabetes, should pay because the risk of sickness is higher.”

In fact, most young people do not benefit from the KD 50 they have to pay annually. “I don’t need to pay it as I don’t suffer from any chronic disease or even get sick frequently,” said Fatma, a 27-year-old Iranian. “I find KD 130 to be a huge amount.

If it provided complete coverage for services in private hospitals I would agree. But I wouldn’t like to find out later that some of the promised services are not included in this payment or that I still have to pay more for the same test.” Mohammed, an Indian

employee, expressed his disagreement to such a decision and noted that it may bring protests from expatriates. “I think they will protest,” he said. “Where I work I have to pay a compulsory KD 50 in addition to what I already pay my employer for additional health care. I think the KD 130 will be too much.”

Finally, there was one voice that agreed with the proposal. “I don’t go to public hospitals anyways,” said Suha, 31-year-old Lebanese. “I always go to private clinics for medical treatment. I don’t mean to insult the public hospitals but I just feel more comfortable in the private ones. With the new proposal I will pay less in the end but I have to make sure that the provided services are of the same standard as the private sector.”

he Ministry of Interior is perhaps the most complicated state department when it comes to its structure. This ministry’s image was also quite damaged with the case of citizen Mohammad Al-Maimouni’s death at the hand of police torture. These two aspects should not stand in the way of the enforcement of regulations to ensure that the law be fully implemented so that citizens can be assured of the police’s ability to secure their safety and stability.

Ministry of Interior personnel are still being assaulted while they are on duty. This is a problem that has been allowed to continue because no deterrent has been put in place to keep violators from thinking twice before attacking an officer.

News of citizens attacking police officers or hurling stones at a police station or police patrol is something new to Kuwait. The great respect that people used to have for police officers has unfortunately diminished.

This attitude, especially from younger generations, could be attributed to the malpractice being carried out by some police officers.

Despite enrolling in training programs prior to graduation police officers should be required to undergo even more training before being given their positions and duties. These programs should teach them, among other things, how best to work with people of all social backgrounds. This definitely is not a hard thing to accomplish. — Al-Qabas

Disabled citizens plan sit-in KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Association for the Blind is prepared to organize a sit-in next Monday. The sit in will feature the participation of citizens with different disabilities to demand the implementation of the disabled rights law that was never put into action since it was approved last year. The announcement was made by the association’s chairman Fayez Al-Azmy during a recent conference that featured the participation of several activists for the rights of those with special needs. “The sit-in will only feature demands for unfulfilled rights,” Al-Azmy said, insisting that no critical or insulting remarks will be made.

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Kuwait fully cooperative in world anti-terrorist fight Surprise at Cohen statement KUWAIT: A senior Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) official on Thursday affirmed Kuwait’s cooperative position in working closely with the United States and the international community to end the funding of terrorism. MoFA Undersecretary Khalid Al-Jarallah also confirmed that Kuwait is fully committed to all UN Security Councils resolutions concerning the freezing of bank accounts of individuals or bodies connected to terrorist activities. Al-Jarallah expressed surprise at a statement by the US Treasury’s Assistant Secretary on Terrorist Financing Affairs, David Cohen, who suggested that Kuwait is uncooperative in matters related to the fight against terrorism.

The senior MoFA official insisted that, on the contrary, Kuwait has taken every possible measure to combat terrorism, working closely “with the United States and specifically with Mr. Cohen himself.”

The foreign ministry has worked closely with the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, as well as other bodies, to monitor and curtail any funding of terrorism, Al-Jarallah stressed.

“The anti-terrorism funding draft law is currently being reviewed by the National Assembly and, once it is approved, Kuwait will then be able to completely finalize any shortcomings in this regard,” Al-Jarallah added.

On the subject of the country’s charity organizations, the senior foreign ministry official stressed that these are only occupied with philanthropic work and operate under the foreign ministry’s guidance to ensure that no untoward activities can be conducted under cover of charity work.

Meanwhile, in other news, it’s been reported that His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah has begun discussions on forming his seventh Cabinet, hosting a number of prominent political figures at a remote location in Kra’a Al-Marrow over the weekend for talks about the new government.

The talks reportedly focused largely on the outlook for Kuwait and the region given recent events, along with the renewed escalation of political tensions by some anti-government MPs. One insider indicated that HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed is taking his time in forming the new Cabinet, adding that one of the changes expected under the new government is a separation of the oil and information ministry portfolios, which were both previously held by Sheikh Ahmad AlAbdullah Al-Sabah.

Meanwhile, parliamentary insiders have revealed that representatives of the

Development and Reform Bloc (DRB) and the Popular Action Blog (PAB), as well as a number of independent MPs, are set to meet shortly to discuss coordination of their stances towards the reappointed premier and his cabinet. Prior to his reappointment, the PAB had warned that it would resubmit earlier grilling motions against him which they were set to present in parliament before the government’s mass resignation.

The parliamentary insiders also indicated that a number of anti-government MPs have already held a meeting at RDB member Dr. Walid Al-Tabtabaie’s diwaniya to discuss their future strategy in light of HH Sheikh Nasser AlMohammed’s reappointment.

On a related note, former finance minister Mustafa Al-Shamali confirmed in an interview with a local daily that he won’t be returning to government, adding that his successor will take over from him on drafting the 2011-12 state budget. —Agencies

MoI to ensure residency status of Kuwaitis receiving overseas treatment

KUWAIT: Speaking on the sidelines of a visit of Kuwait’s delegation to the 39th Geneva International Inventions Exhibition, Adel AlKhorafi stressed that the Scientific Center has become an institution committed to the attention and care of young, scientifically talented citizens.

News

in brief

Um Al-Haiman asthma cases KUWAIT: Chairman of the Um Al-Haiman Voluntary Environmental Committee, Ahmed Al-Shuari said that the number of asthma patients among the areas residents was increasing at an alarming rate. He described the environmental situation of the area as a crime that would turn into a disaster and pointed out that asthma patients have grown from 1,400 in 2005, 8,500 in 2008 to 15,000 in 2011. While speaking on the importance of celebrating the anniversary of World Environment Day, AlShurai said that Um Al-Haiman is suffering from all kinds of pollution. He said that air pollution from nearby factories, electromagnetic pollution from high voltage power lines and water pollution plagues the environment and residents of the area.

Bid to encourage investment KUWAT: Chairman of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce, Ali AlGhanim announced the formation of a joint committee between the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and the Egyptian Council of Ministers. He explained that the two authorities will collaborate on solving the problems by removing any obstacles that may impede Kuwaiti investment in Egypt. During a meeting with Al-Ghanim, the Egyptian Prime Minster Isam Sharaf assured that Egypt will encourage investment in by improving standards with investment companies and eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy.

Fabricated accusations KUWAIT: Kuwait’s serving Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Roudhan Al-Roudhan on Friday angrily rejected claims by MP Musallam Al-Barrak that he had visited the Iranian Embassy in Kuwait to apologize over events following the discovery of the “Iranian espionage network.” “I confirm that these claims are fabricated and totally false,” said Al-Roudhan, adding that he was prepared to meet publicly with Al-Barrak “to swear on the Holy Quran” in order to prove “who is the truthful one here and who is the liar.” AlRoudhan went on, “If the claims and accusations of Musallam Al-Barrak are proved to be true, I vow before the Kuwaiti people to resign from the National Assembly, but Al-Barrak should have the courage to resign himself...too if he fails to prove his dangerous accusations.”

KUWAIT: Ensuring the fully legal residency status of Kuwaitis receiving medical treatment abroad in those nations is a priority issue for the interior minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, said a senior Ministry of Interior (MoI) official yesterday. Lieutenant General Kamel Mahmoud Al-Awadhi, the director of the interior ministry’s immigration department, said that the residency status of all Kuwaiti patients receiving medical treatment overseas is something to which the minister pays close attention, adding that the administration works closely with the foreign ministry and other bodies in making sure that all the necessary measures are taken to ensure these patients’ wellbeing and to guarantee that their residential status is fully legal in the nations where they are receiving treatment.

Lt. Gen. Al-Awadhi revealed that Kuwait Embassy officials in Paris recently met with senior French immigration department representatives to discuss

the situation of Kuwaitis currently receiving treatment at French medical facilities, with the discussions benefiting all those in this group.

The French administration has agreed to extend temporary residency status to all Kuwaiti patients undergoing treatment in France for up to a year, provided that there is a need for this extensions and that the patients provide detailed medical reports from the doctors responsible for their treatment, along with the names and details of any individuals accompanying them whilst they are undergoing treatment, with a maximum of two accompanying individuals allowed per patient.

Concerning the extension of residency visas for servants accompanying patients receiving treatment, the MoI official said that this issue should be dealt with through the embassies of these staff members’ nations in France or the other nation in which the patient is receiving treatment.

KJA condemns assault of photographer incident, especially conKUWAIT: The Secretary sidering that it was the General of the Kuwait result of such unacceptJournalist Association able behavior from the (KJA), Faisal Al-Qanaie Director of Hawally expressed his regret over Security, who is supthe news that Al-Rai posed to support and Daily photographer protect journalists.

Moussa Ayyash was He called upon the beaten by the Director of caretaking Deputy Prime Hawally Security.

Minister and Minister of It was reported that Interior, Sheikh Ahmad the photographer was Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah to assaulted while trying to take matters into his cover the incidents surFaisal Al-Qanaie own hands and instruct rounding the Bayan the concerned authorities to do what is police station on Thursday evening.

Al-Qanaie said that KJA denounces the necessary to investigate the incident.

BEIRUT: The mayor of Yareen in Southern Lebanon, Ghassan Mutlaq, recently honored Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) representative Nawaf Al-Dabous on his recent visit to Lebanon along with a delegation of KFAED officials.

Six injured in road accidents

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Two 19-year-old Kuwaiti men and a 22-year- old Saudi man were rushed to Jahra Hospital early on Friday morning after sustaining serious head injuries in an accident on the KuwaitIraq road 25 miles from Abdally.

In a separate crash also early on Friday morning, this time at a roundabout in Abdullah Al-Mubarak, two more 19-year-old Kuwaiti men were injured, with one sustaining fractures to his right hand. Both were taken to

Farwaniya fire After a fire broke out in a Farwaniya apar tment block , t wo 40-year- old Bangladeshi men were rushed to Farwaniya Hospital with extensive first and second degree burns, along with a 33-year-old Pakistani man who suffered second degree burns to his back.

Report reveals most public educators female KUWAIT: A recent survey conducted by the M inistr y of Education’s (M oE) Planning Depar tment on the total numbers of Kuwaiti and expatriate teachers in the ministry revealed that the majority of teachers were female.

The survey also noted that increasing the pay grade of teaching staff had a great influence on making the teaching profession more attrac tive to female citizens. The survey reflected that secondary schools had the least amount of Kuwaiti teachers, particularly considering that several Kuwaitis preferred studying and teaching literary subjects.

On the other hand, the study showed that more than 90 percent of the teaching staff in public kindergarten schools were Kuwaiti and that 80 percent of primary school educators

MP demands more grazing land for livestock KUWAIT: MP Saadoun Al- O taibi has urged His Highness the Prime M inister Sheik h Nasser AlMohammed Al-Sabah to allow shepherds to use Kuwait’s open desert areas for livestock grazing since vegetation is abundant there during the country’s short-lived Spring season.

Livestock farmers have recently been complaining at increasing fodder prices which the state attributes to price rises worldwide in these items. The fact that the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) has forbidden grazing in most open areas for environmental reasons has driven many shepherds to travel to Saudi Arabia for example where large areas are allocated for livestock grazing purposes.

In a recent press statement, Al-Otaibi said that since the scrubby vegetation currently growing in the Subbiya and Juwaihel areas of Kuwait is certain to wilt when the customary high summer temperatures hit the country in the next few weeks, there should be no problem in allowing livestock grazing there. “[The PAAAFR’s] failure to provide areas for grazing or fodder at suitable prices has forced large numbers of shepherds to resort to grazing their animals in Saudi Arabia”, the MP acknowledged, asserting that this case has seriously affected the country’s supply of locally-reared livestock.

MP Saad Al-Khanfour also issued a similar appeal to HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, asking him to intervene in support of local livestock owners, and to issue a directive allowing shepherds to graze their livestock in Subbiya until the end of May. —Al-Qabas

Farwaniya Hospital.

Meanwhile, a 40-year-old Kuwaiti man was taken to Farwaniya Hospital after sustaining a broken thighbone in a crash on the Sixth Ring Road.

are women.

The study explained that the reason women make up the majority of educators in the public sector is because Kuwait Universit y ’s College of Education has graduated scores of female teachers annually. The report noted that Kuwaiti teachers have begun replacing expatriate teachers because female citizens are finding more privileges in the field, such as maternity leave, compared to other public sector jobs.

The study recommended granting Kuwaiti teachers more privileges, particularly those teaching subjects with a minority of Kuwaitis in them, by i n c re a s i n g t h e s a l a r y s t r u c t u re o f teachers to encourage them to specialize in certain fields of education.

—Al-Watan

Al-Khorafi to take part in IPU conference KUWAIT: Kuwaiti poetess Noura Al-Mulaifi (third from left) took part in the Gulf Women Creativity Cultural Forum held in Sharjah recently and presented five of her poems.

Kuwaiti doctor nominated for WAO VP’s Post KUWAIT: Dr Samira Al-Saad, the director of the Kuwait Center for Autism (KCA), has been nominated for the vice presidency of the World Autism Organization (WAO) and the directorship of the WAO’s Middle East division.

Dr Al-Saad was nominated for the posts during the WAO’s latest meeting in Belgium, which also saw Dr. Paul Shattuck from England appointed as the organization’s new president. Kuwait is set to hold the next WAO conference in 2014.

Dr Al-Saad, who faces competition from other nominees from Spain Ireland, South Africa, Mexico and Denmark, said in a press release issued yesterday that the WAO’s main goal is to spread the message of the rights of autistic individuals globally. It achieves this, she explained, through holding conferences and workshops on the issue of autism, as well as meeting with parliamentarians and heads of state to lobby for the introduction of more legislation offering job opportunities and social programs for autistic people worldwide.

KUWAIT: Jassem Al-Khorafi, Speaker of the National Assembly, and the accompanying delegation will head today to Brussels to partake in the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) 124th conference, a visit which also will witness meetings with European Parliamentarians.

According to a press release by the parliament yesterday, Al-Khorafi noted that the conference, to be held mid-April, would focus on issues concerning the prevention of violence and other violations during the process of elections and also on parliaments’ role in development and natural resources management.

Al-Khorafi will meet with the President of the European Parliament Jer z y Buzek in Brussels on Tuesday, according to Buzek’s agenda distributed to the press in Brussels. AlKhorafi is also expected to meet a number of other Members of the European Parliament during his visit.

Moreover, he is scheduled to meet with the President of the Belgian House of Representatives, Andre Falhaut, on Tuesday, and also with the first Vice-President of the Belgian Senate, Willy Demeyer, tomorrow according to the Senate’s agenda. —KUNA

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KUWAIT: Sheikh Ahmad Mishal Al-Sabah cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the government services fair.

KUWAIT: An employee of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training explaining a model of a new project.

KUWAIT: Sheikh Ahmad Mishal Al-Sabah being awarded by the Ministry of Electricity and Water. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Expo helps raise awareness of public sector bodies’ services Kuwait prepares to enter a new economic era

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: A three-day exhibition to raise awareness of the services provided by 19 public sector bodies ended yesterday. The event, organized by the Spatial Conferences Company, took place at the Movenpick Hotel in Kuwait’s Free Trade Zone, where it was held under the patronage of Kuwait’s Development Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and State Minister for Housing Affairs.

The exhibition took place as Kuwait prepares to enter a new economic era after the country’s state bodies approved the first development plan, which includes major projects worth KD 37 billion, which should be completed within the next four years. It is believed that these projects will develop Kuwait in all fields. The development plan is a part of a complete strategic governmental vision that aims to transfer Kuwait into a financial and commercial center attracting foreign investments, with the private sector directing the economic activity.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Sheikh Ahmad Meshaal Al-Sabah, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad’s Assistant Undersecretary, praised the organizers’ and participants’ efforts. Visitors to the event had the chance to familiarize themselves with the work done by the various state bodies represented there and to find out more about their future plans.

Salem Al-Enezi, the exhibition manager, told the Kuwait Times, “Through holding this fair we aim to highlight the services of the participating institutes so people will be able to find out more about the services they provide, and how these have developed over time and have benefited from modern technology used to facilitate completion of the paperwork submitted by

members of the public.” He added that visitors were also given the opportunity to find out about the state bodies’ future plans to provide better, faster services.

Another official who attended the opening event, Jassem Al-Lingawi, the Assisting Undersecretary for Consumers Affairs at the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW), revealed that the ministry recently signed a contract with external contractors to install prepaid meters in state and private sector commercial facilities to enable them to pay for the water used and hopefully encourage them to reduce wastage. “The installation of these meters should start during next May, and this project will conclude in August,” he revealed, adding, “These meters will be installed in 24 stations in Kuwait within one year”.

Al-Lingawi revealed that the smart meters will be installed in investment, commercial, and private sectors. “The tender for this project is still with the tenders committee, and I hope they won’t make any comments on it,” he continued. “The benefit of the prepaid cards is that the ministry collects the payment for electricity and water from the consumer in advance.

In addition the consumer will be able to control his consumption of energy. I expect that this system will be applied in the investment sectors within a year.”

KUWAIT: Sheikh Ahmed at the booth of the Ministry of Interior.

Bahraini speaker visiting Kuwait to express gratitude MANAMA: The Speaker of the Bahraini Parliament Khalifa AlDhahrani revealed yesterday that he is set to visit Kuwait today to express his nation’s gratitude for Kuwait’s role in supporting Bahrain during recent turbulent events there.

Al-Dhahrani said that the objective of his visit is to express his nation’s appreciation for Kuwait’s position in supporting Bahrain at the economic, security and political levels, whether through its executive or legislative authorities or at the grassroots level.

The senior parliamentary official revealed that during his visit, he will meet with his Kuwaiti counterpart, National Assembly Speaker

Jassem Al-K harafi. Kuwait has always extended an open hand to Bahrain when it comes to ensuring stabilit y and securit y in the Kingdom, he said, particularly citing an offer of $10 billion made by Kuwait and the other fellow GCC countries to the kingdom during the recent unrest there.

Kuwait has participated in the Peninsula Shield Force and has taken part in the protection of Bahrain’s maritime borders, with the deployment of a naval force, Al-Dhahrani noted, adding that all the GCC states have shown the world a unity of attitude and cooperation in achieving security and stability in all the member states. — KUNA

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Years

LOCAL

Two Kuwaiti teenagers killed in Al-Ghous street accident Building janitor held for sexual assault KUWAIT: A speeding car on Al-Ghous street accidentally ran over and killed two Kuwaiti teenagers and left a third victim seriously injured. The three friends were struck by the car, driven by a citizen, while crossing the road.

Paramedics pronounced the 15 and 19-year-old youths dead upon their arrival and admitted the other to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

KNCC Club offers unique experience for movie buffs KUWAIT: Kuwait’s older movie buffs can still remember the Kuwait National Cinema Company’s (KNCC) prominent role in the 1980s in reviewing the latest movies hitting the country’s cinemas and T V screens, providing an invaluable resource for film aficionados here.

The KNCC Club, founded in June 1976, is still going strong and has been working tirelessly for 35 years now to convey the cultural and cinematic messages of the film world to Kuwait’s movie aficionados.

Speaking to KUNA yesterday, Abdulmohsen Al-Tammar, a member of the KNCC Club’s management board, said that the club remains as keen as ever to nurture young local talent, revealing that it’s currently supporting

one of the youngest-ever talented Kuwaiti film directors, 14-year-old Abdulaziz Al-Shalfan.

“KNCC Club has adopted two policies which focus on backing national talent, as well as benefiting from foreign expertise,” explained the official, adding that the club is set to upgrade its basic filmmaking equipment to enable those interested in working in this field to pursue their goals.

Speaking about the KNCC club’s continuing development, its director, film critic Emad Al-Nuwairi, revealed that it will be holding several workshops to help develop local filmmaking talent, as well as screening several movies from around the world as part of its development process. —KUNA

Physical assault A citizen was held for questioning by authorities when a female resident accused him of physically assaulting her. The Indian woman informed police at the Abu Halifa police station that the man beat her and provided them with a medical report of her injuries. Her injuries included bruises on various parts of her body as well as broken bones on her right hand.

Stabbing case Ahmadi police arrested a Kuwaiti woman for stabbing her ex-husband because he refused to go back to her. The victim, a citizen, informed authorities that his wife stabbed him in his left thigh. The assailant was held for questioning.

Sexual assault The janitor of a building in Salmiya was held in custody by police for allegedly sexually assaulting a disabled girl. Police at the Rumathiya police station were approached by a

man who informed them that his physically disabled daughter was assaulted by his building’s janitor in his room. Officers placed the suspect under arrest and brought him in for questioning.

Like father like son A serviceman in the Kuwaiti Army is being accused of verbally assaulting the headmaster of a school after he was summoned to the school because of his troublemaking son. The man was asked to attend a meeting at the school, which is in the Mubarak Al-Kabeer educational directorate, in order to attend a meeting concerning his son’s behavior. After being informed that his son was creating a lot of trouble at the school, by bullying classmates and insulting teachers, the staff sergeant verbally assaulted the headmaster and spat in his face.

The man was also physically restrained as he attempted to attack the headmaster of the school. When the man left, the headmaster reported the incident to the Mubarak Al-Kabeer police station.

Drug overdose A citizen was found dead inside his house in South Surra as a result of a drug overdose.

Authorities responded to the scene after the victim’s brother reported finding him unconscious inside his room. The man was pronounced dead

by paramedics and drug paraphernalia was found near the body. A preliminary medical examination confirmed that the man died as result of a drug overdose.

Body found Authorities at the northern border found the body of a man that was later identified as an Iraqi soldier. It was determined that someone attempted to bury the body but that it was exposed during the recent sandstorm. Kuwaiti authorities contacted their Iraqi counterparts and the victim’s remains were successfully transferred to Iraq.

Drug abusers Hawally police arrested two citizens for abusing and being in possession of drugs. The two suspects were spotted inside a suspiciously parked car in Hawally and were apprehended before they could escape. They were referred to the proper authorities.

Fugitive nabbed A man wanted for drug related charges was recently arrested at a security checkpoint on Gulf Road near Mangaf. Officers at the checkpoint ordered the suspect to pull over when they spotted him trying to avoid them. He was immediately put under arrest when police discovered that he was wanted for a six year jail sentence.

— Al-Watan, Al-Rai, Al-Qabas

Wataniya Telecom launches ‘Backstage’ NBK organizes banking familiarization tour for students KUWAIT: The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) hosted a group of students from Bayan High School in a banking familiarization tour at the bank’s head office.

NBK Public Relations officers Yaqoub AlBaqer and Fahad Al-Mane’e received the visiting group of students in a familiarization tour of the bank’s various departments,

including the main banking hall.

Al-Baqer said that the students showed great interest with the broad-spectrum of NBK financial and banking products and services and were particularly inquisitive about the multi-benefit Al-Azraq and AlShabab Al-Watani accounts, exclusively designed for high school, college and uni-

Kuwaiti wins three medals in Geneva Inventions Exhibition

KUWAIT: Music is a universal language that connects people. Now Wataniya customers can explore the world of entertainment with unlimited music and listen to their favorite tracks with Wataniya’s new music application called Backstage.

Wataniya launched this exciting new music service at a press conference held at the Sahara Golf Club on April 6. This event received great publicity, as it was attended

by America’s hit R&B sensation NE-YO. Also present at the event were Wataniya’s senior management and 10 lucky winners who participated in Wataniya’s Backstage contest on Facebook.

Wataniya Telecom in collaboration with Universal Music Group, Mazzika and Melody has launched Backstage, an entertainment service that is solely dedicated to unlimited music content on the mobile. Through this service customers can access over 120,000 songs in English and Arabic on their phones or PCs. Backstage brings great value to music fans. The monthly fee ranges from KD 1 to 3 per month depending on which music category a customer chooses (Arabic, English or both).

Backstage does not have any downloading charges and offers unlimited access to music, news of the latest happenings in the entertainment world and a chance to win concert tickets and backstage invites to international events. Backstage is available to Wink customers for only 500 Fils per month since they are young adults who would enjoy this service and make maximum use of it.

What makes Backstage perfectly different is the songs’ quality which is often checked and managed by music professionals. Customers can download and listen to the high quality songs for free before even downloading.

Taking immense pride in the launch of the Backstage service, Chadi Alid, Director of Product Development and VAS at Wataniya said “We want to enrich the lives of our customers with innovative experiences. By creating a music application such as Backstage, we have given all our customers; young, old, foreigners and locals easy and convenient access to the world of music and entertainment. We will strive to create many more interactive and exciting services that will add more value to the lives of our customers.”

NE-YO made the press conference even more memorable by talking about his accomplishments in the music world and answered questions from the press. He further highlighted the uniqueness of the Backstage service and urged the audience to sign up for it.

In order to enjoy music content, people must subscribe to Backstage, and download it on their mobile or PC. Customers can also download the application and try it for free. In this case, they can use the application to browse/pre-listen to the music content without downloading it. Customers who join the service can listen to music in online or offline mode. The Backstage service can be accessed in the online mode using 3G or Wi-Fi Networks. Subscribers can use the service in the offline mode only for 15 days, during which they can only listen to the songs they have downloaded when they were online. To learn more about the service and enjoy it everyone can visit http://myw.wataniya.com/backstage.

GENEVA: Kuwaiti inventor Sadeq Qassem yesterday won gold and two silver medals for his three projects listed in the 39th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva.

The exhibition is held from April 6 to 10, as Qassem’s three projects had previously won him the 2010 Arab inventor trophy.

Qassem gifted his win to the Kuwaiti leadership and people, as well as the Kuwait Finance House (KFH) for its generous financial and moral support, which enabled him to champion his way through some 750 inventors from around the world.

He also shared his victory with Chairman of the Kuwaiti Science Club Eyad Al-Kharafi, Al-Qabas daily and his colleagues Abduulah Murad and

Abdullah Abu Al-Qassem.

Qassem’s inventions included the “Alchemist”; a device that has five functions that help in facilitating the process of analyzing samples sufficiently and more accurately; thus, making assessment of any samples a speedy and reliable procedure.

The second invention, “Smart Vent”, is a device that decreases the consumption of electricity and power in bathrooms, while his “Smart Door” project enables parents to control the opening of doors for children by providing sensors that measure the weight of an individual and height, which automatically opens the door via providing an exact input and data for authorized individuals.

Around 765 inventors from 45 countries are partaking in the event. —KUNA

versity students.

Commenting on the conclusion of the visit, the students expressed their sincere thanks for NBK and the opportunity they have been given to gain a better understanding of the banking job and get a personal insight about NBK and the career field in general.

PM to honor Bin Talal at Arab media forum

By A Saleh KUWAIT: While inaugurating the 8th Arab Media Forum (AMF), scheduled to be held in Kuwait from April 24 - 26, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah is expected to honor Saudi media figure Al-Waleed Bin Talal as the media figure of the year. On this regard AMF Secretary General, media figure Madhi Al-Khamees justified the selection of this year’s honoree, saying that Bin Talal has invested in media businesses and that his specialized satellite TV channels have greatly promoted Arab media.

Egyptian PM tour Official sources said that Egyptian PM Dr Essam Sharaf will begin a tour of the Gulf with a state visit to Saudi Arabia within the next few days. The visit will be followed by a tour to other Gulf states, including Kuwait, to discuss bilateral issues, economic cooperation and Egypt’s support of Bahrain.

School lecture organizers Investigations launched by the Ministr y of Education into the religious lecture delivered by a Shiite clergyman to a girls high school resulted in finding the school’s director and other administrative figures legally accountable for violating the school’s rules. The lecture was investigated after it was learned that the clergyman spoke on subjects such as sex, happiness amongst couples and Nikah Al-Mutah (temporary marriage).

BRASILIA: Ambassador Yousif Ahmad Abdulsamad pictured with Carlos Alberto Liria yesterday.

Kuwaiti, Brazilian officials discuss parliamentary relations BRASILIA: The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Brazil Yousif Ahmad Abdulsamad yesterday met with the chairman of the Brazilian Commission of External Affairs and National Security, Carlos Alberto Liria, with the discussions between the two senior officials focusing on further enhancing Kuwaiti-Brazilian diplomatic relations.

Speaking after the meeting, the ambassador said that it had been quite fruitful, and that both he and Liria had affirmed the necessity of mutual cooperation at the diplomatic and popular levels between the two friendly countries.

Ambassador Abdulsamad also lauded

the role played by the members of the Brazilian and Kuwaiti legislatures in strengthening bilateral relations and diplomatic efforts in support of their respective nations’ governments’ official efforts.

The senior diplomat further revealed that during the meeting, he and the Brazilian government representative had also discussed the formation of joint parliamentary friendship committees to exchange visits of parliamentary delegations, discuss regional and international issues and coordinate stances in preparation for international parliamentary forums. — KUNA

Decisions halted in MOC O fficial sources at the Ministr y of Communications (MOC) announced that decisions to appoint certain employees to leading positions only two days prior to the cabinet’s resignation were halted upon instructions from the caretaker Minister of Communications himself, Mohammed Al-Bossairi.

The sources added that the positions were about to be filled when Al-Bossairi stopped them to avoid any possible confrontation that may result from a potential violation of rules and regulations. Al-Bossairi announced the standstill of all new appointments, deputizings, transfers and promotions until the new cabinet is in office.

Bedoons recruitment O fficial sources said that the Civil Ser vice Commission (CSC) recently informed the Central Apparatus for Handling the Affairs of Illegal Residents of a new decision to allow the recruitment of bedoons into government establishments. The decision would allow bedoons to be hired under the same rules and conditions that apply for expatriate laborers according to each ministries’ needs. The sources added that the decision will first be implemented in the Ministries of Education and Health and that other ministries will be free to hire bedoons according to their needs. The sources noted that the new decision will be implemented when the new cabinet takes office.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

French burqa ban goes into force tomorrow

Blasts mar crucial Nigeria election

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Gaddafi, pupils defy West AJDABIYA: Rebels positioned behind a previously-destroyed tank, fire a rocket in the air towards advancing proGaddafi forces, on the outskirts of Ajdabiya, Libya yesterday. — AP

New fighting erupts on the eastern front AJDABIYAH: A buoyant Muammar Gaddafi made his first television appearance for five days yesterday and his troops engaged rebels in new fighting on the eastern front in Libya’s civil war. While fighting flared up again on the war’s only active frontline, a Red Cross ship brought medical supplies to the besieged western city of Misrata, scene of bitter street battles, where conditions are said to be desperate. Gaddafi’s forces shelled the western outskirts of Ajdabiyah, launch point for rebel attacks towards the Mediterranean oil port of Brega.

A Reuters correspondent heard artillery impacts and machinegun fire for around 30 minutes, coming from the western boundary of the town, the gateway to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi 150 km to the northeast. Al Jazeera television said Gaddafi forces had entered Ajdabiyah. Gaddafi smiled and pumped his fists in the air as he received an ecstatic welcome at a school in Tripoli, where women ululated and pupils chanted antiwestern slogans. One woman cried with emotion as he passed. Gaddafi, wearing his trademark brown robes and dark glasses, was last seen on television on April 4.

He looked confident and relaxed, confirming the impression among analysts that his administration has emerged from a period of paralysis and is hunkering down for a long campaign.

Inconclusive see-saw battles have raged along the desert road between Brega and Ajdabiyah for over a week after Gaddafi’s military pushed back a rebel advance. Western generals are increasingly pessimistic that the military stalemate can be broken despite NATO air attacks on Gaddafi’s armored forces. A Red Cross ship managed to dock in Misrata yesterday carrying enough medical supplies to treat 300 patients with gunshot wounds.

Misrata, the lone major rebel outpost in the west of Libya, has been under siege by Gaddafi’s forces for weeks. Insurgents said on Friday they had repelled an assault on the eastern flank of the city after fierce street battles that killed five people. Misrata, Libya’s third largest city, rose up with other towns against Gaddafi in mid-February after a security crackdown snuffed out most peaceful protests in the west. Rebels say people in Misrata are crammed five families to a house in the few

safe districts to escape weeks of sniper, mortar and rocket fire. There are severe shortages of food, water and medical supplies and hospitals are overflowing.

The rebels said they intended to take Brega yesterday and some had penetrated the outskirts. “God willing, we will take Brega today. We already have people up there and we will try to do it today,” said rebel Captain Hakim Muazzib from a petrol station on the desert road between the two towns. There were 10 pick-up trucks waiting in the petrol station, carrying rocket launchers and machineguns. Abdullah Mutalib, 27, a rebel lying in a hospital bed in Ajdabiyah with a bullet wound in his side said: “Some of us got inside Brega to the university, some got to the outskirts. Then we came under rocket fire.” NATO air strikes hit weapons depots belonging to Gaddafi forces near Zintan, south of Tripoli, on Friday, a resident said. “The depots are situated 15 km southeast of Zintan. We could see buildings on fire in the distance,” the resident, called Abdulrahman, said by phone.

An oil tanker carrying 80,000 tons of crude that the rebels need to finance their uprising entered the Suez Canal yesterday after leaving rebel-held east Libya.

Traders say it is heading for China with the first cargo the rebels have sold. Western officials have acknowledged that their air power will not be enough to help the rag-tag rebels overthrow Gaddafi by force and they are now emphasizing a political solution. NATO air strikes, with the stated aim of protecting civilians against Gaddafi’s army under a UN mandate, have created rather than broken a stalemate with neither side now strong enough to land a knockout blow.

Alliance officials have expressed frustration that Gaddafi‘s tactics of sheltering his armor in civilian areas has diluted the impact of supremacy in the skies over Libya. Analysts predict a long, low-level conflict possibly leading to partition between east and west in the sprawling country. “The opposition forces are insufficient to break this deadlock and so as things stand, the march on Tripoli is not going to happen,” said John Marks, chairman of Britain’s Cross Border Information consultancy. “This standoff looks like it could go on pretty much forever ... for now we have a stalemate so we are looking rather more at a de facto partition.” — Reuters

Saudi eyes US warships WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia has asked the United States for prices for surface warships with integrated air and missile defenses, helicopters, patrol craft and shore infrastructure, the US Navy said on Friday. The Navy is preparing a rough cost estimate that would be delivered possibly as soon as May, Navy spokeswoman Captain Cate Mueller said. Saudi Arabia is the biggest US arms buyer and is expected to remain so despite political upheaval in the Middle East.

The request for medium surface combat ships and the rest of the hardware was received by the

Navy in July through the Saudi Ministry of Defense and Aviation, Mueller said. Earlier on Friday, Lockheed Martin Corp executives said the first phase of the so-called Saudi Naval Expansion Program-II could be worth $20 billion, attributing the estimate to US Navy officials. The company would likely vie for any such orders. Other likely competitors would be Australia’s Austal Ltd and General Dynamics Corp, which teamed up to build a Littoral Combat Ship for the US Navy, as is Lockheed.

Paul Lemmo, a Lockheed vice president for business development, said the company would

pitch a multimission version of its fast new coastal combat ship, perhaps fitted with Lockheed’s Aegis weapon system. In October, the Obama administration notified Congress of a proposed arms sale to Saudi Arabia potentially worth as much as $60 billion over 15 to 20 years. It would be the largest arms deal on record if all purchases are made, including 84 Boeing F-15 fighter jets and upgrades to 70 more F-15s that the Saudis already have. Also included would be three types of helicopters plus 150 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles built by Raytheon Co and Lockheed Martin Corp. — Reuters

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

Egyptians turn anger on army Protesters defy army bid to clear Tahrir Square CAIRO: Thousands of protesters turned their anger on the army yesterday demanding that Egypt’s ruling military council hand power to civilians and pressing for former President Hosni Mubarak to be put on trial. The army, which has ruled Egypt since “The military council is part and parcel of the corrupt regime. It is made up of heads of the army that have benefited from Mubarak and his 30 years of robbing the Egyptian people,” said Abdullah Ahmed, 45, a protester in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. The army dismisses such charges and says it is guarding against any attempt by former officials to undermine reforms.

CHANTS AGAINST ARMY COUNCIL The army met opposition when it tried to rid the square of a few thousand hardy protesters who stayed late into Friday night. “Thank God, we resisted them (the army), and we are still here,” said one protester in Tahrir, which was the epicentre of demonstrations that pushed

Mubarak was forced out of office on Feb 11, has become a growing target for a hardcore of protesters who say the generals are colluding with remnants of Mubarak’s network and thwarting calls for a deeper purge. post and lets someone else do it.

The slowness of the process makes people suspicious that the army (leadership) might be implicated,” said Ashraf Abdel-Aziz, 36, a shop owner. In scenes reminiscent of the height of protests against Mubarak, three burnedout army vehicles were left in the square. Some protesters, angry at the army’s tactics, hurled rocks at

CAIRO: A protester holds shell casings as another man holds up his blood-stained hand following an attack by security forces in Tahrir Square yesterday. —AP Protester ire was fuelled yesterday after the army tried to clear demonstrators from Tahrir during curfew hours from 2 am to 5 am.

Troops and police used tasers and batons. Sounds of gunshots rang out across the square overnight.

Medical sources said two men died out of 15 wounded by gunshots. The army said it only fired blanks and its operation caused no deaths. State television said one person was killed and 71 were wounded in acts of rioting, without giving details. It was not clear if there were any other armed people in the square when the shots were fired. Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians had packed into Tahrir on Friday in the biggest protests since Feb. 18, when millions turned out across Egypt to celebrate Mubarak’s downfall.

Mubarak out on Feb 11.

Hundreds were still in Tahrir by early yesterday morning. Those numbers rose to several thousand later in the day. “Why is the army beating us? Why is the army firing at us?” protesters chanted overnight when the army moved in, a witness reported.

Some protesters want the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to hand power to a civilian council and have called for the resignation of Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who heads the army council. He has stayed on as defence minister after serving for two decades in that post under Mubarak. “Either Field Marshal Tantawi puts these peopleMubarak, Gamal (his son), and the others-on trial, or he leaves his

the smouldering hulk of one of the army trucks.

“The army is in a tough position. What happened Friday was a result of the army’s mismanagement of how to steer the revolution forward, but not complicity with the old Mubarak regime,” said Hasan Nafaa, a political science professor who was active in mobilizing the protest movement. “The army is trying to make a balance between carrying out reforms, purging the old system and maintaining economic and political stability. The army knows well that many key people from Mubarak’s era control the economy and have deep roots in society. It is therefore taking measured steps,” Nafaa said. Many ordinary Egyptians are tired of the protests that have hurt the economy and want an end to the disruption.

COMPLAINTS GROW The ruling military council said police and soldiers had “confronted acts of rioting and implemented a curfew” without causing any loss of life and blamed disturbances on “elements outside the law in Tahrir”, the state news agency reported. The council also said on its Facebook page it had ordered the detention of Ibrahim Kamel, a senior member in Mubarak’s party, for “incitement and thuggery by some of his associates that stirred up the people in Tahrir Square” on Friday. The council said it would “continue with firmness to seek out remnants of the previous regime and National Democratic Party” involved in such acts in order to maintain security.

The military has enjoyed broad support since it took control, but complaints against its rule have grown.

“We condemn the intentional slowness of the military council in meeting demands of the revolution and call on Egyptians to return to Tahrir Square and stay until Mubarak and his followers are arrested and tried,” the coalition of youth groups, which drove the initial anti-Mubarak protests, said in a statement. “We want the army and the system to be purged of all corrupt officials who want to stop the revolution in its tracks,” said Mohamed Noubi, 23, a protester in Tahrir. Some protesters took barbed wire that had been left unused by the army yesterday and dragged it across roads leading to the square. As they had done during protests to oust Mubarak, demonstrators started checking IDs of those entering Tahrir.

“We will not leave here again until they take tangible steps to put Mubarak and high officials on trial,” said Mohamed AbdulKarim, 31, a lawyer. He said he was a member of a committee to protect the rights of people injured in protests. Mubarak and his family are banned from leaving Egypt. The former president, 82, is living in internal exile in the Red Sea resort of Sharm elSheikh. The military had forcibly dispersed protesters before from Tahrir Square. In that case, the militar y apologized the next day, saying there had been no order to assault the protesters and called the incident unintentional.—Reuters

Iraqi cleric threatens to revive Mehdi Army BAGHDAD: Iraq’s fiery antiAmerican cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr will “escalate military resistance” and unleash his Mehdi Army militia if US troops fail to leave Iraq as scheduled this year, his aides said yesterday. On the 8th anniversary of the day US forces toppled Saddam Hussein’s statue in Baghdad, senior Sadr aide Hazem Al-Araji told tens of thousands of followers: “We say to the Black House (White House), ‘we are all time bombs and the detonators are at the hands of Moqtada AlSadr.’ American troops must definitely leave our lands.”

Men, women and childrenmany waving Iraq’s black, white and red flag or singing songsgathered in Baghdad’s Mustansiriya square to mark the occasion. The mood was festive, and vendors milled around, selling ice cream, water and juice.

Some of the followers carried signs reading “Occupiers Out” and “No to America”. Others burned US, Israeli and British flags, or draped white funeral shrouds over their shoulders- signifying they were willing to die for their beliefs. As the crowd cheered wildly, spokesman Salah al-Ubaidi read out a speech from the influential Shi’ite cleric, warning an extension of the U.S. “occupation” would have two consequences.

“First, the escalation of military resistance work and the withdrawal of the order freezing the Mehdi Army, in a new statement issued later. Second, escalation of

peaceful and public resistance through sit-ins and protests, to say that the people want the exit of the occupation,” he said. Sadr is currently in Iran, a source close to him said. The warning came after visiting US Defense Secretary Robert Gates pressed the Iraqi government to decide if it wanted US troops to stay on and help fend off a festering insurgency.

Ali Mohammed, a 39-year-old government employee at the protest who had wrapped an Iraqi flag around his head, said a delayed withdrawal would trigger extraordinary violence. “ They must understand that our resistance now is peaceful, but it will turn into actions beyond imagination,” he said.

S ome 47,000 remaining forces are scheduled to leave by year ’s end under a securit y agreement between the two countries. Sadr’s Mehdi Army militia fought US troops during the height of Iraq’s sectarian bloodshed in 2006-07, when tens of thousands of Iraqis were killed. Prime Minister Nuri AlMaliki sent government troops to crush the militia in 2008.

US officials and Sunni Arab leaders accused the M ehdi Army of being behind many of the sec tarian k illings in Iraq after the 2003 US invasion that deposed Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein. Sadr disavowed violence against fellow Iraqis and in 2008 ordered his militia to become a humanitarian group.

BAGHDAD: Followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, seen in the poster, burn US flags during a rally marking the eighth anniversary of the fall of the Iraqi capital to American troops in Baghdad yesterday. —AP The black- clad fighters have maintained a relatively low profile since but US officials still regard them with suspicion.

Sadr’s political movement won strong support in elections last year and overcame animosity towards Maliki to join his coalition government, formed in December after nine months of tense negotiations bet ween Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish factions.

Sadr, who fled Iraq in 2006 or 2007 after an arrest warrant was issued for him, has lived and

studied in neighboring Iran in recent years. He returned in early January but did not stay long before heading back to Iran.

Sadr and his senior leaders have the ability to turn out hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic followers. Maliki has said foreign troops will not be needed in Iraq after the US security pact expires at year-end but US and Iraqi military officials have said Iraq’s fledgling army and police still need help, particularly with air defense to protect against external threats. —Reuters

ISFAHAN: Iranian spectators watch an unidentified motocross rider take a jump during a training session, in the city of Isfahan, some 234 miles south of the Tehran. —AP

Tehran producing centrifuge parts Ahmadinejad fires controversial aide TEHRAN: Iran’s foreign minister yesterday confirmed claims by an exiled Iranian opposition group that a factory west of Tehran is manufacturing centrifuge parts, but said the facility was no secret and that many other factories in the country were making components for Iran’s nuclear program. The comments by Ali Akbar Saleh came two days after the Mujahedeen-e Khalq announced at a press conference in Washington that its spies identified the factory, called the TABA facility, saying workers there produced centrifuge casings, molecular pumps, tubes and bellows for the centrifuges.

Iran has long said it is producing its own centrifuges for its uranium enrichment program. Enrichment can produce either fuel for a nuclear reactor or the material for a nuclear warhead.

Salehi said the factory referred to by the Mujahedeen “is not a new discovery ... we are manufacturing parts there and this is nothing confidential.” “There are plenty of factories in the country that supply the equipment needed by ... the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran,” he said yesterday, according to the state news agency IRNA. Tehran contends its nuclear program is intended only for a civilian nuclear power program. The United States and its allies suspect it seeks the capacity to build nuclear bombs, and the United Nations has demanded Iran halt enrichment.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed his chief of staff yesterday, sidelining a controversial figure who is seen as a possible future presidential contender.

Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaie, a target for Ahmadinejad’s detractors within the conservative ruling elite, has survived many calls to be sacked and had

enjoyed the confidence of the president, to whom he is related by the marriage of their children.

While Mashaie retains several other governmental posts, his position as chief of staff has been taken by another close Ahmadinejad aide, Hamid Baqaie, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Mashaie has angered hardliners by suggesting Iran was a friend to all nations, including the people of Israel, and by promoting an “Iranian” school of Islam, which many religious conservatives consider highly controversial.

Although a behind-the-scenes player in Iranian politics, Mashaie regularly makes headlines, with speculation growing recently about a possible run for the presidency in 2013 when Ahmadinejad’s second and final term ends. Yesterday one newspaper was still reporting on a controversy from the summer of 2009 when Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asked the newly re-elected Ahmadinejad to sack Mashaie from the post of first vicepresident. Ahmadinejad eventually did so, only to appoint him chief of staff.

Instead of heeding calls last year from conservatives to fire Mashaie for what some called his “pagan nationalism”, Ahmadinejad gave him an additional high-profile role as his foreign policy adviser for the Middle East-a move which was also seen as an attempt by the president to subvert the Foreign Ministry. But yesterday’s reshuffle dealt a blow to Mashaie’s image as an untouchable power behind the president. “Mr Mashaie is a figure who has many opponents in the political establishment and it may be that the president feels that instead of him being an asset he is becoming a liability,” said Mohammad Marandi, an associate professor at the University of Tehran. —Agencies

French burqa ban goes into force tomorrow PARIS: French police will from tomorrow become the first officers in Europe empowered to intercept Muslim women wearing full-face veils and to threaten them with fines if they refuse to expose their faces.

While some other countries and territories have drawn up bans on the burqa and the niqab, France-home to Europe’s largest Muslim population-will be the first to risk stirring social tensions by putting one into practice.

The law comes into effect at an already fraught moment in relations between the state and France’s Muslim minority, with President Nicolas Sarkozy accused of stigmatizing Islam to win back votes from a resurgent far right. French officials estimate that only around 2,000 women, from a total Muslim population estimated at between four and six million, wear a niqab or a burqa, full-face veils that are traditional in parts of Arabia and South Asia.

But many Muslims and rights watchdogs accuse Sarkozy of targeting one of France’s most vulnerable and isolated groups to signal to anti-immigration voters that he shares their fear that Islam is a threat to French culture. Other critics worry the law may be hard to enforce, since it had to be drawn up without reference to religion to ban any kind of face covering in public and since police officers will not be allowed to remove women’s head coverings. Many supporters of the law have defended it as a measure not designed to harm Islam, but to support a woman’s right to walk unveiled, although the text makes it clear that a woman can not choose herself to cover her face in public.

Under a ministerial directive, anyone refusing to lift his or her veil to submit to an identity check can be taken to a police station. There, officers must try to persuade them to remove the garment, and can threaten fines.

A woman who repeatedly insists on appearing veiled in public can be fined 150 euros ($216) and ordered to attend re-education classes. There are much more severe penalties for anyone found guilty of forcing someone else to hide his or her face “through threats, violence, constraint, abuse of authority or power for reason of their gender.” Clearly aimed at fathers, hus-

NANTERRE: A veiled woman speaks with another woman while waiting at the courthouse in Nanterre, Paris western suburb. —AFP bands or religious leaders who force women to wear face-veils, and applicable to offences committed in public or in private, the law imposes a fine of 30,000 euros and a year in jail. Moves to impose the law began in June when an opposition Communist lawmaker demanded a parliamentary inquiry into whether the wearing of full-face veils was becoming more prevalent in French Muslim communities.

Sarkozy waited only a couple of days before weighing in, declaring the full-face veil was “not welcome” in France and branding it a symbol of “servitude” and not of religious observance.

France’s main Muslim representative body, the CFCM, partially agreed with him, issuing a statement arguing that insisting upon a niqab or a burqa was an “extremist” reading of the Koran and not a “religious obligation”. But other groups claimed the government had seized on an issue that touches a tiny minority and used it to stigmatize the entire Muslim community, which has been accused of failing to integrate into French life. —AFP

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Blasts mar crucial Nigerian election Bomb blast kills 11 LAGOS: An explosion rocked a polling station in Nigeria during yesterday’s twice-delayed parliamentary polls, causing injuries, a day after a bomb blast killed 11 people at an electoral office. Details were unclear about yesterday’s explosion in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, scene of repeated violence in recent months blamed on an Islamist sect, and came as Nigerians shook off fears over Friday’s bombing to cast votes. “There was no death as of now,” said emergency management agency spokesman Yushau Shuaib. “Only injuries and victims taken to hospital ...”

ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN: Injured people are carried out of a shopping mall after a shooting in Alphen aan den Rijn, 15 miles (25 kilometers) southwest of Amsterdam, Netherlands yesterday. —AP

6 die in Dutch mall shooting ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN: A gunman opened fire with an automatic weapon at a crowded shopping mall outside Amsterdam yesterday, leaving at least six people dead and wounding 11 others, Dutch officials said. The attacker was among the dead after fatally shooting himself at the Ridderhof mall in Alphen aan den Rijn, Mayor Bas Eenhoorn said. The suburb is less than 15 miles southwest of Amsterdam.

Four of the wounded were in critical condition, five were in serious condition and at least two others were slightly wounded, Eenhoorn said. A witness identified as Maart Verbeek told state broadcaster NOS the attacker had a machine gun and appeared to be shooting at random. “There was a panic in the mall, a lot of people running,” said Verbeek, a pet shop owner. “I see the attacker coming, walking, and I go inside the store ... and I see him going by with a big machine gun.” Hours after the shooting, residents continued to walk past the mall, some of whom appeared to be in a daze. “You hear about this sort of thing happening at American schools and you think that’s a long way away,” said Rob Kuipers, 50, a project manager. “Now it’s happened here in the Netherlands.”

Investigators were trying to determine the shooter’s identity, the mayor said. Witnesses said he had long blond hair, appeared to be about 25 years old, and wore a leather jacket with camouflage pants. A resident who lives

near the mall gave his name as Marijn said the shooting went on for several minutes.

When he went to see whether friends working at the mall were OK, he saw the shooter lying dead in front of a grocery store.

“There was glass everywhere,” the resident said. “He was just shooting everywhere as if it were the Wild West.” With his voice choking at times, Eenhoorn described the incident as a “disaster of unparalleled proportions” for Alphen, known as a quiet suburb, and it was all the more shocking because it took place on one of the first sunny days of spring.

“Under these circumstances, with many people shopping at the Ridderhof today, including parents with children, it’s an incomprehensible situation,” he said. Although rare, shootings and violence are not unknown in the Netherlands.

Among other incidents, in 1999, four students and a teacher were hurt in a school shooting and in 2004, a teacher was shot dead by a student. The country has also seen two assassinations in the past decade, the 2002 killing of right wing politician Pim Fortuyn by an animal rights activist and the 2004 murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by an Islamic extremist. In 2009, a loner drove his car into a group of bystanders during a royal parade, killing eight and wounding 10.

Gun permits are difficult to obtain, but illegal automatic weapons and ammunition are frequently seized during drug busts. —AP

An electoral commission spokesman confirmed the explosion in Maiduguri but could not immediately provide details. The blasts and repeated vote postponements have marred efforts to organize a credible ballot in Nigeria after years of violent and deeply flawed polls.

But many voters standing in line at polling stations said they were determined to see change.

Polling stations in many areas of Africa’s most populous nation had opened at or near the scheduled start time, in stark contrast to the week before, when organizational chaos led officials to pull the plug at around midday.

However, some areas started late, and the election was postponed in Suleija, the area near the capital Abuja hit by Friday’s bomb blast that killed at least 11 people and wounded 38 in an attack President Goodluck Jonathan called “heinous”. No one had claimed responsibility for the blast, which occurred as electoral workers, including members of the national youth service corps, made final preparations.

Despite the violence, there was a strong willingness across the country to cast ballots in the vote, the first of three landmark elections this month. From the economic capital Lagos, a

city of some 15 million people in the southwest, to the country’s second-largest city of Kano in the north, voters said they turned out because they saw this year’s election as an opportunity to break with the past. “I have voted a few times, but I have never seen as much voter turnout as this time,” said Usman Shehu, a 35-year-old banker among thousands seeking to vote at a polling place in a densely populated area of Kano.

Jonathan’s voting station in his home state of Bayelsa in the oil-producing Niger Delta region was among those that did not function a week ago, but yesterday it opened about 90 minutes after the scheduled start time. Before voting there, Jonathan said “there are some anti-social elements that want to derail the process of voting, but they will not succeed.” The effect that the postponements and blasts would have on final turnout was not yet clear, with there appearing to be fewer voters than the week before in some areas but more in others.

A lawyer at one Lagos polling station yesterday morning said the blast in Suleija should not be allowed to mar the vote. An electoral official at the same polling unit said

“they are trying to instill fear into us, but it will not work.” “Nigeria cannot be turned into another Afghanistan or Iraq,” said Nnamdi Ekweogu. A number of incidents were also reported in the Niger Delta-notorious for election fraud and violence in the pastincluding the hijacking of vote materials and personnel in one troubled area of Bayelsa state, an electoral official said. The presidential election is set for April 16, with Jonathan the favorite and his main challenger seen as ex-militar y ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

Governorship and state assembly ballots are set for April 26.

Tremendous hopes have been placed in a respected academic appointed in June to head the electoral commission, and he has been under intense pressure to deliver. His decision to pull the plug on parliamentary polls on April 2 hours after they were due to begin, with material and personnel failing to arrive in a large number of areas, at first drew outrage. But he has since received numerous expressions of support, including from the president, with many arguing it was better to call it off rather than push ahead with a vote that could never be considered credible.—AFP

Officer dies in shooting on UK nuke submarine LONDON: A Royal Navy officer was killed and another seriously injured in a shooting on a British nuclear-powered submarine, police said, which was only halted when a visiting politician tackled the gunman. Another member of the navy was arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident on Friday in the southern English port of Southampton, officials said, stressing that the shooting was not “terrorist-related”. The attack, aboard the British navy ’s most advanced and

newest submarine HMS Astute, came to an end when the leader of the local council disarmed the gunman and wrestled him to the ground.

The politician, Royston Smith, happened to be on a guided tour of the submarine at the time, which was in Southampton on a five-day visit after reportedly spending seven weeks at sea.

Describing his decision to tackle the gunman, Smith told the BBC: “He had a magazine with 30 rounds in it so I took the view

that someone had to stop him.

“At some point I decided that the best form of defense was to try to disarm him. I guess I’m lucky he did not hit me.” “He fired again while I had hold of the weapon. I had a strange feeling. I was not sure if I’d been hit—it didn’t hurtbut I wasn’t thankfully.”

Smith, a former member of the Royal Air Force (RAF), pushed the gunman to the ground and prised the weapon from his grasp. He then restrained the attacker with the help of the

council chief executive who was also on a tour of the submarine when the incident happened around noon (1100 GMT ). The mayor of Southampton was also part of the tour. A spokesman for Southampton City Council said the dignitaries were “safe and unharmed.” Armed police, firefighters, paramedics and the local air ambulance were quickly deployed to the docks when the incident started and two police launches patrolled near the submarine, witnesses said. —AFP

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US House votes to overturn ‘net neutrality’ rules WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives voted on Friday to overturn “net neutrality” rules aimed at ensuring an open Internet, setting the stage for a clash with the Senate and President Barack Obama. The House voted 240-179 in favor of a Republican-backed resolution that seeks to block the rules approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The House vote went almost entirely along party lines although six Democrats joined the Republicans in voting for the resolution and two Republicans opposed it.

The five-member, Democratic-controlled FCC, in a vote split on party

lines, agreed in December to the rules aimed at safeguarding “network neutrality”-the principle that lawful Web traffic should be treated equally.

Supporters have argued that the rules are needed to ensure an open Internet but opponents have decried them as unnecessary government intervention. The Senate, where Democrats are in the majority, is unlikely to pass a measure similar to that approved by the House and the White House has threatened a veto if the resolution reaches President Obama’s desk.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, a Republican from Virginia, welcomed the House’s approval of the resolution

calling it “an important step to bring down the FCC’s harmful and partisan plan to regulate the Internet.” “These regulations give the government unwarranted authority to control broadband networks which ultimately will hinder a thriving industry, harm competition and stifle innovation,” Cantor said. “Under Republican leadership, the House is focusing on ending anti-growth government regulations,” he said. Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi of California said the Republican-backed resolution “takes us in the wrong direction-revoking basic consumer protections, eliminating competition, and shutting off out-

lets of innovation.” Senator Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat from West Virginia, expressed disappointment with the House move saying “Americans want the Internet to remain free and open and the FCC’s net neutrality rules provided just that.”

The rules are a balancing act by the FCC between support for consumers and the cable and telephone companies that are the main Internet service providers in the United States. The rules would prevent fixed broadband providers from blocking lawful content, applications or services, providing their own video content at a faster speed, for example, than that of a rival.

Wireless providers may not block access to lawful websites or applications that compete directly with their own voice or video telephony services but they could potentially block other applications or services. Fixed broadband providers can also charge consumers according to usage, a metered pricing practice already used by some wireless carriers. US telecom carrier Verizon Communications filed a legal challenge to the FCC’s rules in January but a federal appeals court threw it out this week on the grounds that it was “premature” because the FCC has not yet published the rules in the Federal Register.— AFP

US-Pakistan intel operations frozen US aid funds could be imperiled; Ties strained

MIAMI: Luis Posada Carriles talks to a reporter in Miami. A Texas jury has found an elderly ex-CIA agent from Cuba not guilty of all 11 counts of perjury, obstruction and immigration fraud. — AP

Anti-Castro former CIA agent cleared of lying HOUSTON: A Texas jury has acquitted an 83-year-old anti-Castro Cuban exile and former CIA operative, considered an archfoe by Havana, of charges he lied to US authorities about his role in bomb attacks against tourist areas in Cuba in 1997. Attorneys said the federal jury deliberated for three hours after a 13week trial in El Paso and acquitted Luis Posada Carriles of 11 counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and immigration fraud. Posada, who had been active in anti-communist operations across Latin America for decades, is described as a “terrorist” by Cuba’s communist leadership. In Havana, the government website Cubadebate scathingly reported the acquittal, calling it “Justice made in USA.” Cuba has accused US authorities of being hypocritical by calling for international cooperation against terrorism while showing leniency toward Posada.

Posada, who lives in Miami, is wanted in both Cuba and Venezuela, where he is accused of masterminding the 1976 suitcase bombing of a Cubana Airlines jet that killed 73 people. In Caracas, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing its indignation at what it called the “farce” in El Paso. “We’re obviously disappointed by the decision,” US Department of Justice spokesman Dean Boyd said. “We appreciate the jury’s service during this lengthy and hardfought trial.”

Felipe Milan, one of Posada’s attorneys, said the defense “has always had the ultimate trust and faith in the US

judiciary,” and noted that a federal judge in 2007 threw out immigration fraud charges against Posada. The case in Texas centered on allegations that Posada lied to US immigration officials about how he entered the United States and about his role in bomb attacks against hotels and restaurants in Havana in 1997. An Italian tourist died in the attacks. Salvadoran and Guatemalan nationals convicted and imprisoned in Cuba for the 1997 attacks testified in their trials there that they were hired and instructed by Posada. The Texas indictment did not charge Posada with planting the Cuba bombs.

He was originally convicted in Venezuela of the airliner bombing, but escaped from prison in 1985. Cuba and Venezuela have demanded his extradition from the United States without success. In comments quoted by Cubadebate, Jose Pertierra, a lawyer representing the Venezuelan government at the Texas trial, said the verdict “shows that in US courts theater is worth more than evidence.” Posada was arrested on immigration charges when he came to the United States in 2005, but a judge tossed out that case in 2007. The Venezuelan statement said: “He was accused and now declared innocent in the trial for the unusual criminal charges of obstruction of justice and illegal immigration, when in fact his guilt has to do with proven terrorist acts.” “The US government’s protection of Posada Carriles has become an emblematic case of the US double standard in the int— Reuters

US airs concerns on Myanmar, Vietnam WASHINGTON: The United States said Friday that Myanmar had far more to do to improve human rights after freeing Aung San Suu Kyi, in a report that also aired concern over Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. In an annual survey on human rights, the State Department pointed to “severe” abuses in Myanmar including frequent killings, rapes and forced labor of ethnic minorities at the hands of the country’s powerful army.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, freed pro-democracy icon Suu Kyi in November. The military leaders have officially ceded to civilians as part of a political transition, although outside observers consider the step cosmetic.

“We continue to be very concerned about the situation in Burma, especially, I would say, the continued detention of more than 2,000 political prisoners,” US official Michael Posner said as he presented an annual human rights report. “We continue to call for their release, but also (to end) the very harsh and unreasonable restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi and her party. So we have a long way to go,” said Posner, the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor.

President Barack Obama’s administration is expected shortly to name a special coordinator on Myanmar policy, an appointment which Posner said would help the United States engage on issues including human rights.

The report also pointed to human rights concerns elsewhere in Southeast Asia-particularly Vietnam, where it said that at least 25 political activists were arrested. “The government increased its suppression of dissent,” the report said.

“Police commonly mistreated suspects

WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton prepares to leave after speaking at the State Department Friday in Washington, on the release of the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2010. — AP during arrest or detention.” The report said that historic discrimination persisted against ethnic minorities, although it also pointed to efforts by Vietnam to address grievances in the Central Highlands by improving education and infrastructure.

Human Rights Watch, a private US watchdog, in a recent report said Vietnam was stepping up repression of the Montagnard people, forcing hundreds to renounce their religion. The State Department report also raised concerns about Cambodia, saying that security forces “committed arbitrary killings and acted with impunity,” often abusing detainees to extract confessions. The survey said that Cambodia restricted freedom of speech and press and pointed to efforts seen as weakening non-governmental organizations, which have been active in the country since its recovery from war. Posner said the push against NGOs was part of a worldwide trend by governments to make life difficult for critics. — AFP

ISLAMABAD: Joint US-Pakistan intelligence operations have been halted since late January, a senior Pakistani intelligence officer said, reflecting strain in a relationship seen as crucial to combating militants and the war in Afghanistan. Uneasy US-Pakistani ties have become even more tense after a string of diplomatic disputes so far this year, including a massive drone strike in March and the case of Raymond Davis, a CIA contractor who shot dead two Pakistanis on Jan 27 in the eastern city of Lahore.

“Presently, joint operations are on hold,” a senior Pakistani intelligence officer said, adding that they were halted after Davis killed the two men.

A Pakistani court has since acquitted Davis of murder and he has been released. Previous joint operations between the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency and the CIA have led to the capture of high-profile Al-Qaeda and Taleban leaders, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the mastermind of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

“The agency’s ties to the ISI have been strong over the years, and when there are issues to sort out, we work through them,” CIA spokesman George Little said. “That’s the sign of a healthy partnership.” But a US official familiar with the state of relations said the Pakistanis are making more effort to curb, restrict, or at least more intensely monitor, CIA activities. The revelation that armed CIA contractors such as Davis were working in Pakistan deeply angered and embarrassed the ISI. “It is our land. We know how to tackle things. We will set the rules of the game. It is not Afghanistan,” a senior Pakistani military official told Reuters.

“They have to cease spying operations.” Since then, a few dozen contractors the ISI says are associated with the agency-the exact number is unclearand part of a parallel intelligence network have quickly and quietly left the country. A small contingent of American troops training Pakistanis in counter-insurgency is also in danger of being reduced. The frequency of drone strikes, an unacknowledged CIA pro-

gram that the United States considers its most successful weapon against AlQaeda and the Taleban leadership and which relies on at least some Pakistani cooperation, also has fallen, with just nine strikes in March compared to a peak of 22 in September 2010.

“It is very clear that intrusion into our territory is no longer acceptable and drone flights inside our territory is an intrusion,” the military official said, suggesting the drones could be shot down. Civilians casualties inflame antiAmerican sentiment in Pakistan and bolster support for the militants. The latest strike, on March 17, killed at least 45 people, leading Pakistan’s chief of the army, General Ashfaq Kayani, to issue a rare, public criticism of the United States, which in turn is frustrated at Pakistan’s apparent reluctance to launch a major military offensive against militants in its tribal North Waziristan region that borders Afghanistan.

A semi-annual White House report on Afghanistan and Pakistan harshly criticized Pakistan as having “no clear

path toward defeating the insurgency.”

In equally harsh terms, Pakistan rejected the report and said it would deal with insurgents in its own way. The strain in relations could hinder efforts by the Obama administration to get the annual $1.5 billion in economic assistance for Pakistan appropriated for the 2012 fiscal year through Congress, said Bruce Riedel, a former CIA Middle East expert who has advised the White House.

“Foreign aid is always something that’s easy to cut by a budget-tightening Congress, and foreign aid to Pakistan would be the easiest thing to cut,” he said. “It’s very hard to persuade congressmen why we should be giving money to a country that supports the Afghan Taleban.” But no matter how bruised they become, US-Pakistani ties are too strategic to unravel. “We need to work together more transparently and not let incidents like Raymond Davis damage the relationship,” the Pakistani intelligence officer said. “The stakes are too high.”— Reuters

Year on, grieving Poles pray at Russia crash site

MATAMOROS: Morgue employees take a body, found in a mass grave, from a refrigerated truck into the local morgue in Matamoros, northern Mexico. —AP

Mexicans seek missing; 72 bodies at burial site MATAMOROS: Pablo Cote dialed his father’s cell phone for 24 hours after he failed to return from a business trip to San Fernando, a town near the US border where the body count from 10 mass graves rose to 72 on Friday. Finally a strange man answered: “Stop bothering me. He doesn’t have this phone anymore. If you keep bothering me, you’ll see what happens.” Though he had yet to identify the body, Cote said his father’s driver’s license was recovered in one of the graves as people across Mexico contacted authorities in search of the disappeared, including dozens who vanished from buses as they crossed the same part of northern Mexico headed to the United States.

Federal authorities said they are holding 14 people - 12 men and two women - as suspects in the second mass killing in violent Tamaulipas state, the scene of a massacre of 72 migrants last August. The federal Attorney General’s Office said there was evidence that most of the suspects belonged to the Zetas drug gang, the same group blamed for the August massacre.

Some were detained with military-style uniforms, and others were found driving a pickup truck with false Mexican navy insignia. The suspects are being held under a form of house arrest while under investigation for possible organized crime, weapons and kidnapping charges.

But no one could explain the horror of innocent civilians pulled off buses and out of cars on a well-traveled stretch of highway patrolled by the Mexican military that runs near the Gulf Coast to the US border. “How sick do you have to be to commit such atrocities,” said Cote, whose 55-year-old father traveled from their home in central Tlaxcala state to pick up a minivan in late March. The family buys and sells used cars. “Killing and mutilating people just because you can,” Cote, 32, said amid the stench outside the morgue in Matamoros, a city across the border from Brownsville, Texas, where the bodies were taken.

As investigators looked for more mass graves, calls from people and state governments around Mexico about the missing shed new light on the problem of the drug war’s disappeared. More than 34,600 people have died in drug-related violence since President Felipe Calderon launched his offensive against organ-

ized crime in late 2006, but no one knows how many people are missing at the hands of drug cartels. The National Human Rights Commission recently reported it has registered 5,397 people who have gone missing since 2006, but stressed they were not all drug-related. Spokesman Cesar Correa said such a study has never been done.

All day on Friday families were turned away in Matamoros as morgue officials said they would have no information until at least Monday. State authorities are still not sure about the origin of the victims found in the pits. The majority of victims were men, though four women were among the bodies that authorities started to recover on April 1 while investigating reports that gunmen had begun stopping buses and pulling off some passengers in the area in late March. Federal security spokesman Alejandro Poire said the suspects led authorities to the pits. The suspects belonged to a “criminal cell,” he said, but he did not specify which one.

Authorities speculate the men pulled off the buses fell victim to ever more brutal recruiting efforts by cartels to replenish their ranks. But one local politician, who didn’t want to be quoted by name for safety reasons, said there were rumors that the Gulf cartel was sending buses of people to fight its rival, the Zetas, who control that stretch of road and who began boarding buses in search of enemies. Investigators interviewing witnesses on the bus abductions calculated that from 65 to 82 people went missing, according to Tamaulipas state Tamaulipas state Interior Secretary Morelos Canseco.

Some who came to the morgue had no reason to believe their missing relatives would have been in San Fernando in late March, when the complaints first came in. Margarita Avellaneda, 41, clutched the flier she has posted around Matamoros since her husband disappeared in October. Gustavo Contreras, 54, was looking for a cousin also not heard from since October as he hitched a ride with the San Fernando mayorelect. Both vanished. Ambrosio Leon Rodriguez, 60, came looking for his brother-in-law, who has been missing since he went to board a bus in February in the Tamaulipas port city of Tampico.

“We don’t know why they disappeared, but we want to know if they’re here,” said Avellaneda, whose husband went to pick up a friend near their home in Matamoros. —AP

SMOLENSK: Polandís first lady yesterday led dozens of families in grieving at a snow-swept Russian airstrip where a crash killed the countryís president and members of its elite one year ago. Forty families of the 96 victims travelled by bus from Moscow to the ancient western city of Smolenskósite of the disaster in which president Lech Kazcynski died together with his wife. The late Polish president, his top ministers and military commanders had flown to Smolensk to visit the nearby village of Katyn to mark the 70th anniversary of the massacre of some 22,000 Polish officers by Soviet secret police at the start of World War II. Their plane crashed and burst into a fireball as it tried to land in fog in an accident that redoubled the pain of Katyn. long a source of friction between Warsaw and Moscow. ìWe are in a place that will leave a permanent scar on our memory,î Polish First Lady Anna Komorowska said under heavy snow-filled skies. ìBut it will be easier for us to overcome this suffering together,î she added before bowing to a grove of birch trees still embedded with small pieces of the Russian-made jetís fuselage. Weeping families then laid small oil lamps in the memory of each of the fallen Poles before attending a second ceremony honoring the victims of Katyn.

But tempers flared when the relatives discovered that Russia had switched the plaque commemorating the air disaster. The original sign was written in Polish and noted that Kazcynski was flying to attend the site of the mass execution. But the new bilingual plague removed the Katyn referenceóprompting ìsurpriseî from the Polish foreign ministry. The horrific World War II massacre was covered up by Moscow until the dying days of the Soviet Union and became a symbol of the uneasy relations the two nations experienced in more recent years.

Those ties had begun to thaw with the Russian release of the first batch of Katyn documents and Moscow has since admitted that the deaths were ordered personally by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. But relations once again came under pressure as the two countries conducted rival inquiries into the Smolensk crash that both wound up squarely blaming the other side. The relatives will actually spend the first anniversary Sunday in Warsaw and Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski is not expected to join his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Smolensk and Katyn until the following day.

The Katyn event attended by the first lady included one ceremony at the Orthodox cross commemorating the Soviet victims of Stalin and a Catholic vigil for the more than 4,000 Polish officers who are buried in the small woods. ìWe lost Polandís brightest on two occasions here,î said Roman Skapski. The elderly man said he lost four relatives in Katyn and a brother on the ill-fated plane. ìBut the similarities should end there. The plane crash is not a political event,î Skapski noted.

Polandís new liberal leader Komorowski has sought to improve ties with Moscow since winning the presidency in a vote in which he edged out the late presidentís twin brother Jaroslaw. And Komorowski lavished warm praise on Medvedev in an interview that appeared on the eve of the crash anniversary.

Medvedev ìunderstands that the Katyn problem lies at the root of Polish fears and painóand also that it is the key to Polish-Russian relations,î he said in an interview published in the Russian governmentís Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily. Yet he also noted that Poland was still waiting to receive ìthe remaining partsî of the crash investigation.- — AFP

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Court hunts Musharraf Pakistan’s security forces ‘Culture of impunity’ RAWALPINDI: A Pakistani court asked the government yesterday to speed up the arrest of former president Pervez Musharraf amid uncertainty over whether Britain would honor a warrant for his arrest. Musharraf, who lives in self-imposed exile in London, is wanted over the 2007 murder of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto. Prosecutors accuse him of failing to provide her with enough security and an arrest warrant was issued in February. “The court asked the prosecution to expedite execution of arrest warrants for Pervez Musharraf for early completion of the trial,” public prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali said after a hearing yesterday.

“We produced before the court the government’s correspondence with the British Home Office including a copy of a letter saying the warrants are under process in Britain,” Ali said. The next hearing is set for April 23. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who visited Islamabad on Tuesday, said during his trip that Britain would “look into any warrant that is produced” but highlighted the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries. The former president and military ruler is alleged to have been part of a “broad conspiracy” to have his political rival killed before elections, though the exact nature of the charges against him has not so far been made clear.

Bhutto was killed after addressing an election campaign rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, on December 27, 2007. At the time, Musharraf’s government blamed the assassination on the chief of the Pakistani Taleban, Baitullah Mehsud, who denied any involvement. Mehsud was killed in a US drone attack in August 2009, one of the most high-profile casualties of the covert American campaign targeting Al-Qaeda and its allies in Pakistan’s lawless tribal belt on the Afghan border. Bhutto, who served two terms as prime minister, had returned from exile two months before she was killed to stand for election. Her widower Asif Ali Zardari led her Pakistan People’s Party to election victory in February 2008 and is now president.

The United States said Friday that Pakistan’s security forces enjoyed a “culture of impunity” on human rights and voiced concern at religious intolerance in the frontline US war partner. An annual State Department survey on

human rights reported widespread concerns in Pakistan, including violence against women, child labor, corruption, prison abuses and discrimination against religious minorities.

The report said Pakistan had not held anyone accountable for a 2009 incident-shown in a leaked video-in which men in military uniforms shot dead six young men who were lined up and blindfolded with hands behind their backs. “A failure to credibly investigate allegations, impose disciplinary or accountability measures and consistently prosecute those responsible for abuses contributed to a culture of impunity,” the report said.

The United States cut off some military training to Pakistan over the abuse. But it has maintained multibillion-dollar packages in defense and civilian aid in a bid to help Pakistan fight extremism and assist the war in Afghanistan. Pakistan in 2008 ended a decade of military-backed rule, with civilian Asif Ali Zardari becoming president. But the State Department report was blunt about the persistent power of the armed forces.

“Security forces did not report to civilian authorities and operated independently from the civilian government,” it said.

Presenting the global report, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced concern about Pakistan’s blasphemy law which allows for the death penalty. Critics say it has been frequently abused against minorities. “The blasphemy law has been enforced against Muslims who do not share the beliefs of other Muslims and also against non-Muslims, who worship differently,” Clinton told reporters. Salman

Taseer, the governor of Punjab province and a leading Pakistani voice for reforming the blasphemy law, was assassinated on January 4 by his own bodyguard, who was given a hero’s welcome in some quarters.

Two months later, gunmen shot dead Shahbaz Bhatti, the sole Christian in the cabinet who had fought to improve the rights of non-Muslims as the minister for minorities. “The issues of intolerance in Pakistan trouble us greatly, and I think they trouble most Pakistanis,” Michael Posner, the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, told reporters. He voiced concern about the Urdu-language press and its role in intolerance. “We can’t force that change, but we are very mindful... to the real challenges that we and the Pakistani government face in trying to tamp down the intolerance that now is so pervasive,” Posner said.

The report took note of Pakistani government efforts to improve human rights, including a new law against sexual harassment and the allocation of reserved seats in parliament for religious minorities. But the report said that women spoke of rape in custody, with few perpetrators held to account, and said that women and girls were often subjected to abuse or “honor killings” as part of family disputes. “Women often were treated as the property or goods of their families, and perpetrators were often husbands and other male family members,” it said. The report said that religious minorities-namely Christians and members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim movement-were more likely to suffer abuse in prison and reported cases of torture in custody. — Agencies

Activist ends fast as India pledges to fight graft NEW DELHI: India’s government ordered up strong anti-corruption legislation yesterday after a 73-year-old activist went on a fourday hunger strike and inspired a nationwide protest movement against graft. Anna Hazare - whose hunger strike drew wide attention and support from politicians and Bollywood stars - ended his fast yesterday by accepting lime water from a child, but warned he’d resume it if anti-corruption laws are not improved by Aug 15.

“Our fight against corruption does not end here,” Hazare told thousands of followers. “If the government does not get the legislation passed, I will hold the national flag and join you people here for another agitation.” He agreed to end the strike after the government pledged Friday to form a joint

committee with members of civil society to improve laws against bribery, fraud and other crimes of public office.

The moves follow months of scandalplagued politics that have embarrassed the government with allegations of improper telecoms licensing and irregularities in staging last year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he hoped the anti-corruption measures could be introduced in Parliament during its “monsoon session” starting June 30. “The fact that civil society and government have joined hands to evolve a consensus to move this historic legislation augurs well for our democracy,” Singh said in a statement.

The government issued a formal order

setting up a 10-member committee under Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee that includes Hazare, two lawyers and a retired Supreme Court judge. The idea is to resurrect an anti-corruption bill that has languished in Parliament since 1972 which would create an independent watchdog to investigate graft allegations. Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said the committee will meet next Saturday. Corruption has long tainted Indian politics and drawn attention away from the country’s economic gains and democratic credentials. Even as India aspires to be a world power, it was ranked 87 out of 178 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index last year - a slide downward from its position a year earlier as the 84th country out of 180.

Hazare’s hunger strike, echoing the tactics of freedom fighter Mohandas K Gandhi, inspired protests across India by people fed up with a seemingly unending string of scandals. Thousands of schoolchildren, office workers, religious leaders, farmers and doctors flocked to the tent in a New Delhi park where Hazare carried out his public fast from Tuesday, while hundreds joined the fast in solidarity. “People have shown to the world that we are one on an issue which relates to the country. People stood united here, irrespective of caste, religion and community,” Hazare said after ending his fast. Hazare told his followers he would continue to press for election finance reforms and legal rights to recall officials who abuse office.—AP

DERA: Photo shows Pakistani suicide bomber Omar, 14, who took part in a suicide mission that killed more than 40 people at a Sufi shrine. — AP

Pakistani boy apologizes for deadly mission ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani boy who took part in a suicide mission that killed more than 40 people at a Sufi shrine sought forgiveness Friday in a television interview from his hospital bed. The boy, who police said is 14, was arrested after his belt of explosives failed to go off in Sunday’s attack. He said he had been trained by militants close to the Afghan border, and that his handlers spoke of “more than 350 other boys going through the training.” In the attack on the Sufi shrine, at least two bombers successfully detonated explosives, killing at least 44 people. The boy whose explosives didn’t go off was arrested shortly after the incident.

Police initially said he was unrepentant, and that he told them he wanted to “send them to hell.” However, in Friday’s interview, he said he is “seeking forgiveness” from the families of those killed and wounded. “I never knew that I was going to hurt Muslims. I learned it only after I failed,” said the boy. “May Allah forgive me.” The boy’s left arm was amputated as a result of injuries he sustained after he was shot by a guard. In Friday’s interview, the boy spoke softly while lying in bed. The stump of what was left of his arm was bandaged. The boy gave his name as Omar, though police initially identified him as Fida Hussain.

He said he spent two months training with four other boys in the town of Mir Ali in North Waziristan, a region that is under militant control. The Pakistan army has yet to launch an offensive there despite American pressure, saying it does not have the resources. Since 2007, Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants have carried out hundreds of suicide attacks at government installations, security forces and Western targets in Pakistan. Several Sufi shrines have been bombed because the extremists do not agree with the way Muslims who visit them practice the faith. — AP

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Bangladesh, India mull swap of lost lands DHAKA: Little bits of India are in Bangladesh, and little bits of Bangladesh are in India. The existence of enclaves on either side of the border is a bizarre anomaly that might finally be solved by a swap. The islands of land result from ownership arrangements made centuries ago between local princes, surviving partition of the sub-continent in 1947 after British rule, and Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence with Pakistan. Many thousands of people live in the enclaves-often without basic services such as electricity, schools and hospitals because they are cut off from their national governments.

Most historians believe the messy situation originates from 18th-century peace treaties between the kingdom of Cooch Behar (now in the Indian state of West Bengal) and the Mughal empire, which ruled much of South Asia. But local folklore suggests some enclaves were wagers during chess games between the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and the Fauhdar of Rangpur, who then ruled northern Bangladesh. Rezanur Rahman Reza, 46, is the headmaster of a primary school in Dahagram, a large and relatively well-served Bangladeshi enclave inside India where about 15,000 residents live.

“None of my parents’ generation could even go to school, so they can’t read or write,” he said. “And residents in other enclaves still live in dark ages without electricity, legal rights or any land deeds.”

The exact number of people in the enclaves is uncertain, but estimates range from 150,000 to 300,000. There are no marked borders separating the enclaves from the surrounding land, but there are checkpoints and the movements of those who live in them are controlled by guards. “Now is the time to settle this problem because the ties between the two nations are the best since 1975,” said Akmal Hossain, a professor of international relations at Dhaka University.

“I have been to an Indian enclave located in Bangladesh and the residents are some of the most unfortunate, stateless people, without any basic facilities,” he said. “This should have been settled a long time back.” The residents of the enclaves and the surrounding areas are all Bengalis, whether they

technically hold Indian or Bangladeshi citizenship.

All speak the same language with local dialects and could be either Hindu or Muslim. Officials in New Delhi and Dhaka are now working to negotiate a deal over the 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 55 Bangladeshi enclaves in India.

RANGPUR: An Indian security official opens the gate of Indian ruled Rangpur some 350 kms north from Dhaka. Little bits of India are in Bangladesh, and little bits of Bangladesh are in India. The existence of “enclaves” on either side of the border is a bizarre anomaly that might finally be solved by a swap. — AFP

“Both sides have begun a land survey of the enclaves and other border lands illegally possessed by the other. We shall also launch a headcount of enclaves’ residents ver y soon,” said senior Bangladeshi official Kamal Uddin Ahmed. The largest enclave is about 1,900 hectares while the smallest is just the size of a couple of football fields.

And there are even enclaves within enclaves, making the puzzle fiendishly difficult to solve.

“Swapping is the most practical solution,” said Ahmed, who leads the Bangladesh side of the joint group of officials now working to find a solution.

He said the negotiations are based on unimplemented parts of a 1974 border agreement. The deal, signed by India’s then-prime minister Indira Gandhi and Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has been revived in part because Rahman’s daughter Sheikh Hasina is now prime minister.

Under Hasina, cross-border relations have improved after decades of mistrust, with Bangladesh gaining favor with India by handing over fugitive Indian rebels. “Our aim is to sign an agreement during the Indian prime minister’s visit here,” Dhaka’s foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes said. He could not give a date for the visit but officials said Manmohan Singh is expected in May or June.

Indian officials are more coy about any talks on the subject of swapping enclaves, though they confirm discussions have been taking place. The Indian enclaves in Bangladesh are bigger in total than the Bangladeshi enclaves in India, and any net loss is likely to infuriate India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, a Hindu nationalist group which is antagonistic towards Muslim Bangladesh. The border itself also remains a cause of friction, with India erecting barbedwire fences along much of the divide to prevent mass migration from impoverished Bangladesh.— AFP

TEPCO apologizes to Japan, neighbors over radiation China bans imports of farm products from Japan

BEIJING: A plainclothes policeman stands in front of the entrance to the studio of outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in Beijing. China has warned the international community that it had “no right to interfere” in the case of detained outspoken artist Ai Weiwei, who is under investigation for unspecified economic crimes. — AFP

US urges China to free activists WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged China to free dozens of government critics rounded up this year including a prominent artist and said Beijing’s rights record was worsening. The State Department’s annual survey said China last year stepped up efforts to rein in activists, the media and free Internet access and pursued “severe repression” in the Tibet and Xinjiang regions. Presenting the report, Clinton voiced alarm at developments in 2011 as China-apparently alarmed over a prodemocracy wave of protests sweeping the Middle East-launches its most sweeping crackdown on dissent in years.

“In China, we’ve seen negative trends that are appearing to worsen in the first part of 2011,” Clinton told reporters. “As we have said repeatedly, the United States welcomes the rise of a strong and prosperous China,” she said.

“However, we remain deeply concerned about reports that since February, dozens of people including public-interest lawyers, writers, artists, intellectuals and activists have been arbitrarily detained and arrested.” She mentioned the case of Ai Weiwei, an outspoken artist who helped design the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium for the 2008 Beijing Games. He was detained on Sunday for unspecified “economic crimes.”

“Such detention is contrary to the rule of law, and we urge China to release all of those who have been detained for exercising their internationally recognized right to free expression and to respect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all of the citizens of China,” Clinton said. In an unusual public criticism, a UN

human rights panel on Friday also voiced concern at China’s treatment of activists and lawyers, saying that so-called enforced disappearances were a crime under international law.

The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances expressed “serious concern” at the disappearances, saying that they represented “the continuation of a disturbing trend in the suppression of dissidents” in China.

China has warned foreign nations not to “interfere” over Ai’s case. China often bristles at the annual State Department report on human rights, hitting back that the United States also has concerns it needs to address. Michael Posner, the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, said that the State Department would welcome reading China’s account of the situation in the United States. “We are very open to the notion that people in this country have (the right) to be critical of what we do, and we engage them in that criticism,” he told reporters. Posner said that Kurt Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, was raising human rights among other issues on his current visit to China.

In the latest report, the State Department said that many Chinese-possibly tens of thousands-were involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals including members of the Falungong, the banned spiritual movement.

China imposed tight restrictions on citizens’ rights to assemble, travel and practice their religions and “continued its severe cultural and religious repression of ethnic minorities” in Xinjiang and Tibetan areas, it said. —AFP

TOKYO: A Japanese power company executive apologized yesterday for spreading radiation into the air and sea as regulators said the pumping of radioactive water into waters off Japan from a crippled nuclear plant would end one day later than planned. The apology from Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) came a day after China and South Korea expressed concern at the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant smashed by last month’s earthquake, reflecting growing international unease over the month-long nuclear crisis.

“It is almost a month since the earthquake took place. I would like to apologize from my heart over the worries and troubles we are causing for society due to the release of radiological materials into the atmosphere and seawater,” Sakae Muto, a TEPCO vice president, told a news conference. “We caused worry and trouble for having made this decision without taking sufficient time to explain the matter beforehand to those involved, to the press, to the fishing industry and to people overseas, and we are sorry for this,” he added.

Hidehiko Nishiyama, a deputy director-general at Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, earlier told reporters “we are working on releasing water ... we are likely to finish this tomorrow.” He said a condenser at the No.2 reactor had been emptied of low-radiation water yesterday, making room for engineers to shift highly radioactive water from the reactor’s trench. “To prevent radioactive water in the trench from overflowing is an important step considering a possible further contamination of the sea,” Nishiyama said.

Plant operator TEPCO said earlier it expected to stop pumping tainted water into the sea yesterday, but work was interrupted by a powerful aftershock on Thursday. TEPCO is struggling to contain the worst atomic crisis since Chernobyl. Engineers say they are far from in control of the damaged reactors and it could take months to stabilize them and years to clear up the toxic mess left behind. Nuclear reactor maker Toshiba Corp has proposed a 10-year plan to decommission four of the six damaged reactors at the plant, 240 km north of Tokyo, said Kyodo news agency.

But the government has said it was too early to have a “specific road map” for ending the crisis.

Nishiyama said Japan would look into the electric power back-up system that had failed after the tsunami, leaving operators unable to cool the reactor.

“Based on this experience, we need to review everything in the direction of safety,” he said.

The magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami on March 11 left 28,000 people dead or missing, and northeastern Japan a splintered wreck. More than 153,000 people affected by the tsunami and radiation are living in school gymnasiums and other evacuation centers, according to the National Police Agency.

LOS ANGELES: One of the world’s largest concrete boom pumps, from Putzmeister America, is loaded onto a Russian Antonov An-124 cargo jet at the Los Angeles International Airport on Friday April 8, 2011. The Russian cargo planes will carry the massive pumps from airports in Atlanta and Los Angeles to Japan to spray cooling water on reactors at the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. — AP Several tsunami-damaged cities have begun moving families into temporary housing, NHK state television said. Banri Kaieda, a minister whose portfolio includes the nuclear industry, said he hoped evacuees from the radiation zone in Fukushima could visit their homes as soon as possible.

Japan has made evacuation mandatory for people living within a 20 km radius of the crippled reactor and urged those living between 20 km and 30 km from the plant to stay indoors. “There were expectations among the evacuees that they could return to their homes for one night, but they will only be able to stay for a few hours to gather their personal belongings,” Kaieda was quoted by Jiji news agency as saying in Fukushima.

GLOBAL RADIATION CONCERNS Several countries have restricted food imports from Japan over radiation fears as Japan’s economy reels from the country’s worst disaster since World War Two. Food is a tiny part of Japan’s export-oriented economy, but disruptions to its manufacturing and electronics supply chains are reverberating around the world. China will ban imports of farm produce from 12 areas in Japan, China’s quarantine authority said.

Pyongyang threatens South Korea over mountain tours SEOUL: North Korea says it may strip a South Korean conglomerate of its monopoly in conducting tours to a mountain resort, alleging actions by the South to isolate it through international sanctions.

South Korea suspended tours to the North’s scenic Diamond Mountain after a South Korean woman was shot to death by a North Korean soldier there in July 2008.

Pyongyang, which has proposed resuming the tours, has rebuffed Seoul’s calls for a joint investigation and shut some South Korean government-owned assets at the resort. An unidentified spokesman for the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee said North Korea’s patience with the South on the issue had run out. “There is no more prospect of resuming the tour of Mount Kumgang,” he said in an English-language statement released early yesterday by the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency, referring to the resort by its Korean-language name.

The North has informed South Korea’s Hyundai Group that it “may terminate” the conglomerate’s monopoly right to conduct the tours, the spokesman said in the dis-

patch, which was dated Friday. He also said that the North may allow an unidentified “overseas businessman” to handle tours to the resort from the North, while continuing to allow Hyundai to run them from the South. There has been speculation in South Korea that the North could let businesses from China, its close ally, run tours.

The spokesman said South Korea has not allowed the tours to restart because its government sees the suspension as part of international sanctions against North Korea meant to disrupt its supposed ability to earn foreign currency from them, rather than out of concern for tourists’ safety. “The Hyundai side’s loss of the exclusive right to conduct the tour of Mount Kumgang is entirely attributable to the South Korean authorities’ moves to escalate the confrontation with fellow countrymen and scuttle the tourism,” the spokesman said, claiming that the North has actually lost money on the venture.

Hyundai Asan, the South Korean company that runs the tours, called on the North to honor all agreements made on the resort in a statement yesterday. The

company is part of South Korea’s Hyundai Group. Hyundai Motor Co, one of South Korea’s biggest companies, is not part of the conglomerate, though shares common roots. Impoverished North Korea is subject to a variety of sanctions imposed by the United Nations as well as unilaterally by countries including the United States and Japan over its nuclear and missile development programs. The tours to Diamond Mountain, about 30 miles from the border with South Korea, began in 1998, and offer South Koreans and others a rare chance to visit the North.

Lim Eul-chul, an expert on North Korea’s economy at South Korea’s Kyungnam University, said Pyongyang is pressuring the South Korean government to allow a resumption of the tours.

He said North Korea was taking in about $30 million a year from the venture before the suspension, a sum he said is “not small money for them at this moment” as the country gears up for celebrations next year to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of national founder Kim Il Sung.—AP

China said earlier it had detected 10 cases of ships, aircraft or cargo arriving from Japan with higher than normal levels of radiation since mid-March.

Xinhua also reported trace levels of radioactivity had been detected in 22 Chinese provinces. On Friday, China said it would closely monitor Japan’s actions to regain control of the plant and demanded Tokyo provide swift and accurate information on the crisis.

South Korea has also criticized Japan, accusing it of incompetence for failing to notify its neighbors that it would pump radioactive water into the sea. Radiation from Japan spread around the entire northern hemisphere in the first two weeks of the nuclear crisis, according to the Vienna-based Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.

ECONOMY REELING The world’s third largest economy is now in a “severe condition,” the government said on Friday.

Finance leaders of the G20 group of countries will ask Tokyo for a plan to resuscitate its economy as they see the damage from the earthquake as a risk to global growth, Takatoshi Kato, a former IMF deputy managing director, told Reuters on Friday.—Reuters

UN killings raise transition fears

KANGGYE: North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (right in front row) along with his son Kim Jong Un (left) pose with other officials during his visit to the Kanggye General Tractor Plant in Kanggye City, North Korea. North Korea’s parliament praised progress in building the economy and approved a handful of government appointments, but state media made no mention of a major promotion for Kim Jong Un. —AP

MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Killings of UN staff in one of Afghanistan’s safest cities have raised fears that plans for Afghans to take control of security from NATO troops in three months are being rushed. The northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, famed for its opulent “Blue Mosque”, was thrown into turmoil last week when demonstrators took to the streets after Friday prayers to protest over the burning of a Koran by an American pastor. The protests spiraled into the attack on the UN compound, which left seven foreign staff dead.

Although peace has since been restored with steppedup patrols and pleas from local leaders, some residents say the attack leaves them worried that Afghan forces are not ready to take control of security for the city. Those fears accompany a growing hostility to foreigners, often all lumped together as Americans in the minds of many uneducated Afghans. The United States led the 2001 invasion to oust the Taleban and Americans make up two-thirds of the 130,000 foreign troops in the country.

A 25-year-old student who took part in last week’s fateful demonstration but left before it turned violent said the attack on UN staff showed the security forces were “weak”.

“The time is definitely not right for a transition to our security forces in Mazar-i-Sharif,” he said, speaking anonymously because of fears he could be detained by police if identified. “They are not ready, they are not well trained-we saw what happened on Friday.” —AFP

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opinion

Deal leaves scars on both parties

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Washington Watch

Will Arabs Be Able to Form Real Democracies?

By Dr James J Zogby ill Arabs be able to form real democracies?” (or some variation on that theme) is a question I am frequently asked these days. After several exchanges with those who ask this question, I have come to realize that in most instances, in the backs of their minds, are a set of assumptions about what constitutes a “real democracy” and a rather naive and a historical understanding about how democracies come into being and then function and evolve.

“W

Democracies are more than an election, and it’s not the first election that matters, it’s the second and each one that follows that matter more: I was in Yemen in 1993, having been invited to speak there on democracy and elections. The country was about to hold its first post-unification parliamentary contest and the air was as thick with politics as the city’s walls were with posters. As I visited the headquarters (or qat sessions) of each of the competing political parties’ and heard their election strategies for winning this contest and their plans for the future of the country, I also listened to their complaints. “The ruling party keeps tearing down our signs”, or “they are paying people to vote and telling them for whom to vote”, and more.

Having been involved in politics and elections since my childhood, none of this was new to me, and I told them so. “That happens in Chicago all the time”, I would say, or “in Philadelphia, we call that ‘walking around money’”, or “I know how difficult that behavior can be, it was done to us last year in Michigan”. A State Department official who was present at one session complained to me afterwards about these comments. I rejected the criticism arguing that I could not pretend that America’s democracy was a flawless model to be emulated - a sort of “Cindy Crawford of democracies”. Because holding ourselves up as perfect is not only false, it sets the bar

emocrats and Republicans did little to improve their battered image with Americans in a bitter budget debate that ended only with a last-minute deal that barely averted a government shutdown. The political adversaries reached agreement to fund the government over the nex t six months little more than an hour before a midnight Friday deadline. The deal must still be voted on next week, after days of invec tive over spending and polic y issues. That was only round one. Now they have to launch into negotiations over the US budget for fiscal 2012, and if the past few weeks have been any indication, it will be a difficult undertaking.

Welcome to divided government, 2011. Republicans won the House of Representatives in last November’s congressional elections, forcing President Barack Obama to take into account their views after he governed mostly with Democrats his first two years in office.

American voters are now seeing the results of the elections: Both parties battling over what they believe are the true concerns of the people. Republicans want deep cuts in spending, and Democrats want to protect programs for their constituents.

Who comes out ahead? The 1995 government shutdown was perceived to help the Democrats in a showdown between President Bill Clinton and thenHouse Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Republican. This time, the top House Republican, Speaker John Boehner, survived his first major test, gaining $37.8 billion in spending cuts and averting a government shutdown that could have proven politically disastrous for Republicans in the 2012 presidential and congressional elections.

Obama will score some points, too, for being willing to compromise with Republicans, a potential plus as he campaigns for re-election and tries to rebuild ties with independent voters who fled Democrats in congressional elections last year. Obama, who convened evening meetings this week at the White House to push Republicans and his fellow Democrats toward a deal, was also worried about the repercussions of a shutdown, which he said could have hurt the economy just as it was showing vigor.

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too high, beyond the reach of others. The issue, I would remind each group I addressed, is not the flaws in this election, but whether or not processes were being put in place to impartially adjudicate complaints and take action to correct problems before the next election. This did not occur in Yemen, with the result that with each election that followed the system became less, not more, open, undermining confidence in political processes, in general, and democracy, in particular.

Democracies aren’t born, they are made over time Early in President Clinton’s term in office, I was invited to the National Archives to hear the President address how he planned to “mend, not end” our nation’s Affirmative Action program. Waiting for the speech to begin, I was struck by the murals that surround the ceiling of the building’s main hall. They portray scenes of the “Founders” who were, of course, all white men of means (landowners, merchants, or professionals, etc). As I looked at them, I thought to myself “did these men (many of whom were slave-holders) have any idea what would become of their fledgling and imperfect enterprise?”

It is important for us to remember that when, in 1788, the vote was taken in Virginia to ratify the newly drafted Constitution of the United States, it passed 89 to 79. Those numbers reflected the limits on the franchise in our new democracy. Only white men of wealth were entitled to vote. And we should never forget that it took another seven decades before slavery was abolished, as an institution, and six more decades before women were given the right to vote, and even longer still before the franchise was fully extended to African Americans. One could add the discriminatory and burdensome restrictions placed on African Americans even after they were guaranteed the right to vote, or the shameful genocidal treatment of Native Americans or the “dirty tricks”

that have used to intimidate and suppress the turnout of Hispanic and other minority voters. The point should be clear. Our democracy was not born perfect. To the contrary, it was extremely imperfect.

But equally important to recall is how our democracy has continued to grow and expand.

Even now, though, after evidence of widespread problems that called into question the results of the 2000 and 2004 Presidential contests and the Supreme Court decision that opened the doors for unlimited amounts of undisclosed corporate funds to play a role in our elections, it is painfully clear that we still face real challenges to our democracy and a lot of hard work to do here at home.And so before we either pontificate or prejudge a bit of history and humility are in order.

Final Thoughts Having said all this, two additional observations are in order. The first is that while the shape and pace of the new democracies that may emerge in Arab countries will vary depending on customs and conditions, the test of their vitality and their validity will be in their ability to self-correct, change, and expand. Second, while elections and expanding political participation are important, it is also imperative that governments respect basic human rights and freedoms. They should: provide citizens with the right, individually and collectively, to redress grievances; protect them from abuse at the hands of the state; and create an independent judiciary that guarantees due process, rule of law and protects the rights individuals in their homes and persons. If new democracies do this, they will be starting ahead of where we started our enterprise. The rest will take time and hard work - though, one can only hope, not the centuries it took us.

NOTE: Dr. James J Zogby is the President of the Arab American Institute.

But Republicans may reap more political gains from the accord, which could give them momentum leading into upcoming spending battles, the first over the fiscal 2012 budget and the other in a bid to increase the US debt limit.

“Republicans are going to go out and say this is a big start,” said Terry Madonna, a political science professor at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania.

“Their argument is going to be that they were elected to do this.” By making some last-minute concessions, Boehner could face some heat from rock-ribbed conservative Tea Par t y ac tivists, who had demanded cuts of at least $100 billion in the budget for the rest of this year and felt it would have been worth it to fight for them even if the government shut down.

But Madonna said Republicans would have “flubbed” their bigger goals if they refused to budge. Obama might have paid a price too if the impasse had continued. He faced criticism from both Republicans and some Democratic suppor ters for failing to engage more actively in the budget negotiations up until this week when he took on a much higher-profile role. Liberal blogger Ezra Klein labeled Obama’s approach the “Can you hear me now strategy?” and some accused the president of delegating too much of the negotiations to Vice President Joe Biden. “The truth is Obama hasn’t been closely involved in this and Biden hasn’t either,” said Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia. “I don’t think anybody will say Obama has been a leader on the budget and the debt. He has basically avoided making decisions.”

In terms of sheer numbers, Republicans got more of what they wanted than Democrats, who initially resisted any cut in the overall budget for this year.

The spending measure initially passed by House Republicans would have cut the budget by $61 billion. As of last week, Democrats were willing to go along with $33 billion and ultimately agreed to $37.8 billion. Budget experts say the cuts in discretionary spending will barely dent a US budget deficit projected to hit $1.4 trillion this year. But Republicans have set their sights on a more far-reaching effort to shrink the federal government’s size and that one is likely to be a much tougher sell.— Reuters

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SANAA: Female anti-government protesters pray during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh yesterday. — AP

Syria forces open fire on mourners

AMMAN: Syrian security forces opened fire on mourners near a mosque in the flashpoint city of Daraa after a mass funeral for prodemocracy protesters, two witnesses said yesterday. Security forces used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse thousands of people who were chanting freedom slogans after assembling near the old Omari mosque in the old quarter of the southern city near the border with Jordan, they said. Dozens of people have been killed in a wave of protests across Syria against the rule of President Bashar Al-Assad.

Accusing the government of committing a crime against humanity, a Syrian rights group said at least 37 were killed across the country on Friday.

“What is happening in Syria is a

flagrant violation of (human rights),” the National Organisation for Human Rights said in a statement.

“Syrian security committed (in Daraa) what could be called a crime against humanity ... It fired indiscriminately on protesters and killed and wounded tens of them.” After Friday’s bloodshed, Syria’s interior ministry warned it would not tolerate breaches of the law and would deal with “armed groups”, state news agency SANA said yesterday.

Activists were concerned this could herald a harsher crackdown.

Inspired by Arab uprisings that began in Tunisia and Egypt, popular demonstrations calling for greater freedom have shaken Syria. Assad has responded with a blend of force against protesters, gestures towards political reform and concessions to

conservative Muslims including closing Syria’s only casino.

In the early hours of yesterday, Syrian security forces used live ammunition to disperse a prodemocracy protest by hundreds of people in a Sunni district of Latakia, causing scores of injuries and possible deaths, residents said. One witness said he saw water trucks hosing down blood on the streets near the Takhasussieh School in the Sleibeh district of Latakia, Syria’s main port, 330 km northwest of the capital Damascus. “One cannot move two steps in the streets without risking arrest. It is difficult to know if there were deaths, but we heard heavy AK-47 fire,” a resident said. “One thing is certain. This regime of thugs is exposing its fangs. Brutality is the only thing it

Iran expels 3 Kuwaitis, wants issues resolved Continued from Page 1 deployed in the tiny Gulf island. Salehi said Iran’s position has provoked Arab countries, including Kuwait, to allege “charges” against Iran. “But we can draw the conclusion that they want to shift the blame onto others since they cannot meet the legitimate demands of Bahrainis,” he said.

Separately, Yemen has recalled its ambassador to Qatar, state news agency Saba announced yesterday, after the Gulf state’s call for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down stirred anger in Sanaa. The ambassador was “recalled for consultations following remarks by ... (Qatari Prime Minister) Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al-Thani” on Gulf efforts to mediate in Yemen, a foreign ministry official said, quoted by Saba. Sheikh Hamad said on Thursday that Yemen’s Arab neighbours in the Gulf “hope to reach a deal with the Yemeni president to step down”. a position which Saleh slammed as a case of “blatant interference in Yemeni affairs”.

Saleh on Friday telephoned Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders, Yemen’s embassy to Washington said in a statement listing all the calls, with Qatar’s Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the only absentee. GCC foreign ministers said on April 3 they would open contacts with Sanaa and the opposition “with ideas to overcome the current situation” in Yemen, where Saleh has faced more than two months of protests calling for his ouster.

Meanwhile, authorities in Bahrain yesterday detained and beat a prominent human rights activist in part of widespread crackdown on the opposition in this tiny Gulf nation, a Bahraini human rights group and his relatives said. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights said Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who formerly worked for international human rights organizations, was detained yesterday in a predawn raid. Al-Khawaja’s daughter, Zainab, confirmed the arrest and said her father was taken from her house in a Shiite village outside the capital, Manama. She told AP that armed and masked men, some wearing black police uniforms and carrying riot gear, stormed her house around 2 am. They beat her father unconscious before taking him into custody along with her husband and her brother-inlaw, she added.

“They were not just slapping him around, they were beating him badly like they wanted to hurt him,” Zainab AlKhawaja said on the phone. She said one agent was holding her father by the neck and at least four were beating him severely and kicking him as they were dragging him down a flight of stairs. “They kept saying to him ‘We will kill you’ and I begged them to not beat him because he is willing to go with them peacefully,” the activist’s daughter said. “I heard my father gasping for air, saying he cannot breathe, but they just kept hitting him until he passed out.”

Al-Khawaja, 50, is a former Middle East and North Africa director of Frontline Defenders rights organization. He also documented human rights abuses in Bahrain for Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. His daughter said he stopped working for international organizations last year because of harassment by the authorities. AlKhawaja’s son-in-law, Mohammed Al-Maskati, who also is an activist, was in the house during yesterday’s raid. He said armed men in black uniforms bound him with plastic handcuffs and forced him to lie on the ground face-down

while agents beat him. One man kept a foot on his neck, he said.

“They kept saying, ‘What’s your name, donkey?’ and hit me in the head,” Al-Maskati told the AP. “They cuffed me so tightly that they could not untie me and left deep wounds in hands,” he said, adding that he was too afraid to seek medical treatment for his injuries. “The hospitals are under control of the military,” said Al-Maskati, who heads the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights organization.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), a US-based group that campaigns for medical staff working in crisis zones, said police forces still tightly controlled the hospital and continued to harass patients and staff. “It’s absolutely shocking what is taking place. We’ve heard corroborating testimonies from numerous patients, hospital staff, nurses, physicians ... on serious violations of medical neutrality,” the group’s Deputy Director Richard Sollom told Reuters during a fact-finding mission in Bahrain.

Sollom said that during the crackdown, police and soldiers entered operating theatres and that a number of doctors at the hospital had disappeared. He said that three Shiite doctors were beaten by security forces at the hospital’s staff hostel this week, according to witness testimonies. “This is such horrific abuse against physicians who are ethically required to be serving their patients,” he said.

Police had beaten patients on March 17 on the sixth floor of the hospital, to where police had directed protesters injured during the crackdown, he said. “This amounts to torture under the definition of the United Nations,” Sollom added. Bahrain’s government denies there is torture but says that all such accusations will be investigated.

On Thursday, Doctors Without Borders said Bahraini authorities turned hospitals into “places to be feared” during a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters demanding greater political freedoms and equal rights for Shiites. The medical charity condemned the arrest of injured opposition supporters being treated at medical facilities and said Bahrain’s security forces used hospitals and health centers as “bait to identify and arrest those (protesters) who dare seek treatment”. The state-run Salmaniya medical complex was at the center of the country’s turmoil, treating hundreds of injured demonstrators. The military took control of the facility, and doctors and patients there said soldiers and policemen interrogated and detained them.

Bahrain declared emergency rule last month and cracked down on protests by the country’s Shiite majority against a Sunni monarchy, detaining hundreds of activists and antigovernment protesters. At least 27 people have been killed since Feb 14 when protests began in the strategically important Gulf kingdom, the home of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

According to the Human Right Watch, more than 400 people are being held by the Bahraini authorities since the unrest began last month.

Relatives and friends of those missing since the March 16 army raid on the protesters’ encampment in Manama’s Pearl Square have reported 430 names to the country’s main opposition party Al-Wefaq, the statement said. None of the detained activists and opposition leaders have been publicly charged with a crime or brought to trial. The authorities banned “all media from publishing data and news” legal proceedings against anybody being tried by the security courts, Bahrain’s official news agency said in a brief report Friday. — Agencies

knows,” he said by telephone.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton strongly condemned the violence and deaths, and urged Syria to implement “meaningful political reforms”.

There were rallies on Friday from the Mediterranean port of Latakia to Albu Kamal on the Iraqi border, as demonstrations entered a fourth week in defiance of Assad’s security crackdown and despite his growing list of reform pledges. The rights group said in a statement that 30 people were killed on Friday in Daraa, the epicentre of protests. It added that three were killed in the central city of Homs and three others in Harasta, a Damascus suburb, as well as one in Douma.

Latakia, where yesterday’s early shooting took place, is a majority Sunni city, with significant numbers of Alawites, who follow an offshoot sect of Shiism, and Christians.

Several hundred protesters were left in Sleibeh by the time security forces and irregular forces loyal to Assad attacked around midnight, residents said. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian authorities, who have arrested journalists and banned independent media from Latakia and other cities where mass protests against Baath Party rule have taken place. The party took power in a 1963 coup, banning all opposition and imposing an emergency law which is still in force.

The party is headed by Assad, a member of the Alawite sect, which comprises 10 percent of Syria’s population.

A large pro-democracy protest demanding freedom of speech and assembly erupted in the coastal city

of Tartous on Friday, with a big turnout by Alawites, who comprise around half of the population there.

Assad has said the protests are serving a foreign conspiracy to sow sectarian strife in Syria. Protesters and security forces said they sustained casualties on Friday. Activists said at least 22 people were killed when police opened fire on thousands of protesters in the southern city of Daraa. State television said armed groups killed 19 policemen and wounded 75 in the city.

The interior ministry accused “plotters pushed by known foreign sides” of firing at protesters to create a rift between people and police. “(They) have infiltrated the ranks of the demonstrators to sow discord between the citizens and the security forces. There is no more room for leniency or tolerance in enforcing law ... We will not allow sabotage .... and harming national unity,” the ministry said.

“Syrian authorities, in order to preserve the security of the country, citizens and the governmental and services establishments, will confront these people and those behind them according to the law,” it added.

Activists said the statement showed that authorities were planning to step up a crackdown on protesters. “We have fear now after the statement that oppression in Syria (will increase) against civilians under the pretext of (confronting) armed groups,” Ammar Qurabi, head of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria, told Reuters. Thousands of protesters in many Syrian cities turned out on Friday, chanting: “Freedom, free-

dom, we want freedom.” Some shouted: “We sacrifice our blood and soul for you, Daraa.”

In Daraa, where demonstrations first broke out in March, residents said security forces fired on thousands of protesters, who set fire to a building belonging to the ruling Baath Party and smashed a statue of the president’s brother, Basil.

Authorities have blamed armed groups for the violence and state television broadcast footage on Friday of plain-clothed gunmen it said fired at both security forces and civilians. Daraa residents had said funerals would inflame emotions. “ There is a lot of anger at what happened yesterday and people are calling for revenge at the blood spilled,” one resident, Abu Jabbar, told Reuters by phone.

Syria has prevented news media from reporting from Daraa. A key demand of the protesters is the repeal of emergency law. Assad ordered a committee to study replacing it with anti-terrorism legislation, but critics say it will probably grant the state many of the same powers. Protests broke out in the northeastern city of Qamishli despite Assad’s pledge to grant citizenship to stateless Kurds. It was not clear how many Kurds would be given nationality, but at least 150,000 Kurds are registered as foreigners as a result of a 1962 census in the eastern region of Al-Hasaka.

Under Assad, who took over as president in 2000 when his father died after 30 years in power, Syria has been Iran’s closest Arab ally, a major player in Lebanon and a supporter of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. — Reuters

12 killed in 24 hours in Gaza Continued from Page 1 Twenty mortar bombs exploded, while 10 Grad rockets struck the area around Ashdod, Beersheba and Kiryat Gat, it said. Hamas decreed a state of alert after Israeli shelling killed the Palestinian and wounded a second in eastern Gaza City, medics said, without specifying whether they were militants or civilians.

“All security forces must work 24 hours in 24, even civil defence and medical services, to protect and save the people targeted by the Zionist occupiers,” interior ministry spokesman Ihab Al-Ghussein said. “Groups in Gaza committed themselves to respecting the Palestinian consensus and halting rocket attacks, but the Zionist aggressor has ruined everything by attacking and killing civilians - women, children and old people,” he said.

The fighting erupted on Thursday when Hamas militants fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli school bus, critically wounding a teenager and injuring the driver.

“The attack on a school bus yesterday crossed the line...

Whoever tries to hurt and murder children, his blood will be on his own head,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in Prague on Friday.

But a Hamas spokesman said the group’s militants had not meant to target Israeli children when they shot at the school bus. “It was not known that the bus targeted on the outskirts of Gaza carried schoolchildren,” spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters. Abu Zuhri described the road near the Gaza frontier where the bus travelled as inside an “Israeli military zone” commonly used by military vehicles used to mount attacks against Gaza. Hamas also said its rocket barrages were not meant to target civilians and it lacked the technology to avoid harm to innocent bystanders.

Since the attack, Israel has raided dozens of targets across the Palestinian territory. By early yesterday, it had killed 17 Gazans - including a 10-year-old boy, at least

five Hamas militants and one policeman. At least 57 Palestinians were wounded, 12 seriously, medics said. In Gaza City, crowds of onlookers, including groups of children, watched as bodies wrapped in green Hamas flags were carried through the streets. During the funeral, militants fired in the air and chanted, “The blood of our martyrs will not be spilled in vain.”

The death toll of 12 made it the deadliest 24 hours in Gaza since the end of Operation Cast Lead, the devastating 22-day offensive Israel launched in Dec 2008 that claimed the lives of some 1,400 Palestinians - more than half civilians - and 13 Israelis, including 10 soldiers.

Palestinian armed groups declared a unilateral truce, but both Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed mortar and rocket attacks on Israel on Friday as the violence intensified.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said rocket and mortar fire by Gaza militants continued into yesterday morning. Several industrially manufactured Grad rockets were fired at the Israeli city of Ashkelon but were intercepted by the newly deployed Iron Dome shor t-range defence system, the spokeswoman added. The port with a population of some 113,000 was the second city to be protected by an Iron Dome battery after the desert city of Beersheba which has also been targeted by Gaza militants. The defence system, the first of its kind in the world and still experimental, is not yet able to provide complete protection against rocket fire from Gaza, army commanders have warned.

The Israeli military spokeswoman said overnight raids on Gaza had targeted a “large car carrying weapons,” a tunnel and “three Hamas commanders”.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton condemned the rocket fire from Gaza but also urged Israel to show restraint, urging “an immediate cessation of all violence” and prompting an Israeli diplomat’s “dismay” at her “choice of words”. — AFP

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Semenya cruises into 800 final DURBAN: World champion Caster Semenya cruised into the 800 meters final at the South African national championships yesterday, leading from start to finish to win her heat in two minutes, 8.09 seconds.

Semenya barely broke sweat on day one of the two-day nationals at Kings Park Athletics Stadium, looking comfortable throughout and pulling away from the chasing pack over the final 50 meters.

The 20-year-old Semenya has targeted a time of under two minutes at the meet in a bid to kickstart her season after recovering from the back injury that spoilt the final part of her season last year and prevented her from running at the Commonwealth Games.

Semenya will look to regain the South African title in today’s 800 final. Having won it in 2009, she was unable to defend last year because of an enforced 11-month layoff following gender tests. The Pretoria-based athlete is also hoping to defend her title at the world championships in Daegu, South Korea, this year and will target the qualifying mark of 1:59.40 in Sunday’s final in Durban.

Also yesterday, Commonwealth hammer champion Chris Harmse claimed an incredible 16th straight national title, continuing a near two-decade dominance of his event at the South African championships. —AP

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

sp orts Libertadores holders sack coach RIO DE JANEIRO: South American champions Internacional of Brazil sacked coach Celso Roth on Friday.

“The deterioration in Celso’s relations with the fans was one of the factors that motivated our decision,” Inter vice-president Roberto Siegmann told a news conference at the BeiraRio stadium in the southern city of Porto Alegre.

Inter, who won the Libertadores Cup for the second time last year, have struggled to defend their title this season, steering perilously close to elimination at the group stage.

Roth took over from Uruguayan Jorge Fossati ahead of the semi-finals of last season’s competition and won the trophy but failed in December to steer Inter into the final of the Club World Cup, a competition they won in 2006. The 53-year-old Roth’s dismissal comes two days after Inter lost 1-0 away to Chiapas of Mexico playing poorly and putting their qualification

in Group Six of the Libertadores Cup in jeopardy. A draw would have been enough to secure Inter’s place in the last 16. Instead they face a tough home decider against Emelec of Ecuador in Porto Alegre on April 19.

Inter lead the group with 10 points, one more than Chiapas and two ahead of Emelec.

Roth had been living on borrowed time since December when Inter became the first team from the two big soccer continents, South America and Europe, to fail to reach the final of the Club World Cup and its predecessor, the Intercontinental Cup. More than 10,000 Inter fans made the long trip to the Middle East, where Roth had once worked, expecting to watch their team contest the final against European champions Inter Milan only to see them upset 2-0 by Congolese African champions TP Mazembe in their semi-final.—Reuters

Jurors to decide Bonds fate SAN FRANCISCO: The jurors who will decide Barry Bonds’ fate filed back into the courtroom with their first question on Friday, and it was one that had to make prosecutors happy. “We request the following,” US District Judge Susan Illston said, reading their note aloud. “The full written transcript of the Steve Hoskins-Greg Anderson digital tape recording from 2003.”

In that secretly recorded conversation at the San Francisco Giants ballpark, Bonds’ just-fired business partner and his then-personal trainer discuss steroids, injections and drug testing. Prosecutors used the tape in an attempt to convince jurors that the greatest home-run hitter in Major League Baseball history had to know he was taking performance-enhancing drugs.

That request and another one later, to hear the testimony of Steve Hoskins’ sister, Kathy, were the two moments the jury reached out from its first day of deliberations. Each question involved some of the prosecution’s best evidence against the MLB home run king. The panel worked about seven hours, including lunch and breaks, before adjourning until Monday. Illston refused to give jurors the full transcript of the Hoskins-Anderson tape, because one wasn’t placed in evidence during the trial that began on March 21.

But she allowed them to rehear the portions of the recording that were first played for them on March 23 and replayed on Thursday during the prosecution’s closing. —AP

Giants beat Cardinals in thriller

Sheikh Ali Humoud Al-Sabah aims while Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah looks on.

Iman Al-Shamma receives her first place trophy.

SAN FRANCISCO: Aaron Rowand hit a game-winning single off the left-field wall with the bases loaded in the 12th inning, and the San Francisco Giants celebrated raising the World Series flag with a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

First baseman Albert Pujols dropped what would have been an inning-ending grounder by Andres Torres with two outs in the 12th. Torres reached first on the error and advanced to second on defensive indifference. Brian Tallet (0-1) intentionally walked Freddy Sanchez to load the bases for Rowand, who drove a pitch to deep left-center to cap a festive home opener. Dan Runzler (1-1), the Giants’ eighth pitcher, tossed a 1-2-3 in the 12th for the victory.

Nationals 6, Mets 2 At New York, Jordan Zimmermann spoiled the Mets’ 50th home opener with his bat and arm, hitting a two-run single and pitching the Nationals to a win at chilly Citi Field. Ivan Rodriguez added a two-run single, snapping an 0-for-12 stretch to start the season, and weary Washington got brilliant work from its bullpen to win its second road game in a row.

The Nationals, who took advantage of nine walks

by Mets pitching, arrived at their New York hotel about 4 a.m. on Friday following an 11-inning victory Thursday night at Florida.

RA Dickey (1-1) had trouble controlling his knuckleball and lasted only five innings for New York, which fell to 10-3 in its last 13 home openers and 31-19 overall.

Marlins 4, Astros 3 At Houston, Chris Coghlan homered and drove in two runs to support a solid outing by Ricky Nolasco, and the Marlins beat the Astros after losing Hanley Ramirez to an injury. Nolasco (1-0) allowed two runs in eight innings to spoil Houston’s home opener. Leo Nunez allowed two hits, including a homer in the ninth, before pinch runner Jason Bourgeois was caught stealing to end the game and give Nunez his second save.

Ramirez left in the seventh with a bruised leg after he was taken out covering second base. Wandy Rodriguez allowed eight hits and one run in seven innings for Houston. Wilton Lopez (0-1) gave up two runs and four hits in the eighth inning for the loss.

Sanaa Al-Khudhari receives her first place Archery trophy.

Sheikh Salman lauds support for shooting

By Abdellatif Sharaa KUWAIT: President of Kuwait and Asian Shooting Sport Federations and Vice President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Sheikh Salman Sabah AL-Salem AlHumoud Al-Sabah said during the closing ceremony of Kuwait Oil Tankers Company Shooting tournament yesterday that “As we are heading towards a number of important tournaments and championships, we are intensifying our training programs for our shooters at all levels.

Our current strategy aims at holding special tournaments for shotgun or fire arms to concentrate more”.

Sheikh Salman said that shooting is a unique sport as it requires continuous and extreme concentration to maintain high levels and this comes from regular and continued practice under various conditions so that the shooter can be prepared at all times.

He said shooters in Kuwait face the dilemma of having to attend to their daily work and try to find time for practice which is something that exhaust much effort and expense, adding that the state through the Public Authority for Youth and Sports does not spare any effort to support Kuwait’s shooting, but still there should be certain laws and regulations to allow for enough time for practice and preparations in order to ensure top places for Kuwaiti shooters during major events.

It is worth mentioning that Kuwait’s first and only Olympic medal was brought in by a shooter in Sydney, and it is highly possible to bring in more if support that goes along with the technical preparations is afforded, to allow the shooter to have a clear mind and not worry about disciplinary and other measures at work for example.

Kuwait shooting sport has one of the best shooting facility in the world, Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Olympic Shooting Complex in Sulaibiya, where the Chairman and board members have exerted all possible efforts during the years to lay the ground for Kuwait shooters to excel, and have been successful in having Kuwaiti shooters becoming world champions and they organized many regional, continental and world championships here in Kuwait. Their achievements have led to Kuwait becoming the host of the Asian Shooting Federation under the presidency of Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah and the Arab Shooting

Federation under the presidency of Eng. Duaij Al-Otaibi. Sheikh Salman is also the Vice President of ISSF and Eng. Duaij is member of the administrative council. KOTC is one of those sponsors who over the years continues to support the sport of shooting and will continue to do so out of its appreciation of the efforts of shooters and administrators.

Kuwait Shooting Sports Secretary General Obied Al-Osaimi said the KOTC tournament attracted a large number of shooters and competitions were characterized with strong challenge among participants. Al-Osaimi said KSSC is keen on preparing very well for regional and international competitions and to make sure Kuwait shooters leave a strong impression where ever they compete.

He said the upcoming tournaments include World Cup Clay Shooting tournament in China, the Arab Championship for Firearms to be held in Jordan in addition to the championship being currently held in Korea.

Al-Osaimi thanked KOTC and Sheikh Ali Humoud Al-Sabah on behalf of the shooting community for their continued support.

Results of the tournament are as follows: In the skeet men: Abdallah Al-Rashidi was first followed by Nasser Al-Daihani and Zaid AlMutairi In the trap men: Khalid Al-Mudhaf was first followed by Tami Al-Rashidi and Saud AlMiqlid In the double trap men: Saad Al-Mutairi was first followed by Mishfi Al-Mutairi and Fuhaid Al-Daihani The ladies trap event was won by Sarah AlHuwail In the women’s skeet: Iman Al-Shamma was first followed by Sheikha Al-Rashidi and Afrah Abdelrahman In the Shooting school Skeet: Faisal AlHarby was first, followed by Abdelrahman AlAzmi and Abdallah Al-Mutairi In the shooting school trap: Ali Al-Saleeli was first followed by Jarrah Al-Majed and Jaber Al-Rashidi In archery men: Abdelaziz Bushihri was first followed by Faleh Al-Askar and Ali Al-Jassem In archery women: Sanaa Al-Khudhari was first followed By Maali Al-Failakawi and Nour Zainal In the archery juniors: Askar Al-Askar was first followed by Abdelrahman Adel and Bader Zainal.

Braves 6, Phillies 3 At Atlanta, Chipper Jones hit a game-winning, three-run double in the fourth inning off Cliff Lee as the Braves beat the Phillies in their home opener under Fredi Gonzalez.

Jones had two hits, giving him 2,500 for his career.

Lee (1-1) couldn’t hold an early 3-0 lead as the Braves scored three runs in the second and then knocked the left-hander out of the game with three in the fourth. Tim Hudson (2-0) spotted the Phillies three runs before finishing strong. He gave up eight hits and two earned, with no walks in 7 2-3 innings.

Cubs 7, Brewers 4 At Milwaukee, Jeff Baker had four hits and drove in four runs, including his first homer of the season for the Cubs. Carlos Zambrano (1-0) continued his recent string of winning performances against the Brewers at Miller Park. He went six innings, giving up four runs with five strikeouts. Carlos Marmol put two batters on before retiring the side in the ninth for his third save.

Prince Fielder hit his first homer of the season for the Brewers. Randy Wolf (0-2) went six innings, giving up nine hits, six runs — two of them earned.

Pirates 4, Rockies 3 At Pittsburgh, Jose Tabata’s RBI double off the right-field wall with two outs in the 14th inning scored rookie Josh Rodriguez from first and sent the Pirates to a win over Colorado.

Tabata’s drive off Franklin Morales (0-1) — Colorado’s eighth pitcher — gave the Pirates a dramatic win one day after they disappointed a sellout crowd on opening day. Garrett Olson (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings and Pittsburgh’s relievers combined to shut out the Rockies for 11 1-3 innings.

Jason Giambi hit a three-run homer in the first

SAN FRANCISCO: Giants’ Pablo Sandoval hits an RBI single to tie the game during the ninth inning of a baseball game against St. Louis Cardinals. —AP

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

Boston 9, NY Yankees 6; Detroit 5, Kansas City 2; Minnesota 2, Oakland 1; Washington 6, NY Mets 2; San Francisco 5, St. Louis 4 (12 innings); Florida 4, Houston 3; Baltimore Texas (Postponed); Pittsburgh 4, Colorado 3 (14 innings); Atlanta 6, Philadelphia 3; Chicago Cubs 7, Milwaukee 4; Tampa Bay 9, Chicago White Sox 7; Arizona 13, Cincinnati 2; Toronto 3, LA Angels 2; Cleveland 12, Seattle 3; San Diego, LA Dodgers (suspended) American League Eastern Division W L Baltimore 5 1 Toronto 5 2 NY Yankees 4 3 Tampa Bay 1 6 Boston 1 6 Central Division Cleveland 5 2 Kansas City 4 3 Chicago White Sox 4 3 Minnesota 3 4 Detroit 3 4 Western Division Texas 6 0 LA Angels 3 4 Seattle 2 5 Oakland 2 5

PCT .833 .714 .571 .143 .143

GB .5 1.5 4.5 4.5

.714 .571 .571 .429 .429

1 1 2 2

1.000 .429 .286 .286

3.5 4.5 4.5

National League Eastern Division Philadelphia 5 2 Florida 4 3 Atlanta 4 4 Washington 3 4 NY Mets 3 4 Central Division Cincinnati 5 2 Pittsburgh 5 3 Chicago Cubs 4 3 Milwaukee 3 5 St. Louis 2 5 Houston 1 6 Western Division Colorado 4 2 San Diego 3 2 LA Dodgers 3 3 Arizona 3 3 San Francisco 3 4

.714 .571 .500 .429 .429

1 1.5 2 2

.714 .625 .571 .375 .286 .143

.5 1 2.5 3 4

.667 .600 .500 .500 .429

.5 1 1 1.5

for the Rockies, who were unable to push another run across despite having several scoring chances.

Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez went 0 for 7.

Kennedy (1-0), who had no decision as the opening-day starter in Arizona’s 7-6 win at Colorado a week earlier, allowed six hits and walked one.

D’backs 13, Reds 2 At Phoenix, Ian Kennedy struck out nine batters in eight dominant innings and Arizona hit three lateinning homers to turn the Diamondbacks’ home opener into a rout. Justin Upton homered, drove in two runs and scored three times in the Diamondbacks’ highest-scoring home opener since the franchise was born in 1998.

Kelly Johnson had a three-run home run and Chris Young a solo shot for Arizona. All three home runs came off reliever Matt Maloney. Xavier Nady doubled in two runs off lefty Travis Wood (1-1). Wood allowed six runs on six hits in five-plus innings.

Dodgers 2, Padres 2 At San Diego, the game between Los Angeles and San Diego was suspended after the fourth rain delay at 2-2 in the top of the ninth inning.

The final delay began at 1:13 a.m. on a long, wet and cold night that stretched into the early morning.

Matt Kemp had just hit a leadoff single when it started pouring. The game was suspended at 1:40 a.m.

Before that, there were three rain delays totaling 3 hours, 9 minutes. Kemp also was on base when the second delay began. The game will be resumed on Saturday before that day’s regularly scheduled game. —AP

Red Sox triumph over Yankees BOSTON: The Red Sox ended their worst losing streak to start a season since World War II as Dustin Pedroia homered and drove in three runs to lift Boston to a 9-6 win over the New York Yankees in the 100th home opener at Fenway Park on Friday. With a full house cheering from the pregame player introductions, the Red Sox pounded 12 hits, three by Pedroia. They started the season on the road by going 0-6 for the first time since beginning the 1945 season at 0-8. They were a popular preseason choice to reach the World Series after adding Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to support what seemed like a strong rotation. But the struggles of the starters continued when John Lackey (1-1) gave up six runs in five innings. He still got the win when Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s run-scoring double broke off Bartolo Colon (0-1) a 6-6 tie in the fifth.

Twins 2, Athletics 1 At Minneapolis, Joe Mauer and Denard Span delivered RBI singles in the eighth inning against the superb

Brett Anderson to lift the Twins to a victory over Oakland Athletics in their home opener. Joe Nathan recorded his first save at Target Field after missing all of last season while recovering from elbow surgery.Carl Pavano (1-1) gave up one run on four hits in eight innings to get the win. Anderson (0-1) gave up two runs on eight hits and struck out five in eight innings for the Athletics.

Tigers 5, Royals 2 At Detroit, Victor Martinez hit a three-run double in his first home at-bat for the Tigers, helping his new team to a win over Kansas City. Martinez, who signed with Detroit in November, cleared the bases in the first inning with a drive to the gap in right-center field.

Jhonny Peralta drove in two runs for the Tigers, who looked sharp in their home opener after losing four of six to start the season. Max Scherzer (2-0) allowed one run on seven hits in six innings. The Tigers took advantage of an erratic outing by Kyle Davies (0-1), who allowed five runs on six hits in 3 2-3 innings.

Rays 9, White Sox 7 At Chicago, Dan Johnson hit a three-run homer to cap a five-run ninth, and Tampa Bay rallied for their first win of the season hours after Manny Ramirez retired.

The dramatic comeback ended a wild day in which Ramirez decided to call it quits rather than face a 100game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy for the second time. The Rays appeared to be on their way to another loss after dropping their first six games, but that changed in a hurry in the ninth. Matt Thornton (0-1) was the loser, blowing his second save in two chances.

Blue Jays 3, Angels 2 At Anaheim, California, Jayson Nix hit a tiebreaking two-out homer in the eighth inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays spoiled the Angels’ home opener. Adam Lind hit a tying two-run double in the sixth inning for the Blue Jays, who improved to 5-2 after Ervin Santana (0-1) held them hitless into the fifth. —AP

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Bulls beat Heat to top East CLEVELAND: Carlos Boozer’s 24 points and 11 rebounds helped the Chicago Bulls clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 93-82 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA on Friday.

Chicago, which has won six straight and 18 of 20, will have home - cour t advantage through the first three rounds of the playoffs.

The Bulls hadn’t finished with the best record in the East since 1997-98, the most recent of their six NBA championships in the Michael Jordan era.

Ronnie Brewer had 12 points while Derrick Rose added 11 points and eight assists for Chicago. J.J. Hickson led Cleveland with 22 points and 15 rebounds.

DHAKA: Australian captain Michael Clarke poses with the cheque for being named Man of the Match, presented to him, after the first of three one-day international cricket matches against Bangladesh. — AP

Clarke ton helps Aussies to easy victory in Dhaka DHAKA: Michael Clarke got his captaincy off to a terrific start by smashing a century and leading Australia to a 60-run win over Bangladesh in the first one-day international in Dhaka yesterday.

Clarke made 101 off 111 balls as Australia recovered from 90 for three to post a challenging 270 for seven before their bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 210 for five in their 50 overs. “Anytime you make a hundred is very nice,” Clarke told reporters. “More satisfying for me is the way we played today. I thought we played some really good oneday cricket and to get a result like we did I think is very satisfying.

“Our goal is to win every game we play here. We got to improve in all areas. I thought the boys played pretty well today and I am very happy with that.”

The home side started wobbling when they lost their first two wickets for nine runs and could never pose any serious threat to Australia despite opener Tamim Iqbal (62) and captain Shakib Al Hasan (51) each contributing. All eyes were on Clarke as he began his reign as full-time Australian captain and the 30-year old middle-order batsman put on a fine display.

Clarke had captained Australia in 24 onedayers in the absence of Ricky Ponting but took over the role properly when Ponting stepped down after their quarter-final exit at the recent World Cup. He replaced his predecessor Ponting (34) at the crease and completed his century in the final over of the Australia innings with a spectacular six through midwicket off Mashrafee Mortaza.

Mahmudullah, who dropped Clarke on 84, took a catch at long on off the next ball to end his innings and give Mortaza his second wicket. Ponting, playing his first game as just a batsman again, was run out attempting a third run after he had swept left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo. Mortaza claimed 2-65 on his comeback to international cricket after missing out on the World Cup with a knee injury. — Reuters

Scoreboard Scoreboard from the first one-day international between Bangladesh and Australia from the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka yesterday.

Australia innings S. Watson lbw b Abdur Razzak 37 B. Haddin b Mashrafe Mortaza 10 R. Ponting run out 34 M. Clarke c Mahmudullah b Mashrafe Mortaza 101 C. White c Imrul Kayes b Suhrawadi Shuvo 20 M. Hussey c Mahmudullah b Suhrawadi Shuvo 33 S. Smith b Suhrawadi Shivo 1 M. Johnson not out 26 J. Hastings not out 0 Extras: (lb-3 w-4 nb-1) 8 Total: (for seven wickets; 50 overs) 270 Did not bat: B. Lee, X. Doherty Fall of wickets: 1-16 2-81 3-90 4-138 5-222 6225 7-264 Bowling: Shafiul Islam 9-1-55-0, Mashrafe Mortaza 9-0-65-2, Abdur Razzak 10-0-54-1 (2w), Suhrawadi Shuvo 8-0-44-3 (1nb, 1w), Shakib Al Hasan 10-0-34-0 (1w), Mahmudullah 4-0-15-0 Bangladesh innings Tamim Iqbal c Smith b Doherty 62 Imrul Kayes c Haddin b Lee 4 Shahriar Nafees lbw b Johnson 0 Raqibul Hasan c Watson b Hastings 7 Shakib Al Hasan c Watson b Smith 51 Mushfiqur Rahim not out 44 Mahmudullah not out 28 Extras: (lb-2, w-11, nb-1) 14 Total: (for five wickets; 50 overs) 210 Did not bat: Suhrawadi Shuvo, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shafiul Islam, Abdur Razzak Fall of wickets: 1-8 2-9 3-49 4-116 5-149 Bowling: Lee 8-0-36-1 (1nb, 3w), Johnson 8-023-1 (3w), Hastings 8-0-31-1 (1w), Watson 8-035-0, Doherty 10-1-36-1, White 1-0-6-0, Smith 7-0-41-1 Result: Australia won by 60 runs

Warne leads Royals over Chargers in IPL HYDERABAD: Shane Warne took two wickets in a mesmeric four-over spell as Rajasthan Royals beat Deccan Chargers by eight wickets on the second day of the IPL yesterday.

Royals pacemen Amit Singh and Siddharth Trivedi took three wickets each to restrict Chargers to 137-8 after choosing to bowl first.

South African allrounder Johan Botha, batting at No. 3, carved out a 47-ball 67 not out with eight fours and a six to guide former champions Royals to 141-2 with seven deliveries remaining. Chargers are yet to register a win at home in the annual competition.

New franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala was to play Royal Challengers Bangalore in Kochi later on Saturday. Warne proved at aged 41 he is still a canny operator. The legspinner not only finished with figures of 2-41, but his bowling changes kept Chargers on the back foot and his decision to move Botha up the order also proved inspired.

Singh provided a crucial breakthrough when he dismissed the aggressive Shikhar Dhawan (24) after the lefthander had helped Chargers make a breezy 40-run start. Man-ofthe-match Trivedi dismissed Kumar Sangakkara (0) and Bharat Chipli (6) in quick succession to put the brakes on Chargers before Warne dismissed Ishank Jaggi (25) and the dangerous JP Duminy (14) to further peg back the Chargers.

South African Twenty20 skipper Botha put on 52 for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid (28) before the Indian batsman fell to South African quick Dale Steyn, who took

Celtics 104, Wizards 88 In Boston, Rajon Rondo had 20 points and 14 assists, and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett also had double-doubles for Boston, which remains tied with Miami for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Pierce had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and Garnett added 15 points and 11 boards.

Andray Blatche led the Wizards with 20 points and 10 rebounds, John Wall scored 20 and Jordan Crawford 19.

Heat 112, Bobcats 103 At Miami, Dwyane Wade returned from injury to score 27 to help Miami maintain its tie with Boston for second place in the East.

LeBron James added 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for Miami, which won for the 12th time in 15 games and faces the Celtics today. Kwame Brown finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds for Charlotte.

Knicks 116, Nets 93 At Newark, New Jersey, Carmelo Anthony had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and New York ended a franchise -worst streak of nine straight losing seasons with its sixth consecutive victory.

Chauncey Billups added 22 points for the K nicks, who played without Amare Stoudemire. New York remains in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and completed its first season sweep of its cross-river rival since winning all three meetings in the shortened 1999 season. Brook Lopez scored 27 points for the Nets, who were without All-Star guard Deron Williams.

76ers 98, Raptors 93 At Philadelphia, Elton Brand scored 22 points and Thaddeus Young added 20 to help Philadelphia snap a three-game losing streak.

Andre Iguodala scored 16 points for the Sixers, who could still finish sixth in the East.

The Sixers have already clinched their first playoff appearance in two years. With 41 wins and two games left, the Sixers can finish with a winning record for the first time since 200405. DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 27 points and Jerryd Bayless had 24.

NBA results/standings NBA results and standings on Friday: Indiana 114, Atlanta 102; NY Knicks 116, New Jersey 93; Philadelphia 98, Toronto 93; Boston 104, Washington 88; Chicago 93, Cleveland 82; Detroit 110, Milwaukee 100; Miami 112, Charlotte 103; New Orleans 109, Phoenix 97; Oklahoma City 104, Denver 89; Memphis 101, Sacramento 96; Dallas 107, LA Clippers 96; Portland 93, LA Lakers 86.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L X-Boston 55 24 X-NY Knicks 41 38 X-Philadelphia 41 39 New Jersey 24 55 Toronto 21 58 Central Division X-Chicago 59 20 X-Indiana 37 43 Milwaukee 32 47 Detroit 28 51 Cleveland 17 62 Southeast Division X-Miami 55 24 X-Orlando 50 29 X-Atlanta 44 35 Charlotte 32 47 Washington 21 58

Pacers 114, Hawks 102 At Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 28 points to help Indiana remain in the No. 8 playoff spot in the East. Darren Collison had 16 points and 10 assists, and Roy Hibbert added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacers, who have won five of six and ended a nine-game slide against Atlanta.

Jeff Teague scored 21 points and Joe Johnson added 17 for the Hawks, who lost their third straight and are fifth in the conference.

Pistons 110, Bucks 100 At Auburn Hills, Michigan, Chris Wilcox scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Detroit.

Rodney Stuckey added 22 points for the Pistons, including four straight free throws in the final minutes to help Detroit win its second straight. Brandon Jennings led the Bucks with 31 points and Ersan Ilyasova added 18 in his first action since a Feb. 26 concussion.

both the wickets to fall in the innings. Botha then put on 58 for the unbroken third wicket with New Zealander Ross Taylor (21), bringing up the victory with a six and a boundary off Indian left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha after taking eight runs off the bowler’s first three deliveries.

Mavericks 107, Clippers 96 At Dallas, Corey Brewer had 20 points and Peja Stojakovic scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter to help Dallas maintain its hold on the No. 3 spot in the West. The Mavs had lost four straight since beating the Clippers a week ago Wednesday and would’ve slipped to the fourth seed with a loss.

Dallas trailed by 16 in the first quarter, then took control with a 22-4 spurt in the third. Mo Williams scored 29 points and Blake Griffin had 23 for Los Angeles.

Scores: Rajasthan Royals 141-2 in 18.5 overs (Johan Botha 67 not out; Dale Steyn 2-18) def.

Deccan Chargers 137-8 in 20 overs (Ravi Teja 28; Amit Singh 3-35, Siddharth Trivedi 3-15, Shane Warne 2-21) — AP

Thunder 104, Nuggets 89 At Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 28 points and Oklahoma City beat Denver for their second win this week over a potential first-round playoff opponent. Oklahoma City came in sitting in fourth in the West, with

HYDERABAD: Rajasthan Royals’ PW Botha raises his bat after completing 50 runs during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match against Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad, India. —AP

PORTLAND: Trail Blazers, Gerald Wallace (3) takes the ball to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers, Lamar Odom (7) defends while teammate Kobe Bryant (24) looks on in the second half during their NBA basketball game. — AP

London being a vibrant, modern city.

The venue for the final, Wembley Stadium, will play host to a European cup final for a record sixth time in its history with the 2011 showdown being the first in the new stadium. ‘’Having the UEFA Champions League Final 2011 at Wembley is a huge motivation for the London teams competing in the tournament and it is great that Adidas have produced an iconic ball to mark the occasion,’’ said Chelsea midfielder Salomon Kalou.

UEFA Competitions Director, Giorgio Marchetti, commented, ‘’The UEFA Champions League Final is the pinnacle of European club football and it is great to see the Adidas Finale London, the official

GB 14 14.5 31 34

.747 .463 .405 .354 .215

22.5 27 31 42

.696 .633 .557 .405 .266

5 11 23 34

Denver fifth, and should be feeling confident if the teams meet in the postseason next week. Nene had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton added 17 points apiece for Denver.

Hornets 109, Suns 97 At New Orleans, Willie Green hit his first 12 shots and finished with a season-high 31 points to lead New Orleans. Green made a 3-pointer midway through the first quarter. He made all five of his shots in the second, one in the third and five more in the first 6 minutes of the fourth.

Trevor Ariza added 21 points as the Hornets tied with Portland for sixth in the West. Jared Dudley had 18 points for the Suns, who played without NBA assists leader Steve Nash.

Grizzlies 101, Kings 96 At Memphis, Tennessee, Zach Randolph h a d 2 7 p o i n t s a n d 1 5 re b o u n d s to h e l p Memphis clinch the final playoff spot in the

Adidas presents official match ball for UEFA Champions League Final DUBAI: Adidas has unveiled the Official Match Ball for the UEFA Champions League Final Wembley 2011 in London on 28th May - the Adidas Finale London. The Finale London was unveiled at Wembley stadium by Salomon Kalou of Chelsea FC and Samir Nasri of Arsenal FC. The Adidas Finale London builds on the iconic star logo associated with the tournament through London-inspired graphics including the official UEFA Champions League Final 2011 logo and word mark.

The unique star panel shape also provides a subtle link to the St George’s flag through its red color and design, whilst the bright orange warning star featured at the top of the ball links to

PCT .696 .519 .513 .304 .266

match ball and icon of the competition, celebrate the occasion through the unique design.’’

The Adidas Finale London is the sixteenth Official Match Ball produced for the UEFA Champions League competition, leading on from a rich history in Adidas football development.

Since 1970 the Official Match Balls of all major UEFA and FIFA tournaments have been made by Adidas and for the second year in succession Adidas was the “Official Supplier” of the Africa Cup of Nations Official Match Ball.

The Adidas Finale London will be used on field during the UEFA Champions League Final on May 28th and is now available at all Adidas Sports Performance stores across the GCC for AED 430.

Western Conference Northwest Division X-Oklahoma City 53 26 .671 X-Denver 48 31 .608 X-Portland 47 33 .588 Utah 37 42 .468 Minnesota 17 62 .215 Pacific Division X-LA Lakers 55 24 .696 Phoenix 38 41 .481 Golden State 35 44 .443 LA Clippers 31 49 .388 Sacramento 23 56 .291 Southwest Division X-San Antonio 60 19 .759 X-Dallas 54 25 .684 X-New Orleans 46 33 .582 X-Memphis 45 34 .570 Houston 41 38 .519 X - clinched playoff spot

5 6.5 16 36 17 20 24.5 32 6 14 15 19

West, eliminating Houston from the race in the process. Marc Gasol added 18 points for the Grizzlies, who head to the postseason for the first time since the 2005-06 season.

Mike Conley finished with 12 points and eight assists. Marcus Thornton led the Kings with 18 points, seven of them coming in the final 2:30 to keep the Grizzlies from celebrating too early.

T Blazers 93, Lakers 86 At Portland, Oregon, LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 11 rebounds to help Portland prevent Los Angeles from locking up the second playoff seed in the West. Gerald Wallace had 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Blazers, who remained in sixth spot in the conference as they jockey for playoff positioning with Memphis and New Orleans.

Kobe Bryant had 24 points for the Lakers, who lost their fourth straight and would have secured the No. 2 seed with a win and a Dallas loss. The Mavericks beat the Clippers 107-96. — AP

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Ballabriggs wins Grand National MALAYSIA: Red Bull Formula One driver Mark Webber of Australia (left) Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (center) and McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (right) greet spectators after the qualifying session. —AP

Vettel storms to pole position in Malaysia SEPANG: World champion Sebastian Vettel stormed to pole position for the Malaysian Grand Prix yesterday, the German pipping McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton on his final flying lap around the Sepang circuit.

Hamilton had just set the quickest time before Vettel clocked one minute, 34.870 seconds in his Red Bull, just over a 10th of a second quicker than the McLaren. Vettel’s team mate Mark Webber claimed third spot on the grid, a further 0.205 behind Hamilton.

Vettel won at Sepang last season and is aiming for a fourth consecutive race victory on Sunday after claiming the season opener in Melbourne two weeks ago and ending last season with back-to-back triumphs. The 23-year-old was clearly delighted with his qualifying effort.

“Yes boys, that’s what I am talking about.

Great job,” he told his team over the radio as he slowed down after picking up a 17th pole position of his career.

Red Bull had opted against using the KERS power boost system because of reliability issues in Australia, but the extra speed it provides on the long straights in Sepang was enough to convince the team to employ it in Malaysia.

“We had a challenging weekend right up through qualifying,” Vettel told reporters. “I was happy with the car but we never really got into a sort of rhythm so yesterday wasn’t as smooth as we had hoped for.

“We knew we had it in the car and the main thing was to keep believing in it. The first and second qualifying were very good and it was very close in the end with the McLaren guys, but I am very happy and it’s a big compliment to the guys in the team.” Vettel said KERS had made the difference.

“We were not proud of having not run it last time but we solved most of the problems and if we didn’t have it today, we would not be hereboth of us.”

In a repeat of the top-five on the starting grid at Melbourne, McLaren’s Jenson Button will sit next to Webber on the second row in fourth place with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso behind them in fifth.

Renault’s Nick Heidfeld split the Ferraris, claiming sixth ahead of Felipe Massa, while Michael Schumacher endured another disappointing qualifying day and failed to make it into the last session in his Mercedes to start 11th on Sunday. Hamilton had qualified more than .700 seconds slower than Vettel at Melbourne and by reducing that gap to just a 10th of a second, the Briton was content with his car’s performance.

“I don’t think we can be disappointed at all, we have made progress. Of course I would like to have been in P1 but Red Bull still have the edge, but we have closed the gap a little bit,” the 2008 world champion said. “We always expected Red Bull to have a little in hand, especially going into the last run when they usually tend to pull something out of the bag.

“On my last lap, I lost a little bit of time on one corner so I cannot be disappointed, and I still have room to improve.”

Webber appeared slightly disappointed not to make it onto the front row of the grid but hoped to emulate Vettel’s performance in Malaysia a year ago when the German started third but went on to win.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I am starting on the clean side of the grid and it should be an interesting race,” he said. “I think there will be a lot of pit stops.” —Reuters

Buffalo seal NHL playoff berth BUFFALO: Thomas Vanek scored 1:16 into overtime to cap a two-goal comeback and the Buffalo Sabres clinched an NHL playoff berth with a 4-3 victory over the slumping Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.

Vanek finished with a goal and two assists, while Nathan Gerbe scored twice, including a highlight reel spin-around goal that tied it midway through the third period. Jason Pominville also scored for the Sabres, who had already secured a postseason spot by earning a point when the game entered overtime.

Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell had a goal and assist, and Kris Versteeg also scored for Philadelphia, winless in its past five games. The Flyers late-season skid has prevented them from clinching the Atlantic Division title, and they’ve now fallen into a tie with Pittsburgh. With 104 points, both teams have one game left, though the Flyers have the tiebreaker edge on their cross-state rivals.The Flyers loss also allowed Washington to clinch the top spot in the East.

Predators 4, Blue Jackets 1 At Nashville, Patric Hornqvist scored two goals and had an assist, and Nashville clinched its sixth playoff berth in seven seasons with a victory over Columbus.Matt Halischuk and Sergei Kostitsyn also scored for Nashville.

The Predators was due to wrap up the regular season Saturday night in St. Louis with a chance to earn the Western Conference’s fourth seed and start the playoffs at home — where they went 24-8-9 this season. Derick Brassard scored for Columbus. The Blue Jackets have lost five straight.

Hurricanes 6, Thrashers 1 At Atlanta, Jeff Skinner and Tuomo Ruutu each had a goal and two assists as Carolina beat Atlanta to move closer to an Eastern Conference playoff spot.Carolina needs a home win Saturday over Tampa Bay or a regulation loss by the New York Rangers to make the playoffs for the first time since advancing to the Eastern Conference finals in 2009.

Erik Cole, Joni Pitkanen, Brandon Sutter and Jussi Jokinen also scored for Carolina. Cam Ward, who shut out Detroit 3-0 on Wednesday night, was just 39 seconds from earning his second straight shutout and the 17th of his career before Bryan Little’s 18th goal made it 6-1.

Penguins 4, Islanders 3 At Uniondale, New York, Chris Kunitz scored the only goal in the shootout and Pittsburgh beat New York to avenge a record-setting, fightfilled loss. The Penguins seemed to have things well in hand until Travis Hamonic’s goal with just 35 seconds left leveled it at 3-3.

Mark Letestu, Mike Rupp and Zbynek Michalek scored for Pittsburgh in the highly anticipated rematch with the Islanders after the brawl-marred previous meeting on Feb.11, won 9-3 by New York. Blake Comeau had two goals for the Islanders.

Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 2 At Detroit, Brent Seabrook and Marian Hossa each had a goal and an assist for Chicago. Ben Smith and Brian Campbell also scored for

Chicago, fighting for a playoff spot a year after winning the Stanley Cup. Patrick Kane had two assists, and Corey Crawford made 26 saves. Drew Miller and Tomas Holmstrom scored for Detroit, third in the Western Conference.

Lightning 4, Panthers 2 At Tampa, Florida, Vincent Lecavalier’s two goals, including one on a penalty shot, helped the Lightning edge the Panthers.

Lecavalier put the Lightning up 3-1 when he lifted home a wrist shot on his penalty shot at 1:27 of the second. The Tampa Bay captain also had a first-period power-play goal. Ryan Malone and Pavel Kubina also scored for the Lightning.

Jason Garrison and Mike Santorelli scored Florida. The Panthers have lost 10 in a row.

Stars 3, Avalanche 2 At Denver, Mike Ribeiro had a goal and an assist, Brenden Morrow and Loui Eriksson also scored and Dallas stayed alive in the playoff race.

Kari Lehtonen had 15 saves for the Stars.Brandon Yip had two goals, Jonas Holos two assists and Peter Budaj made 25 saves for the Avalanche, now assured of finishing with their lowest points total since moving to Colorado in 1995.

Before the game, Colorado defenseman Adam Foote announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

Wild 3, Oilers 1 At Edmonton, Alberta, Jose Theodore made 28 saves and Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Mikko Koivu assisted on all three Minnesota goals in the Wild’s victory over Edmonton.Brent Burns, Jared Spurgeon and Andrew Brunette scored for Minnesota. Teemu Hartikainen scored for Edmonton.

LIVERPOOL: Ballabriggs, trained by Donald McCain and ridden by Jason Maguire, won the Grand National here yesterday, the 14-1 chance beating Oscar Time, partnered by amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen.

Don’t Push It, last year’s winner, put up a valiant defence of his crown in third under Tony McCoy with State Of Play coming from the clouds to grab fourth.

McCain was cementing his family’s links with the world’s most famous steeplechase, his father Ginger having sent out Red Rum to memorably win three Grand Nationals in the 1970s.

Ginger, who also sent out 2004 winner Amberleigh House, said mischievously of his son: “If ever I meet his father I’ll congratulate him on giving him the brains!”

McCain junior said: “It’s fantastic, it’s easy training very good horses, he’s an absolute pleasure. “He’s been there all the way and he doesn’t keep anything back.”

McCain added that he and Ballabriggs’ owner, Trevor Hemmings, had owed Maguire a National, as the jockey had stayed faithful to the stable rather than taking up the option of riding Silver Birch, the winner in 2007.

Maguire, his right hand strapped up after dislocating his thumb in a fall on Friday,said: “This is crazy, it’s a dream come true, I havent really a clue what I’m feeling, I’m overwhelmed.”

For Hemmings, National lightning was striking twice as he had already savoured glory in the Aintree showpiece with Hedgehunter in 2005.

He said: “It’s happened to me once before with Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh. “It’s nice to be part of it again. I was stunned last time and rightfully so as no-one has a right to that trophy.”

With a sell-out 70,000 crowd, the first full house at Aintree for over 20 years, Maguire had Ballabriggs well in contention on the first circuit, the pair then leading the field with Majestic Concorde before Dermot Weld’s challenger unseated his rider six fences from home.

Ballabriggs, jumping the fearsome fences brilliantly, led over the last and had enough left in the tank at the end of the four-and-a-half mile marathon to hold off Waley-Cohen - who won

LIVERPOOL: Jockey Jason Maguire on horse Ballabriggs (left) and Jockey Jamie Moore on horse Santa’s Son, right, clear “The Chair” during the Grand National Steeple Chase at Aintree racecourse.—AP the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month - on Oscar Time by two and a quarter lengths.

Waley-Cohen, who won last month’s Gold Cup on Long Run, was ecstatic after going so close. “That was one of the best 10 minutes of my life,” said the amateur who runs a dental practice.

“He (Oscar Time) did everything I asked of him and the National course is so special. If the horse takes to it it can be the best 10 minutes of your life, and the shortest as well.”

In all, 19 of the 40 runners who had set out in the sunshine completed the race, with those who failed to cross the line including Sir Alex Ferguson’s Gold Cup fourth What A Friend, who

McIlroy clings to Masters lead, Tiger on the prowl AUGUSTA: Golf’s young guns came out blazing at the Masters with 21-year-old Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland holding a twoshot lead over 23-year-old Australian Jason Day at the halfway mark on Friday.

Overnight leader McIlroy posted 69 for a 10-under-par of 134, while Day, playing alongside the Briton, streaked into contention with a spectacular 64 that was one off the championship record.

Four-times Masters winner Tiger Woods made big noise as well with seven birdies from the eighth hole onward for a 66 that lifted him into a tie with South Korean KJ Choi at seven-under-par 137.

Woods, who looked in danger of missing the cut after three bogeys in the first seven holes, capped off his roaring charge with a 10-foot birdie at the last.

“I’m three back, so I played myself back in the championship,” said Woods, who has gone nearly 17 months without a win and has been struggling to master a new swing. “We have still got 36 more holes.We have a long way to go.”

Choi, who had taken over the tournament lead at eight under par before late starter McIlroy teed off, shot 70 after dropping a stroke by three-putting the 18th for bogey.

McIlroy, who seized the British Open lead last year at St.Andrews with a 63 before soaring to a second-round 80, played strong and steady this time as he posted four birdies against a lone bogey on a hot, humid day that led to more low scoring.

“I’m feeling very comfortable on this golf course,” said McIlroy, who finished third in three of his last five major championships.

“I’m two ahead at a major championship. You can’t be disappointed with that.”

The third youngster in the precocious group, Rickie Fowler, was no slouch either.

The colorfully attired 22-year-old American shot 69 for 139, five shots off the pace.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Day, playing in only his third major. “I said to the boys this morning, Rory and Rickie, when we were walking up the first hole, ‘you know what, I’m going to have to start paying people to yell my name out because everyone is yelling

their name out.

“It got a bit better on the back nine which was nice.” Day made five birdies on the inward nine. “The atmosphere was great and all three of us played wonderful.”

Said McIlroy: “It was great. I think collectively for the last two days we were 23 under par. We played some really good golf out there, and we fed off one another.”

On 138, four off the pace, were Australian Geoff Ogilvy and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, who had shared the first-round lead.

Ogilvy posted 69 despite four-putting for double-bogey at the par-five second. The long-hitting Quiros, who fell victim to the shortest hole on the course when he doublebogeyed the par-three 12th, birdied the last to salvage a 73.

Before Woods’s charge, Fred Couples and Ricky Barnes were the only Americans on a distinctly international leaderboard.

Couples, the 1992 champion and crowd favorite in Augusta, shot 68 for 139, a total he shared with Barnes, who reached seven under par by the sixth hole before stumbling to a 71.

Also at five under par were world number two Lee Westwood of Britain, who registered a 67, and South Korean Yang Yong-eon, who had reached eight under par by the eighth hole before slipping back with three bogeys.

Champion Phil Mickelson tread water with an even-par 72 for a two-under total of 142, eight strokes behind McIlroy.

“I left too many shots out there,” he said.

“But that’s all in the past. We’ve got the weekend to look forward to.” Forty-nine players made the cut, set at one-over-par 145.

Among notables missing out on weekend play were world number one and PGA champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, who shot 72 for 150, twice former US Open winner Retief Goosen of South Africa, 78 for 148, and British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, who posted 74 for 149. US Open champion Graeme McDowell took a triple bogey-six at the par-three 12th when he couldn’t find his ball in a bush alongside the green and it cost him. He carded a 73 to miss the cut by two strokes.—Reuters

Ducks 2, Kings 1 At Anaheim, California, Teemu Selanne scored two goals and Anaheim clinched a playoff spot marking the first time that both Southern California teams will be in the playoffs in the same year.

Dan Ellis made 23 saves in place of the injured Ray Emery in his first start since March 20. Ryan Smith scored his 22nd goal and Jonathan Quick made 26 saves for the Kings, who earned their second straight postseason berth Wednesday night with a 3-2 shootout win over Phoenix.

Coyotes 4, Sharks 3 At Glendale, Arizona, Shane Doan had a goal and an assist, Ilya Bryzgalov made some tough saves late and Phoenix clinched a playoff spot by holding off San Jose. The Coyotes built a threegoal lead early in the third period, but San Jose came charging back on Joe Thornton’s goal for his 1,000th career point and Danny Heatley’s 26th goal of the season with 3:39 left.

Bryzgalov finished it off to become Phoenix’s career wins leader, sending the Coyotes to the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. Ray Whitney, Andrew Ebbett and Radim Vrbata also scored for Phoenix. Ian White had a first-period goal for San Jose.—AP

was pulled up when beaten late on the second circuit.

The Willie Mullins-trained favorite and eventual sixth The Midnight Club’s chances were dealt an ultimately lethal blow when he made a hash of the third, the open ditch.

His jockey Ruby Walsh reported: “I was lucky to get round, he lost all chance at the third fence, then got very careful.”

The 2011 National sadly claimed the lives of two runners, Mullins’ Dooneys Gate and Ornais which meant the surviving runners only jumped 28 of the scheduled 30 fences as the two fences where they fell were cordoned off on the second circuit.—AFP

AUGUSTA: Tiger Woods watches his approach on the 18th hole during the second round of the Masters golf tournament. —AP

CHARLESTON: Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, makes a return to Yanina Wickmayer during the Family Circle Cup tennis tournament. —AP

Caroline sends Yanina packing CHARLESTON: Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki rallied from 4-2 down in the third set to defeat Yanina Wickmayer, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and reach the Family Circle Cup semifinals on Friday.

It was another tight match for Wozniacki, who needed to two tiebreakers a day earlier to beat Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. In this one, Wickmayer looked like the steadier player, winning points with deep forehands and pushing Wozniacki all over the court. Wickmayer kept the pressure on in the second set as she took a 3-1 lead against the Dane.

But as Wozniacki did against Zahlavova Strycova, she pulled herself up with a string of laser forehands and well-placed shots.

Wozniacki won five of final six games to even the match.

Again, Wickmayer grabbed control in the decisive set, breaking Wozniacki on the way to her 4-2 lead. “I knew that I was going to get one chance, and I had to take that,” Wozniacki said.

Wozniacki won the next game at love, then broke Wickmayer’s serve. When Wickmayer threatened to break a game later, Wozniacki pounded a 110 mph serve that her opponent couldn’t handle.

Wickmayer sailed a forehand wide and Wozniacki was in front for good. Wickmayer had little left in her final service game, which Wozniacki took at love to win the match.

“In every match, she finds a way to get out of it and beat her opponent,” Wickmayer said. “That’s most important.” Wozniacki pumped her fist and smiled widely when Wickmayer’s shot went out, then waved and blew kisses to the crowd at stadium court.

“I mean, it’s unbelievable. Everyone is cheering for me and it’s such a great feeling,” she said. “I feel like a local, really.” Wozniacki has stuck around deep into the tournament the three times she’s played. In 2009, she reached the final before losing to Sabine Lisicki.

A year ago, she was in the semifinals when she had to retire with an ankle injury. Wozniacki will face another difficult semifinal on Saturday against Jelena Jankovic, who ended the run of 18year-old American Christina McHale 6-2, 6-0.

Jankovic, 26, reached No. 1 in the world in 2008 and understands better than anyone the pressure that comes with that position. And Jankovic, who has not dropped a set in her first three matches, is playing as well as anyone left, including Wozniacki.

“I’m feeling good,” Jankovic said. “My game is getting better and better.” Jankovic, the 2007 champion here, has won four of five career meetings with Wozniacki. None of those, however, took place on the slower, green clay at Family Circle Tennis Center.

“She’s a great athlete,” Jankovic said of Wozniacki. “She really runs a lot of balls down and doesn’t give you anything.” The other semifinal will feature 11th-seeded Peng Shuai against Elena Vesnina, the only unseeded player among the final four. Peng defeated Sania Mirza 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 while Vesnina beat No. 12 seed Julia Goerges, also by 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.—AP

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S P ORT S

Barca maintain title surge

GERMANY: Hamburg’s Guy Demel (left) and Dortmund’s Marcel Schmelzer (right) challenge for the ball during the German First Division Bundesliga soccer match. —AP

Dortmund salvage point at Hamburg

BERLIN: Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund needed a late equaliser to seal a 1-1 draw at ten-man Hamburg yesterday to stay on course for their first league title since 2002 with five games remaining.

With second-placed Bayer Leverkusen hosting second-from-bottom St Pauli on Sunday, Dortmund’s eight-point lead at the top of the table could be cut to five by Sunday night.

“We had to wait a long time for the equaliser, but we deserved the 1-1 draw,” said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp after Dortmund midfielder Kuba scored in the 92nd minute.

“We didn’t really play enough football in the first half, but after that we played with much more purpose. I can live with the result.”

Dortmund fell behind when Hamburg striker Mladen Petric was fouled from behind by Germany defender Mats Hummels in the penalty area and ex-Real Madrid star Ruud van Nistelrooy fired home from the spot on 39 minutes.

Borussia’s rising star Mario Goetze had a chance cleared with the ball almost over the line just before the half-time whistle and the 18-year-old wunderkind then headed over the bar after the break.

Hamburg were reduced to ten men when 22-year-old midfielder Aenis BenHatira was sent off for a second yellow card late in the game.

With time almost up, Poland midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski-known as Kuba for short-latched onto the end of a towering pass from ex-Germany defender Patrick Owomoyela to fire home and give his side a valuable point.

Hanover went third at the expense of defending champions Bayern Munich with a 2-0 win at home to Mainz. Ivory Coast striker Didier Ya Konan put the hosts ahead with a penalty on the stroke of half-time while Hanover midfield Sergio Pinto added

a second after the break.

Bayern are fourth after they drew 1-1 at Nuremberg in the Bavarian derby, while Dutch winger Arjen Robben earned a red card in the 93rd minute for insulting the referee.

Germany midfielder Thomas Mueller put the guests ahead after just five minutes, but Nuremberg striker Christian Eigler equalised on the hour mark to share the points.

“It is not the first time this season we have given away a 1-0 lead as we did today,” fumed Bayern coach Louis van Gaal who is being replaced by Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes at the end of the season.

“We brought their goal on ourselves, which is disappointing. “Arjen Robben let himself go, he was a bit frustrated, but he’s a professional and should control himself.”

The draw means Bayern are still six points short of second place and a guaranteed Champions League place next season.

Fresh from their 5-2 win at holder Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek, Schalke 04 earned a 1-0 home over VfL Wolfsburg, whose ex-coach Felix Magath returned to Gelsenkirchen just three weeks after being sacked by the Royal Blues.

The defeat leaves 2009 German champions Wolfsburg third from bottom and two points from safety while Schalke are up to ninth.

Hoffenheim are down to tenth in the table after losing 3-2 at Freiburg.

Kaiserslautern are six point clear of the drop zone after they fought back to win 4-2 at 2007 German champions Stuttgart in a relegation battle.

The defeat leaves the hosts just one place above the bottom three. Relegationthreatened Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt shared the points with a 1-1 draw on Friday night in Frankfurt to keep both teams above the bottom three. — AFP

Hoilett earns point for Blackburn Blackburn 1

Birmingham 1

BLACKBURN: Blackburn striker Junior Hoilett punished a Liam Ridgewell blunder to earn a 1-1 draw in yesterday’s crucial relegation showdown against Birmingham at Ewood Park.

Steve Kean’s side were trailing to Lee Bowyer ’s first half goal when Birmingham defender Ridgewell gifted possession to Hoilett, who ran clear to stroke in the equaliser just before the break.

The draw moved both teams three points clear of the relegation zone heading into the final weeks of the season.

Rovers carved out a fine chance in the opening seconds when Hoilett threaded a pass to Jermaine Jones in the box but he slipped and the chance went begging. In a promising start by Rovers, captain Chris Samba came close in the fifth minute when he stooped to head a Morten Gamst Pedersen free-kick just

wide of Ben Foster’s right-hand post.

Ryan Nelsen headed a Pedersen corner straight at Ben Foster as the visitors struggled to get a grip on the game. But Birmingham grabbed the lead out of nowhere in the 32nd minute when Bowyer headed home from Cameron Jerome’s cross.

Alex McLeish’s side came close to making it 2-0 two minutes before the break when David Dunn fouled Craig Gardner and Seb Larsson slammed the free-kick against the post.

A nasty-looking injur y to Roger Johnson meant a lengthy period of stoppage time and Blackburn took advantage to draw level.

It was Ridgewell’s mistake as he allowed Hoilett to steal the ball and the youngster showed a cool head to round Foster and slot home.

Birmingham looked the better side early in the second half and Larsson once again came close from a free-kick which Paul Robinson saved well.

Rovers came close in the 55th minute when Hoilett crossed for Roque Santa Cruz, who headed against the top of the bar, but neither side could make the decisive breakthrough. —AFP

MADRID: Barcelona took another step towards the title after coming from behind to beat Almeria 3-1 and keep their eight point lead at the top of the table yesterday.

Earlier Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 and with the top two sides due to meet next week at the Bernabeu a defeat could have added spice to the clasico.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola warned of the importance of winning this game with some difficult clashes ahead but decided to rest several players after their mid-week Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.

In midfield youngster Thiago Alcantara was given a rare start while Bojan Krkic played in attack and the changes appeared to affect the rhythm of the side.

Javier Mascherano picked up a yellow card and will miss the game against Real Madrid through suspension.

In the second half Pablo Piatti broke for Almeria and played in Miguel Corona who gave the visitors the lead but the goal eventually brought Barca to life.

David Villa having come on for Bojan was brought down in the box and Messi converted the penalty. Then Thiago headed home a corner and in stoppage time Messi struck again to give a convincing win in the end. Real Madrid kept on Barcelona’s trail with a Kaka brace from the penalty spot helping them to a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.

With Barcelona’s substantial lead, Real’s main objective is now the Champions League and coach Jose Mourinho also chose to rest players with Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso and Mesut Ozil all missing from the starting lineup.

Athletic chasing a Europa League place started the stronger with plenty of possession but they always looked exposed at the back.

Real took the lead when Angel Di Maria was upended by keeper Gorka Iraizoz as he raced clear and Kaka converted the spotkick. Athletic continued to press forward but Real looked solid defensively and after the break went further ahead when defender Xavier Castillo blocked Di Maria and Kaka again kept his composure to beat the keeper with his penalty.

Substitute Ronaldo wrapped up the win with a piece of quality where he came inside his marker and slotted home.

Athletic remain on 45 points, level with Sevilla who play away at Mallorca later. Real assistant coach Aitor Karanka said the result showed the strength in depth of the squad.

“People may have had their doubts about the line-up but at Madrid we have a squad which is full of quality players and at

Real blank Bilbao 3-0

SPAIN: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi from Argentina scores from a penalty against Almeria during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium. — AP this stage of the season they are all important,” he said.

“Pepe did very well in the middle of the pitch and Kaka also was impressive, you can see it in the way he runs and in his face after the problems he has had to live with.

He kept his cool very well for the second penalty and with some important games left he is going to be a great addition.”

The fight for third place is between Valencia and Villarreal who are well clear of the sides below them and they go head-to head today.

Espanyol have had a dismal run since Christmas and take on Hercules still in the fight for a European place mainly because the teams around them have done little better. Atletico, a point behind, face Real Sociedad with just three wins from their last eleven matches. Malaga continue their survival bid against Deportivo la CoruÒa who have been drawn into the relegation dogfight. Zaragoza a point above the bottom three play Getafe who are also in danger of the drop. Levante play Racing Santander while Sporting Gijon meet Osasuna. — AFP

ITALY: Inter Milan Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso celebrates scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Chievo at the San Siro stadium. —AP

Inter bounce back after disastrous week ROME: Inter Milan beat Chievo 2-0 at the San Siro yesterday to bounce back from their horror week with three points in Serie A. The champions moved temporarily at least up to second, closing the gap on leaders and city rivals AC Milan to just two points ahead of today’s games.

And it was the old guard of Esteban Cambiasso and Maicon who proved decisive as the nerazzurri showed they could still have a say in the scudetto chase.

From before kick-off the pressure was on Inter, and in particular coach Leonardo, following the 3-0 defeat to AC Milan and a 5-2 humiliation at home to Schalke 04 in the past seven days that had seemingly left their season in tatters.

And Cambiasso was quick to remind everyone that Inter have earned more points than anyone else since the turn of the year, when they trailed Milan by 13 points. “It was inconceivable in December to expect us to be where we are now and that’s why we can’t lose our heads after two defeats,” he told SkySport.

And Leonardo even insisted that the club hadn’t written off hopes of triumphing either in Serie A or Europe. “We’re thinking of everything, inside me I believe it’s possible, I cannot not think it’s possible,” he said.

“I even believe that we can come back in the Champions League.” Leonardo sprang a surprise by leaving Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito and Thaigo Motta on the bench but he could at least recall Lucio to the backline. The hosts were soon pushing forward as Japan full-back Yuto Nagatomo got free down the left on 15 minutes and hit an inch-perfect cross into the box where Samuel Eto’o somehow failed to make con-

tact. A minute later and the other Inter fullback Maicon played in Giampaolo Pazzini behind the defence but he rushed his shot on the turn and dragged it wide of the far upright.Chievo weren’t just defending but Davide Moscardelli rushed his volley after a defensive msitake and didn’t hit the target while Sergio Pellissier had a header from distance that also flew wide.

Inter’s chances were the clearer, though, and on 38 minutes Eto’o created half a yard of space with his pace but dragged his shot across the face of goal.

Leonardo realised he needed something extra and brought Sneijder on for Dejan Stankovic at half-time. Pellissier gave Inter another warning soon after the restart as he beat Andrea Ranocchia and Nagatomo to a Bojan Jokic cross only to head high.

Kevin Constant also missed the ball when presented with a tap-in from Cyril Thereau’s centre. That, though, was when Inter struck from a half cleared corner as Lucio pulled the ball back to Maicon who crossed for Cambiasso to send a right-foot shot goalwards with a deflection off Marco Andreolli deceiving Stefano Sorrentino in goal.

Chievo should have been level 12 minutes from time as Jokic crossed for Pellissier but presented with an identical chance to Cambiasso’s, the striker blazed over the bar.

Inter kept living dangerously as Fernando Uribe got behind the defence only to fire wide of the near post. But Maicon made the points safe with the second six minutes from time with a poked finish after a scrappy goalmouth scramble.

Nagatomo had a great chance on the counter-attack in injury time but shot straight at Sorrentino. — AFP

Preview

Wenger defends record ahead of Blackpool trip LONDON: Arsene Wenger launched a stout defence of his Arsenal team’s achievements and his managerial policy ahead of their Premier League game against Blackpool today.

Arsenal have come under criticism this week from the club’s influential Supporters Trust following the 0-0 draw against Blackburn, which dimmed their hopes of overtaking Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. But Wenger claims the dissent is premature, as there is still a chance they could win the league. And he pointed to the fact that even though they have gone almost six seasons without a trophy, the players they have at their disposal and the sound financial footing should count as success.

“We give our maximum and you have to accept people’s opinion,” Wenger said. “Let’s hope that in the whole history we will never be more disappointed than that and that, in the next 20 years, they will be exactly as disappointed as they are at the moment. “If the situation remains like that, it is not too dramatic. People’s opinion is people’s opinion and we have to accept that in our game. “As long as you are second in the league, I am ready to sign for the next 20 years and stand up for that.

“You are judged only on your last game. We live in a society where everybody has an opinion and very few people do something.

“We have to act and we want to be judged on our actions. For the rest, our society lives at the moment only on opinion.

“I have grown up by judging people on what they do, not what they say. We want to be judged today on what we do, that means a good performance.”

Two months ago Arsenal were chasing four trophies, but lost the League Cup final to Birmingham, the FA Cup quarter final to Manchester United and the Champions League round of 16 tie to Barcelona.

But Wenger insisted he would still look upon this season as a success, even if they fail to win the Premier League.

“We want to fight until the last game of the season,” Wenger said. “The fight of the team is to come out after every game and know we have given as much as we can.

“If there is a team that is better than us we have to accept it. I believe we do not have to be ashamed at the moment of what we have done.

“Rather, I have to be proud because if I took statements from all the people here at the start of the season we were not even in the top five. Now it is a scandal we are second.

“It is time people understand what our job is about. It is important we realise this team is absolutely amazing for what they do at their age.

One day people will understand that, but at the moment, I am not sure many people do. —AFP

Woe for Wolves as Everton cruise LONDON: Wolves’ battle against relegation sufWolves 0 fered a setback yesterday as Everton scored their biggest Premier League win of the season in a 3-0 Everton 3 victory at Molineux.

First-half goals from Jermaine Beckford, Phil Neville and Diniya Bilyaletdinov secured all three points for Everton, who remain in seventh spot after extending their unbeaten run to six matches. But the defeat left Mick McCarthy’s Wolves rooted in the relegation mire, with the midlands club second from bottom with only six games remaining.

Wolves hopes of securing a vital three points were snuffed out in the opening 45 minutes, Everton storming into a 3-0 lead at the break. After soaking up early Wolves pressure, Everton went ahead against the run of play on 21 minutes, when Beckford ghosted into the near post to meet a Leon Osman cross with a glancing header.

Wolves midfielder Aldlene Guedioura almost equalised for the home side moments later but his curling shot flew just wide. Instead it was Everton who rammed home their advantage with a goal that was desperately cruel on Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessy. Hennessy thought he had prevented what would have been a certain George Elokobi own goal with a brilliant save, but as Wolves struggled to clear the ball fell to Neville, who rifled in a shot from just outside the area. —AFP

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Years

S P ORT S Soccer Results/Standings Blackburn 1 (Hoilett 45) Birmingham 1 (Bowyer 32); Bolton 3 (Sturridge 14, 51, Lee 20) West Ham 0; Chelsea 1 (Malouda 67) Wigan 0; Man Utd 2 (Berbatov 12, Valencia 32) Fulham 0; Sunderland 2 (Shorey 10-og, Bardsley 31) West Brom 3 (Odemwingie 28, Mulumbu 54, Scharner 72); Tottenham 3 (Crouch 11, 34, Modric 18) Stoke 2 (Etherington 27, Jones 41); Wolves 0 Everton 3 (Beckford 21, Neville 39, Bilyaletdinov 45).

Playing today Blackpool v Arsenal; Aston Villa v Newcastle Playing tomorrow Liverpool v Man City

Bury 4; Oxford 2 Wycombe 2; Port Vale 1 Southend 1; Stockport 2 Stevenage 2.

Scottish Premier League results Aberdeen 0 Hibernian 1 (Sodje 15); Celtic 1 (Commons 78) St Mirren 0; Dundee Utd 2 (Russell 45, Robertson 85) St Johnstone 0; Hearts 0 Motherwell 0; Kilmarnock 1 (Kelly 13) Inverness CT 1 (Hayes 10).

Playing today Hamilton v Rangers Scottish Football League results First Division Falkirk 2 Partick 3; Raith 2 Cowdenbeath 2 Second Division Alloa 1 Airdrie 0; Ayr 3 Forfar 1; Brechin 1 East Fife 3; Dumbarton 5 Peterhead 2; Stenhousemuir 0 Livingston 3.

Barnsley 4 Bristol City 2; Derby 2 Coventry 2; Doncaster 1 Cardiff 3; Ipswich 2 Crystal Palace 1; Leicester 4 Burnley 0; Millwall 3 Leeds 2; Nottingham Forest 3 Reading 4; Portsmouth 1 Preston 1; Scunthorpe 4 QPR 1; Sheffield Utd 1 Middlesbrough 2; Watford 1 Hull 2.

Third Division Albion 0 Annan Athletic 0; Berwick 0 Montrose 1; Clyde 0 Arbroath 3; Queen’s Park 1 Elgin City 0; Stranraer 2 East Stirling 0.

Division One Bournemouth 1 Tranmere 2; Brentford 0 Swindon 1; Brighton 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0; Bristol Rovers 0 Exeter 2; Colchester 1 Rochdale 0; Dagenham and Redbridge 3 Notts County 1; Hartlepool 3 Yeovil 1; Huddersfield 1 Peterborough 1; Leyton Orient 0 Southampton 2; Milton Keynes Dons 3 Carlisle 2; Oldham 0 Charlton 0; Plymouth 2 Walsall 0.

Division Two Aldershot 3 Shrewsbury 0; Barnet 2 Crewe 1; Bradford 0 Torquay 3; Cheltenham 1 Rotherham 1; Hereford 3 Chesterfield 0; Lincoln 0 Gillingham 4; Morecambe 2 Burton 1; Northampton 2 English Premier League table English Premier League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Man Utd Arsenal Chelsea Man City Tottenham Liverpool Everton Bolton Newcastle West Brom Fulham Stoke Sunderland Blackburn Birmingham Aston Villa Blackpool West Ham Wolves Wigan

32 30 31 31 31 31 32 32 31 32 32 32 32 32 31 31 31 32 32 32

20 9 17 8 17 7 16 8 14 11 13 6 10 14 11 10 10 9 10 9 8 14 11 5 9 11 9 8 7 14 8 10 9 6 7 11 9 5 6 13

3 5 7 7 6 12 8 11 12 13 10 16 12 15 10 13 16 14 18 13

70 59 55 50 44 42 45 46 48 46 36 39 35 40 31 39 45 38 36 29

32 29 25 27 36 38 41 43 46 59 35 42 45 52 43 53 63 56 56 52

69 59 58 56 53 45 44 43 39 39 38 38 38 35 35 34 33 32 32 31

English Football League tables Championship QPR 40 22 13 5 64 27 Norwich 39 19 13 7 68 47 Cardiff 40 20 9 11 67 48 Reading 40 17 15 8 68 46 Swansea 39 20 6 13 54 38 Leeds 40 17 13 10 75 64 Millwall 40 16 12 12 55 42 Nottingham 40 15 15 10 52 43 Leicester 40 17 8 15 63 59 Hull 40 15 14 11 44 40 Burnley 39 15 12 12 54 52 Watford 40 15 11 14 69 58 Ipswich 40 16 7 17 52 51 Portsmouth 40 15 10 15 51 51 Bristol City 40 15 8 17 53 58 Barnsley 40 13 11 16 49 59 M’brough 39 13 9 17 51 58 Coventry 40 12 10 18 45 52 Derby 40 12 9 19 51 59 Doncaster 40 11 11 18 50 71 Crystal Palace 40 11 9 20 40 62 Scunthorpe 40 11 4 25 37 75 Preston 40 8 11 21 46 69 Sheffield Utd 40 9 8 23 35 64

79 70 69 66 66 64 60 60 59 59 57 56 55 55 53 50 48 46 45 44 42 37 35 35

Division One Brighton 40 26 9 5 73 29 87 S’hampton 39 22 8 9 72 33 74 H’field 41 21 11 9 64 40 74 P’borough 41 21 8 12 94 68 71 M Keynes 41 20 8 13 61 54 68 B’mouth 41 17 12 12 66 47 63 Rochdale 40 16 13 11 54 45 61 Leyton 40 16 12 12 63 55 60 Exeter 41 16 10 15 59 67 58 Colchester 41 15 12 14 50 52 57 Brentford 40 16 7 17 46 50 55 Charlton 41 14 12 15 57 60 54 Hartlepool 41 15 9 17 44 58 54 Carlisle 40 14 10 16 53 53 52 Oldham 41 12 15 14 48 54 51 Sheffield 41 14 8 19 59 62 50 Yeovil 40 13 8 19 43 58 47 Tranmere 40 12 10 18 43 56 46 Dagenham 40 11 11 18 45 56 44 Bristol 41 11 10 20 43 74 43 N County 39 12 6 21 39 51 42 Walsall 40 10 10 20 47 65 40 Swindon 41 8 14 19 46 64 38 Plymouth 40 13 7 20 46 64 36 Note: Plymouth deducted 10 points for going into administration Division Two Chesterfield 41 Wycombe 41 Bury 40 Shrewsbury 41 Torquay 41 Stevenage 41 Gillingham 41 Accrington 41 Port Vale 41

22 12 19 12 19 11 18 12 17 14 17 13 16 16 16 16 16 13

7 10 10 11 10 11 9 9 12

78 59 71 64 70 56 60 66 46

46 46 42 49 47 37 45 53 43

78 69 68 66 64 64 64 64 61

German League results Schalke 04 1 (Jurado 76) VfL Wolfsburg 0; Hamburg 1 (van Nistelrooy 39-pen) Borussia Dortmund 1 (Blaszczykowski 90+2); Freiburg 3 (Schuster 23, Cisse 60pen, Butscher 78) Hoffenheim 2 (Ibisevic 34-pen, Babel 42); Hanover 96 2 ( Ya Konan 45+1-pen, Pinto 59) Mainz 05 0; Nuremberg 1 (Eigler 60) Bayern Munich 1 (Mueller 5).

Playing later: VfB Stuttgart v Kaiserslautern Playing today Borussia M’gladbach v Cologne; Bayer Leverkusen v St. Pauli Played Friday Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Fenin 83) Werder Bremen 1 (Halil Altintop 58-og) Rotherham 41 16 12 13 68 54 60 Oxford Utd 41 16 9 16 54 54 57 Aldershot 41 13 17 11 45 46 56 Crewe 41 15 10 16 77 60 55 Southend 41 14 11 16 55 52 53 Morecambe 41 13 10 18 48 60 49 Cheltenham 41 12 12 17 53 72 48 Bradford 40 14 5 21 38 53 47 Macclesfield 41 12 11 18 52 68 47 Hereford 41 12 13 16 47 61 46 Lincoln City 41 13 7 21 43 72 46 N’hampton 41 9 16 16 53 64 43 Burton 39 10 11 18 46 62 41 Barnet 41 10 11 20 50 68 41 Stockport 41 8 12 21 43 88 36 Note: Torquay deducted 1 points for fielding an ineligible player Hereford deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player Scottish Premier League table Celtic 30 23 4 3 65 Rangers 29 22 2 5 64 Hearts 32 18 6 8 46 Dundee Utd 32 14 10 8 44 Kilmarnock 32 13 8 11 47 Motherwell 33 13 5 15 36 Inverness CT 31 9 10 12 40 Hibernian 32 10 6 16 35 St Johnstone 32 8 10 14 18 Aberdeen 32 9 4 19 34 St Mirren 32 7 7 18 30 Hamilton 31 2 10 19 18

18 27 30 37 37 43 39 50 38 53 52 53

Scottish Football League tables First Division Dunfermline 32 16 10 6 53 29 Raith 32 16 9 7 44 28 Falkirk 30 13 7 10 49 34 Q of South 30 12 6 12 46 40 Partick 30 10 10 10 35 31 Morton 31 10 10 11 32 32 Dundee 31 16 11 4 46 27 Ross County 31 6 13 12 24 32 C’beath 32 8 7 17 37 65 Stirling 31 3 7 21 26 74 Note: Dundee deducted 25 points

73 68 60 52 47 44 37 36 34 31 28 16

58 57 46 42 40 40 34 31 31 16

Second Division Livingston 31 22 5 — promoted Brechin 30 13 11 Ayr 30 15 4 Forfar 31 13 7 Airdrie Utd 32 12 8 East Fife 31 11 8 Dumbarton 32 11 5 Alloa 32 9 9 S’housemuir 31 8 7 Peterhead 32 5 10

4

68 27 7 1

6 11 11 12 12 16 14 16 17

56 52 42 45 66 49 45 39 45

36 49 46 50 54 65 60 52 68

50 49 46 44 41 38 36 31 25

Third Division Arbroath 31 Annan 32 Albion 32 Stranraer 32 Queens Park 32 Berwick 32 Elgin 31 Montrose 32 East Stirling 31 Clyde 29

8 7 8 7 13 10 14 17 19 17

69 52 50 66 47 54 44 39 28 32

50 39 35 52 39 48 54 51 54 59

59 55 54 53 49 44 39 31 28 22

18 5 15 10 15 9 14 11 15 4 11 11 11 6 8 7 8 4 5 7

German League table Dortmund 29 20 6 Leverkusen 28 17 7 Hanover 29 17 2 Bayern 29 15 7 Mainz 29 14 3 Nuremberg 29 12 7 Hamburg 29 12 6 Freiburg 29 12 5 Schalke 29 11 6 Hoffenheim 29 9 10 Cologne 28 10 5 Bremen 29 8 10 Eintracht 29 9 6 K’slautern 28 8 7 Stuttgart 28 8 6 Wolfsburg 29 6 10 St. Pauli 28 8 4 M’gladbach 28 6 5

Sunderland 2

West Brom 3

English Football League results Championship

Playing later Swansea v Norwich

Sunderland freefall as Baggies ease drop fears

3 4 10 7 12 10 11 12 12 10 13 11 14 13 14 13 16 17

59 57 42 61 43 43 44 38 34 44 38 39 29 36 47 32 29 38

18 34 40 35 37 38 45 41 33 42 49 55 39 44 50 42 49 62

66 58 53 52 45 43 42 41 39 37 35 34 33 31 30 28 28 23

SUNDERLAND: West Bromwich Albion twice came from behind to ease their relegation fears with a 32 victory over Sunderland. Another three points for Roy Hodgson’s side has propelled the Baggies into the top half of the table, seven points clear of the drop zone.

But the defeat was another blow for Sunderland, whose season has gone into freefall with seven losses from their last eight games.

The Black Cats, who have not won since a victory over Blackpool in January, are now being sucked into the relegation dogfight, with just six points separating them from the drop.

Sunderland looked to be on the way to halting that dismal run of form when they grabbed the lead on 10 minutes through Nicky Shorey’s own goal. But West Brom levelled through Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie midway through the half.

Sunderland went back in front when Phil Bardsley unleashed a 31st-minute screamer to make it 21 but Youssouf Mulumbu restored parity on 54 minutes after a wellworked move.

As the tension mounted, West Brom took the lead on 72 minutes

LONDON: West Bromwich Albion’s Marc-Antoine Fortune (center) vies for the ball with Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley (left) and Steed Malbranque during their English Premier League soccer match. —AP through Paul Scharner, the Austrian international rounding off another flowing attack to preserve the unbeaten start to the Hodgson era.

“It was a very good performance,” Hodgson said afterwards.

“We conceded early on and played well to get ourselves back in the game. “ Then we went behind

again from an incredible strike from Bardsley. I thought the players showed enormous character to come back from that, and I thought we were good value for our 3-2. “The players are playing with a lot of confidence in their ability where Sunderland have just the opposite,” added Hodgson, who never theless believes the

Black Cats will avoid the drop.

“They’re a very good team. Their players haven’t got a lot of confidence at the moment, but I’m pretty sure Sunderland will do very well in the remainder of the season. They’ve got too much character, too much quality and too well organised to be involved in a relegation battle.” — AFP

West Ham in deep trouble Bolton 3

West Ham 0

BOLTON: Bolton striker Daniel Sturridge scored twice to inspire a 3-0 win over West Ham yesterday that left Avram Grant’s side deep in relegation trouble.

Sturridge, on loan from Chelsea, put Owen Coyle’s team ahead in the early stages at the Reebok Stadium and then netted again in the second half after South Korean midfielder Lee Chung-Yong had bagged Bolton’s second goal.

The Hammers remain third bottom of the table and one point from safety. That gap could grow to four points if Blackpool beat Arsenal today.

The only bad news for Bolton is the knowledge that Sturridge, who now has six goals in eight games for Wanderers, will be absent when they face Stoke in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley next weekend as he played for Chelsea earlier in the competition.

Bolton almost got off to a perfect start after Kevin Davies picked out Sturridge in the penalty area in the third minute. He fired in a shot that took a deflection off West Ham defender Manuel da Costa. Gary Cahill then got on the end of Martin Petrov’s

corner but saw his header go wide of the post.

Bolton took the lead in the 14th minute with a superb curling strike by Sturridge after he was played in by Johan Elmander.

Davies should have added a second in the 18th minute but dragged his effort wide but a minute later Bolton got the second goal. West Ham failed to close down Martin Petrov and he swung in a cross that was headed firmly home by Lee. Grant’s struggling team had blown a two-goal lead against Manchester United last weekend and that defeat seemed to have taken its toll.

They finally threatened when Thomas Hitzlsperger tested Jussi Jaaskelainen with a shot from the edge of the box. But Bolton responded and went further ahead in the 51st minute with Sturridge’s second goal of the game. He drifted in from the left and got the better of Scott Parker on the edge of the area before steering a shot beyond Robert Green. A minute later West Ham almost pulled a goal back but Jaaskelainen reacted magnificently to somehow claw away a header from Demba Ba. Bolton continued to look dangerous every time they broke forward and Sturridge was again left frustrated in the 68th minute when his shot grazed a post. The crowd were willing Sturridge to get his hat-trick but the young striker squandered a glorious chance from close range in stoppage time. — AFP

Matches on TV (Local Timings) English Premier League

Al Jazeera Sport +8

Blackpool v Arsenal .........15:30 Abu Dhabi Sports HD 3 Abu Dhabi Sports HD 5

As Bari v Catania ..............16:00 Al Jazeera Sport +5

Aston Villa v Newcastle ...18:00 Abu Dhabi Sports HD 3 Abu Dhabi Sports HD 5

Italian League Juventus v Genoa ............13:30 Al Jazeera Sport +3 Al Jazeera Sport 1 HD Bologna v Napoli .............16:00 Al Jazeera Sport +1 Al Jazeera Sport 1 HD Lazio v Parma ...................16:00 Al Jazeera Sport +2 Al Jazeera Sport 2 HD Palermo v Cesena .............16:00 Al Jazeera Sport +7 Sampdoria v Lecce ...........16:00 Al Jazeera Sport +9 Cagliari v Brescia ..............16:00

Florentina v AC Milan ......21:45 Al Jazeera Sport +3 Al Jazeera Sport 1 HD

Spanish League Malaga v Deportivo ........18:00 Al Jazeera Sport +7 Al Jazeera Sport 1 HD Racing v Levante .............18:00 Al Jazeera Sport +8 Hercules v Espanyol ........18:00 Al Jazeera Sport +1 Sporting v Osasuna .........18:00 Al Jazeera Sport +9 Atletico v Sociedad ..........20:00 Al Jazeera Sport +2 Valencia v Villarreal .........22:00 Al Jazeera Sport +2 Al Jazeera Sport 2 HD

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson (top) competes with Stoke City’s Jonathan Walters during their English Premier League soccer match at White Hart Lane. —AP

Spurs down Stoke LONDON: Peter Crouch put his Real Madrid miser y Tottenham 3 behind him as he scored twice to help Tottenham to their first Premier League win in almost two months, Harry Stoke 2 Redknapp’s side beating Stoke 3-2.

The England striker’s firsthalf double was either side of Luka Modric’s effort, but Stoke, who play Bolton in the FA Cup semifinal next week, came back twice through Matthew Etherington and Kenwyne Jones. Crouch, who was told by Redknapp that he had forgiven him for the red card in last week’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid, was included in the starting line-up.

Crouch was partnered up front by Roman Pavlyuchenko, as Redknapp appeared to shun the European-style formation he had used earlier in the season.

After a scrappy opening period, Gareth Bale was first to test Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic, firing a 20-yard shot which was easily saved. Three minutes later Robert Huth got in the way of a Bale cross just ahead of Pavlyuchenko. And with Stoke looking stretched, it was only as matter of time — 11 minutes to be exact-before the pressure told, as Crouch headed home Pavlyuchenko’s cross for the opening goal. It was the first goal Tottenham had scored in 413 minutes of football-stretching back to the 3-3 draw with Wolves at the beginning of March. Modric made it two after 17 minutes, latching on to Pavlyuchenko’s through ball to slot home with Huth trying and failing to keep him out.

Stoke were looking troubled after the second, as Tottenham passed crisply between them, but the home side’s porous defence, which has let in more goals than the rest of the top five in the Premier League, again let them down.

Michael Dawson could only look on as Matthew Etherington ran past him on 28 minutes, before slotting home past Heurelho Gomes. However Crouch had a point to prove, and as if to put last Tuesday’s dismal showing against Real Madrid behind him, he grabbed another goal 11 minutes before half time, again with his head. Tom Huddlestone burst up the right flank before taking his time to pick his spot for his cross, Crouch heading across the goal past Begovic. Six minutes later Stoke were back to one goal behind, as Andy Wilkinson’s tackle on Bale put the ball into the path of Kenwyne Jones, who burst past Younes Kaboul to strike a superb effort which flew in off the crossbar. —AFP

Warne leads Royals over Chargers in IPL

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Vettel storms to pole position in Malaysia Page 17

MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov celebrates after scoring against Fulham during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium.—AP

No Rooney, no problem as United march on M A N C H E S T E R : Manchester United Man United 2 moved to within touching distance of a record 19th league title after a 2-0 win over Fulham at Old Fulham 0 Trafford yesterday.

Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring in the 12th minute with his 22nd goal of the season before Antonio Valencia made it 2-0 as United opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the table after an eighth win in 11 league games. It capped a bitter-sweet day for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after his horse, What A Friend, failed to finish the Grant National, which was taking place at the same time as this game.

With Wayne Rooney serving a two-match suspension for his expletive-laden tirade at West Ham, Berbatov started on his own in attack as Ferguson had one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final with Chelsea. In total, the United manager made eight changes to the side that earned a 1-0 first leg lead at Stamford Bridge in midweek. Rio Ferdinand was not involved in the 16 while keeper Edwin van der Sar, Javier Hernandez and Michael Carrick were among the substitutes.

Fulham has lost on all seven visits to Old Trafford since their last victory at the venue in 2003, but the mid-table visitors quickly settled as they twice tested United’s stand-in keeper Tomasz Kuszczak in the opening exchanges. The Polish stopper kept out Gael Kakuta’s 20-yard drive in the opening minute before Kuszczak made an even smarter save to deny Moussa Dembele in the sixth minute.

United had not had an effort on goal when Bobby Zamora was presented with a great opportunity to give Fulham the lead after the ball deflected into his path inside the United penalty area.

However, the England international was unable to keep his composure and lashed the eighth minute effort high and wide when he should have at least tested the keeper. It was to prove a costly miss. Four minutes later United were ahead as Berbatov demonstrated why he is the Premier League’s top scorer.

There was certainly a touch of good fortune as replays showed the striker may have been off side, but there was no disputing the fact that Berbatov finished well from eight-yards after collecting a pass from the lively Nani. United failed to scale the heights of their midweek European success yet, with their noses in front, they rarely looked like allowing Fulham back in.

Indeed, Ferguson’s side doubled their adavantage before half time as Fulham’s bright early opening became a distant memory. Anderson had already spurned a 19th minute opportunity to make it 2-0 when the Brazilian screwed a 16-yard attempt hopelessly wide after the visitors defence had been sliced wide open.

Fortunately for United, fellow South American Valencia was not so wasteful in the 32nd minute. The 25-year-old, who has recently returned to action after recovering from a broken ankle, was presented with the simplest of headers two yards from goal after Nani’s attempted finish from an acute angle was deflected by Fulham defender Aaron Hughes.—AFP

Chelsea struggle to get past Wigan Chelsea 1

Wigan 0 LONDON: Florent Malouda’s 67th-minute goal moved Chelsea into third spot and ensured Wigan Athletic remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League following a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti’s side remain five points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and took one step closer towards securing a place in next season’s Champions League.

But this was an unconvincing performance by Ancelotti’s side, who struggled in front of goal with 50 million pound record signing Fernando Torres again failing to open his account for the club in a 31-minute substitute appearance. The Spaniard missed two good chances to score late on and has now gone 648 minutes without a goal for his new club. Ancelotti had insisted his side’s focus would be trained exclusively on this game despite the looming shadow of next week’s Champions League quarter-final second leg trip to face Manchester United. But it was clear that thoughts were already shifting towards Old Trafford with the manager making five changes from the side that lost 1-0 in the first leg three days previously.

Skipper John Terry was given the day off while Torres was held in reserve on the bench-a sign that Ancelotti wants to field a fresh Torres against United despite insisting before this game player’s place was by no means guaranteed in that match. Having beaten Wigan 8-0 and 6-0 in the previous two meetings, Ancelotti might have been entitled to believe he could field a reserve side against the Premier League’s bottom club and still expect to win comfortably.

But those victories were completed at the end of last season and the beginning of this when Chelsea made a habit of thrashing

LONDON: Chelsea’s Didier Drogba (right) has his goal attempt stopped by Wigan Athletic Ali Al Habsi during their English Premier League soccer match at the Stamford Bridge Stadium. —AP weaker opposition.

Much has changed since the Blues hit the Latics for six at the DW Stadium in August and while Ancelotti’s side have emerged from their mid-season doldrums, no one would confidently assert that it is now business as usual. Confidence remains fragile at the west London club and a convincing victory would have provided Ancelotti’s players with a valuable lift ahead of the United clash that could decide their prospects of landing silverware this season.

And when Didier Drogba broke to the byline before pulling back for Frank Lampard to shoot after just 38 seconds, it appeared as though they would have no problem securing the points quickly. Lampard’s shot deflected wide, however, setting the tone for a frustrating first half when Chelsea’s finish-

ing once again left much to be desired.

Eight minutes later Drogba was again the provider, slipping in a pass to Florent Malouda, who was unable to find a way past Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi after shooting with his weaker right foot.

Al Habsi denied Malouda again towards the end of the half - this time with an outstanding one-handed save after the France international had got behind the latest defence to connect with a Drogba flick on.

But in between those opportunities, Wigan forced their way back into the game and showed enough to suggest they could embarrass Chelsea.

Striker Hugo Rodallega in particular was causing the Chelsea backline problems and he turned off David Luiz to create space before seeing his shot deflected over.

The home crowd reacted to Chelsea’s failure to get out of second gear with a smattering of boos at the half time whistle as frustration grew. Ancelotti responded by introducing Yossi Benayoun at the interval for his first appearance since injury an Achilles in September. But Chelsea’s 67th minute breakthrough owed more to a mistake by Al Habsi than any tactical masterplan.

By then Torres had been introduced in place of Nicolas Anelka and it was the Spaniard’s presence at a corner that unsettled the keeper, forcing Al Habsi to flap at the ball and Malouda finished from close range. Torres was desperate to break his duck but Al Habsi twice saved from the Spaniard, the second block an outstanding effort after the striker was sent clear by Benayoun—AFP

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NBK named ‘Best CSR Program’ in Middle East

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TEG to host real estate expo Page 25

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

FMs defend EU austerity as demos mount Page 26

KCIC hosts analyst session risk expert Jan Randolph Page 22

WASHINGTON: Surrounded by news media, House Speaker John Boehner, of Ohio (far left) announces that an agreement to avert a government shutdown was reached at the US Capitol in Washington on Friday. (Inset President Barack Obama)—AP

US averts shutdown, 2012 budget fight looms Americans of different beliefs came together: Obama WASHINGTON: A last-minute budget deal forged with tough bargaining averted an embarrassing US government shutdown, cut billions in spending and provided the first major test of the divided government that voters ushered in five months ago.

Working late into Friday night, congressional and White House negotiators finally agreed on a plan to pay for government operations through the end of September while trimming $38.5 billion in spending.

Lawmakers then approved a measure to keep the government running for a few more days while the details of the new spending plan are written into legislation. Actual approval of the deal is expected in the middle of

next week. “Americans of different beliefs came together again,” President Barack Obama, a Democrat, said from the White House.

Amid the biggest clash yet between Democrats and the resurgent Republicans who control the House of Representatives, Obama had warned that a shutdown would damage the economy’s recovery by putting an estimated 800,000 government employees out of work. The political stakes of a shutdown were huge ahead of next year’s presidential and congressional elections. During the last government shutdown in Bill Clinton’s presidency, Republicans got most of the blame — but there was no assurance that would have hap-

Saudi may supply Asia with more oil JEDDAH: Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia is ready to supply Asia with more oil thanks to unmatched spare output capacity that allows it to counter any rise in demand or drop in supplies, Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said in remarks carried by the state news agency yesterday.

He said the kingdom was ready to supply South Korea, Asia and other consuming nations with the “volumes needed as it has huge spare capacity to meet any rise in global oil demand or a decline in supplies”.

The kingdom raised its output to around 9 million barrels per day (bpd) to help compensate for disruption of supply from fellow OPEC producer Libya. It holds 3.5 million bpd of spare capacity-or oil that can be swiftly added to the market. Naimi did not give an updated figure for spare capacity or how much oil the kingdom was producing. Since the unrest in Libya, Riyadh promised it would meet any shortage in supply with a new oil blend close to the Libyan crude. It has sold European buyers around 2 million barrels of its new crude blend for March-loading to compensate for lost Libyan barrels.

Naimi also said on SPA that the oil market was balanced and the commercial stocks were at an adequate level. Oil prices surged the most in three weeks on Friday, with Brent jumping $4 a barrel to a 32-month high as a sinking dollar triggered a fresh rush of fund buying across the commodities spectrum.

Naimi said oil prices were driven primarily by speculation and misinformation and the unjustified fear about supply and demand. Naimi’s views echoed those of some of his fellow OPEC ministers on Wednesday that the oil market was divorced from the realities of supply and demand, driven by political upheaval, fear and financial speculation. — Reuters

pened again. Since taking control of the House in January, Republicans have vowed to slash what they described as out-of-control spending and curb the federal deficit.

Democrats have accused Republicans of wanting to cut vital government services and pushing a social agenda.

The agreement was negotiated by Obama, Republican House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The administration was poised to shutter federal services, from national parks to tax-season help centers, and to send furlough notices to hundreds of thousands of federal workers.

All sides insisted they wanted to avoid that outcome. Shortly after

midnight, White House budget director Jacob Lew issued a memo instructing departments and agencies to continue normal operations.

Boehner said the deal came after “a lot of discussion and a long fight.” He won an ovation from his rank and file, including the conservative tea party adherents who made inroads last November by calling for spending cuts. The deal marked the end of a three-way clash of wills. It also set the tone for coming confrontations over raising the government’s borrowing limit, the spending plan for the budget year that begins Oct. 1 and longterm deficit reduction.

The deal came together after six grueling weeks as negotiators virtual-

India new Tata chief may be in job 40 years: Report NEW DELHI: India’s sprawling Tata group says the successor to its chief Ratan Tata, one of the nation’s most powerful businessmen, could be at the helm for up to 40 years, according to a report yesterday. India’s Tata Group announced last August it would seek a successor to replace 73year-old Tata as head of the country’s oldest and most famous conglomerate.

The $75-billion group wants the new chairman to lead the auto-to-tea conglomerate for three to four decades, holding company Tata Sons director R Gopalakrishnan told reporters in Mumbai, according to the Indian Express.

“The next leadership is not for five years, but he (Tata’s successor) will be there for 30 to 40 years,” Gopalakrishnan was quoted as saying on Friday. The group does not want a person who comes in for just five years “takes stock options and departs to the Bahamas,” he said. In the 140 years of the group’s history, Tata is only the fifth chairman, Gopalakrishnan noted.

The group had said the appointment was expected to be made by March but after that deadline passed, a member of the Tata Sons’ board, R K Krishna Kumar, said the group would likely name a successor by the end of May. The Economic Times daily reported the search was “down to the last lap.”

The group formed a five-member panel to select a successor to run the group, which has nearly 100 companies in its fold. The company

has said the replacement would be chosen far ahead of Tata’s retirement to ensure a smooth transition at the group which embraces India’s biggest outsourcing company, largest vehicle maker and a leading steelmaker. Tata is slated to step down by the end of 2012 when he turns 75.

He spearheaded the group’s international drive since taking over as chairman in 1991, buying such famous names as British luxury cars Jaguar and Land Rover. Tata also garnered headlines as the driving force behind the creation of the podlike Nano, billed as the world’s cheapest “people’s” car. — AFP

ly dared each other to shut down the government. Boehner faced pressure from his Republican colleagues to stick as closely possible to the $61 billion in cuts and the conservative policy positions that the House had passed. At one point, Democrats announced negotiators had locked into a spending cut figure _ $33 billion. Boehner pushed back and said there was no deal. During a meeting at the White House this past week, Boehner said he wanted $40 billion.

The final number fell just short of that.

More battles are expected.

House Republicans intend to pass a 2012 budget in the coming week that calls for sweeping changes in the federal health programs for the elder-

ly and needy families, and even deeper cuts in domestic programs to gain control over soaring deficits.

In the Republican radio address, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan warned of a coming crisis.

“Unless we act soon, government spending on health and retirement programs will crowd out spending on everything else, including national security. It will literally take every cent of every federal tax dollar just to pay for these programs,” Ryan said Saturday. That debate could come soon. The Treasury has told Congress it must vote to raise the debt limit by summer. Republicans hope to use this issue to force Obama to accept longterm deficit-reduction measures. —AP

Saudi spending hike to impact in long term: TV RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s massive social spending packages will have a positive impact in the long term as an increase in supply will help reduce rents, one of the main drivers behind inflation, the finance minister said.

“If there is a large size of spending that exceeds the power of the economy, then according to economic theories there will be inflationary pressures,” Ibrahim AlAassaf told Al-Arabiya television in an interview yesterday.

“But in the long term it will have a positive impact on inflation because the major reason for inflation is high rents.”

Saudi Arabia’s king Abdullah in March announced $93 billion in social handouts, on top of another $37 billion announced less than a month earlier. The $93 billion included 250 billion riyals to ($66.67 billion) be spent on 500,000 new homes, as the top oil exporter seeks to address vast undersupply.

Economists and experts have estimated that these new homes

could take around five years to build. A report last month by Banque Saudi Fransi said private and public developers needed to build about 275,000 units a year through 2015 to meet demand.

The average price of a small villa in the kingdom’s capital Riyadh rose 19 percent in the second half of 2010, while prices in Jeddah rose 17 percent, it said in the report.

Saudi annual inflation slowed to a 10-month low of 4.9 percent in February with growth in housing and transport costs subsiding, though analysts said the slowdown was temporary due to robust global food prices and crude above $100 per barrel.

Economists and experts say between 30-50 percent of Saudis own homes, but the majority of young Saudis do not because the minimum salary required to obtain a mortgage is out of reach for most. The kingdom has only a 2 percent mortgage penetration in its real estate market, experts say. — Reuters

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business HP helps organizations reduce Risk and increase efficiency KUWAIT: HP yesterday updated its Information Management portfolio to enable organizations to reduce risk, increase efficiency and simplify the way they manage their business information.

Instant-On Enterprises embed intelligence into everything they do for a transparent, real-time view of information across the organization to service customers, employees, partners and citizens with Tayfun Topkoc, Regional what they need instantly. Director for HP Software, HP brings a holistic Middle East approach to information management to help executives harness the power of information to make better decisions, manage for cost and compliance, and deliver the right information to the right users at the right time.

According to a March survey conducted by Coleman Parkes (1): • Information management is at a breaking point for the enterprise.

• Sixty-eight percent of enterprises stated that content explosion is adding greater complexity to an already complex world and causing significant storage issues and costs.

• At the same time, 59 percent of companies say they are under pressure to cut costs on information-related processes and systems.

• Information management, once the domain of IT, is now an enterprise-wide imperative. However, there is no single owner of information.

• Forty-three percent of enterprises leave it to IT to manage, while 38 percent leave it to the CEO/board of directors.

• Enterprises do not have efficient, comprehensive, integrated and information-policy driven approaches to information management.

• Seventy percent of companies do not have a holistic approach to managing information.

• Seventy-three percent of companies do not have a universal and strictly implemented formal information protection policy.

• Only 18 percent are planning to implement a policy.

HP is helping organizations break down these information silos by providing a broad portfolio of solutions for all phases of the information life cycle, including capture, monitor, protect, retain, find and implement.

• HP Information Management Services delivers an integrated solution for managing information in any phase of its life cycle - from capture and creation to deletion and retirement. HP consulting services such as the IM Transformation Experience Workshop bring together legal, IT, business and chief information security officers to help establish policies to identify immediate best practices, while planning a holistic, long-term information strategy.

• HP Integrated Archive Platform (IAP) now scales to manage up to 1 petabyte of data, 300,000 users and 20 million email messages per day, better meeting the performance needs of large enterprises. New HP Virtual IAP supports VMware vSphere, which meets the information management needs of small to midsize enterprises in a cost-effective manner.

• HP TRIM Enterprise Records Management has been enhanced with multijurisdictional retention, which automates complex retention schedules across multiple countries and within multinational enterprises. Localizing policies eliminates administrative overhead, reduces costs and simplifies compliance. The new bulk data loading capability further reduces costs with faster throughput of bulk record updates.

• HP Database Archiving is now integrated with HP TRIM to give clients one platform for managing their structured information, as well as new connectivity to archive data from legacy systems during the application retirement process.

Strategic options for financing Kuwait development in focus Euromoney Kuwait Finance Conference opens tomorrow

Al-Omar participates in Euromoney conference

Richard Banks

KUWAIT: Euromoney Conferences, the conference division of Euromoney, will open its third Kuwait finance event tomorrow (11 April 2011). The conference will discuss strategic options for the financing of Kuwait’s development. “The holding of the conference now sends a signal” said Richard Banks, Euromoney’s director for EMEA Emerging Markets, “a signal that despite uncertainty the financial sector of Kuwait is committed to the development of the nation.”

“The time to develop is now” added Banks “not at some mythical point in the future when all conditions will be perfect. Development is a process and not always a straightforward one - but it is always a necessary one. The world is moving forward and those who do not move with it will necessarily be left behind.”

Over 300 financiers, investors and advisers will attend the conference to be held at the Arraya Ballroom on 11 and 12 April. Full details can be found at www.euromoneyconferences.com/kuwait

KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) CEO Mohammed Al-Omar will take part in the annual Euromoney conference that is held in Kuwait today and ends after two days. The prestigious conference is under the patronage of the Minister of Finance and is attended by elite businessmen and bankers. AlOmar presents a paper during one of the conference’s discussion sessions that will focus on the development plan in Kuwait, and the means to finance its projects.

Al-Omar deliberates the expected consequences of the development plan on the financing sector and the local economy in the medium and long terms; in addition to the expected role of the banking sector in financial those projects, based on its strong capital and assets that exceed KD 42 billion.

Moreover, Al-Omar talks about the basic requirements needed to apply the plan perfectly, such as approving new legislations concerning financing and the issuance of sukuk, so that Islamic banks can shoulder their responsibilities. Al-Omar also discusses the expected roles of the private and public sectors at a time when the development plan aims to expand the role of the private sector and increase its contributions in the total gross domestic product to 44% by the plan’s final year. Al-Omar mentions that the Kuwaiti economy is robust and can execute the projects included in the development plan, based on the surplus of the general budget as a result of the increase in oil prices.

It is expected that Euromoney conference will discuss several topics, such as the development plan, Kuwait’s credit rating, the required legislations and laws, the strategy of the Kuwaiti economy, and how the world views the risks of the Kuwaiti market.

Mohammed Al-Omar

2011 will be similar to 2010 with China, Asia, continuing to lead KCIC hosts analyst session risk expert Jan Randolph KUWAIT: KCIC, an investment firm specializing in investments in Asia, recently hosted a closed discussion with IHS Global Insight’s Director of Sovereign Risk, Jan Randolph, who delivered an update on the global recovery to an audience of analysts, bankers, fund managers, and investors.

Randolph shared with the audience six indicators that show the world remains on the road to recovery despite new risk challenges, such as the resurgence of high oil prices and the increasing inflation of other commodities and food prices. However, says Randolph, the global recovery is operating at two different speeds; China and other countries in Emerging Asia recovering at one

speed, and Western economies recovering at a lower speed due to debt concerns and a banking system that is still in repair.

KCIC Chief Economist Alessandro Magnoli Bocchi said: “As the global economy shows signs of recovery, Emerging Asia is on the lead, because of its robust growth, strong fundamentals, good demographics, and debt-free households. Still, at KCIC we focus on risks: our priority is to understand and mitigate them before investing. This is why we are very pleased to have Jan Randolph in Kuwait to shed light on the recovery outlook and its key risks. His close look at global market trends, especially in leading Emerging Markets, was

very insightful and valuable to us and I’m sure to our audience as well. “ Randolph is a seasoned international economist and financial markets commentator on television and radio including Bloomberg, CNBC and Reuters TV, and has written extensively in the press, including the Financial Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, Observer and Business Week.

He is also the Director of Sovereign Risk with IHS Global Insight, based in London, where he has successfully adapted the risk management and internal rating modelling techniques for cross-country bank exposures to provide clients with a unique sov-

IHS Global Insightís Director of Sovereign Risk, Jan Randolph ereign risk rating system for over 200 economies worldwide. He has both policy and hands-on

experience in international risk management, especially in Emerging Markets.

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

.2751050 .4485170 .3935380 .3008910 .2870760 .2857240 .0062670 .0025010 .0749300 .7302050 .3891160 .0733810 .7151160 .0063980 .0466280

.2804090 .4571640 .4011250 .3066920 .2926110 .2912320 .0063870 .0025490 .0763740 .7442830 .3966180 .0747960 .7289020 .0065210 .0475270

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2758000 .2794000 .4496510 .4555200 .3945320 .3996820 .3016520 .3055890 .2878010 .2915580 .0529080 .0535990 .0437440 .0443150 .2864460 .2901850 .0354700 .0359330 .2188540 .2217110 .0032410 .0032840 .0000000 .0063640 .0000000 .0025400 .0000000 .0032970 .0000000 .0039080 .0751190 .0761000 .7320500 .7416060 .0000000 .3951910 .0735660 .0745270 .7169220 .7262800 .0000000 .0064980

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 3.279 6.276 3.260 2.514 3.936 221.020 35.764 3.814

Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

6.433 9.218 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 74.144 76.402 722.230 738.350 75.700

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 49.500 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.613 Yemen Riyal 1.272 Tunisian Dinar 202.880 Jordanian Dinar 392.670 Lebanese Lira 184.400 Syrian Lier 6.003 Morocco Dirham 35.957 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 277.950 Euro 398.580 Sterling Pound 455.280 Canadian dollar 290.440 Turkish lire 182.500 Swiss Franc 304.100 Australian dollar 288.150 US Dollar Buying 276.750 GOLD 272.000 136.000 70.000

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 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 296.900 738.280 4.000 293.900 545.200 14.100 54.900 167.800 49.230 408.000 36.430 6.510

SELL DRAFT 295.400 738.280 3.810 292.400

222.200 46.661 404.500 36.280 6.305

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 0.249 0.246 3.370 393.970 0.188 94.040 47.700 4.350 221.000 1.882 52.700 721.070 3.350 6.640 76.790 74.120 222.170 44.290 2.664 459.600 45.700 309.300 6.000 9.600 198.263 75.750 278.000 1.270

0.032

392.370 0.187 94.040 3.960 219.500

3.264 3.818 6.424 681.183 3.390 9.303 6.057 4.016 91.329

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. 720.890 3.280 6.470 76.360 74.120 222.170 44.290 2.511 457.600 307.800 6.000 9.450 75.650 277.600

10 Tola

GOLD 1,533.320

Sterling Pound US Dollar

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 457.600 277.800

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

Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

Selling Rate 277.700 290.250 454.725 398.290 300.352 734.993 75.584 76.255 74.023 392.280 46.667 2.512 6.282

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) 277.500 3.280 6.305 2.530 3.820 6.490 75.655 74.195 737.700 46.540 461.200 0.00003280 3.910 1.550 394.200 5.750 407.600 297.400

Al Mulla Exchange Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 277.350 399.300 455.800 290.300 3.290 6.275 46.605 2.512 3.810 6.425 3.258 738.500 75.600 74.100

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BUSINESS

NBK named ‘Best CSR Program’ in Middle East Bank’s CSR contributions exceeded KD 105 m between 1992 and 2010 KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the best bank in the Middle East, has been honored as the “Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program” in the Middle East for 2011 by the prestigious regional financial magazine, Banker Middle East.

Manal Al-Mattar, NBK Executive Manager, Public Relations and Advertising, received the award on behalf of NBK in a ceremony recently held in Dubai.

Al-Mattar said: “This award distinguishes NBK as the leader in Corporate Social Responsibility among the region’s banks. NBK cares about the community in which it oper-

ates and this award recognizes its strong commitment to Kuwait and Kuwaiti society.”

Al-Mattar stated that NBK’s CSR contributions exceeded KD 105 million between 1992 and 2010, including its annual contributions to the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) and National Labor Support.

“Being the veteran and premier financial organization in Kuwait and the Middle East, NBK takes its role in the community very seriously and never loses sight of the fact that it constitutes an integral part of the Kuwaiti society as well as its national history”, Al-

Mattar added. “NBK’s CSR initiatives cover all sectors including recruitment and National Labor Support, healthcare, education, social support, sports, and environment.”

NBK is the highest rated bank in the Middle East by Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings. NBK also enjoys the largest presence in Kuwait with 70 branches, as well as a growing regional and international network comprising an additional 107 branches covering 16 countries in both the MENA region and the world’s leading financial centers including London, Paris, New York, Singapore, Geneva, China and Vietnam.

Manal Al-Mattar receives the award of Best Corporate Social Responsibility Programe on behalf of NBK.

Lulu Hypermarkets receives Dubai’s prestigious award Recognition reflects customer trust in brand: Yusuffali

Boeing and Qatar Airways unveil order for five 777s NEW YORK: Boeing and Qatar Airways yesterday announced orders for three 777 Freighters and two 777-300ERs. The orders are valued at $1.4 billion at list prices. The 777 Freighter order was previously accounted for on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website as unidentified in 2010.

The 777-300ER order was previously accounted for on the Orders and Deliveries website in 2011.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Business & Investment in Qatar Forum in New York in the presence of Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor AlThani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, US Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood and the US Ambassador to Qatar, Ambassador Joseph LeBaron. The agreement was signed by Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways’ CEO and Tony Valentine, sales director, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The forum, of which Boeing is one of the sponsors, is held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamad and aims to promote Qatar’s emerging role as a political, economic and cultural hub in the Middle East.

“Qatar Airways has made a significant commitment to the 777, an airplane which

has become the flagship of our fleet,” said Akbar Al Baker. “The capacity of the Boeing 777 Freighter is unrivaled and its economics make it an attractive addition to our fleet. It’s an opportune time to be introducing more cargo capacity to our fleet. As the State of Qatar and other parts of the region are growing at a phenomenal pace, we are well positioned to take advantage of this growth.”

“The confidence that Qatar Airways continues to place in the 777 is testimony to the outstanding success of this airplane and Qatar Airways’ business model. We look forward to a continued partnership as Qatar Airways expands its position on the international stage,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Today’s order is not just an agreement between Boeing and Qatar Airways but underlines the strategic relationship that the USA and Qatar have forged on the industrial and economic front.”

Qatar Airways currently operates eight ultra-long range 777-200LR, 15 777-300ERs and two long-range 777 freighters. Last week, the airline took delivery of its 25th 777.

DUBAI: The prestigious Dubai Quality Award - Dubai Quality Appreciation Program (DQAP) certification for the trade sector has been bagged by Lulu Hypermarket chain. At a glittering function held in Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Makhtoum, Dubai Crown Prince handed over the DQAP award to Yusuffali MA, Managing Director of Lulu Hypermarkets, in the presence of Gen Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Makhtoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Also present were a host of Sheikhs, government and private sector dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Yusuffali stated: “Dubai Quality Award augments the trust that our customers have in the LuLu brand and it is really heartening to receive an appreciation of such high order. “ To become the first regional Hypermarket to receive this prestigious honor is really very gratifying. The honor is bound to boost our efforts towards achieving retailing excellence and benchmarking the Lulu Hypermarket brand against the best in the industry globally.

“The secret of winning is our focus on sustainable excellence based on international quality products and excellent service across all our stores. We will continue our march forward remaining focused on setting retailing benchmarks while expanding our presence in new markets.

“We have full faith in the visionary leaders of this great country and are fully committed to do our bit in the growth of the local economy”.

The new generation of Mercedes-Benz Viano Comfort, sustainability, design, driving pleasure The new generation of Mercedes-Benz Viano raises the benchmark for comfort, material quality and efficiency in largecapacity vehicles to a whole new level. The improved interior of both cockpit and passenger compartment sets new standards, as does an efficient new drive system. The vehicle’s unique BlueEFFICIENCY technology, which comes as standard, ensures maximum fuel economy and minimum environmental impact. The new suspension offers comfort in conjunction with driving enjoyment and active safety.

A key feature of a new lighting concept for the passenger compartment is the impressive ambient lighting system. This comprises individual LED reading lamps as well as fibre optic units, while the whole system can be dimmed. New optional extras such as the Rear Seat Entertainment system enhance passenger travel comfort. Both driver and passengers ride in style on seats with redesigned upholstery. The upgrading of the cockpit ranges from new control buttons to a four-spoke multi-function steering wheel. All vehicle occupants benefit from significantly reduced noise levels.

New look emphasises independent character The Viano is instantly recognizable by its “face”, featuring the Mercedes star in the style of the current passenger cars, and a newly designed rear section.

“Externally, the new generation Mercedes-Benz Viano is differentiated from previous models by a new, distinctive headlamp design reminiscent of the current Mercedes-Benz passenger car range and by a redesigned rear end. This gives the Mercedes-Benz Viano a more independent character than ever before.” Said Michael Ruehle, General Manager Albisher & Alkazemi Co.

New suspension melds ride comfort, driving enjoyment and active safety At the heart of the new suspension is a combination of ride comfort, driving enjoyment and active safety that takes the handling safety as well as the comfort of the vehicle to hitherto unknown levels. Both front and rear axles have been revised in every detail and specially tuned to match each specific model. As a result the Viano’s handling is precise, predictable and safe, while it also delivers excellent performance in terms of comfort, ride and noise.

Interior: comfort and operating convenience better than ever New interior trim materials improve the look of the Viano significantly and improve its inherent functionality still further.

Drive system: extremely clean and economical BlueEFFICIENCY technology Exceptional efficiency, delivering low emissions and fuel consumption, is key to the new drive system. In all versions,

the Viano meets EU 5 emission standards. CO2 emissions and fuel consumption could be reduced by up to 15 percent compared with the previous models, giving record figures.

The smooth-running four and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines in the Viano range in output from 100 kW (126 hp) to 190 kW (258 hp).

The new four-cylinder engines with variable turbine geometry generate a power output of 100 kW (136 hp) in the Viano CDI 2.0 and 120 kW (163 hp) in the Viano CDI 2.2, with balancer shafts ensuring extremely smooth running.

“All diesel engines are equipped with an oxidation catalytic converter, a particulate filter and cooled exhaust gas recirculation. The new ECO Gear six-speed manual transmission for all four-cylinder models offers a broad gear ratio spread for optimum performance and enables low fuel consumption and emission levels.Top of the range among the diesel engines is the V6 in the Viano CDI 3.0, which combines smooth running with impressive output and high tractive power. With a power output of 165 kW (224 hp), it now offers even better performance, while combining economy with environment-friendliness. The Viano 3.5 and its V6 petrol engine rated at 190 kW (258 hp) offer superior power and comfort.” Said Sabry Hany, Sales Manager commercial vehicles, Albisher & Alkazemi Co. The new Viano is available from Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Co., authorized general distributor of

Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait from April onwards. The Viano starts from KD 15000 onwards.

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business

Banking sector helps KSE gain ground BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last week in the green zone, as both its main indices recorded gains. The price index ended last week with an increase amounted to 0.84%, while the weighted index raised 1.84% compared to the closings of the week before.

Furthermore, last week’s average daily turnover increased by 47.02%, compared to the preceding week, reaching KD 38.77 million, whereas trading volume average was 133.11 million shares, recording retreat of 11.74%.

KSE ended the first week of the second quarter 2011 with positive performance.

The market witnessed wide buying actions, concentrated on leading stocks, especially for Banks sector. As a result, the weighted index showed better performance than the price index.

On the other hand, small stocks were subject to speculations during last week, with positive trend; therefore, the market

indices demonstrated hesitant performance on daily basis. In addition, profit taking operations were present in the market. Moreover, Banks sector finally gave up its leading poison to the Services sector, which possessed the greatest share from the liquidity.

Nevertheless, caution contained to be present in KSE, as traders were looking for the first quarter companies’ results disclosure, which considered the first sign for the companies’ operational performance in 2011.

By the end of the week, the price index closed at 6.348.3 points, up by 0.84% from the week before closing, whereas the weighted index registered a 1.84% weekly gain after closing at 446.38 points.

Sectors’ indices Five of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the green zone, while the other three recorded declines. Last week’s highest

gainer was the Investment sector, achieving 2.72% growth rate as its index closed at 4,227.7 points. Whereas, in the second place, the Industry sector’s index closed at 4,561.0 points recording 1.29% increase.

The Banks sector came in third as its index achieved 1.22% growth, ending the week at 11,619.1 points. The Real Estate sector was the least growing as its index closed at 2.146.3 points with a 0.29% increase.

On the other hand, the Non Kuwaiti Companies sector headed the losers list as its index declined by 1.51% to end the week ’s activity at 6,659.4 points. The Insurance sector was second on the losers’ list, which index declined by 0.48%, closing at 2,648.7 points, followed by the Food sector, as its index closed at 4,352.2 points at a weekly loss of 0.22%.

Sectors’ activity The Investment sector dominated total trade volume during last week with

199.63 million shares changing hands, representing 29.99% of the total market trading volume. The Real Estate sector was second in terms trading volume as the sector’s traded shares were 28.70% of last week’s total trading volume, with a total of 191.02 million shares. On the other hand, the S er vices sec tor ’s stocks where the highest traded in terms of value; with a turnover of KD 115.70 million or 59.68% of last week’s total market trading value. The Banks sector took the second place as the sector’s last week turnover of K.D. 32.54 million represented 16.78% of the total market trading value.

Market capitalization KSE total market capitalization grew by 1.79% during last week to reach KD 31.92 billion, as all of KSE’s sectors recorded an increase in their respective market capitalization except for one sec tor. The Investment sector headed the growing

sectors as its total market capitalization reached KD 2.43 billion, increasing by 3.20%. The Industry sector was the second in terms of recorded growth with 2.96% increase after the total value of its listed companies reached KD 2.45 billion. The third place was for the Services sector, which total market capitalization reached KD 9.03 billion by the end of the week, recording an increase of 2.86%. The NonKuwaiti sector was the least growing with 0.38% recorded growth after its market capitalization amounted to KD 2.02 billion. On the other hand, the Insurance sector was last week’s only decliner as its total market capitalization decreased by 0.92% to reach, by the end of the week, KD 310.36 million.

For further details, please visit our web site: www.bayaninvest.com Prepared by the Studies & Research Department Bayan Investment Co.

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Ayoub Al-Saffar

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

Business

Mohammad Al-Shafeie

Khalid Al-Shemmary

Yuosuf Al-Rashed

Mohamad Fargali

TEG to host real estate expo in Kuwait More firms confirm participation in Kuwait’s premier investment show KUWAIT: The Real Estate and Investment Exhibition, organized by the Top Expo Group (TEG) for Organizing Exhibitions and Conferences, is scheduled to take place tomorrow (April 11) under the patronage of the Undersecretary of Ministry of Commerce and Industry Abdul-Aziz Al-Khaldi. The event is hosted in cooperation with the Kuwait International Fair Company in Hall 8 of the Mishref Fairgrounds and will last until April 16.

Several real estate companies from Kuwait and the region have announced their participation of this year’s event. One of the companies, the Murabahat Real Estate Solutions Company, is participating in the event as a platinum sponsor for the event. “Given the expected boost in the local and regional real estate sector following the

recovery from the global economic crisis, Murabahat is keen on providing citizens and residents with ideal real estate solutions for housing and investment, inside and outside Kuwait”, said the marketing and sales manager Mohammad Al-Shafeie. He added that his company plans on introducing several people to the special projects they currently have in Egypt and Turkey.

Meanwhile, Marketing and Development Manager at the Al-Arjowan United Real Estate Company, Yousuf Al-Rashid announced that his company will be a golden sponsor for the exhibition. He acknowledged the expo as “a most important annual event that features participation from more than 30 local and international companies.”

He added that his company will provide information at the expo for the projects they

have in Kuwait in the Khairan area as well as others in Egypt and Turkey.

CEO of the Kuwait Projects Management Company, Alaa Abu Alyan indicated that his company will show a wide range of projects that they are currently working on, including the Roudhat Al-Safwa Hotel in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Project Manager Mohammad Thabet for the Top Group for Real Estate Marketing announced that they will display a large variation of real estate they own in London, England at the exhibition. They pointed out that the British real estate market is currently very stable with an expected increase in value of nearly 20 percent following the global crisis.

As part of their vision to reinforce the true vision of Islamic economic systems in real estate, the Baz Real Estate Systems

Company’s Marketing Manager Dr Khalid AlShemmary announced that they are participating in this year’s exhibition. AlShemmary explained that visitors will have the opportunity to take a look at the company’s portfolio of projects they have, including the Manazel Al-Ein Resort in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Roudhan Al-Roudhan, CEO of the KBF Real Estate Company, announced that his firm will continue to provide real estate owners with a place to market their property. In the meantime Ayoub Al-Saffar, the Deputy General Manager of the Dar AlKawthar Real Estate Company, announced that his company will provide visitors with a selection of projects that are available throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Al-Babtain annual customer forum KUWAIT: As part of its continuous support and appreciation to its loyal customers, ABDULMOHSEN ABDULAZIZ ALBABTAIN CO, exclusive distributors for Nissan vehicles in Kuwait, organized the Annual Customer Forum at the Crowne Plaza Hotel recently, under the auspicious of Ghazi Al-Babtain - Business Development Manager and Mohamed Shalaby - Group COO. A wide spectrum of clientele attended from various segments such as government, insurance companies, fleet customers, and wholesale customers.

The focus of the event was to cele-

brate Nissan Al-Babtain achieving top rank in customer satisfaction through independent regional survey and recognize with awards our loyal customers from various segments in the market on their continued support and commitment shown towards Al-Babtain and the Nissan brand.

Ruwan Wickramasinghe - National Parts Manager asserted “that Al-Babtain’s main objective is to offer Nissan Genuine Parts at a very competitive and affordable price during the ownership period, thereby maintaining a high loyal customer retention ratio.

Gulf Bank sponsors first Gulf Small and Medium Enterprises Forum KUWAIT: Gulf Bank was the main sponsor of the recently organized Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Forum, which was held under the Patronage of H.H. the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. The event took place at the Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Kuwait City.

Aly Shalaby, General Manager, Consumer Banking Group at Gulf Bank The SME Forum was the first and largest of its kind across the Gulf region and was attended by around 25 small and medium local and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) companies.

During the opening ceremony, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ahmed Al-Haroun, commented that

the success of the Forum showed that there is a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in the GCC region, especially amongst Kuwaiti SMEs. Al-Haroun also referred to the Parliament’s commitment to encouraging growth amongst SMEs and said that there will be new rules and regulations drawn up for these businesses to assist them.

Aly Shalaby, General Manager, Consumer Banking Group at Gulf Bank said: “We are very proud to be part of this important Forum. This is a great opportunity to share ideas and help encourage young businesses to grow.

Our sponsorship of this event is part of our program to support Kuwait and its business community and to encourage new ideas and the emergence of the next generation’s business leaders.

Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is vital for economic development of Kuwait as they play a major role in supporting the execution of various developmental plans of the government. SMEs are also a key to government’s priority of economic diversification and development of a dynamic private sector. Access to financial services is critical for SMEs to grow; however, historically this has been severely constrained,” Shalaby continued.

Gulf Bank was the first Bank in Kuwait to offer a comprehensive banking solution for small and medium businesses. The Bank is now actively targeting the ‘Small & Medium Enterprises’ (‘SME’) segment and has setup a Business Banking division within the Bank. The Business Banking division at Gulf Bank has introduced credit products focused towards SMEs.

Egypt lifts ban on gold exports CAIRO: Egypt has lifted a ban on the export of gold due to increasing economic and political stability, the government said in a statement yesterday. The government decided on Feb 27 to ban exports of gold until June 30 - a decision which the statement issued yesterday said was aimed at “guarding Egyptian national security and to stop smuggling of the country’s wealth abroad”.

The trade and industry minister issued a decree lifting the ban ahead of that date “in view of the stability of the stock exchange

and political and economic conditions in the country”, the statement said. It did not say whether the decree was effective immediately. Bankers said at the time the decree was issued on Feb. 27 that it seemed designed to stop businessmen and former government officials from moving wealth abroad after the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak on Feb 11. Centamin Egypt, a gold miner operating in Egypt, said on Feb 28 it was continuing to produce and export gold and not been told to restrict it shipments. — Reuters

UIC strategic partner in Euromoney Conference KUWAIT: The Union of Investment Companies (UIC) said here yesterday it would share Euromoney Conferences as a strategic partner in 3rd Euromoney Kuwait 2011 Conference due here on April 11-12. A galaxy of economists and decision-makers, and 350 delegations, are to partake in the conference.

The two-day gathering is chiefly intended to stimulate and spur actual financing in the country, and will feature workshops on national development blueprints, the UIC said in a release.

The conference will spotlight Kuwait’s diverse potentials and capabilities through

discussions and scientific working papers to find a way on how to use the State’s public and private capital in bankrolling proposed development projects, it said. The event will tackle several other key issues, mainly bank capital structure, financing of projects and invasion of world capital markets.

Euromoney Conferences, part of Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC, is the world’s leading organizer of conferences for cross-border investment and capital markets; for portfolio and direct investors, financial intermediaries, corporations, governments and financial institutions. — KUNA

From the Amazon to the edge of Lima, ‘Boom’ remains a dream LIMA: Thousands of Peruvians on the edge of Lima are a world away from the capital’s prosperity, with little hope they will share the fruit of a decade of growth, despite promises from presidential candidates. Hundreds of homes sit atop a former rubbish dump in the slum of Cantagallo, which has a clear view across the rapidly developing capital and lies only a mile (some two kilometers) from the presidential palace.

The four main candidates competing for the presidency today aim to maintain Peru’s record growth but face growing frustration among a third of the nation of some 29 million who still live in poverty. Some 2,000 inhabitants of the Lima slum include members of the Shipibo Amazon tribe who migrated there a decade ago from the eastern region of Ucayali, leaving behind inadequate health care and education.

But they are still seeking to rise out of poverty.

“We’ve been living in Lima for 10 years and we’re in the same situation,” said 37-year-old Jonas Franco, pointing to two buckets of contaminated water used for cooking and washing in the corner of the small home he shares with his wife and three small daughters.

Franco is not bothered about who wins in Sunday’s first round of presidential elections, since “there’s so little confidence” in the candidates.

“Where’s the growth we’ve heard about when children learn to write on their knees, sitting on the ground?” Franco said. Some children and teenagers now study in Lima, and find odd jobs or sell handicrafts, while their families try to send money home to support their people’s future.

Amazonian Indians are the main losers in Peru.

They were historically ignored or exploited, they lack national representation and they have been stigmatized in recent years for resistance to mining or forestry projects. The incomprehension reached a climax in June 2009, when clashes between police and indigenous people left 34 dead in the northern town of Bagua. “It’s time for us to go to Congress.

We can’t remain second-class citizens,” Franco said.

He is standing as an independent candidate in a legislative vote also taking place Sunday, in a bid to become “spokesman for the poor.” “How can we not improve on those who have been there (in Congress) for 20 or 25 years?” he asked.

Peru’s growth began in the 1990s, when it become one of Latin America’s most open economies under Alberto Fujimori.

It accelerated after 2000, helped by a boom in world prices for minerals such as silver, copper and zinc, and was 8.8 percent last year alone. But a recent World Bank report underlined the Andean nation’s continuing social backwardness.

For example, Peru was 23rd out of 26 in Latin America for access to waste treatment. Franco said he had to build a makeshift sewage system with pipes leading into the Rimac river below the slum, two miles from the Pacific. The Shipibos, as well as former itinerant workers expelled from the city center who also live in Cantagallo, reject the popular political “chorreo” or “drip” theory that growth naturally filters down to benefit the worst off. “All (the political parties) have come to Cantagallo, they’ve all made promises, and of course they forget us,” said resident Carmen Rosa Chavez. Chavez dismissed the presidential candidates while conceding that the leftist favorite, Ollanta Humala, had “spoken of poor people’s rights.”“It’s not that Peruvians are against the system,” said sociologist Julio Cotler, from the Institute of Peruvian Studies. “They’re against how the system works for them. “At a time when there’s economic growth and more jobs, when all the newspapers are saying it’s the Peruvian miracle, Peruvians aren’t feeling the miracle.” — AFP

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BUSINESS

Will corporate earnings justify gains?

WALL STREET WEEKLY OUTLOOK NEW YORK: Investors will look to corporate profits and outlooks next week for confirmation the S&P 500 has another leg to its rally as the earnings season gets under way.

Dow component Alcoa will launch the earnings season after the closing bell tomorrow in what is expected to be another solid round of corporate results.

The aluminum producer is expected to report quarterly earnings of 27 cents per share on revenue of $6.07 billion, according to Thomson Reuters estimates. Some top financial names are also expected to report next week, including JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America Corp. Google Inc is also due to report.

“Earnings are what the market is all about. Earnings are critical in here, guidance is critical in here, the conference calls are critical in here,”

said Paul Mendelsohn, chief investment strategist at Windham Financial Ser vices in Charlotte, Vermont.

“In terms of earnings and sectors, you basically want to be with those people who have the ability to raise prices or are participating in the commodity price increases,” he said.

“And you really don’t want to be in those people who have the input costs increases and are going to see their margins squeezed by rising commodity prices.

Market analysts have found encouragement for a strong earnings season from the relatively light amount of company preannouncements, leading to the belief that surging commodity costs have yet to compress margins and impact corporate profits.

The Reuters/Jefferies CRB index rose 8 percent in the first quarter

and is up 2.6 percent so far in April, and hit its highest level since September 2008.

The S&P 500 has recouped all of the losses suffered in the wake of the Japanese earthquake on March 11 but has been unable to convincingly muscle past the 1,333.58 level, a technical resistance point representing double the 12-year low hit on March 9, 2009.

The benchmark index was relatively flat for the week, down 0.3 percent, as the prospect of a government shutdown kept the rally at bay.

Investors braced for a possible government shutdown as the White House and Congress scrambled on Friday to break a budget impasse ahead of a midnight deadline. But analysts said that while a US government shutdown, which would idle hundreds of thousands of federal workers, would be short-term

negative, the market had managed to rally even ahead of the looming deadline.

“There is an intellectual concern of what it means to shut down the government and there is the uncertainty of how long does the government get shut down and how much of a (hit) do we take on GDP growth,” said Phil Orlando, chief equity market strategist, at Federated Investors, in New York.

Many traders circled short-term puts on the SPDR S&P 500 Trust as the prospect of a shutdown loomed.

Shares of the exchange-traded fund, also called the Spyders, fell 0.3 percent to $132.86 in afternoon trading on Friday. The fund’s Weekly $133 puts traded more than 96,000 contracts, surpassing their open interest.

Frederic Ruffy, a strategist at WhatsTrading.com, said the posit i ons l i ke l y re f l e c te d he d ge s

against weakness due to fears of a shutdown.

Investors will also eye a batch of economic data next week, providing more insight into the economic recovery, including the consumer and producer prices indexes, the Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index and the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book of economic activity.

“The inflation numbers will certainly be important- producer price index and consumer price index-the expectation is inflation will be higher than the Federal Reserve will feel comfortable with,” said Hugh Johnson, chief investment officer of Hugh Johnson Advisors LLC in Albany, New York.

“The focus next week will clearly be on the earnings numbers and the economic numbers and that is where the focus of the market should be.” —Reuters

Boeing 737s around the world face new scrutiny PHOENIX: The crown prince of Thailand has one. So do the presidents of Peru and Chile. The Chinese Air Force relies on it, as do airlines in Russia, Indonesia, Australia and Romania.

The Boeing 737 is a workhorse of international aviation.

And the accident in which the roof of a Southwest Airlines jet ripped open 34,000 feet (10,360 meters) over Arizona has brought scrutiny to the hundreds of older-model 737s around the world that could be similarly vulnerable because of tiny, hard-to-find stress fractures in the aluminum skin.

The planes will now be subjected to repeated examinations as the problem revealed by the fuselage crack on the Southwest flight resonates through the world’s 737 fleet for years to come.

Many of their owners are now giving the planes a closer look after what happened April 1 in Arizona when a 5-foot (1.5-meter) section of the fuselage tore apart and forced pilots to make an emergency landing at a desert military base. Light-headed passengers were banged around the cabin and had to quickly put on overhead oxygen masks as pilots made a rapid descent.

The incident has forced airlines and governments around the world to take swift action.

The governments of Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and others ordered airlines to beef up inspections. Scandinavian airline SAS is performing similar checks on some of its 737s.

Qantas Airlines in Australia is checking four of its planes and Air New Zealand is looking at 15. Airlines said the inspections have not disrupted air travel. Southwest and Continental Airlines have the most planes on the list of 737300s, 737-400s and 737-500s prone to the fuselage ruptures, but a large number of the planes are owned by overseas carriers. UTAir in Russia, Garuda Airlines in Indonesia, Air New Zealand and three major carriers in China are among the biggest. Alaska Airlines has 17. Southwest finished inspecting all of its affected planes by Tuesday. They found five that had cracks in the same lap joint that tore open during last week’s flight, and were working with Boeing to make repairs.

Alaska Airlines is going a step beyond a Federal Aviation Administration directive this week that ordered inspections when the planes reach a 30,000 takeoffs and landings; the airline will inspect all its planes in the coming weeks. “We’re not required to inspect them right now, but we felt it was the prudent thing to do, and to help the industry determine the proper interval,” spokesman Paul McElroy said.

There are about 6,000 737s in operation worldwide, and an emergency FAA order on Tuesday only covers 579 that have the type of “lap joint” that failed during last week’s flight. Lap joints are used in many places on an aircraft fuselage and get their name because it is the spot where the aluminum skin of the aircraft overlaps and is secured with rivets. The FAA order focuses on a Boeing joint design on planes made between 1993 and 2000. Experts say that all of the planes around the world will be covered by the FAA order because of international agreements between civil aviation regulators globally. Many of the inspection orders handed down by foreign governments mirrored the one issued by the FAA. “Some airlines may not always maintain the records that they need to and certainly not all airlines will not maintain their airplanes to the highest levels of safety,” said Henry Harteveldt, aviation analysis at Forrester Research, Inc in San Francisco. “But I would make very clear that the top tier US and foreign flag airlines do this. Airlines like British Airways, Qantas and so on, those airlines maintain their airplanes to the highest standards and the best record-keeping.” The FAA said all of the planes have to undergo inspections when they reach the threshold of 30,000 takeoffs and landings. The 175 of those planes that have already reached the threshold are getting immediate inspections. For example, the planes owned by the crown prince of Thailand and Chinese Air Force have only flown about 5,000 cycles each, meaning their planes have a long ways to go before an inspection. One of the Swedish planes has more than 40,000, requiring an immediate examination.

The inspections are high-tech and labor-intensive.

Mechanics using a device that sends magnetic signals through metal to detect unseen cracks will scan about 50 feet of the twin metal seams running along the top of each airplane. The task takes two experts in aircraft service about eight hours. Repairs on any fatigue cracks will take a day or two at most. The checks will have to be repeated every 500 flights.

Boeing redesigned the lap joint on 737s in the early 1990s and thought airlines wouldn’t need to inspect them closely until 60,000 flights. That was a mistake, a top Boeing engineer acknowledged this week, and the company was surprised by the failure of the 15-year-old Southwest jet that had flown fewer than 40,000 flights. Indeed, Continental and Alaska Airlines are inspecting airplanes that are years from the new FAA threshold as an extra precaution, the companies told The Associated Press.

Continental, now merged with United Airlines, has 32 of the 737s in question, none with more than 30,000 cycles that would make them subject to the immediate inspection order. Nonetheless, the twin joints that hold the skin together along the top of the airplane will be inspected as they come due for major maintenance in the coming 18 to 24 months. —AP

BUDAPEST: Trade union members march during an international trade union demonstration against austerity measures in Budapest yesterday. —AP

PORTO: Portugal’s Prime-Minister and Socialist Party leader Jose Socrates delivers a speech in Matosinhos, outskirts of Porto, Portugal on Friday during the opening of the party’s national congress. Socrates resigned late last month after opposition parties rejected unpopular spending cuts and tax increases that the government said were necessary to get the country’s struggling economy back on track. —AP

EU finance ministers defend austerity as demos mount 30,000 protesters stage rally in Budapest GODOLLO, Hungary: EU finance ministers defended yesterday the imposition of painful austerity measures and called for public “understanding,” as thousands of protesters gathered in Budapest. “People must understand that we are not making savings to make people angry, we are making savings in order to be able to pay in future for our social policies,” Luxembourg’s Luc Frieden said as ministers held a second day of talks dominated by a deal to bail out Portugal.

Unions claimed some 30,000 protesters staging anti-austerity demonstrations around the ministers’ meetings descended on central Budapest yesterday.

Similarly large protests turned ugly in recent weeks in London and Brussels. “I understand (the demonstrations) but I think it is wrong,” said German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.

He said the EU had embarked on a path of public sector cuts and other drastic measures to carve out a “sustainable framework for growth.”

“And for sustainable growth, stable

currency is a precondition, and stable budgets are a precondition,” otherwise today’s governments would be abdicating their “responsibility to future generations,” he added. Sweden’s Anders Borg also said he did not understand why the demos were continuing, while EU Finance Commissioner Ollie Rehn also said budgetary tightening and lasting growth went hand-in-hand.

European Central Bank chief JeanClaude Trichet added: “We are convinced that solid budgetary policies, solid macroeconomic policies, and attentive

monitoring of prices in the general economy are the key to lasting growth and job creation.”

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said it was not entirely clear whether a recent decision to cut the interest rate and extend the repayment deadline on Greece’s 110 billion euros rescue loan was enough to get the country back to health. In return for those better conditions, Greece also agreed to a §50 billion privatization program.

“Whether that is enough, how that will continue, we will have to see,” Schaeuble

Rehn excludes Greek debt restructuring BERLIN/GODOLLO: A restructuring of Greek debt is out of the question, Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said yesterday.

German magazine Der Spiegel reported yesterday th at several euro zon e fin an ce min ister s told European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet in a conference call last week they had doubts if Greece would meet its fiscal targets and suggested Athens should restructure its debt.

“We do exclude (a Greek debt) restructuring. We have a solid plan and we are working on the basis of that plan and it is based on careful analysis of debt sustainability,” Rehn told a news conference, when asked about the German magazine report.

The Der Spiegel report said several finance ministers had said Athens would be unable to meet its fiscal targets and return to the markets for funding nex t year and asked if a debt restruc turing for Greece would be sensible in view of the situation.

But Trichet blocked the idea and said he was not willing to discuss it, Der Spiegel said.

Asked to comment on the magazine repor t, Trichet echoed Rehn’s comments: “On Greece, I would say we h ave a plan , th at plan has been approved by the international communit y and approved by the European institutions and we apply the plan.”

Der S piegel said Reh n h ad told th e E U Commission last week that any idea of a Greek restructuring, if it were to be required, should not be discussed in public but would simply happen at some point.

Der Spiegel said Trichet feared that a restructuring

could damage confidence in the entire euro zone and could hit banks holding Greek debt hard.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble viewed Trichet’s concerns about capital markets to be exaggerated and not credible, Der Spiegel said. In Godollo, Hungary, where EU finance ministers and central bankers met yesterday for a second day of informal talks, Schaeuble warned against fueling speculation in financial markets. Speculation over solutions to Greece’s problems when it has to return to normal debt markets next year was not helpful, he said. “We are at any moment ready to cooperatively find solutions to new problems,” Schaeuble said.

“They are not advanced by speculative remarks.”

Public debate on a restructuring has been almost taboo since Athens accepted a 110 billion euro ($157 billion) bailout from the EU and I nternational Monetary Fund nearly a year ago, and opposition to the idea remains high across the zone. The Greek government has repeatedly ruled it out and the ECB also opposes it. But privately, some senior euro-zone government officials are acknowledging what economists have been saying for months- that some form of restructuring may have to happen, probably in 2012.

Aid under Greece’s three-year rescue package is due to flow until June 2013, but to emerge safely from its bailout, the government will have to demonstrate before then that it can tap capital markets for long-term funding.

Athens has said it would like to resume selling longer-maturity paper later this year, or in 2012 at the latest. —Reuters

told reporters. “But we have proved that through sensible cooperation we can always cooperatively find solutions to new problems,” he added. Several media reports over the past week said that eurozone states were considering a restructuring of Greece’s massive debt — some 150 percent of economic output — but European officials have so far ruled out that a default was in the cards.

“We do exclude restructuring,” the EU’s Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said yesterday. —Agencies

Europe NGOs form group to counter banking lobby BRUSSELS: A clutch of European consumer groups, unions and non-governmental organizations are banding together to form a pressure group to push for financial reform and counter the influence of the banking industry.

The new group, Finance Watch, announced yesterday that nearly 30 organizations will join the lobby, including charity group Oxfam, the European Federation of Investors, the European Trade Union Confederation and the BEUC consumers group. The new non-profit organization, based in Brussels, will hold its first annual general meeting in June.

“Finance Watch is being created out of a belief that good financial services are essential for society and carry a strong public interest dimension,” the organization said in a statement.

“But all too often, efforts to improve the rules that govern the financial system are undermined by an asymmetry of lobbying where only the arguments of the financial industry appear to be heard,” it said. Finance Watch will have a small staff of legal and technical experts as well as professional lobbyists to directly lobby lawmakers and regulators.

A group of 22 Euro-MPs first launched the idea of creating Finance Watch last June as a “counterweight to the lobbying power of the financial industry on issues related to banking and the functioning of the financial industry,” the statement said. —AFP

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technology

Google’s $700m ITA buy cleared with conditions Google, rivals’ disputes to be settled by arbitration

PALO ALTO: Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, makes an opening speech of the media event, “behind the Scenes” to show the latest technology powering Facebook at their headquarters. — AFP

Facebook makes data centers green, cheap PALO ALTO: Facebook on Thursday presented an Internet-obsessed world with a gift-greener, cheaper data centers to more efficiently power online services.

The social networking star customdesigned hardware, power supply, and architecture of a new US data center that is 38 percent more power efficient and costs 24 percent less than the industry average. Schematics and designs for Facebook’s revolutionary data center in the Oregon city of Prineville were made available to the world as part of an Open Compute Project announced by founder Mark Zuckerberg.

“We found a lot of stuff mass manufacturers were putting out wasn’t what we needed, so we customized it to better fit social applications,” Zuckerberg said during a press conference at Facebook’s campus in Palo Alto, California. “We are trying to foster this ecosystem where developers can easily build startups.” A shift to hosting software applications as services in the Internet “cloud” is driving enormous growth of data centers globally, according to Graham Weston, chairman and founder of US computer network hosting giant Rackspace.

Cheaper data centers should translate into lower costs for Internet startups that typically rent computing capacity, providing a “turbo-charge” for innovation, according to Dell computer vice president of server platforms Forrest Norrod.

“Facebook’s design is really a leap forward, because it is much simpler, cheaper and greener,” Weston said. “I think it’s the biggest reduction in server infrastructure cost in a decade.” San Francisco-based social game sensation Zynga is looking to use Facebook’s technology in its data centers, which host popular online games such as “FarmVille” and “Zynga Poker.”

“We think it is going to make a big difference in how we bring play to the Internet,” Zynga chief technology officer Allen Leinwand said while taking part in the Facebook press conference. “It

should be fun for people to play on the Internet, but you need a lot of infrastructure behind that,” he said. “We are really intrigued by what is going on here. The power efficiency gains of the Open Compute Project design promises to shave millions of dollars off the electricity bill of a typical large data center, according to Weston.

If a quarter of the data centers in the United States switched to the new model it would save enough energy to power more than 160,000 homes, Facebook estimated. “It’s time to stop treating data centers like ‘Fight Club’ and demystify what is going on in there,” Facebook vice president of technical operations Jonathan Heilinger said in a playful reference to a film based on secret gatherings for bare-knuckle matches. Other Internet firms such as Google build their own data centers, but haven’t made designs freely available as Facebook has at the website opencompute.org.

Developing countries where outdated and inefficient data centers are common could be prime beneficiaries of the free Facebook technology. India, China and other countries are racing into an Internet Age that demands data centers, Dell’s Norrod noted.

“There will be the opportunity for Internet companies in the developing world to take a leap forward, jumping over the past 15 years of learning,” Norrod said. “That’s going to happen.”

Computer makers Dell and HewlettPackard along with chip companies Intel and Advanced Micro Devices worked with Facebook to develop the data center technology.

Facebook engineers hoped to get feedback and ideas to improve the designs. “It is like the launch of the (Toyota) Prius, only you gave people the plans on how to make the Prius,” said Intel data center group general manager Jason Waxman. “There are a lot of places around the world that could benefit from this kind of information.” — AFP

WASHINGTON: Google’s entry into the online travel sector was cleared for takeoff Friday as the US Justice Department gave the green light to its $700 million purchase of flight data company ITA Software. The Justice Department’s anti-trust division, however, extracted a number of concessions from Google and imposed conditions on the Internet search giant to allow the controversial acquisition to go ahead. The proposed legal settlement, which will need the approval of a US District Court, requires Google to notably develop and license ITA’s travel software to other companies.

Several online travel sites, including Expedia, Kayak and Travelocity, had sought to block the Google-ITA deal, claiming it would give Google too much control over the lucrative online travel market and lead to higher prices. The Justice Department agreed that unless modified, the acquisition “would have substantially lessened competition among providers of comparative flight search websites in the United States.”

But US deputy assistant attorney general Joseph Wayland said the proposed settlement “promotes robust competition for airfare websites by ensuring those websites will continue to have access to ITA’s pricing and shopping software. “(It) assures that airfare comparison and booking websites will be able to compete effectively, providing benefits to consumers,” Wayland said. ITA, a 500-person firm founded in

boy and his dog, even if the dog is a walking cellphone, scanner, GPS unit and Internet access point. It’s also distributed through King Feature’s DailyInk digital application, too.

Now Mahood finds his audience bigger and more diverse and has had to make some changes to his style, including more single-day gags and jokes as opposed to fouror five-day story-themed strips. “I was really preaching to him the one-off, the easy to clip out and put

to benefit from vibrant competition and innovation in travel search,” FairSearch.org said.

Another group, Consumer Watchdog, expressed concern that even with the conditions on the deal, Google will “ultimately win control of the travel search industry, driving ticket prices up for consumers.” Google has said the ITA acquisition will help it create new tools that will make it easier for consumers to search for travel, compare flight options and prices and drive more customers to online travel agencies. Google has said it has no plans to sell airline tickets or set airfare prices. Google has drawn increasing government scrutiny as it has grown from a scrappy startup into the dominant player in Internet search and the ITA settlement marks the first time it will be subject to anti-trust supervision.

The US Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with Google last week over Google Buzz, the social networking tool rolled out last year which spawned a slew of privacy complaints. Under the settlement announced by the US regulator, Google is required to implement a comprehensive privacy program and will be subject to independent privacy audits every two years for the next 20 years. Last month, a US judge dealt a setback to Google’s plans for a vast digital library and online bookstore, rejecting a copyright settlement hammered out by the Internet giant with authors and publishers. — AFP

Inmarsat introduces data capability

Bleeker strip bridges online, comics page PHILADELPHIA: Bleeker the Rechargeable Dog will find himself amid familiar friends when National Robotics Week takes hold across the US. The high-speed machine - think a four-legged iPod, cellphone, music player and computer all rolled into one sleek, but furless canine - is the virtual epitome of what advanced robots could, ultimately, one day represent. All of which has his real-life creator Jonathan Mahood excited about how his comic creation is paying homage to the week of April 9-17, which celebrates the science of robotics and its application in research, science and, of course, consumer electronics.

“This is a definite fit,” he told The Associated Press this week, noting that Bleeker is both a robot and dog with an eye toward making the life of his master, 10-year-old Skip, easier and more entertaining. “That was a springboard,” the 42-year-old artist and writer said of the six strips running next week that tie into National Robotics Week and show Bleeker taking part in education events about robo-technology.

“That’s what my comic’s about: a robot trying to interact and mesh with his owner.” Mahood created his strip in July 2006 for a website, originally calling it “Hoover: The Rechargeable Dog.” From there, it grew to more than 1,000 subscribers online, changed to the current name and began expanding to traditional newspapers, albeit online, in the US and Germany.

By 2010, it had more than 27,000 daily subscribers online when New York-based King Features Syndicate took note and in January began distributing the strip to traditional newspaper clients, where it has taken root on comics pages with stories about the friendship between a

1996 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology computer scientists, specializes in organizing airline data, including flight times, availability and prices. ITA flight data software is used by many US airlines and a number of leading online travel sites, including Expedia’s Hotwire and TripAdvisor, Kayak, Orbitz and Microsoft’s Bing search engine. Under the settlement, Google agreed to let ITA customers extend their contracts into 2016 and to let new customers license ITA’s QPX software on “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms” into 2016. Google also must offer ITA’s next generation InstaSearch product to the sites.

Google is also barred from entering into agreements with airlines that would restrct sharing of seat and booking class information with its competitors. In addition, Google will be required to build a “firewall” that will prevent it from gaining access to competitors’ proprietary software which runs on ITA servers. Google senior vice president Jeff Huber welcomed the approval of the deal and said “by combining ITA’s expertise with Google’s technology we’ll be able to develop exciting new flight search tools for all our users.”

FairSearch.org, a coalition of opponents of the acquisition which includes Google rival Microsoft, welcomed the conditions imposed on Google. “By putting in place strong, ongoing oversight and enforcement tools, the department has ensured that consumers will continue

on the refrigerator philosophy,” Brendan Burford, comics editor at King Features said, adding he was a fan of the strip well before Mahood was picked up by the syndicate. “I was tickled from the get-go with his great comic strip,” Burford said. For Mahood, making the transition was an ultimate goal. “I grew up reading newspaper comics, my brother and I fighting over the comics section on the weekend,” he said. “That was always kind of my goal when I started back in 2006 online.” — AP

In this comic strip image released by King Features Syndicate, Bleeker the Rechargeable Dog, a character from the comic strip created by Jonathan Mahood, is shown. — AP

KUWAIT: Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, yesterday announced the availability of a data service on its global handheld satellite phone, IsatPhone Pro. The new circuit-switched data capability, offering an effective data rate of up to 20kbps is provided in the firmware upgrade to the handset.

“IsatPhone Pro is ideally suited for use as a data service,” said Drew Brandy, Director of Land Services at Inmarsat. “The handset design means the IsatPhone Pro can be simply placed on its side with the antenna deployed for connection to the satellite while a micro USB cable connects it to a laptop. And the Inmarsat-4 satellites on which the service runs are, of course, designed specifically to handle data communications.

“We are very pleased with the performance of IsatPhone Pro’s data capability. It is proving to be very robust whether using generic or customized applications. In testing we have actually exceeded 20kbps throughput with plain text email on several occasions.

It’s ideal for those people wanting to access emails, jpegs, documents or PDFs,” he said. In addition to the data capability, the next firmware upgrade for IsatPhone Pro will feature a number of service enhancements. “IsatPhone Pro has achieved a great deal since it was launched barely nine months ago: winning an award for innovation, gathering fantastic reviews and being used in every single country in which satellite communications is authorised,” said Drew.”But we don’t stop looking for ways to enhance the service for our end users. We expect this new data capability to be very well received.”

Kremlin rejects FSB offer to ban Skype MOSCOW: The Kremlin has rejected a proposal by a senior official of Russia’s main domestic security agency who said authorities should ban Skype, Gmail and Hotmail because they are a major threat to national security. The proposal made Friday by a senior official of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, followed cyber attacks on Russia’s most popular blogging site and the website of a popular independent newspaper this week.

Commentators saw them as an attempt by authorities to tighten controls on communications before parliamentary elections in December and a presidential vote in March.

The Internet has become the main source of independent news and commentary in Russia, where all nationwide television stations and most print media are under state control. Alexander Andreyechkin, chief of the FSB’s information security and special communications department, told a government meeting that encrypted communications providers such as Gmail, Hotmail and Skype “pose a large-scale threat to Russia’s security” and proposed to ban them, Russian news agencies reported.

The Kremlin quickly responded that Andreyechkin had expressed his personal opinion and abused his authority by making the statement. The FSB backtracked yesterday, saying it was not planning any measures to limit Skype and Gmail in Russia. Communications Minister Igor Shchegolev also said in a statement Friday that his ministry has no plans to ban any Internet services. But shortly after that, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, came to Andreyechkin’s defense, saying that what he said wasn’t a private viewpoint, but a “well-reasoned position of his agency,” according to Russian news agencies.

Putin, who has been accused by critics of rolling back Russia’s democratic freedoms during two terms as president in 2000-08, has remained Russia’s most

powerful politician even after shifting into the premier’s job. Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev have said they would decide later which of them should run for president in the March 2012 election and wouldn’t compete against each other, but Putin is widely expected to reclaim the presidency.

Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel and an one-time FSB chief, has surrounded himself with veterans of Soviet and Russian security structures.

While FSB and other security agencies

formally answer to the president, most commentators agree that Medvedev has little control over their activities.

Putin and Medvedev have recently disagreed over a number of domestic and foreign policy issues, but many observers see the differences as a stagemanaged attempt to reach different constituencies. Putin’s tough posture appeals to average Russians, while Medvedev’s statements are intended to please the West and Russia’s liberal circles. — AP

FCC adopts rules for wireless competition WASHINGTON: Federal regulators adopted rules Thursday to drive more competition in wireless broadband as more people access the Internet using iPhones and other popular mobile devices. The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 on Thursday to require big wireless carriers to open their data networks to smaller regional operators in places where they don’t have their own systems. The large carriers have to offer network access at reasonable prices, and the FCC would resolve any disputes.

The so-called “data roaming” rules are a response to consolidation in an industry dominated by two nationwide carriers, AT&T Inc and Verizon Wireless.

And they come just weeks after AT&T, the second-largest US wireless company, announced plans to buy T-Mobile USA, the fourth-largest, in a $39 billion cashand-stock deal. Existing voice roaming rules already allow regional competitors to use the big carriers’ networks to handle phone calls outside their own service territories. That enables Leap Wireless, for instance, to offer nationwide calling service. It pays other carriers for access to their systems when customers make calls outside Leap’s service area. But smaller wireless providers say they need to be able to be able to do that with data, too, as subscribers increasingly use smartphones not just to make phone calls but to send pictures, watch online video and access bandwidth-hungry mobile applications. “Consumers ... expect to use their mobile phones throughout the nation for voice calls or data - like email or mobile apps,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, a Democrat. Parul Desai, policy counsel for the consumer watchdog group Consumers Union, said the new rules should help lower prices by giving consumers more choices for nationwide data services. Steven Berry, president and chief executive of the Rural Cellular Association, added that the rules should make it easier for rural carriers to grow by ensuring that they can get the nationwide data roaming agreements they need to attract customers and funding for their networks. “In this day and age, consumer expectations are that their devices work anytime, anyplace, anywhere,” Berry said. “What consumer would buy a phone that only works in one small regional area?” —AP

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Years

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

WHO warns drugs misuse weakens fight vs disease WHO cautions of possible return to pre-antibiotic days MANILA: Misuse of antibiotics has undermined the global fight against infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria and could lead to a return to the days before the drugs were developed, the World Health Organization warned on Thursday. An estimated 440,000 new cases of tuberculosis resistant to several types of drugs were reported last year in nearly 60 countries, according to the agency. “At the same time, other age-old diseases are on the rise with the possibility of no cure,” said Shin Young-soo, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific area. Shin called on WHO’s 193 memberstates to commit resources and adopt policies to fight the growing problem of drug resistance.

MOSCOW: A mock-up of the Vostok spacecraft’s landing capsule is seen at an exhibit at the Museum of Cosmonautics. Yuri Gagarin travelled in such a spacecraft on his April 12 1961 mission, the first human flight to space. — AP

Gagarin: First man in space remembered 50 years later STAR CITY: It was the Soviet Union’s own giant leap for mankind, one that would spur a humiliated America to race for the moon.

It happened 50 years ago this Tuesday, when an air force pilot named Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. The 27year-old cosmonaut’s mission lasted just 108 minutes and was fraught with drama: a break in data transmission, glitches involving antennas, a retrorocket and the separation of modules. And there was an overarching question that science had yet to answer: What would weightlessness do to a human being? “There were all kinds of wild fears that a man could lose his mind in zero gravity, lose his ability to make rational decisions,” recalls Oleg Ivanovsky, who oversaw the construction and launch of the Vostok spacecraft that carried Gagarin.

The flight was to be fully automatic, but what if weightlessness caused Gagarin to go mad and override the programmed controls? The engineers’ solution was to add a three-digit security code that the cosmonaut would have to enter to gain command of the spacecraft. It proved unnecessary.

The flight went off safely, and the handsome Russian with the big smile became a poster boy for the communist world, still a national idol 43 years after his death in a jet training accident, and remembered with enormous affection by the last surviving pioneers of the Soviet space program at Star City outside Moscow, where he trained.

From the stern and uncompromising chief designer, Sergei Korolyov, to young nurses and rank-and-file launch pad workers, “people loved, really loved him,” Ivanovsky told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. Korolyov was eager to cement the Soviet edge in space after the October 1957 launch of Sputnik, the world’s first manmade satellite, and he wanted to move to human spaceflight and score another victory in the race against the Americans. But after a series of botched experimental flights throughout 1960 and a launch pad explosion that killed 126 people, safety was an overriding priority, Ivanovsky says.

The flight was limited to a single orbit because of the questions about weightlessness, and Gagarin was supposed to parachute out of the capsule on return because a soft-landing system was not ready yet.

Even so, Ivanovsky says, the risk was assessed as high. A top design official at the time, Boris Chertok, wrote in his memoirs that “Judging by modern standards of rockets reliability, we had no reasons for optimism by April 1961.” However, James Oberg, a NASA veteran and currently a space consultant who has studied the Soviet space program extensively, says Korolyov and his men did all they could to make the flight safe.

“I don’t see any dangerous shortcuts in their approach to the Vostok,” he told the AP, adding that the two final launches before Gagarin’s flight were fully successful.

Despite the risks, competition for the mission was strong among the 20 young pilots on the short list, and Gagarin was the favorite. He was a man who made people feel at ease and radiated kindness, former cosmonaut Vladimir Shatalov, now 83, recalled at the Star City training center, which he headed for 20 years.

Just three days before blastoff from what would later be known as the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Gagarin was told that he was chosen for the mission. In a letter to his wife, Valentina, he asked her to raise their daughters “not as little princesses, but as real people,” and to feel free to remarry if his mission proved fatal. “My letter seems like a final will. But I don’t think so and I hope you will never see this letter and I will feel shame later for that brief moment of weakness,” he wrote. “Gagarin was aware of the fears concerning zero gravity, and he also knew about all failed launches preceding his flight,” but he never showed any fear or doubt, Ivanovsky said.

On the eve of the flight, Gagarin and his backup, German Titov, went to bed early and were awakened at 5:30 am. Gagarin was joking, his pulse was an exemplary 64 beats a minute and it remained the same after he took his seat in the Vostok. Before boarding, Gagarin saw Korolyov looking haggard after a sleepless night. “Don’t you worry, Sergei Pavlovich, he told the chief designer, “everything will be just fine.” “It was he who was comforting me!” Korolyov would marvel later. He thought of Gagarin as a son, and Gagarin carried Korolyov’s picture in his wallet.

The security code for use in emergency was supposed to stay in a sealed envelope for the cosmonaut to open only if necessary, but Ivanovsky was too nervous to stick with protocol. As he escorted Gagarin to the cap-

sule, he whispered the code to him: 1-2-5.

Gagarin smiled and said he already knew; his instructor, equally protective, had already let him in on the secret. Ivanovsky helped Gagarin up the ladder and into the cockpit, patted him on the helmet and wished him luck before closing the hatch, only to hear Korolyov telling him from the control room that a light that was meant to indicate the hatch was hermetically closed had failed to turn on. Ivanovsky and his two assistants had to remove all 32 screws sealing the hatch and then put them back at a frantic pace.

Inside the capsule, Gagarin was whistling a tune. Later he would joke to Ivanovsky: “You should have seen yourself while you were working on the hatch; your face had all the colors of tarnished metal.” Gagarin’s rocket lifted off as scheduled on April 12, 1961, at 9:07 a.m. Moscow time. “Poyekhali!”

(Off we go!), the cosmonaut shouted as he took off. Korolyov and his engineers quickly got their first jolt: a signal suggesting a problem with the booster. It turned out to be just a break of a few seconds in data transmission. Gagarin’s confident reports from orbit eased the tension, and only after the flight, it emerged that an antenna malfunction had put the Vostok into a much higher and riskier orbit.

On re-entry, a glitch involving a retrorocket made the ship rotate swiftly, and the landing capsule was slow to jettison the service module. Scientists had to take a deep breath as they lost contact with the ship during its fiery earthward plunge.

Gagarin bailed out as planned, and parachuted onto a field near the Volga River about 720 kilometers (450 miles) southeast of Moscow. There he was spotted by a forester’s wife and her granddaughter who tried to run away from the stranger in his bright orange space suit and white helmet.

They may have thought he was a US spy, given that less than a year before, US pilot Francis Gary Powers had been shot down over the Soviet Union in his U-2 spy plane, an incident that had badly strained USSoviet relations. “Hey, where are you running? I’m one of us!” Gagarin shouted. Then others arrived, realizing he was the cosmonaut they had just heard about on the radio.

Gagarin learned to his great surprise that while aloft, he was being promoted two levels higher, to major. Korolyov and others flew to the landing area and met with Gagarin at a Communist Party guesthouse.

Their raucous reunion lasted late into the night. On April 14 Gagarin was flown to Moscow, where he was greeted by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and driven into town on a highway lined with cheering Russians.

“People took to the streets; everybody felt excited, it felt like V-Day,” Korolyov’s daughter Natalya recalled. But amid the triumph, Soviet officials, ever obsessed with secrecy and image, already were airbrushing history. Some local papers quoted witnesses who saw Gagarin parachuting down. But the official version had him landing in his capsule, so the KGB rushed to confiscate all the contradictory accounts in print. Soviet officials also lied about the launch pad’s location, a foolish attempt to conceal what the West already knew. Lies about the flight later caused friction with FAI, the international federation certifying aerospace records whose rules require that a pilot land in his craft. Americans, waking up as the Soviet Union was well into its celebrations, were shocked. The next day members of Congress grilled NASA officials. One demanded that the US be put on a war footing.

NASA explained that the Soviets had a greater lead time, having started their effort in 1954, four years before the American space agency was founded. Twenty-three days after Gagarin’s flight, on May 5, 1961, American Alan Shepard became the second man in space. But his suborbital hop lasted just 15 minutes. It wasn’t until John Glenn’s flight on Feb. 20, 1962, that an American managed to emulate Gagarin’s globe-circling feat. “Now let the other countries try to catch us,” Gagarin had declared after returning from space, and the US quickly set out to do so.

Barely three weeks after Shepard’s launch, President John F Kennedy committed the nation to putting a man on the moon by decade’s end. The goal was achieved in July 20, 1969. Gagarin’s legacy, meanwhile, has been dogged by conspiracy theories. Rumors still abound of botched and fatal space missions, the result of pervasive secrecy that surrounded the Soviet space program. “The degree of secrecy created shadows in which monsters could lurk,” said Oberg, the NASA veteran. — AP

“Antimicrobial resistance is a global concern not only because it kills, but because it increases health costs and threatens patient care.” A gene that makes bugs highly resistant to almost all known antibiotics, or “super superbugs,” has been found in bacteria in the water supplies in New Delhi. The gene, called NDM 1, first emerged in India three years ago and has spread across the world.

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a superbug that alone is estimated to kill 19,000 people each year in the United Statesfar more than HIV and AIDS. The WHO used World Health Day on Thursday to launch its “Combat Drug Resistance! No action today, no cure tomorrow” policy. Separately, the US health regulator said it would expedite certain drug

approval processes to tackle the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant diseases.

US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg called for development of new vaccines that can reduce the need for additional antibiotics. There is also a need for rapid diagnostic tests that can detect the nature of infections, the need for specific antibiotics and the future patterns of antibiotic resistance, she said.

“We are facing a situation in which the triedand-true antibacterial drugs are losing their value and at the same time the pipeline of new drugs to treat those diseases is distressingly devoid of any drugs,” she said. According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, GlaxoSmithKline Plc and AstraZeneca Plc are the

only two major drugmakers with a strong presence in antibiotic research and development.

Scientists at the US FDA are studying specific areas such as complicated urinary tract infections and serious bacterial infections to advise the drug industry on how to approach new drug research, Hamburg said. The agency expects to complete that work by early 2012. Apart from tuberculosis, which should have been contained decades ago, the fight against malaria is being hampered by a strain resistant to the frontline drug, artemisinin, WHO said. Similarly, treatment for gonorrhea was threatened by growing resistance to the last-line treatment and the WHO said hospital-acquired superbugs, resistant to major antibiotics, were becoming increasingly frequent. — Reuters

Errors still common in US hospitals: Study CHICAGO: About one in three people in the United States will encounter some kind of mistake during a hospital stay, US researchers said on Thursday. The finding, which is based on a new tool for measuring hospital errors, is about 10 times higher than estimates using older methods, suggesting much work remains in efforts to improve health quality.

“Without doubt, we’ve seen improvements in health care over the past decade, and even pockets of excellence, but overall progress has been agonizingly slow,” said Susan Dentzer, editor-inchief of Health Affairs, which published several studies on a special issue on patient safety.

The special issue came 10 years after an influential Institute of Medicine report that found significant gaps in health quality. “It’s clear that we still have a great deal of work to do in order to achieve a health care system that is consistently high-quality-that is, safe, effective, patient-centered, efficient, timely, and devoid of disparities based on race or ethnicity,” Dentzer said. Medical errors can range from bedsores to objects left in the body after surgery to life-threatening staph infections.

A study by David Classen of the University of Utah and colleagues compared a new quality yardstick developed at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Massachusetts, with two common older methods of detecting errors-reports of errors voluntarily included in the medical record and an older

method for assessing errors developed by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, or AHR. “A key challenge has been agreeing on a yardstick for measuring the safety of care in hospitals,” the researchers wrote.

To find the best yardstick, the team tested three methods of tracking errors on the same set of medical records from three different hospitals. Among the 795 patient records reviewed, voluntary reporting detected four problems, the Agency for Healthcare Research’s quality indicator found 35, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s tool detected 354 events — 10 times more than AHR’s method. “Our findings indicate that two methods commonly used by most care delivery organizations and supported by policy makers to measure the safety of care ... fail to detect more than 90 percent of the adverse events that occur among hospitalized patients,” the team wrote.

The findings suggest there may be many errors that go undetected.

In a separate study in the same issue, a team led by Jill Van Den Bos and colleagues at the Denver Health practice of the Milliman Inc consulting firm, used insurance claims to estimate the annual cost of medical errors that harm patients to be $17.1 billion in 2008 dollars. They found that 10 types of errors accounted for more than two-thirds of the total cost, with the most common ones being pressure ulcers or bedsores, postoperative infections and persistent back pain following back surgery. — Reuters

MANAGUA: A female Jaguar called ‘’Rosa Salvaje’’ (Wild Rose) licks her one-week-old cub at the National Zoo. — AFP

Do messy streets increase discrimination?

LONDON: Dutch scientists have found that a messy environment can make people long for order and inspire them to simplify or categorize things in their minds. As a result, people may be more likely to stereotype and discriminate against others when the world around them is in disarray, the researchers said in a study published in the journal Science on Thursday. Diederik Stapel and Siegwart Lindenberg of Tilburg University in the Netherlands showed this effect with two field experiments and a series of laboratory studies, and they say the message to policymakers is clear: Keeping neighborhoods clean and tidy, and investing in repair and renovation may help combat discrimination in society. During a cleaners’ strike at a train station, when litter and rubbish was strewn about the floor, the researchers asked 40 white Caucasian passersby to sit anywhere in a row of chairs and complete a survey about stereo-

types. The first chair in the row was occupied by a black person. The researchers then repeated this exercise the following day after the train station had been cleaned up, and found that travelers generally chose to sit further away from the person in the first chair when the station was messy, compared to when it was clean.

“In the orderly condition they sat equally close to a white or a black person, and in the disorderly condition they sat significantly further away from the black person than from the white people,” Lindenberg said in an interview with Science.

Stapel and Lindenberg then hit the streets, polling 47 passersby about their stereotypes. During the first round of interviews, tiles were removed from the pavements, a car was parked on the curb and a bicycle was left in the street. But on the second day, the street was cleaned up to make it look neat and orderly.

The scientists found passersby discriminated against others more and chose to donate less to a “Money for Minorities” fund when they were on the messy street, compared to the clean street.

Finally, the researchers performed a series of laboratory experiments to confirm that these messy environments had inspired people to quickly classify and stereotype others. They showed a group of volunteers pictures, symbols and words that were meant to evoke feelings of order, disorder or neutrality. They also questioned the volunteers to gauge their need for structure in their lives, and assessed their stereotypes with the same survey used in the field experiments.

The results suggested that disordered environments can inspire people to hastily classify things in their minds, often leading to discrimination.

“Stereotyping is a way of dealing with disorder,” Lindenberg said. — Reuters

China speaks better English than India

LONDON: A Bolivian squirrel monkey is pictured with a pair of sunglasses smeared with bitter apple to train him not to steal visitors’ sunglasses, at ZSL London Zoo. Zoo keepers have discovered Bolivian squirrel monkeys stealing visitors’ sunglasses since the sun came out last week. The group of 18, who live in a no barrier enclosure, have been given sunglasses with bitter apple smeared on them today in a bid to stop them from being so light-fingered this summer. — AFP

NEW DELHI: Emerging market giant China has pipped neighboring rival India in English language proficiency skills, despite the South Asian nation’s strong anglophone tradition, according to a new study. Both countries were given a “lowproficiency” score, with China standing 29th, one place ahead of India in a list of 44 countries rated according to an English proficiency index. The study was carried out by EF Education (EF), the world’s largest privately held education company that specializes in language training and other education areas.

“Despite its British colonial legacy, extensive use of English for administrative purposes and vibrant English media, India is now no more proficient in English than rapidly improving China,” the study said. A large English-speaking population has been one of the key factors behind the boom in outsourcing to India which has seen Western companies set up IT backup or call centers in cities such as Bangalore and Hyderabad.

But numerous experts have warned that India is losing this linguistic edge to its giant neighbor which is pouring far more resources into English-language teaching.

The study used data from 2.4 million adults globally who took free online English tests between 2007 and 2008, and EF acknowledged that the results could not be “guaranteed” to be representative of any country as a whole. Only people wanting to learn English or curious about their English skills would have participated and the fact that the tests were online excluded those without Internet access. Nevertheless the findings published earlier this month were similar to a 2009 British Council report that highlighted a “huge shortage” of English teachers and quality institutions in India.—AFP

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Japanese strive for right balance Japan’s beloved cherry blossoms help dispel disaster gloom TOKYO: After the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster struck last month, Japanese were asked to scrap celebrations for the beloved cherry blossom season and practice self-restraint. But as the annual pink wave that heralds spring rolled up the Japanese archipelago to Tokyo last weekend, the campaign for “jishuku” lost out to appeals to shake off the funereal mood and partake in traditional, “sakura” parties, for the sake of the nation’s psyche, and economy. “Too much self-restraint will strip away peace of mind and plenitude from everyday life, and destroy the nation’s vitality. This will drag down economic activity, which will hinder recovery efforts in disaster areas,” said the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun in an editorial.

Far from Tokyo, politicians and businessmen in the shattered cities of northern Japan are saying the same thing, prompted by worries that a gloomy nation will take much longer to recover from the psychological and economical effects of the disaster. Japanese officials had cancelled rock concerts, sporting events and other entertainment after the March 11 quake. “For the disaster-struck areas to recover their vitality, the entire Japanese economy needs to be vibrant,” said Yoshihiro Murai, the governor of Miyagi, the prefecture closest to the epicentre. “I would like to see a limit to extreme self-restraint,” he told local newspapers.

Up in Miyagi, third-generation sake, or rice wine, brewer Kaichiro Saito, 52, lost a shop and recipes dating back to when his grandfather started the business in 1903 in the

March 11 tsunami that obliterated the fishing port of Kesennuma. The Kakuboshi Brewery was located on higher ground and survived untouched. But with about 80 percent of regular customers lost when the deadly tsunami washed away liquor shops and bars in the devastated port city, he needs new outlets for his output of 80,000 bottles a year. “Of course I understand why people are being restrained, but I hope those living in other regions-in a decent financial and emotional state-buy more products from northern Japan, rather than restrain themselves,” he said. Tokyo’s government restricted cherry blossom parties in light of the magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami that left 28,000 people dead or missing, and a nuclear accident that has scared away visitors and caused power shortages in the capital. At Ueno Park, whose 1,200 cherry trees make it one of the city’s most popular blossom-viewing party venues, signs had been erected around Ueno Park’s encouraging visitors to show “jishuku”. But Masahiro Kayano, the head of the Ueno Park Tourism Association, told Reuters he thought the period of austerity was coming to an end. “We can’t take away people’s enjoyment. So although we cancelled the cherry blossom festival, I think people should come and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms,” Kayano said. Across town at a small park in the shadow of Tokyo Tower, three separate parties of about 20 people were drinking and taking photos of themselves as they sat in a circle on blue tarps spread out under blazing cherry trees.—Reuters

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TOKYO: A sparrow sits on a branch of a fully bloomed cherry tree at Tokyo’s Ueno Park. Japan’s annual cherry blossoms were in full bloom in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Japan’s meteorological agency announced. — AFP

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Staff of India International School celebrate Being Together at Kuwait Magic

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ll the staff members of IIS rejuvenates themselves to start the new academic year by spending a day together in the magical world of Kuwait Magic, Abu Halifa, on 29th March, 2011. Director, Malayil Moosa Koya, Principal, F M Basheer Ahmed, Vice-Principal, Narinder Kaur, Headmaster, N Balasubramanian, and Head of the KG Department, Shifana joined with the joy of all the staff members without any reservation. The children of some of the staff also added more fun to the picnic party.

The day began with the most

fun filled activity ‘Ice Breaking’ in which all the members were given the picture of a heart and each member was asked to collect the picture of heart from others by engaging the other member in a conversation to use the words ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The one who uses the word ‘Yes or No’ has to surrender his heart to the other. The one who has collected more number of hearts would be considered as the winner.

Children and the elders were enthusiastically played this game and tried to win the hearts of the Director and the Principal but they failed.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

Finally, as usual, the versatile Vice Principal, Narender Kaur, stole the hearts of more number of people and won the first prize.

It was highly hilarious and entertaining to watch the Principal and the Headmaster playing ‘Kabadi’ with other male staff members on the lawn of Kuwait Magic. It was equally entertaining to watch female staff members playing ‘Dodge Ball’ by standing in a circle and throwing the ball at others in the circle. After the delicious lunch, Salim and his team presented some wonderful songs with back round music and almost all the members of the

picnic party enjoyed the song and danced for the music.

The height of this musical event was Malayil Moosa Koya, Director of the school, joined with the dancers and put some steps in rhythm with the music.

Nobody knew how the time flew away and the evening also came.

Director gave away the prizes for the winners of the various competitions and Sapna Raof thanked profusely all the organizers of the event and the management for its whole hearted support. The picnic party slowly melted away by recollecting the sweet, funny moments of the day.

Announcements Celebrating Vishu on April 15 Seva Darshan Kuwait will be celebrating this Vishu on April 15th, 2011 as Seva Dinam at the Indian Central School in Abbasiya, in the true spirit of our philosophical thought, seva dharma param dharma. Our families will be offering Visukkaineetam to the scores of children and parents who have no one to take care of them and have been residing in various shelters across the country.

organization, will present ‘Kathakali 2011’ on Saturday, April 30 at 6.00 pm at the Indian Community School (Senior Girls), Salmiya as part of its initiative to promote Indian classical art and culture in Kuwait. It was Arpan that brought Kathakali for the first time to Kuwait way back in 2005. Now, Arpan is presenting the unique classical dance drama once again before the Kuwait’s elite audience on popular demand. For details, contact: 99716105, 97277151, 66872372 or 94063428.

NAFO to present Soorya’s ‘Sangamam’ National Forum Kuwait (NAFO Kuwait) is all set to bringing a spectacular, well conceptualized, a jewel in crown super cultural show ‘Sangamam’ for the art lovers of Kuwait, according to a press release.

Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra will inaugurate the first of its kind super show, scheduled for the evening of Friday, May 13, 2011 (6.00 PM) at the American International School Auditorium, Maidan-Hawalli.

Football Fest-2011 The sports wing of Kerala Art Lovers Association (Kala-Kuwait) will be conducting a one day Football Tournament named “Football Fest2011” on 7th April, 2011 at Fahaheel Souk Sabah Flood Light Stadium. The tournament in which members from various units of Kala will participate will be held in the presence of Kuwait Indian Football Federation Officials as well as other prominent guests.

Sports wing Secretary Johnson George informed that all the required preparations have been done and the tournament will commence at 5:30 pm in the evening and end by 9:30pm.

‘Kathakali 2011’ Arpan Kuwait, an Indian socio-cultural

IPC Holds Presentation Program at PACI

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he Islamic Presentation Committee (IPC) held through its Farwaniya governorate branch a two-week program at the Public Authority for Civil Information building, to provide visitors and mainly those of the non-Muslim communities with a presentation about Islam.

General supervisor Saud Al-Otaibi indicated in a press statement that the event saw positive response from both Muslim and non-Muslim who were interested with the booklets, audio releases and other gifts that were being distributed during the program.

Moreover, Al-Otaibi explained that this event comes as part of the IPC’s policy to introduce the true image of the Islamic faith to non-Muslims so that they become

accustomed with and more acceptant to it. He further indicated that as part of this policy, multilingual activities are held in public places such as shopping malls and medical facilities, as well as expatriate workers’ places of residence.

Sheraton to drive Starwood’s portfolio growth in 2011 and widen lead in China McDonald’s Kuwait demonstrated its support to the special needs community once again by sponsoring the Dasman Model School “Yes We Can” marathon. The marathon reinforces McDonald’s mission to promote active and balanced lifestyles.

KES celebrates end of second term

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uwait English School Juniors performed 12 different songs and dances from popular Walt Disney classics before excited gatherings of proud parents, to celebrate the end of a hard working second term. This followed a week of Special Assemblies with a Disney theme by the Infant Department.

“I don’t think the children could have had a more appreciative audience. Superb. I salute you. Perfect. I can say no more” said Rhoda Elizabeth Muhmood, KES Director.

Muhmood saidit is at times such as these that we are reminded of how privileged we are to have our hearts, minds and spirits uplifted by the “pure joy of Disney.... There is no greater gift than to be instrumental in making the world a better, happier place.” Special thanks go to Anne gurnett for being at the ultimate helm of the Juniors and for proving always to be such a great support”.

“Congratulations. I heard all of my favorite songs and I think you were absolutely fantastic” said Anne Gurnett, Head of KES Infant Department. Gurnett thanked Producer/Choreographer, Heather Baillie, saying the costumes were amazing. Miss Baillie said the production gave the chance to perform to a variety of students with musical talent .

Miss Baillie said “It really did come together tonight. They really pulled the stops out and I’m really impressed. I would like to thank the High management for their support and in particular Gurnett and Muhmood for their continued support of the Arts in the Junior school and the cast for their patience and hard work”.

The programme began with a performance of a Whole New World from Aladdin by the whole cast.

Saorise Joy sang the first solo “A Friend Like Me”.

Emily Unsworth and Malak Eissa teamed up for a very authentic

“Jolly “Oliday” from Mary Poppins.

Christian Bertz and Joseph Wild sang solos in “Supercalifragilistic” and Atenna Moradfor sang a sweet solo in “Chim Chiminee”.

Tania Tayara, Sophie Pridmore

and Saorise Joy sang solos in “Be our guest” and the whole cast performed “Tale as old as Time” from Beauty and the Beast. Tania El Khazen, Carol Wissa and Christiana Bertz sang solos in Under the Sea

from The Little Mermaid. “In Disney, all of the characters are beautiful and nice” said the narrators..

A few interpretations of a king then followed with Aryamaan Chugh as the Lion in “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” from Lion King 2.

Rhythmic swaying and dancing by the cast also accompanied the toe tapping Jungle Book’s King of the Swingers Bashar Jawad. Hip gyrating Araayman Chugh and Abilash Pradeep and Kunal Pinto could not wait to be kings of rock and roll. The whole cast then performed “Circle of Life”, with solos by Kang Ki Lee and Emily Unsworth.

“We hope we have brought a little smile to your face and a song to your heart” said the narrators.

Kuwait: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced that its Sheraton brand continues to lead the company’s global growth and strengthen Starwood’s position as one of the largest international hotel operators in China. Twenty-five new Sheraton hotels will open this year, including 16 in cities across China. Sheraton will also lead Starwood’s future global expansion and represents 30% of the company’s total development pipeline.

“Sheraton is the number one contributor to Starwood’s global growth and has given us a significant lead in many fastdeveloping markets,” said Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood. “In China, which is now Starwood’s second largest market after North America, Sheraton is expanding its presence in the country’s biggest cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in rapidly developing urban centers including Guangzhou, Wanning and Hangzhou. The strength of Sheraton is also driving meaningful growth for sister brand Four Points by Sheraton, which is set to double its footprint in China over the next three years.”

Sheraton continues aggressive growth in china This year, Sheraton will open its fourth hotel in Shanghai, its second in Beijing and its first two hotels in Guangzhou. With the addition of 16 new hotels in 2011, Sheraton will increase its portfolio in China to 53 by year’s end. The iconic hotel brand also accounts for 50% of the Starwood hotels under development in China, moving Starwood closer to its goal of operating 100 hotels in China by the end of 2012.

“Sheraton has leveraged its firstmover advantage in China, where we are now one of the country’s strongest global brands and the engine of Starwood’s growth,” said Hoyt Harper, global brand leader for

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. “Our recent brand-wide revitalization and significant investment in new hotel development has also fueled our expansion in many other key markets, including India, Japan and South Korea.”

Sheraton will open its first Sheraton in Bangalore in 2011, helping to widen Starwood’s lead as the largest operator of five-star hotels in India. Also this year, Sheraton will open its first hotel in Hiroshima, Japan, its second in Seoul, South Korea and its second in Montreal, Canada. Within more mature markets

like North America, the brand expects to continue to fuel its growth through high quality conversion opportunities.

Starwood’s largest brand, Sheraton boasts a current portfolio of more than 400 hotels in 72 countries and 92% awareness among business travelers, higher than all other global hotel brands. Following the completion of its $6 billion brand-wide revitalization, Sheraton is investing another $5 billion to add more than 50 new hotels to its portfolio by the end of 2013. $6 Billion revitalization effort reaps rewards Starwood has spent the last few years renovating and rebuilding one of the hotel industry’s most iconic brands and the multi-billion dollar investment is already paying off with measurable success. Guest satisfaction scores are the highest in the brand’s history and likelihood to return, likelihood to recommend and meeting planner and associate engagement scores are also at alltime highs - signaling that guests are ttaking notice and rediscovering the new Sheraton.

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Embassy Information

New students at Jack & Jill Bhavans

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t was a bright, sunny and a beautiful morning with a clear blue sky on the 6th of April 2011. On this day, the teachers of Jack & Jill Bhavans, Mangaf LKG wing were excited and anxious to greet their new batch of students as they renewed their commandments ñ to look beneath the grin, to look beyond the tears, the frowns and the fears, the runny nose and the endless doubts ñ to look for that which sparkles to search beneath the surface and to find gold in each and every student.

To welcome the children some icebreak-

ers were presented that morning. ìThe Three Little Pigsî, a skit presented by the LKG teachers amused & enthralled the children putting them at ease. The children swayed to the music of ìOld McDonaldî & ìMulberry Bushî & clapped merrily to the tunes along with their teachers as they looked forward to a happy & fun filled year.

The principal Rathi Ravindran, Vice Chairperson Indu Bala Khandelwal and Richa Khandelwal were present to cheer the children and wish them their very best on their first day at Kindergarten.

Second Golden Era Club meeting

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he 2nd Golden Era Club meeting The unprecedented, Friday the 25th March 2011, turbulence could not unbalance the second Golden Era Club meeting. Ironically and very aptly, the meeting started smoothly with a series of balance exercises demonstrated by the agile Crawford D’Souza. Each member was further encouraged to incorporate the easy exercises into their daily routine.

The diverse, yummy pot luck refreshments coupled with steaming hot beverages saw the members nodding, interacting and letting down their hair. The atmosphere definitely heralded the budding of new friendships.

The journey of two thousand one hundred and sixty one man hours spent on daily rehearsals followed. Yes, that’s what the nine, nimble, noble artists of

Fankaar Arts paid for the pleasure of seeing smiles on faces that had taught them to smile. ‘A Moral Ghost’ the English comedy satire by writer/director

Arif Kazi received a thunderous round of applause followed by a very well deserved shower of blessings for the dedicated artistes - Arif Kazi, Anwar

Kadri. Naeem Chougle, Shahjehan Jaffery, Maya Pareek, George D’Souza, Fazal Zahid, Carolene Johnson and Tajwer Sultana. The evening was a rare testimony and celebration of the fact that mankind has not rid itself of selfless love and compassion -as yet.

The Golden Era Club (perhaps the only seniors club in Kuwait) meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month.

Seniors (above the age of 60) of all nationalities, desirous of joining in are requested to contact 97172788 or 66208183 or drop a line to goldenera60@yahoo.com. The above contact details may also be used by volunteers interested in conducting quality educational/entertaining workshops for this club. The Golden Era Club is a non-profit, voluntary setup meeting n the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month.

Goa Boys to play DHL Express in final IFRA Soccer Tournament

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Greetings

attle lines have been drawn as favorites DHL Express take on strong contenders Goa Boys in the grand final of the IFRA ‘eleven a side’ open soccer tournament at the Salmiya Municipal (Baladyia) grounds on Friday, 8th April 2011 at 4:00pm (sharp).

This unique tournament organized by the Indian Football Referees Association to commemorate 30 years of existence, commenced on 21st January 2011 with the participation of 16 teams including teams from Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh and the large number of spectators who turned up for the games during the weekends were entertained with some great soccer skills from the various teams.

Two teams, St. Anthony Colva with a host of selected star players and Real Betalbatim were unfortunate to lose out in the semi finals and will clash for the third and fourth place at 2:15pm, prior to the finals.

On paper, DHL Express with the in-form goal scoring machine Unni Krishnan in dazzling form and having players of the caliber of Johnny, Terrence, Elvis and Anton in the goal start firm favorites, but Goa Boys, who have beaten Thailand, and Real Betalbatim on their way to the finals have the advantage of experienced players like Britto, Duarte, Alfred, Martin, Theo, and their mercurial forward Hemant Kumar, will certainly

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/IM M5257E.PDF. A guide explaining the process can be found here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5 256E.PDF. ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Embassy encourages all Australians to register their presence in Kuwait through Smartraveller Online (see link below). Australians who are registered are asked to update their details. The information provided will assist us in contacting you in an emergency. www.smartraveller.gov.au Kuwait citizens can apply for and receive visit visas to Australia online at www.immi.gov.au. This usually takes two working days. All others visa applications are handled by the Australian Visa Application Centre Tel. 22971110. Witnessing and certifying documents are by appointment only, please contact the Embassy on 2232 2422.

The Australian Embassy is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm, Sunday to Thursday.

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EMBASSY OF 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 BRITAIN Should you come into contact with British nationals in or transiting Kuwait requiring consular assistance please have them contact us at the following new consular inquiry numbers: 972 71877 or 972 71922. Our new temporary switchboard number is 999693651 For the latest FCO travel advice please visit: www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middleeast-north-africa/kuwait The Embassy is open Sunday to Thursday 7:30am to 14:3Opm. put in their best to ensure the result turn out different.

His Excellency, the Ambassador of India has been invited as a special guestfor the final which is expected to be hugely attended with IFRA planning to release a 30 years commemorative souvenir and formal opening of the new IFRA website. As per informa-

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suru Dilshan Nancyaldera celebrated his 5th birthday on April 2.

Birthday greetings come from his father Sarath mother Indu and brother Manoj, and his friends. God bless him always.

tion received from the organizers, the winners will receive one of the largest trophies ever presented along with individual trophies to all the players of the winners, runners-up, as well as the third and fourth place. Plaques and trophies will also be given to all the participating teams, best mid fielder, best goalkeeper, and

best forward in the final.

Founded in 1980 by Late JP D’Mello (FIFA Referee), AE D’Souza, Junnifer Rodrigues, (Shaikh) Agnelo Fernandes, Peter Monteiro, Domnic Monsorate and Tony Gonsalves, IFRA is now run by a group of likeminded individuals with Sarto Baptista as President and at the helm of

affairs, ably supported by a team of 31 qualified referees.

The third and fourth place play off between St. Anthony’s Colva and Real Betalbatim will commence at 2:15pm, immediately followed by the finals between Goa Boys and DHL Express at 4:00pm. All the teams are requested to be on time.

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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. Fax- 25387719.

Email- nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk

Liberal Democratic Forum (LDF) celebrates Independence day

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s a Part of Bangladesh Independence day on 26th March, 2011 The Bangladesh Liberal democratic Forum (LDP), Kwt held a meeting in Gulshan hotel in Murgab Kuwait city . The Program commenced with the recitation From the Holy Quran. The General Secretary of the Chittagong Samity S.M. Jahangir Alam welcomed the gathering followed by the presidential address Haji Jafar Ahmed chy. It was a unique program due to its Focus and orientation of Bangladesh Independence day.

The Program was started by paying rich tributes to the memories of the martyrs of the

War of Liberation. In his presidential address Haji Jafar Ahmed chy remind the audience by saying that Today is the 40th Liberation Day of our country and he continued men-

tioning that Bangladesh proclaimed its independence on March 26, 1971 a day after the Pakistani occupation forces, with the help of their local collaborators, cracked down on innocent Bengalis and the country won its independence on December 16, 1971 after nine months of armed struggle and also he gave thanks to all of attendance, for sparing their valuable time to join with this evening, especially the special guests who blessed this gathering with their pres-

ence. We Liberal Democratic Forum (LDF) specially thankful to those Supporter of this party who helped to organize this program with their financial and physical help to make this event more beautiful. In this Events was present Senior Vice President Of Bangladesh Expatriate Business Association (BEBA) and Chairman Of Ambassador group of companies Mukai Ali (Luthfur Rahman) and Masood Karim Editor of sawdesh Megazine Also Hanif, Jamal uddin, Haji Lockamn, Abdus salam, Abul Kalam, Tawhid, and all the member of LDF with many other from local community.

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00:45 Untamed And Uncut 01:40 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 02:35 Shark After Dark 03:30 Pit Bulls And Parolees 04:25 Crime Scene Wild 05:20 The Most Extreme 06:10 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 07:00 Meerkat Manor 07:25 Growing Up...: Clouded Leopard 08:15 The Really Wild Show 08:40 Natural Born Hunters 09:10 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip 10:05 Dogs 101 11:00 Animal Precinct 11:55 Wildlife SOS 12:20 E-Vets: The Interns 12:50 Swarm Chasers 14:40 Extraordinary Dogs 15:05 Cats Of Claw Hill 15:35 Natural Born Hunters 16:00 Natural Born Hunters 16:30 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 17:25 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 18:20 World Wild Vet 19:15 Mutant Planet 21:05 Life In The Undergrowth 22:00 Life Of Mammals 22:55 The Animals’ Guide To Survival 23:50 The Most Extreme

01:15 03:30 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 10:10 10:40 12:10 12:20 13:10 14:00 14:50 15:35 18:05 19:35 20:05 20:55 21:40 22:35 23:25

The Weakest Link My Family Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies The Large Family Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies The Large Family Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies The Large Family Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies The Large Family My Family My Family Pride Doctor Who Confidential Casualty Casualty The Weakest Link The Weakest Link Doctors Pride My Family Full Circle With Michael Palin Robin Hood North And South Paradox Spooks

00:15 01:00 01:45 07:00 07:25 07:55 08:25 08:45 09:10 09:35 10:50 12:25 13:10 14:00 19:00 19:45 20:30 20:55 21:20 21:45 22:10 23:00

Design Star Design Star Come Dine With Me Glamour Puds Daily Cooks Challenge Daily Cooks Challenge Glamour Puds Glamour Puds Daily Cooks Challenge Daily Cooks Challenge How Not To Decorate How Not To Decorate How Not To Decorate Antiques Roadshow Design Star Design Star Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers New Scandinavian Cooking New Scandinavian Cooking Come Dine With Me Come Dine With Me

00:00 01:30 02:00 02:10 02:30 03:00 03:10 03:30 04:30 05:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:10 10:30 11:00 11:10 11:30 12:00 12:10 13:00 13:10 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:10 15:30 16:00 16:15 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:15 21:30 22:00 23:10 23:30

00:15 00:40 01:05 01:30 01:55 02:20 Doo 02:45 03:00 03:25 03:50 04:10 04:35 05:00 05:35 06:00 06:25 07:00 07:35 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:05 09:30 09:55 10:20 10:45 11:00 11:30 13:00 13:35 14:00 14:50 15:15 Doo 15:40 16:05 16:30 16:55 17:20 17:45 18:15 18:30 18:50

BBC World News Middle East Business Report BBC World News World Features Newsnight BBC World News World Features BBC World News Dateline London BBC World News Click BBC World News Newsnight BBC World News India Business Report BBC World News Fast Track BBC World News World Features BBC World News BBC World News World Features Dateline London BBC World News My Country BBC World News World Features Third Eye BBC World News Newsnight BBC World News World Features Extra Time BBC World News Sport Today Click BBC World News Nature Inc. BBC World News India Business Report BBC World News Third Eye BBC World News Sport Today Click BBC World News World Features Nature Inc.

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Tex Avery Looney Tunes Hong Kong Phooey The Garfield Show Scooby-Doo And ScrappyPopeye Classics New Yogi Bear Show Scooby Doo Where Are You! Tom And Jerry Duck Dodgers Popeye Hong Kong Phooey The Flintstones Help! It’s The Hair Bear Bunch Droopy And Dripple Tom And Jerry Looney Tunes New Yogi Bear Show Paddington Bear The Scooby Doo Show Duck Dodgers Pink Panther And Pals The Garfield Show Tom And Jerry Popeye Wacky Races Scooby Cinema The Garfield Show Top Cat The Garfield Show The Garfield Show Scooby-Doo And ScrappyThe Garfield Show Pink Panther And Pals The Garfield Show The Addams Family The Garfield Show Tom And Jerry The Garfield Show Droopy And Dripple Scooby Doo Where Are You!

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

TV PROGRAMS 19:15 19:35 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:05 22:30 23:00 23:25 23:50

Looney Tunes Paddington Bear The Scooby Doo Show Top Cat Dastardly And Muttley The Scooby Doo Show Wacky Races Tom And Jerry Johnny Bravo Dexter’s Laboratory Tom And Jerry Kids Yogi’s Treasure Hunt

00:05 Cow And Chicken 00:30 Cramp Twins 00:55 George Of The Jungle 01:20 Adventure Time 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 Ed, Edd N Eddy 07:25 Chop Socky Chooks 07:50 Chowder 08:15 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 17:40 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 18:05 Bakugan: New Vestroia 18:30 Angelo Rules 18:55 Best Ed 19:20 Adventure Time 19:45 Cow And Chicken 20:10 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 20:35 Courage The Cowardly Dog 21:00 The Powerpuff Girls 21:25 Ed, Edd N Eddy 21:50 Robotboy 22:00 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 22:25 Skunk Fu! 22:50 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 23:15 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 23:40 Chowder

00:00 The Best Of Backstory 00:30 World Sport 01:00 World Report 01:30 Living Golf 02:00 World Report 02:30 Inside Africa 03:00 Your $$$$$ 04:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 05:00 The Best Of The Situation Room 06:00 World Sport 06:30 Living Golf 07:00 World Report 07:30 The Best Of Backstory 08:00 World Report 08:15 CNN Marketplace Middle East 08:30 Inside The Middle East 09:00 World Report 09:15 CNN Marketplace Africa 09:30 Eco Solutions 10:00 World Sport 10:30 Living Golf 11:00 African Voices 11:30 Talk Asia 12:00 News Special 12:30 World View 13:00 World Report 13:30 World Sport 14:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 15:00 Fareed Zakaria Gps 16:00 State Of The Union With Candy Crowley 17:00 International Desk 17:30 Inside Africa

00:40 Miami Swat 01:35 Mythbusters

UNBREAKABLE ON OSN ACTION HD

02:30 Dual Survival 03:25 Destroyed In Seconds 03:55 Destroyed In Seconds 04:20 How It’s Made 04:50 How Stuff’s Made 05:15 Brew Masters 06:05 Mythbusters 07:00 Cut In Half 07:50 Ultimate Weapons 08:45 American Chopper: Senior vs Junior 09:40 Mythbusters 10:30 Gold Rush: Alaska 11:25 Brew Masters 12:20 Extreme Fishing 17:50 How It’s Made 18:15 Gold Rush: Alaska 19:10 Brew Masters 20:05 Time Warp 21:00 Mythbusters 21:55 Aircrash Confidential 22:50 Dual Survival 23:45 Stunt Junkies

00:30 Nextworld 01:20 The Gadget Show 01:45 The Gadget Show 02:10 The Future Of...

03:00 Speed Junkie 03:50 How Stuff Works 04:45 Engineered 05:40 How Stuff’s Made 06:10 Superships 07:00 How The Universe Works 07:55 Brainiac 08:45 Head Rush 08:48 Sci-Fi Science 09:15 Weird Connections 09:45 Catch It Keep It 10:35 Science Of The Movies 14:45 The Gadget Show 15:10 The Gadget Show 15:35 Patent Bending 16:00 Head Rush 16:03 Cool Stuff And How It Works 16:30 How Does That Work?

17:00 The Future Of...

17:50 2012 Apocalypse 18:40 Invisible Worlds 19:30 Mighty Ships 20:20 The Gadget Show 20:45 The Gadget Show 21:10 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 22:00 Powering The Future 22:50 Discovery Project Earth 23:40 Mega World

HD 00:05 Unwrapped 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 00:55 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 01:20 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 01:45 Food Network Challenge 02:35 Chopped 03:25 Ultimate Recipe Showdown 04:15 Good Eats - Special 04:40 Unwrapped 05:05 Ten Dollar Dinners 05:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 05:50 Paula’s Party 06:35 Barefoot Contessa 07:00 Chopped 07:50 Guy’s Big Bite 08:15 Boy Meets Grill 08:40 Good Deal With Dave Lieberman 09:05 Ten Dollar Dinners 09:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 09:55 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 10:20 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 10:45 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 11:10 Unwrapped 11:35 Paula’s Party 12:25 Good Eats - Special 12:50 Paula’s Best Dishes 13:15 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 13:40 Ultimate Recipe Showdown 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 14:55 Unwrapped 15:20 Boy Meets Grill 15:45 Chopped 16:35 Paula’s Best Dishes 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 17:25 Good Deal With Dave Lieberman 17:50 Ten Dollar Dinners 18:15 Paula’s Party 19:05 Good Eats - Special 19:30 Food Network Challenge 20:20 Unwrapped 20:45 Unwrapped 21:10 Candy Convention 22:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 22:25 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 22:50 Guy’s Big Bite 23:15 Guy’s Big Bite 23:40 Good Eats - Special

00:20 00:45 01:10 02:00 02:45 03:35 04:00 04:25 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:25 06:45 07:10 07:35 08:00 08:25 08:50 09:00 10:30 10:55 11:15 11:40 12:00 12:25 12:50 13:12 13:15 13:40 14:00 14:25 14:47 14:50 15:15 15:35 16:00 16:25 16:46 17:10 17:30

Replacements Replacements Fairly Odd Parents A Kind Of Magic Stitch Kim Possible Kim Possible Emperors New School Stitch Stitch Special Agent Oso Jungle Junction Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Fish Hooks Sonny With A Chance Phineas And Ferb Have A Laugh Dadnapped Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Shake It Up Suite Life On Deck Fish Hooks Wizards Of Waverly Place Sonny With A Chance Have A Laugh Hannah Montana Forever Fairly Odd Parents Jonas La Replacements Have A Laugh Phineas And Ferb Jonas La Fairly Odd Parents Suite Life On Deck Hannah Montana Forever Wizards Of Waverly Place Shake It Up Fish Hooks

17:55 18:00 18:20 19:10 20:40 20:57 21:00 21:25 21:50 22:15 22:40 23:05 23:30 23:55

Have A Laugh Hannah Montana Forever Sonny With A Chance Cadet Kelly Hannah Montana Forever Have A Laugh Wizards Of Waverly Place Jonas La Good Luck Charlie Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Jonas Hannah Montana Kim Possible

06:00 Kid Vs Kat 06:20 Kick Buttowski 06:40 Pokemon 07:05 American Dragon 07:30 Phineas & Ferb 08:20 Suite Life On Deck S3 08:45 Pair Of Kings 09:10 Have A Laugh 09:15 Z 09:25 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 09:50 X Men 10:15 Zeke & Luther 10:40 I’m In The Band 11:05 The Super Hero Squad Show 11:30 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 11:50 Phineas And Ferb 12:00 Minute Men 13:25 Z 13:40 Pokemon 14:05 The Super Hero Squad Show 14:30 Kick Buttowski 14:55 Pair Of Kings 15:20 Phineas And Ferb 15:30 Phineas & Ferb 15:50 I’m In The Band 16:15 Zeke & Luther 17:05 The Super Hero Squad Show 17:30 Pokemon 17:55 Suite Life On Deck S3 18:45 Phineas & Ferb 19:35 X Men 20:00 Kick Buttowski 20:25 Zeke & Luther 20:50 I’m In The Band 21:15 Aaron Stone 21:40 American Dragon 22:00 Pokemon

00:15 Kendra 00:40 Fashion Police 01:05 Chelsea Lately 01:30 15 Unforgettable Hollywood Tragedies 03:15 E! Investigates 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Reality Hell 05:30 Wildest TV Show Moments 06:00 THS 07:45 Behind the Scenes 08:35 E! News 09:25 Extreme Close-Up 10:15 Kendra 17:10 Behind the Scenes 18:00 E! News 18:50 Married To Rock 19:15 Married To Rock 19:40 Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane 20:30 Kendra 21:20 Kourtney and Kim Take New York 22:10 E! News 23:00 The Soup 23:50 E! News

00:15 Untracked 01:30 M1 Selection 2010 02:20 FIA European Drag Racing 2008 04:00 BMX Megatour 04:50 LG Action Sports World...

06:30 iEX 2009 08:00 Ticket To Ride 2009/2010 08:25 Cape Epic 09:40 FIM World Motocross Mx1/Mx2...

11:20 LG Action Sports World...

13:00 Winter X Games 14 2010 13:50 Ride Guide Mountainbike 2009 14:15 Ride Guide Mountainbike 2008 14:40 Sports Jobs 17:10 I’ll Do Anything 18:00 Ride Guide Mountainbike 2009 18:25 Ride Guide Mountainbike 2008 18:50 LG Action Sports World...

19:40 LG Action Sports World...

20:30 Winter X Games 14 2010 21:20 Gumball 3000: 2008 21:45 Gumball 3000: 2008 22:10 Ride Guide Mountainbike 2009 22:35 Ride Guide Mountainbike 2008 23:00 I’ll Do Anything 23:50 Wrestling With Reality

INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY 00:30 A Haunting 01:20 The Haunted 02:10 Ghost Lab 03:00 A Haunting 03:50 A Haunting 04:45 Ghosthunters 05:15 Murder Shift 06:10 Mystery Diagnosis 07:00 Forensic Detectives 07:50 Hot Art 08:40 Mystery Diagnosis 09:30 Real Emergency Calls 09:55 Real Emergency Calls 10:20 Fugitive Strike Force 11:10 FBI Files 12:00 Murder Shift 12:50 Extreme Forensics 13:40 Mystery Diagnosis 14:30 Real Emergency Calls 14:55 Real Emergency Calls 15:20 Fugitive Strike Force 16:10 Forensic Detectives 17:00 Hot Art 17:50 FBI Files 18:40 Mystery Diagnosis 19:30 Real Emergency Calls 19:55 Real Emergency Calls 20:20 Murder Shift 21:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

21:35 I Was Murdered 22:00 I Was Murdered

AUTOPSY ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 22:25 Deadly Women: Face To Face 22:50 On The Case With Paula Zahn 23:40 I Almost Got Away With It

00:00 Pressure Cook 00:30 Food Lovers Guide To The Planet 01:00 By Any Means 02:00 Market Values 02:30 Departures 03:30 Market Values 04:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 05:00 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 05:30 Exploring The Vine 06:00 Pressure Cook 06:30 Food Lovers Guide To The Planet 07:00 By Any Means 08:00 Market Values 08:30 Departures 09:30 Market Values 10:00 Cooking The World 11:00 Weird And Wonderful Hotels 11:30 62 Days At Sea 12:30 Earth Tripping 13:00 Banged Up Abroad 15:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 16:00 Cooking The World 17:00 Weird And Wonderful Hotels 17:30 62 Days At Sea 18:30 Earth Tripping 19:00 Banged Up Abroad 21:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 22:00 Cooking The World 23:00 Weird And Wonderful Hotels 23:30 62 Days At Sea

00:00 Green Street 2: Stand Your Ground-18 02:00 Unbreakable-PG15 04:00 Wild Things: Foursome -18 06:00 X-Men Origins: WolverinePG15 08:00 The Core-PG15 10:15 Kiss The Girls-18 12:15 Along Came A Spider-PG15 14:00 The Core-PG15 16:15 Changing Lanes-PG15 18:00 Along Came A Spider-PG15 20:00 Echelon Conspiracy-PG15 22:00 Wrong Turn 3: Left For DeadPG15

01:00 Kisses-18 03:00 Moon-PG15 05:00 The Sun Also Rises-PG15 07:00 Flying By-PG15 09:00 Moon-PG15 11:00 Charlotte Gray-PG15 13:00 All About Steve-PG15 15:00 Astro Boy-PG15 17:00 The Prince And Me 3: A Royal Honeymoon-PG15 19:00 An Education-PG15 21:00 Funny People-18 23:30 Mr. Nice-PG15

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Family Guy 02:00 Saturday Night Live 03:00 Friends 03:30 The League 04:00 Family Guy 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 How I Met Your Mother 06:00 Yes Dear 06:30 The Drew Carey Show 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 10 Things I Hate About You 08:30 Dharma And Greg 09:00 Friends 09:30 How I Met Your Mother 10:00 Yes Dear 10:30 My Boys 11:00 The Drew Carey Show 11:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:30 Dharma And Greg 13:00 10 Things I Hate About You 13:30 How I Met Your Mother 14:00 Yes Dear 14:30 The League 15:00 My Boys

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 Seinfeld 19:30 Kath And Kim 20:00 Two And A Half Men 20:30 Cougar Town 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Saturday Night Live 23:00 Family Guy

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:30 15:15 17:15 19:00 21:00 23:15

Freight-PG15 Wild Things: Foursome -18 Autopsy-18 The Yards-PG15 Con Air-PG15 Alatriste-PG15 Obsessed-PG15 Con Air-PG15 Fast And Furious-PG15 Juice-18 Pride And Glory-18 Amusement-18

00:00 02:00 PG15 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Green Card-PG15 The Milagro Beanfield WarDr. Dolittle 2-PG Flirting Wth Flamenco-PG15 All’s Faire In Love-PG Management-PG15 Blank Check-FAM Hotel For Dogs-FAM Green Card-PG15 Dead Man On Campus-PG15 Van Wilder: Party Liaison-18 Chasing Amy-18

00:30 03:15 04:45 06:45 09:00 11:00 13:30 15:00 17:15 19:00 21:00 23:00

Topsy Turvy-PG15 Mama I Want To Sing-PG Hamlet-PG15 Capitalism: A Love Story-PG15 Julie And Julia-PG15 Finding Forrester-PG Living Out Loud-PG15 Shine A Light-PG15 One Week-PG Bottle Shock-PG15 In God’s Hands-PG Dirty Pretty Things-PG15

00:30 Almost Famous-PG15 03:00 Last Chance Harvey-PG15 05:00 The Box-PG15 07:00 G-Force-PG 09:00 The Invention Of Lying-PG15 11:00 Drumline-PG15 13:00 2012-PG15 15:30 Beauty And The Beast-FAM 17:00 The Invention Of Lying-PG15 18:45 The Boat That Rocked-PG15 21:00 Shutter Island-18 23:30 Assassination Of A High School President-18

00:00 Never Ending Story 2: The Next Chapter-FAM 02:00 Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs-FAM 04:00 Monsters Inc-FAM 06:00 The Amazing Zorro-PG15 08:00 Scooby-Doo Meets The Boo Brothers-FAM 10:00 Monsters Inc-FAM 12:00 G-Force-PG 14:00 The Amazing Zorro-PG15 16:00 Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home-FAM 18:00 My Fair Madeline-FAM 20:00 Kung Fu Magoo-FAM 22:00 G-Force-PG

00:00 Taking Woodstock-18 02:00 Dean Spanley-PG

04:00 Mee Shee-PG 06:00 The Elder Son-PG15 08:00 Little Nicholas-PG 10:00 Ambrose Bierce: Civil War Stories-PG15 12:00 Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief-PG15 14:00 Who’s Your Caddy?-PG15 16:00 Little Nicholas-PG 18:00 American Teen-PG15 20:00 Wrong Turn 3: Left For DeadPG15 22:00 Coco Before Chanel-PG15

00:30 Futbol Mundial 01:00 NRL Premiership 05:00 Super League 07:00 Live NRL Premiership 09:00 Futbol Mundial 09:30 Scottish Premier League 11:30 Super 15 13:15 Trans World Sport 14:15 Scottish Premier League Highlights 14:45 Live Scottish Premier League 16:45 Futbol Mundial 17:15 ICC Cricket World 17:45 Super 15 19:45 AFL Premiership 22:15 Scottish Premier League

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 10:00 12:00 12:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Scottish Premier League Super 15 Super 15 ICC Cricket World Total Rugby Live NRL Premiership NRL Premiership ICC Cricket World AFL Premiership ICC Cricket World European Tour Weekly Trans World Sport NRL Premiership Scottish Premier League Super League NRL Premiership

01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

WWE Bottom Line WWE NXT UFC The Ultimate Fighter V8 Supercars Championship V8 Supercars Championship UFC Unleashed WWE Vintage Collection WWE Bottom Line WWE NXT WWE SmackDown UAE National Race Day Series British Triathlon WWE Vintage Collection WWE Bottom Line WWE NXT WWE SmackDown V8 Supercars Championship UFC The Ultimate Fighter WWE Bottom Line WWE SmackDown

00:00 00:30 01:00 01:30 01:55 02:25 03:20 04:15 05:10 05:35 06:05 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:25 09:55 10:20 10:50 12:50 19:25 19:50 20:20 20:45 21:15 22:10 23:05

Homes With Style Homes With Style Fashion Avenue Fashion Avenue Big Boutique How Do I Look?

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Married Away Homes With Style Area Clean House Big Boutique Clean House Giuliana And Bill Top 10 Homes With Style Homes With Style How Do I Look?

Ruby Giuliana And Bill Giuliana And Bill Fashion Police Clean House Comes Clean Ruby: My Naked Truth Bridalplasty Clean House

Classifieds SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

Healthy Living

ACCOMMODATION

Is granola healthy?

Well, that depends on what type you eat. Granolas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; any rolled-oats cereal, baked and sweetened â&#x20AC;&#x201C; range from the plain to the overly fancy.

Choosing the right one

Accommodation available for executive bachelors/ working ladies/ couples in a semi-furnished bedroom, central A/C flat in Sharq, Kuwait City. Contact: 99682526. (C 3252) Accommodation available in Abbassiya for 1 Keralite bachelor in C-A/C flat opposite to JAS Intnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Shipping, rent KD 50 elec/water included. Please call 66349475 / 1802255 Extn 308. (C 3253) 9-4-2011

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Room available for Muslim couple with attached bath, in Qurtaiba Street, Hawally.

Call: 99333160. (C 3249)

Â&#x2021; Look for organic brands WKDW GR QRW KDYH DGGHG VXJDU RU RLO

C-A/C furnished big room available for Indian bachelor to share with Goan, Hindu small family on Amman Street, Salmiya.

Contact: 99408202.

(C 3250) 7-4-2011

Â&#x2021; As an alternative, PDNH \RXU RZQ JUDQROD XVLQJ RDWV QXWV DQG GULHG IUXLW UHPHPEHU WR FKHFN SRUWLRQ VL]H HDW LQ PRGHUDWLRQ Â&#x2021; Made simply, JUDQROD KDV KHDOWK EHQHILWV ILEHU IURP WKH RDWV YLWDPLQV DQG RWKHU QXWULHQWV IURP WKH QXWV DQG IUXLWV 6RXUFH 1HZ <RUN 7LPHV H+RZ 0&7 3KRWR 6HUYLFH *UDSKLF 3DW &DUU

© 2011 MCT

Two bedroom flat available with window A/C, household items, dish antenna, car parking space inside compound in Chithra Studio building, next to Asia Store in Abbassiya from 1st June 2011.

Contact: 97973657.

FOR SALE Toyota Corolla model 2004, golden color 1.8 engine, registration till 2702-12 excellent condition.

Price KD 1,950 negotiable.

Contact: 99105286.

(C 3251) 7-4-2011 Toyota Corolla model 2011, color golden pearl, 4000km only, new car, leaving Kuwait price KD 3,850 only.

Tell: 60951195. (C 3242)

SITUATION WANTED Finance professional (Indian) well experienced in all areas of accounts & finance, of Single Corporation & Multinational Group seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 66126258.

(C 3241) 5-4-2011

No: 15054

Toyota Corolla 2007 1.8 XLi, white color, excellent condition, very low mileage, well maintained, price KD 2650. Contact: 66015265.

(C 3243)

SITUATION VACANT Small American family in Salwa needs full time, live in maid. Must speak English and have own iqama. Call 6683-8807 after 4pm. Will not answer missed calls.

8-4-2011 American family looking for live in maid. Contact: 66104141/ 65023811.

(C 3244) 5-4-2011

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers to use seats Airlines RJA JZR MLR THY ETH UAE ETD DHX FDB GFA QTR JZR FCX JZR KAC BAW KAC KAC IRA KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC UAE QTR ABY IRA ETD GFA IRC FCX MEA JZR JZR JZR RBG KAC MSR UAL RJA KAC FDB KAC

Flt 642 267 1405 772 620 853 305 370 67 211 138 223 201 555 412 157 206 382 615 302 332 53 678 352 284 855 132 125 603 301 213 6801 203 404 165 121 561 3553 672 610 982 640 774 57 562

Arrival Flights on Sunday 10/4/2011 Route AMMAN BEIRUT COLOMBO / DUBAI ISTANBUL ADDIS ABABA DUBAI ABU DHABI BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA ALEPPO DUBAI ALEXANDRIA MANILA / BANGKOK LONDON ISLAMABAD DELHI SHAHRE KORD MUMBAI TRIVANDRUM DUBAI MUSCAT / DUBAI COCHIN DHAKA DUBAI DOHA SHARJAH SHIRAZ ABU DHABI BAHRAIN AHWAZ DUBAI BEIRUT DUBAI BAHRAIN SOHAG ALEXANDRIA / SOHAG DUBAI CAIRO WASHINGTON DC DULLES AMMAN RIYADH DUBAI AMMAN

Time 0:05 0:35 0:50 1:15 1:45 2:25 2:55 2:55 3:10 3:15 3:20 5:20 5:25 6:10 6:15 6:30 7:15 7:20 7:35 7:50 7:55 7:55 8:00 8:05 8:10 8:25 9:00 9:10 9:25 9:30 9:35 10:15 10:30 10:55 11:10 11:15 12:30 12:55 13:15 13:20 13:30 13:35 13:40 13:50 14:20

SVA SYR KAC KAC JZR QTR ETD UAE GFA SVA JZR JZR ABY JZR JZR ALK KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC FDB OMA MEA VOS MEA KAC JAI DHX KAC UAE KAC GFA QTR UAL AFG AIC JZR JZR JZR DLH AXB KLM JZR PIA

500 341 788 746 257 134 303 857 215 510 777 239 127 213 177 227 166 542 618 786 614 674 102 61 647 402 81 402 552 572 372 512 859 172 217 136 981 405 981 135 787 185 636 389 447 481 205

JEDDAH DAMASCUS JEDDAH ABU DHABI / DAMMAM BEIRUT DOHA ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH JEDDAH AMMAN SHARJAH DEIREZZOR DUBAI COLOMBO / DUBAI PARIS / ROME CAIRO DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN DUBAI NEW YORK / LONDON DUBAI MUSCAT BEIRUT BAGHDAD BEIRUT DAMASCUS MUMBAI BAHRAIN TEHRAN DUBAI FRANKFURT BAHRAIN DOHA BAHRAIN KABUL / DUBAI CHENNAI / AHMEDABAD BAHRAIN RIYADH DUBAI FRANKFURT KOZHIKODE / MANGALORE AMSTERDAM / BAHRAIN SABIHA LAHORE

14:30 14:55 15:00 15:05 15:10 15:15 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:20 17:25 17:35 17:40 17:50 18:00 18:00 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:00 19:20 19:25 19:25 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 20:40 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:20 21:25 21:35 22:00 22:00 22:05 22:10 22:20 22:35 23:00 23:10 23:35 23:50 23:55

Airlines AXB DLH AIC BBC MLR THY ETH UAE FDB DHX ETD QTR JZR JZR RJA GFA VOS JZR BAW IRA FDB KAC KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR KAC ETD KAC GFA IRA IRC FCX MEA JZR KAC JZR JZR JZR KAC KAC RBG JZR

Flt 394 637 976 46 1405 773 620 854 68 371 306 139 560 164 643 212 94 120 156 614 54 171 671 745 256 561 787 856 126 133 117 302 773 214 602 6802 204 405 776 541 776 212 238 103 785 3554 176

Departure Flights on Sunday 10/4/2011 Route COCHIN / KOZHIKODE FRANKFURT GOA / CHENNAI DHAKA COLOMBO ISTANBUL BAHRAIN / ADDIS ABABA DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN ABU DHABI DOHA SOHAG DUBAI AMMAN BAHRAIN DUBAI / KANDAHAR BAHRAIN LONDON SHAHRE KORD DUBAI FRANKFURT DUBAI DAMMAM / ABU DHABI BEIRUT AMMAN JEDDAH DUBAI SHARJAH DOHA NEW YORK ABU DHABI RIYADH BAHRAIN SHIRAZ AHWAZ DUBAI BEIRUT JEDDAH CAIRO JEDDAH DEIREZZOR AMMAN LONDON JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA DUBAI

Time 0:15 0:40 0:50 1:00 1:50 2:15 2:30 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:05 5:00 5:55 6:55 7:00 7:10 8:00 8:20 8:25 8:35 8:40 8:55 9:00 9:05 9:10 9:15 9:25 9:40 9:50 10:00 10:00 10:15 10:20 10:20 10:25 11:15 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:05 12:10 12:30 13:30 13:35 13:40

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

MSR RJA FDB UAL KAC KAC KAC SVA SYR JZR QTR KAC KAC ETD UAE GFA ABY JZR SVA JZR JZR JZR ALK JZR ALK KAC KAC KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC OMA MEA JAI DHX UAE GFA FCX QTR KAC KAC JZR JZR JZR UAL KAC UAL KAC

611 641 58 982 551 673 617 503 342 480 135 613 511 304 858 216 128 184 511 786 204 134 228 134 228 283 543 543 361 62 343 351 648 403 571 373 860 218 102 137 301 205 502 554 530 981 411 981 415

CAIRO AMMAN DUBAI BAHRAIN DAMASCUS DUBAI DOHA MEDINAH / JEDDAH DAMASCUS SABIHA DOHA BAHRAIN TEHRAN ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN SHARJAH DUBAI RIYADH RIYADH DAMASCUS BAHRAIN DUBAI / COLOMBO BAHRAIN DUBAI / COLOMBO DHAKA CAIRO CAIRO COLOMBO DUBAI CHENNAI COCHIN MUSCAT BEIRUT MUMBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DOHA MUMBAI ISLAMABAD LUXOR ALEXANDRIA ASSIUT WASHINGTON DC DULLES BANGKOK / MANILA WASHINGTON DC DULLES KUALA LUMPUR / JAKARTA

14:20 14:30 14:35 14:45 14:55 15:10 15:35 15:45 15:55 16:00 16:15 16:20 16:30 17:35 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:25 18:35 18:40 18:55 19:10 19:10 19:10 19:10 20:00 20:20 20:20 20:20 20:40 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:40 22:00 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:55 23:05 23:10 23:35 23:40 23:40 23:40 23:50

34

star CROSSWORD 283

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

s

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) Social involvement, dating and general pleasantries can be enjoyed this whole weekend. This is a great time to refurbish your own energies. You may find yourself unrealistic, in a dreamy mood and at odds with your more pragmatic duties. Take some time off and get outside today—weather permitting, of course. Fishing, bird watching, walking and work or play in the yard or park all lead to a more relaxed and focused you. Later this afternoon you will want to be with your loved ones. Feeling significant within the family group and being popular with your peers is what gives you a sense of belonging—that is what this afternoon is all about. Perhaps some grilled hamburgers outside with continued conversations and reunions with neighbors would be fun.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You may be particularly dynamic and assertive just now. Much energy and drive are available for whatever you want to achieve.

You seem to be in demand today and you may have to pick and choose in order to not overwhelm your energies. Perhaps some of these requests can be carried over into tomorrow. Some of your feelings can get out of hand if you are working or playing with a highly emotional person today. Remember to disassociate yourself from the emotions so that you can see and teach the truth. A lot of productive conversations and interaction with others fill out a very enjoyable day. You can expect a sense of support and good will from those around you. This can be an expansive, creative and even romantic time.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. Large burrowing rodent of South and Central America.

5. A grant made by a law court.

10. The compass point that is one point south of due east.

13. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

14. An imaginary elephant that appears in a series of French books for children.

15. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects.

16. Big-eyed scad.

18. (of a young animal) Abandoned by its mother and raised by hand.

19. A master's degree in business.

20. A hard green Swiss cheese made with skim-milk curd and flavored with clover.

22. A plant hormone promoting elongation of stems and roots.

24. A public promotion of some product or service.

25. Characterized by lightness and insubstantiality.

28. An enclosed space.

30. The square of a body of any size of type.

31. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite.

32. An inclined surface or roadway that moves traffic from one level to another.

35. (astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing.

37. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

39. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

40. (Judaism) Sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

42. A workplace for the conduct of scientific research.

44. The capital and largest city of Japan.

45. Not only so, but.

47. Improved or corrected by critical editing.

49. A hard malleable ductile silvery metallic element that is resistant to corrosion.

50. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

51. A unit of force equal to the force that imparts an acceleration of 1 foot/sec/sec to a mass of 1 pound.

52. (Old Testament) A son of Jacob and forefather of one of the tribes of Israel.

56. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liver cells.

60. The month following March and preceding May. 61. Any of numerous ornamental shrubs grown for their showy flowers of various colors.

65. United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters.

66. The federal agency that insures residential mortgages.

67. A long brightly colored shawl.

68. An ugly evil-looking old woman.

69. Of a light yellowish-brown color n 1.

70. An alloy of copper and zinc (and sometimes arsenic) used to imitate gold in cheap jewelry and for gilding.

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

DOWN 1. (football) Of advancing the ball by throwing it.

2. A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography).

3. A high-crowned black cap (usually made of felt or sheepskin) worn by men in Turkey and Iran and the Caucasus.

4. Lower in esteem.

5. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

6. A city in east central Texas.

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

8. Relating to or near the radius.

9. Causing fear or dread or terror.

10. Any of various trees of the genus Ulmus.

11. A small cake leavened with yeast.

12. Any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae.

17. Not widely known.

21. Athletic facility equipped for sports or physical training.

23. An association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens.

26. A river that rises in central Germany and flows north to join the Elbe River.

27. Secured or held in place by tape.

29. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

33. Produced by a manufacturing process.

34. Walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud.

36. Formerly a term of respect for important white Europeans in colonial India.

38. In bed.

41. A festival featuring African-American culture.

42. A city in east central Texas.

43. The basic unit of electric current adopted under the System International d'Unites.

46. (zoology) Relating to frogs and toads.

47. Serving as or forming a base.

48. The branch of information science that deals with natural language information.

53. An ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure equal to about a bushel.

54. Situated in or facing or moving toward the east.

55. Divulge information or secrets.

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

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

59. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves.

62. A human limb.

63. A federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment.

64. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into atomic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) You may feel like the caged lion you see at the zoo. If you could relax just now and take a deep breath, know that your dreams will be fulfilled—just not exactly on your time schedule. This will be a pleasant period if you take the time to relax completely. Look at this day as a most positive one and blow off your goals for now. Now is the time to dive into some wonderful interaction with friends or loved ones. This evening could be a good time for imagination and creativity when it comes to ideas and thinking. This is a time to cement your ties to others and you make sure they are rock-solid. If your relationships are not solid they are apt to crack under stress. You improve your domestic life by being attentive and sharing center stage with your loved ones.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

You may find yourself reflecting on your own youth or some event from the past. Communication with those around you, especially young people, may become difficult if you do not give them your full attention.

Do not respond directly when the cause is trivial, when another resolution would work or when confrontations may be dangerous. This may not be the best time to shop or to choose colors for blending, etc. You may find a high level of energy will help you become caught up in maintaining and caring for household items. Exercise will help to balance your energies—as will just being outside this day. There could also be some wonderful opportunities later to enjoy nature and its many inhabitants. A romantic phase begins now.

Leo (July 23-August 22) This is a favorable time for matters of entertainment, particularly the theater. Spiritual and psychological growth is important to you at this time. You will be thinking of the ways you have changed as you visit with family today—perhaps a visitor or a new family member is introduced to you now. Your development, however, does not go unnoticed as others compliment you on your progress. If you are married, your marriage seems more steady and secure than ever before. This can be an expansive and creative time for you. Your vitality seems to increase with the day and your mind is creative and inventive in ways that will help to integrate a loved one into your plans this evening. You are charming and affectionate.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You are learning to identify the need for change in your life. You look for ways to eliminate the things that cause you stress. This is a good time to concentrate on your body so that the stress does not affect your physical well-being. Learn how to detoxify, tone and balance. These can be the secrets to your good health. Take this one step at a time and know that everything changes—nothing lasting forever. There is good news today in the financial sector of your horoscope.

If you are looking for a new way to gain in your income, seek something that will challenge your mind. Your self-assurance is admirable and others may want to follow your particular style. You may find you are a positive and good mentor. A real estate investment is worth your attention.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You display an urge to be recognized by your family and friends for your hard work and accomplishments. There is a possibility that during this time, your accomplishments will be acknowledged. This might be through an award dinner or just simply a thank you from your friends or family members. After your chores are finished, you might consider setting aside some time to enjoy a hobby or to brush up on a talent that you might have neglected.

This is for you to enjoy and for you to excel without pleasing anyone but you: the things that make your heart sing. You might enjoy jazz, flute or some other kind of music and you might enjoy the art of blowing glass. Animals are also a thrill for you; a particular animal makes you smile.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Progress with repairs around the house or working in a garden or helping out with some family situation has positive results today.

Work, achievement and ambition are the things that mean a lot to you but you also enjoy just hanging out with your friends. If you are not doing that today, it is a good day to make a few phone calls for the planning of a get-together. You will not attract new and interesting things to you until there is room for a new thing to come into your life, so clear away the old and get ready for the new. You may find yourself looking for a little romance later or at least enjoying some emotional release. You can appreciate feelings and movement. You might consider an evening of dancing or perhaps a dance movie.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Yesterday’s Solution

If you take a positive outlook on your life situation, almost everything you try to accomplish will be successful. However, if your attitude is negative, almost everything you strive to accomplish will have negative aspects. Someone could challenge you and it may be difficult for you to remain calm and within control. You can overcome this problem if you look at the situation as a lesson for all involved and not a personal assault. Sympathy and understanding are emotional qualities that grow and help you to become a better person. It’s wisdom, not knowledge, that counts most. Good eye-hand coordination and a sustained effort make almost any task run well, whether you are in the workplace or at home. Enjoy the out-of-doors tonight.

You have a natural sense for communicating with others, especially those younger than yourself. While working with young people, you may have clear thoughts about your own past, good memories. You are energized now, giving you a sense of invulnerability in everything you do. It would be a good idea to check all aspects of a project you are working on now. This will help you discover where your energies can be best applied. This evening you could find yourself being put to good use by your friends. Your thinking process is good, making communications with friends easier. This is a good time to clear the air of any problems. Expressing affection should come easily at this time and can do lots of positive things for your disposition.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) What is called for today is your belief in yourself. Have confidence in your own ability to take on the problems and opportunities of life. Coming to grips with the past or getting in touch with the mystical and the spiritual gives a sense of satisfaction and completeness. Keep your plans for today’s social affair light. Someone has offered to help and you will be wise in letting that person do so. Creating a fun time this evening could be as simple as homemade hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream. You may find this get-together a great opportunity for relationships to heal, grow and mature. Who knows, someone might announce an engagement tonight. After this get-together with friends be sure to show your appreciation to the one(s) who helped you.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

There are many different levels of symbolism surrounding money; your day seems centered on the symbolisms of money.

Perhaps you are involved with the spending or earning of money—whatever the case, there are indications of conflict. A wise decision could be in not making any wise decisions surrounding money at this time. Your choices could change quite abruptly, so keep notes on what you think you want and look for ways to reach your goals. Being more practical and independent is very important to you.

Taking care of the necessary underpinnings of life—health, work and such— becomes a greater preoccupation. Projects surrounding a family tree seem to be the talk of the evening and fun times are enjoyed.

A

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e niv rsar n

Years

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

i n f o r m at i o n

FIRE BRIGADE

112

Al-Madena

22418714

Al-Shohada’a

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

24812000

Al-Jahra

25610011

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Maternity Hospital

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hopes performance is respected manda Seyfried hopes her portrayal of Red Riding Hood is “respected and welcomed”. The 25-year-old beauty plays the Grimm Brothers’ classic fairytale heroine in a new movie of the same name and she hopes audiences enjoy watching the film as much as she enjoyed making it. She said: “It feels really cool to bring to life that iconic character. I hope that it is respected and welcomed. “This is such a big deal for me. I’ve always wanted to do a period piece, and this was way beyond my expectations. The vision was so full of romance and tension and mystery. There are so many things you can do with this story.” The updated version of the movie features Amanda’s character caught up in a love triangle with two men - played by Shiloh Fernandez and Max Irons - when a wolf attacks their village, eating a number of family members, and the actress says the movie is filled with “sexual tension and terror”. She added: “Our movie is geared for young adults and is more along the lines of the Grimms version with all the sexual tension, suspicion and terror. “There’s a lot of sexual symbolism, and over the years it’s been extracted. And then we kind of put it back in.”

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Cowell: Fergie is

Perry gives

contender for ‘X Factor’ judge

Georgia family a new home ovie mogul Tyler Perry delivered on a Christmas promise when he handed the keys of a new fourbedroom house to an 88-year-old woman who lost her rural Georgia home to a fire. Rosa Lee Ransby and her seven grand- and great-grandchildren lost their home a week before Christmas. Perry saw the story on a local television newscast and decided to rebuild the house. He also fully furnished it. More than 20 family members attended ceremony in rural Coweta County on Friday. Perry says he wanted to do something for Ransby when he found out the family didn’t have any way to rebuild. He says the main thing was getting her enough space for the children and for them to have room to play.

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hris Evans makes lots of mistakes. The ‘Captain America’ actor - who has previously dated Jessica Biel and Christina Ricci - admits he often looks back at his past and is astonished by the way he acted.

He said: “I’m still only 29 and I’m making mistakes left and right. I’m sure there are plenty of things I’ve done that I didn’t even realize I was doing at the time. “Now I look back and think, ‘Man, Chris, what were you thinking? That’s just inconsiderate or hurtful.’ I mean, I’m

never wanted to be an actress

Julianne Moore

imon Cowell has confirmed Black Eyed Peas star Fergie is a contender for a role on US ‘X Factor’.

The singer - real name Stacey Ferguson - is one of a number of people being considered for one of the two remaining places on the judging panel alongside Simon and the only other confirmed judge record producer LA Reid although the music mogul admitted his team cannot decide on the best candidates.

Asked if Fergie would be joining the panel, he said: “Her name was put forward. But like with a lot of other people we have spoken to, we have to check out everyone’s availability. There is lot of time you have to put into this show. It is not a two or three day a week job. “We are still having nightly arguments with everyone, trying to get everyone to agree. If you asked everyone involved on this show who they would like on the panel, you would have 25 different opinions. It does show publicly our complete and utter indecisiveness.” Other candidates include country singer Julianne Hough and singer-songwriter Jesse McCartney, who both met with show bosses this week, while Cheryl Cole, Katy Perry, Nicole Scherzinger and Jessica Simpson are also being considered.

Willow Smith is a

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‘born rebel’

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he flame-haired beauty - who has been nominated for an Oscar four times - did not intend to break into Hollywood and always thought she would be a doctor. She said: “I didn’t have any intention of being an actress. I just did plays after school. I had a teacher who said, ‘Hey, you could do this,’ and gave ma copy of Dramatics with all these schools I could go to. And I thought, OK. Around that time, Meryl Streep was on the cover of Time. The story was all about the work she did in theatre as well as in film and I remember saying to my dad, ‘Look, do you see this person?

She’s an actor!’ “My plan was to be a doctor. Even now I’ll think. ‘Why wasn’t I a doctor?’ I would be helping people.” Despite not going into the medical profession, the ‘Kids Are Alright’ star is glad she can help people through her various charity endeavors, including being the US ambassador for Save the Children. She said: “I was fortunate with the parents I had and the education and opportunities I got. “There are certain circumstances that a person can be born into where life is impossibly hard, but that wasn’t my experience. I feel I have an obligation and want to help others. After all, we live in one world.” —Bang Showbiz

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just a guy, I make mistakes al the time.” The actor also admitted he feels “guilty” about a lot of things in his life, including his eating and sleeping habits and lack of political interest. He said: “What do I feel guilty about? There’s a list. I should read more, I shouldn’t sleep so late. “I’m half-Irish so I have a lot of Catholic guilt. I should ring my grandma more, I should go to church more, I should do more yoga and eat less sugar. I should follow politics more.”

he 10-year-old singer’s mother, Jada Pinkett Smith - who also has 12-yearold son Jaden with husband Will Smith - insists she doesn’t worry about her daughter’s choices because she had such a crazy childhood herself. Jada said: “I was the girl hanging out with drug dealers, drinking, messing around. Whatever you think I did, I did worse. “My daughter is a born rebel like me - Willow is so me it’s not true. But being a rebel isn’t a problem, as long as you have someone to guide you, and we are with our kids all the time. “We see it as our mission to use that energy, to help them express who they are.” Jada feels “blessed” to look after Willow but admits she would have loved to have some of the opportunities her daughter has when she was her age. She added: “I tell her all the time that I would like to be 10 again and to go to fashion shows, to perform, act, have all these opportunities. “I’m blessed to be her guide. She has these opportunities, so why not take them? What is wrong with that?”

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Strait, partner buy Texas golf resort C

ountry superstar George Strait is taking a swing at another passion besides music. Strait and partner Tom Cusick have purchased the Tapatio (tap-uhTEE’-oh) Springs Golf Resort and Conference Center in Boerne (BER’-nee), about 25 miles northwest of San Antonio. Strait and Cusick, who lives in the Texas Hill Country community, finalized the deal April 1. Terms were not released Friday when the purchase announced.

The seller was Textron Financial Corp., which last June bought the resort for $4.5 million during a foreclosure auction. Strait, who’s an avid golfer, says he’s lived near Boerne and played the resort’s courses, always believing the complex “could be a real jewel.” The resort, founded in 1981, has three nine-hole courses and more than 100 hotel rooms.

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Pete Doherty facing jail again

British rock star Pete Doherty takes some grapes from a woman at the entrance to Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London, where he is charged with cocaine possession Friday, April, 8, 2011. — AP

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ritish rocker Pete Doherty has been warned he faces a return to jail after he pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine on Friday. The Libertines and Babyshambles frontman was arrested in January last year following the suspected drugs death of filmmaker Robin Whitehead.

In February last year he denied the charge and was ordered to stand trial, but on Friday, Doherty changed his plea to guilty during a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London. The rocker, who has a long history of drug addiction and has served several stints behind bars, has been warned he faces more jail time when he is sentenced next month.

Judge David Radford branded

Doherty’s criminal record “unattractive” and told his lawyer, “When someone constantly commits the same offence the law must be made very clear. Is your client aware he could face a sentence?”

Doherty had spent time with Whitehead in the days before her death, and the apartment in Hackney, east London, where she died was being rented by his pal, Peter Wolfe.

Wolfe appeared in cour t with Doherty on Friday and pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and supplying the drug to Whitehead. Another friend of Doher ty ’s, musician Alan Wass, pleaded not guilty to possessing cocaine. Doherty was freed on unconditional bail pending his sentencing hearing. — AP

File photo shows Anika Noni Rose, left, Christina Hendricks, center, and Chryssie Whitehead play the three girlfriends of Robert, the central figure of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” performed with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall, in New York’s Lincoln Center. —AP

LuPone, Harris and yes, Colbert shine in

I

t doesn’t quite seem fair that the ridiculously funny Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert can do musical comedy, too. And really, doesn’t the guy get enough positive attention already? But yes, that was “The Colbert Report” host up there on the New York Philharmonic stage Thursday night, singing, dancing, doing karate moves and seemingly having a total blast alongside veteran stage actors like Broadway legend Patti LuPone in Stephen Sondheim’s “Company.” The Philharmonic always assembles stellar casts for its occasional, semi-staged theatrical productions, but still, this was an unusually starpacked ensemble, making “Company” — that quintessentially 1970 examination of marriage and singledom-one of the hot tickets of the season. ( The four-show run continues through the weekend.) Playing the lead, the commitment-shy Bobby, was Neil Patrick Harris, who Broadway fans know is not merely the star of “How I Met Your Mother” — or an in-demand awards show host-but an accomplished stage actor as well (“Assassins,” “Proof,” “Cabaret,” and “Sweeney Todd” at the Philharmonic).

He and Colbert weren’t the only TV stars joining their stage brethren: Jon Cryer, who’s got some time on his hands since the shutdown of “Two and a Half Men” (had you heard?), was there, as was a deliciously ditzy Christina Hendricks of “Mad Men,” trading in her ‘60s office attire for a flight attendant’s uniform. Hendricks provided some of the night’s highlights, displaying wonderful comic timing as April, who sings the one-night stand song, “Barcelona,” and delivering a priceless anecdote involving a maimed

‘Company’ butterfly. (Don’t ask.)

Of course, there were stage veterans too, none more pedigreed than LuPone, who justifiably drew the night’s biggest ovation for her take-no-prisoners “Ladies Who Lunch.” That iconic song, so long associated with Elaine Stritch, seems to have passed lately to LuPone (she sang it at Sondheim’s 80th birthday celebration, also at Avery Fisher Hall.) Fitting, then, that Stritch was watching from the audience Thursday.

“Company,” with a book by George Furth, began as a set of one-act plays, and is more like a musical revue than a scripted show. It does have dialogue linking the scenes, though, and some of it is very funny-though parts of it seemed superfluous Thursday, in the context of a semi-staged, concert evening.

The songs were mostly wonderful, under the direction of Lony Price, as was the orchestra, conducted by Paul Gemignani. It was clear, though, that a bit more rehearsal time would have been beneficial; the far-flung cast reportedly rehearsed many scenes via stand-ins, Skype and other creative solutions. Harris nicely conveyed the duality of Bobby-wary at age 35 of married life, yet attracted to it for reasons he doesn’t quite understand.

He has a hugely appealing presence and a nice romantic-lead voice, if not a powerhouse

one. His Bobby was a basically pleasant character-not nearly as intense and turbulent as the one memorably portrayed by Raul Esparza in the 2006 Broadway revival. As for Colbert, who started out as an improvising comedy actor, you could tell what a huge Sondheim fan he is even if you hadn’t seen Sondheim’s recent appearance on his show, so happy did he seem onstage-doing old-style show dancing in “Side

by Side by Side,” singing of the mysteries of marriage in “Sorry, Grateful,” and trading karate moves with the excellent Martha Plimpton.

(Trivia note: At one point Colbert held both Plimpton AND Harris aloft.)

Among the many standout numbers was the fiendishly fast “Getting Married Today,” with Katie Finneran (“Promises, Promises”) as the pathologically jittery bride. Finneran delivered on the comic front, though she drowned out a few of the words; she was terrific in the skit accompanying the song.

And of course, Bobby’s climactic number, “Being Alive,” where he realizes he wants to be part of the world, not watch it pass by. Probably the most fun, though, was the closing anthem, “Side by Side by Side,” with the whole cast in canes and straw hats, not disguising the fun they were having, almost as if at a school play. Their joy in being there was infectious. — AP

File photo shows producer Nigel Lythgoe, left, and his son, producer Simon Lythgoe pose on the press line at the premiere of the feature film “Tropic Thunder” in Los Angeles. — AP

‘Idol’ it’s not: New show wants country superstar

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t will take more than just a good voice to win the new country music talent competition, “CMT’s Next Superstar.”

Contestants also have to prove their songwriting skills, musical chops and media savvy through weekly challenges on the new show, premiering Friday night. “This is not a shiny-floor show,” said executive producer Nigel Lythgoe in a recent interview. “This is a get-down-anddirty show. If we want you to go out to a biker bar, that’s where you’re going to go.

You’re not just in Hollywood on a Los Angeles stage.”

If you think that’s a dig at “American Idol,” consider the source. Lythgoe is the executive producer for “Idol,” too. He has teamed with his son, Simon, also an “Idol” producer, to launch the new show, because as he put it, “Country deserves its own program.” The two are well aware of the country music talent show predecessor, “Nashville Star,” that aired on USA Network from 2003-2007 and on NBC in 2008, before it was canceled. But they aren’t worried about comparisons. In fact, producers considered suing “Nashville Star” at the time because of its similarity to “Idol”.

“This is a completely different show,” said Simon. “We change venues every single episode. We have challenges that put the contestants to the test in how they interview on radio. We put them to the test in their marketability for example.

Their songwriting is a huge, key factor in this series.” Five women and five men made the final cut after a nationwide search. The youngest is 22 and the oldest, “Waitin’ on a Woman” songwriter Wynn

Varble, is 50.

The contestants live together in a house in Nashville that used to belong to Kenny Chesney, and parts of the show are filmed there. Producers dubbed it the Music Mansion. “When people go on tour together, they have to live, sleep and eat together,” said Simon of the rationale to put cameras in the house. “A lot of the time, they actually help each other. They work off each other. Other times they drive each other nuts.” While competing on a reality talent show can be a major career launch, like it was for Carrie Underwood when she won “American Idol” in 2004, the decisions artists make afterward determine their longevity.

Miranda Lambert came in third on “Nashville Star” in 2003, and Chris Young won in 2006. However, their success didn’t come to fruition until years later, after a lot of hard work and staying true to themselves. “I think the big thing about any of these programs, whatever the program is, it acts as a springboard,” said Nigel. “It’s a platform for a career, it does not guarantee stardom. That’s down to the public.

That’s down to the records they release. It’s down to the public buying those records. Just because the public picks up a telephone to vote for you doesn’t mean (they’re) going to buy your record.” Rotating guest judges will join Emblem Music Group owner Matt Serletic throughout the 10 episode series to send one person home each week. Viewers will determine the ultimate winner, and that person will get a record deal with a label that will be announced soon. — AP

Hoda Kotb, left to right, Kathie Lee Gifford, Uma Thurman and Michael Angarano speak on the “Today” show about their new movie “Ceremony” on Friday in New York. — AP

Movie review:

‘Meek’s Cutoff’

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he West wasn’t all cowboys and Indians and shootouts at the OK Corral, insists “Meek’s Cutoff,” a realistic slice of pioneer life that offers a disquieting alternative vision of America’s most mythic location. In place of violence, director Kelly Reichardt (“Old Joy,” “Wendy and Lucy”) underlines the harshness and monotony of a long journey by covered wagon. The film’s refusal to spectacularize the emigrants’ hardships, as well as the story’s lack of a clear beginning or end, signal major difficulties driving this wagon train beyond the festival circuit, where its pleasing lowkey quality that should earn it accolades.

The film is based on a real story from the American West.

The time is 1845, and three families have chosen to leave a larger wagon train on the Oregon Trail to set out on their own with a hired guide, Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), over the Cascade Mountains. The film starts five weeks into their march across the high plain desert, circling around without even sighting mountains and running out of food and water fast. They have concluded Meek doesn’t know the way, or perhaps has deliberately lead them off the path for reasons of his own. Lost in the middle of nowhere, the emigrants start to doubt each other. It is at this point that they capture a lone Indian (Rod Rondeaux), their natural “enemy”, but who in reality may (or may not) become their guide and savior. Of the nine characters in the film, only the three women emerge clearly. The men, even the flamboyant braggart Meek and the scowling, enigmatic Indian, never come into focus. Michelle Williams (“Brokeback Mountain”) creates a true heroine in Emily Tetherow, a young wife whose strong character leads her to protect the captive against Meek’s racist fury. —Reuters

Gucci Mane arrested, charged with battery in US

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apper Gucci Mane was arrested Friday, accused of shoving a woman out of his Hummer in January as he was driving down a suburban Atlanta road, authorities said.

Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Delantic Davis, was charged with battery, according to jail records, after he met with his probation officer. Early on Jan 28, Davis approached Diana Graham, 36, at a shopping mall, according to a police report obtained by The Associated Press. She was waiting for a beauty supply store to open and Davis, 31, asked her if she wanted to get breakfast.

After she got into the Hummer, Mane told her he wanted to go to a hotel and said he would give her $150, and she refused, according to the report. At that point, police said, the rapper began shoving Graham out of the Hummer.

“Gucci Mane was able to push (the victim) out of the vehicle which was still

moving,” the report said. She was taken by ambulance to Atlanta Medical Center to be treated for soreness and pain, police said, and a warrant was put out for Davis’ arrest.

A lawyer who has represented Davis in the past could not immediately be reached for comment. It wasn’t immediately clear why Davis was currently on probation.

Gucci Mane has collaborated with Mariah Carey and Usher, churning out street anthems like “Wasted” and “Go Head,” featuring Man BreZ. His third album, “ The Appeal: Georgia’s Most Wanted” debuted No 4 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart last year. In March 2010, during a telephone interview from jail in Atlanta, he told AP he was more at peace with himself and was trying to figure out his next career moves.

He was in the jail serving a six-month sentence after a 2009 probation violation. — AP

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otheby’s said yesterday it sold a record HK$3.49 billion ($447 million) worth of Asian and Chinese art, watches and jewels at its eight-day Hong Kong auction. The auction house offered 3,600 lots in eight categories in what its Asia CEO Kevin Ching described as the “most successful Hong Kong sale series in its history”, surpassing the HK$3.09 raised at its autumn sale last year. Hong Kong has become the world’s third largest auction hub after New York and London, thanks to the rising political and economic prowess of China, with mainland millionaires regularly among top bidders.

“Remarkably, virtually every day saw records broken,” Ching said in a statement. The record results came despite a disappointing response to a much-anticipated sale of imperial Chinese porcelain on Thursday, with many prized lots unsold. The sale of the Meiyintang Collection — 77 pieces of porcelain collected over half a century by a European collector-had been expected to be the highlight of the week. Pre-sale estimates were between HK$710 million and HK$1.07 billion ($91-137 million) but the collection fetched about HK$399 million when the hammer fell.

The priciest item on offer among the Chinese ceramics was a Qing dynasty Falangcai vase decorated with golden pheasants dating back to the 18th century. It failed to make its reserve of HK$180 million but was later sold privately for HK$200 million. The secondmost expensive lot, a blue-and-white Chenghua palace bowl, likewise went unsold but was then sold privately for HK$90 million. “While we saw guarded bidding during (Thursday’s) auction of the Meiyintang Collection, the two top lots were sold immediately after the auction, bringing us very close to our pre-sale low estimate,” Ching said. The marathon auction also set a new record for contemporary Chinese art when a triptych

by Zhang Xiaogang was sold to an anonymous bidder for HK$79 million on Sunday, more than double the top estimate.

Forever Lasting Love, painted for an exhibition in 1988, was described in the catalogue as “the first creative pinnacle of Zhang Xiaogang’s illustrious career”.

It was the highlight of a sale of 105 works from the collection of Baron Guy Ullens, a Belgian foodstuffs magnate and longstanding Chinese art collector whose father and uncle were both diplomats at Belgium’s embassy in the country. Works by several other artists also set records, with Zhang Peili’s “Series ‘X?’ No3” going for HK$23 million, more than nine times its top estimate, also to an anonymous buyer. Chinese art prices have rocketed in recent years, fuelled by the country’s economic boom and its growing numbers of super-rich.—AFP

‘Social Network’ actor lands role in new ‘Batman’

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osh Pence, who played opposite Armie Hammer as Tyler Winklevoss in “The Social Network” (where Hammer’s face was superimposed on his), has been cast as a young Ra’s Al Ghul in “Dark Knight Rises,” Christopher Nolan’s new “Batman” movie. The movie’s casting has been ultra-secret, although Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are returning to lead a caped crusading cast, which includes Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cottilard.

The story line has also been kept locked up in the Batcave but Pence’s casting throws more than a few crumbs to follow. Ra’s Al Ghul was played by Liam Neeson in “Batman Begins,” thus paving the way for a possible return of the supposedly dead character.

Also, while the studio never confirmed Cottilard’s character, it has been rumored to be that of Thalia Al Ghul, the daughter of Batman’s mentor-turned-enemy.

Sources say Pence will appear in scenes that take place 30 years prior to the present story. Pence recently wrapped “Battleship,” a big-budget action movie based on the board game, and indie political thriller “The Algerian.”—Reuters

Artist Alexandru Bunescu poses next to his life-size canvas painting depicting an 1889 Pacific steam locomotive, displayed in Bucharest, Romania, Friday. The painting , measuring 20 meters in length and 4.5 meters high, is expected to be auctioned this week and is widely expected to reach a price of up to 60,000 euros ($86,580). The organizers claim the painting may be included in the Guinness Record Book as the world’s largest art work ever put on sale by an auction house.—AP

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SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

Years

lifestyle Fa s h i o n

(From left) Amy Sparck Dobmeier, Michelle Sparck, and Cika Sparck.—MCT

Bethel triplets, tundra botanicals, a skin care start-up

W

This file product image provided by MGA Entertainment shows part of the 2010 collection of Bratz dolls.—AP

Calif trial wraps up in spat over Bratz copyright

C

losing arguments have begun in a California legal fight over who owns the popular, multi-billiondollar Bratz doll line. The copyright infringement trial in US District Court in Santa Ana has been going on for three

months between toy giant Mattel Inc and upstart rival MGA Entertainment Inc. Mattel believes MGA conspired with Bratz designer Carter Bryant to steal the idea for the pouty-lipped dolls

igner Manish Malhotra’s

Indian models display des

while Bryant still worked for Mattel.

MGA denies the allegations and has countersued Mattel. The company says Mattel engaged in unfair business practices and sent gumshoes to spy on MGA at toy fairs after realizing sales of

its Barbie doll were flagging. A jury awarded Mattel $100 million in 2008 but the verdict was overturned on appeal.—AP

creations.

Models display creations by Indian designer Alpana and Neeraj .

Models present creations by Indian design house Virtues during the Wills India Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2011 in New Delhi yesterday.

—AFP/AP photos

ho knew those blue-black clusters of crowberries mingled into blueberry patches across the Chugach range could be the key ingredient in an expensive, antioxidant-packed, wrinkle-fighting serum?

That’s right. Look out, Oil of Olay. Forget Vitamin C and green tea. Make room for beauty products made with the essences of crowberries, fireweed and Arctic sage. Arctic plants are trendy skincare ingredients. Cosmetics makers with roots in Finland, Iceland and Russia are already producing a host of items that use antioxidant-rich northern plants and berries. One Alaska company, Arxotica, is looking to do the same thing here. It will be the first large-scale, high-end commercial effort of its kind.

Arxotica-started by Bethel, Alaska-grown triplets Amy Sparck Dobmeier, Michelle Sparck and Cika Sparck-should be shipping its first bottle of signature crowberry-based serum, Quyung-lii (pronounced: kia-oong-lee), any day.

Quyung-Lii means “the potent one” in Cup’ik.

Each bottle, a three-to-five-month supply, retails for $300.

They have $10,000 worth of orders to fill, and another stack to send to beauty editors in New York. After that, it’s back to Bethel to gather more plants. Their ingredients are wild grown and they hope to employ pickers in the YukonKuskokwim Delta to feed the demand. Other products in their high-end line-cleanser, toner and lotion-should be coming out in the next three to five months, depending on how fast they can raise the capital. Arxotica started as an idea in 2000 or so, when Michelle started researching Arctic plants. Arctic sage and crowberry have long been gathered and used by Alaska Natives, she said. Crowberries are eaten in akutaq, or Eskimo ice cream. Arctic sage, known as chiaggluk, is medicinal, used to ease pain and inflammation. Fireweed has astringent and antiinflammatory qualities. It is also high in vitamins A and C. “All our lives, we had to gather these things,” Michelle said. “We started thinking, ‘If it’s good for us like this, how else could it be used?’” It turns out that many Alaska-grown botanicals, with their short, bright growing seasons, tend to concentrate nutrients in a way that makes them prime sources for cosmetic use, Michelle Sparck told me. The crowberry, for example, has many times the antioxidants as a commercially grown blueberry. Their idea got a major boost through business development grants from the Alaska Federation of Natives Alaska Marketplace competitions in 2006 and 2008. With about $90,000 in seed money, they commissioned tests and worked on their formulation.

Michelle, who has overseen a lot of the product development, is living in New Jersey now, which is where the product is manufactured. Her sister, Cika, the company’s in-house graphic designer, lives between Baltimore and Anchorage. Amy, an expert in marketing, recently moved to West Virginia. They all spend part of the summer in Bethel, where they were raised, and Chevak, where their mother grew up.

Recently, they were in town together for a short visit. Michelle and Cika brought some Quyung-lii for me to try. Along with the plant essences, it’s made with extra virgin salmon oil and glacier water from Eklutna Lake (also a source for Anchorage’s tap water). They squirted a little on the back of my hand. It was opaque and whitish. When I smoothed it on, it did make it look a little tighter (though that could also have been my imagination). Technically, it’s unscented, but it carries a slight herbal, earthy smell. “It smells like tundra,” Cika said.

For research and development, the triplets, friends and family picked 800 pounds of berries and plants. Once they settled on a formula, they picked another 1,200 pounds. After that was processed to draw out its essence for the serum, the byproduct, mostly dried, pressed plant matter, still had nutrient value, Michelle said. That “second rinse extract” will make a less high-end line of moisturizers and body washes. The leftover plant matter will be incorporated into soap for exfoliation. The idea was not to waste what was gathered, she said.

“We want to create an industry that doesn’t have a footprint,” Michelle said. If their product takes off, they hope to start a gatherers’ cooperative in villages, paying people for picking. They will be careful not to pick in traditional subsistence gathering spots, they said. They don’t want to over-pick in general. That’s something that makes their products even more exclusive.

“It’s a limited run every year,” Cika said. “We’re not going to hurt our source.” At this point the three have invested close to $250,000 into their company, Michelle said. People tell them their business plan is solid. Their product has plenty of buzz. But with online sales opening very soon, everybody has jitters. “We keep telling ourselves this is going to pay off,” Michelle said.—MCT

Pete Doherty facing jail again

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SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011

cosmetics mogul Portraits of

headed to NYC auction This image provided by Sotheby’s shows Salvador Dali’s 1943 painting, ‘Princess Arthchild GourielleHelena Rubinstein,’ which depicts Helena Rubinstein chained to a rocky cliff by her jewels.

—AP photos

(Left) A girl holds her cat during the fifteenth annual International cats exhibition in Minsk.

More than forty breeds of cats attend an exhibition.

(Above) An owner smiles as she holds her cat.

—AFP photos

Philippine pilot soars above gender barrier O H

elena Rubinstein, the self-made businesswoman whose name was synonymous with elegance and beauty, was also a patron of the arts and often sat for Salvador Dali and other celebrated artists. Twenty portraits of her are slated to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in two separate sales, five on May 3-4 and the others in October.

Among them is Dali’s 1943 painting.

“Princess Arthchild Gourielle-Helena Rubinstein,” which depicts Rubinstein chained to a rocky cliff by her jewels.

Although Rubinstein was 73 when the portrait was made, the Surrealist artist portrayed her as a young woman to

(Above) Graham Sutherland’s 1957 portrait, ‘Helena Rubinstein in Red Brocade Balenciaga Gown,’ which will be sold at auction. (Right) Helena Rubinstein with portraits of herself.

represent “the immortality of her fiery and energetic character and the legacy of her accomplishments and career,” Sotheby’s said. The portrait is estimated to bring $1 million to $1.5 million on May 3.

Rubinstein, who died in 1965, was a close friend and patron of Dali and commissioned him to decorate her 30-room Manhattan triplex with three murals. The portrait was painted a year later. Sotheby’s said the title is a reference to her marriage to her second husband, a Georgian prince.

In February, Sotheby’s in London auctioned Dali’s portrait of the French poet Paul Eluard for nearly $22 million, setting an auction record for the artist and the highest auction price for a Surrealist work.

The sale also contains portraits of Rubinstein painted by the English artist Graham Sutherland, French painter Raoul Dufy and the Russian Surrealist Pavel Tchelitchew. The portraits are being sold by the Helena Rubinstein Foundation.

They displayed at Sotheby’s galleries yesterday. —AP

n the ground, Brooke Castillo is a classical pianist, a rock band manager, an elite sportswoman and a teacher, but it is high in the sky where she truly excels. Castillo is the Philippines’ first female commercial jet captain, and from the cockpit of Cebu Pacific airline’s Airbus A319s and A320s she says she has the best job in the world. “I think I was destined to be here,” the tall and eloquent 41-year-old told AFP in an interview, explaining that she realized her many other talents would take a back seat immediately after she got into aviation school.

“I just took up the challenge and I realized it was something that I would love to do, and that was it.” Castillo grew up in a wealthy Manila household-her father was a banker and her mother managed a casino-alongside three brothers who helped instill in her a love for sports and competition. Many hours of her childhood were spent with her family in ten-pin bowling alleys, and she ended up representing the countr y ’s junior team in the sport. She was also a member of the Philippines’ youth basketball team, and won a silver medal for her country as an adult at the Southeast Asian taekwondo championships.

Among her other hobbies and talents, Castillo plays classical piano, manages a local alternative rock band and has a business administration degree from the elite University of the Philippines. Castillo said she never aspired to be a pilot, but fell into the aviation industry soon after her college days when she accompanied a friend to a testing session for a pilot’s scholarship with national carrier Philippines Airlines. Castillo took the tests as well and, while her friend failed, she aced them. “When I went to aviation school, I realized ever ything that I learned from music, from my other endeavors in school and from sports-all of it-I was able to apply more than in my college subjects,” she said.

Her love of flying and her skills saw her become the first woman in the country to fly a commercial jet in 1996, with Philippine Airlines. After crossing to rival Cebu Pacific, Castillo in 2003 became the first woman in the Philippines to captain a jet. Throughout her career she has blazed a trail for other women in the

industry, with Cebu Pacific now boasting 14 other female pilots. “Hopefully there will be more,” she said. Castillo, who is now also an instructor for Cebu Pacific’s younger pilots, said she had earned her success on her merits, pointing out airline chiefs could not compromise when choosing captains for their jets.

“In our profession there are no double standards because you cannot afford to put anyone’s life in danger,” she said.

Castillo suggested women had an advantage because they tended to pay closer attention to the smallest details. A pilot needs to check more than 200 items before an actual flight. “They say that

This photo taken on February 11, 2011 shows pilot Brooke Castillo posing for a photo in front of a CebuPacific jet plane at Iloilo international airport in the central Philippines.—AFP women are more meticulous and more into multi-tasking. Probably that’s true.

In some instances I see it,” she said. Be they Piper Tomahawk trainers or Airbus jets, Castillo said the hardest aspect of flying was deciding when to take off and land or abort, because the tiniest hesitation could swiftly lead to life or death situations.

Her most dangerous moment was as a DC-9 co-pilot nine years ago, when the cabin lost compression in mid-flight.

She said her professional training took over and the plane landed safely. “The thing that I learned from that was that you don’t feel the fear until it’s over,” she said. —AFP