9th Sep

CR IP TI ON BS SU

www.kuwaittimes.net

NO: 15563

SHAWWAL 22, 1433 AH

Battle rages in Aleppo, refugee area attacked

40 PAGES

150 FILS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

EU to beef up Syria sanctions • Russia revives old plan

Bahrain oppn group faces legal action MANAMA: Authorities in Bahrain said yesterday they would take legal action against the opposition Al-Wefaq group after it held a banned anti-government march, a move the group said was the most serious action against it since mass protests last year.

The Interior Ministry said it was acting after the group went ahead with a march on Friday in Manama, the capital, during which six protesters were arrested. “The Interior Ministry holds Al-Wefaq responsible for violating the law and encouraging their supporters to participate in a non-sanctioned event,” said a statement from the ministry distributed by the government’s public relations office.

The opposition has defied government bans on demonstrations before, but this is the first time the authorities have threatened legal action since a protest movement dominated by majority Muslims erupted last February.

The United States has called on Bahrain, which hosts the US Fifth Fleet, to engage with the opposition and hold more talks with its representatives.

Continued on Page 13

Amjad Al-Saleh, whose family fled their home in Marea 11 days ago due to Syrian government shelling at their house, is comforted by his mother as he suffers from food poisoning, as they take refuge at the Bab Al-Salameh border crossing, in hopes of entering one of the refugee camps in Turkey, near the Syrian town of Azaz. — AP

Max 44º Min 26º High Tide 02:46 & 15:41 Low Tide 09:03 & 20:56

DAMASCUS: Fighting for control of a key army base in Aleppo raged yesterday as Russia tried to revive a divisive accord on ending the bloodshed that calls for a government of unity in Syria. As Lakhdar Brahimi prepared for his first visit to Damascus as international envoy on Syria, EU foreign ministers meeting in Cyprus upped the pressure, saying they agreed on the need to beef up sanctions on the Syrian regime.

On the ground, the army claimed a victory against rebels in the northern city of Aleppo, ousting them from the Hanano army base backed by tanks and helicopters in a 20-hour battle, military sources and witnesses said.

“There are a lot of victims on both sides,” one witness told AFP. Meanwhile, Syrian troops stormed into a Palestinian refugee district in Damascus, opposition activists said, after a four-day artillery assault on the southern suburb where rebels fighting to oust President Bashar Al-Assad have dug in.

Assad’s forces have preferred to use air power and artillery to hit areas where rebels are positioned and infantry raids normally occur only once many have fled.

Activists said they feared for civilian inhabitants in the latest offensive. Assad’s use of military force to quell an uprising that began almost 18 months ago as a peaceful pro-democracy movement has cost him many allies in the Arab and Muslim world and caused a trickle of defections from Syrian government and army ranks.

Two Syrian diplomats in Malaysia announced late on Friday that they had joined the opposition, according to a report by pan-Arab television channel Al Arabiya.

Continued on Page 13

Pakistan blasphemy girl freed, airlifted from jail

Britain’s Prince Harry examines the interior of an Apache helicopter with a member of his 622 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Friday where he will be operating from during his tour of duty as a co-pilot gunner. — AFP

ISLAMABAD: A Christian girl accused of blasphemy was released on bail in Pakistan yesterday after spending more than three weeks in jail, in a case that has sparked an international outcry.

Rimsha Masih, dressed in a traditional baggy green shirt and dark-green trousers, was seen stepping out of an armored vehicle before being whisked to a waiting helicopter to be reunited with her family.

Arrested on August 16 under blasphemy laws for allegedly burning papers containing Quranic verses, her plight has attracted sharp condemnation because she is underage, illiterate and said to suffer from learning difficulties.

Paul Bhatti, Pakistan’s minister for national harmony whose brother was assassinated last year for calling for the laws to be reformed, confirmed Rimsha’s release along with her lawyer Tahir Naveed Chaudhry. “She has been freed from the jail and was transported by a helicopter to a safe place. Her family members received her,” Bhatti said.

Her bail had been posted at one million rupees ($10,400) — a huge amount for most Pakistanis.

Chaudhry said two guarantors submitted the surety bond promising that Rimsha would appear back in court when called, with the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance assisting with the paperwork.

Blasphemy is a very sensitive subject in Pakistan, where 97 percent of the 180 million population are Muslims, and allegations of insulting Islam or the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) often prompt a furious public reaction. Insulting the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is punishable by death and burning a sacred text by life imprisonment.

Continued on Page 13

RAWALPINDI: A Pakistani police official and a Christian volunteer escort a young Christian girl accused of blasphemy, towards a helicopter following her release from central prison on the outskirts of Rawalpindi yesterday. — AP

in the

news

Tornado hits NYC; damage reported NEW YORK: Firefighters are assessing damage caused by a cyclone that struck a beachfront neighborhood in New York City. Videos taken by bystanders show a funnel cloud hurling sand and debris in the air as it moved through the Breezy Point section of the Rockaway peninsula in Queens yesterday. A Fire Department spokesman says there were power lines down and possibly other damage. The general manager of the Breezy Point Surf Club tells The Associated Press the storm ripped up cabanas and even picked up industrial-sized metal trash bins. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Queens and Brooklyn as the storm moved through the city. It expired at 11:30 am. The service says radar detected a “strong rotation” in the storm.

Man ‘passes’ diamond stolen in Sri Lanka COLOMBO: Sri Lankan police yesterday said they had recovered a stolen diamond worth $13,600 that was swallowed by a Chinese man at a gem exhibition after he was administered a dose of laxatives. The 32-yearold man swallowed the 1.5-carat diamond when he was standing on Wednesday at a stall at Sri Lanka’s annual gem and jewelry show in the capital Colombo.

“He passed the stone this afternoon... and the evidence is now with gem experts,” police spokesman Ajith Rohana said, adding a judge had visited the suspect in hospital on Thursday and remanded him in custody on theft charges. The man swallowed the diamond valued at $13,600 while showing interest in buying gems from the exhibition stall. He was administered laxatives in hospital. Police are looking for another Chinese man who fled from the exhibition after the theft was discovered.

Palestinian bid for UN non-member Sept 27 RAMALLAH: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said yesterday he will make a bid on September 27 to obtain non-member status at the United Nations. “We will go to the UN General Assembly for consultations with our friends on the draft resolution calling for the upgrade of Palestine (to non-member status)” in the United Nations, Abbas said in a televised address. “We are going to the UN to say that we are a state which applies the fourth Geneva convention (on the protection of civilians in time of war). There are 133 countries that recognize us as a state with east Jerusalem as its capital and where we have embassies hoisting the Palestinian flag.” Palestinians now have observer status at the UN. Palestinian foreign minister Riyad alMalki said last month that Abbas would make the upgrade request on September 27 during the UN General Assembly.

Korean film ‘Pieta’ wins Golden Lion VENICE: South Korean director Kim Ki-duk’s morality tale “Pieta” won the Golden Lion for best movie at the Venice film festival yesterday, beating cult directors Terrence Malick and Brian De Palma. Kim said his emotionally intense film was intended as a condemnation of “extreme capitalism”. It tells the story of a brutal loan shark who struggles for redemption after he meets a woman claiming to be his mother.

Kim Ki-Duk

2

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

LOCAL

Municipality plans to build new hotels around Kuwait Owners association raises objection

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The Kuwait Municipality has proposed building new hotels in different areas with the participation of the private sector, including in the Fair Ground, Al-Salam Palace, Sabah Al-Salem University, and the Airport. According to the statement by Ahmad Al-Subeih, the Director General of Kuwait Municipality, the Airport hotel should be a 7-star hotel built primarily to welcome official VIP guests and for commercial purposes. He also said that having hotels at airports is necessary for construction of such projects as airports.

This proposal has not yet been approved by the municipality and is being studied. When this proposal was announced earlier this year, the Chairman of the Kuwait Hotel Owners Association, Ghazi Al-Nafisi, sent an official letter to the Minister of Electricity and Water and the Minister of Municipality demanding an end to building such hotels. Al-Nafisi stated that there are about 10 new hotels that will be built within the next 3 years and will provide more than 3000 rooms, in addition to the 7000 rooms available at the present time. He further mentioned that hotel occupancy is only 51 percent currently, which may drop to 40 percent with the opening of the new hotels.

The managers of the different hotels agreed that any new hotel built would somehow affect their business at different levels. The three star hotel Ibis, for instance, feels the new hotel would not have a great impact upon their business.

“Ibis is an economy hotel, which is best stayed at for saving money. We are only selling rooms and not breakfast, while for the hotels with more stars they have packages, and these hotels might be affected,” Johanna Agsalud, Rates Manager and Sales Coordinator, told the Kuwait Times.

From her side, Lana Al-Resheed, Senior Sales Manager of The Convention Center and Royal Suites, stressed that Kuwait is a small country and any new hotel will definitely affect the existing hotels. “Kuwait is not a tourist country, and most visitors are coming to attend different conferences or on business trips. Kuwait is small, so the distance between the existing hotels is small, it’s not like the States, where people travel from one state to another for local tourism,” she pointed out.

The style of systems used by local hotels also affects their occupancy. “The hotels in Kuwait are built as rooms, which are not attractive for local tourism, and this is why the rooms are empty. The hotels should be built in the style of chalets. So we are basically living on the

official events held in Kuwait. So any new hotel, even if it offered only 30 rooms, will affect us. I expect that the proposed new 7-star hotel will be expensive, so the guests will leave it to stay in other hotels, and this hotel will later have to decrease its prices, and it will take our customers again,” added Al-Resheed.

The resort hotels, however, may not feel the impact of new hotels. “I don’t think it will strongly affect our hotel, particularly as the VIP guest who will stay in the 7-star proposed hotel are a bit different than the guests in our hotel. Kuwait is not a leisure destination and most guests are coming for business, and they prefer to stay in the city, and Salmiya is the place in Kuwait, which is also near to Kuwait City. Those coming on business trips have bookings made in advance by their companies, which prefer making them stay in town,” explained Khadija Meftah, PR and Communications Executive of the Movenpick Hotel and Resort Al Bida’a.

She also noted that “our business is more focused on leisure visitors from the GCC, especially Saudi Arabia, who prefer a resort hotel and won’t stay at a hotel at the airport. I think that the hotels depending on hosting airline crews may be affected, thus we don’t usually depend on these guests.”

Ahmad Al-Dakrouri, Director of Sales

and Marketing at the Palms Beach Hotel and Spa, agreed that the hotels mostly affected will be those depending on one night lay-overs and crew guests. “We are a resort, and we depend mostly on guests who come to attend conferences who prefer to stay in the city. Generally, any new hotel will affect existing ones.

The proposed hotel will mostly affect new hotels and they will have to develop other targets and will decrease the share market of crews and lay-over guests, and will not have a direct effect on our hotel,” he said.

According to Wassim Mahdi, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Radisson Blu Hotel, discussing and highlighting this issue might affect the current hotels and the planned hotels. “Any new hotel coming to the market will definitely affect the existing hotels, as we are in a small country with little demand. I think there should be a strategy on how to decrease the cultural, industrial, entertainment and other movements in the country, and with more projects, more people will visit the country, so the demand on hotels will increase. I think that the planned hotels, which will be launched soon, deserve to be better promoted. The Radisson Blu will be launched next year with a new style and design, offering many new products and services,” he noted.

News

in brief

Labor department faces shortage KUWAIT: The Civil Service Commission has approved the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor’s request to employ 400 individuals in its departments located in the Capital, Farwaniya, Hawally governorates, said Mohammad AlKandari, Undersecretary. He said that interviews will be held soon to appoint eligible candidates who can cover the shortage. He said specializations where shortage has been reported are computer, secretariat and management. AlKandari said that there are nearly 1.2 million expat workers in Kuwait, distributed across various companies in the private sector.

North Zour power station KUWAIT: The government has sanctioned the construction of North Zour power station after receiving necessary legal approvals. An official source from the Ministry of Electricity and Water {MEW) said that the decision to establish a shareholding company to execute the project will be made by the Ministry of Commerce in two months. The project will then be put forward for underwriting at 50 percent for citizens, 40 percent for investors and 10 percent for the government. He said that the project will be supervised by the Technical Department of Development and Initiatives Projects.

20,000 citizens wait for govt jobs KUWAIT: Unemployment rates are expected to rise in the coming years as the number of Kuwaiti candidates who have registered with the Civil Service Commission touches nearly 20,000. Ali Al-Tuwaijri, Head of the CSC’s Labor Union demanded that “prompt solutions should be devised by studying the labor market in coordination with academics, in order to determine actual requirements in the local market.” One solution suggested by Al-Tuwaijri is “more serious efforts to send state employees serving 35 years and more into retirement,” adding that there are senior officials employed at the CSC itself “who have been serving for over 37 years.”

Al-Tuwaijri also demanded that standards are placed to control the process by which the CSC makes exception for hiring candidates to supervisory posts.

Praise for Kuwait democracy VIENNA: The Chairwoman of the Rights, Freedoms and External Relations Committee at the National Constituent Assembly of Tunisia Suad Abdel-Rahim expressed admiration for Kuwait’s democracy. In statements to KUNA on sideline of her visit to Vienna, Abdel-Rahim described Kuwait’s democratic experience as a pioneering one in the whole Arab region. She added that the political freedoms and parliamentarian activism in Kuwait were bulwarks for the Gulf nation against the political upheavals which hit the Arab region last year. Abdel-Rahim underlined the Tunisian government’s eagerness to develop relations with the world, particularly with the State of Kuwait. She praised Kuwait’s support of the democratic developments in Tunisia, as well as Tunisian government’s efforts to make use of all the democratic institutions in the Arab region.

Rising stationery costs trouble parents KUWAIT: Commercial centers, co-operative societies and libraries are thriving these days with the new academic year beginning shortly. Companies are competing to supply stationery materials which are in great demand considering

children’s needs. However, school reopening is a headache for families and parents owing to rising prices of stationery and other materials this year. The complete absence of supervision has led to prices of goods spiraling out of con-

trol. They agreed that costs have affected their budget this year although the quality of products remains the same. Parents said that costs of such products are increasing every year. Since these are a necessity for students, parents are forced

to buy them.

They called upon officials to intervene and reduce drastic price rises, especially because the academic year is beginning immediately after month of Ramadan and Eid.— KUNA

CBK to sponsor Women’s Economic Forum KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) will serve as the diamond sponsor of Second GCC Women’s Economic Forum to be held in Kuwait on Sept 25 and 26. The event is entitled ‘Gulf Women and Investment Opportunities. ’It will be hosted at the JW Marriott under the patronage of Sheikha Aiydah Salem Al-Ali AlSabah. “Participation in this important event reflects the bank’s appreciation of the role played by Gulf women in the development and economic movement at Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) countries,” said Amani AlWaraa Assistant General Manager - Advertisement and Public Relations Department in a press release.

Al-Waraa also acknowledged the event as “the largest female-oriented economic event to be held in Kuwait,” adding that it features “participation of businesswomen and leaders from all GCC states.” The CBK will demonstrate its services during exhibitions and workshops held as part of the forum.

New requests for water, power connections KUWAIT: The Ministry of Electricity and Water(MEW) was recently notified about connecting forthcoming housing projects with power in order to avoid delays in handing over newly constructed houses.

The request was officially put forward by the Public Authority for Housing Welfare(PAHW) during recent meetings held between officials from both departments. “The PAHW has informed the MEW about new housing projects that require electricity and water connections,” a PAHW source told Al-Qabas recently.

In other news, recent statistics show that electricity overload broke records in August when consumption levels reached a total of 11,850 megawatts during the first and second days of month, according to recent reports quoting MEW sources.

New device to test meat KUWAIT: A medical source at the Health Ministry has confirmed that ministry labs are ready to begin operating a new meat testing device that was recently imported. The source said the system is highly accurate and works chemically. This system will be used to prevent entry of any meat that is unfit for human consumption, in addition to meat that is not prepared according to Islamic shariah.

He also said the delay in introducing the system was due to the special training course for laboratory personnel following the discovery of 735 kg of hotdogs containing pork brought into the country.

The source added that the hotdog shipment went through the first test according to an authenticated letter from the Kuwait embassy in Brazil that confirmed the slaughter was according to the Islamic shariah from an Islamic center, along with a health certificate which is something the health ministry took into consideration when using its computer in the imported food system and sent its results to the municipality. Yet doubts by the municipality in regards to the difference in the trademark of the importing company proved correct, and when a sample of the second hotdog shipment was tested by the new ministry device, it discovered the presence of pork.

85% smuggled drugs go undetected KUWAIT: Only 15 percent of drugs smuggled to Kuwait are caught by police, said an Interior Ministry insider who attributed the lapse to “weak control at seaports, land border checkpoints and the Kuwait International Airport.”

Meanwhile, the source who spoke to Al-Qabas said that the government’s failure to establish a special department to tackle drug trafficking is “the main reason that traffickers are attracted to Kuwait.” The Interior Ministry’s General Department for Drug Control(GDDC) is suffering a ‘huge shortage in staff,’ which according to the source, limits its ability to tackle the problem effectively.

Other reasons mentioned by the insider include Kuwait’s large coastline that makes smuggling easier “especially in light of inadequate control.” “Kuwait has turned into a transit point for drug dealers as a result of aspects including the instability in Iraq,” the source added.

The source noted that citizens are ‘largely targeted by drug dealers’ compared to residents of other countries living in the region, owing to “the large income earned by citizens that subsequently led to rapid increase in drug prices in Kuwait compared to neighboring countries.”

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

LOCAL

Embassy wants Kuwait’s visit to Gitmo after February American presidential election

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah met yesterday with Bushra Al-Manaa, President of the Kuwaiti Society for National Action. They discussed several issues including studying negative social aspects, common problems faced by citizens as well as offering solutions on maintaining national unity and giving top priority to Kuwait’s interest.

Al-Maatuk attends inauguration of new Muslim Statistics Center ANKARA: The new service building of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) in Ankara was inaugurated Saturday in a ceremony attended by several Turkish ministers and senior Muslim officials including Dr Abdullah Al-Maatuk, the representative of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait.

The new building was financed by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Turkey. In the opening ceremony, HH the Amir of Kuwait’s Representative Al-Maatuk, an advisor at the Amir Diwan, lauded the role of the SESRIC’s, particularly its specialized researches, statistics and training courses.

He also pointed out that Kuwait is eager to support all the Muslim research organizations, particularly SESRIC. He revealed that Kuwait has donated $one million to the new SESRIC’s building. Dr Al-Maatuk hoped more success for SESRIC in achieving its objectives and help development of Muslim nations.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan said the SESRIC will make more contributions to the economic and social development of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries with its new service building in Ankara.

“We want to see that products, goods, humans, capital and energy move freely among the members of the OIC. We want to see that borders lose meaning one by one,” Babacan underlined.”

The Statistical, Economic and Social

Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), was founded as a subsidiary organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) pursuing resolution No. 2/8-E adopted by the Eighth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM), held in Tripoli in May 1977. The Centre started its activities in Ankara on 1 June 1978.

The basic mandate drawn up for SESRIC is threefold: to collate, process and disseminate socio-economic statistics and information on and for the utilization of the member countries; to study and evaluate the economic and social developments in the member countries to help generate proposals that will initiate and enhance co-operation among them; and to organize training programs in selected fields geared to the needs of the member countries as well as to the general objectives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

In addition to the implementation of the above-mentioned mandate, the Centre assumes the role of focal point for the technical co-operation activities and projects between the OIC system and the related UN agencies.

It also acts as the major research arm of the OIC whereby it is assigned the task of preparing the main economic and social reports and background documents for the multitude of economic, social and technical co-operation meetings and conferences held at different levels under the umbrella of the OIC every year. —KUNA

KIB financially supports Islamic Economics Higher Studies Fund KUWAIT: The Kuwait International Bank (KIB) has recently announced that it has provided financial contribution to the Islamic Economics Higher Studies Fund, a part of the College of Science Administration at Kuwait University. The contribution was made as part of the bank’s objective to strengthen ties with different social organizations to help them fulfill missions that fall in line with the values of KIB and its social responsibility.

Dr Khaled Al-Mathkoor, President of the Board of Trustees of the Fund received the check from Acting Chief Executive Loay Maqamis at Kuwait

International Bank. Loay Maqamis said, “We are delighted to offer the financial contribution to the Islamic Economics Higher Studies Fund where we believe it will support more students in their studies to reach their goals. The contribution embodies the values of the bank to support and develop the economy based on the Islamic Shariah.”

Maqamis added, “Kuwait International Bank looks forward to serve and support more organizations based on its social responsibility strategy and promises to continue in developing its Shariah-compliant services and products to cater to its customer in Kuwait.”

University academic year starts KUWAIT: The Kuwait University will begin its new 2012-2013 academic year today for all undergraduate departments. In a press statement, Dr Muthana Al-Rifaie, Dean of Admission and Registration at Kuwait University extended his greetings to the faculty and administrative staff members as well as to students, for the start of the new academic year, wishing them more success and progress.

Dr Al-Rifaie announced that the total number of undergraduate students who will begin their studies today has reached 36,340 students. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Any delegation from Kuwait planning to arrive in the United States to hold negotiations for the release of two Kuwaitis in the Guantanamo Bay prison, is advised to delay its visit until after next February, due to the US presidential elections, which are followed by the new administration being installed. The request was made recently by Kuwait’s embassy in Washington, according to knowledgeable sources. “The embassy continues following up with Fayez Al-Kandari and Fawzi Al-Oudah’s cases, as part of which coordination is ongoing to facilitate a visit for a Kuwaiti delegation to Guantanamo”, said a source, adding that the embassy prefers that the visit takes place after the new US administration star ts work ing, “which is practically after February”.

The embassy sent a report recently to Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry addressing the latest developments in the prisoners’ cases, which, according to the sources, indicates “no new developments in the American stance”.

Development projects Cabinet meetings scheduled for the upcoming few weeks are set to focus mainly on speeding up the process of executing development projects and eliminating obstacles slowing down the execution process, according to sources.

“Priority will be given to discussing reports forwarded by the Cabinet’s development committee, as a green light will be given to projects that have their studies finalized”, said the insiders, who preferred to keep their identity anonymous.

During the meetings, ministers are also encouraged to give presentations about major developmental projects under their respective ministries “for discussion of execu-

tion levels, as well as obstacles they might be facing”. The sources added that a team from the Central Tenders Committee is expected to be present at the meetings to give their opinions.

Meanwhile, the sources revealed that the Cabinet might resort to emergency decrees in order to pass regulations required for pushing projects forward, and that after the parliament is dissolved.

TB at embassy’s shelter The Ministry of Health is acting to prevent the spread of tuberculosis among residents at a building used by the Ethiopian Embassy to shelter women. This action comes after the ministry received information that some of the Ethiopian residents have contracted the disease. The ministry has reportedly helped the patients move to the Infectious Disease Hospital, while necessary vaccinations were given to the remaining residents at the shelter.

Corrupt media A leading oppositionist accused certain individuals he labeled as “corrupt people with influence” of controlling “corrupt media outlets that have been wreaking havoc in Kuwait for years”. “In light of technological advancements, rules of financial values and lack of God-fearing sentiments, corrupt individuals are running filthy campaigns to attack the national opposition”, said official spokesman of the Development and Reform Bloc, MP Dr. Faisal Al-Mislem.

Meanwhile, Al-Mislem hinted that “the fact that these campaigns happen simultaneously with the oppositionists’ efforts to expose corruption, proves that the government is protecting these corrupt individuals”.

Al-Deqbasi responds Arab Parliament Speaker Ali Al-Deqbasi

refuted statements made by Speaker of People’s Council of Syria, Mohammad Jihad Al-Laham, who attacked Al-Deqbasi when the latter proclaimed that the mission of United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi in Syria is doomed to fail.

Al-Laham had responded to Al-Deqbasi by asserting that “Syria will always be a role model in national unity, national democracy, and resistance movements that are based on returning all Arab rights”, further adding that “Syria always seeks to come closer to those who approach it with love”.

“What national unity is [Al-Laham] talking about when killings, destruction and mobilization continues in Syria?” Al-Deqbasi asked, further arguing with Al-Laham’s use of democracy “when members of the Syrian regime continue to defect and join the Free Syria Army”.

Moreover, Al-Deqbasi urged the Syrian parliament speaker to “read the final statement of the Arab League ministerial meeting on September 5, 2012, which strongly condemns the contiguous violence committed by the Syrian authorities against civilians”.

Teachers’ relocation A list containing the names of teachers and other high school staff to be relocated outside schools where their children are studying was finalized during a meeting held yesterday by top Ministry of Education officials.

Teachers will be notified today about the schools to which they will be relocated, as per an agreement reached during the meeting between Assistant Undersecretary for Public Education Mohammad Al-Kandari with directors of the ministry’s six educational directorates.

The officials were instructed to make sure that teachers are relocated to schools close to their places of residence.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

LOCAL In my view

Local Spotlight

Is our religion in real danger?

Sausages with pig fat!!

By Najeeb Al-Zamil

W

e certainly worry about the Ummah. We do so due to the fact that it has been split into many divisions that became so alarming, and left us restless. We have become different sects, and battle with one another, lie to one another, and lie to our Ummah.

National dialogues have started, and things that we never imagined to take place in our societies have been permitted to prevail. However, discord, clashes, and meaningless speeches are still going on. Nevertheless, the advocates of the newly permitted things are not satisfied, and those who are against them are even more unsatisfied.

Women went out further afield, and those who support them are still yelling asking for more.

Whereas those who oppose this idea, and see it as rebellion against society norms, are much more furious. This applies to every confrontation between these two factions. So, tempers are rising, as well as rebellion, and the nerves are so tight, and none of them is ready to initiate a dialogue, out of fear of losing what they gained. In this scenario, you cannot miss those who are ready to reduce the gains of their opponents to nothing.

Then, a fight breaks out, with weapons of harsh words, teeth, and claws. So, tell me which human value deserves shedding blood for it in vain?

I fear for my Ummah because we started lying to ourselves even in the greatest values we are advocating, i.e., freedom of opinion. Do not believe that a radical member of either party has faith in the other party’s opinion. When I wrote once about the equality of women, without referring to religious evidences, but only presenting the logic of life and the biological structure of men and women, I received the filthiest words from the advocates of equality and freedom of opinion. One of them called me and said that I have been, for the first time, ... trifle.

A female doctor called me and told me her full name, then rebuked me and expressed her sorrow that I will ruin the country. I wondered, what hurt this furious woman, freedom of opinion?

I was on a TV program with some young men whom I asked if they believe that the organization of The Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice is a friendly organization or not. I aimed to prove to viewers that these young minds bear nothing against the organization, but that we have impressions about persons. That is, if we meet a nice man from that organization we will have a good impression about it, and vice versa. I also aimed to prove to people that we must agree that the organization is necessary and indispensable to any society that applies the rules of Islam.

But I received on the Internet some reactions that punished me so hard.

By Muna Al-Fuzai

muna@kuwaittimes.net

I

kuwait digest

Parliamentary life ‘a victim’

By Riyadh Al-Adasani

T

he constitution sets the statutes of democracy, and states under article six that “people are the source of all powers”. However, an acting legislative authority (one of three main authorities in Kuwait, along with the executive and judicial authorities) is currently not existing, which creates a situation similar to a case of a constitutional vacuum. The political scene has for years been featuring repeated crises that affected parliamentary practices, including election fraud, suspension of parliamentary life and other arbitrary procedures committed by the government. After that, we ask ourselves this question: how can people be the source of power when we only have freedom of opinion, but don’t have political stability or true democracy?

Today, the government is guilty of political tampering executed in the name of ‘justice and equality’ by amending constituencies; which is only used as a means to suspend parliamentary life so that the Cabinet isn’t held accountable. What makes me believe in this theory is the fact that the Cabinet never acted to change the electoral system when a pro-government majority dominated the 2009 parliament.

The Cabinet was supposed to protect state laws and the constitution, instead of pretending to be eager to “right the wrongs” when it has a history of

violating constitutional articles, suspending democracy, political appeasements and paralyzing development, despite financial surpluses recorded annually. Is it logical that reopening the Liberation Tower in 1996 is the notable achievement the government carried out in the past twenty years? The Cabinet claims that the parliament is the reason behind tensions that led to the suspension of developmental projects. If that’s the case, then let’s look at what the Cabinet achieved in the past three months in which the parliament has been suspended.

Last July, the government announced opening bidding on a tender for the project of establishing a building where death sentences are executed. And last August, the government announced a project to expand the Central Jail.

Is this the Cabinet’s definition for development?

Are these truly the pressing demands of the public?

What about unemployment, housing shortages and the lack of support for young citizens seeking to start their own businesses?

The presence of the parliament is necessary for being a legislative authority that also monitors the government’s performance. It’s clear now that the Cabinet is operating without a plan, as it never presented one when lawmakers at the annulled 2012 parliament requested that a plan be presented. —Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

Germans ‘not role models’

By Dr. Hassan Abbas

T

he opposition majority in the annulled 2012 parliament clearly adopted an approach that is blatantly selective, as they only focus on matters in accordance with their interests and those providing electoral benefits.

For example, MP Khalid Al-Sultan was recently quoted by the press as calling upon the government to “take lessons from Germany ’s Constitutional Court ruling that found the constituencies unconstitutional, but required that the amendment is made by the parliament”. I don’t understand why exactly he is passing this advice on to the Cabinet when referring the electoral law to the Constitutional Court, which is exactly what the Cabinet did.

If Al-Sultan is pointing out the fact that the German court put the ball in the legislative authority’s court, well then how are we supposed to have the same when Al-Sultan and his colleagues refuse to allow the present parliament to convene, sending the state into a constitutional vacuum? (I know that the Cabinet uses the same tactics, but I’m only interested in discussing Al-Sultan’s statements here).

Dear Al-Sultan, the Germans and Europeans that you like to take examples from aren’t really the role models that you or your colleagues in the opposition like to use. This is because the Europeans have many examples in which they have shown support to ideas that you and your colleagues are generally against.

Did you know, Salafist lawmaker, that the German people took to the streets in Rostock City in protest, marking racist riots occurring in the city years ago against foreign immigrants?

In the meantime, you and your associates stage public protests in Kuwait against the government’s decision to send medical aid to the Bahraini people who suffered injustices for demanding more political freedoms.

Have you heard, dear Al-Sultan, about demonstrations held in Greece against cases of abuse committed by racist groups against immigrants? Meanwhile, you and your partners reject the notion of having any association with followers of different religious groups.

Dear Al-Sultan, your friend Musallam AlBarrak said, while addressing the public recently, that the Kuwaiti people experienced government rule for 50 years and demanded that the people be given the opportunity to try being ruled by MPs for only four years.

Unfortunately, we have tried the opposition for three months (the period in which the 2012 parliament lasted), which went by as if they were three centuries! — Al-Rai

’m back and I missed you all. I believe this summer was one of the most active seasons in Kuwait this year and although Ramadan came in the middle of the regular summer vacation, it clearly did not stop many from tracking big stories. One of the most interesting ones was the ‘Sausages with pig fat’. It is a great title, even if it is not at all funny and some may think I ‘m making a fuss of it. It is not about the contents of these sausages, but it is about all the meat we consume and buy and the question of whether it is suitable for man’s use?

Now, everyone knows that Muslims prohibit eating pigs as part of their beliefs and rituals, so whether it came in sausages or slices, it is still not allowed for them to eat it. So, when a local company tries to disregard that fact by importing sausages contains pig fat, it would seem to be challenging the common faith of a million Muslims who live in Kuwait as both expatriates and citizens.

But, let’s examine how this shipment found its way into the country in the first place without being examined by the customs and Ministry of Health or the Municipality.

According to a press statement by Kuwait Municipality’s Deputy Director General for municipal services affairs, Mohammad Ghazay Al-Otaibi, the Municipality seized a large number of chicken sausages from a store in one company in Ardhiya and, after testing the food, it proved to contain pig fat!

So, the way I see this issue is that these sausages were permitted to enter the country, found its way to the company stores until possibly, accidentally, being seized by the Municipality’s inspectors. Does that mean that any kind of food can enter Kuwait smoothly and go to the public without being examined, if not for its spiritual restrictions but for suitability and safety for people’s use, until luck and fate plays its role?

Different reports recently came to the local media about famous food companies that have been using meat that was not suitable for humans. How would you feel if you were possibly served human flesh or a donkey or a monkey or something that was not being carefully kept in a cold refrigerator and spoiled by the heat?

I’m really concerned about this issue, which is not about sausages with pig fat, as this is one topic not about meat companies in Kuwait and their measures taken for hygiene and safety, as much as the Municipality’s role in this. I believe that these companies need strict inspection all year long and their licenses must be taken for good in case of any attempts to cheat the public and offer them any consuming items that are not good for man’s use.

I think the customs officials also have to consider its role and responsibility in these incidents, since they allowed this food to be distributed, clearly after receiving their permission, so how come no one is talking about them?

Well, maybe it is time to become a vegetarian.

That is safe and healthy.

kuwait digest

New cover for corruption

By Fawzia Abul

K

uwaiti public opinion was waiting for the constitutional court verdict to learn what will happen regarding the five constituencies. The repeated gathering at the Determination Yard has attracted the onlookers, not for the contents of the demands, as there is no bidding on politics and priorities, but just bidding on the “number” rule as if the winner is the one who can guarantee to bring thousands of demonstrators.

People started asking, how many persons have come to the demonstrations? Organizers are proud that they have brought 10,000 and before that they brought 100,000 persons, though others doubt those figures.

The majority (2012) today is very much concerned about bringing the largest possible crowd to demonstrate and to go after the slogan “the group is sticking together” in all its sects and kinds and contradictions, in addition to winning the youths’ support to publish its picture and protest that the group is still strong in numbers in the street, and before the authority, and try to win the next round of elections.

After dissolving the 2009 council, and during the past elections period, it was very clear that fighting corruption is a convincing issue among Kuwaitis and the necessity to fight corruption in the legislative authority, which provides cover for the different kinds of corruptions. Now, authorities should understand this and avoid participating in any unconstitutional activities.

Thus, the matter is not clear for the citizens after the 2012 elections. They have created excitement in the street, which in turn reached them in the council. But their hopes were destroyed by the performance of the majority and created a shock.

The political situation shall affect the coming elections. As in 2009 and 2012, council fighting, for sure, shall move on to the next council and with no more differences among players, and this is what the next period requires.

This is a very sensitive and fine period which the state is going through, waiting for the constitutional court verdict. —Al-Qabas

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

LOCAL

‘National Front’ to adopt constitutional amendments Focus on preventing Cabinet from taking sole decisions KUWAIT: The National Front opposition is set to announce, as part of their campaign against the government’s alleged violation of constitutional principles, plans to propose constitutional amendments that favor an elected Cabinet system, as well as other political and economic reforms.

This was disclosed by a source close to the Majority Bloc; a coalition of oppositionists who dominated the majority seats in the annulled 2012 parliament. They further noted that 12 individuals who are not members in the bloc were assigned to contact “political groups, professors, media personalities, unions, as well as former ministers and lawmakers” regarding the possibility of joining the National Front for the

Protection of the Constitution. “ The team contacted around fifty people so far who are all expected to agree on joining the front, including senior National Movement members such as Abdullah Al-Naibari, Yousuf AlShayji, and Khalid Al-Khalid”, said the sources, who spoke to Al-Qabas on the condition of anonymity.

The constituent meeting for the front is set to be held this evening at the Kuwait Lawyers Association “featuring formation of the front’s ideologies and goals, before setting up a date for a press conference to announce its formation”, the sources added.

The front will basically focus on preventing the Cabinet from taking sole decisions to change regulations, such as the electoral law,

which is currently being looked at by the Constitutional Court to determine the constitutionality of the constituencies’ distribution. It is speculated that the cabinet intends to change the elections system via emergency decrees after the parliament is dissolved following the court’s verdict, which is set to be made September 25th, if the court finds the law unconstitutional. The opposition, on the other hand, demands that the law be amended by a new parliament elected after dissolution of the current parliament, which was reinstated last June by a Constitutional Court order which found its dissolution decree late last year to be unconstitutional.

In other news, Al-Anba daily reported yesterday, quoting

“Cabinet insiders”, that the Cabinet is discussing a scenario for amending the electoral law by reducing the number of constituencies to two, while limiting the number of votes each citizen is entitled to one, instead of four.

“This scenario is among 30 others discussed by the Cabinet, and it is so far supported by at least three ministers”, said the sources. They added that the Cabinet is expected to eliminate 25 scenarios during its weekly meeting tomorrow. “The ‘2 constituencies-1 vote’ scenario is seen to be the best, converging views between the Cabinet and the opposition, especially when it comes to fair distribution of votes, as 25 candidates will be elected in each constituency”, the sources added.

Higher food prices drive Kuwait’s inflation up 3.1% KUWAIT: The soaring global food prices have driven Kuwait’s inflation rates up to 3.1 percent in July 2012, a specialized repor t by Kuwait Finance House Research Limited revealed on Friday.

“Kuwait’s consumer price index (CPI) based inflation inched up to 3.1 percent in July 2012 from 2.8 percent in June 2012 as food prices (the second largest contributor of Kuwait’s CPI basket at 18.3 percent) rose to 6.6 percent in July 2012 from 4.9 percent in June 2012,” reads the report.

The KFH added that the overall inflation rose to 0.5 percent in July 2012 from 0.2 percent in June 2012. It underscored that the rise in Kuwait’s overall inflation is mainly driven by higher food prices.

“The rise in Kuwait’s food prices

is in line with the soaring global food prices. Kuwait imports most of its food items (approximately 90 percent) for domestic consumption which leads to imported food price pressure,” it noted.

“The rising global food prices pass through local value chains in Kuwait and this leads to high inflation. Food and beverage producers are now looking to push higher commodity prices up the value chain where ultimately the cost will be borne by the consumer.”

T h e FA O Fo o d Pr i c e I n d e x rose to 213.2 points in July 2012, as much as 13 points (6.0 percent) up from 200.8 points in June 2012. The July 2012 surge of the Index followed three m o n t h s o f d e c l i n e. Th e s h a r p rebound was mostly driven by a

jump in grain and sugar prices.

The KFH report noted that the housing segment prices (the largest component of Kuwait’s CPI basket) remained unchanged at 1.6 percent in July 2012 (June 2012: 1.6 percent).

“Nonetheless, a strong recovery of the real estate sector in Kuwait is anticipated to continue given the latest transaction volumes,” it said.

“In general, real estate transactions continue to be supported by strong demands for residential and investment properties, but are somewhat being affected by a sluggish commercial real estate sector.”

The repor t concluded that Kuwait’s inflation rate is expected to remain low in a range of 3-4 percent in 2012 (and 4.0 percent on

Boubyan Bank marks World Physical Therapy Day KUWAIT: The Boubyan Bank took part in an awareness campaign held over the weekend at the Avenues Mall, in cooperation with the Kuwait Physical Therapy Association (KPTA). The event, held in commemoration of the World Physical Therapy Day, featured various activities that will continue for a month.

The activities focus on familiarizing the public with physical therapy and its importance in medical treatment, said KPTA Treasurer Dr Hanan Hmoud in a press release. “The main goal of this national campaign is to shed light on the importance of mobility in people’s life and its direct effect on their health,” she added.

6,865 citations issued, 443 vehicles impounded

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

Dr Hanan Hmoud

A violation of Iraq’s sovereignty KUWAIT: Iraqi member of parliament Alia Naseef said there are Iraqi politicians who are holders of Kuwaiti nationalities and live in Kuwait, but it is shameful that they keep quiet and do not defend Iraq’s prime minister against the organized Kuwait media attacks on him. In a statement, Naseef expressed her astonishment about their silence regarding a column by Abdallah Al-Hadlaq in which he described Al-Maliki as a “professional terrorist who participated in blowing up the Kuwait embassy in Beirut” and considered the column to be a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and the dignity of its people. She said the silence by Iraqi politicians is more painful than the insults being made by some Kuwaitis.

Naseef further wondered about where are those Kuwaiti Nationality holders and others who have links with Kuwait about those insults? Where are the Iraqi politicians who defend Kuwait

average in 2012 (2011: 4.7 percent) as the government’s price control measures on fuel and food items through extensive subsidy system will prevent higher inflation in the future.

Meanwhile, the report unveiled that the inflation across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states remains controlled.

“Prices remain stabilized, helped by a tightening of subsidies by most economies and a stronger dollar, to which all GCC countries (except Kuwait) peg their currencies.

Higher food prices pushed up inflation in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

However, falling rents curb inflation in Qatar, UAE (particularly Dubai) and Oman from rising above uncomfortable level,” the report pointed out. —KUNA

and said that they would hit anyone with an Iron fist who causes an escalation of the crisis between Kuwait and Iraq? She also asked party and faction leaders who support or oppose the Iraqi government to present a unified stand following any Kuwaiti insult against any Iraqi personality.

She also noted that an “invasion complex” still exists among many in the Kuwaiti government, media, and cultural personalities, and their practices reflect the unjustified grudges they have against anything that is Iraqi.

When Al-Watan asked Iraqi MP Alia Naseef about the names of Iraqis who hold Kuwaiti nationality, she said, “Ask at the Kuwait embassy in Baghdad because they know who holds its country’s nationality among Iraq’s senior politicians and how they defend its interests”. Then when Kuwait’s ambassador was asked, he said “this is the first time I have heard anything about this matter”.

KUWAIT: The General Traffic Department carried out a number of unscheduled campaigns in all six governorates over the weekend, resulting in 6,865 traffic citations being issued and 443 vehicles being impounded. The distribution is as follows: Capital governorate - 1,323 citations and 77 vehicles impounded. Farwaniya governorate - 702 citations and 38 vehicles impounded.

Hawally governorate -1,583 citations and 26 vehicles impounded. Ahmadi governorate - 1,359 citations and 59 vehicles impounded. Mubarak Al-Kabeer governorate - 409 citations and 20 vehicles impounded.

Al-Jahra governorate - 429 citations and 26 vehicles impounded. The Operation Department has issued 952 traffic citations over the weekend and impounded 197 vehicles. At least 10 motorcycles and five persons were arrested for holding stunts on the main road. At Kuwait airport area, 117 traffic citations were issued.

Also, smart patrol vehicles intercepted a car along the Fifth Ring Road that was reported stolen. A case was registered at Jabriya police station. The car and its driver were referred to the nearest police station.

The General Traffic Department urges all citizens and expats and to abide by traffic law for their own safety.

KUWAIT: The scene of a car accident on Fourth Ring Road, opposite Jabriya, yesterday. The driver was injured and was taken to Mubarak Hospital.

—Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

Union condemns attack on doctors

By A Saleh KUWAIT: The doctors’ union has condemned what it described as daily attacks on doctors in hospitals and health centers, the latest occurring last week when two doctors were attacked in Jahra hospital, followed by an attack on the director of psychiatric health by a patient.

The union condemned such barbaric attacks that are contrary to Islamic manners and Kuwaiti customs, which call for respecting others.

President of the doctors union, Dr Hussein Al-Khabbaz, said, “We condemn the rule of the jungle adopted by some people in dealing with doctors, who are

now living in fear because of patients’ reactions.” This affects doctors’ psychological and professional stability for the entire medical community and makes doctors feel insecure inside their work place and also affects them negatively when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. Al-Khabaz said the doctor’s union spares no effort in defending doctors’ rights and creating the most comfortable atmosphere for them, especially in preparing a proposed law regarding medical immunity and making attacks on doctors a felony, instead of a misdemeanor, when the proposal was submitted last April to Dr Mohammad AlKandary, the health committee rappoteur of the annulled assembly.

Consumer spending to see another strong year KUWAIT: The consumer spending in Kuwait is expected to see another strong year in 2012, backed by a new batch of salary hikes for Kuwait nationals working in the public and increase in benefits for those in the private sector, a specialized economic report showed Friday.

The report, by National Bank of Kuwait, pointed out that consumer spending growth moderated thus far in 2012 following an unprecedented year in 2011.

“Last year had benefited from a large Amiri cash grant early in the year and a series of pay hikes for nationals. This year has already seen another series of salary increases for Kuwaitis and it is expected to remain strong albeit not quite matching last year’s growth. First half figures confirm this view,” reads the report.

It went on to add that this trend is also apparent in the sustained growth in household borrowing.

“Solid income growth and some improvement in hiring continue to support healthy growth in consumer credit. Employment growth among Kuwaitis appears to be slightly stronger than a year ago while there are signs that expatriate hiring in the private sector is recovering further from the post-financial crisis slowdown.”

The NBK data showed that the point-of-sale transactions (debit and credit cards) during the second quarter 2012 saw a year-onyear increase of 15.6 percent, following an easing in Q1.

“The acceleration in Q2 coincided with the retrospective payment of salary increases in the government sector in June. The second quarter is also expected to have benefited from vacationers travelling earlier

than usual ahead of the holy month of Ramadan,” said the report.

A number of pay hikes were approved for public sector employees this year along with hikes in benefits paid to Kuwaitis working in the private sector.

“Wage and benefit increases amounted to an estimated KD 760 million annually, of which KD 700 million to nationals. The increases are of a similar magnitude to last year’s and are expected to provide a solid boost to spending and consumer borrowing again this year.”

The report disclosed that the consumer confidence remains strong despite having eased somewhat from last year.

“While consumer confidence has been falling from last year’s highs, it remains relatively strong. The Ara’a consumer confidence index registered a 109 in July, down from 127 in

December and 120 a year ago. Bayt’s index has held up somewhat better thus far, though it too has slipped from a year ago. The index stood at 566 in Q2 compared to 593 last year.

Nonetheless, the indexes show that overall consumer confidence remains relatively solid.”

Moreover, the NBK revealed that Kuwaiti civilian employment growth is gaining strength, further supporting the sector.

“Kuwaiti civilian employment appeared the strongest it’s been in over a year (y/y). As of June, the net yearly gain in the number of civilian jobs to nationals in was 12,500, compared to 10,500 the prior year.

“Employment grew 4.6 percent y/y. The workforce of Kuwaiti nationals in civilian jobs totaled 285,000 at the end of June, according to data published by the Public Institute for Social Security (PIFSS).”—KUNA

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

LOCAL

Asian tailor in police net for human trafficking Motorist killed in Sixth Ring Road accident KUWAIT: A tailor was placed under arrest for using his shop as part of a human trafficking scheme, as he sought to have his unknowing employer sign labor contracts. The case was first discovered after migration authorities summoned a senior female citizen for an investigation on human trafficking charges. The legal actions were based on a case filed by an Asian man, who accused the owner of the shop of collecting KD400 from him in exchange for a residency, without giving him an actual job. The woman explained during investigations that her Asian employee is handling all operations at her tailor shop, including staff recruitment. Investigations later revealed that the tailor managed to issue residencies for eight staff members, despite the fact that the shop only has work for a maximum of three employees, as per its license. The tailor was soon summoned for investigations, during which he admitted that he had reported employees missing in order to hire new staff, adding that he made use of the owner’s trust as she used to sign new contracts he brought to her. The tai-

lor remains in Farwaniya police’s custody pending legal action.

Traffic accident A male driver was killed during a crash reported late Thursday night on the Sixth Ring Road.

Paramedics, accompanied by police, rushed to the scene where a collision between a sedan and a truck was reported, leaving a 19year-old Kuwaiti man dead. The truck’s 22-year-old Syrian driver was not harmed in the incident.

The body was taken to the forensic department while investigations are underway to determine the circumstances behind the accident.

Theft duo in net Two people were arrested for stealing electric meters at a newly constructed building, before investigations revealed that the thieves are connected to at least forty similar crimes reported around the Hawally governorate.

Detectives were monitoring a newly constructed building as part of their investigation, when they noticed a man and woman coming inside while behaving suspiciously. The Asian couple

were soon arrested, after detectives caught the man dismantling electric meters, while the woman was acting as a look-out. They were taken for interrogation, during which the couple admitted responsibility for more than forty thefts.

Drug store robbery Investigations are ongoing in search of a thief who broke into a pharmacy in Salmiya recently and stole drugs. The robbery was discovered Friday morning as police, accompanied by crime scene investigators, headed to the pharmacy following an emergency call. Investigations revealed that the suspect is likely a drug addict, due to the fact that he targeted medications that can be used in mixing drugs. Meanwhile, three people were arrested in Salmiya for possession of drugs after three Kuwaiti men became nervous when officers approached their vehicle, which prompted a search, during which a plastic bag containing drug pills was found inside the car.

The suspects were placed under arrest and taken to the Drug Control General

Department to face charges.

Murder threat A search is ongoing for a Jahra resident who disappeared after threatening to murder his wife over family disputes. The woman reportedly rushed to the area’s police station with her children after her husband stormed the house with a knife in hand, demanding that she drop charges she previously pressed against him following their arguments. The woman further indicated in her statement to officials that her husband was drunk when the incident occurred.

Revenge attack Police are looking for a suspect who reportedly took revenge against his former employer, who had earlier fired him, by damaging three vehicles the employer owns. The case was filed at the Sabah Al-Salem police station, where a man reported that his three cars were damaged by a person who used to work for him before he fired him.

Investigations in the case are ongoing. — Al-Anba, Al-Rai, AlWatan

KUWAIT: The head-on collision that took place between a Sports Utility Vehicle and a water tanker truck in Kabad.

2 killed, four injured in Kabd collision

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Two people were killed while four others were critically injured in a head-on collision that took place between a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a water tanker truck in Kabad on Friday night.

Paramedics and police rushed to the crash site after the accident was reported. A 19-year-old citizen who was at the helm of the SUV was pronounced dead

at the scene, while his four male companions were hospitalized in a critical condition. The truck’s 65-year-old Jordanian driver was also pronounced dead.

The bodies were taken to the Forensic Department to conduct an autopsy. A firefighter sustained a right hand injury during the rescue operation.

An investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.

Taxi driver caught with drugs

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

A group photo of trainees

NBK trains more than 1,800 citizens in 2012

Emad Al-Ablani

KUWAIT: The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) trained more than 1,800 citizens during 2012, as part of its commitment to supporting Kuwaiti nationals.

“Investing in human resources is investing in our future,” said Emad Al- Ablani, NBK Deputy General Manager, Human Resources Group.

“NBK maintains its leading position as one of the country ’s largest employers in the private sector and is committed to supporting citizens

and empowering them to realize their potentials.”

Al-Ablani added that “NBK will continue its efforts to provide career and training opportunities for nationals and to support the country ’s aim to encourage young Kuwaitis assume roles in the private sector.”

NBK training programs include NBK Academy, the Summer Internship Program and the first of its kind in the region the NBK High

Fliers Program in collaboration with the American University of Beirut to provide NBK’s future leaders with a wide range of leadership disciplines covering topics such as finance, risk and people management skills and included classroom discussion, case studies and assignments.

As an acknowledgment for its contribution to Kuwaitization, NBK was awarded ‘ The Localization Award’ from the GCC Council of Ministers.

Wataniya Telecom concludes summer internship program KUWAIT: Wataniya Telecom has recently announced the conclusion of its summer internship program 2012 in collaboration with Manpower and Government Restructuring Program (MPRG), a step from the company to provide working experience to students and potential employees in the private sector.

The internship program aims at getting students and the youth familiarized with job opportunities and vacancies at Wataniya Telecom and the many benefits and advantages that come along with working at Wataniya. The students received their internships at different Wataniya branches located around in Kuwait in the period between July 1 and August 2.

Commenting on the summer internship 2012, Majdi Ghannam, Chief Human Resources and Administrative Services Officer confirmed Wataniya’s intention in supporting the workforce in Kuwait and looks forward to meeting with competent and skilled individuals who will be the backbone of the county’s progress.

Ghannam added, “Wataniya Telecom continuously provides students with field training as it also offers workshops on the company’s services and products while giving students insights on how to develop their skills and capabilities. Students were also trained on customer service as they got the chance to directly interact with customers while interning at the branches.” Ghannam concluded, “It is always our pleasure to host students and provide them with opportunities to represent our company and become more involved in field work. We look forward to offering potential candidates from different universities and colleges with job offers through our training and recruitment programs available at http://10.wataniya.com/careers.”

From her end, representative of MGRP Hanan Karam further explained that the internship serves as an opportunity for students to be involved in different aspects of the private sector jobs while educating them and preparing them for their future jobs.

For more information on Wataniya’s social responsibility activities, please visit www.wataniya.com, or follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/wataniyatelecom, or check latest updates on www.facebook.com/wataniya or get the latest news on Wataniya’s blog, www.wataniya.com/blog.

KUWAIT: Detectives from the General Department of Drug Control(GDDC) arrested an Asian expat in connection with trading in drugs. They were tipped off about the man’s activities and a task force was formed to take follow up action against the man and verify accusations. After lengthy investigations, it was found that he also worked as a taxi driver. He was arrested near his work place. Upon searching his car, police found 35 grams of heroin, 150 pills of drugs and another 10 grams of drugs. He confessed to purchasing and selling the drugs. He was referred to concerned authorities.

‘Doha body’ identified Police have identified a body that was found in Doha, found clad in a swim suit.

The Iraqi national was 59-years old.

Police found fishing related paraphernalia next to the body. The reason for his death is yet to be determined. The Criminal Investigation Department had received a report about the body found

DUBAI: Director-General and CEO of UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority Saif Al-Suwaidi lauded the vital role played by Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) Business Center in Dubai in providing the best aviation services, not only in UAE but also in the entire Gulf region.

Al-Suwaidi’s remark was made after attending a ceremony launching the expansion of the Kuwaiti Business Center. He also attended a closing cere-

mony of an aviation workshop organized by the Center.

Al-Suwaidi praised the tremendous efforts made by the center in offering training courses and workshops on Performance Based Operations (PBO) that bring utmost benefits to the aviation industry in the region.

The PBO is a project that is expected to result in more effective air traffic flow and capacity management, as well as reduced fuel consumption. —KUNA

Body found in Sharq Police received a report about a dead body found in the garden of a wellknown restaurant located in Sharq.

Police have begun an investigation into the case.

LOYAC, PMI-AGC sign partnership agreement KUWAIT: LOYAC and PMI-AGC has signed a partnership agreement that will benefit both the parties. LOYAC’S Founder, Chairperson and Managing Director Fareah Al-Saqqaf and PMI-AGC Kuwait’s Presidents Wael Hussien Ibrahim Al Jasem signed the agreement on July 30 at LOYAC’S office in Al Qibliya School in Kuwait City.

The memorandum will allow LOYAC to provide a platform of opportunities to Kuwaiti youth who are interested in Project Management by organizing the PMI accredited training courses, workshops, specialized seminars, scientific conferences and forums.

The agreement will enable both the parties to mutually work on various fields. PMI-AGC will launch a ‘Communities of Practice’ (CP) for PMI in LOYAC and it will promote the PMI accredited trainings to raise the competency level of project management practitioners in Kuwait. It will facilitate the

UAE lauds Kuwait Business Center’s aviation services

in a deserted area near Doha chalets.

youth by supporting their project management initiatives by organizing technical presentations and holding field visits to major local projects. It will also work on initiatives where in Kuwait’s project management professionals will be motivated to participate in PMI accredited events around the world to capture the latest trends in project management.

The agreement will integrate with LOYAC’S vision of putting Kuwait on the global map of project management activities, by nationalizing the profession in Kuwait.

LOYAC has been successfully working for the development of youth in Kuwait since 10 years, the collaboration with PMI-AGC will support the youth in various ways. It will not only assist the existing Project Management Practitioners in Kuwait but will encourage the youth to learn the art of Project Management based on PMI guidelines from the experienced mentors of PMI-AGC.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Pakistan, India agree to ease visa restrictions

Tensions rise as Tunisia Islamists, opposition trade insults Page 10

Page 11

YILIANG: People walk past damaged buildings at a quake-hit Luozehe town in Yiliang county in southwest China’s Yunnan province yesterday. — AP

China quake death toll hits 89 News

in brief

Qaeda group claims 131 attacks in Iraq BAGHDAD: Al-Qaeda’s front group, the Islamic State of Iraq, said it carried out 131 attacks in the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, a statement on the Honein jihadist forum said. The ISI said the attacks in Diyala province and south of Baghdad were mainly against security forces and anti-Qaeda militiamen, according to the statement posted yesterday. Ramadan, which lasted from July 21 through August 18 for Sunnis, was an especially deadly time for Iraq, with more than 400 people killed in attacks country-wide, according to an AFP tally based on security and medical sources. Violence often rises during Ramadan in Iraq because “radicalised terrorists are often more intent on conducting these (suicide attacks) ... because it is a period associated with martyrdom and self-sacrifice,” said John Drake, a security analyst with AKE Group. The ISI declared a campaign in July to retake territory it had abandoned in the years since the peak of Iraq’s sectarian bloodshed between 2006 and 2008. Al-Qaeda in Iraq is regarded by Iraqi officials as significantly weaker than at the peak of its strength in 2006 and 2007, but it is still capable of spectacular mass-casualty attacks across the country.

Turkmenistan scraps big Iran railway deal ASHGABAT: Turkmenistan has scrapped a $700 million contract for an Iranian company to build a key section of a major new railway line along the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, state media said yesterday.

Turkmenistan decided to annul the contract with Iran’s Pars Energy Company, signed in January 2010, at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, state newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan announced. Pars Energy had won the $696 million contract to build the Turkmen stretch of the new 900 kilometer railway that is to link Kazakhstan with northern Iran through Turkmenistan. This is believed to the first time that Turkmenistan has cancelled a major contract with neighboring Iran.

Berdymukhamedov was quoted as saying that the Iranian company was not able to carry out the construction “for some economic reasons” but did not give further details. He added that Turkmenistan would now build the Turkmen stretch of the railway itself. The new railway line “North-South” would provide a key new freight link from Kazakhstan’s Aktau region through almost deserted areas of western Turkmenistan and then into northern Iran.

Clashes in south Yemen kill four SANAA: A Yemeni military official says two Al-Qaeda militants and two tribal fighters have been killed in clashes over the past 24 hours in the country’s south.

The official says the fighting that began Friday and continued into yesterday took place around the southern town of Shoqra in Abyan province as part of government campaign against the militants. Government forces retook Shoqra from the militants in May after recapturing the towns of Zinjibar and Jaar, Al-Qaeda strongholds. The attacks were coordinated with US military experts based at a southern air base. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, in line with government regulations.

Rescuers hunt for more survivors YILIANG: Rescuers battled blocked roads and downed communications searching for survivors after the death toll from twin earthquakes that struck southwestern China rose to yesterday. Scores of people were leaving their homes in the mountainous border area of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, carr ying their belongings on their backs amid fears of further aftershocks as volunteers with supplies streamed in the opposite direction.

Some 820 people were injured and 201,000 displaced after two 5.6-magnitude quakes struck the resource rich but impoverished region. Premier Wen Jiabao, who reached the worst-hit Yiliang county in Yunnan overnight, urged rescue teams to redouble their efforts within the crucial first 72 hours. “Rescuing people is the top priority,” he said in comments broadcast on CCTV news. The premier wore running shoes as he visited hospital patients and survivors camping out in tents.

The death toll may yet rise as crippled infrastructure has made it difficult to collect information, a provincial official told state news agency Xinhua. The Global

Times newspaper said the earthquakes highlighted China’s continued vulnerability to natural disasters, despite decades of rapidly improving wealth and living standards in much of the country.

“A quake as strong as Friday’s... could have caused fewer or even no casualties in a more developed region,” it said. On Zhaoyi Road heading toward Yiliang yesterday afternoon, families congregated outside their homes, seemingly reluctant to go inside after a series of aftershocks struck the quake zone Friday.

While some took to leaving by foot with their meagre belongings, others left by the dozens on coaches, looking frail and tired. Volunteers, meanwhile, drove toward the disaster zone carrying food, water and other supplies. One makeshift volunteer vehicle-a hotel minibus from a nearby town-was adorned with a red banner saying: “We will keep moving to provide help.” Rain is expected over the next few days, further complicating rescue efforts. Another concern was the possibility of disease spreading after thousands of cattle were killed when sheds caved in.

Residents described how people ran

Egypt slay 32 ‘criminals’ CAIRO: Egypt’s armed forces have killed 32 “criminal elements” in an ongoing operation against Islamists in the lawless Sinai Peninsula, a military spokesman said yesterday. Colonel Ahmed Mohammed Ali said 38 people including “non-Egyptians” had been arrested during “Operation Sinai,” which was launched on August 7, days after gunmen killed 16 soldiers at a border post. Some of the non-Egyptians had been arrested on drugs charges, he told reporters. “The operation will continue until its goals have been achieved... These are not just military goals but also developmental goals for the Sinai,” Ali said. The statement is likely to unnerve Israel, which had expressed “reservations” over Egypt’s deployment of reinforcements in the peninsula, with which it shares a border.

But Ali insisted that “the deployment of the armed forces, on all the territory of Sinai, is not a violation of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.” “Our presence (in Sinai) is in the frame of coordination,” with the Israelis, Ali said. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said last week he expected the Egyptian army to withdraw its reinforcements from the peninsula at the end of the operation. “They must act against terror and if they have to bring in troops, let them do so. And when it ends, they must take them out,” Barak said in an interview with Israel’s army radio.

Ali said that during Operation Sinai 31

smuggling tunnels connecting Egypt to the neighboring Gaza Strip had been destroyed. But “there are 225 main tunnels and each has two to three openings,” he said. The tunnels trade, which analysts estimate is worth half a billion dollars a year, has played a significant part in Gaza’s economy since Israel first imposed a blockade in 2006 following the capture of one of its soldiers, who has since been released. They are used for bringing in a wide variety of goods, including food, fuel and building materials in what many say is a lifeline for the Gaza population. But they have also been used to smuggle weapons. “We have seized arms, rockets, RPGs, automatic rifles,” said Ali. He said that the armed forces were eager to maintain stability in the peninsula and would only use weapons against armed elements. “The armed forces will combat thought with thought and arms with arms. We will only use weapons with those who have weapons,” Ali said. The Egyptian government has long struggled with militancy and smuggling in the region but unrest has worsened since an uprising overthrew veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak in February last year, prompting the collapse of his discredited police force.

Bedouins living in the Sinai, where most of Egypt’s luxury resorts are concentrated, had long been marginalized under Mubarak’s regime.—AFP

outside buildings screaming as the two shallow quakes hit an hour apart around the middle of the day. Television footage showed roads strewn with fallen bricks and rocks, and Xinhua said boulders as tall as four meters crashed into mountain roads and damaged cars and homes.

“I was walking on the street when I suddenly felt the ground shaking beneath me,” posted one witness on Sina Weibo, a microblog similar to Twitter.

“People started rushing outside screaming, it still scares me to think of it now.”

The US Geological Survey said the first quake struck at 11.20 am (0320 GMT) at a depth of around 10 kilometers, with the second quake around an hour later.

Peng Zhuwen, a worker at a zinc mine in Luozehe, said: “It is scary. My brother was killed by falling rocks. The aftershocks have struck again and again. We are so scared.” The disaster is estimated to have damaged destroyed 6,600 homes, affected altogether 744,000 peo-

ple and cost 3.7 billion yuan ($580 million) in direct economic loss, the Yunnan civil affairs department told state media.

Southwest China is prone to earthquakes. In May 2008, an 8.0-magnitude tremor rocked Sichuan and parts of neighboring Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, killing tens of thousands and flattening swathes of the province.

The Global Times said that after the latest quake, authorities should emphasize safety and sustainability in future developments. Corner-cutting in construction projects leading to shoddy buildings, especially schools, was blamed for the death toll being as high as it was in the 2008 Sichuan quake. “Many would prefer bigger, rather than safer but more expensive, houses or apartments,” it said.

“To take the time and invest money in the prevention of natural disasters, which are unpredictable and are unlikely to occur, does not seem like a persuasive proposal to many in China.”— AFP

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

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

Troubled Sudan a refuge for some Syrians KHARTOUM: Abdullah can’t understand why his fellow Syrian went home to fight with rebels after working for a year in Sudan. “I tell him, he shouldn’t go,” says Abdullah.

“He is Islamist... I don’t know what happened in his head.”

While more than 200,000 Syrians have fled to neighboring countries from the nearly 18-month revolt against President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, an unknown number like Abdullah and his compatriot have also reached Sudan in North Africa. But Abdullah doesn’t consider himself a refugee.

He says he came to Sudan because he got a contract to manage a business, although the job offer arrived about the same time he saw protesters shot early last year in Daraa, an initial hub of Syrian dissent. Many others have also reached safety in Sudan, says a businessman with family and relatives in Syria. “They don’t say they come here as refugees. They say they come here for investment,” he tells AFP, adding nobody knows the number because they do not need a visa. Although Sudan is beset by its own troubles, with unrest in the far-western Darfur region and rebellions in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, the capital Khartoum is peaceful. The city hosts an established community of immigrant Syrians running restaurants and other businesses.

They arrived years before the fighting in their homeland which, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, has claimed more than 26,000 lives since it erupted in mid-March 2011. Sudan is also home to a dwindling group of Christians who first came from Syria as early as 150 years ago. Most of this group, Sudanese nationals, already emigrated because of decades of Sudanese military and Islamist rule, the businessman said. He and others interviewed asked not to be named because they still have family or other links to Syria. “Now the situation is very bad,” says the businessman, the day after finally making telephone contact with

his relatives after trying for more than a week.

“There is a power cut now of at least five hours a day,” he says, and the price of cooking gas has shot up tenfold.

He calls the rebels “bastards” and “terrorists”-a term commonly used by the Assad regime. “This opposition, they are targeting civilians, targeting government offices, kidnapping rich people for a ransom. They are driving the

area into a religious war, Sunni-Shiite confrontation,” he says, calling the West “stupid” for opposing Assad. The regime asserts it is fighting extremists funded by Saudi Arabia and Qatar out to destroy religious coexistence in Syria. With no chance for the government to win against an opposition with such powerful backing, the businessman says he may have to go and rescue his family, bring-

BAB AL-SALAMEH: Syrian children, who fled their home with their family due to fighting lie on the ground, while they and others take refuge at the Bab Al-Salameh border crossing, in hopes of entering one of the refugee camps in Turkey. — AP

ing them to Sudan. Not everyone in Khartoum’s Syrian community shares his opinion about the war, the businessman concedes. “Everybody has his own feelings. Some are pro-government. Some are against,” he says. In Sudan those differences have generally not been aired in public, although dozens of Sudanese and Syrians rallied outside the Damascus embassy last November to protest the violence.

“If the West doesn’t quickly intervene, they are going to leave the place to the extremists and terrorists to take power,” leading to sectarian war, said a man who spent two decades in Damascus before fleeing last year. He ended up in Sudan working for an international company.

“Three or four weeks ago I got some information from family, that a shell came down in front of our house and killed three teenagers,” he said. “After that, it became a phantom district... Everyone left after that strike by the Syrian army.” He accuses the regime of a “massacre” against its people. UN investigators say Syrian government forces and their militia allies have committed crimes against humanity, but rebels have also carried out war crimes although on a lesser scale.

The former Damascus resident said he can’t understand how some people are still travelling back and forth between Sudan and the “hell” of Syria. “No problem,” a Syrian businessman who returns regularly to Damascus said. For Abdullah, working long hours at his Khartoum job to send a few hundred dollars home every month for his family, the only place he wants to go now is Europe. “A lot of the Syrian people here, they feel Bashar al-Assad will fall,” says the man in his 20s, who fears civil war will follow.

“Everyone who has... Kalashnikov, he will be president.” In the meantime, while his fundamentalist compatriot has returned to join the rebellion, the moderate Muslim Abdullah has more earthly concerns. He complains that it’s hard to meet a girl in Islamist Sudan. — AFP

Iran accuses Canada of ‘hostile behavior’ Canada kicks out all Iranian diplomats

ALEPPO: A rebel Free Syrian Army soldier goes to the front line through a hole in the wall of a house in Aleppo, Syria. — AP

‘War of words’ on streets of Aleppo ALEPPO: At Sayyed Ali Square in central Aleppo, rebels cry out “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) to which Syrian government troops respond “You will soon join him,” before the shooting starts up again.

Since the regular army recaptured the city’s Christian district of Jdeideh from the rebel Free Syrian Army on August 22, the frontline has come to a virtual standstill in the area despite intermittent outbursts of violence. Hidden in buildings, snipers await their prey, on the lookout for any blunder by their foes. But most victims are civilians, mowed down as they try to rush across the street.

Less than fifty meters separate the rival fighters, leaving them within hearing distance. “They treat us as apostates who deserve to die and we scoff that no virgin will want them in heaven,” says Ahmed, a 22-year-old conscript. According to Muslim tradition, men who die as martyrs defending Islam are entitled to 40 virgins in heaven. Some soldiers say they have captured Islamist fighters who had women’s lingerie hidden in their pockets that they intended to offer their “brides” in paradise.

They swear that some of their enemies go to battle carrying a “passport to paradise” issued by a sheikh of the radical Salafist branch of Sunni Islam. “With our bullets, we are ready to help them find the gate of heaven,” jibes a soldier. In turn, the Islamists promise them the “fires of hell”. The general, heading operations in western Aleppo, says his men had arrested an Islamist who attacked a tank with a sword after having been told by the sheikh that if he struck three times, the tank would fall apart. It is impossible to verify such tales but they highlight the religious connotations of a conflict in a

country ruled by a secular regime. Since the beginning of the revolt against President Bashar Al-Assad, the regime has asser ted it is fighting religious extremists funded by Saudi Arabia and Qatar out to destroy religious coexistence in Syria. Some 80 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim but the state is dominated by the Alawite minority, an offshoot of Shiism, to which Assad belongs.

Weapons do the talking - Jdeideh, once the most frequented area in Aleppo for its old stone houses, restaurants, souvenir and antique shops, is nearly deserted. The tourists vanished a year and a half ago and residents have deserted the area.

Until a rebel takeover in July, Aleppo remained isolated from the protests which broke out in March 2011. But now weapons do the talking in Syria’s commercial capital. Despite the volley of insults that fuel the fighting, neither side has tried to advance for several days. “The gunmen are particularly active today. I guess they received ammunition to go on a new shooting spree,” says a 23-year-old soldier Issam, wearing a bandana to shield himself from the scorching sun.

Sissi, the most famous restaurant in the city, closed its doors two months ago, and Mohammed Sabbar, 37, sits alone in his women’s clothing store. “I have not sold a single dress for a month because the street is dangerous and no client is foolish enough to come here. I’m in my shop just because I’m bored at home,” he says. One person not complaining was Joseph, 46, who makes kitschy purses that have become popular in Libya. “I sell to women in Libya while they send their unemployed men to fight our soldiers,” he says with a smile. — AFP

DUBAI: Iran accused Canada yesterday of “hostile behavior” under Israeli and British influence after Ottawa cut diplomatic relations, and it raised the prospect of swift retaliation. Canada said on Friday that it was closing its embassy in Tehran and gave Iranian diplomats five days to leave the country, branding the Islamic Republic as the “most significant threat to global peace and security”.

Ottawa cited Iran’s disputed nuclear work, which Western states see as a disguised effort to develop atomic bombs, its hostility toward Israel and alleged military aid to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who is battling a popular uprising. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the Canadian move was a “continuation of anti-Iranian policies” by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, which has long had poor relations with Tehran. “The current government of Canada under the leadership of Mr Stephen Harper is known for extreme policies in the domain of foreign policy,” Mehr news agency quoted Mehmanparast as saying.

“The hostile behavior of the current racist government in Canada in reality follows the policies dictated by the Zionists (Israel) and the British.” The Jewish state is Iran’s arch-enemy, while Britain expelled Iranian diplomats late last year after radical Iranian protesters sacked its embassy in Tehran. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who heads Iran’s influential parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, said there could be an “immediate and decisive” response to Canada’s action, Fars news agency reported. “It is essential that the foreign ministry respond to this action by Canada on the basis of national interests.”

CANADIAN DIPLOMATS ALREADY GONE Canada’s 10 diplomats in Iran have already left Tehran, the Canadian foreign ministry said on Friday. Western states led by the United States believe Iran is covertly trying to develop nuclear weapons capability, though Iran states its uranium enrichment work is wholly peaceful, aimed at generating electricity and medical isotopes. Mehmanparast said the Canadian move

was an attempt to nullify Iran’s diplomatic success in hosting a summit of Non-Aligned Movement developing countries last month, which he said Canada had tried to scuttle. He said Canada’s anti-Iranian policies included a ban on money transfers for Iranian students studying in Canada and the blocking of the bank accounts of ordinary Iranians as a result of Western sanctions imposed on Iran’s banking sector. There is a large Iranian diaspora in Canada, with more than 120,000 people reporting Iranian ethnic origins. Ottawa’s bilateral relations with Tehran deteriorated markedly in 2003, when Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi died in Tehran’s Evin prison while in custody. The closure of Ottawa’s Tehran mission is the most significant row between Iran and another country since the ransacking of the UK embassy, which British officials said could not have happened without some level of government consent. The United States has not had a functioning embassy in Tehran since the 197981 hostage crisis, when 52 Americans were held for 444 days. — Reuters

Druze back Sunnis revolt with words but not arms QALBLOZEH: The Druze of Idlib province have not yet taken up arms in the war to unseat Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad but have declared their support for Sunni Muslims at the heart of the rebellion. “We are and will forever remain brothers,” says Ayham, an elder of the Druze community in the northwestern province where the two communities live side by side.

Among mountains covered with olive groves and criss-crossed by rocky paths that wind among magnificent Byzantine ruins, 14 villages inhabited by the Druze religious minority live in harmony with their Sunni neighbors.

Locals give Jabal Al-Aala, near the Turkish border, the name “little Druze mountain,” a reference to an eponymous and historic region in southern Syria that is also Druze-dominated. “For years everyone here, Druze and Sunni, has wanted the end of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime,” says Abu Ahmad, an elder of the Druze village of Qalblozeh, home to a fourth-century Byzantine church. “When the protests began 18 months ago we wanted to take part and send delegations next door to Kafar Takharim, where the revolution was flourishing,” recalls the thick-moustached man in his fifties.

“The local rebels told us not to move in order to keep our villages as a safe haven for populations fleeing army intervention,” he continues.

“No one here supports Bashar. He may have a few on his side, but they do not make this known,” says Ayham. Some Druze defectors from the Syrian army now live in the village having gained permission to stay and not return to their barracks, he adds. Jabal Al-Aala is populated by

IDLIB: A Syrian rebel sits on the ruins of a Byzantine city in Bab Al-Hawa in the northwestern province of Idlib. The Druze of Idlib province have not yet taken up arms in the war to unseat Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad but have declared their support for Sunni Muslims at the heart of the rebellion. — AFP farmers, who tend to their olive groves and tobacco plants. It is a semi-autonomous place, isolated from regime-controlled urban centers and suffering the consequence of having no electricity.

Ayham proudly honors his guests with a generous meal cooked over a wood fire, asserting that “everything is harvested (locally) here.” A portrait of Lebanon’s Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, adorned with multicolored plastic

flowers, watches over proceedings. Public services have ceased to function in Qalblozeh. Elders arbitrate local disputes and lead the community.

But this fiercely independent spirit does not undermine good relations and solidarity with Sunni neighbors. Druze villages have welcomed with open arms numerous refugees fleeing the army’s bombardment of rebel-controlled areas in Idlib, who are housed in homes, schools and other public buildings. —AFP

Somalia lawmakers to vote for new president MOGADISHU: Somalia’s 25 presidential hopefuls were campaigning ahead of an election due tomorrow the final stage of a UN-backed process to set up a new administration for the war-torn country.

The election has been delayed several times-having already missed an August 20 deadline-but international pressure has increased on parliament to chose a president swiftly, setting the date for tomorrow.

“We are only days away from an historic presidential election,” UN special representative for Somalia Augustine Mahiga said earlier this week, praising efforts to “move forward to a new more legitimate and representative” system.

Analysts have taken a far gloomier outlook on the process, suggesting it offers

little but a reshuffling of key figures and positions. Somalia has lacked an effective central government since president Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991, unleashing cycles of bloody conflict that have defied countless peace initiatives.

Ruthless warlords and militia groups including Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents have controlled mini-fiefdoms that African Union troops and other forces have only recently started to capture.

Outgoing president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in power since 2009, is one of the favorites, though he cuts a controversial figure with Western observers. A UN report in July said that under his presidency, “systematic embezzlement, pure and simple misappropriation of funds and theft of public money have become

government systems”-claims Sharif has rejected. Former Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, a US-educated economist, is also another strong candidate for the post. “The future of Somalia depends on each and every legislator voting for whomever they believe can best lead their country,” Mahiga added. “I encourage them to carry out this sacred trust free from any external influence.” The new parliament, whose members were selected last month by a group of traditional elders, will vote in a secret ballot in up to three rounds. Each candidate had to pay $10,000 (7,900 euros) to enter the race.

Bitter arguments have begun between rival challengers, divided along Somalia’s notoriously fractious clan lines, and the United Nations Security Council has

issued repeated warnings of “intimidation and corruption”.

The council has warned of its “willingness to take action against individuals whose acts threaten the peace, stability or security of Somalia.” However, Britain’s ambassador to Somalia Matt Baugh said earlier this week that both the outgoing president and prime minister-key candidates for the top job-had assured him of “their commitment to respect (the) election outcome.” The voting will be overseen by newly elected parliamentary speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari, a veteran politician and former minister. A candidate needs to take two-thirds of the vote to win outright, otherwise the top four candidates will go into a second round, with a third round of the final two.

The winner is selected by a simple majority. The political developments come as African Union and Somali troops make significant gains against the hardline Shebab, although they remain a major threat. Ethiopian troops are also battling them from the south and west. The extremist insurgents last month abandoned the port of Marka, leaving the Shebab with two major ports in southern Somalia-Barawe and the rebel bastion of Kismayo-although an international naval blockade has already greatly squeezed maritime access there. The Shebab a year ago abandoned their last fixed bases in Mogadishu, where they have since reverted to guerrilla tactics, claiming a series of suicide attacks and roadside bombs. — AFP

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

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

Colombia rebels mull political future if talks prevail BOGOTA: Colombia’s oldest rebel group sees its future as a popular political movement if peace talks with the government manage to bring an end to Latin America’s longest-running armed conflict. Founded in 1964 as a peasant-based army, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia take up their fourth attempt in three decades to reach a negotiated peace in Oslo next month, raising questions about what’s next for the organization. The FARC is now concentrated mainly in rural areas of the south, and boasts about 9,000 fighters, by defense ministry estimates-half what it did in the 1990s after a series of setbacks inflicted by the army.

But troop strength does not matter, said political scientist Leon Valencia, director of New Rainbow, a foundation specializing in studying the Colombian conflict. “The FARC’s main emphasis now is not recruitment, but rather social support. They have a structure of some 30,000 people who are very close to it, supporters who are active in the project,” Valencia said. The first time the FARC went to the negotiating table, in the early 1980s, several of its leaders demobi-

lized and formed a political party, the Patriotic Union.

But attacks, mainly by right-wing paramilitary groups, left some 30,000 of its leaders and members dead. “It is possible for the FARC to join society as an unarmed political movement, since this already happened in another context,” Alvaro Villarraga of the Democratic Culture Foundation said, referring to that partial demobilization. That process, however, ultimately failed because there were no guarantees for the safety of leaders who laid down arms, Villarraga said. There is room in Colombian politics for a new movement rooted in the communist FARC if the peace talks yield some kind of security framework that can protect it, he added.

Lessons were indeed learned during that first, failed peace process.

Ivan Marquez, the FARC’s second-incommand and one of the negotiators for the upcoming talks, had rejoined civil society as part of the process and even became a member of Congress for the Patriotic Union. But when the FARC’s commander Jaime Pardo was killed in 1987, Marquez took up arms again. FARC rebels do have potential

for fashioning a political message without weapons, said Juan Andres Casas, a rebel disarmament and rehabilitation exper t at the National University. “They can manage to carve out a political position. They enjoy support,” Casas said. “The government has to guarantee their security. But there are many grassroots move ments planning to prepare their incorporation into the political spectrum.”

This year, a far-left umbrella grouping of peasant and indigenous groups, along with students, burst onto the scene, holding a huge march that finished in Bogota. The Patriotic March of some 1,700 organizations renounces the violence that the FARC has waged. “We are convinced that the way to resolve the conflict involves resolving the social, economic and political causes that triggered it,” said Marcos Calarca, a guerrilla commander. “We exist because of popular support, and that is our commitment.” He said “the struggle for peace means resolving the problems that have us at war.”

In Colombian politics, the far left is a very small minority with only two

HAVANA: Marco Leon Calarca, spokesman and member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) speaks during an interview in Havana, Cuba. — AP parties that have few seats in the lower house of Congress and the Senate.

One of them, however, boasts a former guerrilla fighter who was elected mayor of Bogota in Januar y. That man, Gustavo Petro, belonged to another rebel movement, M-19, which laid down arms in 1990. But the scant formal representation of the

left in Colombian institutions does not seem to discourage the FARC. “The true left is not limited just to the electoral scene. Rather, it has a living, moving and changing component in the bustling universe of social movements,” Pablo Catatumbo, a member of the FARC’s main leadership body, wrote last month.—AFP

Obama courts Sunshine State after poor report US president fends off Romney’s attacks

NASHUA: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at a rally at Holman Stadium in Nashua, New Hampshire. — AFP

Terror takes back seat; Americans safer now WASHINGTON: As Americans debate whether they are better off now than they were four years ago, there is another question with a somewhat easier answer: Are you safer now than you were when President Barack Obama took office? By most measures, the answer is yes. More than a decade after terrorists slammed planes into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania countryside, Americans have stopped fretting daily about a possible attack or stockpiling duct tape and water, and the slogs through airport security have become a routine irritation, not a grim foreboding.

While the threat of a terror attack has not disappeared, the combined military, intelligence, diplomatic and financial efforts to hobble Al-Qaeda and its affiliates have escalated over the past four years and have paid off. Top terror leaders, including Osama bin Laden, are dead and their networks in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia disrupted. In some cases, the Obama White House simply continued or escalated programs and policies begun by the Republican administration of George W Bush. But Obama implemented a more aggressive drone campaign to target top terror leaders, broadening efforts to help at-risk nations beef up their own defenses, and implemented plans to end the war in Iraq and bring troops out of Afghanistan.

As a result, terrorism worries have taken a back seat to the nation’s economic woes.

Unlike previous elections, national security is not a big campaign issue this year. Mitt Romney made no mention of terrorism or war during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last week.

Although public opposition to the war in Afghanistan has grown, it’s not a top dinner table topic for most Americans. “I would have said four years ago that the Al-Qaeda movement was emerging as a bigger problem, especially with the emergence of affiliates in places like Yemen and with the spike in homegrown attacks,” said Phil Mudd, a senior counterterrorism official at the CIA and FBI

during the Bush and Obama administrations.

“But I would say today that Al-Qaidaism is on the decline. By any balance, the number of places where people want to come after us has declined in the past four years.”

Mudd, now a senior research fellow at the nonpartisan New America Foundation, said that while militants in other countries may still be causing problems in their own areas, they are less likely to “be sitting there saying how do we get to Los Angeles, and that’s a big change.”

Still, other international dangers remain.

Ongoing efforts to dissuade Iran from developing nuclear capabilities have not worked. And as Israel’s worries about the nuclear threat grow, the possibility of US involvement in an Israeli strike against Iran has become a front-burner issue. Defense officials are wary of China’s military growth, and the US intelligence community has accused the communist giant for systematically stealing American high-tech data through computer-based attacks. US officials and security experts also are increasingly warning that the United States is highly vulnerable to cyberattacks - including one that could take down the electric grid, financial networks or energy plants.

Republicans say Obama has failed to slow Iran’s nuclear program, saying that it could spark an arms race across the Middle East and that it poses the greatest threat to the US and its allies. Sen John McCain, the leading Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, told his party’s national convention that Obama missed an opportunity by not supporting a revolution in Iran. “For four years, we’ve drifted away from our proudest traditions of global leadership,” McCain said. “We are now being tested by an array of threats that are more complex, more numerous and just as deeply and deadly as I can recall in my lifetime.” Others, however, argue that the Obama administration has calmed tensions overseas with Russian, China and other countries that eyed the American invasion of Iraq with suspicion. — AP

Love triangle feud led to false US jet threat PHILADELPHIA: A man angry about a compromising Facebook photo of his girlfriend took revenge against the ex-boyfriend who posted it, making a hoax call to police that set off a terrorism scare and got the former beau taken off an airliner at gunpoint, authorities say. The new boyfriend, Kenneth W Smith Jr., was arrested Friday on charges of making a false threat to Philadelphia police, who recalled a Dallas-bound flight and marched the ex-beau, Christopher Shell, off the plane Thursday. The episode led to Shell’s own arrest on drug warrants after he finally reached Texas to celebrate his 29th birthday.

On Friday, both Shell and Smith posted bond. Shell declined to comment. Smith’s lawyer, Bill Brennan, described his client as “embarrassed” by the consequences of the

alleged threat. “My client is very, very sobered by the amount of attention this has received,” Brennan said after Smith’s initial appearance in federal court in Philadelphia. “He’s not very happy about it.” Passengers weren’t very happy about the scare that rerouted US Airways Flight 1267 on Thursday morning. They were about 90 miles into their trip when the aircraft turned around. After landing at Philadelphia International Airport, heavily armed law enforcement officers boarded the plane and removed Shell.

During questioning, he told authorities of the romantic feud, which involved hostile text messages with his ex and encounters with Smith, according to a federal affidavit. Shell also gave officers the name of Smith’s workplace. — AP

SAINT PETERSBURG: US President Barack Obama turned his attention to the state of Florida yesterday as he fended off attacks by Republican rival Mitt Romney, who used a weak US jobs report to accuse the president of failing to mend the economy. Florida, where the president will spend two days, is one of 12 so-called battleground states that don’t have a pronounced political preference and whose voters will likely determine the outcome of the November 6 election.

On Friday, the Republican nominee seized on weak employment data to reclaim momentum on the campaign trail and double down on Obama, whose speech at the Democratic National Convention the previous night was criticized for lacking vigor.

Romney flew into the battle ground farming state of Iowa just ahead of Obama, but then moved on to New Hampshire, where he twisted the knife on his opponent. “This president has not taken responsibility for what has been a failure of his economic policies,” Romney told around 4,000 people who filled a small baseball stadium in Nashua, New Hampshire’s second city.

The poor job numbers gave him the opportunity to wrest back the conversation after three days dominated by the Democrats’ jamboree, which Romney said failed to deliver any new plans that could turn around the fortunes of US families.

“Instead it was a whole new series of promises. He didn’t deliver on the last ones, why should we expect him to deliver on these?

He is out of ideas, he’s out of excuses,” Romney said of Obama’s pitch for a second term.

As Democrats left Charlotte, the North Carolina city that hosted their gala, a mood that was previously buoyant thanks to stirring speeches by First Lady Michelle Obama and former president Bill Clinton suffered a reality check.

Friday’s report from the Labor Department, which revealed that just 96,000 jobs were created last

IOWA CITY: US President Barack Obama addresses a campaign rally at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. — AFP month, was the cause of their with the November 6 election Hampshire. Many observers woe. And although the unem- result likely to be decided by vot- expressed disappointment with ployment rate dropped to 8.1 ers in half a dozen swing states. Obama’s convention address late percent in August, from 8.3 per- But a Gallup tracking poll showed Thursday, seen as something of a cent previously, the reduction Obama now leading Romney 48 rehash of his standard campaign was the result of a shrinking percent to 45 percent, compared offering, and light on specifics as Labor force caused by despairing with 47 percent to 46 percent a to how his second term would be Americans who chose to aban- day before, an indication that the more successful than the first in don their search for work. “If Democratic convention was bringing unemployment down.

President Obama were re-elect- beginning to give the president a Obama’s aides, however, ed, we would have four more modest “bounce,” or jump in the defended his appearance. “He did years of the last four years, and sur veys. Iowa and New exactly what he came to do last the American people are going to Hampshire have only 10 of the night which is bring the choice say no to that,” Romney told a 270 electoral votes between and focus to the American peo2,600-strong crowd crammed them that a candidate needs to ple, lay out the path forward,” into a gymnasium in Orange City, win the White House, with the spokeswoman Jen Psaki told Iowa. tight nature of this year’s race reporters traveling with the camThe dismal job numbers cast a underscored by Obama and paign. “For three days of this conshadow over the president’s post Romney’s decision to campaign vention you could feel palpable convention tour of New there. enthusiasm in the convention Hampshire, Iowa and Florida.

Obama admitted that the rate hall,” Psaki said, adding that Obama and Romney later crossed of job creation was a setback. “We Obama had been energized by paths. The president and vice know it’s not good enough,” he his daughters cheering “Go get president Joe Biden flew in sepa- said. “We need to create more them baby” before his speech. rate planes from New Hampshire jobs faster. We need to fill the Obama asked Americans to give to Iowa, which they won in 2008 hole left by this recession faster. him four more years in the White but where they now face a tight “We need to come out of this cri- House, arguing that Romney and fight against Romney and his run- sis stronger than when we went Ryan would damage the finances ning mate Paul Ryan. in. And there’s a lot more that we of middle class families and Opinion polls have the candi- can do,” he told 6,000 people in return to “blustering and blunderdates running neck-and-neck, the town of Portsmouth, in New ing” abroad.—AFP

Scathing report depicts rogue culture in LA jail LOS ANGELES: A scathing report Friday depicted a rogue culture inside the nation’s largest county jail system in which deputies abused and humiliated inmates while top management failed to recognize problems or weed out violent officers. The preliminary findings by investigators for a Los Angeles County commission said a “force first” approach was employed in jails to establish authority over inmates, rather than as a last resort. The investigators concluded that a “code of silence” blocked the county Sheriff’s Department, which oversees the jails, from detecting or preventing excessive force used against inmates.

The report said deputies have used force against inmates even “when there was no threat at all,” and referred to “a culture of aggression among some deputies in the jails.”

It also provided a sharply critical critique of Sheriff Lee Baca, describing him as aloof from the trouble festering in his senior ranks, and faulting him for failing to monitor and control how force is used in the jails. The sheriff ’s spokesman, Steve Whitmore, said Baca disagreed with many of the panel’s findings, and

the department would soon issue a report of its separate investigation of the jails. He disputed the suggestion Baca was a detached manager who failed to recognize trouble in the system.

“Are there challenges in our jails?

Absolutely. Has he acknowledged that? Yes,” Whitmore said. He added that “people are going to be somewhat surprised” by the findings in the review ordered by Baca, but didn’t elaborate. The report issued by attorney investigators for the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence comes as the latest development following allegations of beatings and abuse in the jails. The county’s Board of Supervisors created the commission to review deputies’ use of force in the jails and to recommend remedies, if needed.

At the core of the problems facing the department is how its deputies treat some of the estimated 15,000 inmates in county jails.

The American Civil Liberties Union, a constant critic of the sheriff, has filed a lawsuit accusing Baca and other department officials of condoning violence against inmates. Among its findings, the investigators said discipline was

discouraged against deputies, and there was little training or guidance in instances when force should be used. It said senior managers failed to investigate beatings, and despite a wide array of computer systems, entities with oversight of the jails failed to regularly review data for trends in violent behavior.

The report cited witnesses who told the commission that deputies enabled inmates to attack rivals by opening the doors to several cells at once, and it faulted one top manager for urging deputies to be aggressive and “work in the gray area.” “Management has tolerated the excessive use of force in the jails,” the report said. “Deputies often exhibited a lack of respect toward inmates, through their words and actions. This lack of respect contributed to the excessive use of force.” The ACLU released a report last year that documented more than 70 cases of alleged abuse and other misconduct by deputies, many of which occurred at one of the county’s oldest and largest jails, the Men’s Central Jail. The FBI has launched its own investigation and asked for internal department records dealing with inmate abuse.— AP

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

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

Police hunt for clues in French killings Family of girls who survived Alps killings arrive ANNECY: Relatives of the two girls who survived the shooting of a British family in the Alps arrived in France yesterday as police prepared to search the victims’ home in Britain for clues to the unexplained murders.

“Members of the family arrived in France last night, a man and a woman, accompanied by a British social worker,” prosecutor Eric Maillaud said. He said he did not know which of the couple was directly related to the children and it was not clear when exactly they would be able to see the youngest of the survivors-four-yearold Zeena. “I don’t know when they will be able to see the little girl. We have to be sure it can be done without problems,” he said.

He said meetings would be “systematically” carried out in the presence of French investigators. Zeena has been in the care of French authorities since the brutal attack on Wednesday, which saw Saad Al-Hilli, a 50-year-old Briton born in Iraq, his wife Ikbal and his 74-year-old motherin-law gunned down in a forest car park in an Alpine tourist area. Their seven-year-old daughter Zainab was

left for dead and remains in a medically induced coma after being shot and badly beaten in the attack. Zeena survived the attack and hid undetected for eight hours under her dead mother’s skirts. A local man, 45-year-old Sylvain Mollier, was also killed after apparently stumbling on the attack on the family’s car.

Maillaud said that French investigators who had travelled to Britain to probe the killing would question Hilli’s brother, who has already presented himself before British police to deny reports that he had a financial dispute with his brother. “Obviously the brother will be questioned,” he said, adding that “all those who knew the victims will be questioned.”

Investigators have been unable to obtain much useful information from “traumatised” Zeena are hope that the elder sister Zainab, who was still in an artificial coma as of late Friday, could provide some clues.

Investigators are pinning their hopes on Zainab, who they have described as a “key witness” in a case that has so far left them baffled.

Autopsies were concluded

overnight yesterday, Maillaud said, but the results were not yet being released. Authorities were due to speak to journalists later. Three French investigators arrived in Britain on Friday to coordinate with British police and another was due to arrive today. A French police source said investigators would begin searching the family’s home in Surrey, a British county southwest of London. “The search will begin this morning,” the source said, adding that French investigators would first be briefed by British counterparts on local procedures. The source said the search would be “very long” and would go “beyond the day”. French and British police would also to meet for a strategy session and to form investigation teams.

Meanwhile Italian and Swiss police were assisting the French as they hunt for the killer or killers behind the brutal slaying. “Italy is an hour and a half away, Switzerland an hour away.

Investigators have asked for help of all neighboring countries,” Maillaud said.

The family were killed in their Britishregistered BMW estate car in a forest

CLAYGATE: Police and forensics officers investigate outside a house of the family shot dead in their car in the French Alps in Claygate. — AFP car park near the village of Chevaline in the picturesque Haute-Savoie region.

Each had been shot multiple times, including at least once in the head.

About 25 spent bullet casings were found near the vehicle and police have said they suspect more than one

shooter may have been involved. A former British Royal Air Force pilot who was the first to arrive on the murder scene as he was bicycling by reported seeing a green or other dark-colored four-wheel drive vehicle speed away from the scene.—AFP

Tunisia’s opposition, Islamist trade insults Political tensions mounts

DORDRECHT: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte poses with children during a campaign visit four days ahead of the national elections, in Dordrecht, southwestern Netherlands yesterday. — AP

Dutch PM takes aim at rival ahead of elections THE HAGUE: Outgoing Liberal Prime Minister Mark Rutte yesterday took aim at his main rival ahead of next week’s Dutch vote, as a late surge saw Labor snapping at the heels of Rutte’s leading VVD party.

Four days ahead of elections to choose a new parliament, a poll put Diederik Samsom’s Labor Party (PvdA) within one seat of the VVD. “I don’t see them as a threat to me,” Rutte told the conservative daily tabloid De Telegraaf in an interview published yesterday, “but as a threat to the Netherlands.” Over the last two weeks, various opinion polls have tracked the meteoric rise of Samsom’s pro-Europe PvdA. The latest survey by the Maurice de Hond polling agency, published late Friday, put Labor at 32 seats, just one behind the VVD’s 33. The party which wins next Wednesday’s elections will be in charge of forming a new coalition government in the 150-seat lower house and a new prime minister is chosen from its ranks, usually the party leader. Rutte warned that should Labor win, “we’ll see fewer jobs and the return of waiting lists in health care,” adding, “this is dangerous for the Netherlands”. He claimed Labor’s policies would see “76,000 jobs lost” while his party planned to create 285,000 new ones.

Asked whether he would consider forming a so-called “purple” coalition

which would include the Liberals, Labor and the pro-Europe centre-right D66 party to get a majority in parliament, Rutte said it would be a “difficult choice.”

Purple is the term derived for a coalition between the three parties whose colors are blue, red and green.

“A purple cabinet, I think is a long way away,” Rutte said. Political scientist Andre Krouwel said Rutte’s claims were an indication that the VVD, which won 31 seats in 2010 polls, ahead of the PvdA’s 30, was feeling the heat from Labor’s rising popularity. “Labor is getting really close-and the VVD must be feeling quite anxious that their own election strategies aren’t working that well,” he said.

Samsom took over the reins of a disfunctional Labor Party in March. At the time the party had seen its popularity slump in opinion polls to the equivalent of a mere 14 seats. Two weeks ago, the PvdA was still sitting at 18 seats in polls.

But a campaign blitz that saw Samsom taking the initiative in a series of televised debates seemed to have polarized many undecided voters and has earned the former Greenpeace activist the title of the “comeback kid” of Dutch politics.

Fellow party members however claimed Samsom’s campaign success already started earlier this year when he was chosen to lead the party, afterwards meeting with countless ordinary citizens throughout the country.— AFP

TUNIS: Political tensions are mounting in Tunisia, with the opposition adopting terms like “state party” and “theocracy” to attack the ruling Islamists, whose supporters have denounced their critics as remnants of the Ben Ali era. Yadh Ben Achour, a respected lawyer who led a group of people last year seeking to promote the objectives of the revolution, did not mince his words in an interview with daily La Presse at the end of August. “We risk finding ourselves before long, in a dictatorship worse than that of (ousted president Zine El Abidine) Ben Ali, a theocratic dictatorship. We risk losing one of the revolution’s greatest achievements, freedom of expression,” he said.

One dispute feeding the growing political crisis is the government’s controversial appointment of new directors to head state media firms, prompting their staff and opposition activists to accuse the ruling Ennahda party of interfering with the media. Another is the trial of two artists who risk five years in jail for disturbing public order and attacking morals, after posting caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed on Facebook, while Salafists behind numerous acts of violence go unpunished.

All week, newspapers have published editorials accusing the Islamists of seeking to strengthen their grip on power, instead of concentrating on drafting a new constitution, which has been heavily delayed by divisions within the coalition government. “The government, with its dominant party, is bent on hegemony and has exceeded its prerogatives,” Tunisian daily La Presse charged on Thursday. “Tasked with moving the country forward and dealing with urgent situations, it is

TUNIS: Tunisian women shout slogans while holding signs demanding the ‘cleansing’ of Tunisia at the Kasbah, the site of government headquarters in Tunis. Thousands of people protested in Tunis, mostly supporters of the ruling Islamist party Ennahda, demanding that Tunisia be cleansed of corrupt remnants of the ousted Zine El Abidine Ben Ali regime. — AFP busy monopolizing power,” it added.

Le Quotidien, another daily, denounced what it called “a decadent strategy of the state party, in this case Ennahda, aimed at neutralizing all its rivals for electoral purposes.” Pro-Ennahda demosThe ruling party has shrugged off the criticism, presenting itself as the only political force capable of leading the country and seeing behind the volley of accusations the remnants of Ben Ali’s nowdefunct party at work. An informal political movement known as “Ekbes” (“Get a move on” in Arabic) that is close to the moderate Islamist party, has been organizing protests in recent days, urging the government to

Nuke questions await Iran’s president at UN DUBAI: As Iran’s president crafts his talking points for his annual trip to New York, one message is likely to remain near the top: Tehran has not closed the door on nuclear dialogue and is ready to resume negotiations with world powers. The offer is not very different from those coming out of Washington and other capitals. The challenge is figuring out how to overcome the huge divides after three rounds of high-level meetings since April failed to make headway.

Questions over whether the diplomatic effort still has a pulse will closely follow Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his time at the UN General Assembly later this month - his last as Iranian president before elections next June for his successor. His expected speeches and interviews will be scrutinized for any hint Iran is softening its positions on the nuclear talks as Western sanctions bite deeper and Israeli leaders contemplate military action dismiss diplomacy as a dead end. For the moment, Iran appears to favor a strategy of pumping just enough life into the prospect of renewed dialogue. Officials in Tehran have kept open channels with the UN nuclear agency and European Union envoys over possibilities to restart the talks with the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany. “Iran

will not distance itself from talks,” said Ismail Kowsari, a member of Iran’s influential parliamentary Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy. And the nations involved in the talks all hope to avoid an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities - and the possibility of igniting a larger war.

“In that sense, cold gridlock is better than hot combat,” said Karim Sadjadpour, an Iranian affairs expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. But it’s also clear that Iran has not publicly backed off its demands from the previous failed rounds. They include recognition of Iran’s right for uranium enrichment - at the center of the nuclear standoff and calls for the US and its European allies to ease the sanctions that have hit Iran’s critical oil exports and left it blackballed from key international banking networks. Last week, Iran received at least a symbolic boost when the 120-nation Nonaligned Movement, meeting in Tehran, backed Iran’s claims of seeking a peaceful nuclear program.

The US and others worry Iran could use its enrichment labs to produce warhead-grade material. Iran insists it seeks only to make nuclear fuel for energy and medical reactors. The West, meanwhile, has stuck with its blueprint of what’s been described as

“stop, shut and ship.” The mainstay is forcing Iran to halt enrichment uranium to 20 percent purity, which is much closer to weapons grade than the 3.5 percent needed for Iran’s lone electricity-producing reactor. Iran would also have to close its underground Fordo enrichment site south of Tehran - far smaller than Iran’s main enrichment facility but believed virtually impervious to air attack - and ship abroad its stockpile of 20 percentenriched uranium.

During the last talks in June in Moscow, the West tried to sweeten the package by offering to waive sanctions on airplane parts and other goods. A former Iranian nuclear negotiator, Hossein Mousavian, described it as offering peanuts in return for diamonds. “Tehran is not hopeful about the talks,” said Sergei Barseghian, a commentator at the independent Etemad newspaper in Tehran.

“Sanctions and military threats have been increased since the last round of negotiations.” Still, Ahmadinejad will arrive in the US with all sides clinging to the diplomatic efforts - and with perhaps some extra breathing room against a possible Israeli military strike. Israeli officials appear to have throttled back on their threats after facing an unusually sharp backlash from key ally Washington, including

the US military chief, Gen Martin Dempsey, effectively ruling out American backing for an Israeli strike at this time. The Obama administration, instead, urges for time to let tightening sanctions choke off the Iranian economy. Military analysts say air strikes would likely bring only setbacks, but no permanent blows, to Iran’s nuclear program. It also could send oil prices skyrocketing and put US troops in the Gulf under threat unsettling scenarios for the White House in an election year.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said earlier this week that “a diplomatic process” remains the best route to reach a “completely verifiable” agreement with Iran not to seek nuclear arms. “But that window will not remain open indefinitely,” he added. Iran’s main allies on the Security Council also have intensified calls to keep the talks on track.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Friday that more meetings are expected to try to end the current impasse. “It’s very important not to lose the momentum,” he said. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei this week urged Iran to reach accords with the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency over inspections that could clear the way for more nuclear talks. —AP

“tighten the screw.”

On Friday, it brought thousands onto the streets of the Kasbah in Tunis, the site of the government headquarters, calling for the media and political spheres to be purged of former regime figures and other “counter-revolutionaries.” A favorite target is Beji Caid Essebsi, a senior official during the first years of Ben Ali’s rule who steered Tunisia in the aftermath of the revolution, whose Call of Tunisia party, launched in June, is gaining popularity. “It’s not logical that after the revolution the information should be in the hands of the enemies of the revolution,” said Habib Ellouze, one of various Ennahda officials addressing

Friday’s rally, who accused journalists of “plotting.”

Riadh Chaibi, another senior Ennahda official, promised a law banning the remnants of the deposed regime from Tunisia’s political arena. “The Call of Tunisia is the new RCD!” he told the demonstrators, referring to the party of former strongman Ben Ali. “ We will work with the National Constituent Assembly to adopt a law banning RCD members from political activities for 10 years,” he added. The opposition, meanwhile, accuses Ennahda of recruiting to key posts individuals with links to Ben Ali’s clan, including Chedly Ayari, 79, who was appointed the new central bank governor in July.—AFP

Russia seeking to close gap with its neighbors VLADIVOSTOK: Russia’s failure to keep up with its neighbors in building the roads, railways and other infrastructure needed to support growth is costing it dearly, and hindering the regional economy’s full potential, business leaders gathered for an Asia-Pacific summit say.

President Vladimir Putin has promised to make the modernization of Russia’s infrastructure a priority for the coming years, but the challenges are great.

While China, Japan and South Korea have raced to build high-speed railways, ultra-modern ports and showcase airports - not all of it needed - Russia’s investment in its resource-rich far eastern regions has lagged behind. Five years ago, it took four to five days to send rail wagons from a Siberian mill to the Chinese border and back. Now it takes seven to 10 days, Paul Herbert, CEO of Ilim Group, Russia’s largest paper and pulp company and the largest soft-wood supplier to China, said Friday in an interview.

Ilim, which has been 50 percent owned

by International Paper since 2007, ships more than 1 million tons of pulp and board for packaging to China each year, 90 percent of it by rail, 10 percent by rail to Vladivostok and then by ship. An Ilim rail car crosses into China every 20 min-

utes on average, through three spurs of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Overall traffic has increased but the switching equipment and rolling stock have not. The railroad’s capacity has been “constipated by under investment in switching facilities,” said Herbert, who has worked in the industry for over 40 years.

Putin said Russia has been increasing the capacity of its railroads, noting that the Trans-Siberian now ships more cargo than at Soviet-era heights, but he acknowledged that much more needs to be done. “Our railroads are struggling to cope with the rising amount of cargo,” Putin said in an address to business executives on Friday at the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, held this year in Vladivostok. He also promised new roads, airports and pipelines in Russia’s east. “One of the goals in the region is to expand the local energy sector and link it up with energy supplies from the European part of the countr y, be it hydropower stations or gas pipelines, Putin said.

Some of the missing and lacking connections are a legacy of the Cold War: North Korea, in particular, remains relatively isolated from the rest of Asia, its own infrastructure in shambles. —AP

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

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

Uncertainty looms over elections in Nepal KATHMANDU: Nepal’s prime minister deflected criticism when the nation’s interim parliament collapsed in May by promising to hold new elections in November. But less than three months from the announced poll date, even Baburam Bhattarai’s own advisers acknowledge there won’t be elections this year. The delay is certain to increase the already high levels of political turmoil in a country struggling to recover from a bloody civil war and trying to transform itself into a republic after the overthrow of its monarchy.

For now, the poor Himalayan nation is left with no legislature, a prime minister who opponents say has illegally taken power and an uncooperative president who, while largely ceremonial, is crucial to holding new elections. Opposition parties say they won’t even participate in new polls unless Bhattarai resigns in favor of a national coalition. “The present government has lost the trust of all the parties, and we will not allow this government to conduct the elections,” said Dilendra Badu, a spokesman for

the Nepali Congress party. “We will take part in the polls, but not under this one.”

The problems stem from Nepal’s inability to write a new constitution following the overthrow of the monarchy. A Constituent Assembly was elected to a two-year term in 2008 to write the document, but riven by political battles and distrust for the former Maoist rebels, it failed even after its term was repeatedly extended. When the parties couldn’t agree to another extension, Bhattarai, a Maoist leader, announced he would stay in charge and lead a caretaker administration - a move with no basis in the interim constitution - and called for Nov 22 elections.

But before polls can be held, the government needs to amend the interim constitution to allow for the election of another Constituent Assembly and to change a faulty voting age clause. There is no parliament to do that. The only way laws can be amended is by ordinances issued by the president. President Ram Baran Yadav, who is from the opposition

Sri Lankans vote in provincial election BATTICALOA: Sri Lankans voted yesterday in a provincial assembly election seen as a test of whether ethnic minority Tamils still want self-rule or are satisfied with government-led economic development in a region devastated by a quarter-century civil war. As of noon, only small numbers of voters had turned out at polling booths in Batticaloa, one of three districts in Eastern Province. Voters were electing 35 members of the Eastern Provincial Council from 1,470 candidates.

More than a million people were eligible to vote in the three districts.

The Tamil National Alliance, the main Tamil political party, is seeking to control a provincial assembly for the first time and hopes a victory will be seen internationally as a mandate for more power-sharing in Tamil-majority areas. The alliance has sought a form of federalism, but talks with the central government have been stalled since January.

The ethnic Sinhalese-controlled central government, meanwhile, wants to show that Tamils are content with postwar development. The Tamil alliance is unlikely to be able to form a single-party provincial government even if it wins the largest number of seats and has invited a Muslim party, the Sir Lanka Muslim Congress, to join it in a coalition. The Muslim party, another strong contender in the election, has not yet responded. Tamil politicians have long claimed that Eastern Province is part of a Tamil homeland along with

Northern Province.

However, unlike the north where Tamils are an overwhelming majority, the east has near-equal numbers of the three main ethnic groups Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. Tamils complain that successive governments since independence from Britain in 1948 have sponsored Sinhalese settlements with the aim of changing the province’s demography and weakening the Tamils’ claim to it. Arumugam Shanmuganathan, a 64-year-old Tamil fisherman from Thettrathivu village, said he believes the political rights of Tamil people outweigh the government’s record in economic development. “It’s the responsibility of the government to develop all the people, so I voted for our political rights,” he said.

Government-backed incumbent Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan said he is confident of winning re-election because the province is regaining the development it lost during the civil war. He said Tamils can only rebuild if they work hand-in-hand with the government. The country’s civil war ended in May 2009 when government forces defeated Tamil Tiger rebels who were seeking to create a separate state for Tamils. Since then, the government has rebuilt a number of roads and bridges in the province, connecting it better with the rest of the country. It also has started a domestic airport project and promotes tourism in the province’s long stretches of beaches. — AP

Indian PM bemoans state of democracy Chaos in parliament amid scandals NEW DELHI: India’s parliament passed just four bills in a month-long session that ended on Friday, prompting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to question the state of democracy in the Asian power struggling with an economic crisis. Parliament in the country often dubbed the world’s largest democracy had been due to debate 30 bills in the sitting known as the monsoon session.

Sensing a chance to sully the prime minister’s image as an honest politician, opposition members obstructed proceedings for two weeks by shouting, punching the air and demanding he resign over a report criticizing the way coalfields were allocated. “We have just ended a wasted session of Parliament,” Singh told reporters outside parliament as both houses were adjourned again after just a few minutes of work. “This is a negation of democracy. If this thought process is allowed to gain any momentum, that will be a grave violation of the norms of parliamentary politics as we have understood.”

In between the shouting, unruly behaviour and general uproar, members did pass a bill against sexual discrimination, and three others. But it failed to debate the economic crisis or policies that Singh says are vital to shield India from the global slowdown and revive growth. “Parliament should have discussed these issues - what is our economic strategy to deal with these global tensions, these global developments - but parliament was not allowed to do any of these things,” Singh said.

The recess until the last few weeks of the year gives the prime minister some breathing space and the government may decree a rise in fuel prices, a

move economists say is needed to keep India’s fiscal deficit at a manageable level. The lower house was adjourned for more than three-quarters of the session that started on August 8. The upper house worked less than a third of the time alloted to it and the session was further tarnished by a shoving match between two MPs over an affirmative action bill favouring lower castes.

OBSTRUCTING PARLIAMENT In recent years, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has frequently resorted to obstruction in parliament to denounce government policies and scandals. “This session is likely to be remembered for the work that was not done,” said the chairman of the upper house, Hamid Ansari, while adjourning the chamber until the winter session.

The Congress party-led government has been on the back foot since a report by the state auditor tabled in parliament mid-session queried coal mining concessions awarded to power and steel companies without competitive bidding, potentially denying the treasury billions of dollars in revenue.

Singh, 79, won a second term in office in a 2009 election. He has denied his government did anything wrong in what has been dubbed “coalgate” by India’s media. The prime minister had already been weakened by previous corruption scandals in his government.

The BJP may try to keep up the momentum against the government with protests leading up to state elections later this year.

“In this political game, the economy has been the worst victim,” said D H Pai Panandiker, head of Delhi think-tank the RPG Foundation. — Reuters

Nepali Congress Party, could issue ordinances to help, but he has refused.

Nil Kantha Upreti, who heads Nepal’s Election Commission, said even if the amendments are passed, the body would still need four more months to

prepare for the polls. Upreti said April would be the earliest he could conceive of holding elections, and the prime minister’s adviser, Devendra Poudel, said that is roughly the government’s new target. “We are initiat-

KATHMANDU: A Nepalese child sits amongst the pigeons at Kathmandu Durbar square area in Kathmandu. The Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city, is located in the centre of the capital and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. — AFP

ing new rounds of talks with the political parties to fix a new poll date and also amend the laws,” Poudel said. The opposition parties, however, are adamant in demanding Bhattarai resign first. Even if he does, it’s not clear how a successor government could be named, since there is no parliament to elect it and it’s not clear if the interim constitution gives the president the authority to appoint it.

Unless the political parties start working together, elections will be impossible, said Yagya Adhikari, political science professor at Tribhuwan University in Nepal’s capital, Katmandu. But they have agreed on little over the past four years.

It took years to decide on the fate of the thousands of former rebel fighters confined to camps since the Maoists gave up their armed revolt and joined a peace process in 2006.

They are still waiting to be integrated into the national army. “Political parties need to give up their own interest and agenda and be flexible to help bring the nation out of the crisis,” Adhikari said. — AP

Teenage suicide bomber slays 6 in Afghan capital Bomber blows self up outside NATO headquarters KABUL: A teenage suicide bomber blew himself up outside NATO headquarters in the Afghan capital yesterday, killing at least six civilians in a strike that targeted the heart of the US-led military operation in the country, officials said. The Taleban claimed responsibility for the blast, which was the latest in a series of insurgent attacks in the heavily-fortified Afghan capital aimed at undercutting a months-long campaign by the US-led coalition to shore up security in Kabul before a significant withdrawal of combat troops limits American options.

While bombings and shootings elsewhere in Afghanistan often receive relatively little attention, attacks in the capital score propaganda points for the insurgents by throwing doubt on the government’s ability to provide security even the seat of its power. The attacks also aim to undermine coalition claims of improving security ahead of the planned withdrawal of foreign troops by the end of 2014.

The bomber struck just before noon yesterday outside the headquarters of the US-led NATO coalition, on a street that connects the alliance headquarters to the nearby US and Italian embassies, a large US military base and the Afghan Defense Ministry. The alliance and police said all of the dead were Afghans, and the Ministry of Interior said some were street children. Kabul police said in a statement that the bomber was 14 years old. The Taleban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the target was a US intelligence facility nearby.

German Brig Gen Gunter Katz, the spokesman for the US-led international military alliance, said there were no coalition casualties. Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi blamed the attack on the Haqqani network, one of the most dangerous militant groups fighting US-led forces in Afghanistan.

He did not say what he was basing that conclusion on, but the Haqqani group, which is linked to both the Taleban and Al-Qaeda, has been responsible for several high-profile attacks in the Afghan capital in the past. On Friday, the US designated the Pakistan-based Haqqani network a terrorist organization, a move that bans Americans from doing business with members of the group and blocks any assets it holds in the United States.

The Obama administration went forward with the decision despite misgivings about how the largely symbolic act could further stall planned Afghan peace talks or put yet another chill on the United States’ already fragile counterterrorism alliance with Pakistan. Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mijahid said the decision will have no impact on the war against the Afghan government and US-led forces, and added that the Haqqanis were part of the Taleban and not a separate group. He said its founder, Jalaluddin Haqqani, was a loyal member of the Taleban leadership council and a “person of trust” to the movement’s leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar.

“It will not have a negative effect on our struggle and we are rejecting this announcement,” Mujahid said in an email. The Haqqani network has been blamed for a series of high profile attacks against foreign targets in Kabul, including coordinated attacks last April

against NATO and government facilities that lasted more than a day before the insurgents were killed. A year ago, they were blamed for a rocket-propelled grenade assault on the US Embassy and NATO headquarters. In June, gunmen stormed a lakeside hotel near Kabul and 18 people in a 12-hour rampage.

American officials estimate the Haqqani forces at 2,000 to 4,000 fighters and say the group maintains close ties with Al-Qaeda.

Earlier yesterday, hundreds of Afghans and officials had gathered just a few hundred meters from the site of the attack to lay wreaths at a statue to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the death of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the charismatic Northern Alliance commander who was killed in an Al-Qaeda suicide bombing two days before the Sept 11, 2001, attacks. The alliance joined with the United States to help rout the Taleban after America invaded Afghanistan a month later in the wake of the attacks. — AP

KABUL: Afghan policemen carry the remains of a suicide attack victim in the city’s diplomatic quarters, home to many Western embassies in Kabul yesterday. — AP

Pakistan, India agree to ease visa restrictions ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India will ease tough visa restrictions, their foreign ministers announced yesterday, in a small step forward in ties between the two countries. The agreement was the culmination of a visit by Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna to Pakistan as part of a tentative peace process that froze after Pakistani militants attacked the Indian city of Mumbai in 2008, killing 166 people. The new pact offers eight types of visa.

Pakistanis visiting India have long grumbled about New Delhi’s restrictive visa regime

for both tourists and businesses. Pakistani businessmen are restricted to particular cities, so visitors cannot travel from Delhi to the nearby thriving business hub of Gurgaon without permission. Businessmen also have to report to an Indian police station in the evenings “like a criminal”, Pakistani trade official Zafar Mahmood complained in April.

Indians visiting Pakistan face similar restrictions on moving between cities. The two countries have gone to war three times since Pakistan split off from India in 1947.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar (right) indicates the way to Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna as they head to their meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan yesterday. — AP

The partition tore many families apart. The restrictions have been in place ever since. In April, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visited India, the first trip by a Pakistani head of state in seven years. Last year Pakistan promised India most-favored nation trading status. But potential flashpoints between the two nations remain. They include a long-running dispute over the mountainous province of Kashmir, currently divided between the two nations; Indian dams that Pakistanis say threaten their water supply and more attacks like those in Mumbai.

DANGERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA Meanwhile, Indian Premier Manmohan Singh warned yesterday over the use of social media to inflame ethnic tensions after online threats and text messages sparked a mass exodus of migrants from southern cities. The use of “social media to aggravate the communal situation is a new challenge”, Singh told a conference of senior police officials in New Delhi.

“We need to fully understand how these new media are used by miscreants... and devise strategies to counter the propaganda that is carried out by these new means,” he said.

Tens of thousands of migrant workers and students from India’s northeast fled last month from the high-tech centre of Bangalore and other southern cities. The unprecedented exodus was triggered by inflammatory text messages and videos posted online which warned that Muslims would target them in reprisal for deadly clashes between the tribals and Muslims in remote Assam state. —Agencies

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

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

Thailand grapples with killer student gangs LOPBURI: Sweat dripping from their foreheads as they complete a set of press-ups, students at a Thai army boot camp are momentary allies, but a spate of gang shootings suggests it is an uneasy peace.

Deadly rivalries between student gangs have seen several teenagers gunned down in Bangkok since the start of the school year in May, leaving the kingdom’s authorities scrambling for answers to a decades-old violent tradition.

The 150 students doing fitness drills at the army camp north of the capital come from vocational colleges-schools notorious for incubating ruthless gangs who fight for the perceived pride of their institution. “I stabbed a student in the head,” says Pond, a pimply 18-year-old who escaped prosecution for the assault but was fined a few dollars for carrying a knife. “Sometimes I feel bad about it, but it’s what happens. We do it because it’s a legend, passed down from the seniors in our school. We do it for pride.” The colleges prepare teenagers for a life of manual work, rather than going on to university, and the students are often viewed as low status by a society with a keen sense of hierarchy.

An epidemic of violence strikes at the start of every new school year, leaving ordinary Thais on guard for the appearance of students in public spaces, where disputes can lead to tragedy. A bystander died after she was hit by a stray bullet in June as a group of students opened fire on a Bangkok bus in an attack that killed a rival gang member. Guns, machetes and even improvised grenades were among an arsenal seized in a subsequent police crackdown, but the death toll has risen unabated with at least three more students killed and several others wounded since.

Bangkok police recorded more than 1,000 cases of students fighting between January and July this year, and the nationwide tally is likely to be much higher. Desperate for a solution, Thai authorities

LOPBURI: Thai teenage students take part in Thai army bootcamp training at a military camp in Lopburi province. Sweat dripping from their foreheads as they complete a set of press-ups, students at a Thai army boot camp are momentary allies, but a spate of gang shootings suggests it is an uneasy peace. — AFP

established the boot camp, where the worst offenders are sent after consultation between their colleges and their parents. Once there, they are forced to follow orders from no-nonsense army trainers and must live cheek-by-jowl with their sworn enemies. Dressed in a blue jumpsuit and plimsolls, his hair cropped close like his peers, Pond-a nickname-explains that he was blacklisted by his school for persistent fighting and sent to the camp to reform.

He says the 5:00 am wake-up calls, regular meal times and fitness drills have brought some disci-

pline to his chaotic life, but is frank about his prospects of following a new path. “At the moment I don’t want to fight anymore... but when I am back out there I will protect myself,” he says, fidgeting with the catch on his army-issue baseball cap. For Zoom, a scrawny, jittery 18-year-old, fighting for school pride delivers a sense of power, belonging and respect from younger pupils. He says trivial insults about each other’s school are enough to spark confrontation and chillingly recalls a fight last year which started after rivals swore at him from a motorcycle.

As the students passed by he reached for his knife “and slashed one of them across the head”, he says, in a description betraying no hint of remorse.

The camp interns, several marked with gruesome scars from similar knife slashings, miss cigarettes, junk food and other home comforts, but generally appear engaged and willing to team up with erstwhile rivals in tasks such as abseiling or cooking.

Their instructors have 10 weeks to break down resentment between them and hope team-building exercises and group discussions will foster friendships that last once the camp ends in September.

But after decades of brawling between the colleges, the instructors are realistic. “Ten percent of the students are not good when they come to the camp,” explains Lieutenant Colonel Wanchana Sawasdeem, an army spokesman. “When they leave they still won’t be good-they don’t accept the system at all. But for 90 percent it will work, even if it just means they hesitate before fighting... at least the camp will have made them think.” While the vocational colleges churn out many success stories, a hardcore among each year gravitates towards the hyper-violence of the gangs, impressed by the tales of older pupils and even former students whose influence lingers.

“Winning fights is their way of life,” says Montree Sintawichai, a former senator and now an expert on young people’s issues who works for a charity called the Child Protection Foundation. “The students think their victims are weak... they have little respect and little forgiveness,” Montree says. Boot camp instructor Colonel Wijak Kesuda is happy with the bond established between the pupils and the army trainers and says that, after initial resistance, instilling a sense of discipline was a relatively easy task. “The hard part is making them respect themselves, other people and society,” he says.— AFP

APEC summit kicks off with team spirit frayed Asia-Pacific leaders call for unity VLADIVOSTOK: Asia-Pacific leaders called yesterday for unity in tackling a raft of economic challenges, as an annual summit began amid deep divisions over worsening territorial disputes and other rows. Summit host President Vladimir Putin opened the two-day gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation bloc in the Far East Russian port of Vladivostok with a call for a renewed joint commitment to open up regional trade.

“By getting together and lifting barriers, we encourage dynamic development of the entire Asia-Pacific region and the global economy in general. It is important to build bridges, not walls,” Putin told his fellow leaders.

The 21 members of the grouping that accounts for nearly half of world trade meet every year to build

goodwill in their effort to break down trade barriers, with the bloc’s rules decided by consensus.

But this year’s summit began with APEC giants China, Japan and South Korea embroiled in various territorial disputes that have fanned intense nationalist flames, and with US-Chinese relations also heating up over the South China Sea. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said he would not hold customary bilateral summit talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao nor South Korea’s Lee Myung-Bak because of Japan’s separate territorial disputes with their nations. APEC members Vietnam and the Philippines have also spoken out strongly against China in the lead-up to APEC. They have accused their more powerful neighbor of

VLADIVOSTOK: Leaders attend the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Vladivostok, Russia yesterday. — AP

Mexican leader defends freedom and democracy VLADIVOSTOK: Mexican President Felipe Calderon launched an impassioned defense of freedom and democracy yesterday, at an Asia-Pacific summit hosted by Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Discussions at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) annual leaders’ gathering normally concentrate on trade, but the Mexican leader turned instead to overtly political topics. “We must believe and support freedom and democracy in any point of the world,” Calderon, whose party ousted opponents who had ruled for more than 70 years at polls in 2000, told a business forum on the summit sidelines.

“We need to stand for democracy and for freedom, we need to fight for them every single day,” he said, adding they were essential for prosperity and “the future of humankind”. “My advice is stand on principles, believe and fight for freedom in economics and politics as well.” Calderon, who has less than three months left in office, specifically referred to freedom of speech, which critics say is under threat in Russia and seriously curbed in neighboring China, as well as freedom of assembly. Putin was voted back to the Kremlin this year but international observers said the election was skewed in his favor during the campaign and the ballot marred by irregularities.

More recently international concern was aroused by the twoyear prison terms handed to members of punk band Pussy Riot for protesting against the Russian leader in a Moscow cathedral.

Putin has described their antics as an “orgy” and defended their prosecution for hooliganism as necessary to protect religious believers’ feelings. —AFP

a campaign of intimidation to enforce its claims to virtually all of the South China Sea, parts of which they contest. Speaking at a pre-summit business forum yesterday, Chinese President Hu Jintao called for all countries to ensure the tensions did not escalate into more serious conflicts. “To maintain peace and stability as well as the sound momentum of economic growth in the AsiaPacific is in the interests of all countries in the region. It is our shared responsibility,” Hu said. Nevertheless, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang later reaffirmed his country’s hardline stance against Japan over rival claims to islands in the East China Sea that are known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. “(The) Japan side should face squarely the strong resolve and determination of the Chinese government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Qin told reporters in Vladivostok. China has also been riled by US lobbying for a code of conduct for the South China Sea and insisting on freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway, which the United States has declared in its national interests. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton-standing in for President Barack Obama at APEC-said Saturday the United States was determined to increase its economic and political footprint in the region.

“After an extended period in which the United States had to focus a great deal of attention and resources on regions and conflicts elsewhere, we are now making substantially increased investments in the Asia-Pacific,” she said. “We seek to work with others to build a stable and just regional order that will benefit everyone.” APEC leaders have insisted they will still make progress in Vladivostok in opening up economies despite the tensions. They will jointly call for greater efforts to “support growth and foster financial stability and restore confidence”, according to a draft of a leaders’ statement to be released at the end of the summit and obtained by AFP. It warns of mounting risks to the region from the euro-zone crisis in Europe and pledges to work to stoke domestic demand to counter falling exports. The leaders will also approve a deal reached Thursday by their trade ministers to cut tariffs on a list of dozens of “green” products in the Asia-Pacific to boost trade in the goods and help protect the environment. Putin’s government has poured $20 billion into reviving Vladivostok, Russia’s largest Pacific port, in hopes of turning it into an investment hub and promoting his nation’s Pacific ambitions.— AFP

Hong Kong education row escalates HONG KONG: Hong Kong students yesterday demanded the government scrap a plan to introduce mandatory Chinese patriotism lessons after a rally drew tens of thousands of people ahead of legislative elections. Organizers said 120,000 protesters rallied outside the government headquarters late Friday but police put the number at 36,000, a marked escalation in demonstrations which have waxed and waned for 10 straight days. “This is unprecedented, 120,000 people rallied outside the government headquarters,” student activists group Scholarism leader Joshua Wong told protesters who continued to camp outside the offices on Saturday. “I was surprised by the mass turnout and if the government doesn’t withdraw the subject, it’s not listening to the people’s will,” said the 15-year-old protest leader.

The protests began in July when tens of thousands rallied against what they say is a Bejing-imposed policy to brainwash children with Communist Party propaganda. They have continued daily for almost two weeks in what has became a major headache for the Beijing-backed government ahead of elections Sunday for the Legislative Assembly. Fourteen people are on hunger strike outside the government’s harbourside headquarters, and the students have erected a replica of the democracy statue that symbolized the student-led 1989 Tiananmen protests in mainland China.

The government says the “national education” subject is important to foster a sense of national belonging and identity, amid rising anti-Beijing sentiment in the semi-autonomous southern city of seven million people. Schools are meant to adopt the subject voluntarily this year but it will be mandatory in all primary and secondary schools by 2016. A survey released last week showed 69 percent of students opposed the classes, and many schools have said they will not introduce it until the government clarifies the curriculum.

Critics say the lessons extol the benefits of one-party rule, equate multi-party democracy to chaos, and gloss over events like the bloody Tiananmen crackdown and the mass starvation of Mao’s Cultural Revolution.

Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying has vowed to push ahead with the plan despite the daily protests, but in a sign of the mounting pressure the government is under he said Friday he was prepared to talk to the students. “We have made all channels open, and I’m prepared to talk,” he said, adding however that he would not discuss withdrawing the classes altogether.

“If the result of the talk is predetermined to the extent of having to withdraw the subject, then it isn’t really a dialogue,” he said. The former British colony goes to the polls on Sunday to elect a new 70-seat legislature, which will play a crucial role on the city’s path to direct elections for its leader in 2017 and the legislature by 2020.— AFP

CARACAS: Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez hugs his daughter Rosines upon his arrival for a news conference in Caracas. — AP

Chavez woos voters by raising specter of chaos CARACAS: Never one to mince his words, President Hugo Chavez is warning of instability or even outright civil war in oil-rich Venezuela if he is not re-elected next month. The dire warning from the populist treated for cancer over the past year is largely seen as a gambit to woo undecided voters ahead of the October 7 vote. Chavez has been in power for nearly 14 years and is seeking another six. He has warned repeatedly that if the opposition candidate Henrique Capriles wins, government would wipe away subsidized food, health care and housing programs that are pillars of what Chavez calls his socialist revolution.

Capriles has a hidden neo-liberal agenda that “aims to take us back to a Venezuela that would not withstand this and would again enter a terrible scenario, a deep destabilization... that would perhaps even take us close to civil war,” Chavez said Monday in a radio interview. Luis Vicente Leon, head if the polling firm Datanalisis, said Chavez’s remarks were more a political maneuver than a true reflection of the prospect for civil war. Leon likened the comments to a “poker bluff” to instill fear in independent voters to sway them to his side.

“If Chavez is not in power, there will be chaos. If Chavez is not in power, there will be a civil war. If Chavez is not in power, there will be a coup,” Leon said. “The president is putting a price on voting for Capriles: a turbulent country that is at war.” Most polls give Chavez a comfortable lead of 10 to 20 percentage points over Capriles, although this cushion is thinner than it used to be. But these surveys also indicate many Venezuelans are either undecided, plan to abstain or have decided who to vote for but say they might ultimately change their mind. Collectively these people are known as the “ni-ni’s,” meaning “neither this nor that.”

“Chavez’s intention is to keep people from voting for Capriles,” a former governor of the populous northern state of Miranda who is supported by a coalition of opposition parties, said political analyst Mariana Bacalao, a professor at Central University. Leon said the “ni-ni’s” could amount to as much as 30 percent of the 19-million-strong electorate and that Chavez is trying to spook people who prefer peace rather than change.

“I do not know if it will work. But there are voters who do not want trouble. If Chavez convinces them that if he loses there will be trouble, it could be an important factor for him,” said Leon. Capriles is countering Chavez’s doomsday warning by giving assurances that he would maintain Venezuela’s social welfare safety net. Analyst Carmen Beatriz Fernandez of consulting firm DataStrategia said Chavez is playing the fear card to hold on to his own supporters, a tactic he used in 2010 legislative elections. “But now, he is doing it with greater vehemence because he knows his lead (in the polls) is not as big as it used to be,” Fernandez said.—AFP

NEWS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

AL-SALAMA: Syrian refugees receive food from a makeshift kitchen in a temporary refugee camp near the Al-Salama crossing between Syria and Turkey yesterday. Fighting for control of a key army base in Aleppo raged, as Russia tried to revive a divisive accord on ending the bloodshed that calls for a government of unity in Syria. — AFP

Battle rages in Aleppo, refugee area attacked Continued from Page 1 A military official said soldiers destroyed six armored vehicles the rebels were using to transport arms seized from the barracks-a compound that serves mainly as a weapons depot and recruitment centre.

Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers agreed on the need to beef up sanctions against Syrian President Bashar AlAssad’s regime at talks in Cyprus yesterday, said Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis.

“There is consensus also on the increase of sanctions in Syria,” she said, after announcing that the bloc’s 27 ministers were agreed on the need to massively strengthen humanitarian aid.

Meeting on an island as close as 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Syria for their first talks since the summer break, the ministers also urged the fractured Syrian opposition to unite and agreed to try to work with Russia in efforts to find a peaceful solution to the 18month conflict.

Rebel fighters on Friday claimed to have captured parts of the barracks. “The rebels had thrown themselves whole-heartedly into this offensive because they desperately need weapons,” an army official said. Badly outgunned members of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) took part in the offensive, a rebel commander who identified himself as Abu Omar said on Friday.

The goal was to liberate Hanano, cut off strategic supply lines and stop the shelling that has caused high civilian casualties in Aleppo. FSA media coordinator Abdullah Yasser said the assault aimed to take one of three main positions the army uses to shell rebel forces concentrated in the city’s east.

“Hanano is one of the main places from which they are shooting, so taking it over could be a turning point for us,” he told AFP. On Friday alone at least 18 soldiers and four rebels were killed in the battle for the base, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The rebels also assaulted Aleppo’s Midan district yesterday by breaking into the Saint Vartan religious complex between the central district and a rebel stronghold, a military source and local residents said.

The rebels tried to take Midan “but were met with fierce resistance by the security forces of the air force, who are in charge of the area,” the source added. A number of people have found refuge at Saint Vartan amid the fighting which has engulfed Aleppo since July 20.

The Observatory also reported shelling in Damascus, in the southern province of Daraa, and clashes around a military airport in Albu Kamal in the east. The fighting also spilled over the border into Iraq, when mortar rounds crashed into the border town of Al-Qaim across from Albu Kamal, killing a four-year old girl and wounding four people, an Iraqi army captain said.

At least 14 people-five civilians and nine rebels-were killed nationwide yesterday, the Observatory reported, following a bloody day in which 136 people died, the majority civilians.

The Cypriot minister said European nations believed it was important to work with Moscow, Assad’s main diplomatic and military supporter, despite anger over Russia and China vetoing three UN Security Council attempts to exert more pressure on Syria. “We have to continue to work with Russia because we want to have them on board,” she said.

Belgium’s foreign policy chief, Didier Reynders, suggested one way of working with Russia would be to set up an international observer mission to ensure Syrian hospitals were kept open to the injured from both sides of the conflict. In remarks to journalists at the close of two days of informal talks, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius too insisted on the need to respect humanitarian rights by maintaining hospital care open to all Syrians.

Regarding punitive action against the regime, Fabius said “if we want things to move, we must reinforce sanctions against the clan of (President) Bashar Al-Assad.”

Details on new measures would be worked out by the office of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, he said. “There is a general feeling that more pressure must be placed on the regime in order to end the violence and enable the distribution of humanitarian aid throughout the country,” added Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo.

Ashton urged the Syrian opposition to collaborate.

“It’s important that the people, whoever they are, feel they are part of that future,” she said. Brussels on Friday announced an extra 50 million euros ($63 million) for civilians trapped in the conflict, bringing the EU contribution in all to 200 million euros, half of all international help. “Humanitarian needs are rising rapidly,” said British Foreign Secretary William Hague. “We need additional contributions to the human effort urgently.”

The United Nations on Friday almost doubled its humanitarian appeal for Syria to $347 million, estimating that more than 2.5 million people need food and medical help in the country.

More than 1.2 million, more than half of them children, have become internally displaced in Syria, and some 200,000 refugees are massed in neighbors Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq.

The informal brain-storming held in a classy Cypriot resort will set the tone within the EU for the weeks and months to come. Hague said in a letter to Ashton seen

by AFP that Europe needed to play a bigger role in resolving the Syrian crisis.

His counterparts from France and Italy, Fabius and Giulio Terzi, said in a separate message to Ashton that the crisis was at “a turning-point” and called for an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers in New York this month on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

They said that should the EU fail to help resolve the crisis, Europe’s security could be threatened from problems ranging from terror, arms proliferation and illegal immigration to energy security.

Europe’s answer to the challenge thrown up by potential migration flows and asylum seekers was to help countries such as Turkey and Jordan host the refugees on Syria’s border, ministers said.

On the political front, Russia said it would ask the UN Security Council to endorse a plan to end the violence in Syria, but the United States insisted any resolution had to have teeth. Moscow has been the main diplomatic and military supporter of Syria’s embattled President Bashar al-Assad and has angered Western nations by vetoing, along with China, three attempts at the Security Council to exert more pressure.

“There is a plan to hold a special meeting of the UN Security Council with the participation of ministers on the Syrian issue,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Vladivostok. “We stressed in a meeting with the US Secretary of State that Russia will push for the Security Council’s approval of the Geneva communique.”

Clinton said she was open to another attempt at the Security Council based on the Geneva plan, but insisted on a resolution to carry consequences if Assad did not comply, a senior US official said.

She told Lavrov that “in the context of the escalating violence, we have got to do more, if we can, in the Security Council to send a strong message,” the official quoted her as saying.

On June 30, world powers agreed on a plan calling for all sides in Syria to implement a ceasefire and then form a transitional government and review the constitution.

But the plan did not make an explicit call for Assad to quit-a demand championed by the United States, Britain, France and Arab states including Saudi Arabia and Qatar who have also been clamoring for tougher sanctions on Syria. Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis said there was “consensus” in informal talks in Cyprus on Saturday among EU foreign ministers on increasing sanctions against Syria.

Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo said “there is a general feeling that more pressure must be placed on the regime in order to end the violence and enable the distribution of humanitarian aid throughout the country.”

Brahimi, who heads to Cairo for talks with Arab League leaders today, has said it is up to the Syrians to decide their future, echoing the position of his predecessor Kofi Annan. His spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said the peace envoy is working on “the final details of a plan to visit Damascus.”

UN diplomats say Brahimi wants guarantees that he will get a proper meeting with Assad before going.

The UN says about 20,000 people have died in the conflict which erupted in mid-March 2011. The Observatory says more than 26,000 have been killedthe vast majority civilians.-—Agencies

US Haqqani blacklist ‘ineffective’: Taleban KABUL: The Taleban denounced yesterday US moves to blacklist the Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network as a terrorist organization, saying it would have no impact on operations and was indicative of US defeat in Afghanistan. In a statement released through microblogging site Twitter, it said there was “no separate entity... in Afghanistan by the name of Haqqani”, adding that the network’s founder and its fighters were totally loyal to Taleban supreme leader Mullah Omar.

The militia, which is leading a decade-long insurgency against NATO troops and the Afghan government, claimed previous terrorist designations against its members had no impact on operations and said “this latest announcement will also be ineffective”.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday she would press ahead with the Haqqani blacklisting, which will make it a crime in the United States to provide the network with any material support, and freeze any of their property or interests in the US. The United States blamed the Haqqanis for a June hotel attack just outside Kabul, the 2011 siege on the US embassy and, in 2009, the deadliest attack on the CIA in 25 years. “The Islamic Emirate does not have any trade agreements with any American companies or individuals and neither does it have monetary

funds there which could be frozen,” the Taleban said.

“This cowardly act of yours in which you enter mujahideen of Islamic Emirate into your so-called black list is indicative of your complete defeat and dismay.”

Earlier yesterday, the Taleban claimed responsibility for a suicide attack outside NATO headquarters in Kabul, which Afghan police said killed six young Afghans aged 12 to 17.

The Taleban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that the CIA had been the target and that although the bombing was a month in the planning, it was also a response to US move against the Haqqanis. The statement said the blacklisting would strengthen its determination to fight the Americans.

Founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, a former CIA asset also close to Pakistani intelligence, it is militarily the most capable of the Taleban factions.

Former US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen said last year the Haqqani had become a “veritable arm” of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. That triggered concern that the US could indirectly be branding Pakistan a terrorist state. But US officials downplayed such fears, insisting Islamabad had been informed in advance, and stressing the move would not hamper any future peace talks with the Taleban. — AFP

Pakistan blasphemy girl freed, airlifted...

Continued from Page 1 An official medical report has classified her as “uneducated” and aged 14, but with a mental age younger than her years. Others have said she is as young as 11 and suffers from Down’s Syndrome.

Rimsha’s case took a dramatic development when a cleric who had accused her was arrested last week for allegedly planting evidence against her and on charges of himself desecrating the Holy Quran.

Unlike in previous blasphemy cases, no Muslim clerics, political or religious parties have organized demonstrations against Rimsha. A prominent Muslim cleric said

his All Pakistan Ulema Council was prepared to offer Rimsha protection if necessary and called for a fair trial for all involved. “All those who staged this drama and were active behind the scenes should be punished and brought to justice,” the cleric, Tahir Ashrafi, told AFP. After her arrest in a poor Islamabad suburb, Rimsha had been held in the same jail as the convicted killer of politician Salman Tasser, murdered outside a coffee shop by his bodyguard because he called for a reform to blasphemy laws. Rights groups say Rimsha should never have been held in the first place. They have called on Pakistan to reform its blasphemy legislation, saying it is too often abused to settle personal vendettas.— AFP

Bahrain oppn group faces legal action Continued from Page 1 It was not immediately clear what the action might entail, but the move appeared to represent an escalation of government attempts to put pressure on Al-Wefaq, a group it has threatened to ban in the past.

Opposition parties led by Al-Wefaq are demanding full powers for the elected parliament so that it can legislate and form governments. Many complain of being politically and economically marginalized, a charge the government denies.

Police used teargas and stun grenades to break up Friday’s march, which dozens of protesters took part in.

The statement from the Interior Ministry said Al-Wefaq had been told a day earlier that the protest had not been authorized and that demonstrators engaged in “the blocking of roads, vandalism and spreading fear and concerns among the business owners in the area”.

“The ministry affirms its support for free speech but reminds all citizens that freedom of expression does not include vandalism, spreading fear amongst the community and attempting to create chaos. The ministry has taken legal action to file a case against Al-Wefaq,” it said. The ministry had also filed cases with the public prosecutor against the six arrested protesters, it added.

“Many times they go for the illegal march, but this time they targeted the heart of the capital and that’s bad for businesses and the economy. That’s the problem,” said a government adviser who asked to remain anonymous. He said unauthorized rallies in other parts of the country would not have prompted legal action and that he thought it unlikely any action would include banning Al-

Wefaq.

Al-Wefaq criticized the authorities for banning the march and said in an emailed statement that the riot police had used violence against peaceful protesters. “The regime arbitrarily blocked all the ways to the capital Manama early in the afternoon dividing the capital into security squares filling them with its forces who used all kinds of weapons against protesters,” it said.

Opposition leaders said the tone of the Interior Ministry statement was stronger than in the past.

“Wefaq has been threatened in the past, but the level and the wording, all of these show it is possibly more serious than at any other time,” Jasim Husain, one of the group’s leaders, said.

“But they are not yet threatening a ban. The wording is legal action.”

Armoured vehicles and riot police had closed off some of the main roads leading into the city on Friday, but dozens of protesters attended the march, which had been billed as an event to support “freedom for prisoners of conscience”. Last week, a march attended by tens of thousands of demonstrators that had also been organized by AlWefaq together with other opposition groups and which the authorities had approved passed off without incident.

On Tuesday, a civilian court upheld jail sentences of between five and 25 years for the leaders of last year’s uprising, prompting condemnation from Al-Wefaq. The United States in June said it was “deeply disappointed” that a Bahraini court had upheld verdicts against medics accused of participating in last year’s uprising, while President Barack Obama last year called on the government to talk to Al-Wefaq. — Reuters

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

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Issues

Syria peace envoy faces arduous task

By Wissam Keyrouz yria peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi faces the arduous task of seeking an end to a bloody conflict that has dim hopes of a peaceful outcome, as world powers remain divided over a solution, analysts say.

“Mr Brahimi’s mission, by his own account, has little chance of success,” said Middle East writer and researcher Neil Partrick. Fellow analyst Ziad Majed agreed that the seasoned diplomat, who took over the complicated Syrian role after Kofi Annan quit in August, “has little hope of success despite his long experience” tackling thorny crises.

Brahimi, a veteran trouble-shooter and former Algerian foreign minister, took up faltering international attempts to end the bloodshed in Syria on September 1, becoming the second UN-Arab League envoy tasked with the mission.

Annan, a former UN secretary general, quit after a six-month uphill struggle to end the war between rebels and forces of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, which has claimed more than 26,000 lives since March 2011.

Annan complained at the lack of support among the major powers for his six-point peace plan, particularly at the UN Security Council, where Russia and China vetoed three resolutions to impose sanctions on Damascus. “There is nothing to indicate that the international conjecture has evolved in a way to help make Brahimi’s mission a success,” said Majed.

“I am convinced that there is consensus (within international circles) that the outcome of the conflict will be decided on the battlefield, not through (peaceful) negotiations,” he added.

For Partrick, the problem resides in the apparent unwillingness of the parties to the conflict to compromise. “The Syrian government will talk to (Brahimi), as they badly need credibility” and to show that they are “interested in diplomatic efforts”, Partrick said.

“However, neither side in Syria is interested in compromise,” he added. Outside Syria, divisions are wide on how to end the conflict. “Much of the Arab world... is backing a regime change” in Syria, Partrick said, but regional power brokers such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Syrian ally Iran still do not agree on how to reach compromise over the crisis.

Partrick also questioned the “willingness” of such major players as the United States, the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council “to engage with the (rebel) Free Syrian Army to encourage them to compromise”.

“It’s a zero sum struggle for control among Syrians and between their regional and international backers,” he added. Brahimi has two handicaps, according to analyst Abdel Wahab Badarkhan: “Annan’s failure to end the violence and his failure to launch negotiations”.

With such debilitating obstacles, the new peace envoy’s task could take a long time, if it ever succeeds.

“Halting the violence no longer seems to be a priority or even a necessity because everyone thinks it is impossible to accomplish,” said Badarkhan. “Brahimi’s work could be drawn out... and he will need to convince the parties to the conflict of the need for a political solution, and that will be extremely difficult given the current conditions.”

Brahimi, who made his name brokering an accord in the Lebanese civil war and as a UN envoy to Afghanistan and Iraq, has already acknowledged the desperate nature of his mission.

In August, days before formally taking up his post, he said he was “scared” at the size of the task.

And on Tuesday he told the UN General Assembly that the death toll in Syria is “staggering” and the destruction from nearly 18 months of brutal fighting “catastrophic”.

But he said he would go to Damascus “in a few days” and that a united international stance on Syria was “indispensable and very urgent”, while insisting that it is for the Syrians alone to determine their future. For now, Badarkhan said he could not rule out the possibility that Brahimi might “go to see Assad and tell him: ‘it is time to go and we are ready to find for you a way out’”. —AFP

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Weak jobs report a blow to Obama

By Tom Raum he disappointing August jobs report raises yet another campaign obstacle for President Barack Obama and makes his hopes of holding onto his own job even more challenging - especially in closely contested battleground states with painfully high levels of unemployment.

Coming less than 12 hours after the president accepted his party’s nomination for a second term, the lackluster report could wipe out or diminish any traditional bounce in the polls he might have gotten from the festive, well-choreographed three-day Democratic National Convention.

“The broad message here is flat, flat, flat,” said economist Heidi Shierholz with the labor-affiliated Economic Policy Center.

A disappointing report for one month might be dismissed in normal times as an aberration, she said, “but a stagnant report when the unemployment rate is over 8 percent represents a continuation of the crisis,” meaning that getting back to prerecession employment levels will take many more months, even years.

The bleak news played right into the hands of Republicans, who claim that Obama’s policies inhibit job production and have made the economic picture worse. “Did you see the jobs report this morning by the way?” Republican rival Mitt Romney asked reporters in Sioux City, Iowa. “Almost 400,000 people dropped out of the work force altogether. It’s is simply unimaginable.”

The overall unemployment rate declined from 8.3 percent to 8.1 percent last month, which should be good news, but the “improvement” came only because more people gave up looking for work.

Just 96,000 new jobs were created in August, sharply down from the revised July number of 141,000 and below the threshold of 100,000 to 150,000 new jobs needed each month just to keep pace with working-age population growth. That’s not

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good news for an incumbent president up for re-election in just 60 days. It was another sharp reminder that the economy isn’t Obama’s friend.

Even though the president likes to talk about recent private-sector job growth for 30 consecutive months now, as he noted Friday in a campaign stop in New Hampshire - there are still 261,000 fewer people employed today than when he

the political pressure on his campaign in battleground states with unemployment rates even higher than the national average. Nevada, for instance, has a 12 percent jobless rate, North Carolina has 9.6 percent, Michigan 9 percent, Florida 8.8 percent and Colorado 8.3 percent. Those state figures are all for July, the most recent month available. So far, Obama has generally held the edge in polls in many

MYRTLE BEACH: Barack Obama and former North Carolina Sen John Edwards, participate in a Democratic presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, SC. —AP was sworn in. The jobless rate then was 7.9 percent. It hasn’t been below 8 percent since.

Job production clearly is “not good enough” and the economy needs to churn out jobs faster, the president said, calling the road to recovery “a long, tough journey.”

Friday’s jobs report complicates the electoral math for Obama and increases

of these states. Both Obama and Romney campaigned Friday in battleground states with better-than-average jobs numbers.

Unemployment in New Hampshire in July was 5.4 percent and in Iowa, 5.3 percent.

Other battleground states in this category are Virginia, at 5.9 percent; Ohio at 7.2 percent, Wisconsin at 7.3 percent and Pennsylvania at 7.9 percent. Expect both campaigns to redouble their efforts and

spending in the higher unemployment states.

Jared Bernstein, a former economics aide in the Obama White House assigned to Vice President Joe Biden, suggested the administration needs to do more to emphasize how its auto-industry bailout has helped bring back jobs in the automobile and related industries. Biden himself made this a major point in his convention speech Thursday night.

Obama aides suggested that the jobs report reminds people of what they already knew - that the economy is healing, but slowly. White House senior adviser David Plouffe said despite Friday’s jobs report, “we come out of the convention with momentum.” But, he added, “that doesn’t mean the race is going to change significantly.”

The Romney campaign, enjoying a recent fundraising edge over the president, began airing a barrage of new ads shaped to fit the situations in different states and regions.

The weak August employment report “just goes to show that nobody in the administration really appreciated early on the depth of the hole we fell into in 2008,” including Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and former White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers, said Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University. “It took 10 years to get out of the Great Depression,” said Baker. He said people shouldn’t be surprised “if this recovery is half as long.”

Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist for IHS Global, said that, if he were advising the Obama campaign, “I’d say we’re still creating jobs, though not at a satisfactory pace. It shows how important it is to stick with us and let the policies we put in place bear fruit.”

But, Gault added, “I’m more optimistic that whoever wins the presidency, the next four years will be much better than the past four years.” —AP

Mutual mistrust in the Pacific

By John R Deni ecent disputes among some of the United States’ closest Asian allies over largely uninhabited islands in the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the South China Sea underscore the challenges facing Washington in moving beyond the classic hub-and-spoke structure of its security system in the Western Pacific and in crafting a more collective approach. For some time _ and as most recently reiterated in the 2010 National Security Strategy, the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review report and the 2011 National Military Strategy - the United States has sought to “multilateralize” its security relationships in the Pacific, similar to what exists in its ties to Europe.

American and Western European leaders have crafted a security architecture that relies on collective action. Decades before the phrase “pooling and sharing” came into vogue, the allies of the North Atlantic region pooled their

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security in the 1949 treaty that created NATO and shared, if somewhat unequally, the burdens and risks of defending against common security threats.

However, Washington has long proved unable to coerce or cajole its Pacific allies into a similar round-table or multilateral approach. Therefore, the United States adopted a hub-and-spoke system, with Washington at the center, connected by bilateral “spokes” to its key allies in the Pacific theater, such as Japan, Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines and Australia.

Unfortunately, efforts to move beyond this type of security structure in the Asia-Pacific region appear destined to fail, at least in the short run. Whether it’s Taiwan versus the Philippines (and China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei) in the South China Sea, Japan versus Taiwan (and China) in the East China Sea or South Korea versus Japan in the Sea of Japan, many of Washington’s key allies here have little interest in cooperating more closely on security issues.

If there is one thing America’s Pacific allies do share, though, it’s a collective anxiety over China’s rise, and specifically over Beijing’s increasingly overt ability and willingness to translate its economic power into political muscle. These factors have yet to compel in a resounding manner the kind of cooperation that spurred France and Germany to overcome decades, if not centuries, of mutual mistrust and resentment in the aftermath of World War II. The prospect of key Pacific allies quarreling among themselves instead of collectively focusing on their common security challenges places the United States in a no-win situation.

Washington may be able, through a kind of neutrality, to avoid getting dragged into such disputes, but this won’t necessarily prevent those allies from clashing with each other. If the United States is drawn in on one side or the other, it risks seeing one of its allies - namely, the loser - unnecessarily weakened politically, militarily and/or economically, an

unhelpful outcome in this era of American defense austerity at home and China’s rising influence in Asia.

Indeed, the way ahead for the United States - and the best path by which to avoid the aforementioned risks - is unclear, in part because of the differing nature of the conflicts outlined above. In those cases in which disputes have more to do with national pride and the weight of history, the United States has proved it has limited ability to prevent regional leaders from exploiting such disputes to stir nationalist sentiment for political advantage, at least as evidenced in the Western Balkans during the 1990s.

During that decade, several political leaders in Serbia, Croatia and elsewhere who otherwise had limited domestic support exploited historical disputes that had largely faded from contemporary memory to gain or retain power. This ultimately and tragically resulted in multiple armed conflicts and tens of thousands of

deaths. Where Washington might find greater success in staving off such disasters is in exercising adroit diplomacy, and in playing the role of trusted arbiter in those conflicts among its Asia-Pacific allies that include economic or resource issues.

Although such disputes might seem more intractable, since there appears to be more at stake, each of the disputants actually has a greater incentive to engage in give-and-take negotiation over potential economic benefits. Otherwise, the alternative to a negotiated settlement is to fight and potentially lose out on any potential gains - hence, better to get something rather than nothing. Regardless of whether Washington can succeed in making this case with and defusing conflicts among its closest Pacific allies, the hub-andspoke security system appears destined to stick around for the foreseeable future. Greater collaboration among America’s allies in the Asia-Pacific theater is unlikely any time soon. —MCT

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

sp orts ‘Pakistan’s Pele’ dies

Armstrong banned from Marathon

KARACHI: Pakistan yesterday mourned the death of the country’s former football captain Abdul Ghafoor who was likened to Brazilian legend Pele because of their similar looks and style of play.

Ghafoor died after a prolonged illness on Friday. He was 71. A midfielder of great talent, Ghafoor led Pakistan’s football team for four consecutive years in the 1960s when the country was among the best in Asia and claimed scalps including the United Arab Emirates and China.

He played for the Dhaka Mohammedan Club in the former East Pakistan but also turned down offers to play for teams in countries including India, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

His family said Ghafoor always wanted to meet Pele, regarded by many as the best player of all time, but he did not have the money to travel. Pakistan Football Federation president Faisal Saleh Hayat offered his condolences.

“I was deeply saddened by the death of Pakistani Pele. This must be very difficult for all football lovers and players,” he said in a message to the family. Ghafoor, who suffered a brain haemorrhage five years ago, had lamented Pakistan’s deterioration at the international level. With no government funding, a lack of talent, and the predominance of cricket, Pakistan currently languishes 177th in the FIFA world rankings. He is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters, according to local media. —AFP

CHICAGO: Lance Armstrong has been banned from running in next month’s Chicago Marathon, a spokesman for the suspended American cyclist said on Friday. “Lance was going to be running as a fundraising team member of Team Livestrong at Chicago,” Mark Higgins said in an email to Reuters. “One of the Lance Armstrong Foundation staffers had communicated that to the race organisers and she was told he could not run.”

Armstrong was stripped of his record seven Tour de France wins last month and handed a lifetime ban by the United States AntiDoping Agency after indicating that would not challenge charges that he had doped throughout his career.

Armstrong, whose Livestrong Foundation has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in the fight against cancer, has always denied doping.

“When he chose not to contest in a public hearing the overwhelming evidence of his cheating Mr. Armstrong was well aware that he was accepting ineligibility from worldclass athletic events like the Chicago Marathon,” a USADA spokeswoman said in a statement. — Reuters

Rain washes out T-20 VISAKHAPATNAM: Yuvraj Singh will have to wait a little longer for his return to international cricket after rain washed out India’s first Twenty20 International match against New Zealand at Visakhapatnam yesterday.

The 30-year-old all-rounder’s return after a successful cancer treatment was the main attraction for his fans but rain and thunderstorms denied them a chance to see him in action. Yuvraj’s only hope of getting some match practice before the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka now rests on the second and final match against the Kiwis in Chennai on Tuesday.

“I was very excited... Unfortunately it’s raining. I just can’t wait to get back to the field,” Yuvraj said on television before the match was called off. The swashbuckling batsman, adjudged man of the tournament when India won the 50-over World Cup last year, conceded he lacked match practice but promised to get better.

“Initially when I started (practice), it was tough on the body. There were times when I thought I won’t be able to make it but I pushed myself every second, every hour of the day and worked really hard at National Cricket Academy for three months. — Reuters

MLB results/standings Miami 9, Washington 7 (10 Innings); Philadelphia 3, Colorado 2; Chicago Cubs 12, Pittsburgh 2; NY Yankees 8, Baltimore 5; Atlanta 3, NY Mets 0; Houston 5, Cincinnati 3; Toronto 7, Boston 5; Tampa Bay 3, Texas 1 (11 innings); Kansas City 7, Chicago White Sox 5; Cleveland 7, Minnesota 6; Milwaukee 5, St. Louis 4 (13 innings); LA Angels 3, Detroit 2; San Diego 6, Arizona 5; Oakland 6, Seattle 1; San Francisco 5, LA Dodgers 2.

American League National League Eastern Division Eastern Division Washington 85 53 .616 W L PCT GB Atlanta 79 60 .568 6.5 NY Yankees 78 60 .565 Philadelphia 67 71 .486 18 Baltimore 77 61 .558 1 NY Mets 65 73 .471 20 Tampa Bay 76 62 .551 2 Miami 62 77 .446 23.5 Boston 63 76 .453 15.5 Central Division Toronto 62 75 .453 15.5 Cincinnati 83 56 .597 Central Division St. Louis 74 64 .536 8.5 C White Sox 74 63 .540 Pittsburgh 72 65 .526 10 Detroit 73 64 .533 1 Milwaukee 68 70 .493 14.5 Kansas City 62 76 .449 12.5 Chicago Cubs 52 86 .377 30.5 Cleveland 59 79 .428 15.5 Houston 43 95 .312 39.5 Minnesota 56 82 .406 18.5 Western Division Western Division San Francisco 78 60 .565 Texas 82 56 .594 LA Dodgers 73 66 .525 5.5 Oakland 77 60 .562 4.5 Arizona 68 71 .489 10.5 LA Angels 75 63 .543 7 San Diego 65 74 .468 13.5 Seattle 67 72 .482 15.5 Colorado 56 81 .409 21.5

Nationals roll over Marlins WASHINGTON: Stephen Strasburg matched his career low by lasting only three innings in what likely was his final home start this season, allowing five runs Friday night in the Washington Nationals’ 9-7, 10-inning loss to the Miami Marlins.

Jose Reyes tripled twice and drove in three runs for the Marlins, including a two-run triple in the 10th off Tyler Clippard (2-4) that made a winner off Chad Gaudin (3-1). Washington, which has the best record in the major leagues, lost for only the second time in 10 games.

Strasburg, 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA, allowed two runs in the first, one in the second and two in the third, giving up six hits - including home runs to Giancarlo Stanton and Rob Brantly. He threw 67 pitches and was pinch hit for in the third.

In his first full season following elbowligament replacement surgery on Sept. 3, 2010, Strasburg has 197 strikeouts in 159 1-3 innings. The Nationals, wanting to protect the arm of the 24-year-old righthander, have said next Wednesday’s start at the New York Mets likely will be his final appearance of the season, even though Washington is likely to see postseason baseball for the first time since the original Senators in 1933.

Brewers 5, Cardinals 4 In St Louis, Ryan Braun homered off Lance Lynn with one out in the 13th inning, and Milwaukee outlasted St. Louis. Braun’s shot gave him his fifth straight 100-RBI season and further frustrated the few hundred fans still around nearly seven hours after the scheduled start.

The start was delayed by rain for 2 hours, 20 minutes, and the game lasted 4:30. Braun set a franchise record for 100RBI seasons, breaking a tie with Cecil Cooper and Prince Fielder, with his 199th career homer of Lynn (13-7) into the mostly empty left-field stands.

Brandon Kintzler (1-0) got cleanup hitter Allen Craig to ground into an inningending double play in the 12th, and John Axford finished for his 26th save in 34 chances. The Brewers have won 10 of 13

to climb into the fringe of the NL wild card race.

Both starting pitchers, St. Louis’ Kyle Lohse and Milwaukee’s Yovani Gallardo, failed much earlier in their second attempts to reach 15 wins.

Braves 3, Mets 0 In New York, Paul Maholm and the Braves bullpen combined to give Atlanta three straight shutouts for the first time in exactly a decade, and the NL wild-card leaders beat New York.

Coming off two 1-0 wins over Colorado, the Braves’ staff stretched its scoreless streak to 28 innings. Atlanta last pitched three straight shutouts on Sept. 4-7, 2002, according to STATS LLC. Jason Heyward hit his 25th homer in the fourth inning and Dan Uggla also connected.

This weekend marks Chipper Jones’ last trip to New York to play the Mets, an opponent he has often wrecked in the past. The Mets presented the retiring 40year-old star with a pricey piece of 3-D artwork as part of his farewell tour, while the crowd responded with its usual boos.

Jones did little, going 0 for 4, including a strikeout with the bases loaded, and making a throwing error from third base. Fortunately for the Braves, they did fine without him making a contribution.

Maholm (12-9) worked around five hits and three walks in 5 1-3 innings.

Astros 5, Reds 3 In Cincinnati, Matt Dominguez hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning that broke Aroldis Chapman’s streak of 27 consecutive saves and powered Houston over Cincinnati.

Chapman (5-5) took a 3-2 lead into the ninth, but had his club-record streak broken by a player swinging with a sore left hand. Tyler Greene and J.D. Martinez singled off Chapman with one out.

Dominguez, out of the starting lineup because of the sore hand, hit Chapman’s second pitch for his second career homer and the fourth off the hard-throwing lefthander this season. — AP

WASHINGTON: Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. —AP

Yankees pound Orioles BALTIMORE: Alex Rodriguez hit his 300th home run with the Yankees, Russell Martin and Steve Pearce also homered, and New York regained sole possession of first place in the AL East by defeating Baltimore 8-5 on Friday night.

The Yankees built a 7-0 lead in the fifth inning against rookie Wei-Yin Chen (12-9) and held on for their third win in nine games.

New York had lost eight of 11 to the Orioles, including the opener of this four-game series.

Adam Jones, Robert Andino and Manny Machado homered for the Orioles, who got three hits from Nate McLouth but missed a chance to move ahead of the Yankees for the first time since June 7.

Rodriguez chased Chen with a two-run drive in the fifth - the 645th home run of his career. ARod, who also singled, extended his hitting streak to 11 games his longest run since a 12-gamer in 2009.

Phil Hughes (14-12) allowed three runs, two earned, in six innings to break a streak of five straight road losses since June 15.

Rays 3, Rangers 1 In St. Petersburg, Ben Zobrist’s home run in the bottom of the 11th inning lifted Tampa Bay over Texas.

Zobrist’s 16th homer came off Mark Lowe (0-1) after a leadoff walk to B.J. Upton. Wade Davis (30) got the win after striking out five of the six hitters he faced in the 10th and 11th innings. The Rays’ fifth win in six games featured a total of 29 strikeouts for both teams.

Texas starter Derek Holland struck out a career-high 11 while giving up only two hits and two walks in eight innings. Evan Longoria’s fourth-inning homer, his 11th, was the first hit off Holland, who was trying to win a fourth straight start for the first time in his career.

Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson pitched six innings, giving up four hits including a home run to Michael Young in the fifth inning.

It was Young’s seventh home run and his third in the last five days.

Royals 7, White Sox 5 In Chicago, Lorenzo Cain hit two home runs, including a tiebreaking, two-run shot in the ninth inning for Kansas City.

Salvador Perez also hit a two-run homer for the Royals, who won their sixth straight against the White Sox. Chicago hit three home runs:

Alexei Ramirez hit a two-run shot and Dewayne Wise and A.J. Pierzynski hit solo shots homers.

Kelvin Herrera (2-2) pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning for the Royals.

Johnny Giavotella led off the ninth with a single off Addison Reed (3-2). Cain followed with a deep home run to left center, giving the Royals a 7-5 lead. His seventh home run of the season gave him his first career twohomer game.

Greg Holland pitched the ninth for his 12th save in 14

start of the game was delayed by rain for 1 hour, 18 minutes.

Alvarez (8-12) found the right opponent to snap out of the sixgame stretch in which he was 0-5 with a 7.67 ERA. He allowed two runs and four hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Red Sox starter Felix Doubront (10-8) dropped to 0-4 in his past seven starts after giving up five runs and six hits before leaving with no outs in the fifth.

Moises Sierra and Colby Rasmus added two-run homers to help Toronto win its second game after four consecutive losses.

BALTIMORE: New York Yankees first baseman Steve Pearce throws to pitcher Phil Hughes at first, who was covering on a ground ball hit by Baltimore Orioles’ Nate McLouth in the third inning. —AP chances. The White Sox left the bases loaded in the first and eighth innings.

Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 5 In Boston, Edwin Encarnacion hit one of Toronto’s three homers and Henderson Alvarez broke his six-game winless streak.

The Red Sox were hoping for a boost from their return home after going 1-8 on a West Coast trip that left them just one game ahead of the last-place Blue Jays in the AL East. Now Boston is clinging to fourth place by the very slim margin of .4532 to .4525.

The night began poorly as the

Indians 7, Twins 6 In Minneapolis, Cleveland’s Russ Canzler hit his first major league homer and reliever David Huff won his first game this season.

Minnesota built an early 4-0 lead against Jeanmar Gomez before Canzler and Huff (1-0) who both spent most of the year in Triple-A Columbus before being called up this month - lifted Cleveland to its fourth win in six games.

Canzler went 3 for 4 with a walk and three RBIs - the first of his major league career - and Huff retired all 10 batters he faced

after relieving Gomez in the fourth.

Twins starter Liam Hendriks couldn’t hold on to a four-run lead for the second straight game and remained winless in 16 career starts Angels 3, Tigers 2 In Anaheim, Pinch-hitter Alberto Callaspo drove home pinch-runner Peter Bourjos with a two-out single in the ninth inning and Los Angeles won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Kendrys Morales had a triple, a double and a one-out single that started the ninth-inning rally for the Angels, who have won 13 of 16 overall to surge back into the AL wild-card race.

Erick Aybar beat out a slow two-out grounder against Octavio Dotel (5-3), advancing Bourjos to second. Callaspo then pinch-hit for slumping All-Star Mark Trumbo and drove a rolling grounder past Detroit shortstop Jhonny Peralta, scoring the speedy Bourjos.

Max Scherzer pitched eight innings of five-hit ball for the Angels, striking out nine. Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick drove in first-inning runs for the Angels (75-63), who moved a season-high 12 games over .500 and closed within two games of Baltimore for the second wildcard spot, with Tampa Bay in between. Prince Fielder and Alex Avila homered for Detroit.

Ernesto Frieri (3-0) pitched the ninth for the Angels.

Athletics 6, Mariners 1 In Seattle, George Kottaras hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning and Oakland chased Felix Hernandez early.

Hernandez (13-7) threw 96 pitches in just 4 2-3 innings, his shortest outing since May 16 when he went 3 2-3 innings at Cleveland. He gave up five earned runs, 11 hits - matching his season high - walked one and struck out four.

It was the second straight loss for the 2010 Cy Young Award winner. He had been 9-1 with a 1.62 ERA in his previous 15 starts since June 17, with five shutouts, including a perfect game on Aug. 15. The victory broke the A’s three-game losing streak. AJ Griffin (5-0), in his 10th start his rookie season, went 5 1-3 innings to pick up the victory. He gave up one run and six hits, walking one and striking out seven. Cliff Pennington had a season-high four hits for the A’s. — AP

Informal NHL labor talks resume NEW YORK: Representatives from the NHL and the players’ association held informal negotiations on Friday at the league offices.

With the expiration date on the current collective bargaining agreement - Sept. 15 - drawing near, NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, and his top assistant and brother, Steve Fehr, sat down with Commissioner Gary Bettman and his deputy, Bill Daly, for a status check after a week of little to no communication. The two sides last held formal discussions last Friday, but those ended with Donald Fehr telling reporters the talks were in a “recess.”

Players have often flanked the Fehrs for support in the process, and Friday was no different.

Winnipeg defenseman Ron Hainsey, Minnesota forward Zenon Konopka and Buffalo defenseman Robyn Regher were on hand in New York.

The league has said it will lock the players out if a new deal isn’t reached by the 15th. “(We’re) trying to find a way to bridge the

gap,” Donald Fehr said. “That’s always the intent.”

Negotiations, throughout the summer, have taken breaks during weekends. But with the deadline nearing, there’s a good chance the two sides meet late yesterday. “We expect discussions to resume,” Fehr said. “We don’t know yet.”

Bettman confirmed the meeting lasted two hours on Friday, and as he has been through the most of the process, he remains optimistic.

“We’d like to make a deal,” he said, refusing to characterize the mood of the morning session.

“There is an ebb and flow to negotiations. “It’s always good to have dialogue.”

Meanwhile, teams around the league are preparing for a stoppage. On Friday, in a conference call to announce a new deal for forward Brad Marchand, Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli said the Bruins cancelled an upcoming rookie camp and tournament. The Detroit Red Wings

did the same thing last month.

When talks broke off last week, the NHLPA responded to an offer from the NHL with changes to an earlier proposal. The union’s most recent offer came three days after the NHL made its first counterproposal last Tuesday. After asking the players to cut their share of hockey revenue from 57 to 43 percent, the NHL upped its proposal to have the players get a 46 percent share over a six-year deal.

The union revised its initial offer by proposing to restructure the fourth and final year of its initial offer. The NHLPA was willing to give back between $465 million and $800 million in revenue over the first three years of the deal as long as the system switched back to the existing agreement in the fourth year.

Donald Fehr countered by proposing “several concepts” in which the players would get less than 57 percent of revenues in the fourth and final year. The NHLPA, however, is still asking NHL owners to establish a rev-

enue sharing program to help struggling teams.

Bettman called revenue sharing “a distraction” and questioned whether the union made an actual counterproposal or a mere response to the league’s presentation.

The union has questioned the NHL as to why it is attempting to have players bear much of the burden of cost savings, especially after the league reported record revenues topping $3.3 billion last season.

Aside from asking the players to take an across-the-board cut in their share of revenues, the NHL is also seeking to place severe limits on free agency while also abolishing players’ rights to salary arbitration.

The NHL has had three labor disputes since April 1, 1992, when players held a 10-day strike that forced 30 games to be rescheduled. The most recent two were lockouts. The regular season is scheduled to begin on Oct. 11. —AP

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

sp orts Biarritz thrash Montpellier PARIS: Biarritz made it four wins from four games this season in the Top 14 as they thrashed Montpellier 27-8 yesterday, a far cry from their flirting with relegation last season.

Toulon can rejoin them at the top of the league if they beat Bordeaux-Begles at home later yesterday. Jean-Pascal Barraque opened the scoring in the 20th minute, slotting over a penalty after having missed two earlier opportunities and surprisingly having been all but inch perfect so far this season he was to miss two further opportunities later in the firsthalf.

That allowed the visitors to not only stay in the game but even went in on level terms as France fly-half Francois TrinhDuc dropped a goal four minutes from half-time.

The unfortunate Barraque was replaced seven minutes into the secondhalf by Julien Peyrelongue, who quickly slotted the hosts into a 6-3 lead.

They were to extend it in the 55th minute profiting immediately from the sin-binning of Montpellier’s Fijian star Timoci Nagusa as the outstanding England 2003 winning back Iain Balshaw went over after being slipped the decisive pass by American flyer Takudzwa Ngwenya.

Peyrelongue converted for 13-3 and Montpellier’s task became mission impossible when they were further reduced as centre Thomas Combezou was also yellow-carded.

Biarritz extended their lead when they ran in a second try by Benoit Guyot, which was also converted by Peyrelongue, and added a third in the 67th minute through a brilliant individual effort by 21-year-old scrum-half Yann Legourgues Peyrelongue adding the two points.

Combezou redeemed himself slightly when he touched down for a late consolation try for the visitors. — AFP

Lynx shatter Dream MINNEAPOLIS: Minnesota’s Taj McWilliams-Franklin made a 15-footer and a pair of key defensive plays in the final minute of second overtime as the Lynx rallied from a 25-point deficit to defeat the Atlanta Dream 97-93 on Friday in a reprise of last year’s WNBA finals.

Maya Moore scored 23 points to lead the Lynx, which completed its largest comeback victory in franchise history.

Angel McCoughtry scored 30 points to lead the Dream, who have now lost eight straight to Minnesota, including a 3-0 sweep in the finals a year ago.

Indiana Fever moved within 1 1-2 games of the Eastern Conference lead by beating the San Antonio Silver Spurs 8278. Tamika Catchings had 26 points and 11 rebounds for Indiana, which made all 15 free throw attempts in the final quarter to overcome a five-point deficit.

Becky Hammon had 15 points to lead San Antonio.

Indiana made up ground on Eastleading Connecticut after the Sun was beaten 91-82 at home by Phoenix Mercury.

DeWanna Bonner had 35 points and seven rebounds for Phoenix, which scored the game’s seven points and was never troubled thereafter, extending the margin to 21 points in the third quarter.

Renee Montgomery had 25 points for the Sun. In Washington, Candace Parker and Kristi Tolliver scored 18 points each as the Los Angeles Sparks down the Washington Mystics 96-68, inflicting a seventh straight defeat on the home team.

Friday’s other game saw the Chicago Sky beat New York 92-83, leapfrogging the Liberty into the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Epiphanny Prince scored 30 points for the Sky, who led throughout but didn’t shake off New York until late. Cappie Pondexter scored 24 points on 7-for-19

PERTH: Bryan Habana of South Africa breaks a tackle from Australia’s Michael Hooper during their Rugby Championship series rugby union test match in Perth. — AP

Wallabies edge Springboks PERTH: Australia got their Rugby Championship campaign back on track with a scrappy 26-19 victory over South Africa yesterday, coming back from a first half deficit to register a fifth successive win over the Springboks.

Back-to-back losses to the All Blacks in their first two matches of the inaugural competition had made this a must win test for the Wallabies and their coach Robbie Deans.

After a poor first half where they fell behind to Springbok winger Bryan Habana’s 42nd test try, scores from forwards Scott Higginbotham and Ben Alexander and a perfect kicking display from Berrick Barnes just about got them across the line.

South Africa, who drew 16-16 with Argentina in their last outing, were still knocking at the door looking for a converted try to tie the match at the end of the match but will rue a lack of a spark in their backline.

“We went into the second half and felt that we hadn’t played as much as we would have liked to,” Australia captain Will Genia, on crutches after injuring his knee, said in a pitchside interview.

“So we came out with a lot more enthusiasm and energy. We have a lot of pride in what we do. We know we’re a good side and just happy to get a good win against a quality opposition.”

Springbok captain Jean de Villiers was disappointed that his young team were unable

to come away with a victory in Perth, where they again enjoyed good support from the large South Africa community. “It was probably one we should have won but credit must go to Australia for coming back when they were down at halftime,” he said. We have to learn from this and if we’re in that situation again, we can capitalise and get a win.

“We probably made one or two errors and that cost us big time. A much better effort than against Argentina but unfortunately not good enough on the day again.”

The South Africans had the better of the first half as the Wallabies started nervously and gave away good attacking ball with a series of inneffectual grubber kicks.

The visitors were always going to win a kicking duel and Morne Steyn had already tried and failed with a drop goal attempt before he gave them the lead with a penalty after three minutes.

Berrick Barnes slotted his first attempt at goal after 17 minutes to give the Wallabies some reward for their early pressure but the parity was short-lived.

Australia messed up the restart and the Springboks pounced, driving deep into the home half and moving through the phases before Habana seized the ball at the foot of a ruck and dived over the line under the post.

It was a 42nd test try for the winger and a fifth in four matches against Australia in Perth.

Morne Steyn added the extras and South

Africa led 10-3 with 20 minutes on the clock.

Francois Steyn extended the lead with a typical long-range penalty kick six minutes later but Barnes almost immediately chipped away at it with one of his own.

South Africa prop Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira was sin-binned seven minutes before the break for blocking Kurtley Beale when the Australia fullback was chasing a kick but the Wallabies were unable to make the extra man tell and went in 13-6 down.

Australia finally got some tempo in attack early in the second half and were rewarded by a third Barnes penalty in the 47th minute.

Nine minutes later loose forward Higginbotham, fresh off the bench, finally found a way through the Springbok defence and broke a couple of tackles to touch down under the posts and give the home side the lead for the first time in the game.

Barnes kicked the conversion before Francois Steyn tied the match up at 16-16 with another long-range effort but the Australians were finally playing with confidence.

Barnes again edged the home side ahead but Morne Steyn took just four minutes to square up the contest with his second penalty in the 67th minute. A minute later, though, prop Alexander burst down the touchline to clinch the victory with Barnes adding the two extra points with his sixth successful kick from six attempts. — Reuters

All Blacks down Pumas Taj McWilliams-Franklin

Preview

Dawson a big challenge as Ward puts titles on line LOS ANGELES: Unbeaten Andre Ward will face a big challenge late yesterday when he puts his super-middleweight world titles on the line against light heavyweight champ Chad Dawson.

Ward, who holds the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council super middleweight belts, says his youth and skill will make up for what he gives away in height and reach to Dawson, who agreed to come down to 168 pounds and fight in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California, to get the bout. Dawson is coming off a majority decision victory over 47-yearold Bernard Hopkins in April for the light heavyweight title.

“Chad is not fighting a guy in his 40s. I’m 28. I’m a young man,” Ward said. “That’s something he hasn’t had to deal with for a long time, as well as my skill set. Yes, he’s got height and reach. But I’ve fought plenty of tough guys, and they’ve posed different challenges. You’ve got to find a way to get it done regardless of what’s in front of you.”

Ward brings a record of 25-0 with 13 knock-outs to the bout. His last outing was his unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Carl Froch in Atlantic City in the finale of the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournamentwhich saw Ward retain his WBA title and win the WBC crown.

Ward went into that tournament to unify the super middlweight titles as a longshot but came out on top of a field that included Mikkel Kessler,

Arthur Abraham and Froch.

“I’m coming to get a job done September 8th, and it’s no different than any other fight that I’ve been in,” Ward said of the challenge posed by Dawson (31-1). Dawson, meanwhile, says making the 168-pound weight

Andre Ward

hasn’t been an issue. Sure, he’s had to watch his diet, but “it just made me a little meaner-the fact that I can’t eat what I want and have to diet.” Both fighters weighed in on Friday at 168 pounds. — AFP

WELLINGTON: Two late tries from wingers Julian Savea and Cory Jane gave the All Blacks a 21-5 victory over Argentina in their Rugby Championship match that was disrupted by a power cut in the port area of New Zealand’s capital city yesterday.

Wellington Regional Stadium, which sits on land adjacent to the port, was plunged into darkness during the halftime break because of the outage, which delayed the start of the second half for about 15 minutes. The blackout was an apt metaphor for the game, with few highlights to speak of as both sides battled driving rain and swirling galeforce winds.

Even so, the Pumas dispelled any thoughts it could take them a couple of years to be competitive in the southern hemisphere competition.

“The Argentinians were in the game,” New Zealand coach Steve Hansen told reporters after his side completed their 13th successive test win. “They’re a welcome addition to this competition.

“They’re only going to get better and better. They’re already a very good side at the moment.”

Argentina had drawn 16-16 with the Springboks in Mendoza two weeks ago, a match they probably should have won, to demonstrate they were more than competitive.

New Zealand and Argentina had met last year in the rugby World Cup quarter-finals, with the All Blacks taking more than 60 minutes to finally subdue the Pumas with Piri Weepu kicking seven penalties in a 33-10 win.

It was a similar pattern yesterday, when it took until the 66th minute before the All Blacks finally cracked the Pumas’ defence when Savea was put over in the corner after Ma’a Nonu and

Conrad Smith had created some space. The All Blacks followed it up with a try for Jane six minutes later from a long cut out pass by flyhalf Aaron Cruden to give the All Blacks a 19-5 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining and put the game out of reach.

Prior to that point, the Pumas had been brutal in defence and brilliant at controlling the tempo of the game as they slowed it down at every opportunity, meandering to lineouts and taking time to set their scrum.

They also flooded the break-

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s Aaron Cruden is tackled by the Argentina’s defense in the Investec International Championship rugby match at Westpac Stadium. — AP

down with their second and third tacklers flopping over the ball carrier in an attempt to stop the world champions developing momentum as the All Blacks failed to adequately clear them from the ruck.

The All Blacks, however, only had themselves to blame for much of their performance as they failed to correct errors that had blighted their previous two matches in the competition, back-to-back victories over Australia.

They committed basic mistakes with what ball they did have, dropping passes, getting penalised for holding on to it for too long and poor decision making. “We probably need to hold the ball at times when we tried to push passes,” New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said. “There was space there and we were trying to get the ball there, that put us under pressure and that’s when we turned the ball over.”

The first half produced limited scoring opportunities with flyhalf Cruden kicking two penalties for the home side in the first spell while veteran prop Rodrigo Roncero scored the only try after Nonu had turned the ball over inside his own 22metre area. Cruden kicked an early penalty in the second half and while the All Blacks controlled territory and possession it was not until the last 15 minutes that they managed to crack the defensive screen and pull away. “We are disappointed with the result but happy with the way the players are playing the game,” Pumas coach Santiago Phelan said. “The players gave 100 percent and that is very important for us ...because we have to keep on improving because we are playing the best teams in the world.” — Reuters

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

S P ORT S

Pakistan beat Australia in Super Over to take series DUBAI: Pakistan won the second Twenty20 against Australia in a thrilling Super Over finish at the Dubai Stadium here on Friday, taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

With both tied on 151 runs at the end of 40 fascinating overs in the match, a Super over round was played for the result.

Pakistan paceman Umar Gul restricted Australian batsmen David Warner, Shane Watson and George Bailey to 11-1 before Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq hit the required runs, the winner coming off the last delivery.

The third and last match will be played here tomorrow. The match provided complete entertainment to a 25,000 sell-out holiday crowd, who were left on the edges of their seat as both the teams tussled for victory in the 40 overs.

Pakistan had made 151-4 with Mohammad Hafeez (45), Nasir Jamshed (45) and Kamran Akmal (43 not out) contributing with the bat.

George Bailey led the Australian run chase with a solid 42. Australia needed 21 off the last two overs as Bailey hit two leg-side boundaries off Gul but his dismissal, with his team needing 10 off the final over it looked Pakistan were favourites.

Pat Cummins hit Abdul Razzaq over long-on to tie the score but off the last ball the Australian batsman was caught, making it the sixth tied match in all Tweny20 cricket.

David Warner started Australia’s run chase with a brilliant 31 off just 19 balls, hitting two boundaries and a six off Hafeez’s first over.

But once Saeed Ajmal came to bowl,

the Australian innings faltered. Ajmal bowled Warner and then had Watson (33), taking his tally to 58 in Twenty20 cricket, the joint top bowler along with countryman Shahid Afridi.

Watson had hit two boundaries and two sixes during his 28-ball knock.

Michael Hussey (23) and Bailey took the secore to 109 before Hussey holed out to Gul. Australia at that point needed 43 off the last five overs. Hafeez said he was delighted with the series win.

“It was an exciting finish,” said Hafeez.

“It was tense, but you know Twenty20 cricket can bring such tense moments. In the end I am happy that we won, even though it was in the Super over. I think we fought well in the 40 overs.” Bailey was disappointed at the loss.

“It was exciting finish. I think our bowling was good but we couldn’t finish that game well,” said Bailey. Earlier Hafeez hit three boundaries in Cummins’ first over of the match but fellow opener Imran Nazir was bowled for nought in Mitchell Starc’s second over.

Hafeez and Jamshed shared a solid 76-run partnership for the second wicket as both charghed the Australian bowling with some aggressive batting. Jamshed hit four boundaries and a six during his 36-ball knock.

He fell to a superb catch by Dan Christian off Cummins, as the fielder lunged backward and held the ball with left hand. Hafeez hit six boundaries during his 42-ball knock. Kamran added 46 for the fourth wicket with his younger brother Umar who made 13. Kamran hit six boundaries during his knock, helping Pakistan to 90 runs in the last 10 overs.

— AFP

SCOREBOARD DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Complete scoreboard in the second Twenty20 international between Pakistan and Australia played at Dubai Stadium here on Friday: Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez c Warner b Watosn 45 Imran Nazir b Starc 0 Nasir Jamshed c Christian b Cummins 45 Kamran Akmal not out 43 Umar Akmal c White b Christian 13 Abdul Razzaq not out 2 Extras: (lb1, w2) 3 Total: (for four wickets) 151 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Nazir), 2-89 (Jamshed), 3-97 (Hafeez), 4-143 (Umar) Bowling: Cummins 4-0-37-1 (w1), Starc 40-17-1 (w1), Watson 4-0-29-1, D. Hussey 1-0-7-0, Christian 3-0-22-1, Hogg 4-0-38-0 Overs: 20 Australia: D. Warner b Ajmal S. Watson lbw b Ajmal

31 33

M. Hussey c Malik b Gul 23 C. White run out 5 G. Bailey c Arafat b Razzaq 42 D. Hussey b Tanveer 1 M. Wade run out 6 D. Christian not out 2 P. Cummins c Nazir b Razzaq 7 Extras: (lb1) 1 Total: (for eight wickets) 151 Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Warner), 2-79 (Watson), 3-84 (White), 4-109 (M. Hussey), 5-117 (D. Hussey), 6-142 (Wade), 7-143 (Bailey) Bowling: Tanveer 4-0-30-1, Hafeez 3-028-0, Gul 4-0-32-1, Ajmal 4-0-20-2, Raza 4-0-31-0, Razzaq 1-0-9-2 Overs: 20 Super Over: Australia 11-1 in one over; Pakistan 12-0 in one over Result: Pakistan win in Super over after the match was tied

LONDON: South Africa’s DP Duminy bats during the T20 match against England at the Emirates Durham International Cricket ground, Chesterle-Street. — AP

Kallis sees South Africa to T20 victory over England CHESTER-LE-STREET: Jacques Kallis guided South Africa to a seven-wicket win over World Twenty20 champions England in the first Twenty20 international at Chester-le-Street yesterday.

The Proteas were in trouble at 29 for three, chasing a seemingly modest 119 for victory.

But opener Kallis, returning to international duty after being rested from the drawn oneday series between the two countries, made 48 not out off 44 balls with seven fours.

Together with left-hander JP Duminy (47 not out) he shared an unbroken stand of 90 in 91 deliveries as the Proteas, who won with an over to spare, went 1-0 up in a three-match series ahead of this month’s World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

“We were 20 or 30 short, we didn’t adapt to the condition of the pitch or bat to our average,” England Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad told Sky Sports.

“We got a little bit stuck with the spin. We played nicely through the first six overs, but struggled in the middle period. We are aware of that and we know where to improve.”

England can expect to face plenty of spin on receptive pitches in Sri Lanka but Broad, like Kallis returning after being rested from the one-dayers, had no undue worries about his team’s ability to play slow bowling.

“It’s not too much of a concern, we need to adapt and learn from this game,” he said ahead of Monday’s second match in Manchester.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers praised his attack, with man-of-the-match Dale Steyn taking one for 13 in four overs and spinners Robin Peterson and Johan Botha sharing four wickets, for setting up this victory.

“The bowling was brilliant, led by Dale Steyn. He bowled with a lot of pace and looked like taking wickets throughout,” said de Villiers.

“We never allowed England to get momentum.” Steyn added: “I can live with bowling one-over spells. It’s a lot easier than Test matches.”

South Africa saw hard-hitting opener

Richard Levi caught in the slips off Jade Dernbach and Twenty20 international debutant Faf du Plessis lbw to fast bowler Steven Finn.

De Villiers was then caught behind by Craig Kieswetter off Dernbach for 10. South Africa were now 29 for three and England, all but out of the contest after their innings, were back in the game.

But if South Africa could produce one decent partnership they would win and in world class all-rounder Kallis and left-hander Duminy they had the men for the job in the absence of the rested Hashim Amla.

Ultimately England’s 118 for seven-their third lowest total in this format-did not give their bowlers enough of a score to defend.

Spin bowling, long regarded as the Proteas’ Achilles heel, accounted for four England wickets with Botha (two for 19) and left-armer Peterson (two for 27), striking after de Villiers won the toss.

At 85 for seven, England were in danger of posting their worst Twenty20 total before an unbroken stand of 33 in 27 balls between Broad and Graeme Swann, who both finished on 18 not out, gave them a foothold in the match. No England batsman made more than opener Kieswetter’s 25. England’s collapse started with a needless run out. Alex Hales, who made an England Twenty20 best 99 against the West Indies in June after replacing the still exiled Kevin Pietersen, charged down the pitch for a non-existent single and, turning back, was run out by Kallis’s direct hit.

Kieswetter then fell when he was plumb lbw to Botha’s first ball. And Ravi Bopara, who averaged just 5.50 with the bat during the one-dayers, fell cheaply in familiar fashion when he edged Steyn to Botha at slip. Botha then struck again when he bowled danger man Eoin Morgan for 10, after the former Ireland left-hander bottom edged a pullsweep. — AFP

SCOREBOARD CHESTER-LE-STREET, England: Final scoreboard in the first Twenty20 international between England and South Africa at Chester-le-Street yesterday: England C. Kieswetter lbw b Botha 25 A. Hales run out (Kallis) 11 R. Bopara c Botha b Steyn 6 E. Morgan b Botha 10 J. Bairstow c Botha b Morkel 15 J. Buttler b Peterson 6 S. Patel c Kallis b Peterson 4 S. Broad not out 18 G. Swann not out 18 Extras (b2, lb3) 5 Total (7 wkts, 20 overs) 118 Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Hales), 2-40 (Kieswetter), 3-50 (Bopara), 4-66 (Morgan), 5-76 (Buttler), 680 (Bairstow), 7-85 (Patel) Did not bat: S Finn, J Dernbach Bowling: Peterson 4-0-27-2; Steyn 4-0-13-1; Tsotobe 2-0-22-0; Morkel 3-0-12-1; Botha 4-019-2; Kallis 3-0-20-0

South Africa R. Levi c Swann b Dernbach 8 J. Kallis not out 48 F. du Plessis lbw b Finn 4 AB de Villiers c Kieswetter b Dernbach 10 JP Duminy not out 47 Extras (lb1, w1) 2 Total (3 wkts, 19 overs) 119 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Levi), 2-14 (Du Plessis), 329 (De Villiers) Did not bat: J Ontong, A Morkel, J Botha, R Peterson, D Steyn, L Tsotsobe Bowling: Finn 40-22-1; Dernbach 4-0-31-2; Broad 4-0-18-0; Bopara 2-0-20-0 (1w); Swann 4-0-16-0; Patel 10-11-0; Result: South Africa won by seven wickets Man-of-the-match: Dale Steyn (RSA) Series: South Africa lead three-match series 1-0

Storm wilts but still shares lead LONDON: England’s Sarah Taylor (right) hits out during T20 match at the Emirates Durham International Cricket ground, Chester-le-Street. — AP

Shin maintains LPGA lead WILLIAMSBURG: South Korea’s Jiyai Shin followed up a tournament-record 62 with a 68 on Friday for a one-shot lead in the US LPGA Tour Kingsmill Championship.

Shin was among the players who completed her first round on Thursday despite a lengthy rain delay. Her sizzling first-round effort held up, but Shin, a former world number one who won the last of her eight LPGA titles in November of 2010, admitted she was watching the scoreboard.

“I have to know my position, and I keep changing my plan each hole after I check the positions,” said Shin, who had four birdies and a bogey en route to a 36-hole total of 12-under 130 on the Kingsmill River Course.

“I saw a lot of players play good today, so I think it will make for fun competition the next two days,” added Shin, who was delighted to find herself in the title hunt going into the weekend.

“I’m used to the competition, I’m used to the pressure and nerves, too, and also I really like that feeling,” she said. “So I can’t wait for the play for the weekend.”

Shin birdied the par-five third and picked up another shot at the par-five seventh.

She followed up with birdies at 10 and

12, but she settled for par at the par-five 15th and gave back a shot with a bogey at 16.

“The greens were a little bit slower, so I missed a few chances with my putting,” she said. “I still feel good so I just look forward to the weekend.” Kang, winner of the US Women’s Amateur in 2010 and 2011, missed the cut in her last two tournaments.

“I started off the day thinking just take it shot by shot. I’ve been approaching shots differently this whole week,” Kang said. “I just am trying to see what works, and my brother taught me how to putt.”

Dewi Claire Schreefel of the Netherlands and Paula Creamer were tied at 10-under 132. Schreefel carded a 66 and Creamer a 67.

Schreefel was among the 33 players who had to complete the first round on Friday morning. With just two holes to play se was promptly penalized for a rules infraction at the first, but kept her poise to stay in the hunt for the weekend.

Michelle Wie was among those missing the cut, following up a first-round 75 with a 71. The one-time prodigy has missed nine cuts this season and posted just one top-10 finish. — AFP

HILVERSUM: England’s Graeme Storm let slip a three-stroke overnight lead to end yesterday’s third round at the KLM Open in a tie at the top with Pablo Larrazabal of Argentina, Scotland’s Scott Jamieson and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain.

The big Englishman stretched his lead to five at one point with birdies at the seventh, 10th and 12th and it looked briefly like the rest were playing for second place.

But he dropped his first shot of the day on the 13th and a a wayward drive at the next led to another bogey as he had to settle for a one-under 69.

Larrazabal meanwhile birdied five of his last six holes en route to a 64 - the equal best round of the day - while Jamieson and Fernandez-CastaÒo each picked up shots on 17 and 18 to shoot 66s.

Peter Hanson, part of Europe’s Ryder Cup Team and another player to birdie the final two, was one off the pace at 11 under, with an absorbing final day in prospect. Storm, 114th on The Race to Dubai, attempted to remain positive, despite losing his healthy lead.

“I had two bad swings on 13 and 14,” he said. “I had the tournament in the palm of my hand before that, but it should be a good day tomorrow. I’ve only had two bogeys in 54 holes, which is quite impressive. “It’s difficult leading like I was. I have a lot of things on my mind at the moment with keeping my card, so I’m just looking at getting the best result I can.

“Tomorrow, keeping my (European Tour) card will be in the back of my mind, but I

CARMEL: Phil Mickelson watches his second shot on the seventh hole during the BMW Championship. —AFP

have given myself the chance to win and if I am in there with six holes to go I will go for it.”

Larrazabal was delighted with his late charge. “I played great, on the front nine as well as the back,” said the Spaniard. “I will attack whatever I can attack tomorrow. I’ve not been in contention for a while, so I am going to have some fun and try to compete

for the title.”

Scotland’s Richie Ramsay and Henrik Stenson of Sweden matched Larrazabal’s 64 to climb into contention. Ramsay, seeking back to back wins after his victory in last week’s European Masters, and Danny Willett ended the day nine under, with Stenson one worse off alongside Nicolas Colsaerts, who carded a 67. — AFP

18

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

‘Emotional’ celebration to close Paralympic Games LONDON: London 2012 organisers yesterday promised an emotional celebration to bid farewell to the Olympics and Paralympics, as the curtain falls on a summer of elite sport in the British capital.

Coldplay will headline today’s show, entitled “Festival of the Flame”, which will draw heavily on Britain’s rich history of cultural, musical and seasonal festivals, artistic director Kim Gavin told a news conference. “The only narrative we have got is that we are taken through the seasons to the Coldplay music. It’s not just a concert and we are not just looking at Coldplay,” he added.

“We have got fantastic visuals and amazing stunts going on. It’s a celebration and recognition of people coming together... What we have tried to do is bring something that feels very raw. “ We have taken the flame, being part of and representing the human spirit that brings so much power to these Games, and really focused towards the flame going out. That’s our emotion.”

Final rehearsals for the closing ceremony took place in east London on Friday and included the British band fronted by Chris Martin, who is married to the Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow, Gavin added.

The executive producer for all four Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies, Stephen Daldry, said Coldplay had been paid the £1 ($1.6, 1.26 euro) contractual fee to perform,

Afghanistan and Iraq, he added.

Their contribution will be “devastatingly emotional”, he added.

Wounded former military personnel have been a key feature of the Paralympic Games. On Friday, ex-

LONDON: South Africa’s Fanie van der Merwe celebrates winning gold in the men’s 100-meter T37 final at the 2012 Paralympics. —AP “VAT (sales tax) included”.

One sequence would include injured British former armed forces personnel and the Help for Heroes charity, that helps to rehabilitate wounded veterans from battlefield injuries in places like

US Navy lieutenant Bradley Snyder won swimming gold on the first anniversary of the explosion in Afghanistan that blinded him.

The hosts of the next Olympic and Paralympic Games, Rio de

Janeiro, will have an eight-minute slot in the show, to give spectators-and athletes-an idea of what awaits them in Brazil.

“If a nation has a spirit, Brazil’s spirit is one of joy,” co-artistic director Daniela Thomas told a news conference on Friday.

“In eight minutes, we are going to try to be contagiously joyful. It is just a taster of what you will get in four years’ time.”

The segment will involve both non-disabled artists and those with a disability, including a routine involving blind ballet dancers and the Brazilian principals at the Royal Ballet in London, Thiago Soares and Roberta Marquez.

Swimmer Daniel Dias, who won five gold in London, and four-time Paralympic champion sprinter Adria dos Santos will also feature, she added.

Rio’s organising committee have promised to “raise the bar even higher than London” when the Games go to South America for the first time.

The ceremony begins at 1930 GMT and will also be streamed live on the Internet, including on the site of the International Paralympic Committee, paralympic.org. —AFP

China take volleyball gold

LONDON: Azerbaijan’s Madinat Abdullayeva makes a throw in the women’s shot put F57/58 category final during the athletics competition at the 2012 Paralympics. —AP

US serviceman wins gold LONDON: Exactly a year after losing his sight while on military service in Afghanistan, American Brad Snyder captured swimming gold at the London Paralympics by winning the 400-meter freestyle.

Snyder won his second gold of the games in convincing style, beating Enhamed Enhamed of Spain by nearly six seconds in a time of 4 minutes, 32.41 seconds in front of many of the Navy lieutenant’s U.S. servicemen friends.

“It’s really great that they were able to make it today and be with me,” the 28year-old Snyder said. “The crowd is so emotional, it’s hard to put that out of my mind. “But after the military, I am conditioned to do that quite well.” Snyder was blinded by a blast after he stepped on an improvised explosive device laid by Taliban while on duty in Kandahar.

Snyder, of St. Petersburg, Fla., is one of many servicemen in London using sports to aid their recovery after being injured on the front lines of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

“ This was a whim of a dream last February so for it to come true, it is very, very exciting,” said Snyder, who has also won gold in the 100 freestyle and silver in the 50. “I am absolutely elated with the outcome.” Also Friday, Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands won her fourth straight Paralympics title in the wheelchair tennis women’s singles with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over compatriot Aniek van Koot, taking her remarkable nine-year winning streak to 470 matches.

Vergeer, who has been No. 1 in the rankings since 1999, required just 59 minutes to wrap up the win at Eton Manor in the Olympic Park.

“I know the day I will lose will come, but I don’t know when,” she said. Vergeer needs 86 more victories to surpass what is widely believed to be the longest run of consecutive wins in sport - 555 by Pakistani squash great Jahangir Khan between 1981-86. The 31-year-old Vergeer said she isn’t ready to retire just yet and that her rivals are “getting a lot closer.” —AP

Brazil clinch football gold LONDON: Brazil yesterday defended their unbeaten record in Paralympic five-a-side football, beating France 2-0 to clinch their third gold in three Games.

Gabriel Da Silva converted a firsthalf penalt y af ter sk ipper R icardo Steinmetz Alves was brought down in the box, while Martin Baron deflected the rattling ball into his own net in the second to make sure of the win.

Five-a-side football, which is played by blind and visually impaired footballers wearing eye masks with sighted goalkeepers, made its debut in 2004 at the Athens Paralympics and the South Americans have not been beaten since.

At this year ’s competition at the

Riverbank Stadium in east London, they did not concede a goal, while France had also come into the final with a clean sheet.

But the scoreline could have been different had veteran goalkeeper Fabio Ribeiro de Vasconcelos not saved two penalties from David Labarre and Frederic Villeroux.

At the other end, Alves-nicknamed “Ricardinho”-had two shots saved by French keeper Jonathan Grangier and another blocked, while Goncalves twice came close but shot wide.

In the bronze medal match, Spain and Argentina were goalless after regulation time but the Europeans went on to win 1-0 after penalties. —AFP

LONDON: China beat the United States 3-1 to take the London 2012 women’s sitting volleyball gold medalthen jokingly threatened to beat up their assistant coach for pushing them so hard.

In a match at the ExCeL exhibition centre’s South Arena 2 on Friday between the world’s top sides, China won 22-25, 25-15, 32-30, 25-15, with Sheng Yuhong the best player by far, top-scoring with 38 points. China have won all three gold medals since women’s sitting volleyball was introduced to the Paralympics at Athens 2004.

“We made the country proud,” Sheng said. “Now we are going to punch the assistant coach for being too tough on us during training. We need all the girls’ strength to take him down. Then we will have a rest. We need it!” Kari Miller of the United States said: “China is a great team-very steady. “We have to train harder and learn to be as steady as China. It’s great to have the opportunity to battle great teams. It helps us to grow.”

Ukraine took the bronze medal after beating the Netherlands in straight sets. Sitting volleyball is played on a smaller court than regular volleyball, and with a lower net. Players can also block and attack the serve.

Each team can have two players classed as having “minimal disability” on their squad, though only one can be among the six on the court at any one time during the best-of-five-sets matches. —AFP

LONDON: Victoria Arlen of the United States swims on her way to winning and setting a new world record after she swam in the women’s 100meter freestyle S6 final at the 2012 Paralympics Games. —AP

US swimmer grabs gold

LONDON: US swimmer Victoria Arlen yesterday took Britain Ellie Simmonds’ S6 100m freestyle title, swimming to victory in a new world record for her first Paralympic gold of the London Games.

The 17-year-old led from the front to take the race in 1min 13.33sec, more than a second faster than her previous world best, with Beijing champion Simmonds in silver and Tanya Groepper of Germany in third.

Simmonds won both the S6 100m and 400m freestyle titles in Beijing four years ago at the age of just 13. She successfully defended the longer race in London and added the 200m crown as well as a bronze in the 50m.

Arlen was the centre of a classification row before the start of the Games, which saw her omitted from the start lists then reinstated on appeal.

Concerns were then raised that she could be stripped of any gold medal were she to win but the International Paralympic Committee said that they would reassess her case in August next year.

Arlen’s win was her first gold of the Games, after she took silver in the 50m and 400m freestyle and in the 4x100m freestyle 34 points relay.

At the age of 11, the teenager was diagnoed with the neurological condition post-infectious transverse myelitis, which affects the spinal cord and left her in a vegetative state for two years. —AFP

Paralympics medals table LONDON: Medals table after the ninth day of competition at the 2012 Paralympic Games on Friday: Gold Silver Bronze Total Azerbaijan 2 4 3 9 China 83 65 58 206 Serbia 2 3 0 5 G Britain 32 40 42 114 Slovakia 2 1 2 5 Russia 32 35 25 92 Kenya 2 1 1 4 Ukraine 30 19 25 74 Czech Republic 1 6 3 10 Australia 29 20 26 75 Turkey 1 4 4 9 United States 27 25 33 85 Greece 1 3 7 11 Germany 18 23 19 60 UAE 1 1 0 2 Brazil 15 12 6 33 Latvia 1 1 0 2 Poland 12 11 7 30 Namibia 1 1 0 2 Netherlands 9 9 17 35 Romania 1 1 0 2 Iran 9 6 6 21 Denmark 1 0 4 5 France 8 15 17 40 Angola 1 0 1 2 Italy 8 6 11 25 Chile 1 0 0 1 Cuba 8 5 2 15 Fiji 1 0 0 1 Ireland 8 3 5 16 Iceland 1 0 0 1 S Korea 7 6 7 20 Jamaica 1 0 0 1 Spain 6 16 12 34 Macedonia 1 0 0 1 S Africa 6 9 9 24 Tunisia 6 5 4 15 Israel 0 2 4 6 Nigeria 6 5 1 12 Croatia 0 2 3 5 Canada 5 14 8 27 Iraq 0 2 1 3 New Zealand 5 5 4 14 Argentina 0 1 4 5 Belarus 5 1 3 9 Taiwan 0 1 2 3 Egypt 4 4 6 14 Bulgaria 0 1 1 2 Japan 4 4 6 14 Malaysia 0 1 1 2 Sweden 4 3 4 11 Portugal 0 1 1 2 Finland 4 1 1 6 Singapore 0 1 1 2 Algeria 3 5 9 17 Saudi Arabia 0 1 0 1 Switzerland 3 5 2 10 Colombia 0 1 0 1 Mexico 3 4 10 17 Ethiopia 0 1 0 1 Austria 3 3 6 12 India 0 1 0 1 Hong Kong 3 3 5 11 Uzbekistan 0 1 0 1 Norway 3 2 2 7 Slovenia 0 1 0 1 Belgium 3 1 2 6 Venezuela 0 0 2 2 Thailand 3 1 2 6 Indonesia 0 0 1 1 Morocco 3 0 1 4 Sri Lanka 0 0 1 1 Hungary 2 6 6 14

Bittersweet end for Zanardi LONDON: He may have won gold and provided one of the lasting images of the games, but the end of the London Paralympics will be bittersweet for Alex Zanardi.

The former Formula One driver, who lost his legs in a horrific race car crash in 2001, became a champion on the road again this week competing in handcycling - a sport where the bike is powered by the arms.

But it’s not the feeling of winning the 45-year-old Italian will miss the most - it’s those countless hours of hard work and meticulous planning that got him there.

“I’m certainly very, very happy but this moment also brings a little bit of sadness because this weekend is going to be the end of a great adventure I’ve been fortunate enough to live,” Zanardi said outside the boisterous sponsor party to celebrate his first win. While the party roared on in another room, he reflected on what it all would mean come Monday, when the games were over.

“You know, when you are in your 20s, you always believe that the race, that the championship is the only thing that matters,” he said. “But then 20 years later, you say ‘Ooohhh, I remember when I was there with my mechanics, with my engineer, talking about the car, going out for a pizza, going to the team and (fixing) my seat and (spending) time with them.

“So you realize what really (matters) was the effort that you put in daily in order to build something special.

Because when the championship arrives, you cannot expect to meet happiness that day, otherwise you don’t get there.

“It’s the process.”

That doesn’t mean the driver, who admits he has “a little bit of a big head, hasn’t loved every second of the actual games as well. Zanardi added a second individual gold in the road race on Friday, but it was his first that will be most widely remembered.

In one of the more enduring images of the 2012 London Paralympics, he slid out of his cycle after winning Wednesday’s time trial, sat on the track and, with one hand, hoisted his bike in the air. It seemed weightless compared

to the effort it took to get to that track in the first place.

The victories at Brands Hatch, the southeast London track where he once raced cars, capped an amazing journey for the 45-year-old Italian. The two-time CART champion spun out of control while coming out of a pit stop at the American Memorial 500 on Sept. 15, 2001, veering onto the track and into the path of Canadian driver Alex Tagliani.

The reinforced carbon fiber cone of Tagliani’s car sliced through Zanardi’s steering well at nearly 200 mph (320 kph). His legs disintegrated.

Zanardi recalled that at the darkest point of his rehabilitation, it meant a lot to hear someone using prosthetic legs tell him he would walk again. He’s not out there claiming to be an inspiration, but he knows firsthand that people struggling to overcome a challenge take solace in seeing it overcome, rather than just being told it can be.

“So I would imagine that probably a lot of people watching me doing (this) to some degree against all odds maybe they are going to say, ‘bloody hell if Zanardi did this, I can try. I can try,’” he told The Associated Press. “A good attempt always brings a result.”

As part of his rehabilitation, Zanardi took up handcycling, which uses a vehicle powered by the arms that features two coasting rear wheels and one steerable front wheel.

He heard about the sport by chance.

Zanardi and another athlete had both tried to pull into a disabled parking spot, setting off a dispute as to who should get it. He saw the other man’s handbike on top of the car and got curious.

Two years later, he proved he had become the best in the world. What’s next for Zanardi is still unclear, but there’s a good chance it will involve some kind of competition. He mentioned a desire to race at the Indianapolis 500, but it could be something else, too. If you have passion, he says, everything comes naturally.

“You cannot talk about dedication, sacrifice or stuff like that,” he said. “You just do what you have to do because you love to do it.” —AP

19

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

SPORTS

England, Germany and France win, Italy stumble

CORDOBA: Argentina’s Lionel Messi (right) fights for the ball with Paraguay’s Marcelo Estigarribia during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match.—AP

Argentina swat Paraguay CORDOBA: Lionel Messi was almost unstoppable again as Argentina posted their sixth victory in a row, swatting Paraguay aside 3-1 to take the lead in South America’s World Cup qualifiers on Friday.

Argentina, among the favourites to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, took over from Uruguay as the team to beat in the qualifying campaign.

Argentina ended a 39-year wait for another home win over the dogged Paraguayans in a World Cup qualifier and in securing it they sent their opponents to the bottom of the standings.

Messi might have had a third hat-trick in five internationals, hitting the woodwork twice, and his goal took his tally to 10 in six matches including friendlies.

“This is beautiful. It’s lovely when the crowd give you so much love,” Messi said.

Messi brought the best out of the players around him with Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain scoring fine goals.

Sergio Aguero, seen as Messi’s ideal partner in attack, was not even missed.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella, whose side stuttered at the start of the qualifiers, said: “We remain with our feet on the ground and we don’t want the players to go from one extreme to the other ... Messi is happy and shows it on the pitch.”

The nine-nation group without Brazil, who as hosts are spared the qualifiers, can be divided into two halves. The top four will go to the Brazil finals, the fifth team will have a 50-50 chance, playing off against an Asian side, and the bottom four will miss out. Colombia, who had played below potential in a poor start to the campaign that included the sacking 10 months ago of coach Leonel Alvarez, climbed into the top five with a 4-0 rout of Uruguay in steamy Barranquilla.

“We mustn’t lose focus of what this qualifying campaign is,” Colombia’s Argentine coach Jose Pekerman warned

after the emphatic win sparked by redhot striker Radamel Falcao’s early opening goal. “This was a key result against one of the best teams in the world ... (previously) 18 matches unbeaten, and we need to make the right reading of it,” he said.

Colombia’s win pushed Venezuela, who are looking to reach the finals for the first time but were beaten 2-1 away to Peru, down to sixth place.

Peru, who came from behind with a brace by reinstated, controversial winger Jefferson Farfan, climbed out of the basement now occupied jointly by Bolivia and Paraguay, who two years ago were quarter-finalists in South Africa.

The Peruvians will be looking to confirm their improvement when they host Argentina in Lima on Tuesday. The same day, previous leaders Chile, who had a bye on Friday, entertain the Colombians, while Uruguay will be looking to pick up the pieces against Ecuador.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, who makes no bones about the qualifiers being tougher than the finals, saw his side drop to fourth two points behind Argentina and one short of Chile and Ecuador.

Ecuador, crushed 4-0 when they met Argentina in Buenos Aires in June, have quietly picked up a maximum 12 points from four home matches without conceding a goal, evidently taking advantage of the high altitude of Quito that handicaps their opponents.

Bolivia have been unable to do this, apart from a 3-1 home win over Paraguay in June due more to the ineptitude of the Paraguayans’ former coach Francisco Arce, who was then sacked.

Experienced Uruguayan Gerardo Pelusso took over from Arce and had hoped to surprise Argentina with some tough defence and counter-attacking while admitting before the game no-one has succeeded in shackling Messi. His team were no exception. —Reuters

LONDON: England, Germany, France and the Netherlands all started the long road to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil with victories but Italy stumbled out of the blocks when the European qualifying campaign began on Friday.

World champions Spain do not begin their bid to reach the finals until Tuesday, but apart from the Italians, held to a 2-2 draw in Group B in Bulgaria, there were no major problems for the continent’s big guns.

England won their opening Group H match 5-0 in Moldova, while Germany strolled to a relatively modest 3-0 Group C win over the Faroe Islands.

A first-half goal from Abou Diaby gave France a winning 1-0 start in their Group I campaign against Finland in Helsinki, while the Netherlands beat Turkey 2-0 in Amsterdam in Group D with Robin van Persie and Luciano Narsingh, who hit the second in stoppage time, scoring for the Dutch.

Italy, who have been world champions four times, had a topsy-turvy start in Sofia before drawing 2-2 with Bulgaria with Pablo Osvaldo scoring both their goals to put them 2-1 up after they conceded first. Georgi Milanov equalised for the home side with 24 minutes to play and Italy could not find a winner. Two Italians who had better nights than their national team were Fabio Capello and Giovanni Trapattoni, the managers of Russia and Ireland respectively.

Ireland’s bid to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2002 began with a dramatic win as two goals in the final two minutes from Robbie Keane, who netted a penalty, and a volley from Kevin Doyle gave Trapattoni’s men a 2-1 win in Kazakhstan in Group C. Capello’s Russia also started with a win, with goals from Viktor Faizulin and Roman Shirokov, who scored from the spot, giving them a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Moscow.

The highest scorers of the night were Bosnia, who began their quest for a first appearance in the finals by thrashing Liechtenstein 8-1 in Vaduz in

GLASGOW: Serbia’s Aleksandar Kolarov (left) and Darko Lazovic (right) vie with Scotlandís Charlie Adam (second right) in a FIFA 2014 World Cup, group A, qualifying football match.—AFP Group G. Edin Dzeko, who scored a hat-trick, became Bosnia’s alltime leading scorer with 25 goals. England were also among the goals, snubbing out any chance of a Moldovan upset with Frank Lampard scoring twice in the opening 29 minutes, the first after three minutes from England’s 100th all-time penalty, as he took his England goal tally to 25. Jermain Defoe marked his 50th appearance for England with a trademark strike after 32 minutes with James Milner and Leighton Baines scoring their first England goals in the second half.

Mesut Ozil was on target twice, scoring both his goals in the second half following Mario Goetze’s first half opener as Germany beat the Faroes 3-0 in Hanover.

The Netherlands also picked up three points after a shaky start when Turkey went close to a first minute opener through Omer Toprak but they recovered to win with Van Persie and later Narsingh scoring. Portugal did not have things all their own way either before winning 2-1 in Luxembourg after the unfancied

hosts took a shock lead through Portuguese-born Daniel da Mota after 13 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who hit the headlines after failing to celebrate two league goals last weekend for Real Madrid and telling reporters he was “sad”, levelled 15 minutes later.

He greeted the goal with a clenched fist, celebrating the equaliser not too exuberantly but apparently happy.

The visitors kept pressing and deservedly took the lead with a coolly-taken drive by Helder Postiga in the 54th minute.

Belgium, whose emerging squad includes a number of players now with high profile clubs in England, reinforced their claims for a place in the finals with a winning 2-0 start in Wales where Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Tottenham Hotspur’s Jan Vertonghen scored. There was a tense atmosphere, two red cards and firecrackers in Podgorica where Montenegro and Poland, in the same group as England, fought to a 2-2 draw.

Jakub Blaszczykowski put

Poland ahead from a fifth minute penalty but the Poles were angry after their goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton was struck by a firecracker thrown from the crowd, with more objects landing nearby.

Nikola Drincic and then, on the stroke of halftime, Mirko Vucinic, gave the hosts the lead, only for Poland to grab an equaliser through Adrian Mierzejewski 10 minutes into the second half.

Tempers became frayed with referee Kristinn Jakobsson sending off Montenegro’s Savo Pavicevic and Poland’s Ludovic Obraniak within two minutes of each other.

“This looked very similar to a war,” said Poland’s new coach Waldemar Fornalik. “Because of this one point is even more valuable.” A total of 22 qualifiers were played on Friday with two more late yesterday before the second round of European matches next Tuesday which sees world champions Spain start their campaign in Tbilisi against Georgia who will take confidence from their 1-0 defeat of Belarus.—Reuters

Preview

Australia hope road to Brazil starts in Amman

COLOMBIA: Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani stops the ball during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Uruguay in Barranquilla.—AP

Zambia edge Uganda JOHANNESBURG: Captain Christopher Katongo scored midway through the first half to give title holders Zambia a 1-0 first-leg lead over Uganda yesterday in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The China-based striker took advantage of sloppy defending to tap in a long Davies Nkausu throw before a capacity 40,000 crowd at Levy Mwanawasa stadium in the mining town of Ndola.

Katongo was a constant threat to Uganda, netting again in the opening half only to have his effort disallowed and being oiled by the woodwork after the break.

Midfielder Rainford Kalaba was another Zambian to impress and came close with a first half free kick that beat goalkeeper Denis Onyango only to fly into the side netting.

Uganda, seeking a place at the Cup of Nations for the first time since finishing runners-up to hosts Ghana in 1978, spent most of the match on the back foot and were lucky to finish only one goal behind.

Ghana scored early in each half to tri-

umph 2-0 against Malawi in Accra with Christian Atsu putting the Black Stars ahead and Anthony Annan also on target against rivals reduced to 10 men after James Sangala was cautioned twice.

Vianney Mabide netted midway through the opening half to earn surprise last-30 qualifiers Central African Republic a 1-0 home win over Burkina Faso in Bangui.

The central Africans reached the final elimination round by toppling record seven-time Cup of Nations champions Egypt in one of the biggest shocks since qualifying was introduced 45 years ago.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor crowned his promotion to captain of Togo by equalising in a 1-1 draw against Gabon after veteran Daniel Cousin had put the home team ahead.

Return matches are scheduled for mid-October and the winners qualify for the 16-nation tournament to be staged

by South Africa in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit and Rustenburg.—AFP

SINGAPORE: Australia aim to avoid more Asian away day woes when they travel to Amman to take on Jordan in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, looking for a win that would kickstart their bid to reach a third consecutive finals. The Socceroos stuttered to an opening draw in the sweltering heat of Oman before improving to claim another point last time out against Japan, who have moved into pole position in the race to become the first Asian team to qualify.

Twelve points was enough to advance from the five-team pool four years ago and Japan should make it to 10 after their fourth match, at home to 2007 Asian Cup winners Iraq, on Tuesday.

Australia and Japan are the favourites to claim the two available places from Group B for the finals in Brazil but the Socceroos will be wary of underdogs Jordan, particularly because of their patchy record on the road. The Socceroos slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Oman in the previous round of qualifiers and made hard work of lowly Thailand before edging the Bangkok game by a single goal.

That followed failures to win in Indonesia and Kuwait in qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup, and more recently, two goal-margin defeats to Scotland and Denmark. The Australians picked up their first win since February in beating Lebanon in a Beirut friendly on Thursday, giving them a confidence boost ahead of the match against the Asian Cup quarter-finalists, who are bottom of the group with one point from two matches. Jordan were thrashed 6-0 away by Japan in June but are usually more formidable at home in hot temperatures that have often proved the downfall to the older, slower Australian side.

“It’s a big challenge (against Jordan), the conditions are going to be very, very extreme again,” 39-year-old Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer told reporters after the win over Lebanon.

“It was good preparation for us because the conditions are going to be similar, so hopefully we can go to Jordan and continue where we left off.”

Japan were also in friendly action on Thursday as they pulled off a less than impressive 1-0 win at home to United Arab Emirates.

Shinji Kagawa might be earning plaudits for the start to his Manchester United career but Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni was less than impressed with the diminutive attacker, hauling him off at halftime following a series of failed elaborate tricks.

Kagawa’s profile has risen dramatically in Japan following his 17 million euros ($21.48 million) move to England but in the eyes of experienced Italian coach Zaccheroni, he plays second fiddle to playmaker Keisuke Honda. CSKA Moscow’s Honda has been impressive form in the opening three games of the fourth round for Japan and he is expected to continue in the much coveted role just behind the striker with an unhappy Kagawa pushed out to the left.—Reuters

KINGSTON: United Statesí Clint Dempsey (center) fights for the ball with Jamaica’s Jason Morrison (left) and Ryan Johnson during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match.—AP

Canada, Mexico and Jamaica take charge in CONCACAF MEXICO: Canada and Mexico took big steps towards the next phase of World Cup qualification after wins in the CONCACAF region on Friday while Jamaica tasted victory over the United States for the first time. At the half-way stage in the third round of qualifying in North and Central America and the Caribbean, Mexico are the only team with a 100 percent record after they picked up a third win in three games with a 2-0 victory at Costa Rica in group B. Both Mexican goals came from corners with Carlos Salcido putting ‘El Tri’ ahead two minutes before the break and then Jesus Zavala adding the second in the 52nd minute.

Jamaica are now outright leaders in group A, with seven points, after they came from behind to beat the United States 2-1 and leave the Americans level on four points with Guatemala.

Clint Dempsey put the US in front after just 36 seconds but two long-range goals from free-kicks from Rodolph Austin (24) and Luton Shelton (62) kicked off a party at the National Stadium in Kingston.

“Jamaica deserved the win, they were hungrier and they were more determined.

After the equaliser they rose to the occasion,” said US coach Juergen Klinsmann.

Guatemala suffered a scare against Antigua and Barbuda, falling behind to a Peter Byers goal in the 38th minute but Carlos Ruiz scored twice before Dwight

Pezzarossi slid in at the back post in injury time to wrap up a 3-1 win.

Canada are the surprise leaders in group C, on seven points, after a Dwayne De Rosario goal gave them a 1-0 win in Toronto over Panama, who are now a point behind the Canadians and two ahead of Honduras. De Rosario’s record 20th goal for his country came in the 77th minute, as he reacted to a quick free kick

by Atiba Hutchinson to fire past Panama keeper Jaime Penedo.

“It was good to score, good to get the points and the atmosphere was fantastic. I thought the first half was some of the best we’ve played and I said at halftime that the goal would come,” said Canada head coach Stephen Hart.

Honduras remain in the chase though after they picked up their first win in group C with a 3-0 victory over Cuba in Havana - Jerry Bengtson (31), Victor Bernandez (63) and Marvin Chavez (90+2) getting the goals.

Guyana’s chances of making it to the final six stage of the qualifying competition are remote but they showed signs of their progress with a 2-2 draw in El Salvador. Treyon Bobb equalised twice for Guyana after goals from Isidro Gutierrez and Osael Romero for an El Salvador team who are two points behind Costa Rica in group B. Friday’s fixtures will now be reversed for Tuesday’s return games.—Reuters

Kallis sees South Africa to T20 victory over England

Wallabies edge Springboks

17

16

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

‘Emotional’ celebration to close Paralympic Games

Page 18

ITALY: McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the qualifying session for the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Monza racetrack.—AP

Hamilton on pole at Monza MONZA: Lewis Hamilton swept to pole position for the Italian Formula One Grand Prix yesterday in an all-McLaren front row with team mate Jenson Button lining up alongside him.

It was McLaren’s third successive pole, and 23rd of Hamilton’s career, and left the two Britons perfectly placed for a third win in a row after their third one-two in qualifying this season.

“I think practice was a lot better for me,” said Hamilton, who was fastest in the morning’s final practice, of what he called a ‘half-decent’ lap at the end of the session.

“I didn’t think that lap was anywhere near good enough,” added the 2008 world champion, whose

Formula One future has been the major talking point of the weekend with speculation raging that Hamilton could move to Mercedes.

Button has finished runner-up at Monza for the past three years in a row but knows only too well that the driver on pole has also ended up the winner in six of the last 10 races there.

“The last few races have really shown our strength,” said Button. “Qualifying both of us on the front row is great...but even being on the front row it’s not going to be an easy race.”

Ferrari’s Brazilian Felipe Massa qualified third but team mate and championship leader Fernando Alonso, who has a 24-point lead over

Red Bull’s champion Sebastian Vettel, could manage only 10th place on the grid for his team’s home race.

“I think he had a problem,” said Massa, whose future at Ferrari looks shakier than ever after he scored just 35 points in 12 races. “He had a problem on Q3 (the third phase) and was not able to complete his lap.”

Britain’s Paul Di Resta qualified fourth fastest but has a five-place grid penalty due to an unscheduled gearbox change. That meant Michael Schumacher, still adored by the Ferrari fans for his golden past with the team, will start on the second row instead for Mercedes.

Vettel will share the third row with the Mercedes of compatriot Nico Rosberg with former Ferrari champion Kimi Raikkonen seventh for Lotus and alongside Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi for Sauber.

Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg will start last after he failed to set a time in qualifying after slowing and stopping on the escape road next to the first chicane.

His problems allowed Belgian Jerome D’Ambrosio, replacing the banned Romain Grosjean at Lotus for one race, to go through to the second phase.

He will start 15th because Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado, wearing a new helmet with “Less

Tornado fear postpones US Open women’s final

Contador closes in on Tour of Spain crown SPAIN: Spain’s Alberto Contador, racing his first Grand Tour since returning from a two-year doping ban last month, has closed in on his second Tour of Spain crown with only a disaster preventing him from winning. Russia’s Denis Menchov of the Katusha team won the 20th and penultimate stage here yesterday, with SaxoBank rider Contador retaining the red jersey of the overall leader.

Two-time Tour de France winner Contador, who lost his 2010 Tour and 2011 Giro titles after being banned for testing positive for clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour, has now to safely negotiate the 21st and final 115km largely flat stage from Cercedilla to Madrid to claim victory. “Today’s stage is one I’ll always remember,” said Contador. “That and the day of Fuente De, where I don’t remember having felt such a strong feeling.

“This victory is perhaps more beautiful than all the others because of Fuente De” when Contador mastered Wednesday’s mountainous stage through northern Spain to take the lead away from compatriot Joaquim “Purito” Rodriguez. “From the start, victory held me at arm’s length, I couldn’t attain it. But then I played my trump card.”

Contador, 29, added that he was “extremely happy” to have (all but) won just one month after his return to the saddle for competitive racing. “I have to thank the numerous people who supported me throughout this Vuelta.

“After having spent so much time without racing, I’m really savoring this victory, even though there still remains tomorrow to race.” Saxo-Bank general manager Bjarne Riis added: “It’s fantastic to have finally won the Vuelta when we practically lost it (before Fuente De).

“This Tour of Spain has been lit up by three great riders: Contador, Rodriguez and (Alexander) Valverde.” A 20-rider breakaway group split from the peloton after 20km of yesterday’s stage, but was reduced to just three 10km out from the finish.

Menchov called on all his climbing skills to notch up the stage victory 17sec ahead of Sky’s Australian rider Richie Porte, with Belgian Kevin De Weert (Omega-Pharma) a further 25sec adrift.

De Weert had dropped off the pace in the climb, but Menchov was left to see off Porte in a final desperate sprint.

“Today’s victory is very important to me,” said Menchov. “It crowns a fantastic Vuelta for the whole team, with Joaquim’s three stage victories before mine, and his podium.” Contador suffered in the final gruelling ascent, but managed the essential, which was staying atop the overall standings to sit pretty for what should be today’s easy going ride-in. The Spaniard now sits 1min 16sec ahead of compatriot Valverde (Movistar), with Rodriguez (Katusha) in third at 1:37, the duo having taken 19 and 34sec off Contador in the day’s stage respectively.

The 21-stage race-one of cycling’s three ‘major tours’ along with the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia-ends in Madrid on Sunday after covering a total distance of 3,300 kilometres.—AFP

Trouble, More Speed’ written on it, has a 10-place grid penalty for jumping the start at the last race in Belgium and causing a collision.

Frenchman Grosjean was handed his ban at Spa for causing a pile-up that dumped Alonso and Hamilton out at the first corner.

For the first time since 1969, today’s race will have no Italian drivers in it - although the grim economic climate was a more likely explanation for the unusually large numbers of empty seats in the main grandstand.

D’Ambrosio, Massa, Toro Rosso’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Di Resta all have Italian ancestry, however.—Reuters

SPAIN: Spain’s Alberto Contador of the Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank Team (right) crosses the finish line of the 20th stage of the Vuelta tour of Spain.—AFP

NEW YORK: The US Open women’s singles final between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka was postponed until today after storm-battered New York was put on tornado watch. The decision was taken as the US Weather Service placed the area under tornado watch until 2100 local time (0100GMT), two hours after the scheduled start time of the women’s final.

“The weather forecast for this evening is calling for storms with heavy rain and high winds,” said a tournament spokesman.

“Due to the severe weather forecast, session 25 featuring the Women’s Singles Final will be postponed until Sunday, September 9, 2012. We will confirm the start time for the Women’s Final by 7:00 p.m. ET (2300GMT) this evening.”

It will be the fourth time in five years that the women’s final has been played on Sunday rather than Saturday. The men’s singles final has been pushed back to the tomorrow for the last four years.

Play yesterday had already been delayed following heavy rain and a tornado warning which had been issued following a twister briefly making landfall on the nearby Rockaway Peninsula.

The first men’s semi-final between Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych got underway 90 minutes late on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The second semi-final featuring defending champion Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer was still set to go-ahead as planned. “We are continuing the day session as scheduled and will closely monitor the weather for the remainder of today’s day session,” added the spokesman.

Serena Williams will today be going for a fourth US Open title in six finals while Australian Open champion Azarenka, the world number one, is making her New York championship match debut. “its sunshine,but very windy..and we r not going to play tonight - well I will go the gym then,” Azarenka tweeted.

British third seed Murray, the 2008 runner-up, and Berdych, who knocked out five-time champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, battled high winds throughout their tie.

In the first set, Murray, with actor and fellow Scot Sean Connery watching from the stands, agreed to replay a point after Berdych insisted that he had been distracted by his opponent’s white cap being blown onto the court as he chased down a drop shot.

Later, as the strong gusts continued, Berdych’s bag was blown onto the court. Despite the testing conditions, the deluge and continuing storms didn’t dampen everyone’s spirits at Flushing Meadows.

“Supposed to interview James Blake. He’s caught in the traffic & I don’t want to ruin my shoes,” tweeted 1979 and 1981 champion Tracy Austin, now working as a TV analyst. US tennis legend John McEnroe tweeted: “A tornado warning??? You cannot be serious!!!”—AFP

Business

Salary negotiation pitfalls to avoid Page 22 Indian exports lowest in nearly three years Page 23

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Kuwaiti employment growth gains strength

Page 23

Greece aims at good marks from auditors Page 22

VLADIVOSTOK: Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (second left), Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (third right), Japan’s Ambassador in Russia Tikahito Harada ( seated left) and Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Fishery Andrei Krainy (seated right), attend signing of joint agreements at the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit yesterday. — AFP

China, Russia sound alarm on world economy Russia hosts APEC summit in Vladivostok VLADIVOSTOK: China and Russia sounded the alarm about the state of the global economy at a summit yesterday and urged Asian-Pacific countries to protect themselves by forging deeper regional economic ties. Chinese President Hu Jintao said Beijing would do all it could to strengthen the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and boost prospects of a global recovery by rebalancing its economy, Asia’s biggest.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said trade barriers must be smashed down. He is hosting the event on a small island linked to the Pacific port of Vladivostok by a spectacular new bridge, a symbol of Moscow’s pivotal turn to Asia away from debt-stricken Europe. “It’s important to build bridges, not walls. We must continue striving for greater integration,” Putin told APEC leaders seated at a round table in a room with a view of the $1 billion cable-stayed bridge, the largest of its kind.

“The global economic recovery is faltering. We can overcome the negative trends only by increasing the volume of trade in goods and services and enhancing the flow of capital.” China’s Hu told business leaders before the summit the world economy was being hampered by

“destabilising factors and uncertainties” and the crisis that hit in 2008-09 was far from over. Beijing would play its role, he said, in strengthening the recovery.

“We will work to maintain the balance between keeping steady and robust growth, adjusting the economic structure and managing inflation expectations,” he said.

Hu spelled out plans for China, whose economic growth has slowed as Europe’s debt crisis worsened, to pump $157 billion into infrastructure investments in agriculture, energy, railways and roads. Hu, who steps down as China’s leader in the autumn after a Communist Party congress, promised continuity and stability for the economy.

Putin, who has just begun a new six-year term as president, said on Friday Russia would be a stable energy supplier and a gateway to Europe for Asian countries, and also pledged to develop his country’s transportation network. Gazprom, Russia’s state-controlled gas export monopoly, signed an agreement with Japan to develop plans for a $7 billion liquefied natural gas plant on Russia’s Pacific coast, underscoring Moscow’s eastward shift.

Russia looks East The relative strength of China’s economy, by far the largest in Asia and second in the world to the United States, is key to Russia’s decision to look to the Pacific Rim as it seeks to develop its economy and Europe battles economic problems. APEC, which includes the United States, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Canada, groups countries which account for 40 percent of the world’s population, 54 percent of its economic output and 44 percent of trade.

APEC members are broadly showing relatively strong growth, but boosting trade and growth is vital for the group as it tries to remove the trade barriers that hinder investment. “It is absolutely clear that the most important region for economic growth this decade - and probably the next decade - will be the Pacific,” said Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

The European Union has been at odds with both China and Russia over trade practices it regards as limiting free competition. Cooperation in APEC is also hindered by territorial and other disputes among some of the members. Putin, 59, limped slightly as he greeted leaders at the summit. Aides said he had merely pulled a muscle. Underlining Putin’s good

US job growth cools down Weak report could hurt Obama WASHINGTON: US jobs growth slowed sharply in August, dealing a blow to President Barack Obama as he seeks re-election and setting the stage for the Federal Reserve to pump additional money into the sluggish economy next week. Nonfarm payrolls increased only 96,000 last month, the Labor Department said o n Friday, well below what would normally be needed to put a dent in the jobless rate.

Payrolls had grown by 141,000 jobs in July. While the unemployment rate dropped to 8.1 percent from 8.3 percent, it was only because many Americans gave up the hunt for work. The survey of households from which the jobless rate is derived actually showed a decline in employment for a second straight month.

“The economy is crawling up the down escalator and today’s report can only give ammunition to the activist members of the Fed board to loosen monetary policy further next week,” said Patrick O’Keefe, head of economic research at JH Cohn in Roseland, New Jersey. The lackluster report piled pressure on Obama ahead of the November vote, with the health of the economy looming large. While acknowledging the tepid pace of job growth, Obama laid the blame for the labor market’s woes on Congress, and Republican lawmakers in particular.

“If Republicans are serious about being concerned about joblessness, we could create a million new jobs right now if Congress would pass the job plans I sent them a year ago,” he said at a campaign rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said Obama’s economic policies had failed. “There’s almost nothing the president’s done in the last three and a half, four years that gives the American people confidence he knows what he’s doing when it comes to jobs and the economy,” Romney told reporters in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. The

weakness in the jobs market last month was virtually across the board, with average hourly earnings slipping and manufacturing-the star of the recovery from the 2007-09 recession-shedding jobs for the first time in nearly a year.

Prospects of more bond purchases by the Fed after its meeting next Wednesday and Thursday lifted US Treasury debt prices and pushed the dollar to a near four-month low against the euro. However, US stocks held steady at four-year highs. Economists polled by Reuters had expected payrolls to rise 125,000 last month, but some had pushed their forecasts higher after upbeat private sector data on Thursday.

Looking for a silver lining Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke last week said the labor market’s stagnation was a “grave concern,” a comment that raised expectations for a further easing of monetary policy. The economy has experienced three years of growth since the 2007-09 recession, but the expansion has been grudging and the jobless rate has held above 8 percent for 43 straight months, essentially all of Obama’s term and the longest stretch since the Great Depression. Economists say jobs growth in the range of 125,000 a month would normally be needed just to hold the unemployment rate steady. The jobless rate peaked at 10 percent in October 2009, but progress reducing it stalled this year, threatening Obama’s bid for a second term. An online Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday showed Obama had gained a slim lead over Romney, 46 percent to 44 percent, but the polling was conducted before the latest jobs figures were released.

The lack of headway putting Americans back to work also has put the question of further monetary stimulus on the table at the Fed. The Fed has held

interest rates close to zero for nearly four years and has pumped about $2.3 trillion into the economy through two bouts of bond buying, or quantitative easing, to drive borrowing costs lower and spur growth.

In addition, it has said it expects to hold rates near zero at least through late-2014, a pledge that is also in play at next week’s meeting. “We expect the Fed to extend its ‘low-rates’ guidance through mid-2015, and to launch a third round of quantitative easing worth $500-$600 billion,” said Nigel Gault, chief US economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts.

“We don’t think these measures will be very effective in boosting growth, but for the Fed it’s a question of trying to do what it can.” A Reuters poll conducted after the data was released found economists see a 60 percent chance of the central bank announcing fresh bond purchases next week, up from 45 percent just two weeks ago.

“Stuck in the mud” The weak tenor of the jobs report was underscored by revisions to June and July data that showed 41,000 fewer jobs created during those months than previously reported. In addition, the labor force participation rate, or the percentage of Americans who either have a job or are looking for one, fell to 63.5 percent in August, the lowest in 31 years. A total of 368,000 people gave up looking for work last month, the household survey showed. Since the beginning of the year, job growth has averaged 139,000 per month, compared with an average monthly gain of 153,000 in 2011. Last month’s tepid gains left the economy 4.7 million jobs short of where it stood when the recession started. “Today’s numbers should check any enthusiasm that the economy was gaining momentum toward the end of the summer. —Reuters

health, a spokesman said he had a “very active lifestyle.”

Discussions at the two-day meeting focused on food security and trade liberalisation. An agreement was reached before the summit to slash import duties on technologies that can promote economic growth without endangering the environment. Breakthroughs are not expected on other trade issues at the meeting, from which US President Barack Obama is absent. He has been attending the Democratic Party convention and Washington is represented by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Clinton said after talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the US government was working with Congress to pass legislation needed to upgrade trade ties with Russia, which recently joined the World Trade Organisation. Tensions persisted between the two former Cold War foes over Iran and Syria, however, and Clinton had only a short meeting with Putin late on day one of the summit, which culminated in a lavish firework show over Vladivostok’s harbour that was reported in the Russian media to have cost nearly $10 million. Also missing the summit was Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who went home after learning her father had died. — Reuters

Global sukuk supply is less than half demand DUBAI: The global supply of sukuk is less than half investor demand and the gap may widen further unless the Islamic finance industry can quickly develop more institutions capable of organising new issues, according to consultancy Ernst & Young. Current outstanding demand for Islamic bonds totals an estimated $300 billion, and this is expected to grow to $900 billion by 2017, Ashar Nazim, Islamic financial services leader at Ernst & Young, told Reuters this week. Meanwhile, fresh issuance of sukuk this year is projected to surpass a record $100 billion, according to the corporate and markets division of Commerzbank - satisfying less than half of outstanding demand.

“Supply is less than half today - as a result Islamic banks are forced to rely on other synthetic solutions,” such as commodity murabaha and tawarruq investment structures, said Nazim. Such structures tend to be shorter-term than sukuk and are often not as convenient for investors seeking liquid financial instruments. Nazim said regulatory requirements or business reasons were causing investors to hold about 30 percent of their Islamic assets, estimated at around $1.3 trillion globally, in the form of liquid instruments. Sukuk, which pay returns on money invested instead of coupons to obey Islam’s ban on interest, are the main liquid instrument in Islamic finance.

Heavy demand for sukuk has over the past year largely eliminated the “sukuk pre-

mium”, the additional cost which borrowers paid to issue an Islamic bond instead of a conventional bond because of the smaller investor base for sukuk and the relative unfamiliarity of sukuk structures. Many high-grade credits, such as Qatar in its record $4 billion Islamic bond issue in July, now pay less to sell sukuk than they would for conventional bonds.

Appetite The growing appetite for sukuk is coming largely from Islamic banks as well as conventional banks, high net worth individuals and Islamic endowments called awqaf. The awqaf are increasing their allocations to sukuk as they reform their operations and become more organised in their investment decisions, Nazim said.

According to an Ernst & Young estimate, awqaf around the world had about $105 billion of assets in 2010, including roughly $40 billion parked in cash.

The Gulf’s sovereign wealth funds generally remain on the sidelines in sukuk investment, he added. “They are rather neutral to conventional or Islamic paper.”

But overall, suppliers of sukuk are are struggling to keep pace with demand and “there is a risk that the absolute gap could be exacerbated”, said Nazim.

Factors limiting supply include a lack of intermediary institutions that have the necessary connections in the market, structuring expertise and balance-sheet strength.—Reuters

22

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

BUSINESS

Greece aims at good marks from auditors

Bayt.com Survey

Salary negotiation pitfalls to avoid

Y

Painful cuts will restore credibility THESSALONIKI: Greece’s top priority is to win a favourable report from bailout auditors for the release of a 31.5 billion euro ($39.9 billion) loan instalment, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said yesterday.

Opening an international fair in Greece’s second city of Thessaloniki he said the coalition government was determined to hold to its commitments in the face of public hostility and union demonstrations. A favourable assessment from the auditors from the socalled troika of creditors-the IMF, EU and European Central Bank-who arrived Friday could also determine whether Athens gets extra time to make spending cuts in return for badly needed loans.

They will review Greece’s efforts to cut its huge deficit and adopt reforms needed to help improve its economic competitiveness as agreed as part of its 130-billion-euro bailout package. The troika has been demanding Athens make up for lost time after delays brought on by back-to-back elections that caused a two-month political deadlock. The government has to finalise a new austerity programme within days to save more than 11.5 billion euros over 2013 and 2014, while pleading for “breathing space” to carry out cuts, arguing that reducing spending too much too fast will only further depress the economy.

A deeper than expected recession has made it even harder to meet the agreed targets. Amid growing exasperation from Greeks about having to accept budget cut upon cut as they struggle through a fifth year of recession, further reductions of civil service wages, pensions and other public expenditure are on the cards.

Samaras said Friday after meeting European Union president Herman Van Rompuy that “the resistance of Greeks has

THESSALONIKI: Coast guards hold flares and shout slogans during a protest against budget cuts yesterday. — AFP reached its limit, which means we need a includes police, firefighters, clerics, diplorecovery as soon as possible.” Van Rompuy mats, judges and the military are also facing for his part warned that Greece must deliver an average pay cut of 12 percent, according on promised fiscal and reform results to to reports. Samaras has promised that this obtain further support. Finance Minister will be the last round of cuts but Greeks on Yannis Stournaras would likely meet the all sides are expressing outrage at any furchief troika auditors today afternoon, a ther austerity, and there have been signs of source in his ministry said, and present the strain in the coalition. Several hundred government’s latest savings plan so far. policemen, firefighters and coastguards in Samaras is to meet the leaders of the par- uniform demonstrated in Thessaloniki yesties in his coalition government today night, terday ahead of a mass protest called by followed by a meeting with the troika unions and the left-wing opposition in the tomorrow morning. The measures reported- northern city for the evening, while thouly include a 3.5-billion-euro slash to pen- sands of communist activists marched in sions, health cuts worth 1.47 billion euros Athens. Hospital doctors and judges took to and a 517-million-euro reduction to the streets this week, and security forces defence. Key state staff paid under so-called also demonstrated on Thursday against ‘special salary schemes’-a group that reported salary cuts. — AFP

Lufthansa flights back to normal after deal

BERGISCH GLADBACH: A classic VW bus displays the logo of German airline Lufthansa during the Schloss Bensberg Classics 2012 yesterday. — AFP

BERLIN: Lufthansa services were mainly back to normal yesterday after a 24-hour staff walkout that grounded half the airline’s flights in Germany ended with agreement to call in a mediator.

In a key concession in talks with unions Friday as cabin crew struck, Europe’s biggest airline also agreed not to employ cheap contract workers in Berlin.

Until the mediator has reached a decision, expected before the signing of new wage agreements Wednesday, there will be no more walkouts, Lufthansa said late Friday. The strike that began at midnight (2200 GMT) Thursday affected more than 100,000 passengers, with around half the airline’s 1,800 daily flights cancelled, it also said. A spokesman told AFP yesterday that a normal schedule had been prepared for the

ou have done your homework, self on what the different alternatives are. tuned into the office grapevine and Make sure if you do decide to quit in the been through all the required due event that negotiations do not turn out diligence. The evidence is overto be fruitful that you are finanwhelming in your favor. You are cially, psychologically and logisunderpaid and deserve a raise. tically prepared to do so and Now before you walk into that that the timing is right. meeting room to negotiate with your boss, with your head held 6. Don’t leave matters high and your eyes firmly set on open-ended the finish line, be wary of comDo not walk into the negotimitting any of the below negotiations looking for a “raise, any ations mistakes. The career raise”. Be very specific in definLama experts at Bayt.com, the Middle ing the salary range that is East’s leading Job Site have listed the acceptable to you and all other aspects of potential salary negotiation pitfalls you the package such as added perks, beneneed to avoid. fits etc. Be clear when you or your boss ask for time to think things over that you 1. Don’t walk in unprepared define the date at which agreement will Your success at the negotiating table be reached. Similarly, if you incorporate will be directly correlated to how well future performance reviews, title changes you have prepared your case. Your prepa- and salary increments into your agreerations should include getting a firm ment make sure the dates are firmly grasp of what your position is worth specified and that you get this in writing. based on your performance and industry benchmarks. You should also have con7. Don’t circumvent the chain of tingency plans for every scenario in the command form of well-backed counterargument to Too many hapless employees, tired of deflect off every objection thrown your chronically low salaries will walk into the way. office of the Head of HR or as close as they can get to the company’s top honcho to angle for a raise. Your boss will 2. Don’t reveal all your cards Uncertainty works to your favor in inevitably find out and will only get infunegotiations. Revealing your bottom-line riated. The last thing you want to lose is too soon will almost always result in limit- your boss’s trust. Whoever the final deciing your upside. Listen more than you sion-maker is, your first discussions speak and make sure when you do speak regarding a raise should be with your it is to articulate a set of very carefully immediate boss. pre-prepared arguments that support 8. Don’t be adversarial your cause.

Adopt a cordial but assertive tone and refuse to get drawn into any hostilities. At 3. Don’t get emotional There is no room for the personal and the end of the process you want to emotional issues at work. Keep your emo- secure the desired raise while making tions in check and the details of your per- your boss feel you have arrived there as a sonal life out of the way. Aim for a friend- result of a cooperative consultative mutuly but professional tone and keep the end ally beneficial process. goal in sight at all times. In the event your 9. Don’t lie boss acts hostile maintain a calm, cordial The world is small and news travel fast, and detached air and refuse to get drawn so even if your boss doesn’t actually go in to the hostility. out and verify the data, any lies about alternative job offers, industry bench4. Don’t issue an ultimatum Ultimatums are a clear indication that mark salaries, or your own performance your negotiating skills are lacking, a defi- will inevitably be found out. Without ciency in any role, and that your judg- downplaying your own achievements, ment may be somewhat impaired. Do not past and expected, be as accurate as you use them as a weapon of first resort, aim can about any figures you use to support instead for a fertile playing field in which your case. you can brainstorm and bargain and bal10. Don’t aim too low ance your interests with the needs and Aim as high as you can without being interests of your boss. too unrealistic in order to leave yourself plenty of bargaining room and be very 5. Don’t forget your backup plan Be clear on what your options are if enthusiastic, confident and persuasive in the negotiations fail. Will you stay on in presenting your case to justify the salary. the company and try to get a raise at a Whatever figure you aim for, make sure later date? Perhaps you can get a firm you have supporting facts and argucommitment on this at this stage, in ments. The more convinced you are that terms of both timing and quantity. you firmly deserve the raise and that the Perhaps you will simply ask to work on a company will ultimately gain from retaindifferent project with more responsibili- ing you at the higher salary the more sucties, visibility and room for growth? Look cessful you will be in convincing your into all the possibilities and educate your- boss.

day, though some 15 flights had been cancelled earlier because of the knock-on effects of the strike.

The 24-hour stoppage at the airports of Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Duesseldorf and Stuttgart was called as unions stepped up pressure in their pay dispute. Other shorter walkouts of eight hours last week and earlier this week had grounded hundreds of flights and affected thousands of passengers. The UFO union-which represents some two-thirds of Lufthansa’s 18,000 cabin crew-is seeking a five-percent pay increase backdated to April after three years of wage freezes.

Lufthansa has said it is ready to increase wages by 3.5 percent. A 2009 strike by cabin crew cost Lufthansa tens of millions of euros (dollars). — AFP

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Egyptian pounds

.2740000 .4440000 .3520000 .2930000 .2830000 .2870000 .0040000 .0020000 .0763380 .7437430 .3870000 .0720000 .7291070 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2812000 GB Pound/KD .4467140 Euro .3546490 Swiss francs .2953010 Canadian dollars .2853660 Danish Kroner .0475960 Swedish Kroner .0420700 Australian dlr .2888770 Hong Kong dlr .0362540 Singapore dlr .2259540 Japanese yen .0035880 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0765900 Bahraini dinars .7461850 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0750070 Omani riyals .7306740 Philippine Peso .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Malaysian Ringgit

3.553 5.072 3.053 2.141 3.173 220.090 36.173 3.425 6.439 8.876 89.338

.2860000 .4560000 .3560000 .3040000 .2950000 .3040000 .0067500 .0035000 .0771060 .7512180 .4100000 .0780000 .7364350 .0510000 .2833000 .4500500 .3572980 .2975060 .2874970 .0479520 .0423840 .2910340 .0365250 .2276420 .0036150 .0051370 .0021480 .0030010 .0035000 .0771620 .7517580 .4007070 .0755670 .7361310 .0068120

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

GCC COUNTRIES 74.883 77.158 729.380 745.850 76.464

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 48.250 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.466 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.309 Tunisian Dinar 176.65 Jordanian Dinar 396.190 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.884 Syrian Lier 4.899 Morocco Dirham 32.64 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 280.700 Euro 354.52 Sterling Pound 441.820 Canadian dollar 274.79 Turkish lire 152.400 Swiss Franc 295.01 US Dollar Buying 279.500 GOLD 293.000 148.000 75.250

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria

49.900 734.450 3.080 6.970 78.210 75.490 228.350 36.500 2.693 452.400 43.800 300.200 4.300 9.400 198.263 77.090 283.100 1.360

10 Tola

GOLD 1,801.710

Sterling Pound US Dollar

734.270 2.998 6.755 77.780 75.490 228.350 36.500 2.134 450.400 296.700 4.300 9.240 76.990 282.700

COUNTRY

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 450.400 282.700

SELL CASH

SELL DRAFT

291.900 751.940 3.720 289.700 555.300 46.100 48.700 167.800 48.580 358.300 37.300 5.370 0.032 0.162 0.236 3.700 400.680 0.191 93.620 44.500 4.350 229.300 1.831

290.400 751.940 3.450 288.200

228.300 46.328 356.800 36.980 5.065 0.031

SELL DRAFT

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

298.06 293.45 303.93 365.31 282.15 454.44 3.69 3.458 5.098 2.135 3.193 2.987 76.89 751.27 46.33 401.97 734.32 77.91 75.45

SELL CASH

292.000 289.000 299.000 359.000 283.100 452.150 3.630 3.560 5.325 2.310 3.550 3.150 77.400 750.000 48.400 400.000 736.000 78.000 75.850

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 400.650 0.190 93.620 3.210 227.800

Rate for Transfer

Selling Rate

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro

282.350 289.783 448.796 355.568

Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

296.226 747.514 76.852 77.502 75.258 398.014 46.362 2.132 5.091 2.976 3.451 6.736 692.609 4.599 9.071 4.379 3.264 90.008

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co.

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

Norwegian krone Omani Riyal Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

Currency

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Yemeni Riyal Euro Canadian Dollars Nepali rupee

282.700 2.979 5.082 2.139 3.459 6.780 77.075 75.545 751.500 46.315 453.900 2.990 1.550 360.100 292.500 3.200

Al Mulla Exchange Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

282.400 356.600 450.200 288.000 3.620 5.058 46.320 2.136 3.455 6.735 2.985 751.750 76.950 75.450

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

BUSINESS

Indian exports lowest in nearly three years KCIC WEEKLY ANALYSIS ON ASIA Indian exports recorded the steepest fall in nearly three years, hinting that the world’s second most populated country is facing a difficult time dealing with the slowing global economic backdrop. Annual exports contracted by 14.8 percent in July, the largest decline in three years, worsening an already deteriorating export sector that recorded a 5.4 percent decline in June. In principle, the steep depreciation in the Indian rupee should have helped India’s exports become more competitive, however the decline in demand from the euro-zone, to whom it exports about 20 percent of its goods, has more than offset the attractive valuations.

The weakened currency, while it could benefit exports, has had an adverse impact on the country’s imports.

Given the strong dependency on energy imports, and with recent energy prices back up to high levels, the weakened currency has made imported goods costlier. Though it should translate into higher imports in terms of dollars, import growth has remained in contraction, a signal that domestic demand is easing, leaving India without a clear source of growth. Imports did improve in July compared to June, from a 13.5 percent annual contraction, to a 7.6 percent annual decline. As a result of the combined slowdown in exports, and the slight improvement in import contraction, the regular trade deficit has widened further in July, from $10.3 billion to $15.5 billion. In addition to the trade deficit, the Indian economy has been historically running a fiscal deficit - the combination of both is usually known as a twin deficit - which is likely to deteriorate on the current environment of weaker global growth and a weak rupee.

The trade balance is the difference in value between a country’s total exports and imports. When a country is in a trade deficit, then it is a net importer: its imports are outweighing its exports in value. India is almost a purely import led economy: for over 20 years, India’s trade balance has been in

deficit. Imports account for about a quarter of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The trade balance itself is a component of the current account balance. The current account balance records the purchase and sale of goods and services and is comprised of the trade balance, net income from abroad (repatriated profits, dividends, interest payments) and net current transfers (remittances, pensions, grants, international aid). India has been running a current account deficit since 1980, all the way to 2000, in which it ran a surplus for four years before returning to its current twin deficit dilemma.

Despite GDP growth improving slightly in the second quarter of 2012, from 5.3 percent to 5.5 percent year on year, India is still below its long-term potential of 6.5-7 percent growth. With the euro-zone not expected to rebound any time soon, unless some major stimulus comes in, India is facing a challenging short-to-medium term outlook. The twin deficit, which has been a major issue for the Indian economy in the past few years, is exacerbated by costlier imports. The strong rupee depreciation and increasing oil prices have resulted in growing subsidies expenditure, and higher inflation, which has become anchored in consumer and business sentiments. With inflation stubbornly high, and growth below potential, monetary policy remains in limbo between boosting growth and taming inflation, while there is little room for any fiscal stimulus due to its already large deficit. In the absence of strong exports, there are no clear drivers of growth in the short term for India, as investments, and domestic demand are already weakening. Significant fiscal spending for stimulus is unlikely as the fiscal deficit is already large and the political situation almost paralyzed. The short-term outlook for the Indian economy is not very rosy. It will take some time before economic fundamentals, among the world’s most solid, kick in.

Consumer spending in Kuwait expected to see strong year Kuwaiti employment growth gains strength KUWAIT: Consumer spending growth moderated thus far in 2012 following an unprecedented year in 2011. Last year had benefited from a large Amiri cash grant early in the year and a series of pay hikes for nationals. This year has already seen another series of salary increases for Kuwaitis and it is expected to remain strong albeit not quite matching last year’s growth. First half figures confirm this view.

This trend is also apparent in the sustained growth in household borrowing. Solid income growth and some improvement in hiring continue to support healthy growth in consumer credit. Employment growth among Kuwaitis appears to be slightly stronger than a year ago while there are signs that expatriate hiring in the private sector is recovering further from the post-financial crisis slowdown.

Spending growth benefits from new salary hikes Point-of-sale transactions (debit and credit cards) during 2Q12 saw a year-on-year increase of 15.6 percent. This followed an easing in 1Q12. The acceleration in 2Q12 coincided with the retrospective payment of salary increases in the government sector in June.

The second quarter is also expected to have benefited from vacationers travelling earlier than usual ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

Wage increases in the public and private sectors A number of pay hikes were approved for public sector employees this year along with hikes in benefits paid to Kuwaitis working in the private sector. Wage and benefit increases amounted to an estimated KD 760 million annually, of which KD 700 million to nationals.

The increases are of a similar magnitude to last year’s and are expected to provide a solid boost to spending and consumer borrowing again this year.

As a result of last year’s pay hikes, growth in total wages of Kuwaiti civilian employees is

estimated to have accelerated to 8 percent by 1Q12, its most rapid pace since the 2009 slowdown. This rise in aggregate wage income, which captures growth in both salaries and employment, is expected to be sustained in 2012 thanks largely to the government’s wage increases.

Consumer confidence slipped from 2011 highs While consumer confidence has been falling from last year’s highs, it remains relatively strong. The Ara’a consumer confidence index registered a 109 in July, down from 127 in December and 120 a year ago. Bayt’s index has held up somewhat better thus far, though it too has slipped from a year ago. The index stood at 566 in 2Q12 compared to 593 last year.

Nonetheless, the indexes show that overall consumer confidence remains relatively solid.

Household borrowing reflects income growth The pickup in household credit seen in 2011 has held up through the first half of 2012.

Growth in personal loans at banks accelerated to 13 percent year-on-year compared to 5.1 percent a year ago. We expect growth to stabilize at around this rate through 2012. In fact, annualized growth during the first half of 2012 was 13.3 percent.

Kuwaiti employment showed stronger 2Q12 Kuwaiti civilian employment appeared the strongest it’s been in over a year (y/y). As of June, the net yearly gain in the number of civilian jobs to nationals in was 12,500, compared to 10,500 the prior year. Employment grew 4.6 percent y/y. The workforce of Kuwaiti nationals in civilian jobs totaled 285,000 at the end of June, according to data published by the Public Institute for Social Security (PIFSS).

Employment growth among Kuwaiti civilians continues to be driven primarily by the public sector, which accounted for over 80

percent of net new jobs. This trend has been sustained since the second half of 2010.

Growth in the government’s Kuwaiti civilian workforce stood at 4.1 percent in 1Q12.

Before 2010, the private sector had played a far more prominent role as Kuwaitis were attracted by the generous benefits paid by the government for Kuwaitis working in that sector. Private sector employment has since reached saturation and relative pay between the government and private sectors no longer favors private employment, especially following the large pay hikes received in government jobs during the last two years. As a result, the number of Kuwaitis joining the private sector continues to drop. The 12-month trailing figure has fallen from 3,200 in 1Q11 to 1,200 in 1Q12. Before 2010, the sector was seeing net new jobs for Kuwaitis at rates over 8,000 a year, at one point even going over 10,000. Growth slowed to 2.5 percent y/y in 1Q12.

Expatriate hiring firms up in 2012 Though figures are still not out for the first half of 2012, the recovery in expatriate employment appears to be gaining momentum. Employment figures for 2011 indicated a healthy recovery, ending two years of decline.

Data on airport activity through the first seven months of 2012 indicates that the recovery is accelerating. Net arrivals (arrivals minus departures) during the last 12 months, a rough indicator of the number of people who move to Kuwait to work, rose to 127,000 in July compared to 73,000 a year ago. In mid-2010, the number was 24,000.

Consumer sector maintains strength in 2012 Strength in consumer spending is expected to be sustained through 2012 boosted particularly by the salary hikes introduced this year but also by an improving employment picture.

Household credit will continue to benefit from this strength though growth rates will likely stabilize around the current pace.

A glance at economy in contested states WASHINGTON: Friday’s lackluster jobs report could play differently in the 2012 presidential campaign’s most contested states, where economic conditions vary greatly. The latest data showed a modest 96,000 new jobs created and the national unemployment rate ticking down slightly to 8.1 percent in August, mostly because people stopped looking for work.

Because states like Iowa and New Hampshire are enjoying strong job markets while others like Nevada and North Carolina are suffering more than average, the economy will have a varying political impact in states for which President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney are battling intensely. Here’s a look at the economic and political situations in 11 states where the parties are focusing their efforts, including their jobless rates in July, the most recent month available: COLORADO Unemployment rate: 8.3 percent. The jobless rate is close to the national average, adding jobs but not keeping up with the numbers of people looking for employment. Romney has visited worksites like a coal mine to tout his business wisdom, while Obama has focused on college campuses to promote the need to invest in education to spur the economy. “I see a lot of people losing their homes, people losing their jobs,” said Rhonda Akhihiero, 49, a nurse’s assistant and Democrat from Aurora, Colo. “It’s been a steady pace and I don’t think it’s getting any better.” Bill Ritter Jr, who was the state’s Democratic governor until last year, says voters will focus on the steady if slow improvement the state’s economy is making but concedes,

“Getting re-elected in a tough economy like this is a challenge.”

NEW HAMPSHIRE Unemployment rate: 5.4 percent. IHS Global says the state’s economy is improving but still “shaky at best” because of shrinking payrolls in areas like manufacturing. Obama and Romney are certain to continue visiting this state, where Romney has a vacation home. “It’s bad but it’s starting to get better,” David Jernigan, 42, a basketball coach from Dover, NH, said of the local economy.

IOWA Unemployment rate: 5.3 percent.

Construction and manufacturing in the state are doing well, although the economy is being hurt by this year’s drought and big reductions in state and local government jobs, IHS Global reports. Both Obama and Romney staged events in the state Friday, but neither has tailored their messages to reflect Iowa’s strong economy. Obama has told voters that Romney doesn’t understand the challenges facing middle-class Americans, and Romney has argued that the president doesn’t understand how the economy works and demonizes employers.

MICHIGAN Unemployment rate: 9 percent. Joblessness is way down since 2009 and the state is showing signs of a comeback. Obama contends his effort to rescue General Motors and Chrysler from bankruptcy is one of his biggest successes, while Romney has said Michigan would benefit from his economic plan, including repeal of Obama’s

health care law. Brett Christian, 25, a student from Frankfort, Mich, said he’s undecided about whom to support in the presidential race, considering Romney stronger on the economy but favoring Obama on social issues. But he said, “The economy does need to be fixed. It’s probably the main priority that they need to work on before getting into the other stuff.”

NEVADA Unemployment rate: 12 percent. Nevada has the nation’s highest jobless rate. Adding to its problems - more than half of homeowners owe more than their dwellings are worth, and the weak national economy leaves vacationers and gamblers with less money to spend when they visit. “Nevadans are so, I’m looking for a word somewhere between cynical and desperate” about what Obama or Romney can do for them, said Erik Herzik, chairman of the political science department at University of Nevada, Reno.

The Romney campaign released a new television ad Friday in which he blames the Obama administration for Nevada’s economic woes and the loss of 60,000 jobs since the Great Recession. Obama, campaigning at a community college in Reno last month, stressed the availability of college loans. “My shop is hanging in there,” said Merry Summy, 61, a quilt shop owner in Boulder City, Nev., who expects to back Romney.

NORTH CAROLINA Unemployment rate: 9.6 percent. The state is still suffering from declining textile and banking industries, and its jobless rate is among the nation’s worst and nearly twice as

bad as when the recession started in 2007. The number of poor has also doubled. That didn’t stop Democrats from holding their national convention there this week in hopes of keeping the state in Obama’s column as it was in 2008. GOP vice presidential candidate Paul

OHIO Unemployment rate: 7.2 percent. Obama has pointed to his administration’s auto bailout as a reason for Ohio’s unemployment rate being below the national average. Joblessness has decreased by 97,000 in the past year and is

NEW YORK: In this file photo, job seekers fill out applications at a construction job fair in New York. — AP Ryan swooped into Greenville, NC, on Labor at its lowest point since 2008. GOP Gov. John Day to say Obama “can’t tell you that you’re Kasich has credited his own policies for the better off” than four years earlier. Accounting state’s jobs comeback. Nicole Armstrong, 37, a manager Rena Waring, 53, of Clemmons, NC, jobless single mother from Cincinnati, says said her acquaintances have jobs and she will Obama will get her vote because of the econovote for Romney. She said her biggest problem my, though she says more needs to happen. “I is her “astronomical” health insurance costs, hope if Obama does stay in, the unemploysaying she doesn’t believe Obama’s health care ment rate goes down and everybody finds jobs and he helps everybody live comfortable the overhaul will help her. way he says he plans on doing.”—AP

Financial services top traded sector this week MARKAZ WEEKLY UPDATE KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti market closed on a mixed note this week. The price index increased by 0.77 percent closing at 5907.57. The weighted index reduced 0.20 percent, closing at 399.37, while the Kuwait 15 index decreased by 0.45 percent closing at 950.22. Liquidity level decreased by 19.53 percent during the week. The market traded 1071.75 million shares with a value of KD 80.46 million.

Sector performance Financial services were the top traded sector this week, contributing 31.8 percent to the total traded value. Banks and Industrials followed with 20.5 percent

and 16.7 percent respectively. Ithmaar Bank BSC which gained 8.7 percent during the week, closing at 50 fils was the top traded stock with trading value of KD 6.67 million.

Losers, winners 143 companies were traded during the week out of which 72 closed positive, 44 were negative and 27 unchanged. National International Holding Co KSCC was the biggest gainer, increasing 33.3 percent during the week and closing at 34.0 fils. On the other side of the spectrum, Kuwait Finance and Investment Company was the biggest loser, shedding 26.7 percent to 110 fils.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

business

KSE’s sectors end week in green zone BAYAN INVESTMENT WEEKLY REPORT KUWAIT: Two of Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last week in the red zone. The price index ended last week with an increase amounted to 0.77 percent, while the weighted index decreased by 0.2 percent compared to the closings of the week before, whereas KSX-15 Index retreated by 0.45 percent. Furthermore, last week’s average daily turnover decreased by 19.53 percent, compared to the preceding week, reaching KD 16.09 million, whereas trading volume average was 214.35 million shares, recording decrease of 32.18 percent.

The last week’s performance witnessed strong presence of profit taking deals, concentrated on the small stocks which were subject to previous active buying operations. Nevertheless, the positive speculations on small stocks supported the price index, pushing it to green zone, while both of the weighted and KSX-15 indices lacked similar support as a result of the selling pressure on the leading stocks For the annual performance, the price index ended last week recording 1.61 percent annual gains compared to its closing in 2011, while the weighted index decreased by 1.54 percent, and the KSX-15 recorded 4.98 percent retreat compared to its value when it was launched. By the end of the week, the price index closed at 5,907.57 points, up by 0.77 percent from the week before closing, whereas the weighted index registered a 0.20 percent weekly loss after closing at 399.37 points. Moreover, the KSX-15 index recorded 0.45 percent weekly loss after closing at 950.22 points.

Sectors’ indices All of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the green zone except for two sectors. Last week’s highest gainer was the financial services sector, achieving 1.65 percent growth rate as its index closed at 851.69 points. Whereas, in the second place, the basic materials sector’s index closed at 930.12 points recording 1.54 percent increase.

The insurance sector came in third as its index achieved 1.27 percent growth, ending the week at 924.25 points. The real estate sector was the least growing as its index closed at 925.57 points with a 0.15 percent increase.

On the other hand, the technology sector headed the losers list as its index declined by 3.69 percent to end the week’s activity at 968.59 points. The telecommunications sector was second on the losers’ list, which index declined by 0.39 percent, closing at 936.13 points.

Sectors’ activity The financial services sector dominated total trade volume during last week with 429.35 million shares changing hands, representing 40.06

percent of the total market trading volume. The real estate sector was second in terms trading volume as the sector’s traded shares were 23.34 percent of last week’s total trading volume, with a total of 250.13 million shares. On the other hand, the financial services sector’s stocks where the highest traded in terms of value; with a turnover of KD 25.56 million or 31.77 percent of last week’s total market trading value. The banks sector took the second place as the sector’s last week turnover of KD 16.50 million represented 20.51 percent of the total market trading value.

Market capitalization KSE total market capitalization declined by 0.27 percent during last week to reach KD 27 billion, as six of KSE’s sectors recorded an increase in their respective market capitalization, whereas the other six recorded declines. The consumer services sector headed the decliners list as its

total market capitalization reached KD 707.20 million, decreasing by 4.62 percent. The technology sector was the second in terms of recorded decline with 4.06 percent decrease after the total value of its listed companies reached KD 64.55 million. The third place was for the consumer goods sector, which total market capitalization reached KD 635.49 million by the end of the week, recording a decline of 0.95 percent.

On the other hand, the real estate sector headed the growing sectors as its total market capitalization reached KD 1.39 billion, increasing by 3.76 percent. The health care sector was the second in terms of recorded growth with 2.74 percent increase after the total value of its listed companies reached KD 188.57 million. The third place was for the basic materials sector, which total market capitalization reached KD 578.07 million by the end of the week, recording an increase of 1.65 percent.

Florida’s unemployed face tough times ahead MIAMI: Times look set to get tougher for the unemployed in Florida and the grim outlook has nothing to do with Friday’s bleak US jobs report. It’s because Florida is doubling down on revised procedures, introduced last year under Republican Governor Rick Scott, that workers’ rights groups say have made it more difficult for Floridians to access unemployment benefits. The state, already saddled with what critics describe as an increasingly frayed social safety net, ranks among the stingiest in the country when it comes to providing jobless benefits for the unemployed.

The changes under Scott include an online-only application process, since the option of applying for compensation by telephone has been eliminated.

And there is also a requirement that applicants complete a 45-question online exam that tests reading, math and research skills. The US Department of Labor is investigating the changes, based on a complaint filed in May by the National Employment Law Project and Florida Legal Services.

But new rules, from the agency that runs the state’s unemployment insurance system, could soon make life even more difficult for unemployed Floridians without easy access to a computer. James Miller, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said the rules will require anyone registering for work or unemployment benefits to provide the state and their employers with an individual private e-mail address.

“Unless a claimant has a language barrier or impediment or disability preventing use of a computer, they will be required to provide an e-mail address,” Miller told Reuters. “DEO is happy to assist those with any barriers to using a computer,” he added. Valory Greenfield, an attorney for the nonprofit Florida Legal Services, said the new requirement was a red flag for advocates for the unemployed. The DEO has already been “using every method in the book to trip people up” and to actively discourage them from filing for unemployment compensation, she said.

“Not designed to help” “The idea that benefits might be contingent on providing this e-mail... and getting in touch exclusively by electronic means, is really what’s a concern to us,” Greenfield said. George

Wentworth of the National Employment Law Project also voiced concerns about growing obstacles to unemployment insurance in Florida, saying the benefits system was especially deficient for people who don’t have computers or are not computer literate.

“It seems as though it’s been designed with the specific intent of discouraging workers from accessing benefits that they’ve earned,” he said.

James Taylor, 49, an unemployed sales and executive management professional in the state capital Tallahassee, agreed that Florida’s online unemployment benefits and job search program was anything but user-friendly. He spoke in a phone interview immediately after completing a bi-weekly online check-in with the system, recently dubbed “Reemployment Assistance.”

“It doesn’t seem designed to help generate new jobs but to keep me from being able to collect my unemployment,” Taylor said. “The system is not designed to help the individual,” he said. “It’s just designed to fill a blank in any form.” Randy Brazer, an unemployed 42-year-old hospital and health care administrator based in Miami, said she too found the online benefits process cumbersome at best.

“It’s a fraudulent system,” she said.

Brazer complained she had been denied four weeks of benefit pay because of failing to meet a deadline for taking the 45-question skills test.

“It’s truly a caveat in the system to prevent people from accessing benefits,” she added, saying she did not receive any clear notice or instructions about the need to complete the test as part of her application process.

“I lost four weeks of money, that’s almost $1,000 of benefits,” Brazer said.

“They’re scamming people,” added Alba Giampino, a 45-year-old administrative assistant who recently got off employment after finding work at a hospital in Tampa. She too said she had been denied several weeks of unemployment compensation for failing to complete the skills test, without being told she could be penalized for not doing so. US Labor Department records show that just 16 percent of eligible unemployed Floridians receive state jobless benefits. That puts it in a tie with South Dakota for last place out of 50 states and the District of Colombia, which holds second place

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

BUSINESS

New trading system witnesses improvement ALSHALL WEEKLY REPORT he latest population and labor force statistics issued by the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) indicate that the total population in Kuwait scored approximately 3.807 million in the end of June 2012 the highest number ever- vis-avis 3.697 million in the end of 2011. The population census recorded a growth of about 3 percent in the first 6 months of 2012 (6 percent the expected annual rate). The highest population growth rate achieved in one year was at 11.2 percent in 1994 compared with its counterpart rate registered in the end of 1993.

After this leap, growth rates continued to decline and passed through a period of negative growth in the end of 1999 and 2000 after which they restored their rise strongly recording positive growth percent at around 4.1 percent and 4.8 percent in the end of 2001 and 2002 respectively. 5.2 percent in 2003, 8.1 percent in 2004, 8.6 percent in 2005, about 6.4 percent in 2006. 6.8 percent in 2007, 1.2 percent in the end of 2008, and then a slight increase since 2009 at 1.3 percent. The rise continued in 2010 and scored 2.8 percent. 3.2 percent in 2011 and 3 percent (6 percent on annual basis) for the first half of 2012.

The absolute increase in half a year scored 109,351 people (115.238 absolute increase for the entire 20 11). The number of Kuwaitis during the first half of this year increased by nearly 12.6 thousand, 1.1 percent growth rate (2.2 percent projected annual growth rate) making their total at 1.196 million. Kuwaitis’ percentage in the total population dropped from approximately 32 percent in the end of December 2011 to approximately 3 1.4 percent according to the last census. Females in the total Kuwaiti population outnumber males (608.9 thousand females and 586.9 thousand males). The number of nonKuwaitis in half a year increased by 96.7 thousand (3.8 percent) (7.6 percent on annual basis), putting their total number at some 2.611 million. Controlling the demographics growth both in quantity and quality is supposed to be one of the main objectives of the (development) Plan but it seems that the

T

uncontrolled fiscal policy moves in the opposite direction to the plan.

The total number of workers in Kuwait scored approximately 2.311 million (about 60.7 percent of the total population) while the percentage of Kuwaitis is about 33 percent of the total Kuwaiti population. It is noted however that non-Kuwaiti employees out of a total non-Kuwaiti population form 73.4 percent. The Kuwaiti labor force forms slightly in the total number of total workers in Kuwait from 17.5 percent in the end of 201 Ito 17.1 percent in the first half of 2012.

Number of employed Kuwaitis during the current half of the year increased by about 4.9 thousand putting their total number at 394.6 thousand, here 300.6 thousand of them (76.2 percent) are civil servants in the public sector up from 296.5 thousand in the end of 2011 and approximately 289.8 thousand in the end of the first half of last year. This means there is a Kuwaiti Government employee for every 4 Kuwaitis noting that 51 percent of the Kuwaitis are under 21 years of

age, the highest percentage in the world.

And 1.2 thousand jobs have been created for Kuwaitis in the private sector, a growth rate of 1.5 percent during half a year (3 percent projected for one year). The total number of government employees (public sector) scored about 425.5 thousand, or 11.2 percent of the population, and 70.6 percent of the workers are Kuwaitis. It is believed that the Kuwaitis unveiled unemployment has fallen to about 1 2.8 thousand workers, or 3.2 percent of total Kuwaiti workforce on 30/062012 (3.400 in the end of 2011), and none of them seems to receive unemployment sustenance.

Kuwait Stock Exchange liquidity features By the end of August, eight months of 2012 have passed with the old trading system being used during four and half months of it and three and half months were a testing for the new trading system. We are still looking for the ability of the new system to limit the unsound or unhealthy trading because it is an ailing phenomenon which is

harmful to confidence in and respect for the market trading. It inevitably reduces its liquidity in the longer than the short term. After we divided the liquidity direction movement among the top 30 companies in liquidity (from the beginning of the ear until 1005. We still believe that there is a fundamental flaw in directing the market liquidity’ or its trading value.

During the old trading system period, 19 speculative companies out of the top 30 companies in liquidity -trading value- have captured 45.7 percent of the total market liquidity while their market value scored 2.9 percent only of the market value. With the new trading system, 16 speculative companies in liquidity (out of the top 30) captured about 36.4 percent of total market liquidity and their market value scored 2 percent of the entire market value. The turnover of their stocks in three and half months scored 82 percent.

An improvement has occurred for the favor of the new trading system, whether measured by the number of speculative companies within the top 30 in liquidity companies which dropped from 19 in the old trading system to 16, or by the average turnover of the speculative companies stocks. Though the difference in timing is one full month but we do not know its impact; however, the improvement might he attributed to the speculators’ attempts to invent more penetrating methods to the new trading system hinting at a possible increase of speculation dose, or even a deliberate refrain move due to the market’s stagnation during last summer, or perhaps the one-month difference might bridge the gap to the disadvantage of the new trading system. However, one thing remains certain that the characteristics of the market liquidity still imply a chronic disease and the matter has gone beyond its automated remedy or by inviting wisdom. It now needs stringent measures before the disease turns into an acquired right.

Comparative performance of selected stock markets Performance during last August was within our expectations with continued improvement in most markets. Out of 14 markets, 12 achieved positive performance during August vis-a-vis last July. Nevertheless, the same numbers are still distributed between the positive and negative zones when we compare the level of their indexes now with their indexes in the end of 201 1, i.e. 9 markets achieved gains and 5 markets sustained losses with superiority of regional markets in occupying the negative zone.

In positive zone, the German market is still

taking the lead in gains by about 18.2 percent compared with its level in the end of 2011 adding approximately 2.9 percent in August alone and it achieved the second better performance last month. While the Dubai market remained second in achieving gains by about 14.4 percent and the Indian market retained its third position by almost 12.5 percent gains, the performance of the Saudi market was worth noting; though its ranking did not change (fourth) in terms of gains by about 11.2 percent, it added gains in August which were the highest by 3.8 percent in one month.

And 4 out of the five regional markets remained in the negative zone, including only two markets which achieved negative performance in August: the Chinese market and the Bahraini market. The Chinese market settled at the bottom of the table with losses by 6.9 percent compared with the end of 2011.

The Bahraini market came directly above it by losses of -5 percent. These two last positions were occupied by the Muscat and Qatari markets in the end of last July. Their improved performance in August improved their ranking to the 12th and 11th while the Kuwaiti market retained its 10th position with its weighted index and reduced its losses. The usual paradox remains in place: the official Kuwaiti weighted index achieved losses by 1.3 percent compared with its level in the end of 2011. The Kuwaiti market jumps to the positive zone with about 0.80 percent gain measured by its official price index as well.

Forecasting September’s performance remains difficult as the global economy is still confused and hypersensitive to any negative news; the political situation in the region is not more stable. However risks in both directions seem below their level than a few months ago. Therefore, we believe in continued cautious improvement in the performance of most markets in September and we might witness a reduction in the number of markets in the negative zone by the end of the month. Most likely the Kuwaiti market will shift to the positive zone and perhaps it might he followed by the Qatari market.

The weekly performance of KSE The performance of Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) for the last week was less active compared to the previous one where all the major indices showed a decrease as well as the general index. AlShall Index (value weighted) closed at 410.7 points at the closing of last Thursday showing a decrease of 2.9 points or about 0.7 percent compared to previous week’s closing, and a decrease of 39.5 points or about 8.8 percent compared to the end of 2011.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

BUSINESS

ABK unveils Back to School campaign KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait announces its “Back to School” campaign for the Fahoodi account. Fahoodi, a savings account specially designed for children up to 14 years is an interest bearing

Stewart Lockie account that gives assurance and confidence to your child’s future.

Stewart Lockie, General Manager of the Retail Banking Division explained “In

keeping with the Back to School excitement, Fahoodi customers will have a chance to win iPads and a MacBook Pro in the weekly draws. The promotion starts on September 9 and runs until October 14. There will be a weekly draw on 3 iPads as well as MacBook Pro in the last draw.

Lockie added, “All you have to do is to deposit KD 20 in your Fahoodi account or its multiples to increase your chances of winning. You can also open a Fahoodi account with a minimum of KD 20 to benefit from this offer. With Fahoodi, children learn the simple joy of saving at an early age and it is our task to instill good saving habits in them. Every Fahoodi account holder, 10 years or above receives an ATM card free of charge and learns to carry out simple automated transactions like withdrawal and balance inquiry. For more details please visit any ABK branch, alternatively you could also chat live with ABK’s customer service representatives on Ahli Chat.

Jazeera Airways offers special discount on fares KUWAIT: Award-winning Jazeera Airways launches yesterday an exclusive and attractive offer for Business Class travelers, with up to 30 percent discounts on fares to 13 destinations in the Middle East and Turkey. Fares are inclusive of taxes and charges, exclusive check-in counters, Business lounge access at airports, in-flight a la carte menu, and 60 kilograms in free baggage allowance.

The offer extends to October 22, and is valid for the travel period between September 16 and October 22, and is available on jazeeraairways.com for travel between Kuwait and Dubai, Amman, Jeddah, Riyadh, Bahrain, Istanbul, Cairo, Beirut, Alexandria, Sohag, Luxor, Assiut, and Sharm El Sheikh.

With Jazeera Airways’ great on-time performance, year-round competitive fares, generous baggage allowance, easy and fast check-in alternatives, high-tech mobile booking options, and on-board duty free shopping service, the airline continues to offer more value to customers than any other offering by any

airline in the Middle East.

Jazeera Airways is ranked the highest in on-time performance (OTP) in the Middle East in the month of July 2012, as measured by FlightStats, the US-based global OTP tracker. The airline’s OTP for the second quarter was 93.9 percent.

Travelers also benefit from an easy and gimmick-free frequent flier program called “Jazeerati”, available to all customers across our network and works by rewarding each customer or family with a free flight to any Jazeera Airways destination for every 10 boarding passes collected.

The airline operates a two-class cabin comprising of a Business Class and an Economy Class. The airline’s Economy Class offers travelers free baggage allowance of 40 kilograms, free on-board meals with a changing menu every month, and year-round value fares.

Jazeera Airways is an IATA-member airline and operates one of the youngest Airbus A320 fleets across the Middle East and North Africa.

Yusuf A. Alghanim & Sons launch exciting ‘Scratch & Win’ campaign KUWAIT: Yusuf A. Alghanim & Sons, the main distributor of ACDelco batteries in Kuwait, has launched a ‘Scratch & Win’ campaign on ACDelco Maintenance Free batteries. The campaign runs all summer from July 1 until October 18, 2012, and entitles customers to win exciting gifts ranging from the new iPad, Samsung Galaxy S3 mobiles, iPhone 4S, LCD TV’s, Laptops and thousands of prizes.

Samir Ibrahim Al-Zayed has won an iPhone 4S upon purchasing the ACDelco Maintenance Free battery from distributed by Yusuf A. Alghanim & Sons. ACDelco batteries from Alghanim are available at all Alghanim spare parts outlets (Shuwaikh, Sharq, Fahaheel, Canada Dry St.), and in all Bumper-to-Bumper centers (Shuwaikh, Sharq, Oxygen St, Jahra), in addition to over 500 puncture shops in all the

areas and governorates of Kuwait.

ACDelco offers a complete and comprehensive range of Maintenance Free batteries suitable for all car makes including American, Japanese, Korean, and European. ACDelco uses state-of-the-art quality processes and the best materials to ensure a long life that far exceeds that of the average battery sold in the Middle East market and are engineered especially for the hot climate of the Middle East.

Standing behind the quality of all its batteries, ACDelco also offers a 12-month international warranty throughout the Middle East. Yusuf A. Alghanim & Sons Automotive will continue to launch new initiatives to meet and exceed customers’ expectations, and reward them for their loyalty and trust in the company’s products and services.

Gulf Bank names winners of 35th Al-Danah Draw KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its 35th Al-Danah weekly draw on September 2, 2012 announcing a total number of 10 Al-Danah weekly prize draw winners, each awarded with prizes of KD 1,000.

The 35th Al-Danah Weekly Winners are: Ateya Jadaan Salem Al-Shammari; Fathiah Ahmed Abdullaif Al-Marhon; Awatif Benchekor; Andeela Shaheen Mohammed Akmal; Najah Habeb Ali AlSayegh; Abdullah Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Aradi; Beebi Hasan Haidar; Habibur Rahman Khan; Hajeia Ghareeb Mohammad Zankawi; and Alaa Sadah Khaleefah.

Gulf Bank encourages everyone in Kuwait to open an Al-Danah account and/or increase their deposits to maximize their chances of becoming a winner in the upcoming weekly (KD 1,000 each for 10 winners). Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah allows customers to win cash prizes and encourages them to save money. Chances increase the more money is deposited and the longer it is kept in the account.

Al-Danah also offers a number of unique services including the Al-Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the AlDanah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an Al-Danah winner.

To be part of the Al-Danah draws, customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 56 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer Contact Center for assistance and guidance.

Lulu Hypermarket picks winners of ‘Share the Spirit of Ramadan’ KUWAIT: Lulu Hypermarket, the largest hypermarket chain in the region and a lifestyle shopping destination of choice in Kuwait, concluded its ‘Share the Spirit of Ramadan with Samsung’ campaign, by picking winners of the popular promotion. The promotional campaign, which was held by Samsung Electronics exclusively at Lulu Hypermarket during the holy month of Ramadan, had witnessed an enthusiastic response from shoppers to the Hypermarket.

Winners of the campaign were picked through a lucky draw, held in the presence of officials from the hypermarket and Samsung Electronics. Four winners were picked from the thousands of

par ticipants who had purchased Samsung products wor th KD 15 or more, from Lulu Hypermarket during the promotion period. The four lucky winners, Sajith S, Shivakumar, S N Kumar and M Dhanapal, were awarded prizes from Samsung’s home products that included LCD television, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave and vacuum cleaner.

“Share the Spirit of Ramadan with Samsung’ campaign was part of the hypermarket ‘s community engagement program that sees the retailer regularly engaging with the community in celebrating various occasions marking social and religious festivities in the country.

Burgan Bank offers grand prize for youth account KUWAIT: Burgan Bank yesterday announced the youth account raffle draw where one winner will receive the grand prize, which consists of a free trip to London for two with a full boarding and a cash prize of KD 1,500 to shop in major stores in London. Nine other account holders will win a KD 500 voucher from Electrozan. Youth account holders are given

one chance to enter the draw for every KD 20 in the account. The raffle draw will take place on December 2012.

Burgan Bank youth account was launched for young individuals, between the ages of 15 to 25, who seek to attain a successful future.

With its new dynamic and vibrant logo, the youth account will cater to the young people

in Kuwait by empowering talented youth with creative ideas. The account is free to open with no minimum balance requirements.

Account holders can benefit from the free pre-paid card which can be used for online shopping besides the special discounts granted from selected youth merchants and retailers in Kuwait.

Hertz contract won’t hinder Enterprise’s path to growth

KUWAIT: (Center to left) Hussain Al-Sarraf, Senior Manager, Consumer Banking Group at Gulf Bank hands over the car keys to the BMW winner, Nawaf Yousef Ahmed Salem Al-Khashan.

Gulf Bank picks winner of second BMW draw KUWAIT: Gulf Bank yesterday announced the lucky winners of its second monthly draw for credit card holders, which offers them a chance to win one of the BMW cars of the 5th, 6th, 7th Series or X6 series, as well as giving 10 winners the chance to earn 100,000 loyalty points each, per month.

The draw took place on August 15, at Gulf Bank’s Head Office, where the first winner; Nawaf Yousef Ahmed Salem AlKhashan won a brand new 2012 BMW X6 vehicle, while, Jassem Mohammed Jassem Al-Naser, Hanan Abdalzez Yahya Al-Yahya, Haya Jasem Mohammed AlGhanem, Safieh Shahad Mohammed Hassan, Hamid Nazal Rajaan Al-Bathali, Shiref Jalal Fahmi Hussain, Abdulaziz Ahmed Abbas Al-Mulla, Jaafar Ali Qataya, Saleh Nasser Al-Abdulali, and Waleed Marzouq Al-Shammri each earned 100,000 loyalty points.

Aly Shalaby, Gulf Bank’s General Manager, Consumer Banking Group said: “I would like to congratulate all the winners of this competition, and we are looking forward to rewarding more of our loyal cardholders each month. In this campaign, we are offering all our cardholders an opportunity to win a range of great prizes and this is our way of thanking them for their continued trust in Gulf Bank’s services. We value our customers and we want them to continue to feel that they are getting the best and fastest banking services in Kuwait whilst also enjoying the opportunity to enter valuable draws.” Any current or prospective Gulf Bank cardholder who spends more using their credit cards locally and internationally or debit cards abroad will be eligible to enter the draw. The campaign started in June 2012, and will run through to January 14, 2013.

ST LOUIS: When Hertz in August announced its plans to acquire the Dollar and Thrifty car rental brands, the news caused hardly a ripple at the Clayton, Mo, headquarters of rival Enterprise Holdings, the world’s largest car rental company. Hertz Global Holdings’ $2.3 billion dollar deal to buy the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, subject to antitrust approval, will boost New Jersey-based company’s fleet of cars and trucks by about 17 percent, to 720,000, and solidify its place as the world’s secondlargest rental car company.

Enterprise has a fleet surpassing 1.2 million vehicles.

Hertz had long sought the carrental company, even after a failed bid to buy Dollar Thrifty in 2010. And analysts don’t expect the deal to hinder Enterprise’s ability to grow its three major car rental brands: Enterprise Rent-ACar, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car. “(Enterprise) has always done a good job differentiating themselves from the competition,” said Nima Samadi, an analyst with Santa Monica, Calif.-based business research firm IBISWorld. “Enterprise’s advantage is leveraging their existing strength - their number of locations. This won’t create a sea shift, other than it puts Hertz clearly ahead of (No 3) Avis Budget.” While Hertz picks up a long-sought-after target, Enterprise executives say they don’t plan on deviating from a long established strategy of focusing on key fundamentals customer service and giving employees training and advancement opportunities - that has led the privately held company to command a dominant position in the industry over five decades.

“We don’t really focus on com-

petitors,” said Greg Stubblefield, an executive vice president at Enterprise who oversees strategy, global sales and marketing. In his 30-year career at Enterprise, the company has succeeded best when it made its own path rather than follow industry trends, he said. Even in the face of economic head winds, Enterprise reported record revenue in its 2011 fiscal year, $14.1 billion, a 12 percent increase from 2010. “ The differentiation of our service levels will always be there,” he said. “We don’t look at

third spot with an 18.5 percent market share. Samadi said he doesn’t expect the Hertz deal to lead to higher prices for customers as the number of brands would remain the same.

“It won’t have a profound effect on pricing,” he said. “What will is growing demand, as business and leisure travel increases.”

Hertz and Enterprise have competed for customers’ business for decades. Hertz’s history renting cars dates back to 1918. With the addition of Dollar Thrifty, its combined sales would total $10.2 bil-

ST LOUIS: Jaclyn Waggoner (left) and Jason Gillespie (center) work the counter at an Enterprise Rent-A-Car office. —MCT what the industry does.” Hertz’ acquisition of Dollar Thrifty would boost Hertz’s US market share from 19 percent to 24 percent, narrowing the gap between it and Enterprise, which holds 39.3 percent of the market, according to IBISWorld. The firm doesn’t track global market share information.

The acquisition also would decrease the number of major players in the car rental business from four to three, with Avis Budget Group rounding out the

lion. Enterprise got its start in 1957 at a St. Louis car dealership with seven cars available for lease. Led by its founder, Jack Taylor, the company began renting cars five years later to people whose cars were being repaired at dealerships. In its 55-year history, the company has had just two CEOs, its founder, and his son, the current chairman and CEO, Andy Taylor. Enterprise set itself apart from competitors in its early years by building rental car branches in downtowns and neighborhoods -

markets other rental car companies ignored - and away from airports, where rivals fought aggressively for the lucrative business traveler.

That strategy paid off, and by the mid-1990s, Enterprise surpassed Hertz as the largest rental car company, based on fleet size.

“We opened locations that were very convenient to where people worked and lived,” Stubblefield said. “We made it easy to access a rental car, and we made it affordable on a consistent basis.”

Enterprise opened a branch servicing Denver International Airport passengers in 1995, marking its first airport location. The company added more locations near airports in the following decade, and increased its presence at airports significantly with its 2007 acquisition of the National and Alamo brands from Cerberus Capital Management.

The acquisition of National and Alamo strengthened Enterprise’s ability to offer diverse services and pricing for different customers. National focuses on business travelers and Alamo is geared toward vacationers who are looking for value deals.

But Hertz has been making gains in adding off-airport locations, and the addition of Dollar Thrifty - which caters to valueconscious leisure renters - to its portfolio could put pressure on Enterprise. “Hertz has the ability to attempt to move the millions of Dollar and Thrifty customers through their off-airport distribution channel,” said Neil Abrams, president of Abrams Consulting Group, consulting and research firm based in Purchase, NY. “Enterprise is clearly the leader in the off-airport space, but Hertz has grown its number of off-airport locations.” —MCT

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

Nokia struggling to compete with Apple LONDON: Many companies including Nokia and Research in Motion have been struggling to compete with Apple and manufacturers of devices running Google’s Android software. That shows in some of the earnings reports released so far for the latest quarter.

Additional mobile devices are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks. Nokia Corp., Google Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. all made announcements this week, and Apple Inc. has one next Wednesday.

Here’s a look at how makers of phones and tablet computers are doing: July 10: BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. asks disgruntled investors at a shareholders meeting for patience as it develops new devices to rival the iPhone and Android smartphones. The company reiterates a warning that the next several quarters will be challenging. It also expects to report another operating loss in the current quarter, which ends Sept. 1, as the company cuts prices to sell its older BlackBerry models.

July 19: Nokia Corp. says its net loss nearly quadrupled in the second quarter on sagging sales of smartphones, which fell 39 percent from a year ago to 10.2 million. The company’s stock jumped, however, as sales of low-end phones buoyed revenue and shipments of the new Lumia phones, which run on Windows software and will replace the older smartphone models, were not as bad as feared. In North America, sales of the Lumia phones offset declines in traditional Symbian devices.

Google Inc., which completed its purchase of Motorola Mobility during the quarter, says it saw strengths in North America with Verizon Wireless, driven by the Razr Maxx device. But it says international sales of basic cellphones and mid-tier smartphones declined.

Google reiterates that 1 million new Android devices from various phone makers are being activated each day, with more than 400 million activated worldwide.

July 24: Apple Inc. says it sold 26 million iPhones, 28 percent more than a year ago. It also sold 17 million iPads, an 84 percent increase and a quarterly record.

But average selling prices for both products were down.

July 25: LG Electronics reports a lower quarterly profit as its mobile phone division sank to a loss. Basic handset sales declined while expenses to promote its new smartphones went up. The company says profitability at the mobile communication business will not be too bad for the rest of the year with new highend mobile device launches due in North America and Japan. But it stops short of guiding investors on when the company can fully turn around its mobile business July 27: Samsung Electronics Co. reports another record-high quarterly profit as customers flocked to Galaxy smartphones. Samsung benefited as rivals including Apple had yet to release new models. The performance in mobile phones helped offset a slowdown in other consumer electronics businesses such as televisions.

IDC reports that Samsung has extended its lead over Apple in smartphones. Samsung had a market share of 33 percent in the second quarter, up from 17 percent a year ago. Apple’s fell slightly to 17 percent, from 19 percent a year ago. The drop is typical several months after the release of a new iPhone model.

Aug. 2: Sony Corp. says revenue in its mobile division more than doubled, but that’s largely because it took full ownership of Sony Mobile, once a joint venture with LM Ericsson. Had the transaction been reflected in the year-ago quarter, growth would have been about 14 percent. Sony says more people have been buying smartphones rather than the cheaper, basic phones. It’s also sold more smartphones, mostly because of strong performance of Xperia S and Xperia acro HD.

Aug. 3: Taiwan smartphone maker HTC Corp. reports a 58 percent drop in profit, its third consecutive quarterly decline as intensifying competition from Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. hurt sales. The company had hoped to win back some of its market with the launch of “HTC One” series, which offers users a better camera and music experience. But following the huge popularity of Samsung’s Galaxy handsets, the model’s key U.S. carrier, AT&T, recently slashed the prices of “HTC One” by half. HTC says the US will continue to be an important market, but that China “will be a key driving force for our future growth.” * Aug. 8: Research group IDC says the success of Samsung’s Android phones helped Google’s operating system extend its dominance in the smartphone market. There were four Android phones for every iPhone shipped in the second quarter, up from a ratio of 2.5 to 1 in the same period last year. The gains come largely at the expense of BlackBerry phones made by Research in Motion Ltd. and Symbian phones made largely by Nokia Corp. Apple’s market share dropped slightly, but the company shipped more iPhones than a year ago.

Aug. 13: Google says it’s cutting about 4,000 jobs at its Motorola Mobility cellphone business and will close or consolidate about one-third of its 90 locations. The reductions represent about 20 percent of Motorola Mobility’s 20,000 employees, and 7 percent of Google’s overall work force. Two-third of the job cuts will take place outside of the U.S., Google said. The job eliminations come three months after Google bought the once-dominant U.S. cellphone maker for $12.5 billion, chiefly with a view to using its large patent portfolio to bolster its legal defenses.

Aug. 15: Rating agency Standard and Poor’s downgrades Nokia Corp.’s long-term corporate credit rating further into junk status amid concerns over the cellphone company’s deteriorating profitability.

* Aug. 16: Samsung Electronics Co. begins selling the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet in the US, the UK and South Korea. It has a digital pen and a faster processor than the iPad, but has a lower screen resolution.

Lenovo Group Ltd. says smartphone shipments grew 44 percent for a market share of 11 percent.

Lenovo says it sold 5 million smartphones in China in the latest quarter, passing PC sales by number of units for the first time.

Aug. 23: Sony’s cellphone division says it’s cutting 1,000 jobs, or 15 percent of its global workforce, mostly in Sweden over the next two fiscal years through March 2014. Sony Mobile Communications says the job cuts are an effort to reduce costs and boost profits. They are part of Sony Corp.’s already announced plan to reduce 10,000 jobs, or 6 percent of its global workforce, by March 2013. RIM says it has begun showing its new BlackBerry smartphones to wireless carriers around the world, but the struggling company says it is still months away from starting to sell them.

Wednesday: Nokia announces two phones running the next version of Windows. Its stock falls 16 percent as investors weren’t impressed. The company didn’t reveal prices and says only that the phones will be available in the fourth quarter “in select markets.”

Motorola, under new owner Google, announces three smartphones borrowing the Razr brand, the name of the hit clamshell phone from 2004. The $99 Razr M is to be in Verizon Wireless stores in a week. Two higher-end models will come later.

Thursday: Amazon.com Inc. announces four new Kindle Fire tablet computers as it steps up competition with Apple Inc. and its iPad. Two of the models have screens nearly as large as the iPad’s, at lower prices.

Those will start shipping in November, while the smaller, 7-inch models will start selling next week. Amazon also refreshes its line of stand-alone e-readers. — AP

Cheap natural gas takes a big bite out of coal American gas revolution

BANGALORE: In this photograph taken on August 16, 2012, Northeastern Indian minority residents in Bangalore wait on the platform of a railway station to board trains bound to Guwahati following rumours of communal violence against them in the city. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warned yesterday that the use of social media to inflame ethnic tensions posed a new, dangerous challenge to the country. The Indian premier expressed concern over the use of bulk text messages and social media to spread threats and rumours that sparked an exodus of migrants fearing attacks in reprisal for recent violence in India’s remote northeast. — AFP

Machines are playing with your mind NEW YORK: It is a curious fact that the writers who have dealt with the social, economic, and political effects of the machine have neglected the most important effect of all—its profound influence on the modern mind. Anything that shapes our thoughts shapes society also; and the effects of the machine on contemporary thought must, therefore, be at least as significant as its effects on contemporary economics or industry, or the life of society in general.

Even our republican form of government is possible only because a few machines—mainly vehicles (railroads, airplanes, and motor cars) and means of communication (mails, telephone, telegraph, radio, wireless, and machinemade newspapers)—bring the minds of a continent sufficiently close so that we can live and work together. In fact, if we may trust Shakespeare, who certainly was not a product of the Machine Age, “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” If the machine really controls our thoughts, no wonder it controls all else. Consider the mental equipment of the average modern man. Most of the raw material of his thought enters his mind by way of a machine of some kind—often through the agency of several machines.

Newspapers, magazines, moving and talking pictures are the clearest examples.

All this creates an almost incalculable difference between the modern mind—the scholar’s in his study, the technologist’s in his laboratory, the engineer’s in the field, as well

as the giggling, gum-chewing shop-girl’s on her way down town in the subway—and the mind of the Eighteenth or early Nineteenth Centuries. For the first time, thanks to machinery, such a thing as a world-wide public opinion is possible.

Quite as significant as the machine-made power of the press and of mechanically reproduced art upon our minds, are the various mechanical devices developed during the last two decades for pouring ideas into our eyes and ears—movies, talkies, radio, and television.

Some of these mechanical devices probably have more effect upon the less literate levels of modern society than the printed word could ever hope to have.

The danger is that our minds may be tied down to the machine. Our art may some day be restricted (as advertising art always has been) to that capable of mechanical reproduction, our music to the requirements of radio, talkie, and phonograph ... All because we have misused the machine, or allowed it to misuse us.

If the world ever realizes that hitherto Utopian vision of a general diffusion of the good things of life—an ample assurance of food, clothing, and shelter for everyone, to which is added leisure for art, letters, pure science, and philosophy, the gorgeous playthings of the mind—it will have to look for them to the machine. That is, it will have to look to the machine for the economic basis on which these things must inevitably rest.—MCT

IOWA CITY: Supporters cheer and record videos on their phones as US President Barack Obama addresses a campaign rally at the University of Iowa on Friday. The president campaigned a day after accepting the nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. — AFP

PENNSYLVANIA: Early this summer, a simple graph from the US Energy Information Administration shocked even the most astute energy wonks. It showed that for the first time since the federal agency began keeping track, coal was no longer the dominant fuel used to generate electricity in the United States. Over the previous few months, the use of natural gas in power plants had risen so quickly that it accounted for as much electricity as coal, a far dirtier fossil fuel. (As usual, renewables such as wind and solar power flatlined near the bottom of the chart.) The milestone was just one more sign of a transformation in the energy prospects of the country—and probably the world. The sudden abundance of cheap natural gas has dramatically changed the way the United States produces and consumes energy, dwarfing the changes wrought by decades of subsidies and other incentives for the development of nonfossil fuels.

The so-called gas revolution is largely the result of advanced drilling techniques—horizontal drilling and hydrofracking—that have become more widespread over the last several years. These methods make it practical to extract huge amounts of natural gas that have long been known to exist in shale deposits around the country, most notably in the Marcellus shale that spreads for tens of millions of acres underneath much of Pennsylvania and parts of New York, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Kentucky. Experts disagree on how much recoverable gas these deposits actually hold, but by most guesses it is more than enough to supply the United States for many decades. What’s more, large deposits of shale gas have been identified in China and in spots throughout the rest of the world.

Though it’s been increasingly evident since the late 2000s how important this resource is, it’s startling how quickly and thoroughly it has altered our energy habits.

The reason has to do mainly with another statistic that the EIA carefully tracks: for much of the first half of this year, the price of natural gas hovered around $2 to $2.50 per million BTUs, far below the $13 it reached in 2008 (before the rapid expansion of drilling in the Marcellus shale). At $2.50 per million BTUs, the price of natural gas is the equivalent of around $15 per barrel for oil.

Put another way, modern natural-gas-fired power plants can now produce electricity at around four cents per kilowatt-hour. That’s cheaper than energy from new coal plants, and far less than the price of even the most efficient wind or solar power when the cost of backup systems for those intermittent sources is taken into account (see chart on facing page).

“Cheap natural gas has taken a big bite out of coal very quickly,” says David Victor, an energy expert at University of California, San Diego. “And there’s going to be a bloodbath in wind power as well.” For investors and technologists hoping to make renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, cost-competitive with fossil fuels, reaching so-called grid parity has suddenly gotten much tougher. Arguably, it’s impossible to reach with existing technologies.

Indeed, economists say it is hard to overstate how significant the sudden availability of cheap natural gas is.

“It is the largest change in our energy system since nuclear became part of the electricity grid 50 years ago.

And I don’t think we fully understand the implications,” says Michael Greenstone, an economist at MIT and director of the Hamilton Project, an economic policy initiative at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. The inexpensive and abundant natural gas has already been a tremendous boon for the economy, he says, creating jobs in gas-rich areas and providing cheaper electricity to consumers and manufacturers. But he cautions that it’s “an open question” how it will affect climate. “There are two views,” he says. “It’s a ‘blue bridge’ to a green future, or it’s the death of nuclear and renewables. I don’t think we know the answer yet.”

Burning natural gas, which is mainly methane, produces far less carbon dioxide than burning coal. UCSD’s David Victor, for one, estimates that a modern gas-fired power plant emits roughly two-fifths as much carbon as even a new coal plant. According to his calculations, the United States is saving about 400 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually in the recent switch to natural gas from coal. That’s roughly twice as much progress as the European Union has made in complying with the Kyoto Protocol through policy efforts. “There is no single event that has had as large and sustained an impact on carbon emissions as the gas revolution,” he says.

But optimism about the environmental benefits should be tempered. For one thing, utilities might return to using more coal as increased demand makes natural gas more expensive. Another concern is that extracting and transporting natural gas itself generates greenhouse gases. Dueling studies have published varied and sometimes contradictory estimates of the total emissions associated with natural-gas production, but the con-

tributing factors include the energy used in the extraction process and the fact that methane—an extremely potent greenhouse gas—is released during drilling and leaks from pipelines during transport. In fact, there are no reliable measurements of how much energy drilling for shale gas consumes or how much methane actually escapes.

In any case, it’s clear that switching from coal to natural gas will not come close to delivering the huge reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions that most scientists contend are needed by midcentury to ward off the worst effects of climate change. According to estimates by economist Henry Jacoby and his colleagues at MIT, the increased use of shale gas might lower carbon emissions somewhat in the next five to 10 years, but at best it will keep them flat through 2050. In other words, there is a short window of opportunity to begin inventing and deploying cleaner technologies. Jacoby predicts that natural-gas prices will stay relatively low over the next decade, climbing slowly to around $5 to $6 per million BTUs—still making it hard for renewables to compete.

The “real elephant sitting in the room,” Jacoby says, is that we don’t have a climate policy aimed at penalizing carbon emissions, which would provide an incentive to invest in cleaner technologies. “The benefit of renewables is simply that they don’t emit carbon dioxide,” he says.

In many ways, the impact of cheap natural gas just reinforces what has become increasingly evident over a decade of investment in renewables, particularly wind and solar power: these energy sources are still far too expensive to compete with fossil fuels if their price is based solely on the cost of energy production, and they will remain so until the technologies are significantly improved. “The push to renewables has been predicated not just on climate change but on the argument that fossil fuels would get incredibly expensive,” says Severin Borenstein, an economist and co-director of the Energy Institute at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. “That was never a good bet.” While technologies like solar have gotten cheaper, he says, techniques for extracting and exploiting fossil fuels are also improving and present a rapidly moving target.

To many economists, the obvious textbook remedy is to establish a price on carbon emissions, through

either a tax or a so-called cap-and-trade system. Various schemes for establishing such a carbon price have been proposed, but none has gained any political momentum in the United States. What’s more, a growing number of economists believe that carbon pricing alone is unlikely to spur a boom in clean energy technologies.

Borenstein, for one, says that a carbon price high enough to make existing renewables cost-competitive isn’t politically feasible. Rather, he suggests, we need more support for researching and testing cleaner energy sources—and a carbon price that’s low enough to be politically acceptable but high enough to give investors and companies an incentive to pursue new advances. “In some ways it’s a cop-out [for an economist] to say, but the reality is that scientists better come up with something,” he says.

That conclusion will be a bitter one to many advocates of existing energy alternatives. But the numbers on the competitiveness of current versions of wind and solar power are clear.

“The renewables are not yet ready for prime time,” says Greenstone, who has done extensive cost analysis of various electricity sources. Not only are gas-fired plants the cheapest source of electricity, but renewables are still far more expensive even if the costs to society of pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions are factored in.

“If we accept that as a fact, what are we going to do for electricity for the next decade or two?” he asks.

Replacing coal with natural gas can act as a “bridge” that significantly reduces carbon emissions, he adds. “Now the question is, what is at the end of the bridge? Does it really lead to the day when renewables are able to compete with fossil fuels? In the absence of pricing carbon and a substantial investment in basic research and development, that’s not very likely.”

Those who are developing alternatives need to accept the reality of abundant and cheap natural gas for the foreseeable future, and they must recognize the need for clean energy technologies that are far less expensive than those existing today. The good news is that many such technologies are in the works. The importance of inventing renewables that are truly competitive with fossil fuels remains unchanged. Cheap natural gas has simply emphasized, once again, how challenging finding the breakthroughs will be. —- MCT

ICANN opening up domains to promote competition WASHINGTON: Modern societies depend on systems of unique identifiers. If you’re a US citizen, for example, it’s vital that your Social Security number be yours alone, or somebody else could start picking up your checks after you retire. Similarly, it’s crucial that no two phones have the same number, no two neighborhoods have the same zip code, and no two products at the supermarket have the same bar code. When an address system expandssay, when the phone companies introduce a new area code-it’s almost always because the community of users has outgrown the existing scheme; it means that the old identifiers either are in short supply or aren’t specific enough.

But that’s not what’s prompting a huge expansion of Internet domains right now. As you may have heard, the relatively manageable list of “generic top-level domains” (gTLDs) that we’ve all mastered over the last couple of decades, such as .com, .net, and .org, is set to expand dramatically starting next year. You could soon find Amazon at amazon.book and Google at google.search. And there may be hundreds more new top-level domains-the proposals now under review range from .aaa to .zulu. This expansion isn’t happening because we’re running out of unique Web addresses under the existing set of gTLDs. Far from it. It’s happening because the body in charge of these things-the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN-thought it would be fun and profitable.

That may sound flip, but it’s the simplest explanation for the coming chaos. ICANN is a nonprofit organization that was created during the Clinton administration to, among other things, loosen the control that one company, Network Solutions, exercised over the domain registration process.

But now ICANN is itself a monopoly. It has the freedom to mint new gTLDs and incorporate them into the “root zone file,” the master list that matches human-readable URLs (such as www.technolo-

gyreview.com) with the numeric Internet Protocol addresses that are used to route packets between computers. And it’s employing this freedom to orchestrate the biggest land rush in the history of the Internet.

During a four-and-a-half-month application period that closed on May 30, ICANN collected more than 1,900 proposals for new gTLDs. As expected, hundreds of companies applied for gTLDs corresponding to their brand names—.aetna, .barclays, .mcdonalds, and the like. But applicants also asked for the rights to hundreds of generic terms, such as .health, .mail, .music, and .pizza. The first such domains could be activated by next spring.

ICANN says it’s opening up these domains to promote competition and choice in the domainname industry. But confusion and profiteering are the more likely results. Say you come across a URL like shoes.buy. How will you know who’s behind it?

Amazon, Google, and three other companies have applied for control of the .buy domain; whoever gets it could sell subdomains to someone else. For example, Amazon could sell footwear at ?shoes.buy and charge the Gap for the rights to shirts.buy. Or say you’re planning to visit Hungary.

Should you go to Budapest.hu, currently the city’s official site, or risk going to a new site like tourism.budapest and hope that you don’t stumble onto a phishing site in the process?

ICANN has built some limits into the program, including a seven-month objection period during which companies will be free to challenge aspiring trademark squatters. Even so, there’s a lot of money to be made now, starting with the fees that marketers, lawyers, and consultants familiar with the domain-name business have already begun to extract from big brands. Then there are the registration fees each new gTLD owner will be able to charge for access to the new domains. —MCT

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

health & science

Live your fairytale in The Dolder Grand One of the most romantic hotels of Europe ZURICH: Heralded as the fairytale castle of Switzerland, The Dolder Grand invites honeymooners to experience a magical world of romance, relaxation and ultimate pampering. Whether it is spending the day gallivanting amongst the adventurous slopes of the nearby Alps, experiencing his or her massage treatments in Dolder Grand’s spa, or delighting in the range of cultural and nightlife activities, newlyweds will be enchanted as they experience the elaborate diversity of The Dolder Grand lifestyle.

Situated between the pulsating city of Zurich and the invigorating nature, The Dolder Grand is a treasured destination for GCC residents, providing honeymooners with the ultimate romantic destination. The Dolder Grand’s Couples Getaway Package includes a guaranteed upgrade to the next category of room (valid up to Suite Deluxe), 1 night stay, room service breakfast, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries upon arrival.

Guests are also invited to indulge in a 7 course dinner at the renowned ‘The Restaurant’, boasting 17 GaultMillau points and 2 Michelin stars.

For those looking to de-stress and

India generics giant wins cancer drug patent case NEW DELHI: Indian generics giant Cipla says it has scored a “landmark” cour t win in a patent challenge launched by Switzerland’s Roche Holding over the Mumbai firm’s version of a lung-cancer drug. Delhi High Court Justice Manmohan Singh on Friday ruled that Cipla’s drug, Erlocip, did not violate the Roche patent on its anti-lung cancer medication Tarceva due to its different molecular make-up.

“It’s a landmark judgment in a patent case,” Pratibha Singh, a patent lawyer who represented Cipla, told Mint newspaper. “The court has taken all efforts to analyze claims of both parties in terms of legality and scientific evidence.”

No further details of the judgment were available. The Cipla court case was being watched worldwide as it involved interpretation of stricter drug patent protection rules introduced by India in 2005 to comply with World Trade Organization regulations. India is the world’s leading exporter and manufacturer of nonbranded medicines and medical charities have expressed concern that compliance with W TO trade rules could reduce the country’s role as a supplier of cheap medicines.

Roche’s Tarceva is priced at 140,000 rupees ($2,533) for a month’s supply,

though it has discount schemes to make the drug more affordable for poorer people, the newspaper said, while Cipla’s version is priced at 25,000 rupees.

It was not immediately known whether Roche would appeal the ruling. The decision could act as a precedent for a string of other Indian generic firms also facing patent challenges from Roche over their versions of Tarceva.

The Delhi ruling came ahead of a high-profile battle expected to start Tuesday in India’s Supreme Court over a bid from Swiss firm Novartis for patent protection for its top-selling cancer treatment drug Glivec.

The Novartis case could have significant implications for multinational drug firms, determining how much protection they will receive under India’s patent law from cheaper generic rivals.

Novartis filed in 2006 a patent application in India for Glivec, used to treat blood and gastrointestinal cancer but a lower court rejected the request, saying the drug was a new formulation of an existing product.

The Novartis’ challenge goes to the heart of India’s patent act, which says a patent cannot be granted for an old drug unless changes make it significantly more effective. — AFP

enjoy the serenity of the surrounding environment, honeymooners are invited to unwind and restore their energy at the Dolder Grand’s world renowned 4,000 square meter spa offering a 90

min Kerstin Florian couple-specific massage of choice, indulging in a stress-relieving experience.

To encapsulate this unforgettable experience, couples will be given an individual gift to reminisce this unforgettable affair! The starting price of the Dolder Grand’s Couples Getaway is CHF 1,490.00 (2 persons in a Double Room Superior) equivalent to $1,567.00 For those wishing to extend this fairy tale sojourn a little longer, The Spa Retreat at the Dolder Grand offers a 3-night splendor of beauty and relaxation, including a selection of body treatments and pedicures, as well as an Amala Firming Facial and a Bamboo Shiatsu. Couples are also invited to dine at the Garden restaurant where they will enjoy a sumptuous 3-course meal. The spectacular starting price for this luxurious package is CHF 3,630.00 (2 persons in a Double Room Deluxe) equivalent to $3,817.00

Cyber attackers grow increasingly ‘reckless’ US sees significant hacking threat NEW YORK: Other nations are increasingly employing cyber attacks without “any sense of restraint,” a top US cybersecurity official said on Friday, citing “reckless” behaviors that neither the United States nor the Soviet Union would have dared at the height of Cold War tensions. Debora Plunkett, of the secretive National Security Agency, w hose responsibilities include protecting US government computer networks, predicted that Congress would pass long-stalled cybersecurity legislation within the next year.

Lawmakers failed this summer to overcome disputes over cybersecurity regulations for private firms such as utilities.

Plunkett, head of the NSA’s Information Assurance Directorate, the agency’s cyberdefense arm, told a university audience that “we’re starting to see nation-state resources and expertise employed in what we would characterize as reckless and disruptive, destructive behaviors.”

Even during the Cold War, blocs of nations allied with the United States or with the Soviet Union worked to undermine each other, but still operated with a sense of restraint, she said. “Some of today’s national cyber actors don’t seem to be bound by any sense of restraint,” she told a forum at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University.

Officials from the Obama administration and Congress have called for stronger cyber secu-

rity, accusing China and Russia o f hacking US computer networks for economic gain, espionage and other motives.

US standing to complain about other nations’ cyber attacks has been undermined, however, by disclosures t hat Washington, along with Israel, launched sophisticated offensive cyber operations of its own against Iran to try to slow that nation’s suspected quest for a nuclear weapon. US officials have not publicly acknowledged that effort and almost never speak of US offensive capabilities in public.

When asked how large a threat hacking from China, Russia and other countries posed to the United States, Plunkett said: “Significant. I don’t know how else to describe it.”

SHARP INCREASE SEEN IN ATTACKS Plunkett’s comments from the normally tight-lipped NSA reflect a growing concern among US officials, lawmakers and agency heads about the country’s cyber security.

Security software maker Symantec Corp said on Friday that a hacker group that attacked Google Inc in 2009 - an operation later dubbed Operation Aurora - had since launched hundreds of other cyber assaults, focusing on defense companies and human rights groups. Cybersecurity experts widely believe the Google attacks originated from China. Chinese officials have denied their country is a source of cyber attacks against

Colorado girl recovers from bubonic plague DENVER: The parents of 7-year-old Sierra Jane Downing thought she had the flu when she felt sick days after camping in southwest Colorado.

It wasn’t until she had a seizure that her father knew something was seriously wrong and rushed her to a hospital in their town of Pagosa Springs.

She had a 107-degree fever, and doctors were baffled by the cause. “I didn’t know what was going on. I just reacted,” Sean Downing said. “I thought she died.” The Downings eventually learned their daughter was ill with one of the last things they would’ve thought: bubonic plague, a disease that wiped out one-third of Europe in the 14th century but is now exceedingly rare - it hasn’t been confirmed in Colorado since 2006 and treatable if caught early.

Federal health officials say they are aware of two other confirmed and one probable case of plague in the US so far this year - an average year.

The other confirmed cases were in New Mexico and Oregon, and the probable case also was in Oregon.

None were fatal. Plague is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas but also can be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, rabbits and pets. Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged that a

series of frightening illnesses linked to insects and pests have been surfacing lately across the country, including mosquito-borne West Nile virus outbreaks in Texas and other states, deadly hantavirus cases linked to Yosemite National Park, and some scattered plague cases.

But with some of the illnesses like plague - this is not an unusually bad year; it’s just getting attention.

And the number of cases of each disease is driven by different factors. “I don’t think there’s a confluence of any particular set of factors” driving the recent illness reports, said Kiersten Kugeler, a CDC epidemiologist in Colorado who tracks plague reports. In Sierra Jane’s case, a Pagosa Springs emergency room doctor who saw her late on Aug 24 called other hospitals, some of whom thought she’d be fine the next day, before the girl was flown to Denver, Sean Downing said.

There, a pediatric doctor at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children racing to save Sierra Jane’s life got the first inkling that she had bubonic plague. Dr. Jennifer Snow suspected the disease based on the girl’s symptoms, a history of where she’d been, and an online journal’s article on a teen with similar symptoms. Dr Wendi Drummond, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the hospi-

Trumping the perfect environment for those seeking an enriching experience, the nearby city of Zurich boasts a variety of activities rich in social and cultural history. Whether couples want to combine a world-class visit to the Zurich Opera House or simply take a stroll through Zurich’s quaint streets, honeymooners who choose to delight in one of the Dolder Grand’s packages will discover a world of fairytales and romance, so beautifully typical of the Swiss. For reservations please call +41 44 456 60 00 or contact reservations@thedoldergrand.com.

All the aforementioned rates and package are valid until December 2012 upon request and availability and not valid in combination with any other discounts. Get a glimpse of the Dolder Grand Experience by visiting www.thedoldergrand.com Listed in the Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List 2011” of World’s best hostels and “ World’s 50 Best New Hotels” by ForbesTraveler.com (US)

tal, agreed and ordered a specific antibiotic for Sierra Jane while tests were run, later confirming their rare diagnosis. It was the first bubonic plague case Snow and her colleagues had seen. “I credit them for thinking outside the box,” said Dr Tracy Butler, medical director of the hospital’s pediatric intensive unit.

It’s not clear why Colorado hasn’t seen another human case until now, state public health veterinarian Elisabeth Lawaczeck said. By the night of Aug. 25, Sierra Jane’s heart rate was high, her blood pressure was low, and a swollen lymph node in her left groin was so painful it hurt to undergo the ultrasound that detected the enlarged node, Snow said.

Doctors say the girl could be discharged from the hospital within a week. On Wednesday, Sierra Jane flashed a smile with two dimples as she faced reporters in a wheelchair, her pink-toed socks peeking out from the white blanket enveloping her as she held a brown teddy bear. “She’s just a fighter,” said her mother, Darcy Downing.

Darcy Downing said her daughter may have been infected by insects near a dead squirrel she wanted to bury at their campground on US Forest Service land, even though Darcy had warned her daughter to leave it alone. — AP

COLORADO: Seven-year-old Sierra Jane Downing from Pagosa Springs smiles during a news conference about her recovery from bubonic plague at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s in Denver. It is believed Downing caught the bubonic plague from burying a dead squirrel. — AP

the United States. Symantec said the group had used a technique that enabled attackers to hack into highly secured systems.

That suggested the hackers were either a large criminal group, backed by a nationstate, or a nation-state itself, Symantec said.

In July, General Keith Alexander, head of the NSA, said during an interview at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, that the number of computer attacks from hackers, criminal gangs and foreign nations on American infrastructure had increased 17-fold from 2009 to 2011. “The trend exists and we have to be prepared for it and think that it will only get worse because I believe that it will,” Plunkett said.

US lawmakers in August stalled cyber legislation that would enable companies and the government to share information about hacking and create a set of voluntary cybersecurity standards for companies in charge of critical infrastructure like energy, water and transportation. With the Nov 6 congressional and presidential elections looming, observers say cyber security will be overshadowed by issues like taxes and spending.

“I am thrilled that the conversation is happening. Am I disappointed that we’re not there? Sure ... I predict we’re going to have legislation. It will happen ... and I’m also pretty convinced that one year after it happens, we’ll think it’s not enough,” Plunkett said. — Reuters

West Nile virus outbreak kills 3 BELGRADE: Three people have died in the first ever outbreak of the West Nile virus in Serbia, in which 35 contracted the disease, health authorities said yesterday. “The infected people are aged over 50 with some chronic disease, meaning at a higher risk of getting a more severe form of the virus,” Serbia’s public health institute said in a statement on its web site.

Those killed by the mosquito-borne disease were aged between 68 and 81 and suffered from chronic heart problems, it said.

The outbreak was first reported on Tuesday, when health authorities announced that one person had died and 21 were infected by the virus. Jelena Obrenovic, an official with the public health institute, called on residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, notably by avoiding places infested with the insect and by putting mosquito screens on windows.

Authorities have announced they will spray insecticide over the weekend in a bid to reduce mosquito numbers. Earlier this week, Serbia’s Health Minister Slavica Djukic Dejanovic said there was no danger of a West Nile virus epidemic. West Nile virus can cause symptoms similar to flu, but in extreme cases can result in fever, coma and a lethal swelling of the brain tissue, known as encephalitis.

It can also cause meningitis. First discovered in Uganda in 1937, the virus is carried by birds and spread to humans by mosquitoes. There is no known cure but 80 percent of those infected do not develop any symptoms at all. The virus is responsible for more than 60 deaths in the United States so far this year. — AFP

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

he a lt h & s c ie n c e

Ex-DEA heads urge Holder oppose marijuana ballots Attorney General opposes California legalization effort LOS ANGELES: Nine former heads of the US Drug Enforcement Administration urged Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday to take a stand against possible legalization of recreational marijuana in three western states, saying silence would convey acceptance. The former officials said in a letter sent on Friday that legalization would pose a direct conflict with federal law, indicating there would be a clash between the states and the federal government on the issue.

Voters in Colorado, Washington state and Oregon are due to decide in November whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use and to regulate and tax its sale. “To continue to remain silent conveys to the American public and the global community a tacit acceptance of these dangerous initiatives,” they said in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters. A spokeswoman for Holder declined to comment on the letter. The letter is similar to one they sent Holder in 2010 urging him to oppose a recreational pot legalization ballot measure in California. It was defeated with

53.5 percent of voters rejecting it. Holder opposed the California measure before the vote, warning that US officials would enforce federal laws against marijuana in California despite any state legalization.

Kevin Sabet, a former senior adviser on marijuana issues to President Barack Obama’s administration, said he would not be surprised if Holder took that same position again. “Essentially, a state vote in favor of legalization is a moot point since federal laws would be, in (Holder’s) own words (from 2010), ‘vigorously enforced,’” Sabet said. “I can’t imagine a scenario where the Feds would sit back and do nothing.”

Obama administration officials have until now said little about the upcoming ballot measures, although the federal government has cracked down on medical cannabis dispensaries in several states by raiding them and threatening legal action.

PUBLIC SUPPORT In recent years polls have shown growing national

support for decriminalizing marijuana. In May, an Angus Reid survey showed 52 percent of those polled expressed support for legalizing pot. The poll of 1,017 respondents had a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

Gallup saw support hit 50 percent last year, the highest number the organization had ever measured on the question. In the swing state of Colorado, the marijuana measure with its potential to bring out young voters is seen as potentially influencing votes for president. Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling said earlier this year that marijuana “could be a difference maker” in the state.

The nine signatories to Friday’s letter included John Bartels, who ran the DEA from 1973 to 1975, and Karen Tandy, who was in charge from 2003 to 2007. Tom Constantine, who was in charge of the DEA from 1994 to 1999 and also signed the letter, said the former administrators hoped it would send a message to voters and alter the public debate. He said the letter had been sent so “voters would know in all fairness that no matter what they vote on in Colorado or wherever it is,

that federal law still prevails.” In response to a 2011 petition to legalize and regulate marijuana, Obama administration drug czar Gil Kerlikowske said at that time that federal officials were concerned about the drug because it was “associated with addiction, respiratory disease and cognitive impairment.”

Legalization advocates say the decades-old drug war in the United States has failed, and they compare laws against marijuana to the prohibition of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933. They argue that society would be better served if marijuana could be taxed and regulated. While no US state allows recreational use of marijuana, 17 states and the District of Columbia permit its use in medicine. “Anyone who is objective at all knows that current marijuana policy in this country is a complete disaster, with massive arrests, wasted resources, and violence in the US and especially in Mexico,” said Jill Harris, managing director of strategic initiatives for Drug Policy Action, which has poured money into legalization campaigns.—Reuters

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

WHAT’S ON

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! This summer, let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

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Greetings

Moevenpick Hotel Makkah dishes out new menu items deally part of Abraj Al-Bait complex and renowned for its dining reputation, Moevenpick Hotel Makkah introduces a host of flavorful dishes and ideas to compliment its menu of international delights. The inspiration for the new dishes really comes from our chefs, ideas and experiences, combined with our culinary techniques to help create new exciting menus.

Diners at the Moevenpick Hotel Makkah can expect a menu of high quality and variety, skilfully prepared by a team of passionate chefs.

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Shaan Rahman, melody’s new voice

Friday Family Brunch at Al-Nasim The all day dining international restaurant, that promises to present a range of exquisite dishes. Guests can relax with family and friends as they enjoy a truly fulfilling brunch.

Dates: Every Friday Price: SAR 200 including soft drinks and juices Time: 01.00pm to 3.30pm

By Sunil Cherian t school, Shaan Rahman, now the heartthrob music director through the popular Malayalam film ‘Thattathin Marayath’, went for some keyboard class in Ras Al Khaimah, where he grew up.

Back in his native Malaparambu, Kozhikode, he thought of forming a music band, a sidetrack to his career as an audio engineer. Now the sidetrack has become his profession. Shaan is busy with new films including a Kannada project.

Shaan is in Kuwait as part of TKM Engineering College, Kollam annual celebration. Yesterday evening he sang his hits along with Neelima and Poornima, two of Kuwait’s singing sensations, during the get-together of TKM family.

“My music for ‘Thattathin’ was just evolving from the time of story discussion”, Shaan said. Vineeth Sreenivasan, his longtime companion and the director of Thattathin gave no song situation or sequence for his Hindu-Muslim love story. That gave me enough space to explore, Shaan said, resulting in two melody hits Malayalam film industry has recently heard.

His music band of 2005, Desi Noise had produced two albums and had been performing in and out of India. It was during a stage show in Dubai that Shaan met Vineeth who teamed up for an album Coffee @ MG Road. Since then the industry has been watching the blooming of both the talents among many others. Thattathin is Shaan’s 4th film.

Shaan is an example of the new bunch of musicians who do not necessarily have classical music background. “Music comes from above. I’m just a channel”, Shaan said.

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Winter 2012 AMIE examination he AMIE Winter 2012 examinations will be held between Dec 01-07, 2012 as follows:

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Section A (Diploma) - December 1-4, 2012 Section A (Non-Diploma) - December 1-7, 2012 Section B - December 1-7, 2012 The last date for submission of examination application forms are given hereunder: Candidates not appeared at Summer 2012 Exam: Aug 21 - Sept 21, 2012 Candidates appeared at Summer 2012 Exam: Sept 21 - Oct 19, 2012 Candidates who intend to appear for the Winter 2012 examination must apply directly to Kolkata by filling the prescribed application form along with requisite amount of demand draft in favour of The Institution of Engineers (India), payable at Kolkata.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

Calling all Ten-pin Bowlers he Indian Bowling League (IBL) Season 3 will be held at Cozmo Entertainment, Salmiya commencing on Friday the 28th of September at 3 pm. Kindly reserve your team in advance to avoid disappointment, on a first come first serve.

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‘Leniency of Islam’ n unprecedented initiative of KTV2 (English channel) is the new program by the name ‘Leniency of Islam’ presented by Shaikh Musaad Alsane and directed by Hamid Al-Turkait.

The program is mainly meant to address the expatriates living in Kuwait. Religious questions are received through the program email qislam@tv.gov.kw and sms can be sent to97822021 and answered by the lecturer and Imam in Awqaf Ministry Shaikh Musaad Alsane - a Master Degree holder in Sharia and fiqih from Kuwait University. So don’t forget to watch the program every Friday at 1:00 pm.

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Kids Power Bites We have introduced the new healthy childrenís ëPower Bitesí menu and to celebrate this menu, guests will enjoy 25% off family room rates. In addition children under 12 eat free from the exciting new menu while dining with their parents. Our buffets are largely based around seasonality using the best available produce from the local area. Each different buffet brings the tastes of some of the worldís signature cuisines to life,

from mouth-watering Mediterranean and sizzling Indian to savory Moroccan tajines and flavorful Arabic dishes and mezzes.

The hotel also invites its guests to make the most of their stay in Makkah and proximity to the business hub Jeddah. The hotel offers a limousine service to Jeddah, with prices starting from SAR 250.

Places of interest Sadu House Al Sadu House stands on Arabian Gulf Street near the National Museum, representing one of the last preserved pre-oil era dwellings in Kuwait. Al Sadu House became a centre for Bedouin art and the sale of traditional goods In 1979. Visitors can observe Bedouin women weaving at their looms, handmaking carpets, camel bags and tent screens.

Opening hours are Saturday to Thursday from 8:00 am to 1:00 p.m and from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m daily except Friday. Admission is FREE. Science & Natural History Museum A wealth of education awaits the visitor to the Science and Natural History Museum on Abdulla Al Mubarak Street. Each gallery contains either a collection or an exhibit covering a wide range of themes.

Collections on display Include fossils, stuffed animals, skeletons, and dried flowers. There are exhibits on health, petroleum, space travel, and electronics, among others. Forming part of the National Museum complex, the wonderful, modern Planetarium In the museum complex has shows at around 18:00 daily: local children, convinced the room is spinning, clap In syncopated beats every time the accompanying music begins. A museum planetarium shows: Mornings: 1st Show: 10:00 a.m; 2nd Show: 11:00 a. m; 3rd Show: 12:00 p.m Evenings: 1st Show: 5:00 p.m; 2nd Show: 5:45 p.m; 3rd Show : 6:00 p.m. Note: Friday & Saturday no morning shows.

Admission is FREE. The Dickson House The house of the first British political agent In Kuwait is still standing. The Dickson House, located across from the dhow harbour east of Sief Palace, was originally a Kuwaiti home built in 1870, but was given to Britain to use as residential headquarters.

The compound was expanded several times over the years, but stands as an excellent example of

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Italian Pizza Break Al Dewan tea lounge, enjoying a casual yet classy ambience now serves aromatic pizzas straight from the wooden-fired oven with all your favourite toppings. Al Dewan, an eclectic spot for freshly brewed coffee, tea selections and light snacks, is the place to relax and watch the world go by.

Premium Moevenpick Ice creams Every M?venpick flavour is natural, with no artificial additives or colours - a subtle and delicate work of culinary inspiration that is sure to delight the most discerning gourmets.

Onam celebration onni Nivasi Sangamam celebrates Onam on Friday, 21st September 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm at Abbassiya United Indian School. Public meeting honored with presence of prominent dignitaries from social-cultural-political sectors, maveli, athapookalam, chendamelam, ganamela, mimicry and other cultural events will be conducted as part of the program. Ccome and enjoy! Feel the experience of traditional tastes! Have lots of fun & frenzy! rock with music!

Free Arabic course PC and all its branches is opening free Arabic language course for non Arab ladies accessible in beginners and advance levels. Class will commence in September 14. Islamic and Quran courses are also presented in different languages.

Registration is on!

Arabic Shawarama Hajar restaurant will have a daily station that serves the traditional Arabic grilled chicken shawarma, served with its condiments, salads and freshly baked pita bread.

appy birthday to Aline. May God bless you and crown all your efforts with success, Amen. Greetings from friends and well-wishers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

early Kuwaiti architectural styles.

Opening hours are from Saturday to Thursday 8:30 a.m12:30 p.m and 4:30 a.m-8:30 p.m Friday 4:30 a.m - 8:30 p.m.

Admission is FREE. Al-Qurain Museum Located in the residential suburb of Qurain, This small museum is a memorial to a cell of young Kuwaiti patriots who tried to resist arrest in February 1991.

Early In the morning, Iraqis bombarded the house for hours with machine guns, bombs and eventually a tank.

Monday to Saturday 8.30 a.m 12.30 p.m; 4.30a.m -8.30 p.m Friday morning off. Afternoon: 4.30 a.m-8.30 pm. Winter Visiting hours: 4-8.30 pm. 1st Day of Eid off.

Al Hashemi Marine Museum The World’s largest wooden dhow, owned and build by Hussein Marafie,Al Hashemi is a ‘Baghalah’ of monumental proportions. Baghalah is a large wooden cargo vessel which sailed the seas in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Constructed next to Radisson SAS Hotel, the double-decked AlHashemi II is dry-docked next to pre-oil era Kuwaiti village and marine museum containing models of extinct and modern dhows The lower deck has the grand ballroom - one of the finest in Kuwait. Al-Hashemi II has earned the distinction of being listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The museum is opened Sat. Thu. from 9 am till 5 pm. Admission is FREE. Oil Display Centre The Oil Display Centre at Kuwait is located 20 kilometers in the southern direction from main city of Kuwait. Oil display center In Kuwait is set In the Ahmadi area, which is the primary hub of Kuwait’s oil production where many oll-fields and oil wells are located. This center is a learning ground for all those who wonder how oil processing is done. It gives an opportunity to the tourists to know all about the history beginning from how oil

was explored, drilled, produced and processed In Kuwait.

The Oil Display Center Is located 20 kilometers away from Kuwait City, in the southern direction. This small center throws an insight into Kuwait’s oil business and the work of the Kuwait Oil Company, which owns it. It is definitely worth a visit.

Opening hours Sat - Wed 07:00 am -3:00 pm. It is open by appointment. KOC can also arrange for groups to tour the oil fields themselves.

Kuwait Memorial Museum Before the Iraqi invasion, the museum housed a collection that has been acclaimed by International art historians as one of the most comprehensive collection of Islamic arts. Located near the National Assembly, comprising of four buildings and a planetarium. In 1997, the Muhallab II, the replacement for the magnificent trading dhow from the 1930 that graced the front yard of the museum before it was burned by the Iraqis, was constructed on site and now is open to visitors.

Tareq Rajab Museum Tareq Rajab opened his private collection of Islamic art treasures to the general public in 1980. The Tareq Rajab Museum in Jabriya features ceramics, silver and gold jewelry, and musical instruments. It also houses one of the finest collections of old Qurans and at her Arabic manuscripts in the world. All artifacts are of Arab or Muslim origin and are labeled for easy viewing.

Visiting hours are from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturdays through Thursdays. On Fridays, the museum is open to the general public only in the mornings, with afternoons reserved for tours.

Opening hours 9:00 -12:00 noon; 4:00-7:00 pm; Ramadan open on weekdays: 09:00-12:00; noon 7:00 pm-10:00 pm; Fridays usual time.

Courtesy: Dispatches Magazine

NAFO Onam on Sept 21 National Forum Kuwait (NAFO Kuwait) will celebrate Onam 2012 with its full spirit and fervor on Friday, September 21, 2012 at the Indian Community School Auditorium from 10.00 am onwards. Indian Ambassador Satish C Mehta will be the chief guest on this happy occasion. A galaxy of eminent personalities in Kuwait is also expected to join the celebration. Starting from the floral carpet called “Athapookkalam,” NAFO family will present various cultural programs bringing back the nostalgic memories of a bygone era of prosperity, equality and righteousness under the golden reign of Mahabali. In addition, a grand sumptuous meal, the traditional ‘Onasadya’ will also be served.

Focus Kuwait 6th annual day s a part of the 6th anniversary celebrations, Forum of Cadd Users (FOCUS Kuwait), a nonpolitical, non-religious organization is set to stage a mega cultural event “Focus Fest-2012”. This mega event will be a blend of traditional and contemporary dance and musical extravaganza by renowned South Indian playback singers Jyotsna and Sudeesh. Scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, October 12, 2012, at the Al-Jeel Al-Jadeed School Auditorium, Hawally, the mega musical show, is expected to be a super-hit in Kuwait.

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Audition for ZEE Antakshari or the first time Indian Cultural Society brings you live excitement of ZEE - International antakshari in Kuwait. Audition & first round will be held in Kuwait, there after followed by semi finals in India & Grand Finale in Dubai. Complete team of Carnival films & Zee TV will be in Kuwait for the final round of selection on Friday 5th October with Jaaved Jaaferi: Celebrity Judge, Akriti Kakkar: Female Bollywood Singer & Host of Antakshari, Manish Paul: Host for Auditions, Sarfaraz Khan: Actor, Director and Producer, Michael Amin: Producer & Director Carnival films world. Musicians, Male Singer & many more for live performances.

Final audition at 10 am & music show at 7.30 pm at AIS-Hawally.

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Tulukoota Kuwait free medical checkup ulukoota Kuwait, in coordination with Indian Doctors Forum, Kuwait Medical Association, Indian Dentist Alliance in Kuwait and Kuwait Heart Foundation is conducting a Free Medical Check up & Consultation Camp on Friday, September 14, 2012 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Abbasiya (Indian Educational School, Building No 4, Block No 241, School Street, Jleeb Al-Shyoukh) from 7 am - 1 pm. The Medical Checkup & Consultation Camp is specially taking place for all the people who do not have the opportunity or facility to undergo regular medical checkups at a regular clinic. We urge people to come ahead and fill up and submit applications well before September 9 to avoid disappointments. Kindly do not miss this opportunity and come ahead to take part in our free Medical Camp.

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Tulukoota Kuwait ‘Merit Scholarship’ pplications are now being invited for “Tulukoota Kuwait Merit Cum Means Scholarship” to be awarded during Tuluparba 2012 scheduled to be held on October 11 and 12, 2012. The objective of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance and support to deserving meritorious students, to enable them to pursue their higher studies. Applications are accepted from minimum one year valid Tulukoota Kuwait member’s children studying either in the State of Kuwait or in India and scoring high grades in Xth and XIIth standard Board Examination held for Academic year 2011-2012.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

WHAT’S ON

Strong growth for US CPA exam at Mideast test sites he American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) this month marked a successful first year since the launch of the US. CPA Examination at test sites in the Middle East across Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE and Lebanon.

“Historically, there has been strong demand for the US CPA Exam in the Middle East which is one of the key reasons we selected Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates as sites to debut the exam internationally,” said Craig Mills, AICPA vice president of examinations and CPE. “We have been very pleased with the level of interest from candidates in the Middle East in the first year of the international exam and hopefully that momentum will continue to build in the coming years.”

The Uniform CPA Exam was made available to candidates in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Japan in August 2011, [1] - the first time in history it has been administered outside of the United States and its jurisdictions.

Previously, international candidates were required to travel to the US to sit for the exam.

“Obtaining the US CPA license is key to demonstrating success for accounting professionals internationally,” said Abdul Kareem Al-Zarouni, CPA, Deputy General Manager & Group Chief Audit Officer at National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

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“Having the US CPA exam offered in the Middle East has made it much easier for qualified accountants in the region to embark on their professional journey.”

In the first year, more than 2,000 candidates have sat for the Exam in the Middle East as a whole. UAE contributed the largest number of candidates, with more than 1,100 sitting for the exam at

Colleen Conrad. “Thousands of aspiring CPAs are now afforded the opportunity to become US CPAs in the same manner as candidates who reside in the United States.”

The international exam, offered in English, is the same as the US exam administered by the AICPA, NASBA, and Prometric in the United States. The

Colleen Conrad, Executive Vice President & COO, NASBA

Craig Mills, AICPA Vice President of Examinations and CPE

locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“The positive response from international exam candidates is a direct reflection of the first year’s success of the administration of the US CPA examination in international locations,” said NASBA Executive Vice President & COO

exam is available to candidates in the Middle East at test centers administered

by Prometric.

Students with international qualifications can get their credentials evaluated in order to make them eligible to appear for the CPA exams through designated

evaluators available on the NASBA website.

Most State Boards of Accountancy also offer a preliminary evaluation which indicates whether a prospective candidate possesses the eligibility to appear for the CPA exam.

Licensure requirements for international candidates are the same as for US CPA candidates. Along with passing the Uniform CPA Examination, international candidates must meet educational and experience requirements as mandated

by US state boards of accountancy.

International candidates who pass the exam also agree to obtain a certificate/license through a participating state board of accountancy with the signing of the informed consent form.

Once candidates pass the Exam, they have three years to obtain their US CPA license.

In the United States, state boards have the legal authority to award the US CPA license. Applications may be made through certain US state boards of accountancy offering eligibility for international candidates. A list of participating state boards and information about fees is posted on the NASBA website at www.nasba.org.

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.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com (VFS) immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au (Visa Office); Tel: +971 4 355 1958 (VFS) - +971 4 508 7200 (Visa Office); Fax: +971 4 355 0708 (Visa Office). In Kuwait applications can be lodged at the Australian Visa Application Centre 4B 1st Floor, Al-Banwan Building Al-Qibla Area, Ali Al-Salem Street, opposite the Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Working hours and days: 09:30 - 17:30; Sunday - Thursday.

Or visit their website www.vfs-au-gcc-com for more information. Kuwait citizens can apply for tourist visas on-line at www.immi.gov.au/e visa/e676.htm.

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EMBASSY OF ARGENTINE The Embassy of Argentina requests all Argentinean citizens in Kuwait to proceed to our official email ekuwa@mrecic.gov.ar in order to register or update contact information. The embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the embassy.

The registration process helps the Argentinean Government to contact and assist Argentineans living abroad in case of any emergency.

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EMBASSY OF BRITAIN Consular section at the British Embassy will be starting an online appointment booking system for our consular customers from Sunday, 01 July 2012. All information including how to make an appointment is now available on the embassy website. In addition, there is also a “Consular Appointment System” option under Quick links on the right hand side on the homepage, which should take you to the “Consular online booking appointment system” main page.

Please be aware that from 01 July 2012, we will no longer accept walk-in customers for legalisation, notarial services and certificates (birth, death and marriages). If you have problems accessing the system or need to make an appointment for non-notarial consular issues or have a consular emergency, please call 2259 4355/7/8 or email us on consularenquirieskuwait@fco.gov.uk. If you require consular assistance out of office hours (working hours: 0730-l430 hrs), please contact the Embassy on 2259 4320.

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Premier Goal Academy, Everton FC launch ‘football for all’ he Premier GOAL Academy in association with Everton F.C. and sponsored by Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, has launched the 2012-13 ‘Football For All’ program of coaching courses and matches for young players aged from 3-18 years at Shaab Park. Under the patronage of the British Ambassador, Frank Baker, the PGA offers the Premier League Football experience here in Kuwait with a team of fully qualified and experienced coaches, the best facilities and equipment and opportunities to compete at the highest levels.

Youngsters in the program will follow a proven coaching program - the Evertonway- that has helped develop some of the finest young players in England including Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) and Jack Rodwell (Manchester City). In addition to professional coaching from the fully qualified English FA and UEFA coaches there are regular tournaments

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and fixtures within Kuwait and Tournaments in Bahrain, Dubai, and UK for selected players. The Premier Goal Academy aims to provide opportunities for players of all ability levels to maximize their potential with a Centre of Excellence program for advanced level players. There are also courses for Girls only, Goalkeepers and Freestyle. The best coaching, top facilities and equipment at Shaab Park Goal Centre, international tournaments and tours and a partnership with Everton Football Club make this a really fantastic opportunity for youngsters in Kuwait.

Director of Football at the Premier Goal Academy, Mike Finn, has had many years coaching experience with some of England’s top teams. “The Premier Goal Academy and Everton Football Club are delighted to provide this exciting football development program here in Kuwait. We want to develop football in the community and provide opportunities for chil-

dren to become involved in high quality, well organized coaching in a safe and fun environment, learning new techniques, making friends, being active and above all enjoying football”.

Members of the Everton coaching team will be visiting Kuwait regularly to support and monitor progress in the hope that players from Kuwait will be playing in the world’s top league in the future. Selected players will also have the opportunity to play in international tournaments in addition to training with Everton FC in England.

The first six week program of the new season commences Friday 14th September at Shaab Park and registrations can be made from Sunday 9th September to Thursday 13th September at Shaab Park between 5-7pm. Course timings are flexible with sessions held throughout the weekends and Mondays to Thursdays.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St, Block 4 in Da’aiyah.

Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is closed from 12:30 to 01:00 pm for lunch break. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday.

Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca.

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EMBASSY OF FRANCE The Embassy would like to inform that starting September 2nd, 2012, visa demands for France will be handled by the outsourcing company “Capago - MENA Company”. Capago - MENA’S Call Center will be operational starting Sunday August 26 for setting appointments beginning September 2nd (+965 22270555).

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EMBASSY OF KENYA The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to inform the Kenyan community residents throughout Kuwait and the general public that the Embassy has acquired new office telephone numbers as follows: 25353982, 25353985 - Consular’s enquiries 25353987 - Fax Our Email address: info@kenyaembkuwait.com.

ACK to hold annual orientation meeting on September 10, 11 r Raghad Al-Kazemi, director of student affairs at ACK, announced that ACK will hold its annual orientation meeting for the fresh students of the first semester of academic year 2012/2013 tomorrow and Tuesday 10 - 11 September as from 9:30 am till 12:30 noon.

Dr Raghad stated that this meeting will be organized by the department of student affairs at ACK, will include an orientation summary on the applied policies and procedures at ACK .

She noted a vides will be displayed in audio vides to orient different related departments of the college, as well as a detailed explanation of the tasks of the students during their academic journey. i.e.

Academic advisory center, students achievements center and the student and ports activities center. The meeting will include the important academic procedures applied in the college on punctuality, sick leaves, the importance of dealing with the related departments and the communication in the campus.

Dr Raghad mentioned that the fresh students will be divided into groups so as to make an orientation tour all over ACK to know the scientific department in the engineering and administration programmers.

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EMBASSY OF MYANMAR Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar would like to inform the general public that the Embassy has moved its office to new location at Villa 35, Road 203, Block 2, Al-Salaam Area in South Surra. The Embassy wishes to advice Myanmar citizens and travellers to Myanmar to contact Myanmar Embassy at its new location. Tel. 25240736, 25240290, Fax: 25240749, email:myankuwait11@gmai1.com.

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TRASSK officials meet Indian Ambassador hrissur Association of Kuwait (TRASSK) office-bearers called on Indian Ambassador Satish C Mehta. TRASSK President Ajith Menon introduced the members to the ambassador. General Secretary Biju Kadavi explained about the activities that organization carried out in recent times. During the discussion Association officials raised the issue of various topics related to the life of NRIs in Kuwait. The discussion included topics related

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to Indian house maids and laborers in addition to the issues of Air India flight irregularities and sending dead bodies to India.

In his reply, the Ambassador stated that embassy staff would facilitate services to the needy in the event of a death and the embassy will utilize the Embassy Welfare Fund in sending bodies to India if required. He assured that the Embassy would provide air tickets to the needy based on

requirements. The ambassador informed that the Indians who do not have any document and are jobless can be accommodated in the shelter provided by the embassy. The Ambassador applauded the activities carried out by the Association and wished all success in its future activities.

EMBASSY OF NIGERIA The Nigerian embassy has its new office in Mishref. Block 3, Street 7, House 4. For enquires please call 25379541. Fax25387719. Email- nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk.

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EMBASSY OF UKRAINE We’d like to inform you that in response to the increasing number of our citizens who work in the state and the need for 24-hour operational telephone in case of emergency the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait has opened “hotline telephone number” - (+ 965) 972-79-206.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:45 Wild France 01:35 Animal Cops Houston 02:25 Sharkzilla 03:15 Summer Of The Shark 2 04:05 Shark Feeding Frenzy 04:55 Great Ocean Adventures 05:45 Dogs 101 06:35 Wildlife SOS International 07:00 Ned Bruha: Skunk Whisperer 07:25 Meerkat Manor 07:50 Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife 08:15 Weird Creatures With Nick Baker 09:10 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 09:35 Breed All About It 10:05 Cats 101 11:00 Crocodile Hunter 11:55 Air Jaws 12:50 Wildest Latin America 13:45 Running With Wolves 14:40 RSPCA: Have You Got What It Takes?

15:05 RSPCA: Have You Got What It Takes?

15:35 Wild Animal Orphans 16:00 Wild Animal Orphans 16:30 My Cat From Hell 17:25 Animal Planet’s Most Outrageous 18:20 Austin Stevens Adventures 19:15 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 20:10 Great Ocean Adventures 21:05 White Shark, Red Triangle 22:00 Killer Sharks: The Attacks Of Black...

22:55 Swarm Chasers 23:50 Untamed & Uncut 23:50 Animal Cops Houston 00:10 Gok’s Fashion Fix 01:00 Cash In The Attic 01:45 Cash In The Attic 02:35 Bargain Hunt 03:20 Bargain Hunt 04:05 Gok’s Fashion Fix 04:55 MasterChef Australia 05:15 MasterChef Australia 06:00 MasterChef Australia 06:50 Open House 07:20 MasterChef Australia 08:05 MasterChef Australia 08:30 MasterChef Australia 09:40 MasterChef Australia 10:10 MasterChef Australia 10:55 MasterChef Australia 11:40 MasterChef Australia 12:30 MasterChef Australia 12:55 10 Years Younger 13:45 Extreme Makeover: Edition 14:25 Extreme Makeover: Edition 15:10 DIY SOS 15:35 DIY SOS 16:00 Holmes On Homes 16:50 Baby Borrowers USA 17:30 Baby Borrowers USA 18:15 DIY SOS 18:45 Extreme Makeover: Edition 19:25 Extreme Makeover: Edition 20:10 Out Of The Frying Pan 21:00 MasterChef 21:55 MasterChef 22:45 Extreme Makeover: Edition Edition

Home Home

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00:40 First Week In 01:35 Surviving Disaster 02:30 How Do They Do It? 03:00 How It’s Made 03:25 How Do They Do It? 03:55 How It’s Made 04:20 How Do They Do It? 04:50 How It’s Made 05:15 How Do They Do It? 05:40 How It’s Made 06:05 How Do They Do It? 06:35 How It’s Made 07:00 How It’s Made 07:25 How Do They Do It? 07:50 X-Machines 08:45 Crash Course 09:10 Fifth Gear 09:40 How Do They Do It? Turbo Specials 10:30 Hillbilly Handfishin’ 11:25 River Monsters 12:20 How It’s Made 12:45 How It’s Made 13:15 How It’s Made 13:40 How It’s Made 14:10 How It’s Made 14:35 Auction Hunters 15:05 Auction Hunters 15:30 Auction Hunters 16:00 Auction Hunters 16:25 Auction Hunters 16:55 Border Security 17:20 Border Security 17:50 Border Security 18:15 Border Security 18:45 Border Security 19:10 Mythbusters 20:05 Mythbusters 21:00 Superhuman Showdown 21:55 Protecting Washington DC 22:50 Robson Green’s Extreme Fishing Challenge 23:45 Robson Green’s Extreme Fishing Challenge 23:20 Surviving Disaster 00:05 00:35 01:00 01:25 02:15 02:45 03:35 04:25 05:15 06:05 07:00 07:50 08:40 08:43 09:10 09:40 10:30 11:20 11:45 12:10 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:50 14:45 15:35 16:00

Things That Move Bang Goes The Theory Bang Goes The Theory Speed Junkie Things That Move Sport Science Sport Science Sport Science Sport Science Sport Science Prophets Of Science Fiction Weird Or What?

Head Rush Stunt Junkies Stunt Junkies Man Made Marvels Asia Speed Junkie Tech Toys 360 Tech Toys 360 Bang Goes The Theory Bang Goes The Theory Things That Move Things That Move Race To Mars Meteorite Men Patent Bending Patent Bending

16:25 16:28 16:55 17:25 18:15 18:40 19:05 19:30 20:20 20:45 21:10 21:35 22:00 22:50 23:15 23:40

Head Rush The Tech Show The Tech Show Meteorite Men Things That Move Bang Goes The Theory Bang Goes The Theory Brave New World Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Things That Move Things That Move Brave New World Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Stuck With Hackett

20:20 Bang Goes The Theory 00:15 Little Einsteins 00:40 Jungle Junction 00:55 Jungle Junction 01:10 Little Einsteins 01:33 Special Agent Oso 02:00 Lazytown 02:25 Little Einsteins 02:50 Jungle Junction 03:05 Jungle Junction 03:20 Little Einsteins 03:44 Special Agent Oso 04:10 Lazytown 04:35 Little Einsteins 05:00 Jungle Junction 05:15 Jungle Junction 05:30 Little Einsteins 05:50 Special Agent Oso 06:00 Special Agent Oso 06:15 Jungle Junction 06:30 Jungle Junction 06:45 Handy Manny 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:15 Jungle Junction 07:30 Little Einsteins 07:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 08:20 Imagination Movers 08:45 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 08:55 Lazytown 09:20 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 09:30 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 09:45 Engine Nine, Feelin Fine!

09:55 Engine Nine, Feelin Fine!

10:05 The Hive 10:15 Mouk 10:30 Handy Manny 10:45 Art Attack 11:10 101 Dalmatians 11:35 101 Dalmatians 12:05 101 Dalmatians 12:15 101 Dalmatians 12:30 Jungle Junction 12:45 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 13:00 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 13:15 Engine Nine, Feelin Fine!

13:25 Engine Nine, Feelin Fine!

13:40 Mouk 13:50 Art Attack 14:15 Imagination Movers 14:40 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 15:05 The Hive 15:20 Mouk 15:35 Handy Manny 15:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:05 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:20 Engine Nine, Feelin Fine!

16:35 Engine Nine, Feelin Fine!

16:45 Art Attack 17:10 Lazytown 17:40 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 18:05 Mouk 18:20 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 18:35 The Adventures Of Disney Fairies 19:00 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 19:05 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:25 101 Dalmatians 19:40 Mouk 19:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 20:05 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 20:20 Engine Nine, Feelin Fine!

20:30 Engine Nine, Feelin Fine!

20:45 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 20:50 A Poem Is...

20:55 Animated Stories 21:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 21:25 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 21:40 Special Agent Oso 21:55 Little Einsteins 22:20 Timmy Time 22:30 Jungle Junction 22:45 Handy Manny 22:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:20 Special Agent Oso 23:35 Special Agent Oso 23:50 Lazytown Lazytown23:50 Lazytn 00:25 01:20 02:15 Ride 02:40 Ride 03:10 03:35 04:05 04:30 05:00 05:55 07:00 07:25 07:55 08:20 08:50 09:15 09:45 10:40 11:35 12:00 12:30 12:55 13:25 13:50 14:20 14:45 15:15 16:10 17:05 18:00 18:25 18:55 19:20 19:50 20:15 20:45 Ride 21:10 Ride 21:40 22:35 23:30

TNA: Greatest Matches M1 Selection 2010 Pinks: Lose The Race, Lose Your Pinks: Lose The Race, Lose Your Ed’s Up Ed’s Up Ed’s Up Ed’s Up Summer Dew Tour 2011 Summer Dew Tour 2011 The Alli Show The Alli Show The Alli Show Alli Presents The Alli Show The Alli Show Summer Dew Tour 2011 Summer Dew Tour 2011 Tread BMX Tread BMX The Alli Show The Alli Show The Alli Show Alli Presents The Alli Show The Alli Show Alpine Adventurer Alpine Adventurer Fight Girls Ed’s Up Ed’s Up Ed’s Up Ed’s Up Featured Featured Pinks: Lose The Race, Lose Your Pinks: Lose The Race, Lose Your Stylemasters Trulli Love Core

00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:55 Outrageous Food 01:20 Outrageous Food 01:45 Chopped 02:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 Guy’s Big Bite 04:40 Outrageous Food 05:05 Unique Eats 05:30 Chopped 06:10 Barefoot Contessa 06:35 Barefoot Contessa 07:00 Iron Chef America 07:50 Barefoot Contessa 08:15 Barefoot Contessa 08:40 Paula’s Best Dishes 09:05 Paula’s Best Dishes 09:30 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 09:55 Cooking For Real 10:20 Cooking For Real 10:45 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 11:10 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 11:35 Hungry Girl 12:00 Chopped 12:50 Guy’s Big Bite 13:15 Cooking For Real 13:40 Barefoot Contessa 14:05 Barefoot Contessa 14:30 Kid In A Candy Store 14:55 Kid In A Candy Store 15:20 Unique Sweets 15:45 Staten Island Cakes 16:35 Barefoot Contessa 17:00 Barefoot Contessa 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:15 Guy’s Big Bite 18:40 Unique Sweets 19:05 Unique Sweets 19:30 Chopped 20:20 Iron Chef America 21:10 Food Network Challenge 22:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:50 Unwrapped 23:15 Unwrapped 23:40 Guy’s Big Bite 23:40 Guy’s Big Bite 00:30 01:20 02:05 02:55 03:45 04:30 05:20 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 09:55 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:50 13:40 14:30 14:55 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:05 19:55 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:15 23:40

00:00 00:30 01:00 Planet 01:30 Planet 02:00 02:30 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 05:00 Planet 05:30 Planet 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 Planet 13:30 Planet 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 Planet 19:30 Planet 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00 23:30

A Haunting The Haunted Ghost Lab A Haunting A Haunting On The Case With Paula Zahn Mystery Diagnosis Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Forensic Detectives Undercover Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Stalked: Someone’s Watching Nightmare Next Door Couples Who Kill Evil, I Evil, I Stalked: Someone’s Watching Stalked: Someone’s Watching Scorned: Crimes Of Passion

The Best Job In The World The Best Job In The World Food Lover’s Guide To The Food Lover’s Guide To The Kimchi Chronicles Kimchi Chronicles Wheel2Wheel Wheel2Wheel Danger Beach Danger Beach Food Lover’s Guide To The Food Lover’s Guide To The Kimchi Chronicles Kimchi Chronicles First Ascent The Ride: Alaska To Patagonia Danger Beach Danger Beach Long Way Down On Surfari On Surfari Treks In A Wild World Food School Food School Food Lover’s Guide To The Food Lover’s Guide To The Kimchi Chronicles Kimchi Chronicles Wheel2Wheel Wheel2Wheel Danger Beach Danger Beach City Chase Marrakech The Best Job In The World Market Values Food Lover’s Guide To The Food Lover’s Guide To The Departures Travel Oz Travel Oz Don’t Tell My Mother On The Camino De Santiago The Best Job In The World

23:00 Naked Science 00:00 01:00 01:55 02:50 03:45 04:40 05:35 06:00 06:30 07:25 08:20 09:15

Python Hunters Caught In The Act Hooked Freaks & Creeps Africa’s Deadliest Caught In The Act Wild Chronicles Wild Chronicles Animal Fugitives Animal Fugitives Python Hunters Secrets Of The King Cobra

10:10 War Elephants 11:05 Hyena Queen 12:00 The Living Edens 13:00 Lion Army 14:00 Animal Autopsy (AKA Inside Nature’s Giants) 15:00 War Elephants 16:00 Maneater Manhunt 17:00 Caught In The Act 18:00 Spine Chillers: Vampire Bats 19:00 Monster Fish 20:00 Lion Army 21:00 Animal Autopsy (AKA Inside Nature’s Giants) 22:00 War Elephants 23:00 Maneater Manhunt 23:00 Hunter Hunted 00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 07:30 09:15 11:15 13:45 15:30 17:30 20:00 22:00 20:00 22:00

Open Graves-18 Child’s Play 2-18 Metro-PG15 Smoke Screen-PG15 Fantastic Four-PG15 Twins Mission-PG15 Kingdom Of Heaven-PG15 Fantastic Four-PG15 Rocky II-PG15 Kingdom Of Heaven-PG15 Child’s Play 3-18 The Perfect Host-PG15 Fighting-PG15 Homecoming-18

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 02:30 Hot In Cleveland 03:00 Man Up! 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:30 Man Up! 09:30 The Simpsons 10:00 The Office 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 14:30 The Office 15:00 The Simpsons 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:30 Last Man Standing 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 The Office 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 23:00 Hot In Cleveland

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:00

Warehouse 13 C.S.I. New York C.S.I. Miami Greek C.S.I. Miami Drop Dead Diva Warehouse 13 Emmerdale Coronation Street Private Practice C.S.I. New York C.S.I. Drop Dead Diva Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Private Practice Warehouse 13 Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Private Practice Drop Dead Diva Switched At Birth Burn Notice True Blood Greek Greek

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:15 09:00 11:15 13:30 15:15 17:30 19:15 21:00 23:00 23:00

Tupac: Resurrection-18 Metro-PG15 Hidalgo-PG15 Salt-PG15 In The Line Of Fire-PG15 Hidalgo-PG15 Wild Bill-PG15 In The Line Of Fire-PG15 Hackers-PG15 The Transporter-PG15 The Thaw-PG15 Wake Wood-PG15 The Speak-18 Luste

00:00 The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who...18 02:00 Made In Dagenham-PG15 04:00 The Lightkeepers-PG15 06:00 Snow Dogs-PG 08:00 How The Grinch Stole Christmas-PG 10:00 Letters To Juliet-PG15 12:00 Sgt. Bilko-PG 14:00 Last Holiday-PG15 16:00 Letters To Juliet-PG15 18:00 My Last Five Girlfriends-PG15 20:00 Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son-PG15 22:00 The Royal Tenenbaums-18

01:00 2:22-18 03:00 American History X-18 05:00 The LXD: The Uprising BeginsPG15 07:00 The LXD: Secrets Of The RaPG15 09:00 Miles From Nowhere-PG15 11:00 Country Strong-PG15 13:15 9-PG 14:45 Miles From Nowhere-PG15 16:45 Soapdish-PG 18:45 Arlington Road-PG15 21:00 Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind-18 23:00 The Chamber-18 23:30 Square Grouper-18 00:00 Walk The Line-PG15 02:30 Muhammad And Larry-PG15 03:30 Restless-PG15 05:15 Ice Age-FAM 07:00 Diary Of A Wimpy Kid-PG 09:00 Mr. Popper’s Penguins-PG 11:00 Lego: The Adventures Of Clutch Powers-FAM 12:30 Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon-PG15 15:15 Oranges And Sunshine-PG15 17:00 Mr. Popper’s Penguins-PG 19:00 127 Hours-PG15 21:00 Sucker Punch-PG15 23:00 Certain Prey-PG15

KNCC PROGRAM FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (06/09/2012 TO 12/09/2012) SHARQIA-1 THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN SUN+TUE+WED THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THU+FRI+SAT+MON GRABBERS (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY(2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED SHARQIA-2 BRAVE (3D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 4:00 PM 3:15 PM 6:00PM 8:00 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

SHARQIA-3 THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) 2:00 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 4:15 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 6:30 PM THE EXPENDABLES (2D-Digital) 9:45 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 12:05 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED MUHALAB-1 TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

MUHALAB-2 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 12:30 PM GRABBERS (2D-Digital) 3:45 PM LAWLESS (2D-Digital) 5:45 PM GRABBERS (2D-Digital) 8:00 PM LAWLESS (2D-Digital) 10:00 PM GRABBERS (2D-Digital) 12:30 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED MUHALAB-3 TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 2:00 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 4:00 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 6:00 PM STOLEN (2D-Digital) 8:30 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 10:30 PM STOLEN (2D-Digital) 12:45 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-1 TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

FANAR-2 GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 11:45 PM

FANAR-3 Ek Tha Tiger (Hindi) (2D-Digital) INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN Ek Tha Tiger (Hindi) (2D-Digital) Ek Tha Tiger (Hindi) (2D-Digital) INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

FANAR-4 TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-5 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES THE EXPENDABLES 2 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 3 THE EXPENDABLES 2 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

MARINA-1 THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) 1:15 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 4:00 PM TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) 7:15 PM THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) 9:30 PM TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) 12:15 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED MARINA-2 GRABBERS (2D-Digital) THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

MARINA-3 BRAVE (3D-Digital) 12:30 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 2:30 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 4:30 PM STOLEN (2D-Digital) 6:30 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 8:30 PM STOLEN (2D-Digital) 10:45 PM STOLEN (2D-Digital) 12:45 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-1 GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-2 TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-3 LAWLESS (2D-Digital)

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM 11:30 PM

2:15 PM 4:45 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

12:30 PM

LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:45 PM 5:15 PM 7:45 PM 10:15 PM 1:00 AM

AVENUES-4 LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:15 PM 7:45 PM 10:15 PM 1:00 AM

AVENUES-5 STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-6 STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-7 THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) Ek Tha Tiger (Hindi) (2D-Digital) INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 AM 12:30

AVENUES-8 BRAVE (2D-Digital) 1:00 PM BRAVE (2D-Digital) 3:30 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 5:45 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 9:00 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 12:15 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-9 TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 2:15 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 4:30 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 6:30 PM THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) 8:45 PM THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) 11:00 PM THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) 1:15 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-10 THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-11 TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

360 º- 1 THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) THE EXPENDABLES 2(2D-Digital) THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) THE EXPENDABLES 2(2D-Digital) THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

360º- 2 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 1:30 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 4:45 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 8:00 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 11:15 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 360 º- 3 TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 12:45 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 3:00 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 5:15 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 7:30 PM NO FRI (07/09/2012) Special Show “BRAVE (2D-Digital)” for Oil Kuwait Tanker Co. 7:30 PM FRI (07/09/2012) JUST CRAZY ENOUGH (2D-Digital) 9:45 PM JUST CRAZY ENOUGH (2D-Digital) 12:05 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED 360º- 4 THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:15 PM 6:00 PM 8:45 PM 11:30 PM

360 º- 5 BRAVE (3D-Digital) BRAVE (3D-Digital) BRAVE (3D-Digital) BRAVE (3D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:15 AM

360 º- 6 TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 11:15 PM

360 º- 7 GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED 360 º- 8 STOLEN (2D-Digital)

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

12:30 PM

STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

360 º- 9(VIP-1) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

360 º-10 (VIP-2) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 11:30 PM

360 º- 11 LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 11:30 PM

360 º- 12 TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 12:45 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 3:00 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 5:15 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 7:30 PM NO FRI (07/09/2012) Special Show “BRAVE (2D-Digital)” for Oil Kuwait Tanker Co. 7:30 PM FRI (07/09/2012) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 9:45 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 12:05 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED 360 º- 13 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-IMAX) THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-IMAX) THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-IMAX) THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-IMAX) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:30 PM 5:45 PM 9:00 PM 12:15 AM

360 º- 14 INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

360 º- 15 JUST CRAZY ENOUGH (2D-Digital) THU+FRI+SAT EK THA TIGER (Hindi)(2D-Digital) JUST CRAZY ENOUGH (2D-Digital) EK THA TIGER (Hindi)(2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM 11:30 PM

AL-KOUT.1 TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

AL-KOUT.2 LAWLESS (2D-Digital) BRAVE (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) LAWLESS (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

AL-KOUT.3 GRABBERS (2D-Digital) 1:30 PM GRABBERS (2D-Digital) 3:30 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 5:30 PM GRABBERS (2D-Digital) 8:45 PM GRABBERS (2D-Digital) 10:45 PM GRABBERS (2D-Digital) 12:45 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED AL-KOUT.4 THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN THE EXPENDABLES 2 2D-Digital) INTERVIEW WITH A HITMAN THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) THE DARK KNIGHT RISES NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

BAIRAQ-1 TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 12:30 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 2:30 PM TINKER BELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS 4:30 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 6:30 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 8:45 PM TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) 11:00 PM THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) 1:15 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED BAIRAQ-2 THE BOURNE LEGACY 2D-Digital) 1:30 PM THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2D-Digital) 4:15 PM THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) 7:30 PM THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2D-Digital) 10:15 PM TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) 12:30 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED BAIRAQ-3 STOLEN (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) GRABBERS (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 11:45 PM

PLAZA BRAVE (3D-Digital) TOTAL RECALL (2D-Digital) THE BOURNE LEGACY (2D-Digital) THE EXPENDABLES 2 2D-Digital)

3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 11:00 PM

LAILA THE BOURNE LEGACY THE EXPENDABLES 2 TOTAL RECALL THE BOURNE LEGACY

3:30 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 0:45 PM

AJIAL.1

Classifieds SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines JZR QTR JZR KAC AEE ETH RJA KAC GFA UAE ETD THY KAC FDB MSR RBG QTR KAC IYE THY KAC JZR CLX DHX JZR JZR KAC BAW KAC KAC IRA FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR FDB IRA ETD GFA IRC UAE MEA JZR MSR MSC JZR JZR KAC MSR SYR KAC GFA KAC FDB KNE KAC JZR QTR SVA RJA JZR QTR JZR ETD KAC UAE UAL GFA SVA JZR JZR ABY KAC KAC QTR KAC KAC FDB MSR MSC JZR KAC KAC KAC JAI KAC AXB FDB OMA MEA QTR GFA KAC JZR ALK KLM JZR UAE KAC ETD ABY QTR LMU JZR AIC FDB GFA UAL JZR DLH MSR THY JAI PIA

Arrival Flights on Sunday 9/9/2012 Flt Route 185 DUBAI 148 DOHA 267 BEIRUT 1546 CAIRO 998 ATHENS 620 ADDIS ABABA 642 AMMAN 108 GENEVA 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 768 ISTANBUL 1542 CAIRO 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 3553 ALEXANDRIA 138 DOHA 544 CAIRO 8250 SANAA 770 ISTANBUL 154 ISTANBUL 1541 CAIRO 792 LUXEMBOURG 170 BAHRAIN 505 LUXOR 555 ALEXANDRIA 412 MANILA 157 LONDON 206 ISLAMABAD 382 DELHI 615 SHAHRE KORD 53 DUBAI 302 MUMBAI 332 TRIVANDRUM 352 COCHIN 284 DHAKA 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 55 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 301 ABU DHABI 213 BAHRAIN 6801 AHWAZ 871 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 165 DUBAI 618 ALEXANDRIA 401 ALEXANDRIA 561 SOHAG 201 DAMASCUS 742 DAMMAM 610 CAIRO 341 DAMASCUS 672 DUBAI 219 BAHRAIN 774 RIYADH 57 DUBAI 472 JEDDAH 538 SOHAG 535 CAIRO 140 DOHA 500 JEDDAH 640 AMMAN 257 BEIRUT 134 DOHA 563 SOHAG 303 ABU DHABI 1802 CAIRO 857 DUBAI 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 177 DUBAI 777 JEDDAH 127 SHARJAH 502 BEIRUT 542 CAIRO 144 DOHA 786 JEDDAH 166 PARIS 63 DUBAI 624 SOHAG 405 SOHAG 787 RIYADH 618 DOHA 674 DUBAI 102 NEW YORK 572 MUMBAI 562 AMMAN 389 KOZHIKODE 61 DUBAI 647 MUSCAT 402 BEIRUT 146 DOHA 221 BAHRAIN 514 TEHRAN 481 SABIHA 229 COLOMBO 417 AMSTERDAM 135 BAHRAIN 859 DUBAI 172 FRANKFURT 307 ABU DHABI 129 SHARJAH 136 DOHA 1109 ALEXANDRIA 539 CAIRO 981 CHENNAI 59 DUBAI 217 BAHRAIN 981 BAHRAIN 239 AMMAN 636 FRANKFURT 614 CAIRO 772 ISTANBUL 574 MUMBAI 205 LAHORE

Time 00:15 00:20 00:50 01:00 01:30 01:45 02:10 02:15 02:20 02:25 02:30 02:50 03:05 03:10 03:20 03:20 03:25 04:10 04:20 04:35 04:55 04:55 04:55 05:00 05:55 06:00 06:15 06:30 07:15 07:30 07:35 07:45 07:50 07:55 08:05 08:15 08:25 08:30 09:00 09:20 09:25 09:30 10:00 10:15 10:45 10:55 11:05 11:25 12:00 12:25 12:30 13:25 13:30 13:35 13:40 13:40 13:45 13:45 14:15 14:20 14:20 14:25 14:30 14:55 15:00 15:15 15:30 16:35 16:40 16:55 17:10 17:20 17:20 17:30 17:40 17:45 18:00 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:40 18:45 18:55 19:00 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:35 19:35 19:50 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:25 20:35 20:55 20:55 20:55 21:05 21:15 21:15 21:25 21:25 21:30 21:35 22:00 22:10 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:55 23:10 23:35 23:40 23:50 23:55

Airlines AIC FDB UAL DLH MSR DHX JAI THY AEE ETH THY UAE FDB RBG ETD MSR QTR IYE QTR JZR RJA JZR JZR GFA THY JZR KAC CLX BAW FDB IRA KAC JZR JZR ABY KAC UAE QTR KAC KAC FDB ETD IRA KAC KAC GFA IRC KAC MEA KAC JZR UAE MSR KAC MSC KAC JZR JZR GFA FDB MSR SYR KAC KAC JZR KNE SVA KAC JZR RJA QTR KAC ETD JZR QTR UAE GFA JZR ABY UAL SVA JZR QTR FDB MSR MSC JZR KAC JAI FDB KAC KAC OMA MEA KAC GFA JZR DHX ALK KLM JZR ABY ETD UAE KAC QTR KAC KAC JZR LMU QTR AXB FDB GFA KAC KAC KAC

Depature Flights on Sunday 9/9/2012 Flt Route 976 GOA 52 DUBAI 981 WASHINGTON 637 FRANKFURT 615 CAIRO 373 BAHRAIN 573 MUMBAI 773 ISTANBUL 999 ATHENS 621 ADDIS ABABA 769 ISTANBUL 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 3554 ALEXANDRIA 306 ABU DHABI 613 CAIRO 139 DOHA 8250 SANAA 149 DOHA 560 SOHAG 643 AMMAN 164 DUBAI 200 DAMASCUS 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 534 CAIRO 537 SOHAG 792 GIALAM 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 614 SHAHRE-KORD 171 FRANKFURT 256 BEIRUT 562 SOHAG 126 SHARJAH 671 DUBAI 856 DUBAI 133 DOHA 117 NEW YORK 1801 CAIRO 56 DUBAI 302 ABU DHABI 602 SHIRAZ 741 DAMMAM 773 RIYADH 214 BAHRAIN 6802 AHWAZ 541 CAIRO 405 BEIRUT 501 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 872 DUBAI 623 SOHAG 103 LONDON 406 SOHAG 785 JEDDAH 480 ISTANBUL 176 DUBAI 220 BAHRAIN 58 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 342 DAMASCUS 561 AMMAN 673 DUBAI 538 CAIRO 473 JEDDAH 503 MADINAH 617 DOHA 786 RIYADH 641 AMMAN 135 DOHA 513 TEHRAN 304 ABU DHABI 238 AMMAN 141 DOHA 858 DUBAI 216 BAHRAIN 134 BAHRAIN 128 SHARJAH 982 BAHRAIN 511 RIYADH 266 BEIRUT 145 DOHA 64 DUBAI 621 ALEXANDRIA 402 ALEXANDRIA 184 DUBAI 361 COLOMBO 571 MUMBAI 62 DUBAI 283 DHAKA 351 KOCHI 648 MUSCAT 403 BEIRUT 543 CAIRO 222 BAHRAIN 502 LUXOR 171 BAHRAIN 230 COLOMBO 417 DAMMAM 1540 CAIRO 120 SHARJAH 308 ABU DHABI 860 DUBAI 343 CHENNAI 137 DOHA 301 MUMBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 554 ALEXANDRIA 1110 ALEXANDRIA 147 DOHA 390 MANGALORE 60 DUBAI 218 BAHRAIN 411 BANGKOK 411D BANGKOK 415 KUALA LUMPUR

Time 00:05 00:10 00:25 00:30 00:35 00:40 00:50 02:15 02:30 02:45 03:40 03:45 03:50 04:00 04:05 04:20 04:50 05:20 05:40 06:00 06:50 06:55 07:00 07:05 07:10 07:30 08:05 08:15 08:25 08:25 08:35 08:55 09:00 09:05 09:05 09:20 09:40 10:00 10:00 10:05 10:05 10:15 10:25 10:25 10:25 10:45 11:15 11:30 11:55 12:00 12:15 12:20 12:25 12:30 13:00 13:10 13:15 13:20 14:25 14:25 14:30 14:35 14:40 15:05 15:10 15:15 15:45 15:45 15:50 15:50 16:15 16:25 17:20 17:30 17:45 18:05 18:20 18:20 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:50 19:20 19:25 19:55 20:00 20:05 20:20 20:35 20:40 20:45 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:45 21:50 21:55 22:05 22:05 22:10 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:10 23:15 23:30 23:40 23:40 23:50

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation, one room, is available at Amman street, Salmiya, near Al-Rashid hospital for a decent Indian working lady. For more details contact: 99307471, 99315825.

(C 4128) 9-9-2012 Sharing accommodation available in Mahboula for non-smoking Keralites.

Contact: 66725394.

(C 4127) 6-9-2012 Available one bedroom for an Indian executive bachelor in a 2 B/R, 2 bathroom CA/C apartment /new building across Salmiya Garden

block 10 from 1st September to stay with a couple, the person should be non-smoking with clean habits. Contact: 25653928 / 66015253. (C 4123) Fully furnished flat for rent for 3 to 4 months near Indian Public School, Salmiya. Good location.

Contact: 50166063.

(C 4124) 3-9-2012 A room available in a furnished two bedroom flat in Salmiya for a working class single lady- close to the bus stop. Please call 99702658 Required one room in a decent accommodation for one mature person in Khaitan/ Far waniya/ Omeria. Call 66773840.

(C 4120)

CHANGE OF NAME I, Bino Mathavath George, Passport No: Z2111118, Mathavath House P.O. Veerpad Kallara, Kannur Dt. Kerala do hereby declare that my daughter’s given name as ELIANE SHARON BINO (bearing Passport No: J0976424 issued at Kuwait) shall henceforth be known as ELAINE BINO MATHAVATH. (C 4126) SITUATION VACANT Driver for a Kuwaiti family, must he having driving license and transferable residence and knows the areas of Kuwait.

Contact; 99401126. (C 4125)

MATRIMONIAL Inviting marriage proposal for qualified Muslim girl 26, staying with family in Kuwait from groom living in Kuwait or family from Mumbai, Maharashtra. Email: marouf@yahoo.com (C 4129) 9-9-2012

Prayer timings Fajr:

04:09

Duhr:

11:45

Asr:

15:17

Maghrib:

18:01

Isha:

19:18

GOVERNMENT WEB SITES Kuwait Parliament www.majlesalommah.net

The Public Institution for Social Security www.pifss.gov.kw

Ministry of Interior www.moi.gov.kw

Public Authority of Industry www.pai.gov.kw

Public Authority for Civil Information www.paci.gov.kw

Prisoners of War Committee www.pows.org.kw

Kuwait News Agency www.kuna.net.kw

Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.mofa.gov.kw

Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affair www.islam.gov.kw

Kuwait Municipality www.municipality.gov.kw

Ministry of Energy (Oil) www.moo.gov.kw

Kuwait Electronic Government www.e.gov.kw

Ministry of Energy (Electricity and Water) www.energy.govt.kw

Ministry of Finance www.mof.gov.kw

Public Authority for Housing Welfare www.housing.gov.kw

Ministry of Commerce and Industry www.moci.gov.kw

Ministry of Justice www.moj.gov.kw

Ministry of Education www.moe.edu.kw

Ministry of Communications www.moc.kw

Ministry of Information www.moinfo.gov.kw

Supreme Council for Planning and Development www.scpd.gov.kw

Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation www.awqaf.org

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

Kaizen center

25716707

Roudha

22517733

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22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

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24849807

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24848913

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24814507

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22549134

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22526804

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24814764

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22515088

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22532265

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22531908

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22518752

Al-Kibla

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

ST TATE T OF K KUW WA AIT

Te el.: 161

DIRECTORA AT TE GENERAL GENE OF CIVIL AV VIA ATION T METEOROLOGICAL DEP PA ARTMENT

WWW.MET.GOV V.KW .

Hot with light to moderate north westerly wind, with speed of 12 - 35 km/h

BY Y NIGHT:

Humid over coastal areas with light variable wind changing to light to moderate north westerly wind, with speed of 06 - 28 km/h No Current Warnings arnin a

WA ARNING

22459381

43 °C

32 °C

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

KUW WAIT A AIRPOR RT

43 °C

29 °C

Al-Mirqab

22456536

NUW WAISEEB A

42 °C

30 °C

WA AFRA

ST TAT TION

43 °C

29 °C

SALMI

41 °C

26 °C

ABDAL LY

43 °C

26 °C

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

JAL ALIY YAH A

42 °C

28 °C

Maidan Hawally

25623444

FA AILAKA

40 °C

30 °C

Bayan

25388462

AHMADI POR RT

38 °C

34 °C

Mishref

25381200

UMM AL-MARADEM

37 °C

33 °C

W.Hawally

22630786

WA ARBA A - BUBY YAN A

37 °C

27 °C

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

SFC. CHART

Temperatures DA ATE T

WEA AT THER

Wind Direction

Wind Speed

28 °C

NW

10 - 32 km/h

28 °C

VRB

06 - 22 km/h

44 °C

27 °C

NW

12 - 35 km/h

45 °C

27 °C

NW

15 - 38 km/h

MAX.

MIN.

New Jahra

24575755 Sunday

09/09

hot

43 °C

West Jahra

24772608

Monday

10/09

hot

43 °C

South Jahra

24775066

Tuesday

11/09

hot

North Jahra

24775992

Wednesday e

12/09

hot

North Jleeb

24311795

Al-Omariya

24719048

N.Kheitan

24710044

Fintas

08/09/2012 0000 UTC

4 DA AYS Y FORECAST DA AY

24892674

RECORDED YESTERDA AY AT KUW WA AIT AIRPORT

RA AY YER TIMES PRA Fajr

04:07

MAX. Temp.

45 °C

Sunrise

05:28

MIN. Temp.

28 °C

Zuhr

11:46

MAX. RH

28 %

Asr

15:18

MIN. RH

05 %

Sunset

18:04

MAX. Wind i

N 50 km/h

Isha

19:22

TOT TAL AL RAIINF FA ALL L IN 24 HR.

00 mm

All times are local time unless otherwise stated.

23900322

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

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25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

Dr. Salem soso General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Mousa Khadada Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Al-Jahra

25610011

Al-Salmiya

25616368

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

BY Y DA AY:

KUW WAIT A CITY

Firdous

Al-Shohada’a

Expected Weather e for the Next 24 Hours

MIN. REC.

24884079

22418714

Fax: 24348714

MAX. EXP P.

Al-Ardhiya

Ext.: 262 2627 - 2630

Al-Madena

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

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Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

36

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

McCartney receives French Legion of Honour x-Beatle Paul McCartney received the French Legion of Honour award yesterday at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, the president’s office said. President Francois Hollande bestowed the medal on the British musician in the presence of his family but not the press, the office said in a statement, adding that the award was granted for his entire body of work. The 70-year-old rock legend chronicled the ceremony on his Twitter account by posting several photos from the palace, including one with the caption “Guess where I am?”Born in Liverpool, McCartney was knighted

by Queen Elizabeth II in 1996, earning him the title “Sir”.

E

Carey accepts Icon award from artists group ariah Carey was late to the BMI Urban Music Awards, where she was the guest of honor, but that didn’t stop other artists from literally singing her praises. Fantasia Barrino serenaded Carey with one of the honoree’s own hits, “Hero,” at Friday’s ceremony at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif. The former “American Idol” stepped off stage and stood right in front of Carey in the audience’s front row as she wailed the final words of the song. Though Carey is set to join “Idol” as a judge next season, she said nothing about the show as she accepted the BMI Icon Award. Accompanied by husband Nick Cannon, she simply thanked the singers for performing her sons and music-rights organization for recognizing her contributions as a songwriter.

M Cole warns Ashley about autobiography heryl Cole has warned ex-husband Ashley to leave the UK when her autobiography comes out. The ‘Under the Sun’ singer - who divorced the England soccer player in 2010 following revelations he had cheated on her with a string of women - has written an “honest and truthful” book about her life but decided to let her former spouse know about it so he could be prepared for the fallout. She said: “(I ran some chapters past him) to give him a heads up.” When asked by talk show host Jonathan Ross if Ashley wanted any alterations, Cheryl replied: “It wouldn’t have mattered if he did, to be quite honest. “I just thought it would be nice that I gave him the heads up so he can leave the country two weeks before.” The Girls Aloud beauty - who is now dating dancer Tre Holloway - said she decided to write ‘My Story’, because she wanted to get her side across and let people know the truth about everything in her life. She added: “I am just sick of other people’s to be perfectly honest with you and want to say my own thing. “It will be honest and the truth - from my own perspective.” Cheryl can be seen on ‘The Jonathan Ross Show’ tonight on ITV1 at 9.55pm.

C

Pitt thinks looking after six children is tough

Williams likes

rad Pitt admits looking after six children is tougher than starring in action movies.

The Hollywood heartthrob - who raises, Maddox, 11, Pax, nine, Zahara, seven, Shiloh, six, and four-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, with fiancee Angelina Jolie - gets a lot more bruises being hands-on father than he ever did doing the stunts for new film ‘Killing Them Softly’. He said: “Does it ache? Sure. The knees have gone, the back is crunchy. “Getting the kids ready for school is every bit as painful as anything I had to do in this film.” Brad and Angelina are in the process of organizing their wedding but he admits best friend George Clooney won’t be his best man because “he doesn’t believe in institutions”. However, Brad has confessed they haven’t set a date yet, even though the children are pressuring them to do it, and could tie the knot in the UK, after spending the summer in London. He said: “We are going to do it. We haven’t set a date yet, though. We are getting a lot of pressure from our kids. “We could do it in the UK. It has been such an amazing summer here, with all your events - the Jubilee and the Olympics. I’ve watched everything.”

B

older women harrell Williams has a “fetish” for older women.

The N.E.R.D. star - who is engaged to model and fashion designer Helen Lasichanh - lost his virginity when he was 16 to someone much older and says his early experiences made him prefer “powerful” people with life experience. He said: “I like powerful women - women with some life experience - and I’m very attracted to intelligence. “I lost my virginity when I was 16. She was older than me, and age has been a fetish of mine ever since.” Pharrell, 39, also admitted he hates girls who “play games”. Asked what he likes in a girlfriend, he told more! magazine: “No games! That’s a major turn-off. A girl who plays games makes me run the other way because I’m like, ‘This chick is crazy.’ “Just keep it honest, fun and light.” While Pharrell prefers the company of older women, 19-year-old Miley Cyrus recently admitted she loved working with the producer because he became like a “brother” to her. She said: “I was talking to him like he was an older brother, and everything I said was going onto the track... “I got in there with Pharrell, and it was magic. Oh, dude, I’m so happy.”

P

Roberts loves ‘The Promise’ icola Roberts favourite Girls Aloud song is ‘The Promise’. The ‘Lucky Day’ singer - who is joined in the group by Cheryl Cole, Nadine Boyle, Kimberley Walsh and Sarah Harding - admits the group had to fight to have it released as the first song from their album ‘Out Of Control’, and she’s glad she did as it went straight to number one. She said: “What’s my favourite Girls Aloud song? ‘The Promise’. We really fought for that single to be the first single from the ‘Out Of Control’ album as it was supposed to be something else.

We really put our foot down - and then it ended up being number one and we were really proud.” However, one of her least proud moments with the girls - who were put together on ‘Popstars: The Rivals’ - is when she got so drunk she had to be carried out of a club by them. She joked to heat magazine: “I’ve fallen asleep before and the girls have had to carry me, but that was in the younger days.

Falling asleep in the club is pretty bad, isn’t it?” —Agencies

N Farrell’s ‘boring’ film preparation olin Farrell found preparing for ‘Total Recall’ “boring”. The 36-year-old actor admits he had a lot of work to do to get in the right shape for his role in the remake but didn’t enjoy having to watch what he ate and making regular trips to the gym. He said: “It took a lot of work over three or four months to get into condition because I hadn’t done an action movie for a while. “When ‘Total Recall’ came up I thought, ‘Cool, I can go and do an action film again.’ But, oh man, it was boring. “I went to the gym, I hit the treadmill, I lifted weights, I ate good food, drank protein shakes and got a good night’s sleep most nights. But, boring as it was, I really enjoyed it.” Colin plays a role originally taken by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1990 movie but he didn’t seek advice from the veteran star in how to tackle the part. He told Britain’s Hello! magazine: “I never reached out to him while making this movie, although I loved the original when I was a kid. “I’d hope he would enjoy this one if he saw it, but I’m sure he’s got better things to do than concern himself with my interpretation of a part he played back in 1990.”

C

will.i.am often went hungry as a child he Black Eyed Peas star was forced to leave home at 5am every day because he went to a school in a “better” area of Los Angeles than where his family lived and the early start meant he often missed meals. He said: “Sometimes I would miss breakfast and when you’re on food stamps and lunch tickets, missing breakfast is not good for a kid.” The ‘I Gotta Feeling’ hitmaker can understand why people trapped in poverty find it hard to get out because of the “psychological” influences around them. He explained: “There’s a family of influences that dictate behavior. In the ghetto, there’s a liquor store, a cheque-cashing place and a motel. What that tells you psychologically is, get a cheque, and cash it. Take a couple of steps. But some liquor and get drunk go home and get kicked out of your house. And here’s a place to sleep along the way.

“If you live in a good neighborhood, you drive home and there’s a bank. There’s grocery stores and big houses - but no motels. What that tells you psychologically is you protect your money and buy good things for your family to eat in your nice big house. So it’s a different system.” As soon as he could afford it, will move his entire family to a nicer area of Los Angeles. He said: “I moved my mom, cousins, my uncles and my grandma. I moved them to the Valley to be near the rabbis.

It was either the drive-bys or rabbis and I picked the rabbis.”

T

37

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

LIFESTYLE M u s i c

&

M o v i e s

Rastafari saved Snoop Dogg’s marriage angsta” rapper Snoop Dogg said Friday that a transformational journey to Jamaica during which he embraced reggae music may have saved his marriage and gave him a new, “family first” outlook. The best part of the life-changing trip was “that my wife could come and see it happen,” the singer said. “The change was most necessary for her, more than anything, because I’ve always been there for my kids, I’ve always a good dad, but I ain’t been a good husband, so I wanted to reverse that,” he explained.

Speaking at a press conference in Toronto, where a documentary premiered about his spiritual reawakening and turn to reggae under the moniker Snoop Lion, the rapper said it was important for his wife to be along his side as he changed. “Even it wasn’t going to happen, the point was that the effort was there, Guest, Snoop Lion, and director Andy Capper attend and that takes a relationship a long way when you “Reincarnated” premiere during the 2012 Toronto see someone making an effort to wanna do the right International Film Festival at TIFF Bell Lightbox yesterday thing to keep it together,” he said.

Vice magazine editor Andy Capper followed in Toronto, Canada. —AFP

“G

Snoop with a movie camera on his month-long pilgrimage to Jamaica as he embarked on a “journey of reincarnation of self.” In “Reincarnated,” Snoop is seen partnering with producer Diplo to make a reggae album, bolstered by visits to Trench Town, the birthplace of reggae and onetime stomping ground of reggae luminaries Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, who dubbed the rapper Snoop Lion. Snoop told reporters that for too long, he was “living the young, childish gangster life because that’s what I was brought up to love and to know, but once I sought out information on my own and found out what a true man was and what true love was all about, that’s when I became who I am today.”

He recalled growing up without a father, raised by his mother. The Rastafari spiritual movement “is showing me the righteous way to be a family man,” Snoop said, adding that the new lifestyle was “definitely shaping and molding me into a better husband, a better father, a better person.”

To critics who dismiss his name change as a com-

mercial gimmick, the rapper stressed that he had been given the name by a reggae star. “When you’re given something you like to honor it and hold it up with pride,” he added. Still, Snoop is unlikely to pass an opportunity to rap in concerts, or to cuss.

“As a performer, I understand the business. A lot of my fans going to want Snoop Dogg and I’m going to give it to them,” he said. “I’m still Snoop Dogg... I’m Snoop mother fucking Dogg ‘til I die. “There’s a softer, gentler, peaceful side when I’m the Lion. But if you disrespect me or get out of pocket, you will (also) get the mother fucking Dogg,” the singer added. Snoop noted he didn’t swear on his latest album, for the first time. His past works were littered with lyrical references to “bitches and blunts.” But he vowed to continue swearing in his daily life. —AFP

Toronto Film Fest showcases literary tried and true all it renewed appreciation for literary classics or merely further evidence of Hollywood shying away from unproven material, but this year’s Toronto Film Festival slate is heavy with literary adaptations, some of which may make a splash during Oscar season. “Cloud Atlas,” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” both based on recent best-sellers, are among the most eagerly anticipated titles set to unspool at the festival, which is considered part of the opening bell for the Hollywood awards season.

Classic novels, such as Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina,” Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations,” and Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road,” are also experiencing new interpretations on celluloid. Among the most eagerly anticipated is Deepa Mehta’s “Midnight’s Children,” based on the Booker Prize-winning novel by Salman Rushdie about India’s independence from British rule in 1947 and subsequent partition of the country. Tipped early on to be one of many Toronto entrants to be in contention for the upcoming awards season, the film has instead garnered shaky reviews ahead of its Sunday premiere in front of a festival audience.

The film “dawdles and fails to justify its two-and-a-half-hour running time,” said the Hollywood Reporter, while Variety said it “feels like too much to take in all at once.”

C

Proven commodity All told, eleven of the 20 galas, the showcase films of the ten-day event, are based on an existing work such as a play or novel. “Hollywood likes a proven commodity,” said Pete Hammond, movie writer for website Deadline Hollywood. Hence the recent wave of comic book-based summer blockbusters that brings with them an existing fan base. As summer popcorn movies morph into the more serious fare of autumn, Hollywood appears to be keeping the same script.

Of course, these films aren’t free of challenges and pictures like “Midnight’s Children” and “Cloud Atlas,” an adaptation of the best-selling novel directed by Tom Twyker and “Matrix” co-directors Andy and Lana Wachowski, both come from source material thought difficult to adapt to the big screen. “A film like ‘Cloud Atlas, with three directors is a bit of a risk, but it’s less of a risk when it’s based on a best-selling

book,” said Hammond.

Steven Chbovsky, who directs the bigscreen adaptation of his own book, the popular 1999 teen novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” said the success of the book paved the way both for the funding of the film and to allow him direct it as his first feature. Prominent among the young cast is “Harry Potter” star Emma Watson in her first major role since the series concluded. “Even with the cast that we were able to put together, I don’t know if Hollywood would have taken a chance on this material without the book behind it,” Chbovsky said.

Whedon on Shakespeare Of course, that is not to say that adapting a novel into a film is simply recycling material. Some of the films, even those that have been adapted for the big screen before, promise a fresh take on old stories.

Joss Whedon, known for blockbusters, including “The Avengers,” and TV series such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” aims for plenty of pop-culture credibility to his take on Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing.”

“Dangerous Liaisons,” which has been adapted several times from the 1782 French novel, will likely bear little resemblance to past editions in South Korean director Hur Jin-ho’s version, which is set in 1930s Shanghai. “It’s all about the lens that is the director and the vision that the director and the adaptor have for that particular story,” said Jane Schoettle, international programmer at TIFF. Even “Anna Karenina,” which has been adapted more than a dozen times for the screen, will get a new look helmed by “Atonement” director Joe Wright, and starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law. Perhaps showing that there is always something new to be wrung out of an old story, reviews have commended the film on its originality, including filming the story as if it’s taking place on an elaborate late 19thcentury stage. “There is a grandness and universality and timelessness about certain novels and I think it’s only right that they should be reinterpreted by a new generation,” added Schoettle.—Reuters

‘Homeland’ stars promise more twists on 2nd season

an honor to be nominated. hose who found themselves glued “It is. It really is, and it really is an to the TV for the first season of “Homeland” don’t have to worry. At honor for the show to have been acknowledged in such a big way so the show’s second-season premiere on Friday, the cast promised more intensity, soon after its release,” she said. “Usually it takes time for people to discover it twists and turns. “The paranoia, anxiety and appreciate it so I think we all felt quotient is cranked way up,” actor particularly lucky in that respect.”

Damian Lewis said. On “Homeland,” Besides the obviously compelling story Lewis plays a US Marine named Nick about whether there’s a Brody who was a domestic terrorist on prisoner of war in American soil, many fans Afghanistan. The still find themselves rootfederal governing for a possible relationment and the pubship between the show’s lic see Brody as a lead characters. Lewis and war hero, but a Danes said they can CIA operative understand why. named Carrie “It’s a kinky romance, Mathison, played but it’s pretty sexy,” Danes

by Claire Danes, Damian Lewis and Claire said. “It’s a little starbelieves he was turned by the ene- Danes attend the “Homeland” crossed-lovers-ish. It second season premiere host- always works.” Lewis my and is now a ed by Showtime and Time added: “I think they see threat to the US. these two broken-winged The show won Warner Cable on Friday. —AP birds just sort of hobbling the 2011 Golden around, circling around each other and Globe Award for Best Television Series they want them to be happy.”

Drama. It’s also up for a Primetime “Homeland” returns for its second seaEmmy Award for Best Drama Series. son Sept. 30 on Showtime. —AP Lewis, 41, and Danes, 33, also are nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress for their work. Danes said no matter what happens at the Emmy Awards, it really is

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Actor Vanessa Hudgens, left, poses for a photo with co-stars, from second left, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine during a red carpet for the movie “Spring Breakers” at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto. —AP

Disney’s next bad girl Gomez defends raunchy movie role atch out Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus. Selena Gomez stepped up Friday as the next Disney girl gone wild at least on screen-in the sociopathic movie “Spring Breakers.” Gomez warned any younger fans who might want to see the film by American director Harmony Korine, in which the bikini-clad actresses rob tourists on Florida beaches, “Don’t see it!” At the same time, the 20-year-old defended her choice to star in the deliberately trashy film, which includes pornographically-shot nudity and lesbian frolicking, as her first foray into grown-up film-making.

“It’s hard for people to take me seriously (in a highly sexualized and violent adult role) given the brand that I’ve been given, which I’m thankful for, but... people obviously put you in this little box,” she told reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the movie debuted Friday. This role, Gomez said, “is not necessarily breaking out of anything. It’s just me doing something that I really want to do. I’m super passionate about the acting part of what I do, and I just want to do stuff for me sometimes.”

The one-time Disney darling acknowledged that it was a big risk, because “I do have a younger generation of fans that support me and mean a lot to me.

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Everything I do is for my fans. “So when I took on this movie... I knew it wouldn’t be very suitable for that generation,” she said. Gomez was discovered by the Disney Channel in a US-wide talent search in 2004, and went on to launch a singing career and a clothing line, but she is best known for her role in the Emmy Award-winning television series “Wizards of Waverly Place” and in the tabloids for dating pop icon Justin Bieber.

On her social networking site, Gomez urged young adults to see “Spring Breakers” because, as she said at the Toronto International Film Festival, “it is very real, it’s not sugar coated.” But the star noted the film is rated R, meaning anyone under age 17 cannot attend without supervision, so “this movie is not for my littles ;)” The plot revolves around four hedonistic girls-played by Gomez, fellow Disney alumna Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson and Rachel Korine, the director’s wife-who go to Florida for their spring break university holiday in a binge of drink, drugs and flesh.

Their fortunes take a turn for the worse when they are arrested and bailed out by James Franco’s creepy gold-toothed gangster character, Alien.

Because Gomez, Hudgens and the rest of the cast have been working much of the young lives, they

missed out on North America’s annual March pilgrimage to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and other beach hotspots for tequila-fueled parties, sunbathing and sex. Benson noted that extras in the film were actually on spring break. “It was insane. It definitely felt like I was on spring break for a month,” she told a press conference. Franco quipped: “All these thick neck jock dudes (were) trying to rub up on them all the time, trying to grind on Selena. It was pretty awesome.”

The young actress confessed that, for the film, Korine “got us to do things that I didn’t even think I was able to do.” For example, she said “I never believed I could smoke a bong.” The articulate and bright young woman laughed when Korine told reporters that he had hid all of the “crazy artwork” in his house before auditioning Gomez in his living room, saying “I didn’t want to spook her.” Gomez commented, hinting at the real girl behind a carefully crafted image as America’s sweetheart, “He thought I was like this super, super Christian. And he put away all of this art. I was like, ‘If I was a Christian girl I probably wouldn’t have done this movie with (him).’” —AFP

Campbell comes home to Arkansas on goodbye tour

len Campbell came home this week. Hundreds of fans hollered and sprang to their feet to welcome the Country Music Hall of Fame member and one of Arkansas’ favorite sons as the opening notes of “Gentle on My Mind” spilled into the theater. The lyrics ran away from Campbell toward the end of the song, betraying his battle with Alzheimer’s disease, but no one seemed to mind. The pop music icon pulled a couple of lines together and the crowd cheered him on as his goodbye tour brought him back to his native state. “Thank you. I am so happy to be here,” the 76-year-old told the crowd.

“You know why I’m happy? Cause I’m in Arkansas.” Long before Campbell rose to fame as a singer and guitar player, Campbell was a young dreamer born near a tiny town in southwest Arkansas called Delight. Much of the Campbell clan still calls the small town home. They jammed on guitars, reminisced about the old days and visited the graveyard where his parents are buried. They ate barbecue, albeit catered and served alongside a salad with strawberries and

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candied nuts. After last year’s announcement that he had been diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease, his latest trip home was largely kept quiet.

“People flooded him” on past visits, Delight Mayor Paul Lane said. “And I’m

In this photo taken Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, singer Glen Campbell performs during his Goodbye Tour in Little Rock, Ark. —AP sure they would still do it today if everybody in town knew he was here. But it’s kept pretty much a secret because of the Alzheimer’s.” Asked about his recent trip to Delight, Campbell looked at his wife, Kim, and asked, “Did we go to Delight

last night?” She held his arm and nudged him along. “He has better days than others,” she said later. Yet, even on a bad day, the man can still work a crowd.

Dressed in a gem-encrusted salmon shirt, the singer known for such hits as “Rhinestone Cowboy,”“Wichita Lineman” and “Southern Nights” held the mic out to the audience and had them fill in some of the blanks. Some of his siblings joined him on stage for a couple of tunes and his 25-year-old daughter, Ashley, kept a watchful eye on Campbell as she played keyboards. She interrupted him as he meandered through a story about John Wayne. “Hey dad,” she said. “Yes, darling?” he asked. “It’s capo one,” she said before helping him clip the capo on the guitar’s neck.

A bit of laughter bubbled up from the crowd, and Campbell showed grace as he launched into the next song. A few moments later, he took off the capo.

Backstage, his wife watched him as she stood in the shadows, careful not to distract him. “He has never, ever noticed me standing there,” she said after the show.

“So maybe it’s just dark to him.” The con-

cert hall was packed with people who grew up with Campbell’s music - and many fans who shared a connection to his disease. Julie Cawthron’s mother suffers from Alzheimer’s, too, so she said she could relate to parts of Campbell’s performance as he lost words or a train of thought. “It was such an inspiration, really,” Cawthron said. “He’s keeping on keeping on as long as he can.” There was no lack of admiration for Campbell. At a reception after the show, people lined up to compliment him, shake his hand and have their photos taken with him.

Cameramen followed him around as he autographed a few guitars and a handful of posters that proudly proclaimed, “ARKANSAS’ native son RETURNS.” Yes, sir, Campbell was glad to be back in Arkansas. “I sure am,” he told a reporter.

“Brings back a lot of memories.” —AP

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

lifestyle F A S H I O N

Jason Wu

Starlets, Klum

get refined at NY Fashion Week

he starlets lining the front rows of New York Fashion Week on Friday would be right at home in the refined yet youthful styles parading before them. The look on the second day of more than 100 previews for retailers, editors and stylists balanced a ladylike elegance with a youthful flair.

Light colors and lace details were offset by cutouts or even leather harnesses.

Allison Williams of HBO’s “Girls” and Hailee Steinfeld of “True Grit” watched the muted florals on denim and midriff-baring cutouts at Peter Som. Emily Mortimer was on hand for Jason Wu, who said his collection aimed to balance beautiful refinement with something provocative and sexy.

“I love the idea of those two coming together - a softness and a hardness coming together and I wanted to make a collection that sort of balanced, just teetered on that line of sexy but still sophisticated,” he said. Kate Bosworth

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looked the part of the modern sophisticate at Cushnie et Ochs, where the styles were sleek and chic. “The idea of youthful elegance is perfect for this show,” she said. “I do think there’s a movement toward a classic shape, a classic look, even if it’s in a really loud print.”

Meanwhile, the drama of “Project Runway” took center stage for the 10th anniversary season of a show that designer and judge Michael Kors said

was dotted with a bit of more demure lace. Standard button-down shirts and a lace T-shirt were jazzed up with jeweled collars.

Olympic gold-medal runner Sanya Richards Ross was there fully decked out in one of Som’s lace numbers. “I love fashion. It’s in my genes. If you saw my grandmother going to the grocery store, you’d think she was having lunch with the Obamas. We’re always dressed up,” she said. Som is known to play with texture, and he created a colorful patchwork of snakeskin chevrons.

The best version was the shift that was mostly a mix of pinks and purples on top, and chartreuse below the dropped waist.

black-and-white “ghost print” satin sheath with organza insets sans leather hardware.

RAG & BONE

The layers were lovely in the preview of next spring’s Rag & Bone collection. They weren’t “too much” though the models in heaps of leather and lace in a steamy, raw space might have disagreed. You wouldn’t have known it to look at them, though, especially finale model Karlie Kloss, who had on a coral ripstop poncho.

Each look oozed the cool vibe that designers David Neville and Marcus Wainwright have mastered. Tough leather, sometimes quilted motocross style, mixed seamlessly with both the ladylike peeks of lace and the menswear-inspired shirts. Confirming a few trends in the first two days of seasonal previews, Rag & Bone flashed some skin with strategic cutouts, did the hoodie thing and played with the proportion of the trenchcoat. Once they’re on this runway, they’re likely here to stay.

NICOLE MILLER

Prints in skinny pants, flouncy tops and dresses dominated Nicole Miller’s runway with a sci-fi, bad-girl feel. In sparse notes, Miller said she was inspired by the “juxtaposition of improbable things” and “digital nature.” There were earthy splotches in a print she called “space clouds” on a long, feather-light train paired with a short black skirt and a tight leather sleeveless crop top. Dresses in a futuristic floral of coral and bright greens and blues were worn with black leather. One model had long, straight hair streaked in colors to match the print.Beadwork popped on the sleeves of a T-shirt in the same “future flora” print. Miller also used bead embellishment on a crop top in blush and blue, paired with a cobalt leather skirt, and with a variety of other pieces.

REBECCA MINKOFF

JASON WU

Fashion from the spring 2013 collection of Peter Som is modeled. — AP photos thrives because “fashion people by nature are a little high-strung, a little dramatic.” “Quite frankly, fashion people are interesting,” he said. “Nothing against accountants but we are not a group of accountants, that’s for sure.”

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week previews for retailers, editors and stylists continue for eight days, before the fashion crowd heads for London, Milan and Paris.

PETER SOM

For Som’s refined and youthful look, muted floral prints were shown on denim (part of Som’s partnership with Earnest Sewn) and midriff-baring cutouts were carved into ladylike sheath dresses that fell below the knee. A pink orchid-print bustier dress

There wasn’t a lot of room for error on the Jason Wu runway. But he didn’t need it. From Carolyn Murphy’s opening crocodile-like leather sheath to the navy silk tulle harness gown with embroidery that closed the show, the look was slim and sophisticated. Lace insets, bra tops, sheer fabrics and sharp tuxedos turned into shorts kept lively what were really refined, classic silhouettes. Wu, in a backstage interview, said he was inspired by two photographers with differing styles Helmut Newton and Lillian Basman. It was the second show in the early going to make specific reference to Newton, which could explain the dominance of black and white. It was also the second to put leather harnesses on the models to give them a little bit of edge. They topped a white-lace embroidered shirt worn with black croc shorts, and over a pink lace sheath that also got a little bounce from a peplum. One would imagine that first lady Michelle Obama, who helped propel Wu to hot-ticket status after she wore his gown to the 2008 inauguration, would wear her

Sun-bleached floral prints, summery tweeds and lace lent Rebecca Minkoff’s runway show a laid-back feel. With touches of leather, including a faded denim print on a pair of skinny, stretch pants, she paid homage to Slim Aarons, the American photographer of the 1960s and ‘70s known for capturing socialites, jetsetters and celebs glammed up poolside. Some wider-leg pants had a slight flare with pink and blue florals at the ankle. But she interspersed her soft colors with rich hues of indigo, mustang red and vivid green.

Minkoff used plaids and lace on shorts.

She included bustiers, rompers and a jumpsuit, mixing masculine shapes with feminine details.

YIGAL AZROUEL

Lucky were the models in the beachy white cotton maxi dresses on the Yigal Azrouel runway Friday.

Outside Azrouel’s New York Fashion Week show in Manhattan’s Meatpacking neighborhood, it was roasting, but the designer choose an easy, sort-of-breezy path for the spring collection. Azrouel is known for an architectural and clean style. He continued to refrain from extra embellishment for next spring, but the shape was definitely looser. There were hooded jackets, waffle-knit tops and tank dresses. He started the show with optic white looks, which morphed into gray and then black. One pink dress, which he called “quartz,” captured the

Nicole Miller “apron” dress trend (think a sheath silhouette with tank straps) that is emerging from this round of previews, but the very low cut back made this more sexy than utilitarian. He also hit on leather, continuing its must-have status for the fall season, and the loose hoods, which made sense on the lightweight cotton-leather trench but looked a little strange on the cottonsilk cocktail dress.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

lifestyle F A S H I O N

PAMELLA ROLAND

Pamella Roland honored Ellsworth Kelly in a black-and-white dominated presentation that included splashes of lemon yellow and cobalt blue just as the iconic American artist does in his paintings. Roland covered several easy-towear evening gowns and shorter dresses in flat maco beads for a shimmer rather than an outright explosion of sparkle. “I think that sparkly look’s kind of going away a little bit, but so many of our customers still want that,” said Roland, usually known for color but herself dressed in a black-and-white tuxedo pant outfit to celebrate her new minimalism. The sleek clothes presented in groups of models who rotated eight times Friday at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall were no-nonsense for the working mom. She drops off her kids in the morning and heads to the office to run her own company, Roland said, adding: “There are no ruffles.” The entire collection, Roland said proudly, was made in New York.

COSTELLO TAGLIAPIETRA

Design partners Robert Tagliapietra and Jeffrey Costello sent dresses draped and colored for falling in love down their runway Thursday. The two used a waterless heat-transfer process called AirDye to create double-colored pieces on fabrics as thin as chiffon, including some with swirly prints inspired by the look of paint on canvas. They included a dress with a wrap front in pale violet and “dress coats” to complement all sizes in teal and rose. Many of the pair’s dresses, including some just above the floor, featured gathers at the side and center. “We wanted it to be about falling in love. It was the emotion, the romance we wanted,” Tagliapietra said backstage after the downtown show.

Rag & Bone

PROJECT RUNWAY

There was intrigue - and Heidi Klum in barely there gold - at the “Project Runway” show that will decide who wins the 10th anniversary season. Eight contestants thanked their loved ones and shared their inspirations in the hour-long parade before the judges on the Lifetime series and a huge crowd at the Lincoln Center tents.

But only three or four of the eight remain in the running to win the milestone season (the others were shills to keep us guessing). The finale, based on judging of the Fashion Week looks, will air Oct. 18 with guest judge Jennifer Hudson. There was a touch of mesh in jackets and tops from Gunnar Deatherage, a selftaught, 22-year-old designer from Kentucky

TV host Heidi Klum, from left, designer Michael Kors, singer-actress Jennifer Hudson and Nina Garcia pose on the runway at the Project Runway finale fashion show during Fashion Week.

Rebecca Minkoff

Costello Tagliapietra

Yigal Azrouel

who learned to sew at age 7 from his grandmother. Elena Silvnyak, 28 and originally from the Ukraine, sent models out with bright yellow and green lips, two-tone fitted dresses and tunics. Venn Budhu managed a rare smile at the end of his show, which featured impeccable bodices and necks in constructed layers of fabric on formal gowns and cocktail dresses in reds and off-whites. Sonjia Williams, 27, another New Yorker, sent down an ode to herself, a “bold, strong, confident woman,” with blue lace in leggings and tops, a wide-waisted skirt in a floral print and shorts in a piped leatherette.—AP

Pamella Roland

Paul McCartney receives French Legion of Honour

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

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A man takes part in the 17th edition of the International Kite Festival yesterday in Dieppe, northern France. The event held until September 16 gathers thousands of people from 40 different countries. —AFP

Chinese ‘ blind spot’ for Western readers potent mix of state censorship, conservative publishing choices and scant translation means international readers are given a narrow view of contemporary China, industry critics say. There are the occasional books by Chinese authors that hit the international bestseller lists such as the blockbuster “Wild Swans” by Jung Chang, which has sold millions worldwide, and Adeline Yen Mah’s “Falling Leaves”.

But both of those authors are based in the West-highlighting the paucity of material from China itself that reaches international markets. Hong-Kong based Harvey Thomlinson founded Make-Do Publishing in 2009 to produce quality Chinese and Asian literature in English translation, capitalizing on Hong Kong’s unique position as a multicultural Chinese territory where freedom of speech laws remain intact. “You can’t underestimate censorship and the impact it has had on the quality of China’s literary output,” he said.

“The effect is like a dust sheet being thrown over a piano-not only state censorship but also the self-censorship that goes with it.”

Chinese fiction also tends to follow a template, according to the British publisher, ignoring the realities of industrialized, modern China, which continues to grow and change at a bewildering pace.

Western imprints pick out only a few genres for translation such as the Cultural Revolution memoir, along with novels by

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Westernized Chinese authors-who often write originally in English. And economic factors also play a major part in the drive to boost sales. “Most books have to turn a profit for publishers and this can make editors and their boards quite conservative about their choices,” said London-based author and translator Julia Lovell.

“It means they need to look for commercial themes, or books that seem to recapitulate styles and ideas that have worked in the past.

Anything new or very literary will, of course, seem a risk.” As well as being an easier sell in the West, such books are also less of a risk for the writers, who are reluctant to tackle current social issues for fear of official repercussions. In China’s big state-run publishing houses “editing is not a profession any more”, said Martin Merz, a Hong Kong-based translator. “Now it’s more about avoiding political errors.” Make-Do focuses instead on independent authors such as Murong Xuecun and Chen Xiwo, who tend to offer something different from the many government-backed writers in China who receive stipends and other incentives to encourage them to stay on-side. Murong’s debut book, “Leave Me Alone: A Novel of Chengdu” was first published online in 2002, where it attracted several million readers before being released in print. The novel tells the darkly comic story of three young men’s attempts to make their way in newly capitalist China, their lives beset

People browse books in a bookstore in Hong Kong. — AFP Online revolution by dead-end jobs and gambling debts.

Chen, who was active in the student Internet fiction and short stories are two democracy movements of the 1980s, was also increasingly important platforms for emerging first recognized as an online writer. His con- young writers in China. Lovell, who teaches modtroversial novella “I Love My Mum”, which has ern Chinese history and literature at Birkbeck incest as a theme and is banned in China, will College, University of London, said Internet ficbe published in the United States later this tion was “enormously popular”. The most prolific month.

Internet writers produce up to 10,000 words a

day and Lovell said “fast, cheap, popular genres dominate” online. The trend has broadened the range of Chinese writing, making it easier for already established authors such as Mo Yan and Yu Hua to deal with issues like sex and drugs more directly than they had done before. The Internet fiction phenomenon in the country was the result of “a perfect storm of historical and cultural factors coming together at the end of the 1990s”, said Thomlinson.

But even with these factors, it is difficult to make an impression outside China. Just two to three percent of books published annually in Britain and the United States are translationsalthough their share is slightly higher in nonAnglophone countries such as France and Germany. To grasp the new spirit of China, international readers should turn to short stories, Lovell said. “Most people have by now woken up to the idea that the politics and economy of China are worth understanding. But familiarity with Chinese culture (especially literature) still lags behind economic and political interest in the country.” However, China’s many literary magazines mostly carry short stories and some, such as the recently launched Pathlight and Chutzpah, are published at least partly in English translation.

They showcase young, contemporary Chinese writers who, Lovell said, have “strongly individualistic, personal” approaches and “a determination to illuminate the intense strangeness of the capitalist society that the Chinese Communist party is now building”. — AFP

Fashion grads from Asia

have their New York moment

here’s nothing glamorous about ironing your own collection before a show at New York fashion week, but if that’s what it takes for Jie Jessie Liu to break into the business, she’ll do it. Liu was among nine jury-selected master’s degree graduates-all women-from San Francisco’s Academy of Art University fashion school whose creations Friday got the kind of runway exposure usually reserved for top designers. Five of the newly-minted designers hailed from Asia, underscoring the region’s rise as a fashion power, and Friday’s well-attended show was a prized opportunity to be spotted by international buyers, talent scouts and journalists.

“This is a way for them to be seen across the globe,” said university spokeswoman Edith Mead Barker.

Backstage at Lincoln Center, ground zero for the ongoing spring-summer 2013 collections, 32-year-old Liu reflected on her long and winding journey from her seaside hometown of Penglai, in China’s eastern Shandong province, to New York. “I was just like most women when I was young. I loved to dress Barbie dolls,” she told AFP during a break from steaming out the creases of the silk outfits she created with Belgrade-born textile design classmate Tanja Milutinovic.

“When I was grown up I was still obsessed by fashion ... and after I worked as an accountant for three years (in Toronto, Canada, where she got a first degree in accounting), I just realized that I would enjoy doing it every day.” The eight distinctly modern looks Liu sent out Friday, with their sharp lines and angular sil-

T A woman walks past Andy Warhol’s “Campbell Soup Cans” during the press preview of the opening of the new Museum of Modern Art Queens (MoMAQNS) in this June26, 2002 file photo in Long Island City, Queens, NY. — AFP

Warhol Foundation to sell off collection T he Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts announced Wednesday it will disperse its entire collection of works from the ground-breaking Pop artist through sales and donations. The profits will be used to bolster the foundation’s grant-making activities, with Christie’s entering a long-term deal to market the works.

“Christie’s will conduct phased sales over a period of years using multiple platforms, including single artist

live auctions, private sales and continuing online auctions, bringing a wide range of Warhol’s art-much of which has never before been seen by the public at large-to existing as well as new collectors worldwide,” a statement from the two partners said.

The foundation said that some works would be donated to museums.

The goal, it said, is to “significantly increase its endowment in order to ensure and expand its long-term support of the visual arts.” — AFP

houettes, drew inspiration from London-based sculptor Anish Kapoor and Beijing’s “bird’s nest” Olympic stadium, she said.

Liu’s ambition? Her own label, like those now firmly established by pioneering young designers of Asian origin like Alexander Wang and Jason Wu, with a firm hand on every aspect from initial design to final distribution. “That’s my long-term goal,” she said. “In the

Jie Jessie Liu, 32, from Penglai, Shandong province, China, a graduate of the Academy of Art University fashion school in San Francisco, looks on as an assistant steams out the creases on one of her designs backstage before a show at New York fashion week.

Ginie C Y Huang, 28, from Taipei, Taiwan, inspects an orange tropical wool outfit of her own design with an assistant (backstage at New York fashion week). — AFP photos

short term, I’m looking for suitable position (in New York next year), maybe an associate designer position, just to sharpen my design skills.”

From Taiwan, Ginie CY Huang, 28, let the hypercolorful floral still lifes of Japanese photographer Ninagawa Mika inform skirt-and-jacket combinations that strolled down the runway in lime, red, orange and fuchsia. “Actually, my whole collection is really tailored, but I added feathers to make it crazier, but not by too much,” the Taipei native told AFP. —AFP