20 Sep

ON IP TI SC R SU B

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

Palestinians seek date with freedom at UN

Toll hits 63 in powerful Himalayan earthquake

‘Mad Men’, ‘Modern Family’ win Emmys but shocks abound

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Packers make perfect start to NFL season

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Saadoun: Government unable to run country

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SHAWWAL 22, 1432 AH

MPs urge release of Shiite blogger Abul

Max 43º Min 26º Low Tide 09:44 & 21:50 High Tide 02:38 & 16:44

By B Izzak

Turkey threatens offshore drilling with naval guard ANKARA: Turkey threatened yesterday to start oil and gas exploration “very soon” and under naval escort in the eastern Mediterranean, after the Greek Cypriots said they had already started their own operations. “We will start this within our exclusive economic zone very soon, possibly this week,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a news conference despite a call to desist from the European Union which Turkey hopes to join. Erdogan also warned that the region “will be under the constant surveillance of Turkey’s frigates, assault boats and the Turkish air force”.

“This exclusive zone is disputed,” he said, adding that Turkey had conveyed its complaints that what the Greek Cypriot government - recognised internationally but not

by Ankara - had been doing was inappropriate. Ankara only recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a statelet set up in the wake of the island’s division in 1974 following Turkey’s invasion. The Greek Cypriot energy chief said yesterday that US energy firm Noble had started exploratory drilling for gas off the southern coast of the island.

Solon Kassinis told the semi-official Cyprus News Agency that Noble had begun drilling Sunday night from its Aphrodite platform inside the island’s exclusive economic zone. Turkey’s Energy Minister Taner Yildiz earlier called on Cyprus to hold off “immediately” on the planned drilling, failing which Turkey would retaliate. He said Ankara had signed an agreement with a Norwegian company for seismic drilling off the island, but he declined to name it. “First of all, we will start exploration with one vessel,” Yildiz said.

Turkey has repeatedly called on Cyprus to postpone its gas exploration, saying the Greek side has no right to do so while the island remains split, thus leaving the Turkish north out of the picture. Yildiz repeated that “depending on the developments, Turkey could sign a continental shelf agreement” with the TRNC, which would grant Turkey the right to share offshore energy sources.

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SANAA: Yemeni medics fail to resuscitate a child after he was shat during clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces yesterday. — AFP

Yemen security forces kill 28 as protests rage SANAA: Yemeni security forces shot dead at least 28 people in the capital yesterday, among them two children killed by snipers, protest organisers and medics said, raising the toll over two days to 54. Organisers of anti-regime demonstrations in Sanaa said in a statement received by AFP that 942 people were wounded by gunfire over the past 48 hours, and that 47 are in critical condition. The bloodletting coincided with the arrival in Sanaa of UN envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar

36 slain in Burundi GATUMBA, Burundi: Raiders killed at least 36 people when they stormed a Burundi bar and opened fire on patrons in one of the country’s worst attacks in months, an official said yesterday. The governor of Bujumbura Rural province where the attack occurred Sunday night, Jacques Minani, told AFP at least 36 people had been killed. An AFP reporter counted 23 bodies piled up in the courtyard of the bar. According to Minani, the remaining 13 died in hospitals in Bujumbura.

The attackers raided a bar in Gatumba area, some 13 km west of the capital Bujumbura in a stronghold of the former National Liberation Forces (FNL) rebels whose leader Agathon Rwasa has been blamed for a recent spate of attacks. Witnesses said the attack lasted about 20 minutes. “Those who attacked us are not just bandits.

They are fighters, rebels. I swear because I saw them,” said one wounded victim who did not want to be identified. “Dozens of people, some in (military) uniform and with Kalashnikov

(rifles) and grenades entered ‘Chez les Amis’ bar. They told everyone to lie down and began shooting,” said a survivor who lost two siblings and a friend.

The bar premises were littered with broken chairs and bottles yesterday, with pools of blood in the yard. Police cordoned off the bar, but were faced by an angry crowd of several thousand people shouting that they wanted to bury the bodies left out in the hot sun.

President Pierre Nkurunziza, who visited the scene of the tragedy at midday, declared three days of national mourning and vowed that those responsible for the “massacre” would be “arrested and brought to justice”. “Those who committed this act are killers, murderers who committed unspeakable crimes,” he told a huge crowd.

Attacks attributed by the authorities to “armed bandits” - and the public to a new rebellion - have intensified for several months throughout Burundi, a small country in central Africa. Several diplomats accredited to Burundi were Continued on Page 13

and Gulf Cooperation Council chief Abdulatif AlZayani for what a diplomat said was the signing of a UN roadmap for the transfer of power from embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh to his deputy.

A medic in the capital said that among the dead were “two children and three soldiers from the First Armoured Brigade”, referring to a unit headed by dissident General Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar. Rights Continued on Page 13

Seif seen in battle for oasis town ‘Foreigners’ held BANI WALID, Libya: Fierce fighting raged yesterday in Bani Walid as new regime fighters attacked the oasis town where a son of Muammar Gaddafi is believed holed up, possibly with his father, Libya’s rulers said. “The revolutionaries came to Bani Walid this morning and engaged in a hard battle,” Abdullah Kenshil, a senior official in the National Transitional Council (NTC), told AFP. Kenshil said the battle against Gaddafi’s mercenaries for control of Bani Walid, one of the ousted strongman’s few remaining bastions southeast of Tripoli, was a “done deal and will be completed in the next two days”.

He said that Seif al-Islam, the most prominent son of the ousted Libyan leader, had been seen in Bani Walid, and that it is likely Gaddafi himself is also there. “Seif al-Islam was seen in Bani Walid; this is 100 percent certain. As for his father, he was there too; we are 70 percent sure,” Kenshil told AFP, adding that they were being defended only by mercenaries.

“Those fighting in Bani Walid are not necessarily Continued on Page 13

Osama bin Laden, had been little recognised until one of its most senior spies broke ranks recently to pen a tell-all account.

Intelligence analyst David Rosenberg spent 18 years at the base, 20 km south of Alice Springs, working with top-secret clearance for the National Security Agency (NSA), home to America’s code-cracking elite.

Formally known as the “Joint Defence Space Research Facility”, Pine Gap is one of Washington’s biggest intelligence collection Continued on Page 13

DAMASCUS: An image grab from YouTube shows a protester burning a picture of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad during an anti-regime student demonstration yesterday. — AFP

Syria opposition vies to organize Regime keeps up killings

US eyes Asia from secret Aussie base SYDNEY: Deep in the silence of Australia’s Outback desert an imposing American spy post set up at the height of the Cold War is now turning its attention to Asia’s growing armies and arsenals. Officially designated United States territory and manned by agents from some of America’s most sensitive intelligence agencies, the Pine Gap satellite station has been involved in some of the biggest conflicts in modern times. But its role in the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans, and in the hunt for

KUWAIT: Veteran opposition MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun yesterday launched a blistering attack on the government, saying it cannot run the country and urged people to attend a gathering tomorrow to press for its downfall. Saadoun however said he does not favour calls for dissolving the National Assembly because “this is the choice of the people”. Independent Shiite MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan however said that the continuity of the Assembly under these circumstances “is very difficult” and expected HH the Amir to dissolve it. And Islamist MP Dhaifallah Buramia said that the only solution for Kuwait’s problems is through the implementation of sharia law in a bid to stem rife corruption.

Saadoun held the government totally responsible for a series of strikes by employees at various ministries and government agencies to demand pay raises and equality with other ministries. He said that it was the government who created the current problem because it failed to achieve equality in wages among public civil servants, leading those who receive smaller wages to protest.

Saadoun’s assertion came after the Cabinet rejected in a statement yesterday “all types” of strikes with the promise that the government will resolve any problem through dialogue. The lawmaker warned that if the strikes continue without solution, “it could signal the beginning of a collapse because we have a failed and an incapable government”. Saadoun highlighted the huge discrepancies between the salaries of employees at various ministries, saying the average monthly salary in the oil sector is KD 4,800, while it is KD 3,600 at the Kuwait Investment Authority and sharply lower - around KD 1,100 - in the military. He said that the government has ignored proposals to rectify this anomaly in order to avoid protests.

Opposition groups have called for a massive rally tomorrow to protest a major corruption scandal involving a number of MPs and the failure of the government to expose them and take necessary legal procedures.

Saadoun called for all to attend to send a strong message that this government cannot run the affairs of the government. MP Buramia however held the Cabinet responsible for widespread corruption in Kuwait, saying that the latest scandal is just a “drop in the ocean of Continued on Page 13

PINE GAP, Australia: This handout image shows an aerial photo of the radar domes of the top secret joint US-Australian missile defence base near Alice Spring. — AFP

DAMASCUS: Syrian security forces killed five people yesterday during a raid in the flashpoint central province of Homs as the opposition scrambled to organise against the regime, activists said. In Geneva, the UN human rights office said the regime’s bloody crackdown on protesters is intensifying. On the ground, President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces pursued their repression of antiregime protesters, killing five in the town of Houla and conducting arrests elsewhere, activists said.

“Five residents, including a woman, were shot dead on Monday by security forces, who have been conducting a sweep in Houla since Sunday,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in a statement. Security forces also fired on demonstrators in two other towns in

Homs, and made arrests in the second city Aleppo, eastern Deir Ezzor and the coastal cities of Latakia and Banias, it said.

Activists have called for rallies today in suppor t of Lieutenant Colonel Hussein Harmush, the first officer to publicly declare his desertion in early June in protest at the crackdown. On Thursday, state television broadcast an interview with Harmush in which he said he had returned willingly to Syria from Turkey, and denied ever receiving orders to shoot civilians. According to UN estimates at least 2,600 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the crackdown on pro-democracy protests since the movement was launched on March 15.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

LOCAL

Cabinet unhappy at public sector strikes KUWAIT: During its weekly meeting yesterday, the Kuwaiti cabinet condemned the suspension of some public services caused by a series of strikes by public sector workers, whilst revealing that it is working to reach a mutually acceptable compromise on unions’ demands.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Minister of Oil and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Dr. Mohammad Al-Busairi said, “The Cabinet understands and values the relevance of some of the proposals presented by some government bodies.”

Al-Busairi stressed that he would be doing everything in his power to meet these demands for the sake of fairness and in recognition of these employees’ exceptional and devoted efforts to serve the nation and its people.

He added a cautionary note, however, stating, “Stemming from its responsibility towards law and national interest, the cabinet stresses

its rejection of all types of strike action and attempts to impose pressure, thus putting the nation and its people’s higher interests at stake, as opposed to objective and conscious dialogue in the frame of the constitution, the law and the responsibility of national interest.”

The minister urged the departments tasked with these decisions to work on introducing the necessary procedures to reach a compromise on the unions’ demands Al-Busairi asserted that the cabinet will “deal positively and objectively with all the demands and proposals it is presented with,” adding that “the Civil Service Commission will be tasked with carrying out an in-depth study into these measures taking into account legal, economic, social and occupation-related considerations, in coordination with the Cabinet’s economic consultation committee...in order to achieve justice, fairness and objectivity for all these demands.”— KUNA

Expats stuck due to lack of ministries’ coordination KUWAIT: Several expatriates who received permission to transfer their visitor’s visas into work permits are facing problems after the Ministry of Health (MoH) refused to refer them for the medical tests which are mandatory before their residency visas can be approved.

According to a Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) insider, hundreds of residents who previously obtained permission from the MSAL to transfer their visas prior to Sept 1 had taken all the necessary steps and paid all the fees required, including a KD220 fee for the transfer application, and received their work permits.

When they contacted the MoH to organize the final precautionary health checks necessary to finalize the procedures, however, they were turned back without any reason, leaving them unable to complete the procedures required to fully regularize their status.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the MSAL insider indicated that officials from the interior ministry had met with their counterparts at the MoH in attempt to persuade them to carry out the medical

tests for those affected, but the health ministry officials insisted that these tests should now be carried out by the health ministries in the expatriates’ home countries before they travel to Kuwait in order to certify that they are free of all contagious diseases. Despite attempts from numerous high level officials to persuade the MoH to change its stance in these cases and carry out the medical tests on the individuals in question, it appears adamant in its refusal to do so, citing its commitment to protecting the general health and wellbeing of Kuwaitis and expatriate residents of the country as justification.

This position has left the MSAL and the interior ministry, as well as the expatriates affected, in an awkward position since the ministries have already approved all the other procedures necessary to allow the expatriates to transfer their visas. Without the health ministry’s changing its decision, however, the expatriates affected will face deportation once their current visas expire, falling victim to a lack of coordination between different Kuwaiti ministries.— Al-Qabas

No shortage of teachers in Kuwait public schools New academic year starts

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: An official from the Ministry of Education (MoE) denied alarming reports that the country is facing a massive shortage of teachers. “There will be no shortage of school teachers this year,” said Sami Al-Dhakil, Director of the Coordination Office at the Ministry of Education. In an interview with the Kuwait Times, he asserted that all teachers recently hired from Arab countries are arriving in due time, mostly this month. Yesterday, traffic on major road arteries slowed as the new academic year started for public schools. Children from elementary, high and secondary schools all flocked in carloads toward the start of the new school year. Al-Dhakil, who works for Mouna Al-Lougani, the Assistant Undersecretary for Public Education, noted that the delay of the teachers’ arrival is connected to the hiring process. “This year, we went to recruit new teachers only in July instead of in February, which is what we usually do,” he told the Kuwait Times.

The tumultuous events in the Arab World have delayed recruitment in certain countries. Kuwait hires teachers mainly from Egypt, Tunisia, Syria and Jordan. The teachers from these countries are currently facing difficulties in securing their legal permits and documents. “Delay of arrival is the right word, but no shortfall of teachers,” Al-Dhakil summarized. News reports fuelled the panic that Kuwait was going to experience a shortage of teachers at the start of the school year, “Of 1,006 newly hired teachers only 546 have arrived,” a source was quoted as saying. A public school teacher confirmed that shortages of teaching staff were evident during the opening of class last week. “Kuwait is in dire need of teachers,” another public school teacher said. “Like in my department (English), we are short of at least one English teacher. I don’t know about other departments or schools but I have heard that there are many shortages of teaching staff,” he added. “I think some of the teachers who have been hired by the Ministry are still contemplating whether to go ahead or not. There have been pressing considerations recently, including the rate of pay and the political situations of their respective countries. As in Egypt, many do not want to leave their houses because it is dangerous and others are considering whether they will be able to survive and take advantage of new opportunities back home instead. In other countries the problem is simply how to go about arranging travel documents to come here,” he added.

KUWAIT: Traffic on major road arteries slowed as the new academic year started for public schools yesterday. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Traffic jams herald new school year KUWAIT: Authorities in Kuwait failed miserably to stop huge traffic jams amassing at the beginning of the academic year, as traffic police officers helplessly watched seas of stationary vehicles during the morning of the first day back at school.

Motorists in Kuwait are neither surprised that the Ministry of Interior failed to keep their promise on assuring ‘smooth traffic flow’ at the start of the academic year, nor are they expecting the annual problem to be fixed any time soon.

A security source summed up the problem, when contacted to comment on the subject by admitting, “ We have a huge dilemma on our hands created by 30 years without the renovation of state roads, which cover only 10 percent of the state’s general area, but on which 1.25 million vehicles drive each day. This reality means that immediate solutions for the problem are basically impossible,” reported Al-Rai. The suffocating traffic jams weren’t the only problem to return at the beginning of

the academic year, as many schools have already announced shortages in textbooks that were supposed to be provided in advance.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education still desperately insists that things are under control in regards to avoiding shortages in teaching staff at public schools, a concern that emerged following the news that a portion of new teachers hired from Tunisia are yet to arrive in Kuwait, reported Al-Qabas.

We will reveal multimillion dinar MPs’, bribers’ names: Al-Tabtabaie KUWAIT: Kuwaiti MP Dr. Walid AlTabtabaie said on Sunday that he and his fellow anti-government parliamentarians would shortly reveal the names of the lawmakers alleged to have received multimillion dinar bribes, as well as identifying those responsible for making the payments.

Al-Tabtabaie was speaking as he and a number of other anti-government MPs attacked government policy on public sector strikes, which they have described as short-sighted, suggesting that the government has no long-term vision concerning how best to help the Kuwaiti workforce. The anti-government MPs have accused the government of playing a central role in bringing the strikes about by treating Kuwaiti workers unfairly and leaving them without any choice but to take industrial action.

Dr. Al-Tabtabaie, said that the government has discriminated unjustly between workers, giving wage rises to some whilst ignoring others. He added that this failure by the government to properly run the country’s affairs is responsible for what he called the current state of confusion and chaos.

Dr. Al-Tabtabaie suggested that the solution to the current problems would be to conduct studies into the matter in order to correct the mistakes made.

The veteran anti-government MP added that the government has proven its own administrative incompetence, adding that citizens are now showing their anger by taking to the streets, especially over the scandal concerning allegations of suspicious multimillion dinar payments being

made into some parliamentarians’ bank accounts.

Al-Tabtabaie asserted that he and the other anti-government MPs are only making extremely reasonable, indeed minimal, demands, warning that tomorrow ’s ( Wednesday ’s) demonstration will be a show of public frustration at government policy.

Another MP, Nadji Al-Abdulhadi, said that the government’s decision to raise oil sector workers’ pay after they threatened industrial action unless their demands were met had actually increased the number of strikes by public sector workers.

Fellow parliamentarian Khalid AlTahous, meanwhile, attacked the Civil Service Commission (CSC) over what he said was its apparent attempt to distance itself from the concerns of the Kuwaiti workforce. —Al-Shahed

New rules for violators KUWAIT: A senior Ministry of Interior (MoI) official on Sunday issued a directive to all immigration departments on resolving the problem of residency visa violators, allowing the departments to take a decision to amend individual violators’ status by allowing them to pay a fine and transfer to a new sponsor once the arrest warrant on them has been lifted.

Acting MoI Undersecretary Lieutenant General Abdullah Al-Rashid issued the directive in order to overcome problems facing the immigration departments in dealing with individuals in this group.

A security insider said that the directive would be implemented immediately, giving immigration department directors in all six governorates the right to allow those expatriates who meet the necessary criteria to legalize their status and to lift any arrest warrants against them for violations of the residency law.

The directors may only do so, however, if the expatriates in question have already corrected their status at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL), paid the necessary fines during the recent amnesty period and obtained a work permit from the MSAL. At the same time, Lt. Gen. Al-Rashid also issued another directive allowing Kuwaitis to transfer any cases of residency violation by servants they have employed previously directly to court without obliging them to pay the fees that have accumulated against all the servants they employ.

The court will then be free to either reduce the fine or waive it whenever the employers present proof that violation was not done on purpose. — Al-Anbaa

KUWAIT: The Oil Employees Union held a special dinner banquet in Ahmadi in celebration of the recent approval of their cadre and increments. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

local

Deputy PM urges restraint at rally

KUWAIT: The Ambassador of Slovakia Ivan Lancaric hosted a reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel to commemorate the country’s National Day. High ranking officials, diplomats and media persons attended the reception.

Ambassador unlikely to return to Baghdad in near future KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Iraq Ali Al-Momen said on Sunday that the only thing preventing him from returning to Iraqi capital Baghdad in the near future is that refurbishment is not yet completed on the embassy building there, flatly rejecting rumors that his stay in Kuwait is affected by some Iraqi politicians’ stance on the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project.

Speaking to local daily Al-Rai, Ambassador Al-Momen stressed that he is ready to travel to Baghdad as soon as he is asked to do so, adding that routine building work taking place at the embassy is the only thing delaying his return following the end of his vacation.

Kuwaiti and Iraqi authorities agreed to construct a new Kuwaiti Embassy in Baghdad after the lease for the building which previously housed the embassy there expired, the ambassador explained, adding that the Iraqi foreign ministry is working to find a suitable temporary alternative until construction work on the new building is completed.

In other news, an Iraqi MP has called on

the Iraqi parliament to send a letter of protest to the United Nations “over their silence on the Kuwaiti violations against Iraq, which remains under Chapter 7 of the UN charter.”

The MP, Aliya Nassif of the White Iraqiya Party, continued, “The UN has witnessed the Kuwaiti violations, which include its inflexible approach to the construction of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, despite the serious damage that this will inflict on Iraq’s ports.”

Al-Nassif also reprised the controversial allegations that Kuwait is illegally using slant-drilling to steal oil from Iraqi oilfields, which were used as justification by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein for his forces’ brutal 1990 invasion of Kuwait. The MP further alleged that Kuwait is guilty of “kidnapping and torturing” the Iraqi fishermen briefly detained after being found in Kuwaiti territorial waters recently. Al-Nassif concluded by asserting that the UN is obliged to “protect Iraq’s borders from all violations” so long as Iraq remains under Chapter 7 administration. — Al-Rai

More medical tests for dismissed undertakers KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality is set to offer further medical tests to the 23 staff laid off last week over health concerns from their jobs at local cemeteries, where they were responsible for preparing bodies and performing other undertakers’ duties, to assess whether or not they were unfairly dismissed.

“Minister Dr. Fadhil Safar called on the Director General of Kuwait Municipality, Ahmad Al-Subaih, to instruct him to order a second medical examination for all those who appealed against their dismissal,” said

a Ministry of Public Works (MPW) insider.

The 23 personnel were dismissed after reportedly being diagnosed with Hepatitis, which the municipality insists was contracted outwith their workplace. The news has raised concerns of an outbreak of the disease amongst cemetery workers.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the MPW insider also voiced hope that the minister would order a program of medical tests on all cemetery workers and undertaking personnel “to ensure that there’s no infection threat.” — Al-Rai

KUWAIT: Security officers have been urged to show restraint during public protests planned for tomorrow (Wednesday). Instructions for the security forces, which emphasized the importance of acting ‘in the same manner of self-composure’ as they did during last Friday’s rally, were delivered during a high profile meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information at the ministry headquarters. According to an insider who attended the meeting, Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah “expressed his appreciation” of the success of the security plan put together to contain Friday’s demonstration.

The minister was speaking before a team of senior ministry officials that included: Major General Mahmoud AlDousary, Undersecretary Assistant for Public Security Affairs, Major General Abdullah Al-Muhanna, Undersecretary Assistant for Operations Affairs, and Brigadier General Fahad Al-Shuwaiye’a, Assistant Director of the Central Operations Department.

Last Friday, security officers closed streets around the Municipal Council Square where demonstrators were

Illegal Hajj agencies offering problematic pilgrimage packages Costs varying widely

KUWAIT: Two signs posted in a residential area in Kuwait show advertisements for “affordable” Hajj pilgrimage packages for only KD 250 each. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The high cost of performing the Hajj pilgrimage, which can reach up to KD1,500 per person, means that many Muslims worldwide are increasingly unable to afford to perform it. Despite this, however, tens of offices or individual agents in Kuwait are licensed to offer a complete Hajj service for those who can bear the expense, with costs var ying widely.

A number of illegal pilgrimage-organizing agencies have sprung up, however, with some offering a complete but dubious

Hajj travel pack age for only KD250 per pilgrim, less than half the price charged by the legal and licensed agents. The Kuwait Times called one such unlicensed pilgrimage -organizer who has been illegally advertising his services via cards pinned on memo boards at local mosques after finding one of the cards at a Hawally mosque.

Variations in pilgrimage prices depend on a number of factors, such as means of transport - flying to and among the holy cities during the pilgrimage is obviously more expensive than travelling by bus, for example. Then there’s accommoda-

tion, with the pilgrims’ choice of lodgings making a big difference in prices, amongst a host of other services which can add to the expense.

The organizer of the bargain basement KD250 Hajj pilgrimage, who preferred not to give his name, insisted that pilgrims choosing to use his ser vices would face no problems or obstacles in performing the Hajj pilgrimage, although each would need to pay an additional 1,000 Saudi Riyals (KD73) on top of the fees paid as an entrance fee to get into Saudi Arabia in lieu of the more traditional - and legal - visa issued to authorized

National Guards launch officer training courses KUWAIT: The National Guard yesterday launched two advanced courses in planning and training for officers, with high-ranking personnel from various divisions chosen to participate in the seminars.

Training, habilitation and planning are basic elements of the military sciences, which have been advancing on a daily basis, said Brigadier Hashem Al-Rifaie, the head of the National Guards’ military education, in a

statement issued to mark the occasion. Brig.

Al-Rifaie stressed the National Guards’ eagerness to provide officers, non-commissioned officers and lower ranking personnel with the latest training and information in their field of expertise. Such training courses are part of the National Guards’ general strategy of enhancing the skills of all personnel to the highest level possible, Brig. Al-Rifaie added. — KUNA

Building work almost finished on port railway, causeway KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works yesterday announced the conclusion of most of the construction work on a causeway and railway which are part of the major Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project. Ninetyone percent of the work on the railway network and 94 percent of that on the vehicle causeway has already been completed, said Ghaleb Shalash, the director of the MPW’s major projects monitoring division, following a surprise inspection of the site

by Minister of Public Works Dr. Fadhil Safar.

During his tour of the site, Dr. Safar, who is also the Minister of State for Municipal

Affairs, inspected the construction area and viewed soil treatment procedures being carried out there, said Shalash, adding that the minister also inspected a makeshift bridge linking Boubyan Island with the harbor site.

Dr. Safar also visited locations in the northeast of the island where designing and dredging work is underway, along with the construction of piers and the furnishing of management offices. The Mubarak AlKabeer Port project is one of the major parts of Kuwaiti’s massive national development strategy. — KUNA

Customs officials plan strike

KUWAIT: This impressive pyramid of perfume boxes can be seen at the 360 Mall this week, with its creators hoping that it will make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

preparing to set out on marches in violation of state regulations. They also avoided entering into violent confrontations with angry protesters who used provocative language while addressing police. “Minister Al-Sabah instructed senior officials to maintain the same level of self-composure and prudence in handling Wednesday’s rally,” said a source speaking on the condition of anonymity.

In the meantime, citizens have taken to Twitter in the past few days to enter debates among supporters of tomorrow’s rally, which focuses on rejecting corruption and achieving reform, and others who question the effectiveness of the rally in making an impact on the establishment.

Supporters of the rally believe that demonstrations are the only remaining outlet for the public to express their frustration over growing corruption and demands for press freedom. On the other hand, there are citizens who argue that the rally is expected to feature the participation of corrupt MPs, which they insist renders tomorrow’s demonstration futile, reported AlQabas.

KUWAIT: Head of the Customs Department Union Ahmad Llqla Al-Enezi warned the Civil Service Commission against the government ’s apathy towards Customs Department’s Workers.

He asserted that depriving employees of their rights can have a negative impact, adding that employees are fed up of waiting endlessly while officials fail to serve the country and its citizens, reported Al-Aan. Al-Enezi said the Union did not

protest or stage a demonstration despite possessing the ability to do so because “we are not advocates of violence.” He added nevertheless that a protest will be held on October 10 as a means “to convey our demands and gain our rights. “ He said that the Union would down its tools until its demands are met based on international treaties, including the International Labor Organization (ILO) number 78/1947. Kuwait ratified it in 1961.

Hajj pilgrims.

Hajj pilgrims using his services will travel by bus, he explained, adding that they will be accommodated in flats in apartment blocks near the pilgrimage sites rather than in hotels. Many individuals who performed the Hajj pilgrimage with such illegal individuals or agencies in previous years have complained at being cheated and offered substandard services, however. Due to the unlicensed and legally dubious nature of the organizers’ business, these pilgrims are unable to claim any compensation or to file charges against them for poor conditions.

Corruption allegations surface at KFAS KUWAIT: The Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science (KFAS) will be asked to explain its position on the corruption allegations leveled against it . Speaking on condition of anonymity, investors whose contributions have proven invaluable to the organization since its inception in 1976, are growing concerned about rumors that the board has been spending millions of dinars that goes unaccounted for.

“The KFAS board has issued a decision to increase the new general manager’s salary to KD 7,500 a few months following his appointment, placing him as the top earning staff member,” a source said, arguing that this new move violates the KD 5,000 salary cap that the KFAS has followed for years. Officials also argued that increased funding provided to the Dasman Diabetes Center from KD 9 million to KD 16 million “should be explained.” Separately, the Environment Public Authority(EPA) has reportedly asked the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation(KPC) to probe environmental violations that were detected during recent inspection tours made to KPC’s affiliated companies, reported Al-Rai. According to a news report quoting an EPA official, the EPA has prepared a detailed report on all the environmental violations committed in the oil sector. It will be submitted to the Supreme Council of Environment “so that necessary disciplinary measures against violators can be taken.”

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Years

LOCAL Local Spotlight

Satire Wire

Bad hygiene is not a talent

Embodiments of death

By Sawsan Kazak

By Muna Al-Fuzai

sawsank@kuwaittimes.net muna@kuwaittimes.net

R

ecently it was announced that the world’s most pierced man, Rolf Buchholz, has an entry in the Guinness World Records 2012 edition. The new book will also feature a woman that hasn’t cut her nails for over 18 years and now has the longest nails, measuring 10-feet-2-inches.

I know the whole point of the book is to mark down the record breaking feats, accomplishments or naturally occurring phenomena, but the above mentioned are not really what I call entertaining. This man probably has a discount at his local piercing shop and this woman probably doesn’t own a pair of nail clippers.

Why would you voluntarily handicap yourself and prevent yourself from living a normal life? This man must have such a hard time going to metal detectors when he travels. The machine goes off when I have a single pin in my hair; I can just imagine what happens when he goes through. I don’t even want to know what happens when he goes swimming or when it’s cold outside.

And as for the long-nailed beauty, what was she thinking? Almost two decades of long, curly, discolored nails dangling from your hand, there is no way you are able to perform your daily duties. How could you possibly hold down a job or run errands? How did she shower, clean or cook? Or even worse, how did she sleep at night? She must have been petrified to roll over and break a few feet of fingernails. I cry of pain when I chip my nail against a desk or door, what would she do if she lost two feet from her thumb nail.

This book is a documentation of what the human body can do. Things like jumping, swimming, growing or not growing, flexing and bending. But lack of hygiene or an obsessive compulsive disorder does not really mean you are talented. Some people hone their skill to the point that makes them standout from the average person; not cutting your nails or filling every spare piece of skin with an earring does not constitute honing a skill.

What other records will they start marking down? The person that showers the least? The person that has the smelliest feet? Or maybe we can record the people that stop using deodorant for the longest period of time.

kuwait digest

Govt ‘grills’ itself?

By Thaar Al Rashidi

T

he multi-million dollar deposits are nothing but a part of an open feud between top politicians. Just one battle, proceeded by grilling battles, will be followed by other battles.

It may most likely begin by the end of October.

Some have already been announced and initiators have threatened to file more.

Those who say that the ‘government is grilling itself’ when they see a pro-government legislator grilling a minister, is far from the truth. One ‘bigwig’ grills another in a precise manner. The supporters of ‘bigwig one’ initiate an interpellation motion against the supporters of ‘bigwig two.’ The followers of bigwigs three and four eagerly await for the

Some groups’ change of track from opposition to progovernment is only a part of the tactics employed to win the war. We would have considered it as a political skill, had they used their personal wealth to turn the tide of events in their favor.

Unfortunately, public money is used. Tenders are parts of the fighters’ arms. result. Some groups’ change of track from opposition to pro-government is only a part of the tactics employed to win the war. We would have considered it as a political skill, had they used their personal wealth to turn the tide of events in their favor. Unfortunately, public money is used. Tenders are parts of the fighters’ arms.

The scandal as well as employment opportunities as well as political make-up are part of that account and public money. We are not asking for much. We only want to be part of the battle because our money has been used.

Sadly, this is the harsh reality. I would like to remind legislators that that public are the winners while politicians are losers. Be careful regardless of the results obtained. We will not sacrifice our country. The ex-American ambassador Deborah Jones lied when she said that such situations are ‘temporary.’ The battle doesn’t appear to be losing momentum — Al-Anbaa

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kuwait digest

Where are the wise men?

By Dr Sajed Al-Abdeli

I

find it hard to believe that our government is completely unaware of how deteriorated our political situation is!

Gentlemen, the situation is dangerous and this opinion borrows from tangible facts and continuous observation. Even the mightiest and most powerful governments reconsider strategies that place reform and problem-solving in view of the ongoing revolution at more than one place at a time, including those that were excluded. A government that fails to respond to such waves of change is unconscious or callous, and cannot be held responsible for anything delusional.

I wonder whether it is only us, the people and public, who are glued to satellite news TV channels. Do the governments follow them as well and believe that they are animated movies?

I actually don’t know!

The least we can say about the appearance of our government’s official spokesman on the Al-Rai TV channel is that he was a total failure. He sounded like the bear that killed its owner to scare away a fly. I would even go as far as describe the interview as ‘provocative.’

It has contributed a lot to public unrest because of the ‘intimidating tone’ he used against the military. Such talk is outdated and would have

helped stop the Libyan or Syrian revolutions if proven to be beneficial. In addition, I believe that a government that turns its own people into enemies would be the most stupid. People’s hatred to regimes actually unites them

I believe that a government that turns its own people into enemies would be the most stupid.

People’s hatred to regimes actually unites them regardless of their affiliations. People have always proven that they eventually end up victorious.

The longer they fight, the costlier the victory becomes!

regardless of their affiliations.

People have always proven that they eventually end up victorious . The longer they fight, the costlier the victory becomes!

On the other hand, a wise, rational government would continue using a tender and gentler tone with people. It would go on pretending to be good, even if the truth were different.

We would ask the people to be more rational and wise, but nowadays, as the people are more empowered, the situations takes a complete U-turn.

I’m writing this article after taking up follow up action on Kuwait’s online news. Frankly speak ing, I used to disagree with young people whose objec tives were not clear. I feared that such movements were derailed by disloyal political powers. But now, the youth appear more focused and I can support them because I detest corruption!

I can also see that others have followed my steps after an incompetent government that is plagued with corruption and bribes that are worth millions!

Such ‘silence’ about corruption is weird and unacceptable.

Therefore, I urge all the wise statesmen to begin catching up with the pace of events in order to save the ship that has been caught up in a regional storm! — Aljarida

kuwait digest

Al-Sabah parliamentary majority a possibility?

By Mubarak Al-Moasharji

T

he Kuwaiti community consists of several social categories - ancestral, religious, tribal and even those based on one’s career - and each category can spawn other subcategories with different interests.

Regardless of how different parts of each category or subcategory can be, Kuwaitis are nevertheless always on the same page when it comes to two subjects: the prestigious status of the ruling Al-Sabah family and the Constitution.

Today, there are demands that include dissolving the Parliament and Cabinet, as well as amending the Constitution to turn Kuwait into a constitutional monarchy ruled by an elected government. I believe that the demands for a constitutional monarchy are difficult to achieve, because we k now how favoritism based on sectarian and tribal affinities can emerge when popular figures are selected as ministers.

But this brings up the following question: What if the AlSabah family decided to allow its members to run in parliamentary elections?

Wealth, influence, profound

political experience and distinguished relations with Kuwaiti society are all elements that

If Kuwait becomes a constitutional monarchy and candidates from the Al-Sabah family win a parliamentary majority, would the people currently making demands for such change allow a government to be formed by the Al-Sabah family in the Parliament?

would give candidates from the Al-Sabah family an advantage in running for parliamentary membership.

In my opinion, tribesmen who don’t have representatives in the Parliament and portions of the Sunni, Shiite and Liberal communities could form a base of voters that would cast its vote for an AlSabah candidate.

If they can coordinate properly, the Al-Sabah family can secure a majority in the Parliament; should they decide to run there, over all other political blocs, including those with tribal support.

The point that I am trying to make is this: If Kuwait becomes a constitutional monarchy and candidates from the Al-Sabah family win a parliamentar y majority, would the people currently making demands for such change allow a government to be formed by the Al-Sabah family in the Parliament?

I t may be a hypothetical question, but it nevertheless addresses a ver y impor tant choice facing the Al-Sabah family, given the popularit y and strong support that they already have from Kuwaitis — Al-Rai

ocal hospitals are embodiments of death. This is the sad truth. Incorrect diagnosis and wrong treatment cuts your life shorter. What is worse, the so-called doctors are not held accountable for their actions.

In a worst case scenario, tainted doctors may resign under rising media scrutiny and find refuge in a neighboring Arab country. They succeed in carrying on with their lives incognito, unless someone dredges up his or her dark past. They have no regard for the individual who they helped ‘murder!’

In a recent incident that took place in Kuwait, a Saudi woman was admitted into one of the local hospitals for delivery. After six days of suffering, the doctors performed a C-section on the woman. Her husband was informed that the woman had passed away and that the body was kept in the mortuary.

He was asked to complete all the paperwork and bury the corpse. As simple as that!

In a twist to the story, the woman woke up, while still locked up in the mortuary. She found herself in a dark and cold place and began pleading for help. Allah sent her an angel in the form of a cleaning worker. An Asian man who happened to be nearby opened the door and let her out!

Everyone was completely shocked. Interestingly, the cleaning worker was never found again so that his testimony could be recorded!

The husband filed a lawsuit against the hospital and the Ministry of Health. Sadly, no verdict has been passed on the case for about two years now.

Now I know the reason why no ailing government official is operated upon in government hospitals! They flee abroad to receive medical care.

After all, government hospitals are meant for the ordinary people whose lives aren’t worth much.

I firmly believe that the family of the wronged Saudi woman should appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The hospital authorities should not be allowed to evade responsibility.

kuwait digest

Corruption surrounds us on all sides

By Abdullatif Al-Amairi

O

ur current sorry saga began with the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) and the Kuwait Finance House (KFH). Both institutions reported the presence of suspiciously large deposits in nine MPs’ accounts to the Public Prosecutor, who is now investigating allegations of illegal, multimillion dinar transfers.

We have said several times that those MPs have a problem. It is not logical that they should side with the government, rightly or wrongly, without any comeuppance for their disloyalty.

Neither is it conscionable that the government should get off the hook on every grilling, to the extent that the government tramples over the public interest. These MPs were elected by the public but now side with the government.

Ultimately these MPs are a great threat to this state. Legislation and supervision are falling into the hands of a number of corrupt officials who take bribes, overlooked by a deeply suspicious government that benefits from bribing them.

It is strange that those MPs who are allegedly taking bribes have become deaf and dumb, which is surely proof of their guilt.

How can one explain that while their names have been publically published, none of them has denied the allegations? I can only describe them as dishonest people who have betrayed their nation and their fellow citizens who trusted them enough to elect them as representatives in the first place.

It is time to say ‘Enough!’ to this parliament and this government. You have shamed the name of Kuwait, besmirching it in front of the world. I don’t know how long this continuing scandal will go on, but it seems it will not end for as long as we continue with the current parliament and government.

Do they really deserve to remain in power?

Are they the worthy guardians of our futures and the futures of our children? Is it logical that all these shameful events are taking place while the authorities look on and do nothing? The authorities should show their honest intentions and take constructive measures to protect the state of Kuwait and its future from those who allegedly take bribes.

If they do not stand up for what is right, God only knows what will become of us. I am not exaggerating when I say that the current situation is very dangerous and that practical steps must be taken to protect Kuwait from its corrupt government and corrupt MPs who are concerned solely with how much wealth they can acquire. —Al-Anba

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KUWAIT: Three winners of the ‘Ramadan Quiz 2011’ Raffle Draw visited the Kuwait Times office yesterday to collect their prizes. The first prize winner Saifil Islam won a Panasonic 65-inch 3D TV, a 3D camcorder, and coupons for lunch or dinner at the Swiss Bel Hotel’s restaurant. The third place winner, Bilal Jawid won Jet Airways’ Kuwait-Mumbai return tickets, Cardini men’s watch, expert 1000 e-dictionary and Swiss Bel meal coupons, while in fourth place Muhamad Shabir won Kuwait-Mumbai-Kuwait plane ticket, Elysee men’s watch, expert 800 e-dictionary, lumix camera, artdeco make-up set and lunch or dinner (KD25) at Swiss-bel hotel restaurant.

Users opt for plastic cards over pocket cash

Special publication to mark Kuwait anniversaries LONDON: Kuwait deeply values its longstanding ties with the UK and looks forward to fostering those links yet further, HH the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah has said.

The prime minister noted that Kuwait will never forget the part played by the UK on both the military and the diplomatic fronts, in the liberation of Kuwait in 1991.

This came in the special edition of the Kuwait magazine published jointly by “FIRST” Publishing house and the Kuwait Embassy in London this week to mark the 50th anniversary of Kuwait’s independence, the 20th anniversary of the liberation and the 5th anniversary of the Accession of HH the Amir.

Kuwait is, in fact, the UK’S third largest trading partner in the Gulf, the Kuwait prime minister stressed.

The 38-page memorial magazine also included special word from the UK Queen Elizabeth in which she sent her best wishes to all concerned on this significant occasion.

The commemorative publication carries on its front cover a photo of HH the Amir. Lord Hurd, former Foreign Secretary said that on the past 50 years, Kuwait has survived and prospered in a turbulent part of the world.

Hurd is now the Chairman of FIRST Publications. There is also a special profile of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmed Al-Sabah, which emphasized that there are few figures in Kuwaiti political life able to match the depth and thread of his experience in international and domestic affairs.

“In its 50th anniversary year, Kuwait, under the wise governance of HH the Amir, stands out as a model for democracy in the region”, the magazine underlined in its glowing tribute of HH the Amir. HH the Amir has spoken about the

need to transform Kuwait into a worldclass financial and commercial centre in order to ensure prosperity for its citizens in decades to come.

In his special comment, the Kuwait Ambassador to the UK, Khaled AlDuwaisan, outlined the economic and strategic vision of Kuwait.

He asserted that the fundamental shifts that have defined the region since 2003 meant that Kuwait has established its economic policies and vision by taking advantage of the country’s important geographical location to support its development goals, via building a new city in the north of Kuwait called the “Silk City”, which has a huge harbor and railways to connect it to the northern Kuwaiti cities and also to the rest of the Gulf States.

The Ambassador, who is also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps here, affirmed that, for Kuwaitis, political cohesion and economic integration are at the top of the strategic agenda, in order to work together in the face of various regional and international challenges.

The special edition also highlights the role played by the Kuwait Investment Office (KIO) here as one of the largest investment institutions in the world since its establishment in London in 1953. KIO has also celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003 as one of the world’s first sovereign wealth funds.

For his part, Foreign Office Minister responsible for the Mideast, Alistair Burt congratulated the people of Kuwait on these anniversaries.

He also took the opportunity to hail the historic relations between Kuwait and the UK, which go back for centuries.

The major part played by the oil, petrochemical industries, shipping and the thriving business sector in Kuwait was also covered extensively by the magazine. — KUNA

Kuwait calls for restoring Libya’s UNHRC membership GENEVA: Kuwait yesterday called on the UN’s Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to consider restoring Libya’s membership in light of pledges made by Mohammed AlIlaqi, head of the Libyan Transitional Council delegation.

In a speech during a session of the council yesterday, Talal Al-Mutairi, advisor to the Kuwaiti permanent delegation in Geneva, called for continuing full support for the Libyan people to help them build a modern state, based on laws and justice, as well as strengthening the human rights that had been breached throughout the era of the ousted leader Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Al-Mutairi praised the brave stance of the permanent Libyan mission in Geneva, which he said defended the Libyan people in the face of the topped regime’s unjust and tyrannical practices.

Kuwait stressed the sovereignty, independence and territorial inviolability of Libya as well as expressing full solidarity with the brotherly Libyan people.

Kuwait has also expressed immense appreciation for the efforts exerted by the international commission, which has studied the status of human rights in Libya, and lauded Tripoli’s declaration that it would be increasing the number of international inspectors there. — KUNA

Some faced unpleasant situations

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Making payments in the form of cash is passe these days.

Most people prefer not to carry hard cash, opting to pay using a card, believing it to be a safer method. If it is lost, the bank can be informed and the card be cancelled immediately. Some feel that it is riskier to pay using credit cards that can be easily misused.

“I think it’s safe to use a credit card. When I used it in the United States, the bank sent me an SMS message to ensure that I used it.

Also, I can track it after verifying my signature. The bank can be aware if someone has used it.

Also, there are certain limits that cannot be exceeded.

Furthermore, in some places they ask for ID as proof to verify that I’m the rightful owner of the credit card,” Suzanne told the Kuwait Times.

It can be helpful to use the card in some situations and embarrassing in other, “If I needed money, I can call the bank and they can increase the credit limit.

Once, when I went to Lebanon it wasn’t working. I had to pay cash, although the branch of my bank had a presence there. It was embarrassing because they thought I don’t have any money,” she added. Other people have a

different opinion, “I don’t feel that it is safe to use a credit card. At most places that I used, no password was asked, simply passing the card through the machine resulted in the sum being deducted. So I thought that if I lost it, anybody who finds it can easily use it. More than once, some

had paid twice for the same piece.

Also it’s really annoying when the sales woman stares at me while entering the password. I feel I have no privacy,” stated Valery.

Mistakes always happen, “It happens to me frequently. The sum is deducted twice from my account, and even three times

KUWAIT: A man uses an ATM to withdraw money.

— Photo by Joseph Shagra shops have deducted the amount twice for the same item. Then I had to go back there producing a bank statement to prove that I

once. I never faced problems in reverting the amount to my account automatically. I receive a monthly statement by mail. I can

check if there are any errors.

Furthermore, I receive SMS messages on the visa card. Also, when I used the card abroad, bank officials called me (from Kuwait). This is to ensure that I use the card,” said Noora.

Other users of the credit card faced unpleasant situations, “Using credit cards is dangerous.

Last year, somebody used my credit card in East Europe and Africa although I have never been there. They spent about KD 300 at different dates and places. I then complained to the bank.

Following investigations, they returned the money to my account within 21 days. This situation has happened three times in the past two years. I have to lodge a complaint every time they make a mistake. Once I bought something for KD 70 and they deducted KD 140. It is only after I complained that I received my money back. This is annoying,” stressed Chris.

Some people buy more while using the credit card or debit card, “I love it, it’s better than carrying cash. The problem is that you don’t feel you’re spending. But later, I can find out If I have spent a lot. I didn’t face any problems. I only hate it when I don’t have any credit in my account,” highlighted Samar.

Kuwait to host Forum for the Future MARRAKECH: Kuwait was a strong presence and active participant during the Forum for the Future’s workshop on integration of youth and civil society in the development process, which concluded here Sunday evening, and the recommendations are to inspire the political agenda for the 8th Forum for the Future in Kuwait, Nov 21-22.

The remarks were those of the Kuwaiti representative to the Group of Eight, Middle East, and North Africa event and advisor at the Foreign Ministry Nasser Al-Mhareb Al-Hain. He said the two-day discussions had focused on aspects of democracy and modern development in the State of Kuwait, which co-chairs the 8th session of the forum along with France. There was considerable focus on integration of youth, women, and civil societies.

The recommendations the participants finally agreed upon were “constructive” and more importantly “viable,” and the scale of the

attendance had alone, he said, with some 100 participants, almost guaranteed success of the event.

The participants called for further integration of youth in political action and helping enhance their capabilities in this regard, for democratization of civil community bodies, and of decision making. They stressed the need to set up a fund to support youth initiatives, to work out mechanisms to encourage and guarantee interaction and exchange, and also to set up databanks and training and capacity-building centers.

With due stress on legislation amendment to accommodate aspired changes, the participants also put great stress on social and cooperative economics. There was also stress on universal rights such as freedom of expression, access to information, and support to alternative media.

This workshop was preceded by and is an

extension to the social workshop in Kuwait last May and the economic workshop in Marseille in June, which discussed issues related to gender equality, labor, and regional and economic integration.

The ministerial gathering due in Kuwait would see participation of some 42 ministers, foreign ministry officials, and other senior state officials.

The recommendations of all three workshops are to be forwarded to concerned governments in line with the “Deauville Partnership”. The partnership with Arab peoples seeking reform and breakaway from dictatorship was announced May 27, 2011, by G8 leaders and US President Barak Obama.

The partnership was stated to be an initiative to “support the nascent democratic transitions ... (as the people) undertake the necessar y political, economic, and social reforms. — KUNA

CB governor denies clash with govt over committee limitations KUWAIT: Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah, the governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, has denied rumors that he wishes to resign from his position heading a top-level anti-money laundering committee, although he has stated that he would prefer to be relieved of the responsibility due to his other commitments. According to a report in local daily Al-Qabas last week, Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem was seeking to give up the position due to his frustration over delays in implementing the relevant legislation and because he felt unable to meet the increasing pressure of holding a number of high-level positions.

Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah issued a statement clarifying his position on Sunday in response to the article by noted anti-gov-

ernment commenter Dr. Mohammad Abdulmohsen Al-Moqatei, which had suggested that relations between the Central Bank governor and the cabinet were strained after his attempts to hold senior state officials to account over corruption allegations were thwarted.

Al-Moqatei, a political activist and constitutional expert who writes a weekly column with a strong anti-government slant for the paper, claimed in the article published last Thursday that cabinet members had denied a request from Sheikh Salem to question certain senior state officials whose names were cited as having paid massive sums of money into MPs’ bank accounts, triggering the current crisis over allegations of multi-

million dinar political bribes. As the chairman of the National Committee to Combat Money-Laundering and the Funding of Terrorism - the post which Al-Moqatei alleged that Sheikh Salem quit after his request was rejected - the CBK director has the authority to question officials at all levels. “I can assure you that the information given in the column is not accurate,” said Sheikh Salem’s statement, a copy of which was sent directly to Al-Qabas, which published it yesterday (Monday).

Stressing that he has not submitted his resignation, Sheikh Salem conceded that he would prefer to be relieved of his duties heading the committee “due to the mounting responsibilities vested in the holder of

that position, which add to the growing responsibilities posed in my original post as governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait.”

The CBK head further noted that in April of this year he had sent a letter to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah explaining the necessity of turning the national anti-money laundering committee into an independent entity under the overall aegis of the cabinet.

Talking about the committee’s work, Sheikh Salem stated, “[The committee] prepares the necessary regulations and controls to fight money laundering and the funding of terrorism as part of a strategy to match Kuwait’s other efforts in this field

according to international recommendations,” he explained. and terrorism funding, in a mechanism that matches Kuwait’s efforts in this fields as per international recommendations.” The CBK head also noted that exposing individuals involved in money laundering is not amongst the tasks for which the committee has responsibility. “ This job is the sole responsibility of Kuwait’s financial investigations unit,” he said, citing this as proof of the inaccuracy of Al-Moqatei’s assertions.

Sheikh Salem added that he had previously made his preference for resigning as head of the anti-money-laundering committee in a statement published by Al-Jarida on August 23, 2011. — Al-Qabas

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

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Fugitive drug addict assaults wife in Jabriya Two policemen injured KUWAIT: Two policemen were injured by a fugitive drug addict whilst they were arresting him after he assaulted and threatened to kill his wife.

Police rushed to the Kuwaiti couple’s home in Jabriya after receiving reports that the man was intent on murdering his spouse. After he refused to admit them, police broke down the door, only to find him holding a knife to his terrified wife’s throat and threatening to kill her if the policemen did not leave. Eventually the officers managed to calm him down and succeeded in releasing the woman, with the thuggish husband injuring two of them in his efforts to escape detention. They eventually managed to take him to the police station, along with his sister who was present at the scene and also attacked officers as they were placing him under arrest. It was subsequently discovered that the troublesome husband was wanted in connection with 20 previous cases in which he had been charged with drug-related offences.

Weight problem Five portly ladies were freed from an elevator in a South Jahra apartment block after it broke down, apparently as a result of their decision to ignore the maximum weight limit warning and get into it together. Firefighters were at the scene shortly after the lift breakdown was reported, with the women quickly being rescued unscathed. They subsequently learnt that the breakdown most probably took place because the elevator in question has a 400 kilogram (881 lbs) maximum weight limit whilst each of the five women weighed at least 100 kilograms (220 lbs).

Claim, counter-claim A woman has been accused of bringing false sexual harassment charges against her boss, who claims that she was doing so in revenge for his reprimanding her over her negligence in performing her secretarial duties. The expatriate woman initially told officers at Hawally police station that the manager of the company where she works, also an expatriate, had been making sexual advances to her, even going so far as to threaten to fire her if she continued to reject his demands. When officers interviewed the manager, however, he rejected the accusation, telling them that he had repeatedly reprimanded the secretary over her poor performance at work, warning her that she risked losing her job if she continued to be so unprofessional. He insisted that her claims of sexual harassment were made in an attempt to take revenge for these warnings. Police have launched an investigation and are interviewing other staff at the company in an attempt to determine the truth behind the two contradicting accounts of events.

Girl power A teenage sex pest fled with his tail between his legs after receiving a well-deserved slap in

the face from a young woman who he was harassing in Hawally. The youth was apparently following a group of young women around, making suggestive comments despite their repeated indications that they wanted nothing to do with him. When he followed them into a restaurant, one of the young women, tired of his failure to take a hint and leave them alone, adopted a direct approach and slapped him in the face. At this, he finally got the message and fled.

Cafe assault Police are hunting for a group of thugs who brutally assaulted a man whose only offence was to intervene in a row between them and waiters at a cafe in Jahra in an attempt to resolve their dispute.

The five young men had apparently got into an argument with the waiters at the cafe over the KD4 bill, which they refused to pay. When another young customer stepped in to attempt to reason with them and persuade them to pay the bill since cafe staff were set to phone police if they did not do so, they savagely attacked him, leaving him with multiple injuries, before fleeing. Their victim was rushed to hospital, while the hunt continues for the thuggish tight-fisted customers.

Unneighborly behavior A Kuwaiti man has been accused of smashing his neighbor’s car windows and damaging the vehicle’s bodywork following a row between them over a parking space outside their adjacent homes in Sulaibikhat. The neighbor, also Kuwaiti, told officers at the local police station that he had emerged from his home one morning to find the car trashed. He immediately suspected his neighbor since they have had a bitter argument the previous day over his neighbor’s parking his own car in front of the victim’s home. The accused man and his son were taken in for questioning over the incident.

In a ver y similar incident, this time in Andalus, a national of another GCC country accused his Kuwaiti neighbor of slashing his car’s tires with a knife because he had parked it in an area in front of their homes which the citizen believes is part of his property. An investigation is underway into the incident.

Spiteful sibling A Kuwaiti man found himself behind bars over what he insists are fabricated charges pressed by his reckless brother, who he says made them up following a fraternal falling out.

According to a security insider, the troublemaking brother had put his sibling into an awkward position with a good friend after persuading the friend, without his brother’s knowledge, to hire a sports car in his own name for the reckless brother’s use. After doing so, however, the

News

in brief

Al-Tabtabaie career KUWAIT: A well-known and influential Kuwaiti Salafist activist reportedly intends to stand for election in the third electoral constituency if the current parliament is dissolved. In an article on yesterday’s Al-Ahasela Kwuaiti news website, a political insider said that the unnamed but influential figure’s decision to stand for election would effectively signal the end of veteran MP Dr. Walid Al-Tabtabaie’s political career since the new contender would most certainly win his seat. Dr. AlTabtabaie barely scraped in at the last election, said the insider, winning only 7,452 votes in total.

S Korean minister KUWAIT: Acting Kuwait Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak AlHamad Al-Sabah discussed bilateral cooperation with the visiting South Korean Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Kwon Do-youb yesterday. This came after Sheikh Jaber had received the visiting South Korean minister, who was accompanied by his country’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Kim Kyung-Sik. The two sides also discussed issues of mutual interest. The encounter was held in the presence of the Director of the Office of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Saleh Al-Humaidhi.

Price increase KUWAIT: A number of local retailers, including Cooperative Societies, have been accused of exploiting recent wage rises for Kuwaiti public and private sector workers and the lack of regulatory supervision to introduce price increases on a wide range of goods. One municipality official said that amongst the item prices checked in recent visits to local retailers, 310 had seen definite sharp increases of up to 100 percent in recent weeks for no good reason. The insider demanded that measures be introduced to protect consumers from such cynical exploitation.

Strike action KUWAIT: Strike action by staff at the Palace of Justice on Sunday meant that no cases were heard there. Staff at the court, where at least a few marriages and annulments are usually performed daily, decided to stage a strike over demands for pay rises and have threatened further strikes until these are met.

irresponsible youth damaged the car whilst driving it, with his sibling’s remarkably patient friend offering to pay for the damages in order to avoid any problems.

Eventually, the negligent young man’s brother found out about his actions and immediately repaid his friend for the cost of the damage before returning home where he got into a heated argument with his irresponsible brother, castigating him over his actions.

Shortly after this incident, the principled brother was shocked to receive a call from officers at Rumaithiya police station, summoning him to the station and telling him that his spiteful sibling had pressed assault charges, as well as accusing him of stealing KD9,000. The young man immediately went to the station and was detained pending investigations, although police are extremely skeptical of the accuser’s story. The security insider added that the imprisoned man “stood in shock behind bars as he watched his reckless brother walk away from the police station, leaving him behind.”

Ex-MP facing scandal A political scandal is brewing after a former MP was apparently found in possession of drug syringes after fleeing a suspicious latenight gathering following a police raid. The incident apparently began when patrol officers spotted a number of cars parked in an isolated spot in Salmiya late on Saturday night, becoming suspicious of what the occupants were up to. When the police vehicle came closer, however, the cars immediately sped off. The officers were able to catch up with and pull over one of the fleeing cars, with one patrolman immediately recognizing the driver as a former MP. On checking the car, the officer grew more suspicious after finding syringes, which were removed for testing to assess whether they were, as the ex-parliamentarian insisted, used for injecting insulin for diabetics or are instead used for illegal narcotics. Police did not specify what action was taken against the former MP. Female driver freed Saudi authorities have released a Kuwaiti woman who was recently arrested for driving a car in the Arab Kingdom where women are strictly prohibited from driving any vehicle.

The woman was released following the intervention of officials from the Kuwaiti embassy af ter she explained to Saudi M inistr y of Interior officials that she had taken over the driving from her brother after he became exhausted during a trip from Kuwait to Bahrain. She further indicated that at the time she was stopped by police in Jubail in Eastern KSA, she had been hunting for a hotel in which they could stay for the night so that her brother could resume driving the next day. All the charges against her have been dropped. — Al-Rai, Al-Watan

GCC news agencies eye more cooperation RIYADH: Wrapping up their meeting at the Saudi capital, Gulf Cooperation Council official news agency chiefs yesterday highlighted the importance of bolstering cooperation in covering events in their countries. The agency chiefs also agreed on intensifying reports that clarify and promote GCC member states’ policies and stances.

They stressed the necessity of receiving and broadcasting GCC-related news from its official sources. The agencies should also exert all efforts in distributing GCC news to the largest possible number of media outlets through reproducing the news in other languages, the officials recommended.

The conferees asked the GCC Secretariat to prepare a study on the nature and vol-

ume of GCC-related news on the bulletins of member states.

They underlined the need for developing human resources in the news agencies by organizing joint training courses.

The participants also assigned to Bahrain News Agency, the task of setting a vision about a unified account for GCC news agencies on social networks Facebook and Twitter and YouTube, to help GCC-related news reach a greater number of users.

The Chairman and Director General of Kuwait News Agency Sheikh Mubarak Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah headed the Kuwaiti delegation to this meeting, chaired by Chairman of Emirates News Agency (WAM) Ibrahim Abed. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Firemen in action after a fire broke out at a carpentry workshop in the basement of a building in Khaitan yesterday.

One dead in Khaitan blaze

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: One man died and four others, including a fireman, were rushed to hospital following a blaze that broke out at a carpentry workshop in the basement of a building in Khaitan yesterday. Firefighters from Farwaniya, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and the rescue center were quickly at the scene, rescuing the three men and removing the body of the fourth before tackling the blaze.

Five hurt in car accidents A 20-year-old Kuwaiti man was rushed to Adan Hospital after suffering multiple injuries in a car crash in Fahaheel yesterday.

Three Egyptian men who sustained minor injuries in the same accident were also tak-

en to the hospital. In a separate incident, a 38-year-old Bangladeshi man suffered a broken thigh bone when he was hit by a car whilst crossing a street near Farwaniya Hospital. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Smuggler busted Police have arrested an Egyptian expatriate who attempted to smuggle more than 10,000 illegal narcotic tablets into the country by hiding them inside bags of frozen meat. Customs officers at Kuwait International Airport quickly found the drugs and detained the man who insisted that he was innocent and had been asked by a stranger at Cairo Airport to take the meat to Kuwait to deliver to a person here.

The man remains in custody pending trial.

Fingerprint attendance suspended

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The fingerprint attendance system has been suspended at fire centers until further notice, Maj Gen Jassim AlMansouri, Director General of the Fire Service Directorate announced. The decision was made after convening a meeting with several fire fighters. Employees’ financial demands are also being reviewed.

Maj Gen Jassim Al-Mansouri

Stock exchange workers threaten strike action KUWAIT: Employees of Kuwait Stock Exchange have threatened to take strike action if the administration there fails to implement Article 157 of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) legislation transferring management of the KSE to the new authority.

The 280 KSE staff held a meeting on Sunday, during which they unanimously agreed that continuing to work under the management of the KSE administration clearly violates the recent legislation under which the CMA is fully responsible for control of their work. The KSE personnel asserted that by continuing to work under the current system they would in effect be breaking the law, and have submitted complaints on the issue to the Minister of Commerce and the heads of the KSE and CMA, demanding that control of the stock exchange be immediately transferred to the CMA. They also demanded that they receive

their backdated salaries and bonuses and end-of-service allowance immediately in accordance with the legislation transferring responsibility for management of the stock exchange.

Meanwhile, Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Amani Buresli said on Sunday that she has sent official notification to all the members of the current KSE management board suspending all of the board’s administrative powers since the board is effectively invalid due to three of its members voiding their membership by simultaneously sitting on other bodies’ management boards.

“I did not issue a statement and prefe r re d to co n t a c t t h e m o f f i c i a l l y i n writing because the authority’s management board now lacks legal quorum to issue any regulations,” Buresli explained. — Al-Shahed & Annahar

PIC presents KRCS with ambulances to serve Somalia KUWAIT: Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) presented Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) with two fullyequipped ambulances that would be used to serve the Somali people. The initiative, a representative said yesterday, comes in line with the company’s social responsibility gestures.

PIC Communications and Ser vices Director Abdelhadi Al-Hajri said such ges-

tures by civil community bodies and corporate bodies in support of humanitarian aid and action are ver y common in Kuwait and elsewhere and gaining in momentum. The company sought to cooperate with KRCS in view of its great record of credibility and willingness and pioneering in humanitarian action across the world, Al-Hajri added.

KRCS Administrative Affairs Director

Nabil Al-Hafiz meanwhile stressed such gestures are valuable and greatly support the society in meeting its objectives and fulfilling its mission wherever need arise.

The society would continue to come up with programs and initiatives that meet the donors’ expectations and guides them in their efforts to help those in need.

The public campaign in support of Somalia organized recently was “a raving

success,” he said, and garnered great donations from individuals and corporate bodies alike.

Kuwait Red Crescent Society was one of the first Arab aid groups to launch efforts in Somalia and organized aid p ro gr a m s a n d a c t i v i t i e s to a d d re s s famine and drought, which is affecting the majority of the countries in the region.— KUNA

KUWAIT: The Minister of Education and Higher Education Ahmed Al-Mulaifi along with top ministry officials paid a visit to intermediate and secondary level schools on the first day of the new academic year yesterday. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

France skewers Strauss-Kahn for ‘public relations’ apology

Quake hits Himalayan region killing 63 Page 11

Palestinians build state, but restricted by Israel HEBRON: The Palestinians will be able to make a strong case that they have built the foundations of a nation when they ask the UN this week to recognize an independent Palestine in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, the lands Israel occupied in 1967. In the West Bank, they’ve been laying the infrastructure piece by piece, including widely praised systems of public finance and banking and a US -trained security force.

They’ve amassed many of the trappings of independence, from their own internet domain and international dialing code to a flag, an anthem and a national football team.

But their UN bid also highlights a simple, bitter reality: They cannot establish an actual state without Israel’s blessing, even if the Security Council or a majority of General Assembly members recognize Palestine in pre-1967 borders. Israel has kept a tight grip on the occupied lands, even while engaging in sporadic talks - frozen since late 2008 - on the terms of Palestinian statehood. It has annexed east Jerusalem, enforces a border blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza and retains ultimate say in the West Bank, despite limited self-rule there by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s government.

Israel remains the final arbiter for some 4 million Palestinians who often can’t travel, trade or even build homes without Israeli permission. Ambitious plans can’t advance, such as building an international airport in the West Bank or issuing a currency, the Palestine pound, to replace the Israeli shekel. “It’s not going to change anything in my life,” Mofid Sharabati, a plumber in the city of Hebron, said Sunday of the bid for UN recognition.

His family of seven lives in the Israeli-controlled center of Hebron, where some 500 Jewish settlers live. For the past five months, Israel has blocked Sharabati’s plans to enlarge his cramped home even though he says he has a building permit.

He was never given a reason, but says he believes it’s because of pressure from settlers. Many Palestinians are losing hope, saying they’ve tried everything to dislodge Israel’s occupation - negotiations, a violent uprising, nonviolent protests.

Abbas’s UN bid grew from the same desperation. The Palestinian leader believes there’s no point in negotiating with Benjamin Netanyahu because the Israeli leader seems unwilling to go as far as some previous Israeli leaders did - contemplating a state in the pre-1967 borders, with some adjustments and land swaps to allow Israel to keep a few of the largest Jewish settlements closest to the old armistice line.

Netanyahu says he now accepts a two-state solution, but his envisioned borders seem far from what the Palestinians would accept, and he has enraged them with continued construction in Jewish settlements deep inside the West Bank.

Netanyahu has couched his arguments in security.

Memories of Palestinian suicide bombings a decade earlier remain vivid, and Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 was followed by years of rocket fire by Gaza militants on southern Israel. Israeli officials also say Palestinians failed to respond to serious peace offers in 2000 and 2008. “Palestine” won’t get full UN membership since only the Security Council could bestow such a status and the US has said it would use its veto. As a lesser option, the General Assembly would likely accept Palestine as a nonmember observer state.

West Bank-based Prime Minister Salam Fayyad says his biggest achievement during four years in office has been to foster a shift toward pragmatism by focusing on the groundwork for a state. “There is a sense of self-empowerment, that we can do this,” he said earlier this year.

Fayyad has partial control over some 40 percent of the West Bank - islands of territory where the vast majority of its 2.5 million Palestinians live. Israel controls the rest, including key water sources and crossings in and out. It has final say over who can live in the territory and has restricted Palestinian immigration. That arrangement was created by interim peace deals of the 1990s, a transition phase that has lived far beyond its intended five years. The sense of being boxed-in is pervasive in the West Bank, a territory about twice the size of Luxembourg. Palestinians must carry Israeli-issued ID cards, and anyone caught without one at any of the dozens of Israeli checkpoints within the territory could face detention.

Palestine’s desired capital, east Jerusalem, is off-limits to Fayyad’s government, a point driven home by a towering wall of cement slabs - part of Israel’s barrier of separation from the Palestinians. Still, there is visible progress. Construction sites line the main road from the graffiti-covered barrier wall into the interim capital of Ramallah, a metropolitan area of 120,000.

Scores of restaurants, coffee shops and bars, and more than a dozen hotels, have opened in Ramallah, serving an SUV-driving middle class and foreigners employed by international aid groups. A 23-floor glass-fronted office tower, topped by a revolving restaurant, is under construction. The municipality is repaving streets, laying new sewage and water pipes and planting flowers. Some $300 million are going toward a new industrial zone. In Hebron, the ancient and often troubled city to the south, mayor Khaled Oseily has completed $150 million worth of largely foreign-funded projects, including 20 schools and a municipal sports complex with squash courts and indoor gym. — AP

WEST BANK: Palestinian boys hold flags and flash Vsigns during a rally in support of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in the West Bank city of Tulkarem yesterday. Abbas is set to address the UN this week, planning to ask the world to recognize a Palestinian state. —AP

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Iran arrests contributors to BBC channel TEHRAN: Iran has arrested several people for supplying information to the British Broadcasting Corporation, accusing them of seeking to portray a negative image of the Islamic state, media reported yesterday. Few western journalists are permitted to work in Iran where the government views much of the foreign media with suspicion. The BBC’s Farsi-language T V news service is only available to owners of illegal satellite receivers and its signal is often jammed.

The newspaper Resalat said five men and one woman had been arrested, identifying them only by their ini-

tials. “They were members of a network which supplies information, produces films and clandestine reports for the BBC Persian programme, aimed at portraying a bleak picture of Iran,” Resalat said. The hardline daily Kayhan said a number of people had been arrested “in different places in the capital.” It quoted Revolutionary Guards spokesman Ramezan Sharif as saying: “The BBC tries to identify elements inside the country (who produce) particular cultural productions in order to use them against the Islamic establishment.”

BBC Persian broadcasts live news,

documentaries and entertainment programs aimed at Farsi speakers, mostly in Iran and Afghanistan.

Terrestrial Iranian television is completely controlled by the state. In London, the BBC said in a statement that the six filmmakers arrested in Iran were not BBC staffers but “independent documentary filmmakers whose films have been screened in festivals and other venues internationally.”

BBC Persian television had brought the rights to broadcast their and other films, a common practice, but had not commissioned them, the statement quoted Liliane Landor, Controller,

Languages, BBC Global News, as saying. “We consider this (the arrests) to be part of ongoing efforts by the Iranian government to put pressure on the BBC for the impartial and balanced coverage of its Persian-language TV of events in Iran and the wider region,” Landor said.

Iran has accused foreign media of helping foment the unrest that followed the disputed 2009 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

International human rights groups frequently criticize the lack of freedom of expression in Iran. Tehran denies the charge, saying it allows free speech.

Iranian journalists say they have to tread carefully in their reporting to avoid having their publications closed.

The publicly funded BBC said its Persian television “has been subject to increasing and aggressive jamming from within Iran.

The channel has suffered deliberate attempts to interfere with its signal intermittently since its launch in 2009.”

“The interference intensified on the evening of Saturday 17 September just as the channel had begun broadcasting a documentary about Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah (Ali) Khamenei,” it added.—Reuters

Ahmadinejad heads to UN assembly weakened by rivals Leadership concerned over Arab revolts spillover

BALADIYAT: Iraqi security forces stand guard in front of a prison in Baladiyat neighborhood in eastern Baghdad, Iraq yesterday. Eight inmates were killed in an early morning fire yesterday at a prison in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, police and medical officials said.—AP

Fire at prison in Iraqi capital kills 8 inmates BAGHDAD: Eight inmates were killed in an early morning fire yesterday at a prison in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, police and medical officials said. At least 31 other inmates were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries from the blaze that broke out at dawn in an Interior Ministry jail in Baladiyat, a mostly Shiite neighborhood in eastern Baghdad.

Lawmaker Hakim Al-Zamili, who represents the nearby Sadr City area, said the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction. He confirmed the death toll.

Al-Zamili called on authorities to speed the investigations of some of the inmates, many of whom he said have not

yet been charged and may be innocent.

He also sought to quell speculation that the inmates may have started the fire in an attempted prison break. “They could have escaped, but they did not,” Al-Zamili said. “We understand that there is frustration and the prisons suffer from shortcomings, but the real reason of the fire is a short circuit.”

He said the surviving inmates in the area where the fire broke out have been transferred to elsewhere in the prison. It took firefighters about an hour to extinguish the blaze, and the injured and dead were taken to Kindi and Ibin Nafees hospitals.—AP

More than 3,500 Syrian refugees in Lebanon: UN BEIRUT: More than 3,500 Syrian refugees fleeing a military crackdown against pro-democracy protests have registered with the United Nations in neighboring Lebanon, a UN report said, with more than 600 new arrivals in the past two weeks. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) report, published on Friday, said 3,580 displaced Syrians have registered in north Lebanon since protesters first took to the streets to demand the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in March.

“Most Syrians who have been displaced from their villages in recent weeks enter Lebanon at official border crossings since unofficial crossing points are reportedly heavily guarded by Syrian authorities,” the report said.

“Some have expressed concerns that the reduced number of accessible crossing points may prevent persons from leaving Syria for fear of having to provide their names to the Syrian authorities at the official points which have remained open.” Wadi Khaled, the mountainous region in northern Lebanon where the refugees stay, is known as a base for smuggling as petrol and certain food items are cheaper in Syria.

Residents have told Reuters that unofficial movement across the border was fluid before the crisis but some Syrian

refugees complain of being stuck in Wadi Khaled where they are visible to the Syrian military across the border. Many say they fear arrest if they attempt to return. Most of the displaced Syrians live with host families, but some 100 people are accommodated in schools, the report said. The United Nations says 2,600 people have been killed since Syrians rose up against Assad six months ago, inspired by revolts in North Africa which overthrew leaders of Egypt and Tunisia and have now also ousted Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi.

Syrian authorities blame the violence on armed groups, saying 700 soldiers and police have been killed. Syria prevents most international media from operating in the country, making it difficult to independently verify witness and official accounts. The Lebanese army said a group of Syrian army soldiers crossed 200 metres into Lebanese territory last week while pursing fleeing Syrians. “The Lebanese army immediately headed to the area, only to find that the Syrian army unit went back to the Syrian territory,” a Lebanese army statement said, adding the Syrian soldiers continued to fire into Lebanon after the retreat. Some of the refugees, especially men, say they will not return to Syria with Assad’s government in power.— Reuters

Iran hangs 22 men for drug trafficking TEHRAN: An Iranian state-owned newspaper says authorities have hanged 22 people convicted of drug trafficking. The report by IRAN daily says the executions were carried out Sunday in Tehran Evin prison as well as a prison in the city of Karaj, some 25 miles (45 kilometers) west of the capital, Tehran. It says all the men, who were only identified by their first names, had previous criminal convic-

tions. While Iranian authorities do not officially publish the number of executions in the countr y, human rights groups say scores of people have been hanged in Iran since the start of the year.

The country allows for a strict enforcement of Islamic law. Crimes that are punishable by death penalty in Iran include drug trafficking, murder, rape, armed robbery and kidnapping.—AP

TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad headed for the annual UN General Assembly yesterday with little scope for effective diplomacy, weakened by rivals at home manoeuvring to prevent his words to the world being taken as Tehran’s official stance. Trying to divert attention from his fading standing in the Islamic Republic, Ahmadinejad told US media on Tuesday the two US citizens recently sentenced to eight years in prison for alleged espionage would be freed “in a couple of days”.

But Iran’s judiciary, controlled by rival conservative hardliners, immediately and publicly humiliated Ahmadinejad by ruling out any imminent release of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, highlighting the president’s deepening credibility deficit.

“Hardline rulers have taken the gloves off against Ahmadinejad ... by delaying the release of the Americans ... The establishment showed that Ahmadinejad is a lame-duck president,” said political analyst Hasan Farzi. “Such a weak president is unlikely to be able to achieve any diplomatic breakthrough while meeting world leaders in New York.”

Contradictory announcements

by Iranian leaders renders comprehension of Iran’s complex clericalled hierarchy even more difficult for the West in such sensitive areas as diplomacy on Iran’s contested nuclear program and the popular upheaval in Syria, Iran’s key ally in the Middle East. Iranian politicians, influential clerics and the elite Revolutionary Guards, who quelled anti-government outpourings in the streets after Ahmadinejad’s disputed 2009 re-election, have distanced themselves from the president over his challenging of the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Ahmadinejad has suffered a series of dramatic setbacks in his power struggle with Khamenei. In the past months at least 25 allies of Ahmadinejad have been arrested and several websites affiliated with them have been blocked. His closest ally, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, has been accused of graft, leading

TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, foreground third left, listens to Iranian national anthem, with other participants of the “Islamic Awakening” conference in Tehran on Sunday. Iran has praised the Arab uprisings, saying the change of governments shows a new Middle East is emerging that will doom Israel and break free of what it calls American interference. —AP a “deviant current” that seeks to challenge the theocratic establishment, and links to a $2.6 billion bank fraud described as the biggest financial scam in Iran’s history.

Ahmadinejad has rejected the accusations against his allies and Mashaei is accompanying the president on his UN trip. Khamenei swiftly endorsed Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election, which created a rift among Iran’s hardline ruling elites and ignited months of antigovernment street protests. When Khamenei reinstated Ahmadinejad’s sacked intelligence minister in April, the president refused to go to his office for 11 days but lost the battle after Khamenei signalled that he might be dismissed.

An Iranian official who asked not to be named said Khamenei’s allies had warned Ahmadinejad to avoid vitriolic speeches at the United Nations, where in the past he has called for Israel’s annihilation and claimed that the United States orchestrated the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington. “Even if

he gives fiery speeches or again calls for Israel to be wiped off the map, these words should not be interpreted as the views of hardline rulers,” said analyst Hamid Farahvashi.

“The warning was given to prevent any bitter surprises ... that could put more pressure on the country and its leadership,” he said.

“But Ahmadinejad is unpredictable.” Iran’s cleric-led elite is concerned above all about any spillover effect of popular uprisings against dictatorial leaders in the Arab world. They say these revolts have been inspired by Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, although most analysts say they are secular and pro-democracy in nature. “The main issue for Khamenei is preserving the establishment when all these regime changes are taking place in the region,” said Farzi.

Iranian opposition leaders Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi have been put under house arrest since February to minimise prospects for any unrest. But the leaders insist the pro-reform

movement is still alive. Some analysts say Ahmadinejad’s efforts to release the US citizens could be aimed at refurbishing his international image. “Ahmadinejad can claim that his efforts to build better ties with the world failed because of his hardline rivals,” said analyst Hamidreza Bokharai. “Any kind of backing by the West can strengthen Ahmadinejad’s position in Iran,” he said, because many Iranians want the Islamic Republic to open up to the West.

A political constellation of conservative elites has crystallised against Ahmadinejad, analysts say, to block his camp winning upcoming elections. “Hardliners have aligned to block Ahmadinejad’s allies to win the parliamentary election in March, which will be a litmus test for Ahmadinejad’s popularity,” said analyst Reza Sedghi. “(However), he still enjoys the support of lower-income Iranians ... Ahmadinejad is like Robin hood for some Iranians because of cash handouts by the government.”— Reuters

Secular Syrian opposition urges UN to protect civilians PARIS: Syria’s secular opposition yesterday urged the international community to protect civilians against Bashar Al-Assad’s government repression, in an implicit call for foreign intervention. A dozen parties and political figures representing non-Islamist opposition groups from various Kurdish and Arab, Christian and Muslim communities are meeting in Paris amid a revolt against the Syrian regime.

The group has created a Syrian Coalition of Secular and Democratic Forces (CSDF) and issued a joint statement calling for Bashar AlAssad’s autocratic rule to be replaced by a secular, elected government. “We call on the international community to adopt a United Nations resolution to protect civilians,” the statement said. Initially, some of the groups represented in Paris wanted to make a clear call for international intervention in their homeland, but some delegates feared this might trigger a backlash against their communities.

Instead, they modeled their appeal on UN resolution 1973, in which the Security Council authorized international action to protect Libyan civilians from Muammar Gaddafi’s regime. France, Britain and a coalition of NATO and Arab partners interpreted resolution 1973 as giving them legal backing for a military intervention, which eventually helped Libyan rebels overthrow the strongman. But some powers, including permanent security council member Russia, argued NATO had overstepped its mandate. Moscow is a close ally of

ANKARA: Members of Syrian opposition living in Turkey, wave their national and Turkish flags as they stage a protest against the Syrian regime outside the United Nations headquarters yesterday. — AFP Assad, making it unlikely that a similar motion could be passed for Syria.

In addition, the Syrian opposition is divided.

Another coalition, the National Coordinating Committee for Democratic Change includes Arab and Kurdish nationalists, Marxists and independent figures such as writer Michel Kilo and economist Aref Dalila. And other oppo-

nents to the regime include liberals and Islamist movements of various stripes, including the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Two more opposition groups were set up in Turkey at the end of August-the mainly Islamist “National Council” and the “National Council of Syrian Transition” headed by Burhan Ghaliyoun, a Paris-based academic.— AFP

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Five die at biker festival

in brief

Missing Mexican lawmaker believed found dead MEXICO CITY: A body believed to be that of a Mexican lawmaker who had been missing for nearly two weeks was found this weekend, local officials said on Sunday. The body of a man fitting the description of Moises Villanueva, a representative in Mexico’s lower house of Congress, was found on Saturday near a roadside in the southwest state of Guerrero, a spokesman for the local prosecutor’s office told Reuters. Villanueva had been missing since Sept 4.

“They are checking for a fingerprint match to confirm but all indications, such as the clothes he was wearing, suggest that it is him,” said Roberto Camps, the spokesman for the Guerrero prosecutor’s office.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon sent the army to confront drug smugglers soon after he took office in December 2006 and politicians have sometimes been targeted by gangs. In June last year, a popular gubernatorial candidate in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas was gunned down by suspected drug hitmen in a brazen highway attack. Torre’s killing was the first big political assassination in Mexico since the 1994 murders of presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio.

Clinton: Opposition to soften in election year WASHINGTON: Former President Bill Clinton is dismissing Republican criticism of President Barack Obama’s proposal to raise taxes on the wealthy.

Clinton says the Republican argument that Obama’s proposal will kill jobs is “what they always say.” Clinton told NBC’s “Today” show yesterday he believes the opposition will soften in the upcoming election year, just as it did when he was president. In 1995, his clash with Republicans led to two government shutdowns, but the next year, as elections were gearing up, he enjoyed greater cooperation. Republican leaders already are lining up against Obama’s proposals to end Bush-era tax cuts and to increase taxes on the wealthiest Americans. But Clinton says such arguments are an insult to wealthy Americans, including many who don’t mind paying more.

Brazil police arrest suspects in Amazon killings SAO PAULO: Police in Brazil say they have arrested two men suspected in the killings of two Amazon activists earlier this year. Authorities say brothers Jose Rodrigues Moreira and Lindonjonson Silva Rocha were found hiding Sunday in a rural area of Para state.

Para is where activists Jose Claudio Ribeiro da Silva and his wife, Maria, were killed in May while trying to help landless families. A judge ordered the men’s arrest in July based on evidence presented by police and prosecutors. They had been fugitives since then.

The watchdog group Catholic Land Pastoral says more than 1,150 rural activists have been killed in Brazil over the past 20 years. It says the slayings are mostly carried out by gunmen working for loggers, ranchers and farmers.

carbon monoxide suspected TENNESSEE: Fumes from a generator leaked into a recreational vehicle, killing three men and two women who were at a biker festival to raise money for needy children, an organizer for the event said.

Police were investigating the deaths but said no foul play was suspected. Two of the men worked security into the early morning hours Sunday during the festival’s party, which featured motorcycle drag races, live music and bikini and tattoo contests. The charity’s website said there was free beer.

Bill Langford, the director of the event Bikers Who Care, was puzzled over the deaths at the Clarksville Speedway. It appears a small storage hatch on the RV did not close properly, allowing fumes from the generator to leak inside the vehicle, Langford said.

The gases were so bad in the camper that the bikers who found the bodies were taken to a hospital after feeling dizzy and light-headed, Langford said.

They all had high amounts of carbon

monoxide in their systems, he said.

Langford said the bikers’ group was like a family and he was close friends with the people who had died. He identified them as a married couple, another couple and one of the men’s co-workers.

The married couple had 8-month-old twins. The man was a truck driver and his wife was a school teacher. All of the victims were from the Clarksville area about 40 miles northwest of Nashville. By Sunday evening, the crowd of a couple of thousand people had thinned and only a handful of people remained, sitting around campfires. Nearby, portable toilets were still out and a party tent was still up with a large American flag on top of it. Photos from the festival showed yellow police tape around the camper and tents that had been set up close by. The camper was later towed away. Police would not say if carbon monoxide poisoning played a role and said the cause of the deaths would have to be determined by a coroner.—AP

Study aims to alter the way police conduct lineup WASHINGTON: A new study says those lineups you see on television crime dramas and often used in real-life police departments are going about it all wrong. The study released yesterday by the American Judicature Society is part of a growing body of research during the past 35 years that questions the reliability of eyewitness identifications under certain circumstances. That research has been taken more seriously in recent years with the evolution of DNA evidence clearing innocents of crimes they were convicted of committing, often based on eyewitness testimony.

The new study finds witnesses should not look at a group of people at once to pick a perpetrator. Instead, they should look at individuals one-by-one with a detective who doesn’t know which is the real suspect - known as a double-blind lineup to avoid giving witnesses unintentional cues preferably on a computer to ensure appropriate random procedures are used and to record the data. The study found witnesses using the sequential method were less likely to pick the innocents brought in to fill out the lineup. The theory is that witnesses using the sequential lineup will compare each person to the perpetrator in their memory, instead of comparing them to one another side-by-side to see which most resembles the criminal.

“What we want the witness to do is don’t decide who looks most like the perpetrator, but decide whether the

perpetrator is there or not,” said Gary Wells, an eyewitness identification expert at Iowa State University and the project’s lead researcher. Wells said the results confirmed many other laboratory experiments that have found sequential lineups to be more accurate. But he said some police departments have been reluctant to change their practices, wondering if they would apply to real-life witnesses.

This study used actual witnesses who didn’t know they were part of a study, but were randomly assigned to use either the sequential or the simultaneous method. It was conducted at the police departments in Austin, Texas; Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC; San Diego and Tucson, Ariz. The witnesses were shown mug shots of one suspect with five “fillers,” or the known innocents. In the simultaneous lineups, the witnesses picked a filler 18 percent of the time, verses 12 percent for the sequential method. Witnesses picked the suspect about a quarter of the time using both methods. Wells estimates that between 20 and 25 percent of 16,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States are using the sequential and double-blind procedures. He said those reforms have been made in the last decade, with some key departments including Denver and Dallas coming on board just this year. “There’s still a long ways to go,” he said. He said he hoped this study would help push reforms forward.— AP

Calm chaos followed Nevada air show disaster RENO: Amid the horrific aftermath of the nation’s deadliest air racing disaster, a crash that killed nine and sent about 70 people to Reno-area hospitals, a sort of calm pervaded. Witnesses were spattered with blood and pieces of flesh, yet video of the scene shows paramedics, police and spectators attending to the wounded with a control that seems contradictory to the devastation. Officials and those in the tightly-knit air racing community credit not only a detailed plan for just such a crash, but the type of people at the event: pilots, veterans and others accustomed to dealing with a high-pressure situation.

Doctors, nurses and military veterans from the crowd volunteered their services to emergency crews, said Reno Fire Battalion Chief Tim Spencer, a 29-year veteran who has worked at the air races for 27 years. Those without medical

but came to as he was being loaded on a transport helicopter.

“All I saw was a real coordinated effort,” Larson said from a wheelchair at Renown Regional Medical Center, which handled 36 of the most severely injured patients, including two who died. The carnage left even seasoned emergency room surgeons and rescue workers shaken. “This is the worst I’ve seen,” said Dr. Mike Morkin, the emergency services director at Renown. He did his trauma training at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and helped in the aftermath of Chicago’s Paxton Hotel fire that killed 19 people in 1993. Yet he said he had never seen so many patients with such severe injuries at one time.

Paramedics, police and firefighters, hospitals and event organizers had drilled for such a disaster, some just hours earlier. “This happened so fast,

NEVADA: Sean Moran picks up a petal from a memorial site of signs, flags, candles and a balloon in Reno, Nev, Sunday near the airport where the Reno Air Races were held. The Reno Air Races was cancelled after pilot Jimmy Leeward crashed his plane on Friday, killing nine people, including himself. —AP skills helped firefighters transport the injured. “It wasn’t uncommon to see one firefighter and three people in civilian clothes carrying a litter to the proper area” for evacuation, Tim Spencer said.

“Everybody pulled together perfectly and worked side by side.”

Such cooperation helped save Ed Larson, one of the victims cut down by a wall of shrapnel kicked up when the Galloping Ghost, a souped-up WWII-era P-51 Mustang fighter plane, crashed into the VIP section Friday, disintegrating over a two- to three-acre area. Metal fragments and wreckage hit Larson, 59, in the head and back and legs, shredding his calf and severing his Achilles tendon. He was knocked unconscious

CLARKSVILLE: Police survey the trailer where five people were found dead Sunday in Clarksville, Tenn., at the Clarksville Speedway. —AP

there was just a sense of shock. But people were very calm. You know, they didn’t know me. They came, held my hand, told me I was going to be all right,” Noah Joraanstad, a 25-year-old commercial airline pilot from Anchorage, Alaska, told The Associated Press from his hospital bed at Northern Nevada Medical Center in Sparks. “They walked into a scene where people were amputated, whatever, and just carnage everywhere, and they decided to help.

To me, those were the real heroes.”

Emergency workers were quickly putting into practice the skills they’d learned in drills. They separated the wounded depending on the severity of injuries as ambulances and transport

helicopters moved in. A Vietnam-era Huey helicopter from a military display was pressed into service to fly victims to the hospital. “It was triage on the tarmac,” said David Edgecomb, 41, a volunteer security guard from Paradise, Calif., who said he saw a man in an electric wheelchair dead in the spectator area.

Edgecomb cut strips of bunting from the VIP boxes into strips to be used for tourniquets, while larger pieces of the material were used to cover body parts.

The Rev Thomas Babu was at St. Michael’s Catholic Church four blocks from the airport when he saw the fire engines and ambulances streaming past.

“I thought it was my duty to go there,” said Babu, 37. He held hands and prayed with the family of a woman who had been killed. “Tragedy brings people together. We become more good human beings when there is something bad happening around us,” he said. In an interview with a cable news station yesterday, National Transportation Safety Board member Mark Rosekind said investigators were analyzing the “tremendous amounts of material” collected at the scene and submitted by spectators who photographed and videotaped the crash.

A key focus of the investigation is the tail of the high performance aircraft, which some photos seem to show lost a part before the crash. “There are a lot of photos of specific aspects of the tail,” Rosekind said. “We have found in the wreckage some parts of tail from the accident aircraft. We have those photos.”

Gov Brian Sandoval said some of the air race emergency crews had dealt with victims just two weeks ago when Eduardo Sencion opened fire in Carson City with an AK-47 assault rifle. He shot 11 people before turning the weapon on himself. Four victims died, including three members of the Nevada National Guard at an International House of Pancakes restaurant.

“We’ve had two incredible tragedies in the last two weeks. We have a lot of heroes here,” Sandoval said. “They have been trained and they have been training and today it showed. It paid off.”

Michael Houghton, president and CEO of the Reno Air Races, said it took 62 minutes to get all of the injured on their way to area hospitals, a pace of about one each minute.

“They kind of came in waves,” said Morkin, the Renown hospital ER director. “You’re just running from one patient to the next. You stabilize one ... and you go to the next patient.” Some lost limbs, others had severe facial wounds. — AP

Man shoots church pastors, kills wife FLORIDA: As the congregation bowed their heads and prayed, a former church member stormed into the church and opened fire, shooting and wounding the pastor and associate pastor from behind before he was wrestled to the ground. Earlier, Jeremiah Fogle shot his wife to death at his house, where he had started his own church, authorities and relatives said. They did not know what led to the shootings.

Derrick Foster, a teacher in the ministry, heard the gunfire, then screams and he and another man tackled Fogle. “The first thing in my mind was, ‘I have to take this gun away,’” said Foster, who was among the 20 or so people at the Sunday service at Greater Faith Christian Center Church. Foster saw the man near the pulpit, turning around with the gun in his hand.

“He had a great grip on the gun,” Foster said. “My plan was, as soon as he hit the floor, it would cause him to drop it. But he didn’t drop it.” He said it took three or four minutes of struggling with the gunman before he finally wrested the weapon away. The gunman had six rounds in his pocket. “He was prepared to shoot even more,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. Pastor William Boss and associate pastor Carl Stewart were shot from behind, authorities said. Boss, who was shot in the head, and Stewart, shot three times in the back and ear.

They remained hospitalized early yesterday. Their conditions were not given. No one else at the church was hurt. “Of all the places you should be safe, you should be safe in a house of worship,” Judd said.

“Especially on a Sunday morning.”—AP

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UK police arrest 7 in anti-terror operation LONDON: British police arrested a group of suspected Islamic extremists yesterday in one of the most significant counter-terror operations of the year.

Officers were also carrying out raids on several homes and a commercial property in the central city of Birmingham as part of the intelligence-led operation. Although the plot was in its early stages and targets weren’t immediately known, British security officials said the threat appeared significant and involved Islamic extremists. Authorities said it didn’t appear that ongoing polit-

ical conferences were the intended target.

West Midlands assistant police chief Marcus Beale said the suspects were arrested in or near their homes by unarmed police officers as part of a “large, pre-planned, intelligence-led counter terrorism operation.” Six men were arrested overnight and were being held under anti-terror legislation.

A woman was also arrested yesterday morning for failing to disclose information. The suspects are aged between 22 and 32. All were described as being

British residents, and police would not give any details about nationalities or ethnicity.

The threat level remained at “substantial” yesterday. “As more details emerge of this plot, the threat level may be reassessed,” according to a British government official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of his work and the ongoing investigation. Britain lowered its assessment of a terrorist attack from “severe” to “substantial” in July. The current threat level means risk of an attack

is a “strong possibility.”

There are five levels of threat, from low, meaning an attack is unlikely, to critical, meaning an attack is imminent.

“Substantial” is the third level. The threat level was last at critical in June 2007, following an attack on Glasgow Airport and failed car bombings in central London. Last year, British authorities arrested 12 suspects in a largescale terror attack aimed at attacking British landmarks and public spaces.

At least five of the men were of Bangladeshi origin. Some of their cases

are still pending. Europe has been the target of numerous terror plots by Islamist militants.

The deadliest was the 2004 Madrid train bombings, when shrapnel-filled bombs exploded, killing 191 people and wounding about 1,800. In 2005, suicide bombers killed 52 rush-hour commuters in London aboard three subway trains and a bus. In 2006, US and British intelligence officials thwarted one of the largest plots yet, a plan to explode nearly a dozen trans-Atlantic airliners. —AP

France skewers Strauss-Kahn for ‘public relations’ apology 13 million people watch interview

MILAN: Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi waves as he leaves Milan’s justice court yesterday. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was in court in Milan yesterday for a hearing into claims he paid to his former British lawyer David Mills 416,000 euros ($600,000) for false testimony about his business dealings.—AFP

Berlusconi attends court for graft hearing MILAN: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was in court in Milan yesterday for a hearing into claims he paid a former lawyer 416,000 euros ($600,000) for false testimony about his business dealings. The embattled Berlusconi, who faces a string of other legal challenges, is alleged to have paid the money to his former British lawyer David Mills for false testimony in a case dating back to the 1990s.

The Milan court, resuming proceedings suspended in July, was expected yesterday to hear video testimony from Swiss fund manager Maria De Fusco, who is alleged to have transmitted the payment to Mills. A seemingly untroubled Berlusconi arrived at court smiling to journalists and saying: “Me, I’m fine, it is you who look a bit rough.” Mills, a specialist in offshore tax havens, was convicted by a Milan court in 2009 and sen-

tenced to four-and-a-half years in jail, but an appeals court threw out the corruption case in 2010 as the time limit had expired. The presiding judge found at the time that Mills had accepted a bribe from the billionaire prime minister in November 1999, but that the trial exceeded the 10-year limit for prosecution set by Italian law. It sentenced Mills to pay 250,000 euros to the Italian government for damage to its image. A separate trial for tax evasion linked to the Italian media mogul’s Mediaset empire is set to pick up again on September 26.

But all eyes will be on the trial for allegedly buying sex from a girl known as “Ruby the Heart Stealer” when she was a minor and abusing his power to spring her from police custody when she was arrested on suspicion of theft. The next hearing in that case is set for October 3.— AFP

Kenyan charged with murder and kidnap of British tourists LAMU: A Kenyan court yesterday charged a man with the murder of a British holidaymaker and the kidnap of his wife while staying in a luxury beach resort in the east African country. But Ali Babitu Kololo denied the accusations that he murdered David Tebbutt and worked with gunmen to abduct his wife Judith-now believed to be held in Somalia-in the early hours of September 11. “My client is innocent until proven guilty, and I pray to this court that my client be given bail,” said Kololo’s lawyer George Wakohiu.

The Tebbutts, from the town of Bishop’s Stortford in southeastern England, were the only guests at the Kiwayu Safari Village, which is just 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the Somali border. Local residents said Kololo, who was also charged with robbery with violence, had worked as a night watchman at the remote resort, and was forced by the gunmen to show them where the tourists were staying.

They argue he was used by the armed gang and was not part of the main group, pointing out that he was arrested after he volunteered himself to the police shortly after the attack.

“It was a case of mistaken identity and my client is innocent. Let this court consider my client’s pleas of innocence,” the lawyer added. The court denied Kololo bail, and he is due to reappear for a hearing on October 25. A second man is being held by police and is expected to appear before the court later this week.

On Sunday residents of Somalia’s north-central town of Harardhere said Judith Tebbutt had been brought to a nearby Islamist-controlled village. “We are getting information indicating that a female Western hostage was brought close to Amara village,” Mohamed Isa said. The Islamist Shebab rebels who control much of southern Somalia last week declined to comment on the kidnap. The militiamen last year took control of Harardhere, once a notorious pirate hideout, and vowed to end piracy.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday pledged to do everything possible to help find the abducted woman. Somali gunmen

have in the past crossed into Kenya and kidnapped foreigners. Three aid workers were abducted in 2009 and two Western nuns seized the previous year. A Briton kidnapped in southern Somalia in 2008, environmental researcher Murray Watson, is still missing.

Somalia has been lawless for two decades after plunging into a bloody civil war with the 1991 ouster of president Mohamed Siad Barre. Somali pirates frequently seize crew from merchant ships and pleasure craft in the dangerous waters off the conflictravaged Horn of Africa and have taken millions of dollars in ransom for their release. According to the monitoring group Ecoterra, at least 49 vessels and at least 504 hostages are being held

by Somali pirates, despite constant patrols by warships from several world powers.— AFP

LAMU: In this photo taken Sunday, Kenyan Ali Babitu Kololo, is escorted by Kenyan policeman in Lamu, Kenya after he was arrested over the abduction of Judith Tebbutt. Ali Babitu Kololo has been charged in connection with a deadly attack on a British couple staying at a safari lodge. —AP

PARIS: Opponents of shamed former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn yesterday denounced a supposedly revelatory primetime interview about his aborted New York rape trial as a scripted public relations exercise. More than 13 million people watched Sunday’s 24-minute supposed act of contrition following allegations he tried to rape a hotel maid in May, the largest audience since rioting in French suburbs peaked on November 7, 2005.

Strauss-Kahn’s admission of “a moral failing” rather than attempted rape of Nafissatou Diallo failed to convince feminist lawyer Gisele Halimi, who said: “He tried to play the role of someone who is pugnacious and incisive.” “What’s serious is that every time women’s dignity is questioned, as here, women who are complete victims are made to look like liars,” Halimi said, after Strauss-Kahn implied his New York accuser was dishonest and after money.

On Sunday, Strauss-Kahn also denied attacking Tristane Banon, a young French author who is the daughter of a family friend, is 30 years his junior and who has lodged a complaint alleging he tried to rape her in a Paris flat in 2003.

Thalia Breton of feminist group Dare Feminism said she was “disgusted” by the interview of the 62-year-old Socialist politician by Claire Chazal, a friend of his loyal wife, during which he adopted a combative tone. Strauss-Kahn’s interview with Chazal lasted more than twice as long as his encounter with Diallo, but she chose not to press him on what it was that had happened in the suite that he now sees as having been a mistake.

“What happened involved neither violence nor constraint: no criminal act,” he told Chazal sternly when asked what had happened in Sofitel Manhattan’s suite 2806 on May 14, shortly before his arrest on sex assault charges. Many politicians and commentators mocked or attacked StraussKahn’s suggestion that he may have been the victim of a trap or a plot. The former finance minister did not produce a shred of evidence for the claim. “A trap? It’s possible.

A plot? We’ll see,” Strauss-K ahn said, prompting the head of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s UMP party, Jean-Francois Cope, to say he was “shocked.”

“I cannot accept innuendo,” Cope said.

“It’s extremely shocking that the idea of a plot is being added on top of everything else we’ve been through.” The head of the centre -right New Centre par ty, former defence minister Herve Morin, lamented what he said was a “totally prefabricated” event, a “journalist who interviews a friend’s husband.” “The emotion was buried under

the public relations,” Morin said on radio.

“Everything was so formatted, constructed, the sincerity disappeared.”

Would-be Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal took note of StraussKahn’s desire to “turn the page” on the mat-

who saw in him as a future president.” But “the malaise was not dissipated,” with his “Sunday contrition being played, after all, in a minor key,” Liberation wrote, dismissing the plot allegation as “bizarre.” After Strauss-Kahn’s lengthy defence of himself,

BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT: Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former head of the International Monetary Fund, looks on prior to a television interview at the TV news broadcast by French TV station TF1, in Boulogne-Billancourt, outside Paris, Sunday. —AP ter-and said she would therefore exclude his presence in her eventual government.

The right-leaning Figaro newspaper was most interested by Strauss-Kahn’s declaration that he and Socialist par ty leader Martine Aubry had a pact whereby they would not both have stood in the upcoming Socialist primary.

Before the scandal, polls tipped StraussKahn as the candidate most likely to beat Sarkozy is next year’s presidential election.

An editorial in the left-leaning Liberation said there were two things that France expected from Strauss-Kahn during the interview.

“The human lucidity to recognise his role and his personal weaknesses... and the political lucidity to put in words the disappointment and damage” he caused to those

Irish Travelers say they will fight eviction in UK LONDON: Irish Travelers built barricades and chained themselves to cars yesterday to stop police and bailiffs moving in to evict them from their home.

Residents at the Dale Farm settlement 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of London built a tower of scaffolding poles and have parked cars and vans at the entrance to their site. Some protesters chained themselves to barrels and cars and said police will have to forcibly move them.

Local authorities are due to begin evicting families from Dale Farm yesterday, after winning a decadelong legal battle to move some 86 families who lived in mobile homes on the site without proper planning permission. Academy Award-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave has come to the community’s support, and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination urged authorities to find a peaceful solution.

The local authority says it’s a simple planning issue - the 86 families lack permission to pitch homes on the land. The Travelers - a traditionally nomadic group similar to, but ethnically distinct from, Gypsy or Roma people - call it ethnic cleansing. The main barricade at the site bore paintings of children and a banner crying “Human Rights for Dale Farm.”

One sign warned of drastic consequences if a gate were to be opened, reading “danger of death” for a protester who had chained herself to a barrel.

“Behind this gate a woman is attached by her neck,” the sign read. “If you attempt to open this gate you will kill her.”

The conflict over the settlement has raged since 2001, when Travelers bought and settled on a former scrapyard next to a legal Travelers’ site. The local authority waged a long legal battle to remove them, which it finally won at Britain’s High Court last month. — AP

the journalist asked him for his analysis of Europe’s current economic crisis, as if finally to turn the page on the sex assault allegations.

The fallen economist became animated as he explained how to cure Europe’s financial ills, but the change in tone and mood was “as displaced as it was anachronistic,” Liberation wrote. The head of the far-right, anti-immigration National Front party, Marine le Pen, said that “this man has the biggest contempt for women, whom he sees as things to be used.” Le Pen also accused Strauss-Kahn of lying about the New York prosecutor ’s report, which he brandished several times during the interview as proving his innocence, but which “in no way clears Mr Strauss-Kahn.”— AFP

Nigeria sect denies killing ex-leader’s relative MAIDUGURI: A purported spokesman for Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram has denied the group was behind the murder of a relative of its slain exleader who held peace talks with a former president. In a conference call with journalists in the northeastern city of Maiduguri late Sunday, a man who identified himself as a spokesman for the sect described the killing of Babakura Fugu as “painful and unfortunate.”

Fugu, assassinated on Saturday, was the brother-in-law of Mohammed Yusuf, who was captured during a military assault to put down a 2009 uprising by Boko Haram and later killed.

Police said at the time that he had tried to escape. Fugu had been involved in peace talks on Thursday with former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo. The talks occurred in the wake of the August 26 bomb attack on UN headquarters in Nigeria claimed by Boko Haram.

“We received with shock the death of a family member of our leader Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf,” the spokesman who identified himself as Abu Qaqa said. “ The killing of Babakura Fugu was painful and unfortunate and we hereby deny responsibility for this act as portrayed in the media. “But with dismay we later heard ... that we said we were responsible based on a text message to the media. This is unacceptable.”

A man identifying himself as Abu Qaqa has claimed to speak on behalf

of the sect on several previous occasions, but Boko Haram is believed to have a number of factions and several others have identified themselves as spokesmen as well. Fugu, 48, was shot dead by gunmen outside his house on Saturday. An hour after the killing, a text message was sent to media outlets, including AFP, purporting to be from Boko Haram and appearing to threaten the life of Obasanjo and all those who facilitated the meeting.

Qaqa threatened to “take action” on journalists who misrepresent the sect in the future. “This kind of misrepresentation has been going on for some time and we will not tolerate it any longer. “Media houses should know that we have an understanding with the press whom we regard as mediators,” Qaqa said. “But if they don’t do their job professionally, we will be compelled to take action on their reporters on the ground just the way we took action on security agents and other enemies of Islam.”

He warned the news media to disregard statements purported to be from the sect that do not originate from its two “spokesmen”-Abu Darda and Abu Zaid or any other person they delegate to speak on their behalf, including Qaqa. Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of shootings and bomb blasts, mainly in Nigeria’s northeast, but it has also claimed responsibility for the UN bombing that killed at least 23 people and an attack on police headquarters in Abuja in June. — AFP

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Quake hits Himalayan region killing 63 Heavy rains, low cloud ground helicopters

KARACHI: Pakistani policemen (background) march during a funeral for their comrades killed in a car bomb blast in Karachi yesterday. A Taleban suicide car bomber flattened the house of a senior counter-terrorism police officer in Pakistan’s financial capital Karachi killing eight people including six policemen. —AFP

Bomber targets senior Pakistani policeman; 8 dead KARACHI: A Taleban suicide bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives yesterday outside the home of a senior police officer tasked with cracking down on militants in Pakistan’s largest city. The blast killed at least eight people and left a crater 10 feet deep, police said.

The Pakistani Taleban claimed responsibility for the early morning attack in the southern port city of Karachi. The target of the bombing, Chaudhr y Aslam, escaped unscathed and said he would not be cowed by the attack.

“This is a cowardly act,” Aslam told local television. “I’m not scared. I will not spare them.” The eight people killed included six policemen guarding Aslam’s house as well as a schoolteacher and her son who were passing by, said Karachi police chief Saud Mirza. He estimated that at least 660 pounds (300 kilograms) of explosives were used in the attack. The death toll could have been even worse if it had happened a few minutes later when many children would have been headed to schools located near Aslam’s house in the Defense neighborhood of Karachi, an upscale residential area that rarely experiences militant attacks or other forms of violence that plague the city. “ Thank God it was half an hour before school time,” said former Pakistani cricket team captain Moin Khan, who passed by the site of the

attack shortly after the blast. “It was horrible. I saw four bodies,” said Khan.

“Broken pieces of vehicles were scattered more than 100 feet.” Local television footage showed extensive damage from the blast. The fronts of several two story concrete buildings were totally blown away. Rubble littered the streets amid the burned wreckage of cars hit by the explosion.

Aslam is a top police officer in the Crime Investigation Department, which works to arrest Taleban fighters and other militants in Karachi, a bustling city that is home to some 18 million people and is also Pakistan’s main commercial hub. Karachi has not seen as many militant attacks as other major cities in Pakistan, but it is believed to be home to many Taleban militants who have fled army operations in the northwest near the Afghan border.

Pak istani Taleban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack. “We will continue targeting all such officers who are involved in the killing of our comrades,” Ahsan told The Associated Press by telephone from an undisclosed location.

Also yesterday, Pakistani intelligence officials said soldiers seized the wreckage of a suspected US drone that crashed in the South Waziristan tribal area near the Afghan border and was initially snatched by the Taleban. —AP

GANGTOK: Rescue teams battled landslides and torrential monsoon rains yesterday after a powerful earthquake rocked a vast and remote Himalayan region, killing at least 63 people in India, Nepal and Tibet. The epicentre of Sunday’s 6.9-magnitude earthquake was an isolated area of the border between India’s Sikkim state and Nepal, and there were fears the toll could rise as reports filtered in from distant towns and villages.

The heavy rains and low cloud grounded helicopters and Indian relief and rescue teams trying to access the Sikkim state capital Gangtok were blocked by landslides on the only viable highway. “Our rescue teams are stuck in that corridor,” said National Disaster Response Force spokesman Surendra Ahlawat.

“The conditions are terrible, but road crews are doing their best.”

More than 5,000 army troops were deployed in the area to try and restore overland links with Gangtok and fur ther nor th towards the nearby epicentre.

“The biggest challenge now is to get the rescue teams to the affected areas,” said Sik k im Information Minister CB Karki.

The death toll in the state stood at 35, with five people killed in Gangtok and the others dying in building collapses and landslides in outlying areas, including two soldiers on road-clearing duty.

“There’s a good chance the toll could rise as rescue teams begin to access the more remote areas,” said G. Anandan, chief of the central emergency control room in Gangtok. Tremors were felt more than 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) away in New Delhi to the west, and in Bangladesh to the east.

In Nepal, police said a motorcyclist and his eight-year-old daughter were among three killed when a perimeter wall crumbled at the British embassy

NATO forces cast Afghan night raid net too wide KABUL: Foreign forces fighting in Afghanistan have become more accurate in night-time raids on homes, but they have stepped up the number and scope of the controversial operations so they affect more Afghan civilians, a report said yesterday. NATO -led troops improved the way they select targets, and say they now get their objective in four out of five mission, but also widened the pool of people they pursue, the report by the Open Society Foundations and The Liaison Office said.

Afghans with loose connections to insurgents appear to have become objec tives-including those who provide food and shelter, sometimes under duress-rather than just active fighters or commanders within the insurgent groups. There are also large-scale operations that target many homes or even whole villages, with dozens of men or boys detained for hours or even days. Although not all are designated night raids by the military, their timing means they are often seen as such.

The wider targeting and largescale detentions may both be in violation of international law, the report warned. “Although intellig e n ce i m p rove m e n t s h ave re d u ce d t h e n u m b e r o f n i g h t raids that targeted civilians by mistake, the increased number a n d s co p e o f n i g h t ra i d s p u t many more civilians at risk than past intelligence flaws,” the report said. “Current patterns of detention suggest many night raids may be heavily (if not primarily) motivated by intelligence gathering,” said the report, based on a

year of research.

The report recognizes civilians can be questioned about insurgent activities, but warns that it should be done in a way that is within the law and protects them.

The NATO -led I nternational Security Assistance Force said that it welcomed the report’s findings and would study its recommendations to implement any that could improve operations, but defended them as an impor tant militar y tool. “N ight operations are an effective method of maintaining the pressure on the enemy while minimizing risk to innocent civilians,” said spokesman Jimmie Cummings, adding that they accounted for only 1 percent of civilian casualties caused by the coalition, and 85 percent ended without a shot being fired.

Night raids are one of the most hated foreign military tactics in Afghanistan and a source of friction between Western nations and President Hamid Karzai, who has said he wants them stopped altogether. NATO-led troops ramped up the raids under General David Petraeus, who this summer stepped down as top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

Between Februar y 2009 and December 2010 night raids increased five-fold, according to publicly available statistics, the report said. In the three months from December 2010, there were an average of 19 a night. One military source said in April 2011 that there might be as many as 40 taking place each night across the country. NATO has tackled some of the main grievances about the

raids, helped in part by extra intelligence - gathering equipment moved from Iraq and closer coordination with Afghan officials and the military, the report said.

Targets are chosen more accurately, there has been a reduction in proper t y damage, more respectful treatment of women and more frequent co-operation with Afghan forces. Afghan commanders in “coordination cells” at bases must sign off on all raids, Afghan forces are present in the vast majority of raids, and lead at least 25 percent-although there are some complaints about theft and abuse by local troops.

But the repor t said that the number of raids, and confusion caused by darkness means they often pose a disproportionate risk to civilians. Afghan homes are often well-armed and robberies or violent assaults do not come only from the warring parties. Foreign troops also appear to be too ready to pull the trigger, interpreting confused, frightened or simply innocent behavior, like running away from intruders or stepping outside, as “hostile intent”. “It was night when my t wo brothers, Ibrahim and Qand Agha, went out to bring some water,” Humayoun from Khost province told a news conference to launch the report. “ There were some Americans standing (nearby) and when they saw my brother they opened fire.

My brother Ibrahim died and they detained my other brother.” No reason was given to the family and no compensation was given for the two members k illed in the raid, he said. —Reuters

Bus, truck collision kills 20 in eastern India PATNA: Police say a crowded bus has collided with a truck in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, killing 20 passengers and injuring 25 others. Police Superintendent AV Minz says 13 people died instantly in the head-on collision

early yesterday, while seven others died in hospitals. Minz said the truck’s cargo added to the carnage, noting it was “loaded with iron girders which pierced the bus.” The accident occurred near Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand

state. Police figures show India has the world’s highest road death toll, with more than 110,000 people dying each year in accidents commonly caused by speeding, overcrowding and poor vehicle and road maintenance. —AP

compound in the capital Kathmandu, 270 kilometres west of the epicentre. Five others were killed in separate incidents in eastern Nepal. A budget debate in Nepal’s parliament stopped for 15 minutes when lawmakers leapt to their feet and fled the chamber as the entire building shook. More than 100 people were injured by mudslides, falling debris and collapsing buildings in Gangtok, where

phone land lines were interrupted and panicked mobile users swamped local networks. On the road to Gangtok, vehicles were forced to stop every few kilometres to clear rocks, mudslides and downed power lines.

“We just had a landslide right here,” said village shopkeeper Karma Mantor. “We are still in a state of panic. Nobody knows what is really happening.” The quake was felt across a wide

popular destination for trekkers.

Thirteen other people died in India, including one killed in a stampede by panicked residents in Bihar state and four who were buried when a house fell down near Darjeeling in West Bengal.

China’s official Xinhua news agency said seven people had been killed in southern Tibet, near the border with Sikkim.

Nepalese police spokesman Binod Singh said hundreds of

BHAKTAPUR: Nepalese people try to take out a motorbike buried under the debris of a house damaged by Sunday’s earthquake in Bhaktapur about 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) from Katmandu, Nepal yesterday.—AP thousands spent the night in the streets after repeated aftershocks sparked further panic.

“People are still very worried and tense. Everything is shut down and nearly everyone is still out in the street because they’re scared of another quake,” said Gangtok resident Indira Singh.

The shockwaves cut off electricity to most of Sik k im, fur ther hampering rescue efforts as tele-

region including the Himalayan k i ngd om of B hut a n a f te r i t struck at about 6:10pm (1240 GMT ) on Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey. Its epicentre was just over 60 kilometres northwest of Gangtok, at a relatively shallow depth of 19.7 kilometres.

The Press Trust of India said that police rescued 15 foreign tourists in the north of Sikkim, a

homes were damaged in eastern Nepal, where rescue workers faced the same problems as their Indian counterparts with rains and mudslides blocking the only highway to the area.

India’s seven nor theastern states, joined to the rest of the country by a narrow sliver of land known as the “chicken’s neck,” are located in an area of frequent seismic activity. —AFP

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

Filipino troops kill three militants, rescue trader MANILA: Dozens of army troops killed three Abu Sayyaf militants and rescued a kidnap victim yesterday in a clash in the southern Philippines, officials said. The rescued businesswoman, Luisa Galvez, an army soldier and at least seven militants were wounded in the gunbattle that raged in a hinterland village near Sumisip town on Basilan island, regional military spokesman Lt Col Randolph Cabangbang said.

Three platoons of army scout rangers were searching for gunmen reported by villagers when

they stumbled on an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf militants, setting off a clash that killed three of the gunmen. The other militants fled and troops later found Galvez abandoned at the scene of the battle, Cabangbang said. “The soldiers were unaware that the Abu Sayyaf men were holding a hostage in the area,” Cabangbang said.

The stunned Galvez, who was slightly injured on her leg, was taken to a military camp, he said.

Troops were pursuing the fleeing militants in predominantly Muslim Basilan, the birthplace and a

stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf militants about 550 miles (880 kilometers) south of Manila. Galvez, 34, was seized Sept 4 by three gunmen who posed as customers at her beauty salon in Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay province, police said.

Desperate for funds, the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf has resorted to kidnappings, targeting people who could hardly pay ransom. Last year the group carried out at least 11 kidnappings and raised about $704,000 in ransom, according to a confidential government report seen by The

Associated Press in February. They killed at least six hostages whose families failed to pay ransom last year, the report said.

The Abu Sayyaf, which has close to 400 fighters with more than 300 firearms, remains without a central leader after several of its top commanders were killed or captured by troops in recent years.

Its two biggest factions are based in Basilan and in nearby Sulu province. The Abu Sayyaf still holds two Americans of Philippine descent, an Indian, a Malaysian and a Japanese convert to Islam.— AP

Koreas’ talks could spark disarmament progress Relations are still complicated, wariness lingers

TENGGARA: In this June 20, 2011 photo, a team from the Institute for Archaeology conduct excavations in the area of coffee plantations in the hamlet of Tambora on the foot of Mount Tambora, Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. — AP

Farmers flee as world’s deadliest volcano rumbles MOUNT TAMBORA: Bold farmers in Indonesia routinely ignore orders to evacuate the slopes of live volcanoes, but those living on Tambora took no chances when history’s deadliest mountain rumbled ominously this month. Villagers like Hasanuddin Sanusi have heard since they were young how the mountain they call home once blew apart in the largest eruption ever recorded - an 1815 event widely forgotten outside their region killing 90,000 people and blackening skies on the other side of the globe.

So, the 45-year-old farmer didn’t wait to hear what experts had to say when Mount Tambora started being rocked by a steady stream of quakes. He grabbed his wife and four young children, packed his belongings and raced down its quivering slopes. “It was like a horror story, growing up,” said Hasanuddin, who joined hundreds of others in refusing to return to their mountainside villages for several days despite assurances they were safe.

“A dragon sleeping inside the crater, that’s what we thought. If we made him angry were disrespectful to nature, say - he’d wake up spitting flames, destroying all of mankind.”

The April 1815 eruption of Tambora left a crater 11 kilometers (7 miles) wide and 1 kilometer (half a mile) deep, spewing an estimated 400 million tons of sulfuric gases into the atmosphere and leading to “the year without summer” in the US and Europe.

It was 10 times more powerful than Indonesia’s much better-known Krakatoa blast of 1883 - history’s second deadliest. But it doesn’t share the same international renown, because the only way news spread across the oceans at the time was by slowboat, said Tambora researcher Indyo Pratomo.

In contrast, Krakatoa’s eruption occurred just as the telegraph became popular, turning it into the first truly global news event.

The reluctance of Hasanuddin and others to return to villages less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Tambora’s crater sounds like simple good sense. But it runs contrary to common practice in the sprawling nation of 240 million - home to more volcanoes than any other in the world. Even as Merapi, Kelut and other famously active mountains shoot out towering pillars of hot ash, farmers cling to their fertile slopes, leaving only when soldiers load them into trucks at gunpoint. They return before it’s safe to check on their livestock and crops.

Tambora is different. People here are jittery because of the mountain’s history - and they’re not used to feeling the earth move so violently beneath their feet. Aside from a few minor bursts in steam in the 1960s, the mountain has been quiet for much of the last 200 years. Gede Suantika of the government’s Center for Volcanology said activity first picked up in April, with the volcanic quakes jumping from less than five a month to more than 200.

“It also started spewing ash and smoke

into the air, sometimes as high as 1,400 meters (4,600 feet),” he said. “That’s something I’ve never seen it do before.” Authorities raised the alert to the second-highest level two weeks ago, but said only villagers within 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the crater needed to evacuate. That didn’t stop hundreds of men, women and children living well outside the danger zone from packing their clothes, jewelry and important documents and heading to the homes of family and friends elsewhere on Sumbawa island.

“We’ve urged them to go back to harvest their crops, get their kids back in school, but we’re having a hard time,” said Syaifullah, a community chief in Pekat, at the foot of the 2,700 meter (8,900 foot) mountain. “The new alert awakened fears about 1815.” Most people finally trickled back to their homes by yesterday. Little was known about Tambora’s global impact until the 1980s, when Greenland ice core samples - which can be read much like tree rings - revealed an astonishing concentration of sulfur at the layer dating back to 1816, said geologist Jelle de Boer, co-author of “Volcanoes in Human History: The Far-Reaching Effects of Major Eruption.” Gases had combined with water vapor to form fine droplets of acid that remained for years in the atmosphere, circling the earth and reflecting some of the solar radiation back into space. Temperatures worldwide plummetted, causing crops to fail and leading to massive starvation. Farmers on the northeastern coast of the US reported snow well into July.

In France, grape harvests were decimated.

Daniel Lawton of the wine brokerage TastetLawton said a note in his company’s files remarks that 1816 was a “detestable year” and yielded only a quarter of the crop planted.

Soon after the ice core findings, scientists started studying Tambora in earnest. In 2004, Icelandic vulcanologist Haraldur Sigurdsson and a team of American and Indonesian researchers uncovered remnants of a village in a gully on Tambora’s flank that had been pulverized in the fast-moving pyroclastic flow.

Sigurdsson heralded it as a “Pompeii of the East,” and local researcher Made Geria says archaeologists have expanded the dig every year since then. No one expects a repeat of 1815 just yet - it takes much more than 200 years for that type of huge pressure to build up again, said de Boer, who teaches at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. But that’s little consolation for those confronted with the mountain’s new burst of activity. Like Hasanuddin, teenager Malik Mahmud has heard the stories.

“Tens of thousands of people, animals and rice fields disappeared,” the 15-year-old said, adding that a veil of ash blocked out the sun for years. “There was no life here,” he said quietly from the village of Doropeti, 15 kilometers (nine miles) from the crater. “I know that from my parents.” — AP

Philippines to raise China sea dispute with Japan MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino will raise his country’s territorial disputes with China over the resource-rich South China Sea when he visits Japan later this month, his spokesman said yesterday.

The territorial conflict and heightened tensions between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea should also concern Japan, spokesman Herminio Coloma quoted Aquino as saying. “Just like the US, Japan is also a stakeholder in the quest for peace and stability in the (South China Sea). So this is a matter of common interest to the two countries,” Coloma said in a statement to AFP. Ahead of the visit to Japan from September 24 to 29, the president was quoted last week telling Japanese reporters their country had an interest in ensuring “unhampered trade and the freedom of navigation” through the South China Sea. The Philippines

and China, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, have conflicting claims to all or parts of the South China Sea. Tensions spiked again this year after the Philippines and Vietnam said China had become increasingly aggressive in staking its claims to the area, which is believed to hold vast deposits of oil and gas.

The Philippines accused Chinese troops of firing warning shots against Filipino fishermen, laying buoys and markers in its territory and harassing a Philippine-sanctioned oil exploration vessel. Aquino visited China from August 30 to September 3 to help ease the tensions but his government is also seeking more military aid and closer ties with the United States to bolster its position in the region. Aquino left late Sunday for a five-day visit to the US focusing on anti-corruption efforts. — AFP

SEOUL: A meeting tomorrow of the rival Koreas’ nuclear envoys could provide crucial momentum toward restarting disarmament talks, just months after the two countries were threatening to bomb each other into rubble.

Relations are still complicated and wariness lingers as the envoys prepare for face-to-face talks in Beijing that aim to build on their surprise meeting in July - which was seen as a small breakthrough after months of acrimony.

B u t t h e re h a s b e e n a re ce n t f l u r r y o f diplomatic and cultural exchanges between the Koreas. South Korea’s hard-line government is making public vows of a new flexible approach to Pyongyang, and the Nor th’s state media have eased harsh rhetoric aimed at Seoul’s leaders. Energy officials from the Koreas and Russia are conducting separate preliminar y discussions on an ambitious plan to pipe Siberian natural gas through cash-starved North Korea to energy-hungry South Korea.

“Generally, there was a mood of optimism at the possible resumption of the talks,” said Georgy Toloraya, a regional direc tor for Russkiy Mir Foundation in Moscow, who sat in on closed-door discussions with the North Korean nuclear envoy, Ri Yong Ho, at a seminar yesterday in Beijing. Skeptics see Nor th Korea’s moves as a disingenuous “charm offensive” meant to extract aid and strengthen the government as leader Kim Jong Il works to secure a smooth transition of power to his twenty-something son.

The goal of all the diplomatic wrangling is to rid North Korea of its nuclear weapons programs. But first there must be a return to sixnation disarmament talks that have been stalled since the North walked out in early 2009. North Korea has pushed for months to restart the talks, but South Korea and the US have been wary, saying Pyongyang must first abide by earlier nuclear commitments. South Korean and US officials want North Korea to halt its uranium-enrichment program, freeze nuclear and missile tests and allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country before the international talks resume.

“We are neither pessimistic nor optimistic” about the prospect for this week’s meeting in Beijing, South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan told lawmakers yesterday.

Washington also insists that ties between the two Koreas must improve, which puts a lot of focus on any progress in tomorrow’s talks. The overall relationship between the Koreas is still at a low point. The Koreas have been in a bitter, near-constant standoff since the 2008 inauguration of conservative President Lee Myung-bak, who linked large-scale South

BEIJING: North Korean chief nuclear negotiator Ri Yong-Ho (L) chats with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi during the commemoration of the 6th anniversary of the joint statement in the six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear disarmament in Beijing yesterday.—AFP Korean aid to Nor th Korea’s progress in nuclear disarmament.

Once-promising joint tours between the Koreas, for instance, have become a sore point. The tours to the North’s scenic Diamond Mountain halted in 2008 amid tensions surrounding the shooting of a southern tourist by a North Korean soldier. The South has since seized the North’s property at the resort and opened it to international investors. South Korea is asking foreign governments to boycott. Animosity reached a high point last year when attacks blamed on the North killed 50 South Koreans and sparked threats of war.

The atmosphere improved markedly in July when the Koreas’ nuclear envoys met on the sidelines of a regional security conference and promised to work toward a resumption of nuclear talks. That was quickly followed by meetings in the United States between a senior North Korean official and his US counterparts. Wednesday’s talks in Beijing between North Korea’s Ri and South Korea’s Wi Sung-lac are being described as a follow-up to the nuclear envoys’ July discussions.

Ri, in Beijing ahead of his meeting with Wi, said the Nor th recently proposed a fresh round of one-on-one talks with the United States, Yonhap news agency reported yesterday, citing unidentified people who attended the closed-door forum. Analysts see tomor-

row’s talks as a stepping stone to another round of talks between Washington and Pyongyang.

If US -North Korean talks produce some concessions on both sides, the six-nation nuclear talks could resume by the end of this year, said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

O ther recent positive signs between the Koreas include a delegation of Buddhists who visited North Korea earlier this month, and Seoul’s approval yesterday of a trip this week

by Catholic, Protestant and Buddhist leaders to the North.

A prominent South Korean maestro said last week after a trip to North Korea that he has agreed with North Korean officials on regular joint symphony performances in Seoul and Pyongyang - though South Korean officials have yet to review the details. Many analysts remain skeptical, however, noting that North Korea is still building nuclear weapons.

“North Korea’s quest for food aid and economic benefits will moderate the regime’s behavior for the near-term,” Bruce Klingner, a Nor theast Asia specialist at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank, wrote recently. “But make no mistake about it; a failure to achieve those objectives will lead Pyongyang to again calculate the benefits of provocative actions.”— AP

Japanese urge ‘farewell’ to nuclear power six months after quake TOKYO: Sixty thousand protesters gathered in central Tokyo yesterday demanding an end to Japan’s reliance on nuclear power, six months after the world’s worst nuclear accident in 25 years. Japan has banned people from within 20 km (12 miles) of the Fukushima Daiichi plant in northeast Japan, which had its reactor cooling systems knocked out by an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, triggering meltdowns.

Some 80,000 people have been evacuated from the area around the plant, which is still leaking radiation, in the world’s worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986 which prompted the government to rethink its energy policy. The protest leaders, including 1994 Nobel-prize winner Kenzaburo Oe and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, called the rally “Goodbye to Nuclear Power Plants”.

“Now is the only moment to really change nuclear policy and this is the best time to act,” said Satoe Sakai, 39, who trav-

elled from the central city of Osaka to join the rally. “If we don’t stop it now, we probably never will.” Former Prime Minister Naoto Kan told Japan’s Kyodo News that he had learned that around 30 million people in Tokyo and surrounding prefectures might have had to have been evacuated in a worst-case scenario.

“It was a crucial moment when I wasn’t sure whether Japan could continue to function as a state,” Kyodo quoted him as saying at the weekend. Kan had said earlier that Japan had no choice but to reduce its reliance on nuclear power over time. But he stopped short of calling for a complete phasing out of nuclear power, which before the crisis accounted for about 30 percent of Japan’s electricity supply. Many of the protesters in Tokyo yesterday were from Fukushima. “We, the people of Fukushima, do not see nuclear radiation of course and we can’t smell it,” said resident Yoshiharu Saito. “But we have no doubt it is spreading.” — Reuters

TOKYO: Tens of thousands of protesters gather at a park during the anti-nuclear demonstration to call on Japan’s government to abandon atomic energy in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident, in Tokyo, Japan yesterday.—AP

Fake pilot prank prompts scare at NZ airport WELLINGTON: It was enough to spark a major security scare: A man posing as a pilot tried to gain access to a restricted part of an international airport and then escaped when questioned. But it turns out the incident at New Zealand’s Auckland Airport was an elaborate television stunt gone awry. And now three show producers are facing charges and the possibility, if convicted, of jail time.

The worry began Saturday when police say a man dressed in a replica pilot’s uniform, complete with epaulets on his shoulders and silver wings on his cap, tried to gain access to a secure part of the airport before being challenged by ground staff. The man left the airport and escaped in a black Toyota van. Police issued alerts for the man, complete with

grainy security footage, saying the effort he’d gone to in trying to deceive staff and gain access was of “significant concern.”

The incident seemed reminiscent of the 2002 movie “Catch Me If You Can,” which recounts the true story of a young con artist who successfully poses as an airline pilot before being caught by the FBI. Then the story took a turn. Police announced yesterday they’d charged three unlikely suspects a company director, a film producer and a broadcaster. The Auckland men are aged between 26 and 33.

Local television station TV3 then put out its own statement: The men all work on a comedy show called “Wanna-Ben.” The premise of the show is that an unemployed man named Ben tries to find excit-

ing work, like becoming a rock star or a fashion icon, and meets famous people along the way. The show is produced by an independent company, Yoink Productions. “I’m so sorry for all the trouble this has caused,” said Ben Boyce, the face of the show, in the statement. “We did not intend to breach security or cause any worry or concern. This was an attempt at humor which we fully accept was misplaced.” The incident, which occurred as New Zealand hosts an estimated 100,000 visitors for the Rugby World Cup, was quickly condemned at the highest levels. “Look, I don’t know all of the details,” said New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key at a news conference. “But if it’s a stunt, then I think it’s irresponsible from a bunch of clowns who should know better.” —AP

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Years

NEWS

MUMBAI: A custom Tata Motors’ ‘Nano’ car is seen adorned in gold, silver and gemstone trimmings during its unveiling yesterday.

The world’s first gold jewellery car, claimed by Tata, is made from 80 kg of 22 karat gold, 15 kg of silver and numerous gemstones.

— AFP

Seif seen in battle for oasis town

36 slain in Burundi Continued from Page 1 present at the bar yesterday.

“France, the European Union and the international community condemn in the strongest terms these acts of unspeakable violence,” French Ambassador Jean Lamy said.

“No one can understand what happened,” said Gaspard, an old man who lives next door to the bar.

“These people killed gratuitously, they didn’t steal anything. I think this group, that the authorities are calling armed bandits, wanted to gain notoriety,” he added. “I’m convinced that FNL bandits did this,” said a senior military officer at the scene.

Some local residents said the bar belonged to a member of the ruling party. At the time of the attack it was full of members of the Espoir FC

football team, whose members are affiliated to the ruling party youth league. Some residents suggested the attack could have been revenge for the killing of FNL members. The FNL, a former Hutu rebel movement, was integrated into the regular army in 2009, but its leader Rwasa went back to the bush after pulling out of elections last year.

Hospitals were swamped with the injured and doctors struggled to cope with the influx. At one hospital, bodies lay covered in blood-soaked linen on the floor and others in the parking lot, an AFP correspondent said. Some of the wounded were being treated in hospital corridors crowded with crying relatives. “We are totally overwhelmed. We are lacking blood, equipment and medicine to treat all the injured,” said a

doctor who gave his name only as Leonard.

War-damaged Burundi has suffered a spate of attacks since elections last year when the opposition boycotted the vote, accusing President Nkurunziza’s party of rigging. Last week, Rwasa accused state officials of massacring and torturing more than 100 of his supporters. Hundreds of opposition members have been detained since the 2010 elections, according to some opposition leaders who have urged the government to free them. The small countr y is still struggling to emerge from 13 years of civil war that erupted in 1993 and left some 300,000 people dead.

The escalating violence has raised fears of a resumption of all-out conflict. — AFP

Syria opposition vies to organize Continued from Page 1 “Despite the mounting international pressure in the past six months since the start of protests,... the bloody crackdown in Syria has intensified,” UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kang Kyung-wha said in Geneva. She told the UN Human Rights Council that it “should continue to use all means available in this regard,” to help stop the bloodshed. “It has continuously undermined those promises by more excessive use of force, killing of demonstrators, mass arrests, raids on cities, torture and other abuses,” Kang said.

A fact-finding mission by Kang’s office to Syria found that the crackdown may amount to crimes against humanity and urged the UN Security Council to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court. A Syrian envoy told the council in Geneva that the mission’s report was “biased” and said “the events that have taken place have nothing to do with peaceful protests”. Assad’s government says it is battling “armed terrorist gangs” and will proceed with reforms when Syria is rid of “chaos.”

Since mid-March, several opposition groups have emerged united in their call for the regime’s ouster but have been divided about how to do it. The latest group, the Syrian Coalition of Secular and Democratic Forces (CSDF), meeting in Paris, issued a statement yesterday urging the international community to protect civilians against the repression. The appeal - an implicit call for foreign intervention - conflicted with other pleas by opposition groups for an end to the bloodshed and political,

economic and social reforms.

“We call on the international community to adopt a United Nations resolution to protect civilians,” said a statement modelled on UN Security Council Resolution 1973 that authorised international action in Libya. The CSDF brings together a dozen parties and political figures representing non-Islamist opposition groups from Kurdish and Arab, Christian and Muslim communities. Other opposition groups include the National Coordinating Committee for Democratic Change, a coalition of Arab and Kurdish nationalists, Marxists and independents such as writer Michel Kilo and economist Aref Dalila.

“We need to end the tyrannical security regime. We must overthrow the tyranny and the security (agents),” Hassan Abdel Azim, a senior member of the group said on Sunday. On Thursday, opposition figures identified members of the “Syrian National Council,” revealing the names of just 72 of the 140-strong body for security reasons. Two more opposition groups were created in Turkey in August - the mainly Islamist “National Council” and the “National Council of Syrian Transition” headed by Paris-based academic Burhan Ghaliyoun.

Fr e n c h Fo r e i g n M i n i s t e r A l a i n J u p p e s a i d o n Monday that “crimes against humanity are committed in Syria. The silence of the Security Council is unacceptable”. Russia - one of the five permanent Security Co u n c i l m e m b e r s - h a s re s i s te d a t te m p t s by t h e United States and EU nations to issue a resolution condemning Damascus, a key ally and buyer of Russian weapons. — AFP

Turkey threatens offshore drilling with...

Continued from Page 1 The Greek Cyprus government, which says its hydrocarbon search is to the benefit of all Cypriots, has angered Turkey further by seeking to extend cooperation with Israel in the exploration and export of natural gas.

In December, Cyprus and Israel signed an agreement defining their maritime border that allows the neighbours to forge ahead in the search for energy sources in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey and Israel have been locked in a bitter dispute since May 2010 when Israeli naval commandos

stormed a convoy of six ships trying to reach the Gaza Strip in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade, killing nine people. The row also threatens to complicate Turkey’s relations with the European Union, which Ankara has warned it will freeze when EU member Cyprus takes the rotating presidency of the bloc as scheduled next year. “That will be an important choice for the EU, between Turkey and Greek Cyprus,” he said.

Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said yesterday that the EU urges Turkey “to refrain from any

kind of threat or sources of friction or action which could negatively affect the good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of border disputes”. Kocijancic repeated EU calls for a comprehensive settlement for Cyprus, saying, “All parties should exercise restraint and do their utmost to facilitate success for completion of this process.” “We have also underlined the importance of progress in normalisation of the relations between Turkey and all EU member states, including for example Cyprus,” she told a press briefing in Brussels. — AFP

Saadoun: Government unable to run country Continued from Page 1 corruption” prevailing in Kuwait, which involves almost all aspects of life.

In another development, several MPs yesterday called for the release of Kuwaiti Shiite blogger Nasser Abul who has been in detention for more than three months pending trial over derogatory remarks against the rulers of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on his Twitter account.

The head of the Assembly’s human rights committee MP Duwaisan said

it was unfair to keep Abul behind bars for over 100 days without any proof.

Abul was charged with harming Kuwait’s interests abroad and relations with friendly countries, but he insisted that the insulting statements on his Twitter account were written by a hacker and that he immediately deleted them when he saw it. MP Saleh Ashour also called for his release and held the interior minister responsible for bringing him to court today, claiming that the interior ministry was deliberate-

ly not bringing him to court to prolong his detention.

MP Hassan Jowhar meanwhile sent a question to the interior minister asking him about the number of bloggers, Twitter and Facebook users who have been interrogated by the ministry since the beginning of last year. He demanded the names of those summoned, their nationality and the reason for interrogating them. He also demanded the number of those who have been detained and the legal bases for this.

Continued from Page 1 Gaddafi’s brigades, whose members joined the NTC forces,” said Kenshil, adding they were “mercenaries from Chad, Niger and Togo, according to the bodies we have recovered.”

France denied yesterday that it had mercenaries in Libya, after Gaddafi’s loyalists said they had captured 17 foreigners - some British and French - in Bani Walid. The claim by Gaddafi’s spokesman Moussa Ibrahim that foreign security personnel had been captured in the battle for the pro-Gaddafi bastion Bani Walid could not be verified and no immediate proof was presented. “A group was captured in Bani Walid consisting of 17 mercenaries.

They are technical experts and they include consultative officers,” Ibrahim said on Syria-based Arrai television, which has backed Gaddafi. “Most of them are French, one of them is from an Asian country that has not been identified, two English people and one Qatari.”

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, in New York to attend a UN meeting, told journalists: “We have no French mercenaries in Libya.” The British foreign office

said it had no information about whether the report was true and Qatar’s foreign ministry was not available for comment. NATO, which is staging air strikes on Gaddafi loyalist positions, says it has no troops on the ground in Libya. Western nations have sent special forces in the past, and media have reported that private security firms have aided anti-Gaddafi forces in training, target ting and with leadership. Gulf Arab states have also sent trainers and arms.

Gaddafi, Seif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah Al-Senussi have been on the run since rebels overran Tripoli on August 23. They are wanted by the International Criminal Cour t for alleged crimes against humanity. On Sunday, NTC forces were beaten back after pushing into Bani Walid. Correspondents heard loud explosions and intermittent gunfire from inside the town, and rockets exploded near NTC positions on its outskirts. “We folded because of the intensity of the bombing by the loyalist forces against our positions,” Kenshil said, adding negotiations were under way to evacuate some 50,000 civilians from the town. — Agencies

US eyes Asia from secret Aussie base Continued from Page 1 posts, intercepting weapons and communications signals via a series of satellites orbiting Earth.

Australia has had joint leadership at the post and access to all intercepted material since 1980, but the base’s history is not without controversy.

Former prime minister Gough Whitlam was sensationally sacked by the British monarchy - allegedly at American urging - not long after he threatened to close Pine Gap in 1975, although other domestic political issues were also involved in his removal.

Its futuristic domes were originally built as a weapon in America’s spy war with Russia, officially starting operations in 1970, but Rosenberg says it is now targeting the US-led “war on terror” and Asia’s military boom. “There’s a large segment of the world that are weapons-producing countries who have programs that the United States and Australia are interested in, and obviously a lot of Asia encompasses that area,” Rosenberg told AFP. The career spy is under a lifetime secrecy agreement with the NSA, meaning he cannot reveal classified information and is limited in what he can say about his time at Pine Gap, but said North Korea and China were among its targets. “I think any country that has a large military, is a large weapons producer, is always going to be a focus for the intelligence com-

munity and China of course is growing and it’s growing rapidly,” he said.

“There are developments there that we are looking at.”

India and Pakistan were also “very much of a concern”, he added, with a surprise nuclear test by New Delhi in 1998 catching Pine Gap’s analysts “blind”. The latter half of his time at the mysterious station known to locals as the “Space Base” was dominated by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and an intense focus on Al-Qaeda following the Sept 11 attacks in 2001. Rosenberg recalls that day as his most sombre in the job, with analysts scouring the region for clues on what was going to happen next, knowing instantly that Al-Qaeda was responsible and fearing they would strike again. “While these attacks were happening we of course were thinking how many other simultaneous or near-simultaneous actions are going to happen?” he said. “We didn’t know how many other attacks had been planned that day.”

It was also a huge wake-up call to the fragmented spy community, he added, who soon realised all the signs had been there of an impending attack but they had failed to piece them together to perhaps prevent 9/11. Delays also allowed bin Laden and other Al-Qaeda leaders to escape into hiding, a “significant intelligence failure” which left agents with a 10year hunt Rosenberg was not around to see completed - one of his few

regrets. It was “certainly possible” that Pine Gap was involved in the US mission which ultimately saw bin Laden killed in Pakistan in May, he added.

He sees “cyber-warfare” such as state-endorsed hacking and increasingly portable technology allowing, for example, the remote detonation of a bomb with a mobile phone, as the next big front for the intelligence community. Rosenberg’s book offers a rare insight into the mysterious world of military espionage, discussing widespread doubts amongst spies about the since-debunked claims of weapons of mass destruction that presaged the invasion of Iraq.

It was screened 16 times before publication by four intelligence agencies - three American and one Australian - and has been altered or blacked out in sections through an arduous censorship process which saw him, at one point, taken into a vault in Canberra for interrogation.

Defence officials were also due to seize and destroy his computer harddrive to ensure classified elements of the original manuscript were wiped out. But the self-confessed “Mission: Impossible” fan said he had no regrets about telling his story.

“Imagine being in a job where secrecy surrounds everything you did for 23 years - it’s kind of like letting the cork out of a champagne bottle, all the secrets come flowing out,” he said. “It was quite a liberating experience for me.” —AFP

Yemen security forces kill 28 as protests rage Continued from Page 1 watchdog Amnesty International called on Sanaa to halt the violence or risk a descent into civil war.

Witnesses said security forces opened fire yesterday on protesters camping out at Al-Zubair Road near Sanaa’s Change Square, the epicentre of anti-regime protests.

The protesters retaliated by throwing stones, sparking fresh volleys of gunfire, they said. Snipers shot dead the children, identified as Anas and Louay Al-Suaidi, when they were in their parents’ car on a road west of Change Square, their mother said.

“The Yemeni authorities must immediately stop the killing of peaceful protesters by security forces,” the London-based Amnesty said in a statement. “Eruptions of violence point to a growing risk of civil war,” said Phillip Luther, Amnesty’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa. “The Yemenis must stop the use of excessive force before the violence spirals out of control.” rted 26 people killed and 500 wounded in the clashes. Early yesterday, thousands of protesters staged another march from Change Square to join the tens of thousands who had camped out at Al-Zubair Road. Two protesters were also killed yesterday in the flashpoint city of Taez south of Sanaa, witnesses said.

State news agency Saba repor ted UN envoy

Benomar’s arrival yesterday, while an airport official told AFP that GCC chief Zayani had also flown in. A Western diplomat in Sanaa told AFP that the signing of the UN roadmap was scheduled for later in the day. A high-level Saudi official said on Saturday that Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi would sign a Gulfbrokered initiative “within a week” after the United States said this is what it had “hoped” would happen.

Saleh, who has ruled Yemen since 1978, has been recovering in Saudi Arabia after a June 3 explosion at his presidential compound, but has so far refused to transfer power to his deputy or to sign the Gulf Initiative.

Saudi King Abdullah met Saleh yesterday to discuss the violence, the official Saudi SPA news agency said. It was their first meeting since Saleh arrived in Riyadh for medical treatment. SPA said the king Abdullah pledged his commitment to a “stable, secure, and unified” Yemen and hoped that the Yemeni people will overcome the crisis, SPA said without elaborating. It also said that the Yemeni president had expressed his thanks for the king’s hospitality. Saudi Arabia is one of the authors of the GCC initiative, and Saleh’s refusal to sign it has angered its sponsors who, along with many in the international community, fear a total meltdown of the political order in Yemen. — Agencies

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

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Issues

Egypt democratic transition lags amid confusion

By Samer Al-Atrush t took 18 days of democracy protests to end Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak’s 30 years in power. It may yet take at least 18 months after his overthrow to see off the generals who succeeded him. The military, in charge since Mubarak was toppled in February, has said it will not hand over power until presidential elections are held.

According to a timeline announced this week, that may not happen until August 2012. The head of the electoral commission said this week a three-stage parliamentary election will start on November 21 and end on January 3. A senate election will begin on January 22 and end on March 4.

The military had said that, after the election, a panel will create a constitution to replace Mubarak’s, which was suspended after his ouster. It has six months to finish its work and then Egypt will vote for a new president. Back in February, perhaps only a few of the hundreds of thousands who braved riot police and regime thugs to demand democracy would have imagined that Mubarak’s end would usher in prolonged martial rule. A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, says the military, which is headed by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, is not to blame for the delays.

“There were many demands to delay the elections,” he said. “And there is lack of stability in security.”

The country suffers from sporadic unrest - such as deadly clashes between protesters and police this month after activists stormed the Israeli embassy - and the police have yet to recover from the February revolt. The military official said a decision this month to split the parliamentary and senate elections, which will prolong the transition, was made at judges’ requests because they would not have the manpower to monitor simultaneous elections. The transition so far has been beset by tangle of confused demands from a plethora of activist groups and political parties and sometimes equally confused responses by the military and the caretaker cabinet it appointed.

Protesters who helped topple Mubarak now demonstrate against military rule, merely switching Mubarak with Tantawi in their chants. One of their main demands is an end to the military trials of thousands of civilians after Mubarak’s ouster. Yet many secular groups want a delay in parliamentary elections, fearing their well-organised and financed Islamist rivals would snap up the seats. “There are conflicting demands, and that is the result of the weakness of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf’s cabinet,” said Nabil Abdel Fatah, an analyst with the AlAhram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. “It is the result of the absence of a clear roadmap for transition,” he said.

An agreement on a transitional plan has so far eluded the political players. The Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s best organised movement, insists on quick parliamentary elections. The Brotherhood, and other Islamist groups, also organised in July a massive rally in Cairo to protest demands by secular groups for a declaration of constitutional principles before elections. The government has said it is working on drafting such principles, although a senior Brotherhood official insisted to AFP that, privately, the cabinet has assured them it was not.

Such a declaration, Abdel Fattah said, could allow for the election of a president, who would take over from the military, before a parliamentary election. The Brotherhood says it is not running a candidate for the presidential election, but it will contest up to half of parliament. —AFP

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Swashbuckling pays in German politics

By Stephen Brown and Erik Kirschbaum he humiliation of Angela Merkel’s allies in Berlin state elections offers her short-term relief in highlighting the risks of an explicitly ‘eurosceptic’ platform; but the vote dramatises a shift in Germany’s political landscape unlikely to benefit the chancellor. With the Social Democrats (SPD) scoring a convincing third-term win in the capital and likely to form a new coalition with the fast-growing Greens, the result reflects nationwide opinion polls and looks like a foretaste of federal elections in 2013.

The centre-left did not do as well as expected, the Greens had the wind taken out of their sails and the pride of Merkel’s own party was barely salvaged by small gains. The eccentric Pirate Party came from nowhere to teach all the established parties a lesson. “The Berlin election confirms what we’d already seen in other state elections this year - that the political landscape is changing,” said pollster Klaus-Peter Schoeppner of the EMNID Institute. “Germans are seeing so many problems heaped upon them, on the financial and economic fronts, on the energy and foreign policy fronts, that they

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have lost their trust in politicians and in political parties, and no longer regard them as competent to handle these issues,” said Schoeppner.

A year of seven regional elections has seen the authority of Merkel’s conservatives challenged in their wealthy southwestern stronghold, the FDP shrink from record highs in 2009’s federal elections to insignificance, and the impressive rise of the Greens, now present in all 16 German state assemblies. The steady decline of the former communist Left - who shot themselves in the foot by waxing nostalgic about the Berlin Wall - has been confirmed, with Berlin’s SPD Mayor Klaus Wowereit ruling out renewing a 10-year alliance with them in the capital.

The shifting landscape is also unsettling the SPD, whose progress to power in 2013 may be hijacked by internal rivalry as the party’s left championing the charismatic Wowereit while the right backs former finance minister Peer Steinbrueck. While some analysts, such as Michael Naumann, editor of the political magazine Cicero, doubt Wowereit has wide enough appeal across Germany, especially in the conservative south, to compete for the chancellor-

ship, the mayor is a proven election winner.

Germans now look for candidates who “embody their values” in a more personal sense, which in a political arena long bereft of charisma could favour figures like Wowereit, or “issue” parties such as the Pirates and the Greens, analysts said.

But even the astonishing success of the Pirate Party, self-confessed nerds campaigning on an eclectic platform of free Internet downloads, data protection, free underground rides and legalising drugs, is not easily projected onto the national political scene. “I don’t see their success being repeated elsewhere. They speak to young people, not yet established in their careers, and there is a large proportion of such voters in Berlin,” said Schoeppner.

While the FDP are the clear losers this year, ranking behind even the widely-reviled neoNazis in the depressed northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, for example, they are not going to disappear overnight or depart abruptly from government. The FDP remains a strong party in parliament, with 93 of the 622 seats in the Bundestag (lower house) thanks to a record 14.6 percent result in 2009 when Merkel ditched the SPD after four years of a

Grand Coalition. “The instability of the FDP is going to be a problem for Merkel. They are trying to raise their profile at the cost of the coalition,” said politican scientist Gero Neugebauer at Berlin’s Free University. “But new elections would be a disaster for the FDP, so they won’t want that.”

The FDP leader behind 2009’s success, Guido Westerwelle, had to step down in April under pressure from terrible state results - and his 38-year-old successor Philipp Roesler already looks eminently vulnerable after yet more disastrous local elections. He attempted last week to boost the FDP’s ratings by suggesting it should no longer be taboo to discuss an “orderly” sovereign default in Greece - which fuelled worry about the euro zone crisis and deeply irritated Merkel. While some polls last week suggested this could boost the FDP’s support by a few points, and that there would be support among Germans for a eurosceptic party, even some politicians inside the party thought the euro strategy had backfired. “I believe it was a mistake to profile our proEuropean FDP as a eurosceptic-style party,” said Cornelia Pieper, deputy foreign minister and FDP deputy chairwoman. — Reuters

Libya’s fractious new rulers enjoy honeymoon

By William Maclean bstinate resistance by Muammar Gaddafi’s last strongholds is an embarrassment for Libya’s new rulers, and bickering that delayed the formation of a new interim government suggests potentially damaging internal political rifts are widening. But for now Libya’s new political leaders have an indulgent audience, at least in Tripoli, the capital city that fell from Gaddafi’s grasp less than a month ago. Here, the savour of life released from the yoke of an all-powerful ruler who named himself the Guide, Brother Leader and Africa’s King of Kings remains intensely sweet. The fact that Libya’s new and crowded political field has produced a cacophony of argumentative voices is seen by political analysts and many ordinary Libyans as a refreshing change from the stultifying monotone of Gaddafi’s dictatorship.

Islamists and secularists have sparred in public over how to manage the transition from despotism to democracy, and leaders in towns and villages hard hit by the sixmonth conflict have demanded posts in the new administration, arguing that their communities need funds to rebuild.

But the alliance of convenience among anti-Gaddafi forces from a variety of political backgrounds born in the eastern city of Benghazi in February and March is not about to unravel, Libyan and foreign political analysts say, and its support among the Western and Arab nations that helped it toppled Gaddafi remains strong.

The increasingly raucous political debate emerging in the country is overlaid with a sense of relief that Gaddafi and his terrifying police state has gone, and his voice no longer dominates the airwaves of state radio and television. In Martyrs’ Square, where traffic police in crisply pressed white uniforms took up patrols on Monday for the first time since Gaddafi’s fall, engineer Mustafa Shaab bin Ragheb spelt out his priorities. “The delay in the new government isn’t important. It’s like a sick man,” he told Reuters as he rummaged at a roadside kiosk for rings bearing revolutionary slogans.

“He has to move slowly before he can walk at a normal speed. We need time to recover.” Then he added, waving his arms: “Look, we finally got rid of that bloody monkey. We are better than before.” “We will hang him and his sons, and then we

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can breathe freely. It’s too early for politics.”

Ramdan Bashiroun, a retired teacher, said it was normal that negotiations among Libya’s new rulers would take time.

“Gaddafi burned us for 40 years. He crushed all our possibilities,” Bashiroun said. The patience of Tripolitanians has been greatly helped by the return of power, water, food markets, telecommunications, and a start to the back payment of wages due for the months of the conflict.

But patience has its limits, and officials of new interim National Transitional Council (NTC) know that further progress on the military front is vital. Failure to take the Gaddafi-held towns of Bani Walid, Sirte and

Lockerbie bombing case, said the disarray was not surprising to Libyans and should not alarm foreign allies. The coalition that toppled Gaddafi involved exiles, activists from the anti-Gaddafi underground, ordinary Libyans from many backgrounds who had suffered repression. Everyone came together at short notice and in such conditions not everything was bound to go smoothly, he said. “What do you expect? It needs an exceptional effort and these are exceptional circumstances,” he said. “If anything, the more you have military problems the more it will keep them together. It doesn’t necessary mean a lack of leadership. They are very responsibly taking their

Libyan National Transition Council’s (NTC) fighters gather on the outskirts of Sirte, the hometown of former leader Muammar Gaddafi and one of his last strongholds, yesterday. — AFP Sabha threatens the NTC’s credibility.

On Sunday, NTC forces fled in a chaotic retreat from Bani Walid, after failing once again to storm it. Fighters told Reuters that confused orders, no central command and dissent in the ranks were to blame. The story was similar at Sirte, where NTC forces have made better progress but have still been repulsed by Gaddafi loyalists in four days of heavy fighting. Early progress is not guaranteed, despite help from NATO air power.

But Saad Djebbar, a London-based Algerian lawyer who acted for Libya in the

time and building a consensus about taking their forces forward.”

Political analyst Ashour Shamis said there was a potentially tricky link between the political and military domains and NTC leaders would have to show political deftness, and tolerance, in navigating a path to a new constitution. The NTC has drawn up a road map, setting out plans for a new constitution and elections over a 20-month period, which should start once a declaration of “liberation” is made. It is not clear what liberation entails but it is likely to be conditional upon the capture of Gaddafi

and the defeat of his loyalists in the three key towns they still hold.

Confidence in the NTC’s ability to steer a steady path took a knock on Sunday when it failed to agree on a new cabinet. The cabinet was dissolved last month after procedural errors in the handling of the unexplained shooting dead of the then NTC military chief. A new executive committee, to include officials responsible for defence and interior affairs, was supposed to be appointed by interim Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril on Sunday.

But the talks broke down when his proposals did not receive full backing from all current members. Ashour Shamis said the divisions were “a natural process. They have to accommodate so many people, so many talents and so many geographical considerations”. “Libyans didn’t have experience of this process for 42 years and these kind of negotiations are genuinely difficult,” Djebbar said. “The one prescription for success so far we have seen continuously in the Arab Spring has been the process of coalition building. The Arab Spring idea is that you’re looking for consensus, a result where no winner takes all, there is no monopoly of truth and no monopoly of power from anyone, in contrast to dictators who are omnipotent.”

There have been anxieties among Western officials about rifts between rival factions, including Islamists possibly backed by interests in the Gulf, in the ranks of the NTC. Concerns in the West about Islamists were exacerbated this month when some of them criticised Libya’s interim rulers - a mainly secular group of technocrats, some of them former Gaddafi officials -for allegedly behaving in a high handed manner towards Islamists and those of other political persuasions.

But Tripoli military commander Abdel Hakim Belhadj told Reuters on Sunday the outbreak of public ill-feeling was more the result of a desire to air long-suppressed views than any ideological divide.

“What you see now is the eruption of someone who was under oppression,” he said. “Libyans were denied the right to express their feelings ... There was a wall in front of them. When this wall was removed they just started to express themselves. Shamis agreed, describing the ideological component of the bickering as “minimal”. “It’s emotional rather than logical,” he said. — Reuters

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Years

sp orts Smith eyes MotoGP move LONDON: British rider Bradley Smith will move up to MotoGP from Moto2 in 2013 after agreeing a three-year deal with his French-based Yamaha Tech3 team. The team said yesterday that Smith, runner-up in the 125cc world championship in 2009, would remain with Tech3 in Moto2 for 2012 with Belgian rider Xavier Simeon.

“We are in no doubt that in 2012 he can be a genuine title contender before he makes the step to MotoGP,” said team manager Herve Poncharal.

“One more year in Moto2 will help him gain more valuable experience, so that when he moves to our MotoGP Team in 2013, he

Mexican clubs axe coaches

Kochi out of IPL

will be immediately competitive.”

“To think I’ll be riding a Yamaha 1000cc MotoGP bike just over a year from now is hard to believe,” added the 20-year-old Smith. “I’ve worked so hard for many years to earn the chance to be given an opportunity like this, and now it has come I intend to grab it with both hands.” Tech3 currently have British rider Cal Crutchlow as one of their riders in MotoGP. Their other rider American Colin Edwards is moving to the new NGM Forward Racing team, who are expected to use a Yamaha engine and Tech3 chassis, in MotoGP next season.

— Reuters

MUMBAI: The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has terminated the contract of the Indian Premier League’s Kochi franchise for a breach of terms, newly elected board president N. Srinivasan said yesterday.

Kochi, who debuted in the fourth edition of the cash-rich IPL in 2011, won the franchise rights last year after a successful bid of $333 million but BCCI sources said they had defaulted on their payments.

“Because of the irremediable breach committed by the Kochi franchise, the BCCI has decided to encash the bank guarantee in their possession and also terminate the franchise,” the new BCCI president N. Srinivasan told reporters.

“We have terminated the franchise because the breach is not capable of being remedied.” Kochi, led by former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene in their inaugural year, and the Pune Warriors were the two franchises added to the fourth edition of the tournament.

Any decision regarding the contracted cricketers of the franchise and a fresh auction to replace them will be taken by the IPL governing council, Srinivasan said.

The board, which elected its new set of office bearers at its annual general meeting yesterday, reiterated its reservations about the controversial Decision Review System (DRS). —Reuters

MEXICO CITY: Three Mexican clubs parted company with their coaches over the weekend including Tijuana, who fired Joaquin del Olmo just four months after he led them into the top flight for the first time.

America, the country’s richest club, replaced Carlos Reinoso with Alfredo Tena and Guadalajara-based Atlas appointed Juan Carlos Chavez after Argentine Ruben Omar Romano resigned.

Estudiantes Tecos, Queretaro and Santos Laguna have also changed coaches since the 18-team Apertura, the first of two championships in the Mexican season, started in late July. Six points from nine games sealed

Tigers roll over Athletics OAKLAND: Justin Verlander won his 12th straight start, allowing just three hits over eight innings to become the first pitcher in nine years to reach 24 wins and lead the American League Central champion Detroit Tigers over the Oakland Athletics 3-0 Sunday. Verlander (24-5) extended his scoreless streak to 17 innings, becoming the first pitcher to win a dozen starts in a row since Minnesota’s Johan Santana in 2004, according to STATS LLC. Verlander has the most wins in a major league season since Arizona’s Randy Johnson in 2002. With another victory, he would become the most winning pitcher in a season since Oakland’s Bob Welch went 27-6 in 1990. Austin Jackson homered leading off the sixth, the first hit off Guillermo Moscoso (8-9).

Rays 8, Red Sox 5 At Boston, David Price took a line drive off his chest but stuck around to pitch four solid innings as Tampa Bay capitalized on wild knuckleballs from Tim Wakefield (7-7) to cut Boston’s AL wild-card lead to two games.

Boston lost for 11th time in 14 games, including defeats in six of seven against the Rays. Tampa Bay trailed Boston by nine games on Sept. 3. Price took Mike Aviles’ liner off his right shoulder Price pitched the fourth before leaving for what the team said was precautionary reasons.

Matt Joyce had three hits and three RBIs, Jake McGee (3-1) pitched 2 2-3 innings, and Joel Peralta got three outs for his fifth save.

Blue Jays 3, Yankees 0 At Toronto, Mariano Rivera remained at 601 saves as Adam Lind homered twice off Freddy Garcia (11-8) to back Brandon Morrow (10-11) in Toronto’s win over New York.

Morrow allowed four hits in eight innings, struck out eight and walked one.

Frank Francisco pitched around an Eduardo

Angels 11, Orioles 2 At Baltimore, Erick Aybar went 4 for 4, homered twice and tied a franchise record set by Tim Salmon in 1998 by scoring five runs as the Angels averted a three-game sweep. Vernon Wells also connected for the Angels. Pitching on three days’ rest, Jered Weaver (18-7) allowed two runs and six hits in six innings.

Vladimir Guerrero homered, tripled and had two RBIs for the Orioles, whose fourgame winning streak ended. Alfredo Simon (4-9) gave up six runs and eight hits, including three home runs, in five innings.

Indians 6, Twins 5 At Minneapolis, Shelley Duncan homered to start a six-run seventh and added a two-run double in the inning as Cleveland completed a three-game sweep and extended Minnesota’s losing streak to eight.

Trailing 3-0, the Indians scored five unearned runs in the seventh with help from an error by first baseman Chris Parmalee. Duncan led off with a homer and also doubled in a pair of runs in the inning.

Minnesota’s Jason Repko left after being hit in the head by a pitch from Justin Masterson (12-10) in the sixth. Repko walked off the field with assistance and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

OAKLAND: Detroit Tigers’ Austin Jackson scores on a Brandon Inge double against the Oakland Athletics in the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game. — AP

Nunez double in the ninth for his 16th save.

New York remained 4 1-2 games ahead of second-place Boston in the AL East.

Rangers 3, Mariners 0 At Seattle, Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer in the fourth off former teammate

MLB results/standings WASHINGTON: Results and standings in baseball’s National League after Sunday’s games: Milwaukee 8, Cincinnati 1; NY Mets 7, Atlanta 5; Washington 4, Florida 3; Houston 3, Chicago Cubs 2; San Francisco 12, Colorado 5; Arizona 5, San Diego 1;La Dodgers 15, Pittsburgh 1; St Louis 5, Philadelphia 0; Toronto 3, NY Yankees 0; Tampa Bay 8, Boston 5; LA Angels 11, Baltimore 2; Chi White Sox 10, Kansas City 5; Cleveland 6, Minnesota 5; Detroit 3, Oakland 0; Texas 3, Seattle 0.

X-Philadelphia Atlanta NY Mets Washington Florida

National League Eastern Division W L PCT 98 53 .649 87 66 .569 73 80 .477 72 79 .477 69 84 .451

GB 12 26 26 30

Milwaukee St Louis Cincinnati Pittsburgh Chicago Cubs Houston

Central Division 90 63 83 69 74 79 68 85 67 86 52 100

6.5 16 22 23 37.5

Arizona San Francisco La Dodgers Colorado San Diego

Western Division 88 65 .575 83 70 .542 76 76 .500 70 82 .461 65 88 .425

5 11.5 17.5 23

NY Yankees Boston Tampa Bay Toronto Baltimore

American League Eastern Division 91 60 .603 87 65 .572 85 67 .559 77 75 .507 62 89 .411

4.5 6.5 14.5 29

X-Detroit Cleveland Chi White Sox Kansas City Minnesota

Central Division 89 64 75 75 74 78 67 87 59 92

.588 .546 .484 .444 .438 .342

.582 .500 .487 .435 .391

Western Division Texas 88 65 .575 La Angels 83 69 .546 Oakland 69 84 .451 Seattle 63 89 .414 X—Won Division Title

12.5 14.5 22.5 29

4.5 19 24.5

Felix Hernandez (14-13) as Texas remained 4 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.

Matt Harrison (13-9) won his third straight start, striking out a career-high nine in 6 2-3 innings, and Neftali Feliz got three outs for his 28th save.

White Sox 10, Royals 5 At Kansas City, Missouri, A.J. Pierzynski homered twice among his four hits and drove in four runs as Chicago stopped a seven-game losing streak and ended Kansas City’s seven-game winning streak, the Royals’ longest since September 2008.

Paul Konerko and Pierzynski had backto-back homers leading off the seventh against rookie Louis Coleman.

John Danks (7-12 allowed four runs and 10 hits in six-plus innings. Bruce Chen (118) gave up four runs and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings. — AP

Giants pound Rockies DENVER: Pablo Sandoval homered twice in an eight-run fourth inning, part of a six-home run barrage that led the late-charging San Francisco Giants over the Colorado Rockies 12-5 Sunday for their eighth straight win.

On its longest winning streak since April 2007, San Francisco closed within four games of Atlanta, the NL wild-card leader.

Pitcher Matt Cain (12-10), Mike Fontenot, Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford also homered for the Giants, who began the day five games back of Arizona in the NL West. Esmil Rogers (66) was the loser.

D’backs 5, Padres 1 At San Diego, Joe Saunders took a five-hitter into the ninth inning and Paul Goldschmidt drove in three runs as Arizona cut the magic number to five for their first NL West title since 2007.

Saunders (12-12) limited last-place San Diego an unearned run and seven hits in 8 2-3 innings, improving to 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA against the Padres this season.

After two-out singles by Blanks and Alberto Gonzalez in the ninth, J.J. Putz struck out pinch-hitter Nick Hundley for his 41st save in 45 chances.

Mets 7, Braves 5 At Atlanta, Ruben Tejada had four RBIs and Lucas Duda homered off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning as New York slowed Atlanta’s wild-card bid with a walk-filled 7-5 victory.

Atlanta lost two of three to the Mets, who arrived with a six-game losing streak. New York went 6-4 at Atlanta this year, its first winning record at Turner Field since 2008.

After pinch-hitter Ronny Paulino’s bases-loaded walk in the eighth against Jonny Venters (6-2) tied it at 5, Tejada singled to put the Mets ahead for good.

Duda’s homer was just the second this year off Kimbrel, the NL saves leader.

Tim Byrdak (2-0) won despite allowing a go-ahead single in the seventh to Freddie Freeman, who had been on an 0-for-15 slide.

Cardinals 5, Phillies 0 At Philadelphia, Allen Craig hit two homers and drove in three runs, and Chris Carpenter gave up eight hits in eight innings as St. Louis improved its playoff chances by beating Philadelphia.

Albert Pujols also homered for the Cardinals (83-69), who pulled within 3 1/2 games of the Atlanta Braves in the

DENVER: Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Esmil Rogers (48) pitches to San Francisco Giants’ Mike Fontenot who hit a two-run home run during the first inning. — AP NL wild-card chase with their ninth win in 11 games. The Cardinals remained 6 1/2 back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.

Carpenter (10-9) recorded all but four of his outs by groundballs, and induced three double plays. Only three Phillies reached second and none advanced to third. Carpenter finished with five strikeouts and one walk. Chase Utley had three hits for the Phillies (9853).

Brewers 8, Reds 1 At Cincinnati, Carlos Gomez and Prince Fielder each hit two-run homers in the first and Zack Greinke breezed through seven sharp innings to help Milwaukee complete a series sweep of Cincinnati.

Greinke (15-6) allowed just two hits and one run with three walks. He tied his season high with 10 strikeouts.

Matt Maloney was pressed into service as Cincinnati’s starting pitcher after Dontrelle Willis developed back spasms.

Maloney (0-3) gave up seven runs - six earned - on nine hits in 1 2-3 innings.

His ERA climbed from 6.88 to 9.16.

Dodgers 15, Pirates 1 At Los Angeles, James Loney had five hits with three RBIs, and Jerry Sands and Juan Rivera each drove in four runs as Los Angeles routed Pittsburgh.

Sands had a homer among his four hits, leading a 23-hit attack against eight Pittsburgh pitchers. Matt Kemp had three hits, including his 34th homer, and drove in two runs.

Chad Billingsley (11-10) allowed a run and four hits over five innings and struck out five. Brad Lincoln (1-3) lasted only 1 1-3 innings and was charged with six runs on eight hits - three of which were sharp singles through the box.

Astros 3, Cubs 2 At Chicago, Brett Myers benefited from a reversed homer call to beat Chicago again and Clint Barmes had a two-run single for Houston.

With Chicago down by a run in the eighth and Starlin Castro on first, Carlos Pena’s drive to left was initially ruled a two-run homer. The call was overturned after umpires reviewed video of the play. Pena was given a double and Castro was put on third base, then Marlon Byrd flied out to end the threat.

Myers (6-13) held Chicago to two runs one earned - over 7 2-3 innings.

Nationals 4, Marlins 3 At Washington, Wang Chien-ming had the longest start of his comeback from shoulder surgery, leaving with two outs in the seventh inning, and Danny Espinosa delivered his first RBI in two weeks for Washington.

The right-hander allowed runs on Gaby Sanchez’s fifth-inning solo shot and Brett Hayes’ two-run homer in the seventh. Wang (3-3) gave up six hits, struck out five and didn’t walk a batter in 6 2-3 innings.

Florida rookie Brad Hand (1-8), meanwhile, lost his fifth consecutive start, allowing four runs - three earned and five hits in four innings.—AP

Del Olmo’s fate at Tijuana, though his achievements were recognised and appreciated by the club.

“The directors give enormous thanks to Del Olmo’s work,” said Tijuana in a statement shortly after Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat by Estudiantes Tecos.

“He brought the Tijuana team into the first division of Mexican football and that is something that will always be recorded in the illustrious history of this border town.”

Chilean Reinoso quit America after eight months at the helm following their 5-3 defeat to Chiapas and his replacement Tena returns for a second stint having previously been in charge in 1999-2000.—Reuters

Fast drivers take risks, says Hamilton LONDON: The key to being a really quick Formula One driver is to take risks on the racetrack and be in no rush to start a family, according to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton. In a recent interview with Reuters and two international reporters, the 2008 world champion cast himself as an old-fashioned racer entranced by the whiff of petrol in his nostrils and the roar of an engine in his ears.

“I think the guys in the older days were taking risks, their lives were more at risk I guess. I would have loved to have driven in the olden days,” said the 26-year-old Briton. “I don’t know why I’m like that but I’ve always been like that, more on the risky side. Not on the risk side to put others in danger but just I am willing to take just a little bit more.”

Hamilton’s driving has been a source of regular controversy this season, with crashes and collisions bringing him into repeated contact with stewards.

The Briton, who could well take his third win of the season in Singapore this weekend, said before the last Italian Grand Prix that he had become an “easy target” in one of the toughest years of his career. While he has said he will do his utmost to stay out of trouble, he is not about to change his style.

Asked about a recent comment by the retired German driver Hans Stuck, whose best ever finish was third place, suggesting Hamilton should undergo therapy, the Briton replied: “For me? How did he do in Formula One?” “Not so well,” came the answer. “Exactly.

Exactly. That says it all,” said Hamilton.

“I think being slightly more risky in some ways is what separates the faster drivers from maybe the notso-faster drivers,” he said. “You see generally older drivers sometimes that have families and things that kind of lose a little bit.

“David Coulthard said to me that when he had a child ‘I didn’t want to risk much more because I wanted to make sure that I was there the next day to see my kid’. So he was willing to risk less and maybe that’s natural,” continued Hamilton, whose girlfriend is pop singer Nicole Scherzinger. “I’m still young and I’m not in that position yet and I can’t say if when I have family whether that will happen. It’s a long way away.”

Of the five world champions currently on the starting grid, only Germany’s 42-year-old Michael Schumacher-whose last podium placing was in 2006 with Ferrari before he began his comeback with Mercedes in 2010 — has children. Asked about Italian MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, who has been under fire this season for his aggressive style, Hamilton recognised they might have something in common.

“He is clearly a talented rider to get to where he was, and riding his way got him to where he was, but I think just generally in motor racing there is a fine line between being very dangerous and putting other people’s lives at risk and then being just beneath the danger zone,” he said.

“And that’s kind of where you just try never to go over the line. But this is motor racing and we are racing wheel-to-wheel at 200 miles an hour so it’s going to happen. There are crashes all the time and people are going to touch at some stage,” he added.

“I have some comments as well from drivers that say I am too aggressive but again it’s just trying to find a fine balance. I’m not here to ruin anyone else’s races, I am just trying to beat them and that’s the best way to do your talking. “If I have been too aggressive and I have come together with someone, in Monaco for example, I think okay. You just step back a little bit, but not completely change my approach because this is my life and this is how I do it.”

With the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) planning an electric racing series from 2013, Hamilton was asked whether he could imagine racing such a vehicle-not that he is ever likely to do so in Formula One. “Hopefully I won’t be around then. I’ll be out, I’ll have had the best years of Formula One and then I would have moved on to something else,” he laughed.

“I love the sound of the engines, I love the V10 we used to have. I love V12 cars. I love the smell of fuel when you go in the garage, the fumes. When they are filling my car up and I am in the cockpit, I love that smell that comes in.

“However I am very much for green,” added the Swiss resident. “I have solar panels on my house, I use no electric or gas from the city. I use all geothermal heating from the ground, that kind of stuff, I have a hybrid car-although of course I have fuel cars as well.

“But still, motor racing; there’s something special about it. There’s the danger aspect about Formula One, which is special. And then there’s the smell and the sound of the engines. If you took that sound away and that smell, motor racing just wouldn’t be the same.” — Reuters

Lewis Hamilton in action in this file photo

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Investment means no more Romania, says IRB AUCKLAND: Rugby’s investment in second and third tier nations is already reaping World Cup dividends and should ensure what happened to Romania at the end of the last century will not be repeated, International Rugby Board (IRB) secretary general Mike Miller has told Reuters.

The competitiveness of the so called “minnows” has been one of the more welcome features of the first two weeks of the eighth World Cup in a sport where a handful of heavyweights have for so long dominated. With the exception of the 13-try demolition of Japan by hosts New Zealand, the pool games have been more closely fought than at previous World Cups where mis-matches threatened to devalue rugby’s showpiece tournament.

“It’s great, we’re very, very happy with what’s going both on and off the field,” Miller told Reuters in an interview.

“If you look at the Pacific islands and

Russia and U.S.A, Canada and Romania, we’ve invested millions of dollars in them to give them the same sort of competitive structure, the same sort of strength and conditioning and match analysis as the top 10 countries.

“They don’t tire in the last 20 minutes like they used to now that they’re stronger and fitter and they are more sophisticated in the way that they play.”

The investment by the IRB in both the top nations and second and third tier countries had being going for some six years now and, if anything, was producing results ahead of schedule, the Irishman said. “We really didn’t expect to see this great an improvement because really we’re looking 20 to 30 years down the line.

“They’ve been a bit stronger than we’d have hoped but at the same time we’ve seen the commitment they have, we’ve seen how hard they’ve worked.

“They’ve put a lot of effort in over the last year to prepare for the World Cup. You’re always anxious beforehand, of course, but I’m not totally surprised, more pleased.”

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, Romania threatened to break into the cartel of top nations when it started producing teams capable of beating the likes of Wales, Scotland and France. The collapse of the country’s Communist regime in 1989, however, signalled the end of domestic investment in the sport which precipitated a rapid decline in rugby in the Eastern European nation. “Romania were very strong at the tail-end of the amateur era,” Miller said. “At the time, world rugby did not grasp the opportunity that was presented to it. “(Romania) declined for a combination of reasons, the collapse of the system in Eastern Europe and also because if you don’t strike when the iron’s hot, you tend

to miss an opportunity.” The most recent example of a nation breaking into the elite echelons of the game came at the 2007 World Cup when an impressive Argentina team finished third. The IRB’s reaction to that breakthrough had been more proactive, Miller said, and had helped secure the Pumas regular high-level international competition from next year.

“Rugby’s learned from (Romania), and that’s why we’ve spent a lot of time and a lot of effort, and frankly, a lot of money as well, to get Argentina into the Tri-Nations to make it the Four Nations,” he added. “We recognised this is a similar case, this time we’re not going to miss the boat.

Hopefully, that will work well.” A large part of the IRB’s revenue comes from the World Cup, although they are hoping for funding boosts for the game around the world from the burgeoning international sevens series and the admission of the shorter version of

the game to the Olympics from 2016.

“We’re expecting about 85 million pounds ($134 million) as surplus from this World Cup, it was 125 million from France in 2007 so we’re 30 percent down but that’s okay, we expected and budgeted for it,” he said.

“And we’re dipping into our reserves to try keep the strategic investment going because the growth of the game is so important.” Miller said it was sometimes tough to deal with the expectations people in the game had of the IRB and the speed at which results could be achieved in areas like development.

“People expect everything, yesterday, that’s just the way it is,” he said. “But I would prefer people had heightened expectations rather than low expectations. And, if we have issues, I’d rather we had issues associated with growth, which is what we have, rather than decline.”—Reuters

France dismiss idea of deliberate defeat

DENMARK: A hostess walks off the podium as new world champion Luke Durbridge of Australia (rear left) and fellow countryman Michael Hepburn (right and bronze medal) pose for photographers on the podium. —AP

Aussies strike double gold on road worlds’ opener COPENHAGEN: Luke Durbridge and Jessica Allen successfully launched Australia’s gold medals bid at the road cycling world championships yesterday with respective time trial victories. Durbridge, who finished second in the men’s under-23 event last year in Australia, produced a time trial masterclass to achieve his year’s ambition by completing a flat but technical 35.2 km course in 42min 47.13sec.

First at every intermediate point, the 20-yearold-whose next focus is to cement his place in Australia’s track pursuit team for the London Games in 2012 — left Denmark’s Rasmus Christian Quaade in second at 35sec.

Fellow pursuit specialist Michael Hepburn survived a crash three-quarters of the way into his race to go on and take the bronze, giving Australia three medals from the first day of the week-long event.

“It’s fantastic,” said Durbridge, who admitted that watching Allen win the women’s junior event earlier had given him a boost.

“I watched Jess win the gold an hour before my race, that was a special moment for her and I wanted to come out here and get mine (gold).

“It’s a really big moment for us, and for Australia.”

Allen, the 2011 Oceania junior time trial champion, was last to start the 13.9 km race against the clock and went on to clock a winning

time of 19min 18.63sec.

The 18-year-old’s performance ended the brief hopes of Britain’s Elinor Barker, who moments earlier had timed 19:20.47 to push provisional leader Mieke Kroger of Germany down into second place.

Barker, 17, took silver while 18-year-old Kroger, who had set the early pace in 19:21.43, took the bronze. Allen said she had been given a boost from the information being relayed by her team car.

“It was great to have the race radio with my coach Donna (Rae-Szalinski) in the car behind assisting me through the course, telling me what corners were up ahead, and that really helped me maintain a high speed throughout,” she said. It was on one of the course’s numerous corners that Hepburn’s bid for the gold came unstuck.

The 20-year-old avoided one crash on a tricky corner, but lost it moments later when going round a left-hand bend. Although he got up for a quick bike change, he crucially lost momentum, and precious time.

“You don’t plan for these things to happen. It shakes you up a bit, you lose time and in an event like this you can’t afford to do that,” said Hepburn, who along with Durbridge won world team pursuit gold earlier this year.—AFP

DUNEDIN: All Blacks fans have a morbid fear of France when it comes to the World Cup but last weekend’s results have unexpectedly led to traitorous whispers that another French triumph would actually be a good thing for the host nation. As the group stage reaches the halfway point and fans and players were given time to draw breath on the action before nine consecutive days of matches, attention is turning to the big showdowns next weekend. Among them is New Zealand v France in Auckland, a game the host nation have been particularly focused on in the wake of their shock defeats in the 1999 semi-finals and quarter-finals four years ago.

However, after Ireland’s surprise victory over Australia looks to have skewed the draw into a southern and northern hemisphere split, that match has suddenly become a good one to lose.

The winners will top the group and probably face Argentina or Scotland in the quarter-finals before then having to take on holders South Africa or Tri-Nations champions Australia.

The runners up can plan for a likely last-eight meeting with England then a game against Ireland, Wales or Samoa for a place in the final.

Of course it would be against the nature of All Black rugby to even consider setting out to lose a match, not least at Eden Park, and though it was a subject widely discussed amongst fans and on internet forums, no mention of such a scenario passed the lips of anyone connected with the New Zealand team.

The same equation applies to France of course but when coach Marc Lievremont was asked the question he, as expected, dismissed the notion.

“I don’t think we will start thinking we want to lose, that’s certainly not an option, even if it’s easier - and the All Blacks might want to lose,” he said. “I don’t think it is in the spirit of rugby to start a match thinking we are going to lose.”

One player who certainly would not risk giving his all if he gets the chance is All Black wing Zac Guildford, who is now in the tee-total area of the last-chance saloon after being reprimanded for excessive drinking following New Zealand’s Tri Nations defeat to Australia in Brisbane last month.

All Black manager Darren Shand said Guildford had breached the team’s agreement on drinking: “He’s let himself down, he’s let his team mates down,” said Shand.

Rose blooms in Lemont LEMONT: No other FedEx Cup playoff event is more complicated than the BMW Championship, with players trying to finish in the top 30 to get to the Tour Championship, others calculating the movement they need to make the Presidents Cup team and some trying to do the math on both.

Perhaps it was only fitting that the winner was Justin Rose, whose goal all week was to keep it simple. It started on Tuesday, when Rose had a practice session with coach Sean Foley to make sure his club was on line at the top of his swing. Rose tried to limit his swing thoughts to only one key, which was to rotate his hips.

For the mental side of the game, he decided not to carry a yardage book and instead relied on his caddie, Mark Fulcher.

Rather than taking enough numbers to make an algebra teacher dizzy, he asked Fulcher to tell him only how long the shot was playing. And when the rain finally stopped Sunday, he ditched the cumbersome layers of waterproof gear that had been getting in his way. “I think mentally this is the best I’ve ever been in terms of being very under control with my emotions, being very calm, being very aware of the situation and feeling comfortable with it,” Rose said. “I may have had better ball-striking weeks as a whole, but I think this week, as a competitor and as a professional, I think it was probably my best-ever performance.”

Certainly the most rewarding. Rose’s two-shot victory, his third on the PGA Tour, over John Senden was worth $1.44 million and sends him to the Tour Championship with a shot at the $10 million FedEx Cup prize.

Rose jumped from 34th in the FedEx Cup standings at the beginning of the week to No. 3. The top five - Webb Simpson, Dustin Johnson, Rose, Luke Donald and Matt Kuchar — only have to win the Tour Championship to collect the biggest payoff in golf.

“To give myself control of my own destiny next week in Atlanta is something I didn’t foresee at the beginning of the week, so just an amazing outcome,” said Rose, who finished at 13-under 271.

But a bit anti-climactic - even with some suspense on the 17th hole. Then again, most of the drama surrounding the FedEx Cup standings and the Presidents Cup teams ended up being much ado about nothing. The maneuvering for the Tour Championship and the Presidents Cup makes the BMW Championship seem like three tournaments in one. The top 30 from the 70-man field at Cog Hill advance to East Lake, and the BMW is the last chance for the top 10 players to qualify for the Presidents Cup. “There’s Presidents Cup stories, FedEx Cup stories, and just this golf tournament ... so there’s stories everywhere,” said Martin Laird, who found himself outside looking in after finishing 31st in the FedEx standings. “It just makes for a great week, and that’s what the playoffs are all about.”

But Rose, Senden and third-place finisher Geoff Ogilvy were the only ones who played their way into the Tour Championship.

The order was the only thing that changed in the standings for

Guildford has not been banned but has yet to feature in the tournament following a poor display in that game: “I feel now that I have got a chance and I want to make the most of it,” said the 22-yearold. “I don’t want to throw this opportunity away.”

Argentina against Scotland is another of the weekend’s big games with a likely runners-up spot behind England in Pool A the reward for the winners.

“It’s certainly the biggest game in some of our players’ lives. It could effectively dictate for both teams whether or not we progress in the tournament,” Scotland centre Graeme Morrison said yes-

Pool C but the Irish win over the Wallabies, who beat Italy in their first game, has shifted the goalposts. Captain Sergio Parisse said, however, that their approach to the Russia match had not changed. “We knew before that match that we would need to start scoring tries...but it won’t mean we will start to run the ball from our own line,” he said.

Russia will be relishing their second taste of World Cup action following their debut defeat by the United States and their arrival and the encouraging performances of other “lesser teams” has delighted the International Rugby Board.

NEW ZEALAND: Japan’s rugby player Hirotoki Onozawa walks from the field as a rainbow appears over their training field during training in Kerikeri.

Japan will play a game in Rugby World Cup against Tonga tomorrow. —AP terday. Argentina are still sweating on the fitness of flyhalf Felipe Contepomi, who missed their win over Romania with a rib cartilage injury sustained in the opening defeat to England.

Prop Martin Scelzo, however, had no doubts that his skipper would be back: “He is going to be fine and, if not, he has to be fine,” he said.

There is plenty of rugby to be played before those weekend matches, however, starting with Italy against Russia in Nelson today.

The Italians had expected their final game against Ireland to be a decider for second place in

“It’s great, we’re very, very happy with what’s going both on and off the field,” IRB secretary general Mike Miller told Reuters in an interview.

“If you look at the Pacific islands, Russia, the US, Canada and Romania, we’ve invested millions of dollars in them to give them the same sort of competitive structure, the same sort of strength and conditioning and match analysis as the top 10 countries. “They don’t tire in the last 20 minutes like they used to now that they’re stronger and fitter, and they are more sophisticated in the way they play.”—Reuters

Lexi grabs historic LPGA win

LEMONT: Justin Rose holds the BMW trophy after he won the final round at the BMW Championship golf tournament. —AP both the U.S. and International teams for the Presidents Cup, to be played Nov. 17-20 at Royal Melbourne in Australia.

David Toms went from No. 10 in the US standings to No. 8 with his tie for 10th, and Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan nailed down the last two spots. Matt Kuchar, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Nick Watney, Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson had secured their spots.

Ogilvy, who was narrowly No. 10, moved ahead of Ryo Ishikawa to No. 9 in the International standings, which are based on world ranking. The other eight players are Jason Day, Adam Scott, Charl Schwartzel, KJ Choi, KT Kim, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and YE Yang. “Obviously I was trying really hard to get on the Presidents Cup team. That was there,” said Ogilvy, who has a house off a fairway at Royal Melbourne. “But I don’t think it would have been beneficial to my golf to dwell on that too much.”

That might explain Bill Haas’ undoing. Haas’ father Jay will be assistant captain to Fred Couples at the Presidents Cup, and the younger Haas was poised to join him with one of the 10 spots.

Arriving at Cog Hill on Sunday in a tie for third, Haas needed to shoot a 75 or better to make the US team.

He shot a 78 after posting a 42 on the back nine. “I was on the phone with Jay Haas a lot today and hoping for the best for Billy,” Couples said afterward. “It’s a struggle. I’ve been on these places where you want to make these teams so bad that you actually forget you’re trying to win a golf tournament, and I think that’s what Bill was foremost trying to do today.”—AP

PRATTVILLE: Juli Inkster thinks Lexi Thompson has proven she’s ready for LPGA Tour membership. The 16-year-old Thompson showed that she measures up on the course with her five-stroke victory Sunday in the Navistar LPGA Classic, which made her the youngest LPGA tournament winner.

Because she’s not 18 yet, Thompson has two more stages of qualifying school to go through to become a member. “She has kind of proven she can play out here,” said Inkster, who at 51 was the oldest player competing. “She’s proven she can handle the social part of it. I think they should give her full (membership).

“It’s kind of silly, isn’t it? I think it makes us (the LPGA) look bad, too. Now, you have to go to qualifying school? To me, that’s silly.”

LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan didn’t seem inclined to let her skip the rest of qualifying school.

“Should Lexi qualify for LPGA membership via her Q-School performance, she will be an LPGA member for the 2012 season,” Whan said in a statement. The Floridian closed with a 2-under 70 Sunday to beat Tiffany Joh by five strokes to finish at 17-under 271. Thompson shattered the age record for winning a multipleround tournament held by Paula Creamer, who won in 2005 at 18.

Marlene Hagge was 18 years and 14 days old when she won the single-round Sarasota Open in 1952.

The victory brought a piece of history and $195,000, $20,000 of which she plans to donate to the Wounded Project. “This has been my dream like my whole life,” Thompson said. “It’s the best feeling ever.” Becoming a fixture on the LPGA Tour seems a foregone conclusion. The question now is when she’ll be granted membership? Thompson will have to petition for an exemption of the 18-year-old age requirement.

The LPGA already granted her petition for qualifying school, and she won the first stage by 10 strokes in July with two more to go. “We haven’t even really talked about that yet,” said Scott Thompson, her father and caddie. “We’ll worry about that as it comes, so we’ll see.”

Thompson, who turned 16 in February, led by five strokes entering the final round and built that to seven through 10 holes at the Robert Trent Jones Trail’s Capitol Hill complex. Then came the teen’s only big lapse on the pressure-packed day, bogeys on the next two holes that allowed Joh to surge within three strokes.

Thompson erased any concerns of a collapse with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17, and then the celebration and the kind words began for the new youngest winner.

“Seven years I’ve held that record. That’s pretty good,” Creamer said. “A lot of records are broken sooner than that. At 16, my goodness. She’s played so many years out here.”

Cool under pressure most of the day, Thompson and her father couldn’t contain broad smiles as they approached the 18th green with the win, and a spot in LPGA history, in hand.

“It’s just awesome watching your kid do something like this, but it is very nerve-racking, though,” Scott Thompson said. “This is a very special day. “It was an unbelievable feeling to hear people cheering your kid like that. A very proud moment.”

The home-schooled teen from Coral Springs, Fla., tapped in for par, hugged her father and got a celebratory dousing of bottled water over her head from Joh. She’s still a kid having fun. She spent the evening before the tournament at Outback Steakhouse with fellow teen golfer Janie Jackson talking about boys and teenage topics.

Joh, who opened the day seven shots back, finished with a 68 after closing the gap with four straight birdies starting on No. 12.

Her previous best finish was 12th at the CN Canadian Women’s Open. Angela Stanford shot a 66 to surge into third place at 11 under, posting three sub-70 rounds after an opening 73. Brittany Lang (67) and Karen Stupples (68) were 10 under.

Meena Lee, who opened the day five shots back in second, finished with a 73 and tied with Stacy Lewis at 9 under.

Thompson closed with a tap-in for par and a drama-free finale.

She had flirted with history before. Thompson shared the 2009 Navistar LPGA lead after two rounds as a 14-year-old amateur. In May, she entered the final round at the Avnet LPGA in Mobile tied for the lead, but dropped to 19th with a closing 78.

This time, she built such a cushion that bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12 only cut her lead to five strokes over Lang and Lee. Thompson recovered with tap-ins for par on the next hole and No. 15 and coasted from there.

Thompson said the jitters never got too bad. “I was definitely a little nervous but they were controllable,” she said. “Once I hit the first tee shot I was like, ‘All right, I’m good.’”—AP

PRATTVILLE: Lexi Thompson holds high her trophy after winning the Navistar LPGA Classic on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill. —AP

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Spain eye Olympic glory after Euro gold BELGRADE: Spain will enter next year’s Olympic basketball tournament with their sights set on the only trophy missing from the cabinet after winning a second European championship title in a row.

A talented generation led by Los Angeles Lakers centre Pau Gasol confirmed their supremacy in Europe with a 98-85 win over France in Sunday’s spectacular final in Lithuania, having finished the tournament with an impressive 10-1 record.

Gasol, who also helped Spain to the 2006 world title in Japan and Eurobasket 2009 in Poland, said Spain were heading to London with only one thing on their minds.

“Obviously, next year’s Olympics is our goal,” he told reporters. “We know’s it’s a very tough tournament to win but we have very high expectations. “It’s very hard to beat a US team, we

know that for a fact, but we are going to London to compete and we will see what happens.”

His younger brother Marc, one of six NBA players in the Spanish ranks, said if they reproduced the same kind of form in London anything was possible.

“Gold is the goal in next year’s Olympics and it’s possible if we play the same way and show the same team spirit,” he added. “London is going to be a great challenge.”

Spain came close to winning Olympic gold in Beijing but went down 118-107 to a United States team that included Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Gasol went on to join Bryant at the Lakers and lifted his first NBA title in 2009, leaving the Olympic gold medal as the only silverware missing from his collection.

In addition to the veteran leadership of Gasol

and tournament MVP Juan Carlos Navarro, Spain also have emerging talents such as 20-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves playmaker Ricky Rubio and Congolese-born forward Serge Ibaka, who made his debut for his adopted country at Eurobasket 2011 after gaining Spanish citizenship in July.

Rudy Fernandez, a 26-year-old forward who joined NBA champions Dallas Mavericks from the Portland Trailblazers during the summer break, is a lynchpin holding the two age groups together and making sure they fire on all cylinders.

Spain had set standards that other European countries had to try to match, said France point guard Tony Parker, a triple NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs.

“They have been playing together for six or seven years and I know how it feels from my experience at San Antonio, where we have

played for many years together,” said Parker, who won the NBA title with the Spurs in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

“It makes a difference when the tough times come. “We are still learning, everybody has to be patient. There is a lot of stuff to improve but with the experience we will get better,” he added.

Spain and France have qualified automatically for the Olympics from Europe along with hosts Britain, who performed well in Lithuania although they were knocked out in the preliminary rounds.

The British, led by Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng, had two wins and three defeats, one of which was an 86-69 loss to Spain in which they held their own for three quarters of the game.

Russia, Macedonia, Lithuania and Greece, who finished third, fourth, fifth and sixth, will enter an inter-continental 12-team playoff for another three Olympic berths next year. —Reuters

Spain confirm basketball supremacy in Europe

COLOMBO: Australia’s batsman Phillip Hughes celebrates after scoring a century during the fourth days’ play of the third Test cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka. —AP

Sri Lanka press for win despite Hughes century COLOMBO: Sri Lanka kept their hopes alive of securing a series-levelling win over Australia in the final Test in Colombo yesterday, despite an unbeaten century from opener Phil Hughes.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath grabbed all three wickets as the tourists, trailing by 157 runs on the first innings, ended the fourth day’s play at 209-3 in their second knock at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Hughes was unbeaten on 122 and skipper Michael Clarke was on eight, with Australia going into the final day on Tuesday 52 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand.

Clarke’s men will need to bat out at least two of the last three sessions to draw the match and clinch the series 10 on the back of a 125-run win in the first Test in Galle. The rain-hit second match in Pallekele was drawn. Clarke said the Test could still turn either way on the last day and refused to rule out an Australian win.

“It’s going to be a big day tomorrow,” he said. “This Test is certainly not over. The first session will be crucial.

“We could lose it if we don’t bat well.

But I think there is a possibility, even a minor one, that if we can get a decent lead of around 150, there’s a chance we can still win this Test match.” The Australian captain paid a rich tribute to Hughes, saying he had no doubt the 22-year-old would overcome his recent poor run. “Phil deserves to be here,” said Clarke. “He has shown the world that he can play at the highest level.

Today he showed his class. Reverse swing conditions, 150 behind on the scoreboard, that takes courage.”

Hughes had walked to the crease in danger of losing his spot in the team after failing to score a half-century in 11 innings since an unbeaten 86

against New Zealand in March last year.

The left-hander, who had an umpire’s review for a catch at the wicket go in his favour off the last ball of the day, responded with an aggressive knock that contained 16 boundaries and a six.

Hughes had also survived a review for leg-before on 99 before cutting seamer Chanaka Welegedara for two runs later in the same over to bring up his third Test century. Hughes celebrated the landmark by raising his fist towards the travelling Australian media in the press box before he acknowledged the cheers from his team-mates and the crowd.

Hughes contributed 36 in an opening stand of 62 with Shane Watson and then added 60 for the second wicket with Shaun Marsh and 66 for the third with former captain Ricky Ponting.

Earlier, Sri Lanka gained a sizeable lead through a maiden Test century from vice-captain Angelo Mathews.

Mathews returned unbeaten on 105 as the hosts added 45 runs to their overnight score of 428-6 before they were all out for 473 shortly before lunch on the fourth day. The 24-yearold has been one of Sri Lanka’s few batting stars in the series, having made 95 in the first Test and 58 in the drawn second game.

Fast bowler Peter Siddle claimed two of the last four Sri Lankan wickets to finish with 4-91 from 35 overs. Trent Copeland and Mitchell Johnson picked up two wickets each. Mathews said Sri Lanka were well-placed to win the Test and draw the series. “I think we are in a very good position to force a win,” he said. “There are still 90 overs to play, but we should take three or four wickets in the first session.” —AFP

Scoreboard COLOMBO: Scoreboard at the close of the fourth day of the third and final test between Sri Lanka and Australia yesterday.

Australia first innings 316 Sri Lanka first innings 473 (overnight 428-6) T. Paranavitana c Ponting b Johnson 46 L. Thirimanne b Siddle 28 K. Sangakkara c Haddin b Siddle 79 M. Jayawardene c Haddin b Watson 51 T. Dilshan c Haddin b Copeland 83 A. Mathews not out 105 P. Jayawardene c Clarke b Copeland 47 S. Eranga b Siddle 12 R. Herath lbw b Siddle 3 C. Welegedara run out 1 S. Lakmal b Johnson 13 Extras: (b-1 lb-2 nb-2) 5 Total: (all out; 174 overs) 473 Fall of wickets: 1-56 2-97 3-198 4-210 5-331 6412 7-436 8-444 9-450 10-473 Bowling: Copeland 40-10-93-2, Siddle 35-8-914 (2nb), Johnson 35-6-122-2, Watson 26-8-54-1,

Lyon 34-5-91-0, Hussey 2-1-5-0, Ponting 2-014-0 Australia second innings S. Watson lbw b Herath 21 P. Hughes not out 122 S. Marsh c Thirimanne b Herath 18 R. Ponting c M Jayawardene b Herath 28 M. Clarke not out 8 Extras: (lb-7, w-5) 12 Total: (for three wickets; 68 overs) 209 Fall of wickets: 1-62 2-122 3-188 Still to bat: M. Hussey, B. Haddin, M. Johnson, P. Siddle, T. Copeland, N. Lyon Bowling (to date): Eranga 8-0-42-0 (1w), Lakmal 10-1-31-0, Welegedara 14-3-46-0, Herath 26-7-54-3, Dilshan 10-0-29-0.

Australia lead the three match series 1-0.

KAUNAS: Spain won their second successive European basketball championship after beating France 98-85 in a spectacular final in the Zhalgiris Arena on Sunday.

Spain’s starting five scored a whopping 86 points, more than the entire 12-man French roster, as the champions demonstrated their class and finished the gruelling 24-team tournament with an impressive 10-1 record.

Spain, who were led by inspirational point guard Juan Carlos Navarro with 27 points, also became the first team to win back-to-back titles since the former Yugoslavia did it in the 1995 and 1997 tournaments.

Jose Luis Calderon and Los Angeles Lakers centre Pau Gasol added 17 points each for Spain, the latter also collecting 10 rebounds, Rudy Fernandez added 14 while Marc Gasol chipped in with 11 and six rebounds in front of 15,000 fans.

Tony Parker scored 26 points for France as the two teams, who have 11 NBA players between them, produced a match worthy of the tournament’s favorites.

Navarro also claimed the event’s Most Valuable Player award and it was no more than he deserved after yet another breathtaking performance, having overshadowed his opposite number Parker.

Navarro hit audacious threepointers from almost impossible angles every time France, who trailed throughout the contest, threatened to catch up.

The Spanish were completely dominant in the paint, where Serge Ibaka dished out six blocks in defence while quick movement

of the ball in offense allowed the Gasol brothers to score almost at will.

Outplayed by Navarro, triple NBA champion Parker still tried to inject some energy into his team

Toronto Raptors point guard.

Reyes said: “(My father) is not physically here but we know that he was up there watching the final and for sure he is celebrating with me right now. “I wasn’t

success when they finished as runners-up, but failed to repeat their 2005 feat of beating a more heralded Spanish team to the bronze medal at the European championship in Belgrade.

KAUNAS: Spanish team celebrate after winning the EuroBasket European Basketball Championship gold medal. —AP which had no answer to Spain’s fast breaks and pick-and-roll in offense, despite scoring nine three-pointers at the other end. “ We are very pleased, the team played a good game and we rose to the occasion because we knew we were playing in the final,” Navarro told Spanish television.

Calderon, who missed the 2009 tournament in Poland and last year’s worlds where Spain were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Serbia, added: “I have suffered two very bad years but I have always felt a part of this team. “I’d also like to dedicate this victory to the fathers of Felipe (Reyes) and Victor (Claver) who both died recently,” said the

expecting to be asked (to lift the trophy) and nobody said anything but it was a very nice gesture.” Spain’s next objective is to win the 2012 Olympics and in order to accomplish the task they will in all likelihood have to beat the United States, who edged them in a thrilling final in the 2008 Games in Beijing.

“Obviously next year ’s Olympics is our goal, we know it’s a very tough tournament to win but we have very high expectations,” Pau Gasol told a news conference. “It’s very hard to beat a US team, we know that for a fact but we are going to London to compete and we’ll see what happens.”

France emulated their 1949

“ They played a great game and deserve their title but we will be back,” Parker told France’s Canal Plus television. Forward Boris Diaw added: “They’ve been playing together for six or seven years while we’ve only been together as a team for two years.”

Earlier on Sunday, 2007 champions Russia won the bronze medal with a dramatic 72-68 win over the tournament’s surprise package Macedonia.

Spain and France qualified automatically for the 2012 Olympics in London along with hosts Britain, while Russia, Macedonia, Lithuania and Greece will enter an inter-continental 12team tournament for another three berths next year. —Reuters

Swiss back into Davis Cup

Andy Murray seen in this file photo

Murray: Players could strike over schedule LONDON: Leading men’s tennis players could go on strike if the ATP schedule is not reformed, claimed world number four Andy Murray yesterday.

The 24-year-old Scot told the BBC that he had held several talks with other players at the US Open and they would be discussing the matter further at the Shanghai Masters early next month.

Matters came to a head at the US Open where rain forced some players such as Spanish star Rafael Nadal to play matches on three successive days then have one day off and travel to Europe to play Davis Cup. The players were also incensed by the announcement last year by ATP chief executive Adam Helfant, who has since decided to leave the governing body, that the Paris Masters and the World Tour Finals would be played back-to-back, so two weeks have been saved in the 2012 ATP calendar. However, Murray made clear the players’ patience was wearing thin. “It’s (a strike) a possibility. I know

from speaking to some players they’re not afraid of doing that (striking),” said Murray, who was beaten by Nadal in the US Open semi-finals. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that but I’m sure the players will consider it.”

Murray, who is still without a Grand Slam title but this year reached the Australian Open final and the last four of the other three, was adamant that their voices had to be heard and that a strike or boycott will be discussed in Shanghai.

“If we come up with a list of things we want changed - and everyone is in agreement but they don’t happen - then we need to have some say in what goes on in our sport,” said Murray.

“At the moment we don’t. “We’ll sit down, talk about it with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and International Tennis Federation (ITF), see if they will come to a compromise and, if not, we’ll go from there. “We just want things to change, really small things. — AFP

SYDNEY: Switzerland will return to the elite Davis Cup World Group next year after Stanislas Wawrinka sealed a 3-2 victory over Australia yesterday by wrapping up a five-set defeat of Lleyton Hewitt.

The pair were level at two sets each with Wawrinka leading 5-3 in the decider when the match referee decided it was too dark to continue late Sunday on the grass courts of the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

The pair resumed yesterday with the Swiss breaking Hewitt in the first game back to close out the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (9-7), 6-4, 6-3, putting the visitors in the 16-team World Group in 2012.

Wawrinka said he was delighted to be the one to hand his country victory, as opposed to good friend-and the more celebrated-Roger Federer.

“It’s amazing to be in the same team (as Federer),” he said. “But in Switzerland it is never easy because it doesn’t matter what I am going to do or which ranking I am going to have because it’s never going to be enough for Swiss people because they always look to Roger-but that’s okay.”

For Australia, it means another year in the Davis Cup doldrums, forced to battle it out in zonal qualifiers for a chance to enter the elite competition again in 2013.

Hewitt came to the court yesterday with a heavily strapped right knee and was cheered by a small group of spectators who turned up for the unexpected extra day.

He raced to a 30-0 lead but appeared to be struggling, with two double faults and two unforced errors ultimately costing him the game.

“I went out there and gave it what I could, but it wasn’t to be,” said the former world number one.

Wawrinka also played through the pain barrier.

He has been battling a leg injury, but Swiss captain Severin Luthi decided against throwing Marco Chiudinelli or Stephane Bohli into the fire of a fifth rubber and the world number 19 repaid his faith. World number three Federer had levelled the best-of-five tie at 2-2 when he beat Bernard Tomic in four sets 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 on Sunday.

It followed Federer and Wawrinka losing their doubles rubber to Hewitt and Chris Guccione. In the opening matches, Tomic beat Wawrinka while Federer won his clash with Hewitt. Australia will find out who they play in regional qualifying for 2012 at the draw in Bangkok tomorrow. —AFP

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

SPORTS

Medical Football League tournament kicks off

By Lisa Conrad KUWAIT: The first ever Medical Football League (MFL) tournament commenced on Sunday, as physicians from across Kuwait congregated to take part in some friendly competition. The tournament, which will continue until the 28th, consists of 32 teams.

The twist, however, is that each team must include two members from medical staffs, said Yousef Riyad Boukhamseen, Assistant Registrar at Emergency Medicine.

The remaining spots on the team were open for anyone to apply for. The tournament kicked off with teams ‘Al-Nasr Club’ and the ‘Team of the late Madhi Al-Saleh’ (B) which was named in honor of a friend. Two teams in the tournament are named in honor of Madhi.

The inspiration behind the concept stemmed from the stressful environment that doctors and medical staff face on a daily basis. “This provides something different from the usual work environment we all meet in, plus it promotes activities that are

both fun and great exercise. This is a much lighter environment than where we usually spend time together, and is a great way to have fun and enjoy a bit of friendly competition.” He added, however, that some take the competition more seriously than others, “The extent to which people are really competitive about totally depends on the team.

Some are just having fun, while others are really aiming to win.”

Should the competitive players fulfill their goal and enjoy victory, they’ll be awarded KD 700 as a prize, “They’re allowed to do whatever they want with the prize money. It’s for them to have fun with,” said Boukhamseen.

The prize for second place is KD 500, and referees were sourced through personal recommendations to ensure their professionalism throughout the tournament.

The next 10 days are set to be exciting for players and spectators alike. There’s no women’s league yet. However, so women doctors across Kuwait will have to start showing interest if they want a league of their own.

KUWAIT: Al-Nasr Club team, in blue, play against the team of the late Madhi Al-Saleh(B), in orange.

Hargreaves could make City debut in League Cup LONDON: Usually the competition to break in youngsters, the League Cup will give Manchester rivals United and City a chance to utilize older players this week.

Injury-plagued Owen Hargreaves could make his first appearance for City since a surprising switch across Manchester after being released by United. The 30-year-old midfielder has failed to complete a match in the last three years, but is set to have a chance to prove he is clear of the knee problems that have blighted his recent career when City faces Birmingham tomorrow.

“I need to speak with Owen and today we will decide if he will play, but he probably will,” City manager Roberto Mancini said. “He has been in full training but he is not 100 percent. He could play maybe 30 to 45 minutes.”

City, which won the League Cup 1976, hosts defending champion Birmingham in the third round after seeing its perfect start to the Premier League season ending with a draw at Fulham on Sunday.

And despite City owner Sheikh Mansour investing more than a $1 billion in three years, Mancini is complaining about deficiencies in the squad.

“We are lacking at this moment because we lost two midfielders,” Mancini said. “I don’t have players at the moment. I can only change the full backs. I have only two midfielders because James (Milner) and (Nigel) de Jong have injuries.”

Crosstown rival United has the opposite problem: making use of the array of talent at manager Alex Ferguson’s disposal. After packing the first team with youngsters, United has opened its Premier League title defense with five

wins. Such early success has prevented Michael Owen from making an appearance, but the 31-year-old striker is set to be deployed against second-tier club Leeds today.

There could also be a place in the team for Ryan Giggs, the 37-year-old midfielder who did not play in the 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday.

Leeds was one of United’s fiercest rivals until it dropped out of the Premier League in 2004. But Simon Grayson’s side upset United in the third round of the FA Cup in 2010 while still a thirddivision side. “Won’t be no ordinary Carling Cup clash,” Owen tweeted.

“Huge rivalry. Can’t wait.”

Arsenal’s match against fourth-tier side Shrewsbury should be providing a welcome distraction from its worst start to a topflight campaign since 1953-54.

But the start of Arsenal’s current difficulties can be traced back to losing in last season’s League Cup final against Birmingham.

Going into the February final at Wembley Stadium, the Gunners were in contention for four trophies but they missed out on each of them to prolong a trophy drought stretching back to 2005. Arsenal’s 4-3 collapse at Blackburn on Saturday left Arsene Wenger’s side with just three Premier League wins since that League Cup final.

“When you lose, it is always important to have a response,” Arsenal defender Johan Djourou said. “Even if it is at home in the Carling Cup, we want to win so we need a big response on Tuesday. “We have to bounce back because we have another game and we have to be ready for those. We are disappointed but there is still a long way to go and things are not over yet.”—AP

Marseille’s Deschamps backed despite ‘big blow’ PARIS: Olympique Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has been told his job is safe despite Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Olympique Lyon which left the 2010 French champions bottom of the league after six games.

Today’s home game with promoted Evian gives Marseille the chance to quickly improve on their meagre tally of three points. “Didier Deschamps is not under threat, he has the keys to this place for the long term,” OM president Vincent Labrune told reporters.

The ex-Juventus coach, whose only successes this term have been the Champions Trophy season curtain-raiser against Lille and last week’s Champions League opener against Olimpiakos Piraeus, also showed no signs of throwing in the towel.

He was particularly aggrieved that Lyon’s opening goal from Bafetimbi Gomis had appeared to be offside. “We started well. Then there was that goal, that came from an offside call that went against us and it knocked us back a bit,” Deschamps

said. “It’s a big blow, everyone knows the situation we’re in and we’re not going to go looking for excuses, even if there was another decision that went against us and a big influence on the final result.

“Everything remains possible because if you know your maths, there are still 32 games left and that’s a potential 96 points.

The priority is now Wednesday’s game against Evian and getting the points. Three points in six games is pretty unacceptable.”

It will be far from easy, though, after promoted Evian showed their credentials with an impressive 2-2 draw with an expensively-assembled Paris St Germain side on Sunday.

Fifth-placed PSG host Nice tomorrow with midfielder Mohamed Sissoko back in reserve-team action after knee surgery but unlikely to feature yet for the first team.

Leaders Lyon travel to Caen tomorrow after stuttering champions Lille go to even more inconsistent Girondins Bordeaux today. —Reuters

Lyon pile on Marseille’s misery PARIS: Olympique Lyon powered to the top in France and dumped Olympique Marseille down to rock bottom following an easy 20 win at the Stade Gerland on Sunday, increasing the pressure on OM coach Didier Deschamps.

Striker Bafetimbi Gomis looked to be offside when he grabbed the 17th minute opener after a good cross by Brazil’s Michel Bastos, who then netted himself with a diagonal effort on the half hour. The result sent rookie coach Remi Garde’s side, champions seven times in a row from 20022008 before a barren spell, top with 14 points from six games and left fellow big guns Marseille with just three points.

Marseille were champions in 2010 and second to Lille last term but Deschamps’ position could now come under scrutiny after a dull display albeit without injured forward Andre-Pierre Gignac and against a strong side. Paris St Germain earlier fought back from two down to draw 2-2 at promoted Evian.

Big-spending PSG had won six games in a row in all competitions but their rich Qatari backers will not have been impressed with dropped points at a promoted team despite the determined comeback.

Jerome Leroy’s goal and a Yannick Sagbo penalty gave Evian clear water before a magi-

FRANCE: Lyon’s Clement Grenier (center) challenges for the ball with Marseille players during their French Division One soccer match. —AP cal strike from record French signing Javier Pastore, his second in two league games, brought PSG back into the game just before the break.

Mathieu Bodmer grabbed the equaliser nine minutes from time following a free kick into the box.

“We’ve got to forget this idea that we can beat everyone 5-0,” PSG

coach Antoine Kombouare told reporters.

“We were playing against a good side who work hard, a coach who has done his homework and motivated players. If you don’t respect them, you will end up being second in the tackles.” PSG moved level on 11 points with fourth-placed Lille,

Lorient and Stade Rennes, who drew 1-1 at home with lowly Nancy.

Second-placed Montpellier drew 2-2 at Stade Brest on Saturday, Toulouse in third produced a stirring comeback to beat Girondins Bordeaux 3-2 while champions Lille were held 2-2 at home by Sochaux.—Reuters

Match-fixers are buying clubs, warns FIFA ZURICH: Criminal gangs are making long-term investments in match-fixing, purchasing clubs and organising referee training camps as part of their infiltration of soccer, FIFA’s security chief told Reuters in an interview.

Chris Eaton said that, as part of its response, FIFA wanted to provide witness protection for players who came forward when they were approached by match-fixers and would consider rehabilitation for those corrupted at a young age. It would also set up a hotline open to anyone to provide information on suspicious behavior. “We want to manipulate the manipulators and intimidate the intimidators; they have to realise that we are serious and FIFA is going to protect its people, its sport against these people who have no conscience at all,” he said.

“Infiltration is a strong word but my assessment is that organised criminality has infiltrated at several levels of football for the precise purpose of making money from the enormous amount of gambling income which is now being generated.”

Buying clubs was a way for organised groups to control the results of matches, warned Eaton, who worked at Interpol for more than 12 years before joining FIFA. “We’re seeing a trend for the purchase of lowlevel clubs and the movement of players and the trafficking of players,” he said, adding that this happened mainly in “less wealthy” countries.

“There is a significant trend in the trafficking

of players, moving them into other leagues with a mentor, normally a player who comes from the same country or region, has a great deal of respect, is more than likely corrupted, who is able to influence these players.

“We’re seeing referees’ development schools and player development schools, some of which are clearly a front for criminals. They are investing long-term in the compromise of these players. “They (development camps) are often endorsed by a federation and perhaps the federation doesn’t realise who is behind the operation.” Match-fixing, usually by illegal gambling rings, has become a major problem for soccer in the last few years. In one recent case in Finland, Wilson Raj Perumal, a Singaporean national, was jailed for two years while nine players-seven Zambians and two Georgians-were given suspended sentences for trying to fix matches.

Perumal paid players up to 20,000 euros ($28,290) per match and received up to 50,000 euros, in addition to some of the betting profits, each time the results of the Rovaniemi team were fixed.

Eaton said the approaches to players or referees would often begin with a gift. “They’ll go to a player and they’ll say: ‘You played a great game today, I made some money off you, here’s 1,000 euros’.

“The next time he plays, the same person will give him another 1,000 euros-for some of these players, we’re talking about third or fourth divi-

sion, it’s more than they would make for the game. “The third time they say: ‘I can give you 10,000 euros if you don’t score a goal today, or if you let a goal in today’. “They wait outside the changing-rooms, they know the players, they know where the players live, drink, they’ll have a mentor.

“This is what Perumal did to several African players in Finland: he gave them some money as gifts, then asked them to do something for him when they were ingratiated and compromised by him.” Eaton added that not all attempts to fix games were successful.

“These are athletes, they get involved in the game and they forget about their agreement.

They become enthused in the match and it doesn’t go the way it was supposed to go and they’re punished.” “We have examples of players being severely bashed, (and) referees.”

Earlier this year, FIFA set up a task force with Interpol, promising to donate 20 million euros to the fight against match-fixing over the next 10 years. One of its jobs would be to provide protection and anonymity for whistleblowers. “We need to provide them with protection because that is an important commodity against organised crime,“ Eaton said.

“This is not so easy to deliver but we will deliver it, we are in the process of discussing with particular national governments and police in vulnerable countries how we can support that.” —Reuters

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S P ORT S

Chelsea’s AVB needs to study ‘Art of War’ PARIS: Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas either hasn’t read Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” or didn’t quite understand it. Because one of the central philosophies of that ancient Chinese military treatise on how to win is that you should avoid your

enemy’s strengths when you can.

In football terms, that means Chelsea should never have gone to Manchester United’s fortress of Old Trafford expecting to beat Alex Ferguson’s team in an O.K. Corralstyle shootout. As Sun Tzu undoubt-

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas

edly would have said had he been in the terraces on Sunday, all-out attacks on United’s goal without resolute defending against its counterattacks, speed and vision will often end in tears, especially if you take a misfiring popgun like Fernando Torres to the fight.

Torres’ miss of United’s wide-open goal in the 83rd minute was as tragically comic as the drunken gunslinger who reaches for his holster only to find that he left his pistol on the bar. Having rounded goalkeeper David De Gea, Chelsea’s 50 million pound striker needed only to keep his cool and tap the ball in. Instead, somehow, he left-footed it wide.

Torres buried his head in the immaculate turf after that failure which again suggested that Chelsea isn’t going to win silverware this season if he leads the attack.

His neatly taken second-half goal - a right-footed looped poke over De Gea at the end of a prescient run that foresaw a fine pass from substitute Nicolas Anelka - could not redeem Torres for his other squandered chances.

Rather, it served only as a jarring reminder of the goal-hound and

Real, Barca unlikely to cede hold over TV cash MADRID: A Sevilla-led bid to force Real Madrid and Barcelona to share television revenue more equitably appears doomed to failure and the big two’s domination of La Liga is likely to remain entrenched for years to come.

Sevilla’s president Jose Maria del Nido, an outspoken critic of the current system under which Real and Barca take half the annual pot of around 600 million euros ($820 million), has compared his campaign to the French revolution.

The colourful lawyer convened a meeting this month with officials from 11 apparently like-minded La Liga clubs who want the sale of the rights to the league to be centralised and income shared as in rival European competitions.

However, the movement already appears to be running out of steam and Real and Barca, the world’s richest clubs by revenue who earn close to 500 million euros a season, are unlikely to agree to give up their privileged position, analysts said.

“Only with a gun to the head and maybe not even then,” Placido Rodriguez, a professor of economics at Oviedo University and a former chairman of La Liga club Sporting Gijon, told Reuters. “If nothing changes the gap between the two heavyweights and the rest can only get wider.”

Barca earned a total of almost 180 million euros from television contracts in the 2009/10 season, including non-Spanish deals, with Real reaping just under 160 million, according to the latest Deloitte Football Money League published in February.

A study last year by Sport+Markt, a consulting firm, showed the pair earned almost 19 times more from TV than the smallest clubs in Spain’s top division, by far the biggest gap in the major European leagues.

The richest clubs in the English Premier League, which generates more than a billion euros a year in broadcast revenue, earned about 1.7 times more than their smaller rivals.

Real and Barca have declined requests for comment on the Sevilla-led campaign for change.

Introducing a system of collective bargaining in Spain may help clubs boost total revenue per season for La Liga TV rights to around 900 million euros, putting the competition on a par with Italy’s Serie A, according to Jose Maria Gay, a professor of accounting at Barcelona University. “Assuming all the clubs implement rigorous financial controls, La Liga would win in terms of footballing potential,” Gay told Reuters.

“The clubs would be in a better position to build more competitive squads, as long as they use the extra injection of money sensibly. “La Liga would be more competitive, results would be closer and making the league more exciting would mean selling the

product around the world would be much easier.

“Real Madrid and Barcelona must be convinced to take a major step forward and centralise their audiovisual rights as soon as possible. Spanish football would be the winner.”

The difference in class and spending power between Real and Barca and their domestic rivals has been underlined by some massively one-sided matches since the start of the season.Spanish and European champions Barca crushed Villarreal, who are competing in this season’s Champions League, 50 in their opening game, while Real demolished Real Zaragoza 6-0. The results prompted the president of Villarreal to accuse the big two of killing Spanish soccer, while Del Nido said La Liga was “a load of rubbish” as only two teams had a realistic chance of winning the title.

Barca underlined their dominance with an 8-0 romp at home to Osasuna on Saturday, when Argentine World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, whose annual earnings exceed those of many La Liga clubs, netted a hattrick.

Former Real director general Jorge Valdano said this month the overwhelming dominance of the great rivals would inevitably lead them to abandon Spain for European competition.

Del Nido argues that the sale of TV rights should be overseen by Spain’s professional league (LFP), which groups the 42 clubs in the top two divisions, as was the case until the system collapsed in the mid-1990s.

He had hoped a meeting on Thursday at the LFP’s headquarters in Madrid, attended by officials from Real and Barca, would give fresh impetus to his campaign.

However, Sevilla director general Jose Maria Cruz said the meeting had been “an afternoon tea of pessimists and good for nothings”. “We only had a praiseworthy defence from Espanyol and (Real) Betis,” Cruz told reporters. “The rest of those that attended have remained silent as if it wasn’t an issue for them.

“Real Madrid has reacted harshly against the plan set out by Sevilla, a sign that they feel threatened, and some other clubs have even apologised for attending the meeting in Seville.”

Del Nido said on Saturday he was disappointed by the outcome of Thursday’s meeting at the LFP but vowed to carry on fighting what he termed “the TV battle”.

“It was a day of disillusion, more for the silence than for what was heard,” he told a meeting of one of Sevilla’s supporters’ groups.

“But the next morning the hope returned and I can say that Real Madrid and Barcelona have zero chance of winning this battle.”—Reuters

Golden Ball candidate that Torres used to be for Liverpool. With every passing week, its decision to sell Torres looks like one of the smartest pieces of business done on Merseyside since Brian Epstein signed the Fab Four.

Like a neon sign, Torres’ erstwhile speed, touch and skills now only come in momentary flashes. His ability to light up a whole match has gone. He opts to pass where he previously would have shot, a telltale sign of a man who no longer fully trusts his instincts. On Sunday, Torres worked hard to get into dangerous positions and to test United’s backline. But, without goals, that won’t be enough to wrest the Premier League trophy from United.

Yet Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat was not an individual failure, but a strategic one. Sun Tzu teaches that a clever general fights on his own terms and takes great care to know his enemy.

Villas-Boas appeared to do neither, leaving wide open spaces across the Old Trafford pitch that played into the hands of Ferguson’s squad built for quickness and movement.

Three months of Villas-Boas’ tenure is too soon to judge him, the

but Palmeiras, who dropped to eighth in the table, were reduced to nine players early in the second half when Gerley was given a straight red card.

Shortly afterwards, Avai substitute Rafael Coelho was dismissed after only four minutes on the pitch. Corinthians were knocked off the top, dropping to third, when they lost 3-1 to 10-man Santos, despite taking an early lead through former Portugal striker Liedson.

Henrique, later sent off, equalised before halftime and Borges, the championship’s topscorer, gave Santos the lead with his 17th goal of the competition nine minutes into the second half.

Alan Kardec added a third late in the game for the South American champions. Vasco da Gama’s 4-0 win over Gremio took them top with 45 points from 24 games and Sao Paulo, one point behind, beat Ceara by the same score. Corinthians have 43 points. —Reuters

wind, your compactness that of the forest,” Sun Tzu teaches. Too often, Chelsea’s defending was neither.

Villas-Boas signaled as much by yanking off the pedestrian Frank Lampard at halftime for Anelka. That decision suggests that Villas-Boas isn’t afraid to ditch Chelsea’s old guard if they underperform. That showed decisiveness, a willingness to try different approaches and considerable self-confidence from a man who, at 33, is little or no older than some of his best-known players.

As he helps Chelsea transition to a younger team, those qualities could bear fruit if Abramovich breaks the habit of a lifetime and actually gives Villas-Boas sufficient time - as Ferguson has had so much of at United - instead of simply replacing his manager after a season or two.

Villas-Boas is now another entry in the huge encyclopedia of managers that Ferguson has outfoxed in his 25 years at United. And this one, the 69year-old noted, is young enough to be his grandson.

“I like youth. I like young people,” Ferguson said pre-game. Surely because, as Villas-Boas showed, they can also be naive. —AP

Napoli sink Milan ROME: Striker Edinson Cavani scored a superb hat-trick to give Napoli a 3-1 home win over defending Serie A champions AC Milan on Sunday.

Milan went ahead with an Alberto Aquilani header but it took less than two minutes for Uruguay for ward Cavani to spring into action with the equaliser.

Cavani, who scored 26 Serie A goals as he helped Napoli finish third last season and qualify for their first Champions League campaign, added two more either side of halftime.

Napoli joined Juventus, Udinese and Cagliari on six points from two games while Milan were left languishing alongside Inter on one point.

Alessandro Matri scored early in the second half to give Juventus a 1-0 win at Siena, having been set up by Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic, one of their new signings.

Udinese needed only half an hour to finish off Fiorentina as Antonio Di Natale, league top scorer last season, converted a penalty and Chile midfielder Mauricio Isla added the second in their 2-0 home win.

Cagliari beat promoted Novara 2-1 in Sardinia on Saturday when Inter were held 00 at home by AS Roma in a match between two sides struggling to find their feet under new coaches Gian Piero Gasperini and Luis Enrique.

Sebastian Giovinco scored twice, including a last-minute winner, in Parma’s 2-1 win over Chievo but the home winger was sent off in injury time after picking up a second yellow card for playing on after the whistle.

Genoa won 2-1 at Lazio and

Atalanta beat Palermo 1-0, Argentine forward German Denis scoring in a match in Bergamo which was interrupted by torrential rain for more than half an hour in the second half.

Deducted six points for their part in a Serie B match-fixing

where we have to work.” Milan took the initiative and went ahead after 11 minutes when Antonio Cassano’s chip into the area was met with a flying header by Aquilani.

Napoli were level 90 seconds later when Cavani drilled a low

Uruguayan Cavani to rifle home.

The game could have taken a different course if Aquilani had converted shortly afterwards when he had only Morgan De Sanctis to beat but the Napoli goalkeeper tipped the ball away.

Cavani completed his hat-trick

ITALY: Napoli’s Marek Hamsik of the Czech Republic (left) fights for the ball with Milan’s Alexandre Pato of Brazil during their Serie A soccer match. —AP scandal, promoted Atalanta are unbeaten and have minus two points.

“It’s great to see so much happiness, that’s the most important thing,” said Cavani after Napoli’s win over Milan. “ We know our defects and

shot under Christian Abbiati after a free kick was inadver tently headed to his feet by Christian Maggio.

Walter Gargano set up the second with a superb run from one penalty area to the other before slipping the ball to his fellow

six minutes after the re-start with another emphatic finish after Alessandro Nesta’s half-clearance landed at his feet. Milan’s desperation was summed up with a yellow card for Alexandre Pato for diving and by Cassano’s continuous histrionics. —Reuters

Valencia seek Benitez inspiration against Barca MADRID: Early La Liga pace-setters Valencia have said they will honour former coach Rafa Benitez before hosting Barcelona tomorrow, perhaps seeking inspiration for a genuine title challenge this season.

B e n i t e z l e d Va l e n c i a t o t h e S p a n i s h league title in 2002 and 2004 before leaving for Liverpool and is the only coach to have

Scolari in angry exchange with Palmeiras fans RIO DE JANEIRO: Palmeiras coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was involved in an angry exchange with supporters after his nine-man team held Avai to a 1-1 draw in the Brazilian championship.

The former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea coach made an insulting gesture and argued with the supporters who jeered the players and threw coins as they entered the tunnel following the game.

‘Big Phil’ then insinuated the supporters had been working with people inside the club to unseat him. “The protest was ridiculous,” he said. “Go and find out who let them into the training ground last week, who they were talking to and want they wanted.

All this is well-orchestrated.”

Avai took an early lead with a deflected shot by Batista and it got worse for Palmeiras when Rivaldo Barbosa was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 23rd minute.

Chico equalised before halftime

type of football he wants at Chelsea and how this loss might cause him to rethink. But after the more studious, methodic and at times plodding philosophies of Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea’s billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich now appears to have a manager more willing to throw caution to the wind and simply go for it.

Yet falling pointlessly in a hail of shots like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid surely isn’t what Abramovich and Villas-Boas aspire to long-term. Chelsea allowed Chris Smalling a free header for United’s first goal, failed to close down Nani for its second and couldn’t contain Phil Jones’ industry that set up Wayne Rooney for the third.

Back and forth the two sides went, hammering at each other like prizefighters, their eyes fixed on reaching each other’s goal, instead of trying to prevent each other from getting there. For neutrals, it was hugely entertaining and heady stuff.

Post-match, Ferguson likened it to basketball game.

“You attack, we’ll attack, retreat, counter. Oh, it was agony,” he said.

“Let your rapidity be that of the

Rafa Benitez denied Real Madrid and Barca the top spot in the last 11 years.

Unai Emery is now at Valencia’s helm and, although they finished third in the last two years, they have been a long way off the pace after being forced to sell many of their top players to help pay off the club’s debts.

They have started the new campaign at a gallop, however, and sit atop the standings on goal difference from promoted Real Betis with a perfect nine points after a 1-0 win at Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

“We need to remain calm, the league has only just started,” Emery said in Gijon. “We can enjoy it but there is still a long way to go.” Barca lie third with seven points after suffering a rare slip up when they drew 2-2 at Real Sociedad a week ago, but they quickly put that right with an 8-0 pummeling of Osasuna on Saturday. World Player of the Year Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and tops the scoring charts with five goals, where he i s j o i n e d b y Va l e n c i a s t r i k e r R o b e r t o Soldado. Soldado, 26, stepped in to fill the void after Spanish international David Villa was sold to Barca last year, and is considered a potential partner for Villa at Euro 2012.

Real ’s shock 1-0 defeat at Levante on Sunday meant they slipped to fifth with six points. They are on the road again at Racing Santander on Wednesday (1900).

Real had midfielder Sami Khedira sent off in the first half at Levante in a niggly, badtempered battle, and coach Jose Mourinho expressed his concern afterwards that his players needed to adapt to those tense situations at smaller grounds. “ Th e re a re p l aye r s h e re w h o a re ve r y good playing on the great stages but who arrive here and are incapable of adapting to the situation,” Mourinho complained.

The Por tuguese will hope to have his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo back to full fitness. The forward was used as a substitute only against Levante as he recovered from an ankle injury.

Marcelo Bielsa is seeking his first league win at Athletic Bilbao when they visit bigspenders Malaga on tomorrow.

The former Argentina and Chile boss is under pressure as he tries to change a club famed for its pacy, aggressive football, as

embodied by leading figures Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente, into a side with a patient, possession-based style.When asked if he had a message for fans after Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Real Betis, he said: “We have the points we have (one) and the style of play is what we have seen so far. “They need to be patient...anything more would be words that don’t mean anything.” —Reuters

Matches on TV (Local Timings)

Spanish League Sociedad v Granada Aljazeera Sport +6 Osasuna v Sevilla Aljazeera Sport +2 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Villarreal v Mallorca Aljazeera Sport 2 HD

21:00 21:00

23:00

Italian League Calcio v Inter Aljazeera Sport +1

21:45

League Cup Leeds v Man United Aljazeera Sport +5

21:45

Sri Lanka press for win despite Hughes century

Rose blooms in Lemont

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Spain eye Olympic glory after Euro gold Page 17 LANDOVER: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) avoids a tackle by Washington Redskins defenders London Fletcher (59) and DeAngelo Hall in the first half of an NFL football game. —AP

Newton and Brady set records NEW YORK: Tom Brady set an NFL passing record Sunday, which isn’t exactly surprising. Less expected was that rookie Cam Newton held the mark for a few hours before the reigning MVP broke it.

Brady’s Patriots and the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are 2-0 and so are some less likely candidates, including the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions.

The Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts are 0-2 in what is already an unpredictable post-lockout season. The Baltimore Ravens followed up an emphatic win over the rival Steelers with a stinker at Tennessee. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers bounced back from a tough opening loss to rally for victory at Minnesota.

A week after throwing for 422 yards, Carolina’s Newton topped himself by passing for a rookierecord 432 yards and a touchdown in his home debut. But again it wasn’t enough for victory, as the Panthers lost 30-23 to the Packers.

Newton briefly held the NFL mark for the most yards passing in the first two games of the season by any quarterback, before Brady broke it a few hours later with 940. Aaron Rodgers threw for 308 yards and two scores as Green Bay’s defense came up big by forcing the rookie into three interceptions - two by Charles Woodson.

Brady threw for 423 yards six days after setting a single-game team record of 517, leading New England to a 35-21 win over the San Diego Chargers. Brady had three touchdown passes, going 31 of 40 with no interceptions as the Patriots scored on each of their four first-half possessions.

The Chargers (1-1) turned the ball over inside the Patriots 35 three times, leading to 17 points.

They also were stopped on a fourth-and-goal at the 1, and the Patriots started a 99-yard drive that ended with one of Brady’s two scoring passes to Rob Gronkowski. Philip Rivers threw for 378 yards for the Chargers.

Browns 27, Colts 19 At Indianapolis, Peyton Hillis ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns, Colt McCoy threw for 211 yards and a score and Cleveland ended a fivegame losing streak against Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis. The Colts are 0-2 for the first time since 1998, and Manning likely will miss two months following his third neck surgery in 20 months. The Browns rebounded with their first win for new coach Pat Shurmur after a loss to the Bengals last week.

With Kerry Collins starting again, the Colts never seriously challenged the Browns after falling behind 14-9 late in the first half. Collins finished 19 of 38 for 191 yards with one interception, one TD and a lost fumble.

Falcons 35, Eagles 31 At Atlanta, Matt Ryan threw a career-high four touchdown passes and the Falcons rallied to beat the Eagles after Michael Vick was knocked out with an injury late in the third quarter.

Ryan hit Tony Gonzalez with a pair of TDs, the tight end going past Terrell Owens for fifth on the NFL’s career receiving list. Then, Ryan hooked up with Ovie Mughelli on a 1-yarder that brought Atlanta to 31-28 with just over 6 minutes remain-

ing. The Falcons (1-1) completed the comeback with Michael Turner breaking off a 61-yard run, then powering over from the 3 with 3:24 remaining. Vick left with a neck injury after getting spun by a Falcons rusher into a Philadelphia blocker. He staggered off the field and Mike Kafka came in for his first NFL game.

Saints 30, Bears 13 At New Orleans, Drew Brees threw for three touchdowns and New Orleans’ defense beat up on Jay Cutler. Brees’ scoring strikes included a 79yarder to Devery Henderson. Darren Sproles scored on a 12-yard swing pass and Robert Meachem had a 4-yard TD reception as the Saints (1-1) bounced back from an opening week loss to Green Bay. Facing heavy blitzing and without injured receiver Roy Williams, Cutler passed for 244 yards and a score, but was sacked six times and fumbled once. Running back Matt Forte had 117 yards receiving to go with 49 yards rushing for Chicago (1-1), which lost guard Gabe Carimi and safety Major Wright to injuries after entering the game without several other injured starters.

Bills 38, Raiders 35 At Orchard Park, NY, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a 6yard touchdown pass to David Nelson with 14 seconds left to cap a wild back-and-forth fourth quarter. The Bills scored touchdowns on all five of their second-half possessions to overcome a 21-3 firsthalf deficit. The teams traded leads five times over the final 14:10.

Fred Jackson scored twice and had 117 yards rushing for the Bills (2-0) in their home opener.

Fitzpatrick finished 28 of 46 for 264 yards and three touchdowns. Jason Campbell went 23 of 33 for 323 yards and two scores for the Raiders (1-1) before having a final desperation pass intercepted

by Da’Norris Searcy in the end zone. Officials need-

ed 10 minutes to review the play to determine the call on the field was correct.

Cowboys 27, 49ers 24 At San Francisco, Tony Romo, playing with a fractured rib, hit Jesse Holley on a 77-yard completion in overtime to set up Dan Bailey’s winning 19yard field goal for Dallas.

Bailey kicked a tying 48-yard field goal as time expired in regulation after missing an early 21yard attempt. Romo completed five of six passes on the tying drive, connecting on consecutive throws to Holley before finding him again in OT. The third of Miles Austin’s three TD catches came with 6:55 left and pulled the Cowboys (1-1) within 24-21. The 49ers are 1-1.

Redskins 22, Cardinals 21 At Landover, Md., Graham Gano kicked a 34yard field goal with 1:45 remaining as Washington rallied from an eight-point, fourth-quarter deficit.

The Redskins (2-0) beat the Cardinals (1-1) for the eighth time in a row. Santana Moss’ 18-yard catch on fourth down with 5:17 remaining pulled Washington within two, but the 2-point conversion attempt failed. After a Cardinals punt, the Redskins got the ball back at their own 36 with 4:20 to play and drove to Arizona’s 16 to set up Gano’s kick.

The Cardinals had one final possession to try to win, but Chansi Stuckey fumbled after making a catch at Arizona’s 32.

Steelers 24, Seahawks 0 At Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 298 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers put their opening week loss to Baltimore behind them. Mike Wallace caught eight passes for 126 yards and a score and Rashard Mendenhall ran for 67 yards and a touchdown for the Steelers (1-1), who limit-

ed the listless Seahawks (0-2) to 164 total yards. A week after committing seven turnovers while getting whipped by rival Baltimore, the Steelers worked with relentless efficiency against Seattle.Roethlisberger shook off a gimpy right knee to complete 22 of 30 passes, and the defense kept Seattle from taking an offensive snap on Pittsburgh’s side of the field until midway through the fourth quarter. The Seahawks were shut out for the first time since their last visit to the Steel City in 2007.

Titans 26, Ravens 13 At Nashville, Tenn., Matt Hasselbeck threw for 358 yards and a touchdown, and Tennessee gave new coach Mike Munchak a big win in the home opener.

With the Ravens (1-1) focused on stopping Chris Johnson, Hasselbeck attacked through the air. Kenny Britt caught nine passes for 135 yards and a TD, while Nate Washington caught seven passes for 99 yards. Rob Bironas also kicked four field goals as Tennessee (1-1) held the ball for more than 35 minutes and outgained Baltimore 432-229 in total offense.

Lions 48, Chiefs 3 At Detroit, Matthew Stafford threw two of his four TD passes to Calvin Johnson and Detroit came away with its largest margin of victory in a regular season game. The Lions broke the mark they set with a 44-0 win over expansion Jacksonville in 1995 and matched the record set in the 1957 NFL title game when they beat Cleveland 59-14.

The Lions (2-0) led Kansas City 20-3 at halftime and 41-3 early in the fourth quarter after turning two fumbles into TDs. The Chiefs (0-2) lost more than the game when All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles was carted off the field midway through the first quarter with

NFL results/standings WASHINGTON: Results and standings after Sunday’s National Football League games: New England 38 Miami 24; Oakland 23 Denver 20; Pittsburgh 24 Seattle 0; New Orleans 30 Chicago 13; Tennessee 26 Baltimore 13; Tampa Bay 24 Minnesota 20; Detroit 48 Kansas City 3; NY Jets 32 Jacksonville 3; Buffalo 38 Oakland 35; Washington 22 Arizona 21; Green Bay 30 Carolina 23; Cleveland 27 Indianapolis 19; Dallas 27 San Francisco 24 (OT); Denver 24 Cincinnati 22; Houston 23 Miami 13; New England 35 San Diego 21; Atlanta 35 Philadelphia 31.

New England Buffalo NY Jets Miami

W 2 2 2 0

Baltimore Cincinnati Cleveland Pittsburgh

1 1 1 1

Houston Jacksonville Tennessee Indianapolis

2 1 1 0

Oakland Denver San Diego Kansas City

1 1 1 0

American League Eastern Division L T 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Northern Division 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 Southern Division 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 Western Division 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 0

PCT 1.000 1.000 1.000 .000

PF 73 79 59 37

PA 45 42 27 61

.500 .500 .500 .500

48 49 44 31

1.000 .500 .500 .000 .500 .500 .500 .000

Washington Dallas Philadelphia NY Giants

2 1 1 0

33 41 46 35

Green Bay Detroit Chicago Minnesota

2 2 1 0

57 19 40 26

20 46 29 61

Atlanta New Orleans Tampa Bay Carolina

1 1 1 0

58 44 45 10

58 45 52 89

San Francisco Arizona St. Louis Seattle

1 1 0 0

National League Eastern Division 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 Northern Division 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 Southern Division 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 Western Division 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 0

1.000 .500 .500 .000

50 51 62 14

35 51 48 28

1.000 1.000 .500 .000

72 75 43 37

57 23 42 48

.500 .500 .500 .000

47 64 44 44

61 55 47 58

.500 .500 .000 .000

57 49 13 17

44 43 31 57

what appeared to be a serious left knee injury.

Texans 23, Dolphins 13 At Miami, Andre Johnson caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub that helped Houston get off to a 2-0 start. Miami’s sieve-like pass defense was no match for Johnson and Schaub, who threw for 230 yards and had a quarterback rating of 118.5. Johnson made seven catches for 93 yards. The Dolphins committed two turnovers, had a 22-yard field-goal attempt blocked and missed a 34-yarder. Daniel Thomas rushed for 107 yards, but Chad Henne went 12 for 30 and was especially erratic in the red zone.

Miami is 0-2 for the fifth time in the past six years.

Buccaneers 24, Vikings 20 At Minneapolis, LeGarrette Blount’s 4-yard touchdown run with 31 seconds left lifted Tampa Bay and completed another comeback by quarterback Josh Freeman - this time from a 17-0 halftime deficit. Eight of Freeman’s 14 career victories have come when the Bucs (1-1) went ahead in the fourth quarter or overtime. Given how overwhelmed they were before halftime, outgained 284 yards to 62 during the first two quarters, this might have been the most impressive. Freeman found Arrelious Benn for a 25-yard touchdown pass over Cedric Griffin with 6:39 remaining to cut the lead to three points. A 19-yard leaping catch by Dezmond Briscoe and a 15-yard late hit penalty on Jared Allen set up the score. Adrian Peterson had 25 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the first half for the Vikings (0-2), who blew a healthy lead for the second straight week.

Jets 32, Jaguars 3 At East Rutherford, NJ, Mark Sanchez threw two touchdown passes as the offense started quickly and Antonio Cromartie had two of New York’s four interceptions of Luke McCown.

After having not scored an offensive TD in the first quarter in 16 games, the Jets (2-0) won the toss, elected to receive - a rarity under the defensive minded Rex Ryan - and scored on a 17-yard catch by Santonio Holmes.

First-round pick Muhammad Wilkerson had his first NFL sack for a safety early in the game, helping set the tone for a long day for McCown and the Jaguars (1-1). Eric Smith and Josh Mauga also intercepted McCown, who was replaced by rookie Blaine Gabbert early in the fourth quarter after posting a dismal 1.8 quarterback rating.

Broncos 24, Bengals 22 At Denver, Kyle Orton threw two TD passes to Eric Decker, Willis McGahee ran for another score and John Fox gained his first win as Denver’s coach. The Broncos (1-1) lost two more players to injury - giving them nine, including six starters but still topped the Bengals (1-1) for the ninth straight time in Denver, where Cincy hasn’t won since 1975. Andy Dalton, who bruised his right wrist and forearm in Cincinnati’s win at Cleveland a week earlier, threw for 332 yards for the Bengals, hitting fellow rookie AJ Green 10 times for 124 yards and Jerome Simpson four times for 136 yards.—AP

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US home builder outlook worsens in September Page 25

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

Volkswagen Tiguan: Fusion of innovative systems, exciting exterior

KSE stocks continue to fall Page 24

Page 23

NEW YORK: Policemen stand guard around the New York Stock Exchange as participants in the Occupy Wall Street demonstrate around Wall Street, in New York, yesterday. Hundreds of demonstrators, who descended on Lower Manhattan on Saturday with the aim of staying at least until the open of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, had planned to turn the area into an "American Tahrir Square." — AFP

Qatar risks foreign investment pile-up State may have up to $100bn overseas assets DUBAI: Qatar risks a foreign investment pile-up. The tiny gas-rich state might have up to $100 billion to snap up overseas assets, based on guesses at the size of the country’s main sovereign wealth fund.

Qatar’s mooted interested in a 7.5 percent stake in European aerospace and defense company EADS would only cost it less than $2 billion at current market prices. But it’s unclear if the country’s overseas spending is as focused as its domestic ambitions.

And its taste for large high-profile assets could be a dangerous.

The soon-to-be richest country in the world-on a GDP per capita basis-is able to splash its cash overseas, given the stability of its domestic politics. The Qatar Investment Authority holds an estimated $60 to $100 billion in assets. On top of that, the country reckons its foreign reserves for the year will total around $20 billion. But

that pales in size in absolute terms against the sovereign funds of Abu Dhabi and China which are each several times bigger.

Assuming estimates of the QIA’s size are about right, at least 20 percent of Qatar’s assets are spread across a handful of purchases made over the last two years alone.

Qatar has spent more than $20 billion on stakes in German carmakers Porsche and Volkswagen — which have just run into trouble -Agricultural Bank of China, Santander Brasil , Spain’s Iberdrola and construction firm Hochtief. It has also thrown a lifeline to some Greek banks and snapped up Britain’s luxur y department store Harrods, not to mention two European football teams.

The attraction is easy to understand.

Valuations are low. Airbus, a unit of EADS, forecasts it will sell $3.5 trillion worth of aircraft between 2011 and 2030. The parent

Orascom lifts Egypt; Gulf down on euro debt woes

has a market capitalization of barely $25 billion. Doha bets that its deep links with sophisticated and politically significant entities will help further its gas ambitions.

It also hopes that the relationships will assist its longer-term economic diversification by encouraging its targets to set up local operations. In any case, the purchases boost Qatar’s international profile.

Yet Qatar’s strutting of the world stage would seem more savvy if the QIA was half as transparent about its strategy for managing its existing wealth as it is for domestic development, laid out in its 2011-2016 vision. Abu Dhabi, China and Norway all provide some kind of breakdown of spending. As it stands, Qatar’s investments so far look like a large concentration of risk.

The Gulf state of Qatar is interested in buying a 7.5 percent stake in European aerospace and defense company EADS

from German carmaker Daimler, according to Der Speigel magazine. At current prices, the stake would be worth around $2 billion. Qatar expects its gross foreign reserves to total $20.4 billion in 2011 and $24.2 billion in 2012 or 5.5 and 5.8 months of imports respectively, according to the country’s National Development Strategy 2011-2016.

In addition, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is estimated to have between $60 billion and $100 billion worth of assets under management. The country’s main sovereign wealth fund was established in 2005 from its existing investments.

The QIA takes a flexible approach to investing and has interests across a wide range of geographies and in different asset classes including listed securities, property, alternative assets and private equity, according to the fund’s website. —Reuters

Obama moots $1.5tn in new tax revenue

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS CAIRO/DUBAI: Egypt’s Orascom Telecom (OT) surged yesterday on a report of a positive valuation of a unit, helping the bourse break a six-day losing streak, while Gulf markets ended lower on concerns over the European debt.

OT ended 10 percent higher after an Egyptian newspaper said a law firm valued its Algerian unit Djezzy at $7 billion. “We are still waiting on confirmation of the news. But if it is real then this is an extremely positive valuation,” said Margo Moussa an analyst at Arab Finance Brokerage.

Egyptian Company for Mobile Services also climbed 10 percent, and the index gained 1.9 percent. In Dubai, the index ended 0.6 percent lower, halting a four-session uptrend as losers outnumbered gainers by 14 to three. Abu Dhabi’s benchmark fell for a ninth straight session, down 0.3 percent.

Dana Gas fell 1.8 percent. Sorouh Real Estate and Aldar Properties each fell 1.7 percent. Newly listed Eshraq Properties tumbled 8 percent. “The uncertainty is still there in international markets- the volatility is affecting our markets,” said Marwan Shurrab, vice -president at Gulfmena Investments.

“There is a less clear view on Greek debt issues, which is affecting commodity prices, Asian markets and futures markets.”

Investors reduced positions regional-wide amid a global decline, spurred by rising concerns over euro debt and a possible Greek default.

Saudi banking and petrochemical stocks led the index 0.4 percent lower, falling for a second day since Saturday’s six-week high.

In Qatar, the index shed 0.3 percent, with Masraf Al Rayan losing 0.9 percent, Barwa Real Estate slipped 0.7 percent and Industries Qatar down 0.8 percent.

“We are more geared toward stocks that are domestically driven and shying away from those linked with global volatility,” said Shahid Hameed, a Global Investment House head of asset management. “We are underweight on energy stocks.”

In Kuwait, the benchmark shed 0.4 percent, extending declines for a third day since Wednesday’s six-week high. In Oman, shares fell for a first session in five with the index declining 0.1 percent. Losers outnumbered gainers 17 to three.

Bank Muscat slid 0.4 percent and was the top trader by value. United Finance jumped 1.8 percent, up for a fifth straight session.

“There is a lack of conviction towards building new positions, so turnover is low.

Everyone is on the sidelines, waiting for a clearer view on global outlook before participating,” said Shurrab. —Reuters

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama will propose $1.5 trillion in new taxes as part of a plan to identify more than $3 trillion in long-term deficit reduction and slow the nation’s escalating national debt.

Obama’s tax plan is aimed predominantly at the wealthy and draws sharp contrasts with congressional Republicans. It comes just days after House Speaker John Boehner ruled out tax increases to lower deficits. It also comes amid a clamor in his own Democratic Party for Obama to take a tougher stance against Republicans.

And while the plan stands little chance of passing Congress, its populist pitch is one that the White House believes the public can support.

The core of the president’s plan totals just more than $2 trillion in deficit reduction over 10 years. It combines the new taxes with $580 billion in cuts to mandatory benefit programs, including $248 billion from Medicare.

The administration also counts savings of $1 trillion over 10 years from the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. The deficit reduction plan represents an economic bookend to the $447 billion in tax cuts and new public works spending that Obama has proposed as a short-term measure to stimulate the economy and create jobs. He’s

submitting his deficit fighting plan to a special joint committee of Congress that is charged with recommending deficit reductions of up to $1.5 trillion over 10 years. In a defiant note, administration officials made clear Sunday that Obama would veto any Medicare benefit cuts that aren’t paired with tax increases on upper-income people.

Officials cast Obama’s plan as his vision for deficit reduction, and distinguished it from the negotiations he had with Boehner in July as Obama sought to avoid a government default.

As a result, it includes no changes in Social Security and no increase in the Medicare eligibility age, which the president had been willing to accept this summer. Moreover, the new tax revenue Obama is seeking is nearly double the $800 billion that Boehner had been willing to consider in July. Republicans were already lining up against the president’s tax proposal before they even knew the magnitude of what he intended to recommend. “Class warfare may make for really good politics but it makes for rotten economics,” GOP Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the House Budget Committee chairman, said Sunday in reaction to one Obama tax proposal to impose a minimum tax rate on wealthy filers.—AP

IMF, EU warn Greece to cut, privatize ATHENS: The IMF and EU warned Greece to tighten austerity measures and ramp up asset state sales ahead of talks on rescue funds needed to stave off bankruptcy early next month.

The International Monetary Fund criticized Greece for wasting time, being behind target with a long-delayed asset sale and for allowing reform momentum to slow down. And the European Commission urged Athens to implement the necessary budget cuts and reforms.

“We are not demanding more than what was agreed in the framework of the (debt rescue) program for Greece,” the commission’s economic affairs spokesman, Amadeu Altafaj, told a news briefing. Greece’s creditors are insisting on “full compliance with the agreed targets, no more no less,” he added. Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos was expected to hold a conference call later with auditors from the EU, IMF and European Central Bank, in their first contact since they left Athens two weeks ago without approving further rescue funding. The IMF and EW warnings were a strong signal that the auditors are not ready to approve the next slice of funding under a first 110-billion-euro ($150 billion) rescue of Greece created last year.

Greece has signalled that without the eight billion euros in loans it has enough money to keep going until sometime next month. Another Greek cabinet meeting was to be held later in the day. Speaking at a business symposium near Athens, the International Monetary Fund’s representative to Greece, Bob Traa, said yesterday that more budget action was necessary.—AFP

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business

Dubai Events partners with APID to boost retail industry

$275m Port deal for UAE’s Gulftainer

‘Festival of Interior Design 2011’

Putin attends ceremony in Sochi DUBAI: Largest privately owned port operator in the world, Gulftainer, which is based in the United Arab Emirates, has secured a landmark agreement to co- develop and operate Ust-Luga Port near St Petersburg in Russia.

At a prime-ministerial ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, in Sochi on the Black Sea, signed by and between Badr Jafar, Managing Director of the Crescent Group and Vice Chairman of Gulftainer, and Ust-Luga Port Company Chairman Valeriy Israylit, and in the presence of U.A.E. Ambassador to the Russian Federation HE Omar Ghobash, the agreement is believed to be the largest UAE private company investment in Russia to date.

Gulftainer is expected to invest more than USD 275 million into the terminal venture for development.

Ust-Luga is a key port gateway into the heart of Russia’s buoyant Baltic Western region and will provide a quality alternative to the relatively congested St Petersburg Port.

Badr Jafar commented, “This is another big step for the Gulftainer Group as we expand our global footprint into the most dynamic region of Russia. As the country’s vast potential is increasingly realized the Baltic Western region will play a vital role, handling as it does around 60% of Russian container volumes.”

Volumes through the Baltic have risen dramatically in recent years but there is huge scope for growth as the ratio of containers handled to population is still only 30 per 1000 people in Russia compared with 168 per 100 in the EU. “We believe that Gulftainer’s expertise honed over 35 years in the most testing of competitive environments, coupled with our Russian colleagues’ knowledge and determination will ensure that this new deepwa-

ter terminal - the biggest port infrastructure project of the Russian Federation - will provide the best service in the region, boosting trade for the Russian hinterland”, Peter Richards commented.

As the largest private terminal operator in the world and the first port operator from the Middle East to invest in Russia’s Baltic region, Gulftainer and its partner intend to ensure that the Russia gateway terminal at Ust-Luga will set new standards

of efficiency and productivity, aiming to handle 170 m tons of cargo when fully developed.

“We are glad that such a major and experienced logistics player as Gulftainer has come to work in Ust Luga .This fact demonstrates that Russia is becoming a prominent player in the global market of transport services. I believe that Gulftainer’s presence will also for example help to increase the car transshipment volumes of the multipurpose terminal.

New services will be introduced by the port and also developing the warehousing logistics centre and handling new types of cargo will be a priority “, said Maksim Shirokov , Director General of Ust Luga company.

DUBAI: The Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (Dubai Events), an agency under the Department of Economic Development, has announced its partnership with the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID), an organization representing professional interior designers in the Gulf region, for the first ‘Festival of Interior Design’ (FoID), which will be held from October 22 to 25, 2011, across Dubai.

The partnership will pave the way for stronger participation from the retail sector, which is being highly encouraged to organize workshops, offer interior design consultations, festival discounts, themed window displays and usage of the FoID logo and branding during the festival.

The partnership was agreed upon at a recent meeting at The Pavilion - Downtown Dubai, which was attended by Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Events and Farida Abdulla Kamber Al Awadhi, President, APID, and also included Hazim El-Khatib, Vice President, APID, and Christian Merieau, Head of Events Committee, APID. The announcement is in line with the Dubai Events mandate to develop, promote, facilitate, and support the retail and events sectors, ensuring year-round attractions and reasons to visit Dubai, its festivals, malls, souks, and high streets. Under the terms of the partnership, Dubai Events is offering retailers and shopping malls a ten-day window to organize events and activities in line with the Festival of Interior Design. Looking to attract a stronger participation from the retail segment, Dubai Events has offered to waive all fees associated with organizing sales and discounts during the ten-day period including the festival days.

In addition, Dubai Events will also include the various events and activities associated on the Dubai Calendar, one of the establishment’s main initiatives that aims to highlight Dubai’s festivals, exhibitions, cultural and sport events and activities throughout the year.

“Dubai Events will always explore innovative ways to stimulate the retail sector across all its segments. With over 1,000 retail outlets in Dubai alone, the furniture, interior design and its supplier industry is considered to be one of the main pillars in Dubai’s retail sector, and we

want to further enhance its performance,” said Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Events. “We are committed to working closely with APID in ensuring the success of the first ever Festival of Interior Design by encouraging the retail segment to participate and hold

one of the fastest growing commercial activities in the UAE. Continued government support and the active participation of the private sector have positioned the UAE retail sector as one of the most desirable retail environment in terms of investments and revenue generation. In fact,

Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Events and Farida Abdulla Kamber Al Awadhi, President, APID, and Hazim El-Khatib, Vice President, APID, and Christian Merieau, Head of Events Committee, APID. attractive sales and creative promotions during the event. This partnership further demonstrates our commitment to strengthening Dubai’s economy.”

The alliance between Dubai Events and APID is testament to the significant role played by Dubai’s retail sector, which is considered to be

Business Monitor International’s (BMI) ‘Q3 2011 Retail Report’ predicts that the key factors behind the country’s retail sales expansion in the coming four years will be strong underlying economic growth, increasing household consumption, growing acceptance of modern retailing concepts and expatriate wealth.

Gift your kids CX-9, they deserve it Back to school with Mazda CX-9 KUWAIT: Kuwait Automotive Imports Co WLL (Al Shaya & Al Sagar), a leading automotive and auto products distributor of international brands and the exclusive distributor for Mazda vehicles announced its fabulous Back to school offer on Mazda’s flagship crossover SUV Mazda CX-9 with 7 seats, 3.7 liter engine, HP 273, 6 Speed activematic transmission with rear view camera, leather seats xenon headlamps, smart key, power tail gate & 20 inch alloys. Ashish Tandon, KAICO’s General Manager explained the campaign saying, “We are celebrating this year back to school with a generous offer on Mazda CX-9 which

is a special offer for all the family. He went on explaining that you would enjoy the low installment, highest trade-in and 3 years free service and the kids in your family will have a great time with CX-9’s dynamic styling, safety, versatility and performance.

Carry family and children in complete comfort thanks to luxurious seven-seater capacity and class-leading legroom. With its simple yet sophisticated design, the spacious interior invites you to stretch out and enjoy the drive, no matter how long. Entry and exit couldn’t be easier, the rear doors open wider than any compet-

ing vehicle, and the second row seats feature one-touch and slide to allow access to the third row.

Passengers in the rear also enjoy dedicated air conditioning with a separate control panel. Peace of mind is assured with a full complement of safety measures. A six airbag system is fitted as standard and includes side curtain airbags that extend to the third row, and to maintain a rigid safety cage around the passenger compartment, the body is built around the Mazda Advanced impact energy distribution and absorption system, the backup monitor system’s wide angle camera gives a compre-

hensive view of areas around the rear of the vehicle when reversing Mohammed Osman, Mazda Sales Manager stated, “In KAICO we are giving the best to customers to gain customers for life. During this campaign we would like to pamper the family with exclusive gifts such as free replacement car while their car is in service and valet service”. A unique concept in Kuwait, the valet service is a great comfort for busy customers who cannot find time to go to KAICO’s Service centre. Customers will have the privilege of their cars being taken from their home/office, serviced and returned to them.

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 .4290000 .3730000 .3090000 .2770000 .2790000 .0040000 .0020000 .0745780 .7265880 .3810000 .0700000 .7122870 .0040000 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2747000 GB Pound/KD .4312240 Euro .3753780 Swiss francs .3113100 Canadian dollars .2791520 Danish Kroner .0504020 Swedish Kroner .0410190 Australian dlr .2811420 Hong Kong dlr .0352390 Singapore dlr .2180330 Japanese yen .0035720 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0748200 Bahraini dinars .7289370 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0732730 Omani riyals .7137850 Philippine Peso .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

3.610 5.775 3.137 2.498 3.617 219.810 35.432 3.680 6.349 9.060 0.271 0.273

.2790000 .4400000 .3820000 .3230000 .2860000 .2880000 .0072500 .0035000 .0753270 .7338900 .4010000 .0760000 .7194450 .0072000 .0530000 .2768000 .4345210 .3782470 .3136900 .2812870 .0507870 .0413330 2832910 .0355080 .2197000 .0035990 .0058890 .0025260 .0031670 .0037100 .0753920 .7345100 .3915130 .0738330 .7192410 .0064370

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

GCC COUNTRIES 73.336 75.563 714.300 730.440 74.884

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

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 47.600 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.321 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.258 Tunisian Dinar 195.820 Jordanian Dinar 390.050 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.853 Syrian Lier 5.963 Morocco Dirham 34.298 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 276.100 Euro 379.500 Sterling Pound 435.690 Canadian dollar 282.170 Turkish lire 154.420 Swiss Franc 135.180 Australian dollar 282.860 US Dollar Buying 275.750 GOLD 335.000 169.000 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

SELL CASH

SELL DRAFT

286.600 733.910 3.870 284.100 542.000 36.700 54.200 167.800 47.290 381.500 36.070 6.190 0.034 0.242 0.240 3.690 391.500 0.187 95.670 47.600 4.250 231.000 1.871 52.600 716.780

285.100 733.910 3.695 282.600

220.900 46.345 380.000 35.920 5.785 0.033

75.140 275.900

Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Selling Rate

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 Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

275.300 282.625 435.410 382.225 314.520 729.915 74.930 75.565 73.375 387.515 46.322 2.497 5.831 3.143 3.694 6.362 675.285 3.680 9.155 5.795 3.755 91.445

UAE Exchange Center WLL Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

289.05 283.89 319.36 382.14

437.57 3.64 3.696 5.814 2.500 3.650 3.175 74.95 732.42 46.27 391.74 715.61 75.93 73.52

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency

Currency

716.600

315.300 5.700 9.270

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 435.000 275.900

Sterling Pound US Dollar

390.030 0.186 95.670 3.640 229.500

3.155 6.370 75.910 73.680 220.940 39.220 2.503 435.000

GOLD 1,871.880

10 Tola

Rate for Transfer

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

3.240 6.640 76.340 73.680 220.940 39.220 2.607 437.000 43.700 316.800 5.700 9.510 198.263 75.240 276.300 1.230

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Canadian Dollars Nepali rupee

275.300 3.160 5.835 2.520 3.700 6.400 75.055 73.765 731.900 46.245 440.100 3.190 1.550 391.100 5.750 385.500 287.300 3.690

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)

275.550 379.800 434.800 282.400 3.615 5.775 46.285 2.502 3.680 6.345 3.148 733.875 75.050 73.600

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

business The New Tiguan

Fusion of innovative systems, exciting exterior

KUWAIT: (Left) Abdullah Ali, General Manager Volkswagen at Behbehani Motors Company behind the wheel of new Volkswagen Tiguan. (Centre) The highly celebrated Volkswagen Tiguan SUV after the makeover. (Right) Abdullah Ali with the executives.—Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: The highly celebrated Volkswagen Tiguan SUV has received a makeover, transforming the model to encapsulate new innovative features that enhance its status at the top of its class. The new Tiguan sports top equipment lines that delivers superior dynamic performance and more stylistic precision.

The new Tiguan is the only SUV in its class that is available in three different lines: “Sport & Style”, “Trend & Fun”, and “ Track & Style”; a model designed specifically for off-road activities.

Marcus Butros, Sales Director Volkswagen Middle East, commented: “The Tiguan is truly a car for all continents. It has long been one of the most sought after Volkswagen models around the world, and we are very excited to bring it to the Middle East. It is a SUV that is an ideal and versatile companion for life on the move with its excellent all-round characteristics, great practicality and many cleverly designed features. In Germany, its average market share in the compact SUV segment was about 21 percent in 2010, while it was 12 percent across Europe. We are looking to continue this success with the new look Tiguan and further advanced

technologies in the Middle East.”

A car suitable for both families and individuals in the Middle East, the new Tiguan enjoys a large boot space that can be adjusted from 470 litres to 1,510 litres. It also comes equipped with a number of innovative on-board systems like the DCC adaptive chassis control, Dynamic Light Assist, Fatigue Detection, Park Assist, Park Pilot with visual display, Rear Assist and XDS electronic differential lock. Inside the car is fitted with the RCD 210, RCD 310, RCD 510 Radio-CD or RNS 510 Radio-navigation system.

Other peripherals include a MEDIA-IN port for USB or iPod, AUX-IN port, and Dynaudio sound system (300 Watt).

“Safety is a major concern on the roads of the Middle East. In addition to the new cosmetics, the new Tiguan sports a number of safety features that ensure your safety on the road,” added Butros.

The Tiguan contains a number of innovative systems that deliver a brilliant, comfortable and safe driving experience, including the revolutionary Fatigue Detection systems. Research showed that 25% of all motorway accidents can be attributed to tiredness, so Fatigue Detection detects waning driver

concentration and warns them with an acoustic signal and visual messages recommending that drivers take a break from driving and rest. Failing to do so will cause the alarm to recur every 15 minutes.

Another new innovation is Lane Assist which autonomously and gently counter steers the car as soon as it becomes apparent that it might leave the lane unintentionally. About 14% of all accidents with personal injury are caused by leaving the driving lane, so this system has been designed to minimize that risk.

Abdullah Ali, General Manager Volkswagen at Behbehani Motors Company, commented: “After the great success that the 1st generation Tiguan achieved in Kuwait we are unveiling today the 2nd generation facelift Tiguan with its modified front grill, head & tail lights and enhanced off-road capabilities. Tiguan was also the first SUV in the world to adapt the park assist function which allows the vehicle to parallel park by itself. Ali also declared that an increase of 40% in sales of the new Tiguan is expected and highlighted that VW is considered the biggest automotive company in Europe, with its head

office being in Germany.

The new Tiguan comes with the second generation of Park Assist, which now supports assisted perpendicular parking - i.e. at right angles to the driving lane. The system is activated at speeds up to 40 km/h by pressing a button on the centre console. The driver indicates the side of the carriageway for parking by activating the indicator for that side. Park Assist utilizes its 12 ultrasonic sensors to detect a sufficiently large parking space, and then assisted parking can begin: the driver engages reverse gear and only needs to accelerate and brake.

In addition to the new technological features the Tiguan boasts, the exterior now offers a distinctive and timeless styling that is both visually stunning and appealing. Volkswagen has further developed the lines of the Tiguan - in particular, the front and rear sec tions were redesigned to reflec t Volkswagen’s new “design DNA”. The new styling of the front end differentiates the two body versions more than before. Yet, both Tiguan versions have adopted the Volkswagen “design DNA” that is marked by a dominance of clear hori-

zontal lines. The grille is upgraded with two double chrome louvres and the distinc tive optional bi-xenon headlights with masked main beam give the car a very sharp look. At the rear, all Tiguan versions have an angle of departure of 25 degrees, which may be reduced by vehicle payload. The side profile offers a clear and powerful design that incorporates solid yet modestly trimmed wheel housings, a window line that rises towards the rear, distinctive door and wing surfaces, and the unmistakable C-pillars.

A range of new alloy wheels visually distinguishes the Tiguan from the previous model. With its standard 6speed automatic gearbox and front MacPherson strut type suspension, the new Tiguan offers a dynamic and sporty performance fit for both urban driving and off-roading. This car reflects the high standards and quality that Volkswagen is known for, and we are excited to offer it to our customers in the Middle East. The Tiguan has received tremendous success in the region to date, and we are excited to launch the new Tiguan for both current and new customers to experience and enjoy.

KUWAIT: Journalists and guests flock to Behbehani Motors Company during the launch of the new Volkswagen Tiguan yesterday. (Right) Behbehani Motors Company officials.

Gulf Bank announces winners of 36th Al Danah weekly draw KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its thirty-sixth Al Danah weekly draw on September 11, 2011, announcing a total number of ten Al Danah weekly prize draw winners, each awarded with prizes of KD 1,000.

The 36th Al Danah weekly winners are: Fawziya Ali Abdullah Al-Zankwi, Bader Abdulrahman Obaid Al-Sherif, Nourah Rashed Fahed Al-Azmi, Ahmad Abdullah Al-Dakhil Al-Shayea, Sevag Hovsep Kemanjian, Awad Obaid Shedid Al-Mutairi, Aaref Mahmoud Hussain Taqi, Ali Fadhel Yaqoub Ghafel, Rayhana Kawthar Mohammad and Mazen Tawfeeq Ahmed Taha.

Gulf Bank encourages everyone in Kuwait to open an Al Danah account and/or increase their deposits to maximize their chances of becoming a winner in the upcoming weekly (KD1,000 each for 10 winners), and the annual draw (KD 1 million). Gulf Bank’s Al Danah allows customers to win cash

prizes and encourages them to save money. Chances increase the more money is deposited and the longer it is kept in the account.

Al Danah also offers a number of unique services including the Al Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an Al Danah winner.

To be part of the Al Danah draws, customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 55 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and guidance.

Customers can also log on to www.egulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s bilingual website, to find all the information regarding Al Danah or any of the Bank’s products and services or log on www.egulfbank.com/aldanahwinners, to find out more about Al-Danah and who the winners are.

Egypt discussing finance package with Saudi, UAE CAIRO: Egypt is discussing financial packages for budgetary and other support with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that could exceed a total of $5 billion based on figures initially proposed, the Egyptian finance minister said yesterday.

Hazem El-Beblawi also told Reuters that Cairo was open to “all sorts of cooperation” with the International Monetary Fund, which offered a $3 billion financing package earlier this year that Egypt then turned down in June. The IMF package was negotiated and turned down when another minister was in office. The minister said at the time Egypt had revised its budget so it no longer needed the cash and also said army rulers were concerned about building up debts.

New minister Beblawi said: “We are open for all sorts of cooperation that will include everything ... We are considering the whole thing according to the needs of the country,” he said before talks to be held during IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington this month.

“I don’t want to give the impression that I am going to negotiate for a loan, but I am going with an open mind,” the finance minister said, adding that he would listen to any proposals the institutions made. The government forecasts its budget deficit for the year ending June 2012 will be 8.6 percent of gross domestic product. It had been forecast at 11 percent before it was revised down.

Economists say the lower forecast may be optimistic. Egypt’s economy grew by a slower-than-expected 1.8 percent in the year to June 2011, after the economy was disrupted by the uprising that drove Hosni Mubarak from office. The government expects growth of 3-3.5 percent in the current financial year, that runs July-June. Beblawi said he was discussing financing packages offered by oil producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

“We have received $500 million from Saudi Arabia. They are proposing a package.

We are still in discussions. The package is much bigger,” he said.— Reuters

Gulf oil output will fall as Libya recovers: Badri OPEC sees China growth of 8.5% in 2012 DUBAI: Gulf OPEC producers that raised oil output to compensate for the shutdown of Libyan oilfields will certainly reduce production as Libya’s output recovers, OPEC Secretary General Abdullah AlBadri said yesterday.

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf OPEC allies raised their oil production in June after failing to convince other members to agree an increase in production to make up for the shutdown of Libyan oil fields since Februar y. But Badri, who was Libyan energy minister 1990-2000, said those Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries members who raised output to make up for the Libyan loss will doubtless cut output again.

“I can assure you that when Libya comes back, our member countries will reduce their production. I have no doubt,” Badri told the Gulf Intelligence Energy Markets Forum in Dubai. “I don’t need to speak to member countries... It is in their benefit,” he said when asked if

he had sought assurances from Gulf OPEC producers that they would reduce output again.

According to the latest official data published by the Joint Data Initiative (JODI) on Monday, leading oil exporter Saudi Arabia cut production from 9.813 million barrels per day in June to 9.606 million bpd in July, but is thought to have upped output to 9.76 million bpd in August.

Kuwaiti output remained unchanged at 2.6 million bpd in July, according to JODI data.Some Libyan oil fields have recently restarted production and Badri said 1 million barrels a day of Libyan crude output was likely within six months. Badri, who headed Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) until 2006, said production in fields in central Libya could be back to pre-war levels in 15 months, while getting production back to normal in other areas might take longer.

Overall production before the war was 1.6 million bpd.

Badri said the US economy is not growing as much as OPEC had forecast it would in early 2011 and that US economic weakness, combined with European debt woes, were starting to affect oil demand.

Western stimulus packages are not really working to generate jobs of economic activity in the US and Europe, he said. But OPEC expects the Chinese economy to grow 8.5 percent next year, down from OPEC’s 9 percent growth forecast for 2011, Badri said, supporting demand for Middle East oil in main export market Asia.

He said that about $16-20 of current oil prices is a supply risk premium, reflecting Libya’s output cut and jitters over other supply problems.

Badri said the International Energy Agency had assured OPEC that the consumer countries of the OECD will not make a habit of releasing emergency oil stocks, after the consumer country group released stocks to dampen prices in

CBK okays appointment of Loay Maqams at KIB KUWAIT: Kuwait International Bank announced the official approval of Central Bank of Kuwait on appointing Loay Fadhil Maqams in the position of the bank’s Executive Vice President and General Manager of Finance and Investment.

A statement issued by Kuwait International Bank stated that Maqams has the skills, the background and experience required for this position.

(KIB) also stressed its importance to attract competent individuals in national banking. This in turn will contribute to the achievements sought by (KIB) to

become the leading modern Islam bank.

Maqams carries over 22 years of experience in Kuwait banking industry, he started his career in Kuwait’s Gulf Bank as Credit Director in 1989 after graduating from the University of Kuwait, then moved to the Commercial Bank of Kuwait as Assistant General Director then General Manager.

The official announcement of Maqams was issued on September 15, 2011 as part of Kuwait International Bank’s aim to increase the productivity and profitability of Kuwait International Bank.

June-a move widely condemned by oil producers in the group.

“The IEA assured me that that is it, and that it will cooperate with OPEC,” Badri said, referring to the surprise release of OECD oil stocks announced in the weeks after OPEC failed to agree an increase in output. The IEA and OPEC hope cooperate better in future, he said.

OPEC now recognizes the National Transitional Council as Libya’s representative, Badri said, after the United Nations approved a Libyan request to accredit envoys of the country’s interim government as Tripoli’s sole representatives at the world body on Friday.

“OPEC will recognize the NTC... and they will sit in the same chair,” Badri told the audience. The OPEC members that did not vote to officially recognize the interim government of Libya in New York on Friday may maintain bilateral relations with the ruling NTC, but the UN vote means the NTC now has a place at the OPEC table. — Reuters

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business

KSE stocks continue to fall GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) continued to drop. Zain and NBK closed down by 1.00 percent and 1.82 percent, respectively. The drop in heavyweight stocks added more pressure on major indices. On the economic front, Kuwait’s minister of trade and industry will nominate three new commissioners for the country’s newly formed regulator Capital Markets Authority (CMA). The three new commissioners are replacements of officials who were removed from positions in the CMA for violating the authority’s regulations by holding other jobs.

Global General Index (GGI) ended the day down by 0.84 percent, at 183.84 point. Market capitalization was also down for the day, reaching KD30.08bn. On the other hand, KSE Price Index closed at 5,976.7 point, shedding 26.60 points (0.44 percent) to its previous close.

Market breadth During the session, 99 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards decliners as 54 equities declined versus 14 that advanced. Trading activity was down during the session. Total volume traded was down by 16.51 percent with 222.22mn shares changing hands at a total value of KD19.46mn (20.94 percent lower compared to Sunday’s session).

Investment sector was the volume leader, accounting for 34.22 percent of total shares exchanges. Al Safwa Holding Group was the session’s most traded stock with 20.48mn shares exchanged. The same sector was the value leader, having 25.96 percent of total traded value. National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) was the most active in terms of value traded, with KD1.95mn worth of shares traded.

In terms of top gainers, Kuwait

Hotels Company was the top gainer for the day, adding 9.43 percent to its share value and closing at KD0.290. On the other hand, First Dubai For Real Estate Development Company shed 8.33 percent and closed at KD0.028, making it the biggest decliner in the market.

Sectors Sector wise, all Global sector indices witnessed losses during the day except for Global Non Kuwaiti Index which registered an increase of 0.11 percent on the back of the gains registered in Ithmaar Bank.

The scrip closed up by 5.00 percent.

Global Food Index was a major loser, registering a decline of 1.16 percent on the back of the losses of

heavyweight Kuwait Foodstuff Company (Americana), which lost 1.32 percent. Global Industrial Index registered a loss of 1.13 percent on the back of the decrease witnessed in the majority of stocks in this sector. National Industries Group (Holding) lost 4.31 percent, United Industries Company declined by 3.64 percent and Gulf Cables & Electrical Industries Company decreased by 2.50 percent.

Global Investment Index saw additional loss during the day, shedding 1.11 percent from its value. Al Kharafi linked companies witnessed selling pressure for second session in a row. Coast Investment & Development Company and National Investment Company

closed down by 5.88 percent and 4.50 percent, respectively.

Oil News The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $110.69pb on Friday, compared with $109.58pb the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Kuwait Cement Company said it has signed a $500mn long-term contract with UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah Rock Company to impor t lime stone -the raw material used in cement production. Under the deal Ras Al Khaimah Rock Company will supply large quantities of limestone over 20 years to Kuwait Cement Company plant in Shuaiba industrial area.

Oil falls on euro-zone debt worries, dollar LONDON: Brent crude oil slipped below $112 a barrel yesterday as Europe stumbled over attempts to solve the euro zone debt crisis, strengthening investor fears commodity demand growth may slow.

Oil slid with stock markets, metals and the euro, while the dollar and gold rose. Markets are seeking safer assets ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting that may hint at further measures to bolster the world’s biggest economy. Brent crude fell $1.01 to a low of $111.21 a barrel before recovering to trade around $111.90 by 1138 GMT. US crude slipped $1.44 to a low of $86.35 but then bounced to around $87.10.

“Financial markets want a precise and clear plan on how to deal with the European debt crisis, but they are not getting it,” said Christophe Barret, global head of oil research at French bank Credit Agricole. “The economic backdrop is weak.”

US housing data later yesterday could provide some guidance on the state of the world’s biggest economy and an overall picture for oil demand. Investors also awaited the outcome of a meeting of the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday and a G20 gathering on Thursday and Friday for clues on steps governments and policymakers may take to restore market confidence.

Brent will remain neutral and stay in a range of $110.42-$116.60 per barrel, with a downside bias, while a bearish target has been established for US oil at $85.52 per barrel, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. An EU finance ministers meeting in Poland over the weekend broke no new ground in dealing with the crisis, prompting market players to reduce risk. Greece failed to announce new austerity measures even after pledging to take tough decisions needed to secure more international aid and avoid default.

That led to the euro edging back towards a seven-month low against the dollar reached last week. The dollar rose more than 0.5 percent against a basket of currencies, making dollar-denominated oil more expensive for consumers. Analysts are assessing when Libya can start exporting oil as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere. Before the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, Libya exported about 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil. “The most recent news on Libyan oil output are encouraging,” said Barret. “It looks as if production could be as much as 200,000 bpd by the end of this month.”

OPEC Secretary General Abdullah Al-Badri said yesterday Gulf OPEC countries were likely to cut output as Libya’s production recovered towards pre-war levels. Badri, who was Libyan energy minister 19902000 and headed its National Oil Corporation until 2006, said production in fields in central Libya could be back to pre-war levels in 15 months, while other areas might take longer. North Sea crude oil production is also increasing slowly. — Reuters

Dinar edges up vs dollar KUWAIT: The exchange rate of Kuwaiti dinar was increased against the US dollar at KD 0.275 per dollar yesterday and went down against the euro at KD 0.376 compared to Sunday prices.

The dinar rate was KD 0.432

against sterling pound, remained unchanged against the Japanese yen at 0.003, and decreased against the Swiss franc to reach 0.312, according to the daily bulleting of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK). —KUNA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

business

US home builder outlook worsens in September Foreclosures hurt construction, sales

Seminar on current real estate scenario in Delhi NCR Supertech, one of the leading real estate developers in North India, in association with The Prudent Group, a premier realty investment and services firm in Kuwait, organized an exclusive seminar on ‘Current Real Estate Scenario in Delhi NCR’, at the Holiday Inn Downtown, on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. The guest speakers for the evening’s event were Mohit Arora, Owner and Managing Director of Supertech and Arun Kapoor, Chief Marketing Officer at Supertech.

Accompanying the guest speakers on the dais were Abhishek Mundra and Mohammed Sheece, Partners and cofounders of The Prudent Group.

Beginning the evening’s program, the compere, Vishal Edward, introduced the members on the podium to the large gathering of specially invited attendees.

Noting that the guest speakers, with their experience in real estate development and investment, and direct exposure to all issues prevailing in the realty sector, were well-qualified to speak on the evening’s topic, the compere hoped the seminar would help answer all relevant questions that attendees might have.

Outlining the main reasons behind holding the seminar, Arora, a second generation entrepreneur and Managing Director of Supertech who is also the son of R.K.Arora, the founder and the chairman of Supertech Ltd, began by saying, “Recently, several land acquisition and related issues in India have come to public attention through a lot of media publicity and political involvement.

Understandably, this has caused anxiety among real estate investors across the country, as well as abroad. As responsible real estate developers committed to complete transparency in all our dealings, we want to inform customers through this seminar, about prevailing real estate conditions in Delhi NCR. Through this seminar, we also want to reassure our customers about the safety of their investments in Supertech and rebuild confidence in Indian real estate. In addition, during this evening’s seminar, you will learn about the continued potential of real estate developments in India, especially Noida, and also have the opportunity to witness the launch of ORB, our latest venture in Nodia.”

Clarifying that most reports on land expropriation and exploitation by real estate developers in Noida were the result of media hype, Mr. Arora said, “There were a few genuine issues between authorities and farmers in Noida, but luckily they have been amicably resolved. People who have invested, or are looking to invest in the area, can continue to do so with full confidence.”

Pointing out that North India and Noida in particular were currently the

best real estate investment opportunities in the country, Arora said, “With development of real estate properties around attractions like Formula1, Night Safari or Supertech’s own Upcountry, a beachfront property surrounding an artificial beach, there has been an upsurge in interest in North Indian realty. Moreover, real estate prices in Noida and many other North Indian cities are among the lowest in the country and the growth potential is immense. “ With more than 33 million square feet of residential and commercial projects, Supertech has several landmark completed and upcoming projects in their portfolio, including North Eye, the tallest residential tower in North India. The project developers are now embarking on their latest venture - ORB Towers. The new towers, which features high-end luxury residential apartments, is located adjacent to North Eye and is another Supertech project that looks set to become a much sought after property in Noida area.

Noting the phenomenal success of the launch of North Eye, the tallest residential tower in a North India and a flagship project of Supertech, Mr. Arora said, “Investors abroad, especially in Kuwait, UAE and UK, have responded very encouragingly to all our projects so far. The reasons for this appreciation among customers are many, but mainly this has been due to the quality of our construction, the reliability of our deliveries and the total transparency in all our dealings. We look forward to upholding the trust placed in us by our customers and assure them that properties at Supertech are one of the best real estate investments they can currently make”.

Supertech is exclusively represented in Kuwait by The Prudent Group, a multifaceted company providing real estate support and investment advisory services.

Offering a spate of bespoke services, The Prudent Group provides their valued clients in Kuwait with effective solutions to many of the challenges involved in managing real estate assets in India.

The seminar came to a close with a vote of thanks by Abhishek Mundra, in which he announced thanks to the guest speakers for providing an informative view on the current real estate scenario in Delhi NCR. He then went on to thank the attendees and hoped they found the seminar beneficial and that they received answers to some of their most pressing real estate questions. He also showed his appreciation to the attendees in coming in large numbers despite it being a week day. Mundra also thanked all his colleagues, Akash Soneja, Akash Panwar, John, Chiranjiv, Sakina and Kaynath for their relentless efforts in making the seminar a resounding success.

WASHINGTON: The US homebuilders’ outlook worsened in September, as foreclosures and anxious buyers hurt construction and sales activity.

The National Association of Home Builders said yesterday that its index of builder sentiment in September fell to 14 from 15. The index has been below 20 for all but one month during the past two years.

Any reading below 50 indicates negative sentiment about the housing market. It hasn’t reached 50 since April 2006, the peak of the housing boom. Last year, the number of people who bought new homes fell to its lowest level dating back nearly a half-century. Sales this year

haven’t fared much better.

Builders are struggling to compete with foreclosures, which have made the price of re-sale homes more competitive. Many buyers are having difficulty obtaining loans or meeting higher down payment requirements. Low appraisals are scuttling some deals after contracts have been signed and some would-buyers who want to purchase a new home can’t sell their old one.

David Crowe, the group’s chief economist, said a weakening US economy and high unemployment has made the short-term prospects for the homebuilding industry “fairly bleak.” The low indexes reflect “builders’ awareness that many consumers are simply unwilling or unable

Weidmann warns EFSF reforms weaken incentives BERLIN: German central bank Governor Jens Weidmann warned parliament yesterday that new measures taken by the euro zone do not encourage countries to get their budgets in order.

He said further steps towards liability sharing without weaker states having to surrender some of their economic decision-making set the wrong incentives. “The decisions (from July 21) mark a large step in the direction of joint liability and lower disciplinary action by capital markets, without in turn noticeably strengthening control and influence on national fiscal policies,” Weidmann said in a speech prepared for the German budget committee. Leaders of the bloc agreed on July 21 to extend the powers of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), to include giving precautionary loans to countries under attack in the markets and buying sovereign bonds to prop up struggling states. The changes will have to be approved by national parliaments. The German parliamentary budget committee is canvassing the opinions of experts-also including Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann-on the draft law before a vote scheduled for Sept. 29.

The European Central Bank is filling in until the new powers are implemented and has started buying distressed euro zone debt.

Weidmann, like his predecessor Axel Weber and former ECB policy maker Juergen Stark, opposed the

ECB’s decision to reactivate its controversial bond buying program after a 19-week pause, saying it blurs the lines between fiscal and

of financial institutes or precautionary credit programs,” Weidmann said. The Bundesbank president also said it should be discussed

LISBON:Brazil’s Central Bank governor, Alexandre Tombini, right, drinks a coffee with his Portugese counterpart, Carlos Costa, center, and the president of the CGD Portuguese bank, Faria de Oliveira, during a break of a meeting of Central Bank governors of the Portuguese speaking countries yesterday in Lisbon. — AP monetary policy and threatens the ECB’s independence.

Speaking yesterday at a parliamentary budget committee hearing on the EFSF, Weidmann said the bailout fund should focus on more efficient instruments than bond purchases. “There are more efficient means than secondary market purchases of bonds, for example credit programs that allow the financing

whether banks should hold extra capital when purchasing sovereign bonds, something that is not foreseen in the current Basel III regulatory framework. “The question is, when it is the right time to implement this discussion,” he said.

Under Basel accounting rules, sovereign debt held in a bank’s own currency is still given a risk weighting of zero. Critics of the rule say

LONDON: Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has been named Global Satellite Operator of the Year by a panel of industry experts at World Satellite Business Week 2011.

The award, the highest accolade in the satellite sector, is presented to the company that has shown the leading performance and outstanding achievement in several categories. It is presented each September in Paris at World Satellite Business Week, the industry’s premier senior executive event, now in its 15th year.

The judging panel, consisting of experts from Euroconsult, Space News, and Satellite Finance, uses rigorous quantitative and qualitative standards to determine the winning company from across the mobile satellite services (MSS)

and fixed satellite services (FSS) sectors.

The award is based on a performance analysis of the market players, and assessment of key performance indicators; which included 2010 revenue growth, EBITDA margin and growth, subscriber growth, and 2007-10 CAGR. A qualitative assessment also takes innovation, strategic decisions and their impact into account.

Andrew Sukawaty, Chairman and CEO of Inmarsat, said: “I am honored and delighted to collect the award for Global Satellite Operator of the Year. This award, recognizing Inmarsat’s record revenues and profits, is a tribute to the strength and effort of our whole team. We would like to thank the judges for their recognition of our mission-critical services, quality delivery and the continuing success of our business.”

this encourages banks to buy debt without having to build a capital cushion, and provides an incentive for governments not to address their deficit levels as they are still able to borrow.

ECB Governing Council member Erkki Liikanen said on Monday the bond-buying program was a temporary one. “The ECB (bond-buying) program is ongoing and by character temporary,” he told a news conference.

Liikanen, who also heads the Bank of Finland, urged European policymakers to commit to broadbased policies to help stabilize a crisis he said had taken on “systemic dimensions.”

The July 21 agreements also eased credit conditions for struggling member states and extended maturities. Weidmann said it was particularly serious that “that the new credit conditions minimize incentives for countries in the aid program to return as soon as possible to solid public (finances) and to the capital markets through economic and financial reforms.”

The changes to the EFSF, and to the tools to prevent crisis, risk increasingly weakening the institutional framework, Weidmann said.

But, he added, “overall it is neither planned nor necessary to change the existing principles on which the currency union is founded; they remain adequate and necessary for a stability-oriented currency union.” —Reuters

Stocks hit as Greece tries to convince creditors

MINSK: Belarusians queue outside an exchange booth in Minsk yesterday. The Belarusian currency plummeted in value last Wednesday after the government allowed a limited free float in a bid to ease the country’s spiraling financial crisis. —AP

Dreams and decline in India’s Kolar gold mine

Inmarsat named global satellite operator of year

to move forward with a home purchase in today’s uncertain economic climate.”

While new homes make up a small portion of sales, they have an outsize impact on the economy. The builders’ trade group says each new home built creates an average of three jobs for a year and generates about $90,000 in taxes. Separate gauges of current single-family home sales and foot traffic of prospective buyers each fell two points, to 17 and 11, respectively.

An index of builders’ outlook in the Midwest rose one point to 11. In the Northeast and South, the index fell two points to 15 and in the West it fell three points to 12. —AP

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS, India: Richard Johnson has a glittering dream he hopes India’s dilatory government won’t thwart. The 60-year-old mining engineer wants to restart gold production at Kolar, site of one of the world’s deepest mines in the heart of gold-fevered India.

The Kolar Gold Fields in Karnataka are just a two hour drive from India’s IT city Bangalore and were shut a decade ago when it cost nearly 20,000 rupees (about $430) to produce 10 grams of gold there and the selling price was about 4,500 rupees ($95).

Now, gold has hit record highs of almost $2,000 per ounce- or around 28,000 rupees per 10 grams on the domestic market- intensifying the allure of reopening the mines.

“If anyone can get this mine going again, I think I can,” says Johnson, who has been mining gold for 40 years from South Africa to Australia. “That’s my vision.”

India is the world’s biggest importer of gold, buying last year a record 958 tons. Its 1.2 billion people, legendary lovers of the metal, buy more than 800 tons a year. Only about two to three tons are produced domestically, mostly at Hutti, which is also in Karnataka state and north of Kolar.

Johnson, who only wears gold in the frames of his glasses, thinks the Kolar mines could be profitable again and his company, Kolar Gold, is working with ex-miners to make a bid if the government does put them back on the block.

According to officials in New Delhi, India’s Supreme Court could decide by next month whether a global tender should go ahead for Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML), the staterun firm now in charge of the mines which were nationalized in 1956.

“There has been a lot of flip-flop on the part of the (central) government, which first didn’t want to run the mines and then said it wants to and now finally has said again it

doesn’t want to. The matter is with the Supreme Court,” said the official on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to reporters.

“I think the case is listed for hearing next month in the court of the chief justice.”

Johnson has no illusions about India’s meandering political and legal timetables. “We think now it’s the most advanced it’s been in the process,” says Johnson, sipping a lime soda in a Bangalore coffee shop. “I just hope I’m still alive when it’s finalized.” The former miners and their families who still live in Kolar Gold Fieldsthe town built when British firms ran the mine from 1802 until they were taken over by India’s post-independence government-are desperately hoping Johnson’s dream comes true.

In their heyday, the mines were producing about 42 grams of gold per ton of rock.

Workers toiled down shafts up to 3-1/2 kilometers (11,500 feet) deep and in temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit).

“It was so hot some miners died of heatstroke, suffocation. The temperature rose one degree for every 100 feet and you went down 10,000 or 11,000 feet,” says Yeshvanth Raj, a former supervisor at the mines.

Raj joined the mine in 1981 after studying at Kolar for a mining engineering diploma. He talks passionately about the possibility that the mining community may be revived. “It’s a very beautiful place and the people are very beautiful in their hearts ... this wasn’t just the mining industry, it was a kind of society,” he says. The iron skeletons of abandoned winding gear which dominate the landscape are symbols of the dependency of this community on the pit for survival. Miners no longer have access to the education the company provided for their children. A hospital which specialized in treating respiratory diseases is an empty shell. — Reuters

LONDON: Stocks took a hammering yesterday as Greece struggled to convince international creditors that it can meet its debt obligations in return for more bailout cash to avoid running out of funds as soon as next month.

Even though Prime M inister George Papandreou canceled a trip to the United States and the Greek cabinet came up with fresh austerity measures over the weekend, investors remain concerned that Greece will not get its hands on the euro8 billion ($11 billion) due from last year’seuro110 billion ($150 billion) bailout.

On Friday, euro-zone finance ministers in Poland decided to delay authorizing the payout to Greece until early October. At risk is not only the installment from the 2010 rescue package but also a second bailout for Greece worth euro109 billion ($149 billion). “( The Poland meeting) seemed to highlight the level of disunity amongst those that have the authority to deal with the problem,” said Louise Cooper, markets analyst at BGC Partners. “The slow machinations of the political class are just not keeping up with the economic and financial reality on the ground.”

Greece’s finance minister, Evangelos Venizelos, was due to host a teleconference later yesterday with the country’s international creditors: the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. His task is to convince them that Greece is doing enough to warrant the release of the next batch of bailout cash.

While investors keep a close watch on the internal debate in Greece, they are also monitoring developments in Germany af ter Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government suffered a big electoral defeat in Berlin, which shut out her Free Democratic party coalition partners from a regional parliament.

Amid the uncertainty and after strong gains last week, stocks started the week in retreat. In Europe, Germany’s DAX was down 3.4 percent at 5,385 while France’s CAC-40 fell 3.2 percent to 2,934. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was 2.2 percent lower at 5,249.

In the US, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 1.7 percent at 11,314 while the broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 1.8 percent to 1,193. Aside from Greece, the other main focus in the markets this week is tomorrow’s monetary policy decision from the US Federal Reserve.

There are growing expectations that the central bank will introduce some new measures to help boost the US economy, which has seen growth slow down sharply this year.

However, most analysts think the Fed will fall short of announcing another monetary stimulus program, given that inflation levels remain relatively elevated. —AP

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

BUSINESS

AP-CNBC Poll: $1 million a long shot in US WASHINGTON: Who believes they’ll be a millionaire? About two in 10 Americans, who are less optimistic than Australians but more optimistic than Britons about becoming wealthy in the next ten years, according to a new AP-CNBC poll. In all three countries, more than seven in 10 of those surveyed said they were unlikely to become millionaires in the next decade.

Reflecting the psychic toll of the global economic doldrums, solid majorities of Americans - 61 percent - and Britons - 63 percent - say it’s extremely or very difficult for their countrymen to become millionaires today. “It’s an unrealistic thing for anybody to assume,” said Jason Hall, 35, a heavy equipment operator in Loganville, Wisconsin. Across the pond, 19-year-old Natasha Hill, an apprentice at a London hair salon, said many of her friends looking for work amid high unemployment have essentially given up.

“There’s no determination, nothing to aim for,” Hill said. “Everyone is in robot mode - they just settle.” On the flip side of the planet, just 35 percent of Australians feel the same way, the results found. “Oh, yes, yes, yes you can” become a millionaire,

said Australian student Hannah Peters, 21. “Anybody can become a millionaire. There are so many opportunities here. You just have to know how to go about it.”

The Aussies have reason to be so darned sunny. Unemployment there

is 5.3 percent, nearly half the United States’ 9.1 percent. Just under 8 percent of Brits are out of work. And a natural resources boom in Western Australia is helping grow the country’s economy about 3 percent this year, according to forecasts by the

WESTPORT, CT: People look at rare and luxury vehicles at an auto show. Despite some of the poorest cities in the country, Connecticut has the third highest average median income at $64,644 in America. Nationally the Census data shows that the numbers of the poor have risen to a record 46.2 million — amounting to nearly 1 in 6 Americans. —AP

International Monetary Fund. The equivalent figure for the United Kingdom is 1.7 percent and for the U.S. economy, 2.8 percent, though many private economists expect it to be lower.

Still, becoming a millionaire was tough to imagine for many Down Under. “My pay is lousy and I spend it,” said Tasmanian Brian Draney, a 47 year-old lineman and father of two young children.

Polling last month by The Associated Press and CNBC found that Australians are the most optimistic of the bunch, with 29 percent of respondents there saying they feel good about their prospects of eventually becoming a millionaire in the next decade, compared with 21 percent in the US and just 8 percent in the UK. In reality, the United States leads the world in millionaires, more than 5.2 million of them in 2010, or nearly one in every 20 households, according to The Boston Consulting Group’s latest annual global wealth report. Great Britain had 570,000 millionaires, or about one in every 45 households. Australia had 133,000 or about one in every 60 households, but that’s an increase of

35,000 over the previous year.

The BCG survey measured millionaires in terms of US dollars.

Those polled by AP and CNBC were asked how likely it was that they’d be worth a million of their own monetary unit - US dollars, Australian dollars or British pounds.

One million American dollars is worth about 964,000 Australian dollars, and about 633,000 British pounds.

But the difference is academic when large majorities never think they’ll have such fortunes to their names. “I’ll never make a million, because my family is bleeding me dry,” said Brian Bolton, a married 47year-old civil servant in Brisbane, Australia, who has two young children. “Every day my bank balance is substantially lighter and I don’t know where it goes.”

Asked to imagine being millionaires, residents of all three countries had similar priorities for spending it: The bulk of them said they would save it, invest it, buy real estate, pay down debt and share with family, the survey said. Respondents across the board listed “saving or investing” as their first priority. The last priority?

Americans and Australians listed

“giving away to charity.”

“I’d give charity a taste,” said Draney, the lineman from the Australian island state of Tasmania.

On second thought: “That’s just asking for trouble because then they’d annoy me for the rest of my life.”

Brits left “paying down debt” for last, the polls showed. Wail Al-Dour, 26, has trouble even envisioning himself as a millionaire. His chosen career, filmmaking, is tough to break into.

“The environment right now is hard,” he said in London. “Everyone thinks they’re going to be just scraping by.” Back at the London hair salon, Charlotte Hagan-Boyla, 19, confesses to “spending money the day I get it.” But becoming a millionaire, she thinks, isn’t out of the question. You could win the lottery, she reasoned, or you could work your way up.

“Or,” she added, “you could always marry a rich man.” Associated Press Writers Cassandra Vinograd in London, Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia and Christopher S. Rugaber in Washington and Deputy Polling Director Jennifer Agiesta and News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report. —AP

Lloyds Banking’s finance director Tookey to quit Nathan Bostock possible new CFO LONDON: Lloyds Banking Group’s finance director, Tim Tookey, is to quit the partly state-owned British bank to join insurer Friends Life, continuing a series of high-profile management departures since the arrival of new chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio at the beginning of the year.

Lloyds said yesterday that Tookey would remain with the company until the end of February next year and that it had already begun looking for his successor. Tookey’s decision to leave follows that of former Lloyds retail banking head Helen Weir and insurance head Archie Kane.

Analysts at brokerages Canaccord Genuity, Oriel Securities and Espirito Santo all said that Horta-Osorio might now promote his former colleague at Santander UK , Nathan Bostock, to replace Tookey.

Lloyds had poached Bostock from rival Royal Bank of Scotland in July to head up its wholesale banking arm after Horta-Osorio joined from Santander UK to replace Eric Daniels as chief executive.

“Nathan Bostock would certainly have the capabilities to be a CFO,” said Espirito Santo analyst Joseph Dickerson. Lloyds shares fell 6 percent to 33.56 pence in early morning trade. Analysts and investors said the stock’s decline had more to do with broader market concerns over the global economy than with Tookey’s departure, with the European banking index down 2.8 percent, but added that the resignation was still a “small negative” factor.

“I think it’s always disappointing when you get changes at the main board level, but one hopes that the appointment of a successor will be a positive,” said Cavendish Asset

Management fund manager Paul Mumford, who owns 6.34 million Lloyds shares.

“A new pair of hands could be quite refreshing,” he added.

On a conference call with Friends Life management, Tookey denied media reports that he had decided to leave Lloyds after falling out with Horta-Osorio. “There’s been

Lloyds Finance Director Tim Tookey absolutely no disagreement on strategy between Antonio and I at Lloyds. I’ve greatly enjoyed developing the strategy with Antonio and bringing it to the market at the end of June, and I’ve enjoyed being part of the team that’s now focused on delivering it,” he said.

Since taking over at Lloyds Horta-Osorio has announced plans to axe 15,000 jobs and

to halve Lloyds’ international presence, which the company hopes will save it 1.5 billion pounds a year by 2014.

Lloyds has been dogged by a legacy of bad debts from its government-brokered acquisition of troubled rival HBOS during the credit crisis, and its shares have consistently traded well below the 63.1 pence average price at which the British taxpayer acquired its stake in the bank.

The British government has a stake of roughly 41 percent in Lloyds and holds 83 percent of rival Royal Bank of Scotland after it had to bail out both banks with taxpayers’ money during the credit crisis. European competition regulators have ordered both banks to sell off assets to compensate for their state bail-outs, and Lloyds is currently in the process of looking to sell some 630 retail bank branches. .

Tookey already has experience of working in the insurance industry, having been a finance director at British insurer Prudential before joining Lloyds in 2006. Friends Life, which is a division of British insurance vehicle Resolution , said hiring Tookey would help it in its plans to return cash to investors.

“We do expect further consolidation in the UK life sector and we wanted a CFO with significant transaction and capital markets experience. Tim clearly has that,” Friends Life’s chief executive Andy Briggs told reporters on a conference call.

Resolution was set up three years ago by entrepreneur Clive Cowdery to acquire and restructure struggling life insurance companies, and in August it said that its half-year profit had more than doubled to 390 million pounds ($616 million). —Reuters

Jaguar Land Rover building new engine plant in UK LONDON: Luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover, part of Indian group Tata Motors , will invest 355 million pounds ($561 million) on a new engine plant in central England, it said yesterday.

The government, keen to support manufacturing in Britain, will provide up to 10 million pounds for a plant expected to create 750 jobs.

“JLR choosing Wolverhampton for its new engine plant in the face of tough international competition is a tremendous boost for manufacturing in the UK and the West Midlands in particular,” said business secretary Vince Cable.

Cable, a member of the Liberal Democrat junior coalition party, marked the announcement by visiting a JLR production plant in nearby Solihull. The Lib Dems are holding their annual conference in Birmingham, the largest city in the region. Jaguar Land Rover already employs more than 19,000 people in Britain and supports up to 140,000 jobs. It has been boosted by strong demand from emerging markets such as Russia and China for its cars.

“As we invest 1.5 billion pounds a year for the next five years on new product developments, expanding our engine range will help us realize the full global potential of the Jaguar and Land Rover brands,” said Ralf Speth, JLR CEO. Britain is seeking to support manufacturing as part of efforts to rebalance an economy that had been over-reliant on financial services.

Britain’s car industry is now largely foreignowned but employs around 800,000 people and accounts for about 10 percent of the country’s exports.

Speth said last week at the Frankfurt auto show that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) expected to decide on a local partner for production in China by the end of this year. —Reuters

DHAKA: A Bangladeshi investor shouts slogans during a protest in front of the Dhaka Stock Exchange in Dhaka yesterday. Small investors began demonstrating because of continuous slump in share prices, halting traffic on both sides of the street in front of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). —AFP

Qantas strike to hit more than 6,000 passengers SYDNEY: Australian carrier Qantas yesterday said it would cancel 28 flights and delay a further 27 due to a ground staff strike this week that would affect more than 6,000 passengers.

The move was announced as a security breach at Sydney airport saw the travel plans of thousands thrown into chaos, with the Qantas domestic terminal evacuated and about 2,000 passengers rescreened, delaying at least 14 flights. “The Australian Federal Police has been notified and Qantas will be conducting a full investigation into how the incident was allowed to occur,” Qantas said. Similar problems occurred at airports in Sydney and Melbourne earlier this year.

It was an unwelcome distraction as the embattled airline prepared for Tuesday’s nationwide walkout, which will see staggered four-hour strikes involving some 4,000 staff throughout the morning peak

period. The national capital, Canberra, will be hit between 3:30pm and 7:30pm, with cabin cleaners, baggage handlers and catering crew all taking part.

Qantas said the action had forced it to cancel 28 flights and defer another 27 by up to 35 minutes. Delays could linger for up to two days due to bans on paperwork and other jobs.

It hopes to meet the problems by deploying larger aircraft and using management staff in ground roles. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) said the strike would involve both domestic and international staff, but Qantas said there would be no impact to international services “at this stage.”

“The TWU is intent on causing disruptions to Qantas passengers and we are doing everything we possibly can to reduce the delays and cancellations,” said Qantas media chief Olivia Wirth. —AFP

ZURICH: A building of Credit Suisse bank in the Brunau district of Zurich.

Swiss bank Credit Suisse said it has agreed to pay euro 150 million ($206.4 million) to prevent its staff from being prosecuted in a German tax evasion case. —AP

Credit Suisse to pay $205m to end German tax probe GENEVA: Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse said yesterday that it has reached a deal with German authorities to end a tax evasion probe, and that it would pay 150 million euros ($205 million) to settle the case.

“Credit Suisse group and the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Duesseldorf have reached an agreement regarding the proceedings against Credit Suisse employees,” said the bank in a statement.

“The entire proceedings are to be resolved,” it added. The bank said the settlement meant that “a complex and prolonged legal dispute has been avoided.”

In addition, the deal provides “legal certainty.” Stocks in the bank fell in early morning trade, sliding 2.46 percent to 22.16 francs, underperforming the Swiss Market Index, which was down 0.90 percent. In 2010, the Duesseldorf prosecutor ’s office raided branches of Switzerland’s second biggest bank in 13 German cities as part a probe of 1,100 clients and bank staff suspected of hiding funds from tax officials.

The raid came after officials in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia bought a computer disc for a reported 2.5 million euros (3.2 million dollars) with information on wealthy Germans linked to the investigation. They were urged to come forward of their own accord to avoid prosecution, and some 12,000 had done so by late March 2010.

A spokesman for Duesseldorf prosecutors told AFP at the time that “the Credit Suisse clients have investments in total of around 1.2 billion euros.”

German authorities have been putting pressure on Swiss banks over banking secrecy rules, which Berlin says help to shield tax cheats.

Swiss private bank Julius Baer, which was also the target of a tax probe, in April said it would pay 50 million euros to settle the case. In August, Bern and Berlin also announced a comprehensive deal reached to end the long-standing tax spat between the two countries.

Under the accord, Swiss banks agreed to pay 2 billion francs to German tax authorities. The deal, which is expected to be signed in coming weeks, could snare up to just short of 1,000 tax cheats over two years. Under the deal, German taxpayers would be given a one-off chance to make an anonymous lump sum tax payment, with the tax rate to vary between 19 and 34 percent of the assets. Any taxes collected from these voluntary disclosures would be offset against the two billion franc advance payment and refunded to the Swiss banks. In future, all investment income and capital gains arising from assets held

by German taxpayers would also be covered by a withholding tax of 26.375 percent.

The deal would have to be approved by both countries’ parliaments before entering into vigour early 2013. However, some German parliamentarians have already raised their opposition.

The Finance Minister of North RhineWestphalia, Norbert Walter-Borjans, on September 12 threatened to block the deal. “I will do everything to prevent the indulgence given to tax fraudsters,” said the social-democrat minister in an interview with German magazine Spiegel.

Between 130 and 180 billion euros are hidden in Switzerland, according to German media, which could therefore raise up to 54 billion in taxes for Berlin. —AFP

Asia short on pilots: Boeing HONG KONG: Asia-Pacific’s booming aviation sector is facing a serious pilot shortfall with some carriers forced to cut flights and ground new planes because of the gap, US aviation giant Boeing said yesterday.

The region will need more than 180,000 in extra pilots and almost 250,000 new technicians over the next two decades to meet demand, with China facing the most pressing shortfalls, it said.

Currently there are about 60,000 pilots and 46,000 technicians in Asia-Pacific. “The question is where will (airlines) get all of these people and how?” Roei Ganzarski, chief customer officer of Boeing’s Flight Services unit, told reporters in Hong Kong.

“Some airlines have grounded flights or reduced flights (due to the shortage)...(carriers) have had to ground brand new airplanes.” He did not name any carriers but said countries affected by the shortfall included India, the Philippines and

Indonesia.

Shortages were also happening in other regions, and the global aviation sector needed more than one million pilots and technicians by 2030, but tight supply was most acute in Asia, Ganzarski added.

Earlier this month, Boeing said China would need 5,000 new planes worth $600 billion by 2030 — raising a previous forecast of 4,330 planes by 2029 — as growing wealth among the middle class triggers an air travel boom.

A total of 267 million air passenger trips were recorded in the country in 2010, up 15.8 percent from the previous year, official figures show. The fastest growing markets for international passenger traffic during the 2009-2014 period will be China, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, according to The International Air Transport Association. —AFP

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

TECHNOLOGY

Philippines urges students to take technology courses MANILA: Filipino students were urged yesterday to take courses related to information technology in order to land jobs amid high unemployment in the country.

Department of Labour and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said there are a lot of job opportunities in the cyber services sector that pay as much as 40,000 pesos (930 dollars) a month.

News

in brief

Camera with 3D function BERLIN: Samsung has released a compact camera with 3D capabilities. The panorama function of the Travelzoom WB750 reportedly delivers spacious 3D views and artificial depth in pictures, according to the company. The image sensor has 12.5 megapixels and includes a 24-millimetre wide angle and an 18X optic zoom. HD video recording is also possible. The camera goes on sale this month for 249 euros (340 dollars).

Waterproof MP3 player Grundig has added a waterproof MP3 player designed for outdoor use to its lineup. The MPaxx 928 Hydrox offers 2 gigabytes of storage room for music, playing titles in MP3, WMA and Wave formats, the company reported. The headphones included are also watertight.

New LED TV from Haier Steadily flowing images are the name of the game with Haier’s new HD TV. The company reports that its A500 series has an image frequency of 100 hertz, while the A700 series reaches 200 hertz. Both models are internet ready and claim low energy consumption. They are expected to go on sale in 2012. The A500 will be available in 32-inch and 42-inch versions, while the A700 will have a 15-millimetre-wide frame in 32 and 48 inches.

New tablet computer A tablet computer designed for reading ebooks is the latest from PocketBook. Its A10 includes a 10-inch TFT touch display and runs with the Android operating system, reported the company. Weighing in at 670 grams, it comes with wi-fi, Bluetooth and optional 3G. The preinstalled library includes up to 1,000 books. The tablet PC goes on sale in November and should cost less than 300 euros (410 dollars).

Internet box lets TV go online A new internet box from Toshiba connects regular televisions to the Internet. The Store TV Pro is connected to the television via HDMI cable, turning it into a smart TV, reports the company.

The box’s remote control has a keyboard for entering destination websites, but also standard control buttons. It is expected to go on sale this year.

“High-demand and high-paying jobs in the cyber services industries include web developers, network engineers, computer programmers, program analysts, systems-analysts, technical support representatives, and software engineers, among other,” she said.

Baldoz added that students eyeing jobs in the cyber services sector could also take up short and specialized

courses on online web marketing, online copywriting, legal transcription, web development solution and technical drafting.

“It takes only three to six months of apprenticeship/learnership to obtain knowledge and skills about these jobs,” she said. “But I advise jobseekers who are armed with these courses to train, pick up very good communication skills, and a serious work ethic to

be able to land a job.”

According to the government’s quarterly labour survey, the jobless rate was 7.1 per cent in July, up from 7 per cent in the same month in 2010. In April, the unemployment rate was 7.2 per cent. The survey also found that the underemployment rate - or the number of Filipinos who wanted to find additional hours of work or new jobs with longer working hours -

Windows 8 may make Microsoft cool again ‘The design is just stunning’ LOS ANGELES: No compromises.

Windows reimagined. Those were two of the taglines that Microsoft executives repeated over and over Tuesday as they gave the world its first detailed view of the software behemoth’s new operating system, Windows 8.

For once, however, these slogans were more than just empty marketing talk. For decades Windows has dominated the PC world, without really exciting anyone outside of Microsoft’s sparkling Seattle campus. But the initial reactions to the features unveiled on Tuesday bore more resemblance to the ecstatic raves usually associated with new products from Apple and Google than to the usual lukewarm Windows reception.

“With Windows 8, Windows gets its whiz-bang back,” gushed Melissa J Perenson of PCWorld. The gadget blog Gizmodo said simply “It’s fantastic.”

That’s great news for a company which has seen its star eclipsed by the success of Apple’s iPad and iPhone, which together with the growing popularity of Google’s Android and Chrome operating systems presents the greatest challenge ever to the dominance of Windows and the future of Microsoft itself. No one is predicting the imminent demise of a company which still has a 215-billion-dollar market capitalization and which has sold almost 450 million copies of its Windows 7 operating system in the last two years. But until now Microsoft looked like a last generation

software maker, its products missing out on touch features, tight social integration and the myriad new ways that the combination of ubiquitous broadband, mobile computing and cloud services were revolutionizing the way people viewed their devices.

presenters had to grapple on several occasions with features that refused to work as ordered. But as Windows chief Steve Sinofsky repeatedly explained, the software on show was a developer preview build, designed to give the thousands of companies that build apps for

“People say I love my iPhone, or my Android phone, but no-one ever really talked about loving their Microsoft products,” said tech analyst Steven Marr.

“Windows 8 could change all that.”

To be sure, Windows 8 as demonstrated Tuesday is not perfect, and Microsoft’s

Windows an early look and feel of what their next operating environment will look like.

From the start the new OS offers a radical departure from Windows 7. Most welcome is the fast boot time which puts an end to the seemingly interminable

New Android smartphone The newest smar tphone from Motorola includes a 3.5-inch touchscreen and a 5megapixel camera with auto-focus and flash. The Fire XT works with the new Gingerbread version of Android 2.3, reported the manufacturer. It also has a two-way camera for video chats. It is expected to go on sale at the end of September, for 209 euros (285 dollars).

Google reveals total power use SAN FRANCISCO: Web giant Google revealed what had been one of its most closely guarded secrets: how much power it uses to fulfill its mission of organizing all the world’s information.

In a blog posting, Urz Hoelzle, the company’s senior vice president of technical infrastructure, said that the company used 2.26 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2010 - the equivalent of some 200,000 US homes. The company also emitted 1.46 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the yearly emissions of 70,000 Americans.

While this may seem like a lot, Google notes that its data centers actually use only about half as much energy as the industry average and that the total figure includes all the energy used by the company ’s facilities and its 29,000 employees.

The figure also encompasses the energy used for all Google services, including such relative energy hogs as YouTube.

“At Google, we’ve worked hard to minimize the environmental impact of our services,” the company said in a new website tracking its energy consumption.

“In fact, to provide you with Google products for a month, our servers use less energy per user than leaving a light on for 3 hours. If you add in our renewable energy and offsets, our footprint is zero.” —dpa

wait for your computer to fire up.

A nice new feature demonstrates how Microsoft values making essential tasks both simpler and more personal. Instead of just typing in a password to unlock the computers, users can touch certain points on a picture of their choosing.

Then instead of seeing the old-fashioned Windows desktop filled with static small icons, the Windows 8 user is faced with customizable screens of tiles that provide live access to all the programs and applications on the system - a design introduced by Microsoft last year on its smartphone software.

“The design is just stunning. It really makes you want to dive in and explore, and it’s exceptionally easy to poke around in and navigate,” commented Gizmodo. The system can still be controlled using the customary mouse and keyboard but is arguably more comfortable with the kind of touch-screen controls pioneered by Apple in the iPhone and iPad but which have been glaringly absent in the PC world so far.

Microsoft of course has a long history of dominating a market using features first introduced by Apple - the mouse and graphical user interface being the most famous example. Microsoft is hoping that Windows 8 will mimic that success and help it wrest the market for touch computing out of the cool hands of Apple.

Judging by the early reviews it may have a chance. — dpa

Using software to look inside your computer

Control iPad games It should soon be easier to more directly and precisely control games on an iPad, thanks to a new joystick from Logitech that works with the iPad and iPad2. It connects with suction cups to a corner of the tablet, allowing control with crosshairs that appear on the screen. Springs help it to always return to the starting position. It is expected to go on sale in mid-September, for 15 euros (21 dollars).

Senior-friendly mobile A new mobile phone for older people includes a location service. Austrian developer Bea-fon says its S250 should be especially easy to use and understand. The device is expected to go on sale next year for 200 euros (274 dollars).

increased to 19.1 per cent from 17.1 per cent in the same period last year.

Baldoz blamed the high rates on a mismatch in the courses taken by most of the country ’s students to the demand of the labour market.

The labour department also said prospects are also good for courses related to agribusiness, health, tourism, mining, construction, banking and finance. — dpa

BEIJING: This photo taken yesterday shows parents accompanying their children while watching robots performing at Center Park at the Beijing Olympic National Stadium. Initiated in 2001, the annual national science week has been held consecutively for ten years, riveting more than 600 million people who have attended the event. — AFP

Phonetics professor tracks criminals using their voices TRIER: Angelika Braun is a forensic expert of a different kind. Instead of the traditional techniques of fingerprints or traces of blood, she analyses voice recordings of bank robbers, kidnappers, terrorists and other criminals to gain clues to their identity and other information.

The 55-year-old professor of phonetics at the University of Trier in western Germany says: “Every detail is important, even the background noises.” She has been called in as an expert in Germany and abroad to work on serious criminal cases. “Sometimes it all has to be done very quickly,” Braun says.

Abductions are cases of this kind. “A human life can in these cases depend on seemingly minor steps in the investigation,” says Braun, who worked on voice recognition for criminal investigation departments in western Germany between 1986 and 2000.

One of her better known cases was the 1996 abduction of German multimillionaire Jan Philipp Reemtsma. “We phonetics experts have a well-tuned ear,” says Braun, who took up her current post as professor in 2003.

“Forensic scientists are increasingly important for police work,” Willy Thevessen, police spokesman in the city of Moenchengladbach, says. He points to DNA comparisons alongside voices and sounds. Braun was also involved in a case involving the abduction and murder of a 10-year-old boy in western Germany last year. She investigated reports of a scream being heard near the scene in the town of Grefrath. Her report failed to lead to new evidence, but her expertise was nevertheless useful. “For us, Braun is

the first person we call on,” Thevessen says. A voice can betray age, gender, origin and nationality, “even if the speaker whispers or changes their voice,” the professor says. She investigates sounds and noises in her language laboratory and says that age can be assessed to within five or 10 years.

Origins can also normally be uncovered. “For this the school years are decisive,” Braun says. If the subject has a foreign accent, the nationality can be determined on the basis of systematic language errors or certain sounds.

Braun also does voice comparisons, using specialised computer software. “It makes language visible and measurable,” she says. The software assesses whether the subject has a low or high voice, and this can be done irrespective of the quality of the recording. But the computer can’t do it all.

“There is no computer that can tell me where someone comes from or how old he is,” she says. For this she has to use her own skills alongside those of the software. When comparing voices, Braun might examine whether the voice on an Islamist video claiming responsibility for an attack corresponds to a voice recorded during a phone conversation. In a recent English court case she gave evidence on whether the voice of a controversial preacher was in fact that on a video.

Braun is also involved in less spectacular cases. In the case of a sinking on the River Elbe last year, she was able to show that the captain of a tanker carrying heating oil, who had a history of alcohol abuse, was in fact under the influence of alcohol at the time. —dpa

COLOGNE: Ever wondered what’s inside your computer? New analytical programmes let you look inside without cracking open the housing.

Doing so exposes processors, memory stores and graphics cards - among other internal parts - things new to the legions of computer users who have no idea what’s inside their PC or notebook.

Better yet, these software tools are often to be had for free and can even be used, to a degree, by novices. Even people who know their way around a little will find the tools useful, since questions about motherboards, plug-in positions or the exact kind of working memory used can quickly overwhelm anybody.

That’s where these analysis programmes come in, helping out in a way that a simple peek under the housing never could. With the simple push of a button, these programmes generate long lists of details about the computer’s processor, hard drive, graphics card and other components.

“This kind of overview can be very useful,” says Markus Hahner, an advice author with a German publishing house that specializes in computers. For example, such a programme could tell a person if a computer he’s considering buying can be outfitted with RAM extension.

True, a lot of this information could be found with Windows device managers, says Hahner, but “analysis programmes offer a lot more information.” Additionally, they recognize a lot of devices that Windows simply cannot process and they can help with the search for compatible drivers.

But they don’t know everything. “The programme only tells me if the slot is free,” says Hahner. “It can’t know if that’s the right slot for a TV or a sound card or whether there’s another component in the way.” The analysis programmes can also be a real aid when searching for problems, says Hans Ludwig Stahl, a professor at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. “If a computer always crashes during certain operations, a tool for monitoring processor temperature can be very useful, for example.”

Most available programmes offer such functions and can, if desired, perform comprehensive diagnostics. But, for those to work, the user has to understand their nature.

“It’s just like a written doctor’s diagnosis,” says Hahner. “Without the right knowledge, you don’t understand it.”

That’s because the analytic programmes don’t find the problems by themselves, but return a long list of possible indicators that can barely be understood by

most laymen. “Most people think ‘If the computer is screwing up, I’ll just throw an analytic programme in,’” says Frank Badenius of the German computer magazine Computer Bild. “But that’s not how it works in reality.”

Stahl also advises layman from attempting repairs. “If you’re tinkering with the system, you should always know what you’re doing,” he says.

There is no analytic programme good enough to replace specialized knowledge. And the potential damage that can be wreaked by uninformed work can be great. “You can cause a lot of damage as a regular Windows user just in the registration data or the storage management.”

But if you only use the analytic programmes for virtual inventories, then you’ll be happy with just about any programme. “The analytic results are pretty good everywhere,” says Badenius. Just about all the software produces reasonably good capacity analysis. “That gives you a good idea how fast your computer and individual components are in relation to one another.”

But there are devils in the detail. “A lot of the programmes have problems recognizing TV cards,” says Badenius. “And user guides could sometimes be better.”

And some of the programmes are only

PCs, like the one above, are a general purpose tool with many parts. available in English, providing no results for searches conducted in other languages. Also a lot of the manuals are written in technical language that will mean nothing to a layman. Some well-known analytic programmes include the feebased Everest from Lavalys, which was recently redubbed Aida 64. There’s also Sandra from SiSoftware, which is also available in a slimmed-down freeware version. — dpa

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Years

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

Home remedies often relieve sore throats BERLIN: It starts with a scratchy sensation, and before long your whole throat hurts. Not only a nuisance, sore throats can be quite painful as well.

Taking strong medicine is often unnecessary, however, as there are tried and true home remedies that can bring relief.

The throat has an important function in the body: It is a first line of defence against inhaled invaders.

Sometimes, unfortunately, the defence is overwhelmed.

“You should think of the throat as a fortress: The more attackers there are, the stronger they are, and the weaker

Health

in brief

Slow eaters stay slim BERLIN: People who eat slowly are more likely to stay slim, so savouring, not gobbling, should be the watchword during meals. This is according to an article by nutrition experts in the September issue of the monthly German health magazine Ernaehrung im Fokus (Nutrition in Focus). The experts recommend setting aside at least 20 minutes for a meal and always sitting at a table with a fork, spoon and knife. Using small eating utensils keeps one from wolfing down food, they said, since the less that fits on the fork, the longer it takes to eat. Small plates and chopsticks help as well. The utensils should be set down after every bite and not picked up again until all of the food has been swallowed. Ideally, the bites should be chewed at least 10 times at first, and that number should be gradually increased to 20 or more. Nothing but eating should be done during a meal - the computer and television should be turned off. The table and plates should be nicely decorated. And nutrition experts have another piece of advice to slow down eating: Talk only when there is no food in your mouth.

Worsening eyesight Worsening eyesight may be a sign of a serious eye disease, warns the Association of Ophthalmologists of Germany (BVA). It said that changes in the eyes could be due to age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy. These disorders can diminish vision and eventually lead to blindness. Detected early, however, they can usually be treated successfully, the BVA said. New eyeglasses are therefore not always the solution for worsening eyesight, the BVA noted. A vision test by an optician does not reveal whether a person’s eyes are healthy, but merely serves to select the correct eyeglasses. Only an examination by an ophthalmologist can determine whether the cornea, optic nerve and retina are in good condition and the lens is unclouded.

Topical pain relievers Oral medications are not the only way to relieve pain. Mild to moderate pain can also be effectively treated with over-the-counter creams or gels. Overthe-counter analgesics, also known as topical pain relievers, contain the same active ingredients as oral medications, for example ibuprofen or diclofenac. “They’re often better tolerated because the active ingredients enter the bloodstream in small quantities only. Side effects such as gastric irritation occur less frequently,” said Karin Graf, an executive board member of the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists. People who prefer herbal remedies can turn to topical pain medications with comfrey extract. Studies have shown this extract to be just as effective as medications with the synthetic ingredient diclofenac.

Arnica extract has long proven effective as well.

Topical pain relievers are particularly advisable in cases of joint pain or pain caused by a blunt force injury such as a contusion. The beneficial effect is intensified by rubbing or massaging the skin at the affected site. But a cream or gel is only effective when a sufficient amount is applied to the skin. If a joint is affected, Graf said, at least three to five centimetres of the medication should be applied. The choice of cream or gel is a matter of personal preference. Gels have an additional cooling effect, which can be pleasant in cases of sports injuries.

Creams have the added benefit of skin-care properties. Laboratory tests have shown that some gels work faster than creams.

the body is, the greater the risk of inflammation,” said Matthias Lohaus, Berlin state chairman of the German Otorhinolaryngologists (ear-noseand-throat doctors) Association. The usual cause of a sore throat is a viral infection, which in most cases is harmless, he said.

A scratchy throat should be treated right away. “The sooner you do something, the better the chances that it won’t get a lot worse,” noted Ursula Sellerberg, spokeswoman for the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists. The most important thing, she said, is to bolster the body’s

self-healing powers.

“You should take it easy, rest and cut down on stress. That doesn’t mean having a doctor give you a sick note,” she said, but staying at home instead of going to a concert or getting a strenuous workout, for example.

Drinking plenty of fluids is also important since “this helps flush away germs and reduce their numbers in the throat,” Lohaus said.

Fluids especially help mucous membranes in the throat. “The mucus contains various substances that can repel germs and viruses,” Lohaus said, adding that mucous membranes were

more susceptible to germs when they were too dry. This is why it is good to suck on lozenges because this helps stimulate saliva production.

Sore throat symptoms may worsen in spite of these measures, of course.

If so, “there are many over-the counter medications that act as a local anaesthetic, relieve pain and sometimes are anti-inflammatory,” Sellerberg said. They include lozenges, sprays and gargles.

“Though lozenges are more practical - for use at the office, for example sprays and gargles go deeper into the throat,” Lohaus said, “making them

more effective than lozenges.”

Sometimes these measure, too, fail to help. “Someone with a high fever or a lot of pain should see a doctor,” advised Peter Walger, an expert on infectious illnesses and a member of the Association of German Internists.

A doctor’s examination can determine if a bacterial infection of the tonsils is to blame. “You can’t treat this yourself - you’ve got to take antibiotics,” said Walger, who noted that sore throats were rarely caused by bacterial infections, however. The cause is mostly an infection related to a common cold, he said. — dpa

UK surgeons separate twin girls joined at head Conjoined twins never pump blood in their bodies evenly LONDON: Sudanese twins born with the tops of their heads joined together have been separated in a rare and risky series of operations at a London children’s hospital, officials said Sunday. Facing the World, a charity which helps disfigured children, said it had helped fund the four-stage operation on 11-month-old Rital and Ritag Gaboura.

Twins born joined at the head are known as craniopagus twins and they occur in about one in 2.5 million bir ths.

Separating them can be dangerous, especially if - as in this case - there’s significant blood flow between their brains.

“It ’s extremely high-risk,” said Dr. James Goodrich, who coordinated a similar separation of conjoined twins at New York’s Montefiore Children’s Hospital in 2004. But the alternative can be just as bad.

Because conjoined twins almost never pump the blood across their bodies evenly, the strongest sibling strains his or her heart trying to pick up the slack. Facing the World said that Ritag’s overworked heart was already failing by the time her family arrived in Britain.

The charity said that the separation took place in stages at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital. Two operations took place in May. Tissue

expanders - essentially balloons intended to help stretch the babies’ skin over their newly exposed heads - were inserted in July. The final separation took place on Aug. 15.

“Incidences of sur viving

twins with this condition is extremely rare,” lead surgeon David Dunaway said in a statement released by the charity.

“The task presented innumerable challenges and we were all very aware of our responsibili-

ties to the family and these two little girls.” The charity released before and after photographs of the twins. The before photo showed the two sprawled out on a bed, with their heads joined just above the hairline

LONDON: Undated handout photo released Sunday by British charity Facing the World of conjoined twins Rital and Ritag Gaboura (left to right not given) before they were successfully separated at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. — AP

Canker sores painful BERLIN: At first there is a mild burning sensation in the mouth, perhaps at the base of the gums or on the inner surface of a cheek. A few hours later, the spot starts to hurt badly.

A look into the mouth reveals the torture’s source: a canker sore - also known as an aphthous ulcer - a whitish, blister-like lesion surrounded by an inflamed red area on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.

Though generally just the size of a pinhead, canker sores are a big annoyance.

“Once I had six of them at the same time, spread around the entire mouth,” said 16year-old Martin. “I could hardly eat or brush my teeth anymore.” The painful lesions usually heal by themselves within a few days but sometimes can take as long as two weeks.

“The root cause of canker sores can’t be treated because the cause is unclear,” said Wolfgang Bengel, vice president of the German Society of Dental, Oral and Craniomandibular Sciences and a specialist on diseases of the oral mucosa. Contrary to widespread opinion, he said, it is now known that neither viruses nor bacteria are responsible for canker sores, and that canker sores are not contagious.

“Canker sores are an excessive immune reaction in which tissue is destroyed and the mucous membrane over it is no longer sup-

plied with blood,” explained Juergen Becker, director of the Department of Oral Surgery and Central Admittance at Dusseldorf University Hospital.

An earlier recommended therapy was silver nitrate drops, which Bengel discourages.

“It only chemically burns the nerve endings” and often makes matters worse, he said.

Some dentists get rid of canker sores with a laser.

Many patients swear by regular mouth rinses with camomile extract or antibacterial solutions. According to Bengel, however, “There have been no studies proving that these methods actually work. Real canker sore patients can rinse with whatever they like - they’ll get no relief.”

Along with patients with small, occasional canker sores are those who have constantly recurring sores and are seldom pain-free.

Some also have major canker sores up to a centimetre in size. Becker urges these people to see a dentist.

“If you’re often confronted with canker sores, you should get a prescription for cortisone ointment and apply it to the sore early,” he advised. Although cortisone has a bad reputation, both Becker and Bengel said that local, temporary application normally had no side effects.— dpa

to form what appeared to be a single, solid unit. The after photograph showed both side-byside looking alert and healthy, clutching white stuffed animals.

Although rare, operations to separate twins linked by their heads aren’t unheard of. The U.S. National Librar y of Medicine records that one of the first successful operations to separate craniopagus twins took place in 1956.

In 2003, surgeons in Dallas separated 2-year-old Egyptian twins joined at the head, and a year later Goodrich was one of a team of doctors which separated Filipino twins in four major surgeries that took place over 10 months.

Even successful operations can leave neurological damage, although that didn’t immediately appear to be the case with R ital and R itag.

“Within days the twins were back on the general ward interacting and playing as before,” the charity said. Its executive coordinator, Sarah Driver-Jowitt, predicted that the girls’ parents - who haven’t been named may soon return home “with two healthy, separate girls.”

Goodrich agreed.

“S o far the results have been exceptional,” he said. “I think both kids will do quite well.” —AP

Global Fund needs to improve risk management GENEVA: A panel formed to probe allegations of corruption at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said yesterday that the health body needed to improve its risk management.

“The Global Fund’s mission and portfolio inherently come with different levels and types of risk, and the institution should cater to risky environments sensibly,” it said. The panel, co-chaired by former US Health and Human Services secretary Michael Leavitt and Botswana expresident Festus Mogae, was formed following allegations in December 2010 that tens of millions of dollars earmarked for programmes in African nations had gone missing.

The allegations prompted two donor countries, Germany and Sweden, to suspend contributions. The panel, which made six categories of recommendations, said the Global Fund needed to draw up a set of “clear, simple, and practical basic standards in the rules of fiduciary docu-

mentation and ethical behaviour.”

It should also establish “clear definitions of the categories of risk it faces, and discuss them with donors”. The group acknowledged however that “unlike banks or other financial institutions, the Global Fund cannot avoid risks by simply denying funding; lives are at risk, and the very purpose of the organisation is to save them.”

Created in 2002 with seed money from software mogul Bill Gates, the Fund is the single largest source of international health financing for the three diseases which together claim more than four million lives each year.

In 2009, the Global Fund, a privatepublic partnership, accounted for 20 percent of international public funding for HIV, 65 percent for TB and 65 percent for malaria. The panel said the failure of the fund “would be a global catastrophe”.

In a statement released yesterday, the Global Fund said it welcomed the recommendations. — AFP

Top killer diseases will cost world $47tn NEW YORK: For the first time ever, the UN General Assembly will tackle the issue of non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes and the threat they pose to global health. On the eve of those discussions, the Swiss-based World Economic Forum on Sunday issued a report that tallies the costs of such diseases to the world’s economy.

The study estimated that the price of such burgeoning illnesses will be an astounding 47 trillion dollars over the coming 20 years or about 4 per cent of the world’s gross domestic products. “ The need for immediate action is critical to the future of the global economy,” said Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, which gathers world leaders once a year in Switzerland.

Today, government leaders meeting in New York are to work

out a plan of action to prevent and control the diseases, some of them closely linked to globally rising rates of obesity. Experts noted that there are affordable solutions to the problems that need to be deployed. Cancers, cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes, respiratory diseases and diabetes are top killers, causing 36 million deaths annually, said the study.

The World Health Organization says issues related to non-communicable diseases are becoming top priorities for governments because premature deaths reduce productivity, curtail economic growth, and cause significant social problems in most countries. The study, entitled The Global Economic Burden of Non- communicable Diseases, analysed the overall costs of such diseases to the global economy. The findings showed that the estimated cumulative loss

of output over the next 20 years represents approximately 4 per cent of annual global Gross Domestic Products, or 47 trillion dollars.

Top health risks like obesity, tobacco use and mental illness are closely linked to non-communicable illness and their costs are a part of the overall GDP loss to people and the world economy. “Think of what could be achieved if these resources were productively invested in an area like education,” Schwab said.

The study also backed findings by the World Health Organization that deaths related to non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately high, at 80 per cent of deaths in the world in 2010. Deaths from chronic respiratory disease, cancer and diabetes in those countries are estimated to cause economic losses on an aver-

age of 500 billion dollars a year.

“Until now, we’ve been unable to put a figure on what the World Health Organization (WHO) calls the ‘world’s biggest killers’,” said Olivier Raynaud, senior director of health at the World Economic Forum.

“This study shows that families, countries and economies are losing people in their most productive years. The numbers indicate that non-communicable diseases have the potential to not only bankrupt health systems but to also put a brake on the global economy,” Raynaud said.

The study said the cumulative losses will steadily increase in the next 20 years, with a sharp rise by 2030. The loss of personal income, living standards and expenses caused by high medical demands will also double for people struck by such illnesses between 2010 and 2030. — dpa

KABUL: An Afghan toddler receives a polio vaccine at the Isteqlal hospital in Kabul yesterday. The Afghan Ministry of Public Health together with UNICEF and USAID is piloting an Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) micro-planning project in health facilities in nine provinces in Afghanistan against measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio. — AFP

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Poor nations have options against noncommunicable diseases GENEVA: A new World Health Organization (WHO) study reveals yesterday that low-income countries could introduce a core set of strategies to prevent and treat cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease for just USD 1.20 per person per year.

“Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, killing ever more people each year.

Nearly 80 percent of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries,” says Assistant DirectorGeneral for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at WHO Dr. Ala Alwan. “The challenge to these countries is tremendous, but this study proves that there are affordable steps all governments can take to address noncommunicable diseases.”

The impact of noncommunicable diseases - or NCDs - goes beyond health; their socioeconomic effects are staggering. The cost of not taking action to address this global threat is already severe and will intensify over time. “Noncommunicable diseases are one of the leading threats to global economic growth and development. Over the next 15 years, noncommunicable diseases will cost low and middle income countries more than USD 7 trillion,” says Chairman of World Economic Forum (WEF) USA, Jean-Pierre Rosso, quoting the results of a WEF and Harvard School of Public Health study released today.

“When so many of the workforce is sick and dies in their productive years, national economies lose billions of dollars in output. And millions of families are pushed into poverty.” The WHO study set out to help low and middle-income countries identify low-cost interventions that can help turn the tide on NCDs and reduce their economic burden. The interventions must be highly cost-effective, and there must be strong evidence that they prevent disease and save lives.

The list includes measures that target the population

as a whole, such as excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol, smoke-free indoor workplaces and public places, health information and warnings, as well as campaigns to reduce salt content and replacement of trans-fats with polyunsaturated fats, along with public awareness programmes about diet and physical activity. Other tactics focus on the individual. These include screening, counseling, and drug therapy for people with or at high risk of cardiovascular disease, screening for cervical cancer, and hepatitis B immunization to prevent liver cancer. Many countries have already adopted these approaches, and have seen a marked reduction in disease incidence and mortality. WHO monitored progress over ten years in 38 countries taking steps to address cardiovascular disease at both the population and individual level; all recorded a substantial decrease in exposure to risk, incidence of disease, and deaths.

“The new tool will help countries with limited resources work out what the “best buys” are and what they will cost,” adds Dr Alwan. “Implementing them would save literally millions of lives over the next 15 years.” In compiling the tool, WHO considered five key ingredients: the size of the population; the extent of the burden of disease; the proportion of the population that would be covered by the strategies; the resources required (human, medicines, technology); and the unit cost for salaries and medicines. No intervention that costs more than USD 0.50 per person per year was included.

The total cost for adopting these strategies in all low and middle-income countries would be USD 12 billion per year. Providing access to population-based interventions in all low and middle income countries would cost a total of USD 2 billion per year. That breaks down to less than USD 0.20 per person per year in lowincome and lower middle-income countries, and

New New e Hope Hope …

New Life

around USD 0.50 per person per year in upper-middle income countries.

Providing access to individual-level NCD best buys costs just over USD 10 billion per year for all low and middle-income countries. For the period 2011-2025, the annual per capita cost will be USD 1 in low-income countries; USD 1.50 in lower middle income countries; and USD 2.50 in upper middle income countries.

High-income countries spend USD 4 trillion per year on health. The United States of America alone spends

USD 2 trillion per year. Noncommunicable diseases heart attacks and strokes, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease - account for over 63 percent of deaths in the world today. Every year, NCDs kill 9 million people under 60 years old, and 90 percent of these premature deaths occur in low and middle income countries. September 19-20, 2011, world leaders gather at the United Nations High-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases in New York to set a new international agenda for tackling the issue. — KUNA

South Korea to revive stem cell research after scandal SEOUL: President Lee Myung-Bak promised yesterday to spend some $89 million restoring South Korea’s reputation as a leader in stem cell research, five years after a scandal tarnished its reputation.

“The government has decided to foster the stem cell industry as a core new growth engine,” he said in a radio address, adding about 100 billion won ($89 million) in state funds would be spent on research next year.

Lee said South Korea along with the United States was a world leader in the field a decade ago.

“Unfortunately, there was a disappointing incident which caused inevitable damage to the entire stem cell research community in Korea,” he said, referring to cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-Suk, who was found in 2006 to have faked part of his work.

As Seoul’s efforts faltered, other nations streamlined regulations and aggressively expanded invest-

ment in research, Lee said. “We must restore our national fame as a stem cell powerhouse,” he said, adding the government would ease regulations and set up a state stem cell bank.

Stem cells are master cells that can grow into any bodily tissue. Scientists hope the technology could one day provide cures for such hard-to-treat diseases as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Hwang shot to fame in 2004 when he published a paper in the US journal Science claiming to have created the world’s first stem cell line from a cloned human embryo.

In a follow-up paper in 2005 in the same journal, he maintained that his team had developed 11 patient-specific embryonic stem cell lines. But in January 2006 investigators ruled that his findings were faked and said he had produced no stem cells of any kind. —AFP

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shifakuwait@gmail.com shifak uwait@g gmail.com www.shifakuwait.com www.shifakuwait.com W orkiing Hours: 8.00 am m to to 12:00am Working

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W H AT ’ S O N NECK to host preschoolers’ motivation program

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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 DYINA seeks new members 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 Joseph- 97200915; Babu Thomas - 99240368; Shaji - 55042540; Jose Payappilly - 99809603; Reason -97286904 Balamurali to perform for VOICE music As part of its Youth Wing’s first anniversary, VOICE Kuwait will hold a classical music evening on Friday, Sept 23 at United Indian School, Abbassiya.

Renowned musician Prof Ayamkuti Mani will present a vocal program accompanied by distinguished violinist Karunagappally S Balamurali, Arun Arunapuram on mridangam, Aranmula Harilal on ghatam and Manoj Mavelikkara on morsing. Karunagappally S Balamurali, a violinist for 25 years and music director for several TV serials and music albums is new in Kuwait and Friday’s performance is his maiden presentation in Kuwait, as the launch of his musical career in Kuwait. Viswakarma Organisation for Ideal Career & Education (VOICE) invites all music lovers to this program. For details, please contact: PG Binu 97964375; Balamurali 99584182 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 Bhatt- 97834578 Salmiya & Hawally: Swarna Shetty- 99006934, Kripa Gatty- 66044194 Kuwait City, Jahra, Sharq : Rekha Sachu65044521,97862115 Farwaniya, Abbassiya, Shuwaikh & Khaitan: Sathyanarayana66585077 Sanath Shetty- 67712409.

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.

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.

Box Hill College Kuwait opens its doors for new fall semester

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he college organizes these days to familiarize new students with the nature of college, teaching methodologies, student code of conduct and college’s regulations that students should be acquainted with during the study period, the students with their instructors took a campus tour and had the opportunity to discuss the students’ queries that could be a guide for them to achieve the process of a successful academic path.

Courses and curriculum at BHCK are

designed in compliance with modern professional needs; they provide the knowledge and skills and hands-on learning experience that are necessary to differentiate graduates in their future career path.

New students have been awarded the opportunity to roam around the campus and test the latest technology, including smart classrooms, labs and a Learning Resource Centre equipped with the latest modern technology in addition to a range of services that

help the learning process.

The two days were full of a range of activities and the participation of many institutions and sports clubs that offer multiple services and special offers for BHCK students like Boubyan Bank and Zain Telecommunications which was giving the students the opportunities to enroll in different programs which enriches their personalities and skills.

Students were excited for the start of the semester and were fond of the atmosphere the college was filled with,

Beat Peter joins Movenpick

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he Movenpick Hotel Kuwait recently announced the appointment of Beat Peter as the hotel’s new General Manager.

Peter followed Marco Saxer, the previous GM and comes to Movenpick Kuwait with almost 16 years of experience in the hotels & tourism industry.

Beat Peter, a Swiss national, holder of a university degree from Luzern and a Higher Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management, commenced his career in Switzerland with a cross training in different hotel activities, i.e. Food & Beverage and Front Office. In 1999, Peter was appointed as Front Office Manager at The Omnia Hotel. Then he moved to Gsell & Partner Hotels as a Sales & Marketing Manager. He earned an extensive experience in Sales & Marketing, Strategic Planning & Feasibility Studies.

After that, Peter moved to the renowned Seiler Hotel Nicoletta Zermatt in Switzerland as a Hotel Manager, then to Kempinski Hotel

St. Moritz as a Resident Manager.

Afterwards, Peter travelled to the UAE to be appointed as the Resident Manager at Kempinski Hotel Ajman, and then he was promoted to General Manager at

Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

At Kempinski Hotel Palm Jumeirah, Peter supervised the pre-opening phase that involved the Development, Operation of F&B outlets, rooms, spa and recreation in addition to Quality Control and Budget, besides Sales & Marketing. Throughout his career, Peter was keen to attend several training courses that took him too many countries such as France, Italy, Switzerland and the UAE. Beat Peter expressed his happiness and feels proud to join Movenpick Hotel Kuwait Free Trade Zone. He confirmed his great motivation and willingness to maintain and to develop further the leading position of Movenpick Hotel Kuwait locally and within Movenpick Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

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 week-

ly 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.”

some of their comments on why choosing BHCK were “ the limited number of students in each class creates a more personalized and friendly environment which makes coming to college something we look forward to “ in addition to “the latest technology” and “friendly and professional faculty and staff which makes our life at BHCK easier in addition to the teaching methods followed which gives the students focus not only on the theoretical part but also on the practical skills.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Fahed Mohamed and wife.

May you have a happy and prosperous married life. Best wishes come from Sherif Ismail, family, friends and near and dear ones.

YMCA Onasangamom YMCA Kuwait is conducting Onam Sangamom & Arts nite on Thursday 29th September at 6.30pm at Indian Community Senior Girls School Salmiya. The programs include Comedy Skit “Pravasa Charitham Onnam Bhagam”, Vanchipattu, Thiruvathirakali, Maveli, Chendamelam, Ganamela etc.

OnaSadhya is also arranged for the attendees.

For Onasadhya please take the coupon before the program. For details please contact.97542985, 99498369, 99046751, 99607230.

YMCA membership YMCA Kuwait is conducting membership campaign from 1st September to 31st November, 2011. Persons who wish to become a members of YMCA Kuwait and person who would like to contribute their time, efforts and services for the society and humanitarian causes may pl contact: 97542985, 99498369, 99046751, 99607230, 55120208.

Al-Boom: A true taste of Kuwait!

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enowned as one of Kuwait’s finest restaurants, the AlBoom restaurant is a perfect link between Kuwait’s maritime heritage and its contemporary status.

From the mouthwatering appetizers - including year-round shrimps and a first-class selection of mezzeh and salads - to the justly selected a la carte menu, including Mediterranean and international dishes, this truly is a restaurant to savor, both for the food and for the unique ambience.

Al-Boom, named after the largest

completed in 1979, just in time for the hotel’s opening in 1980. The painstaking care taken with every detail of the vessel’s construction is truly aweinspiring, with the list of materials used giving some small hint of the magnitude of the task; which includes 17,500 cubic feet of the finest teak, 8,800 handmade iron nails and 2.5 tons of copper. Another daunting statistic is the 35,000 man hours that went into the Al-Boom’s construction. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait is proud to announce that it’s Al Boom restaurant was listed amongst the Top 50 restaurants in Middle East by the Esquire Magazine. class of dhows that once plied the waters of the Gulf, was the brainchild of founder Husain Marafie. The hand-

made vessel, built by shipbuilders and master craftsmen in Calicut, India took three years to construct, finally being

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Konkani drama

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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 King 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

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.

Free Arabic courses provided by IPC

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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: Rawdah-22512257-97290278; Salmiya25733263-97533263; Khaitan-2473013799285459; Mangaf-23723002; Jahra-2455883067720696.

Study in Canada Fair 2011

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rganized by the Embassy of Canada, the sixth annual Middle East Education Initiative (MEEI) will be visiting Kuwait from Oct 1 to 4, 2011.

Representatives of 20 leading Canadian universities and colleges will be available to meet students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors to present the advantages of studying in Canada. On Sunday, Oct 2, 2011 a Study in Canada exhibition will be held at the Marina Hotel, Salmiya from 6-9:00 pm for potential students and their parents to attend. The Canadian institutions will also be visiting local schools to speak to interested students about opportunities to study in Canada.

Merit scholarship

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ulu Koota Kuwait is pleased to announce its Merit Cum Means Scholarship Award to be awarded during Tulu Parba which will be held on 4th November 2011 in American International School Auditorium, Maidan Hawally.

Tulu Koota Kuwait firmly believes in the great value of education and is strongly committed to helping needy students to achieve their educational goals. Application accepted from minimum one year valid members children studying either in State of Kuwait or in India, scoring high grades at X and XII standard Board Examination held during Academic year 2010-2011. Contact Tulukoota Kuwait Welfare officer Suresh Shyam Rao on 65976789 or email: shyamson@yahoo.com to submit the copies of marks sheet & proof of income with the application. Candidates obtaining high grades but not eligible for merit cum means scholarship shall be honored with Merit Certificate and Medal. For further information please contact: Harish Bhandary Tel. 50264416

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Eid reunion of Comilla Probashi Kollyan Sangstha

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he l4th anniversary & Eid reunion cultural program of Comilla Probashi Kollyan Sangstha was held at Gulshan Hotel.

The program was presided by Mawlana Liaqot Ali & presented A.K.M.Azad by Probash Bagnia editor & founder secretary general of Comilla Probashi Kollyan Sangstha which was established in 1997 for economical & social welfare of people.

On the function the Chief Guest was Abdul Kashem Kuddus renowned expatriate businessman & industrialist of Bangladesh.

Among others were Professor of Kuwait University Engineer Muhammed Sadequr Rehman, expresident of Bangladesh Somity Engineer Habibur Rehman, Nurul Islam Sohel Chowdhary, president of Bangladesh Somaj Kollyan Somity Abdul Kader Molla, president of Chittagong Somity Zafor Ahmed Chowdhary & advisor of Comilla Probashi Parishad Naser Murtoza attended the program as special guests.

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Secretary General of the organization A.K.M. Azad presented the annual statement of the organization. He also gave details of social welfare by his organization both in Kuwait and Bangladesh.

He added that seven rickshaws were distributed to poor families in Bangladesh by Comilla Probashi Kollyan Sangstha as social welfare of people. The organization gave break-through in good jobs in various working field in Kuwait to his fellow members & Bangladeshi expatriate

workers.

The chief guest, special guest & others admitted the activities of Comilla Probashi Kollyan Sangstha. Among other Chowddagram Probashi Kollyan Sangstha President MD. Shahjalal Kanon Mojumder, Amir Hossain Mojumder, Mostafizur Rahman, poet & author Al Amin Sapan Chowdhary, social activists and organizer Jalal Ahmed Chunnu Molla also attended the program and delivered a speech.

Notice to Filipino citizens

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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

otice is hereby given that under Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003”, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the election, and who are registered overseas absentee voters with approved applications to vote in absentia, may vote for Senators and Party-list Representatives. For this purpose, all qualified Filipino citizens not registered as voters under Republic Act No. 8189, otherwise known as “The Voters Registration Act of 1996”, (the system of continuing registration) shall

file an application for registration while those who are already registered under the said Act shall file an application for certification. For purposes of the May 13, 2013 elections, the filing of applications for registration/certification and transfer of registration records shall be filed at the Post or other designated registration areas from October 31, 2011 to October 31, 2012. The 30-day voting period is from April 13, 2013 until 3:00 o’ clock in the afternoon (Philippine time) of May 13, 2013 at any Philippine Embassies or Consulates. (The time for voting to be announced later). For details, please contact telephone number: 65184433 (Kuwait)

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca.

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. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF JAPAN The Embassy of Japan in the State of Kuwait announces that it will be closed to the public today, September 19, 2011 on the occasion of respect of the Aged Day. The Embassy will reopen again on Tuesday, September 20. Official working hours in the embassy are from Sunday to Thursday, from 08:00 am to 04:00 pm. nnnnnnn

FOCC chess tournament Charity golf tournament

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reast cancer affects everyone. A charity golf tournament will be held on Friday, October 14 at 9 am at Kuwait International Golf & Country Club. Four person “Texas Scramble”. Shotgun start 10 am - BBQ - Prizes A ladies’ Pre-Tournament Clinics (3 sessions) will begin from Saturday 24 September 8 am, Saturday 01 October 8 am, Saturday 08 October 8 am, fully swing, chipping & putting, specialty shots. To register and ensure your spot in the tournament, please call 99076721 /99073710. Email: info@kigcc.com www.kigcc.com

Is an MBA from Wharton right for you?

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riends of CRY Club (FOCC), Kuwait announces the date of the hugely popular Chess Tournament for children. It doesn’t matter if you are an amateur or a professional, come play with other enthusiasts and support a good cause. “CRYchess 2011” will be held on Friday, 18th November 2011 at the Indian English Academy School (IEAS) - Don Bosco, Salmiya.

The players will be divided into age based groups to play in the Swiss pairing format and the lucky winners will walk away with the Trophies and all participants will receive certificates and medals

email: focckwt@yahoo.com Sponsors are also welcome to encourage the participating Young Chess Players.

The last date for receiving the registration form is 10th November, 2011. Child Rights and You (CRY) is an Indian NGO that catalyses change in the lives of underprivileged children in India by restoring their rights. FOCC in its thirteen year of presence appreciate the cooperation and support extended to carry on the activities for the cherished ideals of nourishing the talents of the children, predominantly among the Indian expatriate community and schools.

K’S PATH WEEKLY ADOPTION

Elsa the

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ind out at the Wharton Business School’s admissions reception today (Tuesday, September 20th) in Kuwait. Admissions Director Ankur Kumar will be delivering a presentation at 7 pm. To register for the event in Kuwait visit: http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/admission-events.cfm (Registrations closed September 19)

Desert mix

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lsa is a gentle and affectionate nine-month-old Desert mix female. Elsa is shy and takes her time to get to know you before jumping around you to play. This pretty girl loves to roll for a belly rub. Elsa will fit in great in a family with children aged 8 and above. To adopt Elsa, contact K’S PATH at (+965) 6700 1622 or visit the website www.kspath.org

Galleries in Kuwait Sultan gallery established 1969 to promote Arab contemporary art. Sabhan, Sadeer company. Block 8, street 105, building 168. 24714325 ext. 110 Dar Al-Funoon, Behbehani Compound, House 28near the Christian Church off of Gulf Road. Tel: 22431338 Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah, Shaab, next to Shaab Leisure Park. Tel: 22400963 AWARE Surra Street, Block 3, Villa 84. Tel: 25335260/80 or www.aware.com.kw The Strip, across Al-Seif Palace Jibla Tel: 99666533 www.the-exhibition.com.kw Located on ‘The Strip’ Across from Al-Seif Palace Jibla, Kuwait Tel: + (965) 9-406-6226 Fax: + (965) 2-534-4061 Email Address: info@the-exhibition.com.kw Mailing Address: P.O. Box 17919, Khaldiya, Kuwait

from Child Rights & You (CRY). The much awaited annual CHESS tournament will commence at 1:00 pm sharp. Players are to report at the venue by 12 noon for the tournament briefing and inaugural presentation.

Parents, accompanying the children, will also be kept informed of the CRY activities and FOCC’s involvement and are required to be present at the Quadrangle to view the presentation throughout the afternoon. For more details, registration forms, Rules of CRYChess 2011 and participation fees, please visit www.focckwt.org or contact FOCC members via

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 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

Eddie the DSH

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ddie is a friendly, playful and observant two-year-old Domestic Short Haired (DSH) male. Eddie loves to take a nap on laps and play with suspended toys. He likes attention and will greet you with a welcoming purr. Eddie will go well in a family with children aged over 8.

To adopt Eddie, contact K’S PATH at (+965) 6700 1622 or visit the website www.kspath.org

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EMBASSY OF PERU Embassy of Peru in Kuwait has the honor to announce the opening of its office soon in Sharq area, Ahmed Al-Jaber street, Al-Arabiya Tower, 6th Floor, Kuwait City.

Moreover, please be notified that there will be “Peru Expo-Tour, Trade & Invest” and the working hours will be from 09:00 till 14:00 (SundayThursday). You are cordially invited to visit us in order to know why Peru should be your new touristic destination and your best business partner.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

Years

TV PROGRAMS

00:45 01:40 03:30 04:25 05:20 06:10 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 22:55 23:50

Untamed & Uncut Shark Rampage 1916 Maneaters Dogs 101 Animal Cops Houston Project Puppy Meerkat Manor The Really Wild Show Animal Crackers Safari Sisters Breed All About It America’s Cutest...

Dogs 101 Animal Cops Houston E-Vets: The Interns Wildlife SOS International Animal ER Crocodile Hunter Deadly Waters Escape To Chimp Eden The Really Wild Show Animal Crackers Safari Sisters Dogs 101 Breed All About It Crocodile Hunter Cheetah Kingdom Cats 101 Shark Invasion Karina: Wild On Safari Buggin’ With Ruud Kingdom Of The Elephants

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

Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Holby City Blackadder 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 Balamory The Roly Mo Show Me Too Jackanory Junior Poetry Pie Poetry Pie Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Dalziel And Pascoe Doctors Eastenders Holby City Last Of The Summer Wine Dalziel And Pascoe The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Holby City Dalziel And Pascoe The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Holby City Freefall

00:20 Come Dine With Me 02:05 What Not To Wear 02:55 Come Dine With Me 03:45 James Martin’s Champagne 04:10 The Naked Chef 04:35 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 05:00 James Martin’s Favourite Feasts 05:25 Holmes On Homes 06:15 Antiques Roadshow 07:10 Daily Cooks Challenge 07:40 Come Dine With Me

08:30 James Martin’s Champagne 08:55 The Naked Chef 09:25 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 09:50 James Martin’s Favourite Feasts 10:15 Holmes On Homes 11:05 Antiques Roadshow 11:55 Come Dine With Me 12:45 Daily Cooks Challenge 14:45 Bargain Hunt 15:30 Antiques Roadshow 17:10 Come Dine With Me 18:00 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 18:25 Coastal Kitchen 18:50 The Naked Chef 19:20 James Martin’s Brittany 19:45 Come Dine With Me 20:35 Holmes On Homes 21:25 Antiques Roadshow 22:15 Come Dine With Me 23:05 New Scandinavian Cooking With Claus Meyer 23:35 New Scandinavian Cooking With Claus Meyer

00:00 BBC World News 00:30 World Business Report 00:45 Sport Today 01:00 BBC World News America 01:30 Asia Business Report 01:45 Sport Today 02:00 BBC World News 02:30 Asia Business Report 02:45 Sport Today 03:00 Newsday 03:30 Asia Business Report 03:45 Sport Today 04:00 Newsday 04:30 Asia Business Report 04:45 Sport Today 05:00 Newsday 05:30 Asia Business Report 05:45 Sport Today 06:00 Newsday 06:30 Hardtalk 07:00 BBC World News 07:30 World Business Report 07:45 BBC World News 08:00 BBC World News 08:30 World Business Report 08:45 BBC World News 09:00 BBC World News 09:30 World Business Report 09:45 Sport Today 10:00 BBC World News 10:30 World Business Report 10:45 Sport Today 11:00 BBC World News 11:30 Hardtalk 12:00 BBC World News 12:30 World Business Report 12:45 Sport Today 13:00 BBC World News 13:30 World Business Report 13:45 Sport Today 14:00 GMT With George Alagiah 14:30 GMT With George Alagiah 15:00 BBC World News 15:30 World Business Report 15:45 Sport Today 16:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 BBC World News 18:30 Hardtalk 19:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 20:30 World Business Report 20:45 Sport Today 21:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 22:30 World Business Report 22:45 Sport Today 23:00 BBC World News America 23:30 Hardtalk

00:20 00:45 01:10 01:35 02:00 02:25 02:50 03:00 03:25

Droopy: Master Detective The Flintstones Johnny Bravo Duck Dodgers King Arthur’s Disasters The Scooby Doo Show Popeye Classics Tom & Jerry Popeye

03:50 04:15 04:35 05:00 05:10 05:35 06:00 06:15 06:40 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:35 09:00 09:25 09:50 10:15 10:40 11:05 11:30 11:55 12:05 12:20 12:45 13:10 13:35 14:00 14:25 14:50 15:15 15:35 16:00 16:20 Doo 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:00 18:25 18:50 19:15 19:35 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:35 22:00 22:25 22:55 23:05 23:30 23:55

The Jetsons The Flintstones Looney Tunes Pink Panther & Pals Scooby Doo Where Are You! New Yogi Bear Show The Garfield Show The Addams Family Popeye Tom & Jerry Looney Tunes The Scooby Doo Show Wacky Races The Garfield Show Dastardly And Muttley The Flintstones Tom & Jerry Pink Panther and Pals Puppy In My Pocket New Yogi Bear Show The Scooby Doo Show The Garfield Show Tom & Jerry Top Cat Popeye The Jetsons Duck Dodgers Looney Tunes Scooby Doo Where Are You! Tom & Jerry The Perils of Penelope Pitstop Droopy: Master Detective Wacky Races Scooby-Doo and ScrappyDastardly And Muttley The Flintstones Tom & Jerry The Garfield Show Pink Panther and Pals Puppy In My Pocket New Yogi Bear Show Looney Tunes Tom & Jerry Top Cat The Scooby Doo Show Wacky Races Dastardly And Muttley Tom & Jerry Johnny Bravo Dexters Laboratory The Garfield Show Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Perils of Penelope Pitstop

00:05 Robotboy - Elements 00:30 Squirrel Boy 00:55 George Of The Jungle 01:20 Cramp Twins 01:45 Chop Socky Chooks 02:10 Best Ed 02:35 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 03:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 03:25 Generator Rex 03:50 Adventure Time 04:15 Flapjack 04:40 Chowder 05:05 The Powerpuff Girls 05:30 Ed, Edd n Eddy 05:55 Cow & Chicken 06:20 Squirrel Boy 06:45 I Am Weasel 07:00 Eliot Kid 07:25 Angelo Rules 07:50 Best Ed 08:15 Flapjack 08:40 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 09:05 Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 09:30 Courage The Cowardly Dog 09:31 Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 09:40 Courage The Cowardly Dog 09:55 Cow & Chicken 10:20 I Am Weasel 10:35 Adventure Time 11:00 Ben 10 11:25 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 11:50 The Secret Saturdays 12:15 Samurai Jack 12:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 13:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 13:30 Skunk Fu! 13:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 14:15 Flapjack 14:40 Ed, Edd n Eddy 15:05 Camp Lazlo 15:30 Chowder 15:55 Grim Adventures Of Billy &

Mandy 16:25 Cow & Chicken 16:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog 17:15 I Am Weasel 17:40 Adventure Time 18:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 18:30 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 18:55 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 19:20 Generator Rex 19:45 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 20:10 Hero 108 20:35 Bakugan: New Vestroia 21:00 Total Drama Island 21:25 Adventure Time 21:50 Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 22:00 Ben 10 22:25 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 22:50 The Secret Saturdays 23:15 Samurai Jack 23:40 Megas Xlr

00:00 00:30 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 Call 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00

News Special World One Piers Morgan Tonight News Stream World Business Today International Desk The Brief World Sport Prism International Desk World’s Untold Stories Quest Means Business Piers Morgan Tonight Connect The World

00:15 Flying Wild Alaska 01:10 River Monsters 02:05 Dirty Jobs 03:00 Ultimate Survival 03:55 Wheeler Dealers 04:20 Mythbusters 05:15 How Do They Do It? 05:40 How Stuff’s Made 06:05 Dirty Jobs 07:00 Wheeler Dealers 07:25 Fifth Gear 07:50 Flying Wild Alaska 08:45 How Do They Do It? 09:10 Mythbusters 10:05 Cake Boss 10:30 Border Security 10:55 Auction Kings 11:25 Animal Cops South Africa 12:20 LA Ink 13:15 Ultimate Survival 14:10 Extreme Fishing With Robson Green 15:05 Sons Of Guns 15:30 Cash Cab Us 16:00 Wheeler Dealers 16:25 Fifth Gear 16:55 Mythbusters 17:50 Flying Wild Alaska 18:45 Cake Boss 19:10 Border Security 19:40 Auction Hunters 20:05 How Stuff’s Made 20:35 How Do They Do It? 21:00 Cash Cab Us 21:30 LA Ink 22:25 Animal Cops South Africa 23:20 Pit Bulls And Parolees

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

THE ALPHABET KILLER ON OSN ACTION HD

Backstory World Sport The Situation Room World Report World Business Today Piers Morgan Tonight Anderson Cooper 360 World Sport World View World Report Backstory World Report World Sport Inside Africa World Business Today American Morning: Wake-Up

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

Smash Lab Superships Mighty Ships Kings of Construction Thunder Races How Does That Work?

Superships One Step Beyond Nextworld Thunder Races Cosmic Collisions 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 Cosmic Collisions 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

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

Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Jungle Junction The Hive Handy Manny Imagination Movers The Suite Life Of Zack And Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Sonny With A Chance Good Luck Charlie Hannah Montana Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie 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 Wizards Of Waverly Place Jake & Blake Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Suite Life On Deck Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Jonas Los Angeles

00:25 Kendra 00:55 The Soup 01:25 25 Celebrity Near Death Experiences 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 50 Most Insane Celebrity Oops 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 10:15 THS 12:05 E! News 13:05 The Dance Scene 13:35 The Dance Scene 14:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 14:35 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 15:30 THS 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Khloe And Lamar 17:25 Khloe And Lamar 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 20:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:25 Giuliana & Bill 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:25 03:50 04:45 05:15 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:05 09:30 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:50 13:40 14:30 14:55 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:05 19:55 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40

The Haunted A Haunting Nightmare Next Door Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Dr G: Medical Examiner Amsterdam Vice The Haunted Diagnosis: Unknown Murder Shift Forensic Detectives Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Diagnosis: Unknown Disappeared FBI Files On The Case With Paula Zahn I Almost Got Away With It Diagnosis: Unknown Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Disappeared FBI Files Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Diagnosis: Unknown Street Patrol On The Case With Paula Zahn I Almost Got Away With It Deadly Women Couples Who Kill Dr G: Medical Examiner

00:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 01:00 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 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 22:30 The Frankincense Trail 23:30 The Best Job In The World

STONE OF DESTINY ON OSN CINEMA

00:30 02:00 04:15 06:15 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:15 16:15 18:00 20:15 22:00

Paranormal Activity-PG15 Se7en-18 4.3.2.1.-18 The Bannen Way-PG15 Patriot Games-PG15 Deceit-PG15 Lost In Space-PG15 Patriot Games-PG15 Evolution-PG15 Lost In Space-PG15 The Alphabet Killer-PG15 Public Enemies-18

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 10:45 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:15

Tortured-PG15 The Brothers Bloom-PG15 Paper Man-PG15 Charlie & Boots-PG15 Far North-PG15 The Brothers Bloom-PG15 Stone Of Destiny-PG15 Mee Shee-PG Leap Year-PG15 Furry Vengeance-PG15 Of Gods And Men-PG15 Brothers-18

00:00 Seinfeld 00:30 The Daily Show Global Edition 01:00 The Colbert Report Global Edition 01:30 Sarah Silverman Program 02:00 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia 02:30 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia 03:00 Friends 03:30 Friends 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 Friends 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 Friends 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 Sarah Silverman Program 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

00:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

63rd Primetime Emmy Awards Drop Dead Diva One Tree Hill Good Morning America Persons Unknown Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Martha Stewart Show The View Drop Dead Diva Revenge Live Good Morning America One Tree Hill The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Grey’s Anatomy Private Practice House Drop Dead Diva Persons Unknown

00:00 01:00 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 Game Of Thrones Alias The Event Two And A Half Men Coronation Street Off The Map Alias Inside The Actor’s Studio Inside The Actor’s Studio 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 Game Of Thrones Boardwalk Empire

01:00 Fast Lane-PG15 02:30 Casualties Of War-18 04:30 Clive Barker’s Book Of Blood18 06:30 Alatriste-PG15 09:00 You Got Served-PG15 11:00 Stonehenge ApocalypsePG15 13:00 Ballistica-PG15 14:45 You Got Served-PG15 16:45 The Day After TomorrowPG15 19:00 Gothika-18 21:00 Public Enemies-18 23:30 The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations-18

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 PG15 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

The Dukes-PG15 Under The Tuscan Sun-PG15 Hope Springs-PG15 The Lizzie McGuire Movie-PG Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr.-

01:00 03:00 PG15 05:00 07:15 09:00 11:00 13:00 16:45 18:45 21:00 23:15

Into The Night-18 The Two Escobars   -

01:45 03:30 05:30 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 16:30 18:30 21:00 23:00

In America-18 Alice In Wonderland-PG From Justin To Kelly-PG Mammoth-PG15 Knight And Day-PG15 Daddy Day Care-PG A Christmas Carol-PG Napoleon Dynamite-PG Knight And Day-PG15 The Hurt Locker-18 Of Gods And Men-PG15 I Am Sam-PG15

Just Married-PG15 500 Days Of Summer-PG15 Someone Like You-PG15 The Dukes-PG15 Patch Adams-PG15 Double Wedding-PG15 Tucker Max-R

Ghost-PG15 Fantastic Mr. Fox-FAM Enid-PG15 Adam-PG15 Spartacus-PG15 Joueuse-PG15 The Rookie-PG15 I Am Sam-PG15 The Medicine Show-18

00:00 Gold Diggers: The Secret Of Bear Mountain-PG 02:00 Barney’s Great AdventureFAM 04:00 War Of The Buttons-PG 06:00 Turandot-PG 08:00 Dennis The Menace: Cruise Control-FAM 10:00 Marmaduke-PG 12:00 Gold Diggers: The Secret Of Bear Mountain-PG 14:00 Turtle Hero (1)-FAM 16:00 Tangled-FAM

18:00 Marmaduke-PG 20:00 Adventures Of A Teenage Dragonslayer-PG 22:00 Turtle Hero (1)-FAM

00:45 03:45 05:45 06:00 07:00 07:30 09:45 10:15 12:30 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:00 21:15 22:15

UFC 134 WWE SmackDown RWC Highlights Trans World Sport Le Mans Series Magazine Rugby World Cup RWC Weekly Highlights Live Rugby World Cup Prizefighter Le Mans Series RWC Highlights WWE Bottomline WWE Tough Enough RWC Weekly Highlights Rugby World Cup UFC 135 Countdown Prizefighter

01:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 02:00 Golfing World 03:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 04:00 RWC Weekly Highlights 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 RWC Highlights 10:15 Live Rugby World Cup 12:30 RWC Weekly Highlights 13:00 AFL Highlights 14:00 Trans World Sport 15:00 World Hockey 15:30 Spirit of Yachting 16:00 AFL Highlights 17:00 Premier League Snooker 19:00 Rugby World Cup 21:15 AFL Highlights 22:15 NRL Full Time 22:45 RWC Highlights 23:00 European PGA Tour Highlights

00:00 AFL Highlights 01:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 02:00 Masters Football 05:00 AFL Highlights 06:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Trans World Sport 09:00 ICC Criket World 09:30 FEI Equestrian World 10:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 10:30 Spirit of Yachting 11:00 Trans World Sport 12:00 Futbol Mundial 12:30 ICC Criket World 13:00 Golfing World 14:00 Rugby World Cup 16:15 PGA European Tour Highlights 17:15 Futbol Mundial 17:45 RWC Highlights 18:00 NRL Full Time 18:30 SPL Highlights 19:00 Golfing World 20:00 Beach Volleyball 20:30 Futbol Mundial 21:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 21:30 Live Scottish League Cup 23:30 RWC Highlights 23:45 NRL Premiership

00:00 01:00 04:30 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 10:00 11:00 13:30 14:00 17:30 18:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Speedway FIM World V8 Supercars Championship Mobil 1 The Grid UFC 135 Countdown UFC Unleashed WWE NXT WWE SmackDown Speedway FIM World SuperLeague Formula Powerboats F1 Highlights V8 Supercars Championship Mobil 1 The Grid Prizefighter Speedway FIM World UFC 135 Countdown UFC The Ultimate Fighter

Classifieds TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation in Mahboula near McDonald in sea side, 2 bedroom flat, 2 bathroom central A/C, looking for executive bachelor or couple. Contact: 66216713. (C 3631) Room for rent in Farwaniya for small family or working ladies, available starting 01-10-2011 with small Indian family.

Call: 99051353, 97823565.

(C 3633) One room available in two bedroom flat behind Crowne Plaza near Dar AlQuran, for Pakistani and Indian bachelor. Please contact: 50129393 / 66490857.

(C 3634) 19-09-2011

FOR SALE

Take a walk on the green side in downtown Manhattan NEW YORK: Think of New York and immediately skyscrapers and urban canyons come to mind. After all, the United States metropolis is famous for its impressive skyline.

Other facets of New York are less well-known, namely the abundance of green, open spaces besides Central Park. City fathers are currently planning to create many more parks and greenswards in line with a new concept called “Vision 2020”.

Most tourists come to the city in order to admire such attractions as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building or the Brooklyn Bridge and only a few are aware of Manhattan’s green spots. On the bus or cab journey from the airport into the depths of Manhattan many a tourist will have wondered whether the rows of tall buildings between the East and the Hudson River leave any room for Mother Nature. They certainly do, said one taxi driver with a nod to freshly-planted saplings along the river bank.

These are the modest beginnings of “Harbour Way,” a city trail designed to take visitors past former docklands, a heliport, ferry and cruise ship terminals. The aim is create a leisure hotspot on the Hudson. A few shoots of green can be seen flourishing on the site of the High Line, an abandoned elevated freight railway track now billed as New York’s Park in the Sky. The aerial greenway runs from Gansevoort

Street, one block below West 12th Street, in the Meatpacking district, through to 30th Street.

Naturally, the grass and bushes growing here are generally of less interest than the view the old railroad track affords of the hustle and bustle on the streets below.

Further north in midtown Manhattan, sunbathers and passersby can mingle on a generous area of sloping lawn with steps planted at 62th Street/Columbus Avenue to mark the 50th anniversary of the Lincoln Centre. Visitors can spend time out here admiring from outside some of the city’s most significant cultural buildings.

The finest expanse of green is to be found on Upper West Side close to Central Park. The Hudson Riverside Park is an ideal place to relax with family, friends and neighbours and it also boasts a range of sporting facilities such as tennis courts and boat hire companies.

Lower Manhattan has its own new green zones too. The new 9/11 Memorial Park at Ground Zero is opening to mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001. The diminutive trees at the site are already sporting their first new leaves and next-door a new skyscraper is taking shape. The conservatory at the World Financial Centre boasts new palm trees.

The southern tip of Manhattan is the location of

Battery Park, 10 hectares of greenery created by landfill in the 19th century. The location is an important meeting point for New York’s dog-lovers.

It is also home to the Liberty Community gardens where citizens can tend mini-allotments.

Around 30 of them are squeezed into an area about the size of a standard European allotment garden.

Each boasts a different combination of herbs, flowers and lawn, depending on the taste of the gardeners who live in the nearby high-rise blocks.

The affluent district around Sutton Place, close to the United Nations headquarters, encompasses two public parks. It’s hard to believe that these greenswards in one of Manhattan’s most up-market areas are cantilevered over the busy East River Drive expressway. There is a handsome river view from the landscaped gardens on top while down below traffic roars along unremittingly.

Manhattan’s green lung is undoubtedly Central Park. At the southern end visitors can hire a bicycle or a horse-drawn carriage to help them explore.

The two-wheelers are a useful companion for those who plan to venture a little farther afield.

Cyclists can pedal to their heart’s content for around 45 kilometres along the banks of the Hudson and East River, either on their own or in the company of a guide. Bike hire depots are located at South Central Park, Battery Park and South Street Seaport. — dpa

Brand new Nissan Altima 2011 for sale, will offer good discount, car still in showroom.

Contact: 66947732. (C 3635) 20-9-2011

years exp in IT (6+ yrs in Ebs R11/R12, 3 full cycle implementation) Oracle Certified, Indian, Transferable residence. (M) 99316737.

(C 3637) 20-9-2011

CHANGE OF NAME SITUATION WANTED Oracle ERP Specialist (Project Lead, Apps DBA, Techno-Functional), 15+

I have change my surname from my old surname Mithu Habibullah Ismail to my new Surname Mitha Habibullah Ismail. I am holding Indian Passport No.

Z026492 (C 3636) 20-9-2011 I, VADAKKE VEEDU DAMODARAN VINODAN holding Indian Passport No: Z1846634 has changed my name to VADAKKE VEEDU DAMODARAN VINOD as on 19-9-2011. (C 3632) 19-9-2011 I, Ramar Perumal, holder of Indian Passport No: J5341408 hereby change my name to P. Abdul Rahman.

18-9-2011

No: 15215

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines RJA JZR THY ETH UAE DHX ETD JZR FDB GFA QTR AFR JZR KAC JZR JZR KAC BAW KAC FCX JZR KAC KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC UAE IRA QTR ABY QTR ETD GFA IRA MEA MHK JZR JZR JZR KAC MSR UAL RJA KAC FDB QTR SWT KAC

Flt 642 267 772 620 853 370 305 269 67 211 138 6700 529 544 505 555 412 157 416 201 1541 206 302 332 53 352 284 855 605 132 125 6130 301 213 619 404 711 165 121 201 672 610 982 640 512 57 140 93 562

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 20/9/2011 Route AMMAN BEIRUT ISTANBUL ADDIS ABABA DUBAI BAHRAIN ABU DHABI BEIRUT DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA PARIS ASSIUT CAIRO LUXOR ALEXANDRIA MANILA/BANGKOK LONDON JAKARTA/KUALA LUMPUR BAHRAIN CAIRO ISLAMABAD MUMBAI TRIVANDRUM DUBAI COCHIN DHAKA 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 AMMAN

Time 0:05 0:35 1:15 1:45 2:25 2:55 2:55 3:05 3:10 3:15 3:20 3:25 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 8:55 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 14:20

KAC SVA KAC JZR QTR JZR ETD UAE GFA SVA JZR JZR ABY JZR RBG FDB JZR ALK KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JAI SIA FDB OMA KAC MEA MLR MSR DHX KLM JZR UAE GFA QTR UAL AIC JZR JZR MSR DLH AXB JZR PIA

546 500 746 257 134 535 303 857 215 510 777 239 127 213 3553 63 177 227 104 166 502 542 618 786 614 674 774 790 572 458 61 647 552 402 1405 618 372 443 183 859 217 136 981 981 135 787 612 636 389 539 205

ALEXANDRIA JEDDAH ABU DHABI/DAMMAM BEIRUT DOHA CAIRO ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH JEDDAH AMMAN SHARJAH DEIREZZOR ALEXANDRIA DUBAI DUBAI COLOMBO/DUBAI LONDON PARIS/ROME BEIRUT CAIRO DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN DUBAI RIYADH MEDINAH MUMBAI SINGAPORE/ABU DHABI DUBAI MUSCAT DAMASCUS BEIRUT COLOMBO/DUBAI ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA BAHRAIN CHENNAI/AHMEDABAD BAHRAIN RIYADH CAIRO FRANKFURT KOZHIKODE/MANGALORE CAIRO LAHORE/PESHAWER

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 17:50 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 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 YYY JZR DLH AIC PIA THY ETH UAE FDB DHX ETD QTR AFR JZR RJA GFA JZR KAC JZR BAW FDB JZR KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC UAE ABY IRA KAC QTR ETD GFA IRA QTR KAC MEA KAC JZR JZR JZR MHK KAC KAC JZR MSR RJA FDB

Departure Flights on Tuesday 20/9/2011 Flt Route XXXX TBN 1540 CAIRO 637 FRANKFURT 976 GOA/CHENNAI 240 SIALKOT 773 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 6700 DUBAI/HONG KONG 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 214 BAHRAIN 618 LAR 6131 DOHA 165 ROME/PARIS 405 BEIRUT 541 CAIRO 776 JEDDAH 212 DEIREZZOR 238 AMMAN 711 NAJAF/BAGHDAD 501 BEIRUT 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 641 AMMAN 58 DUBAI

Time 0:00 0:20 0:40 0:50 1:10 2:15 2:45 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:05 5:00 5:10 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 10:20 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 RBG JZR SVA FDB JZR JZR ALK KAC KAC JAI FDB JZR KAC KAC OMA MEA SIA MLR MSR DHX KLM JZR UAE GFA KAC FCX 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 3554 266 511 64 786 134 228 283 361 571 62 528 343 351 648 403 457 1405 619 373 443 240 860 218 381 102 137 301 205 502 554 411 981 613

MEDINAH BAHRAIN DAMASCUS DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH RIYADH DOHA BAHRAIN CAIRO BAGHDAD DUBAI ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN SHARJAH ALEXANDRIA BEIRUT RIYADH DUBAI RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI/COLOMBO DHAKA COLOMBO MUMBAI DUBAI ASSIUT CHENNAI COCHIN MUSCAT BEIRUT ABU DHABI/SINGAPORE COLOMBO ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN/AMSTERDAM AMMAN DUBAI BAHRAIN DELHI BAHRAIN 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 18:30 18:35 18:40 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 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 20, 2011

stars CROSSWORD 444

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) You could be most persuasive with others, and expressive in your speech. If you are in the sales profession you will find this day a productive one. This is also a great time to work in groups. You have new ideas and the freedom to put them to work for you. There is a successful outcome on the horizon. You may have been thinking about involving yourself in some humanitarian group—perhaps as simple as Greenpeace. Now is a good time to pursue these extraordinary avenues. Some of your friends may have had those same desires and in your communications today you may gain some focus along this line. Family members are all scattered this evening. Relax and just enjoy the evening. This is a good day.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You could be seen by others as the right person to be put in charge of some project. By allocating some of the time-consuming things that slow you down, you will be able to forge ahead with your work. You gain the rewards for your hard work, whether it is from some speculation or from the time you put in on some project. Be sure to compliment the ones that help you along your way. You are a delight to all around you, as usual. It is good to see the progress you have made. Beating the odds through cleverness is appealing and this may lead to an interest in all kinds of financial speculation this afternoon. There are opportunities to be with your friends tonight. A lover or child who is bright and articulate may gain your attention in positive ways.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland.

4. Filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock.

10. A guided missile fired from shipboard against an airborne target.

13. The sound made by a pigeon v 1.

14. An esoteric or occult matter that is traditionally secret.

15. A doctor's degree in theology.

16. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

18. 4-wheeled motor vehicle.

20. United States writer of poems and plays about racial conflict (born in 1934).

23. Material used to daub walls.

25. A genus of Procyonidae.

32. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma.

33. Being ten more than one hundred ninety.

34. A strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide.

35. A high-crowned black cap (usually made of felt or sheepskin) worn by men in Turkey and Iran and the Caucasus.

38. An early French settler in the Maritimes.

41. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

42. North American rat snakes.

43. A postulated biochemical change (presumably in neural tissue) that represents a memory.

46. Small European freshwater fish with a slender bluishgreen body.

49. The former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil.

50. Type genus of the family Arcidae.

54. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

58. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

59. A republic in central Europe.

60. A port city in southwestern Iran.

61. An agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank.

62. A branch of the Tai languages.

63. A member of an agricultural people of southern India.

64. A young woman making her debut into society.

65. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

DOWN 1. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

2. A member of a pastoral people living in the Nilgiri hills of southern India.

3. Showing characteristics of age, especially having gray or white hair.

4. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

5. A Portuguese province on the south coast of China and two islands in the South China Sea. 6. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

7. (Middle East) An ornamental metal cup-shaped holder for a hot coffee cup.

8. Angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object).

9. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

10. (linguistics) The form of a word after all affixes are removed.

11. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC).

12. Designer drug designed to have the effects of amphetamines (it floods the brain with serotonin) but to avoid the drug laws.

17. Panel forming the lower part of an interior wall when it is finished differently from the rest.

19. A very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk.

21. Boiled or baked buckwheat.

22. The capital and largest city of Uganda on the north shore of Lake Victoria.

24. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light.

26. Using speech rather than writing.

27. A fine grained mineral having a soft soapy feel and consisting of hydrated magnesium silicate.

28. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar.

29. A sudden minor shock or meaningless interruption.

30. An Indian nursemaid who looks after children.

31. A self-replicating protein molecule that occupies a fixed place on a chromosome.

36. Especially one side of a leaf.

37. Type genus of the Coerebidae.

38. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

39. An emotional response that has been acquired by conditioning.

40. Fallow deer.

44. A rechargeable battery with a nickel cathode and a cadmium anode.

45. Mild cream-colored Dutch cheese shaped in balls.

47. A city in northern India.

48. Showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others.

51. A sudden short attack.

52. (of a young animal) Abandoned by its mother and raised by hand.

53. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

55. Extremely pleasing.

56. The act of slowing down or falling behind.

57. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

Yesterday’s Solution

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Being more practical and conscientious is of special importance now. Taking care of the necessary underpinnings of life—health, work, etc., becomes a greater preoccupation now. Witty little aphorisms like “no-pain, no-gain” will be what motivate you to follow through on your goals. Sorting things out and getting them organized to utmost efficiency keeps you busy. You are in a mood of self-enjoyment and can appreciate your own better qualities this afternoon.

You may see value in or feel love for an older person or someone in authority. Your inner resources and emotions are accented. Expect a sense of support and good will from those around you. You are moved to appreciate and discover the beauty in your life and in those around you.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

A burdensome business project finally comes to an end—never fear, there are better projects on the horizon. Your intuition is strong now and can guide you accurately in making forecasts or decisions. Your sensitivity makes you recoil from aggressive types. Circumstances, however, can throw you into positions where you must use your mind and deal with communications, service or enclosed hidden interests. You may deal with education, psychology, spiritual enlightenment or teaching principles and techniques. Your artistic talents are showing, especially while teaching young people this afternoon. Your imagination is crucial to your functioning. This evening is a good time for surrounding yourself with friends and young people.

Leo (July 23-August 22) An important relationship, perhaps with an older person or someone in authority, may come into focus today. It may be hard to concentrate on the business-world issues. There could be some need for a compromise or some form of negotiation, but this is something that you are able to enjoy.

There is an opportunity for understanding and growth—you will need to give a project your special attention. You may find that both your personal growth and your career may depend upon how you can handle the very sensitive psychological material coming up now. You will benefit from analytical insights. Take your allocated breaks and know that work will proceed at the proper rate of speed. Friends or family can be a great boost to your energy level this evening.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sometimes you ask too many questions—sometimes you do not ask enough. Today will be a great day to learn the difference— listen carefully. This point-of-knowing may come through a book, another person’s rendition of an experience or your own experience in a legal matter. Not to worry, you will not suffer any ill effects. You radiate much energy and you enjoy working within groups today. You put forth great effort to provide information to those that do not seem to have any idea of how to do research. You just may have to accept the fact that people like to feel your warmth. A visitor in your home this evening needs to know that you will only have a certain amount of time to give them—otherwise, you might have a guest for much too long.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

You seem to shine when it comes to practical matters or those involving work and career. You have an easy way with superiors or those in authority and can always manage to get the most out of any skill or ability you have. Use your talent for seeing both sides of a situation and present the pros and cons throughout the process of a meeting, lecture, etc., perhaps a few charts as well.

You may be combining art with work these days . . . you certainly like your work and hobby or art combined. Any problems today are valued for the lessons they represent, rather than perceived as obstacles. Budgeting, investments and all that brings profit are on your mind now. A loved one comes on strong this evening and a new experience can be enjoyed.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You are at your mental best with sharp ideas and clear thoughts. You will be successful in your attempt to make decisions and take care of mental work. Your fine verbal skills and a natural sense of justice make legal work a distinct possibility. Working with laws, natural or man-made, amounts to a real talent. You are able to guide superiors through some sensitive situations today.

You also have a great interest in ideas; the closer they are to positive results the more impressive. You discover the true feelings of another this evening and decide it is time to move forward with your own ideas. This is a full day with much communication.

You spend time in clearing away the clutter this afternoon. You enjoy working with your mind and easily find quick solutions.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You would be wise to be patient and tread a little lightly when it comes to indulgence and overextending yourself. Things could be tight. Your career and life direction are putting some real pressure on your home and emotional life. Obviously you cannot live without both, so some kind of self-control on your part is indicated. You may have trouble with subordinates or young people in the workplace today. This may mean dealing with the public or dealing with new employees that have a lot of questions. Self-sacrifice and an understanding attitude on your part, however, could have far-reaching effects on your own life-path and career. Planning a family outing for this upcoming weekend could be fun, and a good move.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Mental patterns and communication skills play a major role in your life today—they can change things forever. Make sure you develop your highest potential in these areas. A new co-worker may misunderstand or a co-worker friend may be difficult to get along with today. Step back and see the situation differently . . . look at the bigger picture. Don’t assume anything, just be patient and wait this one out. All we become clear in time and your work will not suffer. You have a positive attitude and will be able to share your positive thinking a little later in the day. You have an inner self-confidence that burns with its own light. There is an increasing inner confidence that will help you to be helpful when others need you. Family matters are fun this evening.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) You are ready for work but there just seem to be too many projects for now. There is a push to accomplish your goals the first part of this week. If you find interruptions exasperating, you may want to put a note on your desk that says, WORKING . . . PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE. The word for your feelings now is achievement. If there is a job, you can do it! You pour yourself into any task with absolute determination. You are organized and able to take care of business. Sprinkle your conversations with your sense of humor this evening. Loved ones will respond in like form. You may find yourself returning a favor later this evening: taking care of children, running errands. New information about improving your health is available now.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

There is an instinctive need to be powerful and in control this day. Be careful that you do not become too pushy right now— things may not happen on your time schedule. Pay attention to your intuition; a hunch could lead you into some very positive places, with answers to difficult work problems never thought of before now. Your increasing inner confidence helps you emerge from a time of self-doubt into a time of trust and dependence regarding your own choices. Affirm to yourself often: you deserve, and are grateful for, the prosperity and perhaps the abundance that comes your way. This evening your sense of practicality is strong and you feel loving and relaxed with your loved ones. There is chatter about an upcoming social party.

A

y

e niv rsar n

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

Years

i n f o r m at i o n FIRE BRIGADE

112

Al-Madena

22418714

Al-Shohada’a

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

24812000

Al-Jahra

25610011

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

Ministry of Interior website: www.moi.gov.kw For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128

Hospitals Sabah Hospital

POLICE STATION Al-Madena Police Station Al-Murqab Police Station Al-Daiya Police Station Al-Fayha’a Police Station Al-Qadissiya Police Station Al-Nugra Police Station Al-Salmiya Police Station Al-Dasma Police Station

Clinics Rabiya

4732263

Roudha

22517733

Adhaliya

22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

Keifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salim

22549134

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Al-Khadissiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Ghar

22531908

Al-Shaab

22518752

Al-Kibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

Al-Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W.Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Al-Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Al-Omariya

24719048

N.Kheitan

24710044

Fintas

3900322

22434064 22435865 22544200 22547133 22515277 22616662 25714406 22530801

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is 1889988

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Paltrow and Winslet show fashion

savvy at Emmys L

Kate Winslet

Nina Dobrev

Gwyneth Paltrow

Dianna Agron

Claire Danes

ea Michele and Julianna Margulies shot for red-carpet fashion heights with their statement gowns at Sunday night’s Emmy Awards, but there’s something about movie stars that tends to upstage TV stars even on TV’s biggest night. Kate Winslet and her red-as-the-carpet, cap-sleeve Elie Saab seemed the understated, sophisticated look until she flashed the significant cleavage on the bust line, and Gwyneth Paltrow, in a black-sequin number by Emilio Pucci, pulled off a belly baring outfit that would have made the new “Charlie’s Angels” trio jealous.

Paltrow topped it off with platinum earrings by Neil Lane that boasted 7 carats of black-and- white diamonds, two platinum and diamond bracelets with a total of 100 carats, and a platinum ring with 5 carats of diamonds and black onyx. That’s serious wattage. Margulies took the biggest risk in a strapless Giorgio Armani Prive gown, with a stiff crescent shaped bustier and embellished with clear oval stones and shimmery paillettes. It’s a look that required confidence and it’s a good thing Margulies, who told E! she picked her dress late last night, has that.

“If you watch the clothes she’s worn since coming back to the red carpet with ‘The Good Wife,’ you’ll see she makes incredibly sophisticated choices and she doesn’t walk around asking 175 people for their opinions,” said InStyle’s fashion director, Hal Rubenstein, about Margulies. “She always looks like herself. There’s something very grown-up and intelligent about her.” The early online buzz was about Michele’s sophisticated Marchesa dress: She wore the look of a seasoned star instead of starlet. She wore a plain-front, low draped back with rosette sleeves that really let her work the crowd. She gave fans lined up outside the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles a big wink.

If there were trends to emerge from the Emmy red carpet, it was the many red dresses worn by Michele, Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan and Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang, and the straight-from-the-runway electric blue looks.

Claire Danes wore a fully beaded strapless gown in bright blue by Oscar de la Renta, Dianna Agron chose a Roksanda Ilincic and Amy Poehler was in a T-shirt-style iridescent dress by Peter Som. Katie Holmes, one of the last arrivals, wore a blue, silk-crepe dress with a tank top and cinched waist dress designed by Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa, and Christine Baranski did sleek and chic in Zac Posen’s midnight-blue, double lapel gown. Two “Mad Men” sirens opted for sexy, beaded, head-turning looks, with Elisabeth Moss in a second-skin Marchesa and Christina Hendricks in a Johanna Johannsson with an open V-neck. “It was the only dress. I tried it on and it was perfect,” Hendricks said. Rubenstein said all the best gowns were sleek, formfitting ones.

“Virtually every single woman who looked good wore a body-conscious dress,” he said, ticking off favorites Winslet, Vergara and Julianne Hough in a champagne and light pink, duchess satin strapless gown by Carolina Herrera.

Moss hit a personal best as did Julie Bowen in a beaded, silver lame Oscar de la Renta with a plunging neckline, he said, and the surprise was Kristen Wiig, whose deep Vneck copper gown was courtesy of Zac Posen. “The man makes an amazing gown,” Wiig said on the carpet. “I love the cut. It’s comfortable and it’s different. “ Some stars have been thinking about their outfits for weeks. Sarah Hyland collaborated with Christian Siriano to create her one-shoulder, coral-colored gown with a jeweled waistband. Heidi Klum trusted Siriano, a “Project Runway” alum, to come up with her mushroom-colored strapless gown with a pouffy, asymmetrical hemline.

“I love him. He’s just a wonderful person. ...

I like to give my designers some props,” said Klum, of her “flirty” dress. “It has an old-fashioned feel but it’s glamorous.” Zooey Deschanel did a little prom-queen turn in a pink strapless gown with a dropped waist and red ribbon belt. Minka Kelly, one of those new “Charlie’s Angels,” is a red-carpet up-andcomer - and that meant she got to wear a navy blue-and-black gown with long lace sleeves and a lace inset at the waist by Dior.

Rachael Taylor wore a light pink-and-silver beaded column dress by Armani, and Annie Ilonzeh had on a draped, wine-colored strapless goddess gown by Romona Keveza.

Ceremony hostess Jane Lynch showed a preference for purple - sporting at least three gowns in that shade by David Meister. A handful of stars did the black thing, with Kaley Cuoco in a one-shoulder gown by Keveza, and Tina Fey in a wool-jersey gown with cap sleeves and an open neck from Tadashi Shoji. Evan Rachel Woods did black, choosing an all-over beaded boat neck by Elie Saab. Her big bling came from her cuff bracelet, created for her by Fred Leighton, using a 19th-century diamond bow brooch.

Cat Deeley, wearing a metallic strapless Monique Lhuillier gown, wasn’t all that eager to give back her $1.4 million in Bulgari jewels.

She told E!’s Ryan Seacrest, “Meet me in Rio tomorrow?” —AP

Lea Michele Julianna Margulies

Katie Holmes

Amy Poehler

Sofia Vergara

Christine Baranski

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

Years

lifestyle F a s h i o n

Elisabeth Moss

Julie Bowen Julianne Hough

Sarah Hyland

Heidi Klum Jane Lynch (From left) Annie Ilonzeh, Minka Kelly and Rachael Taylor.

Kaley Cuoco

Kanye West joins front row at London Fashion Week

C

Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of American Vogue is seen at a fashion show by designer Erdem, in London, yesterday. —AP

elebrities including Kanye West and Rosario Dawson packed the front row at London Fashion Week yesterday, as the style extravaganza built up to its starriest day with shows by Christopher Kane and Burberry Prorsum. Kane, the young Scottish talent whose shows have become London Fashion Week’s hottest ticket in the past few seasons, wowed the crowds with a collection rich with brocade, fringe appliques and glittering embellishments.

Surprisingly, the designer chose to pair his glamorous clothes with flat, rubber flipflop like sandals - a look sure to divide opinion. Front row fans included Kanye West, American Vogue’s Anna Wintour and Samantha Cameron, Prime Minister David Cameron’s wife and patron of Fashion Week.

Also showing their spring and summer 2012 collections on day four of Fashion Week were Pringle of Scotland and Burberry, two “heritage” brands steeped in British history.

Pringle showed its first womenswear collection to be headed by newcomer Alistair Carr, who joined the brand in March after a stint at Balenciaga in Paris. Drawing inspiration from the brand’s 200 years of history, the British designer took Pringle’s iconic argyle patterns and twinsets and modernized them for an elegant collection. There were variations on the twinset throughout, with some cardigans unbuttoned at the back. The argyle pattern was updated as a colorful abstract print on light sweaters and shirts.

Silhouettes were relaxed and unfussy, and pops of canary yellow and turquoise provided some pleasing contrast to a palette dominated by white, grays and blush pink.

“I think he’s supersonic,” said Tilda Swinton, the “face” of Pringle.”He’s taken an old lady texture and recycled the concept to make something modern. It’s really clever,” she told The Associated Press, before going backstage to give Carr a big hug. More new takes on old themes are expected later

Monday at Burberry, typically the biggest and glossiest show at London Fashion Week.

Designer Christopher Bailey has been credited with revitalizing the historic brand and lifting its revenues since he joined a decade ago.

In recent years Bailey has focused on exploiting digital technology to bring its catwalk shows instantaneously to its millions of fans worldwide. The company said that its newest innovation was to share every one of its models’ looks on Twitter before the girls hit the runway later Monday, so that followers on the social media site could see the new collection even before those sitting in the front row. To cater to its Chinese buyers, the brand also said it will be live streaming its show on Chinese websites. —AP

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Steven Levitan, center, and the cast and crew of ‘Modern Family’ accept the award for outstanding comedy series at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles. — AP

T

he Emmys keep buying what “Mad Men” is selling. The 1960s Madison Avenue saga won its fourth consecutive best drama series award Sunday, while big-hearted romp “Modern Family” claimed its second best comedy trophy. “Modern Family” producer Steve Levitan, whose picture of the American family today includes gay couples and interracial families, told of being approached during shooting by a real-life gay couple who wanted to say thanks. “They said, ‘You’re not just making people laugh, you’re making them

“Mad Men” cast members from left, Jessica Pare, Kiernan Shipka, Elisabeth Moss, creator Matthew Weiner, Christina Hendricks and Cara Buono pose backstage.

Charlie Sheen presents the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series.

more tolerant,’” said Levitan, whose show received a total of five awards.

While “Mad Men” gained the top drama award, it couldn’t pull honors for stars Jon Hamm or Elisabeth Moss. Kyle Chandler was the surprise winner in the best drama actor category for the last season of Texas football drama “Friday Night Lights,” blocking odds-on favorites among his fellow nominees, including Hamm. “I knew for a fact I would not be standing here. I did not write anything and now I’m starting to worry,” said Chandler, who also beat out Steve Buscemi of “Boardwalk Empire.” It was a fitting victory for Chandler and “Friday Night Lights,” which was critically acclaimed but struggled for an audience, and whose high school football team’s motto was, “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”

Julianna Margulies won top drama acting honors for “The Good Wife.” Margulies, who navigates politics, law and family in the show, added to her Emmy stash. As part of the “ER” medical drama cast, she won a supporting actress Emmy in 1995.Melissa McCarthy of “Mike & Molly” was honored as best lead actress in a comedy series with an Emmy and a glitzy prom queen’s crown, while Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory” earned his second trophy in the best actor category. “Holy smokes. Wow, it’s my first and best pageant ever,” said a beaming McCarthy. “I’m from Plainfield, Ill., and I’m standing here and it’s kind of amazing.”

Moments earlier, she and her fellow nominees had broken with tradition by jumping up on stage as their names were called, led by Amy Poehler of “Parks and Recreation.”

They earned a standing ovation from many in the audience, which seemed fitting in a year in which TV shows and movies are giving women edgier leading roles. Among them is the box-office hit “Bridesmaids,” which featured McCarthy.

Parsons looked genuinely surprised at his victory. “This is so odd for so many reasons. I was assured by many people in my life that this wasn’t happening,” he said.

Kyle Chandler accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for ‘Friday Night Lights’.

Steven Levitan, center, and the cast and crew of ‘Modern Family’ accept the award for outstanding comedy series.

The first awards in the drama category went to Jason Katims of “Friday Night Lights” for outstanding writing, and Margo Martindale, named best supporting actress for the show “Justified.”“Sometimes, things just take time. But with time comes great appreciation,” said the veteran actress.

Peter Dinklage, the winning actor in the category for sci-fi fantasy “Game of Thrones,” was awed by another winner, filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who received a directing trophy for “Boardwalk Empire.”

“Thanks. Wow. Wow. I followed Martin Scorsese. My heart is pounding. You are a legend,” Dinklage said. The ceremony aired by Fox opened with a pre-taped comedy sketch that generated controversy because Alec Baldwin’s part was cut after he included a joke about the News Corp phone hacking scandal. Fox is a unit of News Corp.

Baldwin tweeted that Fox killed the joke about the hacking scandal in Britain involving the now-closed News of the World tabloid. Fox said it believed the joke was inappropriate to make light of an issue being taken very seriously by the company. Leonard Nimoy stepped in and the bit was retaped. It featured host Jane Lynch celebrating television in a musical number, singing about TV as “a vast wonderland, a kingdom of joy in a box.” “Oh, there’s Betty White. She’s the reason we start the show at 5 pm” Lynch cracked during her opening monologue.

Charlie Sheen presented the lead actor award, using his time onstage to make nice with his former “Two and a Half Men” colleagues. He was fired from the show after bitterly clashing with its producer and studio, and was replaced by Ashton Kutcher. “From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season,” he said. “I know you will continue to make great television.” “Modern Family” won the first four Emmys, capturing best supporting comedy actress, best supporting comedy actor, best writing for a comedy and best direction for a comedy series.

Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, who play husband and wife on the series, won best supporting actor honors for a comedy series. “Oh, my God, I don’t know what I’m going to talk about in therapy next week,” said a shocked looking Bowen.

“I won something.” Burrell spoke of his own father in accepting his best supporting actor award. “I actually got kind of a late start in acting. My dad actually passed away before he

“Modern Family” cast members pose backstage.

Rob Lowe, crowns Melissa McCarthy as Sofia Vergara, second right, gives her the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for ‘Mike and Molly’.

‘Mildred Pierce’ cast members Kate Winslet, left, and Guy Pearce hold the Emmys for best actress and best supporting actor in a miniseries or movie backstage.

Peter Dinklage accepts the award for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for ‘Game of Thrones’.

Jason Katims accepts the award for best writing for a drama series for “Friday Night Lights”.

“Downton Abbey” cast members, writers and producers pose for a photograph backstage.

“Boardwalk Empire” director Martin Scorsese holds the Emmy for best directing for a drama series backstage.

Paula Abdul and host Jane Lynch

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Years

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Winners • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Drama Series: “Mad Men,” AMC. Actress, Drama Series: Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife,” CBS. Actor, Drama Series: Kyle Chandler, “Friday Night Lights,” DirecTV/NBC. Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones,” HBO. Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Margo Martindale, “Justified,” FX. Writing, Drama Series: Jason Katims, “Friday Night Lights,” NBC. Directing, Drama Series: Martin Scorsese, “Boardwalk Empire,” HBO. Comedy Series: “Modern Family,” ABC. Actor, Comedy Series: Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS. Actress, Comedy Series: Melissa McCarthy, “Mike & Molly,” CBS. Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Julie Bowen, “Modern Family,” ABC. Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Ty Burrell, “Modern Family,” ABC. Writing, Comedy Series: Steven Levitan and Jeffrey Richman, “Modern Family,” ABC. Directing, Comedy Series: Michael Spiller, “Modern Family,” ABC. Miniseries or Movie: “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” PBS. Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kate Winslet, “Mildred Pierce,” HBO. Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Barry Pepper, “The Kennedys,” ReelzChannel.

Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Maggie Smith, “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” PBS. Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Guy Pearce, “Mildred Pierce,” HBO. Directing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Brian Percival, “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” PBS. Writing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Julian Fellowes, “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” PBS. Reality-Competition Program: “The Amazing Race,” CBS. Variety, Music or Comedy Series: “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central.

Directing, Variety, Music or Comedy Series: Don Roy King, “Saturday Night Live,” NBC. Writing, Variety, Music or Comedy Series: “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central.-AP

Jon Cryer and Ashton Kutcher are seen onstage.

Actress Kate Winslet holds the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.

Michael Bolton performs onstage.

“Downton Abbey” writer Julian Fellowes hold Emmys for best miniseries or movie and best writing for a miniseries or movie backstage.

Julianna Margulies accepts the award for outstanding lead actressin a drama series for ‘The Good Wife’.

“The Daily Show’s” Jon Stewart Brian Percival accepts the award for holds the Emmy for best variety, outstanding directing in a minismusic or comedy series backstage. eries movie or a dramatic special for “Downton Abbey”.

(From left) Steven Levitan and Jeffrey Richman accept the award for outstanding writing for a comedy series for Modern Family ‘s “Caught in the Act”.

Actress Margo Martindale holds the award for Outstanding Supporting (From left) Minka Kelly, Annie Ilonzeh, Rachael Taylor, and Drew Actress in a Drama Series.

Barrymore are seen onstage. ever saw me perform and I can’t help but wonder what he would think about all this ... going to work in full makeup,” Burrell said. Christina Hendricks of “Mad Men” and Julia Stiles of “Dexter” were among those bringing glamour to the ceremony.

“She looks awesome, as always,” said fan Jessica Steiner, 26, of Hendricks, who was wearing a rhinestone-encrusted gown with a plunging neckline. “Modern Family” nominee Sofia Vergara wore an ultra-glam, one-shouldered peach

Michael Bolton and Akon perform onstage.

Robert F. Kennedy in the controversial miniseries “The Kennedys,” won the best supporting actor award. Maggie Smith won supporting actress honors for the miniseries “Downton Abbey,” which also was named best in its category.

In the reality-competition category, perennial winner “The Amazing Race” returned to triumph Sunday after losing last year to “Top Chef.” “American Idol” lost its ninth shot at winning, this time for a season in which it successfully navigated the loss of key judge Simon Cowell. HBO had a leading 19 awards, including trophies given Sunday and at last week’s creative arts awards for technical and other achievements.

PBS, which had a hit with “Downton Abbey,” earned 14 to shoulder past the commercial networks and come in second, ahead of CBS with 11, Fox with nine, ABC with eight and NBC with six. After hitting an all-time viewership low of 12.3 million in 2008, the Emmys rebounded somewhat in the last two years and drew a 2010 audience of 13.47 million, compared to 26.7 million for this year’s Grammys and nearly 38 million for the Oscars. — AP

“Saturday Night Live” director Don Roy King kisses the Emmy for best directing for a variety music or comedy series backstage.

(From left) ’Modern Family’ writers Jeffrey Richman, Steve Levitan and director Michael Alan Spiller hold their Emmys for best writing for a comedy series and best directing backstage.

“The Daily Show’s” Jon Stewart, center, and producers and writers hold Emmys for best variety, music or comedy series and best writing for a variety, music or comedy series backstage.

“The Big Bang Theory” actor Jim Parsons holds the Emmy for best actor in a comedy series.

goddess gown and chandelier earrings. Gwyneth Paltrow stood by her, in a sleek black gown with cut outs. “Gwyneth is classy, and Sofia is sexy,” said fan Vanessa Baeza, 27. “But I think Sofia looks better. Her dress is more flattering.” Steve Carell of “The Office” made his last Emmy stand for his fifth and final season as clueless manager Michael Scott, but lost again.

A new category, which combines the previously separate best miniseries and made-for-TV movie nominees, included the miniseries “Mildred Pierce,” with Kate Winslet nominated in the role of an embattled mother, and the movie “Too Big to Fail,” about the US fiscal crisis in 2008. Film star Winslet, an Oscar winner, captured the trophy for lead actress, while her co-star Guy Pearce won the award for best supporting actor.

“I’m thrilled. I had a crush on Guy Pearce since I was 11 years old, so just to stand in the same room as him was really thrilling for me,” Winslet said. Barry Pepper, who played

‘The Amazing Race” producers and host hold Emmys for best reality-competition program backstage.

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Paltrow and Winslet show fashion savvy at Emmys Years

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“W

here Do We Go Now?” a bittersweet comedy set in war-torn Lebanon, bested two well-received entries starring George Clooney to win the people’s choice award Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Cadillac People’s Choice award, which also includes a C$15,000 cash prize, is voted on by festival audiences and has typically been regarded as a bellwether for Oscar success.

Lebanese-Canadian director-actress Nadine Labaki’s feminist film about village women bent on keeping their hotheaded men out of a religious war was chosen earlier this month as Lebanon’s 2011 entry in the best foreign language film category for the Academy Awards.

Labaki, who also stars in the film, was traveling in Europe when she heard the news, which was announced Sunday at a closing brunch for the 11-day festival. Festival programmer Rasha Salti accepted the award on the filmmaker’s behalf, reading a statement sent by Labaki from an airport in Germany. “I’m thrilled, I’m happy, I’m ecstatic, I’m excited - my day that had just started on the wrong foot because of a flight cancellation has just been turned upside down,” the 37-yearold Labaki said in her statement. “I’m running around jumping up and down at the Frankfurt airport.

Tomorrow we’ll be screening ‘Where Do We Go Now?’ for the first time in Lebanon and I will be proud and happy to announce the news in front of my crew, my family and the Lebanese audience.”

Festival director Piers Handling noted it was a surprise triumph for a film that was overshadowed by heavily promoted, star-studded Hollywood films. These included Clooney’s two films, “The Descendants” and “The Ides of March.”

“We have some very, very high-profile films here at the festival and ones that a lot of people are talking about and I’m sure will go on to

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ritish rock sensation Kasabian release their fourth album yesterday titled “Velociraptor!” in a nod to the most “glam-rock” of the dinosaurs, the band told AFP in an interview. ”We just loved the word, that was the initial attraction,” said Serge Pizzorno, the guitarist and lead songwriter whose four-man outfit has been hailed by the music press as true heirs to Britpop legends Oasis. “Then we found out that they were hunting in packs of four, they were like a band and that’s how they survived, they stuck together.”

“And we found out they had feathers, they were obviously like a glam-rock band with feather boas, so it was perfect,” he said with delight. Fronted by vocalist Tom Meighan, the four childhood friends from Leicester in central England set up Kasabian in 1997, its name a reference to a member of Charles Manson’s murderous gang, releasing a first studio album in 2004. A string of hits later they have secured a spot as rock heavyweights, with a bold, flamboyant style that fuses 1960s pop, psychedelic and electro influences. Oasis invited them on its last world tour in 2009, and when the band split up, Kasabian-who has since become firm friends with the Manchester duo-stepped up to fill a void.

Their psychedelic third album, “West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum”, sold a million copies worldwide and catapulted Kasabian to a spot supporting the likes of U2 and Muse in stadiums across Europe. Wild gigs, an even wilder style and a penchant for off-the-cuff remarks in the press have earned Kasabian an image as bad boy rockers, with a taste for the sex, drugs and rock’n’roll lifestyle. But the softspoken Pizzorno insists the quartet has its eye on the bottom line: making good music.

“We don’t really go and say to ourselves how are we going to be bigger than Muse?

“That’s not to say-we’d absolutely love to play the Stade de France or Wembley, just because I think those kind of shows have not been done by alternative rock acts for many and many years.” “But what excites me is to take something that is really beautiful and to put it somewhere where you can involve lots of people and then you get that many people into more weird stuff. “Kids who were probably liking Lady Gaga now like early Pink Floyd, which is amazing.”

“Velociraptor!”, which is released by Sony, has a more varied, melodious feel than their earlier work. Pizzorno says “a lot of the songs are about how you almost forget that what makes you the most happy are the most simple things : friendship, love, painting, fishing.

Fishing? “I don’t fish but for me it represents a simple pleasure,” he said. “Spending an afternoon with the family on a seaboat or the bank of a river.” And whatever wild habits Pizzorno may once have had, he has cleaned up his act since becoming father to a boy last year.

“Before my home was like a circus but now it’s a very tranquil place,” he said. “I work at home a lot so I don’t want to be fucking out of my mind at home. When you have to look after the baby that’s not possible.” That said, he insists that “touring is still insane” and that when in Paris the band knock back “absinthe every night”-in the spirit of the new album on which a track is dedicated to the “The Green Fairy.” — AFP

guage film Oscar. Set in a remote village where the church and the mosque stand side by side, “Where Do We Go Now?” follows the antics of the town’s women to keep their blowhard men from starting a religious war.

Women heartsick over sons, husbands and fathers lost to previous flare-ups unite to distract their men with clever ruses, from faking a miracle to hiring a troop of Ukrainian strippers. Labaki wrote the screenplay for the film which was shot on location in three remote Lebanese villages with a cast made up almost entirely of nonprofessional actors. Labaki, who is married to the film’s compoer, Khaled Mouzannar, also included a handful of old-school song-and-dance numbers that buoy the mood. — AFP

US actress Glenn Close reacts after she receives Donostia Award for her contribution to the Cinema.—AP

A man works on his laptop in the cafe of the Museum of Socialist Art in Sofia yesterday after the opening ceremony. — AFP

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lenn Close picked up a lifetime achievement award in Spain on Sunday but said she’d really like to get an Oscar nod for her role as “Albert Nobbs”, a woman who poses as a man.

Close, probably best known as the deranged stalker in “Fatal Attraction”, received the San Sebastian film festival’s Donostia Award for her life’s work in film.

In addition to getting the award she is presenting her latest film, “Albert Nobbs”, set in 19th century Ireland, in which she plays a woman who disguises herself as a man to get a job in a hotel. “It would be wonderful to be nominated,” the 64-year-old Close told a news conference when asked about a possible Academy Award nomination after the film screened here.

“It has been a long time,” she added, laughing. Close secured Oscar nominations for best actress in “Fatal Attraction” in 1988 and “Dangerous Liaisons” in 1989, plus three supporting role nominations from 1983-1985. The Donostia Award has been given each year since 1986. Past recipients include Gregory Peck, Bette Davis, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, Richard Gere and Woody Allen. Last year’s winner was Julia Roberts. —AFP

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File picture shows members of the British rock band Kasabian arriving at the Grosvenor House hotel in central London for the Mercury Prize awards. — AFP

awards,” said Handling. “But Nadine’s film obviously connected with the public in a significant way because it was a clear, clear winner.” Last year’s fans’ pick, “The King’s Speech,” went on to take four Oscars, including best picture, and the 2008 people’s choice winner, “Slumdog Millionaire,” took best picture and seven other Oscars.

Quebec director Philippe Falardeau’s “Monsieur Lazhar,” about an Algerian schoolteacher in Quebec and his relationship with two students, won the award for best Canadian feature and a C$30,000 prize. The best first Canadian feature award, which includes a C$15,000 prize, went to director Nathan Morlando’s period piece “Edwin Boyd,” starring Scott Speedman as the notorious Canadian bank robber.

“Where Do We Go Now?” garnered rave reviews at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it screened on the margins of the official competition. It follows Labaki’s feature “Caramel,” a sweet love story set in a Beirut beauty salon, which was Lebanon’s entry for the 2007 best foreign lan-

pop star Lady Gaga led the 2011 MT V Europe Music Awards (EMA) nominations yesterday with six, including best song for “Born This Way”, best pop and live act and best female artist. In all four categories the 25-year-old extreme dresser was up against another chart-topping diva Katy Perry, nominated four times including for best song for “Firework”.

Lady Gaga’s other two nominations are best video (Born This Way) and biggest fans, a new category introduced this year. Bruno Mars joins Perry with four nominations-best new, best male, best “push” act and best song for “Grenade”. Adele, Britain’s own best-selling chart sensation, is shortlisted three times-best female act and best song

Bulgaria opens Socialist art museum

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ulgaria opened a museum of Communist-era art in capital Sofia yesterday as the small Balkan country tries to lure foreign tourists and benefit from their interest in life under a totalitarian regime which collapsed in 1989. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, city Mayor Yordanka Fandykova and many ministers attended the opening ceremony of the new venue. “We are closing one page of the Bulgarian history and communism is going where it belongs-in the museum,” Finance Minister Simeon Djankov was quoted as saying by state news agency BTA. “Bulgaria has already shaken it off and is moving forward.” The museum has a collection of exhibits-paintings and sculptures ranging from 1944 to 1989 — linked with the age of Communism in the Balkan country. Busts of former Communist leader Todor Zhivkov, Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin and Soviet dictator Josef Stalin are on display in the museum which also boasts a sculpture park with 77 exhibits.

Earlier this month, hundreds of Bulgarians celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of the country’s long-serving dictator Zhivkov and the new museum will most probably also attract locals pining for the old days under communism. Initially, the new venue was to be called museum of totalitarian art but the name was later changed to avoid possible controversy.—Reuters

and best video for “Rolling in the Deep”.

Canadian teen heartthrob Justin Bieber competes for best pop, best male and biggest fans, while Thirty Seconds to Mars is up for best alternative, best world stage and biggest fans. The MT V Europe Music Awards, one of pop’s biggest prize nights outside the United States, will be held on Nov. 6 from Belfast’s Odyssey Arena. The 2010 awards, held in Madrid, were the event’s most-watched telecast, according to the music channel, with 22.2 million viewers tuning into MTV and VIVA channels around the world. There were also 4.5 million live streams of the show online. — Reuters