wonderful years celebrates 30 Zain Kuwait to reverseitsdecision,” theofficialsaid.—AFP anonymity. “We shallnotspareanyefforttoconvince theGCC latest move,aLebanese officialinBeirutsaid on conditionof dozens ofLebanesewerenotrenewed” evenbeforetheGCC’s to renewtheirresidencypermits. “Theresidencypermitsof living intheregion.Suchfears hit hardestwhenpeopleapply a memberofHezbollahhavecaused concernamongShiites Hezbollah involvementinSyria. deported?” askedoneUAE-basedShiiteexpatwhorejects will paymetheequivalentofincomeIearnhereifget the decision”tointerveneinSyria.“Doesthatmeanhe Iran-bankrolled partyis“willingtobeartheconsequencesof Hezbollah membersintheGulf,”hesaid,insistingthathis movement didnothavemembersinthearea.“Thereareno members livingintheregion. and, inanunprecedentedstatementsaiditwilltargetits warned itmightaddHezbollahtoitslistofterroristgroups, the borderwithLebanon.TheGCC,whichbacksrebels, assault torecapturetheinsurgentstrongholdofQusairnear the mainlySunnirebelslastmonth,andspearheadeda17-day 2011. Butitopenlydeclareditsinvolvementinthewaragainst Hezbollah hasbackedhimsinceprotestseruptedinMarch said. affect others.“NotallShiitesareHezbollahsupporters,”Ali wary ofsomepeople,buthopedthatthisfearwouldnot he said.HeaddedthatGulfstatesmightbejustifiedinbeing away becauseHezbollahisholdingagriponmycommunity,” came herebecauseofthebadsituationinmycountry.Iran will targetpeoplewithnolinkstoHezbollah.“AsaShiite,I describes himselfassecular,butisworriedthatthemeasures on Thursdaysaid.Ali,aLebaneseShiitelivinginQatar, begun toinvestigatereportsofdeportations,media have beentargeted.Lebanon’sembassiesintheGulf munity inSaudiArabiasaidatleast10people,notallShiite, forced toleavethegas-richGulfstate.AndLebanesecom- reports havetalkedof“dozens”thecountry’scitizens just 4.1million. billion annuallybacktothecountry,whichhasapopulationof according toLebanesedailyAn-Nahar,transferringsome$4 targeted. Anestimated360,000LebaneseworkintheGulf, could beassociatedwiththegroupalsofearthey Hezbollah. Othernon-Shiitegroups,evenChristians,who based ontheirreligiousaffiliation,eveniftheydisagreedwith many yearsfearthepunishmentmighthitacrossboard, only, manyShiiteswhohavelivedandworkedintheGulffor told AFPonThursday. were expelledfromQatar,aLebanesegovernmentsource mercial transactions”.Followingthewarning,18Lebanese it couldhittheir“residencypermits,andfinancialcom- the LebaneseShiitemovementHezbollahinregion.Itsaid recently warnedthatitwilltakemeasuresagainstmembersof regime againstrebels.TheGulfCooperationCouncil(GCC) chies infuriatedbyHezbollah’smilitarysupportfortheSyrian nate deportationsbyauthoritiesintheSunni-ruledmonar- DUBAI:

The criteriausedbytheGulfstates toidentifysomeoneas Hezbollah chiefHassanNasrallahsaidlastweekthathis A staunchallyofSyrianPresidentBasharAl-Assad, Besides the18deportedfromQatar,Lebanesemedia Despite assurancesthatthemeasureswilltargetHezbollah SUBSCRIPTION Lebanese ShiitesworkingintheGulffearindiscrimi-

150 Fils 5 AUDY UE2,21 SABN1,13 HNo:15847 1434 AH SATURDAY, SHAABAN13, JUNE22,2013 expulsion fromGulf Lebanese Shiitesfear Qatar deports18overHezbollahrow over ‘AllahuAkbar’ man inJerusalem Guard killsJewish mark theupcomingoneyearanniversarysincePresidentMohamedMorsi(portrait)waselected.—AFP CAIRO: EgyptianIslamistgroupsledbytherulingMuslimBrotherhoodtakepartinademonstrationyesterdayto in theMubarakera, whentheirpartywasbanned. Reflectingthis, under siegefromunelectedinstitutions andvestedinterestsrooted Islamists. engaged butexasperatedbyeconomic stagnationunderthe have attractedsupportfrommany Egyptians whoarelesspolitically obvious leaderhasemergedtobuild consensus.Morsi’sopponents tions couldendtheparalysingpolarisation ofsociety,thoughno ago -onapetitioncallinghimtostepdown;theysaynewelec- natures -morethanthe13millionvotesthatelectedMorsiayear ties areeatingthedemocracyGodgavethem.” oly ofpowerandtoinstallIslamicrulesocialorder.“Secularpar- organised oppositionthattheBrotherhoodisaimingforamonop- world,” Nadersaid,shruggingoffconcernsamongthelesswell 2011. “DrMorsiwoninfreeandfairelectionslikeanystatethe won itsuccessiveelectionssincetheoverthrowofHosniMubarakin Brotherhood, themovementwhoseorganisationalstrengthhas the burningsunbyagreenbannerfromMorsi’sMuslim order,” saiddemonstratorGaberNader,22,hisheadprotectedfrom banners. “Therearepeopleseekingacoupagainstthelawful inauguration. “Yestorespectingthewillofpeople!”readsome opposition ralliessetforJune30,thefirstanniversaryofMorsi’s ed todemonstratetheIslamists’strengthofnumbersahead some carryingpicturesofthebeardedpresident,inwhatisintend- mosque inthesuburbofNasrCity,manywavingnationalflag, opponents hopecanforcehimfromoffice.Crowdsconvergedona show supportfortheelectedheadofstatebeforeproteststhathis President MohamedMorsigatheredinCairoafterFridayprayersto CAIRO: Huge crowdralliesforMorsi Supporters oftheBrotherhoodfeel theirelectoralsuccessis Morsi’s opponentssaytheyhavegatheredabout15millionsig- Tens ofthousandsIslamistsupportersEgyptian 8 title inarow to winsecond Heat beatSpurs 48 tion fromMubarak toelectionsmoveagainstMorsi.— Reuters led sometowarnofcivilwarifthegenerals whooversawthetransi- mind,” ZeinabAbdullah,54,said.Such fearsamongIslamistshave army ruleunderwhichhersonwas tortured:“Theydestroyedhis said shefearedtheremovalofMorsi wouldreturnEgypttothe repeated. Onewoman,inblackveil andgreenIslamicheadband, rejection of“liberalviolence”:“The peoplewantGod’slaw,”they men chantedtheirdemandforthe impositionofIslamiclawand supporters joinedtherallyforMorsi.Wavingtheirpartybanner, town ofLuxorthisweek.Yesterday,dozensGamaaal-Islamiya al-Islamiya, oneofwhosemembershemadegovernorthetourist has turnedtomoreradicalgroupsforbacking-notablyGamaa the fullsupportofconservativeSalafiIslamistNourparty,Morsi ing, todrawmoreliberalfiguresintohisadministration,andlosing Islamiya, whichwasinvolvedintheassassination.Unable,orunwill- crackdown afterSadatdied,asdidhardlinersfromal-Gamaaal- Brotherhood hadbythattimerenouncedviolencebutsufferedina gunned downMubarak’spredecessorAnwarSadatin1981.The scuffles acrossEgyptinthepastweek. 26-year-old preacherAmrHamam,pointingtodozensofinjuriesin side willtakethisasanexcuseforanarchy,”saidonemanonguard, they werereadytoprotectdemonstratorsfrom“thugs”.“Theother ers andopponentsfacedoffbrieflyinEgypt’ssecondcity. the mosque;therewerescufflesinAlexandriawhenMorsisupport- packed streetsforhundredsofmetresaroundtherallyingpointat media!” TherewasnotroubleevidentinCairo,wherepeople women -chantedfor“Apurgeofthejudiciary!”and some inyesterday’scrowd-mostlymen,withafewheavilyveiled Yesterday’s rallywasheldclosetothespotwhereIslamists In Cairo,Brotherhoodmembersarmedwithgreenstavessaid Min Max 30º 45º LOCAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

KUWAIT: Officials at the Mahboula market during the raid. 45 arrested in Mahboula market raid

By Hanan Al-Saadoun subsidized food items were sold. The cam- Major Salman Al-Mutairi. ing 35 vendors who were engaged in trad- paign was carried out at the direct instruc- Fifteen policemen in sports attire ing without proper licenses or identifica- KUWAIT: Ahmadi governorate security offi- tions of Acting Security Director Ahmadi entered the market first to ensure that the tion papers. cials carried out an inspection campaign in governorate Brig Maatooq Al-Aslawi and vendors were in the market. They signaled They were sent to authorities concerned a crowded marketplace in Al-Mahboula under the supervision of the Operations their colleagues waiting outside to enter for further action. The municipality confis- area where vegetables, textiles, perfumes, Director Lt Colonel Faleh Al-Hatteeli Al- the market. Then, ten policemen entered cated the clothing and vegetables that electrical goods, fish, military uniforms and Dawsari and Patrols Department head the market and arrested 45 people includ- were on sale.

Gen Ali devises plan to Hunt for citizen who curb driving licenses KUWAIT: Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs Lt General tried to shoot sister Abdul Fattah Al-Ali is considering a way to put a limit to play- ing around the ministerial decision that allows certain sectors to obtain driving licenses. Asian found hanging in Fahaheel flat Sources said that out of the choices on the table which could be applied after the approval of First Deputy Prime KUWAIT: Police are looking to that he cannot remember the body was taken to the forensic Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud is to arrest a man who faces attempted details of hundreds of transactions department after criminal investi- limit signing authority for learning licenses to the Assistant murder charges pressed by a family he finalizes every day. gators examined the scene. A case Undersecretary and not to traffic directors in all governorates member recently. Police had Investigations are ongoing. was field for investigations. or service centers. rushed to a house in Abdullah Al- The sources said that this choice came after checking on Mubarak Thursday where a Kuwaiti Forgery Officer held for mugging some files for whom learning permits were issued and viola- woman reported that her brother A serviceman and a Ministry of A police officer was arrested tions to the ministerial decree were discovered that limited pointed a gun at her during a fami- Social Affairs and Labor employee after he was busted trying to mug a the regulation for giving driving license to those with KD ly dispute. Police found the woman were sent to the Public Prosecution cleaning worker at the Miseelah 400 salary, a university degree and two years residency in hiding inside one of the rooms in for questioning on forgery charges Road. Mubarak Al-Kabeer patrol Kuwait. the house while it appeared that pressed against them following co- officers were on a mission Thursday The sources said that all applications will be submitted to her brother had escaped before operative society election morning when they spotted a per- Al-Ali’s office and will be checked and only those applications which meet the conditions will be given for signature and they arrived. The woman accompa- Wednesday night. Police had son physically assaulting a cleaning applications which do not meet the conditions will be rejected nied officers to the area’s police responded to an emergency call worker. They went in pursuit of the and no expat who does not meet the conditions need to station and filed a case. reporting a fight at an election suspect after he attempted to apply. The sources said that after the approval of the Deputy committee office at the Farwaniya escape. He was eventually forced Prime Minister on this suggestion, signature on learning per- Suspicious deals Co-op Society board elections. to stop after which police identified mits will be limited to the Assistant Undersecretary Abdul An immigration department They found out that the fight was him as a police officer. The man Fattah Al-Ali. employee was summoned for between representatives of two was referred to the proper authori- questioning regarding a case candidates and an MSAL employ- ties for further action. (Watan) involving a man who denies know- ee who was there to supervise the ing anything about people who elections. The representatives told Kidnappers nabbed Two officers held came to Kuwait on his sponsorship police that the MSAL employee Abu Halifah detectives managed as shown in his file. allowed a Ministry of Defense serv- to arrest two male suspects for raping Filipina The Kuwaiti man had reportedly iceman to vote using the civil ID of accused of mugging a person they headed to an immigration depart- another person. Servicemen and kidnapped in the area. The Filipino By Hanan Al-Saadoun ment to carry out a transaction, police officers are not allowed to national had told police earlier that before being notified that several vote under Kuwait’s elections laws. the suspects kidnapped him from a KUWAIT: Two special task force officers were arrested with one family visa transactions were final- A case was filed for investigations. street in the area and later released accomplice yesterday on charges of raping a woman after break- ized in recent months on his file. him after physically assaulting him ing into her apartment on Thursday. The Filipina woman told Jleeb After the case was reported, immi- Suicide and stealing his money. One of the Al-Shuyoukh police station officers following the incident that four gration detectives summoned an A man was found dead inside a suspects was located at an apart- persons including two dressed in police uniform stormed their way employee whose name was regis- building under construction ment in the area and gave the into her apartment in the area while she was alone. She added that tered in the database as the one Thursday in an apparent suicide address of his accomplice follow- three of them raped her while the fourth secured the place, after who finalized the transactions that case. Police and paramedics rushed ing his arrest. The suspect admitted which they all escaped. According to sources familiar with the the Kuwaiti man claims knowing to the scene in Fahaheel after the his crime after his victim identified investigations, police arrested two Kuwaiti officers and one nothing about. The employee incident was reported, and found him in an identification parade. The Egyptian accomplice who admitted that they assaulted the victim. denied knowledge of the details of the Asian man hanging dead in the two were taken to the proper Meanwhile, the police identified the fourth suspect, an Egyptian the suspicious transactions, saying apartment building’s staircase. The authorities for further action. man, and are still trying to locate him. LOCAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Mid-Ramadan poll may Kuwait: US report on human trafficking help avoid legal issues ‘exaggerated’ Good turnout seen as boycott call fizzles away KUWAIT: Kuwait gives high priority to human rights affairs in accordance with its religious beliefs which KUWAIT: The government chose to already announced their plans to boy- tion in the parliament elected February are based on tolerance and human rights, as well as its hold the upcoming elections during the cott the elections for the second 2012 and dissolved four months later constantly evolving human rights laws that prohibit middle of Ramadan as an insurance poli- straight time after doing the same last announced contesting in the upcoming human trafficking. This was stated by a senior Foreign cy to avoid legal troubles in case voting December. That month saw the first elections. Riyadh Al-Adasani, who had Ministry official in response to a recent United States took place past the sixty-day period elections held as per the single-vote sys- boycotted last December’s polls, said Department of State Report which lists the Gulf state after the parliament’s dissolution, a local tem decreed by HH the Amir six weeks that his decision comes to “honor the among countries that make no significant effort to daily reported yesterday. beforehand, a system that was upheld court’s ruling and the state of law” and meet minimum standards of compliance set by the After the Constitutional Court dis- by the Constitutional Court last Sunday. added that the best option remaining to Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a 2000 law that solved the parliament following the cru- The opposition argues that any amend- amend the electoral system “is from the allows for the prevention and prosecution of human cial ruling last Sunday, speculations ment to the electoral law made outside parliament”. Also on Thursday, member trafficking. went rampant on the date to hold the the parliament ‘takes away the people’s of the opposition which controlled “Reports suggesting that inhuman practices are next elections only a couple of weeks authority’ in determining the course of majority seats in the February 2012 par- present in Kuwait often contain a lot of exaggeration”, before the start of the holy month. electing their parliamentary representa- liament Badr Al-Dahoum reiterated his said Director of the Follow-up and Coordination If elections were to be held after the tives. position to boycott the upcoming elec- Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khalid post-Ramadan Eid Al-Fitr holiday, While the government says that the tions, even without waiting the position Al-Maghames. He further told Al-Anba daily on Kuwait would have risked having very new system is in line with voting sys- of his Awazem tribe whose chiefs are set Thursday that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor poor turnout as many Kuwaitis would tems used in democracies around the to announce their plans following a is working on abolishing the sponsorship system for gear up to spend the summer vacation world, the opposition argue that it hurts meeting this week. labor forces, and that in response to criticisms men- abroad after the holy month. Holding candidates’ chances to form alliances Former MP Yousuf Al-Zalzalah said in tioned in the US report about the system subjecting the elections during Ramadan guaran- which prospered during the work of the the meantime that the upcoming elec- employees to forced labor. tees that most Kuwaitis would be here four-votes-per-voter system. The tions are likely to feature “unprecedent- A report last week suggested that the Public Labor to cast their vote as most of them tradi- Constitutional Court said in its ruling ed participation” after the National Authority, a state body that replaces the sponsorship tionally prefer to spend the holy month Sunday that the single-vote system Democratic Alliances and several Salafist system in handling all matters pertaining with private in their home country. Moreover, the “allows the minority to be represented politicians announced participation. He sector employees including recruitment of expatriate constitution states that elections must in the parliament”, “frees voters from added that the turnouts are not likely to be held within a sixty days after the par- candidates’ pressure”, while it confirms be affected by the decision of the labor forces and managing their relationship with liament is dissolved. Holding elections that the decree was necessary to “serve Islamic Constitutional Movement and their employers, is set to be established in the very on July 25 helps the country avoid tur- the national interest” by addressing a the liberal Kuwait Democratic Forum to near future. The news, which provided no exact date moil in case the constitutionality of elec- subject “that pertains with risking the boycott the elections. In other news, Al- for setting up the authority, came shortly after the tions held in September or October as unity and social fabric of the nation”. Qabas daily reported that chairman of parliament passed a bill to establish it, and that three previously suggested were to be chal- Despite opposition calls, the National the Fatwa and Legislation Department years after the enforcement of the private sector’s lenged. Democratic Alliance which is the main Faisal Al-Sarwaai is expected to resign labor law in 2010. (See Page 4) “Following Sunday’s verdict, the gov- umbrella for liberal groups in Kuwait “after being given the choice between ernment had in mind that an emer- announced honoring the court’s ruling, that or being dismissed”. Sources famil- gency decree to postpone the elections paving the way for the National Action iar with the subject indicated that the date has become under high risk of Bloc members to run again for parlia- government approached Al-Saraawi being found unconstitutional if chal- ment. The return of liberals, coupled with these choices after going under lenged”, said cabinet sources who spoke with the highly expected return of tribal pressure to hold accountable senior to Al-Qabas on the condition of candidates who also boycotted the past advisors for errors based on which the anonymity. According to the same elections, is expected to help achieve Constitutional Court dissolved the par- report, the decree to call citizens to positive turnout in the upcoming elec- liament. Al-Saraawi reportedly refused head to the ballots is expected to be tions even with top oppositionists reit- to be a ‘scapegoat’ in this case, yet faces made tomorrow (Sunday) or maximum erating their boycott plans. no other choice but to resign in order to by Tuesday. Opposition politicians Meanwhile, a member of the opposi- avoid dismissal. —Al-Qabas & Al-Rai Italian PM to visit Kuwait

ROME: Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta on Thursday affirmed his plan to visit Kuwait and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members this fall following a tour of the Palestinian territories in early July. The planned trip, his first in the Arab region since he took office early last month, will show that Italy attaches great Xi Yuhua with Abdul Wahab Al-Sager. —KUNA importance to the relations with the Arab countries and the latest develop- Kuwaiti diplomats praised ments in the region. The relations with the Arab coun- for promoting enterprise tries, notably in the economic field are TOKYO: A Chinese official has praised efforts of the traditionally a top priority for the Italian Kuwaiti diplomatic mission here for promoting Kuwait’s policy and his government in particular, investment potentials and policies for boosting enterprise. Enrico Letta Letta said. He made the comments dur- Deputy Director General of the Department of Foreign ing a meeting with the ‘Associazione Affairs in Donnguan City, Xi Yuhua, welcomed the holding Stampa Estera in Italia’ (Foreign Press Association (FPA) here. of promotional activities by the Kuwaiti Consulate General, The selection of Emma Bonino, a veteran politician and former such as organization of conventions to publicize invest- MEP who is familiar with the Arabic Language and culture, as a ment opportunities in Kuwait and the Gulf country latest foreign minister signals the desire of the incumbent govern- investment policies. Xi, who was speaking at a banquet ment to further strengthen the Italian-Arab ties, he pointed held on June 18, addressed the Kuwaiti Consul General, out. On his meeting with the FPA, Letta said it aims to set forth Abdul Wahab Al-Sager, promising to give all possible aid the guidelines of the Italian foreign policy and the stance on to the Kuwaiti mission in this respect. —KUNA the southern shore of the Mediterranean. —KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Kuwait, a destination for forced labor: US report State placed in Tier 3 for seventh year in a row

KUWAIT: The 2013 US Department of State ued reliance on the sponsorship system, those prescribed for other serious offenses. tion or provide protective services to migrants Trafficking in Persons Report released which inherently punishes, rather than pro- During the reporting period, the govern- who may have experienced conditions of Wednesday lists Kuwait in Tier 3 with coun- tects, trafficking victims for immigration viola- ment did not report any arrests, prosecutions, human trafficking. The Ministry of Social tries like China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and tions. The government continued to operate a convictions, or sentences of traffickers for Affairs and Labor (MOSAL) continued to oper- Saudi Arabia. The details: temporary shelter for runaway female domes- either forced labor or sex trafficking. Although ate a short-term shelter for runaway domestic Kuwait is a destination country for men and tic workers, though it offered no shelter for the withholding of workers’ passports is pro- workers with a maximum capacity of 40; how- women who are subjected to forced labor male victims of trafficking. The government hibited under Kuwaiti law, this practice ever, the shelter detained victims involuntarily and, to a lesser degree, forced prostitution. also did not fulfill other commitments made remains common among sponsors and until their legal or immigration cases were Men and women migrate from India, Egypt, since 2007, such as enacting a law to provide employers of foreign workers, and the govern- resolved. The government continued to fail to Bangladesh, Syria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri domestic workers with the same rights as oth- ment demonstrated no genuine efforts to report the number of trafficking victims assist- Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Iran, Jordan, Ethiopia, er workers and opening a large-capacity per- enforce this prohibition. Almost none of the ed at this shelter during the reporting period. Ghana, and Iraq to work in Kuwait, mainly in manent shelter for victims of trafficking. The domestic workers who took refuge in their It is unclear whether victims of forced prostitu- the domestic service, construction, and sanita- government similarly continued to make home-country embassy shelters had passports tion could access this temporary shelter, and tion sectors. Although most of these migrants insufficient efforts to prevent trafficking dur- in their possession. The government remained there continued to be no shelter or other pro- enter Kuwait voluntarily, upon arrival their ing the reporting period. For these reasons, reluctant to prosecute Kuwaiti citizens for traf- tective services afforded for male victims of sponsors and labor agents subject some Kuwait is placed on Tier 3 for a seventh con- ficking offenses. When Kuwaiti nationals were trafficking. In 2007, the government migrants to conditions of forced labor, includ- secutive year. investigated for trafficking offenses, they announced it would open a high-capacity ing nonpayment of wages, long working tended to receive less scrutiny than foreigners. shelter for runaway domestic workers; this hours without rest, deprivation of food, Recommendations for Kuwait Kuwaiti law enforcement generally treated shelter was still not operational at the end of threats, physical or sexual abuse, and restric- Implement the 2013 anti-trafficking law by cases of forced labor as administrative labor the reporting period. Many domestic workers tions on movement, such as confinement to investigating and prosecuting trafficking infractions, for which punishment was limited continued to seek assistance at their the workplace and the withholding of pass- offenses, and convicting and punishing to assessing fines, shutting down employment embassies in Kuwait; some source-country ports. While Kuwait requires a standard con- offenders-particularly sponsors-who subject firms, issuing orders for employers to return embassies reported that 450-600 domestic tract for domestic workers delineating some domestic workers to involuntary servitude; withheld passports, or requiring employers to workers ran away from their employers each basic rights, many workers report work condi- enact and enforce the draft domestic workers pay back-wages. The government did not con- month. The government provided some tions that are substantially different from bill to provide domestic workers with the duct anti-trafficking trainings for government source countries with funds to pay for the those described in the contract; some workers same rights as other workers; establish proce- officials during the reporting period. repatriation of some runaway domestic work- never see the contract at all. According to the dures to proactively identify all victims of ers sheltered at their embassies in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti government, between September human trafficking, especially among the Protection government did not provide funding to 2011 to April 2012 the Filipino and Ethiopian female domestic worker population; open the During the year, the government made domestic NGOs or international organizations domestic worker population increased dra- large-scale shelter for all trafficking victims inadequate efforts to protect victims of traf- that provide direct services to trafficking vic- matically, accounting for 86 percent of the and provide relevant training to shelter staff; ficking. Victims of trafficking were frequently tims. The government did not encourage vic- total increase in Kuwait’s domestic worker amend the sponsorship law to protect foreign arrested, detained, and deported. Despite sev- tims of trafficking to assist in the investigation population over the same period. Many of the workers, including domestic workers, from eral years of this Report’s recommending the and prosecution of trafficking cases, and it did migrant workers arriving for work in Kuwait abuse; enforce existing laws against sponsors government develop and implement formal not offer foreign trafficking victims legal alter- have paid exorbitant fees to recruiters in their and employers who illegally hold migrant procedures for the proactive identification of natives to their removal to countries in which home countries or are coerced into paying workers’ passports; provide additional anti- trafficking victims among vulnerable popula- they may face hardship or retribution. labor broker fees in Kuwait that, by Kuwaiti trafficking training to law enforcement and tions, such as foreign domestic workers and law, should be paid by the employer-a prac- judicial officials; and significantly increase women in prostitution, it did not do so; nor Prevention tice that makes workers highly vulnerable to efforts to prevent trafficking. did it develop and implement a referral mech- The government made no discernible forced labor, including debt bondage, once in anism to provide adequate protection services progress in preventing trafficking in persons Kuwait. The media reported that Kuwaiti Prosecution to victims. The 2013 anti-trafficking legislation during the reporting period. The government employers brought unskilled workers into The government made limited anti-traffick- did not provide protection from prosecution does not have a national coordinating body Kuwait on “commercial” visas without provid- ing law enforcement efforts during the report- for victims who fled abusive employers. responsible for anti-trafficking efforts and the ing them with work permits; this left workers ing period. It enacted comprehensive anti- Furthermore, Kuwait’s migrant sponsorship government did not conduct anti-trafficking unprotected under labor regulations and vul- trafficking legislation in March 2013. The gov- law effectively dissuades foreign workers from public awareness campaigns. Source-country nerable to abuse, including conditions of ernment failed to prosecute and convict traf- reporting abuses committed by their employ- embassies reported the Kuwaiti government forced labor. Kuwait’s sponsorship law ficking offenders using previously existing ers to government authorities. Workers who failed to investigate, penalize, or blacklist a restricts workers’ movements and penalizes laws. Kuwait prohibits all forms of trafficking left their employer’s residences without per- company for its reported labor violations, them for “running away” from abusive work- through its new anti-trafficking law. The new mission faced criminal and financial penalties including withholding workers’ passports and places; as a result, domestic workers are par- law prescribes penalties ranging from 15 of up to six months’ imprisonment, the equiv- unsanitary working conditions. The National ticularly vulnerable to forced labor inside pri- years’ to life imprisonment; these penalties are alent of over approximately $2,000 in fines, Assembly voted on the first of two required vate homes. In addition, media sources report sufficiently stringent and commensurate with and deportation, even if they were fleeing readings in favor of legislation to create a that runaway domestic workers fall prey to penalties prescribed for other serious crimes, from an abusive sponsor. The threat of these General Authority for Manpower, as required forced prostitution by agents or criminals who such as rape. Before February 2013, the gov- consequences discouraged workers from by the 2010 Private Sector Labor Law. The exploit their illegal status. ernment could have prosecuted and punished appealing to police or other government draft legislation, which was not enacted at The Government of Kuwait does not fully many trafficking offenses under the Kuwaiti authorities for protection and from obtaining the end of the reporting period, would mark a comply with the minimum standards for the criminal code, but there was little evidence it adequate legal redress for their exploitation. significant step forward in replacing the cur- elimination of trafficking and is not making did so. For example, the criminal code pro- Nonetheless, some foreign victims of traffick- rent sponsorship system. In January 2013, the sufficient efforts to do so. Although the gov- hibits some forms of transnational slavery in ing received monetary settlements from their media reported that police investigated ernment enacted an anti-trafficking law in Article 185, which prescribes a maximum employers; however, the government did not alleged complicity of government officials March 2013, the government did not demon- penalty of five years’ imprisonment. In addi- bring trafficking-related charges against such within MOSAL for illegally selling visas under strate significant efforts to prosecute and con- tion, Law 16/1960 criminalizes forced labor or employers. Moreover, victims were not the sponsorship system; the investigation was vict trafficking offenders using previously exploitation, while maltreatment that leads to offered legal aid by the government. ongoing at the end of the reporting period. existing laws. There was no lead national anti- death is considered first-degree murder. Anecdotally, NGO sources reported that in this As in previous years, the Ministry of Awqaf trafficking coordinating body, and the govern- Article 201, which prohibits forced prostitu- reporting period, police conducted raids on and Islamic Affairs made a nationwide effort ment did not systematically monitor its anti- tion, prescribes a maximum sentence of five 2,000 migrant workers and detained them in a to reduce overseas child sex tourism by trafficking efforts. The government’s victim years’ imprisonment if the victim is an adult deportation center where some languished requiring some Sunni mosques to deliver protection measures remained weak, particu- and seven years’ if the victim is under the age for as long as six months. There was no indica- Friday sermons on the danger of sex abroad larly due to the lack of proactive victim identi- of 18. These prescribed penalties also are suffi- tion that police implemented measures to and Islam’s strict teachings against improper fication and referral procedures and contin- ciently stringent and commensurate with identify trafficking victims among this popula- sexual relations. LOCAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Zain Kuwait celebrates 30 wonderful years

Telecom leader offers free calls, looks back at its achievements

KUWAIT: Zain Kuwait, the leading telecommu- nications company in the country, celebrates its 30th anniversary today as the first mobile telecommunications company in the Middle East and Africa. Proudly placing Kuwait on the world telecom map through its historic achieve- ments over the years, Zain has never overlooked its social and national obligations playing a key role in driving a knowledge-based society and in the enhancement of the Kuwaiti identity. To celebrate this special day, and as a token of genuine respect and gratitude to its cus- tomers for their loyalty during the past 30 years, MTC’s old logo Zain is offering free calls within the Zain family - most significant and highly reputable brands in the biggest family in Kuwait - all day today the telecom industry, and according to a report (Saturday 22). published in 2012 by Brand Finance Global 500, Since its establishment on 22 June 1983 by an annual ranking of the most valuable brands Amiri Decree, Zain formed a Kuwaiti sharehold- in the world, Zain’s brand was worth approxi- ing company with KD 25 million capitalization. mately $1.34 billion in 2012. In May 2013, Zain Ever since, Zain’s main objective has been to was voted the top Arab brand across all indus- provide the highest quality telecom services to tries through an online survey conducted by the its customers, which in the beginning com- Munich based Arab Society for Intellectual prised mainly of pager devices, wireless commu- Property. nications and faxes as well as supporting the By 2010, Zain’s Board of Directors had taken community through various socially responsible Zain Chairman Asaad Al-Banwan the strategic decision to focus on its highly cash and sustainable programs. generative Middle East and North Africa opera- In 1986, Zain officially launched its commer- tions, investing in new growth opportunities in cial services, heralding the establishment of ● Free calls for all Zain customers calling another Zain number these markets. This decision led to the sale of what would become a regional and cross-conti- 100 percent of Zain Africa to Bharti Airtel in June nental telecom giant, playing a key role in stimu- in Kuwait on Saturday (June 22) 2010 for $10.7 billion. lating the Kuwaiti economy and placing the ● Placing Kuwait on the world telecom map, the company nev- In the aftermath and given the significant country on the world telecom map. value created by this deal, Zain’s Chairman Later in 1986, Zain successfully introduced er overlooked its social and national obligations and looks to Asaad Al Banwan commented at the time: “This Extended Total Access Communications System the future with renewed optimism and enthusiasm is one of the most historical deals ever made (ETACS) technology in Kuwait, the first deploy- with one of the largest telecom operators in the ment of such a technology in the Middle East. ● Zain’s commitment to its customer base to always be the world, and there is no doubt that its acquisition Like other Kuwaiti institutions, Zain faced a most innovative and the best quality operator has never of Zain Africa highlights the great value that we crisis during the invasion in 1990, and following have succeeded in adding to the business in the period of liberation, the company quickly wavered Africa and in turn to our shareholders over the resumed its deployment of telecommunications ● years.” Upon the completion of the Zain Africa services, culminating in the launch of GSM serv- Zain remains a key pillar in driving a knowledge-based socie- deal, Zain received numerous awards from ices in 1994. ty and in playing an important role in the enhancement of renowned entities including “The Telecom Deal The telecom industry was revolutionized by of the Year” award from TMT Finance Middle the introduction of GSM which had a positive the Kuwaiti identity East; a premier regional telecom conference and profound impact on Zain. In 1999 another organizer. player entered the telecom sector, driving Zain Over the years, Zain received numerous to further its Zain’s performance and customer introduced its famous “3x3x3” expansion strate- operating companies adopt the single Zain awards and recognitions from prestigious estab- offerings. gy, which would catapult it from a local operator brand. lishments for matters ranging from the best In 2001, a privatized Zain embarked on a pro- with a customer base of 600 hundred thousand Zain quickly established itself as one of the mobile operator across the MENA region, for the gram of international expansion, and in 2002 to a multi-national company that, at one point, served over 72 million across 23 country mar- launch of the world’s first borderless roaming kets spread across the Middle East and Africa. platform ‘One Network’ and for its mobile mon- In 2002, Zain entered a partnership agree- ey services to name a few. ment with Vodafone, and within two years, had In alignment with its expansion and corpo- entered and commenced mobile operations in rate strategy, Zain was one of the first technolo- Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, and Lebanon. gy companies to introduce 3G services in 2004, In 2005 the company entered the African providing its customers faster internet access. continent through the acquisition of Celtel’s 13 The company’s appetite for innovation has mobile operations in Sub-Saharan Africa for $3.4 remained strong and the operator has launched billion, covering 30 percent of the geographic of high-speed 4G LTE networks in Kuwait, Saudi area of Africa. It soon spread its footprint to a Arabia, and Bahrain. total of 16 countries in Africa as the company As a result of Zain’s success story, prestigious expanded to Nigeria (Africa’s largest market), educational institutes such as Harvard and Madagascar and Ghana. In February 2006 the Oxford are using it as a case study for their MBA company acquired the remaining 61 percent programs. stake in Sudan and in 2007, Zain was successful For the past three decades Zain has posi- in winning the third mobile license in the tioned itself as a company that goes above and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the region’s largest beyond to achieve maximum customer satisfac- economy. tion and at the same time supporting the com- In 2007, Zain (previously then known as MTC) munity through countless socially responsible decided to undertake a complete rebranding and sustainable programs. These values remain exercise, to go hand in hand with its expansion firmly in place today as the company strives to policy and to unify the operations it had reinforce our vision to create “A Wonderful Logo of the 30th anniversary acquired, which would see all its subsidiary MTC’s old building World”.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Syrian rebels receive Erdogan hits campaign Bodies in Ganges as ‘game-changing’ arms 9 trail, slams protesters 11 monsoon toll mounts 14

Demonstrators wave their country’s national flag on Paulista Avenue where crowds gathered to celebrate the reversal of a fare hike on public transportation in Sao Paulo Thursday. (Inset) Military police fire tear gas at protestors during an anti-government demon- stration in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. —AP No letup in Brazil protests One protester killed as more than a million march

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff called for an emer- Thursday in more than 100 cities across this country of 194 million peo- Mobs even hurled stones at vehicles driven by members of FIFA, foot- gency cabinet meeting Friday, one day after a protester was killed and ple, according to police and experts quoted by the local media. The ball’s governing body, in northeastern Salvador, where 20,000 people an estimated 1.25 million people rallied nationwide demanding better marches began as a protest two weeks ago against a raise in bus fares, protested just two kilometers from a stadium where a Confederations public services. The mass demonstrations, which have sometimes but quickly expanded into a wider call for an end to corruption in the Cup game was being played. Riot police battled the crowd by using tear turned violent, are taking place as football-mad Brazil is hosting teams world’s seventh largest economy, a call fueled by resentment over the gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray. In Sao Paulo, an estimated 110,000 from around the world for the Confederations Cup, a dry run for next $15 billion cost of hosting the Confederations Cup and the World Cup. people flooded the main Paulista Avenue to celebrate the fare rollback year’s World Cup tournament. Many Brazilians are angry over the The movement has no political hue and no clearly identified leader- and keep the pressure on Rousseff’s leftist government to increase social expensive preparations for the World Cup and the 2016 Summer ship. The announcement Wednesday that the controversial fare hikes spending. “Victory, this is just the beginning,” one huge banner read. Olympics. would be canceled in Rio and Sao Paulo, Brazil’s two most populous “Miracles happen when people unite,” another read, while several pro- Several of the demonstrations have been held outside stadiums, and cities, did nothing to placate the protesters. Some 300,000 protesters testers called for Rousseff, Sao Paulo State Governor Geraldo Alckmin a mammoth march is scheduled for June 30 to Rio’s iconic Maracana marched to City Hall in Rio de Janeiro to vent their anger. In Brasilia, and Sao Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad to be impeached. stadium on the day of the Confederations Cup final. In Rio, riot police where 30,000 people protested, one group broke through the police The protest was largely peaceful except for clashes between a group fired tear gas and rubber bullets, then charged a large crowd of protest- barrier surrounding Brazil’s foreign ministry and hurled home-made fire- of leftists marching behind their red banners and a majority of demon- ers after a smaller group hurled rocks at the officers. One demonstrator bombs at the building. At least 35 people were wounded, three serious- strators who objected to the presence of political parties. “This is a social stood his ground and challenged police while thousands fled in panic. ly, as law enforcement struggled to keep the crowd at bay, police said. movement, not a political movement. This has nothing to do with ideol- “No violence!” he cried, just as he received a blast of rubber bullets in his The first fatality of the protest was an 18 year-old man who was ogy,” 28-year-old protester Maria Vidal told AFP. “We don’t want parties chest. “If you want to be safe, don’t come to Rio de Janeiro, don’t come struck by a car while he protested in the southeastern city of Ribeirao in the demonstration.” Protesters say they want higher funding for edu- to the World Cub, because if you do you’ll be helping this government Preto, police said. Most of the protesters are middle-class, educated cation, health and housing. They are also railing against what they view that shoots at us,” said Rodrigo Neves, 20, one of the protesters. youths marching to express their outrage at the high cost of living and as rampant corruption within the political class. Social media networks The mounting pressure on Rousseff’s government in the face Brazil’s the poor quality of public services. Demonstrators also set ablaze a vehi- have been key to the organization of the mass protests, with demonstra- biggest street protests in 20 years prompted her to also cancel a trip to cle owned by the SBT television station many protesters believe the tors using the slogan “It’s more than just 20 cents” - a reference to the Japan planned for next week. More than 1.25 million people marched mainstream media is downplaying the size and intensity of the protests. bus fare hikes - to rally people to their cause. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Kerry’s trip starts with tough issues WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State That announcement came after Assad’s members of the militant group in coming ing with the Taliban in Doha following John Kerry begins an overseas trip military dealt the rebels serious setbacks days. The discussions would be the first the group’s discussions with the plunging into two thorny foreign policy and a US intelligence assessment US-Taleban talks in nearly 1 1/2 years. The Americans. problems facing the Obama administra- claimed the regime had used chemical way the Taleban unveiled their new politi- In India, Kerry will be giving a policy tion: unrelenting bloodshed in Syria and weapons - a “red line” for the Obama cal office, however, angered Afghan speech and meeting with officials to dis- efforts to talk to the Taleban and find a administration. President Hamid Karzai. At a ribbon-cut- cuss economic, trade, energy, climate political resolution to the war in On Thursday, Kerry went to Capitol ting ceremony on Tuesday, the Taleban change, education and security and Afghanistan. Midway through his two- Hill to brief members of Congress on the hoisted their flag and a banner embla- counterterrorism issues. It will be his first week trip to at least seven countries, two-year civil war that has claimed an zoned with “Islamic Emirate of visit to India as secretary of state. Talks in Kerry also will try to make progress on an estimated 93,000 lives. The meeting in Afghanistan.” That was the name the New Delhi also are to address India’s elusive peace accord between Israel and Doha also aims to gain momentum for Taleban used when they were in power cooperation with Pakistan’s new prime the Palestinians and will visit India, the starting peace talks in Geneva to end the more than a decade ago and made it minister, Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan and India world’s biggest democracy and a rising crisis. Obama’s deputy national security appear that the office was an embassy and are nuclear-armed archrivals, but while power often viewed as a counterweight adviser, Ben Rhodes, said that as long as rival to the Afghan government. they have fought three major wars since to China. He ends his trip attending a there’s a conflict, there remains a need to The US said it was disappointed with their partition in 1947, they have taken Southeast Asia security conference in find a framework for a dialogue because the rollout, which the administration steps to improve relations in recent years. Brunei. ultimately the Syrian opposition and believes was a Taleban game of one- Kerry also is to hold meetings with offi- Kerry lands today in Doha, Qatar, some parts of the government are going upmanship. In response, Karzai halted cials in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and where representatives of 11 nations in to have to find a political solution. negotiations with the US on a bilateral Israel. In Saudi Arabia, senior State the so-called Friends of Syria group will Geneva is the only framework that exists security agreement governing America’s Department officials told reporters in a discuss how to coordinate military and right now. “We are trying to find a way future military footprint in his country pre-trip briefing that Kerry would talk other aid to rebels trying to oust Syrian for the Russians to play some type of and said he would not send members of about how the US can address concerns President Bashar Al-Assad and “change constructive role and to stay engaged in his peace council to Doha to talk with over extremists inside Syria, the interven- the balance” on the ground, State the process,” Rhodes said, referring to Taleban representatives. Kerry called tion of foreign fighters from Iran and from Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki Moscow’s continued support of Assad’s Karzai twice this week to allay his con- Hezbollah. US officials estimate that 5,000 said yesterday. Earlier this month, government. cerns. The diplomatic rift temporarily Hezbollah members are fighting along- President Barack Obama announced that Kerry arrives in Qatar ahead of planned delayed James Dobbins, the US special side Assad’s regime, while thousands of in addition to nonlethal aid, the United US talks with representatives of the Taliban representative to Afghanistan and Sunni foreign fighters are also believed to States would begin sending arms and at a new political office they opened this Pakistan, from leaving for Doha, but State be in Syria - including members of Jabhat ammunition to the rebels, who are week in Doha. The secretary himself was Department officials say he will hold talks al-Nusra, an Al-Qaeda affiliate that is engaged in a tough fight against Assad’s not expected to meet with the Taleban, with the Taleban there in coming days. believed to be among the most effective better-equipped air and ground forces. but other US officials are to sit down with It’s unclear if Afghan officials will be talk- rebel factions. —AP

Qatar convicts Guard kills Jewish ruling family member over fire man in Jerusalem DOHA: A member of Qatar’s ruling family was among five people sentenced to prison by a court in the Gulf Arab state for negli- gence over a fire at a shopping mall that Israeli shot dead for shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ killed 19 people, most of them children in a JERUSALEM: An Israeli security guard shot dead a An acquaintance told army radio that the man was that his team rushed to the scene as reports of a nursery, the Gulf Times reported yesterday. Jewish visitor at Jerusalem’s Western Wall, the holiest a volunteer at a nearby soup kitchen run by the shooting came in. “When we reached the place, we The blaze started due to faulty electrical site where Jews can pray, yesterday, apparently mis- Hassidic Chabad movement. “He’s a regular here, well- saw him lying at the Western Wall plaza,” he said. “He wiring in Doha’s Villagio Mall and quickly taking him for a Palestinian militant. Public radio said known,” David Dahan said. “He’s on his own here, his had been shot in several parts of his body... Sadly spread to the Gympanzee nursery, which that police were seeking to have the guard remanded parents are in France.” Rosenfeld could not immedi- there was nothing we could do but declare him had no emergency fire exit. Among those in custody. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said ately confirm reports that the man held both French dead.” Rosenfeld said that an investigation had been killed were 13 children, two firefighters and that he was being taken in front of a magistrate, but and Israeli citizenship. The shooting took place shortly opened into the shooting. Public radio quoted the had no further details. “There was a Jewish guy, an before 8 am (0500 GMT) as the plaza in front of the private security guard as telling police investigators four teachers. The victims were from France, Israeli guy, who was in the bathroom area,” Rosenfeld Wall filled with worshippers for morning prayers that he thought the man, 46, was pulling something Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, the told AFP. “He for some reason shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’,” ahead of the start of the Jewish Sabbath at sundown. from his pocket as he shouted, and was about to Philippines, Japan and Benin, among other Rosenfeld said. “A security guard drew his weapon and The site was closed to the public for more than two attack him. It said that police found nothing suspi- countries. fired several shots at the suspect... He died from his hours afterwards. cious on the man’s person. A government investigation found the wounds a few moments ago.” Paramedic Zeevi Hessed told news website NRG Privately-owned Channel 10 TV said the dead man mall had broken a raft of safety laws and that was believed to be mentally disturbed. It cited wit- its staff had failed to respond when the fire nesses as saying that the guard fired between seven and 10 bullets, that the fire was unjustified, and that broke out on May 28, 20102. Gympanzee’s the man appeared to be a harmless eccentric. co-owners, Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, a Rosenfeld said the circumstances were still unclear. member of the ruling family and Qatar’s “We’re looking into the background: why the security ambassador to Belgium, and his wife Iman officer opened fire and what the motives were of the Al-Kuwari, the daughter of the culture minis- guy, the 46-year-old - it’s very strange behaviour.” ter, were sentenced on Thursday to a maxi- The Western Wall’s rabbi, Shmuel Rabinovitch, told mum of six years in prison. the Ynet news site: “Regardless of the circumstances, Villaggio’s chairman and the mall manag- such a case is a terrible tragedy.” Ynet quoted witness- es it did not identify as saying that the guard did not er also received six-year jail sentences and a fire warning shots or attempt to disable the man but government official who awarded shot directly at his chest. The site is venerated by Jews Gympanzee its licence was sentenced to five as the last remnant of the wall supporting the Second years in jail, the Gulf Times said. All those Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 sentenced are still free pending an appeal. AD. Above it is the compound housing the Dome of Two other defendants, the mall’s assistant the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site manager and its head of security, were in Islam. Known to Jews as the Temple Mount, the compound is a deeply sensitive location where clashes cleared of all charges, the report said. Court frequently break out between Palestinian worshippers staff were unavailable to confirm the sen- JERUSALEM: Israeli emergency personnel take a body from the scene of a shooting at and Israeli forces. Jews are not allowed to pray inside tence. —Reuters the plaza of the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s old city yesterday. —AP the Al-Aqsa mosque compound. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Govt crisis looms as Abbas to meet PM

RAMALLAH: Palestinian president Mahmud attempts to gain powers not assigned to the president,” said Sweilam. Pan-Arab news- Abbas yesterday weighed his response to a them,” the official said. “Mustafa was autho- paper Al-Quds al-Arabi said “Hamdallah wants resignation offer from independent prime rised by Abbas to sign all economic agree- to be a prime minister in fact, and to have the minister Rami Hamdallah that has thrown the ments, particularly those with the World Bank, final say on prime ministerial issues, but the West Bank-based government into disarray without the consent of Hamdallah,” he said. Palestinian Authority wants him to be just a just two weeks after it took the oath. Hamdallah objected saying these were prime puppet. “The clash was inevitable and the res- Hamdallah presented his resignation on ministerial powers, the official added. ignation assured.” it said. “What pushed Thursday, only two weeks after taking office, Mustafa, who heads the Palestine Hamdallah to go was interference and over- in the latest crisis for the Palestinian Authority, Investment Fund and was handed the role of stepping (of authority) by Mustafa,” the news- as government sources and media say he economic adviser, was initially tipped as a pos- paper added. Hamdallah, an independent wants to quit over a power struggle. Abbas sible successor to Fayyad. Mustafa, not considered close to Abbas’ ruling Fatah fac- was due to meet Hamdallah at the president’s Hamdallah, gave the first news conference tion who was also secretary general of the headquarters in Ramallah and he will “try to after the new 25-member cabinet held its first Central Election Commission, pledged after his convince him to withdraw his resignation,” an meeting on June 11, raising a few eyebrows. A nomination to follow a similar path to Fayyad official close to the prime minister told AFP on government source, meanwhile, told AFP that and said he would leave the government line- condition of anonymity. initial cabinet meetings were plagued with up largely unchanged. He made clear he On Thursday night a delegation dispatched bickering over trivial issues such as who was would quickly step aside in the summer after by Abbas travelled to Hamdallah’s home in allowed to sit in which seat, and whether peo- the planned formation of a government of Tulkarem, in the northern West Bank, to try to ple could smoke or not. Commentators national unity comprising Fatah and its persuade him to go back on his decision, but viewed Hamdallah’s resignation as inevitable. Islamist rival, Hamas. Fayyad resigned mid- failed. Hamdallah has been incensed by a deci- Abdel Majid Sweilam, a Palestinian political April after months of difficult relations with sion by Abbas to appoint two deputy premiers analyst, said Hamdallah had “not looked for- Abbas which culminated over the resignation in the government formed on June 6, after the ward to being prime minister. He accepted the of finance minister Nabil Qassis, which the pre- resignation of former prime minister Salam position only on a temporary basis, proved by mier accepted but the president did not. Fayyad, a Western-backed economist who quit the fact he didn’t resign from his job as head Fayyad was widely respected by the interna- after a spat with the Palestinian president. of Al-Najah University in Nablus.” Hamdallah tional community for building a sound institu- Hamdallah was “upset over his treatment “cannot be an effective prime minister in light tional framework for the Palestinian Authority, by his two deputy prime ministers, Ziad Abu of the encroachment on his powers - two and his resignation sparked concern over who Rami Hamdallah Amr and Mohammed Mustafa, and their deputies to him were appointed directly by would take up his mantle. —AFP

Spain raids Qaeda ring sending Syrian rebels receive fighters to Syria ‘game-changing’ arms MADRID: Spanish security forces yesterday broke up an Al-Qaeda-linked network in north Africa suspected of sending fighters to Syria, arresting eight people in early Troops try to oust fighters from Damascus district morning raids. Police launched operations against the network in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in north Africa. “We DAMASCUS: Syria’s rebels have received have broken up a network responsible for sending com- new types of weapons that could batants to Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist groups operating in “change the course of the battle,” a rebel Syria,” the Spanish interior ministry said in a statement. spokesman said yesterday, as troops The network, operating in Ceuta and the neighbouring tried to oust opposition fighters from a Moroccan town of Fnideq, sent dozens of Islamist mili- Damascus district. The announcement tants - some minors - to Syria, the ministry said. came a day before a meeting in the “Some of them would have carried out suicide attacks Qatari capital Doha of the Friends of while others would have been incorporated into training Syria, a group of nations that back the camps prior to carrying out armed action,” the govern- uprising against President Bashar Al- ment said. “This network, based in Ceuta and Fnideq, car- Assad. “We’ve received quantities of new ried out fundraising, indoctrination, and organising and types of weapons, including some that financing travel, in contact with other terrorists and fol- we asked for and that we believe will lowing the guidelines of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organisa- change the course of the battle on the tion.” Security forces confirmed that several “jihadists” ground,” Free Syrian Army spokesman were waiting to travel from Spain to Syria, it said. Louay Muqdad told AFP. Spain’s police had investigated the network since “We have begun distributing them on 2009 and the military-linked Civil Guard since 2011 the front lines; they will be in the hands before they joined forces early this year. The eight sus- of professional officers and FSA fighters,” pects faced charges of belonging to a terrorist organisa- added Muqdad, a media and political tion, the government said. A National Court judge super- coordination for the rebel FSA. He said vising the investigation had issued search warrants that the Friends of Syria meeting was expect- were being executed on Friday, it said. European Union ed to officially announce tomorrow its governments are showing growing alarm over the members would send weapons to the potential security threat posed by the hundreds of young rebels. Muqdad declined to specify what HOMS: Rebel fighters pray in this central city on June 17.— AFP Europeans believed to be fighting alongside rebels in weapons had been received or when ly countries” that supplied them, he said. FSA.” “That’s what we are hoping for; Syria. While dozens of would-be jihadist fighters have left they had arrived, but added that a new On Thursday, Muqdad said rebels need- that’s what we are waiting for.” US for theatres such as Afghanistan or Pakistan in the past, shipment was expected in the coming ed short-range ground-to-air missiles, Secretary of State John Kerry left for Qatar Europe is facing a larger problem with Syria which is easi- days. He sad rebels had asked for “deter- surface-to-air missiles known as MAN- yesterday, with a US official describing the er and cheaper to reach. A recent report by King’s rent weapons,” meaning “anti-aircraft PADS, anti-tank missiles, mortars and gathering as important for “energising” College London has said up to 600 people from 14 weapons, anti-tank weapons, as well as ammunition. the opposition National Coalition. On the European countries, including Austria, Britain, Germany, ammunition.” The Friends of Syria talks in Qatar yes- ground, troops shelled the Damascus Spain and Sweden had taken part in the Syria conflict The apparent influx of weapons terday will be attended by ministers from neighbourhood of Qabun, as their bid to since it began in March 2011. Rebel forces in Syria have comes after the United States said it Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, drive rebels from the district entered a asked friendly nations for anti-tank and anti-air missiles would provide rebel forces with “military Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the third day, the Syrian Observatory for to fight back after an onslaught by government forces support,” although it has declined to United Arab Emirates and the United Human Rights said. “Regime troops which have retaken key areas of the country. outline what that might entail. “The States. They are expected to discuss mili- renewed shelling this morning of the Foreign Ministers of the “Friends of Syria” group will weapons will be used for one objective, tary help and other aid for rebels as gov- Qabun neighbourhood and fierce clash- meet in Doha today to discuss military help and a pro- which is to fight the regime of ernment forces press their campaign es were underway between soldiers and posed peace meeting between President Bashar Al- (President) Bashar Al-Assad,” Muqdad against the insurgents. Muqdad said the rebels on the outskirts of the area,” the Assad’s regime and the opposition to end the 27-month insisted. “They will be collected after the opposition was expecting “a clear and offi- group said. “Regime forces are hitting conflict.— AFP fall of the regime, we have made this cial announcement by the countries par- the area with mortar rounds, tanks and commitment to the friends and brother- ticipating (in Doha) on the arming of the heavy artillery.” —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Putin backs amnesty for white collar crime

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia: President Vladimir business climate. In a keynote address to the Saint that threatens to reach recession by the end of looked like the government was only trying to Putin on Friday urged lawmakers to pass a newly- Petersburg Economic Forum, Putin also unveiled the year. Winning applause from the international score public relations points instead of actually drafted bill that would grant an amnesty to white- a $13.7-billion stimulus package designed to help business leaders packed into the hall, Putin said changing the legislation. “There are many things collar criminals, in a bid to improve Russia’s frigid Russia spend its way out of an economic slump that the amnesty was necessary to improve peo- that happen today that are done for little more ple’s trust in how the government works. than appearance,” Klyuvgant told the Interfax But human rights leaders expressed concern news agency. “If this is being done for appear- that the measure was too limited because it ance, it should not be called an amnesty,” would not cover some of the biggest critics of Klyuvgant said. Khodorkovsky was convicted for a Putin who have been jailed for disputed business- second time on charges related to how he used es crimes. “Work on the draft bill on an amnesty his Yukos oil company empire in Dec 2010 and is has been completed by the business community not due to be released until 2014. and deputies of the State Duma. I can agree with Putin’s announcement comes as something this draft, and I ask the State Duma to review it of a surprise because he had said as recently as and support it,” said Putin. “I expect that this will April that the proposed amnesty legislation was be done quickly, before the summer recess,” too broad and still in need of a lot of work. The which starts July 5, he added. amnesty has been heavily backed by Russia’s Putin said the new law would cover only business community as well as human rights fig- those who committed business-related crimes for ures who argue that bureaucrats use complex the first time and not be applied to repeat offend- laws to hound entrepreneurs and jail those who ers. The announcement suggests that the meas- refuse to pay heavy bribes. Putin said the legisla- ure would not touch Russia’s jailed former oil tion “will help strengthen citizens’ trust in state tycoon and repeated Kremlin critic Mikhail institutions. And this can only happen when there Khodorkovsky - now in prison serving his second is respect to private property and business.” He consecutive sentence for white collar crimes he stressed however that the law should not cover ST PETERSBURG: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian disputes. heavy offenders such as those who engage in so President Vladimir Putin attend a news conference at the economic Khodorkovsky’s attorney Vadim Klyuvgant called “raids” on their competitors with the illegal forum yesterday. —AP said the bill backed by Putin was so weak that it help of law enforcement agencies. —AFP Greek leftist party bolts coalition over TV row Samaras says ready to govern without party ATHENS: Greece’s coalition government lost its means that in addition to Manitakis, the minister year as government and we will do our full (four- smallest partner yesterday after emergency talks of justice and deputy ministers for health and year) term,” Samaras said in a televised address failed to break a deadlock caused by the dra- education need to be replaced. after failing to win over Kouvelis. The pullout of matic closure of state broadcaster ERT last week. Socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos had ear- Democratic Left, which has 14 deputies in the But fears of early elections dissipated after the lier taken a swipe at the moderate leftists for 300-seat parliament, leaves the conservatives coalition’s second largest partner, the socialists, abandoning the government. “It is clear that and socialists with a combined strength of 153 said earlier they would continue to support the when we share a responsibility, we all share MPs, just enough to keep control of the cham- year-old government. Antonis Manitakis, the alike,” Venizelos said after the late-night govern- ber. outgoing minister of administrative reform, con- ment talks. “You can’t pick and choose,” The two allies are also hoping to draw sup- firmed that the moderate Democratic Left party Venizelos said. Late on Thursday, Democratic port from a group of another 14 independent KIEV: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (left) was abandoning the conservative-led adminis- Left leader Fotis Kouvelis said he had disagreed MPs -most of whom were once part of their own and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle tration of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. with conservative Prime Minister Antonis parties - to push further reforms through parlia- shake hands prior to a meeting yesterday. —AFP “Following the party’s decision to withdraw Samaras’ handling of ERT’s closure. “We disagree ment. Samaras said that he also hoped for the from the government and withdraw its minis- with actions that offend legality,” Kouvelis had continued support of Democratic Left even out- Germany offers to ters I will table my resignation to the prime min- said after last-ditch talks with Samaras and side the government “but we will move forward ister,” Manitakis told reporters after a marathon Venizelos. either way,” he added. “The government comes treat Tymoshenko party meeting. The Athens stock exchange, Samaras, who was just one year into his four- out weakened from this situation, caused by which had opened with a 2.6-percent drop, year term, has pledged to fight on to enact Samaras’ extreme and undemocratic decisions KIEV: Germany said yesterday it was discussing with Ukraine an offer to accelerated its fall to 3.3 percent on the news as unpopular austerity reforms demanded by on ERT,” said Dimitris Papadimoulis, parliament treat jailed ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko for her health problems in the opposition charged the debt-strapped gov- Greece’s international creditors. “No one wants spokesman for the main opposition party Syriza. Berlin, in a bid to end a row over her imprisonment which is holding up ernment had been weakened. The pullout elections right now. Today we have marked one Thursday’s meeting of the coalition partners Kiev’s EU ambitions. Analysts said if the opposition leader is sent to was the third effort this week to break the politi- Germany for treatment it would remove one of the biggest obstacles cal deadlock over the state broadcaster. Samaras towards agreeing the first step on Ukraine’s path to EU membership. angered his coalition partners more than a week “The German offer of medical treatment for Mrs Tymoshenko in Berlin ago when he unilaterally shut down ERT, which remains in place. I emphasised this,” Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle he wants to turn into a smaller broadcaster and told reporters after meeting Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in cut what he considers waste. Concerned over Kiev. “We will work together towards a good solution. Time will tell if this the latest political developments, the European is possible. But it is important news that we are working on this and will Union called on the country’s leaders to act continue to work on this,” he added. responsibly. The shutdown has taken ERT’s five The seven-year jail term handed to Tymoshenko on abuse of power TV channels and 24 radio stations off the air and charges in 2011 has severely harmed Ukraine’s relations with the will result in the loss of nearly 2,700 jobs. European Union and is holding up the signing of an Association Greece is under pressure by its EU-IMF Agreement with the bloc. Ukraine has set its sights on joining the lenders to axe 4,000 civil servant posts by the European Union and such an agreement would be a first formal step on end of the year, as part of its massive euro 240- the road to membership. “Ukraine is a country which wants and should billion ($318 billion) bailout. But on Thursday, orientate itself to the European Union. This is in our mutual interest,” said the International Monetary Fund denied it had Westerwelle. Tymoshenko has insisted her imprisonment was ordered by recommended the broadcaster’s shutdown. Yanukovych in a bid to eliminate a dangerous opponent from political Samaras has rejected calls to reinstate ERT in its life ahead of 2015 presidential polls. Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the previous form: he says it cost euro 300 million a Penta think tank, said after Westerwelle’s comments that the chances of year for an overall viewer rating of four percent, Tymoshenko being sent to Germany for treatment were “very high”. “It less than half that of its private competitors. seems that the negotiations are now coming to an end and have gone to ATHENS: Leader of the Democratic Left party Fotis Kouvelis waits for a Samaras has offered to compensate ERT’s a high level. I think there will be a result in one or two months,” Fesenko told AFP. “It is not an easy decision for Yanukovych. But I think the deci- meeting with his party’s lawmakers yesterday. —AP employees and to create a new broadcaster with less than half the workforce. —AFP sion will be at the end of August or start of September,” he said. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 W Africa new theatre in US war on drugs DAKAR: US President Barack Obama Ghanaian Solomon Adelaquaye and Bissau came to public notice on April 18, Mali, seen for years as a weak link in the begins his African tour in Senegal next Nigerians Frank Muodum and Celestine when the United States charged the fight against drugs and the scene of the week in the heart of a region becoming a Ofor Orjinweke “conspired to import hero- African nation’s coup leader with drug spectacular “drug-plane” affair in focus for federal agents prosecuting the in into the United States” with a trafficking and seeking to sell arms to November 2009, when a Boeing 727 carry- US war on the international drugs trade. Colombian, Samuel Antonio Pinedo- Colombian insurgents. Former army chief ing cocaine from Venezuela landed in the Investigators from the DEA, America’s anti- Rueda, who was arrested on May 16 in his Antonio Indjai, the nation’s top military remote northeastern region of Gao, narcotics agency, have made a series of home country and is awaiting extradition. leader, was accused of four counts of con- according to the UNODC. Coming in on a high-profile and dramatic arrests in West “These alleged narco-traffickers assumed spiring to sell surface-to-air missiles to makeshift runway, it unloaded its cargo Africa as part of a widening probe of they had secured safe passage for their FARC rebels to shoot down US patrol heli- and was then destroyed and left as a African drug lords as well as armed rebels heroin from west Africa to the United copters and of seeking to import huge burnt-out wreck in the desert. in South America. Derek Maltz, head of the States by paying off an airport insider but, amounts of cocaine into the US. “Between 2005 and 2007, a series of Drug Enforcement Administration’s unbeknownst to them, the people on the Guinea-Bissau, a country of just 1.5 mil- more than 20 major seizures were made in Special Operations Division that targets other side of their transaction were law lion people, has suffered chronic instabili- the west African region, involving thou- global drug crime, described trafficking in enforcement insiders working for the ty since independence from Portugal in sands of kilograms of cocaine,” the the region as a “plague” as he announced DEA,” Manhattan Attorney Preet Bharara 1974 due to conflict between the army UNODC said in a report on the cocaine charges against suspected smugglers from said. and state. Drug traffickers have turned the trade through the region. “Most of the Nigeria and Ghana on June 3. It was also undercover DEA agents who state, sandwiched between Senegal and seizures were made at sea, but some “These criminal groups and their facili- were behind the dramatic arrest in April of Guinea where the African continent involved private aircraft or caches detect- tators pose a direct threat to the safety Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto, a US-desig- extends the farthest west toward South ed on land.” But “major seizures” are and security of innocent Americans,” he nated international drug “kingpin” and America, into a transit point for the becoming rare in west Africa, according to said. “Together with our law enforcement former head of the Guinea-Bissau navy, cocaine trade. But murky relationships the report, which said that “in 2009, a sin- partners, DEA is dismantling illicit drug near the west African island nation of exist between politicians, security and gle seizure of 160 kg was made”. “The networks in western Africa and around the Cape Verde. The DEA arrested the officer defence officials and traffickers across the countries of the sub-region have neither world, and putting the criminals who and several alleged accomplices in “inter- region, according to the World Drug the resources nor the capacity to deal with operate them behind bars where they national waters”, according to the Report published in February by the UN’s this phenomenon” of drug trafficking, belong.” The suspects were arrested on Americans, while two Colombians sus- Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a May 9 in New York and all three were pected of having been involved were The report accuses Guinea, Mauritania report published at the end of December charged with heroin trafficking. arrested shortly after in their country. and Gambia of being main players in the taking stock of the activities of UNOWA, According to their indictment, A widening plot involving Guinea- drugs trade. It also points the finger at the UN office in the region. — AFP Teacher jailed Erdogan hits campaign for abduction, trail, slams protesters sex with pupil

LONDON: A British teacher was yesterday sentenced to Germany, Turkey summon ambassadors five years and six months in jail for having sex with a 15- year-old pupil and running off with her to France, sparking KAYSERI, Turkey: Turkish Prime Minister an international manhunt. Jeremy Forrest, a married 30- Tayyip Erdogan addressed thousands of year-old maths teacher, was convicted on Thursday of cheering supporters in the conservative abducting the girl, and yesterday pleaded guilty to five stronghold of Kayseri yesterday, appealing further counts of sexual activity with a child. He was not to grassroots followers after weeks of often originally charged with sex offences for legal reasons violent protest against him and his govern- linked to his extradition from France, but he admitted the ment. A sea of flags filled the main square new charges when they were put to him at Lewes Crown of this industrial city in Anatolia’s pious Court in southeast England. heartland. A giant portrait of Erdogan hung Judge Michael Lawson, sen- from the ramparts of the ancient castle tencing Forrest to four and a half alongside that of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, years for the charges of sexual the revered founder of modern Turkey. The activity with a child and one year rally was held to urge voters to back his rul- for the abduction charge, told him ing AK Party before municipal polls next his behaviour had inflicted great March, but the blunt-talking 59-year-old damage. He said: “Your behaviour harangued opponents and cast three in this period has been motivated weeks of widespread unrest as a story of by self-interest and has hurt and “us” against “them”. damaged many people - her fami- The protests have underlined divisions ly, your family, staff and pupils at in Turkish society between religious conser- Jeremy Forrest the school and respect for teach- ANKARA: Members of Turkish leftist groups demonstrate yesterday outside vatives who form the bedrock of Erdogan’s the courthouse in Ankara, demanding the release of all detainees. — AFP ers everywhere. It has damaged support, and more liberal Turks who have you too but that was something you were prepared to swelled the numbers of peaceful demon- They have stopped us everywhere, they one as well,” said Tuba Ikiz, a 27-year-old risk. You now have to pay that price.” strators. “They say they are educated, they made us stand in pharmacies, university shopkeeper wearing a headscarf. Erdogan, The judge added: “It was your duty as a teacher to stop are artists, they are the rich, they know gates, gas, sugar and bread queues.” who won his third consecutive election in her infatuation, not to fuel it. Your research into what everything, they understand it all,” he said Erdogan, who holds similar rallies over 2011 with 50 percent support, has enacted might happen to you if you were caught is proof of the from on stage, against a backdrop of the the weekend in Samsun on the Black Sea democratic reforms, including curbing deliberate nature of your behaviour.” When Forrest was snow-capped Mount Erciyes some 25 km coast and the eastern city of Erzurum, sees powers of an army that toppled four gov- convicted of abduction on Thursday after a two-week trial, south of the city. “They think their vote is himself as a champion of democratic ernments in four decades and pursuing an he had told the girl “I love you” as he was led from the not equal to the votes of Ahmet or Mehmet reform and has been riled by protests end to 30 years of Kurdish rebellion. But he court. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal rea- or the shepherd in Kayseri. They have against his perceived authoritarianism. “My brooks little dissent. Hundreds of military sons, burst into tears and told him: “I’m sorry.” enjoyed their whiskies on the banks of the master, it’s been 10 years since you arrived. officers have been jailed on charges of plot- The British press reported yesterday that the girl, who Bosphorus,” he added, eliciting boos from You have transformed Turkey,” read a ban- ting a coup against Erdogan; others, includ- is now 16, has vowed to wait for Forrest to serve his sen- many in a crowd of more than 15,000. ner. Cities like Kayseri, one of the “Anatolian ing academics, journalists and politicians, tence so they can resume their relationship. Prosecutors Erdogan also targeted the “Standing Tigers” whose small industries have flour- face trial on similar accusations. Among the had labelled him a paedophile who had groomed a vul- Man”, a protester whose lone, silent vigil on ished under a decade of AK Party rule, have large section of Turkey’s 76 million people nerable girl, first kissing her when she was 14. Istanbul’s Taksim Square earlier this week been spared the sort of clashes concentrat- who do not back him, Erdogan is viewed as They said he “grossly abused” the trust placed in him as inspired thousands across Turkey to copy ed in Istanbul, the capital Ankara and the increasingly authoritarian and too quick to her teacher. The court heard that Forrest, a keen musician, him and help relieve tensions after fierce nearby city of Eskisehir. Here, Erdogan has meddle in their private lives. Recent restric- confessed to the girl that he was unhappy in his marriage clashes between demonstrators and police. widespread support. “We have voted for tions on the sale of alcohol have fuelled and poured out his feelings in angst-ridden Twitter mes- “What they know best is how to stand still him for the past three elections and I can’t their suspicions that he has a creeping sages. —AFP themselves and make others stand still. think of anyone else to vote for at the next Islamist agenda. —Reuters INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Outrage in Bolivia after girl raped in jail

LA PAZ: The case of a 12-year-old girl uncle and godfather since she was alcohol and drugs, as well as the “the problem is not that children are who is pregnant after being raped for eight years old, Llanos told local bloody fights that frequently erupt. inside prisons - the problem is that years by her father and others in a La media Wednesday. The case is now in “It is traumatic to live in a place like there are no state policies for the pro- Paz prison has sparked outrage in the hands of child protection officials, this,” said Stefano Toricini, a volunteer tection of children.” Bolivia’s police Bolivia over the practice of letting chil- who have offered the girl psychologi- for an Italian non-governmental chief, General Alberto Aracena, said: dren live in jails. According to govern- cal counseling. University professor organization who has provided coun- “As a human being, I cannot imagine ment figures, about 1,500 young chil- and political analyst Carlos Cordero seling to children at San Pedro for the that children are made to live in pris- dren and adolescents live in Bolivian said the girl’s situation was in part the past decade. “The kids live in a state of ons, because I can see that they are prisons with their convict relatives - a result of the “miserable conditions constant psychological pressure, and exposed to all sorts of dangers and situation critics say is ripe for the kind and neglect of the inmates”. the culture of violence that pervades risks.” With the support of Congress, of abuse suffered by the young girl. The San Pedro prison in La Paz, prisons is not for children.” Llanos - police have said they will carry out a Children of inmates often are forced where 500 children live with their par- who spent part of his childhood living census of the children living in prisons to live with them in prison because ents and where the incident took in a jail with his father, a political pris- and give officers special training to they have no other relatives, or place, is infamous because several oner of the country’s military dictator- deal with the situation, Aracena said. because both parents are in jail. “The years ago, visitors were able to easily ship in the 1960s - called on police to Prisons in Bolivia are the second most girl is two months’ pregnant,” said the buy cocaine as police turned a blind “stop being so corrupt and stop allow- crowded in the region, after those in El country’s prisons director Ramiro eye. The minors share living space ing children in prisons,” in comments Salvador. They are designed to house Llanos. with violent criminals - murderers, to the Pagina Siete newspaper. For 3,740 prisoners, but there are 13,840 The child has told authorities she rapists, gang members and drug deal- Yolanda Herrera, president of the inmates, according to the Organization was repeatedly raped by her father, ers. They witness the rampant use of independent Human Rights Assembly, of American States. — AFP Mt Etna, Rajasthan forts All-female jury among new heritage sites selected in Trayvon case UNESCO mulling other sites at meeting SANFORD, Florida: A six-member, all-female jury was selected PHNOM PENH: Italy’s Mount Etna, the on Thursday to decide the fate of George Zimmerman, who Hill Forts of Rajasthan and the Namib shot and killed unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in a Sand Sea were among the natural case that grabbed the US media spotlight in 2012. Soon after wonders and cultural jewels granted the unusual panel was chosen, Seminole County Circuit Judge World Heritage status by UNESCO at Debra Nelson, who is presiding over the high-profile case, said its annual meeting yesterday. Other opening statements would get under way on Monday. That will entrants into the coveted list include mark the formal kickoff of the trial after two weeks of jury selec- the Mountains of the Pamirs in tion and other issues in Nelson’s courtroom, which has been Tajikistan and China’s Tianshan range, filled to overflowing with reporters, lawyers and spectators. in a move hailed by conservationists. Five of the six women on the jury panel, selected from a “From vast deserts in Namibia and pool of 40 potential jurors, were white and the sixth appeared Mexico to high mountain ranges in to be Hispanic. The jurors, backed by four alternates, will decide China and Tajikistan and a volcano in whether Zimmerman, 29, should be convicted as charged with Italy, the new World Heritage Sites are second-degree murder and face up to life in prison for the a celebration of the beauty of nature killing that sparked a national debate about race, guns and and our joint commitment to conserve equal justice before the law. Zimmerman has pleaded not it for generations to come,” said Tim guilty, contending he acted in self-defense during a confronta- Badman of the International Union for tion with the 17-year-old Martin in a gated community in this Conservation of Nature. central Florida town. The tallest active volcano on the At the time of the Martin killing, Zimmerman, a light-skinned European continent at 3,300 m, Mount Hispanic, was the self-appointed neighborhood watch captain Etna has been written about for 2,700 in the Retreat at Twins Lakes community in Sanford. He killed years and has “one of the world’s Martin with a single shot from a 9mm handgun. The case trig- longest documented records of histor- SICILY: A file photo taken on Jan 6, 2012 shows lava spewing from a crater gered widespread protests because police initially declined to ical volcanism”, according to UNESCO. of Mount Etna volcano on this Italian island. — AFP arrest Zimmerman on the grounds he acted in self-defense. The volcano, in the east of Sicily, is one to the UNESCO meeting told the com- northwestern India were hailed as “the Zimmerman, who walked free for 44 days after the killing, was of the most-studied in the world and mittee members that they were most authentic, best conserved and arrested after a national outcry from both ordinary citizens, “continues to influence volcanology, “moved and touched” by the decision most representative sites of Rajput celebrities and top civil rights leaders. A special prosecutor was geophysics and other earth science to recognise the volcano’s importance. military architecture of Rajasthan appointed to take over from local law enforcement when it lost disciplines”, UNESCO said. “Mount According to local legend, on Etna region.” Other sites that won World credibility. Etna’s notoriety, scientific importance, there is a sweet chestnut tree said to Heritage status yesterday included the Florida’s gun and self-defense laws will be a central focus of and cultural and educational value are have once sheltered hundreds of El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar the trial and Zimmerman’s lead defense attorney, Mark O’Mara, of global significance.” horsemen during a storm. The Biosphere Reserve in Mexico thanks to said repeatedly as he wrapped up questioning as part of the Situated near Catania, Sicily’s sec- Kingdom of Sicily issued an act of their “dramatic combination of desert voir dire process early on Thursday that the state had the bur- ond city, the volcano, which is some “public protection” for the tree in 1745 landforms, comprising both volcanic den to prove that Zimmerman had not acted in self-defense. 200 km in circumference, was created - one of the world’s first recorded envi- and dune systems as dominant fea- “They (the prosecution) have to disprove that it was self- by a series of eruptions beneath the ronmental protection actions. tures”. The “highly diverse mosaic” of defense,” he said. Judge Nelson drove home the same point in sea off the ancient coastline of Sicily UNESCO also inscribed the Namib habitats in a “seemingly inhospitable” her instruction on “justifiable use of deadly force” during the some 500,000 years ago. There are still Sand Sea, “the world’s only coastal desert is home to more than 540 final phase of jury selection. periodic eruptions at the central crater. desert that includes extensive dune species of plants, 44 mammals, more She also made a pointed reference to Florida’s so-called Lava flows down the sides of the vol- fields influenced by fog”, to the World than 200 species of birds and over 40 “Stand Your Ground” law, under which the use of lethal force is cano have sometimes threatened vil- Heritage list. “It is an outstanding reptiles. UNESCO also inscribed 16 deemed lawful if an individual fears grievous bodily injury or lages, which are built up to around 800 example of the scenic, geomorpholog- wooden tserkvas (churches) in the death in a confrontation with an assailant. “The danger facing m. Catania city has been hit several ical, ecological and evolutionary con- Carpathian mountains of Poland and the defendant need not to have been actual,” Nelson told times during eruptions, including sequences of wind-driven processes Ukraine, saying they were “outstand- potential jurors. “However, to justify the use of deadly force, the being almost completely destroyed by interacting with geology and biology,” ing examples of the once widespread appearance of danger must have been so real that a reasonably one of the largest recorded eruptions UNESCO said, highlighting the rich- Orthodox ecclesiastical timber build- cautious and prudent person under the same circumstances in 1669, after which it was rebuilt in ness of flora and fauna in the desert ing tradition in the Slavic countries would have believed that the danger could be avoided only the Baroque style. The Italian delegate area in Namibia. The six hill forts in the that survives to this day.” —AFP through the use of that force. —Reuters INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 10 dead in latest Mumbai building collapse

MUMBAI: An apartment block collapsed in on Mumbai’s outskirts collapsed while Among those killed were a two-month- the worst such incidents in decades. Two Mumbai’s outskirts yesterday, killing at many of its residents were sleeping, offi- old girl and a seven-year-old boy, said builders and seven others were arrested in least 10 people in the latest deadly incident cials said. “There have been 10 deaths, five Sandeep Malvi, spokesman for the Thane connection with the collapse of the unau- to fuel concerns about the quality of con- adults and five children,” said K P municipal corporation. Police said an inves- thorised and partly finished building. Many struction in the booming Indian city. Raghuvanshi, police commissioner of tigation was under way into the cause of of the victims were poor daily wage earners Rescue workers were using hand-held wire Thane district, where the incident occurred. what was the third building collapse in and their families, who were living with cutters and excavators to search through Thane police said 14 others more suffered recent months in the Mumbai area, includ- them at the site. the rubble for survivors after the building minor injuries. ing one in April that killed 74 people. Just last week, part of a five-storey apart- The collapses have highlighted wide- ment block in central Mumbai caved in and spread shoddy construction standards in killed 10 people. The accident was blamed India, where a huge demand for housing on alleged illegal alterations to the struc- and pervasive corruption often result in ture, exacerbated by heavy monsoon rains. cost-cutting and a lack of safety inspec- The high cost of property in Mumbai and tions. “The pace of urbanisation in India’s surrounding areas pushes many low-paid large cities is unmanageable,” said Anurag families, especially newly arrived migrants Mathur, a senior executive at property con- from other parts of India, into often illegal sultancy Jones Lang LaSalle India. and poorly constructed homes. “Sometimes the codes of construction, Shekar Reddy, president of the building safety and upgrades are either not Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ followed or not carried out regularly,” he Associations of India, said civic authorities told AFP. have a duty to pull up builders who may Police said 20 people had been rescued have violated norms. The latest collapse “is from under the debris yesterday, while a sign of a system failure and such incidents local reports said the three-storey building, will go on,” he said. India’s urban housing built in 1979, was home to nine families. shortage was estimated at nearly 19 million The spokesman, Malvi, said monsoon rains households in 2012, and in Mumbai the sit- may have triggered the collapse but “we uation is so dire that more than half of the can’t say that’s the only reason”. city’s residents live in slums. In another of The incident happened about 35 km the worst recent Indian cases, 69 people from the centre of the financial capital, were killed and more than 80 injured by a MUMBAL, India: Family members wait for news of their relatives at the site of a resi- close to the scene of the apartment block building collapse in the capital New Delhi dential building collapse on the outskirts of Mumbai yesterday. — AFP that collapsed in April, which was one of in 2010. — AFP

Taleban guerrillas welcome Qatar Suicide attack kills 15 office but fight on at Pak Shiite mosque KANDAHAR: Taleban guerrillas yesterday hailed the rebels’ new office in Qatar as evidence of their success on the battlefield but vowed to fight on until all US Provincial lawmaker killed in Karachi forces leave Afghanistan. The opening of the office in Qatar was seen as a first step towards a peace deal as PESHAWAR: A suicide attack yeste- the US-led NATO combat mission ends next year, but a day killed 15 people and wounded more than 25 others at a Shiite Muslim furious Kabul accused the rebels of posing as a govern- mosque and religious seminary on the ment-in-exile. Talk of a meeting between US and edge of Pakistan’s northwestern city Taleban officials has been put on hold, and the US has of Peshawar, officials said. The stressed the office must not be treated as an embassy bomber struck in the largely Shiite for the hardliners who were ousted from power in area of Gulshan Colony on the out- 2001. skirts of the city, which abuts Taleban “We welcome the opening of the Taleban office in and Al-Qaeda-linked strongholds in Qatar, and we are happy about it,” Mullah Ehsanullah, a the northwestern tribal belt on the local Taleban fighter in the Zherai district of the south- Afghan border. The attack came just ern province of Kandahar, told AFP by telephone. “With days after US officials said they hoped the establishment of this office, we want to hold talks to open peace talks with Afghan with the international community like an independent Taleban in Doha, capital of the Gulf and sovereign state. “We are reaching our goals in state of Qatar. defeating the US, now we want to free our country “It was a suicide attack in which 15 from occupation. We want to build our country on our people were killed and more than 25 own.” others were wounded,” senior police PESHAWAR: A man inspects a dead victim lying on the ground following a When the office opened on Tuesday, it used the title official Shafi Ullah told AFP at the suicide attack on a Shiite mosque yesterday. — AFP of the rebels’ 1996-2001 government, the “Islamic scene. “The suicide bomber, who was engulfed the entire mosque and it dent, told AFP he rushed out of his Emirate Of Afghanistan”, and flew the white Taleban on foot, first opened fire at police was difficult to see anything but I was uncle’s home when he heard the flag - a provocative symbol of oppression to many guards who were deployed outside able to see dead bodies and injured explosion. “It was really horrifying to Afghans. Afghanistan’s envoy to the United Nations, the mosque, then entered the prayer people shouting for help,” he said. see blood soaked and mutilated bod- Zahir Tanin, on Thursday described the opening as hall where he blew himself up amid Police official Imran Shahid told AFP ies lying on the floor of the hall,” “theatrical”, which he said contravened an agreement worshippers just before the start of that at least three suicide bombers Qazilbash said. on how the occasion would be managed. Mursaleen, a prayers,” he added. The force of the had originally intended to carry out “I immediately started knocking on Taleban fighter in the Ghaziabad district of eastern blast punched holes in the walls and the attack. “Two of them fled while doors in the neighbourhood and call- Kunar province, told AFP: “We have fought hard for our roof of the prayer hall, the floor of one of their accomplices managed to ing people for help.” Shiites account country to save it from the occupiers. When our which was littered with bloodied enter the prayer hall and blow himself for 20 percent of the 180 million demands are met, we will sit down at the negotiating pieces of human flesh, dead bodies, up,” he said. population in the nuclear-armed table.” Another Taleban fighter in Kandahar in the Islamic books and prayer caps, an AFP There was no immediate claim of state. Extremist Sunni militant fac- south, who declined to be named, said that they had reporter said. responsibility, but attacks waged by tion Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed fought against the Soviets in the 1980s and against the Prayer leader Aamir Shakiri said he Sunni Muslim extremists against responsibility for a series of attacks US since 2001 for an “autonomous Afghanistan under was just about to join the worshippers Pakistan’s minority Shiite community on Shiites in the southwestern city of an Islamic government”. — AFP when he heard gun shots, followed by are on the rise. Ali Iqbal Qazilbash, a Quetta that killed at least 25 people a “deafening blast”. “Thick mosque 24-year-old Peshawar University stu- on June 15. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Indonesia sends planes, Singapore haze hits record

JAKARTA: Indonesia deployed aircraft yester- “We have been fighting fires 24 hours a day record level was reached at 11:00 am (0300 Monday, the previous Singapore air pollutant day to artificially create rain in a bid to douse for two weeks,” he said, adding that aircraft GMT) yesterday after a rapid rise in the index high was 226, recorded in Sept 1997. raging fires that have choked Singapore with must “drop water as soon as possible. We Pollutant Standards Index (PSI). It had fallen That episode cost the Southeast Asian region smog, which is hitting record-breaking levels can’t do this alone”. back to 143 by 5:00 pm (0900 GMT). billions of dollars and also resulted from vast that pose a threat to the elderly and the ill. At a amounts of haze from Indonesia, where slash- late-night emergency meeting, President and-burn farming generates heavy smoke Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered disaster during the dry season that begins in June. officials to “immediately mobilise all the coun- Parts of Malaysia close to Singapore have also try’s resources” to extinguish the fires on been severely affected by the smog this week. Sumatra island that have created vast palls of The haze crisis has had a dramatic impact on smoke. Singapore’s worst environmental crisis life in Singapore, with the city-state’s residents in more than a decade has seen the acrid scaling back their activities in a bid to protect smoke creep into people’s flats and cloak resi- themselves. dential blocks as well as downtown skyscrap- Fast-food deliveries have been cancelled, ers, and the island’s prime minister has the army has suspended field training, com- warned it could last weeks. muters are wearing medical masks, and econ- Indonesia’s national disaster agency said omists are warning that the smog could have that three helicopters carrying cloud-seeding an impact on the rich city-state’s economy. equipment, which chemically induces rain, Singapore’s top Islamic authority even had been sent to Riau province, where vast allowed local Muslims to skip Friday prayers, swathes of carbon-rich peatland are burning. as thick haze continued to drift in from the Two planes were also there and the agency world’s most populous Muslim-majority planned to send another five, said agency nation. spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. The air- Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s minister craft would use cloud-seeding and would also for environment and water resources, held water-bomb the blazes, he said. Firefighters SINGAPORE: Tourists in masks and sunglasses take a picture at emergency talks with his counterpart in on the ground have struggled to put out the Singapore’s Merlion as air pollution returned to ‘unhealthy’ levels Jakarta on Friday and called for the city-state blazes, which are burning under the surface of and Indonesia to work together to solve the the peat. from the ‘hazardous’ levels of a few hours earlier yesterday. —AP “urgent problem”. Singapore has been Emergency workers tackling blazes in As Indonesia stepped up its fire-fighting According to Singapore government guide- ramping up pressure on Indonesia to take Bengkalis district, the worst hit area, were efforts, Singapore’s smog index hit the critical lines, sustained PSI average levels above 400 more action - but Jakarta has become “overwhelmed” and unable to cope, Ahmad 400 level, making it potentially life-threaten- on a 24-hour basis “may be life-threatening to increasingly irate and an Indonesian minister Saerozi, the head of the natural resources con- ing to the ill and elderly people, according to a ill and elderly persons”. on Thursday accused Singapore of acting servation agency in the province, told AFP. government monitoring site. The all-time Before the latest crisis which erupted on “like a child”. —AFP Philippines first in Asia to destroy ivory tusks Multimillion-dollar stockpile eliminated MANILA: The Philippines destroyed five and international airport in 2005 and 2009. The face international sanctions on wildlife trading tonnes of elephant tusks yesterday in a land- rest of the ivory, worth many millions of dollars if they failed to take action. mark event aimed at shedding its image as one on the black market, was stolen over the years. The United Nations and conservation of the world’s worst hotspots for illegal African Most of it went missing while being kept by groups have warned the demand for ivory is ivory trading. The backhoe of a bulldozer the customs bureau, a notoriously corrupt leading to the slaughter of thousands of began crushing hundreds of tusks in a wildlife organisation in the Philippines, and a wildlife African elephants each year, and could eventu- NEW DELHI: Indian children who were evacuated due to bureau car park, as the nation became the first bureau officer is on the run after being charged ally lead to their extinction. The Philippines was rising waters sit outside makeshift shelters on the banks of in Asia to eliminate its multimillion-dollar stock- with stealing about 700 kg. The Philippines was named because of its role as a transport hub for the Yamuna River yesterday. —AFP pile. “This act is a strong statement to the rest of in March named by the Convention on African ivory being smuggled into countries the world that the Philippines will not tolerate International Trade in Endangered Species such as China, Vietnam and Thailand, where the illegal wildlife trade,” Environment (CITES) as one of eight nations that was failing demand has skyrocketed in recent years. The Bodies in Ganges Secretary Ramon Paje said. The five tonnes of to do enough to tackle the illegal trade in ele- ivory is highly sought after for statues, trinkets ivory came from a total of about 13 tonnes phant ivory. The others were Kenya, Tanzania, and other items to showcase wealth. Demand as India monsoon seized by customs officers since the mid 1990s, Uganda, Malaysia, Vietnam, China and is also high in the Catholic Philippines, with the with the two biggest hauls at Manila’s seaport Thailand, and they were warned they could ivory used for religious icons. death toll mounts Paje said the destruction of the ivory was one part of the government’s action plan sub- DEHRADUN, India: Rescue workers recovered scores of bodies from the Ganges mitted to CITES since March to show it was try- river in northern India yesterday, as the death toll from flash floods and landslides ing to curb the trade. Another was the launch topped 200, with thousands of mainly pilgrims and tourists still stranded. yesterday of a multi-government-agency task- Helicopters and thousands of soldiers have been deployed to rescue more than force focused solely on the ivory trade. “The 50,000 people from religious sites, almost one week after floods and landslides Philippines will not be a party to this massacre from torrential monsoon rains struck the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, a gov- (of African elephants) and a conduit for the ernment minister said. cycle of killing,” Paje said. More than 200 people have been killed in the disaster after raging rivers The executive director of the London-based swept away houses, buildings and even entire villages, and destroyed bridges Environmental Investigation Agency, Mary and narrow roads leading to pilgrimage towns high in the mountains, the minis- Rice, praised the Philippines for taking the lead ter said. But the death toll is likely to rise, as flood waters recede showing the in destroying its stockpiles. “This is a really sig- extent of the devastation and rescue workers reach more isolated areas of the nificant event. It is the first time a consuming state, known as the “Land of the Gods” for its revered Hindu shrines and temples. country and an Asian country has decided to “So far, 207 people have lost their lives. But the toll may go up as debris in many dispose of its seized stockpiles,” Rice, who was areas is yet to be cleared,” said Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde in New Delhi. in Manila to witness the event, told AFP. Rice Another 17 people have been killed in the neighbouring state of Himachal said thousands of kilograms of seized ivory Pradesh, a senior government official said. Floods and landslides from monsoon were sitting in storehouses in other cities rains have also struck across the border in Nepal, leaving at least 39 people dead, around Asia and other parts of the world. Rice the government there said. In Uttarakhand, police said they have recovered 40 and other conservationists called for all Asian bodies floating in the Ganges near the pilgrimage town of Hardwar. “We have MANILA: A roller and a backhoe crush five tonnes of elephant tusks at a countries with stockpiles to emulate the recovered some 40 bodies which floated downstream and the process of identi- ceremony at the wildlife bureau compound yesterday. —AFP Philippines. —AFP fication is on,” Hardwar police chief Rajeev Swaroop told AFP by phone. —AFP China in credit crunch Indonesia smoke choking World shares, bonds Businessas Beijing targets debt 16 up SingaporeÅfs economy18 recover lost ground 18 SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Rosneft to boost oil flows to China in $270 bn deal 17

ARBIL: A general view shows newly built houses in the northern Iraqi Kurdish city of Arbil. — AFP Arbil booms as Iraq grapples with violence Kurdish region economy growing faster

ARBIL: As central Iraq grapples with a The region, comprised of Arbil, reserves of around 45 billion barrels of surge in violence and a longer-term Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk provinces crude, or about a third of Iraq’s total struggle to wean its economy off a and their capitals of the same names, reserves, according to regional offi- dependence on oil, Abdullah has its own president and prime min- cials, and its sale is the subject of Abdulkarim stands at a car dealership ister, and the Kurdish flag flutters over tense debates. in the northern Kurdish city of Arbil government buildings. Rather than The central government has angri- and smiles. the Iraqi army and police, the pesh- ly criticized Arbil for signing contracts merga and asayesh comprise the with foreign energy firms without the THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER region’s security forces. It is currently expressed approval of the federal oil Abdulkarim is not the only one enjoying economic growth of 12 per- ministry, dismissing such deals as ille- who feels that way-the economy of cent, according to its regional invest- gal, and slamming the transport of oil the autonomous Kurdish region in ment commission, while Iraq’s econo- to Turkey as “smuggling”. Gebara northern Iraq, with Arbil as its capital, my as a whole is projected to expand described the disputes-which also is growing faster than the rest of the by nine percent this year, according include a row over a swathe of territo- country and sees none of the violence to the International Monetary Fund. ry stretching from the Iranian border that has raged across Arab areas. In And almost 800 foreign firms-the to the Syrian frontier-as “healthy Arbil, crowded cafes overflow onto majority of them from neighboring democratic debate”, but analysts and sidewalks, customers pack out restau- Turkey-have so far entered the officials point to the disagreements as rants with no fear of attack and, per- Kurdish market, apparently encour- ARBIL: Iraqis sit at a coffee shop in the northern city of Arbil.— AFP among the biggest threats to Iraq’s haps most importantly for the three- aged in particular by a 2006 invest- month was its worst since 2008, mented a plan to combat it”. long-term stability. province region’s future prospects, ment law that exempts them from according to both UN and official fig- For now, businesses in Arbil are foreign investors appear keen to taxes on imports and profits for their ures, but Mufti said the autonomous ‘NOW, EVERYTHING IS GOOD’ not worried-at the dealership where plant their flag. first 10 years in the region. Firms are region, by contrast, did not record a Regional officials also tout an Abdulkarim was eyeing a $24,500 “It is really easy to set up shop not obliged to hire local staff, have single incident throughout May. economy that they say is more diver- pick-up truck, owner Hunar Majid was here,” said Jorge Restrepo, an local investors or local partners, and And there are more differences. sified than the rest of the country- upbeat. His glass-walled Toyota deal- American of Colombian origin who can repatriate their profits at their dis- “The bureaucracy is enormous here as cement, pharmaceuticals, steel and ership lies at the centre of the city runs a consultancy business in cretion, according to Kamiran Mufti, well, but in Baghdad, you also have electricity. The latter is produced in and is packed. Majid hopes to Kurdistan targeting Spanish and head of the regional investment com- religious divisions (between Sunni significant-enough quantities that the increase sales threefold compared Canadian energy companies. “The mission. But the crucial difference and Shiite Arabs), and of course the region exports surplus power to the with last year. At the entrance, government of Kurdistan is very open between Kurdistan and the rest of corruption,” Restrepo said. Iraq is rat- neighboring provinces of Nineveh Abdulkarim, a shepherd wearing the to foreigners,” he said. Over the Iraq remains security. “Security is real- ed one of the world’s most corrupt and Kirkuk which, like much of Iraq, traditional baggy Kurdish garb, wast- course of 22 years since the establish- ly the key to success,” said Ghada countries, placing 169 out of 176 suffer from shortfalls. But the north- ed little time debating whether to ment of a no-fly zone over the region Gebara, head of Korek, Iraq’s third- states listed in Transparency ern region shares one crucial charac- buy the truck of his dreams. “Before, to keep out Saddam Hussein’s forces, biggest mobile phone operator, International’s Corruption teristic with the rest of the Iraq-the life was tough,” he said. “I could nev- Kurdistan has increasingly distanced which is headquartered in Arbil. Perceptions Index, but Mufti insisted heart of its economy is based on oil er pay for this truck.” “But now, itself from the rest of Iraq. Nationwide violence in Iraq last Kurdish regional leaders have “imple- production. The region has proven everything is good.”— AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

SoftBank chief to create ‘world’s biggest company’

TOKYO: The flamboyant founder of the 55-year-old telecom billionaire pany with trillions of yen in sales, our acquisition by a Japanese firm-is the Japanese telco SoftBank, which is close said, pointing to a slide presentation employees were shocked and said I latest in a string of deals that have to a $21.6 billion takeover of US firm that listed the world’s most valuable was crazy.” Son’s comments come just marked the career of one of Japan’s Sprint Nextel yesterday added a new firms. SoftBank, largely unknown out- days after US satellite television most colorful entrepreneurs. By his goal to his lofty agenda: creating the side Japan before the Sprint deal was provider Dish Network dropped plans telling, Son grew up poor in southern world’s biggest company. Masayoshi announced last year, is nowhere near to submit a revised bid for Sprint Japan, scrounging food from his neigh- Son told SoftBank’s upbeat annual that level at present, standing at a pal- Nextel. That offer could have scuttled bors to feed to the family’s livestock. In meeting that he is aiming to turn what try 113th in the world, according to his play to swallow up nearly 80 per- 1981, a year after returning from the is now Japan’s third-largest telecom Son’s PowerPoint charts. “I used to dis- cent of the US-based wireless carrier, United States where he studied at the company into a global behemoth that creetly say we would be among the whose shareholders will vote on the University of California at Berkeley, Son outpaces the likes of ExxonMobil, world’s top 10 firms, but that doesn’t SoftBank offer next week. “We have founded SoftBank as a software whole- JPMorgan and Apple. fit my goals anymore,” he told share- taken a big step toward completing saler and publisher of computer maga- “We will become the world’s num- holders who responded with chuckles the acquisition,” Son said yesterday. zines. He is now one of Japan’s richest ber-one company at any cost-in terms and applause. The Sprint offer-which, if complet- men, worth an estimated $7.2 billion, of profit, cashflows and stock value,” “When I promised to create a com- ed, could be the biggest overseas according to Forbes. —AFP

AirAsia X sets low IPO, raises $308.6 million

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian long- haul carrier AirAsia X’s initial public offering yesterday raised $308.6 mil- lion, fetching a price that was near the lower end of market expecta- tions. The airline priced its initial pub- lic offering at 1.25 ringgit per share having earlier advertised an indica- tive range of 1.15 to 1.45 ringgit to investors. The budget carrier founded by aviation tycoon Tony Fernandes also said in a statement that the sale of newly issued shares would raise $231.5 million for the company. It had said it would use a third of funds raised to repay debt and another third to expand its fleet. The long- haul arm of AirAsia, Asia’s largest BEIJING: A Chinese woman reads a paper outside China’s central bank, or People’s Bank of China, in Beijing. A squeeze on credit budget carrier by fleet size, indicated in China that is rattling world markets appeared to ease slightly as a key interbank interest rate edged lower yesterday, earlier the IPO could be worth up to prompting speculation the country’s central bank may have intervened to calm ravaged nerves. —AP $418 million. “We had orders for two billion shares at 1.45 and we had only 396 China in credit crunch million shares available in the book- building exercise. We want to see retail investors benefit from this IPO and this is the reason why we priced as Beijing targets debt it at 1.25,” Fernandes explained. The carrier will take delivery of 23 Airbus A330-300 planes over the next four Credit squeeze raises worry over economy years beginning in July, while it has also placed a firm order for 10 A350- SHANGHAI: The interest rate China’s banks charge pose a significant downside risk to the economy.” Four” banks, denied a media report it was unable 900s. AirAsia X previously scrapped to lend money to each other fell sharply yesterday, China’s economy, a crucial driver of global growth, to complete transactions due to a fund shortage, London flights because of the providing respite from a liquidity squeeze, but ana- expanded 7.8 percent in 2012 - its slowest pace in the official Xinhua news agency said late European debt crisis and focused on lysts warned the cash crisis is raising worries over 13 years-and recorded a surprisingly weak 7.7 per- Thursday. But Fitch Ratings yesterday said some serving routes within Asia-Pacific, the already slowing economy. The seven-day cent expansion in the first quarter this year, well Chinese banks could face constraints in meeting where sustained economic growth repurchase rate-a benchmark for interbank bor- below forecasts. Recent weakness in the Asian eco- payment obligations later this month because of has swelled the middle class. rowing costs fell to 8.33 percent from Thursday’s nomic giant had prompted some analysts to sug- tight liquidity. “The Chinese authorities have the close of 11.62 percent, amid rumors the central gest the central bank would ease monetary policy ability to address the liquidity pressures, but their It currently has 10 Airbus A330- bank had pressured lenders to release funds. but officials refused to budge. hands-off response to date reflects in part a new 300 planes and serves 14 routes Rates have surged to record highs in the past The soaring cost of borrowing has led to a cred- strategy,” the ratings agency said in a statement. across the region, including destina- two weeks as the People’s Bank of China had it crunch, which has sent stocks tumbling and “Such an approach also increases repayment tions in Australia, China, Japan and refrained from injecting more liquidity-owing to means banks are unable to lend. Yesterday the risk among banks, and raises the potential for a Saudi Arabia. The International Air fears about a growth of bad debt-which has in turn benchmark Shanghai index closed 0.52 percent policy misstep and/or unintended consequences,” Transport Association (IATA) has weighed on the economy. Chinese media reports lower. Zhang Zhiwei, an economist for Nomura it added. Chinese banks have already scaled back described Asia-Pacific as the world’s said yesterday that the central bank had injected Securities in Hong Kong, said China’s monetary lending in May from April, official figures showed, fastest growing market, with passen- 40 billion yuan ($6.3 billion) into several banks to policy stance had not changed despite talk of the prompting analysts to warn of threats to econom- relieve the funding crisis. The central bank has not liquidity injection. “Recent action by the PBoC ic growth. “The (PBoC) is worried by the unsustain- ger traffic more than doubling since made any public statements about its intentions reflects the government’s determination to take able growth rate of credit and is sending a mes- 1998, despite fuel costs surging 55 since the credit crunch began. aggressive action to contain financial risks,” he sage that market participants should not take for percent since 2006. Profit-making ANZ Banking Group said yesterday: “As liquidity said. “The monetary policy stance will remain granted that they will always have access to cheap AirAsia was Asia’s first low-cost carri- continues to tighten, Chinese commercial banks tight.” interbank loans,” Capital Economics said this er to complete an IPO in 2004. —AFP have slowed credit extension significantly. This will The Bank of China, one of the country’s “Big week. —AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Brent stays above $102 Investors buy in after steep drop

SINGAPORE: Brent futures held above the central bank may reduce its bond- Syria threatening to engulf neighbor- Rosneft to boost $102 a barrel yesterday as investors buying program with the goal of ending ing countries. Iraq warned that Syria’s bought opportunistically after the previ- it in mid-2014. “Oil traded heavy all civil war is tearing the Middle East apart oil flows to China ous session’s steep fall, but a broad mar- through the Asia session yesterday, with and Lebanon’s president urged his ket rout triggered by the US Federal rallies quickly sold into. As US equities fell country’s Hezbollah movement on in $270 bn deal Reserve’s plans to wind down stimulus and the dollar rallied, this provided a Thursday to pull its fighters out of the capped gains. Global equities, bond triple headwind for oil,” ANZ analysts in a conflict. Syria’s turmoil is dragging its ST PETERSBURG: Russia’s Rosneft agreed to double oil supplies prices and commodities plunged in a note yesterday. On Thursday, crude neighbors into a deadly confrontation to China, in a deal it valued at $270 billion yesterday, as the sharp sell-off on Thursday, and most mar- Kremlin energy champion shifts its focus to Asia from saturated kets extended their losses in early Asian and crisis-hit European markets. Rosneft will supply China with trade yesterday. For oil, demand growth 300,000 barrels per day over 25 years starting in the second half concerns following weak manufacturing of the decade, on top of the 300,000 bpd it already ships to the data from second-biggest global con- world’s largest energy consumer. “The estimated value of the sumer China added further pressure. deal is $270 billion,” Rosneft’s boss Igor Sechin, a powerful ally of Brent crude slipped to as low as President Vladimir Putin, told reporters in what would be one of $101.88 a barrel before recovering to the biggest supply deals in the history of Russia, the world’s top trade up 45 cents at $102.60 by 0701 oil producer. GMT. US oil was up 48 cents at $95.62. The speed of change in Russian export patterns has been dra- But both benchmarks were headed for matic - switching huge volumes from Europe in only five years. their steepest weekly loss in two months. Russia first started supplying China by railway and then by a new “Ultimately, the United States being off pipeline while opening a Pacific port, Kozmino, in 2009. Together the intravenous dip will be a good thing with supplies to Kozmino, it is already exporting around 750,000 as it will give the economy a chance to barrels per day to Asia, or 17 percent of its overall exports of 4.4 stand on its feet,” said Ben Le Brun, an million bpd. analyst at OptionsXpress in Sydney. Europe by contrast has lost out. A decline in deliveries in the “But investors are looking at the near- past few years partially contributed to Russian Urals crude oil term impact of a withdrawal in the stimu- often trading at a premium to benchmark dated Brent. Analysts lus. The weak China PMI numbers are have expressed doubts Rosneft could quickly and significantly also weighing on sentiment in oil.” boost supplies to China from depleted fields in West Siberia, the China’s factory activity weakened to a JAKARTA: Indonesian workers push their motocycles to the presiden- nine-month low in June as demand fal- historic homeland of Soviet and Russian oil production. A source tial palace in Jakarta yesterday to dramatize their anti-fuel price familiar with the deal said the new agreement with China was tered, adding to data pointing to a slug- timed to tie in with the launch of new streams of East Siberian gish economy and raising the chances increase protest. Following parliament’s approval of the budget, fuel crude to avoid big redirection of existing flows and allow time to the country could miss its growth target prices are expected to increase on average 33 percent. —AFP expand export infrastructure. of 7.5 percent for this year. Both Brent BIG PREPAYMENT and US oil could slip about 4-5 percent prices posted their biggest daily loss between Shiite Iran supporting Rosneft and oil pipeline monopoly Transneft have already from current levels, Le Brun said. Any since November with Brent ending down President Bashar Al-Assad and Sunni secured $25 billion from China in 2009 in upfront payments by upside will be capped at gains of about $3.97 and US oil finishing $2.84 lower. Arab Gulf nations backing the Syrian pre-selling oil in order to accumulate cash to finance growth and 2-3 percent, he added. rebels. “The Middle East is still a clear new construction projects. Rosneft’s debt burden has spiked this Assets priced in the dollar, like oil, STEMMING LOSSES and present danger to oil markets and year after it acquired Anglo-Russian producer TNK-BP in a $55 bil- have been pressured by the greenback But prices may be supported by con- prices,” Le Brun said. “Tensions in the lion cash-and-stock deal, the largest in Russian corporate history, which has firmed following Fed cerns about a disruption in supply from Middle East will continue to put a floor and became the world’s largest publicly listed oil firm. Industry Chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments that the Middle East, with the violence in on prices.” —Reuters sources have told Reuters Rosneft may secure up to $30 billion in prepayment from China as part of the new deal. That could even double, business daily Vedomosti said yesterday. On Thursday, Putin said Rosneft’s deal with China would be worth $60 billion. China’s Iran oil imports jump Vedomosti said Putin was referring to an advance payment that Rosneft would receive. ahead of US sanction waiver Sechin declined to comment on the details. “This is one of the elements of the deal,” he said when asked about the $60 billion component. Analysts said the possible upfront payment from BEIJING: China’s average daily crude imports from Iran sanctions since early last year to cut imports. The United China would be a big positive for indebted Rosneft. “If confirmed, jumped nearly 50 percent in May from the previous month, States in early June renewed waivers on sanctions for China this would be a transformational event for the company’s bal- back around levels before sanctions were slapped on the and other Asian countries in exchange for their reducing pur- ance sheet: Rosneft could even potentially be able to show a net Middle Eastern country over its disputed nuclear program chases of crude from Iran. cash position, though working capital would be negative. The two years ago. The jump in China’s imports of Iranian crude China’s imports for the first five months of the year were prepayment could minimize financing risks for the leveraged to 555,557 barrels per day (bpd) came just before the United up about 10 percent from the same period a year ago. The state-controlled oil company,” J.P. Morgan analysts said in a note. States renewed the country’s waiver on US sanctions aimed import figures for May and year-to-date contrasted sharply TRADERS’ ROLE GROWS at cutting off Iran’s oil revenues and bringing it to the negoti- with China’s oil shipments from Iran in 2012, when the intake According to Standard and Poor’s, Rosneft faces large debt matu- ating table. of Iranian barrels was about 438,448 bpd, down 21 percent rities in 2013, 2014, and 2015 of $6.6 billion, $15.9 billon, and $16.2 But industry sources with knowledge of China’s crude versus 2011. The US and European measures aimed at Iran’s billion, respectively. Prepayment from China would allow Rosneft to imports said the surge from Iran may be due to the timings of oil exports cut them to their lowest in decades in May and lighten the burden on its balance sheet by reducing debts to banks. cargo arrivals and how they were counted by the General have been costing the country billions of dollars in lost rev- The company has also used other schemes to reduce its debt, includ- Administration of Customs (GAC). The sources said China’s enue per month. Washington is now seeking to cut Iran’s oil ing receiving $10 billion from Glencore and Vitol, the world’s two largest oil trading houses, in exchange for five years of supplies. The two main importers - Sinopec Corp and Zhuhai Zhenrong - shipments further through tighter sanctions. money was borrowed by the traders for Rosneft and gave the two do not usually vary their term crude imports widely month- India, Iran’s second largest customer, cut its Iranian crude Swiss trading houses unprecedented access to Russian crude sup- to-month. China, the world’s second biggest oil consumer, imports 12.2 percent in May compared with a year ago. South plies in Europe. bought 2.36 million tons of Iranian crude in May, equivalent Korea reduced its imports of oil from Iran by 8.3 percent from Yesterday, Swiss trading house Trafigura, the world’s third largest, to about 555,557 bpd, data from the GAC showed yesterday. the month compared to May 2012. China has repeatedly agreed to a similar deal by pre-paying Rosneft $1.5 billion for receiv- That was up 49.5 percent from the 371,500 bpd of Iranian voiced its opposition to unilateral sanctions outside those by ing 10 million tons over 5 years. Separately, Rosneft clinched a $7 bil- crude that China imported in April, the data showed. The the United Nations, such as those imposed by the United lion deal with Polish refiner PKN Orlen to deliver 8 million tons of crude oil to the Czech Republic via the Druzhba pipeline. It also May level rose 6.4 percent from 521,936 bpd a year earlier. States. China’s total crude imports in May inched up 0.4 per- signed a preliminary deal with Vitol to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) China and other buyers of Iranian oil including India, Japan cent from a year earlier to 5.64 million bpd, customs data from a Rosneft’s planned plant in eastern Russia from 2019. —Reuters and South Korea have been pressured by US and European showed earlier in the month. —Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Indonesia smoke choking up Singapore’s economy

SINGAPORE: The severe smog over Singapore, a tiny city-state that has noted that such a decline would come at ers over 50 storeys high. Jit Soon Lim, Singapore caused by forest fires in designed itself as a regional hub for a time when Singapore’s manufacturing head of equity research for Southeast Indonesia could hurt the city-state’s everything from hosting conventions to sector, a traditional pillar of the trade-dri- Asia at Nomura Singapore Ltd, said economy if it persists for weeks, econo- managing the wealth of the world’s mil- ven economy, is hurting from weak domestic consumption will also suffer as mists said yesterday as the pollution lionaires. Singapore welcomed 14.4 mil- orders, particularly for electronics prod- residents stay indoors. Singapore’s GDP index hit new record levels. Tourist spots lion visitors last year who generated ucts, from its main markets the United is expected to grow between 1 and 3 are shutting down, companies are allow- Sg$23 billion ($18 billion) in tourism- States and Europe. percent this year, according to official ing staff to work from home and a VIP air- related revenues. The sector contributed “It’s a bit of a disappointment that you forecasts. port has suspended operations. Some 4.0 percent directly to the gross domestic can’t really see the towers or the build- The Pollutants Standards Index rose Singapore restaurants were almost product (GDP). ings. And it’s a bit dark,” said 26-year-old to an all-time high of 401 at midday yes- deserted during the normally busy Friday “If the number of tourist visitors fall British tourist Amy Jones, referring to terday, a level deemed as potentially life- lunch period. sharply even for several months, this will Singapore’s famous Marina Bay Sands threatening to ill and elderly persons if it As thick grey smoke and the acrid hurt Singapore’s GDP numbers for the casino complex which looks like a curved persists over a 24-hour period. Wild Wild smell of burning wood and grass smoth- third quarter of 2013,” Biswas said. He ocean liner perched on three hotel tow- Wet, a popular aquatic park in the ered the city-state for a fifth day running, island’s eastern suburbs, was shut down economists said tourism in particular along with the Singapore Flyer, the could suffer from Singapore’s worst envi- world’s biggest Ferris wheel. Jurong Bird ronmental emergency since the 1997 Park was open but outdoor shows have haze crisis. Singapore Prime Minister Lee been cancelled. Seletar Airport, which Hsien Loong said Thursday that the services the private jets of VIP guests, was problem “can easily last for several also closed “as a result of prolonged poor weeks, and quite possibly longer until visibility caused by the haze,” authorities the dry season ends in Sumatra”. said. The main Changi Airport remains The season lasts from June to operational. Non-essential employees at September. “The impact on Singapore Malaysian bank CIMB were allowed to from the Indonesian haze is particularly work from home and staff were given severe this year, and could become worse N95 masks, which block out 95 percent than 1997,” said Rajiv Biswas, Asia Pacific of airborne particles larger than 0.3 chief economist at research firm IHS microns, said the lender’s regional econ- Global Insight. “If the haze persists over omist Song Seng Wun. the coming weeks during the seasonal But one sector is a direct beneficiary slash-and-burn period in Sumatra, it has of the haze problem-surgical masks are the potential to have significant negative in short supply because people have effects on the Singapore economy. been buying them in great numbers “Images of the haze enveloping from pharmacies. Southeast Asia’s worst Singapore are being widely reported on haze crisis took place in 1997-1998, caus- TV channels and other media globally, SINGAPORE: People sit at bars along the Boat Quay in Singapore yesterday. ing widespread health problems and and can be particularly damaging to Severe smog over Singapore caused by forest fires in Indonesia could hurt costing the regional economy billions of Singapore’s world-class tourism indus- the city-state’s economy if it persists for weeks, economists said yesterday, dollars as a result of business and air try.” Tourism is a revenue-spinner for as the pollution index hit new record levels. — AFP transport disruptions. — AFP

Morocco to cut subsidies World shares, bonds RABAT: Morocco will begin deregulating prices for some basic goods in the next two weeks, its first step towards reducing subsidies, its general affairs minister said. The recover lost ground Islamist-led government has delayed reforms to subsidies and pensions recommended by the International Monetary Fund because of their political sensitivity. Commodities, bonds steady after Fed-driven selloff “We will activate automatic price adjustment in the next two weeks - before Ramadan - for energy products and sug- LONDON: World shares, bonds and com- percent on Thursday, its biggest one-day many riskier assets to new highs and even ar, except cooking gas,” General Affairs and Governance modities recovered some lost ground yes- fall in 19 months. A 0.5 percent rise in US after this week’s selloff many will still be in Minister Mohamed Najib Boulif said in an interview late on terday, after a sharp sell-off triggered by stock futures also hinted at a rebound on positive territory for the year though the Thursday. His comments came a few days after an IMF team the US Federal Reserve’s plan to roll back Wall Street later. adjustment to the Fed’s new policy is visited the North African kingdom to audit its public the asset-buying program which sustained “The fear is ... setting in, with a lot of cut- expected to be ongoing. “We are in a new finances. markets through the financial crisis. Easing ting of bullish positions. The most likely environment,” Larry Kantor, head of The shift will allow the government to cut spending on fears about an immediate banking crunch scenario is that rallies will be sold so I would research at Barclays said. “It has been an subsidies by 20 percent, to 42 billion dirhams ($5 billion) or in China also made for a calmer tone, be very careful buying the dip,” said Lex extremely friendly (investor) environment less, the minister said. That is within the limit fixed by the although short-term funding rates there van Dam, hedge fund manager at and now, it is just going to be a bit more 2013 budget, which is based on an oil price of $105. Coming remain elevated, especially for smaller Hampstead Capital. The dollar stepped normal.” just before the start on July 10 of Ramadan, the Muslim fast- banks. back from a two-week high against a bas- GREEK DRAMA ing month that often involves heavy spending for millions of But with investors still trying to map out ket of developed currencies but was seen In the fixed income market, the core Moroccans, the move may be controversial. “The adjust- a direction for life after the Fed’s largesse on a solid footing given the Fed’s plans and German bonds were little changed, pausing ment will be in both directions. When (oil) prices are less comes to an end, emerging markets in par- could see its best weekly rise in a year. It after posting their biggest daily drop since than $105, that will let Moroccans consider that it is not nec- ticular remained under stress. Growing gained 0.5 percent against the yen to 97.75 March on Thursday, largely tracking US essarily a bad thing,” Boulif said. signs of US economic strength was seen yen in choppy trade. The euro was steady Treasuries yields which have steadied near Subsidies burned up 53.36 billion dirhams in 2012 or 6.4 sparking a migration by investors back to at $1.3220, having backtracked from two-year highs. However, in the riskier pct of Morocco’s GDP, including 32.4 billion dirhams for oil, more advanced economies as the attrac- Wednesday’s four-month peak of $1.3414. peripheral euro zone markets fears of grow- 15.8 billion dirhams for gas and 5 billion dirhams for sugar. tiveness of the returns on offer in star NEW WORLD ing political turmoil in Greece were domi- The minister said prices would not be fully liberalized, how- developing countries such as Turkey and All major equity markets along with nating trading, sending 10-year Greek debt ever, and that maximums would be set. “(The figure) is not South Africa waned. “There have been many of the world’s main bonds and key yields up 70 basis points to 11.4 percent. public yet, I can’t say it,” he said. “The government will help huge moves, there have been huge reposi- commodities are still on course for their Commodity markets saw some demand the process by price hedging to anticipate fluctuations of tionings, so maybe before the weekend worst week in months if not years as from investor’s attracted by the week’s big commodity prices in the international markets.” volatility can come down a bit,” Piet investors prepare for the end of Fed’s mas- price falls although worries about China’s Last August, the IMF approved a $6.2 billion precaution- Lammens, a strategist at KBC said. sive $85 billion a month of liquidity injec- sluggish growth outlook weighed on senti- ary line of credit for Morocco over two years while urging MSCI’s benchmark index for emerging tions. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke had ment. Gold recovered from a three-year reforms of its subsidy and pension systems. Boulif said the equities fell a further 0.5 percent yesterday revealed the plan on Wednesday when he trough to be up 1.5 percent at $1,297.01 an move had been agreed by the coalition government, which after sliding by over 4 percent in Thursday’s said that if the US economy keeps improv- ounce as Chinese buyers became more a junior party had threatened to quit unless Prime Minister violent selloff. World stocks in general were ing as expected, the central would begin active. Brent crude recovered to trade up Abdelilah Benkirane moderated plans for sweeping cuts to up 0.15 percent, though still on track for tapering back the cash inflows later this 45 cents at $102.60 and US oil was up 48 subsidies on food and energy. Benkirane insists the reforms their worst week in over a year. In Europe, year and end them completely by the mid- cents at $95.62, though both benchmarks will go ahead. —Reuters the broad FTSE Eurofirst 300 index rose 0.4 dle of 2014. were headed for their steepest weekly loss percent in morning trade, having slid 3.1 The huge stimulus effort has driven in two months. — Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

EU trade chief sees speedy end to Chinese solar row BEIJING: The European Union’s trade deadline was a key factor in the need to “I think these meetings have been very address the solar panel issue” through chief expressed confidence yesterday that clinch a settlement. “We should reach an helpful,” he said. He declined to reveal the discussions about prices. Brussels and Beijing can reach a speedy agreement so as to have a solution which content of the negotiations. “These are In addition to solar cells, Brussels and agreement in a bitter dispute over can be implemented by the 6th of very technical things which have to be Beijing are also involved in a series of dis- Chinese solar panels that sparked fears of August,” he said. Though De Gucht insist- figured out,” he said. “We need to contact putes covering other products, ranging a debilitating trade war. “I trust that we ed that the solar panel issue was not customs and so on.” China’s commerce from steel pipes to wine, that have can come to a solution in the coming included in the discussions at the annual ministry had no immediate reaction to De sparked fears of a trade war. China said days or coming weeks,” EU Trade meeting, he said that negotiators have Gucht’s comments. Earlier, at a joint this month it will deal “appropriately” Commissioner Karel De Gucht said at a been working on it in both Brussels and appearance with the European, Gao said: with the EU’s decision to challenge it at press conference in Beijing. Beijing. “Both sides have the wish and goodwill to the World Trade Organization after De Gucht spoke after talks with Gao Beijing slapped duties on some steel Hucheng, China’s minister of commerce, products. Beijing has launched a probe at the annual meeting of the two sides’ into imports of EU wine and chemicals joint economic and trade commissions. amid accusations it is selling goods below The European Commission, the EU’s exec- cost-a process known as “dumping”-while utive arm, this month imposed an aver- the EU has threatened an investigation age tariff of 11.8 percent on solar panel into the country’s telecom equipment imports from China-rising to 47.6 percent firms. on August 6 if there are no negotiations The tit-for-tat trade measures have trig- based on a Chinese commitment to gered concerns over the repercussions address the problem. The tariffs on solar they may cause to broader business rela- panels are provisional for six months, with tions between the two. The tariffs on solar EU member states having a vote in panels are provisional for six months, with December on whether to make them per- EU member states having a vote in manent or not. December on whether to make them per- De Gucht had said earlier this month manent or not. According to Chinese that Chinese panels were being sold at up industry figures, China exported $35.8 bil- to 88 percent below cost in the European lion of solar products in 2011, more than market. Complaints from European com- 60 percent of them to the EU, while it panies had triggered a probe. Yesterday, BEIJING: EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht (left) and China’s Minister of imported $7.5 billion-worth of European De Gucht suggested that the August 6 Commerce Gao Hucheng attend a press conference in Beijing yesterday. — AFP solar equipment and raw materials. — AFP

EU finance ministers Creeping mistrust stops tackle banking reform euro-zone bank lending LUXEMBOURG: European Union finance ministers tackled bank sector reform yesterday, aiming to build on a euro-zone deal to inject capital directly into failing lenders to prevent wider damage to the economy. On Thursday, the 17 euro- Cross-border interbank loans slide zone finance ministers agreed how the single currency’s res- cue fund, the European Stability Mechanism, could help the BRUSSELS: Euro-zone banks are refusing to responsible for the reduction in cross border bloc. “Some banks suffer from chronic illiq- banks without adding to the already large debt burden on lend to peers in other countries in the com- lending, due in part to a bailout of Cyprus uidity in the capital markets,” she said. member states. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble mon currency bloc, signaling a worrying fall that closed one of its two main banks and “Central bank liquidity is no remedy for dys- said that the accord marked an “important step ... towards in confidence that appears to have worsened imposed losses on creditors, making banks in functional markets and undercapitalised banking union,” the new regulatory framework for EU banks since the Cyprus bailout earlier this year, data the euro-zone appear more risky. While the banks.” aimed at containing the fallout from any bank collapse. analysed by Reuters showed. In a trend that withdrawal of cross-border funds seems to Warning that the talks could prove difficult, Irish Finance could reignite fears about the euro and its have taken place throughout the year, the CHRONIC SITUATION Minister Michael Noonan said the deal cleared the way for banks, European Central Bank data shows the figures spiked in several countries - including The trend has put Europe’s supervisors on discussion of the last major issues on the way to banking share of interbank funding that crosses bor- Germany and Greece - in March, the month of alert and stands in contrast with statements union. “We have made significant progress in narrowing the ders within the euro-zone dropped by a third, the Cyprus bailout. by ECB President Mario Draghi that banks in to just 22.5 percent in April from 34.5 percent Lobbyists for the banking industry also “stressed” countries are finding it easier to get ground (but) there are still some significant divergences of at the beginning of 2008. say a soon-to-be-finalized EU law making it such loans and that the ECB had got “better opinion,” Noonan said, highlighting the treatment of bank Banks are now lending to other banks possible to impose losses, or “haircuts”, on control of monetary conditions in the euro creditors. Up to now, the taxpayer has paid for most of state across euro-zone borders at only about the bank creditors could hurt confidence. “At any area”. The cross-border freeze also blunts ECB and bank bailouts but this has stoked growing unease and same rate as when the single currency was point in time, this thing can blow up,” said efforts to bolster the economy by cutting only added to overall debt levels. Part of a bailout for Greece first launched, 15 years ago. The silent retreat Karl Whelan, an economist at University interest rates because it prevents cheaper involved losses for bondholders, and this caused a crisis for to within national borders is most pro- College Dublin, warning of a potential and easier loans for consumers and business, banks in Cyprus. nounced in the troubled economies of south- spillover onto regular savers. “We are relying especially in southern Europe, where loan To address problem of taxpayers’ being landed with most ern Europe but is seen even in Germany. on an absence of panic among depositors costs are double that of north. of the costs, the EU, the European Central Bank and the Cross-border interbank funding of German while we sit around and work out who to Were the system working at its best, International Monetary Fund in March agreed a Cyprus res- banks was down by 11.2 percent year on year haircut. There is a risk of large scale deposit southern European banks should be able to cue which ‘bailed-in’ larger depositors in its two biggest in March, equivalent to banks elsewhere in withdrawals in Spanish banks, in particular. borrow from northern ones and pass on the banks to pay for their restructuring. That move shocked Europe withdrawing 29.5 billion euros from They are the obvious tinder box.” cheap rates to their customers. Joerg savers who had felt they were safe, particularly in light of the its biggest economy. Asmussen, the German member of the ECB’s EU’s supposedly blanket guarantee of deposits up to “We have seen the banks very much ECB DENIES PROBLEM executive board, conceded that some banks 100,000 euros. Noonan said the biggest issue at the talks reverting to their domestic markets and not The European Central Bank denies that continue to struggle: “Banks from the coun- would be how the bail-in option would be managed, with wanting to extend credit abroad,” said Tony the fall in cross-border lending is a sign of tries most severely hit still have only limited some states wanting more flexibility to deal with it at a Stringer, a government debt analyst with rat- confidence problems. A spokesman for the access to the money market,” he said on national, as opposed to an EU level. ings agency Fitch. “Interbank deposits have European Central Bank countered that the Monday. Such concerns set the backdrop for been reduced. Confidence in banks across trend was due to a general shift towards a gathering of European Union finance minis- the euro-zone has been reduced. If banks secured lending and funding via retail ters in Luxembourg on Friday, which will RISK OF REPERCUSSIONS continue to struggle, then they can’t extend deposits. Banks were deleveraging, which shape a new EU law allowing the imposition The concern is if a company is bailed-in during a bank res- credit to the real economy.” Euro-zone banks’ increases the importance of stable retail of losses on bondholders and large deposi- cue, it could be weakened as a result and have an adverse stock of lending to their Greek peers was a deposits. “Overall these facts suggest rather a tors of a failing bank. Some countries, partly knock-on effect on the wider economy. Over-extended banks startling 68 percent lower in April than in the stronger, more resilient banking system,” the due to nervousness that such rules will erode have been at the heart of the debt crisis and fixing the prob- same month a year earlier - equivalent to 18 spokesman said. confidence or prompt big savers to withdraw lem through what is known as the Banking Recovery and billion euros withdrawn. In Portugal, the The ECB itself has provided banks with an cash, want national leeway in deciding Resolution Direction being discussed yesterday is seen as cru- decrease was roughly one quarter. alternative source of funding, creating more whether to “bail in” creditors. “It’s at the back cial. The EU initially set up the 500-billion-euro ($665-billion) The figures, obtained from the ECB, than 1 trillion euros of liquidity in the past of our minds that investors are more ESM to bail out member states but last June, when Spain’s include lending both between separate year by offering 3-year-loans. But Lena exposed,” said Sharon Bowles, a lawmaker in banks looked near to collapse, Brussels extended its scope to banks in different euro-zone countries and Komileva of consultancy G+ Economics said the European Parliament who will play a part allow direct aid for struggling lenders. —AFP within a single banking group to its cross- ECB funding was no substitute for a healthy in shaping the rules. “But that’s a deliberate border units. Faltering confidence may be supply of loans from other banks across the policy choice. —Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Turkish assets stabilize Lira, shares steady, bonds weaken

ISTANBUL: The Turkish lira and shares losses, with the direction of the lira setting meeting is due on July 23, but many bankers cent on Thursday. The main Istanbul stock edged higher, while bonds weakened in low the tone for markets as a whole. argue it cannot afford to wait that long. exchange index, which tumbled 6.82 per- volumes yesterday, as investors monitored “In this connection the decision which Against its euro/dollar basket, the lira weak- cent on Thursday, edged up 0.08 percent to the central bank’s response to Thursday’s the Turkish central bank takes will be moni- ened to 2.25 in early trade from 2.2443 a day 73,516.45 points. It has slid 21 percent since sharp sell-off triggered by Federal Reserve tored. I think the high level of volatility will earlier and stood at 2.2435 at 0830 GMT. May 22. plans to cut back its asset-buying program. continue,” he said. Bankers said on Thursday “The central bank’s sale of foreign exchange Standard Bank’s emerging market The lira, which has lost around 8 percent of the central bank could call an emergency in the current conditions makes the job of research head Timothy Ash said the EM sell- its value against the dollar this year, hit a meeting and raise the upper band of its exiting (the market) easier for those who off was “long overdue” with the latest prob- fresh all-time low of 1.9420 overnight but interest rate corridor in response to the lira want to,” said a forex trader at one bank, lems exposing vulnerabilities ignored in rebounded to 1.9330 by 0830 GMT, firming weakness. It would be the first time it took adding that direct intervention could also be recent months amid the Fed’s bond-buying slightly from 1.9363 late on Thursday. such a step since August 2011. an option. program, known as quantative easing (QE). The central bank, which sold $350 million The central bank held its monthly rate The March 8, 2023 10-year bond traded at “This crisis is laying bare the fact that QE was to support the lira in six forex auctions on setting meeting on Tuesday and kept its 8.48 percent, up from a last trade of 8.32 per- bad for fundamental reform in EM as many Thursday, opened a another $50 million auc- main policy rate, the one-week repo rate, at cent on Thursday. The yield on the two-year countries facing easy and cheap financing tion yesterday morning. HSBC Asset 4.50 percent, its borrowing rate at 3.5 per- benchmark bond, which has been scarcely conditions got lulled into a false sense of Management strategist Ali Cakiroglu said he cent and its overnight lending rate at 6.5 traded in the last two weeks, was at 7.97 per- security and slow boated on key fiscal and expected cautious trading after Thursday’s percent. The bank’s next monetary policy cent after rising 80 basis points to 7.61 per- structural reforms,” he said. — Reuters

Gold heads for biggest Australia names ‘Outback weekly drop in 2 years LONDON: Gold recovered some lost ground yesterday Adventurer, Chief Funster’ after earlier hitting near three-year lows, but stayed on track for its biggest weekly drop in almost two years ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition after the Federal Reserve signaled an end to easy mon- ey. The precious metal rebounded more than 1 percent SYDNEY: Australia yesterday selected a Californian as as world shares, bonds and commodities steadied yes- “Chief Funster” and an Irish Internet entrepreneur as terday, a day after a sharp sell-off triggered by plans by “Outback Adventurer” in its “Best Jobs in the World” com- the US Federal Reserve to cut back its quantitative eas- petition, a campaign that attracted 330,000 applicants ing program. But that did little to offset Thursday’s 5.4 from 196 nations. “Blimey,” gasped Englishman Rich Keam percent price crash. Gold is still down more than 7 per- as he was named “Taste Master”, a job that will see him cent since last Friday, its biggest weekly fall since its spend six months in Western Australia touring the huge drop from record highs in September 2011. state’s best restaurants, wineries, breweries and pubs. Spot gold was up 1.4 percent at $1,295.60 an ounce “Queensland is just beautiful, I chose well,” beamed at 1001 GMT, having earlier hit its lowest since Frenchwoman Elisa Detrez, who will spend her time September 2010 at $1,268.89 an ounce. “Quantitative patrolling the tropical beaches of the Sunshine State as a easing was massively stimulative for precious metals, park ranger, taking rainforest walks and promoting and we are now seeing that process going into Australia’s unique native plants and animals. “I think reverse,” Natixis analyst Nic Brown said. “The effects of Australia is a bit like the new El Dorado,” Detrez said. QE had been hugely positive for precious metals “Everybody wants to come here because the life is just so because they weakened the dollar and pushed medi- cool, and the weather is better, and the (financial) crisis is um-term interest rates to abnormally low levels, which not here. So we all want to come here.” removed most of the negative carry associated with Other winners were Brazilian Roberto Seba who will be a holding gold.” lifestyle photographer in Melbourne and Canadian Greg “As you take away liquidity, you see a significant rise Snell who will become a wildlife caretaker in South in longer-term interest rates, and 10-year yields shot up Australia, while American Cameron Ernst gets to travel the yesterday. That to us is the trigger (for lower gold country on Virgin Australia to champion the best customer prices).” US gold futures for August delivery were up service experiences. $9.10 an ounce at $1,295.30, having earlier touched a Australia first announced the jobs in March as a market- near three-year low at $1,268.70. The CME Group Inc, ing push to build on the success of its 2009 “Best Job in the parent of the Chicago Board of Trade, raised initial mar- World” campaign, won by Briton Ben Southall who was gins for Comex gold after prices plunged to their low- paid to become caretaker on a picture-perfect island on est in three years on Thursday. Comex gold futures fell the Great Barrier Reef for six months. In the latest incarna- 6.4 percent, in heavy volumes. tion, the jobs were open to travelers aged between 18 and 30, designed to promote tourism opportunities offered by SYDNEY: Allan Dixon from Ireland, the winner of the VOLUMES HIGH Australian working holiday visas. Northern Territory ‘Outback Adventurer’ job in “Almost 391,000 gold futures contracts were traded Thousands of Australians also entered, but none were Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competi- on the COMEX yesterday,” Commerzbank said in a among the finalists who also came from Hong Kong, tion, jumps on the steps of the Art Gallery of New note. “This corresponded to 1,215 tons of gold, and Scotland, Taiwan, Afghanistan, Belgium and Germany. South Wales in Sydney yesterday. — AFP was almost three times the previous average this Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said their assessment for the positions and Frenchwoman month.” “Almost 169,000 silver contracts (26,200 tons) the campaign was already delivering results, with airlines Detrez, 28, who is from Les Molunes, liked what she saw. were traded, the biggest trading volume since prices and travel agencies reporting increased bookings and offi- “Everything was so, so gorgeous, landing in the middle of collapsed in mid-April. It was likewise almost three cials seeing a significant spike in interest in the working the rainforest was a great experience, diving in the Great times more on a daily basis than hitherto this month.” holiday programme which last year contributed Aus$2.5 Barrier Reef was something really special too,” she said. Investment interest in gold has waned this year, billion (US$2.3 billion) to the economy. Funster Andrew Smith, 25, admitted his Sydney job title with holdings of physically backed gold exchange-trad- Hopefuls had to upload a 30-second video explaining was a little ambiguous but he was looking forward to trav- ed funds - a popular way to invest in bullion since the why they were best for the job, with Irishman Allan Dixon- elling the state as a social media commentator and getting financial crisis - falling more than 485 tons this year. who will journey through the Outback, be immersed in involved in festivals and events, such as Sydney Harbour’s The largest, New York’s SPDR Gold Trust, reported indigenous culture and get up close with Australian New Year’s Eve fireworks. another 4.5-tonne drop in its holdings on Thursday, wildlife for his job-using social media to enlist the support “In my opinion Chief Funster is somebody who goes and taking them to their lowest in more than four years at of sprinter Usain Bolt, adventurer Bear Grylls, TV host discovers the passion behind what people do,” he said. 995.35 tons, 26 percent below their December 2012 Conan O’Brien and actor Hugh Jackman for his bid. “Because they always have a story and they always have a peak of 1,353 tons. — Reuters The finalists spent the past week in Australia as part of reason. —AFP Canyon tomorrow.—AP to walkacrosstheGrand wire walker,willattempt seventh generationhigh- Sarasota, Fla.Wallenda,a Tuesday, June18,2013in wire ashepractices Wallenda walksacrossa High wireperformerNik SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 www.kuwaittimes.net US circus American African- global boasts roots, name theirbabyNorthWest Kim Kardashian,KanyeWest cast PAGE 25 PAGE 22 SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Katy Perry finds reading difficult he ‘Firework’ singer was brought up in a strict Christian household and didn’t “go to school much” Tbecause her family moved around the US when she was younger, and her education suffered as a result. She told US Vogue: “I have a problem reading ... I wasn’t going to great schools, because my parents didn’t believe in public education. They wanted the education to be influenced by their religion, so I was going to these halfway education-slash-Christian schools that were like pop-up shop-style education.” Katy - who moved back to Santa Barbara in California with her parents at the age of10 - doesn’t blame her parents for her education, crediting her mother, Mary Hudson, with being a great teacher. She said: “She went to a couple of girls’ schools in Carmel and then went to Berkeley and studied abroad in Spain. She speaks French, she used to be a painter, but now she is just in the ministry. She used to be a reporter, actually. She wanted to be Barbara Walters.”

Brad Pitt’s family makes him ‘richest man alive’

he 49-year-old actor has six children - Maddox, 11, Pax, nine, Zahara, eight, Shiloh, six, and four- Tyear-old twins Knox and Vivienne - with his fiancée Angelina Jolie says being a father has Kim Kardashian, Kanye West changed everything about his life and enriched it in so many ways. He said: “You learn to value the basic beauty of family, of watching your children name their baby North West grow and evolve. Being a father has changed me on so many levels and made me more generous he reality TV star gave birth to the couple’s first child on Saturday and and alive. “I see my children as a basic part of my despite previous speculation they had settled on the name Kaidence life and it means so much to me to educate them TDonda for their newborn daughter, the stars have reportedly opted and help them make their way in the world. “I love for the directional name. Gossip website TMZ has seen the birth certificate being a father and all the responsibilities it entails. I for the baby, who was born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, feel like the richest man alive since I’ve become a California, while other reports from the US corroborate the name, also. father.” Brad has also praised his own parents, Jane UsMagazine.com confirms the tot’s name as North, adding that the couple and William, for their influence on his life and the way will call her ‘Nori’ as a nickname. Both mother and baby are said to be they raised him. He added: “My attitude is pretty “doing great” even though Kim, 32, went into labour five weeks early. A much shaped by the way my own parents raised me source said: “The baby is so sweet. Kanye is in love. Kim’s real due date was and my brother and sister. I feel that I was able to July 12 — Kanye’s mom’s birthday. That warmed his heart.” Kim and Kanye, grow up with a good perspective and a good com- 36, were rumoured to be considering calling their baby North in the past mon-sense understanding of the world.” The and the ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star even joked about giving Hollywood hunk’s latest film is the apocalyptic horror her child a compass-themed name in an interview with Jay Leno on ‘The movie ‘World War Z’ - which he co-produced and stars Tonight Show’. She said: “I do like Easton, Easton West.” in - and he is adamant the underlying message in the film is about protecting your family, despite all the killer zombies. He is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: “It’s saying that you have to do what it takes to protect your family. It’s saying that you have to be pre- pared to take up a challenge at such a fundamental level of survival.” No birthdays for Paris Jackson aris Jackson hasn’t celebrated her birthday since her father Michael Jackson died. The 15-year-old aspiring actress -who is cur- rently recuperating in hospital following a suicide attempt earlier this month - hasn’t thrown a party on her special day since the Pprivate circus bash the King of Pop arranged for her in April 2009, just two months before he died. In the ongoing wrongful death lawsuit that the Jackson family have brought against AEG Live in relation to the star’s death, Michael’s former personal chef, Kai Chase, revealed how the troubled teen hasn’t been coping and “breaks down” in tears all the time. Kai told the court: “Paris hasn’t had any birthdays since [Michael died]. She hasn’t wanted to celebrate since.” She later added: “Being daddy’s little girl, Paris is devastated. She’s devastated and lost. She’s trying to find herself and find who she is. “It’s taking a lot of love and understanding to keep her together. She breaks down, she cries, she talks about him.” Kai revealed how Michael’s youngest child, son Blanket, 11 - who is home- schooled - wears a T-shirt with a picture of his dad’s face emblazoned on it every Friday. She explained: “He never really had a time when it was father- son because he was so tiny.” The chef then went on to explain how Michael’s eldest son, Prince, 16 - who is set to be a key witness in the legal battle - is feeling the strain during the trial. She said: “At 16, the weight of the world is on his shoulders.” Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson - who is the legal guardian of Prince, Paris and Blanket - is suing the company for $40 billion as she claims the concert promoters failed to properly investigate Dr Conrad Murray - who is currently serving four years imprisonment for the involuntary manslaughter of Michael, who died from a Propofol overdose - before entrusting Michael to his care. SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

P Diddy appreciates his female fans he ‘Coming Home’ hitmaker - who has five children - has mellowed now he is 43 and no longer has wild and crazy parties backstage. When asked what the craziest thing a fan has done for him was, Diddy told Extra TV: “I’ve had Tsome fun, and some of the stories are true, and I thank God for those stories of being in the music industry and hav- ing fun. But as you evolve and as you grow you kind of look for something more special and appreciate your female fans. You’re always looking for that one special person you can always count on.” Diddy appeared alongside Mark Wahlberg, who also said he is grateful to the fans who have supported his career. He added: “I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve had a lot of genuine support, people appreciate the work that I do because they know how much effort I put into it. “If you want to see any of my other stories you can look at the inspiration behind [TV show] ‘Entourage’ and some of the early episodes of that, whether it was me, or Diddy or someone else.” Meanwhile Diddy has announced he is launching a new cable channel in the US, Revolt TV. Diddy wants the new venture to be the “first channel of the social media age,” and will designed to be broadcast across a number of different platforms. He added: “I would say this journey started me for seven years ago when MTV stopped playing music and that had huge impact on the future of music. “The music started to become safe. We didn’t have the experience I had when I grew up, whether it be Led Zeppelin or Janice Joplin. There was no longer a platform for music artists to trust with their creativity.”

Jackie Stallone looks Amy Adams charmed like a ‘chipmunk’ he 91-year-old star - mother of screen icon Sylvester Stallone - has by Henry Cavill had countless surgical procedures over the years, and regrets Thow they have left her looking. When asked if she still has cos- metic surgery, she told website MailOnline: “I do and actually I’ve my Adams couldn’t stop “giggling” when she looked into Henry got too much, I look like I’ve got a mouth full of nuts, it’s [cosmetic Cavill’s eyes. The actress plays the hunky actor’s love interest Lois Lane filler] Juvederm , too much of it. I feel as though I look like a chip- Ain new Superman movie ‘Man of Steel’ and admits she couldn’t help munk.’ Explaining Juvederm, she added: “It plumps you up but it but succumb to his charm when they filmed romantic scenes together. She looks like you have a mouth full of walnuts. “I’ve had chemical peels, said: “He’s extremely charming and charismatic. It’s very easy to imagine him I’ve had three of those and about 50 injections.” However, Jackie is as Superman because of his look and his presence. “Whenever I looked into against Botox injections, fillers which reduce wrinkles but can leave his eyes, I started giggling because he has this effect on you. I think most the face looking stiff. She added: “No Botox, I don’t need that, what I women feel the same way about Henry. He’s dreamy!” However, away from want Botox wouldn’t help. I don’t have wrinkles in my forehead, I the film set, the 38-year-old star only has eyes for fiance Darren Le Gallo - genetically don’t have that, that’s something I can be thankful for.” with whom she has two-year-old daughter Aviana - who she credits for mak- Although she lives in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Monica, Jackie ing her feel “complete”. She gushed: “He’s enabled me to grow up and does not visit doctors in nearby Beverly Hills for her surgery, as she evolve into a much more mature and complete woman. I think he also doesn’t trust them. She added: “I’m all for everything to make you helped me become a better actress. When you find that kind of man, it eases look good - anything and everything. But most of the plastic surgery a lot of anxieties and you just enjoy the process of loving someone with all in Beverly Hills is rotten. I have seen on TV and in person the biggest your heart.” Before becom- hacks. I will go to other states. “Just because it’s Beverly Hills and ing a Hollywood star, Amy they do the stars, but do you see what the stars look like? They look admits she lacked self-con- like they’ve been struck by lightning don’t they?” Jackie is also fit fidence as a child and was and healthy, attending tap dancing classes, working with a personal “painfully awkward. She trainer and playing the piano every day, as she wants to set an added: “I was very homely example to other senior citizens. She said: “u have to be a role model and didn’t fit in at school. I for seniors. And actually I became a role model for the movie stars at always thought of myself 50, because what they dread more than anything is getting old and as painfully awkward. I shot. But I get more popular as I get older “I use a bag of spinach a wasn’t brimming with the day, every morning for breakfast I steam a bowl of it and boil an egg self-confidence you need on it. That’s the secret to my longevity.” to go on and become an actress.” Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Anthony Hopkins are a ʻmatch made in heavenʼ he 67-year-old actress starred alongside the 75-year-old actor in ‘Hitchcock’ - a biogra- phical film about the making of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ - and will be seen on screen Ttogether again in upcoming action sequel ‘RED 2’, which is about retired secret agents reunited for one more mission in which she plays a glamorous MI6 operative. Helen says Anthony is an inspiration on set and she is very proud of their work together. She told the new issue of Readers Digest magazine:”It’s a match made in heaven, if you ask me. Somehow we’ve always missed working together. And now I get to do two movies with him in one year. Completely coincidental. “The incredible thing about Anthony is that he’s still a real inspiration. “He puts all the height of his incredible expertise, ability, talent and professional- ism into anything and everything he does.” The Oscar-winning actress also revealed she is inspired by Gene Hackman, the retired American actor who won three Golden Globes and two BAFTAs in a career that spanned five decades. She added: “Gene Hackman is someone I really, really admire and he has the same quality. No matter the material, he gives it his high- est quality performance. That’s the kind of actor I want to be.” The full interview appears in July issue of Reader’s Digest, in shops June 25. —Bangshowbiz SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Harley-Davidson motorbikers parade celebrations for the 110th anniversary in Rome on June 15, 2013. — AFP photos

As boomers age, Harley hunts for younger riders arley-Davidson Inc doesn’t do much quietly. because by her calculation the average age of rid- least recently. Prior to 2009, Harley regularly report- has covered Harley-Davidson for a decade. She says Its motorcycles are notoriously noisy. Its slo- ers is still going up, not down. The company dis- ed data on average rider age. It stopped, it says, that until the company stopped routinely disclos- Hgans - “Screw It. Let’s Ride.” - are loud too. So putes her math but says even if she were correct, a because the number did not measure the outreach ing the number, average rider age was rising why was the Milwaukee company quiet last year new marketing focus means metrics like average effort - as much about winning over nonwhite, steadily at a rate of about 6 months every year when by its own numbers it successfully zoomed age are less important than in the past. Farley is non-male riders of all ages as about wooing the since at least 1999. In 2008, Harley-Davidson said past a demographic hazard analysts had fretted skeptical. Average age is important because “that’s young. Harley-Davidson also stopped talking about its average rider was 48 years old, up from 46.1 in about for years? Some background: In a recent ultimately the core customer,” she says. “That’s one its boomer problem, analysts say, because it didn’t 2004 and 43.4 in 1999, Farley says. Extrapolating interview, a top Harley-Davidson executive told of the reasons they don’t want to talk about it.” want to appear to be repudiating the generation from those figures, she believes the current aver- Reuters that in 2012, for the first time in years, the that still buys a lot of its bikes but now has a choice age rider is over 50 and, by definition, still a average buyer of the company’s bikes was not a Beyond the boomer that brung ya of several other brands with the “Made in the USA” boomer. After she published a note based on her baby boomer. Harley-Davidson has long known its reliance on cred vying for its dollars. calculations, she says a company “senior manager” For a brand defined by the emergence and, an overwhelmingly white, male and middle-aged Still, as the company’s annual shipments to called her to say she was mistaken - but that the lately, the aging of the post-World War II cohort of consumer base would ultimately challenge sales in dealers retreated from a record of 350,000 set real number was 49 years, 6 months - a boomer still consumers, that’s a big deal - proof the 110-year- North America, where it still earns two-thirds of its before the recession to the 259,000 to 264,000 and not the 47 Richer claims. old company is gaining traction with a new genera- revenue. So several CEOs ago, the company began bikes it expects to ship in 2013, investors worried Spokeswoman Maripat Blankenheim says the tion of riders. Yet its top global marketing guru, an effort to attract buyers born after 1964. An out- the outreach effort was not working and that unnamed executive misspoke because he did not Mark-Hans Richer, continues to insist it’s no biggie - reach program was launched to gain favor with Harley-Davidson’s demographic problem was get- refer to “the most recent and more accurate data- even though investors have long wondered how women and minorities; products were redesigned. ting worse. Not so, says Richer. In the interview base we are using.” Most analysts accept Harley- Harley would survive as boomers, who embraced Harley-Davidson regularly claims the effort has with Reuters, he said the company’s average buyer Davidson’s claims that the outreach is working. its bikes as totems of rebellion in the 1960s and been a success - and trots out supportive research is now 47 years old, one year younger than five Jamie Katz, an analyst at Morningstar, said that 1970s and drove its growth in the ensuing decades, from RL Polk, a leading provider of auto industry years ago, and holding steady. If true, that means while the company has “a long way to go” before it rode off into the sunset. data, which shows Harley has been the market that in 2012 the average Harley rider was born in gets back to the shipping rate it hit before the One top analyst, Robin Farley at UBS leader among riders ages 18 to 34, as well as 1965 - the first year of Generation X, according to recession, “What they’ve done on the outreach Investment Research, suggests the company’s muf- women, African-Americans and Hispanics, for five the Census Bureau’s definition. Given the demo- front is impressive. “Our biggest concern was that fled messaging reflects its desire to avoid having years running. graphic concerns, that’s huge. their core consumer - the old white man - was obvi- the accomplishment examined too closely. That’s But internal numbers have been hard to find, at Not everyone is buying it, including Farley, who ously decreasing in size.” —Reuters Famous Russian mime in uneasy circus challenge

orld-famous Russian mime Slava Polunin was fled the country. Today, the sign “Ciniselli Circus” just a few months into his appointment as adorns the ornate building, but inside it has lost much Whead of Russia’s oldest circus when an animal of its lustre. The circular audience stalls date from the rights scandal laid bare his uneasy challenge: to Soviet times, and their red fabric seats are faded and reform the stodgy venue without an ugly uproar. Now worn. the bushy white-haired Vyacheslav (Slava) Polunin Critics have disparaged the circus for its tired carefully chooses his words when asked whether the Soviet-era tricks and lack of vision. On its 135th Big Saint Petersburg Circus, also known as the anniversary show last year, guests watched as a man Fontanka Circus, will get rid of its many animal num- in a tailored suit tamed lions, acrobats soared to the bers and veer toward the more artful western style. tune of a Russian folk song, and poodles marched on “I want to keep the best there is in the circus. I hind paws in a single file - all staples of the Soviet don’t want to destroy anything,” said Polunin, who past. has spent many years in France, Britain, and Canada, In April Polunin staged a symbolic washing of the where he worked with the Cirque du Soleil before circus’ facade, which involved drummers, juggling This file photo shows renowned Russian mime accepting the ground-breaking invitation to head the artists, and clowns who frolicked in the soapy water. Slava Polunin speaking during an interview at his Fontanka Circus in January. The Fontanka-named for But days later, a scandal rocked the circus when office in the Big Saint Petersburg Circus in the the Saint Petersburg street where it is located dates footage made by the Vita animal rights group showed northwestern Russian city of St Petersburg. — AFP back to 1877. It was the first stationary circus in Russia, trainers beating a monkey and a kangaroo during misery of “circus animal prisoners” and make the insti- housed in a magnificent state-of-the-art building in a training. tution animal-free. Moscow’s renowned Durov circus, prime location of the historic imperial city. Though it was not clear when the incidents which has animal numbers, meanwhile has pleaded It was founded by Italian Gaetano Ciniselli, and his occurred, many celebrities including rock star Boris with Polunin to keep the decades-old Russian tradi- family ran the venue until the Bolshevik revolution. In Grebenshikov and arthouse film director Alexander tion of circus animals, arguing that “separate cases of 1919 the circus was nationalised and Ciniselli’s son Sokurov asked the famous clown in a letter to end the cruelty don’t reflect the entire picture”. —AFP SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 US circus boasts African-American roots, global cast

rowing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Makeba of 150 entertainers and backstage crew, not to Gabriel imagined living a life of Carnival mention a menagerie of elephants, tigers and Glimbo dancing. Running away with the cir- horses. cus never crossed her mind. “That was my dream, ‘It’s a fun life’ to be a dancer,” said the 31-year-old star of the While the 2,300-member audience at one UniverSoul circus who thinks nothing of bending recent Sunday show was predominantly African- over backwards to crawl under five rows of open American, drawn from Washington and its sprawl- flames 10 inches (25 centimeters) off the ground. ing suburbs, the cast was truly international. “It wasn’t to be with a circus. But it just so hap- Johannesburg native Daniel “Lucky” Malatsi, now pens that I’ve been with the circus for seven years, 24, was nine years old, playing the Victoria and and it is a pleasure. It’s really fun and enjoyable,” Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, when he joined she said. UniverSoul is among dozens of circuses UniverSoul. Today he’s one of the co-hosts as well that criss-cross the United States every summer, as a dancer and acrobat. sustaining a form of live entertainment that dates “When I first started off I was an acrobat and a back to the late 18th century. “If you live any- contortionist, and I’ve done numerous things ever where in the United States within 30 or 40 miles of since,” he said. “That’s one of the great things with any primary or secondary market, you will find a the UniverSoul circus. It taught me to evolve and circus,” circus historian Rodney Huey told AFP. The grandest and most historic is the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, the self- styled “greatest show on Earth,” while the Canadian-based Cirque de Soleil enjoys a strong following. UniverSoul is a smaller one-ring affair, but its heritage makes it unique. Founded in 1994 by pioneering rap concert producer Cedric An artist performs during a show. Walker, whose hip-hop tours helped to make Run- D.M.C. and Salt-n-Pepa household names, it is the ning away with the circus: “Get an education. Like Their crowd-pleasing signature stunt is a only modern circus with African-American roots. me, I had to finish my schooling even when I was “head-to-head” balancing act, with one sibling “It was an opportunity whose time had come,” on tour... Then if you have talent, come on and inverted atop the head of the other. Young veter- Walker told AFP outside the UniverSoul big top on join the circus.” Unmarried and childless, Gabriel ans of the European circus circuit, and award-win- a breezy plateau overlooking the Potomac River regards her troupe-whose Caribbean Carnival acts ners at festivals in Italy and Cuba, UniverSoul is the outside Washington, where the circus is perform- A vendor sells popcorn prior to a show of blend wildly colorful costumes with towering stilt duo’s introduction to life on the American road. “I ing this month. “There wasn’t a family attraction I the UniverSoul Circusat National Harbor, dancers and heart-stopping limbo feats-as her think we will have a long time to stay here,” said saw that reflected the urban lifestyle, the energy, Maryland. — AFP photos family for most of the year. Giang Quoc Nghiep in halting English, his smiling the music” of contemporary African-American cul- She makes limbo dancing sound so easy: “It’s brother nodding in agreement. “This is a good ture, he said. not always be one thing.” He travels with his wife, all in the pelvis area. You must have a strong country. Very nice. I like.” Walker considers circus “It was pretty exciting and a lot of people did a former circus showgirl, and their three-year-old pelvis, a good pair of knees, and you’re good to performers “the most under-rated artists in the turn on to the idea of an urban show that was son, who he proudly reveals is “on his way to go. It’s a piece of cake.” Born into a Vietnamese cir- world.” “They do a lot. They give a lot. The circus is kind of funky, that had the fashion and the style becoming an acrobat.” cus family, the muscular Giang Brothers-Quoc a reflection of life... I’ve been with a lot of singers and the cross-culture thing.” UniverSoul has two “It’s a fun life, traveling from city to city,” he Nghiep, 24, and Quoc Co, 29 — are hand-to-hand and rappers, but I’ve come to be very fond of units on the road hitting about 35 cities this year, said. “I have my family with me, so I have every- acrobats who studied circus arts in their native Ho these artists for what they’re made of and where with the one at National Harbor employing a cast thing I need.” His advice to those who relish run- Chi Minh City. they come from.” — AFP ‘Androgynous’ Swiss model, new catwalk star n a quiet Paris street, model Tamy looking for models with strong person- Glauser, with a shaven head since alities. And he attributes the current Ichopping off her “pretty” long locks interest in androgynous-looking mod- six years ago, offers an impromptu els to the skinny tailoring of French demonstration of two very different designer Hedi Slimane. catwalk techniques. First, her arms The Saint Laurent designer’s models swinging and body rocking slightly are famously on the thin side-even by from side to side, she strides along industry standards-and he is credited jauntily looking every inch the latest in with revolutionising menswear during skinny, edgy, male fashion. Then, with his stint at Dior from 2000 to 2007. “In nothing more than a haughty toss of the 1990s there was a common idea of her bare head, shoulders back, hips for- beauty but things have been changing ward, eyes smouldering, she is sudden- since Hedi Slimane went for super edgy ly feline and super-feminine. skinny boys. It changed something,” he At 28, Glauser would once have said. been regarded as past it by the model- “Then we got girls with these strong ling industry. But only a year after she features and everyone was tired of hav- left her job on the door of a Geneva ing this common idea of beauty-it goes nightclub, the Swiss model has a string File photo shows Swiss model Tamy Glauser posing in Paris. — AFP with stupidity-and so it was like ‘let’s of shows under her belt and a contract uniform of skinny jeans, vest top, boots self snapped up by Ford. get something a bit more special’. with top modelling agency Ford and woollen hat. “I think that right now Within months she was on the Paris “Now you can be super weird and look Models Europe. With her boyish looks, beauty is a lot to do with personality. I catwalks for top designers such as amazing in pictures so that’s why they Glauser is the latest recruit to a small think simply beautiful is still beautiful, Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul push on that to get more personality. group of female models who not only but it’s sort of boring,” she said. Gaultier and modelling men’s clothes “It’s a different time, but fashion is a cir- sport an androgynous look but have A year ago, Glauser, a former Swiss for Givenchy. “I don’t really know how cle (and) we’re going to come back to also found themselves in demand on national team swimmer, was preparing this all happened. But it (modelling the nineties for sure,” he added. For the men’s catwalk. to move to Berlin to give university one men’s clothes) was always my idea. It Glauser, who describes herself as a free Casey Legler, Saskia de Brauw, last go after dropping out twice. A made sense because the clothes that spirit who can’t stay in one place for Jenny Shimizu and Ashleigh Good are friend there, who worked as a booker I’m wearing are much more men’s fash- long, it is an opportunity to live a life among the models who have led the at an agency, suggested she do some ion,” she said. that suits her better than being an way in what Glauser says feels like a modelling to help pay the bills. Steeven Kanoo, Ford’s women’s undergraduate. “The fashion world is small “movement”. “I don’t think about However, when the agency sent out division director, says clients have very different, completely another androgyny,” she told AFP in an inter- her photograph, instead of a few part- moved away from strictly conventional planet but that’s why I feel so comfort- view in Paris dressed in her off-duty time assignments, Glauser found her- ideas of female beauty and are now able,” she added. — AFP SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 90s fashion darling Lacroix returns to Paris catwalk ne-time darling of the fashion world Christian Lacroix returns to the Paris catwalks next week Owith a tribute to late Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli, famed for her collaborations with Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau. Saint Laurent designer and cham- pion of the pencil-thin skinny suit Hedi Slimane, mean- while, will unveil his second menswear collection for the label following his grunge dominated debut. This photo shows The shows will be highlights of a nine-day fashion Chinese actress marathon that kicks off in Paris on Wednesday with five (left) Bai Bai He and days of spring/summer 2014 menswear collections fol- Chinese actor Peng lowed by four days of haute couture for winter 2014. Yu-yan speak at the Frenchman Lacroix, feted by fashion editors in the 1990s 2013 Chinese film after he created the first couture house to open in a quar- festival closing ter century in 1987, will present 15 reinterpretations of press conference in Schiaparelli designs for the relaunched couture house. Seoul. — AFP Schiaparelli, whose greatest rival was Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, famously collaborated with surrealist artist Dali on her 1937 Lobster Dress, a white silk evening dress on which Dali painted a lobster. In another collaboration, the Zombie racers: ‘World War Z’ pale blue Tears Dress, a Dali designed print created the illusion of torn flesh. The label, which closed in shows speedy undead 1954 after failing to adapt to post-war austerity, was offi- ooks like some (undead) body has think about it. Those games are all “When the feeding frenzy starts, it’s cially reopened in July 2012 been hitting the treadmill. The about hand-eye coordination and how almost like a shark that smells blood. In having been purchased in Lzombies in “World War Z” move quickly can you get them before they the moment they sense that there’s 2006 by Diego Della Valle, with Carl Lewis speed and a swarm-like get you. So the zombies have to keep something to attack, they will just go head of the Italian leather mentality inspired in part by rabid dogs, coming at you, crawling over the walls for it.” Pitt plays a former United goods company Tod’s. furthering the eternal fan debate over and across the ceiling,” he told Vanity Nations investigator searching for the Lacroix rode the wave of the whether the walking dead should actu- Fair in 2010. “I still don’t agree with it. If source of the worldwide plague that 1990s luxury spending boom ally run. Traditionalists - fans of George zombies are dead, how can they move turns people into athletically inclined with a string of exuberant, Romero’s 1968 horror classic “Night of fast? My guys don’t run. They never zombies that can scale walls and over- over-the-top creations that the Living Dead” - prefer their zombies have and they never will. They’re just take cities in minutes. Soldiers shoot dazzled the fashion world. slow and lumbering. But modern incar- lumbering oafs that are easy to dispose down some of the zombies, but without But he lost his his fashion nations of the undead are often more of unless you make a mistake. Those are a weapon, humans don’t stand much of house in December 2009 agile. the rules, and I’ll stick with what I’ve a fighting chance. when a Paris bankruptcy “Some people think slow-moving got.” “With fast-movers, you really lose the court approved a plan to end zombies aren’t that much of a threat, In the Brad Pitt thriller opening ability to strategize, both from an indi- production of the classic Christian Lacroix because they’re pretty easy to maneu- Friday, those infected with the zombie vidual perspective and an agency, law label’s haute couture and ver against,” said Roger Ma, author of virus move slowly until they detect enforcement or government perspec- ready-to-wear lines. The house had run up losses of 10 mil- “The Zombie Combat Manual: A Guide prey. Inspired by images of attack dogs tive,” said Ma, whose book deals with lion euros (about 15 million dollars) in 2008 after being hit to Fighting the Living Dead.” “I’m more and feeding insects, filmmakers said fighting zombies without guns. “You by the sharp downturn of the luxury market. a fan of the slow-moving genre, and they wanted to honor the zombie don’t have time to think. That’s the At next week’s men’s shows, Slimane’s latest collection that’s how I approach the strategy in genre, but also “try to do something most challenging thing with the fast will also be closely watched to see if he opts to stick with my book. Fast-moving zombies present new and different.” Director Marc movers.” But can devotees of traditional the grungy look also seen in his second Saint Laurent a whole new host of issues you have to Forster likens the movement of “World depictions of the undead appreciate women’s collection in March. The intense interest in the deal with.” War Z” zombies to “the way flocks of the sportier zombies of today? “It’s French designer’s work comes as men’s collections Films such as “Dawn of the Dead” birds or fish or ants move together.” always great to see zombies,” Ma said. become ever more important commercially. and “28 Days Later” have also shown “I thought it would be interesting to “As a fan, we’ll take whatever we can “Before men’s was in retreat (compared to women’s more lithe living dead. Romero blamed see these zombies, who have no intel- get. Fast moving, slow moving... as long wear) but today brands are making a lot of money thanks the shift to swift-footed undead on lect since they are the walking dead, as the story is good, there’s a place for to men’s,” said fashion consultant Jean-Jacques Picart. video games. “It makes sense if you react in this swarm mentality,” he said. both.” — AP “There is a growing interest,” added Gregoire Proffit, a buyer for French store Galeries Lafayette. New overseas markets “consume a lot of men’s fashion” and in France, the younger generation “want to be fashionable and do not want to miss out on a trend”, he said. Young people have closely followed rising designers such as Melinda Gloss, the label created in 2009 by two young Parisians, or Kenzo whose collection is designed by New Yorkers Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, he added. Other highlights of the week will include Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel couture show on July 2, 100 years after Gabrielle Chanel opened her first shop in Deauville in the summer of 1913. By contrast, Givenchy will be absent from the haute couture calendar for a second consecutive season. Designer Riccardo Tisci “has been working on numer- ous other projects”, said the house, citing notably his work on costumes for the ballet Bolero by Opera de Paris. “Riccardo is a perfectionist” and “would not present a col- lection that he was not satisfied with”, the house added. However, Dutch designers Viktor&Rolf will be represent- ed with a return to the couture shows after a more than This publicity image 10-year absence. And for those who dream of attending a released by couture show but don’t have an invitation, Frank Sorbier Paramount Pictures is putting around 100 tickets for its July 3 show on sale shows Brad Pitt in a with prices ranging from 43 to 8,000 euros ($56 to scene from “World $10,500). — AFP War Z.” — AP SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Artist Faith Ringgold talks about her artwork in front of her painting, “US Postage Stamp Commemorating the Advent of Black Power, 1967” during a preview of her exhibi- tion, American People, Black Light: Faith Ringgoldís Paintings of the 1960s at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington. (Right) Faith Ringgold’s painting, “The Flag is Bleeding,” is one of her works on display. — AP Revival of paintings on display at women’s museum earing gold-sequined Uggs, a bright Panthers and the 1971 Attica prison riot. The former University of California and New recalled. “I had seen blood in the street. I had smile and flawless brown skin that “I’m very happy and very pleased that this York public school educator said some cultural seen the effects of some riots and so on. But Wbelies her 82 years, Faith Ringgold work is getting another chance to be seen and topics - like race and gender inequality - often they were not in the newspapers, they were explains her “confrontational art” - vivid paint- heard and that the American people are get- resurface in cycles. “A lot of these issues have not pictured. They were not in news photo- ings whose themes of race, gender, class and ting another chance to take a look at them- still not been addressed,” she said. “This is typi- graphs - the blood part - and I wanted to bring civil rights were so intense that for years, no selves,” Ringgold said in an interview. “Most of cal, kind of - when there is a problem - the that out.” one would buy them. “I didn’t want people to that work I still own because people just didn’t group that has the issue rises to the occasion The other series in the exhibit, “Black Light,” be able to look, and look away, because a lot of want to look at it. They didn’t want to see it.” and speaks out and there are some parts that further explores race, even celebrating the people do that with art,” Ringgold said. “I want Some works from the “American People” series are addressed and then when you look around, beauty of blacks, and incorporates texts in some them to look and see. I want to grab their eyes were first shown at New York’s Spectrum we’re right back where we started. Throughout artwork. Ringgold said it shows the “the dark- and hold them, because this is America.” Gallery in 1967. Those and other paintings re- the history of the United States, this has been ened skin tones of black people and the magical Look away they did. And they walked away. emerged beginning in 2010 at the Neuberger what has happened.” ways in which black is presented in art.” So Ringgold tucked the paintings out of public Museum of Art in Purchase, NY, then at Paintings from the “American People” series These paintings include “Big Black” with an view, where they stayed for more than 40 Spelman College Museum of Fine Art in are vibrant and colorful, drawing influences abstract face similar to an African mask and years. Now, Ringgold’s early works are enjoying Atlanta and the Miami Art Museum before from pop art and traditional African artwork, “Party Time,” a split-screen ode to black dance a revival. They go on display Friday in a new making their way to the women’s museum. and depicting a variety of races - along with and culture. She urges viewers to look and see, exhibit in the nation’s capital. “American A Harlem native best known for reviving the how they interact with each other in many of enjoy and pass it on. “What I wanted, what I People, Black Light: Faith Ringgold’s Paintings popularity of African-American story quilts 30 the pieces. Ringgold’s mural “The Flag is was trying to do there, was trying to tell my of the 1960s,” is on display at the National years ago, Ringgold said she created the paint- Bleeding” depicts a white man, white woman story,” she said. “As an artist, the time, the Museum of Women in the Arts until Nov 10. ings in response to the civil rights and feminist and black man linking arms and standing place, the identity of the artist is exceedingly The exhibit includes 49 paintings from her movements. Ringgold was actively involved in before an American flag splattered with blood, important and I was trying to put that all in “American People” and “Black Light” series of both; she championed displaying artwork by because of race riots common during that focus.” Ringgold, who has illustrated and writ- the 1960s and 1970s, along with earlier works blacks and women, and protested outside the time. “When I started painting this blood, I just ten an autobiography and 15 children’s books, and political posters created for activist Angela Whitney Museum and Museum of Modern Art felt like ‘Oh, my God,’ this blood, it just gave is completing “Harlem Renaissance Party” to be Davis and for efforts in support of the Black in New York in the 1960s and ‘70s. such an eerie kind of feeling,” Ringgold published by Harper Collins next year. — AP Lebanon’s Baalbek festival to change venue ebanon’s world famous Baalbek an offshoot of Shiite Islam. International Festival is looking to move In addition to the rockets fired from Syria, the Laway from the ancient city with its Roman eastern Bekaa Valley, where Baalbek is located, ruins because of spillover violence from Syria’s has also seen rising tensions between rival local civil war, an official said yesterday. The change groups. Yesterday, Lebanese troops opened the of venue from Baalbek, where the annual music Beirut-Baalbek highway a day after it was closed festival is usually held under the towering by anti-Assad Lebanese. They were protesting a columns of the Roman Temple of Jupiter, is the closure by Shiite gunmen of a road leading to latest fallout from Syria’s civil war, which is the eastern town of Arsal. An ambush near increasingly drawing Lebanon in. This month a Baalbek killed four Lebanese Shiite Muslims last barrage of 18 rockets and mortar rounds fired Sunday, and some locals blamed residents of from Syria hit Baalbek, about 15 kilometers (10 Arsal. “The situation in Baalbek does not permit miles) from the Syrian border. holding the festival, and we are now looking for Lebanon and Syria share a complex web of a new venue,” an official with the Baalbek political and sectarian ties and rivalries that are International Festival told The Associated Press easily enflamed. Lebanon has been on edge on condition of anonymity because the person since the uprising in Syria against President was not authorized to speak to reporters. “Until Bashar Assad erupted in March 2011. Lebanon’s now there is no cancelation of the festival,” the Sunni Muslims mostly back the overwhelmingly official said, insisting that participants said they This photo shows Jan Steen’s painting “As the Old Sing, So Twitter the Young” on display Sunni Syrian rebels, while many Shiites support would go to any other venue in Lebanon for the in the “Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis” exhibit during a Assad, a member of Syria’s minority Alawite sect, festival. —AP media preview at the museum in Atlanta. — AP SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Olive Garden luring diners with cheaper prices f the free breadsticks and unlimited soup and salad aren’t enough, Olive Garden is Ihitting the gas on other promotions to get customers through its doors. Darden Restaurants Inc, which has been struggling to hold onto customers in recent years, said deal offers like “2 for $25” dinner special helped Jennifer Lopez drive up customer traffic at its flagship Olive poses with her Garden and Red Lobster chains in the latest new star on the quarter. The company said it will keep stress- Hollywood Walk ing the affordability of its food in the year of Fame on ahead to attract more diners. Thursday, June The strategy raises concerns among some 20, 2013 in Los investors, who worry that it’s a short-term fix Angeles. that only hurts profit margins. But in a call — AP photos with analysts, CEO Clarence Otis said that boosting customer traffic is a priority for the company, even if it means sacrificing profit Jennifer Lopez tears margins for a time. “We need to do what we need to do,” Otis said. Darden’s struggles to hold onto customers partly reflect the shifting restaurant industry. up over Hollywood star Casual dining chains were hit hard by the eco- nomic downturn, which made people more careful about eating out. Competitors like enny from the Block” has a spot on the you’ve been fighting and getting it,” she said. “It’s a Applebee’s, which is owned by DineEquity most famous block of all - the Hollywood real kind of landmark day for me and I am just glad Inc., responded by rolling out a “2 for $20” “JWalk of Fame. Jennifer Lopez received the my family was here to share it with me.” deal during the depths of the recession. But 2,500th star Thursday surrounded by her boyfriend Just don’t ask Max and Emme what the fuss was Darden has conceded that it was slow in Casper Smart, her 5-year-old twins Max and Emme, all about. “I just told them, ‘Mommy is getting a star emphasizing value. Since 2008, its customer and friends including Jane Fonda, Keenen Ivory today,’” said Lopez. “They don’t really know what traffic is down about 8 percent. Wayans and “Selena” director Gregory Nava. “I cried that means but they were great.” A committee At the same time, casual dining chains are like almost 15 thousand times,” she said afterward. selects celebrities eligible for a star and those who also contending with changing eating habits. “It was so crazy. But I kept promising everybody I accept pay $30,000 in costs and fees. “For a roman- So in addition to underscoring value, Darden wasn’t going to cry and they were like, ‘Cry!’ ‘You’re tic like me, it’s forever and I believe in that. I believe is also trying to update its menu choices to not helping!’ But it was an amazing moment.” in forever. It’s a good day,” Lopez said. — AP better reflect the type of food people want. Lopez relished the chance to “kind of walk down Last year, for example, it began adding lighter memory lane” with Wayans - “he’s the reason I dishes to the Olive Garden menu. The compa- moved to Los Angeles because I got that job as a fly ny said they’re already capturing about 10 girl” - and Nava, who put her in her first movie. “You Jennifer Lopez (left) percent of orders and that it plans to add realize you’ve been at this for a long time and and Beau “Casper” Smart. more such options going forward. For the quarter, Darden said net income fell 12 percent on rising costs and expenses. It earned $133.2 million, or $1.01 per share, compared with $151.2 million, or $1.15 per Depardieu fined, has license suspended over drink-driving share, a year ago. Removing costs and pur- court yesterday ordered eccentric French actor Gerard Depardieu said he was disappointed by the ruling, after arguing in court that his chase accounting adjustments tied to its to pay a 4,000 euro ($5,290) fine and suspended his driver’s licence client had only drunk a few glasses of champagne several hours before acquisition of Yard House USA Inc, earnings Afor six months for driving his scooter in Paris while drunk. The 64- driving. “I will inform Gerard Depardieu of the ruling in the coming hours were $1.02 per share, 2 cents shy of Wall year-old star, who has made headlines in recent months with erratic and will see him next week in Moscow, where he is shooting a film,” Street estimates. behaviour and a tax feud with French authorities, was arrested in Caumont told reporters. He said a decision had not yet been made on Revenue climbed 11 percent to $2.3 bil- November after falling off his scooter while more than three times over whether to appeal the ruling. lion, topping the $2.27 billion Wall Street the legal alcohol limit. He was sentenced in absentia after repeatedly Prosecutors had told the court that a “strong smell of alcohol” had expected. Comparable sales at its Olive skipping court appearances. come from the actor when police arrived at the scene after he fell off the Garden, Red Lobster and LongHorn Depardieu has in recent weeks been filming a movie in Russia. He scooter. He initially refused to take an alcohol test, telling officers that he Steakhouse restaurants rose 2.2 percent, faced a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison, though prose- had been drinking. Hailed as one of the greatest actors of his generation, helped by an uptick in customer traffic. Sales cutors had not called for jail time. The actor’s lawyer Eric de Caumont Depardieu starred in films including “Green Card”, “Cyrano de Bergerac”, at The Capital Grille locations open at least a “Jean de Florette” and the “Asterix & Obelix” series. He also owns a num- year rose 4.5 percent. The metric climbed 4.3 ber of businesses including vineyards. percent at Eddie V’s and 1 percent at Seasons But in recent years he has become as famed for his off-screen behav- 52. These restaurants are part of Darden’s iour as for his acting talents. The star announced in November he was specialty restaurant group. moving abroad after President Francois Hollande’s Socialist government For the year, Darden earned $411.9 million sought to impose a 75 percent tax rate on annual incomes over one mil- or $3.13 per share. Adjusted earnings were lion euros. He took up residency in Belgium and was granted Russian citi- $3.22 per share. Annual revenue increased 7 zenship by President Vladimir Putin. The decision sparked controversy, percent to $8.55 billion. as have his friendships with Putin and Chechnya’s strongman leader Darden said that it expects fiscal 2014 Ramzan Kadyrov. Depardieu recently told a French newspaper he con- adjusted earnings per share to be up sidered himself a “citizen of the world” and said he was also applying for between 4 percent and 6 percent. Revenue is an Algerian passport. He said he hoped eventually to have citizenship in anticipated to climb 6 percent to 8 percent, seven countries. In August, he was cautioned after punching a motorist including an additional quarter of sales from who had forced him to swerve on his scooter, and in 2011 he generated Yard House. That implies earnings of $3.35 to global headlines when he tried to urinate in a bottle aboard a plane as it $3.41 per share on revenue of $9.06 billion to prepared to take off from Paris for Dublin. In the interview with Le $9.23 billion. Wall Street had been looking for Journal du Dimanche earlier this month, Depardieu described himself as earnings of $3.19 per share on revenue of A picture shows French actor Gerard Depardieu on his scooter “someone who is a bit of a rebel, who shakes things up and who is some- $8.52 billion. — AP leaving his mansion. — AFP times drunk.” — AFP SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Islamic Fashion Festival

Models present creations designed by various designers at the Islamic Fashion Festival in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia yesterday. — AFP/AP Technology

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

France threatens Gamer outrage prompts Google with Xbox One policy changes privacy fines SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft handed PARIS: France is giving Google three months to be more gamers a victory Wednesday by back- upfront about the data it collects from users - or be fined. ing off plans for new-generation Xbox Other European countries aren’t far behind. Now it’s up to One consoles to require Internet con- Google to decide whether the relatively small fines are nections and put restrictions on playing enough of an incentive to rethink its privacy rules - the second-hand game disks. Microsoft Internet giant risks a euro 300,000 euro ($402,180) penalty in interactive entertainment business France. Europe’s a big market, but one where Google has no president Don Mattrick announced in a serious competition. However, the company does have a rep- blog post that the US technology titan utation problem when it comes to protecting user privacy. was surrendering in the face of outrage Thursday’s legal action puts new pressure on Google, which is by gamers in the wake of last week’s smarting from criticism over providing customer data to the premier E3 videogame expo. “The abili- US government as part of its fight against foreign terrorists. ty to lend, share and resell these games The French agency that regulates information technology at your discretion is of incredible impor- says that five other European countries are taking similar steps tance to you,” Mattrick said in a mes- in a staggered offensive against Google’s privacy policy sage to gamers. between now and the end of July. It says Google largely “Also important to you is the free- ignored earlier recommendations from European regulators. dom to play offline, for any length of The French National Commission on Computing and time, anywhere in the world.” He prom- Freedom, known as CNIL, says Spain joined France in the first ised Xbox One will now let people “play, LOS ANGELES: Attendees play Project Spark for Xbox One on the final day of wave of legal action Thursday, and that Britain, Germany, Italy share, lend and resell” game disks the the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo. — AFP same way they can on current-genera- and the Netherlands will join in the coming weeks. The legal Both titans showcased blockbuster ads stressing the ease with which used tion Xbox 360 consoles. Xbox One con- action accelerates a long-running European fight against games, but Sony triggered unbridled games could be played on PS4 consoles. soles will only need to connect to the Google over privacy, which is more rigorously protected in cheers with assurances it would not “When a player buys a PS4 disk, they many European countries than in Google’s homeland, the Internet once, to set up systems, and interfere with sales of used titles or have the right to use that game, trade it United States. A spokesman for Google said Thursday that it users will then be free to play games require Internet connections for play. in, lend it to a friend or keep it forever,” believes its privacy practices respect European laws. offline. The points were in sharp contrast to Sony Computer Entertainment of “We have engaged fully with the authorities involved “There is no 24-hour connection Microsoft, which said at E3 that Xbox America chief Jack Tretton said at the throughout this process, and we’ll continue to do so going requirement and you can take your One consoles would need to check in company’s E3 press event. Sony and forward,” said Al Verney. Paris’ formal warning gives the com- Xbox One anywhere you want and play online once every 24 hours for games to Microsoft both plan to release their new pany three months to make changes to its privacy practices. your games, just like on Xbox 360,” work, and set conditions on used videogame consoles in time for the They include specifying to users what it is using personal data Mattrick said. Sony’s new-generation games. year-end holiday shopping season. for, and how long it’s held. Regulators also want Google to let PlayStation 4 console scored an open- Sony also priced PS4 at $399, com- Microsoft has sold some 77 million Xbox users opt out of having their data centralized - for example, ing skirmish triumph over Microsoft’s pared to the $499 Microsoft said it will 360 consoles since they hit the market in when data from online searches, Gmail and YouTube are Xbox One last week at E3. Sony and charge for Xbox One consoles when late 2005. Console rival Sony has sold crunched into a single location. Microsoft each hosted distinct private they are released in the US and Europe about the same number of PlayStation 3 If not, Google risks a fine of up to 300,000 euros by events to spotlight their new champi- in November. consoles, which was introduced a year France, which could eventually mean millions of euros in ons in long-running console wars. Sony built on its E3 momentum with later. — AFP penalties across all six countries. By comparison, Google’s revenues were $14 billion in the first quarter of this year, much of that from advertising - which is boosted by the Instagram video is one Internet giant’s ability to target users based on what they read, watch and buy online. In Britain, the Information Commissioner’s Office said its savvy move by Facebook investigation into whether Google’s privacy policy complies with UK law is still underway and it will soon contact Google about its preliminary findings. Spain’s data protection agency NEW YORK: If you think Instagram snapshots One of my biggest complaints with Vine did not have immediate comment on the French statement. of lunch plates, drooling babies and random is that many of the videos I took using the The Dutch privacy watchdog, the College for the Protection of desk objects are exciting, just wait until your app are shaky. You try running after friends Personal Data, said it is investigating Google’s “privacy condi- friends start posting 15-second videos. You in the alleyways of Venice while shooting a tions” but spokeswoman Lysette Rutgers declined further won’t have to wait long. On Thursday, video of the scenery with your phone. Shaky. comment while the investigation is ongoing. Facebook’s popular Instagram photo-sharing To address problems like this, Instagram has app added a video feature. Much like its added a “cinema” feature that stabilizes the France’s data protection agency led a European investiga- competitor Vine, which is owned by Twitter, videos. Unfortunately for me and my cracked tion last year into Google’s privacy policy. Instagram now lets you record and share iPhone 4, it only works on the iPhone 4S or “French law demands that when you’re collecting informa- short videos using a few taps of a finger on a higher, and it’s not yet available on Android. I tion about someone, you need to collect it for a precise rea- mobile device. should probably get a new phone. son,” said CNIL president Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin. She said Most people don’t do this. Vine has just As for speed, videos my friends posted on the outcry about the role of Google and other online players 13 million users (one-tenth of Instagram’s Instagram loaded fairly quickly, though not in government surveillance illustrates that users want trans- user base), and no other video-sharing apps as fast as photos. Sometimes they wouldn’t parency about where their data goes. Google’s image has suf- have attracted mass appeal. Part of the rea- play, possibly due to a less-than-ideal con- fered since it was identified this month as one of nine US son: technical limitations. Instagram co- nection in our office. A small video camera Internet companies that gave the National Security Agency founder Kevin Systrom said during the ser- icon differentiates the videos from photos on access to data on its customers, as part of the agency’s efforts vice’s unveiling that the video feature was Instagram. You can view a video by tapping to track foreign threats to U.S. national security. Revelations initially left out of Instagram because the MENLO PARK: Instagram’s new video its icon. The problem is that tapping is also a about the program, known as PRISM, by a former NSA con- “speed, simplicity and beauty” the creators feature is demonstrated at Facebook shortcut for “liking” a video or photo. This is tractor has opened a debate about the privacy of Americans’ strived for in the app “were definitely possi- headquarters in Menlo Park, how I “liked” one of my own boring videos communications. ble with photos - but it was really hard for California. — AP and how a coworker “liked” another unde- In the European privacy dispute, Nick Pickles of Britain- video.” It’s easier now. Internet connections serving video by a former high school class- based watchdog Big Brother Watch said, “There’s a real worry have become faster and mobile phones are things on my desk was better received by my mate. And still, they wouldn’t play. that (the European fines) won’t be a particularly strong deter- snappier and equipped with better cameras. friends on Instagram. And that’s probably just as well. Systrom’s rent, that Google may see it as a price of doing business.” And as Systrom promised, Instagram’s video The videos don’t have to be shot in one third aspiration, beauty, is harder to gauge. feature is certainly simple. Download the lat- Since it’s only been a few hours since video’s “People shouldn’t be able to ignore people’s rights and the take. Lift your finger and the recording stops est version on your iPhone or Android until you tap the icon again. Writing about launch on Instagram, I’m withholding judg- law, make huge profits and then continue acting as if nothing device. Open it and tap the camera icon on the feature is actually more complicated ment. Hopefully my friends will take the was amiss,” he said. the bottom of the screen. This will take you than using it. The finger-tap recording fea- same sort of care and artistic curation with Pickles noted that many European countries are limited by to a new screen with a video camera icon. ture that Vine fans are familiar with works their videos as they do with their snapshots - laws on data protection that date from before Google was Another tap and you’re ready to go. well with Instagram, especially for patient which, of course, means I can expect tons of even born 15 years ago. EU Justice Commissioner Viviane You can record whatever your little heart videographers. Tap-stop-tap your way videos of babies crawling, dinner dishes Reding proposed last year that the maximum penalties for pri- desires. I opted for a shaky panorama of the through recording a puppet show or a piece waiting to be eaten, cocktails getting shaken, vacy matters be raised from the current ?600,000 to 2 percent newsroom with close-ups on coworkers’ of cake being eaten and you’ll have yourself bunnies munching on parsley and waves of a company’s global sales. —AP faces, which I deleted. Another video featur- a 15-second stop-motion animation clip - or crashing on the beaches of Greece. Actually ing different types of hot sauce and other shorter if you wish. that doesn’t sound so bad. —AP Technology

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Review: Google Reader’s end hatches better service NEW YORK: On July 1, we say goodbye to easy. Most other services require you to cre- or two of each item. You can click on any Many websites let you easily add their Google Reader, a handy tool for bringing ate a data file of those feeds using a Google item for more. You can also share the item feeds by clicking on a button. Reader is usu- headlines and articles from your favorite tool called Takeout. It’s fairly straightforward, on a number of social networking sites. That ally among the options, but Feedly isn’t yet. websites into a single place.With Reader, I’ve but you then have to save the file to your freedom isn’t available on Reader, which Instead, you must copy and paste the Web been able to see at a glance all the updates computer and import that to the service. In confines sharing to Google’s own Plus serv- address for the feed into Feedly. But Feedly from various news services, blogs and com- one case, only one of the more than 150 ice. My four main complaints with Feedly: is better than Reader at suggesting feeds to pany websites I follow. Although many of feeds survived the transfer because of some You can save a link to read later, but it would add, if you don’t have specific ones in mind these items relate to work, I have added a glitch. With Feedly, you can skip that step. have been better had Feedly fetched those for a given topic. few fun topics, too, including news on Simply log in with your Google account, and items as well so you can read them offline. I did try one other service that makes it as Antarctica and a daily dose of passive aggres- all that gets done automatically. There’s also Although the service lets you email items easy as Feedly to transfer feeds from Reader sive notes that people send each other. no need to create and remember a separate to others, you have to go through stand- and discover new ones. But that service, I have spent a lot of time curating Reader, called Pulse, does require you to set up a so I’m not keen on seeing it die. Fortunately, separate Pulse account or use Facebook’s - there’s an afterlife. Google has made it easy not Google’s. If you can get past that added to move your list of sites you follow, known hassle, Pulse does the rest of the work for as feeds, to another service. And many of you once you log in to your Google account. those rival services have made it easy to There’s no Google data file to create, save accept those feeds, especially after Google and import. said in March that it would retire Reader. Unfortunately, articles are presented as Reader’s demise comes as little surprise. tiles, similar to what you see in Microsoft’s Google says usage has declined since Reader oft-criticized Windows 8 operating system. made its debut in 2005. RSS feeds - for really That works fine when you’re choosing apps simple syndication - used to be a popular on a tablet computer. On desktop and lap- way to keep track of multiple websites with- top computers, I find a list much easier to out having to visit each and every one. read and scroll through. I had a backlog of Content comes to you, through readers such more than 20,000 articles, and I wasn’t about as Google Reader. More recently, though, to click on 20,000 squares. There are dozens Twitter and Facebook have performed a sim- of other services I didn’t get a chance to try. ilar role in discovering content. I myself have Some of them are more geared toward logged on to Reader less frequently because mobile devices. Others are still in develop- keeping up with more than 150 feeds from ment. For example, a popular site called dozens of sites became overwhelming. Digg promises one on June 26, just five days Yet I still check it now and then for a before Reader’s cutoff. glimpse of what’s out there. As July 1 Feedly account. You use your Google cre- alone software such as Outlook, which is I’m sure there’s one out there that approached, I looked at a half-dozen alterna- dentials each time you’re back. often tied to your work account. By contrast, matches or exceeds what Feedly offers, but tive services. All of them are free, like Reader. On Reader, I have my feeds organized by Reader lets you email over the Web using I saw no need to look further. Feedly has It didn’t take long to find one that exceeds category into folders. Those categories Google’s own Gmail service. With Reader, tripled its user base to 12 million since what Reader offers in many ways, though a remain intact on Feedly, though they appear items are automatically marked as read as I Google announced Reader’s retirement. few omissions will leave me missing alphabetical rather than topical, as I had scroll down, so that they won’t reappear the The growth has given Feedly incentive to Google’s offering. The service that stands arranged them on Reader. It isn’t too difficult next time. Feedly does that, too, in a non- work on new features. Feedly has also out is Feedly. An update available to reorder them. Feedly excels in highlight- default layout that most resembles Reader’s. designed the system so that outside devel- Wednesday allows Feedly to run on just ing the most popular items from all your That part is good. But while Feedly offers opers can build apps for it. You can use one about any major Web browser. The service feeds, based on sharing and other interac- additional layout options, it doesn’t take full to run Feedly on BlackBerry phones, for also is available through apps on the iPhone, tions on Feedly and elsewhere. Simply visit a advantage of its greater breadth. It would instance. Feedly isn’t perfect, but switching the iPad and Android devices. page called “Today.” Under the default lay- have been nice to have auto-marking when to it will make Reader’s demise easier to Transferring your feeds from Reader is out, you see headlines and the first sentence scrolling in those layouts as well. accept. — AP

Apple, US govt spar in Apple’s first computer antitrust trial finale NEW YORK: Apple on Thursday dismissed allegations it con- valued at $500,000 spired to raise the price of e-books and said the US government’s antitrust case against it would deter new entrants to concentrat- ed markets. The two sides delivered closing arguments at the NEW YORK: It’s the kind of electronic junk three-week trial, which has shed an uncomfortable light on the that piles up in basements and garages - an technology icon and the clubby world of high-stakes publishing. old computer motherboard with wires stick- A decision is expected in the next couple of months. ing out. But because it was designed by two “The issue in this case is collusion,” said Mark Ryan, a Justice college dropouts named Steve Jobs and Department attorney who outlined the government’s case that Steve Wozniak, it could be worth more than Apple conspired with publishers to hike prices, costing con- sumers hundreds of millions of dollars. The trial focused on a six- half a million dollars. An Apple 1 from 1976, week period in late 2009 and early 2010 during which Apple one of the first Apple computers ever built negotiated contracts with publishers ahead of its iPad launch and forerunner of today’s MacBooks, IPads and proposed a new and more profitable business model. and IPhones, goes on the auction block at At the time, publishers were furious at the state of the market Christie’s next week. The bidding starts at dominated by Amazon, which sold most bestsellers for just $300,000. $9.99. Amazon held “wholesale” contracts with publishers in “This is a piece of history that made a dif- which it set prices. Apple’s contracts shifted to an “agency” mod- ference in the world; it’s where the comput- el where publishers set the price in exchange for a 30 percent er revolution started,” said Ted Perry, a commission to Apple. retired school psychologist who owns the Prior to Apple’s entry, the publishers — all of whom have set- old Apple and has kept it stashed away in a tled in the case-would complain about Amazon’s $9.99 price at cardboard box at his home outside private dinners in fancy New York restaurants, but each feared Sacramento, California. The green piece of taking on the Internet giant alone. Apple and the publishers agreed on contracts that let publishers set the price of most best- plastic covered with a copper-colored This undated photo provided by Christie’s Auction House shows an “Apple 1” sellers at $12.99 or $14.99, but Apple won a provision that labyrinth of memory chips was one of the prototype computer, built in 1976, accompanied by an operation manual and allowed it to match the prices of Amazon or any other retailer. first 25 such computer elements, and sold schematic as well as a photo of its inventors, Steve Wozniak (left) and Steve As Apple was finalizing its deals, publishers successfully pres- for $666.66. About 200 were made but most Jobs. — AP sured Amazon to accept the agency model and higher prices. have disappeared or been discarded. Several publishers threatened to withhold e-books from Amazon Various estimates put the number known to mystique attached to this entrepreneur who one last year for $374,500. “This is the seed if it did not go along. Ryan pointed to testimony from Apple sen- still exist from about 30 to 50. They came joined forces with Wozniak to build com- from which the entire orchard grew, and ior vice president Eddy Cue in which he said he knew the pub- with eight kilobytes of memory - a million puter prototypes in a California garage. without this, there would be no Apple,” said lishers wanted to raise prices. Cue admitted his contracts gave times less than the average computer Another Apple 1 was sold last month for Stephen A. Edwards, professor of computer publishers the ability to raise prices and said he provided reassur- today. Vintage Apple products have a record $671,400 by a German auction science at Columbia University. “I’ve been ances about potential Amazon retribution, telling each publisher become an especially hot item since Jobs’ house, breaking a previous record of shocked auction prices got into the six dig- it would not be alone in signing with Apple. —AFP death in October 2011, surrounding the $640,000 set in November. Sotheby’s sold its. The market has just gone crazy.” —AP TV listings SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 16:30 All Of Us 08:20 Gravity Falls 01:50 Emperor’s New School 16:20 Charly’s Cake Angels 18:00 C.S.I. 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:45 Good Luck Charlie 02:15 Replacements 16:50 Charly’s Cake Angels 19:00 Body Of Proof 18:00 Wilfred 09:05 Shake It Up 02:35 Replacements 17:20 Staten Island Cakes 21:00 White Collar 18:30 Happy Endings 09:30 Jessie 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:10 Life On A Wire 22:00 Top Gear (US) 19:00 The Neighbors 09:55 Austin And Ally 18:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 15:05 Life On A Wire 23:00 Greek 19:30 2 Broke Girls 10:15 A.N.T Farm 19:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:00 Life On A Wire 00:00 Glee 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay 10:40 Code: 9 19:30 Food Wars 16:55 Life On A Wire Leno 11:05 High School Musical 19:55 Food Wars 17:50 Overhaulin’ 2012 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 12:35 Code: 9 14:05 Keeping Up With The 20:20 Food Wars 18:45 Gold Divers Stewart 13:00 Gravity Falls Kardashians 20:45 Food Wars 19:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 21:10 Chopped 03:00 Wilfred 21:30 The Colbert Report 13:25 Jessie 15:00 Keeping Up With The 20:35 Sons Of Guns 22:00 Iron Chef America 03:30 Friends 22:00 Veep 13:45 A.N.T. Farm Kardashians 21:30 Storage Hunters 22:50 Iron Chef America 04:00 Seinfeld 22:30 Veep 14:10 High School Musical 2 16:00 THS 21:55 Storage Hunters 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay 23:00 The Ricky Gervais Show 15:50 Shake It Up 17:00 Fashion Police 22:25 Storage Hunters 00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Leno 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 16:10 Gravity Falls 18:00 E! News 22:50 Storage Hunters 00:30 Food Wars 05:30 Two And A Half Men 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 16:35 A.N.T. Farm 19:00 Chasing The Saturdays 23:20 Storage Hunters 00:55 Food Wars 06:00 All Of Us Stewart 17:00 High School Musical 3: Senior 19:30 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 23:45 Inside The Gangsters’ Code 01:20 Unwrapped 06:30 Til Death 01:00 The Colbert Report Year 20:30 Married To Jonas 00:40 I Escaped: Real Prison Breaks 01:45 Iron Chef America 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 01:30 Veep 18:45 Prankstars 21:00 Married To Jonas 01:10 I Escaped: Real Prison Breaks 08:00 Seinfeld 02:00 Veep 18:55 Gravity Falls 21:30 What Would Ryan Lochte Do? 01:35 Ultimate Cops 08:30 Two And A Half Men 02:30 The Ricky Gervais Show 19:20 Good Luck Charlie 22:00 What Would Ryan Lochte Do? 09:00 Wilfred 19:40 Jessie 22:30 Playing With Fire 20:05 Shake It Up 23:30 Chelsea Lately 09:30 Go On 04:30 Snowmen-PG 20:30 Austin And Ally 00:00 Chelsea Lately 10:00 2 Broke Girls 06:00 Muhammad And Larry-PG15 20:50 A.N.T. Farm 00:30 Scouted 10:30 Til Death 07:00 Jumping The Broom-PG15 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay 21:15 That’s So Raven 01:25 THS 14:20 Hero Factor 21:40 Good Luck Charlie 09:00 Black Forest-PG15 14:50 I Shouldn’t Be Alive... Leno 10:30 Frankenweenie-PG 12:00 All Of Us 22:00 Shake It Up 15:45 Combat Countdown 05:15 Brandy & Mr Whiskers 12:00 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva 12:30 Seinfeld 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 16:40 The Kennedy Detail 05:35 Brandy & Mr Whiskers LA Fiesta!-PG 13:00 Two And A Half Men 22:50 Austin And Ally 17:35 Becoming Barack 06:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 14:00 Saving Grace B. Jones-PG15 13:30 Til Death 23:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place 18:25 The Real Inglorious Bastards 06:25 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 03:05 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 16:00 Black Forest-PG15 14:00 Friends 23:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 19:20 American Car Prospector 06:35 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 03:55 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 18:00 Wrath Of The Titans-PG15 14:30 2 Broke Girls 00:00 Stitch 20:10 Delta Divers 06:45 Suite Life On Deck 04:45 Perfect Day 20:00 Now Is Good-PG15 15:00 Go On 00:20 Stitch 21:05 Empire 07:10 A.N.T. Farm 05:10 Food & Drink 22:00 The Woman In Black-PG15 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 00:45 A Kind Of Magic 22:00 Combat Countdown 07:35 Jessie 05:40 The Roux Legacy 00:00 Wuthering Heights-18 Stewart 01:05 A Kind Of Magic 22:55 American Car Prospector 07:55 That’s So Raven 06:10 Planet Cake 02:15 Black Forest-PG15 16:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Emperor’s New School 23:50 The Real Inglorious Bastards 06:35 The Good Cook 00:45 Death Machines 07:00 Food Poker 01:35 Death Machines 10:45 Planet Cake 11:10 The Good Cook 07:00 Dangerous Flowers-PG15 11:40 Food & Drink 09:00 Enter The Phoenix-PG15 12:05 The Roux Legacy 11:00 A Heartbeat Away-PG15 12:40 James Martin’s Champagne 13:00 Ike: Countdown To D-Day-PG15 13:05 Celebrity MasterChef 15:00 Encounter With Danger-PG15 14:20 Food Factory 14:25 Superhomes 17:00 Blackthorn-PG15 14:45 Food Factory 15:15 Bargain Hunt 19:00 Arbitrage-PG15 15:10 X-Machines 16:00 Antiques Roadshow 21:00 When Love Is Not Enough-PG15 16:00 Scrapheap Challenge 16:55 Extreme Makeover: Home 23:00 Contraband-18 16:55 Through The Wormhole Edition 01:00 Blackthorn-PG15 17:45 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 17:40 Extreme Makeover: Home 18:10 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Edition 18:35 The Gadget Show 19:00 Celebrity MasterChef 19:00 The Tech Show 19:55 Vacation Vacation Vacation 19:30 What’s That About? 20:25 Gok’s Fashion Fix 20:20 X-Machines 21:15 Antiques Roadshow 04:00 The Hairy Tooth Fairy 2-PG 21:10 Kitchen Chemistry 22:10 Bargain Hunt 06:00 Today’s Special-PG15 21:35 Kitchen Chemistry 23:00 Extreme Makeover: Home 08:00 Valentina-FAM 22:00 What’s That About? Edition 10:00 Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven 22:50 Dark Matters 00:20 Cash In The Attic Seas-FAM 23:40 Kitchen Chemistry 01:05 Gok’s Fashion Fix 12:00 Tower Heist-PG15 00:05 Kitchen Chemistry 01:55 Design Rules 14:00 Into The Wind-PG15 00:30 How Do They Do It? 02:25 James Martin’s Champagne 16:00 Valentina-FAM 01:00 Thunder Races 02:50 Celebrity MasterChef 18:00 Happythankyoumoreplease- 01:50 Thunder Races PG15 20:00 Battleship-PG15 22:15 Ted-18 00:15 Into The Wind-PG15 02:00 Happythankyoumoreplease- PG15 03:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:00 Counting Cars 03:25 Unique Eats 14:30 Counting Cars 03:50 Food Crafters 15:00 Pawn Stars 04:15 United Tastes Of America 15:30 Pawn Stars 04:40 Chopped 16:00 Counting Cars 05:30 Amazing Wedding Cakes 16:30 Counting Cars 04:00 Meteor Storm-PG15 06:10 Unwrapped 17:00 Pawn Stars 06:00 The Tourist-PG15 06:35 Unwrapped 17:30 Pawn Stars 08:00 Brake-PG15 07:00 Hungry Girl 18:00 American Pickers 10:00 Green Lantern-PG15 07:25 Hungry Girl 19:00 American Restoration 12:00 True Justice: Blood Alley-PG15 07:50 Hungry Girl 19:30 Pawn Stars 14:00 Brake-PG15 08:15 Hungry Girl 20:00 Pawn Stars 16:00 Thor-PG15 08:40 Extra Virgin 20:30 Pawn Stars 18:00 True Justice: Blood Alley-PG15 09:05 Extra Virgin 21:00 American Pickers 20:00 Sutures-PG15 09:30 Extra Virgin 22:00 Storage Wars 22:00 Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The 09:55 Extra Virgin 22:30 Storage Wars Texas Cradle Of Life-PG15 10:20 United Tastes Of America 23:00 Pawn Stars 00:00 The Godfather II-18 10:45 United Tastes Of America 23:30 Pawn Stars OSN MOVIES COMEDY 11:10 United Tastes Of America 00:00 Counting Cars 08:00 Police Academy 6: City Under 11:35 United Tastes Of America 00:30 Counting Cars Siege-PG15 12:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes 01:00 Storage Wars 10:00 Mrs. Miracle-PG15 12:50 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 01:30 Storage Wars 12:00 Back To The Future-PG15 Basics 02:00 Storage Wars 14:00 Toys-PG15 13:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 16:00 Mrs. Miracle-PG15 Basics 18:00 Spy Kids: All The Time In The 13:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To World-PG Basics 20:00 Crazy, Stupid, Love.-PG15 14:00 C.S.I. 14:05 Food Network Challenge 22:00 Detroit Rock City-18 15:00 Glee 14:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes 00:00 Bridesmaids-18 16:00 Smallville JUMPING THE BROOM ON OSN MOVIES HD 15:35 Amazing Wedding Cakes 02:15 Crazy, Stupid, Love.-PG15 TV listings SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

08:00 Monte Carlo-PG15 10:00 Bowfinger-PG15 12:00 Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell Of Working his way up Fear-PG15 14:00 Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate-PG 16:00 Bowfinger-PG15 18:00 Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult-PG15 to ‘White House Down’ 20:00 The Romantics-PG15 22:00 30 Minutes Or Less-18 PASADENA: Though he always felt something was 00:00 Jackass: The Movie-18 pushing him toward acting, Lance Reddick ignored it. 02:00 The Romantics-PG15 His dad was an attorney, and Lance was on his way to becoming a classical music composer. Then something went awry. “I always knew I had a thing when it came to acting but never took it seriously. I just thought peo- 09:45 The Key Man-PG15 ple who wanted to be actors were silly,” he says, in the 11:15 Raggedy Man-PG15 sunny patio restaurant of a hotel here. It may have 13:30 Phenomenon-PG been silly, but Reddick has managed to parlay that 15:45 The Key Man-PG15 17:15 Oscar-PG15 tom-foolery into a full blown career with memorable 19:15 Broken-PG15 performances in TV shows like “Oz,” “Fringe,” “Lost” and 21:00 In The Land Of Blood And “The Wire” and his new movie, “White House Down,” Honey-R due June 28. 23:15 The Company Men-PG15 For a guy who was too shy to even consider per- 01:00 Arc-18 forming, he somehow beat the odds. He studied music composition at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, the piano his instrument. “Because my parents wanted to give me what they didn’t have, I grew up 01:00 Inside The PGA Tour around a bunch of affluent white kids,” says Reddick. 01:30 Super League “So everybody’s parents were lawyers and doctors, 03:30 AFL Premiership bankers and architects. I didn’t really get it. Now I do.” 06:00 Trans World Sport He developed his first taste for music at an Episcopal 07:00 Live AFL Premiership elementary school when he started singing with the 10:00 Futbol Mundial choir. “A lot of black people grow up singing gospel 10:30 Trans World Sport music. I grew up singing Gregorian chants and 16th 11:30 ICC Cricket 360 century motets,” he grins. 12:00 Live British & Irish Lions Still, he left Eastman before he graduated. “I realized 15:30 Futbol Mundial 16:00 Live International Rugby Union I was in denial and I really wanted to be a rock star,” he 18:00 Live International Rugby Union says. “So I got married straight out of school, moved to 20:00 British & Irish Lions Boston because my wife at the time was from there. 23:30 International Rugby Union Two years later my daughter was born. And I found myself working three jobs, seven days a week.” He still wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. But an excruciating back injury changed all that. “I was lifting a big bundle 00:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter of newspapers, but it wasn’t the lifting itself, it was the 01:00 WWE Smackdown exhaustion. I’d come from a double shift of waiting 03:00 WWE Bottom Line tables to a double shift of delivering newspapers and I 04:00 NRL Premiership delivered the Wall Street Journal in downtown Boston 06:00 European Tour Weekly ... I just cranked it up for about 24 hours, and I was just 06:30 Inside The PGA Tour exhausted and something went,” he says. 07:00 Live Champions Tour “At the time I was used to working on adrenaline 09:00 Trans World Sport and I worked out every day - even with all I had going 10:00 Inside The PGA Tour 10:30 Live International Rugby Union on. So when I was in pain or exhausted I just ignored it and kept going.” Two weeks later he awoke unable to 12:30 Live NRL Premiership Lance Reddick plays the military coordinator at the Pentagon in the new film, “White House 14:30 European Tour Weekly get out of bed. Fourteen days of bed rest forced him to 15:00 Live PGA European Tour re-evaluate his life. “It sounds crazy but I thought, ‘Well, Down” due June 28. — MCT 19:00 Trans World Sport I know the recording studio I’m working with is taking 24, and a son, 19, he and his first wife split in ‘97. (He has new reality show “Whodunnit?” premiering Sunday. 20:00 Live PGA Tour me for a ride. It’s time for me to admit that to myself. So since remarried). Players will examine the evidence in a series of puzzling let me start from scratch. I can sing and I can act. So let “She made three times the money I did,” he recalls. murders until the competing detectives have been me try to act ...’ I went on a couple of musical theater “God rest her soul, she passed away a couple years ago, winnowed down to three. The final episode will reveal auditions and realized that wasn’t me, so I started going but she was a brilliant artist, really talented. We didn’t who the real killer is and promote one of its contestants 00:00 ICC Cricket 360 on straight auditions and getting cast and getting cast make it, but she was a great lady,” he sighs. “Six months to a $250,000 prize. All this has been conjured up by 00:30 Futbol Mundial and getting cast.” after she left I got ‘The Siege’ and I was ducking the Anthony Zuiker, the executive producer of “CSI.” 01:00 PGA European Tour Reddick thinks his period with est (Erhard Seminars landlord. And I had the kids every other week, so I was Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva,” almost dropped dead, 05:30 Inside The PGA Tour Training) - especially a workshop on communication - 06:00 Total Rugby borrowing money to buy groceries. I got ‘The Siege’ but has amazingly been resuscitated by the network 07:00 ICC Cricket 360 lent him the ability to ace those early auditions. “I led then I got ‘I Dreamed of Africa’ then went to the Guthrie that once decided to cancel the show. Executive pro- 08:00 Super League seminars for about two years when I was in college. My and got to play Marc Antony (in “Julius Caesar.”) I came ducer Josh Berman says he was astonished when he 10:00 PGA Tour participation had a profound effect on my acting later, back home to New York and didn’t work for six months. was notified that “Diva” would not enjoy another sea- 12:30 Live AFL Premiership and my ability as a seminar leader allowed me to fill in For somebody who’s always doing a side job or has a son. “I was devastated when we were canceled because 15:30 International Rugby Union the gaps in my training that I didn’t have in audition- trust fund or savings, it’s one thing. But I didn’t ... The I hated leaving the fans in such a lurch, and I was ecstat- 17:30 NRL Premiership ing,” he explains. “Because I was used to figuring out only reason I didn’t quit was I didn’t have any alterna- ic when we were picked up. But, I think that (star) 19:30 AFL Premiership how to read a room and being myself in front of people tives. What was I going to do, wait tables? The only way Brooke Elliott and I never lost hope ... in our guts. And 22:00 International Rugby Union - even though I hadn’t really studied auditioning _ I was to get out of the situation I was in was to make it.” we had these conversations where we just believed the able to audition well and that made a big difference ... William Fichtner stars in NBC’s ambitious new series, show couldn’t be over. And perhaps we were just in When I did est and that was over - I didn’t want to think “Crossing Lines,” premiering on Sunday. The show, denial, but we also felt that the fan base was so strong. it - but I was thinking, ‘What the heck was that? I want which is filmed in various parts of Europe, is headquar- And within a week of being of canceled there were 00:00 UFC my money back.’ All these people were, like, ‘Wow.’ I tered in Prague. Fichtner says he had some concerns petitions online demanding that the show be brought 03:00 Ping Pong World didn’t get it. But there was something there that I was about working that far from home. “I read it and I liked back with literally tens of thousands of signatures, and 04:00 US Bass Fishing curious about, so I kept participating,” he says, sipping a it but, you know, it’s a challenge. It was a big thing. This dozens and dozens of homemade videos on YouTube 05:00 NHL glass of water. is not like I’m going to commute to California and see and pages on Facebook wanting the show to be 07:00 WWE Smackdown “I was different when I came out of the workshop. the family. This was a big commitment to go because I brought back. So, we really just believed it would have 09:00 Live Asian Tour Golf I’m shy, an introvert. I was so withdrawn, so self-con- wasn’t going to do this without traveling with my wife to happen. It’s hard to get fans behind a show in a uni- 13:00 WWE Vintage Collection scious, but when I came out I was ‘Whoa!’ Suddenly all and my entire family, which I did.” verse that’s so fragmented right now, especially the 14:00 WWE Bottom Line this stuff I’d been suppressing since I was 7, I let go of.” 15:00 WWE Smackdown Love being an armchair detective, ever on the alert cable universe. So, knowing our diehard fans were 17:00 NHL Though at one time he was costarring in three shows at to solve the crimes that your TV heroes can’t quite man- there, we couldn’t give up, so I don’t think we ever fully 19:00 UAE National Race Day Series once, it wasn’t always so easy. Married with a daughter, age? ABC will give you that chance when it presents its believed we were gone.” — MCT 20:00 UFC WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Announcements

Issue of online visa by Indian embassy oreigners requiring visas for India need to apply it online from 16th June 2013. Applicants may log Fon to the Public portal at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in. After successful online submission, the hard copy, so generated, has to be signed by the applicant and submitted with supporting documents in accordance with the type of visa along with the applicable fee in cash at any of the two out- source centres at Sharq or Fahaheel. It is essential that applicants fill in their personal details as exactly avail- able in their passports. Mismatch of any of the personal details would lead to non-acceptance of the applica- tion. Fees once paid are non-refundable. All children would have to obtain separate visa on their respective passports.

Indian Embassy sets up helpline he Indian Embassy in Kuwait has set up helpline in order to assist Indian expatriates in registering Tany complaint regarding the government’s ongo- ing campaign to stamp out illegal residents from the country. The embassy said in press release yesterday he Malayalam Media Forum, Kuwait gave farewell to George Koickaleth, a well-known social worker that it amended its previous statement and stated if and a media person, who is leaving Kuwait for good after serving in the country for over 37 years. there is any complaint, the same could be conveyed at TKoickaleth has written for various publications in Kuwait including Kuwait Times. MMF convener the following (as amended): Operations Department, Gafoor Moodadi presented a memento to Koickaleth on behalf of the forum. The members who felicitated Ministry of Interior, Kuwait. Fax: 22435580, Tel: him on the occasion wished him success in his future endeavors. 24768146/25200334. It said the embassy has been in regular contact with local authorities regarding the ongoing checking of expatriates. The embassy has also conveyed to them the concerns, fears and apprehen- sions of the community in this regard. The authorities in Kuwait have conveyed that strict instructions have been issued to ensure that there is no harassment or improp- er treatment of expatriates by those undertaking check- ing. “The embassy would like to request Indian expatri- ates to ensure that they abide by all local laws, rules and regulations regarding residency, traffic and other matters,” the release read. It would be prudent to always carry the Civil ID and other relevant documents such as driving license, etc. In case an Indian expatriate encounters any improper treatment during checking, it may be conveyed immediately with full details and con- tact particulars to the embassy at the following phone number 67623639. These contact details are exclusively for the above-mentioned purpose only. KNES shines in Islamic competitions

uwait National English School excelled in Islamic competitions held by the Private KEducation Ministry taking first place amongst the private schools in Kuwait. Under the auspices of the Director General of Private Education, Mohamed Abdullah Al-Dahais and the first Inspector, Jassim Al-Masbah, students of Saturday: Kuwait National English School were honored as ** 9:30am Showtime Available for Groups winners in the Al-Hadeeth, Al-Sharif and Quran Flight of Butterflies 3D 10:30am, 1:30pm, 8:30pm Memorization competitions. The staff and stu- Tornado Alley 3D 11:30am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm, dents of Kuwait National English School are very 7:30pm, 9:30pm proud of their achievement. To The Arctic 3D 12:30pm, 6:30pm Born to be Wild 3D 3:30pm Journey to Mecca 4:30pm Write to us

Notes: All films are in Arabic. For English, headsets are Send to What’s On available upon request. upcoming events, birthdays or “Fires of Kuwait” is in English. Arabic headsets are celebrations by email: available upon request. [email protected] Film schedule is subject to changes without notice. Fax: 24835619 / 20 WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Embassy Information

EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Australian Embassy Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visas and immigration matters in conducted by The Australian Consulate-General in Dubai. Email: info.aus- [email protected] (VFS) [email protected] (Visa Office); Tel: +971 4 355 1958 (VFS) - +971 4 508 7200 (Visa Office); Fax: +971 4 355 0708 (Visa Office). The Scientific Center carried out visits to patients at a hospital run by the Kuwait Association for the Care of In Kuwait applications can be lodged at the Children in Hospital (KACCH). The centre organized workshops and other activities for the patients. Australian Visa Application Centre 4B 1st Floor, Al-Banwan Building Al-Qibla Area, Ali Al-Salem Street, opposite the Central Bank of Kuwait, ASSE Kuwait marks World Kuwait City, Kuwait. Working hours and days: 09:30 - 17:30; Sunday - Thursday. Or visit their website www.vfs-au-gcc-com for more informa- Environment Day tion. Kuwait citizens can apply for tourist visas on-line at www.immi.gov.au/e visa/e676.htm. merican Society of Safety ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Engineers - Kuwait Chapter EMBASSY OF CANADA ACommemorated World The Embassy of Canada in Kuwait does Environment Day 2013 on 5th June, not have a visa or immigration depart- 2013 at Hotel Safir, Fintas, Kuwait. The ment. All processing of visa and immi- celebration began with a welcome note by G Sampath Reddy, Secretary. gration matters including enquiries is conduct- Vasudevan President in his address ed by the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, highlighted about the 10th Successive UAE. Individuals who are interested in working, year of Chapter celebrating this day, he studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada also mentioned about the various initia- should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu tives taken by the chapter during last Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca or www.going- one year to create awareness among the tocanada.gc.ca, E-mail: abdbi-im- members, school children and general [email protected]. The Embassy of public. Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakei St, Fadhel Al-Ali, Chairman, ASSE-Kuwait Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at Chapter in his Opening address empha- www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is sized the importance of the Theme of open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through the year and appreciated ASSE members Thursday. The reception is open from 07:30 to for their contribution towards protect- 12:30. Consular services for Canadian citizens ing the Environment. Jignesh Shah, Management System: Toward an On this occasion ASSE Kuwait chap- are provided from 09:00 until 12:00, Sunday Head, Health & Environmental Enhanced Regulatory Framework in ter also designed a Photography through Wednesday. Committee gave an introductory pres- Kuwait”. Competition for the Member’s Families, entation on World Environment Day In his Presentation he provided live the First, Second & third pictures were ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 2013 with the details on the importance examples of environmental factors in presented. To highlight the importance EMBASSY OF US of the Day along with the Theme of the Kuwait, EPA & Ministerial planning, deci- of the day, Saplings were distributed to Parents of Kuwaiti citizen children may year “THINK.EAT.SAVE”. Rama Krushna sions, protocols etc. towards develop- all the members. As a token of apprecia- drop off their sons’ and daughters’ visa Chary, Head, Technical Events ment of environment regulatory frame- tion EC, AC Members presented a applications - completely free of an inter- Committee introduced the speaker of work. memento to the Speaker of the Day. The view or a trip inside the Embassy. The chil- the Day Dr Sami Al-Yakoob, Project A spot quiz competition was con- meeting was concluded with high tea dren must be under 14 years of age, and addition- Manager, Kuwait Integrated ducted for ASSE members by sponsored by ASSE Kuwait Chapter. al requirements do apply, but the service means Environment Management (KIEM). Environmental & Health committee of Around 70 ASSE members and their parents will no longer have to schedule individual Dr Sami Al-Yakoob, presented on the ASSE Kuwait chapter and winners were family members attended for this pro- appointments for their children, nor come inside Topic: “Kuwait Integrated Environmental awarded with prizes. gram. the Embassy (unless they are applying for them- selves). The service is only available for children holding Kuwaiti passports. To take advantage, parents must drop off the following documents: Child Visa Drop-off cover sheet, available on the Embassy website (http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/child_visas.htm) - Child’s passport; The Child’s previous passport, if it contains a valid US visa; 5x5cm photo of child with eyes open (if uploaded into DS-160, photos must be a .jpg between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels, less than 240kb, and cannot be digitally altered); A completed DS-160 form; Visa Fee Receipt from Burgan Bank; A copy of the valid visa of at least one parent. If one parent will not travel, provide a visa copy for the traveling parent, and a passport copy from the non-traveling parent with a letter stating no objection to the child’s travel. - For chil- dren of students (F2): a copy of the child’s I-20. Children born in the US (with very few excep- tions) are US citizens and would not be eligible for a visa. Parents may drop off the application packet at Window 2 at the Embassy from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, Monday to Wednesday, excluding holidays. More information is available on the U.S. Embassy web- site: kuwait.usembassy.gov/child_visas.html HEALTH SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 HPV vaccine cuts infection by half

ATLANTA: A vaccine against a cervical ted virus called HPV, for human papillo- Cervarix - probably had relatively little 740 girls in 2007 through 2010. The vac- cancer virus cut infections in teen girls mavirus. The vaccine, which costs about bearing on the results, said the CDC’s Dr cine’s impact was seen even though by half in the first study to measure the $130 per dose, protects against a few of Lauri Markowitz, the study’s lead author. only 34 percent of the teens in the sec- shot’s impact since it came on the mar- those strains, including two blamed for Both vaccines are approved for use in ond group had received any vaccine. ket. The results impressed health 70 percent of cervical cancers. The shots males and females - in ages 9 to 26 for That could be due to “herd immunity” - experts and a top government top work best if given before someone is females, and 9 to 21 in males. The vac- when a population is protected from an health official called them striking. The sexually active so the emphasis has cine was only recommended for boys in infection because a large or important research released Wednesday echoes been on giving the shots to 11- and 12- late 2011, and the CDC has not yet smaller group is immune. studies done before the HPV vaccine year olds. reported data on how many boys have Only about 20 percent of those vac- became available in 2006. But the new The CDC study compared infection gotten the shot since then. HPV vaccina- cinated got all three doses. That result study is the first evidence of just how rates in girls ages 14 to 19 before and tion requires three shots over 6 months. will likely feed an ongoing discussion well it works now that it is in general after the vaccine became available. The An estimated 75 to 80 percent of about whether all three doses are nec- use. proportion infected with the targeted men and women are infected with HPV essary, Markowitz said. Overall, the Only about half of teen girls in the US HPV strains dropped 56 percent, from during their lifetime. Most don’t devel- study found no significant change over have gotten at least one dose of the about 12 percent before the vaccine op symptoms and clear it on their own. time in the proportion of teens who’d expensive vaccine, and just a third of was sold to 5 percent. That result was for But some infections lead to genital ever had sex and in those who had mul- teen girls have had all three shots, all teens after it was on the market, warts, cervical cancer and other cancers. tiple sex partners. However, it did find according to the latest government fig- whether or not they were vaccinated. The study didn’t look at cervical cancer that a higher percentage of vaccinated ures. “These are striking results and I Among girls who had gotten the vac- rates. It can take many years for such teens said they’d had three or more sex think they should be a wake-up call that cine, the drop in HPV infections was cancers to develop, and not enough partners. That could have driven down we need to increase vaccination rates,” higher - 88 percent. There are two vac- time has passed to know the vaccine’s infection rates, Markowitz noted, if the said Dr Thomas Frieden, director of the cines against HPV, but the study mainly impact on cancer rates, CDC officials teens who got vaccinated were the Centers for Disease Control and reflects the impact of Gardasil, the said. ones at highest risk of getting an infec- Prevention. Merck & Co. vaccine that came on the The study involved interviews and tion and spreading it. The research was Cervical cancer is caused by certain market in 2006. A second vaccine physical examinations of nearly 1,400 released online by the Journal of types of the common sexually transmit- approved in 2009 - GlaxoSmithKline’s teen girls in 2003 through 2006 and of Infectious Diseases. — AP Environment holds business risks and chances: UN study Greenhouse gases to double in next 50 years

PARIS: Rising temperatures, storms linked tal concerns.” In the tourism sector, for ing demand for greener technology, invest- to climate change and growing competition example, a 1.4-2.2-degree Celsius (2.5-4- ments and services, said the report entitled for water and land point to tough times degree Fahrenheit) rise in average winter “GEO-5 for Business: Impacts of a Changing ahead for the business sector, but also a temperatures would likely mean the closure Environment on the Corporate Sector.” chance for profitable innovation, the UN of more than half the ski resorts operating in More than 80 percent of the capital said yesterday. Citing the ravages of floods the northeastern United States in 30 years. needed to address climate change may in Australia in 2010-11 which cost insurer The report said Earth-warming green- come from the private sector. “This can Munich Re $350 million (265 million euros) house gas emissions were projected to dou- bring about significant ‘green economy’ and mining group Rio Tinto another $245 ble in the next 50 years, leading to a global investment opportunities in the finance sec- CLEVELAND: This photo released by the Cleveland Animal million, the report said companies had no average surface temperature increase of 3-6 tor for green buildings, energy-efficiency Protective League shows Lurleen, the nursing mother and choice but to adapt. C (5.4-10.8 F) by the end of the century. As technology, sustainable transport and other Noland the puppy snuggling up. — AP “From extreme weather events, to rising for water scarcity, it said platinum mines in low-carbon products and infrastructure,” Cat nurses orphaned pressures on finite natural resources, South Africa’s Olifants River system faced the UNEP said. changes in the global environment will ten times higher water charges by 2020 as “In cities, around 60 percent of the infra- pitbull puppy in Ohio increasingly impact operating costs, mar- they compete with local communities for structure needed to meet the needs of the kets for products, the availability of raw the ever scarcer commodity. world’s urban population by 2050 still needs CLEVELAND: A cat caring for four newborn kittens is nursing materials, and the reputation of businesses, Global electricity demand could be over to be built, presenting significant business an orphaned week-old pitbull puppy in Cleveland. Sharon from finance and tourism, to healthcare and 70 percent higher in 2035 than 2009, said opportunities for greener urban construc- Harvey of the Cleveland Animal Protective League said transport,” said the UN Environment the report-and pointed to more frequent tion and retrofits.” There were opportunities Wednesday that Lurlene the cat welcomed Noland the puppy Programme document. heat waves associated with climate change in the energy sector too, with coal’s global to her “unusual little family.” The puppy was dropped off at “The future of the private sector will affecting grid reliability. Last year, blackouts share of total power generation expected to the animal shelter last week when he was a day old. The staff increasingly hinge on the ability of business- in northern India caused by high tempera- drop from two-fifths to one-third by 2035, decided to place Noland with the nursing cat and her litter es to adapt to the world’s rapidly changing tures and low rains left hundreds of millions said the report, and renewables rising from because bottle feeding doesn’t always work. The puppy will environment and to develop goods and of people without power for several hours. 20 to 31 percent. “The ‘decarbonisation’ of grow faster, so the shelter says it may have to come up with services that can reduce the impacts of cli- But while the risks to business were “signifi- electricity will present opportunities for the another feeding idea in several weeks until Noland is ready for mate change, water scarcity, emissions of cant”, they also presented unique opportu- sector to advance renewable energy tech- adoption. — AP harmful chemicals, and other environmen- nities for companies that seized the grow- nologies,” said a UNEP statement. — AFP Woman’s face drives relationship length

PARIS: Men looking for a quick fling prefer influence human mating mostly focus on other more masculine features. The faces making long-term choices, men “may women with more “feminine” facial fea- women, who have shown a similar prefer- were taken from European or Japanese actually prefer less attractive/feminine tures, said a study yesterday that delved ence for a hunkier man for a fling but a faces. They found that men rated women women,” they added. into the evolutionary determinants of the geekier one to settle down with-possibly a with more feminine features more highly Previous research has found that attrac- mating game. Feminine features like a more reliable bet for helping to raise chil- for a fling. The preference was especially tive women are likelier to be unfaithful, smaller jawbone or fuller cheeks are close- dren. high among men who were already in a particularly if their partner is ugly. “If his ly linked to a woman’s perceived attrac- In a study with several hundred hetero- steady relationship. partner cheats on him, a man risks raising tiveness, which in turn is taken as an indi- sexual male volunteers, a team of “When a man has secured a mate, the a child which is not his own,” explained cator of health, youth and fidelity and oth- researchers made composite pictures of potential cost of being discovered may the authors. er traits, it said. women’s faces, and asked the men which increase his choosiness regarding short- The study, led by Anthony Little from Feminine features are associated with a ones they would choose for long- or short- term partners relative to unpartnered the University of Stirling and Benedict higher level of the female hormone term relationships. men, who can better increase their short- Jones from the University of Glasgow, oestrogen, which is also linked with repro- There were two versions of each face- term mating success by relaxing their appears in the British Journal of ductive success. Studies on factors that one with slightly more feminine and the standards,” wrote the study authors. But in Psychology. — AFP

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY Hospitals MATRIMONIAL FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Ministry of Interior Sabah Hospital 24812000 Invited for a Roman Catholic Automated enquiry Amiri Hospital 22450005 girl, 25/155cm, BSc Nurse about the Civil ID card is working in Kuwait, (Thrissur Maternity Hospital 24843100 Dist.) proposals from God 1889988 website: www.moi.gov.kw Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 fearing, suitably educated and employed boys. Email: Chest Hospital 24849400 [email protected] Prayer timings Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 (C 4444) Fajr: 03:14 Adan Hospital 23940620 18-6-2013 112 Shorook 04:48 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Inviting marriage proposal Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 for Tamil Christian girl age 30, For labor-related Duhr: 11:50 working in Kuwait, qualifica- Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 inquiries and Asr: 15:24 tions B.P.T + M Sc (UK). complaints: Contact Email: Maghrib: 18:51 Clinics [email protected] Call MSAL Rabiya 24732263 (C 4441) hotline 128 Isha: 20:23 Rawdha 22517733 12-6-2013 Adailiya 22517144 Inviting marriage proposal Khaldiya 24848075 for Kerala Christian boy, age No: 15847 29/ ht - 176cm, from Trichur Khaifan 24849807 district working as an Shamiya 24848913 Accountant in a reputed Shuwaikh 24814507 company in Kuwait. Contact: Email: Abdullah Salim 22549134 [email protected] Al-Nuzha 22526804 (C 4440) Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 CHANGE OF NAME Al-Qadisiya 22515088 Dasmah 22532265 I, NSE OKON AKPAN holder of Nigerian passport Number Bneid Al-Ghar 22531908 A01448202 do hereby Al-Shaab 22518752 change my name to NSE Al-Kibla 22459381 SAMUEL KASALI. 18-6-2013 Ayoun Al-Kibla 22451082 Mirqab 22456536 I, Kamasani Damodaram holder of Indian passport No. Sharq 22465401 E6147415 issued at Salmiya 25746401 Hyderabad on 26-08-2003, I Jabriya 25316254 wish to change my name Kamasani Damodar Reddy. Maidan Hawally 25623444 (C 4443) Bayan 25388462 15-6-2013

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (20/06/2013 TO 26/06/2013)

SHARQIA-1 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 10:00 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 1:30 PM AVENUES-2 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 1:30 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 3:30 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 2:15 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 3:45 PM MUHALAB-3 LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 6:00 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 4:45 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 6:15 PM MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) 1:00 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 8:00 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 7:15 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 8:15 PM THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) 3:30 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 10:30 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 9:45 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 10:45 PM MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) 5:15 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 12:45 AM SCENARIO (DIG) 12:15 AM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 12:45 AM TATTAH (DIG) 7:30 PM TATTAH (DIG) 9:45 PM MARINA-2 AVENUES-3 SHARQIA-2 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 12:30 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D) 1:45 PM THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) 12:45 PM FANAR-1 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 2:45 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 4:15 PM MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) 2:30 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 12:30 PM MAN OF STEEL (DIG) 5:00 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D) 6:45 PM MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) 4:45 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 3:00 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 7:45 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 9:15 PM MAN OF STEEL (DIG-3D) 7:00 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 5:30 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 10:00 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 11:45 PM MAN OF STEEL (DIG-3D) 9:45 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 8:00 PM MAN OF STEEL (DIG) 12:15 AM MAN OF STEEL (DIG-3D) 12:30 AM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 10:30 PM NO SUN+ TUE+WED 360º- 1 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 1:00 AM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 12:30 PM SHARQIA-3 MARINA-3 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 3:00 PM TATTAH (DIG) 2:00 PM FANAR-2 THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) 1:30 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 5:30 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 4:30 PM MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG) 1:00 PM MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) 1:15 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 8:00 PM TATTAH (DIG) 7:15 PM MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG) 3:15 PM THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) 3:30 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 10:30 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 9:30 PM MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG) 5:30 PM MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (DIG-3D) 5:15 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 1:00 AM TATTAH (DIG) 12:05 AM SCENARIO (DIG) 7:45 PM TATTAH (DIG) 7:30 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 10:15 PM TATTAH (DIG) 9:45 PM 360º- 2 MUHALAB-1 TATTAH (DIG) 12:45 AM TATTAH (DIG) 12:15 AM SCENARIO (DIG) 1:15 PM MAN OF STEEL (DIG) 1:30 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 3:45 PM MAN OF STEEL (DIG) 4:15 PM FANAR-3 AVENUES-1 SCENARIO (DIG) 6:15 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 7:00 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 1:45 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 1:15 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 8:45 PM MAN OF STEEL (DIG) 9:30 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 3:45 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 3:15 PM SCENARIO (DIG) 11:15 PM NOW YOU SEE ME (DIG) 5:45 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 5:15 PM MUHALAB-2 LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 8:00 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 7:15 PM 360º- 3 WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 1:30 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 10:00 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 9:15 PM THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) 1:00 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 3:45 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 12:05 AM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 11:15 PM THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) 3:00 PM WORLD WAR Z (DIG) 5:45 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 1:15 AM THE LEGEND OF SARILA (DIG-3D) 5:00 PM LAY THE FAVORITE (DIG) 8:00 PM MARINA-1 WORLD WAR Z (DIG-3D) 7:00 PM information SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers use seats

Arrival Flights on Saturday 22/6/2013 IZG 4167 MASHAD 18:05 QTR 133 DOHA 10:00 Airlines Flt Route Time QTR 144 DOHA 18:25 IRC 6589 SHAHRE 10:00 BBC 43 DHAKA 00:05 KAC 804 CAIRO 15:40 ETD 302 ABU DHABI 10:15 QTR 148 DOHA 00:05 KAC 618 DOHA 19:10 KAC 101 LONDON 10:25 MEA 408 BEIRUT 00:10 KAC 672 DUBAI 13:40 IRM 1185 SHIRAZ 10:30 RJA 644 AMMAN 00:30 KAC 118 NEW YORK 16:00 MEA 407 BEIRUT 10:45 JZR 267 BEIRUT 00:20 KAC 542 CAIRO 18:15 JZR 356 MASHHAD 11:00 JZR 539 CAIRO 00:40 KAC 774 RIYADH 19:25 KAC 501 BEIRUT 11:10 SAI 441 LAHORE 01:30 JZR 535 CAIRO 16:10 GFA 214 BAHRAIN 11:25 THY 764 SABIHA 01:40 JZR 177 DUBAI 17:30 KAC 541 CAIRO 11:30 ETH 620 ADDIS ABABA 01:45 JZR 241 AMMAN 12:35 IRA 3406 MASHHAD 11:35 GFA 211 BAHRAIN 01:55 JZR 357 MASHAD 16:50 KAC 165 ROME 11:45 PIA 239 ISLAMABAD 02:05 JZR 269 BEIRUT 19:15 IAW 158 AL NAJAF 12:00 UAE 853 DUBAI 02:25 JZR 777 JEDDAH 17:50 JZR 776 JEDDAH 12:25 ETD 305 ABU DHABI 02:30 JZR 125 BAHRAIN 16:25 MSC 406 SOHAG 13:00 FDB 67 DUBAI 03:10 JZR 359 MASHAD 12:45 IRM 1189 MASHHAD 13:10 KAC 416 JAKARTA 06:35 OMA 647 MUSCAT 20:00 JZR 176 DUBAI 13:20 RJA 648 AMMAN 03:10 ABY 129 SHARJAH 20:05 JZR 124 BAHRAIN 13:30 RBG 555 ALEXANDRIA 03:15 IRA 607 MASHAD 20:10 JZR 268 BEIRUT 13:35 MSR 612 CAIRO 03:15 MEA 402 BEIRUT 20:15 MSR 611 CAIRO 14:00 OMA 643 MUSCAT 03:20 MSR 618 ALEXANDRIA 20:30 THY 767 ISTANBUL 14:10 QTR 138 DOHA 03:30 KNE 462 MEDINAH 20:35 KNE 481 TAIF 14:10 THY 770 ISTANBUL 04:35 AXB 489 COCHIN 20:35 UAE 872 DUBAI 14:15 DHX 170 BAHRAIN 05:10 KLM 415 AMSTERDAM 21:05 FDB 58 DUBAI 14:30 FDB 69 DUBAI 05:50 ALK 229 COLOMBO 21:10 KAC 561 AMMAN 14:40 BAW 157 LONDON 06:30 UAE 859 DUBAI 21:15 QTR 141 DOHA 14:55 KAC 412 MANILA 06:15 ETD 307 ABU DHABI 21:30 IRC 6693 MASHHAD 15:00 JZR 1541 CAIRO 06:25 QTR 136 DOHA 21:35 MSR 576 SHARM EL SHEIKH 15:00 JZR 555 ALEXANDRIA 06:20 GFA 217 BAHRAIN 21:45 KAC 673 DUBAI 15:05 JZR 529 ASSIUT 06:40 JAI 576 COCHIN 21:55 IRM 1187 IMAM KHOMEINI 15:20 MEA 406 BEIRUT 09:45 QTR 146 DOHA 22:00 KNE 473 JEDDAH 15:30 KAC 352 COCHIN 08:05 FDB 59 DUBAI 22:20 FDB 8058 DUBAI 15:35 KAC 344 CHENNAI 08:20 AIC 975 CHENNAI 22:25 KAC 617 DOHA 15:45 KAC 382 DELHI 07:30 KNE 474 JEDDAH 22:30 SYR 342 DAMASCUS 15:55 KAC 302 MUMBAI 07:50 UAL 981 BAHRAIN 22:40 SVA 505 JEDDAH 16:00 KAC 206 ISLAMABAD 07:25 DLH 636 FRANKFURT 23:10 JZR 188 DUBAI 16:00 FDB 53 DUBAI 07:45 JAI 574 MUMBAI 23:20 KAC 773 RIYADH 16:00 UAE 855 DUBAI 08:25 MSR 614 CAIRO 23:30 KNE 461 MADINAH 16:05 ABY 125 SHARJAH 08:50 THY 772 ISTANBUL 23:45 JAV 622 AMMAN 16:30 QTR 132 DOHA 09:00 FDB 8053 DUBAI 21:30 RJA 641 AMMAN 16:55 IRC 6588 SHAHRE KORD 09:00 KAC 614 BAHRAIN 23:00 KAC 785 JEDDAH 17:00 IRM 1186 TEHRAN 09:10 KAC 786 JEDDAH 22:40 JZR 238 AMMAN 17:05 FDB 55 DUBAI 09:15 JZR 135 BAHRAIN 23:00 JZR 512 SHARM EL SHEIKH 17:15 ETD 301 ABU DHABI 09:30 JZR 239 AMMAN 22:30 QTR 135 DOHA 17:20 IRA 3407 MASHAD 10:35 JZR 189 DUBAI 20:10 ETD 304 ABU DHABI 17:20 GFA 213 BAHRAIN 10:40 JZR 185 DUBAI 22:40 JZR 538 CAIRO 17:40 IAW 157 BAGHDAD 11:00 JZR 513 SHARM EL SHEIKH 23:20 ABY 128 SHARJAH 17:50 IRM 1188 MASHAD 11:45 UAE 858 DUBAI 18:15 MSC 401 ALEXANDRIA 12:00 Departure Flights on Saturday 22/6/2013 GFA 216 BAHRAIN 18:20 KAC 284 DHAKA 08:15 Airlines Flt Route Time SVA 511 RIYADH 18:20 KAC 362 COLOMBO 08:45 AIC 976 GOA/CHENNAI 00:05 UAL 982 BAHRAIN 18:30 JZR 329 NAJAF 10:10 JAI 573 MUMBAI 00:20 JZR 184 DUBAI 18:30 JZR 325 NAJAF 12:25 UAL 981 WASHINGTON 00:25 JZR 266 BEIRUT 18:40 JZR 503 LUXOR 07:40 DLH 637 FRANKFURT 00:30 NIA 252 ALEXANDRIA 19:00 JZR 165 DUBAI 11:35 MSR 615 CAIRO 00:30 IZG 4168 MASHHAD 19:05 FDB 63 DUBAI 18:55 KLM 413 AMSTERDAM 00:55 QTR 145 DOHA 19:25 GFA 219 BAHRAIN 19:05 MEA 409 BEIRUT 01:10 FDB 64 DUBAI 19:35 MSC 405 SOHAG 19:30 BBC 44 DHAKA 01:30 GFA 220 BAHRAIN 19:50 JAI 572 MUMBAI 19:35 JZR 502 LUXOR 01:30 KAC 613 BAHRAIN 20:00 RBG 553 ALEXANDRIA 19:40 THY 773 ISTANBUL 02:20 JZR 134 BAHRAIN 20:05 FDB 61 DUBAI 20:00 SAI 442 LAHORE 02:30 KAC 283 DHAKA 20:15 FDB 8057 DUBAI 14:50 THY 765 ISTANBUL 02:40 RBG 554 ALEXANDRIA 20:20 KAC 502 BEIRUT 18:50 ETH 621 ADDIS ABABA 02:45 MSC 402 ALEXANDRIA 20:30 KAC 788 JEDDAH 15:00 RJA 645 AMMAN 03:05 JAI 571 MUMBAI 20:35 KAC 790 MEDINAH 13:55 PIA 240 SIALKOT 03:35 FDB 62 DUBAI 20:40 KAC 674 DUBAI 19:25 UAE 854 DUBAI 03:45 ABY 120 SHARJAH 20:45 KAC 562 AMMAN 19:55 FDB 68 DUBAI 03:50 KAC 331 TRIVANDRUM 20:50 KAC 538 SOHAG 15:40 RBG 556 ALEXANDRIA 03:55 OMA 648 MUSCAT 20:55 KAC 104 LONDON 18:45 MSR 613 CAIRO 04:15 KAC 351 KOCHI 21:05 KAC 176 GENEVA 17:45 OMA 644 MUSCAT 04:20 IRA 604 ISFAHAN 21:10 UAE 871 DUBAI 12:45 ETD 306 ABU DHABI 04:20 MEA 403 BEIRUT 21:15 MSR 610 CAIRO 13:00 QTR 139 DOHA 04:25 MSR 607 LUXOR 21:30 THY 766 ISTANBUL 13:10 QTR 149 DOHA 05:15 KAC 543 CAIRO 21:30 KNE 480 TAIF 13:20 FDB 70 DUBAI 06:30 KNE 475 JEDDAH 21:45 QTR 140 DOHA 13:45 RJA 649 AMMAN 06:35 DHX 171 BAHRAIN 21:50 FDB 57 DUBAI 13:50 JZR 328 AL NAJAF 06:55 KLM 415 DAMMAM 22:05 IRC 6692 MASHAD 14:00 JZR 358 MASHHAD 06:55 FDB 8054 DUBAI 22:10 IRM 1184 SHIRAZ 14:05 GFA 212 BAHRAIN 07:00 ETD 308 ABU DHABI 22:15 MSR 575 SHARM EL SHEIKH 14:15 THY 771 ISTANBUL 07:10 ALK 230 COLOMBO 22:20 SVA 500 JEDDAH 14:30 JZR 240 AMMAN 07:10 UAE 860 DUBAI 22:25 KNE 472 JEDDAH 14:35 JZR 164 DUBAI 07:25 KAC 381 DELHI 22:30 SYR 341 DAMASCUS 14:55 KAC 537 SOHAG 07:45 QTR 137 DOHA 22:35 KNE 470 JEDDAH 15:05 BAW 156 LONDON 08:25 KAC 301 MUMBAI 22:40 JAV 621 AMMAN 15:10 FDB 54 DUBAI 08:25 GFA 218 BAHRAIN 22:45 RJA 640 AMMAN 15:55 KAC 803 CAIRO 08:55 FDB 60 DUBAI 23:00 QTR 134 DOHA 16:15 JZR 324 AL NAJAF 09:10 KAC 205 ISLAMABAD 23:00 ETD 303 ABU DHABI 16:35 JZR 534 CAIRO 09:10 JAI 575 ABU DHABI 23:05 UAE 857 DUBAI 16:55 KAC 789 MADINAH 09:15 QTR 147 DOHA 23:05 ABY 127 SHARJAH 17:10 KAC 671 DUBAI 09:25 JZR 554 ALEXANDRIA 23:20 UAL 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 17:15 ABY 126 SHARJAH 09:30 JZR 1540 CAIRO 23:25 GFA 215 BAHRAIN 17:20 KAC 787 JEDDAH 09:35 KNE 471 JEDDAH 23:25 SVA 510 RIYADH 17:20 UAE 856 DUBAI 09:50 KAC 411 BANGKOK 23:40 NIA 251 ALEXANDRIA 18:00 FDB 56 DUBAI 09:55 JZR 528 ASSIUT 23:55 Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Word Search 3. Formerly a term of respect for important white Europeans in colonial India. 4. Thorny shrub or small tree common in central Argentina having small orange or CROSSWORD228 yellow flowers followed by edible berries. 5. (Greek mythology) The beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris. 6. An arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands). 7. Used of a single unit or thing. 8. Someone (especially a woman) who annoys people by constantly finding fault. 9. A three-tone Chadic language. 10. A person who worships idols. 11. An esoteric or occult matter that is traditionally secret. 12. A Dravidian language spoken in south central India. 13. A fraudulent business scheme. 14. A island in the Netherlands Antilles that is the top of an extinct volcano. 22. United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918). 24. A public promotion of some product or service. 26. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into atom- ic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States. 29. A short synopsis. 32. A city of central China. 33. Any tree or shrub of the genus Inga having pinnate leaves and showy usually white flowers. 35. (Zen Buddhism) A state of sudden spiritual enlightenment. 36. The bivalent radical UO2 which forms salts with acids. 38. Not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something. 39. A ductile gray metallic element of the lanthanide series. 41. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was formed by an explosion. 44. Of or relating to or characteristic of Texas or its residents. 45. A nucleic acid consisting of large molecules shaped like a double helix. 47. Antibacterial agent (trade names Mandelamine and Urex) that is contained in many products that are used to treat urinary infections. 50. Of or relating to or exhibiting isomerism. 52. An industrial city in southern Poland on the Vistula. ACROSS 55. A master's degree in business. 1. (prefix) Bad or erroneous or lack of. 56. (Greek mythology) The son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. 4. Dry red Italian table wine from the Chianti region of Tuscany. 58. The southern part of the ancient Palestine succeeding the kingdom of Judah. 11. An Indian unit of length having different values in different localities. 60. Any unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon. 15. South American wood sorrel cultivated for its edible tubers. 63. A device that, on receiving radar signals, transmits coded signals in response to 16. Dyed with henna. help navigators determine their position. 17. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill. 66. Dearly loved. 18. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code. 67. (usually followed by `to') Having the necessary means or skill or know-how or 19. (of tempo) Fast n 1. authority to do something. 20. Divulge information or secrets. 69. The specified day of the month. 21. Polished and well-groomed. 71. (computer science) A standardized language for the descriptive markup of docu- 23. A state in the southeastern United States on the Gulf of Mexico. ments. 25. Wild geese. 72. A compact mass. 27. The sixth month of the civil year. 73. A local and well-defined elevation of the land. 28. Informal terms for a mother. 78. The ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle. 30. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite. 79. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic element that resembles manganese chemically 31. An opening that permits escape or release. and is used in some alloys. 34. A Loloish language. 37. Large elliptical brightly colored deep-sea fish of Atlantic and Pacific and Mediterranean. 40. A medium (art or business) that disseminates moving pictures. Yesterdayʼs Solution 42. A colorless and odorless inert gas. 43. After the expected or usual time. 46. A city in northern India. 48. An act punishable by law. Yesterdayʼs Solution 49. (Babylonian) A goddess of the watery deep and daughter of Ea. 51. A city in northeastern Ohio. 53. (informal) Of the highest quality. 54. A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. 57. A historical region on northwestern India and northern Pakistan. 59. Any property detected by the olfactory system. 61. The upper angle between an axis and an offshoot such as a branch or leafstalk. 62. Take away the weapons from. 64. Plant having a large slender white bulb and flat overlapping dark green leaves. 65. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 68. Yellow-fever mosquitos. 70. United States writer (born in Poland) who wrote in Yiddish (1880-1957). 74. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables. 75. The skilled practice of a practical occupation. 76. Large sweet juicy hybrid between tangerine and grapefruit having a thick wrin- kled skin. 77. Exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health. 80. The molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams. 81. A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography). 82. A substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned. 83. A lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood. DOWN 1. A youth subculture that began in London in the early 1960s. 2. The United Nations agency concerned with civil aviation.

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Springboks wary of Samoa despite big wins

PRETORIA: South Africa are wary of It was a pleasant change from the JJ Engelbrecht has looked comfort- gram Flip van der Merwe replacing Samoa before they clash in a four- Samoans’ first weekend in the able at outside centre. lighter, line-out specialist Juandre nation tournament final today republic this June when a side lack- Arno Botha was impressive at Kruger, and teaming up with Eben despite a string of large victories ing several stars suffered a humiliat- flank until an early injury against Etzebeth as Meyer seeks greater over the Pacific islanders. Springbok ing 74-14 loss to demoted Super 15 Scotland ended his season, and gave engine-room options. After a decade winning margins of 52 points twice, outfit Golden Lions. “Samoa have a Siya Kolisi a chance to star as he con- of legends Victor Matfield and 50, 42, 28 and 27 were achieved with strong squad and are benefiting tinued a rags-to-riches rise from Bakkies Botha lording line-out bat- the only ‘respectable’ defeat suf- from their best players competing in township poverty to wearing the tles against all-comers, it has come fered by Samoa being 13-5 at the the Super Rugby championship and green and gold. Meyer has shuffled as a shock to Springboks supporters pool stage of the 2011 Rugby World at top club level in Europe,” warned his pack for Samoa after a disap- when rivals steal some throws. Cup. former Northern Bulls coach Meyer. pointing showing at the breakdown Samoa, skippered by outside cen- Only five of that South African The Springboks survived some sec- against a Scottish side lacking sever- tre Paul Williams because wing side will run out at the 52,000-seat ond-half hiccups to down Italy 44- al key forwards, including injured David Lemi is injured, favor an Loftus Versfeld stadium while there 10, but did not seal a flattering 30-17 skipper Kelly Brown. Powerful ball unstructured game which lets are seven Samoan survivors from the victory over Scotland until substitute carrier Willem Alberts is back in Tuilagi and company loose to team beaten at Albany in New centre Jan Serfontein snatched a place of Botha to get the Springboks demonstrate their power and pace. Zealand. South Africa coach last-minute try. over the gain line more often and However, neither Williams nor Heyneke Meyer has been impressed Serfontein, skipper of the 2012 the return of ‘scavenger’ Francois recalled full-back James So’oialo by the form of the islanders during IRB World Junior Championship-win- Louw, who was married last week, possesses the match-winning goal- the mini-league phase of a tourna- ning team, is among several new- should ensure plentiful ruck and kicking skills of South Africa play- ment featuring Test double-headers comers this season as Meyer seeks to maul ball. maker Morne Steyn, and it would be on three consecutive weekends. Star broaden his player base ahead of “We underperformed and under- a shock if the Springboks did not left-wing Alesana Tuilagi bagged a stiffer Rugby Championship (former- achieved against Scotland,” admit- claim first place. The Loftus double- brace of tries as Samoa outmuscled ly Tri-Nations) challenges. Crowd ted Louw from English Premiership header kicks off with a third-place Scotland 27-17 in Durban and favourite Willie le Roux, a free spirit club Bath, “but it was a lesson well play-off between Six Nations champi- another five were scored last week- who plays on the right wing for learnt. You need those games to put onship rivals Italy and Scotland, who end in a 39-10 trouncing of Italy in Central Cheetahs, gets a third outing things into perspective”. There is won 34-10 when they last met five Nelspruit. in a row at full-back and former wing also a change at lock with 120-kilo- months ago in Edinburgh. — AFP

Beale ‘can turn his life Genia expects to be around against Lions’ MELBOURNE: Australia coach Robbie Deans is right to hunted by the Lions throw Kurtley Beale into the first British & Irish Lions test despite his personal problems, according to Andrew Walker, whose own international career derailed after BRISBANE: Australia scrumhalf Will helping the Wallabies win the 2001 series. Dual interna- Genia fully expects the British and Irish tional Walker, who scored a try from the wing during the Lions to come after him in today’s first lost first test in 2001, is thrilled the utility back has a place test but he is happy to have a target on on the bench for today’s match at Lang Park following his his back if it gives his team mates more battles with alcohol issues and a recent stint at a private opportunities. Genia is widely regarded health clinic. as the best scrumhalf in the world and “It’s great for him to get back there,” Walker, capped was the first name on Lions defense seven times for the Wallabies, told Reuters in an interview coach Andy Farrell’s lips when asked yesterday. “There may be some people who don’t want about the Wallabies threat. him to play but because it’s the Wallabies, he’ll stand up Genia reads the game brilliantly, because he’s playing with some great players as well. “He’s leads his forwards like an on-field gen- got an opportunity to really turn things around and if he comes out of it like a hero, everyone’s going to love him eral, kicks well from hand and constant- again. “It’s important for him, not to prove everyone wrong ly probes for defensive weakness to but just to prove himself right. To know that he’s one of exploit around the fringes. ‘Stop Genia the best in the world.” and you stop Australia’ has been a Beale, 24, has played scarcely more than half an hour of mantra for opposing sides over the last senior rugby in nearly four months after struggling with a few years and the 25-year-old has no hand injury and a string of alcohol-related incidents. He doubt he will come in for some close was stood down by his Super Rugby side Melbourne attention at Lang Park. Rebels in March for more than a month after punching “You just have to deal with that in Welsh captain Gareth Delve and another team mate in a the game,” he told reporters yesterday. boozy incident on a team bus in South Africa. “In the test match they’ll look to pres- BRISBANE: Australian rugby union player Will Genia kicks the ball during the captain’s run at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. — AFP Days after his return to the side during an off-field pro- sure you a bit more than a Super Rugby gram of counseling, he was stood down again indefinitely match but at the end of the day I’m just taking the right opportunities when rarely as halfbacks come into contact for breaking the terms of his rehabilitation, including one player. “If all the attention is on me they present themselves. “If it’s on to with each other. “There’s no real one- being found drinking at a social function with team mates. then there is going to be opportunities run, it’s on to run, but as it’s been tight on-one opportunities with each other, Beale promptly checked himself into a private health clinic elsewhere, so I just have to work hard if around that area maybe it’s early to shift it’s more just doing as well as you can but resumed training with the Wallabies camp earlier this there is that extra bit of attention and the ball to James O’Connor or Christian for your team and having a positive month while he continues his off-field program. pressure on me to deal with that and Lealiifano or the forwards to do the hard influence, rather than trying to do too As an indigenous player who struggled with alcohol look to give other blokes opportuni- work early on in the game.” much and outdo the other bloke.” With and drugs throughout a roller-coaster career, Walker can ties.” The son of a former minister in the his Queensland Reds halfback partner identify with Beale’s off-field battles. Born one of 13 in a Papua New Guinea government, Genia HUGE FIRST GAME Quade Cooper having been left out of small coastal town south of Sydney, Walker represented had his game face and had clearly Genia will renew his acquaintance the squad by coach Robbie Deans, Australia in rugby league before union, but his Wallabies made good use of his time in the with Lions scrumhalf Mike Phillips Genia will link with inexperienced flyhalf career was cut short in 2001 after seven tests when the Wallabies training camp. today and has a healthy respect for his O’Connor today. “We’re rooming team grew tired of him disappearing from training camps “Having watched the Lions in the last opposite number, even if he thinks it together,” said Genia. “We’ve made a to go on long drinking sessions. few weeks there hasn’t been too much cannot be defined as a battle between big effort to make sure we’ve built He revived his career in the National Rugby League but space around that ruck area,” he said. “If them. “He’s an exceptional player,” bonds within the group and with a nine was banned for two years for testing positive to cocaine in that’s the case then obviously there has Genia said. “He’s a physical, abrasive and 10 combination you have to do that 2004. Walker switched back to rugby union after his ban to be space somewhere else, so it’s just character. He likes to get stuck in. “As so you have a trust and a good under- ended and finished his top-flight career for Super Rugby’s about identifying the right times and far as individual battles go, you very standing in each other. —Reuters Queensland Reds in 2008. —Reuters SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Serena Williams ‘sorry’ after rape comments

NEW YORK: Serena Williams reached out to means would say or insinuate that she was at er to blame.” Two players from a high school you’re drunk like that, your parents should the family of a victim in a rape case after the all to blame.” The comment was made in one American football team in Steubenville were teach you: Don’t take drinks from other peo- tennis star was quoted in a Rolling Stone article paragraph of a long story posted online on convicted in March of raping a drunken 16- ple.” Williams also is quoted as saying: “... she saying “she shouldn’t have put herself in that Tuesday about Williams. The 16-time Grand year-old girl. One of the boys was ordered to shouldn’t have put herself in that position, position.” Williams, in England preparing for Slam winner is coming off a French Open title serve an additional year for photographing the unless they slipped her something, then that’s Wimbledon, spoke to the victim of the and is ranked No. 1 entering Wimbledon, girl naked. The case gained widespread atten- different.” Steubenville, Ohio case, her mother and a fami- which starts next week. tion in part because of the callousness with Williams added in her statement: “I have ly lawyer for about 30 minutes on Wednesday, The victim’s family welcomed Williams’ which other students used social media to gos- fought all of my career for women’s equality, the lawyer said. “Serena was very nice, very sin- apology in its own statement on Wednesday, sip about it. “What happened in Steubenville women’s equal rights, respect in their fields - cere and it was a very well-received conversa- saying it was “proud of her” for the updated was a real shock for me. I was deeply sad- anything I could do to support women I have tion among two women and a young lady,” remarks. “We are sure Serena has & will contin- dened,” Williams said in the statement. “For done. My prayers and support always goes out attorney Bob Fitzsimmons said on Thursday. ue to use her God given talents to advance someone to be raped, and at only sixteen, is to the rape victim. In this case, most especially, Williams apologized in a statement released women’s equality and send the message that such a horrible tragedy! For both families to an innocent sixteen year old child.” WTA through her agent on Wednesday. “I am cur- rape is never acceptable under any circum- involved - that of the rape victim and of the CEO Stacey Allaster said in a statement the tour rently reaching out to the girl’s family to let her stance,” according to the statement released accused.” According to the Rolling Stone story, had been touch with Williams about the article. know that I am deeply sorry for what was writ- by Fitzsimmons. “We are fans of Serena and Williams says the perpetrators of the crime “did “If she was accurately quoted, then Serena’s ten in the Rolling Stone article,” the statement will continue rooting for many more champi- something stupid,” and she asks: “Do you think comments were both insensitive and wrong,” said. “What was written - what I supposedly onships but more importantly watching her it was fair, what they got?” She adds, “I’m not Allaster said. “We disagree with the statements said - is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no advance the cause of rape victims who are nev- blaming the girl, but if you’re a 16-year-old and and have made that clear to her.”— AP

For Pete’s sake, US needs a Wimbledon champion LONDON: It’s been almost 10 years while 38 Grand Slams have passed since the United States, once the undisputed heavyweight champion of world tennis, was able to salute a men’s trophy winner at the majors. Nobody expects that record decline to be suddenly reversed at Wimbledon from next week. Pete Sampras was the last American man to win in London when he captured his seventh title in 2000, before Andy Roddick suffered three heartbreaking final losses to Roger Federer in 2004, 2005 and 2009. Since then, the only American man to trouble the All England Club engravers was John Isner whose name now adorns a plaque on Court 18 to recognize his winning role in the world’s longest tennis match in 2010. “I like to com- pete. And especially when you’re playing in a Grand Slam, you want to go out competing,” said Isner, who became part of Wimbledon folklore after beating Nicolas Mahut in that famous 2010 first round clash. The 28-year-old American won the final set 70-68 in a match which took three days to complete. But Isner would rather be winning Wimbledon than forever being associat- ed with a first round tie as he tries to improve on a woeful record at the All England Club where he had yet to get beyond the second round. Only once at any major-the 2011 US Open-has he managed to reach a quarter-final. It’s all a far cry from the glory years of Sampras or Andre Agassi, the 1992 champion, three-time winner John McEnroe (1981, 1983 and 1984) and double champion Jimmy Connors (1974 and 1982). Isner is no longer even the American number one with the mantle having passed to Sam Querrey, the 25-year-old world number 19. But Querrey too has an underwhelming Swiss Roger Federer track record at the majors. His best Wimbledon perform- ance was a last-16 run in 2010 backed up by similar fourth round spots at the US Open in 2008 and 2010. Ryan Federer faces a tough road Harrison, 21, who will be one of 12 US men in the main draw at Wimbledon, has long been touted as the next big thing in American tennis. to another Wimbledon final But like Isner and Querrey, he has struggled by being thrust into the space created by the shock retirement last year of Roddick, the country’s last major champion at the Djokovic to avoid big three rivals until final 2003 US Open, and Mardy Fish’s ongoing health problems. Harrison won his first tour-level match at just 15 and LONDON: Roger Federer faces a tough number one Novak Djokovic would be Championships at Queen’s Club last cracked the top 100 as an 18-year-old in July, 2011. His road to another Wimbledon final after on course to face seventh seed Tomas week. ranking rose to 43 in July last year but his progress has yesterday’s draw threw Rafa Nadal and Berdych in the quarter-finals but will If all goes to plan, Murray will face old stalled and he will go into Wimbledon at 84 in the world. home favorite Andy Murray into the avoid any of his three main rivals until foe Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last eight - As well as the universal draining effects of the Grand Slam champion’s path and cleared the way the final. having beaten the Frenchman in last monopoly exercised by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and for world number one Novak Djokovic. Djokovic plays Florian Mayer in his year’s semi-finals and at Queen’s this Novak Djokovic, Harrison believes that US men’s tennis The third seed could face Spaniard opening match and also has fourth seed month. “You don’t look past the first needs a high-profile role model to get more youngsters Nadal, seeded only fifth to reflect his David Ferrer in his half of the draw. match,” the Scot had said ahead of the playing the game. current ranking as he works his way Nadal, the eight-times French Open win- draw. “You’ve got to have a guy who’s American and winning back from injury, in what would likely be ner who suffered a shock second-round “There are a lot of dangerous players a lot, because then kids have something to look up to,” an epic quarter-final on the grass of defeat in London last year, starts out out there early in the tournament.” said Harrison. “For the most part over the last seven, eight southwest London. against Belgian Steve Darcis while Murray, Federer and Nadal are all sched- years, you turn on the TV to watch the Australian Open Federer and Nadal, the big danger in Federer’s first opponent is Romanian uled to play on the opening day on final or the final at Wimbledon, whatever, you can count the draw, played three finals in 2006, Victor Hanescu. Second seed Murray’s Monday. In the women’s draw, top seed on one hand the guys you’ve been seeing over and over. 2007 and 2008. If the Swiss seven-times opener is against world number 95 and defending champion Serena “That’s what tennis in the States needs to have someone winner gets through the quarter-final, Benjamin Becker, the 31-year-old Williams will begin her quest for a 17th who is really being an idol to the kids growing up, making he faces a potential clash with last year’s German he beat in the quarter-finals on grand slam title against Luxembourg’s them say, I want to get in that position; I want to be like finalist Murray in the semi-finals. World his way to victory in the Aegon Mandy Minella. — Reuters that.”— AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Reactions from KMWFCT draw

KUWAIT: The draw of Kuwait Mini fans to back the team and be present Sanad said the draw placed them in a the national team. “We realize that the World Futsal Club Tournament during matches. difficult group including Spain’s teams we will face are very strong. We (KMWFCT) received wide ranging reac- He said the results of the draw Santiago, Croatia’s Aluminos and will play with the highly advanced tions from officials of participating brought teams that are similar and of Thailand’s Tshonbori. Al-Sanad said the Ukraine as well as Colombia in addition teams, yet all agreed that the competi- the same level - though he considered opening match will be very important to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nasser club,” he tion will be difficult. Qadiseya Club the Iranian team the strongest due to and will be the launching pad to the added. Meanwhile president of Spain’s indoor team official Khalid Al-Dhafiri the experience of its players. He said rest of the tournament. Santiago Club Ramon Garcia said the said his team has a good chance to “we will try our best to compete with Egypt’s Al-Maqasa club representa- competition will be fierce as levels of compete well in the tournament as his them as the club is able to bring in high tive said the club is pleased to partici- most teams are close to each other. He team began preparations early while caliber professional players to compete pate in such a major event representing said most teams are champions in their looking for the strengths and weak- for the title”. Egypt at the international level. He said countries and have outstanding play- nesses of other teams so as to decide Meanwhile, Manager of Kazima Al-Maqasa is Egypt’s indoor soccer ers, adding that reaching the final how best to deal with them. He asked Indoor Soccer team Mohammad Al- champion and has 10 of its players in stages will not be easy. Marquez, Bradley eager to put Pacquiao behind them

BEVERLY HILLS: Juan Manuel Marquez could tively booked the fight for Sept 14 before redemption. The unbeaten bruiser won a severe punishment and dishing out his own have fought Manny Pacquiao for a fifth time. moving it back four weeks when Floyd decision over Pacquiao last year, but almost shots to win a decision in his first fight since Timothy Bradley could have had a rematch Mayweather Jr declared his intention to fight nobody outside of Bradley’s corner agreed beating Pacquiao. with the Filipino congressman. They both Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on the same day. Arum with the verdict. Bradley stewed for months Bradley has been criticized as a boring turned down chances to follow up on the is still confident the matchup will be one of over the perceived disrespect from a fight he fighter with little knockout power, but his win biggest victories of their boxing careers. the most intriguing pay-per-view bouts of the still believes he won. Although that frustra- over Provodnikov altered his reputation. That Marquez and Bradley wanted to face each year. “They could have made more money, tion still hasn’t abated much, he’s confident bout even intrigued Marquez, who has been other instead, and they will meet in a welter- but this fight isn’t only for money,” Arum said he’ll finally get the respect he deserves by a brutally effective puncher throughout his weight title bout Oct 12. of Bradley and Marquez. “They’re looking to trouncing Marquez. “This is the opportunity 15-year pro career. “I’m trying a different way Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs) and Bradley (30- make history.” that I had in the Pacquiao fight that slipped to train,” Marquez said. “He’s a very different 0, 12 KOs) are looking for a chance to be seen Marquez’s bit of history is obvious: He away due to the controversy,” Bradley said. “I style of fighter from (Pacquiao). I’d like to win outside Pacman’s enormous shadow, and could become the first Mexican boxer to win want to become a superstar in boxing. I want this fight because he has never lost a fight.” they’ll get it at the Thomas and Mack Center five titles in five weight classes, even doing it to be a household name. Marquez’s win over Pacquiao boosted his in Las Vegas. “I feel like I won the last three after his 40th birthday this summer. Marquez I’m a four-time champion, and I’m still not status, but the Mexican star’s buff physique fights against Pacquiao,” Marquez said knocked out Pacquiao last December, ending on everybody’s pound-for-pound list. I want also prompted numerous whispers about the Thursday at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “Now that a near-decade of frustration against his to be a superstar, but nothing you get in life is way he achieved it. Marquez and Bradley I finally beat him, I want to keep this feeling nemesis with a big overhand right in the sixth easy. You have to go take it, and that’s what have signed contracts for their fight, but for a while. I want to keep it, and I want to round. “If I want to be the best, I need to beat I’m going to do when I win this fight.” they’re still sniping about the various meth- fight somebody else.” the best,” Marquez said. “Bradley is the cham- Bradley showed up in Beverly Hills sport- ods and agencies for random drug testing. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum would have pion. His style and my style make a great ing a beard and looking fully healed from his Bradley said the fight would be off if Marquez signed either fighter for a rematch with fight. I’m training very hard on my speed, thrilling brawl with Ruslan Provodnikov in doesn’t comply with unnamed testing condi- Pacquiao, who instead will take on Brandon especially for this fight, because speed is the March. The Palm Springs-area fighter won tions in the fighters’ contracts. “I want to Rios in Macau in November. When Bradley most important thing in it.” new fans while showing a recklessness few prove I’m a clean fighter,” Marquez said. “It’s and Marquez chose each other, Arum tenta- Bradley is seeking history through imagined he possessed, recovering from no problem.” —AP SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Hoffman fires 61 to Photo of the day seize Travelers lead

CROMWELL: Charley Hoffman fired a nine-under-par 61 on Thursday to seize a one-stroke lead over fellow American Hunter Mahan after round one of the $6.1 million PGA Travelers Championship. Hoffman, who shared 45th at last week’s US Open, eagled the par-4 10th and par-5 13th holes and after a birdie at the 15th needed to birdie the last three holes to match the US PGA’s all-time record low round of 59. “It sort of crossed my mind, but not for long,” Hoffman said. “I learned that 16, 17, 18 aren’t an easy test.” He only managed a birdie at the 18th, but it was enough to put him atop the leaderboard by a stroke over Mahan, who shared fourth at the US Open, and two shots over 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson. Past major winners Zach Johnson and Webb Simpson were in a group sharing fourth on 65 that included fellow American John Merrick, Venezuela’s Camilo Villegas, Canada’s Graham DeLaet and Australia’s Rod Pampling. US Open winner Justin Rose of England fired a 67 to share 18th, with a high point of the day being the first time he heard his name announced as a major champion. “Being announced as the 2013 US Open champion, I couldn’t help but smile before I hit my first tee shot,” Rose said. “That’s an achieve- ment that I’ve been dreaming about. “I had a sluggish four or five holes where I struggled, but I stayed patient. I’ve stayed sort of com- mitted to the same things that worked so well for me last week. That was my goal today, really.” Defending champion Marc Leishman of Australia opened on 66. He finished one stroke ahead of Mahan and Hoffman last year to capture the crown at the TPC River Highlands for his first US PGA victory. Hoffman’s bogey-free round included birdies at the par-5 sixth and par-4 seventh, his pair of eagles sandwiched around a birdie at the 12th and birdies on two of the last four holes. He fired a back-nine 28, Sebastien Ogier performs during the 2013 Argentinian Rally in Cordoba, Argentina. the lowest nine-hole score of his PGA career and the US tour’s lowest back nine since Vijay Singh fired a 28 in 1998. And Hoffman did it with — www.redbullcontentpool.com a broken tooth, albeit one that was not causing him pain.”The tooth broke at The Players this year. I haven’t had time to go home,” Hoffman said. “Got it re-plastered a couple times, so just going to get it re-glued. Nothing major, no pain or anything.” Mahan, who won Audi and Toyota duel this event in 2007, began on the back nine with a birdie, ran off three birdies in a row starting at the 13th and added another at 17, birdied the par-4 second and bagged two final birdies at the par-3 fifth and the headlines at Le Mans sixth. Watson opened with a pair of birdies but took a bogey at fourth and followed a birdie at six with a bogey on the next hole before clos- ing the front nine with another birdie. He added birdies at 11 and 13 LE MANS: The 81st edition of the Le first three places on the grid ahead of 168 drivers slated to take to the Le Mans before making an eagle at the par-4 15th and a birdie at 17. — AFP Mans 24 Hours this weekend is set to today’s renewal with the trio of Loic track this weekend are a pair of ex-F1 provide a fitting finale to week-long fes- Duval, two-time winner Allan McNish drivers in Japan’ Kamui Kobayashi, who tivites at the fabled Circuit de la Sarthe, and eight-time champion Tom will compete for Ferrari in the GT Gay and Gatlin cruise celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, Kristensen securing pole position in the Endurance Pro category, and Brazilian with Toyota out to knock title-holders #2 R18 e-tron quattro. Bruno Senna, nephew of three-time F1 in US 100m qualifying Audi off their perch. Audi’s dominance Toyota though, whose two cars qual- world champion Ayrton Senna, who will stretches back to their first title in 2000 ified fourth and fifth fastest, will take take to the wheel of an Aston Martin. IOWA: Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin cruised through the opening with the German manufacturer victori- confidence from a trio of successes in American Patrick Dempsey, best round of the 100 meters at the US trials on Thursday as America’s top ous on 10 of 12 occasions since, includ- Sao Paulo, Fuji and Shanghai that saw known for his role in the TV series Grey’s sprinters launched their bids for August’s world championships. ing the last three races. However, them finish the 2012 campaign strongly Anatomy, will make his second appear- Former world champion Gay, the year’s fastest man, won his heat in Toyota, who made their return to the and will benefit from a rule change that ance, this time with Porsche in the GT 10.28 seconds while Olympic bronze medalist Gatlin, racing into a event last year after a 13-year absence, will allow them to carry three extra litres Endurance AM class, after a ninth-place stronger head wind, finished behind collegian Charles Silmon in will aim to build on a promising 2012 of fuel, a move criticized by Audi with finish with Ferrari in the GT2 category in 10.37 in the next race. Silmon ran 10.35. “I didn’t really have a great display that was ultimately curtailed by a one of their drivers complaining: “You 2009. However, nine-time World Rally start,” said Gay, his hair and beard neatly trimmed after several series of accidents and mechanical fail- don’t change the rules during the Champion Sebastien Loeb won’t take months of letting both grow out. “But (I wanted) to the get the kinks ures. game.” part after his team withdrew their entry, out, get the nerves out. I should be ready for tomorrow.” Audi have again demonstrated their Swiss team Rebellion, led by long- while Green GT also pulled out after Gatlin, who recently surprised world record holder Usain Bolt in superiority by winning the first two time Formula One veteran Nick announcing their hydrogen-powered Rome, was more concerned about qualifying than a fast time, espe- events of this season’s World Endurance Heidfeld, also harbor hopes of challeng- car was not yet ready for the challenge cially with a 2.9 meters per second wind blowing into his face. “There Championship (WEC) at Silverstone and ing for the podium after a fourth-place of motor racing’s oldest active was a little hurricane out there, the head wind, but it felt good to Spa and on Thursday locked down the finish in last year’s race. Also among the endurance race. — AFP come out here and shake the legs out a little bit,” said the 2004 Olympic 100 meters gold medalist. The semi-finals and finals are on Friday with the top three finishers from the Des Moines, Iowa, meet- ing qualifying for the August 10-18 worlds in Moscow. Collegian Dentarius Locke and Jeff Demps were the day’s fastest, both in 10.19 seconds, as former US champion Mike Rodgers and Olympian Walter Dix joined Gay and Gatlin in the semi-finals. Barbara Pierre, a former Haitian Olympian now representing the United States, led a depleted field in women’s 100 meters qualifying. Pierre clocked 11.18 seconds as Olympic silver medalist Carmelita Jeter and fellow Olympian Tianna (Madison) Bartoletta missed the meeting through injury and Olympic 200 meters gold medalist Allyson Felix LE MANS: Audi chose to run only her specialty. R18 e-tron Jeter still advanced to the world championships thanks to her wild quattro No 2 card entry as the defending world champion. Jeremy Wariner was not driven by Danish as fortunate. The 2004 Olympic winner finished last in 400 meters Tom Kristensen qualifying. Olympic silver medalist Galen Rupp claimed the men’s competes during 10,000 meters final, winning in 28 minutes, 47.32 seconds, two sec- the second onds ahead of runner-up Dathan Ritzenhein, with Shalane Flanagan, qualifying the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, taking the women’s race in practice session of 31:43.20. The championships continue through Sunday. — Reuters the 90th 24-hours of Le Mans. — AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 New Zealand duo eye more rowing history LONDON: New Zealand’s Hamish Bond and Eric Murray will look to take sole possession of the longest winning streak in men’s rowing when they bid for their 14th straight major title at the World Cup regatta on the London Olympic course of Eton Dorney this weekend. The 27-year-old Bond and 31-year-old Murray, who’ve never lost a competitive rowing event as a duo, are cur- rently tied on 13 consecutive major titles, equal with the Danish lightweight four of 1996-1999 and the German men’s eight of 2009 to date, although the Germans have gone through several crew changes. As far as many within the sport are concerned, the Kiwis’ place in rowing history has already been secured. “They are regarded as the quickest pair there has ever been,” said Tom James, Britain’s double Olympic gold medalist. Yet the New Zealanders’ stellar career was forged on the back of a loss. In 2008, Bond and Murray were in the New Zealand four that disappointed at the Beijing Olympics, finishing seventh in a competition won by Great Britain. After the Games, the strongest two oarsmen in the victorious British crew Andrew Triggs Hodge and Pete Reed-decided to switch from the four to the pair. The two men had combined to win every British trial since 2004 and were, and remain, outstand- ing physical specimens with giant lung capacities ideal for the six BIRMINGHAM: India’s Dinesh Karthik misses a catch during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy cricket match minutes of aerobic agony required to win medals at rowing. But if between Pakistan and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham. —AFP they were hoping to dominate the run up to London 2012, they were to be disappointed, because-out of the wreckage of the defeated New Zealand boat-Bond and Murray had also decided India, England face off in to switch to the pair. The first competitive match-up between the four men took place at the opening World Cup regatta of the 2009 season in Champions Trophy final Munich. Half way through the race, the Kiwis were already rowing off into the distance, eventually finishing more than three seconds ahead of Hodge and Reed. At the next World Cup race, in LONDON: With its national game embroiled in corruption alle- “The past is the past, and we can’t change anything about it. Switzerland, the Kiwis won again, this time by five-and-a-half sec- gations and its national team supposedly in transition, India So there is no point worrying about it,” said England wicket- onds. And so it continued, all that summer, at World Cups, at arrived at the Champions Trophy as the world’s top-ranked keeper Jos Buttler. “This is a great chance to right those World Championships and at the Henley Royal Regatta one-day side but with few giving them a chance. However, just wrongs.” If the hosts are to break its 50-over tournament Of the two New Zealand oarsmen, Murray better fits the profile like Italy’s football team emerged from adversity and scandal at drought, they will need a brilliant bowling performance from of the star athlete. He is tall, 6ft 4in (2.01m), broad and wears home to win World Cups in 1982 and 2006, India’s new-look James Anderson and Co in Birmingham. Dhawan has emerged trademark mutton chop blonde whiskers. On the rowing class of 2013 is proving a resilient bunch. from the shadows of Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir and been a machine, he once clocked up 18.73 theoretical kilometres in 60 Heading into tomorrow’s final against Trophy host England, revelation, scoring a tournament-high 332 runs in four innings. minutes (a world record). Murray is also exceptionally proficient in the Indians have won four from four, their bowlers have come That included centuries in group matches against South the single sculls. Last year, Murray took on his team-mate Mahe to relish unfamiliar English conditions, and bearded opening Africa and West Indies and a 68 in the semifinal victory over Sri Drysdale, the single scull world and Olympic champion, at a local batsman Shikhar Dhawan has become the star of the tourna- Lanka on Thursday. Light on his feet and punishing anything regatta in New Zealand. He beat Drysdale by half a second. ment. The era of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender outside off stump, the left-handed Dhawan has played with a Despite Murray’s impressive athleticism, it is the shy, round-shoul- Sehwag will long be revered but their replacements have sig- swagger to thrill Indian fans who will be at Edgbaston en dered Bond who excites the most fascination within the rowing naled over the past two weeks that the future can be bright masse on Sunday. Even if he fails, with Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, community. without them. Raina and Dhoni to come in the batting lineup, India won’t be Bond is not particularly tall nor heavy, but his strength-to- Only three players - Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and captain MS concerned. weight ratio is astonishing. Martin Cross, a British gold medallist at Dhoni - played in India’s victory over Sri Lanka in the World Cup In the absence of Kevin Pietersen, England hasn’t been as Los Angeles 1984 and now the BBC’s rowing correspondent, final in 2011 and will likely turn out against the English at fluent with the bat - the team hasn’t reached 300 yet - but explained: “Bond is much smaller than Andy Hodge, but his ergo Edgbaston, but the inexperience isn’t showing. “If we can bowl Jonathan Trott is the third highest run-scorer in the tourna- scores are right up there, which means he can shift his weight to our field and play to our strengths, we will do well against ment and is always a steadying influence at No. 3 in the order, more effectively in the boat. He’s simply a beautiful, fluid athlete.” any team,” India paceman Ishant Sharma said. “We have not despite his critics in the English media. Meanwhile, England’s Altogether, Bond and Murray won three consecutive World been under pressure in this tournament so far and we really bowlers have been getting more movement with the ball than Championship titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011. don’t know where our real weaknesses lie. “We’ll stick to the any other team in this tournament but India’s attack hasn’t Hodge and Reed ran the New Zealanders hard in 2010 on the plans and we’ll stick to our strengths, just carry on doing the been far behind. Kiwis’ home water at Lake Karapiro-the British pair led going into same thing in the final.” Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav have been the final 1,500m in one of the gutsiest races ever contested-but While India has been playing against the backdrop of a disciplined and bowled a good length, all the time being ably the final defeat, by 0.32 seconds, was as close as they would ever spot-fixing scandal involving players and officials in the Indian assisted by spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. get to beating their New Zealand rivals. At London 2012, the Kiwis Premier League, England’s Champions Trophy campaign is Some feat for a unit used to such different conditions on the won the Olympic gold long predicted for them setting a new being seen by its supporters as merely a taster ahead of the subcontinent. Even Dhoni felt confident enough to strip off the world best time along the way (rowers usually refer to ‘world best’ real business of this summer - the Ashes series. At least in pub- pads and have a bowl in the semi against Sri Lanka. England rather than ‘world record’ times because of the difference in water lic, England’s players aren’t seeing it that way. Their team has may be at home but India has steamrolled allcomers, and will conditions from race to race). Hodge and Reed also won gold on never won a world 50-over event, having lost in the finals of be able to count on huge support. It adds up to India being the the Eton Dorney lake-but only after switching to a four to com- both the World Cup and the Champions Trophy over the past favorite to claim the Champions Trophy and cement its posi- pete alongside James and Alex Gregory. —AFP two decades. The Ashes can wait for one more weekend. tion as the king of one-day cricket. —AP Wallabies to prevent repeat of ‘Sea of Red’ BRISBANE: Australia captain James helped drive the team to victory. “It gener- their last 10 tests. The 52,500-capacity sta- fans are wearing their gold tomorrow Horwill has implored Wallabies fans to ally felt that day like a home game,” the dium is also home to Horwill’s Queensland night and we don’t see that sea of red from come to Lang Park dressed in gold today Irish centre said. “We just didn’t even think Reds, who won 2011 Super Rugby title in a 2001,” he said. “I think that caught some of and prevent a repeat of the 2001 British that was a possibility but when we ran dramatic final against the Canterbury the guys by surprise last time and we’re and Irish Lions test when visiting fans out, it literally felt like three-quarters red. Crusaders at the ground. The Brisbane very aware of the travelling support the famously created a ‘Sea of Red’ in “It gives us an extra pep in your step and crowds have developed a reputation for Lions do have and they’re very vocal and Brisbane. The 2001 test, which the tourists gives you an added incentive when you passionate support and Horwill said it passionate. “I think here in Queensland, won before going on to lose the series 2-1, know they are roaring you on.” could be a factor in deciding who wins the our supporters are equally as passionate so was played at the Gabba cricket ground Today’s match will be played at Lang first test today. “It can have an impact, the we’re looking forward to them coming out and Brian O’Driscoll recalled yesterday Park, which Australia have made a fortress fans get right behind us and that’s why it’s in the gold and drowning out the Lions how the predominance of Lions fans had in recent years with only one defeat in so special and we’re hoping all the Aussie supporters.” —Reuters SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

Protests pierce soccer bubble at Confed Cup

SALVADOR: The player glances anx- the competition’s six host stadiums, message to the government, accusing eyes”. Whether as a direct result or iously at the press officer, who furrows but on each occasion they have been them of neglecting their “obligation” not, others have since added their his brow. With one press-conference rebuffed by riot police. to the Brazilian people. Prior to voices to the chorus of support for the question from a reporter, the Brazil In the midst of it all, the players Wednesday’s game, 15,000 people protests. “I think each person has their protests crash in on the neatly organ- from the eight competing countries- marched on the match venue in reasons for making a protest,” said ized interior life of the Confederations many of them millionaire superstars- Fortaleza and the atmosphere inside Uruguay striker Diego Forlan, who Cup. “What do you think about the have been ferried around from venue the stadium was electric. When the plays for Brazilian club Internacional. protests?” is not a question to which to venue in their team buses, trying to music of the Brazilian national anthem “I believe that this is a moment many of the players at the two-week keep as low a profile as possible. The finished playing, players and fans alike now where everyone is focusing on tournament of continental champions cosseted stars were initially reluctant sang on regardless, spontaneously the World Cup and looking at Brazil, have had to give much thought. to express opinions on the demon- forming an a cappella choir of 60,000 so this is a moment for people to Battles have raged in Brazil this strations, the biggest to hit Brazil in 20 people that observers described as speak up and express their opinions week, fugs of tear gas drifting through years, only for the host nations’ play- “spine-tingling”. about what is wrong.” He was echoed the streets as riot police clash with ers to shatter the omerta in the build- Luiz, the Chelsea defender, said it by his coach, Oscar Tabarez, who protesters angry at the alleged misal- up to their game with Mexico on was “one of the most beautiful asserted the demonstrators’ “right” to location of government funds, but the Wednesday. moments of my life”. Thiago Silva, the have their voices heard. event at the centre of it all remains Dani Alves, David Luiz, Hulk and captain, sang with his eyes tightly In general, however, the tone has largely untouched. On several occa- Fred all spoke out in support of the closed, his head raised to the sky. Left- been circumspect. “We keep football sions, demonstrators have attempted protesters, before the teams’ poster back Marcelo revealed that young apart from politics,” said Nigeria coach to breach the tight security around boy, Neymar, delivered a chastening midfielder Oscar had “tears in his Stephen Keshi. —AFP

Pitfalls every corner on Wambach’s outburst the long road to Brazil SALVADOR: Pot-holed pitches, hostile customs officials, sets world record over-zealous police, unwelcoming hosts and marathon plane trips have turned the 2014 World Cup qualifiers into a via crucis for some teams despite efforts from FIFA to impose fair play. Although there has been nothing approaching the so- Wambach is soccer’s all-time leading goal scorer called “football war” which followed an El Salvador-Honduras qualifier in 1969, the sparks can still fly as players and coach- HARRISON: A drenched and elated es face career-changing matches in unfamiliar conditions. Abby Wambach stood at midfield with The last two weeks alone have seen Jordan’s coach her US teammates after a win over detained in Australia, a mudslinging session between the South Korea, watching the goal coaches of South Korea and Iran and Argentina’s Javier onslaught on the big screen. They Mascherano sent off in a bizarre incident involving a stretch- laughed, nudged each other and er cart. Meanwhile, three African teams have been put under smiled as one great goal after another investigation for fielding ineligible players and Togo’s Alaixys by Wambach was shown. It all was Romao refused to travel to Libya with his team saying it was appropriate Thursday night after unsafe. Wambach surpassed Mia Hamm and The days when bands would play outside a visiting team’s became the greatest goal scorer in hotel to keep the players awake may have past, but poor international soccer. hospitality still causes numerous complaints. South Korea Wambach scored four times in the coach Choi Kang-hee stoked the flames before his team’s first half to break Hamm’s record for match at home to Iran on Tuesday by claiming his squad had international career goals with room been “badly treated” when they lost 1-0 in Tehran last to spare in a 5-0 victory. The second- October. Rival coach Carlos Queiroz refuted the allegations best game of her career gave the 33- and described them as a “humiliation” for the Iranian people. year-old Wambach 160 goals in 207 Kenya were fuming after their players ended up training games, two more than Hamm had in a on a dusty housing estate before their match in Nigeria in storied 275-game career that ended in HARRISON: Abby Wambach #20 of the USA gets a Gatorade bath by her March. Kenya said they were put in a low-grade hotel, and 2004. “I don’t think about how I sit in teamates after a 5-0 win against Korea Republic after Wambach broke Mia were made to wait in Lagos, rather than being flown straight history, in the books,” Wambach said. Hamm’s all-time International goal scoring record with 159 at Red Bull to the match venue in Calabar. In another incident Jordan “What my legacy is, that is something I Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. — AFP coach Adnan Hamad was held for four hours and questioned do care about, and something that has by immigration officials in Australia after his side arrived for eluded me is a World Cup champi- much I look up to Mia and how amaz- then stopped as Rapinoe jumped into their World Cup qualifier in Sydney this month. Australia onship. I think every great athlete in ing the record she set was,” said her arms. The Rochester, NY, native Foreign Minister Bob Carr said he regretted “any embarrass- these moments, you do have to sepa- Wambach, who was doused with a was then mobbed by teammates on ment or inconvenience that may have been caused” but rate yourself and really celebrate. bucket of water after the game. The the field and those who streamed off stopped short of an official apology. I am going to celebrate tonight historic 159th came on a line-drive the bench as the crowd of 18,961 at Pitches are a frequently a bone of contention. The United with my friends and family, but at the header that ripped into the twine in Red Bull Arena cheered wildly. After States are rarely happy with conditions in Central America end of the day, tomorrow when the the back of the net off a corner kick by the hugs, Wambach turned to the and the Caribbean, complaining about long grass and an sun comes up, I still have to keep Megan Rapinoe. stands and blew a kiss toward her par- afternoon kick off in the heat of Honduras and playing on a working on my game to get better. “I “I’m just so proud of her,” Hamm ents, Judy and Peter. “My teammates cricket field in Antigua. Yet, with a wealth of options for think that is what the best athletes do. said. “Just watching those four goals, know me super well, and at halftime home matches, the US chose to host Costa Rica in March in They don’t dwell on their champi- that’s what she is all about. She fights they said: ‘You’re such an extremist. Denver and the game was played in a blizzard, prompting onships or records. As soon as they for the ball, she’s courageous and she You are all or nothing. When you want angry protests from the visitors which were dismissed by win one, all you want to do is find never gives up. Her strength and per- to do something, you just go do it,’” FIFA on a technicality. Zimbabwe and Egypt clearly struggled something new and move toward severance is what makes her so great Wambach said of getting the record. “I to cope with a rutted field at Harare’s National Sports that.” Wambach came into the friendly and it’s what defenders and opposing am very much like my father in that Stadium, described as a “potato patch” by a local newspaper, at Red Bull Arena needing two goals to teams fear. “From being her teammate way.” while Cameroon faced swampy conditions as they lost 2-0 at tie Hamm. early in her career, I know all she ever Other than “perfect ball,” Rapinoe Togo’s Stade de Kegue. That result could now be overturned The chase for Hamm’s record of 158 wanted to do was win, and she contin- quipped, the only thing she said after as FIFA investigates allegations that Togo fielded an ineligi- was over with three goals in the open- ues to do that. I’m just glad I got to the goal was, “YESSSS!” “I’m just so ble player, while Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea face similar ing 29 minutes. She added another in share 158 with her. It was short, but it happy for her,” Rapinoe said. “This was charges. Teams in South America have to contend with a injury time to give her a nice round was fun.” After the record-setting goal, an amazing, amazing accomplishment variety of difficult conditions, ranging from the steamy heat number. Ali Daie of Iran holds the Wambach turned and ran a couple of in way less games, the way she has of Barranquilla in Colombia to the thin air of La Paz in Bolivia, men’s record with 109. “I can’t say how steps in the direction of the US bench, done it. —AP at 3,600 metres above sea level. —Reuters SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 Merciless Spain crush Tahiti 10-0 Torres scores four, misses penalty

RIO DE JANEIRO: Spain won by a landslide as expected but tiny Tahiti emerged with their reputa- tions enhanced and their dignity intact despite their 10-0 loss to the world and European champions in the Confederations Cup on Thursday. Fernando Torres scored four times, and missed a penalty, David Villa hit three, David Silva two and Juan Mata one as Spain scored double figures for the third time in their history. The outcome of one of the most unlikely match- es to take place in a senior FIFA competition was never in doubt and even Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta said before the game his side’s chances of winning were “quite impossible”. Despite the Group B ham- mering, Tahiti played some attractive attacking football against a second-string Spain side that still contained some of the biggest names in European soccer including Sergio Ramos and Pepe Reina. “Often inferior teams look to break up the game and get aggressive, they play without spirit or hope. Standards aside, Tahiti showed a great example of how to go about playing football,” Torres told Spain’s Telecinco television after a record Confederations Cup victory. “We have tried to show them respect in every sense. We tried to play well, to play simple football, and to score goals and these goals will be important for the next stage.” Tahiti’s first meeting with European opposition was more of an occasion than a match in many respects, and the fans created a superb atmos- phere in the newly refurbished Maracana, the ven- ue for next year’s World Cup final. They cheered every Tahiti pass and tackle and roundly booed Spain. Two of the loudest cheers were for two fine saves made by 20-year-old Tahiti goalkeeper Mikael Roche midway through the second half with his side already 7-0 down. The first goal arrived after only five minutes when Torres scored RIO DE JANEIRO: Tahiti’s goalkeeper Mikael Roche dives as the ball hits the crossbar following a penalty taken by Spain’s in the huge gap which Roche left between himself forward Fernando Torres during their FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group B football match, at the Maracana and the near post. Stadium. —AFP

OBVIOUS SUPERIORITY Tahiti, who lost 6-1 to Nigeria first up and next face Uruguay on Sunday, kept Spain at bay for the Forlan inspires Uruguay next 26 minutes and weaved some neat passing moves together with Teheivarii Ludivon providing some of the best distribution for his side. But they were unable to make any real impact on the to 2-1 win over Nigeria Spanish defense apart from a fine angled shot from Ricky Aitamai just before halftime. By then Spain were already well in control and leading 4-0 with SALVADOR: Diego Forlan celebrated his 100th a warm and humid evening, the sparse crowd sup- take over supremacy again. It wasn’t showy foot- Silva, Torres and Villa all finding the target in an appearance for Uruguay in style, setting up one ported Nigeria, or rather rooted against Brazil’s ball. We had to work hard.” eight-minute spell. But despite Spain’s obvious goal then scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory over southern neighbor Uruguay. Keshi cited a lapse in concentration on Forlan’s superiority against the Oceania champions, who are Nigeria on Thursday to move his team within sight Nigeria relied on long balls while Uruguay goal. “I’m very impressed with what my boys did,” ranked 138th in the world, the amateurs from the of the Confederations Cup semifinals. Forlan’s relied on a more deliberate approach. The 34- he said. “The difference was that Uruguay’s team South Pacific never stopped trying to play football decisive goal came in the 51st minute with a year-old Forlan won the Golden Ball trophy as the has been together for six years vs. ours has been to the delight of the 71,000-plus crowd. sweetly-struck left-footed drive, when he finished best player at the 2010 World Cup when Uruguay together for a year and a half. So I hope we can sus- Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla even earned him- off a swift counterattack that involved all three of finished fourth and he rekindled some of that form tain this performance and add a little bit of person- self a booking for a clumsy challenge in the first half, the South American champion’s forwards, starting in this match. For the opening goal, Forlan crossed ality.” Nigeria opened the tournament by beating which ended with the crowd cheering Tahiti off. with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. toward the center of the area and Edinson Cavani Tahiti 6-1 while Spain beat Uruguay 2-1. In the final Spain flexed their muscles after the break with Villa Malaga defender Diego Lugano put Uruguay fooled Nigeria’s defense by letting the ball pass round of group matches Sunday, Nigeria faces adding two more and Torres one in the first 15 min- ahead in the 19th following a cross from Forlan through his legs to the waiting Lugano, who slot- Spain in Fortaleza and Uruguay meets Tahiti in utes of the second half before Mata made it eight and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel equalized ted it in from close range. Recife. Nigeria, which nearly didn’t show up at the when he got a lucky deflection after a one-two with for Nigeria in the 37th. “(Forlan) is a top striker However, Lugano struggled at the other end tournament after players threatened a strike last David Silva. Torres then missed a penalty after 78 with the way he uses both feet and the way he and Mikel dribbled by him to launch a powerful week over bonuses, risks going home early. —AP minutes, prompting a huge cheer from the crowd, handles the ball,” Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez shot into the top of the net to draw Nigeria level. but got his fourth goal and Spain’s ninth a minute said. “He showcased that talent tonight.” Uruguay Suarez started off the action that led to the winner later when he rounded Roche to score. and Nigeria are level with three points each in by taking the ball near midfield then passed it Silva made it double figures in the 89th minute Group B but Uruguay will be expected to win its across to Cavani who flicked it on to Forlan for an Matches on TV after another move that slit open the Tahiti defense. next match against underdog Tahiti while Nigeria angled shot inside the area. It was Forlan’s 34th Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque, whose side beat faces World Cup holder Spain. goal for Uruguay, moving him one ahead of (Local Timings) Uruguay in their opener and next play Nigeria on “Since the draw we knew that this was the Suarez into the squad’s all-time lead. Sunday, said: “We played a good game, we took it huge match to play,” Tabarez said. “We have taken Tabarez had considered removing Forlan from FIFA Confederations Cup a huge step toward the semifinals but we’re not the lineup for this match but he played from the seriously and our superiority was evident. “I don’t Italy v Brazil 22:00 think the stadium were against Spain. I think it was there yet.” Spain, which routed Tahiti 10-0 earlier start as the 1 in an offensive 3-4-1-2 lineup behind more to do with things beyond the stadium. We Thursday, leads the group with a full six points, Cavani and Suarez. “We had never played with the Aljazeera Sport +9 have seen in the previous game, and in the street, while Tahiti is last with none. However, Nigeria three strikers this way,” Tabarez said. “Our inten- everyone has shown us great affection.” Protests coach Stephen Keshi wasn’t giving up yet. tion from the outset was very clear. We played in Japan v Mexico 22:00 about the cost of living and the cost of the World “Everything is achievable,” he said. “It depends Nigeria’s half at the start but then Nigeria turned Aljazeera Sport +10 Cup have rocked Brazil in recent days. —Reuters how bad you want it.” At the Arena Fonte Nova on the tables. At halftime we decided we needed to Wambach’s outburst sets SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 SATURDAY, SportsSports world record 46

MIAMI: Miami Heat basketball players (from left) Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh celebrate after the Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win Game 7 of the basketball series in Miami. —AP Heat win 2nd straight NBA title James, Heat get their dynasty purring MIAMI: The Miami Heat won their second San Antonio, chasing a fifth NBA title, were points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs while utes of the second quarter and the Spurs kept had been struggling with his shooting, sank a straight National Basketball Association (NBA) just seconds away from clinching the champi- Kawhi Leonard had 19 points in the winner- close. With just under seven minutes left in the three-pointer to put San Antonio briefly a title on Thursday with a 95-88 win over the San onship on Tuesday before Miami staged an take-all clash that had whipped basketball half, the teams were tied at 27-27. point ahead with 5:27 left in the third but Antonio Spurs in the decisive seventh game of extraordinary comeback to win in overtime fans into a frenzy of excitement during a wild- James responded with two long rangers of an epic series. Miami’s LeBron James, the and force a decisive seventh game. James, a ly fluctuating series full of escalating drama. SPURS KEPT CLOSE his own, his five three-pointers a personal sport’s biggest star playing at the peak of his four-times league MVP, sealed the victory with Courtside tickets for Thursday’s game The brief rest paid off as James quickly best in an NBA Finals game. The Spurs led by powers, had a game-high 37 points and pulled a jump shot with 27.9 seconds left, pumping were selling on the secondary market for up gave Miami a six-point lead - he was fouled two but Mario Chalmers beat the buzzer at in 12 rebounds in a dominant performance his fist as the home crowd hailed their hero. to $30,000 and the game lived up to the while scoring, putting away the free throw the end of the third with a 30-footer to take while Dwyane Wade had 23 points. NBA Commissioner David Stern described hype with both teams fiercely contesting and then followed up with a three-pointer Miami into the final quarter of the season “To be able to come on to our floor and do the series as a “championship for the ages” every possession. Miami made yet another from deep. But while the Heat were moving with a 72-71 lead. A Battier three gave the it, it’s the ultimate,” James, who delivered the which had “captivated a global audience” and slow start and trailed by seven points less the ball well, typically, San Antonio kept close, Heat an early four-point cushion and a Wade perfect answer to those who doubted his killer there were generous words from the Heat for than five minutes into the game, a sloppy helped by a huge three pointer from Gary basket extended the lead to six with 7:14 instinct in the big games, said during an on- a Spurs team who pushed Miami all the way. pass from James allowing Duncan an easy Neal before a Duncan lay-up leveled the remaining. But San Antonio again responded court interview. “I can’t worry about what “It’s no fun to lose, but we lost to a better dunk. game at 40-40 with 1:55 left in the half. Wade and when Leonard drained a three-pointer it everybody says about me. I am LeBron James team,” said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. A trademark turnaround jumper from ended a fine first half performance with a fall- was a two-point game with two minutes left. from Akron, Ohio, from the inner city, I’m not “And you can live with that as long as you’ve Wade indicated the veteran from the Heat’s away jump shot to give the Heat a 46-44 lead Chalmers missed two free throws but with 27 even supposed to be here. I’m blessed.” James, given your best. And I think we have.” 2006 title-winning team was in an aggressive at the break after scoring 14 points on 7-12 seconds left James delivered the killer blow named most valuable player of the Finals, shot mood and the introduction of Chris Andersen shooting and grabbing six rebounds. with a vital jump shot and then made sure of 12-of-23 from the floor, including 5-of-10 FRENZY OF EXCITEMENT into the game injected some more energy into James drained his third three-pointer ear- victory when he snatched a Manu Ginobili three-pointers to lead Miami to their third NBA The visitors made a great start, opening the Heat. A pair of three pointers from Shane ly in the third quarter but two jumpers from pass, was fouled and put away both his free title and his second just two nights after the up a seven-point cushion in the first quarter Battier brought roars from the crowd as Miami the an impressive Kawhi Leonard, who had throws. Wade added another from the free Heat’s championship defense almost ended and by three points late in the third quarter built an 18-16 lead by the end of the opening grabbed 10 first-half rebounds, ensured the throw line before the home crowd erupted in abruptly. but came up just short. Tim Duncan had 24 quarter. James sat for the opening three min- Spurs kept with the pace. Danny Green, who celebration. —Reuters