27 Sep

ON IP TI SC R SU B

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

Bahrain’s besieged protesters keep campaign alive

Italian lawyer says ‘diabolical’ Knox has split personality

Islamic healing on the rise in Southeast Asia

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Bills, Giants, Lions rally for victories

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Saadoun: Assembly role must in anti-graft body

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SHAWWAL 29, 1432 AH

MPs blast government over arrest of tweeters

Max 42º Min 26º Low Tide 05:27 & 17:56 High Tide 11:23 & 23:53

By B Izzak

UAE backheel penalty taker dies in crash DUBAI: United Arab Emirates midfielder Theyab Awana, who became a Youtube celebrity after scoring a back-heeled penalty in an international against Lebanon, was killed in a car crash on Sunday, the country’s football association said yesterday. Awana, 21, died after his car collided with a lorry when travelling back from training in Al Ain to Abu Dhabi where he had been preparing for a World Cup qualifier against South Korea on Oct 11. The national team had been preparing for the trip when news of Awana’s death broke. “The whole team went today to the funeral, it was very sad,” UAE team administrator Ahmed Saeed told reporters. “Everybody was shocked. His whole family was so proud of him. We will never forget him.”

Awana converted an audacious penalty in a 7-2 friendly win over Lebanon in July and the clip received more than 1.2 million hits on Youtube.

However, his coach Srecko Katanec did not see the Continued on Page 13

AL-AIN; The crash that claimed the life of UAE player Theyab Awana (inset).

OTTAWA: Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper make their way to a signing ceremony on Parliament Hill yesterday. — AP (See Page 2)

Kuwait, Canada ink deal OTTAWA: Canada and Kuwait yesterday signed a trade and investment treaty, during the first visit by a Kuwait prime minister to this country. The Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement sets out rules to ensure that foreign investors receive similar treatment to domestic investors. It also guarantees that companies will not have their investments expropriated without prompt and adequate compensation and that they will not be subject to treatment lower than the minimum standard established in customary international law. It must still be ratified by both Canada and Kuwait.

“This agreement will encourage two-way trade and investment by providing greater predictability and cer-

tainty for investors in both countries,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement. He said Kuwait offers “significant investment potential” for Canadians, particularly in manufacturing and infrastructure. In recent years, Canada has grown its presence in Kuwait, largely in the healthcare and education sectors, engineering, oil and gas, as well as in a number of new retail franchises. Bilateral trade between Canada and Kuwait reached $129 million last year. Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed AlJaber Al-Sabah, met with Harper to also discuss challenges currently facing the Middle East and North Africa, including security in the region. — AFP

KUWAIT: Veteran opposition lawmaker Ahmad AlSaadoun warned the government yesterday that MPs will oppose the government-sponsored law to set up an anticorruption authority unless the National Assembly has a say in its appointments. Saadoun said that the proposed wealth disclosure law, which requires top officials and MPs to disclose their wealth before and after assuming their posts, must have a retroactive effect to cover the past. The lawmaker also said that the Assembly must approve the appointments of officials to the proposed anti-corruption authority and that the history of such officials must be announced to all parties.

The Cabinet on Sunday approved a string of draft laws stipulating the establishment of an anti-corruption authority and wealth disclosures in a bid to tighten the legal screws on fighting corruption after a graft scandal involving several MPs. Saadoun also said that the opposition has submitted new amendments to the anti-money laundering law to ask the finance minister to provide the Assembly with details of suspicious bank deposits and withdrawals. He said that the legal and legislative committee is capable of completing the approval of a number of anti-corruption bills proposed by MPs before the Oct 25 start of the new parliamentary term.

The opposition meanwhile stepped up its campaign against corruption with a new program of action that includes holding several gatherings and a major rally opposite the Assembly. MP Adel Al-Saraawi meanwhile said he was disappointed at the answers he received from Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali about the suspected huge deposits into the accounts of a number of MPs, saying the minister totally ignored the role of the Central Bank. He said that according to the law, commercial banks must send detailed lists of deposits exceeding KD 3,000 to the Central Bank every three months and the minister’s answer did not say what actions the Central Bank had taken regarding the suspicious deposits.

In another development, a number of opposition MPs strongly blasted the government over its handling of the case of two tweeters who were detained for hours before being released on bail.

Continued on Page 13

Nobel winner Maathai dies

RIYADH: Saudi women wait for their drivers outside a shopping mall yesterday, a day after King Abdullah granted women the right to vote and run in municipal elections. — AFP

Saudi women can now vote, but can’t drive RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, considered a reformer by the standards of his own ultraconservative kingdom, has decreed that women will for the first time have the right to vote and run in local elections due in 2015. It is a “Saudi Spring” of sorts. For the nation’s women, it is a giant leap forward, though they remain unable to serve as Cabinet minis-

ters, drive or travel abroad without permission from a male guardian. Saudi women bear the brunt of their nation’s deeply conservative values, often finding themselves the target of the unwanted attention of the kingdom’s intrusive religious police, who enforce a rigid interpretation of the law on the streets and Continued on Page 13

NAIROBI: Kenyan environmental activist Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has died of cancer at the age of 71, her family announced yesterday. Tributes flowed in for Maathai, who died on Sunday at a Nairobi hospital while undergoing treatment, lauding her outstanding struggle against environmental degradation. “It is with great sadness that the family of professor Wangari Maathai announces her passing away on 25th September 2011 at the Nairobi hospital after a prolonged and bravely borne struggle with cancer,” a statement said.

Achim Steiner, director of the UN Environment Programme, described her as a Wangari Maathai “force of nature”. “While others deployed their power and life force to damage, degrade and extract short term profit from the environment, she used hers to stand in their way,” Steiner said in a statement. Maathai became a key figure in Kenya since founding the Green Belt Movement in 1977, staunchly campaigning for environmental conservation and good Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: Two Kuwaiti traders sit in the hall of the Kuwait Stock Exchange at the end of trading yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Gulf better prepared for new global crisis DUBAI: Meeting early this month, Gulf finance ministers insisted their economies could cope comfortably with the looming global slump. During the world’s last economic crisis, their optimism proved mistaken - but this time,

they are on firmer ground. Big programs of government spending, launched for political as well as economic reasons, are likely to support growth. There is less room for asset price bubbles to burst Continued on Page 13

in the

news

Jail suspended for TV attack royals

Bahrain jails union leaders and players

American killed at ‘CIA compound’

Russian minister quits after rebellion

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s lower court has sentenced three ruling family members to three months in jail each for attacking the offices of a private satellite television channel, a newspaper reported yesterday. But the court told the men to pay KD 1,000 ($3,636) each to suspend the jail term, the Al-Anbaa newspaper said, citing court documents. The ruling can still be challenged. The men were convicted of firing shots at SCOPE TV in October last year and of causing damage to its offices and equipment after the channel aired a program deemed offensive to the ruling Al-Sabah family. Separately, Kuwaiti telecoms giant Zain said yesterday it will challenge a court ruling that annulled the election of its board of directors, adding that the verdict will have no impact on its operations. “The company will appeal against the ruling immediately after receiving the reasons” given by the court, Zain said in a statement posted on the Kuwait Stock Exchange website.

DUBAI: Two members of Bahrain’s national handball team were yesterday jailed for 15 years after being charged with taking part in anti-government protests. The father of Mohammed and Ali Mirza said his sons were found guilty of being part of a group of anti-government demonstrators who burned down a farm owned by a member of the ruling family. Ali Jawad, a beach handball player, was also given 15 years by the military court for burning down the same farm. Also, teachers’ union chairman Mehdi Issa Mohammed Abu Deeb and his deputy Jalila Mohammed Reza Al-Salman were found guilty of disrupting schooling, broadcasting false news and threatening national security by encouraging protest marches and sit-ins. In a separate ruling, seven people were handed 15-year jail terms for cutting off the tongue of an Asian muezzin. Another four Bahrainis were jailed for between one and three years for hiding two wanted people. A fifth got a three-year term for failing to report the running over of two policemen.

KABUL: A US citizen has been shot dead by an Afghan employee in a baffling attack at an annex to the US embassy used by the CIA in Kabul, officials said yesterday.

The gunman was killed in the incident at the Ariana Hotel compound late Sunday and another US citizen also wounded, the embassy said. “There was a shooting incident at an annex of the US embassy in Kabul involving an Afghan employee who was killed,” said US embassy spokesman Gavin Sundwall. “One US citizen was killed, one was wounded.” Sundwall said the Afghan employee had acted as “a lone gunman”. He said it was the first attack of its kind “within collective memory” although Afghan soldiers have killed their American military trainers. The high-security Ariana compound, the site of the latest incident, was used by the CIA, an Afghan government official told AFP. Sundwall declined to comment on whether the building was a CIA facility, while the CIA also refused to confirm it.

MOSCOW: Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin resigned yesterday after rebelling against a plan to install President Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister when Vladimir Putin returns to the Kremlin in 2012. The resignation brought a dramatic end to Kudrin’s career as finance minister, which started back in 2000 and had seen him become the longest serving current finance minister of any world power. In an extraordinary public dressingdown of the kind not seen in Russia for years, Medvedev had earlier personally told Kudrin that his comments were unacceptable and he had until the end of the day to decide whether to resign. “If you do not agree with the policy of the president, which is executed by the government, then you have one option - to resign,” Medvedev told Kudrin. “Such statements are unseemly and cannot in any way be justified,” fumed Medvedev, who conspicuously sat next to the Kremlin’s deputy chief of staff Vladislav Surkov, seen by most as Russia’s chief political schemer.

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Azerbaijan seeks peace and Justice ‘We won’t wait for another 20 years’

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: The ambassador of Azerbaijan to Kuwait Tural Rzayev, has called for a “concrete and genuine action” to promote peace and harmony in the Caucasus region. Rzayev’s statement came in reaction to a press statement made by Armenian Ambassador to Kuwait last week, calling for peace and harmony. “But Armenians are doing otherwise,” he said. Press conferences for both countries were held in separate occasions to mark the International Day of Peace, observed throughout the world every September 21.

Rzayev noted that there can only be real peace and harmony in their territory if the Armenians return 20 percent of the land which Rzayev claimed was “illegally occupied by the Armenians”. In a press conference yesterday at the embassy in Yarmouk, Rzayev stated that the call for peace and self determination were unfounded. “They said they want peace in the region, but they are calling for self determination from our own land which they illegally occupied,” the ambassador said.

“They occupy 20 percent of our territory and commit acts of aggression against our people.

For us (the Azeris), the pronouncement is completely opposite to what they are trying to preach,” he said appealing to the Armenians to transform words into real and genuine action. A joint statement from the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Peace and Development Alliance was also distributed dur-

ing the press conference.

The document which was signed by the Commissioner for Human Rights Elmira Suleymanova, includes some detailed Armenian crimes and aggressions against the Azeri people.

The landlocked mountainous region of Nagorno Karabakh remains one of the flash points in the conflict. Nagorno Karabakh declared its inde-

Ambassador Tural Rzayev pendence from Azerbaijan in 1991 leading to a bloody war with ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population of the enclave. Since a truce in 1994, it has remained in an unsteady deadlock. Although most people there consider

Egyptians demand release of detainees in Kuwait CAIRO: A group of Egyptians staged a demonstration in front of the Kuwait Embassy in Cairo, demanding the release of their relatives held in Kuwaiti jails, whose numbers are estimated at 600 inmates.

The 25 gatherers first staged a sit-in outside Egypt’s Foreign Ministry building where they met with the undersecretary, before heading to the Kuwait Embassy and meeting Consul Meshal Al-Saied, who reportedly told them to provide an official letter from the general department of Egyptians abroad before the embassy can discuss the matter with Kuwaiti authorities.

“I’m a 63-year-old man and my wife is dying... Our only hope is to see our son before we die,” said Abdul-Hafiz AbdulHakeem, whose son, Ahmad, has finished six of his seven-year sentence, for drugs, in Kuwait’s Central Prison. Abdul-Hakeem demands an early release for his son, indicating, he “has shown significant improvement in behavior.” Meanwhile, a mother of three who was present at the gathering claimed that her husband has been serving a life sentence since 2008 for charges pressed following a fight between him and his Kuwaiti sponsor. — Al-Rai

themselves Armenian, ‘technically the province lies in the territory of Azerbaijan’.

Its independence has never been recognized by the international community and all diplomatic attempts to find a solution have so far failed. According to Rzayev, some information given were misleading. “They said their population is about three million - maybe half of the number yes. Many Armenians had fled to neighboring countries like Russia, Europe and Middle East countries,” he said.

Rzayev explained why Armenians occupied 20 percent of their territories. “It happened immediately after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. At that time, we could not fight back because we had nothing. They have strong military, backed by Russians. So they killed some native Azeris and grabbed their lands,” he said. “Now, there are approximately 50,000 Armenians in that part of our territory and they want to create a second Armenian state. We are ready to give them the highest form of autonomy within Azerbaijan, but we are not going to give up the land they illegally occupied,” he added.

Rzayev said they will do all it takes to resolve the conflict peacefully with the help of the international community - but if provoked, “we are ready to defend their territory militarily,” he said.

“This time we can flex our own muscles broadly.

The Armenian entire budget is just the budget of Azerbaijan’s army,” he said. “We are capable of starting a war if necessary. We don’t want to wait for another 20 more years to get what belongs to us.

Ports staff suspend strikes until further notice KUWAIT: Workers at Kuwait’s three main seaports (Shuwaikh, Shuaiba and Doha) suspended their 120-minute strike on Sunday after the government promised to enact their financial demands within two months.

Kuwait Ports Association (KPA) trade union chairman Ali Al-Sukoni insisted, however, that the strikes will be resumed if demands that include increases in salaries and allowances-both stagnant since 1961 — are not met by December.

The first conducted by KPA personnel, Sunday’s labor strike was one of many witnessed by Kuwait over the past two weeks, following the government’s raise of public and oil sector wages two weeks ago.

Sunday also saw many Ministry of Health (MoH) staff stage strikes at several public medical facilities, demanding greater financial compensation, including for working in infected environments. The protestors warned that a larger strike will be held Oct. 10 if the MoH continues to ignore their demands.

Elsewhere, Labor Department inspectors at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor staged a strike in which they reiterated the ten demands made to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in 2005.

Meanwhile, a senior CSC official revealed that the CSC-commissioned study on labor unions’ demands will focus on reassessing job rankings and tie the findings to the payroll to ensure, “salary is paid in accordance with job productivity.” The majority of labor forces involved in the current strikes are demanding equal pay across government departments. The CSC source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed achieving equality will be a main focus for the study.

In related news, a report quoting senior Kuwait Petroleum Association (KPA) officials indicates that monthly salaries of senior KPA employees will range between KD 9,000 and KD 17,000, as per the study that prompted the Cabinet to pass general pay raise for oil sector staff.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the confidential study recommends the KPA CEO salary be raised as high as KD 17,000 per month, that of the board chairmen and managing directors to KD 12,500 and that of deputy managing directors to KD 9,000. The source insists that these increases are merited “because they will help keep experienced Kuwaiti personnel in the local oil sector.” Other sources, who also spoke anonymously, argue that such raises might be found “provocative” by other oil sector employees.—Al-Rai

Ministry to closely monitor local cafes KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has delegated undercover agents in local cafes to tackle any instance of unrest that could occur. These explanations were made in response to inquiries to Sheikh Ahmad AlHmoud Al-Sabah by MP Salem Al-Namlan.

“The Ministry of Interior takes immediate measures against individuals that flout regulations. Undercover agents, patrol police have been stationed at key areas,” the ministry’s letter stated, further explaining that offenders should sign an undertaking pledging avoid committing it again.

Cafes that play very loud music or have dim lighting will also required to have the owner sign an undertaking. The ministry explained that only this form of disciplinary measure can be taken because it is not authorized to issue citations.

However, all cases of felony committed at local cafes will be referred to the public prosecution department.

The ministry also admitted that some cafes repeat offenses “because they are aware that the ministry cannot take a harsher stance.” — Al-Qabas

OTTAWA: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah met the Governor General of Canada David Johnston Sunday evening at his residence in Ottawa, and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Canadian head of state and people. His Highness expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality with which he had been received during his visit. He noted this reception speaks of the level of relations between the two nations and leaderships.

PM in landmark visit to Canada OTTAWA: His Highness the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his entourage arrived in Canada on Sunday, the first visit by a high-level Kuwaiti official.

Upon arrival at the Ottawa International Airport, the senior guests received a red carpet reception from Canadian Foreign Minister John Russell Baird and several senior officials, Kuwait Ambassador Ali Hussain Al-Sammak and members of the Kuwaiti diplomatic mission in Canada.

The Kuwait Prime Minister inspected the guard of honor and then the national anthems of Kuwait and Canada were played, followed by a 21-gun salute. HH the Prime Minister expressed joy for visiting Canada, recalling “the noble stance” adopted by Canada against the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait in 1990 and its support to the lib-

eration and the post-war rehabilitation of Kuwait. HH renewed his gratitude to the Canadian people and government for their firm support to Kuwait’s legitimate rights and to the promotion of peace and stability in various parts of the world.

During his two-day stay, HH the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold talks with the Canadian leaders on the bilateral ties and cooperation in various domains. The talks with Canadian Governor General David Johnston, Prime Minister Stephen Joseph Harper, Speaker of the Senate Noel Kinsella and Speaker of the House of Commons Andrew Scheer will focus on how to expand the economic between the two countries as well as other bilateral, regional and international issues of common concern including the Middle East peace process. — KUNA

Al-Wasmi case hearing postponed

By A Saleh KUWAIT: The Criminal Court postponed hearing the case of Dr Obeid Al-Wasmi until Nov 14 session at his defense’s request. The Criminal Court handed AlWasmi six charges that include four pertaining to state security. Al-Wasmi denied all charges relating to state security law, which includes spreading false news, urging policemen to violate the law, insulting the ruling establishment and public gathering. Al-Wasmi’s defense also submitted a letter from the Amiri Diwan, that was sent to the Justice Minister to drop the case.

Meanwhile, former Iraqi Transport Minister Amer Abdeljabbar has stated that Kuwaiti authorities reclaimed around 1,800 meters from the sea near Khor Abdullah, in southern Iraq, but the Iraqi government has since denied that.

Abdeljabbar said the action was taken in service of building Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port piers. He said the action limited the

navigation waters available for ships approaching Iraq to 250 meters only.

Abduljabbar said that Kuwait alters the geography by means of closing important commercial ports, namely Um Qasr, Khoar Abdullah and Khoar AlZubair. Abduljabbar did not mention his sources but criticized Iraqi officials’ stance on the port, charging that Kuwait bribed individuals. Iraqi government advisor Abdelhussien Al-Jabiri said, meanwhile, that his government is aware of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port details and that Kuwait did not reclaim 1,800 meters from the joint Khoar Abdullah waters.

Source have said that banks are due to refer accounts evidencing suspicious activity that belong to MPs who participated in the recent Irada Square sit-in during which anti-corruption efforts were demanded. Informed sources said the number of those MPs is two to four and may increase when other accounts are discussed.

‘Tweet’ suspects released on bail KUWAIT: Two citizens were released on a KD100 bail each shortly after their arrest for defamation charges filed by a Kuwaiti businessman regarding statements they posted in their Twitter accounts.

Around for ty citizens led by MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Mohammad Hayef and Mubarak Al-Wa’lan gathered outside Al-Ferdous police station where journalist Meshal Al-Nami and Kuwait TV reporter Menwer Al-Shemmary were

detained. The lawmakers demanded the release of the two journalists whom they described as ‘prisoners of conscience’, further calling for an end to “suppression of freedoms”. “We are not against the law, but are against abuse and unequal implementation of the law”, Hayef said. Al-Tabtabaei argued that there are forty cases filed against Kuwaiti citizens for Twitter remarks, describing this as “an insult to democracy in Kuwait”.— Agencies

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

local

Peruvian envoy congratulates KT KUWAIT: On the occasion of Kuwait Times’ golden jubilee, the Peruvian Ambassador to Kuwait Amador Velasquez sent a congratulatory letter to the newspaper. It is reproduced below: Dear Editor-in-Chief, Fifty years have passed since your father Yousef Saleh Al-Alyan - whom I didn’t have the honor of meeting in person, (I recently reached this country on 1 March) -established the Gulf region’s first daily independent newspaper in the English language.

Nevertheless; yes, it has been my honor and pleasure to know you personally, and enjoy the warm welcome accorded to me. Your articles are inspirational to me and other heads of mission. The content is rich, maintaining objectivity and is written in good style.

I would like to offer you, on this very special day, a tribute from my part and the diplomatic officials from Latin America and the Caribbean.

The formation of the Business Council of Latin America and Caribbean is a wise and valuable suggestion you put forward along with the unconditional support you offered.

Although this mission is in its germinal stages, I can assure you that your very professional team will receive the Peruvian Embassy’s complete support. We hope to have you as a special guest during the official inauguration of our brand-new premises, also taking the opportunity to tour the ‘Peru Expo-Tour, Trade and Investment’ exhibition.

Let me express my sincere wishes, assuring you that your father would have expressed happiness and joy in giving Kuwait and to Kuwaiti journalism a son who has exceptional capacities and human qualities.

With appreciation, respect and admiration, Ambassador of Peru Amador Velasquez

KUWAIT: Convention Center & Royal Suites Hotel General Manager Halim Gobar, Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing Lana Al-Resheed and Marketing Executive Nadia Abdu visited Kuwait Times yesterday and congratulated it on its 50th anniversary. They were received by KT Marketing Director Adnan Saad.

Plights of children of Kuwaiti women and non-Kuwaiti men Mothers cry out for help

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: A delegation of police women from the Central Administration for Operations met with the Secretary of Civil Defense Committee and Director of Civil Defense Administration Lt Gen Yousuf Abdul Aziz Al-Roudhan in the presence of acting Director of Operation Administration Lt Col Ahmad Al-Kandari. Al-Roudhan said that women are important part in the police.

KUWAIT: In Kuwait, as in most Arab countries, female citizens are not enjoying equal rights with men. Kuwaiti women received political rights only in 2008. The women still suffer from civil and social discrimination.

Recently, a law was passed to give the Kuwaiti woman the right to receive a housing loan. Some additional rights were also given to Kuwaiti women and their children from non-Kuwaiti husbands.

Are they now satisfied with the present situation and what else is missing from these laws?

In December 2010, a regulation was issued that allows different categories of women to receive the housing loan of about KD 45,000. This law is yet to come into effect, as the implementation rules were issued just three weeks ago. There are cer-

‘Overseas Egyptians cannot vote’

EGKW founder Osama Galal

KUWAIT: The Egyptians in Kuwait website, www.egkw.com, (EGKW) said that in response to an earlier letter inquiring about the likelihood of allowing Egyptians living overseas to vote during upcoming parliamentar y elec tions, the Egyptian Supreme Elec tions Committee (ESEC) has denied that such rights have been granted.

EGKW also said that the ESEC’s response has denied the possibility of giving Egyptians the right to vote through Egypt’s embassies and consulates. No legislation has been issued in this concern so far.

“This is so disappointing because over 10 million Egyptians, of whom 600,000 live in Kuwait,

would be deprived after such a long wait,” underscored the website’s editorial, explaining that both the Supreme Military Council and the PM have stated that these (rights) should be granted and that voting can be done in embassies abroad.

Notably, ESEC has replied to the inquir y, asser ting that even though Egyptians overseas had all the right to vote in the parliament and senate ( Shura Council), electoral rights can only be exercised by citizens residing in Egypt.

“However, since no law has been issued in this concern, those interested will have to return home to vote,” explained the ESEC’s reply.

Women law graduates sue ministry KUWAIT: The High Court has suspended a case filed by six law school female graduates against the Ministry of Justice who rejected their bid to work as public prosecutors based on their gender. The suspension came in order to wait until the Court of Cassation make their verdict in a similar case filed by citizen Shurooq Al-Failakawi.

The complainants tried to apply to train as legal researchers ahead of being appointed as pub-

lic prosecutors, but their applications were rejected and told that such profession is restricted to male employees. Attorney Dr Thuql Al-Ajmi argues that the MOJ violated the law when it rejected employment bids of his six clients, explaining that the rejection is not based on any regulation while the constitution on the other hand insists on equal rights and duties for male and female citizens.

Meanwhile, the Court of

Misdemeanor sentenced three members of the ruling family with three months in jail or paying a KD1000 bail for their release, and that after they were found guilty of damaging property of Scope TV. Separately, the High Court also made a rule forcing the Kuwait Municipality to pay a Kuwaiti businesswoman KD135,000 that were collected as a fee for an alleged increase in the space allowed for construction as per her license.—Al-Qabas

KUFPEC posts $143m in profits

KUWAIT: Hawally Traffic Police, led by Lt Col Saad Ali Al-Rujaib, recently made several campaigns in Hawally, resulting in 5,126 citations, of which 78 were for running red lights, eight for speeding, 16 for driving without a license and 2,591 for parking violations.

KUWAIT: Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) hiked its daily output to 80,000 bpd in December 2010 and its net profits amounted to $143 million last year, according KUFPEC’s annual report released recently.

The net profits of the company in 2010 were higher by 32 percent, compared to those in 2009, when they reached $108 million.

The company took part in drilling 16 wells, including two in Indonesia, four in Australia, in addition to three others being examined for feasibility, the report said, indicating that it had taken part in the development of 30 other wells.

KUFPEC, last year, acquired 28 percent of Shell’s stakes in the fields of “Beit and Padra” in Pakistan and 25 percent of Shell’s shares in exploration concession. The company won a new exploration project in the North Sea, with a 30percent stake. The venture includes exploration of heavy oil, with reserves estimated at 4.5 million barrels. KUFPEC’s operations abroad are currently scattered all over 16 states; the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, the Ivory Coast, Mauritania and the Congo. —KUNA

tain conditions to which the woman must adhere to receive this loan. Attorney Mohammed Al-Sabti explained, “ These include the Kuwait women who married non-Kuwaitis and widows or divorcees from nonKuwaiti husband. It also includes Kuwaiti women divorced by Kuwaiti men - with or without children and unmarried Kuwaiti women who are 40 years and above. These divorcees and widows should be older than 21,” he added.

Khathmiya, a divorcee Kuwaiti mother of three children from a non-Kuwaiti husband complained of the bad application of law. “Last week, I applied for a housing loan, my application was refused. I was told that I can only get the loan if I have a Kuwaiti son to share the loan with me.

Also, when I went to receive the government allowance (KD 50 for

each child), they told me that my ex-husband should be dead or permanently living outside Kuwait,” she told the Kuwait Times.

“My biggest problem is my children’s rights. The regulations state that they should be treated as Kuwaitis in terms of job opportunities in the public sector.

“When they applied for jobs, they were accepted, but when they went to start the job they were refused. I don’t understand why they are not treated as Kuwaitis,” she said. “My son, who is disabled, stopped receiving disability allowance once he reached 21.

So they ought to find him a job, at least,” Kathmiya added.

Fatma, a 27-year-old of an Iranian father and Kuwaiti mother feels discriminated against in many fields. “My biggest obstacle is in finding a job in the public sector. Before I was feeling like an

expatriate, but now the situation is better. My brother got a scholarship- paid by the government to study in a private university here. Also, those studying abroad receive a monthly salary too. In addition, residency for us, is easier now than before and they allow my brother, who just turned 21, to have his family visa attached to that of my mother,” noted Fatma.

Some provisions given to the children of a Kuwaiti mother and a non-Kuwaiti father are not fair, according to Fatma. “When they opened public sector jobs to children of Kuwaiti mothers and non-Kuwaiti fathers, it was only for children with an Arab national father. So it did apply to me or my brothers. Some amendments should be made so as to accommodate all categories of the children of Kuwaiti mothers,” she added.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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kuwait digest

in my view

The top ten corrupt MPs’ excuses

High-end supermarkets offer shoddy service

By Abdullatif Al-Amairi

T

By Lisa Conrad

lisa@kuwaittimes.net

T

he array of international products available in Kuwait is incredible as, no matter what your background may be, you are likely to find products from home here or, at worst, pretty good imitations. The problem, however, is when products and services are based on other methods or structures, and then incorrectly reproduced or maintained. This, I’m realizing, requires closer attention to detail before you assume that everything will be the same.

For example, last week I ventured out to a supermarket of Western origin. The experience was not only poor, but incredibly frustrating. For example, tomatoes were piled up, collectively rotting as their black punctures slowly expanded. The peaches were so dry that they resembled wrinkling skin and the carrots were shriveling to the point that they looked more like dehydrated thumbs. Not only was the produce unfit for consumption, but the service was horrific. I went over to the herb section to grab a bunch of mint, and, as I approached, an attendant sneezed all over the entire lot. I asked for salmon and the server refused to sell me anything but the tail, and the deli counter had lunch meat sitting out, uncovered, slowly warming and sweating in its new cozy environment.

After I finally left, vowing never to return, I got home to find that 10 eggs were broken in the container I’d bought. They had been turned upside down, appearing deceptively decent, and with the entire package covered in plastic wrap, it had been impossible to check them in advance. My patience spent, I returned to the said supermarket. I reported the problem and told them of every single issue that had annoyed me. They recorded my complaints, took back oozing eggs and assured me that a manager would contact me to apologize which, of course, never happened.

This problem is not just a matter of annoyance, but of health. Selling rotting, disgusting products poses serious health risks to the health of those consuming them. Some are deceptively hidden, for example in the boxes of vegetables that appear to be a great deal, only later to be revealed as a 50/50 of produce to compost.

Even the meat I purchased was expired by the very next day. If supermarkets want to keep the names they hold, then they must follow the standards associated with the brand, especially those of health and safety. Kuwait has been cracking down severely on expired goods being sold, but has anyone actually looked in the mainstream supermarkets? Is the assumption that they follow higher standards letting them slide through, unscathed? Given what I’ve seen, I think it’s time to look a bit closer.

kuwait digest

Need for an economic rethink

By Fuhaid Al-Busairi

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abor strikes have become a regular sight in Kuwait. Despite the risk of harming public interests, strikes are understandable in capitalist nations when staged by workers in response to injustices encountered.

In Kuwait, the labor force’s right to strike against injustices is protected. Strikes themselves aren’t a major problem, until they are used as a tool in political embezzlement amid which, the actual rights of workers are overlooked.

The rule says that in order to solve a problem, we have to search for the root cause, and start from there. What amazes me is that since its establishment, Kuwait always stood on a solid foundation based on a philosophy of building a modern state. An examination of the legislation passed by the founders of the modern state of Kuwait, demonstrates they left no facet of any issue unaddressed.

But that changed with the Iraqi invasion, which failed to demolish the solid foundations of the country and managed to destroy the Kuwaiti identity and create the ‘defeatist philosophy’ that we still suffer from today. This philosophy bred greed for power and wealth, which paved the way for corruption to dominate state departments to the extent where the notion of primacy of state public interest is ridiculed and ignored. This happens at a time when lawbreaking and buying loyalties, in turn, has became the norm. Kuwait’s liberation from Iraqi marked the beginning of the state’s end; not the country’s rebuilding process. Despite the return of democracy following the war, the majority of lawmakers have involved themselves in corruption. Corruption soon turned into a basic aspect of democracy and it is a trait accepted 100 percent by the people. This caused instability in the public sector’s payroll; this, in turn, boosts the country’s annual spending at a time when all nations combat unjustified spending.

That oil is Kuwait’s sole source of revenue is a catastrophe that no one realizes. In the sphere of economics, countries that exist on the revenue of selling a single commodity are known as states that live in continuous risks. That’s to say: The end of such a country is imminent until solutions are found. Instead of saving for a rainy day, we are racing to push our country closer to its demise.

No one can blame state employees for staging a demonstration when the payroll lacks justice. They resort to that option due to the improper standards on which the payroll is based, which simply states that survival is for the richest. The risk of budget deficit is present, yet the workers will not quell their demands when they realize state laws are haphazardly implemented. The Parliament does not attend to its legislative duties. — Al-Rai

kuwait digest

The need for international intervention

By Saad Bin Tifla

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raq invaded Kuwait in 1990, displaced its people, erased it from the map and considered it one of its provinces. No one was able to deter Iraq and its army at that time, other than the international community, particularly the United States Army.

Kuwaitis called upon our brothers, friends and the international community to get rid of the occupation; we did not care who would come to free us from the brother who betrayed us.

Brothers from the Gulf, Egypt, Syria and Morocco came to our aid, and the international community rushed to liberate Kuwait with forces from 33 countries, the most important and strongest of which was the United States of America.

Kuwaitis at that time came under attack from Arab nationalists for resorting to the international community to end the Iraqi occupation, being insulted and called all sorts of names at that time.

Thirteen years later, the USA led a war for Iraqi freedom, and topped Saddam Hussein’s regime after his people were unable to get rid of him due to his tyranny and oppression. Iraqis who ruled Iraq after Saddam, through popular elections were described as traitors and puppets of the United States and the West. Years went by until this year Arab people rose up from Tunisia to Yemen demanding freedom, dignity, democracy and human

rights.

Tunisia’s president fled, Egypt’s president stepped down, Yemen’s president was injured and Libya’s tyrant appears to have vanished.

Yet the Libyan president would not have fallen if it were not for international intervention to save the Libyan people. From the first day of the peaceful demonstrations in Benghazi on February 17, Gaddafi resorted to barbarism, using mass murder and turning 50mm anti-aircraft guns against his unarmed people, as well as sending Mig fighter jets to disperse demonstrators.

The Libyan people did have any other option than to call on the international community for help, to get rid of his barbaric regime, rather than a foreign invasion as was the case with Kuwait.

The absolute truth is that without the international intervention, Gaddafi would have crushed his opponents with ever y weapon in his massive arsenal, from tanks to fighter jets to anything else he could lay his hands on, happily wiping his own people from existence so that he could retain control.

There were demonstrations in Syria a few weeks ago which the organizers called ‘International Protection Friday,’ during which the protesters demanded the international community’s protection from the regime’s murderous forces which the regime there has deployed across Syria’s

towns and villages to brutally suppress the protest against it.

Shortly after this, one of the most famous human rights activists in Syria, Haytham Al-Maleh, demanded that the United Nations intervene to protect civilians. Al-Maleh was among the staunchest critics of Kuwait for asking the international community to protect and free them from a foreign invasion, rather than from a domestic regime as the case in Syria and Libya.

I do not mean to blame or justify a stand or a situation here or there, but the Arab situation in general has reached a condition of abnormality, that only international intervention works in some of its cases to right things and save our people from the tyrants.

This is the clear truth: these regimes have oppressed their people for decades and stolen their resources to use them to crush those people so to remain in power and enjoy the clout of power. They are regimes who will not hesitate to use the most heinous of methods to suppress their opponents.

While we realize that the world is not moved by values and principles, and does not come to help a people for the sake of helping only, let us admit that we are a nation that lives out of this time, and let us confess that international mandate and intervention are the only way to deter our tyrants and stop them in their tracks. — Al-Aan

kuwait digest

The better prime minister

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

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nti-government MPs alleged previously that the Kuwaiti youth will eventually topple the reign of Prime Minister HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad. But when a public rally was called for, MPs took the spotlight and dominated the stage with their antigovernment speech. They claimed that the gathering was in protest against “the briber and the bribed,” but in reality their gathering was aimed to pressure for the premier’s ouster. They are only using the bribery scandal to serve demands for a constitutional monarchy and elected Cabinet.

The main problem among today’s oppositionists is the lack of true ideology, agenda or plan on which their actions are based - and that is without even considering their goal of ousting Sheikh Nasser, which they have announced on numerous occasions. It is important here to note that all problems usually associated with cabinets of Sheikh Nasser are the result of governments’ continuous submission to embezzlement and illogical demands of the oppositionists demands that usually ignore the concepts of productivity.

As I have stated many times before, I do not support the government or Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Sabah as the Prime Minister, for that matter. However, I realize that the option of Sheikh Nasser as the state’s premier is far

better for the state’s wealth than a government headed by oppositionists that are unable to tolerate dissent or accept ‘No’ as an answer

The main problem among today’s oppositionists is the lack of true ideology, agenda or plan on which their actions are based - and that is without even considering their goal of ousting Sheikh Nasser, which they have announced on numerous occasions. when they push for an increase in allowances or to send a patient to receive treatment abroad.

Unfortunately, youth groups

that had prepared for weeks for the mass demonstration last Wednesday failed to ensure the rally remained focused on its main motivating factor, which is fighting political bribery.

Instead, the bribery scandal was blatantly utilized to serve the agenda demanding the Prime Minister’s ouster, as if this would magically solve all the country’s woes. The anti-government legislators act as if every problem in the country stands to be eliminated when a new prime minister takes charge, ignoring that Kuwait suffers from a political crisis caused mainly by voters’ lack of awareness, and the fact that their choices remain dominated by their tribal and sectarian loyalties.

While my statements give the impression that I oppose calls for dismissing the PM and the entire Cabinet, I believe that their endurance in office must be realized only as long as efforts are placed to enforce the financial disclosure law as well as regulations to counter MPs’ corruption. If the premier and his Cabinet stand against achieving that, only then would I agree with the calls for their ouster.

Will youth groups push for the enforcement of a financial disclosure bill that covers the Cabinet and parliament members, or are they going to limit their demands for the ouster of Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad? — Al-Qabas

he case of millions deposited in MPs’ accounts is still active. Kuwaiti people across all divisions have agreed to reject this corruption, expressing their loathing for this crime against the state and future generations.

The MPs who allegedly obtained the bribes are currently in a very awkward situation, but it seems they have not given up yet but have begun thinking of ways to get out of this problem.

Here are the methods they have used to evade the accusations. The first way is to claim that they are honest, and they do not know why their names have been circulated in an attempt to elicit public sympathy.

The second way is to claim that the money came from legal earning and that they have not received any bribes, while the third preferred method is to claim that they are victims of ruling family feuds.

The fourth way preferred by the MPs is to claim that they are paying for their moderate positions, while the fifth is to lie and give imaginative stories to the public and hope that time or parliamentary dissolution will put an end to this situation and make people forgetful as they busy themselves with other things.

The sixth method preferred by MPs is to pressure some banks’ boards of directors to prevent their accounts from being scrutinized or referred to the Public Prosecutor.

The seventh favored method, especially by those who have remained silent for some time, is to suddenly get rid of the money by transferring it elsewhere before popping up to publicly announce their innocence and their readiness to declare their financial positions and have their accounts scrutinized.

An eighth favorite method is to muddy the waters by making specious enquiries about the timing of the investigations or why the issue wasn’t raised during previous parliaments.

The ninth most popular method for the parliamentarians is to remain totally silent and disappear on mysterious overseas trips, while the tenth and possibly the most important way is to claim, “Let’s wait for the decision of the Public Prosecutor and hear what the court says since, according to the law, people accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty.” — Al-Anbaa

kuwait digest

Kuwait’s permanence questioned?

By Mudaffar Abdullah

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he recent ‘Wikileaks’ cables that featured former US Ambassador to Kuwait Deborah Jones as saying that the country will not last till 2020, shocked many. This is because American political advice is most sought after. However, I would like to believe that the ambassador was metaphorically speaking with the aim of motivating and stimulating us, similar to the treatment meted out to diabetics. They are told that they can die unless they ate reasonably.

Let’s, then, reason out what the ambassador said: lHow have we been handling our oil resources for the past fifty years? lHas our local administration witnessed any development over the past thirty years? l Have we studied the reasons for the Iraqi invasion in a way that would spare us the recurrence of similar future catastrophes? l Who has an upper hand over the past 49 years of our Constitution? lHave our successive cabinets since the 1990s perceived international variables and changes in more than a field?

Let’s forget Wikileaks and Ms Jones and start thinking about answers to these questions!

Our country’s problems lie in the hands of the ruling family, the Cabinet, the Parliament and the people who are responsible for Kuwait’s longevity.

I actually had many impressions after witnessing last Wednesday’s demonstrations. The first of which that people are fed up with corruption and the state’s deterioration.

All Kuwaiti sects were represented in the Irada square and conveyed a clear message, “It’s either change or downfall.” The second impression I had was about a small country. Our problems would not draw the international community’s attention because the world is already preoccupied with predic ted turmoil in Western economies.

A 32-country alliance that fought Saddam Hussein back in the 1990s may not take place again. The third impression I had was that the Kuwaiti citizens had limited tools to convey opinions to the government and the Parliament.

Therefore, the Cabinet will always play a role in imposing elevating the state’s prestige, law enforcement and usage of oil resources.

The current oil revenues do not actually belong to us. It would be wise to invest such surpluses in building the state in a different manner by encouraging the private sector, and giving due care and attention to high and technical education.

Kuwait’s neighboring regions are experiencing a tumultuous period. Domestically, chaos has loomed over our country. These elements call for statesmen of a special caliber to run the country in a bid to avert Jones’ statement. — aljarida

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Private participation takes Kuwait’s flight Rail link between Airport and ports eyed

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah yesterday received the Director General of the Public Institution for Social Security Fahad Mezyed Al-Rajaan at Al-Seif Palace. HH the Crown Prince also received the Head of the Greek Catholic Church, Archimandrite Boutros Gharib, and members of the Catholic Church in Kuwait.

Kuwait women hail Saudi suffrage grant to women KUWAIT: Eminent Kuwaiti women have applauded the decision by the Saudi King to grant women of the Kingdom political rights, affirming that it underlined the Monarch’s sagacious policy of reforms. Dr Moudhi Al-Humoud, the former minister of education and business management professor at Kuwait University (KU), praised the initiative, declared by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, granting women the right to vote and to be nominated in the country’s Shura Council elections.

“Saudi women have proven that they are eligible for such a privilege, for they have been playing effective roles at the local, regional and international levels,” said Dr Al-Humoud in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), following the King’s declaration on Sunday. “This announcement will pave the way for Saudi women to take part in the decision-making process that affect their livelihood and society,” she said.

Jinan Boushehri, member of the Municipal Council, said the Saudi King’s initiative was the latest in a series of eventful steps that had been taken by the Monarch regarding reforms, development in economic, social and cultural sectors. “This is an achievement in the record not only of that of the Saudi women, but also for the women of the

Arab and Muslim nations,” Boushehri added. “The Saudi women have been skillfully working in the academic, medical, diplomatic, cultural, literary and humanitarian fields,” she added.

For her part, Aisha Al-Rushaid, a prominent political activist, congratulated the Saudi women on this great accomplishment and hailed the step, taken by the Monarch “who has proven that he is a supporter not only to the women of Saudi Arabia, but also of the Gulf, Arab and Muslim countries.”

The era of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz has been distinguished with a chain of accomplishments for the Saudi women, she said, noting that in 2005, Nora Al-Fayez was the first Saudi woman to be named assistant minister.

Dr Hailah Al-Muakimi, a professor of political sciences at the KU, said the declaration affirmed the wise approach of the King at the level of reforms.

“Increasing the number of Saudi citizens in the decision-making process for development, with inclusion of the effective and educated segments of the society, will enrich the Saudi society further,” she said. Najlaa Al-Naqi, a state attorney at the Department of Fatwa and Legislation, expressed hope the King’s move would pave the path for Saudi women to serve as ministers. — KUNA

RIYADH: Kuwait’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah visited the undersecretary of KSA’s Ministry of Culture and Information Prince Terki Bin Sultan Bin Abdul-Aziz to congratulate him for his new post.

Corpse found in car

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The dead body of a Kuwaiti woman has been found in a car on Ghazali Street. The discovery was made after the police received a phone call reporting the situation. A coroner is currently examining the body to determine the cause of death.

Car accidents A 28-year-old citizen fractured his arm in a car accident that took place in Jahra. in another incident, a 22-year- old

citizen fractured his backbone and left arm in a car accident that took place below Al-Ghous bridge along Sixth Ring Road. Also, a 21-year-old Yemeni fractured his right arm. A 53-year-old citizen complained of pain and a 22-yearold Indian sustained multiple injuries, following a car accident that took place on Monday.

Election tussle A fight broke out between members of two opponent groups at the College of Law elections. Some causalities were reported.

Anti-govt blocs fail to discuss proposed interpellation motion KUWAIT: Anti-government blocs failed to convene on Sunday to discuss a proposed interpellation motion initiated against the Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Sabah. They wanted to question the premier on the political scandal, causing speculation on the reasons behind this failure.

According to officials, some members of the Development and Reform Bloc (DRB) are abroad, leading plans to coordinate with the Popular Action Bloc (PAB) on the joint grilling motion.

Fur thermore, the officials who spoke anonymously argue that both blocs have not arrived at a consensus on whether to submit a single motion against the premier, or launch a series of interpellation motions that target

ruling family members in the Cabinet; an option reportedly supported by PAB leader Ahmad Al-Saadoun.

Officials added that the PAB proposed to hold talks with independent MPs following a mass gathering planned for October 5. This is in order to set the final stance on the case pertinent with suspicious multi-million cash deposits that were found in certain lawmakers’ bank accounts.

MP Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabae announced that the grilling motion “will be ready for submission a week prior to the start of the new parliamentary term,” late next month. The DRB member also noted that he would invite the National Action Bloc (NAB) to take part in presenting the interpellation motion.

KUWAIT: With the announcement that a 35 percent stake in Kuwait’s national carrier is up for sale, the government has taken another step towards privatizing Kuwait Airlines, a project that has been in the works since 2008. At the same time, efforts are under way to build a national railway, with the government recently signing a contract with a consortium of consultancy firms to undertake research on a proposed rail link between Kuwait International Airport (KIA) and the country’s ports.

According to an August 1 statement by the privatization committee of Kuwait Air ways, the government is seeking a strategic investor to buy a 35% position in the airline. The total share capital of the privatized entity, to be known as Kuwait Air ways Company, has been valued at KD220 million. “Any sale of the company must realign the airline towards a successful future entity that builds on the aspirations of the Kuwaiti people and the past successes of this national institution,” the privatization committee said in its statement.

Joint-stock companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange and “specialized international companies” will be allowed to participate in the sale. While the latter could include global carriers, Kuwait-based airline operators, such as Jazeera Airways, have been explicitly barred from bidding.

The government set a deadline of August 25 for the submission of initial Expressions of Interest (EOI). As of 1st September the Privatization Committee of Kuwait Airways was examining the EOIs but had not yet released any details of the submissions.

The government, through the Kuwait Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, will own 20% of the new company, while 40% of the stock will be sold to the public. Airline employees will

hold the remaining 5% of shares. Last August the government announced that Citigroup, Ernst & Young and aviation consultancy Seabury would assist the government in the privatization process. With several news agencies reporting that the airline lost $556 million on revenues of $771 million in 2010, there is caution in some quar ters as to how appealing such an investment might be given its current proposed structure.

Indeed, John Strickland, the director of UK-based JLS Consulting, was quoted by Reuters as saying that Kuwait Airways “does not bring much attractiveness to any partner unless it gives a good deal and more control in its functioning”.

The high cost of labor has been cited as one reason for the airline’s lack of profits, but the restructured entity may not have to bear this burden. In July the government announced that it had concluded a study to determine the human capital requirements for the new company. As par t of this process, all 2600 employees of the airline and its subsidiaries were approached to ascertain their preferences for a future role in the company.

As required by law, all employees were offered three options: retire, transfer to another government entity or continue to work for the new company. Although it is not clear how many will choose to stay with the airline, this development at least signals that the government has undertaken some cost-cutting efforts, which could make the investment proposition more attractive.

The government will also likely offer financial incentives to heighten the appeal of the deal. According to the August 1 announcement by the privatization committee, “attractive rights and benefits” will be provided by the government. Although these benefits were not specified, the

Financial Times reported that they will include a seven-year, 10% discount on fuel; a five-year concession to provide ground services at KIA; and exclusive rights to government business for seven years.

Meanwhile, there have been recent signs that development of Kuwait’s national railway is moving ahead. On August 10 the Partnerships Technical Bureau (PTB) signed a KD2.49m ($9.13m) contract with a global consortium to provide consulting services in connection with the railway project.

During its 16-month contract, the consortium will carry out a study of using rail to link the country’s harbors with KIA, with a view to boosting regional trade.

Once again, the private sec tor is expected to play a major role in the development of the national rail system, according to statements by Adel Al Roumi, the chairman of the PTB, the government agency that is responsible for issuing and overseeing Kuwait’s public-private partnership projects. Speaking to reporters after the contract signing ceremony, Al Roumi specified that a shareholding company would be established in partnership with a strategic investor, with total cost of the project expected to exceed KD250 million.

The railway is just one of multiple transportation infrastructure projects that have been identified by the National Development Plan (NPD), a four-year economic development program that parliament approved in 2010.

The ultimate aim of the NPD is to transform the country into a regional trade and financial centre while expanding the role of the private sector. With strategic partners now expected in the air and rail segments of the transportation sector, it seems that the government is on its way to achieving its goal. — Oxford Business Group

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Kuwait’s auditor calls for fight against corruption ASOSAI, EUROSAI hold conference in Turkey

KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah met recently with a delegation from Sinopec Corporation of China led by President Wang Tainpu, as well as the CEO of Kuwait Petroleum International Husain Ismail. They discussed the joint $9 billion oil refinery project between the Chinese and Kuwait companies in Jinjiang, China. Sheikh Dr Al-Sabah also announced his plans to visit Jinjiang in order to sign a partnership agreement between the Chinese city and Ahmadi.

KUWAIT: Combating and eradicating diverse forms of corruption is a national duty and all citizens and authorities should play an effective role at this level to boost transparency and accountability, said the Chairman of the Audit Bureau yesterday. “It is high time for supreme auditing authorities to play their roles effectively to fight and eradicate corruption,” said Abdulaziz AlAdsani, in a statement following a joint conference, organized by the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) and the European Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (EUROSAI), recently held in Turkey. “ These authorities should cooperate with other institutions for the sake of protecting nation-

al resources against illegitimate exploitation,” he stressed. He said the conference was held in response to desire of member states to acquire and exchange expertise and skills for performing supervision and auditing effectively.

As to the role of the national auditing apparatus, Al-Adsani affirmed that the staff have been performing their tasks according to Law Number 30 (1964), stating that the auditing ‘diwan’ works independently from the executive and legislative branches (the government and parliament).

“The Audit Bureau observes measures and implements certain rules to ensure legitimacy of tenders regarding imports and public works, projects, commitments or contracts related to

state rights and liabilities,” he said, indicating that deals or projects worth KD100,000 or more are subject to the bureau’s scrutiny.

Elaborating on the issue, AlAdsani said the diwan investigates cases of embezzlement, negligence, financial irregularities, flaws in work regulations, the auditing and administrative rules and systems, adopted by the state authorities and establishments.

He also affirmed keenness on using modern techniques for enriching skills of the personnel and ensuring early pin-pointing of defects, irregular or illegal conducts.

Shedding light on some of the bureau’s current tasks, the country’s top auditor indicated that the personnel were preoccupied

with reviewing and updating the law of public tenders (number 37, 1964).

In his elaborated statement, Al-Adsani affirmed the need for greater cooperation between the regional and international authorities and innovating new techniques and means to wipe off corruption, spread transparency and realize optimum investment of the public funds for service of high national goals. The recently convention grouped delegations from Kuwait, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.

Conferees adopted “the Istanbul Memorandum” stipulating broadlines for boosting cooperation among the member states in this realm. — KUNA

Pedestrian attacked, shot KUWAIT: Police are looking for a group of thugs who brutally attacked a citizen and left him with a gun wound for unknown reason. The victim was rushed to Jahra hospital after he was found lying in pain near the hospital.

After treatment, the victim told the detectives that he was walking near the hospital when the assailants suddenly stopped their car and beat him up, before firing a shot at him. The man couldn’t identify the suspects.

Drunk driver Ahmadi police arrested a male driver who was busted while driving under the influence of alcohol in Haddiya. The Kuwaiti suspect was forced to stop after he initially ignored police’s orders to pull

over for reckless driving. He was arrested as soon as police realized that he was heavily inebriated, and took him into custody to face DUI charges.

police arrived at the scene shortly after the incident was reported.

The 10-year-old suffered several broken bones. In the meantime, charges were pressed against the Asian driver who hit him.

Work mishap A construction worker sustained multiple injuries after falling off a height in Al-Naseem.

Paramedics and police rushed to a construction site where the incident was reported to have taken place. The Asian man was rushed to the Jahra Hospital with broken bones and other injuries.

One dead in fire An Iranian worker died of burn injuries sustained during a fire incident that ravaged an upholstery shop in Al-Nugra. The victim succumbed to his injuries shortly after he was rushed to Babtain Hospital. Investigations revealed that a cigarette sparked the fire.

Road accident An Arab boy was taken to Adan hospital with injuries sustained after he was ran over by a car at a street in Mangaf. Paramedics and

Theft cases A search is currently ongoing for unidentified thieves who stormed an Egyptian engineer’s apartment in Hawally and stole

KD3100 in cash, as well as CDs containing blueprints of construction projects and other data.

In another development, policemen are looking for a gang of thieves who stole 65 sheep from a jakhour (livestock farm) in Kabad.

Black magic An Asian man was arrested in Al-Sulaibikhat for tricking people into believing that he can solve their problems through black magic. The suspect was arrested following a report regarding his suspicious activities near the garden in the area. Several items used for sorcery were confiscated as investigations revealed that many women have fallen victims to his scams. — Al-Watan, Al-Anba

Kuwait gears up for 8th Forum for the Future

Fareed Asad Al-Emadi

Awqaf promotes inter-ministry cooperation KUWAIT: Engineer Fareed Asad Al-Emadi, assistant undersecretary for administrative and financial affairs at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, yesterday stressed the ministry’s interest in enhancing cooperation with governmental supervisory authorities.

Al-Emadi explained that the ministry is focused on improving administrative work and potentially becoming a part of other ministries. He added that this strategy aims to improve human resources management in line with modern administrative techniques and to simplify the organization of training courses for staff.

The statement came in remarks made to the media following a meeting with senior administrative officials at the ministry.

Al-Emadi also spoke on the ministry’s use of the latest technology in documenting data to facilitate administrative and financial transactions. The ministry called on its various departments to cooperate with the supervisory bodies presented by the Audit Bureau, Ministry of Finance, and the Civil Service Bureau to enhance relations. He stressed the importance of effective cooperation with all other sectors in the ministry, calling on ministry employees to exert all possible efforts and to work as a team in light of new ministry plans. — KUNA

MORROCCO: The city of Marrakesh, Morocco hosted a series of workshops ahead of the ‘Eighth Forum for the Future’ to be held in Kuwait in November. The events were held on September 18 and 19, featuring 80 participants from civil society organizations from Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA) as well as France.

The workshops, entitled ‘Building Democracy: Role and Involvement of Youth and Civil Society,’ focused on subjects that include the current situation in the BMENA region and reform requirements that governments should provide.

Kuwait, which headed the workshops alongside France, delivered a speech by Salah AlGhazali Chairman of the Kuwait Transparency Society.

He asserted the necessity for governments in the BMENA region to give attention to messages that civil society

organizations make. It reflects local requirements that are affected by an evidence change in the structure of Arab societies.

Meanwhile, Councilor Nasser Al-Hain spoke on behalf of Kuwait ’s Foreign Ministry, on the importance of dialogue and boosting relations between the three components of society: civil, business and politics.

Discussions took place during six workshops at the two-

day event. It tackled obstacles facing the democratic change process, as well as ways to utilize efforts of youth and civil society organizations to serve that purpose. The workshops produced several recommendations that include meeting demands and ambitions of people of the BMENA region to achieve democracy. They enforce new legislations and boost the social role played by the youth and civil society organizations.

Teachers’ cadre delayed KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Higher Education Ahmed Al-Mulaifi has stressed his interest in giving teachers their due rights and having them adequately rewarded. He also explained that some teachers did not get the recently paid increments due to unspecified technicalities. Speaking on a tour at various Ahmadi schools, the minister assured the teachers, who did not get their increments, that their data was being entered into the system and that

they would get them soon.

Responding to question about class densities at Um Al-Haiman School, the minister said that school backyards would be utilized to build extra classrooms to accommodate more students, thus helping reduce the numbers per classroom.

Al-Mulaifi also noted that he would call for boosting the construction of new schools once the needed land plots were allocated by the municipality. — Al-Jarida

KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Department yesterday rescued a Russian diver near Kubbar Island. A Russian national notified the authorities of his missing friend, who is also a Russian, while diving near Kubbar Island. The Marine Rescue Center in Salmiya and Shuaiba rushed to the scene. After two hours, the rescue mission found the missing person two miles away from the reported scene.

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti and Gambian officials exchange documents after signing the agreement yesterday.

KFAED grants $8m to Gambia, Benin KUWAIT: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) yesterday granted a total sum of $8 million to Gambia and to Benin, through its decent livelihood resources, KFAED announced yesterday.

This funding comes in line with His Highness the Amir’s gesture at the international economic summit hosted in Kuwait in 2009, when launch of the decent livelihood fund was announced to serve Islamic nations realize food security.

Gambia is awarded $3 million to fund small and micro-projects in food production and related activities. The grant

agreement was signed by the Gambian Finance Minister Mambury Njie and KFAED Director General Hisham AlWoqayan. This is the fourth KFAED grant to Gambia, which also received 10 loans of a total $92 million. The second grant awarded Benin $5 million to co-fund small and micro-projects in the agriculture sector. The grant aims to help realize food security and sufficiency and increase food production through loans to small projects.

This is the first grant to Benin, which previously benefited from 11 loans of a total $98.3 million.— KUNA

Gulf Bank ‘Platinum Sponsor’ of Kuwait’s Financial Forum KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced that it will be the Platinum sponsor of Kuwait’s 3rd Financial Forum, which will take place from Oct 31 to Nov 1 in Kuwait, under the patronage of HH the Prime M inister Sheik h Nasser AlMohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The Financial Forum is organized by the Iktissad Wal Amal Group in cooperation with the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Kuwait Banking Association.

This year, the Financial Forum will include topics such as getting ready for the next financial phase from the perspective of Central Banks, identifying issues and main trends in the Arab economies in the period of political

transformation, global economic prospects, the Arab Banking Industry in the face of political upheaval in the region, regaining equilibrium in Arab financial markets and prospects and future trends in world financial markets.

The Forum builds on the success of the first Financial Forum held in 2009, and is expected to attract prominent figures in the finance and bank ing industry, Arab Finance Ministers from across the region, Central Bank Governors, renowned economists, bankers, and executive managers and most banks and financial institutions in the Arab world.

Pakistan envoy expresses gratitude for Kuwaiti aid KUWAIT: Pakistani ambassador to Kuwait Iftikhar Aziz expressed the Pakistani people’s and his government’s gratitude to HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah for the Amir’s humanitarian gestures towards the Pakistani people. In a press statement issued following a meeting with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Honorary Treasurer Saad Al-Nahid, Ambassador Aziz stated that he was impressed with Kuwait’s charitable activities, especially those in service of the victims of the floods that swept Pakistan last year.

He added that Pakistan will neither forget Kuwait’s humanitarian and courageous efforts in battling

last year’s floods nor the efforts of KRCS. Aziz explained he has entered further discussions with Al-Nahid concerning the floods that have plagued northwest Pakistan for the past two weeks. He said the rains have so far killed 1,600 and rendered nearly eight million homeless.

He has appealed to various countries to help with the current crisis.

The current floods are reported to threaten Sindh and further southern provinces of Pakistan.

Speaking on Pakistan-Kuwait relations, Aziz added the strong bilateral ties and cooperation reflect the leaders’ interest in strengthening relations for the benefit of both peoples.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

Typhoon nears Philippines, 100,000 ordered to flee Page 12

‘Diabolical’ Knox suffers from split personality: Lawyer Page 10

Civilians flee Gaddafi hometown Medics warn of crisis

SIRTE: Anti-Gaddafi fighters tightened their siege of the ousted leader’s hometown of Sirte yesterday as civilians poured out of the Mediterranean coastal city where doctors spoke of a growing crisis. Fighters loyal to Libya’s new government also pounded Gaddafi’s forces in the desert city of Bani Walid, southeast of Tripoli, as they sought to take the last two significant remaining bastions of his loyalists.

National Transitional Council (NTC) troops advancing from the east said they had pushed 10 kilometres (six miles) inside Sirte city limits but were still 15 kilometres from the centre of the sprawling city. Hundreds of fearful residents fled the looming offensive to retake Sirte, arriving at NTC checkpoints on the front lines both east and west.

“The situation in the city is very critical,” said Muftah Mohammed, a fish trader who was leaving in a convoy of seven vehicles with around 60 relatives and neighbors.

“There is no food, no water, no petrol and no electricity.

This has been going on for nearly two months now as Gaddafi forces would not allow us to leave. “Children are in a particularly bad condition.” The collapse of the mains supply has left residents without access to clean drinking water, triggering an epidemic of water-borne diseases. An AFP correspondent saw dozens of children receiving treatment at a clinic in the town of Harawa, 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Sirte.

“We have medicines but no nurses to treat the constant flow of patients, mainly children, suffering from vomiting and gastrointestinal diseases,” said Dr Valentina Rybakova, a Ukrainian working in Libya for eight years.

“Since morning I saw nearly 120 patients and 70 percent of them were children. They are coming from some outskirts of Sirte and nearby villages,” she said.

“This is a big humanitarian crisis. We are trying to get help from everybody but the main problem is that these people have no access to clean drinking water.” Another Sirte resident who asked not to be identified was leaving the city with around 20 relatives. “NATO has been bombing continuously. The children are scared. We had to leave. There was no option,” he said. In Geneva, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya Panos Moumtzis said the United Nations is expected to end its emergency humanitarian operations in Libya at the end of November.

NATO said its aircraft had hit a command and control node, three ammunition or vehicle storage facilities, a radar facility, a multiple rocket launcher, a military support vehicle and an artillery piece in Sirte. There have been repeated repor ts that one of Gaddafi’s sonsMutassim-is holed up in Sirte’s southern outskirts.

NTC forces believe that Gaddafi’s most prominent son, Seif al-Islam, is in the other major enclave still in the hands of loyalist forces, the desert city of Bani Walid.

Troops massed at Bani Walid’s northern gates pounded Gaddafi positions with artillery, tanks and anti-aircraft guns yesterday. “We are facing heavy resistance, that’s why we are using the heavy artillery and not sending in any infantry for now,” Commander Mohamed Al-Seddiq told AFP. The NTC is keen to put Gaddafi and top members of his former regime on trial for what they say were widespread human rights abuses committed during his 42year rule. The gruesome find in a mass grave of the remains of prisoners executed at Tripoli’s notorious Abu Salim jail was yet further proof of “criminal acts” by Gaddafi’s regime, said Khalid Sharif, spokesman for the NTC’s military council.

“We found the place where all these martyrs were buried,” Sharif announced in Tripoli on Sunday, adding that the grave was believed to hold the remains of more than 1,700 people. The first demonstrations in Libya which finally ousted Gaddafi last month erupted in Benghazi in February, when families of Abu Salim victims called for protests against the arrest of their lawyer. In the remote oasis town of Ghadames on Libya’s western border with Algeria, funerals were held for eight NTC soldiers killed in a dawn raid by around 100 pro-Gaddafi fighters on Sunday.

An Algerian official said eight wounded NTC men had been evacuated to hospitals across the border. Municipal council number two Sirajeddin Muwaffaq said another 31 wounded soldiers were receiving treatment inside Libya.

“The situation is calm now after we managed to defeat the attackers, but there are unconfirmed reports that they are reorganizing to attack the town again,” Muwaffaq said.

Scottish prosecutors, meanwhile, called on the NTC for help in their continuing investigation into the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over the town of Lockerbie in which 270 people died.

The only person convicted of the bombing, Libyan Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet Al-Megrahi, was released on compassionate grounds in 2009. But the Crown Office, Scotland’s public prosecution service, said: “We have asked the NTC to make available to the Crown any documentary evidence and witnesses, which could assist in the ongoing enquiries.” Italian oil giant ENI, Libya’s top foreign producer before the seven-month uprising brought output to a near standstill, announced that it had resumed production, pumping 31,900 barrels per day from 15 wells in the Abu Attifel field.

Other wells will soon be reactivated with the goal of creating enough volume to allow production to be transported by pipeline to the Zueitina terminal, ENI said. On Friday, French oil giant Total said it had restarted production from an offshore oil platform off Libya, making it the first major to return to work since the fall of Gaddafi.—AFP

Syrian security forces in protest hub: Activist DAMASCUS: Syrian security forces deployed in several villages near the Turkish border and the Qusseir region in central Homs province that has been a hub of anti-regime protests, activists said yesterday. “Tension is high in Homs province. The army has deployed in the villages of the Qusseir region (south of Homs), where two unidentified bodies were found in the Assi river,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

“There are also mutilated bodies at the National Hospital” in Qusseir, where 12 people were killed and 15 were reported missing in military operations on Saturday, the Britain-based Observatory said. North of Homs, “many security checkpoints have been set up on the roads leading to Rastan, where heavy machine-gun fire was heard this morning,” the rights group added. The deputy dean of the faculty of architecture at AlBaath University in Homs, Mohammed Ali Aqil, was killed yesterday by unknown assailants, the Observatory reported.

In Idlib province in the northwest, the military and security forces stormed villages east of the city of Saraqeb, setting up roadblocks and arresting 17 people. The Observatory also said that in the rebel city of Hama, “a civilian died and three others were wounded by gunfire on Sunday night on the MhardehHilfaya road.” The bodies of four civilians who went missing on September 16 at Hilfaya in Hama province were also returned to their families.

In the southern city of Dael in Daraa province, where the first protests ignited in mid-March, intense gunfire was heard throughout the night after the city council building was set on fire, which residents blamed on pro-regime militias. —AFP

BANI WALID: Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters flash the V-for-victory sign as they pose for a picture on the oustkirts of the city of Bani Walid yesterday.—AFP

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Activists on trial in UAE appear in court ABU DHABI: Five pro-democracy activists on trial in the United Arab Emirates returned to court yesterday, two days after the oil-rich Gulf nation held elections for an advisory council that wields little real power. While the United Arab Emirates has not seen street protests like those that have roiled other Arab nations, including nearby Bahrain, authorities have moved aggressively to silence proreform advocates and to keep demands for political change, inspired

by Arab Spring uprisings in the rest of the Middle East, out of the Gulf federation that includes glitzy Dubai.

The activists, including a blogger and a prominent academic, were detained in April after they signed an online petition demanding constitutional changes and free elections. They were charged in July with insulting the country’s rulers and using an online forum to conspire against the state.

Among the five defendants, all of whom have pleaded not guilty, are prominent blogger Ahmed Mansour and economics professor Nasser bin

Ghaith, who frequently lectured at the Abu Dhabi branch of Paris’ Sorbonne university.

The five activists briefly attended yesterday’s closed-door proceedings in Abu Dhabi’s Federal Supreme Court.

Police vehicles surrounded the court building and armed policemen patrolled the hallway of the court, which normally tries terrorism and other anti-state crime suspects. Four of the defendants, including Mansour and bin Ghaith, walked out of the courtroom after the judges refused to consider their demand to open the hearing to the public and release them from custody on bail, a court official told The Associated Press after a fourhour hearing.

He said the prosecution called three witnesses - all of them UAE Interior Ministry officials. One defendant remained in court with defense lawyers who cross-examined the three witnesses, the court official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

A group of government supporters

staged a rally in a park across from the court, denouncing the activists as traitors who were ungrateful for the cradle-to-grave privileges awarded to Emirati citizens by the ruling sheiks.

“We live in the state-of-the-art country that others can only dream of and they spread lies that we don’t get rights,” said Ahmed Jumaa, a 42-yearold businessman from the capital, Abu Dhabi. “We get free education, a house and medicine, we even get money to get married. And they insult our leaders and our society? What more do they want?” Political activity is severely restricted in the UAE, an alliance of seven semiautonomous states, each ruled by a hereditary sheik. There are no official opposition groups in the country and political parties are banned.

In an unprecedented move for the politically quiescent country, 130 people in March signed a petition demanding constitutional and parliamentary changes, free elections and a more equitable distribution of the country’s oil wealth. The five activists in custody were among the signatories of

the petition. Shortly before yesterday’s hearing started, security personnel asked reporters to leave the building, and representatives of international rights groups, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, were not allowed to observe the proceedings.

“People lose faith in justice when trials are conducted in secret,” said Samer Muscati, a Middle East researcher for the New York-based Human Rights Watch. Muscati said rights groups are concerned because the defendants have been held for five months without bail and have no right to appeal the court’s verdict. Muscati urged the UAE to release the activists because the government has presented “no legitimate evidence” to support the charges against them.

It was unclear when the three-judge panel will issue a verdict. The next hearing was set for Oct. 2. On Saturday voters selected by the UAE rulers elected a federal advisory council. The rulers called the balloting - only the second in the country’s 30-year history - a

“proud day” in the efforts to expand the public role in policy making. The council has no direct powers and the voters are hand-picked according to tribal and regional ties by rulers of the seven semiautonomous city-states.

The electoral pool has been significantly expanded since the 2006 elections and now includes more than 129,000 voters. While they are a fraction of the nearly 2 million Emiratis, the decision was seen as a concession by the rulers, under pressure from demands for reforms and change around the region. Only a fraction of hand-picked voters showed up at the polls Saturday. The UAE official news agency said 36,277 of the 129,000 selected voters cast their ballots for the 40-seat council. “ The participation was good, though we hoped for a broader one,” Anwar Gargash, the UAE minister of state and the chairman of the National Election Committee, told the official news agency, WAM. He said “factors behind the low voter turn out” will be analyzed.— AP

UN Security Council starts talks on Palestinian bid US vows to veto resolution in Palestinians’ favor

SANABIS: In this photo taken Saturday a Bahraini man covers his nose against tear gas as he passes through narrow, graffiti-covered streets in the Shiite village of Sanabis, Bahrain. The Arabic at left reads: “Our victory is coming,” and beneath a painted image, center, of the Pearl monument that became iconic for protesters reads: “We are coming” and “Our leaders are steadfast.” The English says, “We deserve a better regime.”—AP

Bahrain’s besieged protesters keep campaign alive MANAMA: Hand signals are passed from the rooftop spotters to the street protesters below: Another group of riot police are moving in their direction. “Wait,” one of the rioters on 443 Lane urges. “Wait. OK, now.”

The gangs send a barrage of stones toward the police squad’s white helmets and then scatter over alleyways and race into homes.

For months, scenes like this have defined Bahrain’s Arab Spring unrest: mobs demanding equal rights for Shiites waging hit-and-run battles against security forces defending the Sunni rulers in the tiny Gulf kingdom. In size and fury, the confrontations might seem like little more than a Middle East sideshow in comparison with the far bloodier upheavals in Syria or Yemen.

But in compact Bahrain - with protest hotbeds and loyalist bastions almost within shouting distance - everything is amplified.

On an island no bigger in area than New York City, majority Shiites and Sunnis backing the ruling dynasty are increasingly unable to find common ground or even agree on a general path toward dialogue.

Protesters are now raising the battle cry of reclaiming Pearl Square, the former hub of the 7-month-old rebellion that’s now guarded as tightly as a military base.

Security forces, meanwhile, are pushing back harder - even arresting at least 45 women and girls last week on suspicion of stirring up anti-government dissident in one of Bahrain’s main shopping malls.

If Bahrain tumbles toward greater confrontation, places such as 443 Lane will be the training grounds for both sides. The short street - jutting off a main road in the mostly Shiite neighborhood of Sanabis has been so often caught up in the street skirmishes that used tear gas canisters are collected and stacked in neat rows inside doorways. By late afternoon, the protesters usually begin to gather. Many are well-prepared for the expected tear gas: Wearing swimming goggles and surgical masks.

Refrigerators in safe houses hold extra cartons of milk to wash away the burning residue on their faces.

Police appear to have orders to move in at the slightest whiff of a challenge. And on this night, protesters were particularly anxious for a fight. Voting had just closed in special parliamentary elections Saturday.

The voting was called to fill 18 seats - nearly half the 40-seat chamber - abandoned by Shiite lawmakers to protest the crackdowns that include deadly clashes and life sentences for some activists.

Shiite groups pressed for a boycott, which they say held turnout to only about 17 percent. Authorities tally it up differently - portraying the new parliament as representing more than half the country’s voters by combining the figures with results from last year’s election. This is part of the separate narratives that make Bahrain volatile and unpredictable. Shiites claim they are stuck in a permanent underclass although they represent about 70 percent of Bahrain’s 525,000 citizens. In their view, all

the routes to power, such as high political or military posts, have been blocked by the Sunni leadership. “ Welcome to Arab apartheid,” read a message spray-painted in red in Sanabis.

Bahrain’s Sunni rulers say their country is being pulled apart by rejectionist groups that have chosen violence over dialogue, including offers to allow parliament to vet government appointments such as the premiership. They also view the main Shiite political blocs as deeply conservative - with ties to Shiite leaders in Iran and Iraq - and a threat to women’s rights and Bahrain’s open economy.

The leadership’s stance is hardened by the belief that Shiite power Iran is plotting ways to gain influence through the discord in Bahrain - which could have ended up part of Iran if a U.N.-backed fact-finding mission in 1970 found majority support for annexation. The fears about Iran also resonate strongly with Bahrain’s allies.

Neighboring Saudi Arabia led a Gulf military force that came to the rescue of Bahrain’s monarchy in March. Washington has stuck by Bahrain’s rulers to preserve crucial partnerships, including the base of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. At some police checkpoints, the green Saudi flag flies alongside the red-and-white colors of Bahrain. On 443 Lane, there are no nuances. The protest gangs see this as their Arab Spring moment that may not come again - with many too young to remember the last serious street clashes in Bahrain in the 1990s.

But what they want is far less clear. They all denounce the stewardship of Bahrain’s king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, yet have no alternative leader or plan to follow. The driving force of the moment appears to be trying to recapture the mass energy of Pearl Square during the first weeks of the revolt in February. Authorities know this well. Checkpoints and pincer-style patrols are used to keep protesters mostly contained to their neighborhoods and unable to join forces. When police moved down 443 Lane, the mobs were ready. First they showered the unit with stones and then took shelter behind metal trash bins overflowing with garbage. Officials have apparently slowed - or halted - trash collection in some areas as punishment for the clashes.

Police answered with tear gas.”Run, run,” the protesters yelled. “To the house. The door is open.”About a dozen protesters tumbled through a metal door into the house of a sympathizer.Moments later, the police patrol swept past.

One demonstrator, Ali, poured milk over his face to neutralize the stinging power of the tear gas. He then joined the others on the roof, where they passed signals to other protest sentries tracking the police movements. On cue, some protesters hiding in a pigeon coop rained stones down on the police - whose ranks include officers from other Arab states and south Asia who are given citizenship under programs to boost Sunni Muslim numbers.—AP

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council yesterday embarked on tortuous negotiations on the Palestinian bid for UN membership as major powers stepped up pressure for new Palestinian-Israeli talks. There is little sign, however, that the two foes are ready to resume negotiations frozen for the past year, despite their proclamations since Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas made his historic application to the United Nations on Friday.

The UN Security Council held its first formal talk on the Palestinian bid for state recognition at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT). The United States has vowed to veto any resolution in favor of the Palestinians, but no vote is expected for several weeks.

Ahead of the meeting, experts from the 15 council nations started contacts on how the bid will be dealt with, diplomats said. The council must refer the application to a special committee which will make a recommendation. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held talks with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nijab Mikati at the Security Council chamber before the meeting. Lebanon holds the council presidency in September and has backed the Palestinian bid. US President Barack Obama told Abbas publicly and privately last week that there could be no Palestinian state without an accord with the Israelis reached through direct talks. The diplomatic Quar tet on the Middle East-the United States, Russia, European Union and United Nations-has launched a new bid to resume talks with a set timetable for an accord.

But Abbas, riding a wave of popular support in the occupied

territories, says he is ready for talks but first there must be a “complete halt” to Israeli settlement building in the occupied territories. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he wants talks without conditions and is refusing to halt the new settlements. A senior UN official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on the sidelines of the Clinton-Mikati talks that he saw “little hope” for new direct talks. The Quartet has called for talks to start within a month, proposals from both sides in three months, major progress in six months and a final deal by the end of 2012.

The Quartet’s special envoy, former British prime minister Tony Blair, has said his campaign to get the two sides back together will be a test of their “sincerity”.

To pass, the Palestinians need the support of nine out of the 15 members of the Security Council.

The United States is hoping that at least six members will oppose the bid or abstain so that it is not forced into a veto that could harm its image in the Middle East. The mathematics is not yet clear, but diplomats say the Palestinians will struggle to get nine votes.

On Sunday, Abbas was hailed as a conquering hero when he returned to his West Bank headquar ters in Ramallah. The Palestinians, who pulled out of the last direct talks one year ago after a settlement moratorium was lifted, argue that Israel has already annexed Jerusalem and has been stealing land for the past 20 years. “We’ve been negotiating ad nauseum with a process that had no relationship to reality. That’s the problem,” senior Palestinian negotiator

NEW YORK: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with Sheikh Abudllah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates the 66th General Assembly yesterday at the United Nations in New York. —AFP Hanan Ashrawi told US broadcaster ABC on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his advice for Abbas was: “If you want to get to peace, put all your preconditions to the side.” Since it occupied the West Bank in 1967, Israel has built more than 130 settlements across the territory which are home to more than 300,000 people. Another

Iran, Sudan united against ‘pressures’: Ahmadinejad KHARTOUM: I ranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday that Iran and Sudan stand together as “defenders of Islam” in the face of pressure from Western governments. “Iran and Sudan will stand together as defenders of the Islamic world and the independence of the region,” he said after meeting Sudan’s Omar Al-Bashir during a brief visit to Khartoum.

“Both countries are facing pressure from the colonialists, who want to impose things that affect our people negatively. They are trying to apply pressure on independent states, because they don’t want them to be strong,” he added. Ahmadinejad headed a delegation of government officials, including the ministers of energy and higher education, and a number of economic advisers, who held talks with senior Sudanese officials.

Sudan’s delegation included the deputy foreign minister, and the ministers of oil, labor, information and presidential affairs. Speak ing alongside Ahmadinejad after the meeting, Bashir underlined Sudan’s suppor t for Iran’s nuclear program. “We will work together to build a relationship based on cooperation and respect and mutual benefits, and we are looking for ward to closer cooperation with Iran,” he said.

“We confirm that we support the right

of Iran to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.” Iran is under mounting international pressure over its controversial nuclear program, which the West fears masks a drive to acquire atomic weapons capability-a charge Tehran persistently denies. Although there was no indication that any agreements were signed on Monday, the visit does appear to have strengthened economic and political ties between the two Islamic governments.

In a joint statement released shortly before Ahmadinejad’s departure, Iran said it was “ready to transfer its experience in the science and manufacturing sectors, especially technical and engineering ser vices, to improve Sudan’s infrastructure.” Khar toum is urgently seeking foreign support in the face of mounting economic woes, which include soaring inflation, crippling foreign debts and the loss of much of its oil revenues, after South Sudan’s formal secession in July.

Iran is a key ally, pledging $200 million to fund various projec ts in Sudan’s impoverished eastern region at a donor conference late last year. The two countries are heavily sanctioned by the United States, which kept them both on its list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism, in an annual report published by the State Department last month.—AFP

200,000 Israelis live in settlement neighborhoods in east Jerusalem. Israel considers both sectors of Jerusalem to be its “eternal, indivisible” capital and does not view construction in the east to be settlement activity.

The Palestinians, however, believe east Jerusalem should be the capital of their future state and are fiercely opposed to the extension of Israeli control.—AFP

Roadside bomb kills 3 in Iraq BAGHDAD: A roadside bomb in northern Iraq killed three people yesterday, while in Baghdad gunmen wounded two government officials in failed assassination attempts, officials said. Police Brig Gen Sarhat Qadir said the blast struck a car carrying four people near the city of Kirkuk, some 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of Baghdad. One person was wounded in the explosion.

Kirkuk sits on top of one of Iraq’s largest oil reserves and has long been a point of friction among Arabs, Kurds and Turkomen who are vying for control of the city and the land surrounding it. In Baghdad, two government officials were wounded in separate assassination attempts, police and hospital officials said. Gunmen shot judge Munir Hadad in his hand during a drive-by shooting on a highway in central Baghdad. Hadad served as the spokesman for the Iraqi High Tribunal formed to prosecute Saddam and his aides.

Also, senior Finance Ministry official Mohammed Ali al-Safi was wounded in western Baghdad after assailants opened fire on his car. Both police and medical officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. Attacks on Iraqi forces and officials have stepped up in recent months as the US military prepares to withdraw from the country.—AP

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On spending, Congress can’t agree on easy stuff WASHINGTON: Congress is once again allowing shutdown politics to bring the federal government to the brink of closing. For the second time in nine months, lawmakers are bickering and posturing over spending plans. The difference this time is that everyone agrees on the massive barrel of money to keep the government running for another seven weeks.

“It is embarrassing,” Sen Mark Warner, D-Va., admitted Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Warner asked: “Can we, once again, inflict on the country and the American people the spectacle of a near government shutdown?” At issue is a small part of the almost $4 trillion budget intended for an infrequent purpose: federal dollars to help victims of floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters and whether some of the expense should be offset by cuts in other government spending.

This sort of crisis management has cost Congress credibility in the eyes of the electorate, with about eight in 10 Americans disapproving of the institution’s performance after this summer’s debt crisis. A major credit agency downgraded the nation’s ratings as a result, unnerving the world’s financial markets. The current standoff raises a question: If lawmakers can’t even agree to help victims of natural disasters, how are they going to strike a deal to cut $1.5 trillion in spending this fall

in the white-hot climate of presidential and congressional politics?

The uncertainty isn’t helping officials in Joplin, Mo., desperate to rebuild homes and put people back to work after a devastating tornado in May. “We can appreciate the efforts to get our national economy in better order, but we’re concerned about how that’s going to affect us,” Joplin Mayor Mike Woolston said Friday, as Congress headed home for the weekend, the standoff unresolved.

Woolston said he thinks lawmakers will come to an agreement before the Federal Emergency Management Agency runs out of money this week; FEMA officials said it had just $175 million in its coffers.

“But the devil’s in the details,” he said. “How long will it take, how much disaster funding will there be?” That depends on whether the closely divided Senate and Republican-controlled House can find reason to agree, and then do it - a tall order against a history of nick-of-time accords over the budget in April and raising the debt limit in late July. This time, even the promise of a scheduled vacation this week couldn’t break the impasse. Lawmakers instead backed themselves into a new standoff Friday, requiring at least the Senate to come back in session part of this week.

On Friday, the Democratic-controlled Senate blocked the House bill that would provide stop gap

federal spending, plus aid for people battered by a spate of natural disasters. The legislation also calls for $1.6 billion in spending cuts to help defray the disaster costs. The House, meanwhile, left town for a weeklong recess and the Jewish holidays. What remained was a familiar so’s-your-mother partisan spat, with trillions of federal dollars - more than $3 billion for disaster victims - at stake.

Democrats complained that it’s unprecedented and unfair to insist that spending cuts accompany badly needed emergency aid. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev, who earlier in the week had said passage of the bill was urgent, on Friday put off a vote until yesterday. The only option, he said, was to “capitulate to the job-destroying bill” from the House. While Warner joined those blaming tea party-driven House Republicans, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn, pointed to Reid. “He manufactured a crisis all week about disaster when there’s no crisis,” Alexander told CNN. He accused Democrats of “chest-pounding and game-playing.”

Republicans say that with a $14 trillion-plus national debt, voters will find it outrageous that Democrats wouldn’t accept $1.6 billion in spending cuts. Democrats, they said, had not learned the lesson of the 2010 elections, when tea party-backed conser vatives won enough seats to give Republicans control of the House. “We are sending a message to people that freezing spending is

paramount,” said one of those GOP freshmen, Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga.

Democrats, meanwhile, are betting voters will find it petty and manipulative to let tornado and hurricane victims wonder if federal aid will be denied because lawmakers want to cut aid to automakers. It’s possible that Congress will find a last-minute way to avoid a shutdown of many federal agencies when the fiscal year ends on Friday.

The Senate plans to vote on a Democratic bill that would not require spending offsets to release new money for FEMA. But GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is confident Republicans will block the Democrats’ move. It takes 41 votes to sustain a filibuster in the 100-member Senate, and the Republicans hold 47 seats. If the GOP succeeds, the Senate could accept the House Republican bill it rejected on Friday. Or legislative leaders could try to negotiate their way past the logjam. House leaders said they don’t plan to call their members back to Washington. Still looming is the rest of the debt-limit deal. By Thanksgiving, a supercommittee of 12 House and Senate Democrats and Republicans must produce $1.5 trillion in cuts over the next decade. If they stumble, or Congress rejects their proposal, automatic cuts of $1.2 trillion would kick in, slashing domestic and defense programs. Congress is slated to vote on that package by the end of the year.— AP

Bolivian police break up anti-highway march tear gas, truncheons used on protesters

CALIFORNIA: US President Barack Obama greets a young girl on Sunday upon arrival at Moffett Federal Airfield in Mountain View, California. Obama is scheduled to visit San Jose to attend two campaign fundraisers. —AFP

Obama sells jobs plan in Silicon Valley SAN JOSE: President Barack Obama is on the road selling his jobs plan - and his re-election hopes - to plugged-in networkers in Silicon Valley and around the country. He was to appear yesterday at a town hall-style event hosted by the career-focused social networking site LinkedIn to pitch his nearly $450 billion jobs proposal as he travels through California scooping up campaign cash.

The town hall, the White House’s latest attempt to meld old-school campaigning with new media capabilities, will allow Obama to take questions from LinkedIn users online as well as a live audience at the Computer History Museum near the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, California. It comes midway through a three-day West Coast swing that includes seven fundraisers. Obama is racing to collect cash ahead of an important Friday

quarterly fundraising deadline that will provide a snapshot of the president’s strength against the gelling Republican field.

Obama has been using the events to try out his newly aggressive tone with supporters who have been disappointed with the president’s compromises with the Republican. The president is mixing frontal attacks on Republicans with words of encouragement intended to buck up the faithful as the 2012 campaign revs up.

Obama said 2012 would be an especially tough election because people are discouraged and disillusioned with government, but he also said he was determined because so much is at stake. The Republican alternative, Obama said Sunday, is “an approach to government that will fundamentally cripple America in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.” — AP

Quitting Cuba-Florida swim was a ‘bitter pill’, says Nyad FLORIDA: Her face and lips swollen from Portuguese man o’war stings, marathon swimmer Diana Nyad tried to remain positive about all she had accomplished in two years of training for record-setting attempts at a Cuba-Florida swim. The disappointment at giving up on her dream, though, was as raw as the welts left by the jellyfishlike creatures’ long, stinging tentacles “It’s going to hurt my pride so bad when someone swims across that thing, and it wasn’t me,” the 62-year-old told friends who greeted her boat, Sunluver, at a Key West marina Sunday night.

Nyad quit Sunday morning after 40 hours swimming past sharks, barracudas and men o’war in the waters between Cuba and the Florida Keys. She could have fought through bad weather or medical problems, she said, but her medics said more man o’war stings might have killed her. “It’s such a bitter pill. I am so capable of that swim. That’s the end, though” Nyad said. Wearing a white bathrobe, the 62-year-old pushed up the

FLORIDA: In this image released by the Florida Keys News Bureau Sunday shows endurance swimmer Diana Nyad shows jellyfish stings after she arrived in Key West, Florida, following a third unsuccessful attempt to swim from Havana to the Florida Keys. —AFP

sleeves to show a long, red, cross shaped welt on her right forearm. “Those damned jellyfish,” she said.

Nyad said she had been in even better shape than when she attempted the same swim last month. She received oxygen and a steroid shot from her doctors while treading water as she recovered from the stings. She tried to fend off more stings by wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a full facial mask, with just her hands, feet and lips exposed. Her lips were stung, and Nyad joked that her swollen mouth rivaled actress Angelina Jolie’s famous pout.

The man o’war tentacles swept across her “like something out of a sci-fi movie,” she said. She kept swimming even as she felt paralysis stiffening her back, she said, because visions of Florida kept her going.

“I’m only human and I’m allowed to say I’m mad that it turned out this way, I’m very disappointed,” she said.

“When you want something, you picture it, and I pictured seeing that Florida coast.

The lights, the palm trees, I pictured it for so long. Go back to 1978, I pictured it a long time,” Nyad continued. “It’s hard to let go of, but I can, and I will. I’m not going to call you guys and say I’m doing it again. Mainly because of the way it ended.” Nyad ended her swim after swimming 130,098 strokes over 40 hours and 67 miles, according to her website.

Throughout the swim, her team posted her progress on her blog, Facebook and Twitter. Dozens of well-wishers posted responses, calling Nyad an inspiration even after she quit swimming. Her team tentatively scheduled a press conference in Key West for yesterday morning. Nyad was making her second attempt in as many months at the Cuba-Florida crossing, a lifelong dream that she first tried as a 28-year-old back in 1978, when she swam inside a steel shark cage for about 42 hours before ending the attempt. A cage-less attempt this past August fell short when, gasping for breath, Nyad threw in the towel after an 11-hour asthma attack she blamed on a bad reaction to a new medicine. Australian swimmer Susie Maroney successfully swam the shark-filled waters from Cuba through the Straits and to the Keys in 1997, though she used a cage. —AP

YUCUMO: Bolivian police used tear gas and truncheons to break up a march Sunday by hundreds of indigenous activists protesting plans to build a highway they say will despoil a vast Amazon nature preserve. Police arrested the march’s leaders, hauling them away in buses. Bolivia’s national ombudsman, Rolando Villena told Erbol radio “there was excess use of force” by police in “violating the rights of the Indians in the protest.”

The UN’s representative in Bolivia, Yoriko Yasukawa, called on the government to rely on dialogue. Witnesses including an Associated Press photographer saw about 500 police surround protesters, including women and children, just before dusk Sunday and set upon them with gas and clubs. The government had no immediate statement on the crackdown but police officers on the scene told the AP that there were injuries on both sides, including police struck by rocks.

About 1,000 marchers opposed to the highway had departed the eastern lowlands provincial capital of Trinidad in mid-August and were nearing La Paz, the capital. The police action came a day after protesters armed with bows and arrows briefly detained Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca, forcing him to march with them to protect them from police and from progovernment demonstrators.

Interior Minister Sacha Llorenti accused the protesters of “kidnapping” Choquehuanca.

President Evo Morales, this poor landlocked nation’s first indigenous president, has insisted the highway is necessary for development but on Sunday said he would submit the highway’s fate to a regional referendum. Morales’ stubborn backing of the highway has alienated many of the core supporters who ensured his December 2009 landslide re-election by insisting on the 190-mile

RURRENABAQUE: A demonstrator confronts riot police in Rurrenabaque, Bolivia yesterday.

Bolivia’s Defense Minister Cecilia Chacon resigned yesterday after police violently broke up Sunday a protest by indigenous and environmentalists groups who were marching towards La Paz, against the construction of a government planned highway.—AP (300-kilometer) Brazil-financed highway.

Environmentalists say the highway, which will connect Brazil with Pacific ports in Chile and Peru, will mostly benefit Brazilian commercial interests such as logging exporters while endangering a pristine, 600-square-mile (12,000square-kilometer) nature preserve. The IsiboroSecure Indigenous Territory National Park is home to 15,000 natives, who live off hunting, fishing, gathering native fruits, and subsistence farming. The natives fear an influx of settlers will destroy rich natural habitats, felling trees and polluting rivers.

Republican candidates seek Trump stamp of approval NEW YORK: Donald Trump has become a must-stop for Republican presidential candidates looking for advice or hoping to bask in the celebrity real estate mogul’s star power. All the major Republican presidential hopefuls have sought an audience with Trump, just months after President Barack Obama dismissed the TV reality show personality as a “carnival barker” for raising debunked questions about Obama’s citizenship.

Trump’s money and fame as host of “Celebrity Apprentice” are part of the draw for the Republican candidates. But Republican strategists say candidates could also learn a lot politically from Trump, whose aggressive criticism of Obama and blunt portrait of the US as a nation in decline have resonated with conservative voters looking for an in-your-face challenge to the president. “Trump created a position of playing offense and took it right to President Obama and his policies,” said John McLaughlin, a Republican pollster who has worked with Trump, who flirted briefly with a presidential bid. “He speaks in plain language about jobs lost at home, and our loss of prestige overseas.

He’s been forthright and willing to put in a sentence what the average person feels.”

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is the next presidential hopeful scheduled to meet with Trump, yesterday in New York. Texas Gov. Rick Perry dined with Trump earlier this month at a fancy Manhattan restaurant. Sarah Palin, still toying with a potential presidential bid, shared pizza with Trump and his wife, Melania, in Times Square last spring.

Trump even sent a videotaped message to the Faith and Freedom Coalition forum in Florida where all the major contenders spoke Thursday. “It’s very important that we pick the right person. If we pick the wrong person we’re going to have four more years of this nonsense in Washington. Obama must be defeated,” Trump told the gathering.

Aligning themselves with Trump could help the candidates during the Republican primaries because conservatives who make up the base of the party generally cheer him. But they risk losing moderates, independents and other general election voters turned off by Trump’s crusade against Obama’s birth certificate.

The candidates haven’t fully embraced the issues Trump champions, like bashing the OPEC oil cartel and demanding that countries like Libya and Iraq repay the US for military assistance.

But they’ve also adopted some of Trump’s other themes as well as his blunt tone. Releasing his 59-point jobs plan earlier this month, Romney echoed Trump’s tough talk against China, which Trump has accused of “stealing” US manufacturing jobs through currency manipulation. “I’ll clamp down on the cheaters, and China is the worst example of that,” Romney said, vowing as president to order the Treasury Department to designate China a “currency manipulator.” Such a designation could trigger trade sanctions against China, a major US trading partner and its biggest foreign lender.—AP

The road is to be built with a $415 million loan from Brazil’s national development bank, and a Brazilian company, OAS, has the green light to begin toppling trees. Edwin Alvarado, spokesman for Bolivia’s Environmental Defense League, or LIDEMA, has called the highway a pretext for eventual oil exploration in the rain forest.

Under a 2009 constitution championed by Morales, the country’s indigenous groups must be consulted in advance about any projects that might affect their traditional lands. The law does not give them veto power, however. — AP

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Amnesty says Irish child abuse amounted to torture DUBLIN: The abuse of children by Catholic clerics revealed in a series of judicial reports included acts that amounted to torture and inhuman and degrading treatment, Amnesty International Ireland said yesterday.

“The abuse of tens of thousands of Irish children is perhaps the greatest human rights failure in the history of the state,” Amnesty executive director Colm O’Gorman said at the launch of new research by the human rights watchdog.

“Children were tortured. They were brutalized; beaten, starved and abused.

There has been little justice for these victims. “Those who failed as guardians, civil servants, clergy, gardai (Irish police) and members of religious orders have avoided accountability,” O’Gorman said. Mainly Catholic Ireland has been rocked by a series of clerical child abuse scandals revealed by landmark judicial investigations that found horrific abuse had been covered up for decades.

O’Gorman, who was himself a clerical abuse victim, said the abuse described in a judicial report into childcare institutions from 1936 onwards

meets “the legal definition of torture under international human rights law”.

The Amnesty research document “In Plain Sight”, which was launched by Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald, was accompanied by a poll which showed the overwhelming majority of Irish people believe that wider society has a responsibility for what happened.

The watchdog’s poll found that 85 percent of people believe “individual members of society should have done more to protect these children”.

O’Gorman said the abuse investigations revealed what happened to chil-

dren but not why. “This abuse happened, not because we didn’t know about it, but because many people across society turned a blind eye to it.

“The research reveals that the true scandal is not that the system failed these children; but that there was no functioning system. “Instead children were abandoned to a chaotic, unregulated arrangement where no one was accountable for failures to protect and care for them,” O’Gorman said. The most recent judicial report in July sparked outrage in the Irish government and led to a clash with the

Vatican. The report into more than a decade of abuse by priests in the southern Cloyne diocese triggered an unprecedented attack by Prime Minister Enda Kenny who called the church’s behaviour “absolutely disgraceful” in a parliamentary speech. He said the church’s inability to deal with the affair properly showed a culture of “dysfunction, disconnection, elitism and narcissism” at the Vatican.

Earlier this month the Vatican denied it had tried to block inquiries into alleged abuses by clerics in Cloyne. —AFP

Spain’s PM dissolves parliament before elections Conservative PP on track for absolute majority

PERUGIA: Amanda Knox, center, is escorted to the Perugia court, Italy yesterday.

Amanda Knox can’t sleep or eat properly as she waits to know if an appeals court in Italy will uphold or overturn her murder conviction, a friend of the jailed American student said. —AP

‘Diabolical’ Knox suffers from split personality, lawyer says PERUGIA : A lawyer in the appeal trial of US student Amanda Knox for the murder of her British housemate launched a heated attack yesterday, saying she was “diabolical” and suffered from a split personality. Carlo Pacelli, the lawyer for Patrick Lumumba-a barman who is seeking damages from Knox as part of a civil case running alongside the murder appeal said the 24-year old blonde “has a double-faced soul.”

One side is “angelic, good, compassionate, and in some ways even saintly,” but the other side of Knox is “Lucifer-like, demonic, satanic, diabolic” and “longs to live out borderline extreme behaviour,” he said. “She is both one and the other.

This is the Amanda of November 1, 2007”, he said, referring to the night that Meredith Kercher, 21, was found lying half-naked in a pool of blood in her bedroom in the house she shared with Knox.

Lumumba was held by police for a short time after he was wrongly implicated by Knox for murdering Kercher. He was subsequently found to have a rocksolid alibi. Knox has said she had made the statement incriminating Lumumba under pressure after being struck by a police officer and forced to speak without a lawyer or translator present. She walked shakily into court yesterday wearing a black coat and no make-up and supported on either side by her prison guards. She looked pale and very

strained and turned her face away as the barrage of insults continued.

In his dramatic speech to the court, Pacelli said Knox’s tears as she fingered Lumumba “had fooled everyone, myself included,” but that it was soon clear that she had been telling “monstrous lies.” He told the jury that Lumumba was the second victim in the case after Kercher, and poured blame on the “histrionic and phoney” Knox. “Who is Amanda Knox?” he asked. “She is charming, intelligent, cunning and astute. She seems simple, sweet, with the face of a naive doll... but it is the mask of a phoney,” the fiery lawyer said.

Prosecutors maintain that Kercher was killed in a drug-fuelled sex game. Knox and her then boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 27, were sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison respectively in their original trial, but have always protested their innocence. A third person, Rudy Guede, has been convicted separately and is serving a 16-year sentence. Guede also says he is innocent of the murder, although he admits to having been in the house at the time of the killing, as shown by DNA evidence. Pacelli was speaking as the appeal trial winds up. A verdict is expected early next month after prosecutors on Saturday demanded that both Knox and Sollecito be given life terms, citing aggravating circumstances such as the lack of a motive for the murder. —AP

Russia risks ‘lost years’ under Putin: Gorbachev MOSCOW: The USSR’s last leader Mikhail Gorbachev warned yesterday that Russia risks six lost years if Vladimir Putin returns to the presidency, echoing rumblings of dissent over his Kremlin comeback. The announcement at the weekend that Putin, currently prime minister, will stand for president in 2012 and swap posts with Kremlin incumbent Dmitry Medvedev, sparked no mass protest actions in Russia.

However, long-serving Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin appeared to take the authorities by surprise and spoiled their party by announcing he had no intention of serving in a post-election government. Gorbachev echoed concerns of liberals that Russia was at an “impasse” and doubted whether Putinwho served two terms as president to 2008 and has dominated Russia for a decade -was the man to implement change.

“It will be his mistake if the future president leaves everything without changes, thinks only about how to stay in power and tries to keep the old team who are the ones to blame for how things are,” Gorbachev said. “We can assume that there will be no movement forward if there are not serious changes along the lines of a replacement of the entire system,” he wrote in the opposition Novaya Gazeta newspaper which he part owns.

“Without this we could lose six years. I think that the future president needs to think about this very seriously.” With the

presidential mandate now expanded to six years from four, Putin could in theory serve two more terms to 2024, by which time he would be 72 and the longest serving Moscow leader since Joseph Stalin. Boldly, the Novaya Gazeta printed on its front page caricature sketches of Putin, Medvedev and other members of the elite as they would look as old men in 2024, in the medal-festooned uniform of Soviet nomenklatura officials.

Kudrin has so far proved the main dissenter from Russia’s new power scheme, dubbed a “castling” by official media after the move in chess when the king changes places with the rook. He said he had major differences with Medvedev whom he accused of seeking to ramp up spending-in particular on the military-to the detriment of Russia’s budgetary position. But the Kommersant daily suggested that other issues may have also prompted the surprise announcement

by Kudrin, who has been in his post since 2000 and is the longest serving finance minister among world powers. “They (the ruling elite)... promised that he would become prime minister in 2012. But now we know who that will be,” it quoted a source as saying. Russia’s liberal press reacted cynically to the news, with the respected daily Vedomosti writing that the only way for a change of leadership in Russia would be street protests like in the Arab Spring. “The swap by Putin and Medvedev does not provide the slightest hint of a readiness to solve long term problems,” it wrote. — AFP

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero dissolved parliament yesterday, but pledged more measures to tackle Spain’s economic crisis before a November election that is expected to hand power to the conservative opposition. Zapatero has called elections for Nov 20, four months earlier than originally planned, in the hope that faint signs of an economic recovery could offset unpopularity after years of deep austerity measures in a country where one in five is unemployed.

However, since last month, the worsening euro zone crisis has forced the government to push through even more reforms as it tries to avoid a bailout like in Greece, Portugal and Ireland. “We’ll continue to adopt measures if necessary,” Zapatero told reporters after a cabinet meeting, given continued uncertainty in Greece, which remains in talks to avoid default. Even though the Spanish parliament is officially dissolved, a permanent legislative committee can approve emergency measures in the event the euro zone crisis takes a turn for the worse.

Before local elections in May, tens of thousands of demonstrators, known as “los indignados” (the indignant), took to streets across Spain in peaceful protests against the mainstream politicians they blame for the country’s prolonged economic woes. Zapatero has been criticized for reacting too late to Spain’s economic turmoil after a burst property bubble, and polls show the conservative People’s Party (PP), led by Mariano Rajoy, likely to

defeat the Socialists with an absolute majority in November.

The Gesop opinion poll for Catalonian daily El Periodico showed yesterday a total of 46 percent of voters intend to choose the PP. It also showed the Socialists, led into the elections by former Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, obtaining 31.4 percent of votes.

The election campaign will officially start on

MADRID: Spain’s Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, center, leaves after a press conference at the Moncloa Palace, in Madrid yesterday. —AP

Scandal, Senate vote hurt Sarkozy re-election hopes PARIS: Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency was in crisis yesterday as a graft scandal and a historic defeat for the French right in senatorial elections threatened to torpedo his hopes for re-election.

Sarkozy ’s supporters were shellshocked by Sunday’s vote which gave the left a majority the upper house for the first time in French history, and the week promised more revelations in the ongoing party-funding scandal.

The president summoned key lieutenants Prime Minister Francois Fillon and UMP party leader Jean-Francois Cope to the Elysee Palce early yesterday for crisis talks, seeking a way to reconnect with voters in the seven months before the election. “ The moment of truth will come next spring.

The battle begins tonight,” Fillon said in a statement late Sunday after the results became known.

The opposition Socialists were delighted by the result, and their likely champion in next year ’s battle to unseat Sarkozy, Francois Hollande, said: “In a way it’s like a premonition of what will happen in 2012.” The Senate vote is conducted among a college of elected officials and not the electorate as a whole, and for such a conservative-leaning body to switch to the left was widely described as a political “earthquake”.

And even if the vote does not directly reflect the views of the electorate, Sarkozy will find it hard to pass any major reforms in his final months.

Meanwhile he can expect more of his closest allies to face police questioning this week. Last week, two of Sarkozy’s

Nov 4.”Zapatero is likely to try to maintain the low profile he’s adopted from here on out,” said Carlos Barrera, who teaches politics at Navarre University.

Spanish bond yields are still near their own euro-era highs with investors unconvinced the euro zone’s fourth largest economy will avoid a Greek-style bailout at some point.— Reuters

former aides, including a close friend who was best man at his 2008 wedding, were arrested and charged with taking kickbacks on a Pakistani arms deal to fund a previous election campaign.

Now, all eyes are on Sarkozy’s political mentor, former prime minister Edouard Balladur, who is also expected to face questioning in the same case, according to some reports as early as yesterday. Sarkozy was spokesman for Balladur’s failed 1995 presidential bid, which prosecutors now allege was partly funded by the kickbacks on a deal to sell Pakistan submarines. The president denies any role in campaign funding. Funding scandals are common in France, but the submarine deal became toxic after claims that a 2003 bombing in Karachi that killed 11 French engineers was ordered by vengeful Pakistani agents after they missed out on bribes.

Meanwhile, Sarkozy’s former interior minister and the likely head of his election campaign, Elysee aide Brice Hortefeux, may face police questioning over a telephone call he made to one of the arrested officials last week.

Hortefeux called former Sarkozy adviser Thierry Gaudet to warn him that his estranged wife, Princess Helene of Yugoslavia, was spilling secrets to investigators. The call was taped by police and leaked to the press.

Sarkozy ’s opponents are now demanding that Hortefeux be investigated for interfering with a supposedly confidential independent judicial probe. — AFP

PARIS: France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy delivers a speech at the University Pantheon-Assas Paris II about French higher education reforms yesterday in Paris. —AFP

Authorities recapture 90 escaped convicts in Congo KINSHASA: Authorities said yesterday that most of the convicts who escaped a Congolese prison over the weekend were recaptured, as a human rights group condemned prison conditions and called for improvements. Kasai Occidental governor Hubert Kabasubabu Katulondji said yesterday that 114 prisoners fled the prison in Tshikapa Sunday as an ill prisoner was being taken to the hospital. He said police have captured 90 escaped convicts and that one inmate died.

However, Tshikapa resident Henri Tshibuyi said two people died. He said one prisoner was shot dead and another died after being wounded. Tshibuyi said prisoners had complained previously over a lack of food and water at the prison and over the death of two prisoners amid those conditions. “The prisoners were upset after the death of two of their own for lack of food,” he said.

A Congolese rights group, the African Association of Defense of Human Rights, said prison conditions must be improved and that prisons need to be made safer to guard against escapes. Despite its mineral wealth, the Central African nation suffers from decaying infrastructure and is still recovering from back-to-back civil wars that ended in 2003. “Instead of prison being a place to re-educate prisoners, in Congo prison is a place where one can easily die,” said the head of the group, JeanClaude Baka.

He said prisoners often enter in good health but get sick or die because of poor nutrition and medical care.

He also said that many prisons are filled to three or four times their capacity. Nearly 970 prisoners escaped from a prison in the city of Lubumbashi earlier this month.

Two people were killed. Hundreds of those convicts remain at large. —AP

Obey the rules, new Zambia leader tells China LUSAKA: New Zambian President Michael Sata told Beijing yesterday he welcomed Chinese companies investing in Africa’s biggest copper producer but only if they obeyed the law, especially by employing more Zambian workers. In his first official appointment since being elected president on Friday , Sata met Chinese ambassador Zhou Yuxiao to dispel fears his sometimes fierce anti-Chinese rhetoric while in opposition would translate into a shift in investment policy.

However, he also made clear that Chinese companies that have so far ploughed more than $2 billion into developing the mining sector in the southern African country would not be getting preferential treatment.

“We welcome your investment but as we welcome your investment, your investment should benefit Zambians and not the Chinese,” Sata said. “It is in law that all investors who are coming to Zambia should bring a limited number of expatriates whom they cannot find in Zambia. My party has taken concern at the unlimited number of people your investors are bringing to Zambia.”

Zhou did not specifically address the foreign workers issue, telling a news conference Chinese investment was predicated on “win-win cooperation”. Even though China is a major player in the former British colony, its presence is not universally appreciated. — Reuters

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School expels girl for blasphemy in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani school expelled a 13-year-old Christian girl for alleged blasphemy and her mother was transferred from her job as a nurse near the town where Osama bin Laden was killed, officials said yesterday. The conservative Muslim country has been increasingly criticised in the West for tough anti-blasphemy laws that make defaming Islam punishable by death and over the persecution of

the tiny non-Muslim minority.

Faryal Tauseef, an eighth grade student at Sir Syed High School in the northwest garrison town of Havelian, was asked with her class to define “naat”, a style of poem written in praise of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The town is just south of Abbottabad, the garrison city where US special forces killed the Al-Qaeda leader in a covert raid on May 2, which exposed the Pakistan military

to accusations of incompetence or complicity.

“In her explanation Faryal wrote a word which was blasphemous,” school administrator Junaid Sarfraz told AFP. “The girl confessed, saying that she did it by mistake and the school administration, after consulting local clerics, decided to rusticate (expel) her.” According to her teacher, the girl made the mistake “intentionally” and the matter was

referred to clerics because she had aroused similar suspicions of blasphemy in the past, Sarfraz added.

Faryal’s mother, a staff nurse, had also been transferred out of town, he said. “The girl has been expelled for using derogatory words and her mother has been moved to another place,” district commissioner Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah told AFP. Police said no case had been registered and that the matter was considered

over following a pardon from Muslim clerics. The government says it has no intention of reforming Pakistan’s tough anti-blasphemy law, introduced in 1986, despite the assassinations of a leading politician in January and a Christian cabinet minister in March.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) member Salman Taseer was killed by his bodyguard and and minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti assassinated

en route to a cabinet meeting for their opposition to the law. Taseer had supported a Christian mother of five sentenced to death in November 2010 for alleged blasphemy in the central province of Punjab.

Pakistan has yet to execute anyone for blasphemy. Most of those given the death penalty have their sentences overturned or commuted on appeal. Religious parties strongly defend the law. —AFP

Rains, flooding kill dozens in India Rains expected for two more days

LUCKNOW: Monsoon rains have collapsed mud huts and flooded wide swaths of north and east India, killing at least 48 people in

taking shelter atop trees, hills and rooftops in eastern Orissa state and the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. National rescue

to safety.

But the rains, expected to continue for another two days, were holding up rescue efforts, officials

ORISSA: In this Sunday photograph, an Indian woman carries her injured son through flood waters at Pahanga village in Orissa’s Jajpur district, India. —AP recent days and leaving hundreds of thousands of people marooned by the raging waters, officials said yesterday. Those stranded were

helicopters were dropping food parcels in hard-to-reach areas, while hundreds of boats were being used to ferry the stranded

said. All 31 people killed over the weekend in eastern villages of Uttar Pradesh state died “when the roof of their mud houses col-

lapsed,” Relief Commissioner K K Sinha said. The state offered compensation of about $2,200 to victims’ families.

“Many of them died in their sleep,” said PK Upadhaya, a district magistrate in Jaunpur, where 18 of the deaths occurred. “Heavy rainfall hampered the rescue operation.” Another 17 people were swept away over the weekend by surging floodwaters in eastern Orissa state, where more than 130,000 have been evacuated from low-lying areas near rivers that burst their banks, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister SN Patra said. Since the monsoon began in August more than 70 people have died in Orissa.

The state’s chief minister this week widened the evacuation area, while the Indian Air Force was ordered to send more aircraft to help. Hundreds of thousands were scrambling into trees or on top of buildings to escape the rising waters. The northern Bihar state, where 12 southern districts were inundated after dams in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states burst, engineers were ordered to cancel holidays and guard the riverbanks from further erosion, Water Resources Minister Vijendra Choudhary. —AP

Sri Lanka war general ready to fight US court summons COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan general serving as a UN diplomat in New York is prepared to face a US court to deny charges his men committed war crimes during the island’s civil war, reports said yesterday. A civil case has been filed in New York on behalf of two people whose relatives were killed in the final stages of the conflict, which ended in 2009 when the army launched a military onslaught against Tamil separatists.

A New York court served a summons last Friday at the New York residence of Major General Shavendra Silva, who is Sri Lanka’s deput y permanent representative to the United Nations. “Even with or without diplomatic privileges, I have the strength and courage and I will fight to safeguard Sri Lanka’s interest,” Silva told the Colombo -based Financial Times newspaper yesterday. He said President Mahinda Rajapakse, who was in New York last week to attend the annual UN General Assembly meetings, had directed officials to seek legal advice.

Silva was commanding officer of the 58th Division in the army which helped crush the Tamil Tiger rebels, who had waged a war for decades demanding a homeland for the Tamil ethnic minority. “This law suit is a yet another sinister attempt by the bank rupt LT TE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) to tarnish the hard-won victory. I will not let any person or organisation downgrade the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lank a, to which many contributed,” Silva said. The case was filed last week by the American University Washington College of Law, a centuries-old Washington college.

It is acting on behalf of Vathsala Devi and Seetharam Siva. Devi’s husband and Siva’s father were allegedly killed by Sri Lankan army shelling during the final weeks of the war. The plaintiffs allege that Silva “conspired with, aided and abetted and alternatively exercised command and control over the perpetrators of tor ture, ex trajudicial execution and fatal shelling of civilians,” local media reported. A UN panel of experts said in April that the Sri Lankan army killed most of the tens of thousands of civilian victims of the final offensive in 2009, but both sides could have been guilty of war crimes.

A documentary shown on Britain’s Channel Four in June said the military shelled civilian targets and showed footage of what it said were prisoner executions and the bodies of sexually assaulted Tamil Tiger fighters. —AFP

MULTAN: Members of a civil society burn a US flag during a rally to condemn US allegations that the military’s spy agency helped militants attack American targets in Afghanistan yesterday in Multan, Pakistan. Relations between Washington and Islamabad are close to crisis point following fresh allegations last week by US officials that Pakistani security forces are helping insurgents attack targets in Afghanistan. —AP

Pakistan ‘will not launch’ Offensive against Haqqani ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will not launch an offensive against Haqqani extremists despite Washington ramping up the pressure after a series of attacks on US targets in Afghanistan, an official said yesterday. The alliance between Pakistan and the United States in the 10-year war in Afghanistan and against Al-Qaeda hit rock bottom this year in the wake of the unilateral American raid that killed Osama bin Laden near Islamabad on May 2.

In a series of escalating rows, Washington accused Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency of involvement in the September 13 attack on its embassy in Kabul and a September 11 attack on a NATO base in central Afghanistan. The White House has since demanded that Pakistan “break any link they have” with the Haqqani network, which was founded by former CIA asset Jalaluddin Haqqani and is today run by his son Sirajuddinbased in Pakistan’s North Waziristan.

Pakistan’s army chief of staff called his top generals for an extraordinary meeting at the weekend to discuss the series of stinging American rebukes blaming the Haqqanis and Pakistani intelligence for recent attacks. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is now expected to call a rare cross-party conference, although he has dismissed the American allegations as little more than finding a scapegoat for US “disarray” in the 10-year war in Afghanistan.

“I don’t think the indicators are as such,” a senior Pakistani security official told AFP when asked if the army was going to launch an operation in North Waziristan, part of the country’s semi-autonomous tribal belt. Instead, he said,

the military needs to “consolidate gains” made against local militants who pose a security threat elsewhere in the tribal region that Washington has branded an Al-Qaeda headquarters. Pakistan has around 140,000 troops based along its northwest that borders Afghanistan and says more than 3,000 soldiers have been killed since 2001 — more than the 2,735 Western soldiers who have died in Afghanistan.

General James Mattis, commander of the US Central Command which oversees the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, on Sunday became the most senior US commander to hold talks with Pakistani generals in Islamabad since last week’s public US accusations of Pakistani involvement with the Haqqanis. In a curt statement after the talks, the Pakistani military said it was committed to achieving “enduring peace in the region”something it said was only possible “through mutual trust and cooperation”.

But the Pakistani official told AFP that troops were too busy countering cross-border attacks from Afghanistan and local Pakistani militants in other parts of the tribal belt to take on the Haqqanis. “These are kind of more pressing issues that we have to tackle. We have to consolidate the gains in Mohmand and in other tribal and northwestern regions after a series of operations in these areas,” the security official said. “As for North Waziristan, the army has at least five brigades there, which is enough to take care of the situation. There is a complete tribal structure in the region to help security forces deal with the militants and outlaws.” —AFP

DHARMSALA: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, center, is helped by monks in descending stairs as he leaves a prayer session in Dharmsala, India yesterday. —AP

China: Successor chosen

by Dalai Lama ‘illegal’ BEIJING: China said yesterday any successor chosen by the Dalai Lama would be “illegal” after the Tibetan spiritual leader announced that he, and not Beijing, would decide whether he should be reincarnated. The Dalai Lama, who is 76, said on Saturday he would decide when he was “about 90” whether he should be reincarnated, in consultation with other monks, and that China should have no say in the matter. Under Tibetan tradition, monks identify a young boy who shows signs he is a reincarnation of a late leader, but many predict China will simply appoint its own successor to the Dalai Lama.

China’s foreign ministry said any reincarnation process would have to be conducted in accordance with the country’s “laws and regulation”. “The title of Dalai Lama is conferred by the central government and is illegal otherwise,” ministry spokesman Hong Lei told journalists. “There is a complete set of religious rituals and historical conventions in reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and a Dalai Lama identifying his own successor has never been the practice.

“The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow religious rituals and historical conventions and laws and regulations of this state.” Tibet’s spiritual leader said he had decided to lay out “clear guidelines to recognize the next Dalai Lama” while he was still “physically and mentally fit” so that there was “no room for doubt or deception.” The Dalai Lama made the statement in a 4,200word document issued after a gathering of leaders of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala, home of the government in exile.

He had earlier signalled a willingness to break with custom by choosing a suc-

cessor before his death or among exiles outside Tibet. He had also said he might be open to electing the next Dalai Lama.

China’s stance raises the prospect of two Dalai Lamas-one recognised by Beijing and the other chosen by exiles or with the blessing of the current Dalai Lama. This happened in 1995, when China rejected the Dalai Lama’s choice to be the next Panchen Lama, the second-highest ranking Tibetan Buddhist, and picked its own reincarnation. The Chinese -raised Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu, is now 21 and often extols Beijing’s rule over Tibet. The Dalai Lama’s selection, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, has not been seen since 1995 after he was detained by China.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. He later founded the government in exile in Dharamshala after being offered refuge by India. China vilifies him as a “separatist” who incites violence in Tibet, while he insists his sole focus is a peaceful campaign for greater autonomy for his homeland. China’s state news agency Xinhua echoed the ministry’s statements, calling the spiritual leader a “has-been” and saying his latest comments were aimed at keeping him in the spotlight following his retirement from politics.

“Over the decades since he fled China in 1959, the Dalai Lama has come to enjoy his role as a political monk, travelling across the globe, picking up his accolades and selling his independence claim,” it said. “Like a has-been star, he fears the loss of popularity, a personal loss that does no harm to his fellow Tibetans, but would certainly announce the eventual failure of his separatist attempt.” —AFP

Nepal plane crash caused by human error KATHMANDU: The chief rescuer at Nepal’s international airport yesterday blamed human error for a plane crash that killed 16 holidaymakers returning from a tour around Mount Everest at the weekend. The Buddha Air aircraft carrying 10 Indians, two Americans, a Japanese citizen and three local tourists crashed into a hill in dense fog on Sunday on the outskirts of the capital, killing all on board including three crew. Bimlesh Lal Karna, head of the rescue depar tment at Tribhuvan I nternational Airpor t, ruled out mechanical failure, saying: “If there was a technical problem, there should have been some hint of it.”

“The plane had already flown for 45 minutes. No problem was noticed during that period. The bad weather prompted the pilot to take the wrong decision,” he said. Buddha Air, the private airline operating the tour, said it had launched its own investigation into the crash of its Beechcraft 1900D plane while a government inquiry team said it would take three months to report on the cause.

The Kathmandu-based airline said it had grounded yesterday’s flights as a mark of respect. The remains of the tourists as well as those of the three dead Nepalese flight crew were taken to a K athmandu hospital for postmor tem examinations and were expected to be released to their families yesterday. Investigators found the black box flight recorder several hours

after the crash. “We are meeting at the ministr y to decide how to proceed ahead. I’m sure we will be able to find out the truth in the given period of three months,” said Rajesh Dali, who is heading the government probe.

Buddha Air offers a 8,240 rupee ($140) “Everest Experience” package, taking tourists from Kathmandu and flying them around the world’s tallest mountain and surrounding peaks. The one-hour flights are popular among tourists, and several companies offer daily trips to view the 8,848 metre (29,029 feet) Everest summit. Industry insiders have speculated that the pilot of Sunday’s tour may have lost control after deciding to fly below the dense cloud line minutes before he was due to land. Several local media reports suggested the pilot had descended to 5,400 feet (1,500 metres) at a point where the minimum safe altitude was at least 1,000 feet higher.

Aviation expert Hemant Arjyal said the pilot would not have deliberately put his passengers in danger, but he might have made a mistake while attempting to fly below the cloud line using only his eyes for guidance. “He had the option of following instrumental flying rules in which he wouldn’t have had to rely on the naked eye. He was following quite a normal approach but he went too close to the hill,” he said. Tourist flights around Everest were launched by government-run Nepal Airlines in 1969. —AFP

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Typhoon nears Philippines, 100,000 ordered to flee Forced cancellation of domestic flights, ferry services

YANGON: Myanmar protesters offer prayers at the Sule Pagoda after they agreed to call off a rally when asked by the authorities to do so, in downtown Yangon yesterday.—AFP

Myanmar police prevent rare democracy protest YANGON: Police in military-dominated Myanmar yesterday prevented a rare protest by pro-democracy activists on the fourth anniversary of a bloody crackdown on a monk-led uprising, an official said. About 200 people had planned to march to Yangon City Hall but agreed to call off the rally when asked by the authorities to do so, according to witnesses. Afterwards about 30 of them held prayers at a pagoda. “After police asked them to stop, they prayed ... and then dispersed,” according to a government official who did not want to be named. Police said no arrests were made.

“We came here to pray for the release of political prisoners and to mark the fourth anniversar y of the Saffron Revolution, but a police officer asked us not to go anywhere so that’s why we have to go home,” one of the activists said. Other activists wore slogans on their T-shirts calling for an end to a controversial hydroelectric power project in northern Kachin State, electricity from which is destined for neighbouring China.

Last week police arrested a man who staged a rare solo protest against the Myitsone dam outside a Chinese embassy building in Yangon. Concerns are growing in Myanmar about the impact of the project on the Irrawaddy River. Security was tight on the anniversar y of the crackdown on the 2007

protests, which began as small rallies against the rising cost of living but escalated into huge anti-government demonstrations known as the “Saffron Revolution.” At least 31 people were killed by security forces while hundreds were beaten and detained in the crackdown that ensued.

Myanmar is now ruled by a nominally civilian government but its ranks are filled with former generals and the country still has more than 2,000 political prisoners. In recent weeks the regime has shown signs of engaging with its opponents, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party won a 1990 election but was never allowed by the junta to take power. The regime released the Nobel Peace Prize winner in November last year, shortly after an election that was marred by widespread complaints of cheating and intimidation.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party boycotted the vote.

In an interview with AFP earlier this month, Suu Kyi said there had been “positive developments” in Myanmar, but it was unclear whether President Thein Sein would be able to carry through his reform pledges. The dissident said she did not want a popular revolt in Myanmar of the kind seen in Libya, adding: “Everybody knows that Libya’s troubles are going to drag on for a long time.”—AFP

MANILA: Authorities ordered more than 100,000 people to flee their homes yesterday as a large typhoon blew closer to the northern Philippines, forcing the cancellation of dozens of domestic flights and ferry services, officials said. Typhoon Nesat strengthened at sea before its expected landfall early today in eastern Aurora province with sustained winds of 81 miles (130 kilometers) per hour and gusts of 99 mph (160 kph). With its immense 400-mile (650-kilometer) cloud band, it threatened to foul weather across the entire main Luzon island, forecasters said.

Heavy downpours and wind yesterday prompted the government to shut schools in the capital, Manila, while airlines canceled about 40 flights to central and eastern par ts of the Philippine archipelago. The coast guard also grounded inter-island ferries, stranding many travelers.

About 112,000 people were ordered to leave their homes in five towns prone to flash floods and landslides in Albay province.

More than 50,000 had fled to government-run evacuation centers and relatives’ homes by noon yesterday, officials said.

“We can’t manage typhoons, but we can manage their effects,” Albay Gov Joey Salceda said.

Authorities were closely watching farming communities at the

ALBAY: Residents brave heavy rains and strong winds as they cross a makeshift wooden bridge during an evacuation from their flooded homes due to Typhoon Nesat in Legazpi City, Albay province, south of Manila yesterday.—AFP base of Mayon volcano in Albay, about 212 miles (340 kilometers) southeast of Manila. Tons of ash have been deposited on Mayon’s slopes by past eruptions, and mudslides caused by a typhoon in 2006 buried entire villages, leaving about 1,600 people dead and missing, officials said.

China presses North Korea to return to nuclear talks BEIJING: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pressed North Korea yesterday to return to international talks about its nuclear program, in the latest round of diplomatic manoeuvring to cajole the reclusive country back to the table. “China hopes that all sides remain in contact and in talks and improve relations so as to resume six-party talks at an early date,” state television paraphrased Wen as telling his North Korean counterpart, Choe Yong-rim.

“This is beneficial for peace and stability on the peninsula and long-term stability in northeast Asia,” Wen added, during a meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. Envoys from the two Koreas met in Beijing last week for their second meeting in two months, amid a thaw in tensions on the divided peninsula after relations nose-dived last year to the lowest level in nearly two decades. But the two failed to bridge their differences over the starting point for a new round of the six-party talks, which also involve China, the United States, Japan and Russia.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il said last month during visits to Russia and

China that he was willing to return to stalled nuclear talks without precondition and that he was committed to the aim of a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.

Choe, a life-long confidant of the ruling Kim family, repeated that pledge to Wen, state television said. Those pledges were intended to improve the chances of reviving the six-nation aid-fordisarmament talks that collapsed when North Korea walked out of them in 2008.

China has been pushing its impoverished neighbour to resume talks, though Seoul, Washington and Tokyo say that Pyongyang must first show it is serious about denuclearizing. North Korea has also flouted past agreements over its nuclear weapons ambitions and is unlikely to give up efforts to build an atomic arsenal it sees as a bargaining tool with the outside world. China is isolated North Korea’s main source of economic and diplomatic support.

Beijing has shored up its support for Pyongyang in the past two years, despite regional tension over North Korea’s actions, including nuclear weapon tests in 2006 and 2009 that drew UN sanctions backed by China.— Reuters

16th weather disturbance to hit the Philippines this year. About 20 storms and typhoons lash the Southeast Asian nation each year. It is expected to exit the Philippines into the South China Sea late Wednesday or early Thursday and then head toward southern China.— AP

Two monks try to self-immolate in China BEIJING: Two young monks set themselves on fire yesterday in an attempted selfimmolation at a restive Tibetan Buddhist monastery in southwestern China, rights groups said, adding the pair survived. The monks from the Kirti monastery in Sichuan province, the scene of repeated protests, called for religious freedom and shouted “long live the Dalai Lama” before setting themselves alight, Free Tibet said in a statement. An official at the People’s Hospital in Aba County confirmed the two men-Kalsang and Konchok-were admitted to hospital yesterday afternoon but declined to comment on their condition. Kalsang was the brother of a monk called Phuntsog who committed suicide in March by setting himself on fire on the third anniversary of anti-government unrest in the area. His death sparked protests and the monastery was sealed off by police. London-based Free Tibet director Stephanie Brigden said the latest protest underlined “the growing desperation among some young Tibetans”.

“It is impossible to confirm what prompted this act of protest but it is believed to be

in response to mounting pressure on the monastic community at Kirti monastery and Phuntsog’s family members,” Brigden said.

Calls to the monastery went unanswered while local government officials and police told AFP they were not aware of the incident. A Twitter posting that could not immediately be verified said one of the monks had died. The official Xinhua news agency said the monks had been “rescued”, quoting local authorities. The situation at the influential monastery-the scene of repeated anti-government protests-has deteriorated since the March 16 death of Phuntsog. Phuntsog was the second monk at Kirti to set himself on fire since the anti-Chinese riots in Lhasa of March 2008, the bloodiest in Tibet in 20 years. Xinhua said he was just 16 years old at the time of his death, though reports at the time varied and rights groups put the monk’s age at 20 or 21. Last month, China jailed three monks for between 10 and 13 years for helping Phuntsog burn himself to death, raising criticism from the United States and rights groups.

Another monk killed himself by self-

Extremists targeted US aid project in Philippines

BEIJING: North Korean Prime Minister Choe Yong Rim (L) talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (not pictured) after a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People yesterday in Beijing.—AFP

The typhoon bore down on the Philippines exactly two years after nearly 500 people died in the worst flooding in decades in Manila. Residents offered prayers and planted trees yesterday to remember people who died while saving other residents during the 2009 disaster. Nesat is the

MANILA: A ferocious attack by armed Muslim extremists in the lawless southern Philippines that claimed 15 lives targeted a US-funded project to build a school, the United States embassy said yesterday. Sunday’s assault in the strife-torn island of Jolo saw clashes between dozens of the rebels, who were carrying rifles, and a Filipino Marine outpost tasked with securing the school construction site. “(Filipino) Marines providing security for the construction of the school were attacked by lawless elements. In the attacks on Jolo, a USAID-funded school construction activity was affected,” a US embassy statement said.

It did not give details about the project or say how it had been “affected” by the firefight that left two soldiers and 13 attackers dead. Despite the raid, the embassy in the capital Manila said it would continue to work to develop the impoverished island, which has long been a haunt of various outlawed armed bands including the feared Abu Sayyaf group. The Abu Sayyaf, founded in the 1990 with money from Al-Qaeda, has been blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history including a ferry bombing that killed more than 100 people in 2004.

US special forces have been stationed in the southern Philippines for a decade to help train the military in combating the Abu Sayyaf, although they are not allowed to have a combat role. In September 2009, two US troops working on a school project were killed by an improvised explosive device in Jolo believed to have been planted

by Muslim extremists. Sunday’s besieged Filipino military outpost was tasked with securing the US-funded school project as well as Filipino road and water programs in that area, said regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang.

He said the raid was believed to have been carried out by an Abu Sayyaf-allied group calling itself “awliyah”, made up of younger fighters. Development projects in that part of Jolo were seen as an “intrusion” by local Muslim extremists who sometimes target such programmes, Cabangbang added. “If there is development in the area, they do not like it. They actually attacked other projects, especially bridges and roads,” he said.

Jolo and other parts of the southern Philippines are home to a wide range of armed Muslim groups, many of which work together or help each other and are regularly involved in kidnappings, drugs and other crimes. The Philippines is Asia’s Roman Catholic outpost but there are about four million Muslims who live mainly in the south.— AFP

immolation in August at Sichuan’s Nyitso monastery, drinking petrol before setting himself alight. Soldiers and police responded by surrounding the monastery. US-based International Campaign for Tibet spokeswoman Kate Saunders said the latest violent protest was “a desperate act driven by anguish at the current situation there.” Free Tibet’s Brigden called on the “international community to put pressure on China to accept invitations to resume talks for a negotiated solution to the crisis in Tibet.”

Many Tibetans in China are angry about what they view as increasing domination by China’s majority Han ethnic group and accuse the government of trying to dilute their predominantly Buddhist culture. China, however, says that Tibetan living standards have improved markedly in recent decades, pointing to the billions of dollars it has spent on infrastructure and development projects.

The Tibetan government in exile, based in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala, said it was “deeply saddened” by the incident which highlighted the “desperation of the Tibetan people”.—AFP

Former aides of Ozawa sentenced TOKYO: Three former aides of veteran Japanese power broker Ichiro Ozawa were found guilty in a political funding scandal yesterday in a surprise ruling which could block his return to the centre stage. The Tokyo District Court sentenced the trio to suspended prison terms of one to three years for filing false reports on political funds involving Ozawa. Ozawa, 69, who helped the centre-left Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to power in a 2009 electoral landslide, has also been indicted on charges of conspiring in the case and his trial is due to start on October 6.

Presiding judge Ikuro Toishi ruled that the fund reports had been falsified in an effort to conceal 100 million yen ($1.3 million) paid as a slush fund by a construction firm to Ozawa’s office in exchange for help in winning a dam project. All three defendants have denied any wrongdoing. One of them, Tomohiro Ishikawa, vowed to appeal. “The court was dogmatic and speculative in its assertion,” said Ishikawa, 38, a lower house member, who was alleged by the judge to have received part of the money from the contractor.

“The ruling was based on totally untrue matters,” Ishikawa told a news conference.

“It was extremely unjust.” The judge ruled that the aides failed to register 400 million yen loaned by Ozawa to his funding body in 2004 to facilitate a land deal. They also did not properly record 400 million yen repaid to Ozawa in 2007. The aides said the mistakes were purely technical matters.

But the judge backed prosecutors’ claims that the trio tried to conceal sources of the 400 million yen which included questionable funds. It had been widely expected that the aides would be cleared after the court refused to accept as evidence a number of statements which they had made to prosecutors. Ishikawa has made public secret tape-recordings of interrogations by the prosecutors which were widely seen as coercive and manipulative. Ozawa, a former DPJ chief who heads the party ’s biggest faction, is a veteran backroom operator and narrowly failed to oust Naoto Kan in a leadership battle a year ago. Kan

TOKYO: Tomohiro Ishikawa, Japanese lawmaker and former aide of ruling Democratic Party of Jpaan (DPJ) power broker Ichiro Ozawa speaks before the press in Tokyo yesterday after Tokyo District Court sentenced him to suspended prison for filing false reports on political funds involving Ozawa. —AFP stepped down as prime minister this month after being criticized for his response to the March 11 quake-tsunaminuclear disaster. In a long-running legal saga in the funding scandal, a citizens’ review panel forced the judiciary to reopen the case against Ozawa in October last year after prosecutors had dropped it citing a lack of evidence. He was indicted in January and his party membership was suspended the next month until he receives a final court verdict over the scandal. Japan’s mainstream media has been critical of Ozawa’s strong political influence based on his vast wealth often linked to dubious sources. But his supporters say Ozawa has been unfairly targeted by those opposed to his drive to weaken the overwhelming influence of bureaucrats in decision making and bring politics back to people. — AFP

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NEWS

Saudi women can now vote, but can’t drive Continued from Page 1 public places like shopping malls and university campuses. Meanwhile, a Saudi lawyer and rights advocates said authorities will bring a Saudi activist to trial for defying the kingdom’s female driving ban. The attorney, Waleed Aboul Khair, said Najalaa Harrir was summoned for questioning by the prosecutor general in the port city of Jeddah on Sunday.

Harrir is one of dozens of Saudi female activists behind a campaign called “My Right, My Dignity” that is aimed at ending discrimination against women, including the driving ban, in country. Harrir recently appeared in a TV show while driving her car in Jeddah.

In itself, Sunday’s decision to give the women the right to vote and run in municipal elections may not be enough to satisfy the growing ambition of the kingdom’s women who, after years of lavish state spending on education and vocational training, significantly improved their standing but could not secure the same place in society as that of their male compatriots. That women must wait four more years to exercise their newly acquired right to vote adds insult to injury since Sunday’s announcement was already a long time coming - and the next local elections are in fact scheduled for this Thursday. “Why not tomorrow?” asked prominent Saudi feminist Wajeha Al-Hawaidar. “I think the king doesn’t want to shake the country, but we look around us and we think it is a shame ... when we are still pondering how to meet simple women’s rights.”

The announcement by King Abdullah came in an annual speech before his advisory assembly, or Shura Council. It was made after he consulted with the nation’s top religious clerics, whose advice carries great weight in the kingdom. It is an attempt at “Saudi style” reform, moves that avoid antagonizing the powerful clergy and a conservative segment of the population. Additionally, it seems to be part of the king’s drive to insulate his vast, oil-rich country from the upheavals sweeping other Arab nations, with popular uprisings toppling regimes that once looked as secure as his own.

Fearing unrest at home, the king in March announced a staggering $93 billion package of incentives, jobs and services to ease the hardships experienced by some Saudis. In the meantime, he sent troops to neighbor and close ally Bahrain to help the tiny nation’s Sunni ruling family crush an uprising by majority Shiites pressing for equal rights and farreaching reforms. In contrast, King Abdullah in August withdrew the Saudi ambassador from Syria to protest President Bashar Assad’s brutal crackdown on a seven-month uprising that calls for his ouster and the establishment of a demo-

cratic government.

“We didn’t ask for politics, we asked for our basic rights.

We demanded that we be treated as equal citizens and lift the male guardianship over us,” said Saudi activist Maha AlQahtani, an Education Ministry employee who defied the ban on women driving earlier this year. “We have many problems that need to be addressed immediately.”

The United States, Saudi Arabia’s closest Western ally, praised the king’s move. In Washington, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said it recognized the “significant contributions” women have been making in Saudi Arabia. The move, he continued, would give Saudi women more ways to participate “in the decisions that affect their lives and communities.”

The king, in his own remarks, seemed to acknowledge that the Arab world’s season of change and the yearning for greater social freedoms by a large segment of Saudi society demanded decisive action. “Balanced modernization, which falls within our Islamic values, is an important demand in an era where there is no place for defeatist or hesitant people,” he said. “Muslim women in our Islamic history have demonstrated positions that expressed correct opinions and advice,” said the king.

Abdullah became the country’s de facto ruler in 1995 because of the illness of King Fahd and formally ascended to the throne upon Fahd’s death in Aug 2005. The king on Sunday also announced that women would be appointed to the Shura Council, a currently all-male body established in 1993 to offer counsel on general policies in the kingdom and to debate economic and social development plans and agreements signed between the kingdom with other nations. The question of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia is a touchy one. In a country where no social or political force is strong enough to affect change in women’s rights, it is up to the king to do it. Even then, the king must find consensus before he takes a step in that direction. Prominent columnist Jamal Khashoggi said that giving women the right to vote in local elections and their inclusion in the Shura council means they will be part of the legislative and executive branches of the state. Winning the right to drive and travel without permission from male guardians can only be the next move.

“It will be odd that women who enjoy parliamentary immunity as members of the council are unable to drive their cars or travel without permission,” he said. “The climate is more suited for these changes now - the force of history, moral pressure and the changes taking place around us.” — AP

Gulf better prepared for new global crisis Continued from Page 1 than there was in the last crisis three years ago. And in some ways, financial systems are stronger.

“Countries in the region were caught off guard” by the 2008-2009 global crisis, said Fabio Scacciavillani, chief economist at Oman Investment Fund. “This time they’re better prepared - crisis management capabilities have improved.”

The 2008-2009 slump struck at the heart of the economies of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

A 75 percent slide in Brent oil prices over six months, as far as $36 a barrel, pushed growth off a cliff. Gross domestic product shrank in Kuwait and the UAE during 2009; even Saudi Arabia only narrowly escaped recession, growing just 0.6 percent that year. Stock markets tumbled more than 50 percent, and plunging real estate prices forced Dubai World , one of the Dubai government’s flagship holding companies, into pledging to restructure $25 billion of debt.

Now, some investors are starting to hedge against the risk of a repeat performance in the Gulf as the global economic outlook darkens. The cost of insuring the debt of Gulf states rose last week with credit default swaps for Dubai climbing to their highest level in at least six months.

Economies have clearly started to slow considerably in the Gulf. The SABB HSBC Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures activity in the country’s manufacturing and services sectors, hit an 18month low in August; the index for the UAE reached a 15-month low.

Air freight volume at Dubai International Airport dropped 7.9 percent from a year earlier in August, partly because of economic uncertainty in the United States and Europe, the airport operator said on Sunday.

This time, however, major Gulf economies are entering the crisis in a different position. Fiscal policy is more expansionary in many states; Saudi Arabia announced in February and March that it would spend an extra $130 billion, presumably over several years, on housing, bonuses for state employees, job creation and other projects.

Such policies were originally adopted to contain the threat of political unrest during Arab Spring protests

around the Middle East. But they have turned out to be perfectly timed economically, coming on stream just as global growth slows.

Meanwhile, rich Gulf economies have over the past couple of years fashioned an informal fiscal safety net for the region; Saudi Arabia and other wealthy neighbours have pledged billions of dollars to improve housing and social welfare in Bahrain and Oman, and Abu Dhabi has given emergency financing to Dubai. The safety net is limited in size and depends on political whim. But a principle of mutual assistance has been established that was less clear at the start of the last crisis.

Another plunge in the oil price could make it more difficult for Gulf states to spend their way out of trouble - as the price drops, to below $104 at the end of last week, markets are fixated on the minimum levels which countries need to balance their budgets. For Saudi Arabia, analysts estimate that level has risen to around $90 because of the growth in state spending.

But even a temporary oil price slide to the level hit during the last crisis would not necessarily spell disaster. Farouk Soussa, Middle East chief economist for Citi, noted the Saudi government could if it chose maintain spending by drawing on $280 billion of fiscal reserves. That sum is equivalent to over a year of total government expenditure. In addition, it could finance part of any budget deficit in domestic capital markets. “If they decided they needed to, they could finance deficits for years. There is plenty of liquidity domestically,” Soussa said.

Since Saudi Arabia effectively controls the supply of oil, a fundamental change in its long-term economic outlook is only likely if there is a big demand shock, Soussa said.

Such a shock would probably have to be a technological change, he added - a recession in the developed world would not be serious enough. Fitch Ratings reached a similar conclusion when it affirmed Abu Dhabi’s AA debt ratings last week. “The 2008-2009 global financial crisis was a severe stress test for Abu Dhabi, but one which left its balance sheet largely undented.

Any future stress would have to have harsher consequences than this to trigger negative rating action,” said senior Fitch analyst Richard Fox. A major blow to the Gulf during

the last crisis was a plunge of equity and real estate prices, culminating in the discovery of a gaping hole in the balance sheet of corporate Dubai. This triggered capital flight from some economies in the region, putting commercial banks’ liquidity under pressure. Repairing Dubai companies’ balance sheets is expected to take much of this decade, and a new global crisis would complicate that process, perhaps shutting the firms out of issuing debt in jittery international markets.

But analysts think the financial support of Abu Dhabi would help to compensate for any lack of access to market funding, through the medium term at least. And with asset price bubbles in the Gulf already deflated, there is much less risk of damaging capital outflows. That helps to explain why Dubai and other Gulf stock markets have outperformed many other markets over the last several months as the global picture has worsened. Dubai stocks are down 14 percent from this year’s peak; global stocks, as measured by the MSCI All-Country index , are about 23 percent lower.

The Oman fund’s Scacciavillani noted that authorities had more tools to protect financial systems than they did at the start of the last crisis. Gulf central banks have developed new facilities to keep money markets liquid, and countries have at least started to develop deposit insurance systems. The regional bond market has become more active and liquid, giving commercial banks a new channel to obtain funds.

In its latest economic outlook published last week, the International Monetary Fund said the Gulf oil exporters needed to reform and diversify their economies, and predicted slower growth next year for many of them.

But it does not expect the slowdown to be nearly as serious as the 2008-2009 slump; Saudi Arabia is expected to slow to 3.6 percent in 2012 from 6.5 percent this year.

The IMF initially underestimated the seriousness of the last crisis, and it may well be doing so for this crisis. But its forecasts recognise the role of government spending in maintaining growth in the Gulf.

“We are part of the global economy; we cannot escape the effects of a slowdown,” said the chief economist of a major regional bank.

“But nobody is talking of recessions in the Gulf.” — Reuters

Saadoun: Assembly role must in anti-graft...

Continued from Page 1 The two tweeters, journalist-writer Mishaal Al-Nami and radio announcer Menwer Al-Shemmari, were questioned on Sunday at Fedrous police station on charges they wrote highly offensive statements on their Twitter accounts against businessman Mahmoud Haider, the owner of Al-Dar newspaper.

The two men were released on KD 100 bail each after several hours of interrogation and after dozens of people

including MPs Mohammad Hayef and Waleed AlTabtabaei gathered outside the station. Hayef and Tabatabei strongly criticized the ministry’s handling of the case, saying ministry officials violated their authority.

MP Faisal Al-Mislem yesterday criticized authorities for using oppressive measures against tweeters, adding he will use constitutional tools to hold the government to account. Mislem also claimed that government agencies have been subjected to serve an influential businessman who is close to the prime minister.

JAKARTA: In this photo taken on Aug 21, 2011, a man receives a treatment of bekam, or blood-letting by use of suction cups, at Insani Herbal Clinic in Depok. — AP

Islamic healing on the rise in Southeast Asia JAKARTA: A 47-year-old housewife who recently started using Islamic alternative cures emerged tearfully from an exorcism, speaking of newfound tranquility after a turbulent time in her life. Also, her abdominal pains are finally easing. Suratmi, who suffers from an ovarian cyst, has been taking a mix of herbal treatments harking back to the dawn of Islam, as well as undergoing exorcisms at a clinic in Jakarta. She is among a growing number of Muslims in Southeast Asia turning away from Western medical care in favor of Al-Tibb Al-Nawabi, or Medicine of the Prophet (PBUH), a discipline based on the Holy Quran and other Islamic texts and traditional remedies. “I heard that so many people have been healed, so I hope Allah can help me. I followed His path here,” said Suratmi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

The trend in Islamic treatments, cosmetics and toiletries is often associated with fundamentalists who charge that Western, chemically laced prescriptions aim to poison Muslims or defile them with insulin and other medicines made from pigs.

Members of terrorist groups have been involved in Islamic remedies as healers and sellers, while some clinics are used as recruiting grounds for Islamist causes. But the bulk of those seeking out Islamic clinics, hospitals and pharmacies appear to be moderate Muslims, reflecting a rise in Islamic consciousness worldwide.

“Islamic medicine carries a cachet that, by taking it, you are reinforcing your faith - and the profits go to Muslims,” says Sidney Jones, an expert on Islam in Southeast Asia with the International Crisis Group. These Islamic products have become a big business with a customer base in Southeast Asia alone of roughly 250 million Muslims. The industry’s advertising is as gimmicky as any in the West. Capitalizing on the popularity of US President Barack Obama, who spent four of his childhood years in Indonesia, one company produces a popular anti-stress concoction called Obahama - in a corruption of an Indonesian phrase for herbal medicine. Siwak-F, also exported to the Middle East, is hailed as “toothpaste just like the Prophet (PBUH) used to use”.

The industry also is going high-tech. Malaysia’s Petronas University of Technology is developing an application for mobile devices to query what Islamic remedies are recommended for anything from toothaches to depression, says Hanita Daud, one of the developers. Like much of Islamic medicine, it’s grounded on the saying that “Allah did not create a disease for which he did not also create a cure.” This is taken from Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings known as hadiths, which along with the Holy Quran make frequent references to diseases, remedies and healthy living.

What is termed classical Islamic medicine developed in medieval times when it far outshone that in Christian Europe,

and exerted a significant influence on it. Practitioners say many ingredients in today’s treatments were used in Muhammad’s (PBUH) time, including honey, olive oil, bee pollen, dates and black caraway - which one ad says is “a cure for every disease but death”.

In Indonesia, Islamic alternative healing really took off after a government promotional campaign in 2009, says Brury Machendra, owner of the Insani Herbal Clinic in suburban Jakarta where Suratmi and up to 400 other patients per month seek treatment. Only one such clinic existed in the Depok suburb two years ago, but now there are 20, with 70 others waiting for government permits. Machendra, who also is secretary-general of the Traditional Herbal Medicine Association of Indonesia, says most Indonesian Muslims don’t doubt conventional medicine.

But he says Indonesia’s health services are so poor and expensive that many people seek out alternatives.

His clinic offers herbal medicine, a bloodletting treatment known as bekam and exorcisms in which a white-gloved therapist places a hand on a patient’s head while chanting verses from the Holy Quran. An exorcism costs about $12, while Machendra’s government-certified herbal products such as the purportedly anti-cancer BioCarnoma and anti-diabetes BioGlukol go for no more than $5 for 60 capsules. He acknowledges that clinics such as his benefit from traditional Muslim rules forbidding certain ingredients and that many fundamentalists “tell people not to go to infidel doctors and say that buying Western medicine is forbidden”.

Jemaah Islamiyah, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant network that is essentially banned in Indonesia, is believed to have links to some herbal manufacturers and operate many of the country’s Islamic medicine clinics, International Crisis Group says. But Jones says the clinics are aimed more at building solidarity among Islamists rather than recruiting militants. Some doctors are trying to bring Muslim elements into the Western tradition. “We practice evidence-based medicine but we incorporate the spiritual for both our patients and staff,” says Dr Ishak Mas’ud, director of Al Islam hospital in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

This approach, he says, allows such normally taboo practices as abortions and pig heart transplants if these can save lives. “I don’t agree with some clinics which say that, ‘This is Islamic, so it has to be good’,” says Ishak, who was trained in Australia and Great Britain. The 60-bed hospital, which attracts patients as far away as Somalia and Saudi Arabia, stresses holistic diagnoses, refrains from giving definite prognoses since “death is in the hands of Allah”, and believes it is wrong to practice medicine with profit in mind, he says. — AP

Nobel winner Maathai dies Continued from Page 1 governance. She won the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for her reafforestation work in Kenya, the first African woman, the first Kenyan and the first environmentalist to receive this honour. Her organisation has planted some 40 million trees across Africa.

The first woman in east and central Africa to earn a doctorate, Maathai also headed the Kenya Red Cross in the 1970s. Maathai had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in July 2010, her family added, but never made the illness public. “We must try our best to find something that will give us a little comfort - the kind of comfort she herself would have given us,” said family spokeswoman Vertistine Mbaya. Aside from her conservation work, Maathai was elected an MP in 2002 and then named the environment assistant minister, a position she held between 2003 and 2005. “We mourn a global icon who has left an indelible mark in the world of environmental conservation,” said Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki in a statement.

For more than a decade from the 1980s, her movement also joined the struggle against the dictatorial regime of Kenya’s former president

Daniel Arap Moi, with Maathai repeatedly tear-gassed and beaten by police. During that time, she famously campaigned against the construction of a high-rise building in a park in central Nairobi, stopped the grabbing of forest land outside the city and successfully pressed for the release of 51 political prisoners.

Maathai in recent years founded green groups and launched several campaigns against climate change and environmental protection.

Outside Kenya, she was involved in efforts to save central Africa’s Congo basin forest, the world’s second largest tropical forest. Republic of Congo’s Forest Economy Minister Henri Djombo expressed shock yesterday at what he called “a great loss for the world environmental community”. Maathai, who was divorced, is survived by three children and a granddaughter. “Professor Maathai’s departure is untimely and a very great loss to all who knew her as a mother, relative, co-worker, colleague, role model, and heroine, or who admired her determination to make the world a more peaceful, healthier, and better place,” her family said.

Kumi Naidoo, the director of Greenpeace International, voiced sorrow at Maathai’s death. “It is a

deeply distressing and painful loss, not only to the environmental movement globally but also to the social justice movement,” Naidoo told the BBC. Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikewete, in a Twitter message, said Maathai had been “an inspiration for many women across Africa, a magnificent visionary and embodiment of courage”. South Africa’s Desmond Tutu, a fellow Nobel winner, said Maathai had “understood and acted on the inextricable links between poverty, rights and environmental sustainability”. “She was a true African heroine,” Tutu added.

Nigerian environmentalist activist and Friends of the Earth International chairman, Nnimmo Bassey, praised her as a “crusader of environmental rights”. “She stood up to political powers and showed a serious commitment to the preservation of tree species in Africa. This is something that her departure should not stop,” he said. Comments on a Facebook page set up to mourn her death said her “innovativeness and steadfastness will be greatly missed”. “You lived a good life, you fought a tough fight - we stand on the shoulders of a hero,” said Elizabeth Maloba. “Rest in peace, Mama Kenya,” wrote Titus Mugo. — AFP

UAE backheel penalty taker dies in crash Continued from Page 1 funny side, substituting the player immediately after he scored and leaving him out of the lineup for the next match. Awana played for the UAE in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Australia in an Olympic qualifier but suffered an injury and was due to have treatment on his injury this week.

“Awana was very honest, keen and committed to his duties. It’s a great loss for us, it is very painful news” Khalfan Al-Rumaithi, president of the UAE FA, told the

association’s website. Zhang Jilong, acting president of the Asian Football Confederation, also paid tribute to the player. “On behalf of AFC and the Asian football family, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the UAE football community, family and friends of Awana,” Jilong told the AFC website. “His demise at such a young age is a great loss to Asian and UAE football in particular.” The UAE squad’s training was cancelled yesterday but they will resume today ahead of a friendly against China next week and the World Cup qualifier against South Korea. — Reuters

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Issues

US, Palestinians race for votes at UN council

By Louis Charbonneau he Palestinians’ initiative to seek UN recognition as a state, which went yesterday, faces an uphill struggle to secure the nine votes needed for approval.

Without those votes in the 15-member body, the United States will be spared the embarrassment of having to veto the application, which would be a further blow to its floundering efforts to secure Middle East peace. As the formal discussions start, diplomats say the Palestinians have only six certain votes on the council - China, Russia, Brazil, Lebanon, India and South Africa.

Those nations, except Lebanon, make up the BRICS bloc of emerging powers whose economic and diplomatic clout has grown as trade becomes more globalized and the United States and Europe fight prospects of another recession. But diplomats say the BRICS countries seem to have made no attempt to use their considerable weight, often on show in financial and trade matters, to force the Palestinian issue. They have essentially taken the same approach as always. “If a vote was held today, the Palestinians wouldn’t have enough votes to carry the day and the Americans wouldn’t even need to use their veto,” a Western diplomat told Reuters.

Still, diplomats say Washington remains isolated on the council because of its staunch support for Israel, which the majority of UN member states believe has worked hard to sabotage peace talks with the Palestinians. In February, Washington vetoed what was widely seen as an anodyne resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity, even though its language was largely consistent with statements of the Obama administration, which has urged the Israelis to resume a moratorium on new settlements.

When Israel ended the moratorium a year ago, the Palestinians withdrew from moribund peace talks.

Highlighting its isolation on the Security Council, Washington cast the sole vote against the settlements resolution. The other 14 members - including Washington’s European allies such as Britain and France opposed the United States and Israel and voted for the resolution. The Europeans agree with Washington that the Palestinian UN bid is unwise and are inclined to oppose it. But the Europeans and Americans are far apart on the Middle East issue and diplomats say Washington remains as isolated as ever.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas set the clock ticking on Friday when he delivered a UN membership application for a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The capital would be East Jerusalem, land Israel captured in the 1967 war that it launched out of fear Arabs were poised to attack. The council was to take up the Palestinian membership application yesterday in closed-door consultations, but no immediate action is expected, diplomats say. Normally the council would take no more than 35 days to review and assess a membership application. In July, the application of South Sudan, the 193rd UN member and the most recent country to join the world body, was approved in a matter of days and given to the General Assembly, which confirmed it. Western diplomats on the Security Council say that will not be the case with the Palestinian application.

The United States and Israel vehemently oppose the move and say it can only undermine efforts to relaunch stalled peace talks. The 35-day limit can easily be waived, Western diplomats say. Slowing down the process, they say, would be helpful as it would buy time for the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations - the “Quartet” - to put pressure on both sides to get back to the negotiating table.

But Abbas told reporters during the trip back to Ramallah that he expected the council to make a decision in “weeks not months”. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki has acknowledged his delegation lacks sufficient support at the moment to get a resolution on Palestinian statehood and UN membership through the council. To pass, resolutions need nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent council members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

“We’re working towards it (securing nine votes) and I think we’ll manage it,” Malki said.

Malki has named Gabon, Nigeria and Bosnia as key rotating council members he hopes to win over to the Palestinians’ side. — Reuters

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It’s game over for Egypt’s workers

By Roland Singer-Kingsmith

gypt is undergoing unprecedented industrial strikes this week. Over half a million public sector workers have participated in demonstrations, marches and sitins across the country since the beginning of the month.

The first independent trade unions in Egypt’s history, inaugurated since the revolution, are cracking their knuckles by coordinating non-violent political action on a massive scale. Huge numbers of teachers, doctors and factory workers are putting enormous economic and political pressure on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces by refusing to work until the interim government concedes to their demands. Schools are closed, factories are empty and hospitals are dangerously understaffed. This is, without a doubt, the largest walkout of working and middle class Egyptians in modern history.

Yet, astoundingly, the English speaking world remains deaf to their calls. In stark contrast to the round-the-clock coverage of the events in Tahrir Square in January and February 2011, the workers’ uprising is receiving little or no international exposure. Global newspapers appear morbidly obsessed by US-Israeli relations, Twitter feeds are trending exclusively in Arabic and Al-Jazeera is reposting articles about strikes in April. Considering that Egyptian laborers alone are estimated to number around 25 million, the potential power that trade unions and workers’ parties can exert is phenomenal and no complete resolution to the Arab Spring can be realized until the labor movement is satisfied. This is a modern socialist revolution in action and its absence on the international political scene constitutes a media blackout of Mubarak-esque proportions.

What little international attention there is being paid to the Egyptian labor movement is often cynical and misinformed. The compulsion of certain bystanders to urge Egyptians to calm down, return to work and expect change in the not-too-distant future is unsettling and naive. An editorial in a Kuwaiti daily last week condemned the recent ‘muscle-flexing display of anarchists’ outside various government buildings, as if the author were reprimanding his adolescent son for throwing a tantrum. Apart from its patronizing tone, this particular attitude proves that many continue to believe that the 25 January Revolution has already been concluded and that the labor movement is somehow disconnected from the toppling of Mubarak’s regime. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The heartbeat of the 25 January Revolution continues to pound in the fierce activities of Egyptian unionists and socialists. The Egyptian labor movement is fundamentally aligned with the ideological demands of the political movement realized earlier this year. It represents the direct and practical application of the three revolutionary ideals change, freedom, social justice - but in the personal economic sphere rather than the public political one. It aims to protect workers and employees from gross financial inequality, lack of employer accountability and often perverse working conditions. In a country where 61 percent of the total national workforce are not formally employed, have only the flimsiest job security and absolutely no recourse to defend their legal rights, the seeds for a working class uprising were sown long ago.

Egyptian factory workers have perhaps the loudest voice. Although the grievances being articulated are numerous and specific details vary between different subsections of the overall movement, there are nevertheless large swathes of common ground. Most unions representing laborers, for example, have agreed that the SCAF has an obligation to set a fair wage at $200 per month, institutionalize the signing of employment contracts and expunge those departmental heads linked to the previous ruling party.

The heritage of the factory workers’ role in the labor movement has become legend since the famous strikes at El-Mahalla Textiles on 7 Dec 2006 where protestors collected 12,000 signatures denying their confidence in the factory syndicate committee after it refused to fight employers to raise their wages or recognize their right to strike.

Although the strikers did not achieve their immediate demands, it was the first attempt by workers to take over a state-run syndicate and resulted in the immortal slogan: ‘Fair wages, an independent union’.

It might be easier to understand the plight of Egypt’s labor workforce if we consider the grossly irresponsible privatization program that Mubarak oversaw during his thirty year reign. Large numbers of public businesses were auctioned at huge discounts to foreign companies that had bribed government officials to sign off on ludicrously corrupt contracts. For example, in April this year, a fierce court

E

battle began in Shubra El-Kom, an industrial town 70 km north of Cairo, over the legality of a contract that saw a public textile company worth $174m sold to an Indonesian private firm for just $3m. The official had pocketed most of the difference. Such deals assured no further government control, which allowed companies to set their own standards and refuse inspection without answering to a higher authority or being required to protect their employees.

Considering that Egypt’s only trade union, The General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU), had been state run since it was established in 1957 by Gamal Abd Al-Nasser, workers such as these were powerless to complain. Instead they had to suffer silently the impromptu lay-offs, criminally low wages and inhumane working hours. Thankfully, the eventual disbanding of the GFTU after the revolution has led to a deluge of new unions and syndicates fighting to represent their members in newly sanctioned legal territory. This is where we find ourselves now and the future of change in Egypt will depend on the success of such organizations. Some sectors’ demands go beyond simply protecting job security and financial prospects. Teachers, for example, have demanded that government spending on education should increase to 6.3 percent of GDP. In a statement released by the Independent Teachers Syndicate on 25 September, seven demands were laid out including the forced resignation of Ahmad Mussa, the Minister of

working. No ships are sailing. No ports are operating. It’s game over - finished.’

Since Mubarak’s departure on the 11 February the labor movement has made extraordinary advances and shows no sign of slowing up. At time of writing, public school teachers have just agreed to suspend their nationwide strike for a week pending the response of an emergency governmental meeting convened to decide how to deal with theinsistence of protestors’ demands. So far the SCAF has remained dangerously mute on the topic issuing a statement only recognizing the movement and pledging only to ‘review a draft law dealing with improving the financial and social welfare of teachers’.

Likewise, in a landmark legal decision, three private companies have been renationalized in an extraordinary victory for the socialist unions. A judge refused the pending sale contracts of Tanta Linen Company and Nasr Company, which manufactures steam boilers and pressure vessels, and Misr Shabein Al-Kom, a spinning and weaving company. According to an account in Al-Youm Al-Saba: ‘The court ordered to return the three companies to their normal state before contracting and retrieving all branches, tools and machines without debts or mortgages. The court also ordered to return the workers back to their jobs and provide them with all their rights.’ Apparently, on delivery of the verdict, the entire courtroom cheered.

Egyptians walk past a giant poster showing stars of Spanish football powerhouse Real Madrid (left) and the English team Chelsea in Cairo yesterday. - AP Education, the appointment of more graduates of education colleges to the Ministry as well as the ‘introduction of a fair and humane wage that will put an end to the evil of private tuition’, referring to the grim reality that many public school teachers are forced to offer extracurricular lessons to make up their miserable salaries.

To think that such tumult, dissatisfaction and widespread malaise in the working class was somehow removed from the events in Tahrir Square that expelled Mubarak and his cronies from office is a fool’s game. The crucially decisive role that the factory worker strikes on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 February 2011 played in finally bringing Mubarak’s government to its knees has been largely forgotten outside Egypt.

However, the critical importance of the labor movement in the recent revolution has not been lost on Hossam Al-Hamalawy, independent Egyptian blogger and member of the Revolutionary Socialists, who believes that the workers have always been the key to political change. Unlike journalists, students and lawyers, the workers have their finger on the pulse of the country’s economic power. In an interview with Jadaliyya Al-Hamalawy said: ‘The workers, if they strike, it’s game over. It’s finished, because the machine won’t work. There’s no money coming in. No trains are moving. No buses are moving. No factories are

Successes such as these have not however been enough to eradicate the prevalent opinion of many in Egypt that stability trumps action in times of political turmoil. These opponents believe that grinning and bearing the status quo in the short term will allow for changes to be made at a more appropriate time in the future. Among the proponents of such a view are the Muslim Brotherhood who have spoken out in particular against the teacher strikes saying that their actions ‘contradict the noble duties of educators and negatively affect our children at all school levels’. Despite the MB’s generally high levels of popularity, in this instance they are in a minority. Sadly, the ferocity and passion with which Egyptian workers are currently striking is matched only by the remarkable apathy which the international community receives the news. Far from the ‘muscle-flexing display of anarchists’, the Egyptian labor movement is a mature, sophisticated and powerful campaign struggling against decades of governmental negligence. It proposes a clear vision of how Egypt’s workforce should be treated and how the government should invest in the future. Considering the vociferous support that the international community lent to the ideals of the Jan 25 revolutionaries, it would be unwise to turn away at the climactic moment when the reality of their hopes and dreams is in the balance.

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sp orts

Blackburn to tour India MUMBAI: Blackburn Rovers will visit India early next month, having cancelled their July trip at the last minute following blasts in Mumbai, the Indian owners of the English Premier League side said yesterday.

Blackburn, owned by Indian poultry giants Venky’s, had postponed their pre-season visit to Pune after three near-simultaneous bomb blasts during the evening rush hour in the country’s financial capital killed more than 20 people. The club would become the first Premier League side to tour the country on Oct. 57, during a break in the English fixtures, for a friendly in Pune, about 200km from Mumbai, where the owners are based.

“Security is paramount but so is our commitment to bringing Blackburn Rovers to India,” Venky’s director Balaji Rao said in a statement yesterday.

“And perhaps the visit now could not have been better timed. The club is riding on a high after its big win over Arsenal, and the players are eager to share the glory with their Indian fans.” Blackburn, who last won the Premier League in 1995, came back from behind to beat Arsenal 4-3 to pick up their first league win after a poor start to the season. —Reuters

Boxing bribery claims BAKU: The world boxing championships began in Baku yesterday amid official fury at claims that multi-million dollar bribes were paid to ensure gold medals for Azerbaijani fighters at the 2012 Olympics.

The ex-Soviet state’s powerful emergency situations minister, who also heads Azerbaijan’s boxing federation, told local media on the eve of the tournament that the corruption allegations raised in a BBC television programme were lies.

“It is wrong to disseminate news based on false information to the international community and the people who organised it must be held responsible,” Kamaladdin Heydarov told the apasport.az website.

An investigation by BBC’s Newsnight programme alleged that $9 million was paid by an Azerbaijani national to organisers of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA)’s World Series of Boxing (WSB).

The money was allegedly paid to secure gold medals for Azerbaijani fighters competing at next year ’s Olympics. But Heydarov said that the claims could easily be disproved. “AIBA and Azerbaijan’s boxing federation have the facts to prove the defamatory nature of this information,” he said. AIBA president Wu Ching-Kuo has also rejected the allegations as “totally untrue and ludicrous” but confirmed that the organisation would launch an investigation. —AFP

Woods appoints new caddie NEW YORK: Tiger Woods has appointed Joe LaCava, once caddie for Fred Couples and most recently Dustin Johnson, as his full-time bagman, the former world number one said on Sunday.

Woods, who surprisingly parted company with his long-time caddie Steve Williams in July, will have LaCava on his bag for the first time at the PGA Tour’s Frys.com Open in San Martin, California from Oct. 6-9. “(Woods’s manager) Mark (Steinberg) and I were approached by a lot of people, including Joe, who expressed an interest in becoming my caddie,” Woods said on his official website (http://web.tigerwoods.com). “This was an important decision, and I wanted to think about it carefully. Out of deference for the FedExCup playoffs, I decided to wait until they were concluding to have substantive talks. We then spoke to Joe and came to an agreement.

“Joe is an outstanding caddie, and I have known him for many years. I’ve personally seen the great job he did for Freddie. I’m anxious for us to be working together.” — Reuters

Red Sox pound Yankees

NEW YORK: The Red Sox salvaged their American League wild-card lead Sunday when Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer in the 14th inning of the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader, lifting Boston over the New York Yankees 7-4. The Red Sox rallied from a 3-0 deficit to snap a four-game skid and head into their final series with a one-game lead over Tampa Bay. Boston held a nine-game lead over the Rays entering play Sept. 4 but has gone 5-16 since. Up by 1 1/2 games to start the day, the Red Sox nearly wasted that entire lead after losing the opener 6-2 despite Ellsbury’s two homers.

Boston finishes in Baltimore, while Tampa Bay hosts the Yankees, who already have clinched the AL’s best record and homefield advantage through the AL championship series. Ellsbury homered off Scott Proctor (0-2) after a single and a walk.

Franklin Morales (1-1) pitched two innings for the win. Felix Doubront, recalled on Sept. 1, finished the 5-hour, 11-minute game for his first save since August 2010. In the opener, A.J. Burnett (11-11) made his most impressive start in nearly three months and Jorge Posada hit a two-run homer for the Yankees.

Ellsbury connected twice to become the first player in Red Sox history to reach 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in a season. Tim Wakefield (7-8) dropped to 1-5 in his last 10 starts. Derek Jeter had three hits to lift his average to .300 at the end of the game for the first time since April 2.

Rays 5, Blue Jays 2 At St. Petersburg, Florida, B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist homered in the first inning to back Wade Davis, (11-10) in Tampa Bay’s win over Toronto.

Evan Longoria and Kelly Shoppach also homered for the Rays, who have closed the gap with Boston despite going 14-10 in September. Joel Peralta finished for his sixth save in eight chances. Tampa Bay closes at home against the Yankees, while the Red Sox play at Baltimore.

Athletics 6, Angels 5 At Anaheim, California, rookie closer Jordan Walden (5-3) wasted a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning, throwing away a potential game-ending grounder in Oaklands’s win over Los Angeles. The defeat left the Angels 3 games behind Boston and two games back of Tampa Bay. But Josh Willingham homered leading off the ninth and, after a pair of singles, Walden threw Adam Rosales’ comebacker past shortstop Erick Aybar and into center. Kurt Suzuki followed with a tying double, and Coco Crisp’s second sacrifice fly put the A’s ahead.

Rangers 12, Mariners 5 At Arlington, Texas, Yorvit Torrealba homered in

consecutive innings, including a grand slam, after Derek Holland (16-5) pitched his scheduled five innings in a postseason tuneup. Adrian Beltre and Ian Kinsler also homered for the Rangers, who matched a franchise record with their 52nd win at home. Texas stayed a game ahead of Detroit for the second-best record in the AL and homefield advantage in the first round. Charlie Furbush (4-10) was the loser.

Twins 6, Indians 4 At Cleveland, Rene Tosoni led off the 10th inning with a home run off Tony Sipp (6-3) to give Kyle Waldrop (1-0) his first career win. Chris Parmelee added an RBI single later in the inning. Cleveland had a four-game winning streak snapped. The crowd got a surprise in the ninth when 41-year-old Jim Thome made what could be his last appearance at

NEW YORK: Boston Red Sox runner Dustin Pedroia (left) dives to first base as New York Yankees first baseman Nick Swisher takes the throw during the 13th inning of the second game of a baseball double-header. —AP Tigers 10, Orioles 6 At Detroit, Miguel Cabrera homered and singled to raise his average to .341 in his push for the AL batting title, then left because of lightheadedness as Detroit downed Baltimore.

Brad Penny (11-11) allowed three runs and five hits in 5 1-3 innings for the win.Brian Matusz (1-9) gave up six runs and seven hits in five innings.

Assuming he doesn’t pitch again this year, Matusz will finish with a 10.69 ERA, a record high for a pitcher with at least 40 innings in a season, according to STATS.

Progressive Field - as a third baseman, a position he had not played since 1996.

Royals 2, White Sox 1 At Chicago, Luis Mendoza (2-0) allowed one run and five hits in 7 2-3 innings, Jarrod Dyson hit a tworun double and Kansas City sent Chicago to its 11th loss in 15 games, ensuring the third losing record for the White Sox in eight seasons under manager Ozzie Guillen. Gavin Floyd (12-13) matched his season high with 10 strikeouts and held Kansas City to two runs and three hits in eight innings. Greg Holland struck four in his fourth save. —AP

MLB results/standings Results and standings from the MLB games on Sunday. NY Yankees 6, Boston 2; Minnesota 6, Cleveland 4 (10 innings); Detroit 10, Baltimore 6; Washington 3, Atlanta 0; Cincinnati 5, Pittsburgh 4; Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 2; Colorado 19, Houston 3; Kansas City 2, Chicago White Sox 1; Philadelphia 9, NY Mets 4; Milwaukee 9, Florida 5; St. Louis 3, Chicago Cubs 2; Texas 12, Seattle 5; Oakland 6, LA Angels 5; LA Dodgers 6, San Diego 2; Arizona 5, San Francisco 2; Boston 7, NY Yankees 4 (14 innings).

NY Yankees Boston Tampa Bay Toronto Baltimore

American League Eastern Division W L PCT 97 62 .610 89 70 .560 88 71 .553 80 79 .503 67 92 .421

GB 8 9 17 30

Detroit Cleveland White Sox Kansas City Minnesota

Central Division 92 67 .579 80 79 .503 77 82 .484 70 89 .440 61 98 .384

12 15 22 31

Texas LA Angels Oakland Seattle

Western Division 93 66 .585 86 73 .541 72 87 .453 66 93 .415

7 21 27

Philadelphia Atlanta Washington NY Mets Florida

National League Eastern Division 99 60 .623 89 70 .560 78 80 .494 76 83 .478 71 88 .447

10 20.5 23 28

Milwaukee St. Louis Cincinnati Pittsburgh Chicago Cubs Houston

Central Division 94 65 .591 88 71 .553 77 82 .484 71 88 .447 70 89 .440 55 104 .346

6 17 23 24 39

Arizona San Francisco LA Dodgers Colorado San Diego

Western Division 93 66 .585 84 75 .528 80 78 .506 72 87 .453 69 90 .434

9 12.5 21 24

Cardinals reel in Atlanta ST. LOUIS: Rafael Furcal hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 on Sunday to pull within one game of Atlanta in the National League wild-card race. St. Louis trailed the Braves by 10 1/2 games on Aug. 26, but the Cardinals have won 15 of their last 20.

The Cardinals close with a three-game series at Houston, which has the worst record in the major leagues, while Atlanta hosts Philadelphia, which has the best mark. Trailing 2-1, St. Louis tied the score in the seventh on Yadier Molina’s career-best 14th homer. The following inning, Furcal homered off Randy Wells (7-6).

Making what might have been his final home appearance for the Cardinals, Albert Pujols went 0 for 4 - ending his streak of reaching base in 40 successive games.

The three-time NL MVP, who is eligible for free agency after the season, received a 45-second standing ovation during his first at-bat. He stepped out of the batter’s box and tipped his helmet.

Nationals 3, Braves 0 At Washington, the top four hitters in Atlanta’s lineup, including Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla, went a combined 0 for 16 with five strikeouts in a loss to Washington. The Braves have dropped 10 of their past 15 games. Wilson Ramos homered off Atlanta starter Mike Minor (5-3) in the fourth, and Michael Morse hit the 29th of his breakout season - a two-run shot - off reliever Cristhian Martinez in the seventh. Ross Detwiler (4-5) went six innings for Washington before a crowd of 37,638 in the final game of 2011 at Nationals Park. He allowed four hits while striking out four.

Phillies 9, Mets 4 At New York, Roy Halladay, Hunter Pence and the Philadelphia ended their eight-game losing streak, looking playoff-ready in every way by routing New York.

Playing their regular lineup for the first time since clinching the NL East, the Phillies posted their major league-leading 99th victory. Pence homered during a three-run first inning, each starter had a hit by the third and Carlos Ruiz’s single made it 9-0 in the fourth.

Brewers 9, Marlins 5 At Milwaukee, Ryan Braun homered and raised his NL-best batting average to .333, lifting Milwaukee over

Florida for its team-record 55th victory at home.

Every position player had a hit for the NL Central champions before the first out of the third as the Brewers swept the season series from the Marlins (7-0) for the first time since 1998.

Braun finished 2 for 3 before leaving after the fifth and leads Mets shortstop Jose Reyes (.331) for the batting title.

D’backs 5, Giants 2 At Phoenix, Miguel Montero hit a two-run double to support Josh Collmenter’s seven strong innings and Arizona beat San Francisco for a three-game sweep.

Aaron Hill and Colin Cowgill also had run-scoring hits for the Diamondbacks, who have won six of seven.

Justin Upton was hit on the front of the helmet by a pitch from Giants ace Tim Lincecum (13-14) in the first.

He initially remained in the game and scored Arizona’s second run, but left after the inning for precautionary reasons. Neurological tests on Upton were negative and he is day to day. Carlos Beltran and Andres Torres homered in the sixth for the Giants, who have lost four straight.

Dodgers 6, Padres 2 At San Diego, Clayton Kershaw earned his 21st win, taking a two-hitter into the eighth inning to make his final case for the NL Cy Young pitching award as Los Angeles defeated San Diego.

Kershaw (21-5) tied Arizona’s Ian Kennedy for the NL lead in wins and increased his league-leading strikeout total to 248 in his final start of the season. His NL-best ERA rose slightly to 2.28 as he extended his career-high winning streak to eight games.

Teammate Matt Kemp’s pursuit of the NL Triple Crown had a major setback as he fell nine points behind in the batting race. Kemp, who started the day six points back, went 1 for 5 as his average fell to .324.

Rockies 19, Astros 3 At Houston, Colorado set a team record with 25 hits, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Chris Iannetta each drove in five runs and the Rockies routed Houston.

Jordan Pacheco, Ty Wigginton and Tommy Field had four hits each for the Rockies, who broke the previous team mark of 24, accomplished most recently in a 16-4

ST LOUIS: Cardinals’ David Freese scores on a sacrifice fly by Edwin Jackson, next to Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto in the fifth inning. —AP win at Pittsburgh on Aug. 2, 2003. Kouzmanoff hit a pair of two-run homers. Colorado pitcher Kevin Millwood (4-3) also had a two-run shot, his second homer of the season and fourth of his big league career. The 16-run margin of defeat tied the Houston record and the 19 runs allowed matched the second-most in franchise history, trailing only a 22-7 loss at the Chicago Cubs on June 3, 1987.

Reds 5, Pirates 4 At Pittsburgh, Dontrelle Willis allowed three hits in

six innings and had a two-run double to pick up his first win of the season as Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh. Willis (1-6) gave up three runs and struck out six to finally break through in his 13th and final start of the season.

Francisco Cordero worked an eventful ninth for his 35th save. Chase d’Arnaud hit a two-run triple but Pittsburgh couldn’t complete a three-game sweep in its home finale at PNC Park. Daniel Moskos (1-1) allowed three consecutive hits in the sixth, the last one a double to right by Willis. —AP

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S P ORT S

CHARLOTTE: Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) makes a save during the third period of a preseason NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets. — AP

VANCOUVER: San Jose Sharks’ goalie Thomas Greiss, of Germany, deflects the puck away from the net during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks. — AP

Hurricanes down Jets, Red Wings win CHARLOTTE: Cam Ward made 36 saves and the Carolina Hurricanes got their offense going in a 4-0 preseason victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night.

Zac Dalpe and Jay Harrison both scored 69 seconds apart in the first period, and Jerome Samson and Riley Nash added second-period goals as Carolina won its first NHL exhibition game this season.

Carolina scored more goals in one game than it had scored in its previous two (3), both losses. David Aebischer had 26 saves for Winnipeg, which fell to 1-3 in preseason games.

Red Wings 4, Blackhawks 3 In Detroit, Todd Bertuzzi and Henrik Zetterberg scored shootout goals to propel Detroit past Chicago. Valtteri Filppula had a goal and two assists and Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom a goal and an assist apiece for Detroit. Ty Conklin made 21 saves.

Brandon Pirri had two goals and an assist and scored in the shootout for

Chicago, and Jimmy Hayes added a goal and an assist. Alexander Salek stopped 30 shots. Pirri’s goal 9: 23 into the third period tied the game at 3. Detroit forward Jan Mursak fractured his left ankle late in the second period.

Bruins 7, Canadiens 3 In Halifax, Joe Corvo and Brad Marchand each scored power-play goals to lift Boston over Montreal.

Zdeno Chara and Daniel Paille had shorthanded scores for the Bruins, who posted five unanswered goals after falling behind early in the first period. Gregory Campbell, Tyler Seguin and Jordan Caron also scored.

Scott Gomez, Brian Willsie and Aaron Palushaj had the Canadiens’ goals. The teams meet again Monday night in Montreal.

Blue Jackets 4, Sabres 1 In Colombus, Dane Byers had a goal and two assists to lead Columbus to victory.

Grant Clitsome added a goal and an assist, and Jeff Carter and Ryan Johansen also scored for the Blue Jackets. Steve Mason made 19 saves. Tyler Myers had the Sabres goal, and Ryan Miller stopped 23 shots.

Avalanche 3, Stars 0 In Denver, Ryan O’Reilly scored two goals, Jean Sebastian Giguere stopped 16 shots and Colorado handed Dallas its first preseason defeat.

Ryan Stoa also had a goal and Kyle Quincy had two assists for the Avalanche, who won for the first time in three preseason games. Richard Bachman had 28 saves for Dallas, which fell to 3-1 in the preseason.

Oilers 3, Flames 0 In Calgary, Devan Dubnyk made 30 saves, Linus Omark and Jordan Eberle had a goal and an assist each, and Edmonton swept a home-and-home series against Calgary. The Oilers also beat the Flames 2-1 Saturday in Edmonton. Calgary is 1-3-0 in

preseason play.

Shawn Horcoff also scored for the Oilers, who improved to 3-2-0 in exhibition action.

Defenseman Taylor Fedun chipped in with a pair of assists.

Starting Calgary netminder Henrik Karlsson stopped 11 of 12 shots he faced through a period and a half. Miikka Kiprusoff played the second half of the game, making 10 saves.

Sharks 4, Canucks 3 In Vancouver, Tommy Wingels scored his second goal of the game with 6:04 left in the second period to put San Jose ahead, and the Sharks continued their perfect preseason.

Brad Winchester, playing on a tryout contract, and Andrew Desjardins also scored, and Thomas Greiss made 26 saves for the Sharks (4-0-0). San Jose dressed most of its regulars, including their top line of Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau, and top defensive pairing of Dan Boyle and

Douglas Murray. Cody Hodgson, Alexander Sulzer and Nolan Baumgartner scored for the Canucks (2-3-0).

Ducks 3, Kings 1 In Los Angeles, Andrew Gordon and Patrick Maroon scored in an 11-second span in the final minute of the second period and Anaheim defeated Los Angeles.

The Ducks prevailed (2-3) despite having only a few regulars in the lineup. The Kings (1-1-1) played with almost their complete lineup of regulars except for defensemen Jack Johnson and Rob Scuderi.

Anaheim goalie Jeff Deslauriers made 32 saves. Jonathan Quick made 15 saves for the Kings. Gordon dug out a rebound from the corner and slipped a backhand under Quick’s right pad at 19:20. Maroon scored on a wraparound at 19:31.

Kyle Palmieri gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead in the second period when he redirected Maxime Macenauer’s pass from the corner at 2:45. — AP

Windies stun England LONDON: Spinner Garey Mathurin enjoyed a memorable debut as he inspired the West Indies to a surprise 25-run win over England in the second Twenty20 international at the Oval on Sunday.

The 28-year-old left-armer from St Lucia took 3-9 in his four overs as England crumbled in pursuit of the West Indies’ total of 113-5 and were bowled out for 88, their lowest total in a Twenty20 international.

On a turning pitch, Mathurin opened the attack and bowled Craig Kieswetter, Ravi Bopara and Jonny Bairstow in quick succession to give the tourists a stranglehold on the game.

“The English had not seen me before and I thought I could get the job done,” said Mathurin. “Ever ybody was together. We came out there with a point to prove.”

England captain Graeme Swann said: “We put ourselves in a position where we should not have lost the game. “To not chase 113 is unacceptable in international cricket. The West Indies played well but not well enough to bowl us out for 88. But you can’t argue with a guy who gets 3-9.”

Ben Stokes hit some big shots in making 31 but was trapped in front by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and in a much-improved West Indies fielding per formance Samit Patel was run out by a direct hit from Bishoo.

Joss Buttler and Scott Borthwick were both run out and with them went England’s last hopes of a successful run chase and when Jade Dernbach was last man out he was the fourth run out victim of the innings.

This was England’s first defeat in any form

of the game since July 3, when they lost the third one-day international against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.

The win was also sweet revenge for the West Indies who were crushed by 10 wickets in Friday’s first game as the two-match series ended 1-1.

Samit Patel took 2-22 as the West Indies were kept to 113, a total that did look big enough until their spinners came into action.

After their defeat on Friday the tourists were hoping to post a bigger total but their depleted batting line-up was kept in check

by England’s slower bowlers who were shrewdly rotated by Swann.

The West Indies, who were put in by England, struggled to get the bowling away and Marlon Samuels was the only batsman to make more than 30, hitting 35 not out.

The tourists struggled to get the English bowling away and by the end of the 14th over they had just 62 on the board and at one point went 43 balls without hitting a boundary.

Chris Barnwell tried to accelerate but when he attempted to hit Patel over the top he fell to a stunning catch by Alex Hales.

Patel opened the bowling and had Miles Bascombe plumb leg before whilst Johnson Charles and Dwayne Smith got themselves in but failed to go on and convert their starts into significant scores.

Smith was caught in front by Dernbach and Charles was bowled by a googly from young leg spinner Borthwick. Borthwick then pulled off a smart catch in the deep off

LONDON: England’s Samit Patel is run out by a throw from West Indies’ Devendra Bishoo during their Twenty20 cricket match at the Oval cricket ground. — AP

Ravi Bopara to get rid of skipper Darren Sammy as he was trying to increase the run rate.

Samuels and Andre Russell managed a few big blows in the last two overs which were to prove significant in the end with Friday’s bowling hero Bopara going for 36 in his four overs. — AFP

SCOREBOARD LONDON: Full scoreboard in the second Twenty20 international between England and West Indies at the Oval yesterday: West Indies D. Smith lbw b Dernbach 11 J. Charles b Borthwick 21 M. Bascombe lbw b Patel 3 M. Samuels not out 35 C. Barnwell c Hales b Patel 16 D. Sammy c Borthwick b Bopara 12 A. Russell not out 12 Extras (2w, 1lb) 3 Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 113 Did not bat: D. Christian, G. Mathurin, D. Bishoo, K. Santokie Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Smith), 2-24 (Bascombe), 3-42 (Johnson), 4-64 (Barnwell), 5-98 (Sammy) Bowling: Bresnan 3-0-12-0 (1w), Patel 4-022-2, Dernbach 3-0-19-1 (1w), Borthwick 40-15-1, Bopara 4-0-36-1, Swann 2-0-8-0.

England C. Kieswetter b Mathurin 10 A. Hales b Santokie 2 B. Stokes lbw b Bishoo 31 R. Bopara b Mathurin 3 J. Bairstow b Mathurin 4 S. Patel run out (Bishoo) 2 J. Buttler run out (Sammy) 13 T. Bresnan c Mathurin b Russell 2 S. Borthwick run out (Russell/Sammy) 14 G. Swann not out 0 J. Dernbach run out (Barnwell/Christian) 3 Extras: (3lb, 1w) 4 Total (all out, 16.4 overs) 88 Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Hales), 2-14 Kieswetter, 3-24 (Bopara), 4-44 (Bairstow), 5-52 (Patel), 6-55 (Stokes), 7-60 (Bresnan), 883 (Buttler), 9-85 Borthwick), 10-88 (Dernbach) Bowling: Santokie 3-0-17-1, Mathurin 4-0-93, Bishoo 3.4-0-22-1, Sammy 2-0-9-0, Russell 2-0-14-1 (1w), Smith 2-0-14-0.

Result: West Indies won by 25 runs

ATLANTA: Bill Haas holds the FedEx Cup after winning the Tour Championship golf tournament against Hunter Mahan in a playoff at East Lake Golf Club. — AP

Haas wins Tour Championship ATLANTA: Ice-cool Bill Haas held his nerve to beat fellow American Hunter Mahan in a thrilling playoff for the season-ending Tour Championship on Sunday and also claim FedExCup honours with its $10 million bonus.

Haas knocked in a four-foot par putt at the third extra hole, the par-three last, to seal victory with Mahan having bogeyed after hitting his tee shot into a greenside bunker and splashing out 15 feet beyond the cup.

The putt earned Haas his third PGA Tour title and a combined total of $11.44 million for winning the richest playoff of all time in golf. “This just worked out for me,” a smiling Haas said greenside at East Lake Golf Club after pumping his right fist in celebration, removing his cap and embracing Mahan. “I’m very fortunate. It is very unexpected.”

Asked how he had felt lining up the putt that ultimately sealed victory, he replied: “My hands were shaking. I don’t know how far it was. It looked like 12 feet, it was probably four.

“When I hit it, looked like it came off right where I wanted it to. This is my third win, so it makes all of them so special. This is pretty cool.”

The pair had finished the 72 regulation holes on eight-under-par 272, Haas squandering a three-shot lead with three holes remaining to close with a two-under 68 and joint overnight leader Mahan carding a 71.

British world number one Luke Donald birdied three of the last five holes for a 69 to finish in a tie for third with South Korean K.J. Choi (70) and Australian Aaron Baddeley (72).

Several players had a chance of landing the lucrative jackpot going into the final round, with FedExCup points leader Webb Simpson and Donald looking the likeliest.

However American Simpson, who would have prevailed over Haas had he finished no worse than 18th on Sunday, ended up 22nd after battling to a 73. Donald, fourth in the standings at the start of this week, would have

claimed the $10 million bonus had he finished alone in third. Joint third was not quite good enough. Haas, who came into the Tour Championship ranked a lowly 25th in the elite field of 30, ended up sweeping the honours against the odds.

“I don’t know how many times I can say the word fortunate, but if Webb plays a little bit better ... all these things had to happen for me to win, and they did,” he said.

The sudden-death playoff, with $11.4 million on line for the winner, began at the tricky 18th where both players ended up settling for pars. Haas missed the green to the right off the tee and then chipped up to 11 feet before coolly sinking his par putt. Mahan, who found the right greenside bunker with his tee shot, splashed out to six feet before knocking in his putt for a matching par.

At the second extra hole, the par-four 17th, Haas ended up in the right fairway bunker off the tee and appeared to be literally sunk when he pulled his second shot left of the green into the edge of a water hazard.

Mahan, in perfect position off the tee, struck his approach to 25 feet. Remarkably, Haas conjured a stunning third shot with his right foot in water, somehow getting his ball to check on the green and end up just three feet from the cup.

Mahan narrowly missed his birdie attempt and Haas tapped in his par putt to keep the playoff alive. The duo then returned to the parthree 18th where Haas struck his tee shot to 50 feet before Mahan again ended up in the right greenside bunker. Mahan’s bunker shot flew long, leaving him with a 15-footer to save par which he missed to the right.

Haas pushed his long-range approach putt four feet past the cup and, with the biggest cheque of his career lying in wait, coolly rammed it home to claim his third PGA Tour victory. — Reuters

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sp orts

Sharapova rolls into third round

TOKYO: Ana Ivanovic of Serbia returns the ball to Anastasia Rodionova of Australia during their first round match in the Japan Pan Pacific Open. —AP

Stewart wins at New Hampshire LOUDON: Tony Stewart’s season has gone from winless to winning streak at crunch time. Don’t ask Smoke to explain it. While Chase drivers around him run out of gas, Stewart has the fuel to go the distance and inject the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship with a dose of dominance that has him a formidable front-runner for a third title.

Stewart smoked ‘em again and made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, pulling ahead when Clint Bowyer ran out of gas with two laps left to win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday. “You don’t see it coming,” Stewart said.

Only a few weeks ago, Stewart considered his car in the Chase a waste of a spot. Bad runs, bad luck, bad everything.

Seems like a different a season.

Stewart is on a roll with eight races left, building on last week’s Chase-opening victory at Chicagoland Speedway with another strong late-race surge at New Hampshire. Both of his victories this season have come in the Chase and have propelled him to the top of the points standings.

The outcome was a complete reversal of the race at New Hampshire last fall, when Stewart’s tank ran dry a lap from the checkered flag and Bowyer pounced for the victory.

“If that’s not a flip-flop from last year, I don’t know what is,” Stewart said over the radio as he crossed the finish line.

Stewart had called this season a “miserable year” before getting hot in the final two races before the Chase. He was third at Atlanta and seventh at Richmond just a little sneak preview of what was to come in a Chase he has absolutely owned, this one on a track he loves. In 26 career starts at Loudon, Stewart has three wins and 16 top-10s.

Stewart overtook Kevin Harvick for the points lead and made himself the car to beat after a rather pedestrian regular season. Even Stewart counted himself out him before the Chase, declaring he would call himself, “a total bumbling idiot,” if he won the championship. He might win his third title ‚Ä” but don’t expect Smoke to call himself a favorite.

“Got eight long weeks still, man,” Stewart said. “It’s way too early to start counting chickens.” How about counting wins? Stewart, who won Cup titles in 2002 and 2005, is the second driver to ever open the Chase with consecutive victories.

“The potential’s been there all year,” he said. “You wonder when the bad luck string is going to stop. You hope (good luck) happens another eight weeks now.

We hope we’re through with it and we can keep clicking off top-fives, top-10s. If we could get a couple of more wins, that would be awesome.”

Stewart led a pack that included four other Chase drivers in the top 10. Brad Keselowski was second, Jeff Gordon was fourth, Matt Kenseth was sixth and Carl Edwards finished eighth. Gordon rocketed from 11th to sixth in the standings

and is still a legitimate contender for his fifth championship.

Gordon ran out of gas last week and was forced to conserve fuel over the waning laps at New Hampshire. “It’s something that we need to be better at,” he said. For at least one Chase driver, it’s time to start planning for next season.

Denny Hamlin, who entered in 12th and a whopping 41 points out, finished 29th and was the worst Chase finisher. A year after he went into the finale with the points lead, Hamlin’s shot at his first championship is over. While the nine drivers behind Stewart range from seven to 29 points behind him, Hamlin is 66 points back and 32 out of 11th.

“We’re just figuring out what we need to do to be a little bit more competitive,” Hamlin said. Jimmie Johnson, the fivetime defending champion, finished 18th and is 10th in the standings.

Other Chase driver results saw Kyle Busch finish 11th; Harvick 12th; Dale Earnhardt Jr. 17th; Kurt Busch 22nd; and pole winner Ryan Newman 25th.

Fuel mileage was a deciding factor with several contenders falling away when they ran out of fuel. Bowyer, still looking for at least one victory this season before he leaves Richard Childress Racing, thought he could stretch his gas until the very end. He wound up 26th.

Stewart couldn’t believe his good fortune a year after the same problem derailed his shot at a victory.

“I know exactly what that feels like,” Stewart said. “I know exactly how he feels right now. I saw him slowing down the back and I thought, ‘Oh, no, you’re kidding me. That’s not the way you want to win it.” Greg Biffle, the only other driver to open the Chase with two straight wins, was third. Brian Vickers was fifth.

Round 3 of the Chase is next week at Dover International Speedway. Stewart’s win last season snapped a 32-race losing streak and helped Stewart-Haas Racing take the checkered flag for the second time this season. Newman and Stewart finished 1-2 at New Hampshire in July.

Stewart was cryptic about the turnaround after he got out of the No. 14 Chevrolet at New Hampshire.

“We got rid of some dead weight earlier this week, so, it’s made it a lot easier It’s been a big weight lifted off our shoulders,” he said, without explanation.

“Sometimes you’ve got to make adjustments in your life, and we did that, and it’s definitely helped this weekend for sure. These guys have never quit, man, these guys have never given up, and we’ve got a shot at this thing.”

Pressed on the issue in the media center, Stewart declined to address it. “We’re just going to leave it at that,” he said.

Whatever he meant, it seemed more personal than professional. Crew chief Darian Grubb said there were no personnel changes on the team. “Maybe he’s talking about me and I just don’t know it yet,” said Grubb, laughing. With results like these? Not a chance.—AP

TOKYO: Maria Sharapova defeated Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand 62, 7-5 yesterday in a second-round match at the Pan Pacific Open played under the roof because of rain. After taking the first set in 30 minutes behind a blistering forehand, the second-seeded Russian quickly went up 3-0 in the second set before faltering. Tanasugarn suddenly came to life, breaking in the fourth game and winning five of the next seven games to make it 5-5. Sharapova dug in during the 11th game, however, breaking again and then closing the match with an ace at a covered Ariake Colosseum.

“I ser ved really well today,” Sharapova said. “It was important for me to serve well because she reads the ball really well. I had a bit of letdown in the second set. She started playing really well. I was glad I was able to come back and win it in two sets.”

Also advancing were seventhseeded Marion Bartoli of France and two top Serbians, eighth-seeded Jelena Jankovic and 12th-seeded Ana Ivanovic.

Sharapova said the players are happy to support this tournament following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

“The commitment the players have shown is incredible,” she said.

“With nearly a full draw, I think the players have shown their dedica-

tion.”The annual WTA Tour tournament is normally outdoors, but late-morning rain forced the closure of the roof over the main court and suspension of play on outdoor courts.

Bartoli defeated Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-3, 0-6, 6-3, and Jankovic beat Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-2.

Bartoli prevailed in a baseline battle despite a second-set whitewash. She overpowered Morita with a strong backhand in a final set featuring service breaks in the first three games.

Morita committed several unforced errors in the third set, leading to her defeat. Serving to stay in the match, Morita staved off four match points before succumbing. Qualifier Mandy Minella of Luxembourg rallied past Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, and Ivanovic defeated qualifier Anastasia Rodionova of Australia 6-4, 6-0.

Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, seeded first in the $2 million tournament, has a first-round bye and today plays the winner of the match between Rebecca Marino of Canada and Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia. US Open champion Samantha Stosur of Australia also opens today, facing Maria Kirilenko of Russia or Erika Sema of Japan.—AP

TOKYO: Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a ball to Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand during their second round match of the Japan Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament. —AP

Wales thrash Namibia World Cup records tumble DUNEDIN: Wales posted a recordbreaking 81-7 thrashing of Namibia yesterday as the skewed World Cup schedule once again made a mocker y of the International Rugby Board’s claim it is trying to close the gap at the top of the game.

The win was Wales’s biggest in a World Cup and also set national tournament bests for points scored, tries (12), and winning margin, while 19-year-old winger George North became the youngest scorer of any nationality in a World Cup. However, while Wales took the plaudits and other Tier One nations such as England, Scotland, Ireland and Australia were planning their week’s preparation for their decisive final pool games, Namibia were packing their bags after playing all four in 17 days.

After being thrashed 87-0 by holders South Africa on Thursday, it was hardly surprising to see the largely amateur African side fall apart in the second half against Wales four days later and they paid a heavy price for missing more than 40 tackles.

Lock Heinz Koll gave them something to celebrate when he galloped in for a rare try but, after 15 defeats in as many World Cup matches, they look as far away as ever from being able to mount any sort of realistic challenge to even the second-tier nations.

“It was ver y hard to play so many games in a short period of time and facing Wales four days after the Springboks was tough,” said captain Jacques Burger, who ended the night in hospital with a suspected broken jaw.

Coach Johan Diergaardt said the tournament had been a wonderful experience. “The short turnaround periods weren’t good for us but the bottom line is we have to play more games at this level for us to compete.”

Wales, who had eight days to prepare from the match, were only 22-0 up at the break but with the Namibian part-timers running on empty they cut loose in the second half. Centre Scott Williams grabbed a hat-trick, North got two, and Aled Brew, Toby Faletau, Gethin Jenkins, Jonathan Davies, Lloyd Williams,

NEW PLYMOUTH: Wales’ Jonathan Davies runs past a Namibian defender to score a try during their Rugby World Cup game at Stadium Taranaki. —AP Lee Byrne and Alun Wyn Jones also scored, while Stephen Jones celebrated becoming his countr y ’s most-capped player on his 101st appearance by kicking 15 points.

“We came here for the win and bonus point and we got that,” said Wales captain Sam Warburton. “I think we tried too hard and we played in the wrong areas at times, but the game broke down in the second half and we were able to score 12 tries, which could be important for the points difference.” Wales and Samoa both have 10 points behind South Africa on 14. With the islanders facing the Springboks in their final game Wales are odds-on to progress after their final game against Fiji.

Their reward as runners-up would be a quarter-final meeting with the winners of Pool B, likely to be Ireland, or possibly Australia.

The action continues with two matches today when Italy take on

the United States in Nelson needing to win, and preferably with a bonus point to stay in the quarterfinal hunt, while Canada and Japan face off in Pool C in the match each side has targeted as their best chance of a sole World Cup win.

Italy were forced to change their lineup for their game after fullback Andrea Masi strained a calf and will be replaced by Luke McLean and they will hope to escape with any further damage ahead of their final pool game against Ireland in Dunedin on Sunday. Ireland moved south yesterday following their thrashing of Russia on Sunday and said that, despite their surprise win over Australia, the Italy game had always, and still did, hold the key to qualification.

“Nobody is thinking about the draw or anything like that, nobody is looking beyond this game,” said Ireland manager Paul

McNaughton. “We were all very pleased to beat Australia but Italy was the game we had to win.”

While Ireland have a great oppor tunity to go beyond the quarter-finals for the first time, Scotland are in real danger of failing to get to at least the last eight for the first time after their heartbreaking defeat by Argentina on Sunday.

Yesterday ’s post-mor tem focused on the “30 seconds of madness” that allowed Puma replacements Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino to score the late try that has left the Scots almost certainly needing to beat England, and by eight points or more, to maintain their proud record of qualification. “We’ll be confident.

We almost beat them in the Six Nations and there’s no bigger stage and no bigger game in a lot of guys careers,” said flanker John Barclay.—Reuters

Four-time champion Boeuf retires on winning note

LOUDON: Richie Evans Jr., son of NASCAR Hall Of Fame inductee Richie Evans, prepares to drive a replica modified series car before the star t of the Sylvania 300 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. —AFP

CRAON: Controversial four-time French champion jockey Dominique Boeuf announced his retirement yesterday after riding a winner here saying he was not getting enough quality rides.

The 43-year-old garnered all the wrong headlines when he received a three year suspended prison sentence in 1995 for his role in trafficking drugs particularly cocaine.

Prior to the trial he had been jailed though the judge had permitted him to ride out on the gallops at Chantilly in the morning so long as he returned to prison by the evening.

Boeuf - a popular presence in the weigh room - rode his first winner aged just 16 and was crowned French champion for the first time in 1991 before adding further titles in 1998, 2001 and 2002. However, the rides have progressively

dried up and Boeuf who had complained on July 14 that he wasn’t seeing enough of his family decided that having won here it was a good time to hang up his boots.

“I have decided to retire after my success in the handicap here,” he told his fellow jockeys after weighing-in following the victory.

Later he confirmed this to the racing channel ‘Equidia’. “It’s decided. I will no longer ride competitively,” said Boeuf, who numbered among his major racing successes two French Oaks and the 1993 Sussex Stakes on Bigstone.

“90 percent of the horses that I ride these days are no-hopers. “The door is beginning to shut and the passion I had for the sport is ebbing away. “As for what I do in the future we will see.”

Boeuf was most famously associated with his

role as retained jockey for the notoriously difficult owners the Wildensteins, first with the late scion of the dynasty Daniel and then his son Alec, who is also now dead.

However, he was not immune from one of the withering attacks the Wildensteins were prone to delivering. His day of reckoning came in June 2004 after the hotly-fancied filly Vallee Enchantee was beaten in the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom and Alec was asked whether he felt she had been unlucky.

“We weren’t unlucky, she was ridden by an asshole who didn’t follow instructions,” Wildenstein replied adding that Boeuf’s contract was being terminated. Boeuf replied drily on hearing the news: “Apparently we don’t understand each other anymore.”—AFP

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SPORTS

Man United hosts Basel without Wayne Rooney

MUNICH: Bayern Munich’s Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo (left) and defender Jerome Boateng take part in a training session ahead of the football Champions League Group A match against Manchester City. —AFP

Bayern eye group domination BERLIN: In-form Bayern Munich host Manchester City in their Champions League Group A game today knowing that victory against the team that looks like their direct group rivals will put them in the driving seat.

Bayern go into their second group game in scintillating form, having won their last nine games in all competitions without conceding a single goal. They also won their group opener at Villarreal two weeks ago to lead the standings.

While Bayern have historic associations with the city of Manchester, they are linked to United rather than City.

United’s 1958 air crash in Munich that decimated the team and the 1999 Champions League final where United snatched a last-gasp victory over Bayern are two significant dates in Munich.

But Bayern are more eager to look ahead than back, with this season’s Champions League final to be held in the Bavarian capital and Bayern eager for a shot at a fifth title.

“In the form we are currently in the only team that can beat us is ourselves,” said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm after their 3-0 league win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Bayern also saw the return of Dutch winger Arjen Robben, who had been out since late August with a groin injury. He could not have hoped for a better comeback himself as he scored the third goal 12 minutes after coming on.

Mario Gomez is also expected to start again after playing against Leverkusen, following a brief absence due to a groin injury. “The team is well-prepared, hugely motivated and I am very optimistic,” said club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“City are the favourites in the group together with us so it would be great if we could beat them today.”

Debutants City suffered a case of firstnight nerves in their opening 1-1 draw at home to Napoli two weeks ago and coach Roberto Mancini vowed his team would be much calmer for the trip to Munich. The English side go into the game full of confidence having beaten Everton 2-0 at the weekend and stand level on points with Manchester United

at the top of the Premier League.

Carlos Tevez could be preferred to Edin Dzeko up front after the Bosnian produced a below-par showing on Saturday and was substituted by Mario Balotelli in the 60th minute.

Balotelli, who scored eight minutes after coming, is not available for the trip to Germany as he will be serving the second of a three-match European ban.

Mancini is expecting a more open game with Bayern than against Napoli.

“Bayern are like us. They play good football and they play to win,” local media quoted the Italian as saying.

“This will be different to when we played Napoli. Bayern will attack because that is their mentality. It will be very open.” City players will come up against a familiar face with old boy Jerome Boateng now a Bayern player following a close-season move from the English club. “It always happens like that, doesn’t it? When I saw the draw I just sensed Bayern might end up against City,” Boateng told the Sunday Times.

“My main reaction was that the whole group is so tough. Any of these teams could easily finish top. It’s one each from the strongest four leagues.

“City have such a strong squad in the attacking positions, it will be a very big test for us. I was looking at some of the scorelines they were getting and I thought ‘Phew!’”

City have already notched 19 goals in six games in an unbeaten start to their Premier League campaign with Argentina striker Sergio Aguero scoring eight of them.

Probable teams: Bayern Munich: 1-Manuel Neuer; 21Philipp Lahm, 5-Daniel van Buyten, 28Holger Badstuber, 13-Rafinha; 31-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 30-Luiz Gustavo, 25Thomas Mueller, 7-Franck Ribery, 10Arjen Robben; 33-Mario Gomez; Manchester City: 25-Joe Hart; 4Vincent Kompany, 5-Pablo Zabaleta, 6Joleon Lescott, 13-Aleksandr Kolarov; 18Gareth Barry, 19-Samir Nasri, 42-Yaya Toure; 21-David Silva, 32-Carlos Tevez, 16-Sergio Aguero.—Reuters

LONDON: Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney when the English champions chase their first win in this season’s Champions League against FC Basel today.

Rooney was ruled out for at least a week with a hamstring injury ahead of Saturday’s match at Stoke, a 1-1 draw that ended the perfect start to United’s Premier League title defense. While it was United’s first domestic slip this season, the team had already dropped points in the Champions League when it was held to a 1-1 draw at Benfica in the Group C opener.

United manager Alex Ferguson was already planning to rotate his squad against Basel at Old Trafford, but Rooney’s injury will force him into an unexpected change up front, with usual strike partner Javier Hernandez also not training yesterday after limping off early against Stoke.

That could give Dimitar Berbatov a rare start today, while both Michael Owen and Danny Welbeck are also in contention.

“I do need to get all the squad moving,” Ferguson said. “I think we got a positive result against Benfica. Hopefully, we can strengthen our position. Basel are a decent side though.”

Basel leads Group C after beating Romanian champion Otelul Galati, which hosts Benfica today. Ferguson is hoping a victory over Basel is followed by back-to-back victories over Otelul Galati so he can rest players for the final Group C matches ahead of the packed December fixture list.

“If we win our next three games, we can utilize the squad,” Ferguson said. “It would definitely help and we’ve done that over the years. It’s sometimes backfired - I played a fresh team over in Fenerbahce and they beat us 3-0. Although I want to make changes, I don’t want an embarrassment. So changes have got to be made with a mind of still winning the game.” United’s experience in the

OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester United’s South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung (right) attends a training session at the Carrington complex on the eve of their UEFA Champions league football match against Basel. —AFP European Cup could be key. The club has won the title three times, and reached the final in three of the last four seasons.

“We’ve built up experience playing in Europe, especially the team we have now,” United midfielder Darren Fletcher said. “A lot of us have been playing together for four or five years in Europe.

“We have found a way and a style of playing. We know how important it is to keep the ball. It is different to the Premier League - you give the ball away in Europe and foreign teams can keep it for long periods. We have learnt to adapt.”

Fletcher is already wary of the looming

matches against Otelul Galati. “You’ve got to be cautious about unknown quantities,” he said. “Some people expect you to just walk over teams like that and win comfortably. It’s never as easy as that though.”

Benfica will find out for itself today when it becomes Otelul Galati’s first-ever Champions League opponent in Bucharest. Away matches have proved tough for Benfica, which lost all three group matches on the road last season and hasn’t won outside Lisbon in the tournament since the 2007-08 season. But Benfica is unbeaten on four previous visits to the Romanian capital, last beating Dinamo Bucharest in the 2006-07 campaign.—AP

Perez: Real’s dream of 10th crown within reach MADRID: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes hiring Jose Mourinho as coach and spending hundreds of millions of euros on players has finally laid the foundation for winning a 10th European title.

As his team prepared to host Ajax Amsterdam in today’s Champions League Group D clash, the construction magnate told delegates at a general assembly on Sunday a first continental crown since 2002 was within reach. “We’ve increased the talent of the squad, rejuvenating and improving it,” Perez said. “We have the best players in the world and they are reinforced by the academy.

“We’re on the right path, sailing the right course; we’ve laid the groundwork for it to be so.

“The pursuit of victory is part of the identity of this team and we want the dream of winning our tenth European Cup title to come true soon.” Real were knocked out in the semi-finals last season by bitter rivals and eventual winners Barcelona in Mourinho’s first term in charge.

They began their campaign with a less-than-convincing 1-0 win at Dinamo Zagreb and warmed up for Tuesday’s game at the Bernebeu with a 6-2 La Liga win over city neighbours Rayo Vallecano but had to come from behind after conceding after only 12 seconds.

They will be missing Brazilian left back Marcelo, who was sent off in Zagreb, and injured

MADRID: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (center) and teammates take part in a training session on the eve of the Champions League first leg football match against Ajax . —AFP Portuguese pair Pepe and Fabio Coentrao for the Ajax clash.

Real scored six goals without reply when they played Ajax home and away in last season’s group stage. The Dutch club have since brought in former Barca player Frank De Boer to replace Martin Jol as coach but are still a shadow of the side that won the Champions League in 1995 and lost to Juventus on penalties in the final the following year.

Ajax failed to beat visiting Olympique Lyon in their group opener and have recorded consecutive draws against PSV Eindhoven and Twente Enschede in the Dutch league as well as struggling to a 3-1 Cup win against the amateurs of Noordwijk.

Probable teams: Real Madrid: 1-Iker Casillas; 4Sergio Ramos, 18-Raul Albiol, 19-

Inter hopes to improve in Champions League MOSCOW: Two weeks after a shock loss to Trabzonspor, Inter Milan will be looking for its first win in the Champions League when it visits CSKA Moscow today.

Inter earned its first Serie A win of the season on Saturday, beating 10-man Bologna 31 in Claudio Ranieri’s first match as coach.

Ranieri was hired last week to replace Gian Piero Gasperini, who was fired after a 3-1 loss to newly promoted Novara.

“Ranieri has given us a lot of order in very little time,” Inter captain Javier Zanetti said.

“Now we’re heading to Moscow with confidence.” Newly signed forward Diego Forlan is cup-tied after joining from Atletico Madrid, likely leaving Inter’s attack to Giampaolo Pazzini and Diego Milito, who each scored in the win over Bologna. “Now we’ve got to bounce back in the Champions League, starting in Moscow,” Milito said.

The clubs have met in the Champions League four times - in the quarterfinals two seasons ago and in the group stage in 2007 and the Italian side won each match.

“The Champions League is always a very balanced competition, so one loss doesn’t mean a whole lot,” said Pazzini, who wasn’t used much under Gasperini but was thrust into a starter’s role in first Ranieri’s match in

charge. “We’ve got five matches to play and we know we can qualify,” Pazzini added.

“Clearly it won’t be easy, but in Moscow we’ve got to show that hunger and nastiness which has made us stand out.”

CSKA coach Leonid Slutskiy noticed that Ranieri had changed Inter’s tactics and starting lineups and the team played more aggressively. “Inter has the same high-class players and for any club in the world it will be tough to play against it, no matter who coaches them (the Italians),” Slutskiy said.

“For us every match is important, especially the one at home. But for Inter it will be even twice as important as they have already lost to Trabzonspor.”

CSKA, which secured a 2-2 draw at Lille in its Group B opener, beat Volga 3-1 Saturday and remains second in the league, two points behind leader Zenit St. Petersburg.

“Yes, we have lost the advantage we had, but I wouldn’t say it’s a crisis,” CSKA defender Sergei Ignashevich said. “If all the players show their best soccer, I’m sure we will have every chance to win the game.”

Meanwhile, CSKA will be without firstchoice goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, who has a season-ending left knee injury. Midfielder Keisuke Honda is also out with an injury,

Raphael Varane, 17-Alvaro Arbeloa; 14-Xabi Alonso, 6-Sami Khedira; 10-Mesut Ozil; 22-Angel Di Maria, 9-Karim Benzema, 7Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ajax: 1-Kenneth Vermeer; 2Gregory van der Wiel, 4-Jan Vertonghen, 3-Toby Alderweireld, 5-Vurnon Anita; 8-Christian Eriksen, 6-Eyong Enoh, 16-Theo Janssen, 10-Siem de Jong; 7Miralem Sulejmani, 9-Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.—Reuters

Matches on TV (Local Timings)

UEFA Champions League

MOSCOW: Inter Milan football players practice during their training session on the eve of the upcoming Champions League match against CSKA Moscow. —AFP while Serbia midfielder Zoran Tosic is also in doubt. “Unfortunately, it’s not that difficult for us to name the starting lineup as we are missing so many players because of injuries,” Slutskiy said. In Moscow, Inter will be without

playmaker Wesley Sneijder due to a hamstring injury, as well as midfielders Dejan Stankovic and Thiago Motta, plus right back Maicon. In the other Group B match, Lille will be at Trabzonspor. —AP

CSKA v Inter Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Real Madrid v Ajax Aljazeera Sport +2 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Lyon v Dinamo Aljazeera Sport +9 Galati v Benfica Aljazeera Sport +8 Man United v Basel Aljazeera Sport +5 Trabzonspor v Lille Aljazeera Sport +6 Napoli v Villarreal Aljazeera Sport +1 Bayern v Man City Aljazeera Sport +4 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD

19:00 21:45

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SPORTS

Ambitious Malaga held

BUENOS AIRES: Boca Juniors’ Pablo Mouche (right) and Argentinos Juniors’ Miguel Angel Torren vie for the ball during an Argentina’s league soccer match. —AP

Boca lead despite draw BUENOS AIRES: League-leading Boca Juniors maintained their four-point lead atop the Argentine Apertura standings despite being held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Argentinos Juniors on Sunday.

In other matches on Sunday, Velez defeated Independiente 1-0, Tigre rallied to draw 1-1 with All Boys, San Lorezno drew 0-0 with Racing, and Belgrano of Cordoba defeated Estudiantes 3-2.

Boca, the early favorite to win the Apertura title, had little sustained possession in its draw with Argentinos Juniors, which have yet to win any of their first nine matches. The Buenos Aires club has five draws and four loses for five points. Boca has six victories in nine matches for 21 points, four ahead of Racing Club.

Boca, which has not won a league title since 2008, played its best football in the final minutes, the best chance probably coming in the 87th when Leonardo Somoza sailed a 20-meter (yard) shot just over the crossbar.

In other matches, Jonathan Ramirez scored the winner for Velez in the victory

over Independiente. Velez improved to 11 points and Independiente stayed on 10.

Roman Martinez scored the equalizer in the 87th to rally Tigre to its draw with All Boys. Mauro Matos scored in first-half injury time for All Boys. Tigre stayed near the top with 16 points and All Boys improved to 10.

Racing’s draw with San Lorenzo improved it to 17 points, in second place behind Boca. Racing has drawn five of nine matches.

Guillermo Farre, Cesar Mansanelli and Hernan Grana scored in Belgrano’s victory. Juan Sebastian Veron and Juan Zapata scored for Estudiantes, which have only five points in nine games. Newly promoted Belgrano has 16.

On Saturday, Raul Saavedra scored the winner in San Martin’s 2-1 win over Rafaela 2-1, while Martin Rolle scored twice in the second half to rally Olimpo to a 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Emilio Zelaya scored early for Arsenal. Late yesterday, Union meet Banfield, Lanus plays Colon and Newell’s faces Godoy Cruz. —AP

KIEV: A view of the golden domes of recently rebuilt St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine. Kiev is one of Ukraine’s four host cities for the Euro 2012 soccer tournament. —AP

Souza hat-trick sinks Cruzeiro RIO DE JANEIRO: Diego Souza scored a hattrick to give leaders Vasco da Gama a 3-0 Brazilian championship win at Cruzeiro, whose furious fans fought among themselves and with police on the terraces.

Television pictures showed police using pepper spray to control fans at the Alligator Arena in Sete Lagoas which is being used as a substitute stadium while Belo Horizonte’s Mineirao is rebuilt for the 2014 World Cup. There was also trouble on Saturday when around 250 Cruzeiro fans gathered in front of the team’s training ground to protest the relegation-threatened team’s recent results.

Fans surrounded the players’ cars as they arrived at the training ground and hurled insults, local media reported. Souza, voted the championship’s top player in 2009 when he was playing for Palmeiras, opened the scoring with a low shot five minutes before

halftime and tapped in the second on the hour from fullback Fagner’s cross.

He saved the best until last, cleverly flicking the ball over Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio before heading into the net in the 81st minute.

Cruzeiro’s misery was completed by a red card for defender Marquinhos Parana for a professional foul on Souza. Vasco lead with 49 points from 26 matches, two ahead of Corinthians who beat Bahia 1-0. Sao Paulo stayed third with 46 after former Brazil and Barcelona playmaker Rivaldo came off the bench to score an injury-time equaliser in a 22 draw at Botafogo, who are fourth.

The 39-year-old, who returned to Brazil last year after a three-year spell in Uzbekistan, headed in a free kick taken by goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni two minutes into stoppage time. —Reuters

MADRID: Malaga missed the chance to join Andalusian neighbours Real Betis at the top of La Liga when they were held to a 00 draw at Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker who joined the ambitious Qatar-owned club in the close season, had Malaga’s best chance early in the first half but was denied by goalkeeper Roberto.

The south-coast side have 10 points from five matches, level with Real Madrid and Valencia and one behind champions Barcelona, Levante and Sevilla.

Promoted Betis, the surprise early pace-setters, can stretch their lead at the top to four points when they play at Getafe late yesterday.

Unbeaten Levante, who stunned Real Madrid 1-0 at their Estadi Ciutat de Valencia earlier this month, won 3-1 earlier on Sunday at home to Espanyol, who had two players sent off in the second half.

Real Mallorca fought back to beat visiting Real Sociedad 2-1, promoted Granada drew 1-1 with Osasuna and Spor ting Gijon drew 0-0 at home to Racing Santander.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo netted trebles as Messi’s Barcelona and Ronaldo’s Real Madrid returned to winning ways

ZARAGOZA: Malaga’s Uruguayan forward Sebastian Fernandez (left ) vies with Zaragoza’s defender David Mateos ( right) during their Spanish League football match. —AFP in style on Saturday.

Real had a scare at their Bernabeu stadium when city neighbours Rayo Vallecano took a shock lead with a goal timed by local television at 12 seconds.

However, Ronaldo’s hat-trick,

which included two penalties, and strikes from Gonzalo Higuain, substitute Karim Benzema and teenage defender Raphael Varane gave Jose Mourinho’s side a resounding 6-2 victory.

Barca then thrashed Atletico

Madrid 5-0 at the Nou Camp, with World Player of the Year Messi’s typically brilliant treble coming after David Villa had opened the scoring and Atletico defender Joao Miranda had diverted the ball into his own net. —Reuters

Jaguares stay on top in Mexico MEXICO CITY: Jaguares extended their unbeaten run to eight games and held on to first place in Mexico’s Apertura tournament with a 1-1 draw against Tigres.

Jaguares have 18 points, the same as Cruz Azul and Chivas, which drew 1-1 over the weekend. Jaguares lead on goals scored. Tigres have 17 points along with defending champion Pumas, which defeated Estudiantes Tecos 2-1 on Saturday.

In a key match Sunday, Javier Yacuzzi scored after 15 seconds for Tijuana before America’s Christian Benitez equalized in the 86th minute to finish 1-1.

In other games this weekend: Atlante beat Atlas 3-2, Queretaro won 2-1 against Monterrey, Puebla lost 2-1 to Santos, Toluca won 2-1 against Morelia and Pachuca drew 1-1 with San Luis.

Lucas Lobos scored in the 79th to give Tigres a 1-0 lead, but a defensive error with one minute left handed possession to Jaguares’ Jorge Rodriguez, who bore down on goal and slotted the ball home.

Omar Arellano scored Chivas’ goal in the first half after a swift counterattack, but Chivas left back Miguel Ponce was sent off in the 52nd after receiving two yellow cards. Colombia Edixon Perea equalized for Cruz Azul 10 minutes later.

Javier Cortes scored for Pumas before U.S. international Herculez Gomez headed an equalizer for Estudiantes in the 28th. Paco

MEXICO: America’s Diego Reyes (back to camera) and Tijuana’s goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo go for the ball during a Mexican soccer league match. —AP Palencia got the winner for Pumas with a deflected effort in the 62nd.

America’s new coach Alfredo Tena saw his team concede straight from the kickoff after a defensive lapse, as Tijuana - also with a new coach - looked for its second win of the season.

America has 10 points and Tijuana has just seven.

Last-place Atlas has only five points and again lost with

Giancarlo Maldonado, Osvaldo Martinez and Francisco Fonseca getting the goals for Atlante, which has won its last four games and has 15 points.

Uruguayan Carlos Bueno scored his eighth goal of the season in Queretaro’s home win over Monterrey, which had two players sent off in the second half.

Colombian Darwin Quintero and Oribe Peralta scored for Santos at Puebla, with Duvier

Riascos converting a penalty for the home side in the 57th. Santos have 14 points but have played one game fewer than the teams above them.

Uruguayan Ivan Alonso scored a goal in each half for Toluca, with Luis Sandoval scoring in the 49th for Morelia. Pachuca fell behind to a goal from San Luis’ Michael Arroyo but equalized one minute before halftime through Enrique Esqueda. —AP

Oliech, Ba tear defences apart PARIS: Kenyan Dennis Oliech and Senegalese Demba Ba smashed hattricks as African goal poachers continued to torment defences across Europe over the weekend.

Oliech struck three goals in the French Ligue 1 for the first time as Auxerre came from behind to trounce Sochaux 4-1, with Burkina Faso star Alain Traore equalising before the Kenyan stole the show.

Ba claimed his first English Premier League hat-trick as Newcastle United remained unbeaten with a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. The Senegalese striker opened the scoring with a powerful shot and his other two goals came from headers.

ENGLAND DIDIER DROGBA (Chelsea) The Ivory Coast striker marked his return from concussion with the final goal in his side’s 4-1 rout of Swansea City at Stamford Bridge. Drogba had been sidelined since a collision with Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy on August 27 but he made up for lost time with his first goal of the seasona fine finish on the turn from Florent Malouda’s pass.

DEMBA BA (Newcastle United) The Senegal striker hit his first hattrick in the Premier League to fire

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR (Tottenham Hotspur) The Togo forward played a key role as Spurs won 2-1 at Wigan.

Adebayor made the pass that led Rafael van der Vaart to fire Spurs into a third-minute lead and the former Arsenal star has now won all three of his matches since moving to White Hart Lane on loan from Manchester City.

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Saint-Etienne) The Gabonese forward, who is on loan from AC Milan, earned SaintEtienne a point at Rennes with a bullet header in the 56th minute of the 1-1 draw. Aubameyang, who is at his fourth Ligue 1 club after previous loan stints with Dijon, Lille and Monaco, has scored three goals in eight league games this season.

ALEX SONG (Arsenal) The Cameroon midfielder scored his first goal since December 2010 as the Gunners cruised to a 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium. Song, whose last goal came in a 3-1 win against Chelsea, was finally back on the scoresheet in the 89th minute when he met Bacary Sagna’s pass, beat Zat Knight and curled home.

FRANCE DENNIS OLIECH (Auxerre) Kenyan forward Oliech claimed his first Ligue 1 hat-trick as Auxerre came from a goal down at the interval to beat Sochaux 4-1. Oliech put the hosts ahead in the 52nd minute, after Sochaux goalkeeper Teddy Richert fluffed his clearance, and doubled his personal tally in the 63rd minute before polishing off a cross from Alain Traore four minutes later to complete his treble.

GERMANY PAPISS DEMBA CISSE (Freiburg) Senegalese striker Cisse notched Freiburg’s opening goal to make it six for the season already-compared with 22 for last season, a record for an African in the Bundesliga. But his side could not hold on to their lead, as Schalke roared back to win 4-2.

STEVE GOHOURI (Wigan Athletic) The Ivory Coast defender was sent off in his first appearance this season as his side lost 2-1 against Tottenham at the DW Stadium. Gohouri had already been booked when he chopped down Spurs winger Gareth Bale, earning a red card for two bookings.

ALAIN TRAORE (Auxerre) Burkina Faso international midfielder Traore, 22, was Oliech’s partner in crime in the victor y over Sochaux. His 51st-minute equaliser was his sixth goal of the season and took him level with Lyon’s Bafetimbi Gomis at the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts.

Newcastle to a 3-1 win over Blackburn at St James’ Park. Ba, who moved to West Ham United in January before joining Newcastle at the end of last season, had failed to score in his previous five appearances for the Magpies. But he finally broke his goal drought with a powerful shot in the 27th minute and struck again with a header three minutes later before completing his treble in the 54th minute with another header.

nod from the outset, but Obasi did get on before the hour mark, only minutes before Luk as Podolsk i clinched a 2-0 win for Cologne.

ITALY TAYE TAIWO (AC Milan) The Nigeria full-back had a less than impressive return to the first team following an injury absence.

Taiwo was substituted early in the second half of the 1-0 victory against Cesena after a poor performance. His positioning in defence was not always accurate and he showed a heavy touch at times in possession, while lacking assuredness in his passing.

KNOWLEDGE MUSONA (Hoffenheim) Zimbabwe international Musona came on as a substitute but was unable to turn the tide in the final 25 minutes after replacing Dominik K aiser as his team lost 2-0 to Cologne.

KEVIN CONSTANT (Genoa) The Guinea midfielder scored the third goal in Genoa’s 3-0 defeat of Catania in mid-week but he could not help his team to victory at the weekend against Chievo. Constant had few chances to get forward and impress in the 2-1 defeat, particularly after Genoa were reduced to 10 men.

He was restricted to a disciplined role down the left flank.

CHINEDU OBASI (Hoffenheim) Musona’s team-mate and Nigerian forward Obasi likewise started on the bench with Peniel Mlapa getting the

SULLEY MUNTARI (Inter Milan) Having fallen out of favour in Milan last season and been loaned to Sunderland, Muntari appears to be

winning back his employers’ confidence. Coach Claudio Ranieri brought him on when trying to hold on to a 1-0 lead away to Bologna and Muntari repaid that faith by providing the free-kick delivery that saw Brazil centre-back Lucio head home the killer final goal in a 3-1 success.

SPAIN FREDERIC KANOUTE (Valencia) Experienced Malian for ward Kanoute scored the only goal of the game as Sevilla beat Valencia 1-0 in a top-of-the-table La Liga clash.

AROUNA KONE (Levante) Ivory Coast international Kone led the attack for Levante in their 3-1 victory over Espanyol that put the modest club level on 11 points with Barcelona. Prominent throughout, he was substituted in the 75th minute for Carlos Aranda.

PAPE DIAKHATE (Granada) Senegal captain Diakhate played his fourth game for Granada in their 1-1 draw with Osasuna. He became the Andalusian club’s record signing for $4.5 million from Dynamo Kiev in August and although solid throughout, he was at fault for Osasuna’s goal when he failed to clear a left-wing cross. —AFP

Haas wins Tour Championship

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United hosts Basel in Champions League

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Perez: Real’s dream of 10th crown within reach Page 18 TAMPA: Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) celebrates with teammate running back Earnest Graham (34) after scoring on a second quarter, oneyard touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game. —AP

Giants shoot down Eagles NEW YORK: Ouch! That’s the kind of day it was for several NFL quarterbacks, most notably Michael Vick, who broke his right hand, and Mark Sanchez, who might have done the same to his nose.

Adding more pain Sunday, both lost. So did Sam Bradford, who was sacked five times, and Matt Ryan, who went down four times.

Vick started for Philadelphia despite suffering a concussion in last week’s loss at Atlanta. He left the 29-16 defeat at the hands of the New York Giants with the broken hand in the fourth quarter after helping the Eagles overcome a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to take a 16-14 lead. It’s uncertain how long Vick will be out.

Elsewhere, Baltimore routed Bradford and the St. Louis Rams 37-7, and Ryan’s Atlanta Falcons fell to Tampa Bay 16-13. Also, it was Green Bay 27, Chicago 17; Buffalo 34, New England 31; New Orleans 40, Houston 33; Detroit 26, Minnesota 23 in overtime; Pittsburgh 23, Indianapolis 20; Tennessee 17, Denver 14; Carolina 16, Jacksonville 10; San Diego 20, Kansas City 17; Seattle 13, Arizona 10; Cleveland 17, Miami 16; and San Francisco 13, Cincinnati 8.

Giants 29, Eagles 16 At Philadelphia, with Vick out, Eli Manning was the star passer. Manning threw four touchdown passes, including two to unheralded Victor Cruz.

Without their Pro Bowl quarterback, the Eagles (1-2) hardly look like the “Dream Team” that entered the season with Super Bowl-or-bust expectations.

The Giants (2-1) have won two in a row and snapped a six-game losing streak against their division rivals. “It means the world to me because a lot of people were saying our receivers were down and who would step up and I was happy to be that guy that stepped up to help my team,” Cruz said.

Raiders 34, Jets 24 At Oakland, Calif., Darren McFadden ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns and the Raiders bullied the Jets in their home opener.

Denarius Moore scored on a 23-yard reverse and Michael Bush added a 1-yard TD run 42 seconds later as the Raiders (2-1) took control in a dizzying span beginning late in the third quarter to hand the Jets (2-1) their first loss.

Ravens 37, Rams 7 At St. Louis, rookie Torrey Smith’s first three career catches went for touchdowns totaling 133 yards in the first quarter, sparking a franchiserecord day for Baltimore’s offense. The Ravens (2-1) also were all over Bradford and dropped the Rams to 0-3. “We did what we didn’t want to do, which is fall behind. It’s like we weren’t even playing in the first half,” Bradford said.

Buccaneers 16, Falcons 13 At Tampa, Fla., Josh Freeman scored the first rushing TD of his career and Tampa Bay’s defense forced three turnovers. The Bucs (2-1) ended a fivegame losing streak in the series between NFC South rivals. Four of those losses were by six or fewer points.

Tampa Bay’s defense forced two first-half fumbles with sacks, and the Falcons (1-2) were stopped on downs inside the Bucs 10 early in the fourth quarter.

Packers 27, Bears 17 At Chicago, Aaron Rodgers threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns to Jermichael Finley. The stakes weren’t as high as the previous meeting, when the Packers left Soldier Field celebrating the NFC title on the way to the championship.

Even so, they gave the Bears (1-2) more headaches as Rodgers completed 28 of 38 passes.

He threw his first interception of the season, when Brian Urlacher picked him off with the Packers (3-0) leading 27-17 in the fourth quarter.

Bills 34, Patriots 31 At Orchard Park, NY, Rian Lindell’s 28-yard field goal as time expired allowed Buffalo to snap a 15-

game slide against New England and lift its record to 3-0, tops in the AFC East. Buffalo overcame a 210 second-quarter deficit, the second straight week the Bills rallied to win. Ryan Fitzpatrick went 27 of 40 for 369 yards with two TDs as Buffalo beat its division rival for the first time since the 2003 opener. Tom Brady was 30 of 45 for 386 yards and four scores for New England (2-1). Despite setting a league record for most yards passing over a threegame stretch, Brady matched a career high with four interceptions. Among them was Drayton Florence’s 27-yarder for a TD. Saints 40, Texans 33 At New Orleans, Drew Brees passed for 370 yards and three touchdowns, and twice led New Orleans back from fourth-quarter deficits after being picked off twice. Mark Ingram’s first career touchdown on a 13-yard run gave the Saints (2-1) the lead for good with under 3 minutes left.

Matt Schaub passed for 373 yards and three TDs of his own, but Houston (2-1) was doomed by four drives inside the 20 that resulted in only field goals.

Lions 26, Vikings 23 At Minneapolis, Matthew Stafford threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns to rally the Lions from a 20-0 halftime deficit, and Jason Hanson kicked a 32-yard field goal in overtime.

Calvin Johnson had seven catches for 108 yards and two TDs for the Lions, 3-0 for the first time since 1980. They won in the Metrodome for the first time since 1997, snapping a 13-game skid.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (0-3), who gave away a big halftime lead for the third week in a row.

Steelers 23, Colts 20 At Indianapolis, Shaun Suisham kicked a 38yard field goal with 4 seconds left in a wild game that turned three times in the final 5A1/2 minutes and was far closer than most expected.

The Steelers (2-1) struggled as Ben

Roethlisberger lost two fumbles and threw an interception during an 11-minute first-half span, and they rushed for only 67 yards. Even when they thought they had finally shaken off the feisty Colts (0-3), they hadn’t. Joseph Addai, who ran 17 times for 86 yards, tied it with a 6-yard TD run with 2:09 to go. Roethlisberger came back with a 60-yard march to set up the winning score. He was 25 of 37 for 364 yards with one touchdown. Mike Wallace caught five passes for 144 yards and an 81-yard score, the longest of his career.

Titans 17, Broncos 14 At Nashville, Tenn., Matt Hasselbeck threw a 4yard touchdown pass to Daniel Graham with 4:24 left to complete Tennessee’s rally past Denver (1-2).

But the Titans (2-1) lost Kenny Britt, the AFC’s leading receiver, when his right knee buckled in the second quarter. Hasselbeck threw for 311 yards and two TDs. Kyle Orton was intercepted twice and sacked once, and the Titans also stopped Willis McGahee on fourth-and-goal at the 1 early in the fourth quarter.

Panthers 16, Jaguars 10 At Charlotte, NC, Cam Newton found Greg Olsen over the middle for a 16-yard touchdown with 4:20 left to lift Carolina (1-2). It was the first pro victory for Newton, the No. 1 overall draft pick, and for coach Ron Rivera with the Panthers.

Newton set an NFL record with 854 yards passing in the first two games of his career. He settled for 158 yards this time in a matchup against Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert (139 yards and a TD). Jacksonville is 1-2.

Chargers 20, Chiefs 17 At San Diego, Eric Weddle intercepted at midfield with 55 seconds left to preserve San Diego’s victory. The Chiefs (0-3) got the ball back at their 33 with 1:26 left after Philip Rivers was stuffed on fourth-and-1 at the Chiefs 34. Out of timeouts, Matt Cassel threw for 24 yards to Leonard Pope. On the

next play, Cassel, under pressure and backpedaling, threw the ball right to the blitzing Weddle. Ryan Mathews scored twice and the Chargers (2-1) overcame two more INTs from Rivers.

Seahawks 13, Cardinals 10 At Seattle, Tarvaris Jackson scrambled for an 11yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, bulling through two Arizona defenders at the goal line, and Seattle (1-2) picked up its first win. Jackson ran through Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes to give the Seahawks the lead.

Seattle safety Kam Chancellor sealed the win by intercepting Kevin Kolb’s pass at the Seattle 25 with 1:04 remaining. Arizona is 1-2.

Browns 17, Dolphins 16 At Cleveland, Colt McCoy threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mohamed Massaquoi with 43 seconds left to cap an 80-yard drive and rally Cleveland (2-1) over Miami (0-3). The loss surely will bring more heat on embattled Dolphins coach Tony Sparano. McCoy was 9 of 13 for all 80 yards on Cleveland’s final drive, making up for an otherwise lackluster performance. On third-and-5, McCoy pump faked before lofting a perfect pass to the right corner over rookie cornerback Jimmy Wilson to a leaping Massaquoi.

49ers 13, Bengals 8 At Cincinnati, Kendall Hunter ran 7 yards for the game’s only touchdown with 3:59 to go in front of Cincinnati’s smallest crowd for a home opener in 30 years. Hunter’s run completed the only noteworthy drive by the 49ers (2-1), who didn’t cross midfield until the third quarter. Cincinnati (1-2) managed only a pair of field goals by Mike Nugent and rookie quarterback Andy Dalton threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, the first of his career.

There were only 43,363 fans at 65,500-seat Paul Brown Stadium, the Bengals’ smallest crowd for a home opener since they played at Riverfront Stadium in 1981.—AP

NFL results/standings

INDIANAPOLIS: Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (87) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark (25) during the second quarter of an NFL football game. —AP

Results and standings from the NFL on Sunday.

Buffalo 34, New England 31; San Francisco 13, Cincinnati 8; Cleveland 17, Miami 16; Tennessee 17, Denver 14; Detroit 26, Minnesota 23 (OT); New Orleans 40, Houston 33; NY Giants 29, Philadelphia 16; Carolina 16, Jacksonville 10; San Diego 20, Kansas City 17; Oakland 34, NY Jets 24; Baltimore 37, St. Louis 7; Green Bay 27, Chicago 17; Seattle 13, Arizona 10; Tampa Bay 16, Atlanta 13; Pittsburgh 23, Indianapolis 20.

American Football Conference National Football Conference AFC East NFC East W L T OTL PF PA PCt Washington 2 0 0 0 50 35 1.000 Buffalo 3 0 0 0 113 7 1.00 NY Giants 2 1 0 0 71 60 .667 NY Jets 2 1 0 0 83 61 .66 Dallas 1 1 0 0 51 51 .500 New England 2 1 0 0 104 79 .667 Philadelphia 1 2 0 0 78 77 .333 Miami 0 3 0 0 53 78 0 NFC North AFC North Green Bay 3 0 0 0 99 74 1.000 Baltimore 2 1 0 0 85 40 .667 Detroit 3 0 0 0 101 46 1.000 Pittsburgh 2 1 0 0 54 55 .667 Chicago 1 2 0 0 60 69 .333 Cleveland 2 1 0 0 61 62 .667 Minnesota 0 3 0 1 60 74 0 Cincinnati 1 2 0 0 57 54 .333 NFC South AFC South Tampa Bay 2 1 0 0 60 60 .667 Tennessee 2 1 0 0 57 43 .667 New Orleans 2 1 0 0 104 88 .667 Houston 2 1 0 0 90 60 .667 Carolina 1 2 0 0 60 68 .333 Jacksonville 1 2 0 0 29 62 .333 Atlanta 1 2 0 0 60 77 .333 Indianapolis 0 3 0 0 46 84 0 NFC West AFC West San Francisco 2 1 0 1 70 52 .667 San Diego 2 1 0 0 65 69 .667 Seattle 1 2 0 0 30 67 .333 Oakland 2 1 0 0 92 82 .667 Arizona 1 2 0 0 59 56 .333 Denver 1 2 0 0 58 62 .333 St. Louis 0 3 0 0 36 96 0 Kansas City 0 3 0 0 27 109 0

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Dubai property sector boosted by Arab Spring Page 23

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KSE stocks pare losses Page 24

Euro-zone damps talk of rapid debt crisis steps Page 25

CAIRO: An Egyptian couple walks at a popular market in Cairo yesterday. Egypt’s economy has been heavily hit in the turmoil since the February fall of President Hosni Mubarak, with continuing strikes and the absence of tourists, a main source of revenue. Economists warn of minimal growth in 2011. —AP

UAE banks gear to face EU crisis Dubai not worried about global recession DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates’ banks have made necessary provisions to deal with the European debt crisis and a potential global recession is not a worry for the oil producer’s business hub Dubai, top government officials said yesterday.

The global credit crunch pushed the crude-reliant OPEC member into a recession in 2009 when its economy shrank 1.6 percent, its biggest slump since 1988, as oil prices dived and Dubai’s property bubble burst. A deepening debt crisis in Europe as well as a slowdown in the United States have increased odds for another global recession this year, pushing crude prices well off their 2011 peaks.

Asked about the impact of the euro zone debt troubles, UAE Economy Minister Sultan bin Saeed al-Mansouri told reporters: “UAE banks have taken necessary provisions to deal with these

issues.” UAE banks, still hesitant to lend following Dubai’s $25 billion debt restructuring in 2010, have not commented on their euro zone exposure but indicated that provisions would continue to rise this year in general as global uncer tainty weighs.

Provisions of UAE lenders against bad loans have risen steadily this year to 48.4 billion dirhams ($13.2 billion) in July, their highest level since at least the end of 2008, central bank data shows. The International Monetary Fund said last week that Europe’s debt crisis had increased the risk exposure of European banks by 300 billion euros ($406 billion) and they needed to recapitalize to ensure they could weather potential losses.

Mansouri also reiterated the government ’s forecast that UAE economic growth was likely to accelerate to 3-3.5

Project Islamic bond market seen growing in Saudi Arabia DUBAI: Project Islamic bonds are expected to pick up steam in Saudi Arabia with the launch of the first project sukuk this month as issuers seek to diversify sources of funding following global financial woes that may dry up lending from international banks.

Saudi Arabia, with projects underway worth $623 billion according to the economic weekly MEED, is the largest Gulf markets and is expected to require billions of dollars in financing. Financing has traditionally come from government funds and syndicated loans from local and international banks.

But the launch of the kingdom’s first project sukuk instrument earlier this month - a $1 billion Islamic bond to be issued

by Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Co (SATORP) - is expected to provide a financing alternative and open the doors for more issuance to come.

“The sukuk issuance does potentially change the game quite significantly,” said Jarmo Kotilaine, chief economist at National Commercial Bank in Riyadh. “Most issuers aren’t innovators, they are replicators. But there are now advisors out there that are in the position to offer similar solutions. It will generate interest.”

That interest comes at a good time as international banks struggle with mounting global economic fears as well as their own balance-sheet woes, making lending less attractive.

“Although it is very likely that a core group of banks will continue to lend to projects in the region, aggregate debt capacity will be eroded and the price of liquidity will likely become more expensive,” said Andrew Davison, senior vice president and team leader of EMEA project financing at Moodys. — Reuters

percent this year from 1.4 percent in 2010, slightly below a Reuters poll forecast of 3.7 percent, made in June.

“All data now show that the UAE economy will see positive growth this year, hopefully better than 3.5 percent,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a business event in Dubai. The UAE central bank governor in June forecast 3.5-4 percent growth this year. Dubai’s Supreme Fiscal Committee chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said at the same event he was not worried about the impact of a potential global recession on the Gulf Arab emirate. Robust oil prices of above $100 per barrel and a revival in trade flows and tourism have helped lift the economy of the UAE, the world’s four th-largest oil expor ter, this year, although the property sector remains weak. The UAE, which enjoys the world’s

sixth-highest per capita income at around $47,400, has also been spared protests that rocked nearby Bahrain, Oman and Yemen and its safe -haven status has boosted business activity. Still, oil prices have plunged to seven-week lows and growth in UAE business activity dropped to a 15-month low in August, a survey showed, indicating that it is being affected by the global slowdown.

Mansouri said oil prices-at around $104 per barrel yestrday were not a concern yet.

In August, passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport grew by 0.8 percent from a year ago, much slower than July’s 9.7 percent jump, while air freight volumes dropped 7.9 percent. Dubai accounts for around 75 percent of non-oil trade in the UAE, the largest Arab economy after Saudi Arabia. —Reuters

SWFs, mid-size deals to keep MENA M&A ticking: HSBC DUBAI: Increased appetite from sovereign funds and restructuring-driven asset sales will help drive a modest recovery in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the head of HSBC’s regional advisory business said.

While global markets are teetering under the impact of a sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone and a slowdown in the US economy, a sharp fall in asset values may present an opportunity for these cash-rich funds with a mandate to invest their state’s hydrocarbon revenues, Omar Mehanna told Reuters.

“Yes, the global picture is pretty bleak, but for sovereigns that are cash rich, they will certainly assess opportunities and this could prove to be an opportune time to deploy some of that capital,” Mehanna said in an interview. M&A in the MENA region hit a rough patch in the wake of the financial crisis as an era of leverage-led buyouts waned and several high-profile investments suffered heavy losses.

Year-to-date, deal volumes in the region have totalled around $40 billion but may see a gradual improvement next year, Mehanna said.

Thomson Reuters data show M&A fee income for investment banks stood at $280.8 million in the first half of 2011, down nearly 30 percent from the same period last year.

Sovereign funds such as the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) — main allocators of state capital in the region-were relatively quiet in the first half of the year.

The global crisis on the other hand has also put increased pressure on regional corporates to restructure their operations, which Mehanna thinks will eventually result in more disposals. Companies in the region have limited access to other financing options as equity markets remain virtually shut and banks become increasingly cautious with their lending.

“You will hear about more corporates forming creditor steering committees, hiring advisors and launch-

ing restructuring processes,” Mehanna said. “Businesses where the fundamentals are robust but the capital structure needs revision, is where I would expect to see more restructuring-related M&A activity.”

HSBC has been involved in several deals in the last year. It was an adviser to Citi Infrastructure in its $1.5 billion purchase of DP World’s Australian port operations, it advised Lamprell Plc in its $336 million purchase of a stake in Maritime Industrial Services and also advised on the $2 billion restructuring of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittefaq Steel.

A major impediment for completing deals in the region has been a stark contrast in perceived valuation between the buyer and seller. That trend is slowly changing as more sellers get realistic on valuations, Mehanna said. “What we are witnessing is sellers becoming more realistic regarding their price expectations. One catalyst behind this has been the recent political unrest as well as the global economic backdrop,” he said.— Reuters

Bahrain plans $1bn sovereign Islamic bond MANAMA: Gulf Arab state Bahrain is planning to issue a $1 billion sovereign Islamic bond and has mandated three banks for the proposed sale, banking sources said. BNP Paribas , Citigroup and Standard Chartered have been appointed to manage the issue, the bankers with knowledge of the move said, although they gave no idea as to when the issue would happen. The Central Bank of Bahrain had initially invited banks to pitch for a $1bn conventional bond back in February but the results of that process were delayed because of the outbreak of political unrest in the kingdom. While the political situation is not fully resolved, a decision to award mandates for an offering was made in the last couple of weeks, one of the sources said, with authorities choosing a sukuk route instead. “A sukuk is the right instrument for them,” the source said.

“A lot of Saudi investors would buy into it, while there will be appetite from the Islamic funds on the island. This is important because it is not going to appeal to international investors unless there is a huge premium.” Bahrain last tapped the international debt market in March 2010, when it printed a $1.25 billion ten-year bond through BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan. — Reuters

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business

Allfunds Bank expands in ME with DIFC office B2B platform for third-party investments funds

Stewart Lockie with winning employees

Fly safely with ABK KUWAIT: The Travel Insurance Service competition that was launched by Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait amongst its branches and in collaboration with CHARTIS, the leading company in the insurance field came to an end, and the Bank announced the muchawaited names of the winning staff. The awards went to Fahad Bu Rhama, Jabriya Branch and Walid Musa, Sabah Branch who received their awards from Stewart Lockie, GM, Retail Banking and Farid Saber, GM, Chartis Insurance.

On this occasion, Stewart Lockie stated, “In the beginning we would like to congratulate the winners of today’s draw and wish that none of our customers may come across any ordeals during their travels.”

Lockie added, “We are delighted that ABK provides the best banking services to our customers, whereas the travel insurance from ABK in cooperation with Chartis offers rewarding compensation and comprehensive coverage against many of the incidents that may affect our customers during their travel.

The coverage value from Chartis can

reach up to $500,000. The passenger can choose to have either the family insurance which includes the wife and the children, or the individual insurance ; he can also choose the duration of coverage between 30,60 or 90 days or even the selection of annual multi trips. It is also noteworthy that travel insurance from ABK is accepted and honored by all foreign embassies, it can also be used to obtain the European “Schengen” Visa.”

Farid Saber congratulated the winners and said, “We are pleased to have such a strong relationship with ABK during the last four years. Our thanks to the Retail Banking management and employees for their efforts in marketing the products of Chartis and we pledge to provide the best products and services to the customers of this Bank.”

ABK continues providing travel insurance to its customers throughout the year.

For more information please call Ahlan Ahli on 1 899 899, or chat live with our client servicing on Ahli Chat through our website www.eahli.com

DUBAI: Allfunds Bank has chosen the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) for the establishment of its first Representative Office in the Middle East, as a part of its long-term plans for expansion in the region.

Juan Alcaraz, Allfunds Bank’s CEO, said: “Being close to our clients is part of our DNA, and our commitment to this region is now clear and strong thanks to the opening of our first Representative Office.”

He added: “After completing the first milestone with the endorsement of a Fatwa, which made Allfunds Bank the first Sharia-compliant platform, we are now ready to cater to the fast-growing distribution business in the Middle East and to serve our current clients without time-zone restrictions, which is necessary in order to continue being successful.”

Kevin Birkett, Head of Financial Services at the DIFC Authority, welcomed the opening of Allfunds Bank’s Dubai Representative Office. He said: “The close business ties between the UAE and Spain continue with the opening of Allfunds Bank’s Dubai office. The DIFC has once again proved itself to be the home of choice for companies seeking to expand their footprint in the Middle East and meet the needs of regional and international clients.”

Allfunds Bank has established relationships with customers in the Middle East for the past couple of years. With US$85 billion under management worldwide and over 22,000 funds from more than 400 leading fund houses, physical representation in Dubai will enable the company to meet the region’s growing needs for access to its global financial services and products. Gianluca Renzini, Deputy GM of Allfunds Bank, said: “Our long-term plan is to make this first office grow into an operational hub, just as we have done in the U.K., Italy and Luxemburg, following the steps of our Head Office in Spain. This is imperative in

Kevin Birkett, Head of Financial Services, DIFC Authority, and (R) David Perez de Albeniz, Regional Manager, Middle East and Africa, Allfunds Bank.

GIC expands investments in iron & steel industry in GCC KUWAIT: Gulf United Steel Holding Company (Foulath), a leading global steel investment vehicle and the world’s first fully integrated steel producer, yesterday announced the acquisition of United Gulf Steel Mill Company Limited (UGS) based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by its subsidiary United Steel Company (SULB), a steel manufacturing joint venture between Foulath (51%) and Japan’s Yamato Kogyo Co, Ltd, (49%), a leading global section producer for the production of beams and structural steel sections.

Foulath’s shareholders are among the region’s most reputable and committed investors, each with a long track record of investment in the regional steel and metals industry and other key economic sectors. Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC), Kuwait, which is owned equally by the six governments of the GCC owns 50%, Qatar Steel Company, Qatar owns 25%, Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al-Kharafi & Sons Company, Kuwait owns 10%, National Industries Holding Group, Kuwait owns 10% and Kuwait Foundry Company, Kuwait owns 5%.

Abu Dhabi’s UNB may raise debt to repay $1bn loan ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi lender Union National Bank, may raise medium-term debt to partly repay a $1 billion term-loan maturing in December, its bond prospectus showed.

The bank, which held roadshows in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Sunday for the potential benchmark dollar-bond issue, ahead of investor meets in Asia and Europe, is testing market appetite for regional debt amid a charged global economic backdrop. UNB, jointly owned by the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, signed a $1 billion syndicated five-year loan facility with regional and international banks in December 2006.

The syndication was done at a margin of 27.5 basis points over the three-month London interbank offered rate (Libor).

“This syndicated loan is due for repayment in December 2011, which the issuer intends to repay from its normal cash flows

order to achieve our plans of expanding further east and tapping into Asian markets.” David Perez de Albeniz has been appointed as the Head of the Representative Office in Dubai and will be responsible for clients in the Middle East as well as overseeing and developing the group’s wider strategy within the region.

and/or may partly raise medium-term liabilities, should it be required based on suitable terms and market conditions,” the prospectus, dated Sept. 22, said. Two bankers who attended the roadshows in Abu Dhabi said proceeds from any upcoming bond could be used to partly repay the December maturity. The prospectus for the bank’s $3 billion bond program states only that all proceeds are for general corporate purposes. UNB was not available for comment. The bond would be the first international issue from the Gulf Arab region since Abu Dhabi-based lender First Gulf Bank sold $650 million of Islamic bonds, or sukuk, end-July. A pipeline of bond issues from the region has been held up by global volatility, in particular euro zone sovereign debt woes, leading borrowers to adopt a waitand-see approach and to wonder about the eventual cost. — Reuters

GIC is a leading financial institution offering a comprehensive range of financial services. GIC was established in 1983 to reflect the desire of the GCC countries to establish an investment entity to promote the role of private sector in economic activity and support economic development in the GCC region. GIC has focused its activities in direct investment in new projects in the GCC countries, providing investment banking services to both, private sector and governments, as well as to invest in GCC and global markets.

GIC has invested in about 50 projects in the vital sectors, specially Steel, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Utilities etc., in partnership with others both, private and government sectors.

GIC is the largest non-Bahraini investor in the Kingdom of Bahrain with the market value of investments of about $ 6 billion in the key sectors of iron & steel and energy.

Commenting on the announcement of UGS acquisition, Hisham Al-Razzuqi, Chief Executive Officer of GIC said: “The acquisition of UGS with an annual capacity of 450,000 tons of light & medium

sections and beams by SULB emphasizes GIC’s main mandate in developing the economy of the region through investments in profitable projects or acquiring companies that are facing difficul-

Hisham Al-Razzuqi ties and turn them around to profitable companies. For example in 2000, GIC acquired Gulf Industrial Investment Company (GIIC) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, pelletizing plants with an annual capacity of 12 million tons of pellets, which was underperforming, and with the knowledge and experience of GIC in industrial investments, suc-

ceeded in turning the company into one of the most profitable companies in the region.

Similarly, SULB has acquired UGS, who were facing financial difficulties, to turn it around to profitability by integrating it with Foulath’s fully integrated facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”

Al-Razzuqi further highlighted: “UGS being part of Foulath will benefit from the integration by securing raw material (billets) from SULB on a continuous basis at a very competitive price, enabling it to penetrate the market, ensuring its sustained profitability.”

Al-Razzuqi added: “SULB and UGS currently are the only producers of a full range of light, medium and heavy, sections and beams in the region with a combined capacity of about 1.1 million tons a year which will replace about 25% of the total annual imports of 4 million tons.”

Al-Razzzuqi concluded: “GIC will continue to support private and government sectors to advance its mission and play a major role in supporting the growth and further development of the GCC economies.”

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 .4270000 .3720000 .3040000 .2730000 .2780000 .0040000 .0020000 .0745100 .7259280 .3810000 .0700000 .7116400 .0040000 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2744500 GB Pound/KD .4290340 Euro .3746930 Swiss francs .3068540 Canadian dollars .2756630 Danish Kroner .0503080 Swedish Kroner .0412290 Australian dlr .2808720 Hong Kong dlr .0352320 Singapore dlr .2162390 Japanese yen .0035930 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0747510 Bahraini dinars .7282740 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0732060 Omani riyals .7131350 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

3.647 5.603 3.160 2.509 3.507 212.250 35.552 3.694 6.328 8.921 0.271 0.273

.2790000 .4390000 .3820000 .3220000 .2830000 .2890000 .0072500 .0035000 .0752590 .7332230 .4010000 .0760000 .7187920 .0072000 .0530000 .2765500 .4323170 .3775600 .3092020 .2777720 .0506930 .0415440 .2830210 .0355020 .2178930 .0036210 .0057920 .0025160 .0031610 .0036920 .0753230 .7338460 .3911600 .0737660 .7185920 .0063940

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

GCC COUNTRIES 73.950 76.196 720.280 736.550 75.511

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 48.750 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.428 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.269 Tunisian Dinar 194.530 Jordanian Dinar 391.610 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 186.000 Syrian Lier 5.987 Morocco Dirham 33.805 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 277.200 Euro 372.000 Sterling Pound 429.380 Canadian dollar 268.870 Turkish lire 151.220 Swiss Franc 305.120 Australian dollar 269.300 US Dollar Buying 276.000 GOLD 293.000 150.000 77.000

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

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

SELL CASH

272.400 736.820 3.880 271.700 544.200 36.800 51.400 167.800 47.890 375.500 38.220 6.100 0.034 0.243 0.241 3.730 393.060 0.187 91.190 47.800 4.260 217.200 1.878 49.300 719.640

3.230 6.600 76.640 73.970 216.840 36.720 2.617 432.000 41.700 307.300 5.700 9.470 198.263 75.540 277.400 1.230

10 Tola

GOLD 1,672.190

SELL DRAFT

270.900 736.820 3.696 270.200

218.800 46.432 374.000 36.070 5.605 0.033

Sterling Pound US Dollar

75.440 277.000

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

276.950 269.900 429.030 373.390 304.295 734.290 75.380 76.020 73.815 389.845 46.443 2.507 5.611 3.166 3.696 6.320 679.339 3.725 8.990 5.830 3.600 91.995

Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

274.53 273.00 309.80 376.08

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

277.00 3.175 5.625 2.525 3.705 6.365 75.52 74.020 736.400 46.430 433.500 3.190 1.550 393.500 5.750 376.800 273.100 3.690

Al Mulla Exchange

UAE Exchange Center WLL Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro

432.55 3.68 3.718 5.572 2.512 3.498 3.498 75.40 736.81 46.43 394.08 719.90 76.38 73.96

432.00 3.62 3.750 6.080 2.617 4.200 3.200 75.54 736.82 47.89 393.06 719.64 76.64 73.97

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co.

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

Currency

719.460

305.800 5.700 9.220

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

Currency

391.590 0.186 91.190 3.510 215.700

3.170 6.340 76.210 73.970 216.840 36.720 2.509 430.000

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 430.000 277.000

Rate for Transfer

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

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

274.27 271.70 307.30 375.50

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)

276.650 374.900 430.900 270.200 3.650 5.580 46.430 2.508 3.683 6.330 3.160 736.775 75.350 73.850

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business

Dubai property sector boosted by Arab Spring Safe haven status helps industry

Amer Al-Najm congratulates the winner Mohammed Hani Rahme.

AUB announces winners of Hassady weekly draw KUWAIT: Al Hassad Islamic is the only scheme to offer high value weekly and monthly prizes that are significantly higher than the total outlay of other prize schemes.

AUB has announced the results of the weekly draws of its Al-Hassad Islamic savings scheme. The lucky customers winning the Grand Weekly prize worth KD 25,000 each at the draws held on 7th of August 2011: Hussein Ali Mohd Al Shawaf, Mohammed Aabed Modhafer Hussain, Hani Ali Isa Salman Isa Alwadi.

The following Al-Hassad Islamic customers won cash prizes of KD 1000 each Hessa Mubarak Abdulaziz Alhassawi, Madina Hussain Abdulla Zankawi, Shehab Ahmed Hasan, Mohammed Rajab Mohammed Ali, Hussain Ibrahim Hussain Al Bahrani, Peruvemba Rama. Krishnamurthy, Mohd Hashim Ezzaldin Alsadeh, Osama Mahmoud, Mahmood Ahmed Qambar Baqer, Kelthem A. Touq Albuayenein, Eman Ahmed Salari, Ahmed A.Aziz Al Shamlan, Hassan Ali Alowd, Tamim Abdullmuti Yousef Tamim, Mohammed Hani Rahme, Shareefah Sanhat Zaben Almutairi, Salameh Saad Sulaiman Alanzi, Mutlaq Shalyouh Ayed Al Mutairi, Mohd Hamad Assaf Al Anzi, Ahmed Jaber Salman Naser, Abbas Hasan Marhoon Ashoor, Hassan Habeeb A. Mohsin, Nosra Ahmed Abdulla Ahmed, Mohammed Ayoub Mazarak, Sami Ali Mohammed Ahmed.

With the new Al-Hassad Islamic 2011 scheme, customers have a lot more to look forward to. With 28 Weekly Prizes totaling KD 100,000 each week and “Salary for Life” Prizes every month, the chances to win bigger prizes more often couldn’t get any better.

The most attractive feature of the new scheme is the chance to win bigger prizes, more frequently with 3 grand prizes of KD 25,000 each, week on week plus 25 other weekly prizes of KD 1,000. Chances to win

big prizes on a weekly basis, offer instant rewards to both existing as well as new Investors in Investment Saving Account (Al Hassad Islamic). With the introduction of a “Salary for Life” Prize of KD 250,000 every month, the grand prize is also now more frequent and customers do not need to wait for a quarter or more to qualify for the grand prize. The “Salary for Life” has been a core feature for the AL Hassad Islamic scheme with prizes paid out to date exceeding KD 10 Million. The monthly “Salary for Life” prize has enabled winners to afford better homes, ensure better education for their children and enjoy an improved quality of life, with the assurance that the rewards will continue to come month after month for 250 months.

AL Hassad Islamic is the only scheme to offer high value weekly and monthly prizes that are significantly higher than the total outlay of other prize schemes in Kuwait. In addition to the attractive prize pool, customers with high balances can opt for other unique features such as Investment savings plan, cheque facility linked to their investment savings account and state of the art ebanking and 24 x 7 Contact Center support.

The new Al-Hassad Islamic 2011 is geared to meeting the needs of salaried individuals.

Customers can benefit from not only the biggest and most attractive prize pool but can also enjoy state of the art banking benefits and access to AUB’s unique products’ range for Islamic Finances ,credit cards and investment products. All AlHassad draws are conducted under the scrutiny of officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and independent auditing firm, Ernst & Young.

For more information on the Al-Hassad Islamic investment savings account, its prize structure and eligibility criteria, customers may visit any AUB Kuwait.

Arab Orient named ‘Best Insurance Co, Jordan’ Global Banking & Finance Review AMMAN: The Arab Orient Insurance Company, a subsidiary of the Kuwaitbased Gulf Insurance Company (GIC), was named the ‘Best Insurance Company 2011 - Jordan’ by the Global Banking and Finance Review. The award is in recognition of Arab Orient’s distinguished performance and its excellent insurance services.

GIC, a member of the KIPCO Group, holds an 88.7% stake in Arab Orient, the leading company in the Jordanian insurance sector. According to the Global Banking and Finance Review, Arab Orient was selected as recipient of the award after a series of assessments by analysts and specialists in the insurance industry.

The aim of the assessments was to measure the transparency of the company, as well as its performance in several areas including its financial standing. Arab Orient, as the leading insurance company in the Jordanian insurance market, enjoys great financial solvency. The award was also given to the company for its innovative and distinguished customer service and its commitment to delivering to its clients, as well as for the CSR role that the Arab Orient plays and its contributions to the development of the local society.

Commenting on this occasion, Isam Abdel Khaliq, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Attaining this global award is a great achievement for our company,

especially in light of the regional and international economic and political turmoil which is casing its shadows on different sectors of the economy.” He added: “This award comes to crown a series of achievements made by the company thanks to the consolidated efforts of its employees, who are always keen to provide distinguished services to their customers and continue to develop this area. The award is also an incentive for Arab Orient to maintain its high level of performance and to look for better practice applications in the local insurance market.” Earlier in the year, A.M. Best, one of the world’s renowned rating agencies, had raised Arab Orient’s credit rating for insurance to BBB+ with stable outlook. It also maintained the company’s financial capability at B++ with stable outlook. This reflects the strength of Arab Orient, especially in sound risk assessment and management and strong technical performance. The Arab Orient Insurance Company is the number one insurance company in the Jordanian market, and holds 13% of the market share in terms of subscribed installments. The company was awarded several international and local prizes in 2010.

The number of clients benefitting from the company’s medical insurance services surpasses 140,000, tended to by some 2,500 pharmacies, hospitals and specialized medical clinics.

DUBAI: Dubai’s hotel, retail and residential real estate sectors are enjoying a boost from the emirate’s “safe haven” status amid unrest elsewhere in the Arab world, a report said yesterday.

The Arab Spring, which has resulted in the downfall of leaders in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, has confirmed Dubai’s position in the region, property consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle said. “This stimulus has helped push the hotel and retail sectors into the recovery stage of their market cycle over the past six months, while selected sectors of the residential market are now recovering,” the report said, adding that the office sector had seen the least benefit.

Dubai’s property sector was hit hard by the global financial crisis, with residential prices plummeting as much as 60 percent while bil-

lions of dollars worth of projects were put on hold or cancelled.

Jones Lang LaSalle said that although residential rents and prices are not increasing across the board, some areas are approaching stability.

“Interest from those displaced by the Arab Spring or looking for safe-haven residential properties in Dubai is reported to be particularly strong for upmarket villas in iconic projects such as Palm Jumeirah,” it said. Recovery in demand however could be delayed by slowing growth in the United States and Europe and further supply increases.

Jones Lang LaSalle said a further 5,000 homes expected by the end of 2011 and as many as 27,000 next year could exaggerate oversupply and delay a price recovery.

An increase in villa prices seen

in some areas in the emirate is unlikely to spill over into the broader residential market in 2011 and the chance of any recovery in 2012 will depend on the rate of economic growth and end-user demand for Dubai residential property. Prices continue to see further declines in many parts of Dubai, it added. For office space, caution among occupiers will have a negative impact, but demand should increase over coming months if economic turmoil does not turn into a double-dip recession, the report said, adding that some firms had already started to increase headcount.

Office vacancy rates remained unchanged in the third quarter at 44 percent on a city-wide average basis, it said. More than 1.3 million square meters of office space is under construction and could be

delivered by the end of 2013, adding to a total stock of around 5.9 million square meters by year end, it added.

Tenant-favorable conditions in Dubai’s retail sec tor- such as shorter leases and rent-free periods-are likely to continue for the remainder of 2011, the report said.

Dubai, famed for its lavish hotels, is expected to see rising tourist numbers in the short term after a 10 percent rise in 2010, it said.

“During 2011, Dubai has experienced heavy visitation in the wake of the socio-political uncertainties that has made such destinations as Egypt and Lebanon less attractive.” Hotel occupancy rates have begun to increase af ter remaining relatively stable at 71 percent on average during 2010, it added. — Reuters

BPG Group asserts: Go digital or go bust BPG’s 18th offsite workshop in Fujairah KUWAIT: BPG Group, one of the larger marketing solutions groups in the Middle East, has called on the communications industry and organizations to immediately embrace the digital world or face being ousted from the business by rivals. This was emphasized to Team BPG and associates by Group CEO, Avishesha [Avi] Bhojani, at the Group’s 18thAnnual Offsite, titled iBPG 2011. The new integrated digital business model and the Group’s way forward were shared at the offsite, which was held from September 14 to 16 at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah.

Avi also stressed the importance of strengthening integration from within. Unveiling the theme of this year’s workshop, ‘Digital Digital Digital,’ Avi emphasized that differentiation is the name of the game and BPG has already carved a niche as a media and medium agnostic communications solutions company.

Over 255 members of Team BPG and associates from 33 nationalities and representing 25 different companies attended the three-day event in addition to BPG Group Chairman, Abdulla Majed Al Ghurair; Andrew Scott, Chief Operating Officer, International Specialist Communications, WPP; and a large number of international experts and speakers.

“BPG has always believed in coming up with game-changing ideas and this has becomes more relevant in today’s digital era. If WPP, Omnicom, Publicis, Inter-Public and Havas don’t digitize fast enough, Google may just gobble us,” Bhojani also told the audience.

The offsite also included presentations by prominent speakers including Toby Hoare, Chairman and CEO of JW T Europe, CEO of Team HSBC/WPP and a Board Member of BPG Group; Mark Turnbull, Managing Director, Bell Pottinger Special Projects; Nick Vale, Global Planning Director at Maxus Worldwide; Sonal Dabral, Chairman of Bates 141 and Executive

Creative Director Bates 141; Hamdi Osman, an independent management consultant and former Senior Vice President and CEO of FedEx Middle East, Europe, Indian Subcontinent and Africa Region; Bob Gilbreath, Chief Strategy Officer of Possible Worldwide; Andrew Keen, British-American entrepreneur and author of The Cult of the Amateur; and Andy Hayes, General Manager, Lambie-Nairn Middle East.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Bob Gilbreath said: “Traditional interruptive advertising is failing as we move into a Digital Age. Media agencies are driving the digital revolution. They are one step ahead of the client in knowing that the digital era is shifting

tials of branding and design, making meaningful marketing for a brand or business, five strategies to build next generation communications, is the internet killing our culture?, how award winning communication is created and presentation skills.

Finally, on Day 3, team members were broken into several groups and required to develop syndicated case studies comprising an integrated communications plan for a financial services company and a retail business. An eminent jury that included Bob Gilbreath; Vatche Keverian, CEO, JWT GCC & Chief Client Officer, JW T, MENA; Kenny Powar, President - APAC and EMEA, Possible Worldwide; and

Avi Bhojani makes a point during the 3-day iBPG workshop. our world.” Another prominent speaker had a differing view of the Digital Age. “Thinking digitally is not only thinking of new media. It is thinking of a new world that is changing our lives entirely,” said Andrew Keen.

In his thought provoking talk on revolutions, Mark Turnbull said, “ The great democracy of the internet is changing the world and the Digital Age. But if we talk about the democracy in the Digital Age we live in today, let’s do so with the confidence we have earned.”

On Day 2, participants attended one of six sessions that focused on various communications disciplines; essen-

Avi Bhojani, adjudged the best case study.

Throughout the three days, a series of entertainment activities were also held, the main of which was The iBPG 2011 YouTube Video Awards - in line with the focus on the Digital Age. For months leading up to the workshop, participants were encouraged to create and promote videos that could go viral and culminated with an Oscar-like award night that saw the most viewed and most liked ones awarded in style. In all, 38 entries were received; five of them received over 20,000 views/hits together, with the winning entrant having 8,350 hits.

iBPG workshop participants line up for a commemorative photograph.

Hamid Al Zayani

Over 100 leaders attend ArabCab meet in Granada MANAMA: The Arab Cable Manufacturers Association announced that more than 100 regional and international participants, attend the Seventh Annual ArabCab Conference which will take place between the 25th and 28th of September 2011 in Granada, Spain. These include representatives from the leading manufacturers of electrical and telephone cables in the Arab world in addition to a significant number of international cable manufactures, associated partners and customers in addition to a number of leading financial institutions and players from the regional and international energy sector.

The Conference entitled “Renewable Energy and Its Relation to the Cable & Wire World” will be held under the patronage of Jose Torres Hurato, the Governor of Grananda, who will welcome participants of the conference, which will feature a keynote speech from a high-ranking member of Partido Popular, among Spain’s leading political parties. The three-day conference will focus on examining and building awareness of alternative energy solutions and opportunities for investing in alternative energy sources with a focus on the cable industry both in the Arab world and beyond.

Other key speakers at the conference include Dr. Khalid Bu Rashid, representing the National Oil and Gas authority (NOGA), who will present a paper on alternative energy. A speaker from Abengoa, one of the biggest Solar power stations in Spain will also address audiences detailing their experience with the alternative energy and its importance. Dr M Rosa Cervera, the founder of Cervera & Pioz Architects Slo, will also present his firm’s architecture project for a clean city, which can be applied in the GCC region.

The second day of the conference focuses on investment opportunities and financing with a focus on alternative energy. Dr. Christope Mariot, Regional Head of Structured Finance- BNP Paribas GCC, and Antonio Carbajal, a Principal of Garrigues Medio Ambiente, will be panelists for this session and will share their views on the opportunities at present.

A field trip has also been arranged for all participants to visit the solar power plant at Aengoa, which is located in Seville where attendees will witness firsthand the latest technologies and advancements in solar energy. Commenting on the upcoming conference, Hamid Al Zayani, President of the Arab Cable Manufacturers Association, said: “We are delighted with the strong response we have received to the conference and the immense support extended to us by the Spanish government and authorities, especially the mayors of Granada, Seville, Jerez, and Marbella, cities for the Seventh Annual ArabCab Conference.”

He continued: “The conference is set to bring together a diverse and experienced range of participants and speakers from our industry and the worlds of finance, investment and alternative energy. We are delighted to create this opportunity for networking and dialogue between the Arab region and our international counterparts and look forward to fruitful conference that will help to develop new opportunities for cooperation.”

The event sponsored by, Nexans, a Parisbased leading global cable manufacturer, with a presence in 40 countries and activities worldwide, Bahrain-based Midal Cables and Saudi Cable Company as a Gold Sponsors of the event.

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KSE stocks pare losses GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended yesterday’s session on a positive note, recovering some of the losses witnessed in the past 7 sessions. The market continue to slide in the first hour of the session, however, later on, the indices changed their direction upwards as investors try to boost valuations of their portfolios ahead of the end of the 2Q2011 this coming Thursday.

Global General Index (GGI) ended the day up by 0.54 percent, at 181.40 point. Market Capitalization was also up for the day, reaching KD29.62bn. On the other hand, KSE Price Index closed at 5,872.4 point, adding 22.60 points (0.39 percent) to its previous close.

Market breadth During the session, 99 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards advancers as 55 equities advanced versus 13 that declined. Trading activity was down during the session. Total volume traded was down by 7.31 percent with 190.23mn shares changing hands at a total value of KD19.58mn (22.31 percent lower compared to Sunday ’s session).

Investment sector was the volume leader, accounting for 38.33 percent of total shares exchanges. International Financial Advisors Company (IFA) was the session’s most traded stock with 26.56mn shares exchanged. The banking sector was the value leader, having 31.12 percent of total traded value. Commercial Bank of Kuwait was the most active in terms of value traded, with KD2.05mn worth of shares traded.

In terms of top gainers, Munshaat Real Estate Projects Company was the top gainer for the day, adding 9.80 percent to its share value and closing at KD0.028. On the other hand, Safwan Trading & Contracting Company shed 13.33 percent and closed at KD0.650, making it the biggest decliner in the market.

Sectors All market’s sectors ended the day on a positive note except for the food sector as its index declined by 0.82 percent after its heavyweight Kuwait Foodstuff Company (Americana) shed 1.33 percent to close at KD1.480. Global Industrial Index led the sectors indices with a daily increase of 1.44 percent on the back of Kuwait Cement Company which rose by 7.84 percent to close at KD0.550. ACICO Industries

Company followed, adding 2.61 percent to close at KD0.236. Elsewhere in the sector, Heavy Engineering Industries and Shipbuilding Company announced that it has signed a threeyear, $34.58mn ($11.53mn) per year contract with the US military to maintain and repair the latter’s naval vessel in Mohammad Al Ahmad Navy Base and Arifjan Camp. The announcement did not cheer investors moods and the scrip closed down by 1.54 percent at KD0.320.

Real Estate sector followed, rising by 0.72 percent, National Real Estate Company gained 2.78 percent ending the session at KD0.074. The sector’s heavyweight, Mabanee Company, also soared by 1.23 percent, closing at KD0.820.

Banking sector was also a major gainer for the day as its index rose by 0.63 percent. Among the sector’s major gainers were: Ahli United Bank (+3.30 percent) and Kuwait Finance House (+1.11 percent), closing at KD0.0.940 and KD0.910, respectively.

Corporate news Grand Real Estate Projects Company

announced that it has signed an agreement with a local consulting company to conduct a study for restructuring its capital to cover its losses incurred during 1Q2011, which exceeded 75 percent of the company’s capital. On September 26, 2011 the company announced that the BOD met and approved the consulting company’s propositions, and as a result it will write off its accumulated losses and increase its capital.

Oil news Kuwait’s crude oil exports to China rose 6.3 percent in August from a year earlier to 864,000 tons, equivalent to around 204,000bpd, the latest government data showed. Kuwaiti share of China’s crude oil imports was 4.1 percent last month, compared to 3.9 percent in the same month of last year and 2.7 percent in July, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Kuwait’s exports in the first eight months of 2011 to China totaled 6.08 million tons (184,000 bpd), down 8.6 percent from the same period last year.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

Oil bounces with stocks on hopes of euro action LONDON: Oil bounced back from seven-week lows yesterday as hopes rose of stronger action to solve the euro-zone crisis and avert wider financial contagion and global recession.

European shares gained, while gold and copper, which had both tumbled more than 5 percent in early trade, pared losses.“ These are very critical days and weeks ahead, reminiscent very much of the touch-and-go situation we were in back in 2008,” Edward Meir, senior commodities analyst at brokers MF Global said. “The key difference this time around is that it is countries and not companies that are in danger of going bust.” Brent futures for November fell $2.31 to a low of $101.66 a barrel, the lowest intra-day level for the frontmonth contract since Aug 9, but then recovered to trade around $104.30 by 0915 GMT. US crude lost $2.74 to reach a low of $77.11 per barrel, after rising more than a dollar earlier. It had recovered to trade around $79.50 by 0915 GMT, down 35 cents.

Brent plunged 7.35 percent last week in its biggest loss since May 6. So far in September, Brent is down 9 percent. World stocks fell towards 14-month lows early yesterday but then recovered while the euro backed off from a 10-year low against the yen. The market took heart from reports European leaders were seeking new ways to solve the region’s debt problems.

After a weekend of being told by the United States, China and other countries that they must get more aggressive in their crisis response, European officials focused on ways to beef up their existing 440 billion-euro rescue fund.

“The market has come down a long way and most of the bad news seems now to be priced in,” said Christopher Bellew, oil broker at Jefferies Bache. “Equities have stabilized.”

“I think that the possibility of a Greek default is being addressed.

There is a chance that the market won’t fall much further, at least for a while.” The dollar slipped around 0.2 percent against a basket of currencies, helping support oil prices. Greece, the epicentre of the euro cris crisis, is trying to secure its latest wad of cash from international lenders including the IMF next month to avoid a default.

The IMF said on Sunday its inspectors would probably return to Athens this week after getting written assurances on a new wave of austerity measures announced by Greece to resolve a debt crisis shaking the euro.

In the oil-producing Middle East, political unrest continues as Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh made no pledge on Sunday to step down in his first address to the nation since returning home, calling for early elections in a move unlikely to appease protesters demanding his immediate departure.

In Libya, senior members of the country’s ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) are leaning towards putting on hold plans for a new caretaker government because they cannot agree on a line-up, a source close to the council told Reuters. — Reuters

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BUSINESS

Euro-zone damps talk of rapid debt crisis steps Policymakers still working on Greek debt sustainability

PEPPER PIKE: A new home is shown for sale, in Pepper Pike, Ohio. Sales of new homes fell to a six-month low in August. The fourth straight monthly decline during the peak buying season suggests the housing market is years away from a recovery.—AP

New US home sales plummet in August WASHINGTON: Sales of new US homes fell to a six-month low in August. The fourth straight monthly decline during the peak buying season suggests the housing market is years away from a recovery.

The Commerce Department said yesterday that new-home sales fell 2.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 295,000. That’s less than half the roughly 700,000 that economists say must be sold to sustain a healthy housing market.

New-homes sales are on pace for the worst year since the government began keeping records a half century ago. High unemployment, larger required down payments and tougher lending standards are preventing many people from buying homes. Plunging stocks and a growing fear that the US could tip back into another recession are also keeping people from entering the housing market. While new homes represent less than one-fifth of the housing market, they have an outsize impact on the economy. Each home built creates an average of three jobs for a year and generates about $90,000 in taxes, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Last year was also the fifth straight year that sales have fallen. It followed five

straight years of record highs, when housing was booming. Foreclosures and short sales - when lenders accept less for a house than a mortgage is worth - are forcing prices down. Those homes are selling at an average discount of 20 percent, and they are lowering neighboring home values. That’s made many re-sales a bargain compared with new homes, creating an average 30 percent disparity in prices.

Many builders have stopped working on projects and are waiting for demand to pick up. Home construction is down nearly 6 percent over the past year. Still, permits, a gauge of future construction, are up nearly 8 percent. Builders may be preparing to start dormant project once the economy improves. All home sales remain weak. The August sales pace for previously occupied homes was 5.03 million. That’s slightly above last year’s sales, which were the fewest since 1997.

Economists say roughly 6 million older homes need to be sold each year to sustain a healthy housing market.

Home prices have dropped more since the recession started, on a percentage basis, than during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It took 19 years for prices to fully recover after the Depression. — AP

BRUSSELS: Euro-zone officials played down reports yesterday of emerging plans to halve Greece’s debts and recapitalize European banks to cope with the fallout, stressing that no such scheme is yet on the table. Europe came under fierce pressure from the United States and other major economies at weekend talks in Washington to take swift, decisive action to stop the Greek debt crisis engulfing bigger euro zone states and derailing world economic recovery.

But officials said media reports that planning was already in place for a 50 percent writedown in Greek debt and a vast increase in the euro zone rescue fund, the EFSF, were highly premature. “ There is no change to the framework we are working on,” said a euro-zone official who is involved in decision-making on financial assistance to Greece, Ireland and Portugal. “All this talk of a specific haircut for Greece or an enlargement of the EFSF, it is all just speculation. We are not working along those lines,” said the official.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, struggling to convince her fractious centre-right coalition to back a strengthening of the EFSF in a crucial vote on Thursday, said on Sunday that letting Greece default would destroy investor confidence in the euro-zone.

Diplomats said any talk of a fallback plan for Greece that would raise the cost to German taxpayers could only make her task more difficult in parliament this week.

Private economists and Brussels think-tanks are forecasting a Greek debt default within months or sooner, coupled with a capital injection for European banks and a ‘leveraging up’ of the EFSF so that it can handle fallout in Italy and Spain. Euro zone officials acknowledge that such policy ideas are circulating and some could constitute a longer-term

response to the 20-month debt crisis. But they insist no specific plans are yet in the works.

Instead, planning continues on the basis that Greece’s debt burden, which is close to 160 percent of GDP, can be sustained as long as the government fully implements austerity measures demanded by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the IMF, the so-called troika.

ATHENS: A person walks on an overpass at an empty urban railway station in Athens yesterday following a 24-hour transport strike. Greece may announce a number of privatization deals this week, a senior official said yesterday as the debt-hit country came under increasing pressure from its creditors to meet tight fiscal deadlines. — AFP

UBS resignation dispute over investment banking

PARIS: The Business district of la Defense, outside Paris, shows the Dexia logo on a building. Franco-Belgian investment bank Dexia, which narrowly escaped collapse in the 2008 global financial crisis, needs to dispose of another 20 billion euros’ worth of bad debt, a press report said yesterday. — AFP

KNOC to import UAE, Azeri oil for reserves SEOUL: State-run Korea National Oil Corp (KNOC) said yesterday that it will import a combined 11.3 million barrels of crude from Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates this year to boost stockpiles.

The imports are part of a plan by the world’s fifth-largest crude importer to reach 40 million barrels this year of inventories called co-stockpiles held by the 12 oil producers and majors. Those are commercial stockpiles over which the government has first option to use in an emergency.

Raising co-stockpiles is part of a plan to boost the countries total reserves to 141 million barrels by 2013. KNOC has signed a deal with Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) to import 6 million barrels, the state-run entity said in a statement prepared for an assembly hearing.

The state-run entity also had signed a contract to import 5.3 million barrels from State Oil Co of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). Those imports were likely to begin next month, a KNOC spokesman told Reuters. At the end of August, KNOC had 27.4 million barrels of co-stockpile inventory. The target is to reach 39.9 million barrels by the end of this year.

Separately South Korea runs its own strategic reserves of oil to cope with emergencies. The government used these reserves under a plan by the International Energy Agency to release stocks to ease a shortage in supply earlier this year. From the reserves, KNOC released a total of 1.519 million barrels of oil products and 1.948 million barrels of crude oil under an

International Energy Agency plan to bolster supplies earlier this year.

According to a KNOC spokesman, most of the release to local refiners was paid back by the refiners’ crude oil and products.

For the country’s own strategic reserves, KNOC said it would buy a small lot of 150,000 barrels of crude oil in early October. At the end of August, South Korea held 117 million barrels in strategic reserves and had purchased 2.25 million barrels so far this year, 94 percent of the year’s purchase target. South Korea aims to build the strategic reserves to 141 million barrels at nine locations across the country by 2013.

KNOC expects to conclude the sale of 29 percent of its US Ankor offshore oil project for about $320 million by the end of next month, an industry source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Monday.

The sale will leave it with a 51 percent stake.

“The sale has been delayed by about a month as more negotiations were needed,” the source told Reuters by phone.

While KNOC declined to comment on the sales talks, the state-run entity said in the document that “it was in the process of the partial stake sales to pension funds or to private investors.”

South Korea’s economy ministry in June disclosed the possible deal to pension funds or to private investors. KNOC owns an 80 percent stake in the Ankor oil producing project in the Gulf of Mexico, while Samsung C&T Corp owns the remainder. — Reuters

GENEVA: Oswald Gruebel’s resignation as head of UBS over the weekend had less to do with a trading scandal than with a clash with the board on the role of investment banking to the business, analysts said yesterday.

Although Gruebel said he was resigning to take responsibility for a rogue trading scandal that lost his bank $2.3 billion (1.7 billion euros), “previously he said he would not resign” because of the fraud, Peter Thorne of Swiss brokerage Helvea told AFP. Instead, Thorne said, Gruebel’s departure was linked to his disagreements with the bank’s board, who has seemed interested in reducing the size of the group’s investment banking unit.

Gruebel seemed “reluctant” to reduce the size of the unit, Thorne said. Following Gruebel’s announcement, UBS chairman Kaspar Villiger said the bank’s investment division, which was responsible for heavy losses during the US subprime mortgage crisis and accused of tax evasion, “will be less complex, carry less risk and use less capital.”

It will now be up to his successor, interim CEO Sergio Ermotti, chairman and CEO of UBS Group Europe, Middle East and Africa, to carry on.

Dominique Biedermann, the director of the Ethos Foundation of institutional investors, told AFP that although he would not pronounce himself on the causes of Gruebel’s departure, “the only thing I know for sure, is that Gruebel was pushing for investment banking.”

“And now UBS questions whether it wants to reduce the role of investment banking,” he said. Biedermann, whose foundation manages pension fund investments,

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner highlighted global concerns about deficient European crisis management, saying on Saturday: “The threat of cascading default, bank runs and catastrophic risk must be taken off the table.”

IMF Chief Christine Lagarde, the former French finance minister who until four months ago was tackling the crisis from the

said that in the past six or seven years UBS’ investment banking services had “cost more than it brought in”, which explained the board’s desire to lessen its impact on the bank, although it still had not clearly explained its its new position. Analysts at the Royal Bank of Scotland, however, said that there was unlikely to be a major modification of the UBS’ investment banking division until at a permanent CEO was chosen. “ The eagerly expected strategic review of the investment bank could be delayed,” it said in a note to investors.

“We find it hard to see how such a review could be concluded without the possibility for the new CEO to shape the outcome,” Royal Bank of Scotland said. It however also welcomed a reduced investment banking sector, saying the bank would remain attractive to investors with a “materially smaller, much less capital intensive investment bank.”

But the Swiss Banker ’s Association, without referring to a specific bank, told AFP that universal banking was an important “pillar” for Swiss banks. “The model of universal banking has all of a bank’s activities under one roof,” Sindy Schmiegel Werner, a spokeswoman at the Swiss Bankers Association said. “ That is the case for Switzerland’s two biggest banks,” she said, adding that it was “important for the big banks to base all their activities on a variety of pillarsfrom private banking to asset management to investment banking.” “ There is such a great advantage for customers who can benefit from a single source for their needs,” she added. Nevertheless, analysts remained convinced of the solidity of UBS. — AFP

European side, also made it the euro zone needs to act more decisively, notably to recapitalize banks on a large scale.

Quietly, euro zone policymakers accept that a combination of a much deeper Greek debt restructuring allied to coordinated bank recapitalizations and a bolstered rescue fund would make sense and might help the euro zone get on top of the crisis. But such a plan would require support from all 17 euro-zone countries, and it takes time in the EU’s decisionmaking structures to bring so many moving parts together at once.

“The ideas are all there, but it’s not as straightforward as just sitting down and deciding it,” said another euro zone financial official involved in handling the crisis.

“Many of us can agree privately that anything less than a 50 percent haircut for Greece would just be cosmetic, but getting that decided by all and implementing it is not so easy.”

Instead, the next step is expected to be a decision by the EU, ECB and IMF to sign off on the next tranche of support for Greece-the sixth payment from the original 110 billion euro emergency package agreed in May last year.

The timing will depend on when the troika completes a review of Athens’ progress on implementing deeper budget cuts and tax-raising measures.

Without that 8 billion euros, Greece will run out of money to pay October wages and pensions.

Olli Rehn, the EU’s economic and monetary affairs commissioner, has said he hopes a decision can be taken by mid-October. It’s unlikely to come any sooner.

Germany’s deputy finance minister, Joerg Asmussen, said there was no chance euro zone finance ministers would be able to sign off on Greece’s next aid tranche when they meet next week. — Reuters

Gold pares some losses but hurt by dash for cash LONDON: Gold pared some of yesterday’s losses by midday in Europe but was still on course for its largest monthly slide in three years, as investors scrambled for cash in the face of mounting fear over the impact of a potential Greek debt default. European policymakers began working on new ways to stop fallout from Greece’s nearbankruptcy from inflicting more damage on the world economy after stinging criticism for failing to stem the debt crisis.

Industrial commodities such as silver and base metals bore the brunt of investor desire for liquidity in the face of mounting uncertainty.

In the last three days alone, gold has fallen by nearly 9 percent in its largest three-day slide since October 2008 and implied volatility has risen to a 2-1/2 year high. Spot gold was last down 1.7 percent on the day at $1,628.29 an ounce by 1144 GMT, having fallen earlier by as much as 7.4 percent, putting the difference between the intraday high and low at $128.40, the largest daily price swing on record.

“It shows you that at times of extreme stress, there is not a suitable substitute to liquidity and although gold is liquid by metal standards, in comparison to treasuries, when you get this kind of flight to cash, then it really is cash that counts and that means US dollars,” said Credit Suisse analyst Tom Kendall. “ The markets are going to continue to react this week to the political situation

within Europe and I don’t see any quick resolution or stimulus coming to the markets.” After a weekend of being told by the United States, China and other countries that they must get more aggressive in their crisis response, European officials focused on ways to beef up their existing 440 billion-euro rescue fund.

Deep differences remained over whether the European Central Bank should commit more of its massive resources to shoring up Europe’s banks and help struggling euro zone member countries.

The lack of consensus on a lasting solution to the euro zone debt crisis has been a major driver in this year’s rise in the gold price to record highs above $1,900 an ounce. “ The rise in volatility taking place in the gold price was clearly an indication that gold was no longer a low-risk asset. So there are a few signs there that would have given you pause for thought, but inevitably when the move happens, everyone is taken a little bit by surprise,” said Natixis commodities strategist Nic Brown.

“I would suggest that part of what is happening is a collective move away from commodities by investors. The fact that there is carnage going on across the commodities spectrum indicates there are a fair few investors who are getting cold feet at this stage and that has hit some precious metals disproportionately,” he said. — Reuters

SEC may ponder legal action against S&P NEW YORK: The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission is considering recommending civil legal action against the Standard & Poor’s debt ratings agency over its rating of a 2007 collateralized debt offering. Collateralized debt obligations, also known as CDOs, are securities tied to multiple underlying mortgage loans. The CDO generally gains value if borrowers repay. But if borrowers default, CDO investors lose money. Soured CDO’s have been blamed for making the 2008 financial crisis worse.

McGraw-Hill Cos., which owns S&P, said Monday that it received a Wells Notice from the SEC’s staff on Thursday. In issuing Wells notices, the SEC enforcement staff gives companies the chance to make the case why charges are unwarranted. That means a formal decision by SEC commissioners to file charges may not occur. S&P says it has been cooperating with the agency in the investigation. — AP

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BUSINESS

Asian shares tumble as Europe fears deepen HONG KONG: Asian markets tumbled yesterday and the euro was further pressured by nagging uncertainty over the euro-zone as leaders

of the debt-troubled region struggle to find a plan to solve the crisis.

The week got off to a poor start as investors were left unimpressed by a

commitment at the weekend from G20 finance chiefs that they would take strong, coordinated action to avoid another global financial crisis.

MUMBAI: An Indian stock dealer watches share prices on his terminal at a brokerage house in Mumbai yesterday. Indian shares slid as much as 2.23 percent to a day’s low of 15,801.01, as regional markets continued their downward spiral amid growing fears that the global economy may slip back into recession. —AFP

And they are even more nervous as Europe heads into a crunch week that will be key to the future of the region.

Tokyo fell 2.17 percent, or 186.13 points, to 8,374.13, Seoul shed 2.64 percent, or 44.73 points, to 1,652.71 and Sydney ended 1.01 percent, or 39.3 points, off at 3,863.9.

In the afternoon Hong Kong fell 2.97 percent and Shanghai lost 1.54 percent. Bangkok fell more than eight percent and Manila slumped 4.24 percent, or 164.74 points, to 3,721.22, its lowest close since September 2010. The losses extended those from last week, when some global indexes were sent tumbling to multi-year lows because of the ongoing European crisis as well as concerns over US economic growth. The G20 meeting in Washington issued an emergency statement saying: “We... are committed to a strong and coordinated international response to address the renewed challenges facing the global economy.

“We are taking strong actions to maintain financial stability, restore confidence and support growth.”

However, despite moves to shore up confidence in Greece, many fear the country will inevitably default on its loans, which could in turn spread to other economies and lead to another financial downturn.

Mitul Kotecha, a strategist at Credit Agricole, said: “A pledge by G20 officials to help combat the crisis gave some support to markets but given that there were no details on how this would be done, it will not do much to alleviate market stress without some concrete action.”

Teppei Ino, an analyst at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, said the group “came short of mapping out any measures with immediate effects so have failed to stop the market’s selling of risky assets”.

A senior dealer at a major Japanese trust bank told Dow Jones Newswires: “Uncertainty will likely persist.” The sell-off comes as the euro-zone faces a challenging week with European and IMF experts due to resume a fiscal audit that will decide if Athens can access the latest tranche of rescue funds to escape default.

And German lawmakers will on Thursday vote on a beefed-up European Union stability fund that would permit sovereign debt restructuring, which the euro-zone looks increasingly likely to need.

That vote is two days after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou visits Berlin for talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel amid speculation that a second, multi-

billion euro bailout for Athens crafted in July will need to be revised.

The euro slumped to $1.3390 in Tokyo afternoon trade from $1.3503 late Friday in New York while it also hit 102.17 yen-its lowest since June 2001 from 103.31.

The dollar was slightly lower at 76.34 yen compared with 76.50 yen. The greenback also extended gains against the commoditieslinked Australian dollar. The Aussiewhich just over two months ago hit a record above $1.10 slid to 96.38 US cents late in the session, down from 98.34 cents on Friday.

On oil markets New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in November, fell $1.09 to $78.76 per barrel in the afternoon. Brent North Sea crude for November delivery slipped 47 cents to $103.50. Gold tumbled to $1,577.30 an ounce by 0625 GMT, well down from the $1,734.86 it was at by 0900 GMT Friday, with analysts saying dealers were cashing in their investments and shifting into the US dollar as a safe haven. It was also being sold after C M E G r o u p, w h i c h r u n s t h e online trading platform for gold, said it would raise the amount of collateral for dealers trading the precious metal. —AFP

Euro-zone crisis hits German confidence Companies get pessimistic about outlook FRANKFURT: Prospects for the German economy, the euro-zone’s biggest, are clouding over, with the debt crisis and financial market turmoil hurting business confidence, data showed yesterday.

The closely-watched Ifo business climate index fell to its lowest level in more than a year this month, as companies become increasingly pessimistic about the outlook for the coming six months.

The index, calculated each month by the leading think-tank Ifo in Munich, fell to 107.5 points in September from 108.7 points in August, its lowest level since June 2010. Economists had been pencilling in an even steeper decline, and so the better-thanexpected reading triggered a bounce in the stock markets.

After opening lower, the bluechip DAX 30 index turned around to show an increase of 3.2 percent.

Nevertheless, a breakdown of the data does not appear to bode well for the German economy later this year and into 2012, ana-

lysts cautioned. A sub-index that measures company assessments of their current situation slipped only fractionally to 117.9 points from 118.1 points.

But expectations for the six months to come dropped to 98 points from 100 points, hitting the lowest level since July 2009.

Ifo chief Hans-Werner Sinn said the “continuing favorable situation of companies shows that the German economy has so far managed to decouple from political turbulence.”

But analysts were not so sure.

“September’s modest decline in the German Ifo is a relief after larger falls in other survey indicators but it remains clear that German economic activity is slowing very sharply,” said Jennifer McKeown, senior European economist at Capital Economics.

Carsten Brzeski, senior economist at ING Belgium, agreed.

“Recent financial market turmoil and the never-ending euro-zone sovereign debt crisis have befogged the outlook for the

German economy,” he said. “The risks for the German economy have increased lately and today’s drop in the Ifo expectation component is a serious warning.”

Current business activity was still running at very high levels and Christian Schulz, senior economist at Berenberg Bank, said the third quarter “could still see German GDP (gross domestic product) expanding at a healthy pace.” Nevertheless, the economic clock “now points to the beginning of a downturn” and he sees Germany “falling into a mild recession towards the end of the year.”

McKeown at Capital Economics agreed. “We still think that the euro-zone’s locomotive has stalled and see German GDP growth slowing from about 3.0 percent this year as a whole to just 0.5 percent in 2012,” she said.

Berenberg Bank’s Schulz said the fundamentals for the German economy “remain positive-the labor market is in ver y good shape and public finances largely in order. German companies are reaping the benefits of years

spent improving competitiveness.”

However, the German economy was still very export-dependent and therefore more exposed to cyclical swings of the world economy than, say, France. So, “with waning confidence cooling the economy, German is likely to head for a mild recession in the fourth quarter of 2011 and first quarter of 2012,” the analyst predicted.

UniCredit economist Alexander Koch similarly believed that a “strong correction in global and German leading indicators signal at least much weaker performance towards year-end.”

Indeed, with no bottoming out in business sentiment yet discernible, “downward pressure will possibly still increase further-not least due to the unchanged smoldering sovereign debt crisis,” Koch said.

Joerg Kraemer, chief economist at Commerzbank, pointed out that the majority of leading i n d i c a to r s h ave p l u n g e d recently. —Reuters

Boeing says Japan could produce F-18 under license TOKYO: US planemaker Boeing said local defense contractors might build F/A 18 Super Hornets under licence if Japan chose to buy the next-generation fighter jet.

The comment came after the US aerospace giant, along with Lockheed Martin and a consortium of European countries, submitted bids to produce Japan’s next mainstay combat aircraft in a deal that could be worth up to $8 billion. Japan, which is facing a resurgent China and its growing military as well as threats from North Korea, plans to decide this year how it will replace its current fleet of ageing F-4 Phantom fighters with about 40 new combat airplanes.

Phillip Mills, Director of Boeing’s Japan FX Capture Team, said Japanese makers could supply about three quarters of Super Hornet components if Japan opted for the fighter jet.

There has been great interest in how much of next-generation fighter jet-related jobs will be outsourced to the Japanese industry, which has been battered by gradual but consistent shrinkage of the defense budget. “If you came to the Boeing production line, everything you saw Boeing doing in St Louis would be available or is available for Japan industry to do,” Mills told Reuters in an interview.

“It’s clear that we are going to be somewhere in the 75 percent area,” Mills added, referring the percentage of F-18 component production that the company could outsource to Japanese makers.

Japanese fighter jet and aeroplane components makers include top defense contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries , Kawasaki Heavy Industries and IHI . Boeing’s F/A 18 Super Hornet is set to compete against Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Eurofighter Typhoon made by a consortium of European countries for the contract.

Mills said the high rate of planned outsourcing to Japanese companies, competitive pricing and ability to deliver on time give Boeing a competitive edge against the competition. “The lower risk and affordability and licensed production we are offering is, I think, as good as they are going to get . so all and all we are feeling pretty good about it,” he said.

“We’ve offered an extremely fair and competitive price for not only initial aircraft but also for licensed

production aircraft.” said Mills.

He declined to specify the offer price. Kazuya Sakamoto, professor at Japan’s Osaka Univesity, said the Lockheed Martin F-35’s stealth, or radar-evading, capability gives it an advantage over the competition, although its cost overruns and schedule slips have cast doubts over its prospects. Fighter jets’ stealth capability has drawn heavy attention in Japan since China, which has a long-running territo-

al to Japan earlier yesterday said the F-35 stealth jets would deliver “unmatched cost-effective capability for Japan’s defense, now and well into the future”.

“We are committed to an enduring F-35 partnership with Japanese industry to deliver F-35’s transformational 5th generation capability for Japan’s long-term national security,” John Balderston, Director of the Japan F-35 Campaign, said in a statement. Meanwhile, a consortium of European compa-

LONDON: The London Stock Exchange in London yesterday. The London Stock Exchange continued to slide yesterday as traders digested emerging details of a multi trillion pound euro-zone plan. —AP

BOE’s Broadbent close to backing more QE LONDON: Britain’s economy will not need to weaken much further for the Bank of England to start a second round of quantitative easing, BOE policymaker Ben Broadbent said yesterday.

Economists’ expectations have shifted sharply in recent weeks to expect a top-up to the BOE’s 200 billion pounds of asset purchases in either October or November, due to financial market turbulence and a stalling global economy. Speaking to reporters after delivering a speech at Thomson Reuters’ London headquarters, Broadbent said that he came close to voting to inject more stimulus into the economy this month.

“I can tell you I was reasonably close, so I don’t think it would take much more of a deterioration. It depends exactly what you mean by deterioration. Some of these surveys, particularly of output in the euro zone, are consistent with there being (minimal) growth,” he said.

Minutes of the Bank’s last policy meeting showed it may be about to inject more stimulus into the economy, against a backdrop of financial market turbulence and rapidly slowing growth in major economies.

Broadbent said if the asset-buying program was revived, it was likely that it would focus on buying UK government bonds, as it did first time around.

Business and consumer confidence has suffered in recent months from worries about unsustainable levels of government borrowing in the United States and the euro zone-particularly the fate of Greece, which is at risk of defaulting. The euro zone debt situation was top of the agenda at this weekend’s International Monetary Fund meeting.

Although nothing concrete came of it, Broadbent said he was moderately encouraged by reports of the discussions.

“IMF meetings are not traditionally the

place where those (big decisions) happen necessarily. I don’t think we should have expected something very precise. In some ways, I was at the margin quite surprised and encouraged by getting what we did,” he said.

But he also warned that markets were getting skeptical of policymakers’ promises, and that the time had come for action rather than words. In his first public speech since joining the BOE’s Monetary Policy Committee in June, Broadbent said a weak global economy would put downward pressure on Britain’s high rate of inflation and that sterling was likely to remain weak for some time to come.

Britain’s monetary policy framework remained credible, as wage growth was slow and medium-term inflation expectations had not risen, he added. “Most importantly for policy today, the international environment is clearly disinflationary,” Broadbent said. “Slow growth in the United States, the sovereign debt crisis in the euro-zone and its knock-on effects on the cost of finance for UK and European banks-all threaten a further tightening in retail credit and a further slowing in domestic activity.” As a result, Britain’s persistently above target inflation currently 4.5 percent-was unlikely to get entrenched. “These effects are already visible and, over the medium term, look set to dominate any remaining ‘pass-through’ from sterling’s depreciation to domestic inflation.” Sterling lost around a quarter of its value in 2007 and 2008, and Broadbent said this had been a major cause of past inflation. The main reason behind the fall was the need of Britain’s economy to rebalance away from a dependence on government spending, he said. Monetary policy was not to blame for sterling’s weakness, and if the BoE had not allowed inflation to rise above its target, unemployment would have been higher, he added. —Reuters

ECB’s Mersch says Oct rate cut calls ‘wild’

EVERETT: The Roll Royce engine is pictured on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner belonging to All Nippon Airways on Sunday in Everett, Washington. Boeing delivered its longawaited and delayed first 787 airliner to All Nippon Airways which it will celebrate before ANA flies the airliner to Japan yesterday. —AP rial dispute with Japan, in January confirmed it had held its first test flight of the J-20 stealth fighter jet.

Mills said Boeing’s multi-role Super Hornet comes with a stealth capability, but the rival F-35 is “stealthier”. Lockheed Martin, the world’s biggest defense contractor, which also submitted its propos-

nies that makes the Eurofighter Tyhpoon said that fighter jet could be manufactured, maintained or integrated in Japan under license and that the aircraft’s crucial data and software source code could also be handed out to Japan. —Reuters Some media reports have said US makers have a

FRANKFURT: Speculation of a sharp cut in euro zone interest rates next month is “wild”, European Central Bank policymaker Yves Mersch said yesterday, but colleague Ewald Nowotny said cuts could not in general be ruled out.

European stock markets surged yesterday on the idea that the bank could slash its 1.5 percent main rate by a half-point on Oct. 6, taking back rises it made earlier this year in a bid to dig the European economy out of a deepening crisis. There are substantial barriers to it doing so, however, not least that the meeting would conclude ECB President JeanClaude Trichet’s term of office with a

dramatic U-turn. “ These wild expectations only show that some people have lost the north,” Mersch told news agency Market News International in an interview conducted on Saturday, asked about interest rates. “ We h ave o n e n e e d l e i n o u r compass.” The phrase is often used

by ECB polic ymakers to refer to them abiding by the central bank’s m a n d a te o f k e e p i n g i n f l a t i o n below, but close to 2 percent. Eurozone inflation stood at 2.5 percent in August although it is expected to drop off over the policy horizon the bank uses to guide rate decisions. —Reuters

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TECHNOLOGY

Kaspersky Lab expert explains ‘why we still get hacked’ JEDDAH: Speaking at the CIO summit held in Jeddah yesterday, David Jacoby, Senior Security Researcher, Global Research and Analysis Team gave a presentation entitled “Why are we still getting hacked?” presenting the increasing cyber attacks and current threats in facts and figures, and discussing key security issues while providing strategic and insightful solutions.

During his presentation, Jacoby also spoke about the continuous increase in

the number of signatures since they began to explode in 2005, when the “arm race” between malware writers and the AV industry began. A single signature can detect more than one piece of malware; one signature can be used to detect whole malware families, which may contain thousands of samples. Examples of signatures will be information theft, drive-by-downloads, Host exploit-kits, host/store malware.

Kaspersky Internet Security (KIS), and

Kaspersky PURE, both show AV signatures and other signatures as one single number. Other signatures include signatures for phishing websites and malicious URLs, the IDS module (IDS = Intrusion Detection System) as well as other modules.

Jacoby also explained throughout his presentation the reasons why we are still getting hacked when all machines and systems are protected.

The reason was attributed to 4 factors,

which are prioritizing, education, awareness and configuration.

“Even that we spend allot of money on expensive solutions and consultants that try to secure our network, we are still getting hacked, malware is still getting distributed and information is getting leaked. Why is this possible? And how can we once and for all take advantage over the situation?” said David Jacoby, Senior Security Researcher, Global Research and

Analysis Team. “As a leading provider of secure content solutions, Kaspersky Lab is proud to be part of this recognised IT leader focused conference and feel that our participation not only enables us to share our immense knowledge and expertise, but allows us to actively participate in helping to address key security issues to ensure such business momentum can continue and business strategies can be aligned effectively and securely,” concludes Jacoby.

Samsung seeks iPhone, iPad sale ban in Dutch court Samsung to step up Apple patent war

DAMASCUS GATE: The picture shows a tricycle with a mounted camera to capture images for Google Street in front of Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem yesterday. Street View, which was launched in 2006, lets users view panoramic street scenes on Google Maps and take a virtual “walk” through cities such as New York, Paris or Hong Kong. Panoramic images are taken by cars equipped with special cameras which photograph an area while driving through the streets; the images are then processed in the US, where details such as faces and registration plates are automatically blurred before being published on Google Maps. — AFP

Dubai says plans big solar plant DUBAI: The emirate of Dubai is poised to unveil a big solar power plant as part of a push to get five percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, Saeed Mohammed al-Tayer, vice chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy, said yesterday. Under Dubai’s Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, the Middle East emirate plans to reduce energy imports and climate warming carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent by 2030, using its own solar power and nuclear power imported from neighbouring emirate Abu Dhabi to reduce reliance on gas.

“In line with Dubai’s energy strategy the plan is to have 5 percent of renewables in the electricity supply mix. This is mainly going to be solar,” Tayer, who is also chief executive of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), told a news conference.

“Soon we will have a very big (solar) project in Dubai we are trying to find a date to announce it. We have identified the place.” But Tayer declined to say how many megawatts the solar plant project would have and how much it would cost.

The UAE is one of the highest per capita electricity consumers in the world, with soaring temperatures driving up air conditioning use from June-September,

forcing energy-hungry Dubai-home to nearly 2 million people-to buy ever more natural gas. The UAE expects to start its first nuclear power plant in 2017, and hopes nuclear energy to eventually supply 25 percent of its power.

Nejib Zaafrani, secretary general and chief executive officer of Supreme Energy Council said “multi-billion dollar” worth investments were expected to fulfill Dubai’s renewables ambitions. “The strategy of Dubai have looked at an array of alternatives and we are talking about multi billion dollars of investment until 2030,” he said, adding that through this the emirate aimed to reduce its energy imports by 30 percent.

Zaafrani also declined to say how big the planned solar plant in Dubai would be but said: “It will be big enough to accommodate this 5 percent target.”

Partnerships with international companies both from the West and East are also on the agenda, Zaafrani said, but did not name potential investors.

The aim for Dubai was to generate 71 percent of electricity supplies from gas, 12 percent from coal, 12 percent from nuclear which it would import, mainly from Abu Dhabi and 5 percent from solar by 2030, Tayer added. — Reuters

Pentagon extends program to defend cyber networks WASHINGTON: As hackers and hostile nations launch increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks against US defense contractors, the Pentagon is extending a pilot program to help protect its prime suppliers.

That program could possibly serve as a model for other government agencies. It is being evaluated by the Department of Homeland Security, as part of a potential effort to extend similar protections to power plants, the electric grid and other critical infrastructure.

Efforts to better harden the networks of defense contractors come as Pentagon analysts investigate a growing number of cases involving the mishandling or removal of classified data from military and corporate systems.

Intrusions into defense networks are now close to 30 percent of the Pentagon’s Cyber Crime Center’s workload, according to senior defense officials. And they say it continues to increase.

The Pentagon’s pilot program represents a key breakthrough in the Obama administration’s push to make critical networks more secure by sharing intelligence with the private sector and helping companies better protect their systems. In many cases, particularly for defense contractors, the corporate systems carry data tied to sensitive US government programs and weapons.

So far, the trial program involves at least 20 defense companies. It will be extended through mid-November, amid ongoing discussions about how to expand it to more companies and subcontractors. “The results this far are very promising,” said William Lynn, the deputy secretar y of defense who launched the program in May. Lynn, who will leave office in early October, said the government should move as quickly as possible to expand

the protections to other vital sectors. A senior DHS official said no decisions have been made, but any effort to extend the program - including to critical infrastructure - faces a number of challenges.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the program review is ongoing, said it would be helpful if Congress would pass legislation that explicitly says DHS is responsible for helping private sector companies protect themselves against cyberattack. Also, the legislation should say that companies can be protected from certain privacy and other laws in order to share information with the government for cybersecurity purposes, the official said. Senior US leaders have been blunt about the escalating dangers of a cyberattack, and have struggled to improve the security of federal networks while also encouraging the public and corporate America to do the same. “Cyber actually can bring us to our knees,” said Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, adding that at some point the Pentagon may need to develop some type of governing structure similar to how the US and allies monitor and limit nuclear weapons. Data compiled by the Defense Cyber Crime Center shows that the number of investigations handled by analysts there has more than tripled over the past 10 years. And a growing number of them involve defense contractors - including those participating in the pilot program.

Housed near Fort Meade, Maryland, the so-called DC3 employs about 100 digital examiners who sift through millions of bytes of data in the digital forensics lab. Stacks of hard drives line the shelves, and clear plastic evidence bags are filled with a vast expanse of computer technology - from cell phones and tiny flash drives to iPads, Wii consoles and Nintendo games. — AP

THE HAGUE: Samsung asked a Dutch court yesterday to slap an injunction on Apple Inc. to prevent it from selling iPhones and iPad tablets in the Netherlands, saying Apple does not have licenses to use 3G mobile technology in the devices.

The legal battle is the latest round in a series of claims and counterclaims of patent breaches by the rival technology heavyweights playing out in courtrooms around the world. Samsung Electronics Co. lawyer Bas Berghuis told a civil judge at The Hague District Court that Apple “never bothered to ask about licenses” before it started selling 3G-enabled iPhones.

Apple lawyer Rutger Kleemans hit back by accusing Samsung of using the patent dispute to “hold Apple hostage” because of Apple’s legal battles accusing Samsung of copying its iPhone and iPad designs.

“It’s a holdup,” Kleemans said. “Because Apple dared to take action against Samsung’s copycat tactics.” Kleemans urged the court to reject the injunction request, saying the patents involved “are not designed to be used as a weapon against Apple.”

No date was immediately given for a ruling.

Earlier this month, a court in Duesseldorf, Germany, ruled that Samsung cannot sell its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany because its design too closely resembled the iPad2. The ruling only applied to direct sales from the Samsung, meaning distributors who acquire the Tab 10.1 from abroad could resell them in Germany. Samsung said it would appeal that judgment.

A top Samsung executive says the company will take a bolder stance in its patent battle with smartphone and tablet rival Apple, which Samsung claims has been “free riding” on its patented wireless technologies.

“We’ll be pursuing our rights for this in a more aggressive way from now on,” Lee Younghee, head of global marketing for mobile communications, said in an interview.

Lee, a senior vice president at Samsung, did not say what form the South Korean company’s stronger stance would take or if there would be more lawsuits. But her remarks suggest a definite change in tone. She described its previous approach as “passive.” So far, Samsung has mostly spoken about the dispute through press releases and comments by anonymous company officials in South Korean and foreign media. The public nature of the comments appeared to back up recent South Korean media speculation the company was planning to go on the offensive.

The fight began when Apple sued Samsung in April in the United States, alleging the product design, user interface and packaging of Samsung’s Galaxy devices “slavishly copy” the iPhone and iPad. Samsung has responded with its own lawsuits accusing Apple of violating its intellectual property. The fight has spread to 10 countries, according to Samsung, including the US, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia. The battle is all the more complex as Apple and Samsung are not only competitors in the fast-growing global market for smart-

phones and tablet computers, but also have a close business relationship.

Samsung Electronics Co., the world’s biggest manufacturer of memory chips and liquid crystal displays, supplies some of the key components that go into Apple Inc. products. Lee said that Samsung has kept that relationship in mind amid the dispute with the Cupertino, California-based company, and has largely been pulling its punches. “We’ve been quite respectful and also passive in a way” in consideration of those links, Lee said during the interview in her office at Samsung’s headquarters building in southern Seoul.

“However, we shouldn’t be ... anymore.”

Lee said that Samsung holds numerous patents covering wireless telecommunications technology. Samsung says such patents cover key functions including allowing a mobile phone user to speak on the phone and receive an e-mail at the same time. “We believe Apple is free riding” on such Samsung patents, Lee said.

Apple reacted to Lee’s comments by reiterating its claim Samsung has violated its intellectual property. “It is no coincidence that Samsung’s latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad, from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging,” said Seoul-based spokesman Steve Park. “This kind of blatant copying is wrong and we need to protect Apple’s intellectual property when companies steal our ideas.”

Lee’s comments came after a German court ruled earlier this month that Samsung cannot directly sell its new Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the country, saying the design too closely resembles Apple’s iPad 2. Samsung has appealed the decision.

Samsung ranked No. 2 globally in smart-

phones behind Apple in the second quarter of this year, according to US-based market research firm IDC, which cited the growing global popularity of the Galaxy S smartphones. In overall mobile phones, Samsung ranks second behind Finland’s Nokia Corp.

The Suwon, South Korea-based company got a late start in smartphones after Apple shook up the industry with the launch of the iPhone in 2007, but has come on strong. Lee painted an optimistic portrait of Samsung’s future growth and said she believes it can eventually take the No. 1 spot in smartphones and mobile phones.

“We are striving to continue this growth momentum and someday we can imagine that we can be in the leading position,” she said, emphasizing that Samsung has a broad array of hardware, functions, operating systems - Google’s Android, Microsoft’s Windows and Samsung’s own bada - prices and presence in global markets.

“We are aware of the importance of branding so we’ll be reinforcing this Galaxy branding,” she said of the Android-based devices.

Regarding Google Inc.’s proposed $12.5 billion deal to buy mobile phone maker Motorola Mobility, Lee said the plan has not changed Samsung’s relationship with the Mountain View, California -based search engine.

“We still have a very good relationship,” she said. “ We are working ver y closely with Google.” Lee joined Samsung in 2007 from French cosmetics maker L’Oreal. Makeup and mobile phones have a lot in common, she said, in that both are focused on individual expression. Mobile phones, she said, are not just technology, but “a culture and showing who I am, where I belong, how trendy I am.” —AP

SEOUL: A South Korean model walks past posters showing Samsung Electronics’ new Galaxy smartphones compatible with long-term evolution (LTE) technology at its main building in Seoul yesterday. Samsung Electronics released two new LTE smartphones here as global mobile operators move to faster fourth-generation (4G) networks. — AFP

Majority of Americans fail to appreciate local newspapers NEW YORK: A majority of Americans don’t seem to recognize the value of their local newspaper. According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, most people say they wouldn’t miss local news if their newspaper no longer existed.

But at the same time, they say they rely on their newspaper for a broad range of local information.

Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed said their local newspaper’s absence wouldn’t have a major effect on their ability to keep up with information about their community. But print and online versions of newspapers ranked first or tied for first on 11 of 16 local news topics the survey asked about. People said they turn to newspapers first for everything from community and crime news to arts and culture, social ser vices, zoning and development. Newspapers tied with the Internet for news on housing, schools and jobs, and with TV for local political news.

“People may assume that

because they go to the newspaper now for that information, it is available somewhere else,” said Tom Rosenstiel, co-author of a report on the survey and director of Pew ’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. “I’m not sure if that is correct.”

Overall, Americans turn to a broad range of online and offline sources when it comes to getting local news and information. TV is still the most popular source of news for most people, according to the survey. Nearly three-quarters said they watch local newscasts or look at local T V websites at least once a week.

And everyone, it turns out, wants to know about the weather. Eighty-nine percent of respondents said they received information about the weather from some source. It was followed by breaking news, 80 percent; local politics, 67 percent; and crime, 66 percent. The survey, from Pew ’s Project for Excellence in Journalism and Internet & American Life Project,

found that where people turn for information depends largely on their age. People under 40 are much more likely to turn to the Internet for local news, weather, traffic reports, job listings and information about events, restaurants, and social services. Those over 40 tend to look to the Internet mostly for information on local businesses such as restaurants.

“This move by younger users to rely on the Internet for local information puts considerable pressure on traditional news organizations,” the report said. It added that although most news companies have moved online with “ambitious websites and social media strategies,” there’s evidence that people find specialty websites and search engines a preferable way to find local material.

Half of the study’s respondents said they read newspapers or go to the newspapers’ websites at least once a week.

Surprisingly, though, an oldfashioned source of information

- word of mouth - turned out to be the second most popular way to get news, after TV. “ Word of mouth may be becoming more important as people get their news in little ... snippets and piece it together on their own, rather than getting it all at once from Walter Cronkite at the end of the day,” Rosenstiel said.

Among the survey ’s other findings: Nearly half of adults use mobile devices to get local news and information.

Information about restaurants and other things to do “out and about” is a popular category.

Only 17 percent of adults said they get local information from social networking sites such as Facebook at least once a month.

55 percent of those surveyed said they get local news and information by word of mouth at least once a week. Although many people get news online, the websites of newspapers and TV stations “do not score highly as a relied-upon information source on any topics.” — AP

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Study boosts prospects for Roche Herceptin successor STOCKHOLM: Women with an aggressive type of advanced breast cancer can live significantly longer without their disease getting worse if they are treated with an experimental “armed antibody” drug from Swiss group Roche , researchers said yesterday.

Data from a mid-stage clinical trial of trastuzumab emtansine ( T-DM1) in HER2-positive breast cancer found patients given T-DM1 had a 41 percent improvement in the time without their breast cancer worsening compared with those given standard care of trastuzumab, or Herceptin, plus chemotherapy.

Side effects were also significantly reduced in the T-DM1 group, meaning far fewer of them opted to stop the

treatment during the phase II trial.

The results are a boost for the medicine Roche has been developing with ImmunoGen as a successor to its blockbuster Herceptin, which had 2010 sales of more than $5 billion.

“These provocative Phase II data illustrate that first-line treatment with TDM1 provides a longer time for patients to live without cancer progression and with fewer side effects than standard chemotherapy plus trastuzumab,” said Sara Hurvitz, one of the trial investigators who presented the data at the European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress (EMCC) in Stockholm.

In the trial, which involved 137 previously untreated patients, those on T-

DM1 had an average 14.2 months without their breast cancer worsening versus 9.2 months for those given Herceptin plus chemotherapy.

The proportion of women who stopped treatment due to side-effects was 7.2 percent in the T-DM1 arm compared with 28.8 percent in the standard therapy arm of the study. T-DM1 is a new kind of so-called “armed antibody” that can carry a cell-killing payload into cancer cells. It combines trastuzumab, the active ingredient in Herceptin, with a potent chemotherapy agent. The fact the drug delivers its toxic payload directly into cells is thought to be key to why it causes fewer cases of common chemotherapy side effects like hair loss

and low white blood cell counts.

“T-DM1 is unique because it retains the cancer fighting properties of trastuzumab and delivers the DM1 agent directly to the tumour cell for destruction, while limiting exposure of the free DM1 drug to normal cells,” Hurvitz said. In addition to fewer adverse side effects, Roche believes its new drug also offers greater convenience, since it eliminates the need for administering chemotherapy.

Commercially, it should help protect Roche’s breast cancer franchise, since Herceptin could be exposed to so-called “biosimilar” generic competition in Europe from around 2015.

It also keeps the company in the

breast cancer innovation race in the face of newer medicines that aim to rival Herceptin, like British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline’s Tykerb. Oncology experts not involved in the trial said while its results were promising they would need to built upon by phase III trials and further studies looking at TDM1 with other targeted drugs.

“This is a very important trial which indicates that the more selective delivery of anti-cancer drugs, by conjugating them to antibodies which dock to cancer cells, bears considerable promise for personalised cancer treatment,” Michael Baumann, president of the European Cancer Organisation said in a statement. — Reuters

More youngsters having unsafe sex: Global study Unplanned pregnancies is a major issue

GRANVILLE, West Virginia: In this Dec. 28, 2001 file photo, John Matheny sits during one of his three weekly sessions at the Morgantown Dialysis Center where he receives his kidney dialysis treatments. — AP

Can eating fish lower the risk of strokes?

NEW YORK: People who eat fish a few times each week are slightly less likely to suffer a stroke than those who only eat a little or none at all, according to an international analysis. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish may lower stroke risk through their positive effects on blood pressure and cholesterol, wrote Susanna Larsson and Nicola Orsini of Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet in the journal Stroke.

Their analysis was based on 15 studies conducted in the United States, Europe, Japan and China, each of which asked people how frequently they ate fish, then followed them for between four and 30 years to see who suffered a stroke.

“I think overall, fish does provide a beneficial package of nutrients, in particular the omega-3s, that could explain this lower risk,” said Dariush Mozaffarian, a Harvard School of Public Health epidemiologist whose research was included in the analysis.

“A lot of the evidence comes together suggesting that about two to three servings per week is enough to get the benefit.” Vitamin D, selenium, and certain types of proteins in fish may also have stroke-related benefits, he added.

Data for the analysis came from close to 400,000 people aged 30 to 103. Over anywhere from a few years to a few decades, about 9,400 people had a stroke. Eating three extra servings of fish each week was linked to a six-percent drop in stroke risk, which translates to one fewer stroke among a hundred peo-

ple eating extra fish over a lifetime.

The people in each study who ate the most fish were 12 percent less likely to have a stroke than those that ate the least. Mozaffarian’s report separated the effects of different kinds of fish and found that people who ate more fried fish and fish sandwiches, not surprisingly, didn’t get any stroke benefit.

But the research can’t prove that adding more non-fried fish to your diet will keep you from having a stroke, Mozaffarian told Reuters Health. People “could have healthier diets in other ways, people could exercise more, people could have better education that could lead them to see their doctors more,” he added, all of which could decrease their risk of strokes. Still, most studies have tried to take those other health and nutrition factors into account to isolate the effects of fish as much as possibleand they suggest a cause-and-effect relationship, he said.

It’s likely that people who start out eating no fish or very little probably have the most to gain by putting it on their plate more often. “You get a lot of bang for your buck when you go from low intake to moderate, a few servings per week,” Mozaffarian said. After that, the benefit from each extra serving probably goes down. Fatty fish such as salmon and herring are especially high in omega-3s, The American Heart Association recommends at least two servings of fatty fish in particular each week. — Reuters

Hip break boosts death risk by five: US study WASHINGTON: Women age 65 to 69 who break a hip face a five-times higher risk of dying within a year than their healthy counterparts, a bigger increase than in older women, said a US study yesterday.

Women 70-79 face double the risk of dying within a year if they break their hip compared to women who do not, and women 80 and older who break a hip face about the triple risk of dying, it said. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and appears in the Archives of Internal Medicine. “This study is a wake-up call that the first year after a hip fracture is a critical time for all elderly women, but especially for younger women, ages 6569, who face a much higher death rate compared to their peers,” said lead author Erin LeBlanc.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation has said there are about 1.6 million hip fractures per year, with 51 percent occurring in Europe and the Americas and most of the remainder in the Western Pacific region and Southeast Asia.

About half of all women over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis, according to the US-based National

Osteoporosis Foundation. The NIH-funded study was based on data from nearly 10,000 women in four US cities who enrolled from 1986-1988 in a research project to track osteoporotic bone fractures. Over the course of 20 years, 1,116 of the women enrolled suffered hip fractures. Those women were matched by age to a comparison group of 4,464 women who did not break a hip. “Among women who broke a hip, more than half of the short-term deaths occurred within three months after the fracture and nearly three-quarters occurred within six months,” added the study.

Those figures suggest that the hip fracture itself plays a major role in the deterioration of a woman’s health, according to co-author Teresa Hillier, senior investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research.

“We also found women are at the highest risk of dying within the first three months after hip fracture, which leads us to hypothesize that hospitalization, surgery and immobility lead to other complications that ultimately result in their death.”

The top three causes of death for all women in the study were heart disease, cancer and stroke. — AFP

LONDON: Young people across the globe are having more unprotected sex and know less about effective contraception options, a multinational survey revealed yesterday. The “Clueless or Clued Up: Your Right to be informed about contraception” study prepared for World Contraception Day (WCD) reports that the number of young people having unsafe sex with a new partner increased by 111 percent in France, 39 percent in the USA and 19 percent in Britain in the last three years.

“No matter where you are in the world, barriers exist which prevent teenagers from receiving trustworthy information about sex and contraception, which is probably why myths and misconceptions remain so widespread even today,” a member of the WCD task force, Denise Keller, said in a statement with the results of the study. “ When young people have access to contraceptive information and services, they can make choices that affect every aspect of their lives which is why it’s so important that accurate and unbiased information is easily available for young people to obtain,” Keller said. The survey, commissioned by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and endorsed by 11 international non-governmental organisations, questioned more than 6,000 young people from 26 countries including Chile, Poland and China, on their attitudes towards sex and contraception.

The level of unplanned pregnancies among young people is a major global issue, campaigners say, and the rise in unprotected sex in several counties has sparked concern about the quality of sex education available to

youngsters.

In Europe, only half of respondents receive sex education from school, compared to three quarters across Latin America, Asia Pacific and the USA. Many respondents also said that they felt too embarrassed to ask a healthcare professional for contraception. “What young people are telling us is that they are not receiving enough sex education or the wrong type of information about sex and sexuality,” spokeswoman for the International Planned Parenthood Federation,

Jennifer Woodside said in a statement. “The results show that too many young people either lack good knowledge about sexual health, do not feel empowered enough to ask for contraception or have not learned the skills to negotiate contraceptive use with their partners to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies or STIs (sexually transmitted infections),” she said.

More than a third of respondents in Egypt believe bathing or showering after sex will prevent pregnancy, and more than a quar-

ter of those in Thailand and India believe that having intercourse during menstruation is an effective form of contraception.

But the fact that many young people engage in unprotected sex and the prevalence of harmful myths should not come as a surprise, Woodside said. “How can young people make decisions that are right for them and protect them from unwanted pregnancy and STIs, if we do not empower them and enable them to acquire the skills they need to make those choices?” she said. — Reuters

ILLINIOS: A life-sized photo of the Tevatron particle accelerator’s detector hangs from a beam near a wall-sized door bearing the signatures of those who built it on a yellow circle at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory on September 22. Fermi will shut down the Tevatron on September 30, 2011, marking an end to the era of big physics in the United States. The era of big American physics ends Friday with the retirement of the Tevatron particle accelerator, which has been recreating the Big Bang under four miles of Illinois prairie for a quarter of a century. — AFP

Creepy-crawlies may help heal diabetes wounds CHICAGO: To jump-start the healing of difficult diabetic wounds, US researchers have a suggestion: let maggots do the work. To allow such wounds to heal, doctors remove infected or dead tissue with scalpels or enzymes, a process they call debridement. But these tools often fail.

“These problem patients with diabetes really need better treatments in order to salvage their limbs,” said Lawrence Eron from Kaiser Hospital and the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, who with colleagues presented their findings at a recent scientific meeting in Chicago. “Maggot debridement treatment is overwhelmingly effective. After just one treatment these wounds start looking better,” he told Reuters Health.

The results from Eron’s team, which treated 37 diabetics with the maggots, still haven’t been vetted by independent researchers. All of the patients in the study suffered from a type of artery disease that causes poor circulation in the limbs and they all had stubborn wounds, some up to five years old.

The doctors put 50 to 100 maggots, of the species Lucilia sericata, on the wounds and left them there for two days, at which time they applied new ones.

They repeated this five times on average.

“We cage the maggots in a mesh-like material. Nylon panty hose might be used. And then we seal them so they don’t get out,” Eron said. Maggots secrete substances into wounds that liquefy dead tissue and then ingest the material to further degrade it in their gut. The wounds are cleaned, and other substances con-

tained in the maggot secretions allow the development of granulation tissue, a type of connective tissue that forms during wound healing. Twenty-one of the patients had successful outcomes, defined as eradication of infection, complete removal of dead tissue, formation of robust connective tissue in the wound and more than three-quarters closure of the wound.

Five wounds were infected with the “superbug” MRSA, but they healed successfully with the maggot therapy. Nine wounds were infected with another bacterium called MSSA, and six of those healed. All 10 cases with infection due to group B streptococci were successfully treated, Eron said. The treatment failed in some patients. One had excessive inflammation surrounding the wound, two bled too much, and three had problems with infected bones.

Asked how he persuades patients to undergo the treatment, Eron said he carefully explains the procedure and then has them sign a consent form. “A lot of patients might be somewhat wary of having live insects placed into their wounds so we explain how it works and what possible problems might occur,” he said. “After this, we go on to do further treatment with hydrogels, grafts of cell culture tissue, or negative pressure dressings. But to get to the point there these treatments will work, you really need to clean up the wound, get rid of dead tissue, and get robust granulation tissue into the wound-and this is where the maggots help.”— Reuters

Health

in brief

Pregnant at 61 RIO DE JANEIRO: A woman who at 61 is expecting not a pension check but her first baby has stirred some controversy in Brazil over just when it might be too late to give birth. The woman in question, whose case has appeared in local media, asked that her name be withheld. She is post-menopausal, married to a man who is 38, and became pregnant with a donor egg. She is due in November. “I had already gone through menopause... My husband wanted to be a father. I wanted to be a mother too.

I am in great health... and I have undergone a very thorough medical clearance,” she told O Globo newspaper. She said she did not plan to tell her future daughter about her having used a donor egg to become pregnant. It is not Brazil’s first latein-life pregnancy. As recently as September 9, a 52year-old woman whose husband is 88 became a first-time mother of twins. Brazilian health officials say they are concerned about a wave of late-in-life pregnancies, which can put great strain on and harm some older mothers’ bodies. Yet as of now, there is no age limit for artificial insemination; doctors are not supposed to proceed if there would be grave risks for the mother or child.

Hand, foot and mouth disease HANOI: A Vietnamese official and state-run media say an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease has shuttered more than a dozen kindergartens after killing 109 children and sickening more than 52,000 this year. Nguyen Van Muoi says 10 kindergartens in southern Hau Giang province have been closed for 10 days for disinfection and to check the students’ health. Four schools were allowed to reopen last week. Nguyen is the head of the province’s preventive medicine center. He said Monday the province has reported 361 cases since June, and some 50 children remain hospitalized. He blamed the increase on children returning to schools after break. The Health Ministry says more than 2,000 new cases of the common childhood illness are reported each week nationwide.

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Breast cancer study shows benefits of double therapy new approach could save lives worldwide STOCKHOLM: Giving breast cancer patients radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the same time significantly cuts the risk their tumours will come back and should be considered as a new treatment approach across the world, cancer experts said on Sunday.

The double treatment, known as synchronous chemoradiation, could also save lives among people with breast cancer, a disease that currently kills 425,000 women a year worldwide, according to the British experts who conducted a major scientific study.

They said the synchronous treatment, which the study showed has limited side effects and does not harm patients’ quality of life, should be considered for use by all breast cancer doctors.

“The results have implications worldwide,” Indrajit Fernando, a consultant clinical oncologist at the University Hospitals Birmingham Trust, told reporters at the European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress (EMCC) in Stockholm.

“Clinical practice needs to be reviewed.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. A recent study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in the United States found that in 2010 it killed around 425,000 people and was

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

H E A LT H

newly diagnosed in 1.6 million.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are usually given after breast cancer surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells in the breast, chest wall or underarm area, and to try to reduce the risk of a local cancer recurrence.

The standard approach is to give chemotherapy first, followed by radiotherapy.

But the best timings for radiotherapy and chemotherapy have long been debated among cancer experts, so Fernando’s team decided to study various schedules of radiotherapy with a type of chemotherapy called anthracycline-CMF chemotherapy in patients with early-stage breast cancer.

The study involved almost 2,300 women in Britain who had already undergone surgery to remove their tumours.

The results showed that compared with the standard approach, giving both treatments at the same time “reduces the risk of local cancer recurrence by 35 percent in women with early breast cancer ”, Fernando said.

After a follow-up of over eight years, the study found that only 41 patients in the synchronous chemoradiation group had suffered recurrence, compared with 63 patients in the group who had stan-

dard chemotherapy followed by radiation treatment.

At five years, tumours had recurred in only 2.8 percent of those who got both treatments at the same time, compared with 5.1 percent among those who received the therapies separately.

Although there were no differences in overall survival rates between the two groups after five years, Fernando said he would expect to see survival rates rise in larger groups of patients over a longer time period.

“Even a 2.3 percent reduction in local recurrence rates will have an impact worldwide when we consider that this is a very common cancer,” he said, citing data showing that for every four local recurrences of the disease prevented, one death from breast cancer death can be avoided.

Fernando said he has already changed practice in his own clinic and will send his data to Britain’s National Institute of Clinical Excellence, which advises on treatment guidelines.

Michael Baumann, president of the European Cancer Organisation, said more follow up would be needed to assess potential longer-term side effects. “I am convinced this trial will spur a lot of discussion,” he said. — Reuters

New New e H Hope ope …

New Life

Australian alarm over child asylum-seeker suicide bid SYDNEY: Asylum-seekers as young as nine have attempted suicide in Australian immigration lockups, the top medical body said yesterday, as it slammed detention of youngsters as akin to “child abuse”. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) said it was worried about the mental health of detainees, and that children were suffering from depression and self-harm. Some had also gone on hunger strike.

“We are aware of a nine-year-old child who was recently admitted for trying to commit suicide,” Peter Morris from the association’s Northern Territory branch told an inquiry into the detention system, The Australian reported. “The emergency department has also reported large numbers of adults with mental health problems manifesting in self-harm,” he said in comments he confirmed to AFP. Australia has long had a policy of mandatory detention for boatpeople seeking asylum and many are held in remote facilities, including on the Indian Ocean outpost of Christmas Island. The government has softened its stance in recent years to allow more women and children into the community as their refugee claims are assessed, but Morris recommended families not be held in detention at all.

“Our view is that unnecessary detention is the equivalent of child abuse and that’s been a view held by medical experts in the field for many years,” he told AFP. “The big issue is that children and their families should not be in detention. It’s unnecessary. These people do not pose a real security or health threat. And a long detention is harmful and a waste of money.”

Morris said the average detention time was

close to a year and studies around the world, including in Australia, had shown rates of depression among asylum-seeker children in detention were as high as 30 percent. In May, Darwin doctors reported that asylum-seeker children were attempting self-harm and even suicide.

“There’s definitely been cases of attempted suicide and even cases of some young children taking up hunger strikes,” AMA Northern Territory president Paul Bauert said at the time. The Royal Darwin Hospital confirmed to the inquiry Monday that in the 12 months to the end of the July, there were 33 children up to the age of 16 discharged from the hospital, among them some cases of selfharm. Refugee advocates say there have been five suicides in immigration detention nationally, all adults, since September 2010, but report many “near-miss” cases among despairing inmates. The government has already announced a probe after more than 1,100 cases of threatened or actual selfharm were reported in a year.

The AMA has previously called for quick action to stop deaths and injuries in immigration centres which this year have seen detainees stitch their lips together, go on hunger strikes and stage violent confrontations.

“The AMA believes that the system of mandatory detention of asylum-seekers is inherently harmful to the physical and mental health of detainees,” national president Steve Hambleton said last month. “The harm is especially acute in the case of children.” Some 845 minors, including those living in community accommodation, are among more than 4,700 boatpeople in Australian immigration detention. — AFP

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Konkani drama

Announcements

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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

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.

Tulukoota talent hunt Tulukoota Kuwait will hold a “Talent Hunt 2011” a chance to prove an inborn trait in you that confirms your individuality, uniqueness. So step forward to grab this opportunity to show your caliber and entertain. Dance, music, art or any special talent- now is your chance to showcase it and be part of this year’s Talent Hunt & Tulu Parba. Talent Hunt event is open to all Tuluvas.

For more information and registration form kindly log on to our Website: www.tulukootakuwait.org or visit our facebook page - Tulukoota Kuwait Talent Hunt 2011. You could also email your form request to: secretary@tulukootakuwait.org or contact our area coordinators mentioned below. Mangaf, Fahaheel, Abuhalifa : Ronald Dsouza- 60035824, Shalini Alva- 23726164, Suma Bhatt- 97834578 Salmiya & Hawally: Swarna Shetty- 99006934, Kripa Gatty- 66044194 Kuwait City, Jahra, Sharq : Rekha Sachu- 65044521,97862115 Farwaniya, Abbassiya, Shuwaikh & Khaitan: Sathyanarayana66585077 Sanath Shetty- 67712409.

Creative discussion Steve Sabella will give a follow-up discussion to discuss his life and work. The talk includes a screening of a 10-minute documentary film among other videos, and will deal with the idea of constructed identities, imagined cities and hyper-realities on September 28th and September 29th between 7pm-9pm at Life Center (Industrial Shuwaikh, Block 2, Street 28, Top floor).

‘Mother’s Day’ Theater Xavier-Manuel productions presents a super hit theater of this season from Goa titled “Mother’s Day.” It will be a Konkani drama dedicated to all mothers with loads of comedy, solos, duets, trios, etc. and all new songs! The event is on September 30th at 3:30pm at Kuwait Medical Association Hall (Beside Blood Bank, near Mubarak Hospital, Jabriya).

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 members of YMCA Kuwait and person who would like to contribute their time, efforts and services for the society and humanitarian causes may please contact: 97542985, 99498369, 99046751, 99607230, 55120208.

Brain Bang Calling all students aged 11 and above, Support Group for Accelerated learning under the umbrella of FOCC (Friends of CRY Club, Kuwait), BRAIN-BANG invites you to join us in our fortnightly Friday Class from 11.45 am to 13.45 pm in Salmiya starting October 7th for the next 6 months. Successfully running for the seventh consecutive year.

Areas of development are : lMemory tools to Understand and Learn Better lTools and Techniques to empower your mind lActivity, fun, games and worksheet based assignments lPractical Experiments lMind Gymnastics lApplication of Learning Techniques to conventional study. Register before October 5th 2011. Limited seats. Register early to avoid disappointment. Website: www.focckwt.org E-Mail: brainbang@focckwt.org Phone no: 25660835/25618471/97677820 Inter School recitation competition The Don Bosco Past Pupils Association (DBPPA) will organize on 25th November 2011 (Friday) the Annual Inter School Choral Recitation Competition. The competition is one of the programmes popular among the school students and parents alike among. The large Indian community and will be held at the IEAS premises, Salmiya. Await for more details.

Kala Onam celebrations

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nam celebrations along with the closing ceremony of the free Malayalam Education Program of Kerala Art Lovers Association (Kala, Kuwait) will be held on September 30, 2011 Friday at Indian Community School, Khaithan. Dance, Art and Cultural programs including Athapookalam Competition, Thiruvathira dance, Nadanpattugal, Onapattugal, Vallom kali will capture the day till 4pm in the evening.

By 5pm, closing ceremony meeting of Malayalam classes will begin which will include cultural meeting, honoring of the teachers and representatives who provided spaces to take Malayalam classes and finally presentation of trophy’s to winners of the quiz competitions held at different zones in Kuwait. Chief guests from India as well as prominent guests from Kuwait will also attend the function. For more details please contact: 24317875, 97817100 or 66656642.

Charity golf tournament

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‘Parda Hai Parda’ unfolds a new vista in entertainment

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

Another memorable event by ICS

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ndian Cultural Society (ICS) presented ‘Parda Hai Parda’ with renowned qawwal Munawwar Masoom, playback singer Poonam Bhatia & Laughter Fame tabla player Surinder Singh, on September 9, at KMA auditorium. The chief guest for the evening was the Indian ambassador S.C Mehta & Sheikha Al Arfaj.

Accompanying them were other notables from Kuwait including ambassadors of Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other countries. The programme began with a welcome address, delivered by the ICS president and anchor for the evening, Ashfaque Ahmed Khan followed by the singing of the National Anthems of Kuwait and India. Sheikha Al Arfaj & S.C. Mehta along with the sponsors of the event, released the souvenir, and spoke a few words. ICS also felicitated business doyen & classical music singer Knighthood of Luxembourg Iqbal Qureshi.

The audience gave a warm welcome to Surinder Singh & Poonam Bhatia as they took the stage.

Poonam started with famous Bollywood numbers like “Thade Raheeo” “Chitthiye Chitthiye” and “Solah Baras Ki Baali Umar Ko Salam”.

The audience enjoyed and applauded when the dancing divas presented qawwali based dance performance “Wallah re wallah” and “Chal Chhaiyyan Chhaiyyan”. Poonam charmed the audience with her mellifluous voice, and funny jokes. She rendered qawwallis, nostalgic Bollywood hits, and the latest foot tapping Bollywood numbers with equal finesse.

ICS has, in the past, hosted a number of memorable events like

‘Mahakte Lamhe” with Udit Narayan, “ Dil Ki Awaaz” with Kavita Krishnamurty, ‘Jashn-e-Bahara’n’ with Talat Aziz, & renowned poets, ‘Nazar Ke Samne’, with Kumar Sanu, ‘Taal se Taal’, with Alka Yagnik, ‘Shaam-eGhalib’, with Kader Khan, Shaam-eSangeet, Shaam-e-Shibani, SuroonKi-Shaam, Shaam-e-Ghazal, Geet and Ghazal Nite, Shab- e-Meraj, Jhoomte Sitare and many more.

‘Parda Hai Parda” unfolded a new vista of entertainment with Ghazal, Qawwali, evergreen songs rendered

by Bollywood playback singer Poonam Bhatia, and rib-tickling comedy by Poonam & Surinder.

Astoundingly funny Surinder won over the hearts of the Kuwait audience with his outstanding Tabla playing. He & his band became popular from TV shows as Movers & Shekhar, Laughter King & Comedy Circus.

Renowned qawwal Munawwar Masoom started with a spiritual ghazal by Hazrat Ameer Khusro’s “Qaoul “Mann Kunto Moulla” than after “Haq Husne Mohabbat Ka Ada Kaoun Karega”, “Jab se teri ruswaii se darne laga hoon main, Teri gali se bach ke guzarne laga hoon main”, ‘Shisha tute shorgul mach jaye, Dil tute awaaz na aaye, Saanp dase to dost bachaye, aur dost dase to kaoun bachaye”, and his performance reached a crescendo with great qawaalis such as “Bhar De Jholi Meri Ya Mohammed”, “Chardhta Suraj Dheere Dheere”, and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Sharabi”. Munawwar & his partner Arif Khan sang “Parda Hai Parda’ a famous Qawwali by Mohammed Rafi (Film- Amar Akbar Anthony) to the great delight of the audience.

Ustad Masoom entertained the crowd with his versatile rendition of Ghazal & Qawwali along with “Rubaeyan” & “Urdu Couplets”. He succeeded in winning over the hearts of the audience with his able rendering of several old and new qawwali in all three forms Aashiqana, Sufiana & Filmana. The audience also enjoyed the best of hospitality by the ICS team. ICS has given mementos to all artists as token of love & sweet memories.

Ashfaque expresses his special thanks to Aijaz Ahmed (MD-Sahara), Asad Khan (GM- KSCC) & Fahad al furaih (MD- Noor Asia) for their encouragement in organizing such cultural events. ICS Kids wing performed with Poonam Bhatia on songs “Billo rani” “Ye eishq hai”,” Kajrare kajrare tere kare kare naina” etc. Poonam sang all time favorite & ever green numbers. The stage arrangements, execution of programme, coordination & event banner were appreciated by all. It was a fitting end to a great evening of entertainment. ICS would like to thank all volunteers, dedicated executive, technical support, media, press, Kuwait authority & very special thanks to Dr Sneh Lata Goel (Diamond sponsor), Al Yasra food Co. (Gold Sponsor), KSCC & City Centre (Silver Sponsor), & Co sponsors Sahara AC co., Zahem & Malhotra, Royal Coast, Kuwait Continental & Air Arabia. “Chhap tilak sab chhini re mose naina”, “Dama dam mast kalander”, “Rang mousam ki Tarah, Yaar badalta kyoun hain”, “Ranjisho ko hawa dijiye, Phir koi gul khila dijiye” was the last duet of Poonam & ustad masoom.

Is an MBA from Wharton right for you?

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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)

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

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: Rawdah22512257-97290278; Salmiya-2573326397533263; Khaitan-24730137-99285459; Mangaf-23723002; Jahra-24558830-67720696.

Tulu Parba 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

Pathanamthitta Onam

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he 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.

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Embassy Information EMBASSY OF ARGENTINA In order to inform that 23rd of October 2011, will be Argentine national election where all Argentinean citizen residents permanently in Kuwait can vote only if they are registered at the Electoral Register of the Argentine Embassy. The procedure of inscription ended on 25 of April 2011. To register it is necessary that Argentinean citizens should come personally at the Argentinean Embassy (Block 6, street 42, villa 57, Mishref ) and present the DNI and four personal photos (size 4x4, face should be front on white background). For further information, contact us on 25379211.

Certificate awarding ceremony - Arivu 2011

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he three month - vacation class initiated by the CSI Youth Movement concluded at the Rhythm auditorium in Abbassiya.

Beginning with a prayer by Thomas Varghese, the participating children sang the song “Deivame Kaithozhaam”. The students of CSI Sunday School welcomed the gathering with a song. Following this, Rejimon Daniel delivered the Welcome Address. The Vicar of the church, Rev. Binju Varghese Kuruvilla, inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp.

The Arivu Students enthralled the audience with their dance performances and ‘Vanchipaatu’. The programme that linked all the fourteen districts of Kerala titled “Kerala and fourteen districts” was a new experi-

ence for the audience. The children amazed the viewers making a 12 ft long map of the state on the stage.

Itty Mammen led an interesting game

of proverbs that was linked with the subjects taught at the camp.

The Secretary of the parish, George Koshy, Headmaster of the Sunday

Laif annual convention

The circus is back

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ere comes Laif Annual Convention. The life Abundant International Fountain Kuwait is holding its first annual convention at the National Evangelical Church, Kuwait (Neck Compound-Hall of Faith), Near Parliament House, Kuwait City from Thursday, October 6-9, 2011. It will commence on Thursday at 7 pm, Friday at 10 am, Friday at 10 pm, Saturday at 6 pm and Sunday at 6:30 pm. For more information, contact and transport, call 66332846, 50611737, 66922052, 66550209 or e-mail: laifkuwait@yahoo.co.uk, www.facebook.com/L.A.I.F.CHURCH.

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he Italian Circus is in town in Salmiya, Qatar Street, behind Gulf Mart, across from Marina Mall. For more info: 9991-4607 or 9991-4807 (1st show: 6pm - 8pm and 2nd show 9pm - 11pm)

Study in Canada Fair 2011

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he Embassy of Canada is pleased to announce that the fifth annual Middle East Education Initiative (MEEI), composed of approximately 20 leading Canadian universities and colleges will be visiting Kuwait from October 2 to October 4, 2011.

Representatives from the institutions will be available to meet with students, parents and other members of the education community, and provide information about study opportunities in Canada. The tour includes select school visits and a Study in Canada fair at the Marina Hotel, Salmiya, on October 2 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Quality education is available throughout Canada, and each of our 10 provinces and 3 territories has something exciting to offer. With its safe and welcoming environment and affordable tuition fees, Canada remains a top destination for international students wishing to pursue their studies abroad. The enthusiasm shown by international students for post-secondary studies in Canada gives testimony to the superior quality of our education system.

Students recognize that Canada offers them the opportunity to earn academic qualifications that are recognized and respected around the world, while being part of a tolerant and vibrant multicultural community. International students in Canada have access to the most sophisticated and up-to-date technologies and facilities, and to programs which allow them to gain valuable work experience through work placements and cooperative education.

We invite you to come and meet the representatives from Canada’s colleges, universities and language schools, and discover how studying in Canada will set you on the path to achieving your dreams.

The schools participating on the tour will: Memorial University University of Alberta Vancouver Island University Mount Saint Vincent University Sheridan College Carleton University’ Columbia College York University University of the Fraser Valley Grant MacEwan University Ryerson University Dalhousie University University of Waterloo University of Victoria Seneca CollegeUniversity of Windsor University of New Brunswick Concordia University For more information please contact: kwait-td@international.gc.ca visit www.kuwait.gc.ca

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

School, Reji Chandy Koshy and Chandy Abraham distributed certificates to the participants. The winners of the game on proverbs were given prizes by M. M. John.

The audience unanimously appreciated the 76 children who sang the song, “Oru thiri, Oru kaithiri”, spreading the light of knowledge to remove the superstitions and evils of the world.

The programmes concluded with a prayer by P.I. Jacob. The Secretary of the Youth Movement, Dileep David delivered the Vote of Thanks.

The class which was an initiative to promote the language and culture of the native land - Kerala among the new generation, leading a migrant life, “Arivu-2011” was led by Itty Mammen and Dileep David.

FOCC chess tournament

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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

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

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.

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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 nnnnnnn

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.

All previous Temporary Resident Visa application forms will no longer be accepted by CIC and instead will be returned to applicants. Should old applications be submitted prior to January 15, 2011 they will continue to be processed. To ensure that the most recent version of the Temporary Resident Visa application form is being utilized, applicants should refer to the CIC website. As of January 15, 2011, forms are to be filled in electronically. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF GERMANY The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kuwait wishes to announce that as of 1 May 2011, the external service provider Al Qabas Assurex is operating a Visa Application Centre in support of the German Embassy. Short-term visa applications for travels to Germany (e.g. for tourism, visits, business) are to be submitted to the service provider Al Qabas who for your convenience will ensure that all relevant documents are included in your application. Your personal appearance at the Application Centre is not required. Address of the Visa Application Centre: Al Qabas Assurex Sanabel Tower (Al-Babtain) Mezzanine (M3) opposite Sharq Mall Kuwait 22924444 Fax: 22924442 Further information are available on the following websites: www.kuwait.diplo.de www.qavisa.com nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF INDIA The Embassy of India will remain closed on the following dates during the month of October 2011. October 2, 2011 (Sunday) - Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday; October 6, 2011 (Thursday) - Dussehra; and October 26, 2011 (Wednesday) - Diwali.

Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al Bida’a awarded Green Globe certification

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ovenpick Hotel & Resort Al Bida’a is the first hotel in Kuwait to receive Green Globe Certification. Green Globe CEO Guido Bauer said, ‘Movenpick Hotels & Resorts continues to meet the world’s highest sustainability standard, with Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al Bida’a Kuwait achieving 82% of Green Globe’s sustainability indicators in its inaugural year.

‘For all Middle East based hotels, recycling is one of the greatest challenges, with few programs offered by the host communities. It is encouraging to see Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al Bida’a Kuwait has moved quickly to establish its own recycling program for paper, plastic and cans. ‘The property has also engaged an ambitious “Zero Emission Aim” regarding their carbon footprint which includes travel to and from. It will be interesting to see how this target is met via a comprehensive reduction and offset strategy’, added Mr Bauer.

‘We have already completed a number of sustainability initiatives including the installation of water-saving devices in all guest rooms and

public areas to reduce water consumption, and energy-saving bulbs to save power,’ said Ramzi Shaban, the

Executive Assistant Manager at the hotel.

‘Achieving this Green Globe certification has a positive effect on every aspect of the hotel operation, and will encourage us to go for greener initiatives. We also encourage our guests to get involved in our sustainability pro-

grams by inviting them to use the recycle bins placed across the property, and making them aware of special measures such as air conditioning cutoff when they leave their rooms as well as linen reuse,’ added Shaban.

Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al Bida’a Kuwait has also established a reputation for serving the society with active involvement in many local and international charities, and was the first to introduce Opera in Kuwait, through a series of cultural and musical events. The hotel was audited by UAE-based Avireal Company, preferred partner for Green Globe Certification across the 20 different countries of the Middle East.

By the end of 2011, Green Globe will have certified 20 percent of Movenpick’s hotels, resorts, and cruises. By 2013, all Movenpick properties will have met the Green Globe Certification standard and carry the Green Globe Certification label. This strategy is part of a company-wide program to establish a common and global approach to environmental, employee, and social sustainability.

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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 nnnnnnn

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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Years

00:45 Untamed & Uncut 01:40 Perfect Predators 03:30 Maneaters 04:25 Dogs 101 05:20 Animal Cops Houston 06:10 Project Puppy 07:00 Meerkat Manor 07:25 The Really Wild Show 07:50 Animal Crackers 08:15 Safari Sisters 08:40 Breed All About It 09:10 Dogs 101 10:05 Dogs 101 11:00 Animal Cops Houston 11:55 E-Vets: The Interns 12:20 Wildlife SOS 12:50 Animal ER 13:45 Crocodile Hunter 14:40 Shark After Dark 15:30 Monkey Life 16:00 The Really Wild Show 16:30 Animal Crackers 16:55 Safari Sisters 17:25 Dogs 101 18:20 Breed All About It 18:45 Crocodile Hunter 19:40 Echo And The Elephants Of Amboseli 20:10 Dogs 101 21:05 Shark Attack Survival Guide 22:00 Karina: Wild On Safari 22:55 Buggin’ With Ruud 23:50 Lions And Giants

00:05 00:35 01:10 02:00 02:50 03:30 04:00 04:30 04:50 05:05 05:25 05:35 05:45 05:50 06:10 06:25 06:45 06:55 07:00 07:20 07:35 07:55 08:05 08:15 08:20 08:40 08:55 09:15 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 23:30

Last Of The Summer Wine Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Holby City Blackadder Doctors Last Of The Summer Wine Balamory The Roly Mo Show Me Too Tellytales Tellytales Poetry Pie Balamory The Roly Mo Show Me Too Tellytales Poetry Pie Balamory The Roly Mo Show Me Too Tellytales Tellytales Poetry Pie Balamory The Roly Mo Show Me Too Tellytales 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 The Fixer Blackadder

00:20 Come Dine With Me 01:10 What Not To Wear 02:00 Come Dine With Me 02:55 Antiques Roadshow 03:45 The Naked Chef 04:10 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 04:35 James Martin’s Brittany 05:05 Fantasy Homes By The Sea

05:45 Antiques Roadshow 06:40 The Naked Chef 07:10 Daily Cooks Challenge 07:40 Come Dine With Me 08:30 Coastal Kitchen 08:55 The Naked Chef 09:25 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 09:50 James Martin’s Brittany 10:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 10:55 Antiques Roadshow 11:50 Come Dine With Me 12:40 Daily Cooks Challenge 14:40 Bargain Hunt 15:20 Antiques Roadshow 16:15 Antiques Roadshow 17:10 Come Dine With Me 18:00 New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad 18:25 What To Eat Now - Autumn 18:55 The Naked Chef 19:25 James Martin’s Brittany 19:45 Come Dine With Me 20:35 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 21:15 Antiques Roadshow 22:15 Come Dine With Me 23:05 New Scandinavian Cooking With Claus Meyer 23:30 New Scandinavian Cooking With Claus Meyer 23:55 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 16:30 Impact With Mishal Husain 17:00 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 21:30 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 22:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 22:30 World Business Report 22:45 Sport Today 23:00 BBC World News America 23:30 Hardtalk

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

TV PROGRAMS

00:20 00:45 01:10 01:35 02:00 02:25 02:50 03:00 03:25 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

Droopy: Master Detective The Flintstones Johnny Bravo Duck Dodgers King Arthur’s Disasters The Scooby Doo Show Popeye Classics Tom & Jerry Popeye 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 09:35 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

00:15 01:10 02:05 03:00 03:55 04:20 05:15 05:40 06:05 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:45 09:10 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:25 12:20 13:15 14:10 15:05 16:00 16:25 16:55 17:50 18:45 19:10 19:40 20:05 20:35 21:00 21:30 22:25 23:20

Backstory World Sport The Situation Room World Report World Business Today Piers Morgan Tonight Anderson Cooper 360 World Sport African Voices World Report Backstory World Report World Sport Inside Africa World Business Today American Morning: Wake-Up News Special World One Piers Morgan Tonight News Stream World Business Today International Desk The Brief World Sport Prism International Desk News Special Quest Means Business Piers Morgan Tonight Connect The World

Flying Wild Alaska Extreme Fishing Dirty Jobs Ultimate Survival Wheeler Dealers Mythbusters How Do They Do It? How Stuff’s Made Dirty Jobs Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Flying Wild Alaska How Do They Do It? Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security Auction Hunters Animal Cops South Africa LA Ink Ultimate Survival Extreme Fishing Sons Of Guns Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Mythbusters Flying Wild Alaska Cake Boss Border Security Auction Hunters How Stuff’s Made How Do They Do It? Cash Cab Us LA Ink Animal Cops South Africa Pit Bulls And Parolees

00:05 Smash Lab 00:55 Building the Biggest 01:45 Man Made Marvels: China’s National...

02:35 Kings of Construction 03:25 Thunder Races 04:15 How Does That Work?

04:45 Building the Biggest 05:40 One Step Beyond 06:10 Nextworld 07:00 Thunder Races 07:55 Sci-Fi Saved My Life 08:50 The Gadget Show 09:40 Smash Lab 10:35 Brainiac 11:30 Sci-Fi Science 11:55 How Does That Work?

12:25 Man Made Marvels: China’s National...

13:15 Kings of Construction 14:05 One Step Beyond 14:30 Stunt Junkies 14:55 Building the Biggest 15:45 Weird Connections 16:10 Thunder Races 17:00 Sci-Fi Saved My Life 17:50 Sci-Fi Science 18:15 The Gadget Show 18:40 Stephen Hawking’s Universe 20:20 Smash Lab 21:10 The Gadget Show 22:00 Stephen Hawking’s Universe 23:40 The Gadget Show

THE DAMNED UNITED ON OSN ACTION HD

00:00 00:25 00:50 01:15 01:35 02:00 02:25 02:50 03:15 03:35

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Stitch Replacements Replacements Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Stitch

04:00 04:25 04:50 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:20 06:45 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:35 09:00 09:10 09:30 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

Stitch Replacements Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Emperor’s New School Suite Life On Deck Phineas And Ferb Wizards Of Waverly Place Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Jungle Junction 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

TRIAGE ON OSN CINEMA 00:25 Kendra 00:55 The Soup 01:25 E!es 01:50 E!es 02:20 THS 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 E!es 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 10:15 40 (More) Crimes Of Fashion 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 E!es 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

Ghost Lab A Haunting Nightmare Next Door Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghosthunters Ghost Lab 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 19:00 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:30

A World Apart Warrior Road Trip Banged Up Abroad Going Bush Bluelist Australia Weird & Wonderful Hotels The Frankincense Trail The Best Job In The World

00:00 Brotherhood-PG15 02:00 John Carpenter’s Ghosts Of Mars-PG15 04:00 Saw VI-R 06:00 Beyond A Reasonable DoubtPG15 08:00 What Lies Beneath-PG15 10:15 Heaven’s Fall-PG15 12:00 Collateral-PG15 14:00 What Lies Beneath-PG15 16:15 The Damned United-PG15 18:00 Collateral-PG15 20:00 Jason X-18 21:45 Inglourious Basterds-18

01:15 Nine Dead-PG15 03:00 The Open Road-PG15 05:15 The Eclipse-PG15 07:00 Emotional Arithmetic-PG15 09:00 Winx: Secret Of The Lost Kingdom-PG 11:00 The Sunset Limited-PG15 13:00 Don’t Fade Away-PG15 15:00 Hachiko: A Dog’s Story-PG15 16:45 Attack On Leningrad-PG15 19:00 Crazy On The Outside-PG15 21:00 A Single Man-PG15 23:00 Triage-18

00:00 Seinfeld 00:30 The Daily Show Global Edition 01:00 The Colbert Report Global Edition 01:30 State Of The Union 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 Weird Science 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 State Of The Union 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00

Desperate Housewives Boardwalk Empire Drop Dead Diva Revenge One Tree Hill Good Morning America Persons Unknown Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show

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

The Martha Stewart Show The View Desperate Housewives Revenge Live Good Morning America One Tree Hill The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Grey’s Anatomy Grey’s Anatomy House Drop Dead Diva Persons Unknown

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

The Event Game Of Thrones Boardwalk Empire Desperate Housewives Revenge Alias The Event According To Jim Coronation Street Off The Map Alias Desperate Housewives Revenge According To Jim Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Off The Map Psych According To Jim Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Body Of Proof Grey’s Anatomy Grey’s Anatomy House Game Of Thrones Big Love

01:00 The Gene Generation-18 03:00 El Orfenato-18 05:00 Knife Edge-18 07:00 Annihilation Earth-PG15 09:00 Batman: Under The Red Hood-PG 11:00 Avatar-PG 13:45 Wyatt Earp-PG15 17:00 Deceit-PG15 19:00 Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassin’s Ball18 21:00 Inglourious Basterds-18 23:30 Dead Snow-PG15

00:00 When In Rome-PG15 02:00 Four Last Songs-PG15 04:00 Dirty Work-PG15 05:30 Julie And Julia-PG15 08:00 Babe-FAM 10:00 Nativity!-PG 12:00 Stuart Little 2-FAM 14:00 I Love You Beth Cooper-PG15 16:00 When In Rome-PG15 18:00 Dance Flick-18 20:00 There’s Something About Mary-18 22:00 Road Trip: Beer Pong-18

01:15 03:15 05:15 07:15 09:00 11:00 13:30 15:30 PG15 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Kiss The Girls-PG15 Khao Niao Moo Ping-PG15 My Sister’s Keeper-PG15 Tuck Everlasting-PG Glitter-PG15 Capitalism: A Love Story-PG15 Amelia-PG15 The Young Black StallionThe Associate-PG15 Alice In Wonderland-PG Antwone Fisher-PG15 The Class-PG15

01:00 Vanilla Sky-18 03:15 Sweet Home Alabama-PG15 05:15 Everybody Wants To Be Italian-PG15 07:15 Hurricane Season-PG15 09:00 Leap Year-PG15 11:00 Fantastic Mr. Fox-FAM 13:00 Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement-FAM 15:00 Amelia-PG15 17:00 Leap Year-PG15 19:00 The Last Song-PG15 21:00 Little Fish, Strange Pond-PG15 23:00 There’s Something About Mary-18

00:00 RWC weekly Highlights 00:30 Rugby World Cup 02:45 RWC Highlights 03:00 WWE SmackDown 05:00 Trans World Sport 06:00 RWC Weekly Highlights 06:30 RWC Highlights 06:45 Live Rugby World Cup 09:00 RWC Highlights 09:15 Live Rugby World Cup 11:30 RWC Weekly Highlights 12:00 Speedway FIM World Championship 13:00 Trans World Sports 14:00 WWE SmackDown 15:45 WWE Tough Enough 16:45 RWC Highlights 17:00 Speedway FIM World Championship 18:00 Rugby World Cup 20:15 Rugby World Cup 22:30 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 23:30 WWE SmackDown

00:00 NRL Premiership 02:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 02:30 Golfing World 03:30 Futbol Mundial 04:00 RWC Weekly Highlights 04:30 Rugby Union Currie Cup 06:30 RWC Highlights 06:45 Live Rugby World Cup 09:00 RWC Highlights 09:15 Live Rugby World Cup 11:30 AFL Highlights 12:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 13:00 Scottish Premier League 15:00 World Hockey 15:30 Spirit of Yachting 16:00 Premier League Snooker 18:00 Rugby World Cup 20:15 Rugby World Cup 22:30 NRL Full Time 23:00 Premier League Snooker

00:00 AFL Highlights 01:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 02:00 AFL Premiership 04:30 World Hockey 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 Futbol Mundial 11:30 Trans World Sport 12:30 ICC Criket World 13:00 Rugby World Cup 15:15 Rugby World Cup 17:30 RWC Highlights Weekly 18:00 NRL Full Time 18:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 19:00 Golfing World 20:00 Beach Volleyball 20:30 Futbol Mundial 21:00 Scottish Premier League 23:00 NRL Full Time 23:30 RWC Highlights 23:45 NRL Premiership

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

Speedway FIM World WWE Tough Enough WWE Vintage Collection WWE SmackDown UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed WWE NXT WWE SmackDown Speedway FIM World V8 Supercars Championship Le Mans Speedway V8 Supercars Championship WWE Vintage Collection UFC 135 Prelims UFC 135

Classifieds TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

FOR SALE Nissan Sunny 2009, white colour, KD 2,350/-. Contact: 66729295. (C 3650) Honda Civic 2003, golden colour, excellent condition, 90,000 km, price KD 1,350/-.

Contact: 55323839.

(C 3651) 27-9-2011 Complete contents of 1 BR flat for sale. 1 deal for newlywed or single executive, for details and viewing call: 99701641 or email: alem.furnz@gmail.com (C 3640) 24-9-2011

SITUATION WANTED Sri Lankan housemaid looking for a part time / full time job for European or American family, have experience.

Contact: 97413349. (C 3645) 25-9-2011

LOST Policy No. 633001847 for Mehmood Ul Hassan Chohan issued by State Life Insurance has been lost, if anybody found please contact: 22452208-9. (C 3643) 22-9-2011

SITUATION VACANT Required English speaking maid/nanny. Please call 99824597. (C 3648) 27-9-2011

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Firoj Latif Shaikh S/O Abdul Latif Shaikh would like to state that I have changed my name from FIROZ LATIF SHAIKH to FIROJ LATIF SHAIKH. Henceforth all my dealings & documents will have the name as FIROJ LATIF SHAIKH. (C 3649) 27-9-2011 I, Sweatha Ibrahim, holder of Indian Passport No. E8320183 hereby change my name to Hilda . D’Souza.

(C 3644) 24-9-2011 I, Kannanaikkel Devassy Joy, holder of Indian Passport No. E2157210 issued at Kuwait, hereby change my name as Joy Davis. (C 3642) 22-9-2011

MATRIMONIAL Orthodox well-settled parents invite proposals for their son, 28 years, 180 cm, fair, MBA (Finance) from a reputed institution, employed in a reputed bank in Kuwait from parents of professionally qualified God-fearing girls. Email: dr.matt32@gmail.com (C 3652) Inviting proposals for Marthomite boy B.Com, MBA, 26/172 employed in MNC Kuwait from parents of professionally qualified girls of Marthomite/ Orthodox. Email: welcomingproposal@gmail.com (C 3647) 27-9-2011

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines RJA JZR THY ETH UAE DHX ETD MSR FDB GFA QTR AFR JZR KAC JZR JZR KAC BAW KAC FCX KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC UAE IRA QTR ABY QTR ETD GFA IRA MEA MHK JZR VTF KAC MSR UAL RJA KAC FDB QTR SWT KAC

Flt 642 267 772 620 853 370 305 614 67 211 138 6700 529 544 505 555 412 157 416 201 206 302 53 332 352 284 855 605 132 125 6130 301 213 619 404 711 201 130 672 610 982 640 512 57 140 93 562

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 27/9/2011 Route AMMAN BEIRUT ISTANBUL ADDIS ABABA DUBAI BAHRAIN ABU DHABI CAIRO DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA PARIS ASSIUT CAIRO LUXOR ALEXANDRIA MANILA/BANGKOK LONDON JAKARTA/KUALA LUMPUR BAHRAIN ISLAMABAD MUMBAI DUBAI TRIVANDRUM COCHIN DHAKA DUBAI ISFAHAN DOHA SHARJAH DOHA ABU DHABI BAHRAIN LAR BEIRUT BAGHDAD/NAJAF DAMASCUS SHARJAH 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 7:15 7:50 7:55 7:55 8:05 8:10 8:25 8:55 9:00 9:10 9:10 9:30 9:35 10:25 10:55 11:00 12:45 13:00 13:15 13:20 13:30 13:35 13:40 13:50 14:15 14:15 14:20

SVA KAC KAC JZR QTR VOS KAC ETD UAE GFA SVA JZR JZR ABY RBG JZR FDB ALK JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JAI FDB OMA MEA MLR MSR DHX KLM UAE JZR GFA QTR UAL AIC JZR JZR MSR DLH AXB JZR PIA

500 546 746 257 134 78 1786 303 857 215 510 777 239 127 3553 213 63 227 177 104 166 502 542 618 786 614 774 674 790 572 61 647 402 1405 618 372 443 859 183 217 136 981 981 135 787 612 636 389 539 205

JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA ABU DHABI/DAMMAM BEIRUT DOHA NAJAF JEDDAH ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH JEDDAH AMMAN SHARJAH ALEXANDRIA DEIREZZOR DUBAI COLOMBO/DUBAI DUBAI LONDON PARIS/ROME BEIRUT CAIRO DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN RIYADH DUBAI MEDINAH MUMBAI DUBAI MUSCAT 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 16:00 16:15 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 20:00 20:10 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 DLH AIC PIA THY ETH UAE FDB DHX ETD MSR QTR AFR RJA GFA JZR KAC BAW FDB KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC UAE ABY IRA KAC QTR ETD GFA QTR KAC IRA KAC MEA KAC JZR JZR JZR MHK VOS KAC KAC JZR MSR RJA FDB

Departure Flights on Tuesday 27/9/2011 Flt Route 637 FRANKFURT 976 GOA/CHENNAI 240 SIALKOT 773 ISTANBUL 621 ADDIS ABABA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 306 ABU DHABI 615 CAIRO 139 DOHA 6700 DUBAI/HONG KONG 643 AMMAN 212 BAHRAIN 200 DAMASCUS 545 ALEXANDRIA 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 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 6131 DOHA 1785 JEDDAH 618 LAR 165 ROME/PARIS 405 BEIRUT 541 CAIRO 776 JEDDAH 212 DEIREZZOR 238 AMMAN 711 NAJAF/BAGHDAD 77 NAJAF 501 BEIRUT 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 641 AMMAN 58 DUBAI

Time 0:40 0:50 1:10 2:15 2:45 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:05 4:05 5:00 5:10 7:00 7:10 7:15 7:40 8:25 8:40 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 11:05 11:25 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:00 12:05 12:10 12:20 13:00 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 VTF 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 MLR MSR DHX KLM UAE GFA FCX KAC QTR KAC KAC JZR JZR KAC UAL MSR

789 982 130 673 617 501 773 141 613 538 82 182 304 135 858 216 128 3554 266 511 64 786 134 228 283 361 571 62 528 343 351 648 403 1405 619 373 443 860 218 102 381 137 301 205 502 554 411 981 613

MEDINAH BAHRAIN SHARJAH 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 COLOMBO ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN/AMSTERDAM DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DELHI DOHA MUMBAI ISLAMABAD LUXOR ALEXANDRIA BANGKOK/MANILA WASHINGTON DC DULLES CAIRO

14:40 14:45 15:00 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 21:50 21:55 22:00 22:05 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 27, 2011

stars CROSSWORD 451

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) The attitude of the day seems to be in how you will live in your body if you do not take better care of it. Conversations about diet, nutrition, etc., can be easily begun. You may strive to learn about nutrition and good health. Exercise is important—avoid over-exertion. Have fun as you work and as you play—you will encourage others in this game of life. This afternoon a shopping expedition shows off your excellent taste. You could be an expert in all matters of art and discrimination. You can always pick out the valuable and worthwhile. You appreciate all that is fine and beautiful. You will charm an older person this evening with your fascinating stories and theories. Later this evening there is a chance to have some special time with a loved one.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Outer circumstances are favorable and it should be easy for you to push toward new projects in all aspects of your life. Life may seem almost magical in the way situations work out in your favor. There is time to begin a plan to become better organized on the home front. Good fortune and plain old luck surrounds you today. It is easy for you to make correct decisions, find the right path and move forward where community concerns are in question. Politics would not be out of the question for you. There is a burning zeal for humanitarian goals, what is best for the many, in the community. With little patience for detail and superficialities, you insist on getting right to the heart of any question. People will come to depend on your strength and wisdom.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. A hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care.

4. Respiratory disorder characterized by wheezing.

10. Someone who is morally reprehensible.

13. A guided missile fired from shipboard against an airborne target.

14. A wind from the north.

15. A federal agency established to regulate the release of new foods and health-related products.

16. United States chemist who developed a method of radiocarbon dating (1908-1980).

18. The capacitance of a capacitor that has an equal and opposite charge of 1 coulomb on each plate and a voltage difference of 1 volt between the plates.

20. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

21. A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography).

23. Elongate very slender water scorpions.

24. A tyrannical power to be propitiated by human subservience or sacrifice.

26. The act of scanning.

27. A long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur.

28. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

29. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

33. Tall feather palm of northern Brazil with hard-shelled nuts yielding valuable oil and a kind of vegetable ivory.

38. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

39. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

41. The production of young from an egg.

43. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily.

44. The sign language used in the United States.

45. Jordan's port.

48. A Dravidian language closely related to Tamil that is spoken in a hilly section of southwestern India.

50. An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores.

51. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

53. A condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people.

57. An independent ruler or chieftain (especially in Africa or Arabia).

59. Relating to or characteristic of or occurring on land.

63. A mythical Greek hero.

64. In a competent capable manner.

65. The lean flesh of a fish that is often farmed.

66. Kamarupan languages spoken in northeastern India and western Burma.

67. A body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land.

68. United States writer (born in Poland) who wrote in Yiddish (1880-1957).

69. The biblical name for ancient Syria.

DOWN 1. Muslims collectively and their civilization.

2. The capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa.

3. Flat-topped or rounded inflorescence characteristic of the family Umbelliferae in which the individual flower stalks arise from about the same point.

4. Make amends for.

5. Conforming to truth.

6. Hormone released by the hypothalamus that controls the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary.

7. A vehicle for carrying a coffin to a church or a cemetery.

8. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance.

9. (Hindu) A manner of sitting (as in the practice of Yoga).

10. A radioactive transuranic element.

11. The sixth month of the civil year.

12. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

17. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd and has an edible pulp called monkey bread.

19. Fairly small terrestrial ferns of tropical America.

22. The sacred city of Lamaism.

25. Ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse.

30. Evergreen tree of eastern Asia and Philippines having large leathery leaves and small green-white flowers in compact cymes.

31. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural).

32. Tropical woody herb with showy yellow flowers and flat pods.

34. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

35. A small cake leavened with yeast.

36. Large sweet juicy hybrid between tangerine and grapefruit having a thick wrinkled skin.

37. A Hindu disciple of a swami.

40. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

42. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

46. A Bantu language spoken by the Kamba people in Kenya.

47. The absolute unit of pressure equal to one dyne per square centimeter.

49. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

52. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

54. Slightly open.

55. Mentally or physically infirm with age.

56. A set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge.

58. A kind of person.

60. An associate degree in applied science.

61. Government agency created in 1974 to license and regulate nuclear power plants.

62. A doctor's degree in preventive medicine.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) There is an instinctive urge to get serious about taking care of your health at many levels. You may have tried a multitude of methods to get your body into the shape you desire. However, now it is time to settle on one method and stick to it. Many methods work—however, the secret to your success is consistency. Others value you for your ability to make practical decisions—now it is time to have faith in the decisions you make. This is a very nice day, perhaps filled with some renewed appreciation for all that is beautiful and fine. You might feel love or value for an older person. A sense of value and valuing that may find you lavishing affection on those near you. General good feeling and a sense of support makes this a happy time.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

A deliberate sense of responsibility comes across today. This sense of responsibility is central to your personality and the way you relate to other people. Everything is run through your checkpoint to see if it holds up and can pass the test—you can be a stickler with details. Try now to break up old habits and get out of ruts, etc. You may feel very passionate at this time, or you could feel that your feelings, emotions and basic life urges undergo change and possible transformation. You feel more personal and direct and find that you waste less time with hurt feelings than before. There is a sense of support and good will from those around you. You work well with others today.

Young people in your work group amuse you.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Take a deep cleansing breath—this is going to be a day where you need to put extra effort into thinking things through to the long-term. You have a yearning to reach for what seems to be the impossible. There is a kind of spiritual wanderlust that takes center stage. Law, politics, education, travel and religion are some of the areas where an emotionally charged drama occurs. A bit of a rebellious urge within you presents an emotional challenge. You may have to resist attempts to divert your drive and energy in directions that will take you nowhere. You become more focused than ever! You can dispense now with all that is unsound and move in a most positive and determined direction. This evening is good for soothing music.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Deep and penetrating analysis, particularly with a group or in relation to your situation may be in order now. Others could seek you out for your understanding. You could be teaching a class in personal development today. This could also be a time to make changes in your work environment. Others value you for your independence and unique qualities.

You will not have difficulty in getting recognition for your efforts or accomplishments. You should, however, place your efforts into work or ventures that you really love doing. Career insights are possible today. You might discover that unconventional solutions to life’s problems are in order as well. You and your friends enjoy each other’s company this evening—bingo perhaps.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You could be the main attraction today, especially in relation to your work. You may find that you enjoy your job or the responsibility it entails. Independence, as well as anything unusual or different, is valued just now.

You may enjoy getting away from routine and doing something completely different after work. You could be entering a phase of changing or creating habits, which may be a good way to delve into something different. Good habits bring us everything we want but bad ones can turn our lives into a mess. You are wise to take the time to write down some of what you want to change in yourself, with regard to habits. This could involve eating, exercising, being on time, etc. Write down some new habits you would like to create.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You find ways to broaden your horizons—both intellectually and spiritually. Education, publishing, broadcasting, legal and political interests as well as advertising offer wonderful opportunities now.

Making suggestions for solving problems can make a big difference in your professional status. You may not be the creator of an advertisement or a play, but you will give ideas to others that can benefit the business for which you work.

Rewards are in the making. Assimilating information and experience, learning lessons and putting them into practice—is the main focus this afternoon. It’s a time for prudence and stewardship and tending to the details. Make it a point to really listen to your loved ones this evening.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Yesterday’s Solution

The main focus today is on the manner in which you handle responsibilities in the workplace. You are also likely to fall into a greater position of authority. You make progress in your profession—an increase in stability. Ideals and a sense of belonging become a greater focus in your life at this time. You attach a lot of importance to friendship and taking part in group activities that center on idealistic goals. Someone you care about—a child or lover, perhaps— may be a cause for concern. Self-control and setting limits are important in love and other games of chance; think long-term and be realistic in your approach to these things. Careful—there is a possibility of over-indulgence in whatever you become interested in just now.

You can really communicate and express yourself to others right now. You have a lot of energy and come across as assertive and dominant. Conflict between time at home and time on the job may cause you to stop and rethink your purpose for working so hard. If the pay is not beneficial for the time away from loved ones, it is time to reassess. Encourage, praise and support your loved ones often. You will be pleasantly surprised at what happens in return. Check out the balance of your week and ask yourself if everything, including you, gets a fair share of your time. It could be time for some adjustments. Circumstances may conspire to limit and hinder your sense of independence. Loved ones are able to help with errands this evening—just ask.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Co-workers may want to know more than you are willing to contribute. You may have a tendency to avoid sensitive subjects and take refuge in duties and responsibilities rather than face issues that are shallow. You enjoy the practical and the truthful. A need for psychological security and absolute truth in all matters cuts through most chit-chat and settles on the basic issues. This is a good time to launch a public-relations campaign to advance your career—you can be a good politician. Certainly, a time of progress and stability has begun. It is also a good time to be more involved in education, as a student or teacher. Either way, you will be learning. Recalculating the budget brings good news! There are many rewards for being thrifty.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

You could find yourself working overtime today—you have a lot of energy to pour into a work project. You may appear commanding and assertive—whatever the mood—this is the time to push ahead.

Breakthroughs in your career could open up during this time—making it possible for you to solve problems and find new opportunities to move forward and upward in your career. This evening you will be moved to appreciate and discover the beauty in your life—perhaps a sunset, a baby animal or a child—and the beauty in those around you. At the same time, everything takes on added value. Be careful that you do not overspend or indulge too much just now. Enjoy the simple things in life and teach your loved ones to do the same. Un-complicate your life.

A

y

e niv rsar n

Years

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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

PHARMACIES

AIRLINES

ON 24 HRS DUTY GOVERNORATE

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Hawally

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Kuwait Airways Jazeera Airways Jet Airways FlyDubai Qatar Airways KLM Air Slovakia Olympic Airways Royal Jordanian Reservation British Airways Air France Emirates Air India Sri Lanka Airlines Egypt Air Swiss Air Saudia Middle East Airlines Lufthansa PIA Alitalia Balkan Airlines Bangladesh Airlines Czech Airlines Indian Airlines Oman Air Turkish Airlines Aeroflot

22433377 177 22924455 22414400 22423888 22425747 22434940 22420002/9 22418064/5/6 22433388 22425635 22430224 22425566 22438184 22424444 22421578 22421516 22426306 22423073 22422493 22421044 22414427 22416474 22452977/8 22417901/ 2433141 22456700 22958787 22453820/1 22404838/9

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist 25340300

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

Dr Anil Thomas

3729596/3729581 22641071/2

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Salem soso

22618787

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

Neurologists

Dr. Adnan Ebil

22639939

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Mousa Khadada

22666300

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists

25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291 22666288

Rheumatologists:

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

Dentists

Internists, Chest & Heart

25339330

25655535

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

General Surgeons

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Ph.D. 2290-1677 Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg, M.A. 2290-1677

Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Anguilla Antiga Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands

0093 00355 00213 00376 00244 001264 001268 0054 00374 0061 0043 001242 00973 00880 001246 00375 0032 00501 00229 001441 00975 00591 00387 00267 0055 00673 00359 00226 00257 00855 00237 001 00238 001345

Central African Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Cyprus (Northern) Czech Republic Denmark Diego Garcia Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador England (UK) Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia

00236 00235 0056 0086 0057 00269 00242 00682 00506 00385 0053 00357 0090392 00420 0045 00246 00253 001767 001809 00593 0020 00503 0044 00240 00291 00372 00251 00500 00298 00679 00358 0033 00594 00689

y

A

36

e niv rsar n

Years

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

lifest yle G o s s i p

Most Annoying: 1. Kim Kardashian 29 per cent 2. Charlie Sheen 27 per cent 3. Snooki 21 per cent 4. Lindsay Lohan 16 per cent 5. Donald Trump 5 per cent 6. Brad Womack 1 per cent

Coolest Couple: 1. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith 27 per cent 2. Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck 26 per cent 3. Prince William and Kate Middleton 20 per cent 4. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt 11 per cent 5. Beyonce and Jay-Z 10 per cent 6. Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem 6 per cent

im Kardashian has been voted the Most Annoying Celebrity of the summer. The socialite - who tied the knot with basketball star Kris Humphries last month topped a poll carried out by Parade.com and omg! as part of their 2011 Summer Pop Culture Survey. Troubled actor Charlie Sheen and ‘Jersey Shore’ star Snooki placed second and third respectively. Also featuring in the list were Linday Lohan whose legal problems saw her hit the headlines throughout the summer months -’Apprentice’ tycoon Donald Trump and ‘The Bachelor’ star Brad Womack. Commenting on Kim’s place at the top of the list, Parade.com said: “Everywhere you look, there seems to be a Kardashian. Famous for being famous, Kim, in particular, has been inescapable, with her recent wedding and honeymoon reported just about everywhere.

Perhaps all that exposure is why she earned the title of Most Annoying Celebrity in our poll, with 29 per cent of the vote.”

Elsewhere in the survey, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith beat off competition to be voted Coolest Couple, topping the list by just one per cent more than Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck. Royal newlyweds Prince William and Duchess Catherine came third, with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z and Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem rounding off the top six.

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hane Warne is planning to propose to Elizabeth Hurley. The Australian cricket legend is reportedly set to ask the actress-andmodel to marry him, just 10 months after they started dating. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “Liz and Shane have a really happy, fun and secure relationship. They are forever giggling. Shane absolutely adores her and is keen to make their relationship

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official. “He plans on proposing before Christmas, with the couple having a low-key wedding late next year. Shane is romantic and a traditionalist, and will definitely get down on bended knee to do the deed.” Hurley split from her first husband, textile heir Arun Nayar last December, and their divorce was finalized in the summer. She and Warne have since enjoyed a number of romantic breaks in his native

Gaga dedicates

Lohan’s ‘spontaneous’ collaboration with Philipp Plein

song to teen who committed suicide

he 19-year-old singer-and-actress will front the ceremony - which takes place in Belfast, Ireland, on November 6 - as well as connecting with fans globally by tweeting throughout the event, as well as offering commentary and sharing behind-the-scenes secret via the official website. Selena said: “I’m so excited to be the host of the 2011 MTV EMAs - it’s a dream come true.

This is such a huge event that always recognizes the biggest stars in music from across the globe, so it’s a real honor to be MC at this year’s show.” As has previously been announced, Lady Gaga - who bagged five awards at last year’s event leads the nominations with six and is up for Best Female, Best Live Act, Best Pop Act, as well as the Biggest Fans accolade for her dedicated troupe of “little monsters” and both Best Song and Best Video for ‘Born This Way’. Closely following the 25-year-old singer in the nominations is Katy Perry - who will battle it out against Lady Gaga in the Best Female, Best Pop, Best Female and Best Song categories for ‘Firework’ - and Bruno Mars with four nods apiece. Adele - the top-selling artist of the year to date - Selena’s boyfriend Justin Bieber and rockers Thirty Seconds to Mars are up for three awards each. The 2011 MTV EMAs will be held at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on November 6 and will air live on MTV from 9pm.

indsay Lohan says her new collaboration with Philipp Plein was “spontaneous”. The troubled actress was named as the new face of the German designer’s latest collection on Saturday and admitted she hadn’t met him until the day before or even seen the clothing until the day she was unveiled. Admitting she and the designer had “just met Friday” when speaking about the collection in Italy, she added: “Something important to know about this collection is that it’s expressing something a little bit more edgy. And I think maybe people’s perceptions of me have been kind of tak-

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Bieber records Christmas song with ustin Bieber has recorded a Christmas song with Usher. The 17-year-old pop star is making a festive album and was joined in the studio by his mentor - who signed him to his Raymond Braun Media Group (RBMG) label - to duet on a Yule Tide hit. Justin tweeted: “just finished a late not in the studio for the Christmas album...it is OFFICIAL...my big bro @UsherRaymondIV is on the album with me! #EPIC (sic)” The ‘Baby’ singer insists the track is very Christmassy and he is really pleased with what he and Usher - full name

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en out of context just from what you see and read.”Meanwhile, Philipp hailed the “authentic and beautiful” actress at Milan fashion week which she attended wearing a selection of his designs. He told a press conference: “For me she’s authentic, she’s talented, she’s beautiful.”

Speaking about the campaign pictures which were shot at Lake Como, the designer added: “Lindsay is a beautiful, highly acclaimed actress and model. We will be able to create unique images: Refined and luxurious, but also full of sensuality.”

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ormer Pussycat Doll Carmit Bachar has given birth. The flame-haired singer and her fiance Kevin Whitaker welcomed daughter Keala Rose into the world on September 18, and the thrilled new parents are excited to be starting a “new chapter” in their lives. Writing on twitter, Carmit said: “The journey was long but our precious baby girl has arrived. My fiance Kevin Whitaker & I would love to introduce ‘Keala Rose’ born 9/18/11 “Thank you all for the beautiful messages & support. This was an incredible experience & new chapter in life. Keala means ‘the path’ in Hawaiin (sic)” However, the 37-year-old admits the first few days of motherhood have been a challenge. She added: “The blessings r overwhelming! Luv 2u all! Motherhood is challenging& indescribably beautiful! Pronounced KAY-ALA 7lbs15.2oz our light angel (sic)” Carmit also celebrated the baby’s “one week birthday”. She wrote: “Happy 1 week bday to my beautiful baby Keala!! Yyaaaaaaaay(sic)” Carmit joined the Pussycat Dolls in 1995, but left the band - which also featured Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton, Kimberley Wyatt, Jessica Sutta and Ashley Roberts - in 2008 to pursue a solo career.

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ady Gaga dedicated a song to a fan who committed suicide as she performed at the iHeartRadio festival.

The pop superstar was left devastated when she heard the tragic story last week of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer who killed himself because he was being bullied about his sexuality. While on stage at the Las Vegas music event Gaga paid tribute to Jamey before performing her song ‘Hair’ as a video montage with his photo played in the background.

She told the crowd: “I lost a little monster this week and I’d like to dedicate this song to him. Tonight, Jamey, I know you’re up there and looking at us and you’re not a victim.

Bullying is for losers. Put your hands up for Jamey!” Gaga closed the two-day event - which also featured performances from Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Coldplay and Jay-Z - and was joined by Sting for a duet of ‘Stand By Me’.

Introducing the musician, she said: “The police are here!

Sting is one of my favorite people in the whole world because when I started in this business, I started to meet real legends but they’re not always very nice. Sting is one of the kindest, most loving people I’ve ever met.” After hearing of Jamey’s death the ‘Born This Way’ singer vowed to meet with President Barack Obama to ask him to create legislation which makes bullying at any age a crime. In a series of tweets, she wrote: “The past days I’ve spent reflecting, crying, and yelling. I have so much anger. It is hard to feel love when cruelty takes someone’s life. “Jamey Rodemeyer, 14 yrs old, took his life because of bullying. Bullying must become be illegal. It is a hate crime. “I am meeting with our President. I will not stop fighting. This must end. Our generation has the power to end it. Trend it #MakeALawForJamey (sic)” Before committing suicide Jamey posted the prophetic line “don’t forget me when I come crying to heaven’s door” from Gaga’s song ‘The Queen’ on his Facebook page followed by a tribute to the pop superstar.

Australia and India as well as flirting with each other on internet social networking site twitter. Hurley has also introduced her nine-year-old son, Damian, to the sportsman’s three children, teenager Brooke, and her younger siblings Summer and Jackson, with his ex-wife Simone Callahan.

Usher

Usher Raymond IV - have produced. He added in another twitter post: “this duet with me and @USHERRAYMONDIV for #Christmas is CRAZY!!!” Justin is teaming up with a host of music stars for his Christmas record, including The Band Perry and, according to rumors, Taylor Swift and Sean Kingston. He has already confirmed he has recorded the track ‘Falalalala’ with Boyz II Men and the LP is being produced by Kuk Harrell.

— BangShowbiz

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‘Crazy Horse’ film goes backstage at Paris cabaret ike a flock of rare birds preening their splendorous plumage, the perfectly proportioned dancers at Paris’ mythic Crazy Horse cabaret reapply their cherry red lipstick and dust their nearly naked bodies with iridescent powder before taking to the stage.

These are among the stolen moments that make up “Crazy Horse,” a new documentary that lifts the thick velvet curtain on the world-famous cabaret - where the backstage drama is arguably as enthralling as the sensuous dance numbers.

“Crazy Horse” was made by American documentarian Frederick Wiseman, who, at age 81 and with 39 films under his belt, is almost as much of institution in his own right as “Le Crazy” - as the French call the Right Bank cabaret. Founded in 1951 by French businessman Alain Bernardin, the Crazy aimed to “bring strip tease a l’Americaine to Paris,” as the club’s website puts it. Sixty years later, the snug, velvet-covered club - which still occupies the basement of a stately building in

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File photo shows American filmmaker Fred Wiseman poses in Paris. —AP Paris’ tony 8th district - has instead come to symbolize sensuality “a la Francaise.”

While other famed venues such as the Moulin Rouge or Lido are often seen as past their prime, the Crazy continues to be a Paris icon, and its black bob-wigged dancers are seen as incarnations of audacious Parisian chic: racy, teasing but never vulgar. Wiseman was a young man when he first attended a revue at the Crazy, in 1957. It would take him more than half a century to return. After his 2009 documentary about the ballet of the Opera de Paris, “Dance,” Wiseman was casting about for another compelling subject for a documentary that would allow him to spend more time in the City of Light.

He went back to the Crazy and was sold.

“Every one of my movies, the metaphor is Las Vegas, it’s a roll of the dice,” Wiseman said in an interview with The Associated Press.

However, he added, with “Crazy Horse” it wasn’t “much of a gamble. You have 18 to 20 beautiful women, good music, a place that has a tremendous reputation. “It’s a question of how good a film you can make. You can

screw it up, certainly, but the basic material is there and it was up to me to get it.” And get it he did.

Administrators, staff and dancers greeted Wiseman and his pared down crew of two into the cabaret all day every day for 10 full weeks. The film is packed with beautifully shot images of the dance numbers: Topless girls covered with leopard spots gyrate around the bars of their faux lion’s den; others, seen only as shadows, gleefully disrobe, glove by glove and stocking by stocking.

Unexpected nuggets of humor break the sensuous spell, though, and give the movie a light touch. Dancers decked out as sexed-up versions of Buckingham Palace guards, oversized fur hats and scarlet harnesses hung with strategically placed tufts, brush the tangles out of their little horsehair tails. Another scene shows the dancers at a recording studio, screeching their way through an earsplitting rendition the club’s theme song. Singing is not their forte.

But it’s the scenes of backstage machinations that set the movie apart. Wiseman caught a delicate moment in Crazy Horse history, as the cabaret’s new owners were in the midst of giving the revue a face-lift, with famed French choreographer Philippe Decoufle hired to gently update the numbers. In a staff meeting, we see Decoufle press administrators to close the club for a spell to give dancers a chance to perfect the routines. An administrator balks at the suggestion, saying there was no way the shareholders would accept.

“It’s the traditional conflict between art and money,” Wiseman summed it up succinctly. But because his documentaries are stripped to the essentials - there’s no narrator to walk viewers through what they’re seeing, no interviews with the subjects - the internal clash is more intuited than explicit. Born in Boston in 1930, Wiseman studied law at Yale and before turning to the cinema in his late thirties. His first feature-length documentary, “Titicut Follies,” about a Massachusetts mental institution, came out in 1967. Since then, he’s churned more than 3 dozen others, tackling such wildly disparate subjects as factory farms (“Meat,” 1976), the modeling industry (“Model,” 1980), prize fighting (“Boxing Gym,” 2010), disabilities (“Deaf” and “Blind,” both from 1986), the inner-workings of democracy in Idaho (“State Legislature,” 2006).

His advanced age hasn’t kept Wiseman from keeping up with his nearly one-movieper-year production schedule, despite the grueling physical demands of his months long shoots. Wiseman said the dancers - who spend the entire film in near complete undress - appeared happy with the movie.

“They seemed to like it,” he said. “At least that’s what they tell me, and I want to believe them.” The movie opens in France on Oct. 5 and is slated to be released in The US on Jan 15. —AP

An inflatable pink pig, which was made famous on the sleeve of the 1976 Pink Floyd album ‘Animals’, and flies once again over Battersea Power Station in south west London, yesterday. —AP

Pink Floyd pig flies again to mark albums reissue large inflatable pig flew above London’s Battersea Power Station yesterday in a stunt designed to mark the re-issue of British band Pink Floyd’s 14 studio albums by record label EMI Music. The animal, measuring 30 feet long and 15 feet high, was inflated with helium at dawn for the event, held 35 years after the making of the iconic album cover for “Animals” featuring a similar flying pig.

EMI had planned to use the same inflatable which had been

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kept at a workshop since the original shoot, but two weeks ago it was deemed not to be airworthy and a replica was made. The artwork on the Animals album was a combination of the background of Battersea Power Station taken on Dec 2, 1976, and the pig photographed on Dec 4. On Dec 3 that year, the pig slipped its moorings and floated into the Heathrow airport flight path before being recovered by a farmer in Kent, southeast England.

Under the banner “Why Pink Floyd ... ?,” EMI Music is releasing all

14 Pink Floyd studio albums remastered and available digitally. They are also available as one Discovery Box Set. Also on sale are special editions of one of the band’s most acclaimed albums, “The Dark Side of The Moon,” extended to feature unreleased music from Pink Floyd archives. Pink Floyd, behind seminal albums The Dark Side of the Moon, “Wish You Were Here” and “The Wall,” is one of the most successful rock bands of all time, having sold an estimated 200 million albums worldwide.

Rapper Dappy storms to top of UK charts

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sued Fiore in July, claiming that he gained 30 pounds to play the role of Angelo Ruggieroand then was offered a different, lesser role for significantly less money. The lawsuit is only a slice of the weirdness surrounding the movie.

In June, Fiore removed Marty Ingels as executive producer of the movie. And in May, after director Barry Levinson questioned whether Lindsay Lohan would be in the film, Fiore issued a statement saying the troubled actress “will be playing the role of Kim Gotti”and will be in a second Fiore movie. But now, it doesn’t look like Lohan will appear in the movie. And Levinson replaced original director Nick Cassavetes after Cassavetes had a scheduling conflict. Despite the off-screen drama, there’s plenty of on-screen talent. John Travolta, Chazz Palminteri, Kelly Preston, Al Pacino and Ben Foster star. The movie is scheduled to start shooting-shooting! — Jan 3 in New York City. —Reuters

Joe Pesci

ritish rap star Dappy hit the top of the UK single pop charts Sunday with his debut solo single, the Official Charts Company said. The 24-year-old rapper, who has previously tasted chart fame with grime/hiphop/R&B outfit N-Dubz, sold over 95,000 copies of “No Regrets” to secure a second chart topper. There were three other Top 10 entrants. US singer-songwriter Jason Derulo came in at No. 4 with “It Girl” while singer-guitarist James Morrison was at No 5 with “I Won’t Let You Go.” Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice was up from number 39 to No 9 with “Cannonball,” originally released in Rapper star Dappy 2002, after the song was covered by 23-year-old Welsh math teacher John Adams on “X-Factor” last week. Kasabian are back at the top of the album chart with their newly released “Velociraptor.” The Leicestershire band scored a No 1 hit with “West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum” in 2009. —Reuters

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Gotti producer tries to James Hetfield , the singer and guitarist for heavy rock band Metallica, performs make nice with Joe Pesci with bassist Robert Trujillo at the Rock in Rio music festival on September 25, he producer of an upcoming John Gotti biopic is trying to make nice with actor Joe Pesci. On Sunday, Marc Fiore sent TheWrap a written statement saying nice things about Pesci-the actor who is suing the producer for allegedly downsizing his role after he’d already gone to the trouble of up-sizing his waistline. “During the past few days, there have been erroneous reports in the media that I have been making less than favorable comments about Joe Pesci,” Fiore wrote.

“For the record, I am extremely fond of Joe, think he is a terrific actor and very much want him to be in the Gotti movie. It’s unfortunate we have become embroiled in a lawsuit, however I am hopeful that we will resolve our differences and Joe will accept an offer from us to be in the film.”

TMZ reported the “less than favorable comments” that Fiore is now calling erroneous.

According to TMZ, Fiore said that Pesci “desperately wants to be part of this film project” and that “it has been over 20 years since Mr Pesci has been able to gather the attention he has by merely interjecting his role in this film.” Pesci

The group, also famous for its acrimonious split and one-off reunion at charity concert Live 8 in 2005, re-signed to long time record label EMI in January in a five-year deal. The agreement also brought to an end a legal dispute between the sides over EMI’s right to “unbundle” their records and sell individual tracks online. —Reuters

2011 in Rio de Janeiro. —AFP

Lautner’s action career starts slowly in ‘Abduction’ o much for Taylor Lautner being a big action star-at least for now. The “Twilight” hunk’s turn as a Jason Bourne-like mover and shaker in Lionsgate’s “Abduction” opened to just $11.2 million — enough probably for the studio to make its money back, but not enough to launch Lautner into action-hero stardom. “If ‘Abduction’ works, he’s a movie star,” an individual with ties to the Lautner camp told TheWrap Friday, before the movie’s box office numbers came in.

And if it didn’t have a big opening? “Studios are certainly not going to greenlight a $50 million movie with him in the lead.” With Lautner’s name leading the development of several studio tentpole projects-notably Universal’s “Stretch Armstrong”that sentiment could become an issue. Certainly, with Lionsgate winning a bidding war for the “Abduction” script, and producing the film itself on a budget of around $35 million, the movie was a gamble for Lautner, too. Although he was a proven commodity in the “Twilight” movies, he had never carried a film on his own.

Lautner’s gamble illustrates how tricky it is to manage the career of a young actor who wants to be a movie star-like now. “If you’re 20 years-old, there’s no rush to be the only guy in the movie, because you’re the only guy it gets pinned on when it fails,” said an agent who handles young actors.

“And I don’t think at 20, whether you’re an actor or a student, anyone is ready for that pressure.”

Contrast Lautner’s career choices to those of his “Twilight” co-star, Robert Pattinson. Sure, Pattinson has made some questionable decisions, including last year’s critical miss, low-budget romantic drama “Remember Me” for Summit. But Pattinson also starred in the acclaimed drama “Water for Elephants,” surrounding himself with Oscar winners Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz, and nomi-

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nees Hal Holbrook and writer Richard LaGravenese.

“Pattinson seems to be making choices that are based on artistic merit,” a high-profile film producer told TheWrap. “Taylor is making choices on commercial merit.” Artistic merit aside, the presence of all those other actors insulated Pattinson. If the movie failed-and with a worldwide gross of $117 million on a $38 million budget, it certainly didn’t-Pattinson wouldn’t be blamed.

Likewise, in a $16 million romantic drama like “Remember Me” that was lightly promoted and targeted to teen girls, the stakes weren’t as high. As for Lautner, the weekend wasn’t a total bust. Among teen girls-his core audience — “Abduction” drew an “A-minus” grade from Cinemascore, a company that takes surveys from moviegoers after they’ve seen a film.

Critics are another matter. They collectively gave “Abduction” a 3 percent grade on Rotten Tomatoes.

For now, Lautner’s two upcoming “Twilight” movies should keep him busy; and in addition to Universal’s “Stretch Armstrong,” some pretty serious producers were still looking at him for some major roles as of Friday afternoon.

Lautner is still attached to “Incarceron,” Fox 2000’s adaptation of Catherine Fisher’s young adult novel.

“He clearly has a built-in audience and is a very charismatic leading man,” one producer told TheWrap.

Lautner had been a child star, with roles in “Shadow Fury” when he was 9 and “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3D” and “Cheaper by the Dozen 2” when he was 13. Then the character of Twilight werewolf Edward Black came along, and that transformed his career. Lautner was only 16 years-old when the first Twilight film came out.

His role was almost recast because he was perceived as too small-something he clearly worked on

File photo shows US actor Taylor Lautner poses for pictures during an event to promote his new film “Abduction” or “Sin Escape” in Mexico City. —AP for films two and three of the series. Team Lautner made hay while the sun was shining. Paramount offered him the title role in “Max Steel,” based on the Mattel action figure. He ended up dropping out of that. Three months later, in February 2010, Universal offered him $7.5 million to make “Stretch Armstrong,” based on the Hasbro toy. “Stretch” remains in development, and so does Lautner. The individual with Lautner-camp ties put “Abduction’s” opening in perspective: “If it doesn’t work and it bombs, he’s 19 years-old.” —AP

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Squared2 salutes the summer rock festival - even, or perhaps especially, the muddy ones. Woodstock may have been the first and certainly most famous rock concert-turnedmud bath. More than four decades on, designing twins Dean and Dan Caten have imagined a concert tour from London to Glastonbury, where rain certainly may be in the forecast. So they have created high-heel rain boots for the chic rock concert goer as part of their women‘s wear collection for next spring and summer previewed yesterday, the final day of Milan Fashion Week.

From there, just about anything goes in this easy to read and easy to wear line. DSquared2 included elements that have permeated this round of Milan previews, notably fringe, bare backs, one-shoulder dresses and long skirts. But the collection was much more casual and youthful than most of what has been shown over the past six days. Colors were lively, yellow, orange and green. The twins fashioned shirts emblazoned with the stars-and-stripes that draped casually over the models, added denim short shorts - sometimes with pom-pom fringe - studded belts and leather vests. Fur wraps - one a fox added a touch of glam.

Long skirts with leg-baring slits were colorful, bright green, or blocks of yellow, magenta and green. Fringe turned up on leather jackets, and in one case on a black mini dress with super long fringy sleeves. Flannel shirts and scarves were tied around the waist, on hand for evening layering when temperatures cool. What else for accessories but concert wristbands, backstage passes, headbands, brightly colored mirrored sunglasses even with a yellow rain slicker - and a bottle of beer.

The show took place against a stadium background - which later was turned into a mud pit for barechested male models - as songs from Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz reverberated. — AP

Models display creations as part of the Dsquared2 Spring-Summer 2012 ready-to-wear collection. — AFP photos

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Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani poses with models after the Giorgio Armani women’s SpringSummer 2012 fashion collection presented in Milan, Italy, yesterday.

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iorgio Armani unveiled a new collection inspired by mother of pearl colors and the undulation of waves at Milan Fashion Week yesterday, reprising Versace’s modern mermaids outfits. The spring/summer 2012 designs had a shimmering quality that turned the fashion show into a maritime scene on a silvery night with shoals of fish swimming past as models in sparkling, silvery dresses took to the runway. Italian fashion king Giorgio Armani met with attendees after the show

including champion swimmers Ian Thorpe of Australia and Federica Pellegrini of Italy, as well as award-winning fashion photographer Bruce Weber.

Armani said in a statement that the collection-shown off at Armani’s new minimalist headquarters in Milan-reflected “the sheen of mother-of-pearl, the iridescence that transforms colors into watery reflections.” The dresses-many of them strapless and wavy like shells-exuded “an utterly modern elegance that rejoices in gleaming

silks and satins in aqueous and mineral colors nuanced between green and azure,” Armani said. The show culminated with a see-through dress that appeared to be covered in minute drops of water applied to a mesh base. Skirt lengths were demuregoing down to knee or calf-length, and the trousers had slits down the front.—AFP

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Picture shows jewelry produced by the Shang Xia brand in Shanghai.—AFP

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A man walks past a piece of clothing made from felt produced by the Shang Xia brand in Shanghai.

A man looks at a Maserati sports car on display at a luxury mall in Shanghai.

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elly Ying, one of a swelling group of young high-rollers in Shanghai, has just treated herself to a birthday present of a $45,000dollar watch. But the 30-somethingwho likes “big watches”-has elected not to wear what she calls her “PP” (Patek Philippe) today, opting instead for an imposing, gold-plated Rolex Daytona that she bought for her previous birthday. Thousands of rich Shanghai residents like Ying have turned China’s most cosmopolitan city into the luxury capital of a country that is expected to become the world’s largest market for the sector between 2012 and 2015.

According to the World Luxury Association, Shanghai topped China’s luxury market in 2010-11 with 18.3 percent of overall sales, ahead of

Beijing’s 16.2 percent and the eastern city of Hangzhou, with its 13.4 percent share. Second and third-tier cities in the country-which Forbes magazine says has 146 dollar billionaires, second only to the United States-are still far behind, despite boasting a growing number of wealthy people. “Shanghai is certainly the city where most (luxury) brands have their headquarters,” Angelica Cheung, editor of Vogue magazine in China, told AFP. “There is a tradition-already in the twenties and thirties, Shanghainese were more into dressing stylishly,” she said. According to Cheung, Shanghai is also a “commercial city”, and for a long time, Beijing’s real-estate market was not ready for large luxury malls, even if that has now changed. Shanghai counts 132,000 residents that have

more than 10 million yuan ($1.6 million) at their disposal, and as such has a reservoir of customers who can spend a fortune on luxury goods-with French and Italian brands in the lead.

“I’m a fashion victim... and I’m a shopaholic,” jokes Ying-the owner of a modern art gallery-standing tall on fiveinch heels, sporting an elegant peachcolored pair of shorts and a silk blouse.

Ying-who also has a 600,000-yuan diamond engagement ring she qualifies as “not very expensive” on her fingersays she has dozens of bags and lots of luxury clothes. “Every three months, I empty my closet and give out bags, accessories... Fashion changes very fast,” she said.

‘Don’t feel impact of the crisis’ “Shanghai people have a better

sense of fashion, luxury customers are more sophisticated, so you need to do a lot more marketing and merchandising.” The French label Hermes last year chose Shanghai to launch Shang Xia-a luxury brand that incorporates a blend of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and contemporary design. Last week, Patrick Thomas, head of Hermes, said Shang Xia’s results were “largely above expectations” even if the brand has yet to make a profit-with 60 to 70 percent of its customers Chinese. At the city’s most luxurious shopping mall-the Plaza 66 — young saleswomen wearing black dresses, their hair done up in buns, and security men with ear pieces and white gloves welcome clients.

On its five floors, the world’s most prestigious brands-from Dior to Chanel, Prada to Versace, Armani to

Stars come out I for Cavalli at decadent Milan show

Carla Bruni

Sarkozy’s flower power won over Bruni

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rench President Nicolas Sarkozy bewitched future wife Carla Bruni with his “incredible” knowledge of flowers and the pair now enjoy a “very quiet life”, the first lady told the BBC World Service. “He knows all the Latin names for flowers,” Bruni told Newshour radio show guest presenter Christine Ockrent in an interview due to be aired today.

“I was really impressed ... walking around the garden in the Palais of the Elysee, he was giving me all these details about tulips and roses and I said to myself: ‘My God I must marry this man, he’s the president, and he knows everything about flowers as well, this is incredible!’.”

Bruni, who is expecting a baby in late October, told Belgian journalist Ockrent her reluctance to talk about her pregnancy stemmed for her superstitious nature and because it was “so uninteresting for French people.” The 56-year-old Sarkozy has three sons aged 14, 25 and 26 from two previous marriages. Singer/songwriter Bruni said marrying the president was “very rock and roll” for both parties but added that the stress of Sarkozy’s schedule meant the couple strived for “a quiet relaxing life” during their rare moments alone. Bruni, 43, has long been a champion of left-wing causes, and raised eyebrows when she entered into a relationship with the more conservative French leader.

However, Bruni argued that by US standards, the president was “almost a leftwing Democrat”. —AFP

Models display creations as part of Roberto Cavalli Spring-Summer 2012 ready-to-wear collection yesterday during the Milan’s women fashion week. —AFP

Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss to Bulgaricompete to attract the attention of Shanghai’s wealthy “We don’t feel the impact of the crisis,” says the director of the Tod’s store, who only identified herself as Judy. This is confirmed by Nicola Adamo, guest relations manager at the Dolce & Gabbana shop.

“What most of them want is brand names. Money is not a problem, and if they like the brand, they can spend 100,000 yuan,” he said.

Adamo said one customer once spent $68,000 in one go. “They come for a total look, not just a pair of jeans,” he added. Consultants KPMG said in a recent report that one unique characteristic in China was the high number of young millionaires-”far younger than their Western counterparts,” it said. These consumers passionately

talian designer Roberto Cavalli cast an air of elegant decadence at his Milan Fashion Week show yesterday with stars including French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo and US rocker Courtney Love in attendance. Models swept past in silk tulle dresses decorated with delicate hints of lace and embroidery in designs that had a Baroque inspiration and featured frequent alternations between shiny gold patterns and black fabric.

There were hints of color too including Cavalli’s trademark jungle-style designs and animal print patterns like leopard and tiger on jackets and heel-length skirts that billowed out to reveal transparent stripes. The summer/spring 2012 collection also included the new square handbag “Florence”-in honor of Cavalli’s native city-in crocodile and black with a large golden metal padlock engraved with a snake scale effect.

Chandeliers, red lighting and transparent mesh screens on the runway underlined the decadent feel of the collection, which included little shiny gold dresses reminiscent of the flapper designs unveiled by Gucci. “I design for those who love life and the positivity of color, for women who know how to captivate a man,” Cavalli said, adding that the collection was intended to portray “an extremely sophisticated and feminine image.”—AFP

follow fashion online, particularly on blogs. Shanghai residents have a reputation of being smarter customers who compare prices more, according to Vogue’s Cheung. They also travel a lot and buy luxury items in Hong Kong, Milan, London or Paris.

Ying, for instance, dished out 5,500 euros ($7,500) in Paris for a watermelon-colored Birkin bag-made

by Hermes and considered a symbol of wealth due to its high price and elusiveness. “It’s very difficult to get in China, and many of my friends would be willing to pay double to get a Birkin,” she said. —AFP