Kuwait Times
May 28, 2010
NO: 14742
FREE
INSIDE
The Golden Triangle: Turning the slum into a business hub PAGES 6 & 7
Tight pants ban takes effect in Indonesia PAGE 10
KUWAIT: A recent view of downtown Kuwait City. The image is used for illustrative purpose only.
Lee DeWyze wins ʻAmerican Idolʼ as Cowell departs PAGE 54
Magic turn tables on Celtics to stay alive PAGE 60
‘KIA stays’ in Europe Sovereign fund denies reports of cut-back of euro assets; no change in strategy KUWAIT: Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, said yesterday it did not plan to reduce its exposure to euro zone investments, denying a Kuwaiti newspaper report. “KIA denies local newspaper reports that there is a consideration by (KIA) to reduce its investments and presence in European countries ... as a reaction to crises that some European countries are facing,” KIA said in an emailed statement. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Anba had said yesterday that the sovereign fund was planning to reduce investments in the euro zone on fears another crisis involving Portugal and Spain was lurking. The paper added that KIA’s economic reports “confirmed the escalation” of the crisis in Greece, which could lead to new debt problems for the two other European states. KIA holds a stake in Germany’s Daimler and is a majority stakeholder in telecom firm Zain. KIA invested about $750 million in U.S. asset manager BlackRock last year, and said in January it was eyeing investments in Asia and Latin America in 2010. In December, KIA sold its $3 billion stake in Citigroup Inc for a profit of $1.1 billion. The authority
KIA holds a stake in Germany’s Daimler and is a majority stakeholder in telecom firm Zain. KIA invested about $750 million in U.S. asset manager BlackRock last year, and said in January it was eyeing investments in Asia and Latin America in 2010.
said in the statement that it was a long-term investor and there was no change to its investment strategy including in the euro zone. “KIA is a long-term investor, and will not change its investment strategy in Europe,” the statement said. Steffen Kern, economist at Deutsche Bank and a sovereign wealth fund expert, said he viewed any substantial currency restructurings by sovereign funds on the basis of recent economic events in Europe as premature. “Most sovereign wealth funds have a time frame of well beyond 10 years in their portfolio investments. Based on that, the current economic developments do not warrant a significant shift,” he said. Kern said portfolio diversification, particularly currency diversification, has been a major priority for sovereign funds, and expected it to remain a key focus going forward. “I expect that they will take a prudent approach,” he said, adding that despite the seriousness of fiscal problems in some euro zone countries he expected the European Union and its member states to manage and see growth prospects back on track in the medium- to long-term. — Reuters
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Friday, May 28, 2010
The obstacle is the path By Abdullah Al-Qattan
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aybe you have seen them jump over cars or tear fences down at the seaside. Maybe you have spotted them perform stunts too. These spontaneous activities are performed by the so-called free runners or urban acrobats who use the fabric of the city and rural landscape to master the art movement. This art movement is also known as ‘parkour’ - a sport/hobby that incorporates efficient movements from parkour. It adds aesthetic values and other acrobatics, such as tricking and street stunts, creating an athletic and aesthetically pleasing way of movement. Depending on the weather, parkour comes alive in Kuwait. Stunt-pros can be seen leaping over walls whenever the weather is nice, so they can master all the moves that are only seen in action movies. The name of the stunters’ group in Kuwait ‘Team Ryutora’ was inspired by the logo of Ying and Yang. It was founded in the end of 2006 with two members only. A: Internationally, yes there is. Locally, we just had one recent competition called ‘Redbull Urban Jump’ which was held in March 2010 and it was the first competition to be held in the Middle East. Mohammad Al-Attar took the first place in this competition.
Here is what some of them had to share about their art: FT: What is the most interesting aspect of this sport? And what has attracted you the most? A: The thrill and action you go through when you practice it the most is the interesting aspect of this game. The main attraction point for us are the challenges we face when we try to do the flips or tricks because it’s a vie between the free runner and his fears unlike other sports that challenges two rivals.
FT: Would you share any fun facts about these games? A: The funniest thing about this sport is that you might have mastered the world’s most difficult and coolest moves and flips but still you might fall while walking up or down the stairs.
Team Ryutora in action.
FT: Who makes up Team Ryutora? A: There are four of us: Aziz Al-Merdasi, Jaber Ali Al-Kinany, Mohammad Al-Mtairi and Mohammad Al-Attar. FT: How many hours does your team practice and where? A: It usually depends on the weather since we practice outdoors on the beach and in public parks or in any place we find that has a nice environment and obstacles, training hours are usually between 2-5 pm. FT: Are there any difficulties that your team faces on a regular basis? A: We need an indoor place with safety means to practice in. We often get injured. Also, sometimes we have problems with people that don’t understand this art because it is new just like how sports clubs in Kuwait don’t show any support to this game or any interest. FT: What type of events do you usually partake in? A: Usually we participate in talent shows, TV ads, carnivals for universities, championships, local movies.
FT: Do you have any future plans? Do you want to take this to another level? A: We are planning to open our own gym where we can train people with proper means and safety features. We are also planning to have events abroad with sponsorships from Kuwaiti companies.
FT: Have you ever been asked to perform stunts for an ad? A: Yes, we took part in an ad for Mall 360 Kuwait before it opened. We also created an ad for ‘Gulf Cables’ for Al-Rodhan indoor soccer competition. We also participated in a movie called ‘Whispers of Sin’ for Director Abdul-Rahman Al-Khalifi and others as well. FT: What are the main causes of injuries in your art? A: Practicing outdoors with no safety gears. FT: How many times have you been injured? And what was your most dangerous experience? A: We can’t give a specific number, but yeah,
we have been injured a lot. Thank God, we didn’t break any bones but the most dangerous injuries are ankle sprains, some bruises and wounds. FT: What was the most dangerous stunt that the team has ever performed? A: Everyone had a different experience but the most dangerous was a six-meter high jump and double back flip. FT: How did you learn this art? A: This might sound strange but we learned it all by ourselves. One helps the other and everyone has his own technique or way that they help the other master. We also learned through tutorial videos on YouTube recorded by professionals and the world’s best free runners. FT: What makes a perfect practice place? A: Anyone might walk near a playground and just pass it without considering the possibilities that this place has. When you are a free runner, your entire perspective and view of that playground is different and more creative. This is because of the marvelous and outstanding opportunities that this place has to offer a free runner in order to perform astonishing moves and flips.
FT: How do you recruit new members? A: People who want to join us can simply reach us through our YouTube channel or send us a message and we will provide them with training days and hours. FT: What do you consider free running as? RT: For us we see free running not as a sport but as an art; the art of the human body movement. Sometimes when people see us training, doing flips and jumping around they say “Quit doing this kid nonsense and grow up.” These ideas and thoughts that some people have, relate this and art and limits it for kids are wrong. This is because they are made by a society that doesn’t really understand art. Flipping and jumping is not for kids because it is dangerous for them to do so. But if a child can do what a grown up can’t that means that child has much more control of his body than an adult. Finally, never say that something is difficult unless you try it. “It’s not because things are difficult that we don’t dare; it’s because we don’t dare to do things that are difficult.”
FT: Why do you do this? Isn’t it dangerous? RT: It’s the passion and love for thrill and action, the feeling of the adrenaline rush in our bodies and the ambition to master the art of the human body movement. Of course, it is dangerous. But, if you don’t try, you won’t learn. Science was considered dangerous and some kind of dark magic and scientists were considered crazy and mad. If scientists haven’t tried to think and invent and just give up then we wouldn’t have gotten that far and developed life to be this comfortable and this easy. So there always has to be a crazy person that creates a revolution through his acts. FT: Are there any tournaments that you take part in?
Team Ryutora
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Friday, May 28, 2010
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SATIRE WIRE
Useful Kuwaiti weather By Saws an Ka zak ecently, temperatures in Kuwait have been soaring. Many people have been complaining about the ‘unbearable’ heat and ‘harsh’ sun. But I am a stern believer in the saying ‘When life gives you lemons; make lemonade’. Kuwaiti weather is not something that should annoy and disturb you; it can help you in your daily endeavors. When getting in your car in the morning the heat is sometimes overwhelming. We usually open the windows and turn the AC on really high to combat the sweltering heat. But instead of fighting it, why don’t you consider the condensed heat to be a short session in the sauna. Think of those first ten minutes in your car as a free spa treatment. Simply get in your car that you have parked in the sun, close all doors and windows and sit. Allow the steam to open up your pores and the sweat to release your toxins. Sure your hair, makeup and clothes will be affected, but your skin will thank you in the long run. The built up heat in your car can also be useful for more than just mini spa treatments. You can use the high temperatures in your vehicle to keep your food warm. Simply leave your lunch bag in the backseat of your car for a couple of hours and remove it when you are ready to eat. You will find that your food will stay as hot as when it was first cooked, sometimes even hotter. This technique will eliminate the need for microwaves, in turn saving you time. Almost all locations in Kuwait are air-conditioned, but the walk from your car to the building is not. The sun is strong and invasive, the perfect conditions for a mini tanning session. Simply park your car further than you usually would and walk to your desired location extremely slowly. This will give you an intensive, but effective, tanning session. Within a few outings you will find your skin has turned into a golden brown without the hassle of going to the beach. However, I would caution you to stay clear of ‘farmer tans’. This is when the tan line on your arms ends where your t-shirt sleeve begins. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing. As you can clearly see, hot Kuwaiti summers are our friends. It has come to help us save time and look prettier. We should not fight and complain about the weather. we should work in unison with it. With a small shift in our perspective, we can turn an intolerable summer into a useful aid. sawsank@kuwaittimes.net
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Friday spoTlighT
The real meaning of charity By Muna Al-Fuzai harity is a global act and is not confined to a certain nation, people or a country. It is an act of gratitude and support to those who need help, keeping in mind that earth is one small village. Above all, charity should not be an ostentatious display of wealth. Recently, a group of rich Kuwaitis attended a charity meeting. From the beginning, their participation appeared to be an act of kindness which garnered international appreciation! What is its vision? Charity, although, is an act of kindness. It could lose power when it is more concerned about hogging media glare than lending support to the needy and desperate. Also, we have to know that charity is not limited to Kuwaitis only. Many great nations and countries, citizens and celebrities perform charity work without focusing on publicity stunts. In many cases, they do not even keep the media alert about their acts or details about the amount of money involved and the logistic support they give. How about those celebrities and their participation in charity work? I think Angelina Jolie plays a unique role. This is because she can act like many American actresses and enjoy all the wealth she has received. She still visits places like Iraq and Afghanistan instead of flying to enjoyable places in the heart of Europe! Is charity only an act of altruism? It is only good when it achieves its goal and brings out the best in us. The more we use it as a tool to show how kind- hearted we are, it loses meaning and purpose. Making charitable donations is no longer a blessing or a privilege that is bestowed only on one country. It should not turn into a popularity contest. Most countries in the world today make donations based on their capacity and ability. In many cases, the media is alerted on this matter! Charity is a humane act. Why can’t we just carry on with it minus all the fuss? muna@kuwaittimes.net
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KUWAIT: Weekenders are pictured barbequing to beat summer boredom. — Photo by Joseph Shagra
HalluciNations
Chaos theory or divine amusement? By Ahmad Saeid
he amount of art and beauty in God’s creations always blows my mind. It gives me the greatest pleasure, and leaves me shocked and in a state of complete awe and bliss to sit back and imagine life from ‘the’ higher perspective. This week, instead of writing about politics, I want to try to share this joyful feeling with you. To do that, first I need to explain a few facts about the way the world appears to me. In my view, Allah’s abstract creations are much more amazing and miraculous than the physical ones. For me, the fact that Allah came up with the idea for the taste of bananas is much more amazing than the creation of bananas themselves! Similarly, the creation of the concept of language is more amazing than the creation of the human tongue. The creation of love is by far more amazing than the creation of human heart, regardless to how amazing those physical miracles are. Those who are into computer programming know that it is much more difficult to write a program that will give a random number or make a spontaneous act than to write one that will carry out the most complex operations. The concept of the word ‘random’ is extremely difficult for the computer to understand, and breaking down the idea in such a way as to allow the computer to ‘understand’ it will completely ruin it. The result of such an attempt would be a complicated system, not chaos. That is exactly why I am aston-
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In my view, Allah’s abstract creations are much more amazing and miraculous than the physical ones. ished at the beauty of all the ‘chaos’ Allah is capable of creating. Take a look at any tree for example, and try to understand the system behind the position of every branch and every leaf. Then take a look at a forest, and try to figure out the system behind the position of every tree and plant inside it. Look at the universe, and try to understand how the Big Bang was able to manufacture all of the galaxies, stars and planets in existence. The general concept is starting a chain of reactions and giving life to the components of the equation. These components will evolve, grow, and interact again and again with each other, and the results will be a ‘human-mind-blowing’ chaos. I am saying human mind because only we are incapable of understanding this chaos and that’s why it is chaos only to us - for Allah it is not. Now let’s apply this principle to the interactions between people and see the beauty of life that I was talking about. Sometimes the smallest incident triggers a sequence of reactions that ultimately lead to completely unforeseeable consequences. For example, sometimes you find a single area or a spot that is considered holy by more than one religious group, as some sort of a test for everyone’s belief. I know families that are constructed of people with totally opposing characters, as a sort of a lifetime punishment for every-
one of them. A more vivid example, something that happened with me personally. Every day I drive to the newspaper on the same road. On one occasion, I was distracted, thinking about something, and I took a wrong turn. On that road I had an accident, even though the road itself or the distraction had nothing to do with it! This is just a tiny little illustration of the possibilities inside this chaos system that is called life. Allah, destiny, karma, you name it, puts two or more people together in one place, and makes them share an experience that will influence the flow of their lives forever. Their altered paths then intersect, with the lives of other people and influence them, and so on. Something like the movement of pool balls after the first break, only a thousand times slower. I don’t know about you, but for me this makes humanity an incredibly beautiful thing to observe. Imagine that you were able to calculate what would be the impact of each and every interaction between each and every component of life, from the first break (the Big Bang) all the way to the end of time. Imagine that, and you might have a glimpse into how beautiful the world looks from the higher perspective. A peek into the pleasure of breaking the pool balls and watching the process. What do you think? saeid@kuwaittimes.n et
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LOCAL
Friday, May 28, 2010
The view inside
By Nawara Fattahova
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ant to learn how to properly arrange a dinner table, shake hands with a new business associate or the kind of gift to prepare for someone from another culture? These are answers that can be now learnt at the Acanthe School of Etiquette and Protocol. It was launched last year. According to its creators, it is the first of its kind in Kuwait.
One-of-a-kind finishing school in Kuwait aims to teach the finer aspects of communication Overlooking the seafront, the Acanthe (French name for one of the finest foliage plants for the shrub border, native to the Mediterranean) School is a cozy place with very comfortable atmosphere that opened doors in 2009. Founders of the school Hanadi Khazal and Rawan Alabdulrazzaq are two young Kuwaiti women who met at their workplace. In their own words, everybody saw them as a team. And more or less this is how they launched their business in the Acanthe School. Khazal conceived the idea of establishing a school of etiquette. Alabdulrazzaq, on the other hand, was the main force behind realizing this idea. That, in a nutshell, is how the Acanthe
School of Etiquette and Protocol was born. “My mother is from Singapore; my grandmother was very strict about everything related to good behavior and etiquette. I had to adhere to strict manners at home since I was a kid; thus I thought of teaching this to people,” explains Alabdulrazzaq who is Managing Director of the school. For Khazal, who studied finance at Cote D’azur, Paris, and Switzerland, etiquette and manners was something of a hobby and so she proposed the idea to turn the hobby into a school. Alabdulrazzaq, a Mass Communication Bachelor’s degree holder has arts, drawing, painting, sculpture and other activities made up her list of hobbies. “Unfortunately, now I’m too busy. So, I don’t have time for these hobbies anymore,” she said. She says that she saw herself more interested in advertizing so she studied media programming and directory. The duo admits that they both complete each other though they are different. “We work in harmony and we usually have different opinions. You can’t imagine how long it took us to furnish this school, for instance. We have opposite opinions but still we complete each other,” says Khazal. The idea of establishing the school is affirmed in their belief: No matter what our position in life is, every one of us interacts with many different people each day. Whether we are in the presence of individuals older than ourselves, or younger. Whether we work with people in positions higher than us, or lower. Or merely amongst our friends and family. The way we conduct ourselves in those situations make up the language of which our biography is written. What is etiquette? They both argue that etiquette is not only for those who have the financial means, nor is it a set of dry, rigid rules that one must follow to become worthy. Etiquette, they say in sync, is simply the key to the unspoken rules of human interaction, allowing you to master the important life skills that lead to triumph in your professional and personal being. Whether you are a parent looking to have your child master the art of social graces or a
From where did the name of the school originate? There are different types of Acanthus based on its flower color. However, it is the leaves, not the flowers, which has historically attracted attention. Around 5th Century BC, the story goes, a basket covered with a rooftop tile was left on the grave of a freeborn maiden of Corinth.
Acanthe School of Etiquette and Protocol The Acanthe School of Etiquette and Protocol, chose the name because they value both Order and Art. With the right order and appreciation of the Arts, an individual can master the most prominent skills known to conquest all aspects in life, they said. The Acanthe faculty consists of highlytrained professionals in the field mainly from Europe who teach the classes for men, women and children. Each course has a different teacher. Classes are always small
It happened to be placed on an acanthus root, forcing the plant to grow alongside the basket and curl as it hit the tile. Callimachus, an architect and sculpture, was so inspired by the sight that he built columns after that pattern for the Corinthians - now known as the Corinthian Order. More so, Acanthus was not only noticed by the Romans, it also had significance in Victorian England. In the language of flowers, Acanthus was the symbol of art.
and enable different kinds of questions to be discussed. Classes range from Business Image, Posture and Executive Wardrobe to manners at the workplace, such as office decorum. Verbal communication including: Greeting and Handshaking, Proper Grammar and Vocabulary, Conversational Skills, and Introduction and Proper Forms of Address. Also there are: Written Communication, Electronic Communication, and Meeting Protocol.
businessperson looking to enhance your repertoire of professional skills or perhaps those of your employees, Acanthe School of Etiquette and Protocol has the answers.
LOCAL
Friday, May 28, 2010
By Sunil Cherian
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etween the comforting sheets in his bed, at his company accommodation building, Binu P Babu cannot sleep. He has been deprived of sleep and peace of mind since finding that he could not travel abroad for his wedding. The long-awaited wedding, which was due to have taken place last month in his native Kerala, India, was ‘indefinitely’ postponed because ‘the bridegroom was trapped in some visa problem,’ his distressed family learnt. The problem? Binu, a 31year-old hotel management graduate, has a Number 72 visa which is blacklisted in Kuwait. He ‘bought’ the job visa through somebody who knows somebody who could arrange a visa in the name of a bogus company that may exist only on
paper. At the time of his visa being issued around a year ago, everything seemed okay. Until he tried to travel for his wedding... Things looked much better at the time when he got a job as a chef with a local food production company a few months back. Having obtained a proper job with a proper visa and a good salary with food and accommodation perks, it seemed, for an eligible bachelor, like the most suitable time to consider marriage and the most fitting time to organize his visa transfer. The former plan went smoothly, thanks to the efforts of the groom’s and bride’s parents. The latter plan, he assumed, would also go well, except he was told by the company expeditor to wait till the expiry of the old residence. And then the problems started. The transfer, he
in my view
Towards a globalized Kuwait By Soumya Sukrithan
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uwait’s privatization bill has caused quite a stir in the country. There was fervent opposition from several quarters, especially those that objected to the privatization of the nation’s primary revenue generating force - oil refineries. In recent years, as a commercial and tourist hub, Kuwait has been overshadowed by its much glamorous neighbors - UAE and Qatar. With rapid modernization measures implemented in these countries, they have taken great strides in all possible avenues. The passing of the new Bill will usher in a whiff of fresh air to the country’s long-stagnant commercial sector. Much-needed reforms and changes in the form of amendments will now be able to overhaul its industries, and the country will now be able to recapture its lost glory and reposition itself as a force to reckon with among the region’s economic powerhouses. Several prominent businessmen and economists have hailed the latest step taken by the country which opened the door toward transferring the public sector to private ownership. New job opportunities will also be created in the wake of privatization. Specialized fields in the service sector will come into existence which will generate employment among the local populace. In order to cater to emerging trends, the country’s education sector will also undergo massive transformation, creating niche areas where students can excel. Laggards like the health, postal and transportation sectors will not
only benefit from revitalization, but a culture of accountability and goalformation will also be shaped. Zain, Kuwait’s telecommunication giant is the poster child of preprivatization era in the country. The conglomerate has established itself as a formidable entity in the Middle East region and its success can be emulated, thereby molding the creation of similar business ventures in the future. Several economic and financial bodies will now be infused with a fresh boost of cash inflow. More balanced budgets can now be formulated that increase expenditure on development projects and productivity. Young people’s participation in nation-building will be secured by the provision of a suitable atmosphere in which they can contribute efficiently. The private sector will now be able to perform its natural function in implementing economic activities. Akin to the burgeoning middle classes in emerging economies like India and China, this segment of society in Kuwait can be mobilized into contributing actively and in a more resourceful manner. A more prominent private sector will also be able to aggressively promote smallscale projects, which can prove vital in creating national wealth and driving the economy forward. This will result in more creative initiatives being undertaken and human resources being skillfully utilized. With the shackles of ‘nationalization’ unbound, Kuwait will now be able to march forward unabated towards abundant progress. soumya@kuwaittimes.com
discovered, could not be processed because his old visa is considered illegal. Despite the bad news, Binu’s new employers stood by him as he went through the inevitable complex legal procedures. In the days that followed, he was asked by his current employer to give up the chef’s job. Within days his residence was over. The once blushing bridegroom, now pale over the unexpected events begged the company: “I’ve to go! It’s my wedding.” The company offered him an alternative: cancel the visa, pay
the overstaying days’ ‘karama’ at the airport, and go home now. At Kuwait International Airport, however, his dreams failed to take off. “You are not at fault,” the kindly customs officer there told him, “but your visa is number 72”. Binu who is aware that he is part of the problem now wants to be part of the solution. His new company has continued to offer him support through the ongoing process of legal action and he has been given a room in one of the apartments they provide for staff, with his
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coworkers becoming far more than simply friends in his need. Things haven’t gone as badly as they could on the home front back in India either. Although the whole wedding, arranged by the bride’s and groom’s parents could have been called off, this hasn’t happened and Binu’s future wife didn’t write him off as someone with a ‘criminal record of involvement in a visa racket.’ The wedding will take place when the legal complexities have been ironed out. The ‘when’ remains to be seen.
Binu P Babu
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Friday, May 28, 2010
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KUWAIT: Snapshots of Jleeb Al-Shoyoukh. — Photos courtesy Nasser Al-Barghash
By Hussain Al-Qatari
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rothels, markets for stolen goods, restaurants serving expired food, trash bags everywhere and a pool of mud where children play. Meanwhile, a cow stands outside a baqala, its milk sold in re-used plastic water bottles by the baqala owner. Opposite this on the other side of the narrow street piles of fish lie on a table covered with flies. Clothes markets consist of piles of clothes placed on tables out in the open. This is Jleeb, an area housing thousands of laborers, many of whom have no residencies. Many of Jleeb’s buildings operate with external electricity generators using diesel and kerosene. Crimes in Jleeb occur almost daily. Prostitution, pornography, drugs and local alcohol manufacturing are all too familiar to Jleeb, and the government keeps failing to solve its problems. This is where civil society stepped in. Three years ago, a hopeful initiative debuted online and promoted a solution to the Jleeb issue. The initiators were all young and aspiring Kuwaitis who worked together to develop a concept with the help of academics and experts. The plan was to turn Jleeb into an active business center, creating job opportunities and expanding possibilities to maximize the benefit of Jleeb’s location.
Friday, May 28, 2010
NGOs step in The Friday Times spoke to one of the cofounders of the National Initiative Group (Mubadarat), Nasser Al-Barghash, a young aspiring activist who explained how this initiative came to be. The 28-year old recalled, “I was driving to work one day when I saw a laborer climb into a big garbage dumpster. I stopped my car and asked him what he was doing climbing into trash. He started to tell me his story.” The laborer had no residency permit, and had barely any food to eat. After driving him back to his residence in Jleeb, AlBarghash was shocked to see the terrible sight and chaos of the area. After discussing the harrowing images he saw first hand in Jleeb, Al-Barghash and a number of volunteers founded Mubadarat, an NGO. “We set a plan to make a development project of this area and we raised a fund to work on a concept design. We approached many organizations but were adopted by the American University of Kuwait, which paid a large sum of money to cover the costs of research,” noted Al-Barghash. The costs were half a million US dollars, and were collected from donations made by volunteers as well as donations from AUK and Al-Anba Newspaper. The initiators took into consideration the intention of His Highness the Amir to turn Kuwait into a financial center. They saw that it is more efficient to connect Jleeb with its surrounding areas, which include the Shuwaikh Port, the international airport as well as Kuwait University, the Health area and the Institute of Applied Education. Battle to help The struggle began when the proposal was ready to be presented to government officials.
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“It took us three years of trying to find someone in the government to speak with about our project,” says Al-Barghash. “We were shocked to learn that there are people directly benefitting from the tragedy of Jleeb. Fixing this would have a negative impact on these people,” he adds. However, the young aspiring initiators did not give up. They continued to work and meet with officials. Now, after three years of work, the municipality council approved the proposed plan. Through this experience, Al-Barghash says that most shocking was the fact that many government officials had no interest in helping out the cause or even listening to the proposal that the initiators put forth. “This came as quite a shock to us. We felt like our government felt whatever we, the youth, have is of no importance,” says Al-Barghash. Price tag The price of this is KD 6.5 billion, and covers the total 6 million square meters of Jleeb. It will be divided into six main areas, all of which have different themes and offer different services. The areas will be divided into: educational and sports, hotels and resorts, financial, cultural, governmental, commercial and entertainment. The project is estimated to be done in 16 years and is expected to create about 5,000 new job opportunities. Mubadarat would like to thank the following MPs for their continuous support of their cause: Ali Al-Rashed, Saleh Al-Mulla, Aseel AlAwadhi, Jamaan Al-Herbish, Faisal Al-Meslim, Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Abdulrahman Al-Anjeri and any person who welcomed the initiatives ideas and expressed interest or gratitude for the efforts put forward to make this project a work-in-progress.
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Sheikh Salem informatics award motivates development KUWAIT: The accolade that the Kuwait municipality got by winning a prize as part of Sheikh Salem Al-Ali’s Informatics Award, among other bodies, will urge it to further develop the services provided by its website, said Director General of Kuwait Municipality Ahmad AlSubeeh yesterday. Al-Subeeh expressed, in a statement to KUNA, his happiness for having received the prize from Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who handed the prizes at the ceremony held yesterday under his patronage. Further, he expressed his appreciation for the unlimited support lent by the award’s founder, Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, with the aim of furthering development in the field of stateof-the-art technologies, noting that this has prompted all state bodies to go ahead with developing the services provided by their websites for citizens and residents alike. Al-Subeeh also called on individuals and institutions to make use of the services provided by the municipality’s website, noting that the e-directory contains a list comprising more than 200 procedures in what makes it easier for people to get information. He also pointed to the possibility of following up the finalization of some procedures through the municipality website, through registering the procedure order number including those procedures of engineering bureaus, the renewal of medical licenses and the advertisement licenses. He went on to say that the website provides other services like Kuwait e-directory that includes general and detailed as well as aerial maps of Kuwait’s urban areas, and there are other services offered like building license procedures directory and the regulations that define other activities supervised by the municipality. Finally, he said that the municipality launched some months ago the ecorrespondence service within the citizens service department in order to receive the complaints and inquiries of citizens and residents, and to respond to them before their referral to the concerned departments in the municipality. —KUNA
KUWAIT: Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad discusses bilateral issues with Turkish Finance Minister.
Sheikh Ahmad, Turkish FM discuss economic affairs Turkish minister keen on increasing flights from Kuwait to Turkey
KUWAIT: The two expatriates who were rescued by the Salmiya Marine Rescue Force are pictured.
Salmiya Marine Rescue Force rescue expats By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Owing to the quick action taken by Salmiya Marine Rescue Force, two expatriates were recently rescued when their inflatable boats drifted four kilometers into deep waters without being fully equipped for the voyage. The two men had no means of communication available, no life-jackets and had not notified coastguards before setting out. Officials added that some citizens who had been at the beach noticed the stranded men and immediately informed the Salmiya center. It dispatched a special force to locate and rescue them, which they managed to do so before sunset. Syri an ar rested Accompanied by a police force, commercial inspectors from Farwaniya recently arrested a Syrian national who was in possession of 25,000 Viagra pills. The suspect was placed under close surveillance for a few days before he was caught with the pills in his possession. A case was filed and the suspect was referred to relevant authorities. Freak accidents A 63-year-old Jordanian woman was rushed into Mubarak hospital with a fractured pelvis after missing a step suffering a fall in Maidan Hawally. Also, a 45-year-old Egyptian fractured her right arm after he stumbled into an escalator in a Rai department store. The woman was admitted to Al-Sabah hospital for treatment. In a similar incident, a 35-year-old Cameroonian sustained complex fractures in both legs and pelvis, in addition to a forehead injury after falling from a height at a Salmiya building. The man was admitted to Mubarak hospital for treatment. Motor bike injur y A 27-year-old Afghan national sustained injuries to his skull and abdomen after losing control over his motorbike and it flipped over in Jahra. The man was admitted to Jahra hospital for treatment.
KUWAIT: Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs, State Minister for Development Affairs and State Minister for Housing Affairs Sheikh Ahmad AlFahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah met yesterday with Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek to discuss common economic issues and opening markets in their respective countries. A statement issued by the deputy premier’s office said that the two officials discussed several matters, and that Sheikh Ahmad briefed the Turkish minister on the State development plan
and Kuwait’s preparations for welcoming international companies to take part in its implementation. Sheikh Ahmad affirmed Kuwait’s keenness for involving as many Turkish companies in the Kuwaiti market as possible, especially with the launch of developmental projects, as part of the State plan. During the meeting, the Kuwaiti deputy premier requested a report in the problems faced by Turkish companies here, so that they may be resolved.
On his part, Simsek lauded the outcome of the meetings he held during his visit to Kuwait, including a meeting with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and members of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kuwait Municipality. The Turkish minister called for greater co-operation between his country and the Gulf states, as well as increasing the number of weekly flights from Kuwait to Turkey in order to boost tourism activity. — KUNA
CRIMES
Citizen attempts to kidnap two minor girls KUWAIT: A citizen was arrested for attempting to kidnap two minor girls in south Surra. The abductor suddenly confronted the two girls, sprayed their eyes with tear gas and bundled them into his vehicle. When arrested later on, the suspect told police that after around 20 minutes, the girls recovered from the effects of tear gas and began fighting with him and screaming for help. This attracted the attention of many passersby who rushed to rescue the girls. They beat him up and handed him over to police later on. Upon searching the suspect, detectives found a can of tear gas spray, a metal ring-box and a stun-gun. A case was filed and the suspect was referred to relevant authorities. Road accidents A 24-year-old citizen was
killed after his vehicle collided into a truck loaded with sand along the Wafra highway. The citizen had lost control over it and rammed into a truck. In another incident, a Syrian truck driver sustained several serious injuries after he lost control over his truck and it flipped over and slid on its side for several meters along Kabed highway. Smug glin g a ttempt foiled An Arab expat was recently arrested while trying to smuggle 40 SIM cards into Kuwait’s central prison in order to hand them over to one of the inmates. The prison guards foiled his attempt after conducting a thorough check and found that the cards were hidden in his stockings. A case was filed and the man was referred to relevant authorities.
Drunk woman A female citizen who was heavily intoxicated was recently arrested. She was leaving a private party she had attended in Hawally. A police patrol noticed suspicious activity around the girl’s car as it was being driven in an erratic manner. Sibli ng altercati on A citizen reported that her younger brother assaulted her after getting into an altercation with her kids who had scratched out his new vehicle’s paint. He reportedly charged at the kids with his Ogal (head dress) The mother who tried to defend her children was injured. The woman then filed a complaint against her own brother.
Asian pimp ar rested Ahmadi detectives recently arrested an Asian pimp who was soliciting customers in Mangaf in a state of drunk stupor. The man admitted to charging KD 3 to 5 for his services. He also led police into a brothel where two prostitutes were arrested and some plastic bags containing spurious liquor was found. Woman escape s molestation A housemaid recently reported that a man dressed in sports wear attempted to molest her by dragging her to a secluded area located behind a co-operative society branch. He reportedly tore off her clothes and tried to rape her. Her sponsor filed a complaint on this regard with the police. Further investigations are still in progress.
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Friday, May 28, 2010
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Voluntarism is innate feature of Kuwaitis: PM Forum on social service held in Paris PARIS: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah stressed that voluntary work was an innate characteristic of the Kuwaiti people. The statement via video came at the final ceremony of a forum held here Wednesday
evening on voluntary work in Kuwait and France under His Highness’s sponsorship. Voluntary work spreads the sentiments of love of mankind and mercy and unites societies, he stressed. Kuwait itself was developed by the efforts of volunteers, he said.
KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah addresses the European voluntary work forum via video. Sheikh Nasser emphasized that his country supported civil society organizations because it believed in their ability and major role in contributing to development. Kuwait government and popular voluntary societies provided aid to poor people around the world regardless of their religion, color, and political or intellectual views, he pointed out. Kuwait believes that no people could live away from others, regardless of their abilities and resources. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Ambassador to France Ali AlSaied expressed gratitude and appreciation, on behalf of the participants in the forum, to His Highness the Prime Minister for sponsoring the event and for making voluntary work a priority of the government. He also
expressed gratitude for the participants, head of Kuwait Volunteer Work Center Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, and Chairman of Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Barjas AlBarjas. Sheikha Amthal then honored French societies which took part in the forum. A session was held earlier on the role of media in supporting voluntary work in which participants stressed the importance of interaction among media and voluntary work bodies. Kuwait’s former information minister Dr Anas Al-Rshaid addressed the participants saying it was significant to increase cooperation between the two sides through adopting new ways to deal with media and to use the assistance of celebrities and public figures in
marketing voluntary work more popular. He pointed out that the use of information technology in the field of voluntary work was important. For his part, member of Kuwait Journalists Association Sami Al-Nisif emphasized that it was significant that voluntary work bodies benefit from media and communications means. Each voluntary work body should have a website to shed light on their activities and receive donations and should use video, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, he said by way of example. Members of such bodies should also participate in talk shows, he added. The two-day forum that kicked off on Tuesday was attended by Al-Barjas, Undersecretary of Local
Affairs at His Highness the Prime Minister’s Diwan Dr Naif Al-Rukaibi, Advisor at Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation Khalid Al-Bishara, and representatives of 15 French volunteering societies. On the sidelines of the forum, Sheikha Amthal inaugurated an exhibition showcasing Kuwaiti charitable and volunteer work and bodies. Participants in the exhibition included Kuwait Volunteer Work Center, KRCS, and the National Union of Kuwait Students. Meanwhile, Head of Kuwait’s Volunteer Work Center Sheikha Amthal AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah called for holding a Gulf - EU volunteer forum. She called for holding a forum grouping volunteer organizations from the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) and the European Union (EU). Sheikh Amthal, who participated in the KuwaitFrance volunteer forum which wrapped up here Wednesday night, said that cooperation between the GCC and the EU would be in the interest of volunteering action in general. On volunteer work in Kuwait, she said that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah was the number one supporter for this field of work, and was the sponsor of the annual ‘Sinyar’ campaign for the protection of the marine environment. Sheikh Amthal said that volunteer work was encouraged in Kuwait by the forefathers, and was continuing today through legal humanitarian organizations that were supervised and monitored by the government.
She stressed the importance of avoiding the politicization of charitable and volunteer work around the world. On a different note, Sheikh Amthal lauded the efforts of Kuwaitis studying in France for their efforts in organizing the forum, and hoped that they would continue to represent their country in the best way. Sheikha Amthal said that Kuwait would be celebrating its Golden Jubilee next year, and hoped that Kuwaiti students would promote their country here, especially given the good political and economic relations that Kuwait and France enjoyed. The two-day forum, held under the auspices of His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, concluded yesterday. —KUNA
Sheikha Amthal seeks eco co-operation with France PARIS: Senior French officials yesterday expressed admiration for the “determining role” played by Sheikha Amthal AlAhmad Al-Sabah and her work to help protect the environment and promote lasting development. The French officials also said here yesterday that France would like to cooperate more with Kuwait on a number of key environmental issues, including the continued efforts to repair the catastrophic damage caused by the Iraqi invasion of 1990, as long as French participation was in cooperation with the Kuwaiti authorities. High-level discussions were held last morning between Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and a number of French political and administrative officials, including influential Senator Jean-Paul
Emorine, who is President of the Economy, Durable Development and Planning Commission. Sheikha Amthal, an ardent environmentalist, emphasized during a Kuwaiti-organized, twoday forum Tuesday and Wednesday her concerns about the need to tackle environmental questions and deal with these major questions that have not just a local or regional impact, but have a global resonance now and in the future. The forum was held under the High Patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and sponsored and supported by the Kuwaiti Ambassador Ali Saied and his various offices, and Sheikha Amthal took part in her capacity as Chairperson of Kuwait Volunteer Work Center.
Senator Emorine, who represents a group of 78 Senators in his Commission, the largest in the Senate, said he was honored to welcome Sheikha Amthal to the Upper House of Parliament to discuss issues of common concern. He stressed that “we cannot dissociate economic activity and the environment” and he vowed his Commission was working hard on this interaction where “we examine economy and environment.” Asked in what areas he saw a possibility for environmentally-friendly cooperation in the context of Kuwait, Emorine cited a host of areas he thought had potential, with a strong emphasis “on renewable energy” and its positive impact on the environment. “We could speak of wind-power turbines, even
PARIS: Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (second from right) poses with other officials during the forum. offshore wind-power turbines, which forced me to have second thoughts on this subject when I saw them (working) in Finland,” he said. Emorine remarked that France now considered the renewable energy development,
including the nuclear option, as part of “durable development” and his Commission was pushing for movement to support this in the legislature. He also expressed a desire to cooperate with Kuwait on this subject and he noted he would be happy to
take a delegation to the Gulf country next year. “For the moment, I would like to thank Her Highness for the invitation to visit Kuwait. The Commission annually visits one or two of the biggest countries in the world,” he said. —KUNA
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Netanyahu: Time for direct talks with Palestinians PARIS: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday it’s time to move to direct talks with the Palestinians and that he will raise the issue with President Barack Obama in Washington next week. Netanyahu, after talks in Paris with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, said he wants to move beyond indirect “proximity talks” that are being mediated by the United States. “We want to move as speedily as possible to direct talks because the kind of problem that we have with the Palestinians can be resolved in
peace and can be arranged only if we sit down together,” Netanyahu told reporters at the French presidential palace. Indirect talks began early this month and have raised hopes direct negotiations could begin soon. Netanyahu said yesterday he will discuss the peace efforts with President Barack Obama in Washington next week. Netanyahu said, “I think there is a broad consensus that we should move on to direct talks.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday he
hoped indirect talks will yield results in four months, as envisaged. “Of course we are committed to peace and to achieving peace through negotiations,” Abbas said during a visit to Malaysia. “We will see what will happen. Anyhow, we are hopeful.” In Paris, Netanyahu said Sarkozy “discussed ways that France could help to expedite this process of negotiations.” Sarkozy’s office did not elaborate. The French president has encouraged peace efforts in the past, and offered yesterday to help revive peace
efforts between Israel and Syria, according to the French president’s office. Netanyahu praised Sarkozy’s efforts toward tough new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear activities, which western powers and Israel fear is aimed at making weapons but which Tehran says is aimed at producing nuclear energy. Netanyahu is in Paris for a ceremony welcoming Israel into the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of leading world economies.
Palestinian officials opposed OECD membership for Israel, citing Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and discrimination against its own Arab minority. Netanyahu said in an interview with French daily Le Figaro, “one of the current challenges is to develop the economic situation of the Palestinians,” which he says “could greatly help” peace efforts. He did not lay out any proposals for boosting the Palestinian economy, which suffers from high poverty and unemployment.—AP
Tight pants ban takes effect in Indonesia MEULABOH: Authorities in a devoutly Islamic district of Indonesia’s Aceh province have distributed 20,000 long skirts and prohibited shops from selling tight dresses as a regulation banning Muslim women from wearing revealing clothing took effect yesterday. The
long skirts are to be given to Muslim women caught violating the dress code during a two-month campaign to enforce the regulation, said Ramli Mansur, head of West Aceh district. Islamic police will determine whether a woman’s clothing violates the dress code, he said.
ACEH: Acehnese sharia police officers, center, register women caught wearing pants at a check point in Pasi Jambu, West Aceh, Indonesia yesterday. –AP
ACEH: An Acehnese sharia police officer sorts government-issued skirts to be distributed to women caught wearing pants at a check point in Pasi Jambu, West Aceh, Indonesia yesterday. —AP
During raids yesterday, Islamic police caught 18 women traveling on motorbikes who wearing traditional were headscarves but were also dressed in jeans. Each woman was given a long skirt and her pants were confiscated. They were released from police custody after giving their identities and receiving advice from Islamic preachers. “I am not wearing sexy outfits, but they caught me like a terrorist only because of my jeans,” said Imma, a 40-year-old housewife who uses only one name. She argued that wearing jeans is more comfortable when she travels by motorbike. Motorbikes are commonly used by both men and women in Indonesia. “The rule applies only to Muslim residents in West Aceh,” Mansur told The Associated Press. “We don’t enforce it for non-Muslims, but are asking them to respect us.” He said any shopkeepers caught violating restrictions on selling short skirts and jeans would face a revocation of their business licenses. No merchants have been seen displaying jeans or tight clothing in stores in West Aceh district in recent weeks. The regulation is the latest effort to promote strict moral values in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, where most of the roughly 200 million Muslims practice a moderate form of the faith. It does not set out a specific punishment for violators, but says “moral sanctions” will be imposed by local leaders. Mansur said women caught violating the ban more than three times could face two weeks in detention. Rights groups say the regulation violates international treaties and the Indonesian constitution. Aceh, a semiautonomous region, made news last year when its provincial parliament passed an Islamic, or Shariah, law making adultery punishable by stoning to death. It also has imposed prison sentences and public lashings for homosexuals and pedophiles. —AP
BAGHDAD: In this photo taken April 20, 2010, Sabah Al-Azawi feeds a bear cub that sells for $5000 at his shop in Baghdad, Iraq. —AP
Baghdad’s trade in wildlife anything but tame BAGHDAD: A dozen fluffy white kittens with piercing blue eyes frolic in a wire cage, perched perilously atop a pen containing two African lion cubs. Neighborhood schoolchildren stop to feed sunflower seeds to a chained monkey, while three red foxes cower in their curbside enclosure from the street noise. Iraqis can get just about whatever animals they want, whether as pets, novelties or status symbols or for a private zoo, and as violence subsides many are stocking up at Baghdad’s several pet markets. The lack of government regulation means animals like lions and crocodiles are going home with people unequipped to take care of them. “There is no wildlife legislation here in Iraq, and that is what encourages these kinds of dealers to export and import wild species,” said Omar Fadil, of the conservation organization Nature Iraq. “Do people have the ability to raise a lion in their home, or a vulture or a pelican?” he said. “There is a big gap in understanding wildlife in Iraq. They take it as a cub but after it becomes big and starts to attack people I don’t know where the animal goes, and the concern is that they’re killing them.” Crowds flock to the exotic animal market in northwestern Baghdad, which doubles as a zoo for neighborhood families. There is no fee to go in and look at the scores of animals , pelicans, peacocks, wolves, cats, monkeys, a porcupine, an owl, bear cubs and a dizzying array of dogs , and for the right price, you can take any one of them home with you. For about $8 you can have a duckling or a bunny; for $6,000 one of the lion cubs. Another major open-air pet market about 3 miles (5 kilometers) away used to be targeted regularly by insurgents. But crowds there have now grown
from about 4,000 to double that every Friday when the market is held, Fadil said. Rich sheiks who used to spend their time hunkered down in their heavily fortified compounds now buy exotic pets to entertain themselves. More private zoos are sprouting up as well. Many animals are likely being illegally imported into Iraq with forged papers or bribes to border officials, Fadil said. The government acknowledges the problem, but an immediate solution is unlikely, said Environment Ministry official Ziad Ameer Salman. Current laws governing wildlife date back to the 1970s or earlier, and under the regime of Saddam Hussein many dealers were given permits to sell wild animals, which are still valid. The Agriculture Ministry this year proposed a new conservation law, but it has taken a back seat to March’s inconclusive elections, the transfer of security from American to Iraqi forces and scores of other issues, Salman said. “We need a strong legislation and a strong law,” he said. “But we need time because the members of parliament are changing, the government of Iraq is changing.” These are common problems in any unstable country devastated by war where law enforcement authorities have a difficult enough time trying to protect people, let alone animals, said Leigh Henry, senior policy officer on species conservation for the World Wildlife Fund. She cited examples in Afghanistan, where the WWF discovered snow leopard pelts were being exported, and Congo, where troops were illegally killing hippos to eat and to sell their teeth as ivory. “Wildlife is often seen as a status symbol, and where wealth and opportunity exist, people will collect, whether it be reptiles, big cats, great apes, or rare orchids,” she said. —AP
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Court asks election officials to clear up legal issue
Iraq vote results face another possible delay BAGHDAD: Ira q’s Suprem e Court a sked election officials yesterday to clear up lega l issues surrounding a n a pp ea l a ga inst a candida te, a move that could further delay the certifica tion of Ma rch 7 election results.
ASHDOD: Israeli army officers stand next to a tent built for hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists trying to sail into the Gaza Strip this weekend at the port in Ashdod, Israel yesterday. — AP
Israel sets up tents for Gaza-bound activists JERUSALEM: Israel set up three massive white tents at its main southern seaport yesterday to hold hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists who hope to breach Israel’s 3-year blockade of the Gaza Strip. The activists are headed toward Gaza’s waters on board a flotilla carrying 10,000 tons of supplies. Israel says it won’t let the eight boats reach Gaza’s shores, and that it will deport or imprison the activists aboard. The military said it would divert the boats to the Israeli port at Ashdod, where the activists will be taken into the tents for identification and medical attention. Officials said 40 buses will be on hand to ferry them to Israel’s international airport for deportation or to a nearby prison if they refuse to be deported voluntarily. “We want to do this as quick and efficiently as possible,” said Maya Kadosh, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. Israeli authorities said they will make every effort to avoid using force, but they were prepared for a military confrontation if necessary. Speaking by satellite phone to The Associated Press from his ship, “Free Mediterranean,” flotilla organizer Dror Feiler was defiant. “We are on a humanitarian and solidarity action, we intend to continue it until we reach our goal and will not be stopped,” he said. Feiler, 68, a musician who renounced his Israeli citizenship, said he brought a saxophone with him and will greet Israeli sailors boarding his boat with music “from the time when Jews didn’t have armies and police to harass freedom fighters, when Jews were victims, and were standing at the forefront of the fight for the dignity of people.” Feiler said there are four passenger boats and four cargo ships in the flotilla. He said his left the Greek island of Rhodes yesterday morning. Others embarked
from various European ports, organizers said. Israel’s navy chief, Vice Adm. Eliezer Marum, has overseen a series of drills in recent days simulating the boarding of the ships and their transfer to shore, the military said. Authorities refused to provide further details, including how large a force they planned to deploy. As for the supplies on board, Israeli authorities said they would undergo a security check, and then transfer them to UN agencies to be distributed in Gaza. Israel said the activists should have chosen this option in the first place if they wished to get the materials to Gaza. “If they were really interested in the well-being of the people of Gaza, they would have accepted the offers of Egypt or Israel to transfer humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” said Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev. “Instead they have chosen a cheap political stunt.” Israel imposed its blockade on Gaza after Hamas militants violently seized control of the coastal area in June 2007. The situation worsened following an Israeli military offensive meant to stop Hamas rocket attacks early last year. While aid shipments and a bustling smuggling trade along the Egyptian border have managed to get most basic items into Gaza, the blockade has made it impossible to repair damage to thousands of homes that were damaged or destroyed in the Israeli offensive. Israeli authorities reject allegations that a humanitarian disaster is brewing in Gaza. “There is no shortage of fuel, there is no shortage of medication, there is no shortage of any necessities in the Gaza Strip,” said military spokeswoman Avital Liebovitch. “There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The situation is stable.”— AP
The high court said it had received the election results for certification on Wednesday but had asked the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) for a clarification due to an appeal by Shiite Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki’s State of Law Party against one of the candidates on the 325-seat parliament list. “The results of the parliamentary election were received by the Supreme Court yesterday. Today, the court, with all its members, held a meeting to study these results and found that there are some legal issues that need clarification from IHEC,” the Supreme Court said in a statement.” It said it had immediately notified IHEC and hoped to certify the results when the issues had been cleared up. Amel al-Birqdar, deputy head of IHEC, said the matter concerned Furat Muhsin Saeed, a candidate in Basra province for the Iraqi National Alliance, a Shiite bloc with close ties to Iran. Maliki’s State of Law and INA have announced plans to unite to form the largest bloc in parliament. “We have a legal issue regarding one of the candidates as an appeal was lodged against him by the State of Law, but we hope this matter will be resolved today,” Birqdar said. “If the court rejects the appeal submitted by State of Law, the names will remain the same, but if the court accepts the appeal process, we will have to recalculate the (results) in Basra province.” Saeed’s candidacy has been questioned because of his status with the police force. Under Iraqi law, a candidate in a parliamentary election cannot be a member of the armed forces. State of Law challenged IHEC’s decision to allow Saeed’s victory at the polls to stand. Birqdar said IHEC had accepted Saeed as a candidate because he had presented a letter of resignation from his police post. Iraq has been without a government for more than 11 weeks since the poll, which was narrowly won by a cross-sectarian Iraqiya alliance led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and heavily backed by Sunni voters. Allawi has warned that a union of the mainly Shi’ite groups that attempts to exclude Iraqiya from government could trigger a renewal of sectarian violence. Iraq was torn by sectarian warfare that killed tens of thousands of people in 2006-07. The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Chris Hill, said it was not yet clear who would have the largest parliamentary bloc but it was important for the new government to include members of all the main factions. “The Sunnis need to be an organic part of this government. They need to be able to play a substantial role befitting the results of the election,” Hill told journalists at a briefing on Wednesday. “Everyone knows at the end of the day, this government is going to involve substantial Kurdish and substantial Sunni participation.”— Reuters
Tensions ha ve been rising in Iraq a fter the inconclusive p a rlia menta ry election, w ith a proposed a lliance of major Shiite electoral blocs ra ising concern that minority Sunnis could be ma rginalized.
BAGHDAD: Iraqi federal police graduates demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq yesterday. The federal Police Training School graduated 900 cadets yesterday. —AP
Ahmadinejad loses cool with Russia over sanctions BEIRUT: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has never shied away from lambasting Iran’s foes. Now he has alienated Russia, which has long helped delay or dilute U.N. sanctions aimed at the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. The row between Moscow and Tehran reflects longsimmering tensions that came to the boil on Wednesday when Ahmadinejad berated Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for buckling under what he said was US pressure for fresh sanctions. The Kremlin swiftly chastised the Iranian leader for “political demagoguery” and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday described Ahmadinejad’s tirade as “emotional”. He said Iran had for years failed to respond to Moscow’s efforts to resolve the dispute over nuclear work seen by the West as having military purposes, a charge Tehran denies. “Things have been turning sour for a while,” said Ali Ansari, an Iran expert at Scotland’s St Andrews University, who suggested that Russia was piqued by Iran’s acceptance this month of a nuclear fuel swap deal proposed by Turkey and Brazil- although Lavrov said it would be a breakthrough if implemented. “If the deal was do-able now, why not back in October when it would actually have meant something in terms of Iran’s enriched uranium stocks?” Ansari asked. Russia and other world powers backed a fuel swap proposal drawn up by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last year after Iran declared it needed fuel for a Tehran research reactor with medical uses. Iran effectively rejected the idea.
Responding to word of last week’s deal with Turkey and Brazil, Medvedev said a key question was whether Iran intended to continue enriching uranium. Tehran has since vowed to do so, removing, in Moscow’s view, the main rationale for the fuel swap and perhaps convincing the Kremlin that Iran’s only motive is to play for time. Baqer Moin, a London-based analyst, said it was unclear if Ahmadinejad’s outburst had the backing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on nuclear policy. “The Russians don’t take Ahmadinejad that seriously,” he said, recalling that when Vladimir Putin visited Tehran as Russian president in 2007 he first held talks with Khamenei. “But if it was not just an off-thecuff remark-and if what is coming from the Russians reflects the Russian state- then it is a major development in the relationship,” Moin said. “It’s a bad sign for Iran because they badly needed Russian influence if not to veto, at least to modify, the (UN sanctions) resolution as they have done before.” The United States said last week that Russia and China, which have both resisted sanctions against Iran in the past, had agreed to a draft resolution for further punitive U.N. measures. Ahmadinejad has long taken a defiant line on the nuclear issue, viewed by many Iranians as a matter of national pride. But he initially supported the IAEA’s proposal which called for Iran to ship 1.2 tonnes of low-enriched uranium abroad in return for specially processed fuel for its medical isotope reactor.—Reuters
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Sudan’s Beshir vows dialogue with West despite ICC warrant Veteran President sworn in to new 5 year term KHARTOUM: Veteran Sudanese President Omar AlBeshir vowed yesterday to engage with the West, despite an International Criminal Court warrant hanging over him, as he was sworn in to a new five-year term. Beshir, who
last month won a multi-party election 21 years after seizing power in a military coup, also pledged to fight for Sudanese unity as Africa’s biggest country heads to a referendum in January next year on independence for the south.
KHARTOUM: Sudan’s president Omar Al-Beshir gestures prior to being sworn in, at the parliament in Khartoum, Sudan yesterday.—AP
A third of EU nationals light up still BRUSSELS: Two decades after governments began campaigning against tobacco in earnest, a third of EU nationals , 29 percent , still light up, according to the results of Eurobarometer survey released yesterday. That finding was marginally better than that of a similar 2006 survey that found 32 percent of Europeans to be regular smokers. “Despite the progress achieved, around a third of Europeans continue to smoke,” the latest Eurobarometer survey concluded. It said 28 percent of smokers in the EU have tried to kick the habit in the past year and almost half of them “have tried to do so on more than one occasion.” Southern Europeans are the most avid smokers: more than 40 percent of Greeks and Cypriots light up routinely, followed by Bulgarians (39 percent), Hungarians (38 percent), Turks and Macedonians (both 37 percent). The latest survey, carried out in October 2009, questioned more than 30,000 Europeans on their attitudes toward smoking. Health topped the reasons-for-quitting list, followed by peer pressure and the cost of
cigarettes. The survey found damage done to the health of nonsmokers , the main reason for smoking to be banned in public places , ranked only fourth in importance to would-be quitters. In the past 20 years, EU governments have steadily increased their anti-tobacco campaigns. These have led to advertising bans and dire warnings on tobacco packaging of death and impotence alongside graphic images of diseased lungs. An estimated 650,000 people die each year from smoking-related illnesses in the 27nation EU. Still, the latest Eurobarometer survey found that health warnings are a factor in quitting for only 14 percent of regular smokers. It also found that: • 75 percent of EU nationals think putting scary pictures on tobacco products is good • two-thirds think tobacco companies should pay a fee to offset health costs related to tobacco use • 55 percent believe tobacco products should be kept out of sight at sales points • 52 percent want to ban on cigarette machines. —AP
Dressed in traditional white robes and turban, Beshir addressed parliament in a ceremony attended by six African heads of state or government, and low-level representation from Western countries. “I will personally strive to build up a dialogue, an objective dialogue with Western states aimed at clearing the atmosphere,” he said. In March 2009, Beshir became the first sitting head of state to be indicted by the ICC. He stands accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. Last year, Beshir made a number of foreign visits to Arab and neighboring countries, which welcomed him despite the warrant. But yesterday South African President Jacob Zuma said that Beshir would face arrest if he comes to next month’s World Cup. “South Africa respects the international law and certainly we are signatories and we abide by the law,” Zuma told lawmakers, when asked in parliament if Beshir would be arrested under the international warrant. The seven-year-old conflict in the vast western region of Darfur pitting the army and Arab militias against ethnic minority rebels sparked US charges of genocide and Western anger that Beshir refused to cooperate with the ICC or surrender wanted officials. His alleged crimes against humanity include murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture, and rape, and two counts of war crimesattacks against civilians and pillaging. On Wednesday, an aide to Beshir said Khartoum had ruled out further negotiations with Darfur’s most heavily armed rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), dashing hopes of peace in the arid desert region. Beshir’s new term of office is seen as crucial for Sudan, where southern former rebels are seeking to break away. —AFP
MOSCOW: Russian gay activist Nikolai Alexeyev, right, congratulates the president of the International Day Against Homophobia committee Louis Georges-Tin in Moscow, Russia yesterday. —AP
Russian gay activists say EU fails to show support MOSCOW: Gay rights activists vowed yesterday to hold a rally outside the European Union’s office in Moscow, despite a ban, to highlight what they say is a lack of support from the EU in their struggle for freedom of expression in Russia. Russian and Western activists blasted European national governments and the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, for denying them permission for a gay parade on the grounds of an embassy. That would have greatly reduced the threat of violence to which activists are subjected while meeting in Russia. “I was shocked by how these embassies sold human rights for the sake of economic interests,” Nikolai Alexeyev, a gay rights activist, told a press conference. He said activists would meet Saturday outside the European Commission’s office in Moscow despite a ban by the city government. It is the fifth year straight city authorities have banned the Gay Pride parade, which routinely results in violence and arrests. Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov has described homosexuals as “satanic.” “We will continue this battle until we win the rights of all Russian citizens , gay and straight , to express themselves freely without any ban or harassment,” said Peter Tatchell, a British activist who has been beaten and arrested in previous rallies in Russia in recent years. Alexeyev said that organizers, knowing their petition for a rally this year would be rejected, turned to Western embassies for help but were turned away. “I’m outraged by hypocritical stance of Western governments toward this event,” he said. Rally organizers were unsure how many would participate in the parade, but said violence was a possibility given the lack of willingness by Russian police to protect activists. Decades of official persecution of Russian gays ended in 1993 with the decriminalization of homosexuality, but opposition to gay rights remains widespread. Russian spiritual leaders have claimed that homosexuality threatens the country’s traditional values. Activists expressed confidence that the European Court of Human Rights, to which Russia belongs, would soon rule in their favor and declare the Moscow bans a violation , clearing the way for future rallies to be held without obstacles. — AP
Somali gunmen raid Kenyan village, wound seven: Official
BIHANGA: A Spanish military trainer from the European Union train a Somali soldier at Bihanga military camp in Western Uganda, Wednesday. Military trainers from the European Union started training 330 Somali army soldiers to become junior officers and non-commissioned officers.—AP
NAIROBI: Suspected Somali Islamist militia yesterday attacked a Kenyan border village, opened fire on residents and wounded seven of them before driving back across the border, a Kenyan official said. The raiders, suspected to be Shebab fighters, attacked Dadajabula village located fewer than 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Somali border. “The incident is under investigation, but we have beefed up security along that border area to safeguard our country against such attacks,” North Eastern Provincial Commissioner James Ole Serian said. “We do not know specifically which militia group it was because there are a lot of small groups of militias
operating in Somalia, but we suspect it has something to do with Al Shebab,” he said. Last week, Shebab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamoud Rage warned Kenya not to interfere in the Somali conflict. Since the embattled Westernbacked Somali transitional government started planning a major offensive to root out the insurgency, the Shebab have accused Kenya of being an integral part of the operation. Kenya has consistently denied any involvement in the Somali conflict but intelligence reports suggest it has been supporting militias opposed to the Islamist insurgency along its long and porous border with Somalia.—AFP
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Jamaica toll mounts but no sign of kingpin Trucks transport decomposing bodies to morgue GULF OF MEXICO: This Wednesday evening image made from video released by British Petroleum (BP PLC) shows equipment being used to try and plug a gushing oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. —AP
BP wrestles oil spill, Obama to pause deep drilling VENICE, La/WASHINGTON: BP Plc wrestled yesterday to plug its gushing deepwater Gulf of Mexico well in the latest attempt to control the source of a catastrophic fiveweek-old oil spill and President Barack Obama was due to extend a moratorium on new deepwater oil drilling. BP Managing Director Robert Dudley said a complex “top kill” operation started on Wednesday to try to halt the seabed well’s flow by pumping heavy drilling fluids into it was “moving the way we want it to.” But he told NBC’s “Today Show” it was too early to say whether it had been successful. The joint command center tackling the spill could not confirm or deny a Los Angeles Times report that the effort had succeeded, a spokeswoman said yesterday. “At the moment, we can’t confirm or deny anything,” she told Reuters, when asked about the Latimes.com report which cited Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen. BP shares rose more than five percent in London trading. As public anger and frustration rises over the spill, which is shaping up to be the worst in US history, Obama prepared to announce yesterday a six-month extension of the moratorium on permits for new deepwater oil drilling while a commission investigates the Gulf spill. Obama has come under increasing pressure from lawmakers and residents of the oil-stained coast to take over the disaster response if BP’s latest tactic to plug the spewing oil fails. Dudley told NBC the top kill effort was “as difficult as we expected and we’ll know more later today and tomorrow.” “What you have is this titanic arm-wrestling match between two flows essentially going at each other,” Dudley told CNN in one of several appearances on US TV networks. The spill was triggered by a deadly April 20 blast aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig, which was leased by BP.
Dudley said BP had a “Plan B” if the top kill operation did not stanch the leaking well. “All along the seabed, out and around the well, we placed equipment to be ready to put in place very, very quickly with a second containment dome over the top of the well,” he told CBS. If the heavy fluids being pumped into the ruptured well halt its flow, cement will be injected in to seal it. The company has lost more than a quarter of its market value since the explosion. Obama, who has described the Gulf crisis as “heartbreaking,” is to outline his response to the oil spill at a 12:45 pm EDT/1645 GMT White House news conference. The extended moratorium is a further setback for offshore drilling expansion, a key plank of Obama’s energy overhaul, currently languishing in the US Senate. Democrats hoped the drilling component would attract Republican support for the bill, which also ramps up domestic production of renewable fuel sources and sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions. “With the increased risks, the increased costs, it gives you a sense of where we’re going,” Obama said on a trip to California on Wednesday. “We’re not going to be able to sustain this kind of fossil fuel use.” Alaska Senator Mark Begich said he had been told by the Interior Department that the administration’s moratorium will include suspending applications for exploratory drilling in the Arctic until 2011. As one of the country’s worst environmental catastrophes unfolds on his watch, Obama is under increasing pressure from lawmakers and residents of the fouled coast to take over the disaster response if the top kill fails. At risk is a unique ecosystem already battered by Hurricane Katrina, a lucrative seafood industry now largely shut down and the credibility of a first-term president’s crisis management. — Reuters
KINGSTON: A Jamaican official warned yesterday of a much higher death toll from a four-day assault on a lawless slum to capture an alleged drug kingpin, but the whereabouts of the powerful don was a mystery. One day after counting 44 dead civilians from the operation in the capital Kingston, Hero Blair, a clergyman who serves as a government ombudsman, said he witnessed a truck transporting more decomposing bodies to a morgue. “I know it’s going to be much higher than 44,” Blair told Jamaican television. “Where are these bodies taken from? I would like to the know.”Despite humanitarian concerns, life was gradually returning to normal in Kingston, a crowded capital nestled between mist-covered mountains that is far removed from Jamaica’s sun-kissed beaches where tourists flock. Downtown businessessome just a short walk from the worst-hit Tivoli Gardens area-were given the green light to reopen and the US embassy resumed operations for the first time since the assault was launched Sunday. Schools, however, remained shut. And tensions persisted in the slum area, where smoke still billowed from some buildings torched in the unrest. One resident interviewed by local television broke down in tears before hanging up, saying that security forces were going door to door and seizing mobile telephones. Security forces have seized more than 500 people but not the man they were seekinglocal don Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who has set up a virtual mini-economy in the slums. The United States accuses Coke of running a major drug trafficking ring that supplies New York and other eastern US cities with a large supply of cocaine and marijuana. Coke has always kept a low profile and has not been seen since the launch of the operation. Rumors swirled among Kingston residents about his whereabouts, with some insisting he must have had enough prior warning to sneak out. Information Minister Daryl Vaz said Coke’s whereabouts were unclear and declined to comment even on whether authorities were certain he was still in Jamaica. Prime Minister Bruce Golding ordered an assault to capture Coke on Sunday after months of hesitation. He represents Tivoli Gardens in parliament and Coke formerly supported his Jamaica Labour Party, part of the complicated relationship on the island between gangs and politicians. Police spokesman Karl Angell said security forces had seized control over all tall buildings in the area but were combing door to door to search for wanted criminals. — AFP
KINGSTON: Ann Luis Marie Johnson, cries a block away from the city morgue after receiving news that her cousin’s son, who was a soldier, was killed by gang members during military operations in Kingston Wednesday. —AP
Mexico to ban junk food from schools to fight fat MEXICO CITY: Mexico is looking to battle the bulging waistlines of its children by banning the sale of junk food in its schools, including many of the traditional treats generations of kids have grown up with. Getting the ax along with modern soft drinks and sweets will be salted tamarind candy, the thick and sweet cornstarch-based beverage served piping hot in the morning. The antiobesity guidelines presented by health and education officials Wednesday make recommendations that at times seem more suited for a Manhattan salad bar than a Mexican school yard. Tortas, the often overstuffed, greasy, meatpacked sandwiches popular in Mexico, are out, unless they are “light” versions such as beans, avocado and cheese, or chicken-andvegetables. Only low-fat tacos, burritos and salads will be allowed. The Health Department says it hopes to have the rules in place when the next school year starts in August. The rules must still be approved by experts and a review committee. The guidelines would cover all 220,000 public and private primary and middle
schools serving 25 million students. President Felipe Calderon launched a nationwide anti-obesity campaign in January, saying the incidence of obesity among youngsters has tripled in Mexico over the last three decades. “Unfortunately, we are the country with the biggest problem of childhood obesity in the entire world,” he said. About 4.5 million Mexican children between the ages of 5 and 11 are overweight. About 26 percent of all Mexican children are overweight. Experts say one reason obesity has accelerated is the invasion of U.S.-style soft drinks and snack foods. While schoolchildren once ate fruit sprinkled with lime and salt, and drank fruit juices, those harder-toprepare foods are being displaced by prepackaged foods. The overweight problem is compounded because some of Mexico’s population of 107 million have a genetic tendency to develop diabetes. Mexican schools usually don’t have cafeterias. So, for decades, children have swarmed around vendors , school employees,
cooperatives or food stand operators , who sell sweets and other goodies on the school grounds. Under the new guidelines only water, unsweetened but flavored water, or pure fruit juices will be sold in schools. No soft drinks or sugary fruit drinks, and only low-fat milk, will be allowed. Salvador Torres is the head comptroller of the Pascual Cooperative, which produces Mexico’s classic school-yard drink, the sugary, fruit-based Boing! He says he was a bit disconcerted by the new rules. “Children want sweet stuff,” said Torres. “It’s the children themselves who are saying: ‘I don’t like this, it’s not Boing!’ Kids are not going to stop asking for it.” Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordoba said nationwide consumption of fruits and vegetables has declined 40 percent over the last 10 to 15 years, while consumption of sweetened drinks has risen 40 percent to 50 percent. Officials held out the possibility that some products could be reformulated to meet the guidelines. But it remains to see how effective the inschool ban will be. —AFP
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North Korea threatens to attack S Korean ships as tempers flare Pyongyang’s military general scraps accidental naval clashes pact SEOUL: North Korea vowed yesterday to attack any South Korean ships which violate their disputed border and Seoul’s navy staged its own show of strength amid continuing high tension over the sinking of a warship. Pyongyang’s military general staff also scrapped a pact which guards against accidental naval clashes at the flashpoint border, and repeated threats to shut down a joint business project.
BANGKOK: A man walks past a heart-shaped board in front of a shopping mall in downtown Bangkok yesterday where people write and stick their concerns and wishes on the political situation. — AFP
Thailand urges Thaksin to come out of hiding BANGKOK: Thailand’s government urged former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to come out of hiding yesterday and face the terrorism charges that accuse him of fomenting the violent unrest that scarred the capital and exposed deep rifts in society. Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 military coup but has wide support among the Red Shirt protesters whose rallies in the capital began peacefully in March but disintegrated into deadly street clashes. Bangkok and several other provinces remain under a nighttime curfew and a state of emergency after a military crackdown broke up the protests last week. The terrorism charges that are the basis for the arrest warrant carry a possible death penalty. “It’s best for Thaksin to return and fight it out in the court, which will deal with the case fairly,” government spokesman Panithan Wattanayagorn said. “The government is just following the legal process.” Thaksin, who has been living in exile, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. by telephone from an undisclosed location late Wednesday that he had never supported violence.
He called the terrorism charges groundless and said he did not believe Interpol, the Paris-based international police intelligence-sharing association, would act on the warrant. “Interpol have their own criteria to judge, that is, to not be politically motivated,” Thaksin said. “This is clearly politically motivated.” An Interpol official was not immediately available for comment yesterday. The unrest in Thailand has opened a growing divide between Thaksin’s supporters, mostly the rural poor and urban underclass, and those who back the conservative establishment, including many in the middle class who agreed with the 2006 military coup that ousted Thaksin. Thaksin said he did not know if the Red Shirt unrest was finished. “In my mind, I always advocate ... peaceful protest,” he said. “Thailand needs reconciliation.” At least 88 people died in the protest-related violence and ensuing military crackdown, and rioting and arsons destroyed or damaged landmarks such as the stock exchange, CentralWorld mall and other buildings. Thaksin
said the burning of dozens of buildings was a “set up” to discredit his supporters and was “well-planned” in advance. The arsons occurred as protesters were fleeing troops last week. “As an ex-police (officer), I can assure you that this is a wellplanned and professionally done” act of arson, he said. Thailand issued the arrest warrant after testimony by the Department of Special Investigations about Thaksin’s alleged involvement in the protests. It alleged Thaksin committed, threatened to commit or supported terrorist acts, but details were not disclosed. Panithan, the government spokesman, refused to respond to Thaksin’s comments, saying the matter was in the hands of legal authorities. He said the terrorism charges would “clarify” to the international community Thailand’s position on Thaksin. “Mr. Thaksin can speak whatever is on his mind. We’re not going to retort,” he said. “As a defendant in the case, he can disagree. But if the case is favorable to him, then I doubt that he would be so vocal.”— AP
Elsewhere in the Yellow Sea, South Korea’s navy staged an anti-submarine exercise, its first since Seoul publicly accused Pyongyang of torpedoing one of its warships on March 26 with the loss of 46 lives. In Seoul, an estimated 10,000 protesters shouted “Kill our enemy!” and whacked images of the North’s leader Kim Jong-Il with wooden bars. Investigators from five countries said last week they found overwhelming evidence that a torpedo attack by a North Korean submarine sank the Cheonan near the border. The South has announced a series of reprisals including a halt to trade. The North, which denies involvement, has responded with angry rhetoric and an announcement that it is cutting all ties with its neighbour. Blasting the South’s “confrontation maniacs, sycophants and quislings”, the North’s military said agreements on forestalling accidental conflicts would be declared “completely null and void”. The border was the scene of deadly clashes in 1999 and 2002 and of a firefight in November last year. The South’s military believes the Cheonan was sunk in revenge for the firefight. The general staff said it was also scrapping military safety guarantees for South Koreans crossing the land border, and would consider a complete block on access to the Kaesong joint industrial estate in its territory. It repeated a threat to attack loudspeakers if Seoul goes ahead with its plan to resume cross-border propaganda broadcasts as part of reprisals. Some 42,000 North Koreans work in 110 South Korean factories at Kaesong, which was developed as a symbol of reconciliation. “We are watching whether North Korea will take action to cripple the operations of the Kaesong estate, or will close it,” said unification ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-Joo. Off the west coast, far away from the border, eight South Korean warships launched a drill to destroy mock North Korean patrol boats and submarines, firing cannon and dropping depth charges. Officials quoted by Yonhap news agency said South Korea’s military and the 28,500 US troops in the South had raised their alert level and stepped up aerial surveillance of the North. —AFP
TAEAN: South Korean Navy Patrol Combat Corvettes stage an anti-submarine exercise at off the western coast town of Taean yesterday. —AFP
Philippine lawmakers start vote tally for president MANILA: Philippine lawmakers began the official tally of votes for president and vice president in the May 10 elections yesterday after more than two days of debate over procedures and questions on the automated voting system. Unofficial tallies from the election commission show opposition Senator Benigno Aquino III has won more than 40 percent of votes cast and leads his nearest rival, former president Joseph Estrada, by more than 5 million votes. The race for vice president is much tighter, with the unofficial tallies showing Estrada’s running-mate, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, ahead by 800,000 votes over Aquino’s deputy, Senator Manuel Roxas, with about 90 percent counted. Lawmakers agreed to a proposal from outgoing Speaker Prospero Nograles to first aggregate votes from embassies and consulates abroad that did not use automatic vote-counting machines. They put off assessing results from local voting as well as Hong Kong and Singapore, where machines were used, due to questions on the reliability, accuracy and security of the automated vote count. “We’ll start counting votes from Laos and other embassies that were prepared manually because there are still questions on the automated election system,” Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, head of the 24member upper house of Congress. Nine senators and nine congressmen will tabulate a total of 278 vote tallies from provinces, large cities, embassies and consulates across the globe, hoping to declare a winner for the top two positions by June 15, if not earlier. The deadline for a president to be declared is June 30. Enrile said they planned to finish an average of 13 vote tallies from embassies and consulates every day and would tabulate votes counted by machines after technical questions are resolved. —Reuters
Malaysia government faces tobacco wrath over ban delay KUALA LUMPUR: A tobacco giant that exhausted its inventory of small cigarette packets in anticipation of a ban threatened yesterday to take legal action against the Malaysian government for reportedly deciding to delay the prohibition. The Malaysian affiliate of Philip Morris International voiced disappointment with what it called a “precipitous” decision that would be “a devastating blow not only to our business but to foreign
investor confidence in Malaysia.” Tobacco companies in the Southeast Asian country have been phasing out parts of their inventory and manufacturing equipment in recent months ahead of a government ban on cigarette packets containing fewer than 20 cigarettes that was supposed to take effect June 1. However, the financial newspaper The Edge reported yesterday that the government had decided to postpone the ban. — AFP
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Heat wave bakes India before monsoon, dozens killed NEW DELHI: Temperatures close to 50 degrees Celsius gripped large swathes of India, killing dozens of people as the country waits for the annual monsoon rains to reach the mainland, media and officials said yesterday. The hottest place in India, at 49.3 degrees (121 Fahrenheit), was Sri Ganganagar in the northern desert state of Rajasthan, with severe heat also prevailing in the adjacent states of Punjab and Haryana. The federal health ministry does not regularly publish aggregated
statistics of heat-related death tolls across states. CNN-IBN news channel yesterday put the number at 134. Streets were deserted this week as residents stayed indoors to escape the heat. But power cuts stopped ceiling fans, air conditioning and fridges, sparking protests in eastern regions. “(The heat wave) is likely to subside in the next three to four days,” B.P. Yadav, the spokesman for the India Meteorological Department (IMD), told Reuters. “The immediate cause appears to be the lack of
thunderstorm activity.” Monsoon rains, which irrigate 60 percent of India’s farms, are forecast to hit the mainland at the weekend, but have not advanced for the past six days, their progress slowed by last week’s cyclone Laila. While this year’s rains are forecast to be normal, last year saw temperatures soar to the warmest year on record since 1901 and brought the driest monsoon in nearly four decades. An official at London’s Met office Hadley Centre, said there was a
“greater than 50 percent chance” that 2010 would be the warmest year globally on record. New Delhi its highest April recorded temperature in nearly 60 years, according to the US-based National Climatic Data Centre. City doctors said they had admitted 10-20 percent more patients suffering from heatstroke than last year, according to the Times of India. Residents poured into the airconditioned metro in record numbers on Tuesday, the paper said,
abandoning buses, taxis and auto rickshaws. Officials in the eastern state of Orissa alone have confirmed 34 deaths from the heat wave since March, though authorities are investigating 65 more suspected deaths. Thousands of protesters in the state blocked a main road on Wednesday to denounce power cuts. Around 100 people have died in the western state of Gujarat, according to local media reports, but state officials released no figures.—Reuters
Afghan police, village militias try to fend off insurgent attacks
Afghans: Pakistani Taleban commander rumored dead
TATOPANI: Jordan Romero, center, the 13-yearold American who Saturday became the youngest climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest, gestures as he crosses the border from China to arrive in Nepal’s border town Tatopani. —AP
Youngest Everest climber sets new goal KATMANDU: The 13-yearold American boy who became the youngest person to climb Mount Everest announced plans yesterday for an ascent later this year of Mount Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth highest peak. Jordan Romero, from Big Bear, California, told reporters yesterday in Katmandu that he plans to climb the 8,201-meter (26,906-foot) peak during the autumn climbing season. Cho Oyu straddles the Nepal-China border. Nepal prohibits people under the age of 16 from climbing high mountain peaks, but there is no such restriction in China. Romero scaled the 29,035foot (8,850-meter) Mount Everest last weekend from the northern side of the peak in China. He arrived in Nepal on Wednesday. Romero is on a quest to climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents, and plans to scale the final one on his list, the 16,076-foot (4,900meter) Vinson Massif in
Antarctica, during the winter. Cho Oyu, considered one of the easier climbs among the world’s highest mountains, is not on that list. Romero said the Everest expedition went smoothly despite the team battling with high winds. “I definitely do encourage younger people to go big. I encourage other people to climb Everest and especially younger children just to go big,” Romero said. He said one of the difficulties was moving across the rocky surface near the summit. Climbers have complained recently that melting glacial ice has exposed a rocky surface, making it difficult to move with crampons best suited for ice. Rising temperatures on the mountain due to global warming have been blamed for the melting ice. Romero said he wanted to young people. “I am doing this to set an example for them and try to motivate them to get outdoors and set goals,” he said. —AP
KABUL: Afghan officials said yesterday they were police supported by village militias have been trying to investigating reports that a Pakistani Taleban leader fend off an attack by hundreds of insurgents in eastern may have been killed in fighting in the remote Nuristan province for five days, provincial police mountains of eastern Afghanistan. About 400 Afghan spokesman Farooq Khan said. On Wednesday, the militants made a push to capture all of Barg-e-Matal district on the Pakistan border, sparking heavy fighting throughout the area. A senior border police official said he had credible reports that Taleban commander Maulana Fazlullah was killed Wednesday. Gen. Mohammad Zaman Mamozai, the commander for border police in eastern Afghanistan, said the information came from local residents where the fighting was taking place. Fazlullah, nicknamed the “Radio Mullah” for his hard-line anti-Western broadcasts on a militant radio station in northwestern Pakistan, was the Taleban commander in the Swat Valley until the Pakistan military routed the group from the area last year. Others in the KAbul: Afghan female military officers take an oath during their graduation Afghan government were hesitant to confirm Mamozai’s ceremony in Kabul yesterday. The newly-trained Afghan army has launched account. Nuristan police Chief a scheme to recruit female officers for its office-based works. —AFP Mohammad Qasim said it was difficult to identify the bodies of those killed. At least seven militants and one police officer have died so far in the fighting, according to the Interior Ministry. About 500 Pakistani attackers have laid siege to the area, officials ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ordered a block on Facebook Facebook accounts for up to 25 said. Heavy fighting continued restored access to popular video until May 31, implemented by percent of Internet traffic in the yesterday and government Pakistan country-was back up, although website YouTube, but Facebook the forces were running short of and 1,200 web pages remained Telecommunications Authority restricted. food and ammunition, said “YouTube has been blocked yesterday as a row about (PTA), which then banned Khan, the police spokesman. “blasphemous” content on the YouTube and restricted access to unblocked, but the links to NATO helicopters have flown Internet rumbled into a second other websites, including sacrilegious content would in some weapons and inaccessible in week. A contest organized by a Wikipedia. Islamic activists and remain ammunition but more is user of social networking site students took to the streets, Pakistan,” PTA spokesman needed, he said. It takes two Facebook calling on people to shouting “Death to Facebook” Khurram Mehran told AFP. days by donkey to reach the draw the Prophet Mohammed to and burned US flags, venting “There are around 1,200 URLs site of the fighting through the promote “freedom of anger over what the PTA called which have been blocked... Only one road that is open, he expression” sparked a major “growing sacrilegious” online links containing objectionable added. In Pakistan, Maulana material have been blocked,” he blacklash in the conservative content. Faqir Mohammed, the Taleban YouTube, which is Google- added. Muslim country of 170 million. chief in the Bajur area, told A spokesman for the Internet Islam strictly prohibits the owned, had said it was working The Associated Press by depiction of any prophet as to ensure the service was Service Providers Association of phone that Fazlullah had gone blasphemous and even restored, although Google chief Pakistan told AFP that about 550 to Nuristan with his fighters. Eric Schmidt pages on YouTube were still moderate Muslims were deeply executive “We are trying to contact him,” offended by the drawings that suspected that suppressing blocked. “The total (number of he said. “We believe that he is appeared on a Facebook page in political criticism had been a URLs restricted) is about safe and he has not been an answer to the call for an factor behind the ban. But late 1,200,” Wahaj us Siraj told AFP. killed.” Another Taleban “Everyone Draw Mohammed Wednesday, the regulatory “Out of those, there are about commander in Bajur, Asad authority in Pakistan said that 550 URLs from YouTube only,” Day”. Ullah, insisted that Fazlullah A Pakistani court on May 19 YouTube-which together with he said. —AFP was alive. —AP
Pakistan lifts YouTube ban, blocks 1,200 web pages
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Trade powers to push for Doha deal to boost economy PARIS: Ministers from major trading powers decided yesterday to redouble efforts for a deal in the stalled Doha round, arguing that opening up global trade would boost the world economy without hitting budgets. They acknowledged the 8-1/2year-old Doha round was at an impasse and that serious negotiationsaway from the glare of the media and public diplomacy-were now needed to break the deadlock. Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean said ministers meeting on the sidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development forum in Paris had held frank discussions about the difficulties they faced. “All of the evidence points to the
significance of trade and the liberalisation agenda that facilitates trade being an important economic stimulus-a stimulus that does not impact upon budgets,” Crean told a briefing after hosting the meeting. “And we will keep at it. We won’t be deterred simply by the difficulty because the outcome is too important to sustainable economic recovery,” he said. WTO members launched the Doha round in 2001 to free up world commerce and help poor countries prosper through more trade. The outlines of a deal are clear: rich countries will remove barriers to their food markets and cut trade-distorting farm subsidies while developing countries, except the poorest, open their markets to more goods and
services. But agreeing an overall package has proven impossible so far, with the United States arguing that big emerging economies such as Brazil, China and India-who have benefited from the last trade opening and are now major players in the global economy-should do more to facilitate a deal. The United States wants the emerging giants to open up their markets more to goods-from cars to chemicals and services to banking and express delivery-in return for Washington paying farmers less to produce crops such as wheat and soybeans. US Trade Representative Ron Kirk repeated that call yesterday, saying the current draft package was not
economically compelling and real, substantive negotiations were now needed. Kirk categorically rejected the idea that the United States should make a “pre-payment” to get those negotiations moving, pointing to concessions already made by the US in agriculture. But Kirk made it clear that the United States was ready for further concessions once those negotiations start in order to get a satisfactory deal. “We have asked everyone to engage with us in honest, very tough negotiations-we’ll do that,” he told reporters. Ministers agreed the WTO’s 153 members should now broaden the Doha talks to look at the overall
package rather than individual sectors such as agriculture or manufactured goods. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said it was important to make progress on trade in services and environmental goods and on fisheries subsidies, where gaps remain wide. Negotiations may also take place in small groups or bilaterally, allowing countries to test what partners are willing to offer, rather than in large meetings where members often fall back on stock positions. Both Crean and Lamy said they hoped next week’s meeting of trade ministers of the Asia-Pacific grouping APEC, and the G20 summit in Toronto next month would add momentum to the talks. — Reuters
Zain to pay out most of Bharti sale proceeds KIA objects distribution of dividend SHENZHEN: A worker looks out through the logo at the entrance of the Foxconn complex in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen yesterday. A young man became the 10th worker to jump to his death at a Foxconn Technology Group factory in the city, just hours after the company’s chairman toured the plant that makes iPods and other topselling gadgets, state-run media said. — AP
Dell, HP look into suicides at Foxconn China plant BEIJING: Computer giants Dell and Hewlett-Packard said yesterday they were looking into conditions at a Chinese factory owned by the Taiwanese supplier Foxconn, as state media reported another attempted suicide. The statements came a day after Apple said it was investigating the situation at Foxconn’s vast plant in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen following the deaths of 11 of its workers in apparent suicides. The deaths have raised concerns over how workers are treated at Foxconn, which assembles Apple’s best-selling iPhone, and factories across China. “We’re investigating the reports. Any reports of poor working conditions in Dell’s supply chain are investigated and, if warranted, appropriate action is taken,” Dell spokeswoman Sharon Zhang told AFP. “We expect our suppliers to employ the same high standards we do in our own facilities.” An HP spokesperson said: “As with all concerns that are raised about our suppliers, HP is investigating the Foxconn practices that may be associated with these tragic events.” Activists and employees have said the estimated 300,000400,000 workers at Foxconn’s
Shenzhen plant face long hours, low pay and heavy pressure. On Wednesday, an Apple spokeswoman said the company was “deeply committed to ensuring that conditions throughout our supply chain are safe and workers are treated with respect and dignity.” China’s official Xinhua news agency said another Foxconn employee yesterday had tried, but failed, to kill himself at the Shenzhen plant by slashing his veins. That came after Xinhua said a man jumped to his death at the complex late Wednesday, and that police had confirmed it was a suicide. The death brought the toll of apparent suicides at the Shenzhen site this year to 10, with another death reported at a Foxconn plant in northern China. Two other employees sustained serious injuries in similar falls. Officials at Foxconn, which is owned by Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision, were not immediately available to comment yesterdayabout the latest suicide. Yesterdy’s suicide attempt came a day after a visit by the group’s chairman to Shenzhen to show his concern, amid reports of plans to relocate staff to western China, where they would be closer to home.—AFP
KUWAIT: Kuwaiti mobile operator Zain will distribute a large portion of proceeds from a $9 billion asset sale to
shareholders, the company said yesterday, pushing possible purchases lower on the agenda.
In March, Zain struck a deal selling its operations in 15 African countries to India’s Bharti Airtel but questions about what Zain would do with the windfalleither invest or pay out to shareholders-have persisted ever since. “Regarding the surplus (returns from the sale), a big portion of it will be distributed to shareholders, in addition to our future investment operations,” Chairman Asaad Al-Banwan told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting yesterday. “If there are any investments in the near future in the Middle East... we will announce them at the time.” Zain’s shares closed up 3.1 percent, bolstered by Bharti’s comments on Wednesday that its $9 billion purchase of the Kuwait operator’s African assets would be completed soon. Zain expects to pocket up to $5 billion from the sale after paying down debt and says it is open to new investments in the Middle East. Some analysts, however, say Zain would benefit more by reinvesting in existing operations, rather than seeking again to grow abroad. Separately, shareholders approved the board’s recommendation to distribute a cash dividend for 2009 of 170 fils per share, which excludes distribution from the sale of some of Zain’s African units to Bharti. There are 1,000 fils to the dinar. One key investor, the Kuwait Investment
days which would provide enough cash for the firm to pay out the dividend. “Maintaining the AGM and holding it as scheduled shows that Zain is highly confident that the deal with Bharti will close shortly and they will get the proceeds soon so they could pay out to shareholders,” Simonian said. KIA, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, owns a 24.6 percent stake in Zain. The telecoms firm could resort to bridge financing to be able to pay the dividend in time, if Bharti does not transfer the proceeds within the next 10 days, said Naser al-Nafisi, general manager of Al Joman center for
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Zain telecom chairman Asaad Al-Banwan speaks during the company’s general assembly meeting at their headquarters in Kuwait City yesterday. Zain, on the verge of closing a 10.7-billion-dollar deal to sell African operations, decided to distribute huge dividends and move its focus to the Middle East region. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Authority (KIA), objected to the dividend, questioning whether Zain had enough cash on hand to pay it and saying it would harm shareholders’ interests. Banwan said the group may need short-term financing in order to meet the annual dividend payment. “We have the ability to distribute 170 fils... we have cash in banks and we have financing,” Banwan said. In a statement after the AGM Zain said Bharti has begun drawing down funds to pay for the African assets. Simon Simonian, a telecom analyst at Dubaibased Shuaa Capital, said that closing the deal with Bharti could happen within
Economic Consultancy in Kuwait. Nafisi said the dividend would cost Zain about 650 million dinars. According to Kuwaiti bourse regulations, cash dividends must be paid out within 10 days after a firm’s shareholders approve it at an annual general meeting. The Zain group swung to a loss of 0.7 million dinars ($2.41 million) in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to Reuters calculations. Zain’s profit dropped 39 percent in 2009 to 195 million dinars from 322 million dinars in 2008. Earlier this month, the firm posted a 31 percent rise in its first quarter net profit to $179 million. — Reuters
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KSE price index ends week on shy gain KUWAIT: The price index of Kuwait Stock Exchange ended the last trading day this week on a shy up of 3 points to read 6,810.3 points, while the weighted index put on 2.49 points to come to 412.66 points on closing yesterday. The session saw 4,626 trades worth KD 44,640,740, with 250,812,500 shares changing hands. There was gain in five of the eight sector indices, with biggest hike of 74. 5 points seen in services, followed by industry with a gain of 26.7 points and the
banking index with an up of 19 points. The three loser sectors were non-Kuwaiti, food, and investment, with biggest slip of 79.9 points suffered by the first. As for single share performance, top gainer was National Ranges Company share while biggest loser of the day was that of Ekttitab Holding Company. The volume top five were shares of Gulf Finance House, Al-Deera Holding, International Resorts, International Financial Advisers, and Coast Investment and Development. —KUNA
French protest as Europe implements austerity PARIS: European governments yesterday pressed ahead with radical cost-cutting plans in a bid to tackle a debt crisis, as financial markets rallied and thousands protested in France against pension reforms. The Spanish parliament passed by just one vote an unpopular raft of austerity to contain measures overspending, including a reduction in pay for civil servants, a freeze on most pensions in 2011 and a cut in child benefits. It was feared that a government defeat could have forced new elections and added to jitters among investors over the poor state of public finances in Spain, which just scraped out of a long recession in the first quarter. Meanwhile in France, tens of thousands of people turned up for rallies across the country called by trade unions in protest against the government’s plans to raise the official retirement age from 60 in a bid to cut debt. And during a visit to Germany on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Europe should follow China’s lead and boost economic growth since US consumers can no longer support the global economy alone as in the past.
“If the world is going to grow at its potential then we are going to have a more balanced pattern of growth globally,” Geithner said, following talks with his German counterpart Wolfgang Schaeuble in Europe’s biggest economy. Referring to the current debt crisis, he added: “We all understand and we all agree that part of global recovery... is to commit to clear objectives for reducing our fiscal positions to sustainable levels over the medium term. “We are going to get there at somewhat different paces, the magnitude of adjustment will differ, as we all come to this from different positions, with different underlying growth rates, different overall debt burdens,” he added. Alongside Greece, Portugal and Spain-all of whom have seen their borrowing costs rise sharply in recent months as investors fret over their solvency-other EU members like Italy and Britain are slashing spending. Germany and France are preparing to follow suit. Plans announced by the French government to raise the official retirement age to 60 brought tens of thousands of people into the streets of Paris yesterday.—AFP
MANILA: A vendor arranges colorful umbrellas at a street in Divisoria, Manila yesterday. The Philippine economy expanded by 7.3 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2010, the fastest pace of growth in more than nine years, the government said. The economy expanded by 3.0 percent on a quarterly basis, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board. —AFP
Troubles mount for second Dubai flagship conglomerate
Dubai private equity arm seeks debt delay DUBAI: Dubai International Capital (DIC), the private the latest blow to the emirate’s financial image. The equity unit of flagship conglomerate Dubai Holding, is investment unit has a $1.25 billion loan maturing in seeking a three-month debt delay, it said yesterday, in June. “Dubai International Capital and a state-owned conglomerate, reached a deal DIC to maximise the value of its business coordinating committee of banks today to restructure $23.5 billion in debt with its for its stakeholders. On Tuesday, Dubai Bank, a subsidiary of presented to lenders a request for a three- core lenders, addressing the most month extension to 30 Sep 2010 of certain immediate of a string of problems facing Dubai Holding, told Reuters it was reviewing its strategy and business model maturities,” the company said in a investors in Dubai. “DIC is a little opaque. There’s a lot of to cope with the difficult market statement. DIC’s parent Dubai Holding, the need for more capital in the system, and environment, after ratings agency Fitch investment conglomerate owned by the Dubai World was not the end of the game,” downgraded the lender on a weak full-year emirate’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin said Robert McKinnon, ASAS Capital chief outlook and its exposure to other government entities. Dubai Holding holds a Rashid Al Maktoum, is considering investment officer. “We will probably see more substantial portfolio of brands in the restructuring up to $20 billion in debt, the restructuring of Dubai entities, but on a property and hospitality sectors, organised FT reported in March. Dubai Holding, which spans financial smaller scale than Dubai World, and I don’t under three main groupings: Dubai Holding investments, hospitality and real estate, think this announcement will be a catalyst Commercial Operations Group (DHCOG), Dubai International Capital and Dubai may appoint a financial adviser to explore for a new market crash.” DIC said the extension period would Group. DIC’s head of investments David the rescheduling of loans over the next few allow for the implementation of a Smoot declined to elaborate on the months, the paper had said. Earlier in May, Dubai World, another “consensual longer-term plan”, enabling company statement. —Reuters
Oil tops $73 on equity rebound, US demand
PARIS: A woman holds a banner reading “I want to retire alive” during a nationwide day strike called by unions to protest against the pension overhaul, yesterday, in Paris. The French government yesterday defended plans to raise the retirement age from the current 60 years as part of efforts to tackle its gaping welfare deficit. —AFP
LONDON: World oil prices topped 73 dollars yesterday as the euro rebounded against the dollar and global stock markets bounced higher, traders said. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, soared 1.91 dollars to 73.42 dollars a barrel. London’s Brent North Sea crude for July jumped 1.56 dollars to 73.30 dollars. Global share prices and the euro were higher on Thursday, extending the previous day’s large gains, aided by easing concerns over the eurozone debt crisis and Korea, dealers said. “As outside markets continue to reflect less fear and more
optimism, oil influences may conspire to move oil more solidly into the 70-75 dollar range,” said analysts at the Sucden Financial Research brokerage in a note. In morning London trade, the European single currency rose to 1.2265 dollars, up from 1.2181 dollars in late New York trade on Wednesday. A weaker US unit makes dollar-priced crude cheaper for buyers using stronger currencies, which therefore tends to stimulate oil demand and push prices higher. Meanwhile, Frankfurt equities were up 2.24 percent, London rose 1.79 percent, Madrid gained 1.44 percent and Paris put on 1.94
percent. The strong performance mirrored gains earlier in Asia, where Tokyo bounced 1.23 percent and Hong Kong rose 1.22 percent despite losses overnight on Wall Street. Stock market gains reflected bargain hunting but the upturn was restrained by persistent fears Europe’s debt woes and the weak euro could derail the global economic recovery. “The market is following the situation with the euro. I think the market is continuing to rebound probably based on technicals,” said Tony Nunan, an energy risk manager with Mitsubishi Corp in Tokyo. “People are feeling a little bit
better since the stock markets are recovering,” Nunan told AFP. Oil had rallied on Wednesday, with sentiment lifted by recovering stock markets and fresh data pointing to a sustained economic recovery in the key US energy market. A report by the US Department of Energy on Wednesday also showed improving demand in the world’s biggest energy consuming nation. The report showed an unexpected dip in US gasoline (petrol) supplies, dropping 200,000 barrels. Distillate stocks, including diesel and heating oil, fell 300,000 barrels in the week ending May 21. —Reuters
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China orders review of local government finances BEIJING: China’s Cabinet ordered a review yesterday of investment agencies run by local governments amid warnings that Chinese banks might face problems if they cannot repay multibillion-dollar borrowing. The order was the highest-profile expression of government concern following warnings by the World Bank and others about heavy debt at such agencies, which invested in real estate and infrastructure as part of Beijing’s stimulus. “We must strengthen management of local financing platform companies in order to maintain economically sustainable healthy development and social stability,” said a Cabinet statement issued after a meeting led
by Premier Wen Jiabao. Local authorities must “deal with the issue of debt repayment and financing for projects that already are under construction,” the statement said. It gave no details of the size of debts or possible losses. Chinese banks are seen as the world’s healthiest after avoiding the mortgage-related turmoil that battered Western institutions. But analysts warn the stimulus-driven lending boom might leave lenders with a mountain of bad loans. Chinese media say local government investment agencies owe 6 trillion yuan ($880 billion) to state banks. An American researcher, Victor Shih of Northwestern University,
estimates total local government borrowing in 2004-09 at 12 trillion yuan ($1.6 trillion). The World Bank and China’s central bank say banks could face losses if the agencies, known as “finance platforms,” cannot repay their debts. Local government finance platforms accounted for a “very high proportion” of last year’s bank lending, a deputy central bank governor, Su Ning, said in March during the annual meeting of the national legislature. State banks lent a record 9.6 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) in 2009 under orders to support the stimulus. “This could have potential risks,” Su said in March. Beijing spent some $400
billion over the past decade clearing away non-performing loans at state banks, which were long expected to lend to prop up government companies without regard to whether they could repay their debts. That recapitalization was part of an effort to turn Chinese banks into profit-driven institutions that judged borrowers on commercial grounds. But after the global crisis struck in 2008, banks were ordered to relax lending standards and flood the economy with credit to support the stimulus. The World Bank warned in a March report that the financing platforms’ growing debts was one of a series of “macro economic risks”
stemming from the stimulus. Shih, the American researcher, says China has nearly 4,000 local government financing vehicles, which has obscured the scale of total government debt. China’s central government paid for only one-quarter of its 4 trillion yuan ($586 billion) stimulus plan. The rest came from state companies and borrowing by lower-level governments from state banks. “The banking system in China will bear the brunt of the fallout, necessitating a massive bailout from China’s budget and foreign exchange reserve,” Shih said in a lecture in March at a Beijing business school. — AP
Booming demand for new cars, high tech products
Japan exports surge but Europe casts shadow TOKYO: Japan’s April trade surplus soared as exports rose for the fifth straight month to drive a tentative recovery in the world’s second-largest economy, official data showed yesterday. Booming demand for new cars, high tech products and factory parts have combined with a stimulus-driven domestic picture, helping Japan’s biggest companies return to profit and boost capital spending. Exports surged 40.4 percent on-year, the fifth straight month of growth and meeting analysts expectations. Vehicle exports more than doubled while auto parts exports rose 61.7 percent on demand from China and the United States. But analysts warned that risks loom on the horizon for Japan’s export-led recovery as heightened anxiety over European debt has sent the safe haven yen soaring, which if sustained will dent exporters’ repatriated profits. Nevertheless, shipments to the EU rose 19.8 percent in April to 665.8 billion yen,
while imports rose 5.2 percent to 442.3 billion yen. Japan’s trade surplus jumped to 742.3 billion yen (8.25 billion dollars), up more than 14-fold from 48.99 billion yen logged a year earlier, the finance ministry said. “The data reflected the current strength of the economy,” said Hiroshi Watanabe, economist at Daiwa Institute of Research. It indicates that Japan is off to a strong start in the second quarter after gross domestic product grew by an annualised 4.9 percent in the January-March period and 1.2 percent on-quarter, the fastest in nearly a year.
In particular the auto sector, a major driver of the Japanese economy, has continued to lead the recovery as it stages a rebound after a period of heavy post-crisis restructuring, Watanabe said. Global auto sales plunged in 2009 in part as banks, particularly in the United States, hesitated to issue loans for consumers to purchase vehicles at the height of the global financial crisis, crushing demand. “The auto industry is one of pillars of the Japanese economy. (Its recovery) could affect corporate capital investment and employment
SHANGHAI: An investor looks at a stock price monitor at a private securities company yesterday in Shanghai, China. Chinese shares rebounded yesterday on bargain-hunting, led by metal producers and insurers. — AP
conditions,” Watanabe said. Robust Chinese and Asian demand for autos and precision equipment continued to accelerate, data showed. China-bound exports jumped 41.4 percent to 1.15 trillion yen, with auto shipments surging 126.3 percent. Shipments of scientific and optical instruments increased 88.0 percent. While analysts do not foresee a sharp slowdown due to the eurozone’s woes, they warn that the double whammy of a high yen and growth-sapping fiscal austerity in Europe may soften Japan’s recent acceleration. In Tokyo the Nikkei index saw volatile trade yesterday, with shares in exporters tumbling on the weakness of the euro before rebounding to close 1.23 percent higher after pressure on the single currency eased temporarily. “We are starting to see possible risks that may pressure external demand” for Japanese exports, said Masamichi Adachi, senior economist at JPMorgan Securities Japan. “A slowdown is unlikely. But risks are increasing for an actual fall (in foreign demand) and worsening corporate sentiment,” he said. Growth of exports outpaced the rise in imports, which jumped 24.2 percent to 5.15 trillion yen, showing an increase for the fourth consecutive month, the government said. Exports to the United States also rose 34.5 percent to 878.4 billion yen, while imports gained 9.4 percent to 496.5 billion yen. — AFP
BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (L) reads documents next to Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij during a discussion on the country’s 2011 Budget at Parliament in Bangkok yesterday. The government has presented the House of Representatives with a 2.07 trillion baht budget bill aimed at reducing social disparity and income gaps in the country. — AFP
NZ posts first annual trade surplus for 8 yrs WELLINGTON: New Zealand posted its first annual trade surplus for nearly eight years in the 12 months to April as declines in imports outstripped lower exports, official figures showed yesterday. The trade surplus in the year to April amounted to 161 million dollars (107 million US), the first annual surplus since the year to July 2002, Statistics New Zealand said. This compared with a deficit of 172 million dollars in the year to March and a shortfall of 4.07 billion dollars in the previous year to April. Exports were down 7.6 percent at 39.88 billion in the latest year compared with the previous April year and imports fell 15.9 percent to 39.72 billion dollars. Exports and imports were depressed due to the impact of the global economic crisis, although the latest monthly figures show export volumes and prices are starting to recover. For the month of April, the trade surplus was 656 million dollars, compared with a surplus of 590 million dollars in March and 322 million dollars in April last year. The value of exports in April rose 9.0 percent from a year earlier to 4.0 billion dollars, due largely to higher exports of dairy products and timber. “Unsweetened whole milk powder, up 140 million dollars, and pinus radiata logs, up 58 million dollars, were the leading contributors to this rise,” said SNZ business statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver. The volumes of these exports were greater and higher world prices for both of these commodities also contributed to the rise, she said. The value of goods imported in April was 3.3 billion dollars, down five million dollars or 0.2 percent from a year earlier. — AFP
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Air India staggers back after strike, 17 fired MUMBAI: Air India flights staggered back to normal yesterday, after a two-day strike that left 30,000 passengers stranded. The airline took the unusual step for it of firing 17 people, including union leaders who spearheaded the unpopular strike, and suspending 15 engineers, officials said. Air India spokesman K. Swaminathan did not rule out further firings. The strike caused a loss of about 120 million rupees ($2.6 million), he said. He said 118 flights were grounded Tuesday and Wednesday, with another 26 to 29 flights to be disrupted Thursday. “In the next couple of days it should be coming back to normalcy,” he said. Indian media Thursday debated the fall of the once-proud national carrier, which loses about a billion dollars a year. Last Saturday, an Air India plane exploded after overshooting a runway, leaving 158 dead in India’s worst aviation disaster in over a decade. Analysts say Air India is fighting the legacy of a poorly executed 2007 merger, bureaucratic management, a swollen staff, debt costs and a toxic gulf between management and powerful unions. An editorial in the Economic Times called on the government to privatize the airline, while the Hindustan Times said the government should trim bloated staff. — AP
Auto sector rebound could outpace global recovery FRANKFURT: The global auto sector could recover more strongly than the economy as a whole in several parts of the world, rating agency Moody’s Investor Service said yesterday. “The recovery of the global auto sector looks to be stronger than the macroeconomic recovery in many regions, driven by demand and pricing,” a statement said. While Moody’s raised its outlook for the global sector to positive from stable a week ago, it also warned Thursday that certain risks could yet derail a robust recovery. But Moody’s senior vice president Falk Frey said that “compared to where the industry was a year ago, the turnaround in volume sales, demand and to a lesser extent in pricing has been faster than we anticipated.”
The auto sector benefitted now from trimmed US capacity in particular, with Chrysler being absorbed by Fiat and General Motors and Ford streamlining their offers, the report said. Globally, it cited the accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers as estimating that capacity utilisation had risen to 72 percent from 66 percent, though it remained below the widely considered breakeven point of 80 percent. Demand had picked up meanwhile by 13 percent between January and April from the same period a year earlier, especially in the US, China and emerging markets. Risks to the rosy forecast included rising prices of raw materials and concern over debt in Europe that might cut consumer spending and have a negative impact on bank financing, Moody’s cautioned. —AFP
KARACHI: Pakistani stockbrokers monitor shares during a trading session at the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) yesterday. The benchmark Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) 100-index was 9439.97, with down 171.58 points in end of the day. — AFP
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Malaysia pitches global sukuk at Treasuries Aims to raise $1 billion from the sale HONG KONG/KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia plans to sell a benchmark-sized 5-year US dollar sukuk at 190 basis points over US Treasuries, pushing ahead with its first global bond in eight years, sources involved in the deal said. Malaysia is looking to raise $1 billion from the sale and the order book, following a global roadshow, has already drawn interest of $3.25 billion, they said. Final pricing could take place later yesterday in London or New York, one of the sources said. Malaysia’s ijara sukuk, the fourth sovereign global bond in the region this year, comes as global financial markets wrestle with the impact of Europe’s debt crisis. “Timing is not exactly perfect but there is actually no perfect timing,” said a fixedincome analyst with a Malaysian bank. “I expect they’ll come out with a relatively interesting pricing level.” Market reaction to the Greek crisis has already impacted new issues in Asia. The government held investor meetings in Hong Kong last Thursday, Jeddah on Saturday, Riyadh on Sunday and London and Dubai on Monday. It concluded the roadshow in New York on Wednesday but held talks with Middle East investors after that, another source with direct knowledge of the deal said. CIMB, HSBC Holdings and Barclays are deal managers. Standard & Poor’s has given the sukuk an ‘A-’ preliminary long-term issue rating and Moody’s has assigned an A3 foreign currency rating with a stable outlook. The sale of Islamic bonds allows Malaysia to tap a wider investment base, although investors can demand a higher return on sukuk because of the lack of a secondary market. Prime Minister Najib Razak said on May 19 that the deal was designed to set a pricing benchmark for future sukuk and conventional bond issues. Malaysia last tapped the global bond market in 2002 when it raised $600 million from the sale of its first international sukuk. This month, Saudi Electricity Co raised 7 billion riyals from a 7-year sukuk at 95 basis points above Saudi Interbank Offered Rate (Sibor). The yield on the issue was below the 160 bps above Sibor at which the Gulf’s largest power utility priced its previous sukuk issue of the same size. —Reuters
TOKYO: Sony Electronics Senior Vice President Fujio Noguchi (2nd R) answers questions during a joint press conference in Tokyo yesterday. Sony said it will launch an e-reader in Japan and set up a digital platform for newspapers, books, comics and magazines, challenging rival Apple a day before its iPad goes on sale. — AFP
Strike stalls production at Honda’s China plants TOKYO: Honda’s four auto assembly plants in China have ground to a halt after workers at a parts maker went on strike demanding better wages. The strike comes after Honda Motor Co.’s announcement earlier this week of an aggressive plan to boost production in China, raising annual production capacity at its Guangqi Honda Automobile Co. joint venture from 360,000 units to 480,000 vehicles by the latter half of 2011. Honda has said that its overall China production capacity will grow to 830,000 vehicles by the latter half of 2012. Talks were under way at the Honda-owned parts maker in the southern coastal province of Guangdong, but it was still unclear when production of transmissions
and engine parts at the plant can resume, Tokyo-based Honda said yesterday. Also halted besides Guangqi Honda’s two factories, which make the Accord sedan and Odyssey minivan, are two other Honda plants, Dongfeng Honda and Honda Automobile China. The strike at the partsmaker, which employs 1,900 people, began last week, and has continued off and on into this week, Honda said, while declining to disclose details of the wages or the negotiations. The newspaper 21st Century Business Herald reported that the workers were pushing to have monthly wages increased from the current 1,500 yuan ($220) to up to 2,500 yuan ($370). A photo showed workers gathered outside the
factory in spotless white uniforms and red caps. Manufacturers in southern China recently have complained of difficulties in finding workers willing to accept the relatively low wages on offer. Authorities generally discourage organized labor protests, but sometimes tolerate them while seeking to mediate a compromise. Japanese automakers have their eyes on emerging markets like China to maintain growth as the Japanese market has grown saturated. “Without the gearbox, we cannot move on with installation. Production has been halted since Wednesday and probably will last until Friday,” Honda Automobile spokesman Yang Guang told Kyodo News. — AP
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EU members are slashing spending
Geithner tells Europe to emulate China on growth BERLIN: US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said yesterday Europe should follow China’s lead and boost growth since US consumers can no longer support the global economy alone. Geithner also said ahead of a
summit of the G20 group of leading economies in Canada in late June that the United States and Europe were in “broad agreement” over the need to put into place tighter lending rules for banks. “If the world is going to grow at its potential then we are going to have a more balanced pattern of growth globally,” Geithner said after talks in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy. “In the United States we are trying to make sure that growth ... comes with more savings, more private investment. US consumers are going to be less of a source of demand for the world in the future.” He pointedly drew the contrast between Europe and China. “You can see China recognising that imperative and putting in place a very strong programme of reforms to make sure that growth is coming more from domestic demand ... Already consumption is growing much more rapidly. BERLIN: German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble (R) and US “The broad challenge of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner give a joint press conference yesterday making sure that global growth in Berlin. Geithner played down talk of differences with Europe on spending in the future is more balanced cuts but stressed that US consumers could no longer support the global and more sustainable is important and something economy alone. —AFP leaders all agreed and committed to.” But Geithner, who held talks with his German counterpart Wolfgang Schaeuble, sounded a conciliatory note after criticism that austerity cuts by European governments to reduce deficits State and local government spending WASHINGTON: The US economy grew at a were jeopardising global slower pace than previously estimated in the first contracted at a 3.9 percent rate, the largest growth. quarter as business investment slackened, while decline since the second quarter of 1981. “We all understand and we hard-hit state and local governments reduced However, consumer spending, which is key to all agree that part of global the economy’s recovery, held up well. spending at the steepest rate since 1981. recovery, part of making sure Consumer spending increased at a 3.5 Gross domestic product expanded at a 3.0 our economies are growing ... is percent annual rate, the Commerce Department percent rate, rather than the 3.6 percent rate to commit to clear objectives said yesterday, instead of the 3.2 percent pace it reported last month. Although it was revised for reducing our fiscal positions down slightly, it was still more than double the reported last month. to sustainable levels over the Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast GDP, 1.6 percent pace in the fourth quarter and the medium term,” Geithner said. which measures total goods and services output largest advance since the first quarter of 2007. “That is absolutely Consumer spending, which normally within US borders, growing at a 3.4 percent rate essential, we all agree on that,” in the January-March period. The economy accounts for 70 percent of US economic activity, he said. expanded at a 5.6 percent pace in the fourth added 2.42 percentage points to GDP last “We are going to get there quarter and has now grown for three straight quarter, the largest contribution since the first at somewhat different paces, quarter of 2007. quarters. the magnitude of adjustment Real final sales to domestic purchasers, Economists are monitoring the US recovery will differ, as we all come to this closely to see how well the economy can endure considered a better measure of domestic from different positions, with the debt troubles that threaten to slow Europe’s demand, rose at a 2.0 percent rate. Sales were different underlying growth growth. The above-trend first-quarter US previously estimated to have increased at a 2.2 rates, different overall debt percent rate following a 1.4 percent rise in the growth suggests a solid base of support. burdens.” “The numbers are slightly shy of hopes, but fourth quarter. Alongside Greece, Portugal Recovery from the longest and deepest they show that the US economy is in recovery,” and Spain-all of whom have said Subodh Kumar, chief investment strategist recession since the Great Depression had so far seen their borrowing costs rise been largely driven by the manufacturing sector at Subodh Kumar & Associates in Toronto. sharply in recent months as Separately, new applications for state jobless as businesses replenished their warehouses to investors fret over their benefits dropped to 460,000 last week from meet strengthening demand. Consumers, solvency-other EU members 474,000 in the prior week, the Labor however, are now participating as the labor like Italy and Britain are Department said, pointing to a gradual labor market begins to firm. slashing spending. The GDP report also showed after tax market recovery. Germany is also set to US stocks were higher at the open, while corporate profits rose 2.1 percent in the first follow suit, while France also Treasury debt prices were down sharply in early quarter after increasing 6.5 percent in the final wants to tighten its belt. three months of 2009. The slowdown in profit trade. The US dollar fell versus the euro. Geithner met Jean-Claude Output in the first three months of the year growth could dampen hopes of an acceleration in Trichet, president of the was revised down as business spending rose at the labor market’s improvement. European Central Bank in In the first quarter, the rebuilding of stocks by only a 3.1 percent rate instead of the 4.1 percent Frankfurt late Wednesday and initially reported last month. Spending grew at businesses to meet firming demand gathered Bundesbank head Axel Weber momentum. Business inventories rose $33.9 a 5.3 percent pace in the fourth quarter. yesterday. On Wednesday he Business spending on software and billion rather than the $31.1 billion reported last held talks in London with equipment increased at a 12.7 percent rate rather month. It was the first increase since the first George Osborne, Britain’s new quarter of 2008. —Reuters than the 13.4 percent rate reported last month. finance minister. —AP
US first-quarter growth lowered, jobless claims dip
MADRID: Spain’s Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, lower left, applauds next to Deputy premier Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, bottom 2nd left and Spain’s Finance Minister Elena Salgado bottom 3rd left after a vote aimed at reducing the country’s deficit during a plenary session in the Spanish parliament in Madrid, yesterday. —AP
Spain parliament approves new economic measures MADRID: Emergency measures to cut Spain’s bloated deficit passed by one vote in parliament yesterday, saving the Socialist government from an embarrassing defeat and suggesting the depth of resistance to the spreading austerity measures aimed at halting Europe’s government debt crisis. The package, which includes a cut in civil servants’ salaries, was approved by 169 votes in favor, 168 against and 13 abstentions in the 350-seat lower chamber. A defeat would have been a serious blow for the Socialist government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, which is trying to show it can handle Spain’s chapter of the European sovereign debt crisis. The measures have been welcomed by the Europe Union and international economic bodies but much criticized at home as a major U-turn on social policies by the Socialists. They aim to cut spending by euro 15 billion this year and next. Prior to the vote, Finance Minister Elena Salgado pleaded with lawmakers to vote in favor, saying the measures were “painful but inevitable” in order to reduce the deficit. Spain is coming under increasing pressure to introduce labor market, fiscal and banking reforms to cut its large deficit from 11.2 percent of gross domestic product in 2009 to within the EU limit of 3 percent by 2013. The package is also aimed at trying to halt market speculation that the debt crisis affecting Greece might spread to countries like Spain or Portugal. Fearing default, bond markets have begun demanding higher interest rates from troubled governments, with Greece shut out of the borrowing market and forced to take a euro 110 bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. The eurozone has also agreed on a $1 trillion loan backstop for other troubled countries if they need it. Countries across Europe, including Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Greece, and non-euro member Britain have announced spending cuts and tax increases to maintain public confidence in their ability to manage their finances. The measures, many aimed at public employees, have drawn criticism from union
leaders and protests, particularly in Greece. And some economists fear the cutbacks to appease the bond market may help kill off Europe’s hesitant economic recovery by withdrawing government stimulus too soon. German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle welcomed the approval of the Spanish package. “We can only achieve long-term stability of the euro if every member state of the European currency union makes its contribution through structural measures,” he said. “Effective consolidation of budgets is a crucial means of doing this.” He said “Germany will not exempt itself from this.” The German government is currently mulling measures to cut its own spending. Europe’s top job creator two years ago, Spain now has the region’s highest unemployment rate at just over 20 percent and is the slowest of the major economies to emerge from the recession. The Socialists needed a simple majority to get the measures approved and would have faced rejection had it not been for the abstentions. The package was slammed by all parliamentary groups barring the Socialists. Mariano Rajoy, head of the leading conservative opposition Popular Party, called the measures “improvised, insufficient and unjust.” “My parliamentary group is not going to help you, the main problem of Spanish economy, to continue” as prime minister, he told Zapatero during debate before the vote. Josep Antoni Duran y Lleida, a Catalan politician leading a coalition called Convergencia i Unio, said he would abstain and save the government only out of a sense of duty to Spain. “I don’t want Spain to be helped out like Greece,” Duran y Lleida said. But he added that Zapatero’s time was running out and joined the Popular Party in calling for elections, scheduled for 2012, to be brought forward. The emergency measures involve a cut in public sector wages by an average of 5 percent from June and a freeze on them and on most retirement pensions in 2011. On Wednesday, Zapatero said Spain would also introduce a new tax for the country’s highest-income earners, in a clear bid to stave off criticism that only low-income earners were being targeted by the cutbacks. —AP
feature
friday, May 28, 2010
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This 1925 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia was rolled into Lake Maggiore by Swiss customs officials after being abandoned in 1936 by an owner who did not want to pay import duties and spent nearly 70 years underwater. The corroded remains are displayed at the Mullin Automotive Museum. — MCT
Museum is loving tribute to pinnacle of Art Deco autos These are not the sort of vehicles into which madame plops the kids in the back seat and a Slurpee in the drink holder. More likely, they ferried archdukes and Russian wolfhounds.
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utside, it's just another building in an Oxnard office park - though it's the only one flying the flags of the US and France. Inside, it's a homage to automotive luxury, an assemblage of French Art Deco cars of the 1930s and 1940s with such fabled names as Hispano-Suiza, Delahaye and Delage. They are the kind of cars that cost small fortunes and inspire great passions. As the British actor and bon vivant Peter Ustinov put it: "One, of course, drives an Alfa Romeo and one is driven in a Rolls-Royce, but one gives only a Delage to one's favorite mistress." In the building once used by the late Times publisher Otis Chandler for his collection of muscle cars and hunting trophies, a Los Angeles philanthropist named Peter Mullin is offering jaw-dropping views - by appointment only, at www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com of French luxury cars and furnishings of a certain age. Opened last month, the Mullin Automotive Museum displays more than 100 rare vehicles, mostly with bodies custom-made by French carriage builders. These are not the sort of vehicles into which madame plops the kids in the back seat and a Slurpee in the drink holder. More likely, they ferried archdukes and Russian wolfhounds. For the outdoorsman who likes to travel in style, there's a pale green 1937 Hispano-Suiza as big as the Ritz, with buffalo-hide upholstery and sea grass floor mats. Known as a "shooting
A vintage Bugatti decal decorates a windscreen at the Mullin Automotive Museum, in Oxnard, California. — MCT brake," it was "designed for the wellheeled to carry large amounts of cargo such as dogs and hunting guns for grouse shooting," according to a display placard. Slowly rotating on a turntable, a wine-red 1939 Delahaye Type 165 cabriolet is all swoops and slopes and voluptuous curves, a reclining nude with a 12-cylinder engine. "There's definitely something sensual, something sculptural here," said Mullin, 69, a tall, white-haired man who made his money in insurance and
as a consultant on executive compensation and benefits. "When I saw my first French car, I was shocked by how gorgeous it was. I was intrigued, I was fascinated, I was smitten." Mullin tore down and rebuilt the engine of a 1953 Chevy Bel Air when he was 16, but was left with a big box of parts that didn't quite seem to fit anywhere. He said the car ran just fine until he sold it eight years later. Now, seasoned artisans do the restorations on his collection, which he started
about 30 years ago. Later this year, the museum may display a rare 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, according to curator Andrew Reilly. Reportedly selling last week for $30 million to $40 million, the car is far and away the world's most expensive, according to the Wall Street Journal. But Reilly denied the Journal's report that the museum had purchased the car, saying that its new, anonymous owner merely had been in talks with Mullin about exhibiting it. In any event, Mullin, showing a visitor around his museum, had no hesitation about pointing out his favorite car: the droplet-shaped burgundy 1938 TalbotLago T 150 CS coupe. Bending down and squinting, he beheld it and declared, as he has many times, that there isn't a "bad angle" - or, for that matter, a right angle - anywhere to be seen. "It's perfection," he said. "It's like a raindrop that travels through the sky. It's the perfect aerodynamic form." The stories behind the cars are as impressive as their looks. Racing cars line a portion of the museum's second floor. One of them - a 1937 Delahaye 145 - was disassembled and buried in a French hillside to keep it from the Nazis during the invasion of France. It had been built for a million-franc prize the French government offered to any racer who could beat Germany, which had nationalized its auto industry. Adolf Hitler was particularly enraged that the Delahaye had been piloted to victory over German and Italian cars at several races by a well-known
Jewish driver, Rene Dreyfus. Some Bugattis on the museum floor gleam, but some, very deliberately, do not. One black 1936 coupe comes complete with cracked red leather, peeling paint, and large patches of rust. Reilly said some cars have been left unrestored as a tribute to their history. A tourist from Montreal said he was moved when he spotted the old car he owned as a student in Paris. "He said it had the same smell, the same look, the same feel. He said he was so poor then he could only afford to drive it from one parking space to another," Reilly said. Then there's the rusted chassis of a 1925 Bugatti Brescia, a relic dredged up in 2009 after 70 years beneath the chill waters of Lake Maggiore in Switzerland. A Swiss playboy won it in a Parisian poker game - but he was down on his luck and couldn't afford the stiff import duties required to bring it back home. That's when Swiss officials sunk it, saying the law required them to do so. When it was hauled up before a crowd of 2,000, its two remaining tires were still inflated and its dashboard instruments were intact. Much of the body was rusted through, but the part that was buried in mud had the look of an Impressionist canvas, its original blue paint job speckled with browns and greens. "It's the beauty from the deep," Mullin said as he stood before it. "You can't possibly improve on it. How could you replace that patina?"— MCT
CAREER
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Bragging is good for your career M
any of us were raised to be humble and not to brag. But the process of career management often requires that you talk about yourself and your accomplishments-a skill that makes many people uncomfortable because they associate this behavior with bragging. But when you talk about your achievements, you are not bragging. It’s only bragging if your discussion contains hyperbole, half truths, or lies. Recent experiments conducted by Haifa University researcher Nurit Tal-Or examining the impact of bragging about those close to you (ie a family member or a colleague) vs bragging about yourself suggest that people view people who brag about themselves as more competent than those who brag about others. “Bragging” (with specific and quantifiable examples of how you have achieved success) can actually be good for your career brand. Is the fear of sounding like a bragger holding you back in your career? Here are some ways you can boast effectively without being full of hot air.
Truthful resume writing Many people tell me that they don’t like to write about their accomplishments on their resume because it sounds like they are bragging. So instead, they write resumes that merely outline their job tasks and look just like the resumes of the other 500 applicants vying for the same position. If you don’t write about the impact you had on the organizations you supported, someone else will-and he/she will be the one to get the interview. You may be more qualified than your competitors-but those who do the best job of explaining how they improved something in their past job have the best chance of landing interviews. Write about situations where you helped the companies you have worked for make money, save money, save time, eliminate a redundancy, grow the business, or keep the business. This isn’t bragging. This is simply giving a factual account of your value to the organization and backing those claims up with statistics such as dollars saved, time saved, etc. But remember, honesty is always important; claiming you
achieved more than you actually did will damage your credibility. Writing that you single-handedly transformed a business process or taking full credit for a project that was actually executed by your team may come across as bragging or even lying. But explaining that you led the effort that resulted in these changes or that you co-managed a project allows you to claim responsibility for the project without suggesting that you achieved the whole thing by yourself. Interviewing authentically Once you are called in for an interview, the hiring manager expects you to be able to articulate your past successes. Create compelling stories of your value as an employee using the “CAR” formula: discuss the Challenges you faced in your past roles, the Actions you took to address those challenges, and the corresponding Results. These stories don’t make hiring managers think you are bragging. They help the hiring manager develop a comfort level with you. Most hiring managers believe that past successes are a
good indicator of future success. So sharing stories that demonstrate your value proposition help solidify the relationship with the hiring manager and encourage him/her to move you to the next round of the interview process. Genuine networking Networking meetings should not be all about you. You will quickly be labeled a braggart if you talk about yourself non-stop during the event and move on to the next person once you have exhausted all conversation about yourself. Great networkers focus on being good listeners and figure out ways to help others. In networking situations, if you let the other person do most of the talking, he/she thinks you are a great conversationalist. The key here is to let the other person brag, remember what they do, and share that information with others. Once you offer help to others, they will remember your efforts and want to reciprocate. And before you know it, they will be asking you about yourself and how they can help you by bragging to their contacts on your behalf.
Proactive performance management Many people think that when their performance review rolls around, their boss should be brimming with good things to say and that it is that supervisor’s responsibility to remember and document everything the employee has achieved over the past 12 months. But in the real world, bosses often don’t keep track of everything their employees accomplish, and frequently employees take care of problems before the boss even knows they exist. In order to manage your career effectively, you need to keep a “brag book” throughout the year that can then be shared with your boss at the time of your review. Be sure to describe how your achievements helped the company or department do things smarter, faster, or more efficiently-and prove the impact of your actions with quantifiable metrics whenever possible. By “proactively bragging” about the value you bring to the organization, you may also be able to improve your merit increase or position yourself as the next in line for a future promotion. —www.jobs.aol.com
Friday, May 28, 2010
technology
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Troubleshooting Windows 7 compatibility Y
ou’ve got Windows 7 up and running. That was the easy part. Now comes the challenge of getting all of your hardware and software to run properly with the new operating system. Everything from unrecognized device drivers to application compatibility can give you headaches in Windows 7 if you’re not sure how to correct the problems. Read on for some answers. Q: Every time I start Windows 7, it tries but fails to find a USB device driver. An error message tells me about this every time I start the computer. Everything is plugged in and working, so I’m not sure what is missing. How can I find out? A: This can be a tough issue to solve, since there could be a lot of causes. So start by using a process of elimination. If you have any internal add-on USB cards in your PC, remove them. Make sure, too, that you have downloaded and installed all of the motherboard chipset and device drivers from the manufacturer of your motherboard or
computer. Unplug all your USB devices (except keyboard and mouse, if these are USBbased), and restart your computer. If you still see an error, you know that it’s caused by something inside your PC, which would again point to an internal add-in card or a chipset issue. You can also turn to the free Unknown Device Identifier (http://www.zhangduo.com/udi.html), a small utility which will give you more information about every device that shows up in the Windows Device Manager as “unknown” or with a yellow exclamation mark next to it. The utility works with all recent versions of Windows, including Windows 7. Q: I have an older application - Adobe InDesign CS2 - that does not seem to run well under Windows 7. I don’t want to buy an updated version. What are my choices? A: First, since the program is already installed, you should try Windows 7’s built-
in Program Compatibility tool, which sometimes allows older applications to run on the new operating system without any issues. Open the Start menu, and type “program compatibility,” and then select the search result labeled “Run programs made for previous versions of Windows.” The Program Compatibility tool opens, and after you click Next, you’ll be able to select the misbehaving program from a list of currently installed applications, or you can choose “Not Listed” to browse to the application’s location on your hard drive. You could also, however, simply navigate to the exe file that opens the troublesome application, right-click it, and select Properties from the pop-up menu. In the Properties dialog box, select the Compatibility tab, click “Run this program in compatibility mode for,” and then select the version of Windows for which the program was designed.
From the same dialog box, you can also choose various screen resolutions to use while running the program. If those steps do not work to your satisfaction and you are running Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, you can download and install the Windows XP Mode add-on (http://bit.ly/lvAjC), which will install a complete copy of Windows XP inside of Windows 7. You can then launch XP, install your old application, and run it - all without losing the benefits of running Windows 7 for the rest of your work. Q: How do I find out my registration key for Windows 7 after I have installed the operating system? I want to re-install the system on a new computer, and I lost my original license key. A: Microsoft makes it difficult to retrieve your registration key from inside the operating system, presumably to combat piracy. Normally, you need to keep the little license key sticker that comes with the original disk. — dpa
BEAUTY
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Friday, May 28, 2010
T
he best way to choose color for your eyes is to look at your eye color, and use the complimentary color for that specific eye color. For hazel eyes, you’re going to use a color that’s a little bit cooler; a plum or a purple. The complimentary color for blue eye color is orange. But you can use bronze, cooper or gold or any color that’s a little bit warmer if you have blue eyes. A good way to remember warm and cool colors is that warm colors come from the sun and cool colors come from the water. That’s just the rule of the thumb though; you don’t really have to do that. You can use any color you want, as long as you feel comfortable wearing it. Start out by applying a paint to the eyelids. This is a base that goes underneath the eye shadow that’s going to help the it stick. It’s also going to enhance the color. This is a crease proof product. It’s really important to use something like this if your eyelids tend to get oily during the day and if your eye shadow creases. Remember to always powder your lids before you put your eye shadow on, this will also prevent your eye shadow from creasing. Apply the paint over the entire eyelid, all the way up to the brow bone and blend it outward. Just applying it lightly, you don’t want it to be very thick or else, it’ll make the eye shadow look a bit cakey. Then, use a nice neutral color for the lid and apply this right to the lid and on top of that paint. Don’t take it all the way to the brow because we’re going to use something a little bit lighter for the brow bone. We want to make sure that the eye shadow doesn’t fall below the lash line. Because if it does, it will make your eyes look that they’re sagging down or downturned For the brow bone, use the lightest color that you use on your eyes. Apply some color just to the tip of a brush and put it on the crease and just do a little
windshield wiper movements right there. This movement just kinds of create a natural crease. Now, use a foundation brush and clean up the sides of your eyes. It’s normal for some of your eye shadow to fall down below your top lid. You just make sure that you clean that up so that your make-up looks more sculptured and fresh. Then use a clean brush and blend the color in just by using circular motions. You want to use the windshield wiper movement to apply and circular motions to blend the colors. When you’ve got that all blended, use a little bit of a darker color and apply that to the outer corner of the eye. Because the natural contour of the eyes is a little bit darker on the outside, this is going to make the make-up a little more natural. Then take a clean brush again, do circular motions and blend the color in.
Rosemary honey hair conditioner
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he extremes of heat and cold we endure throughout winter can make even the greatest of hair look and feel like straw. This nourishing conditioner blends honey for shine; olive oil for moisture and essential oil of rosemary to stimulate hair growth. 1/2 cup Honey 1/4 cup warmed Olive oil (2T for normal to oily hair) 4 drops of essential oil of Rosemary 1 tsp. Xanthum gum (available in health food stores) Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix
thoroughly. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight fitting stopper or lid. Apply a small amount at a time to slightly dampened hair. Massage scalp and work mixture through hair until completely coated. Cover hair with a warm towel (towel can be heated in a microwave or dryer) or shower cap; leave on to nourish and condition for 30 minutes. Remove towel or shower cap; shampoo lightly and rinse with cool water. Dry as normal and enjoy shinier, softer and healthier hair the natural way.
Friday, May 28, 2010
BEAUTY
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he desire to remove excess or dark hair usually begins in adolescence and seems to continue until the day we die. Whether it is hair on the face, armpits, legs, bikini line, or other body parts, many women AND men are intent upon having the hair on their scalp be the only visible hair on their bodies. With the emphasis on smooth, hairless skin, it is interesting to note that excess hair, especially in women, is still a taboo subject. There are many options available to remove unwanted hair, but few options to get rid of hair permanently. The different methods of hair removal from the old stand-by, shaving, to the new treatments, lasers and Vaniqa, are discussed here. Each person should choose a method or combination of methods that works best for them depending on cost, time available, skin type, and the desired hair-free area.
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Hair Growth Understanding how hair grows helps us understand how to keep hair from growing. Each hair is contained in a pilosebaceous unit, which consists of a hair shaft, hair follicle, sebaceous gland, and erector pili muscle. Hair growth and shedding is a continuous cycle through 3 phases. The anagen phase is the growth phase, the catagen phase is a transitional state, and the telogen phase is the resting phase. Hairs spend a variable amount of time in each phase determined by genetics, hormones, and area of the body. Hair in the anagen phase is more susceptible to injury than hair in the telogen phase. All of these factors must be considered when choosing a method of hair removal.
preventing it from producing more hair. Each hair follicle must be treated individually and may take several treatments to destroy the follicle. Electrolysis is a permanent form of hair removal but it has several drawbacks. First, there are no standardized licensing guidelines for electrolysis so finding an experienced, effective technician is difficult requiring talking to clients who have experienced permanent results. Second, this method requires repeated treatments for up to 12 to 18 months. Hair follicles that are in the telogen phase are more difficult to destroy than hair follicles in the anagen phase. Shaving approximately 3 days before an electrolysis treatment ensures that the hairs that are visible are in the anagen phase. Finally, side effects can include pain, infection, keloid formation (for people who are susceptible), hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation.
Bleaching Bleaching is actually not a hair removal method, but rather a way to make the hair less noticeable. This is especially useful for areas that already have thin but dark and therefore noticeable hair like the arms, face, or neck. Bleaching is performed by applying a chemical to the desired area, which removes the pigment from the hair. Hair Removal with Shaving Shaving is the most temporary method of hair removal because it merely cuts the hair off at the skin surface. Shaving does not make the hair shaft thicker, darker, or grow faster or slower. However, the short hair shaft may be more noticeable as it grows out because it has a blunt tip instead of the normal tapered tip. Shaving should be done after applying some type of moisturizer to the skin to help the razor glide over the skin, not cut or scrape it. Common moisturizers include water, shaving cream, hair conditioner, or body wash. Physical Hair Removal Physically pulling the hair out of the follicle is a common and fairly inexpensive method of hair removal. None of these methods changes the color, texture, or density of the hair. The hair takes longer to grow back because it must grow to the surface of the skin before it is noticed. Because hair grows at different rates, some of the hair that has been physically removed may take more time to grow back in. Repeatedly pulling hair out of the follicle may damage the follicle enough over time to keep it from producing more hair. Physical Hair Removal - Plucking Plucking hair with tweezers is an effective way to remove hair but can be very time consuming. The hair shaft must be long enough to grasp with tweezers. Physical Hair Removal - Waxing Waxing is an effective method of removing large amounts of hair at one time. In this method wax is warmed to allow it to be spread easily over the skin in the direction of hair growth. The hair becomes embedded in the wax, which cools and firms up grasping the hair. The wax is then quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling the hairs out of the follicles. Cold waxes are available usually attached to strips, which are
patted onto the skin. Wax that is still left on the skin must be peeled or scratched off. Caution must be used when heating wax so as not to burn the skin.
The chemical should be tested first on a small skin area at least 48 hours before applying it to a large area. Applying a hydrocortisone cream after hair removal may help decrease irritation.
Physical Hair Removal - Sugar Waxing Sugar waxing is a popular form of hair removal that works in the same way traditional waxing does. A thick sugary substance similar to caramel is spread on the skin in the direction of hair growth. The hair becomes embedded in the caramel. A cloth or paper strip is patted onto the caramel and then pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling the hairs out of the follicles. The advantage of this method over traditional waxing is the clean up. The sugar substance is water-soluble and can be removed easier than wax by rinsing with water.
Hair Removal with Electrolysis Electrolysis involves inserting a fine needle into the hair follicle and applying an electrical current to the follicle root. This procedure actually burns the hair root theoretically
Hair Removal with Depilatories Depilatories use a chemical called thioglycolate mixed with sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide to literally melt the hair away. Thioglycolate disrupts disulfide bonds, which are chemical bonds that hold skin and hair cells together. The disulfide bonds that hold hair together contain more of the protein cystine than do the disulfide bonds that hold skin cells together. Thioglycolate is more effective on disulfide bonds that contain cystine. The major side effect of a depilatory is skin irritation because the chemical can melt away skin cells. A depilatory is applied to the area with unwanted hair and left on for 3 to 15 minutes. During this time the chemical dissolves the hair and the resulting jelly-like substance is wiped or washed off after the appropriate time.
Hair Removal with Laser Laser treatment of various skin conditions has blossomed, as laser technology has become more understood. Hair removal is a common application of laser technology, but it is not permanent and not for everyone. Lasers work by emitting light at various wavelengths, energy output, and pulse widths. The wavelength used determines the skin structure it will affect such as veins, melanin, or water. Most lasers used for hair removal target melanin and are therefore designed to burn structures that contain melanin. The more melanin, the more damage. It makes sense that laser hair removal works best for light-skinned people with dark hair. As with electrolysis, hair follicles in the anagen phase are more easily destroyed than those in the telogen phase. Therefore, laser treatments for hair removal must be repeated. At this time it appears that laser treatment, while not causing permanent destruction of all hair follicles, does retard the regrowth of new hair. —About .com
health
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Friday, May 28, 2010
e s o l o t w Ho r e t f a t h g w ei y c n a n g pre It is common to retain additional pounds after the baby arrives. There are several things to consider about weight loss as well as ways to help you shed unwanted weight.
f you step on the scale several days after you give birth, you will likely have one of two reactions. Disappointment or complete horror. The weight loss is either not as much as you had hoped, or in some cases, your weight might not have changed much. Why didn’t I lose more weight? If you were one of the unlucky ones who did not lose much weight after birth, check your face, hands and ankles. Are they swollen? It might be that the pregnancy weight of the baby, placenta, amniotic fluid, etc.. was replaced by several pounds of fluid retention. This is common especially if you had a lot of IV fluids during your labor. The good news is that you should lose that fluid weight in about 2-3 weeks by urinating and perspiring more frequently. What about all of the other unwanted weight after baby? Here are some techniques to help you lose post-pregnancy weight. 1. Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water every day. Replace your high sugar beverages such as sodas and juices with some water and a squeeze of fresh lemon. You could
I
also try flavored seltzer water which has no calories. You can cut out hundreds of calories a day this
way. 2. Keep healthy snacks handy such as raisins, popcorn, wheat crackers, and nuts. Refuse to buy store-bought baked goods or junk food. 3. Eat lean meats such as boneless chicken and the leanest cuts of beef. 4. Eat whole grains (breads,
cereals, pastas) instead of the “white” versions 5. Don’t be fooled by foods that are labeled as nonfat. Some are loaded with calories and can have hydrogenated vegetable oils and/or high fructose corn syrup, neither of which are healthy. Read your labels! 6. Resist the urge to indulge in a fast food meal. Or if you do, order the salad and not the fat-filled
burgers and fries. 7. As soon as you feel ready, start light exercise. Weatherpermitting, take a 10 minute walk with the baby every day and slowly increase your time to 20 minutes per day. Babies can be worn in a snugli or sling or you can use a baby jogger or stroller when they get too heavy. Even better, walk at a regular time with a friend. 8. Find easy ways to increase your exercise like parking farther away or using stairs instead of elevators. 9. Breastfeeding uses up your fat stores! Breastfeeding burns about 500 calories per day so the longer you breastfeed, the more calories you burn. 10. Consider joining a gym and trade babysitting hours with a friend so when you each go to do your workout, the other can watch the babies. Some gyms may offer babysitting services as well. Just remember it took 9 months to gain the weight; give yourself at least that long to take it off. I am not a fan of completely avoiding or drastically reducing food groups such as the popular diets of limiting carbs or sugars. I believe the more you deprive yourself of an
health
Friday, May 28, 2010
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Meditation: An enrichment to your soul hile a meditative state is the natural outcome of yoga and the spiritual benefit of meditation is supreme bliss or enlightenment, these words are unlikely to be understood by many However, progress towards meditation and meditative techniques have several benefits at the gross body or material level: Improvement of body luster and general health: When your mind focuses on a particular part of the body, the blood flow to that part increases and cells receive more oxygen and other nutrients in abundance. Today, many of the film stars and fashion models include meditation in their daily regimen. Improvement in concentration: Many of the athletes and sports professionals regularly employ meditation methods. Studies have found a direct correlation between concentration exercises (meditation) and the performance level of sports professionals. Meditation strengthens the mind, it comes under control and is able to provide effective guidance to the physical body to effectively execute all its projects. Psychological Exercises are a powerful way of improving concentration and improving mental strength. Health benefits of meditation: Though meditation is usually recognized as a largely spiritual practice, it also has many health benefits. The yoga and meditation techniques are being implemented in management of life threatening diseases; in transformation of molecular and genetic structure; in reversal of mental illnesses, in accelerated learning programs, in perceptions and communications beyond the physical, in solving problems and atomic and nuclear physics; in gaining better ecological understanding; in management of lifestyle and future world problems. Some benefits of meditation are: It lowers oxygen consumption. It decreases respiratory rate. It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate. Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients. It leads to a deeper level of relaxation. Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the BP to normal. Also, reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate. Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches. Meditation builds self-confidence. It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches. Helps in chronic diseases like allergies, arthritis etc. Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome. Helps in post-operative healing. Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of ‘natural-killer cells’, which kill bacteria and cancer cells. Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress. Benefits of meditation on women’s health and Pregnancy: Women begin life as someone’s daughter, and then someone’s lover, wife, someone’s mother. Yes, but who am I- who am I really? Not only does a woman need an understanding of her body but also needs to connect with the essence of her true self. A true self, which is an identity beyond everyday change- beyond gender, beyond fluctuations of hormones, beyond family expectations and other superimposed personality patterns. Discovering this true self is not as easy. Just when you know who you are, it all changes again. The process of self discovery involves, stripping off false layers of identity, going back through all the conditionings , realizing- “I am not that, and not that, and not that”, an emptiness out of which arises the realization - “Ah ha! I am that”. The place for this self discovery is not the psychiatrist’s couch, the matrimonial bed, the mother’s group, or even a yoga retreat, but within your own private meditation times. Resolve Phobias Meditation can help to resolve the deepest of neuroses, fears and conflict which play their part in causing stress and ill health. For mothers-to-be Meditation puts mothers in tune with their babies. Manta Japa is especially appropriate for pregnant women. After birth, daily meditation becomes a precious time to refocus and make sense of the many new thoughts and feelings which can be running through your mind, brought about by the events of childbirth and new motherhood.
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—www.healthandyoga.com
petS
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Friday, May 28, 2010
When the bark is worse than the bite T
here’s an old “Three Stooges” short that features the boys being transformed into gentlemen as part of a bet between two professors. A similar scenario is being played out at Chicago’s Anti-Cruelty Society, as the training staff has taken on a challenging fellow named Baxter with the aim of making him adoptable. The mission of shelters such as Anti-Cruelty is to find homes for as many unwanted animals as possible. Unadoptable dogs don’t have much of a future, so these organizations try to make them more desirable. This brings us to Baxter, a 5year-old border collie mix who let’s be generous here - needed work. He and his sister were surrendered by their owner Feb 1. Back then, he was a canine trifecta of Larry, Moe and Curly, lacking only a bad haircut and eyepoking skills. How much of a hellhound was he? One indication was a note on his cage to the staff: “I love to chew apart tennis balls, soft toys and rubber squeaky toys. ...” But what was worse? His barking. “We’re trying to work on his cage presence,” said Karen Okura, the manager of Anti-Cruelty’s department of animal behavior and training, her words all but drowned out by Baxter’s relentless, ear-piercing yelps. Baxter does have his pluses. He’s one fine-looking animal. He’s housebroken. He’s intelligent. He’s friendly. He doesn’t smoke, drink or swear. But that barking!
From bark-a-holic to adoptable with intensive training at shelter The crate escape As part of his training, Baxter is put in real-life situations, such as being walked around the shelter and in Anti-Cruelty’s courtyard, interacting with people along the way. This he is good at. But most would-be adopters wouldn’t get that far with him because his barking would deter them from taking him out of his kennel. Thus, they didn’t get to see the rest of his personality. “The problem is,” Okura explained, “He’s a border collie mix, and they’re not supposed to be in the big city. They should be in the Highlands of Scotland. He’s an example of a breed becoming popular because all the experts say they’re the most intelligent breed. But then it’s, ‘Oh, I have to take care of him?’” Without the physical and mental stimulation they require, working dogs stuck in shelters can deteriorate quickly. But Baxter has kept his weight, hasn’t gotten into tiffs with other dogs and seems fairly well-adjusted. Typically, small dogs are adopted in a week or two. The larger the dog, the longer it generally takes. But even after three months, Baxter still has that border collie spunk. “It’s a testament to his makeup,” Okura said. “Beneath the surface, he’s a pretty good dog.”
But that barking ... Finishing school Baxter’s training is in the hands of Amanda Kowalski, an animal behaviorist and training specialist at Anti-Cruelty, and her Finishing School volunteers, a group of volunteers who focus on making dogs more adoption-friendly. “The ultimate goal is to diminish his barking,” Kowalski said, “so he doesn’t do it 100 percent of the time.” After three weeks, she said, he now barks only a third of the time. “In addition to the time that I set aside each day to work with Baxter in his cage, our Finishing School volunteers also check on Baxter and find him being quiet.” Here, then, is how they’ve gone about remaking the beast. DAY 1: The strategy was to employ treats and a clicker to correct Baxter’s missteps. And because he was at his worst when prospective adopters would walk by his kennel - not the best way to ingratiate yourself with strangers, pal - the training was done there. At the outset, whenever anyone approached, he’d bark, stand on his hind legs, and bark some more. “Just general rude behavior” is the way Okura described it. Kowalski and her crew would stand outside his kennel, and as soon as he hesitated in his incessant barking - maybe he was trying to
catch his breath - one of them would click her clicker and give Baxter a small treat. After about five minutes, he seemed to be catching on. His barking became less frequent; when he looked as though he was getting ready to bark: click, and a treat. Soon, he was keeping his yap shut for five, ten seconds at a time. At one point, a trainer ran out of treats and turned to another for a fresh supply. Baxter, obviously starting to get it, actually sat down and silently waited. This was progress. “I’m hoping in a week people will notice the difference,” Kowalski said. DAY 5: Kowalski reported that Baxter was doing well in his intensive training program (he was one of two dogs undergoing the enhanced training). “He has really been catching on and has made me become more creative as far as getting him to start barking.” She said he was content just to lie in his cage. So she had other staff members run past his cage to induce barking so his training could continue. DAY 7: What’s worse than an illbehaved dog? Ill-behaved teenagers. “We had an incident where some teenagers started banging on his cage to set him off,” Kowalski reported. “That set us back a little bit.” He reverted to barking at every person who walked past, she said.
But because Baxter had a basic foundation of click-equals-quiet, it took only a few days of work to get him back where he had been. DAY 8: Kowalski gave Baxter a workout in a large play area before his scheduled training session, hoping to burn off any lingering teen-inspired angst. And his training went well. He spaced out his barking - sometimes more of a soft woof than a loud bark - and he seemed more mellow and attentive. DAY 9: There’s a second part to Baxter’s training. He hates going back into his cage after being exercised. So Kowalski and her crew try to tire him out, and he is rewarded when he goes back into his cage. DAY 10: “Baxter is still making progress on his cage presence,” Kowalski reported, but “there are no solid adoption hits yet.” DAY 15: Two weeks into his training and Baxter is improved. He’s not perfect - heck, the Stooges started a face-slapping free-for-all at their coming-out party - but he’s on the right track. “In all honesty, we’ve made small progress, given the environment in here,” Kowalski said. “It’s noticeable to staff and those who come by. But he’s nowhere near being cured. He’s made improvements, but he still needs work.” That will be up to Baxter’s new owners. Once he goes to a real home and gets out of the stressful environment of the kennel, he should continue to progress. But until then, Kowalski and her crew will work on him. “He’s a good dog.” —MCT
relationships
Friday, May 28, 2010
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Social media bringing families closer
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Reach out and text someone
hen Elizabeth Zapien-Plata wants to know what her son is doing she could call. But she knows it's probably faster to just check his Facebook page. The Modesto, California, mother and business owner often keeps track of her 19year-old son, Edward Plata II, through his Facebook profile. Or his Tumblr blog. Or his Twitter feed. "That is their first mode of communication or contact. Phone is last," Zapien-Plata said of her kids. "I text them, too, because they can never say, 'I didn't get your text, mom.' And I know they check their Facebook. They practically sleep with their phones." Last October most of the family everyone except her three youngest kids - upgraded to iPhones. Since then they said the device has made keeping tabs on each other easier than ever. While the frequent complaint about the Internet is that it makes us more isolated, some families have instead harnessed the power of social media and emerging technologies to become even closer. Also, by joining and participating in the same social media sites as their kids, parents said they can better protect their children online. Safety Zapien-Plata, the former owner of the Modesto boutique Queen Mab's who now runs a salvaged and recycled clothing line Gaudy Couture with her son Edward, has "friended" her two teen sons on Facebook and talked with them about the importance of being safe online. Zapien-Plata's husband, Edward Plata, is also on Facebook, but is only "friends" with his 17-yearold son, Evan. "Edward won't be my friend, but believe me I find ways to find out what he's doing," Ed joked. "But really I want to respect his privacy, and there are some things I don't want to know either." But the younger Edward said even though he doesn't share his Facebook with his father, his cell phone has made it simpler to share his life with his family. "It's so easy to send a picture or a video," said Edward, a Modesto Junior College student and hairstylist at Plush Hair Studio. "I feel I'm more open to them now because it's so easy to update them. And it feels good to share." Over the weekend, Edward sent his family a video of a baby deer they discovered while hiking. And the family often exchanges pictures and links via their Facebook page. Staying connected "I feel good when he says, 'Mom, I just posted something, go look at it.'" Zapien-Plata said. "I just feel it's a wonderful connection." In fact, Edward said his parents being tech savvy has helped bridge the
Edward Plata (right) and Elizabeth Zapien-Plata (center) with their son, Edward Plata II, check their iPhones at their family business studio in Modesto, California. — MCT generation gap between them. "If you see an older person than you who is up-to-date with technology, you'll feel more connected," he said. "I feel like if my parents had the cheapest cell phone that didn't have online access or text, we'd have nothing in common." Qingwen Dong, department chair of communications at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., studies social media and said the generation that has grown up with Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, et al sees sharing online as a natural part of daily communication. "Social media is unique. It brings the traditional neighborhood into a virtual neighborhood," he said. "The younger generation tends to be more dependent on the new media. They take advantage of this new media and sharing information with each other. The older generation also uses it, but they tend to use it for jobrelated purposes. The function of their usage is different." Parents who have connected with their kids via the various new mediums said they've resigned themselves to doing it the new way. Modesto resident Trinity Balmonte said she always texts her 16-year old daughter, Cassy, because she knows it's faster than calling. They are both friends on Facebook, and Balmonte said being on the site together has been a way for them to discuss
Edward Plata II, 19, talks on his iPhone at the family business studio in Modesto, California. — MCT the importance of online privacy and etiquette. She said she set up her daughter's account and put all her information on the strictest privacy settings. "I definitely think that Facebook is a positive thing," said Balmonte. "But we need as parents to be more proactive. We can't just trust that our good kids will stay good kids. We can never just let them go. They are always still learning from their parents." She said when she reads some of Cassy's friends' posts, she is floored by some of the things they post - from
vulgar language to private information. Communications professor Dong said because they've grown up with the technology, the younger generation is more apt to share personal and intimate parts of their lives online. In fact, they crave the immediate response and positive feedback it can bring. Cassy Balmonte, a sophomore at Johansen High School, said she sees that need to share in her Facebook friends. "I have friends who are constantly posting stuff," she
said. "I think they are just trying to stay in contact for friends, letting people know they're not going to be home for five minutes or you can't text them for five minutes. People are so nosey now that if you don't tell them where you are every minute they seem to get worried." Adjusting to both the new forms and types of communication can take some time. But moms like Turlock, resident Rachel Johnson said changing with the times is essential and even a fun way for
families to keep in touch. Johnson's 12-year-old daughter, Lauren, and 54-year-old mother are both on Facebook with her. They share pictures, read each other's status updates and play games online. She has even organized Lauren's run for class president via Facebook. Johnson said social media and text messaging are the origami folded notes of her youth. But she said she also feels like too much communication though a screen can have its downside. "I do feel there is a difference, I feel like there is a huge difference," she said. "It robs her of the social skills she needs to have face-toface friendships. She never uses the actual phone. When I was her age my mom would scream at me because I was on the phone all the time." Studies have also born out Johnson's suspicions. Dong is in the midst of a study of his University of the Pacific students that shows that most of them prefer texting to talking face-to-face with friends. Zapien-Plata said that is why parents need to step in again and take control of the technology instead of letting it control them. "I think if you are already connected that way as a family, it enhances it," she said. "A lot of work goes into interpersonal connection. There are times when we might be out and I realize everyone is on their iPhone. And then I say, OK, everyone put it down." — MCT
FOOD
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Rice Rice
Everyday cooking
is usually the side dish. It is the accompaniment, the bed where other dishes lay. But rice makes a great main dish. When jazzed up with a few ingredients, rice can become the star of the show instead of just playing a supporting role. Try the following recipes when you are in the mood for the earthy taste of rice. Rice Send suggestions to: sawsank@kuwaittimes.net
Grain sizes
Rice facts
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ith such a wide variety of rice products sitting on the shelves of even a small supermarket, the consumer requires a bit of education to choose the right one. Rice is usually distinguished by the length of its grain; i.e. long, medium, or short. Long grain rice produces a light and fluffy consistency because the grains do not stick together. It’s extremely versatile and often used in side dishes like pilaf. The taste of white long grain rice is quite subtle. On the other hand, the brown variety has a somewhat nutty flavor. Long grain rice is grown in Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, and Texas in the United States as well as Thailand, Italy, Spain, Suriname, and a number of other countries. Medium grain rice is - obviously - shorter than long grain but also tends to be a little plumper. It has more stick-together power than the longer variety (but not as much as the short), so it’s often used for dishes that require a bit more creaminess, like risotto or paella and perhaps even certain desserts. It is grown in many of the same places as you’ll find the long grain variety as well as countries such as Australia. Short grain rice is almost round in shape and is featured in many Oriental and Caribbean specialty foods. It is an especially popular choice for use in Japanese sushi as it sticks together quite easily. One popular kind of white short grain rice is Arborio, used in Italian risottos. The short grain variety is also great for desserts and is very popular in most Asian countries. Types of aromatic rice include the following: Basmati Rice - Grown in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains of India and Pakistan, Basmati
rice is generally the rice preferred for Indian dishes both in the home and at Indian restaurants. It’s available in both the white and brown varieties. This is a fluffy rice whose grains separate when cooked. Jasmine Rice - A little more subtle than basmati, jasmine rice is grown in Thailand. Though it’s a long grain rice, it tends to be a little stickier than most long grain varieties. Texmati Rice - This is a hybrid rice; a cross between basmati and regular long grain white rice. It’s not quite as pungent as basmati and is light and fluffy when it’s cooked. Wehani Rice - This is a brown rice from the same family as basmati. When it’s cooked, it looks like wild rice and some say it smells like popcorn! Rice and your nutritional needs Overall, rice is a good source of insoluble fiber. Everyone needs a certain amount of fiber in their diet as it helps avoid constipation and promotes good bowel health. Rice is also rich in carbohydrates and generally low in fat. You’ll also find a good deal of Vitamin B, potassium, and phosphorus in rice. White vs. Brown Many health fanatics automatically choose brown rice when selecting a side dish to accompany their meal. The fact is, however, that both varieties of rice are good for you. A cup of white has about the same amount of calories as brown, but far less fat. (.8 grams per serving vs. 2.4 grams per serving) However, brown rice is much higher in fiber than the white variety, with 2.8 grams of dietary fiber per serving versus .6 grams. Most other nutritional values are similar.
FOOD
Friday, May 28, 2010
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Mexican rice • 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips • 1 small yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips • 1 cup green peas • 2 cups artichoke hearts, tough outer leaves removed and quartered • 1 lemon
Method Heat the olive oil in a paella pan and saute the onion and garlic until the onion is tender and translucent. At the same time, heat the broth in a separate saucepan until simmering. Pour the rice into the paella pan and saute for about 3 minutes. Add the bell peppers and tomatoes and cook for a further 3 minutes. Add the simmering vegetable broth and
cook over medium heat for 20 minutes or until almost tender and almost all the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the peas. Sprinkle the artichoke hearts with a few drops of lemon juice and arrange over the rice in an attractive pattern. Continue cooking until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Serve the paella straight from the pan, garnished with lemon wedges
• 1 clove garlic, halved Method In a medium sauce pan, cook rice in oil over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Stir in onion, green pepper, jalapeno, and diced tomato. Season with bouillon cube, salt and pepper, cumin, cilantro, and garlic. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes.
Ingredients • 2 1/2 cups of whole milk • 1/3 cup of uncooked short grain white rice • Pinch of salt • 1 egg • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract • 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon • 1/3 cup raisins Method In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the milk, rice and salt to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20-25 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together egg and brown sugar until well mixed. Add a half cup of the hot rice mixture to the egg mixture, a tablespoon at a time, vigorously whisking to incorporate. Add egg mixture back into the saucepan of rice and milk and stir, on low heat, for 10 minutes or so, until thickened. Be careful not to have the mixture come to a boil at this point. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat and stir in the raisins and cinnamon. Serve warm or cold.
Ingredients 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into cubes) 4 cups white rice (cold and at least 1 day old) 2 large eggs 2 minced garlic cloves (or more add to your taste) 1 cup frozen peas and carrots 1 white onion (diced) 1/2 cup soy sauce (or to your taste) 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (or to your taste) Sesame oil (for stir frying)
Chicken fried rice
Creamy rice pudding
Ingredients • 1 cup long grain white rice • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth • 1/2 onion, finely chopped • 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped • 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, chopped • 1 tomato, seeded and chopped • 1 cube chicken bouillon • salt and pepper to taste • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Ingredients • 5 cloves minced garlic • 1 large yellow onion, chopped • 4 cups vegetable broth • 2 cups rice • 4 medium tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped • 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
Ingredients Fry chicken pieces in oil until fully cooked or golden brown. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Beat eggs and fry in oil or butter and scramble. Remove from pan and set aside. Add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and one teaspoon of vegetable oil to the wok. Stir fry diced onion and garlic for 30
seconds, add peas and carrots mix and stir fry until vegetables are done to desired tenderness. Add a little more oil and then add the rice and stir fry for a couple minutes. Add soy sauce and oyster sauce to the rice while stir frying. Add the scrambled egg and chicken pieces and mix well. Heat thoroughly and serve.
THEY ARE THE 99! 99 Mystical Noor Stones carry all that is left of the wisdom and knowledge of the lost civilization of Baghdad. But the Noor Stones lie scattered across the globe - now little more than a legend. One man has made it his life’s mission to seek out what was lost. His name is Dr. Ramzi Razem and he has searched fruitlessly for the Noor Stones all his life. Now, his luck is about to change - the first of the stones have been rediscovered and with them a special type of human who can unlock the gem’s mystical power. Ramzi brings these gem - bearers together to form a new force for good in the world. A force known as ... the 99!
THE STORY SO FAR : With great difficulty, Jami, Fattah, and Hadya teleport aboard a runaway high-speed train to rescue the passengers -- including Buran Shirazi, the 99 Steps Foundation’s Executive Director. But getting there is only half the battle…
The 99 ® and all related characters ® and © 2010, Teshkeel Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.the99.org
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TRAVEL
Friday, May 28, 2010
Kuala Lumpur: A world class city T
he City of Kuala Lumpur, popularly named KL, has the last decade become one of the most vital cities in Asia. It has booming economy and the vitality of expanding cities. KL is not only a financial centre in the Far East, but also a unique city for tourism that offers first class attractions, entertainment and shopping facilities. A world class capital with all facilities you can expect! The capital of Malaysia is a clean, safe, top modern cosmopolitan city, that has not forgotten it’s old heritage. Here you can see some of the world’s most breathtaking modern skyscrapers, inspired by the unique style of Malay architecture, next to some colonial buildings, which means that the city also retains much of its old character and local color. Kuala Lumpur is an ethnically diverse city with well-educated, multicultural, multilingual inhabitants. Even if the official language is Bahasa Malay, most people speak good English. The English language is a compulsory subject in all schools. If you will see how East meet West and stay in harmony, go to Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia! No matter if you are looking for a first class or budget hotel, you will find what you wish in Kulala Lumpur. Most of the business hotels are placed in the city centre. What to do There is so much to experience in Kuala Lumpur, this city with a magical blend of East and West. There is never a lack of things to do, you find always something that can satisfy your needs from morning to dawn. Let’s start with sightseeing. You will find some of the most magnificent modern buildings in the world, Petronas Twin Towers and Menara Tower. Add the historical places as Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, Merdeka Square and the Masjid Jame Mosque, museums and the Orchid Garden, just to mention a few, and you will find a city with attractions for every taste! If you like culture, why not visit Dewan Filharmonik Petronas DFP - Home of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. An orchestra with 105 musicians from 21 countries that receive. standing ovations and rave reviews more or less at every performance. All music is culture so you can find everything from Irish folk music to soul spots in KL. If you prefer golf you will find nine golf
courses in and around the city. Football (soccer) is a very popular sport together with badminton. Every year is also the Kuala Lumpur International Marathon arranged. And Formula I was arranged this year in the city. There are so much to see and experience in Kuala Lumpur! Here,are some “MUSTS”, sites that you shall not miss when you visit Kuala Lumpur: • King’s Palace • Petronas Twin Towers • Menara Kuala Lumpur • National Mosque • Thean Hou Temple • Batu Caves • Merdeka Square Heaven for shoppers If shopping is your hobby, then Kuala Lumpur is a real piece of heaven. The number of shopping malls is beyond belief, and in and around the Golden Triangle (in the city centre), you find all type of malls offering both luxury and budget wares. Many find this ultra-modern city the best place on earth to shop shoes, bags and leather luggage. To mention a few of the real top malls with the latest designer fashion, all the famous brands and everything imaginable; Berjaya Times Square, Malaysia’s biggest mall, with over 1000 shops, multiplex cinema with an IMAX theatre, 10-pin bowling, an indoor theme park, 65 food outlets and much, much more. You have to see it to believe it. Others are Suria KLCC Mall (at the Petronas Towers), Ampang Park, City Square, Sogo, and Yaohan~The Mall. Most of the malls are open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Looking for bargains? Are you looking for real bargains, you will find traditional stores along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Petaling Street in Chinatown. In the evening you can return to Chinatown when traders spread out their wares along the street and buy inexpensive souvenirs. In the malls and most shops there are no bargaining (except at markets), but sometimes you can be offered if you are a group that make bulk buys or pay with cash. — www.visitkualalumpur.com
Friday, May 28, 2010
By Sawsan Kazak
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ith its small population and obscure location, you wouldn’t expect much from the little US town. But Rochester Minnesota is quite the surprise. Rochester is alive culturally, in every sense of the word. Most visitors are there for medical purposes, however, Rochester offers tourists many options as well. This quaint little town is original and you are sure to have an unforgettable stay. Minnesota nice Minnesota nice is an expression used to explain a level of niceness; one only found in Minnesota. This niceness can be felt automatically when you arrive at the little Rochester airport. You will notice the extra smiles, eye contact and eagerness to help in any way possible. You simply have to look a little lost and within seconds, locals will jump in with a ‘need any help?’ or ‘looking for something?’. It is almost like they feel responsible for all visitors that enter their town. But not only are they nice enough to ask if you need help, they are also very knowledgeable and proud of their town and are actually able to help. The problem with the Minnesota nice behavior is that it is contagious. After a while you will notice yourself smiling at others, making small talk with strangers and even attempting to help out when you see someone is lost. Little cosmopolitan town Even if Rochester has a population of 100,000, it has the amenities and the multiculturalism that compares to any big city in the US. Swanky restaurants with elaborate menus, huge bookstores and funky coffee shops as well as trendy boutiques line the streets. A
TRAVEL
little over two million visitors pass through and Rochester makes sure all their needs are met. Even though there is such a large number of visitors a year, Rochester has been able to hold on to its small town charm. The downtown area is relaxed and safe with the feel of a cozy little suburb. Taxis are available within seconds and since the town is small, they are never too expensive. Integrated system Nothing is built haphazardly, everything has
Food With its trendy bistros, steak houses and restaurants serving food from around the world, you always have a choice when it comes to eating well in Rochester. Authentic international cuisines ranging from Japanese to Italian and even Spanish tapas are but a few choices available in this multicultural town. With a few supermarkets and specialty shops on hand, you are guaranteed to find anything you might need during your stay.
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and at the Mayo clinic are translated into Arabic, Arabic TV channels are available in certain hotels and the town even has its own mosque that offer Friday prayers. Shopping Aside from the original and trendy boutiques all over town, Rochester also has a local mall that would satisfy any fashionista’s shopping needs. Apache mall includes large department stores such as Macy’s and Sears as well as little shops and a very thorough
Even if Rochester has a population of 100,000, it has the amenities and the multiculturalism that compares to any big city in the US. Swanky restaurants with elaborate menus, huge bookstores and funky coffee shops as well as trendy boutiques line the streets. its place and its purpose. Rochester has evolved over decades to become what it is today. If something is open, it’s because there is a need and a demand for it. The town works in unison and this couldn’t be more evident than with its subway system. Not an actual subway on tracks, but rather an integrated underground tunnel system. Locals will tell you that Minnesota winters are not a joking matter, and they are very thankful that the underground passageway allows them and visitors to glide from hotel to hospital and to the mall without leaving the comfort of the indoors. The ‘subway’ system flows flawlessly from one area to another, walking through them you don’t quite know where one building begins and another one ends. Most hotels offer free shuttle service to and from the mall.
Mayo The Mayo clinic is the heart of Rochester. Located in the center of town, Rochester seems to have evolved around it. Established in 1889 after a freak tornado devastated the town in 1883, Mayo has grown to become a leader in medical treatment and research worldwide. The non-profit organization boasts clients from royal families, politicians and people from around the world. The Arab connection Medical tourism is big in this little town and a fair share of Middle Eastern and Gulf ‘tourists’ make their way to Rochester every year. Their needs sometimes differ from other medical tourists, something Rochester has gladly adapted to. Documents in hotels
food court. If you still have a need to spend even more money, Mall of America(MoA) is an hour’s drive away. One of the biggest malls in the US, MoA has a full functioning amusement park, and any store that you could possibly think of; even some you never did. Overall The relaxed atmosphere, nice people and cosmopolitan feel of Rochester makes anyone feel right at home within a few minutes of arrival. Due to the large number of visitors from around the world, locals are in contact with different cultures and religions on a daily basis, making them knowledgeable and sensitive to differences. If you are in town, make sure you swing by Rochester.
BOOKS
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Meet Jasper Fforde, author of witty Thursday Next series! T
he following novels are written by a brilliant author, a blessing to the literary scene. Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series takes place inside the literary
scene. In a world of books and literature, we follow the life of Thursday Next, a Special Observation detective in the literary department. The hilarious scenes that Fforde portrays, the funny situations and events that take place will take you away from your daily routine and plunge you
T
I
n Jasper Fforde’s Great Britain, circa 1985, time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodos are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taken very, very seriously. England is a virtual police state where an aunt can get lost (literally) in a Wordsworth poem and forging Byronic verse is a punishable offense. All this is business as usual for Thursday Next, renowned Special Operative in literary detection. But when someone begins kidnapping characters from works of literature and plucks Jane Eyre from the pages of BrontÎ’s novel, Thursday is faced with the challenge of her career. Fforde’s ingenious fantasy-enhanced by a Web site that re-creates the world of the novel—unites intrigue with English literature in a delightfully witty mix.
Lost in a Good Book
The Eyre Affair
hursday Next, literary detective and newlywed is back to embark on an adventure that begins, quite literally on her own doorstep. It seems that Landen, her husband of four weeks, actually drowned in an accident when he was two years old. Someone, somewhere, sometime, is responsible. Having barely caught her breath after The Eyre Affair, Thursday must battle corrupt politicians, try to save the world from extinction, and help the Neanderthals to species self-determination. Mastadon migrations, journeys into Just William, a chance meeting with the Flopsy Bunnies, and violent life-and-death struggles in the summer sales are all part of a greater plan. But whose? and why?
Something Rotten
D
etective Thursday Next has had her fill of her responsibilities as the Bellman in Jurisfiction, enough with Emperor Zhark’s pointlessly dramatic entrances, outbreaks of slapstick raging across pulp genres, and hacking her hair off to fill in for Joan of Arc. Packing up her son, Friday, Thursday returns to Swindon accompanied by none other than the dithering Danish prince Hamlet. Caring for both is more than a full- time job and Thursday decides it is definitely time to get her husband Landen back, if only to babysit. Luckily, those responsible for Landen’s eradication, The Goliath Corporation- formerly an oppressive multinational conglomerate, now an oppressive multinational religion- have pledged to right the wrong. But returning to SpecOps isn’t a snap. When outlaw fictioneer Yorrick Kaine seeks to get
himself elected dictator, he whips up a frenzy of anti-Danish sentiment and demands mass book burnings. The return of Swindon’s patron saint bearing divine prophecies could spell the end of the world within five years, possibly faster if the laughably terrible Swindon Mallets don’t win the Superhoop, the most important croquet tournament in the land. And if that’s not bad enough, The Merry Wives of Windsor is becoming entangled with Hamlet. Can Thursday find a Shakespeare clone to stop this hostile takeover? Can she prevent the world from plunging into war? Can she vanquish Kaine before he realizes his dream of absolute power? And, most important, will she ever find reliable child care? Find out in this totally original, action-packed romp, sure to be another escapist thrill for Jasper Fforde’s growing legion of fans.
into a light-hearted world you would never wish to leave, ensuring you gulp each book like you would dessert. Pl eas e s end y o ur s ug g es ti o ns to hus s ai n@kuwai tti mes . net
The Well of Lost Plots
Compiled by Hussain Al-Qatari
W
hen soon-to-be single parent Thursday Next emerges from her comfortable life inside an unpublished book, she steps into a new age of fictional narrative. The entire book world is abuzz with anticipation of an improved Text Operating System that moves from the 8-plot to the new 32-plot story system. But danger lurks when Jurisfiction agents keep turning up dead. When Thursday steps in, she encounters Dickens’ Miss Havisham, passes through Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, and deals with a mispeling vyrus, holesmiths, and unionized nursery rhymes. THE WELL OF LOST PLOTS—-the place where all fiction is created—-is an exhilarating romp through literary classics, an insightful look into how books are made, and a jewel in the long tradition of British nonsense.
First Among Sequels
F
ull of bizarre subplots, many of which don’t go anywhere, Fforde’s fifth novel to feature intrepid literary detective Thursday Next blends elements of mystery, campy science fiction and screwball fantasy a la Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. With the Stupidity Surplus reaching dangerously high levels all over England, Acme Carpets employee and undercover SpecOps investigator Next has her hands full trying to persuade her 16-year-old slacker son, Friday, to join the ChronoGuard, which deals with temporal stability; if Friday continues to sleep away his future, the end is near-for everyone. To complicate matters, a malicious apprentice begins making classic works of literature into reality book shows (Pride and Prejudice becomes The Bennets), a ruthless corporation tries to turn the Bookworld into a tourist trap, and the Cheese Enforcement Agency tries to bust Next for smuggling killer curd. The fate of the world may lie in a Longfellow poem. Fans of satiric literary humor are in for a treat.
BOOKS
Friday, May 28, 2010
Q: What are your ten favorite books — and why? A: Always a tricky one, this. Ten excellent books that I can read again and again (in no particular order): 1. Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll — Nonsense of the highest order, yet to be surpassed; extraordinary invention on many levels. Read it as a child and later as an adult — you’ll get different things from it. Special Mention: The Jabberwock wearing spats and a tunic in John Tenniel’s excellent illustration. 2. Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome — A book that I still laugh out loud whilst reading. Fresh and joyous self-deprecating humor of lazy Victorian gentleman going for a cruise on the Thames in the late 19th century. I challenge anyone to read the “Taking Two Cheeses by Train” story without smirking. Special Mention: Montmorency the dog, cooking with a spirit stove and trying to open a tin. 3. Diary of a Nobody by Bert and Weedon Grossmith — Again, a book of infinite charm written over 100 years ago but still relevant to us today. Follow Charles Pooter, a middle-class clerk as he attempts social climbing, dealing with his dissolute son Lupin and all the “fads” of the time, with highly amusing consequences. Special Mention: the Pooter’s odd friends, Cumming and Gowing, parlor games, the bootscraper incident, and the Mansion House Ball spelling mistake. 4. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut — A bizarre and surreal story that spans time-travel, the bombing of Dresden, and conventions of optometrists with a style, pace, and verve that is extraordinary. Special Mention: the Tralfamadorian’s centipede view of the life cycle of a human. 5. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller — Much has
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been written about this book, and it is all true. One of the finest books of the 20th century, if not the finest. Especially notable for the way in which the narrative unfolds as we go from character to character. The section where Milo Minderbinder explains to Yossarian how he can sell eggs cheaper than he bought them for and still make a profit is quite simply a delight. Special Mention: the catch itself. It’s the best there is. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee — Made a great impression on me when I first read it aged 12 and still makes me angry and frustrated after the verdict — you can feel the heat in the courtroom! Special Mention: the truth about Boo Radley. The Little Prince by Antoine de SaintExupery — Allegorical children’s book that continues to enthrall and delight. Oddly, Saint-ExupÈry wrote and illustrated this on a whim; the rest of his writing is good, but does not reach the heights of Prince. Perhaps because he wasn’t trying and the door opened to his heart. Special Mention: the rose, the fox, and the baobab trees. I never looked at one the same way ever again. Summer Lightning by P. G. Wodehouse — I mention this one book although I dearly love all of Wodehouse’s writing. Summer Lightning is probably the most indicative of his work. A story set at Blandings Castle in Shropshire In the ‘20s, it has all the Wodehouse elements: Forbidden love trysts in the rose garden, idiot sons, fearful aunts, damaging unpublished memoirs, theft, intrigue, pretty dancers, and an impostor — there is always at least one at Castle Blandings. Special Mention: Empress Blandings, winner of the Shropshire Fat Pig Competition...Lord Emsworth hopes. Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh — Again, I mention this book, but his
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Name:
Jasper Fforde
Current Home:
Brecon, Powys, Wales, United Kingdom
Date of Birth:
January 11, 1961
Place of Birth:
London, United Kingdom
Education:
Left school at 18
others are equally good, Scoop being my next favorite. Decline and Fall has an episodic quality that I enjoy immensely and snaps along with a dry humor to die for. Special Mention: Captain Grimes and Margot Beste-Chetwynde — comic creations with depth and humor. 10. The Calculus Affair by Herge George Remi — I’m a longtime Tintin fan, and he remains a big inspiration for storytelling. The Calculus Affair is one of the later books and probably the best. By this time Herge’s illustrations, characterization, and humor was never better. The story about secret inventions and kidnappings by foreign powers just snaps along at a breakneck speed. Tank, helicopter, and car chases — this book is like a movie on paper! Special Mention: The locations drawn in the book are for real. You can visit them. Q: A:
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Favorite films? Again, in no particular order: The Third Man — Orson Welles, murder, mystery, and zinger lines in postwar Vienna. 2001: A Space Odyssey — Kubrick’s Arthur C. Clarke story. An overlong yet strangely compelling space saga. Harvey — Hapless drunk James Stewart adventures with 6’3” rabbit/pooka. Always — Firefighting love story with Catalinas, Audrey Hepburn, and Holly Hunter by Steven Spielberg. Some Like It Hot —The situation comedy par excellence from Billy Wilder. Sunset Boulevard — Cock a snook at Hollywood with style, verve, and the best line in movies: “I am still big. It’s the pictures that got smaller!” — Billy Wilder Chinatown — Roman Polanski’s film of a script by Robert Towne that is probably the finest ever written. Houston, Nicholson, and Dunaway have never been better.
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Raiders of the Lost Ark — High-quality action-adventure from Steven Spielberg that brings forth gasps and laughs with equal intensity. The Man with Two Brains — A comedy with a wonderfully ludicrous plot concerning a brain surgeon and a serial killer who turns out to be Merv Griffin. Fantastic deadpan buffoonery from Steve Martin. The Sting — Redford/Newman paired once again. Amusing, surprising, and atmospheric. Scott Joplin would have been proud. Strictly Ballroom — Simply told yet delightful ballroom comedy from Baz Lurhmann. Blood Simple — “Dead in the heart of Texas.” Thriller from the Coens with more twists and turns than a switchback. The Outlaw Josey Wales — Phil Kaufman the unsung hero of this postCivil War epic from Clint Eastwood. Shakespeare in Love — Delightfully full of acting and Shakespearean in-jokes and more talent in cast and crew than you can shake a stick at. Toy Story — Fun and hijinxs on the bedroom floor from Pixar. Lots about friendship and fitting in — and just great fun. Apparently, Woody now does voiceovers for Tom Hanks. Richard III — Olivier hamming it up with a hideous false nose but immensely enjoyable nonetheless. And Gielgud as Clarence, too! Richard III made funny — only Olivier can do this! Laurence of Arabia — David Lean could not have brought T. E. Lawrence’s story to the screen any better. Peter O’Toole is stupendous — deserves the honorary Oscar like no other! The Name of the Rose — Umberto Eco’s homage to Sherlock Holmes brought to the screen. Murder and mayhem in 13th-century Italy. Get 007 on the case.... — www.BN.com
children
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Sudoku for Kids
Friday, May 28, 2010
Solution
Friday, May 28, 2010
children
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Babes in the Woods O
ne day in early May, Ted and I made an expedition to the Shattega, a still, dark, deep stream that loiters silently through the woods not far from my cabin. As we paddled along, we were on the alert for any bit of wild life of bird or beast that might turn up. There were so many abandoned woodpecker chambers in the small dead trees as we went along that I determined to secure the section of a tree containing a good one to take home and put up for the bluebirds. "Why don't the bluebirds occupy them here?" inquired Ted. "Oh," I replied, "blue birds do not come so far into the woods as this. They prefer nestingplaces in the open, and near human habitations." After carefully scrutinizing several of the trees, we at last saw one that seemed to fill the bill. It was a small dead tree trunk seven or eight inches in diameter, that leaned out over the water, and from which the top had been broken. The hole, round and firm, was ten or twelve feet above us. After considerable effort I succeeded in breaking the stub off near the ground, and brought it down into the boat. "Just the thing," I said, "surely the bluebirds will prefer this to an artificial box." But, lo and behold, it already had bluebirds in it! We had not heard a sound or seen a feather till the trunk was in our hands, when, on peering into the cavity, we discovered two young bluebirds about half grown. This was a predicament indeed! Well, the only thing we could do was to stand the tree-trunk up again as well as we could, and as near as we could to where it had stood before. This was no easy thing. But after a time we had
it fairly well replaced, one end standing in the mud of the shallow water and the other resting against a tree. This left the hole to the nest about ten feet below and to one side of its former position. Just then we heard the voice of one of the parent birds, and we quickly paddled to the other side of the stream, fifty feet away, to watch her proceedings, saying to each other, "Too bad! too bad!" The mother bird had a large beetle in her beak. She alighted upon a limb a few feet above the former site of her nest, looked down upon us, uttered a note or two, and then dropped down confidently to the point in the vacant air where the entrance to her nest had been but a few moments before. Here she hovered on the wing a second or two, looking for something that
was not there, and then returned to the perch she had just left, apparently not a little disturbed. She hammered the beetle rather excitedly upon the limb a few times, as if it were in some way at fault, then dropped down to try for her nest again. Only vacant air there! She hovers and hovers, her blue wings flickering in the checkered light - surely that precious hole MUST be there - but no, again she is baffled, and again she returns to her perch, and mauls the poor beetle till it must be reduced to a pulp. Then she makes a third attempt, then a fourth, and a fifth, and a sixth, till she becomes very much excited. "What could have happened? Am I dreaming? Has that beetle hoodooed me?" she seems to say, and in her dismay she lets the bug drop, and looks bewilderedly about her. Then she flies away through the woods, calling. "Going for her mate," I said to Ted. "She is in deep trouble, and she wants sympathy and help." In a few minutes we heard her mate answer, and presently the two birds came hurrying to the spot, both with loaded beaks. They perched upon the familiar limb above the site of the nest, and the mate seemed to say, "My dear, what has happened to you? I can find that nest." And he dived down, and brought up in the empty air just as the mother had done. How he winnowed it with his eager wings! How he seemed to bear on to that blank space! His mate sat regarding him intently, confident, I think, that he would find the clue. But he did not. Baffled and excited, he returned to the perch beside her. Then she tried again, then he rushed down once more, then they both assaulted the
place, but it would not give up its secret. They talked, they encouraged each other, and they kept up the search, now one, now the other, now both together. Sometimes they dropped down to within a few feet of the entrance to the nest, and we thought they would surely find it. No, their minds and eyes were intent only upon that square foot of space where the nest had been. Soon they withdrew to a large limb many feet higher up, and seemed to say to themselves, "Well, it is not there, but it must be here somewhere - let us look about." A few minutes elapsed, when we saw the mother bird spring from her perch and go straight as an arrow to the nest. Her maternal eye had proved the quicker. She had found her young. Something like reason and common sense had come to her rescue - she had taken time to look about, and behold! there was that precious doorway. She thrust her head into it, then sent back a call to her mate, then went farther in, then withdrew. "Yes, it is true, they are here, they are here!" Then she went in again, gave them the food in her beak, and then gave place to her mate, who, after similar demonstrations of joy, also gave them his morsel. Ted and I breathed freer. A burden had been taken from our minds and hearts, and we went cheerfully on our way. We had learned something, too - we had learned that when in the deep woods you think of bluebirds, bluebirds may be nearer you than you think. www.readbookonline.net
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Germany, Greece and
By Marko Papic, Robert Reinfrank and Peter Zeihan
an attempt to give Berlin the necessary incentives so that it would not depart the EU project. But to get Berlin on board with the idea of sharing its currency with the rest of Europe, the eurozone was modeled after the Bundesbank and its deutschmark. To join the eurozone, a country must abide by rigorous "convergence criteria" designed to synchronize the economy of the acceding country with Germany's economy. The criteria include a budget deficit of less than 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP); government debt levels of less than 60 percent of GDP; annual inflation no higher than 1.5 percentage points above the average of the lowest three members' annual inflation; and a two-year trial period during which the acceding country's national currency must float within a plus-or-minus 15 percent currency band against the euro. As cracks have begun to show in both the political and economic support for the eurozone, however, it is clear that the convergence criteria failed to overcome divergent geography and history. Greece's violations of the Growth and Stability Pact are clearly the most egregious, but essentially all eurozone members - including France and Germany, which helped draft the rules - have contravened the rules from the very beginning.
R
umors of the imminent collapse of the eurozone continue to swirl despite the Europeans' best efforts to hold the currency union together. Some accounts in the financial world have even suggested that Germany's frustration with the crisis could cause Berlin to quit the eurozone - as soon as this past weekend, according to some - while at the most recent gathering of European leaders French President Nicolas Sarkozy apparently threatened to bolt the bloc if Berlin did not help Greece. Meanwhile, many in Germany including Chancellor Angela Merkel herself at one point - have called for the creation of a mechanism by which Greece - or the eurozone's other over-indebted, uncompetitive economies could be kicked out of the eurozone in the future should they not mend their "irresponsible" spending habits. Rumors, hints, threats, suggestions and information "from well-placed sources" all seem to point to the hot topic in Europe at the moment, namely, the reconstitution of the eurozone whether by a German exit or a Greek expulsion. We turn to this topic with the question of whether such an option even exists.
The Geography of the European Monetary Union As we consider the future of the euro, it is important to remember that the economic underpinnings of paper money are not nearly as important as the political underpinnings. Paper currencies in use throughout the world today hold no value without the underlying political decision to make them the legal tender of commercial activity. This means a government must be willing and capable enough to enforce the currency as a legal form of debt settlement, and refusal to accept paper currency is, within limitations, punishable by law. The trouble with the euro is that it attempts to overlay a monetary dynamic on a geography that does not necessarily lend itself to a single economic or political "space". The eurozone has a single central bank, the European Central Bank (ECB), and therefore has only one monetary policy, regardless of whether one is located in Northern or Southern Europe. Herein lies the fundamental geographic problem of the euro. Europe is the second-smallest continent on the planet but has the second-largest number of states packed into its territory. This is not a coincidence. Europe's multitude of peninsulas, large islands and mountain chains create the geographic conditions that often allow even the weakest political authority to persist. Thus, the Montenegrins have held out against the Ottomans, just as the Irish have against the English. Despite this patchwork of political authorities, the Continent's plentiful navigable rivers, large bays and serrated coastlines enable the easy movement of goods and ideas across Europe. This encourages the accumulation of capital due to the low costs of transport while simultaneously encouraging the rapid spread of technological advances, which has allowed the various European states to become astonishingly rich: Five of the top 10 world economies hail from the Continent despite their relatively small populations. Europe's network of rivers and seas are not integrated via a single dominant river or sea network, however, meaning capital generation occurs in small, sequestered economic centers. To this day, and despite significant political and economic integration, there is no European New York. In Europe's case, the Danube has Vienna, the Po has Milan, the Baltic Sea has Stockholm, the Rhineland has both Amsterdam and Frankfurt and the Thames has London. This system of multiple capital centers is then overlaid on Europe's states, which jealously
Picture taken on Dec 18, 2003 in Paris shows euro banknotes. – AFP guard control over their capital and, by extension, their banking systems. Despite a multitude of different centers of economic - and by extension, political - power, some states, due to geography, are unable to access any capital centers of their own. Much of the Club Med states are geographically disadvantaged. Aside from the Po Valley of northern Italy - and to an extent the Rhone southern Europe lacks a single river useful for commerce. Consequently, Northern Europe is more urban, industrial and technocratic while Southern Europe tends to be more rural, agricultural and capital-poor. Introducing the Euro Given the barrage of economic volatility and challenges the eurozone has confronted in recent quarters and the challenges presented by housing such divergent geography and history under one monetary roof, it is easy to forget why the eurozone was originally formed. The Cold War made the European Union possible. For centuries, Europe was home to feuding empires and states. After World War II, it became the home of devastated peoples whose security was the responsibility of the United States. Through the Bretton Woods agreement, the United States crafted an economic grouping that regenerated Western Europe's economic fortunes under a
security rubric that Washington firmly controlled. Freed of security competition, the Europeans not only were free to pursue economic growth, they also enjoyed nearly unlimited access to the American market to fuel that growth. Economic integration within Europe to maximize these opportunities made perfect sense. The United States encouraged the economic and political integration because it gave a political underpinning to a security alliance it imposed on Europe, i.e., NATO. Thus, the European Economic Community - the predecessor to today's European Union - was born. When the United States abandoned the gold standard in 1971 (for reasons largely unconnected to things European), Washington essentially abrogated the Bretton Woods currency pegs that went with it. One result was a European panic. Floating currencies raised the inevitability of currency competition among the European states, the exact sort of competition that contributed to the Great Depression 40 years earlier. Almost immediately, the need to limit that competition sharpened, first with currency coordination efforts still concentrating on the US dollar and then from 1979 on with efforts focused on the deutschmark. The specter of a unified Germany in 1989 further invigorated economic integration. The euro was in large part
Mechanics of a Euro Exit The EU treaties as presently constituted contractually obligate every EU member state except Denmark and the United Kingdom, which negotiated opt-outs - to become a eurozone member state at some point. Forcible expulsion or self-imposed exit is technically illegal, or at best would require the approval of all 27 member states (never mind the question about why a troubled eurozone member would approve its own expulsion). Even if it could be managed, surely there are current and soon-to-be eurozone members that would be wary of establishing such a precedent, especially when their fiscal situation could soon be similar to Athens' situation. One creative option making the rounds would allow the European Union to technically expel members without breaking the treaties. It would involve setting up a new European Union without the offending state (say, Greece) and establishing within the new institutions a new eurozone as well. Such manipulations would not necessarily destroy the existing European Union; its major members would "simply" recreate the institutions without the member they do not much care for. Though creative, the proposed solution it is still rife with problems. In such a reduced eurozone, Germany would hold undisputed power, something the rest of Europe might not exactly embrace. If France and the Benelux countries reconstituted the eurozone with Berlin, Germany's economy would go from constituting 26.8 percent of eurozone version 1.0's overall output to 45.6 percent of eurozone version 2.0's overall output. Even states that would be expressly excluded would be able to get in a devastating parting shot: The southern European economies could simply default on any debt held by entities within the countries of the new eurozone. With these political issues and complications in mind, we turn to the two scenarios of eurozone reconstitution that have garnered the most attention in the media. Scenario 1: Germany Reinstitutes the Deutschmark The option of leaving the eurozone for Germany boils down to the potential liabilities that Berlin would be on the hook for if Portugal, Spain, Italy and Ireland followed Greece down the default path. As Germany voted on its â‚Ź123 billion contribution to the â‚Ź750 billion financial aid mechanism for the eurozone - which sits on
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exiting the eurozone
top of the €23 billion it already approved for Athens alone - the question of whether "it is all worth it" must be on top of every German policymaker's mind. This is especially the case as political opposition to the bailout mounts among German voters and Merkel's coalition partners and political allies. In the latest polls, 47 percent of Germans favor adopting the deutschmark. Furthermore, Merkel's governing coalition lost a crucial state-level election May 9 in a sign of mounting dissatisfaction with her Christian Democratic Union and its coalition ally, the Free Democratic Party. Germany would therefore not be leaving the eurozone to save its economy or extricate itself from its own debts, but rather to avoid the financial burden of supporting the Club Med economies and their ability to service their €3 trillion mountain of debt. At some point, Germany may decide to cut its losses potentially as much as €500 billion, which is the approximate exposure of German banks to Club Med debt - and decide that further bailouts are just throwing money into a bottomless pit. Furthermore, while Germany could always simply rely on the ECB to break all of its rules and begin the policy of purchasing the debt of troubled eurozone governments with newly created money ("quantitative easing"), that in itself would also constitute a bailout. The rest of the eurozone, including Germany, would be paying for it through the weakening of the euro. Were this moment to dawn on Germany it would have to mean that the situation had deteriorated significantly. As Stratfor has recently argued, the eurozone provides Germany with considerable economic benefits. Its neighbors are unable to undercut German exports with currency depreciation, and German exports have in turn gained in terms of overall eurozone exports on both the global and eurozone markets. Since euro adoption, unit labor costs in Club Med have increased relative to Germany's by approximately 25 percent, further entrenching Germany's competitive edge. Before Germany could again use the deutschmark, Germany would first have to reinstate its central bank (the Bundesbank), withdraw its reserves from the ECB, print its own currency and then re-denominate the country's assets and liabilities in deutschmarks. While it would not necessarily be a smooth or easy process, Germany could reintroduce its national currency with far more ease than other eurozone members could. The deutschmark had a well-established reputation for being a store of value, as the renowned Bundesbank directed Germany's monetary policy. If Germany were to reintroduce its national currency, it is highly unlikely that Europeans would believe that Germany had forgotten how to run a central bank - Germany's institutional memory would return quickly, reestablishing the credibility of both the Bundesbank and, by extension, the deutschmark. As Germany would be replacing a weaker and weakening currency with a stronger and more stable one, if market participants did not simply welcome the exchange, they would be substantially less resistant to the change than what could be expected in other eurozone countries. Germany would therefore not necessarily have to resort to militant crackdowns on capital flows to halt capital trying to escape conversion. Germany would probably also be able to redenominate all its debts in the deutschmark via bond swaps. Market participants would accept this exchange because they would probably have far more faith in a deutschmark backed by Germany than in a euro backed by the remaining eurozone member states. Reinstituting the deutschmark would still be an imperfect process, however, and there would
A file picture taken on Feb 17, 2010 shows euro coins minted for Greece pictured in Athens. – AFP likely be some collateral damage, particularly to Germany's financial sector. German banks own much of the debt issued by Club Med, which would likely default on repayment in the event Germany parted with the euro. If it reached the point that Germany was going to break with the eurozone, those losses would likely pale in comparison to the costs - be they economic or political - of remaining within the eurozone and financially supporting its continued existence. Scenario 2: Greece Leaves the Euro If Athens were able to control its monetary policy, it would ostensibly be able to "solve" the two major problems currently plaguing the Greek economy. First, Athens could ease its financing problems substantially. The Greek central bank could print money and purchase government debt, bypassing the credit markets. Second, reintroducing its currency would allow Athens to then devalue it, which would stimulate external demand for Greek exports and spur economic growth. This would obviate the need to undergo painful "internal devaluation" via austerity measures that the Greeks have been forced to impose as a condition for their bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the EU. If Athens were to reinstitute its national currency with the goal of being able to control monetary policy, however, the government would first have to get its national currency circulating (a necessary condition for devaluation). The first practical problem is that no one is going to want this new currency, principally because it would be clear that the government would only be reintroducing it to devalue it. Unlike during the Eurozone accession process - where participation was motivated by the actual and perceived benefits of adopting a strong/stable currency and receiving lower interest rates, new funds and the ability to transact in many more places - "de-euroizing" offers no such incentives for market participants: • The drachma would not be a store of value, given that the objective in reintroducing it is to reduce its value.
• The drachma would likely only be accepted within Greece, and even there it would not be accepted everywhere - a condition likely to persist for some time. • Reinstituting the drachma unilaterally would likely see Greece cast out of the eurozone, and therefore also the European Union as per rules explained above. The government would essentially be asking investors and its own population to sign a social contract that the government clearly intends to abrogate in the future, if not immediately once it is able to. Therefore, the only way to get the currency circulating would be by force. The goal would not be to convert every eurodenominated asset into drachmas but rather to get a sufficiently large chunk of the assets so that the government could jumpstart the drachma's circulation. To be done effectively, the government would want to minimize the amount of money that could escape conversion by either being withdrawn or transferred into asset classes easy to conceal from discovery and appropriation. This would require capital controls and shutting down banks and likely also physical force to prevent even more chaos on the streets of Athens than seen at present. Once the money was locked down, the government would then forcibly convert banks' holdings by literally replacing banks' holdings with a similar amount in the national currency. Greeks could then only withdraw their funds in newly issued drachmas that the government gave the banks to service those requests. At the same time, all government spending/payments would be made in the national currency, boosting circulation. The government also would have to show willingness to prosecute anyone using euros on the black market, lest the newly instituted drachma become completely worthless. Since nobody save the government would want to do this, at the first hint that the government would be moving in this direction, the first thing the Greeks will want to do is withdraw all funds from any institution where their wealth would be at risk. Similarly, the first
thing that investors would do - and remember that Greece is as capital-poor as Germany is capital-rich - is cut all exposure. This would require that the forcible conversion be coordinated and definitive, and most important, it would need to be as unexpected as possible. Realistically, the only way to make this transition without completely unhinging the Greek economy and shredding Greece's social fabric would be to coordinate with organizations that could provide assistance and oversight. If the IMF, ECB or eurozone member states were to coordinate the transition period and perhaps provide some backing for the national currency's value during that transition period, the chances of a less-than-completely-disruptive transition would increase. It is difficult to imagine circumstances under which such support would not dwarf the Ä110 billion bailout already on the table. For if Europe's populations are so resistant to the Greek bailout now, what would they think about their governments assuming even more risk by propping up a former eurozone country's entire financial system so that the country could escape its debt responsibilities to the rest of the eurozone? The European Dilemma Europe therefore finds itself being tied in a Gordian knot. On one hand, the Continent's geography presents a number of incongruities that cannot be overcome without a Herculean (and politically unpalatable) effort on the part of Southern Europe and (equally unpopular) accommodation on the part of Northern Europe. On the other hand, the cost of exit from the eurozone - particularly at a time of global financial calamity, when the move would be in danger of precipitating an even greater crisis - is daunting to say the least. The resulting conundrum is one in which reconstitution of the eurozone may make sense at some point down the line. But the interlinked web of economic, political, legal and institutional relationships makes this nearly impossible. The cost of exit is prohibitively high, regardless of whether it makes sense. — Stratfor
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(From left) Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones, Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes and Kristin Davis as Charlotte York in New Line Cinema's comedy, "Sex and the City 2." —MCT
'Sex' appeal: Carrie and her gal pals are back L
ast week outside Manhattan's Bergdorf Goodman, a whitehaired woman with sensible shoes gestures to a window display featuring four female mannequins decked out in designer glitter. "I bet those are the dresses from that movie," she says to her companion. She's right. "That movie" is the highly anticipated "Sex and the City 2," and little does she know that its stars , Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall (along with Chris Noth and writer-director Michael Patrick King) are inside the store, having just wrapped up a news conference for the film, which opens Thursday. To say there's buzz about this film is a bit like saying Lady Gaga has something of a following. Or Tiger Woods and his wife had a tiff. After six seasons on HBO, latenight reruns in syndication and a blockbuster transition to the big screen two years ago (which earned $415 million worldwide, thanks to droves of women who showed up , dressed up , at multiplexes), the four letters "SATC" spell a juggernaut franchise. Which is quite a feat, given
that it's not an action-adventure flick. Or based on a comic book. Or starring ... guys. It's one chic, cinematic Sherman tank, driven by four women who range in age from 44 (Nixon) to 53 (Cattrall). Just picture all those Hollywood execs shrugging their shoulders, saying, "Go figure." "No other book, movie, TV show or music group has gone as far redefining, and expanding, the relationship between female attractiveness and age," says Caroline Weber, a fashion historian and associate professor at Barnard College and Columbia University. Basically, she says, "SATC" has "made it permissible for women past 40 to present themselves as sexy. It's a huge milestone in American popular culture." Leading that charge is Parker, the brand's star and producer, whose buoyant, eyebrow-arched portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw gives the franchise both haute currency and heart. She speaks at the news conference in a smart, savvy, articulate manner, all the while perched in a short Elie Saab suit atop sky-high heels. "I think women of a certain generation aren't even
conscious of the fact that ... we are in the process of redefining our roles all the time," she says. "It's the great gift our mothers gave us." The sequel boasts the usual "SATC" fare: sassy dialogue, fun cameos (Liza Minnelli, Miley Cyrus), crazy designer wardrobes. Yep, even in a recession. Like the first film, it woos with froth, then sneaks in the serious (touching on gay marriage, menopause, motherhood woes). Yet the sequel veers decidedly more toward romp than realism. "Like they did in the Great Depression," says King, referring to glam 1930s flicks, "I thought Hollywood should take people on a big vacation that maybe they couldn't afford themselves." That means ditching "The City" for a road trip to Abu Dhabi. Sort of. The Manhattan shoots were mobbed by devoted fans and paparazzi last year. A zoomed-in photo of Cattrall, holding a script (inadvertently revealing a snippet of dialogue) was overanalyzed by bloggers. Morocco , where they actually shot the "Abu Dhabi" scenes, was a welcome relief. "In the middle of the
Sahara Desert, not a sound, (no) paparazzi," King says. "When we arrived, they had musicians waiting to greet us," Nixon says. "And scarves," Davis adds. "And scarves, that we were then taught ... to tie into turbans to help keep you cool," Nixon says. Yet even there, they were known. "That was kind of surprising," Cattrall says. "(They) kept calling us by our characters' names." The audience is broad. Even straight men, says Parker, are 'fessing up. Just a couple years ago, "at the luggage carousel, I'd get" , then she whispers , "'I watch your show.' They'd say, 'My wife, my girlfriend, forced me,'" she recalls. "Now they volunteer more freely the fact that occasionally they even watch it on their own." The film will surely spark controversy. The poster has caused a stir, with print and online media noting the women's ruthlessly Photoshopped images. "They look like they've been molded out of wax," Weber says. "SATC" may insist women are beautiful at any age, but apparently Warner Bros isn't so sure. Whether a recessionary audience
views the romp as refreshing or way over-the-top is yet to be seen. And let's just say that letting Samantha loose in a souk (an Arabian marketplace) with shorts and attitude may not grow the brand in more conservative parts of the Muslim world. (At press time, it was unclear if United Arab Emirates censors would let the movie be shown in Abu Dhabi.) But one thing that's clear, Parker says, is "SATC's" commitment to women. Which may be needed more than ever, she fears, given the slew of so-called reality shows and their rude, crude female cast members. "There's this beacon we seem to be moving toward where women are really unkind to one another, and call each other horrible names, and there's a vernacular our ears have adapted to, which I find really objectionable," she says. "When I look at a lot of what's available on television, and see how women treat each other, it's stunning to me , it's arresting." The success of "SATC," she says, gives her hope that there's still a place "to illustrate that women would much rather be allies than ... adversaries." — MCT
Friday, May 28, 2010
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How Judas Priest invented heavy metal Thirty years ago Rob Halford led Judas Priest, and heavy metal itself, out of the Midlands and into the bigtime. He tells us where the sound - and the look - came from.
P
eering from the window at his management company's offices in north London, Rob Halford assesses the sunny spring day outside. "Hmm, very nice," he says in his West Midlands tones, at once dolorous, friendly and a little puzzled - the wonderful Zenbemusement of the Brummie accent. "Very nice, but I'm not sure if spring is very heavy metal. I think winter is the most heavy metal time of year. You have storms, ice, stuff like that." Halford should know what is and isn't heavy metal. He's the singer in Judas Priest, who were crucial to the genre's genesis, something underlined by this month's 30th-anniversary reissue of their definitive album, British Steel. A charming and drolly humorous man with a screaming four-octave air-raid siren of a voice, Halford is the perfect ambassador for both heavy metal and Judas Priest. Halford's story has included arguments over bullwhips with Marie Osmond backstage at Top of the Pops, and being a covertly homosexual frontman singing a song called Hell Bent for Leather; there have been on-stage motorcycle accidents and parallels with the film This Is Spinal Tap. And while doing all that, Judas Priest helped form one of our planet's most enduring and pervasive musical forms. Judas Priest's visual style - the head-to-toe leather and studs - and churning, riff-laden rock have influenced bands from Van Halen to Metallica, to Slipknot and beyond. In the process, they've affected our wider cultural fabric. Priest and their spawn have ingrained heavy metal and its comic-heroic ritual into our language and dress. But while heavy metal has gone international, the British Steel album - the record that, more than any other, codified what we mean by "heavy metal" - had a profoundly local origin. With Judas Priest, the Midlands and metal reinforce one another with a wonderful literalmindedness. Halford's dad was employed at a Walsall metalworking company, making components for nuclear reactors. Guitarist Glenn Tipton not only shares his surname with a Midlands town but was also an apprentice at British Steel. Judas Priest are the sound of the blast furnaces that once studded the Midlands. "When we were kids walking to school," says Halford, "we'd walk past these metal foundries and see the molten metal coming out of the big vats. We were literally breathing in the fumes from these metal works, breathing in metal before heavy metal had even been invented. I'd be in school trying to do English literature and the classroom would be shaking because of the machinery." "We really did grow up in a labyrinth of heavy metal," says Tipton. "Huge foundries, big steam hammers. It also gave you a determination to get out." Music was the way chosen by the members of Judas Priest. The band formed in 1969, gigging around the West Midlands as a quartet with original singer Al Atkins until 1973. That year, their fortunes changed, when Halford replaced Atkins, a change reinforced when guitarist KK Downing recruited Tipton to join him. It was a slow grind to success, though. They had released five albums - moving from blues rock to pure metal before British Steel took them to No 4 in the UK
album charts and the US top 40, and its three hit singles - Breaking the Law, United and Living After Midnight (which they later performed on Live Aid) - brought them to wider attention via Top of the Pops. Even when they were international stars, though, Judas Priest were dragged into trouble. In 1985, two young Americans, James Vance and Raymond Belknap, spent an afternoon drinking, smoking dope and listening to Judas Priest. Belknap subsequently killed himself with a shotgun. Vance maimed himself, dying three years later. The pair, it was later claimed, had been prompted by a subliminal message urging "Do it!" hidden on the 1978 song Better By You, Better Than Me. The men's parents sued, though when the case finally came to court, in Reno, Nevada in 1990, it was dismissed. Halford later observed that for a rock band to insert subliminal messages urging suicide wasn't a sensible way to build a fanbase. Better, he suggested, to insert the command: "Buy more of our records." Less troubling were the band's parallels to the fictional metal band Spinal Tap. "I loved it," says Halford of This Is Spinal Tap. "But I've always said you can only make satire out of greatness. Everything's relative to that film. I went to Elvis's grave. I've said 'Hello Cleveland' when I've been in Detroit and we've definitely
got lost on the way from the dressing room to the stage. In fact, we once got lost on the way to the fucking tour. We got off a ferry and couldn't find the bus." Spinal Tap planned a musical, Saucy Jack, based on the Jack the Ripper story. Judas Priest predated this with Ripper, their own song about murder by gas lamp. The tale of the Ripper has featured in grand guignol theatre and music hall, and Judas Priest seem to touch on this tradition. Massively populist, they sometimes seem like music hall rerouted through Marshall stacks. And, as with theatre, there have certainly been costume changes. In the late 1970s, Halford emerged with a new leather-man look. When Judas Priest started making regular appearances on Top of the Pops, Halford was boldly accessorised with biker cap and bullwhip. "Priest on Top of the Pops was absolutely spectacular," says Halford. "Once we were on with the Osmonds. I had my whip with me and I'd heard Marie wasn't happy about that. So, I went to see her in her dressing room with her curlers in." Did he use the whip on the show? "Of course I did. I'm not going to have any Mormon telling me what I can and can't do with my whip. Us being on Top of the Pops was great for heavy metal. We were the first band to go out with that particular look. Once it was there on stage and was being
photographed, it just shot around the world. It just looked right - it looked like the music sounded." Despite the homoerotic overtones of Halford's new look, he kept his homo-sexuality under wraps, not coming out until 1998 - in the middle of the period from 1991-2003 during which Halford had left the band. Presumably, Judas Priest's origins - the macho world of metal combined with the macho Midlands - might not have been particularly welcoming toward Halford's sexuality? "Absolutely not," he says. "I understood that it could have been destructive. People were fascinated, but what would the knock-on effect have been? As it turned out, when I came out of the closet I was away from Priest. Back in the 1980s, though, I think there could totally have been a backlash. You protect your interests, don't you? I was also thinking about the rest of the band." But were there clues on British Steel? The scream of "You don't know what it's like" on the track Breaking the Law. Most particularly, some of the lyrics to Grinder: "Never straight and narrow ... Been inclined to wander off the beaten path." "It would have been subconscious," says Halford, "But quite possibly, yes. I think that's the first time I've ever been asked that question and, yes, subconsciously, maybe that's what it was. It certainly felt right. Why would I say 'Never straight and narrow'?" And what about the leather? Was that also a signal? "It wasn't conscious. But how ironic that I chose that look - Glenn, the biker from the Village People. That wasn't my attachment, in terms of the gay community, but I understood the power of that look." Alongside the biker togs Halford has used a Harley-Davidson motorbike as a stage prop, rolling out from the wings at the start of Hell Bent for Leather. During an August 1991 show in Toronto the bike collided with a drum riser that was hidden amid dry ice, breaking Halford's nose. He completed the gig before going to hospital. There was also a motorbike challenge to Freddie Mercury, issued live on Radio 1. Halford was supposedly outraged by Freddie's disgraceful employment of a static motorbike in Queen's video for the Crazy Little Thing Called Love single. He suggested a motorbike race. "I never heard back from him," says Halford. "Freddie is my ultimate hero. The closest I ever got to Freddie was in a gay bar in Athens on the way to Mykonos. We kind of glared at each other across the bar, in a kind of smiling, winking way. When we got to Mykonos I was determined to track him down, but I couldn't because he'd rented this huge yacht. It was festooned in pink balloons and it just kept sailing around the island. He's someone I wish I'd really met." Freddie, sadly, is no longer with us. But, as Queen once did, Judas Priest are still here to enshrine one of pop music's most important conjunctions - the place where the glorious collides head-on with the ridiculous. "Isn't it great?" he says with pride in his voice and a twinkle in his eye. "The blade is still as sharp as ever, 30 years later, still cutting through the metal world."— Guardian
Page 44
Friday, May 28, 2010 CROSSWORD 1002
Word Sleuth Solution
Yesterday’s Solution
ACROSS 1. A protocol developed for the internet to get data from one network device to another. 4. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism. 8. A large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments). 11. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but heavier than beer. 12. Very dark black. 13. A federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment. 14. Sluggish tailless Australian arboreal marsupial with gray furry ears and coat. 16. 100 ngwee equal 1 kwacha. 17. A public promotion of some product or service. 18. Jordan's port. 21. Either extremity of something that has length. 22. An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores. 24. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 27. Scottish sea captain who was hired to protect British shipping in the Indian Ocean and then was accused of piracy and hanged (1645-1701). 29. The capital and largest city of Yemen. 32. The capital of Croatia. 34. Date used in reckoning dates before the supposed year Christ was born. 35. A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography). 36. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad. 40. Swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue. 43. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism. 46. The 19th letter of the Greek alphabet. 47. Being one hundred more than two hundred. 48. In bed. 50. A federation of North American labor unions that merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955. 51. Headdress that protects the head from bad weather. 52. A small cake leavened with yeast. 53. (informal) Roused to anger. DOWN 1. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh. 2. A compact mass. 3. Seed of a pea plant. 4. An accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape. 5. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens. 6. A polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in its properties. 7. A former copper coin of Pakistan.
8. Fastened with stitches. 9. become turned or set on end. 10. English monk and scholar (672-735). 15. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects. 19. (Judaism) Sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments. 20. 1,000 baiza equal 1 riyal-omani. 23. Having a specified kind of border or edge. 25. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element. 26. An associate degree in nursing. 28. A challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy. 30. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth. 31. A radioactive element of the actinide series. 33. Desert shrub of Syria and Arabia having small white flowers. 37. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill. 38. Consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offence. 39. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad. 41. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad. 42. A Scottish word. 44. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits. 45. A young woman making her debut into society. 46. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group. 49. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.
Yesterday’s Solution
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Friday, May 28, 2010
COUNTRY CODES
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY A r i es ( M ar ch 21 - A pr i l 19 ) Mozart once challenged his friend Haydn to play a harpsichord piece he'd written. Haydn tried, but stopped partway through when the musical score called for him to play a note in the middle of the keyboard even though his right hand was fully occupied at the high end and his left hand at the low end. "Nobody can play this," protested Haydn. "I can," said Mozart, who proceeded to perform the piece flawlessly, dipping down to play the problematic note with his nose. In the coming week, Aries, be inspired by Mozart as you not only cover the extremes but also take care of the center.
Taur us (April 20-May 20) If you've ever contemplated taking a trip to Bora Bora or Pago Pago, now might be a good time to actually go. That's because you're in a "seeing double" phase -- a time when magic will come through repetition, and via duplication, and while you're in the throes of imitation. To take maximum advantage of the dualistic cosmic rhythms, don't seek just one of anything. Don't do anything just once. Two is where the power lies. Pairing brings potency. Ge min i (May 2 1-J une 2 0) favorite news source, The Onion, my recently reported on a "freethinking cat" that excretes its wastes "outside the box." As you enjoy your own phase of liberated thinking and uninhibited action, Gemini, I hope that you're putting the emphasis on generating beauty and blessings "outside the box." You will of course also have to make some messes as you tamper with the way things have always been done, but even they could turn out to be productive in the long run.
Ca ncer ( June 21- July 22 ) Are you slipping into one of those moods in which you feel like a fraud? Are you starting to worry that maybe you're not who you say you are? If so, I want to remind you of what happened the last time these feelings got stirred up: You became super motivated to prove that you are indeed who you say you are. And that had a most wonderful effect, didn't it? It led you to locate and call on resources you hadn't known you could have access to; it spurred you to purge some selfdeception from your system; and it roused you to intensify your commitment to rigorous authenticity. How about an encore?
Leo (July 23-August 22) I'm a compassion freak. Empathy is a fetish of mine. My predilection is to comfort the afflicted, champion the underdog, and fight for the rights of people who have been given less than I. And yet there's also a part of me that's a pagan libertarian anarchist. I subscribe to the idea that pretty much any kind of behavior is fine and good as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. Now that you Leos are in the "anything goes" phase of your astrological cycle, this full-permission part of me is rising to the forefront, eager to encourage you to go for broke, take it to the limit, and get away with everything you can get away with -- on one condition, which is that it doesn't harm anyone, including you.
Virg o ( Au gu st 2 3 -S ep t em b er 22) Snake charmers are still a fixture in many Indian cities. Moving rhythmically and playing a flute-like instrument, they influence erect cobras to bob and sway as if dancing. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you now have the power to do the metaphorical equivalent of that magic trick. This is one of those rare times when you possess the mojo to direct and even control strong forces that may usually be too wild to tame. You've still got to be careful, though. Just because you've got the power doesn't mean that you can scrimp on preparation and discipline. Libra (September 23- October 22) It's time to think comprehensively, not defensively . . . to see futuristically, not didactically . . . to fantasize fantastically, not diplomatically. Your
assignment is to stop reacting to every little blip that leaps into your field of vision, and start surveying the long-term cycles of your life from an expansive vista. Be a proactive visionary, Libra. Be a high-minded explorer. Weave all the disparate threads into a tapestry that reveals the big picture. The next phase of your liberation requires you to slough off petty concerns and trivial details.
S c o r pi o ( O c t o be r 2 3 - N o ve m be r 2 1 ) "Never" has never been a more irrelevant word for you. Events that may have always seemed quite improbable are now well within the range of possibility. Exotic people who up until recently may as well have been fictional characters are showing up as real live actors in your actual life story. Plotlines whose emergence you could not have predicted are snaking their way into your drama. So be alert for a freaking miracle concealed in a flimsy disguise. And don't be surprised if a vision of funky paradise shows up in full regalia. The future's not just knocking at your door, it's pounding.
S agittarius (No vemb er 22-December 21) Sagittarian writer Samuel Clemens was best known under his pen name, Mark Twain. But he tried many others, including Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass, W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab, Trismegistus, and Sergeant Fathom. Since you're in a phase when experiments with your persona would be productive, I suggest you dream up a few aliases of your own. I hope that at least one of them will be as wacky as "Blab" or "Snodgrass." Having a sense of humor about yourself will be helpful. It will ensure that your explorations at the frontiers of your identity will be fertile, fun, and never fear-based.
C ap ric orn (D ec emb er 22 January 19) You're not living in Iraq or Sudan or the Congo, and you don't have to walk five miles a day with a jug on your head to fetch the water you need, and you're not so bereft of food that you have to resort to eating worms and tree bark. So how bad could your problems be? The single best thing you can do to start fixing your life's small glitches is to feel waves of gratitude for how many resources you have and how lucky you are. The second best thing would be to aggressively take your worried attention off yourself and turn your mind toward people who could really benefit from your help. As you carry out those two assignments, your dilemmas will begin to solve themselves as if by magic.
Aquarius (January 20Febr uar y 18) There's a bothersome phenomenon that mucks up reincarnation research: Far too many people profess to have been celebrities and geniuses in their previous lives. A related and equally irksome issue is the problem of multiple claims. For example, I know three different people who have assured me they were Napoleon their last time around. The fact is, almost no one who's reading this horoscope has ever been famous in any past incarnation. However, it is worthy to note that a disproportionately high percentage of you Aquarians were formerly people with great imaginations. And it so happens that in the coming weeks you will be at the peak of your ability to tap into the creativity you had back then. Pisces ( Febr uary 19-March 20) When I sent out my email newsletter last week, I got the usual number of automatic replies from people who were on vacation or out of the office. But one from Lisa P. caught my attention. "Can't reply to your email right now," it read. "I will be meditating until June 1." My first reaction was jealousy. "I want to have the leisure time and willpower to meditate for 14 days non-stop!" I thought to myself. I pictured myself free of all business-as-usual, even meditating while I was asleep. My second reaction was that I should tell you Pisceans about what Lisa P. was up to. The coming days would, after all, be an excellent time for you to retreat from the usual flood of chaos and seek peaceful sanctuary in a conversation with eternity. If you can't manage a whole week, try to give yourself at least 48 hours of profound and utter slack.
Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Anguilla Antiga Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Cyprus (Northern) Czech Republic Denmark Diego Garcia Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador England (UK) Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guyana Haiti Holland (Netherlands) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Ibiza (Spain) Iceland India Indian Ocean Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait
0093 00355 00213 00376 00244 001264 001268 0054 00374 0061 0043 001242 00973 00880 001246 00375 0032 00501 00229 001441 00975 00591 00387 00267 0055 00673 00359 00226 00257 00855 00237 001 00238 001345 00236 00235 0056 0086 0057 00269 00242 00682 00506 00385 0053 00357 0090392 00420 0045 00246 00253 001767 001809 00593 0020 00503 0044 00240 00291 00372 00251 00500 00298 00679 00358 0033 00594 00689 00241 00220 00995 0049 00233 00350 0030 00299 001473 00590 001671 00502 00224 00592 00509 0031 00504 00852 0036 0034 00354 0091 00873 0062 0098 00964 00353 0039 00225 001876 0081 00962 007 00254 00686 00965
Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Majorca Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar (Burma) Namibia Nepal Netherlands (Holland) Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Nigar Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Ireland (UK) North Korea Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts Saint Lucia Saint Pierre Saint Vincent Samoa US Samoa West San Marino Sao Tone Saudi Arabia Scotland (UK) Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tanzania Thailand Toga Tonga Tokelau Trinidad Tunisia Turkey Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay
00996 00856 00371 00961 00231 00218 00370 00352 00853 00389 00261 0034 00265 0060 00960 00223 00356 00692 00596 00222 00230 00269 0052 00691 00373 00377 00976 001664 00212 00258 0095 00264 00977 0031 00599 00687 0064 00505 00227 00234 00683 00672 0044 00850 0047 00968 0092 00680 00507 00675 00595 0051 0063 0048 00351 001787 00974 0040 007 00250 00290 001869 001758 00508 001784 00684 00685 00378 00239 00966 0044 00221 00284 00232 0065 00421 00386 00677 00252 0027 0082 0034 0094 00249 00597 00268 0046 0041 00963 00886 00255 0066 00228 00676 00690 001868 00216 0090 00688 00256 00380 00976 0044 00598
what's on
Page 46
Graphic Design Exhibition at AUK
T
he American University of Kuwait’s Graphic Design Senior Thesis Exhibition will hold its Opening Reception on Tuesday, June 1 from 7-9 pm. The exhibit is also open to the public on June 2nd and 3rd from 10-5 pm.
The senior portfolio exhibition is the outcome of a semester-long project that focuses on a problem-solving solution. The projects are the culmination of sixteen weeks of research process and production of a topic of interest to students implemented through diverse
applications. This course, taught by Professor Maryam Hosseinnia, teaches students how to find solutions to a problem and visualize and process the complex intersection between concept, design and the individual voice.
The course is largely self directed and students arc expected to select arid investigate a topic using design as a means to present their findings. Students are graded based on the creation and presentation of their thesis project, research, exhibit, and process book.
KBS holds art exhibition
K
uwait Bilingual School, Jahra held its annual art exhibition last week. Apart from paintings and drawings, the exhibition also showcases sculpture work and other three-dimensional works done by the students. There are about 2000 drawings done by students ranging from grade 1-7 on display. Due to the unavailability of space most art works are displayed digitally in an animated computer program which runs throughout in the school exhibition hall. About 300 art works are on live display, the school art teacher Saleh Abdel Shafi said.
Greetings
Summer entertainment for kids
S Art teacher Saleh Abdel Shafi
Happy b’day to Abdul Aziz Hatem! From father, mother, relatives and friends
ummer entertainment for kids in Indian, British and American School Curriculums. The routine involves : Carefully planned and organized activities, inculcating sound moral values and attitudes, completion of H.W , reviewing topics & skills practice. Children aged 3 to 12. Location : Salmiya. For more details, kindly contact tel. # 25618365 / 99071732
KALA launches free language learning program Jyothis-’10 ghazal night today
K
erala Art Lovers Association (KALA) announces its mega program, “Jyothis2010” scheduled be today at Indian Community School, Kahiatan. “Jyothis2010”, the day long program shall be inaugurated by Hon, Ambassador of India Ajay Malhotra at 9.30 am followed by the formal inauguration of Free Malayalam Education Programme-2010 by Chief Guest and renowned journalist from Indian Sebastian Paul Ex-MP. The prizes for the winners of Balakalamela-2010 shall be distributed in the same venue thereafter. From 1 pm there will be a display
of art& cultural events by members KALA family & friends. The high light of the programme is the Gazal Night from 6 pm by renowned musician from India Umbayee & Party. Entrance is free and all are welcome. In the meeting convened at KALA Centre, President J. Albert presided over and General Secretary J. Saji described the core theme of the program followed an open discussion participated by John Mathew, Abdul Razak, Joy Mundakkadan, Jacob Mathew, Iqbal Kuttamangalam, Manoj Mavelikkara and Ashok Kumar who put forward several suggestions for
the improving the program. Thereafter the meeting chose known humanists John Mathew, Malayil Mooskoya & Raghunathan Nair as patrons and noted cultural activists and leader of KALA Mr. Sam Pynummodu as the General Convener, T.V Hikmath & anoj Mavelikkara as joint conveners of the “Mathrubhasha Samithi”. The meeting also nominated Naganadhan, Jyothidas, Aziz Thikkodi, Babuji Batheri, Abul Razak, Joy Mundakkadan, Jacob Mathew, Iqbal Kuttamangalam, Raju Sakhariya, John Arts, S.A. Labba, Chalanam Mohanan, Krishnakumar, Adv. Razak
Payyoli, Dileep Naderi, Chessil Ramapuram, Hameed Kolothu, Hamza Payyannur & V.M John as members of the advisory committee. The meeting decided to convene regional committees in different areas of Kuwait for the smooth functioning of the program. KALA General Secretary J.Saji welcomed the audience and Joint secretary Joji Aipe rendered vote of thanks. Those who would like come forward voluntarily as Malayalam teachers or to provide class room space may kindly contact 2347875, 66656642, 99122884, 67765810.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Embassy information EmbAssy of NiGEriA The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to invite all Nigerians residing in Kuwait to come and register with the Embassy. The registration is compulsory for all Nigerians residing /visiting Kuwait. Kindly bring the following documents along with you: • A photocopy of the Nigerian passport • One passport photograph • Copy of the civil identification card or visa For additional information please call: 25620278 or visit the Embassy at Block, 4, Malik Bin Anas Street, Avenue 44, House 31, Along Al-Aqsa Road, Rumaithiya. The Consular Section opens Sunday - Thursday from 9 am - 3 pm Your prompt response is highly solicited. EmbAssy of UKrAiNE The Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait informs that it has started updating the information about Ukrainian citizens, who live and work in Kuwait. In this connection, we are asking you to refer to the Embassy and update your file in consular register in order not to be excluded from it. For additional information please call: 25318507 ext.106 or visit the embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait (address: Hawalli, Jabriya, bl.10, str.6, house 5). The consular section of the Embassy open every day from 09:30 till 14:30 except Friday and Saturday. EmbAssy of iNDiA The Embassy of India has further revamped and improved its Legal Advice Clinic at the Indian Workers Welfare Center, and made the free service available to Indian nationals on all five working days, i.e. from Sunday to Thursday every week. Kuwaiti lawyers would be available at the Legal Advice Clinic daily from Monday to Thursday, while Indian lawyers would be available on Sundays. Following are the free welfare services provided at the Indian Workers Welfare Center located at the Embassy of India: [i] 24x7 Helpline for Domestic Workers: Accessible by toll free telephone no. 25674163 from anywhere in Kuwait, it provides information and advice exclusively to Indian domestic sector workers (Visa No. 20) as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters. [ii] Help Desk: It offers guidance to Indian nationals on routine immigration, employment, legal, and other issues (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iii) Labour Complaints Desk: It registers labor complaints and provides grievance redressal service to Indian workers (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iv) Shelters: For female and male domestic workers in distress; (v) Legal Advice Clinic: Provides free legal advice to Indian nationals (Embassy premises; Kuwaiti lawyers 3 PM to 5 PM, Monday to Thursday; Indian lawyers 2 PM to 4 PM on Sunday); and (vi) Attestation of Work Contracts: Private sector worker (Visa No. 18) contracts are accepted at the Embassy; 9 AM to 1 PM; Sunday to Thursday; Domestic sector worker (Visa No. 20) contracts are accepted at Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor Offices (KUDLO), Hawally, Al-Othman Street, Kurd Roundabout, Al-Abraj Complex, Office No 9, Mezzanine Floor; 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday to Thursday; 5 PM to 9 PM on Friday. EmBaSSy of amErica The United States Department of State announces the increase in various visa fees to ensure sufficient resources to cover the increasing cost of processing nonimmigrant visas (NIVs). US law requires the Department to recover the cost of processing non-immigrant visas through the collection of the application fees. The increased fees are to take effect June 4, 2010. Under the new rule, applicants for all visas that are not petition-based, including B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange-visitor visas, will pay a fee of $140. Applicants for petition-based visas will pay an application fee of $150, as each of the below categories requires a review of extensive documentation and a more indepth interview of the applicant than other categories, such as tourists. These categories include: H visa for temporary workers and trainees L visa for intra-company transferees O visa for aliens with extraordinary ability P visa for athletes, artists and entertainers Q visa for international cultural exchange visitors R visa for religious occupations The application fee for K visas for fiance(e)s of US citizens will be $350. The fee for E visas for treaty-traders and treaty-
what's on
Friday, May 28, 2010
Page 47
ICSK senate investiture - report
I
nvestiture of the school student council is a milestone event in the activity calendar of a school and so it was at the ICSK (Senior) School on Wednesday, May 19. At an impressive ceremony the members of the newly elect senate were formally inducted into the students governing body. Lending grace and charm in the role of the chief guest was none other than the first lady, Embassy of India, Kuwait Ira Malhtora. The presence of Ashok Kalra, Hon. Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Mamta Kalra was a matter of prestige for the school. Also present was Rajan Daniel, Hon. Secretary, a man who takes deep interest in all activities connected with students life, the investiture ceremony being one of his favorite. Present on the occasion was Dr Kamlesh Kumari, Hon. Board Member, Sridhar, Parent Representative on the School Board, other members of the PAC, Principals and Vice Principals of ICSK School branches, parents of the senate executive members, teachers and students of class XI & XII. The school band greeted the chief guest with a guard of honor followed by a brisk march to the venue by the entire Prefecture, smartly dressed in their school uniform proudly wearing their house colors. Curtain opened to the sound of verses of recitation from the Holy Quran followed by the rendition of
the National Anthems of Kuwait & India. In keeping up with the ICSK tradition of celebration where the school motto “ From Darkness to Light “ is truly visible, the traditional lamp was lit by the chief guest and other dignitaries present on the occasion. The theme of ‘Hope and Cheer’ was focused in the song presented by the school choir titled ‘ Ek Thu he Bharosa’ a rendition which drew loud applause from the audience present. In her address, Sujata Shroff, the staff advisor to the school senate, drawing inspiration from the great mythological document Bhagavad Gita , advised her students to do their duty to the best of their ability without any expectations or rewards. Julie George, the school Principal administered the oath of office, followed by the investiture. The First Lady invested the members of the core senate with the badges followed by the other dignitaries doing the same for the House Captains and the Assistant House Captains. The chief guest, in her brief address very rightly focused on the role of the senate in proving quality leadership to their peers and fulfill their responsibilities with dedication and devotion. Also from a psychological view point, she explained how important it was for a school to promote education that went beyond
imparting of skills, to also consider the psychology of the child and inculcate true values. The Hononary Chairman’s address contained a message to all students of ICSK to strive harder and make their school reach great heights of glory. The role of the newly elect Senate was a major one in it, he stressed. On behalf of the Principal, Staff and students of ICSK (Senior) School, the chairman presented a beautiful memento to the First Lady in appreciation of her visit and presence at the ceremony. The solemn ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks given by the newly elect Senate President Arwa Mustafa Hussain. In it very rightly fulsome thanks were reserved for the guests as well as the staff and students of the school. Arwa also assured that the Senate will strive to the best of its ability to be worthy of the trust that has been reposed in it by the student electorate. And all smiles photograph session brought the curtains down on the ceremony, a ceremony that displayed color, pageantry and dignity.
BAIA presents ‘Into the Storybook’ he British Academy of International Arts is proud to present an original production of Into the Storybook, which will take place today (28th May) and tomorrow (29th May) at 1400 & 1800hrs in the Shakespeare Theatre, the British School of Kuwait. Directed by Head of Dance, Michelle Henly, Into the Storybook is the story of a young girl who ventures into a land of dreams and stories. The BAIA Students of the Faculty of Dance will perform numbers in jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary and street dance throughout this dreamlike production, featuring extracts from wellloved fairytales and stories such as Alice in Wonderland and The
T
Sleeping Beauty. With beautifully choreographed dances and memorable music, this is a production that will delight audience members of all ages. Tickets are KD 5 for all ages and can be purchased from the British Academy of International Arts (Salwa, Area 1, Street 1, opposite the British School of Kuwait) and the British Institute of Vocational Training (Salmiya, Block 3, Street 5, House 3.) Tickets are in high demand so book early to avoid disappointment. For more information, please contact the British Academy of International Arts on 60052087 or email us at administrator@baia.com.kw
Page 48
Friday, May 28, 2010
FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 161
FLIGHT SCHEDULE
IN CASE YOU ARE NOT TRAVELLING, YOUR PROPER CANCELLATION OF BOOKINGS WILL HELP OTHER PASSENGERS TO USE SEATS. Airlines Wataniya Airways Tunis Air Wataniya Airways Kuwait Gulf Air Wataniya Airways Pakistan Jazeera Turkish Wataniya Airways Ethiopian Jazeera Jazeera DHL Emirates Etihad Qatari Air France Jazeera Jazeera British Kuwait Jazeera Kuwait Kuwait Fly Dubai Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Emirates Arabia Kuwait Qatari Etihad Iran Air Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Middle East Wataniya Airways Jazeera Yemenia Jazeera Egypt Air Jazeera Kuwait Jordanian Wataniya Airways United Jazeera Fly Dubai Jazeera Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Qatari Kuwait Bahrain Air Mihin Etihad Jazeera Emirates Gulf Air Wataniya Airways Saudia Arabia Jazeera Jazeera SriLankan
Arrival Flights on Friday 28/05/2010 Flt Route 188 Bahrain 327 Tunis/Dubai 306 Cairo 544 Cairo 211 Bahrain 408 Beirut 215 Karachi 241 Amman 772 Istanbul 322 Sharm El Sheikh 620 Addis Ababa 267 Beirut 513 Sharm El Sheikh 370 Bahrain 853 Dubai 305 Abu Dhabi 138 Doha 6770 Paris 503 Luxor 527 Alexandria 157 London 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 481 Sabiha 206 Islamabad 302 Mumbai 053 Dubai 676 Dubai 352 Cochin 284 Dhaka 362 Colombo 855 Dubai 121 Sharjah 286 Chittagong 132 Doha 301 Abu Dhabi 619 Lar 182 Bahrain 213 Bahrain 404 Beirut 102 Dubai 165 Dubai 825 Sanaa 171 Dubai 610 Cairo 457 Damascus 672 Dubai 800 Amman 432 Damascus 982 Washington DC Dulles 525 Alexandria 057 Dubai 257 Beirut 422 Amman 552 Damascus 744 Dammam 134 Doha 546 Alexandria 344 Bahrain 403 Colombo/Dubai 303 Abu Dhabi 427 Bahrain 851 Dubai 215 Bahrain 402 Beirut 510 Riyadh 125 Sharjah 367 Deirezzor 239 Amman 227 Colombo/Dubai
Time 00:30 00:35 00:50 00:50 01:05 01:05 01:15 01:15 01:15 01:20 01:45 01:55 02:00 02:15 02:25 02:55 03:25 03:25 05:30 06:10 06:30 06:35 06:40 07:15 07:50 07:55 08:00 08:05 08:10 08:20 08:25 08:40 08:45 09:00 09:25 10:40 10:45 10:45 10:50 11:05 11:15 12:00 12:50 12:55 13:10 13:15 13:35 13:35 13:35 13:50 13:50 14:10 14:10 14:35 14:40 15:05 15:30 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:15 17:20 17:40 17:40 17:45 18:00
Jazeera Wataniya Airways Kuwait Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Jazeera Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Indian Kuwait Fly Dubai Oman Air Middle East Wataniya Airways Jet A/W Rovos Saudia Wataniya Airways Jazeera DHL Gulf Air Kuwait Qatari Jazeera United Emirates Jazeera Lufthansa Jazeera Egypt Air Shaheen Air KLM Egypt Air Wataniya Airways
497 Riyadh 304 Cairo 166 Paris/Rome 106 Dubai 542 Cairo 502 Beirut 618 Doha 177 Dubai 614 Bahrain 674 Dubai 774 Riyadh 102 New York/London 575 Chennai/Goa 562 Amman 061 Dubai 647 Muscat 402 Beirut 612 Sabiha 572 Mumbai 081 Baghdad 506 Jeddah 404 Beirut 459 Damascus 372 Bahrain 217 Bahrain 786 Jeddah 136 Doha 693 Shiraz 981 Bahrain 859 Dubai 429 Bahrain 636 Frankfurt 185 Dubai 612 Cairo 441 Lahore/Karachi 0447 Amsterdam/Bahrain 606 Luxor 108 Dubai
Departure Flights on Friday 28/05/2010 Airlines Flt Route 044 Dhaka Bangladesh 390 Mangalore/Kozhikode India Express Lufthansa 637 Frankfurt Indian 982 Ahmedabad/Hyderabad/Chennai 206 Lahore Pakistan 328 Tunis Tunis Air Turkish 773 Istanbul 216 Karachi Pakistan 620 Bahrain/Addis Ababa Ethiopian DHL 371 Bahrain Emirates 854 Dubai 306 Abu Dhabi Etihad 139 Doha Qatari Air France 6770 Dubai/Hong Kong Wataniya Airways 101 Dubai Jazeera 524 Alexandria Jazeera 164 Dubai Gulf Air 212 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 181 Bahrain Jazeera 456 Damascus Wataniya Airways 431 Damascus British 156 London Jazeera 256 Beirut Kuwait 545 Alexandria Fly Dubai 054 Dubai Jazeera 170 Dubai Kuwait 177 Frankfurt/Geneva Kuwait 671 Dubai Kuwait 551 Damascus Wataniya Airways 421 Amman
18:05 18:35 18:40 18:45 18:50 18:50 18:55 19:05 19:20 19:20 19:25 19:25 19:30 19:40 20:05 20:15 20:20 20:20 20:30 20:30 20:35 20:50 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:35 21:40 21:55 22:00 22:10 22:30 22:40 22:55 23:00 23:10 23:15 23:55 Time 00:15 00:25 00:50 01:05 01:10 01:25 02:15 02:30 02:30 03:15 03:45 04:00 05:00 05:15 06:50 07:00 07:00 07:45 07:50 08:05 08:10 08:25 08:25 08:35 08:40 08:45 08:55 09:00 09:10 09:10
Arabia Emirates Qatari Kuwait Etihad Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Iran Air Middle East Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Wataniya Airways Jazeera Jazeera Kuwait Kuwait Yemenia Jazeera Egypt Air Jordanian Wataniya Airways Fly Dubai Kuwait United Jazeera Jazeera Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Jazeera Kuwait Qatari Kuwait Rovos Bahrain Air Etihad Minin Emirates Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Jazeera Arabia Saudia Jazeera Jazeera SriLankan Jazeera Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Fly Dubai Kuwait Kuwait Oman Air Middle East Jet A/W Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Saudia DHL Kuwait Qatari Kuwait Kuwait Jazeera Emirates Jazeera Jazeera United Kuwait Gulf Air
122 856 133 117 302 401 214 618 405 303 743 541 611 366 238 103 501 825 426 611 801 105 058 561 982 176 496 403 673 617 785 458 773 135 613 082 345 304 404 858 305 216 262 126 511 184 692 228 428 107 283 361 062 331 343 648 403 571 187 218 507 373 675 137 203 301 612 860 526 636 981 411 613
Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)
Sharjah Dubai Doha New York Abu Dhabi Beirut Bahrain Lar Beirut Cairo Dammam Cairo Sabiha Deirezzor Amman London Beirut Doha/Sanaa Bahrain Cairo Amman Dubai Dubai Amman Bahrain Dubai Riyadh Beirut Dubai Doha Jeddah Damascus Riyadh Doha Bahrain Baghdad Bahrain Abu Dhabi Dubai/Colombo Dubai Cairo Bahrain Beirut Sharjah Riyadh Dubai Shiraz Dubai/Colombo Bahrain Dubai Dhaka Colombo Dubai Trivandrum Chennai Muscat Beirut Mumbai Bahrain Bahrain Jeddah Bahrain Dubai Doha Lahore Mumbai Lahore Dubai Alexandria Aleppo Washington DC Dulles Bangkok/Manila Cairo
09:20 09:40 10:00 10:00 10:10 11:35 11:35 11:40 11:50 11:50 11:55 12:00 12:05 12:20 12:25 12:30 13:00 13:00 13:55 13:55 14:30 14:30 14:35 14:35 14:50 14:55 15:00 15:10 15:10 15:35 15:45 15:50 16:05 16:20 16:20 17:00 17:25 17:35 17:40 18:05 18:05 18:05 18:20 18:20 18:35 18:35 18:45 19:10 19:10 19:40 20:00 20:20 20:50 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:20 21:30 21:35 21:55 21:55 22:00 22:10 22:35 22:40 22:45 22:55 23:10 23:20 23:35 23:40 23:40 23:55
CLASSIFIEDS
Friday, May 28, 2010
ACCOMMODATION A fully furnished flat for rent during summer vacation for 3 months starting from June - Aug. CA/C building, nice location in Kheitan, specially for families on visit. Phone: 67060429. (C 2326) Fully furnished 1 BHK available for Indian Muslim family from 22nd June to 10th Sept. with household items at Abbassiya, opp German Clinic. Contact: 97834504. (C 2327) Independent room for working ladies or single bachelor near Lulu Hypermarket, central A/C + satellite. Please call: 65152017. (C 2328) 27-5-2010 Room available in C-A/C flat with separate bathroom in Sharq near Mughal Mahal restaurant for working ladies or small family from June 1st. Contact: 99567689 or 55197093. (C 2321) Sharing accommodation available for an executive bachelor or two decent bachelors from 1st of June, to share a room in a double bedroom flat in Abbassiya, Neethi store building, 3rd floor, flat no. 12, rent KD 70. Contact: 99784801/97285779/2431 0647. (C 2325) 26-5-2010
Sharing accommodation available for bachelors, or executive bachelors or families with an Indian family in Farwaniya. Please contact: 99529179. (C 2316)
Abbassiya with one family, one couple or a single working woman. Please contact: 97501647. (C 2301)
Sharing accommodation available for two or three non-smoking Keralites in Abbassiya behind Oman Exchange, kitchen facilities available. Contact: 66937100/99185377/2433 4859. (C 2318)
Sharing accommodation available for small family or two working ladies in a room with attached bathroom flat in Abbassiya with a Christian family near highway center, rent KD 80. Contact: 97215421. (C 2300)
Spacious room with attached bath available for an executive bachelor/working couple in a CA/C flat in Hawally close to Tunis & Beirut streets, very convenient location. Contact: 97563283 (till 4 pm)/66705749. (C 2317) 25-5-2010 Room available preferably for a single person, in a 2 bedroom flat near Khaitan coop/police station, with Goan family. Contact: 99453500/ 66531884. (C 2315) Two central A/C room available in Bneid Al-Gar, very near to Al-Salam hospital for decent working ladies. Please contact: 97879611 from June 2010. (C 2312) Sharing accommodation available for Keralite couples in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom new flat in Abbassiya, near United Indian School. Mob: 97345539. (C 2313) 24-5-2010 Sharing accommodation in
Sharing accommodation available in Khaitan near Carmel School for a couple or small family. One bedroom with split unit AC and one bedroom and hall with CAC flat. Contact: 66434840, 97685515. (C 2304) Sharing accommodation available for couple or lady, CA/C flat, fully furnished, near German Clinic, Abbassiya. Phone: 66041859, 24319810. (C 2303) Sharing accommodation available in Farwaniya for couples/visiting families/one decent executive bachelor (Indians only) to share with a Keralite family in a 2 BHK - CA/C flat, near Mughal Mahal restaurant, opp Farwaniya police station, easy access to bus stops and jamiya, available from May last or June 1st onwards. If interested please contact: 97508939. (C 2307) 23-5-2010
Page 49
FOR SALE Pentium 4, Intel, 40 GB HDD, 256 MB RAM, CD ROM, 56K modem, soundcard, speakers, 17” CRT monitor, ready for internet KD 30. P III, Intel, 15 GB HDD, 128 MB RAM with 17” CRT monitor KD 15. Contact: 66244192. (C 2330) 27-5-2010 Toyota Hoice bus 2006 seat, 4000 Nissan Uran freezer model, KD 1400 Phone: 66052331. 2324)
mini KD, 2000 KD. (C
House contents sale, Sat 29 May 9-12 noon, Salwa, block 7, street 7, house 293, apt 2, ground floor, all must go. Tel: 25657060. (C 2322) 26-5-2010 Toyota Camry Grande, model 98, V6, 6 cylinder, golden color, km 90000 thousand, price KD 1300, excellent condition. Tel: 99749610. (C 2320) 25-5-2010 Mitsubishi Gallant model 1999, good condition, color dark green A/C good condition, price KD 550. Tel: 55754706. (C 2314) 24-5-2010
original, RAM 256, HD 80 GB, with 15” LCD monitor, Win XP Professional, all in excellent condition, price KD 50, call 99322585. (C 2306) Sofa set 5-seater, 3+1+1, good and clean condition, color green, covered with maroon, price KD 25, call 66007808. (C 2305) 23-5-2010
family (salary according to experience). Call: 99285701. (C 2302) Live-in, full-time housemaid, for family in Salwa, KD 90 per month, must have own residency, all duties including walking dog, holiday Friday, start immediately. Tel: 97611015. (C 2311) 23-5-2010
SITUATION VACANT
CHANGE OF NAME
Live-in, full-time housemaid, for family in Salwa, KD 90 per month. Must have own residency. All duties including walking dog. Holiday Friday. Immediate start. Tel: 97611015. (C 2310) 27-5-2010 Cook wanted for a decent Kuwaiti family, well experienced in making Arabic/Indian/Chinese dishes. Indian/Nepali/ Bangladeshi nationals. Please call 97330070. (C 2323) 26-5-2010
I, Fatma Likayat Hussain Malik, holder of Indian Passport No: B5329229, change my religion from Islam to Hindu and hereby change my name to Vidya Vijay Rakhra. (C 2329) 27-5-2010
SITUATION WANTED Indian Accountant, B.Com, with 8 years Gulf experience, holding UAE driving license, available in Kuwait on visit, seeking immediate employment. Tel: 65122160. (C 2308) 23-5-2010
Need urgently part-time babysitter in Al Muthana City. Please call 66809431, 55145707. (C 2319)
Toyota box (2 nos) delivery van 2010 model for sale company owned, only serious buyers please call 99078810. (C 2309)
Required live-in maid for an Indian family, please contact 24764736 or 66527975 between 5 pm to 11 pm. (C 2277) 25-5-2010
PC IBM, Pentium 4, Intel
Wanted driver for Kuwaiti
MATRIMONIAL Alliance invited for 26/5’1”/RCSC girl B/B Kuwait. PGDRM/Pursuing MBA. Working with Retail Chain Mumbai, seeks proposals from Keralite RCSC Postgraduate boys B/B outside Kerala. Email: georgecv2@hotmail.com (C 2269) 24-5-2010
PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists: Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 5622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 5752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 5321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 5739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 5757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 5732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 5732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT): Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz
4555050 Ext 510 5644660 5646478 5311996 5731988 2620166 5651426
General Practitioners: Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi Dr. Yousef Al-Omar Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem Dr. Kathem Maarafi Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae
4555050 Ext 123 4719312 3926920 5730465 5655528 4577781 5333501
Urologists: Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 2641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 2639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 2616660
Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 5313120 Plastic Surgeons: Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari Dr. Abdel Quttainah
2547272 2617700 5625030/60
Family Doctor: Dr Divya Damodar
3729596/3729581
Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan
2635047 2613623/0
Gynaecologists & Obstetricians: Dr Adrian Harbe Dr. Verginia s.Marin Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly Dr. Salem soso
3729596/3729581 572-6666 ext 8321 2655539 5343406 5739272 2618787
General Surgeons: Dr. Abidallah Behbahani 5717111 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 2610044 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 5327148
Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra Dr. Mobarak Aldoub Dr Nasser Behbehani
5728004 5355515 4726446 5654300/3
Paediatricians: Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed Dr. Zahra Qabazard Dr. Sohail Qamar Dr. Snaa Maaroof Dr. Pradip Gujare Dr. Zacharias Mathew
5340300 5710444 2621099 5713514 3713100 4334282
(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada) 5655535 Dentists: Dr Anil Thomas Dr. Shamah Al-Matar Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan Dr. Bader Al-Ansari
3729596/3729581 2641071/2 2562226 2561444 2619557 2525888 5653755 5620111
Internists, Chest & Heart: Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Mousa Khadada
2639939 2666300
Neurologists: Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 5633324 Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 5345875
Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman 2636464 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 5322030 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 2633135 Endocrinologist: Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 5339330 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 5658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 5329924 Physiotherapists & VD: Dr. Deyaa Shehab Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees
5722291 2666288
Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 5330060 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 5722290 Internist, Chest & Heart: DR.Mohammes Akkad 4555050 Ext 210 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Tel: 5339667 Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Consultant Cardiologist Tel: 2611555-2622555
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Friday, May 28, 2010
TV Listings Orbit /Showtime Channels
00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00
Inside the Actors Studio Life One Tree Hill ER Life Sons of Anarchy Doctor Who Inside the Actors Studio Defying Gravity Ghost Whisperer One Tree Hill Wallander Doctor Who Sons of Anarchy One Tree Hill Life Defying Gravity Ghost Whisperer Inside the Actors Studio Beauty and the Geek The Pacific Big Love Season 4 TBC The Closer The Ex-List
00:15 00:45 01:40 02:35 03:00 03:30 04:25 05:20 05:45 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:45 09:40 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:20 Takes? 11:50 12:45 13:10 13:40 14:35 15:00 Takes? 15:30 15:55 16:25 16:50 17:20 17:45 18:15 18:40 19:10 19:40 20:10 21:05 22:00
Dark Days in Monkey City Animal Cops Houston Untamed & Uncut Going Ape Going Ape Animal Cops Philadelphia Animal Precinct Animal Battlegrounds Monkey Business E-Vets: The Interns Aussie Animal Rescue Wildlife SOS Pet Rescue Orangutan Island Dark Days in Monkey City Austin Stevens Adventures Monkey Business The Planet’s Funniest Animals The Planet’s Funniest Animals Monkey Life RSPCA: Have You Got What it
00:15 00:45 01:15 01:45 02:30 03:05 03:30 03:50 04:10 04:35 04:55 05:15 05:40 06:00 06:20 06:45 07:05 07:25 07:50 08:10 08:30 08:55 09:15 09:40 10:25 11:15 11:45 12:15 13:00 13:30
Animal Precinct E-Vets: The Interns Pet Rescue Animal Cops Philadelphia Wildlife SOS RSPCA: Have You Got What it Orangutan Island Dark Days in Monkey City The Planet’s Funniest Animals The Planet’s Funniest Animals Monkey Business Monkey Life Safari Sisters Safari Sisters Orangutan Island Dark Days in Monkey City Animal Cops Houston Untamed & Uncut Whale Wars
The Fast Show Saxondale Supernova The Weakest Link Last of the Summer Wine Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Tweenies Bargain Hunt The Life Of Mammals Last of the Summer Wine Last of the Summer Wine The Weakest Link Eastenders Doctors
14:00 Cash In The Attic 14:30 Bargain Hunt 15:15 Last of the Summer Wine 15:45 Last of the Summer Wine 16:15 The Weakest Link 17:00 Doctors 17:30 Eastenders 18:00 A Thing Called Love 18:59 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries 19:45 Doctor Who Confidential 20:00 The Weakest Link 20:45 Doctors 21:15 Red Cap 22:15 Love Soup
00:25 00:50 01:15 02:05 02:30 02:55 03:45 04:15 04:45 05:10 05:35 06:00 06:30 07:05 07:25 08:10 09:00 09:50 10:10 10:40 11:10 11:35 12:20 12:45 13:10 14:00 14:45 15:35 15:55 16:20 16:50 17:15 18:05 18:55 19:40 20:15 20:40 21:05 21:50 22:40 23:30
Indian Food Made Easy Ching’s Kitchen Colin And Justin’s Home Show Little Angels Little Angels Come Dine With Me Daily Cooks Challenge Cash In The Attic USA Hidden Potential Little Angels Little Angels MasterChef Goes Large MasterChef Goes Large Cash In The Attic USA Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow Cash In The Attic USA Hidden Potential Indian Food Made Easy Ching’s Kitchen Colin And Justin’s Home Show Little Angels Little Angels Come Dine With Me Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow Cash In The Attic USA Hidden Potential Indian Food Made Easy Ching’s Kitchen Colin And Justin’s Home Show Antiques Roadshow Come Dine With Me MasterChef Goes Large The Naked Chef The Naked Chef Living In The Sun What Not To Wear Come Dine With Me MasterChef Goes Large
01:00 The Proposition-PG15 03:00 The Wackness-18 04:45 We Are Marshall-PG15 07:00 Chariots Of Fire-PG 09:00 Stolen Summer-PG 11:00 L’age Des Tenebres-PG15 13:00 Hard Ball-PG15 15:00 Chasing The Horizon-PG15 17:00 A Walk In The Clouds-PG15 19:00 Juno-PG15 21:00 Solaris-PG15 23:00 Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead-18
00:00 Border Security 00:30 Destroyed in Seconds 01:00 Miami Ink 02:00 Overhaulin’ 02:55 Heart of the Machine 03:50 Extreme Engineering 04:45 Mythbusters 05:40 How Stuff Works 06:05 Dirty Jobs 07:00 Extreme Engineering 07:55 Mean Machines: Transatlantic Challenge 08:20 Overhaulin’ 09:15 Mythbusters 10:10 Ultimate Survival 11:05 Heart of the Machine 12:00 Border Security 12:30 How It’s Made 12:55 How Stuff Works 13:20 American Chopper 14:15 Miami Ink 15:10 Mythbusters 16:05 Dirty Jobs 17:00 Deadliest Catch 18:00 Border Security 18:30 Overhaulin’ 19:30 Destroyed in Seconds 20:00 How It’s Made
00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:50 04:45 05:10 05:40 06:10 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:55 10:20 10:50 11:45 12:15 13:10 13:35 14:30 15:25 15:55 16:50 17:45 18:40 19:05 19:30 20:20 20:45 21:10 22:00 22:25
Perfect Disaster Science of the Movies I, Videogame Beyond Tomorrow Thunder Races Cool Stuff & How it Works Weird Connections One Step Beyond Perfect Disaster Thunder Races Ten Ways Science of the Movies Stuntdawgs Weird Connections Perfect Disaster Cool Stuff & How it Works The Greatest Ever One Step Beyond Science of the Movies Under New York Cool Stuff & How it Works Ten Ways Brainiac The Greatest Ever The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Space Pioneer How It’s Made How It’s Made Mythbusters The Gadget Show The Gadget Show
00:00 00:10 00:20 00:35 01:00 01:25 01:45 01:55 02:10 02:35 02:55 03:20 03:35 04:00 04:25 04:45 05:10 05:35 06:00 06:10 06:20 06:35 07:00 07:20 07:45 08:00 08:10 08:35 09:00 09:20 09:35 09:45 10:10 10:35 11:00 11:25 11:45 12:10 12:35 12:55 13:20 13:40 13:50 14:05 14:15 14:40 14:55 15:15 15:40 16:00 16:25 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:00 18:25 18:45 19:00 20:35 21:00 21:25 21:45 22:00
Special Agent Oso Timmy Time Jungle Junction Special Agent Oso Handy Manny Imagination Movers Jungle Junction Timmy Time Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Handy Manny Jungle Junction Fairly Odd Parents Phineas & Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana Jonas Special Agent Oso Timmy Time Jungle Junction Special Agent Oso Handy Manny Imagination Movers Jungle Junction Timmy Time Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Handy Manny Jungle Junction Special Agent Oso Brandy & Mr Whiskers Fairly Odd Parents A Kind Of Magic I Got A Rocket Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas & Ferb Suite Life On Deck Hannah Montana Replacements Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Timmy Time Handy Manny Jungle Junction I Got A Rocket Phineas & Ferb Replacements A Kind Of Magic Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Fairly Odd Parents Phineas & Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana The Replacements Dadnapped Wizards Of Waverly Place The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Replacements I Got A Rocket
00:15 00:40 01:30 02:20
Streets of Hollywood E!ES 25 Most Stylish Sexiest
03:15 Young, Beautiful & Vanished 05:05 Dr 90210 06:00 15 Remarkable Celebrity Body Bouncebacks 07:45 25 Most Stylish 08:35 E! News 09:00 The Daily 10 09:25 Keeping Up with the Kardashians 09:50 Keeping Up with the Kardashians 10:15 THS 11:05 THSC 12:00 E! News 12:25 The Daily 10 12:50 Bank of Hollywood 13:40 Dr 90210 14:30 THS 16:15 Behind the Scenes 16:40 Behind the Scenes 17:10 Pretty Wild 17:35 Pretty Wild 18:00 E! News 18:25 The Daily 10 18:50 Streets of Hollywood 19:15 Battle of the Hollywood Hotties 19:40 THS 20:30 THS 21:20 Kendra 21:45 Kendra 22:10 E! News
00:00 01:00 03:00 04:00 07:00 08:40 09:30 10:30 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00
Chopped Food Network Challenge Iron Chef America Teleshopping Food Network Challenge Iron Chef America Iron Chef America Chopped Everyday Italian Great British Menu Daily Cooks Challenge 30 Minute Meals 30 Minute Meals Barefoot Contessa Nigella Express Daily Cooks Challenge Barefoot Contessa Everyday Italian Grill It! with Bobby Flay Tyler’s Ultimate Great British Menu Daily Cooks Challenge Barefoot Contessa Barefoot Contessa Nigella Express Food Network Challenge Iron Chef America Iron Chef America
01:00 Inside the PGA Tour 01:30 World of Athletics 02:00 MLB: New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins 03:00 MLB: New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers 05:00 The Golf Channel Programming TBA 07:30 Golf Central International 08:00 MLB: New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins 11:00 PGA Tour: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Rd. 1 Fort Worth, TX 14:00 MLB: New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins 17:00 European Tour Madrid Masters Rd. 2 Sevilla, 20:00 Big Ten Men’s Golf Big Ten Men’s Championship at Minnesota 22:00 PGA Tour: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Rd. 2 Fort Worth, TX
00:30 01:20 02:10 03:05 04:00 04:55 05:20 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 10:20 11:10
A Haunting FBI Files On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Forensic Detectives Real Emergency Calls Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghosthunters Ghosthunters Forensic Detectives FBI Files CSU Solved Forensic Detectives FBI Files
X-Men Origins: Wolverine on Show Movies 12:00 12:50 13:40 14:30 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:30 20:20 21:10 22:00 23:40
Diagnosis: Unknown Solved Mystery ER Forensic Detectives FBI Files CSU Solved Forensic Detectives FBI Files Diagnosis: Unknown Solved Mystery ER Extreme Forensics Dr G: Medical Examiner
01:15 02:50 04:25 06:15 08:15 10:25 12:15 13:55 15:30 17:05 18:40 20:15 22:00 23:45 Story
The Happy Hooker Trade Off Sunday, Bloody Sunday Cuba The Pride And The Passion Juggernaut Mac And Me Operation Lookout Moving Target (Tv Movie) Rich Kids UHF After The Fox Lord Of Illusions In His Life: The John Lennon
00:00 Bondi Rescue - Bali 00:30 Lonely Planet 01:30 Bondi Rescue 02:00 Bondi Rescue 02:30 The Best Job In The World 03:00 Weird And Wonderful Hotels 03:30 Jailed Abroad 04:30 The Ride: Alaska to Patagonia 05:00 Amazing Adv Of Nobody Europe 05:30 Word Travels 06:00 Bondi Rescue - Bali 06:30 Lonely Planet 07:30 Bondi Rescue 08:00 Bondi Rescue 08:30 The Best Job In The World 09:00 Weird And Wonderful Hotels 09:30 Jailed Abroad 10:30 The Ride: Alaska to Patagonia 11:00 Amazing Adv Of Nobody Europe 11:30 Word Travels 12:00 Bondi Rescue - Bali 12:30 Lonely Planet 13:30 Don’t Tell My Mother... 14:30 4Real 15:00 First Ascent 15:30 Jailed Abroad 16:30 The Ride: Alaska to Patagonia
17:00 Amazing Adv Of Nobody Europe 17:30 Word Travels 18:00 Bondi Rescue - Bali 18:30 Lonely Planet 19:30 Don’t Tell My Mother... 20:30 4Real 21:00 First Ascent 21:30 Jailed Abroad 22:30 The Ride: Alaska to Patagonia 23:00 Amazing Adv Of Nobody Europe 23:30 Word Travels
00:00 Modern Family 00:30 New adventures of old Christine 01:00 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 01:30 The Colbert Report 02:00 Late night with Jimmy Fallon 03:00 Plus one 03:30 It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia 04:00 Saturday Night Live 05:00 Modern Family 05:30 Late night with Jimmy Fallon 06:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 07:00 Just Shoot me! 07:30 Simpsons 08:00 Frasier 08:30 Tyler Perry’s House of Payne 09:00 Married with Children 09:30 Drew Carey 10:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:30 Just Shoot me! 11:00 Frasier 11:30 Hope & Faith 12:00 Saturday Night Live 13:00 New adventures of old Christine 13:30 Tyler Perry’s House of Payne 14:00 Married with Children 14:30 Three sisters 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Family Biz 17:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 17:30 Frasier 18:00 The Bernie Mac show 18:30 Dharma & Greg 19:00 Kath & Kim 19:30 Two and a half men 20:00 Late night with Jimmy Fallon 21:00 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Cougar Town 22:30 American Dad 23:00 Saturday Night Live
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Friday, May 28, 2010
00:00 01:00 01:30 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00
What’s Good For You 10 Years Younger Look A Like The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Monique Show The Tonight show with Jay Leno GMA (repeat) GMA Health What’s the Buzz What’s Good For You Look A Like 10 Years Younger Jimmy Kimmel Live! The View The Ellen DeGeneres Show What’s Good For You GMA Live GMA Health What’s the Buzz The Tonight show with Jay Leno Look A Like 10 Years Younger The View The Ellen DeGeneres Show Jimmy Kimmel Live! The Tonight show with Jay Leno The Monique Show
07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:05 09:30 09:50 10:15 10:40 11:05 11:30 11:55 12:05 12:50 13:10 13:30 13:55 14:20 14:45 15:10 16:00 16:05 16:30 16:55 17:20 17:45 Pooh 18:10 18:35 19:00 19:10 19:35
Special Agent OSO Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Imagination Movers Lazytown (Scandi) Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Special Agent OSO Imagination Movers My Friends Tigger And Pooh Lazytown (Scandi) Little Einsteins Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Little Einsteins Imagination Movers Little Einsteins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jo Jo’s Circus Jo Jo’s Circus Higglytown Heroes Happy Monster Band My Friends Tigger And Pooh Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Special Agent OSO New Adventures Of Winnie The
00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00
Imagination Movers Handy Manny Special Agent OSO Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Handy Manny
300-18 JCVD-PG15 Dragonlance-PG Definitely Maybe-PG15 Baby Mama-PG Beverly Hills Chihuahua-PG The Incredible Hulk-PG Frost/Nixon-PG15 Baby Mama-PG Elizabeth: The Golden Age X-Men Origins: Wolverine Semi-Pro-PG15
01:00 On The Doll-18 03:00 Iron Man-PG15 05:10 Shifty-PG15 07:00 Capers-PG15 09:00 The Mist-PG15 11:10 Urban Assault-18 13:00 Boa-PG15 15:00 The Mist-PG15 17:10 Ba’al-PG15 19:00 Revolver-18 21:00 Shoot ‘em Up-18 23:00 Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning-18
00:00 In Memory Of My Father-PG15 02:00 My Bollywood Bride-PG15 04:00 My Fake Finace-PG15 06:00 Rat Race-PG15 08:00 First Kid-PG 10:00 Dan In Real Life-PG15 12:00 I.q.-PG 14:00 Sydney White And The 7 Dorks-PG15
16:00 In Memory Of My Father-PG15 18:00 Lymelife-PG15 20:00 The Frighteners-PG15 22:00 Without A Paddle: Nature’s Calling-PG15
Rides 07:00 Globe Trekker 08:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 09:00 Top Travel 09:30 Travel Today 10:00 Planet Food 11:00 Intrepid Journeys 12:00 Globe Trekker 13:00 Taste Takes Off 13:30 The Thirsty Traveler 14:00 Hollywood and Vines 14:30 Entrada 15:00 Top Travel 15:30 Travel Today 16:00 Globe Trekker 17:00 Essential 17:30 Taste Takes Off 18:00 Planet Food 19:00 Tall Ship Explorers 20:00 Globe Trekker 21:00 Down the Line 22:00 Short History of Convict Australia 23:00 Globe Trekker
00:00 Taina II-PG 02:00 Wall-E-FAM 04:00 Happy Feet-PG 06:00 Zeus And Roxanne-PG 08:00 Simba Junior To The World CupFAM 10:00 Happy Feet-PG 12:00 Barney’s Great Adventure-FAM 14:00 Wall-E-FAM 16:00 Gulliver’s Travel-PG 18:00 Madagascar 2-PG 20:00 Tom And Jerry: A Nutcracker’s Tale-FAM 22:00 Barney’s Great Adventure-FAM
00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 04:30 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00
Heroes Hotel Babylon Cold Case Lipstick Jungle Every Body Loves Raymond Home Improvement The Unusuals Emmerdale Huey’s Cooking Adventure Cold Case Every Body Loves Raymond Home Improvement Lipstick Jungle The Unusuals Cold Case Emmerdale Huey’s Cooking Adventure Every Body Loves Raymond Home Improvement Heroes Hotel Babylon The Unusuals Lipstick Jungle Better off Ted Billable Hours “24” “24” Flash Forwards Lie to Me Lipstick Jungle
00:00 07:00 10:30 12:30 13:00 20:00 20:30 23:00 23:30
International Cricket Pga European Tour Live Nrl Premiership Icc Cricket World Live International Cricket Icc Cricket World Afl Premiership Total Rugby Icc Cricket World
00:30 European Tour Weekly 01:00 Live The Senior PGA Chamionship 04:00 Rugby League State Of Origin 06:00 World Sport 06:30 Total Rugby 07:00 Live AFL Premiership 10:00 ICC Cricket World 10:30 The Senior PGA Chamionship 14:00 Total Rugby 14:30 NRL Premiership 16:30 European Tour Weekly 17:00 Live PGA European Tour 20:00 V8 Supercars 20:30 Futbol Mundial
00:00 01:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 12:00 13:00 14:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 20:00 22:00 23:00
UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC 113 UFC Countdown UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleased WWE NXT WWE Vintage Collection UFC Countdown FIA GT1 World Championship WWE NXT Red Bull X-Fighters AFL Premiership UAE National Race Day Mobil 1 The Grid UFC Countdown WWE NXT WWE Smack Down WWE Bottom Line UFC The Ultimate Fighter
00:00 00:30 01:00 02:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00
Hoot on SuperMovies
01:00 The Pleasure Of Being Robbed03:00 Babylon A.D-PG15 05:00 Broken Lines-PG15 07:00 Martian Child-PG 09:00 Hoot-PG 11:00 Bride Wars-PG15 13:00 Kit Kittredge: An American Girl-PG 15:00 Bring It On 5: Fight To The Finish-PG15 17:00 Hoot-PG 19:00 Hannah Montana: The Movie 21:00 Management-PG15
02:05 04:00 06:30 07:00 08:55 10:45 12:25 14:05 14:40 16:55 19:35 20:05 22:00
The Year Of Living Dangerously The Comedians The Screening Room Now, Voyager Bhowani Junction Hannibal Brooks Forbidden Planet The Screening Room North By Northwest The Alamo The Screening Room The Year Of Living Dangerously Slaves Of New York
00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:55 04:50 05:40 06:30
Mummy Forensics Deep Sea Salvage Ice Road Truckers, 3 How the Earth Was Made Evolve Dinosaur Secrets Cannibalism Secrets Revealed Mummy Forensics
07:20 08:10 09:00 09:55 10:50 11:40 12:30 13:20 14:10 15:00 15:55 16:50 17:40 18:30 19:20 20:10 21:00 21:55 22:50
Deep Sea Salvage Ice Road Truckers, 3 How the Earth Was Made Evolve Dinosaur Secrets Cannibalism Secrets Revealed Mummy Forensics Deep Sea Salvage Ice Road Truckers, 3 How the Earth Was Made Evolve Dinosaur Secrets Cannibalism Secrets Revealed Mummy Forensics The Universe 3 Ice Road Truckers, 3 The Crusades Dead Men’s Secrets The Universe
00:00 01:00 01:30 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 05:30 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00
Dr 90210 Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Dallas Divas & Daughters Whose Wedding Is it Anyway? How Do I Look? Dr 90210 Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Area How Do I Look? Style Star Style Her Famous My Celebrity Home Style Star Dress My Nest Whose Wedding Is it Anyway? How Do I Look? Ruby Clean House Clean House Comes Clean Dress My Nest What I Hate About Me What I Hate About Me Whose Wedding Is it Anyway? How Do I Look?
18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00
Dallas Divas & Daughters Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane Jerseylicious Clean House Clean House Comes Clean Dress My Nest Peter Perfect How Do I Look?
01:00 01:04 02:00 02:45 05:00 05:04 08:00 08:04 08:45 13:00 13:04 13:50 16:00 16:04 16:45 18:00 18:45 19:00 20:00 20:04 20:45 23:00 23:45
Code Hit Us Urban Hit Playlist Code Playlist Code French Only Playlist Code Urban Hit Playlist Code Africa 10 Playlist Urban Hit Playlist Trace Video Mix Code New Playlist Club 10 Playlist
00:00 01:00 02:00 02:30 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00
Intrepid Journeys Secrets of Bangkok Distant Shores Wild At Heart The Big Guide Globe Trekker Planet Food World’s Greatest Motorcycle
VH1 Rocks So 80’s Greatest Hits Vh1 Music Chill Out Vh1 Hits Vh1 Music Aerobic Top 10 Kylie Minogue Music For The Masses Vh1 Pop Chart Vh1 Music Music For The Masses Vh1 Music VH1 Viewer’s Jukebox Rock VH1 Viewer’s Jukebox Rock Top 10 Kylie Minogue Vh1 Pop Chart Boogie Night
CARTOON NETWORK 00:00 Camp Lazlo 00:25 Samurai Jack 00:50 Megas Xlr 01:15 Out Of Jimmy’s Head 01:40 Chowder 02:05 Cow & Chicken 02:30 Cramp Twins 02:55 George Of The Jungle 03:20 Adrenalini Brothers 03:45 Eliot Kid 04:10 Ed, Edd N Eddy 04:35 Class Of 3000 05:00 The Powerpuff Girls 05:15 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 05:40 The Secret Saturdays 06:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 06:30 Ben 10 06:55 Best Ed 07:20 Samurai Jack 07:45 Cramp Twins 08:10 Eliot Kid 08:35 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 09:00 Codename: Kids Next Door 09:25 Chowder 09:50 Best Ed 10:15 Chop Socky Chooks 10:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 11:05 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 11:30 Foster’s 60 12:30 Squirrel Boy 12:55 Robotboy 13:20 Camp Lazlo 13:45 The Powerpuff Girls 14:10 Class Of 3000 14:35 Ed, Edd N Eddy 15:00 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 15:25 Codename: Kids Next Door 15:50 Ben 10 16:15 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 16:40 Squirrel Boy 17:05 Eliot Kid 17:35 Casper’s Scare School 18:00 Skunk Fu! 18:25 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 18:50 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 19:15 The Secret Saturdays 19:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 20:05 Ben 10: Alien Force 20:30 Squirrel Boy 21:00 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 21:25 Chop Socky Chooks 21:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 22:05 The Powerpuff Girls 22:30 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 22:45 Ben 10: Alien Force
SPECTRUM
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J
ustin Bieber was once brought home by the police. The 16-year-old singer got in trouble with the authorities when he was younger after he and his friend snuck outside in the middle of the night, not realizing there was a curfew in the area. He said: “I snuck out once. My friend slept over and we were like, ‘Let’s go out.’ We just went
K
risten Stewart has never dated anyone she “found attractive”. The actress who is in a relationship with her ‘Twilight’ co-star Robert Pattinson - admits it takes her a while to get to know someone before she would find them appealing enough to go out with. She said: “People want me to say that I really like it when guys are funny and dorky but I’ve never really gone out with someone I’ve found attractive initially.” The ‘Runaways’ star also admitted she has no career plans after completing work on ‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’ and rather than being concerned at the prospect, insists she is delighted to have some free time. She added in a behind-the-scenes interview for
Barlow to be William’s best man
R
obbie Williams is reportedly going to ask Gary Barlow to be best man at his wedding. The ‘Bodies’ singer has decided to get the Take That frontman to take on the duty instead of his close pal Mark Owen when he marries fiancee Ayda Field. A member of Robbie’s family is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: “Rob is very fond of Gary and considers him a solid rock in his life. “Mark was always one of his fun time pals, but Rob really wants to thank Gary and show his respect for their
special bond.” Robbie’s long-time best friend Jonathan Wilkes will also act as a best man at the 36-year-old pop star’s wedding. The former Take That bandmates had a highprofile feud following Robbie’s departure from the group in 1995. However, in recent years the pair have patched up their differences and it is believed at some point Robbie will rejoin Take That. He recently said: “It will happen - but not in the next two years. There are contracts to fulfill, then I can do what I want.”
M
Friday, May 28, 2010
biking and were being stupid but we weren’t doing anything bad. “But the police saw us and brought me back home, because there was a curfew on the area! It was two in the morning and I got grounded for a month! That’s the worse trouble I’ve ever been in.” Now he’s famous, the ‘Baby’ hitmaker always tries to be on his best behavior
Flaunt magazine: “Oddly enough I have a really clean horizon, I’m excited about the last few films I did coming out but other than that - I always have my next three things planned out so to have a clean horizon is pretty nice.” Meanwhile, Kristen has admitted the interest in her personal life makes her want to “throw up” and stops her enjoying her happiness. She told Britain’s Elle magazine: “It’s so weird, that you have to be worried about people seeing things. “You want to be excited about something, normal people can be excited about their lives, and I am, too, but it’s such a different thing. It comes out as entertainment for other people and that makes me want to throw up.”
ezhgan Hussainy is to reveal all about her relationship with Simon Cowell in a new book. The 36-year-old make-up artist - who met the music mogul while working on ‘American Idol’ - is reportedly planning to write a tell-all autobiography detailing every aspect of her life, including their romance. A friend told the Daily Express newspaper: “Simon is such a big part of her life that he will definitely get a mention. “Simon is very private when it comes to his personal life so he might be hovering over the laptop when Mezhgan writes her final chapters.” The book will also include details of her childhood in Afghanistan and explain how she had to flee the country with her family. The pal explained: “Mezhgan really is an amazing woman. She went through so much as a child but she remains full of optimism and positivity.” It would seem the brunette beauty is a good influence on 50-year-old Simon. His fellow ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge Amanda Holden recently said he has become easier to work with since falling for Mezhgan. She said: “He’s a different man - more giggly, naughty and silly. Trust me, this girl is ‘The One’. “Simon’s a better boss when he’s in love because he just wants to go home, which means we get off earlier.”
but admits it’s not always easy. He told Top of the Pops magazine: “Well, I try not to be rude, but people push and push you. I was at this photo shoot and these guys were like, ‘Put this on, it looks really cool,’ and I was like, ‘I don’t really like that, I don’t wanna wear that.’ This is me, I wear a hoodie, I’m just easy.”
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iza Minnelli blamed Michael Jackson for allowing her to marry an “idiot”. The ‘New York, New York’ singer whose fourth wedding, to concert promoter David Gest, took place in 2002, with their pal Michael acting as best man - spoke to the late pop legend after the lavish ceremony and begged him to explain why he had allowed to go through with it. She said: “I grabbed him when I saw him when I got out of there. And I said, ‘Why did you let me marry this idiot?’ He said, ‘I thought you liked him! You look so happy. Your dress was
so beautiful. I don’t know. Let me go!’ And I said, ‘Michael, how could you.’ He said, ‘It’s over, relax.’ Then we looked at each other and we started to laugh, we really started to laugh.” Liza - who divorced David just 16 months later refuses to refer to her former spouse by his name and only recently discovered he hadn’t paid a penny towards the starstudded nuptials. She explained in an interview on ‘The Joy Behar Show’: “You know something terrible? I only found out I paid for that wedding about five months ago. I said to somebody, ‘Well -
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I’ll never mention his name again - but at least it was pretty. It should be it cost however much money it cost.’ And they said, ‘Yeah, well you paid for it.’ Did I think he had paid for it? Oh sure, I didn’t know.” Although the 64-year-old star who has also been married to Peter Allen, Jack Haley Jr. and Mark Gero regrets her most recent marriage, she finds many aspects of the relationship amusing. She added: “Some of the things make me laugh so hard when I look back. It was funny though, it was really funny.”
Lindsay Lohan thirsty for organic tea
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indsay Lohan has been gulping down cups of organic tea which contains a small trace of alcohol. The ‘Mean Girls’ actress - who has been forced to wear a SCRAM bracelet which monitors her alcohol consumption following a probation hearing regarding her second driving under the influence (DUI) conviction - has reportedly become addicted to a herbal drink which is said to detox and energize the body. The 23year-old star - who was spotted clutching a bottle of the healthy Kombucha tea as she left the Andy Lecompte salon in West Hollywood- has allegedly been drinking the beverage for “over a year”. GT Dave, the founder of Kombucha, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of Lindsay’s new found healthy
Davis’ fashion worries
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ristin Davis worries she disappoints fans with her fashion. The ‘Sex and the City 2’ actress who plays the immaculately dressed Charlotte York-Goldenblatt - says followers of the TV series and movies always expect her to be in beautiful outfits and fully made-up but knows she sometimes doesn’t meet their expectations. She said: “In my head, I have pictures with everyone whenever they ask. I’m always made up and I look great. I am warm and friendly to all our fans. That’s how I’d like to be and I don’t live up to that. Sometimes I look terrible and you can just see in the fans’ eyes. They’re like, ‘Oh no, what is she wearing?’ However, Kristin says she doesn’t want to be pressured to look good all the time as it can take too much effort. She said: “I have people to help me look good. I don’t want to change my life to the point where every morning, I get up and get fully made up to go out. It’s a bit of a struggle. I feel like I fall short.” One of Kristin’s favorite designers at the moment is Monique Lhuillier as she designs clothes to flatter Kristin’s figure. She said: “Her dresses have an old-fashioned feel which I love. I love her.”
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lifestyle. But we’re not surprised she was photographed carrying our product. She’s actually been drinking Kombucha for over a year... great to see that she’s taking her health seriously.” Although the product comes with a long list of benefits including improving the liver, blood and digestive systems, drinkers need to be careful not to consume too much since it is known to contain traces of alcohol due to fermentation of its fruit ingredients. Some users have also claimed that it can give a “mild euphoria” on top of energizing the body. Lindsay is not the only fan of the health drink as Jessica Simpson and Ryan Seacrest reportedly have cases of it delivered to their homes on a regular basis.
he ‘Killers’ actress - who raises adopted 17-month-old daughter with spouse Josh Kelley - thinks she would make a terrible secret agent because she always gives things away, though she takes pleasure in concealing herself in strange places. She said: “I’d be a terrible secret agent. I can’t keep a secret and I’m not sneaky. Though I have to say I am very good at hiding. I can
hide, and my husband’s just terrible at finding me. I do like to jump out from behind doors and scare him.” As well as enjoying frightening Josh, Katherine admits she isn’t afraid to tell the singer what she thinks of him - even if it makes him upset. She told Parade.com: “There are some things that if you say them out loud it will hurt the other person’s feelings. I tend to say them anyway
because I think it’s better to be honest. I gave a really hard time recently because he got this new haircut for a photo on the country album he’s releasing. “I really didn’t like it, even though everybody else loved it. I was like, ‘You don’t look like you. You’re really sexy, you’re a manly man and this is kind of a metro sexual look.’ Finally, he just stopped listening to me.” —Bang Showbiz
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In this publicity image released by Fox, Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze, center await the announcement of the ‘American Idol’ season nine winner during the ‘American Idol’ finale.—AP By Jill Serjeant
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ormer paint salesman Lee DeWyze was the surprise winner of “American Idol” on Wednesday, beating front-runner Crystal Bowersox on a night that saw the talent show’s former champions reunite to bid farewell to Simon Cowell. DeWyze, a 24-year-old Chicago native, won the coveted title and a recording contract after a nationwide phone and text vote based on the contestants’ performances the night before. “Idol” judges had all but anointed Bowersox the winner after her three songs on Tuesday outclassed a nervous DeWyze. But Americans made up their own minds and chose DeWyze. “I have never been happier in my life,” said a stunned DeWyze, choking back tears after the result was announced at the climax of a two-hour finale that featured performances by Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson and Joe Cocker. “It felt
like a huge weight is off my shoulders. Now that this big step is done, it’s on to the next step, which is to make an album and go on tour and do all the things I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” he told reporters later. Initially shy, he blossomed in later rounds of the show, and emerged as a serious threat to Bowersox after a rousing version of the Leonard Cohen classic “Hallelujah” last week. His cover of U2’s “Beautiful Day”, his first single, was made available immediately on iTunes. His debut album, on a Sony Music Entertainment record label, will likely follow in the fall. Bowersox, 24, said she had sensed before the show that DeWyze would take the title. “I knew Lee was going to win and people seem to be surprised by that, but I just had a feeling. “I couldn’t be happier for him...We both win. Both of us are going to have very successful careers and we’re going to be friends for a long time,” she told reporters backstage. Barry and
Friday, May 28, 2010
Lee DeWyze, winner of Season 9 of American Idol. — AP Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees and Alanis Morissette were also among the guest performers on Wednesday, while Poison rocker and “Celebrity Apprentice” winner Bret Michaels played his first live gig since suffering a brain hemorrhage in April and a mini-stroke last week. Paula returns DeWyze and the show’s high-wattage guests had to share the spotlight with both Cowell, whose departure was described by host Ryan Seacrest as “the end of an era”, and former “Idol” judge Paula Abdul. Abdul, who quit last year after a contract-renewal dispute, got a standing ovation from the 7,000-strong audience at the Nokia Theatre when she appeared on stage to bid her old sparring partner a teary farewell. “My darling Simon. I’ve worked with a lot of people over the years...but none of them holds a candle to you, my friend.
Elton John wows fans at ‘memorable’ Morocco concert
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ritish pop star Elton John performed before some 40,000 adoring fans in Morocco late Wednesday, living up to his promise of a “memorable” concert in a country whose main Islamic party had called for a ban on the openly gay singer. John wowed the audience at Rabat’s international Mawazine festival with a selection of hits from his decadeslong career, as some even flew in from Europe expressly to see him.
“I thank Morocco, the royal palace and the festival for inviting me. I am proud to be singing in Morocco,” John said, speaking in French, before launching his three-hour long concert in Rabat’s posh Souissi neighborhood. “More than 40,000 people attended the concert,” said Aziz Daki, artistic director of the festival, which is one of the most important cultural events in the Arab world. John had promised a “memorable”
British pop star Elton John performs during the Mawazine international music festival in Rabat on May 26, 2010. — AFP
evening after the festival’s organizers ignored a call by Morocco’s main opposition Islamist Justice and Development Party to ban him from the festival on the ground that it would pose “a risk of encouraging homosexuality in Morocco.” Daki had stood by his choice and said cancelling the concert on the grounds of John’s homosexuality would “undermine the respect of privacy” and “breach certain values that the international Mawazine festival is based on.” Fans were ecstatic that the performance went ahead. “I bought a plane ticket for 250 euros from Brussels to come and see Elton John in the flesh,” said Elissa Bonnet, a 32-year-old Belgian. “I will never find a better opportunity,” she added. Yasmina Faraoui, a 45-year-old Moroccan woman, said John was “one of the world’s greatest pianists.” Other international artists who appeared at the festival include Julio Iglesias, B.B. King and Carlos Santana. Protests also greeted Elton John’s performance last month at an open air concert at the ancient Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza in southeastern Mexico. The concert went ahead despite indigenous leaders’ complaints and an accident that saw the stage collapse, injuring three workers. —AFP
“I have loved all the fun we had together. ‘American Idol’ is not gonna be the same without you. But as only I can tell you, it will go on,” she said. Seven past “Idol” winners and more than 15 former contestants appeared on stage singing “Together We Are One” in tribute to Cowell’s part in making them stars. Pulled on stage after a series of flashback video clips of his years on the show, Cowell seemed genuinely moved. “I didn’t think I was going to be this emotional,” he said. “I am going to honestly, honestly miss you”. Cowell announced in January that he would be leaving “Idol” at the end of this season to launch a US version of his “The X-Factor” talent show on Fox in the fall of 2011. His replacement has not been announced. “American Idol” remains America’s most popular TV show of the last seven years. But this year audiences have slipped by about 9 percent to an average 23.9 million viewers per episode, compared to a 2006 high of about 30.8 million. — Reuters
Eurovision mania grips Oslo By Pierre-Henry Deshayes
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erene Oslo will be the scene of frenzied euphoria tomorrow when the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the world’s most watched events, blasts off with its trademark blend of kitsch and extravagance. As in earlier years, the 55th installment of the competition will provide ample room for sexy divas and golden-tanned playboys to strut and croon, accompanied by back-up singers and heavily made up tattooed dancers. It is set to attract some 120 million television viewers. According to betting agencies, the singers from Azerbaijan, Germany, Armenia and Israel have the best odds of following in the footsteps of Norwegian violinist Alexander Rybak, who took the top prize last year in Moscow. It is impossible to say which of the 25 artists and groups performing at the Telenor Arena near Oslo, in front of some 16,000 spectators, will win the hearts of millions of viewers across Europe who can call in to vote alongside professional juries from each country. In the austere Protestant country where gaudiness is generally frowned upon, all the flashy outfits, decked with glitter and sequins, do not go unnoticed. “We have to be allowed to let loose once a year. We deserve it,” said Rebecca Haugen, a 17-year-old student sitting with her friend Karoline Mantor in the Eurovision village set up between the
City Hall and the Oslo Fjord. For Saturday the pair is planning a girls night in front of the television, shouting out the choruses to their favorite songs in between gulps of wine. Anja Natvig, 40, is looking forward to taking her husband to the last rehearsal performance, just hours before the show goes live. “It’s a bit extreme but it’s very funny, all these costumes and the show,” she says. The event has its critics as well: Fortythree percent of Norwegians think the 200 million kroner (25 million euros, 30 million dollars) spent by public broadcaster NRK for the bash is a waste of its license fees. “Eurovision? I couldn’t care less,” says Jan Saboe, 47. “But if I were to protest every time public money is misspent, I would never do anything else,” he adds. Organizers have meanwhile stressed that this year the show will be less flamboyant and cheaper than the one put on in Moscow last year, for a whopping 32 million euros. NRK has however riled football fans across Norway after it sold off its rights to transmit the World Cup in South Africa next month to help finance the giant song contest. “At the risk of sounding like an old killjoy, I find it sad to use 200 million kroner to display a bunch of mediocre if not embarrassing songs,” an editorialist wrote in Norway’s paper of reference Aftenposten this week.—AFP
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Iran film ban latest chapter in running Cannes-Tehran row By Claire Rosemberg
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rumbling censorship row between the Cannes film festival and Iran flared anew yesterday when Tehran banned celebrated director Abbas Kiarostami’s new movie due to star Juliet Binoche’s “attire”. Already an Oscar-winner, she picked up Cannes’ best actress award last weekend for her role in “Certified Copy”, a tortuous tete-atete about love and marriage in which she remains determinedly fully clothed throughout. “If Juliette Binoche were better clad it could have been screened but due to her attire there will not be a general screening,” Deputy Culture Minister Javad Shamaqdari was quoted as saying by local newspapers, without describing the offensive attire. Kiarostami’s first film shot outside his country, where his work is rarely seen, features Binoche in western dress, at one point with plunging neckline and at another slapping on make-up and ear-rings. She does recount how she took off her bra in a church because she felt uncomfortable but that scene is not on screen. Binoche as well as Kiarostami, however, did keep up a harsh barrage of criticism against Tehran throughout the festival, for the way it treats its filmmakers and for its tough censorship stance. On picking up her prize, the 46-year-old French star brandished a sign with the name of Jafar Panahi, the Iranian film-maker jailed in Tehran
in March for planning a film against the Islamic regime who was released on bail on Tuesday. “I hope he will be here next year,” Binoche told the crowd. After years of friction between Cannes and Tehran, festival organizers may have added insult to injury this year by inviting jailed Panahi to join the festival jury that decides on the winners of its awards. Headed by “Alice in Wonderland” director Tim Burton, the jury called for his release and left a seat symbolically empty for him on stage at the festival’s red-carpet gala opening. Organizers also screened a clip of Panahi describing his interrogation by a police officer some time before his latest arrest. In fact Iran’s harried film-makers grabbed centre stage at Cannes 2010 — and not for the first time. Last year’s edition premiered Bahman Ghobadi’s underground movie from Tehran, “No One Know About Persian Cats”, a no-holds-barred denunciation of film and music censorship in Iran that was shot in secret in 17 days. Director of auteur award-winners such as “Turtles Can Fly” and “A Time for Drunken Horses,” Ghobadi said he lived in fear of police during the shooting. “If I go back now they know how I did this, they will follow me,” he told AFP. And in 2007 Cannes waved aside bitter protests from Tehran to premiere a biting animation about a young girl’s life under Iran’s ayatollahs titled“Persepolis”, based on the eponymous comic-book series by Iranian Marjane Satrapi.
Iran had slammed it as “an unreal picture of the outcomes and achievements of the Islamic revolution” and protested to France that the festival’s decision to select it highlighted “the biased policies of domineering powers.” Satrapi herself said the wry autobiographical comic-strip “isn’t a politically oriented film with a message to sell.” When told off by Islamist police in the movie for running down the street because it looked sexy, she quips: ‘Well then just don’t look at my ass!” Yesterday, deputy culture minister Shamaqdari described Kiarostami’s movie as “not a bad film” and said it could be shown “in some private circles and universities it can be shown,” he added. “It shows the loneliness of the people of a certain age because of the situation of their families, which is linked to the existing freedoms in Europe,” Shamaqdari added. But Shamaqdari said he believed “this film will not have a big Iranian audience, except among those in Iran who have Western lifestyles.” “I do not think that Mr Kiarostami is seeking to screen his film in Iran,” he added. 1997 Palme d’Or winner Kiarostami has shot only one feature in Iran since 2003. “Shirin”, filmed in 2008, has not been screened in Iran, although it is unclear whether the director made any attempts to have it shown. Kiarostami’s last two feature films “Ten” (2002) and “The Wind Will Carry Us” (1999) were banned from Iranian cinemas. — AFP
File picture dated May 18, 2010 shows Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami and French actress Juliette Binoche arriving for the screening of ‘Copie Conforme’ (Certified Copy) presented in competition at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in Cannes.—AFP
By Borys Kit
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irector Marc Webb has been ensnaring actors in his web(b) as he searches for a new Peter Parker to star in Columbia’s “Spider-Man” reboot. He has been meeting actors quietly for several months, but the list has narrowed in the past week or two. No screen tests have been conducted at this early stage (though it will be a requirement), and insiders point out that the director and studio are still on the lookout. The candidates for the web-slinger include: • Jamie Bell: The 24-year-old English actor, who made his film debut playing the title character in “Billy Elliot,” has been doing the proper British actor thing in period movies such as “Nicholas Nickleby” and “Jane Eyre” (he’s also appeared in Hollywood movies such as Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” and Ed Zwick’s “Defiance”). More importantly, he’s already stepped into the comics world by portraying Tintin in Jackson and Steven Spielberg’s “The Adventures of Tintin” movie, which won’t hit screens until December 2011. • Alden Ehrenreich: The 20-year-old Los Angeles native has a juicy back story, having been “discovered” by Spielberg, who saw a comedy video starring Ehrenreich at a bat mitzvah of his daughter’s friend. A couple of TV appearances followed, but the actor’s next big leap came when he was cast by Francis Ford Coppola in 2009’s “Tetro.” • Frank Dillane: The 19-year-old Brit’s main credit is last year’s “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” where he played a young Tom Riddle. Is a minor role in a “Potter” film a good springboard for a mega-franchise? It worked for Robert Pattinson. • Andrew Garfield: The L.A.-born actor had a short stint on a BBC TV series
called “Sugar Rush,” but gained notices for playing a young reporter in a gritty British TV movie trilogy titled “Red Riding.” The 27-year-old appeared in “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” and will be seen in David Fincher’s movie about Facebook, “The Social Network.” • Josh Hutcherson: The youngest actor of the bunch-he turns 18 this year-is also the one with the most experience. The past six years alone have seen the Kentucky-born kid rack up credits with key roles in Jon Favreau’s “Zathura,” drama “Bridge to Terabithia” and the upcoming “Red Dawn” remake. He appears in the Sundance hit “The Kids Are All Right,” which insider buzz suggests could be an Oscar contender, and starred with Brendan Fraser in “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” Hutcherson just signed on to star in the “Journey” sequel, and that movie could
prove a fly in the ointment if the actor’s schedule collides with “Spider-Man.” (Though you can bet every effort would be made to make it work.) The group of actors seems to fall in line with what Webb has been looking to do with his take on Spider-Man, which is to cast relative unknowns in a story that roots Parker back in high school. The movie will be an angstridden tale of a teen dealing with the knowledge that his uncle died even though he had the power to stop it. Columbia wants to begin production by year’s end, but Webb and the studio are taking their time choosing the actor while scribe Alvin Sargent gets the script in spider-shape. A Columbia spokesperson did not comment on the casting process, saying “There have been a number of names floated online and almost every week, someone calls with a new rumor. We are not commenting on the casting process or rumors such as these.” — Reuters
ctor John Malkovich has played some dark characters over the years but few can be so controversial as the murderer he portrays in a production now touring Europe. Malkovich is appearing in the chamber opera, “The Infernal Comedy - Confessions of a Serial Killer” as Jack Unterweger, an Austrian serial killer who murdered prostitutes with their bra straps. Unterweger was jailed in 1974 but the courts released him in 1990, convinced he was a reformed man. He became a celebrated writer and journalist, but went on to kill again several times. He committed suicide after being convicted again in 1994. Throughout his career, Malkovich seems to have attracted complicated, nasty characters but he says it’s because he keeps getting the offers. “If they choose me to play a gay travel agent who goes around London pretending he is Stanley Kubrick, I don’t question that,” said Malkovich, sitting in his dressing room before the performance in Athens. “... and if they choose me to play Klimt or Vicomte de Valmont, I don’t know, and I never ask, or to play in Disgrace, or the great Buck Howard, or a million things that I have done-it’s actually a question I never address.” Austrian Michael Sturminger directs the performance, where Malkovich, accompanied by the Wiener Akademie baroque orchestra and sopranos Bernarda Bobro and Aleksandra Zamojska, engages in a monologue-style performance as Unterweger, with a script full of cynical black humor chronicling the life of the killer. Malkovich said he was interested in a project that included baroque music, but originally the performance was to be only a one day show in Los Angeles. But after it opened in Austria offers came in from European countries and it has been on the road since. Malkovich is no stranger to the theatre. It is where he began his career in 1976 before moving to films, and he has never strayed far for long, despite working on several movies a year at times. This year Malkovich has worked on comic book western “Jonah Hex”, Disney racehorse flick “Secretariat,” and assassin thriller “Red” with Bruce Willis, while several other projects are in development. “I did only theatre for many years,” he said. “I did my first film when I was 29 and I have been back in the theatre either as an actor or director ever since. “Movies are how I make my living and how I support many of the activities I do.” Sitting at a lonely desk on stage in subdued lighting, Malkovich sports an Austrian-English accent and is carried by the famous arias of the orchestra and soprano voices as he explains the motives of Unterweger in something between a comedy and a tragedy. —Reuters
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huge museum for contemporary arts and architecture opens in Rome this weekend in a bid to draw avant-garde art lovers to a city defined by its ancient monuments and Baroque fountains. The MAXXI museum designed by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid is the latest and most ambitious project to try to refresh the Italian capital’s image of a decadent city bent on its glorious past. “My work just really stems from the fact that we can make new juxtapositions with the old,” Hadid told The Associated Press during Thursday’s preview opening. “The idea of connecting between the old and new is very critical.” The museum marks its opening with a threeday extravaganza that included the unveiling of inaugural exhibits yetserday; a party today night for 5,000 artists, fashionistas, aristocrats and other VIPs; and an admission-free day for a fortunate few thousand ticket holders. On Sunday, MAXXI will open to the public. The 223 million MAXXI is made of white curving cement walls, intricate black stairways that connect halls and pathways, and floor-toceiling windows that give the museum natural light and visitors a look out onto the neighborhood. From the outside, the museums looks like a wide structure that expands horizontally rather than vertically. Built on the grounds of a former military barracks-of which a facade is still recognizable-MAXXI is located in a residential neighborhood outside the city’s historic center. Officials unveiling the opening exhibit Thursday stressed the link between old and new, their belief that a city and nation that have been on the avant-garde of art and architecture for centuries should be promoting
Visitors walk by ‘Cultural Traffic’ a creation by US artist Teddy Crin in the Maxxi, Italy’s first national museum of contemporary art designed by Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, during a press-day preview in Rome yesterday.— AFP contemporary arts. For Hadid, who became the first woman to win the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, the challenge was to work with the “layers” of Rome’s artistic past and bring a new space for art in the city. She recalled visiting Rome in the 1960s and posing in front of the Trevi Fountain, a masterpiece of Baroque art. “Rome has fantastic light,” Hadid said.
“The idea of this project is about layering and bringing in light to the space so that you have a naturally lit space-and to give the curators tremendous freedom in the way they can organize exhibits.” Rome is visited by millions of people each year, mostly attracted to the artistic glories of its past-the ancient ruins, the Colosseum, the fountains designed by Bernini or Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
In recent years, officials have tried to expand Rome’s culture offerings with some cuttingedge works, but these efforts have met mixed responses. Romans have been hostile to some new buildings, apparently not convinced that a modern structure can successfully stand beside the marvels of the past. For example, the structure by Richard Meier that houses the 2,000-year-old altar Ara Pacis has drawn widespread criticism, including from the current city mayor. Renzo Piano’s Auditorium, which opened in 2002, has been more widely appreciated, giving Rome its first major-league concert hall and becoming a hip spot and the venue of the new movie festival in the Italian capital. The Culture Ministry awarded the project for the MAXXI to Hadid after an international competition in 1998. The inaugural shows’ highlight is “Space,” an exhibit that takes visitors along a route of art works by Anish Kapoor, Sol Lewitt and Francesco Vezzosi and others, combined with installations by architecture studios. Mixing art and architecture, the show represents MAXXI’s dual soul. Other inaugural shows feature a retrospective on Gino De Dominicis, an eclectic and controversial Italian artist who died a decade ago; a reflection on the relations between East and West through eight video works by young Turkish artist Kutlug Ataman; and photographs, models and drawings by Italian architect Luigi Moretti. MAXXI also houses an auditorium, libraries, workshops and spaces for live events and commercial activities. The museum had a limited weekend opening in November. — AP
NY court dismisses suit against Brady, Bundchen By Karen Matthews judge has dismissed a lawsuit by two photographers who said they were shot at by bodyguards of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen. The April 2009 incident occurred during a party
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in Costa Rica celebrating the celebrity couple’s marriage two months earlier. Photographers Yuri Cortez and Rolando Aviles and the news agency Agence France Presse charged in the lawsuit that the guards shot at the photographers and narrowly missed their heads. The lawsuit originally was filed in federal court in New
(Left)In this May 3, 2010 file photo, Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen arrive at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala, in New York. — AP
York and then in Manhattan state Supreme Court. Bundchen owned a Manhattan apartment before her marriage, but Justice Judith Gische said in her ruling that the model had sold the apartment by the time the lawsuit was filed in November 2009. The judge’s ruling was made public Tuesday. The judge said neither Brady nor Bundchen lives in New York and the lawsuit against them does not belong in the state. She said the matter “would be better adjudicated in Costa Rica.” Attorney John Gleason, representing the photographers and AFP, said the plaintiffs were studying the decision to see if there are grounds to appeal to a higher court. Gleason said the plaintiffs chose not to sue in Costa Rica because the courts are too slow there. “I was told it often takes 10 years for a civil case to be concluded,” he said. Brady has won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, and Forbes magazine says Bundchen is the highest-paid model in the world. The couple have said their main residence is in Massachusetts, where they are raising their infant son, Benjamin. An attorney for Brady and Bundchen did not immediately respond to a telephone message seeking comment Wednesday. — AP
A visitor takes pictures of the installation ‘American Violence’ (1981-1982) by US artist Bruce Nauman during a press preview of the exhibition ‘Bruce Nauman - Dream Passage’ at the Hamburger Bahnhof museum in Berlin yesterday.—AFP
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Gaultier to quit Hermes rench couturier Jean-Paul Gaultier is stepping down as artistic director of the luxury ready-to-wear brand Hermes after seven years to concentrate on his own projects, the group announced yesterday. The designer confirmed that he was leaving Hermes “on very good terms” and said he would still have a “privileged relationship” with the label. “That’s it, the end of a beautiful story which lasted seven years,” he told AFP, describing his collaboration with Hermes as “a magnificent adventure” which taught him “another area of expertise”. “I will maintain a privileged
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relationship with Hermes, which has been a shareholder in my house for 11 years,” he added, with a 45 percent stake, the second biggest after the designer himself. From autumn-winter 2011, Gaultier will be replaced by French designer Christophe Lemaire. Gaultier’s last collection for Hermes for spring-summer 2011 will be presented in October 2010, the group said. “After seven fruitful years of creation, Hermes and Jean-Paul Gaultier have decided to end their collaboration, Jean-Paul Gaultier wishing to concentrate on his own projects,” it said in a communique.
Hermes thanked Gaultier “for his remarkable creative input over these seven years.” The Lacoste and Devanlay group confirmed Lemaire’s departure as artistic director “by mutual agreement”. His last collection for the group will be presented in New York Fashion Week. Lacoste will announce a successor by the end of the year whose task will be to bring “a new stylistic look to rejuvenate the label, reconquer the womenswear market and boost business, particularly in the United States” the group said in a communique.—AFP
A picture taken on October 7, 2009 shows French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier at the end of Hermes ready-to-wear Spring-Summer 2010 fashion show in Paris. — AFP
Airi Isoda Natalia Romano File photo shows British fashion designer Alexander McQueen . —AP he house of Alexander McQueen has named Sarah Burton, a longtime colleague of the late designer, to be the new creative director of the brand. In a statement from London released yesterday, Burton said she intends “to stay true to his legacy” by turning out “modern beautifully crafted clothes.” McQueen was hailed as a creative genius in the fashion world. He committed suicide in his London apartment in February. Burton joined McQueen’s company in 1996, a year before graduating from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. She most recently served as head of design for womenswear. Parent company Gucci Group said that because Burton worked so closely with McQueen she has “the vision necessary to take it forward.” Burton will oversee women’s and men’s apparel as well as accessories.— AP
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A model wears an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed costume by FIDM alum fashion designer Clay Sadler at the opening night of FIDM exhibit for Walt Disney Studios ‘Alice In Wonderland’ at LA’s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, California.—AFP photos
Kapasa Musonda
Angela Avanesyan
Dominique Pearl David
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Cosworth able to engage fifth team ISTANBUL: Cosworth would be able to supply engines to a fifth Formula One team next season but expect competition from Renault, according to manager Mark Gallagher. Renault last week indicated that they were looking to power another team in addition to their own and championship leaders Red Bull, triggering speculation that Cosworth could lose one of their four current customers-possibly Williams or Lotus. Gallagher, who heads Cosworth’s F1 operations, told Reuters in a telephone interview before Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix that he was sure all four would stay with the British-based company and suggested Renault were more likely to do a deal with a possible new entry. The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) has sought
applications to fill the 13th and final slot on the grid, unless anyone else pulls out, after a planned USF1 entry failed to materialize this year. “The obvious solution (for Renault) is actually the 13th team that is coming into Formula One,” said Gallagher. “My gut feeling is that it is probably a CosworthRenault competition to supply the 13th team.” Mercedes and Ferrari already supply three teams each. Cosworth’s current teams are Williams, HRT, Virgin Racing and Lotus. Gallagher said providing engines for five teams would be ambitious but feasible, since they would have supplied USF1. “It certainly wouldn’t be a problem to step up to the mark again and do it for next season,” he added. STRONG ENOUGH The Northern Irishman, who formerly worked at Jaguar and as marketing chief for Eddie Jordan at
the team that now lives on as Force India, said there were a couple of serious candidates capable of filling the 13th slot. “There are still teams out there that are strong enough,” he said. “I think, interestingly, the people this time around have seen what has happened to the new teams, they’ve seen just how difficult it is. “I think anyone who is coming forward now comes forward...perhaps with their eyes even more open.” None of the 2010 newcomers, who have all signed three-year engine deals, have scored a point in six races and just getting two cars to the finish has been a victory of sorts. Gallagher said all three debutants had done an impressive job while Cosworth had delivered what they had promised in terms of reliability and affordability. That just left competitiveness to be
addressed. Former champions Williams, he made clear, were pushing them hard on that. “The whole reason we jumped at the chance to work with Williams is that when you have a driver like (Rubens) Barrichello, who’s proven to everybody that he’s still at the top of his game, he was going to tell us exactly what we needed to do to optimize the engine’s performance,” he said. “When you are working with people like (Lotus technical head Mike) Gascoyne and (Williams coowner) Patrick Head, they are able to say ‘This is where you need to be at’ and we are comfortable that we met or surpassed those targets,” he added. “We have no fear of any other engine in Formula One,” added Gallagher. “Of course having been out of Formula One for three years, we are having to
Mickelson eyes top ranking FORT WORTH: Phil Mickelson, eager to bury memories of last year, has every reason to look forward to this week’s Colonial Invitational with the world number one ranking within fingertip reach. Should the American left-hander win the PGA Tour event at Colonial Country Club on Sunday, he would take over at the top of the global pecking order from his compatriot Tiger Woods. Mickelson has produced a glittering resume that includes four major victories and 38 PGA Tour titles but becoming world number one has remained tantalizingly elusive. “It’s something that we as golfers all strive to be recognized for-as the best player,” second-ranked Mickelson told reporters on the eve of Thursday’s opening round at Colonial, a venue where he triumphed in 2000 and 2008. “It would certainly mean a lot because I have not done that in my career. It would be an accomplishment I would look back on and be very proud of.” Woods, who has steadily dropped ranking points this year, is sidelined with a lingering neck injury and not expected to return to the circuit until at least next week for the Memorial tournament. However, US Masters champion Mickelson preferred not to be distracted by the rankings topic as he prepared to win another tournament on the world’s most competitive circuit. “I will probably try to downplay it typically,” the 39-year-old said. “To accomplish that, I can’t focus on that. I still need to go out and play like the number one player in the world, so I’ve got some work to do.” BREAST CANCER Mickelson was not prepared to reflect on his life 12 months ago when he suspended his tour campaign indefinitely after his wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer. He had been scheduled to defend his title at Colonial last year but that was instantly taken off the agenda as family matters and his wife’s health became the top priority. “I don’t really want to go back there,” Mickelson said. “We are a year down the road. That was a tough time, and I’m happy that we are further down the road now.” American world number four Steve Stricker, who triumphed at Colonial last year in Mickelson’s absence, was delighted to see his compatriot back. “He is almost the defending champion as well this week,” said Stricker, who won last year’s title by beating fellow American Steve Marino and South African Tim Clark in a playoff. “I thought it was the greatest feelgood story in golf when he (Mickelson) won at the Masters (in April), and seeing Amy there. I think he is going to be tough to beat here too.” Apart from Mickelson and Stricker, three other members of the world’s top 10 are competing this week-fifthranked Jim Furyk, Ian Poulter (sixth) and Paul Casey (eighth). —Reuters
do things to get the engine right and the mapping programming to optimize the way the engine delivers its power. “But we are making improvements literally every race weekend and we are seeing the result of that on the track.” Gallagher also played down talk of an impending flotation of Cosworth, who were sold by Ford to US based motor racing entrepreneurs Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe in 2004. “This is pure speculation and we kind of accept that this will happen from time to time,” he said. “We are seeing something like 30 percent year on year growth and that’s not all down to Formula One. As a result of that we are often the target of various approaches and then you get the media speculation that comes on from that.” —Reuters
Woods confirms title defense at Memorial
TEXAS: Phil Mickelson stretches before practicing on the putting green for the Colonial golf tournament in Fort Worth, Texas. Mickelson is back at the tournament, which he won in 2008. —AP
DUBLIN: Tiger Woods confirmed Wednesday he will defend his title next week at the Memorial Tournament, making his return to the PGA Tour three weeks after a neck injury forced him out of the Players Championship. Woods withdrew from The Players Championship on May 9 with what was later diagnosed as an inflamed facet joint in his neck. He confirmed on his website Wednesday that he’ll play next week at Muirfield Village, where he won his fourth Memorial title last year. “The doctors advised me to take a week off and rest, which I did,” Woods said. “They prescribed physical therapy, antiinflammatory medication and soft-tissue massages, which I’m continuing with. Although I’m not 100 percent, I feel much better and look forward to competing next week.” The tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus will also serve as preparation for the US Open two weeks later at Pebble Beach. Woods has had a tumultuous year on and off the golf course. Lurid revelations of marital infidelity last November sent him into a self-imposed exile from the tour. He returned at the Masters in April, where he finished joint fourth place. In his second start of the year he missed the cut at Quail Hollow by a wide margin, then withdrew the following week from the Players. A day later, he appeared at a news conference in suburban Philadelphia for the AT&T National, another of the tournaments he won in 2009. “A lot is up in the air still, which I don’t like,” Woods said then. “I want to come back and defend at the Memorial and play the US Open and obviously play here. But a lot of that is still up in the air right now.” Woods has since confirmed he will be in the British Open at St Andrews July 15-18. So far four events - the Memorial, the US Open at Pebble Beach in June, the British Open and the AT&T National are the only events he has commited to play. —AFP
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Scheepers stunned by French Open breakthrough PARIS: South Africa’s Chanelle Scheepers said she was so stunned by her breakthrough victory over world number 45 Gisela Dulko at the French Open that she didn’t realize what she had achieved. Scheepers, ranked 86 places below her Argentine opponent, came from behind to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday, making her the first South African since Amanda Coetzer in 2001 to reach round three at Roland Garros. “I tried not to think that it was a match point. I just played it like
another point and I think maybe a minute or so after that I realized what had happened,” said the 26year-old from Pretoria, who faces Uzbekistan’s Akgul Amanmuradova for a place in the last 16. “When that ball went out it was just another point and I think it took a while for me to realise what just happened.” A loose shot from Dulko, who shocked 10th seed Victoria Azarenka in the first round, handed victory to Scheepers and prompted a huge cheer from her watching compatriots. “I think it got close in
the third set and everyone was happy to see that I closed it out and I had great support, so that really helped me closing out the match,” she said. Scheepers, who had to go through qualifying, broke Dulko’s serve in the opening game of the match but the players were then forced off the court by the first of two rain interruptions. The South African fended off a break point in the first game back on court and then broke again to move 3-0 clear, only for Dulko to break back twice in succession to level the
scores. The Argentine held serve to move ahead for the first time in the match and then broke Scheepers again to take a 5-3 lead before taking the set with a crosscourt forehand that caught her opponent flat-footed. Another heavy rain shower forced the players off Court Six early in the second set and when play resumed there was an exchange of five breaks that culminated with Scheepers serving for the set at 5-3 up. Dulko saved two set points but succumbed on the third following a line-call that she disputed
vehemently and quickly fell 3-0 down in the decider. “I saw she was complaining about it but I also knew that she’s experienced,” said Scheepers. “It did bother her but I knew that it’s not like she’s going to come right back in that third set and I just tried to focus on what I had to do.” Scheepers was enjoying plenty of joy at the net and although Dulko stopped the rot by breaking back, the South African broke again to take a 5-2 lead and clinched victory on her first match point when Dulko looped a forehand long. — AFP
Kuznetsova survives early exit from the French Open
French Open under siege by rain, players
PARIS: Reigning champion Svetlana Kuznetsova accused the new generation of players of not showing enough respect on Wednesday after narrowly avoiding an early exit from the French Open. The Russian sixth seed held on by her fingernails against 22-year-old German Andrea Petkovic, saving four match points before claiming a 4-6 7-5 6-4 victory on Court One. Afterwards the 24-year-old double grand slam champion took a swipe at the teenagers trying to dislodge the likes of herself, the Williams sisters and Kim Clijsters in the rankings. “You know what I think?” Kuznetsova told reporters when asked why only one teenager was ranked in the world’s top 25. “All the teenagers, they come or their parents or their agents or someone or they think they’re so good. “I don’t see them respecting the other players like we did when we came here. I was respecting-I played Kim Clijsters. For me, it was huge. I played Justine Henin, and you’re like wow! They’re big. You have respect. You want to be like them. “(They) come and they see themselves equal and it’s not like that, you know. These girls have done so much for tennis. Also I don’t see them physically and mentally as prepared.” Kuznetsova battled grimly to turn around the match against Petkovic when all seemed lost with the German serving at 5-4, 40-0 having won the first set. Petkovic suddenly went to pieces on the match points and a relieved Kuznetsova scraped into the third round where she faces fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko. “At 40-0 down I was thinking, I really want to be here. This is really what I want most. The one thing in the world I want is to be here right now,” she said. “I saw that she got tight and then I thought, okay, I have to take my chances.” Kuznetsova also wobbled serving at 5-3 in the decider as Petkovic broke back but she sealed victory on her fourth match point in the next game when her opponent drilled a backhand over the baseline. — Reuters
PARIS: French Open organizers were under siege yesterday after allowing a match to be played in darkness, while also confronting a second day of rain interruptions. Over two hours of play were lost on Wednesday, meaning seven scheduled second-round singles matches had to be carried over. One of those was the titanic clash between French 13th seed Gael Monfils and Italy’s Fabio Fognini, who were locked in a badtempered tie that was called off in complete darkness just before 2200 (1900GMT) on Wednesday. Monfils had led by two sets before Fognini battled back and the pair were 5-5 in the final set, with the Italian having wasted three match points, when play was halted on Court Philippe Chatrier. The combustible Italian was docked a point for protesting at length that the match should have been suspended at 4-4 in the final set while Monfils, despite suffering from cramp, had wanted to play on. Tournament referee Stefan Fransson had even been summoned onto the court, consulting with players as well as chair umpire Carlos Bernandes. Curiously, Andy Murray’s second-round match against Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Chela on the adjacent Court One had been suspended half an hour earlier. “At the end, the fans blinded Fabio with a laser pen,” Fognini’s father, Fulvio, told sports daily L’Equipe. “I have never seen a crowd that was so unsporting. It’s a disgrace. We were three against 10,000. It was home refereeing.” The match, weather permitting, was due to resume later, but heavy rain had already prevented action getting underway at the scheduled start time of 1100 (0900GMT). This year’s controversies over weather delays come at a time when plans are being discussed to move the tournament away from its historic home at Roland Garros. Paris city council has unveiled an extension project for the current site that would involve installing a retractable roof on the main court. If an extension plan at the current site is not backed, then there are three alternative areas being examinedMarne-la-Vallee, which is near Euro Disney, Versailles and Gonesse. World number one Roger Federer, who has seen Wimbledon’s infamous weather-enforced interruptions partially alleviated by the installation of a retractable roof over Centre Court, would prefer to see the French Open stay put. “I hope it stays here. I’d love to come back in 20 years’, 40 years’ time,” said Federer, who added he’d be happy to see a roof built on the main stadium. “It would be great to have a roof. But this is how this game has been played for decades. We’re used to walking on and off the court and being flexible about these kind of things. It looks a bit like Paris and the French Open are a bit under pressure because Wimbledon and the Australian Open both have roofs. — AFP
PARIS: Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova returns the ball to Germany’s Andrea Petkovic during a second round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. — AP
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Where Pronger goes, Stanley Cup dreams follow PHILADELPHIA: Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger has been a Stanley Cup talisman the last five seasons, reaching the finals three times with three different teams. Perhaps more instructive of Pronger’s value, however, is how his teams have performed when the hulking blueliner packs his skates and moves on. In his first and only season in Edmonton, the Norris trophy-winning defenseman led the Oilers to the 2006 finals. The next season Pronger signed with Anaheim and the Oilers failed to make the playoffs. The Ducks,
however, went on to claim their first and only Stanley Cup. The allstar blueliner left Anaheim to join the Flyers this season and is back in the Cup finals, while the Ducks never qualified for the playoffs. It marks the 14th consecutive season Pronger has made a playoff appearance and that is no fluke, according to Flyers coach Peter Laviolette. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” Laviolette told reporters. “He just has a way of calming the game down. “He’s a physical player. He plays with an edge. “You never see him
diving anywhere or sprawling anywhere. He’s always in control of himself, the puck and the game.” The Flyers paid a steep price to land an ageing defenseman whose best years appeared behind him when they sent two first round picks to Anaheim for the 35-yearold. But the old warhorse has performed more like a young colt this spring, logging more minutes than any other player, averaging 28 per night, and most of them against the opposing team’s top line. Pronger’s play has been at such a high level that he is being touted
as one of the leading candidates for the Conn Smythe trophy which goes to the Stanley Cup MVP. “You just have to make sure you rest when you get an opportunity and take care of your body,” said Pronger, who also shares the scoring lead among defensemen with 14 points. “I am 35 but there’s a lot of guys in the league that were older than me that play just as many minutes.” Big and mean, Pronger has provided the Flyers with a menacing physical presence on the blueline and a calming confidence on the bench.
After 14 consecutive seasons in the playoff pressure cooker and having weathered the crushing expectations that came with helping Canada win gold at the Winter Olympics, there is little he has yet to face and overcome on a hockey rink. “I’ve been in those situations before,” he said. “You learn how to handle it. “Also, I’ve played with a lot of great players that I’ve been able to learn an awful lot from. “Certainly one of (the lessons) is how they handle tough defeats and how they handle wins as well.” —Reuters
Magic turn tables on Celtics to stay alive
Key injuries trouble Spain’s WCup bid
Magic beats Celtics, cuts deficit to 3-2 ORLANDO: The Orlando Magic again fended off elimination in the NBA playoffs on Wednesday, beating Boston 113-92 to force a game six in the Eastern Conference finals. “We just all believe,” guard Jameer Nelson said after the Magic narrowed the deficit in the best-of-seven series to 3-2. “We all believe. We know we can do it, one game at a time.” Orlando are trying to become the first NBA team to climb out of an 0-3 hole to win a best-ofseven postseason series. Dwight Howard had 21 points and 10 rebounds as Orlando’s second straight victory left the Celtics facing a tense home contest in game six on Friday, perhaps without starting center Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis. Perkins picked up his seventh technical foul of the playoffs. That carries a mandatory suspension, but could be overturned by the league upon review. Orlando, who looked dead in the water after a blowout loss in game three, demonstrated determination along with the scoring touch that had eluded them in the early games. “They are a great team when they get a lead, because then those threes are easy,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of a Magic team that made 13 of 25 threepointers. “I thought we never applied any real pressure.” Nelson scored 24 points, and JJ Redick had 14 as Orlando out-hustled the Celtics. Howard added five blocks as Orlando built an early 14point lead that was never in serious jeopardy. Rasheed Wallace had 21 points, and Ray Allen scored 19 for the Celtics, who lost forward Davis in the third quarter to a concussion suffered when he was inadvertently elbowed in the face by Howard. As play continued Davis got shakily to his feet and almost fell before he was supported by referee Joey Crawford. Rivers said Davis “blacked out” and will be examined by training staff. With starter Vince Carter still struggling, Redick gave Orlando a big contribution off the bench, his two three-pointers keying a 20-8 run that put the magic up 51-37 in the second quarter. Boston’s Wallace picked up his third foul during the run and taunted the raucous Orlando fans all the way to bench. The Celtics were in more trouble when Perkins was tossed from the game after drawing his second technical of the contest and seventh of the playoffs for arguing with officials. Perkins and Marcin Gortat had been handed double technicals a few minutes before. NBA officials review every technical, but unless they rescind one of them Perkins will be suspended for game six, robbing the Celtics of a player who has has been one of the most effective defenders of Howard. The Celtics still have the upper hand as they return home for game six. Of the 93 NBA teams that have fallen 0-3 adrift in a series, only three have forced a game seven and none have won the series. But Boston sports fans have seen the feat accomplished in other sports - most recently to their dismay just this month in the NHL playoffs as the Philadelphia Flyers rallied from an 0-3 series deficit to beat the Boston Bruins. “At some point it will happen,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “Why not us? Why not now?” —AFP
FLORIDA: Jameer Nelson No. 14 of the Orlando Magic drives for a shot attempt against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena in Orlando. —AFP
MADRID: European champions Spain have one of the most complete sides in world football and an in-depth squad packed full of talent, but a spate of injuries to key players is disrupting their preparations for this summer’s World Cup assault. Liverpool forward Fernando Torres, Arsenal playmaker Cesc Fabregas and Barcelona’s creative midfielder Andres Iniesta all missed the tail end of their respective league seasons due to injury leaving coach Vicente del Bosque with a major headache. The three youngsters were pivotal for Spain in their Euro 2008 success and del Bosque is sweating on their fitness ahead of the 2010 South Africa showpiece. The 26year-old Torres, who scored the winner in the 1-0 Euro 2008 final win over Germany, had to have a knee operation to repair cartilage torn in a Europa League match against Benfica on April 8 and has not played since. Torres has been plagued by injuries over the past few seasons and faces a battle to be fit for Spain’s opening Group H match against Switzerland on June 16. “It’s been a hard year due to injuries, and it’s a massive shame that I haven’t been able to play more matches,” said Torres. “Now all I have left to look forward to is to try and be fit for South Africa. “I have been waiting four years for this and, if all goes well, I do not anticipate missing it.”—AFP
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Proteas out to wrap up West Indies series
BULAWAYO: Indian cricket team captain Suresh Raina (left), Zimbabwean Captain Elton Chigumbura (center) and Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan pose at a press conference at a local hotel in Bulawayo yesterday. India is in Zimbabwe for a Micromax Cup Triangular One-Day International series, which also involves Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. — AFP
Neighboring countries hope for WCup tourism HARARE: Call it anti-World Cup fever: Campsites and budget-price game lodges in Zimbabwe are receiving bookings from South Africans trying to escape the frenzy of the world’s biggest sporting event at home, according to tour operators and officials. But other South African neighbors - Botswana with its game parks, Mozambique with its beaches, Swaziland with a slice of royal life also hope to benefit from World Cup tourists who want to see a bit more of the continent. Zimbabwe’s National Parks department, in charge of the nation’s 11 nature preserves, reported a lastminute rush of bookings during and surrounding the June 11-July 11 World Cup. Emmanuel Fundira, head of the Zimbabwe Council of Tourism, said photogenic safari locations like the Mana Pools wilderness park, on the northern Zambezi river border with neighboring Zambia, were already filling up. “We must bear in mind South Africans will be running away from the event ... we see this pattern translating into local bookings,” he said. Zimbabwe’s biggest tourist attraction is Victoria Falls on the Zambezi river in the northwest. Seeing the falls is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: They constitute the widest curtain of falling water in the world - more than a mile (1.7 kilometers) wide - and are expected to attract World Cup visitors on quick direct flights from South Africa. The resort town has campsites, bed-andbreakfast cottages, and 930 star-rated hotel rooms. But expectations of how many tourists will come are lower than they
once were. Despite its abundant animal and natural attractions, Zimbabwe has been hard hit by years of economic and political turmoil, with world-record inflation and a transitional coalition government still headed by longtime ruler President Robert Mugabe. Originally the Harare government had hoped that up to 30 percent of soccer fans visiting South Africa would make a side trip to Zimbabwe, but expectations are lower now. “We had false euphoria four years ago,” said Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi. Tourism in Zimbabwe peaked at 1.4 million in 1999, before the often violent seizures of whiteowned farms began in 2000, disrupting the agriculture-based
economy and leading to economic meltdown. The country has now reverted almost entirely to a hard currency cash economy, mostly on the U.S. dollar. Major hotels accept foreign credit cards, but many stores do not have swipe card facilities, and those that do suffer constant outages on their machines. South Africa’s other neighbors have been sprucing up their image ahead of the World Cup and trying to make life easier for visitors. Mozambique announced it will honor a new visa recognized by six regional countries to allow free movement between them. The country is also cutting bureaucracy often encountered by tourists from Europe and the United States at
frontiers and airports. Mozambique, a former Portuguese colonial territory, offers unspoiled beaches, deep sea fishing, island trips and cosmopolitan facilities. The main airport in its capital city, Maputo, is getting a $70 million facelift. “Many countries in Europe and the Americas do not know what Mozambique has,” said Mohamed Juma, a tourism operator in the southern province of Maputo. “I think from June, Mozambique will be on the touristic map.” The tiny mountainous southern African kingdom of Swaziland got 1.3 million international state visitor arrivals last year, up 13.3 percent from the previous year, according to state Tourism Authority chief Eric Maseko. —AFP
Tight Zimbabwe series expected BULAWAYO: India and Sri Lanka have sent youthful and inexperienced teams to Zimbabwe with an eye towards next year’s cricket World Cup for a triangular one-day international series beginning here today. The home team have consequently set themselves the single objective of gaining sufficiently good results in their four matches against the sub-continent tourists to feel justified in making progress back towards Test cricket. India and Sri Lanka, in fielding teams of mainly youth with the resting of so many established and experienced players, are looking towards the World Cup next year and individually doing well enough to challenge for places. All three coaches therefore expect a tough and close series of matches - three here, three in Harare and a final. New Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura said: “This is a real tough two weeks for us as we try to reestablish ourselves as a top cricket country. We have done pretty well in the last couple of months and are keen to continue.”
However Zimbabwe have lost eight of their last ODI series against West Indies, Bangladesh and South Africa, so that they have much more to achieve. India coach Gary Kirsten told a press conference also attended by Zimbabwe’s Alan Butcher and Sri Lanka’s Trevor Bayliss that he expected a close series. “Not only Sri Lanka but Zimbabwe also will be tough opponents” he said. “Naturally we are looking primarily towards the next World Cup. And so are the members of this team. There is now a chance to improve their prospects for places and be sure several will take theirs.” Butcher has a very different agenda for Zimbabwe. “Because many Indian and Sri lanka stars are missing, we know we are in for a tough series,” he said. “On the one hand we feel we might take advantage of inexperience but on the other we know these lads are fine cricketers and have done great things in their first class programs back home.” Suresh Raina, captaining India for the first time, was more specific. —AFP
ROSEAU: South Africa will look to exploit a weakened West Indies side, and clinch an unbeatable lead in their One-day International series at Windsor Park here today. South Africans lead the series 2-0, following a 66-run victory in the first ODI last Saturday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua, where they also prevailed by 17 runs in the second ODI on Monday. The path for a series-clinching victory for the Proteas has been helped by injuries, which will rule out three pivotal West Indies players. Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, admitted his side has not quite reached their peak, but he was satisfied that they would enter the next two matches on the verge of another series victory. “We have done pretty well so far in the series,” he said. “We have kept our nerve, and we have done what we need to do to win the games. The guys are working hard.” The lefthanded opener was also happy with the way the batsmen had made use of batsman-friendly conditions to post challenging totals off 280 for seven, and 300 for five in the first two ODIs. “The pitches were very slow, and I am happy with the way we have crafted our innings,” he said. “We have built good partnerships, our running between the wickets has been good, and we have manipulated the fields well.” “There have not been a huge amount of boundaries on offer during the middle of the innings, and so we have had to run hard to keep the score moving.” Medical scans have revealed that Ramnaresh Sarwan has sustained a Grade 1 hamstring tear that will keep him out of action for the next two to three weeks. Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller will also be sidelined for the same period with a side strain, and fast bowler Kemar Roach will rest a troublesome ankle until the start of the Test series between the two sides. Lefthanded batsman Darren Bravo, the younger brother of West Indies vice captain and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, has been brought back from the A-Team squad currently touring Bangladesh to boost the batting reserves. All-rounder Dave Bernard Jr has also been added to give some depth to the batting and the bowling. West Indies captain Chris Gayle felt the replacements were more than capable. He however, was more concerned about the need for the home team to rebound from the injury setbacks, and win to stay alive in the series. — AFP
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Sixteen an important number for S Korea SINGAPORE: For South Korean fans, 16 is an important number. Although the team will be competing in its eighth World Cup, and made the semi-finals when it co-hosted the tournament with Japan in 2002, it has never got through the group stages and into the round of 16 away from home. Hopes are high for South Africa with one local company running an advertising campaign featuring captain Park Ji-Sung of Manchester United, in which the midfielder vows to lead his side to the final 16. Fans expect the team to deliver. In a recent national
survey of 500 supporters, nearly half said South Korea needed to get that far at least. They go into the tournament among a select group of just six nations to have qualified for seven World Cups in a row, along with Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy and Spain. But unlike the rest, South Korea can only boast of one away win a 2-1 victory over Togo in Germany 2006. Currently 47th in the FIFA world rankings, they are the lowest among Argentina, Greece and Nigeria in Group B. But senior members of the team are confident they can break the round of 16 taboo.
“The players here don’t think the goal is just to reach the round of 16,” goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae, who will be playing in his fourth World Cup, said this month. “If things don’t go our way, then we’ll settle for making the final 16. As athletes, we have to aim high and we will all go there to win the trophy.” Joining Lee and the team in South Africa will be about 150 members of the national fan club, known as the Red Devils. That’s only around one-third of the contingent that flew to Germany four years ago. Security concerns in South
Africa has put many off, to a point where Korean police and the foreign ministry plan to dispatch officials to protect the ones that are going. Declining popularity of football may also be a factor why so few are travelling. South Korea’s interest in the game has fluctuated, peaking in World Cup years and falling at other times. This year though it has slumped. With the domestic K-League’s 15 clubs having played their first dozen matches this season, nine failed to fill even half of their stadiums. Busan I’Park, coached by former World Cup star Hwang
England count on ‘Wayne’s WCup’ LONDON: It was on October 19, 2002 that most of the world first became aware of Wayne Rooney. A stunning, last-minute winner against Arsenal had the Sky Television commentator breathlessly exhorting viewers to “remember the name,” of the homegrown Everton youngster who, five days short of his 17th birthday, had just become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history. That particular record has since been eclipsed but there have been plenty of other milestones to takes its place on YouTube or in the Rooney family scrapbook. Less than two years after that first goal, Rooney was on his way to Manchester United in a 30-million-pound transfer that made him the most expensive teenager in football history. His displays at Euro 2004, where he made the team of the tournament despite England getting no further than the quarterfinals, had inevitably inflated the fee, but Rooney quickly ensured that there would never be any quibbling about value for money at Old Trafford. A Champions League hattrick against Fenerbahce on his debut for the club was symptomatic of Rooney’s ability to produce his best at the moments when he is under the greatest scrutiny. That is what England will count on in South Africa and it is a quality built on firm foundations: a rare level of technique allied to an irrepressible competitive drive that Rooney, with maturity, has learned to harness without shedding the combustible edge that made him a promising boxer in his youth. Rooney had been on
Sun-Hong, averaged just 4,000 fans per game in their cavernous, 54,500-seat World Cup stadium. Football has been overshadowed by baseball, the nation’s most popular sport that attracted a record six million fans last season. So popular is the sport that on weekends local cable stations broadcast football matches on tape delay after live baseball telecasts are over. World Cup matches, though, will generate their share of interest with two of three South Korean games in the group stage beginning at 8:30pm local time, a prime slot. The other starts at
3.30am. “I’ll definitely watch some action on TV,” said Kim Jung-Hwan, a 30-year-old who works for a trading company in Seoul. He was a student during the last two World Cups and watched all the games among a sea of other red-clad fans. But, like others from back then, he is now married and has a demanding job. Kim will leave his red t-shirt in his closet this year. “I don’t think I can be out in the streets at three in the morning on a weekday watching football,” he said with a smile. “I’ve got a life now.” — AFP
DC United surprise AC Milan in friendly WASHINGTON: Major League Soccer’s DC United defeated Italian powerhouse AC Milan 3-2 Wednesday in a friendly football match. United have scored only four goals in nine MLS matches this season, but they had no trouble finding the net against an AC Milan side that delivered a relaxed performance in the wake of the demanding Serie A campaign. Star Brazilian forwards Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato helped draw a crowd of 30,367 at RFK Stadium, but Milan were without at least a half-dozen players who are with their various national teams preparing for the World Cup. United took a 2-0 halftime lead through goals from Luciano Emilio in the 20th minute and Chris Potius in the 30th. Ronaldinho almost halved the deficit with a bicycle kick that hit the right post in the second half. Danny Allsopp got credit for a goal in the 61st that put United up 3-0 when goalkeeper Christian Abbiati attempted a sliding save - only to deflect the ball off Allsopp’s leg and into the net. But in the 64th minute United’s Brandon Barklage left the game with an akle injury and the hosts, having used all their substitutions, were reduced to 10 men. Milan immediately took advantage as Massimo Oddo scored twice in the space of four minutes - converting a penalty in the 70th and scoring from long range four minutes later. — AFP
US-England rematch evokes spirit of 1950 Cup shocker
DNIPROPETROVSK: File shows Wayne Rooney of England during the WC2010 Group 6 qualifying football match against Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk. — AFP United’s radar from an early age, having memorably scored six goals for Everton’s under-9’s in a match against their United counterparts. “There was one that stood out,” recalls Paul McGuinness, now the manager of the United academy. “It was basically the classic overhead kick, the perfect bicycle kick, which for a kid of eight or nine years old was really something special.” For Fabio Capello, the man charged with getting the best out of Rooney in an England shirt, the 24-year-old
is marked out as much by his ability to inspire those around him as by his own technical quality. “He is very important because when the team is falling asleep, he is the one who can give them a boost,” the England coach said. “Sometimes it is possible to put the other team to sleep, to dupe it, and know you can score any time because they are not dangerous. “But Rooney reminds me of (Franco) Baresi and Raul. They say ‘we have to do something’.” In the early
years of his career it was widely assumed that Rooney’s deftness in exploiting the spaces created by a partner in attack meant he was destined to make his name as a second striker, a kind of muscular, English version of Roberto Baggio. For the national team it is in that kind of role that he has most often flourished, whether in tandem with the pace and finishing ability of a Michael Owen or the physical presence of a big centre forward in the Emile Heskey mould. — AFP
WASHINGTON: Sixty years after the United States pulled off a shocking World Cup upset of England, the Americans will attempt to repeat the feat in a muchanticipated first match at the 2010 South Africa World Cup. Since being drawn into Group C together with Slovenia and Algeria last December, US and English players have looked forward to their June 12 opener at Rustenburg’s 42,000-seat Royal Bafokeng Stadium. England own a 7-2 overall record against the United States but dropped their firstever meeting 1-0 in a World Cup stunner for the ages on June 29, 1950 at Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Joe Gaetjens, a part-time dishwasher whose mother was from Haiti and father from Belgium, headed in the only goal in the 37th minute in a match that turned the football world upside down but brought little attention on US soil. “Belo Horizonte every US soccer fan knows those details, and so we look forward to another
opportunity,” US World Cup coach Bob Bradley said. Today, US fans call it the “Miracle on Grass”, a tie-in with the 1980 US Olympic hockey “Miracle on Ice” shocker over the Soviet Union, and the match inspired the 2005 film “The Game of Their Lives”. Far from the 500-1 longshot collection of amateurs and semi-pros in 1950, the latest US squad feature world-class talent from European sides that has reached the World Cup quarter-finals as recently as 2002. “Are we as talented as England? Probably not,” US playmaker Landon Donovan said. “But we feel that on a given day we have a chance to beat them.” The Americans hope to capture some of the spirit of that long-ago squad, even down to wearing World Cup uniforms based upon the 1950 lineup, complete with a grey sash down the front. “I think it’s special that we’ll have a uniform that is the same style with the sash and it’s something that means a lot to the team,” Bradley said. —AFP
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Friday, May 28, 2010
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Mighty Brazil arrive in S Africa for World Cup JOHANNESBURG: Brazil arrived in Johannesburg yesterday to embark on a journey they hope will take them to a record sixth World Cup title. Usually hot pre-tournament favorites wherever the quadrennial international football showcase is staged, Brazil have been downgraded by many bookmakers to second spot behind European champions Spain. A crisp, clear dawn in the South African economic hub greeted the South Americans, who flew from Brasilia having been given an official send-off by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Landing 12 hours after the Australian ‘Socceroos’ became the first qualifiers to reach South Africa, Brazil followed the same procedure of restricted assess to select TV crews and photographers and no interviews. The 23-man squad, coaches and officials boarded a brightly colored luxury coach for a journey to a hotel in a northern suburb golf course and the five-time world champions plan to train at a nearby school. Brazil are with 2006 semifinalists Portugal, Didier Drogba-led Ivory Coast and tournament outsiders North Korea in Group G, labeled the ‘Group of Death’ after the Cape Town draw last December because of its strength. And should a Brazilian squad boasting stars like Julio Cesar, Maicon, Kaka and Luis Fabiano match expectations and top the mini-league table, they could face fellow South American qualifiers Chile in the knockout second round. The South Americans are no strangers to Johannesburg having won the World Cup dress-rehearsal Confederations Cup tournament there last June after wiping out a two-goal deficit against surprise finalists United States. Coach Dunga, captain and midfield ‘enforcer’ in the 1994 World Cupwinning team, must hope he can banish the hoodoo that envelopes Confederations Cup title holders in the subsequent World Cup. The curse has struck Brazil twice as they finished 1998 World Cup runners-up to Zinedine Zidaneinspired hosts France, and fell to ‘Les Bleus’ again four years ago, this time in the quarter-finals. No country is more passionate about football than Brazil and banks have been cleared to close when the national team faces North Korea on June 15, Ivory Coast five days later and Portugal a further five days into the tournament. Dunga was handed one of the most stressful posts in football four years ago despite no managerial experience after Carlos Alberto Parreira paid the price for the last-eight exit. He will be under intense scrutiny in South Africa, not least for refusing to include 2002 World Cup winner Ronaldinho in his squad after the AC Milan midfielder showed a revival in form. Adriano, Alexandre Pato, Neymar and Paulo Ganso were other controversial omissions and knives will glisten in the South African sun if Brazil do not clutch the World Cup trophy and the 30-million-dollar cheque. The first World Cup hosted by Africa kicks off on June 11 at the 90,000-seat Soccer City near the black township of Soweto with Parreira-coached South Africa facing Mexico and finishes with the July 11 final at the same venue. —AFP
Penalties will put players on the spot
CURITIBA: Brazil’s soccer players Robinho (front) and Julio Baptista joke during a practice session in preparation for the upcoming South Africa 2010 World Cup in Curitiba, southern Brazil. — AP
Hicks won’t sell Liverpool cheap LONDON: Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has ruled out the possibility of agreeing to a quick sale of the Premier League club as he holds out for a substantial profit on his investment. Hicks and fellow owner George Gillett came under fire from former Reds owner David Moores this week as he criticized their infighting, financial mismanagement and failure to back boss Rafael Benitez in the transfer market. Liverpool fans have also made it clear through several protests that they want Hicks and Gillett to go as soon as possible after they ran up debts of over 300 million pounds. But Hicks, speaking to Sky Sports News, made it clear it could be as long as 18 months before a new owner is in place at Anfield as he values the club at 800 million pounds
- a price which is over 300 million pounds more than he and Gillett bought Liverpool for from Moores three years ago. “Since Moores’s ownership in the last three years, with what we will spend this summer we will have more than doubled both the gross and net transfer spending on players,” Hicks said. “We’ve tried to make Liverpool as professional a club as possible. The new stadium is fully designed now and the global financing markets are back, so with the change of ownership coming we will be able to have a new stadium built and we have a great board. We will sell the club. We are not going to sell it to the wrong group and we’re not going to sell it for the wrong price. “We are going to take our time, do it in a very
thoughtful way and try to find the right steward to own Liverpool FC. We’re hoping to sell before the end of the calendar year and we don’t anticipate it will be done before the beginning of next season. “I have said 600-800 million pounds is not an unrealistic value range, but the market is the market and we’ll see. We are more concerned about finding the right owner, someone who can make the investment, get the stadium built and help Liverpool be the best possible football club in the world.” With speculation growing that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres may ask to leave Liverpool before next season due to the uncertainty over the club’s future, Hicks moved to calm fans’ fears that they will lose their two idols. — AFP
LONDON: Two men face each other, knowing that a single kick is about to decide their teams’ fate as more than 700 million viewers watch: it must be a World Cup penalty shootout. There is more than a 50 percent chance that the winners of the World Cup in South Africa, which kicks off on June 11, will have to survive a penalty shootout en route. Some of the world’s top sportsmen will inevitably buckle under the pressure, consigning millions of fans to despair and a lifetime of muttering “what if...?” Derided as a lottery by critics, the penalty shootout is unsurpassed as the ultimate test of nerve to decide tied games. Despite its flaws, it makes compulsive viewing. The split-second moment can make a player a hero, or forever scar an otherwise unblemished career. “It affected me for years,” said Roberto Baggio, the Italian forward who was one of the best players of the 1994 tournament until he missed in a shootout defeat to Brazil in the final. “It was the worst moment of my career. I still dream about it. If I could erase a moment it would be that one.” England’s Stuart Pearce shared that sentiment after missing in a 1990 semi-final defeat to Germany. “My world collapsed. The walk back to the centre circle was a nightmare as the first rush of tears pricked my eyes,” Pearce said years later. Four of the last five winners of the world’s biggest sports event have had to come through a shootout test of nerve during one of their four knockout games, including Italy and Brazil in the final games of 2006 and 1994. Since penalties were introduced in 1982, to decide matches that remained drawn after extra time, there have been 20 shootouts in seven tournaments. Five players from each side take a kick and if the scores are level a “sudden-death” process starts. Fifty-six, or 30 percent, of the 186 spot kicks have been missed. FIRST MISS Germany have proved most clinical, winning all four shootouts they have been involved in. German defender Uli Stielike was the first man to miss in a shootout in Spain 28 years ago but his team still won the semi-final. Not one of his countrymen has missed since, giving German players a 94 percent success rate. In contrast, England have lost all three of their World Cup shootouts, missing half of the 14 kicks they have taken. The Swiss, Mexicans, Romanians and Dutchmen have yet to win a shootout, while this year’s favorites, Spain, may need to improve their record of one win from three. “It may not be wholly representative of the game but it’s a test of skill under pressure and some countries have proved good at it,” said Matt Pain, part of Loughborough University’s football psychology research unit in England. —Reuters
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Wasteful France squeeze past Costa Rica LENS: Newcomer Mathieu Valbuena enjoyed a dream first run out for his country when bagging the decisive goal in France’s 2-1 World Cup warm-up win over Costa Rica here on Wednesday. The 1998 world champions and 2006 beaten finalists enjoyed large chunks of possession but sterile finishing cost them dear until Valbuena produced the late winner. Coach Raymond Domenech elected to start Arsenal central defender William Gallas and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, at the expense of Thierry Henry, with Steve Mandanda replacing number one keeper Hugo Lloris in goal. For Gallas this warm-up represented a searching test of his recovery from a calf injury that has kept him sidelined since March. In Henry’s absence the captain’s armband was worn by Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. Franck Ribery, suspended for his club Bayern Munich’s Champions League final defeat to Inter Milan last weekend, also figured in Domenech’s starting XI. Domenech, who steps down after a rollercoaster spell as manager of France after the World Cup, was booed by some sections of the fans when his name was announced before kick-off in his last game in charge of Les Bleus on French soil. Costa Rica, who missed out on a trip to South Africa when losing their two-leg play-off against Uruguay 2-1 last November, went into a surprise 12th minute lead. The Central Americans had their more illustrious hosts on the backfoot when midfielder Carlos Hernandez let fly from 25 metres, his shot bouncing over Mandanda’s outstretched hands. France, who thought they had equalised four minutes later only for Yoann Gourcuff’s tap in to be ruled offside, did deservedly draw back level in the 23rd minute when Jeremy Toulalan set up Ribery whose shot from the left hand side of the box was deflected for an own goal by Douglas Sequeira past keeper Keylor Navas. Mandanda may have been caught napping for Costa Rica’s opener but he made amends when later tipping a goalbound shot from Bryan Ruiz, who plays his club football with Dutch champions FC Twente, over the bar. Domenech made three changes at the start of the second half introducing Henry (for Anelka), Alou Diarra (Toulalan) and Sebastien Squillaci (Gallas). There was a moment of concern for the lively Ribery after the hour mark when he crumbled to the floor clutching his right ankle after an over zealous tackle by Pablo Barrantes. After watching Ribery rise unscathed Domenech then replaced Sydney Govou with Marseille winger Valbuena, and he had the Costa Rican defense in a panic with his very first touch of the ball. The pocket-sized player then ensured he would remember his first run out for his country for years to come when he bagged France’s winner, a right footed hammerblow after being set up by late substitute Abou Diaby, with seven minutes left. Domenech praised the desire and motivation displayed by his side. “That’s what we want to see all the time. at least they are trying things, and want to achieve something. They know it’s this group of 23 that are going (to South Africa) - they know they’ll be doing it together. They have confidence in each other...but this was only a warm-up, the World Cup only begins on June 11.” France’s remaining warm-up fixtures before the World Cup are an away date against Tunisia on May 30 and against China in Reunion on June 4. They open their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on June 11. — AFP
Kaka eyes Brazil glory after disappointing season at Real
LENS: France's Franck Ribery (center) vies with Costa Rica's Roy Myrie (left) and Carlos Hernandez during a friendly international soccer match in Lens, Northern France in preparation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. — AP
PARIS: Brazilian midfield star Kaka will be doubly keen to land World Cup glory with Brazil after admitting to a hit-andmiss first season with Real Madrid. Injuries and some tepid form have meant the jury is still out on the 65 million-euro signing from AC Milan, whose contributions, even when fully fit, have been less than spectacular. As Kaka admitted recently: “I’m not happy with my performances, but it’s all physical. I suffered a lot since I got injured. The 2007 world and European footballer of the year has found goals hard to come by since swapping the San Siro for the Bernabeu and he has yet to show more than occasional glimpses of the form which brought him those lofty accolades. Even so, he made a decisive strike in a 2-1 April victory over Zaragoza after six weeks out with a thigh injury and that enabled the club to stay in the title race with Barcelona, both clubs neck and neck going into the final furlong after both suffered Champions League disappointment. In the end it was all to no avail as the Catalan giants held on to lift the title leaving Real and Kaka trophy-less for the year. Despite such positive moments some fans have been less than impressed and many have shown typical displays of the impatience for which Real is famous and which - at board level - leads to managerial changes on a yearly basis. So it was that whistles and jeers were aimed in his direction during Real’s defeat by Lyon in the last 16 of the Champion March 10 - although he shrugged them off by saying he had lost count of the number of time he has been jeered. “They did it in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with Milan ... it happens to all players. The fans are very emotional.” In promising better things for next season the 28-year-old briefly the world’s mosty expensive player until Real lured Cristiano Ronaldo from Old Trafford - now has to switch focus rapidly to the yellow, blue and green of Brazil. — AFP