13 Sep

ON IP TI SC R SU B

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Syria troops raid villages as Russia boosts regime

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SHAWWAL 15, 1432 AH

Cameron, Medvedev seek to mend damaged ties

Stosur stuns angry Serena to win US Open title

Pediatricians’ study has SpongeBob in hot water

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MPs praise bank for referring accounts Popular Bloc seeks amendments to election law

Max 43º Min 27º Low Tide 06:38 & 19:07 High Tide 00:33 & 12:37

By B Izzak conspiracy theories

Stop stereotyping!

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

I

came across a funny article yesterday while browsing the lot of magazines and newspapers. The news says that a group of Saudi women are trying to organize themselves and demand the Saudi government to stop bringing maids from Morocco. First of all, I didn’t know that they were bringing in maids from Morocco. I thought that they were bringing in just labor force from there. It seems that they have also opted for domestic services from Morocco. Why the discrimination against Moroccan women in the Gulf?

That story reminded me of many stories which were reported in the recent past. Such as the visa ban that stopped Moroccan women to perform hajj two years ago. Also, it reminded me of a TV series produced by a Kuwaiti director which branded Moroccans as sorcerers using black magic to marry and attract Khaleeji men.

Before that there were also big stories in the papers that branded Moroccan women as indecent. Even when the suggestion of Jordan and Morocco to join the GCC was circulated, an avalanche of jokes poured on our phones. All the jokes included comments about Moroccan women. Poor Moroccan women, I sympathize with them. Why are they falling victims like that? What is different about Moroccan women and why the Saudi women want to boycott them? Why not stop bringing in Filipinas or Indonesians, Nepalese, Bengalis, Somalis etc, etc? What is the secret in the campaign against Moroccan women?

Why do people stereotype? Especially in our Arabian Gulf area. It is not fair. There are good people and bad people in every nation. Not all Bengalis or Filipinos are good or bad. I don’t like to brand people by their nationality, color or religion. It creates animosity and brings in hatred.

What is this stupid way to stereotype whole nations? I noticed that this stereotyping is sorting out nations by how rich and how poor they are. In a rich nation, all the women are decent and untouchable. In a poor nation, all the women are sorcerers and behave indecently.

How pathetic! Actually, it is vice versa. Rich nations have more space for entertainment and socializing, which could be taken to another level.

We are not better than any other nation.

Every nation has its good, bad and ugly. We need more tolerance in our judgments and behavior. Do not let money blind us. Money does not last for generations and generations.

Let’s go back to the basics of our religion which calls for more tolerance, understanding and equality among human kind.

KUWAIT: Oil Minister Mohammad Al-Busairi speaks to the press as Farouk Al-Zanki, Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), looks on at the oil ministry yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Kuwait boosts oil output to 2.9m bpd Part of Mina Al-Abdullah refinery shut KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Oil Minister Mohammad Al-Busairi said yesterday the OPEC member has increased its oil production to 2.9 million barrels per day to compensate for a shortage in the market. “We have been producing 2.9 million bpd at least for the past 10 days.

We are heading towards 3.0 million bpd,” the minister

told a news conference. Kuwait’s OPEC production quota is slightly above 2.2 million bpd.

Busairi hoped production over the rest of September will not be fewer than 2.9 million bpd, adding that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: A number of MPs yesterday praised reports that the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has referred the accounts of several MPs to the public prosecution for investigation over suspicious transfers and urged other banks to follow suit. It was reported that NBK has referred the accounts of at least five MPs to the public prosecution to probe suspected illegal transfers of millions of dinars. Independent MP Naji Al-Abdulhadi described NBK’s move as “positive and transparent”, saying the measure reflects responsible monitoring to safeguard the image of the bank and the Kuwaiti banking sector.

Opposition MP Musallam Al-Barrak urged other banks to take a similar step to refer the suspicious accounts of MPs to the public prosecution to protect their image and to contribute in fighting corruption and corrupt people. Barrak insisted that all officials and bureaucrats whose accounts have had illegal deposits must be referred to the public prosecution for investigation.

Islamist MP Waleed Al-Tabtabaei said that banks suspected of having facilitated and concealed such large illegal transfers must be referred to the public prosecution over harming the reputation of Kuwait. Tabtabaei called for dissolving the National Assembly because the “corrupt” MPs have insulted and humiliated the house.

MP Adel Al-Saraawi said that the image of the Kuwaiti democracy is at stake, adding that the deposits’ scandal could harm and undermine Kuwaiti democracy over the next 50 years.

Saraawi praised NBK and called on other banks to shoulder their legal and moral responsibility, but the lawmaker insisted that dissolving the Assembly will only provide protection for those “who paid and those who received” the millions of dinars. Islamist MP Mohammad Hayef called on the public prosecution to be neutral and resist any pressure from any side, and urged an open public trial for those involved in the suspicious money laundering cases.

In another case, Hayef called on the interior minister to halt the deportation of an Asian domestic helper who became pregnant through an illicit relationship with the son of her employer.

Continued on Page 13

Saleh OKs power transition talks necessary constitutional SANAA: Yemeni President authority to negotiate” the Ali Abdullah Saleh has power transfer mechanism authorised his deputy to with the opposition, SABA negotiate a power transfer said. The presidential decree with the opposition, the authorises Hadi to sign on state news agency SABA Saleh’s behalf the so-called said yesterday, finally Gulf Initiative, which was agreeing to a proposal by proposed by the six-nation Gulf countries to put an Gulf Cooperation Council end to a months-long political crisis. Saleh, who has Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi (GCC) and sets the path for been absent from the country for more a peaceful transition of power out of than three months, “has given the vice Saleh’s hands.

Continued on Page 13 president Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi the

Manila eyes ‘blood money’ MANILA: The Philippine government is considering a standard policy on payment of so-called “blood money” to save Filipinos facing the death penalty in Muslim countries after receiving a huge demand from a victim’s family in Saudi Arabia, officials said yesterday.

The Philippines, one of the world’s largest labor exporters, has saved sev-

eral Filipino convicts in the past by helping raise money for victims’ families. Nearly 10 percent of the Philippines’ 94 million people work abroad, many as laborers and housemaids, and the money they send back bolsters the country’s economy. Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also Continued on Page 13

NAIROBI: Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga looks at charred remains at the scene of a fire after the explosion of a fuel pipeline in a slum area yesterday. — AFP

At least 120 dead in Kenyan pipeline fire NAIROBI: At least 120 people were burned to death yesterday when a pipeline burst into flames in a Nairobi slum as local people were siphoning fuel from it, and more than 100 hospitalised, officials said. Scores of bodies, some

burned to the bone, lay on charred grass near trenches and a filthy river in the Sinai slum following the accident. No official explanation had been given as to what caused the accident along the Continued on Page 13

in the

news

Erdogan saw ‘grounds for war’ with Israel

Iran bans half-naked men, love triangles

ANKARA: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan saw “grounds for war” with Israel last year after a deadly raid on a Turkish ship headed for Gaza, according to a transcript of a recent interview. State news agency Anatolia released late on Sunday what it said was an original Turkish-language transcript of an interview Erdogan gave to Al Jazeera television last week. It included elements not broadcast as well as original wording for sensitive comments that had been transmitted only in Arabic translation. Among previously unpublished elements, Erdogan said Israel’s raid in May 2010 on a Turkish ship headed for Gaza, in which nine Turks were killed, would have justified going to war. “The attack that took place in international waters did not comply with any international law. In fact, it was grounds for war.

However, befitting Turkey’s greatness, we decided to act with patience,” he said.

TEHRAN: Iran has banned TV programs showing halfnaked men and love triangles, the semi-official Fars news agency reported yesterday, in the latest sign of a conservative crackdown on media in the Islamic state. It was not clear what prompted the ban - Iran TV, which has a monopoly in the country, dedicates large parts of its schedule to religious shows and announcements from the government. But viewers were gripped a few years ago by a locally-produced soap opera called Forbidden Fruit which told the tale of an old man who decided to leave his wife after falling in love with a young girl. “Based on a new instruction, the broadcasting of programmes that show tempting love triangles is banned,” Fars said. Exceptions would be made for shows that explicitly condemned such entanglements, it added. The statement did not say how the restrictions on partially-clothed men would affect Iran TV’s sports coverage.

One dead in French nuclear plant blast CODOLET, France: At least one person was killed and four injured in a blast at a nuclear site in the south of France yesterday as the government sought to play down fears of a radioactive leak. France’s state nuclear regulator had said earlier that there was a risk of a leak after the blast at Codolet in the Rhone Valley near the southern city of Nimes. Despite killing one person and wounding at least four more, the blast “did not cause any radioactive leak”, a spokesman at the energy ministry said. National electricity provider EDF confirmed the initial death toll following the explosion in an oven at the site. One of the injured is in a serious condition, France’s Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) said, officially declaring the incident “over”. “This accident has no radiological risk or need for population protection,” the ASN said, adding that it had suspended its crisis cell dealing with the incident.

MARCOULE, France: Rescuers and medics land by The blast hit the Centraco nuclear waste treatment centre helicopter at a nuclear site yesterday. — AP belonging to EDF subsidiary Socodei.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

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Kuwait can’t afford an oil strike: Report KUWAIT: Several labor unions in the public sector are repor tedly planning to stage strikes to demand allowances after the government approved a pay raise worth KD142 million in total to oil sector employees.

Accord i n g to rep o r t s, t he Ministry of Health’s medical laboratories union already announced plans to stage a strike on October 10 to force a pay rise, while some reports spoke recently about plans for auditors and lawyers to carry out similar actions. On Sunday, a group of technicians in the Ministr y of Electricity and Water held a strike in protest of unpaid allowances for overtime hours they worked last summer.

I n that regard, a government source said that while the oil sector’s salary increase was due, it poses a problem to the Cabinet to find a sensible way to reject demands fro m ot h e r l a b or unio ns. I n t he meantime, meeting demands of employees in different state departments go against the state’s plans to curb overspending in the state budget.

L a b or u n i on s at t he Kuw ait Petroleum Corporation and its affiliated companies have threatened to stage a mass work stoppage next Sunday if their demands are not met. According to credible sources, t he gove r n m e n t w as b asical l y fo rce d to a p p rove t he uniso ns’ demands simply because the state can’t afford to survive a few days without production of the country’s sole source of income.

Speak ing on the condition of anonymity, the source mentioned several problems that would ’ve been created by the strike, which includes halt of oil production and export, making it hard for the government to provide cooking gas cylinders within a couple of days, as well as fuel for power plants and water desalination plants within a week. Moreover, the sources noted that the strike would have had “catastrophic effects” on Kuwait’s economy and worldwide reputation as a major oil exporter, adding that a halt in exporting would affect oil

prices and the balance of supply and demand.

The strike would cost the Kuwait budget an estimated daily income of KD320 million, collected from selling crude oil for a $105 per barrel ratio, which in turn could grossly hurt activities at the Kuwait Stock Exchange market.

Meanwhile, the recent development s p rompted th e Kuwait Teachers Society to call for an emergency meeting in order to discuss actions to take as the Cabinet cont inu es to rej ec t th eir deman ds regarding a pay raise for teachers on their terms. The government had previously announced that teachers w il l b e rewarded with an n ual bonuses based on their evaluation reports, but the KTS insists on general pay increases in fear that the ministry might not be able to insure that the evaluation process would remain unbiased.

I n t he mean time, sources revealed that Minister of Education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi expressed his objection during the Cabinet meeting on Sunday when the oil sectors’ allowance was enforced, as he feels that he was put in an embarrassing position since he insisted while campaigning for the bonus-based teachers’ allowance that this mechanism will be used in general to all kind of allowances in the government.

Commenting on this subject, MP Naji Al-Abdulhadi released a statement in wh ic h h e urged labor unions and the government to hold “civilized talks” in which all financial demands are discussed, and then create a m ec h an ism to en force them justly as per conditions that protect the state’s funds. In another devel o p m en t, th e M in istr y of Finance reportedly plans to contact other state departments to demand an immediate halt to any proce dures that pertain to enforcing pay rises, indicating that several citizens working in the private sector have already resigned and started submitting applications to work in the public sector following the recent developments.

— Al-Qabas, Al-Rai, Al-Anba

Demographic changes under govt scrutiny Nationals reluctant to join private sector

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: The news about a tectonic shift in the demographics of foreign labor force in the country sent ripples across Kuwait. On Sunday, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi suggested that within the next five years, expat workers will be trimmed down to 34 percent of the population from the current 70 percent.

A Kuwaiti administrative worker didn’t even wonder if the plan would fail to be implemented.

“How can you trim down the number of expatriates in the labor workforce when you are encouraging Kuwaitis to work in the government rather than the private sector?” he asked. “The attitude of our government to give more money and benefits to Kuwaitis is blatant dissuasion for Kuwaitis to work in the private sector,” he argued.

“How can you work in the private sector which demands you work eight hours a day, but pays less, maybe a little more than half

of what you can get from the government jobs?” He added: “At first they should increase the salary of private sector employees; give more benefits and maybe then Kuwaitis will agree to this,” he suggested.

“Unless the situation is corrected, the so-called ‘trimming’ plan will never be achieved - especially in the five-year time frame. Should you ask if the plan is achievable, my honest answer would be: ‘Impossible. Never.’”

An expat engineer told Kuwait Times that such a plan is impossible to achieve in Kuwait within the next five years. “Kuwaitis are few in number and many of them are only accepting government jobs rather than joining the private sector. So, the plan to trim down the number of expats up to 50 percent is way beyond wishful thinking,” he said.

In a press conference Sunday, Al-Afasi explained that expatriate workers who are already in the country would not be affected by the new regulations. Al-Afasi was

quoted as saying: “Amendments are required to prevent further increase in the current demographical imbalance.”

Al-Afasi also revealed that during the last few years, 15,000 expatriates have settled down in Kuwait using commercial visas, thereby avoiding a government ban on issuing work permits which was introduced to help correct current demographic imbalance.

“What I heard is that the government plans to implement the law only to the marginal workforce. Hopefully the plan will succeed because we can benefit from it as expats. It means expat workers can get better salaries, better treatment and proper attention,” he said. “If you have too many workers, abuses can take place at a greater rate; but if you lack manpower, they’ll hire you with higher salaries. Perhaps expat workers can receive better salaries then,” he said.

“The highly educated workforce will serve the country better and will make their social, economic

and political well-being achievable,” he added.”

Another expat noted, the plan can be achieved easily if Kuwait really wants to implement it.

“Ever ything is possible. This is their country and if they wish to do so, what can we do? Anyway, the cost of living in Kuwait is really high now, unlike before; we are here because we can still pay our living expenses, but if the prices continue to rise, why do we need to stay? We can always leave this countr y as we desire. Now the question is whether Kuwait will be ready for that,” he said. Another expat thinks that education will help Kuwait greatly. “Kuwaitis need to be educated; the price of education is high, and it cannot be achieved in five years. How can you replace engineers and highly qualified people in the oil sector?

You need time and money to achieve that apart from guts and talent. If it is not available locally, wouldn’t the solution be to outsource it from other countries?” he questioned.

Dr Al-Habeeb slams Wikileaks info KUWAIT: Dr Tareq Al-Habeeb Chairman of Kuwait Pharmaceuticals society criticized Wikileaks latest report about the bad medical services provided to the expats in Kuwait.

He said that the medical situation in Kuwait is secure and considered outstanding worldwide. He emphasized that there is no state in the world which gives expats the medical service that Kuwait does and that the average cost of medicine for citizens and expats is more than

KD70.

Dr Al-Habeeb said that the Wikileaks report contained wrong information and referred to the KD50 paid by expats as health fees and not insurance as known worldwide.

“If we compare it with the average costs of medicine, regardless of other services, we will find that it does not cover it, which means that there is real subsidy from the state,” he further elaborated. — Al-Anba

KUWAIT: On the commencement of the scholastic year at all kindergarten and primary schools yesterday, the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Ahmed Al-Mulaifi and top ministry officials yesterday toured a number of schools to check on preparations for the new academic year. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

Kuwaiti firemen rescue Iranian seamen

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

NA Council will not be dissolved KUWAIT: The National Assembly Council will not be dissolved in the near future and that the present council will complete its term, despite the political disputes ongoing between the two authorities, officials said.

Officials said that the forthcoming term will be full of surprises, with

respect to the interpellation motions that will target the Prime Minister, reported Al-Shahed.

One of the female MPs plans to initiate a (grilling) motion. She will be the first woman to do so in the history of the National Assembly Council.

She will also be supported by the Popular Action Bloc.

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti firemen rescued Iranian crew of a boat that was sinking near the island of Failaka late on Sunday. Kuwait Fire Service Directorate said in a press release released yesterday that the firemen rushed to the spot of the sinking boat immediately after the authority received distress signals. The firemen rescued the crew and towed the damaged boat to shore.

Burning laundry A laundry shop in Jaber Al-Ali caught fire, and an explosion was heard, prompting Qurain fire center to respond. Two Asians received burns on their hands and legs and were transferred to a hospital. Fumes and combustible materials caused the explosion. Further investigations are underway.

Expat suffers breakdown A female Egyptian expat had a nervous breakdown after a fire broke out in her flat. She was rescued safe and sound by firemen.

Accidents A 20-year-old Kuwaiti sustained a broken right shoulder during a car accident on Al-Ghous St in Adan area.

A 27-year-old Indian sustained extensive head injuries and was admitted to Mubarak ICU, following a car accident near Sabah Al-Salem area. An 18-year-old Kuwaiti was injured in the head and suffered abdominal bleeding following a car accident on King Fahad Road yesterday.

He was taken to Mubarak hospital.

A car accident near the Avenues Mall left an Egyptian and an Indian injured who were taken to Farwaniya hospital for treatment.

A 28-year-old Egyptian complained of pain in

Kuwait to consider deported Egyptians’ demand KUWAIT: A demonstration carried out by Egyptian citizens outside Kuwait’s embassy in Giza ended peacefully after Kuwait’s Ambassador to Egypt Dr Rasheed Al-Hamad met with the protestors and promised to fully consider their demands including canceling a deportation order issued against a number of Egyptians who violated the country’s law that bans public gathering.

Ambassador Al-Hamad reportedly asked protestors to submit an official letter featuring their demands that will be studied within a month. Consul Meshal Al-Saied announced that the studies include paying compensations to deported Egyptians.

The deportees were repatriated after holding a gathering on April 2010 in support of then presidential elections candidate Dr Mohammad El-Baradei. Kuwait has placed strict regulations against mass gatherings of expatriate residents, which includes immediate deportation.

Meanwhile, ambassador Al-Hamad commented on the issue pertinent with a team of Kuwaiti lawyers that volunteered to defend ousted president Hosni Mubarak. He insisted that these lawyers only act from their personal standpoint, without representing Kuwait’s official stance, reported Al-Rai. In Kuwait, Kuwaiti Lawyers Union held a press conference to announce support the Egyptian people “who showed unmatched solidarity to Kuwaitis during the [1990/91 Iraqi] Invasion,” while urging attorneys that support Mubarak “to respect the feelings of the public in Egypt.”

KUWAIT: Rescue operation of the Iranian crew of a boat that was sinking near the island of Failaka in progress yesterday.

the abdomen following a fight in Kheitan.

A 25-year-old Kuwaiti sustained a broken right arm during a car accident near Muthanna Complex in Kuwait City. He was taken to Amiri hospital.

An Indian, two Pakistanis and a Kuwaiti suffered various injuries following a car accident on Sixth Ring Road and were taken to Farwaniya hospital, except for the Kuwaiti who refused transport.

A 32-year old Egyptian woman sustained a broken right knee following a car accident on Sixth Ring road. She was taken to Mubarak hospital. A 29-year-old Bangladeshi and a 27-yearold Indian were injured in a car accident near Jaber stadium yesterday morning. Both were taken to Mubarak hospital.

A 56-year-old Kuwaiti suffered a cardio-pulmonary arrest following a car accident in Adan.

He was rushed to Adan hospital.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

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SMS advertising catches business owners’ fancy Small-scale companies target mobile phone users

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah discussed here yesterday with the Mayors Affairs Commission a number of matters related to their work. The meeting discussed renewal of some mayors’ mandate and appointment of new mayors to serve in new districts. The meeting was attended by a number of ministry officials.

MP denies plans to attend Friday rally KUWAIT: MP Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei announced that he is not taking part in a protest that youth activists plan to stage Friday. He indicated that he was never invited, and that he wouldn’t even if he was. The Development and Reform Bloc member commented in a statement made by the Kafi (enough) youth group, who asserted that the Sept 16 demonstration “is led by the people, not MPs”. At least two other groups, the Fifth Fence group and a group referring to itself as ‘September 16 youth’ announced their participation in the planned rally, will make demands to introduce constitutional amendments and wide reforms that include changing the electoral system by merging the current five constituencies into a single one.

Al-Tabtabaei noted that his DRB had previously proposed demands regarding constitutional amendments, similar to those recently announced by the September 16th group, but doesn’t match with the group’s call for turning Kuwait into a state monarchy. “[ The DRB] supports efforts to increase the parliament’s authorities, as long as they are made within the articles of the constitution”, Al-Tabtabaei said, adding that his bloc proposed for the prime minister to gain the parliament’s confidence before being officially

appointed, as well as eliminating the stipulation in which ministers vote during no-confidence and no-cooperation votes.

Fellow DRB member Dr Faisal AlMislem shared similar opinions in a recent interview with Al-Qabas daily, in which he explained that the bloc’s current agenda is to push for constitutional amendments and legislative reforms “that would help eliminate the chronic case of tensions between the parliament and Cabinet”.

Al-Mislem mentioned amendments that include canceling the provision by which ministers are automatically considered members of the parliament, as well as adding a necessary stipulation by which the entire Cabinet must gain the parliament’s confidence before they are sworn into office.

On another note, the Cabinet is reportedly planning to take a decision to reject demands from MPs to merge electoral constituencies into a single constituency, with the belief that the current situation is not suitable for such a system to be adopted. According to sources, the Cabinet in fact supports expanding constituencies to ten, and will explain their point of view during a meeting with the parliament’s legislative committee.

— Al-Rai, Al-Qabas

Egypt Air launches low fare flights to Kuwait KUWAIT: Egypt ’s state -run airline launched low fare weekly flights to and from Kuwait every Thursday, in several Egyptian airpor ts, Chairman and Managing Director of Egyptian Air Cairo company, pilot Ehab Abdel Rahman AlTahtawi said yesterday.

Speaking during his current visit to Kuwait he said that Air Cairo set in motion low fare flights to and from Kuwait.

The first flight kicked off successfully from Sohag International Airport in Egypt, Al-Tahtawi added. He affirmed that his country’s airlines are committed to civil aviation regulations in Kuwait, based on “historical relations” that made

Air Cairo launch its first flight from Kuwait.

The airline is currently operating between Kuwait and several Egyptian airpor ts that include Sohag International, Assiut and at present working on Marsa Alam International, Sharm El Sheikh International, Taba International and Hurghada Airport, he explained. He noted that there’s an expansion plan that includes, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Al-Tahtawi pointed out that Air Cairo was established in 2003 and it’s jointly owned by Egypt Air by 60 percent, National Bank of Egypt by 20 percent and Bank Misr with 20 percent. — KUNA

Kuwait to take part in AL committee meeting CAIRO: Kuwait will take part in the Arab League Follow-up Committee meeting, to be held at the Arab League headquar ters, to mull suppor ting Palestinian Authority in this critical time.

Kuwait Permanent Representative at the Arab League Ambassador Jamal Ghoneim said that he was commissioned by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah to head the Kuwaiti delegation to the meeting.

Ghoneim revealed that the committee will discuss preparations for supporting Palestinian Authority bid to seek UN recognition of an Independent

KUWAIT: Every marketing professional swears by catchy advertising that helps promote a successful business. Newer techniques are developed and during the past few years, SMS advertisements have proliferated. While some are subscription-based, others are spam messages. Thanks to the high price of newspaper advertisements, small-scale companies advertise themselves using the mobile phone platform. Some depend on their own Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts, while others seek the services of advertising agencies.

According to Fatma Offtada from Nuzha, SMS advertising has attracted many clients to her company, and is now the main source of advertising, “For the past two years, our company has been dealing with an advertizing agency, in addition to using the services provided by Wataniya Telecom. Each SMS costs us 12 fils, and set a quota for 1,000 SMS messages for our event. We work in the field of entertainment, and all the students read these SMS messages,” Fatma, Operation Manager of Nuzha told the Kuwait Times.

SMS advertizing targets a specific client base, “The advertizing company allowed us to chose the age, area, and nationality of potential clients we aimed to reach. They send SMS messages to subscribers that fall within this parameter. The SMS service has gotten us work. I consider this way of advertizing better than the placing advertisements in the newspaper,” added Fatma.

Ahmad Ali, Sr Account Manager MC Group, an advertising agency explained that there are two ways of placing advertisements, “There are the regular mobile short text messages sent to people on behalf of our client, promoting goods and services. It’s a good

option as nearly everybody owns a mobile phone. There is also internet advertising available on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter. Our clients don’t require our services while advertising through the social media such as Facebook and Twitter. This is because they have their own accounts and it’s very easy for them to use. Our services are demanded while using SMS advertising. We deal with three suppliers or agents that provide this service. These ways have became more common during the past three years,” he pointed out.

The advertising agency also provides packages on the different platforms chosen, “We offer packages to our clients which are even more in demand than SMS messages. This package includes advertising on Google, You

Tube, and MSN. The client can also choose only one of these. We have clients from different fields that use this services like restaurants, fashion stores and others. Some prefer that messages be sent on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis,” he added.

Most companies maintain their own database of clients that receive SMS messages, “Our store registers the data of all our customers so that we can send them text messages later. We use this method to inform them about our special offers, new arrivals and collections, and other special occasions like Eid, Girgian, Valentine’s Day and others.

Sometimes we also send emails to our customers and rarely advertise in the newspaper,” stated Merry, a sales woman in a fashion store at Muhalab Mall.

Hajj campaigners closing registration KUWAIT: Nearly 90 percent of Hajj campaigning agencies in Kuwait have closed registration for this year’s pilgrimage season, after reaching the maximum cap allocated by the government two months before the Muslim ritual starts.

According to credible sources, these numbers broke records in terms of speed of registration in recent years. But the same Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs insider who spoke on the condition of anonymity warned that this year’s season is bound to feature increased costs due to many reasons, including the fact that owners of buildings where Kuwaiti convoys rent apartments for pilgrims, increased their prices significantly. “In

some cases, owners increased the rent for their buildings from 650,000 Saudi Riyals (KD44,060) last year, to 1200 million Saudi Riyals (KD88,116) this year”, the source said.

Hajj is a main ritual in Islam in which millions of Muslim pilgrims head to the holy sites in Makkah in early Dhu Al-Hijjah; the twelfth and final month of the Muslim lunar calendar. The following day of the final day of Hajj on the ninth day of Dhu Al-Hijjah marks the beginning of the Eid Al-Adha; the second main holiday in Islam after the Eid Al-Fitr which starts at the end of Ramadan. The three-day Eid Al-Adha holiday is set to start this year on Nov 6. — Al-Qabas

Kuwait to build ‘model’ residential areas KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) has reached an agreement with the Kuwait Municipality on utilizing plots to build new residential areas in Sabahiya and Wafra.

A senior PAHW official who spoke anonymously to Al-Qabas, said that the necessary ground work has been performed to ensure that the housing projects are constructed at open yards.

Meanwhile, the official announced that the PAHW has introduced changes to the original

blue print of to-be-constructed residential areas in Al-Mutla’a and Al-Khairan.

New projects will be built through the BuyOperate-Transfer (B-O-T) system. The PAHW also plans to introduce changes that allow the areas to be built as model cities including introducing necessary services like building state departments, as well as an advanced road network that connects them to other areas.

The official indicates that the cities will be built within three years after the Cabinet grants permission to construct.

Cemetery staff fired for hepatitis infection KUWAIT: The Kuwait Municipality announced that a number of cemetery workers who were relieved of their duties recently over health concerns, were actually fired over being infected with the hepatitis virus.

“The decision to terminate the employees’ contracts was taken after discovering they were infected by the hepatitis virus”, said Ahmad Al-Subaih, Director of the Municipality, explaining that the infection was spread by one infected worker to the others.

“The municipality had to take prompt measures to avoid the spread of the disease to other staff members”.

According to Ministry of Health regulations, the affected staff members must be deported as their health status will disqualify them from work in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Al-Subaih assured that the municipality will compensate the released employees if tests later proved that they contracted the infection at the workplace. — Al-Rai

State on the borders of the fourth of June 1967, including occupied East Jerusalem, and a full membership in UN organizations.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will take part in the meeting and would brief Arab delegations and officials on the outcome of the PA contacts and consultations with respect to the steps to be taken to achieve these goals.

“Kuwaiti participation in the meeting is part of her support for the Palestinian Authority regionally and internationally, especially in this historic turning point,” Ghoneim said. — KUNA

Kuwait losing war against online criminals KUWAIT: Despite local efforts to curb the spread of online crimes in Kuwait, they are rapidly increasing in the country, owing to lack of regulations that criminalize them.

According to a senior security official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, an average of 60 to 70 cases per month are filed pertaining to online crimes, but a large number of these cases are usually shelved after investigators fail to identify the perpetrators.

The Ministry of Interior’s Criminal Evidence Investigations Department has its own division for online crimes, but the lack of a penal code against these kind of crimes makes it hard for detectives to hunt suspects.

“We have received numerous complaints about thefts carried out by peo-

ple outside the countr y from bank accounts of people in Kuwait, as well as cases in which citizens or expatriates would be fooled to send money to scammers abroad”, said the source, referring to crimes in which a person would receive an e-mail, text message or even a phone call in which they are told to send cash to a foreign account in order to obtain an alleged grand prize.

Among the most innovative scam cases are ones in which some conmen actually deposited some money in the victim’s bank account, and asked them to transfer them to other accounts for a fixed price. The catch lay in the fact that the money deposited would actually be stolen which made the victim a part of the crime. — Al-Qabas

KUWAIT: Officers from the Interior Ministry’s Security Media Department handed out pamphlets to students while conducting an awareness campaign at the start of the academic year. This measure was taken as part of the Ministry of Interior’s traffic awareness campaign.

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LOCAL

Local Spotlight

in my view

Leave Egypt alone

A ‘dry’ state and a ‘hot’ issue

By Fouad Al-Obaid

By Muna Al-Fuzai fouad@kuwaittimes.net Twitter: @Fouadalobaid

muna@kuwaittimes.net was pleased to review the new Kuwait International Airport terminal. I was pleased, for airports in the 21st century are the main gateway to the wider world, and are the first impression people get of a country and its society. The current airport, though convenient, is small. The expansion can only be welcomed.

Hopefully, the expansion will come at a time of renewed vigor for Kuwait’s aviation industry and its airlines. Kuwait is located strategically, however having suffered a daunting time-loss with rivals such as Dubai, Doha or even Abu Dhabi, catching up will be hard, especially if we are vying to become a ‘dry’ international connection!

I believe in personal liberties, and what people eat or drink is of no direct concern to me. Nevertheless, in a conservative society such as ours, I can understand the apprehensions of allowing people to drink publicly. Yet, our society does not seem to have issues with nationals drinking in foreign lands, or even foreign aircrafts landing in KIA. Drinking is taboo here, though I would be surprised if people are naive to believe that it is nonexistent in Kuwait. The fact that people in Kuwait consume it without harming others should really not be a concern for the majority who do not.

However, if we really desire to diversify our economy and encourage tourism, the question of making the distilled beverage legally available should be addressed and debated. It is a matter that many holiday-goers look forward to! Alternatively, we could start a global anti-drinking campaign! Failing to do so, and realizing that regardless of criminalization, people at the end of the day know what pleases them. Such an attempt would be futile.

I understand the religious prohibition placed on drinking, and I understand the argument that drinking negatively affects many abilities, and if over-consumed, leads to many problems. If the government or the people really believe in the benefits of health and leading a healthy lifestyle, I would be the first to support a ban on smoking and importing tobacco, which is far worse than alcohol.

Ultimately, the debate I am trying to raise is not a moral one. The banned beverage is available to those willing to drink it, and are able to afford the exorbitant prices at which it is sold. The debate is not about encouraging people to drink—I personally would frown upon such notion.

I firmly believe in the ability of adults to take decisions and assume responsibilities. Hence, should adults want to drink, drive, get married, have children, basically do anything that is not explicitly against any law, and certainly as long as they don’t harm themselves or others. I believe that they should be allowed to.

I don’t foresee the beverage’s wide availability in Kuwait this year. However, those who want to criticize my question and subsequent proposal to allow it in specific areas at affordable prices, should remember that not so long ago it was traded, sold and consumed in Kuwait!

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kuwait digest

Teachers and their fair rights

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kuwait digest

The thief and the victim

By Saud Al-Sabaie f you have the misfortune of being robbed in not deserve it ; it’s a human rights issue.

When you take an oath to respect the law and an Egyptian street, simply pointing at the fleeing culprit and shouting “Catch that thief!” will then participate in by-elections it is simply a legal ensure that passersby will unite to apprehend the consultation. If you abuse others, you simply culprit and assault him physically. In Kuwait, the want to learn the truth. Your action is not consituation is not very different except that the thief demned!

These are different varieties of corruption and, and victim point at each other and shout: “Catch as always, those engaged in it can always quickly that thief!”

The situation is dire, with the thief turning into find an excuse to get themselves off the hook a lawyer and vice versa. Everyone is at a loss to while pointing a finger at others.

Never mind this. Let us discuss the subject of realize what’s really happening - obtain news allegations of the multi-milfrom social networking sites. l i on d i na r b r i b e s p a i d to Every party is happy with MPs. Was this public money what they have. Every mornWhen you reveal national paid by the government? in g, several n ames are secrets to foreign embassy Was it money-laundering? declared. During the past few Whatever it might be, it is days, different issues have staff that doesn’t amount to indeed happening and it’s a been tabled, var ying from a corruptive practice but crime. What ’s noticeable, suspicious tenders and allebecomes permissible politihowever, is that the accused gations of bribes worth milhave remained tight-lipped, lions of dinars that were paid cal debate. ‘Connections’ except for a few officials to MPs’ accounts. There were are used to place pressure w ho’ve d one l i t t l e b ut other accusations concerning on officials to employ a permouth bureaucratic platiMPs’ wielding wasta in drugtudes. related cases. son you know; it is only an Regardless of the actual So this is life in Kuwait act performed to help a perfacts, though, the crime is never- ending accusations. son out. When you try to the responsibility of those Recently, people have been w ho we re i nvol ve d a nd busy spreading rumors and obtain citizenship who may those who knew the crime innuendo, with some names not deserve it ; it’s a human was being committed but doing the rounds even faster. rights issue. didn’t tell the concerned Every second, we hear a new authorities. name and fresh accusations The p ub l i c p ros e c utor are leveled against each other. The wise are at a loss as to who to believe or should investigate all reports of crime whether they’re allegedly committed by individuals or disbelieve.

Everyone pretends to be honest and that is the organizations, whether at the bottom or at the worst kind of corruption. Many of those who top, and those who fail to report these crimes are announce their hatred toward corruption practice similar to those abetting any other criminal and it secretly. Indeed, each one of us is corrupt in should be treated as accomplices and held legally some way, offering our own special justification accountable in the same way. Despite this, howto that. When you reveal national secrets to for- ever, we find many figures speaking out in the eign embassy staff that doesn’t amount to a cor- media rather than to the police, assuring us that ruptive practice but becomes permissible politi- the crime has happened and naming those concal debate. ‘Connections’ are used to place pres- cerned without first reporting this wrongdoing to sure on officials to employ a person you know; it those who should be prosecuting it; is it any surprise then that many people question the truth is only an act performed to help a person out.

When you try to obtain citizenship who may of the allegations? — Al-Anbaa

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kuwait digest

The truth behind the leaked cables

By Najat Al-Hashash t’s ironic how the government pays millions of dinars to a handful of people but refuses to give allowances to teachers whose duty is to educate the future generation. It’s also ironic that MPs deliberately avoid attending a session allocated to enforce the teachers’ allowance, fearing that such allowance would “waste public funds”, but at the same time wouldn’t hesitate to accept millions in suspicious deals.

The allowance enforced a few months ago by the Civil Service Commission to teachers in public schools isn’t fair because it ignores the rights of senior teachers.

A teacher with more than 20 years of experience would obtain an allowance equal to that received by a newly appointed teacher. Meanwhile, the education minister’s vision of setting up a bonus-based allowance will also fail to maintain equality, simply because we can’t tell for sure that ministry officials will remain unbiased in evaluation, and that favoritism wouldn’t be involved.

And no, I’m not making baseless claims. History tells us that favoritism and biased rewarding has been present for more than 20 years in the Ministry of Education.

Furthermore, history tells us that for over 20 years, teachers never obtained annual allowances similar to those paid to public sector employees for distinguished efforts - until former minister Nouriya Al-Subaih came a few years ago and enforced a minimal KD200 a year for teachers. Meanwhile, teachers in most cases are forced to stay past school hours without being paid overtime.

After all this, the new minister wants us to believe that the annual bonus he is proposing will be justly implemented? I don’t think so. Just take a brief tour around public schools, and you’d be able to see the unbiased treatment of teachers. I hope MPs realize when they head to vote for the teachers’ allowance draft law that the current allowances are unfair, and that they need to reward the teachers who taught them when they were kids, and helped them reach the position they hold today. Teachers are not asking for privileges; they only demand their fair rights to enhance their living conditions. — Al-Rai

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cannot think of anything better to say other than, ‘leave Egypt alone’ to the Kuwaiti attorneys that flew to Egypt to defend former president Hosni Mubarak.

What are the objectives behind such behavior?

Certainly , Egypt has enough lawyers and prosecutors that are well-versed in the country’s laws and the methods involved in handling Egyptian court proceedings. I wonder if Kuwaiti attorneys received a warm welcome there?

Many innocent lives were lost during the uprising and many mistakes occurred during Hosni Mubarak’s regime. I believe we should let the Egyptians decide his fate.

When the Kuwaiti attorneys reached the Egyptian court, they were not given a chance to fulfill their plan. This is because no one has the right to interfere in Egyptian issues.

We are not Egyptians and we are not allowed to decide if Mubarak can be allowed to remain in power or be jailed for life or set free, which I think will happen without Kuwaiti intervention. The decision was taken by Egyptians last January when the revolution began. We have no right to take sides when we don’t know about the depth of the issues, as much as the Egyptians.

Although we enjoy freedom of speech in Kuwait, when Kuwaitis plan to mediate in the affairs of another country which is not even a GCC country, the move should be approved by the Cabinet Minister.

I have two questions - Has the Kuwaiti government paid for their travel expenses? Was this move taken on behalf of the Kuwaiti government and people?

Egypt’s Justice Minister Mohamed Abdel Aziz ElGendy has stated that the Ministry of Justice has not given permission to Kuwaiti lawyers to either defend or prosecute the former Egyptian president. He added that he was not even aware of the Kuwaiti lawyers until he read about them in newspapers!

Why did the lawyers take charge of the situation when it was uncalled for? We have enough troubles already, with our next-door neighbor constantly bothering us and sending threatening messages.

They keep reminding us that they are waiting for the right moment!

Why didn’t the lawyers volunteer to defend the poor expatriates that get caught in legal wrangles.

Such acts of kindness will be recalled by nonKuwaitis. They are grateful. Indeed, Egypt knows how to remedy the situation it faces.

By Mubarak Al-Duwailah uch like people in other countries around withdrew KD6 million from a local bank to support the world, the first impression that we in his electoral campaign, which assertion is based Kuwait had when we first heard of on a rumor that is one of many that people made Wikileaks was that the cables that it posts are true during the elections period. It also explains how another document falsely documents that exposed accused me of mak ing many secrets of governallegations against my ments worldwide. At the However, the true reality friends, MP Daifullah time, people even speculatbehind these documents was Buramia and former MP ed that the documents were exposed after we had the chance Mohammad Al-Fajji (the deliberately leaked by the cable claims that AlUnited States to put pressure to read the cables pertaining with Duwailah - a former MP on other governments.

Kuwait. We found out that these told the US ambassador at However, the true reality documents are in fact intelligence the time after losing his behind these documents seat in the 2003 elections was exposed after we had reports written by US ambassathat he believed his two the chance to read the dors or staff members in US rivals obtained money cables per taining with embassies, based on information from the government to Kuwait. We found out that support their campaigns). these documents are in fact they obtain from the gossip they Furthermore, it explains intelligence reports written hear people talk about. Reading how the US embassy

by US ambassadors or staff cables leaked from the US report failed to sense the members in US embassies, true appreciation that based on information they Embassy in Kuwait proved to us Kuwaitis have for H is obtain from the gossip they that the embassy reports back to H ighness the Crown hear people talk about. the US Department of State everyPrince, and reflected an Reading cables leaked from inaccurate opinion based the US Embassy in Kuwait thing that people talk about in on what they heard from a proved to us that the Kuwait without investigating its single viewpoint. embassy reports back to the accuracy.

Today we reached the US Depar tment of State realization that the US everything that people talk embassy documents conabout in Kuwait without tain information of anything said in diwaniyas, investigating its accuracy.

This explains how one US Embassy cable regardless of who says it or of the accuracy of the claimed that parliament speaker Jassem Al-Kharafi information they give. — Al-Qabas

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kuwait digest

The sectarianism threat

By Khalifa Al-Khurafi ectarianism is arguably the worst kind of crisis to hit a country owing to its raucous nature. It spreads easily through followers of religious extremists and opens the door for foreign intelligence to infiltrate. Muslim communities who have been suffering from sectarian struggles for years are wondering today about the reason behind the lack of activities such as seminars and conferences to bridge the gaps between followers of different sectarian groups.

Sectarianism has already reached alarming levels in these communities. The most obvious example for that is what happened in Bahrain, where efforts of a group of Kuwaiti activists to help implement constitutional rights for all Bahrainis failed when they were challenged by extremists who opposed stability and progress in Bahrain and the Gulf region.

I never thought people could be blind enough to not realize how their actions are contributing to the spread of sectarianism. I don’t understand how some Shiites fail to see the tyranny of the Syrian regime which takes control over Syria’s wealth and leaves its people suffering from poverty and suppression. I also fail to understand how some Sunnis can be so blind as to sense the suffering that Shiites in Bahrain are going through only because they demanded their constitutional rights.

The lack of insight by followers of both Islamic sectarian groups opened the door for intelligence services such as the Zionist Mossad to utilize it to serve their agendas. The perfect recipe for sectarian tension is as simple as having two extremists from both sides exchange verbal attacks against the other’s faith - providing a tool for the Mossad to ignite the fire of sectarian tensions.

But it’s not enough to only hope for members of both sectarian groups to avoid hostility. There should be plans implemented, starting from teaching kids in kindergarten about the importance of national unity, while placing regulations that criminalize attacks against religious beliefs and figures. — Al-Qabas

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local

Kuwait exceeds US in power consumption per capita

By Lisa Conrad KUWAIT: “Because it’s free” was the answer the majority of renters in Kuwait gave for why electricity consumption was on the rise.

Electricity is usually included in rent prices, which some renters have been abusing and, inevitably, been contributing to the everincreasing rate of energy consumption per capita in Kuwait. According to the US Department of Energy, lighting is a leader in electricity consumption at homes, consuming around 44 percent of electricity used. When there aren’t worries of a hefty bill resulting from leaving lights on, it seems it’s all too easy to forget about turning them off at all.

Increases of electricity consumption in Kuwait, and the Gulf as a whole, have steadily been on the rise. Deloitte released a white paper last week entitled “Energy on Demand: The Future of GCC Energy Efficiency” with findings revealing that per capita electricity consumption is set to rise 2.5 percent per year. This forecast spans all the way to 2035, which poses a daunting prospect if accurate.

The Gulf States see a staggering 47 percent of their electricity consumption taken up by residential use.

According to Kenneth McKellar, Partner and Energy and Resources leader at Deloitte Middle East, this is higher than even the amount consumed for residential use in the US. The World Bank’s development indicators further revealed that in 1997, the electricity consumption per capita was 12,265 kWh. By 2008, however, it had reached 16,747.

Additionally, according to statistics from the Ministry of Electricity and Water Power, power stations in Kuwait are generating around double the electrical energy they were in 1997, when the figure stood at 26,742 million kWh. By 2008, the figure had toppled the 50,000 million kWh mark and stood at 51,749.

Current statistics aren’t shown, but it’s safe to assume that the rates have continued to rise during the three-year period from 2005-2008 when electricity generation rose by nearly 8,000 million kWh. According to the Ministry of Electricity and

Water Power, the rise in electricity consumption has been greatly affected by the rapid growth of Kuwait’s private and public sectors.

Infrastructure in Kuwait has shot up at an impressive rate, so it’s not surprising that electrical consumption has risen along with it.

Deloitte’s white paper, however, noted that GCC countries put just 10 percent of their electricity to use in industry, a solid 27.7 percent below the global average. The amounts consumed per capita still remain high, which, according to McKellar, requires attention and requires a “rebalancing from residential to industrial sectors in the long-term.”

What exactly is draining Kuwait’s electricity at such an astounding rate? Interviewees cited cheap prices and inclusive rent packages, while the Ministry of Water and Electricity’s 2009 statistical report added another dimension, suggesting that the rise in electricity consumption per capita “reflects the extent of luxury and abundance enjoyed by the people, while plainly indicating aspects of waste and extravagance prompted and encouraged by the very cheap price of electricity.”

Oil sector employees’ salary increase came with no pressure

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works opened the first phase of Jahra Road project yesterday. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Kuwait participates in conference on cluster munitions BEIRUT: Kuwait is participating as an observer at the Second Conference of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which opens today (Monday) in Beirut with participation of 119 countries, said Member of the Permanent Delegation of Kuwait to the United Nations in Geneva Ziad AlMashaan.

Al-Mashaan, who heads the Kuwaiti delegation at the conference which is held under the patronage of Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, stressed in a statement to Kuwait News Agency on Kuwait’s keenness to support Lebanon in good and bad times, noting that Lebanon was still suffering from the tragedy of cluster munitions.

He also reiterated Kuwait’s support for Lebanese efforts to clear the lands from mines, which claimed the lives of many children, women and youth.

He said that cluster bombs and mines planted by Israeli occupation forces in southern Lebanon and western Bekaa constitute “a bitter obsession” for the citizens, many of whom have been killed or injured with physical disabilities without any guilt.

Al-Mashaan added that the five-day conference aims at exchanging views on issues of interpretation of the treaty, including the prohibition of investment in companies producing cluster munitions and the prohibition of transit of cluster munitions. — KUNA

KUWAT: The salary increase for employees of the oil sectors, which cost KD 142 million, came with no enthused pressure, said Minister of Oil and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Dr Mohammad AlBusairi yesterday.

Al-Busairi said in a press conference that the meeting of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s (KPC) board had aimed for a KD 183 million-increase in total, but added that such increase could not be achieved.

Al-Busairi lauded oil sectos employees’ union’s decision to cancel the strike on Sept 18, affirming that the salary increase would not affect the state’s budget.

Since the 1970s and until 2003, the salary of oil sector employees remain the same until recently when it turned out that their GCC counterparts received more income, said the minister, affirming that the current increase would hopefully meet the demands of employees. The official pointed out that in the upcoming five years, a survey would be conducted regularly to review the status of employees due to their important role in Kuwait economy.

In regards to the exemption of oil ministry employees from the new increase, the minister noted that the employees of the ministry were being paid by the government, adding that such was explained to employees of the ministry. Al-Busairi congratulated the oil sector employees on the new increase, hoping that such would develop Kuwait oil industry.

Kuwait oil production reached 2.9 million barrels per day recently with hopes of reaching 3 percent soon.

Such increase will allow Kuwait to obtain around 3 percent of the total global oil production and around 10 percent within OPEC. — KUNA

MPs to move court citing defamation KUWAIT: Five legislators plan to file lawsuits against those who defamed them on the social media websites like Twitter and Facebook recently.

They were quoted as saying that bogus websites created in the names of some MPs, in addition to posting abusive speeches that were attributed to them, reported Al-Anbaa.

Officials said that the step will be followed by another, which calls for drafting a law to track down the nefarious activities of individuals with the assistance of official bodies, in addition to severely punishing offenders. They explained that the draft law that regulates internet usage in the countr y will be reviewed by MPs.

Unauthorized donation collection uncovered KUWAIT: Several prominent individuals amassed large amounts of money during the month of Ramadan assisted by influential Kuwaiti figures.

Nasser Al-Ammar, Manager of Charities Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs and

The steel pole at the bay.

Labor made the relevant announcement.

Al-Ammar added that the ministry had recently allowed non-charitable trusts including well-known personalities to collect aid for Somalia, in response to HH the Amir’s call to assist Somali people in distress by making dona-

tions to Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS). It is the official representative of the government of Kuwait, reported Aljarida. He added that these individuals were appointed by the ministry to compile reports about the donations made and file related documents.

The pole’s location as shown on a map.

Divers warn against pole in Kuwait Bay KUWAIT: The Kuwait Diving Team has warned fishermen and sailors against a steel pole planted to the north of Kuwait Bay,

which poses a ‘grave threat’ to maritime activity. The team, part of the Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF), asked authorities

to remove it from the location. The coordinates of the pole as mentioned in the press statement are: 29.29.564 - 47.52.712

KUWAIT: Chairman of the Board and Director General of Kuwait News Agency Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah received yesterday the visiting technical delegation from the French Press Agency (AFP). The AFP delegation included Director for Technical and International Affairs Stephane Guerillot, the Ready Business System’s (RBS) Director General Thierry Sublon and Director of virtual reality project Philippe Grosshans. The meeting focused on technical cooperation especially within the virtual reality project which is under study in the current period.

‘MoE leaves thousands without schools’ KUWAIT: MPs Musallam Al-Barrak and Ali Al-Diqbasi recently paid a visit to Ashbelia and Sabah Al-Nasser and took notice of the fact that two areas suffered from a space constraint.

Commenting on the situation, MP Al-Barrak said that plots were allocated to build schools in Sabah Al-Nasser a long time ago, but no funds have been set aside to construct them. “ The government has no excuse even though it has been trying to make them through the housing authority that the Municipality failed to allocate,” he stressed. He blamed the

government for failing to create special budgets to build schools, reported Annahar.

He added that he intentionally did not invite any Ministry of Education official to join the tour because he already knows what their responses would be. “Hope nobody will term us trouble-making MPs because we are raising the issue of lack of educational services,” he added. He noted that the Ministry of Education was too busy with the ‘a flash memory stick’ project while depriving schooling for thousands of students.

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Cases filed against suspicious multi-million dinar deposits No pressures to halt investigation KUWAIT: A major Kuwaiti bank has approached the Public Prosecution Department regarding the suspicious multi-million dollar transactions made to MPs’ bank accounts, local dailies reported yesterday. “The Public Prosecution Department(PPD) has received several complaints about multi-million deposits but did not reveal any names. This is to ensure the confidentiality of investigations,” said acting Attorney General Dherar Al-Asousy to AlQabas daily; the newspaper that first exposed the issue last month.

It sparked suspicions about the

involvement of a political scandal.

After the complaints are lodged, the Public Prosecution Department will inspect elements before contacting the Investigation Unit of the Central Bank, seeking permission to investigate into the sources of the funds, “Investigations will focus on whether or not these funds are connected to money-laundering or suspicious activities based on which the Public Prosecution Department can determine the legality of those deposits,” AlAs’ousy said.

When asked about whether

they have been subject to pressures to halt investigation, AlAs’ousy categorically denied it.

It remains unclear what would happen to parliamentary membership of lawmakers who are convicted in the case. A number of legal sources indicated that investigations are in their preliminary stages. It may take a long time.

Meanwhile, the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity urged all banks to report similar cases, warning that banks will face legal troubles if investigations reveal that suspicious trans-

actions take place at one of its branches, reported Al-Qabas.

On a related note, a local group that is active in spreading awareness against squandering the state’s wealth urged authorities to “resort to all legal measures.”

The Group 26, which is also that champions the cause of ‘national campaign to combat the squander of public funds’, asked for “all details about the case” once investigations are complete.

This enforces more legislations to ensure that such violations will not take place in the future.

‘Kuwait played active role’ in African development KUWAIT: Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khalid Al-Jarallah said yesterday that the African issue had never been absent from Kuwait’s policy during the past decades, stressing keenness to address the obstacles hindering development in Africa and contribute to come up with solutions to its problems.

This came in a speech delivered by Al-Jarallah on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem AlSabah at the opening of the 2nd workshop on the exchange of information for a better humanitarian work for the disaster in Somalia.

The two-day workshop is organized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in cooperation with International Islamic Charitable Organization and Direct Aid Society.

He said that the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has an active role in that continent, where the most important duties of Kuwait was to support the Horn of Africa in general and Somalia in particular in order to save the millions who suffer from drought and hunger.

He said this matter is an international responsibility, not an Islamic or Arab only, adding that Kuwait was among the first to lend a helping hand under the guidance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, where the cabinet has allocated $ 10 million and assigned the Kuwait Red Crescent Society to run a fleet of aircraft in this regard.

He said Kuwait responded to a conference held in Addis Ababa recently, during which the organizers collected $ 300 million for disaster response, indicating that Kuwait has had a role in supporting the development, as HH the Amir had come up with an initiative to set up a fund for a dignified life worth $ 100 million in addition to Kuwait’s donations of large amounts for several other development funds. —KUNA

Kuwait, Morocco eye special ties KUWAIT: Kuwait and Morocco yesterday asserted their interest in having strong bilateral relations in all fields and uniting their stances in support of the Palestinian Authority bid to have independent state.

“I have carried with me a letter from Moroccan King Mohammad VI to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah focusing on Morocco’s strong desire to strengthen and develop bilateral economic and trade relations,” said Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Taib Fassi Fihri in a joint press conference with Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah here.

The press conference followed the signing here of a memo to bolster diplomatic relations between the two Arab nations.

Under the memo, holders of diplomatic and special passports would be allowed to enter both countries without prior entry visas. The Moroccan minister added that talks with the Kuwaiti side have touched on a large array of issues of common concern, particularly the Arab-Israeli conflict.

“Both countries have affirmed their support to the Palestinian Authority statehood bid in the United Nations,” Fihri said. He hailed the freedom of the press and Parliament in Kuwait and Morocco.

“We are confident both nations will forge ahead in the path of their democratic development to serve their people.”

With the regard to talks about his country’s accession to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Fihri said Morocco is an integral part of the Arab Maghreb but seeks a special advanced partnership with GCC states.

“We are waiting for the outcome of the Technical Committee, which includes representatives of Morocco and General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the coming summit,” he said. —KUNA

JEDDAH: Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah left the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah late Sunday after taking part in the 120th meeting of the GCC foreign ministers. Sheikh Mohammad was accompanied in his trip back to Kuwait by GCC Secretary General Dr Abdul Latif Al-Zayani and Moroccan foreign minister Tayyib Fasi. Sheikh Mohammad took part in separate meetings between the GCC foreign ministers on one side and the foreign ministers of Jordan and Morocco on the other.

Bedoon in custody for stabbing doctor

KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah welcomed the Ambassador of Liberia to Kuwait Konah K Blackett at his office, and both of them discussed the bilateral relations between Kuwait and Liberia, as well as means to boost cooperation especially between governorates in both the countries.

Kuwait pioneer in field of labor rights ISTANBUL: Kuwait is keen on participating in conferences related to rights of laborers, a senior government official said on Sunday.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi, speaking on the sidelines of the 19th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, said Kuwait was pioneer in the field of labor and labor rights.

He explained that law No 6 of 2010 organized the labor sector. “This law covered all shortcomings and is in line with international obligations.”

This law imposes tough penalties on employers if they violated laborer ’s rights, he affirmed.

Speaking about the 19th World Congress, Al-Afasi said he would be addressing many labor-related issues like vocational health and safety.

The Congress began deliberations on Sunday with participation of official delegations from 100 countries.

The delegation of Kuwait will take part in two sessions of the Arab Labor Organization (ALO) today, over prevention in work environments and safety in petroleum sector. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Capital governorate police investigators were able to arrest a suspect who stabbed his wife’s boss at a public hospital last week. A search for the 29-year-old bedoon (stateless) resident was on ever since he escaped from the Ibn Sina hospital where he attacked a senior doctor who had a previous dispute with one of his female employees who happens to be married to the attacker. During interrogation, the woman who worked as a nurse in the hospital denied knowledge of her husband’s whereabouts, but investigators had enough leads to be able to locate and apprehend him. The suspect explained during interrogation that his wife was being subjected to harassment from her boss for months, which prompted the attack.

Landmine deactivated Bomb squads deactivated a landmine that was found at an open area near the Salmi Road. Jahra police headed to a location where a citizen reported finding a foreign object half-buried in sand. The object was identified as an explosive, and the area was secured until bomb squads arrived and deactivated it.

Phon-ey dispute Police had to intervene to solve a dispute between a married couple in Rabiya after the wife made an emergency call fearing for her life from her outraged husband. Security officers rushed to a house in the area after a woman reported locking herself inside the bedroom as her furious husband was trying to break open the door. They managed to calm the husband down, at which point the woman opened the door and escorted the officers to the local police station.

The wife explained that a fight broke out when she confronted her husband for spending a lot of time on the phone in his car. The husband on the other hand said that his wife’s nagging irritated him.

Eventually, the couple returned home together after she refused to press charges.

Bribe giver caught An Asian man was arrested after he tried to bribe an officer at the deportation detention in order to release his friend who was set to be deported. The suspect was visiting his friend when he offered KD100 to an officer to release his friend who was arrested for violating residency regulations. The man was set up in a trap in which he was caught redhanded, before being referred to the Farwaniya police station to face charges.

ISTANBUL: Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi attending the 19th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work yesterday.

Wedding shooter Police are on the lookout for a suspect who fired gunshots during a wedding

ceremony in Sabah Al-Salem. Officers reported to a location where several people reported hearing heavy gunfire. They found empty bullet cartridges at the scene, but the shooter was nowhere to be found. An investigation has been launched.

Adailiya stabbing A young man is facing multiple charges after he stabbed the brother of a girl he was harassing in public. The incident took place at a park in Adailiya where the siblings were spending time with their mother, when a stranger approached and started harassing the girl. This led to a fight between the harasser and the girl’s brother. Police were quick to respond to an emergency call, and were able to apprehend the attacker before he could escape, while an ambulance rushed the victim to the Amiri hospital. The harasser was referred to the nearest police station where attempted murder and sexual harassment charges were pressed against him.

False alarm Police rushed to respond to calls that a dead body was found - only to discover that it was an animal’s body. Jahra security officers accompanied by crime scene investigators went to an area in Kabad where a citizen reported finding torn clothes inside a hole beside what appeared to be a carcass. Investigators discovered that the remains found belonged to an animal.

Biker’s stunts A motorcyclist sustained serious injuries when he fell off his bike while he was performing dangerous maneuvers on the Third Ring Road. Police and paramedics rushed to the scene after the accident was reported, and they rushed the victim to the Mubarak Hospital and he was treated for concussions as well as bone fractures. According to a security source, the accident would have turned worse if it wasn’t for a driver who promptly stopped his car behind the victim to prevent other drivers from hitting him accidently, and stayed there until the ambulance arrived.

Drunk attacks police A drunkard faces criminal charges after he attacked police officers while they tried to arrest him in Fahad AlAhmad. Police rushed to the parking lot of the local co-op society where a caller initially reported finding what appeared to be a dead man inside a car. Officers discovered however that the man inside the car had actually passed out. But on waking up, the suspect attacked the policemen which resulted in his arrest.

— Al-Rai, Al-Anba, Al-Qabas

Kuwaiti, Algerian MPs re-affirm support

EQUATE sponsors KISR’s summer training program KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company announced its sponsorship, for the fourth consecutive year, of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) summer training program for high school and university students.

EQUATE said the 34th training course titled ‘Chemistry in Our Lives’ included the participation of over 100 high school and university students who participated in scientific activities in biological science, chemistry, genetics and water resources.

ALGIERS: Visiting Kuwaiti legislators and fellow Algerian lawmakers have re asserted prime role of the MPs in the Arab world in the peoples’ struggle to realize their aspirations for progress and reforms.

MP Mubarak Al-Khurainej, the head of the Kuwaiti-Algerian Parliamentar y Friendship Group and President of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Kuwaiti parliament, noted in remarks that the parliaments in the Arab world should take action to help the peoples’ realize their aspirations at the highest level possible, and with democratic means.

Al-Khurainej, speaking after the third session of the group, expressed satisfaction at the level of parliamentary, political, cultural and economic cooperation between Kuwait and Algeria, and called for boosting further the level of such coordination between the two countries.

He noted significance of such talks and dialogue among the Arab legislators, and affirmed the Kuwaiti MPs’ keenness on cementing the ties with parliaments of brotherly and friendly nations.

For his part, Ibrahim Bou-Lahia, the head of the Algerian parliament foreign affairs committee, said the two sides examined outcomes of the “Arab Spring” events.

The meeting involved Kuwaiti MPs and diplomats.

Earlier, the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Algeria Faisal Saud Al-Deweesh hosted a banquet on Sunday night honoring the visiting Kuwaiti parliamentarian delegation.

The ambassador invited a host of Arab diplomats, officials at the Algerian Foreign Ministry, members of the Algerian parliament, intellectual and cultural personalities, and representatives of the media for the evening.

The head of the Kuwaiti delegation presented commemorative tokens to the chairman of the committee on external affairs, international cooperation, and affairs of Algerian abroad at parliament MP Ibrahim Lihya and to the deputy speaker of the Algerian parliament.

Headed by Al-Khurainej, who chairs the Kuwaiti-Algerian Friendship

ALGIERS: Members of the NA delegation pose with the Kuwaiti Ambassador Faisal Saud Al-Deweesh.

Committee at parliament and the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Kuwaiti delegation also includes Khalid Sultan bin Isa, MP Saad Znaifer Al-Azmi, MP Dhaifallah buRamyah, and Rshood Al-

Ragdan, as well as Ali Abdullah Mohammad Ali. The banquet was hosted at the Kuwaiti ambassador’s residence in the capital, Algiers. —KUNA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Edano to replace gaffe-prone minister

British PM seeks to mend ties with the Kremlin Page 10

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Russia resists Syria sanctions UN says 2,600 dead DAMASCUS: A photo released by the Syrian official news agency (SANA) shows Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad (L) speak officials and project managers as he is shown the final stages of a road project linking the northern city ring road with the southern city ring road around Damascus yesterday. —AFP

MOSCOW: Russia rejected yesterday Western calls for wider sanctions on Syria over its violent crackdown on protests against President Bashar AlAssad, in which the United Nations said 2,600 people have been killed.

A day after France described the lack of a firm UN stance against Damascus as a scandal, President Dmitry Medvedev said recent US and European sanctions on Syria meant “additional pressure now is absolutely not needed in this direction.”

Russia and China, veto-wielding members of the United Nations Security Council, have resisted efforts by Washington and its European allies to step up the international response to Syria’s repression of nearly six months of protests.

Assad has reacted to the uprising, inspired by revolts which have toppled three North African leaders this year, with military assaults on protest centers and mass arrests.

Syrian opposition group Sawasiah said on Sunday 113 civilians had

been killed in the last week, during which activists and diplomats say Syrian forces stepped up raids to detain protest coordinators.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three people were killed yesterday.

It said a father and son died during an operation by security forces in the town of Rastan, north of Hama, and a 12-year-old boy died when forces fired at a funeral in the Damascus suburb of Duma.

Residents and activists reported that several thousand soldiers and hundreds of armoured vehicles had massed in the last 24 hours in areas north of the city of Hama which had seen large protests calling for Assad’s removal.

Damascus blames armed groups for the violence. Assad’s media adviser Bouthaina Shaaban, speaking on a trip to Moscow yesterday, gave a lower death toll than the United Nations and said half of the fatalities were among security forces. “According to our informa-

tion, 700 people were killed on the side of the army and police and 700 on the side of the insurgents,” Shaaban told reporters through a translator. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said the United Nations figure was based on “reliable sources on the ground”.

“The number of those killed since the onset of the unrest in mid-March ... has now reached at least 2,600,” Pillay told the UN Human Rights Council. She did not identify the sources. Syria has barred Pillay’s investigation team and most foreign journalists from entering the country. Syria had also repeatedly blocked UN efforts to get human rights monitors into the country, UN humanitarian affairs chief Valerie Amos said.

France, Britain, the United States, Germany and Portugal have circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution that called for sanctions against Assad, influential relatives and close associates, but it met resistance from Russia and China. “I think it’s a scandal not to have a clear position of the UN in such a terrible crisis,” French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Sunday. “We think that the regime has lost its legitimacy. We think that it’s too late to implement a level of reform. We should adopt in New York a very clear resolution condemning the violence.” Medvedev said Russia believed any resolution must be “tough but balanced, and addressed to both sides in Syria”, and that it must not automatically lead to further sanctions because “there is already a large number of sanctions

against Syria.”

Syrian demonstrators have demanded international protection to stop civilian killings, but there has been no hint in the West of any appetite for military action along the lines of the NATO bombing that helped topple Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi. Intervention would be a daunting prospect in a country in the heart of the volatile Middle East.

Syria has three times Libya’s population, supports Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups and has a strong alliance with Iran. It remains formally at war with Israel, retains influence in Lebanon and has a sizeable Kurdish minority in its east.

After talks in Damascus with Assad, Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby said they had agreed on a series of measures that he would present to league member states to help end the violence. Assad has announced some reforms such as ending emergency law and launching a “national dialogue”. Opponents say these have made little difference.

Residents and local activists said thousands of troops and hundreds of armored vehicles were gathered yesterday near the main highway leading to Turkey and in the Al-Ghab Plain to the northwest of the city of Hama, as well as other areas. An armored force drove into Al-Ghab Plain in the morning and fired heavy machineguns at Sunni Muslim villages around the ancient Roman ruins of Aphamea and nearby villages, they said.

“This is the second incursion into the area around Aphamea in less than a month because protests resumed since their last attack,” a local activist said. Among hundreds of Syrians arrested in recent days was leading psychoanalyst Rafah Nashed, 66, who has been treating people traumatised by the mounting repression, her friends said. Syrian authorities do not comment on arrests but have said in the past that any arrests are made in accordance with the constitution.— Reuters

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Sit-in for cleric from ’93 NY attack in Egypt CAIRO : Around 100 Islamists protested Sunday near the US Embassy in Cairo against the detention of Egyptian-born Sheik Omar AbdelRahman, serving a life sentence in the US for a plot to blow up New York City landmarks. Known as the “Blind Sheik,” he was the spiritual leader of men convicted in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Supporters of the 73 yearold sheik say they will not end their sitin until he is repatriated to Egypt on humanitarian grounds.

Abdel-Rahman is diabetic and while in prison has waged hunger strikes and shunned his insulin. His son, Mohamed, told reporters on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

that Abdel-Rahman was a victim of ousted President Hosni Mubarak’s anti-Islamist policies, and that Mubarak’s close ties to the US helped ensure his arrest. “He’s arrested for being an Islamist and for speaking out about corruption and oppression under Mubarak,” said the sheik’s son.

Sunday’s gathering of conservative Muslims, many of whom are part of Gamaa Islamiya, or the “Islamic Group,” would have been impossible under Mubarak. Also, it was near the heavily fortified concrete gates of the US Embassy in Cairo. The Gamaa Islamiya was a militant organization that fought the Mubarak regime in a bloody insurgency in the 1990s, seek-

ing to establish an Islamic state in Egypt. Thousands of the group’s members were arrested under Mubarak’s nearly three-decade long rule.

Despite not receiving a permit to hold the sit-in - something which was required and seldomly granted under Mubarak - the group met with reporters and played video of the sheik’s past remarks. Riot police drove by the protest in trucks but did not interfere. Egyptian police, discredited and unable to fully take back the streets since the uprising, have been reluctant to crack down on unauthorized protests, fearing any altercation could lead to widespread clashes and re-ignite simmering tensions.

The only visible security presence in the area were the Egyptian security personnel who are stationed around the clock near the US Embassy.

Posters in support of the sheik extended as far as a major street intersection behind two international hotels popular with tourists.

One large poster featured a picture of Abdel-Rahman wearing his trademark black sunglasses. It read: “Open sit-in to support imprisoned scholars and calls for their return to their countries.” The sheik’s 56 year-old wife Aisha Mohamed said his followers view him as a pillar of defiance against Mubarak’s policies, someone who “always speaks the truth, even when

it’s dangerous.” She said she is the second of two wives and has eight children with him. Supporter Aisha Hussein, who named her son after the sheik, was among a dozen women at the sit-in. She spoke in support of the sheik from behind an olive-green face veil. She said she and her family were taking part in the sit-in to highlight Abdel-Rahman’s calls for Egypt be a country that follows Islamic law, known as Sharia, rather than its current mostly secular system. “We should start with the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad’s ways. Then when people understand the religion and its core, we can begin to follow Sharia law,” she said.—AP

Israel’s leaderless Labor party votes for new chief Party now reduced to eight seats

WASHTATA: A National Transitional Council (NTC) fighter calls his comrades for the noon prayer from atop a truck with a mounted anti-aircraft artillery in Washtata on the road to Bani Walid yesterday after fighters backing the new regime in Libya met strong resistance the previous day in the Libyan oasis town of Bani Walid, where they came under sniper fire from forces loyal to Moamer Gaddafi. —AFP

Civilians flee besieged pro-Gaddafi town NEAR BANI WALID: Civilians poured out of the Libyan town of Bani Walid yesterday fearful of new fighting between Muammar Gaddafi’s forces and besieging government troops, an AFP correspondent reported. But many more residents remained trapped inside the desert town, 180 kilometres (110 miles) southeast of Tripoli, for want of fuel for their vehicles, those fleeing said. Dozens of cars and pick-ups crammed with families desperate to escape the fighting for the Gaddafi bastion crossed the front lines and entered territory held by forces loyal to the new government.

Fighters of the National Transitional Council (NTC) made little effort to check the identities of those leaving as they passed through the checkpoints, the AFP correspondent said.

“Families are scared to death by this war,” said Mohammed Suleiman as he drove through with 10 relatives crammed into the back of his white BMW. Ezzedine Ramadan said the ferocity of Sunday’s exchanges had prompted him leave the oasis town.

“Gaddafi’s men were firing indiscriminately from the hills and rebels responded,” he said as he drove through with his family. “We are expecting another attack today, so we left,” he told AFP. His wife Ibtissam said they had been forced to leave behind her brother. “I am scared for those families stuck in the middle because there is no petrol,” she said, adding that food and medicines were also scarce in the town. NTC fighters said they were giving civilians in Bani Walid a chance to get out before launching a new offensive reinforced by fighters from all over Libya.

“The families have been coming out in the morning. We broadcast messages overnight telling them to leave,” said Jamal Gurian. One resident said that they fled because pro-Gaddafi local broadcasters warned overnight that any area in which rebels were sighted would be shelled by old regime loyalists. “The local radio threatened to bomb any area

where there are rebels and any family who helped them,” said Ramadan Abdelrahman, a father of eight, adding he had lost a nephew on Saturday when Gaddafi snipers fired at his home.

Abdelrahman said Gaddafi’s forces are concentrated in the centre of the town while sharp shooters are perched on high public buildings and in the hilltops.

Loyalists left a northern checkpoint unmanned giving him a way out.

Another resident on the run, Mohammed Uthman Jumaa, said that Gaddafi forces still controlled checkpoints in the west and the south. NTC commander Abdullah Abu Ussara accused Gaddafi fighters of trying to prevent civilians from leaving. “We want the families to leave but Gaddafi’s forces want to keep them as human shields.

“Yesterday’s resistance was fierce and powerful but today we are bringing in our best fighters,” he said, adding: “Most remnants of Gaddafi’s forces and mercenaries are in Bani Walid.” Abu Ussara said there were no immediate orders for an all-out assault as the topography of the sprawling oasis town with its numerous small hills made rapid progress difficult.”It is a challenge but we will advance gradually to gain the high ground,” he said.

A medic at a field clinic outside Bani Walid said that at least 10 people had been killed in the fierce exchanges on Sunday. “ We received 10 killed and almost 20 injured, among them a woman with chest wounds,” said surgeon Riba Ahmed. Skirmishes on Friday night had seen four fighters loyal to the new regime killed and 26 wounded. Ahmed admitted grimly that the clinic had also admitted a captured Gaddafi fighter who showed clear evidence of reprisals by his captors. “Also I received one prisoner and, to be honest, there were signs of torture,” the surgeon said. “There were marks of numerous beatings to his back probably caused by sticks. “After what what I saw, I’m afraid that we are replacing one Gaddafi for another.”—AFP

Egypt military to widen state of emergency CAIRO: One of Egypt’s ruling generals said yesterday the military will expand a state of emergency because of a “breach in public security ” after protesters stormed Israel’s embassy and clashed with police, the state news agency reported. The ruling military council issued a decree to widen the scope of the emergency law-restricted by ousted president Hosni Mubarak to narcotics and terrorism cases-to target labour strikes and the “spread of false rumors.”

It will also target acts that “disrupt traffic,” the official MENA news agency reported. That could possibly outlaw many of the regular protests held after an uprising overthrew Mubarak in February. “Widening the scope of crimes liable under the emergency law along with terrorism and narcotics is the result of the security conditions the country is

undergoing and the breach in public order,” the agency quoted General Mamduh Shahin as saying.

The general, a member of Egypt’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, stressed the “necessity of confronting thuggery and all who threaten Egypt’s security and harm its reputation abroad.” Those arrested under the law face emergency state security courts, which critics say are unfair and result in harsh sentences. Protesters clashed with police overnight on Friday after demonstrators stormed a high-rise building housing the Israeli embassy and dumped thousands of documents from a balcony.

Three protesters were killed in the clashes, which left more than 1,000 people wounded. Israel’s ambassador and many of his staff were evacuated out of the country.—AFP

JERUSALEM: A former defense minister, a one-time TV journalist, an ex-mayor and a scion of one of Israel’s top political families faced off yesterday in a fight for the leadership of the Labor party. The once-mighty party, now reduced to eight seats in the 120-member parliament, has been without a chairman since Defense Minister Ehud Barak jumped ship in Januar y to form the centrist “Independence” movement.

Polls across the country opened on schedule at 10:00 am (0700 GMT) and were to remain open for 12 hours with results expected around midnight (2100 GMT). A Labor party statement said that by 5:00 pm (1400 GMT) 29 percent of those eligible to vote had done so. Historically the bulk of voters tend to turn out in the evening, after work. The 66,310 Labor members eligible to vote in the primary were choosing between Shelly Yacimovich, Amir Peretz, Isaac Herzog and Amram Mitzna. Peretz, 59, and Yacimovich, 51, are considered the front-runners.

Speaking to reporters as she prepared to vote in Tel Aviv, Yacimovich said it was a twohorse race and asked Herzog and Mitzna voters not to split the ballot. “ The choice at the end is between two candidates, either me or Amir Peretz,” she said. “That is the message, don’t waste votes.”If none of the candidates wins 40 percent of the poll, a second round will be held on September 21. Whoever wins is unlikely to be fighting a general election anytime soon. The next parliamentary poll is scheduled for 2013 and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rightwing coalition is considered stable,

TEL AVIV: Israel’s Labor party candidate and former journalist Shelly Yacimovich holds a ballot with her name before casting her vote in a fight for the leadership of the Labour party in Tel Aviv yesterday as polls across the country opened in the morning with results expected at around midnight local time.—AFP with command of 66 parliamentary seats. “Labor is now a small opposition party with dreams of becoming medium-sized,” the left-leaning Haaretz daily wrote yesterday, adding that the winner of the primaries would be the seventh Labor leader in a decade.

“This is a party that devours its leaders and spits them out,” it wrote. In its 1969 heyday, Labor held 56 parliamentary seats.

Formerly a leading journalist and television presenter who was elected to parliament in 2006 under Peretz’s patronage, Yacimovich has been enjoying the support of the Israeli media,

praised for her clear social agenda and hailed as the faltering Labour party’s last hope.

Peretz, who once headed Israel’s Histadrut trade union federation, was defence minister during the 2006 Lebanon War which claimed the lives of 1,200 people in Lebanon, mainly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, and was widely considered a failure by Israelis. He gave up the portfolio the following year, after losing to Barak in a party leadership battle.

Herzog, who has held several cabinet posts, is the son of Israel’s sixth president Haim Herzog, and his aunt was married to noted

Israeli diplomat and statesman Abba Eban.

While many deem him a talented administrator, many also consider that he lacks the charisma needed to lead the party’s rehabilitation. Mitzna, a retired general, has served as mayor both of the northern port city of Haifa and the gritty southern town of Yeroham. He won the November 2002 Labor leadership contest but quit the job six months later after taking his party to what was then its worst defeat since the country was founded in 1948, ending up with just 19 parliamentary seats.—AFP

Turkish PM, Abbas in Egypt ahead of Palestinian UN bid

BEIRUT: International activists and officials attending a conference in Beirut on cluster bombs, which have killed or maimed tens of thousands of people worldwide, look at munitions launched by Israel during its 2006 invasion of Lebanon, during a tour of a Lebanese army barracks in the southern town of Nabatiyeh yesterday on the sidelines of the gathering of representatives of countries that have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions.—AFP

Activists unite in Lebanon against killer cluster bombs BEIRUT: Hundreds of activists and officials from across the globe gather in Beirut yesterday with one aim in mind-to rid the planet of cluster munitions which have killed or maimed tens of thousands of people worldwide. The conference, which runs through Friday, joins representatives of 80 of the 100 or so countries that have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty which calls for the eradication of the deadly weapons.

“This meeting will serve to put the focus on the importance of states urgently implementing all aspects of this treaty,” said Steve Goose, chairman of the Cluster Munition Coalition which plays a major role in demining around the world. “This includes stockpile destruction, victim assistance and the clearance of contaminated land around the world,” Goose told AFP. “We already have eight (member) states who completely

destroyed their stockpiles and we have many others that are already far along, even though the treaty is less than two years old.”

The Cluster Munition Coalition, which groups more than 350 non-governmental organizations, estimates that 28 countries are still affected by cluster munitions-bombs that split open before impact and scatter multiple submunitions, often hundreds, the size of tennis balls. Many cluster bombs fail to explode immediately, lie hidden for years and kill and maim civilians, often unsuspecting children who mistake the weapons for toys, for years after the original conflict is oversuch as in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

More than 100 countries, including Lebanon, have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which entered into force on August 1, 2010. The first meeting of states parties to the convention was held in November 2010 in Laos. —AFP

CAIRO: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday kicked off an ‘Arab Spring’ tour in Egypt, where a diplomatic flurry is underway ahead of a Palestinian push to win UN statehood and as Israel’s regional ties hit a new low. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is also visiting Cairo to attend an Arab League meeting later yesterday and for talks with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton who stopped in Egypt on her way to Israel. Erdogan will also visit Tunisia and Libya, where popular uprisings such as that in Egypt have toppled long-standing autocratic regimes, as he bids to forge stronger ties with Arab nations as Ankara’s relations with Israel sour. Turkey has expelled the Israeli ambassador over the storming by Israeli naval commandos last year of a convoy of ships trying to reach Gaza in defiance of the blockade, killing nine Turks.

Egypt’s relations with Israel also worsened, with protesters ransacking the Jewish state’s embassy in Cairo on the weekend forcing the ambassador to flee after the killing of six Egyptian policemen on their common border last month as Israel hunted militants after a deadly attack. The Palestinians’ determination to push for UN membership has triggered wide concerns in Israel, where Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday called for the 15-member inner security cabinet to convene for a debate on Israel’s complex regional relations.

A strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, Erdogan arrives late yesterday in Cairo and the next day he will address a ministerial meeting of the Arab League and hold talks with top Egyptian officials aimed at boosting ties.

State television said Abbas and Ashton arrived separately in Cairo and quoted top Palestinian official Nabil Shaath saying that the diplomatic flurry was a “positive” sign for the UN membership bid.

Yesterday evening Abbas will attend a special Arab League committee meeting devoted to the PalestinianIsraeli crisis, just days before heading to New York to seek UN membership for Palestine. Abbas is expected to submit a formal request on September 20 for the United Nations to accept Palestine as its 194th member. Washington said it would veto any bid to the Security Council, arguing that a Palestinian state should be set up only through negotiations. If that happens the Palestinians say they will turn to the General Assembly, where they expect to easily win votes to upgrade their representation from observer body to non-member state. Abbas told a Jordanian newspaper the Palestinians will bid for UN membership “despite the obstacles and dangers, including US threats to halt 470 million dollars in annual assistance.” —AFP

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Pawlenty endorses Romney for president WASHINGTON: Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty endorsed exrival Mitt Romney for the US Republican presidential nomination yesterday and was promptly named a national co-chairman of the Romney campaign. Less than a month after ending his own bid for the White House, Pawlenty told Fox News that Romney, a former Massachusetts gov-

ernor, is unmatched in his skills and experience at creating jobs and igniting the economy.

“I believe he’s going to be our party’s nominee and I think he’s going to be a transformational and great president,” Pawlenty said. The endorsement came as Romney’s one-time role as Republican front-runner is being supplanted by strong support for Texas

Governor Rick Perr y, a Tea Party favorite who polls now show leading the Republican field. As a candidate, Pawlenty was known for his appeal to independent voters wary of more conservative candidates in a general election against Obama.

The Romney campaign separately issued a statement naming Pawlenty as a national co-chairman of his cam-

paign. “It is an honor to have Governor Pawlenty’s support,” Romney said. “ Tim will be a trusted adviser as I move forward with my campaign.”

Once seen as a strong contender for the Republican nomination to face Democratic President Barack Obama in the November 2012 election, Pawlenty dropped out of the race on Aug. 14 after a disappointing showing

in the Iowa straw poll, a test of early strength among party candidates.

Before his departure, Pawlenty had sought to bolster his own chances by criticizing Romney ’s support for healthcare reform in Massachusetts with the term “ObamneyCare”-an attempt to link Romney to the Obama healthcare reforms that are unpopular with Republicans. —Reuters

Retired general leads in Guatemala election

SANTIAGO: A demonstrator throws stones to riot police in Santiago on September 11, 2011, during clashes following a demonstration in remembrance of late President Salvador Allende, who died during the 1973 military coup d’etat led by general Augusto Pinochet. —AFP

Violent protests in Chile on coup anniversary SANTIAGO: Anti-government protesters clashed with police into the early hours yesterday, leaving a 15-year-old girl seriously wounded and 280 people under arrest in demonstrations marking the anniversary of a 1973 military coup. “We had a not very peaceful night,” Rodrigo Ubilla, the under secretary of the interior, said yesterday. “There were barricades and blocked roads at more than 350 locations.”

The incidents began early Saturday and continued into the early hours yesterday, leaving 280 people under arrest and 40 police officers injured, he said. A 15-year-old girl suffered a gunshot wound in the stomach at a barricade outside her house in southern Santiago, witnesses said. Protesters set fire to barricades and clashed with police in neighborhoods on the edge of the city and at some locations in downtown Santiago.

Power was shut off to 130,000 homes during the weekend.

The disturbances come amid rising labor and student protests against the

conservative government of Sebastian Pinera, and coincided with the anniversary of the bloody coup that brought to power General Augusto Pinochet on September 11, 1973. On Sunday, a peaceful march to remember the more than 3,000 people killed during the military dictatorship turned violent when a group of hooded assailants attacked police guarding the city’s main cemetery.

Protesters hurled stones and sticks at the police, set fire to tires and other objects and attacked journalists and photographers at the scene, while police turned water hoses on the protesters and used tear gas to disperse them. “The legitimate right of the families and people to commemorate September 11 cannot be wrapped up in violence of this kind,” said Ubilla, calling for public condemnation of the violence. Pinochet, who remained in power for 17 years, died December 10, 2006 at age 91.

Although he was later charged with human rights abuses and illegal enrichment, he was never convicted. —AFP

Seven oil workers found alive in Gulf of Mexico VERACRUZ, Mexico: Seven of 10 oil workers missing in the Gulf of Mexico were found alive Sunday, according to Mexico’s state oil company, three days after evacuating their disabled rig in a tropical storm and escaping in an enclosed life raft. Two bodies also were found but have yet to be identified, and rescuers are still searching for one worker who remains missing, Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, said in a statement.

Pemex identified the survivors as two Americans, Jeremy Parfait and Ted Derise, Jr., both of Louisiana, Kham Nadimuzzaman of Bangladesh (who later died) and Mexicans Ruben Velasquez, Eleaquin Lopez, Luis Escobar and Ruben Lopez Villalobos. They were found 51 miles (82 kilometers) off the coast of the gulf state of Campeche by the ship Bourbon Artavaze and taken by helicopter to the Campeche port city of Ciudad del Carmen, where they were admitted to a Pemex regional hospital.

The fate of the other two Americans, who have been identified previously as Craig Myers and Nick Reed, also of Louisiana, was not clear late Sunday.

The oil company and the M exican Navy, which assisted in the search and rescue, provided no other immediate details. It was not known how the sur-

vivors and bodies were found or whether they were still in the life boat.

There was also no word on the condition of the survivors.

All were working for Houston-based Geokinetics Inc. on a liftboat owned by Trinity Liftboat Services based in New Iberia, Louisiana. All four Americans were from the New Iberia area, including Reed, who is the son of liftboat company owner Randy Reed. Geokinetics spokeswoman Brenda Taquino could not reached for comment Sunday night.

A woman who answered the phone at Trinity Lifeboat Services said the company can’t confirm details about the workers being found. A girl who answered the telephone at the home of Ted Allen Derise Sr. said she was the sister of the rig worker but wouldn’t give her name.

“It’s good news to us but we’re still praying for the other people,” she said.The oil workers called for help Thursday afternoon in the middle of Tropical Storm Nate, which disabled their vessel, the Trinity II, a 94-foot (29-meter), 185-ton liftboat, that can lower legs to the sea floor and then elevate itself above the water level.

This one was being used as a recording vessel and housing for the crew, and it was in waters about 25 feet (8 meters) deep. —AP

GUATEMALA CITY: A former military general known for his “iron fist ” campaign to stop Guatemala’s epidemic crime rates leads the field of 10 candidates in Sunday’s presidential election.

Voters disappointed in outgoing President Alvaro Colom’s failure to reduce crime have indicated that Otto Perez Molina may be the best person to lead the charge in a nation with one of the highest murder rates in the Western Hemisphere.

“I’m voting because it’s my duty, because I’m Guatemalan but also so we can get under control all of the violence, corruption, impunity and lack of employment in my country,” said 68-year-old veterinarian Luis Eduardo Rodriguez Contenti.

Rodriguez works in Guatemala’s violent northern region of Peten, where 27 people were decapitated in an assault in March that authorities attribute to the Zetas drug gang, a Mexico-based organization that has expanded across the border.

“My business has fallen by 60 percent, especially after what happened in March,” Rodriguez said. The president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Maria Eugenia Villagran, estimated the turnout to be higher than 50 percent. Polls closed Sunday evening and officials said vote counting had begun.

In the most recent polls, Perez had the support of as many as 48 percent of voters, followed by businessmen Manuel Baldizon with 18 and Eduardo Suger with 10 percent. All are right-leaning.

Perez needs more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a November runoff. The winner takes office in January. “Let’s not exclude the possibility that we could win in the first round,” Perez said after casting his vote in a local school Sunday. “It will be the will of God and the Guatemalan people, but let’s not

rule it out.”

There were sporadic reports of violence related to the vote, but nothing like in 2007 when Perez narrowly lost to Colom. That campaign was marred by a wave of violence that left more than 50 candidates, party activists and their family members dead. Police spokesman Donald Gonzalez said Sunday that unknown assailants opened fire on the headquarters of Perez’s Patriot Party in San Miguel Chaparron, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) east of

according to a repor t by the World Bank. Perez, who lost to Colom in 2007, would be the first former military leader elected president since democracy was restored in the country in 1986, after the military dictatorships of the 1970s and ‘80s.

A UN -sponsored truth commission found that 200,000 people were killed in Guatemala’s 36 year civil war, 93 percent of them by state forces and paramilitary groups. Nonetheless, many credit Perez as having played a key role

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Mayan activist Rigoberta Menchu, who is polling with little more than 2 percent. Baldizon, a tycoon-turned-political populist, has promised to employ the death penalty, now rarely used, and to televise executions. Suger, who built a network of private universities, is an open defender of neoliberalism, the policy of relying on private enterprise and a market-driven approach to economic and social problems, which also stresses liberalized trade and

GUATEMALA CITY: Guatemalan candidate for the Renewed Democratic Liberty party (LIDER) Manuel Baldizon (C) and his vice presidential candidate Raquel Blandon (R) give a thumbs up as they greet the press yesterday in Guatemala City. —AFP Guatemala city. A security guard at the headquarters died, as well as the body guard of the mayoral candidate for the rival National Unity for Hope.

Police are investigating the details of what happened.

Violence is epidemic in this nation of 14.7 million people, and organized crime has overrun many regions. Guatemala has a murder rate of 45 per 100,000,

Utah massacre site dedicated as national landmark SALT LAKE CITY: The Utah site of a wagon train massacre at the hands of a Mormon militia was dedicated Sunday as a national historic landmark 154 years to the day after the tragedy occurred. About 350 people watched as plaques were presented to mark the Mountain Meadows Massacre Historic Site. Mormon leaders in the past had downplayed the faith’s role in the massacre, but in recent years joined the campaign for a monument.

The 760-acre (300-hectare) site is where 120 members of a wagon train traveling from Arkansas were shot and killed by a Mormon militia on Sept 11, 1857. The Baker-Fancher wagon train stopped in the meadows on its way to California when it was attacked. The presidents of the Mountain Meadows Monument Foundation, Mountain Meadows Association and Mountain Meadows Massacre Descendants led a prayer and then read the names of each victim and survivor of the wagon train. The descendant organizations worked for nearly a decade to elevate the meadows to historic landmark status. In 2008, the Mormon church took the lead in pushing for the landmark designation, filing the application with the parks service.

Government officials, church leaders and descendants of the pioneers spoke at the dedication ceremony, which took place under sunny skies two months after the US Interior Department upgraded the site’s status to a historic landmark.

Zion National Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth hailed the designation, saying it represents a “reconciliation” among different groups involved. Historic landmarks have “exceptional value and quality” in teaching Americans about their past, he added. “Each national historic landmark is an indispensable chapter in our national story,” he told the crowd. “They include the shining episodes, but they also include the darkest and most difficult, even the one that occurred here 154 years ago today.”

Leaders of the descendant groups said the designation cements a new, hard-won partnership between them and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that will preserve the massacre story far into the future. “It’s very exciting and very comforting because there was a time when it (landmark designation) was not popular with the folks out here,” Phil Bolinger, the Arkansas president of the Mountain Meadows Massacre Foundation, told The Associated Press on Sunday. Bolinger, a collateral descendant of nearly 40 of the victims in the wagon train, said there are few direct descendants because so few members of the emigrant party survived. “Our ancestors were in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said. “Very few families (in the wagon train) were fortunate enough to have survivors.”

Seventeen young children survived and were taken into Mormon homes. The children were later returned to relatives in the southeast. —AP

in the march toward democracy, including negotiating the 1996 peace accords that ended the conflict.

Seventy-five percent of Guatemalans live in poverty, and the indigenous and rural poor who were most hurt by the war are also bearing the brunt of the current violence.

Among a field of 10 candidates, the only leftist running is

relatively open markets.

Perez’s strongest opponent was barred from running. Sandra Torres, Colom’s ex-wife, was declared ineligible by the Supreme Court because the constitution bars family members of the president from running.

Torres divorced Colom before declaring her candidacy, but the courts saw the move as a maneuver to evade the law. —AP

No charges against three detained at Detroit airport MICHIGAN: Police temporarily detained and questioned three passengers at Detroit ’s Metropolitan Airpor t on Sunday after the crew of the Frontier Airlines flight from Denver reported suspicious activity on board, and two F16 jets shadowed the flight until it land-

ed safely, airline and federal officials said.

The three passengers who were taken off the plane in handcuffs were released Sunday night, and no charges were filed against them, airpor t spokesman Scott Wintner said. —AP

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Uganda frees Kenyan activist held over Kampala blast KAMPALA: Uganda yesterday freed a Kenyan human rights activist arrested last year in connection with a Kampala bomb attack by Somalia’s Al-Qaedalinked Al-Shabaab insurgents after the state prosecutor dropped murder and terrorism charges against him, his lawyer said.

Al-Amin Kimathi, who heads the Muslim Human Rights Forum in neighboring Kenya, was arrested in the Ugandan capital last September after travelling to the east African country

to witness court hearings of eight other Kenyan suspects extradited to Uganda, also facing murder and terrorism charges.

Ben Cooper, Kimathi’s lawyer, told Reuters a high court judge informed them at the start of his trial in the capital Kampala that the state had dropped all charges against him. “The judge told us the state has decided to withdraw charges against him,” Cooper said. “After one year in prison and a lot of suffering the state has finally real-

ized that they have no evidence against him.” They were extradited to Uganda after being accused of involvement in twin blasts that ripped through crowds watching the soccer World Cup final in July 2010 in Kampala, killing 79 people and wounding several dozen.

Somalia’s al Shabaab movement claimed responsibility, saying it was retribution for Uganda’s troop deployment to the African Union peace keeping mission in Mogadishu. The east

African country forms the bulk of the AU-mandated AMISOM peace keeping force that is shoring up the teetering Transitional Federal Government (TFG). “Al-Amin travelled to Uganda to defend the rule of law and he ended up being a victim of lack of the same,” Cooper said.

The state prosecutor did not respond to calls to explain reasons for dropping the charges. Cooper said Kimathi had been released alongside another Kenyan, a Somali and two

Ugandans facing the same charges. In the months following the blasts, Uganda arrested more than 30 suspects of Ugandan and foreign nationalities but has since released most of them and now only 13 remain in custody, according local media.

“Kimathi seems to have been sitting in jail for a year for calling attention to injustices by Kenya and Uganda,” Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. — Reuters

British PM seeks to mend ties with the Kremlin Russia refuses to extradite Litvinenko murder suspect

JOHANNESBURG: Supporters of African National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader Julius Malema protest outside the court in Johannesburg yesterday that found Malema guilty of hate speech for singing an anti-apartheid anthem whose lyrics mean “shoot the white farmer”. —AFP

S African youth leader guilty of hate speech JOHANNESBURG: A South African court found Julius Malema, the ruling ANC’s youth leader, guilty of hate speech yesterday for singing an anti-apartheid anthem whose lyrics mean “shoot the white farmer”. “The singing of the song

by Malema constituted hate speech,” Judge Collin Lamont said in a ruling that banned any future singing of the lyrics.

“No justification exists allowing the words to be sung,” he said, adding that the song runs against racial reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa. “The enemy has become the friend, the brother. Members of society are enjoined to embrace all citizens as their brothers,” the judge said. “This new approach to each other much be fostered.” The ruling echoed previous findings by other courts and the Human Rights Commission, which have declared the song hate speech but done little to stop its use.

After the verdict, some Malema supporters began singing it outside the court, in open defiance of the court order. No action was taken against them.

The hate speech case is unconnected to disciplinary hearings by the African National Congress over other comments by the influential Malema, who faces expulsion from the ruling party over charges he has brought it into disrepute. “ The judgement is also like a public scolding for his behaviour, as he has been seen as this unruly child of the ANC and the party needs to rein him in,” said Joleen Steyn-Kotze, political analyst at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.

“What remains to be seen though is whether his supporters will abide by the ruling and not sing the song.” During Malema’s testimony in May, a parade of top ANC officials came to court to stand by him, but yesterday, neither Malema nor any senior party officials were seen at the court for the ruling. ANC Youth League officials said they would consult their lawyers on whether to appeal. “The decisions that have been delivered today have banned majority of the ANC songs, the heritage of the ANC and the struggle of the people of the Republic of South Africa,” said the youth league’s secretary general, Sindiso Magaqa.

“It’s a hard-hitting judgement that has

wider implications on the constitution and the future of this country.”

The civil case was brought by Afriforum, which sees itself as a rights group for minority whites, arguing that the song’s Zulu chorus, “dubula ibhunu” “shoot the boer”, or farmer-is used to single out whites for violence.

“We are elated about this. It shows that we were right all along that Julius Malema’s behaviour is polarising our community,” chief executive Kallie Kriel told AFP about the ruling. “I don’t think our country can afford a figure like this continuing to polarise communities in the way he does.”

The word “ibhunu”-which is itself derived from “boer” in Afrikaans, the language descended from South Africa’s Dutch colonisers-was a central issue of the trial. Afriforum argued the term “boer” is a derogatory word referring to farmers and whites more generally, but the ANC insisted that “ibhunu” means simply “oppressor” in the context of the struggle against minority rule. “The ANC has never understood ‘dubula ibhunu’ as meaning shooting individuals. It was talking about the context of the enemy under apartheid,” Floyd Shivambu, spokesman for the ANC Youth League, told journalists ahead of the verdict.

Malema’s legal woes have done little to subdue him. On Saturday he accused the government of failing its people, saying: “This is war, and we should fight moving forward. There will be casualties, but I know that we are going to win.”

Malema, 30, has won a following among poor blacks by speaking to their struggles to find jobs and a decent living in a country where unemployment stands at 25 percent. His support helped President Jacob Zuma’s drive to convince the ANC to oust his predecessor Thabo Mbeki from office. Now their relations have soured, with Malema demanding that Zuma support his call to nationalise mines and resettle more white-owned farmland with poor blacks. Malema’s supporters have begun warning that Zuma could follow Mbeki out of power, as the ANC is preparing for a crucial meeting next year that will choose a presidential candidate who is all but certain to become South Africa’s next leader. — AFP

African dirty cash scandal rocks France PARIS: African leaders gave French former president Jacques Chirac and possible presidential candidate Dominique de Villepin $20 million in cash, including to finance elections, a lawyer said yesterday. The money came from several presidents of France’s former African colonies, and was handed over by himself to the centre -right politicians in stages between 1995 and 2005, Robert Bourgi said in an interview with Europe 1 radio.

Insisting he was coming forward now because he wanted a “clean France”, Bourgi said the system of kickbacks had also existed under former presidents Georges Pompidou, Valerie Giscard d’Estaing and Francois Mitterrand. He said he could not estimate how much had been handed over before he became directly involved, but could speak about the deliveries he said he had made to Chirac’s office when he was mayor of Paris and later to Villepin.

“I’d estimate at around 20 million dollars what I handed to Mr Chirac and to Dominique de Villepin,” he told Europe 1,

fleshing out the detail of claims he had already made in a newspaper interview that appeared on Sunday. The allegations, which were furiously denied by Chirac and Villepin, come just seven months before France’s presidential election, in which President Nicolas Sarkozy could face a Villepin challenge from within the right.

Villepin, a suave diplomat best remembered for leading the charge against the Iraq war at the United Nations in 2003, has said the revelations are aimed at derailing his presidential bid. Bourgi, an unofficial long-time pointman between French and African leaders, catalogued what he said were lavish gifts bestowed by African rulers on their counterparts in Paris, including memorabilia to noted Napoleon Bonapar te fan Villepin. On Sunday, Bourgi detailed other gifts, including a watch with 200 diamonds given to Chirac by Bongo.

“A splendid object but difficult to wear in France,” Bourgi said. — AFP

MOSCOW: British Prime Minister David Cameron’s attempt to improve ties with Russia stumbled yesterday when President Dmitry Medvedev bluntly refused to extradite a man wanted for the murder of a Kremlin critic in London five years ago. Cameron, on the first visit by a British prime minister since former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko died in London from poisoning by radioactive polonium-210 in 2006, pitched thriving business ties as a way to improve relations.

But behind the smiles and even a joke about an apparent KGB attempt to recruit Cameron on a trip to the Soviet Union 26 years ago, the trip yielded little apart from just over 200 million pounds ($318 million) worth of announced business deals.

Medvedev illustrated the gulf that remained between London and Moscow by saying he would never extradite the Russian man whom British prosecutors want to put on trial for the murder. “This will never happen,” said Medvedev. Cameron, who is trying to bolster Britain’s weak recovery by boosting exports to fast-growing emerging markets such as Russia, India and China, said Britain’s position was unchanged but that the issue should not hinder trade.

Britain wants prosecute Andrei Lugovoy, an ex-KGB bodyguard, for the murder but Russia says its constitution forbids the extradition.

Lugovoy has denied any link to the murder. “It remains an issue between Britain and Russia and we haven’t changed our position about that, the Russians haven’t changed their position, but I don’t think that means that we freeze the entire relationship,” Cameron said.

Cameron is accompanied by a high-powered 24-strong business delegation, including BP Chairman Bob Dudley, Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Peter Voser and Rolls-Royce Chairman Simon Robertson.

It was unclear whether Cameron raised with Medvedev a raid on BP’s Moscow offices by court bailiffs, which came a day after US giant ExxonMobil signed a deal giving it access to Russian Arctic oilfields that BP had tried to develop.

The main deals announced during the visit included a plan by British home improvements retailer Kingfisher to open nine new

stores in Russia and a memorandum on cooperation between Rolls-Royce and Russia’s atomic energy agency.

Litvinenko’s death sent relations to a postCold War low and bad feeling over the murder runs as deep as ever. Officials on both sides said they expected little concrete progress during Cameron’s visit. But the British govern-

MOSCOW: Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev (R) and British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) speak during their joint press conference as they meet in the Moscow’s Kremlin yesterday. Dmitry Medvedev told David Cameron yesterday that all issues were on the table for the two sides’ first bilateral meeting since 2005. —AFP ment wants to open effective channels of communication to both Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, to reinforce the position of British business in Russia and to encourage respect for the rule of law and reform in Russia.

Putin, who has not met a British leader since 2007, is widely expected to run for president in the 2012 election. “Probably the main result of is that we have made an important step to make our bilateral ties high level, constructive and productive,” Medvedev said. But

US mulls Turkish request for drones ANKARA: The US government is considering a request from Turkey to base a fleet of US Predator drones inside Turkey to carry out operations against separatist Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, the Washington Post has reported.

Citing unnamed senior US military officials, the newspaper reported on Sunday that US President Barack Obama’s administration had not yet made a decision on the request.

According to the newspaper, the US military has flown unarmed surveillance Predators above northern Iraq since 2007 and has shared images with Turkey as part of “a secretive joint crackdown” on Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels.

It said previously undisclosed diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks showed Turkey had become “highly dependent” on the Predators and other spy aircraft in its fight against the PKK. The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has fought for Kurdish self-rule for more than 27 years in a conflict that has killed 40,000 people. All US troops are due to leave Iraq at the end of 2011 meaning the Predator drones would also need to be

Medvedev and Cameron also expressed differences over further sanctions against Syria: Medvedev said there was no need for increase the pressure on President Bashar al-Assad while Cameron said Britain wanted to go further. Four former British foreign ministers urged Cameron on Sunday to raise human rights cases with Medvedev, including what

based outside Iraq from Jan. 1 2012, the paper said. The United States and Iraq have started formal negotiations on whether to keep US troops in Iraq under a training mission are due to leave Iraq at the end of 2011.

Asked whether Turkey had made such a request, a Turkish foreign ministry official said the government never commented on matters related to intelligence or on WikiLeaks. “Turkey is in total cooperation with every country and party to defeat this terrorist problem,” the official said. Turkey, a vital NATO ally for the United States, said last week it would host a NATO early-warning radar system as part of the defences of the Western military alliance.

Last month, the Turkish military launched a series of air strikes and artillery raids against suspected PKK hideouts in northern Iraq in retaliation for a spate of militant attacks against the Turkish military inside Turkey.

Turkey has attacked suspected PKK bases in the mountains of northern Iraq for years and has also launched crossborder assaults. Turkey also has 1,300 soldiers in Iraq under an agreement set up with Baghdad in the 1990s, Iraq says. — Reuters

ANKARA: An exhibition by friends and relatives of Turkish victims of the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup shows yesterday, photographs of people who died, went missing or were tortured, in Ankara. —AFP

they called the “politically motivated detention” of business partners Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev and the death in detention of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.

“These concerns need to be addressed before business can truly flourish,” the former ministers-Malcolm Rifkind of Cameron’s Conservative Party, and David Miliband, Margaret Beckett and Jack Straw of the opposition Labour Party-wrote in a letter to the Sunday Times. —Reuters

Terror suspects in Sweden tied to Islamists STOCKHOLM: Four terror suspects arrested in Sweden at the weekend have ties to the Somali Islamist movement Shebab and were plotting an attack using bombs and firearms, a newspaper reported yesterday. Neither Sweden’s intelligence agency nor the police have confirmed the report, and have released few details about the arrests.

“Police suspect the men were about to carry out a terrorist attack with firearms and bombs,” Gothenburg regional daily GT said in its online edition. “Police sources have told GT the suspects are linked to the terror network Shebab,” the paper said, without disclosing its sources. The Al-Qaeda linked militia has waged a years-long insurgency against Somalia’s weak, Westernbacked transitional government and controls much of the south and centre of the Horn of Africa country.

An elite counter-terrorism unit arrested four people in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second city, and evacuated hundreds of people from a building hosting an art fair “after concluding that there was a threat that could endanger lives or health or cause serious damage,” officials said Sunday. Police then searched the building, breaking open several lockers, the paper said. It is not known why the venue was seen as a target, and art fair organisers have not been given an explanation, GT said.

The paper speculated that it could have been because of a Swedish artist, Lars Vilks, who has received death threats from Shebab for depicting the Prophet Mohammed as a dog. Vilks had said publicly he planned to attend the event but in the end did not. He has faced numerous death threats and a suspected assassination plot since his drawing was first published by a Swedish regional newspaper in 2007, illustrating an editorial on the importance of freedom of expression.

“Wherever you are, if not today or tomorrow, know that we haven’t yet forgotten about you,” a Swedish Shebab member, Abu Zaid, said in a video, according to US monitoring group SITE in November 2010.

According to Swedish news agency TT, the four suspects arrested late Saturday are aged 23 to 26 and are residents of Gothenburg. Three of the men are born in Africa and the fourth in the Middle East, it said. The man born in the Middle East and two of the Africa-born men are Swedish citizens while another holds a Swedish residency permit, it added.

Swedish intelligence agency Saepo issued a short statement yesterday saying all information concerning the ongoing investigation was classified. “Saepo’s assessment is that there is no cause for widespread concern nor any reason to introduce tighter security measures,” it said. — AFP

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Floods kill 18, displace 100,000 in east India BHUBANESWAR: Heavy flooding in eastern India has killed 18 people and displaced almost 100,000 over the past week, government and aid officials said yesterday, warning of more wet weather to come. The floods were triggered by torrential monsoon rains across Orissa state, causing water levels to rise and overflow river banks, sparking an operation that saw helicopters drop off emergency food packets to help the stranded. “We are face-to-face with yet another bitter flood that has claimed 18 lives with another six people reported missing,” Orissa’s disaster management minister Surya Narayan Patra told AFP. He said the state government had evacuated tens of thousands of people from their waterlogged homes and was enacting relief measures to help a total of 1.7 million people affected by the floods. Orissa’s special relief commissioner Pradeep

Kumar Mohapatra told reporters that access to 877 villages was completely cut off due to rising water levels and that 11,000 houses had been damaged.

“The numbers of people affected have doubled in just a few weeks and there is more rain to come,” said John Roche, India’s country representative for the Red Cross.

“Thousands have lost homes and livelihoods, leaving many wageearners with no choice but to migrate to nearby towns to find work.”

The strength of the annual JuneSeptember downpour is vital to hundreds of millions of Indian farmers and to economic growth in Asia’s third-largest economy which gets 80 percent of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season. Floods in neighboring Pakistan have killed 138 people in the last month and affected up to five million more. —AFP

Lanka against UN sending probe report to rights body GENEVA: Sri Lanka yesterday took issue with a planned UN move to forward a damning report on the country to the Human Rights Council, complaining that Colombo was not notified about the action.

Sri Lanka Minister of Plantation Industries Mahinda Samarasinghe claimed that at a briefing on September 9 UN human rights chief Navi Pillay “had informed a group of countries that a decision had been taken by the Office of the United Nations Secretar y-General to transmit the report” to both her offices and the Human Rights Council.

“The failure on the part of the High Commissioner to inform the concerned state-Sri Lanka-was wholly inappropriate to say the least,” the minister told the Human Rights Council. Asked about Samarasinghe’s claim, Pillay’s spokesman told AFP that “the issue had come up” during the briefing.

The report by a panel of UN experts released in April detailed violations allegedly committed by both the government and Tamil Tiger rebels, “some of which would amount to war crimes

and crimes against humanity”.

The report had called for an international probe into the violations, and asked that the Human Rights Council be invited to reconsider the conclusions drawn during its May 2009 special session on Sri Lanka. During that session, the council had adopted a resolution praising the outcome of the Sri Lanka civil war which saw the defeat of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The text condemned only the Tamil Tigers and “welcomes... the liberation by the government of Sri Lanka of tens of thousands of its citizens that were kept by the LTTE against their will as hostages.”

As an international commission could only be set up with Sri Lanka’s agreement or if ordered by an intergovernmental body, rights activists have been calling for the report to be forwarded to the Human Rights Council to take action. Sri Lanka has slammed the report as “biased”, and a minister in April said that “no one in the civilised world would accept it.” —AFP

Rains test cash-strapped Pakistan after 200 die Families flee flood-hit areas TANDO MUHAMMAD KHAN: Pakistan’s cash-strapped government, struggling to help victims of last year’s devastating floods, faces another major test as monsoon rains, which have already killed about 200 people in recent weeks, sweep across the south.

Flood waters across Sindh province have also destroyed or damaged nearly one million houses and flooded 4.2 million acres since late August , according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Prospects for further flooding would put Pakistan’s unpopular government, already battling Taliban militants, allegations of widespread corruption and public anger over power cuts and poverty, under immense pressure. “ The situation in Sindh is already serious and there will be more flooding and more problems because of these rains,” said meteorology department official Arif Mehmood. Neighboring India has also been hit by floods, which have killed more than 300 people and affected close to nine million since monsoon rains started in June, said the Indian Red Cross.

“As the rain already started a few months ago, in some places, the water has receded... There is fear in some of the states regarding outbreaks of diseases like diarrhoea arising from poor hygiene and sanitation,” said John Roche, country representative for the International Federation of Red Cross. Zafar Qadir, chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, said Pakistan faced a crisis “of great magnitude”. In the town of Tando Muhammad Khan, residents who watched water rise to about eight feet and rush through homes and shops feel helpless. Water has been stagnant for a week in some areas.

NATO-backed police terrorizing Afghans KABUL: Armed groups supported

by NATO and the Afghan government are terrorizing and robbing the people they are supposed to protect, behavior that is building support for insurgents, advocacy group Human Rights Watch said in a report yesterday. Murder, torture, illegal taxes, theft and the gang rape of a teenage boy are among the abuses by government-backed militias, and the NATO-funded Afghan local police, documented in the 102-page report, “Just Don’t Call It a Militia”.

The groups were formed in response to Afghanistan’s downward security spiral, aiming to capitalize on a basic instinct to protect local communities-much like Iraq’s Awakening Council that helped turn the tide of the Iraq war. But a lack of training, vetting, oversight and accountability means armed groups are adding another worry to the lives of ordinary Afghans already struggling with a war that this year has claimed a record number of civilian lives.

“Kabul and Washington need to make a clean break from supporting abusive and destabilizing militias to have any hope of a viable, longterm security strategy,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Poor governance, corruption, human rights abuses, and impunity for government-affili-

ated forces all are drivers of the insurgency.” Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, had reactivated militia networks dating back to Afghanistan’s bloody civil war, the report said, providing money and weapons that have been used with impunity.

Northern Kunduz province has seen a particularly rapid spread, and Human Rights Watch cites the case of four men killed by a militia in the course of a family dispute in 2009.

No one involved had been arrested, because the commander had close ties to police and a local strongman, the report said. Also problematic are the Afghan Local Police (ALP), a flagship project of General David Petraeus, who stepped down as commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan earlier this year.

He described them as one of the most critical planks of a stepped-up push for Afghan security, supplementing the national army and police in areas where they have little presence. There are plans to recruit up to 30,000, using a small salary to formalize local protection networks, though only around 7,000 were in place by August. In some areas this had worked, with locals citing improvements in security, the report said. But in others criminals and insurgents were joining the ALP, getting access to funds and guns.

MARJAH: In this photograph taken on May 25, 2011, US Marines from 3rd Battalion 9th Marines Kodiak Company check for identification of an Afghan Local Police (ALP) or Arbaki in the Kote Tazagul area in Marjah district, Helmand Province. An Afghan police force funded and supported by the United States is getting away with serious abuses including rape and murder, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report published yesterday. —AFP

Among the abuse cases documented in the report was the gangrape of a 13-year-old boy in northeastern Baghlan province by four ALP members, who abducted him in the street and took him to the home of a sub commander. No one has been arrested. In another incident, the ALP were accused of beating teenage boys and hammering nails into the feet of one.

And in southern Uruzgan province, elders who refused to provide men for an ALP unit were detained, and there have been reports of forcible collection of informal taxes. A spokesman of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force defended the ALP as a critical element in improving governance and security at the local level. “ Where relevant, we will endeavor to improve this program and work diligently to correct those observations noted in the Human Rights Watch Report,” Lieutenant Colonel Jimmie Cummings said.

ISAF would work with the Afghan authorities to investigate allegations of mistreatment and abuse of citizens. Some parts of the report were “dated or incorrect”, he said.

Human Rights Watch said that previous attempts to use local defence forces as a shortcut to stability had also been discredited after they spread fear and anger.

They cited the Afghan National Auxiliary Police (ANAP), created in 2006. With minimal training or vetting it was highly corrupt, the report said, while the Afghan Public Protection Force (AP3) in Wardak province became involved in intimidation.

“While there is a need for more security at the village level, the Afghan and US governments should be very careful not to repeat the mistakes of militias past,” Adams said. “If quick corrections are not made, the ALP could end up being just another militia that causes more problems than it cures.” NATO remained committed to helping build institutions that were accountable, another spokesman said. “ISAF welcomes fair criticism and advice and will continue to support the build-up of Afghan institutions, with a view of full accountability and openness,” General Carsten Jacobson told a news conference in the Afghan capital. —Reuters

Some, like 15-year-old student Sonam, were so shaken they concluded conditions were worse than last year’s floods. “The entire blame goes on the government,” she said. Pakistan’s military, which

one would have expected to hit the country already head-deep involved in war against terrorism besides already facing enormous problems including an acute energy crisis and a challenging

emergency loan package, cannot afford heavy losses in the agriculture sector, a pillar of the economy. The 2010 floods killed about 2,000 people and made 11 million homeless in one of Pakistan’s

SINDH: Pakistani policemen baton charge flood affected villagers as they loot flood relief supplies at a government office in Umerkot district of Sindh province yesterday. —AFP has ruled the country for more than half of its history, took charge of rescue and relief operations during last year’s floods, while the government was seen as slow and ineffective. Still, more than a year later, over 800,000 families remain without permanent shelter, according to aid group Oxfam, and more than a million people need food assistance.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner in London, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, told Reuters international support was needed. “The unprecedented torrential rains followed by flooding were the last thing

law and order situation,” he said.

Pakistan may also have lost up to two million cotton bales, or about 13 percent of its estimated crop, due to heavy monsoon rains during harvesting in Sindh, government and industry officials said.

“The water flow to the sea is very slow. The drainage system has choked...the agriculture system could not stand the water pressure. So the devastation became immense,” said Qadir.

Monsoon rains sweep the subcontinent from June to September and are crucial for agriculture. Pakistan, which relies heavily on foreign aid and an IMF

worst natural disasters. One-fifth of Pakistan was then submerged in water-an area the size of Italyand the government faced a $10 billion bill to repair damage to homes, bridges, roads and other infrastructure.

Aid workers expressed fears over possible outbreaks of diseases linked to the new floods, especially among children. “The biggest issue is that they will drink water from anywhere, so water-borne diseases are a threat, especially diarrhoea and cholera,” Sami Malik, a spokesman for the United Nations Children’s Fund, told Reuters. —Reuters

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Australian parliament plans extra sitting for carbon bills CANBERRA: Australia’s parliament has scheduled an extra week of sittings for the upper house Senate in November to help the government pass its landmark laws to put a price on carbon emissions. The government, Greens and independent lawmakers have the numbers to pass the carbon bills, which will be introduced into the lower House of Representatives today, ensuring a carbon tax can

start on July 1, 2012, ahead of a full emissions trade scheme from mid-2015.

Manager of government business Anthony Albanese said the package of 13 bills would be sent to a joint House and Senate inquiry, with a lower house vote then due in the week of October 11, giving lawmakers one month to debate the bills.

“We are absolutely exposing this legislation to full

and proper scrutiny,” Albanese told reporters. The Senate could then pass the laws by mid-November, although the timing of a final vote was a matter for the upper house, Albanese said.

The carbon price is a central policy of Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who is struggling in the polls and who has staked her government’s future on a plan to price carbon emissions from Australia’s top

500 polluting companies. The carbon price is the key measure to help Australia, which accounts for 1.5 percent of global emissions, reach its target to curb emissions by five percent by 2020, based on year 2000 levels. Last week, Gillard and European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso agreed to work towards linking Australia’s carbon market with the EU scheme. — Reuters

Edano to replace gaffe-prone minister PM Noda moves quickly to limit cabinet damage

MOJOKERTO: Medical staff arrange bodies of victims of a road accident at a hosptial in Mojokerto yesterday. A horrific smash between a bus and an overloaded minibus killed 19 people in Indonesia’s east Java province on with police saying they suspected the drivers were speeding.

Indonesia has a poor road safety record with drivers frequently flouting the law. —AFP

Indonesian tycoon to run for president JAKARTA: Indonesia’s second-largest political party Golkar yesterday picked tycoon and power-broker Aburizal Bakrie as its presidential candidate for elections in 2014, it said. Bakrie and his entrepreneurial family are collectively worth billions and run businesses in Indonesia selling everything from telecommunications to coal to education.

But the Bakries and their companies are mired in allegations of corruption and tax fraud. A Bakrie family spokesman has denied any wrongdoing, saying such allegations are “baseless and untrue”.

Bakrie is currently the chairman of Golkar and was chosen as its representative for the next polls at a party board meeting in Denpasar on the island of Bali, officials said. “The entire board of Golkar agreed on one thing-that Bakrie would become our presidential candidate in 2014,” the state news agency Antara quoted Ketut Sudikerta, the chairman of Golkar’s Bali chapter, as saying. The decision will be formalised at a future meeting of national party leaders, he added. Golkar-for decades the party of the dictator Suharto, ousted in 1998 — is part of Indonesia’s coalition government, but is often the fiercest critic and

rival of the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party.

Yudhoyono came to power on anti-graft platform, pledging to tackle Indonesia’s endemic and rampant corruption, but critics say that he has done little to do so in his time in office. Bakrie, one of Indonesia’s richest men, is himself often seen as a threat to reform. He pushed in 2009 for the ouster of one of Indonesia’s most progressive reformers, the then finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, after she was implicated in a controversial bank bailout. She resigned last year.

One of the biggest threats to Bakrie’s presidential aspirations is his family’s gas company, Lapindo Brantas, which is widely blamed for a toxic mud disaster in eastern Java. When Bakrie was ser ving as Indonesia’s social welfare minister, a mud volcano erupted in 2006 near a company drilling site, burying 12 villages and displacing 40,000 people. While the supreme court found the company was not at fault, many international scientists say otherwise.

The company agreed to pay compensation to victims, but has struggled to pay the final instalment.—AFP

Australia’s Gillard seeks to revive Malaysia asylum deal CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday revived a controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Malaysia after the high court ruled against the policy last month, sending support for her minority government to new lows. Gillard, who has been fending off speculation about her leadership after the high court ruling left her immigration policy in disarray, said the government would change migration laws to circumvent the court’s objections.

“Malaysia offered the best answer to the issue of asylum seekers and people smuggling them. It offers the best answer now,” Gillard told reporters at parliament. Adding to Gillard’s political problems, police in New South Wales state yesterday announced a new fraud investigation into spending by former union officials, including a government lawmaker accused of spending union money on prostitutes. The lawmaker, Craig Thomson, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and police last week said there was no evidence to warrant a criminal investigation.

But Health Services Union officials gave new information to police yesterday after newspaper reports that other union officials had spent money on personal items in the 1990s. “This will be resolved one way or another, and I’m seeking the assistance of the New South Wales police to do that,” the union’s new national secretary, Kathy Jackson, told reporters. If Thomson is convicted of a crime, he would be forced out of parliament, prompting a by-election which could lead to the government losing its one-seat majority in parliament.

Australia, a nation of about 23 million people, receives up to a few thousand asylum-seekers by boat each year, stirring intense political debate over border security. Under the Malaysian deal, Australia plans to send 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia where their refugee claims would be assessed in return for accepting 4,000 refugees from Malaysia. The arrangement was designed to deter people smugglers who traffic people on leaky fishing boats on an often dangerous journey from Indonesia, as those arriving by boat would have no guarantee of eventually settling in Australia. Gillard’s previous plan, for an offshore processing centre in East Timor, was abandoned when Dili refused to take part.

The high court declared on August 31 the deal was invalid, because Canberra could

not ensure protection for asylum seekers sent to Malaysia.

The plan to change the migration laws faces a difficult passage through parliament, and would need support from the conservative opposition, which has criticized the Malaysian deal and instead wants a detention centre on the Pacific Islands state of Nauru. The Australian Greens, who support Gillard’s minority government and wield upper house balance of power, condemned the government move and said the party would oppose any changes to the migration laws.

“We urge the government to rethink its approach and adopt onshore processing, the Australian solution,” Greens leader Bob Brown said, calling any deal between the government and the conservative opposition an “unholy alliance” in breach of international refugee norms. International law export Don Rothwell said the government could face further legal problems, particularly with plans to amend laws to allow unaccompanied children to be sent to Malaysia to have asylum claims processed.

“There are also common law obligations of guardianship upon the minister in the case of minors whose parents are not exercising control,” said Rothwell, professor of law at the Australian National University.

“Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child are also applicable.” Australia is a signatory to the UN convention on refugees, but Malaysia is not. The convention, agreed in 1951, spells out international legal protection and rights that refugees are entitled to from signatory states. The move by Gillard to revive the policy came as a new poll showed Gillard’s approval rating had fallen six points to 32 percent, the lowest level for a prime minister in 17 years.

The ruling Labor Party could win an election if it reinstalled former leader Kevin Rudd as leader, with support for Rudd more than double the support Gillard, the Age/Nielsen poll revealed. The poll found Gillard’s government would be easily swept from office in an election were held now, although the next election is not due for two more years. Under Rudd, Labor would beat the conservative opposition 52-48 percent, while under Gillard it would be wiped out 42-58 percent, the polls said.

Gillard toppled Rudd in a party-room coup in June 2010.—Reuters

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda chose yesterday former top government spokesman Yukio Edano as the new trade minister, acting to limit the damage to his new cabinet after the previous minister quit over gaffes. Edano will be heading the trade ministry that also oversees energy policy, a key role as Japan works to bring under control the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 25 years after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami set off meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Edano, former chief cabinet secretary under the previous premier, Naoto Kan, is considered to have a good understanding of the nuclear issues and became the government’s face as the radiation crisis unfolded with the frequent broadcasting of his briefings on the plant’s status. “Public support for Noda’s cabinet is unlikely to rise with Edano taking over, but the amount of damage has likely been minimised,” said Tetsuro Kato, a political science professor at Waseda University, adding Edano was a safe choice for Noda.

Previous trade minister Yoshio Hachiro quit on Saturday, only after eight days in his job, following reports that he joked with reporters about radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant during his trip to the affected area. Noda, who took over as Japan’s sixth premier in five years at the start of this month, needed to act quickly because the blunders gave the opposition that controls the parliament’s upper house ammunition to attack the new cabinet.

The 54-year-old former finance minister, who has emphasized the

importance of uniting the fractious ruling party, is set to address parliament in a policy speech today, which will be followed by questions from opposition leaders.

Noda must end the radiation crisis while tackling many challenges, including rebuilding after the

March disaster and curbing huge public debt, and will need opposition cooperation to achieve that.

One of the near-term tests will come next month when the cabinet is expected to prepare and submit to parliament an extra budget of about 10 trillion yen ($128.6 bil-

TOKYO: This file photo taken on April 21, 2011 shows Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano announcing that Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan had declared the 20-kilometre evacuation area around the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant a legal no-entry zone, during a press conference at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo.—AFP

lion) needed to start full-fledged reconstruction in the disasterstruck areas.

The public will be keen to see progress in bringing damaged nuclear reactors at the Fukushima plant to a safe shutdown by January, the process which Edano will oversee. Edano, 47, has said that Japan will need to review its nuclear power policy from scratch after the Fukushima accident tattered public trust in atomic energy.

“Mr Edano has been deeply involved not only in reconstruction issues after the March 11 disaster but also in the issue of Fukushima, so that record must have been valued,” Chief Cabinet Secretar y Osamu Fujimura told a news conference.

Edano will be charged with overseeing power utilities’ stress tests to see how well prepared their nuclear reactors are to withstand the impact of extreme events.

Japan’s nuclear safety watchdog will be under the trade ministry until April. Currently, only 11 out of 54 nuclear reactors are operating after others have been unable to restart following maintenance checks due to heightened public worries.

Noda’s government started out with public support ratings of more than 60 percent in a sign the Japanese public was willing to give the new leader the benefit of the doubt despite bitter disappointment with his predecessor Kan. Kan’s ratings plunged from similar highs to less than 20 percent at the end of his 15-month tenure after he drew fire for his cabinet’s handling of the March disaster and the resulting nuclear crisis. — Reuters

UN nuclear chief warns on post-Fukushima complacency VIENNA: The head of the UN atomic agency warned yesterday against complacency on nuclear safety six months after the Fukushima disaster, as he admitted his draft global “action plan” had been watered down. “We must not lose our sense of urgency,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Yukiya Amano said at the start of a regular five-day board meeting of the watchdog in Vienna, according to the text of his remarks.

Just as he made his comments, French emergency services said that there was a risk of radiation leaking after an explosion in an oven at the Marcoule nuclear site near the southern city of Nimes. The gathering also saw Amano dismiss “greater transparency” by Iran towards IAEA inspectors last month as insufficient to soothe Western worries that Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. On March 11, a 9.0-magnitude quake rocked Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant. The result-

ing 14-metre (46-foot) ocean wave knocked out the power supply, the reactor cooling systems and back-up diesel generators.

The resulting meltdown of reactors forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people and the banning of local farm produce. Six months on, engineers are still fighting to stop radiation leaking out. The scale of the disaster, the worst since Chernobyl in 1986, sparked fresh worries worldwide about the safety of the world’s 440 nuclear power stations in around 30 countries. Europe’s biggest economy Germany, for example, decided to shut down all reactors by 2022, while in June Italian voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum blocking a return to nuclear power.

Amano, who is Japanese, presented to the board a 12-point “action plan” that he said “represents a significant step forward in strengthening nuclear safety.” According to a draft seen by AFP, the 12-point plan

encourages fresh assessments of nuclear plants and of how well countries are prepared for emergencies, as well as more “peer reviews” of reactors by foreign experts.

For some diplomats, however, Amano’s proposals have been watered down too much, most notably by Washington and Beijing, by for example stopping short of making such visits mandatory.

Amano conceded as much, saying that in preparing the proposals, the “wide range of views” expressed by IAEA member states “varied in a number of areas” diplomatic speak for serious differences of opinion. He said that “firm and sustained commitment” was needed from all countries for the full implementation of the action plan, saying that public expectations were high.

“But it is actions, not words, that count,” he said. The board was also due to be given a new and critical report on Iran’s nuclear activities, which many Western countries sus-

pect are aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Amano said yesterday that although Iran had shown “greater transparency” of late, Tehran was “not providing the necessary cooperation” to be able to conclude all its activities were peaceful as the Islamic republic says.

He added that the watchdog was “increasingly concerned” about “activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile”, about which he said the agency continued to receive new information.

Amano said meanwhile that Syria had signalled its readiness to meet inspectors in Damascus next month to discuss a desert site bombed by Israel in 2007 and thought to have been a secret nuclear facility.

On June 9, the IAEA decided to report Syria’s to the UN Security Council after concluding that the Dair Alzour site was “very likely” an undeclared reactor. There are also suspicions it was built with help from North Korea.—AFP

Cambodian premier says Thai ex-PM Thaksin to visit PHNOM PENH: Fugitive former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra will visit Phnom Penh this week for the first time since his sister took power in Thailand, Cambodian premier Hun Sen said yesterday. Thaksin will arrive in Cambodia on Friday, Hun Sen said, following Yingluck Shinawatra’s one-day official visit on Thursday. A meeting between the siblings would risk inflaming Thailand’s political divisions.

The controversial former Thai prime minister, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, is due to play golf with the Cambodian leader and address the Asian Economic Future Conference during his trip. “Apart from being a friend, I will officially host Thaksin as a guest speaker,” Hun Sen said at a graduation ceremony. Thai-Cambodian relations have appeared to stabilise since Yingluck took power, after an eruption of deadly militar y clashes on their shared border earlier this year.

Hun Sen, who has described Thaksin as his “eternal friend” said last month

that the “nightmare” of strained ties with Thailand was over and vowed to work with Bangkok to resolve the row, which centres around a 900-year-old temple. The Hague-based International Cour t of Justice in July asked both nations to withdraw military personnel from around the Preah Vihear temple complex, although neither side has pulled out yet. Yingluck’s rapid rise to victory in Thailand’s July 3 election marks a comeback for her brother, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption and also faces terrorism charges over last year ’s political unrest in Bangkok.

The former telecoms tycoon is widely believed to wield influence over his sister’s fledgling government, which has already drawn fire over opposition claims it helped him travel to Japan recently. The government denies intervening. Thaksin is due to fly to the nor thwestern city of Siem Reap, Cambodia’s popular tourist hub, on September 24.—AFP

JAKARTA: Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (L) and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (R) attend a press conference following their meeting at the presidential palace in Jakarta yesterday. Shinawatra on her first official trip overseas will visit Cambodia and Laos later in the week. —AFP

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NEWS NEW YORK: The Tribute in Light rises over the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan yesterday. — AP

Gaddafi defiant as son flees to Niger Loyalists kill 17 at refinery BENGHAZI, Libya: A defiant Muammar Gaddafi vowed to fight until victory as his forces launched surprise fightbacks on three fronts yesterday and one of the elusive former Libyan leader’s sons, Saadi, fled to Niger. The ferocious counterattacks on a Ras Lanuf oil refinery, near Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte, and at Bani Walid near Tripoli came just a day after Libya’s new leaders declared their government would be formed in the capital within 10 days. “It is not possible to give Libya to the colonists again,” and “all that remains for us is the struggle until victory and the defeat of the coup,” Gaddafi said in a statement read out on Syria-based Arrai Oruba television.

NATO vowed on Monday that there would be no let-up in its bombing campaign against Gaddafi’s remaining strongholds, which also include the southern oases of Waddan and Sabha, as long as they pose a threat. And China, which opposed the NATO air strikes when they were launched in late March, became the latest country to recognise the National Transitional Council (NTC) as Libya’s government, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

But forces loyal to the fugitive Gaddafi sprung a surprise deep behind enemy lines yesterday, killing at least 17 NTC soldiers in a raid on the refinery near Ras Lanuf on the central coast. A doctor at Ras Lanuf hospital said the death toll had risen to 17 after one of two wounded people died. “We heard firing and shelling at around 9 in the morning from Gaddafi loyalists,” refinery worker Ramadan Abdel Qader, who had been shot in the foot, told Reuters. The assault occurred only hours after the NTC announced it had resumed some oil production, which had been all but halted since anti-Gaddafi protests turned into civil war in March.

The oil infrastructure along the Mediterranean coast between Sidra and Brega was a key battleground of the seven-month uprising against Gaddafi, and the frontline between the mainly rebel-

held east and mainly government-held west went back and forth several times.

But since Tripoli’s fall, NTC forces have advanced dozens of kilometres west towards Sirte, which remains in Gaddafi’s hands, and have moved to secure the vital oil infrastructure on which its post-war reconstruction plans depend. Southeast of Tripoli, civilians poured out of the desert town of Bani Walid after intense fighting on Sunday between Gaddafi loyalists holed up in the sprawling oasis and encircling new regime troops.

Many more residents remained trapped inside the town, 180 km from the capital, for want of fuel for their vehicles, those fleeing said. “Families are scared to death by this war,” said Mohammed Suleiman as he passed through a checkpoint with 10 relatives crammed into the back of his white BMW. Ezzedine Ramadan said the ferocity of Sunday’s exchanges had prompted him to leave. “Gaddafi’s men were firing indiscriminately from the hills and rebels responded,” he told AFP, adding: “We are expecting another attack today, so we left.”

Riba Ahmed, a surgeon at a field clinic outside Bani Walid, said at least 10 people had been killed and 20 wounded in Sunday’s exchanges. West of Sirte, an NTC field commander said his forces had met fierce resistance as they advanced towards the city on Sunday.

“We advanced yesterday to a place called Checkpoint 50,” 50 km from Sirte, said field commander Umran Al-Awaib.

“There was strong resistance - we came under fire from a lot of Grads (rockets).”

The unexpected counteroffensive by Gaddafi loyalists came despite the flight to neighbouring Niger of 32 members of Gaddafi’s inner circle during the past 10 days, Niger’s Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said yesterday. “A total of 32 people are now here, including one of (Gaddafi’s) sons, Saadi, as well as three generals,” Rafini said during a meeting with foreign diplomats in Niamey. The

arrivals had crossed the border in four separate groups since Sept 2 and had been taken in by Niger for “humanitarian reasons”, he said.

The most recent arrivals included Saadi and eight other close associates of Gaddafi senior, Rafini added in comments carried by public radio. Other sources told AFP that Saadi “still hasn’t reached (the northern regional capital) Agadez and is somewhere in the desert”.

Muammar Gaddafi, his most prominent son Seif al-Islam and his intelligence chief Abdullah Al-Senussi are all wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. But Rafini said “as far as we are aware, none of the 32 in Niger are being sought on an arrest warrant or being pursued by international justice”. Saadi, 38, the third of Gaddafi’s seven sons and known as a playboy, had last month offered to give himself up “if my surrender stops the spilling of blood”.

In its latest update yesterday, NATO said warplanes under its command had hit 13 targets in and around Sirte, four around Waddan and one near Sabha.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the strikes would go on until the threat to civilians had been eliminated.

“We have seen also during this weekend that remnants of Gaddafi’s regime still constitute a threat to the civilian population,” Rasmussen told reporters in London. “So as long as this threat exists, we will continue,” he added.

In Tripoli, a massive explosion at an arms depot near the international airport wounded two people yesterday, an AFP photographer and witnesses said.

Banks meanwhile prepared to start withdrawing from circulation the 50dinar banknote which bears a portrait of Gaddafi and, with a value of around $40, is Libya’s largest denomination. “The banks have agreed to start withdrawing these notes and handing them in to the central bank,” said Talal Al-Dhagisi, a branch manager of the National Commercial Bank. — AFP

Saleh OKs power transition talks Continued from Page 1 Hadi can “agree on a time frame... and sign” the agreement, according to the decree.

Saleh, who has ruled Yemen since 1978 and has been recovering in Saudi Arabia from a June 3 attack on his presidential compound, also authorised Hadi to begin preparations for early presidential elections to be carried out under regional and international supervision. No date for the elections has so far been set.

Saleh’s current presidential term ends in 2013. Saleh’s party, the General People’s Congress (GPC), asked last week to delegate some of its prerogatives to Hadi to negotiate with the opposition.

Shortly after the announcement of the decree, the spokesman for Yemen’s parliamentary opposition rejected Saleh’s move as a mere delay tactic. “If he was serious he would have signed the initiative himself, or at least given his deputy the authority to sign it immediately,” said Mohammed Qahtan, the spokesman for the Common Forum, a coalition of six political parties that signed the GCC initiative in April.

Since his departure three months

ago, Saleh has refused to hand over power to his deputy or sign the Gulf Initiative. His refusal had angered the plan’s Gulf sponsors who, along with many in the international community, fear that a total melt-down of political order in Yemen could pave the way for Al-Qaeda linked militants to overrun the country.

The GCC plan, proposed last spring, calls on Saleh to step down as president of Yemen and hand over all constitutional authorities to the vice president. In exchange, Saleh would receive amnesty from prosecution for himself and his family. In recent weeks, the United Nations intervened to break the political deadlock and proposed a “road map” for implementing the Gulf initiative, but its efforts failed.

The political stalemate has continued for months alongside widespread anti-government protests that erupted in January, taking an already impoverished country to the brink of total chaos. Since May, the southern province of Abyan has been the focus of violence with AlQaeda-linked militants battling the Yemeni army for control. The militants managed to seize control of three towns, including the capital Zinjibar.

On Sunday, the government declared that its troops “liberated” Zinjibar and rescued a brigade that had been trapped there since May. But officials, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, have confirmed that the military recaptured only the eastern and northern parts of the city and that the clashes are ongoing. In recent days, tensions have escalated in Yemen’s capital Sanaa where government troops fortified their positions while soldiers, loyal to dissident general Ali Mohsen alAhmar, also deployed in areas of the city they now control.

Al-Ahmar, the most prominent general to defect in support of the protesters, has accused Saleh and his loyalists of stoking all out war in Yemen. “Without a doubt, Saleh and the remaining elements of the regime want to drag us into a war in a desperate attempt to cling to power,” he said in an interview published yesterday in the Al-Khaleej daily in the United Arab Emirates. The rampant chaos and violence that has plagued Yemen in recent months has taken a dramatic toll on the civilian population. The UN warned in July of a looming humanitarian disaster if the violence is not stopped and the political deadlock is not resolved. — AFP

Manila eyes ‘blood money’ Continued from Page 1 presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers, said an interagency group he heads will soon recommend to President Benigno Aquino III a policy outlining when and how much “blood money” the government should pay to save citizens facing execution in Muslim countries. Under Islamic law, victims’ relatives can be compensated with “blood money” or “diyya” to stop the execution of a convict.

Joey Salgado, a spokesman for Binay, said Aquino sought a study on “blood money” payments after the relatives of a murder victim in Saudi Arabia sought more than $700,000 (30 million pesos) from the convicted Filipino, much more than the amounts demanded by murder victims’ families in the past. The convicted Filipino, who has appealed for donations through a Facebook account, faces beheading in the next few years, officials said.

The plight of overseas Filipino workers, many of whom travel abroad in search of better opportunities, is an emo-

tional issue that officials have struggled to address. Gary Martinez, who heads the labor group Migrante International, said the government should strengthen legal assistance for Filipino workers facing criminal charges abroad instead of focusing on last-ditch options like “blood money” payments. “Why should we wait to help our distressed countrymen until they’re about to be beheaded?” he said.

Philippine embassies lack lawyers familiar with Islamic laws and are often unable to help Filipinos facing prosecution in Muslim countries, Martinez said. A senior diplomat said more than 10 Filipinos were saved from the death penalty during the nine-year presidency of Aquino’s predecessor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, by paying “blood money” of a few million pesos each that was raised with the help of businessmen. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media. More than 100 Filipinos are on death row overseas, many in Middle Eastern countries, Migrante said. — AP

MPs praise bank for referring accounts Continued from Page 1 Later, the maid had an abortion and an MP used his influence with police by securing the release of the son and ordering the maid to be deported in order to cover up the case, Hayef claimed. The lawmaker called on the minister to take all necessary actions in order to penalize the corrupt MP who used his influence to cover up a crime.

Five MPs meanwhile submitted a major amendment to the election law, proposing reducing the number of

constituencies to one from the current five and suggesting a new voting system. The draft law, signed by the four Popular Bloc MPs Ahmad Al-Saadoun, Barrak, Ali AlDeqbasi and Khaled Al-Tahous, in addition to MP Hassan Jowhar, calls for giving each candidate in the general election a specific number. Voters will elect their candidates by voting for those numbers. According to the proposal, each voter will cast his/her vote in their area of residence and is allowed a maximum of choosing four candidates. The draft law also calls for appointing an independent three-man election commission.

At least 120 dead in Kenyan pipeline fire Continued from Page 1 pipeline that runs through Sinai’s tin shacks.

However, some residents said fuel siphoning in the slum was a common practice.

“It happens whenever the Kenya Pipeline (company) is pumping fuel ... we usually go to get fuel from there,” said Francis Munge. “There are people who know how to open it (a valve) and I don’t know what happened this time for it to burst. Maybe there was a lot of pressure.” Another resident, Kenneth Makau, said: “There is usually a long queue of people getting fuel with jerrycans from that pipeline. It is an open secret because even they (the company) knows it very well. It has been happening.” “The death toll from bodies counted so far is 120. It is likely to rise because of the bodies in the river,” said Philip Kisia, a Nairobi city council official.

Richard Lesiampe, the head of one of the country’s main hospitals in Nairobi, said 109 people were being treated for burns. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga expressed sympathy with the victims. “It is a terrible, terrible situation. It is sad to see our people lose their lives like this,” Odinga said as he toured the slum. Many residents were caught up in the blaze, which started around 0530 GMT, and an AFP reporter at the scene counted scores of charred bodies around the scene. “I have never seen this in my life. I have seen women and children burnt like firewood. The very worst was a woman burned with her baby on her

back,” another local resident, Francis Muendo, told AFP. Some of those whose clothing and hair caught fire jumped into a nearby stream to try to extinguish the flames, but many succumbed to their injuries in the water. Police later placed a net across the stream to prevent the bodies from drifting away. Mutinda said the last of the injured had now been evacuated and he and his colleagues were concentrating on “support and tracing services”.

The sound of ambulance sirens ferrying away the injured for medical care gave way to the shouts of children, some in school uniform, running around searching for their parents. Bystanders covered their mouths to avoid chok ing on the acrid smoke.

Firefighters in protective clothing sprayed chemical foam to try to contain the fire, while both police and soldiers roped off the area and pushed people back from the area.

Houses close to the pipeline were also engulfed in flames, their tin roofs buckling and disintegrating and their badly burned residents evacuated for medical care. Local televisions said scores of burn victims had been taken to hospital, and showed footage of the injured being ferried by ambulance. Fuel leaks and oil tanker accidents in Africa often draw huge crowds scrambling to scoop fuel, resulting in many deaths due to accidental fires. In 2009, 122 people were killed after a fire erupted while they were drawing fuel from an overturned tanker in western Kenya. —AFP

Kuwait boosts oil output to 2.9m bpd Continued from Page 1 states have increased production to meet rising demand and stabilise prices. “If Kuwait and Saudi Arabia had not raised their production in the past four to five months, oil prices would have been at a totally different (higher) level,” he said. “We tried to contribute to the stability of oil prices by raising production but without flooding the market,” Baseeri said. The minister said the markets are “very thirsty for oil”, and based on OPEC figures, “the world will need between 1.5 million bpd and 2.0 million bpd of extra oil in the third and fourth quarters”.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, however, yesterday lowered its world oil demand forecast for 2011 and 2012, citing the poor economic climate. Oil demand for this year was set at 87.99 million barrels per day, down from a previous forecast of 88.14 million bpd, OPEC said in its latest monthly

report. The 12-member cartel blamed the revision on a weakerthan-expected demand in the United States and ongoing effects of the financial crisis, which was dragging down demand in China and India. For 2012, demand was expected to average 89.26 million bpd, down from the August estimate of 89.44 million bpd but still up 1.27 million bpd from 2010, OPEC added.

Busairi, however, said some OPEC and non-OPEC states were producing at their “full capacity”, and that production of some non-OPEC countries has declined and “there is a need to compensate for this shortage”. The new OPEC forecast has dented oil prices. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in October slid $1.22 to $86.02 a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for October delivery shed $1.32 to $111.45 approaching midday trade in London.

Separately, a crude oil distillation unit (CDU) at Kuwait’s Mina Al-

Ahmadi refinery has been shut for maintenance which is expected last about a month, a spokesman for the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) said yesterday. “The unit has been shut exactly last Sunday,” the spokesman for the operator of Kuwait’s three refineries said, adding that the other two CDUs were running normally. The total capacity of the three CDUs in Mina Al-Ahmadi is 466,000 barrels per day (bpd), making it Kuwait’s largest refinery.

A Gulf-based oil trader said the unit under maintenance has a capacity of around 130,000 bpd but said the outage would not impact KNPC’s export commitments. The KNPC spokesman also confirmed that maintenance has started at Kuwait’s Shuaiba refinery, where a heavy oil unit is expected to be shut until November. KNPC manages Kuwait’s three refineries, Shuaiba, Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah, with a total capacity of around 930,000 bpd. — Agencies

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

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Issues

Serena rant leaves WTA with tough decision

By Martyn Herman lready struggling in the shadows of a men’s game enjoying a golden era, the women’s tennis authorities face a dilemma after another high-profile Serena Williams rant at officialdom.

For the second time in two years the American three-times champion blew a fuse at the US Open, launching a tirade at chair umpire Eva Asderaki after being docked a point for yelling “Come on!” during a rally in the final against Australia’s Samantha Stosur.

While the language was less agricultural than two years ago when Williams threatened bodily harm to a female line judge in the semi-final against Kim Clijsters on the same Arthur Ashe stadium, the menacing tone of her remarks could spell trouble for the 29-year-old.

Her 2009 rant, when she was docked a penalty point that effectively handed the match to Clijsters by default, led to her being whacked with an $82,500 fine and being put on “probation” for two years with the threat that she could be suspended for any repeat performance. “Any impact this code violation might have on Serena Williams’ grand slam probation would require the incident being ruled a major event,” a WTA statement said. “That determination will be made by the grand slam committee director.”

The evidence, heard by viewers all over the world, was pretty damning. After an initial blast at Asderaki following the decision to dock her a point to trail 1-0 in the second set, Williams went back to work with a vengeance at the next changeover after a brief revival during her surprise 6-2 6-3 defeat. “If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way, because you’re out of control,” Williams said in her chair. “You’re totally out of control. You’re a hater, unattractive inside.

Who would do such a thing? And I never complain.

Wow, what a loser. Give me a code violation because I expressed my emotion? We’re in America last time I checked. Really, don’t even look at me, don’t look my way.” Williams showed no contrition for her behaviour after the match, although she was gracious in defeat and chatted amiably with her opponent before the presentations. The WTA would appear to be perfectly within its rights to punish the 13-times grand champion. At the same time, however, they know that Serena’s return in June from a career-threatening foot injury and subsequent life-threatening blood clots, has been an enormous boost for a women’s game struggling for a figurehead.

World number one Caroline Wozniacki is yet to win a grand slam title while the likes of Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and any number of eastern European baseliners fail to capture the imagination of the wider public. Li Na’s French Open triumph was a major breakthrough for the game’s appeal in Asia, but despite losing to an inspired Stosur, a 100 percent fit Williams is still the yardstick for the women’s game. Her near 12-month absence from the sport left a huge void and any ban, just when she looks to be back to something approaching her best, could be bad for business especially with the American in the hunt to qualify for the end-of-year championships being staged in Istanbul for the first time. A decision was expected later yesterday but while her outburst has attracted scorn around the world and slightly detracted from Stosur’s magnificent achievement, there is no doubt that Williams puts women’s tennis in the spotlight. It also demonstrates that the fire still burns fiercely in one of the greatest women players to wield a racket and, as Stosur herself acknowledged, that can only be good for the sport. “Serena, you are a fantastic player, great champion and have done wonders for our sport,” the Australian said. — Reuters

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Suspicion greets China’s Europe expansion

By Peter Apps or cash-strapped Europe, China is an appealing source of financing. But the response to an attempt by a Chinese businessman to open a leisure resort in Iceland suggests growing suspicion and a potential backlash that could stifle the relationship. Just as China’s first forays into investment in small African countries went largely unremarked on, so has its recent European expansion with infrastructure projects, company takeovers and sovereign debt purchases.

Poetry-writing former government official turned millionaire businessman Huang Nobu is the latest to follow, agreeing a $85.8-million deal to buy a 300-sq-km remote Icelandic farm. Whilst he maintains it is a purely commercial venture for a hotel, golf course and other leisure services, others suspect part of a broader Chinese strategy to build influence in the resource-rich Arctic. Whatever the truth, experts say it fits with a larger pattern as China’s growing wealth and desire for diversification pulls it deeper into Europe. “It has almost been a case of sleepwalking into it,” says Alice Richard, China programme coordinator at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), which this year published a report on China in Europe that explicitly compares its approach there to that in Africa. “By and large, Europe has been looking at China almost exclusively from an economic standpoint, although that might be changing.”

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Estimating the true scale of Chinese investment in Europe is difficult, the ECFR says. Many firms operate through financial centres lacking in transparency, such as Hong Kong and Grand Cayman, making tracking them all but impossible. But there seems little doubt that the numbers are rising fast. The ECFR says Chinese firms and banks committed some $64 billion to European contracts in the six months to March. Much recent Chinese finance went to the troubled euro zone periphery - 30 percent to Portugal, Greece, Italy and Spain - and another 10 percent to central and eastern Europe.

Europe’s major powers too have largely followed suit. Last week, Britain and China voiced support for plans for London to become a major offshore trading centre for the yuan currency, a move that would further cement the city’s position as a global financial centre.

Despite occasional rows over human rights and other issues, Berlin and Paris have also been keen to court Beijing.

But several of China’s projects, some strategists say, may in the long run prove to be more than just business. Vast port projects in Piraeus, Greece and Naples, Italy - the latter also the site of a major NATO base - worry some in European defence and foreign ministries. Occasional deals - purchases of sensitive technology firms, for example - have been turned down on national security grounds. But in general, Chinese investors have found Europe much easier territory than the United

States, where rejection and suspicion have been somewhat more common - although not enough to stop mutual dependence rising swiftly.

“The problem is that Western nations have taken a very short-term view when it comes to China. They view it as a good source of investment and ignore any longer term issues,” said Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, a London think-tank looking at national security issues. “It’s going to be very difficult to stop this, but it is worrying. We’ve already effectively ceded large chunks of Africa to the Chinese. There needs to be much more focus on what this means.” China has also emerged as a major buyer of European sovereign debt, crucial to keeping euro zone borrowers afloat. Whilst precise numbers are hard to come by, the ECFR says it estimates up to 25 percent of China’s reserves may now be euro denominated. In non-EU member Iceland, entrepreneur Huang may be feeling the effect of the heightened concern. Iceland’s interior minister said the leisure resort deal would be looked at closely because of strategic concerns. Huang says he may yet pull out altogether. “It is part of the West’s misinterpretation of China,” Huang told Reuters in an interview last week. “Everything China does, no matter whether it’s done by the country or any individual, they would think of it as part of a ‘China threat’.”

But with Western powers apparently increasingly nervous of Beijing’s rise - and with

disputes over alleged intellectual property theft, computer hacking, currency strength and other issues simmering - it could become a growing issue. Chinese firms faced something of a popular and political backlash in Africa, and some warn a similar dynamic may be rising in Europe. Earlier this year, Britain turned down an offer from a Chinese businessman to buy ageing aircraft carrier HMS Invincible for scrap or leisure use and is seen likely to reject a similar bid to purchase her sister ship Ark Royal.

A Ukrainian carrier purchased ostensibly as a casino ended up in the service of China’s navy, and there have long been suspicions that any military kit bought by its firms is stripped for intelligence. “This is an area in which the Chinese are particularly vulnerable and also frustrated,” says Nigel Inkster, a former deputy chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and now head of transnational threats and political risk at London’s International Institute for Strategic Studies. “There are often reasonable grounds for suspecting that what appears to be an ordinary commercial venture may be something altogether different, and it is very difficult for a Chinese corporate to prove that negative.”

Some worry an element of paranoia is entering the debate. “The value of this deal is actually very modest,” said Steve Tsang, professor of contemporary Chinese studies at Nottingham University, referring to the proposed Icelandic deal. — Reuters

Egyptians fear attack may set back reform

By Andrew Hammond n attack on the Israeli embassy in Cairo last week could set back political gains since Hosni Mubarak was toppled in a popular uprising this year, as the ruling army council takes measures to tighten security around the country.

Protesters scaled the building where Israel occupies the top two floors, replacing the Israeli flag with Egypt’s and seizing embassy documents from a storeroom on a lower floor before tossing them from a window to cheering crowds below.

The Israeli ambassador and his family fled Cairo that night in an Israeli military helicopter. Israel and the United States issued anxious calls for Egypt to respect its controversial 1979 treaty with Israel and protect the embassy. Egypt’s government swiftly offered reassurances it would boost security at the embassy and chase down those behind the attack, indicating the treaty was still safe. But many Egyptians worry the security crackdown that follows will undermine political freedoms gained since the uprising.

Officials have said emergency law, a key plank of Mubarak’s social control mechanisms in place since he took power in 1981, will be reactivated to try those involved in the embassy attack. “This is the first time since the revolution that they transferred anyone to a state security court,” said Emad Gad of the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. “There is already a bad security situation in the country with crime rising. They (the ruling generals) are taking advantage of this,” he added.

Activists and opposition parties have disowned the violence around the embassy which they say sullies the uprising’s goals. But the revival of courts under emergency law will be just as worrying.

Some of the demonstrators who moved on the embassy had come from a protest on Friday in Tahrir Square where one of the demands was scrapping the hated emergency laws immediately. Analysts say Egypt’s democratic transition could suffer and some already see worrying signs of a

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slow return to the kind of tactics used by Mubarak’s security forces to stifle opponents. Security officers raided offices of the Al Jazeera television channel on Sunday and detained staff in what the Qatar-based broadcaster said was an attempt to drive the channel, which had live coverage of the embassy incident, off air. Al Jazeera was a target in the last days of Mubarak’s rule. A security source said several other channels were shut down over licencing or other breaches of professional codes.

Changes in Egypt have been sweeping since Mubarak was ousted on Feb 11. His party was dissolved, his hated state securi-

headed by Mubarak’s defence minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.

Tantawi did not turn up to give testimony behind closed doors at Mubarak’s trial on Sunday, saying he was busy handling the security crisis, state media said. The hearing has been delayed till later this month, fuelling more suspicions. “This is a sign and it’s possible there could be repercussions for the elections,” said Gad. “They have an interest in delaying - to let figures from the old NDP form new political parties.” Candidate registration for a parliamentary election is due to open sometime this month ahead of polls expected in

Egyptian demonstrators burn an Israeli flag as others try to demolish a wall recently built outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo to protect the building on Sept 9, 2011. — AFP ty service was revamped and he and many familiar faces from his three decades of rule were sent to trial on charges ranging from corruption to conspiring to kill hundreds of protesters. But there is a deep sense among many of those who protested against Mubarak that his system remains in place although he has gone. An interim cabinet now answers to a military council

November, although no date has been set.

Mubarak’s National Democratic Party (NDP) was a vehicle for the state under Mubarak, whose government viewed most of the Islamist, leftist and Arab nationalist forces that dominate the political scene now as irresponsible opposition who would harm Egypt’s position with the West through populist policies based on enmity to Israel.

Hossam Tamam, a researcher on Islamist groups, said many people feared the ruling military council was looking for reasons to slow the shift to a new system and a security vacuum in the country was serving that purpose. “The official rhetoric says they want a complete transfer to civilians but, deliberately or otherwise, their policies have led to a vacuum, confusions and no faith in the process. No one knows when or if the transfer will happen,” he said.

Conspiracy theories have mushroomed since Friday, with many activists, columnists and politicians suggesting Mubarak allies placed agents provocateurs among the protesters to provoke violence that would place the protest movement in a bad light. They note that a nearby police building was ransacked. Three people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in clashes with riot police that resembled the pitched battles of the uprising.

Nervous looking soldiers stood in the doorway of the embassy building yesterday, as curious Egyptians pored over the rubble of a wall protecting the building that protesters destroyed. The government erected the concrete barrier after the Israeli flag was removed in a similar protest last month. “It was here, but it’s gone now,” a teenager said, laughing. The wall provoked popular anger because it went up after Israel shot several Egyptian soldiers in border operations against Palestinians in Gaza last month. The government appeared to fumble in its response to that incident, at first saying it had recalled Egypt’s ambassador to Tel Aviv then recanting the claim.

Turkey’s diplomatic jousting with Israel in recent years is making it difficult for Egypt’s generals to follow the same policies of Mubarak, who is widely perceived to have been soft on Israel in tune with his predecessor Anwar Sadat’s shift of Egypt’s political orientation in return for US aid money.

Anti-Israeli graffiti can still be seen daubed on slabs of the concrete walls and other buildings all around the tower housing the embassy: “I want to go to Jerusalem”, “Islam is coming, despite America and Israel” and “Crush the Zionists”. — Reuters

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

sp orts Chandhok may race in India

Sanchez out of worlds PARIS: Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez has been left out of the Spanish squad for next week’s world cycling championships as Spain bank on a massive sprint finish on the Copenhagen course.

Sanchez, as well as in-form Joaquim Rodriguez and Vuelta champion Juan Jose Cobo, did not feature in coach Jose Luis De Santos’s nine-man squad for the men’s road race.

“Obviously I had to pick a different type of riders than the previous years, leaving out riders who would have been important in other circumstances like

MONZA: Karun Chandhok has a good chance of racing in next month’s inaugural Indian Formula One Grand Prix, Team Lotus owner Tony Fernandes told Reuters. “I’d like him to. It’s up to the team to see (whether he will),” the Malaysian entrepreneur said at the Italian Grand Prix.

India’s Chandhok, the team’s reserve driver, has already raced once this season after replacing Team Lotus’s veteran Italian Jarno Trulli at the German Grand Prix in July. He has also taken part in several Friday practice sessions. Team Lotus announced yesterday that Trulli’s contract had been extended to the end of next year but Fernandes said the Italian would be most likely to step down if Chandhok was given the nod to race. “Yes, I think Heikki (Kovalainen) is our number one driver. although Jarno’s outqualified him here,” he said. If Chandhok does race in India, there should be two homegrown drivers on the starting grid for the Oct. 30 race in New Delhi with Narain Karthikeyan set to be behind the wheel for struggling HRT. —Reuters

Samuel, ‘Purito’ or even Cobo,” De Santos told the Spanish federation’s website (www.rfec.com).

Three-times Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has already said he will miss the world championships. Spain will pin their hopes on one-day race specialist Oscar Freire, who already has three world titles to his name, and sprint ace Jose Joaquin Rojas, who was second in the points classification on this year’s Tour de France.

The world championships will be held in Copenhagen from Sept 19-25, with the men’s race scheduled for Sept 25.—Reuters

Da Costa wins Montreal GP MONTREAL: Portugal’s Rui Faria da Costa launched a timely attack in the finale of the Montreal Grand Prix to upset the favourites and win the 205.7kms Canadian World Tour race yesterday. Hyperactive in the last two of 17 laps around the Mount Royal park, the Movistar team rider, 24, broke with Frenchman Pierrick Fedrigo and Austria’s Stefan Denifl and kept enough strength to hold the peloton at bay until the finish line. “We still had a 15 seconds lead coming into the finale and I knew it was enough. I never doubted, I never looked back,” Faria da Costa said. On the line, the winner of the eighth stage of the Tour de France in Super Besse in July narrowly beat Fedrigo while world number one Philippe Gilbert managed to dislodge Denifl from third place thanks to a blistering finishing sprint.

But for both Fedrigo and Gilbert, podium spots were far from disappointing. Fedrigo was just returning to competition after being sidelined for most of the summer after being diagnosed with Lyme disease.—Reuters

Yankees edge Angels

MILWAUKEE: Brewers’ Francisco Rodriguez (57) celebrates with catcher Jonathan Lucroy after getting Philadelphia Phillies’ Ryan Howard to ground out during the eighth inning. —AP

Brewers end skid, beat Phillies MILWAUKEE: Ryan Braun singled in the goahead run in the seventh to give the slumping Milwaukee Brewers a muchneeded 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Sunday ’s clash of National League divisional leaders.

Trailing 2-1, Milwaukee strung together three consecutive hits with two out in the seventh to sneak a win that ended its losing skid at five games and kept its dwindling NL Central lead at six with 14 games left. Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo (16-10) matched a career high with 12 strikeouts over seven innings. John Axford worked the ninth for his 42nd save.

The Phillies’ winning streak was ended at six but they remain 12 games clear of Atlanta in the NL East and could wrap up a fifth straight division title this week.

Philadelphia rookie Vance Worley (11-2) suffered only the second loss of his impressive season.

Cardinals 6, Braves 3 In St. Louis, the hosts moved back into the playoff picture by completing a threegame sweep of Atlanta.

The Cardinals pulled within 4-1/2 games of the Braves in the wild card race. They have 16 games left and open a three-game set in Pittsburgh on Monday. The Braves start a three-game series with Florida on Monday and have 15 games remaining.

Atlanta has dropped seven straight games at Busch Stadium. Yadier Molina had three hits, including a three-run double for the Cardinals. St. Louis starter Jake Westbrook (12-8) allowed two runs in 5 1-3 innings.

Braves star Chipper Jones hit his 453rd career homer, moving him ahead of Carl Yastrzemski and into 33rd place on the alltime list. Atlanta starter Tim Hudson (14-10) got the loss.

Rockies 4, Reds 1 In Denver, prized prospect Drew Pomeranz threw five scoreless innings in his major league debut, steering Colorado past Cincinnati. Pomeranz (1-0) was a key piece in the deal that sent ace Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland at the trade deadline.

He showed why the Rockies coveted him.

Ty Wigginton homered for Colorado. He was not in the original starting lineup but was brought in to play left field when Carlos Gonzalez was scratched with lower back stiffness. Cincinnati’s Edinson Volquez (5-5) was effective in his first start since July 5, not allowing a hit until Wigginton’s homer in the fourth, but took the loss.

Marlins 4, Pirates 1 In Pittsburgh, Javier Vazquez added to his last-season surge by pitching six scoreless innings, helping Florida complete a season sweep of Pittsburgh. Vazquez struck out seven while improving to 4-2 with a 1.95 ERA in his past nine starts.

Florida went 6-0 against the Pirates this year, including all three games this weekend for their first series sweep in Pittsburgh since 2000, the year before PNC Park opened. Donnie Murphy capped Florida’s four-run fifth inning with a two-run double against James McDonald (9-8).

Nationals 8, Astros 2 In Washington, the hosts hit three consecutive home runs to power past Houston.

Ian Desmond, Rick Ankiel and Ryan Zimmerman all went deep off Henry Sosa (2-4) to start the Nationals’ third inning.

Washington starter Stephen Strasburg allowed one run over three innings in his second start back from Tommy John surgery, and was replaced by Tom Gorzelanny (3-6) who took the win. The Astros (49-97) tied the franchise mark for most losses in a season.—AP

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

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

American League Eastern Division W L PCT NY Yankees 88 57 .607 Boston 85 61 .582 Tampa Bay 81 64 .559 Toronto 74 73 .503 Baltimore 58 87 .400

Detroit Chicago Cleveland Kansas City Minnesota

GB 3.5 7 15 30

Central Division 84 62 .575 73 72 .503 10.5 72 72 .500 11 62 86 .419 23 59 87 .404 25

Western Division Texas 83 64 .565 LA Angels 80 66 .548 2.5 Oakland 66 80 .452 16.5 Seattle 61 85 .418 21.5

National League Eastern Division Philadelphia 94 49 .657 Atlanta 84 63 .571 12 NY Mets 71 75 .486 24.5 Washington 67 77 .465 27.5 Florida 66 79 .455 29 Central Division Milwaukee 86 62 .581 St. Louis 79 67 .541 Cincinnati 71 75 .486 Pittsburgh 66 80 .452 Chicago Cubs 64 82 .438 Houston 49 97 .336

6 14 19 21 36

Western Division Arizona 85 62 .578 San Francisco 76 70 .521 8.5 LA Dodgers 72 73 .497 12 Colorado 69 77 .473 15.5 San Diego 63 84 .429 22

ANAHEIM: New York’s Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson homered as the Yankees edged the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 in the American League on Sunday to snap a fourgame losing skid.

New York scored two key runs when Peter Bourjos dropped a fly ball in the seventh inning. Derek Jeter had two hits and scored the go-ahead run for the Yankees, who moved 31/2 games ahead of slumping Boston in the AL East.

The Angels dropped 21/2 games behind AL West-leading Texas. New York reliever Cory Wade (5-0) pitched the sixth inning to take the win, and Mariano Rivera earned his 40th save of the season and 599th of his career; two behind record-holder Trevor Hoffman. Los Angeles starter Ervin Santana (11-11) couldn’t match the shutdown efforts of Jered Weaver and Dan Haren earlier in the series.

Rays 9, Red Sox 1 In St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay made up further ground on slumping Boston in the wild card race. The Rays moved within 3 1/2 games of the AL wild card leaders, sweeping the three-game series to go a season-high 17 games over .500.

Boston has lost five consecutive games, its longest skid since opening the season 0-6. The teams play each other four more times, in a four-game series beginning Thursday at Fenway Park.

James Shields (15-10) came within two outs of his 12th complete game this season. He has won four straight starts to reach a career best of 15 wins. The Rays went up 8-1 in the fifth via BJ Upton’s first grand slam. Upton finished with four hits and walked once. He and his brother Justin of the Arizona Diamondbacks became the first set of siblings in major league history to both have 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the same season. Boston starter Jon Lester (15-7) gave up four runs over four innings.

Rangers 8, Athletics 1 In Arlington, Texas, CJ Wilson pitched eight shutout innings to guide Texas past Oakland. Wilson (16-6) struck out 11 and walked just one, following up on his first career shutout - at Tampa Bay last Tuesday.

He set a career high for victories, but

ANAHEIM: Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar leaps over Yankees’ Andrew Jones who is out in a double play in the sixth inning. —AP was pulled after throwing 111 pitches. Adrian Beltre homered twice to reach 301 for his career. He had four hits while Craig Gentry and Ian Kinsler added three apiece for the Rangers, who have taken nine of their past 10 from the A’s this season. Oakland’s Josh Outman (3-5) got a spot start, replacing Rich Harden, whose turn was pushed back to give him extra rest. Outman allowed four runs over 4 2-3 innings.

Indians 7, White Sox 3 In Chicago, Ubaldo Jimenez threw six effective innings to guide Cleveland to victor y against Chicago. Jimenez (3-2) allowed just three hits, and improved to 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA over his past four outings. Luis Valbuena homered, singled twice and scored two runs as the Indians collected 14 hits.

Trevor Crowe had three singles and Carlos Santana added a two-run double. White Sox starter Zach Stewart (2-4) yielded three runs over five innings.

Tigers 2, Twins 1 In Detroit, Doug Fister pitched seven scoreless innings in another terrific start as Detroit edged Minnesota and won its ninth straight game - its longest streak since the 1984 World Series-winning season. Fister (8-13) struck out five and improved to 5-1 since being acquired from Seattle. Tigers closer Jose Valverde allowed a run in the ninth but held on for his 43rd save in 43 chances, setting a team record.

Minnesota starter Scott Diamond (14) allowed two runs in six innings.

The Twins have lost eight of nine.

Detroit’s Victor Martinez hit into four double plays, becoming the first player to do that since 1975, according to STATS LLC. Blue Jays 6, Orioles 5 In Toronto, converted pitcher Adam Loewen hit his first major league home run against his original team to help Toronto beat Baltimore. Jose Bautista drove in the tiebreaking run with a seventh-

inning sacrifice fly, sending Baltimore to its 29th loss in the past 34 games in Toronto dating to June 2008. Joel Carreno (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning for his first career win and Frank Francisco finished for his 14th save. David Cooper also went deep as the Blue Jays overcame a 5-3 deficit with a three-run seventh against Orioles pitcher Tommy Hunter (3-4).

Royals 2, Mariners 1 In Seattle, Alex Gordon hit a pair of RBI doubles and that was enough for Kansas City to pip Seattle.

Royals rookie Everett Teaford (10) pitched five scoreless innings, striking out five to pick up his first big league victory in his first career start after 23 relief appearances.

Joakim Soria pitched the ninth for his 28th save in 35 opportunities.

Mariners starter Anthony Vasquez (1-3), who entered with a 9.00 ERA in his three previous starts, went sixplus innings - his longest career outing. He allowed seven hits.—AP

Tseng wins in Arkansas ROGERS: Top-ranked Yani Tseng successfully defended her title in the LPGA Tour’s NW Arkansas Championship yesterday, beating Amy Yang with a 4-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff.

Yang missed a 6-foot birdie try before Tseng holed the winning putt on the par-5 18th. “I almost cry because today, like in the middle of the round, I felt like, ‘Oh, I’m going to lose today.” Because in my mind, I don’t feel excitement. I don’t make any birdie,” Tseng said. “But I just telling myself, ‘I need to get excited, need more focused, try to stretch, move around, just feel more.’ Like the last three holes, I make some birdies, so that was very important for me.”

Tseng and Yang closed with 3-under 68s to finish at 12-under 201 on the Pinnacle Country Club course. Yang, winless on the LPGA Tour, parred the final 11 holes of regulation, holing a 41/2-foot putt on the 18th to force the playoff.

Tseng bogeyed the par-4 13th to drop to 10 under, then rallied with birdies on the par5 14th and par-4 16th - holing an 8-foot putt to tie Yang.

“After the second hole I was a hole behind and I keep telling myself, ‘It’s OK, we still have lots of holes, stay patient and be always positive and keep focused on every shot,’” Tseng said.

On the 18th in regulation, Yang aggressively went for the green in two shots, but hit her approach shot way left of the greenside grandstands before chipping on and saving par. Tseng reached the green in three shots and had a chance to win, but missed a 4-foot birdie putt.

“After I saw her good third shot, I just want to make sure to make a par,” Yang said. “I’m not meaning she’s going to miss that, but you never know what’s going to happen.”

The 22-year-old Tseng leads the tour with

ROGERS: Yani Tseng poses with the NW Arkansas Championship trophy after winning the LPGA golf tournament. —AP

five victories this season, including major wins in the LPGA Championship and a defense of her Women’s British Open title.

Tseng, from Taiwan, earned $300,000 to push her tour-leading total to $2,116,051. Last year at Pinnacle, she closed with a 65 to beat Michelle Wie by a stroke.

Ai Miyazato (66) was third at 11 under.

Cristie Kerr (68) was another stroke back.

Miyazato moved to 10 under on the par-5 14th when she holed out for eagle from a greenside bunker. “It was a perfect bunker shot, I must say,” Miyazato said.

Sandra Gal had the best round of the day, a 64 that left her tied for fifth with Amy Hung (66) and Belen Mozo (68) at 9 under. The German star had nine birdies, including five in her first nine holes, and two bogeys.

Paula Creamer, the world’s No. 9 player, had a 69 to tie for eighth with hometown favorite Stacy Lewis (70) at 8 under. Creamer had five birdies in her first nine holes and was a stroke behind Yang through 10 holes, but dropped back with a bogey on the par-4 12th. After Creamer three -putted from 10 feet, she tossed her ball in a pond in frustration.—AP

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

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World Cup will reap rewards — Olympics Minister WELLINGTON: New Zealanders should bask in the rugby World Cup and reap the benefits of hosting a global sporting event, one of the British politicians in charge of the London Olympics told Reuters. “What a fantastic achievement,” Jeremy Browne, Britain’s Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth office and who has responsibilty for the legacy effects of the 2012 London Games, said in an interview in Wellington on Monday.

“This is the biggest sporting event anywhere in the world this year and it’s in New Zealand-which has a population of just over four million people.

“You have put on a fantastic show

and the excitement is palpable ... and the vast majority of people are right behind it and are very enthusiastic.”

Browne was making a flying visit to New Zealand where he saw four rugby world Cup matches in two days and was addressing New Zealand Olympic Committee officials on Monday on how they could use the World Cup to drum up more business, government and sporting networking opportunites heading into London 2012.

“There are a lot of people who are looking at New Zealand at the moment who wouldn’t ordinarily be looking at New Zealand,” he said. “We are going to be getting that next year with the

Olympics. “There are business people, heads of state, lot of economic events around the Games with high profile businessmen and women talking to people and developing their business contacts. “So there will be a sense of London being a hub for global attention for the Olympics and Paralympics so obviousy we want to exploit that in the best possible way.” Browne said the recent riots in Britain had tarnished the country’s image, but added that communities were horrified at the rioting.

“It was a serious law and order failure and we don’t want to project those images around the world,” he said. “I’m not making excuses, but what you didn’t

see was the millions of young people who were going to work, or participating in voluntary work and community sports teams.”

Browne attended the opening game of the tournament in Auckland between the All Blacks and Tonga before he attended the Scotland-Romania match in Invercargill and the EnglandArgentina match in Dunedin, which was “a little too close for comfort”.

He also went to the Springboks-Wales game in Wellington on Sunday and said after his short time in the country he felt that New Zealanders, while they wanted the All Blacks to win, were passionate about seeing rugby develop as a global

sport. “Everyone who follows rugby has a genuine affection for rugby as a sport,” he said. “I want the British teams to do well but I would like to see rugby come on in countries like Argentina and Italy and Japan, who are hosting in eight years time.

“People were right behind the Japan team ...against France (in Albany on Saturday) and I think people want rugby to rise to the occasion.

“The games have been a lot closer than expected and that bodes well for rugby as a sport. “The world game is ...getting stronger and stronger and the World Cup is about building that.”—Reuters

IRB backs referee over penalty ‘miss’

PALLEKELE: Australian bowler Shane Watson (left) celebrates the wicket of Sri Lankan batsman Thilan Samaraweera during the fifth day play of their second cricket Test match.—AP

Rain helps Sri Lanka salvage second Test PALLEKELE: Lengthy rain interruptions put paid to Australia’s hopes of wrapping up a series-clinching victory over Sri Lanka on the final day of the second Test yesterday.

The match ended as a draw after the umpires called off play following persistent rain which allowed just 35.3 overs to be bowled in the first two sessions. Sri Lanka had reached 317 for six in their second innings at tea, a lead of 80 runs.

The hosts lost two quick wickets after lunch as Ryan Harris removed wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene for 21 to pick up his third wicket and Shane Watson dismissed Thilan Samaraweera for 43. Angelo Mathews (11 not out), the only recognised batsman left for Sri Lanka, and Suraj Randiv (four not out) were at the crease when the umpires took an early tea due to the rain. “ The rain was frustrating mainly because it was on and off rather than raining consistently,” Australia captain Michael Clarke told reporters.

“It’s probably more frustrating for our side because we thought if we get back there, we have a chance of winning the test.

“We may have lost over a day worth of cricket or over 100 odd overs... due to the rain. But I am really happy about the way we performed, coming out with the second new ball and bowled really good areas and managed to get a few wickets.”

Michael Hussey was adjudged manof-the-match for his brilliant 142 and the wickets of Kumar Sangakkara in the first innings and Tharanga Paranavitana in the second.

“Our goal always was to win three test matches here, but unfortunately rain played a big part. We haven’t won the second test, but have the same attitude to win the third test,” Clarke said.

The home team produced an improved batting performance after being bowled out for 174 in the first innings. They were bundled out for 105 and 253 in the Galle test which they lost by 125 runs.

“This is a very good batting performance. We didn’t bat well in the three innings from the first test,” Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan told reporters.

“All the batsman have got confidence and we can carry this forward to the last test. I am really happy the way we fought back and came back strongly.”

In the morning session, Australia picked up the crucial wickets of Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene as they pressed for victory.

The hosts added 65 runs to their overnight total for the loss of Sangakkara (69) and Jayawardene (51) as they battled to save the test match after conceding a huge first-innings deficit.

The experienced duo added 101 runs for the third wicket before Sangakkara fell to the second new ball on his overnight score, his edge off Ryan Harris carrying straight to Clarke at second slip.

Clarke also took a brilliant one-handed diving catch off Trent Copeland to send back Jayawardene, who stood his ground until replays confirmed the ball had been taken.

“I just made him aware that I was 100 percent sure that I caught the catch,” Clarke said. “I made him know probably it was up to him go to the umpires and third umpire. I don’t think Mahela did anything wrong.”

Australia missed an opportunity to dismiss Samaraweera on nought when Clarke dropped him off Harris, three deliveries after the dismissal of Sangakkara. The third and final Test starts in Colombo on Friday.—Reuters

SCOREBOARD PALLEKELE: Scoreboard after the second test between Sri Lanka and Australia ended in a draw yesterday: Sri Lanka first innings: 174 (A. Mathews 58, R.Harris 3-38) Australia first innings: 411-7 declared (M. Hussey 142, S. Marsh 141; S. Randiv 3-103) Sri Lanka second innings: (overnight 223-2) T. Paranavitana c Haddin b Hussey 55 T. Dilshan c Watson b Harris 36 K. Sangakkara c Clarke b Harris 69 M. Jayawardene c Clarke b Copeland 51 T. Samaraweera c Haddin b Watson 43

P. Jayawardene c Haddin b Harris 21 A. Mathews not out 11 S. Randiv not out 4 Extras (b 6 lb 20 nb 1) 27 Total (For six wickets; 114.3 overs) 317 Fall of wickets: 1-81 2-128 3-229 4-270 5-301 6-307 Bowling: R. Harris 22-8-54-3, T. Copeland 2710-63-1, M. Johnson 23.3-4-61-0 (1 nb), S. Watson 20-9-43-1, N. Lyon 15-1-52-0, M. Hussey 4-2-2-1, M. Clarke 3-0-16-0.

QUEENSTOWN: As the dust settled on a thunderous opening weekend at the rugby World Cup, a penalty that was not awarded provided the main talking point yesterday with organisers offering a meek defence of the referee’s failure to consult the TV judge in Wales’s game against South Africa.

Elsewhere, New Zealand’s Prime Minister apologised for travel chaos that marred the opening game on Friday and England’s Courtney Lawes became the first player to be cited for dangerous play.

As if it was not painful enough to lose to holders South Africa by a single point, doing so knowing you should have had three more on the scoreboard has left Wales fans with a seething sense of injustice.

T V replays seemed to show James Hook’s penalty creeping inside the post during Sunday’s game in Wellington but after the touch judges ruled it wide, referee Wayne Barnes declined to take the allowed option of consulting the TV match official (TMO) despite Hook’s appeal.

Deluged by enquires as to why Barnes did not take that option, tournament organisers merely stated that he had “followed the correct protocol” because it was up to him whether to consult him or not.

“During the match in question, the match official team felt at the time that there was no need to consult the TMO following a Wales penalty kick as they were confident that the kick was not successful,” the International Rugby Board said in a statement which offered the Welsh no solace at all.

If the IRB were unrepentant, there were apologies galore following the travel failures that caused thousands of fans to miss Friday night’s opening game between the hosts and Tonga.

Failures of big screens and overcrowding of fan zones also took the edge off the country’s self-congratulation at holding its biggest-ever sports event.

“It’s just not good enough,” Prime Minster John Key said in a radio interview. “Lots of questions asked...answers to be had, we’re going to get them.

“Of course I’m sorr y that it didn’t work for that small group and, at the end of the day, I would have wanted them to have had the same experience that the vast, over whelming bulk of New Zealanders did.”

Auckland city council will issue a report today on what went wrong in a bid to make changes ahead of the second game at Eden Park next Saturday when Australia

SILVERDALE: Japan’s rugby team players work out during the team’s training for Rugby World Cup.—AP

play Ireland.

England’s relaxing break in Queenstown, the “adventure capital” of New Zealand, was disturbed yesterday with the news that Lawes had been cited after his knee caught Argentine hooker Mario Ledesma after he had been tackled during England’s 13-9 victory in Dunedin on Saturday.

Lawes, newly established as

England’s enforcer, will face a disciplinary hearing in Auckland and if found guilty faces a ban that could range from one game to the entire tournament and beyond.

Organisers also told England to sort their shirts out after the numbers on their controversial black tops began peeling off early in Saturday’s match.

Two players were on their way

WELLINGTON: South Africa’s Bismarck du Plessis (center with ball) is tackled by Wales Danny Lydiate during their Rugby World Cup game at Wellington Regional Stadium.—AP

home after suffering knee injuries in their opening games-Argentina centre Gonzalo Tiesi and Japan number eight Ryukoliniasi Holani.

There was also some good news for the Pumas as captain Felipe Contepomi had not suffered a broken rib as was initially feared and would be fit to return to action soon.

South Africa are still sweating on lock Bakkies Botha, whose Achilles injury is threatening to keep him out of the entire tournament, while fellow lock Victor Matfield and centre Jean de Villiers will be out for 10 days after suffering injuries in the Wales game.

Australian winger Digby Ioane is another whose World Cup is in the balance after he fractured a thumb in Sunday’s victory over Italy. Ioane will have an operation and stay in New Zealand and could still play a part in the tournament’s knockout phase.

Wales are boosted for their game against Samoa on Sunday by the availability of flyhalf Stephen Jones and key prop Gethin Jenkins, who were both unavailable for the Springboks game.

Samoa are one of four teams yet to make their first appearance and then named their team on Monday for Wednesday’s match against Namibia in Rotorua.

Canada also play their first match, against Tonga at Whangarei, as do Georgia, against Scotland in Invercargill. Russia, the only team here never to have featured in a World Cup before, open their account on Thursday against the United States and will name their team today.—Reuters

Lynx defeat Mercury PHOENIX: Maya Moore, Monica Wright and Seimone Augustus all scored 15 points, and Minnesota Lynx beat Phoenix Mercury 96-90 in the WNBA regular-season finale for both teams on Sunday.

As the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, Minnesota will host San Antonio on Friday in the opener of the best-of-3 semifinal series. Third-place Phoenix will travel to Seattle for its first game of the playoffs on Thursday.

Diana Taurasi led the Mercury with 19 points and won the WNBA scoring title for the fourth consecutive season. She also grabbed five rebounds.

Taurasi secured her fifth scoring title in her eight-year career when she made a 3-pointer with 6:15 left. Her average of 21.6 points per game edged out Atlanta’s Angel McCoughtry.

Minnesota, which has won nine of 10, owns home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Dream 93, Fever 88 In Indianapolis, Angel McCoughtry had 32 points to lead Atlanta to victory over Indiana in

their final regular-season game.

Alison Bales scored 15 points for the Dream, who clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Katie Douglas scored 30 points for the top-seeded Fever including 16 points - with four 3-pointers - in the second quarter. The Fever played without forward Tamika Catchings for the first time this season.

Catchings sat out because of a sprained knee.

The Dream will face the Connecticut Sun in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Fever will take on the New York Liberty.

Sun 69, Liberty 63 In Uncasville, Connecticut, Tina Charles scored 18 points and added 17 rebounds for her WNBA-record 23rd double-double of the season, leading Connecticut past New York. Charles owned the previous double-double record of 22, set last season. Asjha Jones added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Sun, who earned homecourt advantage in the first round of playoffs against Atlanta. Nicole Powell led New York with 14 points.

Storm 81, Sky 70 In Seattle, Katie Smith and Camille Little had 17 points apiece to lead the defending WNBA champion Seattle over Chicago. Seattle, which has won eight of nine. had already secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Sylvia Fowles scored 19 of her 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead Chicago, which finished fifth in the Eastern Conference and failed to make the playoffs. Fowles made all 12 of her free throw attempts. Seattle’s Lauren Jackson sat out to rest for the playoff opener Thursday at home against Phoenix.

Silver Stars 102, Shock 94 In Tulsa, Danielle Robinson scored a careerhigh 36 points to lead San Antonio to an overtime victory over Tulsa.

Jia Perkins had 22 points, including four 3pointers, for the Silver Stars. Andrea Riley scored a career-best 20 points for the Shock, who set the WNBA record for fewest wins in a season with three.—AP

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For football, NFL offers diversity lessons PARIS: Next month, at Wembley Stadium, fans will see something unusual for the home of English football: two black head coaches leading their teams onto the field.

Raheem Morris of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears are both black, nothing to write home about for the NFL but still depressingly out of the ordinary in English football.

Just their mere presence for the regular-season NFL game on Oct. 23 should ram home just how much the type of football played with round balls can and should learn from the other kind played with olive-shaped balls across the Atlantic.

Having made huge strides in combatting racism and hooliganism among its fans, the next challenge for English football and, indeed, for football elsewhere in Europe, is making sure that the rich ethnic diversity of players who sweat and labor on pitches week-in, week-out is better reflected on the touchlines and in the executive boxes where much of football’s power lies.

About 20 percent of footballers in

England’s top four professional leagues are black, according to the players’ union and the Football Association. But of the 92 clubs, just two have black managers Chris Hughton at Birmingham in the second-tier championship and Chris Powell at Charlton, in the third-tier league. In the showcase Premier League at the beginning of this season, all 20 managers are white.

“If you looked at the representation on the field and the representation in the dugout, there’s a clear anomaly,” says Bobby Barnes, deputy chief executive of the players’ union and a former professional. Which is where the NFL offers some pointers. Like English football, America’s most popular sports league also used to suffer from an embarrassing lack of head coaching diversity. That has changed since the NFL required any team with such a vacancy to interview at least one minority candidate.

Only five blacks had coached in the NFL, beginning with Art Shell in 1989, and only two had the top job when the rule was adopted in 2003. Now, seven of the 32 teams have black head coaches.

Black head coaches reaching the Super

Bowl has also become virtually a nonissue since Tony Dungy, then with the Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago’s Smith became the first in 2007.

A threatened suit by lawyers Johnnie Cochran and Cyrus Mehri in 2002 prompted the NFL to adopt its so-called Rooney Rule on vacancies. Mehri was in England this week, invited by the players’ union to brief football officials about the rule and the greater diversity it has encouraged. The situation in English football now is “uncannily similar if not identical” to that of the NFL before the rule, he said.

“You change the names and you change the accents, it’s exactly where America was in 2002 when we got started on this,” Mehri said in a telephone interview. “It’s kind of like there’s a poison, a poisonous tree, a species, that’s been planted on two different continents having the same results.”

Barnes says part of the problem used to be that many black players, for whatever reason, couldn’t foresee a future for themselves in management. But he says there’s been “real progress” on changing those attitudes in the past decade.

Now, 14 black or ethnic minority coaches have the most senior type of qualifications required to manage Premier League teams and another 89 nearly 20 percent of all those with this coaching license - hold the next grade down of professional qualification, Barnes says. The FA is also distributing a short film designed to encourage blacks and ethnic minorities to qualify as coaches.

Yet, on the leagues’ touchlines, the faces remain far whiter than on the pitch. Barnes suggests that one reason is that clubs tend to headhunt managers, rather than interview a wide and diverse range of candidates.

“Without a full and open recruitment procedure, it’s very difficult to break through that glass ceiling,” he said. “We want to give those people hope, because what we are increasingly getting now, as well, is a lot of people are getting the qualifications and saying, ‘What’s the point? I’ve got the qualifications now and I still don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.’”

An NFL-type rule is only part of the solution, Mehri says. Also important is

ensuring that teams know who the minority candidates are.

In the NFL, that is done by placing them on “ready-lists” which put candidates on teams’ radar screens and undercut any claims that there simply isn’t a viable black coach available when a job opens up. Before the Buccaneers promoted him to head coach in January 2009, Morris was at the top of that list, Mehri added.

“We only put people on the list that are ready to go,” he said. “It’s not just a rule. The ready-list brings it to life.” It’s too early to tell whether English football will follow the NFL’s lead or adopt other measures. But the paucity of black managers in England’s top leagues is there for all to see.

“This is a make-or-break issue for young people. It’s like a poison that goes out into society and it sends a message when people see discrimination play out in front of their eyes. That’s very demoralizing,” Mehri said. “If you create a situation where there’s fair competition for jobs and it’s a merit-based system, then all of a sudden, that’s a message of empowerment and hope.”—AP

Nowitzki falls short as Germany bow out

ARLINGTON: A 9/11 tribute logo is seen on the field as Texas Rangers starting pitcher CJ Wilson runs off the field following the top of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics. —AP

NFL new season opens with Sept. 11 tributes NEW YORK: From coast to coast, American flags as large as football fields were unfurled inside stadiums and fans of all ages sang the national anthem with gusto Sunday in a redwhite-and-blue observance marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and start of the country’s most popular sport: the NFL. Robin Berretta, wearing a blue Giants No. 27 Brandon Jacobs jersey, traveled from New York to Landover, Maryland, for the game at the Washington Redskins. Some of her friends suggested she shouldn’t attend.

“Everyone’s very paranoid,” Berretta said.

“And they’re not even from New York.” She was unfazed, saying, “I even took the Metro.” In presentations relayed to video screens around the league, “Taps” was played from Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the hijacked jets crashed a decade earlier, and Arlington National Cemetery. A recorded message from actor Robert DeNiro was broadcast on videoboards reminding fans that “we honor those brave men and women by continuing to show our unity and strength as a country.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell marked the day in Landover, where he spoke to FOX from the sidelines of the Giants-Redskins game.

“We remember our great country and the people that died in this tragic incident, the first responders and their families and all the people that kept our country safe,” he said. “This is a chance for everyone to come together and feel great about our country, the sacrifices so many people have had and what we all have in front of us. We’ve got a lot to be proud of.”

Former President George W. Bush praised the rescue workers of that day in a televised pregame show segment prior to the openers.

Before the start of the US Open’s women’s final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, a “9/11/01” logo was painted next to the blue court, and Queen Latifah and the Jubilation Choir performed a soulful rendition of the anthem. The Marine Corps color guard unfurled a court-sized flag.

Before her match against Australia’s Sam Stosur, Serena Williams tweeted: “My Thoughts and prayers to all who lost loved ones on 9-11. I know the entire country is with you today. I’m playing for you today.” Pregame ceremonies were followed by moments of silence at Major League Baseball parks.

At the Nationals game in Washington, two red, white and blue logos were painted on the field in foul territory along the base lines, with the date “September 11, 2001” and the words: “We shall not forget.” The Nationals also wore blue jerseys with a stars-and-stripes background for the team’s ‘W’ logo.

“Frankly, I was a little bit skittish with regard to coming out to a ballpark and large gathering of people with feelings of how scared we were 10 years ago,” said Joe Bailey, a 40-year-old fan from Bethesda, Md. “I think as part of our resolve, it’s to go ahead and continue on in the American way and do what we do, and one of those things is to be passionate about baseball.”

In Anaheim, California, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees caught ceremonial first pitches from two first responders and a survivor of the attacks. “I wish we were at home with the people of New York,” Posada said. The anniversary also was observed at soccer matches in England, Walker Cup golf in Scotland and at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

In Tampa, Florida, the Buccaneers arranged

a surprise reunion during the first half twominute warning for family and close friends of Army Sgt. Scott Osborn, who was returning from active duty in Afghanistan. The Osborn family lives in St. Petersburg.

At sun-splashed Soldier Field in Chicago, fans applauded the national anthem from start to finish - a tradition at NHL Blackhawks games - while tenor Jim Cornelison sang an unusually spirited anthem before the Bears hosted the Atlanta Falcons.

The ceremonies coincided with the regularseason return of the NFL following a summer of labor strife that threatened to stop play for the first time since 1987. The league planned to auction game-used items and donate $1 million to three memorials and two charities related to the attacks. The balls used for the kickoff of each half were inscribed with special 9-11 logos. At Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills helped 150 firefighters and first-responders to hold up an American flag that stretched from end zone to end zone and sideline to sideline. “American Idol” winner David Cook sang the national anthem, punctuated with a flyover of A-10s from Whitman Air Force Base and crowd chants of “USA! USA!” At halftime, three F-18s streaked across at halftime and names of 9/11 victims were scrolled on the scoreboards.

In Baltimore, fans at the Ravens-Steelers game were given miniature American flags, the band spelled out “U-S-A” and military personnel and first-responders helped move the flag from one sideline to the other.

At Jacksonville, two Jaguars players with military backgrounds carried U.S. flags.

Cornerback Will Middleton, whose brother is in the Navy, and fullback Brock Bolen, whose father was awarded three Purple Hearts, led the team out of the tunnel.

“Taps” also was played before the racing program at New York’s Belmont Park. Tributes were planned in the New York area later in the day when the New York Jets met the Dallas Cowboys and the Mets played the Chicago Cubs. Before the opening kickoffs, Bush appeared in a 90-second opening sequence of “Fox NFL Sunday” titled, “The Journey.”

“What is a hero?” Bush asked. “In the midst of great danger ... nobody asks to be a hero. ...

We started to heal with the help of our national pastimes, with the flip of the coin and the roar of the crowd.”

In England, there was a moment’s silence before both Premier League games. Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey, who is from Texas, and his teammates lined up with arms around each other’s shoulders before their match against Blackburn at London’s Craven Cottage.

Players from both teams wore black armbands on their left sleeves.

In Aberdeen, Scotland, the US captain Jim Holtgrieve read a letter to the team from Bush urging the Walker Cup golfers to “remember those who have defended your liberties and way of life.” Bush’s great-grandfather, George Herbert Walker, played a key role in the start of the amateur showcase.

In New Zealand, the US Eagles rugby team attended a memorial service at a local church in New Plymouth. Thirty players, wearing gray suits with red-white-and-blue ties, sat alongside the US Ambassador David Huebner. The US Marine Corps Pacific band played. The Eagles later lost their World Cup opener to Ireland, 20-10.—AP

VILNIUS: Germany and their talismanic for ward Dirk Nowitzki bowed out of the European championship on Sunday after an 84-75 defeat by Lithuania which sent the hosts through to the knockout stage of the competition.

Serbia, the 2009-runners-up, also reached the quarter-finals with a dramatic 68-67 over Turkey while holders Spain thumped France 9669 after both teams had already booked their berths in the last eight.

Spain finished top of Group E and will play either Finland or Slovenia for a semi-final place, while second-placed France will meet 2005 champions Greece.

Third-placed Lithuania meet the losers of Monday’s clash between 2007 champions Russia and upstarts Macedonia, the top two teams in Group F, while the winners of that match will face Serbia.

After Serbia’s last-gasp win over Turkey, Germany needed to beat Lithuania by at least 11 points to advance while Nowitzki required 37 points to equal the all-time Eurobasket scoring record of 1,004 points held by former Greece maestro Nikos Galis.

Neither the Dallas Mavericks forward, who led the team to the 2011 NBA title, nor his Germany team mates looked likely to accomplish the tasks as Lithuania were in control from start to finish in front of a passionate 11,000-strong home crowd.

“Nowitzki is maybe the greatest player Europe has ever produced,” Germany coach Dirk Bauermann, who steered them to a runners-up finish in 2005, told a news conference.

“He had a very short break after a long season in the NBA, but he dragged himself here and gave everything he could, he is a role model for young players and my gut feeling is that he will come back.

“I don’t think he is done playing for Germany and I take my hat off to him because it was obvious that he wasn’t at full strength, what is more I doubt any other NBA player

would have come here 10 weeks after winning the title.” A tired-looking Nowitzki scored 16 points, hitting only four of his 17 shots from the field, as Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Kaman produced a valiant but

with 18 points, making all his seven shots from the floor and two from the foul line, but a more balanced Lithuanian team was just too strong.

Beaten by Turkey by a shot on

VILNIUS: Philipp Schwethelm (down) from Germany tries to block Rimantas Kaukenas (up) from Lithuania during the EuroBasket European Basketball Championship Group E match.—AP futile solo effort for the Germans with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Shooting guard Robin Benzing also enjoyed a good performance

the buzzer in last year ’s world championship semi-final in Istanbul, the Serbs gave their bitter rivals a taste of their own medicine

after they nearly blew a 13-point lead.

Serbia seemed to be cruising after carving out a 31-18 advantage early in the second quarter but started fading as the Turks bounced back and got themselves into a position to repeat the 2010 feat.

Turkey had the last possession but could only watch in anguish as their forward Ersan Ilyasova missed a baseline jump-shot which bounced off the rim. “ We got sweet revenge for going down in the same fashion against Turkey last year, but the most important thing is that we beat a great team and progressed to the knockout stage,” said Serbia’s shooting guard Milenko Tepic.

“Some buzzer-beaters you win, some you lose and when you look back at the end of your career they probably cancel each other out in terms of how many you’ve won and lost.

“I am not saying it’s carved in stone, but we deser ved to win today because we led from start to finish,” added Tepic.

Serbia point guard Milos Teodosic finished with a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds but also had six turnovers, while Turkey will rue missing a staggering 13 of 29 free throws.

France rested their top players Tony Parker and Joachim Noah against Spain and although a makeshift French side held their own in the first half, they collapsed in the second as Spain never took their foot off the gas.

The Spaniards had five players in double scoring digits, led by Juan Carlos Navarro with 16 points and Rudy Fernandez on 15, as France crashed to their first defeat in the tournament after seven straight wins.

“We are pleased with the result and the top spot in the group but we know it’s not going to be the same French side if we meet again in the medal rounds,” Fernandez told Spanish television. “Now is the time to think about the quarterfinals because we only thinking of one game at a time.”—Reuters

Tragedy-hit Lokomotiv pulls out of top league

VILNIUS: Turkey’s Omer Onan (left) challenges for the ball with Serbia’s Marko Keselj, during their EuroBasket European Basketball Championship Group E match. —AP

MOSCOW: The ice hockey team wiped out by a plane crash last week will not take part in this year ’s Kontinental Hockey League season, Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said yesterday.

Mutko said that Lokomotiv Yaroslavl would be demoted to a lower league as part of a gradual rebuilding program, in line with the team management’s wishes.

“At a meeting with the president, we arrived at the conclusion that we must support those decisions taken by the club,” Mutko said after a high-level discussion on plans for Lokomotiv chaired

by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Lokomotiv president Yury Yakovlyev said the team might begin playing in December in the Major Hockey League, which is the second tier of Russian hockey.

By way of a concession, Lokomotiv will be automatically eligible to compete in next year’s playoffs, regardless of where it places in the MHL. The crash Wednesday of a chartered Yak-42 jet outside the western city of Yaroslavl took the lives of 28 players, two coaches and seven other

Lokomotiv staff. Alexander Galimov, the only member of the team to initially survive the crash in which a total of 44 people were killed, died Monday of his injuries in a Moscow hospital.

Top hockey officials had earlier expressed hopes Lokomotiv could be revived in time to take part in the current season, which began Monday, by drafting in players from other KHL teams. Those plans appear to have been shelved in favor of more longterm reconstruction plans.

Mutko said the rebuilding of Lokomotiv would take place in a series of stages. The first step will be transferring the team to the Major Hockey League. After that, youth players from other clubs will be permitted to transfer to Lokomotiv, Mutko said.

Yakovlyev said Lokomotiv ’s farm team of young and up-and-coming players would be used as the base on which to create a new squad. He added that before next season, Lokomotiv would seek to attract players with expired contracts and have the quota for foreign players increased to six - one more than for other teams.—AP

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Asian football’s middle class challenging leaders stage with the name number of points as eventual champion Japan before being defeated 1-0 in the quarterfinal by Uzbekistan.

A 2-0 win at the 2007 Asian champion Iraq was followed by a hard-fought 2-1 victory at China on Tuesday.

“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.” Well-organized, with an ability to counterattack clinically, Hamad is preparing for back-to-back games against Singapore, a team that has lost both matches so far. Two good results could put Jordan in the final round, along with nine others chasing Asia’s 4 direct qualification places, and the chance of an inter-confederation playoff for a fifth spot.

The president of the Jordan Football Association is so delighted with the team’s start that he announced that each player would receive a $6,000 bonus.

“I am happy with the results achieved in the first two matches.” Prince Ali bin al-Hussein told reporters. “It proves that Jordan football is in great condition and the national team can progress more in the qualifiers. “The team should

SEOUL: The weakest of Asia’s nations may still be a long way from challenging established powers like Japan and South Korea, but countries traditionally consigned to the continent’s lower-middle order are suddenly finding themselves upwardly mobile.

After two of six matches in the third round of Asian qualification for the 2014 World Cup, most of the impressive performers so far have come as something of a surprise.

To see Australia, Japan and South Korea leading each of their respective groups was expected, but to see Jordan leading Group A was not.

Jordan has six points already, and along with Australia, is the only team to have a perfect record from the opening two games. The points collected so far is just one short of the total tally that Jordan earned in its six games at the same stage in qualification for the 2010 World Cup. Thailand, Lebanon and Kuwait have all matched or surpassed their efforts of four years ago. The top two teams from each of the five groups of four progresses to the final stage.

Led by Iraqi coach Adnan Hamad, one of only five Asian coaches out of 20 in this stage, Jordan has been the most impressive team in qualification so far. It is building on the success it had at the 2011 Asian Cup when it finished the group

be cautious and not be complacent as the next two matches against Singapore are important to reach the fourth round.”

Thailand has also performed above expectations. The Elephants parted company with coach Bryan Robson in June and were generally regarded as the weakest team in Group D. The team tactically outthought and outplayed its Australian hosts for much of the opening match in Brisbane and only an 86th minute goal from Alex Brosque gave the Socceroos a 2-1 win.

Under coach Winfried Schafer, the Thais then made the long trip home to Bangkok to comfortably defeat Oman 3-0 and move into second place in the group.

“The Thai performances against Australia and Oman were outstanding, especially with the injury toll they had,” Steve Darby, who left his post as assistant Thailand coach in June, told AP. “I think the key to success is the continued development of competitive national leagues and the limited inclusion of foreign players, including Asian players, who are good professionals on and off the pitch.”

One of those is Pakistan captain Zesh Rehman who plays for Thailand champion Muang Thong United. “Thailand now has many foreign players in the domestic league from all over the world

and this raises the level of the local players,” Rehman said. “A few more clubs have European coaches which help to change the mentality and improve the overall professionalism of the game here. The Thailand coach has installed belief into the players and they no longer fear the so-called bigger nations. People outside of Thailand must not underestimate the level of soccer here.”

Kuwait is also looking good. The West Asian nation was a continental power in the 1970s and 1980s, but has yet to add to its 1982 appearance at the World Cup. The Blues started well in qualifying with a 3-2 win at the United Arab Emirates, then picked up a deserved 1-1 draw at home to South Korea. As some of the former lightweights of Asian football start to climb the ladder, some former big names are making the journey in the opposite direction.

Saudi Arabia continues to struggle. After four successive appearances at the World Cup, the team missed out on the 2010 tournament. Even with former Barcelona and Netherlands coach Frank Rijkaard at the helm, games in Oman and then at home to Australia have produced just a single point. Back-to-back meetings against Thailand will decide the fate of both teams. They will also provide an indication as to whether the old order in Asian football is truly changing. —AP

Barca seek Milan lift after jolt to morale

LONDON: Chelsea’s Fernando Torres (left) and Ashley Cole take part in a training session at the soccer club’s facilities. Chelsea are due to face Bayer Leverkusen in a Champions League Group E soccer match. —AP

Chelsea fired up for yet another assault LONDON: Andre Villas-Boas launches his attempt today to succeed where his six predecessors have failed by delivering the Champions League trophy to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich this season.

Since the billionaire from Russia took control of the London club in 2003, Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti have all left Stamford Bridge after failing to reach the Holy Grail.

Chelsea’s latest quest for glory in the competition that Abramovich has spent hundreds of millions of pounds trying to win starts against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge today (1845 GMT).

With Valencia and Racing Genk making up the Group E quartet, Chelsea should have little trouble easing through to the knockout rounds of the competition.

The only players still at the club who took part in Chelsea’s first Champions League campaign when they reached the semi-final in 2003-4 are John Terry and Frank Lampard, and Lampard says past failures have only increased their desire to lift the trophy.

“Obviously it is something the owner wants,” he told reporters. “When you have had a lot of domestic success, it’s not just the owner, but the whole club and the fans who want that extra step-to win in Europe.

“As a club, with what we have achieved in the last six or seven years, it’s an obvious thing to say, the one thing that is missing from our cabinet is the Champions League.

“I wouldn’t say that’s the only reason the other managers have been sacked, but the pressure is cranked up regardless.”

Villas-Boas is well prepared for it after becoming the youngest coach to win a European trophy when he lifted the Europa League with Porto last season.

Chelsea have started the new season in good form under him and are undefeated with three wins and a draw from their opening four matches following Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Sunderland.

Striker Didier Drogba will miss Tuesday’s match following his head injury and subsequent concussion against Norwich City two weeks ago, and with out-of-form Fernando Torres relegated to the bench on Saturday, Villas-Boas could well start with the youthful Daniel Sturridge alongside Nicolas Anelka up front.

With new signings Juan Mata from Valencia and Raul Meireles from Liverpool strong additions to the squad, Chelsea look set to challenge until the later stages again and will be determined to improve on last season’s quarter-final exit.They will also be hoping to welcome former midfielder Michael Ballack back to Stamford Bridge where the former Germany captain spent four years from 2006 to 2010. Lampard said he would get a great reception from the fans. “It’s very nice he’s coming back,” he said. “He’s held in very high respect at this club.” Like Chelsea, beaten by Manchester United in the 2008 final, Leverkusen have also reached and lost one final, going down 2-1 to Real Madrid in Glasgow 10

seasons ago. The pressures on them are entirely different to those on Chelsea and Tuesday’s match will be their first in the competition in seven years.

They also go into it on a high after crushing Augsburg 4-1 on Friday. “Now we can go to London with a lot of confidence,” said Sidney Sam, who scored twice in the game. “Chelsea is going to be a very tough opponent.” Ballack will no doubt attract the spotlight against his old club and coach Robin Dutt will be happy to have him back fit and sharp, as he was against Augsburg, starting for the first time alongside captain Simon Rolfes in midfield.

It is unclear, however, if Dutt will spring a similar surprise against Chelsea. “I do not know yet whether he (Ballack) will play on Tuesday. We have a lot of fit players,” Dutt told reporters. Germany international Andre Schuerrle is the most likely replacement for Ballack if he remains on the bench. Dutt will, however, use 19-year-old goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who has been outstanding so far this season as a replacement for injured Germany international Rene Adler.

Probable lineups: Chelsea: 1-Petr Cech; 17-Jose Bosingwa, 2-Branislav Ivanovic, 26-John Terry, 3Ashley Cole; 7-Ramires, 16-Raul Meireles, 8Frank Lampard, 23-Daniel Sturridge, 39Nicolas Anelka, 10-Juan Mata Bayer Leverkusen: 23-Bernd Leno; 2Daniel Schwaab, 21-Omer Toprak, 3-Stefan Reinartz, 27-Gonzalo Castro; 18-Sidney Sam, 6-Simon Rolfes, 8-Lars Bender, 9Andre Schuerrle, 10-Renato Augusto; 11Stefan Kiessling. —Reuters

Matches on TV (Local Timings)

UEFA Champions League Viktoria v FC BATE Aljazeera Sport +8

21:45

Barcelona v AC Milan Aljazeera Sport +2

21:45

Apoel v Zenit Aljazeera Sport +6

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FC Porto v Shakhtar Aljazeera Sport +1

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Dortmund v Arsenal Aljazeera Sport +3 Aljazeera Sport +4

21:45

Olympiacos v Marseille Aljazeera Sport +10

21:45

KRC Genk V Valencia Aljazeera Sport +9

21:45

Chelsea V Leverkusen Aljazeera Sport +5

21:45

MADRID: Barcelona start the defence of their Champions League crown at home to European veterans AC Milan today unsettled by an injury to new signing Alexis Sanchez and a sloppy league display.

Pep Guardiola’s well-established side have already scooped the Spanish and European Super Cups this term, and are aiming for a fourth Champions League title in seven years, but looked unusually vulnerable in La Liga on Saturday.

The Spanish champions frittered away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Real Sociedad as complacency took over and their trademark passing game deserted them in the second half.

To rub salt in the wound, they lost new Chilean forward Sanchez to a torn hamstring that will keep him out for up to two months. “(Our morale) isn’t the best today,” Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets told a news conference on Sunday. “But we will react, and we will do it well and quickly.

“Last year we also began with problems, losing to Hercules, but it’s no good worrying about it. We have to take note of it and correct the mistakes.”

Barca have often struggled after breaks for international soccer, suffering from the socalled ‘FIFA virus’, and Guardiola’s decision to start with Lionel Messi, David Villa and Andres Iniesta on the bench raised some eyebrows on Saturday.

They raced into an early lead with goals from Xavi and in-form new recruit Cesc Fabregas before going off the boil.

They are likely to be at near full strength for the Group H match against Milan and Guardiola could have Carles Puyol back from injury to bring some much needed poise and solidity back to the centre of their defence.

Milan got off to a shaky start in Serie A, drawing 2-2 at home to Lazio on Friday and had to come back from two down with goals

from ex-Barca forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic and former Real Madrid striker Antonio Cassano.

Despite their team again being clearly the best-equipped side in Italy, few Milan fans expect the seven-times European Cup winners to threaten in the Champions

a doubt before the Lazio clash but came on for Gattuso and impressed. He will now want to do the same against his former club. “We must improve defensively as a team and return to not conceding,” Allegri said.

SPAIN: Barcelona’s players attend a training session at the Nou Camp stadium. FC Barcelona will play against AC Milan today. —AP League. An early trip to the holders will be a gauge of their progress under Massimiliano Allegri after their elimination by Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 last term.

Midfielder Gennaro Gattuso limped out of the Lazio clash but is suspended in Europe for four games anyway following his headbutt of Tottenham assistant boss Joe Jordan last season.

New defender Philippe Mexes is also suspended and injured. Mark van Bommel was

Probable teams: Barcelona: 1-Victor Valdes; 2-Daniel Alves, 5-Carles Puyol, 14-Javier Mascherano, 22-Eric Abidal; 16-Sergio Busquets, 6-Xavi, 8-Andres Iniesta; 7-David Villa, 10-Lionel Messi, 17Pedro Milan: 32-Christian Abbiati; 20-Ignazio Abate, 33-Thiago Silva, 13-Alessandro Nesta, 77-Luca Antonini; 23-Massimo Ambrosini, 4Mark Van Bommel, 18-Alberto Aquilani; 27Kevin Prince Boateng; 11-Zlatan Ibrahimovic; 99-Antonio Cassano. —Reuters

Arsenal and Dortmund seek way out of slump BERLIN: Former winners Borussia Dortmund host Arsenal in their Champions League Group F opener today, with both sides desperate to drag themselves out of an early slump this season.

Arsenal are not in the best of shape for today’s encounter with manager Arsene Wenger starting the first game of his two-match touchline ban and injuries keeping out key defender Thomas Vermaelen and midfielder Jack Wilshere.

At least the Gunners finally got their domestic campaign up and running when they beat Swansea City 1-0 for their first Premier League win of the season with a hugely fortuitous goal from Andrei Arshavin at the Emirates on Saturday.

Despite the win and some good midfield approach work from new signing Mikel Arteta, it was another nervy performance from Wenger ’s men albeit an improvement on their 8-2 defeat at Manchester United two weeks ago. “We started quite well, but the nerves took over and we played with the handbrake on,” Wenger, who lost his appeal against his UEFA ban last week, said.

“Confidence goes quickly, and comes back slowly, and for us to be in the situation we are in, we are not used to that. We need to put a few wins together.”

Defender Per Mertesacker, making a quick return to his homeland after joining Arsenal at the end of the transfer window, has told his team mates they face a tough task in Germany.

“Dortmund were the best team in Germany last year, they do a good job passing the ball and have great players,” the Germany international said.

“It will be difficult for us but I know we have very good players and I am confident we can get a result. “Dortmund are the toughest opponents in our group so we will be very happy if we take something from this match.”

Dortmund, however, are a shadow of last season’s explosive team and a 2-1 home defeat by Hertha Berlin on Saturday has done little to calm nerves before the game. With just seven points from five league games and already two defeats, Dortmund know they must up their game against the English side.

The 1997 Champions League

winners slumped to their first home defeat in 18 league games stretching back to August 2010 with yet another uninspired performance.

Coach Juergen Klopp will be relieved to have Mario Goetze back in action after the 19-yearold midfielder missed the league game through suspension. “We can play much better than we did against Hertha and with a lot more creativity,” Klopp said.

Top striker Lucas Barrios, who has recovered from a muscle injury that caused him to miss the start of the season, could make a return despite coming back to training only last week.

“We need to turn our weaknesses into strengths against Arsenal,” central defender Neven Subotic said. “Saturday’s perform-

ance is not enough. It is not enough for the Bundesliga and most certainly not enough for the Champions League.”

Probable teams: Borussia Dortmund: 1-Roman Weidenfeller; 26-Lukasz Piszczek, 4-Neven Subotic, 15-Mats Hummels, 29-Marcel Schmelzer; 22-Sven Bender, 21-Ilkay Guendogan, 11-Mario Goetze, 23Shinji Kagawa, 19-Kevin Grosskreutz; 9-Robert Lewandowski.

Arsenal: 13-Wojciech Szczesny; 3-Bacar y Sagna, 4-Per Mertesacker, 6-Laurent Koscielny, 28-Kieran Gibbs; 8-Mikel Arteta, 16-Aaron Ramsey, 7-Tomas Rosicky, 30-Yossi Benayoun; 10Robin van Persie, 14-Theo Walcott. —Reuters

GERMANY: Borussia Dortmund’s players exercise during the last training session prior to the Group F Champions League soccer match against Arsenal. —AP

A

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e niv rsar n

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19

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

S P ORT S

Former FIFA VP calls Blatter a ‘little brat’ AL AIN: Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan (second right), Awad bin Hasoom Al Darmaky, CEO of Al Ain Club (left) and Cosmin Olaroiu, the Al Ain coach, hold Al Ain Club No. 3 T-shirt during unveiling Gyan at the club. —AP

Gyan ready for success at Al Ain in UAE LONDON: After swapping the prestige of the English Premier League for the riches of the United Arab Emirates, Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan is set to embark on a new chapter in his career.

Gyan left Sunderland “baffled” by completing a season-long loan move to Al Ain on Saturday, with sections of the British media reporting he will triple his weekly salary to around 125,000 pounds ($200,000).

His shock move has left Sunderland bitter, with chairman Niall Quinn listing the reasons why the club had to let its star striker depart.

Among them, Quinn said yesterday, were the “obvious economic benefits to our club in the terms of the final deal laid out” when the chairman of Al Ain flew to Sunderland’s training ground on Friday to finalize the loan deal.

However, the 25-year-old Gyan has no intention of looking back on the wreckage he has left behind, with Sunderland unable to replace him in the squad because the transfer window closed on Sept. 1.

“I’m really, really happy to be here, at an important club like Al Ain,” said Gyan, who helped Ghana reach the quarterfinals at last year’s World Cup. “I’ve played in Europe for a while and I’m here to see how is the Asian league. Hopefully, I will help the team win some cups and then see where my future lies.”

The terms of Gyan’s deal with Al Ain have not been revealed, although reports say Sunderland would be receiving 6 million pounds ($9.5 million) for loaning out

the player.

Quinn spoke of his disappointment at Gyan’s “negative demeanor in and around the training ground” in recent weeks and the striker’s “clear desire to leave.” Unlike manager Steve Bruce, though, Quinn said Gyan could still be recalled to the Stadium of Light.

“He will need to convince Steve, the board and every Sunderland fan of his commitment to this club if he is to return,” Quinn said.

Quinn, who said Gyan would be making a sizeable donation to the Sunderland Foundation for each month he is away on loan, added that he, the board and Bruce “found the football decision that Asamoah wished to make baffling.”

Gyan is Sunderland’s record signing, joining for a club-record fee of 13 million pounds ($20 million) from French club Rennes last season. He scored 11 goals in 37 appearances for Sunderland but clearly failed to settle into English football.

Gyan said yesterday he had needed “a change in environment” and promised Al Ain fans he would “deliver here, I’m very sure about that.”

Gyan is the fourth foreign player the club has signed in recent weeks ahead of the new season starting Oct. 15, after Ignacio Scocco of Argentina, Mirel Radoi of Romania and Yasser al-Qahtani of Saudi Arabia.

Al Ain is owned by Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi. The club finished 10th in the UAE Pro League ‚Ä” the Persian Gulf emirate’s top league ‚Ä” last season. —AP

SEOUL: A former FIFA vice president has called Sepp Blatter, the president of soccer’s governing body, a “little brat” who rules dictatorially.

Chung Mong-joon made the criticism in a memoir published in South Korea last week, titled “My Challenge, My Enthusiasm.”

Chung had been regarded as a candidate to succeed Blatter as FIFA president before being defeated for re-election this year in a vote by Asia’s governing body.

The book reached stores as Blatter prepared to present detailed anti-corruption reforms in October after a year of scandal.

“President Blatter is fluent in five languages, has a good way with words and is intelligent ... but I think he is not an international gentleman and he is like a little brat,” Chung said in the book.

Chung, who served as a FIFA vice president for 16 years, accused Blatter of trying to usurp the authority of FIFA’s executive committee with his proposal to create an oversight, anti-corruption panel that could include former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and opera singer Placido Domingo. “(The FIFA) executive committee is an independent organ aimed at performing the roles of ‘checks and balance’ to prevent the president from going beyond his own authority. Blatter is now attempting to take away the power of the executive committee and neutralize any effort to check his power,” Chung wrote.

“It’s a similar scheme that so many dictators have used in world history.”

Chung also said that Blatter had unsuccessfully made a series of unrealistic proposals, such as holding the World Cup every two years rather than every four and moving the goalposts to help allow more scores.

“Those proposals ... only triggered unnecessary friction and

confusion,” he wrote. FIFA said yesterday it would not comment on Chung’s memoir.

Blatter has long been a magnet for criticism, but the 75-yearold was elected unopposed this year to a four th term as FIFA president. His only challenger, Mohamed bin Hammam, withdrew on the eve of the vote amid

and Reynald Temarii, were suspended after allegations of corruption. Warner then resigned.

Blatter told The Associated Press late last month he will announce his reform agenda after an executive committee meeting Oct. 20-21.

Last month, European Club Association Chairman Karl-Heinz

lawmaker and billionaire businessman, had long headed the country’s soccer association and was a key factor in helping South Korea land the right to co-host the 2002 World Cup with Japan.

He is contemplating a run for South Korean president next year.

Chung’s late father, Chung Ju-

PRETORIA: In this June 29, 2010 file photo, FIFA Vice President Chung Mong-Joon (second from right) FIFA President Sepp Blatter (right) and UEFA President Michel Platini (second left) wait for the start of the World Cup match. —AP allegations that he tried to bribe Caribbean voters in his campaign to unseat Blatter. Bin Hammam has denied the charges.

FIFA Vice President Jack Warner, and two other FIFA executive members, Amos Adamu

Rummenigge called on Blatter to introduce reforms in FIFA or risk the fate of toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Blatter later said he had made peace with Rummenigge.

Chung, a senior South Korean

yung, founded the Hyundai conglomerate‚ ”a top-tier FIFA sponsor‚” and ran unsuccessfully for president of South Korea in 1992.

The younger Chung was also a national presidential candidate in 2002. —AP

Boca go top in Argentina BUENOS AIRES: Boca Juniors hit the post three times before finally breaking through late in the game to beat All Boys 1-0 and go top of the Argentine championship.

Midfielder Walter Erviti scored the winner in 75th minute after Dario Cvitanich, Diego Rivero and Juan Roman Riquelme all struck the woodwork for Argentina’s most popular side.

Sunday’s win took Boca top of the Apertura championship- the first of two championships in the season with the teams meeting each other once in each competition-by one point from Atletico Rafaela. Unbeaten Boca have 14 points from six games.

Promoted Rafaela, the previous leaders, were held 0-0 by Newell’s Old Boys and are a point behind.

Banfield remained pointless after six matches following their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, where Emilio Zelaya scored the only goal after seven minutes.

Former Mexico and Costa Rica coach La Volpe blamed his team’s wayward finishing as they stayed rooted to the bottom. “If there are no goals, there is no happiness,” he told reporters.

Champions Velez Sarsfield lost 1-0 at to home to Union Santa Fe as Paulo Rosales scored an 86th minute winner. Velez are tenth after their third defeat in six games. —Reuters

BUENOS AIRES: Boca Juniors’ Juan Roman Riquelme (left) fights for the ball with San Martin’s Marcos Galarza during an Argentina league soccer match. —AP

Corinthians loses to Fluminense 1-0 PARIS: Paris’ Jeremy Menez (left) challenges for the ball with Brest’s Jhon Culma (right) during their Division One soccer match. —AP

PSG, Montpellier seal tight wins PARIS: Javier Pastore scored his first Ligue 1 goal to hand Paris St Germain a 1-0 win over Stade Brest and leaders Montpellier were also forced to work hard in a tight home victory over Nice on Sunday.

PSG and their array of new talent after a close-season spending spree moved level with third-placed champions Lille, 3-1 winners at St Etienne on Saturday, thanks to playmaker Pastore’s 68th-minute strike.

The Argentine, a French record buy from Palermo, coolly found the net following good work from Jeremy Menez after visitors Brest had gone the closest at the Parc des Princes.

Olympique Lyon had reached the summit after five games with Saturday’s 2-1 victory at promoted Dijon but sur-

prise packages Montpellier now lead the standings again by a point after the 1-0 win on the south coast.

Senegal forward Souleymane Camara netted with a left-foot finish 15 minutes from time after a cross from Garr y Bocaly.

“We are happy, we have done well even if it wasn’t easy,” Montpellier boss Rene Girard told reporters. “This win is a reward for the lad Camara, who puts in top performances every time he comes on.”

Struggling Nancy drew 0-0 at home to Auxerre in Sunday’s other game to move a point behind beleaguered big boys Olympique Marseille, who have just three points from five games after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Stades Rennes. —Reuters

SAO PAULO: Brazil striker Fred scored from a first-half free kick to give defending champion Fluminense a 1-0 win over Corinthians on Sunday, handing the Brazilian league leader its fourth loss in six games.

Corinthians remained atop the standings despite the loss because second-placed Vasco da Gama drew 1-1 with Figueirense and third-placed Sao Paulo fell 1-0 to Gremio.

Fourth-placed Botafogo also could have reached the lead with a victory on Sunday but lost 5-0 to Coritiba.

In Sao Paulo, young Brazil sensation Leandro Damiao scored three goals to give Internacional a 3-0 win over Palmeiras, increasing his season tally to 40 goals.

Ronaldinho’s Flamengo lost 2-1 at home to second-to-last place Atletico Paranaense, extending its winless streak to five matches.

Fred gave Fluminense its fourth win in a row with a long-

range free kick that deflected off a defender and wrong-footed Corinthians goalkeeper Julio Cesar in the 22nd minute at the Engenhao stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The result lifted Fluminense to fifth place in the 20-team standings, six points behind Corinthians, which was coming off a thrilling 2-1 win over Flamengo on Wednesday but still could not secure consecutive wins; it has not done so since July.

Vasco couldn’t get past the draw with 10th-placed Figueirense at Orlando Scarpelli stadium in Florianopolis, while sixtime champion Sao Paulo lost to Gremio after allowing a secondhalf goal at the Olimpico stadium in Porto Alegre. Sao Paulo could have taken sole possession of first place had it beaten two-time champion Gremio, which has won three in a row to reach 12th place after a struggling start.

Ronaldinho was not able to help Flamengo in the loss to

Atletico Paranaense in Macae.

Ecuadorean striker Joffre Guerron scored the winner for Atletico in the 46th but was ejected in the 70th for a hard foul. Guerron also set up Atletico’s opening goal by Heracles in the first half.

At the Pacaembu stadium, Leandro Damiao added another great performance to his stunning season, scoring all three goals for Internacional in the victory over Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Palmeiras in Sao Paulo. He put Internacional on the board in the 24th, then sealed the win in the 83rd and in second-half stoppage time.

Touted among the more promising stars in Brazil, Leandro Damiao has already scored 40 times this season, including a goal with the Brazilian national team in the friendly against Ghana earlier this month. The result moved Internacional to seventh in the standings, while eight-time champion Palmeiras dropped to eighth. Palmeiras is

winless in four matches and has won only twice in 11 rounds.

Also Sunday, Coritiba scored four second-half goals to earn a 5-0 home rout of Botafogo, which had won five in a row coming into Sunday. On Saturday, Copa Libertadores champion Santos defeated Cruzeiro 1-0 at the Vila Belmiro stadium with the 16th goal by league-leading scorer Borges.

He netted from close range after a play that started with young striker Neymar in the 12th. Santos had two other goals disallowed by what appeared to be bad offside calls, according to television replays.

Argentine playmaker Walter Montillo missed a first-half penalty for Cruzeiro, when Santos was up 1-0.

The result extended Santos’ unbeaten streak to six matches.

It is only 13th in the standings but has two games in hand. Also Saturday, last-place America drew visiting Avai 2-2 in Sete Lagoas. —AP

Barca seek Milan lift after jolt to morale

18

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Former FIFA VP calls Blatter a ‘little brat’

19

Asian football’s middle class challenging leaders

Page 18

NEW YORK: Samantha Stosur (right) of Australia celebrates with the championship trophy alongside Serena Williams (left) of the United States who poses with the second place trophy after their Women’s Singles Final match at the US Open.—AFP

Stosur stuns angry Serena NEW YORK: Samantha Stosur out-played threetime champion Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3 to win the US Open on Sunday, claiming the first Grand Slam title of her career in a stormy final.

Stosur kept her composure as Williams erupted in anger at the chair umpire in the second set, dominating the 13-time Grand Slam champion who had reached the final without dropping a set. She became the first Australian woman to take the title in New York since Margaret Court in 1973, and the first to win a Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong won Wimbledon in 1980. “I had one of my best days and I’m very fortunate that I had it on this stage in New York,” Stosur said. “Ever since I started playing it was a dream of mine to be here one day.” Williams arrived in the final after dismantling world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals on Saturday night in a match that dragged toward midnight.

“I was more tired than I expected,” Williams said. “But I want to give all credit to Sam today ...

She played really, really well. That’s what you

have to do when you play a Grand Slam final.”

Stosur, playing her second career Grand Slam final after a runner-up finish in the French Open last year, quickly claimed the opening set, breaking Williams to lead 2-1 and winning the last 12 points of the set as Williams’ frustration grew.

Williams, whose powerful serve is a cornerstone of her game, struggled to get her first serves in and Stosur repeatedly made her pay.

“She was cracking ‘em today,” Williams said of the Australian, who was still rolling in the opening game of the second frame when she gave herself a double break point with a crushing return of serve.

Williams saved one with an ace, and appeared to save another for deuce. But the American’s shout of “c’mon” as soon as she unleashed her forehand came before Stosur reached the ball, and umpire Eva Asderaki immediately penalised Williams for “intentional hindrance” and the point and the game went to Stosur. “Aren’t you the one who screwed me over last time?,” Williams bellowed at Asderaki. “That is

totally not cool.” The scene recalled Williams’ similar meltdown in her 2009 semi-final defeat to Kim Clijsters. In that match, she unleashed a tirade of abuse at a lineswoman who called a foot-fault during the tense match and a penalty point sealed her fate in a 6-4, 7-5 defeat. This time an angry Williams-backed by a suddenly energized crowd on the 22,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium-immediately stepped up her game, breaking Stosur for 1-1 and holding to edge ahead 2-1.

Stosur remained aloof from the dispute, but admitted the crowd response was intimidating.

“It was probably the loudest I ever felt a crowd in my whole entire life,” she siad. “You’re right in the middle of it. “It was definitely a quite overwhelming feeling. But once I hit that next ball in the court and started playing again, I felt settled.”

Williams continued to berate Asderaki on the changeover, but Stosur stayed calm and saved two break points in the fourth game to level the set at 2-2. Stosur said she didn’t really know just what was happening between Williams and the

umpire. “I was just kind of there,” Stosur said. “I do know the rule, but it’s not something I’ve ever had to deal with before.” She gained the edge with a break for 4-3, and broke again to seal the match with yet another blistering return off a Williams second serve on her third match point.

“I don’t really know what to say,” said Stosur, whose rugged path to the final included a thirdround victory over Nadia Petrova that lasted a US Open women’s record three hours and 16 minutes and a marathon 17-15 tiebreak loss to Maria Kirilenko before she rallied to beat the Russian. “Thanks to everyone back home for supporting me. All my friends, family and everyone else, thanks so much for supporting me. I look forward to coming back home,” said Stosur.

Williams had voiced her eagerness to represent America on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and did her best to gloss over her burst of temper when it was all over. “I was doing my best,” she said. “I hit a winner but I guess it didn’t count ... But it wouldn’t have mattered anyway because she played really well.”—AFP

Texans rout Colts HOUSTON: The Indianapolis Colts were lost without Peyton Manning on Sunday. Matt Schaub threw for 220 yards and a touchdown, Ben Tate rushed for 116 yards and another score in relief of injured Arian Foster, and the Texans dominated Kerry Collins, Manning’s replacement, in a 34-7 victory. The Texans looked like they’re finally ready to take over the AFC South. Manning, the four-time MVP, didn’t travel with the team to Houston as he recovers from his third neck surgery in the past 19 months. His streak of 227 consecutive starts, including playoffs, came to an end. The 38-year-old Collins was lured out of retirement less than three weeks ago to take a crash course in the offense. He fumbled on consecutive snaps that set up Texans touchdowns in the first quarter, and was sacked three times.

The Colts mustered only 236 yards and 15 first downs against Houston’s 3-4 defense guided by new coordinator Wade Phillips.

Ravens 35, Steelers 7 At Baltimore, - Joe Flacco threw three touchdown passes, Haloti Ngata led an inspired defense that forced a team-record seven turnovers, and Baltimore easily beat the defending AFC champions.

Ray Rice ran for 107 yards and scored twice for the Ravens, who bolted to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never let up against their bitter rivals. It was a rematch of a secondround playoff matchup last January, when the Steelers rallied to beat Baltimore 31-24.

In that game, the Ravens let a 21-7 halftime lead evaporate with three turnovers in the third quarter. This time, the Ravens got three takeaways in the third quarter to turn a 21-7 advantage into a rout. Ngata caused a fumble and deflected a pass that produced an interception.

Bears 30, Falcons 12 At Chicago, Brian Urlacher had an interception and returned a fumble for a touchdown, Jay Cutler threw for 312 yards and two scores and Chicago sacked Atlanta’s Matt Ryan five times. In a matchup of reigning division champions, Urlacher picked off Ryan to set up an early 56-yard TD catch by Matt Forte, and in the third quarter the linebacker picked up a fumble by Ryan and scored from 12 yards to make it 30-6. Cutler completed 22 of 32 passes in his first game at Soldier Field since the Bears’ loss to Green Bay in the NFC title game. Ryan completed 31 of 47 passes for 319 yards.

Eagles 31, Rams 13 At St. Louis, Michael Vick rushed for 98 yards, LeSean McCoy scored twice and DeSean Jackson topped 100 yards receiving as Philadelphia opened its self-proclaimed Super Bowl drive with a big win.

The Eagles had 239 yards rushing and were 8 for 11 on third downs. The defense applied constant pressure and piled up five sacks, two

by Justin Babin. Darryl Tapp forced a fumble

by Sam Bradford that led to a 56-yard touchdown return by Juqua Parker. Steven Jackson ran for a 47-yard score on the Rams’ first play, but lasted only one more carry before leaving with a right leg injury. Sam Bradford left for Xrays on a finger of his throwing hand in the fourth quarter.

Bills 41, Chiefs 7 At Kansas City, Missouri, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four touchdown passes, two of them to journeyman tight end Scott Chandler, and Buffalo romped to victory. Fitzpatrick finished with 208 yards passing for the Bills, who hadn’t score 40 points in an opener since a 40-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 6, 1992.

EAST RUTHERFORD: Dallas Cowboys defensive back Barry Church (42) chases down New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) during the first half of an NFL football game. —AP Fred Jackson added 112 yards rushing for Buffalo. Matt Cassel threw for 119 yards with a touchdown and interception for Kansas City.

It was the most lopsided season-opening loss in franchise history, and the worst home loss by the Chiefs since a 45-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers 35 years ago.

Lions 27, Buccaneers 20 At Tampa, Florida, Matthew Stafford threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns to help Detroit to its fifth consecutive victory dating to the final month of the 2010 season.

Stafford completed 24 of 33 passes, including TD throws of 36 and 1 yards to Calvin Johnson and 11 yards to Tony Scheffler. The only interception he threw glanced off the hands of intended receiver Will Heller and was returned 28 yards by Aqib Talib for the only touchdown Tampa Bay managed until Josh

Freeman threw a 5-yard scoring pass to Mike Williams with less than two minutes to go.

Bengals 27, Browns 17 At Cleveland, AJ Green caught Cleveland’s defense napping for his first career catch, a 41-yard touchdown from backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski as Cincinnati spoiled a sloppy debut by Cleveland in coach Pat Shurmur’s debut. Green was left uncovered by the Browns, who were slow coming out of the huddle. All Gradkowski, on in relief of injured rookie Andy Dalton, had to do was lob the ball to Green. The speedy wideout did the rest, scoring with 4:31 left to shock the Browns and their fans, who watched Cleveland fall to 1-12 in season openers since 1999. Colt McCoy threw two TD passes for the Browns, who were disorganized for much of Shurmur’s first game. —AP

Serena fined $2,000 for US Open outburst NEW YORK: Serena Williams was fined $2,000 by the US Open yesterday for berating the chair umpire during the final. Tournament referee Brian Earley issued his ruling a day after Williams was cited by chair umpire Eva Asderaki for a code violation for verbal abuse during a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Sam Stosur in the women’s singles cham- NEW YORK: Serena Williams pionship match at gestures while talking to the chair umpire . —AP Flushing Meadows.

A statement issued by the US Tennis Association said the fine “is consistent with similar offenses at Grand Slam events.” Williams earned $1.4 million at the US Open: $900,000 for finishing as the runner-up, plus a $500,000 bonus for having come in first place in the US Open Series standings, which take into account results at hard-court tuneup tournaments.

The USTA also said Grand Slam committee director Bill Babcock conducted his own review and determined “Williams’ conduct, while verbally abusive, does not rise to the level of a major offense under the Grand Slam Code of Conduct.” That means Williams does not face further disciplinary action - which could have included a fine and suspension from a Grand Slam tournament - under the “probationary period” she was put under after yelling at and threatening a line judge after a foot-fault call at the end of her loss to Kim Clijsters in the 2009 US Open semifinals. On Sunday night against Stosur, Williams faced a break point while serving in the first game of the second set. Williams ripped a forehand that she celebrated with her familiar yell of “Come on!” But Asderaki ruled that the scream came while Stosur was reaching for a backhand, so the point wasn’t finished.

Based on the hindrance rule, Asderaki awarded the point to Stosur, putting the Australian ahead 1-0 in that set.

That set Williams off on a series of insults directed at the official, a scene far less ugly than - yet reminiscent of - her tirade on the same court two years ago. A sampling of what Williams said, prompting Asderaki to call the code violation: “You’re out of control.”

“You’re a hater, and you’re just unattractive inside.”

“Really, don’t even look at me.”

Asked at her news conference Sunday night whether she regretted any of her words, the 13-time Grand Slam champion rolled her eyes and replied: “I don’t even remember what I said. It was just so intense out there. ... I guess I’ll see it on YouTube.” In 2009, Williams’ profanity-laced outburst at a line judge led to an immediate $10,000 fine from the U.S. Open and later a record $82,500 fine from Babcock. At the time, Babcock said that if Williams committed a “major offense” at a Grand Slam tournament in 2010 or 2011, her fine could be doubled and she would be barred from the following US Open.—AP

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PARIS: People pass by a French bank BNP Paribas’ agency yesterday in Paris. The French stock market plunged by 4.27 percent in early trading and shares in BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale banks were down by about 10.0 percent. _ AFP

Debt fears send world stocks reeling Greek default fears, G7 inaction prompt selloff LONDON: World shares tumbled 2 percent yesterday with European equities down 3 percent for a more than 20 percent loss this year as investors worried Greece was edging closer to default.

Japan’s Nikkei closed at a 2-1/2 year low and Wall Street looked set for sharp losses. Yields on long-term core eurozone debt, home to safety plays during times of strife, fell sharply and the euro slumped against the dollar and yen. The cost of insuring peripheral eurozone debt against default rose, to record levels for Greece and Portugal, while Italy saw its cost of borrowing over 12 months surge at a treasury bill sale.

Markets were partly reacting to the failure over the weekend of the Group of

Seven industrialized nations’ finance ministers to come up with more than a stated commitment to help turn the world economy around. But they were mainly focused on the eurozone debt crisis. “Europe is not just lurching from one crisis to another. It is lurching into a new one before the previous one is solved,” said Makoto Noji, senior strategist at SMBC Nikko Securities.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst was down 3.1 percent. German policymaker Juergen Stark’s resignation from the European Central Bank’s board on Friday underscored internal divisions over its bond-buying program-one of the bank’s main weapons to fight the debt crisis, by forcing down yields on debt of countries

under pressure from the bond markets.

Fears about a Greek default rose last week after senior politicians in German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition started talking openly about it.

International lenders threatened last week to withhold a sixth bailout payment of about 8 billion euros ($11 billion) because of repeated fiscal slippage and Athens said yesterday that it has cash for only a few more weeks. The government announced on Sunday a new property tax to make sure it would meet its budget targets and qualify for the tranche. “The Greek situation is dominant, chances of some sort of default have increased-the Germans seem to be hinting at that,” one bond trader in Europe said.

EURO SINKS The euro dived to a seven-month low against the US dollar and a 10-year trough versus the yen. “The outlook for Greece is almost completely unknown.

Support for the country appears to be shaking. The market is starting to think the worst could happen,” said Katsunori Kitakura, chief dealer at Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking. “It’s as if policymakers are starting to prepare for that,” Kitakura said. The euro fell as low as $1.34949 , its lowest since February, before recovering to around $1.3634. On bond markets, Italian and Spanish government bond yields rose, feeling the pressure of upcoming debt supply and the rising concern over Greece. — Reuters

Eurozone crisis acute Powerhouse Germany warns of possible worst-case BRUSSELS: Eurozone nations headed into fresh turbulence yesterday with alarm rising over a potential Greek default only days before vital talks to save Athens and contain the debt crisis. Stocks tumbled in Asia and nosedived in early trading in Europe as markets appeared to dismiss weekend promises

by Greece on deficit cuts as too little too late, while worrying about stretched European banks. After powerhouse Germany warned of a possible worst-case “orderly default” for Greece, the Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Sunday announced plans to slice an extra two billion euros ($2.7 billion) off the deficit. The pledge of fresh action, via a real estate tax and month-long salary cut for elected officials, came amid concerns Greece might fail to meet the terms of the first 2010 bailout by the International Monetary Fund and 17-nation eurozone.

In Brussels, EU Economy Commissioner Olli Rehn hailed the Greek decisions and said a troika of IMF, European Commission and European Central Bank experts would head to Athens in coming days to look at releasing a new eight-billion-euro tranche of loans from the 2010 rescue package. “Once Greece meets the conditions, I expect the review by the troika could be concluded by the end of September,” he said. And Internal Markets Commissioner Michel Barnier said in Paris that the EU was doing all it could to prevent a country default.

The so-called troika of lenders left Greece in displeasure early this month due to slippage on targets for debt and deficit reduction set under the 110-billion-euro rescue. “It’s very clear to us that this situation in Europe is not going to end well,” said Charlie Aitken of

Bell Potter investment brokers in Sydney.

After a summer of market havoc, the single currency was under pressure after a bleak week of pessimistic pronouncements evoking the implosion of the eurozone.

Next Friday and Saturday will see the first post-summer talks, in Poland, of finance min-

the 12-year-old currency is seeing historic highs amid fears divided Europe could fail to stem debt contagion.

Top economists such as Nouriel Roubini and even Germany’s former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder have warned only full “political union,” something approaching a

TOKYO: A postal deliverer pedals past an electronic stock board at a securities firm in Tokyo yesterday. Asian stock markets fell sharply yesterday amid fresh anxiety over Europe’s debt problems and a potential default by Greece that would wreak havoc on the global economy. — AP isters from the increasingly divided nations sharing the euro. Split over how to address a crisis exacerbated by global economic gloom, the ministers are to discuss obstacles holding up a second 160-billion-euro bailout for Greece, agreed in principle at a July 21 summit. But barely seven weeks on, pressure on

“United States of Europe,” can keep the euro on its feet. And US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said at a weekend meet of the G7 powers in Marseille that European states needed to do more to prove they had the political will to deal with the financial crises roiling the continent.

But already, Finland wants cash collateral from Greece before lending any more money, and Slovakia-which sat out the first bailout is threatening to delay ratification of the second rescue until year’s end. Meanwhile, exasperation with debt and deficit-offender nations is growing in Germany, Finland and the Netherlands. Dutch Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager last week raised the prospect of expelling offenders from the euro. “If you can’t stick to rules, you have to leave the game,” he said.

Germany’s Economy Minister Philipp Roesler pointedly said in a column yesterday that Europe could no longer rule out an “orderly default” for Greece. “To stabilize the euro, we must not take anything off the table in the short run,” wrote Roesler, who is also Germany’s vice chancellor. “That includes as a worst-case scenario an orderly default for Greece if the necessary instruments for it are available.” In another blow to the eurozone’s struggle to speak with a single voice on the crisis, ECB chief economist Juergen Stark abruptly quit on Friday.

The hawkish board member was an outspoken critic of the bank’s controversial buying of eurozone government bonds on secondary markets to prevent borrowing rates rising to prohibitive levels. The program had been on hold until last month, when investors fled Italian and Spanish bonds, threatening to force a bailout of the eurozone’s third- and fourth-largest economies.

The ECB has since bought more than 50 billion euros in eurozone debt, leading to growing calls for governments to issue jointly backed ‘eurobonds’ in future-a demand roundly rejected by Germany.—AFP

Appeal of gold shrinks KUWAIT: The appeal of gold accessories and jewelry is shrinking dramatically nowadays as the price of gold continues to soar and set new record highs, and some shops sustained such heavy losses recently that they had to close down, a number of jewelers said yesterday. There is almost no market for items such as rings, bracelets, belts, as their prices are way beyond most people’s budgets at current gold prices.

One dealer, Hussein Al-Sayegh, said the prices jumped unexpectedly this year and jewelers with small capital had to close shop or switch to more affordable silver items. The small market which remains for gold is among those getting married and buying the customary engagement and marriage articles. Purchases of gifts for other occasions are almost non-existent, however. In addition, people and consumers are increasingly aware that gold prices are still on an upward slant, and so they buy investment pieces and even plaques or bullion when possible, to benefit when deciding to re-sell the piece at a later time.

The jeweler pointed out there is a concentration among the clientele for pure gold of non-Kuwaitis, and particularly Indians and Egyptians, who prefer to put their money in precious metals rather than consumer goods like Kuwaitis.

Jeweler Fadhil Al-Mousa for his part noted jewelry shops are trying to lessen the blow of the soaring prices through introduction of new items such as items made of brass, copper, and other metals with gold-plate and gold-leaf so that the end product is still affordable.

The market for these new additions is “blooming, and no surprise there,” he noted. Price is going up in this category, too, he said. “While shops used to buy 2-3 kilos of gold a month in the past, they can hardly afford half a kilo at current prices, especially with no customers around.”

George Nakhla also noted small and medium gift items are no longer popular. — KUNA

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Mideast challenges and opportunities KUWAT: The economic, social and political pressures building throughout the Middle East present a multitude of exciting challenges and opportunities. If there can be any certainty, it is that in a generation, the region will look conspicuously different viewed from any of these perspectives.

As we’ve seen elsewhere in the world, economic considerations will contribute substantially to the path of progress, and will lay the foundations for large scale job creation and to make the GCC into a global competitor. This will necessitate building economies less dependent on oilrelated industries and government employment, and the development of industries for the future.

Atif Abdulmalik We believe that one of the keystones of economic independence is entrepreneurship. In industrialized countries, 70 percent of all jobs are created in the private sector, and most of these jobs are generated by fast-growth companies that each year expands employment and wealth at many times the national rates of GDP growth. What’s more, further benefits arise from the contagiousness of entrepreneurial success.

Statistics show that employees of fast-growth companies have a high propensity to leave and set up their own fast-growth enterprises. The importance of encouraging and promoting entrepreneurial Endeavour is already widely recognized, and resources are available throughout the GCC that can advise and support individuals in the building of successful enterprises.

So there are an increasing number of entrepreneurial and high-growth companies in the region. But virtually all of them are operating out of public view, and we think it’s important to highlight and encourage these success stories.

Success in our business of private equity comes from identifying highgrowth and high potential companies, and the entrepreneurial management teams behind them, and

Oil supply gap shrinks

making them larger. To date, we have found most oppor tunities in the mature markets of the US, Europe and Asia. And there are many other investment firms like Arcapita, all of whom are investing in promising companies and working to make them more successful.

The economies where these companies are found are recipients of the global investment stream, as well as valuable expertise, and the other advantages that the attentions of global private equity investment can bring.

Much has been written about the vitality of entrepreneurial spirit in the US, and it is often cited as one of the magic constituents of the US economy. I don’t believe that there is necessarily any particular magic about US entrepreneurs - I think the magic lies in the visibility of the entrepreneurs, their ability to attract investment and their ability to attract the brightest and most ambitious graduates.

That’s why Arcapita, working in partnership with AllWorld Network, an international (US-based) organization that promotes global entrepreneurship, is supporting a program to bring regional and international attention to the vibrant, indigenous cluster of emerging growth companies in the GCC. The program is called the GCC Fast Growth 100 (GCC100), and as well as providing further support for successful growth entrepreneurs; it will generate increased visibility to attract the capital and expertise to help their enterprises scale up.

As they scale up, further opportunities will be created. The GCC Fast Growth 100 will find fast-growing companies, some of them only a few years old, and rank them based on revenue growth. Not only will the top companies become part of the GCC100, but they will also qualify for the region-wide Arabia500.

Scheduled for October, the GCC100 celebration will bring together owners and executives of the region’s fastest growing companies, firms with proven records of success and exciting growth possibilities. Amongst these companies will be found the tigers that will give birth to new business models and pave the way for new industries.

As Har vard Business School Professor Michael Porter, co-founder of AllWorld Network and internationally recognized authority on business competitiveness said: “The GCC Fast Growth companies, led by dynamic men and women, represent the leading edge of a new approach to the region’s competitiveness.”

To transform the GCC’s hydrocarbon economies into the dynamic economies that offer opportunities to a diverse population, we must foster an environment that encourages, celebrates and rewards entrepreneurship. Arcapita and AllWorld Network are committed to that objective.

“In the wake of reduced global economic growth, which has led to a downward revision in oil demand, the required crude supply has been revised down in the third and fourth quarters at a time when OPEC crude oil production continues to increase and the partial return of Libya production is expected soon.”

World oil demand will increase by 1.06 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2011, OPEC said in the report, 150,000 bpd less than expected last month.

The growth estimate for next year was lowered by 40,000 bpd to 1.27 million bpd. OPEC said a weaker-than-expected US economy could further reduce demand growth next year by 200,000 bpd.

LONDON: OPEC cut its forecast for global oil demand growth next year because of a worsening economic outlook and said a disappointing economic performance in top consumer the United States could further weigh on fuel use. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, in a monthly report yesterday, also said concerns were easing about a tight oil market in the fourth quarter of the year and that it expected Libyan oil output to return to full capacity in less than 18 months, more quickly than some estimates. “Looking ahead, the perception of market tightness and worries of supply shortages in the fourth quarter appear to be easing,” the report said.

Libya has started producing oil again, the country’s interim prime minister said on Sunday, promising that more of it would come online in the “near future”. The civil war had virtually halted output in the OPEC member-country, which produced 1.6 million bpd before the conflict.

The reduction in next year ’s demand growth forecast is smaller than that of the US government’s Energy Information Administration, which last week cut its estimate for 2012 by about 250,000 bpd to 1.39 million bpd. Another closely watched monthly oil report is due today, from the International Energy Agency, adviser to 28 industrialized countries. — Reuters

‘Oil & Filter Change Promotion’ KUWAIT: As part of its summer activities, Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Company is conducting a promotion for its Oil & Filter Change customers until September 30. Every customer who brings in his Mercedes-Benz car for an oil and filter change during this period can enter a draw to win Gift Vouchers worth KD550 every month which can be redeemed in the MercedesBenz Accessories and Boutique items area in its Service and Parts center in Shuwaikh.

There will be a total of 3 winners every month for the gift vouchers, worth KD 50, KD 100 and the grand prize of KD 400. This promotion is valid in the Mercedes-Benz Quick Lube Center in Shuwaikh, ExpressService Centers in Al-Rai and in Ahmadi “We wanted to ensure that our customers use the recommended Oil and Filter for their Mercedes-Benz cars and also to make their Quick Lube visit a rewarding experience this summer!” said Ralph Geyer, Service Manager, Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Company.

The Third draw of this promotion was held on 4th September and the 3 lucky winners are: Ahmed Ibrahim Owaid Al-Mutairi - Gift Voucher KD50; Ibtisam Saleh Nasser Aqili- Gift Voucher KD100; Khalid Abdalkhdhar AlKhabaar- Gift Voucher KD400. The fourth and the last draw in this promotion will be happening on 3rd Of October 2011 and we hope many more customers will take this opportunity to not only do the Oil & Filter Change Service but also avail of the opportunity to win the Gift Vouchers. To serve our customers better, the Quick Lube Service Center located in Shuwaikh is now open from 7:30am to 8:00pm.

Pays like fixed deposit, works like current account ABK’s Al Manal Account KUWAIT: The customer and his banking needs are important to Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait. In an endeavor to always simplify the process for the consumer, ABK prides itself on keeping the customer’s needs paramount above all else. As such Al Manal account is unique in its concept in the sense that though it pays like a fixed deposit it works like a current account, so you can get the best of both worlds from it. Stewart Lockie, GM, Retail said “ABK would like to reit-

erate the benefits of Al Manal, an account which lets you save and withdraw your funds with greater ease.

The minimum deposit is KD 5000, with better interest rates the higher your deposit. The monthly interest is paid directly into the account, so you can watch your money grow.

The best news on this account is the flexibility the customer can exercise, with no penalties on any withdrawal from your deposit, whether partial or full. In the case of partial,

interest will continue being calculated on the remaining amount, so you enjoy complete freedom with your money.”

Al Manal deposit account works for you when the money is idle, so transfer your excess funds and start earning interest today! To know more is now easy, you can chat live with ABK personnel through our website www.eahli.com or Ahlan Ahli at 1899 899 for more information.

Stewart Lockie

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

.2720000 .4330000 .3730000 .3080000 .2730000 .2850000 .0040000 .0020000 .0746050 .7268510 .3810000 .0700000 .7125460 .0040000 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2748000 GB Pound/KD .4364510 Euro .3751840 Swiss francs .3109300 Canadian dollars .2756130 Danish Kroner .0503800 Swedish Kroner .0419810 Australian dlr .2878530 Hong Kong dlr .0352500 Singapore dlr .2236690 Japanese yen .0035420 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0748470 Bahraini dinars .7292030 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0733000 Omani riyals .7140440 Philippine Peso .0000000

.2780000 .4450000 .3830000 .3280000 .2830000 .2950000 .0072500 .0035000 .0753540 .7341560 .4010000 .0760000 .7197070 .0072000 .0530000 .2769000 .4397860 .3780520 .3133060 .2777190 .0507650 .0423020 .2900530 .0355190 .2253780 .0035690 .0059870 .0025240 .0031750 .0037470 .0754190 .7347750 .3916550 .0738600 .7195010 .0065540

Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.631 5.951 3.152 2.507 3.746 226.000 35.453

GCC COUNTRIES 73.683 75.921 717.680 733.890 75.238

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 47.500 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.164 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.264 Tunisian Dinar 199.580 Jordanian Dinar 390.200 Lebanese Lira 185.400 Syrian Lier 5.965 Morocco Dirham 34.742 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 276.200 Euro 381.290 Sterling Pound 442.890 Canadian dollar 281.290 Turkish lire 154.400 Swiss Franc 318.020 Australian dollar 289.150 US Dollar Buying 275.000 GOLD 340.000 171.000 88.500

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees

Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria 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 CASH

SELL DRAFT

293.900 734.170 3.870 282.300 542.200 36.700 54.200 167.800 47.310 382.800 36.080 6.320

292.400 734.170 3.703 280.800

229.800 46.187 381.300 35.930 5.930

0.034 0.242 0.240 3.670 391.640 0.187 95.710 47.600 4.250 232.200 1.872 52.600 717.040 3.270 6.670 76.370 73.710 229.850 41.140 2.643 443.300 43.700 318.400 5.700 9.640 198.263 75.270 276.400 1.230

0.033

390.170 0.180 95.710 3.750 230.700

316.900 5.700 9.390 75.170 276.000

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 441.300 276.000

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees

Selling Rate

274.450 278.920 439.820 388.450 320.850 727.660 74.700 75.330 73.150 386.320 46.140 2.488 5.970

Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

3.146 3.682 6.490 673.198 3.650 9.290 5.780 3.820 91.164

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. 716.860 3.165 6.515 75.940 73.710 229.850 41.140 2.502 441.300

GOLD 1,919.000

10 Tola Sterling Pound US Dollar

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co.

3.688 6.495 9.200 0.271 0.273

Currency

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Nepali rupee Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Canadian Dollars

276.000 3.165 5.945 2.520 3.705 6.535 75.250 73.755 733.800 46.160 443.900 0.00003280 3.910 1.550 392.100 5.750 383.500 282.500

Al Mulla Exchange Currency

US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

275.650 381.100 441.100 280.600 3.585 5.925 46.150 2.503 3.700 6.480 3.155 734.100 75.100 73.625

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BMW X3 earns ‘5 stars’ in Euro NCAP crash test MUNICH: Thanks to its segment-leading dynamic handling and versatility, the new BMW X3 has emerged as a highly successful model in the international car markets within a matter of months. The fact that it also assumes an exemplary role on the safety front has now been confirmed by Europe’s leading crash test program. In the latest Euro NCAP crash test, the BMW X3 achieved the highest rating of 5 stars. The second-generation Sports Activity Vehicle earned its top marks in this challenging test for new vehicles thanks to its comprehensive range of standard safety equipment and effective occupant protection in various types of collision.

Achieving the best rating in the Euro NCAP crash test is proof of the very high level of the safety concept developed for

the BMW X models. The new BMW X3 boasts an extremely stable body structure, and the forces exerted on the vehicle in a collision are deflected along precisely defined load paths and absorbed by generous deformation zones.

Consequently, the passenger cell fulfils its function as a survival space even in serious collisions.

Standard safety equipment inside the new BMW X3 includes front, side and curtain head airbags that protect both the driver and the passengers from injury. Also standard are belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters for the front seats and ISOFIX systems in the rear for attaching child seats, as well as the option of deactivating the front passenger airbag. The restraint systems are controlled by the central safety electron-

ics, which take into account the type and severity of an accident to trigger the most effective protective features in each case.

In their evaluation of the crash test results, the assessors concluded that the new BMW X3 provides a high degree of occupant safety in all seats. Its stable passenger cell provides comprehensive injury protection in a front-end collision for both the driver and the passengers, regardless of a person’s size and the position of their seat. Here the Sports Activity Vehicle was awarded outstanding ratings for the protection of children aged around three years or 18 months in the relevant-sized child seats. For its side impact protection, the BMW X3 likewise achieved the maximum available points.

The new BMW X3 earned an out-

standing rating for its active safety features as well. The Sports Activity Vehicle comes as standard with the Dynamic Stability Control system (DSC), which is linked to BMW xDrive intelligent allwheel drive. Thanks to its wide-ranging functions, including Braking Assistant, Cornering Brake Control and the traction mode DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), Dynamic Stability Control ensures easily controllable and secure handling even in challenging driving situations. Further standard features on the BMW X3 include a Tyre Defect Indicator that warns the driver in good time of a loss of pressure in any individual wheel.

The test procedure of the NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) ranks as one of the most rigorous tests worldwide to which new vehicles are subjected. The

Euro NCAP test is a benchmark for crash safety recognized throughout Europe by governments, automobile clubs and consumer associations. The test profile includes, among other aspects, a frontal collision, a side-on crash and a side impact against a steel post. Since 2009, electronic safety features have also been taken into account, along with additional injury risks in a wide range of collisions. Last year the Munich premium automobile manufacturer was distinguished by the safety testing institute Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) with a special award for the BMW Assist Advanced eCall, the advanced emergency call system with automatic localization and accident severity detection which is also available for the BMW X3.

Gulf Capital to exit more investments AUB announced winners of hassady weekly draw KUWAIT: AUB has announced the results of the Weekly draws of its Al-Hassad Islamic savings scheme. The lucky customers winning the Grand Weekly prize worth KD 25,000 each at the draws held on 24th 0f August 2011: Narjis Ghuloom Hussain Mohammed, Hiba Abdulaziz Abdulla Al Hasan, Mohammad Muqeem Khan Hakim.

The following Al-Hassad Islamic customers won cash prizes of KD 1000 each Osama Ramses Attia Awad, Mohamed Abdulaziz Zainuddin, Mutlaq Mohammad Awadh Al Resheedi, Saeed Abdulhussain Ahmed Al Mudawib , Ehsan Ahmed Abou ElQassim Ahmed, Houda Talbi, Mishaal Abdullateef Khaled Al Duhaim, Zahra Hameed Salman Yousif Al Aswad, Wesal Hasan Mohd Hasan Al Fadhel, Noora Ali Al Qubaisi, Nasser Taj Salman Nasser, Amgad Zaher, Mohd Akbar Sharshani, Hala Mohammed Hani Al Sawah, Hanaa Mohd Hussein Al Qallaf, Fahad Habib Mahmood Al Bahrani, Ali Yousef Ali Yousef, Mohamed Taqi Golam Ali, Latifah Mustafa Ebrami Boushahri, Mohd Al Shahat Mohd Ayad, Jamal Khaled Yousif Al Shayji, Mustafa Mohammed Abdulqader Faraj, Habeeb Allah Esmat Allah, Ounik Hamazasab Mosisyan Nakhjawan, Mohamed Ali Gulam.

With the new Al-Hassad Islamic 2011 scheme, customers have a lot more to look forward to. With 28 Weekly Prizes totaling KD 100,000 each week and “Salary for Life” Prizes every month, the chances to win bigger prizes more often couldn’t get any better. The most attractive feature of the new scheme is the chance to win bigger prizes, more frequently with 3 grand prizes of KD 25,000 each, week on week plus 25 other weekly prizes of KD1,000.

Chances to win big prizes on a weekly basis, offer instant rewards to both existing as well as new Investors in Investment Saving Account (Al

Hassad Islamic). With the introduction of a “Salary for Life” Prize of KD250,000 every month, the grand prize is also now more frequent and customers do not need to wait for a quarter or more to qualify for the grand prize.

The “Salary for Life” has been a core feature for the AL Hassad Islamic scheme with prizes paid out to date exceeding KD 10 Million. The monthly “Salary for Life” prize has enabled winners to afford better homes, ensure better education for their children and enjoy an improved quality of life, with the assurance that the rewards will continue to come month after month for 250 months.

AL Hassad Islamic is the only scheme to offer high value weekly and monthly prizes that are significantly higher than the total outlay of other prize schemes in Kuwait. In addition to the attractive prize pool, customers with high balances can opt for other unique features such as Investment savings plan, cheque facility linked to their investment savings account and state of the art e-banking and 24 x 7 Contact Center support.

The new Al-Hassad Islamic 2011 is geared to meeting the needs of salaried individuals.

Customers can benefit from not only the biggest and most attractive prize pool but can also enjoy state of the art banking benefits and access to AUB’s unique products’ range for Islamic Finances ,credit cards and investment products. All AlHassad draws are conducted under the scrutiny of officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and independent auditing firm, Ernst& Young. For more information on the Al-Hassad Islamic investment savings account, its prize structure and eligibility criteria, customers may visit any AUB Kuwait branch or call Hayakom 181 2000.

Geant Easy supermarket to open at Souk Al Jleeb KUWAIT: The second Geant Easy supermarket in Kuwait opens its doors to customers tomorrow at Souk Al Jleeb, in close proximity to Jleeb Al Shuyoukh and Abdullah Al Mubarak areas.

Spread across 2000 square meters of space the Geant Easy supermarket sells a wide variety of products - groceries, frozen foods, bakery products, butchery, home linen, shoes, household items, household accessories, cosmetics, perfumes, electronics and mobiles among others.

Choicest meat cuts are available at the butchery, while the cheese and deli counter offers fabulous selection of cheese and cold cuts.

Contemporary design and layout, spacious wide aisles, easy to follow signage, warm customer service coupled with a no frills philosophy of offering customers quality products at the lowest prices, plus the convenience of being in the neighborhood of Jleeb, Abassiya and Abdullah Al Mubarak areas promises an all round great shopping experience for customers.

Commenting on the decision to open Geant Easy in Kuwait, Arif Shaikh, Director of Retail Arabia, the master franchisee for Geant in Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Oman, said, “Our main brand Geant hypermarket which opened in 2009 at 360 Mall is doing extremely well. Our plan is to grow our market share in Kuwait and get into niche areas with our supermarket brand Geant Easy. The Souk Al Jleeb

location offered a great opportunity to showcase our supermarkets in Kuwait. The decision to open a store in Souk Al Jleeb was based on the tremendous potential we see for retailing here, as it is an ideal catchment area.

According to Mohammed Ashfaq, Country Head for Fu-com - Kuwait, a joint venture between Tamdeen Group and Retail Arabia, and which operates the Geant brand in Kuwait, “based on our previous experience with Geant Easy, we expect an overwhelming response to the opening of our second branch in Souk Al Jleeb. We are offering fabulous deals on the opening day and will continue to offer great bargains to ensure we become the first choice for shopping in the area. Our main objective is to always give the most competitive prices to our customers and to offer the widest range of fruits and vegetables that are the best available in town.”

Retail Arabia launched the first Geant hypermarket in Bahrain in 2001, followed by Dubai in 2005 and Kuwait in 2009. Along with Geant, Retail Arabia has also successfully launched its supermarket and convenience store brands in Bahrain, Dubai and Kuwait. The international expertise of Groupe Casino, the international owners of the Geant brand, combined with the local market insight of Retail Arabia has created the best local adaptation of international standards in retailing.

Firm sees opportunity in oil and gas, education, real estate DUBAI: Gulf Capital, an Abu Dhabibased private equity firm, plans to exit two more investments in 2012 after selling its stake in Maritime Industrial Services to London-listed Lamprell Plc last month, its chief executive said. “We are looking at two more exits over the course of next year. All options are open for it (exit),” Gulf Capital Chief Executive Karim el Solh said in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of a private equity conference in Dubai.

“We may look at trade buyers, a financial sale or if the (initial public offering) market is robust, we may take that route too.”

Private equity investments saw a sharp drop in the last couple of years with investors backing out of capital calls, sellers demanding higher prices than buyers were willing to pay and increasing competition from family groups hampering growth.

In July, Gulf Capital and another

regional PE firm Amwal AlKhaleej sold their stakes in Maritime Industrial Services in a $336 million deal to Lamprell Plc in one of the rare private equity exits from the region. Gulf Capital, which currently has $1 billion assets under management, will also invest 50 percent of its flagship Private Equity Partners Fund II by the end of the year, Solh said, adding that the fund is currently 38 percent invested.

The fund closed last year with

$533 million in commitments. Solh added that the company is eyeing growth sectors, such as oil and gas, education and real estate for investment. “(The sectors) are all showing significant growth and we aim to be in those,” he said. In June, the private equity firm said it will launch a $250 million credit fund aiming to provide acquisition finance and targeting regional sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), pension funds and insurance firms.— Reuters

Profits elude bankers to the rich in booming India Homegrown firms seen as targets in sector consolidation MUMBAI: Ajay Piramal is just the sort of big fish every Indian private banker would love to land. With businesses from healthcare to glass and property, the 56-year old Piramal has a net worth of $1.4 billion, according to Forbes, good for 39th on its India rich list. The problem, at least for the swelling ranks of wealth managers in India, is that Piramal doesn’t need them, putting his millions instead in his own companies and real estate ventures.

“These are only two areas I invest in, and therefore we don’t need any advisor,” said Piramal, who is approached by private bankers “all the time”. India may be minting millionaires, but that is failing to translate to profits for the banks that have set up teams of well-dressed, well-paid bankers to help manage those riches.

A narrow product range, rising competition, falling advisory fees and billions of dollars in wealth hidden from tax officials has stifled profits for private banks, which have aggressively ramped up operations in India. At the same time, expenses-mostly salaries-are growing by as much as 20 percent a year, some in the industry say, meaning many private banks must absorb potentially heavy running costs for years before they are profitable.

The industry’s difficulties in India come as more established wealth management centers in Hong Kong, Singapore and elsewhere are buffeted by poor markets.

Profit margin pressure on the sector that serves the wealthy is “partly driven by a plain vanilla product platform available for clients,” said Atul Singh, head of global wealth and investment management for India at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, among the biggest players in the country. The challenge is made greater by poor market performance, with Indian shares sliding about 17 percent this year. A spate of scandals embroiling the country’s business and political elite has also soured sentiment among the rich. The tough condi-

tions are exacting a toll, even as many banks such as Morgan Stanley , Royal Bank of Scotland , Barclays and Bank of America Merrill Lynch continue to add staff, with an eye to the long-term potential of the fast-growing economy. Credit Suisse , one of the largest global private banks and a player in India since 2008, is cutting its India wealth management staff by 12 people, or 20 percent, as part of a global reduction, sources said last month. Credit Suisse is unlikely to be the last to trim staff over the medium term, industry players said.

A dearth of fee-spinning alternate investment vehicles such as hedge funds and private equity, a $200,000 cap on overseas investments by onshore Indians, and an underdeveloped corporate bond market means most investments are channeled into run-of-the-mill equity products, bank deposits, and government bonds.

Investments in exotic assets such as art and wine are rare in India. Instead, the homegrown rich keep their money in real estate and gold, which doesn’t require the services of polished bankers of the sort that cater to the rich in places like London, New York, Zurich and Singapore. “When product platforms are largely undifferentiated, then prices get driven down,” Singh told Reuters. “Making money is certainly tough for players in the sector, especially ones without scale.”

Many tycoons like Azim Premji, chairman of No. 3 IT ser vices exporter Wipro and the third-richest person in India, with net worth estimated by Forbes at $16.8 billion, thus prefer to use in-house staff to manage personal wealth.

In neighboring China, wealth managers also contend with tight regulations and limited product offerings, but they also face less domestic competition. Many rich mainland Chinese invest in real estate or stash their wealth in Hong Hong or Singapore, which are thriving private banking centers. Many of the richest Indians also have sub-

stantial wealth overseas and do their private banking in Singapore, Zurich, London or Dubai, where there are more investment options and where some banks cater specifically to non-resident Indians.

FEE AND COST PRESSURE Private banks in India charge between zero and 0.5 percent advisory fees to wealthy clients, which barely covers costs for smaller players, compared to about 0.5 percent to 2 percent in more developed markets, industr y insiders say.

Pressure on fees and rising costs have dragged down most wealth management firms’ margins to 4050 basis points now from 1-2 percent a few years back, they said.

The gradual shift from charging transaction-based fees to an advisory fee model, amid a global move to discourage selling of risky exotic instruments, has added to margin pressure. “No one is making money in private banking in India,” said the head of India wealth management at a US bank. “Margins are so very low here because very few people want to pay money for advice and your cost of operations is going up.”

To woo clients, some banks will send the adult children of entrepreneurs for short training courses at US universities on preserving and growing family wealth, giving them an opportunity to rub shoulders with the sons and daughters of rich Americans. Closer to home, private banks coddle prospective and would-be customers with wine tastings and live music and dance performances by Bollywood stars. In 2010, the population of high net worth individuals- those with more than $1 million in investable assetsrose nearly 21 percent in India to 153,000 - making it the 12th largest such market, ahead of Spain and just behind Brazil, according to a report

by Capgemini and Merrill Lynch.

BLACK MONEY A large chunk of Indian wealth goes undeclared. Tax authorities say billions of dollars in funds have

been deposited by Indians in Swiss bank accounts and other tax havens. A government panel in 2009 found Indian illicit funds to range between $500 billion and $1.4 trillion, which is now nearly the size of India’s economy. Global Financial Integrity, a Washingtonbased think-tank, estimated illicit outflows of about $16 billion a year from 2002-2006. Technology consultancy firm Cognizant said in a report that the Indian wealth management sector in the short-term would remain fragmented with a large number of brokers, financial advisors, insurance agents and tax consultants offering services.

Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, Kotak Mahindra, and HSBC were cited by Cognizant as strong players in the sector in India because of their reach, potential for cross-selling banking products and focus on domestic equities. Big banks that have yet to take the full plunge on Indian private banking may end up looking prescient, or lucky. UBS, a global leader in private banking, is in the early stages of providing onshore wealth management services in India. Goldman Sachs’ private wealth management arm serves high net worth Indians from Singapore but does not have an onshore presence in India, while JPMorgan has pushed back plans to launch onshore services to late 2012, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Rising salaries, poaching of talent and wafer-thin margins have made it tougher for smaller homegrown wealth managers to compete with the global rivals.

However, while Western banks bring brand cachet and global expertise, they also tend to be saddled with higher costs. “Some level of consolidation will have to happen in the next year or so.

Pure broking businesses will find it difficult to continue because costs are rising and margins are under pressure,” said Tashwinder Singh, head of Citi’s private bank in India.— Reuters

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KSE closes lower, tracking European stock markets GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) closed lower tracking European stock markets after these markets were seen falling sharply yesterday on increased fears Greece is headed for a default. However, local bourse is still enjoying the green color so far for September. The KSE price Index rose 3.21 percent in the first seven sessions of September 2011.

Market Indices Global General Index (GGI) ended the day down by 0.16 percent, at 183.90 point. Market Capitalization was also down for the day, reaching KD30.09bn. On the other hand, KSE Price Index closed at 5,977 point, shedding 3.20 points (0.05 percent) to its previous close.

Sectors Wise Food stocks were the session’s worst performers, as highlighted by a 1.17 percent decline in Global Food Index. A 1.32 percent dip in the equity price of the sector’s heavyweight, Kuwait Foodstuff Company (Americana), as well as a 2.70 percent decline in Danah Al Safat Foodstuff Company, skewed the sector index.

Global Services Index was also a major loser with a decrease of 0.72 percent. Despite the losses in this sector, Agility Company was able to be on the top gainers list of the day with an

9.80 percent at KD0.056, its highest level since August 04, 2011.

increase of 8.47 percent, closing at KD0.320.

Elsewhere, Zain closed down by 2.02 percent at KD0.970 dragging the services index down.

Global Non Kuwaiti Index led the sectors indices with an increase of 0.28 percent to close at 45.66 points. Ahli United Bank was the only gainer in the sector, adding 1 percent to its share price and closing at KD0.202. Investment sector remains the top gainer in terms of MTD per formance in September so far. Global Investment Index rose 6.94 percent in the first 7 sessions in September. Al Mal Investment Company was the top gainer in the sector during yesterday’s session. The scrip closed up by

The remaining KD71mn debts will be repaid over five years through lifting capital by KD30mn, divided into 300million shares at KD0.100 par value each. This hike will be allocated to current shareholders.

KFIC added that major shareholders pledged to subscribe to this capital raise by nearly KD15mn. It added that final talks are ongoing with creditors to sign the list of conditions.

Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) approved, on September 08, 2011, the request of Gulf Bank to repurchase 10 percent maximum of its issued shares for six months as of the date of current approval of October 14, 2011.

Corporate News Kuwait Financing & Investment Company reported obtaining an in-principle approval of 90 percent of creditors on restructuring its debts nearing KD121mn. As per the restructuring plan, about KD50mn will be converted into common shares, to be allocated for creditors through increasing capital by KD50mn, divided into 500mn shares at KD0.100 par value each.

Market Breadth During the session, 106 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards decliners as 44 equities declined versus 29 that advanced.

Daily Trading Activity Trading activity was mixed during the session. Total volume traded was up by 18.63 percent with 230.32mn shares changing hands at a total value of KD20.71mn (8.82 percent lower compared to Sunday’s session).

Investment sector was the volume leader, accounting for 40.05 percent of total shares exchanges. Sokouk Holding Company was the session’s most traded stock with 23.36mn shares exchanged. The services sector was the value leader, having 30.32 percent of total traded v a l ue. B ouby a n Pe tro ch e m i ca l Company was the most active in terms of value traded, with KD2.60mn worth of shares traded. It’s worth mentioning that, Boubyan Petrochemical Company reviewed after market close the financial statements for 1Q2011 that ended on July 31, 2011.

Top Gainers and Biggest Decliners In terms of top gainers, Munshaat Real Estate Projects Company was the top gainer for the day, adding 10.42 percent to its share value and closing at KD0.027. On the other hand, Kuwait Cable Vision Company shed 6.85 percent and closed at KD0.068, making it the biggest decliner in the market.

Oil drops to $111 on debt, growth worries LONDON: Oil fell yesterday on deepening concerns over Europe’s sovereign debt crisis and slowing global growth.

Worries that Greece may default on its debts rose after finance ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized economies pledged a coordinated response to the global slowdown but offered no specific steps to support their economies. Brent crude oil fell as much as $2.35 per barrel to a low of $110.42 but then recovered some ground to trade around $111.40 by 1000 GMT. US crude slid $2.24 to a low of $85.00 and then moved back up to around $86.20.

Escalating risk aversion helped push the dollar up against a basket of currencies while stock markets fell in Asia and opened sharply lower in Europe. “Worries over the future of the euro zone and over much slower growth are putting enormous pressure on commodity prices,” said Christophe Barret, global head of oil research at Credit Agricole in London.

David Wech, head of research at Viennabased consultancy JBC Energy, said that in spite of substantial debt issues in the United States, the dollar was rising as a safe haven currency as the picture in Europe worsened. Oil often moves inversely to the dollar as commodities are priced in the US currency on international spot markets.

“Another round of financial turmoil and a double-dip recession appear closer now than at any time over the last three years,” Wech said. “Relatively poor demand readings from China, the lack of a substantial hurricane impact on the oil industry, and resuming production in Libya are further pressuring outright prices.” Fears of a Greek default rose after senior politicians in German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition started talking openly about it. Greece on Sunday slapped a new tax on real estate to help plug a 2011 budget hole, please international lenders and secure a key new loan tranche as concerns mounted in Europe over its euro zone membership.

DOWNGRADE Vague pledges and a lack of action by Group of Seven industrialized nations

underscored differences between Europe and the United States and a lack of room to maneuver in the face of the worst loss of confidence since the credit crisis. Europe’s woes hit shares in French banks especially hard, with Societe Generale , BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole all shedding 10 percent.

Fears over French bank funding rose after a source said on Saturday that France’s top lenders were bracing for a likely credit rating downgrade from Moody’s. Investors were also looking at data showing China’s implied oil demand in August slipped to its lowest rate this year, as maintenance and accidents cut into refinery production. Fuel consumption in the world’s No.2 user has been losing steam since May, with growth easing off the double-digits seen since last year because of higher crude costs that have squeezed refining margins and as Beijing’s credit tightening moves cut into fuel spending.

Still, on a year-on-year basis, China’s oil use expanded 7.8 percent, Reuters calculations based on preliminary government data showed on Saturday.

Hedge funds and other large investors cut their futures and options net long positions on the New York Mercantile Exchange by 5,780 contracts to 155,837 in the week to Sept 6, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission said.

Concern over damage to US Gulf oil infrastructure eased after Tropical Storm Nate made landfall in central eastern Mexico, with no other major weather disturbances expected to affect the hydrocarbon-rich region in the short term.

Nate weakened to a tropical depression on Sunday as it moved further inland, after cutting Mexican oil production by 178,800 barrels a day as of Friday.

Mexico’s Dos Bocas port re-opened to shipping on Sunday, but the crudeexporting hub of Cayo Arcas remained closed. Oil markets were also eyeing production and exports of Libyan crude following the country’s power transition. Libyan oil firm Arabian Gulf Oil Company said yesterday it restarted production at the eastern oilfield of Sarir in an early sign the industry is coming back to life. — Reuters

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Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons offers families ‘something new’ KUWAIT: In line with the back to school period, Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive offers families something new and exciting to look forward to. As always, Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive has chosen to launch a value added campaign featuring a fantastic line-up of Chevrolet vehicles, the Traverse, Captiva, Malibu and Caprice. For a limited period only these vehicles come with a 3 year / 60,000 KM comprehensive service package as well as free registration and third party insurance.

Free service, registration, insurance are mated to a new 6-speed automatic transmission giving customers a smooth, purposeful and efficient driving experience.

Safety and spaciousness are also always key elements in Chevrolet vehicles. The Chevrolet Traverse seats up to 8 passengers and has earned a fivestar safety rating with airbags for all 3 rows of seating. The Chevrolet Malibu has won more than 30 awards in its

When it comes to family cars, Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive’s powerful and spacious Chevrolet Captiva is the ultimate choice. Seating 5 or 7 passengers and equipped with two new powerful engines: a 2.4L, 4 cylinder, VVT engine that generates 169 hp and a 3.0L, V6 VVT, direct injection engine that generates an impressive 264 hp, Captiva is one of the most powerful crossovers in the market. Both engines

class and has earned a five-star safety rating, equipped with six standard airbags, ABS and StabiliTrak, making it a leading vehicle in its class.

Furthermore, the Chevrolet Caprice is recognized as the vehicle with the largest rear seat space sedan in the world. Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive adds the finishing touch to the ownership experience with high-quality after-sales services. With

the world’s biggest and most advanced automotive service center, customers do not have to worry about their vehicles’ service and maintenance needs.

Whether you choose a Chevrolet Malibu, Traverse, Caprice or Captiva, you are guaranteed to enjoy a car that suits your lifestyle and family needs.

Grab this offer that is for a limited period and pass by the any of Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive showrooms to drive off in the Chevrolet vehicle that best fits your needs today.

SocGen ditches assets French bank pressure rises

flydubai expands across Central, Eastern Europe Tbilisi- the latest destination KUWAIT: Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, has been named as the 45th destination of flydubai, Dubai’s pioneering low-cost carrier. The only airline to offer direct flights from the UAE to Tbilisi, flydubai received an official seal of approval from the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, George Karbelashvili, who hailed the entry of flydubai into Georgia as an important milestone in the development of relations between the two nations.

On his official visit to the UAE and accompanied by Georgian state television, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, George Karbelashvili, commented: “flydubai’s entry into Georgia is a momentous step in UAE-Georgia relations and I am sure flydubai’s connection between Tbilisi and Dubai will help to establish and strengthen ties between the countries.

We have a number of common areas of interest such as banking, real estate, oil and gas and tourism; and this is the opportunity to step-up collaboration in these sectors while exploring new relationship avenues.”

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai said: “ We are grateful to the Georgian authorities for welcoming flydubai into Tbilisi. As Georgia’s largest city as well as its industrial, social, and cultural centre, Tbilisi is gaining prominence in the Middle East both as a business and leisure destination. Also, improving air links between Dubai to Central and Eastern Europe is of great strategic importance to us. There are more than 55,000 expatriates from this region residing in the UAE and more than a million tourists visiting the emirates every year. We hope our network of direct flights will play a part in making travel between the UAE and Central

and Eastern Europe easier and more affordable.”

Located at the crossroads of West Asia and Eastern Europe, Georgia has one of the strongest and fastest developing economies in the region and in recent years has made foreign investment more attractive through reduced regulation and taxes. It is also one of the members of the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development along with Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova. flydubai currently operates five routes to former Soviet states, namely: Yerevan (Armenia) Baku (Azerbaijan), Yekaterinburg and Samara (Russia) and Ashgabat (Turkmenistan). In addition, flydubai will be launching two additional routes to Russia with flights to Kazan beginning 14 September 2011, and flights to Ufa beginning 17 September 2011. The airline’s flights to Ukraine will take off to Kiev and Kharkiv from 16 September 2011 and to Donetsk from 17 September 2011.

Flight Details Flights to Tbilisi will operate twice-aweek and will commence on 4 November 2011. FZ713 to depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 2345hrs, landing in Tbilisi International Airport at 0315hrs local time. The return flight FZ714 departs at 0400hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0720hrs.

Roundtrip fares for the Dubai-Tbilisi flight start at AED 990 ($270). Fares include one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag. Checked baggage starts at AED 50 ($14) for 20kgs. A seat with extra legroom costs AED100 ($28) extra. Flights between Dubai and Tbilisi can be purchased from flydubai’s website (www.flydubai.com), its call centre (+9714 301 0800) and through travel partners.

Georgian officials and flydubai representatives

PARIS: Societe Generale said it would cut costs and sell assets worth 4 billion euros to bolster capital yesterday, but shares in French banks fell by more than 10 percent on concerns about Greek debt and a possible cut to their credit ratings. SocGen, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole are heavily exposed to Greek government debt, which is under intense pressure amid worries about its euro zone membership.

French banks are braced for an imminent decision from credit rating agency Moody’s, which put them under review for possible downgrade on June 15, several sources said on Saturday. Confidence in European lenders’ ability to fund themselves in the face of a slowing economy and the unfolding Greek debt drama has evaporated rapidly, with French banks among the hardest hit because they are seen as particularly reliant on shortterm funding.

SocGen’s announcement yesterday was intended to mitigate some of the negative pressure expected from a Moody’s downgrade, said one banking analyst speaking on condition of anonymity. “Some points of the press release are really positive, but I do not think this is having an impact today,” he said.

“The share price reaction today is completely due to the downgrade from Moody’s and the jitters on Greece leaving the euro zone.”

In a surprise move, SocGen said it would cut costs and jobs, speeding up the sale of

toxic assets, as well as selling units in asset management and financial services. The bank said it is still targeting a core tier 1 ratio “well above” 9 percent by 2013, without having to resort to a capital increase. SocGen shares were down 9.3 percent at 0857 GMT, while BNP Paribas was down 11.2 percent and Credit Agricole was 9.9 percent lower. The European bank sector was down 3.3 percent.

SocGen, whose shares have been punished in recent weeks amid the deepening sovereign debt crisis in Europe, said it was accelerating a strategic plan announced in June 2010 to cope with new realities, in which funding would be scarcer and more expensive for all banks. It had been under pressure to act after scrapping its 2012 profit target and a sharp summer sell-off driven by fears over its funding firepower. French lenders-two of which own local Greek banks-have the highest overall bank exposure to Greece, according to the Bank of International Settlements, and have begun taking writedowns on Greek holdings as part of a new rescue package.

However, SocGen’s exposure to peripheral euro zone economies totals 4.3 billion euros ($5.9 billion), which amounts to less than 1 percent of its balance sheet. Its exposure to Greek government bonds was 900 million euros on Sept 9, down compared with June.

The fall in its shares has led investors and media to speculate about more dramatic moves, such as government intervention or a

Qatar Airways announces incredible three-day sale Up to 25% off Economy Class fares KUWAIT: Qatar Airways launched a fabulous three-day sale yesterday offering savings of up to 25% on fares from cities across the Middle East to destinations around the world. Flying in Economy Class, passengers can save up to 25%, while Business Class passengers can save up to 15% off their ticket prices if flying from Qatar, Kuwait, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iran and Yemen.

Terms & conditions apply The promotion offers a long travel validity period, enabling customers to book their travel as far out as 31st March, 2012. The savings are based on return fares and include taxes. Qatar Airways offers a wide choice of flights to an exciting array of destinations such as Copenhagen, Brussels, Milan, Nairobi, Goa, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Singapore, New York, Montreal and Melbourne via the airline’s Doha hub. The Dohabased airline will launch its threeday sale from 12 September (at 00:01hrs local time in each Middle East market) running until 14 September (at 23:59hrs local time in each market) with customers across Qatar and countries from the Gulf and Middle East region

enjoying tremendous savings when booking through the carrier’s website www.qatarairways.com or through its travel agency partners.

In a recent poll of over 18 million travellers from 100 countries, Qatar Airways proudly emerged as Airline of the Year in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards 2011, considered to be the most prestigious industry accolade.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “These are incredible fares we are offering to our loyal customers and customers travelling with Qatar Airways for the first time.

“We want to thank our customers for their positive response, loyalty and appreciation of our award-winning Five Star in-flight product and onboard service. Our customers can have a world of choice from our ever-growing network which now includes more than 100 destinations across the globe, with convenient flights from Doha and beyond.” Qatar Airways flies to over 100 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East, Australia, North America and South America via Doha with a modern fleet of almost 100 passenger and cargo aircraft. The air-

Japan’s Suzuki calls for Volkswagen ‘divorce’ TOKYO: Japanese automaker Suzuki yesterday said it wanted to end its ill-fated two-year alliance with Germany’s Volkswagen following disagreements between the two on how to operate together. In a statement through the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Suzuki said it had asked Volkswagen to end the capital and business alliance between the firms and unload its stake in the carmaker. “It’s like a divorce,” Suzuki Chairman and CEO Osamu Suzuki told a news conference yesterday.

“Rather than trying to find faults in each other, it’s better to smile at each other and say we were not destined (to get married).”

Relations between the two had become increasingly frayed and Suzuki’s decision came a day after Volkswagen served notice of an alleged infringement relating to the supply of diesel engines to Suzuki from Italian carmaker Fiat. Suzuki said it decided “to cancel the business partnership and capital ties with Volkswagen AG due to worries that it is difficult to achieve our company’s objectives concerning the business partnership. “We will ask Volkswagen AG to dispose of (Suzuki)

long-mooted takeover by rival BNP. Asked about the government’s plans in a TV interview on Monday, French industry minister, Eric Besson, ruled out a partial nationalization of the banks. “It seems to me to be totally premature and not relevant today to evoke this hypothesis,” he told RMC and BFM TV. Societe Generale CEO Frederic Oudea said that no discussions over possible state intervention had taken place. And in an internal memo sent to staff, SocGen’s management said a takeover of the bank was not a solution to its current woes. “A takeover, today, is neither a solution nor [at] risk [of occurring]: all banks have seen their share prices drop,” the memo said. “The level of instability in the environment and the banking system means that all banks are faced with the same problem. [A merger] is not a solution to the current problem, regardless of the players.”

SocGen said freeing up 4 billion euros of capital by 2013 by selling assets would improve its core Tier 1 ratio by 100 basis points. During a conference call the bank ruled out additional asset sales beyond 4 billion euros. It also said it had already sold 3.5 billion euros in toxic assets in the third quarter as part of a broader effort to alleviate ongoing concerns over funding and liquidity. On the cost cut front, SocGen is also cutting jobs in Russia, Romania, Poland and Egypt, as well as paring down the cost base at its investment banking business by 5 percent. — Reuters

shares in correspondence with our company’s intentions,” it said, adding that it would dispose of its shares in the German automaker.

However, Volkswagen may not be prepared to quit its tie up with Suzuki, after a company spokesman told AFP it had no plans to unload its shares in the Japanese automaker. “We stand by what we’ve always said, and what we said again yesterday,” the spokesman said, pointing to a company statement in which it insisted that Suzuki “remains an attractive investment.” Volkswagen’s purchase of a 19.9percent stake in Suzuki in December 2009 had been seen as an opportunity for both carmakers to benefit from their respective strengths in hybrid and small-car technologies.

The Japanese automaker holds about 1.5 percent of the German company, or 4.39 million shares, a Suzuki spokesman said. Suzuki planned to seek support from Volkswagen in hybrid technologies and other eco-friendly areas, while the German firm hoped to jointly develop small cars for emerging markets by taking advantage of Suzuki’s technologies.

The two carmakers were also considering

ways to jointly procure parts and materials.

But they made little progress and have since halted their joint projects as the 1.7 billion euro ($2.3 billion) alliance turned sour.

Suzuki complained that its autonomy was being jeopardized and that it was being treated like a subsidiary by Volkswagen.

Analysts said the disintegration of relations between the two sides was not surprising given that the tie-up had been heading in that direction.

Chairman Suzuki yesterday cited “differences between our management philosophies” that would compromise the independence of the Japanese firm. In response to the earlier notice of infringement from Volkswagen, the Japanese carmaker said it believes it did not violate the agreement with the German company. “We were surprised that Volkswagen showed different views from ours that the engine (procurement) from Fiat is problematic and that the capital tie-up is attractive for stock investment,” Suzuki said.

Suzuki shares closed down 2.75 percent at 1,484 yen in Tokyo trade. — AFP

line recently launched flights to the historic cities of Kolkata (India), Shiraz (Iran) and Medina (Saudi Arabia). Route expansion over the next three months will see the launch of scheduled flights to the Bulgarian capital Sofia on September 14; Norway’s capital city of Oslo from October 5; Entebbe in Uganda on November 2 and, from November

28, to Chongqing in China. The airline also recently increased capacity and frequency to popular destinations such as Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Muscat (Oman), Singapore, Guangzhou (China) and the Seychelles providing increased flexibility for travelers to and from Doha and other destinations within the airline’s network.

LG Optimus 3D P920 to be launched in Kuwait KUWAIT: The LG Optimus 3D P920, has been scheduled to be released at the end of the month in Kuwait. It will be the first device that brings the technology of 3D to a phone. The Android phone’s features include a pair of dual 5 megapixel cameras capable of capturing HD 720 3D video or 1080p in 2D, a 1GHz TI OMAP4 processor using dual-core technology which allows it to display 3D, along with a 512MB Memory Dual channel. It comes with a button which takes it into the 3D mode; clicking on it will change the phone to a dedicated interface for 3D, and from there you can move the threedimensional display. You can access photo galleries, go to YouTube 3D, and shoot a video in 3D. The video you’ve shot can be seen on the device screen without the need for special glasses.

Here’s what LG said about it’s the launch of the Optimus: “The LG Optimus 3D addresses the lack of 3D content issue -

one of the biggest problems facing the 3D market - with a complete platform for a one-of-a-kind experience on a mobile device.” The phone will be loaded with features to keep the 3D buffs busy. It is expected that there will be plenty of games available for 3d phones, which will provide users with a more interactive gaming experience, with the Optimus 3D emerging as the pioneer leader. Watching 3D films will also be possible on 3D phones; allowing the user to enjoy the cutting edge technology at any point of time.

Marzooq Adel Alghanim, the President of Alghanim Sons Group, the official distributor for LG Mobiles in Kuwait, announced the group’s plan to launch the device at the end of this month. The group expects high sales figures considering the device’s first ever 3D features, sleek design, and attractive price offering, which positions it at the forefront of its competitors.

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BUSINESS

Blowback against Australia’s new gas rush BROKE: Across the spectacular valley sprawling before Eden Anthony’s Australian homestead a new mountain has risen in the gritty distance-a towering heap of coal mine waste. It is a cautionary tale for the Hunter Valley, a picturesque winemaking and hobby farm area north-west of Sydney, which finds itself at the centre of a growing resources controversy: the hunt for coal seam gas (CSG).

Mining is not new to the coal-rich Hunter region: vast open-cut pits dot the landscape, linked to power stations and the nearby Newcastle docks-the world’s biggest coal export port-by a complex network of rail and road. But CSG has got people worried, and a growing backlash which began in Queensland state, the epicentre of Australia’s new gas rush, has seen landholders across the country uniting under a simple mantra: Lock the Gate. “This is the most radical transformation of rural Australia we’ve seen since the expansion of the pastoral frontier in the 19th century,” says Drew Hutton, founder of the Lock the Gate alliance.

“And the Hunter Valley’s the tipping point. If coal seam gas comes into this region, well you can forget about it being an iconic area for farming, for vineyards, thoroughbred racing or tourism. “It’ll just be a great big industrial wasteland.” The fears are about water, and they’re big ones. Most Australian farms rely on underground bores to grow crops and raise stock, and gas fields

are popping up along the edges of the world’s largest underground aquifer: the Great Artesian Basin.

Farmers and scientists fear CSG mining-a highly invasive process in which the rock is hydraulically fractured or “fracked” with a toxic cocktail of chemicals and water to release the gas-could devastate underground water supplies.

Some properties in Queensland have already seen aquifer levels drop by two thirds due to CSG mining and what water is left is so salty it is toxic to animals and plants. But what is of deeper concern to most are the unknowns, says Anthony, a proud member of Lock the Gate and long-time campaigner against CSG in the famed Hunter wine region.

“They need to put chemicals down there to create the fractures that are needed to release the gas, and the chemicals that they use are a secret,” he said. “And it’s a pretty rough science as we’ve seen in Queensland, people turn their kitchen taps on and can set fire to the water because of the gas coming out.”

Limited testing by activists of what is used or can be released from the seam during fracking has shown cyanide, arsenic, and a group of carcinogenic and nerve-damaging agents known as BTEX in the mix, they say. A recent BTEX scare at Arrow Energy’s Queensland operations and blowout at a well on the outskirts of Sydney have reinforced public unease about the industry’s untested environmental impacts, according to Senator Larissa Waters.

Waters has travelled the country as part of a government panel examining the CSG industry’s impacts and says “communities are up in arms” about water issues and their very

land. A six-month moratorium on fracking by the New South Wales government has seen projects halted in the Hunter-a “small win” for Anthony and his neighbors, but

unknowns,” she says.

Waters is also pushing for national laws to allow landholders final say on what happens to their land. A landmark court challenge against

BROKE: Tractors patrol a vineyard purchased by a mining company in the Hunter Valley town of Broke. —AFP limited rights to keep miners out.

Anything below the topsoil is considered state property and short of haggling over compensation, farmers cannot stop mining on their

Waters thinks it should be national, and more lasting.”It’s incumbent upon the government to just press pause on this industry until we’ve got some answers on those

CSG firm AGL could provide some hope, with lawyers from the nonprofit Environmental Defender’s Office (EDO) challenging a development in the Upper Hunter region on

groundwater and contamination issues.”Ideally we’d like to see it stopped basically because the risks are too great,” explains the EDO’s Natasha Hammond-Deakin, who is leading next month’s case in the Land and Environment Court.

“And if you have a look at the pollution that’s occurred in the United States and in Queensland we don’t think it’s worth risking ... water, biodiversity, agriculture and food security.” A victory in the case would have significant implications, requiring CSG firms to satisfy state planners to a much higher standard about the impacts of their activities.

Recommendations from Waters’ government panel, due in November, could also see water become an environmental protection trigger meaning Canberra would have to review and greenlight all future CSG projects.

It could be too late in Queensland, where Lock the Gate’s Hutton says a “suck it and see approach” has prevailed, allowing the CSG industry to make mistakes which could be felt for centuries.

Thousands of farmers have joined his campaign and Hutton believes there will be thousands more as the high-stakes search for cleaner energy alternatives to coal ramps up.

“Every valley that I go into has a coal seam, and a coal seam gas company poking around trying to see if there’s a resource there,” he said. “It’s just massive. It will be the biggest social movement this country’s ever seen.” —AFP

UK to push through tough bank reform Banks need loss-absorbing capital of 17-20%

PARIS: A currency trader watches monitors in a trading room in Paris. —AP

Italy austerity package enters home stretch Economy minister to unveil growth plan ROME: Italy’s often revised 54-billioneuro austerity package enters the final stretch yesterday when cuts aimed at balancing the budget by 2013 go before the lower house of parliament, with approval due later in the week.

The package, which was approved by the S enate last week , goes to the Chamber of Deputies as Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti is preparing to unveil new measures to spur growth.

The program going to the lower house includes a 1 percent increase in value-added tax, adjustments to pension rules and a special 3 percent levy on incomes over 300,000 euros ($422,000), as well as cuts to government spending. However, infighting between different factions and clear divisions between Tremonti and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi have led to the pack age being chopped and changed so frequently that its credibility has been badly damaged.

Italy, the eurozone’s third largest economy, has moved firmly to the centre of the crisis over the past t wo months as Berlusconi’s fractious centre-right coalition has dithered over measures to stimulate growth and cut its vast debt pile. Last week, Italian bond yields, which have been contained by European Central Bank intervention over the past month, spiked sharply af ter ECB board member Juergen Stark resigned over his opposition to the policy. The ECB’s purchases of I talian bonds has been the only thing preventing Rome’s borrowing costs from spiraling out of control as market doubts have grown over whether Italy can keep control of its 1.9-trillion-euro debt pile.

The ECB has demanded that Rome takes urgent action to cut a public debt pile equivalent to 120 percent of gross domestic produc t, second only to Greece in the eurozone. In an attempt to show its resolve, the cabinet also signed off on a planned constitutional amendment that would bind governments to running balanced budgets from 2014 onwards unless an exception was sanctioned by a vote in parliament. But the amendment, which would prevent governments from run-

ning a deficit, is largely symbolic for now since it would likely take years to implement.

PLANS TO SPUR GROWTH M ore imminent are plans by Tremonti to introduce measures to spur growth after the austerity package becomes law. According to media repor ts, the plans to spur growth include revenues from auctions for new permits for four th generation broadband internet and incentives for investments in the south, where unemployment is higher than in the rest of the country. They also include plans to use more European Union funds to help growth. The debt crisis has prompted more calls for Berlusconi to step down for the good of the country.

Emma Marcegaglia, head of the employers federation Confindustria, made a pointed suggestion that the government should step aside if it could not address problems that were putting the future of I taly at risk .

Pierferdinando Casini, head of the small opposition UDC par ty, called for Berlusconi to step down and give way to a government of national unity to lead the country until the next scheduled national elec tions in 2013.

Berlusconi and his top aides rejected both calls, saying the government would remain in office until the end of the legislature as planned. Berlusconi faces fresh accusations connected with a two-year old prostitution scandal.

Naples magistrates have been investigating allegations that he paid around 750,000 euros to a southern Italian businessman to hush up a prostitution affair dating back to 2009, adding an extra distraction to attempts to address the debt crisis. He is not accused of any wrongdoing himself in the affair, which magistrates are treating as a case of extortion, but it risks damaging his already battered standing as potentially embarrassing revelations appear in the press. Berlusconi had been due to be questioned by magistrates as a witness on Tuesday but has informed magistrates he will not be able to make the appointment because he has to go to Brussels for an EU meeting. —Reuters

LONDON: Britain’s banks face some of the world’s toughest regulations under reforms outlined yesterday, which require them to insulate their retail lending activities and store up billions in extra capital at an annual cost of up to 7 billion pounds ($11 billion). Finance minister George Osborne said he would fast-track legislation based on the proposals, aimed at avoiding a repeat of the financial crisis which led to two of Britain’s biggest lenders, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland , being bailed out with massive injections of government cash. “We’re getting right up there with the Swiss in terms of having the most onerous capital regime,” said Jane Coffey, a fund manager at Royal London Asset Management.

In report, the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) insisted banks hold core capital of at least 10 percent of risk-weighted assets in their domestic retail operations. They will have to hold a further 7 to 10 percent of capital that can be in the form of “bail-in” bonds, giving a requirement they hold a total of primary loss-absorbing capital of between 17 and 20 percent-a level which only the Swiss also plan to introduce. By comparison, new global regulation due to come into force in 2019 asks banks to hold a minimum of 7 percent in quality capital, or a likely 9.5 percent for the biggest institutions.

The ICB estimated the annual pretax cost of its proposals for Britain’s banks at between 4 billion pounds and 7 billion and recommended the reforms be completed by 2019, to take into account the current economic environment. The British government backed the report, saying it would help boost the economy and protect taxpayers. “John Vickers (ICB head) himself sets out a timetable and I intend to stick to his timetable.

So he says let’s have all the changes in place by the end of this decade,” said Osborne.

“There are a lot of changes involved, that is why it will take some time, but let’s get the legislation through in this parliament,” he added. A senior figure in the Liberal Democrats, junior partners in government, also backed the report, suggesting legislation may not be held up by disagreement within the Conservative-led coalition as had been possible. Business minister Vince Cable “welcomes the recommendations and thinks it’s an excellent report,” his spokeswoman said.

Britain’s “Big Four” banks-Barclays and HSBC as well as Lloyds and RBS-have fought against tough new regulation on top of EU and global reforms. They form a powerful lobby since finan-

cial services contribute some 10 percent to the UK economy “The banking industry ... is a much more important component to the UK than it is to other countries, which is why the gold-plating of the regulatory regime which is being implemented globally has to be sensible and not push us into a corner where the banking industry here is uncompetitive,” said David Miller, fund manager at Cheviot Asset Management.

REAL CONCERNS Barclays and RBS are expected to be hardest hit by the reforms because they have the biggest

Shares in Barclays were down 1.6 percent, Lloyds was up 0.7 percent, RBS off 0.3 percent and HSBC down 2 percent. The broader European bank sector was down 4.1 percent. The proposals will imposed a ring-fence limiting the extent to which a bank can use money in its retail arm to fund investment banking activities, thus increasing its funding costs, which will likely hit its profits and possibly make it harder to lend to businesses.

Consumer deposits and small business lending must be inside the cordon, but banks will have some flexibility on what else should be included.

LONDON: A cyclist passes a sign post indicating the direction to a ‘bank’ near the Bank of England in London. —AP investment banking units. The report was better news for Lloyds as it backed away from an earlier recommendation that it be forced to sell more branches than the 632 it has already been ordered to offload by regulators to scale down its domestic presence following its absorption of Halifax parent HBOS during the crisis.

By 0930 GMT British bank shares had bounced from an initial slump to outperform their European peers, which were pummeled by worries about their exposure to euro zone debt.

“There are real concerns that ring-fencing may limit banks’ ability to lend to small businesses,” said John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce. Between 1 trillion and 2 trillion pounds’ worth of assets is likely to be held inside the ring-fence. British banks have total assets of 6 trillion pounds, four times the size of UK GDP. Two of them-Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds-had to be partly nationalized following the financial crisis and a third, Northern Rock, was fully nationalized. —Reuters

Cash crisis hits Palestinian state building RAMALLAH: Progress made by the Palestinians in building institutions for statehood could be undermined by a fiscal crisis caused by a shortfall in foreign aid, the World Bank said yesterday.

In a report released just a week before the Palestinian leadership goes to the United Nations to press its claim for statehood, the World Bank said Israeli restrictions on the Palestinian economy must be lifted to allow sustained reform. It said the Palestinian Authority had made “substantial progress” toward implementing the objectives of a two-year plan to build institutions ready for statehood by September of this year.

“To date, the Palestinian Authority has continued to implement its reform agenda, but a protracted fiscal crisis risks jeopardizing the gains in institu-

tion-building made painstakingly over the past years,” the report said. The success of the state-building plan led by the Western-backed Prime Minister Salam Fayyad is one of the reasons cited by Palestinian officials for their decision to go to the United Nations, despite US and Israeli opposition. The Fayyad plan aimed to ready the Palestinians for the establishment of an independent state in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem-territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war.

But the US-backed peace process which they hoped would yield their independence has ground to a haltanother reason Palestinian officials give for pursuing their diplomatic step at the United Nations. The World Bank, in the report prepared to be presented to

the Palestinians’ international donors, said Palestinian public institutions now compared “favorably to other countries in the region and beyond”. But the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self government in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is still reliant on foreign aid to fill a deficit projected at $900 million this year.

Policymakers have blamed a shortfall in aid from Arab states for the PA’s current fiscal crisis. In the last three months, the authority has twice failed to pay salaries to its 150,000 employees on time and in full. The World Bank report said “lower-than-expected aid flows in the first half of 2011 had an immediate impact on the Palestinian economy”. The forecast for real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2011 had been cut to 7 percent from 9

percent, it said. Significant Palestinian economic growth in recent years had been driven mainly by donor aid rather than the private sector, “which remains stifled by Israeli restrictions on access to natural resources and markets”, the report said.

“Ultimately, sustaining the PA’s reform momentum and maintaining its achievements in institution-building is dependent on the revival of the private sector,” Mariam J Sherman, World Bank country director for the West Bank and Gaza Strip said in a statement. “This would grow the tax base and gradually reduce dependence on external assistance.

Until then, the PA remains vulnerable to reductions in aid flow, and this needs to be managed carefully,” she said. —Reuters

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TECHNOLOGY

Next stop for solar cell technology: Your clothing MUNICH: Every mobile worker knows the nightmare: The rechargeable battery in the mobile phone or laptop computer is dead, contact with the outside world is severed, customers are angry and the boss is throwing a fit.

In a few years, such crises could become a thing of the past as technology burrows deeper into the apparel industry. Scientists and clothing makers are experimenting with solar cells built into coats, jackets and backpacks that can provide power for portable electronic devices.

Traditional silicon-based cells are inflexible and therefore unsuited to textiles. But help may be on the way from flexible, organic solar cells printed on polymer foils, a new development in which the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), based in Freiburg, Germany, has been instrumental. The venerable Munich clothing maker Lodenfrey is interested.

“I think it’s exciting,” said Klaus Faust, head of Lodenfrey’s menswear department. “You’re taking a walk in the sunshine and recharging your mobile phone.”

Solar cell jackets will not be ready for the market until a number of technical obstacles have been overcome, however. One is the ability to with-

stand laundering. So far, solar cells are unable to withstand a complete machine wash cycle at 60 degrees centigrade.

ISE scientists actually had another clientele in mind for their organic solar cells: The building industry. “It’s a relatively young technology that, in the long term, can make a contribution to the energy supply,” according to ISE spokeswoman Karin Schneider, who said that organic solar foils might someday be glued to awnings and the walls of buildings for the purposes of electricity generation.

The apparel industry is interested, too. “We’re still a little bit away from large-scale production, but a lot is in flux,” Schneider said.

Jackets or sweaters with embedded photovoltaic cells could have various uses. “It’s conceivable, for example, to have safety vests with built-in illumination,” Faust said. “A possible disco gag would be a jacket that glows to the beat of the music.”

Lodenfrey is tinkering with other innovations as well. In collaboration with an Israeli inventor, it is working on a motorcycle jacket with built-in air conditioning. A further possibility: jackets and coats made of fabric that heats up. “A light jacket with collar heating for the convertible, for

instance,” Faust suggested, adding that an attractive option for commuters using public transport would be a winter coat that heats up.

While Lodenfrey is known for its traditional Bavarian garb, it keeps an eye out for innovation. “Living from tradition alone is fine, but it’s a little risky,” Faust remarked.

He said that networking with scientists and other companies was of central importance. Since a clothing manufacturer is not a high-tech concern, he noted, “you can only achieve great new innovations in clothing when you find partners.”

This is where politics comes in.

Germany’s federal and state governments support innovation in two ways.

First, they provide subsidies for research projects, and, second, they have programmes that bring scientists together with small and medium-sized businesses.

The German federal government is subsidizing development of organic solar cells. And Lodenfrey is taking advantage of an “innovation voucher” offered by the Bavarian Economics Ministry for its work on heating fabrics.

Under the voucher programme, the ministry is matching the company’s expenditure of 7,500 euros (10,570 dollars). “It doesn’t always have to be

big things,” Faust said of the matching grant. “Small ones help, too.”

The Bavarian Economics Ministry is satisfied, too. It has approved 716 innovation vouchers since 2009, many of them for projects whose fruition

seems a long way off.

“In our view, it’s a complete success,” a ministry spokesman said.

Meanwhile, it will likely take a few more years before solar-powered textiles are ready for the market.

With new technology, solar cells may one day be woven into your clothing.

Even the Army is pushing to have solar energy recharge their portable devices.

Electric car hype hiding a quiet revolution Consumers clamoring for more fuel-efficient vehicles

Future of notebooks is slimline, light, cheaper BERLIN: Advances in technology mean notebooks are getting lighter and thinner all the time as evidenced by many of the products on show at the recent IFA consumer electronics trade show in Berlin. Tablets, smartphones and other touchscreen devices may be in huge demand, but the notebook still has its followers.

Many manufacturers, however, are no longer concentrating on the 15” and 17” screens that are designed to be capable of replacing a desktop PC, preferring instead to showpiece smaller and more lightweight devices with screen sizes ranging between 13” and 15”.

The reason behind the move is mainly down to advances in technology, explains Jens Boecking, a product manager with Samsung. “Individual notebook components have become ever smaller, lighter and more efficient in recent years,” he says.

The new Core and Fusion processors produced by Intel and AMD, for example, are not only more power-efficient than previous chips but are also housed on the same motherboard as the notebook’s graphic chip and wireless adapter, resulting in a reduced space requirement.

SSD hard drives are another decisive technological development, as they use solid-state memory to store persistent data while traditional hard disk drives are electromechanical devices containing spinning disks and moving read/write heads.

However, these fast and efficient devices don’t come cheap. “A good quality, fast notebook with an SSD hard drive will set you back at least 1,000 euros (1,400 dollars) at this moment in time,” says Boecking.

Samsung debuted the Series 7 Chronos at IFA. The Chronos is powered by an Intel Core i7 Quad Core processor and 8 GB of flash memory. The wake-up time for the Chronos is an incredibly fast two seconds while Samsung promises a battery life of approximately eight hours. The 13” and 15” Chronos notebooks cost at least 1,199 euros even without the flash memory.

Other manufacturers - such as Acer with its Aspire S Series and Lenovo with the IdeaPAD U300s - have sacrificed storage capacity in favour of SSDs to reduce weight, thickness and heat generation. Thanks to SSDs and aluminium housings, both notebooks are less than 15 millimetres thick and weigh

between 1.3 and 1.4 kilograms.

Both devices are part of a new generation of notebooks that use air to reduce heat generation by not using bottom vents and instead pushing heat out through the hinge vents, as well as through a breathable keyboard. “This means I can have the device on my lap without it getting too warm,” says Jade Chen from Lenovo.

Customers have to make some sacrifices if they want such a thin and lightweight notebook. For example, there is no disk drive for DVDs or Blu-Ray discs, meaning an external drive has to be used when watching films or burning CDs. This is because both Acer and Lenovo have signed up to Intel’s “Ultrabook” concept, meaning their devices have to meet certain criteria, including having a thickness of less than 20mm. “It’s simply not possible to install an optical drive within these parameters,” says Chen. Future PCs from the same series will continue to offer the option of optical drives for DVD and Blu-Ray discs.

Other companies are also hesitant about offering notebooks without any drives. Dell’s new Inspiron 14Z is only 25 millimetres thick, despite its built-in optical drive. “Our customers didn’t want us to make any compromises when it came to functionality,” Dell vice-president Aongus Hegarty said at IFA. The company offers other lightweight laptops, such as the XPS 14Z which, unlike the Inspiron Series, is more geared towards the professional market.

Sony is following a similar path with its new Vaio S Series notebooks, which are small and light but have had to dispense with an optical drive as a consequence.

Some of the trends to be seen on notebooks on display at IFA included back-lit keyboards and anti-glare displays that make it easier to see the screen in bright sunshine.

Unfortunately, another thing most of the ultra-thin notebooks have in common is their high price. It is impossible to buy one for less than 1,000 euros even without an optical disk drive or SSD drive. However, Lenovo manager Chen believes the prices will come down over time: “The development of lightweight notebooks is in its infancy. The prices will drop in the long-term.” — dpa

BERLIN: Electric cars and hybrids may be capturing headlines and the imagination of green-leaning consumers around the world as one automaker after another announces plans to push into the brave new world of fossil fuel-free mobility.

But away from the spotlight, carmakers have been quietly delivering significant cuts in CO2 emissions with some re-engineering of internal combustion engines, technology advances, weight reduction and aerodynamic improvements.

Increasingly stringent fuel economy standards in Europe and the United States that were mandated due to climate change concerns have been the main catalyst. Yet with rising fuel prices and a waxing awareness of global warming, consumers have also been clamoring for more fuel-efficient vehicles.

“Carmakers have finally gotten the message and have made a good start in making cuts in CO2 emissions but only after they were forced to,” said Dorothee Saar, an industry analyst at the German Environmental Aid Association (DUH) in Berlin ahead of the Frankfurt international car show starting today.

“Before 2008 they had only voluntary targets that were largely ignored. They’re moving forward now because they know if they don’t cut emissions they’ll pay heavy fines.

They’re doing better but there is still a lot of untapped potential.”

In the European Union, CO2 emissions fell 3.7 percent last year to 140 grams per kilometer after dropping 5.1 percent in 2009.

Average emissions are down from 186 grams in 1995. The EU is on track to meet a 130 grams target by 2015 set in 2008 in the face of heavy resistance. The limit will be 98 grams in 2020.

In the United States, notorious around the world for its gas guzzlers, the Obama administration announced plans in August to raise fuel economy requirements by 53 percent by 2025. The proposal requires companies to reach an average fuel efficiency across their U.S. fleets of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

“The industry has done what they have agreed to with the CO2 reduction goals but the problem is that they are aiming at moving targets,” said Philippe Houchois, car industry analyst at UBS in London. “The CO2 targets get tougher all the time.

“Ever yone has made good progress because they have to with the regulations,” he added. “There are no obvious laggards. But as the requirements continue to move, they are going to have to have sell more electric cars to be able to meet the targets.”

That is an important reason why many carmakers are turning to electric cars even if they

now only represent a tiny slice of the global business-where about 50 million cars are sold each year. Until now only a few thousand have been electric.

Even hybrids represent only a small slice of the pie so far. Out of an estimated one billion vehicles on the roads worldwide, only 47 million alternative vehicles are running as hybrids, on hydrogen or electric power, according to a recent report by the Low

make the car prices prohibitively expensive.

Why would anyone in their right mind pay more for a car that might run out of power in the middle of nowhere?

“The limitations of the electric cars right now are all well known,” said Houchois. “They will not be replacing combustion engines anytime soon. A lot of people aren’t going to replace their cars with electric cars. The industry is reluctant too. Every electric car you sell

Carbon Vehicle Partnership .

Electric cars, a key part of a low-carbon economy, have been on the minds of consumers with a green consciousness for years.

Green will be a major theme at the Frankfurt Car Show with an entire building-Hall 4 — devoted to electric mobility.

“Never before have the stars of the Frankfurt Car Show been so revolutionary, so green, so efficient, so quiet and so super clean as in 2011,” wrote Bild am Sonntag newspaper on Sunday. But there are still many hurdles preventing electric cars from becoming a more common sight on the roads-in particular high battery costs, limited range and infrastructure.

Tesla Motors made a splash in 2004 with its battery-powered Roadster while Mitsubishi’s i MiEV and Nissan’s Leaf followed. Nissan with its French partner Renault has sold 8,500 Leaf cars since it was launched in December 2010.

Plug-in hybrids, such as the Chevrolet Voltalso known as the Opel Ampera-entered markets in late 2010. Ford will introduce its C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid in 2013. Toyota has said it will begin selling a Prius-based plug-in hybrid in 2012. Daimler and BMW have been field testing electric cars.

But battery-powered vehicles will likely remain only a small niche as long as batteries

is a combustion car you don’t sell.”

Analysts and industry officials expect it to take another three to five years at least for battery technology and infrastructure to improve to a point that “range anxiety” disappears and electric cars can hope for market shares in the low single digits. The Boston Consulting Group forecast there will be just 1.5 million fully electric cars worldwide in 2020.

Cars are responsible for about 10 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, which most scientist believe are responsible for climate change that could lead to rising sea levels, more powerful storms, droughts and floods.

Governments are thus under pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many have ramped up spending, devoting billions to develop electric cars, batteries and recharging infrastructures. Many offer tax credits and other incentives for electric cars, which if recharged with renewable energy have zero emissions.

The German government, for example, in May set a goal of having have one million electric vehicles on the road by 2020 and doubled federal research spending on electric vehicles to 2 billion euros over the next two years. — Reuters

IBM putting Watson to work in health insurance WHITE PLAINS: Enough with the fun and games. Watson is going to work.

IBM’s supercomputer system, best known for trouncing the world’s best “Jeopardy!” players on TV, is being tapped by one of the largest US health insurers to help diagnose medical problems and authorize treatments.

WellPoint Inc., which has 34.2 million members, will integrate Watson’s lightning speed and deep health care database into its existing patient information, helping it choose among treatment options and medicines.

“This very much fits into the sweet spot of what we envisioned for the applications of Watson,” said Manoj Saxena, general manager of an IBM division looking at

how the computer can be marketed. Lori Beer, an executive vice president at Indianapolis-based WellPoint, agreed. “It’s really a game-changer in health care,” she said. The WellPoint application will combine data from three sources: a patient’s chart and electronic records that a doctor or hospital has, the insurance company’s history of medicines and treatments, and Watson’s huge library of textbooks and medical journals.

IBM says the computer can then sift through it all and answer a question in moments, providing several possible diagnoses or treatments, ranked in order of the computer’s confidence, along with the basis for its answer.

“Imagine having the ability

within three seconds to look through all of that information, to have it be up to date, scientifically presented to you, and based on that patients’ medical needs at the moment you’re caring for that patient,” said WellPoint’s chief medical officer, Dr. Sam Nussbaum.

Saxena said the WellPoint application would likely be accessed from an ordinary computer or hand-held device. Beer said patients needn’t worry that Watson will be used to help insurers deny benefits. “We’re really trying to bring providers a tool that’s successful, that helps drive better outcomes, which is how we want to reimburse physicians in the future,” Beer said.

Nussbaum said a pilot program

will be rolled out early next year at several cancer centers, academic medical centers and oncology practices.

WellPoint is the nation’s largest publicly traded health insurer based on enrollment. It operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in 14 states, including New York and California. Neither party would say how much Armonk, New York-based IBM is being paid.

Saxena said it’s the first money Watson has earned for the company; the $1 million it won on “Jeopardy!” earlier this year was given to charity.

Watson’s next jobs will probably also be in health care, but financial services and public safety applications are on the horizon, Saxena said. - AP

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health & science

Expert finds link between phosphorus, human appetite KUWAIT: Af ter eight-months of human testing, Diet Care Dietetics Manager Sarah Dimashkieh found that increased phosphorus intake in one meal can subsequently reduce appetite, causing people to eat less amounts of food and feel fuller, faster during their next meal.

According to her study published in the International Journal of Obesity with Professor Dr. Omar Obeid and Dr. Sani Hlais, phosphorus commonly found in dairy products, seafood, and beans, could control food intake during the next meal.

Dimashkieh tested phosphorus to appetite by giving a pool of 40 people between the ages of 18 and 35 phosphorus load drinks. She then tested how much this pool ate from standardized pizza, using a visual analog scale to determine their hunger and appetite according to how much phosphorus they had. It was found that increased phosphorus content in the drinks resulted in

decreased food intake during the next meal.

Dimashkieh said: “Phosphorus to appetite has only been tested in labs before. This is first time we were able to prove that phosphorus is directly linked to appetite and food intake in humans. Anybody can track it themselves; notice how much you ate during lunch on a day you had a labnah sandwich for breakfast versus the day you had a zaatar sandwich. Due to the phosphorus content in the labnah, you will end up eating less for lunch.”

Diet Care was established in 2005 to improve lifestyles through health and nutrition, through proven life changing product lines with a variety of over 30 delicious, calorie -controlled signature and seasonal dishes prepared and delivered fresh daily to customers and branches.

Since its establishment, Diet Care has become the leading provider of gourmet nutritional food in Kuwait

Parental counseling may help kids’ sleep NEW YORK: Screening children for sleeping problems and discussing sleep strategies with parents could help youngsters settle into school with better nighttime routines, according to a study from Australia. Study author Jon Quach, from the University of Melbourne, and his team found that when they had sleep-related consultations with parents, children tended to have fewer sleep problems and better bedtime habits than children whose parents didn’t get counseled.

The study, published in Pediatrics, was small and didn’t show that the sleep improvements led to changes in academic achievements later in the year. “Sleep problems are common in young school children and are treatable using ... a brief behaviour-based intervention,” Quach told Reuters Health in an email.

“Parents should seek advice for their child’s sleep if they are concerned.” In five- and six-year-olds, most sleep problems are related to the children’s behavior, researchers said. “Some of them still have poor sleep habits where they are going to bed too late, they don’t have a bedtime routine, and many of them are still having parents stay with them when they go to sleep at night,” said Jodi Mindell, a pediatric sleep specialist at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, who was not involved with the study.

“You also get in this age group some night-time fears,” she added, with anxiety possibly increasing as those children start school. The study focused on the back-to-school time frame and included children who were heading into their first year of elementary school. Quach said that’s an important window for addressing sleep problems, because children who don’t sleep well might have more trouble making the transition to school, which sets them up for worse academic performance and poorer relationships later on.

Quach and his colleagues surveyed about 1,500 parents of children starting at 22 different elementary schools in Melbourne. Of these parents, 161 said their child had a moderate or severe sleeping problem and 108 were recruit-

ed for the study. Children with more serious sleep-related breathing problems, for example, were excluded.

Half of the participating parents had a private consultation at school, followed by a telephone call two weeks later, to discuss behavioral sleep strategies based on their child’s specific issues.

The other half weren’t offered any extra help. Over the next year, the researchers surveyed parents again about their children’s sleep. Six months after the initial consultation, they also gave all children a learning assessment.

Sleep issues tended to resolve in both groups, but children whose parents had sleep-related counseling generally did better.

After six months, 26 percent of children in the consultation group and 47 percent in the no-consultation group still had moderate or severe sleep problems. By one year, however, there was no difference and about one-third of children in both groups had sleep problems.

Children in the consultation group had less resistance at bedtime and took less time to go to bed, according to their parents’ reports. But there was no difference in how well they did on academic tests designed to measure reading, math and spelling skills.

Quach and colleagues noted that the study was small and that a followup including more children will be needed, including one that tracks students’ academic progress for more than a year. Mindell said the study pointed to a need for teachers and school psychologists to look for sleep problems, adding that some really simple changes could help. “Making sure your child goes to bed before nine-we know that that’s the tipping point, including reading as part of the bedtime routine-it helps calm children down, it gives them a focus, it helps with literacy, it’s all good. Then encouraging children to fall asleep on their own,” she said. Also, make sure there are no distracting electronics in the room, she added. “Get rid of the Game Boys, get rid of the computers, get rid of the cell phones,” she said. — Reuters

US hospital workers outspend others on medical care CHICAGO: Hospital employees spend 10 percent more on healthcare, consume more medical services, and are generally sicker than the rest of the US workforce, according to a study released yesterday.

The cost difference was even greater when dependents were taken into account, with healthcare costs 13 percent higher, including medical care and prescription drugs. The study, conducted by Thomson Reuters Healthcare, analyzed the health risk and utilization of 1.1 million hospital workers and compared them with 17.8 million health plan members across all industries around the country.

Researchers did not look at the causes for the disparity. Healthcare workers and their dependents were more likely to be diagnosed and hospitalized to treat asthma, diabetes, congestive heart failure, HIV, hypertension and mental illness.

It found that the average cost of healthcare for hospital employees and their dependents was $4,662 per year — $538 higher than that of the general population.

Hospital employees and their dependents saw their doctors less often, but were 22 percent more likely to visit an emergency room and spent 18 percent more time hospitalized, the study found. Kreg Sherbine, co-author of the study, speculated that easy access to expensive care may play a role. “When they’re right down the hall from the emergency room, it might

just be easier to go there than to make an appointment with a physician,” Sherbine said. The stressful environment of a hospital and the irregular hours that many hospital employees work, which together make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, may be another contributing factor, he said.

Sherbine said he doubted the reason was more exposure to disease in the workplace since there was disparity in numerous noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes and obesity.

“Awareness could be a factor. We know that chronic conditions are often undiagnosed.

One might reasonably conclude that professionals are more aware of their symptoms and consequently more likely to seek treatment. However, that doesn’t explain the inordinate difference in utilization,” he said.

Researchers concluded that a hospital or health system with 16,000 employees would save an estimated $1.5 million annually in medical and pharmacy costs for each 1 percent reduction in health risk. “There are industries with higher risks. The manufacturing sector, for example, is typically older and has an even less healthy population,” Sherbine noted.

But with increasing financial pressure on hospitals, hospital administrators need to pay attention to their bottom lines, he said. “Salaries and benefits are their biggest costs. We think it’s really impor tant for hospitals to address this,” he said. — Reuters

and serves a growing customer base of tens of thousands of people, families and offices through its network of in-store outlets and various weight loss meal programs. All Diet Care produc ts are developed by Diet Care’s team of world-class nutritionists and dietitians, and overseen by talented chefs.

Diet Care General Manager, Sami Al-Bader said: “We take pride in our expert dietitians, who work day-in and day-out to ensure they take an active role in making a difference in the field of nutrition and in the Kuwaiti community. Diet Care continues to be driven by their experience, knowledge, and achievements.”

Sarah Dimashkieh is Diet Care’s Dietetics Manager with more than eight years of health and nutrition experience in the region. She graduated from the American University of Beirut with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Masters in Clinical Nutrition.

Diet Care Dietetics Manager Sarah Dimashkieh makes nutritional finding.

Medics dice with death in Myanmar jungle warzones Trapped in one of the world’s oldest civil wars MAE SOT: Risking prison or death if caught by a regime that sees him as the enemy, medic Saw Poe Aye roams the Myanmar jungle helping people trapped in one of the world’s oldest civil wars. Hundreds of others like him criss-cross Myanmar’s impoverished eastern border areas to deliver medicine, treatment and education to Karen and other ethnic minority villagers who lack access to even basic healthcare.

From their base in the Thai border town of Mae Sot, members of the Back Pack Health Worker Team smuggle medicine across the porous frontier-fleeing at any sign of soldiers loyal to the rulers of Myanmar, also known as Burma.

The non-profit organisation, which relies on donations, says that since it was created in 1998 nine medics and a midwife have been killed by regime troops or their landmines, most recently in July 2010. Several others have been imprisoned. “If we don’t run we will be shot because the regime regards us as an opposition organisation. They don’t see us as health workers,” said 34-year-old Saw Poe Aye, who is from Karen State.

“Our area has lots of mountains and deep forests. Often it takes two or three hours to walk between villages,” the married father-ofone said in an interview at the group’s Mae Sot headquarters. The organisation has about 300 medics serving a target population of about 180,000 vulnerable and displaced people spread across 320 villages in areas including Karen, Karenni, Mon, Arakan, Kachin, and Shan states.

Each team, made up of about three to five medics, typically returns to Thailand twice a year for training and to collect supplies. It takes Saw Poe Aye four days to travel by bus, boat and on foot from Mae Sot to the rebelheld area where he works, treating ailments including malaria, worm infestation and diarrhoea as well as war wounds.

Some teams carry surgical tools for trauma patients. They travel for several months at a time, spending at least three days in each village they visit and covering as much as 1,000 kilometres (about 620 miles) on a single trip.

Sometimes rebel soldiers provide a security escort if the situation is dangerous.

While their links to the armed groups raise questions about their neutrality, the medics say they are simply filling a void left by the absence of international aid groups or state healthcare workers.

“The government and international NGOs can’t reach these areas because they are conflict zones,” said Mahn Mahn, the Thai-based director of the Back Pack Health Worker Team.

“These areas are not stable and civilians are always moving around. Our backpack medics give training so these people can help themselves.”

Myanmar has been plagued by decades of civil war between pro-regime troops and

tury of military rule and while a civilian government is now nominally in charge after a widely criticised election last year, its ranks are filled with former generals. “At first we thought things would change,” said Saw Poe Aye. “We thought the country would become

KAREN: An undated handout picture released by the Mae Sot-based volunteers’ organisation Back Pack Health Worker Team shows Myanmar volunteers carrying a man who stepped on a landmine outside a village at an undisclosed location in Karen rebel-held territory in eastern Myanmar. — AFP armed ethnic minority rebels, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced. More than half of all deaths in Myanmar’s eastern conflict zones are from treatable illnesses, with the junta blocking access to healthcare, according to a study published last year. Malaria is the number one killer.

Child mortality rates are nearly double the official national figure, while maternal mortality is three times as high, according to the study by groups including the Back Pack Health Worker Team and Burma Medical Association. “The health situation is chronic.

People do not have access to any regular healthcare,” said Sally Thompson, an aid worker helping Burmese refugees on the ThaiMyanmar border.

“If you fall sick, it’s just lucky for you if a backpack team walks through your area at the time. Otherwise, you’re essentially on your own,” she added. For serious medical problems, many people in Myanmar’s eastern conflict zones make the long and dangerous journey to Thailand, crossing over illegally to seek treatment. Myanmar has endured half a cen-

a democracy and there would be equality for different ethnic groups. But the situation has remained the same or even worsened since the election,” he added.

Fighting still rages in some areas and a recent call by the government for ceasefire talks has been met with scepticism, while Thailand’s threat to close its refugee border camps has caused alarm among the 140,000 residents.

Human rights abuses continue in the ethnic conflict zones, including attacks on civilians, extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, the recruitment of child soldiers and forced labour, a UN rights envoy said last month. The regime spends about seven US dollars per person on health each year, among the lowest in the world, according to a 2009 report from the United Nations. Just 1.8 percent of government spending goes into health.

As long as people in their communities are sick and dying from a lack of healthcare, the backpack medics say they will continue their work, despite the risks. “If we don’t do this no outsider will come and do it for us,” said Saw Poe Aye. — AFP

India probes transfusions after 23 children get HIV

NEW DELHI: Indian Sambar deer stand in a puddle in their enclosure as the Delhi Zoo reopens to the public in New Delhi yesterday. For the first time since it was set up in 1959, the Delhi zoo was forced to close its doors to visitors on September 10-11 due to excessive waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall. — AFP

AHMEDABAD: At least 23 children who received blood transfusions have tested positive for HIV, Indian officials said yesterday as authorities launched an investigation into a government hospital.

The infected children, aged between five to 10 years, suffer from thalassaemia, a rare genetic disorder that requires regular transfusions. Parents said their children received fresh blood at a public hospital in Junagadh district in the western state of Gujarat, 315 kilometres (195 miles) from the city of Ahmedabad.

“We have initiated an inquiry into the case. This is a very serious matter,” the state’s principal health secretary Rajesh Kishore told AFP without giving further details. All the 23 children had received free blood transfusions between January and August, reports said.

Earlier, Gujarat’s health minister Jay Narayan Vyas told reporters that the children may have been infected after receiving blood “at some other places” but parents have blamed tainted blood at the government hospital. He also said some pretransfusion tests at another state-run hospital had found that the children already had been infected with HIV. — AFP

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H E A LT H

Smoking marijuana not linked to obesity NEW YORK: Anybody who’s smoked marijuana knows about “the munchies,” that desire to eat everything within reach. But a study from France has found that, surprisingly, pot smokers are actually less likely than non-smokers to pack on weight.

Using data covering more than 50,000 US adults, researchers headed by Yann Le Strat, a psychiatrist at the Louis-Mourier Hospital in Colombes, France, found that roughly 14 percent to 17 percent of the people reporting that they smoked pot at least three days per week were obese.

That compared with a 22 to 25 percent obesity rate among people who said they had not used pot in the past 12 months. “Initially, we thought we made a mistake,” said Le Strat, adding that he and co-author Bernard Le Foll checked the results several times to make sure they were correct.

“This is only a preliminary result. It doesn’t mean that marijuana does actually help you lose weight, but perhaps there is a component that does.”

The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, included two surveys of U.S. adults-one covering 43,000 people, the other about 9,300 respondents. Both had been conducted by branches of the US National Institutes of Health between 2001 and 2009.

The larger of the surveys found that 14 percent of pot smokers were obese compared to 22

percent who didn’t smoke pot. Similarly, the smaller survey found 17 percent of pot smokers to be obese compared to 25 percent of nonsmokers.

Of all respondents to both surveys, between four percent and seven percent said they smoked pot at least three times a week.

Whether or not they smoked cigarettes as well had no influence on the obesity findings,

Scientists have researched the role of various molecules within marijuana smoke that produce the high feeling, block pain, and may underlie the hunger for food typically provoked by pot use though the researchers did not look at whether diet and exercise habits were different in pot smokers and non-smokers.

According to another recent survey, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, pot use is on the rise in the United States. Almost 16 million US residents used marijuana in 2010, an increase from about 15 million in 2007.

Scientists have researched the role of various

molecules within marijuana smoke that produce the high feeling, block pain, and may underlie the hunger for food typically provoked by pot use. Cannabinoids, molecules similar to natural signaling chemicals in the body, are believed to be key to stimulating appetite-so much so that in 2006, a drug called Rimonabant, designed to work against cannabinoids, was developed.

Rimonabant was approved in more than 30 countries, but not in the United States, for the treatment of obesity. But the drug was pulled off shelves two years later because of an increased risk of suicide among its users. Whether cannabinoids are the only appetite stimulants in pot smoke, or whether other chemicals might account for the effect, remains to be seen, the researchers say.

Other experts said the results didn’t surprise them. “There’s no evidence that repeated marijuana use can increase body weight,” said Vincenzo Di Marzo, professor at the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry in Pozzuoli, Italy, who was not part of the study.

He warned that the study does not show that smoking pot helps you lose weight, but that it could be a starting point for future research. Le Strat echoed this view and warned against experimenting with pot as a diet aid.

“I see people living with marijuana dependence. I hope people don’t interpret the results to mean that if they use marijuana, they’ll lose weight,” he added. —Reuters

A breath detector to find disaster victims PARIS: Scientists on Sunday said they had devised sensors to detect breath and sweat which one day could locate sur vivors buried under buildings hit by an earthquake or a bomb blast. “This is the first scientific study on sensing systems that could detect trapped people,” said Paul Thomas, a professor at Loughborough University in central England.

The sensors sniff out metabolites, the gassy by-products of breakdown mechanisms, which come from breathing, sweating and urinating. Dogs can be trained to detect these compounds, but are expensive to train, need frequent rest periods and both animal and trainer are exposed to danger during search operations.

“A device could be used in the field without laboratory support. It could monitor signs of life for prolonged periods and be deployed in large numbers,” said Thomas. The tests sought to duplicate the conditions of a real disaster, in which

eight volunteers spent five sixhour days in the simulation of a collapsed, glass-clad, reinforcedconcrete building. The compounds secreted by the volunteers body interacted with materials in the debris, and changed with conditions such as humidity, heat, and wind strength and direction, making the detection process much more difficult.

The sensors rapidly detected human-generated carbon dioxide and ammonia in plumes of air that wafted through gaps in the “rubble.” The devices also picked up the scent of other volatile organic compounds cast off by human bodies, such as acetone and isoprene.

Intriguingly, there was a marked decrease in ammonia levels when the participants were asleep, but researchers could not explain why. The study appeared in the Journal of Breath Research, published by Britain’s Institute of Physics (IOP). —AFP

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NECK to host preschoolers’ motivation program

The American University of Kuwait starts its academic year

S

t. Johns Mar Thomas Church, Kuwait, is set to hold a brief pre-school Motivation Program (Ezhuthiniruthu Sisrusha) for children about to begin school or nursery for the first time. All children in these categories and their parents and guardians are invited and cordially welcomed to participate in the special service, which will be held on September 23 at 10:00 AM in the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait’s (NECK) church and parish hall. Certificates will be given to all the children attending the program.

Those who are interested in taking part in the event are kindly requested to contact the Vicar on 65563486, the Convener on 66742985 or the Secretary on 66546705.

Announcements Dreams of Youth Indian National Association (DYINA) formed The new association, DREAMS OF YOUTH INDIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION has been formed for the general welfare of the “DYINA” members who we wish are in Kuwait, India and elsewhere in the world. On this occasion DYINA welcomes all Malayalees in Kuwait, especially whoever staying in company camp / hostels (ladies conveners available for the convenient for the ladies) . For more information contact.

Poulose Thekkedeth -66790870; Paul Joseph97200915; Babu Thomas - 99240368; Shaji 55042540; Jose Payappilly - 99809603; Reason 97286904 Indian music album to be shot in Kuwait A 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 use 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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

W H AT ’ S O N

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he American University of Kuwait welcomed back its current students, faculty and staff as well as new faculty members and the incoming Class of 2015.

This summer AUK saw several significant changes to its organizational structure such as the reorganization of the Academic Advising Center led by its new Director, Dr Kathy Kleypas and the establishment of a Health and Wellness Center headed by Assistant Director of Student Affair Jason Sullivan and the appointment of Ms Fatema Hayat as the Assistant Director of Student Affairs for Student Life. This will allow each

area to expand as needed and allow them to better support and serve students in their academic and personal development.

AUK has also taken measures to lower the faculty teaching load, allocating more time for faculty to work with students both as advisors arid teachers. It will also allow time for faculty to devote to individual class sessions making them more stimulating and rewarding for students. Lowering the teaching load will also ensure that faculty have time for research and other academic endeavors, and help AUK to recruit the best faculty possible. AUK now has 91

Undergraduate faculty and 22 Intensive English faculty) AUK’s student/faculty ratio is approximately 16/1, which is comparable to similar institutions in the US. Various renovation projects have been underway across campus in preparation for the new school year.

New students have attended placement, registration and advising sessions to familiarize them with AUK as well, as register for classes. Additionally, new students will take part in recreational activities designed to help them break the ice and form friendships which will strengthen and grow

throughout their time at AUK. Such activities during the first week of classes include the welcome Back B.B.Q, the involvement fair and the faculty meets and greet event.

AUK’s fall 2011 enrollment is anticipated to be in line with last fall’s enrollment, with a slight increase in the Grade Point Average of incoming students as a result of university efforts to raise the admission requirements.

Enrollment figures for fall 2011 will be finalized following the “add/drop” deadline in mid September.

adjustment to change and modernization with the residents of today.

Ilene arrived Kuwait in October 1984 and has been learning about her ?adopted? home since. She is an educator who held positions as teacher and principal at a private American school in Kuwait for 10 years plus. Currently, she is employed at Gulf University for Science and Technology while pursuing her doctorate in Educational Administration with research in the area of leadership and professional development of teachers.

AWARE announces new clubs Cultural Book Club Beginning: October, 2011 If you enjoy reading and sharing of ideas, are interested to learn about books and authors in a thought provoking environment, we welcome your participation in the AWARE Book Club.

The AWARE Book Club aims are as follows: lIncrease awareness about Kuwait, Arabs and Muslims lCreate a platform for socialization between westerners and Kuwaitis/Arabs lOpen minds to issues affecting the world then widen the scope of our horizons.

For further details on the book club, send an email to: htaware.hassan@gmail.com Cultural Photography Club coming soon!

AWARE programs Diwaniya: Returning to hand skills & fair-trade Tuesday, September 20, 7pm

by Lynn Whyte & Janette Herrmann This presentation looks at clothing design with EMPHASIS ON AN ETHICAL APPROACH that also brings real treasures from tribal people. The aim is to help retain the skills of generations and support ethnic groups in their plight to hold on to traditional ways of life. The work ethos is one of ‘fair trade’ and a breaking away from exploitation of talents. This new venture is complement-

ed with workshops and classes where elements of handcrafting are taught by specialized teachers of various backgrounds.

Diwaniya: An Overview of the History of Kuwait Tuesday, September 27 7pm

by Ilene Winokur-AlZaid This presentation explores Kuwait?s rich history and uses it as a guide for understanding the country and its people of 2011. It looks at the rich heritage of Kuwait’s past and how it influenced

Diwan Book Club The Diwan Book club is redefining the concept of the cultural cafe. It is the first community and voluntary project in the world to partner with Starbucks.

Its mission is to encourage reading in the Kuwaiti society and to raise the level of awareness culturally and intellectuali-

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 Dsouza60035824, Shalini Alva- 23726164, Suma Bhatt97834578 Salmiya & Hawally: Swarna Shetty99006934, Kripa Gatty- 66044194 Kuwait City, Jahra, Sharq : Rekha Sachu65044521,97862115 Farwaniya, Abbassiya, Shuwaikh & Khaitan: Sathyanarayana66585077 Sanath Shetty- 67712409.

ty. It also aims to minimize the gap between Kuwait’s citizens and multinational residents in a friendly and respectful atmosphere that features cultural or recreational activities.

Yousef Khalifa is the founder and president of Diwan Book Club in partnership with Starbucks Cafe. He is a multi-talented Kuwaiti individual who has authored two short stories, is a photographer, a photography installation artist, general supervisor of Sights of Light photography group and much more. ..”books emphasize your imagination and ability to think out of the box. In other words, they give you the ability not just to be able to create but also to manage your life and work and find solutions for problems.”

Beginning: October, 2011 AWARE September Guided Tours Tareq Rajab Museum Monday, 19 September at 5:30pm This well hidden treasure houses a collection of over thirty thousand items collected over the last fifty years, of which approximately ten thousand are on permanent display.

For further details or reservations, please send an email to: info@aware.com.kw AWARE Center Block 3, Surra Street, Villa 84, Surra 2533 5280 ph 2533 5230 fax www.aware.com.kw info@aware.com.kw

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.

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.

Awami Seschsasebak meet on Eid reunion

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angladesh Awami Seschsasebak League Kuwait chapter met on Eidreunion on Thursday, 8th September. The program was presided over by Mohammed Masud Karim President of Awami Seschsasebak League Kuwait chapter. Gallant freedom fighter, President of Bangladesh Awami League Kuwait chapter and chief advisor to the Seschsasebak League Kuwait chapter Engineer Abdur Rab was the guest of honor.

Among the special guests were Abdus Subhan General Secretary of Awami League Kuwait chapter, Rafiqul Islam bulu President of Awami Foundation,

Seschsasebak League advisors Akbar Hosen and Safiqur Rahaman, Main uddin Majumder, editor of Monthly Morulekha and ex-General Secretary of Awami League Kuwait chapter Abdur Rauf Mawla, Greater Faridpur Samity President M.Azadur Rahaman, Literature and columnist Md Ali Azam, Jatiya Kabita Parisad President Jahangir Hossain bablu, and General Secretary Sanjib Chandra Bhadra Chandan, Barnamala Sankskritik Sangsad President Babul Akhtar Nur, General Secretary Scum Rem, Probasi Sahitya Parisad President- poet Abdur Rahim, Ajker Swjodhoy Kuwait bureau chief Md. Yakub, Bangladesh

Reporter s unity president Mom Uddin Suinon, General Secretary Sheikh Ehsanul Hoque Khokan, Monthly Madinar Pathe editor Sharif Md. Mizanur Rahaman.

Among the distinguished guests were leaders and activists of expatriate Bengali social, cultural, business organizations, journalist associations along with Awami Seschsasebak League executives and activists.

The program had commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, and it was presented by recited

by Mohammad Bahar Uddin Vice President of the Seschsasebak League.

General Secretary of the League Mohammed Kabir Hossen delivered the introductory speech. In the congregation, a special prayer was also offered at the tragic demise of Fahiniur Rahaman Sayem son of Mriahangir Kabir Nanok the Bangladesh state minister of local government, rural development and co-operative.

Condolence was extended to the bereaved family as well.

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IKEA Kuwait to host international ozone preservation day celebrations

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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

Kanajar Welfare Association to celebrate Monthi Fest

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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/IMM5257 E.PDF. A guide explaining the process can be found here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5256E.PDF.

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anajar Welfare Association, Kuwait - is delighted to announce the celebration of Monthi Fest 2011 with Kanajar Parishioners on September 16th at residence of Lancy Mendonca and Rose Mary Mendonca at Farwaniya.

Monthi Fest (Nativity) has always been of special significance to us, the people of South Canara, as we celebrate the Birthday of Mother Mary this day which coincides with the Harvest festival. As per the tradition, first fruit of a farmers labour will be blessed and then distributed to all the family members.

Kanajar Welfare Association, Kuwait is inviting all the members along with the Family and Friends to come together and celebrate this occasion as one family. This is an opportunity for all of us to show our love & gratitude to our heavenly mother.

All are invited to come and share this joy by celebrating this feast in a traditional way. Showering the flowers to the honor of mother Mary will cherish the childhood memories for all of us. The day will be filled with activities, presenting lot of Games and fun. The program will start at 10 am. For more details please contact: Henry Britto 97947098, Edward Prakash D’souza 55488023.

Free Arabic courses provided by Islam Presentation Committee

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ake your opportunity to learn and improve your Arabic skills. The women section of Islam Presentation Committee will be conducting FREE Arabic Language Course in Basic & Advance Level for non-Arab LADIES commencing on September 30, 2011. Islamic subjects and Quran classes are also offered in different languages. Classes are offered only once a week.

Register now! For more information: Rawdah22512257-97290278; Salmiya-2573326397533263; Khaitan-24730137-99285459; Mangaf23723002; Jahra-24558830-67720696.

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uwait Goan Association (KGA) after presenting popular Konkani tiatrs ‘Ghor Bandlem ghorabo Modlo’ and ‘Tujea Moga Passot’, now all set to present Tragedy Mario Menezes most popular Konkani drama “Hatachim Panch Bottam” in Kuwait on Friday, 18th November 2011 with full troupe. Await for more details or email: kgakuwait@gmail.com

AWARE center diwaniya today

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he AWARE Center cordially invites you to its diwaniya presentation 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 “

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.

KEA Kuwait announced that it is set to celebrate International Ozone Preservation Day, which will fall in line with the global event, and is aimed at supporting positive environmental action. At its store, IKEA Kuwait will host a range of fun filled and interactive activities for children that have been designed to raise awareness and personalize issues related to pollution and preserving the Earthís Ozone. The activities will take place from the 15th- 22nd of September at its store in the Avenues.

IKEA Kuwait’s store will be holding an exciting array of childrenís activities that include board games for students and families and several thrilling educational activities that help communicate keeping a healthy and clean environment as well as understanding the importance of the ozone in peopleís daily lives.

IKEA stores offer a wide range of environment friendly products that include solar lights, recycled bags and much more. Being environmentally conscious shouldn’t be an expensive daily process, it can be saving money too.

Through this event IKEA is urging its shoppers to participate, learn more, and have a positive effect on the earth in their own little ways.

Konkani drama

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Movenpick Hotel Kuwait celebrates 3rd day of Eid with children’s home centre

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ovenpick Hotel Kuwait organized a charity event for the kids of the Children’s Home Centre. The centre is an orphanage supervised by the Ministry of Social Affairs where needed care and attention are provided to orphan children.

Movenpick Kuwait’s Kids Club invited 34 boy and girls from the orphanage to celebrate Eid El Fiter.

The invited children enjoyed and participated in various fun and entertaining activities prepared by Movenpick Hotel Kuwait. The children were given Eid gifts and those participating in the singing competition won valuable prizes.

On this occasion, Movenpick’s Executive Chef prepared a lavish buffet rich in delicious children’s food and mouth-watering sweets

that made all of the kids happy.

The event comes in line with Movenpick strategic objective and firm commitment to be morally and socially responsible towards society’s issues.

The management of the Children’s Home Centre acknowledged Movenpick’s initiative with great appreciation wishing the hotel further success and progress.

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

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

AWARE orientation for newcomers

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hese orientations are free of charge and provide an opportunity for newly arriving Western guests to learn more about the programs on offer at AWARE. Our staff will be available to answer further questions related to life in Kuwait. If you are new to Kuwait or new to AWARE, we welcome your participation in one of the following presentations: Monday, 26 September 2011 Thursday, 29 September 2011 Monday, 03 October 2011 Thursday, 06 October 2011 Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm Venue: AWARE Center Dinner Buffet is included RSVP to info@aware.com.kw For a free ‘Orientation to Kuwait’ packet, or to ask a question, send an email to info@aware.com.kw

Weekly diwaniyas The AWARE Center hosts a weekly diwaniya every Tuesday during which different topics are discussed.

“We discuss topics ranging from culture, legal tips, health, current affairs, religion and issues concerning development in the region”, says Hassan, AWARE Educational Dept.

Manager. Hassan further states, “The aim of the diwaniya is to help Westerners and other expatriates in receiving firsthand information about Kuwait while providing an opportunity to interact with locals.

It is through these diwaniyas that we have been able to clear misconceptions about Islam, Muslims and Arabs.” AWARE Diwaniyas are held weekly on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm. Here are what our guests are saying: “The diwaniya presentations at the AWARE Center are attended by

people from all over the world and are a pleasant venue where locals and expats can meet and exchange ideas. Because of the casual, friendly atmosphere, participating in the discussion is not at all intimidating! The diwaniyas cover a very wide range of subjects and I have really enjoyed them, both as a guest and as a presenter.” Claudia Farkas Al Rashoud “In our experience, the weekly AWARE Diwaniya can almost be guaranteed to provide a stimulating and entertaining evening. However, it is the people, coming as they do from most corners of the globe, who really make these events as fascinating as they are. Newcomers are always welcomed. Contrary opinions and different viewpoints are shared with mutual respect and dignity. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have become involved in these events.”

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 nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF SLOVAK REPUBLIC The Embassy of the Slovak Republic to Kuwait would like to inform the public that on the occasion of the Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Holiday, the Embassy will be closed on Thursday, September 15, 2011, and will resume its normal duties on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

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00:45 01:40 02:35 03:30 04:25 05:20 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:10 10:05 11:00 11:55 12:20 12:50 13:45 14:40 15:30 16:00 16:30 16:55 17:25 18:20 18:45 19:40 20:10 21:05 22:00 22:25 22:55

Untamed & Uncut Shark Attack Survival Guide Ocean’s Deadliest I’m Alive Dogs 101 Animal Cops Houston Project Puppy Project Puppy Meerkat Manor The Really Wild Show Animal Crackers Safari Sisters Breed All About It Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Dogs 101 Animal Cops Houston E-Vets: The Interns Wildlife SOS Animal ER Crocodile Hunter Shark Family Escape To Chimp Eden The Really Wild Show Animal Crackers Safari Sisters Dogs 101 Breed All About It Crocodile Hunter Cheetah Kingdom Dogs 101 Black December Karina: Wild On Safari Karina: Wild On Safari Buggin’With Ruud

00:00 00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 04:50 05:05 05:25 05:40 05:45 05:50 06:10 06:25 06:45 07:00 07:20 07:35 07:55 08:10 08:15 08:20 08:40 08:55 09:15 09:30 09:35 09:40 10:10 10:40 11:25 12:15 12:45 13:15 14:10 14:40 15:10 15:40 16:30 17:15 17:45 18:15 19:10 20:00

Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Holby City The Weakest Link Eastenders Doctors Last Of The Summer Wine Balamory The Roly Mo Show Me Too Jackanory Junior Poetry Pie Poetry Pie Balamory The Roly Mo Show Me Too Jackanory Junior Balamory The Roly Mo Show Me Too Jackanory Junior Poetry Pie Poetry Pie Balamory The Roly Mo Show Me Too Jackanory Junior Poetry Pie Poetry Pie Last Of The Summer Wine Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Dalziel And Pascoe Doctors Eastenders Holby City Last Of The Summer Wine Last Of The Summer Wine Last Of The Summer Wine Dalziel And Pascoe The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Holby City Dalziel And Pascoe The Weakest Link

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Gold Rush: Alaska River Monsters Dirty Jobs Ultimate Survival Wheeler Dealers Mythbusters How Do They Do It? How Stuff’s Made

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 19:10 19:40 20:05 20:35 21:00 21:30

00:05 00:55 01:45 02:35 03:25 04:15 04:45 05:40 06:10 07:00 07:55 08:50 09:15 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 21:35 22:00 22:50 23:40

00:00 00:25 00:50 01:15 01:35 02:00 02:25 02:50 03:15 03:35 04:00 04:25 04:50 05:15 05:35 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 10:35 10:50

Dirty Jobs Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Gold Rush: Alaska How Do They Do It? Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security Auction Kings Animal Cops South Africa LA Ink Ultimate Survival River Monsters Sons Of Guns Cash Cab Us Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Mythbusters Gold Rush: Alaska Cake Boss Border Security Auction Kings How Stuff’s Made How Do They Do It? Cash Cab Us LA Ink

Smash Lab Superships Mighty Ships Kings of Construction Thunder Races How Does That Work?

Superships One Step Beyond Nextworld Thunder Races Space Pioneer The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Smash Lab Brainiac Sci-Fi Science How Does That Work?

Mighty Ships Kings of Construction One Step Beyond Stunt Junkies Superships Weird Connections Thunder Races Space Pioneer Sci-Fi Science The Gadget Show Stephen Hawking’s Universe How the Universe Works Smash Lab The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Stephen Hawking’s Universe How the Universe Works The Gadget Show

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Stitch Replacements Replacements Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Stitch Stitch Replacements Replacements Fairly Odd Parents 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 Cody Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie

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00:05 00:30 00:55 01:45 02:10 02:35 03:00 03:25 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:05 05:30 05:50 06:35 Basics 07:00 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:05 09:30 09:55 Basics 10:20 10:45 11:10 11:35 12:25 12:50 13:15 13:40 14:05 14:30 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:35 17:00 Basics 17:25 17:50 18:15 18:40 19:05 19:30 20:20 20:45 21:10 21:35

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 Phineas And Ferb Fish Hooks Shake It Up Jake & Blake Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Shake It Up Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie

Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Paula’s Party Chef vs Britain Chef vs Britain Lidia’s Italy Lidia’s Italy Boy Meets Grill Boy Meets Grill Good Eats - Special Unwrapped Ten Dollar Dinners Paula’s Best Dishes Paula’s Party Barefoot Contessa - Back To Chopped Guy’s Big Bite Everyday Italian Good Deal With Dave Lieberman Ten Dollar Dinners Paula’s Best Dishes Barefoot Contessa - Back To Aarti Party Lidia’s Italy Unwrapped Paula’s Party Everyday Italian Paula’s Best Dishes Good Deal With Dave Lieberman World Cafe Asia Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam Lidia’s Italy Unwrapped Boy Meets Grill Chopped Guy’s Big Bite Barefoot Contessa - Back To Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Aarti Party World Cafe Asia Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam Good Eats - Special Food Network Challenge Guy’s Big Bite Guy’s Big Bite World Cafe Asia World Cafe Asia

00:00 Morning Drive 01:00 Golf Central International 01:30 Beach Sports Triple Crown of Watercross Lake Hartwell, SC Canada 02:00 ATP Champions Tour Algarve, Bogota 02:30 Softball 360 03:00 MLB: Cleveland Indians at Texas Rangers 06:00 This Week in Baseball 06:30 The Australian Open Classic Matches Sampras v Courier 07:00 The Golf Fix 07:30 Golf in America 08:00 Morning Drive 09:00 Golf Central International 09:30 Golf with Style - Bay Harbor, MI 10:00 Big Ten Football Toledo at Ohio State

13:00 LPGA Tour: Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G Final Rd. 16:00 Major League Soccer Colorado Rapids at Los Angeles Galaxy 19:00 MLB: Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox 22:00 Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour 23:00 ASP Surfing World

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The Haunted A Haunting Nightmare Next Door Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Dr G: Medical Examiner Crime Scene Psychics The Haunted Mystery Diagnosis Murder Shift Forensic Detectives Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Mystery Diagnosis Disappeared FBI Files On The Case With Paula Zahn I Almost Got Away With It Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Disappeared FBI Files Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol On The Case With Paula Zahn I Almost Got Away With It Deadly Women Couples Who Kill Dr G: Medical Examiner

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Mgm’s Big Screen Cuba Cop Till The End Of The Night The Believers Audrey Rose From Noon Till Three Man Of La Mancha The Horse Soldiers .Com For Murder They Call Me Mister Tibbs!

The Burning Bed Romantic Comedy The Secret Invasion Play Dirty

00:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 01:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 01:30 Don’t Tell My Mother 02:00 Word Travels 02:30 Market Values 03:00 Cycling Home From Siberia With Rob Lilwall 03:30 Madventures 04:00 Which Way To 05:00 Word Travels 05:30 Market Values 06:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 07:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 07:30 Don’t Tell My Mother 08:00 Word Travels 08:30 Market Values 09:00 Cycling Home From Siberia With Rob Lilwall 09:30 Madventures 10:00 Which Way To 11:00 Word Travels 11:30 Market Values 12:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 13:00 Warrior Road Trip 14:00 Banged Up Abroad 15:00 Going Bush 15:30 Bluelist Australia 16:00 Weird & Wonderful Hotels 16:30 The Frankincense Trail 17:30 The Best Job In The World 18:00 A World Apart 19:00 Warrior Road Trip 20:00 Banged Up Abroad 21:00 Going Bush 21:30 Bluelist Australia 22:00 Weird & Wonderful Hotels

00:00 Dangerous Encounters With Brady Barr 01:00 Intimate Enemies 01:55 Hooked 02:50 The Invaders 03:45 Kalahari 04:40 Dangerous Encounters With Brady Barr 05:35 Great Migrations 06:30 Desert Seas 07:25 Monster Fish 08:20 Monster Fish 09:15 Hooked 10:10 The Invaders 11:05 Kalahari 12:00 Planet Carnivore 13:00 Zambezi 14:00 Monster Fish 15:00 Monster Fish 16:00 Catching Giants 17:00 Cliffhangers 18:00 The Real Serengeti 19:00 Zambezi 20:00 Monster Fish 21:00 Monster Fish 22:00 Catching Giants

Killshot on OSN Action HD

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

TV PROGRAMS

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Killshot-18 Bad Boys II-PG15 Killshot-18 Echelon Conspiracy-PG15 The Order-PG15 Courage Under Fire-PG15 The Marine 2-PG15 The Order-PG15 Ghost Town (TV Movie)-PG15 The Marine 2-PG15 Triassic Attack-PG15 I, Robot-PG15

01:00 Harry Brown-18 03:00 Remember Me-PG15 05:00 Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea07:00 My Son, My Son, What Have You Done?-PG15 09:00 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice-PG15 11:00 The Sunset Limited-PG15 13:00 Who Is Clark Rockefeller-PG 15:00 Good Hair-PG15 17:00 Bustin’ Down The Door-PG15 19:00 The Maiden Heist-PG15 21:00 Tron: Legacy-PG15 23:15 Assassination Of A High School President-18

00:00 Seinfeld 00:30 The Daily Show Global Edition 01:00 The Colbert Report Global Edition 01:30 Bill Maher... But Im Not Wrong 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 Traffic Light 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 Traffic Light 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 Friends 18:30 Friends 19:00 Cougar Town 19:30 Raising Hope 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 The Cleveland Show 22:30 The Big C 23:00 The Ricky Gervais Show 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

The Event Criminal Minds C.S.I. Miami The Closer Cold Case Alias The Event Two And A Half Men Coronation Street Off The Map Alias The Closer Cold Case Two And A Half Men Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Off The Map The Event Two And A Half Men Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Off The Map Grey’s Anatomy Private Practice House Criminal Minds Boardwalk Empire

01:00 03:00 05:00 06:45 08:30 10:30 13:15 15:15 17:15 19:30 21:00 23:00

Assassination Tango-PG15 Blood And Bone-18 Deadtime Stories-R Beyond A Reasonable DoubtArlington Road-PG15 2012-PG15 The Box-PG15 Arlington Road-PG15 Bugsy-PG15 Armored-18 I, Robot-PG15 Bad Guys-18

00:00 Tom And Huck-PG15 02:00 Moon Over Parador-PG15 04:00 Aliens In The Attic-FAM 06:00 Hey Hey Its Esther Blueburger08:00 Napoleon Dynamite-PG 10:00 The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie-PG 12:00 A Pyromaniac’s Love Story-PG15 14:00 Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past-PG15 16:00 Tom And Huck-PG15 18:00 Fools Rush In-PG15 20:00 13 Going On 30-PG15 22:00 The Broken Hearts Club-18

01:15 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 16:45 18:45 21:00 23:15

The Public Eye-PG15 Arrivederci Amore, Ciao-18 Against The Ropes-PG15 The Dust Factory-PG15 North-PG15 Guarding Tess-PG Little Nicholas-PG The Cake Eaters-PG15 Sweet Liberty-PG15 Capitalism: A Love Story-PG15 The Prince Of Tides-18 I Like It Like That-18

01:00 Pelican Blood-18 03:00 Adam-PG15 05:00 Drumline-PG15 07:00 Old Dogs-PG 09:00 Imagine That-PG 11:00 Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time-PG15 13:00 At Risk-PG15 15:00 Valentine’s Day-PG15 17:00 Imagine That-PG 19:00 Precious-18 21:00 13 Going On 30-PG15 23:00 All Good Things-18

Armored on OSN Movies Action

00:00 True Story Of Puss’n Boots-PG 02:00 Tom Tom & Nana-FAM 04:00 The Three Musketeers-FAM 06:00 Lego: The Adventures Of Clutch Powers-FAM 08:00 Pollyworld-FAM 10:00 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr. 12:00 True Story Of Puss’n Boots-PG 14:00 Dark Crystal-PG 16:00 The Amazing Zorro-FAM 18:00 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr. 20:00 Tooth Fairy-PG 22:00 Dark Crystal-PG

00:00 The Nail: The Story Of Joey Nardone-18 02:00 StreetDance-PG15 04:00 Nanny Mcphee And The Big Bang-PG 06:00 The Perfect Score-PG15 08:00 The Librarian: The Curse Of Judas Chalice-PG15 10:00 StreetDance-PG15 12:00 The Lightkeepers-PG15 14:00 The Librarian: The Curse Of Judas Chalice-PG15 16:00 Moon-PG15 18:00 Inside Job-PG15 20:00 My Last Five Girlfriends-PG15 22:00 Inception-PG15

00:30 RWC Weekly Highlights 01:00 Speedway FIM World Championship 02:00 UFC 134 05:00 Trans World Sport 06:00 Speedway FIM World Championship 07:00 Rugby World Cup 16:00 Live Cricket One Day International

01:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 02:00 Golfing World 03:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 04:00 Spirit of Yachting 04:30 Rugby Union Currie Cup 06:30 ICC Cricket World 07:00 RWC Weekly Highlights 07:30 Futbol Mundial 08:00 Scottish Premier League 10:00 AFL Highlights 11:00 AFL Premiership 13:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 14:00 Trans World Sport 15:00 RWC Weekly Highlights 15:30 ICC Cricket World 16:00 Live Cricket One Day International

00:00 01:00 02:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 15:30 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 23:30

AFL Highlights PGA European Tour Highlights Masters Football AFL Highlights PGA European Tour Highlights Golfing World PGA European Tour Highlights ICC Criket World FEI Equestrian World SPL Highlights Spirit of Yachting Trans World Sport Futbol Mundial RWC Highlights Weekly Golfing World AFL Highlights World Hockey NRL Premiership RWC Highlights Weekly NRL Full Time Golfing World SPL Highlights Beach Volleyball Futbol Mundial AFL Premiership NRL Premiership

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 08:00 10:00 11:30 12:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Speedway WWE Tough Enough WWE Vintage Collection WWE SmackDown UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed WWE NXT Powerboats F1 Highlights WWE SmackDown Speedway V8 Supercars Extra Le Mans Speedway V8 Supercars Championship WWE Vintage Collection UFC Wired UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC 134 Prelims

00:45 The Merry Gentleman 02:20 College Road Trip 03:45 Surrogates 05:15 Bonneville 06:50 Firestarter 08:45 The Betrayed 10:25 College Road Trip 11:50 Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger 13:35 Toy Story 2 15:10 Bonneville 16:45 The Merry Gentleman 18:20 The Betrayed 20:00 Antwone Fisher 22:00 To Live And Die In L.A. 23:55 The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen

01:30 All Fall Down 03:25 Travels With My Aunt-PG 05:30 The Main Attraction-PG 07:00 Above Suspicion-PG 08:30 The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse-PG 11:00 Sunday In New York-FAM 12:45 Bachelor In Paradise-PG 14:30 Logan’s Run-PG 16:25 Boom Town-PG 18:20 Tea And Sympathy-PG 20:25 The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight-PG 22:00 Heart Of Darkness 23:45 Point Blank

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00

Conspiracy?

Ice Road Truckers Ax Men Lock N’ Load With R. Lee Ermey IRT: Deadliest Roads Ax Men Conspiracy?

Ice Road Truckers Ax Men Lock N’ Load With R. Lee Ermey IRT: Deadliest Roads Ax Men Conspiracy?

Ice Road Truckers Ax Men Lock N’ Load With R. Lee Ermey IRT: Deadliest Roads Ax Men Conspiracy?

Ice Road Truckers Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars American Pickers Lock N’ Load With R. Lee Ermey

00:00 01:00 01:30 01:55 02:25 03:20 04:15

Jerseylicious Videofashion News Videofashion News Big Boutique How Do I Look?

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

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 Open House 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 14:15 Videofashion News 14:45 How Do I Look?

15:40 Ruby 16:35 Jerseylicious 17:30 Clean House Comes Clean 18:25 Top 10 18:55 Top 10 19:25 Open House 20:20 Clean House 21:15 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

22:10 Jerseylicious 23:05 Big Rich Texas

00:00 Planet Food 01:00 Essential Specials 02:00 Cruise Today 02:30 Culture Shock 03:00 Tall Ship Explorers 04:00 Globe Trekker 05:00 Planet Food 06:00 Distant Shores 06:30 Distant Shores 07:00 Globe Trekker 08:00 Intrepid Journeys 09:00 Cruise Today 09:30 Travel Today 10:00 Planet Food 11:00 Dream Destinations 11:30 Dream Destinations 12:00 Globe Trekker Special 13:00 Flavours Of Mexico 13:30 Flavours Of Mexico 14:00 Intrepid Journeys 15:00 Essential Specials 16:00 Globe Trekker Special 17:00 Distant Shores 17:30 Distant Shores 18:00 Flavours Of Mexico 18:30 Travel Today 19:00 Globe Trekker 20:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 21:00 Inside Universal Studios - Japan 22:00 Trabant Trek 22:30 Word Travels 23:00 Globe Trekker

00:30 01:00 02:00 07:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Music For The Masses Greatest Hits VH1 Music Aerobic VH1 Hits Music For The Masses Top 10 Music For The Masses VH1 Pop Chart VH1 Hits 90’s Revolution VH1 Superchart Guess The Year Music For The Masses Then And Now Wild 80’s Cover Power

00:00 02:05 02:55 03:45 04:15 04:45 05:10 05:35 06:25 07:10 07:35 08:25 08:55

Come Dine With Me What Not To Wear Come Dine With Me Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers The Naked Chef New Scandinavian Cooking Sweet Baby James Holmes On Homes Antiques Roadshow New Scandinavian Cooking Come Dine With Me Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers The Naked Chef

Classifieds TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

ACCOMMODATION Spacious bedroom with separate bathroom available in Farwaniya near Gulf Mart for bachelors with Mangalorian family.

Contact: 97589925.

(C 3618) 12-9-2011

FOR SALE Toyota Corolla 2009 model, excellent condition, wellmaintained, low mileage, lady driven. Price KD 3400.

Contact: 60951195.

(C 3620) 13-9-2011 Toyota Corolla 2004 model, maintained and serviced by Al-Sayer in excellent condition with original paint col-

or golden metallic, run 99890km, KD 2,550/-.

Contact: 66825635.

(C 3617) 12-9-2011 Toyota Prado TXL white pearl model 2010, excellent condition, 31000 km, price KD 10,000. Contact: 66430722, 66704439.

(C 3614) 11-9-2011 Mitsubishi Bus L300 9 seater for sale. Contact: 66052331. (C 3612) 10-9-2011

MATRIMONIAL Christian Orthodox Kerala girl 33 yrs B.Sc Nurse working in MOH, Kuwait, divorced no liabilities inviting proposals from professionally qualified God fearing Malayalee boys, send photos and details to rosym55@yahoo.com or mathewt72@yahoo.com (C 3610) Proposals invited for Pentecostal Keralite Girl, 24, B.Tech, MBA, financially sound, from parents of professionally qualified Keralite boys. Please contact: beracah77@gmail.com (C 3611) 10-9-2011

CHANGE OF NAME I, Thamer Medhat Mohd Khattab, holder of Pilipino Passport No: T T0990386 hereby change my name to Tamer Medhat Moh. Khattab.

11-9-2011 I, John Thomas Valliya Mannil, Indian national, Passport No. A1976602, hereby change my name to Thomas Valliamannil John.

(C 3619) 12-9-2011

SITUATION WANTED Experienced Indian, in

general hardware, oil field materials, equipments, welding and safety items, timber, construction materials, seeks suitable senior position, can do general management, import, export, procurement (local and international) can make business travel.

Contact: 66889375.

(C 3615) 11-9-2011

SITUATION VACANT Full-time live in Nurse maid/ caregiver for elderly woman. Must speak English, good salary offered. Please call 99633674 after 5 pm.

(C 3616) 12-9-2011

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines RJA JZR THY THY ETH UAE DHX ETD JZR MSR FDB GFA QTR JZR KAC JZR JZR KAC BAW KAC FCX JZR KAC KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC UAE AFR IRA QTR ABY QTR ETD GFA IRA MEA MHK JZR JZR JZR KAC MSR UAL RJA KAC FDB QTR SWT

Flt 642 267 772 5410 620 853 370 305 269 614 67 211 138 529 544 505 555 412 157 416 201 1541 206 302 332 53 352 284 855 6700 605 132 125 6130 301 213 619 404 711 165 121 201 672 610 982 640 512 57 140 93

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 13/9/2011 Route AMMAN BEIRUT ISTANBUL ISTANBUL ADDIS ABABA DUBAI BAHRAIN ABU DHABI BEIRUT CAIRO DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA ASSIUT CAIRO LUXOR ALEXANDRIA MANILA/BANGKOK LONDON JAKARTA/KUALA LUMPUR BAHRAIN CAIRO ISLAMABAD MUMBAI TRIVANDRUM DUBAI COCHIN DHAKA DUBAI DUBAI ISFAHAN DOHA SHARJAH DOHA ABU DHABI BAHRAIN LAR BEIRUT BAGHDAD/NAJAF DUBAI BAHRAIN DAMASCUS DUBAI CAIRO WASHINGTON DC DULLES AMMAN TEHRAN DUBAI DOHA DUBAI/KANDAHAR

Time 0:05 0:35 1:15 1:20 1:45 2:25 2:55 2:55 3:05 3:05 3:10 3:15 3:20 3:35 4:40 5:50 6:10 6:15 6:30 6:35 7:00 7:10 7:15 7:50 7:55 7:55 8:05 8:10 8:25 8:30 8:55 9:00 9:10 9:10 9:30 9:35 9:40 10:55 11:00 11:10 11:15 12:45 13:15 13:20 13:30 13:35 13:40 13:50 14:15 14:15

KAC KAC SVA KAC JZR QTR JZR ETD UAE GFA SVA JZR JZR ABY JZR RBG JZR ALK KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JAI SIA FDB OMA KAC MEA MLR SYR MSR DHX KLM JZR UAE GFA QTR UAL AIC JZR JZR MSR DLH AXB JZR PIA

562 546 500 746 257 134 535 303 857 215 510 777 239 127 213 3555 177 227 104 166 502 542 618 786 614 674 774 790 572 458 61 647 552 402 1405 341 618 372 443 183 859 217 136 981 981 135 787 612 636 389 539 205

AMMAN ALEXANDRIA JEDDAH ABU DHABI/DAMMAM BEIRUT DOHA CAIRO ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH JEDDAH AMMAN SHARJAH DEIREZZOR ALEXANDRIA DUBAI COLOMBO/DUBAI LONDON PARIS/ROME BEIRUT CAIRO DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN DUBAI RIYADH MEDINAH MUMBAI SINGAPORE/ABU DHABI DUBAI MUSCAT DAMASCUS BEIRUT COLOMBO/DUBAI DAMASCUS ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA BAHRAIN CHENNAI/AHMEDABAD BAHRAIN RIYADH CAIRO FRANKFURT KOZHIKODE/MANGALORE CAIRO LAHORE/PESHAWER

14:20 14:30 14:30 15:05 15:10 15:15 15:50 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:20 17:25 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:55 18:00 18:00 18:35 18:40 18:45 18:50 18:55 19:00 19:20 19:25 19:25 19:30 19:35 19:35 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:15 20:50 20:55 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:15 21:15 21:25 21:35 22:00 22:05 22:10 22:20 22:50 23:00 23:10 23:30 23:55

Airlines JZR DLH AIC PIA THY THY ETH UAE FDB DHX ETD MSR QTR JZR RJA GFA JZR KAC JZR BAW FDB JZR KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC UAE ABY IRA KAC QTR ETD AFR GFA IRA QTR KAC MEA JZR KAC JZR JZR MHK KAC KAC JZR MSR RJA FDB

Departure Flights on Tuesday 13/9/2011 Flt Route 1540 CAIRO 637 FRANKFURT 976 GOA/CHENNAI 240 SIALKOT 773 ISTANBUL 5411 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 306 ABU DHABI 615 CAIRO 139 DOHA 164 DUBAI 643 AMMAN 212 BAHRAIN 200 DAMASCUS 545 ALEXANDRIA 120 BAHRAIN 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 534 CAIRO 671 DUBAI 745 DAMMAM/ABU DHABI 256 BEIRUT 561 AMMAN 511 TEHRAN 856 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 604 ISFAHAN 101 LONDON/NEW YORK 133 DOHA 302 ABU DHABI 6700 PARIS 214 BAHRAIN 618 LAR 6131 DOHA 165 ROME/PARIS 405 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 541 CAIRO 212 DEIREZZOR 238 AMMAN 711 NAJAF/BAGHDAD 501 BEIRUT 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 641 AMMAN 58 DUBAI

Time 0:20 0:40 0:50 1:10 2:15 2:20 2:30 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:05 4:05 5:00 6:55 7:00 7:10 7:15 7:40 8:20 8:25 8:40 8:50 9:00 9:05 9:10 9:15 9:15 9:40 9:50 9:55 9:55 10:00 10:15 10:15 10:20 10:40 10:40 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:00 12:05 12:10 12:20 13:00 13:30 13:40 14:20 14:30 14:35

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

KAC UAL KAC KAC KAC SVA KAC QTR KAC JZR VOS JZR ETD QTR UAE GFA ABY JZR SVA RBG JZR JZR ALK KAC KAC JAI FDB JZR KAC KAC OMA MEA SIA MLR SYR MSR DHX KLM JZR UAE GFA FCX KAC QTR KAC KAC JZR JZR KAC UAL MSR

789 982 551 673 617 501 773 141 613 538 82 182 304 135 858 216 128 266 511 3556 786 134 228 283 361 571 62 528 343 351 648 403 457 1405 342 619 373 443 240 860 218 102 381 137 301 205 502 554 411 981 613

MEDINAH BAHRAIN DAMASCUS DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH RIYADH DOHA BAHRAIN CAIRO BAGHDAD DUBAI ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN SHARJAH BEIRUT RIYADH ALEXANDRIA RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI/COLOMBO DHAKA COLOMBO MUMBAI DUBAI ASSIUT CHENNAI COCHIN MUSCAT BEIRUT ABU DHABI/SINGAPORE COLOMBO DAMASCUS ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN/AMSTERDAM AMMAN DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DELHI DOHA MUMBAI ISLAMABAD LUXOR ALEXANDRIA BANGKOK/MANILA WASHINGTON DC DULLES CAIRO

14:40 14:45 14:55 15:10 15:35 15:45 16:05 16:15 16:20 16:40 17:00 17:05 17:35 17:45 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:30 18:35 18:35 18:40 19:10 19:10 19:30 20:20 20:35 20:40 20:50 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:20 21:50 21:55 21:55 22:00 22:05 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:55 23:05 23:10 23:40 23:40 23:50

34

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

s ta rs CROSSWORD 437

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) Taking care of business is a major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned this workday. There is intellectual creativity—expressing yourself well comes to mean more to you now. Beating the odds through cleverness is appealing and this may lead to an interest in all kinds of financial speculation. A conference with a friend or relative may find you making decisions along these lines. You may be able to help a loved one advance his or her own financial security now; teaching budget techniques is wise. Young people may involve you in their activities after work. There is a chance to understand those around you and to have a special time with someone you love. A sense of support and harmony makes this a happy time.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You got it . . . another high cycle day! You could come up with new solutions or inventions. If something doesn’t work, you seem to know just who to call that will be able to fix, change or update equipment or projects or most any other thing. You see a value on the way you make choices and you usually take care when making decisions concerning finances. You will be teaching through example, the art of making choices regarding expenditures. You may even find that your way of economizing will help you achieve a better position in the workplace. Your transportation home this afternoon may be a little different in that someone needs a ride and you are not inclined to say no. This ride may be a fun opportunity to get to know a co-worker better.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. The cry made by sheep.

4. A river in Nebraska that flows eastward to become a tributary of the Missouri River.

10. Hawaiian dish of taro root pounded to a paste and often allowed to ferment.

13. A condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders.

14. Of or relating to a geological eon (longer than an era).

15. A nurse who has enough training to be licensed by a state to provide routine care for the sick.

16. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group.

18. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into atomic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States.

19. A purplish dye obtained from orchil lichens.

21. Genus of tropical plants with creeping rootstocks and small umbellate flowers.

23. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects.

26. Tropical American trees with palmately compound leaves and showy bell-shaped flowers.

28. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

29. A light touch or stroke.

32. A nonmetallic largely pentavalent heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens.

33. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural).

36. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element.

37. Open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart.

42. (astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing.

43. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

44. Obvious and dull.

46. The cardinal number that is the sum of four and one.

49. A member of a seafaring group of North American Indians who lived on the Pacific coast of British Columbia and southwestern Alaska.

51. A young eagle.

52. Deliberately arranged for effect.

55. (Norse mythology) God of war and strife and son of Odin.

56. Port city of Denmark in eastern Jutland.

59. A quantity of no importance.

60. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet.

61. (Akkadian) Mother of the gods and consort of Apsu.

63. (informal) Roused to anger.

64. (usually followed by `of') Released from something onerous (especially an obligation or duty).

65. A mountain peak in the Andes in Bolivia (21,391 feet high).

66. The United Nations agency concerned with international maritime activities.

DOWN 1. A small cake leavened with yeast.

2. The sixth month of the civil year.

3. A public promotion of some product or service.

4. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling).

5. Hang loosely or laxly.

6. (Babylonian) The sky god.

7. Regularly spaced in time.

8. Of or relating to or characteristic of Thailand of its people.

9. Related on the mother's side.

10. Situated in a particular spot or position.

11. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

12. A ruler of the Inca Empire (or a member of his family).

17. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC).

20. A user interface in which you type commands instead of choosing them from a menu or selecting an icon.

22. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

24. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

25. (British) A waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric.

27. A period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event.

30. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

31. Any of numerous local fertility and nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples.

34. German organist and contrapuntist (1685-1750).

35. A large Yoruba city in southwestern Nigeria.

38. Capital and largest city of Yugoslavia.

39. A Gaelic-speaking Celt in Ireland or Scotland or the Isle of Man. 40. Congenital absence of the uterus.

41. A notice of someone's death.

45. Shrub bearing oval-fruited kumquats.

47. An island in the West Indies.

48. A United States youth subculture of the 1950s.

50. State in northeastern India.

53. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls.

54. Panel forming the lower part of an interior wall when it is finished differently from the rest.

57. A pilgrimage to Mecca.

58. A benevolent aspect of Devi.

62. A hard gray lustrous metallic element that is highly corrosion-resistant.

Yesterday’s Solution

Gemini (May 21-June 20) This is a rewarding day—any reasonable investment, project or activity will prove quite successful. Your superiors at work are in a position to help you get ahead or give you advice on the best ways to handle a business situation today. Do not hesitate to use them when you need them. Your life is fast paced and planning some ways to relieve the stress is a very important part of maintaining good health. Perhaps a couple of your friends or a family member will meet you after work at a health spa or a gym for an hour of exercise this afternoon. This is one good way to bring family members or a loved one into parts of your life outside your work world. A good workout can bring about some wonderful conversations and inspiring moments.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

You have a lot of energy to pour into practical decisions. You may appear assertive. Right now, the key to career moves involves attending to nagging details—whatever you have neglected and put aside. Attention to matters of health and efficiency is also important. Good fortune and plain old luck surround you. It is easy for you to make correct decisions, find the right path and move forward where career and success are concerned. Life’s problems seem manageable.

There is a feeling that anything is possible if you set your sights high enough. There is optimism, faith and a tendency to take chances at the deepest emotional levels. You are a good mentor. New and deeper powers and abilities are being awakened in you—pay attention.

Leo (July 23-August 22) You seem to shine above all others today as matters keep coming up that give you opportunities to show off your creative abilities.

You have suggestions and methods that will cut cost and time—superiors are listening. You have an easy way with superiors or those in authority and can usually manage to get the most out of any skill or ability you have. You like work and career. You communicate with consummate skill and others will understand just what you mean.

Your high degree of mental concentration helps you to excel in speaking, writing and all types of communication skills. Your ambitions go hand-in-hand with communication and using the mind—the two should never be far apart. Make the time this evening to enjoy your friends—relax!

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) It’s a time of refinement and tact, of an urge to please others that is so strong it may make it hard to decide or act for fear of offending someone. You will quickly learn to balance this out, or you will discover that there is no peace in compromise—and this can be tough on close relationships— work or home. The trick is to find the win-win solution and if anyone is ever up to it, you are at this time. You may benefit from other people’s money—perhaps through a loan or through some investment. This is certainly a time to reassess your investments.

It would be well worth your time to think about some sort of travel or volunteer service that would enhance your understanding of human experiences. This will have a strong effect on your life and career.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

An important relationship, perhaps an older person or someone in authority, may come into focus today. There could be some tension or sense of opposition requiring compromise or negotiation on your part.

There is an opportunity for understanding and even growth. Competition seems to spur you into achieving things you never thought you could accomplish. This afternoon you will continue the competitive edge through some sort of sports. Perhaps you are part of a team—expect the highest achievements. An early dinner this evening will give you plenty of time to attend a special meeting or join a group. This evening, you are able to give examples of some ideas and help to bring a group together. This could include a favorite hobby or a book review.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Independence, as well as anything unusual or different, is valued today. Information that you have been questioning will begin to take shape and prove useful. This next period is one of action and embarking on new projects. You may have a tendency to take refuge in duties and responsibilities rather than face issues that might put you through some changes, but today is different. Puzzling questions are present, and there could be a feeling of being tested. If you are never puzzled or challenged, you may never discover the extent of your intelligence. Perhaps this puzzle or challenge is great enough to encourage you into further education or a special class in some particular skill you want to learn. Dinner away from home can be enjoyed this evening.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Organizing a business conference or part of a business conference may be on your shoulders today. After you have the plans in order you could ask for one or two people to help in this process. There could be printing, technical equipment, memos, etc. You will be glad to have some help. Your social connections will help to bring in a large crowd to hear the main speaker. This afternoon you may be chosen to look at both sides of an issue to figure out resolutions to opposing views. You find it easy to work with sensitive material, touching upon the more vulnerable areas of the mind or self. You are able to handle these delicate matters without ever breaking stride—for emotional and tender areas of the human psyche do not disturb you.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

There is a relentless getting down to the essentials that makes your sense of practical vision very deep. You have a sense of how to manipulate sensitive areas of the public mind. Perhaps you work for a group that is involved in the study of statistical matters. You may have come upon some answers lately that may be very important to a particular project. Research and statistics and writing your findings could be very important at this time. This could be a mentally stressful day for you as there is much busy work. If you look at the far reaching advantages you have encountered today, you will want to record your studies. There is an emphasis on close relationships and ideas of fairness and harmony concerning young people this evening.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Job and family may take up most of your time now. You may find that friends and many personal interests fall by the wayside.

Perhaps there is a new member of the family in your household at this time. This marks a time when you look for a new career direction. You may want to enter a request when it comes time for an employee review. If you see that you would do better in public relations, or in some other department, start a project that would help you show off your talents. When higher-ups recognize your potential, you may begin to realize some moves up the success ladder, perhaps a move to a different environment. You are motivated to even higher achievements. Financial security may assume a high priority now.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

Discipline is no problem, but you may be too assertive during this time. You are involved in a day that requires intense mental effort on your part. However, you have a lot of energy to pour into career decisions.

Later this afternoon others will find you just plain witty and the ideas roll off your tongue. This is a real time for communication—by phone, by letter or in person. The mind is clear and you can be most persuasive with others. The situation is a natural for self-expression and creates an opportunity to develop your professional goals. Make it a point to take your breaks and be aware of your energies during your breaks—relax!

Exercise or take in a massage this afternoon. A good conversation with loved ones is enjoyed tonight, lots of laughter.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

Lopez

Winehouse duet to be released

dating

ennifer Lopez went for a dinner date with Bradley Cooper. The singer-and-actress - who recently announced her split from husband Marc Anthony after seven years of marriage - and the ‘Hangover’ star enjoyed a meal together at New York restaurant Per Se over the weekend. According to TMZ.com, the dinner was “romantic” and it was just the two of them at the restaurant. Jennifer - who has three-year-old twins, Max and Emme, with Marc recently said she is still an “eternal optimist” about love despite her marriage break-up and is confident she will find love again. She said: “I really wanted this family to work. That was my biggest dream, and I worked hard at it. We both did. Sometimes it doesn’t work - and that’s sad. But I remain an eternal optimist about love. I believe in love ... It’s still my biggest dream.” Bradley was previously romantically linked to actress Olivia Wilde after he took her to the after-party of ‘The Hangover Part II’ in New York in May. A source said: “Olivia was Bradley’s date. He was always taking her hand or putting his hand on her lower back, it was really sweet. He took care of her all night. They were definitely together.” Bradley has previously dated Jennifer Aniston and Renee Zellweger.

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posthumously tomorrow

ritish singer Amy Winehouse’s final recording before her death in July, a duet with veteran crooner Tony Bennett, will be released on what would have been her 28th birthday tomorrow. The track and video of “Body and Soul” were recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London on March 23, and at least some of the proceeds will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation. Set up by Winehouse’s father Mitch, the charity aims to help young people struggling with addiction. Winehouse was infamous for her alcohol and drug abuse during a short, tumultuous career, although by the time of her death she was no longer taking illegal drugs, a toxicology report showed. “We had a beautiful time recording together in the studio and I knew that Amy was very happy with how she performed that day,” US singer Bennett, who recently celebrated his 85th birthday, said in a statement. “I thought she was absolutely brilliant and this recording truly captures the essence of her

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unique artistry. She was a rare talent.” Winehouse made just two albums before her death, although her 2006 release “Back to Black,” featuring her most famous hit “Rehab,” was a critical and commercial hit and earned her five Grammy awards. MTV Networks will premiere the video and song on Sept 14, and radio stations will also play the track on the day of its release. Body and Soul is one of 17 songs to be included on Bennett’s upcoming album “Duets II,” released in the United States on Sept 20. It includes recordings with artists including Lady Gaga, Michael Buble and Queen Latifah.

anniversary lipsticks ate Moss will celebrate 10 years as the face of Rimmel London by releasing a new lipstick collection for the brand. The supermodel’s new range contains seven shades hand-picked by Kate ranging from bright reds, to soft pinks and nudes and she promises there is a shade to match every outfit. Kate said: “My inspiration for this range was really to create a range of easy to wear, classic shades that I have always worn and loved. From bright reds, to soft pinks and nudes, there is a shade for everyone and any occasion. It was also really important for me that they were comfortable to wear. Whatever your outfit there is sure to be a shade to match!” Steve Mormoris, Senior VicePresident, Global Marketing for Coty Beauty, added: “Kate Moss is the ultimate London girl and truly epitomizes the London Look: she is a leader in the fashion and beauty stakes and Rimmel is thrilled with our long-standing relationship with the world’s most famous model.” The new collection will be celebrated with a bash at Battersea Power Station in London on Thursday to kick off London Fashion Week, where Kate will recreate the iconic advertisement she filmed to support her debut collection for Rimmel, by arriving in a helicopter. Steve added: “Her arrival at Battersea Power Station is an electrifying entrance in a way that only Kate can, to what will be London’s hot-ticket event of the season.”

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300-year-old pub ir Ian McKellen is buying a 300-year-old pub. The ‘Lord of the Rings’ actor is a regular at historic east London drinking establishment The Grapes - which helped inspire 19th century English author Charles Dickens - and is in the process of purchasing it. While he will be the owner, 72-year-old Ian - who lives close to the pub - will employ a manager to run it once the deal is finalized. Seller Barbara Haigh - who has run the pub for the past 17 years - said: “Sir Ian is buying the pub with his own interests at heart, especially living close by.” The pub was immortalized by Dickens - who was made to stand on the table and sing to customers - as ‘The Six Jolly Fellowship Porters’ pub in ‘Our Mutual Friend’ in 1864. While Ian is a hugely successful actor and is set to be a landlord, last year he revealed he was mistaken for a beggar by a passer-by. The veteran actor was amazed to be given money after he stepped outside atheatre in Melbourne, Australia, where he was taking a break from rehearsing his role of Estragon in ‘Waiting for Godot’. He revealed: “During the dress rehearsal of ‘Godot’, I crouched by the stage door of the Comedy Theatre, getting some air, my bowler hat at my feet and seeing an unkempt old man down on his luck, a passer-by said, ‘Need some help, brother?’ and put a dollar in my hat. I hope the Melbourne audiences will be as generous.”

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Evangelista’s son is part of father’s family rancois-Henri Pinault insists the son he has with Linda Evangelista is “totally integrated” into his family. The French billionaire - who has a three-year-old daughter Valentina with his wife Salma Hayek - has been accused by the supermodel’s lawyer of paying nothing in child support since the birth of Augustin James, now four, but Francois insists he has always “recognized” the boy as his own and says his other child treats him like a brother. He added to the French edition of Elle magazine: “At every possible opportunity he [Augustin] has participated in my family life whether in France or the United States. He is totally integrated within my family.” Linda is seeking $46,000-amonth in child support from her former boyfriend the chief executive of PPR, the group which owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta - and it has been claimed she took legal action after failing to reach a settlement out of court. In addition, Linda she also asked for $80,000 a year for a nanny, but the $7,500 she wanted per month for vacation expenses was immediately removed from the request in a hearing at Manhattan Family Court last month. However, the judge was sympathetic to her appeal, saying: “These are the extraordinary expenses that may be a part of the child’s life.”And if there is a trial in the support case with a lot of publicity, there will probably be a need for two detectives to drive this kid around.” At the hearing, Francois’ lawyer was quick to point out Linda did earn a substantial amount in the last year. David Aaronson said: “She testified that she wants to have a 24-hour nanny because she does not want to be alone with the child. Miss Evangelista, you should understand, has a worth of more than $8 million, and she earned, last year, $1.8 million.”

Jagger wants Rolling Stones anniversary without Richards ir Mick Jagger wants to celebrate The Rolling Stones’ 50th anniversary next year without Keith Richards. The frontman fell out with the band’s guitarist when Keith ridiculed him in his autobiography ‘Life’ ruining plans for an anniversary tour and while Mick would love to celebrate the special occasion by returning to the Marquee Club in London where they played their first gig, he won’t be inviting Keith. He told Live magazine: “Maybe we could go back to the Marquee to accept aplaque for 50 years of service instead of a tour. That could work - excep Keith obviously can’t come. Charlie Watts [who wasn’t at the first performance] can come but he wouldn’t get the plaque obviously.” Mick has teamed up with Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Damian Marley and AR Rahman to create a new album under the group name SuperHeavy and although his Rolling Stones bandmates Ronnie Wood and Charlie have both heard the record, Keith hasn’t. Mick explained: “Ronnie’s listened to it. He’s sweet, he’s very supportive. He liked it very much, he liked it all, particularly some of the first tracks we started with. “And Charlie liked it.

He’s all about the grooves, he’s got a great ear. “I don’t know if Keith really listens to that much. I don’t know what Keith listens to. He says he listens to Chuck Berry, I wonder if it is actually true.”

S Moss creates

McKellen to buy

Cooper

Minogue grateful to parents ylie Minogue’s parents are among the few people who don’t pressure her about having children. The 43-year-old singer - who has been dating Spanish model Andres Velencoso for three years - is sick of people asking her when she plans on having kids but is grateful her parents aren’t trying to force her to become a mother.

She told YOU magazine: “I hate the question, ‘So when are you going to have children?’ But amazingly I have never heard it from my mum or dad. They never put pressure on any of us. For a while it looked liked it would never happen for us all and then boom, boom, boom. “The only answer I have is, ‘If it happens for me -beautiful.’

I’ll have to wait and see. I love children and I love the thought of having a family. And Andres is really good with kids.” While Kylie hasn’t ruled out having children in the future, for now she is content to dote on her nephews.

She said: “Don’t get me started talking about my nephew. My brother Brendan’s son Charlie is five now and his little brother James is two and Dannii’s boy Ethan is one. They all came to see my show in Melbourne and I

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could see them from the stage. I kept looking over to see if they were still there.” Although Kylie calls herself a “serial monogamist”, she admitted she is reluctant to settle down and tie the knot. She explained: “I don’t like to be boxed in.

Maybe that feeling has affected my attitude to marriage.

But it isn’t about fearing a commitment - I am committed.

I’m a serial monogamist and I have never run off. It’s just that I need to be able to breathe.”

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ilm director Roman Polanski, 78, yesterday paid tribute to fellow Polish movie master Janusz Morgenstern, who died last week aged 89. “For me, he was not a representative of the Polish film industry. He was simply my oldest friend.

I just want to say to him: ‘Goodbye, my friend’,” a visibly-moved Polanski said during a televised funeral ceremony in Warsaw. Polanski and Morgenstern both studied at Poland’s renowned Lodz film school, whose other big name graduates include Andrzej Wajda and Krzysztof Kieslowski. Polanski, who was born in France and raised in Poland, holds both French and Polish citizenship. He lives in France. The Oscar-winner has been a fugitive from US justice for decades since he fled before sentencing after pleading guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl after plying her with drugs and champagne in the Hollywood home of actor Jack Nicholson in 1977.

Last year, he was put under house arrest in Switzerland on a US warrant after arriving for a film festival, but Swiss justice authorities ordered his release after rejecting an extradition request. He is able to travel freely in Poland and France because both countries have said they will not extradite him if asked to do so. —Bang Showbiz

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Polanski pays tribute to fellow director Morgenstern

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

lifestyle Music & Movies Andy Whitfield portrays Spartacus in the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Whitfield died of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in Australia Sunday.—AP

Andy Whitfield dies at 39

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ctor Andy Whitfield, the former star of TV show “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” died on Sunday of lymphoma in Sydney, Australia, at age 39, his representatives said. Whitfield played the indomitable hero Spartacus in the Starz network show when it launched last year. The actor, whose other credits

included the 2010 film “The Clinic” and the 2007 movie “Gabriel,” had to step away from his role on “Spartacus” due to his illness, non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

“On a beautiful sunny Sydney ... morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18-month

battle with lymphoma cancer,” Vashti Whitfield, his wife, said in a statement. Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said he was “deeply saddened” by Whitfield’s loss. “We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in ‘Spartacus’ and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own

life,” Albrecht said in a statement. “Andy was an inspiration to all of us as he faced this very personal battle with courage, strength and grace.” Whitfield was born in Wales and later moved to Australia. Due to his illness, he was replaced on “Spartacus” by Australian actor Liam McIntyre.—Reuters

Libya music scene reborn after years of suppression

Woody Harrelson finds groove in bad cop role A

ctor Woody Harrelson confided Sunday that he had difficulty portraying a cop in “Rampart,” which premiered at the Toronto film festival, but critics praised his performance as his best ever. Dozens of actors have given memorable performances as corrupt cops over the years, including Harvey Keitel in “Bad Lieutenant” (1992), Gary Oldman in “The Professional” (1994) and Richard Gere in “Internal Affairs” (1990). Denzel Washington won an Oscar for his performance as a dirty cop in “Training Day” in 2001.”I didn’t try to stack myself up against Harvey Keitel or any of those other performances because if I were to think that way I’d have shot myself in the foot before I got out of the gate,” Harrelson told a press conference, “because those were amazing performances.”

“To me it was about coming to believe that I could be a cop. That was

my hardest thing,” Harrelson said. To prepare for the role, the free spirit rode along with Los Angeles policemen on patrol, which he said helped him to believe he could be play the role. “And then to jump into the ring with these people (pointing to his costars and director Oren Moverman), they make it all much more believable,” he said. In the film, Harrelson plays a hardened, reckless officer who patrols the streets of Los Angeles, dealing out punishment as he sees fit until suddenly finding himself at the centre of a corruption scandal.

The story is based on a real life Los Angeles Police Department public embarrassment in the 1990s. Directed

by Oren Moverman, who was nominated for an Oscar in 2009 for “The Messenger” and co-written by crime fiction legend James Ellroy (“LA Confidential”), the movie also stars Ben Foster, Robin Wright, Sigourney

Weaver, Steve Buscemi and Ice Cube.

When asked about buzz in Toronto that he is deserving of an Oscar nod for his performance in “Rampart,” Harrelson recalled an encounter with director Milos Forman who had previously pushed him to give a stellar performance in “The People Versus Larry Flynt” (1996).

“I ran into Milos Forman in New York and he’d just seen (Moverman’s) ‘The Messenger’ and he said, ‘Now you won’t be able to say that Larry Flynt was your best film,’” Harrelson said.

Certainly, his co-stars think so too.” Woody is so humble about these things,” piped in Ben Foster. “He’s a national treasure.” “You see a man who willingly loses his... marbles on the screen and he went there and he continues to go there. He’s one of the finest actors we have and to compare him to anyone else is ridiculous and embarrassing.”—AFP

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Actor Woody Harrelson during a press conference for the film “Rampart” at the Toronto International Film Festival.—AP

CBS films close to reeling in ‘Salmon Fishing’

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(From left) Keira Knightley and Viggo Mortensen participate in a press conference for the film ‘A Dangerous Method’ during the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday.—AP

Knightley to adopt English accent for Anna Karenina

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eira Knightley will speak with an English accent when she plays the classic Russian character of Anna Karenina, the actress said on Sunday at the Toronto Film Festival. The British actress, who is at Toronto promoting her role in “A Dangerous Method”-in which she also plays a Russian character-told Reuters in an interview on Sunday that for her biggest role yet, in the upcoming “Anna Karenina,” director Joe Wright and a cast including Jude Law had decided to speak with English rather than Russian accents.

“It’s going to be an English accent. It’s always very tricky when you are doing something that is meant to be in another language. Because you are like, what accent should it be, should you do that?

Well, if you’ve got a Russian accent, why aren’t you speaking Russian? It’s an English-language film. So we have taken the decision that it’s an English accent,” she said.

The film, adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s novel, considered one of the greatest of all

time, will start shooting in a week’s time.

The cast already has completed three weeks of rehearsal, Knightley said. “I’ve been reading the book now, for about two months, three months, poring through it, trying to pick pieces out of it, trying to figure it out. And then a couple of history books of that era in Russia, which is fascinating,” the 26-year-old actress said.

Knightley has received some praise for her turn in David Cronenberg’s “A Dangerous Method”-which premiered at Toronto on Saturday-in which she plays Russian patient Sabina Spielrein, who comes between psychoanalysts Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud. In that film she does use a Russian accent. But looking ahead, she said her mind was tuned to the late19th-century Russian high society of “Anna Karenina,” as she follows the likes of Greta Garbo in the title role. “It’s a big boy,” she said about the role. “It’s very challenging, it’s very very exciting ... hopefully it will all come together.”—Reuters

t’s looking more and more like CBS will make the biggest deal of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival so far, acquiring the comedy “Salmon Fishing in Yemen,” which stars Ewan McGregor. In the BBC Films production, McGregor plays a British fisheries scientist who introduces salmon fishing to the waterways of Yemen with the support of a sheik who believes that fishing helps people build a spiritual bond with nature. Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott Thomas also star.

Written by Simon Beaufoy and directed by the Swedish Ewan McGregor signs autographs for fans as he arrives director Lasse Hallstrom (“The for the premiere of his film ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’ at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Shipping News”), the film is based on Paul Torday’s novel. Saturday.—AP Individuals close to the seller say the movie will fetch more comedy received an enthusiastic response than $5 million. Other individuals set the price when it premiered at the festival Saturday closer to $4 million. In either case, it will be a night. UTA represented domestic rights. significant purchase for CBS. Summit Lionsgate International is releasing the film in Entertainment, the studio behind the “Twilight” Britain and is handling other international franchise, also was aggressively bidding. The sales—AP

Artists welcome EU music copyright extension

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rtists welcomed a European decision to extend copyright for recorded music to 70 from 50 years, after a years-long campaign by performers including Paul McCartney and Cliff Richard who faced their rights expiring in their lifetime. The move will help the music industry claw back some of the revenues lost as it has struggled to respond to a digital revolution that has allowed widespread music piracy on the Internet with growing online distribution.

“At a time when certain interests seek to weaken copyright for their own purposes, this sends a vital message that the right of creators to earn a living is taken seriously by the EU,” the Independent Music Companies’ Association said.

Global recorded music sales fell 9 percent last year to $15.9 billion. “The European Union has

finally acted to give performers and musicians in Europe a longer term of protection to ensure that they benefit from their performances, at least in their lifetime,” said former ABBA singersongwriter Bjorn Ulvaeus. “Now I won’t have to see ABBA being used in a TV commercial.”“This is a great step forward for artists,” said U2’s manager Paul McGuinness. “Nearly 40,000 artists petitioned for this change and delivered a loud and clear message that politicians have taken heed of.” The step will bring performers’ rights more into line with those of songwriters and authors, and also take the European copyright term closer to the US term of 95 years. European Union member states will have two years to incorporate the provisions of the directive adopted yesterday into their national laws.—Reuters

atriotic songs composed by Libyan rebels during their revolt against Moamer Kadhafi fill the air every evening in Benghazi’s Tahrir Square. After years of censorship under his ousted regime, a new music scene is taking off. In the seafront former parking lot which became a key symbol of the seven-month uprising, an eclectic bazaar has sprung up at which vendors sell CDs and tapes honoring the conflict’s “martyrs” and extolling the “free Libya.”“Salah Ghaly, please,” a girl asks anxiously at one stall, referring to a young Libyan singer famous for his hit songs about Tripoli and Benghazi. “It was important to sing for the two cities,” Ghaly told AFP by telephone from his base in Cairo.

During the conflict, there were fears that antagonism could grow between the capital, which was always pampered by Kadhafi, and the neglected second-largest city Benghazi which served as the rebels’ war-time base.” Tripoli is capital of free Libya. I will never accept any other,” Ghaly sings, echoing the slogans of Libya’s new rulers. Young Libyans say Ghaly’s songs boosted their confidence.”You cannot imagine what his songs did for our morale,” said Safa Fathi al-Fakhri, 19. “In the past, we only knew Moamer Kadhafi, his Green Book and his regime’s green flag. There was nothing else. We were ignorant, we did not know any artist,” she said.

Patriotic songs have flourished since the uprising began.

Many young Libyans are taking advantage of their newfound freedom to express themselves in ways that were unimaginable under Kadhafi’s iron-fisted 42-year rule. Guys Underground is a pop group, which formed in Benghazi in 2008 but which failed to get off the ground until the revolt broke out in February 17.”Under Kadhafi, we could not deal with sensitive issues such as politics,” one of the group’s members, Marwen Gargum, said. “We tried to talk indirectly about what was really going on in Libya,” the 23-year-old told AFP. “We did not have the means to record CDs. If you wanted a sponsor or a studio, you had to sing for Kadhafi.”Gargum said the old regime created all sorts problems for the group.” They cut the power three times during our concerts.

They forced us to sing in Arabic. They hacked our Internet site. They liked to prevent people from having fun. That was Kadhafi’s regime,” he said, a wry smile on his face. One of Guys Underground’s hits is “We Win or We Die,” a song composed by a friend who was killed by a stray bullet to the chest a few days after completing it. Before the fall of Kadhafi, the group “had lost hope and thought of fleeing the country,” said Gargum. “We want to make ourselves known in the United States and Europe. We do not want people to say: ‘Libya equals Al-Qaeda and Libya equals desert and camels’.” Abdel Moneim al-Erwiya, 59, applauded enthusiastically as he listened to the youngsters perform on a makeshift stage in Benghazi. “Before February 17, the people were frustrated. Today talent is springing up everywhere and it is only the beginning,” he said.—AFP

‘The Island President’: A fight against climate change

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lected president of the Maldives after spending 20 years leading a pro-democracy movement against a cruel dictatorship, Mohammed Nasheed believes it will have all been for naught if his nation of 1,200 islands is swallowed up by the ocean.

His campaign to enlist world powers to fight global warming is the focus of Briton Jon Shenk’s new documentary “The Island President,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend. The two men came to Canada’s largest metropolis together to present the film, seeing an opportunity to bring much-needed attention to the plight of Nasheed’s tiny island nation off the coast of India.”Given the gravity of the situation and how important it is for us to bring the message across,” as well as due to his government’s modest means, the documentary seemed like a good idea, Nasheed said Sunday, three months before the next UN climate change conference in Durban. For Shenk, who won acclaim for his 2003 documentary “The Lost Boys of Sudan,” the film is as much about the arrival of democracy in an entirely Muslim country as it is about climate change.

But for Nasheed it is a fight for survival. Imprisoned and tortured before becoming president at age 41, Nasheed suddenly found himself facing a new crisis in 2008: the extinction of his country by 2050 — a modern Atlantis-and the apathy of the world’s largest polluters. The film gains access to Nasheed’s first year in office as he sets out to influence the world’s superpowers, culminating at the 2009 Copenhagen climate summit. He must not only convince the United States and Europe to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming, but also emerging economies China, India and Brazil. —AFP

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he fashion world stood still when the World Trade Centers came down in the middle of New York Fashion Week a decade ago, but the shows went on Sunday with moments of reflection and remembrance from the tents at Lincoln Center to venues within distance of ground zero. “On a day like this, we’re all American,” U2’s Bono said after the spring preview downtown for Edun, the African-inspired brand he founded with his wife, Ali Hewson. In an intimate hall at the New York Public Library’s flagship, guests at Victoria Beckham’s show twice stopped in their tracks on the way to their seats for moments of silence - one for each tower - as scheduled by the designer.

All Fashion Week events are proceeding as planned through Thursday, in contrast to the jarring halt of the September previews after the terrorist attacks, said Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Lincoln Center’s fashion director. On the front row at Lela Rose, she described the conflicting mood on the tragedy’s anniversary: “Today is a day that is very exciting, but there is also a certain calmness, you know? Everyone can sort of just look at each other today and know exactly what each other is thinking.”Linda Fargo, senior vice president of fashion at Bergdorf Goodman, wore a patriotic blue blouse and red trousers on the Beckham front row.

“I didn’t expect to be so emotional today, but I am.”

Designer Tracy Reese had been scheduled for her first New York Fashion Week show on Sept 11, 2001, and is proud to mark the anniversary at the tents on the same date this year. “At the end of the day, New York is unlike any other city in the world.

Everyone worked together to pick ourselves back up.” Several designers said they’ve made donations to various organizations in memory of the dead, including Derek Lam to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and Donna Karan to Action America, an initiative to turn Sept. 11 into a day of positive action and volunteerism.

“We remember that day 10 years ago that changed our city forever,” Karan said in her show notes. “We remember the courage, the inspiration, the compassion. How we came together, reaffirming our strength to the world. There truly is no place anywhere like our beloved city, New York. Our inspiration.After eight days of spring previews in New York, shows move to London, then Milan and Paris.

VICTORIA BECKHAM Her crisp, clean and sophisticated collection showed off her skills as a dressmaker. Beckham added several outerwear pieces to the repertoire - including hooded satin jackets but she mostly stepped back from the looser silhouette that she experimented with last season. Even the dresses with pleated skirts were built with tight bodices. Beckham has made her hallmark out of wellcut geometric clothes, and it’s OK for her to stick with it. It’s the style that suits her best, anyway, as she showed off her post-baby figure in a zip-back shift while she took it all in from the front row. In recent seasons, Beckham narrated from a perch next to the runway in an intimate townhouse venue. On Sunday, however, she was quiet in the library’s long, narrow Astor Hall.

DKNY The heart and soul of Karan’s DKNY brand is New York, and on this anniversary of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks, she paid tribute to her hometown using one of its most recognizable symbols as backdrop - the yellow taxi. Models in loose shirtdresses, sheer sundresses, floppy hats and knee-length board shorts faced a bank of photographers with the doors of the Chelsea studio flung open to display a perfectly positioned taxi. But New York is only a thread in the nation’s larger fabric, Karan said in her notes.

She offered several cheerful looks in bold red, white and blue floral print. There were red-and-blue striped outfits, too.

DVF Diane von Furstenberg’s spring collection, dubbed “Beginnings,” seemed more about renewal. The looks were fresh and breezy, but not overly frilly or frivolous.”The light appears and changes everything,” she said in notes for guests that included Oscar de la Renta and Valentino. Von Furstenberg was faced with a challenge from the start. As president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, she helps set the international calendar of style previews. New York’s spring shows are always the second week of September, therefore always crossing Sept 11.

This year, on the milestone 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, it fell on the day of von Furstenberg’s usual time slot. She couldn’t really change it, nor did she want to, she said in an interview earlier this week, but she had to acknowledge it, too. She found the appropriate balance by handing out American flags to the front row as she took her bow - hand in hand with creative director Yvan Mispelaere.

DEREK LAM Lam is dumping a new daytime wardrobe of elegant, unfussy pieces in his lady’s lap. His “California dreamin’” muse could start with brunch in skinny navy trousers with an exaggerated white cuff and silk crepe shirt under a sweater. If it were a lunch date, she could step it up with a kaleidoscope-print shirt, sweater and

black, bone and yellow patchwork snake skirt. Cruising the afternoon away in the convertible, she’d soak up the sunshine in his yellow and caramel leather jacket, long and lean white crocheted T-shirt and matching skirt. And, when it turns a little chilly, there’s the bold coral-colored, pebble-leather trench coat.

TOMMY HILFIGER Come spring, it’s still collars up - at least if you’re wearing Tommy Hilfiger. Just don’t be stuffy about it. Hilfiger built on themes that have emerged from the Lincoln Center tents as trends for next season, including athleticwear inspirations and mod ‘60s styles. But he put his own spin on them in a collection called “Pop Prep.” It was a little bit crisper with its Americana sportswear silhouettes and bold color combinations. The finale dress, for example, was a V-neck kaftan in chunks of orange, red and navy. “These are optimistic pieces, travel pieces that go anywhere,” Hilfiger said in an interview a few days before the show.

“It’s easy dressing for preppy adventures. I was inspired by pop art - I love pop art and the work of Warhol, Haring and Basquiat.”

Hilfiger’s roots, though, are in country-club styles, and instead of jettisoning them in a season that seems to be about ease, he adapted them by putting traditional glen-plaid fabric into a halter-top bathing suit and shrinking the striped rugby shirt into a crop top.

CARMEN MARC VALVO He had young, fun and relaxed in mind for his beach-inspired collection. Valvo’s notes included a poem he wrote for the season - “summer breezes, sea sprays, and salt water taffy” with some “seaside cottages and ballroom dances” thrown in. For the girl heading to the Hamptons, he included an ebony cap sleeve onepiece and a champagne pearl embroidered tank dress. His signature eyewear gave the models a beach-ready look. But long dresses took the show, including one in pleated satin with a sun ray and another in pink lemonade silk satin that drew gasps and applause from the crowd.

MONIQUE LHUILLIER Strapless and sporty? No problem. She incorporated the athletic trend already tangible during this round of previews. Never mind that she’s known mostly as a source of red-carpet gowns.

There were worthwhile design elements to borrow from activewear, she said, including sporty necklines and aerodynamic striping and slashing. Her runway had a cobalt-blue racing stripe down the middle. She also tapped into the popular optimistic color palette that editors, stylists and retailers are getting used to seeing for next season. “I used a lot of vibrant yellows, as you can see. A lot of blues,” Lhuillier said.

The Spring 2012 collection of Victoria Beckham is modeled during Fashion Week in New York. —AP

EDUN The label founded by U2’s Bono and wife Ali Hewson presented a mix of breezy, delicate florals and edgy laser-cut silks studded with rocker metal grommets. Bright color lit up the runway in a dark, cavernous warehouse, including some hand dying in indigo using a technique from Mali on a flared jacket made of recycled hemp.

There were reds from a deep clay to a light salmon in Africaninspired prints, tangerine in a parachute romper and solids in a range of whites, from silvery to bright. A diamond print was featured on slouch trousers paired with a matching halter. The print was carried over to several other looks, including a silk scarfdress with matching jersey leggings.

Organic white mesh for a jumpsuit had shorts laser cut in a fluttery petal shape. That detailing, along with the round metal trim, were all over the runway in short dresses, loose shorts, halter tops and trousers. The company, founded in 2005, produces some of its clothes in Africa. With the help of artisan nuns in Kenya known as the “crochet sisters,” the line includes their black, hand-knotted skirt and fitted dress trimmed in leather. Hewson said in an interview before the show that Edun’s latest collection is “kind of innocent but tough” as she tries to bring an “ethical” and steady, sustainable manufacturing industry to Africa.

CHARLOTTE RONSON Ronson gave her youthful customer a bit of a history lesson.

She drew references from the Victorian era, including a tan suede jacket with an asymmetrical front and high neck; the 1920s, dropped-waist dresses; and the “restless grunge decade” of the ‘90s - that’s where the denim fit in. “There is a minimalist pulled back feeling to the collection, a dreamy airy lightness, punched up with vivid hues of molten lava, faded chambray, crisp whites and electric neons,” said Ronson in her notes.

“Denim is treated in a new way, we color block, patchwork, bleach bandanna motifs on chambray and use an array of denim hues to create a water-colored plaid print.” She hit some of the season’s main themes and successfully tweaked them for her trend-conscious fan. She had the floral halter-neck, button-down top blending tangerine, yellow and black on white, and the cropped crocheted top paired with a maxi skirt.—AP

The DKNY Spring 2012 collection

The DVF Spring 2012 collection

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Dan and Corina Lecca for Charlotte Ronson

Spring 2012 fashion from Tommy Hilfiger

The Monique Lhuillier Spring 2012 collection

The Carmen Marc Valvo Spring 2012 collection

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Traditional Mexican Maria dolls dressed by US fashion designer Tory Burch, left, Italian fashion designer Veronica Etro, center, and US fashion designer Nicole Miller are displayed at the Museum of Folk Art in Mexico City, Friday. For the first time, Mexico City has joined the global Fashion’s Night Out, the worldwide nocturnal shopping extravaganza that’s the brainchild of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, with events such as a four-day exhibit called “A tribute to Mexico,” in which 13 international designers, including Christian Cota of Mexico, Nicole Miller, Tommy Hilfiger and Tory Burch, created outfits for the handmade Maria doll, a rag doll with long braids adorned with coloxred ribbons regularly sold in tourist areas. —AP

A traditional Mexican Maria doll, dressed by French label Lacoste.

A traditional Mexican Maria doll, dressed by US fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger.

SpongeBob in hot water from study of 4-year-olds

‘Cirque de Legume:’ Animalvegetable-maniac circus

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louting the age-old parental refrain, “Don’t play with your food!” comes a zany Irish production called “Cirque de Legume” which is all about playing with food. Specifically, with root vegetables. The chewing, spewing and other abuse of leafy produce has been raised to an art form by the hilarious, deliberately awkward duo performing “Cirque de Legume,” which opened Sunday night off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters as part of the yearlong 2011 Imagine Ireland festival. It’s an animal-vegetable-maniac circus, laden with slapstick and humor at the expense of a basket of vegetables.

The 55-minute show was created by performers Jaimie Carswell and Nancy Trotter Landry, both professionallytrained clowns, and Pablo Ibarluzea, who directs. Their sad circus decor is one red chair adorned with a yellow star, yet Carswell and Landry cleverly employ ordinary vegetables and impeccable comedic chops to create the impression of a complete amateur circus, featuring performing animals and attempted feats of daring.

In their skilled hands and crazed imaginations, ordinary vegetables are absurdly elevated and then, usually, messily macerated. A head of Romaine lettuce becomes a howling performing dog, while Landry wields a pair of leeks like whips and several long red chili peppers like knives. Minor roles are handled by a magical potato, instrumental cucumbers and an elegant artichoke or two. Carswell, with a bashful yet sly twinkle in his eye, generally plays the buffoon, especially when he convincingly enacts a dopey, carrot-overstuffed performing horse. Later on, he “hypnotizes” his partner with a dangling beet, and when it goes wrong, she becomes several different animals, not all of them nice.

Integral to the mostly-gentle humor is the deliberate failure of some routines, as when Landry attempts to perform as “The Seal of Poland,” but instead hopelessly entangles herself in the chair. Long-legged and rubbery-stiff, Landry wears a manic, blue-eyed laser stare like a scary doll, contrasting with Carswell’s shambling, easygoing appeal. Behind traditional red clown noses, they both furtively peek at the audience to gauge how they’re doing, or stare in nervous defiance while pretending to forget what comes next.

Often working in serious silence during their pseudoamateurish but well-choreographed antics, they conclude

A traditional Mexican Maria doll, dressed by BCBG Max Azria.

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In this image released by 59E59 Theaters, Jaimie Carswell, left, and Nancy Trotter Landry, are shown in “Cirque de Legume,” performing off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters in New York. —AP each routine, whether successful or not so much, by clumsily striking a triumphant pose and chiming proudly, “How ‘bout THAT!” Many carrots and other plants are harmed during the flailing of this show, but these hapless vegetables have given up their lives and leaves for the greater artistic good of creating laughter. Amy O’Hara’s charming costumes give both clowns an added flair of droopy authenticity.By the time Landry aids an onion in performing an innocent strip-tease, a perfectly good salad may have gone to waste, but the stage is well-composted and the audience much amused. It just may not be possible to look at produce again in a completely benign way after seeing this wonderfully creative circus. Performing through Oct 2, “Cirque de Legume” is a must-see, whether you love or hate vegetables.—AP

he cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants is in hot water from a study suggesting that watching just nine minutes of that program can cause short-term attention and learning problems in 4-year-olds. The problems were seen in a study of 60 children randomly assigned to either watch “SpongeBob,” or the slower-paced PBS cartoon “Caillou” or assigned to draw pictures. Immediately after these nine-minute assignments, the kids took mental function tests; those who had watched “SpongeBob” did measurably worse than the others.

Previous research has linked TV-watching with long-term attention problems in children, but the new study suggests more immediate problems can occur after very little exposure - results that parents of young kids should be alert to, the study authors said. Kids’ cartoon shows typically feature about 22 minutes of action, so watching a full program “could be more detrimental,” the researchers speculated, But they said more evidence is needed to confirm that.

The results should be interpreted cautiously because of the study’s small size, but the data seem robust and bolster the idea that media exposure is a public health issue, said Dr Dimitri Christakis. He is a child development specialist at Seattle Children’s Hospital who wrote an editorial accompanying the study published online yesterday in the journal Pediatrics.

Christakis said parents need to realize that fast-paced programming may not be appropriate for very young children. “What kids watch matters, it’s not just how much they watch,” he said.

University of Virginia psychology professor Angeline Lillard, the lead author, said Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob” shouldn’t

be singled out. She found similar problems in kids who watched other fastpaced cartoon programming. She said parents should realize that young children are compromised in their ability to learn and use self-control immediately after watching such shows. “I wouldn’t advise watching such shows on the way to school or any time they’re expected to pay attention and learn,” she said.

Nickelodeon spokesman David Bittler disputed the findings and said “SpongeBob SquarePants” is aimed at kids aged 6-11, not 4year-olds. “Having 60 non-diverse kids, who are not part of the show’s targeted (audience), watch nine minutes of programming is questionable methodology and could not possibly provide the basis for any valid findings that parents could trust,” he said.

Lillard said 4-year-olds were chosen because that age “is the heart of the period during which you see the most development” in certain self-control abilities. Whether children of other ages would be similarly affected can’t be determined from this study Most kids were white and from middle-class or wealthy families. They were given common mental function tests after watching cartoons or drawing. The SpongeBob kids scored on average 12 points lower than the other

two groups, whose scores were nearly identical.

In another test, measuring self-control and impulsiveness, kids were rated on

how long they could wait before eating snacks presented when the researcher left the room. “SpongeBob” kids waited about 2 1/2 minutes on average, versus at least four minutes for the other two groups.

The study has several limitations. For one thing, the kids weren’t tested before they watched TV. But Lillard said none of the children had diagnosed attention problems and all got similar scores on parent evaluations of their behavior.—AP