27th Sep by Kuwait Times

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Defiant Malema charged with money laundering

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Clashes erupt as thousands of Greeks protest austerity

India PM turns 80, battling to save legacy

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Girls raise weights and eyebrows in Iraq

PM hails improving relations with Iraq

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THULQADA 11, 1433 AH

Ahmadinejad urges new world order • Morsi makes UN debut

KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah (left) walks with the Chairman of the Arab Open University’s board of trustees Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud after he inaugurated the new premises of the Arab Open University in Kuwait yesterday. HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is seen at back. —KUNA (See Page 3)

UNITED NATIONS: After nearly 22 years since Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait and the aftermath of the deterioration of relations between the two neighboring Arab nations, Kuwait highlighted “remarkable positive developments” in relations with Iraq after HH the Amir of Kuwait’s milestone visit to Iraq earlier this year. “Kuwait-Iraqi relations have witnessed remarkable positive developments, as Kuwait has let bygones be bygones to open up a new chapter in ties between the two neighboring countries,” said HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah at the 67th session of the United National General Assembly. “HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah’s milestone visit to Baghdad to attend the Arab Summit late last March has given great impetus to the relations with Iraq,” he said. He added that Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki’s visit to Kuwait on March 14 also helped restore confidence and create a congenial atmosphere for a new chapter for relations. “Moreover, the Joint Kuwaiti-Iraqi Committee convened in April, and the two sides have reached several important points of understanding on some of the pending issues as well as agreeing on a plan of action to accelerate Iraq’s fulfillment of its UN obligations, in order to end the sanctions imposed on it under the UNSC Chapter VI after the occupation of Kuwait,” he said. Sheikh Jaber lauded the UN’s role in resolving international disputes, but underlined the need for restructuring the UN’s organizations and upgrading its mechanisms to help meet growing challenges on the international arena. In this regard, he called for fair and evenhanded representations for world countries in its organizations, particularly the Security Council. “Kuwait underscores the importance of reforming the UNSC to better reflect the new international reality and ensure a Continued on Page 13

NEW YORK: (Clockwise from above) Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad address the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters yesterday. — AP

WHO advising Saudis on virus 1,000 Nigerian women denied entry for haj

DORMA, Saudi Arabia: Saudi special forces show their skills during the opening ceremony of the new Emir Nayef Centre for Special Elite Operations 100 km west of the capital Riyadh yesterday. — AFP

Qatar future rubbing up against traditions DOHA: Qatar is spending massively to modernise its capital ahead of the 2022 World Cup, leading conservative Qataris to worry about how this will aﬀect the Islamic nature of the Gulf state. Trucks can be seen speeding around Doha’s business district, carrying building materials for the $150 billion makeover that will give the city a

new metro, airport, seaport and roads. In the busy years leading up to the football tournament, Doha will see an inﬂux of foreign companies, professionals and workers. With them will come a fresh ﬂood of foreign cultures and lifestyles, and that is causing concern. “This is the real challenge for us: to Continued on Page 13

GENEVA/ABUJA: The UN health agency said yesterday it knew of no more cases in the Gulf of a mystery illness from the same virus family as the deadly SARS but was advising Saudi Arabia ahead of the upcoming haj pilgrimage. “WHO is working closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as in previous years, to support the country’s health measures for all visitors participating in the haj pilgrimage to Makkah next month,” the World Health Organization said in a statement. The Genevabased agency earlier confirmed that the illness was in the coronavirus family and had caused the death of a Saudi national. It has also left a Qatari man seriously ill in a London hospital after he was transferred there from Doha earlier this month, the WHO said, adding that he had previously been in Saudi Arabia. The two cases occurred three months apart in June and September, said the WHO, stressing that the illness is not Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome which swept out of China in 2003, killing more than 800 people worldwide. What sets the new virus apart from SARS, the agency added, is that it causes rapid kidney failure. Meanwhile, pilgrims have already begun to arrive in the Saudi kingdom for the ritual that represents the world’s largest annual gathering. Last year, nearly three million Muslim pilgrims performed the haj, which represents one of the five pillars of Islam and must be performed at least once in a lifetime by all Muslims who are able to do so. Saudi health authorities have downplayed the chances of an outbreak of the mystery illness, adding that there were no changes on travel conditions for pilgrims. Meanwhile a Danish hospital said yesterday it had isolated five people with symptoms of a viral respiratory Continued on Page 13

in the

news Bahrain jails female activist for 2 months

DUBAI: A Bahraini court yesterday sent Shiite activist Zainab Al-Khawaja to two months in jail after finding her guilty of destroying property belonging to the interior ministry, a judicial source said. Zainab, daughter of prominent jailed opposition activist Abdulhadi AlKhawaja who is serving a life sentence after he was convicted of plotting against the state, had been released in May after serving a one month jail term for attacking a policewoman at a Zainab Al-Khawaja demonstration. She had also paid a 200 dinars ($530) fine for having insulted a police officer. Zainab is also facing two other cases - obstructing traffic on a main road as well as taking part in a gathering and inciting hatred against the regime - for which she will be tried in November, the judicial source told AFP.

Max 40º Min 22º High Tide 08:46 & 22:28 Low Tide 02:59 & 15:38

Madonna puzzles by calling Obama Muslim WASHINGTON: Pop star Madonna urged Americans to support President Barack Obama during her concert in Washington DC on Monday night but incorrectly referred to him as a Muslim in her comments. In a video posted on YouTube by audience members at the concert, the singer delivers a rousing, profanity-laced political speech on freedom during her show. “Now, it’s so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African-American Madonna in the White House ... we have a black Muslim in the White House ... it means there is hope in this country, and Obama is ﬁghting for gay rights, so support the man,” Madonna said. Obama, who stands for re-election on Nov 6, is Christian. Madonna has been outspoken in her support of the president. According to media reports, at Monday’s show and at a New York City concert earlier this month she ripped oﬀ her shirt to reveal the word OBAMA inked across her lower back.

Twin suicide blasts rock Syria army HQ Iran TV reporter killed by sniper DAMASCUS: Two suicide bombs struck the heavily guarded Syrian army headquarters in the heart of Damascus yesterday, killing four guards and sparking a gun battle between troops and rebels, state media said. A rebel officer and a rights group said the audacious attack which also left 14 people wounded was an inside job, while an Islamist rebel group said five of its fighters including a suicide bomber died in carrying out the assault. Iran’s Press TV meanwhile said one of its correspondents, a Syrian national, was killed by sniper fire and its Damascus bureau chief wounded as they reported from the scene. The spectacular assault on the army’s operations command centre came as the

DAMASCUS: Iran’s Press TV’s Syrian correspondent Maya Nasser is seen moments before he was killed by a sniper yesterday. — AFP worsening bloodshed, which left at least 217 dead yesterday, dominated proceedings at the UN Continued on Page 13

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

LOCAL

Turkey woos Kuwaiti tourists, investments Trade relations ‘very strong’ By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Umit Yalcin held a press conference yesterday at the International Fair Ground in Mishrif to speak about the facilities provided to foreign investors in Turkey and the situation in the country in general. This conference is coinciding with the ongoing Kuwait International Property show held from Sept 24 to 29, at Hall No 8 of the Fair Ground. Turkey is booming and investments are increasing annual-

ed Turkey. In 2011, this number doubled, and we hope it will touch 60,000 this year. This figure does not include the expats living in Kuwait,” he added. There are many factors that encourage tourism in Turkey. “The political and economic situation is stable in Turkey. Also we have close ties with Kuwait, and share a similar culture and religion. We should not forget the great impact of the Turkish soap operas, which are very popular here and across the Arab world. People even call me to ask about these serials.

KUWAIT: Turkish Ambassador Umit Yalcin (left) and Waleed Qadoumi, Managing Director of Top Expo Group during the press conference. — Photo by Joseph Shagra ly. “Privatization was successfully ushered in over the few past years, and foreign investments play a key role in privatization. Also, the number of tourists has risen to touch 32 million last year and is increasing every year,” Umit Yalcin told the conference. The relations between Kuwait and Turkey have been very strong for many years. “The number of tourists from Kuwait was increasing every year. In 2010, more than 20,000 Kuwaiti tourists visit-

They watch our country through these soap operas and then want to visit Turkey. The Turkish Airlines has also helped in tourism. There were three flights a week to Turkey from Kuwait this summer, and still these were not enough. We hope to increase the number of these flights,” Yalcin elaborated. The trade between the two countries is pegged at $700 million. “Currently the imports and exports are in the same rate, and we hope to further increase

the mutual trade, taking it to $2 billion. Turkey is exporting metal, food products, textile and outfits, electronics, carpets, jewelry, trucks and trolleys, building materials, medical supplies and other products to Kuwait. We are importing various plastic chemical materials from Kuwait,” the Turkish Ambassador said. “I hope to see more Turkish restaurants in Kuwait within the next few months. I also expect more retail and fashion stores coming up in Kuwait offering different Turkish brands. Also, Turkey is known for its high quality infrastructure projects and contracting,” Yalcin said. He further spoke about a new project in the investment field. “We encourage investments in Turkey, including foreign investment. With an aim to simplify and expedite procedures for the investors, we have divided Turkey into six areas, which are classified from the fastest to the least growing areas. There are different facilities provided for investors in each of these areas. For instance, the slowest growing areas receive more facilities, including tax relief. A treaty to encourage investment, signed between Kuwait and Turkey, has been already ratified by Turkey. We expect that Kuwait will also ratify it soon,” he said. Those interested in buying properties in Turkey will be pleased with a new law implemented in May 2012 there that allows foreigners to buy real estate in the country. “The new law applies to many nationalities, including the neighboring countries. So a Kuwaiti citizen can now buy a piece of land in Turkey by having a sponsor or with an obligation to establish a company to hold a property there. Any foreigner can now own land up to a maximum of 30 hectares, which can also be inherited. This applies to all lands with some exceptions, such as military properties. Thus, if a vacant piece of land was bought, it cannot stay vacant for more than two years, as the owner has to build the project or construct a building on it within this period,” Yalcin concluded.

KUWAIT: Mr. Surour Alsamerai, General Manager, Human Resources at Gulf Bank with team.

Gulf Bank wins first place in GCC Localization Award KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced yesterday that it has been awarded 1st place for the Localization Award from the GCC Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs for the eighth consecutive year. The award was received at a special event hosted by the GCC Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs, which was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Surour Al-Samerai, General Manager of Human Resources at Gulf Bank, commented in this regard: “Winning first place in the GCC Localization Award for the 8th consecutive year is a significant achievement for Gulf Bank and an important endorsement of our long-term encouragement and support for the development and training of Kuwaiti nationals. We are very proud that our efforts are once again being recognized by such an internationally respected entity.” “Our internal strategy for recruiting employees has consistently sought to deliver the highest caliber of candidates and to exceed the targets set for Kuwaitization. We want Gulf Bank to be known as an organization that is committed to developing and nurturing Kuwaiti talent throughout their careers, as well as a financial institution that provides the best

banking products and services in Kuwait.” “On behalf of the Bank’s Human Resources team and senior management, I would like to thank the GCC Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs for presenting this prestigious award to Gulf Bank once again. We pride ourselves in setting the benchmark for Kuwaitization in the financial sector and we promise to maintain this dedication in the future.” Gulf Bank has already won a number of important industry awards in 2012, including: ‘Best HR Strategy in line with Business’ and ‘Excellence in Training’ awards at the Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards, ‘Bank of the Year’ award from Arabian Business; ‘Best Employee Development Programme’ award for the second consecutive year, ‘Best Retail Customer Service’, ‘Best SME Startup Package’, ‘Banker of the Year’ (Michel Accad, CEO and Chief General Manager) from Banker Middle East; ‘2011 EUR STP Excellence’ Award from Deutsche Bank, ‘J.P. Morgan Quality Recognition Award’ from JP Morgan, ‘Best Retail Bank’ from Asian Banker, and ‘HR Professional of the Year’ (Surour Alsamerai, General Manager, Human Resources).

KUWAIT: Fire fighters in action after fire broke out in Souq Al Silah in Mubarakia.

Four drug dealers in custody By Hanan Al Saadoun KUWAIT: Drug enforcement agents have arrested four persons for possessing about 2kg of hashish, methamphetamine and other drug variants. The agents, after receiving information about the accused using an apartment for consuming and trading in drugs, formed a team to keep the gang under surveillance. After obtaining the necessary legal permission, they raided the apartment and recovered the drugs. The accused confessed to their crime and were sent to the concerned authorities. The fire department received a report yesterday about a fire that broke out in “Souq Al Silah” in Mubarakia. The city and the Al Hilali fire centers were directed to deal with it. Firemen found two shops dealing in

upholstery material aflame within an area of 54 square meters. The fire started in a shop and later spread to the neighboring store. It was brought under control before it could cause further damage. A firefighter who was affected by the smoke was treated at the site. The fire department received a report at 5:16 am about a fire breaking out in the laundry of a private house at Rabia block 2, opposite Mohammad Ben Al Qassem Street. The Farwaniya and Ardiya fire centers responded to the distress call and swiftly brought the fire under control. A car accident at Fahaheel Express Road, opposite Al Riqqa, left a 36-yearold woman injured who was taken to the Adan Hospital. A car accident at Doha opposite recreational city traffic light resulted in multiple injuries to a 24-year-old

Defaulters’ loans readdressed KUWAIT: The personal loans issue returns to the government’s table of discussion in order to find a decisive solution that ends the defaulters’ problem, a local daily reported yesterday. The Kuwaiti government launched a defaulters’ fund a few years ago to help citizens unable to commi t t o r e p a yi ng hous i ng or c ons um e r l oa ns . According to sources who spoke to Al-Qabas on the condition of anonymity, the government plans to evaluate the program in order to determine whether it’s been effective in ending the problem, and attempt to come up with statistics to be brought to the public. On the other hand, the government is also considering other opinions which suggested that “something more” can be done to help defaulters. “Discussions will determine taking either one of two options: rejecting any additional demands or reopening the door for rescheduling debts based on criteria suggested by the ongoing discussions”, said the sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Bedouin woman, who was taken to the Sabah hospital. A car accident on the 5th Ring Road resulted in multiple injuries to a 21year-old Kuwaiti man. A car accident at King Fahad Road near the Mishref Bridge left an 18years-old Kuwaiti man with a broken collarbone. A 26-year-old Kuwaiti man involved in the accident complained of pain in the back. Both were taken to the Mubarak Hospital. A car accident at 5th Ring Road near Damascus Bridge resulted in multiple injuries for a 28-year-old Kuwaiti man. He was taken to the Mubarak Hospital. A car accident at the Sixth Ring Road opposite Sabah Al-Salem resulted left a 23-year-old Bedouin woman with pain in the back. She was taken to the Mubarak Hospital.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

local

Key role for private sector in elevating Kuwait education AOU headquarters opened in Ardiya KUWAIT: Kuwait’s private sector has contributed greatly in the last decade in creating a comprehensive educational system, Minister of Education Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf stressed yesterday. At the opening ceremony of the new Arab Open University (AOU) headquarters in Ardiya area, attended by His Highness the Amir, Al-Hajraf highlighted in his address that there are nine operating universities in Kuwait that hold 18, 000 students; two extra univer-

sities are to see the light in the near future. “The output of private education should focus on delivering quality not quantity to serve the community and to create an added value to local markets, Al-Hajraf, who is also Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of Higher Education, said in the ceremony that was attended by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahamd Al-Jaber AlSabah, His Highness the Crown Prince

Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah and House Speaker Jassem AlKhorafi. He further clarified that in order to guarantee qualified output from such universities, the Private Universities Council (PUC) and the World Bank have collaborated to set up a project that aims at evaluating the educational experience, its curricula and the qualifications of its output in the country. AOU’s Board of Trustees’ Chairman

Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz said in his speech to the crowd that AOU has gained international accreditation and has branched out to different parts of the Arab world due to the various levels of education it provides to the public. “The greater accomplishment would be if the graduates of the university translated their advanced education into efficient and effective performance in work markets,” he noted. Rector Dr Moussa Mohsen of AOU,

meanwhile, stressed that the university branch in the State of Kuwait is the third, after a Jordan branch and an Egypt branch. He further added that OAU is aiming to expand its presence in Sudan, Yemen, Palestine and Morocco. It will also seek widening its academic curricula to encompass engineering, law, health and social care; in addition to providing masters programs that soon will see the light in academic year of 2012-2013.—KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahamd Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, House Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and other dignitaries at the function.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

LOCAL kuwait digest

op-ed

Our govt keeps people guessing

Next step forward

By Dr Shamlan Y Al-Essa

“T

he constitutional court rejected the government petition against the election constituencies, and with that the country entered new uncertainties in how to deal with the new situation. The court’s ruling must be respected by all regardless of its nature, out of respecting the judicial institution. The question is how will the government act to save the country? Will it ask 2009 assembly to convene and try to change the constituencies and this is a remote possibility because it causes an embarrassment to the government because it was in a hurry from the start. The government bowed to the pressures of the majority and did call for 2009 assembly to convene due to the majority pressure and fear from dealing with the 2009 assembly because it is an assembly of bribe takers... For that the government attempted to convene the assembly so

The government bowed to the pressures of the majority and did call for 2009 assembly to convene due to the majority pressure and fear from dealing with the 2009 assembly because it is an assembly of bribe takers... For that the government attempted to convene the assembly so for the government to take the oath of office then it will dissolved. for the government to take the oath of office then it will dissolved. This prompted to government MPs to boycott the sessions, while the opposition stayed away and caused a lack of quorum. The puzzled government does not want to deal with the 2009 assembly, thinking that there might be a better solution, which is the resort to the constitutional court and contest against the five constituencies, and did not resort to dealing with what is available to it which is dealing with 2009 assembly to present its views on the constituencies and the number of voters a voter can give. Now after all is said and done, how will the government deal with the new situation that was created by the constitutional court ruling to reject the government petition? Will it call for new election based on the five constituencies and four votes, or, as some newspapers said, it will extend the 2009 assembly and ask it to hold one or two sessions to discuss requests of lifting immunity from MPs accused in the black Wednesday events, and approve the budget following the petition rejection. The press speaks about the government having new views to deal with all possibilities including the rejection of the petition. The problem now is that it is difficult to change the election law after resorting to the court and it is not realistic to issue a decree after the court ruling. The idea of renewing for the assembly is difficult because the government ignored its pro-assembly, and now it is calling fro its extension... The difficult choice is to call for elections with five constituencies and the same number of votes, and rely completely on the people and their choices.— Al-Watan

he honor of the Judiciary and the integrity and impartiality of judges are the basis of rule and a guarantee of rights and liberties” according to Article 162 of Kuwait Constitution. This basic rule laid down in our Constitution has been underlined further by the Constitutional Court’s verdict that upheld the electoral law. It was yet another historic verdict following a similarly significant ruling which the same court gave four months ago when it reinstated the 2009 parliament. The recent ruling reaffirmed the constitutionality of the electoral law, and explained why the court didn’t find any errors from a constitutional standpoint, despite the probability that it might have certain adjustable flaws that could be fixed. Furthermore, the ruling provided more proof about the integrity of Kuwait’s judicial system, and also validated the fact that the judiciary remained the safest refuge. In addition, it comes at just the right moment to help defuse political tensions which the country is currently suffering from, and are were fueled by both the government and the opposition. It also paves the way for Kuwait to get move out of the dark tunnel in which it has been stuck for years.

kuwait digest

Disgusting and provocative By Hassan Al-Essa t seems that the Special Police Forces are unable to make a distinction between the head of Dr Al-Wasmi at the Al-Harbash diwaniya and that of a 12-year-old-child; for the police’s batons, they are both the same. Ideas, thoughts and expressions, all spring from the head. Yet, it is the most vulnerable spot when it comes to torturing or disciplining someone. Even if it is the head of a child, the baton that falls upon it is ostensibly used to teach good manners and instill respect for the law. According to victims’ accounts, such respect, considered a must to enforce the law, is nothing more than a display of the state’s brute force and equivalent to a vampire’s treatment of its hapless victims. The photographs published in Al-Anbaa yesterday under the headline “Kuwait Violates Bedoon Children’s Rights” were disgusting and provocative for anyone with a conscience and faith in a lawful state. Of what use is the constitution and all the laws if this is the way children are treated in Kuwait? We may as well imagine how such a state would deal with elderly people. The photo showed a child standing in Taima and a

policeman bludgeoning his head with a bat, even as his ‘courageous’ colleagues watched on as mute spectators. For them, it was merely a routine way of teaching citizens some manners, just as orphans were taught and punished in the school Oliver Twist went to in Charles Dickens’ novel by the same name. There will be no use repeating the details of the incident already mentioned by Ibtihal Al-Khateeb’s article in Aljarida. The case involved a 14 year-old-child who did not have any identification papers except for a birth notification sent to his father who served in the army and was captured during the invasion. The poor father was asked to have his stay in Kuwait legalized following the liberation. He paid KD 4,000 to receive a Jordanian passport that was later found to be a fake. I do care for people’s dignity, which is one of the most precious rights of a human being, yet the ministry needs to explain a lot to justify police bats raining down upon the child in the photograph. Will the ministry investigate the conduct of its so-called heroes? Will the Kuwait Human Rights Society and the Kuwait Lawyers Association file complaints? That remains to be seen.— Al-Jarida

kuwait digest

No religious bias against women By Dr Nasser Behbehani re the problems faced by Kuwaiti women religious, social or political in nature? In my own opinion and as per a preliminary analysis of the Kuwaiti reality, I think the problem is not at all religious, except in very rare cases. Therefore, most of the problems stem from social and political causes. This question is being raised today following a ruling that will allow women to be employed as judges. As what I say does not have a theoretical basis, I shall list below some private thoughts. Religion wise, no one can claim that there are certain fixed texts existent, which are applicable to new cases. Therefore, comparing and ‘Ijthihad’ includes several explanations, for example, while Islamists in Kuwait said that women entering the NA Council was ‘haram’ a few years back, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt had nominated a woman for the Council, and while we still have religious objection against women being judges, many Islamic countries already have women judges. Therefore, there is some flexibility in this issue. But unfortunately, some Islamists in Kuwait do not take the easy ‘yusr ‘and prefer the hard ‘OSR.’

The second reason, which proves that these matters are not always religious, is the large number of people that always stand against women reaching advanced positions, which happens because of social reasons, such as a patriarchal system and male chauvinism, which has controlled society for a very long time. In addition to this, women have also suffered from certain complexes for a very long time. The first is a complex from their husband or a relative who does not want them to get ahead of him so that she remains under his control and keeps needing him and the complex of women against women too, and the proof of this is that many women would rather vote for men rather than women. In terms of politics, women have always been considered loose cannons at the level of political maneuvering and are allied and “wasta”. Thus, women are not encouraged to succeed as they do not achieve a group’s collective interest as most male MPs would— except for a particular female MP in the last Council. Thus we find that religion is free from accusations of bias against women, while the real culprits guilty of doing so remain hidden.— Al-Anbaa

The judiciary has performed its role with integrity and a sense of justice. Now, the ball is in our court. By our, we mean the government, the opposition, other political groups and voters. We now face the challenge to live up to the level of the recent verdict so that we can save Kuwait from a crisis in which development has fallen victim to a bitter political conflict. With troubled politics, a sinking economy and fading unity, our society has been living without a clear purpose for so long that it is almost on the verge of losing hope entirely. The judiciary now comes in with a tool for salvation. It is a great opportunity to correct our path which currently leads us to a stage where danger lurks for our country, our ruling system and every institution. The only option we have today is to respect, follow and act in accordance with the court’s ruling. The government, which had challenged the constitutionality of the electoral law, is the first party asked to follow the verdict. It is supposed to initiate measures to complete the dissolution of the 2009 parliament, which it said on numerous occasions HH the Amir still wants to dissolve, followed by a call for fresh elections as per the current electoral law. Thinking about changing the electoral law through an emergency decree or by allowing the 2009 parliament to convene shouldn’t even be an option if we want to avoid creating a new crisis. Calling for fresh elections reaffirms a commitment to allow people to exercise their right to select their representatives in the parliament. If there still exists a desire to change the electoral law even after the court’s ruling, that task should be left to the next parliament in order to reflect the will of the people. And in order to be fair, we find it necessary to urge the opposition to abandon many unrealistic and unwise ideas pitched recently. After winning a majority of the seats in the 2012 parliament, the opposition has unfortunately fallen into the trap of extravagance, so much so that it even protested the court’s ruling which dissolved the said parliament. When it enjoyed a majority, the opposition sought to legislate laws serving narrow interests ahead of more pressing national needs. Being an integral part of Kuwait’s political composition, the opposition is required - both from a national and a moral standpoint - to reconsider its positions, especially after the Constitutional Court refuted in a subtle way their attempt to deny the Cabinet its right to challenge the elec toral law, or even the court’s right to examine that a challenge. Tuesday’s ruling proved that the opposition’s arguments had no constitutional basis, but were simply slogans such as demands for an elected cabinet, made to gain public support. Kuwait hopes that ever yone abandons intransigence and tricky methods, and looks for true solutions that help eliminate the root cause of our crisis. — Al-Qabas

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

LOCAL

Suspects in Kuwait linked to UAE terrorist network Entry only a few years ago Kuwait “a few years ago”, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

By A. Saleh KUWAIT: The criminal investigations of members of a suspected terrorist network arrested in Abu Dhabi recently revealed those arrested are connected with individuals who live in other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Kuwait. According to sources with knowledge of the arrests, authorities in the United Arab Emirates informed their counterparts in GCC countries about the new findings, and provided lists containing names of people connected with the group “based on which directions were made to summon the suspects for investigations”. Investigations carried out in Kuwait revealed that people whose names are included on the list had only entered

ICM concerned The Islamic Constitutional Movement has voiced concern about the chances of member Falah Al-Sawagh securing a large victory in the upcoming elections, as he did in last February ’s elections, given doubts surrounding his popularity among Awazem tribal voters. According to a field study carried out by the ICM, Awazem voters feel “very frustrated” about the group’s candidates, which could put in jeapordy the candidacy of their tribesman, Al-Sawagh, who won in the fifth district during the 2012 elections by 29,000 votes. ICM is reportedly concerned about Al-Sawagh’s chances,

given the stiff competition he is expected to face from other Awazem tribal candidates. Further, sources familiar with the election indicate that ICM seeks to meet with chief of the Awazem tribe, Falah bin Jamie, to request “clear support” for Al-Sawagh. New electoral law The Constitutional Cour t ’s ruling Tuesday indirectly addressed the issue of the multitude of constituencies when, in its written judgment, the court spoke of the issue pertaining to certain areas being left out of the constituencies’ distribution. The usage of the term ‘constituencies’ could indicate that the court affirmed the multitude of constituencies, which means that amending the electoral law is no

longer necessary following this verdict. This was explained by constitutional expert Dr. Mohammad Al-Feeli, who told Al-Rai Tuesday that the court’s use of the term ‘multitude of constituencies’ could be explained “to indicate that the cour t approves the presence of multiple constituencies”. Al-Feeli made these statements as he explained how changing the distribution of constituencies no longer is a necessity which requires an emergency decree by the Cabinet to adjust the law. The Cabinet had challenged the constitutionality of the electoral law, saying that the distribution of voters in the state’s five constituencies was unequal. The court, however, ruled that the current law does not contain any breaches of the constitution.

News

in brief

Sponsor’s approval required KUWAIT: Domestic workers will now be required to obtain permission from their sponsors to leave Kuwait for any other country except their own, a local newspaper reported yesterday, quoting security sources. “Any expatriate laborer with Article (20) residency can only leave the country accompanied by their sponsor, or a family member of the sponsor or with a written authorization from the sponsor approving the worker’s travel,” said the sources who spoke to Al-Rai on the condition of anonymity. Workers leaving for their home countries are not covered by this condition, the sources added. An authorization that enables a worker to travel alone can be obtained “by the sponsor who needs to personally visit the General Department of Border Crossings” in order to obtain a document. He will have to sign the document giving his permission to the worker to travel, the sources added. No SARS in Kuwait KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health will start providing pilgrims with necessary vaccinations during the first week of October at 36 preventive centers around Kuwait, a top ministry official announced recently. The Director of the Public Health Department, Dr. Yousuf Mendekar, indicated that 25,000 vaccines each against meningitis, flu, and pneumococcal were available for those going to perform the Hajj this year. Mendekar also announced that no cases of SARS or coronavirus infection have been detected in Kuwait, and reiterated that as per the ministry’s communication with the World Health Organization, there was no need to declare a state of emergency following the discovery of the deadly disease in Saudi Arabia.

Arab Media Forum big success KRCS training session for volunteers in humanitarian fields KUWAIT: The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) has invited women to a two-week training course that aims to qualify female volunteers in humanitarian, legal and firstaid fields. Educating the civil society through first-aid awareness is very important, KRSC said in a press statement, adding that guiding female volunteers to learn and craft new skills in order to provide emergency first-aid services to whomever needs it is also essential. KRCS pointed out that it seeks to generally spread first aid’s principles and knowledge around Kuwaiti society, indicating that the session also aims at enabling female volunteers to gain necessary experience in first aid and international law, as well as dealing with handicapped, patients, and needy people. Around 60 volunteers would be taking part during the training session, KRCS said, noting that a workshop on medical checkup would also be included on the sideline of the session, as well as a symposium on lawful aspects of volunteers’ duties, and practical and field training workshops. Graduation diplomas would be granted to those who passed session’s requirements, indicated KRCS. Furthermore, the society indicated that its volunteers have previously visited hospitals and social care clinics to help patients and ease their pain, especially children at NBK hospital and Al-Razi hospital, affirming at the same time its keenness in upgrading capabilities of its volunteers through conducting training sessions in humane areas year-around.—KUNA

KUWAIT: Information Ministry Undersecretary Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah has said the advertisement creativity award is an innovative and positive step to monitor the effectiveness of advertising. Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud said, during the award ceremony which was organized by the Arab Media Forum Tuesday, that cooperation between the information ministry and the AMF administration is in the interest of serving the development of the nation’s information services. Meanwhile, AMF Secretary General Madhi AlKhamis said Kuwait’s information ministry participates in and supports any idea or initiative that serves the public interest or seeks the development of information to better inform society.

Kuwait donates $2million to UNRWA AMMAN: The State of Kuwait offered yesterday financial assistance amounting to $2 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as part of the country’s annual contributions to the agency. Kuwait Ambassador to Jordan Dr. Hamad Al-Du’aij handed Peter Hansen, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, a check of the funds during their meeting at Kuwait Embassy here. Speaking to KUNA after the meeting, Mr. Ford appreciated Kuwait’s generous contributions to his humanitarian organization over the last decade.

The regular annual contributions being offered by Kuwait helps the agency continue offering services to some five million registered Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, he said. “The State of Kuwait is one of the biggest Arab donors for the organization. We cannot forget the generous donation of USD 34 million offered by His Highness the Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 2009 in the wake of the Gaza crisis,” Ford recalled. “The funds offered today will help the agency curb its budget deficit this year estimated at $50 million,” he said, noting

ABK announces winner in its Grand Summer Draw KUWAIT: Al Ahli bank of Kuwait held its Grand and ﬁnal draw for its summer long campaign “Win a Million Miles with ABK”. The draw was held on the 26th of September, at the main branch, under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. “ Win a Million Miles with ABK” enabled ABK Emirates credit cardholders the opportunity of winning valuable prizes in the form of

Medical allegation KUWAIT: The Health Minister, Dr Ali Al-Otaibi, has refused to comment on the involvement of a leading health ministry oﬃcial who allegedly received medical equipment and consumables but did not deliver them to the medical stores. Al-Obaidi said he was waiting for more information. The Al-Watan newspaper said the head of one of the medical centers in Al-Sabah medical zone refused to own responsibility for his predecessor’s behavior and asked the health ministry to meet the requirements of his center as soon as possible. The committee investigating the case tried to hold its ﬁrst meeting under the chairmanship of director of medical equipment department Engr Mohammad Al-Dousary, but postponed the meeting because the person in question did not arrive to testify.

Skywards Miles. Cardholders who used their cards locally and overseas for KD 500 or above, between May 1 and Aug 31 were entitled to enter the Grand Draw. The lucky winner of the our ﬁnal draw of 500,000 Skyward Miles was Ahmad Al-Ayoub from the Main Branch. Stewart Lockie, GM, Retail Banking stated, “we have concluded our successful summer campaign,

where we gave our customers the opportunity to win over 1 million Skywards Miles in prizes. In addition to the prizes, clients received up to 7 Skywards Miles for every KD 1 spent using their ABK Emirates credit cards.” Lockie added, “Congratulations to our winner of the Grand 500,000 Skywards Miles prize which will enable Al-Ayoub to travel the world for free.”

that it will be a difficult year for the organization due to the economic turmoil in some European donor countries as well as the crisis of Syria. These conditions forced the agency to appeal for additional $53 million to cover the costs of its humanitarian effor t for some 500,000 Palestine refugees across Syria, he added. UNRWA views with increasingly grave concern the situation in Syria, particularly as regards the implications for the stability and protection of the refugees; it’s also concerned about the safety of its staff, the security of its facilities, and about humani-

tarian access to affected refugees. In similar statements, Ambassador AlDu’aij affirmed Kuwait’s determination to continue suppor t to the Palestinian refugees through the agency. “Under the wise leadership of HH the Amir the State of Kuwait spares no effort in easing the suffering of the Palestinian people particularly the refugees,” he said. Ambassador Al-Du’aij praised the UNRWA relief effort in the fields of education, health and social care for the Palestinians in the five areas of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. —KUNA

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

LOCAL

Egyptian delivery man dies of drug overdose Kuwaiti overdoses in car KUWAIT: A restaurant delivery man was found dead in Salmiya recently after he overdosed on drugs. Police and paramedics rushed to the scene after a man reported that a person was lying unconscious in the back seat of a fast-food restaurant’s delivery car. The man, identified as an Egyptian national, was declared dead at the spot. Police found drug paraphernalia near the body, which was taken to the forensic department to confirm the cause of death. A preliminary examination showed that he died of a drug overdose. Meanwhile, another young man was hospitalized in critical condition after he became unconscious due to a drug overdose. The Kuwaiti victim could barely breathe when paramedics arrived at the scene in Jabriya where he was discovered inside a car by a passerby. He was admitted to the intensive care unit at the Mubarak Hospital where he eventually regained consciousness. The victim confirmed that he had lost consciousness after taking drugs that a friend gave him. The police are now looking for that friend. Murder attempt Police are searching for a driver accused of shooting another driver in Rumathiya, and

also an accomplice who helped the accused escape. Local police were approached by a bedoon (stateless) resident who reported that a male driver of a US-made car fired gunshots at him following a traffic dispute. After the bullets missed their target, the victim said he had followed the shooter to Shaab, where the suspect was joined by an SUV driver who struck the bedoon’s car. This allowed the suspect to escape. Police have registered an attempt to murder case. Rape attempt A Bneid Al-Gar resident has been summoned for investigations into charges of sexual assault pressed by his neighbor. The local police were approached by an Iraqi woman, who reported that her Kuwaiti neighbor had forced her into the building’s stairway and attempted to rape her but fled when she strongly resisted. The woman also accused the man of continuously harassing her prior to this incident. Doctor assaulted A doctor at Al-Razi Hospital lodged a complaint at the Shuwaikh police station on Tuesday after he was physically assaulted by a

patient whom he had refused to give an addictive drug. In his statement to police officers, the doctor explained that the patient had complained of a back ache and requested that the doctor prescribe a sosegon injection, a sedative drug that can cause addiction and is prescribed in the case of a severe bone fracture. The suspect reportedly abused the doctor and physically assaulted him when he refused to prescribe the drug. The man had to be forcibly removed from the room. Drunk drivers held A drunk driver was arrested in Salmiya after his reckless driving caused four traffic accidents. Police arrested the suspect after four people reported that an apparently drunken man had caused a number of car collisions. He was taken to the appropriate authorities to face charges. Meanwhile, a woman driver was also arrested in Salmiya when she crashed into a lamp post while driving under the influence of alcohol. Police had rushed to the scene where the accident was reported, and found her unharmed but heavily intoxicated. She was taken into custody to face charges.

KUWAIT: Wassim Mahdi, director of sales and marketing at Radisson Blu Hotel, visited Kuwait Times office yesterday to congratulate KT on its 51st anniversary. He was received by Kuwait Times Marketing Director Adnan Saad.

Kuwait calls for international pledge to respect religions GENEVA: The State of Kuwait has urged the UN Human Rights Council to issue “an international pledge” to respect religions and sanctities, to be a framework for international relations. “Kuwait calls on the international community to exert further eﬀorts for boosting tolerance and renunciation of radical thoughts,” said Haidar AbulHassan, the third secretary of the Kuwaiti permanent mission at the UN here. Recently-produced movie, injurious to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is a stark example of incitement for hatred and rejection of the other. Moreover, it “does not serve our goal of building bridges of understanding among nations,” the Kuwaiti diplomat pointed out. He called, in the name of the State of Kuwait, on the international community to take all necessary measures to face any deed that may desecrate doctrines and religious symbols, “for this constitutes negative impact on security and stability in some regions of the world.” International laws on racial indiscrimi-

nation and hatred for foreigners stress on rejection of any act that target religious beliefs, he said expressing appreciation for all efforts that have been exerted by the council to combat discrimination and all affiliated forms of fanaticism. Racial indiscrimination and hatred of foreigners is rejected “in our Kuwaiti society,” elaborated Abul-Hassan, noting Kuwait’s legacy as a country based on multiple thoughts and beliefs-where people have co-existed in peace since pre-oil times. Kuwait’s Constitution is full of provisions that affirm equality of people living in the country, without any discrimination in terms of color, origin or language. “Citizens in Kuwait are equal in front of the law in terms of rights and duties,” he added. Also in this respect, the diplomat indicated at Kuwait’s efforts against extremism, namely its establishment of the World Moderation Center for promotion of moderation and combating fanaticism. — KUNA

Kuwait hot air balloon team set to gain recognition

KUWAIT: Minister of Oil and Acting Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Hani Abulaziz Hussein and other officials at the honoring ceremony for winners of Al-Ruhaimani Quran competition for newly converted Muslims and expatriate communities.

Kuwait a pioneer in Islamic Dawa KUWAIT: Kuwait has always been a pioneer in Islamic Dawa affairs, welfare and charity inside the country and abroad, Minister of Oil and acting Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Hani Abulaziz Hussein has affirmed. The minister’s assertion was made on his behalf by Head of Holy Quran Affairs Department at the Ministry, Khalid Bughaith, in a speech addressing honoring ceremony for winners of Al-Ruhaimani 11th Quran competition for newly

converted Muslims and expatriate communities, held late on Tuesday. One of the most prominent Dawa aﬀairs is serving the Holy Quran in all parts of the world through studying and reciting and supporting Quran reciters, the minister added in his speech. Quranic competitions supervised by Islam Presentation Committee (IPC) are examples of this, an institution that spreads Dawa and the peaceful core of Islam, being the reason for thou-

sands of people to embrace Islam, he said. IPC Deputy Director General Abdulaziz Ahmad Al-Duaij hailed the important role of holy Quran in enlightening people and encouraging them to “enter Islam.” This is a motivation for us to print large quantities of Quran translations, and organize Quran reciting competitions, especially for new Muslims of the non-Arabic speakers, he aﬃrmed. The Director of Projects Department in IPC

Jawdah Al-Fares hailed in his speech the role of Sulaiman AlRuhamani’s sons in supporting the competition for the 11th consecutive year. The competition witnessed this year remarkable participation of 750 Muslims from various countries, he added. The competition was announced in the IPC publications issued in six languages, reﬂecting the distinguished Dawa eﬀorts the committee exerts. — KUNA

Kuwaiti, Georgian FMs discuss ways to boost cooperation

KUWAIT: A meeting was held at the medical emergency office in Subhan for coordination between medical emergency and the fire department to hold joint courses among the two agencies. Both parties have drawn up a joint plan to train all firemen in first aid to enable firemen to deal with casualties and cases they come across while fighting fires. The training courses are part of the national project, which the ministry of health is sponsoring, and a timetable is being put in place to finalize those courses. — Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

UNITED NATIONS: Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad AlSabah discussed with his Georgian counterpart ways to boost economic cooperation between their two countries and the latter’s visit to Kuwait early next year. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled is a member of the high-level delegation headed by Kuwaiti Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the representative of His Higness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to the work of the General Assembly’s 67th session. Following the meeting, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said: “We discussed our bilateral relations. Hopefully, in January 2013 I will visit Kuwait and we want to have several agreements between our governments to be ready for signature.” He said both oﬃcials also discussed the situation in the southern caucuses, Georgia, the Middle East, including the situation in Syria, and “how to speed up our economic cooperation.” He said they also discussed the agreements which shall be worked out and signed “as quickly as possible,” and more importantly the framework within which Kuwaiti and Georgian private businesses and state agencies can work together to “move our economic cooperation to a higher level.” Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also met with his Gambian counterpart Mamadou Tangara to discuss bilateral relations and economic cooperation. — KUNA

ABU DHABI: The team of a hot-air balloon bearing the portrait of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah was nominated on Tuesday for an international prize, awarded by Balloon Adventures Emirates, and could be the ﬁrst Arab team to be awarded the honour. In a statement, the company said that the event would be launched and organized in cooperation with countries such as Italy, Poland, Germany, as well as number of international companies specialized in manufacturing hot-air balloons. In the event of the Kuwaiti team’s winning of the prize, a major celebration will be held. The nomination comes as a result of the appreciation of the team’s eﬀorts in building bridges of communication and solidarity between people around the globe, as well as in showcasing local culture to the world.

The judging committee would be evaluating international participations via the high quality of the balloons and the materials used in manufacturing them, said the company. The Kuwaiti team’s accomplishment in becoming one of the most important participants for this type of sport, is due to its efforts in introducing GCC and Arab identity through its constant international participations, which included number of world countries. For his part, Mousa Malallah, director of Kuwaiti Balloon team, has expressed his gratitude and deep appreciation for the prize that was awarded to his team, describing it as a major motivation to perform more national work in international arenas. Also, Malallah affirmed that the team’s success is due to efforts of Kuwait’s Ministry of Information. — KUNA

Zakat Committee honors KIB KUWAIT: Kuwait International Bank (KIB) has recently announced that Shamiya and Shuwaikh Zakat Committee recently honored the bank in recognition of its role in supporting the activities and projects of the Charitable Committee. General Manager of Shamiya and Shuwaikh Zakat Committee Salem AlHamr honored Loai Maqamis Acting Chief Executive Oﬃcer at KIB during the honoring ceremony that took place at the bank’s headquarters. The ceremony was attended by Marketing Manager Tareq Al-Ajlan and Dr Hisham Abdulhai, Legal and Shariah Auditor at KIB.

On behalf of KIB, Maqamis thanked Shamiya and Shuwaikh Zakat committee for this honor that recognized KIB’s signiﬁcant role and support to the committee. KIB’s initiatives are always based on its principles that reﬂect the bank’s position as one of the leading Islamic Banks in Kuwait aiming to develop its community. Maqamis praised the efforts of the committee, and assured that the bank will continue in supporting and sponsoring social projects and activities that will enhance the bank’s communication with different social institutions in Kuwait. — KUNA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

India’s Singh turns 80, battles to save legacy

Saudi restoration commemorates pact of princes, clerics Page 8

Page 11

GAZA: The body of three-year-old Fathi Baghdadi, who was killed in an overnight domestic fire, lies on a couch at his home in the Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza Strip yesterday. — AFP

Boy’s death ignites rare anti-Hamas protests News

in brief

17 die as bus crashes NEW DELHI: Police say 17 people died when the bus they were traveling in plunged into a river in western India. The bus was crossing the Purna River in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra state yesterday morning when the accident took place. The area is 650 kilometers north of state capital Mumbai. Head Constable Surendra Mahaske says that at least 10 others were injured in the accident. The cause was not immediately clear because the driver was among those killed. Mahaske says there were at least 40 passengers on the bus and the survivors were helped out of the river by local villagers. India has the world’s highest road death toll. More than 110,000 people die in road accidents there each year. Military plane crashes BELGRADE: A small military plane crashed yesterday in an inhabited area in northern Serbia, killing one of the two pilots but injuring no one on the ground, the defense ministry said. The light training aircraft crashed around 0815GMT in Nova Pazova, about 30 kilometers northwest of the capital Belgrade, the defense ministry statement said. It said that the pilots ejected before the plane crashed. One of them, Maj Goran Savic, died later in the military hospital in Belgrade from the injuries sustained in the crash, the ministry said. The other pilot is injured but his life is not in danger, the statement said. The ministry said that an investigation is under way to determine the cause of the crash. The pilots were on a regular testing flight, it said. Top local official in Nova Pazova, Djordje Radinovic, said that the plane landed in a garden between two houses, thanks to the main pilot who stayed inside the aircraft until the last moment to avoid crashing into homes. Radinovic said none of the houses were damaged. 8 killed in ferry mishap JAKARTA: A passenger ferry collided with a ship believed to be carrying liquefied natural gas and sank west of Indonesia’s main island yesterday morning, killing at least eight people, officials said. More than 210 passengers and crew were rescued, said Heru Purwanto, an official at Bakauheni port on southern Sumatra Island. More than 80 survivors have been hospitalized, including at least one who was in critical condition. The search for survivors continued, though it was unclear how many might still be in the water. There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision, or whether the South African-flagged vessel carrying the liquefied natural gas was damaged. An expert team has been deployed to check for gas leaks in the carrier, but there have so far been no reports. The collision occurred about 4 miles from Bakaheuni port in Lampung province, said Bambang Ervan, a Transportation Ministry spokesman.

Angry crowd blames Hamas for electricity shortages GAZA: At least 500 protesters in the Gaza Strip have called for the overthrow of the ruling Islamist Hamas group in a rare demonstration triggered by the death of a three-year-old boy in a fire during a power outage. Protesters in the Bureij refugee camp, where the boy’s family live, called for Hamas to be toppled and chanted “The people want to down the regime” late on Tuesday night, echoing slogans adopted in Arab revolutions in neighboring countries. The police swiftly dispersed the crowd. Demonstrators took to the streets as the boy’s body was being moved to a hospital, saying they were protesting against the incompetent way Hamas ruled Gaza. Anger spilled over after the boy died and his infant sister suffered critical burns when a candle lit amid a power outage burnt their house down. AntiHamas protests in Gaza, where power failures have left households with just six hours of electricity a day since February, are extremely rare. Three children were killed earlier in the year by similar fires during an outage. Hamas blames the electricity shortages on Egypt which it says is restricting the flow of fuel, and on Israel, which imposed a blockade on the coastal enclave in 2007 when Hamas seized control from the Western-backed Palestinian Fatah party. MORE PROTESTS? The dead boy’s father called for more protests, saying he hoped a healing of internal Palestinian political rifts could ease the Strip’s problems. “I call on people to take to the streets and not to fear being clubbed by policemen,” Abdel-Fattah Al-Baghdadi, 23 said. “I hold both the governments in Gaza and in the West Bank responsible for what happened to us,” he said. Earning 1,250 shekels ($318) a month from working as a civil guard at the Religious Affairs Ministry, he said he had been using candles to light his house during blackouts because he could not afford to buy a generator or fuel. “Besides my wife and two children, I had to spend money to help my bigger family,” he said. Taher Al-Nono, a spokesman for the Hamas government in Gaza, said the death of Baghdadi’s son was a message to Egypt that it had to speed up its promised efforts to help solve the power crisis in Gaza. “The international community’s silence is an accomplice in the crime of blockading Gaza,” Nono said in a statement. Hamas is sensitive to criticism and has looked on with concern as protests in the Israeli-controlled West Bank against high prices have spread in the past few weeks, fearing they may spill over into its own territory. Hamas has banned protests, including any demonstrations calling for an end to divisions between it and Fatah. On Tuesday, police in Gaza dispersed what they said was an unlicensed rally organized by dozens of women calling for unity between Gaza and the West Bank.— Reuters

More than 30,000 killed in 18-month Syria revolt Loyalist militia execute 16 in Damascus BEIRUT: More than 30,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in violence since the outbreak of a revolt against President Bashar Al-Assad in March last year, a monitoring group said yesterday. “At least 21,534 civilians, 7,322 soldiers and 1,168 defectors have been k illed in the past 18 months,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman said. Included in the civilian toll are non-military individuals who took up arms to join the insurgency, Abdel Rahman said. The toll does not include thousands of people arbitrarily detained and held in Syrian jails, he added, nor does it include hundreds of unidentified corpses, most of which were found across the war-torn countr y in the past three months. The toll also excludes “thousands of shabiha (pro-regime militiamen) killed,” said Abdel Rahman. “More than 30,000 people killed in 18 months-that means more than 100 killed each day, yet the international community and

Arab countries keep saying ‘something’ must be done for Syria,” said Abdel Rahman. Meanwhile, pro-government militiamen executed at least 16 civilians in their homes in Damascus before dawn yesterday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. “Militiamen burst into their homes in the Barzeh neighborhood at 5 am (0200 GMT) and shot them dead,” Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. He said those killed included six women and three children. Activist network the General Committee of the Syrian Revolution said that a father and his three children, a mother and her son, and a couple and their daughter were among the dead. Barzeh is a Sunni Muslim neighborhood of north Damascus considered sympathetic to the opposition to the minority Alawite-dominated regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Mainly Alawite militia groups have been accused of carrying out some of the most notorious killings of civilians during the 18-month uprising against Assad’s rule.—Agencies

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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

Aleppo residents angry and disillusioned ALEPPO: More than two months after the battle for Aleppo began, residents are grumbling about the high cost of the Syrian revolution and accuse rebels of excesses. The romantic image of a people rising up against their tyrannical leader is beginning to fray for some residents of the northern metropolis, whose neighborhoods are the scene of daily bombardments and bloody street battles. Caught in the crossﬁre of a war in which they feel sidelined, those most angry even accuse the rebels of using them as “human shields.” Fayez Shuayb, who lives in the devastated Saif AlDawla district, does not hide his disillusionment. “I went to visit my mother, and when I came home there were a dozen armed men in my house,” said the 65-year-old. “Some were wearing my clothes, using my kitchen and watching my TV.” The retired topographer, who suffers from diabetes and heart problems, says he lived in New York for 10 years

and worked there on the construction of a bridge. “Don’t worry old fella. We won’t steal anything,” he recalls being told by the armed men. “I’m old enough to be their granddad but they respect nothing and no one. I tried to make them leave but they refused to move. They think they can get away with everything because they carry guns and fight against (President) Bashar al-Assad,” he added. The young rebels offered to “kick down the door” of a neighboring house so Shuayb could move in there. “Imagine what would happen when the neighbors came back to find me in their bed-they’d shoot me!” he fumes, saying he finally resigned himself to sleeping in the street. Later he found shelter in a small building adjoining his house, which he illuminates with two candles. “We’re paying too high a price for our freedom. I don’t want this revolution if this is the cost. “There are a lot of empty

buildings in Aleppo. They’re brand new as there’s been no time for people to move in. I suggested the ﬁghters set themselves up in those, rather than in a family home,” he says. But he claims they refused: “They’re scared of becoming targets for the army if they go into empty buildings. That’s why they prefer living among the population. They use us as human shields.” Shopkeeper Abu Hussein slates the lootings the rebels have carried out. “They come into shops and take what they want, justifying it by saying they’re ﬁghting for our freedom. If this is what freedom looks like, I don’t want it.” He composes himself, couching his thoughts in more diplomatic language: “I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their struggle, but they’re not doing things right. We’re making a lot of mistakes and will pay for it later,” he warns. “People are starting not to believe in them any more.” — AFP

ALEPPO: Dead bodies of unidentified Syrians lay on the ground in Arqub neighborhood of Aleppo yesterday. — AFP

West Bank college puts Israeli policies to test Government upgrades college to university status

BENGHAZI: A Libyan man explains that the bloodstains on the column are from one the American staff members who grabbed the edge of the column while he was evacuated, after an attack that killed four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi, Libya. — AP

Libya failure to disband all militias may backfire BENGHAZI: Libya’s new leadership, under huge pressure from the street, has taken steps to tackle militias, but critics warn its decision to only disband some armed groups is dangerous and may backfire. In the wake of massive anti-militia protests and violence in the eastern city of Benghazi, the authorities ordered “illegitimate” brigades be broken up but also warned demonstrators against targeting “legitimate” ones. That distinction has ruffled feathers in Benghazi where tens of thousands of people marched on Friday for the dissolution of all armed groups and the establishment of a professional army and police force. “Since Mohammed Al-Megaryef divided them into legitimate and illegitimate brigades, everyone has been able to claim they are legitimate,” warns analyst Fathi Al-Baaja, referring to the head of the General National Congress (GNC). Baaja, a political science professor, says the danger of making such a distinction and not banning all brigades is that major armed groups might become the “military wings of political factions.” “We will have many armies inside the army and that will be very dangerous,” Baaja adds, stressing that what the oilrich country needs is a national army where people join as individuals, rather than as groups. Many in Benghazi fault the authorities for keeping intact the brigades that emerged in the 2011 revolt that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, and for standing by Islamist brigades such as Libya Shield, February 17, and Raf Allah Al-Sahati. “These groups are not legiti-

mate,” says Baaja. “They are not part of the army. They didn’t enroll. They have no ranks. Who gave them the legitimacy?” Miftah Buzeid, editor of Benghazi’s Barniq newspaper, agrees. “We don’t want to repeat the Lebanese scenario where the army is weak; where Hezbollah is stronger than the army,” he says. Buzeid says Benghazi rose up against all armed groups, which cover the spectrum of Islamist ideology, because they see them as the “military wings of political factions in the GNC,” a legislative assembly elected in July. The GNC this month voted for Mustafa Abu Shagur as prime minister but he has yet to form his government. Both analysts predict top posts will go to Islamists who gave him a narrow victory over liberal candidate Mahmud Jibril. The most pressing challenge for the new authorities is to disband brigades that are well-armed and who believe their legitimacy, forged on the front line, predates and supersedes that of a government elected by the people. ‘Arms to pressure government’-” They have weapons and power to pressure the government,” notes Buzeid. The second challenge, he adds, is dealing with an empowered and impatient population: “The street will take the initiative and not wait for the GNC.” A case in point is the crowd that drove out two Salafist brigades, Martyrs of Abu Slim and Ansar Al-Sharia, before clashing with a third, Raf Allah Al-Sahati, the only one the government claims as its own. — AFP

Death of rebel who caught Gaddafi stokes tensions MISRATA: One of the Libyan rebels who helped capture Muammar Gaddafi in a drain pipe was buried early yesterday after his relatives said he had been shot and tortured in a rival town. The death of Omran Shaban on Monday again highlighted the struggle of Libya’s new leaders to rein in armed groups and could further stoke tensions between the towns of Misrata and Bani Walid, which backed opposing sides in the 2011 conflict. Shaban shot to fame when he was seen in pictures grabbing Gaddafi on Oct 20 before the former Libyan leader was killed in his home town of Sirte. According to his relatives, Shaban was kidnapped by armed men in July close to Bani Walid while on his way back to Misrata after he had been on government business in western Libya to calm clashes there. Bani Walid, a former Gaddafi stronghold, lies some 140 km (90 miles) from Misrata. “He was kidnapped on his way back by some criminal group,” his brother Walid said. “The lower part of his body had gunshot wounds and he was tortured.” Shaban was freed earlier this month after mediation efforts by Mohammed

Magarief, leader of the ruling national congress. But he was in critical condition and died in Paris on Monday. While Misrata spent weeks under siege by Gaddafi’s forces during last year’s fighting, Bani Walid was one of the last towns to fall to the rebels. The renewed tensions between Misrata and Bani Walid come at a difficult time for Libyan leaders, trying to impose order on armed groups after the killing of the US ambassador in a fatal assault on the US consulate in Benghazi on Sept 11. Hundreds attended funeral prayers for Shaban in a Misrata football stadium. His brother Hussein complained that the Libyan authorities did nothing to help Shaban. “Libya was declared liberated of Gaddafi’s rule on Oct. 23 last year. It isn’t,” he said. The national congress has ordered the defense and interior ministries to find those who abducted Shaban, calling him a “brave hero”. In July, fighters from Misrata threatened to attack Bani Walid after two journalists from their town were detained there. The journalists were eventually released after mediation by the authorities. — AFP

ARIEL: An Israeli government move to upgrade Ariel University Centre in the occupied West Bank to a full-fledged university has put the 30-year-old school at the centre of a debate at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: how the settlements will figure in defining a future Palestinian state. The cabinet decision on Sept 9, equating it with universities inside Israel, is another signal from the Israeli government that it intends to retain control of the area around Ariel settlement in any future peace pact with the Palestinians. The decision has come under attack from several directions, including the Palestinians and international opponents of the West Bank settlements. The move would “further entrench the presence of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and create an additional barrier to peace with the Palestinians”, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said. More than 1,000 Israeli scholars wrote in an open letter posted on the Internet in February that it was their “duty to stop the attempt to recruit Israeli academia into the service of the occupation” and called on the education minister to halt the upgrade. In addition, the heads of seven of Israel’s eight universities have petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the upgrade on grounds it will soak up government funds for top schools. The change still needs final approval from Israeli military authorities in the West Bank, territory captured in a 1967 Middle East war. But officials at the university say that is just a formality now that the government has given the green light. Supporters of the upgrade, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, say it was long overdue. “Ariel is an inseparable part of the State of Israel and it will remain an inseparable part of the State of Israel in any future (peace) agreement, just like the other settlement blocs,” Netanyahu said before the cabinet vote. Israel has sent mixed signals in the past over whether the enclave, with a population of 17,000, would be included in the major settlement blocs it says will remain in Israeli hands permanently. Netanyahu added: “Another university has not been added in decades. The population of Israel has doubled (since)... There is a strong desire on the part of young people in Israel to receive a university education.” VIEW OVER SETTLEMENT, VILLAGES The West Bank is home to about 340,000 settlers and 2.5 million Palestinians. The settlements, which the World Court has deemed illegal, were the reason why talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2010. When Chancellor Yigal Cohen-Orgad,

then a lawmaker in the right-wing Likud party now led by Netanyahu, joined a small group of professors and settler leaders in establishing the Ariel school in 1982, they had two aims: strengthening Jewish settlement in the area and meeting a growing demand in Israel for a university education. “We wanted to get two birds with one stone,” he said. Israeli governments have expanded the settlements in the West Bank over the past 40 years while maintaining that their ﬁnal status should be determined in a peace agreement with the Palestinians. The government of then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon started the process toward Ariel college’s upgrade to university status in 2005. Two years later, Sharon’s successor, Ehud Olmert, granted the school the temporary status of “university centre”. Ariel now has 13,000 students and hopes to increase that number to 20,000 by the year 2025. Its campus, about a 25-minute drive from Tel Aviv, stretches across hilltops dotted with olive trees and overlooks Palestinian villages and the high-rise apartment blocs of Ariel settlement. I JUST WANT MY DEGREE While geopolitics may have played a part in the foundation of the school, students and faculty say academics are what matters to them. Sitting in the library studying, Dael Danino and Barak Akerman, two aspiring engineering students, were most concerned about their coming physics exam. “The loca-

tion (of the college) and strengthening settlements was not a consideration for me,” said Akerman, who lives in a nearby settlement. “I’m not here because of ideals, I just want my degree.” Danino travels to the university every day from the central Israeli city of Ramat Gan. “Turning the university into a college was a professional move, not a political one,” he said. Dr Alex Schechter, head of the biological chemistry department, said the college faculty came from across the political spectrum. “The only thing that unites us is that we want to advance science,” he said in his laboratory, surrounded by computers, test tubes and busy researchers in white lab coats. “My presence here has no (political) goal. The science I do here is the same I’d be doing anywhere else.” For other academics, concern over upgrading Ariel is focused on having to share another piece of the government funding pie and whether Ariel is academically qualiﬁed to be a university. Professor Rivka Carmi, head of Ben-Gurion University in southern Israel, said funding for Ariel would ultimately come at the expense of other universities’ research and teaching. “Upgrading this institution cheapens the term ‘research university’ and the criteria for such status,” she said in an email exchange. Ariel rejected such accusations in a statement in August responding to the Supreme Court petition, and said that the “cartel of university heads” was scared of losing its monopoly. — Reuters

QALANDIA: A section of Israel’s separation barrier is seen near Qalandia checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem. Israel is imposing a 2-day closure on Palestinians in the West Bank ahead of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. — AP

Restoration commemorates pact of Saudi princes, clerics RIYADH: Climb the rickety ladder through the Emir Omar bin Saud Palace courtyard in crumbling Diriyah and the image of old Saudi Arabia suddenly appears in an adobe roofscape set against dark green palms. The caramel tones of the mud walls, the smell of dust mingling with water and the muffled clanging of hammer on stone belong not to the kingdom’s impoverished past, however, but a restoration project costing at least $133 million. It was in Diriyah that the ruling Al-Saud family first rose to power, and in memorializing its ruins, the authorities are celebrating a telling of national history that puts the dynasty and its clerical allies front and centre. As capital of the first state built by the alSaud in alliance with the revivalist cleric Mohammed ibn Abd AlWahhab around 270 years ago, Diriyah is the Saudi Camelot. “Diriyah is symbolic. It’s about going back to your roots. The

whole idea of the Saudi state started in Diriyah,” said Khaled AlDakhil, a political science professor in Riyadh. In school text books, national day posters and programs on state television, the alliance and its revival under the modern kingdom’s founder Abdulaziz ibn Saud is portrayed as delivering the nation from centuries of inﬁghting and superstition and bringing unity, religious enlightenment and oil wealth. It’s a version of events that, while perhaps not applauded by some critics of the government and people from parts of the country that were conquered by the al-Saud, nevertheless has solid roots in history. The partnership of princes and clerics survived Ottoman invasion, tribal feuding and a transformative oil boom to become the political fulcrum of a country many times larger than the remote desert emirate it succeeded.

While the al-Saud and their Wahhabi creed gained recognition and influence internationally, Diriyah fell to ruin. By the early nineteenth century, it was the largest town of the central Arabian Peninsula, its stout walls enfolding grand palaces for its princes, a treasury, a bath house and a large mosque. But it was bombarded and burnt to the ground in 1818 by the cannons of an Ottoman army sent to crush Wahhabi fighters who had captured Mecca and Medina and raided southern Iraq. Its wells were filled up and its palms cut down. Every archaeological dig uncovers a layer of ash, said Ali Al-Moghanam, a historian working as an adviser on the project for the government body carrying it out. The Saudi family and its followers trudged a few miles down Wadi Hanifa to resettle at Riyadh and Diriyah slowly melted into the desert. Today it is almost a

suburb of northwest Riyadh. Behind the ruins are a large pit where workers are making some of the one million mud bricks needed for the project. UNESCO accorded Diriyah world heritage status in 2010. “Authenticity is very important to UNESCO - making sure the modern intervention is well marked,” said Thomas Ciolek, senior project manager on Diriyah for the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), the government’s overseeing body. The restorers envisage that Diriyah will become an open-air museum, with elevated steel walkways that will guide visitors through the shaded alleyways and towering palace walls that survived the Ottomans. Abdullah Arrukban, director of urban development at the ADA, was not able to say exactly how much the restoration cost, but estimated that it was more than 500 million rials ($133 million). — Reuters

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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

Conservative group launches ad attacking Florida Supreme Court 3 justices targeted by state Republican Party

CANCUN: Inmates demonstrate in this file photo during a riot at the municipal prison of Cancun, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. — AFP

In Mexico, inmates often rule prisons MEXICO CITY: The mass escape of 131 prisoners last week has thrown a spotlight on lawlessness inside Mexico’s prisonsviolent places often controlled by gangs that use them as recruiting grounds. Criminal groups hold sway in 60 percent of prisons, where they are able to continue rackets in the outside world, conduct other business inside and buy off officials, according to the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH). “The deterioration of prisons in the last few years is undeniable, as demonstrated by the escapes, fights, self-governing and assaults on prison personnel,” said Raul Plascencia, head of the governmental commission. The CNDH issued a damning report on the state of prisons in the country some two months before President Felipe Calderon, who launched a major offensive against drug cartels in 2006, leaves office. In the last two years alone, 14 prison escapes took place, allowing 521 prisoners to run free. Over the same period, 352 homicides were committed within prison walls. Prisoners run black markets from their jail cells, offering protection to other inmates, selling food and mobile phones, and even bringing in prostitutes. The CNDH visited 100 of the country’s 419 penitentiaries. The prisons its investigators inspected were the most crowded in the country, holding 75 percent of Mexico’s prison population. In some cases, commission members were unable to visit the prison. This was the case in Piedras Negras, the prison near the US border from which 131 inmates escaped last week. Sixteen guards were detained over suspicions that the prisoners were able to walk out the front door. The CNDH was not able to visit Piedras Negras because the prison’s officials warned that “it was impossible to guaran-

tee the security of commission personnel,” CNDH member Guillermo Aguirre Aguilar told Milenio television. “And when we entered some of the prisons, we weren’t able to visit and examine their entirety because we were told that the prisoners had the keys to the cells,” he said. “We spend millions and millions to combat crime, catch criminals and put them in jail, and once they’re in there we forget about them. We put then in a position to repeat oﬀenses once they’re free,” Aguirre added. After the Piedras Negras escape, Calderon denounced the “vulnerability” of state prisons, noting that almost 1,000 inmates escaped from them over his sixyear term but none from federal penitentiaries. “Calderon’s statement is a fallacy, a lie disguised as truth, because the majority of escapees were convicted on federal charges,” said Pedro Arellano, a priest and director of the Catholic Church’s prison pastoral care. “They launched a war without preparing the prisons for organized crime,” he said. There are only 13 federal prisons in Mexico, and almost 70 percent of federal convicts-the most dangerous criminals-are jailed in regional prisons, Interior Minister Alejandro Poire said in February. Arellano said corruption is rampant in state prisons. “Some wardens allow prisoners to get out to carry out crimes, return to the prison and share the money,” he said. In Piedras Negras, prosecutors suspect the Zetas drug cartel orchestrated the escape to replenish their ranks. “Criminal organizations have taken over the penitentiary system, and use it as a springboard and an engine to fuel organized crime,” said Edgardo Buscaglia, senior research scholar at New York’s Columbia University. Arellano agrees. “Mexican prisons have become the main recruiting center for organized crime,” he said. “Prisons are crime schools.” — AFP

TALLAHASSEE: A conservative advocacy group began running an Internet ad criticizing the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday, days after the Republican Party started a campaign to sack three justices who rejected efforts to overturn President Barack Obama’s healthcare law. Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group financed by billionaires Charles and David Koch, released the first in an expected series of ads attacking the Supreme Court after the Republican Party of Florida executive committee voted unanimously to target justices Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince. The justices face a popular vote to remain in office this fall under the state’s merit retention law, which was created in the 1970s to insulate the high court from political pressure. “All three justices are too extreme not just for Florida, but for America, too,” the Republican committee said in a statement announcing its upcoming effort. The ad does not mention the justices by name but attacks the Affordable Care Act, saying the program is expensive and the law has been unpopular. “That’s why many states, like Ohio, gave their citizens the right to vote against it,” the 30-second spot says. “Not Florida. Our own Supreme Court denied our right to choose for ourselves. Shouldn’t our courts protect our rights to choose?” A spokesperson for Americans for Prosperity did not immediately return a phone call for comment. Slade O’Brien, president of AFP of Florida, told the

Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times: “We’re not advocating for the election or defeat of any of the justices. What we’re attempting to do is call more attention to them advocating from the bench.” In 2010, the three justices joined the majority in a 5-2 decision to reject a state effort to invalidate the heath care reform. Last year, the court also rejected a move by Republican Governor Rick Scott to circumvent the legislature in agency rulemaking. The Florida Supreme Court has often been at odds with the Republican-led Florida Legislature and a series of Republican governors over the last dozen years. In 2000, the three judges joined a majority of the court to order Florida election officials to recount ballots in the presidential election between Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W Bush. That decision was overturned by the US Supreme Court. CONSERVATIVE AGENDA? Critics of the recall say the efforts are less about judicial activism and more to do with a conservative Republican agenda. “Let’s make no mistake,” said former state Senator Alex Villalobos, a moderate Republican from Miami. “That is what this is all about.” In 2010, voters removed three Iowa Supreme Court justices who were part of a decision that legalized same-sex marriage in the state. It was the first time members of that state’s high court had been recalled by voters. Created in 1976,

Florida’s merit retention system was an attempt to take politics out of the judicial nominating process following a series of embarrassing imbroglios involving high court justices. Under the system, appellate judges and Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a list of candidates submitted by a qualiﬁcations commission. While the justices do not face elections against rival candidates, voters are asked every six years to retain them. If a majority votes against them, replacements will be appointed by the governor. “The short reason why we have merit selection and merit retention for the appellate bench in Florida is that (the Supreme Court) was riddled with corruption all because of the politics that went into how they were selected,” said Martin Dyckman, whose book “A Most Dishonorable Court: Scandal and Reform in the Florida Judiciary,” chronicled judicial missteps that led to the merit retention system. Another group, Orlando-based Restore Justice, was formed in August to target Lewis, Pariente and Quince for removal. And another, Defend Justice from Politics, was established earlier this month to support the judges’ retention eﬀorts. The justices themselves have collectively raised more than $1 million to remain on the bench. “The consequences of this retention election are not just the individual fates of these three justices but the fate for maybe a generation to come of the Florida Supreme Court,” Dyckman said. — Reuters

Texas executes ex-Army recruiter after reprieves HUNTSVILLE: A former Army recruiter failed to win a fourth reprieve from the US Supreme Court and was executed Tuesday evening in Texas for participating in the shooting death of a woman he and a buddy met 10 years ago at a bar. Cleve Foster was pronounced dead at 6:43 pm CDT, 25 minutes after his lethal injection began and two hours after the high court refused to postpone his punishment. Three times last year the justices stopped his scheduled punishment, once when he was moments from being led to the death chamber. His attorneys argued he was

innocent of the 2002 slaying of Nyaneur Pal, a 30-year-old immigrant from Sudan. They also said he had deﬁcient legal help at his trial and in early stages of his appeals and argued his case deserved a closer look. Foster, 48, also was charged but never tried for the rape-slaying a few months earlier of another woman in Fort Worth, Rachel Urnosky. In the seconds before the single lethal dose of pentobarbital began, Foster expressed love to his family and to God. “When I close my eyes, I’ll be with the father,” he said. “God is everything. He’s my life. Tonight I’ll be with him.” He did not proclaim inno-

cence or admit guilt. He did turn to relatives of his two victims, saying, “I don’t know what you’re going to be feeling tonight. I pray we’ll all meet in heaven.” As the drugs began taking eﬀect and while he was repeatedly saying he loved his family, he began snoring, then he stopped breathing. Three of the nine Supreme Court justices - Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor - would have stopped the punishment, the court indicated in its brief ruling. Last year in January, April and September the justices did intervene and halted his execution, once only moments before he could have

been led to the death chamber. “It’s oﬀensive to us the frivolous appeals that were thrown up at the Supreme Court last minute,” said Terry Urnosky, whose 22year-old daughter’s death was blamed on Foster and a partner, Sheldon Hale. “One stay after another, just delaying the closure our families sought.” Urnosky, his wife, and Pal’s uncle and aunt stood a few feet away from Foster and watched the execution through a window. “It’s like ripping oﬀ a deep scab each time, preventing the wound from being able to start healing,” Unrosky said. “Now the wound can start closing.” — AP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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

Anti-Muslim filmmaker’s probation case creeps CERRITOS: The federal probation violation investigation targeting the man behind the anti-Muslim video inflaming the Middle East is proceeding slowly and privately, reflecting the explosiveness of the case. Federal officials have said nothing publicly about the case, and neither has Nakoula Basseley Nakoula’s attorney. Nakoula has put his home up for sale and gone into hiding since violence erupted over the 14-minute YouTube trailer for “Innocence of Muslims,” a crudely made film that portrays the Muhammad as a religious fraud, womanizer and pedophile. Enraged Muslims have demanded punishment for Nakoula, and dozens have died in violent protests linked to the movie. A Pakistani cabinet minister on Monday offered a $100,000 bounty to anyone who kills Nakoula. Meantime, First Amendment advocates have defended Nakoula’s right to make the film even while condemning its content. President Barack Obama echoed those sentiments Tuesday in a speech at the United Nations. “We understand why people take offense to this video because millions of our citizens are among them. I know there are some who ask, ‘Why don’t we just ban such a video?’” he said. “ The answer is enshrined in our laws. Our Constitution protects the right to practice free speech.”

Against that backdrop, federal officials are looking into whether Nakoula, 55, violated probation for a 2010 check fraud conviction by uploading the trailer to YouTube. Nakoula was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered not to use computers or the Internet for five years without approval from his probation officer. If he’s found in violation, he could be returned to prison. If not, he’ll remain free. Either way, federal officials will face criticism, either from those who say Nakoula’s free speech rights were trampled or from those who believe he should have been punished for inciting violence with the video. “This case breaks the mold,” said Mark Werksman, a defense attorney in Los Angeles and a former federal prosecutor. “If the video hadn’t gone viral, and caused the Arabic world to blow up, who would care if this guy is using YouTube? It’s all about politics with this guy.” Because of the international complexity, probation officials handling the case are taking plenty of time to make a decision and likely are getting input from throughout the federal government, said Lawrence Rosenthal, a professor at Chapman University’s School of Law in Orange. “My best guess is decisions about this case are going to be made at very high levels,” Rosenthal said, surmising federal prosecutors, Justice Department headquarters and

even the State Department may be weighing in. Steven Seiden, a defense attorney representing Nakoula in the probation matter, did not reply to questions by email Tuesday and has not replied to several written requests for an interview with him or his client. The US attorney’s office declined to comment. In most federal cases, a probation officer who decides someone has committed a serious violation submits a confidential report to the sentencing judge, who then can pursue a probation revocation hearing - a mini-trial of sorts where probation officials must prove the violation. If the judge finds the individual in violation, the court can return the defendant to probation, send him to prison or impose additional terms of probation without prison time. Normal cases can move very quickly - sometimes taking days - once a probation officer has prepared a report, Werksman said. In this instance, however, the political and diplomatic ramifications likely have officials scrutinizing every step. Probation officials first must be able to prove there was a violation, and that could mean a lengthy investigation into whether Nakoula or someone else posted the video on YouTube, said Heidi Rummel, a former federal prosecutor and criminal law professor at the University of Southern

CALIFORNIA: An unoccupied Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department patrol car is parked across from the home of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the man who made the film “Innocence of Muslims” that has sparked violent protests. — AP California’s Gould School of Law. In addition, the terms of Nakoula’s supervised release indicate he was allowed to use computers with prior approval from his probation oﬃcer. It’s possible he received approval to post the trailer for “Innocence of Muslims.” “Usually the probation oﬃcer will be most interested in preventing him from engaging in any kind of activity related to the original crime, so anoth-

er factor would be what kind of permission did the probation officer give him?” she said. “Why would (the film) be of concern in a bank fraud case? That’s a whole nother wrinkle.” If federal probation officials - or those above them - decide not to proceed against Nakoula, the public likely will never know what went into the decision or who was involved without a court proceeding, Rosenthal said. — AP

Italian region’s scandal points to wider unease New scandal adds uncertainty to political situation

LAGOS: A photo shows the traffic on Ikorodu road in Lagos. — AFP

Jammed signals: Radio seeks to ease Lagos monstrous traffic LAGOS: The body remained by the roadside after an armed robbery, but Tunmise Oladapo-Kuku was ready to help as drivers maneuvered their way through this African megacity’s notorious traffic. Smooth-voiced Oladapo-Kuku, from behind her microphone at Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1 FM, began alerting officials of the situation in the largest city in Africa’s most populous nation. “Armed robbers have just shot a man dead in Gbagada. His body is lying by the roadside. In Ikorodu roundabout and Owode Onirin bus stop, traffic is building up. Concerned officials, please go and clear them of traffic,” she said. Many radio stations across the world update their listeners with traffic reports, particularly during peak hours. But Lagos, as any longtime resident would be happy to explain, is not quite like many cities. Officials in Nigeria’s economic capital, with a population estimated around 15 million, spotty public transport and roads with potholes the size of small ponds, have decided such a limited service simply will not do. They have launched a radio station devoted solely to traffic, taking calls from throughout the city from drivers as well as designated monitors, and then relaying those reports and suggestions to listeners. The government in Lagos state, where the city is located, has made easing monstrous traffic jams one of its priorities, so far with varying success, and the radio station is among its latest moves. It is difficult to overstate the problem. The millions of Lagos residents who must commute across town or into the suburbs face hours-long drives over often danger-

ous roads while dodging tankers and swarming motorcycle taxis. Hoodlums extorting money from motorists add further headaches. So the radio station operating 18 hours a day, with songs played intermittently between traffic reports, has been a welcome addition since coming on stream in late May. Its usefulness could be seen recently when a petrol tanker ran into a ditch on the outskirts of Lagos, turning what would have normally been an awful traffic jam into something far worse. A monitor had phoned in to report the crash, and presenter Femi Akanni began broadcasting alternative routes to escape the gridlock. “Motorists should please use alternative routes in the meantime to get to their destinations,” he said. Another part of the radio station’s duties has been to explain-in both English and the local Yoruba language-a set of controversial new traffic laws, including bans on mobile phone use and even smoking or eating while driving. Previously such attempts at crackdowns-including bids to ban nuisance motorcycle taxis in parts of the cityhave resulted in an initial burst of selective enforcement before quickly being forgotten. “The radio is one of our initiatives to make life better for Lagosians ... to solve traffic problems as a city aspiring to become Africa’s model megacity,” Lagos Information Commissioner Lateef Aderemi Ibirogba said. The radio is carving a niche for itself, gradually making itself known to Lagosians, even if reception remains poor in some areas, which has drawn complaints. — AFP

Murdoch ex-aides in court LONDON: Former News of the World editors Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson were in court in London yesterday on charges related to the phone-hacking scandal that shut down Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloid. Coulson, who has also served as Prime Minister David Cameron’s media chief, and Brooks are among 13 people facing various charges at the Old Bailey, the legendary central criminal court. All the defendants are currently free on bail. Coulson and Brooks made no comment as they arrived at the court building. Brooks, 44, is expected to enter a plea on three charges of perverting the course of justice by removing evidence from the offices of News International (NI) Murdoch’s British newspaper wing-and trying to conceal it from police. Her racehorse trainer husband Charlie Brooks, 49, his wife’s assistant Cheryl Carter, her chauffeur Paul Edwards, NI security chief Mark Hanna, and Daryl Jorsling, who provided security for Brooks on behalf of NI, face one charge each. The charges of perverting the course of justice were lodged in May and carry a maximum term of life imprisonment. They all relate to the frantic final days of the 168year-old News of the World in July 2011.

Murdoch closed the newspaper following revelations that it had hacked into the phone of a murdered schoolgirl, Milly Dowler, in the days following her disappearance in 2002. In a parallel case, Brooks, Coulson, ﬁve former News of the World journalists and a private investigator will appear in court charged with having illegally hacked into mobile phone voicemails. They are not expected to enter pleas in that case, which police say involves the hacking of 600 people’s voicemails, including Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney. The others charged are Stuart Kuttner, the News of the World’s former managing editor, former news editor Greg Miskiw, former head of news Ian Edmondson, former chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, and reporter James Weatherup. The last person is private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, who was jailed for phone hacking for six months in 2007 along with the paper’s former royal reporter. The News of the World insisted in 2007 that they were isolated cases but Australian-born Murdoch closed down the weekly tabloid last year amid allegations that hacking was far more widespread. — AFP

ROME: An expenses scandal that forced the resignation of an Italian regional governor from Silvio Berlusconi’s party this week is not only a blow for the ex-premier but a sign of wider discontent, experts said. “No political party should have any illusions. Even if not everyone acted in the same way, there is an anger against them that could become dangerous,” said Giacomo Marramao, a professor of political philosophy at Rome III University. The governor of the Lazio region, Renata Polverini, a former trade union leader, resigned on Monday saying she was shocked by the outrageous use of public finances by her own party, Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PDL). Prosecutors are investigating a dozen regional deputies from the PDL for a variety of fraud crimes and newspapers have been filled for days with stories of lavish spending on toga parties, oyster dinners and luxury cars. The former leader of the PDL’s regional deputies, Franco Fiorito, nicknamed “Batman” by his friends for the way he once flew off a Harley Davidson, is suspected of defrauding the state of around a million euros ($1.3 million). He has defended himself saying he always acted according to the law. “It’s easy to be honest by legally dividing up public funds,” said Francesco Merlo, a columnist for the leftist La Repubblica daily, who pointed to the huge salary increases for regional lawmakers

even as Italy plunged into recession. Italian press reports said that regional deputies in Lazio, who already earn around 12,000 euros a month, have voted to increase their pay packets by around 8,300 euros over the past two years while Polverini has been in charge. Regional party leaders also awarded themselves extra bonuses, while the amount of funds given by the regional administration to political parties has risen from 1.0 million euros to 14 million euros a year over the same period. Popular resentment has built up since local taxes have tripled in the Lazio region because of a spiraling economic crisis, while residents have also complained about the steep cuts to healthcare spending and culture. ‘SEMI-LEGAL SCANDAL’ “The worst is that this is a semi-legal scandal,” said Stefano Folli, a columnist for the business daily Il Sole 24 Ore. Folli said the result could be a strengthening of movements hostile to party politics like the populist ex-comedian Beppe Grillo. “It’s a whole system” that is being questioned, said Marramao, adding that even Renaissance thinker Niccolo Machiavelli had pointed to “an absence of a civic sense” in Italy where many politicians just aim to get rich quick. Left-wing daily L’Unita said the expenses scandal has

“increased the sense of defiance and suspicion of citizens towards parties and institutions.” Berlusconi is clearly concerned by the scandal and has called for a root-and-branch reform of an opaque system of financing for political parties. His party has been riven by infighting and hit by poor results ever since he stepped down in November 2011 and retreated from frontline political life. “We need to intervene with courage and severity. Politics in Italy is at risk of dying as it is discredited by intolerable collective and individual behavior,” Berlusconi said in a statement after Polverini’s resignation. For a defendant in three trials including one for having sex with an underage prostitute, critics said Berlusconi has also done his bit to discredit politics-although perhaps not as much as his protege Nicole Minetti. A former starlet turned regional deputy in the Lombardy region, Minetti is also on trial for allegedly procuring prostitutes for Berlusconi. Undeterred, the cur vaceous brunette took to the catwalk for a lingerie show at Milan Fashion Week this week and said she would be keeping the proceeds. As she smiled for the cameras in a skimpy bikini, Minetti compared herself to the many Italians who are forced to work two jobs to make ends meet. “This is my second job, just like a lot of people,” she said. — AFP

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DSK seeks dismissal of pimping charges DOUAI: Lawyers for Dominique Strauss-Kahn yesterday asked a French appeal court to dismiss charges that the disgraced former IMF chief helped procure prostitutes for sex parties. Strauss-Kahn admits attending orgies in France and the United States but claims he did not know the women involved were being paid to take part. He was not present at yesterday’s closeddoor hearing and his lawyers did not speak to reporters before entering the court in the northern town of Douai. The case, known as the “Carlton affair” in France, centers around allegations that business leaders and police officials in Lille operated a vice ring supplying girls for sex parties, some of which are said to have taken place at the Carlton Hotel in the northern city. 2 Sudans near deal ADDIS ABABA: Sudan and South Sudan leaders are edging close to signing a deal on festering disputes, on the fourth day of a presidential summit, Ethiopian officials said yesterday. “The final result of the negotiation between the two Sudans is expected to be made public by a press conference,” Ethiopia’s foreign ministry said in a statement. However, diplomats suggested a partial agreement was close to being reached, and not a comprehensive deal as had been hoped. While the press conference is scheduled for 1030GMT, there was no confirmation from either delegation a deal would be signed then. Woman arrested for marring anti-jihad ad NEW YORK: An Egyptian-born US columnist has been arrested for spray-painting an advertisement equating Muslim radicals with savages at a New York City subway station. Mona Eltahawy, 45, of New York, was arrested on charges including criminal mischief and making graffiti, police said. Her arrest was captured on video by a New York Post camera crew and posted online. Eltahawy is a women’s rights defender and lecturer on the role of social media in the Arab world. She calls herself a liberal Muslim who’s spoken publicly against violent Islamic groups. She’s seen in the video spraying pink paint on the ad while another woman tries to block her. “This is non-violent protest, see this America,” Eltahawy said in the video as police officers were arresting her.

POLOKWANE: South African populist firebrand Julius Malema, a former leader of the African National Congress’ (ANC) Youth smiles as he arrives in court yesterday in Polokwane. — AFP

Defiant Malema charged with money laundering POLOKWANE: South African populist firebrand Julius Malema was charged with money laundering and released on bail yesterday as he and his supporters derided what they said was a show trial. The former ANC high-flyer was charged with “money laundering, of receiving the proceeds of unlawful activities,” prosecutor Billy Moalosi told the court. The charges detail a complex pyramid of companies linked to Malema, as a key figure in these companies, he is accused of lying and influence peddling to gain an infrastructure contract in Malema’s home province of Limpopo, worth 52 million rand ($6.3 million, 4.9 million euros.) The proceeds are alleged to have been used to help buy Malema a Mercedes Benz Viano and a large farm. A police spokesperson said the charge could result in up to 15 years in prison and a large fine. The case was adjourned to November 30 and during yesterday’s hearing Malema did not enter a plea. But

after being released on bail of 10,000 rand (945 euros, $1,215) he told supporters that the case was punishment for a high-profile dispute with President Jacob Zuma. “Some people have taken a decision to conspire against me and bring some charges,” he said waving his fist from the back of a pickup truck to cheers. “They are trying to get something against me, they are sent by Jacob Zuma.” Police issued an arrest warrant for the former ANC Youth League leader on Friday, shortly after he seized on unrest at South Africa’s mines to launch political attacks against Zuma. “These charges which they’ve brought against me, they will not affect me in any way. I am unshaken. I am not intimidated by nonsense,” he said. Malema turned himself in yesterday, appearing first at a police station and then in court, where, sporting a dark suit, red tie and white shirt, he appeared relaxed. — AFP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

i n t e r n at i o n a l

India PM turns 80

Taleban grants Pakistan’s bounty minister ‘amnesty’

Singh battling to save legacy

Militants remove minister from hit list

NEW DELHI: India’s premier Manmohan Singh marked his 80th birthday Tuesday, as he struggles to save his reputation as a principled reformer amid a string of corruption scandals that have engulfed his cabinet. After years of policy logjam and sleaze allegations, Singh’s administration burst into life last week when it announced a sudden blitz of reforms designed to revive the sharply slowing economy. Ahead of his expected retirement at the next elections, due in 2014, the plans have given his image a new boost with the Economic Times newspaper proclaiming he has got his “mojo back”. The prime minister spent the day with his family and at public engagements, including a speech to a science conference, his office said. “There are no celebrations. He prefers to be with his family in the morning then work as usual,” Singh’s spokesman said. Singh was credited with helping light the fuse for the nation’s rapid

growth in 1991 when as finance minister he rescued an economy teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. But his reputation has taken a battering since he returned as prime minister in 2004 - and especially since the 2009 re-election of

Indian PM Manmohan Singh

the Congress government-with his administration buffeted by graft scandals. Had Singh retired in 2009, history would have remembered him as a key architect of liberalisation “but unable to resist the lure of office he stayed on,” renowned Indian historian Ramachandra Guha wrote Tuesday. “In his second term, he has presided over what is arguably the most corrupt government in Indian history,” Guha said in a column for the BBC, referring to the scandals that Singh failed to prevent or take swift action against. Birthday greetings from Indian politicians flowed in on Tuesday and Russian President Vladimir Putin called Singh an “outstanding statesman” in a personal message. “You have earned well-deserved respect as an outstanding statesman and eminent economist,” said Putin, whose country enjoys close ties with India even as New Delhi’s relationship with the United States has blossomed.— AFP

2 million flee India floods Aid effort struggles; Rains hamper air operation GUWAHATI: Rains hampered a military air operation to help flood victims in northeastern India, where more than two million people have been forced from their homes, officials said yesterday. Disaster management chiefs overseeing the aid effort in Assam state also said the number of people killed in flood-related incidents had reached 18 with five more casualties reported in the last 24 hours. It is the third time this year that Assam has been hit by flooding. Families stranded by the flood waters said they were close to starvation because the few aid packages that had been flown in were not enough to go round. The defense ministry said heavylift helicopters were conducting up to 10 drops a day, each containing up to 1.5 tons of food, medicine and aid material. But it admitted the relief operation was struggling because there was no let-up in the weather during what is the back-end of the monsoon season. “Rains and strong river currents are hampering relief and rescue operations by soldiers and Indian Air Force helicopters,” defense ministry spokesman S S Phogat said in Guwahati, Assam’s largest city. Phogat said he was unable to put a figure on the number of people rescued so far. “Our priority right now is to rescue trapped people and reach food and medicines to those affected,” he said. Mother-of-three Rupamoni Payeng said it was the third time this year she had fled to an elevated section of land on the submerged island of Majuli to escape flooding. “We had to come here in June and August,” she said by phone, huddled inside a tarpaulin tent with the rest of her family. She said the mood among other victims on the island, which is around 350 kilometers from Guwahati, was getting desperate. A bulletin from Assam’s disaster management department said the number forced to flee their homes had risen to two million, up by around 200,000 on the previous figure. At least 19 of oil-rich Assam’s 27 districts had been left under water, including 2,600 villages, it said. Some 400,000 hectares of crops were affected and 55 breaches of river banks had been recorded. Assam’s worst floods in recent years came in 2004 when 200 people were killed and five million people displaced. Floodwaters have also submerged the 430-square-kilometre Kaziranga National Park, home to the world’s largest concentration of one-horned rhi-

nos. A 2012 census put the number there at 2,290, of a global population of 3,300. Poachers took advantage of the chaos to kill one rhino, taking to 14 the number slaughtered this year. They also shot and wounded another, park wardens said. The animals are killed for their horns, which fetch huge prices in Asian countries where they are deemed to

have aphrodisiac qualities. Flooding has also hit parts of neighboring Bangladesh, where officials say nearly 250,000 people have been trapped by rising waters. In Kurigram district, which borders Assam, more than 200,000 people have been trapped in their homes, district administrator Habibur Rahman said. — AFP

India’s Sahara - massive, splashy and mysterious KHALILABAD: Like millions of Indians, Jag Ram Chaudhary invested with the Sahara conglomerate - 1,300 rupees ($24) a month in his case - to put away money for a rainy day. “My wife had an accident some years back. I don’t have much savings, so I thought I’ll be able to save some money by putting in a small amount every month,” said Chaudhary, an office helper at a construction company in Uttar Pradesh state. On Aug 31, India’s Supreme Court ruled that finance schemes run by two Sahara companies were illegal and ordered it to repay as much as $4.5 billion to up to almost 30 million mostly small investors, plus interest. The final figures are still to be determined as some clients have already redeemed their investments, lawyers on both sides of the matter said. The case has shone a rare light on the unlisted giant whose interests range across finance, housing, media and entertainment Sahara has accumulated a string of trophies in recent years, including a stake in a Formula One motor racing team and ownership of Grosvenor House hotel in London. In July, it agreed to buy a controlling stake in New York’s Plaza Hotel. But its core client base is the towns and villages away from the shiny cities of modern India. There, Sahara s ells investment products to often poor people in amounts as small as 2 rupees a day. The company is a household name in India through its lead sponsorship of the national cricket team. “Banks take eight years to pay what I get from Sahara in five years,” Chaudhary, 40, said in Khalilabad, a town in Sant Kabir Nagar district in northern India. Like several Sahara customers interviewed

nearly two weeks afterwards, he had not heard of the court ruling. SPENDING POWER Critics, including activist groups, say Sahara’s investment products are designed to evade oversight by financial regulators and that it lacks transparency on the source and use of its funds, selling products to investors who do not understand the risks and ploughing the proceeds into real estate projects. Under the scheme rejected by the Supreme Court, two firms owned by Sahara had offered bonds to small investors, promising, in some cases, to return three times the face value after 10 years. The court ruling that it raised money by “dubious” means follows another rebuke in 2008, when the central bank ordered a Sahara company to stop taking deposits from the public. In a country where “black money”, or undeclared wealth, is rampant, Sahara’s size and spending power have long fuelled speculation over how the company operates. Sahara, headed by Subrata Roy Sahara, its chairman and self-described “managing worker”, says it helps small investors outside the banking system and that it has never defaulted on them. “Sahara agents motivate people who would otherwise spend the money on liquor, gambling, etc,” said Guddu Pandey, a school teacher and Sahara agent in Uttar Pradesh state, echoing an argument made by Sahara after the court verdict. The company did not respond to several attempts by Reuters to get answers to written questions. Roy was not immediately available to be interviewed, Sahara said. — Reuters

Afghan ‘bomb’ baby finds new home after rescue GHAZNI: A newborn baby girl dumped on the side of a road in Afghanistan and rescued by Polish troops-who initially thought the little bundle was a bomb-has begun a new life as a treasured member of a childless family. The baby, named Pola by the Polish troops when she was found during a patrol on September 19, was first taken to the soldiers’ base in Ghazni province south of Kabul and then transferred to the local hospital. “The soldiers noticed a small thing wrapped in a towel on the side of the road. At first they thought it was an IED (improvised explosive device), but when they got closer they found out it was a baby,” hospital director Baz Mohammad Rahmat

GHAZNI: Newly adopted Afghan baby girl Aria, lays on her back at a local hospital in Ghazni yesterday.— AFP

said. “They picked up the baby and took her to their base and called us. We told them to bring her to the hospital. The baby was two days old and was in good health.” Before going to the hospital, Pola was given a medical check and food by the Polish soldiers, part of NATO forces fighting a Taleban insurgency. “I was called to the (Tactical Operations Centre) for an urgent task: buy milk, a bottle and a teat,” said Polish Master Corporal Miroslaw Myszka, according to a report on the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) website. “At first I thought that they were joking, but they told me briefly a history of the child so I conducted this task as quickly as I could. It is my fourth tour but I have not had such a task yet.” How the baby came to be on the side of the road is not known, but one theory is that she was born to an unmarried mother who could not face the punishment the birth would provoke. Afghanistan is an extremely conservative Muslim country, where unmarried girls are often confined to the home and forbidden from having any contact with men outside the immediate family. Another theory is that she could have been dumped simply because she was a girl in a country where boys are more highly valued. But whatever her past, her future is bright, according to her adoptive father, 29year-old Ghazni shopkeeper Zahir Rahimi. “I have been married for four years, but I don’t have a child yet,” he told AFP in the one room he and his wife rent in a mud house on the outskirts of Ghazni city. “My wife and I have visited several doctors for treatment, but nothing seems to work.” Rahimi said he had decided to take a second wifepermitted under Afghan law-in an attempt to have a child, before a fortuitous visit to Ghazni hospital. “That day, I had taken my cousin to the hospital, and there I found out about the baby. — AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani cabinet minister who put a $100,000 bounty on an anti-Islam filmmaker’s head has impressed the country’s Taleban militants so much that they announced yesterday they are taking him off their hit list. Separately, a breakaway faction of the Afghan Taleban announced its own bounty for those behind “Innocence of Muslims,” the film that has sparked deadly protests across the Islamic world. The group is offering almost $500,000 in gold. Muslims have been angered by the crude, amateurish film’s portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad as a fraud, a womanizer and a child molester. Dozens of people, including the US ambassador to Libya, have died in violence linked to protests over the movie. The man behind the video, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula has put his home up for sale and gone into hiding since violence erupted over the 14-minute YouTube trailer for “Innocence of Muslims,” which also has sparked debate over freedom of expression in the US and in Europe. Some of the most intense protests have erupted in Pakistan, where the role of Islam in society is sacrosanct and anti-American sentiment runs high. It was in that atmosphere that Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour offered his $100,000 reward Saturday for anyone who kills Nakoula. Bilour also appealed to Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants to help eliminate the filmmaker, while Pakistan’s government said the bounty reflected Bilour’s personal view and was not official policy. The minister belongs to the secular Awami National Party, an ally in the government of President Asif Ali Zardari. His comments drew criticism within his own party, which is considered anti-Taleban and has lost several leaders in the fight against the insurgency. Pakistani Taleban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said yesterday that the minister’s views represent the true spirit of Islam, and that, consequently, the insurgents have removed him from their hit list. But while Bilour gets an “amnesty,” others in his party are still fair game, Ahsan said. Bilour could not immediately be reached for comment. In

Afghanistan, the Taleban faction known as the Dadullah Group offered eight kilograms, or 17.6 pounds, of gold to anyone who kills the film’s creators. In a telephone message to the AP, spokesman Rehbar Mal, announced the reward, which would be the equivalent of about $487,000. The group, named for a Taleban commander killed by NATO troops in 2007, broke away from the Afghan Taleban earlier this year to protest reconciliation talks with the United States. The Afghan Taleban and the

“It was a remote-controlled device and the target was a military convoy,” a security official in Miranshah said. One vehicle in the 20-truck convoy was hit in the blast, which killed one soldier on the spot, while another later succumbed to injuries in hospital, he said. There are 14 other injured soldiers receiving treatment in the hospital, some in a serious condition, he added. Troops responded by launching a house-to-house search for militants while military helicopters shelled suspected hideouts, another

ISLAMABAD: Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Pakistan’s Railways minister, speaks during an interview at his office in Islamabad. — AFP Pakistani Taleban are separate, though linked, militant outfits. BOMB KILLS TWO SOLDIERS Meanwhile, a roadside bomb targeting a military convoy yesterday killed two Pakistani soldiers and wounded 14 others in the country’s lawless tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said. The bomb was planted along the route of a convoy of the paramilitary Frontier Corps in Spinwam area about 40 kilometers north of Miranshah, the main town in the North Waziristan region, they said. North Waziristan has become the most notorious Taleban and AlQaeda stronghold on Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. Islamabad has resisted US pressure to launch a fullscale offensive against insurgents in the area.

official in the northwestern city of Peshawar said, confirming the death toll. “We don’t have details of militant losses,” he said. North Waziristan is one of seven districts in Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal belt, where Taleban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants have carved out strongholds used to plot attacks across the border in Afghanistan. Attacks on the military are rare in the region as an influential local militant commander, Gul Bahadur, agreed not to attack Pakistani troops under a ceasefire accord signed with the authorities in 2007. Pakistan has lost more than 3,000 soldiers in the fight against homegrown insurgents but has resisted US pressure to eliminate havens used by those fighting international troops in Afghanistan.— Agencies

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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

Myanmar villagers test their right to protest MONYWA: In rural Myanmar determined farmers and villagers are risking the ire of authorities by standing up to big business in a litmus test of new rights unthinkable during decades of military rule. Hundreds of people in the central town of Monywa, Sagaing division, have taken to the streets in recent months. They decried the confiscation of their land to make way for a Chinesebacked copper mine and expressed their fears over pollution in the area. Four people were detained by police for rallying without permission but have since been released and locals have vowed to continue their fight. “We have only dared to speak out about our suffering now because we heard that we can talk openly thanks to the change in government. We did not dare to complain... when they were soldiers,” 38-year-old farmer Myat Thaung said. For decades public protest was the preserve of the brave or desperate as the country’s junta did not flinch at meeting civilian demonstrations with army firepower. But a new civilian regime, which came to power after the military officially loosened its grip on the country last year, has been keen to tout its reformist credentials, freeing veterans of past uprisings from prison and welcoming democracy campaigner Aung San Suu

Kyi into parliament. President Thein Sein approved a bill allowing peaceful assembly in December last year, which was seen as a step in the right direction, although rights groups have criticized rules that mean demonstrators risk a year in jail if they do not seek permission five days in advance. The Myanmar leader also suspended an unpopular Chinese-led mega-dam in September 2011 in a dramatic departure from the previous junta, which was notorious for backing projects that enriched generals and their cronies at the expense of local people. In May hundreds of demonstrators flooded the streets of Yangon for several days in defiance of police to rally against the power cuts that beset the impoverished-but-resource-rich country. Pockets of protest have erupted all over the country, from wage strikes at Yangon factories to land demonstrations in remote farmlands, as Myanmar’s longsuppressed population tests the limits of its freedoms with increasing enthusiasm. “The Monywa copper mine protests represent a growing confidence amongst Myanmar citizens that the reforms entitle them to organize, protest, and defend their rights,” corporate advisory firm Vriens & Partners said this week in a report. The copper mine, a joint venture

between military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings and China’s Wanbao company, has led to 8,000 acres of land being confiscated from local farmers without consultation and in some cases without compensation, according to local activists. Myat Thaung said he received around $4,000 for the loss of seven acres of farmland, but has since spent all the money on looking after his family. He is now unemployed in an area where households are almost universally reliant on farming. “We did not sell our land-why would we sell our children’s birthrights? They are the ones who lied to us by confiscating our farmlands,” said the father of four at his village near Monywa. A few kilometers away in the village of Kankone Gyi, local residents are engaged in a separate fight against a sulphuric acid factory. For five years the villagers bore the choking pollution in silence. Not anymore. “Because of the smoke coming out of that factory, we cannot breath. Whenever it operates, we suffer,” said 67-year-old Khin San, one of about a hundred villagers who had gathered recently on a main road in the hope of discussing their plight with a representative of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. Party MP Phyo Min Thein said he had received 86 offi-

MONYWA: File photo shows a protesting Myanmar farmer looking out from a monastery used as a protest camp, in Monywa in northern Sagaing division. — AFP cial complaints from his constituency alone. A board of inquiry has been set up to look at the cases. “I have to say that this is the ﬁrst time since 1962 that there is a parliamentary investigation on behalf of farmers and the public,” he said, referring to the year in which a military coup robbed Myanmar of democracy. “We do not know what the result will be. But we

have to try our best for the people.” Educating people about their rights is a major priority so that they are not persuaded to sign unfavourable contracts, he said. The renowned Generation 88 movement, born during huge 1988 student-led demonstrations that were brutally crushed by the military, has become a key advocate for ordinary people in land and worker disputes. —AFP

Islands row rages as China, Japan stand their grounds ‘No magic bullet’ in diplomacy

OHIO: Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney (left) greets supporters during a campaign rally at Westerville South High School in Westerville, Ohio. — AFP

Facing tough road, Romney, Ryan embark on a bus tour DAYTON: Facing a tough path to victory if they cannot win Ohio, Republicans Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan launched a two-day bus tour on Tuesday to try to boost their fortunes in a state that polls show could be slipping away from them. The Republican nominees for president and vice president appeared together for the first time in more than three weeks, part of what aides vow will be a more aggressive phase of campaigning after Romney spent much of the past two weeks raising money and holding few public rallies. Romney emphasized his claims that Democratic President Barack Obama’s policies are preventing the US economy from a full recovery and that Obama has not been tough enough in pushing back against Chinese trade practices that have led to cheap goods flooding the US market and killing American jobs. Romney accused China of a wide variety of trade abuses, from holding down the value of its currency to keep its products cheap, to stealing US intellectual property. “We cannot compete with people that don’t play fair, and I will not let that go on,” Romney said. Romney’s message on China has been a central part of his stump speech all year. Obama’s campaign has responded with a television ad that accuses Romney of outsourcing jobs to China during his time as a private equity executive at Bain Capital. Romney and his team hope the trade message will resonate in Ohio, a politically divided state that is key to his chances of winning the presidency - but where polls indicate Obama has opened up a lead. Ohio’s unemployment rate in July was 7.2 percent, better than the national level of 8.1 percent. It is difficult to see how Romney could win the Nov 6 election without Ohio. He has a narrower path than Obama to get the 270 electoral votes

needed for victory, and most scenarios require him to win the Midwestern state where thousands of jobs were saved by the Obama-backed government bailout of the auto industry. Romney aides dismissed surveys showing the Republican presidential ticket falling behind Obama in Ohio on a day in which a Washington Post poll showed the president with an 8-point lead over Romney, 52 to 44 percent. Romney political director Rich Beeson told reporters on the candidate’s plane that the campaign’s internal polling showed a closer race in Ohio, within the survey’s margin of error. He accused the Obama campaign of “spiking the ball at the 30-yard line,” or declaring victory in the state long before the election. “I kind of hope the Obama campaign is basing their campaign on what the public polls say,” Beeson said. “We don’t. We have confidence in our data and our metrics.” Romney has suffered a series of stumbles in recent weeks that have knocked him off message and given the advantage to Obama. Some Romney supporters hope their candidate will put that behind him with an aggressive campaign schedule in the 10 or so key states that will decide the outcome of the election. “I would like him to be more aggressive, assertive in detailing his plans, making people vote for a future and not against an alternative future. I want him to focus more on what he’s going to do,” said Ken Warner, 50, a software engineer from South Dayton, Ohio. Romney sought to generate some fresh energy by appearing with Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman and budget hawk who is popular among conservatives - many of whom have been disappointed that Ryan has not been a more prominent force in Romney’s campaign.— Reuters

Court rejects bid to block Arizona ‘show your papers’ PHOENIX: A US federal appeals court has rejected a bid by a coalition of civil and immigrants rights activists to prevent police from enforcing an Arizona provision that is at the heart of the fierce national debate over illegal immigration. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco denied an emergency motion for an injunction blocking the “show your papers” provision of SB 1070, the state’s crackdown on illegal immigrants, pending appeal. The provision requires police to verify the citizenship or immigration status of people arrested, stopped or detained if there is a reasonable suspicion that they are in the country unlawfully. It went into effect on Sept 18 after a US district judge lifted an injunction blocking it. In June the US Supreme Court confirmed that three other key provisions of SB 1070 were unconstitutional, but declined to block the “show me your papers” provision. Several other parts of SB 1070 are blocked by separate injunctions issued by the district court. Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer signed the state crackdown on illegal immigrants into law in April 2010, saying that the

federal government had failed to secure the state’s border with Mexico. Brewer is an outspoken foe of Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration on immigration. In a statement Tuesday, the governor said she was under “no illusion that opponents of SB 1070 will stop their baseless allegations and call oﬀ their teams of lawyers.” “Know this: They will not succeed. The State of Arizona stands ﬁrmly in support of the rule of law, in defense of our citizens and together with our brave men and women in uniform,” she added. Karen Tumlin, managing attorney with the National Immigration Law Center which was among a coalition that challenged the law, said the group is exploring its legal options. “We need to continue the fight because of the unconstitutional harm it will unleash in Arizona” Tumlin said. “First and foremost, we are concerned about unlawful detention and individuals who may be profiled based on their manner of speech or the color of their skin.” Obama challenged Arizona’s law in court two years ago, saying the US Constitution gives the federal government sole authority over immigration policy.— Reuters

BEIJING: China claimed islands at the core of a row with Japan as its “sacred territory” in talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers, Chinese state media said yesterday, as neither side showed any sign of backing down in a long-festering feud. Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba urged China to exercise restraint over the dispute during what he called a tense hourlong meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported. The spat has triggered violent anti-Japanese protests in China and hurt trade ties between Asia’s two biggest economies. China’s Xinhua news agency said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi reiterated Beijing’s “solemn position on the issue of Diaoyu Islands, which have been China’s sacred territory since ancient times”. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told a news conference in Tokyo the two sides had agreed to keep talking. “There is no magic bullet in foreign diplomacy. We need to hold talks through various channels taking into account of broad perspective,” Fujimura told a news conference in Tokyo. Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated sharply this month after Japan bought the isolated East China Sea islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, from their private owner, sparking protests across China. In a sign of the economic fallout, Japanese automakers Toyota Motor Corp, Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Suzuki are curtailing production in China in the wake of the protests that shuttered dealerships and

darkened their sales prospects in the world’s top car market. China’s meetings with Japanese diplomatsboth at the United Nations and a day earlier in Beijing-suggest Beijing does not want the row over the island chain, believed to be in waters rich in natural gas deposits,

victory of the world anti-fascist war and a grave challenge to the postwar international order,” said Yang, according to the Xinhua summary of his comments. RETREAT DIFFICULT Sino-Japanese ties have long

TAIPEI: Tadashi Imai (left), President of the Japan Interchange Association, the de facto Japanese embassy, meets Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang to discuss as they discuss the disputed island chain, known in Japanese as the Senkaku Islands and in Chinese as the Diaoyu Islands in Taipei. — AFP to lead to a rupture in relations. This is, after all, the Year of JapanChina Friendship. But the unyielding tone of China’s published remarks suggests that the dispute is far from over. Beijing has repeatedly called the islands its “sacred territory since ancient times”. “The Japanese move is a gross violation of China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, an outright denial of the outcomes of

been plagued by China’s bitter memories of Tokyo’s military aggression in the 1930s and 1940s as well as present rivalry over regional resources and clout. The row coincides with a once-in-adecade leadership change in China, while Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s ruling party faces a drubbing in an election expected in months, domestic dynamics that make it hard for either side to

retreat. Noda is under fire from the main opposition party, which picked former prime minister and security hawk Shinzo Abe as its new leader, and possible next premier. Abe has been most vocal of the candidates in urging Tokyo take a tougher line in its territorial disputes with China and South Korea but yesterday he struck a balanced tone. “We must show our will to firmly protect our territorial waters and Senkaku amid China’s movements,” he told a news conference after being elected party chief. But he added: “Even if our national interests clash, we should acknowledge that we need each other and control the situation while thinking things strategically. My stance on this has not changed.” Japan, which says the islands’ purchase was meant to fend off a more provocative bid by the nationalist governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, to have his metropolitan government buy them, is trying to keep communication channels open. China postponed a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties with Japan, but an official at the Japan-China Economic Association said Toyota Motor chairman Fujio Cho and Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of Japanese business lobby Keidanren, and other representatives of Japan-China friendship groups would attend an event on Thursday in Beijing. Patrol vessels from the two countries have also been playing a tense game of catand-mouse in the waters near the disputed islands, raising concerns that an unintended collision or other incident could escalate into a broader clash.— Reuters

Taiwan’s war criminal sees himself as victim TAICHUNG: “War criminal” is not the first expression that comes to mind when seeing white-haired Chou Ching-feng in his living room in Taiwan, sipping tea with his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. But nearly 70 years ago, he worked for the Japanese army in what is now Malaysia, guarding Australian prisoners in one of the numerous prisoner-of-war (POW) camps that were scattered across occupied Southeast Asia. “The Japanese officers told us to beat the prisoners, and beat them hard. They were very meticulous about that,” said Chou, now 86. He is one of about 160 Taiwanese who were punished for their activities in the World War II. Eleven were executed. Chou, however, sees himself as a victim and wants compensation from Japan, which he says took the best years of his life and turned them into a long march through the prison camps-on both sides of the barbed wire. Japan is repeatedly pressed by its neighbors to do more to atone for its wartime actions. Bitter disputes, such as that currently flaring around East China sea islands are seen by many to illustrate Asia’s struggle to sort out the aftermath of the conflict. For Chou, the Taiwan he grew up in was a Japanese colony and had been one for decades. He had gone to a Japanese school and even had a Japanese name-Okamoto Yoshiaki. His family was poor, and when in 1943 he saw an advertisement for Taiwanese volunteers to serve overseas in the Japanese armed forces, he signed up. A former teacher of his, who was Japanese, was furious. “Why do you want to get involved in that?” he asked, exasperated. “Stay at home.” Chou did not listen to him. He needed the money. After a short period of training in Taiwan, he was sent to northern Borneo, in what is now Malaysia, to serve in the prison camps. The Japanese camps were among the worst horror stories of the war. More than 27 percent of all Western prisoners died, while in German-run camps in Europe, less than three per-

cent of American and British POWs lost their lives. Chou was immediately brought into a culture of brutality where beatings formed the main currency and where everyone, prisoners and guards alike, fit into a hierarchy of violence. Chou witnessed what happened after an officer had grown impatient with a guard who was too “soft” on a prisoner. The officer told the guard to come over and punched him straight in the face. “This is how you hit a prisoner,” the officer said, rubbing his knuckles. Like the Koreans-also a colonized people-the Taiwanese were second-class members of the Japanese army. The Japanese would ridicule them as uncivilized country bumpkins that could never rise to their own level. Chou and the other Taiwanese guards were issued simple Japanese uniforms without insignia-since they did not have any rank-but to outsiders they looked Japanese all the same. So on the occasional trip to the nearest major city, Kuching, it took some work to connect with members of the local Chinese community. “They’d be a little hesitant, until they realized that we were Chinese too, and then they’d loosen up,” he said. “But we couldn’t talk too much. The Japanese had strict rules against fraternizing with the local population.” Even before Chou arrived in Borneo, the war was going badly for the Japanese, and as the front drew nearer, the families back home were understandably worried. Chou wrote letters to put them at ease. “We couldn’t write any details. So it was very general, ‘I’m fine, everything is quiet,’ and so on. Just to make sure they didn’t worry too much. But it took six months for a letter to reach home,” he said. As the Allied forces closed in, food supplies became scarcer, and a meal for an emaciated prisoner consisted of a bowl of rice sprinkled with salt. In the end, to reduce the number of mouths they had to feed, the Japanese resorted to killing their prisoners, according to Lee Chan-ping, a Taiwanese historian who has studied the island’s camp guards in detail. Chou said he

himself did not take part in the executions, but he knew other Taiwanese who were forced to shoot unarmed men under the threat of being killed themselves if they did not carry out their orders. When the war ended in the summer of 1945, the captors became the captives. Chou moved into the primitive huts he had been guarding for many months. Shortly afterwards, he was sentenced to 15 years in jail. Nearly seven decades later he said he did not abuse any prisoners-a claim that is almost impossible to verify. Over the following years, Chou moved from one Asian prison camp to another, until 1953, when he was taken to a Japan emerging from American occupation. He was in a group of convicts, Japanese and Taiwanese, who were placed in Tokyo’s Sugamo Prison, a facility speciﬁcally used to incarcerate war criminals. While the Japanese were allowed to go home, only reporting back to the prison authorities every month, the Taiwanese were made to stay, Chou said. It would be three and a half years before his own sentence was reduced and he was allowed to return to Taiwan. “Everything was so diﬀerent, so developed,” said Chou, who had left the island as a boy of 18 and now returned as a man of 31. He soon found work, and he has lived more than half a century in relative comfort. But he would like the Japanese government to make up for the youth he says he never got to enjoy. His view is echoed by Lee Chan-ping, the local historian, who said people like Chou should be compensated for the extra years spent in jail in Tokyo. He compared the situation to that in Europe where the fall of the Berlin Wall proved closure of sorts for Europe’s post-war division. “Germany is apologizing left and right for its behavior during the war. Japan is not like that,” said Lee. When asked if he is optimistic he will see compensation, even today when only a couple of guards are left, Chou’s reply is straightforward: “Not too optimistic.”— AFP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

NEWS WHO advising Saudis on virus Continued from Page 1 illness pending the result of tests. Odense University hospital said those admitted were a family of four where the father had been to Saudi Arabia, and an unrelated person who had been to Qatar. Two of the patients were children under ﬁve. SARS swept out of China in 2003, killing more than 800 people worldwide. Separately, Saudi Arabia has denied entry to some 1,000 Nigerian woman seeking to visit for haj because they were not accompanied by men, with most stuck at the Jeddah airport, Nigerian officials said yesterday. The women, who began arriving Sunday at the airport in Jeddah, in western Saudi Arabia, were facing possible deportations by Saudi authorities, said a report compiled by the National Haj Commission of Nigeria, which oversees Nigerian participation in the pilgrimage to Makkah. “Upon enquiries by the reception team officials of the National Haj Commission in the airport, they were told that the pilgrims were held back because of lack of mahram (lawful male accompanying pilgrim),” said the report, which was submitted to the Nigerian

House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. About 171 of the women returned home to Nigeria on a flight yesterday, an official said. “These women were not deported. They were returned based on the decision by the National Haj Commission because the embarrassment from the Saudi authorities was becoming unbearable,” commission spokesman Umar Bala told AFP. Bilateral talks were ongoing between officials of the two countries to resolve the issue, he added. He said that about 1,000 women were still blocked at the Jeddah airport. According to the report, Nigerian pilgrims’ welfare boards have in the past acted as “mahrams” and visas have been granted on that basis. The report said that officials observed that flights which arrived at the Madinah airport were not subjected to such treatment. “Only those in Jeddah were affected. Checks at the Jeddah airport revealed that only Nigerian pilgrims were subjected to such treatment,” the report said. Last year, nearly three million Muslim pilgrims performed the haj. Roughly half of Nigeria’s 160 million people are Muslim. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation. — Agencies

PM hails improving relations with Iraq Continued from Page 1 proper representation of Arab and Muslim countries in line with their size, contributions and roles in defending the goals and principles of the UN and its charters,” Sheikh Jaber said. He condemned both of the recent anti-Islam movie as well as the violent protests it triggered, stressing the need for international actions against those instigate hatred and tension amongst the followers of different faiths. “Kuwait strongly condemns the production of this movie and the killing and violent actions that followed it,” he said, stressing that these actions contradict with the core teachings of the religion of Islam. With this, he recalled the Amir’s call for a UN anti-religions defamation convention during the UN General Assembly summit on inter-faith dialogue in Nov, 2008. “The UN General Assembly has to give due attention to HH the Amir’s call and pass a resolution in this regard to protect social security and stability in the world,” he said. Sheikh Jaber lamented the failure of all efforts to stop 18month-long violence and bloodshed in Syria. He recalled the Amir’s calls at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Summit (OIC) on Aug 12 for an international action to put an end to the plight of Syrian people. “These (horrible) scenes in Syria put a huge responsibility on our shoulders before, our God, nations and conscience, and prompts us to move without hesitation to end this violent tragedy,” he said quoting the words of the Amir at the OIC summit. Sheikh Jaber also denounced the Israeli government’s defiance to UN resolutions and international calls for stopping settlement activities on occupied Palestinian lands and the choking siege on the Gaza Strip. “Kuwait calls on the UNSC to press Israel to abide by UN resolutions related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” he said, which call on Israel to withdraw from all Arab land occupied on June 5, 1967, in order to help achieve comprehensive peace in the whole Middle East region. He also called for international measures to persuade Israel to recognize the right of Palestinians to have their own independent state, with East Jerusalem as its future capital. “Kuwait urges the need for good preparation for the 2012 (UN) summit on forming a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in reference with the closing declaration of the 2010 Review Conference for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,” Sheikh Jaber said. He reiterated Kuwait’s call on Iran to take “serious and effective steps in the sake of cooperating with international efforts aimed at a diplomatic solution to its nuclear program and dissipating any doubts on its aims and objectives,” thus avoiding “further crises and struggles that have become unfortunately common to this vital region”. On Iran’s relations with its neighbours, namely the United Arab Emirates, he added: “We also hope the Islamic Republic of Iran cooperates and complies with initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis over the occupied Emirati islands according to the principles and regulations of international law.” He urged Iran to be “an effective side in the region that practices its role according to the basis and principle of mutual respect and joint interests, in order to create a natural cooperative environment that serves the region, without interfering in its internal affairs.” Sheikh Jaber highlighted Kuwait’s support of reform plans in Yemen, guided by its President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, and the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Somalia. He also hailed UN and international community efforts he described as “positive” on dealing with the issue of the Muslim Rohingya minority in Myanmar and expressed hope these efforts would be met with an end to the violence and spread of peace in the country. He stressed Kuwait’s commitment to providing aid to impoverished countries. “Despite being a developing country itself, Kuwait has been since gaining independence in 1961 strongly committed to helping countries that are developing and are witnessing slower growth, through a number of mechanisms and initiatives, namely the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, which has been providing assistance to Arab, Asian, African, Central American and Latin American nations.” He also pledged Kuwait’s commitment to the international organisation’s efforts. “We pledge Kuwait’s complete commitment and cooperation in support of UN efforts to achieve the aims of its charter and enhance its international role in executing what has been agreed upon at its conferences. In the context of its international commitment, Kuwait is set to be hosting in October this year the first Asian Dialogue Initiative Summit of heads-of-state, after it had been limited to foreign ministers in its 10-year-long lifespan. In March next year, Kuwait will also be hosting the Arab-African Summit, and the Kuwaiti senior official said he hoped these two meetings would do much to open up new prospects for stability, development and cooperation between the countries in the regions. “Kuwait gets ready to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of its constitution in November and this marks a four-century period of development and political growth,” Sheikh Jaber said. It also “marks the growth of comprehensive and effective democratic practice, as the constitution is a torch that guides Kuwait - its government and people - through a path of a generous lifestyle based on mutual rights and duties, the ensuring of basic rights, general policy-making and on organizing the country’s foreign policies without interfering in the affairs of others”. “This is an illustration of Kuwait’s political vision, based on faith in peace, and working for it, and ensuring developing and enhancing its relations with surrounding countries according to the principles of mutual respect and joint interests. Kuwait has faith that dialogue and spreading the beliefs of acceptance and moderation, and rejecting violence and fundamentalism are the key and the correct path towards equality, justice and reaching the most noble of causes, which is ensuring international peace and stability”, Sheikh Jaber concluded. Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused the West and Israel of nuclear “intimidation” yesterday, and spoke at length about his vision for a new world order without the “hegemony of arrogance”. US, Canadian and Israeli officials boycotted the Iranian’s eighth annual address to the UN

General Assembly, and there was no repeat of the walkouts of previous years, but there were still harsh words for Tehran’s foes. “Arms race and intimidation by nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction by the hegemonic powers have become prevalent,” Ahmadinejad declared, in a 35-minute speech that ended with a smattering of applause. “Continued threats by the uncivilized Zionists to resort to military action against our great nation are a clear example of this bitter reality,” he added, in his only reference to Israel. Ahmadinejad’s last stay in New York as president has been marked as usual by new condemnation of Israel which he refuses to mention by name, calling them the “uncultured Zionists” or a “fake regime”. The United States boycotted the UN speech because of his attacks. Outside the UN headquarters, demonstrators protesting at Ahmadinejad’s presence set up a hangman’s gallows to symbolize Iran’s widespread executions. Diplomats from Britain, France and Germany sat through Ahmadinejad’s address, but found nothing in his theological lecture to justify a repeat of the walkouts of previous years. This time he lashed out at the West for the global economic crisis. “Creation of worthless paper assets by using influence and control over the world’s economic centers constitutes the greatest abuse of history, and is considered a major contributor to global economic crisis,” he said. But much of the speech was devoted to religion. Ahmadinejad hailed the imminent arrival of an “Ultimate Savior”. “God Almighty has promised us a man of kindness,” he declared. Ahmadinejad said the savior is “a man who loves people and loves absolute justice, a man who is a perfect human being and is named Imam Al-Mahdi, a man who will come in the company of Jesus Christ and the righteous”. The date of his coming is not known, but Ahmadinejad indicated that he felt the arrival would come quickly, telling delegates: “Now we can sense the sweet scent and the soulful breeze of the spring, a spring that has just begun.” Ahmadinejad’s speech received a smattering of applause and he acknowledged the acclaim with a wave before leaving the UN stage for the last time. Meanwhile, Egypt’s new president yesterday hit out at Israel over its veiled threats to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities and the deadlock in the Middle East peace process. President Mohamed Morsi received a rousing ovation for his first speech to the 193-member UN General Assembly since becoming Egypt’s first civilian, democratically elected leader in June. Without specifically mentioning Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal, Morsi said the Middle East “no longer tolerates” any country’s refusal to join the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty “especially if this is coupled with irresponsible policies or arbitrary threats.” “The acceptance by the international community of the principle of pre-emptiveness or the attempt to legitimize it is in itself a serious matter and must be firmly confronted to avoid the prevalence of the law of the jungle,” Morsi said. He also put the Israel-Palestinian conflict ahead of the Syria war in the list of priorities he laid out before the General Assembly. “The first issue which the world must exert all its efforts in resolving, on the basis of justice and dignity, is the Palestinian cause,” Morsi said. He said that UN resolutions on the conflict had not been implemented and that Palestinians “must also taste the fruits of freedom and dignity” that other countries in the Arab region have won in the past year. “It is shameful that the free world accepts, regardless of the justifications provided, that a member of the international community continues to deny the rights of a nation that has been longing for decades for independence,” Morsi said. “It is also disgraceful that settlement activities continue on the territories of these people.” Morsi also said he will not rest until the civil war in Syria is brought to an end. He called the fighting there, which opposition groups say has killed at least 30,000 people, the “tragedy of the age” and one that “we all must end”. And he invited all nations to join an effort to stop the bloodshed that began about 18 months ago when opposition figures rose up against President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. Egypt opposes foreign military intervention to stop the civil war in Syria and prefers an inclusive, negotiated settlement, Morsi said. “Egypt is committed to pursue the sincere efforts it has been exerting to put an end to the catastrophe in Syria within an Arab, regional and international framework,” he said. Such a solution should be “one that preserves the unity of this brotherly state, involves all factions of the Syrian people without racial, religious or sectarian discrimination and spares Syria the dangers of foreign military intervention that we oppose,” he said. Morsi, a key figure in the once-banned Muslim Brotherhood, opened his remarks to the UN General Assembly by celebrating himself as Egypt’s first democratically elected leader who was swept into office after what he called a “great, peaceful revolution”. On another subject, Morsi condemned as an obscenity the video produced in the United States that denigrated Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He insisted that freedom of expression does not allow for attacks on any religion. Morsi also condemned the violence that swept Muslim countries last week in reaction to the video. At least 51 people were killed, including the US ambassador to Libya and three other Americans targeted in an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi. He appeared to have been responding to President Barack Obama’s General Assembly speech Tuesday in which the US leader again condemned the video but sternly defended the US Constitution’s guarantees of free speech. He said freedom of expression must be linked with responsibility, “especially when it comes with serious implications for international peace and stability”. Another Arab leader making his first appearance at the UN General Assembly’s annual ministerial meeting after being swept into power by the Arab Spring revolutions was Yemen’s Hadi. He took office in February after more than a year of political turmoil and is now trying to steer his country’s democratic transition. Hadi called on the UN to grant membership to Palestine and support a transfer of power in Syria. “The only option for our brothers in Syria is to agree on an initiative ... for peaceful change and transfer of power through ballot boxes,” he said.— Agencies

DORMA, Saudi Arabia: Saudi special forces show their skills during the opening ceremony of the new Emir Nayef Centre for Special Elite Operations 100 km west of the capital Riyadh yesterday. — AFP

Qatar future rubbing up against traditions Continued from Page 1 maintain our culture while building the country we will become,” said 33-yearold Abdulrahman, who like other Qatari citizens preferred to be identified only by his first name. Exploiting its immense natural gas resources has in just over 15 years transformed Qatar into one of the world’s wealthiest nations, with a per capita annual income for its 250,000 citizens of well over $90,000. Though led by a ruling family viewed as highly progressive by Gulf standards, the fact remains that most Qataris are very conservative. Most practice Wahhabism, the austere form of Islam also practiced in Saudi Arabia. For them, concern that Western norms will start to infiltrate society is a continuous and pressing reality, especially given the fact that they are an extreme minority in their own country, which is home to some 1.7 million people, many of them workers from south Asia. “We welcome the expats, and we want them here. But we will not permit any disrespect to our religion or culture,” said Salma, a 25-year-old Qatari. “This is your home, for now. But it is our home forever, and we will not bend to your ways.” Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, 60, seized power from his father in a bloodless coup in 1995. He and his second wife Sheikha Mozah have gained a reputation as modernisers in recent years and raised the country’s profile significantly with the launch of the Al Jazeera television network and successful hosting the 2006 Asian Games, as well as their role in initiating the country’s World Cup bid. The street protests which swept four Arab heads of state from office since early last year and strengthened Islamists throughout the Middle East have not been seen in Qatar, thanks partly to its staggering wealth but also to its foreign policy: because Qatar aggressively aided the Libyan rebels, its government is seen as on the “right side” of the Arab Spring. But the government cannot ignore the fact that much of the Qatari population may be resistant to the changes brought by rapid expansion. “It’s a very delicate line they must balance. But the one thing the government cannot do is appear unIslamic. It’s game over if they do,” said an analyst specialising in security issues, who

like other analysts not named in this article asked not to be identified because of the political sensitivity of the topic. So far, the policy has been working. “The pace of economic expansion in Qatar over the last decade is almost without precedent. It is remarkable that the traditionally conservative society has handled these changes as well as it has,” said one Doha-based economist. Efforts to combat the perceived creep of Western influence have already started. Earlier this year, Qatar University made it mandatory for all courses to be taught in Arabic instead of English. As in the United Arab Emirates, in recent months a campaign against immodest dress has been launched via posters and flyers distributed in malls, hypermarkets and other public places. The campaign, organised by an Islamic cultural group, aims to explain to expat women that Islamic tradition requires them to dress modestly when in public. “The Qataris don’t want to see their country’s culture given over to foreigners. You’d get serious anger if that ever happened. And the leadership is very sensitive to that,” said Michael Stephens, researcher at the Royal United Services Institute based in Doha. “The government has said very clearly, ‘We do not want to be (liberal like) Dubai. We will not become Dubai.’ And even if they did want to, they couldn’t have it here. The local population would not accept it.” As a result, Qatar’s ruling family must continually offset modernising policies with concessions to social conservatives. The past year has seen both liberalising moves - such as the introduction of pork sales to expatriates - and reverses, such as the withdrawal of alcohol licences for restaurants at the Pearl, an artificial island that features international restaurants popular with foreigners. The pork sales through Qatar Distribution Company, the country’s sole liquor shop, “are a deliberate way the government has demonstrated that it will give with one hand and take with the other”, Stephens said. One of the reasons that Qatar has been able to retain its conservative nature is that unlike Dubai, it does not need to rely on mass market tourism, and focuses instead on the more discreet, high end of the industry so as to become known as a cultural and conference centre for the

region. “We don’t want people to come for a $50 room to lie on the beach all day and walk around with a backpack and shorts. These are not the type of people we’re targeting,” the Chairman of the Qatar Tourism Authority, Ahmed Abdullah AlNuaimi, told Reuters last year. “For the last five or six years we’ve invested in highend hotels and facilities, high-end convention centres and museums. But we’re not looking for it to be a revenue-generating industry,” he said. “If (the tourism market) crashes, it makes no difference for us.” “There are two basic ways in which they will keep the local population happy while continuing to grow the country,” said a foreign businessman in Doha. “By keeping the local population wealthy and employed, and making sure the Islamic nature of the country is maintained.” Last year the country’s emir issued a decree boosting basic salaries and social benefits for state civilian employees by 60 percent, a 10 billion riyal ($2.75 billion) increase. The government has already succeeded in introducing some of the most sensitive liberal reforms, such as giving nonMuslims more freedom to practice their religions in the country. The country’s first Christian church was established in 2008 on land donated by the emir, which led to angry call-ins to radio shows and newspaper columns by Qataris. “The prime minister acknowledged publicly that the complaints had been heard and listened to. And then he essentially told the dissenters it was time for them to be quiet,” the security analyst said. “The dissent ended virtually overnight. In that respect, the state will instill its will when its wants to. The change will be pushed through by edict, if necessary.” The naming in late 2011 of the country’s largest and most prominent mosque after Ibn Abdul Wahhab, the founder of the conservative Wahhabi movement, is an example of the kind of gestures that conservative Qataris can expect in return. “There’s a reason Qatar has more mosques per person than many other Islamic countries. One reason is that people here can pay for them, but the other is that they placate the populace,” the Doha-based source said. “Not all Qataris will go along with the change that is inevitable here. But they will be given things in exchange for their acquiescence. You will see more mosques built here.” — Reuters

Twin suicide blasts rock Syria army HQ Continued from Page 1 General Assembly in New York. “Armed terrorist groups with affiliations abroad this morning carried out a new act of terrorism by detonating a car bomb and another device on the edge of the general staff compound,” an army statement said. “All senior commanders and other officers are safe and sound, and none of them was wounded,” the statement carried by state media said. But state television citing a military official said four troops guarding the headquarters were killed, and 14 civilians and soldiers injured. The broadcaster showed video footage of a white van exploding on the roadside next to the building housing the headquarters, and a second blast inside the compound. It said the bombings were 10 minutes apart. “The initial investigation shows that these terrorist explosions around and inside the army headquarters were caused by two car bombs driven by suicide attackers,” the military official said. President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime has systematically blamed unrest and violence on foreignbacked terrorist gangs ever since the revolt erupted in March 2011. The rebel Free Syrian Army’s Military Council in Damascus said on its Facebook page that “the Free Syrian Army has struck the military headquarters in Damascus’s Umayyad Square”. A rebel officer and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was an inside job, while an Islamist rebel group said its men carried out the attack. The claims were impossible to verify. “The operation was carried out by several Free Syrian Army battalions working with an officer and his troops on the inside,” said Ahmed Al-Khatib, spokesman for the FSA’s Military Council in Damascus.

Khatib confirmed the attack was staged with two car bombs, but denied they were driven by suicide attackers, which is not a tactic used by the FSA in the past. “A few minutes after the attack, fighters broke into the HQ compound with machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades,” said Khatib. An Islamist rebel group, Tajamo Ansar al-Islam (Gathering of Partisans of Islam) also claimed responsibility. Five of its fighters, including a suicide bomber, were killed in the attack, the group said in a statement posted online. The group said bombs placed on the third floor of the building with the help of sympathisers within the military had been detonated. It was the most spectacular attack on the security forces since a July 18 suicide bombing against a heavily guarded headquarters in Damascus killed four top regime officials, including defence minister General Daoud Rajha and Assad’s brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat. Iran’s English-language Press TV said its correspondent Maya Nasser was killed and its Damascus bureau chief Hussein Mortada, a Lebanese, wounded at the army compound. Press TV’s newsroom director, Hamid Reza Emadi, told AFP that Nasser, a 33-year-old Syrian national, was killed instantly when he was shot in the neck while reporting live for the channel. “He was giving his report when the line was cut off. After a few minutes we learned there was gunfire and he was killed,” Emadi said. “We hold Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar responsible for the murder of our correspondent in Damascus, (as) they provide weapons to the insurgents in Syria and the insurgents are using sniper fire,” he said. Press TV, which broadcasts in English, and Al-Alam, an Arabic-language network, are financed by the Iranian government, which is supporting Damascus in its struggle against the 18month rebellion. — AFP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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Issues

Carrier ‘more stepping-stone’ than milestone By Neil Connor he debut of China’s first aircraft carrier marks a symbolic milestone for the growing military power, but analysts said the second-hand vessel remains far from a strategic game-changer. China officially put the vessel into service on Tuesday, flexing its muscle just as Asian maritime rivalries are at boiling point with China and Japan locked in an increasingly hostile dispute over islands in the East China Sea. China’s military and political leadership have portrayed the 300-m “Liaoning” as a quantum leap forward in naval capability at a time when the United States says it is making a strategic “pivot” toward Asia. But without the rest of the battle group or the planes to go with it, the new hardware is more of a symbolic first step that may give the navy some prestige but does not dramatically change its military options, analysts say. At a commissioning ceremony in the northeastern port of Dalian, Premier Wen Jiabao called the carrier’s launch a “milestone” in Chinese military history and weapons development. Yang Yi, a rear admiral in China’s navy, said in a commentary in state-run media that the hulking vessel moves the country closer to fulfilling a national destiny to “not only be a land power but also a sea power”. Tensions in the East China Sea have risen dramatically in recent months over islands known as the Diaoyus to Beijing and claimed by Tokyo as the Senkakus. China is locked in a similar row with Vietnam and the Philippines in the South China Sea. With the carrier, “China will have more variable ways, both strong and soft, to solve the disputes in the East and South China seas”, Qiao Liang, an air force major general and leading author on military affairs, told state media. Analysts note that China still lacks proven carrier-borne aircraft and that the secondhand retro-fitted ship brings China little closer to developing its own carrier force. “This carrier is more of a stepping stone for further development,” said Arthur Ding, a Taiwan-based expert on China’s military. Ding said the vessel would have a “psychological impact” on the region due to its symbolism, but was “unlikely to change the overall balance of power overnight” as it was intended mainly as a training platform for any future Chinese-made carrier. Ukraine built the vessel for its navy in the 1980s, eventually selling its stripped-down hulk to Beijing in 1998. It was later towed to China, which installed engines and navigation systems. But developing fixed-wing aircraft and training pilots capable of landing on the carrier is another matter, Ralph Cossa, a military analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Honolulu, told AFP. “Carrier operations are not easy. Refitting the ship is one thing. Developing a carrierbased air wing is another,” he said. China is developing J-15 strike aircraft, possibly for use on the carrier. Pictures have emerged on Chinese websites of aircraft on the carrier’s flight deck, but China’s capabilities are unproven. “You cannot call a ship an aircraft carrier without aircraft,” Qiao was quoted by state media as saying, although he added that he was confident China would soon be able to field a carrier-based air wing. The Liaoning - named for the northeastern Chinese province - is not expected to be a fully operational aircraft carrier for another three years at least, and a domestically made carrier is even further in the future. China has become increasingly assertive over its longtime maritime territorial claims as its economic and military power have expanded, causing rising anxiety among its neighbours. But even when it is operational, the Liaoning has little hope of countering the smaller but technologically superior USbacked Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, letting alone the US Seventh Fleet, Cossa said. “I can’t see them trying to sail their unarmed carrier into the East China Sea to pressure the Japanese, not for a few more years anyway,” he said. Still, analysts said China has to start somewhere and the Liaoning will “add some prestige” and allow the Chinese navy to “cast a bigger shadow” on the region’s seas, Cossa said. At the very least, this could give China a further intimidating edge over its smaller rivals, such as the Philippines, he added. — AFP

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Japan, China hostages to public opinion By Kyoko Hasegawa okyo and Beijing are hostages to Chinese public opinion in a spat over disputed islands that shows no sign of ending, analysts say, warning the longer it goes on, the higher the chances of the situation escalating out of control. And Taiwan’s forceful entry into the fray over the Japanese-controlled archipelago this week serves to underscore how isolated Tokyo has become, with its forlorn hope that Washington will one day ride to the rescue. A meeting of Japanese and Chinese foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York late Tuesday was described as “severe” and appeared to have achieved little towards easing tensions. A major obstacle, said Mitsuyuki Kagami, professor of Chinese political thought at Japan’s Aichi University, is that the Chinese leadership has been backed into a corner. “China’s top leaders have been trying to contain hawkish factions in the Communist party and the military, but nationalist fervour has now reached a point where it is not easily controllable,” he said. The country’s military had been revving up for a robust

response to Japan’s impending nationalisation of what Tokyo calls the Senkakus and Beijing knows as the Diaoyus, he said. Political leaders had been able to keep a lid on this, even after Japanese nationalists planted their flag on one of the islands in August. President Hu Jintao and leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping “remained silent on the disputes until the Sept 9 meeting” between Hu and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, he said. “But Japan made Hu lose face, because just two days after he protested Tokyo’s planned nationalisation in a comment widely reported in China, Japan went through with the act.” The Chinese leadership now fears that unless they can come away from the fight having won concessions from Japan, they will look weak and public anger currently directed at Tokyo will turn on them, he said. Beijing-based Stephanie Kleine Ahlbrandt, Northeast Asia project director at the International Crisis Group, writing in Foreign Policy earlier this month said rising nationalism in China, which has seen sometimes violent protests against Japan “restricts China’s

future options to dial down the situation”. “For all the government’s efforts at censorship and control, the Internet has given the Chinese public unprecedented access to information (and) commentary, eroding Beijing’s control over the ebb and flow of nationalist sentiment. “Internet users can now track Chinese law enforcement vessels via satellite photos, mocking and criticising the government when they stop short of disputed waters,” she wrote. A duel with water cannon near the islands on Tuesday when Japan’s coastguard confronted dozens of Taiwanese fishing boats that were accompanied by official coastguard ships was a worrying turn for Tokyo, said Thomas Berger, a specialist in international relations at Boston University. Taiwan’s involvement “is profoundly troubling” as “it underlines Japan’s growing isolation in the region”, he said. Japan is also involved in a battle with South Korea over the ownership of a different set of islands in the Sea of Japan, a stretch of water Koreans know as the East Sea. “The only resource Japan feels it has left is the United States, and Japanese expectations that the US will come to its rescue are rising rapidly. So

too is the potential for disappointment,” said the East Asia specialist. Washington faces a dilemma over the issue as it “does not want to encourage reckless Japanese behaviour or damage already strained Sino-US ties. “At the same time it cannot maintain a geo-strategic presence in Asia, and thus hedge against China’s becoming an expansionist power, without Japan,” he said. China is pushing for a “new normal” around the disputed islands, where its official ships can come and go with impunity, said Kagami. And the increased frequency of Chinese patrols that this entails, along with a continuing Japan Coast Guard presence raises the chance of something going awry, said the ICG’s Kleine-Ahlbrandt. “Although the two countries have dealt with past run-ins - such as when the Japanese Coast Guard arrested a Chinese skipper in 2010 after his boat collided with a Japanese vessel - and succeeded in cooling tensions, the current situation is of a different order,” she wrote. “That act could be attributed to an overzealous Chinese fisherman. But now, a skirmish between official law enforcement vessels in the current context could prove irresolvable.” —AFP

Tibetans seek signs of hope in Xi By Ben Sheppard n their long and fruitless struggle against Chinese rule, Tibetans have often leapt on any reason to stay optimistic - and, for some, a new leader in Beijing offers a fresh glimmer of hope. The rise of Xi Jinping, who is seen as China’s president-in-waiting, has set off a ripple of speculation that he may bring about a change of policy towards Tibet, which has been subject to a military crackdown since 2008. One reason is that Xi’s father, Xi Zhongxun, met and came to know the Dalai Lama in Beijing in the early 1950s, before the Tibetan spiritual leader fled a failed uprising. Xi senior, a party official at the time, later became a liberal vice premier known to be sympathetic towards minorities, and Tibetan exiles and analysts raise the possibility that such thinking may have passed down a generation. “His father was familiar with Tibet and had an association with the Dalai Lama,” confirmed Lobsang Sangay, prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile in the Indian hilltown of Dharamshala. “Whether the son can be like the father is still to be seen,” he told AFP. “Tibetans are always hopeful.” Sangay is this week hosting a special meeting on how to respond to the scores

of self-immolation protests against Chinese control, and delegates admit they are monitoring the Chinese transfer of power that is likely to start next month. Beijingwatchers say that little is known about Xi Jinping’s true political leanings, though he has expressed the government’s routine disdain for the Dalai Lama and also vowed to “smash” any attempt to destroy stability in Tibet. “His father did encounter the Dalai Lama when the Dalai Lama visited Beijing for a period in 1954,” said Barry Sautman, a Tibet expert at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “It is possible that Xi Jinping might take more interest in Tibet as a result of his family, but it is a slender reed on which to base your hopes.” Sarah McDowall, China expert at the IHS research group in London, sounded a similar note of caution over predictions that Xi would listen to Tibetans’ calls for autonomy and their complaints of increasingly brutal repression. “It is really unlikely there will be any softening of policy towards Tibet,” she said. “The security situation is still volatile after (unrest in) 2008, combined with the self-immolations, which have given renewed incentive to retain a hardline policy. It is not going to be the time for any new leader trying to consolidate their power base to be seen as weak on a matter of national integrity.” The last fatal protests were four weeks ago, and analysts say each self-immolation case worsens a vicious cycle of further clampdowns by Chinese security forces and more anger across the Tibetan-inhabited areas of China. “So long as the self-immolation problem persists, the Tibet policy is going to stay hardline, and the Tibetans will actively resist that,” said Nathan Hill, a Tibet expert at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. “Some officials in China understand this, but they are looking out for their careers and they are generally never blamed for tightening things even further,” he told AFP. Despite such dire warnings many Tibetans see fundamental change in China as their greatest -and perhaps only - hope, more than half a century since the Dalai Lama fled in 1959. “Every change of leadership in the Chinese government brings optimism about positive changes that might take place,” Tsering Choedup, 39, Asia head of the International Tibet Network, told AFP at the ongoing meeting in Dharamshala. “China can’t remain unchanged forever with its economy

becoming thrown open, and its politics will move too. It might take a while, but they are in transition.” Such attitudes are what Robbie Barnett, a professor of Tibetan studies at Columbia University, describes as the “futuristic optimism” that keeps the exiles’ dreams alive that one day they will be able to return to their homeland. He believes the best they can expect in the short term is that Xi agrees to re-start a desultory talks program with Tibetan envoys that was last active in 2010. And what does the Dalai Lama see in Xi Jinping’s presidency? “We hope that the new leadership will bring positive changes that will help restore freedom and human dignity both in China and Tibet,” his office said. —AFP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

sp orts Alexis: Best yet to come

UEFA set debt deadline

Taufel to quit umpiring

MADRID: Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez gave himself five out of 10 when asked to rate his first year with the Spanish soccer giants, and said yesterday his best was yet to come. Barca signed the Chile international from Italy’s Udinese last year for a deal including variables that could rise to some 37 million euros, but he has yet to really make his mark at the Nou Camp. “We haven’t seen the best of Alexis yet,” the 23year-old told a news conference. “I am finding some form and as each game goes by I am improving a little more.” Alexis was Barca’s second-highest scorer behind Lionel Messi in La Liga last season with 11 goals, but suffered a string of niggly injuries in his first campaign. Under new coach Tito Vilanova this year, however, he has yet to score and he is struggling to make the starting 11 with competition from players such as Pedro, David Villa and youngster Cristian Tello. “I need to get into the games more and take people on in one-on-one situations,” he said. “I know I can win a place. Step by step I am making my name here because I am Alexis. — Reuters

SOFIA: Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia have been given until the end of September to pay off their debts or face a three-year European ban, imposed by UEFA, the domestic football federation (BFU) said yesterday. “UEFA’s Control Panel gave CSKA Sofia a deadline of Sept. 30, 2012, to clear their liabilities,” the BFU said in a statement after receiving a letter from the European soccer’s governing body. “Thereafter, CSKA will not be able to protect their licence for the European club competitions for the next three years.” CSKA were supervised by UEFA in recent months and their representatives conducted an audit of the club last week. Earlier this month, BFU’s president Borislav Mihaylov, who is also a UEFA Executive Committee member, warned CSKA of being in danger of being excluded from European competitions for the second time in four years because of debts. The Reds, who are Bulgaria’s most successful club with 31 league titles, were barred from the Champions League in 2008-09 after failing to meet the licensing criteria. CSKA owe transfer sums to clubs and players as well as money to the state and creditors, estimated by local media to be almost 80 million levs ($53.02 million). CSKA were not immediately available to comment but a source close to the club told Reuters “it’ll be extremely difficult for CSKA to pay off their debts in such a short period.”—Reuters

COLOMBO: Australian Simon Taufel will end his international umpiring career after the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka to groom the next generation of elite match officials, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday. The 41-year-old has umpired in 74 tests and 174 oneday internationals in his outstanding career, winning ICC Umpire of the Year award for five successive years from 2004 to 2008. Taufel said in an ICC statement that he wanted to spend more time with his family. “In my new position as ICC umpire performance and training manager, I look forward to help create professional programmes and resources to support the current and future generations of cricket match officials,” he added. ICC Chief Executive David Richardson paid tribute to one of cricket’s most consistent umpires. “Simon has been one of the most respected umpires for over a decade due to his excellent decision-making and man-management skills. — Reuters

MLB results/standings Cleveland 4, Chicago White Sox 3; Philadelphia 6, Washington 3; Toronto 4, Baltimore 0; Detroit 2, Kansas City 0; Atlanta 4, Miami 3; Pittsburgh 10, NY Mets 6; Cincinnati 4, Milwaukee 2; Tampa Bay 5, Boston 2; Oakland 3, Texas 2 (10 Innings); St. Louis 4, Houston 0; Minnesota 5, NY Yankees 4; Colorado 10, Chicago Cubs 5 (7 innings); LA Angels 5, Seattle 4; San Diego 2, LA Dodgers 1; Arizona 7, San Francisco 2. American League Eastern Division W L PCT GB NY Yankees 89 65 .578 Baltimore 88 67 .568 1.5 Tampa Bay 84 70 .545 5 Boston 69 86 .445 20.5 Toronto 68 86 .442 21 Central Division Detroit 82 72 .532 White Sox 82 72 .532 Kansas City 70 84 .455 12 Minnesota 65 90 .419 17.5 Cleveland 64 91 .413 18.5 Western Division Texas 91 63 .591 Oakland 87 67 .565 4 LA Angels 85 69 .552 6 Seattle 72 82 .468 19

National League Eastern Division Washington 93 61 .604 Atlanta 89 65 .578 4 Philadelphia 78 76 .506 15 NY Mets 70 84 .455 23 Miami 66 88 .429 27 Central Division Cincinnati 93 61 .604 St. Louis 84 71 .542 9.5 Milwaukee 79 75 .513 14 Pittsburgh 76 78 .494 17 Chicago Cubs 59 95 .383 34 Houston 50 105 .323 43.5 Western Division San Francisco 89 65 .578 LA Dodgers 79 75 .513 10 Arizona 78 76 .506 11 San Diego 74 80 .481 15 Colorado 60 94 .390 29

Braves back in playoffs ATLANTA: Freddie Freeman hit a tworun homer in the ninth inning to put the Atlanta Braves back in the playoffs with a 4-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night. Freeman’s drive off Mike Dunn clinched at least an NL wild-card berth for the Braves, who squandered a big lead in the wild-card race with a huge collapse last September. Longtime star Chipper Jones, who plans to retire at the end of the season, led off the ninth with a double. He moved to third on a wild pitch by Dunn (0-3) and scored when Freeman’s 22nd homer easily cleared the center-field wall. Craig Kimbrel (3-1) worked a scoreless inning to help the Braves win their 22nd straight game started by Kris Medlen. The streak is the longest in the majors since the New York Yankees won 22 consecutive games started by Whitey Ford in 1950 and ‘53. Reds 4, Brewers 2 In Cincinnati, Johnny Cueto pitched seven solid innings, and the Cincinnati Reds stayed in the chase for the NL’s top record by beating Milwaukee after learning they’ll be without their manager for the rest of the week. The Brewers dropped back-to-back games for the first time in more than a month, and fell to 41/2 games behind St. Louis for the final NL wild card spot as the Cardinals later beat Houston 4-0. Redss manager Dusty Baker met players before the game and revealed he suffered a mini-stroke in addition to being treated for an irregular heartbeat last week. The 63-year-old manager hopes to return to the dugout next week. The Brewers couldn’t do much against Cueto (19-9), who is rounding back into form as the playoffs approach. Mike Fiers (9-9) gave up nine hits and four runs in 4 1-3 innings for Milwaukee. Diamondbacks 7, Giants 2 In San Francisco, Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer and a pair of sacrifice

flies for a career-high five RBIs. Goldschmidt on his own gave Josh Collmenter (5-3) plenty of support as Arizona won for the seventh time in its last nine games. The D-backs are trying to keep their slim NL wild-card hopes alive. Aaron Hill had three hits and scored three runs, and Arizona scored two of its runs on wild pitches on a cool night featuring swirling mist above the field in the early innings. Tim Lincecum (10-15) had his start pushed back two games from Sunday after San Francisco clinched its second division crown in three years with a win against San Diego on Saturday night. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner lost for the first time in five starts since Aug. 26 at Atlanta. He had won his previous two outings and three straight decisions. Padres 2, Dodgers 1 In San Diego, Josh Beckett lost for the third time in six starts with Los Angeles, whose playoff chances were dealt a blow. With eight games to play, the Dodgers are tied with Milwaukee, 41/2 games behind St. Louis for the NL’s second wildcard spot. St. Louis beat Houston 4-0 and Cincinnati beat the Brewers 4-2. The Padres scratched out two runs against Beckett (1-3) and made two nice defensive plays. Left fielder Chris Denorfia threw out Shane Victorino at the plate in the second inning, and third baseman Chase Headley made a headsup play that helped erase Matt Kemp in the sixth, when the Dodgers failed to score after loading the bases with two outs. Padres closer Huston Street got in and out of trouble in the ninth for his 23rd straight save. Street allowed A.J. Ellis’ RBI double to the gap in right-center and then put runners on the corners with one out. He struck out Andre Ethier and got Kemp to fly out to right to end it. Edinson Volquez (11-11) allowed six hits in seven innings, struck out four and walked two. — AP

SAN FRANCISCO: Giants’ Xavier Nady (12) scores past Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero on a double by Ryan Theriot during the eighth inning of a baseball game. —AP

Detroit and Indians advance DETROIT: Anibal Sanchez threw his first shutout in over a year, and Detroit moved into a tie for first place in the AL Central with a 2-0 victory over Kansas City on Tuesday night. Detroit pulled even with Chicago with eight games to play after the White Sox lost 4-3 to Cleveland earlier in the day. Sanchez (4-6) retired the first 11 hitters he faced and allowed only three hits. He struck out 10 and walked one. He threw 105 pitches in his first shutout since Sept. 10, 2011, when he tossed a one-hitter for Florida at Pittsburgh. Bruce Chen (11-13) gave up RBI singles by Prince Fielder and Delmon Young in the first inning. The Tigers trailed the White Sox by three games on the morning of Sept. 19, but they’ve made up the ground and will have a chance to win a second straight division title if they can finish strongly enough. Chen allowed two runs and 10 hits in 6 2-3 innings. Sanchez has six quality starts in his last seven outings. Indians 4, White Sox 3 In Chicago, Chicago gave Detroit an opening to tie for the AL Central lead when Gordon Beckham hit into a game-ending forceout with the potential tying run on second base in the loss to last-place Cleveland. The Tigers took it with a 2-0 victory over Kansas City down 4-0, the White Sox closed when AJ Pierzynski and Dayan Viciedo hit consecutive fifth-inning home runs off Corey Kluber (2-4) and then pulled within a run when Paul Konerko homered off Chris Perez leading off the ninth. Perez walked two batters with two outs, and Beckham grounded to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who threw to second baseman Jason Kipnis for the force. Chicago (82-72) had held sole possession of the division lead since Sept. 3. Francisco Liriano (6-12) allowed all four runs and seven hits in 3 2-3 innings. He is 1-2 with a 6.30 ERA in his last seven appearances. Kluber (2-4) gave up four hits in seven innings, retiring nine of his last 10 batters. Vinnie Pestano and Perez completed the six-hitter, with Perez gaining his 37th save in 41 chances. Russ Canzler had three hits and homered for the second straight game, putting Cleveland ahead in the second. Twins 5, Yankees 4 In Minneapolis, Phil Hughes ran out of gas in the seventh inning and Boone Logan couldn’t hold the lead for him as New York missed a chance to go up 21/2 games on Baltimore. Hughes (16-13) was strong through six innings and the Yankees took a 3-1 lead. But he left with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh, and Logan let one run score on a wild pitch before giving up a two-run double to Denard Span that put the Twins in front. Joe Mauer followed with his third single of the game to cap the four-run seventh, and the Twins held on to

ANAHEIM: Los Angeles Angels’ Torii Hunter (right) celebrates his two-run home run with teammate Mike Trout as Seattle Mariners catcher Miguel Olivo looks on during the fifth inning. —AP keep the Orioles, who lost to Toronto earlier run homer in the second and Price (19-5) was Tuesday, 11/2 games behind New York in the AL able to preserve the lead despite balking with a East. Nick Swisher homered for the third runner on third to pull Boston within 3-2. Price straight game, Russell Martin also went deep pitched his second complete game of the seaand Andruw Jones hit a pinch-hit solo shot off son, scattering seven hits and walking none. He of closer Glen Perkins in the ninth inning for the tied his career high with his 19th win and is Yankees. But Perkins struck out Jayson Nix for scheduled for one more chance to reach 20 for his 15th save. Martin’s soaring shot in the sev- the first time in his career. enth off Casey Fien (2-1) was his 19th this seaBoston has lost five of six and 19 of 26. son, which ties a career high, and gave New Buchholz lasted six innings, allowing eight hits York a 3-1 lead. and five runs, four earned. He struck out five and walked two. Blue Jays 4, Orioles 0 In Baltimore, Aaron Laffey and five relievers Angels 5, Mariners 4 combined on a six-hitter as Toronto beat In Anaheim, Zack Greinke had a season-high Baltimore for the second straight game. 13 strikeouts in five innings, and Los Angeles Laffey (4-6) allowed five singles in 5 2-3 got home runs from Torii Hunter and Erick innings and won his first game since Aug. 5. He Aybar to remain two games behind Oakland for had been winless in his previous six starts. He the second AL wild card. According to ESPN neither walked nor struck out a batter. Stats, Greinke (6-2) became the first pitcher in Baltimore began the day 1 1-2 games behind the live-ball era (since 1920) to strike out 13 batfirst-place New York in the AL East. The Yankees ters in a start that lasted only five innings. played at Minnesota in a game that started later. Randy Johnson had 13 through his first five The Orioles had won seven of their previous nine. frames on July 4, 2001, for Arizona against They had not been shut out since Aug. 3. Joe Houston, but he threw one more inning. The 20 Saunders (2-3) pitched 6 1-3 innings, allowing combined strikeouts by Angels pitchers tied a four runs - three earned - and 11 hits. He struck major league record for a nine-inning game. out two and walked none. Justin Smoak homered twice for the Mariners, a solo shot in the fourth against Greinke and a Rays 5, Red Sox 2 two-run drive off Scott Downs during a threeIn Boston, David Price struck out a season- run seventh that sliced the Angels’ lead to 5-4. high 13 and Jeff Keppinger hit a three-run In all, Greinke has 16 wins this season, tying his homer as Tampa Bay extending its winning career high. The nine-year veteran has a 3.40 streak to six games and kept its playoff hopes ERA in 12 starts since joining the Angels in a alive. Tampa Bay entered the day three games trade with Milwaukee on July 27. He was 9-2 behind Oakland for the AL’s second wild-card with a 3.44 ERA in 21 starts for the Brewers. spot. The Rays got to Boston starter Clay Ernesto Frieri threw a perfect ninth for his 22nd Buchholz (11-7) quickly on Keppinger’s three- save in 24 chances. —AP

Mayweather, Pacquiao settling defamation case LAS VEGAS: Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are settling a federal defamation case in Las Vegas, clearing a key hurdle to a long-awaited bout between two top fighters who’ve traded verbal jabs for years but have never met in the ring. Terms of the pretrial agreement cited in documents filed Tuesday in US District Court in Las Vegas are confidential, said Malcolm LaVergne, a lawyer representing Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s father in the case. LaVergne said documents filed under seal ask US District Judge Larry R. Hicks to dismiss the lawsuit, and that others involved in the case were preparing a public statement. Documents filed publicly said each side would bear its own attorney fees and costs. “The matter has been resolved,” LaVergne said. “Any alleged terms of the resolution would be strictly confidential. Floyd Mayweather Sr. is very happy that this lengthy case has finally come to a conclusion.” Pacquiao filed the lawsuit in December 2009 seeking unspecified damages based on allegations that Floyd Mayweather Jr. defamed him by suggesting Pacquiao used performance-enhancing substances. Pacquiao denied Mayweather’s claim. In a state-

ment released Tuesday through the mediator in the case, the Mayweathers said they “wish to make it clear that they never intended to claim that Manny Pacquiao has used or is using any performance-enhancing drugs, nor are they aware of any evidence that Manny Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs.” An attorney for Pacquiao did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press. The direction of the case took a turn against Floyd Mayweather Jr. last week, when the judge issued a ruling ordering him to pay about $114,000 in legal fees and costs for avoiding questioning under oath from Pacquiao’s lawyers. Hicks faulted Mayweather for failure to comply with a court order. But he earlier rejected a bid by Pacquiao lawyers Daniel Petrocelli and David Marroso to end the lawsuit with a more severe sanction — a default judgment for Pacquiao. LaVergne said Tuesday he had no information about whether the court settlement means Mayweather and Pacquiao will meet in the ring. Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank Inc., declined comment. His spokesman, Lee Samuels, said the company was not involved in the

Pacquiao and Mayweather defamation case. Nevada State ings with the boxing public and Athletic Commission chief Keith boxing insiders, the proposed Kizer said he wasn’t aware of any Mayweather-Pacquiao fight has talks between the two camps as much interest as any fight I can about scheduling a fight. But remember in the last 20 years,” Kizer said such a fight could set Kizer said. “I think this would be records for the highest purse, gate our first gate over $20 million.” and number of cable television Pacquiao, 33, a member of paid viewers. A Mayweather- Congress in the Philippines, filed Pacquiao fight might eclipse the the lawsuit in December 2009 in Mayweather super welterweight Las Vegas. He sought unspecified fight against Oscar De La Hoya damages based on allegations that drew 17,078 fans to the MGM that Mayweather defamed him by Grand Garden Arena in May 2007, suggesting he used performanceKizer said. Paid attendance was enhancing substances. Pacquiao $18.4 million. “Based on my deal- denied Mayweather’s claim. — AP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

sp orts

Match-fixing reports hit French handball PARIS: French handball champion Montpellier has been accused of matchfixing after French media reported several players - including members of France’s Olympic-winning team - intentionally lost a match their relatives bet on. The team president defended his club’s ethical standards on Wednesday against the accusations, which led to questions in France over how betting is regulated and the influence of money on sports. Montpellier, on track to win the national championship, lost its May 12 match against Cesson-Rennes 31-28. France -3 television reported late Tuesday that wives, girlfriends and other people close to the players bet against Montpellier at sites around France.

The TV report said eight Montpellier players were suspected of involvement, including members of France’s gold medal-winning team from the London Olympics, and that the bets in question totaled € 5,000 for an overall gain of more than €200,000. Newspaper L’Equipe said team managers have been questioned. An official with the French state-owned lottery and gaming agency, Francaise de jeux, told The Associated Press that it suspended betting on the match because of “unusual activity,” including a sharp spike in the number of bets on the day of the game. It informed French authorities immediately. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the affair is in the

hands of judicial authorities. Montpellier president Remy Levy said in a statement that a preliminary investigation was under way but any information involving it was covered by French secrecy laws. He appeared to be distancing club management from the players targeted, saying the team “vigorously protests” the implication that the club itself was involved. “All the team’s players are of course aware of the rules on sports betting and on the strict ban on participating in any way,” he said. “Conclusions will be drawn by the club based on the result” of any investigation. The French Handball Federation and the National Handball League stressed in a joint statement that the presumption of innocence must pre-

vail but that any infractions “would be treated with the greatest firmness.” They said their respective ethical guidelines forbid athletes or third parties to bet on competition or communicate any inside information. Sports Minister Valerie Fourneyron saluted the “vigilance” of the gaming agency, but added in a statement that “no country or any sport is safe from risks of fraud linked to match-fixing.” She assured France was “totally mobilized against this major threat.” The Montpellier prosecutor’s office, reported to be leading the investigation, did not return calls seeking comment, nor did Cesson-Rennes. Former Montpellier player Joel Abati expressed surprise at the TV report. But

he added, in remarks shown on French television, “We are in a world of sport where anything can happen, you can be influenced.” The chief of France’s online betting regulator, Jean-Francois Vilotte, said his agency Arjel was not involved in this investigation because the bets in question were made in person and not online. He urged caution until the investigation was complete, saying alerts over irregular betting patterns were not unusual and most do not lead to criminal prosecution. “It’s per fectly normal that when there’s a doubt, there’s an investigation,” he told The AP. Still, he said the case highlights the need for better measures to regulate betting, especially betting across borders.—AP

Big guns set to boom in T20 semi-final race

PALLEKELE: West Indies’ cricketer Fidel Edwards bowls in the nets during a training session ahead of their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup match against England today. —AP

Doubts over New Jersey F1 race, Austin on track NEW YORK: Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone has raised doubts over whether the inaugural Grand Prix of America, to be held in New Jersey next year will go ahead. British newspaper The Guardian quoted Ecclestone on Tuesday as saying that organisers “have not complied with the terms and conditions of the contract which is now gone anyway. They don’t have a contract”. Work has begun on the race site and demonstration runs have been held with world champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany test driving the course in June. The race is planned to be run on existing streets in Port Imperial, Weehawken and the town of West New York, along the Hudson River with the New York City skyline as the backdrop. The race has been given provisional status on the calendar for the 2013 season which will be discussed at the World Motor Sports Council on Friday. “We are pretty close to the final deadline,” Ecclestone told the Guardian, “We have got a world council meeting coming up. I think if someone got behind them it could happen in 2013 because they have come a long way with the circuit”. A spokeswoman for the race planners, the Grand Prix of

America, declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. Meanwhile, this year’s race in the States, the new US Grand Prix at the ‘Circuit of the Americas’ track in Austin has been given the all-clear by the Formula One’s governing body, ahead of November’s race. Charlie Whiting, head of racing, safety and technical matters for the FIA, approved the circuit for ‘Grade 1’ status after a recent visit, organisers of the November 16-18 race said in a statement. “Everything that I’ve seen so far has been absolutely first class, and the progress that’s been made since the last time that I was here is amazing,” Whiting said. “The guys have done an awesome job-it really is quite fantastic. It’s built to the highest quality, exactly as we expected, and I’ve got absolutely no complaints whatsoever.” The last F1 race in the US was held at Indianapolis in 2007 and was won by British McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton. Watkins Glen International held the United States Grand Prix from 1961 to 1980 while F1 races have also been held at Long Beach in California, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix and Indianapolis.—Reuters

COLOMBO: The World Twenty20 shifts to a higher gear in Sri Lanka today when the hot favorites begin an intriguing race for the semi-finals in the Super Eights round. The preliminary league, which ended on Tuesday, separated the men from the boys as lesser teams like Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland exited the competition. All eight seeded teams will contest the second round, divided into two groups with the top two from each half advancing to the semifinals. The road to the Super Eights was bumpy for some and a smooth ride for others, and with monsoon rains set to add to the uncertainty, the next round promises another roller coaster ride. Australia, South Africa, India and Pakistan, clubbed together for the Super Eights in the ‘group of death’, all came through unscathed by winning both their preliminary matches. But in the other half, defending champions England, New Zealand and hosts Sri Lanka moved up with just one win each, with the West Indies going through without even winning a game. Darren Sammy’s Caribbean stars lost to Australia and then had their match against Ireland abandoned due to rain, allowing them to scrape through with a superior run-rate over the Irish. England won the last edition in 2010 after a similar winless start in the preliminary round, but Sammy refused to derive any consolation from that. “I am aware of what happened back in 2010, but the most important thing is that we have got to do well in the Super Eights,” the West Indies captain said. “We have to keep improving our game and hopefully we can go out there and express what we have with us.” The West Indies take on England in the second match of today’s double-header in Pallekele, following the opener between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Stuart Broad’s England will look to put their campaign back on track after suffering an embarrassing 90-run loss to India in Colombo on Sunday when they were bowled out for their lowest T20 total of 80. The action will hot up with the group two

Lawrence estimated $250 million to $500 million had been bet on the game worldwide, the majority on Green Bay in part due to the team’s popularity and because fans often bet the favorite on Monday night football, Lawrence said. Bell said that before Monday, the replacement referees had offered an “extra variable” that - if anything - had increased interest. “The bookmakers want there to be a perception of fairness,” Bell said in a telephone interview. “If it feels random and there are added variables like an official’s bias for home teams or an official’s bias to call extra pass interference penalties, that is stuff that a handicapper can handle.” In Monday night’s game, the officials had ruled that a Seattle receiver and Green Bay defender simultaneously caught a last-hope “Hail Mary” pass in the end zone, a touchdown under NFL rules. A video review did not find indisputable evidence to overturn the call, a referee found. The NFL acknowledged on Tuesday that referees missed a clear penalty against the Seattle receiver that should have ended the game. The league said, however, that it supported the result of the video review and that Seattle’s victory was final.—Reuters

double-header in Colombo on Friday when power-packed South Africa meet Pakistan, before India take on Australia later at night. “The pressure and tension are only going to rise as we get closer to that India match because it’s a huge game,” veteran Australian batsman Mike Hussey said yesterday. “If we can win that first one in the Super Eights, it does give you that confidence and that little buffer that you just need one (win) out of the last two to get through. “It’s pretty much an early grand final really in the context of the tournament.” The marquee fixture in the Super Eights will be Sunday’s clash between India and Pakistan in Colombo, the first T20 international between the arch-rivals since the inaugural World Twenty20 final in 2007. A well-balanced Pakistan, boosted by the presence of prolific spinner Saeed Ajmal in a versatile bowling unit, will look to break the

jinx of never having beaten India in the 50over World Cup or the World Twenty20. Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, whose young side defeated Pakistan in the 2007 final in Johannesburg, played down the hype over Sunday’s game. “It’s never about one team,” said Dhoni. “One has to play consistently well through a tournament to win. We will take it one game at a time.” The competition will be intense as even two wins out of three in a Super Eights group may not guarantee a semi-final berth if one team loses every match and the other three beat each other. If teams are equal on points, run-rates will determine which one loses out. With bad weather forecast for the rest of the tournament, several twists and turns could be on the cards before the winner is crowned on October 7.—AFP

S Africa drop Steyn for Australia clash

Referees TD call flips hundreds of millions in bets NEW YORK: Refereeing mistakes that led to a last-second Seattle Seahawks victory also meant losses on hundreds of millions of dollars in bets on the favored Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas, Nevada-based betting experts said on Tuesday. About $400 million was bet on the National Football League game worldwide, said RJ Bell, chief executive of the pregame.com website, which reports on the sports-betting industry. About $150 million more was bet on Green Bay than on Seattle, so the referees’ call resulted in a $300 million swing toward the sports bookmakers, Bell said in an interview. Green Bay was leading 12-7 and covering the spread until the controversial calls that resulted in a 14-12 Seattle victory. The NFL has locked out its regular referees in a union contract dispute and is using replacements from lower football levels whose mistakes had met heavy criticism even before Monday. “The far-reaching effect of all this is that obviously the replacement referees issue needs to be resolved ASAP because the National Football League cannot have any more egg on their face like they did last night,” Marc Lawrence, publisher of the Playbook.com website, said in a telephone interview.

COLOMBO: Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin India’s cricketers (from left) prepare to bowl during a practice session ahead of their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup Super Eight stage match against Australia tomorrow. —AP

Morne Steyn

JOHANNESBURG: Under-fire flyhalf Morne Steyn has been dropped by South Africa and replaced by Johan Goosen for Saturday’s Rugby Championship test against Australia in Pretoria. Steyn’s form deserted him as the Springboks drew in Argentina and then lost to Australia in Perth and New Zealand in Dunedin. “It was a very difficult decision, but I have to look after the team’s interests first and then the individual’s. Morne really wanted to play, especially at Loftus, his home ground, but he is a true champion and he took my decision gracefully,” coach Heyneke Meyer told a news conference yesterday. “He has won a lot of games for his country, just the last few have not gone well. But Morne’s not someone you need to feel sorry for, he’s a fighter and he will come back stronger.” Goosen, 20, who looked a prodigious talent in SuperRugby for the Cheetahs before a dislocated shoulder ruled him out at the halfway stage of the competition, has promised much in two appearances totalling half-anhour off the bench. “Johan has always been in the mix since day one, but it’s been a process with him. I feel he is now ready to start a test for South Africa and I’m excited to see what he can bring,” said Meyer. The uncapped 22-year-old Elton Jantjies has been included as reserve flyhalf and, if inside centre Francois Steyn fails to recover from a twisted ankle, then another debutant, utility back Jaco Taute, will play outside

centre with captain Jean de Villiers shifting to number 12, where he has played most of his 79 tests. “I’m really passionate about the Springboks, it feels like life and death decisions for myself. But it’s not about giving players chances at this level, they must be able to make a difference and I would not put them in the 22 if I did not have confidence in them,” Meyer said. The other changes to the Springbok team that lost 21-11 to New Zealand in Dunedin sees South Africa fielding a new lock pairing in Eben Etzebeth and Andries Bekker that will give them the same lineout that led the Stormers to the top of the SuperRugby standings. Number eight Duane Vermeulen is also a key lineout jumper, while Tiaan Liebenberg is the reserve hooker. Meyer said the changes in the second row would ensure that the Springboks had taller players better suited to the strong Australian lineout. “All the locks are sticking up their hands and we’re building great depth there, so it was a tough call. Flip van der Merwe had probably his best game ever for the Springboks and Juandre Kruger was very good too. “Against the All Blacks, you want locks that play more to the ball and Flip and Juandre were superb at the rucks. But Australia are very good in the lineout, they will put us under pressure there, and one of Bekker’s other strengths is that, in a more open game, he has the ability to pitch up at centre or on the wing.”—Reuters

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

S P ORT S

Iraqi girls raise weights and eyebrows BAGHDAD: A conservative, Shiite majority area of Baghdad serves as the unlikely base for Iraq’s first female national weightlifting team, which is due to compete in Morocco today. The team of four usually trains at a club in Sadr city, an area better known for fierce battles between US soldiers and Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s militiamen than it is for breaking ground in women’s rights. Hoda, a 15-year-old Iraqi girl who is one of the team’s members, claps her hands together, shouts, and raises 40 kilogrammes (80 pounds) aloft in a manoeuvre known as the “snatch” in which the bar is lifted in one motion. She then lets it fall with a grimace. It is far from her record but as a female weightlifter in Iraq, she faces not only physical challenges but also those posed by conservative views on what is considered appropriate or inappropriate for women. A gym near Sadr City in which three of the team’s members are training is dominated by men, a dozen of whom rhythmically perform the

“snatch” and the “clean and jerk,” another manoeuvre where the bar is first

raised to the shoulders. Faces flush and muscles bulge as

SADR CITY: (Left to right) Nagah, Tiba and Hoda arrive for a training session at a gym near Baghdad’s Sadr City. —AFP

bars holding 80 kilogrammes or more are raised, then released. The air is saturated with sweat and chalk, which allows a better grip on the weights. In one corner, Hoda, wearing a worn tracksuit, waits for her turn to lift again. “I love the sport,” she said. “I used to follow the championships on television and I went to a club and registered.” She has since set personal bests of 60 kilogrammes in the snatch, and 72 kilogrammes in the clean and jerk, which she and her teammates hope to build on in the Arab weightlifting championship in the Moroccan capital Rabat. “I wish to win the gold medal,” Hoda said. She makes it sound almost easy but with the growing influence of religious conservatives on social issues in the years since the 2003 US-led invasion, many Iraqi women have seen their freedoms decline. Hoda and her teammates, however, hardly complain. Tiba Nabil, a very shy 13-year-old, admits that she would like a room in the gym reserved for women but said her family had encouraged her

to join the sport. The team’s coach, Abbas Ahmed Abbas, who had the idea of setting up a national women’s weightlifting squad a year ago, admitted that he has had to contend with local sensitivities. “This matter is very sensitive in Iraq; we are a Muslim ... country,” he said. “When I started, I considered the feelings of the people. I care about the traditions in a Muslim society.” The issue of the hijab, the headscarf worn by many Iraqi women over their hair in public, soon arose. Hoda and Tiba wear it coming and going from the gym but they remove it when they train. “I am Iraqi, not like the athletes from outside Iraq who are free to wear whatever they like. I have the hijab but it is not easy to wear it for weightlifting,” Hoda said. But Mustafa Razi, one of the many heavily muscled men at the gym, is not bothered. These “girls are no problem for training,” he said, preparing to lift a good 100 kilogrammes aloft. —AFP

Dizzy Azarenka in Pan Pacific q-finals China’s Li toppled by Wozniacki TOKYO: World number one Victoria Azarenka recovered from a bout of dizziness to beat Italy’s Roberta Vinci 6-4 6-2 and reach the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open yesterday. Wrestling again with her service demons, second seed Maria Sharapova produced a labored 62 7-6 victory over Czech Lucie Safarova to also reach the last eight in Tokyo.

Azarenka had her blood pressure checked during the changeover after going 4-3 down in the first set but somehow dug in to take it after Vinci dumped a forehand into the net. “I felt dizzy on court and my head was spinning between points,” said the Belarusian. “I was just trying to finish the points as quickly as possible.”

TOKYO: Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic eyes a ball against Maria Sharapova of Russia during their third round match of the Japan Pan Pacific Open. —AP

TOKYO: Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark reacts to a point won over Li Na of China during their third round match of the Japan Pan Pacific Open.—AP

Azarenka, who won this year’s Australian Open and reached the US Open final earlier this month, found her feet again to race to a 4-0 lead in the second set. Still looking flushed between points, Azarenka offered her opponent a glimmer of hope by dropping the next two games before slamming the door firmly shut. A sliced backhand brought business to a quick conclusion, although Azarenka was still grimacing as she shook hands with Vinci and waved to the crowd. “I arrived a few days before the tournament and really struggled with my health,” said Azarenka. “I’ve been trying to save my energy for my matches.” “I don’t know what exactly it is. Hopefully I’ll know as soon as possible and get rid of it. I was pretty lucky. I don’t know how I got through really.” French Open champion Sharapova finished with an ace but double-faults on big points almost cost the Russian the second set as the sun set over Tokyo Bay. “After a long match yesterday, I was just happy to win in two (sets),” said Sharapova, who had taken more than three hours to dispatch British qualifier Heather Watson the previous day. The two-times Pan Pacific Open champion was almost forced into a decider having blown a 3-0 lead in the set before winning the tiebreak 75. Sharapova almost choked in the breaker too, opening a 4-1 advantage before a wild forehand allowed Safarova to drew level, prompting a furious reaction from the Russian. Muttering to herself angrily between points, Sharapova smacked her racquet against the court in disgust but held her nerve and had just enough in the tank to get the job done. “After being up 3-0 I was frustrated,” said the Olympic silver medallist, who served 14 double faults in her opener and six against Safarova. “I don’t think it should have gone to a tiebreak because I had the momentum going in the second set.” Sharapova next faces eighth seed Samantha Stosur of Australia in the WTA premier five event after last year’s US Open champion beat Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova 64 7-5. Seventh seed Li Na, one of three Chinese players to travel to Tokyo despite escalating political tensions between China and Japan, was beaten 4-6 6-3 6-4 by Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki. Former world number one Wozniacki next faces defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska, the third seed, who progressed with a 6-4 6-3 win over American qualifier Jamie Hampton. Fifth seed Angelique Kerber played party pooper for the Radwanska family, however, overpowering Agnieszka’s younger sister Urszula 6-1 6-1. Azarenka awaits the German. Sixth seed Sara Errani ended the French resistance, overcoming ninth seed Marion Bartoli 3-6 6-2 6-2 to reach the last eight. —Reuters

African Cup tickets go on sale, now to fill stadiums JOHANNESBURG: South Africa was the latest African Cup of Nations host to face the challenge of filling stadiums with the continent’s generally poor football fans as tickets for next year’s tournament went on sale yesterday. In an attempt to reverse a trend of poor crowds at recent African championships, 2013 organizers kept tickets relatively cheap and easily available having already opted for smaller stadiums to give them a better chance of sellouts. The last African Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea was hurt by images of empty seats at some games, especially when the home teams weren’t playing. Tickets for South Africa range from the cheapest at $6 up to $24 for the most expensive seats at the final. Supporters could watch the semifinals and final for around $12 for each game and organizers also offered additional discounts of up to 20 percent to fans who buy early for the matches next January

and February. “The ticket pricing strategy was reached looking at the economy of the country and the levels of unemployment, people’s disposable income as well as the time that the tournament is taking place,” organizing committee chief executive Mvuzo Mbebe said. There are also worries that the Jan. 19-Feb. 10 tournament could come too soon after the expensive holiday season. But South Africa still hopes to sell 500,000 tickets for the 32 matches at the 16-team tournament, relying on the combination of affordable prices and easy access while, crucially, hoping to revive the excitement generated by the country’s staging of the World Cup two years ago. South Africa also apparently learnt from the World Cup in 2010 by making sure tickets could be bought at traditional shop outlets as well as online. At the World Cup, the initial internet-only sales procedure was problematic as the

majority of African football fans do not have credit cards or access to the internet and prefer to buy their tickets over the counter. African Cup games next year will be played at five stadiums, but the country’s showpiece 94,000-seat FNB Stadium in Soweto - which was completely renovated for the World Cup - was reserved for the opening game and the final only. Smaller venues in the northern cities of Rustenburg and Nelspruit and their fellow World Cup stadiums in Durban and Port Elizabeth will host the bulk of the games as South Africa hopes to re-ignite fans’ interest following the historic first World Cup on the continent. However, the Cup of Nations will undoubtedly face challenges getting fans as excited for games involving possible qualifiers like Cape Verde and Central African Republic as they were when Spain, Brazil and England were in town for South Africa’s last major football tournament. —AP

John Bond

Ex-City boss Bond dies LONDON: One of the most colourful club managers in English football from the 1970’s and 1980’s John Bond died yesterday aged 79. Bond - always dapperly dressed and often seen smoking a cigar - was known for his teams pleasing football style and was instrumental in turning unfashionable Norwich City into an established First Division (now the Premier League) side in the 1970’s. He took them to the 1975 League Cup final where they lost to Aston Villa. His impressive work at Norwich earned him a more high profile managerial post at Manchester City - where he replaced the equally flamboyant Malcolm Allison in 1981 and took them to that season’s FA Cup final against Spurs. City led in the final thanks to Tommy Hutchinson but the same player was to head past his own ‘keeper which gave Spurs a fortunate replay - the London club were to make no mistake in the replay winning 32 with Argentinian Ricky Villa scoring one of the best goals ever seen in the final. The honeymoon didn’t last as Bond resigned during the 1982/1983 season and while he went onto coach other clubs he never enjoyed such a high profile or success again. Both Norwich and Manchester City paid tribute to Bond, who also forged a career as a football pundit where whis frank and eloquent views proved popular, with the former club saying there would be a minute’s silence prior to their

League Cup match later on Wednesday. “During his tenure he brought players such as World Cup winner Martin Peters to Norwich City, which helped trigger an exciting brand of attacking football at Carrow Road. “Everybody at Norwich City Football Club would like to send their sincere condolences to John’s family and friends. “There will be an opportunity for Canary fans to remember John at Carrow Road at tonight’s match with Doncaster Rovers, where his considerable contribution to Norwich City Football Club will be acknowledged prior to kick-off. “Both teams will also wear black armbands as a mark of respect.” Howard Wilkinson, chairman of the League Managers’ Association, paid tribute to Bond. “It is an extremely sad day for all his family, who have lost one of the few remaining people who spent their lives working mostly in the old Football League,” said Wilkinson. “John was a real character with a great sense of humor and presence. He will be sadly missed.” As a player Bond played over 400 games for West Ham United, winning the FA Cup with them in 1964. His son Kevin, who played under him at Bournemouth, Norwich and Manchester City, has become a successful coach forming an effective partnership with Harry Redknapp, though, their spell at Spurs came to a surprise and abrupt end at the end of last season.—AFP

UEFA defends 24-team Euros WARSAW: UEFA’s controversial decision to expand the European championships from 16 to 24 teams makes sense because the quality of the game is rising, its outgoing technical director Andy Roxburgh said yesterday. Roxburgh — who during his management career steered Scotland to the finals of Euro 1992, which involved just eight nations — underlined that the same debate raged back then about the supposed watering-down of the showcase tournament. “That was the last of the eight-team tournaments. And of course everybody said at the time, ‘Oh, what will it be like now we’re doubling the numbers to 16 teams’,” he told reporters after a threeday meeting of European coaches in Warsaw. “Well, the Euro that was played in England in 1996 with 16 teams was very good. So the fears weren’t founded. And all I would say here is that we’re now going to this increased number as standards in Europe are rising all the time,” he added. Roxburgh - on the point of retiring from the UEFA post he had held since 1994 - said that football’s powers that

be see clear benefits to adding eight more teams at Euro 2016 in France. “Benefits first of all to allow more teams to experience that, because they think the standards are high enough to cope with that number of teams in the final. And clearly there’s the whole packaging, the marketing,” he said. The quadrennial European championships are UEFA’s main income-driver, in particular from broadcast rights. But with 53 nations making up UEFA’s membership, critics suggest it will be too easy for the undeserving to get under the wire, leading to poor-quality matches. Roxburgh rejected that. “If you ask I think nearly any coach, when they go to play in some of the so-called smaller countries now, they don’t look forward to doing it,” he said. “Some of the small countries will never be Spain. But coach education and development, and player development, and all these things going on in Europe, all of that is helping to raise standards. “I think European football at the moment is very healthy, even in some of the smaller countries, which are capable of springing a surprise.” —AP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

SPORTS

Cavani hat-trick stuns Lazio

GERMANY: Augsburg’s Aristide Bance of Burkina Faso (right) and Leverkusen’s Oemer Toprak of Turkey challenge for the ball during the German First Division Bundesliga soccer match. —AP

Huszti, Ya Konan keep Hanover among leaders BERLIN: Szabolcs Huszti and Didier Ya Konan kept Hanover among the leaders of the Bundesliga, scoring or assisting in all four goals in the team’s 4-1 victory over Nuremberg yesterday. Hanover were playing 24 hours after four of the top five clubs were in action, including leaders Bayern Munich, who cruised past Wolfsburg 3-0 to extend their perfect run to 15 points from five matches. Hanover improved to 10 points for third place - three points behind Eintracht Frankfurt, who drew 3-3 with Borussia Dortmund, and level on points with Schalke - 3-0 winners over Mainz. Huszti set up Lars Stindl’s goal in the 21st minute and then picked up his third goal of the season after 29 minutes with a superb shot. Ya Konan picked up a brace in the second half, scoring in the 52nd and 64th minutes for Hanover’s final two goals with Huszti setting up the second. With seven assists, the Hungarian has had a hand in 10 of Hanover’s last 12 goals this season. Timothy Chandler scored a consolation goal in the 73rd minute for Nuremberg. Werder Bremen continued their dominance over Freiburg, extending their undefeated streak in southwest Germany with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory for seven points. Bremen, who have not lost in Freiburg since July 2001, got goals from Joseph Akpala in the 48th minute and Aaron Hunt after 59 minutes after Freiburg (five points) jumped ahead on Jonathan Schmid’s goal in the 36th minute. Bayer Leverkusen kept pace with

Bremen with a 3-1 victory at Augsburg. Stefan Kiessling opened the scoring after seven minutes before Philipp Wollscheid made it 2-0 after 39 minutes and the gap was three goals on Andre Schurrle’s score in the 44th minute. Augsburg remained plum last in the table with one point but at least scored their first goal at home this season by Tobias Werner in the 51st minute. Hoffenheim picked up their second straight victory to jump to six points, blasting past Stuttgart 3-0 on goals by Takashi Usami in the fifth minute, Joselu in the 47th and Fabian Johnson after 58 minutes. Stuttgart remain one off the bottom with two points. Alvaro Dominguez headed in a free kick a minute into injury time to give 10-man Borussia Monchengladbach a 2-2 draw at home with Hamburg to move to six points. Rafael van der Vaart unleashed a hammer blast from the left side to open the scoring after 23 minutes. Martin Stranzl equalised in the 39th minute before Artjoms Rudnevs gave Hamburg the lead again in the 45th minute. Stranzl was shown the red card in the 53rd minute for his professional tackle on Ivo Ilicevic before van der Vaart’s penalty attempt in the 55th minute struck the left post before Dominguez’s heroics. Hamburg have four points. On Tuesday, Bastian Schweinsteiger scored one goal and Mario Mandzukic produced a double in Bayern’s 3-0 victory. “We know ourselves that the season is still young and that we have to keep going and keep our feet on the ground. But we want more,” said Mandzukic.—AFP

German League results/standings M’gladbach 2 (Stranzl 39, Dominguez 90+2) Hamburg 2 (van der Vaart 23, Rudnevs 45); VfB Stuttgart 0 Hoffenheim 3 (Usami 5, Joselu 47, Johnson 58); Hanover 4 (Stindl 21, Huszti 29, Ya Konan 52, 64) Nuremberg 1 (Chandler 73); SC Freiburg 1 (Schmid 36) Werder Bremen 2 (Akpala 47, Hunt 59); FC Augsburg 1 (Werner 51) Bayer Leverkusen 3 (Kiessling 7, Wollscheid 39, Schuerrle 44). BERLIN: German league table after yesterday's matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Bayern

5 5 0 017 215

M'gladbach

5 1 3 1 7 7 6

Eintracht

5 4 1 014 713

Hoﬀenheim

5 2 0 31012 6

Hanover

5 3 1 114 810

SC Freiburg

5 1 2 2 7 8 5

Schalke 04

5 3 1 110 510

VfL Wolfsburg

5 1 2 2 2 8 5

Dusseldorf

5 2 3 0 4 0 9

Hamburg

5 1 1 3 7 10 4

Dortmund

5 2 2 111 8 8

Mainz 05

5 1 1 3 4 8 4

Werder Bremen

5 2 1 2 9 8 7

Furth

5 1 1 3 2 8 4

Leverkusen

5 2 1 2 7 7 7

VfB Stuttgart

5 0 2 3 3 12 2

Nuremberg

5 2 1 2 7 9 7

FC Augsburg

5 0 1 4 2 10 1

MILAN: An Edinson Cavani hattrick handed Napoli a 3-0 win over Lazio to keep pace with Serie A leaders Juventus as AC Milan finally broke their San Siro jinx by beating Cagliari 2-0 at home yesterday. Cavani’s first-half brace and third goal just after the hour meant Walter Mazzarri’s side join Juventus in remaining unbeaten after five games, and put the Uruguayan top of the league scoring charts on five goals. Juventus had led Napoli by three points after their first draw of the season away to an impressive Fiorentina on Tuesday. Juventus and Napoli now sit joint top with 13 points and boasting the exact same goals for/against figures. With Inter Milan winning 2-0 away to Chievo and Sampdoria drawing away to Roma, it means Lazio drop to fifth with AC Milan moving up to 10th after their first home win of the season. Napoli had managed to beat Lazio only once in their last seven league encounters and early on it appeared the visitors had opened the scoring after German international Miroslav Klose bundled the ball into the net. But after Napoli players reacted furiously, Klose admitted he had given the ball a helping hand over the line and the goal was disallowed. It took Cavani only 19 minutes to settle nerves when he unleashed a long-distance missile which crucially deflected off Michael Ciani to beat the helpless Federico Agazzi. Cavani grabbed his second by beating the offside trap to send a rocket over the top of the outstretched Agazzi on the half hour. The Uruguayan then ran down on goal unchallenged and dribbled around Marchetti to score his third just after the hour mark. Cavani could have had a fourth from the spot after second-half substituteLorenzo Insigne won a penalty, however the Uruguayan skied his effort over the bar. While Inter grabbed an important win away to Chievo to move up fourth, it was city rivals AC Milan who grabbed

ITALY: AC Milan forward Giampaolo Pazzini (left) tries to score as Cagliari goalkeeper Michael Agazzi saves the ball during the Serie A soccer match.—AP the San Siro bragging rights. Neither team had won at the shared stadium this season, leading Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri to come under huge pressure in recent weeks. Ironically, the 45-year-old coach was serving a touchline ban for protests made to match officials on Sunday when his team finally turned the corner

postponement of their away match to Cagliari, took a firsthalf lead through club icon Francesco Totti. However Gianni Munari stunned the Olympic stadium with a 62nd minute equaliser and Sampdoria held on for a draw which means they are still unbeaten this season and in third place one point ahead of Inter.—AFP

and moved up to a far more respectable 10th position. Italy under-21 striker Stephan El Sharaway provided both goals for the Rossoneri in a match which saw Brazilian Robinho, who has finally recovered from injury, come off the bench in the second half. Roma, who on Monday were handed a 3-0 home win by league chiefs after the enforced

Italian League results/standings Pescara 1 (Weiss 86) Palermo 0; Catania 2 (Spolli 52, Barrientos 64) Atalanta 1 (Moralez 49); Chievo 0 Inter Milan 2 (Pereira 43, Cassano 74); Genoa 1 (Borriello 88-pen) Parma 1 (Lucarelli 27); AC Milan 2 (El Shaaraway 15, 82) Cagliari 0; Napoli 3 (Cavani 19, 31, 64) Lazio 0; Torino 0 Udinese 0; Roma 1 (Totti 34) Sampdoria 1 (Munari 62). Serie A table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Juventus Napoli Sampdoria

5 5 5

4 4 3

1 1 2

0 0 0

Inter Milan Lazio AS Roma Fiorentina Catania Genoa AC Milan Torino FC

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1

0 0 2 2 2 1 0 3

2 2 1 1 1 2 3 1

11 2 9 13 11 2 9 13 8 5 3 10 (1 points deducted) 8 5 3 9 7 5 2 9 11 7 4 8 6 4 2 8 7 7 0 8 7 7 0 7 6 5 1 6 4 3 1 5 (1 points deducted)

Atalanta

Parma Udinese Bologna FC Pescara Chievo Cagliari Palermo Siena

5 5 4 5 5 5 5 4

1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1

2 2 1 1 0 2 1 2

2 2 2 3 4 3 4 1

4 4 0 5 (2 points deducted) 5 7 -2 5 6 9 -3 5 5 8 -3 4 4 10 -6 4 3 9 -6 3 2 9 -7 2 1 9 -8 1 5 4 1 -1 (6 points deducted)

Falcao at the double as Atletico climb to second MADRID: Radamel Falcao scored twice as Atletico Madrid twice came from behind to win 4-2 at Real Betis and climb to second in La Liga yesterday. The in-form Colombia striker took his tally for the season to seven with a predatory goal and a penalty just after the re-start, lifting himself to the top of the La Liga goal-scoring charts ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. Substitute Diego Costa and Raul Garcia completed the victory as Betis finished with nine men, putting Europa League holders Atletico to 13 points from five games, two behind leaders Barcelona. Betis took the lead after 25 minutes when Salvador Agra’s cross bounced across the area and Atletico defender Miranda nudged the ball into his own net. It only took Atletico two minutes to respond, Falcao sliding in at the far post to convert Raul Garcia’s low cross shot. Betis keeper Casto Espinosa kept his side in the game and before the break they re-took the lead, this time Juan Carlos’s low cross ballooning into the Atletico net off defender Juanfran. Atletico were quickly level again. Falcao was brought down for a penalty just after the re-start, resulting in a harsh red card for Betis defender Damien Perquis, and the Colombian netted from the spot. Falcao, struggling with a thigh strain before the game, was replaced by Costa and the Brazilian striker put Atletico ahead at the back post from a flicked-on corner. The home side were further hindered in their attempts at a fightback when substitute Joel Campbell picked up a second yellow card in the 83rd after a bizarre incident when an Atletico player appeared to handle the ball in his own area. Raul Garcia lashed in Atletico’s fourth to leave Betis sixth with nine points after a game which was postponed earlier in the month.—Reuters

Spanish League result/standings Real Betis 2 (Agra 26, Juanfran 45+2-og) Atletico Madrid 4 (Falcao 28, 48-pen, Diego Costa 54, Raul Garcia 90+3) MADRID: Spanish league table after yesterday's match " "(played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Barcelona Atletico Madrid Real Mallorca Malaga Sevilla Real Betis Real Madrid Rayo Vallecano Levante Deportivo La Coruna Celta Vigo Real Zaragoza Valladolid Real Sociedad Valencia Athletic Bilbao Getafe Granada Espanyol Osasuna

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

5 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0

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

0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 4 4

14 15 7 6 6 10 7 6 7 7 6 5 4 6 6 8 6 2 7 3

3 7 3 2 2 9 4 7 9 7 6 6 5 9 8 12 10 8 11 10

15 13 11 11 11 9 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 4 2 1 1

Erding double eases pressure on coach

Mevlut Erding

PARIS: A double by Turkish international striker Mevlut Erding inspired Rennes to a 3-2 win over fellow Ligue 1 strugglers Nancy on Tuesday and a place in the last 16 of the French League Cup. The 25-year-old former PSG star scored a goal in each half to ease the pressure on Rennes combative coach Frederic Antonetti whose side have won just one of their six Ligue 1 games this season. Antonetti, who has had a colourful coaching career which has also taken him to Japan and a brief tenure with Gamba Osaka, said his decision to blood some young players and recall others such as France international Yann M’Vila had paid off. “This is a win which is a good thing for

us in such a period as we are going through,” said the 51-year-old, best known for two spells with Bastia in the 1990’s. “We have to be more alert, and for longer spells, in a match. “But overall the victory is deserved even if we looked jittery towards the end because we still had the Toulouse match (they conceded an injury-time equaliser on Saturday with the Toulouse goalkeeper scoring) still in our heads. “I feel we are still not sure of ourselves. At times we are capable of putting together good moves, but we are still not confident enough in our play before setting up such moves.” Earlier, another double from 33-year-old veteran striker Toifilou Maoulida saw Bastia end a run of four successive defeats,

in what has been a difficult return to the top tier after a seven year gap, as they beat Metz 3-0 at home in Corsica. Bastia coach Frederic Hantz was a relieved man at ending the losing run albeit against a third division club. “That does the head some good! And even if that doesn’t bring us any points it is good to win!” he said. “It was very important to get a win. We are reassured, we have scored three goals and above all for the first time this season we haven’t conceded a goal.” The French clubs involved in European competition (Montpellier, PSG, Lille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseille, who are also the holders) enter the competition at the Last 16 stage.—AFP

Dizzy Azarenka in Pan Pacific q-finals

Big guns set to boom in T20 semi-final race

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Cavani hat-trick stuns Lazio in Serie A

Page 19

OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney (right) is tackled by Newcastle’s United’s Dan Gosling (left) during their English League Cup third round match.—AP

United edge Newcastle, Liverpool advance Arsenal hit Coventry for six LONDON: Manchester United moved into the League Cup fourth round with a 2-1 win over Newcastle, while holders Liverpool fought back to seal a 2-1 victory at West Bromwich Albion yesterday. United, looking to win the League Cup for the fifth time, made a host of changes from the side that won at Liverpool on Sunday. However, they still fielded a strong side including Wayne Rooney, back from a month out with a thigh injury, and Darren Fletcher, who was starting for the first time in 10 months after recovering from a bowel condition. United’s Anderson broke the deadlock in the 44th minute when the Brazilian midfielder drove his shot past Rob Elliot. Tom Cleverley put United further ahead in the 58th minute as the England midfielder curled home his first goal for United. Papiss Demba Cisse came off the bench to

reduce the deficit with a header four minutes later, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side survived a late barrage of Newcastle pressure to go through. At the Hawthorns, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool made a terrible start when Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones spilled a free-kick and Gabriel Tamas pounced to score from close range in the third minute. But Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin equalised in the 17th minute with his first Liverpool goal, a long-range effort that Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster should have saved. And Sahin ensured Liverpool, who made 11 changes from the United defeat, stole the victory when the on-loan Real Madrid star turned in Oussama Assaidi’s cross in the 82nd minute. Olivier Giroud finally ended his long wait to score his first Arsenal goal as the Gunners crushed

League One strugglers Coventry 6-1 at the Emirates Stadium. France striker Giroud, who had gone six games without a goal for his new club, got on the scoresheet when he converted a Francis Coquelin pass in the 39th minute. However, the former Montpellier star wasted a chance to double his Gunners tally when his second half penalty was saved by Joe Murphy after Andrey Arshavin was fouled by Reece Brown. But Arsenal remained ﬁrmly in control and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain increased their lead after 57 minutes. Russian winger Arshavin ﬁred home six minutes later and Theo Walcott added the fourth in the 74th minute. Callum Ball got one back for Coventry in the 78th minute, but Ignasi Miquel, Arsenal’s young

Spanish defender, responded with his first goal for the club two minutes later and Walcott netted his second in stoppage-time. Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham brushed aside League One side Carlisle with a 3-0 victory at Brunton Park. Andre Villas-Boas made a host of changes to the Spurs side that beat QPR on Sunday, but still couldn’t find a place for France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, with Carlo Cudicini starting in goal. That surprise decision didn’t unsettle VillasBoas’s side, who took the lead in the 37th minute when defender Jan Vertonghen scored his first Spurs goal. Andros Townsend doubled Tottenham’s lead with a fine solo effort in the 53rd minute and Gylfi Sigurdsson completed the romp with his first goal for the club just before full-time.

Man City rocked by Villa, Chelsea thrash Wolves LONDON: Manchester City suffered a surprise exit from the League Cup on Tuesday as Aston Villa clinched a 4-2 third round win at Eastlands, while Chelsea welcomed back controversial captain John Terry with a 6-0 rout of Wolves. City manager Roberto Mancini made 11 changes from the side held to a 1-1 draw by Arsenal on Sunday and the Premier League champions weren’t able to win with their standins. Italian striker Mario Balotelli fired City ahead in the 27th minute, but Villa equalised in the 59th minute when their former midfielder Gareth Barry deflected the ball into his own net. City regained the lead when Aleksandar Kolarov clipped a free-kick past Shay Given in the 64th minute, but Gabriel Agbonlahor restored parity six minutes later. And in the sixth minute of extra-time, Agbonlahor fired in a shot that City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon couldn’t hold and Charles N’Zogbia was on hand to slot home before Agbonalahor completed the upset with seven minutes remaining. At Stamford Bridge, Terry skippered Chelsea just hours after appearing at the second day of the FA disciplinary hearing into charges he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand last October. It took Chelsea just four minutes to welcome Terry back as his central defensive partner Gary Cahill headed home from Juan Mata’s free-kick. Ryan Bertrand doubled Chelsea’s lead with a close-range finish four minutes later and Mata increased the hosts’ advantage when he slotted home in the 17th minute. Oriol Romeu bagged his first Chelsea goal with a penalty after Victor Moses was fouled by Wolves goalkeeper Dorus de Vries in the 53rd minute. A Fernando Torres header five minutes later piled on the misery for Wolves, who con-

ceded for the sixth time when Victor Moses, a £9 million signing from Wigan last month, claimed his first goal for Chelsea in the 71st minute. “We wanted John to start,” Chelsea assistant manager Eddie Newton said. “We had a phone call saying he was making his way back from the FA nice and early. “We’d covered all the bases, all the scenarios, and the best one happened.” Leeds caused the biggest upset of the night as the Championship club defeated Everton 2-1 at Elland Road. Toffees boss David Moyes made six changes to the side that beat Swansea 3-0, but his reserves weren’t up to the task. Aidan White rocked Everton in the fourth minute as the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international weaved his way past several challenges before curling a shot past Jan Mucha. Everton squandered several chances to equalise before Rodolph Austin poked home Danny Pugh’s pass in the 70th minute and Sylvain Distin’s 81st minute goal was too late to spark a comeback. “The atmosphere and the rain made it a real old fashioned cup tie,” Leeds boss Neil Warnock said. “We deserved it and we should have scored two or three other goals.” Wigan recovered from a goal down to claim an impressive 4-1 win at West Ham. Modibo Maiga’s powerful strike put West Ham ahead in the seventh minute, but Wigan striker Mauro Boselli equalised from close-range in the 14th minute. Ivan Ramis blasted his first goal for the Latics from long range in the 38th minute. Boselli struck again four minutes before the break and Jordi Gomez added an 84th minute penalty. Southampton eased to a 2-0 victory over Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday at St Mary’s thanks to two goals from striker Jay Rodriguez.—AFP

Norwich paid tribute to John Bond, the club’s second longest serving manager who passed away aged 79 on Wednesday, with a 1-0 win over League One side Doncaster at Carrow Road. Bond led Norwich to the 1975 League Cup final and the Canaries remain on course to emulate that achievement thanks to Alex Tettey, who scored on his first start in the 26th minute. Reading came from behind to clinch a dramatic 3-2 win over QPR at Loftus Road. David Hoilett fired QPR into the lead in the 14th minute before former Hoops defender Kaspars Gorkss equalised two minutes later. Djibril Cisse restored QPR’s lead in the 71st minute, but Brian McDermott’s side advanced after late goals from Nicky Shorey and Pavel Pogrebnyak.—AFP

Rangers blank Motherwell

LONDON: Chelsea’s Fernando Torres (left) challenges Wolverhampton Wanderers Ronald Zubar during their English League Cup soccer match. —AP

GLASGOW:Third Division Rangers showed they may have dropped out of the elite league but are still a match for the teams in it as they eased to a 2-0 win over Premier League leaders Motherwell 2-0 in their third round League Cup match at Ibrox. Motherwell had been the last SPL side to visit Ibrox when they played out a goalless draw in the final game of last season before the Rangers were denied entry to the SPL and voted into the Scottish Football League in the summer. Despite having not won at Ibrox since May 1997 Stuart McCall’s side arrived in Glasgow as favorites after impressing with their performances on their way to the top of the SPL. However, Motherwell were on the back foot from the start and captain Lee McCulloch headed the Gers into a deserved 49th minute lead before Dean Shiels volleyed home a fine second just seven minutes later to make a mockery of their lowly league status. This time last year the Glasgow giants were defeating Kilmarnock to go top of the SPL but against Motherwell none of that night’s starting 11 remained. Ian Black had failed a late fitness test and his place went to Fraser Aird, who was making his first start for the Ibrox club. The youngster immediately impressed with Francisco Sandaza and Shiels failing to make the most of his crosses into the box following surging runs down the left wing. Rangers’ frenzied start had pinned Motherwell back in their own half but when Tom Hateley got a rare sight of goal

he fired a rising shot straight at Neil Alexander. McCulloch then fired an ambitious volley over the bar for Rangers after Shiels found him in the penalty box with a well worked free-kick. A clash of heads between Shaun Hutchinson and Sandaza saw the latter carried off with Kyle Hutton replacing him in the 23rd minute. Good skill on the wing saw the Northern Ireland international tee up McCulloch at the edge of the box but the Rangers top-scorer shot weakly at Darren Randolph. The Rangers defence were caught napping in the 35th minute when a quickly taken free-kick saw Nicky Law racing in on goal but Alexander raced out his box to make a fine tackle and stop the danger. The home side had failed to capitalise on their early chances in the first half but they didn’t make the same mistake in the second period. Aird took a short corner to Shiels who swung it in for McCulloch at the near post who bulleted a header beyond Randolph. Motherwell looked shell-shocked and were lucky not to fall further behind a minute later when Aird cut in from the left and let fly with a shot that went just wide. The Motherwell defence were being overrun and it wasn’t long until Rangers increased their lead through Shiels when he showed great technique to swivel and volley Anestis Argyriou’s cross low past the helpless keeper.—AFP

Egypt growth seen falling short of govt forecasts Page 23

French euro credibility at stake with 2013 budget Page 25

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Qatar Airways holds major event for travel industry Page 26

Share division in mooted BAE deal ‘very fair’: EADS Page 23

ATHENS: Protesters shout slogans in front of the Greek parliament during a 24-hours general strike in Athens yesterday. — AFP

Anti-austerity strike paralyses Greece Transport services disrupted, offices shut ATHENS: Flights and trains were suspended, shops pulled down their shutters and tens of thousands took to the streets yesterday in Greece’s first big anti-austerity strike since a coalition government took power in June. In Athens, more than 50,000 people chanted: “We won’t submit to the troika (of lenders)” and “EU, IMF Out!”. The rally marched past Athens’ central Syntagma square to parliament to protest against a new round of belt-tightening demanded by EU and IMF lenders as the price for fresh aid. “We can’t take it anymore - we are bleeding. We can’t raise our children like this,” said Dina Kokou, a 54year-old teacher and mother of four who lives on 1,000 euros a month. “These tax hikes and wage cuts are killing us.” The strike, called by the country’s two biggest unions representing half the four-millionstrong work force, is shaping up to be the first test of whether Prime Minister Antonis Samaras can stand his ground in the face of popular protests. The traditional summer break has allowed his fragile conservative-led coalition to enjoy relative calm on the streets

since narrowly coming to power on a proeuro, pro-bailout platform, but unions predict an abrupt end to the seasonal lull. “Yesterday the Spaniards took to the streets, today it’s us, tomorrow the Italians and the day after - all the people of Europe,” Yiorgos Harisis, a unionist from the ADEDY p u blic sector group told demonstrators. “With this strike we are sending a strong message to the government and the troika that the measures will not pass even if voted in parliament, because the government’s days are numbered.” About 3,000 police - twice the number usually deployed - stood guard in the centre of Athens as authorities braced for the kind of unrest that has marked past rallies. Athens last witnessed serious violence in February, when protesters set shops and banks ablaze as parliament approved an austerity bill. Police formed a barricade outside parliament, and officers blocked a pensioner who tried to move towards Samaras’s office holding a banner with pictures of Greek prime ministers under the title: “The biggest traitors in Greek history”. Ahead of marches scheduled later in the day, ships stayed docked, museums and

monuments were shut to visitors and air traffic controllers walked off the job for a three-hour stoppage. DESTROYING OUR LIVES Much of the union anger is directed at spending cuts worth nearly 12 billion euros ($15.55 billion) over the next two years that Greece has promised the European Union and International Monetary Fund in an effort to secure its next tranche of aid. The bulk of those cuts are expected from cutting wages, pensions and welfare benefits, heaping a new wave of misery on Greeks who say repeated rounds of austerity have pushed them to the brink and failed to transform the country for the better. “We can’t just sit by idly and do nothing while the troika and the government destroy our lives,” said Dimitra Kontouli, a 49-year-old local government employee whose salary was cut to 1,100 euros a month from 1,600 euros previously. “My husband has lost his job, we just can’t make ends meet.” A survey by the MRB polling agency last week showed that more than 90 percent of Greeks believe the planned cuts are unfair

and burden the poor, with the vast majority expecting more austerity in coming years. Unions argue that Greece should remain in the euro but default on part of its debt and ditch the current recipe of austerity cuts in favor of higher taxes on the rich and efforts to nab wealthy tax evaders. But with Greece facing certain bankruptcy and a potential euro zone exit without further aid, Samaras’s government has little choice but to push through the unpopular measures, which have also exposed fissures in his fragile coalition. With Greece in its fifth year of recession and no light at the end of the austerity tunnel, analysts say Greek patience is wearing thin and a strong public backlash could tear apart the weak conservative-led coalition. “ What people want to tell Samaras is that they are hurt and Samaras could use this to demand concessions from the troika,” MRB polling director Dimitris Mavros said. “The people are willing to give the government time, but on certain conditions like cracking down on tax evasion and securing a bailout extension. If the government succeeds in that, its life will also be extended.”— Reuters

Investment banking jobs axed in the Gulf DUBAI: Big US and European banks are cutting investment banking jobs in the Middle East as the promise of emerging markets is overshadowed by a need to slash costs and a dearth of deal activity. Institutions including Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and Japan’s Nomura Holdings have all cut jobs in their investment banking teams for the region in recent weeks. And where previous cuts have seen junior bankers shown the door, the recent round has included directors and, in Nomura’s case, the head of its investment banking operations in Dubai. “You will see the investment banking space in the Middle East shrink further in the next couple of years. There is a lot of bankers chasing similar deals in a market which is hardly growing,” said a senior Dubai-based banker with a global bank, declining to be named as he was not authorized to speak to media. The recent cuts follow similar moves earlier this year by Bank of America and Rothschild. The retrenchment comes after years of rapid expansion when foreign lenders built full-fledged investment banking teams, mainly in Dubai’s flagship financial center, lured by the prospect of petrodollars being lavished on overseas investments by regional sovereign wealth funds and state-backed firms. The 2008 global financial crisis put paid to those high hopes, shrinking investor appetite, and the region was hit hard by a slump in oil prices and a real estate market downturn.

Oil prices have now rebounded but since last year’s Arab Spring uprisings in the region, some sovereign funds are deploying more of their money at home as governments focus on developing their domestic economies to ease social discontent. Meanwhile, political instability in North Africa has at least temporarily deterred some investors from deal-making there. “Many global investment banks opened shop in the Middle East during the preLehman area as they were encouraged by the strong market trading volumes and appetising deal flow,” said Timucin Engin, associate director for financial services at Standard & Poor’s credit rating agency in Dubai, referring to the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008. “However, since Lehman, the trading volumes shrank significantly in most of the regional markets, and the same holds true for the investment banking deals.” Faced with less business in the region, as well as the euro zone debt crisis and stiffer regulation at home, global banks’ patience threshold is far below what it was in the boom years. The age of headquarters in New York or London subsidizing investment banking business in the Middle East is over, giving way to a focus on revenue generation and cost reduction. FEE POOL One exception to the gloom in the Gulf is gas-rich Qatar, which has been aggres-

sively boosting its overseas investments through its sovereign wealth fund and state-linked entities. The tiny Gulf state has spent billions of dollars this year on stakes in high-profile businesses such as miner Xstrata Plc , Royal Dutch Shell and French media group Lagardere. But Qatar has not been enough to revitalise the regional market. Middle East investment banking fees were $234.8 million in the first half of 2012, up 5 percent from a year ago but far below the nearly $1 billion in fees earned by banks during the boom years of 2005 and 2006, Thomson Reuters data shows. The fee pool has to be shared by as many as 20 global banks which hired or relocated senior bankers to attract business in the region. An unwillingness by companies and governments to pay big fees for professional advice has made it harder to justify large teams. And the competition to win deal mandates often sees banks undercut on fees, especially if the client is a highprofile Middle Eastern name which can open doors to more deals. “The fee situation in the region is really discouraging. You will see clients willing to do multi-billion dollar deals but unwilling to pay a million dollars in fees,” said a second banker, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. “When Etisalat was looking to buy Zain last year, a large bank offered to advise them for a $2 million fee. Now that’s for a $12 billion deal (which) would have easily

cost the company about $10-$20 million in fees in the West.” Telecommunications firm Etisalat eventually shelved plans to buy a majority stake in Kuwait’s Zain last year. As many as a dozen banks pitched for an advisory role in the proposed state-backed merger of Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties and Sorouh Real Estate this year in the hope of winning further deals in the wealthy emirate. Abu Dhabi eventually chose four advisors with Goldman Sachs taking a lead role. “It’s not like banks expect a fee bounty coming from this deal,” a banking source involved in the process said. “The deal is being decided by the government so the roles are limited to that. But it could be a good entry point for future events whenever they happen.” RELOCATING BANKERS Banks have relocated some of their top bankers home or to regions where prospects are better. Other bankers are pulling the plug themselves, in order to set up shop on their own or move to more attractive financial centers. Rothschild moved its Middle East investment banking head Herve Sawko to Paris in May, replacing him with Chris Hawley, a mergers and acquisitions banker. Paul Reynolds, managing director for debt and equity advisory services and a key figure during Dubai’s 2009 debt restructuring, is also leaving the region for the boutique bank’s northern Europe operations. — Reuters

Saudi falls to 2-month low; Gulf down MIDEAST STOCK MARKET DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s bourse slumped to a twomonth low yesterday amid a region-wide decline as opposition in the euro-zone to measures aimed at resolving the region’s debt crisis worsened the shaky outlook on global economic growth. Protesters clashed with police in Spain as the government prepared to unveil its 2013 budget on Thursday, causing a sharp rise in borrowing rates and drop in world shares. “This continuous decline is parallel to foreign markets-the euro-zone condition is back in focus and Spain’s contagion crisis is affecting sentiment,” said Hesham Tuffaha, head of asset management at Saudi Arabia’s Bakheet Investment Group. “Next week the market should be flat if it doesn’t recover. Local fundamentals are still strong.” The kingdom’s index fell 1.4 percent to finish at its lowest close since July 31. Selling pressure was across the board with main sectors of petrochemical stocks losing 1.5 percent and banking down 1 percent. Dubai’s bourse dropped the most in a daily move since early June, closing 1.8 percent lower. Propertyrelated stocks led the fall. Emaar Properties lost 2.8 percent, Drake & Scull dropped 1.3 percent and contractor Arabtec slid 4.7 percent. Abu Dhabi’s measure slipped 0.3 percent. Sorouh Real Estate and Dana Gas declined 1.7 and 2.3 percent respectively.In Qatar, the benchmark declined 0.5 percent, also a two-week closing low. Bucking the trend, Kuwait’s bourse rose 0.3 percent to a fresh three-month high on hopes that the political stalemate is moving closer to a resolution. State news agency KUNA reported Kuwait’s emir met on Wednesday with the crown prince, parliament speaker and interior minister. Details of the meeting were not disclosed but such a meeting is usually a precursor to political decisions. Analysts expect parliament to be dissolved ahead of new elections, which could be held by the end of this year. The elections might help to clear up a stand-off between the cabinet and opposition legislators in parliament that is blocking economic legislation and policy-making. “ The meeting was good for the market (as investors believe) that things will turn out for the best,” said Jasem al-Zeraei, head of institutional sales at NBK Capital. But he added: “Sentiment is still weary and it’s natural for the market to pull back, and we’re waiting for that now.” Hopes for a major improvement in the political climate may be unrealistic. On Tuesday Kuwait’s top court rejected a government attempt to alter the boundaries of electoral districts; this means the next elections may produce a new parliament that is as unworkable as the current one. Large-cap stocks were mostly flat, recovering early-session declines. Gulf Bank gained 1.2 percent, telecommunications operator Zain ended flat and logistics firm Agility climbed 1.9 percent. — Reuters

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

BUSINESS

Egypt growth seen falling short of govt forecasts Inflation seen high at 8.6% for 2012/13 CAIRO: Egypt’s economy is unlikely to grow as quickly as the government has forecast for this financial year, economists polled by Reuters predicted, dampening hopes Egyptians will see quick benefits after an uprising driven partly by economic grievances. In its budget for the fiscal year that began on July 1, the government predicted gross domestic product (GDP) would grow by 4 to 4.5 percent in 2012/13, a forecast that ministers have regularly reaffirmed in recent weeks. “I think it’s a bit optimistic for the coming year. If there is austerity in Egypt, the government will have very little power to stimulate the economy,” said Said Hirsh, an economist with Capital Economics. Ten economists who contributed to a Reuters survey conducted Sept. 11-24 expected the economy to grow by only 2.7 percent in the fiscal year to June 30, 2013, with the rate accelerating to 4.0 percent for the year to end-June 2014.

In several years before the popular uprising ousted Hosni Mubarak in February 2011, Egypt’s economic growth was around 7 percent, which was barely enough to produce work for the large number of Egyptian youth entering the job market. Growth has shrunk to an anaemic 2 percent since the uprising, and Egypt’s government has been on a charm offensive over the past few weeks to lure investors and aid from foreign governments to restart the economy. So far it has attracted billions of dollars in commitments. Egypt’s prime minister has told investors he is working on measures to make Egypt more attractive. The new government is putting the final touches on an economic reform program it hopes will satisfy the IMF it is serious about getting a persistently high budget deficit under control, paving the way for a $4.8 billion financing package. The finance ministry on Sept. 11 revised last year’s budget deficit figure upwards to 11

Oil traders to sell Egypt 19 gasoil cargoes

Alkay Hadi wins KD 10,000 cash prize from Wataniya Telecom KUWAIT: Wataniya Telecom has announced the winner of the fifth weekly draw as part of a series of draws for prepaid customers. Alkay Abdul Hadi was announced as the winner this week for a cash prize of KD 10,000. The draw was held in the presence of the company representatives and under the supervision of an officer from the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Trade and Industry Abdulaziz Ashkanani. Wataniya launched this exclusive campaign last August which includes weekly draws for a chance to win KD 10,000 at each draw. To enter the draw, customers need to recharge their Wataniya prepaid lines for a minimum of KD 1 using any recharge method, such as vouchers, wataniya.com, recharge kiosk machines or Wcharger. They will get one chance to enter the draw for every fils; therefore 1000 chances for every KD 1. On the occasion, Wataniya Telecom congratulated its customer and stated “Winners are so thrilled and delighted

whenever they are informed that they are the winners of this amazing prize every week. We would like to congratulate Alkay Abdul Hadi winning the prize of KD 10,000 this week, and we wish all our prepaid customers the very best for the upcoming draws.” Wataniya added “ The series of draws will continue for few upcoming weeks. This exclusive draw is considered to be the first of its kind in Kuwait offering valuable cash prizes to customers. Wataniya looks forward to engaging its customers with many more exciting campaigns and surprises in the near future.” All prepaid customers are eligible to enter the draw and win KD 10,000 by simply recharging their lines starting at KD 1 only. The more they recharge their line, the more chances they can get in the draws. Furthermore the chances collected by the customer are valid for all the remaining draws and the customer can check the total chances by dialing *555#

QIB plans dollar sukuk DUBAI: Qatar Islamic Bank plans to issue a dollar-denominated Islamic bond, or sukuk, under its recently approved $1.5 billion sukuk program, lead arrangers said yesterday. Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Standard Chartered and QInvest LLC are mandated for the sukuk, a document from the lead arrangers showed. No details were provided on the size of the issue. Investor meetings will begin on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur and take in

percent of GDP, saying spending was swollen by rising wage demands and revenue was trimmed by a fall in tax receipts. The reform program includes cutting government costs by directing energy subsidies to those who need them most. The reduction in these subsidies, which make up about a quarter of total government spending, is likely to boost inflation by raising prices of cooking gas, gasoline and diesel. The economists in the poll on average forecast a budget deficit of 10.6 percent of GDP for this year and 9.5 percent for 2013/14. They forecast inflation would average 8.6 percent this fiscal year and an even higher 8.9 percent in 2013/14. By comparison, Egypt’s urban consumer price inflation in the 12 months to August was 6.5 percent, near its lowest level in six years. The economists predicted a negative current account balance of 2.9 percent of GDP in 2012/13 and a negative 2.4 percent in 2013/14. — Reuters

Singapore today, before moving to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Sept. 30. They will conclude in London on Oct. 1. The board of QIB approved the sukuk program earlier this month, paving the way for the first sale under it. The lender last tapped global debt markets with a $750 million sukuk on the last day of September 2010. The paper was yielding 2.13 percent on the bid side at 0750 GMT, having initially priced two years ago at 3.856 percent. — Reuters

DUBAI: Egypt’s state oil firm EGPC has agreed to buy a total of 19 cargoes of gasoil from oil and commodity traders Glencore, Litasco, Mercuria and BP for delivery between October and December, traders said yesterday. Glencore is due to supply two cargoes each month from October to December to the port of Alexandria at a premium of $19 a ton over Mediterranean spot quotes. Litasco, trading arm of Russia’s Lukoil, will sell a total of three cargoes over the three month period at premiums varying between $16.87-18.46 a ton to the same port. BP will supply one cargo of gasoil to the Alexandria port in November at a premium of $19 a ton. EGPC had originally tendered for a total of 12 cargoes for Alexandria but canceled the other two. Glencore will also deliver three cargoes into El Dekheila port, from October to December at a premium of $19 a ton over spot Mediterranean quotes, after tendering to buy six cargoes via this port. Mercuria will supply the gasoil cargoes to be delivered into the Red Sea port of Suez. The oil trader will supply a total of six cargoes throughout the last quarter at a premium of $7.54 over Middle East quotes for the October and November cargoes and at $7.69 for the December cargoes. Further six other cargoes that EGPC originally tendered for are still under evaluation, traders said. Economic turmoil since a popular uprising unseated Hosni Mubarak last year has stretched Egyptian finances and raised the premiums that the state petroleum company has to pay for fuel. Some tenders had been left unawarded while in some cases EGPC ended up buying much less than it tendered for. Industry sources say the government owes foreign energy producers at least $3 billion. —Reuters

JALALABAD: Customers line up in front of textile vendors at a market in Jalalabad yesterday. Afghanistan, despite having experienced progress in its economy in the past few years, still remains extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid. — AFP

Japan’s Kansai buys more LNG from Qatar TOKYO: Japanese utility Kansai Electric Power Co said it had signed a contract with the world’s top LNG producer Qatargas yesterday to buy 500,000 tons per year (tpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for 15 years from January 2013. The deal, which is in addition to an existing contract for 290,000 tpa for 23 years from 1999 to 2021, was signed with Qatargas 3, Japan’s second-biggest utility said in a statement. The move comes as the company has been increasing spot LNG purchases from Qatar to fill the void of nuclear power it had lost following the massive March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Tokyo Electric Power Co’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, a company spokesman said.

Kansai bought 1.79 million tons of Qatari LNG in the year ended in March, accounting for 24 percent of Kansai’s total LNG imports, the spokesman said. Qatargas said on Sept. 12 that it would supply Japan with 11 million tons more of LNG in the short term, in addition to 9 million tons announced last autumn. Japanese utilities have been ramping up gas-fired power generation as all but two of Japan’s 50 nuclear reactors remain offline due to public concerns about atomic safety. The deal also came after Tokyo Electric said in June that it has signed a new contract with Qatargas to purchase 1 million tons per year of LNG from August. — Reuters

EU extends Dexia guarantee clearance to Jan 2013 BRUSSELS: The European Commission extended yesterday by four months its clearance for France, Belgium and Luxembourg to provide state guarantees worth 55 billion euros for failed Dexia bank, a statement said. A previous extension expires on September 30 and Dexia, being restructured by the three governments after it collapsed twice, had asked for another four months to end-January 2013 to put the plans in place. EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told AFP Monday that he wanted France and Belgium to “speed up” negotiations over the public guarantees needed to re-finance the group pending its final restructuring. First bailed out in 2008 at the height of the global financial crisis, Dexia could not cope with the turmoil of the euro-zone

debt quagmire and in October last year Belgium, France and Luxembourg stepped in to wind up the bank. Once approval is given for a restructuring plan, the bank will benefit from a definitive EU green light for a total of 90 billion euros ($117 billion) in guarantees from the three governments. Almunia said how this worked in practice needed to be firmed up now. “We (have been) talking about this for too long,” he said, noting that the main question which the Commission could not resolve was “the relative weight of state guarantees put up by Belgium, France and Luxembourg.” Belgium, which has put up 60.5 percent of the guarantees against 36.5 percent from France and 3.0 percent from Luxembourg, wants Paris to assume greater responsibility. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Egyptian pounds

.2740000 .4500000 .3580000 .2960000 .2830000 .2880000 .0040000 .0020000 .0761350 .7417630 .3870000 .0720000 .7271670 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2804500 GB Pound/KD .4534880 Euro .3610650 Swiss francs .2986370 Canadian dollars .2857650 Danish Kroner .0484270 Swedish Kroner .0425940 Australian dlr .2903360 Hong Kong dlr .0361700 Singapore dlr .2277120 Japanese yen .0036080 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0763860 Bahraini dinars .7441950 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0748070 Omani riyals .7287250 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

3.625 5.261 2.977 2.147 3.292 229.580 36.352 3.435 6.711 9.100 91.450

.2860000 .4610000 .3650000 .3070000 .2930000 .2990000 .0058500 .0035000 .0769000 .7492180 .4100000 .0780000 .7344750 .0510000 .2825500 .4568830 .3637690 .3008730 .2879050 .0487900 .0429130 .2925100 .0364410 .2394170 .0036350 .0053050 .0021620 .0029950 .0034710 .0769580 .7497680 .3996460 .0753670 .7341820 .0067950

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

GCC COUNTRIES 75.190 77.474 732.360 748.900 76.777

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 47.450 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.197 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.315 Tunisian Dinar 179.810 Jordanian Dinar 397.620 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.892 Syrian Lier 4.918 Morocco Dirham 33.434 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 281.850 Euro 364.150 Sterling Pound 457.080 Canadian dollar 288.130 Turkish lire 157.460 Swiss Franc 300.960 US Dollar Buying 280.650 GOLD 330.000 166.000 85.000

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria

SELL CASH

297.600 749.160 3.690 291.000 553.200 45.900 49.800 167.800 48.120 367.200 37.000 5.270 0.032 0.161 0.235 3.720 399.200 0.191 94.180 45.300 4.330 234.700 1.825

50.400 731.720 3.090 7.010 77.920 75.210 230.540 36.370 2.683 459.900 43.900 304.000 4.100 9.450 198.263 76.810 282.100 1.350

10 Tola

GOLD 1,868.740

Sterling Pound US Dollar

731.540 2.985 6.730 77.490 75.210 231.540 36.370 2.147 457.900 302.500 4.100 9.290 76.710 281.700

COUNTRY

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 457.900 281.700

SELL DRAFT

294.100 749.160 3.443 289.500

230.500 46.224 365.700 36.850 5.260 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

297.86 291.72 305.17 366.62 281.00 460.59 3.69 3.446 5.258 2.147 3.303 2.976 76.57 748.21 46.16 400.33 731.33 77.60 75.14

SELL CASH

297.000 290.500 305.000 366.000 282.000 459.000 3.690 3.560 5.450 2.290 3.530 3.150 77.250 748.000 47.650 398.100 735.000 78.000 75.500

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 398.170 0.190 94.180 3.310 233.200

Rate for Transfer

Selling Rate

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro

281.350 288.170 457.600 365.965

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

301.250 744.865 76.580 77.225 74.990 396.605 46.197 2.143 5.258 2.973 3.438 6.744 690.150 4.600 9.215 4.365 3.385 91.705

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

281.700 2.977 5.265 2.149 3.443 6.765 76.795 75.275 748.900 46.201 461.100 2.990 1.550 368.500 293.100 3.270

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

281.200 363.800 456.900 288.000 3.650 5.260 46.185 2.146 3.437 6.720 2.975 748.800 76.600 75.050

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

BUSINESS

BAE vulnerable to break-up or US bid if merger fails

BOSTON: A worker adjusts a scaffold at the site of a new residential construction project in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. Sales of new homes in the United States dipped slightly in August from July but the median price of homes sold during the month rose by a record amount. — AP

US new home sales dip, prices scale 5-year high WASHINGTON: New US single-family home sales held near two-year highs in August and prices vaulted to their highest level in more than five years, adding to signs of a broadening housing market recovery. The Commerce Department said yesterday sales slipped 0.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted 373,000-unit annual rate. July’s sales pace was revised up to a 374,000-unit pace, the highest level since April 2010, from the previously reported 372,000 units. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast sales at a 380,000-unit rate last month. Compared to August last year, new home sales were up 27.7 percent. Last month, the median price of a new home increased a record 11.2 percent to $256,900 — the highest level since March 2007. Compared to August last year, the median sales price jumped 17 percent, the largest rise since December 2004. “The drum beats louder ... more evidence that a recovery in US housing is taking root,” said Robert Kavcic, an economist at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto. US financial markets were little moved by the data, with stocks holding steady at lower levels. Treasury debt prices maintained earlier gains and the dollar held firm against the euro. Despite the month-on-month dip in sales, the report was consistent with other data that have suggested a turn-around in the housing market after collapsing in 2006 and igniting the 2007-09 recession. Home resales surged last month and homebuilder sentiment jumped to a six-year high in September. Home prices in 20 major metropolitan areas rose in July for a sixth straight month, recent reports showed. However, the housing market recovery lacks sufficient strength to take the baton from the faltering manufacturing sector as the main driver of the economic recovery. The Federal Reserve moved this month to bolster the economy, announcing it would buy $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities per month until the outlook for employment improved significantly. Those measures have pushed mortgage rates to record lows, causing an increase in demand for loans to purchase homes, a second report showed. The Mortgage Bankers Association said its mortgage purchase index rose 0.7 percent last week after declining 3.8 percent the previous week. Fixed 30-year mortgage rates dropped 9 basis points to an all-time average low of 3.63 percent last week. The inventory of new homes on the market held near record lows last month. At August’s sales pace it would take 4.5 months to clear the houses on the market, unchanged from July. New home sales were up in three of the four regions, surging 20 percent to a near two-year high in the Northeast. Sales in the South fell 4.9 percent. — Reuters

TNK-BP co-owners to bid for entire BP stake MOSCOW: The billionaire quartet that owns half of AngloRussian oil firm TNK-BP is interested in buying out BP’s entire 50 percent stake, and will make a binding all-cash offer by mid-October, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday. “We will pay cash, but have not yet determined the price,” said the source, who is close to the AAR consortium that represents shareholders Mikhail Fridman, German Khan, Viktor Vekselberg and Len Blavatnik. AAR had said it was willing to pay $10 billion for a 25 percent stake in TNKBP, Russia’s third-largest oil company. BP, which put its stake up for sale in June, was not interested in that offer, sources said. AAR expanded its bid after state oil major Rosneft said it wanted to buy BP’s stake in TNK-BP for cash and stock in a deal that could be worth more than $20 billion. Such a deal would require government approval and is opposed by some senior Russian officials. Under a shareholder agreement, only AAR may make an offer before a 90-day deadline - which falls in mid-October - that follows BP’s announcement that it planned to sell its stake. Other suitors may then strike a deal, creating the prospect of a bidding contest. AAR would “likely” fund the deal by borrowing through TNK-BP, the source said. How much the AAR shareholders themselves might invest remains unclear. The consortium will start negotiations with banks this week. Bankers have told Reuters that it would be possible for AAR to finance a significant portion of any purchase by leveraging up TNK-BP, which has paid out $19 billion in dividends since BP came into the venture in 2003. TNK-BP posted a record $14.6 billion in earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) last year. At year-end it had a low gearing ratio - a measure of its debt in relation to its equity of 26 percent. Its gross debt was $8 billion at end-2011, all of it unsecured and most of it long-term. That indicates, some bankers say, TNK-BP’s ability to sustain a higher debt burden to finance a possible buyout by AAR. Analysts say that BP is likely to prefer Rosneft as a buyer, however, as the prospect of acquiring equity in the Russian oil major through the stake sale could serve as a ‘poison pill’ takeover defence for the British oil firm. BP is seen as vulnerable to a hostile bid as it faces multi-billion damages payments over the Gulf of Mexico disaster in 2010. A strategic alliance with Rosneft would also hold out the prospect for BP of revisiting the type of upstream deal in Russia that was blocked in the courts last year by AAR. — Reuters

LONDON: BAE Systems needs its proposed merger with Airbus parent EADS to succeed if it is to avoid being cast adrift as a company without a clear strategy in a shrinking industry or a takeover target for predatory US rivals. If the planned $45 billion merger between the British defense group and the European aerospace giant does not go ahead, BAE could look to do a deal with a US group, sell off its standalone US business or remain alone trying to squeeze growth from the contracting global defense sector. Europe’s biggest defense deal in a decade faces many hurdles, including a row over the proposed 60/40 EADS-BAE ratio, how to ringfence top-secret projects and how to satisfy governments keen to safeguard EADS operations in France and Germany. “BAE see their defense earnings going down, what do they do about it? They either get into bed with someone going up like EADS or they team up with someone who can help them rip a load of costs out and get economies of scale like a Rockwell Collins , a General Dynamics or a Lockheed Martin ,” said an equities manager at a British investment house holding a stake in BAE. “The conspiracy theorists say BAE are hoping to flush out a bid from one of the U.S. prime contractors.” Such plans could, however, be scuppered because of the US government’s reluctance to see more consolidation among their prime contractors and competition reduced. Some analysts believe this attitude could change given that BAE is one of the biggest foreign suppliers of weapons to the Pentagon. “BAE’s strategy has taken it deep into UK and US defense but both of those markets are in deep trouble over the medium-term but at the moment doing nothing is not really an option for BAE,” said Societe Generale defence analyst Zafar Khan. If the merger falls foul of the many political and regulatory obstacles in its way, BAE will be left stranded and Ian King, its chief executive of four years, will face tough questions about his vision for the company, both past and present. “BAE doesn’t have a ‘Plan B’ as such, it’s the deal with EADS or back to trying to drive growth from defence and cyber, which is pretty limited,” said a source close to the British

contractor. In its most recent annual report BAE Chairman Dick Olver said the group’s main strategic aims included developing its export business, building on its large geographic footprint and pushing growth at its cyber security arm. “BAE Systems maintains a well-defined strategy with a defense focus at its core, but with the flexibility to adapt to changes in the business landscape,” wrote Olver. “BAE Systems will continue to keep its strategy under review and will move to adjust its portfolio of businesses where it is in the interests of shareholders to do so.” BAE is precluded from making statements that relate to the proposed EADS merger because of UK takeover panel rules. In 2006, BAE sold its remaining 20 percent stake in Airbus for $3.5 billion to fund its big move into the then booming US defense industry. It had created a standalone US business, BAE Inc, a year earlier which has since become one of the largest suppliers of weapons to the United States.

BAE Inc has grown through acquisitions and now competes toe-to-toe with prime US contractors such as Lockheed, Northrop Grumman and Boeing. It reported revenues of $14.4 billion last year - around half of BAE total group sales. “If a merger doesn’t happen BAE are basically in play and a US tie-up is possible but in that scenario I think BAE should sell its US business,” said Societe Generale’s Khan, who believes that BAE Inc could fetch up to 10 billion pounds ($16.20 billion) on a debt free basis. BAE Systems has a market capitalization of 10.7 billion pounds and debt of 1.23 billion pounds as of June 2012. BAE Inc, however, expects US defense spending cuts to hit its business in the coming years so any sale would need to happen sooner rather than later. The United States, by far the largest market for weapons, already has plans in place to cut $487 billion from its defense budget over the next decade, while Congress could also make a further $500 billion in military spending cuts in January under a process known as sequestration.

BERLIN: German Tom Enders EADS chief executive (left) reacts next to German Ernst Hinsken committee chairman at the start of a hearing with the German Bundestag’s economic affairs committee over the proposed merger of EADS with Britain’s BAE Systems, in Berlin yesterday. — AFP

Govt buying may spur KSE DUBAI: The long-drawn-out political deadlock between Kuwait’s cabinet and parliament has hurt the stock market, but fund managers and analysts believe governmentlinked funds may have stepped in to support shares, and blue chips are reaping the benefit. The market’s index slumped to an eight-year low in mid-August, underperforming most other stock markets in the Gulf, largely because of the political situation. Opposition legislators are boycotting parliament and accuse the government of trying to gerrymander voting districts for the next election, which could be held by the end of this year. In the meantime, much economic policymaking and many investment plans have been frozen. But in the last several weeks the index has partially recovered and it now stands at a three-month high, 5 percent above its trough. It is 2.3 percent higher than its level at the end of last year. Many in the market suspect government-linked funds are buying stocks. Speculation centres on the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund in which much of its oil wealth is parked, and on other funds in which the government owns stakes. The apparent intervention suggests there may be little further risk in Kuwaiti stocks even if the political situation remains grim. But it also implies any further rally of the market could fizzle out if authorities decide they have bought enough shares. “Most of the talk in the market is that KIA has started the buying spree through its portfolios located with investment companies in Kuwait,” said Fouad Abdulrahman Alhadlaq, deputy general manager at Al-Dar Asset Management. The government has not publicly announced any intervention in the market, and KIA officials were not available to comment on the fund’s activities. The KIA’s orders are generally placed confidentially among the brokers which serve it. But intervention would fit in with past policy patterns in Kuwait. During the global credit crisis of 2008, the Kuwaiti government asked the KIA to set up a long-term fund to invest in the local bourse. The government also offered to buy up assets from investment firms hit by the crisis. The KIA would almost certainly have enough cash to conduct fresh intervention. Although the size of its overseas and domestic assets is secret, it is believed by analysts to exceed $300 billion. High oil prices are allowing the government to run a big budget surplus, ensuring additional inflows into the KIA. Intervention might serve at least three purposes. It would limit stock market losses suffered by Kuwaiti investment firms, some of which are still recovering from the 2008 crisis. It would let the government avoid being blamed for a politically embarrassing market slide that could hurt tens of thousands of individual investors who will vote in the next elections. And if Kuwaiti stocks rebound in the long term after political tensions eventually ease, the government could end up making a profit on its purchases. “The KIA supports the market when it is oversold and valuations are attractive,” said Jasem al-Zeraei, head of institutional sales at NBK Capital. The extent to which the stock market’s tone has improved can be seen in trading turnover, which surged to 425 million shares on Wednesday, more than double the average of 186 million over the past 50 days. Alhadlaq At Al Dar Asset Management said the KIA was believed to be buying shares of blue chip companies in which it already held stakes. However, analysts noted there was room for disappointment among investors if the speculation about government intervention turned out to be misplaced. And with opposition legislators demanding fundamental political reforms that would involve giving parliament more power in relation to the cabinet, it is not clear that the next elections will stabilize politics. “Sentiment remains weary. Fundamentally, nothing has changed and we’re learning to live with these circumstances,” NBK’s Zeraei said. — Reuters

EADS is keen on a deal to balance its civil aviation exposure with more defense work, while BAE would gain access to planemaker Airbus, allowing it to diversify at a time when defense budgets around the world are contracting. In recent years BAE has been throwing cash into its cyber security business, Detica, to help offset budget cuts and contract losses across its more lucrative traditional business of fighter jets and warships. This has failed to plug the hole. BAE bought Detica in 2008 and has since pushed the cyber crime-fighting business into the commercial arena. It handles data and national security information for governments and is expanding further into telecoms, media and financial services. Part of the Eurofighter consortium that lost out on the sale of 126 jets to India earlier this year, BAE expects to deliver only modest growth in 2012 - and that hinges on talks to renegotiate a jets deal with Saudi Arabia - one of its five ‘home markets’. BAE has cut thousands of jobs in recent years to combat spending cuts. Headcount at its land and armaments business, where sales fell 40 percent last year reflecting the end of a key vehicle program and reduced military operations, has halved since 2009. It plans to cut at least 2,000 jobs as Typhoon orders slow. “By considering this deal, has BAE admitted that focusing on US defense and cyber security was flawed and won’t deliver real growth in the medium term? It looks like it,” said a fund manager holding BAE stock, who wished to remain anonymous. If the deal with EADS goes through, BAE’s past forays into the automotive, construction and support services sectors in search of growth and reduced reliance on the defense sector will become a distant memory. Since its privatization in the 1980s, British Aerospace, as BAE was then, has bought and sold mass market UK carmaker Rover, Dutch construction firm Ballast Nedam, German naval systems business Atlas Elektronik and its own aerostructures arm. BAE is still chopping and changing today. It has hired consultancy firm LEK to review options for its British shipbuilding business including the possible closure or sale of one of its three shipyards in Scotland and southern England.—Reuters

Markets fretful over the global economy LONDON: Growing concerns over the global economy combined with renewed worries over Europe’s debt problems to send stocks around the world sharply lower yesterday. A day after US stocks suffered their biggest retreat in three months in the wake of comments from a leading official at the Federal Reserve, investors in Europe and Asia are jittery. The euro is down further below $1.30 while oil prices edged back toward $90 a barrel, further indications of rising investor unease. In Europe, Spain’s IBEX index led the list of fallers, trading 2.3 percent lower at 7,983. Germany’s DAX was 1.4 percent lower at 7,322 while the CAC-40 in France fell 1.9 percent at 3,447. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was down 1 percent at 5,803. The catalyst to the current bout of nervousness was a warning from the Fed’s Charles Plosser that the central bank’s efforts to support the world’s biggest economy would likely fall short of its goals. Markets have been enjoying a fairly buoyant period ever since the Fed joined other central banks in turning on the stimulus taps in the hope of helping global growth. Investors have also been optimistic that Europe has finally got a grip on its debt crisis after the European Central Bank unveiled a new bond-buying program designed to keep a lid on the borrowing rates of countries like Spain and Italy and

prevent a breakup of the 17-country euro-zone. Though conditions are certainly better than they were a few weeks ago, Europe’s debt crisis has not gone away. Violent clashes in Madrid Tuesday over the government’s anti-austerity drive will be followed yesterday with a general strike in Greece, the euro country with the most acute economic problems. “The prospect that Spain might prove as truculent as Athens on the subject of reforms is a particularly uncomfortable one, since it risks making the Greek situation look like a mere sideshow,” said Chris Beauchamp, market analyst at IG Index. “Oh, and the Greeks are on strike again, just to underline this point.” Wall Street was poised for a modest recovery later, with both the Dow futures and the broader S&P 500 futures up 0.1 percent. Earlier in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock average closed down 2 percent at 8,906.70 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.8 percent to end at 20,527.73. South Korea’s Kospi shed 0.6 percent to 1,980.44. China’s Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.6 percent to 2,004.17. The tensions weren’t just evident in stock markets - the euro was down 0.2 percent at $1.2879. Only last week, it was trading at multi-month highs around $1.32. Meanwhile, the benchmark New York oil contract was 63 cents lower at $90.74 a barrel. — AP

NBF to replace Barclays on UAE rate panel

HEFEI: An aerial view of the fish farms in the countryside near Hefei, in central China’s Anhui province. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao hinted at new stimulus measures to boost flagging growth, while vigorously defending his decade in charge of the world’s second-largest economy as Beijing approaches a sensitive leadership transition.— AFP

Vitol trades Iranian fuel oil, skirting sanctions SINGAPORE/BEIJING: Vitol, the world’s largest oil trader is buying and selling Iranian fuel oil, undermining Western efforts to choke the flow of petrodollars to Tehran and put pressure on Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program. Vitol last month bought 2 million barrels of fuel oil, used for power generation, from Iran and offered it to Chinese traders, Reuters established in interviews with 10 oil trading, industry and shipping sources in Southeast Asia, China and the Middle East. A spokesman for Vitol declined to comment before publication of this story. The firm subsequently issued a statement saying Vitol Group is in compliance with all international laws on trade with Iran. “A Bahraini subsidiary company purchased a spot cargo of fuel oil from a non Iranian counterparty in July 2012.

The fuel oil delivered under contract was of Iranian origin. Vitol Group companies no longer purchase any product of Iranian origin,” Vitol said, without elaborating. Swiss-based Vitol is not obliged to comply with a ban imposed in July by the European Union on trading oil with Iran because Switzerland decided not to match EU and US sanctions against Tehran. The company earlier in the year stopped trading Iranian crude oil from its main European offices before the July 1 EU embargo deadline. But the trading sources said it has continued to deal in Iranian fuel oil from the Middle East. The tale of the cargo of Iranian fuel oil involves tanker tracking systems being switched off, two ship-to-ship transfers, and blending of the oil with fuel from another source to alter the cargo’s physical specification. —Reuters

DUBAI: National Bank of Fujairah has been chosen to replace Barclays on the panel which sets the United Arab Emirates’ indicative interbank lending rates, banking sources told Reuters yesterday. Barclays said in July it was withdrawing from the panel which determines the Emirates interbank offered rate (Eibor), weeks after it agreed to pay a $453 million fine to US and British regulators over manipulation of the London interbank offered rate (Libor). There has been no suggestion that Barclays tried to manipulate Eibor, which is used to price financial instruments in the Gulf’s top financial centre. NBF, the 11th-largest bank by market capitalization in the UAE, beat out India’s Bank of Baroda for the spot on the 12-member panel in a vote of panel members, three banking sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The arrival of NBF is unlikely to influence Eibor levels significantly; daily quotes are calculated using an average of the submissions of all 12 panel members, minus the two highest and two lowest. But the appointment shifts the balance of the panel further toward local banks. Before Barclays’ withdrawal, it consisted of eight local and four foreign institutions including Citigroup , HSBC and Standard Chartered. “We are talking about the emirates rate so you need to have representatives of the seven emirates” in the UAE, said an Abu Dhabibased treasury banker, who wasn’t one of the sources. “Now all are represented except Ajman and Umm al-Quwain.” NBF will assume Barclays’ position on the panel once a 90-day mandatory notice period has been served by the British bank. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as the information is not yet public. Officials from NBF and the central bank declined to comment.—Reuters

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

business

Oil falls below $110 on euro-zone crisis Germany bids to curb high-frequency trading BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet yesterday agreed draft laws aimed at putting the brakes on risky high-speed trading, saying it was playing a “pioneering role” for the rest of Europe. Ministers passed a raft of measures to curb the practice of computerized high-frequency trading, which allows trades to be carried out in fractions of seconds and once caused a sudden trillion-dollar loss on US markets. “We do not want to ban this or in any way criminalize it but we need to regulate, we need oversight, we need measures to minimize the risks that can arise from this method of trading,” Merkel’s spokesman told reporters. Regulating such trading, which accounts for up to half the trade on German markets, is a “very important element” of a wider policy of market regulation, the spokesman, Steffen Seibert, told a regular government news conference. “Germany is playing a pioneering role in this question and is anticipating corresponding legisla-

tion at the European level,” added Seibert. Risks associated with such trades include “extreme and irrational market fluctuations, overburdened trading systems and also the possibility of malpractice,” the finance ministry said in a statement. According to the draft legislation, high-frequency traders will have to be registered and set up their trading systems in such a way that they cannot lead to glitches on the overall market. In addition, the government plans to levy a fee on traders who engage in “excessive use of the trading system,” the draft legislation decrees. Similar legislation is also being discussed in Brussels that could see curbs rolled out over the whole of the European Union. An association of European traders said it was “comfor table with the general direction and objectives of the proposed German legislation” but criticized Berlin’s pre-emptive action. “We have grave reservations about individual countries pre-empting Brussels legislation by enacting

their own initiatives,” the FIA EPTA association said. Legislators on both sides of the Atlantic are looking into ways to prevent future disruption after a series of high-profile incidents linked to high-frequency trading. The “flash crash” of May 6, 2010, when the Dow Jones index plunged 700 points in a matter of minutes, was blamed on one firm’s algorithm selling off 75,000 stocks in 20 minutes, in a computerized trade worth$ 4.1 billion. The legislation must now be passed in both German houses of parliament. But the FIA EPTA association insisted that such a way of trading offered more advantages than disadvantages. “These types of regulations tend to be driven by emotive and anecdotal evidence as well as populist rhetoric rather than firm evidence,” the group said in a statement. “The evidence clearly shows that current exchange traded markets offer unprecedented liquidity at very low costs to the end users,” it added. — AFP

LONDON: Brent crude oil fell more than $1 per barrel to below $110 yesterday, weighed down by a stronger dollar, worries over growth and the euro zone debt crisis as Greece faced its biggest anti-austerity strike for months. Greece’s transport system ground to a halt, shops pulled down their shutters and hospitals worked on emergency staff yesterday as the country’s two biggest unions protested against a new round of belt-tightening. The strike followed violent protests in Spain, reigniting worries that the euro-zone debt crisis is deepening despite efforts by central banks to reflate their economies. A stronger dollar and a weaker euro also depressed oil after the Bank of Spain said Spain’s gross domestic product fell at a “significant rate” in the third quarter. North Sea Brent crude oil futures fell $1.04 to a low of $109.41 before recovering to trade around $109.60 by 0850 GMT. US light crude oil futures also fell sharply, dropping to an intra-day low of $90.33, down $1.04. Crude futures surrendered gains made earlier this month when both contracts reached fourmonth highs on a commodity-wide rally fed by stimulus measures by US and EU central banks. “It is ‘Risk Off’ today,” said Olivier Jakob, energy analyst at Petromatrix in Zug, Switzerland. “The Greek strike and

Spanish demonstrations are getting a lot of coverage.” The euro fell to a twoweek low against the dollar yesterday. Oil tends to move inversely to the dollar as many commodities are priced in the US currency. Stock markets fell on Wednesday with investors expressing concern over the deep euro crisis, the pace of economic growth and its effect on demand. The US economy grew 1.7 percent annually in the second quarter, and economists say it is unlikely to fare much better in the current quarter. Several large US companies have cut earnings forecasts this week. Caterpillar, FedEx Corp and Norfolk Southern all cut its profit estimates, citing sluggish demand. Protesters clashed with police in the Spanish capital on Tuesday as the government prepared a new round of austerity measures for the 2013 budget to be announced today. Spain is at the centre of the euro zone debt crisis over concerns the government cannot control its finances and those of highly indebted regions, bitten by a second recession since 2009, which has put one in four workers out of a job. Investors also remain preoccupied with slow demand in China, the world’s second-biggest oil consumer, as smaller firms, the key driver of economic growth and job creation, are starved for cash as banks still favor large, state-

backed companies. Despite yesterday drop, oil was supported by tension between Iran and the West and by worries over possible risks to Middle East supply if hostilities break out in the region. US President Barack Obama on Tuesday told the UN General Assembly the country would do what it must to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon-the latest in a series of exchanges over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. The United States and Europe have imposed sanctions on Iran’s oil shipments to register their opposition to its nuclear research, which the Middle Eastern nation insists is for peaceful purposes. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this week stepped up rhetoric against Israel, which has hinted it could strike Iran’s nuclear sites. Iran Press TV this week said the Islamic Republic successfully tested an anti-aircraft system. Investors awaited oil inventory data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT), for evidence of U.S. fuel consumption. The American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday US crude stocks rose slightly last week while distillate stockpiles had an unexpected draw. A Reuters poll of analysts forecast the EIA would confirm the higher trend for crude inventories. — Reuters

HYDERABAD: Employees walk inside a newly opened Bharti Wal-Mart store in Hyderabad yesterday. World’s largest retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc and local partner Bharti Group opened their wholesale outlet in Hyderabad yesterday.—AP

AngloGold says illegal strike spreads in S Africa JOHANNESBURG: An illegal strike spread through AngloGold Ashanti’s South African operations yesterday, while Anglo American Platinum said it could start firing unlawful strikers today, as the country’s miners grapple to rein in weeks of labor unrest. A wave of wildcat action is roiling South Africa’s mines despite the end of an illegal six-week stoppage at platinum producer Lonmin in which 46 people were killed and the price of the white metal was pushed higher. Mining shares tanked in Johannesburg yesterday, with Amplats losing almost 4.5 percent after it said it has lost 20,000 ounces to the strike action since Sept 12, while AngloGold shares shed over 3 percent. Most of AngloGold’s 35,000 workers have joined the wildcat action that began last week at its Kopanang mine, spokesman Alan Fine said. The company is the world’s No 3 bullion producer and South Africa accounted for about 32 percent of its global output of close to 2 million ounces of gold in the first half of 2012. Illegal strike action has also gripped Gold Fields and the world’s top platinum producer Amplats, a unit of global mining group Anglo American. Amplats said in a statement that attendance at its four Rustenburg mines remained below 20 percent. It said it would take action against those who remained on strike on Thursday, including dismissals. It has made such threats before but then extended the deadlines, perhaps mindful of the violence unleashed when rival Impala Platinum fired strikers in January. Much of the platinum sector in South Africa has been battling with soaring costs and weak demand and Anglo American launched a review of its Amplats’ operations months ago. “Our Rustenburg mining operations are under considerable economic pressure and their future is already under review,” Amplats’ chief executive Chris Griffith said. The steep 11 to 22 percent pay hikes extracted in the bloody standoff at Lonmin have been a red rag for others in an industry marked by glaring income and wage disparities. ANC renegade Julius Malema, a populist who has backed the wildcat strikes and called for the nationalization of the country’s mines, said he planned to address

Implats’ workers yesterday to encourage them to press for higher wages. “Tomorrow I’m going to a mine, Impala mine in Rustenburg. I’m going to encourage the workers to demand 12,500 (rand a month),” Malema said outside a court in the northern city of Polokwane where he was charged with money laundering. Malema, the former head of the ruling ANC’s Youth League who was ousted from the party for ill-discipline in April, is tapping into a swelling vein of anger among miners to revive his political career and campaign to unseat President Jacob Zuma. Lesiba Seshoka, spokesman for the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), said the AngloGold strikers wanted a minimum of 16,000 rand ($2,000) a month but the company said it had not received a formal wage demand yet. If the demand is 16,000 rand it would represent a rise of as much as 400 percent on the basic wages of the lowest-paid workers in the sector.

AngloGold and some of its rivals have two-year wage deals that are in place until the middle of 2013. The NUM does not support the strikes but elsewhere demands have included the resignation of its leaders, a reflection of discontent among miners who regard the union as out of touch and too close to mine managers and the ANC government. Gold Fields, the world’s fourth largest producer, said on Tuesday workers had reneged on a deal NUM claimed to have sealed to end a two-week strike at its KDC West operation in South Africa and miners at its Beatrix mine had also downed tools. iIllegal strikes erupted in the platinum sector in the form of a bloody turf war between the NUM and the more militant Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). The strikes have now spread elsewhere but there is no evidence yet of AMCU involvement in the unrest. — Reuters

TOKYO: A cyclist passes a share prices board in the window of a securities company in Tokyo yesterday. Japan’s share prices fell 184.84 points, or 2.03 percent, to close at 8,906.70 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with China-related shares hit by a territorial spat that has seen Toyota and Nissan cut output in China. — AFP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

BUSINESS

Spain govt stands firm over protests, cuts MADRID: Spain’s government yesterday defended police who beat and fired rubber bullets at protesters angry at its economic management, as it prepared fresh cuts to avert a full-blown bailout. The Madrid protests increased the pressure on Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is already grappling with a fresh surge in borrowing costs and with pro-independence stirrings in Catalonia, which has called snap elections. Thousands of mostly peaceful demonstrators massed outside the parliament in Madrid into the early hours yesterday to express their anger at the government’s handling of the economic crisis. Riot police dispersed many of them with rubber bullets and batons. “It was a clearly illegal gathering,” Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz told Cadena Ser radio, citing a law that bans rallies outside parliament that disrupt its work. “Such an assault on constitutional order could not be permitted. The police acted splendidly,” he said. The charges made dramatic scenes in central Madrid, but with little material damage

caused by protesters it seemed to be the least of Rajoy’s headaches yesterday. Figures from the Bank of Spain showed the country’s recession deepening with economic output sliding fast. “Available data for the third quarter of the year suggest output continued to fall at a significant pace, in an environment in which financial tension remained at very high levels,” it said in a monthly report. The Madrid stock exchange fell by more than three percent in early afternoon trade, and the interest rate on Spanish 10-year sovereign debt rose above six percent. Spain, the euro-zone’s fourth largest economy, tumbled into recession in the last quarter of 2011, its second in two years. Driven by the collapse of a building boom, the downturn has thrown millions out of work and many families into poverty. The unemployment rate is close to 25 percent. The government was due to adopt a 2013 austerity budget today and on Friday unveil an independent audit of its stricken banks to determine how much capital they need. Analysts say

that audit result could be followed by Spain formally requesting a full bailout from the euro-zone. The budget plan, known in outline since July and due to be adopted by the cabinet today, is expected to enact spending cuts and tax increases worth a combined 39 billion euros. Protesters say these measures, on top of tens of billions of earlier measures to lower the deficit and fix Spain’s finances, punish the poor unfairly. Emergency services said 64 people including 27 police were treated for injuries in the latest demonstrations, including one person who had suffered a serious back injury. Police arrested 35 people, said the central government’s delegate to the Madrid region, Cristina Cifuentes. In the first of the charges seen by AFP reporters Tuesday, police beat protesters when some tried to break through metal barriers blocking the way to the lower house Congress. Meanwhile, the push for greater independence for Catalonia, which Rajoy says threatens the unity of Spain as it tries to survive the crisis, gath-

ered pace yesterday. The region’s president Artur Mas called a snap election over the issue on Tuesday after Rajoy last week rejected his proposals for Catalonia to enjoy greater pow-

ers to tax and spend. Media reported yesterday that Mas wanted a referendum on independence after the election on November 25. Analysts at Deutsche Bank

warned in a note: “Political turmoil in Spain’s richest region could generate the kind of market reaction which would precipitate a request for European support by Madrid.” —AFP

BILBAO: Basque regional policemen secure the entrance of a shopping center during a general strike called by Basque unions ELA (Basque Workers’ Solidarity) and LAB (Basque Patriotic Workers’ Union) against Spanish government’s cuts yesterday in Bilbao. —AFP

French euro credibility at stake with 2013 budget Govt seeks to reduce deficit by 30 billion euros

FR ANKFURT: Jens Weidmann (right), President of the Deutsche Bundesbank and Vittorio Grilli, Finance Minister of Italy address a press conference after a meeting at the Bundesbank in Frankfurt am Main, central Germany, yesterday. —AFP

Workers at riot-hit Indian plant win 75% pay hike NEW DELHI: India’s top carmaker Maruti said yesterday it has given workers at a plant where employees went on a deadly rampage a 75 percent pay hike as it seeks to mend labor relations. Workers at the Manesar plant will see their monthly pay and allowances climb by about 18,000 rupees ($336) over three years, making them among the top-earning factory workers in the country. The wage increase along with rises in transport and other allowances makes the deal work out to “an increase of 75 percent”, said a spokesman for Maruti Suzuki, majorityowned by Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp. A permanent worker’s monthly pay packet now averages about 25,000 rupees, said the spokesman for Maruti, which is key to the fortunes of its Japanese parent, contributing close to a third of Suzuki’s profit. While wages had been increased, “labor costs will continue to make up 2.4 to 2.5 percent of total sales... it is in our business plan,” said the spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with company policy. The wage hike comes after workers in July chased supervisors at the plant with iron rods, killing a personnel manager and injuring close to 100 other managers. The riot, unprecedented in the company’s three-decade history, saw India’s leading carmaker by sales lock out workers for a month at the plant and cost Maruti some $250 million in lost production. Workers’ representatives had said unhappiness over wages and working conditions led to the riot along with use of lower-paid contract workers. Maruti has already said it is shifting to use of permanent workers. The employees will also get other benefits such as interest-free loans

and better health benefits, the Maruti spokesman told AFP. “This seems to be a good settlementallowing Maruti to move forward and focus on production,” Deepesh Rathore, IHS Automotive’s India-based auto analyst, told AFP. Maruti’s shares closed broadly unchanged at 1,314.25 rupees. “This is not going to make much difference as a percentage of sales as the wage rise can easily be recovered by sales and/or price increases,” he added. The deal came after shareholders last month urged Maruti to improve labor relations at the plant, which has been beset by strife for several years, hitting profits. Sales slumped 41 percent in August from a year earlier due to reduced car output while profit plunged 23 percent in the last financial quarter. The salary offer was being extended to workers at Maruti’s other plant in northern Haryana state, Maruti added. “We think the agreement is satisfactory,” Maruti Udyog Kamgar Union General Secretary Kuldeep Janghu told AFP. Seventy-five percent of the pay hike will come in the first year with 12.5 percent being awarded in each of the two succeeding years. The rise is far bigger than the 2009 settlement’s six-percent increase. Maruti fired some 500 workers it alleged were involved in the riot and has been slowly rehiring and building up output at the plant, which was responsible for 40 percent of the firm’s output. The spokesman said conditions were “getting back towards normality” and the factory was making 800-900 cars daily out of a 1,700 capacity. “We’re progressively making more cars and recruiting more people,” he said. —AFP

India’s Kingfisher airline in rescue talks, says boss BANGALORE: Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya said yesterday he was in talks with foreign carriers to sell a stake in his ailing Kingfisher Airlines after the government relaxed foreign investment rules. “Yes, we are in talks with some foreign airlines and investors,” Mallya told reporters in Bangalore ahead of Kingfisher’s annual shareholders meeting, while declining to give any names. “We are going as fast as possible. We can’t go faster,” he added. India this month allowed foreign airlines to buy stakes of up to 49 percent in domestic carriers, a longpending policy reform that could save debtladen Kingfisher, which is in desperate need of funds. The flamboyant Mallya, who has not paid staff full salaries since April, has repeatedly said he has had interest from foreign airlines, but some analysts have questioned whether

any investors would be prepared to put money into the group. Debt-laden and loss-making Kingfisher has seen its once successful brand battered by frequent flight cancellations and its market share has shrunk to the smallest of India’s airlines. Shares in the airline were up 4.5 percent at 15.10 rupees in late afternoon trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The group is due to meet on Thursday with its lenders, who are currently valuing the airline’s noncore assets, S Viswanathan, a deputy managing director of State Bank of India, has said. After Kingfisher defaulted on several interest payments, an assets sale is being prepared to recover money from the airline. All Indian airlines, except privately owned IndiGo, posted losses in the financial year ending on March 31 after struggling with over-expansion, high jet fuel prices and rising airport fees. —AFP

PARIS: President Francois Hollande will commit to the sharpest cut in France’s public deficit in three decades tomorrow with a budget that could make or break its credibility with euro zone allies and financial markets. While the 2013 budget will disappoint reformers by favoring tax hikes over painful spending cuts, Hollande aims to convince doubters that France is pulling its weight in efforts to resolve Europe’s sovereign debt crisis. At stake is not only the level of trust between France and fellow euro founder Germany in vital months ahead, but whether bond markets continue to let Paris borrow at record low yields despite a public debt of around 90 percent of national output. France has been treated by investors as part of the euro-zone core, almost akin to Germany, but its finances are more reminiscent of the debt-strapped periphery economies. “It is important for the president to ensure that France remains bracketed with Germany, rather than Italy and Spain,” JP Morgan said in a research note of the north-south split in perceptions of the EU powerhouse and weaker southern economies. The aim is to reduce the deficit from 4.5 percent of gross domestic product this year to 3.0 percent next - a goal which economists said could still be missed if France fails to match its already modest 2013 economic growth target of 0.8 percent. The French budget comes a day after Spain unveils its 2013 budget with new austerity measures which on Tuesday triggered clashes between protesters and police in Madrid, highlighting the potential for social unrest across in Europe as governments seek to tackle years of overspending. Hollande’s room for manoeuvre is tight with Europe’s second largest economy already close to recession, his own popularity ratings

in free-fall and left-wing allies and unions ready to cry foul at anything which smacks of austerity. Elected four months ago on a platform of growth and jobs, he is promising to reconcile those goals with an effort to win 30 billion euros ($38.75 billion) for the budget on top of seven billion worth of measures already passed through this year. Two-thirds of the extra cash will come from higher taxes on business and individuals, with the remainder to be recouped via a simple freeze at nominal rates of most France’s heavy government spend rather than actual cuts to it. “I don’t want a policy of austerity, hitting salaries, weakening the state and turning it into a pauper,” Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said, contrasting Friday’s package with more painful measures taken in Italy and Spain. Tax hikes are due to include a temporary 75 percent levy on earnings over one million euros which, while raising fears of an exodus of local captains of industry, is likely only to reap around 200 million euros. A new rate of 45 percent on incomes over 150,000 euros will bring in 300 million euros. Officials say most existing income tax brackets will not rise with inflation as usual, leading to an extra 1.5 billion euros in revenues. A number of longstanding tax breaks will either be scrapped or reduced. Business will face measures including a reduction in the rate of tax deductibility of loan interest, a move which by itself will swell state finances by around four billion euros. “We view this budget, and the way it is being prepared, with consternation,” Laurence Parisot, head of the employers group Medef said of fears it will damage the competitiveness of French businesses already struggling

with high labor charges. While critics say that raising the tax burden only stores up trouble for further down the line, the initial focus will be on whether France can actually achieve the 3 percent target. So far, markets have given France the benefit of the doubt and are currently buying its medium- and long-term debt an average yield of 1.98 percent, a record low which this year has already led to savings of 1.4 billion euros on debt repayments. But that market indulgence - which comes despite France having lost its triple-A rating - could end fast if Paris is seen unable to make good on its promises of budgetary rigor. The risk of France missing the 3 percent deficit target is particularly acute if the economy gets worse next year. Each 0.1 percentage point by which it under-performs its 0.8 percent growth forecast implies an extra one billion euros in savings to maintain the deficit target. While the government hopes that focusing tax hikes on higher incomes will leave most consumers unaffected, economists say data such as last week’s downbeat purchasing manager’s index suggest 2013 growth to slow to as little as 0.3 percent. The gloom was compounded yesterday by news that consumer confidence slipped further in September and confirmation from Labour Minister Michel Sapin that the number of unemployed rose for a 16th month running in August to top three million. If economic growth falls short of target, some argue it may be better for France to slip slightly on the three percent deficit target rather than to tighten the fiscal screw further and tip into recession. “A 3.5 percent deficit would continue to reassure markets,” said economist Ludovic Subran at credit insurer Euler Hermes. —Reuters

Gold prices slide 1% to two-week low LONDON: Gold prices fell more than 1 percent yesterday as pressure from a stronger dollar and a weaker tone to stocks markets and other commodities combined with profit-taking ahead of quarter-end to push the metal through key support. Pressure from other markets has meant gold has struggled to maintain gains after hitting 6-1/2 month highs this month after the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan all took steps to further loosen monetary policy. The easing measures, which are expected to keep long-term interest rates low while stoking inflation fears and boosting liquidity, lifted gold out

of its previous lackluster range. “(The drop) has been brewing all week following the return of dollar strength,” Saxo Bank vice president Ole Hansen said. “With activity fairly light, someone went looking for stops and found them below $1,755. With that support now removed, the true strength of the current rally is about to be tested.” “My feeling is that buyers will be lurking in the wings and this move was necessary to establish proper support following the run higher,” he said. “With QE excitement disappearing fast, it is left to stand on its own feet and with the headwind from a stronger dollar it will be exciting to watch

ATHENS: Demonstrators clash with riot police yesterday in Athens during clashes with demonstrators at a 24-hours general strike. —AFP

indeed.” Spot gold was down 0.8 percent at $1,745.00 an ounce at 1404 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery were down $18.20 at $1,748.20. Earlier it rose as high as $1,765.40, before reversing those gains to hit $1,739.70. The euro hit a twoweek low versus the dollar as popular opposition within the euro zone to budget austerity measures unnerved investors already worried about a weak global growth outlook. Worries over the euro-zone debt crisis, as Greece faced its biggest anti-austerity strike for months and Spain’s central bank suggested the country’s recession was deepening, also knocked European shares and crude oil futures sharply lower. Spanish government bond yields broke above 6 percent on Wednesday after developments in Spain dampened expectations that Madrid will be able to ask for a bailout soon and secure central bank support for its debt. Investment in gold has been firm, with holdings of gold-backed exchange-traded funds rising by nearly 300,000 ounces on Tuesday, according to Reuters data, to a record 74.063 million ounces, with most fresh flows moving into New York’s SPDR Gold Trust. But appetite for bullion from number one buyer India remained fragile. Gold importers there stayed away from fresh deals for a second day as prices recovered from their lowest in more than two weeks due to a weaker rupee. “Sales are nowhere equal to

what they were last year,” Harshad Ajmera, proprietor of JJ Gold House, said. Silver was down 0.5 percent at $33.53 an ounce. Spot platinum was down 0.3 percent at $1,615.24 an ounce, while palladium was down 2.1 percent at $618.22 an ounce. Platinum prices have retreated from the 6-1/2 month highs they hit earlier this month after violence linked to labor unrest at a mine operated by number three producer Lonmin in South Africa led to 45 deaths. Faced with a dearth of demand from consumers in the European auto sector platinum is a key component in catalytic converters, chiefly in diesel engines prices have struggled to maintain gains even in the face of ongoing unrest in South Africa. An illegal strike spread through AngloGold Ashanti’s operations there on Wednesday, while Anglo American Platinum said it could start firing unlawful strikers today. “Interest in platinum is still elevated and the price floor is now at least $150 above this year’s lows, but investors are cautious about pushing the market higher from here,” UBS said in a note yesterday. “A slew of further negative headlines, including an escalation at Impala and/or Anglo Platinum would attract further spec buying. But with spec positioning already stretched, and with prices no longer at the extreme or attractive end as $1,400 was regarded, buyers may not be in the same rush as before.” —Reuters

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

business

Toyota to introduce 21 hybrid models within next three years KUWAIT: Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has announced that it will launch 211 new hybrid models from now until the end of 2015. The announcement of its vehicle deployment plans is part of the progress that Toyota has made in developing environmental technologies with the aim of conserving energy by improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions, and diversifying fuel sources by encouraging the use of electricity, hydrogen and other alternative energies. Considering that revolutionary advances in the performance of next-generation batteries are vital, TMC has developed-at a special-purpose in-house research division- new battery cells that offer substantially improved output density over all-solid-state batteries. TMC is also working on wireless battery charging, which will enhance the charging convenience of plugin hybrid vehicles (PHVs) and EVs.

fuel efficiency and high driving performance. The adoption of newly developed exhaust gas cleaning technology has enabled the engine to pass the Euro 6, one of the most stringent exhaust emission standards in the world. Vehicles equipped with the new diesel engine are planned for launch starting 2015.

engine control and reductions in both size and weight. The transmission is planned for use on additional models, particularly in the compact segment. A new front-wheel-drive eight-speed, automatic transmission-as compact and lightweight as a sixspeed automatic transmission-provides smooth and

The 3.0 liter KD diesel engine for commercial vehicles uses i-ART5, the world’s first2 injection system to maintain a high level of injection precision at high pressure, achieving high fuel efficiency and low emissions.

Diesel engines Improvements such as an increase in fuel injection system pressure and the adoption of a compact, highefficiency turbocharger have allowed the 1.4-liter ND diesel engine for passenger cars to achieve both high

Transmissions TMC’s newly developed continuously variable transmission, Super CVT-i, has achieved both superior fuel efficiency and smooth acceleration due to its unsurpassed transmission efficiency, improved integrated

Electric Vehicles TMC’s newly developed high-performance, compact electric vehicle-the “eQ”6 -features a new highoutput lithium-ion battery that uses a minimum amount of space and boasts the world’s best2,7 electric power consumption rate of 104 Wh/km. Despite its small capacity of 12 kWh, the battery enables a driving range of 100 km8 on a single charge and a top speed of 125 km/h. With an AC 200 V power source, the battery can be fully charged in approximately three hours. Starting December 2012, TMC plans to offer the eQ to local governments and selected users in Japan and the US on a limited basis.

highly receptive acceleration with highly responsive gear shifting, as well as superior fuel efficiency.

Fuel Cell Vehicles After steady advances in development, TMC’s proprietary FC stack-for use in the sedan-type FCV scheduled for launch around 2015-boasts the world’s highest2 FC power output density of 3 kW/L, which is more than twice the density of the FC stack currently used in the “FCHV-adv” fuel-cell hybrid prototype, but is approximately half the size and weight. TMC has also developed a high-efficiency boost converter. Increasing the voltage has made it possible to reduce the size of the motor and the number of FC cells, leading to a smaller FC system with enhanced performance at reduced cost. TMC and its subsidiary Hino Motors are accelerating joint development of a new FC bus, with the goal of a launch in 2016.

Hybrid Vehicles TMC expects global sales of its hybrid vehicles to surpass 1 million units in 2012. With its plan to launch 21 new hybrid models between now and the end of 2015, TMC expects to maintain this level of sales, forecasting global sales of its hybrid vehicles to be at least 1 million units a year from 2013 to 2015.

Future Electrification Technologies-NextGeneration Batteries In the area of all-solid batteries, TMC has developed a new solid electrolyte with the world’s highest2 performance level. Through this, TMC has succeeded in improving ion flow, boosting output density by a factor of five (compared to TMC’s existing batteries.

1) TMC’s initiatives for Energy Conservation Gasoline engines An enhanced engine for use in hybrid vehicles, based on the 2.5-liter AR gasoline engine, adopts the Atkinson cycle and D-4S2 system. The enhanced engine achieves the world’s highest3 maximum thermal efficiency4 of 38.5 percent, realizing both high fuel efficiency and high output. Hybrid vehicle models equipped with the engine will be launched starting 2013. Starting 2014, TMC plans to launch a vehicle with a new 2.0-liter, turbo-charged AR engine, also based on the 2.5-liter AR gasoline engine. The new engine’s smaller displacement will provide higher fuel efficiency while the turbocharger will improve output.

2) Initiatives for Fuel Diversification

Gulfmart celebrates 13th Anniversary with bevy of promotions KUWAIT: Gulfmart, the supermarket chain that introduced the concept of ‘affordable quality’ to grocery retailing in Kuwait, is celebrating its 13th anniversary with special ten-day sales promotion, starting from yesterday. Kuwait’s fastest growing supermarket chain with the largest number of branches, is marking its decade plus three years as a leader on the country’s retail landscape, with a raft of promotional offers on products ranging from food and garments to cosmetics, electronics and household goods. Announcing the anniversary promotions, T A Remesh, Gulfmart Country-Head, thanked the supermarket’s valued customers for their patronage over the years. “Since opening our first branch in Shuwaikh, on July 29th, 1999, Gulfmart has been privileged to enjoy the unstinted support of customers, and we are deeply indebted to each and every one of you. This special promotion is our way of saying “Thank You” for your unwavering encouragement and endorsement in the past, and we look forward to your continued support in the years to come,” said the country-manager.

Qatar Executive Challenger 605 interior cabin

Qatar Executive Global 5000

Qatar Airways holds major event for travel industry Qatar Executive caters to demand for luxury flying In Kuwait

Dr T A Remesh

DOHA: Qatar Airways brought together key corporates, leading travel agents and business partners to present its exclusive business aviation service and the benefits of chartering a private jet for business and leisure travel. Qatar Executive is a subsidiary of Qatar Airways which has a dedicated fleet of business jets for business and leisure travellers seeking the ultimate in luxury private travel. Held at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel against the backdrop of spurring demand for private jet travel in Kuwait and the Middle East, more than 20 guests attended the corporate lunch event in the centre of Kuwait City. Qatar Executive used the opportunity to showcase its products and services in the Kuwaiti market, demonstrating its footprint as a major business aircraft operator in the Middle East region, complementing its parent company’s scheduled airline operation. Being part of award-winning Qatar Airways, Qatar

Executive offers completely customised experiences, allowing customers to decide where they want to travel at the time of their choice on any one of the corporate jet company’s six executive jet aircraft. Flying Qatar Executive, business travellers will enjoy the convenience of speed and efficiency travelling through busy airports by avoiding large immigration queues and make optimal use of their flying time through either arriving well-rested at their final destination or through working during their journey as all six corporate jets are equipped with internet access and satellite phones. The time-buying aspect is paired with superior levels of comfort and privacy, which leisure travellers especially will appreciate when they travel with their family or friends. No other means of travel is so exclusively tailored to customer’s individual needs, timing and requirements as the experience of flying in a private jet. Qatar Executive is able to offer tailor-made itineraries

that cover, for example, multiple stops, travel to remote locations not served easily by airlines, or landing at airports which have no commercial service. Today, Qatar Executive operates six wholly-owned Bombardier aircraft, the youngest fleet of its kind in the Middle East. Among three Challenger 605s, and two Global 5000s, Qatar Executive also operates a luxurious Global Express XRS featuring a spacious two cabin configuration, accommodating up to 13 passengers. The a la carte mobility for passengers includes the convenience of booking an aircraft in as little as four hours before departure, access to premium airport lounges, and check-in 10 minutes prior to take off. In addition, Qatar Executive also offers individual larger airline charters, for example an Airbus A320 aircraft for up to 144 passengers in a two-class configuration, to accommodate larger group travel requests such as sports clubs or business delegations.

Al-Tijari announces winners of Najma Account draw KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held the Al-Najma Account draw on 23rd September 2012. The draw was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry represented by Abdulaziz Ashkanani. The winners of the Al-Najma Daily Draw are :• • • • •

Tanveer Fatima Sayed Mohammed Khaled — KD 7000 Nasser Mathour Mohammed Al-Harbi — KD 7000 Mohammed Ahmed Saeed Al-Mehri — KD 7000 Ibrahim Salim Al-Rifai — KD 7000 Asif Ali Rehmat Javed— KD 7000

The Commercial Bank of Kuwait announces the biggest daily draw in Kuwait with the launch of the new Najma account. Customers of the bank can now enjoy a KD 7,000 daily prize which is the highest in the country and another 4 mega prizes during the year worth KD 100,000 each on different occasions: The National Day, Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha and on the 19th of June which is the date of the bank’s establishment. With a minimum balance of KD 500, customers will be eligible for the daily draw provided that the money is in the account one week prior to the daily draw or 2 months prior to the mega draw. In addition, for each KD 25 a customer can get one chance for winning instead of KD 50. Commercial Bank of Kuwait takes this opportunity to congratulate all lucky winners and also extends appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their effective supervision of the draws which were conducted in an orderly and organized manner.

Abdul Aziz Ishkenani and Mohammed Taha

Aiman Abdullah Rashid Al-Harbi

Mohamad Naser Al-Sayer & Sons Co congratulates Boubyan Bank winners of The Holy Month of Ramadan promotion KUWAIT: Mohamad Naser Al-Sayer & Sons Co held an electronic draw for its promotion campaign “The Holy Month of Ramadan 2012” in Al-Rai Showroom at 6.00 pm , on the 6th and 10th of September 2012, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Abdul Aziz Ishkenani, and Mohammed Taha -

Toyota Al-Rai showroom Manager. The winner of the Toyota Land Cruiser 2012 was Aiman Abdullah Rashid Al-Harbi coupon # 260 a customer of Boubyan Bank. The promotion “The Holy Month of Ramadan 2012” carried on through the holy month of Ramadan 2012, which enabled the customers a chance to enter the

draw for every car bought through Boubyan Bank, entitling them to win a Toyota FJ Cruiser and a Land Cruiser 2012 . The main reasons behind the remarkable success of this promotions was “The customer’s trust in Toyota flagship”. Al-Sayer congratulates all the winners.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

Brazil court orders YouTube to remove anti-Islam film BRASILIA: A Brazilian court banned an online antiIslam movie that spawned violent protests across the Muslim world and gave YouTube 10 days to pull the film’s trailer from its website. The decision by a state court in Sao Paulo, home to a large Middle Eastern immigrant community, came hours after Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff criticized “Islamophobia” in Western countries in a speech at the United Nations. The lawsuit against the controversial film was

brought by a Brazilian Muslim group, the National Islamic Union, against YouTube owner Google Inc for posting on the Internet a film it said was offensive and a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of religion. In his decision, Judge Gilson Delgado Miranda said the case juxtaposed freedom of expression and the need to protect individuals or groups of people from action that might incite religious discrimination. Miranda concluded that banning something

illegal should not “offend” freedom of thought and expression, according to the ruling posted online by Estado de S. Paulo newspaper. It wasn’t the only Brazilian court ruling against Google on Tuesday. Earlier, an elections court ordered the arrest of Google’s most senior executive in Brazil after the company failed to take down YouTube videos attacking a local mayoral candidate. The legal challenges underline broader questions about Google’s responsibility for content

uploaded by third parties to its websites, such as the anti-Islam video, which mocked the Prophet Mohammad and sparked a wave of protests and violence in the Muslim world. Fifteen people were killed in Pakistan during demonstrations over the video on Friday. People involved in the film, an amateurish 13-minute clip of which was posted on YouTube, have said it was made by a 55-year-old Californian man, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula. — Reuters

Road cleared for self-driving cars ‘Self-driving cars do not run red lights’

SEOUL: Models hold Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Note II smartphones during its unveiling ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. The Galaxy Note II, which runs on Android 4.1 with 1.6 GHz, went on sale in the domestic market yesterday. — AP

Samsung launches new oversized smartphone SEOUL: Samsung launched yesterday the newest version of its oversized smartphone Galaxy Note, just a week after Apple’s iPhone 5 hit shelves, in an apparent bid to outpace its rival with a wider range of gadgets. The South Korean electronics giant said the Galaxy Note II-first unveiled at a trade fair in Berlin last month-will eventually hit stores in 128 nations including the United States, where the firm’s recently lost a $1.05 billion patent case to Apple. The gadget is slightly bigger than the firm’s flagship smartphone Galaxy S series and comes with a stylus “S pen” to write notes or draw on the screen. “We believe global sales of Galaxy Note II for the first three months will be more than three times those of the previous version,” J.K. Shin, the head of Samsung Electronics’ mobile unit, told reporters. The world’s top smartphone maker has sold more than 10 million units of the first Galaxy Note since its debut in November and more than 20 million of the latest Galaxy S III, which was launched in late May. “It took us some time to establish this new product category in the global market... but now we get far better response than the past,” Shin said. The launch comes after a flurry of new devices from major phone makers including Apple,

whose iPhone 5 just days ago enjoyed a record launch weekend with sales topping five million. Samsung’s smaller rival LG Electronics last week put on sale the new version of its headline Optimus G, hopes it will help the world’s number five phonemaker meet its goal to sell 80 million mobile phones this year. Galaxy Note II-powered by Google’s Android software-is equipped with a new 1.6 GHz quad-core processor that helps run multiple applications faster than the dualcore processor of the previous version. About 15.1 centimetres long (5.9 inches), 8 centimetres wide, 9.4 millimetres thin and featuring a 5.5-inch touchscreen, it allows users to split the screen in half to view two programmes at once. “You can exchange chat messages or take part in a video conference while checking e-mails, or take notes while watching a video speech by famous speakers,” said Shin. Samsung has been embroiled in a long-running patent battle with Apple in 10 countries, including the United States and Germany, with the two rivals accusing each other of stealing design and technology. Last month the South Korean firm was ordered to pay Apple $1.05 billion in damages for illegally copying iPhone and iPad features for its Galaxy S smartphones. — AFP

SAN FRANCISCO: California Governor Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed a bill clearing the way for self-driving cars to jockey with human-operated vehicles to test the technology on the state’s roads. “Autonomous vehicles are another example of how California’s technological leadership is turning today’s science fiction into tomorrow’s reality,” Brown said during a signing ceremony at the Google campus in Mountain View. “This law will allow California’s pioneering engineers to safely test and implement this amazing new technology.” The legislation backed by state senator Alex Padilla lets driverless cars be operated on public roads for testing purposes as long as licensed drivers are behind the wheels to take over if needed. Google co-founder Sergey Brin heads a stealth team working on visionary innovations such as self-driving cars and eye glasses that mesh the online world with the real world. Brown, Brin and Padilla took a ride in a Google self-driving car before the governor signed the bill into law. “It obviously seems the stuff of science fiction,” Brin said. “It is a fascinating area to work on but it really has the power to change people’s lives, which is why I am really excited about it.” The state of Nevada in May issued a license plate giving Google’s self-driving car the green light to travel along public roads there. The modified Toyota Prius was issued a license bearing an infinity sign next to the left of number “001” after demonstrating its auto-pilot capabilities on highways, neighborhood streets and even the hectic “strip” in Las Vegas. The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) proclaimed the license the first for an autonomous vehicle in the United States. The legislation signed by Brown on Tuesday directs the California DMV to begin issuing license plates for self-driving vehicles. Brin said the Google cars have logged more than 300,000 miles, 50,000 of which were made without human drivers taking over at “critical moments.” A video posted at Google-owned YouTube showed a blind man using a self-driving car to get about on errands. “This can really enable huge classes of people effectively trapped or hampered to get around,” Brin said while itemizing benefits of self-driving cars. “Including those too young, too old, or sometimes too intoxicated.” Padilla said he took numerous rides self-driving cars, which he contended have the potential to create jobs, reduce air pollution, and save lives by avoiding accidents. When a news reporter asked Brown who gets the traffic citation when a driverless car ignores a red traffic signal, Brin jumped in with an emphatic “Self-driving cars do not run red lights.” Brin said Google wanted to have a broadened set of employees testing the cars by the

end of this year and hoped the vehicles would be available in some form to the public in five years or less. “You can count on one hand the number of years until ordinary people can experience this,” Brin said. Google has had “great conversations” with a

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California: A reporter looks at a Google self-driving car at the Google headquarters on Tuesday.— AFP

Google offers virtual dives in coral reefs SAN FRANCISCO: Google late Tuesday began letting users of its online mapping service take virtual scuba dives to explore precious living reefs being surveyed by scientists. The first underwater panoramic images were added to Google Maps with the help of Catlin Seaview Survey scientific expedition, which hoped that the up-close view of underwater wonders would inspire people to protect them. “This is a critical decade for coral reefs,” Catlin project director Richard Vevers told AFP while providing a preview of the Google reef mapping project. “We need to be recording them as fast as we can and involving people to halt the decline, which is alarming at the moment.” A small team of Catlin divers used a special camera to capture panoramic imagery woven together at Google Maps and in a special Street View online gallery to let people swim along without getting wet. “With these vibrant and stunning photos you don’t have to be a scuba diver or even know how

Kaspersky’s solution for securing online transactions

TOKYO: Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota Motor’s home-living-assistance robot, ‘Human Support Robot (HSR)’, performs during a demonstration at the annual Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition in Tokyo yesterday. Learning from service dogs, Toyota engineers designed the HSR not only to grab things with its arm but also to pick up a piece of paper or plastic sheet by using suction at the end of the arm. — AFP

Toyota unveils robot helping hand TOKYO: Japanese car giant Toyota yesterday unveiled a robotic best friend that can offer a helping hand around the house fetching and carrying for the elderly or immobile. The human support robot, a compact cylinder-shaped machine 37 centimetres (about 15 inches) in diameter and up to 130 centimetres tall, can be remotely controlled by a tablet computer to recognise items it is sent to fetch. Taking their cue from dogs that are trained to retrieve things, Toyota engineers designed the robot to perform simple tasks on command, using an arm equipped with a small suction pad. “The robot still has chal-

lenges such as selecting items from a drawer containing all sorts of things, for example,” said Takashi Yamamoto, general manager at Toyota’s advanced technology engineering department. “Finding an item by itself before getting it to the person controlling it is the most difficult challenge,” he said. Toyota, one of the world’s biggest automakers, has applied technology developed for its cars, such as precise control of motors at high speeds, in the design of the robots. Products catering to the elderly are big business in Japan, where a declining birthrate and lengthening life-expectancy is creating a greying society. — AFP

variety of auto manufacturers and whatever it does with the technology would “involve partnerships with the industry.” Brown summed up the legislation signed on Tuesday essentially sets up rules and procedures for judging “when the car is ready for prime time.” — AFP

DUBAI: In his blog Eugene Kaspersky reflects on the dangers of conducting financial operations on the Internet, and describes a new method for protecting online transactions. There may still be some out there using grandma’s trusty old hide-it-under-the-mattress option, but protecting online financial transactions has become problem No. 1 for the majority of users, according to the blog.Trojan programs, phishing and social engineering, advanced attacks such as sniffing etc. are the main methods employed by cyber-criminals to get their hands on users’ virtual wallets and purses. This gives rise to thethree main problems of protecting against financial cyber-fraud: a lack of reliable site identification; a lack of trusted connections via the Internet between online services and clients; and a lack of guarantees that software installed on a computer doesn’t contain vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware. “Many aspects of this problem are addressed by the latest Internet Security-class protection products,” Eugene Kaspersky states in his blog. “But this is in no way enough to be safe in real-life scenarios. Moreover, the majority of products don’t even have all the necessary features to provide comprehensive protection. What’s worse, the features they do have don’t work well together to solve specific problems. What’s really needed here is a multi-faceted ‘cure’. This is where Safe Money comes in!” Safe Money is implemented in the upcoming version of Kaspersky Internet Security. The technology is designed to protect financial and other confidential information during online transactions and consists of three key components. The first is a database of trusted addresses for banks and payment services that includes over 1500 different banks in 84 domains. The second key component of Safe Money is a certificate verification service that establishes whether a website is genuine or not. At the same time the technology’s protected browser mode is launched the computer is scanned for vulnerabilities - this is the third key component of Safe Money. This creates integrated, multi-layered protection specifically tailored to counter financial fraud and highly specialized malware. Importantly, all the necessary components of the product are synchronized to meet such threats.

to swim to explore and experience six of the ocean’s most incredible living coral reefs,” said Google Maps and Earth vice president Brian McClendon. “Now, anyone can become the next virtual Jacques Cousteau and dive with sea turtles, fish and manta rays in Australia, the Philippines and Hawaii.” The underwater locations include the Great Barrier Reef, the Molokini Crater, and the Apo Island marine reserve. “We’ve published images in seven continents, down the Amazon and in the Arctic,” said Google Oceans Program manager Jenifer Austin Foulkes. A channel at the Google+ social network devoted to the Catlin expedition, which has the potential to discover new species of marine creatures during a “deep reef” phase, has attracted about 1.4 million followers. Undersea imagery could be seen online at maps.google.com/ocean. “This is a project that can engage people,” Vevers said. “We need to bridge the gap between scientific understanding and public awareness...—AFP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

H E A LT H & S C I E NC E

Research funding slump alarms head of US cancer institutes WASHINGTON: The head of the US National Cancer Institute warned that the United States could lose its global leadership in research into the disease because of lower spending. “If you count inflation, our buying power is down by 20%. We are back at the level, in terms of buying power, at the level of 2001,” NCI director Harold Varmus told a press conference, referring to expenditure at his institute. The NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health/NIH, has an annual budget of $5.5 billion. That is about a sixth of the overall NIH budget of $31 billion and not rising, amid tight budgetary constraints. The NIH is the largest public research institution in the world. “With the rapid growth of the size of the biomedical community and with the

increased expense of how science works, the consequences of advances of technologies, the success rate for grant applicants has fallen to an all-time low, to about 14% of NCI and 17% of NIH from mid 30% during the many years of fiscal growth,” stressed Varmus, co-recipient of a Nobel Prize for studies of the genetic basis of cancer. “That is an ironic comment at a time when scientific opportunities in all fields, not only cancer, are remarkably high in part because many prior investments allowed us to understand the biological system as a result of the human genome project,” he said. That means the United States’ preeminence in the field could be lost to European or Asian nations, he said. So

“because of these discrepancies between the promise of science and the ability to fund it, the biomedical ecosystem is under an unusual stress. There is more investment elsewhere in other countries, with more stable investment for research and we are running the risk of losing leadership to Europe and part of Asia,” the NCI chief warned. Meanwhile, scientists reported that they have completed a major analysis of the genetics of breast cancer, finding four major classes of the disease. They hope their work will lead to more effective treatments, perhaps with some drugs already in use. The new finding offers hints that one type of breast cancer might be vulnerable to drugs that already work against

ovarian cancer. The study, published online Sunday by the journal Nature, is the latest example of research into the biological details of tumors, rather than focusing primarily on where cancer arises in the body. The hope is that such research can reveal cancer’s genetic weaknesses for better drug targeting. “With this study, we’re one giant step closer to understanding the genetic origins of the four major subtypes of breast cancer,” Dr. Matthew Ellis of the Washington University School of Medicine said in a statement. He is a co-leader of the research. “Now we can investigate which drugs work best for patients based on the genetic profiles of their tumors,” he said.

The researchers analyzed DNA of breast cancer tumors from 825 patients, looking for abnormalities. Altogether, they reported, breast cancers appear to fall into four main classes when viewed in this way. One class showed similarities to ovarian cancers, suggesting it may be driven by similar biological developments. “It’s clear they are genetically more similar to ovarian tumors than to other breast cancers,” Ellis said. “Whether they can be treated the same way is an intriguing possibility that needs to be explored.” The report is the latest from the Cancer Genome Atlas, a federally funded project that has produced similar analyses for brain, colorectal, lung, and ovarian cancers. — Agencies

Implant scandal sparks EU medical device rule revamp Rules to tighten product approvals, safety checks

GAUHATI: Villagers look at a wounded one-horned rhinoceros that was shot and dehorned by poachers in Parku hills, near Kaziranga National Park, about 250 kilometers (156 miles) east of Gauhati, India, yesterday. Indian veterinarians are struggling to save the life of a rare rhinoceros that was shot and had its horn cut off after it wandered out of a flooded national park. — AP

Indian vets try to save rare rhino shot, dehorned GAUHATI: Veterinarians struggled yesterday to save the life of a rare rhinoceros that was shot and had its horn cut off after it wandered out of a flooded national park in northeastern India. The poachers attack on the one-horned rhino sparked outrage in the state of Assam, home to the world’s largest concentration of the rare rhino. Footage of the bleeding rhino with its horn removed and a cut to its ear were broadcast on local television. “It is a sad day for Assam. I am appalled at the fact that poachers could get away with the horn of a live rhino,” said Somyadeep Dutta, an environmentalist. Heavy rains across Assam have caused flooding in recent days that killed 18 people and forced 1.4 million to flee their homes. Much of the 480 square kilometer (185 square mile) Kaziranga National Park was also flooded, drowning two rhinos and at least a dozen other animals, mostly deer, said Suresh Chand, Assam’s chief wildlife warden. Many

other animals migrated to higher ground. The rhino was one of them, leaving the park for a highland across a busy highway, where trailing guards lost track of it, Chand said. The rhino was then shot by poachers, who extracted its horn while it was still alive. Rhino horn powder is coveted in some Asian countries as a medicine or an aphrodisiac and its popularity has led to a rise in rhino poaching. Veterinarians were rushed to the rhino’s side to try to save its live, Chand said. An estimated 2,500 out of the world’s 3,000 onehorned rhinos live in Kaziranga. A total of 13 have been killed by poachers around the park in the past nine months, a trend that has caused worry among environmental groups. Dutta, the environmentalist, demanded a probe into the incident by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation. “The existence of organized poaching syndicates has only been proved by Wednesday’s gruesome incident,” Dutta said. —AP

Japan showcases personal toilet-bidet devices TOKYO: Japanese firms yesterday showcased incontinence devices that combine a diaper with a personal bidet, removing waste before cleaning and then drying the wearer as they sleep. A number of companies taking part in this year’s International Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition in Tokyo had their automatic toilet-cum-washlets on display, aimed at Japan’s burgeoning senior care market. Salespeople demonstrated how a U-shaped cup fits between the wearer’s legs and contains a sensor that activates a suction mechanism when triggered. Waste is moved rapidly away from the body before a bidet spray-cleans and then blowdries the area. The cup is connected to a duct which moves the waste into a tank.

“This machine is intended to ease the burden for caregivers, especially at night, and it also helps those in bed stay clean,” said Daizo Igawa, manager of Muscle Corp, as he demonstrated the firm’s “Robohelper” automatic toilet. The demand for incontinence products in Japan is rising as the population ages, and a change in public insurance schemes now allows this kind of device to be rented. Tokyo-based Mammary, which also markets gloves to aid breast self-examinations, sells its “Smilet” at 580,000 yen ($7,470), a price the company recognised was beyond the reach of many families. “Now you can rent one under the insurance programme at 3,000 to 4,000 yen a month,” salesman Yamato Ishitate said. — AFP

Astronauts may play role in Mars robotic missions WASHINGTON: NASA’s future plans to explore Mars may end up using astronauts as space messengers. The new idea surfaced as a special team looking for a new Mars robotic exploration plan released a preliminary report Tuesday. One of the option calls for a Martian robotic rover to collect rocks on the red planet. Later, astronauts in a newly built spaceship would be used to pick them up from a cosmic delivery point somewhere between Earth and Mars and return them home. The report gives the space agency several options with no specific timing for future missions and no decision is expected until next year. The new plan is needed because budget cuts earlier this year killed two future robotic flights. The space agency has so far explored Mars with orbiters and robots, like the rover Curiosity that landed last month. The ultimate goal has been to get a robot to collect rocks and Martian soil to send to Earth for more detailed scientific examination. Separately, NASA is working on new missions for astronauts to explore away from Earth, with an ultimate goal of sending them to Mars sometime in the 2030s. The NASA team proposed combining both dreams, getting astronauts involved in Martian exploration earlier. But they wouldn’t exactly go to Mars itself. The astronauts would go somewhere between Mars and Earth and pick up the rocks left by a space-

craft that carried them off Mars. That plan takes advantage of the new rocket and spaceship system for astronauts that should be ready in the next decade, said NASA associate administrator for sciences John Grunsfeld. It also would lessen contamination worries about the Martian rocks. Scientists want to make sure that the Martian samples could not bring alien germs to Earth and that Earth organisms don’t contaminate the Martian sample, Grunsfeld said. And it would help the mission to land humans on Mars because it “looks a lot like sending a crew to Mars and returning them safely,” Grunsfeld said. The planning team looked at a few options for a Mars sample return mission: Send a bunch of spacecraft to Mars - a rover, a launcher to return home, an orbiter - in several launches. Package all those spacecraft into one or two launches that would save money but increase risk of failure. Send a bunch of small rovers to look around different spots of Mars to find the best samples and then design a system to collect and return those rocks. Before that can happen, NASA still has to decide what robotic or orbiter mission it wants to send to Mars in 2018, if any. It’s a time when Earth and the red planet will be close and save money on fuel costs. Grunsfeld said NASA only has about $800 million budgeted for that, which is not enough for a major rover. —Reuters

BRUSSELS/LONDON: The European Union said it wants tougher rules governing the safety and monitoring of medical devices after weak EU regulations were partly blamed for a global scandal over French-made breast implants. The plans will affect a huge range of products, from contact lenses to pacemakers to pregnancy testing kits to high-tech medical equipment such as life support machines. Major manufacturers of medical devices include Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Abbott Laboratories, Allergan and Smith & Nephew. Investigations last year showed that hundreds of thousands of women around the world had been implanted with substandard silicone products made by defunct French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), which safety regulators had failed to stop for more than a decade. The scandal prompted calls for Europe to toughen controls on medical devices, which are currently overseen by an ad hoc network of up to 80 national assessment agencies. “Everybody was shocked by the scandal involving fraudulent breast implants which affected tens of thousands of women in Europe and around the world,” EU health commissioner John Dalli said as he outlined draft proposals for the new rules yesterday. The proposals take into account lessons from the PIP implant scandal AND include a scrutiny panel which would monitor the national agencies’ assessments. “They (the panel) would have the possibility to pick out medical devices on certain riskbased criteria to decide whether to go into an in-depth analysis of the processes,” Dalli told reporters at a news conference. Industry body Eucomed, which represents about 22,500 medical technology companies in Europe, said it was unhappy with the proposal for the new scrutiny panel procedure, which it said would “hamper innovation” whilst providing no extra safety nets for patients. “The current regulatory framework has provided a high level of safety for patients in Europe without delaying them access to lifesaving medical technologies,” Serge Bernasconi,

Eucomed’s chief executive, said in a statement. “Let’s not unnecessarily push away Europe’s strong innovation and research capabilities to other continents at a time when they are urgently needed.” European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) argued, on the other hand, that the plans fall short of increasing quality and safety standards and said medical device regulations should be beefed up to levels similar to those required for pharmaceuticals. “It is unacceptable that consumers are afforded different protection levels depending whether they have an artificial heart valve or take medicine for diabetes,” said Monique Goyens, head of BEUC. She noted that if a there is a problem with a drug, patients can stop taking them, but if an implanted device is problematic, patients may

face invasive and risky surger y to have it removed. Among other main changes proposed is an extension of the current legal definition of medical devices to include breast and other aesthetic implants. Independent assessment agencies will be given greater powers to monitor device manufacturers, including unannounced factor y inspections and regular product testing, while EU governments will be obliged to improve their supervision of the agencies. Better product traceability systems will also be introduced so that people can be alerted more rapidly to safety concerns surrounding a particular device. The European market for medical devices was estimated at 95 billion euros (123 billion) in 2009. The legislation must be jointly approved by EU governments and lawmakers, which could take up to two years. —Reuters

The medical regulator acted appropriately during the PIP breast implant scandal yet lessons must be learned. — AFP

US Supreme Court to address blood testing for drunk driving WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court will soon consider whether police must get a warrant before forcing a suspected drunken driver to submit to a blood test, a case that could set a new legal standard for motorists’ privacy. By agreeing on Tuesday to hear the case along with six others, the court has agreed to review close to 40 cases for the nine-month term that begins on Monday. It will add others in months to come and typically hears 70 to 75 cases a year. Decisions are expected by the end of June. In the blood-test case, police in the state of Missouri argued they should not have to wait for approval to draw blood given how quickly alcohol dissipates in the bloodstream. The state’s highest court rejected that argument in a Jan. 17 decision, saying the test violated the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. According to the FBI, about 1.41 million people were arrested in the United States in 2010 for driving under the influence. About 28 people die each day in the United States as a result of drunken driving crashes, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. Lewis Katz, a criminal justice specialist at Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, said a decision against Missouri could upend a longstanding practice by police to help thwart drunken driving. “The Supreme Court has generally in the last four decades been sympathetic to police claims in this area of warrants, but this is an entirely different area because of the intrusion into the body,” Katz said. “Invasion of the body is the greatest invasion of privacy there could be.” Tyler McNeely had been pulled over for speeding just after 2 a.m. on Oct. 3, 2010, by a Missouri highway patrolman, who then took him

to a nearby hospital. A technician measured McNeely’s blood-alcohol content at 0.154 percent, nearly twice the legal limit, roughly 25 minutes after he had been pulled over. The Missouri Supreme Court agreed with McNeely that the blood sample should be suppressed, finding that there were no “special facts” or “exigent circumstances” to justify obtaining it in a hurry. Courts have split over whether the natural, rapid dissipation of alcohol in the bloodstream, typically 0.015 percent to 0.020 percent an hour, creates enough urgency to allow the warrantless drawing of blood. Missouri argued that the state Supreme Court misinterpreted a 1966 U.S. Supreme Court precedent that upheld the warrantless drawing of blood from a man who had recently been in a car accident. The U.S. Supreme Court said that “special facts” justified that search. McNeely is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union. In

court papers, he said at least 27 U.S. states had laws banning the warrantless, nonconsensual drawing of blood. The Supreme Court also agreed to consider an appeal by fund manager Marc Gabelli, a son of famed investor Mario Gabelli, who accused the Securities and Exchange Commission of waiting too long to bring a civil case relating to so-called market timing. Marc Gabelli, a former portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds LLC, and Bruce Alpert, a chief operating officer for the firm, were accused by the regulator of letting a British firm secretly conduct hundreds of market-timing trades in the Gabelli Global Growth Fund between 1999 and 2002. The SEC did not sue until April 2008, which Gabelli and Alpert said was beyond the five-year statute of limitations since the last suspect trade had taken place, in August 2002. A federal appeals court saw no problem with the delay, saying

MANILA: An employee of the Philippines Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau shows in Manila yesterday, one of the hundreds of stuffed endangered sea turtles seized from Vietnamese fishermen aboard a Malaysian-flagged boat last April in Sulu sea. — AFP

the SEC would have had no reason to uncover the matter prior to September 2003, when then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced an industrywide probe into the practice. Market timing involves rapid trading in violation of funds’ rules, and at the expense of ordinary investors who lack the privilege. In a separate decision, the Supreme Court also overturned a lower court order that had thrown out West Virginia’s congressional redistricting map, which opponents claimed did not treat all votes equally. The Supreme Court said a federal district court panel erred in striking down a redistricting map that critics said allowed too much variation in the population of various districts, and also devalued the votes of people in the state’s fastergrowing Eastern Panhandle. In an unsigned opinion, the Supreme Court said the panel failed to give deference to West Virginia’s legitimate reasons for drawing the map, including a desire not to split counties between districts, and to avoid pitting incumbents against each other. The state has three congressional districts. Other cases the Supreme Court agreed to decide: Whether the federal government can claim immunity over the alleged sexual assault of an inmate by three guards at a prison in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Whether lawyers could obtain personal information about drivers from state motor vehicle records, with a goal of trying to find plaintiffs to pursue litigation. Whether medical personnel in the military are entitled to immunity, in a case involving an alleged “battery” over an eye surgery procedure that did not go as planned. Whether a state has power to recover money it spent on Medicaid payments to victims of negligence and other private wrongs known as torts, when the recipients also recover from an outside source. — Reuters

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

health & science

Feds crack down on Los Angeles medical marijuana shops LOS ANGELES: Federal authorities moved to close down 71 medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles and a neighboring community, marking the latest broadside in an ongoing war over California’s cannabis trade. The move also comes on the heels of a municipal ban on storefront pot shops in Los Angeles that was put on hold after activists challenged it in court and by referendum. The number of medical marijuana stores in Los Angeles, estimated to number between 472 and nearly 1,000, has made it a hub for America’s medicinal cannabis trade and put the city at the center of legal and political battles over the issue. “Over the past several years, we have seen an explosion of commercial marijuana stores, an explosion that is being driven by the massive profits associated with marijuana distribution,” U.S. Attorney AndrÈ Birotte Jr. said in a written statement.

“As today’s operations make clear, the sale and distribution of marijuana violates federal law, and we intend to enforce the law,” he said. “Even those stores not targeted today should understand that they cannot continue to profit in violation of the law.” The drive by federal prosecutors to shut down dispensaries has caused friction with California, which in 1996 became the first state to decriminalize medical marijuana. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have followed suit. Federal authorities filed three assetforfeiture lawsuits against properties where dispensaries were housed and served search warrants at three others, US Attorney’s Office spokesman Thom Mrozek said. Prosecutors said they also sent warning letters to people linked to dozens of stores. Most of the targeted locations were in Los Angeles and one was in the suburb of Huntington Park. “Some medical marijuana clinics

have been taken over by illegal forprofit businesses that sell recreational marijuana to healthy young adults and attract crime,” Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck, whose department cooperated in the actions, said in a statement. “These stores are a source of criminal activity because of the product they sell and large amounts of cash they have on hand,” Beck said. “The LAPD will continue to work with our federal partners to remove these threats from our communities.” Mrozek said the federal government has now targeted more than 375 marijuana businesses in the seven-county Central District of California alone. City officials have estimated that some 750 registered dispensaries o perate in Los Angeles and as many as 200 more d o so wi thout proper permits. A study by a University of California, Los Angeles, researcher released this month found 472. —Reuters

Bayer ‘disappointed’ over India patent fight NEW DELHI: Pharmaceutical giant Bayer AG yesterday said it was “disappointed” with an Indian ruling that allows a local firm to produce a cheaper copy of its patented drug Nexavar for liver and lung cancer. The German company’s reaction came after India’s Intellectual Property Appellate Board patents’ watchdog this month rejected its appeal to suspend the sale of the drug’s cheaper copy by Natco Pharma Ltd. The watchdog in March had ruled the price Bayer charged for Nexavar was “exorbitant ” and “out of reach” of most Indian patients. It ordered Bayer to give a so-called “compulsor y licence” to Natco to produce the drug locally, a decision the drug giant appealed against. “We are disappointed with the decision of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board to reject the stay petition on the compulsory license granted to Natco,” Bayer spokesman Aloke

Pradhan told AFP in an emailed statement. Pradhan reiterated the company’s earlier stand that Bayer would “rigorously continue to defend our intellectual property rights”. Drug firms insist they need patent protection for medicines to recoup the cost of long years of research and development. Under the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS Agreement, which governs trade and intellectual property rules, compulsory licences are a legally recognised means to overcome barriers in accessing affordable medicines. The Indian ruling in March marked the first time a “compulsory licence” for production of a patented drug had been granted in the country of 1.2 billion people. India has long been a key provider of cheap generic medicines to the developing world as it did not issue drug patents until 2005, when it was obliged to adhere to WTO intellectual property regulations. —AFP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

WHAT’S ON

Consular Open House

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onsular Wing is providing daily service of Open House to Indian citizens on all workings days from 1000 hrs to 1100 hrs and from 1430 hrs to 1530 hrs by the Consular Officer in the Meeting Room of the Consular Hall at the Embassy. For any unaddressed issues, Second Secretary (Consular) can be contacted. Furthermore, the head of the Consular Wing is also available to redress grievances.

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

Indian workers helpline/helpdesk: Indian workers helpline is accessible by toll free telephone number 25674163 from all over Kuwait. It provides information and advice to Indian workers as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters. The help desk at the Embassy (Open from 9AM to 1PM and 2PM to 4:30PM, Sunday to Thursday) provides guidance to Indian nationals on routine immigration, employment, legal and other issues. It also provides workers assistance in filling up labour complaint forms. For any unaddressed issues, the concerned attache in the Labour section and the head of the Labour Wing can be contacted.

IMA Kuwait Urdu public program today ndian Muslim Association - Kuwait cordially invites you with family & friends for a public program in Urdu. Public program (Urdu) Theme: Verily your possessions and your children are trail and with Allah is great reward (64:15) Date: today, 27th Sept. 2012 Timing: Soon After Isha Prayer Venue: Jamiyatul Islah Auditorium, Rawda, Hawally Adjacent to highway 40 Separate Seating Arrangement for ladies. Dinner packets will be distributed after the program.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Carnatic music concert hristi Fine Arts, Kuwait will be presenting a soulstirring music concert in Carnatic style on Thursday September 27, 2012 from 5 pm to 9 pm and Friday September 28, 2012 from 9 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm to 9 am by well known Indian Musician Udaiyalur Sri K Kalyanaraman and party at Indian Community School Amman Branch Auditorium, Salmiya, Kuwait. Admission Free. All who are interested in soul-stirring carnatic music are welcome.

Kuwait National English School staff celebrate the new academic year ecently members of staff from Kuwait National English School celebrated the start of a new academic session with a buffet dinner in the Al Farabi Theatre at the school. New and returning members

of staff were welcomed by Mr. Meshari Al Gharabally (Administration Manager) and Mr. Alastair Hannay (Principal) who proposed a vote of thanks on behalf of the staff to the Chairman Mr

Gharabally Al Gharabally and the Director, Madame Chantal Al Gharabally who very unfortunately was not able to be present but sent her best wishes for a successful year.

Study in Canada exhibition rganized by the Embassy of Canada, the seventh annual Middle East Education Initiative (MEEI) will be visiting Kuwait from Oct 2 to 4, 2012. Representatives of 20 leading Canadian universities and colleges will be available to meet students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors to present the advantages of studying in Canada. On Wednesday, Oct 3, 2012 a Study in Canada exhibition will be held at the Marina Hotel, Salmiya from 6:00 - 9:00 pm for potential students and their parents to attend. The Canadian institutions will also be visiting local schools to speak to interested students about opportunities to study in Canada.

Ragolsavam 2012 tomorrow anithavedi, Kuwait is celebrating Onam ‘Ragolsavam-2012’ on Friday, September 28, 2012 at Khaitan Indian Community School, from 9 am onwards. Famous classical musician Dr Omanakuttyamma will be the chief guest for the day. Ragolsavam will be a full day program starting with ‘Athapookalam’ competition followed by variety of cultural programs. Musical concert by Dr Omanakuttyamma is the highlight of the program. Under the leadership of Valsamma George (President) and Syamala Narayanan (Secretary), various committees have been formed for the successful conduct of Ragolsavam 2012.

APAK Onam Fest tomorrow ngamaly Pravasi Association Kuwait (APAK), the association of the migrants in Kuwait from the Angamaly Legislative Constituency of Kerala, functioning for the socio-cultural welfare of its members is scheduled to hold its Apak Onam Fest-2012 on September 28, 2012 at 10:30 am to 5 pm at the United Indian School Auditorium, Abbassiya. It gives us immense pleasure to inform you that Ports and Excise Minister of the State of Kerala, K Babu is scheduled to be in Kuwait to grace the Onam Fest-2012 and Family Fest of the Angamaly Pravasi Association Kuwait.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

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.

‘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 to- 97822021 and answered by the lecturer and Imam in Awqaf Ministry Shaikh Musaad Alsane - a Master Degree holder in Sharia and fiqih from Kuwait University. So don’t forget to watch the program every Friday at 1:00 pm.

xpat Mums in Kuwait will hold its autumn bazaar on Saturday, September 29th by 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Rumaithiya Block 9, Street 96, House 1, Basement. Free entry! This autumn we’re excited to support our members who hand make crafts, who have home business and who provide services to the expat community in Kuwait. Expat Mums in Kuwait is a group of nearly 400 mums from over 42 countries around the world. We meet online and in person and provide friendship, information, advice, reviews, support and networking opportunities to fellow expat mothers.

hose willing to join AWL for our annual Sign-Up Breakfast can attend the organization’s drop-in breakfast on Saturday, 29th of September 2012, at The One Restaurant, Marina Mall, 9:30 am until noon. Come meet friends and sign up with AWL to participate in upcoming activities and events. Invite your friends along for the morning.

Focus Kuwait 6th annual day s a part of the 6th anniversary celebrations, Forum of Cadd Users (FOCUS Kuwait), a non-political, 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.

Expat Mums’ Autumn Bazaar

American Women’s League of Kuwait to hold drop-in breakfast

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.

IKFS honours Dr Choudhury ndo-Kuwait Friendship Society hosted a dinner reception in honor of visiting dignitary Dr Biswaroop Chowdhury, the multiple winner of Guinness Record Holder. The Chief Guest of the event Dr. Vidhu P. Nair, the Charge d’ Affaires of Indian Embassy (Kuwait) was welcomed by presenting a bouquet by Muzammil Malik, while Abdul Qadir Al-Ajmi, presented bouquet to honorable guest Dr Biswaroop Choudhury. AKS Abdul Nazar, General Secretary, welcomed the chief guests and audience and family members of IKFS. Zainab Ghalib, the XIth class student of Indian Public School, Salmiya, recitated the Holy Quran verses. Vidhu P. Nair, inaugurated the function. Vidhu said that he appreciates IKFS executive committee for arranging such a wonderful evening and honoring India’s pride and our fellow country man Dr Biswaroop who showed India in the list of helm of awards among the global net work of intellectuals. Dr Vidhu said that many of the Indian associations are busy in various cultural programs, while IKFS has shown brave initiative in honoring the distinguished personality Dr Biswaroop Choundury who is an added value to our motherland India. IKFS taken right path and showed different variety of activities which are beneficial to both Indian and Kuwaiti community. We should all appreciate a person with high potentiality and the caliber in which our motherland, India has produced and contributed to this world. Dr Vidhu added. Dr Ghailb Al-Mashoor, President introduced Dr Biswaroop to the audience as being one of the patrons of IKFS from Calcutta. He added that he was able to participate in earlier memory classes conducted by Dr Biswaroop, and all of those seminars were excellent and very much impressed with the kind of memory dominated test sessions even-though it was short span of time. During the event, Dr Vidhu P Nair presented “IKFS 2012 Honorary Award” to Dr Choudhury, the visiting patron of IKFS. The award represented as a “token of appreciation” from IKFS being as one of the Patrons and for the dedicated services to the children of the world and the Indian community in Particular for the betterment of the memory and knowledge. Muzammil Malik, Sayid Nasir Thangal, Dr Abdul Razzak Rumane, (the Advisors & Patrons of IKFS), Pradeep Rajkumar (1st Joint Secretary), Shahjan Jiffery, (executive

member) also delivered felicitation speeches. IKFS Patrons from Kuwait Abdul Qader Al-Ajmi and Thamir Al-Ajmi, also delivered felicitation speeches in Arabic language, which was translated by Ghalib. Abdul Qader & Thamir said that they are grateful for inviting them and to be part of Indian friends, and added that India and Kuwait’s friendship is known for centuries, as that the name “IKFS” itself

sified faiths of the people. Dr Biswaroop also inter-acted with the children from the audience, and asked to express how memories can be built in a very simple way. Applauses from the audience were seen when Dr. Biswaroop showed the simplest ways of getting memories back. Books were presented to Iftakhar Ahamed (Chartered Accountant) and Dr. Abdul Razzak Rumane (Senior Engineer) as a gift which was written by Dr.

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.

Singing Superstar ndian Youth Society-Kuwait announce “Singing Superstar” an event to encourage the singing talents of the Indian community in Kuwait in presence of the Vasundhara Das one of the best singing judge of Bollywood. Vasundhara Das will be accompanied with the Indian Idol 4 finalist Rajdeep Chatterjee. Singing superstar will take place today 27th September 2012, 7 pm at Kuwait Medical Auditorium, Jabriya, Kuwait.

Kuwait Cricket to organize open tourney for schools uwait Cricket, the apex body of cricket in Kuwait would like to invite school cricket teams to participate in their tournaments which are planned to be to be held at the turf ground at Sulaibiya. Kuwait Cricket intends to conduct two cricket tournaments for U-15 and U-18 school children who should have valid Kuwait residence and be a student of their respective school. The tournaments will be played on Saturdays at Sulaibiya grounds and the matches will be 30 overs. Kuwait Cricket’s principal aim is to provide quality cricket to the young school cricketers in Kuwait and guide them to face international exposure which will nurture and develop their sporting skills. Moreover, Kuwait Cricket also aims to make use of sports to strengthen friendship and to bridge the gap between cultures and communities. Kuwait U-16 & U-19 teams have made various successful international tours to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Nepal and Pakistan. Participation of school cricket teams will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the open cricket tournament and we look forward to your confirmation of attendance. A meeting of school representatives will be arranged shortly.

sounds that both Kuwaiti and Indian community should produce the bond of love, friendship and respect with each other and added that Kuwaiti people are treating Indians as the best and dedicated community in Kuwait. Dr Choundhury, in his reply speech, thanked IKFS Committee for their long vision towards India’s prosperity and patriotic approach which will defenitly enhance bringing national integrity between various states of India and diver-

Biswaroop related to Memory building. Engineer Sayid Fadal Nizar coordinated the program along with Natarajan, (2nd Secretary, IKFS) and Mattin Qadiri (Executive Member, IKFS). Iftekhar Ahmad, (Treasurer) expressed vote of thanks while mentioning both dignitaries Vidhu P. Nair & Dr. Biswaroop Choudhury for patiently waiting until end of the session. A spacious dinner was also served.

WHAT’S ON

Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah hosts MidEast premiere of Islamic Art Movie slamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World, a new documentary narrated by Academy Award winning actress Susan Sarandon, will make its Middle East debut on Monday, 1 October 2012 at 7 pm at the Dar al-Athar alIslamiyyah’s (DAI) al-Maidan Cultural Centre. This new ninety-minute film, from executive producers Michael Wolfe and Alex Kronemer, “takes audiences on an epic journey across nine countries and over 1,400 years of history. It explores themes such as the Word, Space, Ornament, Color and Water and presents the stories behind many great masterworks of Islamic art and architecture.” “We are pleased to be hosting the first showing of Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World outside North America,” said Abdulkareen Al-Ghadban, DAI director of exhibitions and educational programmes. “I know the original intention of the film was to share the beauty of Islamic art with people in the west; to give them a sense of our world well beyond the stereotypes. But the film is equally valuable for viewers in this region. Periodically we need

reminding of our heritage and culture.” The film, as described by Unity Productions Foundation (UPF), explores the richness of Islamic art in objects big and small, from great ornamented

calligraphy and the written word into masterpieces and develops water into an expressive, useful art form. UPF is a non-profit organisation “working for peace through the media.”

palaces and the play of light in monumental mosques to the exquisite beauty of ceramics, carved boxes, paintings and metal work. It revels in the use of color and finds commonalities in a shared artistic heritage with the West and East. The film also examines the unique ways in which Islamic art turns

In addition to this film, UPF has produced documentaries which have won dozens of national awards. The organization uses these films as a platform and catalyst to discuss important topics of today. Since 2008, over 10,000 group discussions have been launched through UPF’s program 20,000

Dialogues (www.20000dialogues.org), based in Washington, DC. More than 80,000 individuals have participated in dialogues held in classrooms, community centers, living rooms, government offices and religious congregations. UPF is also a driving force behind Muslims on Screen and Television (MOST), a non-profit, cross-cultural resource center that provides complimentary information and expert consultations to legitimate TV and film writers and producers on any of their characters or storylines regarding Muslims, Islam and the Middle East. “It is exciting to be screening the Middle East debut of Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World. But it’s more exciting to be able to share such a beautiful production with friends of the DAI and with visitors,” concluded alGhadban. “Monday night will be a very good night.”

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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. ■■■■■■■

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. ■■■■■■■

Hindi saptah celebrated at IIS very year, in India International School 14th Sep-20th Sep is celebrated as ‘Hindi Saptah’ or ‘Hindi Week’ to mark the significance of Hindi language. To pay honor and respect to this very purpose Hindi Department has taken the initiative and organized the Hindi Saptah with a rich cultural programme show casing the talents of students with regards to Hindi as a spoken language, in singing, in dance and Hindi recitals. The commencement of the programme took place with the inaugural of Hindi Saptah banner by the principal F.M Basheer Ahmed. Principal F.M. Basheer Ahmed, Vice Principal Narender Kaur and KG Hos, Shifana Muizz graced the occasion. Malayil Moosa Koya, Director shared his valuable views in Hindi in the form of a message to Alka Shukla, Head of Hindi Department and appreciated the efforts taken by the Hindi teachers. The program began with a prayerful start seeking blessings from the Almighty. Following this a spectacular puppet show displayed by the students of class VIII on the topic Jungle Gaatha: The story of jungle, enthralled the audi-

ence. Hindi skit based on the theme, ‘Samay ka Mahatv’ (Importance of the time) captured the attention and enchanted the audience with their

lous performance. To create an aura of amusement and laughter, students entertained the audience with Chutkule which initiated roar

excellent voice modulation and inculcated in the minds of every one, to develop the habit of making the best use of time. Following these students of class VI created a euphoric scenario by their energetic performance on Hindi song ‘Dil Hai Chota Sa’. Audience was spell bound and mesmerized with the fabu-

of laughter. Following these students enlightened the audience with the role and importance of Hindi language. The highlight of the programme was non Hindi speaking teachers, Sreeja from Kerala and Nazar from Egypt gave a message in Hindi which left everyone awestruck. Vice Principal Narender Kaur addressed the gathering. In her elo-

quent Hindi speech she expressed her views about the importance and significance of Hindi language. She further highlighted the role of Hindi language as pride of India and pleaded everyone to preserve and progress with strength and courage. The programme continued with an address by the principal. He administered the oath for the teaching and learning process of Hindi language. He further stated that India has declared Hindi as a national language and everyone has to enjoy the spirit of learning . Language learning is a weapon, a boon to communicate with the outside world. Students have to develop a passion for learning. He congratulated the efforts taken by the Hindi teachers in organizing this event and exhibited their creativity in terms of House wise board decoration and shared the value of education. The program came to an end with vote of thanks proposed by Alka Shukla.

IOC to organize ‘Gandhidarsan’ photo exhibition ndian overseas congress, Kuwait is organizing photo exhibition of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, “Gandhidarsan 2012” on October 5th and 6th at United Indian School, Abbasiya. The exhibition starts at 6:30 pm on Oct 5th. and ends on Oct. 6th evening which will be inaugurated by Aleyamma Thomas, a freedom fighter who met Gandhiji by person. More than 200 pictures of Gandhi’s life will be exhibited. Photos from Gandhi’s childhood to his tragic death will be exhibited at the venue. Very rare photos of His African life, pictures of various Indian Freedom movement and other exclusive photos are included. IOC requests each and everyone especially parents to make use of the exhibition by encouraging children to the venue. Exhibition is organized to encourage the new generation to study and disseminate the thoughts, values and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. The organizers believe that it is the duty of every Indian citizen to spread the ideals of non-violence and to make aware of the great achievement by non-violence, India’s freedom. A committee of General convener Varghese Mamparampan, Jt. Gen. Conveners Tony Mathew and Santhosh, Prog. Committee convener Tomychen Puthiyaparampil, Arrangement Comm. Convener Joshy Ullatil, Jt convenors Roy Kuttanad and Sunil Sunny with M.A.Hilal, Geevarghese Abraham, Somu Mathew and Raju Zakarias are leading the arrangements of the exhibition.

Indian Lawyers’ Forum elects new office bearers he General Body Meeting of ‘Indian Lawyers’ Forum Kuwait’ held at United Indian School unanimously elected new office bearers for the year 2012-2013. The election was conducted under the supervisions of Returning Officers Adv. John Thomas. The following Office Bearers were elected for the year 2012-13. The newly elected Office Bearers for 2012-2013 are the following: President, Adv. Palavilayil Thomas Panicker; Vice Presidents, Adv. Vidhya Sumod, Adv. Twinkle Chacko General Secretary: Adv. Suresh Pulikkal, Treasurer: Adv. Vinod Kumar, Joint Secretaries: Adv. Jeseena Basheer, Adv Rema Sudhir.

General Convenor: Adv. Mohammed Basheer. Advisors: Adv. John Thomas, Adv. Rajesh Sagar, 10 Lawyers were elected as Executive Members also. President elected, Adv. Thomas Panicker, thanked the Forum members for the large turnout for the elections. ‘Indian Lawyer’s Forum’ has 85 Indian lawyers, law graduates and their family members as members. Several of ILF members are working with Kuwaiti Law firms and Corporations as Senior Lawyers and are with 15 to 20 years practicing experience in Indian courts. General Secretary Adv. Suresh Pulickal said that the Forum is proud to announce that its Advisor

Adv. Rajesh Sagar is presenting the legal session in 98.4 Radio in Kuwait which is well received and appreciated by the community. Forum will conduct its Onam cum Annual programme on November 16 th Friday 2012. General Convenor Adv. Mohammed Basheer briefed the programme for the members. He requested all members to wholeheartedly cooperate to make the program a grand success.

EMBASSY OF CYPRUS In its capacity as EU Local Presidency in the State of Kuwait, the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus, on behalf of the Member States of the EU and associated States participating in the Schengen cooperation, would like to announce that as from 2nd October 2012 all Schengen States’ Consulates in Kuwait will use the Visa Information System (VIS). The VIS is a central database for the exchange of data on short-stay (up to three months) visas between Schengen States. The main objectives of the VIS are to facilitate visa application procedures and checks at external border as well as to enhance security. The VIS will contain all the Schengen visa applications lodged by an applicant over five years and the decisions taken by any Schengen State’s consulate. This will allow applicants to establish more easily the lawful use of previous visas and their bona fide status. For the purpose of the VIS, applicants will be required to provide their biometric data (fingerprints and digital photos) when applying for a Schengen visa. It is a simple and discreet procedure that only takes a few minutes. Biometric data, along with the data provided in the Schengen visa application form, will be recorded in the VIS central database. Therefore, as from 2nd October 2012, first-time applicants will have to appear in person when lodging the application, in order to provide their fingerprints. For subsequent applications within 5 years the fingerprints can be copied from the previous application file in the VIS. The Cypriot Presidency would like to assure the people of Kuwait and all its permanent citizens that the Member States and associated States participating in the Schengen cooperation, have taken all necessary technical measures to facilitate the rapid examination and the efficient processing of visa applications and to ensure a quick and discreet procedure for the implementation of the new VIS. ■■■■■■■

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). ■■■■■■■

TEMBASSY OF INDIA The Embassy of India will remain closed on the following days during the month of October 2012: OCT 02, 2012 -TuesdayMahatma Gandhi’s Birthday. OCT 24, 2012 Wednesday-Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) ■■■■■■■

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. ■■■■■■■

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. ■■■■■■■

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.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:45 I’m Alive 01:35 Untamed & Uncut 02:25 Ultimate Air Jaws 03:15 Mutant Planet 04:05 Monster Bug Wars 04:55 Cheetah Kingdom 05:20 Echo And The Elephants Of Amboseli 05:45 RSPCA: Have You Got What It Takes? 06:10 RSPCA: Have You Got What It Takes? 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Karina: Wild On Safari 07:25 Crocodile Hunter 08:15 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 08:40 Breed All About It 09:10 The Really Wild Show 09:35 The Really Wild Show 10:05 Shark Shrinks 11:00 Wildlife SOS 11:25 Bondi Vet 11:55 Animal Cops Philadelphia 12:50 Escape To Chimp Eden 13:15 Escape To Chimp Eden 13:45 Animal Precinct 14:40 Shark Shrinks 15:30 Karina: Wild On Safari 16:00 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 16:30 Panda Adventures With Nigel Marven 17:25 Must Love Cats 18:20 Cats 101 19:15 Wildlife SOS 19:40 Bondi Vet 20:10 The Pack 20:35 Echo And The Elephants Of Amboseli 21:05 Great White Appetite 22:00 Austin Stevens Adventures 22:55 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 23:50 Animal Cops Houston 23:50 Animal Cops Houston 00:20 Ty Pennington’s Homes For The Brave 01:10 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 01:35 The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook 02:05 Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey 02:55 Saturday Kitchen 2008/09 03:25 Saturday Kitchen 2008/09 03:55 Living In The Sun 04:45 MasterChef 05:15 Living In The Sun 06:05 MasterChef 07:00 Ty Pennington’s Homes For The Brave 07:45 MasterChef Australia 08:15 MasterChef Australia 09:05 Open House 09:30 Holmes On Homes 10:20 Bargain Hunt 11:05 Antiques Roadshow 12:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 13:20 MasterChef 14:10 MasterChef 15:05 Bargain Hunt 15:50 Antiques Roadshow 16:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 18:00 Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers 18:30 The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook 18:55 Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey 19:45 James Martin’s Brittany 20:10 Come Dine With Me 21:00 Open House 21:25 Holmes On Homes 22:15 Bargain Hunt 23:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Edition 00:15 01:10 01:35 02:30 03:25 04:20 04:50 05:15 05:40 06:05 07:00 Junior 07:50 08:45 09:40 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:25 12:20 13:15 14:10 14:35 15:05 16:00 Junior 16:55 17:20 18:15 19:10 19:40 20:05 20:35 21:00 21:30 22:25 23:20

Hillbilly Handfishin’ Eyewitness Superhuman Showdown Mythbusters Mythbusters Border Security Auction Hunters How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Deadliest Catch American Chopper: Senior vs Mythbusters Ultimate Survival Border Security Auction Hunters How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Superhuman Showdown Mythbusters Mythbusters Border Security Auction Hunters Ultimate Survival American Chopper: Senior vs Wheeler Dealers Deadliest Catch Mythbusters How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Border Security Auction Hunters Deconstruction American Guns Hellriders Ultimate Cops

23:20 Surviving Disaster 00:35 Engineered 01:25 Nextworld 02:15 Race To Mars 03:05 The Gadget Show 03:35 Smash Lab 04:25 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 05:15 Engineered 06:05 Nextworld 07:00 Race To Mars 07:50 Head Rush 07:53 Weird Connections 08:20 How Does That Work? 08:50 Prototype This 09:40 Smash Lab 10:30 The Gadget Show 10:55 The Gadget Show 11:20 Engineered 12:10 Race To Mars 13:00 Last Flight Of The Space Shuttle 13:50 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 14:45 Smash Lab 15:35 The Gadget Show 16:00 Head Rush 16:03 Weird Connections 16:30 How Does That Work?

17:00 Nextworld 17:50 Prototype This 18:40 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 19:30 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 19:55 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 20:20 Bang Goes The Theory 20:45 Bang Goes The Theory 21:10 The Gadget Show 21:35 The Gadget Show 22:00 Prank Science 22:25 Prank Science 22:50 Bang Goes The Theory 23:15 Bang Goes The Theory 23:40 Prototype This 20:20 Bang Goes The Theory 00:15 00:40 00:55 01:10 01:30 01:45 02:00 02:25 02:50 03:05 03:20 03:40 03:55 04:10 04:35 05:00 05:15 05:30 05:50 06:00 06:15 06:30 06:45 07:00 07:15 07:45 08:10 08:20 08:35 08:50 09:05 09:15 Pooh 09:20 09:35 09:45 09:55 10:20 10:45 11:10 11:35 12:00 12:10 12:25 12:40 13:05 13:15 13:30 13:55 14:20 14:45 15:00 15:15 15:25 15:40 15:55 16:20 16:45 17:10 17:25 17:40 17:55 18:10 18:35 Fairies 19:00 Pooh 19:05 19:30 20:50 20:55 21:00 21:25 21:40 21:55 22:20 22:30 22:45 22:55 23:20 23:35 23:50

00:25 00:50 01:20 02:15 03:10 04:05 04:30 05:00 05:55 07:00 07:25 07:55 08:50 09:15 09:45 10:40 11:05 11:35 12:30 13:25 14:20 15:15 15:40 16:10 17:05 17:30 18:00 18:55 19:50 20:45 21:40 22:05 22:35 23:30

00:05 00:30 00:55 01:20 01:45 02:10 02:35 03:25 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:05 05:30 06:10

Little Einsteins Jungle Junction Jungle Junction Little Einsteins Special Agent Oso Special Agent Oso Lazytown Little Einsteins Jungle Junction Jungle Junction Little Einsteins Special Agent Oso Special Agent Oso Lazytown Little Einsteins Jungle Junction Jungle Junction Little Einsteins Special Agent Oso Special Agent Oso Jungle Junction Jungle Junction Handy Manny Special Agent Oso Lazytown Mickey Mouse Clubhouse The Hive Jake & The Neverland Pirates Jake & The Neverland Pirates Handy Manny The Hive Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Mouk Mouk The Hive Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Lazytown Art Attack Imagination Movers Lazytown The Hive Handy Manny Jungle Junction Imagination Movers The Hive Special Agent Oso Lazytown Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Little Einsteins Jake & The Neverland Pirates Mouk The Hive 101 Dalmatians 101 Dalmatians Imagination Movers Lazytown Art Attack Handy Manny Handy Manny Jake & The Neverland Pirates Jake & The Neverland Pirates Little Einsteins The Adventures Of Disney Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride A Poem Is... Animated Stories Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Special Agent Oso Little Einsteins Timmy Time Jungle Junction Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Special Agent Oso Special Agent Oso Lazytown Lazytn Aiya TV Aiya TV Pro Bull Riders 2010 World Combat League TNA: Greatest Matches Formula Drift 2011 Formula Drift 2011 M1 Challenge Pro Bull Riders 2010 Ride Guide Snow 2009 Ride Guide Snow 2009 Winter Dew Tour 10/11 Freeflow Tour Freeflow Tour Blood, Sweat And Gears Fantasy Factory Fantasy Factory Pro Bull Riders 2010 Danger Men Carpocalypse World Combat League Fantasy Factory Fantasy Factory Winter Dew Tour 10/11 Freeflow Tour Freeflow Tour Danger Men Pro Bull Riders 2010 Carpocalypse World Combat League Formula Drift 2011 Formula Drift 2011 TNA: Greatest Matches M1 Challenge

Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Unique Sweets Unique Sweets Unique Eats Unique Eats Food(Ography) Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Guy’s Big Bite Outrageous Food Unique Eats Chopped Barefoot Contessa

06:35 Barefoot Contessa 07:00 Iron Chef America 07:50 Barefoot Contessa 08:15 Barefoot Contessa 08:40 Charly’s Cake Angels 09:05 Charly’s Cake Angels 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 Kelsey’s Essentials 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 Charly’s Cake Angels 14:55 Charly’s Cake Angels 15:20 Unique Sweets 15:45 Food Network Challenge 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 Charly’s Cake Angels 19:05 Charly’s Cake Angels 19:30 Chopped 20:20 Iron Chef America 21:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 21:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 22:00 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 22:25 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 22:50 Hungry Girl 23:15 Hungry Girl 23:40 Guy’s Big Bite 23:40 Guy’s Big BiteBite 00:30 01:20 02:05 02:55 03:45 04:30 05:20 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 09:55 10:20 Jones 11:10 12:00 12:25 12:50 13:40 14:30 14:55 15:20 Jones 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:05 Jones 19:55 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:40

The Haunted A Haunting Behind Mansion Walls American Greed Extreme Forensics The Haunted A Haunting Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry? True Crime With Aphrodite Disappeared Street Patrol Street Patrol Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry? True Crime With Aphrodite Disappeared Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Who On Earth Did I Marry? True Crime With Aphrodite Stalked: Someone’s Watching Nightmare Next Door Couples Who Kill I Was Murdered I Was Murdered Nightmare Next Door Dr G: Medical Examiner

00:00 Market Values 00:30 Market Values 01:00 Bondi Rescue: Bali 01:30 Bondi Rescue: Bali 02:00 Kimchi Chronicles 02:30 Delinquent Gourmet 03:00 Food School 03:30 Food School 04:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 05:00 Bondi Rescue 05:30 Bondi Rescue 06:00 Market Values 06:30 Market Values 07:00 Bondi Rescue: Bali 07:30 Bondi Rescue: Bali 08:00 Kimchi Chronicles 08:30 Delinquent Gourmet 09:00 Food School 09:30 Food School 10:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 11:00 Bondi Rescue 11:30 Bondi Rescue 12:00 Market Values 12:30 Market Values 13:00 Bondi Rescue: Bali 13:30 Bondi Rescue: Bali 14:00 Delinquent Gourmet 14:30 Delinquent Gourmet 15:00 Food School 15:30 Food School 16:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 17:00 Bondi Rescue 17:30 Bondi Rescue 18:00 Market Values 18:30 Market Values 19:00 Wheel2Wheel 19:30 Wheel2Wheel 20:00 One Man & His Campervan 20:30 David Rocco’s Amalfi Getaway 21:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 21:30 Pressure Cook 22:00 Bite Me With Dr. Mike Leahy 23:00 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan 23:00 Naked Science 00:00 01:00 01:55 02:50 03:45 04:40 05:35 06:30 07:25 08:20 09:15 10:10 11:05 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00

Hunter Hunted Hooked The Living Edens Sixgill Shark: Into The Abyss Night Stalkers Strike Force World’s Deadliest The Living Edens Sixgill Shark: Into The Abyss Night Stalkers Python Hunters Swamp Men Swamp Men Monster Fish The Living Edens Sharks In The City Night Stalkers Python Hunters Swamp Men Swamp Men The Living Edens Sixgill Shark: Into The Abyss

21:00 22:00 23:00 23:00

Night Stalkers Python Hunters Swamp Men Hunter Hunted

00:00 The Echo-18 02:00 AVP: Alien vs Predator-PG15 04:00 Street Kings 2: Motor City-18 06:00 Tomorrow, When The War Began-PG15 08:00 Ladder 49-PG15 10:00 Enter The Phoenix-PG15 12:00 Faster-PG15 14:00 Ladder 49-PG15 16:00 Dangerous Flowers-PG15 18:00 Faster-PG15 20:00 Tank Girl-PG15 22:00 The Godfather III-18 20:00 Fighting-PG15 22:00 Homecoming-18 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 The League 03:00 30 Rock 03:30 Community 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:30 30 Rock 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 30 Rock 18:30 Baby Daddy 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 How I Met Your Mother 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Family Guy 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

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 22:00 23:00 23:00

Hawthorne Supernatural Combat Hospital Greek Bunheads Franklin & Bash Hawthorne Emmerdale Coronation Street The Closer Supernatural Combat Hospital Bunheads Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Closer Hawthorne Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Closer Parenthood X Factor Us American Horror Story Greek Greek

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:30 23:00 23:00

Icarus-18 Carriers-PG15 Metro-PG15 The Warlords-PG15 The Last Airbender-PG Metro-PG15 Malibu Shark Attack-18 The Last Airbender-PG Anaconda-PG15 Carlito’s Way-18 Chain Letter-R The Morgue-18 The Speak-18 Luste

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Nothing To Lose-PG15 Just Go With It-PG15 Cool Runnings-PG15 Fat Albert-PG That’s What I Am-PG15 Prom-PG15 Feed The Fish-PG15 That’s What I Am-PG15 Prom-PG15 Happy Gilmore-PG15 Morning Glory-PG15 Dinner For Schmucks-PG15

01:00 Tyson-18 03:00 Uncorked-PG15 05:00 The Gray Man-PG15 07:00 Espions-PG15 09:00 Unanswered Prayers-PG15 10:45 Miracle-PG15 13:00 My Afternoons With Margueritte-PG15 15:00 Unanswered Prayers-PG15 16:45 Evita-PG 19:00 The Sting-PG 21:15 The Horse Whisperer-PG15 23:30 Square Grouper-18

01:00 Brighton Rock-PG15 03:00 The Spy Next Door-PG 05:00 Unmatched-PG15 06:00 Kings Ransom-PG15 07:00 Toast-PG15 09:00 Cars 2-FAM 11:00 16 To Life-PG15 13:00 Soldier Love Story-PG15 14:45 Sundays At Tiffany’s-PG15 16:30 Cars 2-FAM 18:30 Transformers: Dark Of The Moon-PG15 21:00 Moneyball-PG15 23:15 The Crazies-18 Star-18 00:00 Rh+ The Vampire Of Seville-PG 02:00 The Nimbols: Part I-FAM 04:00 Blue Elephant 2-FAM 06:00 Paws-PG 08:00 The Nimbols: Part II-FAM 10:00 Bunny Tales-PG15 12:00 Blue Elephant 2-FAM 14:00 Moomins And The Comet Chase-FAM 16:00 Snow Dogs-PG 18:00 Bunny Tales-PG15 20:00 Good Boy!-PG 22:00 Moomins And The Comet Chase-FAM 22:00 Rainbow Valley Heroes-FAM

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 6:45 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

SHARQIA-2 BAIT (3D- Digital) FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION BAIT (3D- Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

SHARQIA-3 SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:15 PM 9:15 PM 11:15 PM 1:15 AM

MUHALAB-1 SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

MUHALAB-2 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED MUHALAB-3 BAIT (3D- Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION BAIT (3D- Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION BAIT (3D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-1 ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-2 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-3 WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) HEROINE -Hindi (2D- Digital) HEROINE -Hindi (2D- Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-4 RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION BAIT (3D- Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-5 SILENT HOUSE THE EXPENDABLES 2 SILENT HOUSE THE EXPENDABLES 2 SILENT HOUSE SILENT HOUSE NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 6:45 PM 8:45 PM 0:45 PM 12:45 AM

360 º- 9 (VIP-1) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM

360 º-10 (VIP-2) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

360 º- 11 ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

360 º- 12 RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

360 º- 13 RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

360 º- 14 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

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

360º- 15 STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) BARFI! (Hindi)(2D-Digital) BARFI! (Hindi)(2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

AL-KOUT.1 RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

AVENUES-5 BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-6 BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-7 SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) BARFI! (Hindi)(2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) AVENUES-8 STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) HEROINE -Hindi (2D- Digital) HEROINE -Hindi (2D- Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 9:00 PM 11:15 PM 2:15 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

AVENUES-10 ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:15 AM

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 6:45 PM 9:45 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-11 RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

AL-KOUT.2 SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

360 º- 1 BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:15 AM

AL-KOUT.3 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 6:45 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:15 AM

360 º- 2 SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.4 ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 11:45 PM

2:15 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 9:00 PM 11:15 PM

BAIRAQ-1 BAIT (3D- Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

BAIRAQ-2 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

BAIRAQ-3 ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 11:45 PM

MARINA-2 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-2 SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital)

AVENUES-4 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO TUE (25/09/2012) Special Show“PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital)”for Mr. Dhari Al Aiban TUE (25/09/2012) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

AVENUES-1 TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

AVENUES-3 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 AM

AVENUES-9 FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) Starting Time=12.30am THE EXPENDABLES 2 FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

MARINA-1 ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) SILENT HOUSE (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

MARINA-3 BAIT (3D- Digital) FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital) BAIT (3D- Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION BAIT (3D- Digital) RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION NO SUN+TUE+WED

PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

NO SUN+TUE+WED

SHARQIA-1 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) ROBOT & FRANK (2D- Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:15 PM 11:15 PM 1:15 AM

360º- 3 SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) SEVEN BELOW (2D-Digital) 360 º- 4 FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) FINDING NEMO (3D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) STOLEN (2D-Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED 360 º- 5 HEROINE -Hindi (2D- Digital) FRI+SAT HEROINE -Hindi (2D- Digital) HEROINE -Hindi (2D- Digital) HEROINE -Hindi (2D- Digital) NO SUN+TUE+WED 360 º- 6 WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital) WAR OF THE DEAD (2D-Digital)

2:30 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM 11:30 PM

360 º- 7 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

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

360 º- 8 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

2:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM 11:30 PM

1:15 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 7:15 PM 9:15 PM 11:15 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM 11:30 PM

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM

PLAZA PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) BARFI! (Hindi)(2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) TETA RAHIBA (2D-Digital)

3:45 PM 5:45 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM

LAILA RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION PREMIUM RUSH SILENT HOUSE PREMIUM RUSH

4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM

AJIAL.1 PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital) THAPPANA (Malayalam) (2D-Digital) PREMIUM RUSH (2D-Digital)

3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 10:30 PM

Classifieds THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Request for VIP Business Man Driver -With experience not less 5 years & familiar with the roads in Kuwait -Can speak either English or Arabic -Has a driver’s license -Presentable & neat -Can Drive Luxury cars -Transferable Residence

Cook -With International & continental cuisine experience -Can speak either English or Arabic -Presentable & neat -Good character

House Keeper -Experienced -Fluent in English -Presentable & neat -With Good character

Note: Good salary depending on experience and competence Please send your CV with photo to below email or call 97273108 Email:currentjob2011@gmail.com

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

ACCOMMODATION Sharing Accommodation, room partition for FILIPINO in Far waniya near Coop main, Contact 66826412 or 66158188 27-9-2012 Immediate sharing accommodation available for a decent Indian Christian bachelor or, couple, near by Salmiya garden. Contact: 66884273, 25657832. (C 4148) 25-9-2012

SITUATION WANTED Sri Lankan lady looking for house cleaning part time job, English family only. Call 55680045. (C 4149) Sri Lankan driver looking for a job good company or oﬃce with good salar y, transferable visa 18 (license with pick up permit). Call 97970965. (C 4150) 25-9-2012

SITUATION VACANT House driver needed, preferably Philippine

nationality, minimum two years with driving experience in Kuwait and transferable residency. Mob: 97162925. (C 4151) 27-9-2012

REQUIRED

Required driver for a Kuwaiti family. Call: 99854312. (C 4144) 22-9-2012

Big Contracting Company required the following

Architect & Civil Engineer

FOR SALE

Used DSLR Nikon D90 Camera body only for sale with Battery Grip and an extra battery, all with original package. Call or what’s app 66603401 25-9-2012

With minimum years of experience not less than 10 years

VW TAUREG, 2004 model, white color, beige interior, full options, only 83,000 km. Price KD 4,200. Contact: 99405067. (C 4145) 22-9-2012

Send CV by Fax: 25730264 or Email: Jobs_contracting@hotmail.com Prayer timings

Ministry of Interior

CHANGE OF NAME I, Shaikh Meetela Ahamad, S/O Shaik Mettala Vali, holder of Indian Passport No: F3613218 have changed my name Shaik Meetela Ahmad to Shaik Mettala Imad. (C 4147) 24-9-2012

website: www.moi.gov.kw

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