7 Sep

ON IP TI SC R SU B

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

MoI introduces severe restrictions on sailing

Petraeus sworn in as new CIA chief

NASA launching twin moon probes to measure gravity

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Messi inspires Argentina to win over Nigeria

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Khorafi denies WikiLeaks report on poll funding

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www.kuwaittimes.net

SHAWWAL 9, 1432 AH

Assembly speaker lashes out at US diplomacy Turkey raising naval presence amid tensions

Max 45º Min 27º Low Tide 00:14 & 14:22 High Tide 05:40 & 21:12

By B Izzak

Erdogan slams Israel ANKARA: The Turkish prime minister refused to back down in a row with Israel yesterday, accusing his country’s former allies of behaving like a “spoilt child” and threatening to visit the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. As Israel said it wanted to avoid relations worsening, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed a halt to all military cooperation and that Turkey’s navy would conduct more high-profile patrols in the eastern Mediterranean. Last week, Turkey announced that the Israeli ambassador Gaby Levy was being expelled and all bilateral military agreements were suspended as it angrily rejected the findings of a United Nations probe into the deadly flotilla raid.

Now in his first official reaction since that announcement, Erdogan went even further. “We are totally suspending our trade, military, defence industry relations,” he told reporters. However his office later clarified that Erdogan did not mean a suspension to commercial ties in general but merely “in the defence industry area”. “We suspended all military agreements, especially the commercial ties in defence industry,” Erdogan said later yesterday in a press conference with his Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. “We have taken the first steps. Those are not final,” Erdogan added, referring to further actions Turkey is contemplating against Israel.

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LONDON: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (left) is welcomed by National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi (right) after he arrived in Britain from Mongolia for a private visit yesterday.

Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (centre) and Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Sabah (far left) are also seen. — KUNA

Libyan convoy enters Niger, elders in talks WISHTATA, Libya: Libya’s new authorities launched a fresh bid yesterday to stave off a battle in Bani Walid, one of Muammar Gaddafi’s last bastions, as Niger denied the toppled strongman fled across its border.

Representatives of the new leadership expressed optimism about talks to end a standoff over the oasis town, which was encircled by anti-Gaddafi forces last week, after the negotiations for its surrender collapsed on Sunday. “The result of these talks is that our colleagues from Bani Walid met us and were reassured that we do not mean them harm and we will preserve their lives,” said Abdullah Kenshil, the chief negotiator of

the National Transitional Council.

But later a military commander said proGaddafi forces had prevented Bani Walid elders from returning home following the talks, adding that this was a worrisome move that could mean a battle was necessary to free the oasis town. “Armed groups stopped them at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Bani Walid and prevented them from delivering the truce to people under threat of death,” Colonel Abdullah Abu Asara told AFP. “I think there will be a fierce battle in Bani Walid. Armed groups are occupying Bani Walid so we must free it,” he said, as witnesses reported seeing Continued on Page 13

Ordeal for maid who escaped Saudi sword TRUNGTUM, Indonesia: One Indonesian maid lage, the public tide swiftly turned against her.

She’s accused of living in luxury, building a is beheaded in Saudi Arabia. For a second one fancy house along the dusty track on death row, strangers at home ralthat passes for Main Street, throwing ly to her cause and raise tens of around cash and draping herself in thousands of dollars. She not only jewels. “She acts like a bling-bling escapes the sword, she’s now rich. celebrity now,” said Siti Patonah, a And hated. Darsem binti Dawud 32-year- old vendor, scrubbing Tawar, 22, shot to fame earlier this apples and watermelons at a market year in Indonesia after spending as five or six housewives gather. “It’s more than three years in a Saudi prison accused of killing a man who Darsem Tawar true,” one says. “Like a nut that forgot allegedly tried to rape her. But when the former its shell.”

Continued on Page 13 maid safely returned to her small fishing vil-

KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi yesterday categorically denied that he pumped KD 6 million into his election campaign after withdrawing the huge amount from banks. The allegations were made in US documents revealed on the WikiLeaks website based on cables sent by the US embassy in Kuwait to the US Department of State. Khorafi, the head of the wealthiest business family in Kuwait, stressed that the “report is totally baseless and contains fabricated information with the intention to spread lies and rumours”. The speaker called on the Central Bank to react to the report because it cited one of its employees for the information. Khorafi strongly lashed out at US diplomacy, saying the report reflects how low and unreliable US diplomacy has become, because it bases its information on rumours and hearsay. He called on US embassies to consider accuracy, objectivity and credibility in their reports.

Meanwhile, 17 MPs have signed the request to hold an emergency parliamentary session on Sept 22 to discuss corruption allegations and pass a set of anti-corruption laws. MP Faisal Al-Mislem said the request will be submitted to the National Assembly on Thursday after collecting the required number of signatures. At least 33 MPs must sign the request to hold the session. At the same time, more MPs signed two documents in a bid to clear their names from allegations that KD 25 million had been deposited into the accounts of two lawmakers in a short period of time, raising suspicion of money laundering and political corruption. MP Hussein Mazyed yesterday said he signed an authorization to the central bank of Kuwait to examine all his accounts and those of his close relatives including father and mother since he became a member of parliament.

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NYPD eyed mosques and student groups NEW YORK: The New York Police Department collected intelligence on more than 250 mosques and Muslim student groups in and around New York, often using undercover officers and informants to canvass the Islamic population of America’s largest city, according to officials and confidential, internal documents obtained by AP. The documents, many marked “secret,” highlight how the past decade’s hunt for terrorists also put huge numbers of innocent people under scrutiny as they went about their daily lives in mosques, businesses and social groups.

An AP investigation last month revealed that a secret squad known as the Demographics Unit sent teams of undercover officers to help key tabs on the area’s Muslim communities. The recent documents are the first to quantify that effort. Since the 2001 attacks, the police department has built one of the nation’s most aggressive domestic intelligence agencies, one that operates far outside the city limits and maintains a list of “ancestries of interest” that it uses to focus its clandestine efforts. That effort has

benefited from federal money and an unusually close relationship with the CIA, one that at times blurred the lines between domestic and foreign intelligence-gathering.

After identifying more than 250 area mosques, police officials determined the “ethnic orientation, leadership and group affiliations,” according to the 2006 police documents. Police also used informants and teams of plainclothes officers, known as rakers, to identify mosques requiring further scrutiny, according to an official involved in that effort, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the program. Armed with that information, police then identified 53 “mosques of concern” and placed undercover officers and informants there, the documents show.

Many of those mosques were flagged for allegations of criminal activity, such as alien smuggling, financing Hamas or money laundering. Others were identified for having ties to Salafism, a hardline movement preaching a strict version of Islamic law.

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NEW YORK: In this Aug 18, 2011 photo, people pass below a NYPD security camera, (upper left) above a mosque on Fulton St in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant. — AP

in the

news

KUWAIT: Kuwait fans react during the Asian zone 2014 World Cup qualifying Group B match between Kuwait and South Korea yesterday. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat (See Page 20)

Kuwait denies reports about aid to Jordan

Kuwait lawyers join Mubarak defence

KUWAIT: Kuwait categorically denied yesterday reports purporting that it had offered “financial and oil assistance” to Jordan. According to the denied reports, “certain complications involving the National Assembly and the government obstructed the presentation of the assistance”. These reports are totally false, said Ali Al-Rashed, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and the government’s official spokesman yesterday. He called on the publishers of such false reports to check their sources before revealing them. The minister praised the close ties bounding the brotherly countries at the level of the peoples and the leaderships. On Sunday, the head of the Jordanian-Kuwaiti Parliamentary Committee, MP Reem Badran, said that the committee is preparing for a number of meetings that enhance bilateral ties and serve the interests of both countries.

CAIRO: Egypt’s justice minister agreed to let five Kuwaiti lawyers join the defence team of ousted President Hosni Mubarak, who is on trial for incitement to kill demonstrators and corruption, state news agency MENA said. The Kuwaiti lawyers have said their decision to volunteer to defend Mubarak was in recognition for his role in supporting a US-led coalition that drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait in 1991. The request piqued many Egyptians, who see the trial of their former president for 30 years as an internal matter. MENA said the Justice Ministry had asked the Cairo Court of Appeals to follow up the approval by issuing the appropriate paperwork. It said approval was granted after Egypt’s Lawyers’ Union confirmed that Kuwait allowed Egyptian lawyers to appear in Kuwaiti courts.

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Two colleges for girls to open next year: Mulaifi Govt to seek NA session on new university bill

KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi addresses a training course for new teachers in AlAsema governorate yesterday. (Right) The speakers attending the seminar. —KUNA photos

Amir leaves Mongolia, heads for UK ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah left Mongolia yesterday heading to the UK for a private visit, accompanied by the Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah and a delegation of other officials. His Highness the Amir was seen off at Chinggis Khaan International Airport by the Director of the Mongolian Presidentís Office Dashjamts Battulga, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President Purevsuren Lundeg, Kuwaiti Ambassador Mubarak Mohammad Al-Suhaijan, and Kuwaiti embassy staff. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi announced yesterday allocation of two schools in Al-Jahra governorate and AlAhmadi governorate to serve as girls colleges as of next academic year 2012-2013.

The minister expressed hope that this would be the first of many such steps to better serve students and alleviate traffic jams. Al-Mulaifi made the announcement after attending part of a training course for new teachers in Al-Asema governorate, and pointed out that the new locations would offer courses shared by students of different faculties of Kuwait University (KU). In addition to helping students, this step would also create new jobs, he noted. The minister also said he intends to request a parliament session for discussion of the new state universities bill, and would form a committee of KU officials to start implementing plans for the new state university.

As to the issue of rejected scholarship applications, he said he is holding a meeting with higher education officials today to discuss this issue and also discuss feasibility of admitting a second group of hopefuls. This

Iraqi FM’s statement eases maritime row KUWAIT: A statement made by a top Iraqi official has come as breather to Kuwait. He has confirmed that the Mubarak AlKabeer will not negatively impact maritime activity at the waters shared between the two countries, quoting a report compiled by a technical delegation that visited Kuwait last month.

“Statements made by Hoshyar Zebari Iraqi Foreign Minister prove that the Kuwaiti - Iraqi relations are too strong to be affected by sporadic comments that only serves the agenda of those aiming to damage those relations,” said senior Kuwaiti diplomats who were asked to

comment on the Iraqi minister’s statement but chose to remain anonymous.

Zebari’s statements fall in line with Kuwait’s official stance as the Gulf state has repeatedly assured that not only would the mega-port not upset Iraq’s maritime activities, but also highlighted that its location, to the east of Boubyan Island would boost activity where Kuwait shares a narrow strip of water with Iraq, thereby providing better chances to assist with Iraq’s rebuilding process, “Kuwait plans to proceed with the project, as it is its sovereign right, taking Iraq’s best interest into account,” diplo-

mats said. MP Mubarak AlKhurainej Chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee in the Parliament acknowledged Zebari’s statement as “reflecting the true form of respect and appreciation between the two neighboring countries,” insisting on Kuwait’s commitment on respecting the sovereignty of its neighbors.

Furthermore, Al-Khurainej urged officials from both countries to ignore “those who try to fish in troubled waters,” and instead focus on “the voice of reason that is concerned with protecting the bilateral interests of Kuwait and Iraq.” —Al-Qabas

Major radio broadcast enhancement KUWAIT: A major radio broadcast enhancement would be implemented soon to the FM radio station in the southern part of the countr y, Kuwait Radio media figure announced yesterday.

General Director of the Engineering department at Kuwait Radio, Maher Nasser Al-Motawa, told KUNA that “no matter how strong radio transmission could get, it remain constricted in a limited area.”

“Due to this limitation, a decision came to establish a new radio station in Sabahiya area, with a strong transmission, that would cover the whole southern area efficiently,” Al-Motawa noted. This new radio station would provide the FM listeners with the opportunity to enjoy their favorite radio channels, except for the privately-owned Marina FM. Al-Motawa advised radio listeners to tune in their satellite dishes to Arabsat or Badr 4 in order to receive Kuwait radio channels. —KUNA

A view of the audience. comes in implementation of the Cabinet’s decision to supplement the scholarships budget.

The minister also said he had communicated with top KU officials regarding inadequacy of staff

and means to attract new professors as soon as possible. Asema Educational Zone Director Rqayya Ali Hussein said 455 new teachers are attending the current training courses and would start work

immediately after completing their training. The focus would be on specialized technical aspects as of tomorrow with teachers divided into groups according to specialization. — KUNA

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KUWAIT: At Seif Palace yesterday, His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received the Bosnian Ambassador to Kuwait Senahid Bristric, who recently began his tenure in the country. The meeting was also attended by the head of HH the Deputy Amir’s Diwan, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Faisal Al-Sabah. — KUNA

Top Kuwait journalists to meet Ahmadinejad

KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister chairing the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday.

MOI introduces severe restrictions on sailing Violations to result in arrest

Kuwait delegation visiting iran KUWAIT: A delegation including prominent Kuwaiti journalists left yesterday for Tehran on the first visit of its kind by a GCC delegation since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The delegation will hold meetings with senior officials with a view to bolstering media relations.

Coordinator of the visit and KJA Treasurer Adnan Al-Rashed said that the group, headed by KJA Chairman Ahmad Bahbahani, is to meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Foreign Minister Ali Salihi, religious leaders, and other personalities to ascertain stances regarding several regional issues. There is particular interest to ascertain Iran’s views regarding the latest sensitive developments in the Arab and Middle East region and specifically regarding the so-called Arab Spring.

“Our main objective is to bring up the level of media relations and

interaction between Kuwait and Tehran,” Al-Rashed noted, “and to reach and to stress mutual understanding regarding all issues.” The Kuwaiti delegation’s visit to Iran, which plays a vital role in the region, coincides with the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The delegation includes K JA Chairman Bahbahani, board member and Watan daily journalist Fatma Hussein, Kuwait Times Editor-inChief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan, Anbaa Editor-in-Chief Yousef AlMarzouq, Nahar daily Editor-in-Chief Emad Bu-Khamsein and KUNA Editor in Chief Rashed Al-Rwaished. Al-Rai daily writer Sheikha Fawziya AlSabah and Anbaa journalist Faisal AlZamel are also among the delegation. The Kuwait ambassador to Iran Majdi Al-Dhifiri is accompanying the journalists during the visit. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior (MOI) yesterday issued detailed instructions to all vessels intending to sail in Kuwaiti waters, warning that Kuwait Coast Guard (KCG) vessels are patrolling the area and that all sea-users who ignore these instructions are liable for arrest.

The ministry stressed that the waters between the islands of Failaka, Miskan and Ras Hmar are off limits to all vessels, with KCG boats patrolling this area to ensure that no vessels trespass into these waters.

The MoI added that any vessels wishing to enter Kuwaiti waters will now only be allowed to do so if they enter between the Jabriya buoy to the north and the Ahmadiya buoy to the south, with any attempts to enter the country’s territorial waters to the north or south of this area being forbidden and subject to prosecution. All vessels entering Kuwait’s territorial waters, meanwhile, must go directly to the Oaha Buoy (29.16.00N - o48.26.00E) before proceeding in a straight line towards the KCG patrol vessels stationed in the area between Ras Al-Ard and Failaka Island.

The ministry stated that any vessels wishing to set out from Kuwait beyond the shoreline area will henceforth need to travel in a convoy from Doha Port escorted by KCG patrol vessels at a timing to be announced.

Although the MoI did not offer a reason for the new restrictions, they follow recent concerns over security after threats by Iraqi militants of an attack on the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port site on Boubyan Island.

‘IMF report a warning not an accusation’ KUWAIT: The International Monetary Fund has not accused Kuwait of money laundering, but rather warned the state that its environment is conducive to the growth of similar crimes, a senior government official said on Monday.

“The IMF reports states that Kuwait is a haven for money laundering,” said Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shamali, adding that the country should take urgent measures before the situation spirals out of control. This warning was misinterpreted as an accusation, he noted. The minister added that he will make an official statement soon to clarify all ambiguities pertinent with the subject after consulting with the Central Bank.

The IMF report had suggested that Kuwait’s current banking regulations are not enough to combat money laundering and funding terrorism.

Meanwhile, a government source indicated that the cabinet hasn’t received information on the suspicious multi-million dinar deposits made to MPs’ bank accounts - including official notifications from bank accounts to the Central Bank which are usually forwarded in case improper financial transactions are suspected.

“The government can only act when a local bank reports a suspicious transaction to one of its accounts, which is then investigated by the antimoney laundering division of the Central Bank,

said the anonymous source. He added that this step is necessary to find evidence after which it is then referred to the Public Prosecution Department. “The government can’t act on a suspicion unless a notification is received from the bank itself,” reported Al-Rai. On a related note, Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs announced that the legal committee of the Cabinet will convene soon to discuss matters concerning the proposed establishment of an anti-corruption authority, including the possibility of enforcing the assets disclosure law, as well as passing the anti-money laundering law. —Al-Rai & Al-Qabas

Household help beyond reach for Kuwait expats Cost of hiring maids rises sharply

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The cost of hiring servants has risen sharply in recent months, leaving many residents of Kuwait, particularly expatriates, unable to afford household help. Many in Kuwait still see a maid as a necessity rather than a luxury, however, and are willing to pay the going rate in order to retain a servant. In some cases, the cost of initially hiring a maid has now reached KD750 for the recruitment agency alone before visa and salary costs are taken into consideration.

Employers are liable to pay their domestic workers’ residency fees, with the charges for a Kuwaiti or an expatriate sponsor differing vastly.

“While the [Kuwaiti] citizen pays KD20 for a maid’s two-year visa, as an expat I have to pay KD200 for the same period,” said Mohammed, a disgruntled expatriate father of four. He continued, “What with paying this high fee, plus the maid’s salary, this affects my budget, but I have young children and me and my wife both work so we need the maid. Now what’s worse is that they’ve increased the cost of [hiring] the maid, so we have to pay for the office costs, which have increased to almost double what they were.”

These costs are not uniform across all domestic staff recruitment agencies, however, and appear to depend very much on the maids’ nationality.

Recruitment costs and salaries for Filipina maids are the most expensive for potential employers, whilst those for Ethiopian maids are the cheapest.

Indonesian maids, meanwhile, can no longer be recruited after their country’s government banned them from coming to work in Kuwait.

Some agencies only provide Filipina maids. An employee with the Joza Al-Mutairi Recruitment Agency told the Kuwait Times, “We only have

Filipina maids and we don’t have any returned ones [maids who have been ‘returned’ by unhappy employers or fled abusive sponsors]. The client has to wait 25 days to get the maid they ordered, which will cost him KD650.

We increased the price about two years ago and it’s similar to other agencies, but we’re even faster than other agencies in ordering maids.”

Even for maids of the same nationality, the salaries on offer differ too;

mum wage policy for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Recruiting a Filipina maid costs the sponsor KD650, whilst the minimum monthly wage is KD80 explained the office worker. “The salary was set by the Philippine government in exchange for allowing maids to come here, so we can’t set it lower. It will take about a month-and-a-half for the maid to arrive, and the customer has to make a KD100 deposit then pay the rest of

KUWAIT: A file photo of some of the housemaids sheltered at the Philippine Embassy in Jabriya.

— Photo by Ben Garcia while four of the six agencies consulted by the Kuwait Times quoted KD80 as the monthly wage for a maid, another quoted 85 and the sixth quoted KD70.

Another recruitment agency employee, this time at the Sa’ad AlTannak agency, explained that the salary for Filipina maids was decided on the basis of the Philippine government’s recent introduction of a mini-

the amount when the maid arrives.

The customer is given a 100-day trial period.”

Most domestic staff recruitment agencies nowadays don’t have ‘returned maids’ on the books, meaning that would-be employers have to wait until a maid arrives from her home country, with the waiting period varying between one agency and another. Religion is another factor in

deciding the recruitment costs and salaries of servants, explained an employee at the Habib Karam Agency.

“Besides the Filipina who costs KD680 we also have Indian maids; a Muslim one will cost KD600 with her monthly salary being KD60, while one of another religion will cost KD550 with her salary being KD55.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian will cost KD320 and her monthly salary is KD52. Customers have to wait two to three months to receive a maid from our agency.”

None of the agencies consulted by the Kuwait Times offer would-be employers the option of paying the recruitment costs in installments.

“The customer has to pay by cash or credit card and there are no installments,” said a staff member at the AlQallaf Agency. “Our prices are average and we increased them about two months ago. Now, the price for a Filipina maid is KD700 and her monthly salary is KD70. We also have Ethiopian maids who cost KD300 for a Muslim one and KD260 for a Christian one, whose monthly salary is KD52.”

Some of the agencies charge more for maids with previous experience of working in Kuwait. “A Filipina maid who’s coming here for the first time costs KD675, though she costs KD725 if she came here before,” explained a recruitment specialist at the Ashkenani Agency. “Their salaries also differ, with the first one getting KD80 per month while the one who’s been here previously gets KD85. An Ethiopian maid costs KD325 if it’s her first time here and gets a KD 52 salary, while if she’s been here before it’s KD 400 and a salary of KD55. We also have Nepalese maids who cost KD570 for those coming here for the first time and KD690 if they’ve worked here before, though the salary is KD60 in either case.”

Doha port

This entire area is off limits during entry and exit to and and from Kuwait shores and ports

Al-Jabriya dock

Coast Guard patrol

Boats to follow specified routes in Kuwaiti waters Boats and small sea vessels will follow specified routes when cruising in Kuwait’s territorial waters, according to a decree issued by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad AlHomoud Al-Hamad AlSabah yesterday. The boats would now follow the specified marine routes as shown in the new graphs provided by the Interior Ministry.

Al-Ahmadiya dock

MPs gather support for emergency NA session

By A. Saleh KUWAIT: MP Faisal AlMislem said that a campaign is underway to collect signatures on a petition demanding an emergency parliamentary session to discuss the sensational recent allegations of bribes totaling millions of dinars being paid into some MPs’ bank accounts.

Al-Mislem said that he is confident that all the country’s MPs are keen to preserve the country ’s good name and to resolve the legislative dilemmas related to these accusations, as well as being eager to take appropriate measures to solve the problem.

The MP said that 17 parliamentarians signed the petition within the first 30 minutes of its being circulated, adding that it will be submitted to the National Assembly (parliament) Council as soon as the minimum number needed to demand that an emergency session be held is reached. Meanwhile, in other news the Criminal Court convened yesterday to begin hearing the case brought against MP Mohammed Hayef over his earlier calls for the death of the Syrian Ambassador to Kuwait.

The court postponed the next hearing of the case until September 27.

The court also resumed the trial of several police officers accused of torturing Kuwaiti man Mohammed Al-Mutairi to death whilst he was in police custody in January of this year, before post-

poning the trial until October 11.

On a separate issue, MP Khalid Al-Adwa yesterday lauded Education Minister Ahmad Al-Mulaifi’s recent announcement that two colleges for women are to be opened next year in Jahra and Ahmadi. AlAdwa hailed the move as a “serious and important” one, voicing appreciation of “the education minister’s role in seeking solutions for our students in forgotten governorates.”

On another subject, AlAdwa submitted a number of questions to the interior minister concerning the longstanding

roadworks in Block 1 of Regga, which the MP indicated has led to many residents there complaining of reeking stagnant liquid sewage pools collecting in front of their homes, as well as other environment problems. Al-Adwa asked the minister to detail the exact reasons for the Ministry of Public Works’ (MPW) excavation there, as well as enquiring whether the ministry had considered providing alternative road networks for residents and asking about the reasons behind the delays in filling in excavated trenches and holes.

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kuwait digest

in my view

Assuaging hurt feelings

Visit but don’t interfere

Fuad Al-Hashim

By Allen Dunford

eople all over the world, including me, do not laugh over repeated jokes except on rare occasions. However, every year, I laugh at a term published in Kuwaiti newspapers during Ramadan. It is about policemen arresting a Bangladeshi or an Asian eating a ‘shawarma’ sandwich. The news items ends with a preachy “he hurt the religious sentiments of those who fast!” We would fast when we were students in the United States while millions of Americans ate in public from McDonald’s and sip hot coffee during the cold weather when temperatures dip below -5 degrees. We did not feel that our feelings were being hurt! Although Maghrib prayers were

s there racism in international schools in Kuwait? Don’t international schools have some obligation to reflect the values of their country of origin in confronting it? Yes and yes.

The Prime Directive of Star Trek lore, seemed to work well for the crew of the Enterprise as they roamed the far reaches of the galaxy. “Visit but don’t interfere in the cultures of other worlds” is how it read. It was good foreign policy I guess, but it works less well as a foundation principle in international schools. After all, when you cross the thresholds of these schools, surely there should be something a little more Canadian or American or (fill in the blank) about them; not just the curriculum. If you’re going to sing the national anthems

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How did a chicken shawarma sandwich with tahini spotted in the hands of a Bangladeshi during day time in Ramadan hurt the feelings of those observing fasts? Sadly, they do not feel hurt or offended with the scenes of Muslims being slaughtered in Libya, Syria and Yemen! around 9.30 or 10.00 pm, our feelings were not hurt! How did a chicken shawarma sandwich with tahini spotted in the hands of a Bangladeshi during day time in Ramadan hurt the feelings of those observing fasts? Sadly, they do not feel hurt or offended with the scenes of Muslims being slaughtered in Libya, Syria and Yemen!

Recently, I received a phone call that kept me amused for a while! My dear friend, seasoned diplomat and former minister Suleiman Majed AlShaheen told me that he saw something that hurt his feelings. For a minute, I thought it was the image of the stereotyped Bangladeshi, but then it was about something else. While leaving a mosque near the Stock Exchange, he chanced upon a potentially offensive sign with an arrow that read ‘Shisha bar.’ He objected to the word ‘bar’ saying “is it realistic to have this word that hurts those that are fasting!”

The word ‘bar’ does not mean that it is a place where only liquor is served. It also means ‘ a chunk of chocolate,’ ‘prison rods’ or any smooth cutter used to chop vegetables, onions, potatoes or even Basra watermelon that resembles Muammar Gaddafi’s turbaned head! I burst into peals of laughter at this remark that was accompanied by wonderment on my friend’s part! ‘Bu Ammar, former state minister for foreign affairs, and foreign ministry undersecretary for many years who has also served as the ambassador in many capitals of the world, must have attended many cocktail parties during which many toasts were held out by many different people. How did a simple ‘Shishabar’ sign is tantamount to such deep feelings of unresolved hurt? — Al-Watan

Doctors perform complex Surgeries KUWAIT: Visiting and in-house surgeons at Ibn Sina Hospitalís Al-Babtain Burns and Plastic Surgery Center have been carrying out an increasing number of the complex operations for which many patients were previously sent overseas, revealed the centerís director on Monday.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Fadhli, the centerís director, revealed that 32 specialist surgeons from overseas visited the hospital and performed 120 complex operations there during July alone this year. The number of patients requiring overseas treatment has fallen sharply as a result of the health ministryís policy of focusing on improving domestic medical capabilities and reducing the numbers of those requiring surgery or other treatment abroad, he said, adding that whilst 130 patients had been referred for medical treatment overseas in the first six months of 2011 only 15 have so far needed to be sent abroad for treatment in the second half of the year.

This policy has contributed to greatly reducing the health ministryís costs, said the doctor, whilst more importantly also reducing the pressure, suffering and stress of patientsí families.

The patients who benefited from the operations performed by the visiting surgeons were suffering with advanced and extremely sensitive conditions, said Dr. Al-Fadhli, explaining that sending them abroad for treatment was an additional burden on them and on their travel companions.

Bringing expert consultants and specialists from distinguished medical facilities around the world to Kuwait was not only better for the patients, said the senior official, but also gave Kuwaiti surgeons the opportunity to receive further first-rate training and gain more skills and expertise from the visiting consultants whilst assisting them in the operations. The senior specialist further revealed that the Al-Babtain Burns and Plastic Surgery Center plans to expand its capacity by a further 28 beds, bringing the total number available to 180, as well as increasing the number of operation theaters and building additional intensive care facilities. —Al-Watan

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kuwait digest

We’ve had enough

By Abdullah Al-Adwani he government’s decision to set aside KD 37 billion for a developmental plan, that was later reduced by KD 30 billion was viewed at in awe.

We believe we are going to live in a state where there will be more development with Kuwait resuming its pioneer role - modern and developed, reclaiming fact the ‘Pearl of the Gulf’ title.

The government of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed has misguided us for several years.

He made us believe that we can receive the necessary health care, education and housing. A Utopia, God’s heaven on earth.

The truth is that we feel disappointed and sorry for what has been lost and what will be lost, based on the events that take place here. He is just a puppet in the hands of the government.

And since the ‘growth’ is recorded only ink on paper with repeated government problems and failures, political games can only be played with the support of MPs, to endorse democracy to become a new one that pleases the government. With all those, we have been defamed at the legislative and executive level.

After the world watched our democratic experience, which is unique to the region, the world began watching something similar to a black comedy-

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watch what MPs are doing and take follow up action on what has happened on the interpellation motion, the results of which are well-known in advance, even if there were materials to make the strongest governments collapse.

The result is to overcome the grilling motion so that the government can win the cooperation and trust, thanks to MPs ‘who receive payment.’

Whatever happens in our country is unique and nothing happens like that in the world. It is proof that the World Bank’s declaration has warned that Kuwait might become a hub environment for money laundering.

The strange thing is ‘cash for vote’ is not a new phenomenon. It has come to the fore now, the KD 25 million scandal surfaced, and the bank has leaked the information on purpose against both authorities.

The issue now is not about ‘MPs who have been bought.’ Their price is known. We have seen MPs who enter the National Assembly as ordinary people, like most of the public, and leave it with a treasure trove of millions!

Now, it is not justified that the government remains. They only create dreams and we wake up to rude shocks. Government should leave today and not tomorrow. We’ve had enough. — Al-Anbaa

kuwait digest

The silver lining

By Waleed Al-Ghanim

Hopefully, there could be an underlining silver lining in the form of exerting efforts to launch reform in the state’s parliamentary scene. The first of these is the enforcement of anti-corruption laws as asserted by His Highness the Amir. The public wants a mechanism that can set parliament and governmental work on the right track. Secondly, the multi-million dinar case must be referred to an investigative body which would be more beneficial than having the case probed by a parliamentary investigations committee through an extraordinary session. he multi-million dinar deposits case, in which details emerged about KD 25 million cash found in two lawmakers’ bank accounts, is not the only corruption scandal that has been unearthed in Kuwait. It is also not the only incident in which legislators are involved. Until now, the identity of the payer has not been determined. It could be a senior government official, a citizen living abroad or even a non-Kuwaiti.

There are corruption cases in which members from both the Cabinet and the Parliament are involved, especially since suspicions spread alarmingly during the past two decades when some MPs began using their parliamentary seat to amass wealth.

I don’t know how strong an impact the multimillion dinar scandal will have on the political scene. This is because I don’t believe that the Parliament can rectify the situation when members who could be involved in illegal profiteering are people’s representatives. I have no faith in the cabinet’s ability to enforce regulations that can

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reverse the situation.

Hopefully, there could be an underlining silver lining in the form of exerting efforts to launch reform in the state’s parliamentary scene. In my opinion, the integrity of these authorities can be restored only in the following ways: The first of these, is the enforcement of anti-corruption laws, which His Highness the Amir has asserted on.

The public wants a mechanism that can set parliament and governmental work on the right track.

Secondly, the multi-million dinar case must be referred to an investigative body which would be more beneficial than having the case probed by a parliamentary investigations committee through an extraordinary session. Also, efforts must be made to enforce wealth disclosure regulations, and an independent authority should inspect bank accounts of senior state officials and their families.

What lessons did we learn from this scandal with which we can help our country? Will all efforts made be in vain ? Only time will tell. —Al-Qabas

The good news, for those who care about such trivial matters of human dignity, is that the new administration at this particular school is much more sensitive and proactive to the feelings of the Arab “underclass.” and sell the national brands, it would be more than a little hypocritical to park the best values of these countries of origin at the borders of the host countries.

What about racism? If you walk the hallways of any international school, you will see references to respect, dignity, tolerance, equality - the core values of citizenship in most countries. Is this just spin; marketing glitz; lip service? Or is it real education, part of the international experience that these schools profess to sell?

Case in point. There is every chance that the principal at my first school in Kuwait, was a closet racist. A gentleman, (I use the term loosely), of considerable experience in the Middle East, perhaps let his guard down one morning, by exclaiming, **** Arabs! This was in reaction to yet another staff member calling in sick on this particular morning. But hey, we all have our moments of frustration when we say things we don’t really mean.

Better example. An Arab colleague is in tears after claiming to lose a good chunk of her meager monthly earnings to theft. Staff rally round and chip in to help ease her financial pain; the principal’s reaction? He calls a staff meeting and announces to everyone (Arab staff included) that his detective work has led to the likelihood that the woman’s story is a total fabrication. Huh? Yes, he has seen this trick before among Arab staff, particularly women. His advice, “don’t be too quick to part with your hard-earned money.” Huh? Closet racist? Yeah...... minus the closet!

The good news, for those who care about such trivial matters of human dignity, is that the new administration at this particular school is much more sensitive and proactive to the feelings of the Arab “underclass.” I say underclass, because the pay scales guarantee it. Nothing much you can do about the laws of supply and demand in labor economics (actually there is, but another time) which determine pay structures. Equal pay for equal work and credentials, (at least a human rights aspiration in most countries) is not in effect here.

Yet the more things change, the more they stay the same. This school recently published a glossy brochure to promote our national brand. Two young, White Canadian teachers, mingling with your beautiful Kuwaiti children dominate the scenes. And, you guessed it, nary an Arab educator’s face in sight. You can feel the collective hurt of half the staff. “We understand that you don’t ‘sell’ Arab educators in Kuwait,” they might say. But don’t we matter? Don’t we have values? What about a thumbnail inset, a footnote or some token reference to our existence? After all, we do contribute to our schools’ success don’t we?” “Don’t we?”

Oh Canada! Oh my goodness! Shameful?

Message to all international schools: “Visit, but don’t be shy. Interfere if human decency demands it.” *Allen Dunford is an expatriate teacher in Kuwait. The opinion expressed in this article is the author’s own.

kuwait digest

Eliminating corruption

By Terki Al-Azmy orruption would have never found a place in our society had it not been accepted. The fact is that the Kuwaiti society has not only failed to tackle corruption, but has encouraged multiple forms of corrupt acts to flourish. This situation kept worsening to the point where almost every law has been flouted on at least one occasion.

Obviously, we have reached an intolerable point which requires a firm stance to stop all forms of corruption that is so evident in the society. It looks for clear evidence. Corruption was present decades

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before the recent case emerged about the suspicious multi-million dinar deposits that were made to MPs’ bank accounts. The only thing that has changed these days however is that unlike in past years, the willingness to eliminate corruption. Sadly corrupt individuals rule the roost, strengthened by the resolve that no force on earth can stop them.

In my opinion, the solution to this situation is very simple. First, we must admit that we suffer from corruption. It isn’t really a hard thing because anyone can see that this problem has strong presence in our

society. Secondly, we need to identify the sources of corruption, and hold those responsible for these practices accountable by relieving them of their duties.

Their positions should be filled in by qualified personnel. Corrupt officials must be dealt with firmly, because unless they are held accountable for their misdeeds, we can’t assure that anyone this practice can be ended in the future. However, as simple as this solution might sound, it cannot be achieved unless the society sees changes according to which any form of corruption can no longer be accepted. — Al-Rai

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Interior panel reviews security

KUWAIT: The first meeting of the Kuwaiti ministerial committee formed to monitor the domestic implementation of the strategic regional security policy is being held in Kuwait on Monday.

KUWAIT: The first meeting of the Kuwaiti ministerial committee formed to monitor the domestic implementation of the strategic regional security policy decided on recently by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) interior ministers took place on Monday, with committee chairman Brigadier Mohammed Al-Babtain stressing the importance of putting the security policy into practice.

The committee was formed following the 29th meeting of GCC nations’ interior ministers. The committee’s first meeting also saw Brig.

Al-Babtain stressing the importance of its members maintaining close contact with the council of GCC interior ministers, both collectively and individually. Also during the meeting, Colonel Walid Al-Ibrahim of the interior ministry’s traffic department was elected to the post of deputy committee director, whilst Captain Fawaz Al-Jarki of the ministry’s legal affairs department was elected to the secretary’s position.

Asian woman killed in Waha house blaze Man stabs Ibn Sina Hospital doctor KUWAIT: A 35-year-old Asian woman died of the burns she sustained in a massive blaze that gutted a home in Waha on Monday. Two of the firefighters who rescued the family members and servants from the blaze and helped extinguish the fire received treatment at the scene for smoke inhalation. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Hospital attack Police are hunting for a Kuwaiti man who stabbed a staff member at Ibn Sina Hospital over a dispute between the victim and the attacker’s wife, a nurse at the same hospital. The assailant apparently stormed into the office of the official in charge of the trauma centre there, also a Kuwaiti, and immediately began scolding him over an earlier work-related dispute between the official and the man’s wife. According to eyewitnesses, the enraged husband refused to calm down and quickly became violent, pulling out a knife and stabbing the official five times before fleeing. The injured senior doctor received treatment at the scene and was subsequently taken to Sabah Hospital for further treatment. Witnesses also revealed that this was the second time in a week that the vengeful husband had come to the senior doctor’s office to argue over the official’s earlier dispute with his wife. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

Dumb drunk A Kuwaiti man is facing multiple charges after he verbally and physically assaulted two police officers who pulled him over on suspicion of drunk driving.

The suspect was spotted by patrol officers speeding and swerving across the road on a highway near Abdullah Port, and had to be forced to stop following a short chase after he ignored orders to pull over. The man refused to cooperate when asked for his ID, instead threatening and using abusive language towards the police officers. Once the heavily intoxicated was outside the car, he knocked one of the officers to the ground with a strong kick when the policeman attempted to restrain him. Backup officers were quickly present at the scene and the obnoxious driver was taken into custody in Abdullah Port police station whilst his car was impounded.

Thelma & Louise Mk 2 A Kuwaiti woman has been charged with several criminal offences after she fled a police checkpoint in Salmiya in an attempt to help her friend, a criminal fugitive, to escape capture.

The incident began when the woman was pulled over by police who had become suspicious of her general demeanor. Whilst the officers were checking her and her female passenger’s ID cards, she drove away at high speed in an attempt to escape, hitting a patrol vehicle in the process.

A high-speed car chase along the Bedaa and Blajat Roads followed, with the motorist eventually forced to a halt in Rumaithiya. On being stopped, the two women initially refused to cooperate or get out of their car, verbally insulting the officers surrounding it.

When they were informed that police had ordered a crane to lift the vehicle and transport it to the local police station with them inside it if necessary, the women finally conceded defeat and allowed themselves to be taken into custody. It was subsequently revealed that the passenger in the car was wanted in connection with a KD10,000 unpaid debt, with her loyal friend deciding to flee in order to help her evade arrest. Both were taken into custody and will face a range of charges.

Ex-worker flees A Kuwaiti man called police after spotting a former employee who absconded from his job a year ago while driving down a local road. The sharp-eyed disgruntled former employer, who had reported the man’s absconding at the time, drove after the exemployee in an attempt to apprehend him, but on realizing he was being followed the man quickly abandoned the car and fled on foot. Police were quickly at the scene and checked the abandoned vehicle on the police database only to discover that it had been stolen from another Kuwaiti man who had apparently also employed the disappearing worker without first checking his visa, a violation of the state’s residency laws. The investigation into the case and the hunt for the former employee is ongoing.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. — Al-Rai, Al-Anba, Al-Qabas, Al-Watan

KUWAIT: Firefighters from Jahra and Shuhada fight a blaze that broke out in the Amghara scrap yard.— Photos by Hanan Al-Sadoun

Scrap yard up in flames

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The rapid reaction of firefighters from Jahra and Shuhada and their colleagues from the support center prevented a blaze that broke out in the Amghara scrap yard from spreading.

The blaze broke out in an area of the scrap yard that houses a number of workshops, including one blacksmith’s studio and another housing a fiberglass welder’s workspace. The firefighters quick ly brought the blaze under control and no injuries were reported. Two senior Kuwait

Fire Services Directorate (KFSD) officials, Brigadier Yousef Al-Ansari the head of the Firefighting and Human Resources Division, and Lieutenant Co l o n e l B a d e r A l - O t a i b i , t h e Director of the Operations Center, were amongst the firefighters at the scene.

Expat leaps to death from Hawally tower

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: A 24-year-old Egyptian man fell to his death from a Hawally tower block yesterday. The body was removed for autopsy.

Eight hurt, one arrested Two Kuwaitis, an Indian and a Syrian were rushed to Farwaniya Hospital yesterday after sustaining

multiple injuries in a car crash near the junction between Rehab, Ardiya and Rabiya. In a separate incident, four Egyptian expatriates complained of severe back pain following a crash on the Sixth Ring Road near the Jaber Stadium. All were taken to Farwaniya Hospital.

Meanwhile, a 27-year- old Kuwaiti man was arrested after police who arrived at the scene of a

car crash he was involved in found that he was heavily intoxicated.

Nobody was hurt in the accident.

Sidekick A 40-year-old Pakistani man was rushed to Farwaniya Hospital after sustaining severe injuries to his genitals when he was kicked by a horse whilst working at stables in Sabhan.

Kuwait Chief of Staff in UAE KUWAIT: The Chief of Staff of the Kuwaiti Army, Sheikh Ahmad AlKhalid Al-Sabah, yesterday arrived in the UAE to attend a GCC consultative meeting for heads of the Gulf States’ military.

The one-day meeting, held in Abu Dhabi, was set to focus on the recent developments in the region and the world as well as the military cooperation agreements signed between the GCC states. — KUNA

KAC chief denies voice recording’s existence KUWAIT: KAC Chief Hamad Al-Falah has vehemently denied that a voice recording in which he is heard making offensive remarks against Shiite staff members exist, reiterating that he will take legal action against the local newspaper that published such claims.

“The accusations are tantamount to defamation and verbal assault, and I have already pressed charges against their publisher,” said the CEO and Managing Director of the Kuwait Airways Corporation during a recent gathering held by the Kuwait Aircraft Engineers and Pilots Association. It is his second public appearance since a news report

quoted a voice recording of him that insulted Shiite employees that lobbied for their release, reported Al-Qabas.

Fur thermore, Al-Falah also restated that he wasn’t suspended or asked to resign over the scandal, insisting that he will remain at his position until his contract expires later this month. A-lFalah stressed on the “strong relations” shared between him and KAC staff, as well as acknowledging “the strong support lent by Sunni and Shiite people of Kuwait.” Al-Falah also commended Minister of Communications Salem Al-Othaina “who dealt with me very profes-

sionally and respectfully,” denying being asked to resign. “That never happened. how else could I have refused to obey my superior ’s orders?” he said.

When about whether the KAC suffered from security issues, allowing the recording to be made, AlFalah denied the possibility of such an incident taking place, insisting that meetings are only recorded after receiving an approval of all the people in attendance, or through a warrant from the Public Prosecution Department. He later expressed confidence in “the Kuwaiti judicial system’s ability to prevent injustice from happening.”

Rapist snubs woman KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti woman who pressed sexual assault charges against a male compatriot faces charges of making a false complaint after she subsequently admitted that the accusations we re f a l s e a nd t ha t s he ha d m a d e up t he s tor y to ge t revenge on the man.

Initially, the woman told officers at Maidan Hawally police station that she had met the young man at a shopping mall and agreed to call him later to

set up a date. She claimed that after this the man had followed he r hom e to he r a p a r t m e nt where he forced his way inside and raped her, before escaping with her cell phone.

Whe n d e te c t i ve s found a number of inconsistencies in her account of events, however, the woman became evasive and uncom for t a b l e, e ve nt ua l l y i ns i s t i ng t ha t s he w i s he d to drop the charges against the ‘rapist.’

After she was informed that s he woul d b e c ha rge d w i t h wasting police time and making false charges if she dropped the case, she reluctantly admitted that she had invited the man to her apartment following a late night date where they agreed beforehand that he would pay for sex. After they had sex, however, he reneged on the deal, hitting her and stealing her cell phone before fleeing. A hunt is underway for the man.

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News

in brief

‘No Kuwaiti arrested in Bahrain’ KUWAIT: A protestor, reportedly a citizen who arrested by authorities in Bahrain, is in fact not a Kuwaiti national. A misunderstanding related to his surname ‘Al-Kuwaiti’ generated confusion in the media. According to officials, a protestor named Husain Abdul Azeem Al-Kuwaiti was arrested a few days ago and charged with plotting terrorist activities. At the time, there were reports that the man could have been a Kuwaiti citizen. However, sources confirmed that the detainee is a Bahraini national.

Municipality rejects plot request The Ministry of Oil has refused a request to cede a plot, located west of Al-Subbiya to begin a shrimp farming project, arguing that the area is part of an oil field. According to a senior Municipality officer, the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) was denied a plot when it asked the ministry for eight square kilometers of the area. The ministry explained that the Municipality had not consulted with it before making any demarcations. “Several locations that the Municipality approves for state projects are usually placed without studying the environmental impact, as well as the fact that the said location cannot be conceded by the oil ministry,” admitted the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Lawyers deny shooting reports The team of Kuwaiti lawyers who volunteered to defend former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak on Monday denied rumors that they had been targeted by gunshots during a brawl that broke out at a press conference they held in Cairo the previous day. A fight broke out between pro and antiMubarak factions at the press conference after a journalist described the former Egyptian leader as having been “deposed,” with the brawlers hurling chairs at one another. Rumors later emerged that gunshots had been heard during the melee. One member of the delegation of Kuwaiti lawyers, Faisal Al-Otaibi, told Kuwaiti daily Al-Qabas that the fiveman legal team were unable to attend Mubarak’s trial on Monday because they had not received the necessary permits from the Egyptian authorities in time.

225 vacant positions The Civil Service Commission has approved the ministry’s request to lift the ban on employing expatriates to the 225 vacant positions, said Marzooq Al-Rasheedi , Assistant Undersecretary for Administration Affairs at the Ministry of Health, reported Al-Anba. He said, 82 positions are vacant for doctors, and 89 for nursing staff, and 42 for technicians (medical services assistants) and 12 for pharmacists.— Al-Rai

LUXEMBOURG: A Kuwait parliamentary delegation during the visit to Luxembourg Financial Centre.—KUNA photos

MPs: Kuwait must learn from Luxembourg financial system Islamic finance witnesses significant growth: Expert LUXEMBOURG: A four-member delegation from the Kuwaiti parliament visited the Luxembourg Financial Centre, called Luxembourg for Finance, Monday evening to get a first-hand information on the way the banking and finance sector functions in the small European country.

The head of the centre, Fernand Grulms, welcomed the Kuwaiti parliamentarians and briefed them on the activities of the Luxembourg Financial Centre which is a public-private partnership between the Luxembourg government and the Luxembourg financial industry federation.

He noted that Luxembourg is the second largest investment fund centre in the world after the United States, and the premier private banking centre in the euro-zone. The financial sector is the largest contributor to the Luxembourg economy. 143 banks and 108 insurance companies are based in Luxembourg and 84,000 people are employed in the financial sector. The largest Chinese bank ICBC has chosen Luxembourg as its

European headquarters.

Grulms explained that political and social stability, a transparent legal framework, high standard of regulation and Luxembourg’s openness to the world are the reasons behind the attraction of international banks and insurance companies.

On her part, Elenaor de Rosmorduc, an expert on Islamic banking at the Luxembourg financial centre briefed the Kuwaiti MPs on the situation of the Islamic finance sector in Luxembourg.

She noted that on the global Islamic finance was worth $1 trillion and there were 614 Sharia complaint institutions in 47 countries. Islamic finance was growing by 25 percent annually, she noted.

Rosmurduc said that government support, a stable system, tax diversity and a talented workforce are among the factors that are attracting Islamic finance to Luxembourg. There are 39 Sharia complaint institutions based in Luxembourg but there is no Islamic bank here as yet.

Later, speaking to the KUNA, MP Khalid Sultan Bin Eissa said this is the

first day of the visit of the Kuwaiti parliamentary delegation to Luxembourg. “ There are a lot of similarities between Kuwait and Luxembourg which is a small country with a population of 500,000. We discovered here today that Luxembourg holds the second largest position in the financial sector in the world after the US,” he said.

Bin Eissa said the lesson to draw for us in Kuwait is that the size and population of a country is not any hindrance in developing Kuwait into an important financial and trade hub in the world. “ We learnt today a lot about the financial institutions in Luxemburg and also about Islamic financial institution.

Our visit here today was very useful and we call on the financial and investment bodies in Kuwait to explore these special capabilities and to benefit from them,” he said.

He noted that even the American finance sector is making use of these capabilities offered by Luxembourg. On his part, Fernand Grulms told KUNA that “Luxembourg and Kuwait can do much

more in the future and what we can do is to enact our double -tax treaty because that will lead to improvement in our business.” “We must organize networking between business people from Kuwait and Luxembourg so that we start to know each other much better and that will also enhance business development in the future,” he said.

Grulms said that today Luxembourg is very well positioned in terms of Islamic finance in Europe and we can certainly provide our tools and our expertise for those who would like to launch Islamic financial products. “We hope to do more business in the future,” he added. The Kuwaiti parliamentar y delegation includes Dr.Dhaifalla Abu Ramia, Saad Al-Azemi and Al-Saifi Al-Ajmi.

Head of the Kuwaiti parliamentary delegation Mubarak Al-Kherainej who is the president of the Kuwait-Luxembourg inter-parliamentary friendship group and chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the Kuwaiti parliament is expected to arrive in Luxembourg yesterday. —KUNA

Front tires of AI flight from Kuwait burst; no casualties PANAJI: The front tires of an Air India flight flying from Kuwait to Chennai burst after landing at Goa’s Dabolim airport yesterday morning. All 105 passengers were safe, officials said.

Airport officials said flight AI 976, flying from Kuwait to Chennai via Goa, met with the accident around 8.30am. The aircraft was still on the runway at the time of going to press.

According to repor ts from capital

Panaji, Air India officials were making alternative arrangements to carry the stranded passengers to Chennai.

It may be recalled that an Air India plane AI 507 carrying 134 passengers and crew had an emergency landing at the airport in Thiruvananthapuram on Aug 29 following some defects in its hydraulic system. The incident came a day after a Gulf Air flight skidded off the runway at the Kochi International Airport.

KFAED fully equips 2 hospitals in Lebanon BEIRUT: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic and Development (KFAED) has fully prepared two hospitals in Lebanon with the necessary medical equipment.

KFAED’s spokesperson Nawaf Al-Daboos said yesterday that Tannourine governmental hospital will receive equipment for the intestine care unit while Sir Dannieh governmental hospital will receive dental medical equipment.

Al-Daboos said that KFAED has been committed to supporting the Lebanese health sector since the 1990s and it will

NAIROBI: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Kenya Yaqoob Al-Sanad meets with Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula in Nairobi yesterday.—KUNA

Kuwait Ambassador to Kenya meets FM NAIROBI: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Kenya Yaqoob AlSanad met here yesterday with Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula discussing means of boosting the bilateral relations between Kuwait and the African nation.

A statement released by the Kuwaiti embassy said that the ambassador conveyed to the Kenyan official greetings from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, adding that both officials also touched on measures to bolster bilateral relations.

The diplomat conveyed an invitation from the foreign minister to the Kenyan official to visit Kuwait, the statement said, adding that Wetangula pledged to respond to the invitation as soon as possible. On another issue, the statement indicated that Al-Sanad, also representative of Kuwait to the United Nations Programs for the Environment and Human Settlement (UNEP) and (UN-Habitat), would represent Kuwait at a conference, to be held in Nairobi, on Friday, to discuss the recent drought and famine that swept the Horn of Africa.

The broad convention, to be held at the UN offices in the Kenyan capital, will be sponsored by the president of Kenya and attended by the heads of state of Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan, Burundi, and the UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Lynn Pascoe. AlSanad has affirmed significance of Kuwait’s participation in this crucial conference, noting that Kenya, nations of East Africa and the African Horn pin high hopes on further Kuwaiti support for the African nations that have been threatened with famine.—KUNA

continue to back up these vital developmental projects keeping in mind the brotherly and the historic ties that connect the two countries. This funding program comes under a comprehensive project to set up 13 hospitals in different parts of Lebanon with necessary medical equipment. The cost of this project is estimated to be around $4.5 billion, Al-Daboos noted. KFAED has granted Lebanon 17 loans since 1966 worth $500 billion which that were invested in health, agriculture, transportation and reconstruction sectors.—KUNA

ID card curbs for bedoons KUWAIT: Stateless residents(bedoon) who have a criminal background, have received deportation orders or hold another country’s citizenship will no longer be eligible to renew their special identification cards. The new regulation was announced by a government body set up by the state to resolve Kuwait’s illegal residents issue.

Any bedoon who applies to renew his or her identification card, will be rejected if they

are found guilty of one of the above-mentioned conditions. However, officials within the Central Apparatus to Remedy the Status of Illegal Residents indicate that no orders will be made to forfeit identification cards before their expiration, reported Al-Rai. These regulations are part of body’s efforts to document the country’s population of stateless residents who are eligible to be naturalized.

ROME: Kuwait Ambassador to Italy Sheikh Jaber Duaij Al-Sabah receives a Kuwaiti delegation “Maritime Hope Journey” yesterday in Rome. —KUNA

Kuwaiti envoy in Italy receives delegation ROME: Kuwaiti Ambassador accredited to Italy, Sheikh Jaber Duaij Al-Sabah, received here yesterday a Kuwaiti delegation representing “Maritime Hope Journey” within the framework of its visit to Italy and the Vatican. The aim of the visit is to highlight the cultural role of Kuwait in the care of people with intellectual disabilities.

The Ambassador welcomed members of the delegation, which was l a unc he d w i t h t he b l e s s i ng of H i s Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlA hm a d A l -J a b e r A l -S a b a h. S he i k h Jaber praised the initiative, stressing his positive support of objectives of

21-foot long boat removed KUWAIT: The Kuwait Diving Team removed a 21-footlong boat from Souk Sharq Marina, at the request of its owners.

Team leader Ali Anani said that the operation lasted for

three hours in a surrounding that was polluted with oil and gasoline. The boat was raised to the surface using an air bag. Anani urged divers to keep the site clean.

the cruise and the exchange of expertise in the care of people with intellectual disabilities.

He listened to a brief explanation about the importance of the objectives of the trip and its humanitarian dimensions which highlight the efforts of the State of Kuwait in caring for children with special needs. For their part, member of the delegation thanked the Ambassador for the warm reception and encouragement at the conclusion of the meeting which was attended by members of the diplomatic embassy in Kuwait. The delegation then continued its tour to the Vatican. —KUNA

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

India PM in ‘historic’ trip to Bangladesh

Political risks in UAE

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Gunmen kill 8 soldiers, burn bodies Iraqi doctor’s killing raises fears in Kirkuk News

in brief

Iran begins wargames TEHRAN: Iran’s air force began a 10-day exercise yesterday, the student ISNA news agency reported. “Different types of aircrafts such as F7, F4, F5 and Sukhoi-24 ... will be active during the wargames,” said senior Air Force officer, Mohammad Alavi, adding that the domestically made Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) aircraft will be displayed firing ammunition for the first time. Iran often holds wargames or tests weapons to show its determination to counter any attack by the United States or Israel which have both said they do not rule out pre-emptive strikes to stop Iran developing nuclear weapons.

Saudi beheaded for murder RIYADH: A Saudi man was beheaded by the sword yesterday after being convicting of shooting dead a compatriot, the interior ministry said. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Ghayeb Al-Qahtani was found guilty of killing Saif bin Hasan AL-Lajzem after he opened fire at him in a dispute, the ministry said in a statement carried by SPA state news agency. He was executed in the southwestern city of Abha, bringing to 38 the number of people beheaded in Saudi Arabia this year, according to an AFP tally based on official and human rights group reports.

Spanish town bans burqa

KIRKUK: Iraqis carry the coffins of medic Dr Abbas Jaffer Aldamarja and his brother Yildirim, both Turkmen Shiite Muslims, during their funeral in the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk yesterday, following their killing by unknown assassins. — AFP RAMADI: Gunmen killed eight soldiers at a checkpoint in western Iraq before burning their corpses yesterday, a police officer said. “Unknown gunmen attacked a checkpoint located between Haditha and Baiji, killing eight” soldiers, a police major said on condition of anonymity. They then “collected their weapons and put the corpses in a vehicle and set it on fire” following the attack yesterday, he added.

The attack on the soldiers, who were members of the 7th army division, took place about 100 kilometers northeast of Haditha, in Anbar province, the officer said. The checkpoint was on a strategic road linking the two Sunni provinces of Anbar and Salaheddin, and which the insurgents used to transport weapons between the two provinces. After the creation in Anbar of the Sahwa militia, comprised of Sunni tribesmen who joined forces with the US military against Al-Qaeda from late 2006, many insurgents went to Salaheddin.

Qaeda-affiliated militants have claimed responsibility for previous attacks in which security force members have

been killed and their corpses burned, though there has not yet been a claim for yesterday’s attack. The violence comes after Al-Qaeda’s front group in Iraq threatened a campaign of 100 attacks, starting in mid-August, to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden in a US Special Forces raid in Pakistan in May. Violence is down across Iraq from its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks remain common. A total of 239 people were killed in violence in the country in August, according to official figures.

Iraqi doctors protest Hundreds of people took to the streets of Iraq’s northern disputed city of Kirkuk yesterday to protest the killing of a well-known neurologist, which has raised fears among Iraqi doctors. Mohsen Abdel Majeed, the head of the Kirkuk doctors syndicate, announced a doctors’ strike until steps are taken to protect medics. Among those who turned out to mourn Yalderin Abbas Al-Damarchi, shot dead on Monday, were tribal sheikhs, doctors and government officials.

Damarchi, a Shiite Turkmen father of four, and his brother were killed by unknown gunmen while they were driving

home from his clinic in Kirkuk. “The killing of the doctor is a catastrophe which shocked Kirkuk’s people, especially doctors,” Sadiq Omar Rasul, the general director of the Kirkuk health directorate said. “We call on the Iraqi government to protect doctors,” he added. Kirkuk has seen a spate of kidnappings and threats against doctors. According to Majeed, about $1.5 million has been paid in ransoms for doctors in Kirkuk since 2004. Ransoms for doctors usually range between $250,000 to $500,000, Majeed said.

Kidnappings are relatively common in the disputed province of Kirkuk, which is rich in both oil and ethnic tension. Police in the city accuse Al-Qaeda and other insurgent groups of being behind the kidnaps, as other sources of funding have dried up. Kurdistan wants to incorporate Kirkuk province into its autonomous north Iraq region, a move strongly opposed by authorities in Baghdad. Violence is down across Iraq from its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks and kidnappings remain common. A total of 239 people were killed in violence in the country in August, according to official figures. — Agencies

Malnutrition taking its toll on Somali children MOGADISHU: Nearly too weak to cry, Masteha Jama Mohamed’s three-month-old daughter is barely the length of her forearm, as the severely malnourished baby struggles for survival in famine-hit Somalia. Mohamed

is herself just a teenager: the 16-year-old mother says her baby has been sick ever since she was two weeks old, and now at 2.5 kilograms, is still only the weight of a newborn.

But even after reaching Mogadishu’s Banadir

hospital, she still fears her child might not survive.

“I have not got help since I arrived,” said Mohamed wearily, who had been at the hospital for around six hours. “I am afraid that if she remains like this she might die.” Mohamed trekked from Afgoye town-the world’s largest camp for displaced people where famine was declared last month-into war-torn Mogadishu in a desperate search for help. Three-quarters of a million people are facing death by starvation in Somalia according the United Nations, who declared Monday that famine had spread to a sixth southern region of the beleaguered Horn of Africa state.

Many children are brought to the hospital in a critical state.

Over 100,00 people have fled into Mogadishu in the past two months seeking food or shelter. “Their immune system is so suppressed that it brings complications-most of them have parasites and diarrhea,” said Yasmin Hiller, a German nurse, who works in the overcrowded Benadir hospital. “For the small kids with dehydration, it is very difficult to stabilize themoften they die because their complications are too many,” she added. The beds are all full with an influx of malnourished children, and some parents sleep on the floor for lack of space.

Even after treatment in hospital, children struggle for survival from a host of other diseases rife in the city, where many live in the ruins of bombed-out buildings or in makeshift shelters of rag and plastic. “We have no hope...yet we hope to get treatment,” Fadumo Mohamed Omar, standing by her emaciated 10-year-old daughter, suffering from malnutrition and epilepsy, lying on a stretcher in the hospital’s busy hallway.

“The doctors said they can do nothing for her epilepsy, but can treat the malnutrition,” said Ali Mohamed, Omar’s neighbor, who accompanied her.

Some 12.4 million people in the Horn of Africa, including parts of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda, are affected by the worst drought in decades in the region and are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN. But Somalia is the hardest hit. Two-decades of civil war and restrictions on relief groups by Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels have worsened the plight of hundreds of thousands of drought-hit Somalis. Many farm animals on which the people depended have died, and families rely on handouts in Mogadishu, one of the world’s most dangerous cities.

“I lost all my cattle and crops. We had nothing to survive on, so we left,” said Halima Abdi Hussein, who fled the Shebab-controlled Lower Shabelle region. “Here at least we get some food. We feel safe as long as we get to eat,” said 28year-old Hussein, standing next to her basic plastic shelter home. —AFP

MADRID: A small town on the Spanish resort island of Mallorca has banned women from wearing burqas or face-covering Islamic veils in public places, even though only two women living there are known to do so. Mayor Biel Serra of the town of Sa Pobla said Monday night’s vote was not about cultural or religious discrimination but rather an issue of public safety and having people show their faces so they can be identified. He told said the ban also applies to other face-covering headgear like ski masks. Sa Pobla joins a handful of other Spanish towns who have enacted some form of ban on body-covering burqas or face-covering niqabs. Biel said the two women in Sa Pobla wore the latter.

Clothing brands probe faintings PHNOM PENH: More than two dozen global clothing brands yesterday pledged to investigate a spate of mass faintings among Cambodian garment workers, the UN’s labor agency said. The retailers said they would provide resources and international expertise to find out why hundreds of their suppliers’ employees have collapsed recently, the International Labor Organization said after a meeting in Phnom Penh. Among the retailers who supported the initiative were Gap, H&M, Walmart and Target, a source who attended the gathering but wished to remain anonymous said.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

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

Freed Egyptians tell of torture in Libyan jails BENGHAZI: With drawn and gaunt faces, some 30 Egyptians holed up in a modest Libyan hotel speak of the incarceration and torture they suffered at the hands of Muammar Gaddafi’s loyalists. “They told me, ‘You Egyptians, you caused problems in your country, and now you have come to destroy ours’,” said Mahmud Abu Zeid, referring to the popular uprising that ousted neighboring Egypt’s president Hosni Mubarak in February. “They wanted me to say that I was armed and had encouraged Libyans to rise up against Gaddafi,” he said.

The 31-year-old said he was the first Egyptian to have been jailed in Abu Slim, a district of Tripoli that saw some of the fiercest fighting and worst atrocities before Gaddafi lost his grip on the capital

late last month. Abu Zeid said the Gaddafi loyalists forced the Egyptians to record confessions that they had triggered the revolt against his regime, before they were eventually freed by revolutionary fighters. “For five months, they gave electric shocks to my son. I was so weak that I was unable to walk, so they dragged me like a sack,” he said, adding, “I ended up recording their message.”

Under pressure he “confessed” to having used guns to encourage Libyans to call for the ouster of Gaddafi, he said, adding however that the Libyans who heard the recordings were not fooled. Abu Zeid’s account tallied with that of other refugees at the hotel in Benghazi, the rebellion’s stronghold in eastern Libya, some 600 kilometers from their

homeland. “They gave out bread by kicking it at us, and we had a liter (two pints) of water to be shared among a dozen prisoners,” said another Egyptian man who added that he had been shot twice in the leg.

It was still difficult for him to walk. Like him, other men in the hotel showed scars and burn marks on their backs they said were the result of torture.

Tamer Rad, an Egyptian laborer who worked in Libya for two years, said he had been forced to drink urine when he asked for water. “I was really thirsty. I asked for water, crying. They told me ‘You want to drink? Here!’ And they poured urine into my mouth. I was handcuffed, I could not resist so I had to drink it,” he said.

The 26-year-old said the Egyptians had been stuck in Benghazi for several days and that he now had only one thought-of leaving Libya and returning to Egypt. The group said they fled to Benghazi after being freed on August 21 when anti-Gaddafi fighters broke open several jails as they overran Tripoli. And they had been unable to move on because, they said, the Gaddafi loyalists burned their travel documents and they are unable to contact the Egyptian embassy in Libya. On Monday, the Egyptian foreign ministry said the men would be repatriated on the same day, explaining that they had been forced to stay in Libya after the fall of the regime due to “insecurity on the roads” and the closure of airports. — AFP

19 killed as militants, Yemen soldiers clash Yemen deadlock ‘risky’

DJERBA: A mother demands to release her son (photo) arrested for allegedly opening fire on protesters during policemen and gendarmes demonstration at the government headquarters in Tunis yesterday. — AFP

Tunisia bans police from union activities TUNIS: Tunisia’s Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi announced yesterday a ban on police engaging in union activities, which he said were a threat to the country’s security. “I have decided from today to ban all union activity among security services in view of the danger that such activity represents for the security of the country,” he said at a press conference. He was speaking as hundreds of Tunisian police officers, angered at charges of killing protesters, demonstrated outside the main government building in Tunis, security forces unions said.

They called for the immediate resignations of Interior Minister Habib Essid and army chief General Rachid Ammar. They accused the army chief of being behind recent unrest in Tunisia with the aim of seizing power. At least two people have been killed and scores injured in recent violence in the centre and southwest of the country, prompting authorities to impose a curfew on three towns. The police unions are in particular calling for a fair trial for 23 officers who have been detained on charges of killing protesters.

They were arrested in the wake of civil unrest in December and January which flared after weeks of protests initially

focused on unemployment, sparked by the suicide of a young graduate who set himself alight on December 17 last year.

According to the union, 10 police officers were killed and 18 shot and injured on January 14, the day ousted president Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali was arrested as he attempted to flee the country.

Hated and feared during the Ben Ali regime, the police force feels it has been made a scapegoat for its excesses. Caid Essebsi also pledged the “strict application of the state of emergency” decreed after the fall of Ben Ali and since prolonged by successive decrees, until November 31.

Tunisians are due to go to the polls on October 23 to elect a constituent assembly, which will draft a new basic law and road map for the north African country after more than two decades of autocratic and corrupt rule. “ The government will see the law applied,” the prime minister said, pointing out that it banned “all demonstrations, all strikes and all meetings that could affect the security of the country.”

“The minister of the interior has the right to place under house arrest any person known for activities affecting internal security,” he added. —AFP

Libya’s new leadership lacks women in its ranks TRIPOLI: Women in Tripoli are starting to voice concern that Libya’s government in waiting, the National Transitional Council, has too many Islamists in its ranks and not enough women. “I’m worried that Islamic brothers will come from Benghazi and decide that women have to wear the hijab,” or Islamic headscarf, said business student Fatin Mohammed Al-Nabi, 20.

NTC officials have repeatedly downplayed the presence of Islamists in its fold while pointing out that some council members, like much of the Libyan population, are observant or conservative Muslims. But Nabi said Benghazi, the wartime base of the NTC, was always more conservative compared than the capital where women wore what they wanted under Muammar Gaddafi. “The capital Tripoli was always more liberal,” she said. Women were never obliged to wear the hijab, she said although it remained common practice.

They enjoyed full freedom of movement and participation in the economy, if not political life. “Gaddafi loved women more than men in reality,” she said.

In fact, the strongman often put his personal safety in the hands of women, surrounded by an entourage of female bodyguards, and his health was entrusted to a blonde Ukrainian nurse. Several women were staunch defenders of the regime, like Hala Misrati, an anchor for state television who came on air waving a gun and vowing allegiance to Gaddafi when rebels were at the gates of Tripoli. Others, like Huda Ben Amer, infamous for her role in the hangings of the veteran Libyan leader’s opponents, gave a sinister face to female participation in Gaddafi’s regime.

Hundreds of women graduated each year from Gaddafi’s military academy, where they were trained over three years to shoot and handle weapons, while also attending courses on psychology, law and security studies. “We had some rights under Gaddafi and got more freedoms in recent years,” said Hanan Mohammed Ali Abusah, 29, among the first officers to report back for duty since the capital fell to pro-NTC forces in late August. She was not overly concerned by a potential rise of conservative Islam because women were still “likely to have more opportunities than they had before” under Gaddafi.

ADEN: Battles between the Yemeni army and Islamist militants killed 19 people in the country’s south yesterday, as the military struggles to regain control of areas seized by fighters suspected of links to Al-Qaeda. Six soldiers and 13 militants were killed in clashes in a western suburb of Zinjibar yesterday, a military official said. Three soldiers and an unknown number of militants were wounded, the official said. The army launched an offensive in the south two months ago after Islamist militants, emboldened by months of mass protests, took over at least three towns in volatile Abyan province, including its seaside capital, Zinjibar.

Since then, violence has raged in Abyan, with militants attacking soldiers and security officials almost daily and the army sending troops and war planes to strike back. The official said militants had been pushed back into Zinjibar yesterday from the al-Kowd area, leaving behind caches of weapons and the bodies of dead comrades. Some 90,000 Yemenis have fled the bloodshed in Abyan while President Ali Abdullah Saleh recovers in neighboring Saudi Arabia from an assassination attempt.

He is clinging onto power despite international pressure on him to quit and months of protests against his 33-year rule, which have paralyzed the impoverished Arabian Peninsula state. The army says it is making gains against militants, but it has yet to regain control over much of its lost territory in Abyan, including the three cities captured. The United States and Saudi Arabia fear the turmoil will give Al-Qaeda’s Yemen-based branch more room to launch attacks in the region and beyond. Opponents of Saleh accuse him of exaggerating the threat of Al-Qaeda and even encouraging militancy to scare Washington and Riyadh into backing him.

RISKY DEADLOCK Three months after the forced medical leave of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a political stalemate in Yemen threatens to degenerate into open confrontation between Saleh loyalists and opponents. The elite Republican Guard troops, commanded by Ahmed, the eldest son of Saleh, have reinforced their presence this week and deployed tanks and missiles on the hills overlooking Sanaa, witnesses said.

Soldiers loyal to dissident General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, fewer and less well armed, have fortified their positions in areas they control in Sanaa, mainly around University Square, renamed Change Square by protesters camped there.

Armed civilians have also been sighted on both sides of Zubair street, which now divides Sanaa between the areas controlled by government forces and that held by the opposition.

“The regime rejects a political solution and

SANAA: Yemeni soldiers gesture to their supporters (unseen) in Sanaa. — AP could use other options. But the military option would be a mistake,” said Yassin Saeed Noman, leader of the Common Forum which groups parliamentary opposition parties. Saleh was flown to Riyadh on board a Saudi medical aircraft after he was wounded in a bomb blast attack on his Sanaa compound on June 3. He is now recovering in the Saudi capital, vowing to return soon.

Despite deadly protests demanding his ouster since January, Saleh has repeatedly refused to sign a deal brokered by Gulf monarchies for a peaceful transition of power. The plan provides for the formation of a national unity government led by the opposition while Saleh would hand power to Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi.

Saleh would resign a month later in return for immunity against prosecution for him and his family, but the president has refused to hand over any powers to his deputy in his absence. The British ambassador to Yemen, Jonathan Wilks, on Monday urged both sides to resort to negotiations based on the Gulf plan and a UN-proposed roadmap. “What Yemen needs urgently is a peaceful political settlement to the crisis.

Violence is not a solution to any of Yemen’s problems,” he said in statement posted on the embassy’s website.

“The priority now should be for all sides to be more active in negotiating a political settlement based on the GCC initiative and the roadmap for implementation of political transition developed

by UN envoy Jamal Benomar.” The UN roadmap was drawn up in two weeks of talks in July held

by Benomar in Yemen with the opposition and leading figures of the GPC, according to opposition sources and a Western diplomat. They said the plan has four points, including a handover of power by Saleh to his deputy, Hadi, followed

immediately by talks on a transitional period ranging from three to six months.

The interim period would see the formation of a reconciliation government, the restructuring of military bodies, and preparations for and setting a date for a new presidential election. The roadmap is similar to the Gulf mediation plan which Saleh has refused to sign for several months. But whereas the Gulf plan stipulates a one-month interim period ending with Saleh’s resignation, the UN roadmap provides for an extended period of up to six months. Unlike the roadmap, the Gulf plan does not call for a restructuring of military institutions, the most powerful of which are controlled by Saleh’s family members. With the situation in deadlock, the opposition has decided to escalate street protests demanding the resignation of Saleh and called for demonstrations across the country yesterday. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators already gathered on Sunday in Change Square, guarded by the First Armored Division of General Ahmar. The General People’s Congress ruling party accused the parliamentary opposition of fomenting a “plot” by exploiting the young protesters in order to “seize power” by force.

And the interior ministry on Monday accused fighters of powerful tribal leader Sadeq alAhmar, who has sided with the opposition, of preparing “an outbreak of violence in the (Sanaa) area of Al-Hassaba.” Heavy fighting in the neighborhood in late May between government forces and supporters of the tribal chief left 140 dead. Both sides dug trenches and mounted checkpoints in the area while most shops were closed on Monday. “We are heading toward confrontation,” warned Yemeni analyst Ali Saif Hassan. — Agencies

Political risks in UAE

WISHTATA: Libyan NTC fighters chant slogans and wave the victory sign as elder representatives of the Warfalla tribe meet NTC representatives at the Malti mosque yesterday. — AFP But others were quick to point out that the new authorities have only included one woman in the NTC and none serve as interim ministers in its executive office. “I criticize the absence of women in this council,” said Samia Shamaq, who on Monday gathered her friends for a meeting on the role of women in the new Libya. “There should be women in the NTC because they are a vital link in society,” said Aya Diribubri, 26, an employee at a wedding dress shop who does not wear a veil despite catering to conservative clients.

She said she would not hesitate to wear the veil if government or society became more religiously conservative. “In the end, Libya is an Islamic country and safety is more important than freedom,” she said.

Rayan Diab, a 20-year-old dentistry student, said those who speak of Islamic fundamentalism in the ranks of the NTC were scaremongers who wanted to divide the revolutionary ranks. “This is just a tactic to divide our men,” she said. —AFP

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has so far been unmoved by political upheaval that has rippled across the Arab world, but the ongoing trial of five activists raises concerns that simmering demands for reform could pick up steam in the Gulf Arab state. As one of the world’s biggest oil exporters, the UAE’s small local population has the world’s eighth-highest per capita income, at over $47,000 per year.

But UAE security forces have clamped down on activists calling for democratic reform, arresting at least five people and disbanding a civil rights group to discourage dissent. The emirate of Dubai, which built itself into a finance and trade hub only for its real estate bubble to burst in 2008-09, faces debt restructuring and investor flight risks. There are lingering worries about Iran’s nuclear program, a long-running territorial row with Tehran, and Islamist radicalism. Below are some of the risks facing the UAE: DOMESTIC UNREST The probability of domestic protests in the UAE is widely viewed as lower than in other Arab states due to the country’s small indigenous population and huge oil wealth, especially in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the federal capital.

But Emirati activists spurred by other uprisings have been openly calling on the internet for a greater say in government, more legislative power for the 40-member Federal National Council (FNC), and less censorship.

In July, UAE rulers increased the number of eligible voters for FNC member elections planned for this September to 129,000 - or more than 10 percent of the population-but did not grant the council binding legislative power. In June, Abu Dhabi earmarked $1.9 billion of its 2011 budget for housing loans, while the UAE has allocated $1.6 billion for infrastructure projects in the less developed north, raised military pensions and introduced bread and rice subsidies, among other measures. Any unrest would likely emerge in one of the five northern emirates, whose citizens

have benefited less from Abu Dhabi’s vast oil wealth or business hub Dubai’s trade- and property-fuelled development. Northern emirate Ras Al-Khaimah has seen small protests but they were quickly crushed by security forces. The UAE is trying five activists in an Abu Dhabi state security court, charging them with incitement and insulting the country’s leaders. They have pleaded not guilty.

DUBAI DEBT AND FINANCIAL WOES The UAE economy is expected to grow by around 3.7 percent in 2011, according to a Reuters poll in June, up from 1.4 percent in 2010 when Dubai struggled to restructure its debts.

Dubai’s finances remain a concern after the global financial crisis burst its property bubble, shelving multibillion dollar projects and leading to thousands of job cuts in 2008-09. The emirate rattled markets in 2009 when Dubai World , one of the government’s three flagship holding companies, sought a delay in repaying $26 billion of debt linked mainly to property units Nakheel and Limitless. Abu Dhabi, home to most of the UAE federation’s oil wealth, lent Dubai $10 billion, helping avert default on a bond issued by Nakheel. Dubai World has restructured some $24.9 billion of liabilities with creditors and has said it is prepared to sell prized assets including previously ring-fenced ports firm DP World to try to raise as much as $19.4 billion to repay creditors. The emirate launched its second bond issue since the debt crisis in June, issuing a $500 million, 10-year bond. Investors are still worried about Dubai’s debt troubles and the crisis has strained relations with the wealthier but more staid Abu Dhabi. The two emirates have shared the financial and political reins of the UAE since its inception in 1971, but further assistance to Dubai could boost Abu Dhabi’s role and upset the delicate power balance.

REGIONAL ISLAMIST MILITANCY The UAE has not been attacked by Al-Qaeda

to date. But Dubai, a Western-oriented business and tourism centre, could make an attractive target for Islamic militants. In 2009, Al-Qaeda’s Yemeni and Saudi branches merged into a Yemen-based regional arm. They claimed responsibility for a failed plot in October 2010 to send two parcel bombs to the United States that were intercepted in Britain and Dubai. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has threatened attacks on Westerners in the region and has said it sees the UAE as its fourth target after the United States, Saudi Arabia and Britain. The UAE has tight security that may have helped it ward off attacks. But as a regional trade centre it has had an open door.

IRAN ESCALATION, SANCTIONS The strategic Gulf Arab region could be affected if the dispute between Iran and Western powers over Tehran’s nuclear program escalates into armed conflict. A leaked US diplomatic cable said leaders of the UAE regarded Iran as “its primary external threat, and one that is existential in nature”. The same cable portrayed Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, one of the most powerful figures in the UAE, as holding the view that “the logic of war” dominates in the Gulf Arab region when it comes to dealing with the Iranian challenge. A recent New York Times article described in detail how the crown prince recruited Blackwater founder Erik Prince to build up a 800-member battalion of troops for the UAE. The UAE’s extensive purchases of US arms, and facilities it offers to the US military, could make it a potential target for revenge if the nuclear dispute spirals into a military conflict.

WHAT TO WATCH Any signs the Iran nuclear dispute could turn into a military conflict. Western powers accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons capability. Tehran denies this. More sanctions on Iran, a major Dubai trade partner, could affect a recovering UAE economy. —Reuters

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Roma skills get new life with EU-funded project MIRONEASA: “I am proud of my work and happy to see that people like the objects I make,” said Vasile Anusca, a Roma wicker worker, while weaving a basket in his yard swarming with children. At Mironeasa, in north-eastern Romania, wicker and wood-working skills have been handed down from generation to generation and all of Anusca’s 13 children have had a go. “We don’t make a lot of money but at least we can feed our families,” said Anusca’s brother, Viorel.

The two brothers used to go from village to village, carrying a bag full of wooden spoons or a pile of baskets, hoping to trade them for potatoes or beans. But now, a project called “Romano Cher” trains Roma craftsmen to make more sophisticated objects and helps them find buyers abroad, mostly via the Internet (http:// www.mestesukar.ro). Last winter, “snowman kits” including wooden eyes, noses, buttons and brooms made by Roma artisans from Peris, 30 kilometers north of Bucharest, made a hit at the Brussels Christmas fair.

And a stylish dress created by Roma metalsmiths will soon shine on catwalks in Paris and Bucharesta model made from small, perforated aluminum plates. After three months’ training, the Anusca brothers have gone from carving spoons to making wooden toys and wicker furniture, more adapted to current customers’ needs.

“Our favorite objects are those that sell best,” said Vasile Anusca, smiling. Thirty more Roma of Mironeasa, a remote village nestled in the green hills of this poor region, have joined in this programme launched by a Romanian consulting firm, KCMC. “I started weaving baskets when I was 16. We don’t own any land so this helped us earn some money,” said Cornel Petrechiuta, 34. “Our aim is to ensure these people a steady income and to improve the life of the community

as a whole, by setting up kindergartens, for instance,” Luis Turcitu, the local “facilitator” said. Ancient trades-Romania’s Roma community is the biggest in Europe, officially put at 530,000 though local

them take to a higher level their ancient trades,” he stressed.

Among the Roma, there is a close link between occupation and cultural identity so that Roma musicians, wicker or wood workers,

VAMA VECHE: A picture shows a Roma woman teaching to a Romanian girl to weave a whicker basket in a tent in the Black Sea shore village of Vama Veche, 270 km east from Bucharest. — AFP non-governmental organizations put it closer to two million as many hide their origins to try to escape persistent discrimination and suspicion.

The unemployment rate remains high among this minority, with barely 27 percent of adults holding a steady job, and access to health care is also quite difficult.

No steady job means no medical insurance and greater social exclusion in poor outlying districts where many Roma live, where there are sometimes no doctors or clinics. Benefitting from a five-million-euro (seven-million-dollar) grant from the European Union, “Romano Cher recreates the missing link between the Roma’s traditional skills and today’s market demands,” said Mircea Nanca, KCMC communication manager.

Unlike other social inclusion projects that undertake to teach the Roma new skills, “what we want is integrate them by helping

cauldron and iron makers rarely mingle. The project also includes an itinerant workshop that will allow Romanians to see Roma artisans at work and to try out their own skill in the various trades.

“This workshop is quite useful because we can discover a side of the Roma that contrasts with the negative image they usually have in the media,” said Cristina, a mother in her forties, while her two daughters were busy weaving a basket in the tent set up at Vama Veche, a popular beach resort on the Black Sea coast. Nanca said some 30 “handicraft cooperatives” will be set up by February 2013 and training courses will be organized for more than a thousand Roma. “If by the end of this program, people we are working with feel their lives have improved and the Romanians’ perception of the Roma’s skills and culture changes, albeit a little, we will consider it a success,” Nanca said. — AFP

UN court jails yugoslav ex-army chief THE HAGUE: A UN war crimes court sentenced ex-Yugoslav army chief Momcilo Perisic to 27 years in jail yesterday for helping the Bosnian Serb army murder and persecute Bosnian Muslims including at Srebrenica in 1995. Perisic, 67, the Yugoslavian army’s highest-ranking officer, was found guilty of 12 of 13 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed including at Srebrenica, scene of Europe’s worst wartime atrocity since World War II, and the shelling and sniping of the Bosnian Serb capital Sarajevo during its infamous siege from 1992-95. Bakone Moloto, presiding judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, said Perisic knew the Bosnian Serb army ’s actions “encompassed grave crimes against the civilian population”.

Yet the former chief-of-staff gave personnel, officers, weapons and logistical support to the Bosnian Serb army (VRS) as well as the selfproclaimed Republic of Krajina’s army (SVK), knowing it would be used to wage war and commit crimes against civilians, the judge told the court. In 1994, the Yugoslav army supplied more than 7,500 shells and over 25 million infantry bullets. Judges found Perisic guilty on four charges at Srebrenica, where some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered after the UNprotected enclave was overrun, as well as the 44-month sniping and shelling siege of Sarajevo.

Perisic “was aware that the VRS

was conducting a campaign of sniping and shelling during the siege of Sarajevo,” the judges said. Moloto, clearing Perisic on a count of extermination at Srebrenica, said however the former general “could not have foreseen” that the Bosnian Serb army would exterminate

Momcilo Perisic Muslims after the UN-protected enclave fell. Yet after learning of the massacre he still provided support for the Serb troops. “You kept providing assistance to the VRS for months after being informed of the VRS’s enormous massacre in Srebrenica,” the judge said.

Prosecutors in March asked for life imprisonment against Perisic, a close collaborator of late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic who died in his Hague detention cell in 2006. Perisic is the only senior Yugoslav official to be sentenced before the court for the Srebrenica

massacre after Milosevic, also implicated in the mass killings, died midtrial. The 18 other defendants for their role at Srebrenica are mainly Bosnian Serbs including former army chief Ratko Mladic, the court’s most-wanted man until his arrest in May. Judge Moloto said although Perisic had a “collaborative relationship” with Mladic and substantially helped his operations, “the evidence does not establish that he exercised effective control over him.” Mladic, the judge added, maintained a measure of independence throughout the war. Perisic’s subordinate, Mladic, 69, was arrested on May 26 in northeastern Serbia after 16 years on the run. The man also referred to as the “Butcher of Bosnia” is waiting for his trial to start before the ICTY on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Some of Perisic’s other former subordinates have already been tried before the ICTY including former VRS general Stanislav Galic, sentenced on appeal to life in prison in November 2006 for conducting a campaign of “terror against the civilian population” during the siege of Sarajevo. Perisic’s lawyer Gregor Guy-Smith said yesterday his client was disappointed with the judgment adding “we will file an appeal and it will be a vigorous a robust one.” “Waging a war is not a crime,” Guy-Smith added, saying “in the context of international law, this is a fundamental principle that has to be examined.” — AFP

Africans trapped in Libya fear for lives GENEVA: More than 1,200 African migrants trapped in a southern Libyan desert town held by forces loyal to fallen leader Muammar Gaddafi fear for their lives and must be evacuated as quickly as possible, an aid agency said yesterday. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) called on all sides to protect the migrants, mainly from Chad but also Niger and Nigeria, until they can be safely evacuated from its transit centre in Sabha. The group includes women and children.

“The migrants are terrified at the idea of being caught in the crossfire,” IOM spokesman Jean-Philippe Chauzy told a news briefing, alluding to the possibility of forces from Libya’s new transitional authority storming Sabha if negotiations fail. Sub-Saharan migrants have lived and worked in Libya for decades. Many have suffered increasing abuse during the conflict, sometimes accused of being mercenaries fighting alongside pro-Gaddafi forces against rebels who toppled him two weeks ago, according to the Geneva-based IOM. “Sub-Saharan Africans have been subject to discrimination, physical and verbal violence and stigma which unfortunately worsened during the last days and weeks of the Gaddafi regime. — Reuters

Nigeria discovers bomb factory near the capital Boko Haram in increasingly deadly bomb attacks ABUJA: Nigerian authorities said yesterday they had found a bombmaking factory near Abuja and had arrested six suspected members or people connected with violent Islamist sect Boko Haram, including a foreign fighter from neighbor Niger.

Authorities are investigating a bombing of the UN headquarters on Aug 26 that killed 23 people in the Nigerian capital. Last week they arrested two suspected Boko Haram members over the attack and said they suspected a third member with an al Qaeda connection led the plot.

A statement from the Department of State Services (DSS) said the six people detained were wanted in connection with the bombings of an electoral commission office on April 8, just before presidential elections, and of a church on July 10 - both in

the town of Suleja, just outside the capital Abuja. They were also wanted for the killing of four policemen.

It did not link them directly with the Abuja bomb on the UN headquarters. “The five suspects all confessed that the main supplier of the explosive materials used for their bombing operations is a miner from Nasarawa State who the Service eventually arrested on 30th August, 2011,” the statement from DSS spokeswoman Maryln Ogar said.

The others were arrested over the month of August, it said.

“A non-descript building where the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are assembled has been uncovered at an area popularly known as Chechnya, Hayin-Uku village,” she said. The statement listed what it called “the merchandise of

death” found at the factory. It included a gas cylinder, three detonators, one attached to a battery, several pieces of detonators, shrapnel, batteries and cables.

It made no mention of any explosives, beyond the gas cylinder.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is sinful” in the northern Nigerian Hausa language, has become President Goodluck Jonathan’s most intractable security challenge. It has carried out frequent shootings or attacks with homemade bombs against security services and civilians in the remote northeast. The UN bombing marks an increase in the sophistication of Boko Haram’s attacks, possibly with better explosives, and an escalation from local to international targets, analysts say. — Reuters

Battle under way for soul of ‘United States of Europe’ BRUSSELS: Star economists and former national leaders now happily argue that resolving the eurozone debt crisis will eventually demand the surrendering of sovereignty to create a fully-fledged United States of Europe. However, as they press for the political integration they say is needed to prevent the currency union collapsing on an Achilles heel of Greek debt, even advocates in unguarded moments admit resistance to the surrender of national sovereignty is rising.

Either Europe moves forward to “political union,” Nobel Prize-winning economist Nouriel Roubini said in Brussels on Monday, or the result will be “eventual disintegration, breakup.” Roubini was speaking at the launch of a manifesto by the selfappointed “Council for the Future of Europe,” a think tank set up by Nicolas Berggruen, the billionaire son of a famed German-Jewish art collector. The Nobel laureate, who accurately predicted the four-year-old financial crisis, was flanked by former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, ex-Spanish Prime Minister

Felipe Gonzalez and other luminaries.

Offering their prescription for resolving what promises to be one of the toughest and riskiest seasons in European politics since integration began amid the rubble of World War II, the group also includes ex-British premier Tony Blair and another Nobel recipient in Joseph Stiglitz.

Collectively, they said today’s masters of Europe need to swallow national pride and accept new, mutualised “eurobond” government borrowings, sovereign debt write-downs and a federal future. A deal last month between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to beef-up cross-border eurozone governance has already “overcome a taboo,” insisted Schroeder.

Even outgoing European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet separately imagined on Monday the eurozone acquiring a “confederal government with a confederal finance minister,” one who could “impose decisions.” Trying to avoid a repeat of the Greek mess-debts there now meas-

ure more than a year-and-a-half of the value of the country’s economic output-is the biggest game in town here, but the obstacles remain huge.

Today, Germany’s top court is to rule on the constitutional legality of the first Greek bailout in May 2010: at best for Merkel, it is expected to order much greater national parliamentary scrutiny of future fiscal transfers. The next day, Finland should spell out its conditions for backing the second Greek bailoutagreed in July but still to be ratified, amid a row over demands by Helsinki and others for Athens to lodge cash collateral deposits with creditors. Even at the top table, Finland managed to unpick the recommendations by Berggruen’s panel when former prime minister Matti Vanhanen broke from the group’s agreed statement and admitted: “I’m not so fond of federalism as such.”

The panel had said EU states “will need to share [transfer] cer tain dimensions of sovereignty to a central European entity that would have the capacity to source revenue at the federal level.” — AFP

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Lower Manhattan: Rising from the ashes NEW YORK: A decade after the Sept 11 attacks enveloped Lower Manhattan in a thick gray dust of pulverized buildings and human remains, the surrounding area has become a trendy neighborhood with a booming population. Although an iconic part of the New York City skyline and a symbol of New York’s exuberant commercialism, the World Trade Center’s twin towers were never much loved by locals, some of whom saw them as unattractive and out of scale with the surrounding area. Now from the horror and rubble, a new community is growing.

“It feels like one of the happiest and most rejuvenated places in the city,” said Greg Boyd, a 37-year old lawyer preparing to move into a $4,000-amonth, 500 square-foot studio in Frank Gehry’s new tower, five minutes from the site of the complex destroyed in the 2001 attacks. “I’ve seen (the neighborhood) change from a very sleepy commercial area to a family-friendly, young couple- and single-friendly place,” Boyd said.

The neighborhood, once dominated by bankers who fled after the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange, also is attracting high-profile media companies. Conde Nast, publisher of Vogue, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, will move into One World Trade Center when it opens in late 2014 or early 2015. Four new skyscrapers, a memorial and park are due to be completed on the 16-acre site of the attacks by 2015 or 2016, said developer Larry Silverstein.

One World Trade Center, the tallest of the buildings, is being developed by the Durst Organization and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,

Residential population more than doubles which owns the land. Silverstein, who held the ground lease on the original site, is developing the other buildings and has completed the adjacent 7 World Trade Center, which opened in 2006. With space and financial constraints curbing new construction elsewhere in Manhattan, Lower Manhattan has become the epicenter of state-ofthe-art construction involving some of the world’s top architects, including Gehry.

A rebuilt and upgraded World Trade Center transportation hub and the new underground Fulton Street Transit Center will connect Lower Manhattan to nearly all areas of the island, as well as to commuters from Long Island and New Jersey. Perhaps the biggest change is a revamped World Trade Center design that corrects that original towers’ biggest flaw: a fortress-like design in the heart of downtown. “It is a statement about what the possibilities are for New York City in the 21st century,” said Mary Ann Tighe, chief executive of the Tri-State Region for CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. Tiffany, Hermes, La Maison du Chocolat and other high-end retailers have already opened in the area. By the time the new World Trade Center opens, there will be more than half a million square feet of additional stores and restaurants. So far, $11.3 billion of federal money, mostly in the form of direct aid and tax breaks, has been used to rebuild the center, according to New York’s Independent Budget Office.

‘IT WAS A WALL’ With its narrow, winding streets,

NEW YORK: One World Trade Center rises above the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, in New York. The tower will be 104 floors and 1,776 feet tall when completed. Ten years after terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center, the new World Trade Center is rising from ground zero. — AP Lower Manhattan, the oldest part of the city, is rich in political and cultural history ranging from the American Revolution to abstract Expressionism.

Painters Jackson Pollock and Robert Rauschenberg had studios there. Best known as the center of US finance, the area’s financial district star ted to change in the 1960s when Wall Street businesses began their march uptown to Midtown’s newer skyscrapers.

The original World Trade Center, opened in 1973, was built to revitalize the office market in the financial district- historically a bustling money center by day when the New York Stock Exchange was open, but a veritable ghost town at night. But it never really succeeded, due par tly to a

design often derided as a cement fortress. “It was in New York but not of New York,” said Ken Jackson, Columbia University professor and editor of the Encyclopedia of New York City. “The thing about New York that makes it so special is the street life-being able to duck into a delicatessen or a grocery store. You couldn’t do that in the World Trade Center. It was a wall.”

Over time, the twin towers became an indelible part of the Manhattan skyline, serving as playground for the fictional Spider-Man and King Kong and the real-life exploits of French high-wire artist Philippe Petit, whose 1974 tightrope walk was celebrated in the film “Man on Wire.” After the towers were destroyed in Al Qaeda’s

hijacked plane attack, residents and businesses fled the neighborhood.

“There was this massive departure on 9/11,” Silverstein said. “The fumes were horrible. The environment was terrible. There were government troops all over the place. It was a war zone. It was terrible.”

The new design-facing a city of more than 8 million critics-was intended to weave the complex of buildings back into the fabric of downtown.

Westfield Group, which operated the underground mall in the original World Trade Center, is in a joint venture with the Port Authority to spend $1.25 billion to build more than 364,000 square feet of retail space at the World Trade Center complex and transportation hub. At the adjacent 8 million-square-foot World Financial Center, Brookfield Office Properties Inc plans to spend $250 million to expand the retail areas to 200,000 square feet of stores and restaurants focused on downtown residents and visitors as well as office workers.

21ST CENTURY SKYSCRAPER Residential apartment buildings are also making their mark on the downtown skyline. As many financial institutions moved to Midtown, towers that once housed Morgan Stanley and Lehman Bros were converted into luxury apartments for a residential population that has more than doubled to 56,000 from 22,904 in 2000. Boyd’s new 51st-floor apartment is in “New York by Gehry,” a 76-story, luxury residential tower. The New York Times called it the city’s finest skyscraper in half a century, saying it “seems to lift Lower Manhattan out of its decadelong gloom.” — Reuters

Obama and Republicans battered in new polls Americans frustrated over economy, squabbling

TEXAS: Firefighters battle a large wildfire on Highway 71 near Smithville, Texas. —AP

Wildfires sweep Texas, charring 1,000 homes AUSTIN: Wildfires sweeping across drought-stricken Texas have destroyed more than 1,000 homes in the last several days as they move into more populated areas, Governor Rick Perry said yesterday. Perry surveyed damage in west Austin yesterday, where dozens of homes have been destroyed and hundreds evacuated. Speaking after his visit, the Texas governor, who left the presidential campaign trail to deal with the fires, said he hopes cooler temperatures and slowing winds will help firefighters contain more than 50 fires across the state.

“The magnitude of these losses are pretty stunning,” Perry said at a news conference in west Austin. “We’ve got a lot of Texans living in shelters now.”

Earlier in a television interview, Perry called the fires in central Texas “a very fluid and very critical” situation. Schools were closed and churches were filled with evacuees across central Texas yesterday, and blazes were still being fought in north Texas near Fort Worth and east to Houston.

Nearly 600 homes have been destroyed in communities on the outskirts of Austin and nearby Bastrop

County, a rural community about 40 miles southeast of the city. More than 3.6 million acres in Texas have been scorched by wildfires since November, fed by a continuing drought that has caused more than $5 billion in damage to the state’s agricultural industry and shows no sign of easing. Officials said the worst of the fires was the Bastrop County Complex fire, east of Austin, which stretched for 16 miles and more than 30,000 acres. Authorities said two people were killed on Sunday.

A small number of firefighters have been treated forheat-related issues, officials said, but no serious injuries have been reported among the hundreds of personnel on scene. Perry, the front-runner among Republican presidential candidates, canceled his appearance at a candidate roundtable in South Carolina on Monday to return to Austin. He told reporters in Austin that he was focused on the firefighting effort and did not know whether he would attend a Republican candidates debate in California today. “We’ll deal with that as it shows up. I’m substantially more concerned with making sure Texans are being take care of,” he said. — Reuters

Romney unveils his plan, jabs at Obama WASHINGTON: Republican US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney unveils his economic plan yesterday, focusing on lower taxes, less regulation, scrapping the Obama health plan and ending trade “surrender” to countries such as China.

The former front-runner in his party, Romney said President Barack Obama “has had his turn at fixing the American economy” and has failed.

“For my part, I believe America can do better,” Romney writes in the USA Today newspaper ahead of a speech later in the day on his economic plan. “I have spent most of my career in the private sector starting new businesses and turning around ailing ones. Unlike career politicians who’ve never met a payroll, I know why jobs come and go.” Romney said he has “59 specific proposals-including 10

concrete actions” he would undertake on his first day in office to turn around the economy.

“Each proposal is rooted in the conser vative premise that government itself cannot create jobs. At best, government can provide a framework in which economic growth can occur. All too often, however, government gets in the way. The past three years of unparalleled government expansion have retaught that lesson all too well.” Romney, who had been the early frontrunner but now trails Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry in presidential polls, said that tax on income, saving and investment “must be kept low” and that “taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains for middle-income taxpayers should be eliminated.” — AFP

WASHINGTON: Public support for both President Barack Obama and the US Congress has hit news lows, as a pair of polls yesterday reflected Americans’ frustration with the stalled economy and rancorous partisan squabbling. A Washington Post/ABC News poll, released just days ahead of Obama’s planned major address on job creation, found that 53 percent disapprove of his job performance and 77 percent think the country is on the “wrong track.”

The poll found 35 percent of Americans believe they have become worse off financially under Obama’s presidency, the highest since the 1980s. The poll found that 34 percent of Americans believe his efforts have done more harm than good for the economy, compared to 17 percent who believe the opposite, reflecting the main line of attack of Republicans hoping to take back the White House in next year’s elections.

However, the poll also found anger aimed

at Republicans, with 68 percent of those surveyed disapproving of the job performance of Republican lawmakers, 15 points higher than Obama’s disapproval rating. And on whom Americans trust to handle the economy, job creation and the federal deficit, Obama and the Republicans poll about evenly, at around 40 percent for all three. Meanwhile an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll also showed Obama’s approval rating had fallen sharply.

The poll found the percentage of Americans who view Obama negatively at an all-time high 51 percent, while the percentage holding positive feelings, 44 percent, is at its lowest point since late 2007, when he was still a presidential candidate. The same poll found that 82 percent of Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing, the highest percentage ever of disaffection for lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The survey found that approval of the president’s handling of the economy at a low of 37 percent, while only 19 percent

believe the country is headed in the right direction, the lowest mark of his presidency.

The dismal poll numbers raised the stakes for Obama’s major address to be delivered before a joint session of Congress Thursday, at which he is to announce a new plan to get the economy back on track and try to chip away at the country’s stubborn nine percent unemployment.

In a rare bright spot for the president, the ABC/Washington Post poll found that 62 percent of Americans approve of his battle against terrorism, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and four months after the killing of Osama bin Laden. That poll was conducted Aug 29September 1, surveyed 1,001 adults and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

The NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, which had a 3.1 percent sampling error, was taken between August 27 and August 31 and surveyed 1,000 adults. — AFP

Petraeus sworn in as new CIA chief WASHINGTON: David Petraeus was sworn in yesterday as head of the CIA to direct the civilian covert war against Al-Qaeda after years of command in Iraq and Afghanistan as America’s most influential general. Petraeus, 58, who succeeds Leon Panetta, now the defense secretary, hung up his army uniform less than a week ago after a 37-year military career to take on the new role as spymaster. “Duty, honor and country,” said Vice President Joe Biden as he swore in Petraeus at the White House. “The day I met you in Afghanistan, those words came to mind. You have had a truly distinguished career, general. You’ve excelled in every single thing you’ve done.”

Dressed in a business suit with a burgundy tie, Petraeus swore the oath of office on a Bible in the Roosevelt room of the White House, instead of CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.

Biden, who has had sharp policy differences with Petraeus in the past, said the White House venue was chosen “because there’s literally no time to waste. The president wants him on the job.” “ Thanks to President (Barack) Obama for his confidence in an old soldier. I had a great retirement. That’s been a terrific week,” Petraeus quipped.

A voracious consumer of intelligence, Petraeus brings to his new job his experience as a commander who melded military and intelligence operations to an extraordinary degree in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The CIA has conducted a lethal and often controversial campaign of drone attacks that Panetta contends has brought AlQaeda to the brink of strategic defeat.

But Petraeus also inherits tense relations with Islamabad and its intelligence services, which were infuriated

by a May 2 raid by US Navy SEALs that killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden deep inside Pakistan.

The Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Agency reacted by arresting Pakistani informants who helped the CIA prepare for the raid, and US suspicions of Pakistani complicity in harboring bin Laden have run high.

Nevertheless, there were signs of a thaw over the weekend, after the Pakistani army announced it had arrested a senior Al-Qaeda operative with the help of the US intelligence agency. As CIA director, Petraeus’s responsibilities extend far beyond AlQaeda to some of the hardest and most complex targets facing US intelligence-North Korea, Iran and China among them. — AFP

WASHINGTON: General David Petraeus, former head of the allied forces in Afghanistan, takes the oath of office as the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency yesterday. — AFP

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Bloomberg blames guns for violence NEW YORK: New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg blamed illegal handguns for a shooting that killed three people and wounded two police officers a few blocks from the route of the annual West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, saying federal officials have not had the “courage” to take steps to control gun use. Bullet fragments hit one police officer in the left arm and chest Monday night. He was hospitalized but was expected to survive. Another officer was grazed by a bullet. Two shooters were killed along with a bystander, 56-year-old Denise Gay, who was shot while sitting on a stoop with her daughter nearby, two doors down from the exchange of gunfire.

Bloomberg said Gay’s death was “a senseless murder, and another painful reminder I think of what happens when elected officials in Washington fail to take the problem of illegal guns seriously.” Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the gunman who killed Gay had an extensive criminal history, including criminal possession of a firearm and assault and drug charges. “This is a national problem requiring national leadership,” Bloomberg said, “but at the moment neither end of Pennsylvania Avenue has had the courage to take basic steps that would save lives.” The gunshots rang out just after 9 p.m. Monday in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood after the hours-long parade, which also was marred by fatal shootings in 2003 and 2005. Postparade parties are common, but police wouldn’t say if Monday’s fatal shooting was related to the parade. The shootings started as an exchange between two armed men, and when officers who had been assigned to parade duties arrived at the scene, they were fired upon and returned fire, police said. — AP

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9/11 memories fire US troops in uncertain Afghan war BAGRAM AIRFIELD: Many American soldiers were still schoolchildren on 9/11, but the attacks drew them to the frontlines of a US adventure in Afghanistan that even after a decade has no certain outcome. The long war has cost hundreds of billions of dollars, killed thousands and could end with more civil conflict or even the Taleban back in power, analysts say.

But for many waging the fight, the fateful events of 10 years ago remain a powerful motivation. “To be honest, I didn’t know what the World Trade Center was, but I knew it was an attack against America,” 23-year-old US army 2nd lieutenant Holly Kellmurray said.

She was 13 years old and in a school home economics class in upstate New York when news of the strikes on the Twin Towers broke, eventually leading her to train as an army officer and deploy to Afghanistan. “I had no interest in the military really until 9/11. I just got struck by the patriotism-it’s just like a switch turned on and I said, ‘I need to serve my country.’”

Last month was the deadliest for US troops in the course of the decade of fighting that began with the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom and snowballed into a huge effort currently involving around 140,000 troops from 48 countries. Launched a month after the 9/11 attacks, the US-led militar y campaign under president George W. Bush was designed to topple the Taleban and ensure Al-Qaeda

could no longer use Afghanistan as a safe haven. Experts believe Al-Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden escaped over the border to Pakistan in December 2001 - he was finally killed in a covert raid by US commandos in Pakistan in May. So far, the war has cost America alone $444 billion and more than 1,750 dead.

According to Brown University in the US, some 33,877 people-including foreign and Afghan troops, civilians and insurgents-have died.

But for soldiers like Captain Olaseni Bello, 30, who moved to America aged nine from Nigeria, the events of 10 years ago still fire the sentiment he felt for his adopted country’s way of life when it came under attack. “You have these two skyscrapers that pretty much mark the city-it’s a symbol, it’s more than New York, it ’s also American entrepreneurism, international aspects, the appeal of our reach,” said the army lawyer.

Sergeant First Class Celia Torres was working as a military recruiter near New York at the time of the attacks, and the 42-year-old won awards for the number of people she signed up to serve in Afghanistan. “It’s hard to say the word ‘revenge’. You try not to use those words-payback, revengebut that’s pretty much how people felt. They just wanted to hit back,” she said. But despite the patriotic fervor, America’s war faces a deeply uncertain outcome, three years ahead of a drawdown of all foreign combat forces and as a weak Afghan state struggles with

corruption and fledgling security forces. Of 100,000 US troops in Afghanistan, 33,000 will leave by mid2012, even as a still-potent Taleban insurgency is focused on headlinegrabbing suicide attacks against government officials and foreign targets.

ried about what happens in 2014,” said Kate Clark of Kabul-based thinktank the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

“The fear that many people have here is that if the politics aren’t dealt with, what we will see is, when the

SALANG: US soldiers carry the body of one of two Germans who were found in Salang, north of Kabul yesterday. Two bodies believed to be those of the Germans who went missing last month in mountains north of Kabul were recovered and handed over to US soldiers yesterday. — AFP And this year is on track to be the bloodiest yet for civilians, with casualties up 15 percent in the first six months, according to UN figures.

Eighty percent of the deaths were down to insurgents. “I’m deeply wor-

international forces pull out, there will be a proper civil war.” In 10 years of conflict, battlefield successes have ebbed and flowed for the US-led troops who invaded the country on October 7, 2001 alongside the anti-

Taleban mujahedeen, driving the Taleban from Kabul by early December. Senior officers now admit that early wins in Afghanistan may have fostered a complacency that helped the Taleban rebuild later on.

A shift in focus and resources to fight the US war in Iraq led to greater instability in Afghanistan, and violence flared again in 2007 and 2008 as the Taleban regrouped in tribal areas of Pakistan close to the porous border. In 2002, 70 foreign troops were killed, but by 2008 the year’s death toll was 296, rising to 521 in 2009, according to independent website iCasualties.org.

After US President Barack Obama took office in 2009, he promised to end the conflict by sending 30,000 troops to Afghanistan’s south, the insurgency’s heartland, to hammer the Taleban.

But now as some foreign troops start to withdraw, the Kabul government and its Western sponsors are trying to pursue peace talks with the Taleban, raising the possibility of their return to power-a prospect bound to make many serving soldiers uneasy. A memorial ceremony will be held on Sunday ’s anniversar y of 9/11 at Bagram Airfield, the US military’s main command center for eastern Afghanistan.

Outside the main operational hub on the giant base sits a large slab of steel from the World Trade Center, adorned with a small, frayed American flag a potent reminder of the sacrifices wrought by the events a decade ago. — AFP

India, Bangladesh sign border deal India PM in ‘historic’ trip to Bangladesh

SYDNEY: A man claiming to have a bomb gestures after smashing the window of a law firm and holding his young daughter hostage near Sydney yesterday. —AFP

Siege at Sydney law firm SYDNEY: A man who marched into a Sydney law office with his daughter and said he had a bomb in his backpack was taken into custody yesterday after a tense, 12-hour standoff with police. The man’s 12-year-old daughter was released and reunited with her family, New South Wales police said. She was distressed, but otherwise unharmed, police said. Police did not immediately say whether explosives had been found in the man’s backpack.

“Towards the latter part of the time we’ve been here, those negotiations have started to break down and then deteriorate to a stage where police have taken action to break into the premises and take a 52-year-old man into custody,” Police Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said. “He’s currently assisting police with their ongoing inquires.” Police have not released the man’s name, or released details of a possible motive. The man had issued a series of demands to officials, but police haven’t said what he wanted. The drama began yesterday morning, when the man walked into the reception area of the lawyers’ offices.

Employee Betty Hor said he approached her and asked to see someone whom Hor had never heard of. The man went upstairs briefly then returned to reception and repeated his request.

She told him again that she had never heard of the man he was seeking. Hor said the man then threw a book at her desk and told her to call the unknown man and the state attorney-general’s

department and “tell them I’ve got a bomb in my backpack.” Hor called police as the man walked to a lawyer’s office with the girl, who called him “Dad.” Emergency crews rushed to the scene, evacuated the office building and cordoned off the street below.

Dozens of police officers swarmed around the perimeter of the building, and ambulances, fire trucks and the police riot team waited nearby. Clifford previously declined to comment on reports the man was arrested Monday at a government building after he was involved in an incident at the state parliament in Sydney. Jeremy Buckingham, a lawmaker from the minor Greens opposition party, said the man spoke to him Monday at state parliament about legal issues. “He said he had information he wanted to show the attorney-general.

He did not clearly articulate his issues,” Buckingham told parliament yesterday.

During the standoff, Australian broadcasters showed footage of the man looking from a second-floor window shirtless and wearing the kind of wig worn by judges and lawyers in Australian courts.

At one point he spat on the wig. He also swung a glass bottle like a hammer to smash a plate-sized hole in the office window. He yelled through the hole and threw the bottle, then a telephone handset, which was left dangling by its cord.

He extended his hand from the broken window to make a peace sign then threw out a note. Clifford declined to comment on its contents. — AP

Three die as quake hits Sumatra island SUBULUSSALAM: Three people were killed yesterday when a 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia’s Sumatra island, officials said. The quake struck deep underground shortly after midnight around 400 kilometers southeast of Banda Aceh on the northern tip of Sumatra, the US Geological Survey said. Falling debris killed a 10-year-old boy as he slept in his home in Subulussalam, Aceh province, a doctor said. “The boy was sleeping next to his mother when a wall collapsed and bricks fell onto his stomach, crushing him. His mother brought him to us but we couldn’t save him in time,” the doctor, named Hasbi, said.

Two other people were killed in separate incidents, the National Disaster Management Agency said. Panicked residents rushed out of their homes,

many crying and screaming for help, as the quake shook the area for around two minutes, according to an AFP correspondent. “That was the strongest quake I’d ever felt. I thought the end of the world was here,” 42-year-old farmer Abdul Kader Angkat said.

The jolt was also felt by residents in the cities of Banda Aceh and Medan, officials said. The Hawaiibased Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the quake was too far inland to generate a tsunami. Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where the collision of continental plates causes high seismic activity. Aceh was devastated when a 9.1-magnitude quake off Sumatra in December 2004 triggered a huge tsunami that k illed more than 220,000 people around the Indian Ocean. — AFP

DHAKA: India and Bangladesh signed a raft of agreements yesterday during a visit to Dhaka

by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, including one to resolve long-running border disputes. The South Asian neighbors concluded a land boundary agreement to demarcate their 4,000 kilometer shared border and sort out 162 “enclaves”-small pockets of one country’s territory surrounded by the other. “Both of our countries have now demarcated the entire land boundary and have resolved the status of enclaves,” Singh said at a ceremony with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Bangladeshi capital.

Relations between the two nations have been marked by decades of mutual mistrust and low-level border clashes that have prevented the development of substantive trade and political ties. More than 50,000 people live in the enclaves, cut off from their respective governments and without access to many basic services. The enclaves date back to ownership arrangements made centuries ago between local princes, and they survived the partition of the sub-continent in 1947 after British rule and Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence with Pakistan. Hasina said the deal was a “historic understanding” which would resolve the countries’ lingering border issues.

“For neighbors, borders cannot have walls, but windows for collaboration and exchange.

This is why relations with our neighbors require special focus,” she said. Singh’s twoday visit comes after an embarrassing slip-up in June, when remarks he made claiming that many Bangladeshis were “very anti-Indian” were posted on his official website before being swiftly removed with the explanation that they were “off the record”. Nevertheless ties have improved since the traditionally proIndian Awami League party, led by Hasina, swept to power in Bangladesh’s 2009 polls.

Last year India gave Bangladesh a billiondollar soft loan, the biggest credit package New Delhi has ever earmarked for any nation.

In a bid to address the two countries’ large trade imbalance, Hasina and Singh said India had agreed to grant duty-free access to 46 Bangladeshi products, mainly textiles. But the countries failed to agree on a key deal to

share water from the Teesta River, after opposition from the chief minister of India’s West Bengal the largest Indian state bordering Bangladesh.

Mamata Banerjee pulled out of Singh’s delegation to Dhaka, saying the proposed new

visit to Bangladesh in order to eat the country’s most popular fish delicacy, hilsa. Hilsa fish will be on the menu for official functions during the Indian prime minister ’s visit, Bangladeshi officials said, although both Singh and his wife are vegetarians. Hilsa is a

DHAKA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (left) and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wave to the media after Hasina received Singh at the airport in Dhaka yesterday. — AP treaty conceded too much. “We have decided to continue discussions to reach a mutually acceptable, amicable and fair agreement on the sharing of the... river water,” Singh said at the ceremony in Dhaka. Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, won independence in 1971 with Indian military help, but relations have been patchy ever since. India is currently seeking to improve ties with its close neighbors, partly in a bid to counter the growing regional influence of China, which is Bangladesh’s largest trade partner.

‘Vegetarian vow’ Meanwhile, Singh says he is willing to break his “vegetarian vow” during a two-day

Bengali delicacy and one of the most popular dishes for the some 250 million Bengalis who live in both Bangladesh and the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

“I am willing to break my vegetarian vow because I have heard about the delicious dish of hilsa fish. So I am willing to make that exception,” Singh was quoted as saying by a Bangladesh news agency ahead of his arrival. Many Indians are vegetarian but Singh’s Sikh religion does not require him to be one. Although hilsa are also caught in the rivers of West Bengal and in the western Indian state of Gujarat, the varieties from Bangladesh are considered more delicious. — Agencies

Eager for trade, North Korea looks to Beijing RASON: A paved Chinese highway edged with telecommunications towers and electricity lines comes to a halt at the border with North Korea, giving way to a landscape seemingly frozen in time.

Oxen plow the fields and cooking smoke rises from farmhouses where fish and tobacco are laid out to dry. A scarecrow lists in a sea of bright green rice plants. In the distance, three men on horseback race toward a small village.

Cutting through this remote idyll is a yellow ribbon of pale dirt that is the start of a Chinese-built road to the port of Rason that North Korean officials envision as a pathway to prosperity bringing in investors, tourists and muchneeded hard currency. The project shows that North Korea is turning to China to revive a moribund economy, relinquishing years of wariness toward its giant neigh-

bor and its market reforms in a sign of desperation.

For China, the road offers a quick route from its landlocked northeast to the ocean, big investment opportunities and a chance to prevent instability in its neighbor. Chinese travel agents, potential investors and foreign journalists recently traveled into the North to get a look at the special economic zone Pyongyang is promoting in Rason. It lies in the far northeastern tip of North Korea, 600 miles from Pyongyang, but will be about an hour’s drive from China once the road is completed.

Rumbling Chinese cargo trucks already ply the route, churning up plumes of choking dust and ferrying containers of Chinese-made shoes, plastic toys, computer speakers, T-shirts and DVDs to the Rason Free Trade Market. The market, a 13-year-old experiment in

small-scale capitalism, has been so successful that the Chinese managing company, the Tianyu Group, is planning to expand the jam-packed 54,000-square-foot market to 320,000 square feet, Tianyu vice director Zheng Zhexi said.

“As I see it, this is the way of economic development, and it’s something that the people want,” Zheng said. “I think it’s reached a point where it cannot be reversed.” North Korea declared the area a special economic zone 20 years ago. But after a brief flurry of activity and funding from the UN Development Program, the project languished without backing from Pyongyang’s leadership. Leader Kim Jong Il had long worried about becoming overly reliant on China, and during a decade of warming ties on the Korean peninsula, he focused on

building ties with newly rich South Korea. However, nearly all trade and joint ventures have come to a standstill since President Lee Myung-bak took office in 2008 with a tough policy toward North Korea.

With North Korea’s estimated yearly gross domestic product hovering at just $1,800 per person, building the economy is at the core of Kim’s current government policy. A succession campaign to groom his son as the country’s next leader have added urgency to the economic push.

Rason has benefited from the shift in Pyongyang’s priorities.

When Zheng arrived in 1997 to set up the market, people were hesitant to get involved. Now Tianyu doesn’t have the space to approve even a fraction of the applications from prospective vendors, he said. — AP

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Ordeal for maid who escaped Saudi sword Continued from Page 1 The execution in June of a 53-yearold grandmother, Ruyati binti Satubim, sparked mass protests in Indonesia and prompted the government’s first effort to do more to protect the 1.2 million women who flock to Saudi Arabia every year to work as domestic help. It recalled its ambassador from Riyadh, and last month barred any further workers from going to the Gulf kingdom. But Darsem’s case has stolen the show, sparking fierce debate in the world’s most populous Muslim nation on whether she should donate her windfall. Some Indonesian lawmakers fret that the public may not be as likely to give next time around, even if a life is at stake.

Life’s been anything but easy for Darsem. She dropped out of school before finishing 6th grade and moved to the capital, Jakarta, so she could help support her family. By 15, she was married and pregnant and months later she went to the Middle East - first Oman, then United Arab Emirates and finally Saudi Arabia - as she’d seen many other young women do before her. Theirs were the nice concrete houses, standing out among the wooden shacks lit by oil lamps. They had the shiny Yamaha motorcycles, the 21-inch TVs carried through doorways in big, brown cardboard boxes.

She’d heard, but chose to ignore, the stories about maids working abroad women killed by their bosses, stabbed with scissors or burned with hot irons.

“My husband didn’t have a job, my father was getting old, I thought it was our best chance,” Darsem says from the living room of her parent’s two-room house, aqua-blue paint chipping off the walls. She refuses to talk about what happened next, saying she wants to put it behind her.

But according to Saudi media reports, Darsem killed her employer’s relative - a man who was mentally ill with a hammer to the head after he attacked her. She then threw his body in an empty water tank and covered it with concrete. Darsem spent the next 3 1/2 years in a Saudi jail, but it wasn’t until the beheading of Ruyati, also accused of murdering an abusive boss, that her luck finally turned.

Newspapers and activists on Facebook and Twitter championed her cause.

The government quickly scraped

together the $500,000 demanded by the family of Darsem’s victim for her release. The public also chipped in: Men held out boxes and nets on traffic-clogged streets to collect change from motorists, women went to schools or mosques and - when she finally came home - a TV station handed her $140,000 from its viewers.

That’s a fortune in the predominantly Muslim nation of 240 million, where many people make less than $200 a month.

In Trungtum, a struggling, coastal town 180 km from Jakarta, Darsem may as well be a millionaire. Everyone has a suggestion as to how she should spend the money, she said, and they all have their hands out. “But why should I give them anything? They did nothing to help my family when I was gone,” she says of her neighbors, pointing to the roof above her, badly damaged in a heavy storm and patched together by her father’s own hands. Asked why she doesn’t help with legal fees of 23 Indonesians still on death row in Saudi Arabia - the most popular suggestion on Twitter and op-ed pages - the round-faced girl with dark, slow-blinking eyes looks incredulous. “I didn’t even know those women,” Darsem says. “There were dozens in my cell all the time. They were always coming and going. But really, who are they to me?”

But despite the rumors, Darsem is hardly living large. The $10,000 house she’s building 50 m from her parents’ is not much bigger or more extravagant than any of her neighbors’ and her future plans are modest: Some land to grow rice. A new, wooden fishing boat for her dad. A sewing machine to open a tailor’s shop. “... A good education for my son,” she says. But she can’t escape the gossip. Each trip she takes to the market is scrutinized: the baskets filled with colorful fresh fruits, the new kitchen appliances. The vendors, fishermen and housewives say hello and then, after she passes, talk about her clothes or the gold necklace, studded with a tiny piece of translucent jade, that rests delicately on her brown skin.

Handing out cash - for sympathy and celebration - is common across Asia. But the implications of direct giving are rarely considered. “I don’t think it was a good idea to give her money beyond what was necessary to set her free,” said Peter Singer, a Princeton University professor who has written

extensively about ethics and charity.

“But once it’s given to her, you can’t really have any expectations on what she does with it.” Darsem, meanwhile, says the money she’s clinging too so tightly hasn’t made her happy. “I feel stressed all the time,” she said, adding that there isn’t one person in Trungtum she’d call a friend.

In the end, she decided to take back her estranged husband, even though he had remarried while she was gone and had another child, ignoring their own son, Ahmad Safi, now 6. He’s the only one she can come close to trusting. “I don’t know why everyone’s turned against me,” she said. “Would they rather I was miserable and destitute? Really... it’s not fair.”

The local TV station that collected the $140,000 on Darsem’s behalf has taken much of the heat. Many viewers thought they were saving the girl from the executioner’s sword, but the government insisted it was responsible for the “blood money” demanded by the victim’s family. So TVOne decided to give it to Darsem. Standing awkwardly beside her as she accepted the cash almost a sideshow - was Een Nuraini, the daughter of the woman who was beheaded.

“I don’t know why they even invited me,” said the 35-year-old who lives in Sukatani, a small village a few hours from Trungtum. “But when Darsem promised on live TV to share some of the money, I hoped to be able to use it to send my mother’s parents to Makkah for the hajj pilgrimage.”

Several weeks later, Darsem called and asked her to come. Darsem presented Een Nuraini with an envelope containing $2,000. It was well short of what she expected, and nowhere near enough for her grandparents’ trip. “I don’t think she understands,” said Een Nuraini, her eyes welling with tears from beneath her dark gray headscarf.

“The only reason she got all this attention - not just the money but also help from the government - was because of my mother.”

She says no one has supported her family. Neither the government, nor the public. Asked what she intended to do with Darsem’s money, she looks up and says softly, with no sign of regret, “Oh ... it’s gone already. I gave it all to the local mosque and orphanage in my mom’s name. I know that’s what she would have wanted.” — AP

Turkey raising naval presence amid tensions Continued from Page 1 Once Israel’s closest friend in the Muslim world, Turkey has been increasingly critical of the Jewish state since Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002. There was widespread outrage in May last year when eight Turkish nationals and an American of Turkish descent died on the Mavi Marmara, the lead ship of the six-vessel convoy taking aid to the Palestinian territory of Gaza, in a raid by Israeli special forces in international waters.

A new UN report has criticised the “excessive” force in the raid but also angered the Palestinians by upholding Israel’s right to impose a naval blockade on Gaza to prevent arms reaching the Islamist movement Hamas.

Unlike other European countries which regard Hamas as a terrorist group, Turkey has refused to blacklist the Islamists who are the rulers of Gaza and Erdogan said he may pay a visit to Gaza, entering via neighbouring Egypt. “We are talking with the Egyptians on this matter ... A trip to Gaza is not finalised yet,” Erdogan, who is due to visit Egypt next week, told reporters. Such a visit to the tiny strip of Palestinian territory alongside the Mediterranean would be bound to infuriate Israel but Erdogan seemed in no mood for diplomacy. “Israel has always played the role of a spoilt child,” he said in reference to Israel’s attitude towards the Palestinians.

And in another display of muscle-flexing, Erdogan said that Turkish naval vessels would be more visible in the eastern Mediterranean. Erdogan’s threat to send warships into waters where Israel’s navy operates raises the risk of a naval confrontation between the two powers. “The eastern Mediterranean is not a strange place to us. Aksaz and Iskenderun - these places have the power and opportunity to provide escorts,” Erdogan told reporters in Ankara, referring to two Turkish naval bases.

“From now our vessels will be seen more often in those waters. We will see them very often”, said Erdogan.

Speaking after Erdogan’s comments, an Israeli official said the government there did not want its relationship with Turkey to deteriorate any further. “Israel does not want to see a further deterioration in its relations with Turkey,” he told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Over the past few months, there have been numerous attempts to create a positive dynamic in keeping the relationship between Jerusalem and Ankara but so far, those efforts have not succeeded.”

Earlier in the day, Amos Gilad, a senior Israeli defence official, had sounded a warning to Turkey against pursuing “an extremist policy” while saying that the military attache would remain in place in the Ankara mission.

Speaking shortly before Erdogan’s announcement while on a tour of the occupied Golan Heights, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said it was “very important” for both parties to act rationally and not exacerbate the situation.

There has been widespread disquiet at the fallout between the two countries with UN chief Ban Ki-moon among those expressing fears that it could impact on the wider Middle East peace process. Turkey was the first Muslim-majority country to formally recognise the state of Israel in 1949 and the two countries had held regular joint military exercises. Turkey has also long been a favourite tourist destination for Israelis who are barred from visiting many other countries in the region.

The spat has already impacted on tourism with Turkish travellers complaining they were singled out for strip searches while flying out of Tel Aviv at the weekend. The Israeli foreign ministry said 40 of its nationals were held for an hour and a half for questioning at Istanbul airport on Monday before they were released.

Israel has expanded patrols in the eastern Mediterranean to enforce the Gaza blockade it says is needed to prevent arm smuggling to Hamas and deter any Lebanese Hezbollah militant attack on gas platforms. Turkish media reported that Erdogan held a meeting with Turkey’s chief military commander, General Necdet Ozel, yesterday to discuss developments with Israel. Some Turkish and Israeli commentators have suggested Turkey might use the feud with Israel to build up naval patrols in seas between the Jewish state and the divided island of Cyprus. Turkey has bitterly complained about recent Cypriot-Israeli energy deals and the presence of Turkish ships would have a menacing effect.

Turkey and Cyprus have been at odds for decades over the ethnically split island, whose internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government is an EU member.

Turkish Cypriots live in a breakaway state in northern Cyprus only recognised by Turkey. Asked about exploratory drilling for natural gas by Greek Cypriots, Egemen Bagis, Turkey’s European Union minister, told Turkish media last week: “It is for this (reason) that countries have warships. It is for this (reason) that we have equipment and we train our navies.” — Agencies

Khorafi denies WikiLeaks report on poll...

Continued from Page 1 The document was created by MP Mohammad Al-Mutair and was signed by seven other MPs. More lawmakers are expected to sign the authorization. Also, two more MPs signed a document on a special website created by youth activists raising the number of MPs who have already signed to 19. MPs sign a pledge that they have no relation to the alleged KD 25 million deposits made to the accounts of the two MPs. The proposed emergency session will specifically debate measures taken by the government on the alleged

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

huge bank deposits and also measures taken by the Central Bank. The government said yesterday after the weekly Cabinet meeting that it was briefed by the Central Bank about legal measures regarding the alleged bank deposits. The Cabinet statements did not elaborate on the measures about reports that the issue and the suspected beneficiaries will be referred to the public prosecution.

The emergency meeting is also due to debate and pass a host of anti-corruption bills including clash of interests bill, wealth disclosure and the establishment of an anti-corruption authority.

Meanwhile, the four MPs of the Popular Action Bloc - Ahmad AlSaadoun, Musallam Al-Barrak, Khaled Al-Tahous and Ali Al-Deqbasi - in addition to Mislem proposed a new addition to the 2002 anti-money laundering law. The new additions require banks and financial institutions to report any deposits made in violation of the law and rules specified by the Central Bank since 2006 to the finance minister who should in turn submit the same list to the Assembly. The MPs said the new addition is made to ensure that no illegal deposits are made in the future that may violate the anti-money laundering law.

NYPD eyed mosques and student groups Continued from Page 1 Still others were identified for what the documents refer to as “rhetoric”.

Other reasons are less clear. Two mosques, for instance, were flagged for having ties to Al-Azhar, the 1,000-year-old Egyptian mosque that is the pre-eminent institute of Islamic learning in the Sunni Muslim world. Al-Azhar was one of the first religious institutions to condemn the 2001 terrorist attacks. President George W. Bush’s close adviser, Karen Hughes, visited Al-Azhar in 2005 and applauded its courage. Al-Azhar was also a sponsor of President Barack Obama’s 2009 speech reaching out to the Muslim world.

The list of mosques where undercover agents or informants operated includes ones that Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has visited and that area officials have mentioned as part of the region’s strong ties to the Muslim community.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has stood beside leaders of some mosques on the list as allies in fighting terrorism. The documents are a series of internal presentations, including one prepared for Kelly. Following the AP’s reporting, they were provided to the AP and veteran New York police reporter Leonard Levitt, who runs the website NYPDConfidential.com. Because the list of mosques is so long and explanation for the surveillance is so limited, the AP is not identifying the individual mosques that were under surveillance.

An NYPD spokesman and spokeswoman did not immediately return messages seeking comment yesterday, a holiday. The police department has said it follows leads and does not trawl entire neighborhoods. New York Police identified 263 “hot spots” throughout the city, the documents show. Like the mosques, the examples of hot spots ranged

from businesses that sold untaxed cigarettes and where inflammatory rhetoric was overheard to those with less obvious criminal connections.

At one Bangladeshi restaurant, for instance, police identified a “devout crowd” from a nearby mosque - which was not among the listed mosques of concern. The restaurant’s list of “alleged activities” also included being a “popular meeting location for political activities”. It is another example undercutting Bloomberg’s claim that the NYPD does not take religion into account in its policing. Last week the AP revealed that the NYPD maintained a list of “ancestries of interest” that included “American Black Muslim,” which is a religion, not an ancestry.

Police also kept tabs on seven of the area’s Muslim student associations, defined in the documents as “a university-based student group, with an Islamic focus, involved with religious and political activities.” Two were flagged for having Salafi speakers. One was cited for having students who are “politically active and are radicalizing”. The documents appear at times at odds with the White House’s newly released policy on combating violent extremism. That document discourages authorities from casting suspicion on communities or conflating strong religious views with violent extremism. The White House has declined to comment on the NYPD’s clandestine programs but has applauded its counterterrorism efforts.

Since the AP reports, several Muslim civil rights groups and a New York congresswoman have urged the Justice Department to investigate the NYPD for what critics see as racial profiling. Under US Attorney General Eric Holder, the Justice Department has stepped up investigations of local police departments for possible civil rights violations, but none involves national security cases.— AP

Libyan convoy enters Niger, elders in talks Continued from Page 1 the elders heading north away from the town towards Tarhuna.

Chief negotiator Kenshil was not immediately available for comment.

The gathering at a mosque in Wishtata village, on the outskirts of the besieged town, started and ended with prayers and celebratory gunfire. As the tensions eased, rumours swirled that Gaddafi had fled to neighbouring Niger following reports that a convoy of up to 200 vehicles had crossed from Libya. The convoy drove through the city of Agadez, a stronghold of the former Tuareg rebellion the ousted Libyan leader once supported, a Niger military source said on condition of anonymity.

“I saw an exceptionally large and rare convoy of several dozen vehicles enter Agadez from Arlit... and go towards Niamey,” the source said.

“There are persistent rumours that Gaddafi or one of his sons are travelling in the convoy,” the source said,

adding the convoy included civilian and military vehicles. Tripoli’s new rulers confirmed it knew of a convoy crossing into Niger. “We can confirm that around 200 cars crossed from Libya to Niger, but we can’t confirm who was in this convoy,” Jalal AlGallal, the NTC spokesman in the Libyan capital, told AFP. Niger’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum was adamant the ousted Libyan leader was not in the convoy. “It is not true, it is not Gaddafi and I do not think the convoy was of the size attributed to it,” he told AFP by phone from Algiers.

“The truth is that several people, of varying importance, arrived in Niger.

That’s it, there are no high-profile figures, certainly not Gaddafi himself nor any of his sons,” Bazoum said.

“Gaddafi in Niger could cause some problems,” he said when asked if Niger would welcome him. Bazoum said the only officials in the convoy were Libyan TV executives.

Neighbouring Burkina Faso, another regime with close ties to

Gaddafi which has not ruled out offering him shelter, was evasive when asked about reports the convoy was heading to Ouagadougou.

“We have no such information at the moment. Obviously, if they cross our border, we will find out... We are simply going to monitor the situation throughout the day,” a government official said. France, too, said it has no information to suggest Gaddafi had entered Niger.

On Monday Gaddafi’s spokesman Mussa Ibrahim insisted his boss was still in Libya, in “excellent health” and ready with his sons to fight to the death. “He is in a place that those scums did not reach. He is fighting inside Libya,” Ibrahim told Syria’s Arrai television. “We are still powerful,” said Ibrahim, who is thought to be in Bani Walid with two of Gaddafi’s sons, Saadi and Mutassim.

Local officials said most senior figures had fled Bani Walid with Gaddafi’s most prominent son, Seif al-Islam, and headed to the oasis city of Sabha in the deep south. — AFP

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

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Issues

Iran nuke advance may add to Western worries

By Fredrik Dahl ran is making headway towards rolling out advanced uranium enrichment machines that could speed up its production of nuclear reactor fuel as well as weaponsgrade material if, as the West fears, it ultimately tries to assemble atomic bombs. But it remains unclear whether Tehran, under increasingly strict international sanctions that crimp its ability to import components, can manufacture the machines in the industrial-scale numbers needed to revolutionize its enrichment activity. For years, Tehran has been seeking to replace the breakdown-prone 1970s vintage model of centrifuge it now uses to refine uranium, but the changeover has been hampered by sanctions restricting access to vital parts, analysts say.

In a sign the Islamic state may now be making some progress, a UN nuclear watchdog report says Iran has begun installing two newer versions for larger-scale testing at a research and development site near the central city of Natanz. The confidential report, obtained by Reuters, says Iran had informed the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it had also started to operate 54 of these more advanced machines on an experimental basis. The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, said on Monday the country was not yet ready to massproduce new centrifuges, but that it planned to set up “production lines” to manufacture them.

If Iran eventually succeeds in introducing them in industrial quantities for enrichment, it could significantly shorten the time needed to stockpile material that can have civilian as well as military purposes, if refined much further. “The installation of ... IR-2s and IR-4s represents progress, for sure,” nuclear proliferation expert Mark Fitzpatrick said, referring to the names of the new models.

But analysts said it was not clear whether Iran had the technical prowess and material to make them in bigger numbers. It seems that “Iran still faces problems developing these new centrifuges, including getting sufficient materials to build them in large numbers,” said Peter Crail of the Arms Control Association, a US- based research and advocacy group. In a sign that deployment of the more advanced models for production remains some time off, Iran is planning to use the old IR-1 model when it shifts higher-grade enrichment from its main Natanz plant to a bunker near the holy city of Qom. “Although Iran could possibly use these (IR-1) machines to produce weaponsgrade uranium ... it would likely prefer to develop its advanced centrifuges first,” Crail said.

Iran denies Western accusations that it is covertly seeking nuclear weapons capability, saying it is refining uranium for electricity generation and medical applications.

But the IAEA report said the U.N. agency was “increasingly concerned” about possible work in Iran to develop a nuclear payload for a missile. This and other findings in the report may provide more grist for Western condemnations of Iran’s nuclear work when the 35-nation governing board of the IAEA meets on Sept 12-16.

Tehran’s refusal to shelve enrichment has drawn four rounds of UN sanctions, as well as increasingly tough US and European punitive measures on the major oil producer. Robert Einhorn, the U.S. State Department senior adviser for non-proliferation and arms control, said in March he did not believe the newer centrifuges were ready to be mass-produced. Fitzpatrick, a director at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said Iran’s ability to make high-strength carbon fibre for rotors in advanced centrifuges was thought to be limited. “So how many more they can produce is an open question.”

Iran’s main enrichment production facility is also located at the Natanz complex, where thousands of old model centrifuges spin at supersonic speeds in an underground hall to increase the fissile isotope ratio. Western experts say tightening sanctions, technical problems and possible cyber sabotage have slowed Iran’s atomic advances. But it is still steadily amassing low-enriched uranium.

Iran’s decision in early 2010 to raise the level of some enrichment from the 3.5 percent purity needed for normal power plant fuel to 20 percent worried Western states that saw this as a significant step towards the 90 percent needed for bombs. Iran says it will use 20 percent uranium to convert into fuel for a research reactor making isotopes to treat cancer patients, and announced in June it would transfer this enrichment from Natanz to the Fordow subterranean site.— Reuters

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India, China navies square off nearby and beyond

By Sanjeev Miglani little over a fortnight before China conducted sea trials for its first aircraft carrier, an Indian naval ship slipped into the South China Sea. INS Airavat, an amphibious assault vessel designed to launch troops on enemy beaches, was on a show-the-flag mission in July when it was challenged as it sailed from Vietnam’s Nha Trang port near the deep-water harbour of Cam Ranh Bay. A caller identifying himself as an official of the Chinese navy warned the ship on an open radio channel that it was entering Chinese waters as it steamed toward the Vietnamese port of Haiphong, the Indian foreign ministry said. Nothing happened, the ship sailed on, and both India and China have since played down the incident, with New Delhi saying the vessel was well within international waters in the South China Sea and that there was no confrontation.

China’s foreign ministry also dismissed the report, saying there was no truth to it. But the news has stoked concern that the navies of the two rapidly growing Asian giants could be on a collision course as they seek to protect trade routes and lock in the supply of coal, minerals and other raw material from faraway lands.

The Airavat is part of a fleet based in the Andaman islands, nearer to Indonesia than the Indian mainland,

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where New Delhi is spending $2 billion to set up a militar y command. The islands are also the gateway to the Bay of Bengal, which is shared by India, resource-rich Myanmar, Bangladesh and western Thailand. “It was a bit slow in the beginning, but the command is being strengthened now. It will become a premier base by 2015,” said a defence ministry official in New Delhi on the Andamans plan, launched under a “Look East” policy started in 2001. “The movement of commercial shipping in the area is just as important to us as it is to others, including China,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“If you have to, you can get to the South China Sea fairly quickly, you are sitting right there.”

India’s trade with East and Southeast Asia dwarfs that with Europe or the United States, and the country imports most of its much-needed edible oil, coal and minerals from Southeast Asia.

Beijing, concerned about the flow of its energy supplies, is seeking a chain of friendly por ts in the Indian Ocean, stretching from Gwadar on the Pak istani coast to Chittagong in Bangladesh. The Indian navy, worried about what it sees as Chinese encirclement at sea, is deepening defence ties with long-term partner Vietnam, and cautiously stepping up its presence in the South China Sea, whose mineral and gas resources are claimed

by six countries, including China.

“While the Chinese do not consider the Indian Ocean to be India’s ocean or even India’s strategic backyard, they do consider the South and East China seas to be China’s seas,” said former Indian navy commander Probal Ghosh, now a senior fellow at Obser ver Research Foundation, a New Delhi think tank.

India and China have on the surface a friendly relationship, but the two nations fought a brief border war in 1962. China is close to Pakistan, India’s arch-enemy, while it has suspiciously eyed New Delhi’s warm ties with Vietnam.

S D Muni, a former Indian ambassador to Laos and now a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore, said he expected more flare-ups as the two expanding navies begin to rub against each other. “They are getting bigger in size, extending their reach, probing each other’s defences,” he said.

Viewed from Beijing, India’s military has expanded its area of operations westward to the Persian Gulf and eastward to the Malacca Straits, encompassing the key sea lanes that three quarters of Chinese oil imports must transit. “The Indian navy entering the South China Sea is a relatively new development,” said Zhao Gancheng, director of South Asia studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies. “I think it shows that the Indian navy is currently expanding its scope of activities.”

He said the navies of India and Vietnam had established a cer tain degree of cooperation, and carried out joint exercises. China and India, on the other hand, appeared to have little interaction with each other, increasing the risk of misunderstanding. Traditionally, India’s navy has long been the biggest player in the Indian Ocean - after the United States - and it was the only Asian state to operate an aircraft carrier as far back as 1961. That carrier has been retired but it has another one in service and two more on order, including one to be based in the eastern sector.

Media reports say the Indian navy is shifting focus from the western command, which faces Pakistan, to the eastern command and the Andamans. Its nuclear submarines will be based in the east, along with guided missile destroyers, stealth frigates and maritime patrol aircraft. China, by contrast, is just starting out on a carrier task force, and analysts say it could be up to 10 years before it assembles a battleship group.

“The Indian navy is certainly the most ambitious and strategically significant of all the service arms,” said Shashank Joshi, an associate fellow at London’s Royal United Services Institute. “Its doctrine places remarkable emphasis on non-violent diplomatic roles - what it calls showing power and projecting presence. That is the thin end of India’s wedge into East Asia.” — Reuters

Water gun fight? Tehran sees dark designs

BY Nasser Karimi ran is trying to put down a new wave of civil disobedience flash mobs of young people who break into boisterous fights with water guns in public parks. A group of water fighters was arrested over the weekend, and a top judiciary official warned yesterday that “counter-revolutionaries” were behind them. Police swooped in to arrest a number of people who had gathered on Friday in a Tehran park to hold a water fight, the acting commander of Iran’s police Gen. Ahmad Radan said, quoted in newspapers yesterday. Radan said the group had been planning the water fight through the Internet and had “intended to break customs.” He vowed police would act to prevent future attempts and that participants on trial.

Throughout the summer, Iranian police have been cracking down. In the first incident, in July, hundreds of young men and women held a water fight in Tehran’s popular Water and Fire Park, spraying each other with water guns and splattering bottles of water on one another.

Police detained dozens of those involved. Since then, police have arrested dozens more involved in similar water fights in parks in major cities around the country.

Hardliners see the water fights as unseemly and immoral, breaking taboos against men and women simply mixing, much less dousing each other with water

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and playing in the streets. But authorities see a darker hand as well, worrying that the gatherings could weaken adherence among young people to Iran’s cleric-led Islamic rule or even build into outright protests against the ruling system. Iran’s leadership has been very wary of any gathering, whatever their nature, since the massive protests against the 2009 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The anti-regime uprisings that spread around the Arab world this year only add to the leader-

ship’s worries of any sign of “people power”. Yesterday, the spokesman of the judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi, accused unnamed foreign hands of organizing the water gun campaign. “This is not simply a game with water. This act is being guided from abroad,” he said. Some of those detained Friday have admitted “they were deceived, and some said they came out based on a call from a counterrevolutionary,” he said, quoted in the conservative news web site Tabnak. State TV has aired state-

ments by some arrested in previous water fight crackdowns, admitting they were motivated by “foreign invitations.” Some confessed they were given water guns to use. Most detainees were released afterward. Many of the water fights are organized through calls on Facebook, which is banned in Iran though Iranian frequently access it through proxies. Most of the Facebook pages are not expressly political - but they express the sort of secular youth culture of Iranians unhappy with the country’s Islamic rule.

In this picture taken July 29, Iranian youths shoot water to each other with their water guns during water fights at the Water and Fire Park in northern Tehran. — AP

Friday’s water fight had been planned to be held in Tehran’s Water and Fire Park, named for its numerous fountains and light shows.

Iran frequently accuses the United States and Iranian opposition groups in exile of fomenting opposition activity on its soil. The protests sparked by Ahmadinejad’s re-election, which opponents said was fraudulent, was the biggest challenge in 30 years to Iran’s Islamic clerical rule.

But security forces heavily crushed the wave of protests, and since then the opposition has been unable to return to the streets. Cracking down on watergun games reflects the leadership’s wariness of any sign of opposition sentiment.

But even some conservatives who are strong supporters of Islamic rule thought arresting young people was going too far. “I feel bad when I see some youth were detained for water fights.

Those who support such detentions think the Islamic system is somehow very fragile,” said Mohammad Reza Zaeri, a conservative cleric, on a state TV talk show recently. Lawmaker Mohammad Hossein Moghimi, another conservative, said young people were holding water fights because of a lack of other entertainment and because of so many other restrictions on them.

“Sometimes, we make it too hard for people and constrict them, so they react,” he said. “We have to make people comfortable.” — AP

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

analysis

Petraeus battles fears of CIA ‘militarization’

By Phil Stewart and Mark Hosenball ewly retired General David Petraeus is well aware that his swearing-in as the next director of the CIA might stoke concerns about the “militarization” of the US spy agency. It was one of the reasons the storied battlefield commander hung up his uniform last week after a 37year career in the Army. It may also be why he appears so intent on fulfilling a pledge to leave his military entourage - “braintrusts” as he calls them - behind when he arrives at the CIA’s Langley, Virginia, compound.

But even as he surrounds himself with civilian advisors, a process sources say is well under way, questions remain about the influence Petraeus might have on the CIA, both analytically and in its use of lethal force against Al-Qaeda. Petraeus cannot be expected to divorce himself from a view shared at the highest levels of the US military that the Afghan war is broadly trending in the right direction and that the Taliban’s momentum has been reversed.

The CIA has been more cautious in its assessment of the decade-old conflict than the military.

How Petraeus will reconcile those visions of the war effort he commanded until July, and reassure CIA analysts of his objectivity, could be one of the biggest challenges facing the Army general in this transition. Then there are larger questions about the blurred lines between covert CIA operations and military ones in the battle against Al-Qaeda - including the CIA’s armed Predator drone campaign in

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Pakistan, a program which appears to have scored a major victory with an Aug. 22 strike that killed Al-Qaeda’s No. 2.

Petraeus attempted to address the issue head-on at his confirmation hearing in June, saying one of the reasons he was retiring from the military - even though no law compelled him to do so - was to allay concerns about the militarization of the CIA. He also said he would seek to represent the “Agency position” on matters including the war in Afghanistan. “Beyond that, I have no plans to bring my military brain trust with me to the agency,” Petraeus said at the time. “There is no shortage of impressive individuals at the agency, and I look forward to interacting with them and populating my office with them.” “If confirmed, I will, in short, get out of my vehicle alone on the day that I report to Langley.”

To that end, sources tell Reuters that a longtime CIA insider - not one of Petraeus’ “guys” - has been named as his new chief of staff. One person familiar with the matter identified him as Rodney Snyder, who has previously worked on the White House national security staff. But US officials would not immediately confirm that name.

A US official close to the general said Petraeus remarked recently to a friend that he believed every member of the existing CIA leadership team was a “strong swimmer”. “There are always a few vacancies when one director leaves, and General Petraeus is working with the rest of the agency’s leadership team to fill those,” the official said.

One example is the post of CIA director of congressional affairs. When the last CIA

director, Leon Panetta, left the agency to become defense secretary in July, the person who held that post also went to the Pentagon to fill a top job.

Petraeus’ supporters say the veteran military leader, known for his political savvy and sharp intellect - he holds a doctoral degree from Princeton - is more than capable of succeeding as CIA director.

Still, the obstacles facing him are daunting. The CIA recently completed an updated “District Assessment on Afghanistan,” which remains classified. Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, citing one military official, said the document used the word “stalemate” to describe the conflict and did not adhere to US military claims that the Taleban’s momentum had been reversed. Petraeus, in his Army retirement speech on Aug 31, cited “progress against Al-Qaeda and the reversal of Taleban momentum in Afghanistan”.

That is not Petraeus’ only challenge. He is expected as CIA director to embrace the campaign of drone strikes in Pakistan, a nominally covert CIA operation that has fueled anti-American sentiment but put heavy pressure on militant safe havens. But continuing or stepping up drone attacks risks further straining relations between the CIA and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence directorate. — Reuters

Europe puts its head in sand over growth crisis

By Alan Wheatley

year after declaring themselves “Young Guns” ready to clean up Washington, these budget-slashing Republicans are drawing more jeers than cheers - and raising Democrats’ hopes for next year’s election.

Having rejected compromise and threatened government default, they and other Republicans have upset voters, who polls show are increasingly anxious about the economy and disgruntled with both political parties. Last month, Congress’ approval rating slumped to its lowest level ever - about 12 percent. “Right now, voters hate everyone,” said Steve Stivers, one of 62 first-term “Young Gun” Republicans in the House of Representatives.

“People are frustrated. But I feel we are on the right track.” To be sure, Stivers and his colleagues have come a long way since three Republican Party leaders recruited them to run for office and released a book last September titled “Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders.”

Tapping into anti-Washington ire fanned by the Tea Party movement, they preached fiscal discipline and “common sense for the common

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good” in last year’s election to help Republicans win the House from President Barack Obama’s Democrats.

But since taking power in January, the “Young Guns” - led by House Republican Leader Eric Cantor, House Republican Whip Kevin McCarthy and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan - have produced historic yet troubling results. Determined to tame record US debt, they kept their vow to slash government spending, reversing years of increases by both Republican and Democraticled Congresses and presidents. Yet in doing so, the “Young Guns” and other Republicans pushed the government to the brink of a shutdown earlier this year and a narrowly averted debt default last month.

This angered voters and unnerved Wall Street, leading to the first-ever downgrade of the United States’ AAA credit rating by Standard & Poor’s. Republicans bucked public opinion by refusing to compromise and raise taxes on the wealthy as part of deficit reduction. “They were very effective in Washington.

But outside Washington they contributed to a dramatic decline in confidence in their institution,” said Paul Light, a political science profes-

sor at New York University.

Republicans have also drawn complaints that they are focusing too much on shrinking government at the expense of creating jobs, a pressing concern among voters with the US unemployment rate stuck at 9.1 percent. Despite the Republicans’ success in winning spending cuts, Tea Party supporters are still not happy. They wanted deeper cuts and oppose any hike in the US debt limit, which caps the amount Washington can borrow to pay its bills.

“We got ripped off,” said Mark Meckler of the Tea Party Patriots, one of the movement’s biggest groups. A Pew Research Poll last month showed the Republican Party’s favorable rating at 34 percent, compared with 43 percent for the Democratic Party. Those numbers have fueled Democrats’ hopes of making gains in the House in next year’s election when they will be scrambling to retain control of the Senate and the White House. “While they might have started with great hype, the ‘Young Guns’ leadership has misfired over and over again,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic congressional campaign committee.

As things stand, Democrats are expected

to pick up some House seats in 2012, but not the 24 needed to win back control of the 435member chamber. House seats are up for election every two years. Polls suggest a number of first-term Republicans are vulnerable because they hail from traditionally Democratic districts. Cantor, Ryan and McCarthy are seen as holding safe Republican seats. “The ‘Young Guns’ look a lot older now, with good reason,” said Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia. “They had a tough year.”

Cantor had perhaps the toughest. He got deep spending cuts without any tax hikes, but he also became the face of Republican intransigence and a Democratic punching bag. As the House Republicans’ chief vote counter, McCarthy drew fire for failing to muster needed support on some key measures, including one plan by House Speaker John Boehner to raise the debt-limit in July. Another lightning rod for voter unhappiness with the “Young Guns’” was their uncompromising quest for deep spending cuts as outlined in Ryan’s 2012 budget plan, which proposed privatizing Medicare, a popular healthcare program for the elderly.— Reuters

Spy files detail Gaddafi regime’s collapse

By Ben Hubbard s the uprising grew against Muammar Gaddafi, secret reports from his vaunted intelligence service flowed back to Tripoli. Some were mundane - how agents erased anti-regime graffiti. Others were more deadly - a spy volunteered to poison rebel leaders’ food and drink. The reports grew more desperate as the Libyan rebellion veered into civil war: Military leaders in the western mountains were disregarding orders; troops in the city of Misrata ran out of ammunition, turning the situation into “every man for himself.”

These reports and hundreds of other intelligence documents seen by The Associated Press in Tripoli trace how the tide shifted in the six-month uprising that ended Gaddafi’s 42-year reign. They show how an authoritarian regime using all its means failed to quash an armed rebellion largely fueled by hatred of its tools of control. The Arab-language documents read and photographed by an AP reporter during a visit to Tripoli’s intelligence headquarters contain a mixture of military data and regime propaganda. Amid reports on rebels’ movements, phone tap records and dispatches from Gaddafi’s domestic agents are memos claiming that Al-Qaeda was behind the rebellion and that 4,000 US troops were about to invade from Egypt.

The uprising began in mid-February when security forces used deadly fire to suppress anti-government protests in the eastern city of Benghazi. The opposition responded to the fierce crackdown by taking up arms, quickly seizing a large swath of eastern Libya and establishing a temporary administration. The conflict changed to civil war as rebel forces grew, expelling government forces from of the western city of Misrata and seizing much of the western Nafusa mountain range. It was from there that they pushed to the coast, then stormed into the capital on Aug 21, effectively ending Gaddafi’s rule.

Throughout the war, Gaddafi’s security offices in Tripoli directed efforts to quash the rebellion. Among those leading the charge was intelligence chief Abdullah AlSenoussi, whose well-fortified compound received reports from around the country.

Early on, his office struggled to understand the situation in Benghazi, birthplace of the rebels’ National Transitional Council. One of the handwritten intelligence reports, written by a man who said he had “infiltrated” the rebel council, gave the names of five

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members, their background and the hotels they frequented. None of the material would be unfamiliar to a Benghazi resident.

The note concluded with an offer to kill the council members. “I can carry out any suicide operation I’m given to assassinate members of the council or poison their food and water,” it read. The author is not identified. No council members have been killed by Gaddafi’s regime. Another report parroted stories spread by Libyan state

the green banners of the Gadhafi regime or painting over rebel graffiti. Phone taps were common and sometimes detailed rebel capabilities and movements. One paper cited 30 calls intercepted in one week. Other records contained GPS coordinates of the callers. The reports also showed how the regime was quick to believe its own disinformation. In one conversation log, an Egyptian man said 4,000 US troops were in Cairo, waiting to enter

This Sept 4, 2011 photo shows a rebel in a ransacked office in Muammar Gaddafi’s intelligence headquarters in Tripoli. — AP media that the rebels were linked to Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda terrorist group, that they lacked local support, and that they carried Viagra and condoms into battle so they could rape women.

The regime took these claims to the international community, especially after NATO began bombing Libyan military targets under a UN mandate to protect civilians. One document discovered was a draft letter from Gaddafi to President Barack Obama. “It is necessary to support Libya to get rid of the armed men of Al-Qaeda before all of north Africa falls into the hands of bin Laden,” it said. It is unclear if the letter was ever sent. The documents refer to the rebels as “insurgents,” “saboteurs” “armed gangs” and “rats”.

Reports from across Libya detail the government’s actions to erase opposition symbols, such as replacing rebel flags with

Libya by land. “Four thousand, some of them commandos,” the Egyptian said. “It’s unbelievable.”

There were signs of paranoia. In one log, a man with a Gulf Arab accent advised that Gaddafi, his sons and associates “use their cellphone for no more than three minutes”, out of fear that they, too, were being intercepted. In April and May, bleak reports flowed back from the frontlines. A report marked “secret” on the situation in the Nafusa mountains laid out a new military strategy while blasting commanders for failing to follow instructions. “Not paying attention to them in the past did not succeed in ending the actions of armed gangs,” it said. “Instead, they have grown stronger (in weapons and numbers).”

Another report detailed information about rebel bases and tactics, but added that government troops were hindered by “their

apanisation is shorthand for slouching towards that country’s noxious mix of low growth and high debt. Euro zone governments will find it tough to keep the ugly new word out of their lexicon. Concern is mounting over a deterioration in Europe’s long-term growth prospects that, unaddressed, will make it even harder to tackle the banking and debt problems underlying the current life-or-death struggle over the euro. The financial crisis that has been rocking the global economy since 2008 has permanently reduced trend growth across the industrial world. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris reckons the potential output of its 34 member countries has dropped by about 2.5 percent.

“A lot of countries are going to take a permanent hit to their trend rate of growth. This is not a ordinary recession and so we’re not going to see countries bouncing back to pre-crisis rates of growth,” said Philip Whyte, a senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, a London think-tank. As firms have gone bust, capacity has been lost for good. With demand subdued, profitable companies are not replacing old plant. And as high unemployment persists, skills atrophy. This weakens productivity and shuts people out of the job market for longer and longer periods - a danger stressed by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke at the US central bank’s Jackson Hole symposium last month.

Apart from sapping animal spirits and forcing governments to raise taxes or cut spending, diminished growth closes off one route for lowering the high sovereign debt to gross domestic product ratios that have locked Greece, Ireland and Portugal out of the bond markets and are unnerving investors in Italian and Spanish debt. Against this background, and with the scope for fiscal and monetary stimulus all but exhausted, politicians might be expected to grasp the nettle and push through reforms to improve the supply side of the economy - policies such as making it easier to hire and fire, promoting greater competition and investing more in training.

Far from it. Pier Carlo Padoan, the OECD’s chief economist, says he is less optimistic about the prospects for deep-seated change than he was at the start of the year. “I see that measures are being announced. I would like to see them being implemented,” Padoan said. With policy ammunition running desperately short, he said it was time for governments to overcome their squeamishness about confronting vested interests opposed to change. “This is a luxury that many countries cannot afford any more. The situation does not allow it.”

The vicious circle of rising debt and falling growth is made worse by the fact that those countries drowning in debt on the periphery of the euro zone are also the ones that have dragged their feet on freeing up their product and labour markets or modernising their education systems.

“They’re going through some truly horrible times.

I’m very worried about the whole southern European fringe, not just on an 18-month to 2-year view but looking out a decade or longer,” said Whyte with the Centre for European Reform.

Germany, by contrast, derided a decade ago as the sick man of Europe, is being held up as a model, at least when it comes to jobs. “The remarkable resilience of the German labour market in the last few years, where wage moderation and flexible time accounting shielded the economy from excessive job destruction, illustrates admirably the promise of well-structured reforms,” Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, said approvingly in Jackson Hole.

How much are countries missing out by not pressing the reform button? Padoan says Europe’s trend growth has fallen in recent years to an average of just 1.5 percent a year, but he says some members of the 17-nation euro zone could almost double that rate with a supply-side jolt. Italy needs to liberalise its service sector, open up professions to new entrants and improve energy efficiency, Padoan said. Greece needs to do all that and overhaul its labour market and competition policy at the same time.

Germany, too, could grow faster still if it liberalised services, which would trigger increased investment. These policy prescriptions are well worn. Leaders of the European Union enshrined them and a host of other reform goals in the 2000 Lisbon Agenda, which they promptly ignored. The pledges have since been repackaged as the Europe 2020 Strategy, but Whyte says the havoc wrought by the near-collapse of the international financial system will make politicians more wary than ever of the social disruption that reforms entail. “The Great Financial Crisis hasn’t been a great advert for free-market capitalism,” said Whyte. His research outfit publishes a booklet this week exploring how Europe could take off by embracing innovation. But in this area, too, Whyte fears the political climate means policy is likely to be increasingly hijacked by incumbent firms hostile to competition from start-ups. Europe is not doomed to go down Japan’s path of economic stagnation. Its potential growth rate is low but stronger than Japan’s - estimated by the Bank of Japan at just 0.5 percent a year because of a fastshrinking working-age population. But the spectre of a renewed recession is a reminder for governments that, even if they can spirit away the euro zone’s currency and debt woes, they have still to find the elixir for growth. “I’m not saying politicians will implement reform, but they should,” Padoan said. “Some politicians resist reform because they are captive to interest groups. Well, the price for those governments in terms of sustainable growth will be very high.” — Reuters

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GOP ‘Young Guns’ make history, draw fire

By Thomas Ferraro

Focus

ignorance of the landscape there.”

Bad news also came from Misrata, where rebels pushed government troops from the city in late April after weeks of fierce street battles that killed hundreds of people. A May 5 report depicted chaos in the ranks, saying soldiers often ran out of ammunition before reaching the battlefield, leading many to be killed or captured.

“The rest fled randomly in all directions,” the report said, citing the “lack of leaders for members of the armed forces on site (every man for himself)”.

Later reports suggested threats inside Tripoli from regime opponents. One envelope contained two handwritten letters, threatening to kill security forces. “We will take mercy on no one, regardless of his position, and will kill anyone manning a checkpoint,” one read. Next to a handdrawn rebel flag, red ink declared, “You have been warned.” Others suggested a security collapse in the capital as rebel forces moved closer. One letter from the Investigation and Surveillance Office pleaded with al-Senoussi to intervene at the station, which “has become an office of alcohol, prostitution and theft of property of those arrested.”

In the next four pages, the officer accused his boss of getting drunk on the job, stealing money from prisoners and seizing cars to give to his guards, sons and favorite prostitutes. He said his superior drugged an Egyptian woman and tried to rape her before an aide intervened, and later “sentenced” three of his officers to death.

“This order caused some confusion among those in the office,” he noted. NATO bombed many of Gaddafi’s security offices, and rebels stormed the rest after seizing the capital last month.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his son Seif al-Islam, and Al-Senoussi, accusing them of killing civilians to try to crush the uprising. All three remain at large. A ragged band of mountain rebels now handles security at Al-Senoussi’s compound, parking their truck under the intelligence services’ motto: “The weapons are in the people’s hands.” Inside, the fighters lounge in chairs and casually flip through the hundreds of documents strewn on the floor.

Among them is an order from al-Senoussi that wasn’t carried out before he fled. “In the crucial last moments, get rid of the contents of the administration and its secret documents by burning or destroying them,” it said. — AP

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‘Muhammad Ali’ of athletics LONDON: Calling Usain Bolt ‘the Muhammad Ali of athletics,’ Sebastian Coe predicts the Jamaican sprinter will steal the show again at next year’s London Olympics. Coe, the former middle-distance running great, heads the organizing committee of the 2012 Games. He was in Daegu, South Korea, for the world championships where Bolt won the 200 meters and anchored Jamaica to a world record in the 4x100 relay. “It was the return of Beatlemania,” Coe said of the crowd reaction to Bolt in Daegu. “The Muhammad Ali of athletics is on his way to an Olympic Stadium near you. “There really is an Ali-like aura about this guy that is now transcending all sports.”

Bolt false-started and was disqualified in the 100 at the worlds but ran a blistering 19.40 seconds to win the 200 and helped Jamaica clock a world record of 37.04 seconds in the relay. Bolt will be defending his 100 and 200 meter Olympic titles in London next year. “All things being equal, he’ll be the iconic figure of our Games,” Coe wrote in his column in The Daily Telegraph. “I’ve spoken to him and he’s told me how he wants to blow people’s minds in London, to make yet another extraordinary impact that will cement the status of legend that he wants for himself.” “London is consuming him,” Coe added. “ I know he’s going to base himself in England for quite a while before the Games.”—Reuters

Former Greek sprinters cleared of perjury ATHENS: Former Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and K aterina Thanou have won their appeals against suspended jail sentences for perjury, court officials said yesterday.

A unanimous verdict of not guilty was announced by the Greek Court of Appeal for the Sydney 2000 Olympic medallists, who had in May been sentenced to 31 months in jail for staging a motorcycle crash to avoid a doping test before the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Their former coach, Christos Tzekos, had a original 33-month sentence cut to 12 months suspended for three years after being found guilty of perjury.

The 2004 scandal, widely regarded as the biggest at an

Phillies blank Braves PHILADELPHIA: Cliff Lee threw a five-hitter for his sixth shutout of the season, helping the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies beat the second-place Atlanta Braves 90 on Monday.

Lee (16-7) struck out six, walked none and needed only 100 pitches to finish off the Braves after falling one out shy of a shutout in his previous start at Cincinnati. The left-hander has won his last seven starts, and hasn’t allowed a run in five of those games. The Phillies increased their lead to 8 1/2 games over Atlanta and reduced their magic number for clinching their fifth straight NL East title to 16 with 25 games remaining. Hunter Pence drove in three runs, Ryan Howard hit a solo homer and Shane Victorino and Carlos Ruiz had two-run singles for Philadelphia.

Brewers 4, Cardinals 1 At St. Louis, Randy Wolf allowed one run over eight innings, and Ryan Braun and Nyjer Morgan homered to lead Milwaukee over St. Louis. The Brewers won their fourth straight to move 10 1/2 games ahead of St. Louis in the National League Central, equaling their largest lead of the season.

Wolf (12-9) gave up four hits, struck out five and walked two as he improved to 6-1 with a 3.11 ERA in his last eight starts. The left-hander

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

sp orts

Morse, Ian Desmond and Jayson Werth all went deep in the first inning as Washington grabbed a 4-1 lead. The Nationals had dropped 10 of 12, while the Dodgers came in winners of 11 of 13.

All four homers - Morse hit No. 26 in the sixth inning - came against Hiroki Kuroda (1115), who entered with a career-high four-game winning streak. The right-hander had a seasonhigh nine strikeouts, but gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings. Lannan (9-11) allowed one run and five hits in 5 1-3 innings.

Pirates 3, Astros 1 At Pittsburgh, Ryan Doumit had three hits as Pittsburgh’s James McDonald pitched into the eighth inning for the first time this season.

Josh Harrison added two hits and Derrek Lee hit his 16th homer as the Pirates won for the third time in four games. It was Lee’s fourth homer since he was acquired in a trade with Baltimore on July 30. Joel Hanrahan worked the ninth for his 35th save. Henry Sosa (2-3) allowed two runs and six hits in six innings for the Astros, who have lost four straight. The start of the game was delayed 56 minutes by rain.

Cubs 4, Reds 3 At Chicago, Matt Garza pitched eight strong innings and Aramis Ramirez had a tiebreaking two-run single as Chicago edged Cincinnati. Garza (8-10) gave up six hits and three runs - one earned while striking out eight and walking three to win for just the second time at home since June 27. Carlos Marmol finished up for his 32nd save.

Ramirez had his two-run single in the fifth, walked twice and scored a run. Starlin Castro added a single, walk and two runs.

Giants 7, Padres 2 At San Diego, Pablo Sandoval homered twice and Madison Bumgarner struck out a career-high 13 in 8 1-3 innings as San Francisco remained seven games behind NL West-leading Arizona with 21 to play.

The defending World Series champion Giants came into this threePHILADELPHIA: Phillies starting pitcher Cliff game series with their biggest deficit Lee throwing during the ninth inning of a base- of the season after losing two of three to the Diamondbacks in a ball game with the Atlanta Braves. —AP weekend series. The Diamondbacks allowed two hits over his final six innings, and won 10-7 at Colorado on Monday. Sandoval’s had two infield singles. John Axford pitched a 17th and 18th homers, both off Tim Stauffer (8perfect ninth to record his 41th save in 43 12), were enough to carry the Giants to their third win in eight games. chances.

The Giants have hit seven homers in their last five games after going homerless in their D’backs 10, Rockies 7 At Denver, Geoff Blum homered and Wade previous six. It was the third time Sandoval has Miley tossed seven strong innings as Arizona had two homers in a game. The first two were in beat Colorado. Justin Upton homered and Paul 2009. Bumgarner (10-12) came within two outs Goldschmidt had three RBIs for Arizona, which of his first career complete game. has won three straight and 12 of 13. Blum had Marlins 9, Mets 3 three hits and three RBIs. At Miami, Javier Vazquez pitched seven The Diamondbacks held a seven-game over San Francisco in the NL West. Dexter Fowler strong innings and Jose Lopez homered for homered from both sides of the plate, and Mark Florida, which had 15 hits in a win over New Ellis and Troy Tulowitzki also connected for York. Emilio Bonifacio and Gaby Sanchez both Colorado. Arizona scored five runs in the sixth to had three hits and two RBIs and Lopez and Logan Morrison had three hits each to help the break open a close game.

Marlins win three straight for the first time since July 31-Aug. 2.

Nationals 7, Dodgers Vazquez (9-11) gave up one run and six hits At Washington, Michael Morse hit two of Washington’s four home runs and John Lannan while striking out seven and walking none. pitched into the sixth inning to break a four- Jason Bay hit his 11th homer, a two-run shot off Chris Hatcher in the ninth, for the Mets. —AP start losing streak in a win over Los Angeles.

MLB results/standings Major League Baseball results and standings on Monday.

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

American League National League Eastern Division Eastern Division Philadelphia 89 48 .650 W L PCT GB Atlanta 82 58 .586 8.5 NY Yankees 86 53 .619 NY Mets 68 71 .489 22 Boston 84 56 .600 2.5 Washington 65 74 .468 25 Tampa Bay 77 63 .550 9.5 Florida 63 77 .450 27.5 Toronto 70 71 .496 17 Baltimore 55 84 .396 31 Central Division Milwaukee 85 57 .599 Central Division St. Louis 74 67 .525 10.5 Detroit 79 62 .560 Cincinnati 69 72 .489 15.5 Cleveland 70 68 .507 7.5 Pittsburgh 65 76 .461 19.5 Chicago White Sox 70 69 .504 8 Chicago Cubs 61 80 .433 23.5 Kansas City 59 83 .415 20.5 Houston 47 94 .333 37.5 Minnesota 58 83 .411 21 Western Division Western Division Arizona 81 60 .574 Texas 80 62 .563 San Francisco 74 67 .525 7 LA Angels 77 64 .546 2.5 LA Dodgers 68 72 .486 12.5 Oakland 64 77 .454 15.5 Colorado 66 75 .468 15 Seattle 58 82 .414 21 San Diego 61 80 .433 20

Olympics since Canadian Ben Johnson lost his 100 metres gold medal in Seoul in 1988 after a positive doping test, cast a huge cloud over the Athens Games for the host country.

The trial, which took years to start after frequent postponements, began in January and suffered several delays due to the absence of witnesses.

Kenteris, the 200 metres gold medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and 100 metres silver medallist Thanou were acquitted of doping charges in a Greek athletics federation probe in 2005.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) appealed the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. —Reuters

Star Socrates hospitalized SAO PAULO: Former Brazil captain Socrates is in intensive care and on a ventilator after being hospitalized with internal bleeding from the stomach, doctors said yesterday. The 57-year-old Socrates was released from hospital 10 days ago after being treated for more than a week for the same problem. Doctors at the Albert Einstein hospital said in a statement they controlled the bleeding with medication and other procedures.

The hospital said the hemorrhage was caused by high blood pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive system to the liver.

After leaving hospital last month, Socrates admitted he was a heavy drinker but pledged to stop drinking completely. He used to drink even when he played, but recently told local media that he hadn’t been drinking for about three months. Socrates also is a smoker and said he would only stop if doctors asked him to.

Socrates was a doctor himself and practiced medicine for years. He currently is a popular TV commentator and columnist.

He wrote a series of columns for The Associated Press during the 2011 Copa America in Argentina, expressing his views on all aspects of the tournament, including economic and political issues in Latin America. —AP

White Sox sweep Twins MINNEAPOLIS: Rookie Zach Stewart took a perfect game into the eighth inning and finished with a one-hitter as the Chicago White Sox completed a doubleheader sweep of the Minnesota Twins with a 4-0 victory on Monday.

Danny Valencia’s leadoff double in the eighth spoiled the righthander’s bid to become the 21st rookie in major league history to throw a no-hitter. The White Sox won the afternoon game 2-1.

The 24-year-old Stewart (2-3), whose only previous major league win came at Target Field last month, struck out nine in the first complete game of his career.

Brent Morel drove in two runs with a seventh-inning single, and Alex Rios had three hits for the White Sox. Twins starter Scott Diamond (1-3) gave up eight hits, two walks and two runs in five innings.

Philip Humber (9-8) set the tone in the matinee by pitching seven scoreless innings to snap a four-game losing streak.

Yankees 11, Orioles 10 At New York, Jesus Montero broke a fifth-inning deadlock with his first major league home run, then hit a two-run drive in the seventh to help New York outlast Baltimore for its fifth straight win.

Robinson Cano sparked the comeback from a 5-2 secondinning deficit with his third grand slam in less than a month.

Montero broke an 8-all tie when he homered deep into the right-field seats on the second pitch from Jim Johnson (5-5) leading off the fifth. Montero then followed Russell Martin’s seventh-inning single off Johnson with another oppositefield drive to right, putting New York ahead 11-8.

Blue Jays 1, Red Sox 0 At Toronto, Brett Lawrie homered in the 11th inning to help Toronto beat Boston and end a three-game losing streak.

Lawrie homered to center off

Dan Wheeler (2-2) with two outs in the 11th, his eighth homer since being called up from minor league Triple-A Las Vegas on Aug. 4. Shawn Camp (3-3) pitched one scoreless inning for the win.

Boston lost for the fifth time in seven games.

Red Sox starter Josh Beckett left in the fourth inning with a sprained right ankle and was replaced by right-hander Alfredo Aceves.

Tigers 4, Indians 2 At Cleveland, Doug Fister

feet into the right-field seats for a 3-0 lead in the fourth.

Rays 5, Rangers 1 At St. Petersburg, Florida, James Shields pitched a four-hitter for his major league-best 11th complete game to lead Tampa Bay past Texas.

Shields (14-10) struck out six and walked two. The only run he allowed scored on Michael Young’s grounder with one out in the ninth.

Shields also became the first AL pitcher since Randy Johnson

MINNEAPOLIS: Chicago White Sox’s Juan Pierre scores on Alexei Ramirez’s RBI double in front of Minnesota Twins catcher Rene Rivera during the first inning. —AP struck out a career-high 13 and Victor Martinez hit a three-run homer as Detroit downed Cleveland to extend its American League Central lead to 7 1/2 games.

Fister (7-13) improved to 4-1 in seven starts since being acquired from Seattle on July 30. The righthander gave up an earned run and four hits over eight innings.

Jose Valverde pitched a perfect ninth for his 41st consecutive save, extending his team record and helping the Tigers improve to 14-4 since holding a 11/2-game lead on the Indians on Aug. 19.

Martinez drove a 2-2 pitch from Ubaldo Jimenez (2-2) 420

in 1993 to have at least 200 strikeouts and 10 complete games in the same season.

Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton homered for the Rays. Texas starter Scott Feldman (1-1) gave up four runs and four hits in five innings.

White Sox 2, Twins 1 At Minneapolis, Philip Humber pitched seven scoreless innings and Juan Pierre had three hits and scored a run as Chicago ended a four-game losing streak.

Brian Dinkelman had a careerhigh three hits for the Twins, who have lost three straight and seven of 10. Humber (9-8) was making

his first start since Aug. 18 when he was struck above the right eye by a line drive. He gave up six hits, struck out six and did not walk a batter.

Matt Thornton pitched a scoreless 1 1-3 innings, and Sergio Santos allowed one run in the ninth before Chris Sale earned his sixth save in seven chances.

Royals 11, Athletics 6 At Oakland, California, Billy Butler homered twice and drove in three runs, and Alex Gordon doubled home the go-ahead run as Kansas City scored five times in the ninth inning.

Jeff Francoeur, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas had two RBIs apiece and Melky Cabrera also drove in a run for the Royals, who avoided being mathematically eliminated for at least one more day.

Scott Sizemore hit a three-run homer for the A’s, who had won four straight. David DeJesus, Josh Willingham and Kurt Suzuki each drove in a run.

Butler hit a tying two-run shot off Craig Breslow in the seventh, and the Royals broke it open against closer Andrew Bailey (0-4) in the ninth.

Angels 7, Mariners 3 At Anaheim, California, Mark Trumbo continued his torrid rookie season with a two-run homer and an RBI double, and Vernon Wells hit his 20th home run as Los Angeles downed Seattle.

Dan Haren (14-8) worked in and out of trouble through six innings, allowing three runs and 10 hits while striking out three and walking none.

Brenden Ryan got Seattle within 6-3 in the fifth with his third homer. It ended a stretch of 50 1-3 innings and 199 batters in which Haren had not allowed a home run against the Mariners.

The previous one was Jose Lopez’s three-run shot in Seattle’s 4-0 victory at Oakland on Sept.

17, 2007. —AP

Internal dispute costs India Champions Trophy

Loeb aims to get title chase back on track

NEW DELHI: India has lost the right to host this year’s Champions Trophy because of an administrative mess which may cost the country future events as well, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) said yesterday.

The FIH rejected the Sports Ministry-brokered peace agreement between Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), saying there could not be more than one federation running the game.

“We regret that we have to move the Champions Trophy from India,” FIH president Leandro Negre said in a statement.

“It is difficult for the teams, the organisers and the fans. But we feel that this is the only way to maintain the integrity of our sport.”

The FIH was reviewing bids from other nations and a new venue for the elite Dec. 3-11 event would be named within a week, the statement said. Losing the tournament also means India will have to play in November’s Champions Challenge in South Africa to qualify for the eight-team event.

“It is a fundamental and non-negotiable requirement of the Olympic Charter and the FIH statutes that there only be one governing body for any one sport in any country,” the governing body said.

The rumbling IHF-HI row has crippled the game in a country that won eight Olympic gold medals but is now considered an also-ran. The IHF was disbanded in 2008 after its secretary was caught on camera taking a bribe to select a player before being revived by a court order last year.

FIH backs HI and rejected the Sports Ministryconceived formula of allowing a joint executive committee, comprising members from both factions, to run the game. “This is ridiculous,” IHF secretary Ashok Mathur told Reuters, reacting to FIH’s decision.

“FIH has no business withdrawing it (the tournament) from India when we have reached a settlement with honest intentions,” he said. HI officials were not available for comments. —Reuters

Following the German race, Ogier said he still COFFS HARBOUR: Frenchman Sebastien Loeb will be aiming to get his campaign for an eighth believed he had a chance of ending Loeb’s sevconsecutive world rally championship back on en-year reign. “As long as there is a mathematitrack when the Rally of Australia begins here on cal chance of winning the world title, I will continue to believe in it,” he said.

Thursday.

Ford’s Hirvonen is the only other driver with Citroen driver Loeb finished second to fellow countryman and teammate Sebastien Ogier in any chance of taking the title but conceded he last month’s Rally of Germany after Ogier defied team orders instructing him to let Loeb overtake him. Ogier, now 25 points behind Loeb with four of the 13 rounds remaining, arrived in Australia early to prepare for the rally and has not spoken to his teammate since the German race.

He did not attend a press conference in Sydney earlier in the week, adding to speculation of a tense relationship between the two Frenchmen.

Loeb insisted he hadn’t asked for preferential treatment Sebastain Loeb steers his car in this file photo during the German rally.

“It was his (Ogier’s) problem with the team, it was not my problem,” Loeb said would have to make his move this week.

“If I want to fight for the title I would need to this week.

“I didn’t ask for any orders, he was just doing win this one,” he said. The last Rally Australia two what he wanted.” Loeb said he was still unsure years ago was marred by protesters who were whether to go all out for victory or to do just upset the course went through their region of enough to keep ahead of Ogier and third placed northern New South Wales.

This year’s race is being held 300 kilometres Mikko Hirvonen of Finland, who is 36 points off (190 miles) south of the previous rally and the lead.

“It’s not a massive lead, it’s always more organisers said they were not expecting any important to score points than to win, but still problems.

The route, to the west, south and north of we have to push,” Loeb said. “We’ll see-I’ll drive like I feel and for sure if I can fight for the win I’ll Coffs Harbour, will comprise 26 competitive stages over 369 kilometres. —AFP try to do it.”

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Packers not losing sleep over Eagles’ ‘dream team’ NEW YORK: The Philadelphia Eagles’ offseason overhaul hasn’t gone unnoticed in Green Bay. Neither has the hype that’s come with it.

While the reigning Super Bowl champion Packers are taking the Eagles seriously, they’ve been mildly amused at what they see as a rush to crown new conference favorites before the season. Given the chance, Green Bay is confident it will bring the “dream team” back to reality.

“On paper, I guess they’re the ‘dream team,’” Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop said. “You’ve definitely got to go out on the field and make it happen. So we’ll see.”

The Eagles positioned themselves as the Packers’ top challenger in the NFC after adding a wealth of top-line talent, including cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique RodgersCromartie. Not to mention former Packers defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins. “ We’re a confident bunch,” Packers wide receiver James Jones said. “We truly don’t pay attention to who everybody gets, we truly don’t care who everybody gets. We believe when we step on that field we’re going to win the game, no matter who it is. If we happen to run into them, we’ll be ready.”

The Eagles aren’t the Packers’ only serious

challengers in the NFC. The Chicago Bears beat the Packers for the NFC North division title last year, then lost to their rivals in the NFC title game at Soldier Field. But the Bears could be poised to take a step backward unless Jay Cutler’s protection improves significantly. With a fierce defensive line, the Detroit Lions could become the Packers’ closest pursuers in the division - provided quarterback Matthew Stafford can stay healthy.

The conference’s most competitive division may be the NFC South. The Atlanta Falcons drafted wide receiver Julio Jones, although it remains to be seen if they can to fix a defense that Packers passer Aaron Rodgers carved up in the playoffs. The New Orleans Saints are trying to regain their Super Bowl-winning form and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be on the rise.

Then there’s the NFC West, a division there for the taking for any team that can make even a modest improvement. The West was an afterthought last season, and there aren’t many reasons between St. Louis, Seattle, Arizona and San Francisco to think that will change much in the short term.

A year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were in flux, with their star quarterback about to sit out a

Simpson clinches Deutsche Bank title NORTON: Webb Simpson birdied his last three holes of the day to clinch his second PGA Tour title with a playoff victory over fellow American Chez Reavie for the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday.

Simpson coolly sealed the win at the TPC Boston by sinking an eight-foot birdie putt at the second extra hole, the par-four 17th, after Reavie had missed his attempt there from 23 feet.

The pair had finished the 72 regulation holes on 15-under-par 269, Simpson firing a six-under 65 and Reavie, who had been two strokes ahead with two holes to play, bogeying the par-five last for a 66. British world number one Luke Donald signed off with a 67 to tie for third at 13 under, level with American Brandt Snedeker (66) and Australian Jason Day (68).

“I told somebody that I thought winning for the second time might be easier but it certainly wasn’t. It was tough,” Simpson, who claimed his first PGA Tour title at last month’s Wyndham Championship, said greenside.

“To finish the way I did, and birdie 17 in the playoff, was awesome.” Victory in the second leg of the four season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs adds to what has already been a memorable season for Simpson, who celebrated the birth of his first child earlier this year.

The 26-year-old moves to the top of the FedExCup standings while Reavie rockets from 87th place to ninth with his runner-up finish. “To be number one in the FedExCup with two weeks to go, I couldn’t expect anything more,” Simpson said.

“The goal is to be in the top five going into Atlanta and it looks like I’m in a good position to do that so I am thrilled.” The leading 70 players in the points standings move on to next week’s BMW Championship in Illinois before the top 30 qualify for the Tour Championship finale at Atlanta.

Simpson made a sizzling start to the final round, reaching the turn in sixunder 30, but he cooled after that with a bogey at the 10th and failed to make any further progress until he rolled in a 26-footer at the last to trim Revie’s lead to one. As he watched the television broadcast of Revie playing the final

hole, Simpson believed he was almost certain to come up just short in his own title bid.

“I figured my chances were one in a hundred,” Simpson said. “He played so

NORTON: Webb Simpson poses with the trophy after beating Chez Reavie with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff in the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. —AP well today, my hat’s off to him. One thing I will say, on 18 is it is a tricky pin and if you pull it a little, it easily goes over the green.”

That is exactly what Reavie ended up doing to open the door for Simpson, bogeying the hole despite having a wedge in his hand for his third shot from just 117 yards.

“My game plan with a one-shot lead was to lay it up, wedge it on and make a par,” Reavie said. “That’s all I had to do and there was no risk in that unless you hit a wedge over the green.”

Both players then birdied first extra hole, the 18th, despite missing the green with their second shots. Reavie appeared to hold the upper hand there after chipping to within three feet of the cup while Simpson faced a 15-footer for his birdie. However, Simpson nervelessly drained his putt before Reavie knocked his in to keep the playoff alive. —Reuters

AUCKLAND: Australian rugby team players Will Genia (left) and Quade Cooper chat as they stretch during a training session. Australia will play Italy in their opening Rugby World Cup game on Sept. 11. —AP

Australia name unchanged lineup AUCKLAND: James O’Connor was named on the bench for Australia’s World Cup opener against Italy after coach Robbie Deans stuck with a winning team and opted against recalling the winger following his one-game suspension for indiscipline.

Deans retained the starting lineup that beat New Zealand to win the TriNations title in Brisbane last month but made three changes to the replacements with O’Connor, prop James Slipper and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau coming in for Rob Horne, Saia Fainga’a and Salesi Ma’afu. “They did ok and it is an important outing for us on Sunday, their conti-

nuity is good and it will need to be good as there is no doubt Italy will be waiting,” Deans told a swarm of media at the team’s hotel in central Auckland yesterday. “Their (Italy’s) last Six Nations outing was a very good performance, they put the French away. We know we have to hit the ground running and that’s what we are hoping to do.”

Goalkicker O’Connor was suspended for the Tri-Nations decider after he was a no-show for a team photo-shoot and function for the Wallabies World Cup squad announcement following what local media reported was a boozy night out. — Reuters

four-game suspension. Ben Roethlisberger returned after Pittsburgh went 3-1, leading the team to its third AFC championship in six seasons. Now the bitter taste of a Super Bowl loss to Green Bay and a controversy-filled offseason have the Steelers itching to defend their AFC title. After keeping the core of their roster together, they’re loaded to make another run.

But so are plenty of other AFC teams.

Just ask Rex Ryan, who says this is the most talented New York Jets team he has had since becoming the coach. He guarantees - again - this is the year the Jets bring home their first Lombardi Trophy since the days of Joe Namath.

“Everything that I’ve said in the past,” Ryan said, “is still in play.” Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots might have something to say about that.

After all, they’ve been the kings of the AFC East division for eight of the last 10 years. And Tom Brady - the NFL’s MVP after 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions - has a dangerous new target in Chad Ochocinco.

“The Jets, well we’ve heard that for a few years,” Brady said. “You don’t ever hear us talking too much about that.” While Jets vs. Patriots should make for an intense matchup in the AFC East, watch for the Baltimore Ravens to ramp up

the volume - and violent hits - with the Steelers in the AFC North. Ray Lewis is still the fiery leader of an always-dominant Ravens defense, and quarterback Joe Flacco has improved in each of his first three seasons.

Peyton Manning’s neck, even more than his arm, will have a big impact not only on the AFC South, but the entire conference.

It’s strange to be concentrating on an injury for the game’s most durable quarterback, but the Indianapolis Colts’ four-time MVP had offseason surgery and he’s doubtful for Sunday’s game in Houston. If he’s unable to start for the first time in his career, that could give Matt Schaub and the Texans a head start in the division.

The AFC West could be a free-for-all, with Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers’ quickstrike offense looking to get back to the playoffs after a year away. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs have a new offensive coordinator, and the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos are playing under new head coaches.

“I wouldn’t want to think what it would be like with a new coach or a new system,” Chargers center Nick Hardwick said, expecting the lockout to have an impact on teams in that position.

“We’re very fortunate.” —AP

Lockout impact will linger NEW YORK: While the NFL and its players spent the offseason ending the lockout, the work stoppage could have a profound effect on the season which kicks off on Thursday when the last two Super Bowl champions, New Orleans and Green Bay, meet at Lambeau Field.

Both teams emerged from the lockout without much damage, putting them among the early favorites to represent the NFC in the title game. The Saints are a veteran squad bolstered by free agency and the strong leadership of quarterback Drew Brees. No team had better attended offseason workouts while the league and players association were negotiating through July.

“We got a lot of young guys ahead of the curve during that process so that walking into camp, it’s not that big of a shock to them when they get the playbook and it’s that thick and they haven’t had a chance to really look at it,” Brees said.

“I feel like we’ve been together because, in reality, we were together.” Green Bay gets back a handful of players sidelined a year ago, enhancing a squad that went from sixth seed to champions without them. Most notable will be dynamic tight end Jermichael Finley and starting running back Ryan Grant, who provide even more help for Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers.

“The drive we’ve got in this locker room is amazing,” Finley said. “I think this is going to be a

special team right here.”

To get to the regular season, the 32 teams had to survive a frenzied post-lockout period fea-

(unsigned and injured), quarterback Carson Palmer (unhappy and unofficially retired) and receiver Randy Moss. Another all-

NASHVILLE: In this file photo taken Sept. 20, 2009, Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson runs for a 57-yard touchdown.

Johnson, a three-time Pro Bowl running back, signed his four-year contract extension worth $53 million and the $30 million guarantee he wanted. —AP turing wild bidding wars for veteran free agents and compressed pursuits of undrafted rookies.

Not starting the season, for the first time in two decades, is Brett Favre. Also among the missing are receiver Terrell Owens

time great quarterback, Peyton Manning, had neck surgery in May and wasn’t activated by the Indianapolis Colts until last week.

His consecutive starts string of 227, including the playoffs, is the second longest in NFL history for

quarterbacks behind Favre, and could be in jeopardy.

Donovan McNabb is starting anew (again) in Minnesota, Matt Hasselbeck has headed to Memphis, Vince Young left Nashville for Philadelphia, where he will back up $100 million man Michael Vick, and Kevin Kolb, through the most impactful trade of the summer, is first-string in Arizona. Other new faces to watch in different places include Reggie Bush in Miami, Chad Ochocinco in New England, and Nnamdi Asomugha, the grand prize of free agency in Philadelphia.

The CBA settlement made more than 450 players unrestricted free agents, as the minimum to qualify went back to four years; it was six in 2010, an uncapped year. The salary cap was set at about $123 million, then the frenzy began. The Philadelphia Eagles, already a solid Super Bowl contender, revamped their squad and have been declared the champion of free agency, for what that’s worth. The Eagles added cornerback Asomugha, DLs Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin to their defense, receiver Steve Smith, running back Ronnie Brown and Young to their offense.

“Whatever it takes to try to get there, that’s what we’re going to do,” team president Joe Banner said of the Eagles’ Super Bowl-orbust mentality. “The expectations are high internally as well as externally, and I think that’s a good place to be.”—AP

Is Usain Bolt trying hard enough?

NEW YORK: Can a man be faulted for wanting a revolving bed? For being so cheeky that he starts to learn Spanish to better woo members of the opposite sex, instead of just staring at them? For unashamedly loving to party and, most important of all in his case, knowingly under-utilizing a worldbeating talent unique in the history of sport?

In answer to that last question: If that man is Usain Bolt, yes, he can. To secondguess and doubt Bolt after he ran the fourth-fastest 200 meters ever on Saturday and topped that Sunday by anchoring Jamaica to a world record in the 400 relay may seem ungenerous and petty, akin to quibbling with perfection.

Bolt’s electric performances and crowdcharming antics make track and field attractive after so many years when doping cases made it repellent. His records rewrite our understanding of what humans are capable. Having given all this and more to his sport, it may seem greedy, like the unreasonable demands of a spoiled child, to expect Bolt to keep delivering, to keep pushing boundaries, to make us even happier. But the fact remains that Bolt, by his own admission, could blow our minds even more if he really put his mind to it. His biography published last year made for disturbing reading because, in it, the fastest human ever acknowledged that he doesn’t like to train or to live as well as he could or should, suggesting that he could run faster still if only he could be bothered.

“I’m so lucky that I’m raw talent. If I really worked at it I could be extremely good indeed, but I never have. Yes, I put the effort in at times, but I could do more,” he said. “If I train right, eat right, go to the gym all the time and dedicate myself 100 percent then I definitely will do craz y times ... It’s hard, man. I don’t know how some sportsmen do it,” “I’m not a conventional athlete,” he also said. “I do what I like, stay up till whatever time I feel like, socialize when I like and eat what I like. I don’t follow any of the rules.”

Maybe Bolt, an incorrigible showoff, was

merely teasing us in hopes of selling more books. He certainly looked in prime shape at the world championships last week in Daegu, South Korea. In the 200 and relay finals, and despite having comfortable leads, Bolt sprinted flat-out all the way to the line - unlike when winning the 100 gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he slowed, showboated and earned a tickingoff from IOC President Jacques Rogge.

But if Bolt is being truthful about not fully exploiting his talents, then that means he is shortchanging us and the sport that made him a global icon.

With less partying and more dedication, could Bolt whittle more hundredths off his marks of 9.58 in the 100 and 19.19 in the 200, so the records would endure into the 22nd century?

Bolt says he’s working on becoming a legend. It can be argued he already is. But just how legendary depends on how much harder Bolt is prepared to work.

He has the chance to stake a claim as the greatest athlete ever with more records and golds at the 2012 London Olympics, but not if he leaves the sport and fans wondering “if only ...” “You have to change your lifestyle if you want to be great. There’s extra sacrifices you have to make,” says Maurice Greene, who won the 100 at the 2000 Sydney Games and set a world mark of 9.79 in 1999 after hiring a nutritionist to improve his diet. “He’s great now, so just imagine if he just stopped the partying,” Greene says of Bolt. “who knows, maybe that one thing will make him be just a little bit better.”

Which isn’t to say that the Honorable Usain St. Leo Bolt (the Jamaican government awarded him the “honorable” title in 2009) should become bland and boring like so many other sports stars with cardboard personalities.

His ticket-selling showmanship is a big par t of why he can command fees of US$300,000 per race. For Bolt, a good time is an evening of dominoes followed by clubbing to Jamaican dance tunes. He says he once raced Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke down a street after partying in

London.

He borrowed his post-retirement dream of owning a rotating bed from a Snoop Dog music video. He can be absent-minded, briefly misplacing his Olympic medals while in New York and losing the phone numbers of football stars he’s rubbed shoulders with, and has long had an impish sense of fun: as a kid, he delighted in flicking the ears of his sports teacher and running off.

It may be that Bolt wouldn’t run as fast if he was uptight. In Daegu, there were suspicions that the false start that disqualified him from the 100 final was in part due to anxiety that he needed a quick getaway to hold off eventual winner Yohan Blake.

“I’ve always thought, even when I was competing, (that) the people who falsestarted showed me that they were the ones who weren’t ready,” said former Olympic champion hurdler Allen Johnson. “Bolt is by far the fastest man ever, but I think ... he showed all of us that he wasn’t in top form.

He wasn’t ready.”

Which isn’t what one wants to hear about such a unique talent. In his book, Bolt says he does work when he needs to, “everything goes on hold, even parties.”

Those in his entourage say he takes better care of himself than he used to. Bolt says that in Beijing in 2008, he ate only chicken nuggets - 15 at each sitting, breakfast, lunch and dinner, hardly the diet of champions. Now, he often has a Jamaican chef and, according to his agent Ricky Simms, succumbed to nuggets only occasionally in Daegu.

“I think people are concerned that as he’s getting older, if he parties the way he did at 21 when he was 26, your body won’t be able to hold up. I think that’s a concern. He knows that,” said Bolt’s manager, Norman Peart. “It happens with the celebrities.

People see you at a party two times in a night, they say you’re there for the week,” Peart added. “The good thing (is) that we know that he knows what to do.” Let’s hope so. We all know that Bolt is the best.

But what we want to be sure of is that we see the best of Bolt. —AP

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Djokovic rolls into US Open quarters NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic opened his fourth-round match with a thrilling 16-14 first-set tiebreaker over No. 22 Alexandr Dolgopolov and things got easier from there in a 7-6 (14), 6-4, 6-2 victor y at the US Open on Monday.

Djokovic, who racked up his 61st win in 63 matches this year, will face fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic in the quarterfinals as he seeks his first title at Flushing Meadows. “ This is one of the longest tiebreaks I ever played,” Djokovic said. “It was certainly exciting to be part of it. But, you know, I knew that I needed to win that set.”

Djokovic saved four set points and finally closed out the set on his sixth chance. When Dolgopolov missed a forehand to give Djokovic the set, Djokovic pumped his fist and put his hands to his ears to take in the applause from the fans at Louis Armstrong Stadium, which sees fewer and fewer headliners as the tournament progresses and the big matches move into Ashe.

“It was a packed stadium. It was a different experience because I haven’t played on that court for a while,” Djokovic said.

Later, eighth-seeded Mardy Fish of the United States lost to 11th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 6-4, 6-7 (5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

In the women’s tournament, Serena Williams fought off the wind, along with brief flurries of effectiveness from her opponent, to advance to the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Ana Ivanovic.

Williams closed out the match with four straight serves that Ivanovic couldn’t get back clocked at between 99 and 111 mph in a blustery Arthur Ashe Stadium that had both players fighting with their tosses and topspin all day.

“I didn’t even go for winners at any point,” said Williams, who hit only 16. “I just tried to get it over because it was so windy. It was definitely tough.”

Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki trailed by a set and 4-1 in the second before coming back to beat 2004 champion Svetlana

Kuznetsova 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-1 in a night match.

Wozniack i turned things around thanks to a combination of her own increasingly aggressive play and Kuznetsova’s increased mistakes. Kuznetsova’s

minutes and finished at 11:29 p.m., delaying the star t of Federer-Monaco.

Forty minutes before it ended, Wozniacki’s boyfriend, US Open men’s golf champion Rory McIlory, tweeted: “COME ON!!!!!!”

NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine during the US Open tennis tournament. —AP

Rain washes out US Open NEW YORK: Rain washed out play at the US Open yesterday, leaving defending champion Rafael Nadal and title rival Andy Murray kicking their heels in frustration.

After delaying the start of play, organizers announced that a poor forecast had prompted them to cancel both the day and night sessions for yesterday. Play was expected to resume today at 11am (15:00 GMT), weather permitting. —AFP 40-20 edge in winners was rendered meaningless by her 78 unforced errors, 52 more than Wozniacki.

Their match lasted 3 hours, 2

“I know Rory was watching, so I think I kept him up for quite some time. I feel a bit guilty,” Wozniack i said. “Now he can sleep well because I won.”

She reeled off 12 of the last 14 games by getting slightly more aggressive - and by benefiting from all of Kuznetsova’s unforced errors, 78 in all.

Even facing such a big deficit, Wozniacki said she told herself, “OK, I can do this. I can still fight back.” She added: “I know that I’m in good shape. I can play out there for five hours if I have to.”

The 21-year-old Wozniacki, the 2009 runner-up at the US Open, has been ranked No. 1 for all but one week since last October but is still seeking her first major championship.

She now faces No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, who eliminated 76th-ranked Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 6-1, 6-4. “After last year’s breakthrough here, when I reached fourth round, my confidence changed completely. I just started believing in myself, (that) I could reach the second weeks of Grand Slams,” Petkovic said. “Before, I was just playing and seeing what happens.” Seeded only 28th after missing big chunks of the last two years with injuries to her foot, Williams improved to 16-0 this year on hardcourt. She has yet to drop a set at the US Open and now finds herself in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since last year at Wimbledon, when she won her 13th major title.

With each win at Flushing Meadows, she makes a stronger case that the “28” before her name at this tournament is only a number. When healthy, she might be the best in the world.

“I don’t know if I’m the best or not,” she said. “I believe I am and I think a lot of other girls, women in the locker room, believe they are, too, as they should. I don’t think anyone should go out and say that they’re not.” The 16th-seeded Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open champion and a one time world No. 1, came in on a rebound after a slide down the rankings into the 60s. At times against Williams, flashes of the old Ivanovic showed, especially when she drew back to 3-3 in the first set after dropping the first three games in eight minutes. —AP

Kandy pitch key for Australia, Sri Lanka PALLEKELE: Australia and Sri Lanka will hold back on naming their sides for the second match of their three-Test series in Kandy tomorrow until after they have both had a chance to survey the conditions of a relatively unknown Pallekele stadium pitch.

Australia can wrap up the series with a victory after winning the opening match by 125 runs on a difficult pitch in Galle last week, and both captains are prepared to play the waiting game at a venue hosting just its second ever test.

“The team could change in Kandy depending on what conditions we get,” Australia captain Michael Clarke said soon after the Galle win, his first as captain.

Home sk ipper Tillak aratne Dilshan will also announce his line-up late, and is hoping his side can recover after they were dismissed for 105 in the first innings and were 68-5 in the second before a big sixth-wicket stand salvaged some pride. “I want to see the wicket and then we will decide who is going to play,” Dilshan said.

“It’s difficult to recover when you are beaten in the first game of a series in that fashion. We made the same mistake in England but we have to learn from it and improve for the second test.”

Sri Lanka suffered a dramatic collapse on the final day to lose the first test in England earlier this year but battled well in the remaining two matches to earn two draws in a 1-0 series defeat.

Australia will be forced to make one change, however, as batsman and former skipper Ricky Ponting has opted to return home to be present when his wife gives birth to their second child.

Clarke showed glimpses of his best form with a battling 60 at Galle, and he and Michael Hussey, who scored a man-of-the-match 95 in the first innings, will shoulder the burden of responsibility for the tourists’ batting.

Despite fielding an inexperienced attack, Clarke would have been buoyed by the successful test debuts of Trent Copeland and Nathan Lyon, who took five wickets in the first innings, who both gave Sri Lanka’s strong batting line-up plenty of problems.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be desperate for a change of fortune as they aim for a first victory in 10 tests since world record wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan retired from the longer form of the game in July last year.

Mahela Jayawardene, who recorded his 29th test century, and the 95 runs scored by all-rounder Angelo Mathews were the only positive batting performances in Galle, while Rangana Herath was the pick of the bowlers with match figures of 8-133.

Sri Lanka may opt to replace right arm spinner Suraj Randiv with Ajantha Mendis for the Kandy much but know their batting needs to improve dramatically if they are to give Australia a contest. —Reuters

LITHUANIA: Luol Deng (right) of Great Britain is challenged by Thomas Kelatia ( left) from Poland during the EuroBasket 2011, European Basketball Championships Group A match. —AP

Britain eliminated despite 88-81 victory over Poland PANEVEZYS: Olympic hosts Britain were eliminated from the European championship on Monday despite an 88-81 win over Poland which allowed Turkey to go through.

Holders Spain and hosts Lithuania also advanced from preliminary Pool A, while France, 2009 runners-up Serbia and Germany joined them from Pool B. Surprise package Macedonia, 2005 champions Greece and unfancied Finland progressed from Pool C along with Russia, Slovenia and Georgia, the top three teams from Pool D. The second stage will feature two groups of six, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals of the tournament which is also an Olympic qualifying event.

Britain produced several good performances in Lithuania and bowed out on a high note after an excellent performance against the Poles.

“We were just happy for ourselves to win this game and to go home with two wins is a good result for us,” said forward Joel Freeland, who shone with 27 points and 11 rebounds after hitting all his 12 shots from the field.

Facing an early exit after losing to Poland on Sunday, the Turks could hardly believe their luck as several hundred of their vociferous fans roared on the British against Poland in the closing stages of the gripping contest.

Knowing they were through no matter what they did against Spain, a relieved Turkish team stunned the champions 65-57 two hours later after conceding only 19 second-half points. “ We were ready to go home but someone helped us today and that gave us the impetus to fight hard,” said Turkey forward Emir Preldzic, the game’s top scorer with 18 points.

“We have the potential to beat anyone but (on Sunday) we made a huge mistake because we started thinking about the game against Spain before we even played Poland,” added point guard

Ender Arslan. “We must make sure it doesn’t happen again and motivate ourselves for one game at a time.”

France advanced as the top team from Pool B with five wins out of five after a 97-96 overtime defeat of Serbia in the day’s most entertaining contest with a thrilling climax.

The lead changed hands time and again before Serbia forward Dusko Savanovic, who turned 28 on Monday, missed an easy lay-up on the buzzer with the French defence beaten by a no-look pass from Stefan Markovic.

The tournament’s top performer Tony Parker led France with 24 points and six steals and point guard Nicolas Barum added 18, while Marko Keselj stood out for Serbia with 25 points.

Russia remained the only other team with a perfect record after an equally dramatic 65-64 win over Slovenia. Vitaly Fridzon scored his only field goal in the last second of the game to crown his team’s comeback.

Macedonia’s impressive run continued with their fourth straight win, a 75-68 success over Bosnia that took them through to the second stage for the first time as an independent nation.

In contrast, fellow former Yugoslavs Croatia stretched their winless streak against Greece to 16 years with a 74-69 defeat and crashed out in the preliminary stage for the first time since they gained independence in 1992.

“We’ve had an awful tournament and as the team captain I have to apologise to all our fans for letting them down,” said Croatia’s captain Marko Popovic.

“There are no excuses because we had a very kind draw, we were not good enough and I hope some future generation will do better because Croatia deserves better,” he added.

Finland advanced with a 71-65 victory over Montenegro, Germany progressed with an 81-80 win over Latvia and Georgia went through despite a 79-69 loss to Bulgaria.—Reuters

Preview

Top 12 gear up for second Euro phase

SPAIN: Saxo Bank rider Juan Jose Haedo from Argentina celebrates on the podium after winning the 16th stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race. —AP

Cobo retains lead after Haedo wins 16th stage HARO: Argentina’s Juan Jose Haedo of the Saxo Bank team won the 16th stage of the Tour of Spain yesterday while Spain’s Juan Jose Cobo of Geox retained the leader’s red jersey.

Haedo beat Italy’s Alessandro Petacchi of Lampre to the line in a sprint finish after a relatively flat 203.6-kilometre ride from Villa Romana La Olmeda to Haro in northern Spain.

Third was another Italian, Daniele Bennati of Leopard Trek. Cobo, who finished 10th, 10 seconds behind the stage winner, holds a 20-second lead over Britain’s Chris Froome of the Sky Team in the overall standings.

Another Briton, Bradley Wiggins, also of Sky, remains third overall, 51 seconds behind Cobo. Froome and Wiggins finished 13th and 22nd respectively yesterday.

Haedo admitted he was lucky in the last kilometre. The final sprint took the riders around a traffic circle, but some, such as Slovakia’s Peter Sagan of Liquigas, ended up taking it in the wrong direction. “Until today, I had very few chances to win a sprint,” said Haedo. “But today I managed it.

“The truth is that, in the course book, it was not specified that you can only go

round the traffic circle to the left. I was lucky.”

The stage was marked by several crashes, one of which involved Spain’s Joaquim Rodriguez of Katusha, who finished the stage 11 minutes behind the leader and went immediately to hospital for tests. Italy’s Alessandro Spezialetti of Lampre suffered a fractured collarbone and withdrew.

Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara of Leopard Trek also announced he intended to withdraw from the Tour, but to return home in order to prepare for the World Championships in Copenhagen.

Three riders — 21-year-old Spaniard Antonio Cabello of AGC, his compatriot and teammate Jesus Rosendo and Frenchman Julien Fouchard of Cofidisstaged an early breakaway and together built up a lead of more than eight minutes.

But Cabello and Fouchard were caught with some 15 kilometres from the finish and Rosendo a few kilometres later.

Today’s 17th stage takes the riders 211 kilometres from Faustino V to Pena Cabarga, a hilly route that ends by the coast in the northern region of Cantabria. —AFP

VILNIUS: The second round of the 2011 European Championship begins here today, with all the favorites and some surprises still in the race for the title and spots at next year’s Olympics.

After five games in six days for the teams in the first round, the action starts again today in Vilnius with the two six-nation groups alternating game days until nex t Monday, when the quarter-finals will be decided.

Groups A and B went largely as expected, with the top favorites all advancing to Group E. Group A was won by reigning champions Spain, while hosts Lithuania were second and 2010 world championship runners-up Turkey took third place.

The results from the first round against the other advancing teams carry over and count in the second round standings, with the top four finishers reaching the last eight.

The two finalists will book automatic berths for the 2012 Summer Games, while teams finishing third to sixth advance to next summer’s 12-team pre -Olympic qualifying tournament for the final three spots in London.

All three teams from Group A take 1-1 records into Group E, while France enter with a 2-0 record after taking Group B honors with a perfect record, including a thrilling overtime victory over second-placed Serbia.

One main issue in Group E is the sprained ankle that kept superstar Pau Gasol out of Spain’s final firstround game against Turkey, which

the Spaniards lost.

With only four teams advancing to the final eight, two traditionally strong teams from Group E will leave Lithuania before the biennial tournament reaches the knockout stage in Kaunas on September 14.

Group F, made up of the top three teams from Groups C and D, is the home to two real shock contenders, one surprise package and a trio of usual contenders.

In Group D, 2007 European champions Russia emerged with a perfect record to enter the second round with two wins.

Head coach David Blatt has his men playing the best defence in the tournament and his team must be considered a title contender.

Slovenia went through Group D in second place and would not be a surprise quarter-finalist.

The other Group D team is Georgia, who not only are making their European Championship debut but booked their first victory and their first spot in the second round.

Group C proved the most balanced and the most surprising of the first-round groups, with four nations from the former Yugoslavia-Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro-as well as 2005 champions Greece and late qualifiers Finland.

Macedonia surprisingly come into the second round as Group C winners at 2-0, while Greece are 11, with Finland pulling off a seismic shock by progressing thanks to a huge 28-point vic tor y over Bosnia. —AFP

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Spain qualify for Euro 2012

FLORENCE: Italy’s defender Giorgio Chiellini (left) and Slovenia’s defender Valter Birsa battle for the ball during their Group C, Euro 2012 qualifying soccer match. —AP

Pazzini sends Italy to Euro 2012 FLORENCE: Substitute Giampaolo Pazzini scored a late goal to lift the gloom around the Stadio Artemio Franchi here yesterday and send Italy to the European Championships next year with a 1-0 win over Slovenia.

Until that moment the Azzurri looked to be heading for a frustrating night and the need for another point to secure their path to Poland and Ukraine.

But a defensive mix-up between Marko Suler and Bostjan Cesar left Pazzini to smash home from five yards. They now have an unassailable lead atop qualifying Group C despite Serbia’s win over the Faroe Islands.

But the three points will do little to paper over the cracks of another largely uninspiring performance against poor opponents, in which Italy should have sealed victory long before Pazzini’s goal.

Just as they had done in the Faroes on Friday, Italy started at breakneck speed, creating their first chance within 60 seconds as Giuseppe Rossi beat a dawdling backline only for Jasmin Handanovic to save his powerful finish with his feet.

Playing in his home stadium, Riccardo Montolivo ghosted into the box to drift a header wide from Federico Balzaretti’s cross and then Daniele De Rossi latched onto Montolivo’s pass but shanked his effort wide.

All that was within the first six minutes. Rossi screwed wide after being set up by Antonio Cassano following more good play from Montolivo and then Thiago Motta failed to get significant purchase on his shot from Cassano’s chip over the top.

Italy’s worst miss came from De Rossi as he somehow failed to turn in Montolivo’s centre from two yards out with the goal at his mercy.

The defensive Slovenians created little but did twice bring Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon into the game from fierce strikes by Dare Vrsic and Robert Koren.

Italy may have created many chances in the first period but after the break they started looking increasingly labored.

Denmark 2 Norway 0 In Copenhagen, two first-half goals from Nicklas Bendtner earned Denmark a 2-0 win over Norway in their Euro 2012 qualifier in Group H yesterday.

Bendtner opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when he stopped his run to collect a pass from Dennis Rommedahl before rifling the ball home. He then beat Norway goalkeeper Rune Almenning Jarstein from around 25 meters (yards) with a low shot. They were Bendtner’s first goals in 14 months for Denmark.

Leader Portugal, Denmark and Norway all have 13 points in a tightly- contested group of five teams, which also features Iceland and Cyprus.

Bosnia 1 Belarus 0 In Zenica, a late goal by Zvezdan Misimovic gave Bosnia-Herzegovina a 1-0 win over nineman Belarus in their Euro 2012 qualifying match in Group D yesterday.

Striker Edin Dzeko passed the ball to Misimovic, who shot left-footed into the corner in the 87th minute. Belarus went down to 10 men before halftime when midfielder Timofei Kalachev received a second yellow card in the 34th for simulation. His first booking came seven minutes earlier for a fierce challenge on Bosnia’s Senad Lulic.

Belarus defender Martinovic was also sent off in the 85th following two bookings for fouls on Manchester City striker Dzeko.

Dzeko missed a chance in the first half to put the home team ahead with a header from close range in the 43rd minute which Vitali Trubilo was able to clear.

Belarus played aggressively but failed to create clearcut scoring chances. Yellow cards rained down throughout the match with nine being shown to Belarus players and three to the home side. The Bosnians picked up their game in the second half, though, with Dzeko providing the major threat.

Scotland 1 Lithuania 0 In Glasgow, Steven Naismith scored just after halftime as Scotland registered a 1-0 home win over Lithuania to keep its hopes of qualifying for Euro 2012 alive.

Naismith connected with a right-wing cross from Barry Bannan in the 50th minute to clinch victory and save the blushes of Scotland captain Darren Fletcher, who had a penalty saved just before the break.

Scotland had enjoyed greater possession in the opening period and threatened to score twice in the early stages from Bannan corners particularly when Christophe Berra sliced wide at the back post in the 16th. The game opened up as Lithuania pushed forward in the second half, but wayward finishing from both sides ensured there were no further goals.

Slovakia 0 Armenia 4 In Zilina, Armenia scored four second-half goals to upset Slovakia 4-0 in Euro 2012 qualifying yesterday. Yura Movsisyan netted in the 57th minute after the Slovak defense failed to clear a corner kick for his fourth international goal.

Henrik Mkhitaryan added the second with a low, long-range shot in the 70th that took Slovak goalkeeper Jan Mucha by surprise.

With the Slovaks desperately attacking, the visitors focused on quick counterattacks. Gevorg Ghazaryan scored 10 minutes before the end and substitute Artur Sarkisov finished the Slovaks off in injury time.

“We were better in the first half but we failed to score,” Slovakia captain Marek Hamsik said.

“It’s our mistake. Football is all about goals.”

Slovakia’s second loss in the qualifying campaign - the previous 3-1 defeat came in October also by Armenia - is a blow to its hopes of qualifying for next year’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Croatia 3 Israel 1 In Zagreb, Luka Modric and Eduardo were both on target as Croatia came from a goal down to beat 10-man Israel 3-1 in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Tuesday and tighten its grip at the top of Group F. Croatia dominated the match, but Israel was the first to takes its chances on the counterattack, with Tomer Hemed scoring his first goal for the national team in the 44th minute. However, Croatia made a stunning comeback in the second half, scoring three times in just 12 minutes.

Modric scored first in the 47th, with an impressive shot from some 23 meters, giving no chance to Israeli goalkeeper Guy Haimov, who was substitute for injured Dudu Aouate.

The Israelis were reduced to 10 players in 51st minute when Tal Ben Haim received a red card for fierce challenge on Eduardo. From that moment on, Croatia was dominant. Eduardo struck in the 55th and 57th to seal the victory.

“We were not bad in the first half, had some chances, but it was important to score early in the second half,” Croatia captain Darijo Srna said.

“We are looking forward to the remaining matches.”—AP

Messi inspires Argentina to 3-1 victory over Nigeria DHAKA: A magical Lionel Messi relished his new role as Argentina captain as he set up two fine goals to help beat Nigeria 3-1 in a friendly encounter in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka yesterday.

The Barcelona superstar, who has often failed to find top form for his country, set the pitch alight with his magnificent left foot, weaving through Nigeria’s defence at will to deafening cheers at a three-quarters-full stadium.

Exorbitant ticket prices-a minimum $100 apiece-meant the 24,000 seats available did not fill up, while thousands of people stayed outside the ground just to have a glimpse at Messi and Co. It was new Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella’s second victory in as many matches

after his team beat Venezuela 1-0 in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata on Friday.

Sabella, who replaced Sergio Batista after Argentina’s disappointing performance at the Copa America on home soil in July, said Messi was the difference on the night.

“He did not score but he laid on all three goals. He was the best player on the park regardless of whether he scored or not,” he said. The trickster set up the first goal with a deft chip that sent Gonzalo Higuain clear in the 25th minute.

Angel di Maria tapped home the second two minutes later after Messi again ran through the gaping Nigerian defence before his shot was parried by the goalkeeper, the ball falling invitingly for di Maria.—AFP

LOGRONO: Alvaro Negredo scored twice to put Spain into Euro 2012 as the defending champion beat Liechtenstein 6-0 in qualifying yesterday. Spain secured Group I with two games to spare to join Germany and Italy in next year ’s tournament in Poland and the Ukraine, where it is looking to become the first European nation to defend the title after winning the World Cup. David Villa also scored twice while Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Ramos added the others as Spain built an insurmountable eight-point lead after a sixth straight group win to lead the Czech Republic with 18 points. Thirdplace Scotland has eight points after yesterday’s 1-0 win over Lithuania, which has five points to lead last-place Liechtenstein by one point.

Spain ended 44 barren years at major tournaments with its 1-0 victory over Germany at the Euro 2008 final in Vienna, thanks to a goal from Fernando Torres. But the Chelsea striker was left to watch from the stands as Negredo made a strong case for going to next year’s tournament by taking his goal tally to five from seven games.

Xavi delivered an immaculate pass into the area for Negredo in the 33rd minute and the Spain striker coolly controlled the ball before shooting past goalkeeper Peter Jehle for the opener at the Las Gaunas stadium, where the hosts dominated possession and play but were stymied by its opponent in the early stages.

Only four minutes later, Negredo capped an impressive combination started by Andres Iniesta, with Villa coolly back-tapping onto the path of Negredo to slice a left-footed shot inside the far post from inside the area.

Franz Burgmeiger’s handball set up Xavi’s 44th-minute strike from the edge of the area as Jehle was left flat-footed by the curling shot over the wall. Xavi’s 103rd cap saw him move ahead of Raul Gonzalez into third all-time in appearances. Spain continued to dazzle with its quick passing and darting runs as Negredo flicked a cross onto the path of Ramos to guide low into the net in the 53rd minute. Juanma Mata then raced down the flank and along the goal line before passing into the middle of the area where Villa awaited to fire home on the hour mark. Villa added a second goal in the 79th after volleying Xabi Alonso’s cross into the roof of the net from close range.

Dutch 2 Finland 0 In Helsinki, the Netherlands closed in on qualification for Euro 2012 with a

2-0 win over 10-man Finland yesterday.

Kevin Strootman latched onto Wesley Sneijder’s chipped through ball to score the first goal with a delicately placed flick in the 30th minute.

Finland’s Perparim Hetemaj was sent off for a second booking in the 60th before Luuk de Jong wrapped up the win in injury time with a deftly sidefooted finish.

The Dutch — ranked No. 1 — maintained their 100 percent record in Group E, moving onto 24 points from eight games. Finland has nine points.

Snejder’s passes produced further chances for Eljero Elia and Robin van Persie, but Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky denied them. Van Persie put

LOGRONO: Spain’s David Villa (right) celebrates after he scored his goal against Liechtenstein during their Euro 2012 qualifying soccer match. —AP the ball in the net from a Snejder freekick after just 15 minutes, but was ruled offside by the linesman. Finland came closest with a Kasper Hamalainen lob over out-rushing Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, but Erik Pieters got back in time to clear the lofted shot off the line.

Russia 0 Ireland 0 In Moscow, Russia was left to rue its missed chances after being held to a 00 draw by Ireland in their Group B qualifier for Euro 2012 yesterday.

Russia seized control in the opening minutes and went on to dominate the game at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, but squandered numerous scoring opportunities.

Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin forced keeper Shay Given into his first save with a low shot from outside the

Euro 2012 qualifying tables PARIS: Euro 2012 qualifying tables after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Germany Turkey Belgium Austria Azerbaijan Kazakhstan

8 8 8 8 8 8

Russia Ireland Armenia Slovakia Macedonia Andorra

8 8 8 8 8 8

Italy Serbia Estonia Slovenia N Ireland Faroe Islands

8 8 9 9 8 10

France Bosnia Belarus Romania Albania Luxembourg

8 8 9 8 8 9

Netherlands Hungary Sweden Finland Moldova San Marino

8 9 8 8 8 9

Croatia Greece Israel Georgia Latvia Malta

8 8 9 9 8 8

England MontÈnÈgro Switzerland Bulgaria Wales

7 6 6 7 6

Portugal Denmark Norway Iceland Cyprus

6 6 7 7 6

Spain Czech Republic Scotland Lithuania Liechtenstein

6 6 6 7 7

Group A 8 0 4 2 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 0 Group B 5 2 4 3 4 2 4 2 2 1 0 0 Group C 7 1 4 2 4 1 3 2 2 3 1 1 Group D 5 2 5 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 Group E 8 0 6 0 6 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 Group F 6 1 5 3 4 1 2 4 2 2 0 1 Group G 5 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 1 0 Group H 4 1 4 1 4 1 1 1 0 2 Group I 6 0 3 1 2 2 1 2 1 1

penalty area eight minutes into the game. Midfielder Igor Semshov, who scored the winner in Russia’s 1-0 qualifying victory over Macedonia on Friday, tried his luck after collecting a pass from Alexander Kerzhakov on the left wing in the 21st minute, but Given intercepted again. Kevin Doyle tested Russia keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev with a long-distance drive after 13 minutes - the visitors’ only shot on goal compared to Russia’s six in the first half.

The action was soon back at the other end, though, with Richard Dunne needing to make a lunge in the 33rd minute to block Semshov’s shot from 12 meters (yards) after Yuri Zhirkov dribbled past four defenders in the box

0 2 2 4 5 7

28 11 16 12 9 5

5 8 11 16 21 20

24 14 12 8 7 3

1 1 2 2 5 8

10 11 17 6 6 1

4 6 7 8 9 17

17 15 14 14 7 0

0 2 4 4 3 8

16 12 13 10 8 6

1 10 13 7 8 26

22 14 13 11 9 4

1 2 3 2 4 7

11 11 6 10 6 3

3 7 5 6 10 16

17 16 12 12 8 4

0 3 2 5 6 9

34 22 26 15 8 0

5 14 8 14 15 49

24 18 18 9 6 0

1 0 4 3 4 7

16 10 11 6 7 4

5 4 11 7 10 17

19 18 13 10 8 1

0 1 2 4 5

15 5 10 3 3

3 3 8 12 10

17 11 8 5 3

1 1 2 5 4

15 9 7 3 5

7 4 6 9 13

13 13 13 4 2

0 2 2 4 5

21 8 7 3 3

5 5 7 9 16

18 10 8 5 4

Note: nine group winners and best second-placed team qualify automatically for Euro 2012 alongside hosts Poland and Ukraine; remaining eight runners-up enter play-offs.

to set up a clear chance.

Arshavin fired a low shot straight into Given’s hands four minutes before halftime, and the keeper again blocked Zhirkov’s curling corner from the near post two minutes later. The home side came close to scoring with just one minute left in the first half, but Damien Duff cleared Sergei Ignashevich’s header off the line.

Czech Republic 4 Ukraine 0 In Prague, defender Michal Kadlec scored two early goals to lead the Czech Republic to a 4-0 victory over Euro 2012 co-host Ukraine in an international friendly yesterday.

Kadlec made it 1-0 from the penalty spot four minutes into the match after Vyacheslav Shevchuk brought down Jan Rezek in the area.

Kadlec doubled the lead eight min-

utes later with a header from Daniel Pudil’s corner for his fifth goal in his 28th international appearance.

Rezek and Daniel Kolar struck in the first six minutes of the second half for their first international goals. “We have to be satisfied with both the result and our per formance,” Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek said. “We wanted our players to do their best from the start.”

Ukraine’s best chance came six minutes before the final whistle with a close-range shot by substitute Anton Shinder that hit the crossbar.

The victory was a confidence boost for the Czechs ahead of their final two games against Spain and Lithuania in qualifying for the 2012 European Championship, which Ukraine is cohosting with Poland.

The Czechs have a good chance of advancing to the playoffs from second spot in Group I. World and European champion Spain, which plays Liechtenstein later Tuesday, is expected to win the group.

Switzerland 3 Bulgaria1 In Basel, teenager Xherdan Shaqiri scored a hat trick as Switzerland beat Bulgaria 3-1 to maintain its chance of qualifying for Euro 2012.

Shaqiri delivered accomplished strikes in first-half stoppage time, then the 62nd and 90th minutes to keep Switzerland in range of second-placed Montenegro in Group G. Earlier, the 19-year-old FC Basel forward sparked the Swiss into life af ter Bulgaria led in the ninth through Ivan Ivanov’s close-range finish following a corner.

Shaqiri peppered the Bulgarian goal with a series of long-range shots when cutting infield on his left foot before getting the goals he deserved.

Bulgaria had defender Zhivko Milanov sent off in the 65th for a second yellow card.

Austria 0 Turkey 0 In Vienna, Turkey missed a penalty in injury time before drawing 0-0 with Austria yesterday to boost its chances of finishing second in Euro 2012 qualifying Group A. Midfielder Arda Turan saw his weak effort saved by Austria goalkeeper Pascal Gruenwald, who had given away the penalty by fouling Burak Yilmaz in the area. Turkey is now two points clear of Belgium with two games remaining, while fourth-place Austria has been eliminated. Germany had already won the group with the maximum 24 points from eight matches.—AP

England take giant stride LONDON: England took a giant stride towards qualification for Euro 2012 here yesterday after an Ashley Young goal handed them a 1-0 win over Wales to leave them six points clear at the top of Group G. Manchester United star Young rifled in a low cross from Stewart Downing on 35 minutes to secure all three points for England, who now need only a point from their final match against Montenegro next month to clinch the group.

Wales squandered a golden opportunity to secure what would have been a scarcelydeserved point when substitute Robert Earnshaw missed an open goal from five yards out 15 minutes from time.

Earnshaw’s miss left Wales manager Gary Speed burying his head in his hands but the visiting coach could have few complaints with his team’s defeat after they failed to seriously test England for long periods.

England manager Fabio Capello had recalled Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard to his starting line-up after dropping him for last Friday’s 3-0 victory over Bulgaria in Sofia.

Capello also rested Theo Walcott as a precaution, replacing the Arsenal winger with Manchester City’s James Milner.

England enjoyed by far the better of the first half, and might have taken the lead after only eight minutes only for captain John Terry to flash a close-range header wide of the post after an inviting corner from Young.

With Wales star Gareth Bale deployed to the right wing, all too often the visitors were left exposed down the opposite flank, where Liverpool’s Downing was a constant menace.

Downing had fired a warning shot on 17 minutes when he ghosted past fullback Neil Taylor only to overhit his cross. Moments later Downing was on the prowl again, gliding into space but just failing to pick out Wayne Rooney with his centre.

At the other end England goalkeeper Joe Hart was a virtual spectator for most of the first half, although Bale reminded the home side of his latent threat when he beat Milner to draw a booking from the England midfielder.

Estonia 4 Northern Ireland 1 In Tallinn, Estonia took advantage of defensive errors to claim a 4-1 home win over Northern Ireland yesterday and boost its chances of qualifying for Euro 2012.

The result all but extinguished Northern Ireland’s hopes of progressing from Group C to next year’s finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Martin Vunk opened the scoring for Estonia in the 28th minute with a low shot and Tarmo Kink doubled the advantage four minutes later when Northern Ireland goalkeeper Lee Camp made a mess of dealing with his long-range effort.

Raio Piiroja headed an own goal in the 39th minute to give Northern Ireland hope, but Sergei Zenjov scored Estonia’s third after another defensive error in the 60th and Kaimar Saag added a late fourth.

The win moved Estonia to 13 points from nine matches, one point behind Serbia in second. Northern Ireland stayed fifth with nine

points from eight matches. Italy leads the group with 22 points and has qualified.

Mistakes proved to be Northern Ireland’s downfall. After a cagey opening half hour, Dmitri Kruglov found space on the left flank and his cross was missed by Gareth McAuley to allow Vunk to hit a low shot past Camp from the edge of the box.

Serbia 3 Faeroe Island 1 In Belgrade, Serbia beat Faeroe Islands 3-1 in a Euro 2012 qualifier yesterday thanks to goals by Milan Jovanovic, Zoran Tosic and Zdravko Kuzmanovic.

The hosts opened the match aggressively, and a header by Jovanovic put them ahead in the 6th minute. Tosic made it 2-0 in the 23rd with a powerful volley from Aleksandar Kolarov’s pass.

Serbia sat back after the second goal, and Christian Lamhauge Holst set up Frodi Benjaminsen to slot in for the visitors in the 37th.

Serbia stepped up the pressure in the second half, repeatedly attacking and eventually restoring the two-goal cushion when Kuzmanovic scored in the 69th with a 25-yard (meter) striker.

Romania 0 France 0 In Bucharest, France drew 0-0 with Romania to have its lead at the top of Group D cut to a point in Euro 2012 qualifying yesterday.

Romania troubled the 2000 European champions with its commitment while France struggled in its buildup play on a pitch that quickly deteriorated.

France tops Group D with 17 points, one clear of Bosnia-Herzegovina which beat Belarus 1-0. The draw did little for third-place Romania’s hopes of qualifying as it trails Bosnia-Herzegovina by four points.

France remains unbeaten in its last 13 matches and will host Albania and BosniaHerzegovina next month in its last two qualifiers.

France coach Laurent Blanc revamped his team by demoting five players who started in the unconvincing 2-1 win over Albania last Friday. Anthony Reveillere, Samir Nasri, Alou Diarra and Florent Malouda were dropped to the bench while Younes Kaboul had to watch the match from the stands after his shaky performance in Tirana.

Bacary Sagna, Adil Rami, Yohan Cabaye, Marvin Martin and Mathieu Valbuena took their spots at kickoff. The move did not pay off in the first half as Romania’s determination prevailed over France’s creativity.

France struggled to win the ball in midfield as the hosts often outnumbered them and Romania made up for its awkward passing game by testing the French defense on set pieces.

Banel Nicolita forced goalkeeper Hugo Lloris into making a reflex save with a bouncing free kick that had eluded the France defense after four minutes.

The Romania midfielder then curled another free kick from 30 yards (meters) that Lloris tipped over the bar in the 28th.—AP

Phillies blank Braves

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

Simpson clinches Deutsche Bank title

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Spain defeat Liechtenstein 6-0 to qualify for Euro 2012 Page 19

KUWAIT: Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait (right) vies for the ball with South Korean player during the third round of the 2014 World Cup Asian qualifier.

—Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Kuwait grab vital point against Korea 2014 World Cup Asian qualifiers KUWAIT: Kuwaitís National Football team clinched a vital point yesterday after equalizing against South Korea 1-1, in the second match of the second group in Asiaís third qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The match which was held at Friendship and Peace Stadium in Kazma Sporting Club (SC), ended the first half by a comfortable lead to South Korea 1-0, thanks to Park Shu in the 8th minute. The Kuwaiti team was able to equalize in the 52nd minute by Kuwaitís defender Hussain Fadhil.

The result puts Kuwait and South Korea top of the group with four points each, followed by Lebanon with three points and UAE without any point.

The Kuwait-Korea match witnessed great runs to the goal, thanks to Kuwaiti winger Walid Ali and Fahad Al-Enezi, however they failed to capitalize due to the brilliance of South Korea goalkeeper Song. Meanwhile, UAE Football Confederation sacked the national team Coach Srecko Katanec after the two repeated defeat, Kuwait vs. UAE 3-2 and Lebanon vs. UAE 3-1, during the Asia qualification for the world cup.

UAEís confederation made the remarks on their website, adding that UAEís confederation Chief Mohammad Al-Rumaithi said in earlier remarks that the fate of the coach will be determined after todayís match.

Jordan 2 China1 In Amman, Jordan took control of its World Cup qualifying group with a 2-1 win over China yesterday. Baha Abdul Rahman put the hosts ahead in the 49th minute with a powerful shot after Abdullah Deeb’s pass before Amer Deeb added the second six minutes later as China pressed forward in search of an equalizer.

Hao Junmin pulled one back in the 57th when he caught goalkeeper Amer Shafee by surprise with a shot that went through the defensive wall, but Jordan held on for its first win over China in nine attempts. Jordan has six points from two games and is three points clear of China at the top of Group A. Iraq has three points, while Singapore is without a point. “We had a very tough match,” Jordan coach Adnan Hamad told The Associated Press. “The Chinese played well in the first half but we managed to regroup and play as we planned.

“The result took us to the top of the group and we are really excited.” China had 70 percent of the possession in the first half at Amman International Stadium, but several good saves by Amer Shafee kept the scoreline blank at halftime.

“We had a good start but somehow we lost the rhythm,” China coach Jose Camacho said. Jordan next travels to Singapore on Oct. 11, while China hosts Iraq on the same day.

Lebanon 3 UAE 1 In Beirut, Lebanon came from a goal down to beat the United Arab Emirates 3-1 yesterday in the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. Lebanon, which was routed 6-0 by South Korea in its opening match in Group B, trailed 1-0 after UAE defender Mahmoud Al Hammadi scored in the 15th minute.

But Mohamed Ghadar leveled from the penalty spot in the 37th minute and midfielder Akram Moghrabi put Lebanon ahead with a close-range finish in the 52nd minute. The home side put the game out of reach when skipper Roda Antar headed home with seven minutes remaining.

A second consecutive loss leaves the UAE’s World Cup campaign in tatters, with almost no chance of qualifying for the next round. To make matters worse, the injury-plagued team from the Gulf plays World Cup veterans South Korea in its next match.

Bahrain 2 Indonesia 0 In Jakarta, Bahrain battled low-flying fireworks and a smoke-filled stadium to win 2-0 against Indonesia in their second match of third-round qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. The game was abruptly suspended in the 76th minute when Bahrain’s players left the field in protest at the sporadic fireworks and red flares set off throughout most of the game. After a 15-minute break, play resumed.

Teenage midfielder Sayed Dhiya Saeed put Bahrian ahead seconds before halftime and Ismaeel Abdullatif scored the second goal in a counterattack in the 71st, prompting a fresh barrage of fireworks from angry home fans.

An on-field appeal from Tri Goestoro, the secretary-general of the Indonesian Soccer Association, helped calm the crowd.

Play resumed after the smoke cleared the 88,000-capacity Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. By then the stadium was nearly a quarter empty.

“I have to apologize for the behavior,” Indonesia’s coach Wilhelmus Rijsbergen. “Even if we are losing we should behave and of course accept the situation.”

The embarrassment of the episode was compounded by the presence of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who attended the game with his family.

An otherwise uneventful first half ended with a goal from Bahrain’s Sayed Dhiya Saeed from the right side of the penalty box in the 45th minute, silencing the home crowd seconds before halftime.

Iraq 2 Singapore 0 In Bangkok, Iraq got its World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a 2-0 win at Singapore

yesterday. Iraq, coached by former Brazil great Zico, recovered from the upset home loss to Jordan in their opening match Friday, with striker Alaa AbdulZahra and captain Younis Mahmoud scoring in the second half against Singapore.

Iraq, which has played under high expectation since winning the 2007 Asian Cup and having appointed a big-name coach in Zico, produced a solid performance in Singapore.

The Iraqis controlled play throughout the game, missing several close-range chances in the first half.

Iraq kept the pressure on at the start of the second half and broke through in the 50th minute when Abdul-Zahra headed home. Mahmoud sealed the visitor’s win with a second goal in the 86th minute.

Iraq has three points from two games, while Singapore — which lost 2-1 at China on Friday — has no points.

Thailand 3 Oman 0 In Thailand, Two goals late in the first half set up Thailand’s 3-0 win over Oman yesterday in Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. Sompong Soleb put the hosts ahead in the 35th minute and striker Teerasil Dangda doubled the advantage in the 41st to put Thailand in command.

Oman, coached by Paul LeGuen, could not cut the deficit and an own-goal in stoppage time in the

second half by Rashid al Farsi completed the scoring. Thailand, boosted by an unexpectedly competitive showing in its 2-1 loss at group favorite Australia last Friday, played an attacking game at Rajamangala Stadium.

Following a flurry of forward raids and several missed scoring opportunities, the hosts broke through as Sompong ran at the defense and got in a shot that beat Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, of English Premier League team Wigan.

Thailand built on that momentum, creating more chances and Terrasil doubled the advantage, receiving a crafted pass from captain Datsakorn Thonglao and jabbing the ball into the net.

Despite the two-goal buffer, Thailand kept pressing in the second half, not allowing Oman to settle, and pressured al Farsi into the own goal that capped an impressive display by the home side.

The result meant Thailand, coached by former Cameroon manager Winfried Schaefer, was well positioned to fight for a top two spot in the group, which yields a berth in the fourth and final round of qualifying. Its next game is also at home, against Saudi Arabia on Oct. 11.

North Korea 1 Tajikistan 0 In Pyongyang, a first-half goal by midfielder Pak Nam Chol gave North Korea a 1-0 win over

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Mohammed Ghaddar (right) fights for the ball with United Arab Emirates’ Yousef Jaber (left) during their 2014 World Cup Asian qualifiers soccer match. —AP

Tajikistan yesterday and its first points in thirdround Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. Pak scored in the 14th minute and North Korea was then able to use its trademark strong defense to maintain the advantage. The win gave North Korea three points from two games, having lost its group opener away to Japan after a stoppage time goal. Tajikistan, which only advanced to this stage after Syria was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in the previous round, has lost both its games.

Qatar 1 Iran1 In Doha, Qatar rallied from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw with Iran yesterday in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup. Both goals were scored in the second half, with Hadi Aghili putting Iran deservedly in front with a header in the 46th minute before Qatar equalized through Mohammed El Sayed in the 56th.

Iran enjoyed most of the possession and the scoring opportunities, but paid the price for its missed chances in the Group E game. It remains top of the group, level on four points with Bahrain after two games. Third-place Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, has two points.

Uzbekistan 1 Japan 1 In Tashkent, Shinji Okazaki scored a second-half equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw for Japan against Uzbekistan in a World Cup qualifier yesterday.

Bahodir Nasimov headed the ball on for Server Djeparov to fire past Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima from 10 yards (meters) out after eight minutes. Okazaki equalized with a diving header in the 64th from Atsuto Uchida’s pinpoint cross.

The result leaves both teams on four points in Asian qualifying Group C, and extends Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni’s unbeaten record to 15 matches since taking over last year.

Uzbekistan controlled the pace for most of the match, as Asian Cup champion Japan struggled against much lower-ranked opponents.

Japan was again without standout midfielder Keisuke Honda, who was unable to play because of a right knee injury he picked up playing for CSKA Moscow on Aug. 28.

After Djeparov opened the scoring, Uzbekistan nearly doubled its advantage in the 16th minute through a Victor Karpenko lob that Kawashima only just managed to tip away. Japan came close to equalizing when Tadanari Lee’s left-foot strike hit the post in the first half.

Okazaki made no mistake in the 64th and Japan almost stole a winner in the 72nd but Uzbekistan goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov made a good save from Shinji Kagawa. Japan’s next qualifier will be against Tajikistan in Osaka on Oct. 11. —Agencies

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ROME: Demonstrators march past the Colosseum during a general strike yesterday. — AFP

Strike brings Italy to near-halt Italian govt to seek confidence vote on austerity MILAN: A nationwide strike against austerity measures brought Italy to a near-halt yesterday, piling pressure on Silvio Berlusconi’s government as it tries to convince nervous markets that it can produce and enforce a credible deficit-cutting plan. The government, meanwhile, indicated that it will tie passage of the measures to a vote of confidence, as Berlusconi seeks to enforce discipline in his often unruly coalition. The strike by Italy’s largest union shut down air, land and sea transport, stalled manufacturing and curtailed government services.

Susanna Camusso, head of the left-leaning CGIL union, said the current proposal for $68 billion in austerity cuts needs to be thrown out and substituted with fairer measures. Unions

claim it fails to create jobs while putting too much burden on workers. “We are striking against measures that are unjust. We are striking against measures that are irresponsible, and which put all of the burden on public sector workers,” Camusso told demonstrators in Rome. Camusso pledged to bring lawsuits and court cases against the current draft plan of austerity measures, which among other things want to make it easier to fire workers.

It’s a delicate moment for Berlusconi’s government, which is under intense international pressure to pass measures this month aimed at balancing the budget by 2013. Worries that it is backtracking on some of its pledges have seen investors push up the country’s borrowing

rates. The Senate takes up the measures yesterday, with details still the subject of fierce political fighting. The upper house is set to vote by the end of the week. The Cabinet decide later on tying passage to a confidence vote, a measure that the government has used to ensure passage of key policies.

The package then moves to the lower house in Parliament, with adoption expected

by Sept 15. Italy’s president on Monday urged political leaders to come up with “more efficient measures” citing “alarming signs” that the financial crisis is worsening. Workers for the state railway, city transit systems and ferry services all were on strike for periods throughout the day, creating difficulties for travelers.

Hospital workers, postal employees and bank tellers also joined in, although adherence varied greatly. And workers for such industrial concerns as Fiat also participated.

Court proceedings at the appeals trial in Perugia of US student Amanda Knox, who has been convicted of murder, were delayed by about an hour as members of the jury arrived late due to the strike. In an unusual alliance, union hard-liners and the main industrial lobby agree that the measures contain virtually nothing to stimulate Italy’s practically flat economic growth. But two other unions refused to join the strike call, saying it sent the wrong message to investors.

Investors have been unsettled by the bick-

European stocks slide over eurozone turmoil LONDON: European stocks slid yesterday on doubts about reforms to contain new eurozone debt pressures amid street protests, pushing the price of safe -haven gold to a new record.

Another safe-haven instrument, the Swiss franc, has also surged and yesterday the Swiss central bank sprang a surprise, setting a target “peg”

AMRISTAR: Miss Earth India 2010 Nicole Faria poses with a diamond-studded bustier worth 70 million rupees ($1.52 million) during the launch of a jewelry store yesterday. — AFP

exchange rate against the euro. “Markets are in a dangerous phase with the eurozone debt and banking crisis bringing back memories of (the financial crisis in) 2008 at a time now when there are concerns about the health of the global economy,” said VTB Capital economist Neil MacKinnon.

“Flight to safety themes are dominant in this environment.” Greece raised short term funds at reduced rates, but Greece and also Italy are at the centre of renewed tension over the eurozone debt crisis. Demonstrators were taking to the streets in Italy and Spain to protest against deep crisis cutbacks in public spending.

European stocks staged a moderate comeback in the morning after slumping by about 4.0 percent on Monday, but began to slide in the afternoon. US stocks plummeted in opening trade as investors returned from a long holiday weekend worried about European debt problems and the health of the US economy.

Extending Friday’s sharp losses, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 2.00 percent to 11,015.63 points in the first minute of trading.

The S&P 500-stock index, a broader measure of the markets, slid 2.09 percent to 1,149.48 points, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite tumbled 2.40 percent to 2,420.69 points. Shortly after Wall Street opened the London’s benchmark FTSE 100 stocks index was down 0.18 percent to 5,102.58 points but later it showed a slight gain.

Frankfurt’s DAX 30 index was down 1.35 percent to 5,175.32 points and in Paris the CAC 40 slid 1.04 percent to 2,968.46 points. Milan was down 3.0 percent and Madrid 2.3 percent. “The deteriorating fiscal situation in Europe continues to spook investors, with continued political dis-

cord amongst EU leaders making the likelihood of a quick solution pretty nigh on impossible,” said CMC Markets, analyst Michael Hewson.

The euro slid to $1.4049 around 1300 GMT from $1.4098 in London late on Monday. The dollar gained to 77.30 yen from 76.89 yen on Monday. Tokyo’s stock market slumped to a twoyear low point and most other Asian markets tumbled, extending Monday’s losses caused also by a dismal batch of US jobs data last week that raised concerns of a double-dip recession in the US economy, the biggest in the world and a key market for exports from Asia. The eurozone meanwhile reported yesterday shrinking 0.2percent growth in the second quarter of 2011, dragged down by a rapid decline in German performance and a stagnant France economy. Gold, seen as a safe bet in times of economic uncertainty, jumped yesterday to a record high price above $1,921 an ounce on the London Bullion Market.

The Swiss National Bank meanwhile set a minimum exchange rate of 1.20 francs per euro, saying the current value of the safe haven Swiss currency was a threat to the economy. The Swiss franc has risen strongly in response to the eurozone debt crisis, hitting Swiss exporters and the tourism industry hard. The franc dropped by about 9.0 percent in response to the announcement, and Swiss shares rallied by more than 3.0 percent in afternoon trade. Adding to strains in the European Union was news at the end of last week that the European Union and International Monetary Fund had left a critical audit of Greek finances unfinished saying more budget work was needed, while Athens admitted its deficit target was in trouble. — AFP

ering among Berlusconi’s allies on the best measures to balance the budget.

Italian borrowing costs soared this week, despite an ongoing program by the European Central Bank to buy up Italian and Spanish government bonds and keep their interest rates low. Italy’s central bank chief Mario Draghi warned on Monday that Italy should not take for granted the ECB’s support. Draghi is set to replace Jean Claude Trichet as head of the ECB on Nov 1. “The program is temporary,” Draghi said at a Paris conference. “It cannot be used to circumvent the fundamental principle of budgetary discipline... in other words it should not be taken for granted by member states.” — AFP

Spain points finger at Greece over chaos MADRID: Spain pointed the finger at Greece and Italy yesterday for battering market confidence by failing to meet their deficit-cutting targets. As Spain’s government faced angry union demonstrations yesterday over its own reforms to balance the budget, it expressed deep concern over the wild market moves and the state of fellow eurozone members’ economies. “We are living through economic turbulence which is evident every day,” chief government spokesman Jose Blanco said in an interview with television Telecinco.

“We are very worried because some countries are having a very bad time and are not meeting their targets-Greece, Italy and its adjustment plan which it then went back on within days,” Blanco said. “That affects the decision of the markets that have to buy our debt and that is what puts us in a period of a certain instability,” he said. Greece conceded this month it would have to revise its public deficit target for this year, a key condition for funding from a 110-billion-euro ($158-billion) international bailout loan agreed last year.

Italy announced a 45.5-billion-euro austerity package last month but has since withdrawn plans to trim pension costs, scrapped plans to tax high earners and eased planned cuts in local government. As Spain leveled criticism at its neighbors, it was forced to deny that it had been on the verge of needing a financial rescue itself.

“At no point have we been on the verge of being rescued,” Finance Minister Elena Salgado told state radio RNE. “Like other countries we suffered debt market tensions in August and that led to the ECB intervening, but since then we

have been very far from a rescue,” she said.

A day earlier a union leader had claimed that Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told unions August 17 that Spain was on the verge of a financial rescue. But the Labour Union chief, Ignacio Fernandez Toxo, backtracked yesterday, saying Zapatero did not in fact use those words.

Spain’s biggest unions were preparing an evening march in Madrid to protest a legislative reform that will enshrine balanced budgets in the Spanish constitution. Joined by civil protest groups, Labor Union and General Workers Union were demanding a referendum on the reform.

“We are hoping for a demonstration joined by thousands of people,” said Labor Union spokesman Luis Maria Gonzalez.

“More than anything it is to demand a referendum,” he said. Gonzalez said a referendum could easily be organized during November 20 general elections, in which the conservative opposition Popular Party is widely expected to sweep the ruling Socialists from power.

The upper house Senate is almost certain to approve the constitutional change today after it was overwhelmingly cleared by the lower house last week with support from the government and opposition. After the expected Senate approval, there is a 15-day period during which a referendum can still be forced if it has the support of 10 percent of the members of either house of parliament. Under the constitutional change, Spain must stick to a long-term deficit cap except in times of natural disaster, recession, or extraordinary emergencies and even then only with approval of the lower house. —AFP

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Brent crude oil crosses $111 on stimulus hopes Obama to speak on jobs, economy tomorrow LONDON: Brent crude oil rose above $111 per barrel yesterday as expectations of a new stimulus for the US economy outweighed fears of recession and worries over the euro zone debt crisis. A surprise move by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to set a minimum exchange rate target of 1.20 francs to the euro also helped support oil as it boosted the European currency. Gold fell sharply after the SNB move, after hitting a new record above $1,900 an ounce Brent futures for next month climbed $1.39 to a high of $111.47 a barrel before easing back to around $111.20 by 1355 GMT. US traded around $84.65 a barrel, down from Friday’s close at $86.45. The US crude contract had no settlement on Monday due to the US Labor Day holiday. “Prices are being supported by hopes of another economic stimulus,” said

attempt to please global financial markets. The UNCTAD report projected global economic growth would slow to about 1.5 percent next year, less than half the UN forecast of 3.1 percent growth for this year. If global economic growth were anywhere close to 1.5 percent next year, demand for oil would fall in much of the industrialized world and many western economies would be near to, or in recession, economists say.

Carsten Fritsch, commodities analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

“But there is a big risk to the downside in this market. The economy is slowing and it is not clear how the United States will pay for another stimulus.”

Olivier Jakob, managing director of consultants Petromatrix said the shock SNB move was offering extra support to oil. “The euro is surging versus the Swiss Franc, which in turn is providing some support on the euro versus the dollar,” Jakob said. Economic activity is slowing worldwide, data suggests, and a senior Chinese official said yesterday that China’s economic growth may fall below 9 percent in 2012.

A report by the United Nations economic thinktank UNCTAD said yesterday that the pursuit of austerity measures and deficit cuts was pushing the world economy towards disaster in a misguided

Supply concerns Oil prices gained some extra support from supply concerns. A major oilfield in China was closed due to leaks, which analysts expect will reduce Chinese state oil producer CNOOC’s total output by about 2 percent this year and increase Chinese crude imports. China’s State Oceanic Administration ordered the PL19-

3 oilfield in the northern Bohai Bay, owned and operated by CNOOC and ConocoPhillips , to cease operations because the US firm had failed to seal a leak for more than two months, CNOOC said on Monday.

More than half the crude production in the US Gulf of Mexico remains shut due to Tropical Storm Lee, which is hindering efforts to restaff and restart oil and gas platforms in the basin. In Libya, where 1.6 million barrels per day of crude production remain offline, more signs emerged that the country’s conflict could be nearing a resolution. Scores of Libyan army vehicles have crossed the desert frontier into Niger in what may be a secretly negotiated bid by Muammar Gaddafi to seek refuge in a friendly African state, military sources from France and Niger said. —Reuters

InfoFort obtains ISO certification KUWAIT: InfoFort, an Aramex company and the leading records and information management solutions provider in the Middle East and Africa, announced yesterday that it has received ISO 9001: 2008 certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI). This international mark of recognition, which covers the company’s entire operations,

highlights InfoFort’s commitment to the highest quality standards and its continuous improvement efforts.

As the region’s leading information management service provider, InfoFort moved to implement ISO 9001 standards to further ensure an effective quality management system, based on international best practices. At a time when InfoFort is increasingly growing both the scale and scope of its operations, this global benchmarking will serve to assure clients and partners of the company’s focus on operational excellence.

“Today’s announcement underscores our long-term commitment

to quality, which we have sought to demonstrate for the past 15 years to every client, in every market we serve,” said Abed Shaheen, Managing Director of InfoFort.

“At InfoFort, we work every day to fulfil our promise to help preserve knowledge and intellectual capital, protect data and enable progress for individuals, businesses and economies,” he said.

“We will continue to focus on meeting the InfoFort promise by providing innovative, secure and environmentally sound solutions that meet the rapidly evolving information management requirements of our local, regional and international clients.”

Operating across 11 countries in the Middle East and Africa, InfoFort continues to expand its full information life-cycle management offering to new markets, providing its unique technical expertise and unlocking growth opportunities in this high-growth region.

In line with its belief that quality is a journey rather than a destination, InfoFort conducts in-house audits and continuous monitoring of all areas of its operations to ensure that quality standards and customer service delivery are continuously enhanced and in line with international best practice.

Lulu Hypermarket picks winners KUWAIT: On Sunday, September 4, 2011, Lulu Hypermarket announced winners of the firstdraw of their ongoing ‘Dream Drive’ promotion. The special ‘Dream Drive’ promotion, which started on 21st July, 2011 and will run till 22nd October, 2011, includes a raffle coupon for every KD 3 worth of purchase, which will entail the holder to two raffle

draws. Fifteen winners of the first-draw on September 4 walked away with a 16GB iPhone each, and one lucky winner received keys to a brand-new Mercedes Benz car. The second draw is scheduled to take place on 23rd October, following the end of promotion, and will again feature 15 more iPhones and another Mercedes Benz car.

KUWAIT: Behbehani Motors Company officials are seen at the ceremony at the Safir Marina Hotel which was held in honor of its employees.

Behbehani Motors holds ceremony for employees handing over to each employee individually his / her certificate along with a commemorative watch thanking them for their contribution.

The employees expressed their gratitude to the management for its constant show of appreciation for their efforts, and said that they were proud to be part of the Behbehani Motors family. They also promised to exert more effort this year, to maintain the status of Volkswagen and Behbehani Motors Co as one of the largest motor companies in the Kuwaiti market.

Behbehani Motors places great emphasis on its employees, as many activities and events have been organized in recent years to encourage employees and to create an excellent atmosphere for them to work in, thus reflecting positively on clients and their interests. Behbehani Motors made several important achievements in 2009, including ranking as the number one Volkswagen distributor in the Middle East, being awarded the ISO 9001:2008 award, and attaining the ‘Superbrand’ status for two consecutive years.

KUWAIT: Behbehani Motors Company, the sole distributor of Volkswagen vehicles in Kuwait, held a ceremony at the Safir Marina Hotel in honor of its employees and in appreciation for their efforts last year that made several company achievements possible. These include receiving the Super Brand 2011 award for the second consecutive year, innovative marketing campaigns and achieving sales and after sales targets.

During the ceremony, which was attended by the company’s top executives, certificates of appreciation were handed out to distinguished employees for their outstanding performance in 2010. This comes out of the management’s keenness for showing its appreciation towards those who make great efforts that elevates the status of the company in the local market.

At first Abdullah Ali- General Manager VW expressed his thanks to all the staff, and recognized that due to their continued hard work and team spirit, they had made 2010 a very successful year for the Volkswagen brand in Kuwait.

Abdulmohsen Bebhehani followed by

Gulf Bank announces winners of weekly draw KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its 34th Al-Danah weekly draw on September 4, 2011, announcing a total number of four Al-Danah weekly prize draw winners, each awarded with prizes of KD1,000. The 34th Al-Danah Weekly Winners are: Mubarak Daghmi Mekhlef Al-Muwaizri; Hamed Mohammad Hasan Al-Omar; Fatemah Haji Hussain Ghloum; and Abdulrahman Fayez Thamer Al-Khaldi.

Gulf Bank encourages everyone in Kuwait to open an Al-Danah account and/or increase their deposits to maximize their chances of becoming a

winner in the upcoming weekly (KD1,000 each for 10 winners), and the annual draw (1 million dinars). Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah allows customers to win cash prizes and encourages them to save money. Chances increase the more money is deposited and the longer it is kept in the account.

Al-Danah also offers a number of unique services including the Al-Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances

of becoming an Al-Danah winner.

To be part of the Al-Danah draws, customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 55 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and guidance. Customers can also log on to www.e-gulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s bilingual website, to find all the information regarding Al-Danah or any of the bank’s products and services or log on www.e-gulfbank.com/aldanahwinners, to find out more about Al-Danah and who the winners are.

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 Philippine peso Egyptian pounds US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian dollars Danish Kroner Swedish Kroner Australian dlr Hong Kong dlr Singapore dlr Japanese yen Indian Rs/KD Sri Lanka rupee Pakistan rupee Bangladesh taka UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi Riyal/KD Omani riyals Philippine Peso

.2700000 .4380000 .3860000 .3220000 .2740000 .2870000 .0040000 .0020000 .0740490 .7214410 .3810000 .0700000 .7072410 .0040000 .0430000

.2760000 .4490000 .4490000 .3530000 .2820000 .2960000 .0072500 .0035000 .0747940 .7386590 .4010000 .0760000 .7143490 .0072000 .0530000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2722500 .2748500 .4408050 .4441990 .3880140 .3910020 .3243360 .3268330 .2761890 .2783150 .0520880 .0524890 .0426510 .0429790 .2893470 .2915750 .0349980 .0352670 .2261610 .2279020 .0035460 .0035730 .0000000 .0060010 .0000000 .0025040 .0000000 .0031560 .0000000 .0037500 .0742880 .0748600 .7237630 .7293350 .0000000 .3887550 .0727530 .0733130 .7087180 .7141740 .0000000 .0065440

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.595 5.941 3.131 2.486 3.726 227.810 35.190 3.661 6.465 9.165 0.271 0.273

GCC COUNTRIES Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal/for 1000 Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira Syrian Lier Morocco Dirham

73.136 75.570 712.360 728.440 74.680 ARAB COUNTRIES 47.000 45.970 1.255 198.800 387.300 1.840 5.921 34.924

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 274.150 Euro 387.650 Sterling Pound 443.030 Canadian dollar 278.320 Turkish lire 154.410 Swiss Franc 347.910 Australian dollar 288.900 US Dollar Buying 274.150 GOLD 350.000 177.000 92.000

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

SELL CASH 292.000 728.740 3.840 280.000 538.200 36.400 53.800 167.800 46.960 390.500 35.820 6.290 0.034 0.240 0.238 3.660 388.750 0.185 95.010 47.400 4.220

231.300 1.858 52.200 711.720 3.250 6.620 75.810 73.160 229.000 41.010 2.624 445.500 43.400 352.700 5.600 9.570 198.263 74.710 274.400 1.220

229.800 711.540 3.145 6.485 75.380 73.180 229.000 41.010 2.485 443.500 351.200 5.600 9.350 74.610 274.000

GOLD 1,963.150

10 Tola

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 443.500 274.000

Sterling Pound US Dollar

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY 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 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

SELL DRAFT 290.500 728.740 3.675 278.500

229.000 46.017 389.000 35.670 5.945 0.033

387.280 0.184 95.010 3.730

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro 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

293.57 280.30 325.94 389.65 443.28 3.60 3.682 5.943 2.490 3.723 3.159 74.57 728.77 46.02 389.75 711.98 75.54 73.15

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank

Selling Rate 273.900 277.805 441.130 387.815 349.595

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

726.200 74.550 75.180 73.000 385.545 46.047 2.485 5.947 3.140 3.665 6.472 671.846 3.660 9.210 5.765 3.800 90.981

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency 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 Nepali rupee Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Canadian Dollars

Rate per 1000 (Tran) 273.900 3.145 5.955 2.495 3.680 6.515 74.675 73.190 728.200 45.970 445.500 0.00003280 3.910 1.550 389.200 5.750 390.400 281.800

Al Mulla Exchange Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) US Dollar 273.550 Euro 392.380 Pound Sterling 445.300 Canadian Dollar 279.100 Japanese Yen 3.575 Indian Rupee 5.950 Egyptian Pound 45.955 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.484 Bangladesh Taka 3.680 Philippines Peso 6.470 Pakistan Rupee 3.133 Bahraini Dinar 728.650 UAE Dirham 74.575 Saudi Riyal 73.125 *Rates are subject to change

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BUSINESS

Lexus LFA Nurburgring sets new record On, August 31, Lexus test-drove the LFA Nurburgring Package, a two-seater-sport car, at the Nurburgring (Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany).

Scheduled for production in 2012, the LFA Nurburgring Package has been optimized to deliver higher performance on the track, with a number of modifications made to the standard LFA. The LFA Nurburgring package is included in the limited production run of the LFA. The Nurburgring package includes a carbon-fiber-

reinforced plastic (CFRP) front spoiler and fixed rear wing to enhance aerodynamic performance. The LFA Nurburgring Package also comes with a suspension designed for circuit racing and custom wheels to improve maneuverability and stability. Compared to the standard LFA’s output of 412 kW (560 PS), the output of the LFA Nurburgring Package has been raised to 420 kW (571 PS).

In the test drive on the Nurburgring North Loop, where the LFA was developed, profes-

sional race driver and LFA test driver Akira Iida recorded a lap time of 7 minutes 14 seconds.

Lexus is offering the Nurburgring package to a maximum 50 customers and its production will start in 2012. Available only in Matte Black, Black, White or Orange, the Nurburgring package-equipped LFA’s exterior is complimented by a choice of three interior color schemes Black and Red, Black and Purple, and all Black.

All feature a carbon fiber centre console and door trims, whilst the carbon fiber bucket seats

are trimmed in Alcantara. LFA customers specifying the Nurburgring package will be offered individual instruction on the Nordschleife by one of the Nurburgring chief instructors, and will also receive a one year pass for Nordschleife driving. The Nurburgring Package adds an additional 10 horsepower for the V10 engine, bringing the total to 562 horsepower. The package also adds modifications, such as a larger front spoiler, fin-type side spoilers, a canard fin and a fixed rear wing.p

S Korea economy growth slightly up SEOUL: South Korea’s economy grew slightly faster than previously estimated in the second quarter thanks to greater spending on public construction projects, the central bank said yesterday. Asia’s fourth largest economy grew 0.9 percent quarter-on-quarter in April-June compared to the 0.8 percent estimated in July.

However, the second-quarter growth in gross domestic product was still much slower than the 1.3 percent rise seen in

January-March. Year-on-year the economy grew 3.4 percent in the second quarter, the same as earlier forecast.

Central bank policymakers hold their monthly interest rate -setting meeting tomorrow, amid rising domestic inflation but gloomier world prospects which weigh on the country’s export-dominated economy. The finance ministry warned of “substantial” economic uncer tainties and pledged to closely monitor domestic and

external conditions and improve the countr y ’s ability to absorb external shocks.

“Downside risks to the global economy and volatility in local and external markets have increased, while domestic price pressures are high,” it said in a monthly summary.

“Uncertainties to economic conditions are substantial.” The ministry said the government would intensify efforts to curb inflation, which hit a three-year high in August of 5.3 percent. — AFP

Egypt’s OCI sees orders up on infrastructure after Q2 gains

Saeed Al-Nawfal

AUB conducts evacuation drill KUWAIT: AUB conducted a surprise emergency evacuation drill for its staff. The evacuation, which was attended by members of the Civil Defense Authority and Kuwait Fire Directorate, sort to measure the bank’s response to such incidents as well as to obtain feedback and enhance the overall procedure.

On this occasion, AUB’s HEAD Operations Group, Saeed AlNawfal said: “The bank continues to provide the safest best practice methods and periodically updates its procedures to ensure overall efficiency”.

CAIRO: Egypt’s Orascom Construction (OCI) posted a 15 percent rise in second-quarter net income yesterday and said it expected orders to grow this year as governments in the Middle East try to create more jobs by boosting infrastructure spending. OCI, the biggest company in Egypt by market value, also said it planned to ask shareholders to approve a split of its operations into two independent companies with separate boards under a single holding company. The group, run by millionaire tycoon Nassef Sawiris, constructs infrastructure, industrial facilities and buildings and produces fertilizers.

OCI reported net income of $165.2 million, up from $144 million in the second quarter of 2010. It was expected to make net income of $191.4 million, according to the average forecast from 15 brokerage and investment banks. “I think 2011 will be better in terms of order intake, for sure, than 2010,” Sawiris told Reuters in an interview. OCI said its consolidated construction backlog on June 30 was $5.23 billion, up 2.4 percent from March 31.

It said it was in advanced negotiations for construction contracts worth more than $1 billion. Net income was held back by an increase in the Egyptian rate of corporate tax, levied on earnings since the start of 2011. Sawiris also blamed part of the shortfall in net income compared with the consensus forecast on weaker fertilizer prices.

“The top line is strong but the bottom line is weaker than the market was expecting and this seems to be mainly because of the higher taxes,” said an analyst who asked not to be named.

“The construction outlook looks better than we expected and OCI is bullish on new awards, especially in Egypt considering how much political instability there is,” the analyst said. Sawiris said he expected Egypt to continue representing a fifth of

OCI’s construction backlog, despite a sharp economic downturn prompted by the overthrow in February of President Hosni Mubarak, which led to a wave of strikes and the withdrawal of tourists and foreign investors.

The unrest slowed construction activity in Egypt and delayed the launch of public private partnerships that OCI was eyeing. But Sawiris was bullish on Egypt’s prospects. “There is no alternative. For Egypt to create additional jobs it needs to attract investment and it needs to create homes for those investments, and one best home is infrastructure,” he said. “I have no doubt that while private investment in infrastructure stopped, it will come back, probably after the elections.”

The region’s construction outlook was strong because states such as Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Qatar and Morocco were spending more to create extra jobs, while inflation was lower, which would support the value of OCI’s backlog, he said.

GROWING APART Sawiris said the decision to split OCI into two separate companies would make it easier for both firms to form partnerships and expand on their own. Asked whether the move was aimed at facilitating future merger and acquisition activity, Sawiris told Reuters: “Never say never ... Our priority right now is exclusively organic growth”. OCI’s fertilizer producing capacity is set to grow by some 60 percent in the next six months, he said, as it ramps up operations in Algeria, the United States, the Netherlands and Egypt.

“For the next 12 months, global agriculture fundamentals are strong,” Sawiris said. Fertilizer prices “are somewhere in the region of 20 percent higher than three to four months ago.” — Reuters

KUWAIT: The winner Thamer Arab receives the prize from NBK Head Office Branch Manager, Ahmed Al-Essa.

Another KD1,000 winner in NBK’s weekly draw KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) recently conducted the third draw of its first-of-its-kind “Use Watani Online and Win” campaign that rewards customers with KD1,000 weekly for banking online.

Thamer Ali Arab, winner of the third draw prize, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for NBK. Arab said: “I can easily perform a variety of transactions through Watani Online including checking balances and viewing transaction statements, paying bills and transferring funds locally or internationally ”. He stressed that “NBK is unique in providing its customers with the best offers and the most rewarding promotions”.

The Watani Online campaign comprises a total of eight draws over the course

of eight weeks to give customers a chance to win KD1,000 weekly.

Customers who use Watani Online (www.nbk.com) to perform their banking transactions including account-toaccount transfers, credit card payments, bill payments or local and international transfers will be entitled for one chance per day each time they log in to Watani Online to enter the weekly draw. The campaign is designed to reward customers who do their banking with Watani Online.

The aim is to encourage new customers to join the high-tech, secure, convenient and free online banking channel provided by the safest bank in the Middle East.

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business

Global General Index plunges GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) closed once again on mixed note. Global General Index drop for the second session in a row backed by weak data showing from international markets early yesterday morning. KSE indices moved almost sideways after the international markets change their direction during the session.

the top gainer for the day, adding 11.90 percent to its share value and closing at KD0.0.24. On the other hand, Mena Real Estate Company shed 12.82 percent and closed at KD0.034, making it the biggest decliner in the market.

Sectors wise Regarding Global sectoral indices, they ended the day on a

at KD0.234.

On the other hand, Global Real Estate Index was the biggest advancer, up by 0.49 percent, backed by the day’s top gainer. Pearl of Kuwait Real Estate Company closed up by 11.90 percent at KD0.0235. Alargan International Real Estate Company was also up, adding 7.81 percent and closing at KD0.138. Elsewhere in the real

sold their shareholding, given that the remaining stake is 3.66 percent of capital, or 29.27 million shares.

Salhia said that its equity in AlAsima hits 99.7 percent to date. The scrip closed up by 1.92 percent at KD0.212.

Corporate news The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) disapproved the request

Market indices Global General Index (GGI) ended the day down by 0.13 percent, at 178.62 point. Market capitalization was also down for the day, reaching KD29.23 billion. On the other hand, KSE Price Index closed at 5,860.9 point, adding 8.1 points (0.14 percent) to its previous close.

Market breadth During the session, 93 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards advancers as 35 equities advanced versus 23 that declined.

Daily trading activity Trading activity was up during the session. Total volume traded was up by 20.93 percent with 165.85 million shares changing hands at a total value of KD12.9 million (13.20 percent higher compared to Monday’s session). Services sector was the volume leader, accounting for 41.27 percent of total shares exchanges.

Three services stocks made it to the top volume list for the day. Al-Safat Energy Holding was the session’s most traded stock with 24.32 million shares exchanged. The same sector was the value leader, having 32.85 percent of total traded value.

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) was the most active in terms of value traded, with KD1.20 million worth of shares traded.

Top gainers and biggest decliners In terms of top gainers, Pearl of Kuwait Real Estate Company was

mixed note, with Global Banking Index being the top decliner.

Furthermore, Boubyan Bank closed down by 1.64 percent at KD0.600.

On the other side, three banks managed to close higher during the session helping the sector to reduce some of yesterday’s losses. Global Food Index followed, shedding 0.22 percent from its value to reach 355.77 points. Livestock Transport & Trading Company, which shed 4.10 percent put pressure on the index to end in red. The scrip ended the day

estate sector, Salhia Real Estate Company acquired 371.28 million shares, or 46.41 percent, of Al-Asima Real estate Company at a total value of KD37.13 million. The Salhia Real Estate Company obtained the approval of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) on the deal as per Articles No 80 & 81 of Regulations No 7 of 2010. Accordingly, Salhia’s equity in Al-Asima rose to 770.73 million shares, or 96.34 percent of capital. The company will hold talks with shareholders who have not yet

submitted by Strategia Investment Company to buy back or offload 10 percent maximum of its issued shares. The request was turned down because of the lack of funding resources as per CBK’s buyback rules and regulations.

Oil news The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $108.42 a barrel on Monday, compared with $110.37 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Selling pressure eases as Europe markets halt slide DUBAI: Most Middle East markets rose yesterday as a positive opening on European bourses eased investors’ fears following sharp declines in world stocks a day earlier. Dubai’s Emirates NBD rose 1.4 percent, helping the index end higher for a first session in three, but gains were minor and UAE markets were likely to remain in the doldrums due to a lack of local catalysts to shift investors’ focus away from the turmoil on global bourses. “The main theme is the very low levels of activity, which will continue until we get a clearer picture elsewhere and maybe some positive news about the UAE,” said Julian Bruce, EFG-Hermes director of institutional equity sales.

“There is some select buying, but no one is in any real hurry, with no big clips of money going to work - the whole market is on the back burner.” Kuwait also rose, climbing 0.1 percent, even though none of the six largest shares made gains, with trading concentrated in small cap stocks. These are the preserve of retail investors, indicating funds were largely absent.

“We think third-quarter profits will be lower than Q2 and don’t foresee any boom in the market in the near future,” said Naser Al-Nafisi from Al-Joman Center for Economic Consultancy.

Many Kuwait firms rely mainly on income from market trading and some may be forced to delist for failing to meet tougher new rules, said a Kuwait trader who asked not to be named.

“This is worrying some investors,” he added. In July, Kuwait’s newly formed regulator Capital Markets Authority gave investment funds until March 2012 to impose a cap on their ownership in individual securities.

In Doha, Qatar Electricity and Water added 1.5 percent and Qatar Telecom (Qtel) rose 0.1 percent. “Companies least exposed to global growth such as utilities and telecoms should fare better,” said Robert Pramberger, acting head of asset management at Dohabased The First Investor. “Qatar’s economic growth is based on gas exports and a global slowdown wouldn’t really

impact it at a GDP level.” Qatar’s economy is forecast to grow 16.7 percent in 2011, according to a June Reuters poll.

Oman’s index made its largest decline in four weeks.

Bank Muscat fell 2.1 percent, Renaissance Services lost 3.4 percent, while telecom firms Omantel and Nawras dipped 1 and 0.9 percent respectively. “We used to have strong buying from institutions, but are now following global sentiment, which is very bad-that’s what is driving us down,” said Adel Nasr from United Securities.

“Banking and services are hardest hit because foreign investors concentrate on Bank Muscat, Renaissance, Omantel and Nawras so selling pressure is coming to these stocks.”

Yesterday’s highlights Dubai The index climbed 0.4 percent to 1,485 points.

Abu Dhabi The measure rose 0.07 percent to 2,605 points.

Saudi Arabia The index fell 0.5 percent to 6,062 points.

Qatar The benchmark rose 0.4 percent to 8,342 points.

Kuwait The benchmark rose 0.1 percent to 5,861 points.

Egypt The index climbed 0.3 percent to 4,729 points.

Oman The benchmark fell 1.1 percent to 5,732 points.

Bahrain The measure ended flat at 1,261 points. —Reuters

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25

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

BUSINESS

Asia sizes up threats from faltering Europe China, Japan, South Korea talk global risks SINGAPORE: Singapore’s finance minister said yesterday a global recession looked more likely than not and a Chinese official acknowledged China’s growth may slow to a 10-year low, highlighting Asia’s rising concern over its exposure to US and European risks. If Europe’s debt troubles deepen or the United States slips into another recession, Asia’s export-driven economies would be vulnerable through both trade and investment channels. Economists have already begun marking down growth forecasts while stocks have fallen across the region. Japanese, Chinese and South Korean financial regulators discussed the global threats in a conference call yesterday, Japan’s financial services minister told a news conference.

TOKYO: A businessman passes before a share prices board yesterday. —AFP

Japan finance minister to explain yen threat at G7 TOKYO: Japan’s new finance minister Jun Azumi yesterday reiterated that he will try to convince his Group of Seven counterparts that a strong yen poses a threat to the world’s third-biggest economy. “I will clearly tell them that we have strong concerns over excessive rises in the yen and also have great interest in any speculative movement” in the currency market, Jun Azumi said ahead of a Friday meeting of top finance officials from the G7 leading industrialized nations in Marseille, France. Analysts say the meeting will have added significance after the Swiss National Bank set yesterday a minimum exchange rate of 1.20 francs per euro, saying the value of its currency, which like the yen is seen as a safe haven, was a threat to the economy.

It said it was “prepared to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities”.

More countries, including Japan, could now be encouraged to intervene to protect their respective economies from the impact of sharp fluctuations in currency markets, said analysts. “The SNB’s action could make it relatively easier for the Ministry of Finance and Bank of Japan to take further action,” Koji Fukaya, director of fixed income and global foreign exchange research at Credit Suisse, told Dow Jones Newswires.

A zumi is under pressure to help shield Japan’s economy from a strong yen as concerns grow that the strength

of the unit could undermine its efforts to recover from the March 11 disasters, the impact of which pushed it into recession. A strong yen erodes the repatriated profits of the nation’s exporters while making it harder for domestically-made products to be cost competitive when sold overseas. Such concerns have prompted worries that Japan faces a hollowing out of industry, with more companies likely to consider shifting produc tion and jobs abroad.

The yen hit a post-war high of 75.95 against the greenback in August.

However, yesterday it fell to 77.24 versus the dollar from 76.80 earlier in the day in what analysts said was a knockon effect from the Swiss move. Azumi’s predecessor Yoshihiko Noda oversaw three interventions-of which two were unilateral-to weaken the yen with little lasting impac t during his time as finance minister. Noda was confirmed as Japan’s sixth premier in five years on Friday.

A zumi has said he wants to cut Japan’s corporation tax, which is currently around 40 percent, as previously proposed by Tokyo, and offer incentives for Japanese firms to keep operating in the country despite the yen’s rise. The Bank of Japan’s policy board yesterday began a two-day meeting.

The G7 groups Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Britain, Italy and Japan. —AFP

Ukraine to take Russia to court over gas issue MOSCOW: Ukraine is preparing to take Russia to court to prove it has violated accords in a worsening gas dispute, which has ended a thaw in relations, President Viktor Yanukovych said yesterday. Throwing diplomatic niceties aside, Yanukovych said Ukraine was not a “poor relation” of Moscow, in his strongest attack on the Kremlin since taking power in 2010 for a presidency that most believed would have a pro-Russsian tinge. Russia spat back that Yanukovych was misleading the public with his figures, on the day Prime Minister Vladimir Putin opened a pipeline which he said meant Ukraine would lose its exclusive transit of Russian gas to Europe.

“Russia’s position is categorically unacceptable and if it does not change then we will go to international arbitration,” Yanukovych told the Kommersant daily in an interview. “ We have already drawn up the materials for going to court. We are absolutely sure that international agreements have been violated,” he said. “Court, yes, it’s an extreme measure but nothing has changed for oneand-a-half years.” Ukraine is seeking a revision to accords with Russia signed by the previous Ukrainian government to obtain lower prices for its gas impor ts from Russia’s Gazprom.

Yanukovych said that Kiev is overpaying by $5-6 billion annually. Yanukovych said that the basis of Ukraine-Russia gas relations should be the 2001 accordsnot the 2009 10-year deal that ended a cut in supplies signed by ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, now on trial for abuse of power. “The price is not fair for Ukraine. The conditions have been set out as if for an enemy,” he said.

He said Uk raine was paying way more for Russian gas than Germany. If Kiev continued “overpaying” in the next 10 years, then Ukraine would lose $60 billion (43.0 billion euros), or 20 per-

cent of the budget anually. Recent tough rhetoric against K iev by Medvedev was “completely incorrect”, Yanukovych added. “We are not poor relations. We are an independent state.”

Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller responded that Ukraine was receiving Russian gas at cheaper rates than Hungary, Poland, Romania and Turkey while Kiev’s transit fees were higher than those in Germany. “Our Ukrainian colleagues have got on a train called ‘cheap Russian gas’ and they don’t know what station to get out at,” he said. “They don’t know they might end up in a dead end.”

Miller said that Ukraine had an obligation to fulfill the 10-year contract signed in 2009 every year right up until its expiration date in 2019. Putin said yesterday’s launch of the Nord Stream pipeline that will take Russian gas to Europe means that Moscow will no longer be dependent on Kiev for gas transit. “Our relations will be of a more civilized nature,” he said. Yanukovych was seen as a pro-Kremlin figure when he came to power after defeating the leaders of the 2004 Orange Revolution in 2010 polls. But he has since set integration with the European Union as the goal of his presidency. However there are also growing tensions with the European Union and the United States, which have expressed alarm over the trial and detention of Tymoshenko.

Rejecting charges his administration is behind the trial, Yanukovych told Kommersant that the process “is not advantageous for me and not what I needed” but insisted he could not inter fere in the work of the cour ts.

However he admitted it was “not normal” that Tymoshenko’s former interior minister Yuriy Lutsenko and other former officials had been held in custody for several months without any verdict in their cases. —AFP

“Asia will not be immune to a global slowdown,” said Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Singapore’s finance minister. “We are already at stall speed in the US and Europe, which means we are now more likely than not to see a recession.” Singapore, one of the world’s biggest trade hubs, is heavily exposed to global trade cycles and its economy contracted in the second quarter, compared with the prior three months. Some economists predict another contraction in the July-to-September period, which would fit the commonly used recession benchmark of back-to-back negative quarters.

Tharman’s prognosis was gloomier than those of most US and European officials, who still see the global economy escaping another recession. World Bank President Robert Zoellick, speak-

ing in Singapore at the same conference as Tharman, said another recession was unlikely although the risks were high. But a surprisingly weak US August employment report and mounting worries about European sovereign debt sustainability have heightened concerns of a downturn.

US stock markets were expected to sell off when they reopened yesterday after a three-day holiday weekend. European shares fell sharply on Monday. With growth constrained in most advanced economies, investors are looking to emerging markets to pick up the slack. But growth is already slowing in countries such as China, and with inflation stubbornly high, policymakers are not inclined to provide much of an artificial boost. Huang Guobo, the chief economist at China’s curren-

cy regulator, said growth may ease to below 9 percent in 2012, but fighting inflation remained the top policy priority. “ The weakening global demand for Chinese exports will be a challenge,” Huang said. “Next year, if the situation continues, China’s growth rate may fall below 9 percent.” Many private economists have already cut their 2012 growth forecasts for China, so a sub-9 percent reading next year would not come as a big surprise.

However, it would mark a significant slowdown. China, the world’s second biggest economy, managed to sustain growth of more than 9 percent even during the depths of the global financial crisis in 2008 and 2009.

China expects growth to average 7 percent over the next five years, so slipping below 9 percent

next year would not be a policy disaster. In fact, it might help to contain inflation, which hit a three-year high of 6.5 percent in July. Data due on Friday is expected to show it moderated a bit in August, although it is almost certain to remain far above China’s annual target of 4 percent. Asia’s advanced economies were also wary of global repercussions.

Australia’s central bank held interest rates unchanged yesterday, as expected, but said the outlook for the global economy was less clear than it was earlier in the year. Central banks in Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines hold policysetting meetings later this week, and the dimming global picture will probably persuade all of them to hold interest rates steady. —Reuters

No plans for Brussels-backed ratings firm

SINGAPORE: World Bank chief Robert Zoellick (left) and Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam meet as they exchange a signed agreement to scale-up the World Bank-Singapore government partnership at the Infrastructure Finance Summit in Singapore yesterday. —AFP

World Bank chief thinks US will avoid recession SINGAPORE: World Bank head Robert Zoellick said yesterday he was confident the United States would not sink into another recession, despite widespread fears over the state of the world’s biggest economy. Zoellick’s comments come just days after official figures showed no jobs were created in the United States in August, the worst result since September last year, compounding an already downbeat outlook. “I don’t believe (the) United States and the world will go into a double dip,” he told a news conference in Singapore, in response to a question on the subject. But he said there were “high degrees of uncertainty” facing the US as well as the global economy.

“And I think that in the case of the US economy that we’re likely to see an ongoing slow growth, ongoing high unemployment,” said Zoellick. Global markets have tumbled since Friday after a raft of global

manufacturing figures indicated a virtual halt in activity, while Friday’s US payrolls data-which also showed unemployment stuck at 9.1 percent-prompted further selling. Adding to fears of a “double dip”-in which a short-lived recovery from one recession is followed by another downturn-are renewed worries over eurozone sovereign debt, particularly in Italy and Greece.

Economists and leaders are worried a default by one of the peripheral nations of the eurozone could spread to other bigger economies and spark another global financial crisis. “The reason that I and others, (including IMF head) Christine Lagarde, have been highlighting events in the eurozone is that they can have ripple effects all around the world, not only in terms of financial and capital markets but also in terms of confidence, whether be it consumers or businesses.” —AFP

SYDNEY: European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso yesterday ruled out creating a Brusselsbacked public ratings agency to rival established credit firms following a series of sovereign downgrades in Europe. The Portuguese politician said there were questions over the role of ratings agencies in the lead-up to the global financial crisis, but dismissed suggestions the European Union should set up its own assessor. “We have no intention to create any kind of public ratings agency,” Barroso told a lunch function in Sydney.

EU leaders and officials have been highly critical of the agencies who have progressively downgraded weaker eurozone members as the debt crisis has deepened, accusing them of worsening the situation.

European Central Bank executive Jose M anuel Gonzalez-Paramo last month accused the major agencies of “flagrant conflicts of interest”, saying it was “possible and desirable” to increase competition in the industry.

The comments followed Standard & Poor ’s unprecedented downgrade of the United States from its top-flight triple-A rating by one notch to AA+, saying its politicians were increasingly unable to manage the country’s huge debt. The downgrade, which was accompanied by a negative outlook and warnings of further cuts within two years if progress was not made, sent shudders through world markets.

Fellow ratings Moody’s and Fitch both maintained their AAA ratings. Rumors flared of a French credit downgrade over Europe’s debt crisis, which started in Greece and is now fuelled by fears Spain or Italy might default, sparking a break up of the 17-nation currency.

Investors are questioning whether France and Germany, the eurozone’s two largest economies, can continue to underwrite other states’ debts without losing their top credit ratings and falling victim to the crisis themselves. While the agencies are now criticized for their eagerness to downgrade, they faced derision for giving AAA ratings to mortgage-backed securities in the United States that later went sour and led to the global financial crisis. —AFP

Citroen at Frankfurt Motor Show At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show Citroen is exhibiting its three DS line models alongside its latest innovations and an all-new concept car. The brand is reasserting its ambition to develop solutions that make travel easier by combining two house values: daring and technology.

The daring DS line The Citroen DS3 has already topped the 100,000 sales mark just 18 months after launch. Meanwhile, nearly 15,000 orders have been taken for the DS4 after a few months on the market. Citroen is lining up the three DS line models on its stand at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show, with pride of place going to the latest creation, the Citroen DS5. Set for launch in late 2011, the DS5 is a new step forward in the development of the distinctive line, which complements Citroen’s main range by targeting customers looking for a resolutely modern approach to premium vehicles expressing the finest in French luxury. The Marque is underlining its boldness with the presentation of the Citroen DS3 Ultra Prestige, an all-new version of the DS3 featuring watchstrap-design club leather upholstery specific to DS line models. In keeping with the spirit of the DS line, Citroen is sharing its passion for the crafting of noble materials by presenting its finest upholsterers and their creations in a special corner on its stand.

The finest in Citroen technology Citroen launched a full-electric solution, the Citroen C-ZERO, late last year.

With the Citroen DS5, the brand is releasing “Hybrid4” full-hybrid diesel technology combining performance (200 bhp, four drive wheels) and reduced CO2 emissions (99 g/km). The Marque is also presenting a C3 with e-HDi 70 microhybrid technology. This model emits just 87 g/km of CO2, making it one of the most carbon-efficient cars in its category. Citroen technology also comes in the form of 100% useful equipment. The Citroen eTouch service pack automatically localises the vehicle in the event of an incident to accelerate the arrival of the emergency ser vices, while the brand’s Hydractive suspension, a world exclusive on the Citroen C5 and C6, provides an ideal balance between ride comfort and roadholding. This technological expertise is also reflected in the new Citroen DS3 WRC, which is already notching up victories in the World Rally Championship.

Citroen makes travel easier Following launch in France on 1 March 2011, Citroen Multicity will be released in Germany in early 2012. The offer, accessible via the web and mobile phones, makes organising travel arrangements easier, from route calculation including all modes of transport through to holiday reservations. Citroen is continuing its thinking on mobility and discovering new avenues of exploration.

Drawing on the best of its “Creative Technologie”, the brand will be unveiling an all-new concept car at Frankfurt.

NEW DELHI: Managing Director and CEO of Yamaha Motor India Hiroyuki Suzuki gestures during the launch of the new Yamaha YZF R15 motorbike yesterday. Yamaha unveiled the new version of the YZF-R15 motorbike powered with the 150cc liquid-cooled four-stroke engine with a starting price range of Indian rupees 107,000. —AFP

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BUSINESS

Congress returns amid sour mood over slow economy Republicans to agree to tax break proposals WASHINGTON: Still bruised by the summer battle over the debt ceiling, the US Congress reconvenes this week for what could be an equally painful confrontation over how to put Americans back to work. Lawmakers returning to Washington after a monthlong recess are in accord on at least one thing: Jobs policy must be at the top of the agenda. But there’s scant hope they will put aside their differences long enough to come up with legislation that makes measurable improvements either to the unemployment rate or Congress’ dismal approval rate.

Even the main attraction of the first week back, President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress outlining his jobs policy, had to be pushed back a day, until tomorrow. Republicans balked at letting Obama preempt their party’s presidential debate on the first day the House is in session. When Obama does get to the House podium, he’s likely to get a cool reception from the Republican side of the aisle.

Republicans may go along with tax break proposals but won’t be friendly to ideas to extend jobless benefits or spend money on new construction projects.

House Republicans have prepared an autumn jobs agenda that centers on repealing what they say are job-destroying environmental and labor regulations. The first bill, slated for the week of Sept 12, would prevent the National Labor Relations Board from restricting where an employer can locate in the United States. It grows out of a complaint issued by the NLRB that Boeing Co. was punishing union workers with plans to transfer an assembly line from Washington state to South Carolina.

The anti-regulation bills are likely to hit a dead end in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But the threat of them prompted Obama last week to scrap tougher Environmental Protection Agency regulations on ozone, a key ingredient of smog that causes asthma and other lung illnesses. While talking jobs, lawmakers will have one

eye on the initial meetings of the supercommittee established under legislation enacted in early August to increase the federal debt ceiling. The bipartisan committee has until Nov 23 to come up with at least $1.2 trillion in deficit cuts. If it fails to do so or if Congress fails to approve its recommendations

by Christmas, automatic spending cuts covering both defense and domestic programs would be triggered starting in 2013.

More immediately, Congress must stop itself from actually causing unemployment. Obama, in his address, is expected to urge lawmakers to act swiftly to renew aviation and surface transportation programs and avoid shutdowns that he said could put 1 million jobs at risk. The Federal Aviation Administration has been operating on short-term extensions since 2007 because the House and Senate can’t agree on a comprehensive plan for the future. Earlier this year, the FAA had to shut down for two weeks, resulting in tens of thousands of construction worker layoffs and $400 million in uncollected airline ticket taxes. The agency will shut down again on Sept. 16 unless Congress acts.

Similarly, the law that authorizes federal spending for highway and mass transit programs expires on Sept. 30.

A stalemate there could disrupt collection of the 18.4-cent-agallon federal gas tax and have a far more devastating effect on construction jobs. House

Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica said at the end of August that he would agree to one more short-term extension, the eighth, as he negotiates with the Senate on a longterm bill. Mica has proposed a sixyear, $230 billion bill financed entirely by gasoline and diesel taxes. The Senate is calling for a two-year, $109 billion bill that would rely on $12 billion appropriated by Congress in addition to the fuel tax revenues.

Not all is negative on the congressional job front. On its first day back yesterday, the Senate will vote to move forward on the most extensive revamping of the patent system in six decades.

Senate passage of the measure, already approved by the House, would send it to Obama, who agrees with most members of Congress that the legislation will make it easier for inventors to get their products to market and thus encourage hiring. There’s also some optimism that Congress will soon sign off on free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama that have been in limbo since President George W. Bush’s administration.

Before the August break, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said they had agreed on a path forward for renewing a program that helps workers affected by foreign competition and passing the trade bills, and House Speaker John

Boehner also promised a vote on the worker aid bill which Obama says must be linked to the trade agreements. The administration and supporters of the trade bills say they will generate tens of thousands of jobs. Some labor unions and other skeptics of free trade dispute that conclusion.

Also looming is the Sept 30 end of the fiscal year, when Congress is supposed to have completed the 12 appropriation bills to fund federal agencies for the coming fiscal year 2012. So far the House has passed only half of those bills, and the Senate only one, and as in past years they will have to agree on temporary stopgap extensions to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Things are a little easier this year because the debt and budget pact sets the overall total for the 12 bills at $1.043 trillion, a $7 billion cut from current levels.

Still, there will be heated debate as Democrats seek to restore cuts planned by Republicans to education, environment, foreign aid and other programs.

One such debate will be over funding the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has less than $800 million in its disaster fund as it faces the Hurricane Irene recovery operation. Democrats say emergency spending on natural disasters has never required repayment, but Republicans say that in this new age of austerity, disaster aid must be paid for with cuts to other federal spending. —AP

S Africa bond yields at 1-yr low at bid JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s Treasury raised 2.1 billion rand ($295 million) from the longer end of the yield curve yesterday in a strong auction that saw yields fall to near one-year lows as investors see value at current levels and shielding from the global market rout. The Treasury offered 1.1 billion of 2036 paper and 1 billion rand of the 2041 stock and both were more than twice subscribed. Yields on the two bonds cleared at their lowest levels in over a year, with the 2036 issue at 7.96 percent and the 2041 clearing yield at 8.01 percent. “The market has rallied 15 basis points on the day at that long end of the curve so to clear an auction at market after it’s already rallied 15 points is a pretty good result,” said Daniel Sabiston, a bond trader at Absa Capital.

“I think the market was perhaps expecting, given how much it rallied on the day, for the auction to come in slightly weaker. There’s still really good demand for the stocks that were at auction,” Sabiston said. The yield on the 2036 bond was down 11 basis points to 8.035 percent by 1026 GMT, having rallied to 7.995 percent on the day. The yield on the 2041 bond, the longest maturity government issue, dropped nine basis points to 7.995 percent. Both yields are 11 month lows.

South Africa’s government bonds have rallied, buoyed by deteriorating prospects from global growth and some fears of recession. Also pushing yields locally are expectations that weak local economic growth could persuade the central bank to cut interest rates in two weeks time. The yield on the benchmark 2015 note has plunged more than 120 basis points in the last two months and it hit a record low of 6.27 percent yesterday while the 2026 yield hit it lowest since the first quarter of 2009. “The bull trend has been refreshed, and the R157 is on course to reach 6.15 percent in the short term,” said Judy Padayachee, technical strategist at Absa Capital. —Reuters

HANOVER: A wind generator of the Windwaerts Energie GmbH company is equipped with colored lights yesterday near Sehnde-Muellingen. On the occasion of the Expo 2000 world exhibition, French artist Patrick Raynaud created the light installation, which draws its energy from the production of the wind turbine - the more wind, the more intensive the luminance of the colored dots.

KREUZLINGEN: The file photo shows a woman changing Swiss francs to Euro at a counter in Switzerland. —AFP

SNB draws line in the sand to weaken franc ZURICH: The Swiss National Bank shocked foreign exchange markets by setting a minimum exchange rate target of 1.20 francs to the euro yesterday, saying it would enforce it by buying foreign currency in unlimited quantities. The move immediately knocked around 8 percent off the value of the franc, which has soared as investors used it as a safe haven from the euro zone’s debt crisis and stock market turmoil. “The current massive overvaluation of the Swiss franc poses an acute threat to the Swiss economy and carries the risk of a deflationary development,” the SNB said in a statement. “ With immediate effect, it will no longer tolerate a EUR/CHF exchange rate below the minimum rate of CHF 1.20. The SNB will enforce this minimum rate with the utmost determination and is prepared to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities.” The SNB added that even at a rate of 1.20 francs to the euro, the franc was still high and should continue to weaken over time: “If the economic outlook and deflationary risks so require, the SNB will take further measures.”

The franc nearly touched parity with the common currency on Aug. 9. It fell 8.5 percent against the euro after the

announcement to 1.203 francs at 0821 GMT and also dipped almost 8 percent against the dollar to 0.8483. “One will think twice about speculating against this target because the SNB is with its back against the wall. They’ve exploited all other options,” said Sarasin economist Alessandro Bee. “Shor t term its clearly positive because Swiss exporters get supported,” he said. “Longer term you could say it bears inflationary risks.” To cushion the economy from a downturn as the strong franc hur ts expor ts, the SNB cut an already low interest rate target to nil on Aug. 3. It is also boosting the amount of liquidity in the banking system, and had threatened further steps. Those measures had temporarily helped the franc weaken, falling some 18 percent to a sevenweek low, but it jumped again last week as worries about the health of the global economy intensified, increasing pressure on the SNB to act again. Swiss Economy Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann called on the SNB on Monday to take action to counter the overvalued franc.

Influential lobby groups had also called for stronger measures such as a temporary exchange rate target. —Reuters

HEFEI: A Chinese man monitors his stock prices at a security firm yesterday. —AFP

China starts to reshuffle engineers of fiscal boom HONG KONG: China has begun work on an 18-month reshuffle of its top economic and regulatory policy officials as part of a leadership transition that will see President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao hand their posts to a younger generation. Sources and analysts with ties to China’s ruling elite say the political musical chairs among ministers, cabinet officials, agency chiefs and provincial governors is under way and will run its course by early 2013. In the meantime, with officials unsure of where they will end up, the jockeying could lead to a slowdown in the reform agenda in the world’s second-largest economy. That slowdown could approach policy paralysis as a Communist Party Congress late next year finalises the changes to the teams that have led China’s runaway growth over the past decade.

The heads of the banking and insurance regulator, China’s massive social security fund, and the agency that governs the country’s oil majors, telecoms and other strategic sectors should all be replaced. New faces also are likely at the central bank, a key architect of yuan currency policy, and the finance and commerce ministries. Unlike Western countries where an elected president would appoint cabinet ministers after taking office, sometimes with confirmation hearings to ratify the choice, China’s leadership changes are decided behind closed doors with senior posts filled by candidates selected by a handful of top leaders.

The Communist Party elite-including those slated for retirement such as Hu, and incoming leaders such as his anointed replacement Xi Jinping-will decide on the appointments at secretive meetings over the coming year. The changes will culminate in the 18th Congress sometime next fall. In keeping with the shroud of secrecy, the actual dates are not expected be made public until weeks before the conclave. Government posts will then be rubber-stamped in March 2013 at the country’s annual session of parliament.

“In the end, the final call on who gets in will be up to one or two people. The other people are just there making noise,” a government official with ties to top leadership circles said on condition of anonymity. So when Vice Premier Li Keqiang replaces Wen Jiabao as premier and head of the State Council, China’s cabinet, as is widely expected, he will find that many of those who led China on its decade-long development surge to surpass Japan will be gone.

Secrecy surrounding the process makes it hard to predict with great accuracy who will move up. But, according to the sources and analysts, key policy leaders expected to depart the stage, and their possible replacements, include: Zhou Xiaochuan, 63, who has overseen monetary policy and the landmark 2005 revaluation of the yuan as head of the central People’s Bank of China since 2002.

Zhou accompanied Vice Premier Li on a visit to Hong Kong in August, sparking talk he would stay on longer to provide policy stability and continuity through the leadership transition. Still, official and banking sources say he is expected to step aside in early 2013, retiring or moving up into the decision-making Politburo where retirement age is higher.

Guo Shuqing, chairman of China Construction Bank and a former head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, has long been tipped to replace Zhou. China Banking Regulatory Commission chief Liu Mingkang, 65, who led oversight of the troubled banking industry for close to a decade and saw

the Big Four state banks cleaned up and listed on stock markets. Likely replacements include Jiang Jiangqing, chairman of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China’s top lender and the world’s biggest bank by market value; or Xiao Gang, Bank of China chairman, three banking sources said.

Finance Minister Xie Xuren, who will turn 65 next October. Lou Jiwei, who heads up China’s massive sovereign wealth fund, CIC, is a ministerial candidate, though he is also a contender for a new state enterprise regulatory agency, sources said. China Insurance Regulatory Commission head Wu Dingfu, 65, also is due for retirement. Jiang Chaoliang, president of policy lender China Development Bank, is in line to step in.

Others expected to move on include Zhang Ping, 65, head of the National Development and Reform Commission that promotes top Chinese state-owned enterprises to develop and build their business globally, and Commerce Minister Chen Deming, 62, who could still see another post. Their replacements are unclear.

Fresh blood Similar changes are underway at scores of Chinese state firms, banks, oil companies and other strategic industries.

Hu Xiaolian and Liu Shiyu, both deputy central bank chiefs, are expected to be appointed to chair state banks, banking sources said. The sweeping overhaul will follow a formula set when former president Jiang Zemin stepped down as party boss in 2002, taking a swathe of officials with him into retirement, said Li Xiaoning, deputy director of the State Information Centre in Beijing. “About one third of the current leadership will move in to the new government, another third will stay on the second line(in position), and one third will be fresh blood,” he said.

Some decisions appear closer to final.

A high-level ICBC source said on condition of anonymity that Chairman Jiang Jianqing had already completed an economic audit and that staff movements had already been frozen at the banking commission, which he is tipped to run, as well as at the insurance regulatory commission. But critical posts like the central bank will likely be among the last to change hands to ensure veterans are on hand to provide stability during the leadership transition due to the turbulent global economic environment, and concerns over China’s own domestic growth and nagging inflation, analysts said.

Xia Minren, a macroeconomic researcher at China Securities Co., said filling financial posts was harder than political jobs, where a vast pool of successors could be tapped in the ranks of provincial, city and county officials. Top leaders would need to “pay special attention to expertise and stress economic backgrounds and financial work experience”, he said. With so many top leaders on the way out, and young up-and-comers not wanting to take big risks, major policy changes such as yuan reform should become less likely in the months leading to the 2013 Party congress, said analysts.

Some retiring leaders like Premier Wen may still try to push for policy reform to make a mark before moving on, said Cheng Li, an expert on Chinese politics at the Brookings Institution.

“Nevertheless, most politicians in the country, especially those rising stars in the so-called fifth generation of leaders, will be exceptionally cautious over the next two years,” Li said in a research paper. “Indeed, major policy changes will likely occur after, rather than prior to, the 18th Party Congress.” —Reuters

FTSE rallies as investors eye cheap stocks LONDON: Britain’s FTSE 100 rose yesterday as investors hunted bargains after sharp falls over the last two sessions, boosting commodity stocks and banking shares. “What is pushing up stock prices is not renewed bullishness, but investors looking to make a quick buck and picking up stocks in the short term expecting a quick bounce,” said Giles Watts, head of equities at City Index. “Much of the buys we have taken this morning have been based on short-term contracts.” The UK’s benchmark index was up 78.64 points, or 1.5 percent, at 5,181.22 by 1042 GMT, having shed nearly 6 percent in the last two trading days in response to poor jobs data from the United States,

downbeat global PMI economic data and worries over the European sovereign debt crisis. Beaten down mining and integrated oil stocks , which are experiencing their worst year since 2008, the year Lehman Brothers collapsed, were higher. Global miners Rio Tinto and Xstrata added 2.4 and 2 percent, while oil major BP rose 2 percent. Integrated oils are trading on a oneyear forward price earnings of 7.2 times compared with their five-year average of 9.6 times, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Goldman Sachs said despite the near-term risks it still believed the UK market offered value. “In order to justify current prices you need to have a pretty pes-

simistic view of long-term returns and growth; we reckon the market is priced for something like only 1 percent (per annum) long-term dividend growth and a fall in return on equity to below the long-term average.”

Growth applauded Investors continued to reward companies that are managing to maintain growth in an austere environment. British industrial equipment hire firm Ashtead jumped 17.6 percent after forecasting “substantially” better full-year results after booming business in its core U.S. market. And Britain’s biggest hotel and cof-

fee-shop operator Whitbread Plc climbed 7.2 percent after it reported accelerating growth in quarterly sales.

Banks , which trade on a one-year price earnings multiple of 7.3 against a five-year average of 11.87, also rose, though traders remained skeptical about how long gains could be maintained against the economic backdrop. JP Morgan’s banking chief executive said at the Banks in Transition conference in Frankfurt that only when Europe decides how it wants to move forward on its debt crisis would markets stabilize.

City Index’s Watts said: “Given the sovereign debt problems and the political moves that we are watching this week, including the contentious budget

debate in the Italian Senate and Greek talks with the Troika to secure their next tranche of bailout loans, any stock market rally could be short lived.” Retailers underperformed the broader market as Citigroup downgraded its rating on the sector to “neutral” and cut its earnings forecast for retail stocks in light of recent gloomy economic indicators. Marks and Spencer was flat as the broker cut its recommendation on the high street retailer to “hold”, while Kingfisher was down 0.2 percent as Citigroup cut its target price.

Wall Street stock futures pointed to a lower open for equities yesterday, as the traders returned from their long bank holiday weekend. —Reuters

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Netflix unveils its Latin America service in Brazil Further plans to expand into 43 Latin American countries

BERLIN: In this file photo, a man walks in front of an advertising display for the Samsung Galaxy Tab at the Samsung booth at the IFA, one of the world’s largest trade fairs for consumer electronics and electrical home appliances. —AP

Samsung tablet computer pulled from German fair BERLIN: Visitors to Berlin’s IFA electronics fair hoping to see the new Galaxy Tab 7.7 computer were left disappointed after Samsung Electronics pulled the tablet from show amid a legal spat with Apple.

The Galaxy 7.7 was pulled over the weekend after a Duesseldorf court issued a temporary injunction against marketing the device, which Apple says copies its iPad2. The Duesseldorf court has already

banned sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany. A final ruling on the latest model is expected Friday. Consumers visiting the IFA on Monday said they regretted the removal, calling it “sad.” Consumer electronics trader Carsten Niebuhr said he viewed the allegations of copyright violation as exaggerated, noting that “these products just can’t be made any other way.” — AP

Experts suspect possible Iran involvement in Dutch hacking AMSTERDAM: Hackers who broke into a web security firm issued hundreds of bogus security certificates for spy agency websites including the CIA as well as for Internet giants like Google, Microsoft and Twitter, the Dutch government said Monday. Information Technology experts say they suspect the hackers were probably cooperating with the Iranian government, and hundreds of thousands of private communications between Iranian Internet users and Google were likely monitored in August.

Roel Schouwenberg of Internet security firm Kaspersky said Monday night that the incident could have a larger political impact than Stuxnet - a computer worm discovered in July 2010 which targeted Siemens industrial software and equipment running on Microsoft Windows. “A government operation is the most plausible scenario” he added. The latest versions of browsers such as Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Google’s Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox are now rejecting certificates issued by the firm that was hacked, DigiNotar. In a statement Monday, the Dutch government released findings that greatly expand the scope of the hacking attack that DigiNotar first acknowledged last week. External IT experts reviewing DigiNotar’s computer systems said the hack may have begun in June, not July as DigiNotar had previously asserted.

The experts said it had affected access not only to Google, but included 531 fake certificates for some 344 domains including sites operated by Yahoo, Facebook, Microsoft, Skype, AOL, Mozilla, TorProject, and WordPress, as well as spy agencies including the CIA, Israel’s Mossad and Britain’s MI6. DigiNotar is one of many companies that sell the “SSL” security certificates widely used to authenticate websites and guarantee that communications between a user’s browser and a website are secure. In theory, a fraudulent certificate can be used to trick a user into visiting a fake version of a website, or used to monitor communications with the real sites without users noticing. But in order to actually pass off a fake certificate, a hacker must be able to steer his target’s Internet traffic through a server he controls. That’s something that only an Internet service provider can easily do - or a government that commands one.

The ex ternal review by Fox-IT - A Dutch company, with offices in Aruba and Great Britain - found that one fake cer tificate for Google.com was used 300,000 times between its activation Aug. 4 and when it was revoked on Aug. 29. Almost all usage came from Iran. “The

list of domains and the fact that 99 percent of the users are in Iran suggest that the objective of the hackers is to intercept private communications in Iran,” it concluded. The hack of DigiNotar closely resembles one in March of the US security certificate issuer Comodo Inc., which was also attributed to an Iranian hacker.

The Fox-IT report said that the hackers erased some evidence of their break-in but purposefully left behind at least one message in one script: “My signature as always, Janam Fadaye Rabhar,” which means “I will sacrifice my soul for my leader” in the Farsi language spoken by Iranians.

The same signature line was used by the Comodo hacker, apparently in reference to Iran’s religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a blog posting, US security firm Trend Micro described the attack as “massive,” writing that according to its data “Internet users in more than 40 different networks of ISPs and universities in Iran were confronted with rogue SSL certificates issued by DigiNotar.” Gervase Markham, a Mozilla developer who has been involved in the response to the DigiNotar failure, warned Iranian Internet users to update their browsers, “log out of and back into every email and social media service you have” and change all passwords. O t van Daalen of Dutch online civil liber ties group Bits of Freedom said he believed the DigiNotar incident will ultimately lead to a reform of authentication technology. Although no users in the Netherlands are known to have been victimized directly by the hack, it has caused a major headache for the Dutch government, which relied on DigiNotar for authentication of many of its websites.

Interior Minister Piet Hein Donner announced in the early hours of Saturday morning that the safet y of websites including the country’s social security agency, police and tax authorities could no longer be guaranteed. The Dutch government took over management of DigiNotar, a subsidiary of Chicago-based Vasco Inc., but kept the websites operating as it scrambles to find replacement security providers. Donner said Monday he has reached a deal with Microsoft under which it won’t block some of the web certificates in the Netherlands for the next week in order to prevent a widespread disruption of government services, which might prove worse than any potential hacking.”The entire Internet is not a phenomenon that lends itself well to government rules,” Donner said at a press conference. — AP

SAO PAULO: Netflix launched its movie and TV streaming service in Brazil on Monday, the beachhead for a push into Latin America that is seen as key to the company’s continued growth after recent setbacks in the United States.

Netflix Inc. says it plans to expand into 43 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean soon, the online movie rental company’s largest international expansion yet. “What Netflix seeks to do is connect the world to provide the world’s content to the world’s citizens,” CEO Reed Hastings said as he inaugurated the service in Brazil on Monday.

Netflix will add service to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay on Wednesday, then will expand to Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean within a week. The move brings challenges not seen in Netflix’s core markets, the US and Canada.

Broadband internet reaches a far smaller percentage of homes in Latin America than in the United States, and speeds are slower. Piracy of movies is among the most widespread on the planet, meaning many consumers can pick up a DVD or CD of the latest films for less than a dollar. Also, Netflix has little brand recognition in the region, and in the case of Brazil it already faces a homegrown competitor. “This just won’t work in Ecuador or Costa Rica or even Mexico as it has in the US,” said analyst Michael Pachter of Webbush Securities. “It’s going to depend on how many households have broadband access and what the quality of the content will be like.” Only 20 percent of Brazil’s 42 million Internet users have a connection speed above 500 kilobytes per second, according to a May report from Ibope Nielsen Online. A speed of around 800 kilobytes per second is the minimum required to stream movies online.

Netflix subscribers across the region will be able to watch TV shows and movies streamed on a

wide range of gadgets. Foreign and domestic content will be offered in Brazil, with some titles dubbed in Portuguese, Spanish or English, and people will also be able to opt for subtitling. The service in Brazil will cost 14.99 reals per month (about $9), and new

size of the 100,000 selections in the DVD section. Hastings declined to say how many movie and TV titles would be available to Latin American consumers. He also would not say how much the company has invested in the venture. The company based in Los

PALO ALTO: Netflix CEO Reed Hastings speaks at a meeting in Palo Alto, Calif. Starz says that it has ended renewal talks with Netflix on providing movies and other content for its on-demand streaming service. The decision announced Thursday deals a big blow to Netflix Inc.’s streaming service at a time when many users are angry about its recent decision to raise its monthly subscription prices. —AP subscribers will get the first month for free. In the US, a streaming subscription costs $8 a month and customers can pay slightly more to get DVDs in the mail. As in Canada, Netflix’s service in Latin America will be streaming-only, with no DVD option. Netflix’s streaming library in the US is about one-fifth the

Gatos, California, is working on broadening its international reach as its service it launched in 2007 in the US becomes more ubiquitous and as it faces new pressures.

As of March, Netflix had 22.8 million subscribers in the US, about 34,000 more than the number of households subscribing to Comcast Corp.’s cable-TV service.

The company is trying to pacify subscribers incensed about a price increase of as much as 60 percent on plans that bundle Internet video with DVD rentals.

It’s also scrambling to fill a potentially big void in its video library that will be created in March if it loses the rights to stream movies and T V shows from Starz Entertainment, part of Liberty Media Corp. Netflix had been trying to renew the Starz deal, which included recently released movies from Walt Disney Co.’s various studios, only to have the talks collapse last week when Starz announced that it wouldn’t renew a contract that allows Netflix to stream recently released movies and TV shows online under the $30 million annual deal.

Those developments have raised fears that Netflix might lose subscribers in the US, and that has driven down the company’s stock price by about 25 percent, wiping out about $4 billion in shareholder wealth since the price increases were announced in July. Anti-piracy advocates hope that Netflix’s entry into Latin America may provide a market-based solution to the rampant infringement of intellectual property rights in the region, ranked by many watchdog groups as the worst in the world.

Kelsey Zahourek, director of the Washington-based watchdog group Property Rights Alliance, hopes Netflix can change consumer habits in Latin America. “If you give consumers a fairly inexpensive choice to get all the movies they want for a fairly inexpensive prices, it’s going to bring down piracy rates,” she said.

“Increasing enforcement along with changing consumer habits can go a long way in reducing piracy.” Hastings said the use of peer-to-peer sharing networks to spread pirated movies in Canada has declined since Netflix entered that market, but he was doubtful the service alone was the answer.

“We’re not going to eliminate piracy with Netflix, but you can make a dent,” he said. — AP

Transmitter bracelets help keep newborns in their parents’ arms FORT WORTH: The bracelet on Zara Leonard’s ankle weighs only about a third of an ounce. Still, it looks a little clunky on the tiny leg of the day-old baby. But it’s not there for decoration. The device, a radio transmitter in a little box with an adjustable strap, is a crucial component of North Texas hospitals’ measures to prevent the abduction of newborns. It sets off an alarm if the baby is carried from the nurser y or a hospital room. Zara was born at Baylor All Saints Medical Center’s Andrews Women’s Hospital. Abduc tion “wasn’t a concern for us when we came to the hospital,” said her

father, Paul Leonard of Fort Worth, Texas. “But knowing this hospital has one makes us feel good.”

Baby abductions from hospitals are rare in the US. There are 4 .3 million bir ths a nnu ally at more than 3,500 facilities. Since 1983, 274 cases of infant abductions by nonrelatives have been repor ted, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Forty-seven percent occurred in hospitals, and in most of those cases, the babies were ta ken from their mother ’s room. Bu t ju s t one abdu c tion wou ld be one too many, hospital officials say.

That’s why hospitals have security staffs, security training for nurses, locked nurseries and ID bracelets for infants and relatives.

“Infant security is right up there with giving medications,” said Kecia Kelly, director of maternal, newborns and neonatal intensive care at Andrews. “Nurses will always be our first line of defense.”

The hospital also employs electronic tagging systems such as Zara’s bracelet.

The monitor, strapped on a newborn’s ankle, sends a signal to nearby monitoring stations. An alarm sounds if the device is cut off, slips off or leaves designated

areas. “In labor rooms, when a baby is ready to go up to the mother ’s room, a nurse has 15 minutes to move the baby,” Kelly said. “If something happens and it takes more than 15 minutes, the alarm goes off.”

Hospital security measures are activated if an alarm sounds and a baby isn’t accounted for within five minutes. For the Leonard family, the ankle monitor on Zara was familiar. Older sister Zoey, 3, had one when she was born at Andrews. “You just can’t have too many preventive measures,” said Christy Leonard, the girls’ mother.

“We believe in them.” — MCT

Apple to add stores in booming China market HONG KONG: Apple plans to open its first store in Hong Kong and another in Shanghai by year’s end, a spokeswoman said yesterday, as the maker of the iconic iPhone sets its sights on the booming China market. The US firm, which already has four stores in mainland China, is aiming to open both new locations before year’s end, she said, without confirming dates.

Apple products are currently available in Hong Kong through registered dealers or online. Some die-hard fans in China-which has the world’s largest online population

with 485 million users-queue for days to get their hands on the latest Apple products. The craze for all things Apple has triggered widespread cloning of iPhones and iPads and in July an American blogger uncovered fake Apple stores in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming. Apple has said its second quarter revenue in greater China-an area including Taiwan and Hong Kong-reached $3.8 billion, six times that seen in the same period last year, making the region a key driver behind the company’s record results. — AFP

San Francisco police help in search for lost iPhone SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco police officers helped Apple Inc. investigators look for a missing iPhone prototype that was left in a city restaurant in July, the police chief said, the second time in two years the company has lost an unreleased smartphone. Police Chief Greg Suhr told the San Francisco Chronicle that four plainclothes officers accompanied two Apple investigators who searched a San Francisco home for the iPhone prototype. Apple employees who contacted the department asking for help finding a lost item conducted the house search after asking the resident’s permission, and the officers did not enter the home, according to police.

Apple tracked the smartphone to the home using GPS technology, but the gadget wasn’t found there, said Lt. Troy Dangerfield. Apple officials have declined to comment on the case. The Cupertino, California-based company is reportedly planning to release a new version of its popular iPhone this fall. The SF Weekly newspa-

per reported that Sergio Calderon, who lives in the home, said he believed all six people were police officers and would not have let the two investigators inside if he knew they worked for Apple. Suhr said he didn’t know how the Apple employees presented themselves to Calderon.

“The reason we do civil standby is to make sure there isn’t a problem,” Suhr told the Chronicle.

“Whatever conversations the employees had with the resident, I can’t say.” Suhr said it’s not uncommon for San Francisco police officers to help private investigators. There was no record of the officers’ involvement in the search because Apple did not want a lost property report created, which was within the company’s right, Suhr said. Last week, two men were charged with misdemeanors for selling a lost Apple iPhone 4 they found in March 2010 in a Redwood City, California, bar. That phone was sold to the gadget blog Gizmodo.com for $5,000, prosecutors said. — AP

HONG KONG: Vehicles drive under Apple’s new store in Hong Kong yesterday. — AFP

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health & science

Wisconsin study finds big dairies produce cleaner milk MILWAUKEE: With buying from small, local, family-run farms becoming more popular, the results of a new study from Wisconsin could be surprising: It found that milk from big dairies is cleaner than that from small ones. Lead researcher Steve Ingham said he did the study because he wanted to see whether there was a link between milk quality and the size of a dairy farm. He said the results cast doubt on the perception that big dairies can’t matcher smaller ones in terms of quality. “Certainly, the small-is-better blanket statement doesn’t appear to be true,” said Ingham, who started the study when he was a food science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is now a food safety division administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

But a group that represents small farms said the study was irrelevant because of the way it defined milk quality. It looked at the amount of certain cells and bacteria in milk, which are factors agriculture inspectors use to evaluate cows’ health and farms’ cleanliness. Tom Quinn, the

executive director of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, said the study ignored other aspects of quality, such as taste and nutrient levels. It also didn’t address what he said are the real reasons smaller farms are better. “I don’t recall that we’ve ever claimed small farms are better because they produce more sanitary milk,” he said. “Instead we’ve made that argument from environmental, economic and social issues.”

The study published in the August issue of the Journal of Dairy Science used 2008 data collected by the Wisconsin government to look at levels of cells linked to mammary disease in dairy cows and bacteria tied to improper refrigeration or unclean equipment. It found milk produced at large and extra-large farms had lower levels of both bacteria than that produced by small ones, although all the farms met standards for grade A milk certification. Because he used data exclusively from Wisconsin, the nation’s second-leading milk producer behind California, Ingham said he wasn’t sure whether the results would apply elsewhere, especially in warmer states where

Earthquake prediction still stymies scientists LOS ANGELES: The East Coast earthquake left more than just residents unaccustomed to feeling the ground shake and sway in a daze. It also surprised some scientists who spend their careers trying to untangle the mysteries of sudden ground shifts. Despite decades of research, earthquake prediction remains elusive. As much as society would like scientists to tell us when a jolt is coming, mainstream seismologists are generally pessimistic about ever having that ability. They lived through the checkered history of earthquake prediction, filled with passioned debates, failed oracles and the enduring search for warning signs that may portend a powerful quake. The Earth so far has refused to give up its secrets.

In recent years, however, a more hopeful camp has emerged, pushed by researchers using satellites who say it may be possible to someday predict earthquakes from space and others who think they can tease out signals in rocks. The two schools of thought swapped notes during a two-day meeting in Los Angeles weeks before a relatively mild magnitude-5.8 rattled the Eastern Seaboard. “I was pretty skeptical going in and I remain skeptical,” said Washington state seismologist John Vidale, who was among 44 scientists from around the world who attended the invitation-only meeting.

Geophysicist Malcolm Johnston with the US Geological Survey agreed. “I’ve been chasing this for a long time,” he said. “If you think you can detect the start of an earthquake, it’s going to be very, very difficult.”

How earthquakes occur is well known. The Earth’s crust is like a giant jigsaw puzzle, broken into several pieces known as tectonic plates that constantly bump and grind or slide past each other. The movement happens slowly, about the speed at which our fingernails grow. Eventually, there’s enough pent-up stress and the rocks suddenly slip, releasing tremendous energy that we feel as shaking. Most earthquakes are small and imperceptible. Occasionally, a power ful one wreaks havoc like the ones that ravaged Haiti last year and coastal Japan in March. No one knows how a small rumble can cascade into a big one. Spurred in part by a pair of megaquakes in the 1960s, scientists began looking in earnest for signals that will help them distinguish a serious quake from the garden variety. Hopes were high for reading the seismic tea leaves. They scoured for anything and everything that might be a clue: warping in the Earth’s crust, radon gas releases along a fault, weird weather and even the behavior of cockroaches, snakes and other animals.

None of the phenomena studied panned out, but the notion that animals might have a “sixth sense” persists to today. Keepers at the National Zoo in

Washington, D.C. reported that lemurs, a gorilla and an orangutan were restless and making noises minutes before the East Coast quake on Aug. 23.. Scientists say animals can sometimes feel the first arriving seismic waves before people do, but this happens after a fault has

MINERAL: In this file photo, debris covers the floor of the Miller’s Mart food store after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Mineral, Va., a small town northwest of Richmond near the earthquake’s epicenter, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. — AP ruptured. In other words, the earthquake has already begun. The only prediction the United States made was back in the mid-1980s when government scientists said a strong quake will hit a rural town straddling California’s famous San Andreas Fault before 1993 based on how many temblors had occurred there in the past. Crews buried high-tech instruments in Parkfield, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, in hopes of catching it. The deadline came and went with no significant quiver. A strong quake finally did shake Parkfield - 10 years later.

USGS geophysicist Michael Blanpied, who considers himself agnostic on whether quakes are predictable, said any sign that might point to a big quake would likely be subtle. “I remain to be proven wrong on that,” Blanpied said. In the other corner are researchers who are more optimistic about finding earthquake precursors. They tend to work in fields like physics and atmospheric science. The group got together with earthquake researchers at the University of Southern California in late July to start a dialogue. The campus houses the Southern California Earthquake Center where a worldwide project is underway to test forecast methods. The center sponsored the meeting with NASA, which funds groups looking into earthquake prediction. Participants did not rate the merits of the contested theories, but all agreed that more study was needed. — AP

Hunt on for killer shark in Australia PERTH: A hunt was under way yesterday for a shark that killed a 21-year-old man as police praised the courage of two surfers who brought his mangled body back to shore. Kyle Burden was in the water off Bunker Bay, a popular tourist spot on Australia’s west coast, when the shark attacked on Sunday, biting him so badly the lower half of his body was torn away, police said. Local reports said either a Great White Shark or a bronze whaler, up to 4.5 meters (15 feet) long, was thought to be responsible. A spotter plane and boats were scouring the coastline to find it, although authorities said there were no plans to kill the shark, just usher it out to sea. Sergeant Craig Anderson from Dunsborough police told reporters it had been “perfect shark conditions”. “It was dark and gloomy water, overcast skies, light rain falling, there was whale action in the bay and some seals

about,” he said. It is the first fatal shark attack in the country since February, when a man diving for abalone was savaged off South Australia, and only the fourth since December 2008. All but one have been off the west coast.

Anderson said Burden was among a group of about five surfing in the area.

“You have to take your hat off to the young fellow who was surfing with him and his mate for bringing him ashore, the nature of his injuries were significant,” he said. Shark expert Hugh Edwards told the West Australian newspaper that the area, from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, was a “travel route” for sharks, particularly great whites. “The risk of being attacked while in the water is very low but there’s no doubt that there are far more people in the water in these areas than there were 10, 20 years ago so we are seeing more attacks,” he said. — AFP

bacterial growth might be harder to prevent. He said the perception that smaller was better seemed to spring from the belief that small farmers have a greater incentive to collect milk hygienically and avoid taxing their cows with over-milking.

However, he noted, larger operators also have an incentive to keep their herds healthy, including by removing cows that have udder infections so they don’t infect others. Bigger farms also keep bacterial counts down by investing in better sanitation and refrigeration equipment, he said. Jayme Sellen, spokeswoman for the Dairy Business Association, which represents Wisconsin dairy farmers, said the study just shows that all dairies produce safe milk and consumers shouldn’t be concerned. “The main point is that milk is extremely high quality regardless of the size” of the dairy farm, Sellen said. “And that’s not surprising. We have some pretty high standards here in Wisconsin. We know our milk.”

The study defined small dairies as those with 118 cows or fewer and large ones as having 119

to 713 cows. Extra-large farms with 714 or more cows require special permits in Wisconsin.

Overall, Wisconsin dairies tend to be smaller, with an average of 88 cows in 2007 compared to California’s 824, according to the latest federal statistics. Several Wisconsin farmers argued that keeping smaller herds gives them an intimate perspective that’s hard for bigger farms to replicate. Darin Von Ruden, a dairy farmer in Westby, Wis., said he knew the personalities of his 40 cows so well that if one acted the slightest bit unusual he could keep her milk out of the general collecting tank until he knew what was wrong.

“That might not happen at the bigger factory farms,” the 43-year-old said. It’s not clear how much that kind of thing matters to consumers, who often judge milk on its taste and shelf life.

And since pasteurization kills most bacteria, consumers might not care as much about the data Ingham analyzed. “I don’t care about all that. Milk is milk,” said Cherie Kappus, 58, a secretary in a Milwaukee law firm. “I just check the (expiration) date. Otherwise, it’s all the same.” — AP

Cancers among 9/11 workers sparking political firestorm 1,020 WTC workers died of health complications NEW YORK: “Never forget!” was the motto of the first responders who rushed to the burning World Trade Center on 9/11, but 10 years on some say they have been abandoned by their country to fight cancer and mounting medical bills. Once hailed as heroes, thousands now say they have fallen victim to a host of ailments-from asthma to cancer-due to their exposure to the toxic debris pile left by the Twin Towers’ collapse on September 11, 2001. Compensation funds set up by the US government do not recognize cancer as a condition caused by exposure to the World Trade Center clean-up operation, and a political battle is brewing. “This is almost 10 years later. I mean, how do you praise guys after 9/11 and then just turn your back?” asked Jeff Stroehlein, 47, a retired New York City firefighter who is battling brain cancer after working at Ground Zero.

Stroehlein and others with cancer have no doubt that their illnesses took root a decade ago as they scoured the debris for human remains and helped clean up the mess for time spans ranging from weeks to nearly a full year. But until last week-when a study in the Lancet showed that New York City firefighters who rushed to the doomed twin towers were 19 percent more likely to have cancer than their non-exposed colleagues-there was scant scientific data to back up their claims. In July, the government’s first periodic review of cancer as part of the World Trade Center Health program found that there was “insufficient

evidence” to add cancer to the list of WTCrelated health conditions.” Very little has been published addressing the association of exposures arising from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and cancer in responders and survivors,” said the WTC Health Program report.

According to the Fealgood Foundation, an advocacy group for first responders run by John Feal, a construction worker who was injured at the site, 1,020 of the estimated 40,000 WTC workers and volunteers have died from health complications. A total of 345 members of the fire department and 45 police officers have since died from cancer, surpassing the death toll on the day itself when 343 firefighters and 23 police lost their lives, Feal said. First responders now have revived hope for a reversal in the US government’s decision that cancer would not be included in a list of health problems paid for by the US government in recognition of their service. “The importance of its findings cannot be understated,” said Feal, referring to the Lancet study led by David Prezant, chief medical officer of the Fire Department of the City of New York. “ This study now allows all 9/11 First Responder advocates to argue that these various forms of cancer should be monitored and treated in accordance with the James Zadroga Health & Compensation Act,” he said of the legislation named for a fallen New York City police officer who died at age 34 of cancer.

Under the Zadroga Act, more than $4 bil-

lion has been allocated to pay for medical treatments and doctors’ visits for asthma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. One major study of nearly 10,000 Ground Zero workers and residents released about five years after the attacks found that 70 percent of them faced new or worsening lung problems after 9/11.

In New York, about 5,000 responders regularly see doctors at the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Center on Long Island as part of an effort to track their health over time. “Most often what we see are the breathing problems-the sinus issues, the heart burn issues and mental health issues, those are quite common,” said one of the doctors, Vrajesh Patel. Some of the patients have medical insurance, others do not. Some who have fallen sick and lost their jobs face doctors’ bills in the tens of thousands of dollars, said Feal.In Stroehlein’s case, he has insurance coverage but it does not include all his medication, so his prescriptions can cost hundreds of dollars each month. For heavy equipment operator John Devlin, 50, who worked at the pile for almost 10 months, the problems began a few weeks after the attacks with the hacking that many workers experienced, coined “World Trade Center cough.” In 2009, he was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer. Haggling with insurance carriers, hospital billing departments, and state officials in charge of worker’s compensation has become a regular part of his struggle to survive.” — AFP

Time for flu shots, lucky few may get tiny needle WASHINGTON: It’s flu vaccine time again and some lucky shot-seekers will find that the needle has shrunk. The first flu shot that works with a less-scary skin prick instead of an inch-long needle is hitting the market this fall.

Sorry kids, this option so far is just for adults, and it’s so brand-new that it will take some searching to find a dose. But there are plenty of the other varieties - standard shots, a special high-dose shot for seniors and the needle-free squirt-in-the-nose option - to go around. At least 166 million doses of flu vaccine are expected to be produced this year.

The big question is whether people will get it.

Usually each year’s flu vaccine varies from the previous versions as different influenza strains emerge. This year, the vaccine’s a duplicate because the three flu strains that sickened people last winter still are circulating.

Scientific studies aren’t clear about how much a person’s immunity wanes over a year, although it varies by age and overall health.

But federal health officials and the American Academy of Pediatrics weighed the evidence and say don’t skip this year’s vaccination - it’s the only way to be sure your immune system remains revved enough for the best protection. “You’re not going to be able to count on that vaccine protecting you throughout a second season,” says Dr. Lisa Grohskopf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A yearly vaccination now is recommended for virtually everyone, except babies younger than 6 months and people with severe allergies to the eggs used to make it. Last year, 49 percent of children and 41 percent of adults were vaccinated. Say you never catch the flu?

You could be a carrier, unknowingly spreading the misery when you feel little more than a sniffle, says Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University, president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.”You should be vaccinated each and every year to ensure both you’re protected and you’re giving the maximum protection to people around you,” he says.

Here are some questions and answers about flu vaccinations: Q: How does the new skin-deep vaccine work?

A: Sanofi Pasteur’s Fluzone Intradermal uses a needle less than a tenth of an inch long to inject vaccine just below the skin’s surface.

This layer, called the dermis, is so rich in a certain type of immune cell that the new shot

uses a lower dose of the same vaccine that’s in regular flu shots. Studies found it triggered as much protection as full-strength muscle shots - although it did cause more skin reactions like redness, swelling and itching. There’s little data on pain perception.

But it’s only for 18- to 64-year-olds. It hasn’t been studied in children’s more-tender skin.

Sanofi estimates it will sell less than 1 million doses this year while introducing the newly approved product to doctors, before a full market launch next flu season.

died of flu during the 2009 pandemic. The boy already had been exposed by the time vaccine finally was available that fall. Now, Gorenstein says the whole family gets inoculated in early fall - even though Nate has developed a vaccine allergy and as a precaution checks into the hospital for his dose.

“We got lucky,” says Gorenstein, who now advises a group called Families Fighting Flu. “You just don’t want to be a statistic that is preventable.” — AP

Q: What about the original ouchless flu vaccine, the nasal-spray version?

A: MedImmune’s FluMist is for a different age group, people ages 2 to 49 who are healthy, meaning no one with underlying health conditions or who is pregnant. Unlike flu shots that are made with killed flu virus, FluMist is made with live but weakened virus.

Q: For older adults, does CDC recommend the high-dose shot?

A: The immune system weakens with age so that it doesn’t respond as well to an ordinary flu shot. Sanofi’s Fluzone High-Dose is a standard into-the-muscle shot but it contains four times the usual dose, to spur more immune response in people 65 and older. First sold last year, studies still are under way to track if that translates into fewer illnesses and hospitalizations. It can cause more of the typical flu-shot side effects. The CDC says it’s OK for seniors to choose either a high-dose shot or the regular shots from a variety of manufacturers.

Q: Who’s at highest risk from the flu?

A: Young children, anyone 50 or older, anyone with chronic medical conditions such as asthma and certain heart or kidney problems, and pregnant women. A flu vaccination during pregnancy has the added benefit of passing some protection to the baby.

Q: When should I get vaccinated?

A: Anytime, but it takes about two weeks for protection to kick in. Flu typically starts circulating around November, and peaks around January. Some chain pharmacies started vaccinating a month ago. Next month, Hawaii begins offering free in-school vaccinations for elementary and middle school students.

Don’t put it off too long, says Dr. Scott Gorenstein of Great Neck, N.Y., an emergency physician whose own son Nate, then 4, nearly

WASHINGTON: Flu shots have long been injected deep into muscle, requiring a needle an inch long or longer, such as the needle seen at left. However, a new version named: Sanofi Pasteur’s Fluzone Intradermal, hitting the market this fall, at right, is less than a tenth of an inch long, the first flu vaccine that works by injecting just into the skin. — AP

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

H E A LT H

NASA launching twin moon probes to measure gravity CAPE CANAVERAL: Four decades after landing men on the moon, NASA is returning to Earth’s orbiting companion, this time with a set of robotic twins that will measure lunar gravity while chasing one another in circles. By creating the most precise lunar gravity map ever, scientists hope to figure out what’s beneath the lunar surface, all the way to the core. The orbiting probes also will help pinpoint the best landing sites for future explorers, whether human or mechanical. Near-identical twins Grail-A and Grail-B - short for Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory are due to blast off Thursday aboard an unmanned rocket. Although launched together, the two washing machine-size spacecraft will separate an hour into the flight and travel independently to the moon.

It will be a long, roundabout trip - three to four months - because of the small Delta II rocket used to boost the spacecraft. NASA’s Apollo astronauts used the mighty Saturn V rocket, which covered the approximately 240,000 miles to the moon in a mere three days. NASA’s Grail twins will travel more than 2 million miles to get to the moon under this slower but more economical plan. The mission, from start to finish, costs $496 million. The moon’s appeal is universal. “Nearly every human who’s every lived has looked up at the moon and admired it,” said Massachusetts Institute of Technology planetary scientist

Maria Zuber, Grail’s principal investigator.

“The moon has played a really central role in the human imagination and the human psyche.”

Since the Space Age began in 1957, 109 missions have targeted the moon, 12 men have walked its surface during six landings, and 842 pounds of rock and soil have been brought back to Earth and are still

being analyzed. Three spacecraft currently are orbiting the moon and making science observations. A plan to return astronauts to the moon was nixed in favor of an asteroid and Mars. Despite all the exploration, scientists still don’t k now ever ything about the moon, Zuber noted. For example, its formation still generates questions - Grail’s findings should help explain its

This undated artist’s rendering made available by NASA/JPL-Caltech shows the twin Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft which will map the moon’s gravity field. — AP

origin - and its far side is still mysterious.

“You would think having sent many missions to the moon we would understand the difference between the near side and the far side, but in fact we don’t,” she said.

Recent research suggests Earth may have had a second smaller moon that collided with our present moon, producing a mountainous region. The Grail mission may help flush out that theory, Zuber said.

Grail-A will arrive at the moon on New Year’s Eve, followed by Grail-B on New Year’s Day. They will go into orbit around the lunar poles and eventually wind up circling just 34 miles above the surface. For nearly three months, the spacecraft will chase one another around the moon, meticulously flying in formation. The distance between the two probes will range from 40 miles to 140 miles. Radio signals bouncing between the twins will provide their exact locations, even on the far side of the moon. Scientists will be able to measure even the slightest variations in the gap between orbiting Grail-A and Grail-B - every single second. These subtle changes will indicate shifting masses below or at the lunar surface: mountains in some places, enormous lava tubes and craters in others.

The moon actually has the most uneven gravitational field in the solar system, according to NASA. The moon’s gravity is about one-sixth Earth’s pull. “We measure the velocity change between the two

pacecraft to a couple of fractions of a tenth of a micron per second. It is an extremely accurate measurement that has to be made,” Zuber said. A tenth of a micron is about half the size of a red blood cell. By the time their science mission ends in late spring, Grail-A and Grail-B will be within 10 miles of the lunar sur face.

Barring a change in plans, they will crash into the moon. Each spacecraft holds one science instrument- for sending and receiving radio signals between the two as well as a digital video camera system, MoonKAM, intended for use by middle school students worldwide. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and her science education company in San Diego is leading the photo-gathering effort. It’s billed as “eyes on the moon for Earth’s students.”

This is NASA’s second robotic mission to be launched since the end of the shuttle program in July. A probe named Juno is headed for Jupiter following an Aug. 5 liftoff. NASA officials will be thrilled if Grail generates even a portion of the immense interest ignited by the Juno launch. A large crowd is expected at Cape Canaveral for Thursday’s morning liftoff, which features a pair of split-second launch windows a half-hour apart. “We’re just delighted by the way the country is responding to these exciting missions,” said Jim Green, director of NASA’s planetary science division. — AP

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IKEA Kuwait to Launch Catalogue 2012

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

W H AT ’ S O N

BSK’s Four Musketeers set sights on the UK

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any students from The British School of Kuwait are preparing for their first-year at university and they have the tough task of saying good bye to friends and peers. Solid friendships are formed at school and given the close-knot community that is featured in The British School Of Kuwait’s Sixth Form, it is even more difficult leaving friends. However, thanks to a fortuitous coincidence, BSK’s 2010-2011 Head Boy and Head Girl, as well as Deputy Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy, find they heading to universities very close to each other. BSK’s Head Girl, Yara AlWazir and Deputy Head Boy, Mohamed Ali Abdulhak are both going to Loughborough University. Well known for being the creator of The Green Initiative-a highly successful organization that raises awareness about climate change-Yara is continuing to pursue her passion for protecting the environment by studying Chemical Engineering and Environment Protection, after obtaining 3 A’s and a B in her A-levels. Mohamed is also pursuing an undergraduate degree in engineering but of a completely different type; Automotive engineering and has achieved 2 A’s and a C. Studying a degree he would enjoy was very important to him and his fascination with cars prompted him to choose this degree course. Also, given Loughborough’s renowned reputation in the field of sports, Mohamed will be taking full advantage of their sports’ facilities having been Captain of BSK’s football team since the age of 15 in addition to being a member of numerous other sports teams. Cyrus Moosavinia, BSK’s Head Boy and Jacqueline Lewinton, Deputy Head Girl are headed to the University of Nottingham, which is not far from Loughborough. With a deep interest in international relations and politics, Cyrus has decided to study Global Issues and Contemporary Chinese Studies after attaining a B and 2 C’s in his A-levels. With an A* and 2 A’s as her Alevel results, Jacqueline is studying an undergraduate degree in Law. Her interest in the affect of the justice system upon society and her hopes to work with people on a daily basis prompted her to take-up Law. It was a welcome surprise when the Four Musketeers discovered that they would be in such close contact and it is highly likely that they will be using the 15-minute train ride between Nottingham and Loughborough to their full advantage! At times like these, when friends must bid each other farewell as they go their separate ways, the Charles Lamb poem “The Old Familiar Faces” comes to mind. But luckily for these four, the poem’s refrain “All, all are gone, the old familiar faces,” does not have to become a reality once they leave Kuwait for University life in the UK.

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KEA Kuwait is set to launch its signature annual publication - the ‘IKEA Catalogue 2012’. The much awaited catalogue will feature a wide range of detailed pictures and descriptions of products and prices designed for the convenience of the buyers. IKEA, known worldwide, offers quality, functional and affordable designer items as well as an array of branded home, office and store furnishings that suit the taste, budget and living situations of individuals and families.

The IKEA 2012 Catalogue has arrived with a new theme titled “foldable, stackable, movable, beautiful” that grants shoppers at IKEA access to innovative as well as unique design elements while aiming to create space. The “foldable, stackable, movable, beautiful” Catalogue also provides prices reduced to 15%, an initiative that reflects a token of appreciation and a price investment around 50% of the IKEA product range. The catalogue contains 12,000 products and features an extensive buying guide to help shoppers with information on guarantees and services. The IKEA Catalogue has also been designed and structured to help shopper’s shortlist their different products along with price information.

IKEA Kuwait will officially launch its IKEA 2012 Catalog on 28th September at its store located in the Avenues mall and a total of 500,000 copies of the IKEA 2012 Catalog will be distributed to households across Kuwait between the 6th and the 28th of September 2011. Printing approximately 175 million copies annually, the IKEA Catalogue is published in 27 languages across 35 countries. The Catalogue is also available for download as an application via Iphone and android for added convenience.

Indian music video to be shot in Kuwait

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Malayalam musical album that has song writers from Jnanpith award winner ONV to the popular Rafeeq Ahmad and singers from Hariharan to Sreya Ghoshal, produced by Ragasuthra Music Company and orchestrated

by Viswajith plans its launch soon. The 8 songs in the album uses lots of Indian languages in part and the music also is pan Indian. As part of the launch the songs are being visualized. A few songs will be shot in Kuwait since the songs represent the life of Indian expats in Kuwait. Ragasuthra is looking for real talents for their gulf based production of music videos. Talents/Actors: M/F - Age: 14 - 26; -Family combination: M/F Age: 28 - 45; -Supporting character: M/F - Age 10 - 60; Assistant Director: M/F; -Associate Director: M/F; -Assistants: M/F; Training will be given for selected candidates. Serious applicants may send their bio data with recent photographs to ragasuthra@gmail.com

Announcements Tulukoota talent hunt Tulukoota Kuwait will hold a “Talent Hunt 2011” a chance to prove an inborn trait in you that confirms your individuality, uniqueness. So step forward to grab this opportunity to show your caliber and entertain.

Dance, music, art or any special talent- now is your chance to showcase it - and be part of this year’s Talent Hunt & Tulu Parba. Talent Hunt event is open to all Tuluvas. For more information and registration form kindly log on to our Website: www.tulukootakuwait.org or visit our facebook page - Tulukoota Kuwait Talent Hunt 2011. You could also email your form request to: secretary@tulukootakuwait.org or contact our area coordinators mentioned below. Mangaf, Fahaheel, Abuhalifa : Ronald Dsouza- 60035824, Shalini Alva23726164, Suma Bhatt- 97834578 Salmiya & Hawally: Swarna Shetty- 99006934, Kripa Gatty- 66044194 Kuwait City, Jahra, Sharq : Rekha Sachu- 65044521,97862115 Farwaniya, Abbassiya, Shuwaikh & Khaitan: Sathyanarayana- 66585077 Sanath Shetty- 67712409.

BSK’s Four Musketeers

First Aid Training Course for Movenpick Hotel Kuwait Employees

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infant. In addition, they were guided to deal with cases of fractures, burns and other critical safety scenarios. The trained employees were granted First Aid Licensor Cards which officially enable them to handle emergency cases once these occur.

Maricar Canasa, the Movenpick Learning & Development Manager, assured that the hotel shows great concern in arranging similar courses on different health and safety issues. This is in line with one of the company’s standards of providing our guests safety and security while in the hotel.

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filmi Qawwali, Ghazal & ever green songs by Munawwar Massoom, Poonam Bhatia & special tabla by Surinder Singh.

Poonam Bhatia realized her dream of becoming a playback singer by giving voice to actors like Ravina Tandon, Shilpa Shetty, Twinkle Khanna, Juhi Chawala, Mayuri Cango, Suman Ranganathan, Aishwarya Rai etc. She sang for almost all the bollywood music directors right from Anand Raj Anand,

ovenpick Hotel Kuwait - Free Trade Zone in collaboration with Medical Emergency Division of the Ministry of Health, organized a First Aid and CPR Training to its selected hotel employees. The trainings, facilitated by Abdullah Al-Hadad and Mohammed AlRashidi from Medical Emergency were in 2 batches - for new enrolees and the other was renewal of licenses. There were 25 Movenpick employees from different departments completed and passed this year’s First Aid and CPR course.

The attendees had a realistic training on different ways to save a human life in emergency situations such as: sudden heart-failure, chest pain and fainting as well as ways to apply CPR by having two plastic dummy models - an adult and

Pathanamthitta Onam The executive committee of Pathanamthitta District Association has decided to hold 2011 Onam Festival celebrations on Friday October 28, 2011 with a grand public function attended by Member of Parliament from Pathanamthitta Loksabha Constituency, Anto Antony and other prominent dignitaries from Kerala and Kuwait. All residents of Pathanamthitta District and persons of Pathanamthitta District origin are hereby invited to attend this function and friends and families.

Art salon Bouhshari Art Gallery Exhibition runs through 15 September. Daily working hours: 10am - 1pm and 5 9pm, except on Friday and on Thursday evening.

Konkani musical show Comedian Philip, the 1st NRI Goan comedian, is all set to entertain you with a Konkani music show titled “Ani, Anik Zaiem?” to be presented by the United Friends Club on September 9 at 4pm at the AIS (American International School) Auditorium, Maidan-Hawalli. This is Kuwait-based comedian Philip’s third musical show after the overwhelming success of staging “Tum Vhoir Aum Sokol” and “Hem Kazar Koslem” in Kuwait and overseas.

Arpan Onam on Sept 23 Arpan Kuwait will celebrate Onam, Kerala’s harvest festival, on September 23 at the Indian Community School, Salmiya (Senior Girls) from 10 am onwards.

Various cultural programs have been scheduled to make the celebration a success. Traditional attractions like athappookkalam, mohiniyattom, kaikottikali, folk songs, dance and songs and skits will be presented by Arpan members.

A program committee headed by K Mahadevan is overseeing the preparations.

The celebration will come to an end with a sumptuous ‘Onasadya.’

NAFO Onam celebration NAFO Kuwait to celebrate Onam on September 30, 2011 at the Indian Community School (Senior for Girls) auditorium Salmiya. Cultural activities such as dance,skit, nadan pattukal, vallapattukal etc will be held which will be followed by the traditional onasadhya. All NAFO members are requested to make this program a grand success by participating in various activities.

Please register your name at Contacts@nafoglobal.com.said the convener of the program Rajasekaran Nair. For details please contact Nandakumar 99559416, Udayakumar 66464577 or Rajasekharan Nair 97824780.

ICS to host musical evening ndian Cultural Society presents “Parda Hai Parda” with Munawwar Masoom & team on 9th Sept, 2011 Friday, at 7 pm sharp.

The Chief Guest for the event will be Ambassador of India, Kuwait and the guests of honor will be prominent personalities from Kuwait.

After hosting memorable events, ICS is back with a show with a difference “Parda hai Parda” will be witness of old fashion Qawwali,

Viju Shah, Nadeem Shravan, Anu Malik, to the legendry A R Rahman!

Surinder Singh became famous tabla player from TV show Moovers & Shekhar, as icon of comedy. He has versatility in his tabla playing which can be viewed on most of the famous TV channels like SONY, ZEE, and STAR PLUS etc. Surinder is most popular in Comedy Circus & Laughter Challenge.

Ustad Munawwar Masoom is a grandson

of Ustad Abdul Ghafoor Khan from Mewat Gharana born on 9th Dec.1962 at Bhopal.

When he was 9 yrs old, HMV Company recorded his first audio cassette “Tajdaar e Madina Khabar Lijiye” and then there was no looking back. Munawwar is recognized as the first qawwal who launched his own album “Ashiqaana Qawwaliya” which gave him worldwide fame. Young talents from Kuwait will be another attraction of the evening.

IMAX film program Effective 4th September 2011 to 10th September 2011 Wednesday Born to be Wild 3D: 10:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm Sea Rex 3D: 11:30am, 6:30pm Legends of Flight 3D: 12:30pm Journey to MECCA 3D: 8:30pm Thursday Legends of Flight 3D: 10:30am, 5:30pm Born to be Wild 3D: 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm,

3:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm, 8:30pm Sea Rex 3D: 12:30pm; 9:30pm Arabia 3D: 7:30pm Friday Fires of Kuwait: 2:30pm Born to be Wild 3D: 3:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm Journey to MECCA 3D: 4:30pm Legends of Flight 3D: 6:30pm Sea Rex: 8:30pm Saturday Born to be Wild 3D: 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 6:30pm, 8:30pm

Legends of Flight 3D: 11:30am, 5:30pm, 9:30pm Sea Rex 3D: 12:30pm, 7:30pm Journey to MECCA 3D: 2:30pm Arabia 3D: 4:30pm Notes: All films are in Arabic EXCEPT “Fires of Kuwait” For English, Headsets are available upon request Film schedule is subject to changes without notice.

For information call 1 848 888 or visit www.tsck.org.kw

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Embassy Information EMBASSY OF ARGENTINA In order to inform that 23rd of October 2011, will be Argentine national election where all Argentinean citizen residents permanently in Kuwait can vote only if they are registered at the Electoral Register of the Argentine Embassy. The procedure of inscription ended on 25 of April 2011. To register it is necessary that Argentinean citizens should come personally at the Argentinean Embassy (Block 6, street 42, villa 57, Mishref ) and present the DNI and four personal photos (size 4x4, face should be front on white background). For further information, contact us on 25379211. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF BRITAIN The Visa Application Centre (VAC) will be closed on the same dates above. The opening hours of the Visa Application Centre are 0930 - 1630 Application forms remain available online from the UKBAs’ website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk or from the Visa Application Centre’s website: www.vfs-ukkw.com. And also, from the UK Visa Application Centre located at: 4B, First Floor, Al Banwan Building (Burgan Bank Branch Office Building), Al Qibla area, opposite Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City. For any further inquiries, please contact the Visa Application Centre: Website: www.vfs-uk-kw.com E-mail:info@vfs-uk-kw.com Telephone:22971170. The Consular Section will also be closed on the same dates. For information on the British Embassy services, visit the British Embassy website: www.ukinkuwait.fco.gov.uk

Last call for the Red Bull art of can contest

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nspiration comes in a can”. Under this headline, the Red Bull Art of Can contest started this June for the first time in Kuwait. Mid September, is the deadline to apply!

So far more than 200 participants registered. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this unique and creative exhibition.

The closing date to receive the finalized works of art of all the applicants is October 15th, 2011.

The organizers will afterwards shortlist the entrants qualified to participate in “The Art of Can” exhibition which will be held in Kuwait this December at the 360 Mall.

The contest is a hunt for creativity and a nation-wide open invitation to everyone, from fulltime artists to simply those with a creative flare, to conceive works of art inspired by the Red Bull can.

The only boundaries in the contest are the limits of the artist’s imagination and talent. Participants can create any work of art; it could be a painting, a sculpture, an audio-visual composition, a photograph, or a shape that rhymes with the blue and silver can.

Successful contests have been held in England, Germany, Switzerland, Austria,

New Zealand, and South Africa since 1997. Past entries have included everyone from students to companies’ managers and from architects to professional artists. They proved that the mind power has no limits when imagination is given wings to fly high in hunt for new creativity horizons.

The blue and silver Red Bull cans have captured the imagination of thousands of artists worldwide that have crafted pieces utilizing the cans or representing the fuel and energy they provide. Works from past exhibits include a spectacular dragon sculpture soaring above clouds; a glowing two-meter tall beehive complete with a colony of swarming bees; an interactive computer program that generates ‘canned’ digital

sculptures; a glittering, floorlength ballroom gown; and a twometer tall knight in shining armor.

Red Bull Art of Can comes for the very first time to Kuwait giving artists the opportunity to unleash their imagination. Red Bull doesn’t just vitalize the body, it also vitalizes the mind. That’s why we’re looking for the most innovative way of creating a work of art inspired from the body of a Red Bull can. There are no rules, no limitations. Just let your imagination run wild.

Applications can be done online by registering at www.redbullartofcan-

kw.com or through calling the hotline: +965 66406020.

The top winners will be announced at the exhibition’s premiere, after the judges committee has assessed all works of art and chosen the best according to the following criteria: creativity (20points), theme (20 points) and final presentation (20 points). The winner will be the one with the highest score.

AWARE center diwaniya

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he AWARE Center cordially invites you to its diwaniya presentation Tuesday September 13th, 2011 entitled, “Don’t be Clueless: 9 helpful habits to help you adjust to a new culture” by Dr. Linda Fouke So you have moved to Kuwait. Are you feeling Disoriented, Disgruntled or Disillusioned? Are you experiencing “Culture Shock”? You are not alone. If you or someone you know has experienced the uncertainty of an extended stay abroad, you may be dealing with

the reality of “culture shock.” Is this a hackneyed, over-dramatic term or a legitimate state of mind? Come share your story with Dr. Linda Fouke as she leads a discussion entitled, “Clueless in Kuwait - 9 Helpful Habits while in Kuwait.” At this presentation you will learn more about the phases of culture shock and 10 essential keys to helping you cope with the stresses of relocation.

If you are interested, the AWARE Center is the best place to visit on September 13th, 2011 at 7pm. (Linda Graves Fouke,

Ed.D is the Principal of Hope School for Special Needs, Chairperson, Kuwait Special Needs Administrators Network, Vice President, Kuwait Textile Arts Association and co-Founder, Great Books Foundation Discussion Group Kuwait City, Kuwait). For more information, call 25335260 ext 0 / 104 / 105 or log onto: www.aware.com.kw or email: saleha.aware@gmail.com “

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EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, AlMutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca.

Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home. The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca. The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca.

Effective January 15, 2011, the only Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application form that will be accepted by CIC is the Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada [IMM 5257] form.

All previous Temporary Resident Visa application forms will no longer be accepted by CIC and instead will be returned to applicants. Should old applications be submitted prior to January 15, 2011 they will continue to be processed. To ensure that the most recent version of the Temporary Resident Visa application form is being utilized, applicants should refer to the CIC website. As of January 15, 2011, forms are to be filled in electronically. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday. The forms are available on the internet at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM525 7E.PDF. A guide explaining the process can be found here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5256E.PDF. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF GERMANY The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kuwait wishes to announce that as of 1 May 2011, the external service provider Al Qabas Assurex is operating a Visa Application Centre in support of the German Embassy. Short-term visa applications for travels to Germany (e.g. for tourism, visits, business) are to be submitted to the service provider Al Qabas who for your convenience will ensure that all relevant documents are included in your application. Your personal appearance at the Application Centre is not required. Address of the Visa Application Centre: Al Qabas Assurex Sanabel Tower (Al-Babtain) Mezzanine (M3) opposite Sharq Mall Kuwait 22924444 Fax: 22924442 Further information are available on the following websites: www.kuwait.diplo.de www.qavisa.com nnnnnnn

K’s Path weekly adoptions

EMBASSY OF INDIA Embassy of India, would like to inform that application forms for passport/visa services and labour contracts that are on its website, www.indembkwt.org, have been upgraded to include the facility for online data entry. Affidavit forms on the Embassy website have had this facility since May 6, 2009. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF KENYA The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to request all Kenyans resident in or training through Kuwait to register with the Embassy. We are updating our database. This information is necessary in order to facilitate quick assistance and advise in times of emergency. Kindly visit in person or register through our website www.kenyaembkuwait.com. The Embassy is located in: Surra Area - Block 6 - Street 9 Villa 3 Tel: 25353362 - 25353314; Fax: 25353316. nnnnnnn

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

Juicy the Persian Cat

Jacky the Jack Russell

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acky is a gentle and cuddly three-year-old Jack Russell male. This friendly boy loves a biscuit treat. He is a little shy and takes his time to get to know you.

Once he has, you can be sure he will follow you wherever you go! Jacky will be a great addition to a family with children aged 12 and above. To adopt Jacky, contact K’S PATH at (+965) 6700 1622 or visit the website www.kspath.org

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uicy is a gorgeous seven-month-old Persian female. Juicy likes to play, take a lap-nap and curl up on her favourite cushion. Juicy is gentle, affectionate and will purr for a pat. She will be a great pet to a family with children aged over 12. To adopt Juicy, contact K’S PATH at (+965) 6700 1622 or visit the website www.kspath.org

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EMBASSY OF SOUTH AFRICA Please note that the working hours will be from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and the Consular Section operation hours will from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

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00:45 01:40 The...

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Untamed & Uncut Jaws Comes Home: Return Of Ray Mears’ Wild Britain Buggin’ With Ruud Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Animal Cops Houston America’s Cutest...

Meerkat Manor The Really Wild Show Animal Crackers Safari Sisters Breed All About It Dogs 101 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Animal Cops Houston E-Vets: The Interns Wildlife SOS K9 Cops Crocodile Hunter Jaws Comes Home: Return Of Gorilla School The Really Wild Show Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife My Cat From Hell Breed All About It Crocodile Hunter Cheetah Kingdom Dogs 101 Shark Invasion Monster Bug Wars I’m Alive Great Savannah Race

Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Holby City Spooks Eastenders Doctors Last Of The Summer Wine Tweenies The Roly Mo Show Me Too Jackanory Junior Poetry Pie Tweenies The Roly Mo Show Me Too Jackanory Junior Tweenies The Roly Mo Show Me Too Jackanory Junior Poetry Pie Tweenies The Roly Mo Show Me Too Jackanory Junior Poetry Pie Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Full Circle With Michael Palin Doctors Eastenders Holby City Last Of The Summer Wine Full Circle With Michael Palin The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Holby City Full Circle With Michael Palin The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Casualty Lark Rise To Candleford Last Of The Summer Wine

00:05 New Scandinavian Cooking With Claus Meyer 00:35 New Scandinavian Cooking With Claus Meyer 01:00 Come Dine With Me 01:50 What Not To Wear 02:40 Come Dine With Me 03:35 Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers 04:00 The Naked Chef 04:30 New Scandinavian Cooking

04:55 05:20 06:10 07:05 08:05 08:30 09:00 09:25 10:15 11:55 12:45 14:40 15:25

Sweet Baby James Holmes On Homes Antiques Roadshow Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers The Naked Chef New Scandinavian Cooking Sweet Baby James Holmes On Homes Antiques Roadshow Come Dine With Me Daily Cooks Challenge Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow

00:00 BBC World News 00:30 World Business Report 00:45 Sport Today 01:00 BBC World News America 01:30 Asia Business Report 01:45 Sport Today 02:00 BBC World News 02:30 Asia Business Report 02:45 Sport Today 03:00 Newsday 03:30 Asia Business Report 03:45 Sport Today 04:00 Newsday 04:30 Asia Business Report 04:45 Sport Today 05:00 Newsday 05:30 Asia Business Report 05:45 Sport Today 06:00 Newsday 06:30 Hardtalk 07:00 BBC World News 07:30 World Business Report 07:45 BBC World News 08:30 World Business Report 08:45 BBC World News 09:30 World Business Report 09:45 Sport Today 10:00 BBC World News 10:30 World Business Report 10:45 Sport Today 11:00 BBC World News 11:30 Hardtalk 12:00 BBC World News 12:30 World Business Report 12:45 Sport Today 13:00 BBC World News 13:30 World Business Report 13:45 Sport Today 14:00 GMT With George Alagiah 15:00 BBC World News 15:30 World Business Report 15:45 Sport Today 16:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 BBC World News 18:30 Hardtalk 19:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 20:30 World Business Report 20:45 Sport Today 21:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi

00:05 Robotboy - Elements 00:30 Squirrel Boy 00:55 George Of The Jungle 01:20 Cramp Twins 01:45 Chop Socky Chooks 02:10 Best Ed 02:35 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 03:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 03:25 Generator Rex 03:50 Adventure Time 04:15 Flapjack 04:40 Chowder 05:05 The Powerpuff Girls 05:30 Ed, Edd n Eddy 05:55 Cow & Chicken 06:20 Squirrel Boy 06:45 I Am Weasel 07:00 Eliot Kid 07:25 Angelo Rules 07:50 Best Ed 08:15 Flapjack 08:40 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 09:05 Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 09:30 Courage The Cowardly Dog 09:55 Cow & Chicken 10:20 I Am Weasel

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

TV PROGRAMS 10:35 Adventure Time 11:00 Ben 10 11:25 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 11:50 The Secret Saturdays 12:15 Samurai Jack 12:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 13:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 13:30 Skunk Fu! 13:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 14:15 Flapjack 14:40 Ed, Edd n Eddy 15:05 Camp Lazlo 15:30 Chowder 15:55 Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 16:25 Cow & Chicken 16:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog 17:15 I Am Weasel 17:40 Adventure Time 18:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 18:30 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 18:55 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 19:20 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 19:45 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 20:10 Hero 108 20:35 Bakugan: New Vestroia 21:00 Total Drama Island 21:25 Adventure Time 21:50 Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 22:00 Ben 10 22:25 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 22:50 The Secret Saturdays 23:15 Samurai Jack 23:40 Megas Xlr

00:00 00:25 01:15 02:00 02:50 03:35 04:25 05:15 06:00 06:20 06:45 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:35 09:00 09:10 09:20 09:30 09:40 10:05 Cody 10:35 10:50 11:15 11:35 12:00 12:25 12:45 13:10 13:30 13:55 14:20 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:10 16:35 17:00 17:25 17:50 18:15 18:45 19:35 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:35 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:15

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Replacements Emperor’s New School Stitch Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Emperor’s New School Suite Life On Deck Phineas And Ferb Wizards Of Waverly Place Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Jungle Junction The Hive Handy Manny Imagination Movers The Suite Life Of Zack And Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Sonny With A Chance Good Luck Charlie Hannah Montana Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Fish Hooks Wizards Of Waverly Place Jake & Blake Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Shake It Up Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Jake & Blake Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Suite Life On Deck Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place

00:15 Gold Rush: Alaska 01:10 River Monsters 02:05 Dirty Jobs

MY NAME IS KHAN ON OSN CINEMA

03:00 03:55 04:20 05:15 05:40 06:05 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:45 09:10 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:25 12:20 13:15 14:10 15:05 15:30 16:00 16:25 16:55 17:50 18:45 19:40 20:05 20:35 21:00 21:30 22:25 23:20

Ultimate Survival Wheeler Dealers Mythbusters How Do They Do It? How Stuff’s Made Dirty Jobs Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Gold Rush: Alaska How Do They Do It? Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security Auction Kings Weird Or What?

Mythbusters Ultimate Survival River Monsters Sons Of Guns Cash Cab Us Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Mythbusters Gold Rush: Alaska Cake Boss Auction Kings How Stuff’s Made How Do They Do It? Cash Cab Us Stan Lee’s Superhumans Mythbusters Weird Or What?

00:05 00:55 01:45 02:35 03:25 04:15 04:45 05:40 06:10 07:00 07:55 08:50 09:40 10:35 11:30 11:55 12:25 13:15 14:05 14:30 14:55 15:45 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:15 18:40 19:30 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40

Smash Lab Superships Alien Storms How the Universe Works Da Vinci’s Machines How Stuff’s Made Superships One Step Beyond Superships Da Vinci’s Machines Space Pioneer The Gadget Show Smash Lab Brainiac Sci-Fi Science How Stuff’s Made Alien Storms How the Universe Works One Step Beyond Stunt Junkies Superships Weird Connections Da Vinci’s Machines Space Pioneer Sci-Fi Science The Gadget Show The Science of Fear and Lust Killer Outbreaks Smash Lab The Gadget Show The Science of Fear and Lust Killer Outbreaks The Gadget Show

00:05 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:55 Unwrapped 01:45 Lidia’s Italy 02:35 Barefoot Contessa 03:25 World Cafe Middle East 04:15 Good Eats - Special 04:40 Unwrapped 05:05 Ten Dollar Dinners 05:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 05:50 Paula’s Party 06:35 Barefoot Contessa 07:00 Chopped 07:50 Guy’s Big Bite 08:15 Everyday Italian 08:40 Good Deal With Dave Lieberman 09:05 Ten Dollar Dinners 09:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 09:55 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 10:20 Aarti Party 10:45 Lidia’s Italy 11:10 Unwrapped 11:35 Paula’s Party 12:25 Everyday Italian 12:50 Paula’s Best Dishes 13:15 Good Deal With Dave Lieberman 13:40 World Cafe Asia 14:05 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 14:30 Lidia’s Italy 14:55 Unwrapped 15:20 Boy Meets Grill 15:45 Chopped 16:35 Guy’s Big Bite 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 17:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 17:50 Aarti Party 18:15 World Cafe Asia 18:40 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 19:05 Good Eats - Special 19:30 Food Network Challenge 20:20 Paula’s Party 21:10 Chef vs Britain 22:00 Lidia’s Italy

00:00 00:15 00:40 01:10 01:30 02:00 02:25 02:50 03:20 03:40 04:10 04:35 05:00 05:30 05:50 06:15 06:45 07:00 07:15 07:45 08:10 08:20 08:30 09:00 09:20 09:45 10:05 10:15 10:45 11:10 11:30 11:45

Jungle Junction Little Einsteins Higglytown Heroes Jo Jo’s Circus Special Agent Oso Jungle Junction Little Einsteins Higglytown Heroes Jo Jo’s Circus Special Agent Oso Jungle Junction Little Einsteins Higglytown Heroes Jo Jo’s Circus Jungle Junction Higglytown Heroes Handy Manny Special Agent Oso Jungle Junction Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Timmy Time Handy Manny Jake & The Neverland Pirates Little Einsteins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Little Einsteins The Hive The Little Mermaid Little Einsteins Imagination Movers Jungle Junction Lazytown

12:10 12:25 12:40 13:05 13:15 13:30 13:55 14:20 14:40 15:05 15:30 15:40 15:55 16:20 16:45 17:00 17:15 17:30 17:55 18:25 18:50 19:02 19:05 19:50 20:10 20:20 20:30 20:55 21:20 21:45 22:05 22:15 22:25 22:40 22:55 23:20 23:50

Handy Manny Jake & The Neverland Pirates Imagination Movers The Hive Special Agent Oso Little Einsteins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Little Einsteins Lazytown Handy Manny The Hive Jake & The Neverland Pirates Imagination Movers Lazytown Jungle Junction The Hive Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates The Little Mermaid Special Agent Oso Animated Stories Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates The Hive Timmy Time Handy Manny Little Einsteins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Little Einsteins The Hive Timmy Time Handy Manny Jungle Junction Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Special Agent Oso Jungle Junction

00:25 Kendra 00:55 Style Star 01:25 E!es 02:20 THS 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:0050 Most Insane Celebrity Oops 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15Kourtney & Kim Take New York 10:15 50 Cutest Child Stars: All Grown Up 12:05 E! News 13:05 Giuliana & Bill 14:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 14:35 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 15:30 E!es 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 THS 17:55 E! News 18:55 E!es 19:55 Khloe And Lamar 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

00:15 Final Fu 00:40 Carpocalypse 01:30 World Combat League 02:20 Final Fu 03:10 Aiya TV 04:00 Untracked 04:50 Carpocalypse 05:40 World Combat League 06:30 Ride Guide Snow 2008 08:00 X-Traordinary 08:25 Winter X Games Europe 2011 09:15 Lucas Oil Motocross Championships 2009 10:55 Fantasy Factory 11:45 Dr Danger 12:35 Final Fu 13:25 Carpocalypse 14:15 World Combat League 15:05 Fantasy Factory 15:55 Dr Danger 16:45 X-Traordinary 17:10 Winter X Games Europe 2011 18:00 Lucas Oil Motocross Championships 2009 19:40 Carpocalypse

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:50 04:45 05:15 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:05 09:30 10:20 11:10 12:00 Jones 12:50 13:40 14:30 14:55 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:05 19:55 20:20 Jones 21:10 22:00 23:40

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 05:30 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:00 13:00

The Haunted A Haunting Deadly Women Couples Who Kill Dr G: Medical Examiner Crime Scene Psychics The Haunted Mystery Diagnosis FBI Case Files Forensic Detectives Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Mystery Diagnosis I Almost Got Away With It FBI Files True Crime With Aphrodite Ghost Lab Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls I Almost Got Away With It FBI Files Forensic Detectives FBI Case Files Real Emergency Calls Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol True Crime With Aphrodite Ghost Lab I Almost Got Away With It Dr G: Medical Examiner

A World Apart Warrior Road Trip Banged Up Abroad Going Bush Bluelist Australia Weird & Wonderful Hotels

By Any Means Earth Tripping A World Apart Warrior Road Trip Banged Up Abroad Going Bush Bluelist Australia Weird & Wonderful Hotels

By Any Means Earth Tripping A World Apart Wild Rides

STREETDANCE ON OSN MOVIES HD 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00

Wild Rides First Ascent First Ascent Endurance Traveller Departures Departures Extreme Tourist Afghanistan Wild Rides Wild Rides First Ascent First Ascent Endurance Traveller Departures Departures

00:00 Storm Warning-18 02:00 Mirrors 2-18 04:00 Wrong Turn 3: Left For Dead-18 06:00 Bugsy-PG15 08:15 The Stepfather-PG15 10:30 Universal Soldier: Regeneration-PG15 12:30 Wyatt Earp-PG15 16:00 Beyond A Reasonable DoubtPG15 18:00 Universal Soldier: Regeneration-PG15 20:00 The General’s Daughter-18 22:00 The Evil Dead-R

01:00 02:45 04:30 06:15 08:00 09:00 12:00 13:45 15:30 17:15 19:15 21:00 23:00

Girl, Positive-PG15 Hachiko: A Dog’s Story-PG15 How To Train Your Dragon-PG Skellig-PG15 MacHEADS-PG15 My Name Is Khan-PG15 Stuart Little 2-FAM Don’t Fade Away-PG15 My Bollywood Bride-PG15 Paper Man-PG15 Motherhood-PG15 Freakonomics-PG15 Little Ashes-R

00:30 The Daily Show Global Edition 01:00 The Colbert Report Global Edition 01:30 The Ricky Gervais Show 02:00 The Cleveland Show 02:30 The Big C 03:00 Just Shoot Me 03:30 Just Shoot Me 04:00 Dharma And Greg 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Will And Grace 06:00 Coach 06:30 The Drew Carey Show 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Dharma And Greg 08:30 Just Shoot Me 09:00 Will And Grace 09:30 Raising Hope 10:00 Cougar Town 10:30 Coach 11:00 The Drew Carey Show 11:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:30 Dharma And Greg 13:00 Just Shoot Me 13:30 Will And Grace 14:00 Coach 14:30 Raising Hope 15:00 Cougar Town 15:30 The Daily Show Global Edition 16:00 The Colbert Report Global Edition 16:30 The Drew Carey Show 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Just Shoot Me 19:00 Parks And Recreation 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Louie 22:30 The Big C 23:00 The Ricky Gervais Show 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

01:00 Ninja Assassin-18 03:00 Valhalla Rising-18 05:00 Burningmoore Incident-PG15

06:45 09:00 11:00 13:00 PG15 15:15 17:15 19:15 21:00 23:00

What Lies Beneath-PG15 Courage Under Fire-PG15 Speed-PG15 The Manchurian Candidate-

00:30 02:30 04:30 06:15 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

That Thing You Do!-PG The Freshman-PG15 Captain Ron-PG15 Old Dogs-PG The Invention Of Lying-PG15 A Lot Like Love-PG15 The Out Of Towners-PG15 Head Of State-PG15 That Thing You Do!-PG Away We Go-PG15 Threesome-18 Unmade Beds-18

Courage Under Fire-PG15 Panic Room-PG15 Maximum Risk-18 The Grudge 3-18 Dark Moon Rising-PG15

01:00 American Pie 7: The Book Of Love-18 03:00 The Eclipse-PG15 04:30 Avatar-PG 07:15 StreetDance-PG15 09:00 Salt-PG15 11:00 Chasing Papi-PG 13:00 Get Low-PG15 15:00 17 Again-PG15 17:00 Salt-PG15 19:00 Date Night-PG15 21:00 The Box-PG15 23:00 Legion-18

00:00 Nanny Mcphee And The Big Bang-PG 02:00 Columbus III: The New WorldPG 04:00 Ed-PG 06:00 The Big Green-PG 08:00 Turandot-PG 10:00 Arthur And The Revenge Of Maltazard-PG 12:00 Nanny Mcphee And The Big Bang-PG 14:00 Barbie: A Fairy Secret-FAM 16:00 The Country Bears-PG 18:00 Arthur And The Revenge Of Maltazard-PG 20:00 Ulysses-PG 22:00 Barbie: A Fairy Secret-FAM

00:00 Speedway FIM World Championship 01:00 NRL Premiership 03:00 The Ultimate Fighter Season 13 04:00 Super League 06:00 Trans World Sport 07:00 Cricket One Day International 15:00 NRL Premiership 17:00 Le Mans Series 17:30 Trans World Sport 18:30 Super League 20:30 WWE SmackDown 22:30 Powerboats UIM Class One 23:00 Trans World Sport

00:00 Golfing World 01:00 Football Euro 2012 Qualification 03:00 Masters Football 06:00 Rugby World Cup 2007 Review 07:00 Football Euro 2012 Qualification 09:00 Rugby World Cup Classics 09:30 ICC Cricket World 10:00 Trans World Sport 11:00 AFL Highlights 12:00 Football Euro 2012 Qualification 14:00 NRL Full Time 14:30 Super League 16:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 17:00 The Challenge Series Golf 17:30 Trans World Sport 18:30 Golfing World 19:30 European Tour Weekly 20:00 European PGA Tour Highlights

00:00 Rugby World Cup Classics 00:30 NRL Full Time 01:00 Beach Volleyball 01:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 02:30 Futbol Mundial 03:00 Beach Volleyball 03:30 Trans World Sport 04:30 Super League 06:30 Futbol Mundial 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Rugby Union Currie Cup 10:00 Premier League Snooker 12:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 12:30 Rugby World Cup Classics 13:00 Golfing World 14:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 15:00 AFL Highlights 16:00 Masters Football 19:00 Football Euro 2012 Qualification 21:00 Rugby World Cup Classics 21:30 Futbol Mundial 22:00 Rugby Union ITM Cup

00:00 03:00 04:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 15:00 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

UFC 134 Speedway V8 Supercars Championship UFC Unleashed WWE Tough Enough Speedway FIM World Super Formula Powerboats F1 Highlights WWE Tough Enough WWE SmackDown V8 Supercars Extra V8 Supercars Championship V8 Supercars Championship Speedway FIM World Powerboats F1 Championship Powerboats F1 Championship UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed

00:00 Conspiracy?

01:00 Ice Road Truckers 02:00 Pawn Stars 04:00 American Pickers 05:00 Lock N’ Load With R. Lee Ermey 06:00 Conspiracy?

07:00 Ice Road Truckers 08:00 Pawn Stars 10:00 American Pickers 11:00 Lock N’ Load With R. Lee Ermey 12:00 Conspiracy?

13:00 Ice Road Truckers 14:00 Pawn Stars 16:00 American Pickers 17:00 Lock N’ Load With R. Lee Ermey 18:00 Conspiracy?

19:00 Ice Road Truckers 20:00 Patton 360 21:00 Britain At War 22:00 Tales Of The Gun 23:00 UFO Hunters

00:00 Jerseylicious 01:00 Videofashion News 01:55 Big Boutique 02:25 How Do I Look?

03:20 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

05:10 Homes With Style 05:35 Area 06:05 Clean House 07:00 Big Boutique 08:00 Videofashion News 09:00 Fashion Avenue 09:55 How Do I Look?

10:50 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

11:50 Clean House: Search For The Messiest...

12:50 Clean House 13:45 Videofashion News 14:45 How Do I Look?

15:40 Ruby 16:35 Jerseylicious 17:30 Clean House 19:25 Open House

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

ACCOMMODATION One room for rent in two bedroom flat behind Crowne Plaza near Dar Al Quran, Farwaniya, for bachelor only.

Contact: 50129393. (C 3406) Sharing accommodation available for bachelors only Indian near Jabriya bridge 4th Ring Road, near Al Bahar complex. Contact: 22662734, 99247271.

(C 3607) 7-9-2011 Sharing accommodation available at Khaitan opp Jamiya/behind petrol pump in a studio flat with a R/C Mangalorean bachelor.

Rent KD 25. Contact: 66036893. (C 3601) 2 bedroom window A/C furnished flat available in Far waniya, block 3, opp Eureka. Contact: 99962456.

(C 3604) Sharing accommodation for small family or 2 spinsters or executive bachelor near new Riggai, ready for this month. Contact: 66889615. (C 3602) 6-9-2011 Sharing accommodation available at Abbassiya near Integrated Indian school, Highland supermarket building, Keralite family.

Contact: 99379252.

(C 3599) 4-9-2011

FOR SALE 2007 model, Chevrolet Captiva, silver exterior, excellent condition. Price KD 3,600. Tel: 66526872.

Toyota Corolla 2009 model, white color, excellent condition, well-maintained, low mileage, lady driver, KD 3,400. Contact: 60951195.

(C 3603) 6-9-2011 99 model Toyota Prado 6 cylinders company paint, accident free, alloy wheels, wood decoration, remote,

CD, USB, zenon sensor, 4x4, cash KD 2400. Contact: 60451292. (C 3596) 3-9-2011 Fridge, cupboards, double bed, dining table, sofa set, T V-2 Nos for sale. All in good condition. Contact: 24340141 / 99818982.

(C 3594) Mitsubishi Galant 2008 model, 2400 CC, liquid silver color, single owner accident free, Al-Mulla maintained, service history available upon request, full option, serious buyer contact: 97264236.

(C 3595) 30-8-2011

SITUATION WANTED Immediately available Indian Accountant (M.Com) for fulltime/part time having sufficient experience in Kuwait. A few years experience to prepare Trading Account, Profit & Losses A/C, Balance Sheet, Budgets and Budget control, Bank dealings, L/cs, Recoveries & Payments, can write/speak Arabic and having driving license & car.

Also can work as Executive

Secretar y/Secretar y or Tender Executive. Contact: 97669236/ 24315927.

(C 3600) 5-9-2011

MATRIMONIAL Syro Malabar parents and Palai diocese invite proposal for their son 27/171 cm B.Tech engineer, working as

programmer with a reputed firm in Kuwait. Email: mailproposals11@gmail.com (C 3598) 4-9-2011 Christian Orthodox girl 33 years BSc nurse, divorced, no liabilities working in Kuwait MOH, seeking alliance from professionally qualified God fearing person with details and photos to: mathewt27@yahoo.com

(C 3597) 3-9-2011

TRANSPORT Needed transport for a lady from West Mishref to Mangaf at 2:30pm. Five days a week. Contact: 65088143. (C 3605) 6-9-2011

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines RJA JZR THY ETH UAE DHX MSR FDB GFA QTR JZR JZR THY JZR FCX JZR KAC BAW BBC JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC FDB KAC IRM KAC KAC UAE QTR ABY IRA ETD GFA FCX MEA JZR JZR JZR RBG KAC MSR IRC UAL RJA MSR FDB KAC KAC QTR

Flt 642 267 772 620 853 370 614 67 211 138 529 241 770 503 201 555 412 157 45 1541 206 382 284 302 53 352 5066 344 362 855 132 125 603 301 213 203 404 165 121 561 3557 672 610 6791 982 640 621 57 802 790 140

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 7/9/2011 Route AMMAN BEIRUT ISTANBUL ADDIS ABABA DUBAI BAHRAIN CAIRO DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA ASSIUT AMMAN ISTANBUL LUXOR DUBAI ALEXANDRIA MANILA / BANGKOK LONDON DHAKA CAIRO ISLAMABAD DELHI DHAKA MUMBAI DUBAI COCHIN MASHAD CHENNAI COLOMBO DUBAI DOHA SHARJAH SHIRAZ ABU DHABI BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT DUBAI BAHRAIN SOHAG ALEXANDRIA DUBAI CAIRO MASHAD WASHINGTON DC DULLES AMMAN ASSIUT DUBAI CAIRO MEDINAH DOHA

Time 0:05 0:35 1:15 1:45 2:25 2:55 3:05 3:10 3:15 3:20 3:35 3:55 4:10 5:15 5:25 6:10 6:15 6:30 6:45 7:10 7:15 7:20 7:40 7:50 7:55 8:05 8:10 8:20 8:20 8:25 9:00 9:10 9:25 9:30 9:35 10:30 10:55 11:10 11:15 12:30 12:55 13:15 13:20 13:25 13:30 13:35 13:40 13:50 14:00 14:05 14:15

SVA CLX QTR KAC JZR JZR KNE SYR ETD UAE GFA SVA JZR JZR ABY KAC KNE JZR FDB ALK JZR IYE KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC AIC JAI FDB JZR OMA VOS MEA MSR DHX UAE GFA QTR UAL JZR JZR MSR DLH SAI AXB JZR KLM PIA

500 792 134 546 201 535 701 341 303 857 215 510 777 239 127 550 745 481 63 227 177 824 166 502 542 618 786 614 774 102 674 975 572 61 787 647 81 402 618 372 859 217 136 981 135 185 612 636 441 393 539 447 215

JEDDAH LUXEMBOURG DOHA ALEXANDRIA DAMASCUS CAIRO RIYADH DAMASCUS ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH JEDDAH AMMAN SHARJAH SHARM EL SHEIKH / SOHAG JEDDAH SABIHA DUBAI COLOMBO / DUBAI DUBAI SANAA / DOHA PARIS / ROME BEIRUT CAIRO DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN RIYADH NEW YORK / LONDON DUBAI CHENNAI / GOA MUMBAI DUBAI RIYADH MUSCAT BAGHDAD BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI CAIRO FRANKFURT LAHORE KOZHIKODE / COCHIN CAIRO AMSTERDAM / BAHRAIN KARACHI

14:30 14:50 15:15 15:30 15:45 15:50 16:00 16:30 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:20 17:25 17:35 17:40 17:45 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:00 18:00 18:40 18:40 18:45 18:50 18:55 19:00 19:20 19:25 19:25 19:25 19:30 19:35 20:00 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:15 20:55 21:00 21:15 21:25 21:35 22:00 22:10 22:35 22:50 23:00 23:05 23:15 23:30 23:35 23:55

Airlines JZR AXB DLH AIC PIA THY ETH UAE FDB DHX MSR QTR THY JZR JZR RJA GFA KAC BBC JZR BAW KAC FDB JZR KAC KAC IRM KAC UAE ABY KAC QTR KAC JZR ETD GFA JZR IRA FCX MEA JZR KAC JZR KAC KAC KAC RBG JZR MSR IRC RJA

Departure Flights on Wednesday 7/9/2011 Flt Route 1540 CAIRO 390 MANGALORE / KOZHIKODE 637 FRANKFURT 982 AHMEDABAD / CHENNAI 206 LAHORE 773 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 615 CAIRO 139 DOHA 771 ISTANBUL 560 SOHAG 164 DUBAI 643 AMMAN 212 BAHRAIN 801 CAIRO 46 DHAKA 120 BAHRAIN 156 LONDON 545 ALEXANDRIA 54 DUBAI 534 CAIRO 177 FRANKFURT / GENEVA 671 DUBAI 5065 MASHAD 789 MEDINAH 856 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 549 SHARM EL SHEIKH / SOHAG 133 DOHA 117 NEW YORK 480 SABIHA 302 ABU DHABI 214 BAHRAIN 200 DAMASCUS 602 SHIRAZ 204 DUBAI 405 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 541 CAIRO 238 AMMAN 103 LONDON 501 BEIRUT 785 JEDDAH 3558 SOHAG / ALEXANDRIA 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 6792 MASHAD 641 AMMAN

Time 0:20 0:25 0:40 1:05 1:10 2:15 2:30 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:05 5:00 5:10 5:55 6:55 7:00 7:10 7:20 8:00 8:20 8:25 8:35 8:40 8:50 8:55 9:00 9:10 9:25 9:40 9:50 9:55 10:00 10:00 10:05 10:15 10:20 10:20 10:25 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:00 12:10 12:30 13:00 13:30 13:35 13:40 14:20 14:25 14:30

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

FDB MSR UAL KAC KAC SVA KAC QTR CLX KAC JZR JZR KNE SYR ETD QTR UAE GFA ABY JZR JZR KNE SVA FDB JZR JZR ALK IYE KAC KAC JAI FDB KAC KAC OMA MEA MSR DHX UAE GFA FCX KAC QTR KAC KAC JZR JZR JZR UAL MSR KAC SAI

58 622 982 673 617 503 773 141 792 613 786 538 704 342 304 135 858 216 128 184 266 746 511 64 204 134 228 824 283 361 571 62 331 351 648 403 619 373 860 218 102 381 137 301 205 502 554 268 981 613 415 442

DUBAI ASSIUT BAHRAIN DUBAI DOHA MEDINAH / JEDDAH RIYADH DOHA HONG KONG BAHRAIN RIYADH CAIRO MEDINAH DAMASCUS ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN SHARJAH DUBAI BEIRUT JEDDAH RIYADH DUBAI DAMASCUS BAHRAIN DUBAI / COLOMBO SANAA DHAKA COLOMBO MUMBAI DUBAI TRIVANDRUM COCHIN MUSCAT BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DELHI DOHA MUMBAI ISLAMABAD LUXOR ALEXANDRIA BEIRUT WASHINGTON DC DULLES CAIRO KUALA LUMPUR / JAKARTA LAHORE

14:35 14:40 14:45 15:10 15:35 15:45 16:05 16:15 16:20 16:20 16:35 16:40 16:45 17:30 17:35 17:45 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:35 18:40 18:55 19:10 19:10 19:40 20:00 20:20 20:35 20:40 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:55 22:00 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:55 23:05 23:10 23:25 23:40 23:50 23:50 23:59

34

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

stars CROSSWORD 431

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) Respect, status and achievement are central goals for you these days. Creating a structure to maintain your principles becomes a high priority, an article of faith. By taking on greater responsibilities of this kind, you become an inspiration to others. Progressive people play a more important role in your life now, as a new cycle begins. A lot of times you are afraid to move forward and follow that higher guidance of yours. Sometimes you may think that a particular change could cause more problems; so, unfortunately, you may not become aware of your many talents. Be brave and make ready to move forward, no matter how many changes you will need to make in order to move forward, you will be pleased with the results.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You may appear very relaxed today. Everything is working together—you may find yourself expressive and able to communicate well. Make it a point to return your messages—you could feel left out when you find out about some project or duty . . . after the fact. Learning what makes people tick becomes a fascinating subject. Your orientation at this time is toward getting down to completing some unfinished business. You may develop an eye for some changes that need to be made in order for the business to run smoothly. Some simple changes could save you or the company for which you work, quite a bit of money. Other situations around you, perhaps at home, come to your attention and call for your expertise at implementing changes.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. A widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells.

4. Type genus of the Caricaceae.

10. The compass point that is one point south of due east.

13. A drug combination found in some over-the-counter headache remedies (Aspirin and Phenacetin and Caffeine).

14. On a ship, train, plane or other vehicle.

15. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects.

16. Relating to or characteristic of or occurring on the sea or ships.

17. The capital and largest city of the Central Africa Republic.

18. A plant hormone promoting elongation of stems and roots.

19. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

21. German chemist (1853-1932).

23. One who works hard at boring tasks.

24. An award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event.

27. An unfortunate happening that hinders of impedes.

32. A midnight meeting of witches to practice witchcraft and sorcery.

34. Dip a foot or hand briefly into a liquid.

35. Electronic warfare undertaken under direct control of an operational commander to locate sources of radiated electromagnetic energy for the purpose of immediate threat recognition.

36. The basic unit of electric current adopted under the System International d'Unites.

39. The cry made by sheep.

40. A closed sac that develops abnormally in some body structure.

42. Counting the number of white and red blood cells and the number of platelets in 1 cubic millimeter of blood.

44. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

48. Fairly small terrestrial ferns of tropical America.

51. Chromatic purity.

55. A domain in which something is dominant.

58. A unit of electrical power in an AC circuit equal to the power dissipated when 1 volt produces a current of 1 ampere.

59. Goddess of fate.

60. An insane person.

62. A city in the European part of Russia.

63. Type genus of the family Myacidae.

64. Wear away through erosion or vaporization.

65. A member of a Mayan people of southwestern Guatemala.

DOWN 1. Danish philologist whose work on Old Norse pioneered in the field of comparative linguistics (1787-1832).

2. A fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade.

3. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

4. An esoteric or occult matter that is traditionally secret.

5. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

6. A Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria.

7. The villain in William Shakespeare's tragedy who tricked Othello into murdering his wife.

8. Treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance.

9. A nearly horizontal passage from the surface into a mine.

10. English essayist (1775-1834).

11. Any of numerous local fertility and nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples.

12. Any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae.

20. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC).

22. English writer and a central member of the Fabian Society (1858-1943).

25. Posing no difficulty.

26. A software system that facilitates the creation and maintenance and use of an electronic database.

28. The bill in a restaurant.

29. A French abbot.

30. Group of people related by blood or marriage.

31. English actor noted for his portrayals of Shakespeare's great tragic characters (1789-1833).

33. Genus of tropical plants with creeping rootstocks and small umbellate flowers.

37. A master's degree in business.

38. A small digital computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time.

41. An official language of the Republic of South Africa.

43. (in golf) The standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course.

45. A subsidiary proposition that is assumed to be true in order to prove another proposition.

46. Enthusiastic approval.

47. A feudal lord or baron in Scotland.

49. Characterized by lightness and insubstantiality.

50. A quantity of no importance.

52. The female reproductive cell.

53. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

54. The biblical name for ancient Syria.

56. A lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood.

57. A benevolent aspect of Devi.

61. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

Yesterday’s Solution

Gemini (May 21-June 20) It may be time now to update your professional skills. Consider taking a short-term class to learn or update your skills. You are very outgoing and expressive just now and want to be helpful and a part of a team when it comes to increasing the income or helping the family. All of these goals have positive energies behind them. You are coming into a new cycle centered on taking what you know and what you have and then making the most of it in the real world.

Assimilating information and experience, learning lessons and putting them into practice is the focus for you now. You probably already have the ideas and visions: now you must get your hands dirty and put it all together. Most aspects are positive this evening. Enjoy a new joke!

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

New ideas for all sorts of things pop into your head today. A casual conversation with someone, perhaps while riding into work, may give you some insight you have been looking for to help you in the workplace.

Armed with information and backed with facts, you can make plans to forge ahead with your theories, announcements or proclamations, etc. Although you stay fairly fixed in work issues today, there are times your mind wanders to a new relationship or some other similar new discovery of late. You might suggest dinner at your place or a perhaps introduce a subject of interest that will take you to a library, college display or planetarium show. It is always good to see about the common things first and learn about individual insights, preferences and patience.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Put your mind to work and take care of any details that you may have, for mental discipline should come easily now. Others value you for your ability to make practical decisions and you are particularly helpful concerning group issues. You have a natural sense of what the public wants at this time.

Problems and obstacles that have previously been confounding should find easy explanations under your keen examination. This could involve customer service, technical or phone communication skills, etc. Your management and directional abilities are in high focus. This evening you could be feeling more inward and more like sharing some time with your loved one or with close friends. You and a young person create a song or poem—write it down!

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) This is a crucial time during which—depending upon what age this takes place—you reach new heights of determination and accomplishment. You show a great deal of discipline along with the ability to concentrate and focus, regardless of the distractions that seem to be around you today. You exhibit the ability to work hard. You may have to resist attempts to divert your drive and energy in directions that will take you nowhere. You have a lot of energy. This is a day filled with renewed appreciation for all that is beautiful and fine. You have a sense of value that may find you lavishing affection on those near you. Family members may need your attention just now. You can make a positive difference in many people’s lives now.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

A disciplined approach to work, health and others of life’s essential routines is especially important now. The question you need to ask yourself is if it is good for you—and if the answer is anything but yes, you will need to make some changes. Your self-motivation and strong determination to succeed will help you find that job or promotion for which you have been seeking. Self-discipline and a sense of self-worth become important issues as a new phase begins for you. A fear of asserting yourself can hold you back—as you may occasionally come on too strong. The trick is learning to make the most of your personal talents and abilities, working within your limitations instead of feeling hemmed in by them. Enjoy a quiet evening.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Charisma, self-transformation and the development of personal power are the things that play a big role in your life.

Remember that tiny causes can lead to big effects. This is a time of profound change on the personal level—psychological and perhaps physical as well—as if you are transforming into an entirely new person. Discovering what you truly believe in—fighting for it, even—is a high personal priority now. Religion, law, politics, travel and higher education are some of the areas where this takes place.

This is a time where you can make a positive difference. Consider writing an article in the newspaper—forming your thoughts into a focus and finding the facts to back up your word will help you gain a following.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Take care of the necessary chores. Health, work, etc., become important activities for you now. Sorting things out and getting them organized to utmost efficiency keeps you busy. Pay close attention to the things that are going on around you as much as possible. It is easy to tune others out while you are working and concentrating but it is also important to be aware of the activities around you. Practicality and conscientiousness takes on importance now. Figuring things out, spotting the number that is missing or the root of a problem takes on special significance now. A heightened interest in health and diet, as well as an urge to get things at home organized into a rational system, is also a part of this time. You enjoy good mental and physical health.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

There is a change coming today—it will bring new insights into how you can take better advantage of your current situation. You are more able to see what is worth saving and what is worth letting go.

You may have breakthroughs—perhaps unconventional in health and diet. You are at your mental best with sharp ideas and clear thoughts. You will be happy with the outcome today as you make decisions and take care of mental work. At home there is a gigantic support network of loving souls. Wherever you are going or whatever you are doing, there are always new people to join you in some quest—if you will let them. Good examples are your hobby and the many clubs around town where others will gather.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Getting your message across to others is at a high just now.

Your timing should be perfect and those around you should find you most spontaneous. Outer circumstances are favorable and it should be easy for you to push forward in projects that you may have been putting off lately. Things may seem almost magical in the way they work out in your favor.

You will be able to organize and get many things accomplished. If you need to shop later today, you will probably find some special sales. While you are buying things, pick up a card for a friend or relative you have not seen in a while—to remind them you are still thinking of them. Tonight you may decide to join a friend or family member at a community function or youth activity.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

You are coming into a new cycle centered on taking what you know and what you have and then making the most of it in the real world. This could involve assimilating information and experience, learning lessons and putting them into practice. It’s a time for prudence and stewardship—a time to tend to the details. You probably already have the grand ideals and visions; now you must get your hands dirty with the bricks and mortar and put it all together. It just may be time to put in a request for that change of position or to update your resume. Keeping an up-to-date resume will allow you to be prepared when you see a job or opening within your company that will bring you closer to your goals. You may enjoy an artistic project this evening.

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lifestyle G O S S I P

Beyonce told Rowland about pregnancy

Adele ‘pukes’ before performances

he ‘Halo’ singer recently announced she and husband Jay-Z were expecting their first child together but she had known about the baby news for a couple of months and was straight on the phone to her former Destiny’s Child bandmate. A source told more! magazine: “Kelly and Beyonce are so close. They talk on the phone every day and are always dishing out advice and asking each other’s opinions on all areas of life, from relationships to fashion. I think Kelly was one of the very first people Bey called when she realized she was pregnant - she obviously couldn’t wait to tell her.” Kelly - who is a judge on the UK version of ‘The X Factor’ - has revealed she knew about the pregnancy for a while and predicts Beyonce will be a great mother. She said: “I’ve known about it for quite a while. Bey will be an incredible mum because she’s always been motherly.” It is even thought Kelly will be godmother to the tot when he or she arrives, along with their other bandmate Michelle Williams. The source added: “I’m 1000 per cent sure that Kelly will be a godmother - no doubt about it. I think Beyonce’s already told Kelly and their other Destiny’s Child bandmate, Michelle, about their baby roles.

And of course they’d be so happy to do it!”

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h e ‘ S o m e o n e L i k e Yo u’ h i t m a k e r admitted although vomiting prior to her gigs can be a problem, she sees it as a good luck charm as it often “guarantees a great performance”. She said: “I puke quite a lot before going on stage. But the pre -show puke guarantees a great performance. “The bigger the freak-out, the more I enjoy the show!” The 23-year-old singer - who is currently single - explained while she finds romance “massively dis-

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tracting”, she is hoping to have five sons when she eventually settles down. Adele added to Britain’s Vogue magazine: “I do get massively distracted when I’ve got someone in my life, which I can’t afford to do right now. Besides, no one treats me as well as I do. “I’ve always got on better with boys. Most of my friends are boys. Like, if I have children, I want five boys. Boys love their mothers whereas girls can be so mean to each other.” The curvy star also spoke

out about her body image, admitting while she suffers “insecurities”, she doesn’t want to become obsessed with her weight. She explained: “I enjoy being me, I always have done. I’ve seen people where it rules their lives, who want to be thinner or have bigger boobs, and how it wears them down.

“And I don’t want that in my life. I have body insecurities, of course, but I don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me.”

Alba caught in a ʻsandstormʼ essica Alba got caught in a “sandstorm” while hiking off her baby weight. The ‘Spy Kids 4’ actress only gave birth to second daughter, Haven Garner, on August 13, but by the end of the month was back working out, and started this week off by going for a walk with her friend Jacqui Lang Khastoo. Jessica tweeted yesterday: “Supposed to work out 2day- let’s c if @jacqui_lang comes to pick me up (sic)!” However, the weather wasn’t quite what they expected, as she later added: “Thx @jacqui_lang 4 the hike. Although a bit dirty and smelly it was a nice way to start the wk off. :) (sic).” Jacqui tweeted back: “Consider the sandstorm a free exfoliating treatment! (sic)” It is not known where the pair went for their hike, but they are thought to have set out from Jessica’s Los Angeles home. Jessica who also has three-year-old daughter Honor, with husband Cash Warren - tweeted on August 30 to say she was starting to work out again to lose her baby weight, but had sought advice from her doctor beforehand.

She wrote: “I did my first day of workout since I had the baby. Just cardio for 40 minutes. My doc told me I could start after 2 wks - I’m going light, stationary bike and elliptical. (sic)” Before her birth, Jessica, admitted she was having trouble curbing her urges to eat, saying: “I have a hard time with portion control, so I have 1,200 calorie meals delivered. “But I also work out, so basically I’m starving. It sucks. I drink a lot of water.”

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Winehouse’s ex-husband used her for money lake Fielder-Civil - who was married to the tragic singer for two years before they divorced in 2009 - has been slammed for introducing the star to drugs and pals say he used her obsession with him to get money to buy cocaine and heroin. A source told The Sun newspaper: “He’d charge her £150 just to kiss him and get near him. They’d be sitting, having a couple of drinks and she’d be trying to snuggle up to him. She’d say, ‘Give me a kiss, sailor.’“He’d do, ‘go away, Give me some money then’ and she’d go, ‘Blake, Blake.’ He liked her but

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he didn’t love her. “She’d pay for him to get cabs to wherever she was. She’d pay £150 for a cab. This was the pattern throughout their relationship.” Although Amy - who passed away at her north London home in July at the age of 27 - was worth an estimated £10 million in 2008, her fortune had dwindled to just £2 million by the time of her death. Meanwhile, Blake - currently serving a 32-month prison sentence for burglary and possession of an imitation firearm - is desperate to convince people he was a good husband to his tragic ex.

Sarah Harding and Tom Crane split

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annii Minogue has bought her baby son a doll that plays music. The Australian TV star - who has 13-month-old Ethan with her boyfriend Kris Smith - went out shopping yesterday and found the toy which you can plug your iPod MP3 player into and it will then play songs to soothe your child. She posted a picture of the doll on her twitter page and wrote: “Out shopping today & found this cute doll that plays music from your iPod. Great for hanging from the pram :-) (sic)” Dannii - whose sister is pop superstar Kylie Minogue - has seemingly been busy with her credit card as she also ordered some guide books of Melbourne. In another tweet she revealed: “Whoop!

My @hideandseekau books have arrived in the post. #Ilovesecretmelbourne (sic)” The 39-year-old singer moved back to her hometown shortly before giving birth to Ethan in July 2010 and she now plans to stay in Australia with her family so she can be near her parents. Dannii - who has divided her time between her homeland and the UK in the last few years while working on TV talent show ‘The X Factor’, which she left in 2011 - said: “I always thought I would come back. I was waiting for the thing that would anchor me here and having a family with a baby definitely does that, because everyone wants to be near their parents when they have a baby. “It just worked out that Kris loves being here so there wasn’t any struggle with that.”

he couple - who were due to tie the knot next year after getting engaged on New Year’s Eve when the DJ proposed to her in the Maldives - are believed to have called off their nuptials after having a number of blazing arguments because the DJ has been working in Ibiza over the summer, while the Girls Aloud singer has been in the UK. A source told The Sun newspaper: “Sarah and Tom had a huge bust-up and told each other the wedding is off. Although they’ve always managed to patch things up in the past, it’s worse than anything they’ve gone through before. “They’ve been fighting like cat and dog. Their relationship has been strained because he’s been in Ibiza for the summer and Sarah was working in Britain.” The Girls Aloud singer - who has been dating Tom since 2007 - is believed to have flown to Ibiza last

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week in an attempt to patch up their relationship after the series of rows. But following their decision to separate, the 29-year-old pop beauty went partying for three days and refused to answer her phone. The source added: “If they do get married, they both need to start living their lives differently - and that’s not going to happen any time soon. “It’s a shame as they do really love each other but pals can’t see how there can be a way back from this.”

Sarah previously had a reputation as a party girl when Girls Aloud first hit the charts but revealed earlier this year she prefers to have nights in at their Buckinghamshire countryside home rather than partying in London. She previously said: “I have changed - I spend most of my nights at home in front of the TV with a log fire and my animals. I mean, come on, give a girl a break!”

Schiffer evicts ghosts

Minogue buys iPod doll for baby Ethan

Claudia Schiffer has moved back into her country home after having it rid of ghosts. The spooked supermodel and her director husband Matthew Vaughn have been living in London recently, because they had to call in an exorcist to dispel the spirits in their £5 million property in Suffolk, East Anglia, England. But the couple who have three children, Caspar, eight, Clementine, six, and 16-month-old Cosima have now moved back into the property as they are satisfied their supernatural squatters have been evicted. They are having extensive building work carried out to their London property. A spokesperson said: “Claudia and Matthew have moved to their country home while their London home is being renovated.” The 41-yearold beauty called in the exorcist after she was told there were two cursed pictures and the ghost of a mother called Penelope in the home.

Claudia is not the only celebrity to suffer with ghostly goings on in their home - teen star Demi Lovato recently revealed she was left terrified as a child when a spirit from the other side jumped out of her closet. She said: “I’ve seen a ghost before, it was creepy, it was in my closet when I was about eight and it scared me to death. It just popped out and it was horrible!”

—Bang Showbiz

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Kristin Chenoweth comes home for country album

Senegalese singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Youssou N’Dour looks at a malnourished child as he visits a reception center in the Ifo camp at the Dadaab refugee camp, yesterday. —AFP

Kristin Chenoweth

Singer N’Dour calls on Africa to aid drought victims

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he has played a witch in “Wicked,” a lush on “Glee” and a deputy press secretary on “ The West Wing,” but actress Kristin Chenoweth’s latest project is nowhere near a Broadway stage or TV screen. She is returning to her Oklahoma roots, singing country songs. Due Sept 13, “Some Lessons Learned,” is comprised of 13 songs that cast the pint-sized blonde into a musical genre that makes perfect sense for her signature high pitch voice.

Country music, she told Reuters, fits her “naturally.”

“It’s the closest to home that I could get,” she said. “Someone asked me ‘why a country record, why now? ‘ Well, it’s because it’s been going on since I was about five.” Born in and raised in the Tulsa, Okla. suburb of Broken Arrow, Chenoweth’s earliest experiences with country music came from watching her great uncle play bluegrass. From there, she sang country songs in church and at rodeos. She idolized Dolly Parton and even spent a summer when she was 19 years-old at Opryland in Nashville.

Prior to “Some Lessons Learned,” Chenoweth dabbled in other genres, including a Christmas album, a Christian album and logically for the Broadway star, a collection of show tunes. But here, she shows more of a variety and flare for the country music’s long history.

In doing so, she teamed with veteran songwriter Diane Warren for a handful of songs that show off a pop-country approach. She tackles a Dolly Parton song, “Change,” as well pays homage to her idol in the tongue-and-cheek “What Would Dolly Do”-one of two songs she co-wrote.

Dolly, Madonna, Julie Andrews Anchoring the set is Chenoweth’s high-pitched voice, which flows through different country factions effortlessly.

Her stage training lends itself to the ballads “Fathers and Daughters” and the

folk-leaning “God and Me.” Her quirky side comes through on “I Didn’t,” about a break-up stemming from a guy’s God complex, as well as the album’s first single, “I Want Somebody (Bitch About)”-a song recalling the country pop of Shania Twain or Trisha Yearwood.

“Growing up in the ‘80s, I loved Dolly, Madonna, Julie Andrews,” she said. “If we had iPods, that would’ve been on mine.

In picking the material, you show who you are. I hope that’s what I’ve done.”

Country musicians whose careers start in Nashville and its environs have it easy compared to Chenoweth, who is trying to break into a genre without alienating her fan base.

That is something she experienced firsthand last year, when she took a dramatic role on Broadway in “Promises, Promises,” versus the numerous lighthearted and comedic musicals such as “Wicked” that had come before. “A lot of people didn’t want to see me in that role, because it wouldn’t make them laugh,” she said. “But there’s no growth” as an artist.

While TV shows like NBC’s “The Voice” have recently shown the crossover potential of country music with other genres like R&B and pop, Chenoweth’s ties to acting might have lumped her into a category of actors who just want to make record. But the Broadway star’s long-established voice gives her the bona fides to deflect any criticism and “Some Lessons Learned” holds its own against other country albums.

Chenoweth is cautiously optimistic about her future in the genre, She hopes her fans connect with the music and that she also collects a few new followers along the way. “I just want more than anything for people to listen to the record and be moved by it or surprised by it in some way,” she said. “I think challenging yourself and changing up is what’s fun about this business.” — Reuters

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enegalese singer Youssou N’Dour yesterday urged Africa to lead initiatives for victims of drought in the Horn of Africa, saying he hoped to mobilize African artists to support them. “Whenever there is a problem it is the Westerners who are in the foreground, where are the Africans?” N’Dour said, speaking after a visit to Kenya’s giant Dadaab refugee camps as an ambassador for the UN children agency. “Africans always used to reach out, and I wanted to hit the table and say, we can solve our problems.” Dadaab-a tightly packed settlement of huts made of rags and plastic sheet-

ing-is the world’s largest refugee complex.

The dust-blown series of camps in eastern Kenya has seen tens of thousands of desperate Somalis arriving in recent months, swelling the camp to over 400,000 people.

Over 12 million people in the Horn of Africa, including parts of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda, are affected by harsh drought and are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, according to the UN. Somalia is the hardest hit, with three-quarters of a million people facing death by starvation as famine spread to a sixth region on Monday, the UN

said. N’Dour said he wanted to “appeal to the artistic community of Africa and the world to find events that can raise awareness or bring comfort,” as well as to fundraise, as musicians once did for Ethiopia.

“I think Africa should be at the forefront,” he said, adding he had received the support of U2 frontman Bono. The Irish singer “called me and told me ‘I am behind you,’” N’Dour said.

“Initiatives should not only come from there (the West) but also from here,” N’Dour said. “It is also what we need to do to have a little dignity,” he added.—AFP

Japan film in Venice captures tsunami aftermath

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apanese movie “Himizu” is a twisted tale of abuse, violence and lost youth set against the backdrop of the devastation of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Director Sion Sono, renowned for hard-hitting, anarchic film making, wove real-life events into a screenplay he had just completed when the catastrophe struck. “Every scene changed drastically,” he told trade publication Variety ahead of Himizu’s world premiere at the Venice film festival yesterday.

“The original manga had no hope in it, but after March 11, I didn’t think I should make a film with no hope. I felt that I had to convey it in the film.” The narrative is interspersed with wide shots of flattened towns and mangled buildings destroyed by the tsunami, bringing the disaster to the big screen less than six months after it happened.

The immediacy of those images, visceral performances by the two central teenaged characters traumatised by abuse and a score that includes Mozart’s “Requiem” won over many viewers in Venice, with warm applause at the end of a press screening. Himizu is based on a manga by Minoru Furuya (From left) Director Sion Ono, actress Fumi Nikaidou, and actor Shota first published about 10 years ago.

Sometani pose during the photo call of the movie Himizu. —AP The story centers around schoolboy Yuichi Sumida, who is regularly beaten by his father and abandoned by his mother yet wants nothing more than to live a normal life. He lives in a shack by a lake where he hires out boats to day trippers, and on the land a small community of oddballs stay in

makeshift tents, possibly because their homes have been destroyed.

His female classmate Keiko Chazawa falls in love with him, and, despite being an unwelcome distraction for Sumida, ends up trying to save his life. Keiko is a rare source of innocence and optimism in a world where love and hope are crushed from an early age.

Keiko’s parents build a gallows for her, which they paint and decorate with coloured lights as they encourage her to take her own life. Sumida is also told time and again by his father that he should never have been born, and he finally reaches breaking point by committing murder.

Despite its bleak portrayal of youth, and dialogue interrupted by screaming and tears, Sono insisted that it conveyed a message of hope. “The entire Japanese community feels like they have no choice but to have hope, because their situation is so bad,” he said in the Variety interview. “Before I wrote the original script, even I didn’t have that much hope, but that has changed drastically.”

Shota Sometani, the 19-year-old actor who played Sumida, said something good had come out of the disaster. “The young generation have started to consider many new things that they were not thinking about before the natural disaster,” he told reporters in Venice, speaking through a translator. “There is a new way of thinking.”

Himizu is one of 23 films in the main competition in Venice. —Reuters

The life and death of pop star Michael Jackson

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he trial of Michael Jackson’s former physician, Dr Conrad Murray who is accused of involuntary manslaughter in the pop star’s death, begins tomorrow with jury selection. Here are some key facts about Jackson: Early life * Jackson was born on Aug 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children of his parents Joseph and Katherine Jackson. His father worked in a steel mill. * Five Jackson brothers-Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael-first performed together at a talent show when Michael was six. They walked off with first prize. * Their group was signed by Motown Records in the late 1960s and became The Jackson 5. Michael Jackson made his first solo album in 1972. * Jackson said he missed out on normal childhood experiences, such as simply playing at the park, because of all the work he had to shoulder as an entertainer.

Solo success * At age 24, Jackson released “Thriller” in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. It remains the world’s biggest selling album of all time, with as many as 21 million copies sold in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide. * The next year, he unveiled his signature “moonwalk” dance move while performing “Billie Jean”

during an NBC special. * Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His lifetime sales tally is believed to be about 750 million records.

Controversial personal life * In 1993, Jackson was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy, and police raided his California ranch “Neverland.” * The same year, Jackson announced he had become addicted to painkillers and abruptly canceled a world tour that had been intended to promote his album, “Dangerous.” * He reached an out-of-court settlement in 1994, later reported to be $23 million, with the family of the boy he was accused of abusing. * A television documentary “Living with Michael Jackson” was aired in 2003, saying that Jackson had sleepovers with young boys and had his third child with a surrogate mother. Jackson aired his own rebuttal. * He went on trial in 2005 on charges of molesting another 13-year-old boy, as well as conspiring to abduct him, but the four-month hearing ended in June 2005 with his being acquitted of all charges.

Marriage & family * In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley’s only child, Lisa Marie, but the couple divorced in 1996.

Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and

had two children, before splitting in 1999. They never lived together. * Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism. * Jackson died in Los Angeles on June 25, 2009, three weeks before he was to begin a sold-out series of 50 comeback concerts in London. * His estate was left in a trust benefiting his children, mother and various charities.

Death and beyond * In August 2009, Los Angeles County coroners ruled Jackson’s death a homicide by drug overdose, and prosecutors quickly focused on Murray, who was caring for Jackson when he stopped breathing at his Los Angeles mansion. * While coroners said the powerful anesthetic propofol and lorazepam were the key drugs involved in his death, the full autopsy listed “acute propofol intoxication” as the principal cause. Other drugs in Jackson’s body included diazepam, midozolam, lidocaine and ephedrine. * Court documents have described Jackson as an insomniac who, with the assistance of Murray, used propofol to sleep. Jackson is said to have called propofol his “milk.” The drug is often used to sedate patients and anesthetize them before surgeries. —Reuters

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Chinese haute cuisine comes to Paris T

Cantonese Chef Frank Xu

he opening this week of Shang Palace restaurant will at long last answer an unresolved question: Is Paris ready for truly gourmet Chinese cuisine and the prices that come with it? That the capital of fine dining might give an ambitious Asian eatery the cold shoulder is not unimaginable. For most French people, Chinese eats rhymes with bottom-of-the-foodchain takeout, not 80 euros for lunch and 120 for dinner per head.

Only one Chinese establishment in Paris has ever shined in the Michelin Guide firmament, and then only fleetingly. Modest by comparison, Chen Soleil-Est earned its lone starliterally front page news across France-in 1999 and lost it in 2007.

Shang Palace, one of three noteworthy restaurants at the new ultraluxury Shangri-La Hotel, is clearly reaching for its own stars, even if the phalanx of professionals working to ensure its success are reluctant to say so. But if an early sampling of head chef Frank Xu’s refined Cantonese fare is any gauge of what’s to come, the restaurant will merit every twinkling accolade it gets. What’s more, this is the real thing, which in France is almost as cheeky as the lofty prices. “There is no adaptation to European tastes.

Our aim is to be absolutely authentic,” Xu said in an interview, speaking through a translator.

The only concession to western palates, Xu said, is what has been left out of the notoriously inclusive

Cantonese repertoire-no sauteed duck tongues or braised snake on this menu: at least not yet. On his first foray outside China, Xu brought four sous-chefs to handle key posts in his 20-man kitchen: a chopper, a dim sum maker, a barbecue expert, and a wok chef.

“It can take 20 years to master one’s wok ‘qi’, which is essential for bringing out the true flavor of the ingredients over an intense heat in a short time,” Xu explained. More than other regional Chinese styles, Cantonese food is lightly spiced so as not to denature the intrinsic flavors,” he added. That meant procuring the best, freshest ingredients possible, which has been a challenge, said the Shangri-La’s executive chef Philippe Labbe, who gave up two stars at Chateau de la Chevre d’Or in Eze to oversee the hotel’s trio of restaurants, including his own, L’Abeille. “We tried 30 different types of duck before we found one that yielded the signature crispy skin of Beijing-style roasted duck,” he said.

In some cases, however, local produce, and especially meats, have been better that what was available in China, Xu said. Another difficulty was wedding authentic Chinese food to western table manners, resulting in a kind of clash of culinary cultures. Chinese dishes, brought from the kitchen one by one, are shared by all, whereas the French tradition dictates that each shall have his or her own. Likewise,

Cantonese Chef Frank Xu poses on September 2, 2011 in his kitchen of the Cantonese restaurant, Shang Palace, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris. —AFP helping oneself-perfectly acceptable in even the toniest Chinese establishment-is associated in the West with a family-style meal, not high-end gastronomy. Then there’s the “lazy Susan”, the rotating circular tray in the middle of tables seating six or more.

At Shang Palace, guests at such tables are armed with two pairs of chopsticks, one to grasp from the

common plate, and the other to eat with. What went into the glasses required assiduous research as well, said the hotel’s chief sommelier, Cedric Maupoint.“We taste tested every day with five or six dishes for weeks. It was an adventure.” Xu smiled modestly when asked if he practiced a “cuisine d’auteur,” the term for the great innovators that sit at the pinnacle

of France’s culinary hierarchy.

“Creativity in Chinese cuisine is not the same,” he said. “In France chefs interpret the tradition. In China, we express it.”—-AFP

What’s so funny?

This easy-to-make, yummy cake

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here are lots of chocolate cake recipes in the world. But this one is funny: You don’t use a mixing bowl. You don’t need butter or eggs. You kind of play around with the ingredients. And when it bakes, it makes a cake that’s yummy. There are similar cakes online, but more than 50 years ago, when some people put together a 4-H cookbook called “ABC’s of Food,” they named it Funny Cake.

If a grown-up and children want to make a funny cake, well it can be lots of fun if each child is given something (age appropriate, of course) to do: Let one child read through the ingredients. Let others help collect ingredients and utensils needed. Give each child a preparation step (measuring an ingredient, sifting, mixing, etc.) Let everyone help decorate the finished cake.

Funny cake Prep: 10 minutes (varies with kids’ kitchen know-how)

Cook: 35 minutes Servings: 9 (with one 8-inch cake) Note: Adapted from the 4-H “ABC’s of Food” cookbook.

1. Everyone, wash your hands.

2. Find these ingredients and put on the kitchen table: Flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, baking soda, vegetable oil, white vinegar, vanilla.

3. Find this equipment and put on the kitchen table: 8-inch square baking pan, flour sifter, measuring cups, measuring spoons, soup spoon, dinner knife, mixing spoon.

4. Set sifter into the baking pan. Measure dry ingredients using a soup spoon for scooping and a knife to even off the top. Scoop flour into a 1 cup measuring cup. Put in sifter.

Spoon more flour into a { cup measuring cup.

Add to sifter. Scoop sugar into a 1 cup measuring cup. Add to sifter. Spoon cocoa into \ cup measuring cup. Add to sifter. Measure 1 teaspoon baking soda. Add to sifter. Measure { teaspoon salt. Add to sifter. Sift all together

into baking pan.

5. Turn oven on to bake and 350 degrees.

6. Use mixing spoon to make three holes in the flour mixture. Think craters on the moon.

7. Measure 1 teaspoon vanilla into one hole.

Measure 1/3 cup vegetable oil into another hole. Measure 1 teaspoon vinegar into the last hole.

8. Measure 1 cup cold water. Pour carefully over ingredients in the pan. Mix gently with spoon until lumps are gone. Don’t forget to mix in the corners.

9. Put cake in the hot oven. Set a timer for 35 minutes.

10.When the timer goes off the cake should be done; it will begin to pull away from the pan’s edges. Put cake on a metal rack to cool. When cake is well cooled, dust with confectioners’ sugar or frost with a favorite frosting; decorate if you like. Serve from pan. —MCT

Celebs off a plane! Top 10 famous problem flyers A

Gerard Depardieu

Billie Joe Armstrong

ctor Gerard Depardieu and Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong both experienced some turbulence recently when they attempted to take flight. Depardieu, who really, really had to go, urinated on a plane, and Armstrong got bumped because his pants were just too darn saggy for one Southwest Airlines flight attendant.

Maybe they shouldn’t feel too bad. The twin histories of celebrity and air travel have seen their share of famous folks experiencing flight-related troubles.

Read on for a list of high-profile problem flyers. l “Inspector Bellamy” star Gerard Depardieu proved to be quite the mile-high whiz kid last month after he unzipped and relieved his bladder during an Air France flight to Dublin. A pal of the actor’s told the press that a prostate problem was to blame, and not booze. Either way, Depardieu got a pretty amusing parody video out of the situation. And Anderson Cooper got a few hearty chuckles. What a pisser. l Green Day’s nasal-voiced growler Billie Joe Armstrong found one more reason to whine on Thursday, when he was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to Burbank. Armstrong’s offense? Excessively droopy drawers. Maybe his next flight should be to Hot Topic, to buy himself a belt? l “Transformers” star Josh Duhamel was tossed from a New York-to-Kentucky flight last year when he refused to turn off his BlackBerry, despite numerous requests. Maybe he was texting his wife Fergie to ask why he’s such a rude jackass? l “Clerks” director Kevin Smith was famously escorted from a flight last year for violating Southwest Airline’s charmingly named “customers of size” policy. (Translation: he was deemed too fat to fly.) Well, you can be pretty sure he didn’t get that way from the measly bags of peanuts they dole out on Southwest. l “The Tudors” star Jonathan Rhys Meyers was denied a flight from New York to Los Angeles last

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May, due to “belligerent” and “disorderly” behavior that was “getting out of control.” (Meyers was reportedly “pounding drinks” in the first-class lounge prior to the early-morning flight.) The incident reportedly earned him a banishment from United Airlines flights. Sometimes it’s not so good to be the king.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has made a fortune due to her good looks, but sometimes her behavior can be downright ugly. Case in point? A 2008 incident during which Campbell was handcuffed and removed from a flight at Heathrow Airport after allegedly abusing the plane staff and spitting on a police officer.

Christian Slater was arrested at New York’s JFK Airport in 1994 after trying to board a flight while packing a piece. The “Heathers” actor reached a plea deal the following year that required him to spend three days with homeless children, presumably teaching them the finer points of gun safety.

British Airways decided to hassle the Hoff in 2009, denying flight to “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff because he was “unfit for travel.” His spokesperson denied that Hasselhoff was drunk, blaming the incident on “strong antibiotics.”

“Precious” star Mo’Nique was tossed off of a United Airlines flight after getting into an argument with an attendant-over a hair dryer. The actress subsequently blamed the incident on racism. Well, that really blows.

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck caused a ruckus during a Seattle-to-Heathrow flight in 2001 when he reportedly knocked over a meal-serving tray and attempted to stash one of the knives from the upset trolley up his sleeve, then sprayed a yogurt container all over the place while struggling with an attendant. —Reuters

Josh Duhamel

Kevin Smith

Naomi Campbell

Christian Slater

Mo’Nique

R.E.M.

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Cuba’s roads take on new look as classic American cars wane

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he 50-year-old US trade embargo prevents American auto companies or parts suppliers from doing business with Cuba. That didn’t matter much in 1961. But now it’s half a century later, and these cars need work. “Sometimes you see a pile of rust on four tires, and you’re thinking, how can that thing even move?” said John McElroy of Autoline Detroit, who has been to Cuba. “I saw people who were making their own brake fluid using sap from a bush and mineral spirits.”

Cuba is full of do-it-yourself mechanics, using whatever they can dig up to keep their cars running.

Despite the embargo-started after Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution-the Obama administration could make rules allowing US aftermarket auto parts into Cuba, said Jake Colvin, vice president of global trade issues for the National Foreign Trade Council in Washington, DC “Wouldn’t that be great, to allow mechanics and old car buffs to go down there with parts under a people-to-people visit?” he said. “The administration absolutely has the ability and latitude to do that under the law. It just hasn’t been a priority.” But that’s only half of the story. While creaky American cars are begging for parts, Cuba’s roads are taking on a new look. China, which is Cuba’s second-largest trading partner after Venezuela, has supplied thousands of new buses, built by Zhengzhou Yutong Group.

Police cars in Havana are Chinese-made Geely CKs. Rental cars and government cars also are by Geely, which has an office in Havana. Geely has exported more than 5,000 cars to Cuba since 2008. China did $1.8 billion in trade with Cuba last year overall.

While US automakers sit on the sidelines, Chinese automakers are making inroads into the nation of 11 million. “China knows what it’s doing.

But do we?” said Rick Shnitzler, co-founder of TailLight Diplomacy, a Philadelphia group that monitors the state of classic autos in Cuba. Colvin said any

car with US-made content cannot be exported to Cuba, so Canadian-made vehicles can’t be sent there, even though Canada is a trading partner with Cuba. Other nations also are fearful of angering the US by making a deal with Cuba to provide cars, he said.

General Motors, the most famous car brand in Cuba, isn’t pushing for change, either. “We do not have any lobbying efforts relating to the trade embargo against Cuba,” said spokeswoman Ryndee Carney. Visitors see a lot of cars on Cuba’s roads. In addition to Chinese-made models, you’ll see South Korean-made Kia and Hyundai vehicles, as well as European cars such as Volkswagens.

Most cars belong to the government. Those with yellow license plates are privately owned, mainly old American cars and a few limping Russian Ladas from the 1970s. For now, old cars are still the citizens’ cars.

Havana taxi driver Walfrido Cabezas cherishes his red 1956 Chrysler DeSoto Diplomat.

“It was the best year for this car,” he said, with the assurance of a man who can identify old Detroit steel at 100 paces. Because he can’t get authentic parts and to save fuel, the DeSoto has a 2-liter Toyota engine in it. Cabezas’ favorite old car is the 1960 Cadillac. His dream car? The Audi A6, which he’s sure he’ll never own. “The new car is for the doctor, engineer or for famous people,” he said.

Early next year, Cuban authorities plan to loosen restrictions and make it easier for private citizens to buy or sell modern cars. That sounds good, but there still will be no private car dealerships. The government still will control supply. Most Cubans could not afford a new car. Still, “you can be sure this is a huge change for Cuba,” said William Burrowes, a Havana tour guide.

Eventually, the change should mean fewer old cars on the road and more new Chinese, Korean and European vehicles. And if the economy really opens

A make-shift air conditioning system keeps this classic American car cool.

up, “the old cars will disappear in no time,” McElroy said. Not waiting for that moment, Rafael Diaz Perez of Havana is fixing up a 1952 Chevrolet, which needs a new carburetor and distributor. He’s doing all the work himself, as many Cubans do. “The technology of these cars is very simple, really,” he said. He’ll get it running. He has to.

Keeping Detroit alive in Cuba The 1955 Dodge has a 2-liter bottle strapped to the driver’s-side door frame, with a hose leading from the bottle to a hole in the hood. It is the gas tank. And it works. Although the aqua car’s interior is stripped, owner Obel Aguado still drives it to work at the Los Jazmines viewpoint snack bar. “He’s going to put a Bulgarian diesel engine in it,” another man said proudly. “He has a lot of work to do.”

Although Americans buy cars on a whim, Cubans-who cannot buy, sell or trade vehicles made after 1959 — have turned genius to keep their old Detroit cars alive. “The automotive history community should realize that Cuba’s achievement with that fleet is one of the most important achievements in automotive history,” said Rick Shnitzler, co-founder of TailLight Diplomacy, a Philadelphia group that monitors the state of classic autos in Cuba.

“It is so enraging that our foreign policy provides the rest of the world with a shabby vision of the symbols of our nation,” he said. “It’s a huge tragedy to have that fleet in this condition.”

Nobody knows how many classic American cars remain in Cuba. A Cuban would tell you 170,000, but auto watchers put the number at more like 20,000 to 50,000. Most date to the 1950s, especially the sturdy 1952 Chevrolets. Many are used as taxis or tourist cars. —MCT

This classic Ford Prefect is in good condition.

Classic cars let visitors to Havana, Cuba, step back in time. —MCT photos

Classic cars, like this 1952 Chevrolet.

Walfrido Czbezas shows off his 1956 DeSoto Diplomat outside the Hotel Nacional.

McCartney, Pacino, Damon, other

stars remember 9/11 D

o you remember where you were on the morning of Sept 11, 2001? TheWrap asked a number of actors, filmmakers, producers, writers and bloggers, some New Yorkers and others not even US citizens, to remember where they were on that fateful day, and how it changed them.

AL PACINO “It was the most terrifying, the most heartbreaking day. I was on a plane the evening before it happened, September 10. I was in Los Angeles, and all I wanted was to get back to my home-New York. I couldn’t get back, the planes wouldn’t move. It was devastating.”

TOM HARDY “I was at a wig-fitting. I was doing a French Foreign Legion film, and I was going out to North Africa, Morocco.

We’d just done ‘Black Hawk Down,’ and they shelved that immediately. There were a lot of war films that year being made. A lot of work was being done in North Africa.

Everyone had started panicking. And I was executing holy men in a scene three days later in a mosque in Morocco. It was a thing called ‘Simon, French Foreign Legion Deserter’ it ended up being called. So it was a very odd situation to be in because there I was playing a soldier in North Africa.

We had a plane on standby to get us out if anything kicked off.

Immediately, it was a life-changing event. I have friends who serve, I have a lot of friends in special forces, I have very, very close friends who deal in very serious operations all over the Middle East that were affected post-9/11 ... I’m still really thrown by the loss and the amount of people on that day, and that whole situation, to be honest. I’m a bit thrown. I’ve got friends who were in the building, in the twin towers. I have friends who are servicemen, what can you say?”

GUS VAN SANT “I was living on Canal Street and out my window I could see the towers, and I heard an explosion and eventually realized that one of them was on fire. Our office was even closer, so we were eight blocks away on the roof looking at the towers falling. And we evacuated away from the dust and smoke that was coming our way. I was sort of typical of some reactions where I wasn’t really aware of how big a moment it was, which was something that happened with other people in the Tribeca area and Wall Street area. Some people continued working.

We traveled uptown from where we were, and we were on 57th Street, and we realized that people uptown felt it was a downtown problem, and people upstate felt it was a, like, a Manhattan problem. And elsewhere it was a national problem-I think if you were in Delaware, you saw it more objectively, like, ‘This is a national emergency. This is an amazing, horrible, historical event.’ But if you were there, there were many different reactions, and mine was probably one as a result of some kind of shock.”

NICK NOLTE “I was watching TV when it happened. I didn’t see the first plane. I saw the second plane. And then on the [first] anniversary of 9/11, I was drunk and picked up for drunk driving. The reason that [mug shot] picture got on television was, all the cameras were pointing at the place where the terrorists were supposed to hit. And then there was no news, so they picked that picture up and sent it back.”

MATT DAMON “I lived in lower Manhattan at the time. So I just remember walking out of my apartment and seeing it and then going back in and watching CNN ‘cause I was so hungry for informa-

tion, trying to figure out what’s going on. I just remember being glued to my television despite the fact that it was happening kind of right outside my door.”

ROSEANNE CASH “My daughter Carrie was in seventh grade, and I took her to school in a taxi because there was a meeting that morning.

[At the school], I went into the cafeteria and she went up to her classroom. At about 8:45, I heard a rumble overhead. The plane went right over the school, and shook the building.

I looked around the room, and one of the mothers said, ‘That plane is going to crash.’ About five minutes later, somebody came to the door and said a plane had just crashed into the north tower.

And I said to one of the teachers who was sitting with me, ‘I bet it was that plane that just went over.’ At first we thought it was just a commuter plane that had gotten lost. We couldn’t conceive that an airliner had actually done it. We stopped the meeting and walked out in the hall, and a woman was out there crying. She said it was a passenger jet, and then we freaked.

I started to walk out the building to go look at the towers, because there was a straight view right down the street.

Another mother was coming in, and she was as white as a sheet. She said a second plane had just hit, and I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ I thought that she was confused. So I went around to the corner, and you could see both towers burning. There were these black holes, and smoke. A lot of smoke. We were standing there, and my friend Robin Rue, who’s a literary agent, said, ‘All this in the name of god.’ That’s when I really realized what had happened, that it was a terrorist attack.

PEREZ HILTON “I woke up, went upstairs to the roof of my building in the West Village, and saw the World Trade Center with a big hole in it. Then I fell to my knees. I went downstairs, went running to the bank on Christopher Street, got all my cash out, went to the supermarket, and got in hurricane survival mode because I’m from South Florida. I thought it was the end of the world; I didn’t know what to think.

“At first, I kept getting phone calls, [and] because I was right out of college and didn’t have a full-time job yet, I was so annoyed that people kept calling me early in the morning.

I’m like, ‘Let me sleep!’ And then finally I picked up the phone and then I went upstairs and I saw and it was unbelievable.

Being in New York after that was just crazy because you were reminded of it daily for years after, but especially what I remember most vividly about that time was the smell in the air stayed for about six months or more, and then even longer because whenever it would rain there was this very specific smell from the World Trade Center disaster.

PAUL McCARTNEY “I was on my way back to England, and we were at JFK on the tarmac, and the pilot just suddenly said, ‘We can’t take off.

We’re going to have to go back to base.’ And out of the window on the right-hand side of the airplane, you could see the twin towers. You could see one plume of smoke, and then you could see two shortly thereafter.

I said, ‘Well, that’s an optical illusion, you know.’ Then one of the stewards came to me and said, ‘Look, there’s been something really serious happened in New York, and we’ve got to get you out of here.’ I ended up in Long Island watching it on TV, watching the whole story unfold-like everyone else in the world- wanting to go into New York, but nobody was allowed back in.

So while I was kind of sitting out there twiddling my thumbs thinking of what to do, was there any role I could play in this, the idea came to me that maybe we could do a concert, maybe get something together. And that thing grew into a conversation with Harvey Weinstein, who said that MTV was putting one together and maybe we should all get together on that. [At the concert] it was a kind of post-fear. We were emerging from the fearfulness of the immediate impact, and now you were seeing the emotion releasing through music, which I always think is a great thing. You could see particularly the firefighters and the volunteers and their families and victims’ families were able to release this emotion that had been pent up. It was a great feeling. It was a really great feeling.” —Reuters

McCartney, Pacino, Damon, other stars remember 9/11

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

Disgraced Galliano

awaits anti-Semitism trial verdict

A picture taken on October 4, 2005 shows British chief designer John Galliano acknowledging the audience at the end of his show for Christian Dior during the Spring/Summer 2006 Ready-to-Wear collections in Paris. —AFP

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isgraced fashion designer John Galliano faces sentencing Thursday on charges of hurling anti-Semitic remarks at bar patrons in Paris’ old Jewish quarter, six months after the scandal cost him his job. Widely regarded as one of the finest fashion designers of his generation, the 50-year-old couturier faces a maximum of six months in jail and a fine of 22,500 euros (32,000 dollars) if convicted by the Paris criminal court. He will not be in court to hear the verdict on Thursday. Taking the stand at his one-day trial in July, Galliano apologized for his conduct, which cost him his coveted job as creative director at Christian Dior, blaming a crippling addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Credited with reviving Dior’s fortunes since taking over its creative helm in October 1996, the Gibraltar-born, London-bred designer was sacked on the eve of the pret-a-porter collections in March. The French state prosecutor has asked the court to fine him 10,000 euros over at least three incidents in which he is said to have made offensive remarks. At his trial Galliano said he had no recollection of the career-wrecking events, blaming a triple addiction to alcohol, valium and sleeping pills, as well as the pressures of his job.

He told the court he had undergone two months of rehab at clinics in Arizona and Switzerland since the scandal erupted in February with a high-profile altercation with a woman bar patron in Le Marais neighborhood.

Galliano’s alleged target, museum curator Geraldine Bloch, told the court the designer began by mocking her “cheap boots”, moved on to insult her figure and finally called her “a dirty Jewish bitch”. But several witnesses said they had not heard Jewish references. Another woman, Fathia Oumeddour, later came forward to say she was the victim of a similar assault in October 2010.

A third incident, captured in an amateur video, showed Galliano apparently drunk and declaring a love for Hitler. “They are not views that I hold or believe in,” the designer told the court in July. “In the video, I see someone who needs help, who is very vulnerable,” he said. “I apologize for the sadness this whole affair has caused.” Galliano has denied being racist or antiSemitic, insisting he celebrates diversity through his couture. Christian Dior, which is taking its time finding a successor to Galliano, has firmly distanced itself from the designer and declined to comment ahead of Thursday’s verdict.

For last March’s ready-to-wear collections, Dior tasked Galliano’s longtime right-hand man Bill Gaytten to oversee a show inspired by everything from early 1980s Paris nightlife to the architect Frank Gehry. But with the SpringSummer 2012 fashion season kicking off in late September, Dior was reportedly poised to announce a successor-with Marc Jacobs, America’s hottest designer, tipped for the job.

US fashion magazine Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) reported last month that the 48-year-old New Yorker, at the helm of Louis Vuitton since 1997, was in Paris to discuss the move with Dior executives.

Industry insiders say the tattooed Jacobs, who counts director Sofia Coppola among his close friends, faced competition from some of the hottest names around, from Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz to Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquiere. Vuitton is the flagship fashion brand of the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) luxury giant, which is owned in turn by Groupe Christian Dior. If Jacobs moves to Dior, WWD suggested that Phoebe Philo, who has won plaudits for her sober minimalism at Celine, also part of the LVMH stable, could add Vuitton to her portfolio. —AFP

Swans gather on a pond in the Kuwait Zoo in the heart of the capital on September 4, 2011. —Photo by Yasser AL-Zayyat

Libyan exiles save

Tunisia’s tourist haven

of Djerba

A

mong the tens of thousands of Libyans who have taken refuge in neighboring Tunisia in the past six months to wait out the worst back home, the richest are saving the tourist haven of Djerba. The usual bookings from Europe to this island resort known for stunning beaches and sunsets dropped off after Tunisia’s own uprising in January. That revolt not only led to the collapse of president Zine ElAbidine Ben Ali’s dictatorship but touched off the “Arab Spring” movement against repressive regimes, which hit Libya in February.

Now, the Libyans have made up for the loss of Europeans and other Westerners, according to local entrepreneurs. “The misfortune of some brings good luck to others,” quipped taxi driver Jamel. Though 2011 has already been declared the worst year yet for Tunisian tourism-a sector that accounts for seven percent of the gross domestic product and employs 400,000 people in this North African state-Djerba has been rescued by wealthy refugees. Several thousand Libyan refugees have settled on this island of 139,000 residents right off Tunisia’s coast, waiting for the complete fall of Moamer Kadhafi’s regime and greater stability before they decide to return under the new rebel leadership in Tripoli.

Big cars with Libyan license plates fill many of the parking places. Their owners bide time in the restaurants, cafes, shops and apartments for rent close to the sea.

“Without them, my income would have been close to nothing,” acknowledged Cherif, 39, a grocer in Midoun. “Since the

A Libyan family poses in a hotel swimming pool in Djerba Sidi Manour.

cafe in Midoun. Legend holds that Djerba, ironically, was the land of the Lotus Eaters described in Homer ’s Greek epic “ The Odyssey”, where eating the local fruit made Ulysses’ men not care about returning home. While the Libyans are unlikely to forget their own homecoming, Mohamed and others dependent on the tourist trade try to make their stay a bit easier.

“Spoil them as they deserve,” he urged his waiters on a recent evening as he welcomed the first customers with a big smile.

“They’re a long way from home, their country is at war. They need us to boost their morale. They certainly deserve that in light of what they spend,” Mohamed said. In some hotels, a special price for Libyans has been posted up in the reception, no higher than 60 dinars (about 30 euros, 42 dollars) including full board.

uprising against the Libyan regime, we have recorded a turnover of 100,000 dinars (51,000 euros / 72,000 dollars) per day, which is an increase of 10 percent over the year 2010,” said Adel Khlifi, the deputy director of a large supermarket at Houmet Souk, the main town on the island.

‘Very good clients’ Khlifi said that the Libyans are “very good clients” who buy a lot of food products. “The cost of their purchases are more than 120 dinars by day,” Khlifi added. “It’s true that we miss the foreign currency income (brought in by European tourists), but we cannot deny that we have been saved by our Libyan brothers,” said Salem, 49, who runs a restaurant in Djerba’s tourist zone and has for the past two months served meals to about 50 Libyans a day.

“At least we are not going bust this year,” added Mohamed, a manager in a trendy

Lybians jump on the beach in Djerba Sidi Manour. —AFP photos

People take a quad ride in Djerba Sidi Manour “This is a symbolic price for these people who are living in a difficult situation. We must help them during this period,” said Adbelwahab Majoul, the manager of a fourstar hotel. The Libyan VIPs stay in five-star hotels, which have kept their high prices.

These palatial buildings in recent months took in officials of the Kadhafi regime and representatives of the Libyan rebels for secret talks. However, not all agree with Mohamed and the presence of the Libyans has upset some Djerba residents, who are waiting impatiently for their guests from across the border to leave.

“Since the Libyans arrived, the price of vegetables and fruit has almost doubled,” complained Ali, a civil servant. “You can queue for an hour to buy water and milk, since there are so many Libyans in our shops.” “I understand their situation perfectly well, but they shouldn’t take advantage of it,” said Salem, a jeweler who said he objected to “the arrogant and impolite behavior” of some Libyans and to the occasional fights between them and inhabitants of the overpopulated island. — AFP