8th Aug

CR IP TI ON BS SU

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

03:35 03:45 05:12 11:54 15:29 18:34 19:59

Now hear this: Fun, freedom on Libya radio

Heartbroken Liu crashes out; Bolt, and Blake cruise

250,000 flee as heavy rains swamp Manila

39 20 12 7 2009 Assembly ‘clinically’

NO: 15533

dead, fails to meet again

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Emsak: Fajer: Shoruk: Dohr: Asr: Maghreb: Eshaa:

US mosque destroyed in suspected arson attack

www.kuwaittimes.net

RAMADAN 20, 1433 AH

Kuwait lawmakers shun meetings

Max 48º Min 33º High Tide 03:48 & 15:55 Low Tide 09:38 & 21:36

By B Izzak conspiracy theories

KUWAIT: The National Assembly failed to meet yesterday for the second week in a row as the overwhelming majority of MPs again boycotted the meeting called after the assembly was given a new life by a court order in June. Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi, three other MPs — Adel Al-Saraawi, Abdullah Al-Roumi and Marzouk AlGhanem — and several cabinet ministers showed up for the session, way short of the quorum needed for the session to be legal.

Khorafi said he will not call for a third meeting because it is evident that the assembly will not be able to convene and that he will refer the issue to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during the weekly protocol meeting on Sunday. The speaker said “we will await for the Amir directives” on the issue.

But Khorafi insisted that the 2009 Assembly will continue for now until a new measure is taken, adding that it cannot go for summer recess before approving the budget for the current 2012/2013 fiscal year which started on April 1. Under Kuwaiti law, the National Assembly cannot close the term before passing the fiscal year’s budget. The constitutional court on June 20 nullified the February legislative polls, scrapping the opposition-dominated assembly and reinstating the pro-government 2009 Assembly.

In response to a question if the budget can be passed by a decree, Khorafi insisted that the government cannot issue the so-called “emergency decrees” Continued on Page 13

Only in Kuwait

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

I

am sorry to be so pessimistic these days. Do not blame me! The whole situation surrounding me does not give me peace. I am really worried about what is going on in Kuwait. Every day we are facing new dramas from our politicians, be it MPs, ministers etc. The latest fad is that some MPs show their real sectarian face. They are too busy counting how many officers, generals or colonels belong to one sect or another.

They are more interested in knowing how many officers in the army are from each sect? I am not hiding anything. There are only two sects in Kuwait - Sunni and Shiite. Why are we counting each other? Highly educated people with master’s degrees are asking these questions. For God’s sake, have mercy on Kuwait! I have been lucky to have visited many countries. I have never seen the parliament in the United Kingdom discussing how many officers are protestants, catholic or if they are from Manchester or Sussex. They are all British and nobody dares ask such questions.

The same applies to the United States. I have never seen or read anything as silly as this. The US congress wouldn’t question how many Chinese, Japanese or Arabs are in the army and in high-ranking positions.

Khalas! They are all American and this is what they care about. They are chosen for their merit. The same thing applies to India. I have never read about how many Muslims, Christians, Malayalis, Hindus or Buddhist occupying high-ranking positions.

Nobody does that except us in Kuwait. I asked a Nigerian editor if such things have happened in his country. He said that sects are never an issue. Only in Kuwait you see these prejudices. Shame on you guys!

How could you reach to that level of standard? As long as someone is a Kuwaiti and is fit for a certain job that should be the only important thing. You are still living in Jahliya times (the pre-Islam era) where tribalism and prejudices ruled. Islam came and purified the ignorance, slavery, injustices and racism. But I see that after 1400 years of Islam, we are putting ourselves voluntarily in these times.

KUWAIT: A general view of the Abdullah Al-Salem Hall at the Kuwait’s National Assembly as clerks stand before the adjourning of the session by the speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi (inset) for lack of a quorum yesterday. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Arab investments up despite unrest KUWAIT: Total foreign and domestic investments in Arab states rose slightly last year despite widespread unrest, the Kuwait-based Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corp said yesterday. The investments, both private and government, increased by 1.2 percent to $496 billion in 2011 from $490 billion in the previous year, the organization said in a report without providing details on the foreign share.

Several Arab nations have been hit by unprecedented uprisings that have already toppled the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, while the Syrian regime is fighting a bloody battle for survival. Algeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates accounted for 63 percent of the investments, or $312.5 billion, said the report which covered 21 of the 22 members of the Arab League.

Continued on Page 13

‘Don’t poison’ stray dogs PAAAFR offers alternative

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: A controversial program of leaving poison in public places as part of animal and pest control efforts will now be scrapped. In its place, the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) will now work with the UK-based WSPCA and local animal non-profits organizations to learn alternative animal control methods. Pest and animal control in Kuwait has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks after news broke that the Municipality was leaving packets of rat poison in public spaces - including beaches, parks, walkways and the Cornice.

The PAAAFR has tackled the issue of

stray dogs in Kuwait since the 1960s.

Initially the animals were shot outright but this policy changed following the Iraqi invasion. “After the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, the Interior Ministry banned the use of weapons for animal control. So we started leaving out poison to kill the stray dogs,” said Nabeela Al-Ali, Assisting Undersecretary for the Animal Welfare Affairs.

Stray dogs have long been a problem in Kuwait but have grown in numbers in recent years, especially in the industrial and newer residential areas. “Stray dogs live mostly in the empty desert spaces on the edges of industrial or residential areas.

Continued on Page 13

Ramadan Kareem

Merits of supplication

By Hassan Bwambale

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ccording to the Islamic teachings ‘duaa’ means supplication to or invocation of Allah.

Supplication is part and parcel of worshipping God. In whatever problem you find yourself, just resort to Allah in supplication after seeking due solutions by yourself. Allah says in the Quran “And your Lord says: call on Me; I will answer your prayer. But those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell in humiliation.” (40:60) Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: (Left to right) Chairman of Public Authority for Youth and Sports Maj Gen (ret) Faisal Al-Jazzaf, Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdallah AlSabah and Kuwait’s Olympic hero Fuhaid Al-Deehani are pictured upon his arrival at the Kuwait International Airport yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Three stray dogs pictured in Kuwait residential areas.

in the

news

US hunts Qaeda trainer

Islamist MPs visit Syria

23 killed in Senegal

WASHINGTON: The United States yesterday added a wanted Saudi militant alleged to be a top trainer of foreign Al-Qaeda fighters in camps in Afghanistan to its list of global terrorists. Azzam Abdullah Zureik AlMaulid Al-Subhi, better known as Mansur Al-Harbi, is among about 80 Saudi citizens which Saudi Arabia has put on its most wanted list and wants extradited, accusing them of ties to the Al-Qaeda network.

“According to the Saudi Ministry of Interior, Mansur AlHarbi is accused of working at a training camp in Afghanistan and is tied to numerous senior Al-Qaeda leaders,” the US State Department said in a statement.

Harbi is believed to have traveled to Afghanistan about a decade ago and “is responsible for training militants and for the coordination of foreign fighters who travel to Afghanistan to fight against coalition forces.” Being designated a “specially designated global terrorist” blocks all of his property which may be under US jurisdiction and bans Americans from engaging in any business with him, the statement said.

DUBAI: Bahrain’s government yesterday distanced itself from Islamist MPs who visited Syria at the weekend and delivered aid to rebels in the north where they are fighting regime forces. “The entry into Syria by a number of Bahraini MPs took place without notifying the foreign ministry,” the ministry said in a statement carried by BNA official news agency. MPs Adel AlMaawda and Abdulhalim Murad along with former MP Hamad Al-Mohanadi and judge Faisal Al-Ghurair, all members of the Salafist Asala political association, had said they visited Aleppo and met members of the rebel Free Syrian Army on Sunday. They posted pictures of their meeting on the Twitter microblogging website.

“We gave pledges to build three field hospitals and delivered donations from the people of Bahrain to the army (FSA),” Murad tweeted after Islamists in the Gulf kingdom organized fundraising campaigns to support Syrian rebels. The foreign ministry urged citizens “to avoid visiting areas of armed conflicts and to be careful, for their own safety.”

DAKAR: At least 23 people were killed in a collision between a bus and a truck in the centre of Senegal yesterday morning, the fire department and local media said. “It was a collision between a 35-seat bus and a truck transporting charcoal above the village of Sikilo,” an official from the fire department said. He said 22 people were killed and one injured, however later reports by the Senegalese Press Agency said the death toll had risen to 23 with dozens injured. The fire department official said the accident took place at about 3:00 am near the town of Kaffrine, without giving details on what caused the crash. “An accident with so many deaths is rare in Senegal, the last which had a high toll was six months ago, at least 15 people died” in northern Senegal. Road accidents in Senegal are often a result of poor driving skills, and the bad state of vehicles and roads. Several campaigns have been held to raise awareness about road safety in recent years.

ALEPPO: A man evacuates an old Syrian woman from her house during clashes between rebel fighters and Syrian government forces in the Bustan AlQasr district yesterday. — AFP (See Page 7)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

local

KUWAIT: MasterCard held an iftar event on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan at Sheraton Hotel on Monday. Company employees and media representatives attended the event. —- Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah held a reception recently at the governorate’s general dewan on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. The event was attended by senior officials from Ahmadi Governorate, oil, education, health and security fields, in addition to mayors of the governorate’s areas.

CHINGRI MALAI CURRY

Basbousa

By Zafaran hotel INGREDIENTS: • Clarified butter - 1/2 cup • cinnamon - 1stick • clove - 1/2 teaspoon • Pommery mustard - 4 tablespoons • Boiled onion paste - 3 cups • Coconut milk (maggi) - 6 cups • Turmeric - 2 teaspoons • Green chillies - 5-6 nos • Salt - 1.5 teaspoon • Shrimps 10/15 - 12 pieces • Water -2 cups METHOD 1-Heat clarified butter in a pot, add cinnamon, clove, followed by boiled onion paste. Allow it to cook 2- Add pommery mustard, turmeric and salt. Cook this masala well for 8-10 minutes.

2-Add coconut milk and allow the curry to cook on simmer.

5-Add the shrimps and water (if required ) to the curry.

Cook till done. Towards the end, add slit green chillies .

8-Serve the shrimp curry with steamed rice.

By Swiss Bel Hotel INGREDIENTS: • 200 grams semolina • 100 grams sugar • 100 grams coconut • 150 grams milk • 100 grams ghee PROCEDURE: Mix all the ingredients and place it in the oven at 150 C for 35 minutes.

Add sugar syrup. Serves 8 people.

local

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

KUWAIT: The Islamic Christian Relations Council hosted an annual Ghabqa on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan. The event was held in Costa del Sol hotel on Friday. Diplomats, journalists and members of the council attended the event. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

LOCAL kuwait digest

kuwait digest

Hate speech in tweets

Save KAC, save people’s lives

By Dr Hassan Abbas

By Dr Yaqoub Al-Sharrah

here is a lot of talk these days about an urgent government decree to criminalize hate speech after the offensive tweet directed at the Mutair tribe.

First, I would like to reiterate all due respect to the Mutair tribe, and all other members of the Kuwaiti society alike. Everyone is equally a part of this country and as such should be equally respected. An offense to any part of the society, being a tribe, a sectarian group or any other groups, is highly offensive and should be rejected by all members of the society.

A few days before Mohammad Al-Juwaihel’s tweet against the Mutair tribe, a column appeared in a local daily containing statements against Shiites. Needless to say the comments were in incredibly poor taste and quite offensive. The paper eventually suspended the columnist after receiving a flood of phone calls from Shiite citizens criticizing the column. The pressure at the time should’ve also come from non-Shiite Kuwaiti groups on the basis of maintaining the stability of our society.

lot has been written and said about the Kuwait Airways and its administrative, technical and financial woes. Unfortunately however, it seems that all this attention is met with little action to improve the carrier’s ailing fleet, combined with repeated assurances from top KAC officials that ‘everything is ok’.

Leaving problems unresolved for a long time leads - in addition to increasing public frustration - to repeated problems that affect passengers directly such as technical errors, delayed flights, and eventually cases with higher risks such as a recent incident in which a plane had an emergency landing while passengers reported problems with the cabin pressure and electricity, in addition to smelling smoke inside the plane. The government takes responsibility for airplane errors because the KAC is a state-owned company. However, the government have failed to provide solution to many problems that faced the KAC fleet, in time when they took place. Keeping this pattern for years allowed minor problems to continue snowballing until the KAC reached the deteriorating situation it currently finds itself in today. Eventually, the communications minister had to make a decision albeit a late one - to suspend a number of outdated aircrafts for public safety.

When we mention errors of KAC planes, we talk about a limitless number of flaws that are often reported in the local press. People are fully aware of these flaws, despite denial from the KAC management which doesn’t hesitate to justify the KAC’s problems.

The main flaw the KAC is suffering from is mismanagement. The KAC is overflowed with labor forces assigned to handle tasks that can easily be handled by only one third of its staff. It appears that the government’s policy of leaving an overcapacity of staff at state department have affected the KAC as well. As for the KAC’s financial problems, official reports indicate that they reach KD 460 million since 2004, paid either directly from public funds or through bank loans.

In the meantime, failing to update the outdated fleet creates a problem for the KAC when it comes to maintenance; which eventually become highly costly given the recurrent faults that the worn-out planes feature. The international law bans using aircrafts that are nearing their estimated life span, let alone exceeding it as some of the KAC’s planes.

Saving the KAC is definitely not an easy matter.

Establishing a revamped airlines through privatizing or any other method must tackle all administrative, technical and financial problems the carrier is facing today. The solution must happen fast, though, and can be achieved through the KAC’s long experience in the field, as well as help of specialists in navigation, management and economy in Kuwait. And as we wish for a level of improvement that can enable the KAC to compete with top international carriers, we hope to see actual work towards carrying out radical reforms before disasters take place. — Al-Rai

T

A

kuwait digest

Hate-filled rhetoric

By Dr Bader Al-Daihani t seems more and more that any sort of political or democratic change in this country is always accompanied by hate-filled rhetoric from all sides. Worse still, and perhaps due to the many groups and sectarian polarization in our society, this hatred is seized upon by all that hear it. Indeed this is perhaps what the corrupted enemies of political and democracy want in order to maintain their unconstitutional influence along with their illegitimate private interests.

Of course there is a big difference between the hatred that Juwaihel and his cohorts continue to promote and a few inflammatory words posted on “Twitter” by an unknown fool.

However both serve the same purpose- to fan the flames of needless hatred between different groups in this country that should be striving to work together. In fact much of this negative rhetoric is baseless, resorting to accusations that go back to the first half of the Hijra century! They should have no place in modern political discourse. Why have we seen such a sharp upturn in hate-filled speech over the past couple years? What is the role of the government in combatting it? Does this uncivilized approach represent the new normal in today’s political

I Examples of offenses made against social groups have started to become more and more frequent due to government mismanagement on one hand, and to imprudent speeches of the country’s political elite on the other. Of course Kuwait is affected by the instability and anger from surrounding areas, but hatred within our society can’t be considered unusual when the government and MPs do not officially abandon discrimination and sectarianism in their own practices.

It’s not enough for the government to announce plans to criminalize speech through a new law. It’s not enough for members of the Mutair tribe to defend themselves. It’s not enough for Shiites to demonstrate at the Iradah Square against offenses to religious figures.

It’s not enough for minority groups to defend themselves when our practices as people and within government are consistently laced with discrimination.

Being a representative for all parts of the society obligates the government to treat everyone equally.

Meanwhile, lawmakers have the responsibility to reconsider any actions that could impart discriminatory effects on the society. It will continue to be normal to read hate speech in tweets and columns when daily statements of politicians are filled with discrimination, hatred and sectarianism. — Al-Rai

landscape? Who should be held accountable for ensuring a climate of mutual respect and relevant, respectful discourse?

Is it possible that governmental policies over the last three decades resulted in the increase of the intensity of hate-filled speeches? Is a strict punishment law alone enough to eradicate it? Do we not have many laws at our disposal that are not being implemented like the Audio-Video law, while others are being implemented selectively?

To truly combat this troubling trend of hate-filled rhetoric we require new and quality government policies that concentrate on the constitutional citizenry idea. In this way the citizen will feel that he is getting his full rights and not just as a member of a particular tribe, family, or sect. Thus we can bypass the current environment of social grudges or hatred, and those who promote any type of hate-speech will lose their and influence.

The quality public policies that encourage social cooperation and national identity cannot exist with political corruption, so positive political and democratic reform is the first necessary step to fight this epidemic. — Al-Jarida

IN MY VIEW

Swearing: Yes or no?

By Labeed Abdal

labeed@kuwaittimes.net ccording to the American online publication The Huffington Post, a school in Yorkshire was under fire because of lessons taught to seventh graders on the proper usage of common swear words, including the “F” and “S” words.

Teachers at Shafton Advanced Learning Centre in Barnsley gave students a worksheet entitled ‘Acceptable or Not’, to learn when and how it is appropriate to use those words.

Parents at the school were shocked to learn about the assignments and rejected the

A

claims that the subject matter was necessary to their overall education.

This story reminded me of the Parliament of 2012 which was recently annulled by the constitutional court and then decided to revive the parliament of 2009, which also was unconstitutionally dissolved by a previous decree.

It is my opinion that this 2012 parliament should have doled out some worksheets to new MPs regarding responsible conduct and limits to their legislative power.

The incidents of some MPs entering the parliament by force accompanied by common street thugs must also not be ignored.

I strongly suggest that after the next parliamentary elections, members must take a special preparation program about the constitution, its explanatory memorandum and the eternal bylaws which regulates legislative conduct. In this way we could at least ensure that our MPs are operating within set boundaries, and hopefully ensure parliament can operate longer than a mere 90 days.

kuwait digest

Thank you for your concern

By Thaar Al-Rashidi o sane person accepts assaulting the dignity of any person because of his religion or nationality.

Therefore it is very natural not to accept the assault of a deep rooted tribe like the Al-Mutair, which is one of the sections of our social structure.

Mohammad Al-Juwaihal has been sent to jail, and was accused of breaking the law by insulting the tribe. Any person who tries to assault the dignities of people shall have the same fate, by the same available laws we have.

What is not logical is that every time we hear inflammatory language, we start calling for a law to criminalize hatred as we saw two days ago. We hear calls for new laws speaking out against violating national unity, and we race to encourage issuing such laws.

In this way we are racing towards a nation in which we

N NO: 15533

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RAMADAN 20, 1433 AH

How long did Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) live?

63 yrs 64 yrs 65 yrs

have laws that keep the mouths of those we don’t agree with- closed.

The Catch-22 of this reasoning is that any such law can be exploited by the government to crack down on anyone it sees as challenging what they are doing. Rightful complaints about policy or law could be slyly seen under these new laws as illegal. This is what will happen if you agree to laws similar to this.

No dear government members, we do not want a law criminalizing dissent, because you may then use it for nefarious purposes. We do not need a necessity decree now, but we thank you for your concern and respect for our feelings.

We do not want your law, especially in the absence of real NA council. Such a law would close our mouths... and seemingly at our own request.

— Al-Anbaa

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Local

Kuwaiti nationals keen to bridge gap between education, job requirements Lower levels of work engagement

Kuwait bids Airport-Jahra bridge farewell after 34 years of service KUWAIT: The Airport Bridge located on the Jahra road - so called for its intersection with Kuwait’s airport road - stood high since the year 1978 as one of the significant infrastructural transport elements in the state of Kuwait where it served as the connecting overpass providing ease of flow of traffic travelling the Jahra - Kuwait city line. The bridge was constructed under the Ministry of Public Works’ contract Yasser Budastour RDD/R/349 34 years ago, and now it is time to part with and replace it to make room for improvement within road and utility works of the Jahra Road development project - Kuwait’s leading infrastructural project and one of the most largest in multilevel bridges across the globe.

In a brief synopsis on the bridge’s structure, the project engineer of the Jahra Road Development, Engineer Yasser Budastour said: “The Airport - Jahra road viaduct was a 220.4 demountable formation with a deck width of 24.7m and it consisted of twin independent structures and a total of 13 spans supported by circular columns.

Accordingly, Engineer Budastour also spoke of the demolition method employed stating that the removal of the Airport Bridge is divided into two stages, first is removing the deck which including taking out light columns, guard and hand rails, concrete barriers, concrete slab then the bolts and steel plates. The second stages comprised the removal of the whole spans one at a time. “The Airport Bridge removal works on the Jahra road will take a couple of

more months and any re-usable remains will be handed over to the ministry’s storage yard” he added. Commenting further on road safety, Engineer Yasser affirmed that the working site has been bordered with safety nets to obviate and contain all debris as well as being well equipped with a sufficient number of fire extinguishers to tackle volatile sparks resulting from steel cutting machinery. A set of road signs around the site have also been well provided.

“The project is one of the Ministry of Public Works’ strategic plans to develop roads and motorways in the State of Kuwait in order to address the future demands of transportation, minimize traffic congestions and improve road safety.”

The Ministry of public works formulated agreements to undertake this grand venture with the collaboration of Louis Berger and the Pan Arab Consulting Engineers as project designers & supervision consultants and the Arab Contractors Company (ACC) Othman Ahmad Othman as project contractors.

The project is located in the western region of Kuwait, which extends from the Jahra Gate (Jahra Gate Roundabout Sheraton) to the United Nations Roundabout. It is also one of the main projects in the Ministry of Public Works’ strategic plan to develop roads and motorways in the State of Kuwait in order to address the future demand of traffic, minimize traffic congestions and improve road safety. The MPW formulated agreements with Louis Berger in collaboration with the Pan Arab Consulting Engineers as project design and supervision consultants and the Arab Contractors Company (ACC) - Othman Ahmad Othman as the project contractor.

Lebanon hails Gulf, Kuwaiti investments BEIRUT: Investments from the Gulf region, especially Kuwait, form a strong foundation for the Lebanese economy, Lebanese businessman said yesterday.

Lebanese tycoon, Haitham Abu al-Hassan, said that “Kuwait is considered one of the strongest countries that have supported Lebanon’s economy either by investments or financial funds.” He described the Kuwaiti-Lebanese ties, during a meeting that embraced a number of Arab businessmen in Hammana, as “solid” and “exceptional.”

Direct Kuwaiti investments in tourism and real estate have surpassed $2 billion, he noted. He further said that new investments will see the light soon.

The Phoenician Village is one of the Kuwaiti investments and is considered one of the biggest real estate projects in the history of Lebanon. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti nationals are keen to bridge the gap between their educational preparation and their actual job requirements, according to the preliminary findings of the ground-breaking QuduratTM research, announced yesterday by Aon Hewitt, the global human resources business of Aon plc.

QuduratTM is the largest workplace study in the region, focused on the advancement of national talent, the single biggest HR issue in the region. QuduratTM - meaning ‘capabilities’ in Arabic - is unprecedented in scope and scale, voicing the opinion of more than 20,000 employees across seven countries (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Egypt). With final results expected to be announced region-wide by December 2012, insights from the study are expected to significantly impact HR practices and human capital development in the region.

The study was first launched in 2011, and produced many counter-intuitive findings which surprised and challenged the preconceptions employers had in the region about local talent and nationals in the workforce.

Among the most unexpected findings were that Kuwaiti nationals reported lower levels of engagement in the public sector than they did in the private sector and that less than half had confidence in the most senior leadership in their respective organizations.

The preliminary results of this year’s report reveal that Kuwaiti nationals are reporting a growing disconnect between their job requirements and the preparation they have received for those requirements through their education, compared to foreign work-

Invention to help motivate students KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti researcher has invented a system to control presence and absence of students in schools and universities and has registered his new invention with the Intellectual Property Office in Britain.

Named (System and method for monitoring and motivating students to attend), Associate Professor of education and director of research and development in the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) Dr Zaid Al-Shammari said that his invention is represented in a system to monitor and improve the attendance through scientificallyproven techniques to stimulate and change the behavior of students.

ers. In addition, Kuwaiti Nationals continue to report lower levels of work engagement than expatriates, which could impact their longer term motivation, performance and productivity at the workplace. The report shows similar results for nationals across all seven countries involved in the study.

Commenting of these initial findings, Radhika Punshi, Aon Hewitt ’s Head of Applied Research (MENA) said, “As Kuwait’s and the region’s economy continues to recover, there will be a renewed and exponential growth focus on attracting, motivating and retaining top talent within all industrial sectors, with a greater emphasis on quality.

However, more than ever before, there is a greater urgency for alignment and collaboration between the education system and the demand from employers, as an increasing number of young men and women seek opportunities for positive and productive employment.”

“Our early findings point to a pressing mismatch between education and employment, significantly impacting the motivation, expectations and preparedness of current and future employees towards their jobs. On a more positive note, the fact that there is an awareness among Kuwaiti nationals of this mismatch points towards a willingness to address this problem,” she added.

This year’s QuduratTM study already has over 15,000 responses from approximately 100 participating organizations in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Egypt. The first wave of the study, concluded last year had over 4,600 respondents in total.

The study has also received strategic sup-

port through partnerships with a host of governmental organizations across the participating countries, including Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, which spearheads the efforts of the Abu Dhabi government in sustainable Emirati workforce development; TECOM Investments in Dubai, a diversified conglomerate with strategic investments in sectors that contribute to the development of Dubai’s k nowledge -based economy ; Tamkeen Bahrain, which is tasked with supporting Bahrain’s private sector and positioning it as the key driver of economic development; Bahrain’s Institute of Public Administration, which aims to enhance the skills and competencies of government employees in the Kingdom, in addition to the American Chamber of Commerce Egypt and Egyptian Human Resource Management Association.

“The response and willingness demonstrated from all stakeholders for the second wave of QuduratTM has been absolutely overwhelming, which clearly points to the importance and urgency placed on this issue, by employees, organizations and policy makers alike,” said Markus Wiesner, Aon Hewitt’s CEO (MENA). “ Through our ongoing investment in the QuduratTM research initiative, we aim to provide the best advice and year on year monitoring of talent trends, especially towards enhancing and shaping the nationalization and national development mandate across the GCC and broader MENA region. With data from 20,000 employees across the region, there is no other workplace study this extensive in the Middle East.”

‘Warning pictures’ on cigarette boxes KUWAIT: Cigarette boxes sold in Kuwait will bear warning pictures starting from tomorrow (Thursday) as per Ministry of Commerce and Industry instructions, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday.

“This decision comes in line with standards of the Gulf Cooperation Council which indicate that tobacco boxes must show warning pictures and written warnings”, said Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs Dr Qais Al-Duwairi in a press statement. “Adding the pictures is an important step to increase public

awareness about the danger of smoking and the destructive effects of this habit on public health”.

Implementing this plan through coordination between the MOH and the MCI comes also as part of Kuwait’s commitment towards the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, AlDuwairi added.

The MOH carries out through the National Antismoking Program multiple ac tivities to increase awareness about smoking hazards, and help smokers quit smoking

through specialized clinics around Kuwait.

The ministry also works in coordination with other state departments to implement the state law that bans smoking in public places, and raises attention to diseases caused by smoking through social network . “ The MOH gives top attention to tackling chronic noninfectious diseases and smoking, being a top developmental priority and commitment in front of the international community ”, AlDuwairi said. —KUNA

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

LOCAL

Two in police custody for ‘indecent acts’ on beach KUWAIT: A security source said that a citizen took an underage girl to Salmiya beach and participated in indecent acts in front of sea-goers before being arrested.

Police were informed that a couple was involved in indecent acts, as the girl was in a bikini on the beach. Police arrested the two while in the act. The two were taken to Salmiya police station and the man was charged with indecent acts and sexual molestation, as the girl was underage.

Kidnap case A Lebanese expat kidnapped his three children from their mother (his wife). The mother had returned home to her Hawally flat and found a note saying “The children are with me, follow us to Lebanon.” The woman went to the Nugra police station and informed authorities about the incident, adding that deep differences between the two may have prompted the

husband to take the children.

Man kidnaps own children Report sums up GCC economic scene in July

Physical assault A citizen accused her husband of physically assaulting her after leaving his house in the Ali Sabah Al-Salem area. The woman, who provided a medical report detailing her injuries, told police that she had rented a separate flat following differences with her husband. She said she was surprised when her husband reportedly broke down the door of her apartment and physically assaulted her. Police are investigating.

According to police, a citizen assaulted his sister in order to keep her from pursuing a master’s degree and then destroyed her car. The woman reported that her brother refused her request to pursue a master’s degree as he wanted her to work, claiming the family needed her salary. When the woman challenged her brother ’s opinion he reportedly assaulted her then destroyed her

car. The man was arrested and charged with assault and destroying the property of others.

Driver arrested A police patrol in Sulaibiya arrested a man who was driving his car erratically. Policemen found 150 keptagon tablets, two pieces of hashish, a bag of shabu and kolo. The suspect was also found to be wanted on four drugs possession cases.

Sexual assault An Egyptian who works as a monitoring cameras technician has been charged with sexual assault and theft. According to authorities, after completing the installation of cameras in the flat of a bedoon woman in Hawally, he began caressing the victim’s hand and attempted to rape her, before stealing KD 250 from her purse and escaping. He has since been apprehended.

Mosque attack A citizen in his 30s failed in his attempt to kill the imam of a mosque with a knife just before fajr (dawn) prayers. The citizen later turned himself in to Reqqa, claiming the victim had been speaking about people’s personal matters. The imam, who is a citizen, told police that while entering the mosque at dawn he was surprised by a person grabbing his neck from behind and attempting to “butcher” him. The imam suffered cuts to the neck and was stabbed in the shoulder before the suspect escaped. The imam informed police, who quickly arrived at the mosque and called for an ambulance. While policemen were working on the case the suspect came in with the bloody knife and turned himself in. Police have since determined that the man has a been treated at the psychiatric hospital and is currently undergoing treatment.

Investigations are ongoing.

KUWAIT: Fire fighters are seen in action after a fire broke out in Amghara.

Fire fighters contain fire at Amghara

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The operation center received a report of the outbreak of a fire in a scrap store at Amghara and the Amghara fire center responded to the call, along with Jahra fire center and Jleeb Al-Shoyoukh fire center. The fire was confined to a space of 1,350 square meters containing different items stored

there, including heavy equipment, timber, and metal boxes of different size. Firemen surrounded the fire to prevent its spreading to other areas and the fire was brought under control without any reported injuries.

Deputy fire director Khalid Al-Mikrad urged all store owners to abide by safety regulations and take necessary precautions in order to protect their properties and

‘Silent majority’ support verifying law’s constitutionality

By A. Saleh KUWAIT: Two delegations representing deletwo governorates in Kuwait reportedly requested to meet “top state officials” to voice their support to referring the electoral system to the Constitutional Court, said sources with knowledge of the issue.

“Public figures from the capital and Jahra governorates plan to express their support to the government’s plans to verify the legality of the constituencies distribution, and reduce the number of votes each citizen is entitled to from four to one”, said the sources who spoke under the condition of anonymity.

The main purpose of the visits is to “express the opinion of the silent majority in the Kuwaiti public who the opposition often claim are supporting their calls”, the sources added. The opposition launched a petition opposing the notion of changing the electoral system outside the parliament, and reportedly plan to lead public demonstration of the electoral law is referred to the Constitutional Court.

According to the sources, the two delegations are not going to include any MPs “but will consist of tribal figures and political activists”.

Settlement reached Sokouk Holding Company reached an agreement with the Dar Investment Company pertaining with the latter’s indebtedness which reaches KD 3.540 million.

Sokouk made this announcement yesterday in a statement in which they explained that the settlement reached requires the Dar company to pay 50% of its indebtedness in cash “which resulted in profits estimated at KD 1.770 million”, while the remaining half will be made through material aspects “with no added data to the company’s third quarter financial statement”.

reduce losses in case of fire.

Also, the operation center received a report last night that a maid had a ring stuck on her finger. The maid was at Abu Fteira medical center. A technical rescue team responded to the call so they could cut off the ring using special equipment, after the doctor agreed, since there was a wound to the woman’s finger.

KUWAIT: The GCC economies continue to grow resiliently on the back of expansive fiscal policies, large-ticket infrastructure project execution, and increased oil and gas exports at firm prices. “ The GCC economies have also been experiencing rapid increase in investments, both domestically by the private and public sectors, and internationally,” said the specialized August report published yesterday by Gulf Investment Corporation.

The report said GCC economic growth is also supported by both private and public sectors executing mega-projects in the vital sectors of industry, transportation, communications, power, and infrastructure and increased earnings from the tourism sector.

The corporation said GCC states had employed effective economic and monetary policies to counter regional and global economic shocks and this contributed to continued development and increase in economic growth figures.

One sign of this attitude is flexibility regarding the euro-zone, whether at times of growth or recession. The lesson learnt, the report said, is to avoid over-spending at times of plenty and to channel resources into productive investment venues.

There is increasing momentum in steps to realize economic integration and federal union on all levels, including the level of monetary and banking policies.

GCC economic leadership, the report argued, realizes fully the important role of small to medium-size enterprises at times of plenty as well as times of challenge, as they constitute a source of income as well as job opportunities throughout the economic cycle, and thus the nations concerned are seen putting more care into this area. The GCC countries also realize fully that the strength of the economic union stems from genuinely working on strengthening all parts, big and small alike, since what harms one stands to harm the others.

When it comes to economic market sectors, the report said a state of alert was stirred by Saudi Arabia’s mortgage law, recently issued at a time when regional stock markets are still vulnerable to global flux, including tug and pull related to the slowdown of US economic growth, the European sovereign debt crisis, and a possible economic collapse in the euro-zone.

Improvement in oil prices and forecasts of stronger profit figures for Q2 of 2012 was sufficient to check a downward direction. Oil prices went up again in July after a sharp fall in previous months with Brent gaining 7.19 percent and Texas crude gaining 3.15

percent.

The Standard and Poor’s Index for Gulf stock gained 1.65 percent in July, compared to a drop of 4 percent the month before. Positive performance of the Saudi, Qatari, and Emirati markets contributed to this increase, the report said.

Dubai saw the best monetary market performance while Oman’s was the worst for the same month.

As for the Kuwaiti market, the report indicated that despite presence of some encouraging factors, political unease doubled investors’ woes. This was compounded by disappointing results announced by National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) and a request by National Industries Group for an extension of four more years for its sukuk maturity.

The report also recalled that the Kuwait Stock Exchange weighted and price indices lost 1.71 and 1.19 percent, respectively. The drop was seen in leading market sectors; communications lost 4.89 % on the heels of negative performance of Zain, and the banking sector also slipped 1.76 percent.

Faltering growth has forced central banks around the world to respond, and July was a month of monetary easing. It started with the US Fed extending its “Operation Twist”, followed by a rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) to all time low of 0.75 bps, while Bank of England extended its asset buying programme by GBP 50 billion.

Globally, the report added, the scene was no different as China’s central bank unexpectedly cut interest rates for the second time within a month in a bid to bolster growth, followed by Brazil and South Korea.

The US reported a Q2 GDP growth rate of 1.5 %, signaling continued slowdown. However, the biggest worry at this point of time remains the unsustainable yield on Spanish and Italian bonds, and all eyes will be set on the 2 August meeting of ECB, where some kind of policy initiative is expected.

On regional level, the report said the month was good “with all the major regional indices ending at alltime highs. The HSBC Nasdaq-Dubai GCC USD Sukuk/Bond TR Index (GCCB) rose m-o-m, to close at 150.89 from 148.33 and spreads tightened by 7bps, yielding 3.82 percent. “ The HSBC Nasdaq-Dubai USD Sukuk TR Index (SKBI) increased m-o-m from 140. 40 to 141.71, while the HSBC Nasdaq-Dubai GCC Conventional USD Bond TR Index (GCBI) traded in a range of 150-154.

In terms of credit rating, the report noted that Fitch had affirmed Waha Aerospace at “AA’ with a “stable” outlook and Kuwait’s IDR at “AA” with “Stable” outlook.— KUNA

100,000 tons of sugar for Kuwait’s Ramadan desserts KUWAIT: Abdullah, 35, races with his co-workers every day to a sweet shop in Kuwait to serve orders during the last three hours before iftar. Taking a break at this time is not an option when dealing with a workload in which an average of 200 cakes are sold each day.

This shop alone, which is a branch for a major bakery and sweets company in Kuwait, earns approximately KD 5,000 per day during Ramadan. This is three times as much as the same shop makes during less busy months.

According to one sweets company owner, the revenue of the sweets sector during Ramadan in Kuwait is estimated around KD 25 million, and that does not include desserts served in restaurants and hotels. However, this massive amount of consumption is not the real problem, suggests a report published by Al-Rai yesterday, which quotes estimations that indicate that between 30 to 40% of sweets purchased, valued at a minimum of KD 10 million, are not sold.

This can be attributed to hospitality traditions under which guests buy sweets to avoid entering their host’s house empty handed, while hosts are required to insure that there would be enough desserts for everyone at the end of the iftar.

The most notable statistic mentioned in the report was provided by a Ministry of Commerce and Industry official, who indicates that around 100,000 tons of sugar and raw material for making sweets have been imported to Kuwait from South America and Africa since the beginning of Ramadan. More than 70% of these imports went to sweets factories, said the insider, who preferred to remain anonymous.

This average makes Kuwait, a small country with an estimated population of 3.5 million, one of the world’s largest consumers of sugar. To make it easier to understand how large this amount is: 100 thousand tons of sugar are enough to sweeten six billion glasses of juice. This means that the amount of sugar used to make sweets during Ramadan in Kuwait is enough to sweeten juice for nearly the entire population of the world.

Essam Khatoon, manager of Sable’s Salmiya branch, indicates that activity usually increases during Ramadan by 60% at his shop, and by 30% for the company as a whole. “Our shop alone sells nearly 500 kilograms of Middle Eastern sweets a day during Ramadan”, Khatoon said, adding that his shop takes in between KD 3,000 to KD 5,000 in revenues each day during the holy month.

Meanwhile, Roode Perez from Mr. Baker’s branch in Salmiya estimates the increase in activity at 50% this year, compared to last year ’s Ramadan, adding that the store sold nearly 3,000 cakes since the beginning of Ramadan, which equals the average sale for four months.

But with the increase in demand comes an increase in prices.

According to Yousuf Al-Asemi, owner of Al-Fares sweet shop in Salmiya, raw material prices increase by 30% before the beginning of the holy month, which “forces” sweet shops to increase prices. This is why Al-Asemi says he stocks raw material at least 10 days before Ramadan, while Khatoon noted that Sable’s management imported 20 tons of raw material from South America “due to high prices in the local market”.

The raw material consumed during

Ramadan is equal to an average four month supply at Sable, but Khatoon indicates that the high profit made during the holy month, compared to all other months, makes up for it. AlAsemi, in the meantime, estimates Ramadan’s profit at KD 100,000 thousand for small stores that operate only one branch in Kuwait, and around KD 2 million for companies operating multiple shops. He added that supplies to hotels and companies increase by 25% during the holy month.

Regarding prices, Al-Asemi believes that single shops provide products for an average of 40% less than major companies, which, in his opinion, is the reason why the majority of his customers are expatriates.

Khatoon seems to agree with this assumption, as he indicated that 80% of customers at the branch he operates are Kuwaitis.

Work pressure at sweet shops often drives owners to hire extra staff to help handle the workload, providing job opportunities for young men, including students who look to work during the summer. According to Khatoon, Sable hires between one to five workers for each branch each year during Ramadan. Al-Asemi said that he had to seek help from three young men “who can make up to half of their expenses for the college year”.

Are the high rates for sweets causing negative effects on the public’s health? Dr Ahmad Al-Rujaib tells AlRai that the Salwa polyclinic treated around 200 cases, since the beginning of Ramadan, of people complaining about headaches, stomach aches, or complications of diabetes. He says this is a 50% increase compared to the rest of the year.

KUWAIT: The drug duo is pictured after their arrest yesterday.

Two expats arrested for selling drugs

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Drugs enforcement officers have arrested two expats for selling illegal drugs. Earlier information had been received about their activities, resulting in a follow-up team being formed as police began collecting information.

Legal formalities were taken, followed by a search of one of the suspect’s homes by officers. They reportedly found bags of different sizes containing drugs, and the suspect reportedly confessed to purchasing the drugs for his own use and selling them to others.

He further supplied officials with the source of his drugs, who he said was a friend and also an expat.

Police arrested the second suspect, though he tried to escape but was subdued.

In a search of the second suspect police report finding a large piece of hashish wrapped in nylon bag along with other drugs. Further, when searching the suspect’s residence officials found three joints of hashish, after which the suspect confessed to selling drugs. Both suspects were sent to the appropriate authorities.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Gunman exhorted white supremacists

250,000 flee as heavy rains swamp Manila Page 12

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JOPLIN, Montana: A firefighter works to extinguish the smoldering remains of the Islamic Society of Joplin mosque Monday. (Inset) Imam Lahmuddin holds his hands over his face in grief. — AP

US mosque razed in fire Arson attack suspected, no arrests made JOPLIN, Montana: A mosque in southwest Missouri burned to the ground early yesterday in the second fire to hit the Islamic center in little more than a month in what worshippers suspect was a hate attack. Investigators spent the day combing through the wreckage searching for evidence of arson. No injuries were reported, but the Islamic Society of Joplin’s building was a total loss after the blaze, first reported at about 3:30 a.m., the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said. As of late Monday, nobody had been arrested in connection with the fire.

“The building was completely destroyed,” said Sharon Rhine, a spokeswoman for the local Jasper County Sheriff’s office. No one was hurt in the incident, according to a statement by the office that referred to the mosque as an “Islamic Church”. “No-one was apprehended. They don’t want to call it a hate crime without information or knowledge of having someone to charge,” Rhine said.

Investigators from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Jasper County Sheriff’s department were at the scene all day Monday, moving the rubble with a bulldozer and other equipment. A specially trained dog assisted.

Only remnants indicated a building had been there, including some stone pillars that were still standing and a few pieces of charred plywood loosely held up by a frame. While investigators did their work, a small group of Muslims gathered for an evening prayer on the lawn of the destroyed building. “This is what we stand for,” said Dr Ahmed Asadullah, a member of the Islamic Society of Joplin. “Freedom of religion. Freedom of

speech.” It was the second time this summer investigators had been called to the Islamic center, located in a former church on the outskirts of Joplin. A fire reported around the same time on July 4 has been determined to be arson, but no charges have been filed. The FBI has released a video of a suspect caught on surveillance video and offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in that fire.

Michael Kaste, special agent in charge of the Kansas City office of the FBI, said the investigation into Monday’s fire was in the preliminary stages, and that about 30 people had been assigned to the investigation. “Any act of violence to a house of worship is taken very seriously by law enforcement, and threatens the very core of the safety and security of our communities,” Kaste said. Kaste said it was too early to say if there was surveillance video available from the Monday fire. The Jasper County Sheriff’s office said earlier Monday the video equipment had been destroyed. The FBI was encouraging anyone with information about either fire to call authorities.

“We just want to get the word out there to generate people to really come forward,” he said.

Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn said patrols at the mosque had been stepped up since the July 4 fire at the mosque was determined to be arson. Imam Lahmuddin, who leads the mosque and was in the building until late Sunday, said he was “sad and shocked” about the fire. He had been at the mosque since before dawn Monday, and remained there late in the evening. “Maybe there is something we are supposed to learn from this,” he said.

Assad vows to crush rebellion DAMASCUS: Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad vowed yesterday to crush the 17-month rebellion against him and to cleanse the country of “terrorists,” as his troops engaged rebels in key battleground city Aleppo. “The Syrian people and their government are determined to purge the country of terrorists and to fight the terrorists without respite,” he was quoted by state news agency SANA as telling visiting senior Iranian envoy Saeed Jalili. Assad appeared earlier on television for the first time in more than two weeks in his meeting with Jalili.

Tehran, which has voiced growing criticism of support by the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar for the rebels, also sent its foreign minister to Ankara and a letter to Washington holding them responsible for the fate of 48 kidnapped Iranians.

The last time footage of Assad was

screened was when he received new armed forces chief General Ali Ayyub on July 22, four days after a bombing claimed by the rebel Free Syrian Army killed four top security chiefs.

Iranian state media quoted Jalili as saying Tehran “believes in national dialogue between all domestic groups to be the solution, and believes foreign solutions are not helpful”. In Beirut on Monday, Jalili issued a veiled warning to countries backing the rebels. “Those who believe that, by developing insecurity in the countries of the region by sending arms and exporting terrorism, they are buying security for themselves are wrong,” he told Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, Iran’s official IRNA news agency said.

Following the Damascus talks, Jalili told Iran’s Al-Alam Arabic-language television Tehran was using “all means possible” to secure the release of its 48

DAMASCUS: Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad (right) meets Saeed Jalili, a top aide to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday. — AFP

citizens abducted by rebels. He said Tehran held responsible not only the kidnappers but also those foreign governments that supported the rebels fighting Assad’s forces. “We believe that not only terrorists but also their supporters are responsible for this criminal act,” Jalali said.

In commercial capital Aleppo, clashes rocked several areas of the city centre early on Tuesday, while the army also shelled rebel-held areas in the east, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The fighting in Aleppo killed at least seven people, the Britainbased watchdog said, adding that the nationwide toll was 51. At least 265 people were killed on Monday, 182 of them civilians, on one of the deadliest days of the uprising, the Observatory said. Of those, 57 were in Aleppo.

Troops fought rebels in the Bab Antakya, Aziziyeh, Bab Janin and Sabaa Bahrat areas of central Aleppo and near the Palace of Justice in the west, it said.

Fighting also broke out for the first time in the Ashrafiyeh district in the northwest when rebels attacked a military post, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. Aleppo has been bracing for a threatened major ground offensive by the army against the rebels, who say they control around half of the city. A senior security official said on Sunday the army had completed the build-up of some 20,000 troops in readiness for a decisive showdown in the battle under way since July 20.

The head of the UN observer mission in Syria, Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, expressed concern for civilians trapped in the city of some 2.7 million people.—AFP

The local Muslim community, which numbers around 125, said the fire was one of a series of attacks on their mosque since it was founded in 2007. “We’ve been constantly under attack,” said former mosque board member Navid Zaidi, 47.

“Our sign has been burnt ... Our mailbox was smashed multiple times. We had bullets shot at our sign.” Zaidi said it was fortunate that the attack occurred in the early morning when no one was there despite Ramadan, the busy and ongoing holy month of fasting and prayer. Zaidi also complained that no suspects have been caught in the month since the July 4 attack. “I don’t recall in my 27 years in the US, ever seeing perpetrators apprehended,” he said. “We hope these are isolated events, but suddenly they have become more regular and bolder,” Zaidi added.

A Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization meanwhile called for more police protection at mosques and

other houses of worship following the Joplin fire and a deadly attack at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. The Council on American-Islamic Relations also offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever started the mosque fire. About 50 families belong to the Islamic Society of Joplin, which opened in 2007 as a mosque and community center. The FBI led an investigation in 2008 when the mosque’s sign was torched. That crime also remained unsolved. Lahmuddin, who has lived in Joplin for about four years, said several people were at the center late Sunday. He said despite the attacks, the center’s members have good relationships with residents and other churches.

He said many are doctors at area hospitals. The center also served as a shelter and staging area for volunteers who came to help Joplin after the May 22 ripped through the city, killing 161 people.— Agencies

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

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

Gunman exhorted other white supremacists to act OAK CREEK, Wisconsin: Wade Michael Page played in white supremacist heavy metal bands and posted frequent comments on Internet forums for skinheads, repeatedly exhorting members to act more decisively to support their cause. “If you are wanting to meet people, get involved and become active,” he wrote last year. “Stop hiding behind the computer or making excuses.” A day after Page strode into a Sikh temple with a 9mm handgun and multiple magazines of ammunition, authorities were trying to determine if the 40-year-old Army veteran was taking his own advice when he opened fire on total strangers in a house of worship.

Detectives cautioned they might never know for sure. But the picture of Page that began to develop Monday found in dark corners of the Internet, in records from a dodgy Army career and throughout a life lived on the margins suggested he was a white supremacist who wanted to see his beliefs advanced with action. Page, who was shot to death by police, described himself as a member of the “Hammerskins Nation”, a skinhead group rooted in Texas that has branches in Australia and Canada, according to the SITE Monitoring Service, a Maryland-based private intelligence firm that searches the Internet for extremist activity.

Between March 2010 and the middle of this year, Page posted 250 messages on one skinhead site and appeared eager to recruit others. In March 2011, he advertised for a “family friendly” barbecue in North Carolina, imploring others to attend. In November, Page challenged a poster who indicated he would leave the United States if Herman Cain was elected president. “Stand and fight, don’t run,” he implored. In an April message, Page said: “Passive submission is indirect support to the oppressors. Stand

up for yourself and live the 14 words,” a reference to a common white supremacists mantra.

The bald, heavily tattooed bassist trained in psychological warfare before he was demoted and discharged more than a decade ago. After leaving the militar y, he became active in the obscure underworld of white supremacist music, playing in bands with names such as Definite Hate and End Apathy.

Still, Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards cautioned Monday that investigators might never know for certain what motivated the attack on the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in suburban Milwaukee. So far, no hate-filled manifesto has emerged, nor any angry blog or ranting Facebook entries. “We have a lot of information to decipher, to put it all together before we can positively tell you what that motive is - if we can determine that,” Edwards said.

Mark Potok, a senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit civil rights organization in Montgomery, Ala., described Page as a “frustrated neo-Nazi” whose bands’ sinister-sounding names seemed to “reflect what he went out and actually did”. Their lyrics talked about genocide against Jews and other minorities. In a 2010 inter view, Page told a white supremacist website that he became active in white-power music in 2000, when he left his native Colorado and started the band End Apathy in 2005 in Nashville, North Carolina.

Across several states, fragments of Page’s life emerged Monday in public records and interviews. He joined the military in Milwaukee in 1992 and was a repairman for the Hawk missile system before switching jobs to become an Army psychological operations specialist in a battalion at Fort Bragg, Nor th Carolina. In “psy-ops,” Page would have trained to host public meetings between locals and American

forces, use leaflet campaigns in a conflict zone or use loudspeakers to communicate with enemy soldiers. He never deployed overseas in that role, Army spokesman George Wright said.

Page was demoted in June 1998 for getting drunk on duty and going AWOL, two defense officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information about the gunman.

Page also received extra duty and was fined. The defense officials said they

Wade Michael Page

had no other details about the incident, such as how long Page was gone or whether he turned himself in. He was discharged later that same year. A trucking company said it employed Page as a driver from April 2006 through Aug 2010, when he was fired for violating company policy. BarrNunn Transportation said in a statement that he was ticketed for driving a personal vehicle “while subject to an impairing substance”.

Page bought a brick ranch house

outside Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 2007 with help from a Veterans Affairs mortgage. But on Monday the home was boarded up with knee-high weeds in the yard. A notice taped to the front indicated the home was in foreclosure and had been sold to a bank in January.

Before buying the home, Page lived with Army soldier Darren Shearlock, his wife and young children in a doublewide trailer in a rural community near For t Bragg, records show.

Shearlock, dressed in his militar y fatigues, declined to comment about Page or the shooting when approached Monday by AP. Page’s former stepmother said she was devastated to learn of the bloodshed. “He was a precious little boy, and that’s what my mind keeps going back to,” said Laura Page, of Denver, who was divorced from Page’s father around 2001. In Wisconsin, Page responded to a recent online ad seeking a roommate in Cudahy, a small city outside Milwaukee. He rented a room in Kurt Weins’ house in June, telling Weins he had recently broken up with his girlfriend and needed a place to stay.

Weins said Page stayed in that room all the time, declining invitations to watch TV with him. Page explained that he wanted to bring some belongings out of storage, so he rented an apartment several weeks later in a duplex owned by Weins across the street. “We talked, but it was really about nothing,” Weins said. “He seemed pretty calm. He didn’t seem like the type to raise his voice.” After the FBI searched the apartment in the duplex, Weins returned and found only a computer desk, chair and an inflatable mattress.

Suburban Milwaukee police had no contact with Page before Sunday, and his record gave no indication he was capable of such intense violence. The FBI was leading the investigation because the shooting was considered

domestic terrorism. The agency said it had no reason to believe anyone other than Page was involved. Page entered the temple as several dozen people prepared for Sunday ser vices. He opened fire without saying a word. The president of the temple died defending the house of worship he founded.

Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65, managed to find a simple butter knife in the temple and attempted to stab the gunman before being shot twice, his son said Monday.

Amardeep Singh Kaleka said FBI agents hugged him, shook his hand and told him his father was a hero.

“Whatever time he spent in that struggle gave the women time to get cover” in the kitchen, Kaleka said. With their turbans and long beards, Sikhs are often mistaken for Muslims or Arabs, and have inadvertently become targets of anti-Muslim bias in the United States. Federal officials said the gun used in the attack had been legally purchased. Page had been licensed to own weapons since at least 2008, when he paid $5 each for five pistol-purchase permits in North Carolina. The six dead ranged in age from 39 to 84 years old.

Three people were critically wounded, including a police officer.

Online records show Page had a brief criminal history in other states, including pleading guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief after a 1994 arrest in El Paso, Texas, for getting drunk and kicking holes in the wall of a bar.

He received six months’ probation. Page also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in Colorado in 1999 but never completed a sentence that included alcohol treatment, records show. He was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving again in 2010 in North Carolina after running his car off the side of a highway. The case was dropped a year later for lack of evidence, according to court records. —- AP

In the cart? Maybe a hint about Romney’s VP pick Political observers grasping at slightest hint

BROOKFIELD, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch attend a memorial service on Monday for six people killed in an attack the day before on a Wisconsin Sikh temple. — AFP

US probes shooter’s white power links OAK CREEK, Wisconsin: Police are investigating the white power ties of the former US soldier who gunned down six people at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, while the closeknit Indian-American community mourned its dead. Wade Michael Page, 40, burst into the temple with a 9mm handgun and several magazines of ammunition - all of which had been purchased legally - and opened fire on worshippers attending a Sunday service, authorities said. Special Agent Teresa Carlson, head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Milwaukee office, said Monday the suspect - killed at the scene during a shootout with police - was now the subject of a “domestic terrorism” probe.

“We are looking at ties to white supremacist groups,” she told reporters, noting that the FBI did not have an active file on Page before the incident. “No law enforcement agency had any reason to believe he was plotting anything,” she said. But the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights group, branded Page a “frustrated neo-Nazi who had been the leader of a racist whitepower band,” and the SITE Intelligence Group said he was an active skinhead.

A former army buddy, Christopher Robillard, told CNN that Page had spoken of “racial holy war, like he wanted it to come,” but added that he never thought the suspected gunman would act on it. Page was a member of the Hammerskins Nation, a group that describes itself on its website as a “leaderless group of men and women who have adopted the White Power Skinhead Lifestyle,” SITE said in a repor t. Page “engaged in extensive online activity” and maintained user accounts on “some of the most prominent white supremacist forums,” SITE said, adding that he issued messages “urging active resistance ‘regardless of the outcome’”.

The Southern Poverty Law Center said the ex-soldier had recently been the leader of the three-man hardcore punk band “End Apathy”. Photographs of the band on its Myspace webpage (myspace.com/endapathyband) showed Page with a shaved head and Gothic tattoos all over his body. Band members were shown performing in front of extremist flags, including one bearing a swastika. Page served as a US military “psychological operations specialist” between April 1992 and October 1998, ending his

career at the base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, home to the US Army’s airborne forces and Special Operations Command. He was a qualified parachutist who received several good conduct awards and a National Defense Service Medal, but never won significant promotion. He had a general discharge and was ineligible for reenlistment, Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards told reporters.

US President Barack Obama said “soul searching” was needed on how to reduce violence in America after the killings, which came less than three weeks after the movie theater shooting in Colorado that left 12 dead and dozens wounded. The new attack may put some pressure on Obama and his rival Mitt Romney to address gun control before the Nov 6 presidential election. The Indian-American community held a candlelight vigil late Monday at a temple not far from the scene of Sunday’s carnage.

Mourners earlier packed the temple to pay their respects. Those without head coverings, including Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, were given scarves. “We need this,” Harsimran Kaur, 30, said of the service. “It’s been chaos. We have suffered so much.” The dead were identified as Paramjit Kaur, a 41year-old woman, Sita Singh, 41, Ranjit Singh, 49, Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65, Prakash Singh, 39 and Suveg Singh, 84, all men. Singh is a common surname in the Sikh community.

Kaleka’s son Amardeep hailed his father as a “hero through and through” for confronting the attacker with the only weapon at his disposal - a blunt ceremonial knife and stalling his progress, perhaps saving a few lives. Three middle-aged men, including a member of a police unit called to the scene, were reported to be in critical condition with gunshot wounds. The Washingtonbased Sikh Coalition said there had been “thousands” of incidents of hate crimes, discrimination and profiling against Sikhs since the September 11, 2001 attacks, attributing blame to anti-Muslim sentiment.

Religious tradition demands that Sikh Indians wear turbans to cover their uncut hair and sport long beards, which often leads them to be mistaken for Muslims in the United States. “I’m an American. I literally feel insecure living in the country I grew up in,” said another mourner, 27-year-old Gagan Khurana. — AFP

WOLFEBORO, New Hampshire: Even Mitt Romney’s shopping cart becomes a clue when trying to solve the political world’s biggest mystery.

The Republican presidential candidate stopped by a supermarket near his New Hampshire vacation home to buy cases of water, Wild Cherry Pepsi and Greek yogurt. “I got some folks coming over today,” Romney told reporters Monday as he loaded groceries into a black Suburban SUV. Would those guests include potential running mates? Romney’s only response was laughter. He has repeatedly shrugged off questions about his vice presidential selection. But as the clock winds down before this month’s Republican National Convention, political observers are grasping at the slightest hint.

Once his shopping list became public, people instantly began speculating on Twitter - half-jokingly - about the yogurt and soda preferences of those on the vice presidential short list. Some reporters scrambled to study the travel schedules of potential contenders while others checked on how much longer Romney’s wife, Ann, would spend with the family horse at the London Olympics. Romney isn’t likely to make his decision public without her at his side.

There are no clear answers. The Republican presidential candidate’s senior aides have teased for weeks that his selection of a vice presidential contender could come any day. But that’s all they’re saying. And in a tight-knit campaign known for discipline, the handful of people involved in the selection process have refused to share whether Romney has reached a decision or reveal who’s being vetted.

The level of secrecy is so great that some of Romney’s own staffers aren’t sure whether schedules, Twitter messages and public statements are being manipulated to throw people off track.

Misinformation, after all, is an undeniable reality in modern presidential politics. “ The big VP announcement is coming soon and the buzz here at campaign headquarters is exciting,” campaign manager Matt Rhoades wrote in a fundraising message late last week that offered donors a chance to meet Romney’s running mate in person.

Romney did not meet with prospective candidates Monday. Instead, he shared his groceries with a few senior advisers, including the head of his vice presidential search, Beth Myers. Last week, Myers told supporters they could “be the first to get the VP scoop” by downloading a new mobile phone app. The pieces are in place. The campaign has hired a staff for the running mate and set detailed fundraising expectations. Romney has studied candidates in YouTube videos and watched others in person. Aides have pored through tax filings and personal histories to prevent any surpris-

WOLFEBORO, New Hampshire: Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov Mitt Romney pushes a shopping cart after buying groceries at Hunter’s Shop and Save supermarket on Monday. — AP es. Above all, Romney is expected to select some- Condoleezza Rice.But nothing is for certain in this one ready to assume the presidency on Day One. game. Presidential candidates historically have The standard has been applied - at least in part - gone to great lengths to keep their deliberations because of problems surrounding the GOP’s last secret until they’re ready to announce a choice. vice presidential nominee, former Alaska Gov Sarah When George W Bush settled on Dick Cheney in Palin, who struggled to inspire confidence among 2000 more than a week before his running mate the broader electorate. The Romney campaign also was to be announced, aides worried that the secret wants a team player. Possible running mates such might not hold. To throw off reporters, campaign as former Minnesota Gov Tim Pawlenty, Ohio Sen architect Karl Rove told a campaign aide known to Rob Portman, Louisiana Gov Bobby Jindal and leak information to reporters that former Sen John Wisconsin Rep Paul Ryan have been aggressively Danforth of Missouri had emerged as a top candicampaigning on Romney’s behalf across the coun- date. Three television networks reported the news, giving the campaign some breathing room for try in recent months.

Portman, Florida Sen Marco Rubio and Virginia Cheney’s announcement, Rove wrote in a memoir.

Romney may be doing some head faking as Gov Bob McDonnell are expected to join Romney on segments of a bus tour that begins Saturday in well. The Drudge Report, a conservative website Virginia and moves to North Carolina, Florida and with ties to the Romney campaign, posted a story Ohio. Pawlenty has campaign events scheduled for last month suggesting that Rice had emerged as New Hampshire next weekend. And each of the Romney’s top choice. Rice previously had said men has scheduling holes in the coming days that “there is no way” she would serve as vice president. could allow him to slip away quietly for a big She also described herself as “mildly pro-choice,” announcement. More clues lie among the speaker which would violate Romney’s promise to select a list for the upcoming Republican National candidate who opposes abortion rights. Just don’t Convention, which was announced Monday. ask Romney to comment on the mystery directly.

Romney’s pick probably wouldn’t have scored one Campaigning in the Las Vegas area over the weekof the spots; the convention speakers now include end, he told reporters he would absolutely “decide South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley, former Arkansas and announce my running mate before the third Gov Mike Huckabee, New Mexico Gov Susana day of the Republican convention”. That’s not much Martinez and former Secretary of State help. —AP

British police arrest Sun journalist, cop LONDON: Police arrested a journalist from Rupert Murdoch’s top-selling British tabloid The Sun and a policeman yesterday for alleged corruption, Scotland Yard and the journalist’s employer said.

London’s Metropolitan Police said the male journalist, 37, and the policeman, 29, had been arrested in dawn raids over the suspected bribery of a police officer. It did not name either man. A spokeswoman for News International, the British newspaper wing of Murdoch’s US-based News Corporation empire, confirmed that the journalist worked for The Sun but would not name him.

The pair were detained under Operation Elveden, one of three investigations sparked by the phone-hacking scandal that closed the News

of the World, The Sun’s weekly sister paper, last July. There has been a string of recent arrests of Sun journalists. Police said the latest arrests came as a result of information provided to police by the Management Standards Committee of News Corporation, which was set up to investigate malpractice at the media giant. The journalist was arrested at his north London home while the policeman, a serving officer with Sussex Police in south-east England, was arrested at his home.

Both are in custody at London police stations, Scotland Yard said.

Australian-born Murdoch was forced to shut down the 168-year-old News of the World over revelations that its staff had hacked into the voice-

mail messages of a murdered teenager, as well as dozens of public figures. Scotland Yard has made a total of 43 arrests under Operation Elveden, which is investigating journalists’ alleged bribery of public officials, and 24 under Operation Weeting, its probe into phone hacking. A further nine people have been arrested under Operation Tuleta into alleged computer hacking and privacy breaches by journalists. Andy Coulson, former media chief to Prime Minister David Cameron, and former top Murdoch aide Rebekah Brooks are among those who have been formally charged with phone hacking. Brooks previously edited both the News of the World and The Sun while Coulson formerly edited the News of the World. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

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

US Sikhs a small, misunderstood community WASHINGTON: Ever since they arrived in the US as farmers and lumber mill workers in the late 19th century, Sikhs have struggled with how little Americans knew about the faith. In 1907, a mob in Bellingham, Washington, who called Sikhs “the Hindus”, ran them out of town.

(Bellingham officials apologized formally 100 years later.) Over time, they established themselves in the United States with major temples from Boston to California. Still, they remained a small, often misunderstood community, readily identifiable by their turbans. During the 1970s Iranian hostage crisis, Americans often mistook Sikhs for Iranians. Vandals attacked some temples after the Oklahoma City bombing, committed by white US Army veteran Timothy McVeigh. So when the Sept 11, 2001 terror attacks occurred, the Sikh community immediately began organizing, working closely with US Arabs and Muslims on domestic anti-terror policies that respect civil rights. “When you walk out, all eyes are on you. You get used to it, but it’s tough,” said

Vishavjit Singh, a Sikh software engineer from White Plains, New York. “I’ve had people calling me ‘Osama’ and saying, ‘Go back home’.”

The massacre Sunday at the suburban Milwaukee Sikh temple left six Sikhs dead and several people wounded, including a police officer who responded to the scene. Authorities have identified the gunman as Wade Michael Page, a 40-year-old Army veteran described by civil rights groups as a neo-Nazi and white supremacist.

Police have called the attack Sunday an act of domestic terrorism. For Sikhs, the attack was the latest - and worst of a string of horrific assaults on their community. Many of the recent attacks have been outright hate crimes. Others remain unsolved.

Just four days after the 2001 attacks, Balbir Singh Sodhi, a gas station owner in Mesa, Arizona, was shot and killed by a man who mistook him for a Muslim and was seeking revenge.

Last year, a New York City subway worker and Sikh, 30-year-old Jiwan Singh, was assaulted on a train and accused of being related to Osama bin

Laden. His son had been attacked two years earlier. In Elk Grove, California, a Sacramento suburb, two Sikh men were fatally shot last year during an afternoon walk. No one has been charged with the crimes.

Sikhs leave their hair uncut and covered by a turban as outward demonstrations of and reminders of their faith. For the same reasons they carry a small ceremonial dagger, called a kirpan. “They are identifiable. Both Muslims and Sikhs are visible minorities,” said Diana Eck, a Harvard University professor and director of The Pluralism Project. “Both have been subject to misapprehension and targeting as a result of ignorance and prejudice.”

As early as the 1990s, Sikhs in Washington and other major cities began organizing, building relationships with leaders of other faiths, Eck said. But after the Sept 11 attacks, Sikhs around the country reached out with more urgency. Like American Muslims, they organized open houses at their places of worship.

The Sikh Coalition, a New York-

based civil rights group, formed about one month after the attacks from a volunteer effort to protect members of the community. The group has since reported more than 700 hate crimes and has fielded hundreds of complaints about unfair treatment at airports. In April, the coalition unveiled a free mobile application, FlyRights, which allows travelers of all backgrounds to complain immediately to the government if they feel they’ve been treated unfairly by airport screeners.

The coalition and another group, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, have been taking on cases of Sikhs who say they have been pressured by employers to stop wearing their turbans on the job. In June, the White House held what is believed to be the first briefing on Sikh civil rights. It’s a significant effort for a group that remains a tiny minority in the United States. Of the 27 million Sikhs worldwide, the majority live in India, where the religion was established in the 15th century.

The exact number of Sikhs living in

America is not known. Estimates range from 200,000 to 500,000. Many left their homes in the agricultural Punjab province, known as the breadbasket of India, and arrived first in the West and Pacific Northwest in the late 1800s.

The first major temple was built in 1912 around Stockton, California, but like other immigrants, Sikhs were not allowed to bring their spouses to the United States, which restricted their numbers. When President Lyndon Johnson eased immigration quotas in the 1960s, Sikhs began arriving in larger numbers with their families.

Temples were built around Boston, Chicago and other parts of California.

Yet, no matter how established they felt in the United States, many Sikhs felt misunderstood. In recent years, many young Sikhs have cut their hair or worn baseball caps instead of turbans to avoid standing out. Vishavjit Singh, cut his hair for years, but has returned to the faith and now wears a turban. “What is amazing, even 10 years, 11 years after 9/11, most Americans don’t know who Sikhs are,” Singh said. “That scares me.” — AP

Truck bomber hits Afghan NATO base Nine people killed in minibus blast

KABUL: Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak (center) speaks during a press conference yesterday. — AP

Afghan defence minister quits KABUL: Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak resigned yesterday after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament, leaving President Hamid Karzai scrambling to find a replacement for one of his top security tsars as insurgent attacks mount.

Wardak, in charge of the army and one of the country’s two key security ministers, told reporters he accepted parliament’s decision, which has clouded NATO plans to hand security responsibilities to Afghan forces before the end of 2014. “I respected the parliament’s decision to twice appoint me as defence minister, and now I accept the parliament decision to remove me. I resign my position,” Wardak told journalists.

Karzai’s increasingly unpopular government was already under a cloud, with Finance Minister Hazarat Omar Zakhilwal vulnerable as a result of accusations aired on Afghan television that he stashed more than $1 million in overseas banks. The fractious parliament voted on Saturday to remove Wardak and Interior Minister Bismillah Mohammadi after recent insurgent assassinations of senior officials, as well as crossborder attacks blamed on Pakistan.

While Karzai opted to keep him in place in an acting role to underpin stability, Wardak’s decision to quit immediately leaves one of his most vital Cabinet posts vacant at the peak of the summer fighting months and as US and French troops draw down. It was not immediately clear how soon Karzai would be able to replace the veteran four-star general and ethnic Pashtun from eastern Wardak province, who is credited by Western diplomats with helping forge the fledgling Afghan National Army into an increasingly effective force against insurgents.

Karzai faced constraints in finding a replacement who could maintain ethnic har-

mony in his inner circle, while also needing to win over lawmakers whose backing he needs to deliver a corruption crackdown promised to Western donors. “Karzai’s next moves will be watched very closely by many sides, in particular in the context of his recent announcements of a long list of new ‘reform’ and anti-corruption measures,” said Fabrizio Foschini of the respected Afghan Analysts Network. “Karzai will have to operate carefully.

There are already grumblings about the provisional solution of keeping the two ‘impeached’ officials as acting ministers, even though this may be mainly motivated by the need to avoid troubles in the security organs at a critical stage of transition,” he said in a blog posting.

Finance Minister Zakhilwal held a nearsimultaneous press conference to Wardak’s, promising to send a list of his assets to the attorney general to look into claims against him. But he declined to pass the dossier to the country’s top anti-corruption watchdog, who has asked Karzai to have him stood down pending completion of an investigation. “For me today the most important issue is the confidence of the people,” said Zakhilwal. Zakhilwal, in an interview with Tolo TV on Wednesday, denied any wrongdoing and said there was nothing untoward in the transfers, which were the result of legitimate work and business interests before entering government.

Yesterday he accused both Tolo and Afghanistan’s High Office of Oversight and Anti-corruption chief, Dr Azizullah Ludin, of conspiring against him. “The head of the oversight department discussed information in public which was unethical, not based on fact,” he said. “It’s obviously based on personal differences he has had with me from time to time.” — Reuters

Entrepreneurs serving Afghan expats see good times ending KABUL: Behind high villa walls in Kabul’s heavily guarded diplomatic district, restaurant owner Saju D’Cruz sits in a sun-washed courtyard and gives himself two more years in a country he has called home for a decade. Like many other entrepreneurs in an Afghanistan bracing for an exodus of foreign troops and aid workers in two years, D’Cruz thinks business can only get worse at his popular Namaste Indian restaurant, as expat customers vanish. “Our customer base has decreased already.

When international forces leave, we’ll shut down,” he said, gazing out onto a small lawn covered with empty plastic dining tables. D’Cruz came to Afghanistan from India after the 2001 ousting of the former Taleban government, convinced the inrush of political change would bring with it a demand from both Afghans and foreigners for services taken for granted elsewhere.

While the Taleban had bought only their own austere brand of oppression, Afghanistan’s new freedoms saw businesses flourish, transforming Kabul from a city of empty, pot-holed streets and ruined suburbs into one of bustling shops and carchoked roads.

D’Cruz and his restaurant caught the investment wave as more than $50 billion in reconstruction money flooded in, but now, like others, he is preparing for a receding tide, taking businesses with it. As one of many foreign investors who offers expatri-

ates a taste of comforts they enjoyed at home, D’Cruz employed Indian chefs and imported his foods from India to inject authenticity to his dimly lit restaurant. With the average monthly salary of an Afghan in Kabul being $300 or less, Namaste’s dishes costing up to $18 a plate are out of the reach of the majority of the Afghans who will be left behind after 2014. “It’s a lot to pay for and keep up with, without a steady customer base,” he said.

The deputy chairman of Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Khan Jan Alokozai, said with the end-2014 deadline for NATO’s withdrawal telescoping in, D’Cruz’s worries were being reflected in hotels, restaurants, guest homes and real estate, and even among companies supplying the Afghan and foreign military forces.

Businesses had seen a 40% decrease in profits already, with the expectation being only for worse, he said. “ We rebuilt Afghanistan. But we rebuilt it for foreigners,” Alokozai said. “We didn’t look at what our own people needed and now that they are leaving, we’ll have to rebuild it again.”

Alokozai said while businesses like Namaste had mostly appealed to foreigners, their closing would shut out vital job opportunities in a country where one in three of its 30 million population live below the poverty line. If D’Cruz shuts his restaurant, for example, eight Afghans will lose their jobs.—Reuters

PULI ALAM, Afghanistan: A power ful suicide truck bomb exploded at a NATO military base south of the Afghan capital yesterday, wounding three soldiers and at least 17 civilians, Afghan police said. Just hours earlier, a Taleban bomb killed nine people and wounded five when it struck a minibus on the western outskirts of Kabul, amid growing unrest in areas neighbouring the Afghan capital. A spokesman for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force confirmed “there has been an explosion outside an ISAF facility in Logar province” and that some troops were wounded. “We have information that ISAF members were wounded but it is our policy not to confirm the number or condition of the injured,” he said, adding that the cause of the explosion was under investigation.

Provincial police chief Ghulam Sakhi Rogh Lewanai told AFP: “A truck loaded with explosives detonated at the coalition forces’ camp in (the provincial capital) Puli Alam city. “So far we have information that 17 Afghan civilians and three ISAF soldiers have been injured,” he said. Most of the civilians worked at the base, he said. ISAF said the explosion was outside the base, near an Afghan bazaar. An AFP reporter at the scene said the area near the base had been cordoned off by NATO forces and helicopters were flying overhead.

Although the first two checkpoints on the approach to the base were visible there was no sign of an explosion, he said, adding that police and residents told him that the blast happened further on towards the base. “I was on my way to school when there was suddenly a huge explosion which knocked me down,” said schoolboy Samiullah. “I saw

KABUL: Afghan villagers look on as a crane hoists away the wreckage of a civilian minibus which was hit by a remote-controlled bomb in the Paghman district of Kabul yesterday. — AFP thick smoke and flames rising from the inside of this camp.”

Provincial spokesman Din Mohammad Darwish said: “The explosives had been hidden inside a truck used for transporting and mixing cement. It happened at the gate of the base.”

Taleban insurgents claimed responsibility for the attack, some 70 km south of the capital Kabul.

“At around 9:00 am one of our mujahideen (holy warriors) carried out a suicide truck bomb attack on a big US forces’ camp resulting in many deaths and injuries,” Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a text message. In an earlier sign of increasing Taleban activity in Logar province, three Afghans who worked for NATO were kidnapped by the Taleban and their bodies dumped in the main bazaar of Charkh district last

week, officials said.

In Kabul, President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack on the minibus near the capital, saying nine people had been killed, updating an earlier toll of eight.

“Terrorists who plant roadside bombs on public routes during the holy month of Ramadan, targeting and killing innocent Muslim civilians, are definitely neither Muslims nor Afghans,” he said.

All the dead were men, apparently on their way to work from what had been a relatively peaceful area on the western outskirts of the city. But in the same district in late June, militants armed with guns and rockets attacked a popular lakeside hotel killing at least 18 people.

The man who set off the bomb had been captured with the cooperation of local residents

who beat him up, police said, describing him as a member of the hardline Islamist Taleban waging an insurgency against the Afghan government. For the past five years the number of civilians killed in the war has risen steadily, reaching a record 3,021 in 2011, with the vast majority of the deaths blamed on insurgents, according to UN figures.

The latest attacks will add to growing concerns over the country’s future once NATO troops withdraw as planned by the end of 2014, handing responsibility for security to Afghan forces.

Western politicians keen to get their troops out of an increasingly unpopular war regularly talk up the ability of the Afghan army and police to cope on their own, but there is widespread fear of a multi-factional civil war once they leave. — AFP

Shooting victim leaves grieving Indian family NEW DELHI: For 16 years, Lokinder Kaur waited patiently for the day her husband would be reunited with her and their children. That dream died with him in a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.

Ranjit Singh, one of six killed in a shooting attack at the temple, never came home even once in all those years, working at a grocery store during the week and volunteering at the Sikh gurdwara on weekends. He promised his family he was

doing what had to be done to get a green card so they could come join him.

He called every few days, even as the months dragged into years. Kaur said she spoke to Singh just the day before a gunman entered the temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and shot worshippers as they prepared for services on Sunday.

Singh sang devotional songs at the temple and took care of worshipers, serving them meals. His

NEW DELHI: Indian Lokinder Kaur mourns with her daughters Jasbir Kaur, 24, (left) and Jaspreet Kaur, 21, near a picture of her husband Ranjeet Singh, who was killed in the shooting attack at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, at the family home yesterday. — AP

brother, who died in the attack as well, often sang with him. All Kaur was left with is a recent photograph of Singh, dressed sharply in a crisp shirt and tie and smiling confidently into the camera. “My children keep asking me, ‘What did papa look like?” she said, sobbing at her faded memor y of her husband’s face. “I have no answers.”

When Singh first left for the United States his son was just 7 months old, his daughters 4 and 6. He had a visa for just six months. “My husband had only one dream. To see his children settled abroad,” Kaur said as she sat surrounded by grieving family and friends in her modest twostory home in a Delhi neighborhood. To chase that dream, he kept renewing his visa, finally applying for a green card a few years ago. “Every six months, he would tell me he would be home soon.” His daughters got married while he was away. His son grew up knowing him only as the voice on the phone, the image in the photographs. “I just don’t understand what happened over there. Why did they die,” Kaur asked, sitting on the floor - a tradition in an Indian house of mourning - but leaning against a sofa, exhausted by her grief.

A short distance away from Lokinder’s home, similar scenes of mourning cloud the home of her slain brother-in-law Sita Singh, who traveled back and forth routinely from India to the United States. His wife, Surinder Kaur, first got word that something had happened in a 1:30 am phone call from a relative, who said the brothers had been shot. Three hours later they were dead. “It’s just us women left all alone to look after our children,” Surinder Kaur said.—AP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

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

China’s politics reign in trial of Bo Xilai’s wife HEFEI, China: The wife of a fallen Chinese leader goes on trial tomorrow on charges of murdering a British businessman in a politically charged case that may have little to do with whether she really killed him. Instead, the trial of Bo Xilai’s wife, Gu Kailai, is seen largely as a tightly managed way for the leadership to cauterize a political scandal that has embarrassed the Communist Party. “The men at the top have already made their decisions, and in conspicuous political trials like this, that’s where the decision is made,” said Perry Link, a Princeton University emeritus professor of East Asian studies. “So the trial, whatever the results and whatever the arguments, it will be theater, just theater.”

The scandal has drawn attention to bare-knuckled infighting that politicians prefer to keep behind closed doors - particularly at a time when the government is preparing for a crucial once-a-decade political transition that will install a new generation of leaders.

Until his fall, Bo was considered a contender for a top job. Key among the central leadership’s main objectives in Gu’s trial is to keep the focus tightly on the murder case and not on larger allegations of corruption that could further taint the communist regime, experts say. Beijing also will closely orchestrate publicity to try to convince the domestic audience that the trial has been fair and the international community that justice has been served in the slaying of a foreigner.

“It’s pretty clear that to be part of this ruling power elite in China lets people get very, very rich. And Bo Xilai and Gu Kailai are only one example of that power,” Link said. “It’s that big pattern that makes the party so nervous about how to handle this case.” Gu and a household aide, Zhang Xiaojun, are accused of poisoning Neil Heywood, a long-time associate of the Bo family, in November in the southwestern megacity of Chongqing, where Bo was party chief until his ouster this spring. In announcing Gu’s indictment, the official Xinhua News Agency has said she had a falling out with Heywood over money and worried that her son’s safety was threatened.

Xinhua made clear the government considers the verdict a foregone conclusion. “The facts of the two defendants’ crime are clear, and the evidence is irrefutable and substantial,” the report said. If convicted, Gu and Zhang face punishment ranging from more than 10 years’ imprisonment to a life sentence or the death penalty. It will be tricky to get the public to perceive the trial as just, said Cheng Li, a Chinese elite politics expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

A severe sentence for Gu might make her seem a scapegoat for the sins of her husband, regardless of whether she was directly involved in the slaying, Li said. However, if the household aide, Zhang, is sentenced to death but not Gu, it could be construed along class

lines: “ That would sound like the princelings’ lives are far more valuable than others’,” he said. As daughter of a prominent Communist revolutionary, Gu is considered a “princeling”, with an exalted status. Gu and Zhang will be defended by government-appointed lawyers instead of lawyers hired by their families, fueling concerns about fairness.

Keeping the trial centered on the slaying only also will be tricky, because official reports have indicated they had a conflict over “economic interests.”

Xinhua reports have noticeably lacked details of the alleged dispute. Heywood was reportedly helping the family shift large sums of money overseas. “It is absolutely explosive to reveal corruption at that level,” said Francois Godement, China expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations “These accusations of corruption could be laid against many others and their families and they are very afraid of the potential use of criminal procedure courts for political purposes.”

Princeton’s Link said the party’s main consideration is: “Can we establish a public version of what happened that makes this case go away without opening the question of corruption?” Before his ouster in the spring, Bo, also the son of a revolutionary veteran, was one of China’s most powerful and charismatic politicians. But his overt maneuvering for a top political job as well as highprofile campaigns to bust organized

crime and promote communist culture, trampling over civil liberties and reviving memories of the chaotic Cultural Revolution in the process, angered some leaders.

The infighting came to light with the sudden flight to the US Consulate in Chengdu of longtime Bo aide and former Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun in February. Apparently fearing for his safety if he remained in Chongqing, Wang told American diplomats about his suspicions that Heywood had been murdered and that Bo’s family was involved.

In April, Bo was stripped of his most powerful posts and Gu was named a suspect in Heywood’s murder. That was followed by a report late last month about her indictment, which indicated that the leadership had closed ranks and reached a general agreement about the case and was ready to move forward with the trial.

Bo is the first Politburo member to be removed from office in five years and the scandal kicked up talk of a political struggle involving Bo supporters intent on derailing succession plans calling for Vice President Xi Jinping to lead the party for the next decade.

Among Bo’s vocal supporters were Zhou Yongkang, China’s security chief, who as recently as March had praised Bo at the annual legislative session. One week later, Bo was being publicly rebuked by Premier Wen Jiabao and then he was gone. In weeks that fol-

lowed, overseas-based Chinese websites and political insiders said that Zhou also was under heavy scrutiny.

To really distance itself from Bo, the party needs to address his likely involvement in the murder case, said Li, of Brookings. Li thinks it is only a matter of time before Bo also is implicated, even though official media announcements about the murder so far have excluded mention of Bo. “We do not know, but the basic logic is: How can you separate these two? The whole thing is related to Bo Xilai,” Li said.

“Because corruption is a widespread phenomenon. If you single out Bo Xilai, people will say it’s unfair. So they have to move to the murder case.”

Bo is in the hands of the party’s internal discipline and inspection commission, which is expected to issue a statement about his infractions. That would open the way for a court trial, not likely to occur before next year, with charges possibly including obstructing police work and abuse of power. Thus far, Bo has been accused only of grievous but unspecified rules violations. Then there is the party’s concern about China’s international image.

The murder of a British national, exposed by a Chinese official who likely provided proof to American diplomats, puts pressure on the government to address the issue, at the very least to mollify the British, who are sending diplomats to attend the trial in Hefei on tomorrow. — AP

250,000 flee as heavy rains swamp Manila Businesses, government offices, markets shut

SHIYAN, China: Damaged cars lie by the side of a street after a storm following Typhoon Saola hit central China’s Hubei province leaving 14 dead on Monday. — AFP

Typhoon threatens Shanghai SHANGHAI: China rushed to evacuate more than 400,000 people yesterday as the most powerful typhoon since 2005 threatened the commercial hub of Shanghai, the government and state media said. Typhoon Haikui was expected to make landfall in Zhejiang province, just south of Shanghai, late yesterday or early today, the China Meteorological Administration said. Shanghai officials fear the storm could be the worst since 2005, when Typhoon Matsa killed seven people in the city, state media said. The city aimed to move 200,000 people to more than a hundred shelters by yesterday evening, government officials were quoted as saying.

The Shanghai government ordered outdoor construction sites shut down and cancelled summer classes for children until the typhoon had eased.

Authorities in Zhejiang were also rushing to get people out the path of the storm, with 256,000 residents of the province evacuated so far, state media said. As of Tuesday afternoon, the typhoon was

about 270 km southeast of Zhejiang and was forecast to land between the cities of Ningbo and Wenzhou, the China Meteorological Administration said.

The typhoon was packing winds of up to 151 km per hour and could bring up to 400 mm of rain to some areas, it said.

The eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui would also be affected. Shanghai had halted rail ticket sales for some coastal lines which might be affected by the typhoon, state media said, while Zhejiang had called more than 30,000 ships back to port.

The typhoon is the third to hit China in a week, after two battered other parts of the country over the weekend, killing 23 people, the official Xinhua news agency reported. Typhoon Saola left 14 dead in the central province of Hubei while nine people were killed in the northeastern province of Liaoning after Typhoon Damrey struck, it said. China is hit annually by typhoons in the summer, which normally affect its eastern and southern regions. — AFP

Japan survivors warn against nuclear power HIROSHIMA, Japan: The scars that still mark Sunao Tsuboi’s face from the wartime bombing of Hiroshima are a grim reminder of the power of the atom as a wave of nuclear wariness sweeps post-Fukushima Japan. Around 140,000 people perished instantly in the searing heat or from radiation in the days and months after a US plane unleashed the deadliest weapon ever used and ushered in the nuclear age. Nearly seven decades later, Tsuboi, one of a dwindling number of sur vivors of the first ever atomic attack, is raising his voice against nuclear power in a country still reeling from the tsunami-sparked catastrophe of March 2011. “In terms of being nuclear victims, we are the same,” Tsuboi, 87, said of those affected by the Fukushima crisis.

He was on his way to university when the bomb exploded over Hiroshima in a flash of blinding light and intense heat on Aug 6, 1945. As well as his burns, Tsuboi has also suffered intestinal cancer that may be linked to radiation exposure, and says he sees little difference in the dangers posed by atomic weapons and atomic power. “Nuclear technology is beyond human wisdom... I still want to see a nuclear-free world while I’m alive,” he said.

His appeal comes as a bitter debate swirls over the future of Japan’s 50 remaining reactors, which once met around a third of the country’s electricity

needs, but which were shuttered following the meltdowns at Fukushima. Fears of electricity shortages have led to the government ordering restarts at two reactors, despite an increasingly vocal anti-nuclear movement in a country largely unused to public protest.

Those who experienced the World War II bombing in Hiroshima and a similar attack on the port city of Nagasaki three days later, said television images of the Fukushima crisis brought back terrible memories. “The TV reminded me of the dreadful scenes,” said a sobbing Misako Katani, 82, one of just a few living victims who survived both bombings. No one is officially recorded as having died as a result of the Fukushima disaster, but many who fled the area and those who remain, including workers decommissioning the crippled plant, worry about the long-term effects.

The quake-sparked tsunami knocked out the reactors’ cooling systems, causing meltdowns that spread radiation over a large area and forced thousands to evacuate. Scientists have warned it could be decades before it is safe for some people to return to their homes. Sachiko Sato, a Fukushima evacuee who was among tens of thousands of people attending an annual Hiroshima commemoration event on Monday, said: “I think we can share the same sadness with people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. — AFP

MANILA: Half of Manila was under water and 250,000 people fled their homes yesterday as torrential rain paralysed the city, sweeping away houses, stranding residents on rooftops and triggering a landslide. At least 15 people were confirmed dead as the sprawling metropolis and nearby provinces suffered the most extensive floods since a typhoon that killed hundreds three years ago. Schools, financial markets and most government and private offices were shut as key roadways in the capital - a city of some 15 million people were submerged by waters that in some areas reached neck-deep. “If we put it in a percentage, at least 50% of Metro Manila is flooded,” Gine Nievarez from the state weather service told AFP. As local television flashed live footage of rampaging rivers carrying off houses and residents marooned on the roofs of their homes, President Benigno Aquino said the government was doing everything it could to help.

“Everybody who is supposed to do something is doing what he is supposed to do,” he told reporters after meeting with civil defence officials. Bad weather from seasonal southwest monsoons has been pounding Manila and nearby areas for over a week. Meteorologists said the crisis in the capital came as over half a month’s rain fell on the city in 24 hours.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that more than 800,000 people had been affected, with 18,600 in government evacuation centres and some 231,000 seeking refuge with friends or relatives. Yesterday’s deaths brought the number of people killed by the monsoon rains across the Philippines to 68 over the past week, according to civil defence officials. Nine people from the same family were killed when a landslide struck a slum in the north of the city, officials said. “The rain softened the soil and four houses were buried,” said Maribel Mendoza of the local public safety office.

In nearby provinces also hit by floods, four

people drowned in Bulacan and two were killed in Batangas. Manila’s population includes millions of squatters, who were forced to flee the huge shantytowns lining rivers and sewers overnight for the safety of schools, gymnasiums and government buildings. Rosario Brutas, a market vendor in Bacoor, a town south of Manila, said she and her husband woke to discover their home

cal facilities, the city’s power distributor said.

Cora Agulan of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said there were many calls for help but in some areas it was too dangerous for rescuers to try to reach those stranded. “The current is too strong so we have to tie our rubber boats with ropes to keep them from being swept away,” she said. The breadth and ferocity of the

MANILA: Two men hang onto a basketball hoop in floodwaters after a river overflowed yesterday caused by torrential rains across the capital. — AFP already partly submerged. “We woke up before dawn to find our bed afloat,” the 32year-old told AFP from a hospital courtyard where her family and their neighbours had taken refuge.

Army trucks hauled stranded residents from their homes, while power was turned off in some parts of the city as a precautionary measure with the waters seeping into electri-

floods brought back memories of tropical storm Ketsana, which killed 464 people across the capital in Sept 2009. Weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar told AFP the heavy rains were expected to persist until at least early today.

Flood levels were close to but still lower than during Ketsana, she said, when “the water buildup was more abrupt and therefore more dangerous”. — AFP

Long-dormant NZ volcano erupts MOUNT TONGARIRO, New Zealand: A New Zealand volcano suddenly erupted after lying dormant for more than a century, spewing an ash plume that disrupted flights and closed highways, officials said yesterday. The Mount Tongariro volcano, in the middle of North Island, erupted just before midnight (1200 Monday GMT) in the first significant activity at the site since 1897, the official monitoring body GNS Science said. Witnesses in the area, which was used as a backdrop for the Mount Doom sequences in “The Lord of the Rings” movies, reported “flamelike explosions and a cloud of ash coming from a new hole in the side of the mountain”. “There were rocks being thrown out. It was like thunder and lightning and fireworks. It was spectacular,” local resident David Bennett told Fairfax Media.

Police reported no injuries or damage from the eruption. Civil Defence said it did not result in any lava flows but sent a cloud of ash 6,100 m into the atmosphere, forcing the cancellation of dozens

of domestic flights. While Civil Defence officials did not order any evacuations, they advised residents beneath the cloud to stay indoors with windows and doors sealed. They said late yesterday that the immediate threat had passed, but added “an eruption could occur at Tongariro at any time with little or no warning”.

Volcanologists admitted the

eruption took them by surprise, with no seismic activity recorded at the slumbering volcano before it rumbled back to life. Prime Minister John Key said authorities were watching the situation closely. “Civil Defence and others will continue to monitor the situation and if we believe it presents more significant risks then obviously we’ll make sure that every-

RANGIPO, New Zealand: Volcanic ash covers a tree as a farmer feeds her horses after the eruption of Mount Tongariro coated the area with ash in the Tongariro National Park yesterday. — AFP

one’s well and truly notified of that,” he told reporters. New Zealand lies on the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire”, where the Earth’s tectonic plates collide, making it a hotspot for earthquakes and volcanic activity.

One of the country’s deadliest disasters occurred in 1953, when debris from an eruption at Mount Ruapehu, also in the central North Island, downed a rail bridge, leading to a train derailment that claimed 151 lives. Mount Tarawera, in the same area, erupted in 1886, with a death toll estimated at 120-150 people. Rangipo farmer Dave Allen said the Mount Tongariro eruption woke him with “an almighty bang” and he looked out of his window so see explosions on the side of the mountain, before fleeing his home.

“It was an amazing sight...(but) I didn’t hang around to see how beautiful it was going to get in case it all came flying down the mountain on top of us,” he told AFP. “We turned all the power off and grabbed a couple of neighbours and their kids and went off to a meeting point.” — AFP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

NEWS

LONDON: South Korea’s Kim Bok-yung is stopped by Russia’s Liudmila Bodnieva and Russia’s Ekaterina Davydenko during their women’s handball quarterfinal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics yesterday. — AP

Arab investments up despite unrest Continued from Page 1 The report estimated total capital investments in the 21 Arab nations would reach $4.26 trillion over the next six years up until 2017, with OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia accounting for more than $1.0 trillion. Capital invest-

ments in the Arab countries is expected to hit $559 billion in 2012 and will gradually grow to reach $779 billion in 2017, amounting to growth of about 40 percent, it said. The report based its optimistic outlook on huge investment plans already announced mainly by the energy-rich Gulf states. — AFP

Merits of supplication Continued from Page 1 If we pray to the Lord of the present and the future, He will respond, forgive us, guide us, and make our lives smooth and easy. He will also guide us to solutions to the problems we face. Whether our pleas are answered

by God as anticipated or not, we will be rewarded as people who have performed an act of worship. In order to get your supplications and invocations heard and taken into consideration by Allah, some conditions which act as prerequisites have to be fulfilled including the following: - Sincerity and devotion to Allah: When you raise your hands in supplication to Allah Almighty, your heart and emotions should be engulfed with the feeling that you really need Him yet He doesn’t need you. In spite of that, He is able to give you whatever you ask of Him. In your quest for Allah’s assistance and generous grants, avoid associating partners with Him. He says in AlHadith Al-Qudsi: “I am the richest of the rich; whoever associates partners with Me in his apparent acts of worship, I will definitely abandon him to those he associates with Me.” - Avoid asking God for things that He has prohibited or asking Him to give you something that is unrealistic, like asking Him to make you able to fly. He says in the Quran: “Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah does not love those who trespass beyond bounds.” (7:55) So never ask Allah to assist you as you consider robbing a bank or any other sin. Merely requesting God to give you something that is prohibited is very annoying to Him. - Be confident that God will give you whatever you ask of Him - it may take time but eventually you will get it. If you don’t get what you wanted, He will give you another blessing that will be more beneficial and meritorious. It was narrated by Abu Huraira that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whenever one of you supplicates, let him avoid saying, “O Allah give me such and such if you will.” Rather, he should be firm and confident and that should lead him into asking big things from Allah. For there is nothing so big that Allah can’t give His servant.”

ETIQUETTE OF SUPPLICATION - Avoid raising your voice whenever you supplicate to Allah. Allah says what can be translated as: “When

My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me: let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: so that they may walk in the right way.” (2:186) While we believe that Allah is very close to us, His nearness befits His majesty, grandeur and magnificence. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Indeed Allah the One you pray and supplicate to is closer to every one of you than the neck of his camel.” (Reported by Imam Bukhari and Ahmed) Commenting on this prophetic tradition, Ibn Uthaimeen says: “Although Allah is closer to us than the necks of our camels He is over the heavens and there is nothing above Him.” - Don’t invoke a curse upon yourself, your wealth or your children under a fit of anger: It was narrated by Jaber bin Abdallah that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Never pray against yourselves or your wealth or your children. It may so happen that you supplicate and invoke a curse on the aforementioned at a time when Allah directly answers prayers.” (Reported by Muslim) Sometimes under the fit of anger someone my utter some negative words that may be translated as a curse.

And unfortunately when our children anger us, we may curse them or supplicate against them - we should always control our anger and avoid words or actions that may invoke Allah’s curse.

- Do not be impatient to have your supplication answered by Allah. It was narrated by Abu Huraira that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Your supplications will be answered so long as you are not impatient and desperate, saying, “I have invoked my Lord enough but nothing has materialized.” (Reported by Imam Bukhari and Muslim) - Do not despair from the mercy of God. It was narrated by Ubada bin Al-Samit that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “There is no Muslim on the face of the earth who asks Allah earnestly of anything except Allah gives it to him or protects him from harm so long as he doesn’t ask of Allah to give him prohibited things or help him in severing blood relations.” Upon hearing that, one of his companions commented, “Therefore, we should supplicate as many times as we can.” The Prophet answered, “The more you supplicate the more Allah gives you or the more rewards you get.” — Courtesy AWARE Center:

2009 Assembly ‘clinically’ dead, fails to...

Continued from Page 1 without dissolving the National Assembly.

“Emergency decrees” are laws recommended by the government and issued by the Amir in the absence of the National Assembly either on summer recess or through dissolution. Such decrees must be presented to the National Assembly at its first meeting and the assembly has the right to approve or reject such decrees.

The new development came as the opposition majority bloc was awaiting the government’s final decision on whether it will refer the electoral law to the constitutional court or not. The government on Monday delayed a decision on the issue until next week amid reports that

the government is inclined for the move that has been strongly rejected by the opposition which has threatened street rallies in protest. Opposition youth activists have reportedly decided to stage rallies at the square opposite the National Assembly building and that a number of the activists might camp there.

The opposition has insisted that any change to the electoral law or the voting system must be debated and approved by the next National Assembly and that the constitutional court should not be involved in the ongoing political dispute. Several opposition MPs have warned that the cost of the government decision on the electoral law and voting system “will be very high” and that it may drag the country into a dark tunnel.

Militants target Bahraini police DUBAI: A petrol bomb attack on a patrol of Bahraini policemen seriously wounded one officer, the state news agency said yesterday, the latest in a series of attacks police in the Gulf Arab state say they have suffered in recent months. The policeman was part of a foot patrol in the Bani Jamra district, west of the capital Manama, said the state’s BNA news agency. It said he had suffered medium burns all over his body and had been taken to hospital for treatment.

The public prosecutor’s office also said this week that 15 people “of all levels of responsibility” - thought to be security officials - would face charges for the mistreatment of medics, an apparent reference to a case in which a group of doctors said they had been tortured during their detention ahead of a military trial last year. Bahrain has been in turmoil since a prodemocracy uprising erupted in February 2011 after revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. Although the authorities have managed to stop further mass protests convulsing the capital, unrest has continued as majority Shiites often clash with police in Shiite districts.

Led by the Sunni Al Khalifa family, the government said last week that 700 policemen had been hurt in the violence.

Opposition groups say over 45 people have died due to clashes since a period of martial law ended in June last year, though the government says many of those deaths were not linked to the unrest. Last week, an international human rights group accused the Bahraini government of indiscriminate use of tear gas against protesters resulting in the maiming, blinding, and killing

of civilians. The government dismissed those charges.

Shiite doctors became embroiled in the uprising last year, treating thousands of protesters and expressing sympathy with the protest movement in comments to media at the time. The statement from the prosecutor’s office, published in the daily AlWasat newspaper on Monday, appeared to refer to the case of 20 doctors and nurses from the Salmaniya complex who were last year charged with occupying a hospital, incitement to overthrow the monarchy, and possessing weapons.

Many of the doctors and nurses said they had been tortured during their detention and forced to make confessions for state television that were never aired. “Fifteen suspects of all levels of responsibility were questioned and charges filed against them, and procedures are underway for final preparation of the case,” the statement said. The medics were released and the case was retried in a civilian court where most of the charges were dropped.

However, in June nine were found guilty of charges including inciting hatred, calling for the overthrow of the state’s rulers, and making statements to media from inside the hospital. A rights commission led by international legal experts said in November that torture had been used systematically against hundreds of people arrested during the period when martial law was in force.

Last week, during a Congressional hearing on Bahrain, US Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner expressed disappointment that only nine policemen had been brought to trial so far over claims of abuse during that time. — Reuters

‘Don’t poison’ stray dogs Continued from Page 1 These animals cause great danger to humans as they may transfer diseases if they get in contact with them such as rabies, mange, fungus, and different kinds of parasites. If a dog bites a person this is painful and also they cause fear for the children. Then they also may attack the domestic animals of the people, as the stray dogs usually move in packs,” explained Al-Ali. In this program, PAAAFR is also cooperating with Kuwait’s two animal protection societies: K’S PATH and PAWS - non-profit organizations of volunteers working to protect animals. “They shelter animals and they search for a home for them, if somebody wants to adopt them. They clean the dogs, vaccinate and sterilize them, so they won’t reproduce,” said Al-Ali. Since the 1960s there have been 10 teams from PAAAFR with 10 vehicles who have been trying to deal with the problem of stray dogs. She explained that the PAAAFR staff and members of K’s PATH and PAWS will undergo training provided by WSPA next month or in October. “WSPA has helped many other countries deal with the problem of stray animals with traps or anesthetization or by shooting them with tranquilizer gum, so the animals won’t be killed. We also have to provide the equipments,” stressed Al-Ali. Helen Ashley, the International Media Manager of World Society for the Protection of Animals noted that the Society has been working with the Kuwaiti Government to develop a humane program to manage stray dogs in Kuwait. “We are pleased that following a workshop we held in Kuwait last year to discuss humane alternatives to their culling program, that the government has decided to work with us to develop a humane program to manage stray dogs. We will be providing the Kuwait Government with training and advice to help them put the program in place,” she stated.

PAAAFR had earlier demanded a budget to help the problem with stray dogs. The Ministry of Finance, Al-Ali

said, refused the request on this project. “So we are now working jointly with the volunteering societies and we plan to submit the proposal again. The ministry earlier didn’t find this issue to be a priority. We are also planning to prepare a new place in addition to the Rabies Unit where we can keep the stray animals,” Al-Ali concluded.

Manuela Tague, Chairperson of PAWS stated that their cooperation with PAAAFR has just started. “This is a step forward for the animals in Kuwait. Many people were complaining of the poisoning in public places. We will definitely support PAAAFR if they start this program but we are limited in our resources. Our running cost is about KD 2,000 monthly as we don’t get any support from the government. We have 92 dogs and 78 cats and we only depend on our own resources and some donations,” she pointed out.

According to Tague in comparison to Europe there is no legal framework to punish those who abuse animals.

“Many people throw hundreds of dogs in the Friday market, and some of them become stray animals. Kuwait needs control and regulations. And I think that the old way of poisoning animals was rude, as it took the animals long time and suffering to die. The government needs to implement the program as well as they did in Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” she added.

She added that PAWS was demanding a land from PAAAFR to shelter the stray or abundant animals. “The current land we are operating on is here in the middle of a farm area, and people don’t like us to stay there.

PAAAFR promised to provide us with a land maybe in Wafra to be far from people. Then we will be able to accommodate the animals,” she said. Tague concluded, “Some stray animals may be put down if they are really very sick, injured or aggressive but there are more humane ways to do that than poisoning. In this way the animals die in less pain.” To report any case of stray animals people can call 24717124, so they will be transferred to the Rabies Unit.

14

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

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Issues

The North Korea guessing game

By Donald Kirk uring the dark days of Soviet rule, the inner workings of the regime in Moscow were anything but transparent. Scholars and journalists had to rely on Kremlin watching, studying every statement and deed of government officials in an attempt to divine meaning. It was an inexact science, but in the Soviet era Kremlin watchers could at least watch the Kremlin. In North Korea today, it’s nearly impossible even to discover where the government and its new leader, Kim Jong Un, operate.

In July, I made my ninth trip to North Korea - my fifth to the capital, Pyongyang. But as a journalist based in the region, I can’t say I have begun to understand the country. I’ve traveled with tourist groups, with other journalists and with Korean Canadians hoping to see long-lost relatives. Last month I joined a group of American scholars. The timing seemed propitious: just seven months after Kim took over after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il. The point was to see whether anything had changed under new leadership, but it quickly became apparent that glasnost had not arrived in the Hermit Kingdom.

On my second day, I asked where the new “supreme leader” lived and worked. “In Pyongyang,” my government guide told me. Pressed for a little more detail, she said that information was secret. North Korea is the only place I have ever been that is almost as opaque from within as it is from without. My questions elicited obfuscation and suspicion about why I was prying into such closely guarded information. Neither journalists nor tourists are allowed to travel unaccompanied or talk to people on the street, and the sights the government guides allowed us to see involved no contact with ordinary people.

Our guide in Pyongyang was happy, though, to point out a similarity between North Korea and America. As we cruised by the enormous Supreme People’s Assembly, near the top of the slope that’s dominated by the statues of Kim Jong Un’s grandfather and father, she said the assembly was equivalent to “your Congress.” She neglected to mention, of course, that the Supreme People’s Assembly meets only once or twice a year and sometimes not for several years at a time.

Unlike the fractious US Congress, the People’s Assembly exists only to rubber-stamp decisions made on high, by the Workers’ Party and the national defense commission. Kim Jong Un ostensibly heads both of them, as did his father, but what he really does remains a complete mystery. For all the opacity, however, one can glean a few signs that life in Pyongyang is not totally frozen in time. Traffic lights at major intersections had been installed since my last visit four years earlier, and during our time in the capital we even encountered occasional traffic jams. In previous visits, I don’t recall ever having been delayed by other vehicles on the city’s mostly empty streets.

On this trip, I also saw people preparing to move into brand-new homes in a row of high-rise apartments in the center of the city, a sign that those with rank and connections, at least, live comfortably.

Much else, however, remained unchanged. Beyond the new apartment buildings, Pyongyang looked as it had when I last visited. The same sights were on the mandatory itinerary, from the childhood home of Kim Il Sung to the Fatherland Liberation War Museum, where the main message was that “the Great Leader” had led his country to victory in two wars, first against the Japanese and then the Americans.

The deification of North Korea’s only two previous leaders, Kim Il Sung, installed by the Russians after World War II, and his son Kim Jong Il, who ascended to power after his father’s death in 1994, remains strong. The group I was traveling with, like all others, was asked on the first morning of our visit to pay homage with flowers and respectful bows at their statues. Kim Jong Un by now has ascended to almost the same level of reverence, but he remains a largely unknown quantity. In Pyongyang near the end of my visit on July 11, I saw on the BBC that he had appeared with a mystery woman at a performance featuring Walt Disney characters. But no one I asked seemed to know who she was. In the days that followed, North Korea’s state media showed Kim with the same attractive woman.

It seemed to me that the purpose of the whole show might be to portray the youthful Kim as a grown-up, ready at last to assume responsibility for both a family and the nation after emerging from the shadows of his lofty forebears. —MCT

D

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

Hamstrung Turkey’s nightmares coming true in Syria

By Paul Taylor urkey’s worst nightmares are beginning to come true in Syria - a protracted sectarian civil war on its long southern border with the emergence of a de facto Kurdish-controlled region friendly to its main domestic foe. The Syrian conflict is also poisoning Ankara’s sensitive relations with Iran, Syria’s vital regional ally, and Iraq and complicating ties with Russia, undermining a declared policy of “zero problems” with the neighbors. “Syria has turned Turkey’s neighborhood policy on its head,” said Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat now at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Brussels. “Ankara’s approach to the Syria conflict has been a radical departure from traditional Turkish caution.”

Yet despite bellicose statements, political support for the Syrian opposition and growing covert aid to opposition fighters, there is little Turkey can do alone to shape the outcome. “We will not allow a terrorist group to establish camps in northern Syria and threaten Turkey,” Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told a news conference on July 26, referring to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a bloody armed struggle since 1984 in southeastern Turkey. “If there is a step which needs to be taken against the terrorist group, we will definitely take this step.”

It was the latest of a string of warnings that have so far had little traction on the course of a conflict that has wrong-footed Turkish diplomatic ambitions in the region. Before the crisis, Erdogan cultivated a friendship with President Bashar Al-Assad, in stark contrast to Turkey’s tense relations with the Syrian leader’s father, veteran strongman Hafez Al-Assad. The ruling couples even vacationed together.

T

SLIGHTED After a Syrian uprising inspired by the “Arab Spring” pro-democracy movements in Tunisia and Egypt erupted in March 2011, Erdogan tried to use those personal ties to persuade Assad to embrace reform and open a dialogue with the opposition. He was rebuffed and felt slighted. From November, he began calling for the removal of Assad and Turkey helped the opposition Syrian National Council organize on its soil.

But the Syrian leader is still there, albeit weakened.

He is part of a Shiite Muslim axis spanning Iran and Iraq and his own minority Alawite sect, uncomfortable for mainly Sunni Turkey. The faction-ridden SNC, dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood, has yet to provide a credible alternative, and international diplomacy is deadlocked and largely irrelevant for now. “They haven’t really thought this through,” Gareth Jenkins, an Istanbulbased researcher on Turkish security policy, said of Turkey’s leaders. “It’s been ‘let’s get rid of Assad’ without enough thought as to what comes next.

“Now their two nightmare scenarios are starting to materialize: the emergence of some form of Kurdish entity in northern Syria that would clearly be an asset to the PKK and embolden Turkish Kurds in terms of autonomy, and the Lebanon-isation of Syria with a long-running ethnic and confessional civil war with different groups controlling different regions,” Jenkins said.

Some 45,000 Syrian refugees have poured into Turkey, straining resources and security in some border areas. With fierce fighting raging in Syria’s second city, Aleppo, near the Turkish frontier, a bigger influx looms soon. Military defectors have set up bases of the Free Syrian Army in southern Turkey, and some are trained and coordinated by Turkish, Qatari and Saudi officers operating from a secret “nerve centre” near the city of Adana, Gulf sources have told Reuters.

Foreign Islamist militants are joining the Syrian fighters crossing the border from Turkey to fight against Assad, with the apparent acquiescence of the Turkish authorities, said Fadi Hakura, a Turkey analyst at London’s Chatham House think-tank. “They (Turkish officials) want to accelerate the downfall of Assad and his regime,” Hakura said, when asked about Ankara’s attitude to such fighters. “The Turkish government feels it can control the aftermath of a post-Assad Syria.” Turkey officially denies arming the rebels, but several sources say they are receiving Russian-made small arms on Turkish soil, although not the heavier weapons they would need to change the balance of power with Assad’s superior forces.

KURDS “Looking ahead, the most troubling scenario for Turkey may also be the most likely one: protracted chaos and sectarian conflict, leaving a security vacuum across the border, with an ongoing risk of spillovers affecting Turkish security,” Ian Lesser, a former US official and Turkey expert at the German Marshall Fund wrote in mid-July. That future is already here. Turkish analysts suspect Assad let the main Syrian Kurdish movement, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), take control of security outside the main cities in the northeast last week to prevent them joining forces with the FSA while enabling him to redeploy state security forces to the main battle zones. Ankara came close to war with Assad’s father in 1998 over the presence of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in Damascus and alleged Syrian support for PKK activities in northeastern Syria.

If the PKK were to take root and launch attacks from that area, Erdogan would face strong nationalist pressure to launch military action. “What could happen is for Turkey to carry out the kind of surgical strikes that it did in northern Iraq in past years if the government has intelligence that northern Syria is being used by Kurdish terrorists,” Ulgen said. But Jenkins said the border area was too flat to provide useful terrain for PKK fighters, who preferred to operate out of mountainous northern Iraq despite Ankara’s much improved relations with the regional government of Iraqi Kurdistan.

TURKISH TALK Turkey talked earlier this year of possibly setting up a

safe haven inside Syria for people displaced by the fighting, or establishing a military no-fly zone to protect civilians, but no such operation seems likely any time soon. The United Nations Security Council is paralyzed over sanctions, with Russia and China blocking any resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter authorizing the use of force.

Ulgen said Turkey could not take such action alone without either U.N. backing or a strong “coalition of the willing” made up of its main NATO allies, which gave Ankara only lukewarm verbal support when a Turkish warplane was downed in disputed circumstances off the Syrian coast in June. A NATO source said there was no realistic prospect of the alliance operating in Syria unless Turkey were to come under attack from Syrian forces. Another constraint on Turkish action is domestic public opinion, which is strongly opposed to military intervention.

Opinion polls conducted by Ulgen’s EDAM think-tank show public opinion is ill disposed to any armed involvement in Syria and unconvinced by the government’s tough rhetoric, even after the warplane incident.

So despite Erdogan’s public warnings, Turkey may remain a prisoner of events beyond its control across the border. “The truth is that they are stuck,” said Henri Barkey, another former US official and Turkey specialist at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. “They cannot and will not intervene militarily. All they can do is help on the edges, i.e. allow insurgents free passage, train them, help them organize politically,” Barkey said. “Still this is more than what many others are doing.” — Reuters

Mideast brain drain shows signs of reversing

By Nada Akl he best and brightest men and women from the Middle East have often gone on to work for the world’s largest multinational companies in Europe or the United States. On a local level, this “brain drain” has proved difficult for the economies of Arab countries, many of which are already struggling. Today, however, many Arab students and young graduates no longer dream about working for Google or Yahoo in the United States or Europe, but instead seek to become innovative leaders in their own countries.

Young Middle Eastern professionals have become more concerned with proving their creativity and skills on their own turf. From Libya to Lebanon there is a “reverse brain drain” among young workers, with individuals returning from abroad. Others have decided not to leave in the first place. This new generation of entrepreneurs is showing the world that they are capable of creative innovation at home.

One such individual is Hind Hobeika, a young Lebanese woman whose revolutionary invention won her first place at the MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Business Plan Competition. She invented swimming goggles, called Butterfleye, that allow swimmers to track their heartbeat while training. In an increasingly connected world and a globalised economy, the ambition of these entrepreneurs knows no limits, and they no longer need to leave home to work on products that could have international reach.

In the midst of a global recession, instead of looking for jobs, these individuals are creating them. This combination of entrepreneurship and the rise of the technology sector is a boon for local economies. Various institutions, including television stations, are supporting young entrepreneurs throughout the Arab world. Hobeika started out as a candidate on the Qatar Foundation supported show Star of Science. Now in its fourth season, the reality-TV program aims to shine a spotlight on the next generation of young Arab innovators.

New entrepreneurs can also find financial support and mentorship at institutions like Seeqnce, a Beirut start-up accelerator that has successfully advised and developed over 20 start-ups in the past 18 months, establishing a community of over 3000 entrepreneurs along the way. In Amman, Oasis 500 offers funding and mentorship to selected tech start-ups, and in Cairo, Tahrir Square, launched in April 2011, also offers funding for young

T

entrepreneurs.

Success stories include the Jordanian Maktoob, the world’s first Arabic-English email service provider that was founded in 1998 by Samih Toukan and acquired by Yahoo in 2009. More recently, Zawya, a business information service started by Iraqi born entrepreneur, Ihsan Jawad, made headlines when it was acquired by Thompson Reuters Corporation. Another example is Beirut newcomer Cinemoz. Founded by a group of Lebanese professionals from the movie industry, the advertising world, and the web and mobile technology fields, Cinemoz has become one of the Arab world’s first on-demand online video platforms.

The Arab world needs new economic models rooted in science and technology, which can help address the crippling unemployment among educated youth and diversify economies that rely heavily on oil reserves and foreign aid. A new entrepreneurial generation with big dreams and the ability to make them happen is emerging. But for these entrepreneurs to have a strong impact on their societies, governments will have to provide them with infrastructure that can support their ambitions. While some Arab countries, like the United Arab Emirates, seem to be moving in that direction, numerous challenges persist.

For example, Lebanon, like other Arab countries, still has work to do when it comes to ensuring satisfactory Internet access, which many technology-oriented entrepreneurs require. Recently, the country suffered a two-day Internet blackout after an international cable failure. On the bright side, events like these are wake up calls for a generation that is increasingly organized and active when it comes to calling for positive change. Lebanon’s internet blackout sparked outrage from groups which have been advocating better Internet provision such as Ontornet, #FastLebanon and Flip the Switch.

Young people in Arab countries are becoming accustomed to taking matters into their own hands and their innovative and entrepreneurial spirit won’t go away. They are not solely focused on individual ambitions, but also on improving their countries. Young Arab entrepreneurs are determined to build countries with policies that will encourage and reward personal initiative, and that will provide the necessary structures that will enable those individuals - and the economies they are a part of - to contribute to the global economy. - CGNews Nada Akl is a freelance journalist in Beirut.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

sp orts

England and South Africa draw after dramatic end LEEDS: England and South Africa drew the second test on Monday after some late drama that offered each team an unlikely sniff of victory on the fifth and final day at Headingley.

The match seemed to be heading for an inevitable, mundane draw at lunch until Kevin Pietersen (three for 52) and Stuart Broad (five for 69) shared eight wickets as South Africa slumped from 120 without loss to 258 for nine.

At that point, South Africa captain Graeme Smith bravely declared the innings and set England the difficult target of 253 in 39 overs.

They were on 130 for four when the teams shook hands with six overs remaining after a both sides each had a dip at victory. South Africa stayed 1-0 ahead in the three-match series with one to play at Lord’s starting on August 16.

England must win that match to not only level the series but also prevent the Proteas from leapfrogging them at the top of the world rankings.

England skipper Andrew Strauss showed his team’s intentions from the outset of their second innnings by opening with his most explosive batsman Kevin Pietersen, more accustomed to number four. Pietersen hit three boundaries off the first over, bowled by Morne Morkel but it did not last and he was caught at mid-on off Vernon Philander in the fourth over.

Strauss and then Jonathan Trott came in at three and four and it was difficult to work out

whether England were still chasing a win or settling for a draw.

Strauss, in the process, scored his 7,000th test run, two days after Pietersen had reached the same milestone. Alastair Cook’s busy 46 from 62 balls maintained an outside chance

of victory and when he was caught off a leading edge to Dale Steyn, England sent in the pugnacious wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior to try and keep up the chase.

Prior, though, was run out for seven after a mix-up with Trott and that was as far as

LEEDS: England’s Jonathan Trott (second left) shakes hands with South African captain Graeme Smith after the game is drawn on the fifth day’s play of the second Test cricket match.—AFP

England’s charge went. Trott finished 30 not out and Ian Bell was on three as Jacques Kallis bowled in the last hour indicating he had recovered from the back spasms that kept him at the team hotel all day on Sunday.

South Africa, resuming on an overnight 39-0, cruised through the morning session until they lost Jacques Rudolph in the last over before lunch when he was lbw to Pietersen.

The spinner then had Graeme Smith caught at short leg by James Taylor off a leading edge, though he unsuccessfully reviewed the decision as replays were inconclusive.

When Hashim Amla drove a Pietersen full toss to Cook at cover, it was 182 for three.

Broad then got involved, removing AB de Villiers (44) and JP Duminy (0) lbw in successive balls to make it 209 for five. Philander (6) was Broad’s third lbw victim while Kallis gloved Broad to Prior for 27.

James Anderson brilliantly caught and bowled Dale Steyn, before Broad made Morkel his fifth wicket. Alviro Petersen, coming in at number eight because of his hamstring injury, was 16 not out.

South Africa, who won the first Test at The Oval by an innings and 12 runs, scored 419 in their first innings after losing the toss, as Petersen hit 182.

England replied with 425 courtesy of a sparkling century from Pietersen. Intermittent rain deprived 72 overs from the match, including more than half a day from Sunday’s play.—Reuters

SCOREBOARD LEEDS: Final scores on the fifth and final day of the second Test between England and South Africa at Headingley yesterday.

South Africa, first innings, 419 (A. Petersen 182) England, first innings, 425 (K. Pietersen 149) South Africa, second innings (overnight 39-0) J. Rudolph lbw b Pietersen 69 G. Smith c Taylor b Pietersen 52 H. Amla c Cook b Pietersen 28 A. de Villiers lbw b Broad 44 J. Kallis c Prior b Broad 27 J. Duminy lbw b Broad 0 V. Philander lbw b Broad 6 A. Petersen not out 16 D. Steyn c and b Anderson 3 M. Morkel c Cook b Broad 10 Extras (lb2, w1) 3 Total (9 wkts dec, 67.4 overs) 258 Fall of wickets: 1-120 (Rudolph), 2-129 (Smith), 3-182 (Amla), 4209 (De Villiers), 5-209 (Duminy), 6-223 (Philander), 7-230 (Kallis), 8-247 (Steyn) Bowling: Anderson 19-7-40-1, Broad 16.4-2-69-5 (1w), Finn 142-55-0, Bresnan 9-2-40-0, Pietersen 9-1-52-3 Did not bat: Imran Tahir England, second innings K. Pietersen c Imran Tahir b Philander 12 A. Cook c Rudolph b Steyn 46 A. Strauss c and b Duminy 22 J. Trott not out 30 M. Prior run out (Smith) 7 I. Bell not out 3 Extras (lb8, nb1, w1) 10 Total (4 wkts, 33 overs) 130 Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Pietersen), 2-75 (Strauss), 3-90 (Cook), 4106 (Prior) Bowling: Morkel 10-4-33-0, Philander 6-1-26-1 (1w), Steyn 7-126-1, Imran Tahir 4-0-20-0 (1nb), Duminy 2-0-10-1, Kallis 4-2-7-0 Result: Match drawn Series: South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

sp orts Pietersen to decide future

Arsenal bolster midfield

Villa back in Barca squad

LEEDS: Kevin Pietersen put his England Test future in doubt on Monday, saying that he would announce his decision following the final Test match against South Africa later this month.

The 32-year-old batsman, named man of the match for his exhilarating 149 that helped England draw the second test on Monday, said he was in talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board. “”I will talk after the next test match,” Pietersen told reporters. “”It’s tough being me, playing for England.” “It’s absolutely 100 per cent not about money..... There are clear things that I’m discussing. But there are other issues that need to be sorted. You’ll find out soon enough. You’re not going to find out tonight.” He admitted that part of his discussions centre on his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he has a lucrative contract with the Delhi Daredevils.

Asked if the Lord’s test could be his last, he said: “ “Anything’s possible.

“It would be a huge shame. I love playing Test cricket for England, but ... we’ll see. — Reuters

LONDON: Arsenal have strengthened their midfield with the acquisition of Spanish playmaker Santi Cazorla from La Liga side Malaga, the Premier League club said yesterday. “Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Spain international Santi Cazorla has joined the Club on a long-term contract,” Arsenal said on their website (www.arsenal.com). Malaga also confirmed the deal, which Spanish and British media reported was worth around 15 million pounds ($23.42 million). Cazorla is Arsenal’s third major summer signing, joining Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud who moved from FC Cologne and Montpellier HSC respectively.

The 27-year-old has made 45 appearances for Spain, including brief cameos at Euro 2012. He spent most of his career at Villarreal before joining Malaga last season when he helped the Andalusian side qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

“I’m so happy to be joining Arsenal,” Cazorla said on his new club’s website. “This is a club with great players, a fantastic stadium and huge support,” he added. “The club has one of the best managers in football and their style of play is recognised and admired all over the world.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Cazorla would add “significant quality” to the squad. “He is a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally,” Wenger told Arsenal’s website.

MADRID: Striker David Villa was included in the Barcelona squad yesterday for the first time since he broke his leg in December. “He seems in very good shape after such a long and tough injury,” team mate Andres Iniesta told a news conference ahead of Barca’s friendlies against Manchester United today and Dinamo Bucharest three days later. New coach Tito Vilanova, who replaced Pep Guardiola at the end of last season, named Villa in the 24-man squad for the matches in Gothenburg and Bucharest, Barca’s final friendlies before the La Liga season starts the weekend of Aug. 18-19. The Catalan club missed his goals during the second half of last term, when their Champions League bid was ended in the semi-finals by eventual winners Chelsea and they lost their Spanish league title to arch rivals Real Madrid. “It’s a joy to see him train, as he is a key player,” Iniesta said. “We hope that he can return to action soon and do what he best knows how to, which is score goals.” — Reuters

MLB results/standings Baltimore 3, Seattle 1; Minnesota 14, Cleveland 3; Detroit 7, NY Yankees 2; Atlanta 6, Philadelphia 1; Pittsburgh 4, Arizona 0; Boston 9, Texas 2; Washington 5, Houston 4 (11 innings); Chicago White Sox 4, Kansas City 2; Milwaukee 6, Cincinnati 3; St. Louis 8, San Francisco 2; San Diego 2, Chicago Cubs 0; LA Angels 4, Oakland 0; Colorado 2, La Dodgers 0.

American League National League Eastern Division Eastern Division Washington 66 43 .606 W L PCT GB Atlanta 63 46 .578 3 NY Yankees 63 45 .583 NY Mets 53 56 .486 13 Baltimore 58 51 .532 5.5 Philadelphia 49 60 .450 17 Tampa Bay 56 52 .519 7 Miami 49 60 .450 17 Boston 55 55 .500 9 Central Division Toronto 53 55 .491 10 Cincinnati 66 43 .606 Central Division Pittsburgh 62 46 .574 3.5 White Sox 60 48 .556 St. Louis 60 49 .550 6 Detroit 59 50 .541 1.5 Milwaukee 49 59 .454 16.5 Cleveland 50 59 .459 10.5 Chicago Cubs 43 64 .402 22 Minnesota 48 61 .440 12.5 Houston 36 74 .327 30.5 Kansas City 45 63 .417 15 Western Division Western Division San Francisco 59 50 .541 Texas 63 45 .583 LA Dodgers 59 51 .536 0.5 LA Angels 59 51 .536 5 Arizona 55 54 .505 4 Oakland 58 51 .532 5.5 San Diego 47 64 .423 13 Seattle 51 60 .459 13.5 Colorado 39 68 .364 19

Tigers demolish Yankees DETROIT: Detroit’s Justin Verlander matched a career high with 14 strikeouts, leading the Tigers to a 7-2 win over the New York Yankees in the American League on Monday.

Verlander (12-7) threw 132 pitches, his most in a regular-season game, and sent the Tigers to their fifth straight win. He got homerun support from Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera. Yankees starter Ivan Nova (10-6) was roughed up for 11 hits - matching a career high - in 5 1-3 innings.

10 straight starts, matching Chuck Finley’s franchise record set in 1997. A’s starter Jarrod Parker (7-6) allowed four runs in 6 2-3 innings.

Red Sox 9, Rangers 2 In Boston, Dustin Pedroia had three of Boston’s eight doubles as the Red Sox beat

Orioles 3, Mariners 1 In Baltimore, Chris Tillman steered Baltimore to a win, holding Seattle scoreless into the eighth inning. Tillman (5-1) gave up one run, five hits and a walk in 7 1-3 innings.

Nick Markakis homered and Mark Reynolds had three hits and an RBI for the Orioles.

Mariners starter Jason Vargas (12-8) pitched a complete game, having given up all three runs in the second inning.

White Sox 4, Royals 2 In Chicago, Paul Konerko and Gordon Beckham homered late to lift Chicago over Kansas City. Konerko tied it leading off the seventh and Beckham gave the White Sox a 32 lead with a solo shot in the eighth off Luis Mendoza (5-8).

Chicago starter Chris Sale (13-3) looked sharp on nine days’ rest, allowing two runs in eight innings while striking out seven without a walk.

Angels 4, Athletics 0 In Oakland, Jered Weaver pitched a shutout for his major league-leading 15th victory as Los Angeles beat Oakland to overtake the final spot in the crowded AL wild-card standings.

Weaver (15-1) struck out nine, walked none and faced the minimum through 4 1-3 innings. The Angels ace has won a career-best

Texas. Boston increased its major league-leading doubles total to 248.

Red Sox starter AaronCook (3-5) regained control of his sinker after going 0-4 in his previous five starts. Of his 21 outs, 15 came on groundballs.

Texas’ Yu Darvish (11-8) also has struggled.

In his first start against the Red Sox, he threw 123 pitches and allowed 11 hits, both career highs.

DETROIT: Tigers starter Justin Verlander pitches against the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game. —AP

Twins 14, Indians 3 In Cleveland, Justin Morneau homered twice and drove in four runs as Minnesota handed Cleveland its 10th straight loss. Joe Mauer had three RBIs and Ryan Doumit hit a three-run homer for the Twins, who scored 10 runs in the second inning alone.

Minnesota starter Scott Diamond (10-5) allowed three runs in seven innings as the Twins beat the Indians for the sixth straight time this season. — AP

Preview

Year’s final major wide open for the taking

ST. LOUIS: Cardinals starting pitcher Jake Westbrook sets to pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants. —AP

Cardinals down Giants 8-2 ST. LOUIS: St. Louis’ Jake Westbrook pitched six solid innings as the Cardinals extended their strong recent home record by beating the San Francisco Giants 8-2 in the National League on Monday.

Westbrook (11-8) won his fourth decision in a row, mirroring his team’s form.

The Cardinals have won four in a row overall and seven straight at home.

Carlos Beltran hit his 26th home run of the season for St. Louis. Giants starter Matt Cain (10-5) tied a season worst by giving up five earned runs in 5 2-3 innings.

Pirates 4, D’backs 0 In Pittsburgh, Erik Bedard pitched seven scoreless innings to steer Pittsburgh past Arizona, opening a season-long sequence of 11 home games in winning style.

Bedard (6-12) did not walk a batter and faced just one over the minimum, striking out five. He retired 17 in a row until his final batter singled. He leads the majors in losses but lowered his home ERA to 2.38. Andrew McCutchen had two hits and scored two runs for the Pirates.

Diamondbacks rookie Wade Miley (12-7) did not allow an earned run over six innings but took the loss.

Brewers 6, Reds 3 In Milwaukee, Yovani Gallardo pitched seven strong innings to guide Milwaukee to victory over Cincinnati. Gallardo (10-8) gave up one run to equal his longest outing of the season and reach a doubledigit win total for the fourth straight year.

Martin Maldonado homered and drove in three runs for the Brewers. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo (7-7) gave up five walks and five runs in 5 1-3 innings.

Braves 6, Phillies 1 In Philadelphia, Ben Sheets pitched into the eighth inning as Atlanta defeated Philadelphia. Sheets (4-1) had his longest outing since joining Atlanta’s rotation on July 15 after missing all of last season due to elbow surgery. He allowed one run and one walk.

Jason Heyward homered for the

Braves. Phillies starter Vance Worley (6-7) had his shortest outing of the season, lasting just 3 2-3 innings and giving up four runs.

Nationals 5, Astros 4 In Houston, Roger Bernadina scored when Houston made two errors on the same play in the 11th inning and Washington picked up its third straight win.

Houston’s Wilton Lopez (3-1) pitched a perfect 10th inning but Bernadina led off the 11th with a single. On the subsequent bunt attempt, Brett Wallace and Lopez collided before Wallace threw the ball past first base and down the right field line. The throw home was too high, allowing Bernadina to score and give the Nationals a 5-4 lead.

Nationals reliever Craig Stammen (5-1) pitched a perfect 10th and took the win, but got a scare in the 11th when a home run just missed down the left-field line and a runner got to second. Ryan Zimmerman had two hits and two RBIs for the Nationals.

Rockies 2, Dodgers 0 In Los Angeles, Colorado’s Adam Ottavino (3-1) pitched three innings of scoreless relief to guide the Rockies over Los Angeles.

Carlos Gonzalez had a sacrifice fly in the first inning and rookie Jordan Pacheco added an RBI single in the third for the Rockies. Rockies manager Jim Tracy was ejected in the bottom of the seventh when he slammed his cap to the ground following the bad reversal of a call. Dodgers starter Chris Capuano (108) allowed nine hits in seven innings.

Padres 2, Cubs 0 In San Diego, Eric Stults and four San Diego relievers combined to shut out Chicago. Stults (2-2) pitched 5 1-3 innings in his first start since June 3. He struck out five.

Yonder Alonso and Everth Cabrera both drove in a run for the Padres as they condemned the Cubs to a sixth straight loss. Chicago’s Travis Wood (4-8) allowed two runs over six innings. —AP

KIAWAH ISLAND: Unpredictability has been the predominant theme going into all the majors in recent years and this week’s PGA Championship on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is no exception. Sixteen different players have claimed the last 16 major titles and that trend could continue as players such as British world number one Luke Donald and fourth-ranked Lee Westwood aim for their first grand slam crowns.

The dominant era of 14-times major winner Tiger Woods ended four years ago, his aura of invincibility swiftly disappearing as he battled injuries and tried to rebuild his golf swing and private life following the breakup of his marriage.

Though Woods has produced good form in fits and starts this year, winning a season-high three times on the PGA Tour, he has always judged the true success of his golfing campaigns by the number of majors won. “Winning golf tournaments makes it successful, but winning a major makes it a great year,” four-times PGA champion Woods said while preparing for the final major of 2012.

“You can go from having a ‘so-so’ year to all of a sudden winning one major and ... it’s a great year because you’re part of history when you do something like that. “Ernie has been consistent this year ... but then all of a sudden it just jumps you into a different category,” he said of South African Ernie Els who ended a 10-year victory drought at the majors by winning last month’s British Open at Royal Lytham. Woods was in contention going into the weekend at the last two majors before fading, finishing joint 21st at the US Open and tying for third at the British Open.

However, he gave himself a timely confidence boost for Kiawah Island by firing a four-under-par 66 in the final round of the WGC-

Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday to climb into a tie for eighth place. “I feel very good about where I’m at. I’m excited about it,” Woods said. “I putted well the last two days, which was good. My tee-to-green game was, I thought, pretty dialed in.”

While Woods seeks a 15th major crown on the wind-swept Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Englishman Donald will be hunting his first, the single glaring hole in an otherwise glittering career resume.

“Since I first turned pro, the goal was always to win majors and that hasn’t changed,” said Donald, who has been world number one for a total of 56 weeks. “I’ve been able to win tournaments without playing my best golf, and I think majors can be a similar deal. No matter what kind of game I come with to any of the tournaments, including the majors, I’m going to have a chance to win.”

Donald and company face a brutal test this week on the par-72 7,676-yard Ocean Course, the longest layout ever to stage a major championship. “The front nine is a really nice, playable golf course, and then the back nine is not,” smiled Australian Adam Scott, who finished second to Els in last month’s British Open after squandering a four-shot lead with four holes to play.

“If the wind blows, it’s just going to be very difficult, even if they move tees forward and stuff like that. The green complexes are very severe on some holes, and there is extreme penalty for a miss.”

Of all the majors in recent times, the PGA attracts the strongest field - this week the world’s top 108 players are all scheduled to compete - and yet it has often been the most likely to throw up a surprise winner. The championship was won in consecutive years from 2002 by unheralded Americans Rich Beem and Shaun Micheel, underlining that any player is capable of victory. — Reuters

Al-Roudhan Indoor Soccer Tournament KUWAIT: The 18th day of the late Abdallah Mushari Al-Roudhan Indoor Soccer Tournament witnessed matches with high scores as Samsung Babtain team defeated Bukhalifa 7-0, while the late Ahmad Al-Roumi team stopped Balagha with a score of eight goals, while in the third match Tadhamun had

a surprise win against Atom Sport 4-3.

Samsung won easily for the third consecutive time as it humbled Bukhalifa with seven goals by Onorio, Fambita, Hamad Hayat, and Abdelrahm Al Taweel.

In another match the late Ahmad Al-Roumi team put an end to Balagha’s adventure by

scoring eight unanswered goals by most of its players Mohammad Shihab, Salem AlMukaimi, Ahmad Al-Roumi, Rodrego and Tiago. Meanwhile, Al-Tadhmun made a surprise exit from the tournament as it was defeated by Atom Sport with a score of four goals against three.

17 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

It’s a family affair for most elite athletes LONDON: When British judo champion Gemma Gibbons won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics, she looked to the heavens and mouthed “I love you mum,” a teary tribute to her mother who died eight years ago.

Bert le Clos, father of South African swimmer Chad who beat Michael Phelps in the 200 metre butterfly, became an Internet sensation when he cried over “his beautiful boy,” tugging his shirt over his stomach as he realised he was on live television.

An online video of US gymnast Aly Raisman’s parents squirming in their seats at the London Games as they mirrored her moves on the bars also went viral.

While the spotlight is on the athletes at Olympics, in the wings is often a family that is as committed and dedicated to the sport as the athletes, making huge financial and lifestyle sacrifices to let their sons and daughters chase their dreams. Kathy Vollmer,

mother of US swimmer Dana who won three gold in London, used to spend four hours a day driving her daughter to swimming practice.

Realising they were eating and doing homework in the car, she took the decision to home school her daughter. “When Dana didn’t qualify for the Beijing Olympics it was so disappointing but we all learnt from every disappointment and every injury,” Vollmer told Reuters at the P&G House, a centre set up in London for athletes’ families.

“Now it has paid off. It seems there was a plan there.” Vollmer said the families of top athletes would do anything to help them reach their goals and tended to be optimistic even though the pressure often shows as they watch from the stands.

“You need to pass on to your children the belief that they can do anything with hard work and effort,” said Vollmer, who admitted to feeling faint

and nauseous before Dana competes.

Can they go too far? The parents of Chinese diver Wu Minxia have come under fire in the media after it was reported that they hid the death of her grandparents for a year and kept her mother’s battle with cancer secret so as not to distract her.

A study by psychologists at Britain’s Loughborough University found Olympic champions tended to have five common psychological traits that helped them to succeed.

They shared a sense of positivity, high levels of motivation and of focus, and good self confidence, which could be gained from various sources including experience, coaches and family.

But the psychologists also found that those close to the athlete played a major part in sporting success with the fifth shared attribute found to be perceived social support.

“We found that families are key, and not just parents but siblings as well,”

said David Fletcher, director of Sport Psychology Support Services at Loughborough University.

He said the type of support provided by parents of Olympians was also consistent in that it was not, surprisingly, focused on the result or the victory. They tended to talk about the process that goes into achieving an outcome. “If you look at the parents of high achieving athletes they are not pushy and they provide unconditional love,” he said. Connie Carpenter, the mother of US cyclist Taylor Phinney, is an Olympian herself, winning gold in the cycling road race at the 1984 Los Angeles Games where her husband, Davis Phinney, won a bronze medal in the men’s team time trial. She said family support was critical for athletes.

“It can be very lonely and very frustrating for athletes at this level,” she told Reuters. “As parents we try to make it real and we try to make it fun.”

When British gymnast Louis Smith

burst into tears after a qualifying event, so did his mother Elaine, a hairdresser, who largely brought him up on her own and has not been on a date in years or on an foreign holiday since Smith was 11.

“I was crying because he was crying and I just wanted to hug him,” she told reporters as her son went on to win bronze in the men’s team event and silver in the men’s pommel horse.

Family support comes in all forms.

British diver Tom Daley said his younger brother’s parting words before his first event in London were: “You’re shit.” But after Daley and partner came fourth in the synchronised 10 metre platform diving and he was subjected to a barrage of insults on Twitter, his brother Will was quick to his defence.

“Tom did the best he can and one slip up can loose (sic) you race for a medal! Oh well bring on the individual.”—Reuters

Britain’s Alistair Brownlee clinches Olympic triathlon

LONDON: Michael Phelps of the USA explodes out of the water at the Olympic Games in London in this file photo. —AP

Swimmers look for better exposure outside Olympics LONDON: Michael Phelps has always talked about changing the sport of swimming. He certainly made it more exciting by collecting more Olympic medals than any other athlete in history.

But where does the sport go now that its most visible star is retiring?

Swimming doesn’t have an established worldwide circuit, so the biggest chance its athletes have to be in the spotlight is at the games. Some top competitors feel it’s time to capitalize on the window of opportunity Phelps’ success and the games created.

“It is hard for swimmers, just because it’s every four years and we only really get one time to shine,” Phelps’ American rival Ryan Lochte told The Associated Press. “(A full-time circuit) is what we need if we want to make the sport bigger than what it is or what it was.”

In between Olympics and the biannual world championships, swimmers compete in a hodgepodge of international events such as the Pan Pacific championships, Asian Games, Pan American Games, Asian championships, European championships and Commonwealth Games.

“The calendar is so full that it’s impossible for coaches to understand how to accommodate the preparation, priorities and obligations of the athletes,” Cornel Marculescu, the executive director of swimming governing body FINA, said Monday.

The closest thing swimming has to an international regular season is the World Cup series - eight meets over six weeks starting in October with stops in Dubai, Doha, Stockholm, Moscow, Berlin, Beijing, Tokyo and Singapore.

The circuit pales in comparison to winter sport World Cups like the one in Alpine skiing, or even the Diamond League in athletics.

It’s held in short-course venues that are half the size of Olympic pools, often failing to draw the top athletes.

During last year’s series, Phelps competed in just two World Cups, while Lochte has never been to one. Americans usually prefer to compete in USA Swimming’s Grand Prix series, but even in those events they’re not necessarily racing to win.

At a Grand Prix meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May, backstroker Nick Thoman swam with a beard, Phelps had a scruffy face and an unshaven body, while Lochte competed in a skimpy brief. Not exactly what you saw in London, where sleek, shaven swimmers competed in the latest compression racing suits.

Why so much disregard for these meets?

Because swimming is a training-based sport, and for many countries the Olympics are all that really matters.

“Swimming is not cycling or tennis where you go from one circuit to another. It takes a long time to prepare for a very short moment and that’s the nature of the sport,” Australia head coach Leigh Nugent said.

More high-level competition could change the way athletes approach training.

Many Olympic swimmers train nonstop for two, three or four years leading up to a games, with daily workouts of up to 10 miles

(15 kilometers). That may turn out to be rewarding for the very best, but most of the nearly 1,000 swimmers who compete at an Olympics go home without a medal.

There’s also a worry that more racing won’t produce the routine record-breaking swims that an event like the Olympics does, because it’s impossible to train to reach that level of performance all the time.

“I say you just appreciate great racing. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a world record,” said American breaststroker Eric Shanteau, a cancer survivor who won a gold medal with the U.S. 4x100-meter medley relay squad. “It’s more about following the story of any one of us. It’s pretty interesting to see how we train and how we race during those years, not just how we race at the Olympics.”

Sponsorship plays a role, too. Current prize money at World Cup meets is just $1,000 for race winners, $500 for second place and $250 for third. Overall points leaders for men and women over the course of the series win prizes of $100,000 each.

Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa, who set a world record to win the 100 breaststroke at these games, suggested allowing swimmers to wear personal sponsors - even non-swimming brands - on their caps. That’s not allowed right now, but such sponsorship is common in other sports, such as skiing, where athletes sport logos on their headgear.

“Most sponsors come and go, ‘We would love to sponsor you, but how are we going to get the (exposure)?’” he said. “You can’t say, ‘OK when I hit the wall and win and they take my photo I’ll put your logo on my cap.’ That’s what’s stopping people.”

Total prize money for the US-based Grand Prix series this year was about $20,000, although USA Swimming plans to multiply that by five or six times for the next edition.

“There’s kind of this sweet spot between having enough money to attract good athletes and from our financial team perspective of not having so much money involved that the top athletes are chasing the money at the expense of their training,” USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus said. “The ultimate goal is the performance at the Olympics and everything works backward from there.” Coaches met with FINA on Sunday to discuss possible changes to the World Cup. While the World Cup is now based exclusively in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, not too long ago there were also stops in New York and Sydney. One of the problems for swimming organizers is finding pools with enough seating to host big events. In the U.S., Olympic trials, which draw thousands of spectators, are held in a temporary pool.

“The World Cup circuit is not a bad thing,” Swimming Canada CEO and coach Pierre Lafontaine said. “We have to figure out a way to make it more exciting, maybe a regional approach to meets and the winners of the regional go up to super series and so forth.”

Still, USA Swimming is content with its Grand Prix series, and doesn’t show any interest in the World Cup. How about a drastic move like linking World Cup results to Olympic or world championship qualifying?

That would certainly spice up the series.—AP

LONDON: Alistair B r o w n l e e grabbed a British flag from a fan, slowed to a jog to salute his home crowd, and then walked across the finish line to win the men’s triathlon at the Olympics yesterday.

The British pre-race favorite lived up to his status as the world’s leading triathlete to give the home country another gold and its first Olympic medal in the sport.

Brownlee eventually crossed 11 seconds clear of Spaniard Javier Gomez in second, but it would have been by much more if the Englishman hadn’t taken time out to savor his big moment in front of a roaring home crowd at Hyde Park. It was nothing like the women’s race, where the gold was decided by a photo finish.

Alistair’s younger brother Jonathan Brownlee won the bronze despite a 15-second penalty for jumping onto his bike too early in the swim-cycle transition midway through the race through central London’s famed park.

Jonathan overcame the setback to hold on for third and Britain’s second triathlon medal, 18 seconds ahead of France’s David Hauss in fourth.

The late exertion for the younger Brownlee led to him being taken to the medical tent after the race with “fatigue,” according to organizers, delaying the medal ceremony for at least 30 minutes.

He was recovering fine and in the care of British Olympic Association medical staff, team leader Malcolm Green said during the delay.

Soon after, Jonathan emerged from the tent to take his place on the podium alongside his brother and Gomez. “God Save the

LONDON: Great Britain’s Alistair Brownlee reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the men’s triathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics.—AP Queen” then rang out at the Seconds later Brownlee tempo for almost the entire race medal ceremony in the middle of reached over to Gomez, who lay after that - with the help of teamHyde Park and within earshot, on his back on the blue matting mate Stuart Hayes, who paced maybe, of the queen’s nearby after finishing, and shook hands them during the bike ride.

Buckingham Palace residence. with his rival.

Frenchman Vincent Luis Alistair Brownlee pulled away Gomez, the 2008 and 2010 edged ahead as the competitors from fellow two-time world world champion, also won his went from bike to run, but it was champion Gomez halfway first Olympic medal, with the top only by a matter of seconds from through the 10-kilometer run to three men all on an Olympic the Brownlees, who arrived at the finish in 1 hour, 46 minutes, 25 podium for the first time in their final transition side by side. seconds, adding the Olympic title careers. Triathlon made its Jonathan Brownlee served his to his current world and Olympic debut in Sydney in 2000. time penalty and dropped off the European triathlon crowns.

French pair Hauss and Laurent pace in the run, leaving his brothHe was among the leading Vidal were fourth and fifth, er and Gomez, both two-time pack after the 1,500-meter swim respectively, while defending world champions, to battle for and 43-kilometer bike ride, and Olympic champion Jan Frodeno gold. They were together for then broke away in the run to of Germany was sixth. around a lap, but the Englishman cruise to victory.

Richard Varga of Slovakia set found another gear halfway He slowed right down to the early pace, emerging from through the final discipline and salute the crowd in the stands at the swim through The Serpentine pulled away strongly to give the end, then raised the British lake first. But the Brownlee broth- Britain its 19th gold of the flag over his head before break- ers followed close behind, with London Games, equaling its tally ing the tape at a walk and drop- Jonathan fourth and Alistair sixth. from Beijing with five days of ping to the floor with exhaustion. The hometown favorites set the competition to come.—AP

China leads 3-meter diving after semifinals LONDON: China is back in command at the Olympic diving pool. He Chong took the lead in the men’s 3-meter springboard semifinals yesterday to put his country in position for its sixth diving gold medal of the London Games. He totaled 510.15 points during the six rounds after starting the semifinals in second place behind Ilya Zakharov of Russia. “My performance

is just so-so,” He said. “I still have room to improve for the final because I can do much better in training. I especially hope I can have less splash.”

Zakharov fell to ninth midway through the round and rallied to finish second at 505.60. He’s teammate, Qin Kai, was third at 500.35. “I did just soso,” he said. “I was upset because I slipped during the preliminary, so I only wanted to make it into the final.”

Yahel Castillo of Mexico was fourth and four-time Olympian Troy Dumais

LONDON: Qin Kai of China dives during the men’s 3-meter springboard diving semifinal at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics.—AP

of the US was fifth. The top 12 advanced to the evening final, where China will try to win its sixth diving gold and move closer to sweeping all eight events.

For the first time since diving began, a Chinese wasn’t atop the scoreboard in the preliminaries on Monday. After several pratfalls and two divers scoring zeros on dives a night earlier, the competition toughened up. Chris Colwill of the US was the only one who failed a dive in the semifinals. Dumais was second after the opening round as he tries to win an individual medal for the first time after earning a bronze in the 3-meter synchro.

“It’s possible,” he said. “I left a lot of points out there. I got to clean up all my entries like I know I can do, be in rhythm with the board, and I’ll be right in the mix.” Alexandre Despatie of Canada, a two-time silver medalist in the event, was eighth. Chris Mears of Britain got the loudest cheers from the home crowd, delighted that he moved on in ninth. “That was the best performance of my life, in front of a home crowd, just when it mattered,” he said.

“Now I can say I’m an Olympic finalist. I can’t believe it.”

Three years ago, Mears was given a 5 percent chance to survive after his spleen ruptured. He had a seizure that

lasted seven hours and put him in a coma for three days. “I’ve had a hard time,” he said, “and to be stood up there representing my country and to do a performance like that is absolutely amazing.”

Evgeny Kuznetsov of Russia, who earlier won a silver medal in synchronized 3-meter with Zakharov, failed to make the final in 14th.

Colwill, a two-time Olympian, got as high as ninth before botching his last two dives. He finished last among the 18 semifinalists with 170.35.

“Instead of going with the aggressive attitude, I told myself not to do something, which you should never do,” he said. “Just played it too safe.”

Colwill appeared well on his way to making the final when he didn’t come out of his tuck on an inward 3 1/2 somersault tuck quickly enough. He smacked the water and got scores from 2.5 to 3.0 for his fifth dive. “I just kind of zoned out. I stood on the board for too long,” he said. “It was a freak accident and just happened at the wrong time.”

Knowing he was out of contention heading into his last and toughest dive - a reverse 3 1/2 somersault tuck Colwill thought to himself go big or go home. “I went with the attitude of 100 points or no points, and I guess I got the no points,” he said.—AP

18 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Variety is spice of life at the Olympics LONDON: With 302 events in 26 sports crammed into two weeks, the Olympic Games can feel like an overdose. Even if you wedged open your eyes with toothpicks, you couldn’t stay awake to watch it all. So why not get out the chain saw and cut the whole thing down to size?

Water polo, for instance. Couldn’t that be culled? This, after all, is a sport described so acerbically but accurately by one London newspaper at these games as being akin to watching a pool of hungry carp fighting for chunks of bread.

Splash, splash.

Would it be more fun if they chucked a gallon of bubble bath in with the players? Turn the whole thing into a foam party to go with the thumping beats from the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, the incessant blowing of whistles by referees and the disco-fever lines of green and red underwater lights.

And the players’ caps with the plastic ear protectors? “A fashion no-no,” said Alan May, a Londoner who came away somewhat bemused Monday with his wife, Ceri, after watching Croatia crush Kazakhstan and Australia eliminate Greece. “It was exhausting just to watch it.”

And where to start with synchronized swim-

ming? It’s too easy to take a pop at a sport with athletes who coat their hair in gelatin. The righton petitioners who appealed in London for Olympic synchro to be opened to men, too, to make the games completely gender-equal must be kidding. They might wise up if they searched YouTube for Saturday Night Live’s spoof of that idea. Michael Phelps in waterproof makeup?

Yuck.

But, folks, here’s the thing: Synchro, water polo and the other Olympic sports - some of them, like archery, more activities than sport really - that sometimes get talked about as prime candidates for the ax or as being unworthy of sharing the same stage as sprint superstar Usain Bolt are a lot better than the alternative, which would be having whole generations of unfit couch-potatoes glued to their PlayStations.

If watching Croatia put 12 goals past Kazakhstan at the Olympics makes kids want to dip their toes in the water - as it did Monday to teenager Amelia Williamson - then of course it needs to be in the games. Same goes for synchro.

Amelia and her sisters found water polo’s tall, chiseled men rather yummy. “The ball boys are quite nice, as well,” she said. The verdict from her

dad, Piers: “Eye-candy for girls.”

A journalist exhausted by 11 straight days of Olympic overload (me) and thinking he could have a little diverting fun by mocking water polo and synchro as Olympic impostors will come away with a whole new attitude.

These aren’t jokes. They’re a lot more physical than they look on TV. You only need to observe how hard synchro swimmers are puffing after their routines to understand that. Or watch players half-drown and grapple with each other for the ball in water polo, an aquatic descendent of rugby so rough and gurgle that the rules allow for players to be ejected for “brutality.”

The British synchro duo of Olivia Federici and Jenna Randall train 45 hours per week, six days of seven, to hone the clockwork near-perfection of their aquatic ballet. And that was still only good enough to qualify them in ninth place for the finals. Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina, the tournament leaders from Russia, swam like mirror images of each other. The underwater tango of Spanish duo Andrea Fuentes Fache and Ona Carbonell Ballestero, upside down, legs kicking, was beautifully inventive.

“If anyone tries it in the water they’ll understand how physical and demanding our sport is,” said Randall. “Thankfully, we’ve got the Olympics in London so more of the general public are seeing our sport and they are actually seeing how hard it is.” At the games, there’s an event for every body type.

Elisa Casanova, on the Italian women’s water polo team, weighs 100 kilograms (220 pounds) more than Bolt, who defended his 100-meter sprint title Sunday.

Japanese gymnast Asuka Teramoto is listed by games organizers as being just 1.36 meters (4 feet, 6 inches) tall. Chinese basketball player Zhang Zhaoxu stands 2.21 meters (7 feet, 3 inches). Japanese rider Hiroshi Hoketsu, at 71, got to test himself in dressage against competitors less than half his age on his horse, Whisper. Togolese 50-meter freestyle swimmer Adzo Kpossi is listed by games organizers as just 13.

So the variety of 302 events in 26 sports is a strength of the Olympics, not its fatal flaw. It ensures there is a little something for almost everyone. And isn’t that part of what the Olympics are meant to be about, universality? So hold that chain saw. — AP

Idem makes history, upstages young rivals

LONDON: US gold medallist gymnast Alexandra Raisman (center), Romania’s silver medallist Catalina Ponor (left) and bronze medallist Russia’s Aliya Mustafina display their medals during the podium ceremony for the artistic gymnastics women’s floor exercise final at the 2012 Summer Olympics. —AP

Raisman secures third medal with floor gold LONDON: Alexandra Raisman of the United States closed the Olympic artistic gymnastics tournament yesterday by claiming gold in the women’s floor exercise, her third medal of the London Games.

Having already won gold with the USA in the team final, and secured a bronze medal on the balance beam earlier on Tuesday, Raisman prevailed on the floor with a routine that scored 15.600 points.

Romania’s Catalina Ponor finished second to partially atone for having missed out on a medal in the beam final, while Russia’s Aliya Mustafina claimed bronze to go with her team silver, individual allaround bronze and uneven bars gold.

“Today has been a dream come true.

I’m so glad I got the medal I wanted,” said Raisman. “It was the best routine I’ve ever done. My coach said it was the best rou-

tine he’d ever seen me do.

“To have won a gold medal, two gold medals, is really special.” Raisman was the third competitor to take to the floor in the final event of the 11-day Olympic tournament and she produced a confident routine soundtracked by the Hebrew folk song, ‘Hava Nagila’.

Raisman had snatched bronze from Ponor in the beam final after a judges’ inquiry bumped the American up to third at her rival’s expense, and Ponor soon found herself with fresh reason to curse the 18-year-old from Massachusetts.

Ponor’s slick routine, to the tune of ‘Fever’, drew a huge roar from the audience but boos broke out around the arena when her score of 15.200 left her in second place. Mustafina finished the Games with four medals after the 2010 world all-around champion took third place, edging Italy’s Vanessa Ferrari into fourth by virtue of a higher execution score. — AFP

Preview

Semenya to make Olympic debut with past buried LONDON: South African 800m runner Caster Semenya is scheduled to make her Olympic debut today, confident that her controversial victory in the 2009 world championships is a thing of the past. The 21-year-old - who is coached by 2000 Sydney Olympics 800m champion Maria Mutola from Mozambique - had to undergo drug tests followed by gender tests following that magnificent victory in Berlin. The situation spiralled out of control with Semenya complaining of “unwarranted and invasive scrutiny of the most intimate and private details of my being”.

She was barred from the track for almost a year before being cleared to run again and her comeback was hampered by a lower back injury and a growing belief that coach Michael Seme had taken her as far as he could.

However, she said on the eve of the Games: “That is in the past. “You need to concentrate on the future. I don’t have to entertain those things now. I can concentrate on my running, that’s all.

“With each year I experience I become a more relaxed athlete. I also know what is important to listen to and what to ignore.

“I try to run my best always but sometimes I do not and I have to deal with negatives. People ask questions that can make you sad, but I must always stay positive.

“That’s what I have to learn. I have to act professionally. But this is my first Olympics so it’ll be special for me.” Semenya will face

a tough test from Kenyan nemesis Pamela Jelimo, the defending Olympic champion who has bettered in five races the South African’s season’s best time of 1min 59.18sec.

Today promises to be another mouthwatering feast of athletics at the Olympic Stadium, the 80,000-capacity of which has been a sell-out since the programme got under way.

Providing there are no slip-ups in the heats, Chinese athletics icon Liu Xiang will be on the track, determined to erase memories of his traumatic experience at the Beijing Games and regain his 110m hurdles Olympic title.

He has, however, shown some of his old form, and was desperately unlucky not to win the world title last year, being hindered twice by world record holder Dayron Robles’s trailing arm, which led to the Cuban being disqualified from gold with Liu being bumped up to silver.

Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will be seeking a sprint double in the women’s 200m, likely up against teammate and twotime Olympic champion Veronica CambellBrown and American Carmelita Jeter. The two other finals to be contested will be the women’s 400m hurdles and the long jump.

American world record holder Ashton Eaton will also make his debut in the Olympic decathlon, the two-day, 10-discipline event.

He is the in-form competitor, having set a new record of 9,039 points at the US Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon, last month, breaking Czech Roman Sebrle’s old mark from 2001 by 13 points. —AFP

WINDSOR: Bobbing on the start line in her kayak, Josefa Idem peered to the left through her sunglasses and saw rivals less than half her age. To the right, there was another in her 20s. Then the starting bleep went off and she beat them all. The 47-year-old Italian made history at a chilly Dorney Lake yesterday when she became the first woman to compete in eight Olympic Games. She marked the occasion by qualifying for the final of the flagship 500-meter K-1 event, upstaging a host of younger rivals in her semifinal.

“I don’t care about age,” she said, laughing.

“The stopwatch doesn’t ask.” Idem sees herself as kayaking’s equivalent of British rowing great Steve Redgrave, who won golds at five straight Olympics - his last coming at the age of 39. She trains for up to seven hours a day and has had a gymnasium built at her home in Ravenna so she can practice and not be away from her two children, Janek and Jonas. She hasn’t quite got Redgrave’s titles - she won a gold in the Sydney Games in 2000 as well as two silvers and two bronzes - but her longevity is something no female Olympian has ever matched.

Her first Olympic Games was in Los Angeles in 1984, when she was 19 years old and representing the country of her birth - West Germany. She became an Italian citizen in 1992. “Someone good can be interpreted as a person that doesn’t give up her place for others, or it can be interpreted as a person who pulls along others. I always wanted to be an inspiration,” Idem said, still glowing in her remarkable feat.

“I go along to talk to many journalists and do motivational speaking because I really like to give to others what I have learned ... I have worked a lot and fought for many things but I have also been a very lucky person. I have so many things and I want to give back something.”

There was a disappointment for another veteran champion, Katrin Wagner-Augustin of Germany, who placed fourth in the same semifinal to miss out on tomorrow’s final. WagnerAugustin - Germany’s most decorated current Olympian - has won Olympic golds over 500 in the double and four, but never as an individual, and was visibly upset after the race.

She was seen being comforted by her husband, but still has the final of the K-4 1,000 on Wednesday to come. By winning the first heat, Danuta Kozak of Hungary was the quickest qualifier by nearly a second and had close to two seconds on Idem. But no one will be dis-

LONDON: Italy’s Josefa Idem paddles on her way to winning a women’s kayak single 500m semifinal in Eton Dorney at the 2012 Summer Olympics. — AP counting the Italian now.

Idem’s training regime has been managed with the firm intention of peaking at the London Games. She wasn’t even reaching finals of World Cup events a few months ago, but the way she raced through the field after an average start means she is a strong contender to win a medal at a fifth straight games.

“She’s an inspiration,” said Rachel Cawthorn of Britain, who was overhauled by Idem with 100 meters of the race left. “To keep going for that long and to have been at the top of your game for such a long time, she’s so cool.”

Idem’s children and her husband/coach, Guglielmo Guerrini, were in the family tribune watching her clock a time of 1 minute, 52.232 seconds.

“I’m an Olympic animal ... always for the main event, I am there,” she says, slapping the back of her hand. “I did very good work with my training partners this year. Very good work. They were three junior boys from Rome.

“One of them was very fast at the beginning and then I caught him. That was a good experience for today. I was confident, I thought, ‘I can make it, I can make it.’”

Off the water, Idem, who has won 38 medals at Olympic, world and European regattas, has campaigned for greater social equality and injustice. With her husband, she has also set up a project that aims to inspire young people to take up sports and promote

Meares captures sprint gold LONDON: Australia’s Anna Meares overcame arch rival Victoria Pendleton to win the Olympic track cycling women’s sprint title yesterday but the event ended on a sour note for the retiring Briton, who was relegated in the first leg. Pendleton was adjudged to have left the sprinting lane, drawing boos from the raucous home crowd when the decision was announced.

It was Meares’s second Olympic title after she won gold in the time trial in Athens eight years ago and exacted a modicum of revenge over Pendleton who beat her to the sprint title in Beijing. For Pendleton, who is retiring after the Olympics and had already claimed a gold in the keirin, it was a disappointing end to a glittering career, that had delivered two Games golds and nine world titles. “I’m very glad to be saying this is the last time I am going to go through that,” Pendleton, who was also relegated in the team sprint competition, told the BBC. “I was really annoyed because I am sure that she touched me (on the first leg) and it caused me to move up (out of her lane). I can’t believe twice in one competition I’ve been relegated, disqualified and relegated. “It’s unheard of. So yeah, bit of a surprise.

It did knock my confidence a bit, I have to say. I really tried in that last ride but...sorry,” she said before starting to cry. —Reuters

LONDON: Gold medalist Anna Mears, of Australia, celebrates beating Silver medalist Victoria Pendleton, of Britain, after winning the gold medal in the track cycling women’s sprint event, during the 2012 Summer Olympics.— AP

positive values.

But she has never forgotten about the day job, maintaining motivation even as she approaches the age of 50. “It is sometimes difficult, because it’s so demanding,” she said.

“You always have to think about it - every day you have to work on it. You go out really tired, you go out with bad weather, you go out having problems at home. But you have to go.

“This is it - it’s the effort you have to put in if you want to succeed.” There were heats and semifinals for three other events on a gray day at Dorney Lake.

The Hungarian quartet of Zoltan Kammerer, David Toth, Tamas Kulifai and Daniel Pauman were the fastest qualifiers for the final of the men’s 1,000-meter K-4, as the country looks to reclaim the title they won in 2000 and ‘04 but relinquished to Belarus in Beijing four years ago.

Peter Kretschmer and Kurt Kuschela of Germany confirmed their status as favorites for the men’s 1,000-meter C-2 by winning their heat three seconds quicker than Azerbaijan, which surprisingly won the second heat. Kretschmer and Kuschela won both World Cup competitions, in Duisburg and Poznan, this year.

And in the women’s K-2 over 500 meters, Franziska Weber and Tina Dietze of Germany beat archrivals Katalin Kovacs and Natasa Douchev-Janics to win their semifinal. Kovacs and Douchev-Janics have won the event at the last two Olympic Games. — AP

Seven Cameroon athletes missing LONDON: Seven of Cameroon’s Olympic competitors have disappeared from their official residence and may attempt to seek asylum in Britain, the chief of the African nation’s delegation said yesterday.

David Ojong, head of mission for Team Cameroon, said the seven all currently hold visas permitting them to remain legally in Britain until at least November.

Ojong said five boxers, a swimmer and a soccer player left the athletes’ village at the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, over the weekend and have not returned.

He named the missing athletes as swimmer Paul Ekane Edingue, women’s goalkeeper Drusille Ngako and five boxers: Thomas Essomba, Christian Donfack Adjoufack, Abdon Mewoli, Blaise Yepmou Mendouo and Serge Abomo. He said the Cameroon delegation consisted originally of 59 people, but 28 already have returned home, 24 remain in London and seven are missing. Britain’s Home Office, responsible for immigration, said it could not comment on whether any of the seven had applied for asylum. Scotland Yard said it had received no report that any Cameroon athletes were missing. Before the Olympic opening ceremony July 27, Sudan’s embassy confirmed that three athletes had gone missing. The Sudan trio had attended a training camp, but missed the cut for the Olympics. Sudan’s embassy said one had applied for asylum and the two others were expected to do so. —AP

19 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

China poised for gold sweep LONDON: China is one gold medal away from sweeping all four in table tennis. China’s women delivered gold No. 3 yesterday in the team competition with a 3-0 victory over Japan, which claimed silver, its first medal of any color in table tennis at the Olympics since the sport entered in 1988.

China won two gold and two silvers in sin-

gles and now has gold in women’s team. It is an overwhelming favorite to complete the gold sweep by winning the men’s team final today against South Korea.

The victory was greeted by a quilt of China’s red and yellow flags in the 6,000 sellout, accompanied by chants of “Jai Yo, Jai Yo” - Let’s Go in Chinese - as the women came through. Table tennis, called pingpong back home, is China’s national pastime, and the

LONDON: China’s Ding Ning, (left) Guo Yue (right) and Li Xiaoxia (right) pose with their coach Shi Zhihao, after winning gold in the women’s team table tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics.—AP

country has now won 23 of 27 gold medals since ‘88, and is almost certain to make it 24 of 28 when table tennis ends today.

Singapore - all three of its players were born in China - took bronze defeating South Korea 3-0. China dominates in table tennis, and its women are even more overwhelming than the men. Only three women’s teams in the Olympics played without China-born players, or players with roots in China - North Korea, Japan and Egypt.

The winning team of Li Xiaoxia, Ding Ning and Guo Yue represent the new generation, all 24 or younger and the latest in a long line of famous female players. Li, who won gold in singles and team, is on course to match the record of several national icons.

Zhang Yining took four gold medals in the last two Olympics. Wang Nan won her fourth gold in three Olympics - 2000, 2004 and 2008.

And Deng Yaping started the string with four in 1992 and 1996, and went on to be one of the faces of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

If anyone can challenge China’s women at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, it may Japan. Left-handed Kasumi Ishikawa is only 19, and Ai Fukuhara is 23 and already in her third Olympics. The veteran is Sakaya Hirano, who’s 27 and in her second Olympics.

Fukuhara started playing table tennis at 3, and is one of Japan’s best-known female athletes along with football star Homare Sawa.

Japan’s women defeated China in the final of the 2010 world junior championship, a team led by Ishikawa.—AP

Britain wins 1st Olympic team dressage medal LONDON: Britain ended Germany’s decades-long domination of equestrian team dressage by winning the Olympic gold medal at Greenwich Park yesterday, adding to its first team show jumping gold in 60 years that it won a day earlier.

Germany took the silver and the Netherlands the bronze.

It was Britain’s first dressage medal ever and capped an equestrian competition that saw the home team medal in every team discipline: gold in dressage and show jumping and silver in eventing. “I hope it doesn’t end here. I hope it’s the start of the team evolving,” said Britain’s Laura Belchtolsheimer, who rode Mistral Hojris.

In dressage, the horse performs a carefully choreographed routine of movements that showcases the animal’s training: prancing trots, extended strides, twirling pirouettes and a move called the flying change, which looks like the horse is skipping.

The competition received unusual attention in the London Games because the U.S. team featured Rafalca, a horse coowned by the wife of the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The U.S. finished sixth and Rafalca, ridden by Jan Ebeling, ended Tuesday in 28th place and out of contention

for the individual medal competition.

Ann Romney was in the VIP stands yesterday as was Princess Anne, whose daughter Zara Phillips was part of the silverwinning British equestrian event-

and Britain has never won a dressage medal, period. In perhaps a first for any dressage event, which are usually rather staid affairs, the crowd in the stands went through several rounds of the wave after it became clear

LONDON: Charlotte Dujardin, of Great Britain, rides her horse Valegro during the equestrian dressage competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics.—AP ing team. Germany has won every Olympic team gold in dressage since 1976, with the exception of the boycott year in 1980,

Britain had won. The final team totals were Britain with 79.979 percent, Germany with 78.216 percent and the Netherlands

with 77.124 percent.

It was a back-to-back win for Britain, which won its first team show jumping medal in 60 years in the same arena on Monday.

Led by Nick Skelton, who returned to the sport after breaking his neck in a 2000 competition fall, the British team rode clear rounds in a jumpoff to give the host team victory over the Netherlands. Saudi Arabia, a relative newcomer to the sport, was a surprising third.

The 18 highest scoring individuals in the team dressage competition advance to perform a freestyle test on Thursday, with movements and music of the rider’s own choosing, similar to freestyle ice skating or the floor exercise in gymnastics.

Going into the freestyle event, Germany and Britain both have their three riders in the top eight, which also includes current world leader Adelinde Cornelissen from the Netherlands riding Parzival and the top US rider, Steffen Peters on Ravel.

After yesterday’s Grand Prix Special, Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin was in first place on Valegro with 83.286 percent; Cornelissen was second with a score of 81.968 percent and Britain’s Carl Hester on Uthopia was in third place with 80.571 percent. Scoring for the individual medals starts from scratch tomorrow.—AP

US women advance to final LONDON: Maggie Steffens scored four goals to help the United States outlast Australia for an 11-9 win in extra time to advance to the women’s water polo final at the London Olympics.

In a bruising match between the two fierce rivals, the Americans appeared to have the win wrapped up in regulation after Australia captain Kate Gynther’s shot rattled the crossbar in the closing seconds.

But with one second on the clock, US coach Adam Krikorian called a time-out without his team having possession of the ball - an automatic penalty.

Australia’s Southern Ash converted the ensuing penalty to level at 9-9 and force extra time.

“We looked at each other and said ‘we’ve been through this before,’” Steffens said of the team huddle ahead of overtime.

“Nothing’s going to affect us.

We’re going to be the team that finishes this. We knew that whatever it came down to, we’re going to keep fighting.” And in extra time they did just that, with Steffens leading the way on the offensive end.

The 19-year-old, who raised

her tournament scoring tally to 16 goals, put the US ahead halfway through the first of two threeminute overtime periods with a skip shot, before Kami Craig slotted home from close range to finish off the scoring and give the

bench than Krikorian.

“I was feeling horrible. There’s thoughts that go through your mind. Man, I might have blown this one,” he said of his time-out call. “It’s all a bit of a blur, but ultimately I made a big mistake ... To

LONDON: Evgeniia Khokhriakova of Russia shoots against Britain during a women’s semifinal fifth to eighth place water polo match at the 2012 Summer Olympics.—AP Americans another shot at their first gold medal in the event.

Even on a team with two fourtime Olympians - Brenda Villa and Heather Petri - playing in their last games, there may have been no one more relieved on the US

be honest, after it happened, it took me a couple of minutes to take a deep breath and realize what I had done and get out of the funk.”

But the team’s response to his mistake, he said, was evidence of

just how much the squad has developed since he took over in 2009.

“When you mess up, you’ve got to own up to it. They came over and I said, ‘My bad.’ This is not going to stop us,” he said.

“We’ve made mistakes before and we’ve overcome a lot of adversity over the last three and a half years so one stupid call by the coach isn’t going to affect the team’s performance.”

The US advances to tomorrow’s final, where it will face either Spain or Hungary, who play in the other semifinal later yesterday.

The US, long one of the world powers in women’s water polo, has medaled in women’s water polo at every Olympics since the game debuted in 2000, but it has never won gold. It earned silver in Sydney, bronze four years later in Athens and then silver again in Beijing in 2008.

For Australia, the loss was doubly painful, coming four years after they lost to the US 9-8 in the semifinals at the Beijing Olympics.

“It’s pretty devastating after four years of hard work,” Ash said.

“We never gave up, but it just wasn’t there at the end. Credit to the USA. They put up a very good fight.”—AP

LONDON: Medals table after 13 of 21 events yesterday.

Nation G China 34 United States 30 Britain 21 South Korea 11 Russia 8 France 8 Italy 7 Kazakhstan 6 Germany 5 Netherlands 5 Hungary 4 North Korea 4 Australia 3 Cuba 3 Belarus 3 New Zealand 3 South Africa 3 Ukraine 3 Japan 2 Romania 2 Denmark 2 Brazil 2 Poland 2 Iran 2 Jamaica 2 Croatia 2 Ethiopia 2 Spain 1 Canada 1 Sweden 1 Czech Republic 1 Kenya 1 Slovenia 1 Dominican Rep 1 Georgia 1

S 20 16 13 5 17 9 6 0 13 3 1 0 12 3 2 1 1 0 13 5 4 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1

B 17 20 12 6 19 10 4 1 7 5 3 1 9 1 3 4 0 6 14 2 2 5 5 1 1 0 2 1 6 2 1 2 2 0 0

Tot 71 66 46 22 44 27 17 7 25 13 8 5 24 7 8 8 4 9 29 9 8 8 8 4 4 3 4 6 10 6 5 5 4 2 2

Switzerland Lithuania Grenada Venezuela Mexico Colombia Egypt Slovakia Azerbaijan Belgium India Armenia Indonesia Mongolia Norway Serbia Tunisia Cyprus Estonia Finland Guatemala Malaysia Taiwan Thailand Greece Moldova Singapore Argentina Hong Kong Kuwait Puerto Rico Qatar Saudi Arabia T & Tobago Turkey Uzbekistan

1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 1 1 5 4 2 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Russia clinches another gold LONDON: The gold was never in doubt. Russia had it all the way. The only drama in synchronized swimming was for silver. Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina had the crowd cheering before they even dived in the pool, extending Russia’s monopoly of the sport with a dominating duet win yesterday.The silver went to Spain, which leaped over China in a sport where the hierarchy is firmly established going into major competitions.

Wearing sparkly suits adorned with cartoonish characters that were supposed to resemble haunted puppets, the Russian pair glided across the deck like ballerinas before collapsing into a split - and that was just the warmup for a routine that combined style with athleticism.

They finished with 197.100 points, improving on their marks from free preliminaries to easily outdistance the other 11 duos that made it through to the final.

The Russians started with a couple of flips accompanied by dramatic music from the 1970s Italian horror film “Suspiria,” played to the crowd with the wonderment of children after switching to a bouncier tune from another movie, “Amelie,” then finished up with a series of furious leg kicks before one last flip set to the soundtrack of the Tim Burton film “Sleepy Hollow.”

They finished with their right arms dangling, like puppets, while a sea of Russian flags fluttered in the stands. “We knew Spain and China are our main competitors, but we also knew they will be mostly competing against each other,” said Russia coach

Tatiana Danchenko. “If I like it and the girls are pleased with it, then judges will like it, too. I am their most demanding judge.”

Once the Russians were done, the gold medal locked up, Spain’s Ona Carbonell and Andrea Fuentes followed with a lively, tango-inspired routine that had the crowd at the Olympic Aquatics Centre clapping along nearly the entire way.

They nervously awaited their marks to see if they had done enough in 31/2 minutes to improve on their third-place showing in the prelims. They had, finishing with a score of 192.900 to edge out China for silver.

Carbonell and Fuentes were confused at first about where they had finished, looking toward their coaches with puzzled expressions.

That turned into a teary hug when they realized they had slipped past Huang Xuechen and Liu Ou, who settled for the bronze in 192.870.

Wearing suits emblazoned with a dragon across the front, Huang and Liu improved on their score from the prelims with an impressive display of legwork, but the duo’s heralded stamina - they’ve been known to train for 10 hours straight - wasn’t enough to hold off Spain’s stylish maneuvers. Still, it was China’s first medal in duet. “We got huge improvement compared to what we got at the previous Games, you can see this from the scores,” Liu said. “We got everything we could from the training experience.” She knows that catching Russia is another matter. “We don’t consider Russia a challenger because we cannot compete with them,” Liu said. “Our only challenger is Spain.”—AP

LONDON: Gold medalists Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina pose during the medal ceremony for women’s duet synchronized swimming final during the 2012 Summer Olympics.—AP

China poised for gold sweep

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

19

Al-Daihani receives a hero’s welcome

By Abdellatif Sharaa

Al-Daihani speaking to the media while Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad listens.

Al-Daihani showing his Olympic Trap Bronze Medal, as he is greeted by family and friends.

Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdallah greets Fuhaid Al-Daihani upon his arrival.

Shooter Fuhaid Al-Daihani being honored by KFH.

Aussies, Germany join Dutch in hockey semis LONDON: Australia took less than six minutes to confirm a spot in the Olympic field hockey semifinals and rub out Pakistan’s chances in Riverbank Arena yesterday.

The Australians scored twice in that time en route to a 7-0 drubbing. Their third win by five or more secured top spot in Pool A and a semifinal against Pool B runner-up Germany, the defending champion.

Germany advanced before its late match against New Zealand thanks to Netherlands

beating South Korea 4-2 in the day’s opening match. The Koreans had to win to put pressure on the Germans, but soon found themselves down 2-0, too.

The Dutch men emulated their women in winning all five outings to head Pool B, and waited in the semifinals for the winner between Spain and Britain.

Also, Belgium beat India 3-0 for the first time in games history, securing a playoff for 5th-6th and their highest placing in the Olympics since the 1928 Amsterdam Games, where they were fourth. Faded eight-time champion India was

already headed for the wooden spoon playoff, assured of its worst Olympic finish. South Africa will meet India after losing to Argentina 6-3.

Australia coach Ric Charlesworth said he would have been happy with a third straight draw, which also would have qualified the Kookaburras for the semis. Instead, his side took out their frustrations on Pakistan for blowing a 3-0 lead and drawing with Britain on Sunday.

Liam de Young knocked in a rebound off a fifth-minute penalty corner, and moments later Matt Butturini, on his 25th birthday, was fouled and Mark Knowles nailed a penalty stroke.

Christopher Ciriello scored twice to make it 4-0 at halftime. Russell Ford, Jamie Dwyer, and Glenn Turner completed the rout.

“The score is high and that doesn’t matter, we are in the semifinals and we now have to play Germany so we have a difficult game ahead of us,” Charleworth said. “Germany are physically bigger, stronger and push you.”

Pakistan manager Akhtar Rasool Chaudhry was highly critical of his players.

“The defense and midfield were totally abolished, and the forwards could not get a single penalty corner,” he said. —AP

KUWAIT: The Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad AlAbdallah Al-Sabah, Communications Minister and Social Affairs and Labor Minister Salem Al-Athaina, President of the Asian and Kuwait Shooting Federations Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, President of Kuwait Football Association Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, Chairman of Public Authority for Youth and Sports Maj Gen (ret) Faisal Al-Jazzaf along side with a large crowd were at the Kuwait International Airport yesterday to welcome Kuwait’s Olympic hero Fuhaid Al-Daihani, who won Kuwait’s second Olympic medal at the London 2012 Olympics on Monday 6th August 2012.

Al-Daihani who was overwhelmed with the reception said that the victory raised Kuwait flag in London. He said he will present the medal to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak and the people of Kuwait. Al-Daihani said he was satisfied seeing people so happy with this victory, adding that he will always do his best for his country.

Meanwhile, the Communications and Social Affairs and Labor Minister Salem Al-Athaina congratulated the Amir, the Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Kuwaitis for this achievement which allowed the flying of Kuwait flag by one of the Kuwaiti heroes. He expressed confidence that Kuwait athletes will do better in the next Olympics. He said Kuwait government will keep on supporting sports through the Social Affairs Ministry and PAYS as well as the Olympic Committee.

“It was a great feeling to see Kuwait’s flag during the parade and it was so good that Fuhaid carried the flag,” Minister Athaina said. Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad congratulated the Amir for this achievement, following his initiative that made it possible for the athletes to compete under Kuwait’s flag. He said that the Martyr’s Sons has decided to reward Fuhaid with a sum of $100,000 for his achievement.

Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah said Fuhaid’s achievement has a special meaning after the suspension on Kuwait sports was lifted by OIC. “Fuhaid worked so hard despite the malfunction in his gun during the double trap event and despite all the pressures and tensions he was under, he went for the trap competition and won the bronze,” the minister added. He said Fuhaid should be recognized for his efforts to overcome all obstacles during his carrier.

Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdallah AlMubarak thanked the officials of the Kuwait Shooting Club for their efforts and congratulated Fuhaid. He said that PAYS supports athletes in all sports. Al-Jazzaf said that PAYS will reward Fuhaid Al-Daihani for two medals, not one, as the one he failed was not his fault. He said the PAYS will launch the project of the ‘Olympic Champion’ in order to encourage athletes to seek the qualification and win during Olympic games.

The President of the Asian and Kuwait Shooting Federations, Vice President of ISSF Sheikh Salman AlHumoud congratulated the Amir, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister as well as the Gulf and Arab people for Al-Daihani’s success in London. “We hope that Arab achievements will yield better results during Rio Olympics,” he added.

LONDON: China’s Liu Xiang (second left) falls as Hungary’s Balazs Baji, Poland’s Artur Noga and Barbados’ Shane Brathwaite and Senegal’s Moussa Dembele (right) react during a men’s 110-meter hurdles heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics yesterday. — AP

Heartbroken Liu crashes out Bolt, Blake cruise LONDON: Chinese icon Liu Xiang suffered a second successive Olympic heartbreaker yesterday when he crashed out of the 110m hurdles as double 100m champion Usain Bolt strolled through his 200m heat. Former Olympic champion and world record holder Liu, 29, who had to withdraw just moments before his opening heat in front of his home fans at the Beijing Games in 2008 saw his 2012 bid also last just a split second.

He ploughed into the first hurdle with his left leading leg and crashed heavily to the track. Liu, who has been troubled by back and foot problems, eventually got up and even hopped down the track to symbolically cross the finish line where he stooped to kiss the 10th and last hurdle.

He was embraced by fellow competitors and

won warm applause from the stadium packed with 80,000 stunned spectators.

Liu was helped off the track by Britain’s Andy Turner and Spain’s Jackson Quinonez before being taken to the Olympic Stadium medical centre in a wheelchair.

China’s athletics team leader in London, Feng Shu Yong, later revealed Liu had possibly snapped his Achilles, a recurrence of a problem which had dogged the 2004 Olympic champion for years despite intensive treatment.

“The initial diagnosis from the medical staff is that he has a ruptured Achilles tendon. In the last several years he has had good medical care, but it is still there,” Feng said, referring to Liu’s longstanding injury problems. “An achilles injury is almost impossible to recover from fully.”

Bolt, fresh from running the second-fastest time in history to retain his 100m title on Sunday, began

his bid to keep his 200m title by winning his heat in 20.39sec.

“That was an easy run. I am enjoying it,” said the Jamaican star. “This is my favourite event so I am looking forward to it. “It’s getting pretty chilly. They say it should be good on Thursday for the final.

We’ll see. I have heard that before.”

World 100m champion, and Bolt’s compatriot, Yohan Blake also made it through to the next round.

Later yesterday, Australian world champion Sally Pearson is favorite for the women’s 100m hurdles gold. Pearson has emerged as the dominant force in women’s short hurdles, racing the fourth fastest time ever (12.28sec) in winning world gold last summer.

“If it all goes to plan I should be winning, especially as my personal best is much better than theirs,” she said. —AFP

Business

Shares, euro lifted by ECB aid plan hopes Page 23

IKEA close to securing India market entry Page 25

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Political turmoil drags Kuwait to 7-month low

Page 22

Taiwan, China set to sign key investment pact Page 25

LONDON: Taken with a fisheye lens, people walk by the headquarter of Standard Chartered bank in the City of London yesteday. Shares in Standard Chartered PLC dropped sharply yesterday as investors reacted to US charges that the bank was involved in laundering money for Iran. The charges against Standard Chartered were a shock for a bank which proudly described itself recently as “boring.” — AP

Standard Chartered rejects trade claims Standard Chartered shares dive after US allegation HONG KONG/LONDON: The market value of Standard Chartered Plc tumbled $16 billion yesterday after New York’s bank regulator threatened to tear up its state banking licence for allegedly hiding $250 billion in transactions tied to Iran.

The New York State Depar tment of Financial Services (DFS) slammed Standard Char tered as a “rogue institution” that “schemed” with the Iranian government, which is subject to US sanctions over its nuclear programme, and hid 60,000 secret transactions to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in fees over nearly 10 years.

Shares in the Asia-focused bank were down 23.5% at 11.25 pounds by 1120 GMT, their lowest in three years, taking their losses to 30% since the news surfaced just before Monday’s close.

“Even the so-called ‘safe’ banks like StanChart and HSBC seem to be crumbling, with their reputation in tatters. No one, it seems, is immune,” said one institutional investor, who asked not to be named.

“Some of the language used is very disturbing. Of course, it could be that the Americans are exaggerating, but somehow that doesn’t seem to be the case here,” the investor said.

The bank, which has been in talks with US authorities since early 2010 over the matter, had exposed the US banking system to terrorists, drug traffickers and corrupt states, the DFS said.

The New York regulator described how officials at Standard Chartered, one of the banks least tarnished during the financial crisis thanks to its focus on emerging markets and a conservative approach to capital and liquidity, had debated whether to continue Iranian dealings.

In October 2006, the top official for business in the Americas, whom the regulator did not name, warned in a “panicked message” that the Iranian dealings could cause “catastrophic reputational damage” and “serious criminal liability”.

A group executive director in London shot back, according to a New York branch officer:

“You f—-ing Americans. Who are you to tell us, the rest of the world, that we’re not going to deal with Iranians.”

The reply showed “obvious contempt for US banking regulations”, the regulator said.

At that time the bank had five executive directors: Peter Sands, now chief executive; Richard Meddings, now finance director; Mervyn Davies, a UK Labour Party peer; Kai Nargolwala, who was poached by Credit Suisse and left the Swiss bank last year; and Mike DeNoma, who resigned as CEO of Chinatrust Financial in August.

Standard Chartered’s Americas CEO was Ray Ferguson, who is now its Singapore CEO. None of the people could be reached for comment or else declined to comment.

Standard Chartered said the bank “does not believe the order issued by the DFS presents a full and accurate picture of the facts”.

The loss of a New York banking licence would be a devastating blow for a foreign bank, effectively cutting off direct access to the US bank market. Standard Chartered processes $190 billion every day for global clients, the New York bank regulator said.

Standard Chartered is the third British bank to be ensnared in US law enforcement probes this summer. Barclays Plc agreed to pay $453 million to settle US and UK probes that it rigged a global lending benchmark in June.

A month later, a US Senate panel issued a scathing report that criticised HSBC Holding Plc’s efforts to police suspect transactions, including Mexican drug traffickers.

Standard Chartered said it shared with US agencies an analysis that demonstrated it “acted to comply, and overwhelmingly did comply” with U.S. regulations.

Standard Chartered put the total value of Iran-related transactions that did not follow regulations at less than $14 million, based on its review of the issue, in stark contrast to the DFS’s $250 billion estimate.

The United States imposed economic sanctions on Iran in 1979, but until November 2008 US banks could process some transactions for Iranian banks or individuals provided

they were intiated offshore by non-Iranian foreign banks and are on the way to other nonIranian foreign banks, known as “U-turns”.

Standard Chartered said the DFS’s interpretation of the U-turn exemption “is incorrect as a matter of law”. It said 99.9% of its transactions relating to Iran had complied with a US framework.

The figure alleged by the New York regulator would cover the equivalent of 71% of the $350 billion total Iranian oil export revenues for the seven years of 2001-2007, according to OPEC data.

“The group was ... surprised to receive the order from the DFS, given that discussions with the agencies were ongoing,” Standard Chartered said. “We intend to discuss these matters with the DFS and to contest their position.”

The bank has to appear before the DFS on Aug 15. “Some people were walking around under the illusion that Standard Chartered was the world’s first riskless bank, and it’s not.

We’ve discovered that Standard Chartered is a mortal bank - as they all are,” said Gareth Hunt, financials analyst at Canaccord Genuity, who rates the stock a “sell”.

Mike Trippitt, analyst at Oriel, cut his rating to “reduce” from “buy”. “The tone and language of the report is quite shocking, but it was equally a ver y firm rebuttal from Standard Chartered, to say it was acting lawfully and measuring what they think was outside the rules.

“You can paint a range of scenarios, from storm in a teacup to catastrophe, but it’s hard to work out right now,” he said.

Standard Chartered is the sixth foreign bank since 2008 to be implicated in dealings with sanctioned countries such as Iran in investigations led by federal and New York law enforcement officials.

Four banks - Barclays, Lloyds, Credit Suisse and ING - have agreed to fines and settlements totalling $1.8 billion. HSBC currently is under investigation by US law enforcement, according to bank regulatory filings.

The New York regulator, headed by former prosecutor Benjamin Lawsky, ordered

Standard Chartered to explain why the bank should not lose its state licence and the ability to process dollar transactions. Lawsky also ordered the bank to bring in an outside consultant to monitor its transactions.

“Standard Chartered Bank operated as a

rogue institution,” Lawsky said in the order.

Lawsky’s investigation is unusual because probes into banks’ transactions tied to Iran have been primarily led by the district attorney’s office in Manhattan and the US Justice Department. — Reuters

Saudi Arabia is spending more than it should: IMF DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s government is spending more than it should do if it wants to preserve the country’s oil wealth for future generations, the International Monetary Fund said in a report released yesterday.

“While the government has built significant policy buffers, fiscal spending is above the level consistent with an intergenerationally equitable drawdown of oil wealth,” the Fund said in an annual assessment of the Saudi economy.

The IMF did not specify an appropriate level of spending, but said the government should be flexible in providing social welfare benefits, broaden its tax base and ensure its expenditure was efficient.

Partly in response to unrest in the Arab world, Saudi Arabia boosted spending to a record 804 billion riyals ($214 billion) in 2011, 39% more than initially planned and 23% higher than in 2010, its fastest growth in a decade.

In May, Finance Minister Ibrahim Alassaf said there might be a bit of extra spending this year, adding that the kingdom’s fiscal position was comfortable.

The OPEC member, which overshot its annual budget plans by an average 23% in the past decade, outlined spending of 690 billion riyals in its 2012 budget. Due to heavy spending, the Gulf country’s dependency on oil has risen notably. The price of crude that is needed to balance the government budget is projected to rise to $98 per

barrel by 2016 from an estimated $80 in 2011, the IMF said in April.

However, robust oil prices, currently above $110 per barrel , have been helping to boost Saudi Arabia’s fiscal cushion. The central bank’s net foreign assets rose to a record $591 billion in June. “We were able in the past few years to formulate mediumrange fiscal policies,” Alassaf told Al Arabiya television yesterday when asked to comment on the latest IMF report.

“And the reason is because we built suitable reserves, especially investments that allow us to implement fiscal policies even if the oil prices fluctuate as we have witnessed in the past,” he said.

Other parts of the report praised Saudi Arabia’s economic policies, including its help to stabilise global oil markets in 2011 and commitment to provide $15 billion of additional resources to the IMF. The Fund said the kingdom’s near-term economic outlook was broadly favourable, keeping its 2012 growth forecast at 6%. Adverse spillovers from unrest in the region and the euro area crisis have been limited so far, it added.

The IMF also underlined the need to prevent any inflation pressures caused by robust growth through a proactive use of liquidity and macroprudential policy tools, raising its 2012 forecast to 5.2% from 4.8% seen in April. Saudi annual inflation slipped to 4.9% in June, its lowest level since August 2011. — Reuters

22

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

BUSINESS

Oil up on supply concerns, economic growth hopes LONDON: Oil futures rose above $110 a barrel yesterday, on hopes that Europe would take further action to tackle its intractable debt crisis, while supply worries stemming from North Sea maintenance and Middle East tensions added further support.

The European Central Bank last week said it may again start buying government bonds to reduce crippling Spanish and Italian borrowing costs, but details of how it will stabilise the bloc’s bond markets have yet to be fleshed out.

“I do not think this strength is specific to Brent. Risk appetite is coming back to the market,” said Eugen

Weinberg at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. “The market is waiting for more confirmation of the overall positive trend. Expectations are so low that it is unlikely there will be a surprise to the downside.” European shares tiptoed around four-month highs and the euro remained buoyant at $1.24 yesterday.

Brent crude for September delivery rose 80 cents to $110.35 a barrel by 0828 GMT, rising above $110 a barrel for the first time since mid May. US crude firmed by 24 cents to $92.44.

Hopes that the United States and China - the world’s top two oil consumers - will adopt stimulus measures

Syria’s prime minister fled on Monday as fighting continued, while a pipeline explosion halted Iraqi crude exports to Turkey.

Delays on exports of Iraqi Kirkuk, an alternative to embargoed Iranian crude, had already reached nearly 20 days after the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) stopped adding its output to the flow due to an on-going payment dispute with the central government in Bagdhad. The KRG was due to restart exports in August.

Expectations of a sharp fall in output from the North Sea’s secondlargest crude oil stream in September has kept the September Brent price

to boost growth were also a positive for the oil market.

China will release from Thursday a deluge of data, ranging from industrial output to investment, which is likely to show the world’s second-largest economy is, at best, stabilising. “We’re looking for some consolidation on industrial production before it starts improving again,” said Ben Le Brun, a Sydney-based market analyst at OptionsXpress.

Violence in Syria and Iran’s dispute with the West over Tehran’s nuclear programme continued to keep investors worried about the potential threat to oil supply from the region.

sharply higher than October, a market condition known as backwardation and points to strong prompt demand.

North Sea Brent crude oil loadings will fall to around 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, down from 116,000 bpd in August. In North America, investors were also watching Tropical Storm Ernesto, which is forecast to move into the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday, but it was too early to know if it could disrupt oil and gas operations in the Gulf.

Crude stockpiles in the United States were forecast down last week for a second straight time, a preliminary Reuters poll showed. — Reuters

Political turmoil drags Kuwait to 7-month low Gulf seen steady, Air Arabia in focus TOKYO: A woman walks past a logo display of Japan’s tyre maker Bridgestone in Tokyo yesterday. The tyre maker said its first-half net profit jumped 39.1 percent on-year, partly driven by a recovery in domestic demand after last year’s quaketsunami disaster. —AFP

UAE’s NBAD 7-yr bond draws heavy demand DUBAI: National Bank of Abu Dhabi drew heavy demand for a $750 million bond offering as the UAE’s biggest lender by market value took advantage of favourable market conditions to improve its funding costs.

The bank attracted orders worth around $4.5 billion from investors, a source at one of the arrangers said, allowing the spread over midswaps to tighten from initial guidance around 200 basis points to its final 180 bps.

The shift gives NBAD cheaper pricing on Monday’s deal and also resets the bank’s pricing curve at lower rates, providing it with a better benchmark for future debt issuance. NBAD’s previous bond, a $750-million, five-year offering sold in March, was bid at 103.4 cents on the dollar on August 6, according to Thomson Reuters data. That translates to a 2-3 bps new issue premium for Monday’s bond despite it running for two further years.

“The market is awash with liquidity at the moment and NBAD, as a credit story, pretty much sells itself,” said Biswajit Dasgupta, head of treasury and trading at Invest AD. The Abu Dhabi-based lender, like other recent debt issues from the Gulf, benefitted from ample liquidity held by international institutions looking for high-quality names outside low-yielding Western markets and by cash-rich regional investors. Last week, Abu Dhabi

repaid a $1 billion sovereign bond and fund managers will be looking for similar names to replace the maturity on their portfolio. “Money from the Abu Dhabi sovereign bond that matured this week has started flowing into certain names, especially Abu Dhabi 2019 bonds, which tightened by around 25 bps last week,” said an August 5 note from fund manager Invest AD. NBAD, rated Aa3 by Moody’s, is 70.5-percent owned by the state fund Abu Dhabi Investment Council. While bond issuance in August is traditionally rare, with many in the finance sector away on vacations, the turbulent market conditions of recent months mean issuers are keen to take advantage of opportunities.

“In the dollar market, we hit significant volumes last week from some big names like American Movil so the market is hot right now,” said a Gulf-based banker on the deal’s announcement. “I’m surprised they are doing it, especially as it’s the middle of Ramadan so local investors will probably be asleep.

However, the market is open right now for sure.” Much of the Middle East works reduced working hours during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which began in the UAE on July 20. NBAD mandated Citi, JP Morgan, Standard Chartered and itself for the deal, priced with a reoffer value of 99.731 and carried a coupon of 3 percent. —Reuters

DUBAI: Kuwait’s bourse slumped to a sevenmonth low after members of parliament again boycotted a session of the country’s assembly yesterday, foiling an attempt to swear in a new cabinet and further highlighting the political travails hampering the state.

The move, the second such boycott in a week, makes the assembly’s dissolution and further elections - Kuwait has seen eight governments come and go in just six years more likely.

The political stagnation is blamed for delaying much needed economic development, with the head of Kuwait’s largest bank slamming the deadlock last month in a rare public outburst for the Gulf Arab region.

Yesterday’s action saw Kuwait’s index drop 0.4 percent to its lowest close since January 9. The index has lost 11.4 percent in the last three months. Political upheaval in the leading OPEC exporter is keeping away institutional investors, leaving the market at the mercy of day-traders.

“The business impact of the political situation is keeping investors afar - we need to change the bias of the institutional trader because there is hardly any interest,” said Fouad Darwish, head of brokerage at Global Investment House.

Disappointing quar terly results also weighed on individual stocks, with telco major Zain shedding 1.5 percent to its lowest close since March 2009. It missed ana-

lysts’ forecasts on Monday despite a 1 percent rise in second-quarter profit. Burgan Bank ended flat after saying Q2 net profit grew 1.5 percent year-on-year, but provisions surged 16 percent.

In Abu Dhabi, the index gained 0.2 percent as banks, hitting multi-week highs after reporting positive quarterly earnings, supported the bourse.

Union National Bank gained 1.7 percent to its highest close since April 4. First Gulf Bank, up 1.6 percent, and National Bank of Abu Dhabi, 1.1 percent higher, reached 16week and 10-week peaks respectively.

In Dubai, positive results pushed Air Arabia to a 16-week high. The carrier, which beat estimates with a 31 percent rise in Q2 earnings, rose 0.8 percent. “We find these numbers very encouraging and expect the airline’s stock price to continue its recent run,” said Sleiman Aboulhosn, assistant fund manager at Al Masah Capital.

However, the index fell 0.2 percent to extend declines from Sunday ’s 13-week peak. Saudi Arabia’s measure ended at a 10week high, up 0.3 percent, as banking and insurance stocks support after two sessions of decline. Doha’s index extended gains, up 0.2 percent, to a fresh two-month high.

Qatar Insurance advanced 2.7 percent after it said Qatar Holding, a unit of the Gulf state’s sovereign wealth fund, was in talks to increase its stake in the firm through the purchase of new shares.

Both Oman and Bahrain closed flat.

YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS KUWAIT The measure declined 0.4 percent to 5,709 points.

ABU DHABI The index advanced 0.2 percent to 2,511 points.

DUBAI The index slipped 0.2 percent to 1,557 points.

SAUDI ARABIA The index rose 0.3 percent to 6,961 points.

QATAR The benchmark gained 0.2 percent to 8,365 points.

EGYPT The measure climbed 0.6 percent to 5,050 points.

OMAN The index eased 0.01 percent to 5,434 points.

BAHRAIN Th e m e a s u r e e n d e d f l a t a t 1 , 0 9 1 points. — Reuters

Qatar Holding to raise stake in Qatar Insurance DUBAI: Qatar Holding, a unit of the Gulf Arab state’s sovereign wealth fund, is in talks to increase its stake in Qatar Insurance Co (QIC) through the purchase of new shares in the firm, the insurer said yesterday.

Qatar, the world’s biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas, currently owns 12 percent of QIC,

ber and price per share (nominal value and issue premium),” QIC said in a filing to the Qatar bourse, adding any deal needs regulatory approval.

Qatar Holding has made a number of high-profile foreign investments this year, most notably building an 11.03 percent stake in miner Xstrata, a $26 billion

according to Thomson Reuters data. QIC said it had received an offer from “strategic partner ” Qatar Holding. No financial details were given.

“The board of directors of QIC welcomed the offer and agreed to the signing of a memorandum of understanding, which includes determining the required num-

takeover target for commodities trader Glencore. Shares in Qatar Insurance were up 2.7 percent at 0730 GMT, against a 0.07 percent rise for the main Qatar index. An increased stake for the Qatari government will bolster the insurer’s profile but the new share issue will dilute existing shareholders’ positions. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Egyptian pounds

.2740000 .4350000 .3460000 .2880000 .2790000 .2950000 .0040000 .0020000 .0762840 .7432150 .3860000 .0720000 .7285900 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2810000 GB Pound/KD .4390630 Euro .3489600 Swiss francs .2903490 Canadian dollars .2815490 Danish Kroner .0468770 Swedish Kroner .0419070 Australian dlr .2974810 Hong Kong dlr .0362360 Singapore dlr .2264120 Japanese yen .0035830 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0765350 Bahraini dinars .7456550 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0749530 Omani riyals .7301550 Philippine Peso .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Malaysian Ringgit

3.553 5.072 3.053 2.141 3.173 220.090 36.173 3.425 6.439 8.876 89.338

.2840000 .4460000 .3540000 .2970000 .2880000 .3030000 .0070000 .0035000 .0770510 .7506840 .4060000 .0780000 .7359120 .0510000 .2831000 .4423440 .3515680 .2925190 .2836530 .0472280 .0422200 .2997040 .0365060 .2281040 .0036100 .0051500 .0021520 .0030150 .0034910 .0771070 .7512270 .4004240 .0755130 .7356110 .0068220

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

GCC COUNTRIES 74.883 77.158 729.380 745.850 76.464

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 48.250 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.466 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.309 Tunisian Dinar 176.65 Jordanian Dinar 396.190 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.884 Syrian Lier 4.899 Morocco Dirham 32.64 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 280.700 Euro 354.52 Sterling Pound 441.820 Canadian dollar 274.79 Turkish lire 152.400 Swiss Franc 295.01 US Dollar Buying 279.500 GOLD 293.000 148.000 75.250

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria

SELL CASH

302.000 750.620 3.710 285.600 554.300 46.000 48.000 167.800 46.810 354.700 37.090 5.310 0.032 0.161 0.234 3.700 399.980 0.191 92.870 44.600 4.340 235.300 1.828

48.500 733.150 3.080 6.970 78.070 75.360 227.860 36.440 2.688 444.600 43.000 295.400 4.400 9.270 198.263 76.960 282.600 1.360

GOLD 10 Tola

1,708.830

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE Sterling Pound US Dollar

442.600 282.200

732.970 3.007 6.750 77.640 75.360 228.860 36.440 2.137 442.600 293.900 4.400 9.170 76.860 282.200

COUNTRY

Currency

SELL DRAFT

300.500 750.620 3.447 281.100

228.900 46.448 353.200 36.940 5.105 0.031

SELL DRAFT

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

302.97 287.03 296.20 353.53 281.80 444.97 3.68 3.449 5.092 2.140 3.198 3.001 76.79 750.34 46.41 401.47 733.41 77.82 75.36

SELL CASH

310.000 286.000 295.000 355.000 283.000 445.000 3.630 3.580 5.300 2.350 3.650 3.150 77.450 750.00 47.700 399.000 736.000 78.000 75.800

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 399.940 0.190 92.870 3.200 233.800

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

Rate for Transfer

Selling Rate

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro

282.150 283.716 441.300 349.965

291.455 746.985 76.795 77.445 75.205 397.730 46.401 2.136 5.085 3.001 3.448 6.742 692.115 4.600 9.045 4.375 3.235 89.740

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co.

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

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

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Yemeni Riyal Euro Canadian Dollars Nepali rupee

282.300 2.994 5.115 2.145 3.457 6.795 76.965 75.440 750.500 46.447 447.400 2.990 1.550 354.800 288.700 3.195

Al Mulla Exchange Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

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

282.200 353.000 442.250 283.910 3.650 5.105 46.465 2.139 3.443 6.738 2.998 750.400 76.800 75.300

23

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

BUSINESS

UK’s shops and factories struggle in biting recession LONDON: Britain’s economy is stuck in its bid to beat recession, with data yesterday showing retail sales growth slowed in July and manufacturing tumbling in June- presaging another cut to the central bank’s growth forecast.

Bank of England governor Mervyn King looks set to give one of his notoriously gloomy outlooks for Britain, which is in recession as the euro-zone debt crisis, government spending cuts, bad weather and one-off factors are hurting the economy.

Manufacturing output shrank by 2.9% in June, sapped by extra public holidays to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne, though the drop was smaller than first estimated. And retail sales growth slowed in July as

record-breaking rain depressed sales of summer clothes and other seasonal products.

Britain’s athletes may be having a golden Olympics, but exactly how the greatest show on earth will influence the country’s economy is yet to emerge.

“The big picture is that the UK is in a severe double-dip recession and, with inflation also falling faster than expected, Governor Mervyn King will almost certainly paint a very cautious picture tomorrow,” UBS economist Amit Kara said. The central bank is expected to pave the way for more stimulus with a set of downbeat forecasts in its quarterly inflation report on Wednesday, after it started pumping an additional 50 billion pounds into the economy in July.

The Office for National Statistics said the wider reading of industrial output, which includes energy production and mining, dropped 2.5% in June, after a 1.0% rise in May. The quarterly fall in industrial output in the second quarter was revised to 0.9 percent from the originally estimated 1.3 percent drop, indicating that the decline in GDP was a notch smaller than reported two weeks ago.

But the 0.7 percent contraction of the economy between April and June had been much sharper than expected, as a steep slump in construction compounded the weakness in other sectors.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as well as a growing number of City

economists are now predicting that the economy will shrink in the full year.

Britain fell back into a second recession around the turn of the year, and weakening business surveys show that a vigorous return to growth over the summer looks unlikely. Consumers are still reluctant to spend more after rising prices and higher taxes have squeezed their budgets, and firms are holding back investment as the euro-zone debt crisis is weighing on export prospects and confidence.

Wary consumers did not make for profligate shoppers last month, with the British Retail Consortium saying that like-for-like retail sales-at stores open for at least a year-rose by just 0.1% compared with July 2011. The value of total

retail sales, a measure favoured by economists and closer to that found in official statistics, was 2.0% up on the year, after a 3.5% climb in June. “July was clearly not a golden month for retail,” said BRC Director General Stephen Robertson. “After the June wash-out, more wet weather in July continued to stifle demand for outdoor gear,” he added.

The weak economy is keeping the pressure on the government to loosen its tough austerity programme, aimed at erasing a huge budget deficit within five years, in order to boost growth. However, it has stuck to its guns on deficit-reduction, leaving the task of supporting growth to the BoE. —Reuters

Shares, euro lifted by ECB aid plan hopes Spanish, Italian bond yields ease

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivers her energy speech to the Energy Policy Institute of Australia in Sydney yesterday. Gillard said the states must find solutions to take pressure off household power prices by the end of 2012 or face market watchdogs with greater powers to enforce changes. —AFP

Pressure mounts on Monti as Italy recession drags on ROME: Italy’s economy shrank by 0.7% in the second quarter, increasing the pressure on Mario Monti’s government to balance austerity with greater growth impetus as the country wallows deep in recession.

The poor figures will spark greater concern over whether Premier Monti can bring Italy back from the debt crisis brink. While some obser vers slammed the disappointing figures, others said they were unlikely to spook investors.

“Unicredit had forecast a 0.5% contraction for the second quarter-we expected a clearer slowing of the recession,” Unicredit’s Chiara Corsa said. The eurozone’s third largest economy picked up ever so slightly after an 0.8% contraction of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter but Tuesday’s figures show the country is still struggling.

Compared with the second quarter of 2011, the economy contracted by 2.5%, the national institute of statistics (ISTAT) said. “We’re in a serious contraction phase. Italy has tackled the crisis with austerity but has lagged on growth measures and so today ’s results were widely predictable,” Giuliano Noci from Milan’s business school said.

The continued slump is gloomy news for Italians, who have seen a series of austerity packages, tax hikes and reforms imposed on them by Monti and his technocrat government as they struggle to defeat the debt crisis. The marginal improvement compared with the first quarter will do little to reassure economic watchers and financial markets who fear the country’s vast debt leaves it open to contagion risks from other countries hit by the crisis.

While the government has forecast that the economy will shrink by 1.2% this year, the Bank of Italy revised its prediction down in July from -1.5 to 2.0% and business association Confindustria fears it could be -2.4%.

“The GDP figures have shown that the government’s growth forecasts for the year are off track. Investors are now looking for proof that Monti has the strength to go beyond austerity, to growth,” Noci said. Corsa also slammed the government’s forecast as “far too optimistic.”

“There’s a great sense of uncertainty over just how much Italy’s economy will contract this year. We’ve certainly revised our forecast down,” she said.

Italy, which has a public debt equivalent to 123% of its GDP, has been pun-

ished repeatedly by the markets, forced to pay borrowing costs which still hover around the 6.0% warning benchmark as investors keep the pressure on Monti’s team.

The closely watched 10-year bonds sold at 5.96% at the last auction on July 30, but had snuck back up to 6.004% on Monday. The market seemed unruffled by the GDP figures, with the FTSE Mib up 1.33% yesterday.

Former eurocrat Monti has warned the rest of the eurozone that Italy must be allowed breathing space on the markets to have any chance of pulling away from the debt crisis brink and resisting contagion from its weaker neighbour Spain.

Industrial production, the pillar of the Italian economy, shrank by 1.7% in the first quarter, and contracted 8.2% on a 12-month basis. The premier has repeatedly denied that Italy will need a bailout, despite deepening market turbulence, but has called on European partners to speed up the implementation of measures agreed at a June 2829 crisis-busting summit.

While Monti welcomed the ECB’s announcement on Friday that it may may resume government bond purchases to help bring down borrowing costs, investor disappointment over the lack of concrete action left Italy still vulnerable.

“The ECB’s announcement... to reestablish monetary policy transmission stands a chance to end a market panic in Italy’s sovereign bond markets,” said economist watcher Christian Schulz from Germany’s Berenberg bank.

“Now Italy needs to continue its reform efforts to be able to quickly access ESM aid if necessary, improve confidence and to turn-around the economy,” he said in reference to the eurozone’s future rescue fund, the European Stability Mechanism.

The tough austerity measures rapidly imposed by Monti when he took over from billionaire Silvio Berlusconi at the end of last year have sapped consumer confidence and lowered moral, sparking depression, resignation and protests. Italy’s unemployment rate hit a record 10.8% in June, and while youth jobless figures were slightly down (from 35.3% to 34.3%), they may just reveal a drop in the number of young who believe they can find work.

Monti has refused calls to consider standing for election once his term is up, in spring 2013, and fears over Italy’s progress in beating the debt crisis are also fuelled by uncertainty over what Italy’s political future may hold. —AFP

LONDON: World shares held near threemonth highs and the euro clung to gains above $1.24 yesterday after investors drew encouragement from signs that Europe is edging towards resolving its debt crisis even as the economic impact worsens.

Global markets have enjoyed a strong run this week after the European Central Bank promised to buy bonds to ease the pressure on Spain and Italy, albeit under strict conditions that have yet to be fully worked out.

US stocks were poised to open higher while gold inched up towards $1,615 an ounce and Brent crude futures shot past $110 a barrel partly due to worries about supply.

However, a sharp drop in shares of Standard Chartered Plc after New York’s bank regulator threatened to tear up its state banking licence helped to hold back gains in European stocks.

“Hopes of action in Europe are certainly still persistent,” said Keith Bowman, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. “There is still an element of relief coming through from the US employment figures,” he added, referring to Friday’s better-than-expected jobs data.

The cautious hopes that Europe’s threeyear crisis was edging towards a solution lifted the MSCI world equity index 0.2% to 321.14 points, near its highs of May this year.

Share markets have enjoyed renewed demand from investors over the past three months as high-rated government bond returns have fallen sharply due to demand from investors seeking safety from the troubles in Europe, increasing the relative attractiveness of blue-chip stocks.

“Both growth and income investors are now hunting down the 4% dividend yields you can get on many global blue chips,” said Tom Elliott, global strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management. European shares had a choppier day after it emerged that the powerhouse German economy had taken a bigger hit than expected in June due to weakness

across the euro zone.

German industrial orders fell 1.7% on the month, after contracts from the euro zone fell by 4.9%. Data also showed Italy’s recession extending into a fourth consecutive quarter as GDP fell 2.5% year-on-year in the three months to the end of June. “We believe Italy faces another two quarters of negative GDP growth this year,” said BNP Paribas economist Catherine Colebrook. “There is little sign as yet of light at the end of the tunnel.”

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European companies managed a slight gain of 0.2% to 1,088.16 points by midday in Europe, while the Euro STOXX 50, the index of blue chip euro zone stocks, was up 1.1%.

European banking shares, which had rallied more than 12% over the previous nine days, were also weighing on the broader index as more allegations hit the sector.

Standard Char tered led the declines, falling by over 23% and losing $16 billion of market capitalisation, after New York’s top bank regulator threatened to remove its state banking licence, saying the British-based lender hid $250 billion in transactions tied to Iran.

“The trust issues surrounding the banking sector just don’t seem to be going away,” said Brenda Kelly, market analyst at CMC Markets.

The euro was still basking in the glow of ECB President Mario Draghi’s promise that the central bank was “ready to do whatever it takes to preserve the euro”, and the expectations it would intervene to help Spain and Italy.

The euro was up 0.1% at $1.2415, nearing the one-month high of $1.2444 touched on Monday which was its strongest level since early July. “We are expecting the euro to rise to $1.26 in a month’s time and $1.30 in three months, partly due to renewed optimism about the euro-zone and partly because of the dollar’s weakness,” said Michael Sneyd, FX strategist at BNP Paribas.

In the debt market the optimism engendered by the ECB was easing pressure in the Spanish and Italian bonds but, after gains since Draghi’s comments last Thursday, these were beginning to taper off.

Spain’s 10-year bond yields were 1.5 basis points lower at 6.78%, with the Italian equivalent 9 basis points lower at 5.91%. “People are starting to reprice the Italian and Spanish risk ... It’s not over, and I don’t expect the process to stop until we have an accident,” said Francois Duhen, strategist at CM-CIC Securities.

However, investors remain cautious about the next steps, as ECB action can be triggered only when a country decides its finances are in such bad shape that it needs a bailout, which could arouse new fears about the whole region.

The ECB plans to resume bond buying possibly as soon as September - which will target shorter dated sovereign debt and aim to complement the combined firepower of the region’s two bailout funds while keeping the pressure on governments to reform.

But the euro zone’s new permanent bailout fund has yet to be formally approved by paymaster Germany and rules governing any ECB bond buying still have to be agreed by internal committees at the central bank.

Oil prices were enjoying good gains on the ECB hopes along with supply worries stemming from North Sea maintenance, Middle East tensions and the start of hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico, which could disrupt oil and gas production.

Brent crude for September delivery rose 79 cents to $110.34 a barrel, climbing above $110 a barrel for the first time since mid May. US crude firmed by 33 cents to $92.53.

Spot gold was up 0.1% at $1,612.80 an ounce, but US gold futures for August deliver y were down 70 cents an ounce at $1,615.50. —Reuters

Greece to issue T-bills to pay maturing bond

MANNHEIM: In this May 23, 2012 file picture, bags with the logo of SAP are distributed at an annual general meeting in Mannheim, Germany. Fewer but bigger software deals and increased sales to financial and retail companies helped SAP AG post a 12% increase in earnings in the second quarter of the year. —AP

Munich Re ups profit forecast after strong Q2 FRANKFURT: Munich Re, the world’s largest reinsurer, said yesterday it was raising its profit forecast for 2012 after a betterthan-expected second quarter. “We are well on track to slightly surpass the originally envisaged profit for the year of around 2.5 billion euros ($3.1 billion),” chief executive Nikolaus von Bomhard said in a statement.

“We are optimistic for 2012, despite the difficult business environment.” Full-year gross premium income was projected to reach “a range between 50-52 billion euros,” compared with 50 billion euros in 2011, the group said. On the Frankfurt stock exchange, Munich Re shares were showing a gain of 0.47 percent-in line with the overall market-at 118.15 euros.

In the second quarter alone, Munich Re said it booked a 9.8-% rise in net profit to 808 million euros on a 5.5-% gain in gross premiums to 12.63 billion euros. That meant first-half profit amounted to 1.59 bil-

lion euros on gross premiums of 25.897 billion euros.

“With a profit of 1.6 billion euros for the first half-year, we have achieved well over half of our target of around 2.5 billion euros,” von Bomhard said. The group said that its claims exposure was lower than in the same period last year “with its exceptional burden from natural catastrophes” such as earthquakes.

Total major-loss expenditure fell to 716 million euros for the first six months from 3.64 billion euros a year earlier. For the current year, Munich Re said it anticipated a net burden of around 160 million euros from crop failure due to the persistent drought in large agricultural areas in the United States.

Overall, the company said it believed that “the challenge of the still very low interest rate levels to be far greater than that of the volatility of the financial markets or the (weaker) global economy.” —AFP

ATHENS: Greece will issue additional T-bills to pay a government bond that matures later this month and avoid default while it awaits a delayed tranche of aid, a government official said yesterday.

Cash-strapped and behind targets agreed under a 130 billion euro ($160.4 billion) financial rescue package, Athens faces a 3.2 billion euro bond maturity on Aug 20. The bond is held by the European Central Bank. “There will be an announcement on Friday on the amount and details,” the official told Reuters.

The additional sale of short-term debt will come on top of a three-month T-bill auction next week to roll over a previous 1.6 billion euro issue. Shut out of bond markets, Greece issues T-bills on a monthly basis to refund maturing short-term paper.

European partners had promised they would find a way to cover Greece’s funding needs in August and German newspaper Die Welt has reported the ECB agreed last week to raise the upper limit of T-bills the Bank of Greece can accept in exchange for emergency loans.

The move will allow the Greek government to access up to an extra 4 billion euros of funds. The resumption of bailout funding hinges on a progress report by the troika of European Union, International Monetary Fund and ECB inspectors, which is not expected before September.

Key to a positive report from the troika is the finalisation of 11.5 billion euros of austerity cuts due in 2013 and 2014, which Greek political leaders have been discussing for weeks.

The three leaders - Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his allies, Socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left party chief Fotis Kouvelis - last week broadly agreed on the cuts, but are continuing talks to identify specific measures.

They still need to nail down measures to account for about a third of the entire package, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said ahead of talks between the party chiefs later yesterday. “We need to push through the necessary measures to save the country,” Stournaras told reporters.

“11.5 billion euros is a significant amount and we’re not there yet. We’re missing about 3.5 to 4 billion euros.” A second government official said the three leaders hoped to identify the savings - expected mainly from cuts to health, pension and welfare benefits - by the end of the week before sending them to the troika for approval. Greece is wholly reliant on its lenders for money to avoid bankruptcy, which it has narrowly dodged several times over the past year.

The new government that took power in June has promised it will do all to keep Greece in the euro zone, but European policymakers have warned the country could be cut loose if it fails to implement austerity measures and pledges to reform. Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker told Germany’s WDR television that a Greek exit would not be desirable but that it would be “manageable” for the bloc. —Reuters

24

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

business

Growth in emerging economies slows down: IMF GULF INVESTMENT CORPORATION MONTHLY REPORT KUWAIT: The IIF estimates global growth in Q2 2012 at 1.6%, down from 2.7% in Q1 2012. Growth in mature economies’ slowed from 1.6% in Q1 2012 to 0.4% in Q2, largely due to a 1.5% contraction in the euro-area GDP. The US economy, which appeared robust in January, has softened in the last few months, with growth shrinking from 1.9% in Q1 2012 to 1.5% in Q2.

According to the IMF, growth in emerging economies has slowed from 5.2% to 4.4%, largely due to weaker external demands and a sharp deceleration in domestic demand in response to policy tightening and capacity constraints in 2011. Further growth headwinds include the increased investors’ risk

aversion and perceived growth uncertainty which had led to capital outflows and currency depreciation in many emerging economies as well.

Perhaps one of the most serious risks to sustainable global recovery emanates from delayed and insufficient policy action especially in the euro-area. But other short-term risks pertain to the possibility of excessive fiscal tightening in the US, of around 4% of GDP scheduled for 2013, and delays in raising the federal debt ceiling, with the debt limit likely to be reached by Dec 2012. These risks could increase disruptions in financial markets and lead to a loss in consumer and business confidence.

In its recent Oil Market Report, the International Energy Agency (IEA)

kept its forecast for 2012 global oil demand roughly unchanged, while lowering its estimates for 2013. The IEA retained its y-o-y estimate of growth for 2012 at 0.80million bpd, while lowering its estimate for 2013 to 0.98 from the earlier 1.26million bpd (Dec 2011). Recent consensus forecasts suggest that oil prices will trend upwards in the next 3-4 years.

Barclays and Commerzbank see WTI prices ranging between $121 and 124/bbl in 2014 while SocietÈ Generale appears more conservative with its forecasts, expecting a decline of 2% for W TI and 5.7% for Brent crude prices.

GCC macro The GCC economies continue to grow resiliently on the back of expansive fiscal policies, large-ticket infrastructure project execution and increased oil and gas exports at firm prices. The GCC economies have also been experiencing rapid increase in investments, both domestically by the private and public sectors, and internationally through the GCCbased SWFs. Domestic investments are warranted not only as a means of stimulating the economy but more fundamentally as a way of satisfying basic economic needs and elevating the standards of living of the GCC populace. Reference is made here to the importance of satisfying the housing

needs of citizens where current ownership rates lag behind those of international standards. The lag is due to insufficient lending offered for residential purposes by banks and realestate focused financial institutions.

The recent Saudi mortgage law has stirred debate about the size of targeted beneficiaries given that Saudi banks typically require a fairly high threshold of salary before they grant personal, including mortgage, loans. There is also the issue of the high cost of building or purchasing homes relative to the average incomes. Incidentally, the ratio is 10years’ salary in Saudi Arabia, relative to a more modest 3 to 4-year salary multiple in the US and other economies. This partially explains why mortgage debt accounts for only 2% GDP in Saudi Arabia, compared to more than 70% in the US and the UK. In the medium and longer-terms, investment in the GCC appears destined to rise sharply. For instance, Qatar will be constructing major infrastructure and road projects in order to prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It is estimated by the Middle East Magazine, that Qatar will invest a total of $30billion during 2012 alone this year alone. It is very encouraging that over the next 10 years, the GCC region is expected to spend more than $1.1 trillion on a suite of mega projects.

GCC equity markets Global woes, including slowdown in US economic growth and European debt issues, along with the threat of a breakup in the euro-zone, continues to weigh down on regional equity markets. Improvement in oil prices and expectations of healthier Q2 profits could not arrest the downward momentum. Sharp decline in oil prices witnessed during the previous months reversed, as Brent increased by +7.19% while WTI rose +3.15% during the month. Overall, the S&P GCC Index grew by +1.65% during July, compared to a decline of 4.0% during the previous month. Saudi, UAE and Qatar were the positive contributors to the index. Dubai’s DFM was the top performer while Oman was the worst performing market during the month.

Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul Index reversed its losses from previous months during the last week of the period under review; the index gained +2.51% for the month of July.

Given the volatility in oil prices and global demand statistics, it is not surprising that petrochemicals underperformed the index and grew only +1.82%. Cement was the worst performing sector and shed -1.25%. The real estate sector continued to perform well following the approval of the much awaited mortgage law.

In Kuwait, not only did the markets lack positive triggers, but political uncertainty added to investor woes. Furthermore, disappointing results from NBK and the request for a four-year extension by NIG on its sukuk set a negative tone for the market. The KWSE weighted and price indices dropped by -1.71% and 1.19% respectively. Among the largecap stocks, telecom sector was down by -4.89%, as Zain underperformed while banks ended the month down 1.76%.

In the UAE, Dubai’s DFM emerged as the top per former as it rose +6.25%. Continued revival of tourism coupled with recovery in real estate activity led to the outperformance of the real estate sector, that was up +13.68% for the month and up by +44.99% Y TD. Abu Dhabi’s ADSM Index lagged as it rose by +2.39%.

Banks and financial services contributed to the overall performance posting gains of 3.19% and 5.45% respectively.

In Qatar, the QE Index made progress as it grew by +2.16% for the month, mostly driven by contribution from the industrial sector that was up by +4.69%. Qatar remains one of the poorest per formers Y TD, as it declined -5.48% with all sectors underperforming except for insurance which was up by +8.32%.

Both Oman’s MSM Index and Bahrain’s BSE Index failed to impress the investors and reported losses of 5.83% and -2.39% respectively. In Oman, all sectors ended the month with negative returns with banking taking the greatest plunge falling 7.68%. In Bahrain, hotel and tourism sector was the top performer and rose 0.18% while banking sector continued to slide falling -2.83% during July and -5.69% YTD. Investors seem to be taking cue from international markets lately.

Expectations that have been built-up around possible action by the Euro Central Bank (ECB) to bailout the Spanish economy, could spur the equity markets in a positive direction.

However, failure to appease investors

GCC Credit Markets Faltering growth has forced Central Banks around the world to respond, and July was a month of monetary easing. It started with the US Fed extending its “Operation

with a launch of a benchmark 2018 sukuk issuance by Emirates Islamic Bank that received total bids of $5billion, and offered a profit rate of 4.147%. This was followed by issuances by Emaar and a mega issue

by Qatar. Emaar priced its $500million sukuk at a profit rate of 6.4%, and the issue was over-bid 10x. Qatar launched a $4billion dual-tranche Sukuk, which received massive response, as the order book topped $25billion. The $2billion 5Y tranche was priced at MS+115bps and the $2billion 10Y tranche got priced at MS+155bps. All the issues attracted a healthy mix of investors, with the Middle-East accounting for a major chunk.

In Saudi Arabia, an important development in the form of approval of the long-awaited mortgage law, happened during the month. The law also lays the framework for the establishment of mortgage companies in Saudi. Also, the suspense over repayment of Dar Al-Arkan’s $1billion Sukuk got over as the Sukuk was repaid on due date. Amongst rating actions, Fitch affirmed Waha Aerospace at “AA” with a “Stable” outlook, and Kuwait’s IDR at “AA” with “Stable” outlook.

Twist”, followed by a rate cut by the ECB to all time low of 0.75bps, while BOE extended its asset buying programme by GBP 50billion. Globally, the scene was no different, as China’s central bank unexpectedly cut interest rates for the second time within a month in a bid to bolster growth, followed by Brazil and South Korea. US reported a Q2 GDP growth rate of 1.5%, signaling continued slowdown.

However, the biggest worry at this point of time remains the unsustainable yield on Spanish and Italian bonds, and all eyes will be set on the 2 August meeting of ECB, where some kind of policy initiative is expected.

The month was good for regional markets with all the major regional indices ending at all-time highs. The HSBC Nasdaq-Dubai GCC USD Sukuk/Bond TR Index (GCCB) rose mo-m, to close at 150.89 from 148.33 and spreads tightened by 7bps, yielding 3.82%. The HSBC Nasdaq-Dubai USD Sukuk TR Index (SKBI) increased m-o-m from 140.40 to 141.71, while the HSBC Nasdaq-Dubai GCC Conventional USD Bond TR Index (GCBI) traded in a range of 150-154.

The CDS Sovereign market saw tightening of spreads across the spectrum.

However, investment grade outperformed the High Volatility names led

by Saudi 22bps (-17.4%) and Qatar 18bps (-13.9%). In the high volatility space, Dubai spreads tightened by 30bps (-8.4%).

The primary market saw a flurry of action during the month, and all issues continuing to be significantly over-subscribed. The month started

The European crisis has taken centre stage as risky assets are trading around macro headline news. We are in a world characterized by short market cycles driven primarily by investor sentiment and positioning.

However, GCC credits are showing some degree of resilience, and GCC credit continues to trade cheap when compared to ratings, as the regional primary and secondary credit markets continue to benefit from a very supportive investor base. Middle East investors have acquired around 50% of total issuance out of the GCC so far this year.

In the ST, the market will continue to prefer investment grade over high volatility space, till the global uncertainty recedes. We continue to prefer the more defensive credits, primarily out of Qatar, Saudi and Abu Dhabi.

We continue to like Quasi Sovereign names, given the attractive spread pick up over sovereign. Overall, we suggest remaining on the ST-MT end of the curve i.e. reduce duration, given the present global uncertainty.

However, some value still remains in the 10Y part of the curve for Abu Dhabi and Qatar. 5Y/10Y cur ve appears to be steep for selective names.

We also suggest to selectively look at names in high volatility space with strong franchise value, profitable business model and stable cash flow. Due to technical and fundamental reasons, we continue to like Dubai names in high volatility space specially those related to retail, travel & tourism, hospitality and real estate.

in the upcoming ECB meeting could invite their scorn which will likely reflect negatively in the equity markets. Q2 earnings season is almost at its end with the banking sector in Saudi and Qatar posting encouraging results backed by balance sheet strength. This sector is likely to benefit from improved trading as activity picks up following Ramadan and the ensuing Eid holidays.

Expectations of a slowdown in global demand for oil is likely to maintain pressure on the petrochemical sector, though the fertilizer segment is likely to benefit from better than expected fundamentals in the medium term. Ammonia price have grown by +28% YTD while non-urea DAP has lagged behind with +7% gain. On the other hand, in the short term, less than expected rainfall during monsoon in India and Pakistan could lead to dampening of fertilizer demand and impact SAFCO/IQCD negatively in the short term.

25

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

business

Puerto Rico turns to lottery to light up gray economy COROZAL: Instead of just fries, Veronica Rodriguez got a free automobile with her meal at a Burger King in Corozal, a mountain town in Puerto Rico. For Betzaida Pacheco Rosado, a free car came after a visit to a Supercuts hair salon in the San Juan suburb of Bayamon.

Both won their cars with numbered shop receipts used in Puerto Rico’s fledgling government lottery aimed at food-cart sales and other tiny cash transactions in the Caribbean island’s untaxed $14 billion gray economy.

Urgently looking to boost revenue after six years of recession, government officials hope the island’s salesand-use tax lottery-or IVU (impuesto sobre ventas y uso) Loto, as it is called in Spanish-will jump-start collection of sales taxes, which came in below expectations in the fiscal year ended in June.

The IVU Loto automatically enters shoppers in twice weekly cash draws for as much as $25,000, as well as car raffles, and is just a single prong of a government campaign to get more revenue from Puerto Rico’s 7 percent sales-and-use tax.

The campaign matters beyond Puerto Rico, a US commonwealth with a 15 percent jobless rates, a dwindling population, and an outsized $68 billion of outstanding municipal bonds that have been hit by a flurry of ratings cuts. Though often rated as barely investment grade, Puerto Rico bonds carry high, tax-free interest payments and are a favorite of American investors, who are increasingly voicing worries about the island economy’s ability to generate revenue and re-pay debts.

The IVU Loto, which was rolled out in a significant way only over the past year, is slowly sinking into Puerto Rico’s daily life. Its appeal is more akin to coupon clipping than the passions engendered by Puerto Rico’s two existing lottery systems, whose drawings are local media events and occasionally offer purses worth millions.

“I save all my receipts and, like once a month, I check to see the winning numbers on the Internet and sometimes on television,” said Ramona Camacho, a mother of two from Guanica. With more than 200,000 machines at more than 70,000 venues,

IVU Loto receipts are now routinely handed out by hot-dog and bakedpotato vendors using handheld devices, as well as by fruit and vegetable trucks in rural barrios.

For most merchants, the IVU Loto implementation has been painless, even if mandatory. That’s because point-of-sale bank debit card machines are widely used in Puerto Rico, and stores with them merely needed a software update.

Merchants without the devices got IVU Loto machines from Puerto Rico’s Treasury Department, which last year spent $10 million implementing the IVU Loto.

Yet it is still possible to skirt paying the IVU by buying things in cash.

Reuters reporters have been offered tax-free purchases everywhere from surf shops to notary publics.

Sterner techniques used by Puerto Rico’s tax men include dunning letters for past taxes to 30,000 small businesses, fines for vendors who refuse an IVU Loto terminal, and a hot line to turn in neighborhood grocers suspected of fraud. Even with the crackdown and the IVU Loto, Wall Street still fears

Puerto Rico’s economy will not be strong enough to lift sales taxes.

Highly sensitive to Puerto Rico’s Wall Street reputation, government finance officials in July publicly challenged a downgrade by Moody ’s Investors Service of $16 billion of bonds backed by sales-tax revenue. Moody’s expects the island’s sales-tax revenue to be softer than anticipated.

“Future growth prospects are marginal,” Janney Capital Markets Managing Director Alan Schankel said in a new report advising even the boldest municipal bond investors to keep Puerto Rico debt under 10% of holdings.

“It is evident that compliance with IVU is not acceptable by any means,” Puerto Rico Treasury Secretary Jesus Mendez said, adding that low collections could present “a significant opportunity to generate revenues.”

Although government lotteries date to China’s Han Dynasty, rarely have they been used to boost tax compliance, according to academics Thomas Giebe of Humboldt University at Berlin and Paul Schweinzer of Britain’s University of York.

Taiwan has had since 1951 a receipt lottery, in which each of 11.5 billion receipts carries an eight-digit lottery number. Puerto Rico’s Treasury now collects just about half of the potential IVU revenue on the island, according to a report by the Puerto Rico CPA Association and other studies.

The government had expected $200 million extra to be collected from sales tax revenue in fiscal 2012, which ended June 30. Although IVU revenue rose 3.1 percent to $1.141 billion, it still missed forecast by $165 million.

But Mendez said benefits of the IVU Loto and other steps started kicking in late spring, when IVU revenue gains outpaced the annual average, growing 7.1% in April, 3.9% in May and 5.8 % in June.

Based on the fiscal fourth-quarter results, Mendez forecast meeting IVU targets in fiscal 2013, which began July 1. For its fiscal 2013 budget, the government is banking on a $265 million increase in IVU revenue.

“We were basically operating an honor system,” Mendez told bond investors in a conference call. “There is only upside here.” — Reuters

Taiwan, China set to sign key investment pact Anti-Beijing critics remain sceptical

SYDNEY: This photo taken on August 1, 2012 shows gardeners (Left) working on rose bushes in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. — AFP

Australia holds rates at 3.50% SYDNEY: Australia’s central bank held interest rates at 3.50% for a second consecutive month yesterday, saying previous cuts were still trickling through the economy despite a softer global outlook.

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Glenn Stevens said the world economy had cooled after rallying earlier in the year and global gross domestic product was now expected to grow “at no more than average pace” this year.

Europe continued to be the “most significant area of weakness” and was expected to remain a “potential source of adverse shocks for some time”, he added.

Growth in key trade partner China had moderated but the slowdown appeared to have bottomed out, with the local economy growing in line with long-term averages, “moderate” job creation and low inflation.

The RBA aggressively cut rates in recent months, lopping off 50 basis points in May and another 25 points in June, and Stevens said “monetary policy is easier than it was for most of 2011” as a result.

“While it is too soon to see the full

impact of those changes, dwelling prices have firmed a little over the past couple of months, and business credit has over the past six months recorded its strongest growth for several years,” he said in a statement. “ The exchange rate, however, has remained high, despite the observed decline in the terms of trade and the weaker global outlook.” Balancing the stimulatory effects of the recent cuts with the ongoing damage of the high Australian dollar and deterioration in the global outlook Stevens said the bank decided to hold fire for a second month in a row.

“At today’s meeting, the board judged that, with inflation expected to be consistent with the target and growth close to trend, but with a more subdued international outlook than was the case a few months ago, the stance of monetary policy remained appropriate,” he said.

The Australian dollar hit $1.0602 on the widely expected decision, from $1.0580 immediately prior, with investors seeing little indication of further nearterm cuts in the bank’s remarks. — AFP

IKEA close to securing India market entry NEW DELHI: India’s government and the IKEA Group are nearing a compromise over local-sourcing rules that have been delaying the Swedish retailer’s entry into the country, a report said yesterday.

India has agreed “in principle” to give IKEA seven years to meet guidelines stipulating foreign, single-brand retailers sell products manufactured from 30 percent locally made or sourced content, the Economic Times newspaper said.

Originally the government had asked IKEA to comply with the local sourcing rules within one year of starting operations. The company countered with a request for 10 years grace.

IKEA in June asked India for permission to launch retail operations in India, promising to invest $1.9 billion over the coming years-part of a broader push into emerging markets including China and Russia.

The request was highlighted by the government as a sign that global investor confidence in India was “still intact” despite a sharply slowing econ-

omy, a slew of corruption scandals and suffocating red tape.

The sourcing stipulation is part of efforts by the left-leaning government to defuse populist opposition to the entry of big foreign retailers in a country where small mom-and-pop stores dominate.

Given IKEA’s high profile and recent government statements that it wants to make India a “more business-friendly place”, most analysts have said they believe a compromise will be found.

There was no immediate comment available on the newspaper report from IKEA or the government.

IKEA sees huge potential in India’s burgeoning middle class whose “wallet is still thin” but who want “inexpensive but nice home furnishings”, IKEA chief executive Mikael Ohlsson told AFP on a scouting mission to India two years ago. IKEA’s move into India was spurred by a government decision at the start of the year allowing foreign companies to own 100% of “singlebrand” retail ventures, up from an earlier cap of 51%. — AFP

TAIPEI: Taiwan will sign a key investment pact with former rival China at a top-level meeting this week, but anti-Beijing critics remain deeply sceptical of closer ties with the “rascal” mainland government. China’s chief negotiator Chen Yunlin will put his name under the much-delayed agreement in Taipei tomorrow, providing a legal umbrella for the more than 80,000 Taiwanese businesses operating in China.

Taiwan’s China-friendly government has described the new pact as a milestone, reached two years after the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, or ECFA, eased tariff restrictions and gave trade a major boost.

The ECFA was widely characterised as the boldest step yet towards reconciliation. “The investment protection agreement is of significance as it is the first agreement to be signed after ECFA,” Chen’s Taiwanese counterpart Chiang Pin-kung said at a press conference ahead of the meeting.

Taiwan and China were split in 1949 at the end of a civil war, and remained implacable enemies for decades, even after the island’s businesses started exploring opportunities across the strait. Growing economic interaction coincided with a political chill from 2000 to 2008 when independence-minded Chen Shui-bian was president of Taiwan, but his successor Ma Ying-jeou has advocated detente with the huge neighbour.

This is the eighth time in four years that Chen and Chiang meet for talks unthinkable a decade ago in the absence of formal diplomatic ties but which have now become almost routine.

But despite the expanding interdependence-reflected in an estimated Taiwanese investment on the mainland well in excess of $100 billion-many question the merit of pursuing closer links with China.

“Why sign more bilateral agreements with the rascal government in Beijing while China has respected none of the pacts it has already signed?” said Chou Mei-li, a spokeswoman for pro-independence Taiwan

Solidarity Union party, reflecting a widelyheld view on the island. She said that a food safety agreement the two sides signed in late 2008 had done Taiwan little good, and had not prevented several people on the island from being sickened by imported Chinese goods.

Even so, once-fierce hostility to closer ties with China may be gradually waning. The

elections, which gave Ma another four years in office. The investment pact to be inked this week, along with a more technical customs pact, has been the subject of significant delays.

Details of the agreement will only be released after it has been signed, but it appears a main stumbling block has been the protections that Taipei had hoped to get

TAIPEI: Taiwanese activists chant slogans while holding placards, calling for the rights of Taiwanese businessmen in China not to be ignored, during a demonstration outside a building in where Taiwan’s chief negotiator Chiang Pin-kung briefed reporters on the new round of high-level talks with his Chinese counterpart Chen Yunlin, in Taipei, yesterday.

The two envoys, on behalf of their respective governments, are scheduled to sign an investment protection and a customs cooperation agreement tomorrow. — AFP Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s leading opposition party, has said that unlike previous talks it will not mobilise its supporters to take to the streets.

The party last month announced it will set up a China affairs division as a first step towards promoting relations with Beijing following a setback in January presidential

Fitch cuts India retail outlook to negative NEW DELHI: Global ratings agency Fitch has cut the outlook for India’s vast retail sector from stable to negative, saying consumer spending was at its weakest in seven years. The Fitch announcement on Monday was a new blow to the Congress-led government, already struggling to revive an economy growing at its slowest pace in nearly a decade.

Analysts have been betting on strong retail and financial services sector performances as India’s 1.2 billion people move towards a more Western-style consumer economy.

But the slowing economy and high borrowing costs have brought “a sustained deterioration in the discretionary spending ability”, the ratings agency said. India’s once-booming economy grew by just 5.3% between January and March-its slowest annual quarterly expansion in nine years.

The Fitch outlook covers the second half of 2012. It comes two months after Fitch downgraded its overall credit outlook for India from stable to negative, saying the nation’s prized investment grade rating was at risk from flagging growth and spiralling deficits.

Fitch said consumer spending was unlikely to pick up unless consumer price inflation, now running at over 10 percent, comes down significantly and buyers receive a “significant raise in real wages”.

The funding needs of most retailers are likely to increase, driven by store expansions and potentially longer inventory periods, the report added, while a worsening business climate could hit “credit profiles of retailers”.

It said retail sales had been muted so far this year and stores now are discounting goods, eroding profit margins. The ratings agency said allowing supermarkets such as Wal-Mart to enter India’s estimated $470 retail billion industry could provide retailers easier access to foreign investment and have a “positive impact” on their finances. — AFP

for Taiwan’s businessmen living on the mainland, observers said. “If Beijing makes concessions on the fronts, it could also mean a guarantee of better rights protection for its own people and for foreigners, and that’s something Beijing doesn’t want to see,” said Tung Chen-yuan, a political scientist at National Chengchi University in Taipei. — AFP

Asian markets higher on hopes for ECB bond-buying HONG KONG: Asian markets rose yesterday on hopes the European Central Bank will soon restart its sovereign bond-buying scheme, but gains were capped by profit-taking after the previous day’s big gains. The euro edged up as attention turned back to Spain, with speculation swirling that the government would officially ask for eurozone financial aid soon, easing its crippling debt troubles. And Standard Chartered Bank dived after being accused by the United States of hiding hundreds of billions of dollars of transactions with Iran despite the country being under tight financial sanctions imposed by Washington.

Tokyo rose 0.88%, or 77.02 points, to 8,803.31, while Seoul closed flat, adding 0.92 points to 1,886.80. Sydney climbed 0.45 percent, or 19 points, to end at 4,291.6 after the Australian central bank announced a widely-expected decision to keep interest rates in hold for a second straight month. Hong Kong finished 0.37 % higher, adding 73.83 points, to 20,072.55 while the Shanghai Composite Index ended up 0.13 percent, or 2.70 points, at 2,157.62. While regional markets remain upbeat following Friday’s better-than-expected jobs data in the United States, there were few fresh catalysts, with trade quiet ahead of the release of Chinese economic data tomorrow.

Shares in Europe and the United States closed higher as expectation mounted that the ECB will resume its Securities Market Programme (SMP) of buying sovereign debts of under-pres-

sure countries such as Spain and Italy.

Bank chief Mario Draghi raised hopes at the end of July by saying the ECB would do whatever was needed to support the euro, which has come under severe strain from the long-running debt crisis that has threatened to break up the eurozone.

On Wall Street the Dow closed up 0.16 percent, the Nasdaq rose 0.74 percent and the S&P 500 climbed 0.23 percent.

On the Hong Kong exchange banking giant Standard Chartered plunged 14.9 percent after US regulators accused it of hiding $250 billion in transactions with Iranian banks for almost a decade, in violation of US sanctions.

And in London the bank slumped 15.7% in the morning, following a more than six percent loss in after-hours trade on Monday. Branding the London-based global financial giant a “rogue bank”, New York officials said the lender systematically disguised foreign exchange deals with Tehran in a breach of controls that potentially opened up the US banking system to terrorists and criminals.

New York’s Department of Financial Services threatened the bank with fines and possible suspension of its licence to operate in the state, in the latest US move against foreign banks trading with Tehran amid a stand-off over the country’s controversial nuclear programme.

And in Japan, analysts voiced fears that political uncertainty there would hit shares after the opposition threatened a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. — AFP

26

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

business

All-new Santa Fe embodies ‘Storm Edge’ design concept To go on sale in the ME in mid-September

Infiniti Emerg-e scores another first DUBAI: Infiniti Emerg-e, the brand’s first range-extended, mid-engined electric sports car concept has won a prestigious award from the German Design Council.

The concept car, launched at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year to global acclaim, was yesterday announced as the winner in the Concepts category of the Automotive Brand Contest 2012, the international competition for automotive brands and now a major industry event. The award, which will be presented in a ceremony at the Mondial de L’Automobile, Paris on 27th September, recognises excellence and innovation in product design, and celebrates the brand’s fresh, fluent design approach, expressed in the highly aerodynamic curves of the Infiniti Emerg-e.

This is the latest milestone to be achieved by this highly advanced sports car, physical proof of Infiniti’s intention to produce a bold halo model befitting the brand’s promise of Inspired Performance. In June, a fully functioning

prototype version of the Infiniti Emerg-e made its bold global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, driven by Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver, Mark Webber.

Infiniti Emerg-e provides an exciting glimpse into Infiniti’s future and features an array of exciting new technologies that the brand will adopt in its quest to build dramatic and sustainable high performance cars.

Notes About Infiniti: Infiniti, the luxury automotive brand from Japan, reflects its brand promise ‘Inspired Performance’ with a model line-up of sedans, coupes, convertibles, SUVs and crossovers featuring exhilarating performance, emotive design and cutting edge technology.

Infiniti continues to launch across the globe through a dedicated network of Infiniti Centers that share a commitment to exceptional hospitality throughout the entire period of ownership.

NBK invites Thahabi customers at Piaget & Korloff boutiques KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) rewards Thahabi customers with an exclusive offer on Piaget and Korloff jewelry, in corporation with Morad Yousuf Behbehani Group.

From 9 to 11 August, 2012, NBK Thahabi customers can enjoy a special offer on the luxurious watches & jewelry collection by Piaget and Korloff when they shop using their NBK credit cards at Piaget and Korloff boutiques in in Salhia Complex.

“NBK seeks to reward its premium Thahabi customers with the best offers and promotions,” said Ahmed Al Khader, NBK’s Assistant General Manager, Consumer Banking Group. “Thahabi customers live an affluent lifestyle and expect the best. NBK continues to meet those expectations by providing the most exclusive offers and benefits.”

Thahabi is the premier affluent package from NBK. It offers customers personalized and ‘best-in-class’ products and services delivered by professional

seat forms, with ample room and storage throughout the car. In the boot there are two compartments, a luggage under-tray space and a luggage centre box, in addition to the main boot section. Folding rear seats create even more space for Santa Fe owners.

The Santa Fe will come with a wealth of new and improved technologies. And with

Hyundai’s continued commitment to making all its new cars more eco-friendly, there is an option of active ECO, which will actively control air condition output and engine transmission activity for the best fuel efficiency.

Full specifications will be announced by Hyundai Motor Company closer to the model’s arrival in the Middle East.

10 reasons why you need to have the GALAXY S III Ahmed Al Khader Personal Banking Officers. Thahabi customers also enjoy many banking-related discounts, fee waivers and value-added lifestyle benefits.

Freddie Mac posts $1.2B net income for Q2 WASHINGTON: Government-controlled mortgage giant Freddie Mac posted net income of $1.2 billion for the second quarter and isn’t requesting any additional federal aid for the period.

The government rescued Freddie and larger sibling Fannie Mae in September 2008 after massive losses on risky mortgages threatened to topple them. Taxpayers have spent about $170 billion to rescue Fannie and Freddie, the costliest bailout of the 2008 financial crisis. It could cost about $200 billion more to support the companies through 2014 after subtracting dividend payments, according to the government.

This is the fifth quarter in which Freddie hasn’t requested new federal aid since it was taken over in September 2008. Freddie Mac requested $19 million in federal aid in the first quarter. The company received $7.6 billion for all of 2011 and $13 billion for all of 2010.

McLean, Virginia-based Freddie Mac said yesterday that its net income attributable to common shareholders amounted to 37 cents per share in the April-June period. That compares with a loss of $3.76 billion, or $1.16 per share, in the same period a year ago.

Freddie’s second-quarter net income takes into account $1.8 billion in dividend payments that Freddie made to the government, its primary shareholder. The company said the gain reflected a decrease in the amounts that it had to set aside to cover potential losses on mortgages as the housing market has improved.

Fannie and Freddie are required to pay 10 percent dividends on the government money they receive.Freddie has paid more to the government in

KUWAIT: Hyundai Motor Company has announced that the all-new 2013 Santa Fe will go on sale in the Middle East in midSeptember 2012. With its core product concepts being “Refinement,” “Smartness” and “Practicality,” the all-new Santa Fe is set to be a hit in the SUV market, offering a whole new class of luxury with its differentiated design, cutting-edge technologies and practical use of space.

The all new Santa Fe will continue the solid brand heritage of the automaker’s most representative SUV model, which is entering its third generation. The previous generations of Santa Fe have already proven popular with customers in the Middle East, with 87,273 units sold since the model made its debut in 2000. The Santa Fe has also achieved worldwide cumulative sales of 2.56 million units since its 2000 launch.

Tom Lee, Head of Hyundai Middle East’s Regional Headquarters, said: “The all-new Santa Fe reinforces Hyundai’s commitment to produce premium cars”. He continued: “We think that the new generation Santa Fe will not only appeal to existing customers in the region with its fresh design and improved levels of standard technology, but will attract a new range of Middle East buyers looking for a stylish, premium and authentic SUV.” Premium features are not limited to Hyundai’s luxury line up, but can be seen in the Santa Fe. The New Santa Fe has reclining angle comfort rear seats that are identical to seats found in luxury sedans, as well as full leather for both the front and rear seats, with a 12-way driver power seat. Other added touches include a cooling box that will refrigerate drinks in the hot weather and a rear window curtain that will provides more exclusivity and privacy for the rear passengers.

Based on Hyundai’s design philosophy, Fluidic Sculpture, the new Santa Fe adopts its own design concept called “Storm Edge,” which captures the strong and dynamic images created by nature during the formation of a storm. The design adopts the hexagonal grille that has become a Hyundai trademark in most of its new line-ups, a two-tone voluminous bottom car body and wider front and rear bumpers, creating a futuristic and urban-style SUV image.

The interior shows an evolution in design and an insight into the future through Hyundai’s eyes. The all new Santa Fe will come to the Middle East in sporty five and seven

dividends than it has taken in aid in the last six quarters, the company says.

Twenty-eight percent of the company’s holdings are home loans issued between 2005 and 2008, which accounted for 88 percent of its losses in the first six months of the year.

Freddie said those loans are becoming a smaller proportion of its portfolio, and that over time that should have a positive impact on its finances.

Freddie and Washington-based Fannie own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages, or nearly 31 million home loans, which are worth more than $5 trillion. Along with other federal agencies, they backed nearly 90 percent of new mortgages over the past year.

The housing market has slowly begun to improve, but has a long way to go before it’s healthy. Many homeowners are still defaulting on their mortgages. Unemployment remains high at 8.3 percent.

Fannie and Freddie buy home loans from banks and other lenders, package them into bonds with a guarantee against default, and then sell them to investors around the world. When property values drop, more homeowners default, either because they are unable to afford the payments or because they owe more than the property is worth. Because of the guarantees, Fannie and Freddie must cover the losses. Pressure continues on the government to eliminate Fannie and Freddie and reduce taxpayers’ exposure to risk. The Treasury Department put forward a plan last year to slowly dissolve the companies, though that process could take years. Abolishing Fannie and Freddie would transform how homes are bought and redefine who can afford them. — AP

KUWAIT: It came. We saw. Now it is conquering. The Samsung GALAXY S III is undeniably one of the most awaited and sought after smartphones globally. It is the best in class smartphone that is effortlessly smart and intuitively simple. It is a solid synergy of innovative features, game changing technology and nature-inspired design. It was unveiled across the region recently and in case you’ve been living under a rock, we are giving you the top ten reasons why you need to get your mitts on the Samsung GALAXY S III now!

1. 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED display The Samsung GALAXY S III is fitted with an expansive 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED display that allows users to comfortably view content like never before. The screen size ensures maximum usability without compromising on portability.

The large screen size enables users to watch high quality content while on the move; the HD Super AMOLED display brings pictures to life by delivering sharper and more vivid colors with an excellent picture quality.

2. Burst Shot The device features an 8MP backcamera and a 1.9MP front camera with many intelligent features. One of them is the Burst Shot feature that allows users to instantly capture twenty continuous shots with zero-lag shutter speed. This feature comes in very handy when trying to capture sharp movements in images.

3. Smart Stay Remember that annoying moment when you are reading a book or an article on your smartphone and the screen switches off? With the Samsung GALAXY S III, you should be able to continue your reading comfortably as it includes the innovative Smart Stay feature. This feature uses the phone’s front camera to track your eyes to understand if your eyes are on the screen or not. If you are looking at your screen, it will continue lighting the screen and if you are looking away, it will automatically dim it.

4. S-beam The S-Beam is an intuitive feature that makes sharing content so much easier!The GALAXY S III allows users to easily share images, videos and other documents by simply tapping another GALAXY S III device without using WiFi or cellular signal. The phone uses Near Field Communication (NFC) for pairing the devices and WiFi Direct technology to transfer the files.

5. Pop-up play You are watching a video and the boss texts you for an update on a report. Under normal circumstances, you would have to turn off

your video, respond to the text and then return to your video.

However, with the Pop-up play feature on the GALAXY S III, you could easily continue watching your video while typing your message; multi-tasking at its best! The PopUp Play gives you the option of placing a small video window anywhere on the smartphone screenwhile running another application simultaneously.

6. Direct Call Another really cool feature that is available on the GALAXY S III is Direct Call. Say you receive a text and while responding to the text you decide that you would rather

call and speak to the person.

Simply lift the phone to your ear and it will call the person you were texting. The Direct Call feature uses a gesture recognition technology that enables the phone to understand your intention and respond accordingly.

7. Nature-inspired design The Samsung GALAXY S III is truly inspired by nature in terms of its design, user interface and its many human-centric features. Its design concept is the flow and movement of nature and its comfortable grip, gentle curves and organic form deliver a rich humancentric feel. The design is centered on simplicity of use, with features that respond intuitively and naturally to human use and interaction.

It balances ergonomics with intuitive use so that the device really becomes an extension of the user.

8. Buddy Photo Share The Buddy Photo Share is yet another feature that enables easy and instant sharing on the Samsung GALAXY S III. Once the device understands what your friends look like, this intuitive feature can recognize your friends in any image and then allows you to share the image with them through email, text message or a social network by simply tapping on their face.

9. S Voice The S Voice feature provides and advanced natural language user interface. When your phone alarm goes off but you need a little extra rest, just tell the GALAXY S III “snooze”, or if your hands are full but you want to answer the phone just say “accept call” and begin talking. Nifty!

10. Powerful Performance The GALAXY S III packs a powerful 1.4 GHz Quad Core processor that enables seamless multitasking with a super-fast performance. It significantly enhances the overall smartphone experience of the phone by launching apps quicker, cutting boot times and providing much faster browsing speeds.

27

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

Majority of businesses in Gulf not securing their virtual infrastructure DUBAI: More than half of businesses that have already adopted or are planning to adopt virtualization technology have no intention of implementing the relevant security for their virtual environments. This alarming figure came to light following a recent survey on virtualization

by O+K Research. The survey was conducted among IT professionals working in medium and large businesses that already have vir tual infrastructure in place or plan implementation in the near future.

Conducted in March 2012, the survey reveals that the level of virtual infrastructure adoption is high. In particular, 61% of GCC companies are currently implementing or have already implemented server virtualization, 27% plan to implement a virtual desktop infrastructure and 30% plan data storage virtualization. The survey also indicates that experience of using virtualization technologies is considerable: in GCC this figure is slightly less than two years.

43% of GCC professionals working in IT believe that the security risks in a virtual environment are lower or significantly lower than those for physical infrastructure. The more justified perception of virtual security risks being at least equal to those in a physical environment is shared by 42% of IT pros.

The level of adoption of specialized security technology in virtual environments is alarmingly low. 54% of GCC companies are either not aware or not interested in agent-less security solutions for virtual infrastructure or interested, but not planning to adopt it. Only 19% of GCC companies have confirmed the implementation of such security for their virtual infrastructure.

The low adoption level of virtualization-specific security solutions cannot be explained by their complexity. As an example, the recent Kaspersky Security for Virtualization solution from Kaspersky Lab is fully compatible with the VMware platform and is easy to deploy thanks to its agent-less approach. The solution

is installed as a security appliance for each physical host, and automatically protects all virtual machines running on it. There is no need to install and maintain the security solution on a virtual machine itself.

At the same time, Kaspersky Security for Virtualization can be integrated into the wider IT security infrastructure where physical and vir tual machines as well as mobile devices are protected and centrally managed by Kaspersky Lab’s solutions.

“This survey shows that the perception of vir tual security risks among businesses worldwide is alarmingly unsound. We believe that virtual infrastructure has to be treated with the utmost attention in terms of security, and failure to do so could result in significant damage,” warns Konstantin Voronkov, Senior Product Manager of Virtualization Solutions at Kaspersky Lab. “We also see that most companies are simultaneously facing security issues in both virtual and physical environments. That is why Kaspersky Security for Virtualization provides specialized agent-less security for virtual environments and integrates with K aspersky Security Center, the management console designed to handle security challenges across the entire corporate infrastructure.”

K aspersk y Lab is the largest antivirus company in Europe. I t delivers some of the world’s most immediate protection against IT security threats, including viruses, spy ware, crimeware, hackers, phishing, and spam. The company is ranked among the world’s top four vendors of security solutions for endpoint users. Kaspersky Lab products provide superior detection rates and one of the industry’s fastest outbreak response times for home users, SMBs, large enterprises and the mobile computing environment. Kaspersky technology is also used worldwide inside the products and services of the industry’s leading IT security solution providers.

Samsung launches new super-size Galaxy Note SEOUL: South Korea’s Samsung Electronics said yesterday it had launched a super-size version of its Galaxy Note smartphone, the latest salvo in its battle with Apple for the multi-billion-dollar handheld market. The Galaxy Note 10.1, which went on sale on Monday in Germany and the United Arab Emirates, is almost twice as wide as its predecessor and nearly the size of a tablet.

The release comes as Samsung tries to make inroads in the tablet computer market, which is dominated by Apple’s iPad. The two technology giants are also engaged in a bitter court battle over patent infringements. The firm said the new Note would be officially released in the United States on August 15 and sometime next week in Britain and South Korea.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 — powered by Google’s Android software-features a touchscreen which is 10.1-inches (25.6 centimetres) measured diagonally, considerably wider than the 5.3-inch screen of the previous Note.

Like its predecessor, it comes with a stylus called the “S pen” to write notes or draw on the screen.

The new version allows users to split the screen in half to view two programs at once.

The new device is equipped with a quad-core processor that allows users to run multiple applications faster than the previous version, which had a dual-core processor.

“The advanced technology and

features included in Galaxy Note 10.1 give users the power to produce, create and customise communications,” JK Shin, the chief of Samsung’s mobile unit, said in a statement.

Samsung-the world’s largest smartphone maker by shipmentsin November introduced the first version of its Galaxy Note, a device positioned between its flagship Galaxy S smartphones and Galaxy Tab tablet computers.

Jeff Kang, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said the new Galaxy Note was apparently aimed at competing with Apple’s marketleading iPad. “The Note 10.1 is practically a new tablet PC that comes with a stylus pen, which the iPad doesn’t have,” he told AFP. Midas Kang of Woori Investment and Securities said Samsung has recently tried to expand a range of stylus-equipped mobile devices to compete better against its US rival, which has not released such products.

Samsung and Apple are embroiled in legal battles in 10 countries worldwide over patents for smartphones and tablet computers.

At an ongoing major hearing in San Jose, California, Apple is seeking more than $2.5 billion after accusing the Korean firm of infringing designs and other patents.

Samsung denies this and counter-charges that Apple infringed its patents for wireless communication. —AFP

SEOUL: This handout image released by Samsung Electronics in Seoul on August 6, 2012 shows the Galaxy Note 10.1 — powered by Google’s Android software-featuring a 10.1-inch (25.6 centimetre) touchscreen, considerably wider than the 5.3-inch screen of the previous Note. —AFP

People shouldn’t just focus on the CPU BERLIN: There’s almost no machine these days that runs without a central processing unit (CPU), whether it’s your washing machine or your laptop. But how to pick the best one?

Delve into the world of processors and you’ll find a dizzying mix of marketing names that reveal next to nothing about the unit’s quality.

In many cases, a difference of just one digit or letter can spell the difference between a dynamo and a dud. It’s also just as easy to buy a lot more power than could ever be needed.

The two main providers of CPUs are Intel and AMD. Both offer a series of high-end devices. But computer users should focus more on which configuration best suits their needs. “There are serious differences in performance,” says Christof Windeck of c’t, a German computer magazine. There’s no way to compare the relatively low-key dualcore processor of an ultrabook with a quadcore processor.

“But if you use your notebook like a business tool, then it doesn’t really matter which processor you have,” notes Windeck. And there really is no subjective difference to be noticed in the performance of most contemporary processors. An SSD hard drive can often speed up a system more than a new CPU and it only costs 200 euros (245 dollars).

AMD’s newest processors - it’s a series with an integrated graphics processor (GPU) - is called Trinity. The new CPU runs faster than its predecessor generation - Llano with Bulldozer architecture - says the company. However, at 32 nanometres, its structure remains unchanged.

Mobile Trinity processors hit markets in mid May. Desktop CPUs will follow soon. Trinity models A6, A8 or A10 comes with 4000 numbers, while Llano chips are numbered in the 3000s. There will also be especially energyconserving Trinity processors for Ultrathins, AMD’s answer to Intel’s Ultrabooks.

In terms of pure computing power, AMD’s processors lie far behind Intel’s, says Windeck.

But still, AMD devices provide more than enough power for most applications. And AMD’s GPUs pack a lot more power than Intel’s graphics processors.

Along with its A series, AMD also has, from its FX lines, Bulldozer processors without graphics processors. These will soon come with Piledriver architecture (codename: Vishera). The graphics-free X series with older K10 architecture, on 45-nanometre chips, will be marketed as Sempron, Phenom and Athlon.

AMD also has the less powerful C and E series processors, these with integrated graphics. They serve as competition to Intel’s Atom chips. Windeck is unimpressed by these, noting that they really only fit the bill for netbooks or tablet computers.

Intel has been marketing the third generation of its Core i line of processors with integrated GPU. The first character in these models is always a 3. According to Intel, it got the chip structure for Ivy Bridge processors down to 22 nanometres from 32.

However, second generation versions of this chip, which have model names starting with a 2, won’t completely disappear from the

market. That’s because Ivy Bridge is only initially going to be available as i5 and i7 CPUs for high-end devices. More affordable i3, Pentium and Celeron CPUs will remain for sale in older Sandy Bridge architectures.

And Sandy Bridge isn’t ready to go out to pasture in terms of computing power, says Windeck. “At similar speeds, the changes are only minor,” he says. But speed upgrades are more significant with mobile Ivy Bridge CPUs than with the somewhat larger desktop chips.

Chip manufacturers aren’t just shrinking the chips to fit more transistors onto smaller spaces. Smaller chips mean more can be produced from the same raw materials. But that presents its own problems.

“The smaller the structure, the more difficult it becomes to disperse heat,” notes Heinrich Theodor Vierhaus from the Brandenburg University of Technology in Cottbus, Germany. Heat and higher speeds can be detrimental to a chip’s lifespan.

“If you don’t absolutely need the performance, you should opt for larger structures,” says the computer scientist. “The more cores working at a slower speed, the longer the lifespan.”

Moreover, even if the integrated GPUs pack some punch, most of today’s blockbuster games still require an additional graphics card.

“It’s always a question of the entire package,” says Windeck. People shouldn’t just focus on the CPU, but think about their ideal computer, test out applications and be aware of size, weight, the display and keyboard, battery life and volume when considering laptops. —dpa

New mobile games explore glaciers MOSCOW: A handout photo provided yesterday by Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny shows what he claims to be a bugging device.

Navalny accused the authorities of planting a bug and a video recorder in his office as part of their effort to keep tight reins on President Vladimir Putin’s foes. —AFP

Microsoft goes cold on Hotmail SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft is pulling the plug on Hotmail, one of the early leaders in web-based email, and plans to transition the service’s more than 350 million users to a new email service called Outlook.com, the software giant announced Tuesday.

The new service will, as its name suggests, tie in with the Microsoft email program of the same name that is part of the company’s popular Office suite of business software.

Microsoft touted the new system as the biggest change in web-based email since the introduction of Hotmail in 1996. Microsoft bought the company a year later for an estimated 400 million dollars.

According to a blog posting by product manager Chris Jones, Outlook.com combines contact information from emails and popular social networking services such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus.

Featuring a minimalist design, the

new service boasts powerful tools for sorting emails, including automatic recognition of newsletters, social media updates and junk mail that, according to Jones, accounts for some 70% of inbox content.

The service also automatically recognizes emails with photos, documents or shipping information attached and sends these to pre selected folders.

While the free service is ad-supported, Microsoft said that unlike Google’s gmail service the ads will not be related to the content of users’ emails.

“We don’t scan your email content or attachments and sell this information to advertisers or any other company, and we don’t show ads in personal conversations,” Jones said. He said that Outlook.com was launched Tuesday in a preview period and that eventually all Hotmail users would be switched to the new service. No date was given for the transition.—dpa

BERLIN: Now is a good time to own a Nintendo 3DS, with new games based on Ice Age 4 and a visit to a haunted house in the works, among others. Meanwhile, Playstation Vita owners will have to wait a month for something new.

But that’s the way it goes with handheld gaming.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance for the Nintendo 3DS once again merges the worlds of Final Fantasy maker Square Enix and Disney. This time, a beautiful kingdom is threatened by dark powers.

Players take on the roles of the heroes Sara and Riku, accompanied by Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, as they explore various worlds from the Disney universe. Those include classics like the settings of Pinocchio and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as those of more unexpected productions like Tron Legacy.

The game is a sequel of Kingdom Hearts II, released in 2006 for the Playstation 2. But this time, the action sometimes extends into the real world thanks to an augmented reality card and the 3DS camera. The game’s fighting system has also been overhauled, meaning faster action and more of it.

Players can also call on Dream Eaters, small creatures that can help them. Owners of the 3DS expansion Circle Pad Pro can use the second analogue stick to con-

trol the camera. The action-role playing game costs about 45 euros (55 dollars).

Square Enix also has plans to release a new Final Fantasy installment for the 3DS. But Theatrythm: Final Fantasy is no epic role-playing game. Instead, it’s a music game.

Just like with Guitar Hero or Rock Band, players have to exactly repeat rhythms and notes on the screen. Doing so properly frees up video clips, figures and more songs.

The game includes more than 70 pieces of music from 25 years of Final Fantasy. Heroes, villains and monsters all share their piece of glory here. But to get at all of them, you’ll need to play the pieces to per fection. The game sells for about 40 euros.

Timed to accompany blockbuster Ice Age 4: Continental Drift, Activision’s new game for the Nintendo DS and 3DS, is a collection of mini games, set up like a series of athletic competitions, pitting Manny the mam-

Wikipedia back online after brief service cut SAN FRANCISCO: Popular online knowledge trove Wikipedia was back online yesterday after a fiber optic cable connection between its two US data centers was severed, causing an hour-long service outage.

A cable line linking data centers in the states of Virginia and Florida was severed about 1300 GMT, according to the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia.org and other websites. Wikipedia’s websites were restored after an hour and the mobile service was back online by about 1535 GMT, Wikimedia said.

“We are now working with

our network provider to determine how and why we were impacted by that fiber cut when we are supposed to have redundancy in our network,” Wikimedia said in a blog post.

“We are still waiting for their full report.” Wikimedia has two separate fiber optic lines connecting the data centers, with one connection intended to act as a backup for the other in event of a problem. The data center in Virginia handles most Wikipedia traffic but accesses the center in Florida to fetch stored information in the crowd-sourced online encyclopedia, according to Wikimedia. —AFP

moth and his friends against a band of pirates.

A lot of the games draw upon the Winter Olympics, but with twists. Players have to hop glaciers and go nut sledging. Of course, the tone is light, often thanks to the character Sid the sloth. Players win acorns, not medals. Winning the most leads to an actual valuable treasure.

There is also a multi-player mode so friends can compete in the winter spor ts. Ice Age 4 retails for about 35 euros.

Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir is almost the opposite and definitely not suited for children. That’s because 3DS users can use the device with the game to summon ghosts into their home, bringing the memoir and its gruesome inhabitants right onto your desk.

The game revolves around freeing the girl Maya from a curse, while you’re in a haunted house that has become infested with ghosts. These can only be seen with the camera obscura the 3DS for the purpose of this game.

Not every ghost is nasty, but it is better to be on the safe side.

There are also a series of side games along with the main one.

One allows players to photograph their friends and turn them into ghouls within the game. The game sells for 35 euros. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

H E A LT H & S C I E NC E

NASA’s Mars rover sends back stunning pictures After its first day on Mars, NASA’s rover Monday sent back to Earth stunning images of its crater landing site and the mountain it aims to climb in the hunt for signs of life. The landing of the $2.5 billion Mars Science Laboratory and nuclear-powered robot Curiosity late Sunday opened a new chapter in the history of interplanetary exploration by touching down on the Red Planet. The one -ton mobile lab is the largest rover ever sent to Mars, and its high-speed landing was the most daring to date, using a rocket-powered sky crane to lower the six-wheeled vehicle gently to the Martian surface.

Numerous images of the car-sized rover and its alien surroundings have come back to NASA since the landing occurred at 10:32 pm Sunday on the US West Coast (0532 GMT Monday). New images of the rover’s descent, taken from the vehicle itself, were shown on NASA television, strung together in a video that depicted the spacecraft’s heat shield deploying and dust kicked up before the rover landed wheels down. Other black and white images show the rover ’s shadow and Mount Sharp in the distance, a mountain it aims to conquer as part of its two-year mission to explore Mars and analyze sediment layers that are up to a billion years old.

The images so far tend to be small, but high-resolution images are expected in the next couple of weeks. “The spacecraft is oriented northwest-southeast, pointing forward toward Mount Sharp,” said project scientist John Grotzinger. “This couldn’t have been a better position to land in.” However, Grotzinger said it may be a year before the rover arrives at the mountain in the center of the planet’s Gale Crater, as scientists first take a close look at soil and rock samples inside the crater.

“We would never want to just drive across the dunes as the shortest way to go there,” he said. According to NASA chief engineer Miguel San Martin, the rover touched down inside the planned landing ellipse that spanned 12 by four miles (20 by

six kilometers) at the foot of the mountain.

Further data in the coming days will give scientists a better idea of exactly where the rover landed. Initial checks on the instruments on board have also come back positive, NASA said. When the landing was announced after a tense, seven-minute entry, descent and landing, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory filled with jubilation as the mission team cheered and exchanged Mars chocolate bars.

President Barack Obama described the landing as “an unprecedented feat of technology that will stand as a point of national pride far into the future.” Success had been anything but certain. NASA’s more recent rover drop-offs involved smaller craft that were cushioned with the help of airbags. In the final moments, the MSL craft accelerated with the pull of gravity as it neared Mars’s atmosphere, made a fiery entry at 13,200 miles per hour and then slowed with the help of a supersonic parachute. An elaborate sky crane powered by rocket blasters then kicked in, and the rover was lowered down by nylon tethers, landing upright on all six wheels.

Engineer Adam Steltzner, leader of the entry, descent and landing team, who had previously admitted the landing bid appeared “crazy,” said that in the end, it “looked extremely clean.” Scientists do not expect Curiosity to find aliens or living creatures but they hope to use it to analyze soil and rocks for signs the building blocks of life are present and may have supported life in the past. The project also aims to study the Martian environment to prepare for a possible human mission there in the coming years. Obama has vowed to send humans to the planet by 2030. The spacecraft has already collected data on radiation during its eight-and-a-half-month journey following launch in November 2011 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Previous attempts by space agencies since 1960 have seen a near 40 percent success rate in sending landers, orbiters or other spacecraft to Mars.—AFP

Weight training linked to lower diabetes risk NEW YORK: Weight training, and not just cardio workouts, is linked to a lower risk of developing diabetes, according to a US study. “We all know that aerobic exercise is beneficial for diabetes - many studies have looked at that - but no studies have looked at weight training,” said study leader Frank Hu, at the Harvard School of Public Health. “This study suggests that weight training is important for diabetes, and probably as important as aerobic training.”

Hu and his colleagues, whose report was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, used data on more than 32,000 male health professionals, who answered questionnaires every two years from 1990 to 2008.

On average, four out of 1,000 men developed type 2 diabetes every year, the researchers found. The risk of getting the blood sugar disorder was only half as high for men who did cardio, or aerobic, workouts - say brisk walking, jogging or playing tennis - at least 150 minutes a

week, as for those who didn’t do any cardio exercise. Men who did weight training for 150 minutes or more had a risk reduction of a third compared to those who never lifted weights, independently of whether or not they did aerobic exercise. Whereas weight training increases muscle mass and can reduce abdominal obesity, it tends not to cut overall body mass, said Hu. The results don’t prove that working out staves off diabetes, because many men who stay fit may also be healthier in other ways, but the researchers did their best to account for such potential differences, including age, smoking and diet.

“I think the benefits of weight training are real,” said Hu. “Any type of exercise is beneficial for diabetes prevention, but weight training can be incorporated with aerobic exercise to get the best results.”

Along with an appropriate diet, exercise is also important for people who already have diabetes and can help control high blood sugar, he added.—Reuters

FLORIDA: Magician Matthew James (left) poses for a photo with Daisy Sherman, after a show.

Rare skin disorder bonds families at Florida conference ‘We couldn’t do it without the other families’ ORLANDO: Daisy Sherman has an imaginary friend named Skunk who can do everything the 5-yearold from Kissimmee, Fla., can’t. Skunk can wrestle and tumble and climb ladders into the clouds because his skin — unlike Daisy’s — won’t break and blister at the slightest touch. The girl’s rare skin disease, called EB (for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa) is difficult for many to understand, but last week Daisy found herself surrounded by nearly 400 visitors to central Florida who did understand what it’s like to get an open sore after simply holding a baby rattle or sitting on a tricycle. Called by those familiar with it “the worst disease you’ve never heard of,” EB affects one in 50,000 babies; one in three don’t see their third birthday.

The deadly genetic disorder causes an inability to create a protein that helps two layers of skin bind. Thus the skin is fragile, and the slightest friction causes wounds, according to DebRA, a 30year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to research and support for EB families. The group met last week near Orlando at Gaylord Palms Resort. “We couldn’t do it without the other families,” said Daisy’s mom, Dana Sherman. “Other parents are your best source of information. Many of us are friends on Facebook, but it’s so nice to meet the others going through this in person. They become like family.

(On Facebook) we see each other’s kids hitting milestones and growing. We also lose some.”

Sherman knows of only five families in Florida who have “butterfly babies,” as children with this condition are sometimes called because their skin is as thin as a butterfly’s wing. None is near her.

At the three-day conference, parents and caregivers listened to talks by some of the nation’s leading medical experts who shared information about new medical treatments, better bandaging techniques and research under way to bring their kids, if not a cure, a better quality of life. Moms share coping skills and practical tips, such as what kinds of shoes work best for their children’s fragile feet.

Meanwhile, the kids took over three playrooms set up just for them. Like normal kids, they tussled over toys. In the game room, the large blow-up plastic palm tree was the big draw.” We all want it,” Daisy said, “because it’s green.” But unlike normal kids, their skin is covered in sores; their arms and legs are wrapped mummy like with bandages, which serve as a layer of skin. They have nurses, not

Russian rocket fails to reach target orbit MOSCOW: Russia’s federal space agency says an unmanned rocket and its payload of two communications satellites failed to reach orbit, the latest in a series of failures that has dogged Moscow’s space program.

Roscosmos said yesterday that a secondary booster module of the Proton-M rocket carrying Russian and Indonesian satellites switched off earlier than expected minutes after late Monday ’s takeoff from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Last August, Russia lost contact with a communications satellite shortly after a Proton-M launch. In 2007, a Proton-M carrying a Japanese communications satellite crashed. Roscosmos spokesman Alexei Kuznetsov told the Itar Tass news agency yesterday that Roscosmos might halt Proton-M launches after an investigation.

The 50-meters (165-feet) long booster with a payload of up to 20 metric tons has been in use since 1965.—AP

nannies, hovering, and little wheelchairs on the sidelines for when they wear out. They also have to endure frequent baths in bleach solutions to quell infection and bandage changes every other day that can last several hours. Being at the conference not only helps parents and caregivers commiserate and share care strategies, but it also helps the kids see they’re not the only ones who look like this.”At home, Daisy asks me, ‘Why don’t you wear bandages?’” said Sherman. “But here she sees others who look like her. The kids go up to each other and say: ‘Oh, you have an itchy monster, too,’” referring to the sores that itch.

The condition takes constant vigilance, because children are at risk of dying from anemia, suffocation from swollen airways, infection and malnutrition because their intestines don’t absorb well. Like many EB babies and children, Daisy gets most of

(Left) Tony Navarro of New Jersey, gives his 15-month-old daughter Ava Navarro a kiss as they watch a magic show during DebRA’s 2012 Patient Care Conference at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee.

her nutrition from a feeding tube. Bandages and ointments cost $10,000 to $15,000 a month, and the children need nursing care almost around the clock.”Her laughter gets me through,” Sherman said. Among the biggest problems families face is a lack of awareness about the condition. Because the disease is unusual, most doctors don’t know what they’re dealing with.

“When we first moved here and took Daisy to a pediatrician, he said, ‘Don’t worry, it will clear up,’” Sherman said. Bringing attention to the disease is a big push for DebRA, said Brett Kopelan, whose 4year-old daughter, Rafi, has EB. Besides being the organization’s executive director, he is a chief officer for an executive-search company in Manhattan.

When he first learned his newborn had a serious problem, “it was as if the Earth fell out from under my feet,” Kopelan said. Next, he made it his goal to know every researcher.

Two years ago, his daughter was one of the first EB children to receive a bone-marrow transplant to help her condition. Her body now appears to be producing a layer of binding skin tissue that it never had before. After the transplant, Kopelan got more involved in DebRA: “I felt moved to do more to help not just us but others.”

The disease attacks families financially, physically and emotionally, he said. “It’s a sad but also hopeful story. We will see a dramatic breakthrough in the next two years. We’re getting really close.”In addition to bone-marrow transplants, promising advances for EB are taking place in stem-cell research, gene therapy and the development of tissue proteins.” The hope is to make EB a controllable disease like diabetes, something kids can live with,” Kopelan said.

In the two years he has been on DebRA’s board, Kopelan has seen research explode. Well-financed science is under way: Venture capitalists have funded $27 million for a technology that replaces a tissue protein these kids don’t make, and private funding has gone into stem-cell therapies for the disease.Top institutions also are involved.

Researchers at the University of Southern California have received a $4.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop another protein-replacement therapy. Scientists at Stanford have received an $11.5 million grant to study gene therapy to treat EB.” The cost for research is a lot,” Kopelan said, “but the cost of doing nothing is too much.”—MCT

Losing weight may make cellulite less visible but it won’t go away DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m a 36-year-old woman in decent health, but lately I’ve noticed unsightly cellulite on my thighs. How does cellulite form, and how can I get rid of it without surgery? Will exercise or losing weight make it better, or am I stuck with what I have for life?

BAIKONUR: In this photo taken on Friday, Nov 25, 2011 a Russian Proton booster rocket blasts off from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.—AP

OHIO: Kristen Mamula, of Columbus, Ohio, laughs during a magic show. —MCT photos

ANSWER: Cellulite-the appearance of dimpled skin that is sometimes described as having a cottage cheese-like texture-is common in women and even occurs in some men. It most often appears on the thighs, buttocks or abdomen, but can also be found on the breasts or upper arms. Although having cellulite makes many people feel selfconscious, it’s important to know that you’re not alone: At least 8 out of 10 women have some amount of cellulite. The good news is that the condition is nothing to be concerned about medically. Unfortunately, there are no tried-and-true methods for getting rid of cellulite altogether.

Cellulite is the result of normal fat beneath the skin breaking up. In areas where cellulite o f te n a p p e a r s, t h e l aye r o f f a t co n t a i n s fibrous connective cords that hold your skin to your muscle. Fat cells are bound to the connective tissue cords, but over time the connecting fibers degenerate. When this happens, the surrounding fat starts to break apart and push up against the skin. In some areas of the body, this process occurs but m i g h t n o t b e n o t i ce a b l e. B u t w h e n t h e process occurs on your legs, buttocks, or other areas prone to cellulite, the result is dimpled or uneven skin.

Cellulite can develop or become more noticeable after gaining weight. An increase in fat tissue in certain areas of your body will be the areas most likely to show cellulite.

Cellulite also can occur when there is significant friction or rubbing, such as the upper arms or inner thighs. Cellulite is more common with aging. This is because the skin loses some of its elasticity over time, so the prominence of the existing cellulite becomes more evident.

Genetics also may play a role in whether or not you develop cellulite, since it can show up in very lean individuals. Because cellulite resides in the fatty tissue underneath the skin, any claims that a cream or lotion can eliminate it are just not true. The same goes for products or devices that promise to treat cellulite: There is little or no scientific evidence that supports these claims.

Losing weight and strengthening the muscles in the legs, buttocks and abdomen may make cellulite less noticeable in those areas, but it won’t go away altogether.

That’s because once a fat cell develops, it’s yours for life. Weight loss can only shrink the contents of the fat cells, but doesn’t eliminate the fat cell itself. Maintaining a healthy weight over your lifetime is the best way to prevent additional cellulite from appearing.

Finally, if you’re concerned about the appearance of cellulite, finding ways to creatively cover yourself with the right clothing can go a long way to making you feel less self-conscious about your body.

Living a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise will make you look more toned and, most likely, feel better about your body, regardless of any perceived flaws.—MCT

In US, white kids get more scans for low-risk head trauma NEW YORK: When children have minor, but high-risk, head injuries, race doesn’t seem to be a factor determining who gets sent for CT scanning, a US study said. But for lower-risk injuries, white children get more, and likely too many, of the scans. Researchers, whose results appeared in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, found that of 39,717 children across the United States with minor head trauma, about 42% of the white children had CT cans of the head while 28% of black and Hispanic children got the scans.

The difference doesn’t mean that black and Hispanic children were getting worse care, the researchers said. Rather, the white children could be getting unnecessary and potentially risky care - in part, because their parents demand it. “It’s often that the minority groups get worse care, but what we found is that the whites are more likely to get CT scans that are not indicated and could be risky because of the radiation exposure, said JoAnne Natale, the study’s lead author and a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, Davis. “(In this case) it ’s actually opposite because the black sand Hispanics are getting better care... and the whites are getting too much (care).” Traumatic brain injuries usually caused by blows to the head account for more than 7,000 deaths, 60,000 hospital admissions and 600,000 emergency room visits in the United States every year, according to Natale and her colleagues.

Past research has found that black kids typically fare worse than whites after such an injury. To see whether there were racial differences in the treatment kids received,

Natale’s group looked at who got a head CT, a fairly typical scan for head injury, in emergency rooms. They analyzed data from a large existing study looking at 25 emergency rooms across the United States, where doctors were asked to complete questionnaires about children treated for head trauma between June 2004 and September 2006.

The study covered more than 42,000 children under 18 seen within 24 hours of a minor head injury. “Minor” was defined as more serious than just a bump on the head, but excluded ver y severe head trauma.

Within the minor injury category, there can be high, intermediate and low levels of risk, as determined by the specific circumstances of the injury and the child’s symptoms.

Children in the highest risk groups typically get CT scans because their symptoms are serious, such as unconsciousness. There were no differences in treatment based on race or ethnicity, Natale and her colleagues found. But in the intermediate risk group, 58 percent of white children got scans compared to 51% of black children.

In the lowest-risk group, 17% of white children got scanned compared to 10 percent of the black and Hispanic children.

Natale and her team said they couldn’t say from their data why white children got scanned more. But across the board, doctors said parental anxiety and requests played more of a role in treatment of white children.

Other factors may be at work as well, since the results didn’t take into account insurance status or specific reasons doctors didn’t order a CT scan for some children.—Reuters

H E A LT H & S C I E NC E

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Weighty advice: New crop of diet books spring up

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t’s too late to lose that unwanted weight for summer. But if you start now — and aim to shed a modest 2 pounds a week — you could drop as much as 40 pounds in time to ring in 2013. The hardest part, however, might be choosing a new diet. This season’s crop of cookbooks includes a whiplashinducing array of advice. For every book urging you on to eat: More carbs! More protein!

More fat! there’s another seemingly well-reasoned argument to do the opposite. As if this isn’t confusing enough, there’s a new bogeyman on the diet scene: gluten. The naturally occurring protein found in wheat, barley and some other grains is being blamed for a variety of health woes, including gut unrest, inflammation and those love handles.

(People who suffer from a gluten intolerance such as celiac disease must shun it for far less glamorous reasons.) Among the highestprofile proponents of a gluten-free diet? Kim Kardashian and Miley Cyrus. Kardashian set the Internet on fire earlier this year when she tweeted a sexy photo of her famous curves, crediting a gluten-free approach. The newly engaged Cyrus has slimmed down so much in recent months that some tabloids have begun whispering about an eating disorder.

Cyrus, however, says she’s healthier than ever after adopting a new diet and a Pilatesinspired exercise regimen to get her ready for the altar. Of course, it’s not exactly surprising that people lose weight on a gluten-free diet.

Eating gluten-free means slashing plenty of

high-calorie breads, cakes and cookies. There is one consensus among the most popular new diet books on the market: They are largely free of food extremes. All emphasize the need to scrutinize food labels and ditch chemical-laden products in favor of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats. Dig in: ‘Eat to Live’ If you need to be scared straight about your health, this book is for you. Dr. Joel Fuhrman makes a power ful case that Americans are courting cancer and disease by the forkful. He urges ditching low-calorie diets and piling the dinner plate high with nutrient-dense fruits and raw veggies. You certainly won’t be hungry. Sample dinner: Fish fillets with mango salsa, kale with cashew cream sauce, rice and chocolate cherry “ice cream” made from almond milk.

‘It Starts With Food” Need some tough love cleaning up a lousy diet? This is your drill sergeant. Dallas and Melissa Hartwig ask that you enlist in their 30-day boot camp — dump the processed junk and embrace whole foods — and you’ll emerge a brand-new person. It would be hard to be hungry on this diet: You’re encouraged to eat plenty. Recipes such as Asian stir fries, frittatas and soups are ultra simple and encourage creative substitutions based on what you and your family enjoy.

‘Six Weeks to OMG: Get Skinnier Than All Your Friends’ Amusing ‘tude-filled argument that everything you think you know about dieting is wrong. According to author Venice A. Fulton, skipping breakfast is good, and small, frequent meals are bad. And exercise? “Exercise is just so 2011!” Just move more, he argues.

He also advises amping up on proteins and scaling back carbs to 50 to 120 grams per day. (That’s well under the minimum carb intake recommended by the federal government, of about 175 grams per day for an adult woman.) One suggested trick for flattening your abs? No joke: Blowing up balloons.

As might be expected, this book has come under fire by critics who question its wisdom and fear it will pit impressionable teens against one another, trying to out-diet their friends.

‘Paleoista’ The paleo diet meets fashionista, courtesy of Los Angeles’ Nell Stephenson. Ditch flours, sugar, grains and dairy. What’s left, you say?

Steak and eggs for breakfast. Seared sea bass with a coconut curry sauce or sun-dried tomato-and-basil stuffed tenderloin for dinner.

‘The Manhattan Diet’ Dieting has never been so fabulous. Eileen Daspin adopts an everything-in-moderation approach as she name-drops her way

through living, dining and dieting on the world’s chicest island. Ditch the unfulfilling junk, she says, in favor of celeb-chef recipes such as a Mario Batali fennel-and-arugula salad and Eric Ripert’s grilled salmon with a ponzu vinaigrette. Plus: You have to love a diet book with a whole chapter dedicated to cheating.

‘Bread Is the Devil’ Despite the title, you do occasionally get bread. Authors Heather Bauer and Kathy Matthews use bread as the symbolic stumbling block for so many diets. The book is as much a meal plans as an approach to banishing your personal diet devils, be they trigger foods, emotions, situations or moments. (One that everyone will recognize: Diving into the depth of a bread basket despite a day spent meticulously following your diet plan.) ‘ The Starch Solution’ The fat you wear is caused by the fat you eat, says Dr John A. McDougall. He promotes a plant-based diet that will have you slashing fat and animal proteins and taking on the “eat more starch” challenge. That’s right, a challenge that encourages you to add up to four cups of pasta a day to your diet. Also on the approved menu? Whole wheat pancakes, French toast and eggless egg salad made with tofu.

‘The Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous Project’ “Want to drop 6 percent to 10 percent of

your body fat in one month? Then go gluten free,” says author Esther Blum, a registered dietitian. “Stay gorgeous” by getting carbs from fruits and veggies as well as oats, sweet potatoes and even sugar. (Avoid sugar, but when giving in to the rare, sweet treat, indulge with “the real deal.” One recipe in the book: a gluten-free, coconut flour chocolate cake.) It includes four meal plans, primers on vitamins and supplements, and a food journal.—MCT

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

WHAT’S ON

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! This summer, let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

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Greetings

any many happy returns of the day Pabbala Jyoshnavi Yadav. Best wishes from Father Pabbala Lakshmi Kumar Yadav, Mother Pabbala Sasi Kala Yadav brother Pabbala Vardhan Yadav and Subbarayudu Yadav, Narayana Yadav, Venkatamma, Kanthamma, Siva Prasad Yadav, Maheshwari, Sudhakar Yadav, Lakshmi, Nagaraj Yadav, Saavitri, Rama Subbaiah Yadav, Subbaramaiah Yadav, Rathnamma , Venkata Subbaiah Yadav, Maheswari, Pullaiah Yadav, Gangamma, Krishnaiah Yadav, Suvarna, Gangaiah Yadav, Yalllama, Subramaniyam Yadav, Lakshmi Devi,. Wishes of blessings also come from near ones in Kuwait and India.

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anish Mohammad, a 12-year-old student of class VII from Bishops Coed School, Kalyani Nagar, Pune, India, son of Shakeel Mohammad, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), has been awarded 2nd runner up trophy by TATA BUILDING INDIA (Tata is a global business conglomerate) in an essay writing competition held recently at senior school level (class 6 - 10). The topic of the essay was “How do you hope to make your city clean and green.” Also, he has been awarded a merit certificate for his first rank in last academic year (Class VI) in the school annual function held on July 24, 2012.

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Attention Kids!

EF VBS 12 starting from Aug 24, 2012. Six Exciting days of singing, games & bible stories for children of all ages. HURRY Limited Seats. Register Online www.cefkuwait.org.

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India’s Flag Hoisting Ceremony n the occasion of the Independence Day of India, a Flag Hoisting Ceremony will take place at the Indian Embassy premises on Arabian Gulf Street at 0700 hours on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. The flag hoisting will be followed by the reading of the message of the Honorable President of India and singing of patriotic songs. All Indian nationals are cordially invited to attend the function. The customary Open House Reception after the ceremony is not being held this year in view of the holy month of Ramadan.

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Register and Win promotion at Q8India.com ity Centre, Kuwait’s premier mega-market, in association with Q8India.com, a leading online Indian community portal, is holding a month-long ‘Register and Win’ promotion campaign. Any resident in Kuwait can participate in the promotion by visiting www.Q8India.com and registering their name, email and phone number. A winner will be picked each day (except Friday), from the list of names registered on the previous day, and receive a free shopping voucher worth KD10 from City Centre.

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Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

FASTtelco hosts a special ghabqa ASTtelco hosted its annual Ramadan ghabqa on Friday August 3 at the Palms Hotel in presence of the company’s managers and directors. FASTtelco, the leading Internet Service Provider in Kuwait, winner of the Annual GCC HR Excellence Awards for Best Change Management Strategy of 2012, celebrates the holy month of Ramadan by organizing this pleasant evening that strengthens family ties and social relationships among all the employees regardless of their role

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or position in the company.

The special Ramadan ghabqa featured an entertaining program, fun contests, valuable prizes and handing out appreciation awards to the employees, which spread an atmosphere of joy , happiness, and unity among the guests. FASTtelco’s managers and directors thanked all the employees who came along and insisted that this special occasion nurtures the bonding between the employees and the company on the holy

month of Ramadan, thus promoting productivity and teamwork, one of the main pillars of the company’s success. FASTtelco looks forward to organizing such entertaining events for its employees and is continuously committed to moving forward and achieving unlimited success.

Sheraton Kuwait welcomes loyac trainees he Sheraton Kuwait was pleased to welcome students from the Lothan Youth Achievements Center (LoYac) during their summer program for the year 2012 which is a six weeks program that aims to provide youth during their summer holidays with practical training to acquire valuable working experience.

Also, they connect positively with their society by volunteering certain hours in community centers or awareness committees in addition to regular weekly meetings, different activities and valuable workshops.

Exposure to the working environment of the hospitality industry at the Sheraton Kuwait will enhance their growth potential and help them evolve into competent professionals. Thus, the

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Sheraton Kuwait once again provides a guiding force in the community and continues to have an active role in supporting youth affairs.

On this occasion, Fahed Abushaar, Area Director/General Manager of Sheraton Kuwait stated that “this training program has been carried out for years at the Sheraton Kuwait and we are very happy to be welcoming different students every year acknowledging them about the hospitality industry and its different departments and to be giving them a better understanding of this dynamic industry. We hope that with this condensed training we have helped develop their professional future and we look forward to training more students in the years to come”.

Archbishop of Trivandrum visits Kuwait he Kerala Catholic Community in Kuwait warmly welcomed Archbishop Dr Maria Calist Soosa Pakiam, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum, who was on a brief 3-day visit to the country. His Grace was in Kuwait to attend the 40th jubilee celebrations of the founding of Kuwait Malayalee Catholic Association (KMCA), the umbrella group that brings together Catholics in Kuwait irrespective of their rites.

A reception was organized for His Grace by E D Titus, Director of Bahrain Exchange, at his residence in Salwa. Also attending the reception was the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Kuwait and his wife along with prominent members of the Indian community. Speaking to

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Q8India on the sidelines, His Grace expressed his happiness at the warm reception accorded to him by Indian community.

His Grace the Archbishop said that the primary purpose of his visit was to inaugurate the jubilee celebrations of KMCA, which, since its initiation in 1972, has been at the forefront in advocating and promoting the spiritual

‘Leniency of Islam’ An unprecedented initiative of KTV2 (English channel) is the new program by the name ‘Leniency of Islam’ presented by Shaikh Musaad Alsane and directed by Hamid AlTurkait. The program is mainly meant to address the expatriates living in Kuwait. Religious questions are received through the program email qislam@tv.gov.kw and sms can be sent to- 97822021 and answered by the lecturer and Imam in Awqaf Ministry Shaikh Musaad Alsane - a Master Degree holder in Sharia and fiqih from Kuwait University.

So don’t forget to watch the program every Friday at 1:00 pm.

Registration for Ramadan STARS Squash Tournament begins Once again this year, the stage is set for the fourth annual ‘Ramadan STARS Squash Tournament’ to be held from August 3 to 9 at the Kazma Sporting Club, Adailiya.

Abdulrahim Al-Awadi, the Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee has announced that doors are now open for registration to all those who are interested in participating, stating that the deadline for registration will be August 1. The participation in this tournament is open to all and will fall under three categories this year. The first category is for amateurs from ages 17 and above, second category is for professional players from ages 20 and above and

welfare of Catholics in Kuwait. “I had the privilege to visit different parishes in the country and I am extremely pleased with the various programs and activities being undertaken under the initiative of KMCA. The association has been providing much-needed financial assistance to the destitute and less privileged in Kerala, as well as to the needy in

Kuwait, and this is highly appreciable.”

His Grace continued, “I have also come to attend the feast of Saint Alphonsa. It was a gratifying moment for me to attend the function held yesterday, as Saint Alphonsa, the first Indian woman saint to be canonized, was from Kerala. Equally importantly, I am here to gather first-hand informa-

the third category is for ladies 17 and above. Following its last three years of grand success, the 4th annual Ramadan STARS Squash Tournament is being organized during Ramadan for squash lovers who will have an opportunity to practice the sport while being encouraged to develop their skills in a healthy, competitive and social environment. All details pertaining to the tournament and means to participate can be found on the tournaments facebook page under ‘Ramadan Stars Squash Tourney’ or follow the official twitter page @RamadanStars for updates. The registration is taking place at GO SPORT store located at The Avenues Mall. Alawadi also pointed out the great interest the ‘Ramadan Stars Squash tournament’ received from the private sector, where companies took the initiative in sponsoring the tournament. Alawadi expressed his gratitude and thanks to Kazma Sporting Clun, Go Sport, Comtel, Vio, Unite Colors and Alawadi Photography guaranteeing unique prizes for all winners.

Aware Center Ramadan Diwaniya “The AWARE Center cordially invites you to its third Ramadan diwaniya presentation entitled, “The Fascinating and Delicious World of Dates,” by Claudia AlRashoud on Tuesday August 7th, 2012.

One of nature’s most perfect foods, the date holds a special place in the history, hearts, and homes of Kuwaitis.

Dates were once a vital source of sustenance for desert travelers and a staple commodity of Kuwait’s seafaring

tion on how the people coming to Kuwait from my diocese are faring. While I am happy to note that many of them are doing well, I am saddened at the plight of some who have been exploited by visa-traders and other middle-men. These poor people come to this country with high hopes of starting a promising new life and alleviating the poverty of their families back home; instead, they find themselves cheated by unscrupulous elements.”

His Grace was slated to attend an iftar party in the evening at the Indian Community School in Salmiya and conduct mass at the Salmiya Church where he would bless the catholic community in Kuwait with peace and prosperity.

trade. Today, the date is still one of the most important cash crops in the region, with between 600 to 700 varieties grown.

Of all the traditional foods eaten during Ramadan, nutritious and delicious dates undoubtedly have the most benefits for those who are fasting. With this Ramadan coinciding with the local date harvest, now is the time to enjoy them, whether you are fasting or not.

Join local photojournalist Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud for a diwanniya presentation that will immerse you in the fascinating world of dates on August 7th, 2012 at 8:00pm at the AWARE Center premises where you will learn about dates in local tradition, culture, cooking, and agriculture, and sample some of the different types of these healthy fruits of the desert.

Originally from California, Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud has enjoyed working as an author and photojournalist in Kuwait since 1979. She was the first female reporter/photographer for the Arab Times newspaper, and her photographs and in-depth feature articles continue to be published in this local daily as well as in many international publications. She has written a number of books, with photographs, about Kuwait which include Kuwait Before and After the Storm, Kuwait’s Age of Sail, Kuwait Kaleidoscope, Dame Violet Dickson (also available in Arabic), and a children’s book about Kuwait’s desert environment and the animals that live in it called What the Camels Said to Santa.

For more information, please call 25335260/80 or log onto: www.aware.com.kw

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

WHAT’S ON

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Australian Embassy Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visas and immigration matters in conducted by The Australian ConsulateGeneral in Dubai. Email: info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com (VFS) immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au (Visa Office); Tel: +971 4 355 1958 (VFS) - +971 4 508 7200 (Visa Office); Fax: +971 4 355 0708 (Visa Office). In Kuwait applications can be lodged at the Australian Visa Application Centre 4B 1st Floor, Al-Banwan Building Al-Qibla Area, Ali Al-Salem Street, opposite the Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Working hours and days: 09:30 - 17:30; Sunday - Thursday. Or visit their website www.vfs-au-gcc-com for more information. Kuwait citizens can apply for tourist visas on-line at www.immi.gov.au/e visa/e676.htm ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF ARGENTINE

The Embassy of Argentina requests all Argentinean citizens in Kuwait to proceed to our official email ekuwa@mrecic.gov.ar in order to register or update contact information.

The embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the embassy. The registration process helps the Argentinean Government to contact and assist Argentineans living abroad in case of any emergency.

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EMBASSY OF BANGLADESH

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kuwait will follow the following office hours during the holy month of Ramadan. Sunday to Thursday: 9 am - 3:30 pm. Friday and Saturday: Weekly holidays.

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EMBASSY OF BRITAIN Consular section at the British Embassy will be starting an online appointment booking system for our consular customers from Sunday, 01 July 2012. All information including how to make an appointment is now available on the embassy website. In addition, there is also a “Consular Appointment System” option under Quick links on the right hand side on the homepage, which should take you to the “Consular online booking appointment system” main page.

Please be aware that from 01 July 2012, we will no longer accept walk-in customers for legalisation, notarial services and certificates (birth, death and marriages). If you have problems accessing the system or need to make an appointment for non-notarial consular issues or have a consular emergency, please call 2259 4355/7/8 or email us on consularenquirieskuwait@fco.gov.uk. If you require consular assistance out of office hours (working hours: 0730-l430 hrs), please contact the Embassy on 2259 4320.

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Indian Doctors Forum holds ghabqa he Indian Doctors Forum (IDF) successfully celebrated their ghabqa 2012 on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at the Andalaus Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel amidst a galaxy of Kuwaiti and Indian dignitaries. The evening commenced at 10 pm sharp when the Anchor Dr Jafer Ali requested all to stand in honor of the Kuwaiti and Indian national anthems. This was followed by recitation of verses from the Holy Quran

by Dr Syed Farouk Belgrami. The welcome address was delivered by the General Secretary of the IDF Dr Jaganath R C, wherein he welcomed the Chief Guest Satish C Mehta and other officials of the Indian Embassy, Kuwait Medical Association officials, Kuwaiti doctors and the IDF families.

Following the welcome, was the presidential address by Dr Amir Ahmed. He expressed his immense gratitude to all the attending Kuwaiti guests with special reference to Undersecretary of Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Mohammed Al-Kandari. Dr Amir stated

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that “ ‘ghabqa’, is a local tradition celebrated by certain GCC countries in the month of Ramdhan after taraweeh prayers. Ghabqa helps to foster strong ties amongst families and friends. This wonderful tradition of the locals has been adopted by IDF. We too are part of the society and use this opportunity to strengthen the ties between Kuwiatis and Indians and also to express our love and gratitude to the wonderful people of Kuwait.”

Dr Amir proudly informed the audience that the IDF has successfully carried out more than a 100 health screening camps for the needy and low income group of people over the last 8 years examining in excess of 100,000 patients.

Dr N Nampoory, Chairman of the IDF, then conveyed the chariman’s address with a special mention of the extensive recognition received by IDF from the Kuwait Medical Association and the officials at the Ministry of Health. He thanked all the sponsors present for all the assistance provided in carrying out

all of the IDF activities, especially the community oriented ones, as it derived a lot of satisfaction and praise at large.

The Ramadan message was then delivered by Dr Hassan Ali Khan. He strongly emphasized the importance of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan and receiving its rewards. He also highlighted the secular nature of India with its inimitable unity in diversity.

Speaking on the occasion, Mehta, Honorable Ambassador of India appreciated the various community welfare activities rendered by IDF. He expressed his happiness at the MOU signed between Kuwait and India which would see greater cooperation between the two nations in all health related departments.

Under Secretary of Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour Kandari addressed the august gathering and extended good wishes of the holy month of Ramadan. Abdul Aziz Al-Duaij, Anwar AlQatami and Kasim Al-Mosawi also spoke on the occasion.

Dr Vinod Grover, Vice President of IDF, then delivered the vote of thanks where he thanked all the Kuwaiti dignitaries for having come in such large numbers. He also thanked all the Kuwaiti and Indian businessmen present for all the support and assistance rendered towards various IDF activities. He acknowledged the co-sponsors of the event - Al-Mulla Exchange Company, Toyota and Gulfmart. He expressed his gratitude to all technical staff, media personalities and staff of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Immediately after the vote of thanks, Dr Jasneet Narang announced the prizes for the various games and fancy dress competition conducted for IDF children and judged by Dr Arvind Raina and Dr Kiran Sharma. The event concluded with dinner.

EMBASSY OF INDIA During the holy month of Ramadan, the office timings of the Indian Passport and Visa Service Centres of BLS International Visa Services Co, Kuwait, situated at (i) Emad Commercial Centre, Basement Floor, Ahmed Al Jaber Street, Sharq, Kuwait, and (ii) Mujamma Unood, 4th floor, Office No. 25-26 Makka Street, Fahaheel, Kuwait, will be from 8.00 am - 3.00 pm from Saturday to Thursday (i.e. six days a week). Tokens for submission of applications will NOT be issued after 2.00 pm. Delivery of passports and visas will be from 11.00 am onwards. Embassy of India, Kuwait, will maintain its usual working hours.

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EMBASSY OF KENYA The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to inform Kenyan residents throughout Kuwait and the general public that with effect from June 1, 2012 the Embassy has moved from its current location to a new location in Surra Block 1, Street 8, Villa 303.

Please note that the new telephone and fax numbers will be communicated as soon as possible. For enquiries you can contact Consular Section on mobile 90935162 or 97527306.

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EMBASSY OF MEXICO The Embassy of Mexico is pleased to inform that it is located in CLIFFS Complex, Villa 6, Salmiya, block 9, Baghdad street, Jadda Lane 7. The working hours for consular issues are from 9:00 to 12:00 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is closed from 14:00 to 15:00 hours for lunch break. The Embassy of Mexico kindly requests all Mexicans citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the e-mail: embkuwait@sre.gob.mx in order to register or update contact information. Other consultations or/and appointments could be done by telephone or fax: (+965) 2573 1952 ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF MYANMAR Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar would like to inform the general public that the Embassy has moved its office to new location at Villa 35, Road 203, Block 2, AlSalaam Area in South Surra. The Embassy wishes to advice Myanmar citizens and travellers to Myanmar to contact Myanmar Embassy at its new location. Tel. 25240736, 25240290, Fax: 25240749, e-mail:myankuwait11@gmai1.com ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF THAILAND The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuwait, wishes to invite the Kuwaiti companies that deal business with Thai companies or those agencies of Thai commercial companies to visit the Embassy’s Commercial Office to register their relevant information to be part of the embassy’s business and trade database. The Royal Thai Embassy is located in Jabriya, Block 6, Street 8, Villa No. 1, Telephone No. 25317530 25317531, Ext: 14.

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EMBASSY OF PHILIPPINES

In reference to our announcement last July 14 2012 announcing the transfer and opening of our new Philippine Overseas Labor Office due on August 1 , we regret to inform Filipinos in Kuwait that due to unavoidable circumstances, the August 1 opening will be moved to new date August 5. POLO will be closed to public transactions on July 30, 31 and August 1 & 2. For emergency please contact the POLO hotline at Tel 99558527.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:45 01:40 02:35 03:30 04:25 05:20 05:45 06:10 07:00 07:25 08:15 08:40 09:10 10:05 11:00 11:25 11:55 12:50 13:15 13:45 14:40 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:25 18:20 19:15 19:40 20:10 20:35 21:05 22:00 22:55 23:50

I’m Alive Untamed & Uncut Rescue Vet Wildlife SOS Monster Bug Wars Monkey Life Animal Battlegrounds Wild Animal Orphans Baboons With Bill Bailey Corwin’s Quest Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild Breed All About It Growing Up...

Monster Bug Wars Wildlife SOS Orangutan Island Animal Cops Houston Rescue Vet Rescue Vet Animal Precinct Monster Bug Wars Baboons With Bill Bailey Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild Natural Born Hunters Dogs v Cats Cats 101 Wildlife SOS Orangutan Island Monkey Life Animal Battlegrounds Monster Bug Wars Wildest Latin America Galapagos Animal Cops Houston

00:35 Come Dine With Me 01:25 Holmes On Homes 03:00 Saturday Kitchen 2007/08 04:30 MasterChef 05:25 Living In The Sun 06:10 Living In The Sun 07:00 MasterChef Australia 07:25 MasterChef Australia 08:10 Holmes On Homes 09:00 Holmes On Homes 09:45 Bargain Hunt 10:30 Antiques Roadshow 11:25 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 12:10 10 Years Younger 13:00 What Not To Wear 13:50 What Not To Wear 14:45 Bargain Hunt 15:30 Antiques Roadshow 16:25 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 17:10 Come Dine With Me 18:00 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 18:25 The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook 18:55 Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey 19:50 Come Dine With Me 20:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 21:25 Antiques Roadshow 22:15 Bargain Hunt 23:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 23:40 Holmes On Homes

00:10 00:35 01:00 01:25 01:50 02:15 02:40 03:00 03:25 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:00 05:25 05:50 06:00 06:15 06:30 06:55 07:20 07:45 08:00 08:25 08:50 09:15 09:40 10:05

Puppy In My Pocket Tom & Jerry Kids Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Flintstones Pink Panther And Pals Looney Tunes Popeye Classics Dexter’s Laboratory Tom & Jerry Looney Tunes The Scooby Doo Show Johnny Bravo The Flintstones The Jetsons Wacky Races The Garfield Show Tom & Jerry Kids Bananas In Pyjamas Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Ha Ha Hairies A Pup Named Scooby-Doo The Garfield Show Johnny Bravo Dexter’s Laboratory Pink Panther And Pals The Scooby Doo Show

10:30Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo 10:55 Dastardly And Muttley 11:15 The Flintstones 11:40 Wacky Races 12:00 Jelly Jamm 12:15 Baby Looney Tunes 12:40 Ha Ha Hairies 12:55 Gerald McBoing Boing 13:20 Bananas In Pyjamas 13:35 Puppy In My Pocket 14:00 Looney Tunes 14:50 Scooby Doo Where Are You! 15:15Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo 15:40 Dastardly And Muttley 16:00 Tom & Jerry 16:15 Tom & Jerry 16:40 Pink Panther And Pals 17:30 The Garfield Show 18:10 Johnny Bravo 18:35 Dexter’s Laboratory 19:00 Jelly Jamm 19:15 Baby Looney Tunes 19:40 Ha Ha Hairies 19:55 Gerald McBoing Boing 20:20 Bananas In Pyjamas 20:35 Dexter’s Laboratory 21:00 Johnny Bravo 21:25 Pink Panther And Pals 21:50 Tom & Jerry 22:15 The Garfield Show 22:40 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 23:05 Popeye

00:30 Bakugan: New Vestroia 01:20 Powerpuff Girls 02:10 Courage The Cowardly Dog 03:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 03:25 Ben 10 03:50 Adventure Time 04:15 Powerpuff Girls 04:40 Generator Rex 05:05 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 05:55 Angelo Rules 06:00 The Marvelous Misadventures...

06:25 Casper’s Scare School 07:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 07:15 Adventure Time 07:40 Johnny Test 08:05 Grim Adventures Of...

08:55 Courage The Cowardly Dog 09:45 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 10:10 Redakai: Conquer The Kairu 10:35 Powerpuff Girls 11:25 Chowder 12:15 Ed, Edd n Eddy 13:05 Ben 10 13:30 Sym-Bionic Titan 13:55 Foster’s Home For...

14:45 Angelo Rules 15:35 Powerpuff Girls 16:25 The Amazing World Of Gumball 16:40 Johnny Test 17:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 17:55 Green Lantern: The Animated Series 18:20 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 18:45 Young Justice 19:10 Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge 19:35 Adventure Time 20:25 Courage The Cowardly Dog 21:15 Grim Adventures Of...

22:00 Codename: Kids Next Door 22:50 Ben 10 23:40 Chowder

00:00 00:30 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30

Amanpour World Sport Piers Morgan Tonight World Report Anderson Cooper 360 Piers Morgan Tonight Quest Means Business The Situation Room World Sport News Special World Report World Sport Inside Africa World Business Today Amanpour Cnngo World One Piers Morgan Tonight News Stream World Business Today International Desk Global Exchange World Sport Cnngo

20:00 International Desk 21:00 Quest Means Business 22:00 Amanpour 22:30 CNN Newscenter 23:00 Connect The World With Becky Anderson

00:15 01:10 01:35 02:30 03:25 04:20 05:15 05:40 06:05 07:00 07:50 08:45 09:40 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:25 12:20 14:10 14:35 15:05 16:00 16:55 17:20 18:15 19:10 19:40 20:05 20:35 21:00 21:30 22:25

I Was Bitten I Escaped: Real Prison Breaks Rattlesnake Republic Finding Bigfoot Moonshiners I Was Bitten How Do They Do It? How It’s Made American Loggers American Chopper Mythbusters Ultimate Survival Border Security Auction Kings How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Stan Lee’s Superhumans Mythbusters Border Security Auction Kings Ultimate Survival American Chopper Fifth Gear American Loggers Mythbusters How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Border Security Auction Kings The Gadget Show Stan Lee’s Superhumans Mythbusters

00:35 Building The Biggest 01:25 How Stuff Works 02:15 Junk Men 02:40 Junk Men 03:05 The Gadget Show 03:35 Scrapheap Challenge 04:25 How The Universe Works 05:15 Building The Biggest 06:05 How Stuff Works 07:00 Junk Men 07:50 Head Rush 07:53 Weird Connections 08:20 Sci-Fi Science 09:40 Scrapheap Challenge 10:30 Prophets Of Science Fiction 15:35 The Gadget Show 16:00 Head Rush 16:03 Weird Connections 16:30 Sci-Fi Science 17:00 How Stuff Works 17:50 Sport Science 18:40 How The Universe Works 19:30 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 20:20 Meteorite Men 21:10 The Gadget Show 22:00 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 22:50 Meteorite Men 23:40 Sport Science

00:10 01:00 01:50 02:40 03:30 04:20 05:10 06:00 06:15 06:40 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:10 09:25 09:35 09:45 10:00 10:25 10:50 11:15 11:40 12:05 12:30 12:55 13:20 13:45 14:35

Fairly Odd Parents Brandy & Mr Whiskers Replacements Emperor’s New School Brandy & Mr Whiskers Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Fish Hooks Timon And Pumbaa So Random Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Phineas And Ferb Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Handy Manny The Hive Mouk Jonas So Random Hannah Montana Forever Fish Hooks Jake & Blake Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas And Ferb Timon And Pumbaa Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck

RAMONA AND BEEZUS ON OSN MOVIES HD

15:00 15:25 15:50 16:15 16:40 17:00 18:35 19:00 19:25 20:15 20:40 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:05 22:55 23:45

Austin & Ally Shake It Up Phineas And Ferb Jessie A.N.T. Farm Geek Charming Jessie A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie So Random Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Jonas Los Angeles Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Kim Possible

00:55 Style Star 01:25 30 Best & Worst Beach Bodies 03:15 Behind The Scenes 03:40 Extreme Close-Up 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 THS 06:00 THS 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 10:15 THS 12:05 E! News 13:05 Khloe And Lamar 14:05 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 15:00 Style Star 15:30 THS 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Mrs. Eastwood And Company 17:25 Mrs. Eastwood And Company 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 21:55 Mrs. Eastwood And Company 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:30 Unwrapped 00:55 Guy’s Big Bite 01:20 Guy’s Big Bite 01:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 02:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 02:35 Outrageous Food 03:00 Outrageous Food 03:25 Grill It! With Bobby Flay 03:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 Meat & Potatoes 04:40 Unwrapped 05:05 Unique Eats 05:30 Chopped 06:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 06:35 Extra Virgin 07:00 Food Network Challenge 07:50 Unique Sweets 08:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 08:40 Paula’s Best Dishes 09:05 Cooking For Real 09:30 Hungry Girl 09:55 Food (Ography) 10:45 Unwrapped 11:10 Unique Eats 11:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:00 Chopped 12:50 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 13:15 Cooking For Real 13:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 14:05 Hungry Girl 14:30 Unique Sweets 14:55 Paula’s Best Dishes 15:20 Unwrapped 15:45 Iron Chef America 16:35 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 17:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 17:50 Unique Eats 18:15 Food (Ography) 19:05 Unique Sweets 19:30 Food Network Challenge 20:20 Iron Chef America 21:10 Unwrapped 22:00 Unique Sweets 22:25 Unique Sweets 22:50 Food (Ography) 23:40 Meat & Potatoes

00:30 01:20 02:05 02:55 03:45 04:30 05:20 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 09:55 10:20 Jones 11:10 12:00 12:25 12:50 13:40 14:30 14:55 15:20 Jones 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:05 19:55 20:20 Jones 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40

The Haunted Dead Tenants Fatal Encounters Killer Kids Extreme Forensics The Haunted Dead Tenants Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

True Crime With Aphrodite

00:00 01:00 02:00 02:30 03:00 04:00 05:00 05:30 06:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00

Nomads Travel Madness David Rocco’s Amalfi Getaway One Man & His Campervan David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan Deadliest Journeys 2 The Best Job In The World Nomads Travel Madness David Rocco’s Amalfi Getaway One Man & His Campervan David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan Deadliest Journeys 2 The Best Job In The World Nomads Travel Madness Food Lover’s Guide To The

Disappeared Street Patrol Street Patrol Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

True Crime With Aphrodite Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery Diagnosis Who On Earth Did I Marry?

True Crime With Aphrodite Disappeared Australian Families Of Crime American Greed Dr G: Medical Examiner

Planet 14:30 One Man & His Campervan 15:00 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 16:00 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan 17:00 Deadliest Journeys 2 17:30 The Best Job In The World 18:00 Nomads 19:00 Race To The Bottom of The Earth 20:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 21:00 Danger Beach 22:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled

00:00 Sleep Dealer-18 02:00 Arachnophobia-PG15 04:00 The Green Hornet-PG15 06:00 Vengeance-PG15 08:00 Warriors Of Heaven And Earth-PG15 10:00 The Postman-PG15 13:00 Star Trek: First Contact-PG 15:00 Warriors Of Heaven And Earth-PG15 17:00 Secret Window-PG15 18:45 Star Trek: First Contact-PG 20:45 Thick As Thieves-18 22:30 Paranormal Activity 2-18

01:00 Prom-PG15 03:00 Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides-PG15 05:15 According To Greta-PG15 07:00 Shanghai-PG15 09:00 Prom-PG15 10:45 Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides-PG15 13:00 Sounds Like Teen Spirit-PG15 15:00 West Is West-PG15 16:45 The Conspirator-PG15 18:45 Fast Five-PG15 21:00 Take Shelter-PG15 23:00 Arthur-PG15

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Friends 02:30 Seinfeld 03:00 2 Broke Girls 03:30 Perfect Couples 04:00 Weird Science 04:30The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Weird Science 06:00 Friends 06:30 Dharma And Greg 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Weird Science 08:30 2 Broke Girls 09:00 Weird Science 09:30 The Cleveland Show 10:00 The Office 10:30 Dharma And Greg 11:00The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Friends 13:00 Weird Science 13:30 Dharma And Greg 14:00 Perfect Couples 14:30 The Office 15:00 The Cleveland Show 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Friends 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 2 Broke Girls 18:30 Community 19:00 Parks And Recreation 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Wilfred

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00

Royal Pains House Perception White Collar Desperate Housewives Good Morning America The Practice Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Desperate Housewives The View Royal Pains White Collar Live Good Morning America The Practice The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Hawthorne Grimm Alphas

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Jonah Hex-PG15 The Green Hornet-PG15 Fighting-PG15 The Last Airbender-PG Ladder 49-PG15 Fighting-PG15 Rocky-PG15 Ladder 49-PG15 Fantastic Four-PG15 Law Abiding Citizen-18 The Daisy Chain-PG15 Storm Warning-18

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 PG15

The Chaperone-PG15 Happy Ever Afters-PG15 Rat-PG15 Elevator Girl-PG15 Happy Ever Afters-PG15 Mr. Wrong-PG15 Whatever Works-PG15 Josie And The Pussycats-PG15 Mr. Wrong-PG15 Can’t Hardly Wait-PG15 The Bad News Bears (1976) The Night Of The White Pants-

01:00 03:15 05:30 07:45 09:15 PG15 11:00 13:00 15:00 PG15 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:15

L’armee Du Crime-18 Evita-PG Eat Pray Love-PG15 Bond Of Silence-PG15 Squanto: A Warrior’s TaleEspions-PG15 Ice Dreams-PG15 Squanto: A Warrior’s TalePina-PG15 Shout-PG15 When A Man Loves A Woman Blind Mountain-PG15

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ON OSN MOVIES HD

01:00 Evita-PG 03:15 Marion Jones: Press Pause 04:15 Ramona And Beezus-PG 06:15 Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Pt.1-PG15 09:00 Mars Needs Moms-PG 10:30 My Name Is Khan-PG15 13:30 Open Season 3-FAM 15:00 Jane Eyre-PG15 17:00 Mars Needs Moms-PG 19:00 12 Dates Of Christmas-PG15 21:00 Take Shelter-PG15 23:00 Red Riding Hood-PG15

00:00 The Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland-PG 02:00 The Three Bears: Dreadful Dangers-FAM 04:00 Hop-PG 06:00 The Three Musketeers (2008)FAM 08:00 The Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland-PG 10:00 The Hairy Tooth Fairy 2-PG 12:00 Hop-PG 14:00 The Proud Family Movie-FAM 16:00 Ulysses-PG 18:00 The Hairy Tooth Fairy 2-PG 20:00 The Prince Of Dinosaurs-PG 22:00 The Proud Family Movie-FAM

01:30 Super Rugby Highlights 02:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 03:30 Trans World Sport 04:30 NRL Premiership 06:30 Futbol Mundial 07:00 NRL Premiership 09:00 Senior European Tour Highlights 10:00 Super Rugby Highlights 11:00 Olympic Sailing 11:55 Live Olympic Athletics 15:50 Live Olympic Men’s Volleyball 19:55 Live Olympic Athletics

00:00 Olympic Sailing 01:00 Futbol Mundial 01:30 Super League 03:30 Super Rugby Highlights 04:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 05:30 Futbol Mundial 06:00 Trans World Sport 07:00 Darts World Match Play 09:00 Futbol Mundial 09:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 11:25 Live Olympic Canoe 13:45 Olympic Beach Volleyball 14:50 Live Olympic Sailing 16:55 Live Olympic Cycling 18:35 Olympic Sailing 20:55 Live Olympic Women’s Diving

00:35 Olympic Beach Volleyball 01:30 Golfing World 02:30 NRL Full Time 03:00 Futbol Mundial 03:30 AFL Premiership 06:00 World Match Racing Tour Highlights 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Super League 10:00 European Challenge Golf Highlights 10:30 NRL Full Time 11:00 Olympic Men’s Football 12:50 Live Olympic Men’s Handball 15:05 Olympic Women’s Water Polo 16:20 Live Olympic Men’s Handball 18:35 Olympic Men’s Water Polo 19:40 Live Olympic Women’s Wrestling 22:25 Live Olympic Men’s Boxing

01:00 UFC Prelims 04:00 UFC 06:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter 07:00 WWE Vintage Collection 08:00 WWE NXT 09:00 WWE Experience 10:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 10:30 V8 Supercars Extra 11:00 Olympic Men’s Weightlifting 12:55 Live Olympic Men’s Table Tennis 16:55 Live Olympic Taekwondo 20:05 Olympic Canoe 21:55 Live Olympic Taekwondo

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00

Pawn Stars Ax Men Storage Wars American Pickers Decoded Battle 360 Ax Men Pawn Stars Decoded Battle 360 Pawn Stars Ax Men Storage Wars American Pickers Battle 360 Decoded Storage Wars American Pickers Battle 360 Decoded

00:00 01:00 01:55 02:50 03:20 04:15 06:05 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:55 11:55 12:50 13:20 13:50 14:45 16:35 18:25 20:20

Fashion Police Bridalplasty Videofashion Daily Videofashion News How Do I Look?

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Clean House Videofashion News Videofashion Daily Open House Videofashion News How Do I Look?

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Clean House Videofashion News Mel B: It’s A Scary World The Amandas How Do I Look?

Clean House Big Rich Texas How Do I Look?

06:00 Kid vs Kat 06:20 Pokemon: Black And White 06:45 Rated A For Awesome 07:10 Kickin It 07:35 Phineas And Ferb 08:00 Phineas And Ferb 08:10 Phineas And Ferb 08:25 Pair Of Kings 08:50 Kick Buttowski 09:15 Zeke & Luther 09:40 I’m In The Band 10:05 Phineas And Ferb 10:30 Kid vs Kat 10:55 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 11:20 Aaron Stone 11:45 Rekkit Rabbit 12:10 American Dragon 12:35 Kick Buttowski 13:00 Phineas And Ferb 13:10 Phineas And Ferb 13:25 I’m In The Band 13:45 Kid vs Kat 14:10 Pair Of Kings 14:35 Zeke & Luther 15:00 Fort Boyard - Ultimate Challenge 15:25 Rekkit Rabbit 15:50 Rated A For Awesome 16:15 Kickin It 16:40 Pair Of Kings 17:05 Zeke & Luther 17:30 Scaredy Squirrel 18:00 Iron Man Armored Adventures 18:25 Phineas And Ferb 18:50 Phineas And Ferb 20:05 Zeke & Luther 20:30 Zeke & Luther 20:55 Mr. Young 21:20 Aaron Stone 21:45 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 22:10 Phineas And Ferb 22:35 Kid vs Kat 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA

00:05 Adventure Guides - Fishing Edition 00:30 Jim Shockey: Hal And Len Edition 01:45 Western Extreme 03:00 Excalibur’s Deer City USA 04:15 Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures 05:30 Adventure Guides - Fishing Edition 07:00 Roll With It

08:15 Adventure Guides - Fishing Edition 09:30 Roll With It 10:45 Ford’s Fishing Frontier 12:00 Saltwater Series 13:15 Trout Unlimited On The Rise 14:30 Ford’s Fishing Frontier 15:45 Saltwater Series 17:00 Trout Unlimited On The Rise 18:15 Ford’s Fishing Frontier 19:30 Saltwater Series 20:45 Trout Unlimited On The Rise 22:00 Roll With It 23:15 Adventure Guides - Fishing Edition

00:15 Little Einsteins 00:40 Jungle Junction 01:10 Little Einsteins 01:30 Special Agent Oso 01:45 Special Agent Oso 02:00 Lazytown 02:25 Little Einsteins 02:50 Jungle Junction 03:05 Jungle Junction 03:20 Little Einsteins 03:40 Special Agent Oso 03:55 Special Agent Oso 04:10 Lazytown 04:35 Little Einsteins 05:00 Jungle Junction 05:15 Jungle Junction 05:30 Little Einsteins 05:50 Special Agent Oso 06:15 Jungle Junction 06:45 Handy Manny 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:15 Lazytown 07:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 08:10 The Hive 08:20 Handy Manny 08:35 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 09:05 The Hive 09:15 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 09:20 Mouk 09:45 The Hive 09:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 10:20 Lazytown 10:45 Art Attack 11:10 Imagination Movers 11:35 Lazytown 12:00 The Hive 12:10 Handy Manny 12:25 Jungle Junction 12:40 Imagination Movers 13:05 The Hive 13:15 Special Agent Oso 13:30 Lazytown 13:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 14:20 The Hive 14:30 Handy Manny 14:45 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 15:00 Mouk 15:15 The Hive 15:25 Handy Manny 15:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 15:55 Imagination Movers 16:20 Lazytown 16:45 Art Attack 17:10 Handy Manny 17:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 18:10 Little Einsteins 18:35 The Adventures Of Disney Fairies 19:00 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 19:05 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:25 101 Dalmatians 19:40 Mouk 19:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 20:20 The Hive 20:30 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 20:35 A Poem Is...

20:40 Animated Stories 20:45 Mouk 21:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 21:25 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 21:40 Special Agent Oso 21:55 Little Einsteins 22:20 Timmy Time 22:30 Jungle Junction 22:45 Handy Manny 22:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:20 Special Agent Oso 23:50 Lazytown

01:35 03:25 05:05 07:00 08:40 10:25 12:15 14:45 16:30 18:25 20:25 22:00 23:50

The Appointment Three Little Words-FAM The Bad And The Beautiful-PG Dream Wife-FAM A Life Of Her Own-PG Come Fly With Me-FAM The Comedians-PG High Society-FAM The Opposite Sex-PG The Twenty-Fifth Hour-PG What’s Up, Doc?-FAM Poltergeist The Split

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines QTR KAC JZR ETH RJA GFA UAE ETD FDB MSR QTR ALK KAC DHX JZR KAC BAW KAC KAC JZR KAC QTR KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR FDB IRA ETD GFA UAE MEA MSR IRM JZR KNE MSR RJA KAC KAC QTR SVA KAC KAC QTR JZR KAC IYE ETD JZR UAE UAL SVA GFA JZR BAB JZR ABY KAC KAC KAC KNE MSR RBG KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JAI AXB FDB OMA MEA QTR GFA ALK KLM JZR UAE ETD QTR BBC AIC FDB GFA UAL JZR DLH MSR THY

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 8/8/2012 Flt Route 148 DOHA 1704 JEDDAH 267 BEIRUT 620 ADDIS ABABA 642 AMMAN 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 138 DOHA 549 ZURICH 544 CAIRO 170 BAHRAIN 503 LUXOR 412 MANILA 157 LONDON 206 ISLAMABAD 382 DELHI 555 ALEXANDRIA 284 DHAKA 6130 DOHA 302 MUMBAI 352 COCHIN 344 CHENNAI 362 COLOMBO 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 55 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 301 ABU DHABI 213 BAHRAIN 871 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 606 LUXOR 5066 MASHAD 775 JEDDAH 472 JEDDAH 610 CAIRO 640 AMMAN 1706 JEDDAH 790 MEDINAH 140 DOHA 500 JEDDAH 788 JEDDAH 546 ALEXANDRIA 134 DOHA 535 CAIRO 538 SOHAG 824 SANAA 303 ABU DHABI 787 RIYADH 857 DUBAI 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 510 RIYADH 215 BAHRAIN 177 DUBAI 436 BAHRAIN 777 JEDDAH 127 SHARJAH 542 CAIRO 786 JEDDAH 166 PARIS 460 MEDINAH 620 ASSIUT 3553 ALEXANDRIA 774 RIYADH 1798 JEDDAH 618 DOHA 674 DUBAI 102 NEW YORK 572 MUMBAI 393 KOZHIKODE 61 DUBAI 647 MUSCAT 402 BEIRUT 146 DOHA 221 BAHRAIN 229 COLOMBO 417 AMSTERDAM 135 BAHRAIN 859 DUBAI 307 ABU DHABI 136 DOHA 43 DHAKA 975 CHENNAI 59 DUBAI 217 BAHRAIN 981 BAHRAIN 239 AMMAN 636 FRANKFURT 614 CAIRO 772 ISTANBUL

Time 0:20 0:25 0:50 1:45 2:10 2:20 2:25 2:30 3:10 3:20 3:25 4:05 4:10 5:00 6:05 6:15 6:30 7:15 7:30 7:35 7:45 7:45 7:50 8:05 8:20 8:20 8:25 8:30 9:00 9:20 9:25 9:30 10:00 10:45 10:55 11:10 11:55 12:05 13:20 13:30 13:40 13:50 14:25 14:25 14:30 15:00 15:05 15:15 16:00 16:10 16:35 16:35 16:45 16:55 17:10 17:20 17:20 17:30 17:35 17:40 17:45 18:15 18:40 18:40 18:45 18:55 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:20 19:25 19:35 19:35 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:25 20:35 20:55 21:05 21:15 21:15 21:20 21:35 22:25 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:55 23:10 23:35 23:40

Airlines AIC UAL DLH JZR MSR PIA THY ETH UAE FDB ETD MSR QTR ALK QTR JZR RJA GFA KAC KAC BAW KAC KAC ABY JZR QTR KAC UAE KAC QTR FDB KAC ETD IRA GFA KAC JZR MEA MSR UAE KAC KAC JZR JZR IRM KAC KNE MSR RJA KAC KAC SVA KAC QTR ETD JZR IYE QTR UAE KAC JZR GFA ABY UAL SVA JZR KNE BAB RBG MSR KAC KAC JAI FDB KAC KAC OMA MEA GFA DHX ALK KLM ETD KAC UAE QTR KAC KAC AXB QTR FDB GFA JZR KAC

Depature Flights on Wednesday 8/8/2012 Flt Route 982 AHMEDABAD 981 WASHINGTON DC 637 FRANKFURT 554 ALEXANDRIA 615 CAIRO 206 LAHORE 773 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 306 ABU DHABI 613 CAIRO 139 DOHA 550 COLOMBO 149 DOHA 774 JEDDAH 643 AMMAN 212 BAHRAIN 1705 JEDDAH 545 ALEXANDRIA 156 LONDON 175 FRANKFURT 117 NEW YORK 126 SHARJAH 534 CAIRO 6131 DOHA 787 JEDDAH 856 DUBAI 789 MADINAH 133 DOHA 56 DUBAI 537 SOHAG 302 ABU DHABI 602 SHIRAZ 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 776 JEDDAH 405 BEIRUT 619 ASSIUT 872 DUBAI 103 LONDON 785 JEDDAH 786 RIYADH 176 DUBAI 5065 MASHHAD 1797 JEDDAH 461 MADINAH 611 CAIRO 641 AMMAN 673 DUBAI 617 DOHA 503 MADINAH 773 RIYADH 135 DOHA 304 ABU DHABI 238 AMMAN 824 SANAA 141 DOHA 858 DUBAI 1709 JEDDAH 134 BAHRAIN 216 BAHRAIN 128 SHARJAH 982 BAHRAIN 511 RIYADH 266 BEIRUT 477 JEDDAH 439 BAHRAIN 3554 ALEXANDRIA 621 ALEXANDRIA 283 DHAKA 361 COLOMBO 571 MUMBAI 62 DUBAI 331 TRIVANDRUM 351 KOCHI 648 MUSCAT 403 BEIRUT 222 BAHRAIN 171 BAHRAIN 230 COLOMBO 417 DAMMAM 308 ABU DHABI 381 DELHI 860 DUBAI 137 DOHA 301 MUMBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 394 KOCHI 147 DOHA 60 DUBAI 218 BAHRAIN 528 ASSIUT 415 KUALA LUMPUR

Time 0:05 0:25 0:30 0:30 0:35 1:25 2:15 2:45 3:45 3:50 4:05 4:20 4:50 4:50 5:40 6:40 6:50 7:05 7:40 8:10 8:25 8:55 9:05 9:05 9:10 9:15 9:35 9:40 9:45 10:00 10:05 10:05 10:15 10:25 10:45 11:30 11:50 11:55 12:10 12:20 12:30 13:10 13:15 13:20 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:30 14:35 15:05 15:45 15:45 15:55 16:15 17:20 17:30 17:35 17:45 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:20 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:50 19:35 19:35 19:45 19:55 20:15 20:20 20:35 20:40 20:50 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:35 21:50 21:55 22:05 22:20 22:20 22:25 22:35 22:40 22:45 23:10 23:10 23:15 23:30 23:50 23:50

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

POLICE STATION

CHANGE OF NAME I, Rejimol Joseph holder of Indian Passport No: J5394310 hereby change my name REJIMOL JOSEPH PARAMMAVIL. (C 4098) 8-8-2012 I, Rajee Ramanathan Koolathu, daughter of Koolath Velappan Ramanathan holder of Indian Passport No. K1677756 have embraced Islam religion with new name Fathima Raja. (C 4095)

FOR SALE Toyota Prado 2006, golden color, 6 clr, full options, KD 4,900. Tel: 50699345.

(C 4096) Mitsubishi Galant 2011, excellent condition, km 20000, KD 2,950. Tel: 66729295. (C 4097) 7-8-2012

Al-Madena Police Station 22434064 Al-Murqab Police Station 22435865 Al-Daiya Police Station 22544200 Al-Fayha’a Police Station 22547133 Al-Qadissiya Police Station 22515277 Al-Nugra Police Station 22616662 Al-Salmiya Police Station 25714406 Al-Dasma Police Station 22530801 Prayer timings Fajr: Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

03:45 11:54 15:29 18:34 19:59

No: 15533

MATRIMONIAL Orthodox parents (Ex NRI) invite proposals for their daughter (22/166) B.Tech, fair from parents of professionally qualified boys (M.Tech, B.Tech) with good family background Orthodox or Jacobite.

Email: bsamuel@nascorporate.com.

(C 4094) 4-8-2012

GOVERNMENT WEB SITES Kuwait Parliament www.majlesalommah.net

The Public Institution for Social Security www.pifss.gov.kw

Ministry of Interior www.moi.gov.kw

Public Authority of Industry www.pai.gov.kw

Public Authority for Civil Information www.paci.gov.kw

Prisoners of War Committee www.pows.org.kw

Kuwait News Agency www.kuna.net.kw

Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.mofa.gov.kw

Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affair www.islam.gov.kw

Kuwait Municipality www.municipality.gov.kw

Ministry of Energy (Oil) www.moo.gov.kw

Kuwait Electronic Government www.e.gov.kw

Ministry of Energy (Electricity and Water) www.energy.govt.kw

Ministry of Finance www.mof.gov.kw

Public Authority for Housing Welfare www.housing.gov.kw

Ministry of Commerce and Industry www.moci.gov.kw

Ministry of Justice www.moj.gov.kw

Ministry of Education www.moe.edu.kw

Ministry of Communications www.moc.kw

Ministry of Information www.moinfo.gov.kw

Supreme Council for Planning and Development www.scpd.gov.kw

Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation www.awqaf.org

34

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

stars CROSSWORD 761

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This could be one of those days in which you feel like you just can’t get anything right, Aries. In an effort to appease other people, you may think you have to make some adjustments that make you feel uneasy. This uncomfortable feeling could turn into nervousness, restlessness, and eventually anger. Don’t feel like you need to be the one to make any sacrifices at this time.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

You may feel a need to add some fantasy to your daily routine today, Taurus. Do you have someone in mind you’d like Cupid’s arrow to strike? Well, don’t rely on a cherub to do your work for you. Get out and do some target practice of your own so you’ll be prepared when you see the object of your desire across a crowded room. Keep things light and cheerful.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. A vacuum tube in which a hot cathode emits a beam of electrons that pass through a high voltage anode and are focused or deflected before hitting a phosphorescent screen.

4. English scholastic philosopher and assumed author of Occam's Razor (1285-1349).

9. A Loloish language.

13. The syllable naming the sixth (submediant) note of a major or minor scale in solmization.

14. A boat with a flat bottom for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals).

15. Massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws.

16. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

18. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group.

19. The French-speaking capital of the province of Quebec.

21. English theoretical physicist who applied relativity theory to quantum mechanics and predicted the existence of antimatter and the positron (1902-1984).

23. Denoting a quantity consisting of six items or units.

24. Wild or domesticated South American cud-chewing animal related to camels but smaller and lacking a hump.

25. Make amends for.

28. Any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae.

29. The act of slowing down or falling behind.

33. Small cubes with 1 to 6 spots on the faces.

36. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

37. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

38. A tax on various goods brought into a town.

43. A Russian river.

44. Suggestive of the supernatural.

45. The basic unit of electric current adopted under the System International d'Unites.

47. Half the width of an em.

48. The sound made by a gentle blow.

51. A soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element.

53. The branch of computer science that deal with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively.

54. Having the physical appearance of death.

57. A plant hormone promoting elongation of stems and roots.

59. (Scotland) A landowner.

62. A Scottish word.

63. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural).

64. Wear away.

66. A fractional monetary unit of Japan and Indonesia and Cambodia.

67. Having much flesh (especially fat).

68. Foul with waste matter.

69. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

DOWN 1. A group of biological taxa or species that share features inherited from a common ancestor.

2. (in a digital numeration system) The positive integer that is equivalent to one in the next higher counting place.

3. Innovative United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1941).

4. A Russian river.

5. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

6. Wanted intensely.

7. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

8. One-thousandth of an equivalent.

9. Norwegian mathematician (1802-1829).

10. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

11. A complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds.

12. Type genus of the family Arcidae.

17. A platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it.

20. The inner and longer of the two bones of the human forearm.

22. Tropical American tree producing cacao beans.

26. A sock with a separation for the big toe.

27. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves.

30. A desert in central Asia.

31. A metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 10 liters.

32. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar.

34. Water frozen in the solid state.

35. An inactive volcano in Sicily.

39. Avatar of Vishnu.

40. Small often spiny insectivorous mammal of Madagascar.

41. The template for protein synthesis.

42. Fool's parsley.

43. A complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds.

46. Rice cooked in well-seasoned broth with onions or celery and usually poultry or game or shellfish and sometimes tomatoes.

49. American filmmaker and comic actor (1935- ).

50. A major victory by the Romans over the Macedonians in 168 BC. 52. A small cake leavened with yeast.

55. Tropical starchy tuberous root.

56. A hard gray lustrous metallic element that is highly corrosion-resistant.

58. A legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body.

60. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

61. A strong emotion.

65. Angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object).

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Your psychic sense is apt to be keen as you fill your mind with fanciful scenarios, Gemini. These pictures in your head aren’t as farfetched as you might think. Today would be a good day to listen to your inner guidance - the aspect of yourself that’s keyed into hearing subtle important messages. Not everyone can pick up on them.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You may be having a difficult time getting your opinions across to others, Cancer. For some, your ideas may seem too self-centered. For others, you may come across as insensitive to the situation. Do your best to understand what others are telling you. Don’t be surprised if you don’t receive the loving strokes that you feel you deserve. This is a day for you to observe and learn.

NON SEQUITUR

Leo (July 23-August 22)

The emotional swings that you could feel today might put a damper on your fantasy world, Leo. Remember that it’s up to you to nurture these dreams. Try not to let the emotional tides of the day affect your long-range strategy for realizing your most treasured visions. Spend time by yourself if that makes you feel better. Don’t give up.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

People around you are apt to be touchy, Virgo, so be careful how you interact with them. You’ll find that they can see beyond any sort of facade and easily detect dissention within the ranks. Be honest about your opinion, regardless of how you think it will be received. This is your best approach to a certain situation, especially since the truth will surface no matter what.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

While other people may be confused and distressed, you’re actually the one with all the answers, Libra. Indeed, you’re best equipped to deal with the difficult situations that are likely to arise on a day like this.

You have the ability to see through thick walls that others erect as barriers. Nothing will stop your penetrating eyes from seeing someone else’s deceit.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Be passionate about the thing you love the most, Scorpio. Instead of trying to eat every single thing at the buffet table, just pick one or two items that you like the best and eat them with great enjoyment.

Feel free to take some for later. Don’t let anyone talk you into a dish that doesn’t appeal to you. You’re the only one who knows what you truly hunger for.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

You may feel like a skipping record, Sagittarius. You’ve been scratched and mistreated, and now you continue to repeat the same thing over and over until you’ve driven your point home. This isn’t your doing, so don’t be concerned if you hear protests that you’re sending others over the edge. This may be the very thing necessary for all of you to advance to the next step.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

There could be some tough forces questioning your most cherished dreams, Capricorn. Be careful about confronting someone who wants to poke holes in your idealism. You could end up feeling like a punctured balloon that’s slowly deflating. Do whatever you can to avoid the aggression at work to bring you down. Don’t let others get to you.

To

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

You’re in a unique position to understand all sides of the issues, Aquarius. While this is apt to give you a tremendous advantage over those who still have their heads stuck in the sand, this knowledge also gives you a greater responsibility to others. You intuitively know what’s best, and now you must find a way to bring others around and help them see it from your perspective.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

You may be feeling rather anxious, Pisces.

Perhaps you have a big date coming up and your mind is buzzing with how to make the best impression.

Remember that the harder you try, the further away you’ll push the object of your desire. The most important part of impressing another is having confidence.

Relax. Try not to get too caught up with yourself.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

Kaizen center

25716707

Roudha

22517733

Adhaliya

22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

Keifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salim

22549134

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Al-Khadissiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Ghar

22531908

Al-Shaab

22518752

Al-Kibla

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

ST TATE T OF K KUW WAIT A

el.: 161 Te

DIRECTORA AT TE GENE GENERAL OF CIVIL AV VIA ATION T METEOROLOGICAL DEP PARTMENT A

Ext.: 2627 262 - 2630

WWW.MET.GOV V.KW .

BY Y DA AY:

Hot with light to moderate north westerly wind, with speed of 08 - 28 km/h

BY Y NIGHT:

Relatively hot with light to moderate north westerly wind, with speed of 06 - 26 km/h

22459381

46 °C

33 °C

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

KUW WA AIT AIRPOR RT

46 °C

30 °C

Al-Mirqab

22456536

NUW WA AISEEB

43 °C

31 °C

WA AFRA

ST TAT TION

47 °C

27 °C

SALMI

44 °C

29 °C

ABDAL LY

46 °C

27 °C

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

JAL ALIY YA AH

45 °C

29 °C

Maidan Hawally

25623444

FAILAKA A

45 °C

29 °C

Bayan

25388462

AHMADI POR RT

41 °C

35 °C

Mishref

25381200

UMM AL-MARADEM

38 °C

33 °C

W.Hawally

22630786

WA ARBA A - BUBY YAN A

38 °C

34 °C

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

SFC. CHART

07/08/2012 0000 UTC

4 DA AY YS FORECAST Temperatures DA AY

DA AT TE

WEA ATHER T

MAX.

MIN.

Wind Direction

Wind Speed

New Jahra

24575755 Weednesday

08/08

hot

47 °C

31 °C

NW

06 - 28 km/h

West Jahra

24772608

Thursday

09/08

hot + raising dust

48 °C

33 °C

NW

15 - 40 km/h

South Jahra

24775066

Friday

10/08

hot + raising dust

48 °C

34 °C

NW

20 - 45 km/h

North Jahra

24775992

Saturday

11/08

hot

46 °C

33 °C

NW

12 - 32 km/h

North Jleeb

24311795

24892674

Al-Omariya

24719048

N.Kheitan

24710044

Fintas

PRA RA AY YER TIMES

RECORDED YESTERDA AY AT KUW WAIT A AIRPORT

Fajr

03:45

MAX. Temp.

46 °C

Sunrise

05:12

MIN. Temp.

33 °C

Zuhr

11:54

MAX. RH

17 %

Asr

15:29

MIN. RH

05 %

Sunset

18:36

MAX. Wiind

N 53 km/h

Isha

20:00

TOT TAL AL RAIINF FALL A L IN 24 HR.

00 mm

All times are local time unless otherwise stated.

23900322

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

Dr. Salem soso General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Mousa Khadada Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Al-Jahra

25610011

Al-Salmiya

25616368

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

No Current Warnings arnin a

WA ARNING

KUW WA AIT CITY

Firdous

Al-Shohada’a

Expected Weeather for the Next 24 Hours

MIN. REC.

24884079

22418714

Fax: 24348714

MAX. EXP P.

Al-Ardhiya

Al-Madena

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

36

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

Holmes

employs confidence coach

Barlow s daughter is stillborn

atie Holmes has employed a “confidence coach” to help her get over her split from Tom Cruise. The 33-year-old actress filed for divorce from her husband of five years in June and although she was responsible for ending the marriage, sources say she is struggling to get on with her life now she’s on her own. So Katie - who was given sole custody of the couple’s sixyear-old daughter, Suri, in the divorce settlement - has sought professional help in a bid to move on. A source told Britain’s Grazia magazine: “Finally free from Tom, Katie is keen to find her own voice. So she has sought professional help and has employed a confidence coach who she’s been seeing once a week to help her regain who she once was.” Although Katie has no regrets about the split, insiders say she is struggling to sleep because she has a lot on her mind at the moment. The source added: “The glow and radiance that defined Katie postsplit seem to have evaporated. She won’t have anticipated that she would suffer from a complete lack of self-confidence, and what it would actually feel like not being Mrs. Tom Cruise. It’s like she’s struggling to regain her own identity while balancing work, motherhood and keeping Suri grounded. With so much on her mind, it’s hardly surprising that she’s not sleeping for more than five hours a night. She doesn’t regret what she did - far from it. But she’s found it harder to carry as normal these past few weeks.”

K

ake That singer Gary Barlow and his wife said they were devastated after their daughter was stillborn. “Dawn and I are devastated to announce that we’ve lost our baby. Poppy Barlow was delivered stillborn on August 4 in London,” he said in a statement. “Our focus now is giving her a beautiful funeral and loving our three children with all our hearts. We’d ask at this painful time that our privacy be respected.” Barlow’s wife Dawn was eight months pregnant.

Barlow, 41, a judge on the British television talent show “X factor”, and his wife, 42, married in 2000 and has three children. In July he had a leading role in organizing a concert for Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee marking her 60th year on the throne.

T

Houghton

Jay-Z

and Beyonce are World s Highest Paid Celebrity Couple

admits relationship is strained

hantelle Houghton has admitted she is having problems in her relationship with Alex Reid. The reality TV star and the cage fighter recently welcomed their first child, Dolly Lexie, into the world but Chantelle has confessed all is not well in their relationship. She said: “Alex flew to Glasgow for the night last Friday, where he MCd at a cage fight. It was his godson’s birthday on Saturday so he popped into his party. “Things between us have been strained lately, and there has been a lot of stuff in the press and that’s made things hard. That’s all I want to say at the moment.” Although her home is not totally happy at present, Chantelle loves every moment she is getting to spend with her baby daughter. In her new!

Magazine column, she said: “Bless Dolly, she did her first big proper smile last week! Me and my mum thought we’d seen glimpses of a smile before, but this time it was for real. It was amazing. I was pulling silly faces at her and, all of a sudden, she put her hands up to her face and beamed. It really melted my heart. “I went to register her birth, so there’s no changing my mind now - she’s now officially named Dolly and her second name is Lexie. I’m getting her weighed next week, but I can feel she’s getting heavier just from lifting her out of her crib.”

C

Stewart

ay-Z and Beyonce Knowles have topped Forbes magazine’s World’s Highest Paid Celebrity Couples list 2012. The power pair is estimated to have made $78 million together in the financial year ending May 1, moving them from second place in last year’s list, behind Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, to first.

According to Forbes, Beyonce earned more in the last year than her husband, amassing $40 million from sponsorship deals, sales of her ‘4’ album and royalties from her back catalogue. The figure is particularly impressive as she also took time off to have the couple’s first baby, daughter Blue Ivy, who was born in January.

The rapper made an estimated $38 million from his ‘Watch the Throne’ album and tour with Kanye West, continuing sales of his ‘Decoded’ book as well as his many business interests, which include a nightclub and Roc Nation record label, management and music publishing company.

Relegated to second on the list were supermodel Gisele and NFL player Tom, who brought in an estimated $72 million, from her lucrative modeling deals and his four-year, $72 million contract extension with the New England Patriots. He has also made a foray into modeling, signing contracts with Under Armour and UGG Boots. Third on the list were fashion designer Victoria and soccer player David Beckham who are worth $54 million. In fourth place are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who banked an estimated $45 million, and fifth were Will and Jada Pinkett Smith who raked in an estimated $40 million.

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Paris

was planning

reveals shrine to dad Michael

a baby with Pattinson risten Stewart and Robert Pattinson had been planning to have a baby together before she was caught cheating on him. The 22-year-old actress and the 26year-old actor - who have been together for four years - had reportedly been talking about starting a family before she wrecked their plans by having a fling with her married ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ director Rupert Sanders. A source close to the pair - who met on the set of the first ‘Twilight Saga’ movie - said: “They had been talking about having a baby together once ‘Twilight’ ended, which is what makes this so extra-painful. Kristen knew how badly Rob wanted to start a family, and it was a subject that had dominated their conversations in recent months.

“Rob would be a great father, and having a baby would probably have brought them even closer together.” Although Kristen and Rob have not released a statement on the future of their relationship, Kristen fears there is no way back for them and their baby dreams are over. The source continued to the National Enquirer magazine: “Kristen fears she’ll never have the chance to get Rob back, and that their baby dreams are now totally shattered.

Kristen feels so terrible, this is truly a nightmare for her, but there’s nothing she can do to turn back time. “If Rob takes her back at this point it will be a miracle, but she knows she only has herself to blame.” Kristen admitted she had cheated on Robert with Rupert - who has two children, Skyla, seven, and five-year-old Tennyson, with wife Liberty Ross - after pictures emerged of them kissing in a car and released a statement saying how sorry she was.

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Lady Gaga

dines on oysters for anniversary

ady Gaga and Taylor Kinney celebrated their first anniversary with a dinner of oysters and caviar. The ‘Born This Way’ singer and the ‘Vampire Diaries’ hunk went for a meal at Chicago restaurant Spiaggia on Sunday to mark the special date. The couples were joined by four friends for the seafood feast, according to the New York Post newspaper. Taylor, 31, has been in the city filming upcoming NBC drama ‘Chicago Fire’ and Gaga has made regular visits to Chicago to see her man. The pair met filming the video to her single ‘You and I’ in July 2011 and started dating just a couple of weeks later. The couple did briefly split in May due to the pop superstar’s touring commitments but they soon reconciled and are now closer than ever. Meanwhile, Gaga is to make her acting debut in ‘Machete Kills’. The 26-year-old star has joined the cast of Robert Rodriguez’s action movie a follow up to 2010’s ‘Machete’ - and will play La Chameleon in the film. She wrote on her twitter page: “Yes its true, I will be making my debut as an actress ln the amazing MACHETE KILLS BY @RODRIGUEZ IM SO EXCITED!!! AH! Filming was insane. (sic)”

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aris Jackson has created a shrine to her late father Michael Jackson. The 14year-old aspiring actress spent “three effing hours” creating a tribute to the King of Pop - who died of acute Propofol intoxication in June 2009 - from magazine and newspaper clippings and artwork because she is so proud of her father. She tweeted a picture saying: “my new wall **took me 3 effing hours** (sic)” She later added: “someone commented on my pic saying “obsessed much?” yeaa u better believe it ... a whole wall of his pics is the LEAST I could do #dedication (sic)” Paris and her brothers Prince Michael, 15, and ‘Blanket’, 10, have been at the centre of family problems recently, with their grandmother Katherine temporarily losing guardianship of them after she went on an unannounced vacation to Arizona.

However, late last week she was reinstated as their coguardian, sharing care duties with her grandson Tito Joe ‘T.J.’ Jackson. Los Angeles court judge Judge Beckloff said: “It’s clear that the kids love Mrs. Jackson and they are very well taken care of. They also love TJ Jackson and Mrs. Jackson is doing a terrific job with the children.” Katherine’s attorney, Perry Sanders, told the judge: “TJ is very respectful to his grandmother and they have all worked well together.” Perry recently said the decision to apply for joint custody has been reached in order to avoid a repeat of the drama of last week when accusations - including that Katherine had been kidnapped were flying between warring family members.

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Dannii Minogue s son comes first annii Minogue’s son gives her a “reason to get up and keep going”. The Australian singer split from Kris Smith, the father of two-year-old Ethan in April, and though she insists reports they have reconciled are untrue, they will always work together to do the best for their little boy. She said: “I’m extremely private about my relationship, but I will tell you nothing has changed since Kris and I announced our separation. “Although we are separated, Ethan remains our priority. We just celebrated his second birthday yesterday and I’m loving every minute I get to spend with him. “Motherhood has been the most wonderful experience for me; his smile makes any bad day right. “He’s just adorable and gives me a reason to get up and keep going.”

Earlier this year, it was claimed 40-year-old Dannii had a secret relationship with Simon Cowell when they worked on ‘The X Factor’ together. Though the brunette beauty didn’t directly confirm the claims - which were made in Tom Bower’s biography ‘Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell’ - she admits they make for a “great read” and described the author as a “respected journalist”. She told the new edition of Britain’s Glamour magazine: “I haven’t read the book but I’ve been told about the excerpts that relate to me and the speculation of my private life. “From what’s been reported, they [Tom and Simon] put hundreds of hours into making this book, and Tom is a respected journalist. “They looked very pleased with it all at their launch. I’m sure it makes for a great read and I wish them the best.” —Bang Showbiz

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

LIFESTYLE F a s h i o n

India reinvents umpsuits inspired by sari drapes, urban dresses in tribal cloth and digitally printed lehenga skirtsyoung designers have re-embraced their Indian heritage at Mumbai’s latest

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These photos taken on August 6, 2012 shows a model showcasing a creation by designers Shivan and Naresh on the fourth day of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) winter/festive 2012 in Mumbai. The LFW, held bi-annually, features creations by over 85 designers. —AFP photos

fashion week. In a country that has struggled at times to find its way in the global sartorial stakes, a renewed pride in ethnic traditions has been sauntering down the catwalk. “People have

‘ethnic chic’

realized the whole point of Indian fashion is its Indian-ness,” said fashion journalist Sujata Assomull-Sippy. “A few years ago it looked like stuff that came out of Bangkok, or copies of what we’d seen in Paris and Milan.”

Western clothing may be ever more conspicuous in Indian cities but traditional clothing remains integral to a woman’s wardrobe. Top designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee is reported to make 45 percent of his 11 million dollar turnover from the sari, the much-loved drape considered formal and flattering, modest and sexy. “Ethnic is chic,” declared the Hindustan Times in June, as India’s growing band of working women enjoy more sophisticated takes on traditional wear, now more readily available on the mass market.

For designers, providing a practical and affordable edge has become crucial as they shift their focus from the moneyed socialite to the middle-class young woman with her eye on global trends. At Lakme Fashion Week, which close, Sidharta Aryan took ethnic Indian garments-the sari, the lehenga, the choli blouse-but created them from digitally printed silk, rather than reams of embroidery. “There’s no point wearing 25 kilos on you to go to a wedding, you won’t be able to enjoy it,” the 30-year-old said. For his first show two seasons ago at Lakme, seen as a platform for India’s young talent, Aryan came up with a “hard rock” look, but

his style has since become more infused with traditional Indian wear.

“We should try to reinvent it,” he said, pointing to the competition from international chains that now operate in India, such as Zara and Mango.

Despite these rivals, the ethnic women’s-wear retail sector is still a big market opportunity, according to a recent study by management consultant firm Technopak Advisors. The group’s senior vice president, Amit Gugnani, expected an annual growth rate in the sector of 10 percent over the next decade. The more comfortable salwar kameez-a long tunic paired with loose trousers-will see a higher growth rate than the sari, while the expanding Western wear market will also be “redefined” to include more Indian elements, he said.

Driving the growth in fashion are the country’s young population (the median age is 26), rising disposable incomes, and increasing “Eve power”, with 40 to 50 million working women aged 20 to 40 estimated to be part of urban India by 2016. “It’s about being financially independent and going out to buy something for yourself

because you have the money,” Gugnani told AFP. Unsurprising, therefore, is the designers’ shifting focus. “They assume you will be taking it to Goa for your holiday, that you’re online looking for the latest collections. The whole communication is to the urban, young population,” said Vogue India’s fashion features director, Bandana Tewari.

“It’s about taking ownership of your colors and having fun with it. It’s a very kitsch bag that comes out, very Indian.”

At the fashion week, such trends were epitomized by Richa Aggarwal, 29, who turned to the chaos of the nation’s streets to inspire her debut collection in Mumbai, pulling off the cliched “east meets west” fusion and drawing praise for originality. With funky jackets combining denim and rice sacks, and peasant blouses lined with block-printed fabrics, she said she had in mind “someone who travels globally, who has a pride in wearing the country they come from”. But she suggested Indian design wasn’t yet fully confident in its own uniqueness, despite a long and rich history in textiles and fashion. “We have the technical know-how in terms of handiwork and surfaces but we’re still not banking on our USP (unique selling point). It’s high time people should use it,” she said. —AFP

Lakme Fashion Week Indian model displays creations by Sailex during the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, India.

—AP/AFP photos

Nupur Kanoi

Indian models display creations

by Archana Kochhar.

Ruchika Sachdeva

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

lifestyle M U S I C

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M O V I E S

Review:

UK’s Lianne La Havas is touching on debut

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An undated archive picture released by the official Syrian news agency SANA shows Alawite film director Bassem Hussein Mohieddin. — AFP

Alawite filmmaker assassinated in Damascus

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n Alawite film director was assassinated near his home on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria’s General Cinema Institute said yesterday. “Treacherous hands assassinated” Bassam Mohieddin on Sunday, the institute said in a statement, adding the killing took place in Jdaidet Artuz, scene of recent clashes between troops and rebels.

Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, confirmed the assassination. Born in 1955 in the coastal city of Tartus, Mohieddin held an MA in filmmaking and television from the National Academy of Film and Theatre Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria. Mohieddin was a member of the Alawite offshoot of Shitte Islam to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs.

The majority of Syria’s population is Sunni Muslim. Rights watchdogs have expressed fears that the Syrian uprising-in which more than 21,000 people have been killed since March 2011 — is becoming increasingly sectarian. — AFP

All-star lineup joins

‘A Very Special Christmas’

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hristina Aguilera, Michael Buble, Dave Matthews and Train are among the acts helping Special Olympics celebrate the 25th anniversary of its “A Very Special Christmas” album series. Two albums will be released Oct 16 to celebrate the partnership, which has raised more than $100 million for Special Olympics. “A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary” will be released on Big Machine Records and Word Records will issue “A Very Special Christmas: Bringing Peace on Earth.”

Train lead singer Pat Monahan attended a press conference at Blackbird Studios in Nashville Monday to announce the albums, along with Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Tim Shriver, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Christian artist Francesca Battistelli. Several Special Olympics athletes were on hand, as well. Monahan called it an honor to be a part of the series and said the members of Train have been purchasing the albums individually for a long time.

“This has been the Christmas album that we all look at each year and go, ‘How come we’re not on it?’ Now we get to say that we’re on it,” he said in an interview. The members of Train immediately headed downstairs into a studio to record a holiday classic for the album. —AP

(Right) Iraqi composer and singer Nacir Chamma performs during the 48th Carthage International Festival at the Roman theatre in Carthage on August 6, 2012 in Tunis. — AFP

Quiet ‘Hope Springs’ has real punch H

REVIEW

ianne La Havas, “Is Your Love Big Enough?”

(None such Records). “You broke me, and taught me to truly hate myself,” Lianne La Havas sings on the airy song “Lost & Found.” “Unfold me, and teach me how to be like somebody else.”

It’s a particularly dark and heavy hook, leaving the listener to wonder what kind of relationship the singer had been in. But La Havas, the 22-year-old London newcomer, takes the song to even greater heights thanks her husky vocals, which makes “Lost & Found” not just amazing, but earth-shattering.

And there are more stunning songs like it on her debut album, “Is Your Love Big Enough?”

The piano tune “Gone” is another highlight, where La Havas is over love, singing lyrics like: “I heard enough fairytales back in my youth, so just stop biting your nails and take the painful truth, you just look ridiculous in disguise, yes I’ve found you out, this is my last goodbye.” On the album opener “Don’t Wake Me Up,” with its layered vocals, La Havas sounds like a mad woman singing about her “only love” and “only counterpart.” Then there’s the line: “They say some things are better left unsaid, but I’d take my life to stay in your bed.”

Lyrics like that stand out throughout her outstanding debut, finding their way into songs that blend elements of pop, soul and folk. La Havas is singing about the many facets of love: On most songs she’s cooing about lost love, sounding scorned, or ready to move on. But on others she’s happy, like the pleasant “Au Cinema” and “Age,” a tune about falling for a man “old enough to be my father.”

La Havas wrote or co-wrote all of the songs with the exception of the Scott Matthews cover “Elusive.”

Matt Hales, the English singer-songwriter who performs his own songs under the alias Aqualung, cowrote eight of the 12 tracks and produced the entire album. What they have crafted is not just one of the year’s best debuts, but one of the year’s best albums.

Check this track out: Willy Mason, the American singer-songwriter who is the only guest on the album, finds his deep, haunting vocals blending nicely with La Havas’ tone on the cool “No Room for Doubt.” — AP

ere’s how surprisingly effective “Hope Springs” is: It will make you want to go home and share a longer hug or a more passionate kiss.

You don’t have to be married for 31 years like the stuck-in-a-rut couple Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones play to feel inspired by the film’s message about the importance of keeping your relationship alive. It sounds like a cliche because it is a cliche, and more: It’s a cottage industry, one that’s launched countless afternoon talk show episodes and shelf after shelf of self-help books.

And yet, despite television ads that look alternately wacky and mawkish and suggest pat, glossy superficiality, “Hope Springs” unearths some quiet and often uncomfortable truths. The first produced script from television writer and producer Vanessa Taylor (“Alias,” “Game of Thrones”) explores the complicated dynamics that develop over a long-term relationship with great honesty and little judgment. What looks like a standard rom-com turns into something akin to a contemporary Ingmar Bergman film.

The performances from Streep and Jones go a long way toward elevating the rather straightforward direction from David Frankel, which includes some painfully literal musical selections and a few hokey comic situations. Frankel also directed Streep in her withering, Oscar-nominated performance in “The Devil Wears Prada.” But stylish magazine editor Miranda Priestly wouldn’t be caught dead in the sensible ensembles that Streep’s character here, Kay, wears and sells at a mall chain store for middle-aged women. Her wardrobe is one of many ways “Hope Springs” depicts a safe, suburban Midwestern life vividly and without an ounce of mocking.

Kay and her husband, Arnold, live in a comfortable home in Omaha, Neb. Their children have grown up and moved out, leaving them to settle into a drab routine. She cooks him bacon and a couple of fried eggs every morning, which he eats at the kitchen table while reading the newspaper. A quick kiss on the cheek and Arnold is off to work at an accounting firm where he’s one of the partners. When he comes

This film image released by Columbia Pictures shows Meryl Streep as Kay Soames (left) and Tommy Lee Jones as Arnold Soames in a scene from ‘Hope Springs.’ — AP home at night, some sort of meat-and-potatoes dinner is waiting for him. Afterward, she cleans up while he dozes off in the recliner watching The Golf Channel. Then they head upstairs to go to sleep - in their separate bedrooms.

And it’s been this way for years. Tired of the sexless complacency, Kay insists one day that she and Arnold take part in an intense, one-week couples’ therapy session. In Maine. Arnold grudgingly agrees to join her in the idyllic New England hamlet of Great Hope Springs, but once he sits down on the couch, it takes a while for him even to consider opening up to the soft-spoken but persistent Dr. Bernard Feld (Steve Carell, playing a solid straight man to allow the two stars to stand out). The therapy scenes are just exquisitely acted and paced, with body language and slight facial gestures that speak volumes. The silences provide tension and intimacy, but once these two do begin answering questions, they reveal regrets and resentments, yearnings and fantasies

they’d never dared to speak aloud before.

Arnold is perpetually exasperated and emotionally closed-off but he’s convinced himself he’s content; Jones is doing his patented, humorously gruff persona but with some eventual vulnerability that provides shading and depth. He’s great here. And Streep is just ... well, she’s Meryl Streep. Lovely, slightly naive and goofy and always so accessible, she never has a moment that feels forced or false. Kay longs to be loved so desperately, your heart just aches for her and yet, she also may bear much of the blame for the state of her marriage. Without a single special effect or explosion, “Hope Springs” is the unexpected summer movie with real punch. “Hope Springs,” a Columbia Pictures release, is rated PG-13 for mature thematic content involving sexuality. Running time: 99 minutes. Three stars out of four. Motion Picture Association of America definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. — AP

Enjoy OSN’s fantastic Eid specials this festive season KUWAIT: With the festive season of Eid fast approaching, OSN, the leading Pay T V network in the Middle East and North Africa, has put together a fantastic line up of programmes that viewers can enjoy with friends and family making Eid even more special. OSN’s Eid specials include smash hit movies, best of the best marathon series including the exclusive screening of the hugely successful Asala Operette.

OSN Yahala! HD, the broadcaster’s premium Arabic content channel brings viewers a mixture of humour and wit this Eid with the showcase of Yana ya Howa and Fasel wa Naoud. But the real showstopper, which begins on the first day of Eid, is the exclusive screening of the opulent Asala Operette that features 69 of the world’s best musicians in front of an audience of over 2000 in Holland. This show will make you stand up and clap!

Movie lovers can tune into OSN Movies HD and OSN Cinema to catch super hit movies back to back uninterrupted, uncut and in stunning high definition. Horrible Bosses will air on the first day of Eid giving the entire family something to laugh about. On the second day of Eid, OSN gives action and adventure lovers something to look out

for in the hit movie 30 Minutes or Less.

For a little bit of Romance, dont miss Last Night, a romantic drama starring Keira Knightley, Eva Mendez, and Sam Worthington from the phenomenal blockbuster Avatar.

Photo shows a scene from the movie Horrible Bosses.

Syrian singer Assala

The adventure continues on OSN First HD’s ‘Fairy Tale Eid’ with the special Season 1 marathon of ‘Once Upon a Time’ which will bring the magic and mystery of fairy tales to life.

Last but not least, OSN brings you your daily dose of laughter through Eid as OSN Comedy presents a six hour marathon of award winning series 30

Rock, Modern Family, Last Man Standing and many more.

You can also enjoy your favourite TV anytime; anywhere with OSN Play and watch the TV you love on your laptop, computer or the iPad. The service is free for OSN subscribers and all they need to do is register online and experience the magic!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

lifestyle M U S I C

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Libyan presenters work at the studio of Radio Zone, one of the hippest channels to hit the airwaves since the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi on August 5, 2012 at the Libyan capital Tripoli. — AFP

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M O V I E S

Libyan technicians work at the studio of Radio Zone.

Now hear this: Fun and freedom on Libyan radio

usic and laughter spill out of the grey building in the Libyan capital which is home to Radio Zone, one of the hippest channels to hit the north African nation’s airwaves after the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.

“The people haven’t been heard for a while so we wanted to have a radio station where everybody can call in, speak their minds and not be afraid that they will be hung up on or made fun of,” says presenter Fuad Gritli, 25. For decades, the main voice on national radio was that of the eccentric leader who took power in a bloodless coup in 1969 and then ruled with an iron grip for the next 42 years.

Then there were the state media pawns who delivered dry news bulletins faithfully reporting Gaddafi’s statements and activities, plus excerpts from his now ridiculed Green Book, a personal manifesto mixing Islam with socialist ideas.

“Gaddafi went to the bathroom, Gaddafi went to the shower... it was that stupid! Radio was like his

personal Facebook account,” says Gritli. The popular revolt that broke out in February 2011 in the eastern city of Benghazi paved the way for dozens of new media ventures, most of them spearheaded by young people who were keen to make their calls for freedom heard.

The media boom that began in Benghazi finally caught up with the capital after antiGaddafi fighters captured it in August last year.

Many private radio stations have opened this year, but most have yet to turn a profit. Radio Zone, which went on air for the first time in April, was financed by a group of friends, all new to the trade. The private station now boasts 21 producers, presenters and technicians. Presenter Amal Creui, 30, says that the best part of her job is the unprecedented “opportunity to break boundaries” in a “positive atmosphere and attitude.”

The morning show she co-hosts with Gritli generally focuses on social topics such as the

ethics of protest-please keep them peaceful-the importance of elections, and the need to preserve the environment by not littering. But the mood is always light. During Ramadan, the current Muslim month of fasting and prayer, the presenters have shifted their schedule to the late night and often throw out trivia teasers such as “ Where do flies go in winter?”

“Everything, everything we say from beginning to end, I would never have dared to say anything like it before,” says Creui, adding that she relished being able to interview government officials just three days into her job.

Injecting new life She says that young people must now inject new life into a previously staid radio and television industry that was the exclusive turf of proregime journalists. “Now we have a say, and we care. The youngsters are watching and they are not going to tolerate another Gaddafi,” she says,

noting that a main challenge in covering politics is sifting through a steady stream of baseless rumors. Radio Zone faces stiff competition from other private channels such as the English-language Tribute FM or Tripoli FM and state channels. Between airing his own talkshow and recording jingles for another program, Gritli says the radio station has offered a fun learning experience and takes pride in the absence of “red lines” on the station’s shows.

Another plus is the opportunity to stream music in English, which was previously banned.

“Western music wasn’t allowed at all” under Gaddafi, says Issam Dahmani, 36, a bass player who grew up listening to the likes of Pink Floyd and Deep Purple thanks to friends who brought him albums from abroad. Dahmani, who is also on the Radio Zone team, recalls with a sheepish grin how he and his band got into trouble for playing Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” at a friend’s wedding. By the time the song ended,

the police had showed up.

“I’ll never forget that song,” he laughs now. At least two generations of Libyans were not allowed to study English because Gaddafi rejected it as a “foreign invasion” or a tactic by “crusaders” to brainwash people and spread unacceptable notions such as freedom and democracy. Dahmani and Gritli say it was not uncommon for musicians who sang English songs and played Western instruments to have run-ins with the authorities, especially if they dared to go so far as to embrace punk or heavy metal.

Donning baggy pants and baseball cap flipped backwards, DJ and technician Karim Abuaza has more modern idols such as Krayzie Bone, an icon of spit-rapping, a freestyle music form famous for breakneck speed lyrics.

Abuaza’s friends call him “Libya’s fastest spit rapper”. “I just want to express myself,” he says as he compiles a list of mostly Western beats to air between longer programs. — AFP

London games get an Olympian musical soundtrack

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t the London Olympics, Adele is served with tennis, Beyonce bounces around the basketball court and Queen’s “We Will Rock You” spikes up beach volleyball. A walk around Olympic Park is a non-stop musical mystery tour all part of a boisterous music policy that aims to keep spectators pumped up. Songs waft from speakers mounted on poles and from buskers dotted around the park. Half heard snatches of music mix with the booming roar of the crowds coming from venues. The music is inescapable but for visitors and staff, mostly welcome.

“It’s kind of ‘down with the kids’ music,” said

Musician Mick Jagger (left) watches an evening session of athletics competition with L’Wren Scott, right, in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Monday, in London. —AP volunteer Olympic worker Anna Letts, standing outside the main stadium. “Poppy, modern - no old songs. “When it’s 10 o’clock and you’re knackered,” or tired, “that comes on and it gets you going,” Music drove the British Invasion in the 1960s and Cool Britannia in the 1990s, and it’s key to the way the island nation is projecting itself through these games. Assembling a suitably Olympian soundtrack has been a crucial, complex task.

Director Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony was packed with choice British cuts, from The Kinks to the Sex Pistols to Dizzee Rascal. Sunday’s closing ceremony promises “a symphony of British music,” with live performances by acts including The Who. For games venues, organizers have a list of 2,012 songs - as in London 2012 - arranged into

playlists to suit the mood. The music is predominantly British, but includes global stars like U2, Jay-Z and Britney Spears.

“Heritage” sports like tennis, rowing and equestrian get a suitably “classic” soundtrack classic, in this case, encompassing Adele, The Rolling Stones and orchestral Led Zeppelin.

Surprise live acts, including Pixie Lott and the Pet Shop Boys, have been popping up to play at Wimbledon and other venues. “Extreme” sports such as boxing and BMX cycling get “high octane” accompaniment - think Foo Fighters - while “Energetic” sports such as swimming and basketball are scored to “upbeat, dance and urban” music.

At basketball games, some songs are deployed to get the crowd singing - “Wonderwall”

by Oasis is popular - while others provide a dash of humor. The lopsided score at the US-Nigeria game drew a burst of Duffy’s “Mercy,” while spills have been rewarded with a blast of Chumbawumba’s “Tubthumping:” “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” Beach volleyball has become one of the most popular events of the games, due in part to its cheeky razzmatazz atmosphere, which includes pompom girls and a barrage of upbeat tunes, from “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” to “My Sharona.” Sand-raking between the matches acquires a slapstick air thanks to the “Benny Hill” theme tune.

Prime Minister David Cameron, whose 10 Downing St residence is just yards from the beach volleyball sandpit, has reportedly joked he was being kept awake by the ceaseless thump of “We Will Rock You.” A few have complained that pounding soundtracks are distracting from the competition. The Daily Telegraph criticized what it called the “deafening pop and techno music” played on the first night of Olympic track and field competition. Its sports writer Paul Kelso said blasting loud dance music during the women’s 10,000-meter final had been “disgraceful disrespect ... horribly, unforgivably misjudged.”

Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Olympic organizing committee, conceded that “we did tone it down a bit” after that first night, but insisted the musical selection was popular with everyone but purists. —AP

DreamWorks plans $3.2 billion China theme park

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reamWorks Animation yesterday said it plans to build a $3.2 billion theme park in Shanghai, as the US film giant seeks to bolster its presence in the booming Chinese entertainment market. The studio’s newly formed China joint venture, Oriental DreamWorks, is set to open the theme park in 2016, the creator of megahits like “Shrek” and “Kung Fu Panda” said in a statement. The 20 billion yuan project-called the Dream Center-will comprise entertainment facilities, animation exhibitions and commercial developments including hotels and shopping areas in Shanghai’s Xuhui district, it said.

The announcement comes after Walt Disney, another US entertainment giant; last year broke ground on a planned $3.7 billion theme park in Shanghai which is scheduled to open in 2015. DreamWorks in February said it planned a $330 million joint venture company with three Chinese partners-China Media Capital, Shanghai Media Group and Shanghai Alliance Investment. Yesterday’s statement posted on DreamWorks’s website said it had formally established the joint venture with the

partners, all state-backed Chinese firms which together hold a majority 55 percent stake in the venture. The company will make the next “Kung Fu Panda” movie, the third installment in the series, in China as a co-production for release in 2016, the statement said.

It plans to release up to three major films a year with its first feature-length animated film scheduled for global release in 2017, it said. The huge commitment in local production comes even though Beijing maintains strict quotas which limit the number of foreign movies allowed into China. Imports of foreign films into China on a revenue-sharing basis are currently limited to just 34 annually, though that was raised from 20 earlier this year. Disney said in April it had joined an initiative to develop Chinese animation productions. It will also coproduce Iron Man 3 in China with DMG Entertainment, as Hollywood seeks to tap into the fast-growing movie market. China’s box office grew an annual 35 percent to $2.0 billion in 2011, making it the second largest international market behind Japan, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. — AFP

Madonna performs during her concert at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday. — AP

Madonna faces protest in Russia for backing jailed punks U

S pop icon Madonna found herself in hot water in Moscow yesterday after she waded into Russia’s fiercest controversy by calling for the release of three women in the Pussy Riot protest punk band. The one-time “material girl” and current campaigner for human rights causes arrived in Moscow on Monday to open a new gym for celebrities and then entertain thousands at the Olimpiysky stadium the following day. But her visit coincided with a courtroom drama pitting three women in their 20s against the growing might of Russia’s Orthodox Church and even President Vladimir Putin himself.

Band members had staged a stunt performance inside Moscow ’s massive Christ the Saviour Cathedral during which they belted out words to a song denouncing the Church’s backing for Putin and calling for the Russian strongman’s ouster. The women have already been in pre-trial detention for five months and now face three years in a corrective labor facility after prosecutors called their crime was so severe “their correction is only possible in... isolation from society.”

Madonna had already expressed surprise at the case when informed about it by a Russian television reporter in an interviewed aired in Moscow last week. But she added her voice much more strongly to those of other superstars such as Sting and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Moscow by calling the case “a tragedy” and underscoring the important links between politics and art. “I am against censorship and my whole career I always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech, so obviously I think what’s happening to them is unfair... I hope they do not have to serve seven

years in jail,” Madonna told Western journalists in comments picked up by Russian media.

“That would be a tragedy,” the US superstar said. The “punk prayer” performance saw the band prance before the alter in their traditional knit balaclavas and tight neon dresses for about 50 seconds before stunned security guards moved in. It followed a similar stunt staged on Red Square and preceded by a few weeks Putin’s resounding victory in March presidential elections that came amid protests in Moscow.

Madonna said “art should be political” and called the song Pussy Riot’s performance a fully justified act. “I think art through history, historically speaking, art always reflects what is going on socially,” she said. But that view along with Madonna’s open support for gay and lesbian causes as well as a general propensity to cause controversy on stage appeared to fall on deaf ears of organizations that have found new strength under Putin’s rule.

A spokesman for Russia’s Union of Orthodox Banner-Bearers-a support group for the Church that often wages fierce political campaignsaccused Madonna of interfering in Russia’s internal affairs and putting pressure on the courts. “It is not in our power to ban her, but we call on the authorities-who position themselves as Orthodox believers-to do so,” the spokesman was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. “This little singer is openly mocking our laws, our traditions and our culture,” he said.

Other religious figures vowed to stage loud protests outside Madonna’s concert yesterday in Moscow and another performance this week in Saint Petersburg. “We will drop by to say ‘no’ to blasphemy... and to explain our position to those who plan to attend her concert,” said Kirill

Frolov of the Orthodox Experts Association. “A woman calling herself Madonna intends to desecrate the cross,” Frolov told Interfax. “We will not stand for that.” — AFP

US singer Madonna walks towards her fans at the opening of the new fitness club in Moscow, Russia, Monday. —AP

India reinvents ‘ethnic chic’

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Cold drinks are readied for breaking the fast in Cheng Hoo Mosque. The Tiong Hoa People Community Surabaya, PITI, and Haj Muhammad Cheng Hoo Foundation held Break the Fast and Share Together with 500 orphans children in Haj Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque complex Sunday. — MCT

Pakistani girl Sana Lalbro, 4 (center) whose family fled their village due to fighting between security forces and militants in Pakistan’s tribal area of Bajur, attends with other children a class on how to read verses of the Quran, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in a mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, yesterday. Muslims throughout the world are marking the month of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar. — AP

Wear it proud:

The flag as a fashion statement T

here was no mystery as to which team Varun Pemmaraju was supporting: His American flag was tied around his neck, the Stars and Stripes floating like a cape behind him. “I was going for the Superman, Captain America-look,” said the beaming 19-year-old computer science and chemical engineering student from San Jose, California, as he stood a stone’s throw from Olympic Stadium. “I thought America was a little under-represented.”

Patriotism and the Olympic games have long gone together, but gone are the days when one just waved a flag. Now flags are

ion” has transformed the retail industry, as mainstream companies seize the hottest ideas from the catwalk, copy them as quickly as possible and move them onto the shop floors. Some manufacturers have gotten so fast they can produce wearable creations from factory to store in the same season in which they were created by top designers at Chanel, Ralph Lauren or Dior.

None of these flag fashions are going to give Burberry a run for their money they are not made to last. Jayne Ody got her raincoat, which was covered in Union Jacks, from Primark, a British store that specializes in cheap, cheerful fashion. And it was a bargain, at 8 pounds ($13). Her friend Ann Wanklyn was wearing two Welsh flags - emblazoned with a dragon - that had been sewn together into a simple shift dress. But Wanklyn is not about to claim she’s a fashion princess - Olympic Park is a sporty crowd.

“You won’t see anyone here walking around in heels, I can tell you that,” Wanklyn said. Turns out those flags can be handy in this unpredictable British weather. Someone seems to have a concession of selling a plastic variety that doubles as a raincoat. The British flag, as one might expect, seems to be very popular, but so is the tricolor of France and the triangle-cornered ones of the Czech Republic. And then there are the Dutch. Who needs a flag when your nation is basically a color blinding orange? There are orange jackets, overalls, shoes but you almost never see the Dutch flag itself.

The orange also comes in the form of tiny hats - a bargain at 1 pound ($1.56)

In this Sunday, July 29, 2012 photo, fans draped in German flags cheer for their team during the men’s K-1 kayak slalom heats at the Lee Valley White Water Center at the 2012 Summer Olympics, in London. — AP photos each - as worn by three Wagenaar sisters.

Sabine Wagenaar, 24, simply laughed when asked about her fashion choice. “It’s a nice little hat,” she said giggling. “It’s girlie.” Then there are those just trying to buck their athletes up. Hugh Barton, 11, from Brisbane, Australia, was sad that the Aussie swimmers weren’t at their best this year. He wore a flag around his neck and held one in his hand for maximum patriotism.

“Australia needs moral support,” he said. Before the games, American athletes were briefed on how to hold the flag

Photo shows fans of the Netherlands cheer for their team during a beach volleyball match against Switzerland at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Photo shows a fan replete with representations of Great Britain’s flag watches the competition at the rowing venue in Eton Dorney, near Windsor. worn.

The fashion flags can be found at Olympic Park and around London as shift dresses and smocks, pants and shorts, hats and shoes, even dangly earrings and bracelets. There’s apparently no garment nor nail polish - that can’t be fashioned into something akin to a national banner.

Although the sponsorship police at the International Olympic Committee can stop merchants from using the five Olympic rings, there’s no trademark police on flags.

Besides, capitalizing on a good fashion idea is not new. In recent years, “fast fash-

Photo shows a couple wearing a British flag walking near to the river as other visitors arrive at the Olympic Park.

should they be lucky enough to win. The US Olympic Committee pointed out a picture of swimmer Missy Franklin displaying the flag properly after winning gold - right hand on stars, left hand on stripes. Wearing the flag, well, that’s for spectators. Still, people like Pemmaraju are wearing it well.

“It’s a way of celebrating all the things that your country is about,” the University of California student said. “I know America is not a perfect country... but it’s got me where I am. I’m proud to be an American.”

— AP

Photo shows British fans wearing leotards in the colors of the flag posing for other spectators to take pictures of them in front of the Orbit Tower in Olympic Park.

Photo shows Nick Miller, left, and his sister Kendall Miller, center, from San Francisco, wear leotards in the colors of the United States national flag as they walk with a friend through Olympic Park.

Styling hair in the streets of the Haitian capital B

efore Haiti’s devastating January 2010 earthquake, dozens of independent hair stylists braided and colored hair in the capital’s Iron Market, a soaring steel-framed structure that was the commercial hub of downtown Portau-Prince. But the earthquake damaged the landmark Iron Market and the hairstylists moved their activities to the

streets, where they resumed their businesses not long after the disaster struck.

The Iron Market has now reopened, but apparently there’s no room for the stylists, who remain on the capital’s dusty streets.

One woman cuts hair in a salon constructed of cardboard and discarded wood, her customer’s arm resting inches

from a wooden pallet. Nearby, another woman gets hair extensions while sitting on a stool on a debris-strewn lot, alongside houses and shops still in ruins 2 1/2 years after the quake. Creaky wooden stalls offer a wide selection of wigs that can cost up to $75, a huge amount in an impoverished country where most people survive on $2 a day. The stylists are far

from the only ones who have been driven into the streets of Port-au-Prince. The disaster destroyed thousands of buildings and for a time, more than 1.5 million people were living in rough camps scattered throughout the capital. That number has since dropped to around 390,000 as the country slowly rebuilds. Hairdressers such as 28-year-old Cigarre Wanuese typically

start work at 6 am, braiding hair until dusk at the street’s edge, a river of cars and brightly painted minibuses known as tap-taps rattling by as they work. Their presence downtown spares customers from having to make the long, and relatively expensive, trek up the hill to the wealthier areas where it’s easier to find an indoor salon. — AP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

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

Nigeria school offers hope for young women KADUNA: The clattering sewing machines at this northern Nigeria school offer hope of a better life for a group of young women who fled abusive marriages that for some prove inescapable. In Nigeria’s deeply impoverished north, which has some of the worst gender disparities in the world, millions of girls who never learned to read or write are pushed into marriage in their early teens, a recent study said.

The Tattalli Free School in the city of Kaduna was set up as a refuge for those who, overcoming fear and the pressures of patriarchal society, left their husbands when the relationships became unbearable.

“I was married and pregnant and my husband was at home doing nothing,” said 17-year-old Bilkisou, the mother of a young girl. “At times he would beat me or shout at me. When I went to report him to my father, he sent me back,” she added. She left with her baby strapped to her back and came to Tattalli, where she can learn skills ranging from dressmaking to beadmaking in hopes of earning enough money to care for herself. The school’s founder, Saratu Aliyu, said she wanted to give vulnerable young

women a chance to learn a marketable skill and save them from having to sell themselves for survival.

“You find them going into prostitution, you find them getting into wrong hands,” said Aliyu, who funds the school with her own money. “So many things could happen to them because they cannot help themselves, and anybody who is in need of money, anything that comes your way, you try your hands at it.” The roughly 150 students at Tattalli should, in principle, have had access to public primary and secondary education, which is free in Nigeria. But in reality an education brings extra costs that many families cannot satisfy. Some teachers are even said to demand money to pass students.

“A married woman is one less mouth to feed,” Rukayyat Adamu, the Tattalli school’s director. The problem is especially acute in predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria, where sharia (Islamic law) exerts a powerful influence. In the north, more than twothirds of girls aged 15-19 are unable to read a sentence, compared to less than 10 percent in the southern part of the country, according to a British Council

report published in May. Half of all women in the region are married by the age of 16, the report further said, while the Global Campaign for Education estimates that 50 percent of northern girls are not even enrolled in school. ‘ Turn wives into punching

bags’-Worldwide, Nigeria ranks 118 out of 134 countries on the Gender Equality Index, the British Council study said. Kaduna is also one of several northern cities hit hard by the radical Islamist group Boko Haram, responsible for scores of attacks across

KADUNA: A student of the ‘Tattali Free school’ gives a sewing demonstration in front of other students in Kaduna Nigeria. — AFP

the region in recent months. A suicide blast at a church last month sparked sectarian mob violence and Kaduna state, where Kaduna city is the capital, was placed under a tight cur few.

Analysts say the prevailing security crisis has further damaged the region’s already feeble economy. “Men who become frustrated by inability to take care of their families turn their wives to punching bags when they complain,” said Aliyu.

At the school she founded five years ago, gathered in a small shaded courtyard, a group of teenagers, including Mansoura Sani, were learning how to make dresses. She said that not long after her 10th birthday her family promised her to a much older man, who already had two wives.

“His older children fought and his wives often made fun of me,” she recalled. She ran to the home of a cousin in Kaduna and later made her way to Tattalli, and said she hopes the education she is receiving may help her marry again. “This will make a difference because men appreciate educated women. They accord them more respect,” she said. “I could also be independent.”— AFP

Yemen restructures army Presidential decrees curb powers of former leader

MOSCOW: Maria Alekhina (second right) a member of the feminist punk group is escorted to a court room in Moscow. — AP

Prosecutors seek 3-year jail term for punk band MOSCOW: Russian prosecutors demanded three years’ jail Monday for members of girl band Pussy Riot who had protested against Vladimir Putin in a church performance, as star Madonna pled for clemency. As the controversial Moscow trial went into its second week, the state prosecutor argued that the young women’s crime was so serious that they needed to be isolated from society. “This crime is severe and the prosecution considers that their correction is only possible in conditions of isolation from society and the punishment needed must be a real deprivation of freedom,” said prosecutor Alexander Nikiforov.

The women - Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alyokhina - barged into the Christ the Saviour Cathedral on the eve of March presidential polls and in a song asked the Virgin Mary to oust Putin. After the “punk prayer” on February 21, the three women, all in their 20s, were detained in March and charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail. They are being tried in the same Moscow district court where the former Yukos oil chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky underwent a widely criticised trial for tax evasion in 2010.

The prosecutor asked the court to find the women, two of whom have children, “guilty of the crime and set them the following punishment: deprivation of freedom for three years and punishment in a penal colony of a general regime.” The defendants reacted calmly, exchanging only a few phrases. Tolokonnikova stared ahead, at one point shaking her head, while Samutsevich and Alyokhina sat with their heads bowed.

Outside, their supporters brandished placards that read: “Judge Syrova: your honour today and disgrace for the rest of your days” and “Dirty tricks do not become the court.” “Any verdict except an acquittal will be illegal,” defence lawyer Nikolai Polozov told reporters.

The Pussy Riot trial has polarised the predominantly Russian Orthodox country, with the prosecution arguing that the performance was purely intended to offend believers. The girl band’s case has been taken up by celebrities including British pop star Sting and US rockers the Red Hot Chili Peppers before Madonna waded into the debate on her arrival in Moscow for a sell-out concert. The US pop diva said ahead of her concert yesterday that she hoped the band members would be allowed to walk free, adding that a lengthy jail term would be a “tragedy”. Her plea for clemency led supporters of the powerful Russian Orthodox Church to call on the authorities to ban her scheduled concerts in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

The lawyer for the plaintiffs, Larisa Pavlova, said she supported the punishment called for by the prosecutor. She said the performance was aimed at “desecrating the Orthodox faith”. Pavlova said the video of the performance aimed to cause “maximum woe” and “included words addressing President Putin,” adding the broadcast continued to insult “what is holy to millions of Orthodox believers.” The women all admitted they were members of the group, whose name “sounds very ugly in Russian”, Pavlova said, without giving a translation. — AFP

SANAA: Yemen’s president has ordered the restructuring of some military units, aiming to curb the powers of a son of former leader Ali Abdullah Saleh and stabilize a country where Saleh’s legacy still looms large. State-owned news agency Saba said late on Monday that President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi issued decrees transferring the command of some Republican Guards units to a newly formed force called the Presidential Protective Forces under his authority.

Other units from the elite Republican Guards, which is led by Brigadier General Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the ex-president’s son, were placed under different regional command. Lawlessness in Yemen has alarmed neighbor and top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia and the United States, which increasingly view the impoverished Arab state as a front line in their war on al Qaeda and its affiliates. The president’s decrees also incorporated some army units led by dissident General Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar, who broke away from Saleh’s forces after the protests began last year, into the new presidential force or put them under regional command.

Ahmar welcomed the decrees and

called them “brave and patriotic decisions”, Saba said, adding that the moves restore unity to the armed forces and improve discipline. Hadi, who had been Saleh’s deputy, took power in February after standing as the only candidate in a presidential election, in a deal brokered by Yemen’s Gulf neighbors to end the political upheaval. Restructuring the armed forces was a major element of the deal.

Hadi has promised to unify the army, which is divided between Saleh’s allies and foes. In April, he removed about 20 top commanders, including a half brother of Saleh and other relatives. The United States and Saudi Arabia both backed the power transition deal, concerned by the expansion of Al-Qaeda’s regional wing in a country next to major oil shipping lanes.

ISLAMISTS LYING LOW Washington, which has used drones and missiles to kill alleged Al-Qaeda targets in Yemen, backed a military offensive in May to recapture swathes of land seized by insurgents in southern Abyan province last year. The campaign was hailed as a major victory, though residents and analysts say Islamist fighters pushed out in

June are simply lying low and waiting for a chance to regroup. In the latest fighting, security forces killed five foreign militants and a local fighter in southern Al-Baydah province overnight, a Yemeni security source said.

Their target was Abdullah Awad AlMasri, also known as Abu Osama AlMaribi, who ran an explosives factory and was viewed as the most dangerous AlQaeda commander in the province, the source said. The Defense Ministry said security forces also killed two Islamist militants and arrested three during a sweep of Jaar, where a suicide bomber killed at least 45 people in an attack on a wake on Saturday. An air strike killed two suspected militants in a vehicle in the eastern province of Hadramout, a local official said.

13 QAEDA SUSPECTS KILLED Thirteen suspected Al-Qaeda militants have been killed in Yemen over the past two days, including five non-Yemeni Arabs, officials and tribesmen said yesterday. Yemeni forces shot dead three AlQaeda militants in a raid on their southern hideout yesterday, hours after drone

strikes killed two others in the centre of the country, officials and tribesmen said.

The army and militiamen “raided a house where Al-Qaeda militants were hiding” in Jaar, prompting a firefight in which “two militants were killed and three others were arrested,” Mohsen bin Jamila, an official in the region said.

One of those arrested died of his wounds, he said later. Abdullatif Al-Sayed, who leads the Popular Resistance Committees militia, was wounded during the early morning clashes, the official said.

Jaar, which the army recaptured from the jihadists in June with the help of the militiamen, was the site of a suicide attack on Saturday in which 49 people were killed, according to a new toll provided by hospitals in Aden.

Four Al-Qaeda suspects implicated in the attack have been arrested, according to officials. Also yesterday, three Islamist fighters were killed by a drone stroke in the region of Al-Qotn in eastern Hadramawt province, another area where Al-Qaeda has been active, a local official said. “I saw three charred bodies near a pick-up truck that had been hit by a missile,” he said. — Agencies

19 killed as gunmen open fire on Nigerian church LAGOS: Gunmen stormed an evangelical church in central Nigeria, cut the electricity and opened fire once the building was plunged into darkness, killing 19 people, including the pastor, officials said yesterday.

Residents in the town of Okene in Kogi state, where the church was attacked late Monday, reported fresh gun battles on a main commercial street yesterday, but the circumstances were not immediately clear.

Officials said it was too early to say who carried out the church raids, but the radical Islamist group Boko Haram has repeatedly targeted Christians during worship in a series of gun and suicide bomb attacks.

Kogi, southwest of the capital Abuja, has not been hit particularly hard by the Islamists, although members of the group are believed to have come from the ethnically diverse area. In mid-July, a bomb went off near another church in Okene, but caused no casualties, while in April, the military said it had discovered a Boko Haram bomb making factory in Kogi, in the town of Ogaminana. The Deeper Life Church in Okene was attacked by “unknown gunmen” at roughly 8:20 pm on Monday, said Lt Col Gabriel Olorunyomi, head of a military task force in Kogi.

Before firing on worshippers who had come for a regular Monday evening service, two of the three assailants knocked out the building’s generator, state police spokesman Simon Ile said. When military personnel arrived at the scene, they “saw 15 people dead, including the pastor,” said Olorunyomi, who added that four more people later died from their wounds. Several others were injured. Ile said there were no early indications regarding the culprits.

“They entered the church...they just opened fire and they went away. We don’t know their motives yet,” he said.

Okene residents said that heavily armed gunmen attacked a commercial street in the town yesterday,

sparking a gunfight with troops.

“The soldiers succeeded in killing two of the gunmen and then the rest fled,” said Abdul Omeiza, who lives near the street where several banks are located. Ile told AFP that he had heard reports of “a confrontation that is happening right now,” but insisted he had no details and the military was not available to comment. It was not clear if latest violence was linked to the church raid. Boko Haram, which has said it wants to create an Islamic state in northern Nigeria, has increasingly attacked Christians but Muslims have also often been among the group’s victims.

The group has killed more than 1,000 people since mid-2009 in a range of attacks, including the United Nations building in the capital Abuja.

President Goodluck Jonathan said in June that Boko Haram was seeking to incite a religious crisis by attacking churches in an attempt to destabilize the government. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south. In a video posted to YouTube on Saturday, the suspected leader of Boko Haram criticised Jonathan as well as US President Barack Obama over Washington’s decision to label him a “global terrorist”.

It was unclear when the video was made, but it marked the first time Abubakar Shekau publicly addressed the terrorist designation slapped on him by the United States in June. In addition to Shekau, the US State Department also announced the designations for Abubakar Adam Kambar and Khalid al-Barnawi. Kambar and Barnawi were said to be linked to Boko Haram and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Al-Qaeda’s north African branch. Some US lawmakers and the leader of Nigeria’s main Christian body have been pushing Obama’s administration to label Boko Haram as a whole a terrorist organization. — AFP

PRETORIA: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (left) shakes hands with the newly elected chairperson of the African Union Commission, South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma yesterday at the presidential guesthouse in Pretoria.

Clinton is on an official visit to South Africa to consolidate existing bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and the United States. —AFP

Clinton urges end to Congo crisis as Africa leaders meet KAMPALA: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Rwanda and Great Lakes neighbors yesterday to stop supporting Congolese rebels as regional leaders met in Uganda to discuss ways to end the insurgency in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Clinton’s call, made in South Africa during her latest stop on an African tour, maintained international pressure on Rwanda and Uganda to withdraw any backing for the Tutsi-led M23 rebels, whose advances have thrown the volatile, ethnically-mixed east of Congo back into conflict, displacing thousands of civilians. The Rwandan government has strenuously denied allegations by UN experts that its military officials have provided equipment and recruits for the M23 rebellion. Uganda has also rejected similar allegations that its soldiers have backed the movement.

Clinton, speaking at a news conference in Pretoria, praised a two-day meeting of Great Lakes region heads of state held in the Ugandan capital Kampala this week to discuss solutions to the Congo crisis. They could include the creation of a neutral international military force to fight Congolese rebels. “We urge all the states of the region including Rwanda to work together to cut off support for the

rebels in the M23, to disarm them and bring their leaders to justice,” Clinton said. Donors including the United States, Britain, the Netherlands and Germany have suspended some of their financial aid to Rwanda over the accusations that it is backing the rebels. Rwanda says it is being used as a scapegoat for the chaos in eastern Congo.

KAGAME-KABILA TALKS Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Congolese counterpart Joseph Kabila are due to meet in Kampala and join the talks with their regional neighbors about the size and composition of the anti-rebel force, which was broadly agreed by them at an African Union summit in Addis Ababa last month. “The mere fact that Kabila has flown in here and that Kagame is here is testimony of how seriously they take this matter,” Ugandan Foreign Minister Henry Okello Oryem said. As uneasy neighbors, Congo and Rwanda have gone to war with each other in the past. Eastern Congo’s enduring conflict, which has killed, maimed and displaced several million civilians over nearly two decades, has its roots in Tutsi-Hutu ethnic and political enmities dating back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. — Reuters