12 Oct

RI PT IO N BS C SU THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010

UK hostage may have been killed by US grenade: Cameron

THULQIDA 4, 1431 AH

An Israeli gambit

By Badrya Darwish

A

t last, Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has taken a sharp decision to freeze or to stop peace talks altogether with Israel unless it takes a decision to freeze the settlements once and for all. There are no two-, three- or six-month freeze periods. If you want to freeze, you do it at one time.

Otherwise, it is useless.

In return, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu did not waste time and announced that if the Palestinians acknowledge Israel as “a Jewish state”, he would ask the government for a new freeze on settlement building. He was quoted saying, “If the Palestinian leadership will unequivocally say to its people that it recognizes Israel as the national state of the Jewish people, I will be ready to convene my cabinet and ask for another moratorium on building.”

How smart, Mr Netanyahu! I really salute you. You do not promise to do it, because you know you cannot do it. The Israeli nation who elected you in office will not allow it. Instead, you want to “ask your cabinet”. Maybe your cabinet will agree or disagree. At the same time, you will have the recognition of the Palestinians.

On the other hand, recognizing Israel as a Jewish state has been a game-plan for you. You are doing it on purpose, Mr Netanyahu. By declaring Israel a Jewish state, you will be able to get rid of over 1,270,000 non-Jewish Arab Israelis. You and the previous governments have been fighting under the tables for this for too long. You were a bit shy until now. Now, it is a cunning way for you to get rid of these Israelis who account for a fifth of the population of Israel. This is not a bad deal, Mr Netanyahu. Not bad at all.

In the plan you have charted, the Palestinians will be left with nothing. The wall, the freezing of settlements and you kicking out the remaining 1.2 million sounds like a great plan. Not even a single government of Israel has ever dreamt of such an accomplishment. Yet, you are a pacifist and are extending your full hand to the Palestinians, but they, in your dictionary, are the ones who halt the peace process. It is an intelligent and well-calculated chess move: the gambit. You have really done well to demoralize Palestinians to an extent that they are fatigued with the peace process.

Have a peaceful day, guys!

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conspiracy theories

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Etisalat-Zain deal on right track: NBK 98% of Zain shareholders involved in deal: Saqr • Etisalat’s offer is fair: SG’s Mousa KUWAIT: The sale of 46 percent of shares of Zain Telecom to Emirates’ Etisalat “is going ahead on the right track”, executive vice-president of the National Bank of Kuwait Essam Al-Saqr asserted yesterday. Al-Saqr added that the purchasing party has the right to choose the negotiating party of the deal as well as

the party that it wishes to cooperate with.

Al-Saqr said in an interview with AlArabiya news channel that this deal is very significant for the Kuwaiti economy as it will inject more than $12 billion to the market, besides supplying small investors with more than KD 500 million.

Ali Al-Mousa, Chairman and Managing

Director of Securities Group (SG) told AlArabiya that the “price offered by Etisalat for the Zain stake is fair”, adding that “we have no intention of sabotaging the deal”.

Etisalat has said it has bid KD 1.7 ($6) a share for the 46 percent stake in the Gulf Arab region’s third-largest telecoms firm, valuing the deal at around $12 billion.

NBK’s Saqr quoted National Investment Company (Al-Wataniya) as announcing that more than of 98 percent of Zain’s stakeholders will take part in the deal, asserting that “the deal is successful by all measures and it is on right track”. He also said that the deal and its mechanism of implementation are totally

MoI cracks down on public rallies MPs call for granting housewives salaries

By B Izzak

KUWAIT: People are seen inside MP Waleed Al-Tabtabaei’s diwaniya yesterday as security forces stood guard outside to enforce a ban on open-air gatherings. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: The interior ministry continued its crackdown on public gatherings outside diwaniyas yesterday as it mobilized most of its forces to prevent activists from holding 11 gatherings at the same time. The ministry placed its elite special forces on alert as well as activists who called for the gatherings, including Islamist MP Waleed AlTabtabaei, complained of unconstitutional police actions. Tabtabaei said that police patrols surrounded the area around his diwaniya and stressed that police measures breached the constitution.

MP Shuwaib Al-Muwaizri said the constitution guarantees the freedom of speech and that holding gatherings is one of the ways of exercising this right. Muwaizri warned the interior minister of violating the constitution, adding that he will be held totally accountable for such violations.

Continued on Page 14

in line with the applied laws and he did not see an infringement on the right of any party, adding that, “our legal stance as a consultant of the purchasing party is totally sound”. NBK is acting as Etisalat’s consultant in the deal, while BNP Paribas Kuwait is the legal consultant of Zain. — Agencies

Kuwait inflation hits 15-mth high KUWAIT: Kuwait inflation climbed to a 15-month high of 4.4 percent year-on-year in August, mainly driven by a rise in food prices, data showed yesterday. Inflation in the world’s fourth largest oil exporter has been accelerating this year as the oilreliant economy recovers from last year’s sharp contraction. Consumer price growth stood at 4.0 percent on an annual basis in July, still well below a record high

of 11.6 percent in August 2008. On the month, prices in the OPEC member rose 0.4 percent following a 0.6 percent increase in the previous month, data from the Central Statistical Office showed.

Central bank governors from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia voiced their concerns last month about rising inflationary pressures stemming from factors they cannot Continued on Page 14

Hyundai bids lowest for Kuwait causeway KUWAIT: A consortium led by South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co has made the lowest bid of $2.6 billion for a long-delayed Kuwaiti causeway project, the tenders committee said yesterday. The causeway, to be named after late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, is to link the capital Kuwait City with the northern Subbiya area which is to become home to a Silk City project. The state’s central tenders committee said the Hyundai bid was followed by an offer from a consortium led by Bin Laden Group of Saudi Arabia that bid $2.85 billion for the 25-km causeway.

The committee said the project contractor, the public works ministry, will evaluate the bids before making a final selection. The $77-billion Silk City aims to revive the ancient Silk Road trade route by becoming a major free trade zone linking central Asia with Europe. The city, on the northern tip of Kuwait on the Iraqi border, will include what could be the tallest tower in the world.

When complete in 2030, it will be home to around 700,000 people and is projected to create 450,000 jobs. Subbiya is also a few kilometers away from a huge multi-billion-dollar container harbour being built on Bubyan Island. Earlier this year, the Gulf state parliament approved a four-year development plan which envisages spending more than 100 billion dollars on a large number of megaprojects. — AFP

Suspect in Mabhouh death nabbed abroad

Diamond

Mortensen

Pissarides

Job market specialists win economics Nobel STOCKHOLM: Three labour market experts, including one blocked for a top post at the US Federal Reserve, won the 2010 Nobel Economics Prize yesterday for work affecting employment reforms around the world. The Nobel jury said the work of Peter Diamond and Dale Mortensen of the United States and British-Cypriot Christopher Pissarides helped resolve puzzles such as why people remained unemployed despite a large number of job openings. It lauded the three economists “for their analysis of markets with search frictions,” which helps explain how unemployment, job vacancies and wages are affected by regulation and economic policy.

Such labor analysis was likely a primary factor in President Barack Obama’s decision early this year to nominate Diamond to one of seven seats on the Federal Reserve’s board of governors and its Federal Open Market Committee.

Diamond, 70, is widely considered a world authority on labor analysis, but Senator

Richard Shelby, Republican of Alabama, blocked his nomination in August, saying that it did not appear that his background “is ideally suited for monetary policy”.

In a sharply worded piece in The New York Times, the 2008 winner of the Economics Prize, economist-turned-columnist Paul Krugman, reacted strongly to the blocked bid.

He described Diamond, who is based at the Massachusetts institute of Technology, as writing “the seminal paper on the whole subject” of the relationship between unemployment and the job vacancy rate.

The three winners have had a big impact on how policymakers view benefits for the unemployed and what can best be done to get them back into jobs. The choice comes as governments face increased pressures to review benefits and labour market policies as unemployment has risen and state budgets have come under intense pressure.

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DUBAI: A key suspect in the killing of a Hamas operative in Dubai has been arrested abroad but details of the capture are secret, according to Dubai’s police chief. The arrest took place in a Western country about two months ago, Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim said in comments published yesterday in The National newspaper. After the Jan 19 killing of Hamas commander Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh, one of the founders of the group’s military wing, Dubai police requested international help in trying to track down suspects in the slaying. Authorities in the Emirates say a hit squad involving more than 30 members many of whom had traveled to Dubai on fraudulent passports and were captured on security cameras in the Gulf state - was responsible for the killing, which took place at an airport hotel.

Tamim has repeatedly accused Israel’s Mossad spy agency of orchestrating the killing. Mossad has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

In yesterday’s comments, Tamim said the suspect is not believed to be European. “The suspect who was arrested played a key role in the killing, but we were informed by the ambassador ... that they did not wish to release the information,” Tamim told the Abu Dhabi government-owned daily. It remained unclear if the suspect is still being held in the country of the arrest and if he has been charged with any crime.

Arrest requests and details of those wanted by Dubai police have been posted through Interpol. In his published comments, Tamim urged investigators in the country where the arrest occurred to provide more information. “I do not have an explanation for why they do not want to make it public,” he said.

“We want anyone who is dealing with this case to deal with it as a security case, and not to pay attention to any other consideration.” Tamim and other officials could not immediately be reached for further comment.

The reported arrest was not the first in the case. Authorities in the UAE detained two Palestinians in connection with the killing shortly after it became public. Both were arrested in Jordan, then sent back to Dubai. Few details of their alleged involvement has been made available. An alleged Israeli spy known by the name Uri Brodsky was arrested June 4 in Warsaw on a European arrest warrant issued by Germany in connection with the killing.

Poland agreed to extradite him, but he was later set free on bail by a German judge. Brodsky, who is suspected of helping to issue a fake German passport to a member of the hit team, is free to travel wherever he wants while judicial proceedings against him in Germany continue. The Emirates has called on Germany to explain why Brodsky was let go. -— AP

HEBRON: Israeli border policemen detain a Palestinian youth who was protesting over the destruction of his family house yesterday which Israeli forces claim was built without a permit, near the Bani Na’aim village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. — AFP

Bibi wants ‘Jewish state’ recognition before freeze JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday said for the first time that he would extend the settlement restrictions in the West Bank - if the Palestinians recognize Israel as the Jewish national homeland. The idea, while innocuous to Israel’s supporters, is widely seen as undermining the rights of Arab Israelis, and was immediately rejected by the Palestinians.

The expiration of Israel’s 10-month moratorium on new settlement building two weeks ago thrust the month-old US-led peace negotiations with the Palestinians into crisis. The Palestinians are refusing to continue negotiating with Israel as long as settlement building

continues, but Netanyahu has insisted the curb on construction was a onetime gesture. The US administration has been scrambling for weeks to find a creative way out of the quagmire and satisfy both sides and has put heavy pressure on Netanyahu to extend the slowdown, while offering a slew of incentives.

In a policy speech marking a new session of parliament, Netanyahu offered his own formula to move forward. “If the Palestinian leadership would say unequivocally to its people that it recognizes Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people, I will be willing to convene my government and ask for an additional Continued on Page 14

NATIONAL

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

GCC learns from Eurozone crisis

kuwait digest

Abusing constitutional tools

By Mubarak Al-Hajri

T

he political scene is currently suffering from an incurable problem; unfulfilled promises made by MPs. Every now and then an MP threatens to ‘activate constitutional tools’ only to return a few days later and address the press with a huge smile on his face without following through on their promises. This means that they got what they really wanted by making several empty threats.

Bargaining is an art that has been mastered by many

politicians. However, others with clear consciences have only one goal; to seek the truth regardless of their personal views.

Constitutional tools should not be used as weapons or bargaining chips.

They are meant to be used by parliamentarians when they run out of other means to address a problem in a ministry. MPs have a great opportunity to use the constitution to address the spread of corruption and mismanagement in a majority of the country’s ministries. —Al-Rai

kuwait digest

Private sector targeted

By Ali Al-Namash

I

t’s been warned, on several occasions, that a grudge held against the country’s private sector has been carried out for the past three years now. It is not only an attempt by some to erase the private sector’s historic contribution to the development of Kuwait’s economy but also its influence on the political and social scene. It’s important to realize the significant role the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has played on the political and social stability of the country, both before and after Kuwait’s independence, as well as during the Iraqi Invasion.

Despite a few controversial steps made by certain people on its current board, KCCI’s distinguished role in Kuwaiti society should be recognized. That said though, I personally disagree with KCCI’s current policy of failing to stand up against the government’s mismanagement. Calls to change the KCCI board’s elected members shouldn’t be made just because we disagree with some of the decisions they make. It’s like saying that the parliament should be altered because we disagree with the manner by which its elected members work.

The problem that KCCI suffers from is the same one suffered by all other bodies with elected boards; they have been infiltrated by corrupt individuals who work against the public’s interests.

Unfortunately the private sector is currently being targeted and the institution that is supposed to protect private companies, and who have protected them several times in the past, is no longer doing its job. We can conclude by saying that targeting KCCI, as well as the whole private sector, is an attempt to initiate a shift in power in the economic, political and social scenes. — Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

KCRS conserves our history

By Salem Al-Subaie

W

hat factory works 25 hours a day, is very complex, works for the benefit of all and waits for no thanks?

The answer of course, is the human liver. However, if I was asked this question about Kuwait, my answer would be the Kuwaiti Center for Research and Studies (KCRS). The center, founded in 1992, by the government, would be my answer for two reasons. The first is because the institution researches and studies everything regarding Kuwait’s history, whether it is related to humans, stones, the land or the sea.

The center is also run by a skilled director, Dr Abdullah AlGhunaim, the former minister of education. My second reason is because the center collects, organizes and maintains everything that had been spoiled by the Iraqi invasion, thanks to Dr Al-Ghunaim. My thanks go out to him for running such a hard working and successful organization. —Al-Anba

KUWAIT: Photo shows the new Police Academy RCVD new cadets. Total number of new cadets hit 390.

Kuwait company inaugurates green fuel station in Sweden First station for ED95 environment-friendly fuel KUWAIT: Kuwait Petroleum International said yesterday it inaugurated the first station for ED95 environment-friendly fuel in Sweden. The company’s public relations and services director Adnan Al-Qallaf said that the International Diesel Service (IDS) is a driving force in the European Union (EU) financed environmental project CleanTRUCK together with, among others, the City of Stockholm, Scania, Volvo, Mercedes, and AGA Gas. The project, which will conclude on 2013, aims to establish stations for environment-friendly fuel for heavy trucks, he said.

Many alternative fuels are blooming for

passenger cars, but there are limited initiatives for the heavy traffic, even though the CO2 emissions from the transport sector steadily increases, he pointed out. In the capital of Sweden, Stockholm, heavy traffic represents 10 percent of the traffic, he noted. ED95 is one of few but growing green fuel alternatives for the heavy traffic, he said. The fuel consists of 95 percent ethanol and 5 percent ignition improvers, lubricants, and anti-corrosive agents, he added. ED95 contributes to a significant decrease of climate impact from fossil carbon dioxide.

On his part, OKQ8’s Executive Director said that the location of the station was cho-

sen for strategic reasons. Many potential ED95-truck owners operate in the vicinity, he noted. In January 2009, IDS opened the first heavy truck filling station for 100 percent biodiesel in the city of Kalmar. In 1994, OKQ8 inaugurated the first station for E85 fuel and in 1998 the company had another world premiere, which was the first bio energy service station. IDS is Kuwait Petroleum and OKQ8’s service concept for heavy commercial traffic in Europe and Sweden. IDS has representation in 22 countries with more than more than 600 service stations in Europe and more than 90 in Sweden. — KUNA

Swaziland to hold business exhibition Kuwaiti investors urged to explore agricultural investments

By Ahmad Saeid KUWAIT: A trade delegation from the Kingdom of Swaziland will hold a business exhibition in Kuwait this week, said the Minister of Commerce and Trade of Swaziland in a press conference yesterday at the embassy of Swaziland. The minister announced that the trade exhibition will be held in cooperation with the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry with hopes of boosting trade relations between the two countries. It is hoped that investors in both countries will use the opportunity to seize investment opportunities. “Both the public and private sectors of Swaziland will be part of the business expo, said Jabulile Mashwama, the Minister of Commerce and Trade of the Kingdom of Swaziland. “Swaziland and Kuwait have a lot in common and they need to expand their trade cooperation. The business expo is an opportunity to do that.” Mashwama explained that the expo will include presentations and displays covering the investment opportunities in financial services, agriculture, aviation, construction and trade promotion. “Kuwaiti investors could come and explore agricultural investments because Swaziland is an easy place to do agricultural business,” she added.

“However, because of a lack of financial resources, many agricultural businesses that

BRUSSELS: The crisis in the Eurozone has given time to policy makers in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to study the mistakes committed and to build an appropriate framework to create their own common currency, according to a Bahraini-based banker and economist. “The experience in Europe has now given the GCC policy makers to sit back and study some of the lapses that were there in their framework. So addressing the framework and putting appropriate political architecture and framework and addressing the challenges will take at least five to ten years,” said Dr Mohammed Salisu, Chief Economist at the Gulf One Investment Bank.

Salisu spoke to KUNA during a seminar on GCC-EU relations held in Brussels last week. “I think eventually there will be a single currency in the GCC but not before ten years,” he added. Commenting about the future of euro, he stressed that the common EU currency is not going to collapse. “They are putting a lot of safeguards that is strengthening the eurozonze addressing all the deficiencies,” said Salisu who also worked in the past as the principal Research Economist at the African Development Bank and as a Lecturer in Economics at Lancaster University, UK. The European Union, he noted, could be a model for other regions but with some exceptions. Some of the criteria for the EU may not be necessarily be appropriate or relevant for the GCC, said the Gulf analyst. “But in terms of deepening of trade exchanges and strengthening the regional cooperation as well as developing own financial markets I think the single currency will be a good example from the European Union,” he said.

Commenting on the future of the EU-GCC Free Trade Agreement, Salisu said he thinks sometime in the future they will sign it. “If the EU signs the FTA with the Arab countries in North Africa there is no reason why they will not sign with the GCC,” he added. The EU-GCC negotiations on the FTA is on the hold after 20 years of talks. — KUNA

GCC addresses environmental problems KUWAIT: Recommendations of the 26th GCC environmental coordination committee meeting will enclose solutions for environmental problems in the area, a Kuwaiti official said yesterday. “Committee meetings have addressed all proposals by member states, as recommendations are anticipated to turn into implemented resolutions due to their significance,” Deputy Director of the Environment Public Authority (EPA) Ali Haidar said in a press release.

“Kuwait is going forward with its endeavor to solve all environmental problems,” he added. Dr Habib El-Habar, Director and Regional Representative of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said that taking part in the meeting aimed at cooperating with countries of the region in order to set a work plan for the coming years. “GCC countries are very keen on the environment and are fully prepared

to protect it; with Kuwait being a pioneer in this regard,” he noted. The meeting, which kicked off yesterday (Sunday), discussed a number of key issues, mainly the GCC ‘Green’ initiative and sustainable development, as well as recommendations of the 25th GCC environmental coordination committee meeting.

Other topics discussed were regional and international agreements; such as the ones on preserving wildlife, biological diversity and protection of falcons, in addition to accords on climate change and the Ozone layer. The meeting is a prelude to the 14th GCC ministerial meeting for the environment, due next Tuesday here, with Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Al-Haroun representing the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Higher Council of the Environment Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad AlSabah.

‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’ KUWAIT: Minister of Trade and Commerce of Swaziland, Jabulile Mashwama (left) and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Swaziland in Kuwait Prince Senzangakhona pictured during the press conference. could be successful have not been explored,” the minister told the Kuwait Times. “Kuwaiti investors could find very viable business opportunities and make them work if they have the capital to inject into those businesses. We will be discussing opportunities of growth and what is available in the market. Business people who are interested could come and explore investments in those areas.” The minister said that the reason Swaziland in interested in attracting investors into the aviation sector of the country is because Gulf countries in general have potential in that area. “We are looking for people who can partner with us and make sure that we are able

to grow our aviation industry as well as yours,” Mashwama said.

A new airport will be finished by the end of this year in Swaziland and the country’s government is currently looking for investors who can commercialize it, she pointed out. The government of Swaziland is looking for business partners that can help them make a return on their investment.

According to Mashwama, the hospitality industry is another area where Kuwaiti investors can find opportunities in Swaziland. “Kuwait is very well established in terms of hotel industries,” she said. “our country has yet to develop in that aspect so this is an area where investors can come and develop

our tourism industry.”

“We have a very rich culture as a nation and I believe that people of Kuwait could make quite an investment if they just commercialize it,” she noted. The minister, who will be attending the exhibition, said that Swaziland’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Economic Planning and Development, Natural Resources and Energy, Agriculture and Environment and Tourism will all attend the exhibition. The business expo will be held on October 13 and 14 at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s building in Kuwait City from 9:00 am until late in the evening.

KUWAIT: The Dar Al-Athar AlIslamiyyah (DAI) Book Club gets underway at 7 pm on 13 October 2010 with a discussion of ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran.’ This is just the first of ten books that will be read during the DAI’s 16th Cultural Season. “This year’s books were selected by members of the book club last season,” said Ahmad Khajjah, DAI steering committee member. “Each member was invited to suggest and present books and then the team voted on which to include in the season.

As a result, there’s a good mix of fiction and non-fiction, social/cultural issues and escapist fun. With the inclusion of Sulayman AlBassam’s script ‘Kalila wa Dimna’ (The Mirror for Princes), the group will also enjoy a variety of styles.” Following the protocol set last year, an individual with special knowledge of the book or the subject matter will lead the discussion of each book. In addition, a study guide is prepared for

each book, so participants can anticipate (at least) about how the discussions begin. Combined, these two resources brought depth to the discussions that added greatly to the meetings’ enjoyment.

“I was quite impressed with the quality of the conversation last year. Several times, I have felt like re-reading the selection because other members raised ideas that never occurred to me,” said one member. “I was worried that the specialist might try to tell us what to think, but I found that they asked the right questions to get the discussion going and then keep it relevant. I think this was my best book club experience ever.”

As a rule, the Book Club convenes at 7 pm on the second Wednesday of every month at the Al-Maidan Cultural Centre.

Friends of the DAI are welcome to join the club and a limited number of each book is available at the museum shop.

NATIONAL

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

in the news

local spotlight

We need proper law enforcement

Awqaf ministry accused of squandering money KUWAIT: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs’ decision to send a delegation to Yemen to recruit imams and muezzins, has raised eyebrows. The ministry is currently overstaffed and a group of imams and muezzins that were recruited from Egypt in 2009 are yet to arrive, reported Al-Rai. Officials claim that several of the ministry’s officials “continue to carry out unthought-of decisions in total disregard to public funds, such as taking part in field trips for recreational purposes.”

Moreover, officials suggest that they deliberately failed to recruit imams during trips undertaken, so that future trips would be scheduled to complete the desired number.

By Muna Al-Fuzai

W

MoH to recruit 200 nurses KUWAIT: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has opened up 200 new employment opportunities for new nurses at the public health sector, announced a top Ministry of Health official. He also revealed that 600 nurses that were recently recruited will be contracted directly through foreign recruitment agencies, reported Al-Rai. The Ministry’s Undersecretary Dr Ibrahim AlAbdulhadi was speaking during a press conference that was held to inaugurate the Kuwait Psychiatric Convention. He also revealed his intention to forward tenders to recruit nurses. The ministry’s Council of Undersecretaries agreed to carry out projects through tenders. Moreover, Dr Al-Abdulhadi also indicated that the ministry has also asked companies to carry out projects through a fast track system, adding that these projects will include building nine new hospitals.

Kuwait hails First Arab military sports event DAMASCUS: A Kuwaiti official lauded yesterday the First Arab Military Sports Championship, which kick-started here earlier on Sunday, as attracting the participation of many Arab armies.

Speaking to KUNA, Head of the Kuwaiti Defense Mission Colonel Hamid Al-Enezi said the inaugural ceremony of the event was “terrific” thanks to great efforts exerted for ensuring a successful championship. He quoted the audiences as having applauded the inauguration of the tournament, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world. He said the Kuwaiti squad will participate in football, basketball, handball, athletics, shooting, boxing, wrestling, taekwondo and parachuting. The First Arab Military Sports Championship kicked off here in the Syrian capital on Sunday under the patronage of President Bashar AlAssad, with the participation of 20 Arab nations. Other nations set to take part are Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Morocco, and Mauritania.

Two new medical firms KUWAIT: Two new medical companies have been established with a total capital of two million Kuwaiti dinars, Kuwait’s official gazette “Al-Kuwait Al-Youm” reported yesterday. AlAshraf Healthcare and Al-Muthanna for Medical Services have been founded as Kuwaiti closed companies with a capital of one million dinars each involving 10 million shares worth 100 fils/share, the gazette said. The new firms are active in setting up, running and owning hospitals and offering household medical services to all public and private corporations, it added.

They can contract doctors, nurses and technicians for working with them or for others both at home and abroad, and can even establish specialized technical workshops as well as carry out maintenance works for medical equipment. Furthermore, the freshly created businesses are entitled to own real estate necessary for their activities, but this should be only within the allowed limits as per law, and invest available financial surplus in financial portfolios.

MEW tenders requests passed KUWAIT: The Central Tenders Committee(CTC) has recently approved 33 tenders and purchase requests submitted by the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) that cost an approximate KD 1.5 million. These are mostly aimed at developing power generation and water desalination plants, as well as distribution networks across the country. Among the requests made was one to award a tender related to conducting maintenance work at the south Zour power plant, reported Al-Qabas.

The CTC has also agreed on 19 purchase requests, including the one to acquire spare parts for the east Doha plant, in addition to agreeing upon a request to extend the contract of a tender to conduct cleaning work at the south Zour plant.

Rights group demands probe into abuse case KUWAIT: The Kuwait Human Rights Society (KHRS) recently demanded that the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the Parliament’s Human Rights Committee investigate a case in which a civilian was allegedly abused by officials at a local police station. A local newspaper had recently reported the incident of an Egyptian man who was physically abused by officers from the Nugra police station, where he was present to file a complaint.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Adel Al-Dhamkhy, Chairman of the KHRS said that the increase in the number of similar incidents is alarming, and requires immediate

intervention to protect Kuwait’s reputation in human rights.

“Police stations are meant to function as a safe haven for citizens and residents, not a place that people avoid owing to some officials’ reckless actions,” the statement read.

It also called for setting up a hotline number for such cases, and enforcing stricter penalties against policemen who are convicted of violating human rights, reported Al-Rai. Furthermore, Dr AlDhamkhy suggested that policemen undergo training programs to treat detainees.

Surveillance cameras should also be installed at police stations to enforce more control.

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TUNIS: The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Tunisia Fahad Ahmad Al-Awadhi held a luncheon yesterday honoring His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation, who have just arrived in the country on an official visit. —KUNA

GCC urged to promote private sector ‘We need to be more innovative’ WASHINGTON: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states need to further promote private sector’s role to create jobs for next generation of graduates, Merza Hasan, Executive Director of the World Bank said. “We have a huge society so we need to have the momentum of creating more jobs,” Hasan, representing Kuwait, along with 12 other Arab countries and the Maldives, said by phone.

He thus stressed the need to promote the private sector in the region for the next generation of employment-seeking graduates. Hasan called for focusing on promoting growth in the private sector and promoting small and medium enterprises, and developing green energy.

“We need to be more innovative when it comes to solar and wind energy, and also to make fossil fuels more efficient and cleaner,” he advised, on the final day of the week-long World Bank and IMF’s Governors meeting in Washington.

Hasan called for stronger cooperation between the international financial institutions and the countries in the region to improve their economies at different levels, while stressing that Kuwait and other donor countries do not need financial assistance from international firms.

He described the annual meeting as “very successful”, which covered topics such as the microeconomic stability of the globe, the importance of furthering development, job and manufacturing

growth and cooperation among the oilproducing countries and regions.

And the need to produce more “effective result-oriented programs to help the world’s poorest nations.

In addition, “we talked about trade and the currency war. We are trying to stabilize that and work together to understand the needs of each other”.

Asked about the impact it would have on the region, Hasan responded, “If you look at it this is going to be a risk. We sell our oil in dollars. After the crisis anything that is going to happen globally is going to have an effect on the other [countries]. We need to collaborate. This is not only between US and China. No, it is going to affect others.”— KUNA

asta is very powerful here in Kuwait and sadly, many times, it is used as a destructive tool to inflict harm or infringe upon others’ rights regardless of their nationalities. Wasta is wielded to offend or abuse helpless workers especially when they are too servile and fail to fight back.

They don’t own the same power or the influence. Today, I want to talk about some employees that work in accordance with contracts signed, as contractors that execute projects in the public sector in favor of largescale companies. So, in case disputes and conflicts arise, especially the ones related to salaries and income, they fail to find anyone to support or help. This is because they are at a more disadvantageous position to retaliate or even get their rights, the money they deserve and the time spent in rendering services, time and efforts!

Some workers recently complained to that despite strict rules have been passed to pay salaries to workers within the 7th of every month, a so-called company violated the rules by failing to pay salaries for months together. The workers of the company suffer a lot as they do

not receive salaries on time. The worst part here is that the company, manipulates workers by paying salaries to some of its workers while ignoring the rest. Around 50 to 60 workers are silenced and prevented from raising their voices. That is a clearly evil practice and they really know the vulnerability of hapless workers.

Why does the new labor law not tackle this? Why are there still complaints about pending salaries? Why aren’t the authorities not monitoring the pay rolls of violating companies?

How are they exempted from the heavy penalties for breaching regulations as stipulated in the new Labor Law? How can they cancel workers’ residence permits without presenting them before officers at the Ministry of Social Affairs? In this way, workers are deported to their native countries without pending salaries being paid! That is nothing but cruelty.

Usually in these cases, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor hears these people’s grouses when a strike is staged. Workers down their tools because they do not fear anything or lose. They do not get paid, so there is nothing to worry about.

This is when some organizations rush to pronounce their judgment against all Kuwaitis. Proper law enforcement is the need of the hour.

Otherwise, it would just be another law that has not been enacted merely ink on paper. muna@kuwaittimes.net

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Vote in favor of UN resolution 64/6, Cuba urges

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Cuba is appealing to the international community to vote in favor of the resolution 64/6 at the UN General Assembly. Voting has been scheduled to take place at the UN headquarters in New York by the end of this month.

According to Cuban Ambassador to Kuwait, Manuel Pardinas Ajeno, the United Nations General Assembly will discuss a draft resolution on October 26 titled ‘The necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba.’ It will then be followed by a round of voting. “We are calling all the governments committed to international law and justice to vote in favor of the international resolution to lift the embargo placed against Cuba,” the ambassador said in an interview with the Kuwait Times yesterday.

Kuwait has voted in favor of lifting the embargo, according to Cuban ambassador, and believes that Kuwait will vote once again in favor of the resolution.

“Kuwait has been very supportive with our causes. We have put forward 19 resolutions so far; and Kuwait never said no; they have supported us from the start,” he asserted. The ambassador also thanked the Kuwaiti government and its people for their relentless support in favor of lifting the embargo against Cuba, “Two months ago, I went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait asking their favor if possible, to refer a letter to the United Nations for supporting the resolution; they have sent it. The day after tomorrow, I will again visit the ministry to remind them that Cuba is waiting for

their vote on October 26. They supported us from the start, and I believe they would support us all the way,” he reiterated.

L ast year, a total of 187 member states voted in favor of the resolution to end the longest ever sanction placed in the history of the world. But like any other, the UN Assembly resolution the vote does not bind on any state. On the other hand, it did transpire political pressure. In fact, Ajeno said that the vote is a true demonstration and a resolve of an overwhelming majority in the international community against the embargo, “Three nations voted against the lifting of the embargo. There are none other than United States, Israel and Palau. For us, the most important thing is to maintain the number, but, I hope other nations voted against it last year will now vote in favor of the resolution.”

Embargo Ajeno said that Cuba has suffered enough as a result of the sanction imposed by the United States and based on its conservative calculation until December 2009, the minimum direct economic damages to the Cuban people as a result of the application of the economic, was more than $1 billion and the figure could reach up to $1 billion this year. “The economic, commercial and financial sanctions imposed by the United States government against Cuba continues to be the main obstacle to the country’s economic and social development,” he said.

Ajeno mentioned that since the adoption of resolution 64/6 by the United Nations General Assembly on October 28, 2009, until present, the main action

Havana expects Kuwait vote

KUWAIT: Manuel Pardinas Ajeno Ambassador of Cuba to Kuwait talking with the Kuwait Times reporter yesterday at their embassy in Rawda. — Photo by Ben Garcia

62 kilos of hash confiscated

of the blockade against Cuba has been kept and reinforced, manifested in greater economic sanctions and persecution of Cuban business activities and financial transactions. “The policy of economic strangulation of Cuba by the United States remains intact. The complicated framework of laws and legal regulations that comprise and sustain has not been dismantled. The blockade against Cuba continues to be the longest and toughest system sanctions that the United States has ever applied against any country throughout its history,” he pointed out.

In his words, the blockade violates the international law. “It is against the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. It constitutes a transgression on the right to peace, development and security of a sovereign state,” he said. He further stated that in its essence and purpose, it (the embargo) is a unilateral act of aggression and permanent threat against stability of a country.

It constitutes a flagrant, massive and systematic violation on the rights of an entire people, “It also violates the constitutional rights of the American people by impending their freedom to travel to Cuba. It also violates the sovereign rights of many other states because of its extra-territorial nature. He provided an example saying that Cuba wants to woo tourists from the United States, but this is forbidden.

Acts against Cuba Ajeno cited Toricelli and Helms Burton Acts which imposes severe embargo against Cuba and impacted their economic and social life significantly. The Toricelli Acts, according to Ajeno, carries

extra territorial application which continues to impede Cuba’s businesses with subsidiaries of American companies in developing countries, making it more difficult and expensive to the maritime shipment of goods between Cuba and developing countries. He further cited the example of an extra territorial application of the sanctions placed on Cuba like a bank in Australia who he said was fined by OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) for six million dollars for involving itself in financial transactions with Cuba and Sudan.

Also, the Cuban government accused the United States of allocating around $40 million for the subversive activities against Cuba just for the year 2009-2010.

Ajeno also expressed a little optimism on what the Obama Administration can do in the policy towards Cuba, “We are not very optimistic, even in the US, he made very limited changes; but at least there are a few. During the Bush era, Cubans living as immigrants in the United States could send their money once every three years, but under Obama, that restriction was removed.

Cubans can now send money anytime they want. At least, it was one positive step. But it is not enough. The Obama Administration hasn’t done anything more about their policy towards Cuba, he asserted. On a final note he stressed, “People in the White House change colors; but the power inside (the US) remains the same. We have to wait before taking the next step. We are fighting against it (the embargo). We always seek the United Nations support. But above everything, is our sovereignty as a vnation.”

Officials question outcry over rector’s post KUWAIT: The recent political escalations following the Ministry of Education’s failure to find a suitable replacement for the rector position at Kuwait University (KU) has given the impression that the country’s lone public university is bound to suffer a serious administrative void. Those within KU however, believe otherwise and assert that all the proper preparations have been made to maintain control as Dr Abdullah Al-Fuhaid term expires, reported Al-Qabas. Speaking anonymously, offi-

cial sources from KU told a local newspaper that Dr Al-Fuhaid officially assigned the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr Jawad Behbehani, to handle his duties on an interim basis. The decision was approved by the Minister of Education Dr Moudhi Al-Hmoud.

The sources asserted that KU’s deputy rectors, as well as fourteen of its deans, have been instructed to maintain their duties normally. This will allow KU’s work to continue normally until the issue is resolved. The sources also ques-

tioned the reasons behind the media and political outcry regarding KU’s rector position. They said that preparations have been made to make sure that everything is under control while the committee formed to select a new rector works on finding the most suitable candidate for the position. They suggested that the Islamic movements in the country have always targeted this post, indicating that they may have a hand in the current attack against the ministry over this issue.

Suspects pictured with the illicit drugs

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Authorities have arrested two citizens, a current and a former soldier with the Ministry of Interior, working in the ministry’s department of investigations.

They were found in possession of 62 kilograms of hashish, the largest amount of hashish confiscated this year. Their arrest indicates that the ministr y has cracked down on the presence and cover up of those selling or doing drugs in the ministry.

Authorities received a tip about the illegal activity and were informed that the p a i r w o u l d b r i n g a l a rg e a m o u n t o f d r u g s f ro m a neighboring country. One of t h e s u s p e c t s w a s ke p t under strict super vision and was spotted selling a kilogram of hashish to a fellow employee.

A search of the dealer’s house revealed an additional kilogram of hashish.

When he was questioned he informed authorities that he keeps additional drugs in an apartment in Salmiya.

While searching the apartment, authorities found an additional 60 kilograms of hashish.

H e c o n f e s s e d that he brings the drugs from neighboring Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) states and that he was able to sell 38 kilograms of hashish after his last visit before he was discovered by police. Both men have been referred to the public prosecutor.

Car accidents In a car accident that took place at Sur street near the Ministry of Information, a 26-year-old bedoon woman sustained injuries to her

near Doha. The driver, an Afghan national, fractured his right arm and was admitted to Al-Jahra hospital.

Fire incidents A fire broke out at a home located in Sulaibiya.

Two injured bedoon women were administered first aid treatment on the site. Also, a fire broke out at a building situated in Fahaheel. While tackling the fire, two firemen suffered from smoke inhalation and were administered treatment on site. forehead. A 52-year-old Kuwaiti woman was also injured.

Both women were admitted to Al-Amiri Hospital. In another incident that took place at Al-Aqsa Mosque street between Salwa and Rumaithiya, 19-year-old

Kuwaiti man fractured his knee, in addition to other multiple injuries.

He was admitted to Mubarak Hospital. Similarly, a car accident took place along the Fourth Ring Road, where a truck collided into another and flipped over

Street fight In a raucous street fight that took place at Maidan Hawally next to Baghdad street, a 29-year-old Lebanese expatriate sustained injuries to his head, and was admitted to Mubarak Hospital.

KUWAIT: Deputy Director of Fire Department Brig Yousuf Al-Ansari honored a number of trainees from the fire department after the completion of their training course held at fire fighting preparation center.

Al-Ansari said that the department is keen to improve firemen fitness, and their level of performance. Colonel Taraq Al-Sabti said that the aim of such courses is to protect firemen from accidents and the administration has trained more than 2000 firemen.

— Photo by Hanan Al-Saadoun

MoE regrets sit-in call by teachers KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education yesterday expressed regret over the call of the Teachers’ Society for a sit-in during today’s school day. In a press release, the ministry said the society, by calling for the sit-in, is attempting to delude the public that there is an extension of all school days, while in fact it is only 25 minutes for one day during the week, in which students could practice out-curriculum activities.

The ministry is adopting ambitious plans to achieve quality education and improve academic outcomes, as it is also keen on building bridges of cooperation and understanding with the teachers’ Society and other concerned bodies according to sound frameworks, the release added.

The ministry called on the society to have an “effective” role while discussing educational issues. The sit-in represents a negative reaction towards what the ministry perceives as of its core jurisdiction, the release said, voicing shock that the call came from those who are seen as ‘role models’ in the educational domain. —KUNA

KCCI draft law violates parliament regulations KUWAIT: Members of the parliament’s financial and economic committee are struggling to complete a final version of the new draft law to govern the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), reported AlQabas. It has been reported that conflicting opinions have reached an impasse regarding the laws explanatory memorandum. Reactions to the draft law have been critical since it was released by committee members Yousuf AlZalzalah, Khalid Al-Sultan, Mohammad Al-Mutair and Ahmad Al-Saadoun. The committee has been criticized for failing to consult the KCCI

while preparing the draft law.

The most recent report suggests that the four committee members are unable to agree on the clauses addressing KCCI’s legitimacy as an institution.

Meanwhile, the committee’s reporter noted that the committee violated an article in the parliament’s list of regulations when they passed the law in a meeting that did not include full participation of all the committee members. MP Abdurrahman AlAnjari revealed that when the draft law is submitted to the parliament he will request that the violation be addressed so that the draft

law can be resubmitted legally. On a related note, a lawmaker asked His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad AlSabah, which governmental body is responsible for supervising KCCI’s work. During his inquiry, MP Daifullah Buramia explained that the Ministers of Commerce, Finance, Cabinet Affairs, and Social Affairs and Labor, have all denied that the KCCI falls under their respective ministries jurisdiction.

He then asked HH the Prime Minister which institution is responsible for holding KCCI accountable for any violations that it might commit.

Insolvency fund to be set up soon KUWAIT: The records of at least 1,602 citizens who have applied to receive benefits from a insolvency fund are being reviewed by special committees. This announcement was made in a press statement by Mustafa Al-Shamali, Minister of Finance.

He declared that the insolvency fund will be set into motion soon. Furthermore, Al-Shamali asserted that the fund’s procedures are pro-

ceeding faster and more effectively, reported Al-Rai. After the committees’ members gained necessary experience while working with a previous establishment, their work was temporarily suspended in view of the full enforcement of the new law, reported Al-Rai. AlShamali also indicated that several citizens have benefited from the fund on previous occasions.

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Spoiled eggs confiscated KUWAIT: Inspectors for the Municipality recently discovered that a store providing foodstuffs to local markets and schools were selling food unsuitable for human consumption, reported Al-Qabas. The operation, which targeted a local supplier of chicken and eggs in one of the country’s industrial zones, confiscated an estimated 65,000 boxes of rotten eggs that were to be used to prepare meals for public schools.

The two inspectors were carrying out a routine inspection at a local co-operative society when a citizen informed them that some of the eggs there were unfit for human consumption. After confirming that the supplies were indeed

spoiled, the officials headed directly to the warehouses of the supplying company. There, they discovered that the company failed to provide the basic storage conditions necessary to maintain the supplies safely.

The inspectors conducted tests on the rest of the company’s egg supplies and determined that the entire stock was unsuitable for consumption and closed the warehouse. The inspectors also found a supply of frozen chickens that were refrozen after they were defrosted, a violation of food safety standards.

The inspectors also criticized the fact that the warehouse was located near warehouses used for storing lumber and ceramics.

in the news New developments in Gitmo detainees’ case KUWAIT: Some developments are expected to be made to the records of Guantanamo detainees beginning next month, said Khalid Al-Oudah, Head of the Popular Front of the Families of Detainees at Guantanamo. He said that His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad AlSabah, met with the US Vice President Joe Biden during their visit to New York. The National Security Advisor, on this subject, promised to take follow up action on this subject, reported Al-Anba. Al-Oudah said that the Kuwait Ambassador to Washington said that the situation remains as it is.

Class hours issue The Minister of Education Dr Moudhi Al-Homoud has given verbal instructions to form a joint committee between the Ministry and the Society to extend class hours, and the committee will submit its report by 15 November, Ayedh Al-Sahli, Chairman of Kuwait Teachers Society (KTS ) said. The minister intends to execute the committee decisions, reported AlAnba. Al-Sahli said, “On my part, I proposed to the minister another initiative without the additional 25 minutes. “The minister suggested that a committee be formed, which will submit reports next year.

18 Kuw aitis cheated A retired Kuwaiti man from a military organization was arrested on charges of impersonating a consultant at the council of ministers and having cheated 18 Kuwaitis about KD 50,000.

He made his victims believe that he can get them industrial plot.

They paid him KD 1800 - 2500 for each file. Police made their investigations about the so called “consultant,” but the surprise was that he was retired and has nothing to do with council of ministers. So, he was arrested and he confessed to fooling those persons.

KUWAIT: Some of the vintage cars on dispay. — Photos by Yasser A-Zayyat

Vintage CarS museum opens in Shuwaikh Rare models include 1970 De Tomaso Pantera, 1960 Toyopet, 1956 Ford Thunderbird

By Nawara Fattahova

Fugitive held KUWAIT: An expatriate fugitive was arrested at a checkpoint in Salmiya, reported AlQabas. An inspection into his identity revealed that he was wanted by authorities for refusing to pay KD 20,000.

He was taken into custody and referred to the proper authorities Foreign object detona ted Bomb squads detonated a foreign object found in Metlaa, reported Al-Watan. It was not revealed whether the object was a landmine or another form of artillery equipment. The area was secured and searched for additional explosives.

Illega l hunting Ahmadi police arrested two people for hunting illegally and for being in possession of an unlicensed weapon in Fahaheel. The two were pulled over by authorities for driving suspiciously. After their car was searched, police found a rifle in the backseat.

When questioned, the two confessed that they were on their way to go hunting in Wafra. They were referred to the proper authorities.

Suicide a ttempt An Asian man attempted to kill himself by consuming pesticide inside his sponsor’s home in Sulabikhat, reported Al-Watan. He was brought to Sabah Hospital in an ambulance after he was found unconscious. A case was opened for further investigation.

Drug possession Authorities arrested a 39year-old Yemeni in Mangaf for being in possession of drugs, reported Al-Watan.

Authorities decided to search him when he started acting suspiciously and found him to be in possession of hashish.

He was referred to the proper authorities.

Fa ll An Arab construction worker suffered several

bruises and broken bones after he fell from a high location in Eqaila, reported AlQabas. The man, who is in his 30s, was working at a construction site when he lost his balance and fell.

Paramedics responded to the emergency and brought him to Adan Hospital. Authorities are investigating the incident further.

DUI A drunk driver was arrested after he crashed into a tree on the side of the road in Salmiya, reported Al-Rai. After it was determined that he was not harmed he was brought to a nearby police station. An investigation of his ID revealed that he was also wanted for a criminal case previously filed against him.

Residency viola tor An Arab man was arrested after he was found to be in violation of residency laws, reported Al-Rai. The incident occurred while the man was on his way to the Kuwait International Airport where he was planning to catch a flight back to his home country. While at the airport it was discovered that his residency expired several years ago. He was taken in custody and referred to the proper authorities.

Citizens sa ved Two citizens were saved by the coastguard when their boat malfunctioned and they could not make their way back to land, reported Al-Rai. The citizens were first located by helicopter and a boat was sent out to retrieve them.

Property da ma ged Police reported to a citizen’s home in Rumathiya after being informed that his house was being shot at by a person with a gun. However, an investigation revealed that the person’s windows were being broken by marbles. A case was filed and police are searching for the culprit.

KUWAIT: Many lovers of vintage cars don’t have the opportunity to see such treasures. However, now that the Historical Vintage and Classic Cars Museum in Shuwaikh - opposite City Center - has opened they can enjoy these precious vehicles. The museum’s main hall contains 27 vintage vehicles with an important history.

One of the vehicles on display, a 1956 Chrysler Imperial, was used by the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad AlSabah when he was the Minister of Oil

and the Governor of Ahmadi. The Chrysler, as well as some of the other vehicles, are displayed with photos of their previous owners. Another of the historical vehicles, a 1962 Ford Continental, belonged to the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem and then by the following Amir, the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. Both former Amirs used the vehicle during National Day celebrations and parades.

All of the vehicles on display, such as an Aston Martin DB5 that was used in a James Bond movie in 1965, are

rare models. Visitors to the museum would also find a 1958 Cadillac Fleetwood that belonged to a Saudi princess and a 1956 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud donated to the museum

by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Sabah.

Other rare models include the 1970 De Tomaso Pantera, a 1960 Toyopet, a 1956 Ford Thunderbird and many others. There are an additional 18 vintage and classic cars in the museum. According to Nasser AlShemali, Head of Museum Activities, the vehicles will be changed frequent-

ly so that different models can be put on display. The museum is opened from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday.

The museum’s goal is to provide information about classic and vintage vehicles for younger generations.

“The museum also expresses some of Kuwait’s history,” Al-Shemali said.

“It is a good tool to bring together past, present and future generations.

The museum will allow us to preserve vehicles from Kuwait’s past.” AlShemali explained that the museum

has a committee of experts to decide if a car is suitable to be exhibited at the museum and that the vehicles on display are not for sale.

This museum will also be a source of information for lovers and collectors of historical cars. Further services will be available in the future.

“Car lovers have waited for this museum for a long time,” he said.

“Activities will be held here on a regular basis so that car collectors can practice and improve their hobbies.

We will also be cooperating with museums from around the world.”

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

International property show launched in Kuwait Features real estate companies from Asia, Africa and Europe

By Ahmad Saeid KUWAIT: The Kuwait International Property Show (KIPS) is currently being held at the International Fairground in Mishref. The event hosts real estate companies from 20 countries, investment companies, and banks presenting their financing options for real estate buyers. The exhibition was launched yesterday morning and the opening ceremony was held under the auspices of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

“What impressed me the most at this exhibition was the huge participation of companies from Kuwaiti and the GCC as well as companies from the European Union,” said Rasheed Al-Tabtabae, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry after touring the exhibition.

“This shows without a doubt the importance of the real estate market nowadays, especially in touristic areas.”

Al-Tabtabae noted that the exhibition revealed an improvement in real estate activities. “What I have witnessed shows activity in the real estate market,” he continued. “There are deals taking place and there are

auctions in real estate so I guess the worst of the financial crisis has passed. There are currently signs of recovery in all markets across the world.”

Sheikh Malik Al-Sabah, the CEO of Top Real Estate Company and an organizer of the event, said that even though the real estate market has lost its peak in this region it should still be considered a good sign. “With the end of the boom of the real estate industry that we witnessed here many wrong practices and profiteers who took real estate prices to unreasonable heights have disappeared,” he pointed out. “The return of prices in real estate market to their normal, pre-crisis ranges worldwide will enable many people who could not own real estate before have a real chance to do that without bearing heavy loan burdens. Real estate today is available to everyone.”

The head of the organizing company said that despite the fact that many companies were affected by the crisis more than 100 projects and companies from 20 different countries participated in the exhibition.

Gerhard Lang, a chairman for a real estate company from Hungary, said that during the last week of the exhibition in Dubai his company was

able to make good deals. “We found that we have lots of interest from Arab clients who want to buy property in Europe. Last week we had almost 250 clients from Dubai. This is our first time in Kuwait, and we hope this exhibition will be as good an opportunity as we had in Dubai,” Lang said.

The exhibition also featured free legal consultation for clients who were interested in purchasing real estate abroad. Modi Al-Sabah, whose office will be providing free legal advice at the event, said that it is unlikely that a fraud would take place within this exhibition because most of the companies are genuine and screened by the organizing company.

“If you want to buy real estate, and find something in a contract that makes you suspicious, you can approach us and ask us to give you impartial and professional legal advice for free,” said Al-Sabah.

The attorney added that legal consultation is not only limited to the purchase of real estate but also any other legal matter for the duration of the exhibition.

The exhibition will taking place on Block 4B of the Mishref fairgrounds from October 11 - 15.

KUWAIT: Undersecretary Ministry of Commerce and Industry Rasheed Al-Tabtabae cutting the ribbon during the Real Estate Exhibition. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

New siren equipped with Council of Ministers’ meeting postponed advanced technology

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: The General Department of Civil Defense has updated its early alarm systems and replaced their old mechanical sirens with new electronics ones. These new sirens utilize the latest technologies and are operated via a new digital system. This will allow the sirens to be connected to the electronic billboards located on main streets. During a press release, the head of the department, Col. Ali Al-Rughaib, said that the new sirens are loud, clear and have a 1.5 kilometer sound range.

The system they are using is also equipped with features such as direct call and text messaging services. Al-Rughaib further explained that the new sirens will use the same tones used by their predecessors, which include three different tones: an intermittent tone to indicate that danger is about to happen, a corrugated tone to indicate that the danger is ongoing, and a continuous tone to indicate that the danger has passed.

Zain launches new cancer campaign KUWAIT: Zain has announced the launching of a new campaign to combat breast cancer starting with an awareness campaign on the disease in a bid to highlight the significance of regular and early medical checkups in fighting the disease. The campaign launched this October in collaboration with the ‘For You My Lady’ targets the largest possible segment of women through audio-visual, printed or SMS ads with a motto of “Mother, Sister, Wife, Daughter......fighters”.

Commenting on the campaign, Zain’s PR and communications executive, Abdullah Al-Jadan said that a pink ribbon would be distributed in all branches as a symbol of the campaign and of determination to fight and combat the disease. He highlighted that Zain had always allocated many of its programs to social and health care. ‘This campaign aims at enhancing women awareness of the dangers of the disease’, he said noting that Zain had always supported various cancer-fighting efforts and bodies such as the CAN campaign, the Cancer and Cardiac Diseases Patients Fund, Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital ( KACCH) and Abdullah House.

KUWAIT: The Council of Ministers’ meeting has been postponed in view of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad AlSabah’s decision to attend the funeral of his niece Sheikha Huda Bader AlMohammad. The proceedings will last only for a day and the Cabinet may hold its meeting (Tuesday or Wednesday).

Book publishing MP Mohammad Hayaf posed a question to Dr Moudhi Al-Homoud, Minister of Education and Higher Education on publishing a book titled

Col Ali Al-Rughaib

Kuwait joins IDLO ROME: Kuwait Ambassador to Italy Sheikh Jaber Duaij Al-Sabah yesterday here signed Kuwait’s membership into the International Development Law Organization (IDLO). After Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of the Diplomatic Disputes and Treaties’ Unit at the Italian Foreign Ministry Giorgio Marra Budi recited the Amiri Decree of validating Kuwait as the 23rd member to join the organization, both he and the Kuwaiti Ambassador signed the membership documents with the attendance of IDLO Rotating Chairman Hermanus Stoelinga and IDLO’s Director General Antonio Badini.

The signing ceremony was also attended by Second Secretary at Kuwait’s Embassy in Rome Khaled Al-Khureinej and Diplomatic Attache Fatma Al-Ibrahim. In a speech on the occasion, Ambassador Jaber Dueij Al-Sabah said joining IDLO stems from Kuwait’s policy to be part of active international organizations, with the focus on the ones with humane connotations to them. On his part, Ambassador Badini told KUNA that IDLO is all about promoting the rule of law, voicing pride that Kuwait; with its bright history as a law-abiding country, have joined the organization. Since its inception in 1983, IDLO had a positive relation with Kuwait, with the country’s Fund for Arab Economic Development being the first Arab entity to offer a grant to it, in addition to Kuwait’s keenness on the organization’s programs and activities in the Middle East. Founded by a group of lawyers working in international development agencies in Africa, IDLO seeks to prepare legal professionals in developing countries to better protect and promote their societies’ interests. —KUNA

‘Shiite political poetry during the Ummayad’s Era.’ He asked if the book has been approved for teaching, and enquired about the political group’s assent.

MEW project The Ministry of Electricity and Water has begun taking practical steps to electronically link its sites with Fire Department in a step to minimize dangers and fires from occurring at the ministry’s sectors. Five companies have bid for the project namely QualityNet, KEMS, Fasttelco, United Net. All financial transactions will be decided by the Central Tender Committee. Officials said that the pro-

Kuwait needs to update military facilities KUWAIT: Kuwait and France share strong bilateral relations which includes cooperation in the fields of the security and energy. An agreement signed between the two countries commits France to protecting Kuwait’s security, said Jean-René Gehan, French ambassador to Kuwait. In the latest published interview before the end of his tenure he said, “When Kuwait has a problem, France has a problem,” asserting that like any other country, Kuwait needs to update its military facilities.

The Defense Ministry is currently negotiating with the French administration to obtain a fleet of French-made Rafale warplanes. Ambassador Gehan said that the French government has nothing to do with speculations raised on the subject. He added that should a deal be inked, a military cooperation between both countries will be entered into, for the next twenty or thirty years.

With regard to nuclear cooperation between the two countries, Ambassador Gehan asserted that a pact signed in last April, is the first to be signed between a foreign country and Kuwait, allowing the French laboratories to be used for projects to pursue

nuclear power production in Kuwait.

Other topics of mutual concern were also discussed during the interview, including those in economic and cultural fields. He revealed Voltaire Center of French Language would be renovated in Kuwait. When asked about the proposed free trade agreement entered into between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ambassador Gehan said that Kuwait and France have been the strongest supporters of this project.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Gehan commented that the bill that bans burqas in France would also affect tourism, reported Al-Rai. The French ambassador also spoke about the Iranian nuclear program, adding that his country’s stance was no different from the European one that calls for more pressures to be placed on negotiations with Iran to stop uranium enrichment. Regarding the ongoing Middle East peace talks, Ambassador Gehan said that his country maintains strong relations with Israel, and is also very close to the Palestinians. He added that the French administration has expressed reservations on the settlements created at occupied Palestinian territories. —KUNA

cedure will be completed in February, and a trial session will be held before an official announcement is made.

Supreme Court An ex-MP has filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court to appeal against a two-year imprisonment order. He had also refused to pay KD 5 million to one of the companies with which he had financial dealings. However, the court refused to accept the plea, and upheld the lower court’s verdict. On the other hand, the legal proceedings related to auditor Ihsan Abdullah, who opposed the Audit Bureau-approved 2007 emergency project, has been completed. He had argued that the

generators used were old and the project should not be approved, for which he was demoted in rank. In the court’s sentence, the demotion was cancelled and an order was passed to pay him a compensation amount of KD 2,000. Also, the Supreme Court rejected a plea made by the former undersecretary of Ministry of Communication Hamed Khaja, to exonerate his jail term in connection with dud cheque case that amounted to more than KD one million in favor of businessman Abdul Hamid Dashti.

Khaja was extradited to Kuwait through Interpol police on charges related to money squandering alleged

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INTERNATIONAL

Tuesday, October12, 2010

7

Palestinian dream city hits snag from Israel ATARA: It is billed as a symbol of the future Palestine: A modern, middle-class city of orderly streets, parks and shopping plazas rising in the hills of the West Bank, ready for independence, affluence and peace. But the $800-million project has hit a snag: Palestinians say construction of the city of Rawabi depends on getting an access road, which can’t go ahead without Israeli permission.

At a time when the latest US-brokered peace effort is in crisis, the tussle over roadbuilding is a test of Israel’s willingness to give up much of the West Bank and allow Palestinian statehood to move forward.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he supports Rawabi’s construction, but Jewish settlers and their supporters in the Israeli government, who oppose the very idea of Palestinian statehood, want the whole project scrapped.

Rawabi, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Jerusalem, is one of many West Bank projects such as job-creating industrial zones and improved water supply that have similarly been held up.

But perhaps none has the symbolic value of Rawabi, where builders envision 40,000 Palestinians enjoying the comforts of an American suburb, instead of crowded and disorganized towns and villages with poor infrastructure.

The city promises 1,000 pricey deluxe units and 5,000 homes for a growing middle class that can afford monthly mortgage payments of $400 to $700. There will be office and residential towers, a conference hall and hotel, shops, cafes, a cinema, mosques and a church. The view from the hilltop is a panorama of Palestinian villages and, 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the west, the Israeli metropolis of Tel Aviv on the

Mediterranean.

Rawabi, which means “green hills,” is a business venture by a Qatari firm, Diar Real Estate Investment Co., and West Bankbased Massar International. The US government gave nearly $6 million dollars to plan a regional wastewater treatment facility, hightech communications and street-paving.

The site was carefully chosen. It has no ancient religious relics for Jews and Arabs to quarrel over, and it lies in one of the Palestinian-administered areas of the West Bank where construction doesn’t need Israel’s permission. Work crews broke ground on the site in January, to fanfare and predictions that the first residents could move in 2013.

Nine months later, bulldozers have carved some foundations and hillside roads, but little construction has taken place.

Without the access road, builders say, the

city isn’t worth building.

The site now is reached by a a narrow, winding road through Palestinian villages, in parts too narrow for two lanes of traffic. But about three kilometers (two miles) of the access road being proposed would have to cross an Israeli-controlled zone.

The Palestinian Authority asked Israel last year for jurisdiction over the strip of land needed, and senior Palestinian officials say Israel has repeatedly assured them approval is imminent. Israeli defense officials say they expect the road to be approved, but don’t know when. All the officials requested anonymity before discussing the negotiations.

Many on both sides expect Rawabi to emerge as a bargaining chip in peace talks — suggesting the issue could drag on for years and turn investors off the project. “On the political level, there is no progress on

the road,” said Bashar Masri, managing director of the company behind the project.

“This is part of doing business while you’re still under occupation.” Foreign diplomats involved in the process have expressed frustration, and former British prime minister Tony Blair, now an international Mideast envoy, has lobbied for a solution.

Israeli settlers, who generally want to see Israel retain the West Bank, say the planned access route crosses one of the roads they use. Their settlement of Atarot is about a kilometer (less than a mile) from Rawabi, and from Atara, the Palestinian village nearest to the site.

Aliza Herbst, a spokeswoman for the settlers’ umbrella group, cited fears of drive-by attacks. She said Rawabi would be “detrimental to the future of the security of Israel” and that she hoped the settlers’ nearby road and communities would block

its construction. Members of Netanyahu’s cabinet have also criticized the plan.

In a visit to Rawabi this week, Israeli Environment Minister Gilad Erdan, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, said he would try to block construction of the road until the Palestinians explain how they will deal with the city’s sewage and trash.

Masri, the manager, said developers had commissioned American, Israeli and Palestinian engineers to address all environmental issues. He said Israel was using the issue as a pretext, and Herbst seemed to agree, suggesting that anything that hinders Rawabi’s rise is helpful.

“I’m really glad the road is there to prevent them from building that city,” she said, speaking in English, “and yay for us that we have established those communities so that the problem exists.” — AP

Detainees may be Germans

Iran arrests ‘fake journalists’ who interviewed Ashtiani son TEHRAN: Iran said yesterday it has arrested tw o foreigners w ho posed as journalists to interview the son of a w oman facing execution by stoning, in a case that triggered international condemnation. Public prosecutor Gholam

RAMALLAH: In this Oct 5, 2010 photo, Israeli soldiers stand guard at the site for the Palestinian urban project Rawabi in the village of Atara, near the West Bank city of Ramallah. It is billed as a symbol of the future Palestine: a modern, middle-class city of orderly streets, parks and shopping plazas rising in the hills of the West Bank, ready for independence, affluence and peace. But the $800-million project has hit a snag: Palestinians say construction of the city of Rawabi depends on getting an access road, which can’t go ahead without Israeli permission. — AP

Israel MPs trade barbs over east Jerusalem hit-and-run JERUSALEM: Tensions over an incident in which a Jewish settler leader ran over two stone-throwing Palestinian boys in a flashpoint district of east Jerusalem spilled over into the Israeli parliament yesterday.

Ultra-nationalist Jewish and Arab-Israeli parliamentarians called each other “terrorists” and “sociopaths” as they traded heated and frequently high-pitched barbs when the incident was raised in the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

In Friday’s incident that was captured on film and widely broadcast, two masked boys were standing in the road among a group throwing stones when a car driven by a settler leader drove round the corner and ploughed into them.

One was thrown into the air and bounced off the car’s windscreen before crashing to the ground. The car stopped briefly before driving off.

Committee chairman Danny Danon, a populist politician from the ruling Likud party, called Sunday’s meeting to express dismay over the repeated incidents where Palestinian children

have been involved in stone-throwing incidents.

“It’s shocking. Throwing rocks at a car with people in it is attempted murder,” Danon told Monday’s meeting, attended mainly by representatives of groups pushing for increased Jewish settlement in occupied east Jerusalem.

But tensions rose when Arab-Israeli MP Ahmed Tibi expressed his surprise that the Committee for the Rights of the Child had not expressed any concern for the fate of the two boys, aged 10 and 11, who were run over.

“You have no empathy,” said Tibi. “You are a group of sociopaths who see a child thrown in the air and don’t care about it.”

The incident occurred after Muslim weekly prayers in the rundown district of Silwan, just south of Jerusalem’s Old City, raising tensions in the area that has seen regular clashes between hardline Jewish settlers and local residents. Police identified the driver as David Beeri, the local leader of Elad, a hardline settler group, and have opened an investigation into the incident. — AFP

Iranian leader in controversial visit to Lebanon BEIRUT: Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives in Beirut tomorrow for a controversial visit that will take him to Lebanon’s volatile border with his arch-foe Israel in what is seen as a boost for Shiite ally Hezbollah.

The hardline leader during his two-day official trip-his first to Lebanon since he became president in 2005 — will meet with his counterpart Michel Sleiman as well as Prime Minister Saad Hariri and parliament speaker Nabih Berri.

He will also attend a rally in the Lebanese capital organised by the powerful Shiite militant group Hezbollah, considered a proxy of Iran.

But the most anticipated and controversial part of the visit will be on Thursday, when Ahmadinejad is scheduled to be taken by Hezbollah for a tour of several villages along Lebanon’s tense border with Israel.

The region was devastated during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel and was rebuilt with the help of Iranian money. Although Ahmadinejad is sure to receive a rapturous welcome in Hezbollah’s bastion in the south and the southern suburbs of Beirut, his trip is not sitting well with some members of Lebanon’s pro-Western parliamentary majority who see it as a provocation.

“Indirectly he is coming here to tell the international community that if it wants security in the Arab world, that goes through Iran because of its position as a super Islamic power,” said Fares Souaid, coordinator of the “March 14” alliance.

“He is saying that Lebanon is an Iranian base on the Mediterranean and he is using Lebanon as a mailbox to send a message to the international

community,” Souaid told AFP. The United States and Israel, which have sought to isolate the Iranian regime over its nuclear programme, have also reacted negatively to the visit saying it could undermine regional stability.

But beyond that, the visit

comes at a pivotal moment in Lebanese politics. Hezbollah and Hariri’s camp are locked in a standoff over unconfirmed reports that a UN-backed tribunal is set to indict members of the militant party for the 2005 murder of Hariri’s father, expremier Rafiq Hariri. — AFP

SIDON: People walk in front of a giant poster of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad set in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, yesterday, ahead of the President’s visit to Lebanon that beginstomorrow. Ahmadinejad’s visit will give a welcome boost to powerful Shiite Hezbollah, one of Tehran’s most crucial sources of foreign influence. The Iranian writing on the poster reads:” You are welcome.” — AP

“An investigation by official authorities showed these people are not journalists and they have been arrested for faking their journalistic status,” Ejeie was quoted as saying by the website of Iranian state television.

The prosecutor was cited making a similar statement on ISNA news agency, in another report that failed to clearly specify the nationality of the detainees. But he strongly hinted the detainees may be two Germans by linking them to a Iranian human rights activist who had raised the alarm about the arrests from her base in the European country.

He said the two were put into contact with Ashtiani’s family by a “fugitive”, alluding to the Germany-based campaigner Mina Ahadi, founder of the International Committees against Execution and Stonings.

“I learned today a fugitive in a foreign country had contacted Sakineh Mohammadi’s family and said two journalists are coming to interview you on her case. Then two nationals of that country have gone and interviewed Mohammadi’s son.

“In the meantime, another person got suspicious of them and informed officials,” he said, without elaborating whether the son and lawyer had also been arrested. Previously, Ahadi had said she was on a telephone hook-up Sunday with Ashtiani’s son Sajjad and her lawyer Javid Houtan Kian as they were being interviewed by journalists.

“Suddenly one of the journalists shouted, ‘What’s happening’, and then said, ‘Mrs Ahadi, I must hang up,’ Ahadi told AFP in Germany. “Since then, I’ve had no news,” Ahadi said. “Normally we talk to each other daily. I’ve spoken to friends of Sajjad in Tabriz, and they’ve had no news either.

“I’m 100 percent sure they’ve been arrested, but we don’t know where they are.”

Ahadi said the two journalists were working for a German newspaper, but refused to name them for “security reasons.”

Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, was sentenced to death by two different courts in the northwestern city of Tabriz in separate trials in 2006. The first death sentence, by hanging, for her involvement in the murder of her husband, was commuted to a 10year jail term by an appeals court in 2007. But the second, by stoning, was on a charge of adultery levelled over several relationships, notably with the man convicted of her husband’s murder, was upheld by another appeals court the same year.

Since July, Iranian officials have said repeatedly that the stoning sentence has been stayed, in the face of an international outcry that has seen strong representations by the French and Italian governments as well as the Vatican.

Foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said last month that “the judicial process has not yet finished and the final judgement will be announced after the end of the process.”

Prosecutor general Ejeie, who also serves as the spokesman of the judiciary, said Ashtiani’s case “should not be politicised.” — AFP

Hossein Mohseni Ejeie said that the tw o people w ho had entered the Islamic republic as tourists w ere “now in custody” after they had asked the son of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani some questions.

PARIS: A man holds a placard showing a portrait of Iran’s Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani (C), who has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery, as he participates in a demonstration yesterday, at the Centre national d’Art et Culture Georges Pompidou’s esplanade in Paris, to protest against death penalty Iran said yesterday, it has arrested two foreigners who posed as journalists to interview the son of Ashtiani facing execution by stoning, in a case that triggered international condemnation. — AFP

Gunmen storm Baghdad money exchange, kill five BAGHDAD: Gunmen using pistols fitted with silencers stormed a money exchange office in central Baghdad yesterday, killing five people and wounding three in a brazen afternoon robbery, police officials said. The heist came just hours after attackers wearing military uniforms raided the homes of several anti-al-Qaeda Sunni fighters in Iraq before dawn, killing four men in an execution-style slaying.

Violence has dropped in Iraq, but criminal activity has been on the rise, with a spate of brash daylight robberies of banks, jewelers and financial institutions across the country this year. Many of the heists have been blamed on insurgents, who are said to be short on cash and seeking ways to fund their operations.

Insurgents also frequently target security forces and their allies to undermine confidence in the country’s Shiite-dominated leadership.

Those killed in yesterday’s heist at the al-Warka exchange in Baghdad’s busy commercial area around Rashid Street included its owner, his business partner and three customers.

The wounded were bystanders, police officials said.

It was not immediately clear how much cash the assailants made away with.

No one claimed yesterday’s heist but declarations of responsibility for robberies of smaller financial offices and jewelers’ stores are rare. An alQaida front group in Iraq had

said it was behind June strikes on the Central Bank, the nation’s treasury, and the Trade Bank of Iraq, attacks that had claimed dozens of lives.

In yesterday’s pre-dawn attack, gunmen raided the houses of several members of the government-backed groups known as Awakening Councils near the town of Youssifiyah, 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Baghdad, dragged the men out of their houses and sprayed them with bullets. They left four dead and two wounded before fleeing the scene, interi-

or ministry officials said. The Councils played a key role in reducing violence in Iraq in the past two years but their future role in the security network remains uncertain as political rivals battle for posts in the new government seven months after an inconclusive election.

Also Monday, in Baghdad’s eastern neighborhood of alGhadeer, a roadside bomb struck a car of a senior Iraqi official, wounding him and two bystanders and killing his driver. Director General of the Criminal Evidences Lab, Maj.

Gen. Abdul-Mun’am, was taken to a nearby hospital, officials said. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

The violence came as Iraqi politicians continue bickering over the formation of a new government after the March 7 parliamentary vote produced no clear winner.

The Sunni-backed Iraqiya list of Ayad Allawi narrowly defeated the Shiite block led by the Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki. — AP

8

INTERNATIONAL

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Nationalists cause upset in landmark Kyrgyzstan polls BISHKEK: Nationalists yesterday unexpectedly emerged as the strongest force in Kyrgyzstan’s closely-fought elections, hailed as the first truly democratic polls in the former Soviet Central Asia republics.

The country awaited coalition bartering between five parties set to win parliament seats following the highly competitive polls, a scenario unknown in a region of strongman presidents and rubber-stamp parliaments.

The emergence of the virulently nationalist Ata-Zhurt party-whose leader has warned non-ethnic Kyrgyz citizens not to expect equal rights-was a surprise and came amid concerns of a resurgence of year’s deadly ethnic unrest.

Clashes between ethnic-majority Kyrgyz and minority Uzbeks left between 400 and 2,000 people dead in the south of the country in June, with Uzbeks claiming they were the victims of targeted bloodletting by the security forces.

But President Roza Otunbayeva-who steadfastly refused to push back the poll despite warnings it could spark fresh violence-hailed the elections as a landmark moment in the turbulent history of Kyrgyzstan, one of five Central Asian republics which broke away from the Soviet Union two decades ago.

“We have not known such elections for the last 20 years,” Otunbayeva said after a turnout of 56.59 percent.

“Today, all Kyrgyz people can vote without pressure, without dictation and without any manipulation for those parties which they consider to be the most powerful, fair, and that would protect their interests in parliament.”

Kyrgyzstan created Central Asia’s first parliamentary democracy in a referendum earlier this year after the bloody April revolution which toppled former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev and deadly inter-ethnic clashes in June.

The Zhogorku Kenesh will be the only parliament in the region with the powers to appoint the government and have a real influence on policy.

International observers led by transat-

lantic security group the OSCE heaped praise on the vote.

“I have observed many elections in Central Asia over the years but this is the first election where I could not predict the outcome,” said Morten Hoeglund, special coordinator of the short-term OSCE observer mission. Yet in a rebuke to the provisional government that has led the country since an April uprising that ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, opposition parties polled strongly.

In line with the new Kyrgyz regulations, the central election commission gave the figures as a percentage of the electorate and not of those who cast their ballots.

Ata-Zhurt won the most votes with some

8.69 percent, results published by the commission said based on 95 percent of the precincts.

The pro-government Social Democratic Party was close behind on 8.09 percent while the Pro-Moscow Ar-Namys party of ex-prime minister Felix Kulov was third on 7.48 percent. Despite the apparent success of the polls, two of the top three parties-AtaZhurt and Ar-Namys-have vowed to roll back the constitutional changes and restore a presidential system.

Ata-Zhurt, the bulk of whose votes came from ethnic Kyrgyz in the south, courted controversy throughout the elections and days before the polls an angry crowd raided its Bishkek office, burning campaign litera-

ture in the street.

Its leader, former minister Kamchybek Tashiyev, however denounced a video purportedly showing he wanted to bring Bakiyev back to power as a fabrication.

The only country in the world to host both Russian and US military bases, Kyrgyzstan stands at a strategic location bordering China and close enough to Afghanistan to serve as a supply hub for US forces.

Kyrgyzstan has for years been the most unstable in the region and Bakiyev, who has taken refuge in Belarus since his ousting, himself came to power on the back of the so-called Tulip Revolution uprising of 2005. — AFP

‘Innocent citizens in UK and worldwide need to know if they are protected’

British hearings probe security services over 2005 bombings LONDON: Britain yesterday opened long-aw aited inquests into the deaths of 52 innocent people in the 2005 London suicide bombings w ith a minute’s silence for the victims. The hearings, w hich w ill probe alleged failings by police and intelligence services before the attacks on three underground trains and a bus, are expected to last five months.

In his opening statement, Hugo Keith, counsel to the inquests, said the bombs on July 7, 2005 “detonated amongst the innocent and the unknowing, indiscriminately killing and maiming passengers who were simply going about their daily business.

“The bombs struck down men and women, the old and young, British nationals as well as foreigners. They paid no regard to whether the victims were Christian or Muslim, a follower of any of our great faiths or an adherent to none.

“They were just travelling on London’s transport system.”

Keith, whose role is to present information to the coroner in the hearings, said the four suicide bombers had unleashed an “unimaginably dreadful wave of terror and horror”.

He warned the relatives of the dead that some of their questions may never be answered.

But he added “we are confident that these inquests can deliver meaningful conclusions about the indirect as well as direct causes of the deaths”.

The inquests, presided over LONDON: In this Thursday July 7, 2005 file photo, a forensic officer walks next to the wreckage of a by judge Heather Hallett, acting double decker bus with its top blown off and damaged cars scattered on the road at Tavistock Square in as coroner, had been delayed central London. A long-delayed inquest into the July 7, 2005, suicide bombings that killed 52 people on pending the trials of the alleged London’s transit network opened in London yesterday, with a minute’s silence in memory of the victims. conspirators of the four suicide The coroner, lawyers, members of the public and relatives of the victims stood in silent tribute as hear- bombers.

Witnesses to the inquests ings opened at London’s Royal Courts of Justice into one of Britain’s deadliest terrorist attacks. — AP will include survivors of the attacks and members of the emergency services who tried to save lives.

The British government has ruled out holding a full independent inquiry into the attacks but the inquests will be able to look into whether police and the domestic intelligence service JOHANNESBURG: Nelson journey across Africa to round through his imprisonment, and book’s release. His last public MI5 could have done more to Mandela agonised over the suf- up support for the armed move- to his children showed the outing was a brief appearance at prevent them. fering caused to his family by his ment, he recounts learning to strains on his family. “I feel I the football World Cup final in Survivors and bereaved relastruggle against white rule in fire a gun in Ethiopia and study- have been soaked in gall, every July in Johannesburg. tives have said they want to ask Some of the entries are more South Africa, according to an ing Algeria’s military tactics part of me, my flesh, bloodwhy security officials did not act intimate portrait of him painted against the French. He was stream, bone and soul, so bitter mundane, with calendars chronto stop homegrown bombers arrested shortly after his return am I to be completely powerless icling his weight and blood presby personal letters and diaries.

Mohammad Sidique Khan and to help you in the rough and sure, and the arrival of milk and Correspondence, personal to South Africa.

Shehzad Tanweer despite havThe book shies away from fierce ordeals you are going new razors-luxuries in his notes and hours of recordings ing monitored them previously. will be published today in 22 the most personal details of his through,” he wrote to his wife in prison life.

Speaking before the His notes become less countries and 20 languages in life. It barely talks about his first 1970. inquests started, Ros Morley, He also remembers feeling detailed after his release in “Conversations with Myself”, wife Evelyn, although it does whose husband Colin, 52, died which was compiled by the recount one violent argument gutted when prison authorities 1990, as he led negotiations in one of the Underground Nelson Mandela Foundation and where she tried to burn him refused to allow him to attend with the white apartheid govbombings, said: “I want the the funeral of Thembi, the elder ernment and then took office. includes a foreword from US with a hot poker. inquests to look at whether any But he records his own fail“So she had put this thing in of two sons from his first marPresident Barack Obama. mistakes were made or flawed Much of the book is based on the coal and it was red hot and riage, who died in a car crash at ures, as when the ANC shot systems were in place. down his idea to lower the votan unpublished autobiography as we were arguing she then the age of 24 in 1969.

“Innocent citizens in the UK “When I was first advised of ing age from 18 to 14. He also that would have been a sequel to pulled this thing out, you know, and worldwide need to know his world-famous 1995 “Long in order to, what-you-call, burn my son’s death I was shaken scribbled notes ahead of meetthat they are protected now and from top to bottom,” he said, ings with world leaders, and in Walk to Freedom”, including his my face. in the future.”

So I caught hold of her and adding that he had experienced an unexpected show of personmusings on life as South Africa’s The hearings at the Royal twisted her arm, enough for me similar heartache when he lost a ality jotted down the address of first black president.

Courts of Justice in central “I have often wondered to take this thing out,” he said. nine-month-old baby girl sever- his current wife Graca MachelLondon will also hear from on a notepad emblazoned with whether a person is justified in But his many letters to Winnie al years earlier. some survivors and be shown Mandela himself is not his name and a cartoon of neglecting his own family to Madikizela-Mandela during his previously unseen footage of fight for opportunities for oth- second marriage which lasted expected to speak about the Garfield the cat. — AFP the aftermath of the attacks. ers,” Mandela said in the book.

New details have emerged Letters from the young Mandela in documents submitted ahead show a side of the Nobel Peace of the inquests, including that Prize winner often obscured by police discovered they had held the grandfatherly image of the the fingerprints of Khan, the reconciler, now 92, who won ringleader, on file as far back as South Africa’s first all-race elec1986, when he was 11. tions in 1994. The book “is a The documents also rare chance to spend time with revealed that 17 of the people Nelson Mandela the man, in his killed in the blasts did not die own voice, direct, clear and priinstantly, with at least one vicvate,” said the Foundation. tim having survived for up to 40 As a young activist, he minutes after one of the pushed the African National attacks.

Congress to form an armed MI5 has sought to block wing after years of devotion to much of the questioning on the non-violence as a guiding princigrounds that it would require ple. “The actual situation on the the disclosure of secret files ground may justify the use of that would threaten national violence which even good men security. The coroner said as and women may find it difficult much of the evidence as possito avoid,” he said. ble would be disclosed.

“But even in such cases the “I will balance carefully the use of force would be an excep- JOHANNESBURG: A photo taken on August 25, 2010 shows former South needs of national security with tional measure whose primary African President Nelson Mandela (C) posing with a copy of the US edition relevance and fairness,” she aim is to create the necessary of his book “Conversations with Myself” next to his daughter Zindzi (L) and said, but pledged to conduct the environment for peaceful solu- fellow former political prisoner Ahmed Kathrada in this handout photograph inquests “in as open a manner tions.” In diaries of his 1962 released by the Nelson Mandela Foundation yesterday. — AFP as possible”. — AFP

New Mandela memoir shows personal notes from living legend

ATHENS: A plaque in memory of the 15-year-old schoolboy, Alexandros Grigoropoulos, who was shot by a policeman on December 6, 2008, hangs yesterday on a wall of the Exarchia neighborhood of Athens where he was slain.

A Greek policeman was found guilty of murder yesterday over the fatal shooting of the schoolboy that sparked rioting across the country. — AFP

Greek cop handed life for murder that sparked riots AMFISSA: A court in Greece jailed a policeman for life yesterday after he was found guilty of the murder of a 15-year-old schoolboy in a shooting that sparked nationwide riots nearly two years ago.

Epaminondas Korkoneas, 38, was convicted of culpable homicide by a court in the town of Amfissa over the killing of Alexis Grigoropoulos during a December 2008 night patrol in the Athens district of Exarchia.

The panel of three judges and four jury also found Korkoneas’s patrol partner Vassilios Saraliotis, 32, guilty of complicity in the crime. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The defence has pledged to appeal the sentences.

The December 2008 incident sparked days of rioting across Greece, with initial anger at the police compounded by the country’s worsening economic situation and a raft of corruption scandals burdening the then government.

The case was also noteworthy in a country where police brutality claims are common-

place but where punishment at this level is rare.

The trial was held under heavy police guard after a farleft extremist group threatened to kill Korkoneas, prompting authorities to relocate the trial from Athens to Amfissa, 200 kilometres (125 miles) northwest of capital. Ten officers guarded the defendants for Monday’s ruling and a force of over 100 police was stationed around the streets of the small central Greek town.

The nine-month trial heard that Korkoneas fired three shots on December 6, 2008, in Exarchia, a district known in Athens as a hotbed of popular unrest. The victim was struck in the chest and died before he could be taken to hospital.

Korkoneas’ lawyer, Alexis Kougias, argued that the incident was a tragic accident which arose as police fired warning shots to keep back youngsters who were hurling objects at them.

But Korkoneas later retracted his claim that he had been targeted with firebombs.

An autopsy report indicated that the boy was hit by a bullet that ricocheted on to him but lawyers for his family highlighted testimony of witnesses who say the policeman took aim and fired.

The evidence included video footage shot from a neighbouring flat.According to the Athens chamber of trade, around 500 businesses were damaged during the 10 days of protests that followed the boy’s shooting while there was also widespread destruction in the country’s second city, Thessaloniki.

The killing also saw a resurgence in far-left extremist activity with several attacks specifically targeting police in ensuing weeks.

The riots were a serious blow to the previous conservative administration which was reduced to governing with a borderline majority in parliament.

It called for elections a few months later in the face of a looming economic crisis that ultimately saw Greece reach the brink of bankruptcy. — AFP

Germany seeks handover of Islamic militant BERLIN: German prosecutors said yesterday they are seeking the handover of the Islamic militant whose disclosures under US interrogation in Afghanistan helped trigger Europe’s terror alert.

A request for the transfer of the 36-yearold German of Afghan descent has been filed to the relevant US authorities with a view to prosecuting him in Germany, a spokesman for the federal prosecutor’s office said. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with department policy.

Germany accuses Ahmad Wali Siddiqui, who was arrested by the US military in July in Afghanistan, of membership in a foreign terrorist organization — the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. Germany issued an arrest warrant for him in April, the spokesman said.

The 36-year-old Siddiqui is believed to have been part of the Hamburg militant scene that also included key Sept. 11, 2001, plotters.

German officials have said he left Germany in March 2009 to seek paramilitary training in Pakistan’s lawless border region.

Siddiqui is an old friend of Mounir el Motassadeq, who was convicted in Germany in connection with Sept. 11, and frequented the same mosque where the Hamburg-based plotters often met, German officials said last week.

Richard Holbrooke, the US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, said in Berlin yesterday that German officials had access to the man in US custody and that the two nations were in contact to evaluate the request for his handover.

Hamburg security officials in August shuttered the Taiba mosque, known until two years ago as al-Quds, because of fears it was becoming a magnet for homegrown extremists. US officials say Siddiqui provided details

on alleged al-Qaeda-linked plots against Europe that prompted Washington to issue a travel alert earlier this month. Other countries issued similar warnings.

Holbrooke said the intelligence “completely justified alerting the public in Europe and the United States to be cautious, without being paranoid.” Authorities say Siddiqui left Germany along with 10 other extremists to seek paramilitary training, joining dozens of other European militants close to the Afghan border.

“They think it will be romantic to go there and fight the jihad against the Americans and the NATO forces,” Holbrooke said. But in fact they are being misled and victims of the radicals’ propaganda, he said. Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office has said there are indications that some 220 people have traveled from Germany to Pakistan and Afghanistan for paramilitary training, and “concrete evidence” that 70 of those had done so. About a third of them are thought to have returned to Germany.

Pakistani intelligence officials have said they believe between 15 and 40 Germans are in the border area — a lawless region where many top al-Qaeda Arab leaders are believed to be hiding, including Osama bin Laden and his Egyptian deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri.

The head of Germany’s police union, Konrad Freiberg, warned yesterday that recent reports about increased extremist movements to paramilitary training camps in Pakistan and back to Germany “do not bode well.”

Authorities assume that a core group of 131 Islamic extremists in Germany is capable of contemplating “politically motivated crimes with considerable impact,” German news agency DAPD quoted him as saying. — AP

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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Light at end of tunnel as Chile miner rescue nears Chile’s 33 miners set survival record

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama (L) with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood makes remarks after a meeting with Cabinet secretaries, former secretaries of Transportation and mayors and governors on infrastructure investment yesterday in the Rose Garden of the the White House in Washington, DC. Obama announced a bold new plan for modernizing and rebuilding America’s roads, railways, and runways. — AFP

Obama intensifies campaign WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama intensifies his campaign blitz yesterday, flying into Miami for two appearances aimed at lighting a fire under Democratic voters whose turnout at Nov 2 congressional elections is key to blocking a Republican takeover in the House of Representatives.

Including travel, Obama will invest about 7 1/2 hours of his busy day away from the White House, signaling the do-or-die campaign he is leading against a predicted Republican landslide that also could cost Democrats their majority in the Senate.

With the economy struggling to recover from the worst economic downturn since the 1930s Great Depression, unemployment stuck near 10 percent and millions of Americans having lost their homes to mortgage foreclosures Democrats are facing a potentially catastrophic reversal of political fortunes.

A Republican takeover in even one congressional chamber stands to crush Obama’s agenda for the last two years of his presidency and would represent an overwhelming embarrassment for Democrats who broadly increased their power in Washington on Obama’s presidential coat tails just two years ago.

On Sunday, Obama was in Philadelphia campaigning as if his name were on the ballot. He implored voters in a rousing stump speech to use the three weeks left in the campaign to “stay fired up” and go to the polls to prevent a Republican landslide.

He and the Democratic party know, however, that this year finds Democrats imperiled because of what has become known as the “enthusiasm gap,” with party voters expected to stay away from the polls in a nationwide vote that was widely expected to hand the majority in the House of Representatives and, perhaps, the Senate to Republicans. “I think the pundits are wrong. I think we’re going to win. But you’ve got to prove them wrong,” Obama said, jabbing his finger toward the audience. “They’re counting on you staying home. If that happens they win.” There

are ample reasons for Republican optimism. Poll after poll shows deep voter discontent and even anger at Obama’s and congressional Democrats’ leadership. Obama and his fellow Democrats are being blamed for the slow economic recovery and continuing high unemployment. On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics — in the last major economic news before the November elections — delivered another painful blow to Democrats: The US lost 95,000 jobs in September and unemployment remained stubbornly stuck at 9.6 percent.

In another complication for Democrats, the government is expected to announce this week that more than 58 million recipients in the government’s Social Security pension program would go through another year without a cost-of-living increase in their monthly benefits. It would mark only the second year without an increase since automatic adjustments for inflation were adopted in 1975. The first year was this year. Vice President Joe Biden joined Obama at the event, the second of four large rallies designed to recapture some of the big-stage excitement that Obama created in 2008 with stirring speeches to thousands of young and first-time voters. The president spoke to more than 17,000 people last week in Madison, Wisconsin, where many more thousands watched on screens in an overflow area.

Several thousand turned out in Philadelphia on a beautiful autumn afternoon. As Obama rallied Democrats, the national party put together a new television ad that accuses the business-friendly US Chamber of Commerce of secretly using foreign money to support Republican candidates in the congressional election, which was already forecast to wipe out the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.

Key Republican operatives hotly rejected the allegations that echo remarks by Obama in a speech last week. Democrats presented no evidence to substantiate the charge against the Chamber of Commerce. The use of foreign funds for US campaign activities is prohibited. —AP

Death row inmate seeks high court OK for DNA tests LIVINGSTON: An ex-convict sent to Texas’ death row for three murders and spared from execution earlier this year by the US Supreme Court is set to take his case before the high court, which may decide whether his attorneys can test items for DNA he claims could prove his innocence.

Hank Skinner was convicted of pummeling his girlfriend with a pickax handle and stabbing her two sons on New Year’s Eve in 1993 in their Texas Panhandle home. DNA evidence at his trial showed blood on his clothing from that night was his and from at least two of the victims. The Supreme Court will hear arguments tomorrow on whether prison inmates may use a federal civil rights law to get DNA testing that was not performed before their conviction. Prosecutors in Skinner’s case have refused to make some evidence available for DNA testing, including knives from the scene and a jacket next to one of the bodies. The arguments come seven months after the Supreme Court spared Skinner just an hour before he was to go to the death chamber.

Justices said then they wanted to postpone his execution until they decided whether to review his case.

“The relief Mr. Skinner seeks is simple and limited: the opportunity to obtain access to physical evidence for the purpose of conducting DNA testing,” Rob Owen, a University of Texas law professor and Skinner’s lead attorney, said in a brief to the high court.

Gray County District Attorney Lynn Switzer has refused to surrender the items and lower courts agreed with her,

saying Texas law already gave Skinner “plenty of opportunity” to show additional testing could prove his innocence.

Skinner, a former convicted car thief and parole violator, was trying to “game the system,” Switzer said. Prosecutors have said there’s no evidence to conclusively prove Skinner wasn’t the killer and that ample evidence exists to show he is guilty. They also contend new DNA testing “would not affirmatively prove anything.” “They’re fixing to kill me for something I didn’t do,” Skinner, 48, said last December

from a tiny visiting cage outside death row as his execution date neared. To head off the scheduled March execution, his legal team renewed its appeals seeking release of evidence for new DNA testing. Since the Supreme Court justices agreed to look at the case, the high court ruled in a DNArelated case from Alaska that convicts have no constitutional right to test genetic evidence to try to show their innocence. The court said it would not second-guess states or force them routinely to look again at criminal convictions.— AP

COPIAPO: Chile’s 33 trapped miners and their relatives were counting down the hours yesterday after rescuers finished reinforcing an escape shaft to avoid a last minute disaster as their two month ordeal draws to an end.

Engineers completed lining part of the narrow, nearly 2,050 footlong (625-metre) shaft with metal tubes on Monday morning, the government said. They will now do test runs with special escape capsules, and the government aims to start hoisting the men to freedom one by one on Wednesday.

They installed the tubes to head off the risk of rocks from the side of the drill shaft falling down onto the capsules dubbed “Phoenix” after the mythical bird, and blocking them from reaching the surface.

“I’m so tired. It’s been far too many days doing nothing, just sitting waiting,” said Alicia Campos, whose son Daniel Herrera is among the trapped miners, as she lined up for a fish sandwich at the tent settlement near the mine entrance dubbed “Camp Hope.”

She wants her son to take up another profession.

Mining Minister Laurence

COPIAPO: Arturo Zamora, son of trapped miner Victor Zamora, looks at a cake during the celebration of his father’s 34th birthday at the San Jose mine near Copiapo, Chile, Sunday. After more than two months trapped deep in the gold and copper mine, 33 miners are close to being freed but workers first must reinforce the top few hundred feet (almost 100 meters) of the escape tunnel and have begun welding the steel pipes for that purpose. —AP Golborne said on Sunday rescuers could start lifting the miners to the surface today evening if all went

well, as one of the world’s most complex rescue operations and most stunning survival stories

nears its climax.

President Sebastian Pinera, who has ordered a revamp of mine

safety regulations in the wake of the accident, has said he plans to visit the mine today. One of the 33 miners is a Bolivian national, and Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has vowed to visit the mine for his rescue.

Rescue officials said they would push ahead boring a separate shaft with a rig usually used to drill for oil as a back-up plan, just in case there are any complications. They have halted a third drill.

In a land still recovering from a devastating February earthquake, celebrations broke out across Chile on Saturday when the drill broke through 65 days after the Aug. 5 collapse at the small gold and copper mine in the far northern Atacama desert. After weeks of prayers, vigils and agonizing waiting, anxiety is giving way to joy as wives, parents and children count down to reunions with their loved ones. The men, who have set a world record for the length of time workers have survived underground after a mining accident, have been doing exercises to keep their weight down for their ascent.—Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Wife allowed to meet jailed Chinese Nobel winner BEIJING: An imprisoned Chinese dissident who won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize was allowed to meet with his wife and told her in tears that he was dedicating the award to victims of a 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, his wife and a close friend said.

Liu Xia, the wife of democracy campaigner Liu Xiaobo, said in a Twitter message Sunday that his jailers had informed him a day earlier of his prize.

“Brothers, I have returned,” Liu wrote. “Seen Xiaobo, the prison told him the news about his award on the night of the 9th.” The Twitter message was verified by a close friend and dissident Wang Jinbo, who wrote in another Twitter message that Liu Xia had told him she was unable to meet the media or friends because of tight security. Wang declined to be interviewed.

Half a dozen men blocked the entrance

to Liu’s apartment in Beijing on Sunday night, ordering reporters out of the compound. A US group that serves as Liu Xiaobo’s international counsel, Freedom Now, deplored Liu Xia’s detention in her own home.

In naming him on Friday, the Norwegian-based Nobel committee honored Liu’s more than two decades of advocacy of human rights and peaceful democratic change — from demonstrations for democracy at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989 to a manifesto for political reform that he co-authored in 2008 and which led to his latest jail term.

Wang said Liu Xiaobo told his wife during the visit that the prize “goes first” to those who died in the June 4, 1989, military crackdown on protesters in Tiananmen. “Xiaobo was in tears,” he wrote.

Liu Xia had sought to meet with her

husband after Friday’s Nobel announcement, but authorities refused to let her visit until Sunday.

The delay underscored the difficult predicament the Chinese government faces over the award to a dissident it brands a criminal.

While the announcement cheered many in the fractured, persecuted dissident community and brought calls from the US, Germany and others for Liu’s release, Beijing reacted angrily. It warned Norway’s government that relations would suffer, even though the Nobel committee is an independent organization.

Liu, a slight, 54-year-old literary critic, is in the second year of an 11-year prison term and until his wife’s confirmation, it was unclear if he knew about his award.

News of the prize has been largely kept out of China’s state-controlled media.

Chinese regulations allow prisoners one

monthly visit with their families, and Liu Xia previously said police prohibited her from talking about the Nobel nomination during her visit in September. Liu Xia did not provide further details on the meeting in her Twitter message.

She said she had been placed under house arrest from Friday, the day the award was announced, and that she was no longer able to make or receive calls on her cell phone. Washington-based Freedom Now, a legal rights organization, urged world leaders to call for Liu Xia’s “immediate and unconditional release.”

Shortly after the Nobel announcement, Liu Xia said she was negotiating with police to visit her husband to deliver the news.

Later that night, family members said police escorted her to Jinzhou, a city 300 miles (500 kilometers) from Beijing where the prison is located. Police put up

a roadblock about a mile (1.5 kilometers) from the prison, which sits amid rundown factories on the outskirts of the city. Police stopped foreign reporters from passing the roadblock. Buses with police, cars with surveillance cameras and tactical units were stationed nearer the prison.

The roadblock was removed by Sunday afternoon and security forces gradually left the area.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities continued to step up pressure on activists and Liu’s supporters. The son of Beijingbased activist Wang Lihong said police told him Wang was being detained for eight days after taking part in a brief demonstration Friday at a park following the news that Liu had been awarded the peace prize. Some of China’s most prominent activist lawyers said Saturday they were being harassed by police as

they took advantage of the Peace Prize to try to reconcile differences among themselves. L awyers Pu Zhiqiang, Jiang Tianyong and others said they were not allowed to leave their homes.

On Sunday, about 20 protesters in the southern Chinese city of Hong Kong celebrated Liu’s Nobel prize by drinking champagne and eating Norwegian salmon outside the central Chinese government’s local liaison office. They also chanted slogans demanding the release of Liu and other dissidents.

Hong Kongers have been able to freely mark Liu’s award because the former British colony enjoys Western-style civil liberties typically denied in the mainland. Liu’s wife has said she hopes to go to Norway to collect the Nobel medal and its prize money of 10 million Swedish kronor (about $1.5 million) if he cannot. -—AP

Gates urges Chinese to embrace defence exchanges to avoid misunderstandings

US, Chinese defence chiefs meet in bid to rebuild ties HANOI: US Defence Secretary Robert Gates met his Chinese counterpart in Hanoi yesterday for the first such talks in almost a year, in a bid to improve fragile military ties w ith an increasingly assertive Beijing. Gates and Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie talked in Hanoi ahead of an inaugural Asia-w ide defence forum being held in the Vietnamese capital today.

HANOI: Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, shakes hands with China’s Minister of Defense Liang Guanglie before a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, yesterday. — AP

Taiwan ‘biggest obstacle’ in US-China defence ties: China HANOI: Taiwan is the greatest hurdle in defence ties between China and the United States, a Chinese official said yesterday after defence chiefs from the two countries met in a bid to improve relations.

“There still exist problems and obstacles in the development of military relations between China and the US, as pointed out by both (defence) secretaries,” said Guan You Fei, deputy head of external relations with China’s defence ministry.

“The biggest obstacle in defence relations between the US and China is US

arms sales to Taiwan.” China broke off military relations with the United States in January over American plans to sell Taiwan more than six billion dollars’ worth of arms, including Blackhawk helicopters, Patriot missiles and mine-hunting ships.

China still considers Taiwan part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, even though the island has governed itself since 1949 at the end of a civil war.

Guan was briefing reporters after US Defence Secretary Robert Gates held talks with Chinese Defence Minister

Liang Guanglie in Hanoi Monday, the first such meeting in almost a year.

“Continuous dialogue between the two militaries is crucial” and can help in reducing “miscalculation and mistrust,” Guan said. “China consistently remains sincere and positive towards the development of military relations with the US,” he added through a translator, pledging to work together with Washington “with a view to lifting the China-US military relationship out of the current cycle”.

Gates and Liang met ahead of an inaugural Asia-wide defence forum being held in the Vietnamese capital today. — AFP

Myanmar may free 3,000 prisoners before polls YANGON: Myanmar’s military government is planning the early release of 3,000 prisoners to allow them to vote in next month’s long-awaited election, a prison department official said yesterday.

Those slated for early release would be prisoners whose terms were due to end in November or December, but it was not known what crimes they were convicted of or whether any were political detainees. Rights groups say more than 2,200 activists are currently in detention in Myanmar. The government insists it has no political detainees in any of its 43 prisons or 100 labour camps.

“Necessary preparations are under way and about 3,000 inmates are expected to be freed,” the prison department official told Reuters. He asked not to be named.

“As far as I know, there is a plan to reduce the prison terms of the inmates by up to 30 days with the intent to enable them to vote in the upcoming elec-

YANGON: Members of the Wun Tha Nu National League for Democracy party hand out pamphlets to local residents on a street during the party’s election campaign yesterday, in Yangon, Myanmar. The general elections scheduled for Nov. 7 are the first in 20 years. — AP tions.” Nyan Win, a spokesman for the now-defunct National League for Democracy (NLD) party, which was led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s most famous political prisoner, said he expected those due for release were common crimi-

nals. Suu Kyi’s house arrest is due to end on Nov. 13, six days after the country’s first election since 1990. That vote was won by the NLD but ignored by the junta.

The NLD had decided to boycott next month’s ballot

because of what it sees as skewed election laws and the continued detention of hundreds of its members. “I don’t think (Suu Kyi) will be freed as part of this amnesty, even if it really takes place,” Nyan Win added. — Reuters

Gates told reporters that Liang invited him to visit China, and he accepted, although the timing of the trip still had to be worked out.

He said yesterday’s talks were “constructive” and represented “a good forward step.”

US officials had played down expectations for the meeting, saying it was merely one step in a broader, delicate effort that would take time.

China broke off military relations in January over US plans to sell Taiwan more than six billion dollars’ worth of arms, including Blackhawk helicopters, Patriot missiles and mine-hunting ships.

President Barack Obama’s administration faces a difficult challenge trying to build trust with China while also defending the US naval presence in the Pacific Ocean and reassuring anxious partners in the region who feel threatened by Beijing’s more assertive stance.

China has sharply criticised the US for recent joint military exercises with South Korea in the Yellow Sea, and for sailing naval ships in the South China Sea. Gates has urged the Chinese to embrace defence exchanges to avoid misunderstandings and “miscalculations”.

Earlier yesterday he called for an international approach to resolving territorial disputes in the Pacific, despite China’s opposition to any multilateral deal brokered by Washington.

In remarks that appeared aimed at China, Gates said that “increasingly, we find that relying exclusively on bilateral relationships is not enough-we need multilateral institutions in order to confront the most important security challenges in the region.”

He made the remarks in a speech to military officers at Vietnam National University in Hanoi.

Beijing’s claims to potentially resource-rich archipelagos in the South China Sea have put it at odds with Vietnam and some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China favours handling the South China Sea issue bilaterally with individual claimants, while ASEAN members have called for negotiating a “code of conduct” for all nations.

Malaysian Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters in Hanoi that the South China Sea was a “a little bit sensitive” and would not be on the formal agenda when regional defence ministers meet today.

Gates, who is in Hanoi for the ASEAN-led conference, said that Southeast Asian countries “sit astride key global trade routes,” and reiterated the US view on the importance of ensuring unfettered and safe access for global shipping. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made similar points on a visit to Hanoi in July, drawing Chinese criticism. — AFP

HONG KONG: A pro-democracy protester wears a mask and holds a picture of Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo while demanding Liu’s release outside the China’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong yesteday. The imprisoned Chinese dissident who won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize was allowed to meet with his wife and told her in tears that he was dedicating the award to victims of a 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, his wife and a close friend said. — AP

Pirates seize Japanese ship with 20 Filipino sailors: EU BRUSSELS: Pirates hijacked a Japanese ship carrying 20 Filipino sailors in the Somali Basin, the European Union’s anti-piracy mission said yesterday.

A Danish warship was dispatched to investigate after the owners of the Panama-flagged merchant vessel Izumi received a distress signal Sunday indicating it was likely under pirate attack, the EU naval force said.

“In the early hours of October 11 the captain of the vessel made contact with the Danish warship, stating that pirates were in charge of the MV Izumi,” the EU mission said in a statement.

The French warship FS Floreal is monitoring the pirated vessel, which was 170 nautical miles south of Mogadishu, the statement said.

Japanese officials said the multi-purpose ship, owned by Japanese shipping company NYK-Hinode Line Ltd., had been surrounded by the pirates off Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa. The ship was carrying steel products and was scheduled to travel from Kimitsu port in suburban Tokyo to Singapore and Mombasa, the shipping company said in a

statement. After boarding the Izumi, pirates were travelling in the direction of Somalia, Japan’s Jiji Press reported, citing sources from the transport ministry.

“We don’t know who the pirates are nor where they are from,” said foreign ministry official Yasumasa Iijima, adding that contacts with Izumi were lost after the urgent message Sunday. Japanese officials said the ship weighs 14,162 tonnes but the EU mission reported a deadweight of 20,170 tonnes.

The EU mission said last week that Somali pirates were holding 17 ships with 369 hostages. The latest hijacking came as Japan increased efforts to counter piracy in international waters.

Japan last year joined the United States, China and more than 20 other countries in the maritime operation against pirates who have attacked ships in the waters off the Horn of Africa, a key route leading to the Suez Canal.

Tokyo has also dispatched two maritime surveillance aircraft and scores of military personnel to the region to beef up its anti-piracy mission. — AFP

Philippine president orders charges over hostage fiasco MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino yesterday ordered that charges be filed against Manila’s police chief and three other law enforcement officials over their handling of a deadly bus hijacking in August. Aquino also called for lesser charges against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and a deputy ombudsman, but several senior aides escaped with light reprimands for their roles in the incident, which left eight Hong Kong tourists dead.

The hostage fiasco, in which a disgraced policeman took over a tourist bus in Manila, soured relations with Hong Kong and Beijing and proved an embarrassment for the president in his first months in office. “The message has to be sent... when you accept the perks and privileges of the office, the duties and responsibilities are equally accepted by you. You are responsible for your failure,” Aquino said, referring to the policemen.

Aquino said appropriate charges including serious neglect of duty would be filed against the head of the capital’s police force, the district police chief, the head of the SWAT team and the police hostage negotiator.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno escaped any official sanction,

with Aquino saying he had instead decided to admonish them. “All of us are people, none of us is perfect,” he said, explaining the lack of charges against the two, who are responsible for overseeing police matters.

Another close Aquino aide, then-national police chief Jesus Verzosa, who retired early after the hostage debacle, was also spared any court proceedings because he was found not to have violated any rules, said the president.The media, including two radio broadcasters who were accused of having worsened the crisis by interviewing the

hostage-taker, were also spared. “Their behaviour was irresponsible bordering on the criminal,” Aquino said, adding however his government did not want to limit the freedom of the press. The hostage-taking on August 23 saw a sacked police officer seize a busload of Hong Kong tourists in a desperate bid to get his job back and be cleared of extortion charges. Eight of the tourists and the hostage taker were killed and seven tourists were wounded when police commandos launched the bungled rescue attempt after a day-long standoff that played out live on television. — AFP

MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino gestures during a press briefing in Malacanang Palace in Manila yesterday.

Aquino ordered that formal charges be filed against four police officials for the handling of a bus hijacking in August that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead. — AFP

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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New Zealand PM condemns second broadcaster’s Indian slur WELLINGTON: A second New Zealand broadcaster apologised for racially charged comments yesterday after calling the governor general “a fat Indian” in a verbal attack condemned by Prime Minister John Key. Key, already trying to douse India’s anger af ter a television presenter ridiculed Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s name, said the radio talk show host’s remarks were unacceptable.

“I find Michael Laws’ comments offensive because they’re deeply personal and

they’re aimed at the governor general in a way that I don’t think is appropriate for that office,” the prime minister told reporters.

Laws said on his show last week that Governor General Anand Satyanand’s weight seemed incongruous on an Indian, likening the official to an obese Monty Python character, Mr Creosote, who explodes after eating too much food.

“I mean, we don’t all expect Indians to be begging on the streets of New Delhi, but it’s like Anand discovered the buffet

table at 20 and he’s never really left it,” Laws said. He initially refused to apologise, telling the New Zealand Herald: “I just said he’s a fat Indian man, which is true. He’s a fat Indian.”

But Laws backed down in the wake of Sunday’s resignation of another broadcaster, TVNZ host Paul Henry, whose Dikshit comments provoked a furious official protest from New Delhi.

“I apologise to the governor general for comments which were, upon reflection, uncharitable and inappropriate,”

Laws said in a statement. Henry had also targeted Satyanand’s ethnicity, asking whether the official, who was born in Auckland to Indo-Fijian parents, was a proper New Zealander.

Key said Satyanand was doing a good job as Queen Elizabeth II’s representative in New Zealand and that should be the only standard on which he was judged. “I don’t rate people on their physical weight, their height or their religious beliefs and I don’t think it’s appropriate to take pot shots at the governor general on

that basis,” he said. Key did not believe Henry’s comments would damage relations between Wellington and New Delhi, saying it was clear “these were the words of a New Zealand broadcaster, not someone from the New Zealand government”.

“Around the world there are a lot of broadcasters, and I might add, a lot of comedians, who say all sorts of things about other country’s nationals,” he added. “I think governments, in my experience, have the maturity to recognise that.”Asked if India had over-reacted to

the insult, he replied: “I wouldn’t say that, we just dealt with the situation as was necessary.” In a statement Sunday, Henry apologised for his comments.

“I am astonished and dismayed that my comments have created a diplomatic incident,” he said.

“My style is conversational and of course unscripted. I walk the finest of lines and accept that I have inadvertently crossed it from time to time.”

TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis has also apologised to India. — AFP

Petraeus orders investigation into hostage death

American rescuers may have killed Briton in Afghanistan KABUL: NATO w ill investiga te w hether a grena de throw n by America n milita ry forces killed a British a id w orker during a rescue a ttempt in Afghanistan last w eek, an alliance spokesman said yesterday. Linda Norgrove, 36, w as killed Friday in the raid by US forces in Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province, after she and three colleagues w ere kidnapped tw o w eeks earlier. NATO initially said Norgrove died w hen captors detonated a bomb as NATO forces attempted to free her.

COLOMBO: Opposition activists of the jailed former army chief Sarath Fonseka’s political party hold a demonstration outside the main prison in Colombo yesterday. Thousands of protestors marched through the streets of Sri Lanka’s capital demanding the release of ex-army chief and opposition leader Sarath Fonseka who is serving a 30 month jail term. — AFP

Protests escalate over jailing of Sri Lanka’s ex-army chief COLOMBO: Thousands of protestors marched through the streets of Sri Lanka’s capital yesterday, demanding the release of ex-army chief and opposition leader Sarath Fonseka who is serving a 30month jail term.

Activists led by Fonseka’s Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and his wife Anoma marched to the maximum security Welikada prison in Colombo, witnesses said.

They were dressed in black as a sign of protest.

“End this cruel vendetta,” said a placard carried by those leading the march.

It was the biggest protest since Fonseka began his prison sentence on September 30 after a military court martial found him guilty of irregular procurements when he was the head of the army.

“This is an effort to bring justice to our wronged war hero,” DNP legislator Tiran Alles said. Fonseka has accused the government of seeking revenge for his decision to stand against the president at January polls.

Fonseka, 59, was initially hailed as a national hero the military victory over Tamil Tiger rebels that ended nearly 40 years of ethnic war in the Indian ocean island republic.

However, he fell out with his commander-in-chief President Mahinda Rajapakse soon after defeating the guerrillas. He was arrested shortly after losing the presidential polls, but won a seat at April parliamentary elections.

A fresh legal battle has erupted over whether Fonseka can remain an MP following his jailing by a mili-

tary court. The former top commander was being held in virtual solitary confinement and had to sleep on the floor in a mosquito-infested cell, but he was not prepared to seek clemency, Anoma Fonseka has said.

The government has maintained that it would consider a presidential pardon if Fonseka or an immediate family member made an appeal on his behalf. The Tigers’ defeat ended nearly 40 years of separatist conflict in Sri Lanka, but rights groups, led by Amnesty International, say thousands of civilians were also killed in the final onslaught.

Fonseka was stripped of his rank and pension following another court martial that found him guilty in August of dabbling in politics while in uniform. — AFP

Pakistan court refuses delay in presidential graft case ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Court yesterday refused a government request for more time to argue its case against the reopening of corruption charges levied against President Asif Ali Zardari and his allies.

The top court has vigorously opposed attempts to shelve graft investigations against Pakistan’s leading politicians, scrapping an amnesty last year that gave more than 8,000 figures immunity from charges.

The unpopular Zardari is immune from prosecution while he is president, but the overturning of the amnesty in December raised the possibility he could lose that protection and a key case against him in Switzerland could be reopened.

The government has fought for a review of the court’s decision, but the Supreme Court has continued to pile pressure on the administration. Last month the Supreme Court gave Zardari’s administration a two-week deadline, which expires on Wednesday, to report on its progress in reopening the graft cases.

The government requested more time to engage new counsel but yesterday a panel of three judges headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry turned down the request. “The court ruled that more time could not be given and the government’s lawyer

should come and argue the case on Wednesday,” the government’s lawyer Raja Abdul Ghafoor told AFP outside court.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar are among more than 30 politicians who had cases against them withdrawn under the amnesty.

Beneficiaries also include top government officials and three ambassadors.

The amnesty covers 3,478 cases ranging from murder, embezzlement, abuse of power and write-offs of bank loans worth millions of dollars. Already the Supreme Court hearing has churned up details of Zardari’s alleged personal fortune, and the ruling comes as he faces plummeting public approval, strained relations with the military and a Taleban insurgency.

Zardari’s government has come under mounting pressure from the court-the driving force against graft in the country-as well as from a largely critical domestic media.

The amnesty was passed in October 2007 by then-president Pervez Musharraf, under international pressure to hold democratic elections and end about eight years of military rule. Zardari became president in 2008 af ter his wife, for mer prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in December 2007. — AFP

SRINAGAR: Employees of several banned local Kashmiri cable televisions hold placards during a protest in Srinagar yesterday. Authorities in India Kashmir have banned local cable channels from airing news since September 12 as violent anti-India protests intensified in the region. The region has been wracked by demonstrations since June 11 after a police tear gas shell killed a 17-year old student. — AFP

However, British Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday that Norgrove was possibly killed by a grenade lobbed by a member of the US special forces rescue team. Cameron said he had informed Norgrove’s family of the “deeply distressing development,” and defended the decision to attempt the risky rescue mission. “We were clear that Linda’s life was in grave danger and the operation offered the best chance of saving her life,” Cameron told reporters in London.

Lt. Col. John Dorrian, a spokesman at NATO headquarters in the Afghan capital Kabul, said yesterday the rescue mission leader saw video footage of the raid, talked with members of the rescue team, and decided “it was not conclusive what the cause of her death was.” The rescue mission leader spoke with the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, who requested the investigation, Dorrian said. The probe will be led by US Central Command.

“An investigation has now been initiated to find out what actually happened ... We have to await the final outcome of the investigation before making any comments,” NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in Brussels. “But whatever happened, I would like to stress that those who are responsible (for her death) of course are the captors,” he said.

Norgrove, who worked for US-funded Development Alternatives Inc., was abducted in an ambush on Sept. 26 along with three Afghan colleagues who were later released. Six kidnappers also died in the rescue attempt.

NATO was also investigating yesterday the deaths of two civilians in southern Afghanistan a day earlier.

Initial reports indicated they were killed in a NATO airstrike. A joint force was attacked with small-arms fire in Kandahar on Sunday, NATO said. Troops called in an airstrike and followed up by firing mortar rounds in Zhari district.

“Two civilians may have been accidentally killed,” said NATO, adding a child was also wounded. One insurgent died, it said.

An Afghan civilian was also killed by a roadside bomb planted by insurgents in Khost province yesterday, NATO said. The nine-year war has inflicted a mounting toll on Afghan civilians. A UN report said more than 1,200 Afghans died and nearly 2,000 were wounded between January and June this year.

In other violence, a roadside bomb killed a NATO service member in the south, the alliance said, without giving a nationality or exact location.

Yesterday’s death brought to 27 the number of NATO forces killed this month. At least 2,015 NATO service members have died since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001, according to an Associated Press count. In the east yesterday, Taliban fighters ambushed a supply convoy guarded by Afghan military contractors as it traveled through Ghazni province on its way to Kandahar, said provincial chief of police Zarawar Zahid. — AP

LONDON: British Prime Minister, David Cameron, gestures during a press conference at 10 Downing Street in central London, yesterday. A British aid worker who died in a failed US rescue attempt in Afghanistan may have been killed by a grenade detonated by US troops and not by her kidnappers, Cameron said yesterday. — AFP

OPINION

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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issues

The economic case for legal marijuana

By Bernd Debusmann n June 2, 2005, more than 500 economists, including three Nobel prize winners, issued an open letter that called attention to a report on the economic benefits of treating marijuana like alcohol and tobacco - billions and billions in budgetary savings and gains in new tax revenue.

The report, by Harvard’s Jeffrey Miron, an expert on the budgetary implications of enforcing the prohibition of illicit drugs, provided fodder for a long-running debate on the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana but did little to impress the people to which it was addressed President George W. Bush, Congress, governors and state legislatures. One reason: the economy was humming along nicely in the first half of 2005.

That’s no longer the case and Miron has just published a follow-up report for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank in Washington, that revisits the economic case for ending prohibition at a time when state and federal governments stagger under enormous deficits and America’s national debt is at its highest since World War Two. Legalizing all drugs, Miron says, would yield $41.3 billion a year in savings on government spending on law enforcement and $46.7 billion in tax revenue.

For marijuana alone, say Miron and his co-author Kate Waldock of the Stern School of Business at New York University, savings from law enforcement - less time spent on arrests, fewer people booked and jailed - would total $8.7 billion a year. New taxes would bring in roughly the same. In the overall scheme of America’s fiscal troubles, these are relatively modest sums but in times of stress, every bit counts.

How much money matters was made clear by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, on the first day of October when he signed a bill that provides for more lenient treatment of Californians caught with small amounts of marijuana. “In this time of drastic budget cuts,” he said in a statement, “prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement and the courts cannot afford to expend limited resources on a crime that carries the same punishment as a traffic ticket.”

That makes possession of an ounce or less of marijuana almost legal - it will no longer be an “arrestable” offense and will not result in a criminal record. The maximum fine will be $100. For advocates of full legalization that is not enough, though, and marijuana reform policy groups have joined in a spirited effort to get Californians to the polls on November 2 to vote on Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010.

Opinion surveys have been inconsistent. A Reuters/Ipsos poll on October 5 showed 53 percent against the measure, 43 percent for. Just a week earlier, a poll by the Public Policy

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Institute of California showed almost the exact opposite: 52 percent in favour, 41 percent against, 7 percent undecided.

The one thing that seems clear is that nobody really knows what would happen if the measure were adopted.

Passage of Proposition 19 would land California in truly uncharted waters. America’s most populous state (and the one with the biggest budget hole) would be the first jurisdiction in the world to make it legal for citizens over 21 to use and grow a limited amount of marijuana (on 25 square feet per private residence) for personal consumption. Not even the Netherlands, the Mecca of marijuana aficionados, has gone quite that far. In countries from Latin America to Europe, the trend has been towards “decriminalization” of personal use, a word that essentially means looking the other way, rather than formal legalization. Production and distribution, under the decriminalization model, remain in the criminal underground.

If California voted for Proposition 19, there is a long list of thorny questions of federal and international law that have not been answered and could keep an army of lawyers busy for a long time. In an unusual joint op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal this week, nine former heads of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - every chief since the agency’s 1973 inception - said the California initiative would violate the constitutional clause that gives federal law supremacy over state law.

The administration of President Barack Obama, the ex-chiefs said, should prepare to follow the course it took when Arizona introduced a harsh anti-immigration law and Washington filed a suit to declare it null and void, arguing that federal law trumps state law and immigration is a federal matter. That former DEA heads would be upset by changes in attitudes towards marijuana comes as no surprise. They were involved in running a war on drugs that has cost billions, brought violence and bloodshed to producer countries, achieved little, and was termed “an utter failure” by Obama when he was running for a seat in the US Senate in 2004.

What has come as a surprise to some is opposition from part of California’s cannabis community to legalization. Like the economists’ case for budgetary savings and fresh tax revenues, opposition revolves around money.

Clandestine growers who have turned California’s Humboldt County into the marijuana equivalent of wine’s Napa Valley fear that legalization would drive down prices and thus cut into their income.

Such fears were deepened by a study this summer by the RAND Corporation, a California-based think tank, on the possible effects of legalization. RAND researchers said the price of high-quality marijuana could drop by as much as 80 percent. Before tax, of course. — Reuters

All articles appearing on these pages are the personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibility for views expressed therein. Kuwait Times invites readers to voice their opinions. Please send submissions via email to: opinion@kuwaittimes.net or via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves the right to edit any submission as necessary.

Why US needs to learn more about Islam and Arabs

By Dr James J Zogby hen the Texas Board of Education passed a resolution late last month decrying the “pro-Islamic/anti-Christian bias [that] has tainted... Texas Social Studies textbooks,” indicating that they would “look to reject [such] prejudicial textbooks” in the future, they were basing their criticism on a biased anti-Arab review. In doing so, they took a dangerous step backward that threatens to widen the knowledge gap that has put the US at risk in the Arab and Muslim worlds.

America has enormous interests in that region. In the past 30 years, we’ve spent more money, sold more weapons, sent more troops, fought more wars, lost more lives, had more economic and political interests at stake, and expended more diplomatic capital in the broader Middle East than anywhere else on the globe. And yet recent polling shows that two-thirds of all Americans can’t point to Iraq on a map, just as many don’t know the year that Israel declared its independence, the same number don’t realize that Iran and Pakistan aren’t Arab countries, and about one-half share prejudicial and

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stereotypical views of Arabs as angry, backward, violent fanatics.

There are, of course, consequences to this lack of knowledge, all of which came into sharp focus in the lead up to the Iraq war. It was against the backdrop of ignorance that our political leadership and their echo chamber in the media were able to sell the public on: the war’s ease; the belief that we would be welcomed as liberators; and the notion that once the dictator was overthrown, democracy would flourish (remember neo-con Bill Kristol dismissing Iraq’s Sunni/Shiite tensions as “pop culture” for which he said “there’s almost no evidence of that at all”).

Because we knew so little of Iraq’s history and culture, our young soldiers marched into Baghdad seeing themselves as “liberators”.

They had no idea that in the eyes of many Iraqis they were merely the new Mongols who had conquered and now occupied their land.

How did we get into the situation in which we knew so little about a world where we had so much at stake? As I note in my new book, “Arab Voices: What they Are Saying to Us and Why It Matters”, it all begins with education or the lack of it.

For decades the Middle East Studies Association, the U.S.’s premier organization of academics specializing in regional studies, warned that our textbooks either outright ignored the Middle East or, when they dealt with it, conveyed “an oversimplified, naÔve, and even distorted image” of the region and its peoples.

And after 9/11, when US teachers found themselves lacking the information and materials to address new interest in the Arab World and Islam, a study commissioned by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations found that most teachers “knew little or nothing about” the region and lacked the basic materials to provide their students with answers to the questions they were asking.

In the last decade, some changes have been made, but we are still suffering from a knowledge deficit. The following statistics on language study tell part of the story. Less than 1% of America’s high schools offer Arabic language instruction. And of the 2,400 four year colleges in the US, only 370 offer Arabic, with a total of only 2,400 American students in advanced language programs that can lead to a proficiency in this critical language.

Recognizing this as a problem has led some to call for improvements and expansion of programs in Arabic, Arab history and Islam. But this has not been without challenges. An organization headed by Lynne Cheney, wife of then Vice-President Dick Cheney, pushed back arguing that adding courses in these areas merely “reinforced the mindset that it was ... America’s failure to understand Islam that were [sic] to blame” for 9/11!

And a group of conservative professional anti-Arab activists pressed for Congressional legislation to monitor and serve as a check on “pro-Arab” curricula. They even launched an organized effort, called “Campus Watch”, encouraging students to report teachers who are “pro-Arab” or “proMuslim”. This same cast of characters was responsible for the movement to shut down the Kahlil Gibran academy, New York’s first-ever dual language Arabic-English school.

Education, or the lack of it, isn’t the only culprit. Our political culture also contributes to misunderstanding - with the anti-Muslim venom spewed by political leaders against the Park 51 project, serving as a case in point. Our popular culture is at fault as well, with

Hollywood grinding out movies and television programs that have negatively stereotyped Arabs and Muslims for almost a half century.

The bottom line is that if the Texas State Board of Education’s (TSBE) warning to textbook companies to provide less information about Islam and the Arab World was intended as a warning shot across the bow, it ought to be viewed as a wake-up call to schools, educators, and all Americans. (Note: the reason why resolutions passed by the TSBE are important is because, as the nation’s second largest buyers of secondary school textbooks, they have historically had the ability to influence what the publishers of textbook will and will not publish.)

But if the TSBE has power, so do the rest of us. If the debacle of the war in Iraq taught us anything, it is that we can’t afford ignorance - not knowing has bitter consequences. If America is to productively engage the broader Middle East, we must understand its history and culture and its peoples. Our knowledge must grow, and what is taught in our schools matters to our future.

NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the President of the Arab American Institute

Bomb fallout overshadows Nigeria elections ByNickTattersall ess than a month after launching his election campaign in a blaze of optimism, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has found himself fighting a potentially damaging propaganda war over last week’s car bombs.

Jonathan’s assertion that rebels from his Niger Delta home region were not responsible for the twin bomb attacks near an independence day parade last Friday has laid him open to a barrage of criticism from rivals who accuse him of partisanship.

As the first head of state from the southern Niger Delta, Jonathan already faced a tough battle convincing some in the ruling party to back his election bid and jettison a gentleman’s agreement that means the next president should be a northerner. The unwritten pact in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is meant to prevent tribalism and regional rivalries becoming a factor in federal politics by ensuring power rotates every two terms between north and south.

Jonathan’s comments that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which claimed the blasts, was not responsible and suggestions from the authorities that associates of his main rival, former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, may be involved have infuriated and united his northern opponents. “The man ... who only a few weeks ago moved us with lofty words of hope and a vision of transformation, shot himself in the foot and then put the bloody foot in his mouth,” wrote Tolu Ogunlesi, a journalist on Nigeria’s Next newspaper. “The incident momentarily stripped him of his presidential garb and wrapped him in the gaudy garments of a tribal chieftain,” he said.

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A picture taken on Oct 1, 2010 shows a policeman standing near a damaged car following a blast in Abuja during ceremonies for the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence in Abuja.— AFP Babangida and three other northerners running against him in the primaries issued a joint statement slamming Jonathan for “exonerating” MEND and accusing him of using the bomb blasts as a pretext to intimidate his opponents. A separate group of northern politicians led by ex-finance minister and founding PDP member Adamu Ciroma described it as a “rude shock to the nation” and called on Jonathan to resign. Their fury was piqued by the brief detention of Babangida’s campaign director Raymond Dokpesi for questioning over the blasts by the secret service on Monday.

The presidency said the investiga-

tions were being carried out on the back of US and British as well as Nigerian intelligence and that anybody could be invited for questioning.

“It is unfortunate that an unprecedented national tragedy of this nature has been politicised by people whose only interest is what they can get from the country and not what the country can get from them,” Jonathan said on his Facebook page. “They specialise in playing one part of the country against the other and riding on sectional sentiments to promote their narrow ambitions,” he said.

Jonathan started his election campaign almost three weeks ago on a high, having unveiled plans to priva-

tise the power sector and end chronic power shortages, better manage the country’s oil savings and fight criminality. He pledged a new era of leadership “uncontaminated by the prejudices of the past” and his campaign team hoped the momentum would carry him into the primaries, originally due this month. But the timetable was revised to allow the electoral authorities to overhaul voter lists, handing his northern rivals more time to steel themselves.

The bomb blasts were another blow to his strategy. Beneath all the finger pointing and rhetoric, none of Nigeria’s political class emerge well from the episode. Jonathan was vice

president when Henry Okah, a senior militant figure charged in Johannesburg this week with conspiring to carry out the attacks, had treason and gun-running charges against him dropped under an amnesty deal.

Aliyu Gusau, another northern presidential candidate who has criticised Jonathan, was the country’s national security adviser until three weeks ago. Security experts say Friday’s attacks would have been months in the planning.

Babangida’s opponents say his assertion that Jonathan does not have a firm grip on national security is rich coming from a man largely remembered for his 1993 cancellation of an election generally regarded as fair which led to civil unrest and a bloody crackdown by the security forces.

“Politicians in Nigeria are very good at arguing with each other,” said Antony Goldman, a Nigeria expert and head of London-based PM Consulting. “But the temptation to try to extract political advantage from a national emergency reveals the deeper issue that ten years after the end of military rule, the whole political class struggles to make itself relevant to the people.”

The propaganda war will rumble on and it is unclear what impact, if any, it will have on the candidates’ fortunes.

But it bodes ill for any hopes that the elections will be based on real issues rather than scaremongering and personality clashes. “The bomb blast is a shame because it could have been prevented, but you know in Nigeria we don’t pay attention to the things that really matter,” said Kehinde Osho, 24, a graphic artist in the commercial hub Lagos. “Elections are next year and the voters are not even registered yet.

We are fighting a lost battle - we won’t have a credible election with this kind of preparation.”— Reuters

ANALYSIS

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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Nobel prize, trade strain US-China ties

By Foster Klug

US

President Barack Obama’s push for China to release an imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate and rising economic and trade friction could aggravate US efforts to win crucial Chinese cooperation on global hot spots. Everdelicate US-China relations had seemed to be warming, with the countries agreeing recently to end an eightmonth freeze on military exchanges.

But Obama’s praise Friday for Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo’s Nobel award will likely further rattle China at a time when the United States is stepping up pressure on Beijing over a currency policy Washington blames for job losses in the United States.

This recent swing from calls for cooperation to criticism is typical of a complicated relationship that both countries call important for world stability. US officials are trying, with varying success, to press China on economic and human rights matters without jeopardizing Chinese support on Iranian and North Korean nuclear standoffs, climate change and other difficult issues. The Obama administration says the relationship is mature enough to weather disagreements and to engage in blunt discussions. But Beijing, wary of appearing weak at a time of rising nationalism and deep social turmoil, often bristles at what it sees as US interference.

In a statement released hours after Liu was awarded the Nobel, Obama praised the dissident as an “eloquent and courageous” supporter of human rights and democracy “who has sacrificed his freedom for his beliefs”. He praised China for “lifting hundreds of

This file photo taken on Oct 22, 2002 shows Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia posing for a photograph in Beijing. —AFP millions out of poverty”. But, he added, “this award reminds us that political reform has not kept pace, and that the basic human rights of every man, woman and child must be respected.”

Obama called “on the Chinese government to release Mr Liu as soon as possible.” Liu was sentenced last year to 11 years in prison on subversion charges after he co-authored a document calling for greater freedom,

among other activism.

Asked about Obama’s comments, Wang Baodong, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said Chinese officials “oppose any other countries’ meddling in China’s internal affairs with any excuses.” He said Chinese people “fully enjoy basic human rights.” Beijing earlier warned that the decision to award Liu the Nobel prize would harm relations with

Norway, which is the home of the independent Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the peace prize.

The United States and China, which have the world’s No. 1 and 2 economies, clash on a host of issues.

Beijing has reacted with anger and unease to recent US willingness to stick up for friends and allies in territorial disputes with China in the South and East China Seas; and to joint US-

South Korean military drills in the Yellow Sea, part of which lies within Chinese sovereign waters. Taiwan and Tibet also are regular sources of tension. China suspended military contact with the United States in January to protest a $6.4 billion US arms package for Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as its own territory.

Obama also angered Beijing by meeting this year with the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader whom China calls a separatist.

Bonnie Glaser, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said that, “from the Chinese point of view, this looks like a coordinated and proactive US effort to put pressure on China”.

She said “it is particularly sensitive for the Chinese leadership when the president of the United States says something that is implicitly critical of” China. Both sides, she said, probably will try to tamp down disagreement ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s planned trip to the United States next year.

Obama’s praise for Liu comes amid harsh criticism of China’s currency policies by US lawmakers faced with make-or-break congressional elections next month. Many lawmakers contend that the Chinese yuan is undervalued by as much as 40 percent, which they say gives Chinese companies a significant competitive advantage over American businesses.

The Obama administration also is joining in. Ahead of this week’s global finance meetings in Washington, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner ratcheted up pressure on China to make more progress in moving toward flexible exchange rates. — AP

Jobs report is bleak news for Democrats

By Tom Raum

T

he die is cast, and it is grim news for the Democrats: there is nothing now that Congress or President Barack Obama can do before the November midterm elections to jolt the stagnant US economy.

Friday’s government report, the last major economic news before the Nov. 2 congressional elections, showed the United States continued to lose jobs last month, reinforcing the bleak reality that it probably will be years rather than months before employment returns to pre-recession levels below 6 percent. That tightens the pressure on Democrats ahead of the vote. It also casts a dark shadow well into the 2012 presidential election season and beyond.

“We won’t see under 6 percent for five years,” David Wyss, chief economist at Standard & Poor’s in New York, said Friday after the Labor Department reported that 95,000

more jobs were lost in September and the unemployment rate held at 9.6 percent. “It’s going to be a slow recovery.” Democrats, who now control the White House and both chambers of Congress, are sticking with a positive line: The economy is moving too slowly for anybody’s comfort, but Obama and his congressional Democratic allies have laid the groundwork for future prosperity. They are blaming the downturn on the policies of Republican George W. Bush’s eightyear presidency.

Republicans, meanwhile, were quick to say Friday’s new jobless report only underscored the weakness of Democratic policies of big government and taxes. It represented “the final verdict on the failed policies of this White House and Democratic Congress as voters head to the polls,” said GOP party chief Michael Steele.

Unemployment has now topped 9.5 percent for 14 months in a row, the longest stretch since the Great

Depression of the 1930s. Congress, meanwhile, has left town until after the election, failing to decide what to do about wide-ranging Bush-era tax cuts that are due to expire Jan 1.

Uncertainty over those tax cuts itself is contributing to the lack of hiring as businesses, especially small ones, attempt to figure out what their tax burdens will be next year.

Obama and Democratic leaders want to let the tax cuts expire for wealthier Americans but extend them for the middle class. Republicans and some Democrats want to extend them for everybody, arguing that this is no time for any tax increases. The jobless level remains high even though Washington has hurled trillions of dollars at the problem. The efforts include an $814 billion stimulus package and the $700 billion financial institution bailout. Also, the Fed has held the short-term interest rates it controls near zero for months and has flooded the nation’s financial system

with hundreds of billions of dollars in newly created money.

Polls show little appetite for additional spending on stimulus, and a darkening view of Obama’s ability to deal with the economy. An AP-GfK poll last month showed people disapprove of his handling of the economy by a 58 percent to 42 percent margin.

A new CBS poll shows approval at just 38 percent.

“Both parties are culpable” for the policies that helped lead to the worst recession since the Great Depression and for continued high levels of unemployment, said Ross Baker, a congressional scholar at Rutgers University.

“But Democrats are more vulnerable.

After all, they control all the political branches of government. Inevitably, it will greatly hurt the Democrats, considerably more than it will hurt the Republicans.” Republican leaders have been taunting Democrats with “where are the jobs?” after each month’s disappointing jobs report.

That refrain was first sounded by Rep Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat and the ranking member of the House of Representatives, before she became speaker of the House. As the economy was slowly coming out of the 2001 recession, she asked in an October 2003 television appearance: “Mr President, where are the jobs?” That month saw 203,000 new jobs and 6 percent unemployment, notes former Bush strategist Karl Rove. “Her party would kill for such a rate today,” he wrote earlier this week. “Instead, they will be killed at the polls,” he added.

Private businesses did add 64,000 jobs in September, but that was the weakest showing since June. And the gain was outpaced by a wave of government layoffs, including census jobs and the largest cuts by local governments in nearly three decades.

Economists say that at least 100,000 new jobs must be created each month just to keep pace with growth in the labor market. — AP

Israel keeps door open to new settlement freeze

Who benefits from Mongolia’s riches?

By Renate Bormann

“O

ur leaders are getting richer and richer. But for us, everything is getting more expensive,” says Altangerel, who works in a beauty salon in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar. “A few years ago a litre of milk was still 700 tugrik ($0.53), but now I have to pay twice that much.” Many Mongolians are sceptical that the country’s newfound geological wealth is being shared with its citizens. The benefits of recent payout schemes have been questioned, as politicians argue over what to do with the new money, and economists warn of the negative effects of cash handouts.

Altangerel, who like many Mongolians goes by only one name, cannot share the enthusiasm of her country’s politicians and foreign corporations for the expected mining boom. “The cost of rent, heating and electricity are also rising. My income hasn’t been able to keep up for a long time,” she says.

Significant deposits of coal, gold, silver, uranium, zinc and fluorite have been identified under the arid steppes of Mongolia, putting the country in 14th place globally for natural resources.

Many more uncharted mineral resources are thought to be awaiting discovery, potentially enough to put Mongolia in third place. Such prospects are enticing for China or South Korea, where raw materials are in high demand from the manufacturing industries. But the question of how to share the benefits of the country’s mineral rights has stirred up controversy. In 2001, the Oyu Tolgoi area in the South Gobi province, was shown to hold one of the world’s richest copper, silver and gold fields.

In Oct 2009 - seven years and much wrangling later - the government signed an agreement with international mining companies Ivanhoe Mines Ltd/CA and Rio Tinto Plc for their exploitation. Political opposition and civil society groups have protested that the deal, which signed over 66 per cent of the rights over the deposits to the investors, amounted to a sellout. With the multinationals’ money pouring into state coffers, each of the estimated 2.7 million Mongolians was promised a payment as “erdeniin khuv”, or share of the treasure, of between 1 and 1.5 million tugrik.

Earlier this year, each citizen received 70,000 tugriks, with another 50,000-turgik-

payout planned for the end of the year, and the rest was scheduled for disbursement by the end of 2012. Many dreamt of following in the footsteps of Kuwait, where immigrant wageearners do the heavy lifting while the citizens cash in on the income from the extraction industries, and the knock-on benefits to the rest of the economy.

But the reality in Mongolia has fallen short of such high hopes. With its 2009 decision to implement the handouts, the government also axed child benefit payments and subsidies for young couples. For many Mongolians, around 20 per cent of whom live on less than $1.25 per day according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), child benefit had been their only source of income. The cash injection also caused a spike in inflation, in line with economists’ unheeded warnings, hitting Mongolia’s poorest even harder.

Opposition leaders have argued against the handouts, citing their negative impact on the economy, calling instead for the money to be invested in education, health and other social services. And the burgeoning mining industry has hardly created any jobs for Mongolians. Many school leavers have little other option than the illegal gold mines, often hotbeds of prostitution and other criminal activities. Local livestock farmers are involved in frequent violent clashes with both legal and illegal mining companies, as they defend their lands against degradation from the heavy machinery and contamination of the waterways.

International financial institutions may have praised Mongolia for stabilizing its financial markets and reining in public spending, but groundlevel research has shown that improvement for the country’s poor is slow. A report compiled by the national authorities and local UNDP representatives said that the UN Millenium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015 is now out of reach, with 47 per cent of the rural population officially under the poverty line, and 27 per cent in the capital. Unless more effective solutions are found to share the country’s abundant natural riches, Mongolia’s wealth alone is unlikely to earn it a place among developed nations, but the rising value of copper and gold and recent oil discoveries mean a change in policy is unlikely in the near future. — dpa

Games a winner with Australians

By Jeffrey Heller

I

srael is not closing the door on a further freeze of new construction in West Bank settlements after the Palestinians, backed by Arab powers, gave Washington a one-month window to save peace talks from collapse.

Much could depend on whether the United States opts to sweeten incentives to Israel to agree to a proposed 60-day partial building moratorium, Israeli political sources said on Sunday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted international calls to renew the freeze, which expired on Sept 26, and the Palestinians say settlement building, on land they want for a state, must stop for nowsuspended negotiations to resume.

“This month will be fateful,” Israeli Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog told reporters after Arab League foreign ministers, meeting in Libya, endorsed the Palestinian demand but gave the United States a one-month reprieve to rescue the peace process. While the international spotlight was on the Arab forum, one of Netanyahu’s confidants, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, was quietly meeting Dennis Ross, a senior White House adviser on the Middle East, in Washington.

The message Steinitz conveyed, the political sources said, was that a further freeze in settlements in the occupied West Bank would be very difficult - but not impossible.

There has been little public sign of US pressure on Netanyahu to bend, with President Barack Obama possibly wary of alienating pro-Israeli voters in the Nov. 2 mid-term election in which his Democratic party is expected to suffer steep losses. Netanyahu, a senior Israeli official said last week, has already rejected a US package of incentives, including security guarantees, that Washington hoped could help him overcome strong cabinet opposition to a new moratorium.

focus

By Sid Astbury

A

Palestinian laborers work on Oct 05, 2010 at the construction site for 50 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Ariel. —AFP The proposals included US backing for Netanyahu’s demand for an Israeli military presence along the Jordan river, the likely eastern border of a future Palestinian state. But Israeli leaders balked at what the political sources said was the package’s vague timeframe for the troop deployment, which Palestinians oppose. It spoke only of a prolonged military presence, while Israel wants the United States to stipulate that Israeli soldiers will remain on the frontier for 30 to 40 years, the sources said.

For some cabinet members, the sources added, even the mention of a Jordan River border line for a

Palestinian state was problematic, fearing it would be interpreted as Israeli agreement to relinquish settlements in the adjacent Jordan Valley, part of the West Bank.

Netanyahu’s coalition is dominated by pro-settler parties and the United States has acknowledged the political risks he faces in pressing ahead with talks with the Palestinians, who fear settlements will deny them a viable state.

What appeared to be trial balloons for US incentives Netanyahu might be able to sell in the cabinet have already been floated in the Israeli media. They include Obama’s backing for a 2004 letter from President George W Bush to

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suggesting that Israel could keep some settlements in a peace deal and the release of Jonathan Pollard, an American who pleaded guilty to spying for Israel and is serving a life term in a US jail.

Contacts with the United States on the settlement issue are continuing, the sources said, with a proposed Oct 21 Paris summit between Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a possible opportunity to get peace talks back on track.

Israel also will be examining closely the results of the US election to gauge their impact on Obama’s presidency. While the

future of the peace talks remains uncertain, Israeli commentators have pointed to Netanyahu’s backing of controversial citizenship legislation as a possible political tradeoff with far-right Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to win his support for a settlement freeze.

The proposal promoted by Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party, Netanyahu’s biggest coalition partner, was brought for cabinet approval on Sunday. It requires candidates for Israeli citizenship through naturalisation to pledge loyalty to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state”. Leaders of Israel’s Arab minority say the legislation is racist. — Reuters

ustralians are enthusiastic about the Commonwealth Games because they like watching their jocks thrash the opposition. The bigger the margin, the more they seem to enjoy it: 7-0 against Malaysia in the men’s hockey and, in the women’s section, 11-0 against Trinidad and Tobago. Australia, always top of the tables in the four-yearly games for former British Empire countries, might end up with half the medals at the games going on in New Delhi.

A superabundance of gold, silver and bronze explains why team leader Perry Crosswhite is a fan, noting that not being very good at something is no bar to coming first, second or third at the Commonwealth Games. In the women’s 100-m sprint, the winning time was what US great Wilma Rudolph was running 50 years ago. In the men’s gymnastics, Australia, ranked 19th in the world, came out tops in India.

“There’s no money in the Commonwealth Games and I don’t think there ever will be as far as paying individuals to come or paying gold-medal reward schemes and things like that,” Crosswhite said when explaining the absence of top guns like sprinter Usain Bolt, middle-distance runner Caster Semenya, tennis player Lleyton Hewitt and world discus champion Dani Samuels. “So you’re always going to have difficulty attracting people that might be able to earn more money elsewhere.”

With the brightest stars giv-

ing the 80-year-old competition a miss, club athletes are getting among the medals. Australia has a 369-strong contingent in New Delhi, many who don’t have the results to gain entry to the Olympics. Australians are enthusiastic hosts, too. Sydney was the venue in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in 1982 and Melbourne in 2006. The favourite for 2018 is the Gold Coast in Queensland. Ron Clarke, who set 17 world records on the track and lit the Olympic flame in Melbourne in 1956, is mayor of the Gold Coast and in charge of its bid.

“We could stage a wonderful Commonwealth Games and, if necessary, we could be the saviour of the games,” he said.

Australians are worried that the games are losing their appeal and that the competition among cities wanting to host them is becoming as dire as competition in some of the events. The only other contender for 2018 is Hambantota, a town of just 11,000 people in Sri Lanka. The Hambantota bid team failed to make a pitch in New Delhi, suggesting that its bid will not go ahead. “The games need a resurrection,” Clarke said. “They need a couple of good games coming up and they need a games on the Gold Coast.”

For Australians, the Commonwealth Games have become something of a national trials for the Olympics two years later. A placing in New Delhi in a minority sport like shooting is seen as a preliminary for one in London at the 2012 Olympics. Others might not take the Commonwealth Games seriously, but Australians do. — dpa

NEWS

14

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

KOLONTAR, Hungary: The damaged reservoir of an alumina plant is seen from the air near this village yesterday. The population of Kolontar was evacuated Saturday and the neighboring town of Devecser with a population of 5,300 is also in the likely path of a possible new sludge deluge. — AP

Qaeda in Yemen forms ‘army’ DUBAI: Al-Qaeda’s military chief in Yemen Qassim Al-Rimi yesterday announced the creation of an “AdenAbyan Army” to free the country of “crusaders and their apostate agents,” in an Internet audiotape. “We are preparing to implement the first steps of the AdenAbyan Army to defend the nation and its religion... and free this land of crusaders and their apostate agents,” the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) leader said. “This army is in its early stages,” he said, calling for help from jihadists and their supporters in the audio message whose authenticity could not be verified immediately.

“Snipers and explosives” had been used in the past months to target police and security forces in southern and eastern Yemen, Rimi said, adding the group was “encouraged” by the success of such attacks. But he warned his group had “so far kept its main cards up its sleeve, and would only use them according to the changing circumstances”.

Rimi said for now the group was “avoiding direct confrontation” with the army of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in urban areas, adding however that “we have a presence in several mountainous areas, deserts and coastal areas”.

AQAP was conducting a “war of attri-

tion to widen the front with the enemy in order to weaken it,” he added, comparing his group to Afghanistan’s Taleban and the Al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab group in Somalia. “The mujahedeen (holy fighters) are advancing with firm steps towards their goal: to apply sharia in the Islamic Peninsula (Arabian Peninsula) by means of jihad,” said the AQAP military leader. Yemen says it has been on the offensive against AQAP since the group claimed responsibility for a failed bid on Christmas Day in 2009 to blow up a US airliner over Detroit by a Nigerian it allegedly trained. — AFP

Kuwait inflation hits 15-mth high C o n t i n u e d f ro m Pa g e 1 directly influence such as food costs. Kuwait, unlike its fellow Gulf oil producers, abandoned the dollar peg in favour of a currency basket in 2007 to rein in a sharp spike in inflation. Food prices, which account for 18 percent of the Kuwaiti basket, soared by 1.2 per-

cent month-on-month in August, following a 3.1 percent jump in the previous month.

Prices usually rise during the holy month of Ramadan, which began in midAugust, as families enjoy larger and more elaborate evening meals after the daylight fasting. Housing prices, which have the largest weight of 27 percent,

were unchanged in August, following a 0.1 percent dip in July. Transport costs, the third biggest component, were flat.

A Reuters poll forecast inflation in Kuwait at 4.2 percent for the full year of 2010, up from 4.0 percent last year. The central bank said last month it expected inflation to edge up to 4.5 percent towards the end of 2010. — Reuters

Job market specialists win economics Nobel Continued from Page 1 According to traditional theory, markets should work on their own to establish - in this case, job seekers finding available jobs. The Diamond-MortensenPissarides, or DMP model, however, shows that markets do not always work that way and helps explain why unemployment persists and proves stubbornly resistant even when economic circumstances improve.

“In this theory, incentives in job search and recruitment are crucial determinants of unemployment as well as other labour market phenomenon,” Bertil Holmlund of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in explaining the committee’s choice. The laureates’ work also helps identify areas for government policy action, pinpointing for instance what they can do to improve employment and prevent long-term unemployment through training.

In London, 62-year-old Pissarides of the London School of Economics told a press conference that winning had not sunk in completely. “I’m beginning to realise that it’s reality and not a hallucination from the cold I’ve been suffering from the last three days,” he joked.

“Most economists in government use our models to study unemployment and the impact a policy will have on unemployment,” he told AFP, adding he admired

Scandinavian governments for going the furthest in that respect. “They intervened a lot more in labour markets to deal with the unemployment problem.

That’s why they have low unemployment,” he told AFP, pointing out that the British government on the other hand has probably been too fast in cutting the budget. He earlier told reporters in Stockholm by telephone that he started research in his field when unemployment in Europe was rising and he foresaw it becoming a “very big” problem. “This is what I wanted to study, to contribute something to society,” he said.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias praised the country’s first Nobel Economics laureate, saying the Nobel bestowed “worldwide recognition” on Pissarides’ exceptional work.

Pissarides was a member of the Cyprus Central Bank’s monetary policy committee from November 2000 until December 2007 before Cyprus joined the euro in 2008.

Mortensen, who is based at Northwestern University but spends half of the year at Denmark’s university of Aarhus, said he was having lunch there with his colleagues when the Nobel committee rang. “I’m very honored ... and I didn’t expect to win the Prize. I knew that I was a candidate,” he told Danish media. Mortensen told AP he was asked not to share the news until the announce-

ment in Stockholm 30 minutes later. “So I was sitting there at the table and I think they knew from the smile on my face what had happened. Everyone knows this is the day,” he said.

Current Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke was one of Diamond’s students at MIT. When Bernanke turned in his doctoral dissertation in 1979, one of the people he thanked was Diamond for being generous with his time and reading and discussing Bernanke’s work.

Diamond said he was returning to his suburban Boston home from New Zealand when he found out about the prize. His wife and son picked him up from Logan Airport and he got a phone call from a friend. “Fortunately I was sitting down and wasn’t behind the steering wheel,” Diamond said.

The trio’s work also helps identify areas for policy action, pinpointing for instance what governments can do to improve employment and prevent longterm unemployment through training.

The jury noted their work in search theory can also be applied to a number of other areas, including the housing market and public economics. The Economics Prize is the only one of the six Nobel prizes not created in Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel’s 1896 will. It was introduced in 1968 to mark the 300th anniversary of the Swedish central bank and was first awarded in 1969. — Agencies

MoI cracks down on public rallies C o n t i n u e d f ro m Pa g e 1 MP Musallam Al-Barrak also warned Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah against the oppressive measures to prevent gatherings, saying that the minister “is always ready to suppress freedom”.

But Shiite MP Hussein Al-Qallaf appealed for the government, “wise MPs” and steadfast citizens to back the interior minister to preserve what is left of security and the supremacy of the law.

Shiite cleric Mohammad Baqer Al-Muhri also called for supporting the interior minister and said he should not succumb to pressure by certain MPs. However, Barrak strongly blasted the interior minister over the parliamentary probe of allegations that he released two Iranian drugs traffickers from the deportation center without any justification.

The interior and defense committee on

Sunday held the minister personally responsible for the release of the two Iranians. The issue that was first raised

by Barrak in June and after which the Assembly ordered the probe. Barrak hinted that he was prepared to grill the interior minister for a third time after his first two grillings fell short of ousting the minister.

In another development, MPs yesterday pressed for granting Kuwaiti housewives a permanent salary of around KD 250 and called for approving a provision allowing working Kuwaitis to retire early.

In the previous Assembly term, MPs rejected a draf t law calling to grant Kuwaiti housewives a salary for staying at home to take care of their children. MP Dulaihi Al-Hajeri said yesterday the proposal has important economic and social consequences and will lead to ending the so-called masked unemployment.

He said the bill will allow housewives

to devote all their time to take care of their children, thus reducing dependence on domestic helpers. Hajeri said he will coordinate with other MPs to pass the bill because the justifications of its opponents are very weak. MP Saadoun Hammad also said he will press to place the bill and other women-friendly bills at the top of the Assembly priorities during the next term which opens on Oct 26.

The court of appeals meanwhile cleared MP Dhaifallah Buramia of slandering Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Sabah ahead of the 2009 general elections. Buramia was detained for about 10 days during the investigation.

Also, the court of cassation, or the supreme court, yesterday upheld a twoyear jail term against former MP Jamal Al-Kandari for issuing dud cheques worth KD 5 million. The court also ordered him to repay the money. The verdict is final and must be implemented.

Bibi wants ‘Jewish state’ recognition before freeze Continued from Page 1 suspension,” he said, in a speech that was heckled by some lawmakers. “As the Palestinian expect that we will recognize a Palestinian state as their national homeland, we are entitled to expect that they will recognize Israel as our national homeland,” he said.

Netanyahu has made similar demands in the past, though he has never explicitly linked it to the settlement issue. On Sunday, Netanyahu’s Cabinet passed a bill that would require non-Jewish immigrants to pledge allegiance to the “Jewish and democratic” state of Israel in order to receive citizenship. The move is widely seen as undermining the rights of Israel’s Arabs who make up a fifth of Israel’s 7.5 million people. The Palestinians also refuse to accept Israel as a Jewish state, saying it violates the rights of millions of Palestinian refugees scattered around the world. Instead, they say it is sufficient that they recognize Israel’s right to exist.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the idea was “unacceptable” and accused Netanyahu of “playing games” in his address and said he saw no connection between Jewish settlements and Israel’s national character. “I don’t see a relevance between his obligations under international law and him trying to define the nature of Israel,” he said. “I hope he will stop playing these games and will start the peace process by stopping settlements.” Some 300,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank, in addition to nearly 200,000 Israelis living in Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem. The Palestinians claim both areas, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as parts of a future independent state and say that

continued Israeli settlement construction sends a message that Israel is not serious about reaching peace.

Netanyahu counters that the Palestinians - by demanding a complete settlement freeze - are imposing preconditions that should be sorted out in the course of direct negotiations. He said his demand was no such condition. “But there is no doubt that such a step by the Palestinians would be a confidence building measure that will open a new horizon of trust and faith among large portions of Israeli society who in light of events of the past decade have lost their faith in the Palestinians to end the conflict,” he said.

Arab lawmakers heckled Netanyahu throughout his address. “This is a ridiculous proposal!” yelled Ahmad Tibi.

Rightwing lawmakers also heckled the suggestion that the moratorium could be extended.

“All settlement is illegitimate, it must be frozen for a return to negotiations,” said Nabil Abu Rdainah, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“The issue of the Jewishness of the state has nothing to do with the matter,” he told Reuters, adding that the Palestinians had already recognised Israel and that this should suffice. The Palestinians formally recognised Israel as a state on the eve of the 1993 Oslo Accords, but have rejected the demand to recognise its Jewish character because that would amount to an effective renunciation of their cherished right of return for refugees from the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

It remains unclear whether Netanyahu proposed it knowing it would be rejected, or whether the offer signals a true willingness to break the deadlock - perhaps in exchange for another incentive, from

either the Palestinians or Americans.

Netanyahu has been under heavy international pressure to renew the settlement slowdown. US mediators have been offering Israel a series of vague assurances and incentives on the security and diplomatic fronts to get Israel to extend its settlement moratorium. Netanyahu, who leads a pro-settler coalition of religious and nationalist parties, has resisted the calls thus far, but has signaled he is open to a compromise.

Meanwhile, a senior Palestinian negotiator lashed out at the United States for trying to mollify Israel with incentives.

“It’s strange how the violator, who hadn’t fulfilled his commitments, is given rewards and guarantees to lure him to implement what must be implemented,” Nabil Shaath said. Since Israel’s 10month moratorium on new building starts expired on Sept 26, peace talks have stalled less than a month after they were launched at the White House. Over the weekend, the 22-member Arab League gave the Palestinians another month to reach a compromise.

Earlier, the Israeli gover nment endorsed a bill mandating that a national referendum be held before any withdrawal from occupied east Jerusalem or the Golan Heights, the justice ministry said. “The inter-ministerial committee on legislation ratified a bill proposed by Likud MP Yaariv Levin about withdrawing from territories where Israel has sovereignty,” a ministry spokesman told AFP of territories annexed by Israel after the 1967 Middle East war. The measure must still pass three readings in parliament, although with the government’s support, its passage into law is greatly eased. — Agencies

SPORTS

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

15

ATLANTA: San Francisco Giants’ Andre Torres (56) steals second base as Atlanta Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez is late with the tag during the seventh inning of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Division Series.—AP

Phillies sweep Reds, reach NL championship series fielding percentage during the regular season.

The league’s top offense managed only 11 hits in three games — the fewest for a team in a postseason series, according to STATS LLC. The previous low was 13 by Texas against the New York Yankees in 1998. Hamels got Joey Votto to ground into a double play after Brandon Phillips’ leadoff single in the ninth, then struck out Scott Rolen to end it. The 2008 World Series MVP threw 119 pitches and did not walk a batter in his first postseason complete game.

Utley connected against Johnny Cueto in the fifth, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead with his club-record 10th postseason homer. A first-inning throwing error by ailing shortstop Orlando Cabrera allowed

CINCINNATI: Cole Hamels completed what Roy Halladay started, putting the Philadelphia Phillies back in the National League championship series. Hamels struck out nine in a five-hitter, Chase Utley homered and the Phillies beat the Reds 2-0 on Sunday night to finish off the franchise’s first playoff sweep.

Philadelphia, trying to become the first NL team in 66 years to win three straight pennants, will host San Francisco or Atlanta in the NLCS opener on Saturday. Halladay opened this best-of-five series with the second no-hitter in postseason history. Hamels ended it with another dominant performance.

The Reds, making their first postseason appearance in 15 years, committed six errors in the last two games of the series after finishing second in the NL with a club-record .988

Philadelphia to score early.

Giants 3, Braves 2 At Atlanta, substitute second baseman Brooks Conrad made his third error of the game in the ninth inning, allowing San Franciscoto rally for a victory over Atlanta and a 2-1 lead in their NL division series.

The Braves were within one out of taking control of the best-of-five series, but a 30year-old journeyman infielder who wouldn’t have been playing if not for season-ending injuries to Chipper Jones and Martin Prado simply couldn’t catch the ball.

Buster Posey’s grounder went right under Conrad’s glove, his worst miscue yet in a performance that might speed up the retirement of Braves manager Bobby Cox.

Freddy Sanchez raced around with the goahead run, and Brian Wilson shut down Atlanta in the ninth for the save.

San Francisco can close it out Monday night. For Conrad, the memories of this one will linger for a lifetime. He tied a postseason record for errors in a game and became the fourth second baseman to make three, according to STATS LLC. Pinch-hitter Eric Hinske lined a two-run homer off Sergio Romo in the eighth, giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead after a stirring pitchers’ duel between Tim Hudson and Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez.

With the Braves missing injured closer Billy Wagner, Aubrey Huff tied it in the ninth on a two-out single off Mike Dunn. San Francisco scored first when Conrad dropped

a second-inning popup in short right field.

Rays 5, Rangers 2 At Arlington, Texas, Evan Longoria snapped out of his postseason slump with a homer and two doubles, and Carlos Pena scored twice after a pair of extra-base hits of his own as Tampa Bay escaped elimination again with a victory over Texas.

After losing the first two games of the AL division series at home, the Rays won twice in Texas to force a deciding Game 5 at Tropicana Field today night. Postseason ace Cliff Lee will start for the Rangers against 19-game winner David Price in a Game 1 rematch.

The winner hosts the New York Yankees in the AL championship series opener Friday

NHL results/standings

Philadelphia NY Rangers NY Islanders New Jersey Pittsburgh

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF GA 1 0 1 4 4 1 0 0 6 3 0 0 1 4 5 0 1 1 5 11 0 2 0 4 6

Toronto Montreal Boston Buffalo Ottawa

Northeast Division 2 0 0 8 1 1 0 5 1 1 0 5 1 1 0 5 0 2 0 2

Carolina

2

0

0

Tampa Bay

1

0

0

Atlanta

1

1

Washington

1

Florida

0

Games chief: Sochi may not need public funds PTS 3 2 1 1 0

3 5 5 7 7

4 2 2 2 0

6

4

4

5

3

2

0

7

7

2

1

0

9

6

2

1

0

2

3

0

Southeast Division

Western Conference Central Division Detroit

2

0

0

7

2

4

Nashville

1

0

0

4

1

2

St. Louis

1

0

0

2

1

2

Columbus

1

1

0

5

5

2

Chicago

0

1

1

5

7

1

Edmonton Colorado Calgary Vancouver Minnesota

Northwest Division 2 0 0 7 1 0 0 4 1 1 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 4

2 3 5 2 6

4 2 2 1 1

Dallas San Jose Phoenix Los Angeles Anaheim

2 1 1 1 0

7 5 5 4 8

4 3 2 2 0

Pacific 0 0 1 1 2

Division 0 9 1 5 0 5 0 3 0 1

night. Rookie right-hander Wade Davis pitched into the sixth, getting out of a basesloaded jam in the fifth when he struck out Vladimir Guerrero. Rafael Soriano worked a perfect ninth for the save.

Tampa Bay, which finished with the AL’s top record in the regular season, is trying to become the only team other than 2001 New York Yankees to win a division series after losing the first two games at home. Texas is still the lone current major league franchise that’s never won a postseason series. The Rangers are 0-6 in home playoff games.

Pena helped the Rays rally with two big hits Saturday. Add in his first two at-bats Sunday and he hit for the cycle in a span of four at-bats. Nelson Cruz hit his third homer in four postseason games for Texas.—AP

Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L).

CALGARY: Brendan Morrison No. 8 of the Calgary Flames holds up Alexei Ponikarovsky No. 27 of the Los Angeles Kings in third period NHL action.—AP

Oilers trounce Panthers EDMONTON: Dustin Penner, Ryan Jones and Shawn Horcoff scored in a 5:47 span early in the second period to help the Edmonton Oilers beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 in the NHL on Sunday.

Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves for Edmonton, three nights after stopping 37 shots in a 4-0

home victory over Calgary in the Oilers’ first game under coach Tom Renney. Marty Reasoner scored twice in the second period for the Panthers in their season opener.

Bruins 3, Coyotes 0 At Prague, Tim Thomas made 29 saves as Boston newcomer

Nathan Horton had a goal and an assist to help the Bruins beat Phoenix for a split in the seasonopening series in the Czech capital.

Czech star Milan Lucic and rookie Tyler Seguin also scored.

Horton, acquired from Florida in June, scored twice Saturday in the Bruins’ 5-2 loss to the Coyotes.

Flames 3, Kings 1 At Calgary, Alberta, Miikka Kiprusoff made 21 saves, Curtis Glencross had a short-handed goal, and Craig Conroy and Niklas Hagman also scored as Calgary downed Los Angeles. Dustin Brown scored for Los Angeles, coming off a 2-1 shootout victory Saturday night in Vancouver. —AP

BERLIN: Russia’s Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics may not need help from state funds as sponsorship plans have exceeded expectations, Games chief Dmitiry Chernyshenko said yesterday.

The Black Sea resort has an organising budget of some $2 billion which does not include infrastructure construction and improvement, worth several more billion.

Sponsorship revenues are already over $1.0 billion, making Sochi by far the most successful winter Games organising committee in that respect, and even look likely to surpass Beijing’s $1.2 billion domestic sponsorship revenue mark for its much bigger 2008 summer Games.

“It is true we have exceeded our (sponsorship) plans but we have now established new plans,” Chernyshenko told Reuters a day before the start of an International Olympic Committee (IOC) coordination commission visit to monitor progress.

“We want to run the Games without attracting public funds or government money,” he said, days after organisers signed up Russian insurance company OSAO Ingosstrakh as their latest partner.

Sochi will also have revenues from tickets, the licensing plan and broadcasting rights.

Chernyshenko said more sponsorship deals were expected.

“There are some more contracts in the pipeline and we will have news on that soon. The licensing programme has started and we recently signed the contract for the post, stamps and coins.”

Chernyshenko, a Sochi native who also led the successful bid, said construction was not a concern, despite the need to built almost all venues from scratch.

“From the construction perspective the coordination com-

mission will visit the Olympic park and see the growing number of venues,” he said.

Construction in Sochi, which has been named Europe’s biggest building site, has been a matter of concern for some time with the IOC urging organisers to stick to the timetable.

Chernyshenko said all venues would be completed by 2013 as planned and several, including the ice hockey stadium, were ahead of schedule.

International Ski Federation (FIS) chief Gian Franco Kasper warned last week of possible “white elephants”, saying Sochi had to make sure there was a use for all the venues after the Games.

Chernyshenko said Sochi was bidding to become a regional winter sports hub, investing far more than needed to just host the Olympics.

The biggest challenge for organisers lay in having the right personnel in place for such a big event, he said. “The major challenge is the people. We have to understand we are creating a new city with extended infrastructure and the proper workforce to maintain and operate. It is not only the competitions but also the hotels and so on.”

Organisers were ready to incorporate any new disciplines the IOC might introduce in Sochi.

Women’s ski jumping has long been battling for inclusion in the Games programme. It was rejected by the IOC for the Vancouver 2010 Games but will be reconsidered at the body’s meeting in Acapulco from Oct. 24.

“It is up to the IOC to decide on the sports programme. But generally we are fully supporting the idea of welcoming any new (discipline) recognised by the international federations,” Chernyshenko said.—Reuters

SPORTS

16

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

It’s not over yet, say McLaren drivers TOKYO: Jenson Button and McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton have refused to abandon hope despite Red Bull dealing a crushing blow to their Formula One title hopes in Japan.

In post-race interviews with Reuters, both champions vowed to fight to the bitter end and expressed confidence in their team’s ability to power past their rivals in the last three races of the season.

If the body language hinted at hidden thoughts, and the occasionally terse and tetchy replies masked a deep frustration and desire to be somewhere else, both remained

determinedly on-message.

Asked whether the championship was slipping away, Hamilton now 28 points behind Red Bull’s Australian Mark Webber with three races remaining-nodded: “Uh uh, yep,” he replied.

“But there’s 75 points available.

Those guys can not finish the next three races and we could win the next three races. Anything is possible,” he added. “We’ve just got to finish, we’ve clearly got pace.

“It’s been the hardest weekend this year ... I lost the world championship in two weekends (in 2007) but I haven’t lost it yet so it’s defi-

nitely not the worst.”

The 25-year-old, who finished fifth at Suzuka on Sunday after a list of problems as long as the main straight including a failing gearbox and persistent ear infection, said the car just needed to be faster.

“I’m going to go back and push my team like they’ve never been pushed before and I’ll push myself like I’ve never pushed myself before,” he declared.

Asked whether that would really work, with the team already flat out and throwing everything at the last three races, Hamilton paused for a moment.

“I think the fact that you go back is motivating. The fact that you are kicking is motivating,” he said. “If I was just to leave it right now, not go and speak to the guys and just see how it is at the next race, that’s not motivating.

“Engineers are the smartest people in the world but every now and then ... someone from outside can notice something that maybe they haven’t.

“I’ve no doubts they are doing a great job. The question is how much do you want it (the title)? I know they want it and they have already been squeezed as hard as they could

possibly be. But you can always squeeze more.”

Button, the reigning world champion, was fourth at Suzuka after a tyre gamble failed to pay off. He remained fifth overall in the standings, a hefty 31 points off the lead.

“It’s definitely not over,” he said.

“If you win three races and Webber finishes third, he beats you by a point or something. But you’ve also got (Red Bull’s Sebastian) Vettel and (Ferrari’s Fernando) Alonso (to take points off him).

“So it’s never over until there aren’t enough points to win the championship. “We might as well go

home right now if we are going to be negative about it,” added Button.

“We’re here to fight. Starting the season with a car that’s not as quick as another car, you don’t give up straight away.

“You fight until the end and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. “If I win the championship it would be amazing,” he continued. “If I don’t, I don’t and we’ll fight next year.

There’s nothing to get down about.”

McLaren brought new parts to Japan but their weekend was compromised when Hamilton crashed heavily on Friday and went into qualifying with only a handful of laps

under his belt and a five-place grid penalty after an unscheduled gearbox change.

“There were lots of parts we put on the car here that worked well but there was one part that didn’t work quite as expected and it will work,” said Button.

“It’s just a matter of time and hopefully we’ll have that for Korea working correctly and that should give us a good chunk (of time gained), hopefully enough of a chunk to really challenge the Red Bulls.

“We need more downforce, more power. The car needs to work better mechanically.” —Reuters

Katherine wins Classic

PRATTVILLE: Katherine Hull, of Australia, holds the trophy after winning the Navistar LPGA Classic golf tournament. —AP

O’Meara edges Allen in playoff POTOMAC: Mark O’Meara knocked in a 4foot par putt on the first playoff hole Sunday to defeat Michael Allen and win the Senior Players Championship, his first individual victory on the Champions Tour.

O’Meara had a threeshot advantage on the back nine at the TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, but a bogey on No. 16 shrunk his lead, and Allen charged into contention with birdies on three of the last five holes.

Both finished at 7 under.

In the playoff, O’Meara hit a perfect drive and Allen wound up in the rough, setting the stage for O’Meara — a nine-time runner up on the over-50 tour — to finally pick up the elusive victory.

“It’s a thrill. It’s been a long time coming,” O’Meara said of his first individual win since the Dubai Desert Classic in 2004. “This is a demanding course. It’s a class field.

It’s a senior major championship. So I feel like I hit the jackpot.”

As for the playoff, he said: “I played a little more conservative on my second shot, because I knew he

was going to have a tough pitch to get it up and down.

I’m just thankful that ball went in.” Loren Roberts (68) finished third and Jeff Sluman (66) took fourth.

Charles Schwab Cup points leader Bernhard Langer rallied to shoot a 67, good for a ninth-place finish.

Allen had several chances to close O’Meara out before the playoff, but rued a couple of squandered opportunities despite shooting 66. He missed birdie putts on Nos. 15 and 18 that could have given him the lead.

“I’ve had a lot of secondplace finishes that felt pretty darn good, and this one doesn’t feel quite as good,” said Allen, who was second last week at the Viking Classic on the PGA Tour.

O’Meara seemed to be in control of the tournament, but had to withstand a furious rally by Allen.

The scenario was all too familiar for O’Meara, who in many of his secondplace finishes on the Champions Tour fell prey to a golfer with a hot hand.

“You can’t control the other player, but there does come an element of

luck,” the 53-year-old O’Meara said. “You can play well, and just somebody else does something more spectacular. It kind of seemed that way. I never gave away a tournament when I had a chance to win, it’s just that somebody else did something better.”

O’Meara teamed with Nick Price to win at the Legends of Golf event in April, but said finally winning a Champions Tour event on his own held a lot more meaning, especially after a tough couple of years personally and professionally.

“Winning with Nick, that was a win, but it was a team win,” said O’Meara, who withdrew from his last Champions Tour event. “Not to take anything away from that, but sooner you’ve got to win individually. I’ve come so close.

“Going through my divorce, getting remarried, having all the personal stuff going on off the course, I was the guy that was there, down, up, all over the place. And it’s just finally great to have one come my way and come out on top.” —AP

PRATTVILLE: Australia’s Katherine Hull rallied to win the Navistar LPGA Classic on Sunday for her second LPGA Tour victory, pulling ahead with a birdie on the par-5 17th and finishing with a par for a 5under 67 for a one-stroke victory over Brittany Lincicome.

Hull, who also won the 2008 Canadian Women’s Open, finished at 19-under 269 on the links-style Senator layout at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Capitol Hill complex.

After opening with a 68, she had three straight bogey-free 67s.

“It’s actually really validating,” said Hull, who began the round three strokes behind Cristie Kerr. “I feel like my game’s the best its ever been, and I know it’s going to get better, too. I think I’ve always struggled to try to put four good rounds together and I was able to do that this week.”

On the par-4 18th, Hull missed the fairway to the left and was faced with a challenging lie. She hit her approach on the green, 50 feet from the hole. Her birdie attempt stopped 5 feet short and she saved par for the victory and $195,000 first-place check.

“I would have liked a tap-in, for sure,” Hull said. “Putting is the best part of my game, so (I was) glad to see it drop.”

Lincicome closed with a 65.

“You know, 65 on the final day, that’s pretty cool,” Lincicome said.

Lincicome was the first to congratulate Hull, running onto the green and spraying her with a victory beer. “It’s a little overwhelming,” Hull said.

“It probably won’t hit me until later. You just get so focused on executing and just finishing that you don’t think about anything else.”

Kerr shot a 72 to tie for third at 17 under with Na Yeon Choi (69). Kerr played the first 50 holes in 20 under, then was 3 over on the final 22.

“Today, things just didn’t go my way,” Kerr said. “If I had played half as well as I had played the first three days, it would have been no contest.”

Playing in the final group with Hull, Kerr pushed her approach shot to the right of the green on 18 and two-putted for a bogey.

Had she won the tournament, she would have earned enough points to take over first place in the Rolex Player of the Year standings. She remained third behind Yani Tsng and Ai Miyazato. Lindsey Wright shot a course-record 63 to share fifth at 16 under with Amy Yang (66) and Se Ri Pak (69). —AP

Gardiner wins CHATTANOOGA: Australia’s Scott Gardiner won the Chattanooga Classic on Sunday for his first Nationwide Tour title, beating Joe Affrunti with a birdie on the fourth hole of a playoff. Gardiner closed with a 6-under 66 to match Joe Affrunti (71) and David Branshaw (70) at 19-under 269 on the Black Creek Club course. Branshaw was eliminated on the first extra hole.

Gardiner had an eagle and six birdies on the par-5 18th, playing it four times in regulation and three times in the playoff. He earned $90,000 to jump from 62nd to 24th on the money list with $182,449. The top 25 after the final three events will earn 2011 PGA Tour cards.

“It’s a lot easier than being 62 on the list and on the cut line on a Friday,” Gardiner said. “It’s great job security knowing I’ll be good for a few years down the road. Hopefully, I can play like this the next few weeks and go forward.” Gardiner and Affrunti opened the playoff with birdies on No. 18, while Branshaw dropped out with a bogey. —AP

SCOTLAND: Germany’s Martin Kaymer poses with the trophy after his victory during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. —AP

Kaymer triumphs, Westwood falters ST ANDREWS: Lee Westwood missed the chance to replace Tiger Woods as world number one as Germany’s Martin Kaymer came through to win the Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday.

Kaymer fired a six-under-par 66 to claim his third European Tour title in a row while Ryder Cup colleague Westwood, needing a top-two finish to end the Woods reign which now stretches to 279 consecutive weeks, struggled to a 73 and finished tied 11th.

Westwood troubled by a calf problem during the tournament said he planned to take about a month off in order to let the injured muscle fully heal.

The last European to win three PGA Tour events in a row was former world number one Nick Faldo in 1989 and Kaymer’s triumph lifted him to fourth in the world rankings.

He birdied the closing two holes to finish three strokes clear of Briton Danny Willett with overnight leader John Parry third after a double-bogey at the 14th derailed his title bid.

Defending champion Simon Dyson closed with a 66 and a share of fifth place.

Since winning the US PGA Championship in August, Kaymer has won the Dutch Open, been a member of Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team, and

now managed a first success at the Home of Golf.

“It was always one of my dreams to win here at St. Andrews,” Kaymer told reporters. “ I can still remember my first day I came out here when I was an amateur and walking down the first hole, walking over the bridge, all of those things, they felt very special to me.

“So it was very, very special for me to win here today, in the Home of Golf.”

England’s Willett moved to 19th on the Race to Dubai money list by finishing second on 14-under par. The 23-year old eagled the par-five 14th on route to a final-round 67. —Reuters

US takes gold in vaulting LEXINGTON: The United States won team gold in vaulting on the final day of the World Equestrian Games on Sunday. The competition ended with finals also in vaulting, driving and para dressage.

Vaulting requires the athletes to perform gymnastic-like movements while on a moving horse.

Germany won silver and Austria received bronze.

“This is immeasurable,” said Devon Maitozo, one of the gold medalists. “This is an amazing opportunity to put vaulting on the map in the United States. Maybe people will know the sport exists in small-town America. This is just a culmination of a lot of years of very hard work. The most amazing thing for me is to share this with my team. We have worked so hard.”

The team competition is made up of a compulsory test that requires vaulters to perform seven designated exercises as well as two freestyle tests. The Americans’ freestyle routine was a loose interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. “We hoped to embody the essence of the play with our movement and some of characters,” said Rosalind Ross, who played Juliet.

Driving concluded with the cones course. The competition was delayed several times because of a malfunctioning timer.

In driving, scores from the cones course, marathon and dressage are combined to determine a winner. The Netherlands won the team competition, while the United States was second and Germany was third.

The individual competition was won by Australia’s Boyd Exell, who led after each of the separate events. The Netherlands’ Ijsbrand Chardon, who had his carriage vandalized earlier in the week, was still able to win silver. The United States’ Tucker Johnson, who is retiring from driving, was third.

“All season, Ijsbrand and I have been neck and neck,” Exell said. “It sounds like a cliche, but it hasn’t sunk in yet.” In the final para dressage competition, Britain’s Sophie

LEXINGTON: Members of the Brazilian team perform on Diva 506 during the final round of team freestyle vaulting at the World Equestrian Games. —AP Wells won the grade IV freestyle test. Belgium’s Michele George was second and the Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar was third. The closing ceremony featured a concert by

Lyle Lovett.

Total attendance for the games was 507,022. “We want these games to be remembered for what they have done for the world of

horse sport,” International Equestrian Federation president Princess Haya of Jordan said. The next games will be held in Normandy, France in 2014. —AP

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

17

SPORTS

Tendulkar and Vijay make it India’s day

DHAKA: New Zealand’s Kyle Mills (left) react as Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim catches the ball during their third match of a five-game limited-overs series. — AP

Bangladesh put Kiwis in a spin DHAKA: The Bangladesh spinners tied New Zealand in knots to set up a crushing sevenwicket victory for the hosts in the third one-day international yesterday.

New Zealand struggled to 173 all out and openers Shahriar Nafees and Imrul Kayes shared a century stand as Bangladesh cruised to their target with 10 overs to spare to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

It was only Bangladesh’s third victory over New Zealand in 19 one-day internationals and their second in a row. Rain washed out the second match of the series.

Unheralded spinner Mohammad Suhrawadi completed figures of three for 14 to claim the man of the match award.

New Zealand slumped to 101 for seven before vice-captain Ross Taylor struck an unbeaten 62 off 72 balls to give their total some respectability. Shahriar struck 13 boundaries in his 11th one-day fifty before falling to Nathan McCullum for a run-aball 73.

Imrul made 50 off 83 balls and Roqibul Hassan and Shakib al-Hasan steered their side to victory in front of a delighted 15,000 crowd. The fourth match of the series will be held at the same venue on Thursday. — Reuters

Scoreboard DHAKA: Scoreboard after Bangladesh beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the third one-day international of the fivematch series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka yesterday.

New Zealand innings B. McCullum c Rahim b Shafiul 0 J. Ryder c Imrul b Suhrawadi 33 B. Watling c Zunaed b Razzak 20 R. Taylor not out 62 G. Elliott b Shakib 2 D. Vettori c and b Suhrawadi 9 S. Stewart lbw b Suhrawadi 14 N. McCullum b Rubel 2 K. Mills c Rubel b Shakib 26 T. Southee lbw b Mahmudullah 0 A. McKay c Rahim b Mahmudullah 0 Extras (w-3 nb-2) 5 Total (all out; 42.5 overs) 173 Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-55 3-56 4-62 5-79 6-98 7-101 8-173 9-173 10-173 Bowling: Shafiul 4-0-22-1, Rubel 8-0-39-1 (w-2), Razzak 10-047-1, Shakib 9-1-45-2 (nb-2), Suhrawadi 10-2-14-3, Mahmudullah 1.5-0-6-2 (w-1)

BANGALORE: Milestone man Sachin Tendulkar struck an unbeaten 191 and starred in a marathon 308-run stand with Murali Vijay to fuel India’s robust reply in the second test against Australia yesterday.

A day after crossing 14,000 test runs, Tendulkar lit up third day’s play with his 49th test century while Vijay (139) registered his maiden on a belter of a track to help India reach 435 fore five wickets at close.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (11) was giving company to Tendulkar at stumps with India, who lead the two-match series 1-0, 43 runs behind Australia’s first innings total of 478.

Tendulkar hit a sparkling 319-ball knock studded with 20 fours and two sixes to remain on course for his sixth double century.

Resuming on 128 for two, both Tendulkar and Vijay, who was reprimanded by match referee Chris Broad for wearing too many logos on his pad on Sunday, made the most of a highly productive morning session when boundaries flowed from their blades.

Tendulkar hit Nathan Hauritz for a six to reach 99 and repeated the treatment in the off-spinner’s next over to bring up his ton and trigger boisterous celebrations at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

While team mates, opponents and the crowd applauded his feat, Tendulkar took off his helmet, raised the bat, looked skywards and then closed eyes in a silent prayer.

Vijay took a more conservative way to reach his century mark, with a single off Peter George, but was more expressive in celebration, jumping and punching the air.

“It was really special.

Playing with Sachin Tendulkar

BANGALORE: India’s Sachin Tendulkar raises his bat and helmet to celebrate scoring a century during the third day of their second cricket Test cricket match against Australia. — AP was a dream-come-true for me,” Vijay told Neo Cricket channel.

Mitchell Johnson finally broke the partnership, India’s highest third wicket stand against Australia, in the final session when he dismissed Vijay and debutant Cheteshwar Pujara (four) in the same over.

“With (India having) a big partnership of 300, it’s been a tough day for the bowlers,” Johnson said. “As a fast bowler, you want a bit of bounce and carry but it (pitch) was a bit slow.”— Reuters

Scoreboard Scoreboard at the close of the third day of the second and final test between India and Australia in Bangalore on Monday.

Australia first innings 478 (Marcus North 128, Ricky Ponting 77, Tim Paine 59, Shane Watson 57) India first innings (Overnight 128-2) M Vijay c Paine b Johnson 139 V Sehwag c Johnson b Hilfenhaus 30 R Dravid c North b Johnson 1 S Tendulkar not out 191 C Pujara lbw b Johnson 4 S Raina c Hilfenhaus b Clarke 32

M S Dhoni not out 11 Extras: (b-6, lb-15, w-6) 27 Total (five wickets; 122 overs) 435 To bat: H.Singh, Z.Khan, P.Ojha, S.Sreesanth.

Fall of wickets: 1-37 2-38 3-346 4-350 5-411.

Bowling: Hilfenhaus 25-5-61-1, Johnson 23-289-3, George 15-1-38-0, Hauritz 39-4-153-0, Clarke 8-0-27-1, Watson 7-0-28-0, Katich 5-018-0.

Bangladesh innings I. Kayes c Elliott b N. McCullum 50 S. Nafees c B. McCullum b N. McCullum 73 Z. Siddique c N. McCullum b McKay 14 R. Hassan not out 18 S. Hasan not out 13 Extras (lb-1 w-5 nb-3) 9 Total (three wickets; 40 overs) 177 Did not bat: M. Rahim, Mahmudullah, M. Sohrawordi, A Razzak, S. Islam, R. Hossain Fall of wickets: 1-127 2-134 3-159 Bowling: Mills 6-0-38-0 (nb-2), Southee 3-0-20-0 (nb-1), N. McCullum 10-0-31-2, McKay 6-0-28-1 (w-4), Vettori 10-0-36-

Kenya outclass Afghanistan NAIROBI: Kenya put up an all-round performance to beat Afghanistan by eight wickets at the Nairobi Gymkhana club grounds yesterday to win the three-match series 2-1.

After losing the second match by six wickets, Kenya badly needed victory to put their World Cup preparations on track, and they knew they had a big fight on their hands chasing 189 on an unreliable Nairobi Gymkhana wicket.

But opener Alex Obanda, who had been discarded for the series and was only recalled to replace the suspended Tanmay Mishra, made his intentions known when he led the charge with 77 off 116 balls.

After losing fellow opener David Obuya on 21, Obanda found a consistent partner in Obuya’s older brother, Collins, and the pair steered the total past 183, building a solid partnership of 143 for the second wicket. Obuya batted with authority and finished the match unbeaten on 86 off 96 balls.

The Kenyan bowlers had set the way when they restricted Afganistan to 188 after winning the toss. Pace bowlers Nehemiah Odhiambo and Thomas Odoyo claimed two wickets apiece in the match where Mohammad Nabi (60) top-scored for the tourists, who were left stranded on 69 for five in the 15th over. — AFP

ROME: Brazil team celebrates after winning the final match against Cuba, in the Men’s Volleyball World Championships. Brazil won 3-1 and clinched the title. — AP

Scoreboard NAIROBI: Scoreboard of the third and final one-day international between Kenya and Afghanistan at the Nairobi Gymkhana club grounds yesterday: Afghanistan: Javed Ahmadi run out (Kamande) 35 Karim Sadiq c Kamande b Odhiambo 17 Noor-ul-Haq c CO Obuya b Odoyo 0 Nawroz Mangal c Ngoche b Otieno 7 Asghar Stanikzai c Odoyo b Odhiambo 1 Samiullah Shenwari c Tikolo b Ngoche 18 Mohammad Nabi c Ouma b Otieno 60 Mirwais Ashraf c Tikolo b Ngoche 17 Abdullah Mazari lbw b Odoyo 3 Shapoor Zadran lbw b Tikolo 17 Izatullah Dawlatzai not out 6 Extras: (w2, nb5) 7 Total (all out; 43 overs) 188 Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Sadiq), 2-53 (Ahmadi), 354 (Noor-ul-Haq), 4-62 (Mangal), 5-69 (Stanikzai), 6-88 (Shenwari), 7-118 (Ashraf), 8153 (Mazari), 9-162 (Nabi), 10-188 (Shapoor Zadran) Bowling: Odoyo 9-0-29-2, Otieno 7-0-54-2 (4nb,

2w), Odhiambo 7-4-18-2 (1nb), Kamande 7-1-200, Ngoche 10-0-34-2, Tikolo 3-0-33-1 Kenya David Obuya c Noor-ul-Haq b Izatullah Dawlatzai 21 Alex Obanda b Mazari 77 Collins Obuya not out 86 Steve Tikolo not out 1 Extras: (w2, nb2) 4 Total (2 wickets; 41.3 overs) 189 Did not bat: MA Ouma, RR Patel, JK Kamande, TM Odoyo, NN Odhiambo, E Otieno, JO Ngoche Fall of wickets: 1-40 (DO Obuya), 2-183 (Obanda) Bowling: Zadran 7-1-36-0 (1nb), Nabi 6-0-33-0 (1nb, 1w), Dawlatzai 5-1-13-1, Ashraf 3-1-15-0 (1w), Mazari 8-1-31-1, Shenwari 9.3-0-45-0, Ahmadi 3-0-16-0 Kenya won by eight wickets

Brazil wins volleyball title ROME: Brazil’s experience carried it to a third consecutive volleyball world title Sunday with a 3-0 shutout of Cuba, the youngest team in the tournament. The 25-22, 25-14, 25-22 victory solidified Brazil’s status as the top-ranked team in the sport, following its victories in 2002 and 2006.

The South Americans also won the Olympic tournament in 2004, then took silver behind the United States in Beijing two years ago. “We were united as a team and united like a family,” said Brazil captain Gilberto Godoy Filho, who added tht it was his last worlds.

“Now we’ve got to focus on the World Cup next season and then the Olympics, which is the high point of this sport.” Brazil becomes the second team to win three straight world titles after Italy won in 1990, 1994 and 1998. The Soviet Union won a record six titles but never more than two in a row.

Earlier, Serbia beat host Italy 3-1 for third place, while Russia beat the United States in the fifth-place

game Saturday. Brazil standout Leandro Vissotto Neves closed out the final with a spike on the South Americans’ fourth match point, then dropped to the floor — all 2.12 meters (6 feet, 11 inches) of him — and was mobbed by celebrating teammates.

Brazil’s youngest player, 24-year-old Bruno Mossa Rezende, climbed the umpire’s ladder and gestured to the crowd to share in his celebration.

Vissotto led Brazil with 19 points and alongside 2.01-meter (6-foot-7) Dante Guimaraes Amaral, Brazil’s wall proved too tough to breach. In addition, 29-year-old Murilo Endres used his skills to break apart the Cuban defense, earning him the tournament’s top player award.

“We were able to control our pressure and exploit their mistakes and simply played better,” Brazil coach Bernardo Rezende said. “I was happy with the way several of our guys dealt with physical problems.

Vissotto had a great game.”

Wilfredo Leon Venero, at 17 the youngest player in

the tournament, showed his nerves with a series of early errors, including missed serves, and failed to carry Cuba like he had in earlier games _ despite scoring a team-high 15 points.

Still, Cuba should be pleased with its performance.

With an average age of 22.5, it was a sharp improvement from its 15th-place finish at the last worlds in 2006. Also, Cuba beat Brazil 3-2 in the preliminary rounds. “It was tough for us against such a physical squad, having so little experience in finals,” said Cuba coach Orlando Samuels Blackwood, who also coached Cuba to the final in 1990.

“The Cuban league only lasts three weeks, so we’ve got to work on the physical aspect more and hopefully get our season to last longer. It’s very tough to improve tactics in such a short period.” The final was played before a mixed crowd of 11,605 at the Palalottomatica, including several Brazilian footballers who play in Italy’s Serie A — Lucio, Juan, Alexander Doni and Rodrigo Taddei. — AP

SPORTS

18

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Striking problem for Capello

LONDON: England’s Rio Ferdinand (left) and Wayne Rooney take part in a training session at Wembley stadium. England play Montenegro in a Euro 2012 Group G qualifying soccer match today. — AP

Stork faces toughest test against Germany MOSCOW: Bernd Stork faces his toughest test as Kazakhstan coach today as his underdogs take on his native Germany in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

The sides, who have never met before at international level, are currently in diametrically opposite positions in their Group A table.

World Cup bronze medallists Germany maintained their perfect record with a confident 3-0 home win over Turkey on Friday as Kazakhstan suffered their third consecutive defeat at the hands of Belgium.

Today’s match at Astana could be the last test for Stork, who has been working in the Central Asian republic since autumn 2008.

The 47-year-old had been set a task of collecting three points against Belgium and Germany but after Friday’s defeat this mission looks unrealizable. Stork, however, believes that anything is possible for his team at home.

“Germany are almost the perfect team with a flawless game,” he admitted. “But in one single game everything is possible and we shall do our best to produce a miracle on October 12.”

Whatever the outcome he insisted that he remains committed to the Kazakh team. “I can resign, it’s not a problem,” Stork said.

“However, the matter doesn’t concern me.

We’re speaking about our main goal: to make the Euro-2016 finals.

“Our young players have already collected vital experience. Our team is a team for the future and we need to be patient.”

Kazakhstan will however be without several first-line players today.Defender Alexander Kislitsyn will miss the tie after being sent off against Belgium as will midfielder Andrei Karpovich.

But they can take heart as Germany have also suffered losses with former captain Michael Ballack still unavailable with injury along with Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Midfielder Mesut Ozil is also an injury doubt after limping off at the end of the Turkey game with an ankle injury.

Germany have however been buoyed by their win over Turkey. “The team showed they really wanted this,” said coach Joachim Loew.

“I hadn’t expected to win by such a big amount, because it was always going to be a difficult game. For the Turks, the game was always going to be a matter of honor.”

Germany skipper Philipp Lahm added: “It’s impressive how well the team is playing at the moment. Nine points from three games and now we have defeated our strongest opponent in the group.” — AFP

MEXICO: Monterrey’s Jesus De Nigris, front, heads the ball as America’s Juan Valenzuela defends during a Mexican soccer league match. — AP

Cruz Azul hold Toluca MEXICO CITY: Cruz Azul played out a scoreless draw at Toluca on Sunday to retain first place in the overall Mexican Apertura championship standings. Cruz Azul had the best scoring chances but wasted them all despite of a one man advantage after the 40th minute, when Toluca defender Diego Novaretti was sent off after earning a second yellow card.

Also Sunday, Monterrey remained unbeaten with a 0-0 draw against Club America, while Morelia and Santos also played out a scoreless match.

Cruz Azul leads the Mexican league with 25 points, followed

by Monterrey on 23 and Santos with 19. “It’s a bittersweet feeling because we were playing one of the best teams in Mexico, we were close to beating them but could not do it.

They played better with 10 than us with 11,” said Cruz Azul’s Christian Gimenez.

Toluca has 17 points to lead Group 2, one ahead of America, who could not beat a Monterrey team that played without two of its international players.

Chilean striker Humberto Suazo missed a couple of clear shots on goal for Monterrey, which is the only undefeated team in the league. — AP

Matches on TV (local timings) Armenia v Andorra Al Jazeera Sport +2

18:00

Al Jazeera Sport +7 Macedonia v Russia Al Jazeera Sport +9

18:00

Sw itzerland v Wales Al Jazeera Sport +10

21:30

Azerbaijan v Turkey Al Jazeera Sport +2

Belgium v Austria Al Jazeera Sport +8

21:45

Italy v Serbia Al Jazeera Sport +1

21:50

Euro 2012 qualifiers

Faroe Islands v Northern Ireland 18:00 Al Jazeera Sport +6

21:30

Finland v Hungary Al Jazeera Sport +5

18:30 19:00

Scotland v Spain Kuwait Sport Abu Dhabi Sports 2

22:00

Belarus v Albania Al Jazeera Sport +6 Latvia v Georgia Al Jazeera Sport +4

20:00

France v Luxembourg Al Jazeera Sport +2

22:00

Kazakstan v Germany Al Jazeera Sport +4

20:00

22:00

Denmark v Cyprus Al Jazeera Sport +7

21:15

England v Montenegro Al Jazeera Sport +5 Al Jazeera Sport +3 Al Jazeera Sport 1 HD

21:30

Iceland v Portugal Al Jazeera Sport +4

22:45

Netherlands v Sw eden

LONDON: Fabio Capello is likely to rely on a makeshift attack as England attempt to seize control of their Euro 2012 qualifier group with victory over tiny Montenegro at Wembley today.

A combination of injuries, retirement and poor form mean England go into the Group G encounter deprived of the services of Jermain Defoe, Bobby Zamora, Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole.

The depleted attacking complement leaves Sunderland’s in-form Darren Bent, Bolton’s uncapped veteran Kevin Davies and Tottenham’s Peter Crouch vying to catch the eye of Capello as England seek to maintain their 100 percent record.

While the Italian also has the option of deploying a fitagain Wayne Rooney as a lone striker, the England coach has traditionally preferred a two-man strike force with Rooney operating in a slightly withdrawn role.

If Capello seeks a like-forlike replacement for the injured Defoe, he may lean towards Bent, who impressed from the bench in the 3-1 victor y over Switzerland last month by coming on to score his first international goal.

Bent, who has rattled in seven goals for Sunderland this season, believes he is ready to establish himself as a part of the England set-up after narrowly missing out on the World Cup for the second time earlier this year.

The 26-year-old marksman says he is now reaping the rewards of the effort he has put into reviving his career with Sunderland following a disappointing spell at Tottenham, who offloaded him in 2009.

“I worked harder in the last year than in any other year in my career to get back on track and hopefully the rewards are coming,” Bent said. “I have to give it my best and just hope the manager likes what he sees. I can’t remember the last time I was involved in two squads so I must be making progress.”

Davies, who in all probability would not have made the squad had Heskey resisted a plea by Capello to come out of retirement, is determined to make the most of his England call up.

At 33, Davies admitted he believed the possibility of inter national football had passed him by before he received a phone call out of the blue from the Football Association last week telling him he’d been selected.

“I sat down for five minutes wondering if it was a wind-up,” said Davies, who will become the oldest England debutant since a 38year-old L eslie Compton won the first of his two caps against Wales in 1950 if he plays today.

“When my wife came in and asked who it was and I told her, there were a few tears,” Davies said. “There have been a few near misses, a few long squads and a few disappointments. You do start to wonder if it’s ever going to happen.”

As well as working out who will partner Rooney in attack, Capello is also set to grasp the nettle of who will wear the captain’s armband now that his first choice Rio Ferdinand is fit again.

The captaincy passed to Steven Ger rard af ter Ferdinand was injured on the eve of the World Cup, and the Liverpool skipper has since responded with his best r un of for m in an England shirt.

Gerrard was exceptional in the wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland last month, prompting calls for the midfielder to keep the armband ahead of the increasingly injury-prone Ferdinand.

With Phil Jagielka withdrawing from the squad through injury, Ferdinand is expected to be restored to the hear t of the defence, where shackling Montenegro’s captain Mirko Vucinic will be their primary task. That task was made more difficult after Chelsea s t a lw a r t J oh n Te r r y w a s forced to withdraw with a back injury late S u n d a y. G a r y C a h i l l o f Bolton or Joleon Lescott of Manchester City will now likely partner Ferdinand in central defence. — AFP

HELSINKI: Hungary’s Zoltan Gera (centre) trains with members of Hungary’s soccer team ahead of today’s soccer match against Finland in their qualifying round of the 2012 UEFA European soccer Championship. — AP

Scots take on WCup holders Spain GLASGOW: Scotland face their sternest test yet in their quest to qualify for Euro 2012 when World Cup holders Spain visit Hampden yesterday.

The World and European champions top Group I with maximum points after two games thanks to a 3-1 win over Lithuania on Friday while Scotland slumped to a 1-0 loss to the Czech Republic in Prague.

However, Scotland captain Darren Fletcher says his team have the potential to spring a surprise in their clash in Glasgow and pointed to their wins over France in their qualification campaign for Euro 2008 as evidence of what the Scots can do against the top sides.

The French arrived in Glasgow in October 2006 as runners-up in that summer’s World Cup in Germany but went down 1-0 to the Scots, a result that they replicated in Paris the following year.

And Fletcher says Scotland should take inspiration from these results as they attempt to beat the best side in the world.

“We’ve proved against teams like France that we can do it,” the Manchester United midfielder said.

“We’re playing against one of the best teams we’ve seen in a long time. But it’s by no means a given.

“We’ll go out there and try to get a

result. Nobody expects us to get anything but we will try to spring a shock.

“We have to use the France game as an inspiration — we’ve experienced beating big teams like that. “Spain will have a lot of possession but I hope we will get chances to take the game to them. The Spanish are not unbeatable - we saw that in the World Cup when Switzerland frustrated them and managed to win.”

And Scotland assistant manager Peter Houston has promised Craig Levein’s side will adopt a more attacking approach against Spain.

Levein came in for scathing criticism after his side lined up against Group I rivals the Czech Republic in a 4-6-0 formation, and failed to manage a shot on target in the entire 90 minutes on Friday.

“We are keen to play the world champions in what will be a difficult game.

Footballers like to play at the top level and nobody is better than the world champions,” Houston said.

“Playing Spain will require a different outlook, a different type of game where we have to try to attack, we tried to attack but in a different way in the Czech Republic and played some good stuff and did OK.” Levein is sweating on the fitness of four key players ahead of today’s clash. Tottenham defender Alan Hutton, Wigan’s Gary Caldwell, West Brom mid-

fielder Graham Dorrans and Rangers utility man Steven Whittaker all missed training on Sunday as they nursed injuries while Middlesbrough’s Barry Robson is suspended.

Spain may be without Liverpool striker Fernando Torres due to injury but his replacement, Fernando Llorente, has warned Scotland he’s ready to continue his goal-scoring form at Hampden.

The Athletic Bilbao striker hit a double in their 3-1 win over Lithuania and now Llorente, who has scored six goals in just 11 games for Spain, says he has Scotland in his sights.

“To take over from Torres isn’t easy but I have to take this chance,” the Spanish striker said.

“We may play with different styles but we both want to score goals. I’m expecting to play and score against Scotland and it will be a great experience to play in Glasgow.

“It’s my dream to score today and help us win the match. We are prepared for a battle against Scotland but we’re determined to create a distance between us and the rest of the teams in the group.

“We know it won’t be easy but the coach will demand three points. Our objective is simple - to win in Glasgow and qualify for the Euros as quickly as we can.” — AFP

Independiente beat Racing BUENOS AIRES: Cristian Baez scored the only goal as Independiente celebrated its first match under new coach Antonio Mohamed with a 1-0 win against derby rival Racing Club on Sunday in the Argentine Apertura football championship. Later Sunday, Juan Manuel Martinez scored a hat-trick in the second-half to help Velez Sarsfield thump Colon 6-0 and move to second in the table, while Boca Juniors won 2-1 at Tigre to buy time for struggling coach Claudio Borghi.

With 10 of the 19 matches now played, Estudiantes has a five-point lead at the top of the table, followed by Velez and Arsenal, both on 20 points. River Plate faces lastplaced Gimnasia yesterday.

Baez scored with a header from a corner just before halftime to clinch the win for Independiente, which has now gone 11 matches without losing to Racing.

Both clubs are considered among Argentina’s “big five”, along with Boca, River Plate and San Lorenzo.

Independiente turned to Mohamed as coach after a poor opening to the campaign under his predecessor Daniel Garnero. Mohamed, a former striker who has also coached in Mexico, was in charge of Colon earlier in the tournament but left after a similarly slow start.

Paraguayan defender Baez found space deep in the box to head Leandro Gracian’s corner back across goal and into the bottom corner to give Independiente the lead just before the break.

Independiente goalkeeper Hilario Navarro produced a fine save to stop Lucas Aveldano’s header from a corner in the 72nd and Lucas Castroman hit the crossbar for Racing soon after with a right-footed drive. Racing was missing creative lynchpin Giovani Moreno, who had been called up to the Colombia national squad.

Navarro took the plaudits again shortly before the final whistle with a save from Claudio Bieler who was clean through on goal. — AP

BUENOS AIRES: Independiente’s Hernan Fredes (right) battles for the ball with Racing Club’s Matias Martinez (left) as Independiente’s Patricio Rodriguez falls down during an Argentina’s league soccer match. — AP

Serbia under pressure following Estonia loss GENOA: Serbia head into today’s Euro 2012 group C qualifier against Italy in Genoa knowing they cannot afford to lose. Vladimir Petrovic’s team have had a poor start to qualifying, being held to a draw at home by Slovenia and then losing to minnows Estonia in their own back yard.

It has left them with just four points from three games and, should they lose to Italy, they will be left with a mountain to climb if they are to reach Poland and Ukraine in two years time.

Their poor start is perhaps not surprising, though, given the internal troubles they have had with Raddy Antic being dismissed af ter two qualifying games and Petrovic jumping into the hot seat with no time to prepare.

Not to mention that this comes on the back of their poor showing at the World Cup in South Africa. Italy had a similarly underwhelming World Cup but the four-time

world champions have seemingly rebounded in style, aided in some way by an easy start to qualifying.

Italy’s first three games were against the three weakest teams in the group Estonia, Faroe Islands and Northern Ireland-and while they have been far from impressive, they have at least picked up enough points to go top. But they had to come from behind to win 2-1 in Estonia while they could not break down a stubborn Northern Ireland rearguard in a 0-0 draw in Belfast although they did at least thump the Faroes 5-0. Even so, this is their first big test and their biggest threat comes from a man they know well, Juventus forward Milos Krasic.

Not only does the Serbia danger man play in Italy but so too does the country’s captain, Dejan Stankovic of Inter Milan. But it is Krasic who most concerns the hosts.

“Everyone knows about Krasic’s quality, he’s a great

player, very quick and in form,” said Italy full-back Domenico Criscito.

“He’s a real danger. We’ll definitely have to double up on him. Apart from anything else he managed to adapt quickly to our football and that’s never easy, not everyone can do that.”

Krasic has impressed in his first couple of months at Juve as part of their coach Luigi Delneri’s attacking system, the Serb scoring a hattrick against Cagliari in his fourth league game.

But it is not just the former CSKA Moscow man’s ability that is troubling Italy, coach Cesare Prandelli actually believes it could work against his team to face a wounded animal.

“Estonia were described as a team of semi-amateurs but it’s not the case,” said Prandelli of Serbia’s defeat.

“It’s a very balanced group and there will be more surprises, such as Estonia’s in Serbia. — AFP

SPORTS

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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NFL results/standings National Football League results and standings on Sunday. Jacksonville 36, Buffalo 26; Tampa Bay 24, Cincinnati 21; Atlanta 20, Cleveland 10; Detroit 44, St. Louis 6; Indianapolis 19, Kansas City 9; Washington 16, Green Bay 13 (OT); Chicago 23, Carolina 6; Baltimore 31, Denver 17; NY Giants 34, Houston 10; Arizona 30, New Orleans 20; Oakland 35, San Diego 27; Tennessee 34, Dallas 27; Philadelphia 27, San Francisco 24.

American Football Conference AFC East W L T PF PA NY Jets 3 1 0 106 61 New England 3 1 0 131 96 Miami 2 2 0 66 92 Buffalo 0 5 0 87 161 AFC North Baltimore 4 1 0 92 72 Pittsburgh 3 1 0 86 50 Cincinnati 2 3 0 100 102 Cleveland 1 4 0 78 97 AFC South Houston 3 2 0 118 136 Jacksonville 3 2 0 107 137 Indianapolis 3 2 0 136 101 Tennessee 3 2 0 132 95 AFC WEST Kansas City 3 1 0 77 57 Oakland 2 3 0 111 134 San Diego 2 3 0 140 106 Denver 2 3 0 104 116 National Football Conference NFC East Washington 3 2 0 89 92 Philadelphia 3 2 0 122 103 NY Giants 3 2 0 106 98 Dallas 1 3 0 81 87 NFC North Chicago 4 1 0 92 74 Green Bay 3 2 0 119 89 Minnesota 1 2 0 43 38 Detroit 1 4 0 126 112 NFC South Atlanta 4 1 0 113 70 Tampa Bay 3 1 0 74 80 New Orleans 3 2 0 99 102 Carolina 0 5 0 52 110 NFC West Arizona 3 2 0 88 138 Seattle 2 2 0 75 77 St. Louis 2 3 0 83 96 San Francisco 0 5 0 76 130

PCT .750 .750 .500 0 .800 .750 .400 .200 .600 .600 .600 .600 .750 .400 .400 .400 .600 .600 .600 .250 .800 .600 .333 .200 .800 .750 .600 0 .600 .500 .400 0

LANDOVER: Green Bay Packers’ Donald Lee fumbles with the ball on a hit from Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry during the first half of an NFL football game. — AP

Colts stop Chiefs, Cardinals thrash Saints INDIANAPOLIS: Mike Hart scored the game’s only touchdown on an 11-yard run with 4:02 to go as the Indianapolis Colts handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season 19-9 on Sunday, leaving the NFL without any unbeaten teams. It’s the first time since 1970 that no team has reached 4-0.

The Colts (3-2) won in atypical fashion.

For the first time this season, Peyton Manning failed to top 300 yards or throw for a touchdown. He finished 26-of-44 for 244 yards with one interception and couldn’t get the Colts into the end zone until Hart’s clinching score.

Cardinals 30, Saints 20 At Glendale, Arizona, Max Hall’s debut as Arizona’s quarterback was a winning one as the Cardinals defense intercepted three passes by Drew Brees. The undrafted rookie from BYU completed 17 of 27 passes for 168 yards, Jay Feely kicked three field goals and Kerry Rhodes returned a fumble 27 yards for a score to lead the way.

Raiders, 35 Chargers 27 At Oakland, California, Michael Bush

ran 3 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 3:39 remaining and Tyvon Branch returned a fumble 64 yards for a score as Oakland snapped a 13-game losing streak against San Diego.

All it took to end the seven-year drought for the Raiders (2-3) was two blocked two punts, two long touchdown drives in the second half led by backup quarterback Jason Campbell and the big play at the end by Branch and Michael Huff.

Titans 34, Cowboys 27 At Arlington, Texas, Chris Johnson scored a pair of 1-yard touchdowns in the fourth quarter, lifting Tennessee over mistake-prone Dallas.

The Cowboys got behind 17-3 with penalties and errors on defense. Dallas managed to tie it at 17 and 20, then a tipped pass that was intercepted set up Johnson’s first touchdown of the final period.

Eagles 27, 49ers 24 At San Francisco, Kevin Kolb passed for 253 yards while capably filling in for injured Michael Vick, and Quintin Mikell returned

Alex Smith’s fumble 52 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter of Philadelphia’s victory over winless San Francisco. LeSean McCoy rushed for a score and Trevard Lindley made a lastminute interception for the Eagles (3-2), who forced five turnovers and survived San Francisco’s late rally for their fifth straight win over the 49ers (0-5).

Lions 44, Rams 6 At Detroit, Stefan Logan’s 105-yard kickoff return broke a tie and sent the Lions to their first win of the season and ended a 10-game losing streak.

The win was the Lions’ most-lopsided since beating the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars 44-0 in 1995. Logan’s franchiserecord tying score helped the Lions (1-4) outscore St. Louis 21-3 in the second quarter, and they didn’t let up.

Ravens 31, Broncos 17 At Baltimore, Ray Rice ran for 133 yards and two touchdowns as Baltimore frustrated Denver quarterback Kyle Orton.

Baltimore (4-1) jumped to a 17-0 lead and coasted to its third straight win, the first this season by double digits. The Ravens moved past idle Pittsburgh into sole possession of first place in the AFC North.

Giants 34, Texans 10 At Houston, Eli Manning threw two of his three touchdown passes to Hakeem Nicks and the Giants held Houston to a franchise-low 24 yards rushing.

Nicks finished with career highs of 12 catches and 130 yards, another big day for a receiver against the Texans’ porous secondary. Manning finished 27 of 42 for 297 yards, and threw his third TD pass to Steve Smith in the fourth quarter.

Redskins 16, Packers 13 At Landover, Maryland, Graham Gano kicked a 33-yard field goal 6:54 into overtime to lift Washington past Green Bay. The winning score was set up by LaRon Landry’s diving interception of Aaron Rodgers at the Packers 39. The Redskins moved the ball with the help of two penal-

ties to set up Gano’s kick.

Bears 23, Panthers 6 At Charlotte, North Carolina, Matt Forte rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, Julius Peppers had an acrobatic interception against his former team and Chicago overcame four interceptions by backup Todd Collins to keep Carolina winless.

Forte scored both his TDs in the first quarter, during which Peppers silenced a booing crowd in his first game back to Carolina with a diving interception to set up a field goal.

Falcons 20, Browns 10 At Cleveland, defensive end Kroy Biermann’s spectacular interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter led Atlanta over Cleveland. After pressuring Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme, Biermann leaped to deflect the pass and then made a diving headfirst catch like a seasoned wide receiver. Knowing he had not been touched, Biermann scrambled to his feet and rumbled 31 yards on a twisting,

turning effort to give the Falcons a 20-10 lead with 4:01 left.

Jaguars 36, Bills 26 At Orchard Park, New York, tight end Marcedes Lewis caught two touchdowns passes as Jacksonville rallied from a 10point deficit to keep Buffalo winless.

David Garrard shook off an interception and a lost fumble to throw for three touchdowns as the Jaguars (3-2) snapped a fourgame road skid. Mike Sims-Walker’s 7yard touchdown put the Jaguars ahead for good, 27-20 lead late in the third quarter.

Buccaneers 24, Bengals 21 At Cincinnati, Carson Palmer’s third interception gave Tampa Bay one last chance, and Connor Barth kicked a 31yard field goal with 1 second left.

Second-year quarterback Josh Freeman set up the winning kick with a sensational pass, hitting Micheal Spurlock along the sideline for a 21-yard completion to the 13. Spurlock kept both toes inbound for a falling-down catch that was upheld on review. — AP

Djokovic, Wozniacki win China Open titles

BEIJING: Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki poses for photos with her trophy after winning the women’s singles final match against Russia’s Vera Zvonareva in the China Open tennis tournament. —AP

BEIJING: Top-seeded Novak Djokovic defeated David Ferrer of Spain 6-2, 6-4 yesterday to defend his China Open title and claim his second championship of the year ahead of this week’s Shanghai Masters.

In the women’s final, top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark beat No. 3 Vera Zvonareva 63, 3-6, 6-3. Djokovic, the world No. 2, cruised through the first set of the match that had been postponed because of rain Sunday, but fell behind 4-2 in the second as his pace flagged slightly.

At 4-3, the eighth-ranked Ferrer battled to hold serve and defend his lead, but Djokovic was relentless, breaking him to take the set and, two games later, the match.

“I started off really well but then I lost the momentum I kind of lost the rhythm, got him back into the match with some unforced errors,” said Djokovic, who converted four of six break points while being broken only once to wrap up the match in 1 hour, 24 minutes.

“It wasn’t a really nice looking match from both sides. We made a lot of unforced errors, especially him. He made my life a little bit easier at the end of the second set, where, with his unforced errors, I got back into the set,” the Serb said.

Djokovic, who was runner-up at last month’s US Open, said he was pleased with his improved serve, which he says is largely responsible for the run of success he’s experienced since Wimbledon.

The 23-year-old had somewhat more difficulty accounting for his success in Beijing, where he won the Olympic bronze medal in 2008 in addition to his back-to-back China Open titles. The playing surface — and the local cuisine — seem to suit his style of play, Djokovic said. “There’s something special about this place.” The win improves Djokovic’s record against Ferrer to five wins and four losses.

Djokovic next faces either Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia or Chinese qualifier Zhang Ze on Wednesday at the ATP Masters in Shanghai. “This is definitely a confidence boost for me. The last two, three

months ... feeling much more comfortable and confident on the court, playing the aggressive game and service is working for me which is a great thing to have,” he said.

“Let’s see if I can keep it up. Energy-wise I’m fresh.” Ferrer has less time to rest, meeting France’s Michael Llodra in Shanghai on Tuesday.

He also pointed to the eighth game of the second set as having decided Monday’s match.

“I had my chance there, but didn’t do it,” said the 28-year-old, who entered the final after beating Ljubicic in three sets in Saturday’s semifinals.

“Maybe when I lost this game, I lost a little bit my concentration and couldn’t come back and play regular again.” Wozniacki converted three of her four breakpoints, one more than her Russian opponent.

Zvonareva led 3-1 in the first set before losing five straight games. Employing her formidable twohanded backhand to devastating effect, Wozniacki broke Zvonareva in the second game of the third set then held serve to take a 3-0 lead.

“I thought in general I played a really, really good match,” Wozniacki said. “I just stayed focused, I kept running, I tried to keep the pressure on her, tried to keep her moving and I thought we played a really, really good match.”

The China Open is Wozniacki’s sixth title this season, the result, the 20-year-old said, of greater attention to a number of small aspects of her game.

“I’m really happy and pleased by how I’m playing at the moment,” she said. Following her rise to the top spot, Wozniacki says a Grand Slam title is her next goal.

“I feel like I’m at a very high level and can beat anyone,” Wozniacki said. “If it doesn’t happen next year, I’m still young and have a lot of years ahead of me.” Wozniacki said she plans to rest a few days before warming up for the season-ending WTA Championships in Doha, Qatar later this month.

“I feel like I’m not burned out,” she said. “I feel I’ve done really well in my latest tournaments and I’m looking forward to Doha.”— AP

BEIJING: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses for photos with his trophy after winning his men’s singles final match against David Ferrer of Spain in the China Open tennis tournament. — AP

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NEW DELHI: (From left) Kenya’s Joseph Birech, Kenya’s Titus Mbishei, England’s John Beattie, England’s Andy Vernon, Uganda’s Moses Kipsiro, Australia’s Collin Birmingham and Australia’s Ben St. Lawrence wait for the start of the Men’s 10000m final during the Commonwealth Games. — AP

Nigerian athlete’s drug shame rocks Games NEW DELHI: After a host of selfinduced problems that brought bad publicity for India’s Commonwealth Games organizers, a new one surfaced yesterday that was completely out of their control: a positive drug test.

In what has become almost inevitable at multi-sports events, Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell announced the first doping case of the New Delhi Games, saying Osayomi Oludamola of Nigeria tested positive for the banned stimulant Methylexanemine and could be stripped of her gold medal in the 100 meters.

The New Delhi event has been plagued by problems with ticketing, near-empty stadiums, construction delays and filthy conditions in the athletes’ village before the games began.

More than 900 doping tests have been conducted since the games open Oct. 3, Fennell said, and so far Oludamola had returned the only positive.

Fennell said Oludamola has been notified of the adverse finding and had requested the testing of the “B” sample.

A Federal Court hearing involving Fennell, lawyers and World Anti-Doping Agency observers later ruled that the provisional suspension would continue until the “B” sample results are received, which would be tomorrow at the earliest in New Delhi, the CGF said in a statement.

“If the allegations are true it’s most unfortunate for us,” Nigeria’s chef de mission Elias Gora told The Associated Press. “I’m disappointed and I’m sure people back home will also be disappointed, too.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency recently loosened the classification of Methylexanemine for next year to the “specified stimulant” list, which covers drugs that are more susceptible to inadvertent use and can carry reduced penalties.

The eighth of 11 competition days yesterday included 14 gold medal events, the semifinals in boxing and the first day of the rugby sevens tournament at Delhi University, where Kenya caused the biggest upset result with a last-minute 12-10 win over world champion Samoa in the last preliminary match.

Olympic silver medalist Sally Pearson won the 100-meter hurdles and Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker added yet another to his collection.

Pearson thought she had won the

C’wealth Games Medalists ATHLETICS 3,000 Steeplechase Gold: Richard Mateelong, Kenya Silver: Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenya Bronze: Brimin Kiprop Kipruto, Kenya.

10,000 Gold: Moses Ndiema Kipsiro, Uganda Silver: Daniel Lemashon Salel, Kenya Bronze: Joseph Kiptoo Birech, Kenya.

NEW DELHI: Australia’s Sally Pearson reacts after winning the Women’s 100m Hurdles final during the Commonwealth Games. — AP 100 sprint last week but was disqualified hours after crossing the line when officials reviewed tape of tape of the first attempt to start the race and ruled a false start. This time, there was no question. She won in a games record 12.67 seconds.

“It has been a horrible week because of the disqualification,” Pearson said. “I am just relieved and I am just happy now. I did not even have to look, I just knew I had won the gold.” After Pearson was disqualified, Osayomi Oludamola was promoted to gold. But the Nigerian has failed a doping test and could lose the medal.

World and Olympic champion Hooker easily won his second straight Commonwealth title after clearing his first attempt at 5.60.

Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands won the women’s 200, which had been scheduled for Sunday but was postponed because the Cypriot team protested the disqualification of sprinter Eleni Artymata. The appeal was denied Sunday night and Artymata did not race Monday.

India swept the medals in the women’s discus, with Krishna Poonia winning at 61.51 meters. She was the first Indian woman ever to win a gold medal in athletics at the Commonwealth Games.

Richard Mateelong led a Kenyan sweep in the steeplechase, holding off world champion Ezekiel Kemboi and Olympic champion Brimin Kiprop Kipruto, while Nancy Jebet Langat

added the 800 title to her 1,500 gold.

Moses Ndiema Kiosiro of Uganda also completed a double, surging at the bell and holding off a trio of Kenyans to add the 10,000 title to his 5,000 gold.

Alexandre Despatie won his second gold in the diving pool, successfully defending his 3-meter springboard after winning the 1-meter on Sunday. It was Despatie’s eighth career gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

With out-of-competition issues constantly overshadowing New Delhi 2010, Fennell said he was uncertain what effect the doping case would have on the games. “Any positive test, whether it is in a high-profile event or not, is something that is very much regretted for a clean games, clean sport and a clean competition,” Fennell said, adding that no decision had been made on the medals.”

Most of the Olympic Games this decade have had doping cases, either during the games or on later analysis of samples when testing has advanced.

Testing was continuing in New Delhi, with medalists in all events tested and others done at random. The games end Thursday, and street kids will have a chance to see the closing ceremonies.

The Delhi government has asked the games’ organizing committee to reserve 700 tickets which it will buy.

The tickets will be distributed to 200 children who live and work on the streets of this city of 12 million. The other 500 will go to students of government schools. — AP

Medals Table Nation Australia India England Canada South Africa Nigeria Kenya Malaysia Singapore Scotland Samoa New Zealand Jamaica Pakistan Cyprus Uganda Wales

G 64 30 27 23 12 8 8 7 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 1

S 40 23 49 15 11 7 6 8 5 8 0 17 3 1 0 0 5

B 39 24 35 28 9 11 6 8 6 6 1 6 1 0 1 0 7

Total 143 77 111 66 32 26 20 23 16 18 4 25 6 3 3 2 13

Bahamas Nauru Botswana Cayman Islands Trinidad Cameroon N. Ireland Sri Lanka PNG Seychelles St. Vincent Ghana Isle of Man Namibia Bangladesh Guyana St. Lucia

1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 1 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 1 1

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

Pole vault Gold: Steve Hooker, Australia Silver: Steven Lewis, England Bronze:. Max Eaves, England.

Women 100 hurdles Gold: Sally Pearson, Australia Silver: Angela Whyte, Canada Bronze: Andrea Miller, New Zealand.

200 Gold: Cydonie Mothersill, Cayman Islands

Silver: Abiodun Oyepitan, England Bronze: Adrienne Power, Canada 800 Gold: Nancy Jebet Langat, Kenya Silver: Nikki Hamblin, New Zealand Bronze: Diane Cummins, Canada Discus Gold: Krishna Poonia, India Silver: Harwant Kaur, India Bronze: Seema Antil, India DIVING Men 3-meter Springboard Gold: Alexandre Despatie, Canada Silver: Reuben Ross, Canada Bronzze: Grant Nel, Australia.

Women 10-meter Platform Gold: Pandelela Pamg, Malaysia Silver: Melissa Wu, Australia Bronze: Alexandra Croak, Australia.

SHOOTING Men Pairs Skeet Gold: Georgios Achilleos and Andreas Chasikos, Cyprus Silver: Jason Caswell and Richard McBride, Canada Bronze: Richard Brickell and Clive Bramley, England Women Pairs 50-Meter Rifle Prone Gold: Scotland (Jan McIntosh and Kay Copland) Silver: England (Michelle Smith and Sharon Lee) Bronze: India (Meena Kumari and Tejaswini Sawant).

WEIGHTLIFTING Men 105+ Kilogram Gold: Damon Kelly, Australia Silver: Itte Detenamo, Nauru Bronze: George Kobaladze, Canada.

Kenya upset champions Samoa NEW DELHI: Humphrey Kayange reached over for a last-minute try as Kenya produced a 12-10 upset victory over 2010 world IRB Sevens champions Samoa yesterday to join New Zealand, England and South Africa as unbeaten teams af ter the first day of the Commonwealth Games tournament.

In the medal quarterfinals Today, New Zealand takes on Wales, South Africa plays Scotland, the Kenyans take on Australia and England plays Samoa.

England, the runnersup at Melbourne four years ago, beat Australia 21-19 to clinch first place in Pool D when the Australians missed the conversion of a try scored after the full-time siren had sounded. New Zealand had lopsided wins over Canada 43-7, Guyana 52-0 and Scotland 46-0.

“We got the key things right,” said New Zealand’s D. J. Forbes. “We relied on a few guys to make key breaks. The beauty of the team is its real depth.”

Forbes said the Kiwis will not be taking Wales lightly. “We actually had a training match against them in Dubai,” he said.

“Hopefully the boys will step up.”

Generally, it was a case of the haves over the have-nots, with many lopsided scores Monday. Guyana failed to score a point in three matches and conceded 125. Host India lost all three matches.

Nine of the world’s 12 highest-ranked sevens teams are competing among the 16 teams in New Delhi. “It’s an awesome feeling, it’s such a massive event,” England’s Daniel Norton said after his team’s 55-0 win over Uganda.

Missing from the tournament is Fiji, which has been suspended by the Commonwealth for political reasons and was ineligible to compete. Rugby sevens will be on the Olympic program for the 2016 Rio Games. — AP

NEW DELHI: South Africa and New Zealand compete in their field hockey semi-final at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium during the XIX Commonwealth Games. New Zealand won 1-0. — AP

Australia, NZ women in final NEW DELHI: Defending champion Australia edged England 1-0 on Madonna Blyth’s 38th-minute deflection off a penalty corner yesterday to clinch a place in the Commonwealth Games women’s hockey final, where they’ll meet trans-Tasman rival New Zealand.

New Zealand beat South Africa 1-0 to make the gold medal match for the first time in four attempts at the Commonwealth Games.

Kiwi defender Clarissa Eshuis scored the match winner for the 1998 bronze medalist off an indirect 53rd-minute penalty corner drill after the ball had rebounded off goalkeeper Vuyisanani Mangisa pads.

South Africa pressed hard for the equalizer in the last 15 minutes and even got a penalty corner in the 70th, but veteran Pietie Coetzee convert the opportunity. “Our persistence paid off as we knew South Africa were hard to beat,” New Zealand midfielder Krystal Forgesson said.

“We are excited that another hard team (Australia) is waiting for us, but we must ensure we don’t lose the focus.” South African defender Kim Hubach rued missed chances that included five short corners.

“We even had a chance in the last minute, but we missed it,” Hubach said. “It’s obviously disappointing but we have to put this behind and come again on

Wednesday for the bronze medal against England.”

England had better ball possession throughout the match against Australia, but the 2006 gold medalists were able to successfully defend their early second-half lead. Australia coach Frank Murray, who will quit after the Commonwealth Games, said England pressured his defenders. “We asked them to be disciplined coming out of defense, but we still struggled because England pressed us through there,” Murray said.

“Sometimes luck does win you games, and you get away with one goal.” Striker Kate Hollywood said Australia would be ready for Wednesday’s final.

“We are on the up and ready to play anyone in the final,” Hollywood said. Some England players sat on the pitch at the MDC Stadium and covered their faces with their hands to hide their tears.

“We are devastated and gutted at the moment,” defender Crista Cullen said. “We had 90 percent of the possession and were all over them, but they got a scrappy goal and defended it with their lives.” In the playoffs, Trinidad and Tobago edged Malaysia 2-1 to finish ninth with Stacey-Ann Siu scoring the winner just a minute from fulltime. India finished fifth with a 3-0 win over Canada. Chanchan Devi and Saba Anjum added field goals to Ritu Rani’s first-half effort for India. — AP

Kuwait Energy eyes IPO

Dubai Logistics Corridor inaugurated

23

23

Schwarzenegger leads Russian trade mission

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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Iran ups oil reserves estimate, passes Iraq TEHRAN: Iran increased its estimated oil reserves yesterday to a level which would return it to third place in the world after Iraq said last week it had overtaken its neighbor. Coming ahead of an OPEC meeting on Thursday, one analyst said the two countries were in a “bidding war” over reserves, which is usually a consideration including other criteria such as production capacity when it comes to allocating quotas.

TEHRAN: Iran’s Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi speaks with media during his press conference yesterday. — AP Oil Minister Massoud Mirkazemi told a news conference Iran had 150.31 billion barrels of reserves, up from a previous estimate of 138 billion barrels and added that figure would be revised even higher soon. “This latest figure will definitely go up by the end of the year,” he said. Last Monday, Iraq raised its proven oil reserves figure by a quarter to 143 billion barrels, surpassing Iran and putting it behind only Saudi Arabia in terms of conventional crude, and third after Venezuela if unconventional reserves are counted.

Amrita Sen, an analyst at Barclays in London, said of the rival claims by Iran and Iraq: “It looks like almost a bidding war.” During the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s OPEC meetings were dominated

by Iraq demanding an output quota equal to Iran’s. The situation was only resolved after the war when some OPEC members gave up some of their shares for Baghdad to have an equal quota. Iraq said last week its revised figure would help it get a higher OPEC quota in the future. It is exempt from the quota system while it recovers from years of war. Thursday’s meeting is not expected to set new quotas or alter output targets.

Principles Sen said the headline reserves figure was only part of the story, and did not reflect a country’s ability to pump crude and get it to market. “It is not a question of how much reserves they have got in the ground but how much oil they can produce. Iran’s production rate from mature fields is one of the highest in the world.” Mirkazemi said Iran’s production capacity was 4.2 million barrels a day but was pumping less due to its OPEC quota.

The Islamic Republic is under increasingly tough economic sanctions due to concerns about its nuclear program-which it denied is aimed at making a bomb-but it remains the world’s fifthlargest oil exporter. Mirkazemi played down the sanctions’ impact on foreign investment in Iran’s oil exploitation which led Western firms including Royal Dutch Shell and Total to pull out of projects, and Asian countries such as Japan’s Inpex Corp reportedly considering a similar move.

He said Asian and European companies were still cooperating in Iran’s energy sector, but did not give names. When asked whether Chinese companies were also reducing their activities, he replied: “All countries can be involved in (Iranian energy projects). We still stick to our principles.

“Those who are interested to invest can do so. While we understand the situation of countries which are concerned, those who act in a hostile way will be in our black list. “We have large financial resources and are not worried about financing in the oil industry,” he said.

Mirkazemi also raised his estimate for Iran’s gas reserves the second biggest in the world after Russia’s-to 33.1 trillion cubic meters, from 28 trillion cubic meters previously. Iran had discovered a new gas field in the southern Hormuzgan province, he said. The Sefid (White) field has an estimated 70 billion cubic feet of gas in the field, 72 percent of which is recoverable, he said. — Reuters

Analyst sees ‘bidding war’ ahead of OPEC meeting on Thursday in the news Petrofac wins 250m dollar UAE contract SHARJAH: British-based energy services provider Petrofac yesterday won a contract worth more than 250 million dollars to operate a gas plant in Sharjah, the company said. The contract was awarded by the government of Sharjah, one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates federation, “following a competitive open bidding process,” Petrofac said in a statement.T hrough the “Duty Holder contract”, Petrofac is expected to provide a full range of management service to the government, including reservoir management, drilling and well services, plant operations and engineering and project management, it said. The government of Sharjah, through its Sharjah Petroleum Council, holds a 60-percent participating interest in the Sharjah gas and associated liquids concession, while BP holds the rest. BP is also in charge of the petroleum operations of the concession, together with the Sajaa plant and related facilities. “The concession expires in November 2013 and the government of Sharjah and BP are actively working together on assuring a smooth transition of the BPoperated facilities to the government,” the statement said.

NEW YORK: Construction cranes perch on top of One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, as work continues to rebuild it. — AP

Thirteen firms to bid in Iraq’s gas auction BAGHDAD: Thirteen companies have qualified to bid in Iraq’s Oct 20 auction for three gas fields and no others will be allowed to take part, a senior oil official said yesterday. Iraq will tender gas fields at Akkas in the western desert, Iraq’s Sunni heartland and once an Al-Qaeda stronghold, Mansuriyah near the Iranian border in volatile Diyala province, and Siba in the relatively peaceful southern oil hub of Basra. The three fields together have estimated reserves of around 11.23 trillion cubic feet of gas.

The bidding round has been delayed twice to give companies more time to study contract terms.

“Thirteen companies will take part in the gas auction and no more firms will be allowed,” AbdulMahdy Al-Ameedi, head of the Iraqi oil ministry’s licensing and contracting office, told Reuters. These are the 13 companies that were qualified to take part:Italy’s Edison and ENI, France’s Total, South Korea’s KOGAS, Japan’s Mitsubishi, state-run Turkish Petroleum Corporation, Japan’s Itochu, Kazakhstan state oil and gas company KazMunaiGas, Russia’s TNK-BP, Norway’s StatoilHydro, India’s Oil & Natural Gas Corp, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp (JOGMEC) and Kuwait Energy.

Electrolux set to acquire What’s on the agenda Egyptian appliance maker

at the OPEC meeting?

VIENNA: OPEC on Thursday will hold its 157th conference, which is widely expected to leave existing output policy unchanged. So far analysts have been all but unanimous in stating any other outcome to the meeting would be a major surprise, but they still expect lively debate. The following outlines some of the questions the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries could address.

Is there any need to change output policy?

Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said earlier this year a $70-$80 range was “the most appropriate price.” Oil prices have in October climbed above that range, but OPEC ministers have said there is no need to act to calm the market because supplies are more than ample.

In addition to OPEC supplies, there are high volumes of non-OPEC crude on the market.

US fuel inventories hit a record level in September and stocks in other developed countries are also very high, while demand is still subdued. “I see no change in policy because prices are where OPEC wants them and because prices are more important to OPEC than inventories,” said Mike Wittner of Societe Generale. Saudi Arabia will hold supplies steady in November to term buyers in Asia, industry sources said yesterday, in another indication OPEC policy will be unchanged for the near future.

Could OPEC raise its price ambitions?

Oil prices have been driven by dollar weakness, something which is expected to continue as markets anticipate more stimulus measures from the world’s largest economy and biggest oil consumer. “For the next two months, it is the US Fed (Federal Reserve) and not OPEC, which will have the greatest influence on oil prices,” said Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix. A weaker dollar makes dollar-denominated commodities relatively cheap and can fuel speculative buying. It also erodes the purchasing power of OPEC members, who receive dollar

income, so it can make them seek a higher oil price.

But what about the economy?

Depending on the extent of any rally, the price moderates in OPEC might worry about damage to the global economy and the impact on fuel demand. In 2008 when prices peaked at nearly $150 a barrel, Saudi Arabia, the OPEC member most anxious to preserve long-term fuel consumption for its vast reserves, said it would pump more oil if there was demand for it, as it sought to tame runaway prices.

Regardless of principle, other members of OPEC have been reluctant to comply with agreed output targets in times of rising prices, preferring instead to pump all they can to maximize revenues for the short-term. Compliance with targets agreed in late 2008 stood at 57 percent at the last Reuters assessment, leaving plenty of scope for OPEC to add or subtract supply in response to market movements. Thursday’s meeting may well call for tighter compliance in view of the amounts of excess crude on the market, but past performance implies OPEC would be more likely to reduce rather than increase output discipline if prices continue to rise.

Will OPEC change output policy next year?

Although compliance has waxed and waned, OPEC has not formally changed output policy since December 2008 when in response to a price collapse, recession and a slump in fuel demand, it announced a record supply cut.

The depth of those curbs — 4.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from September 2008 output-has allowed great flexibility to adjust compliance, but some analysts think there could be a case for reviewing output policy next year unless an exceptionally cold winter draws down stocks.

Estimates for supply and demand so far imply a modest increase in demand for OPEC crude next year as consumption rises slowly.

A Reuters poll in September found oil inventories would remain in surplus as a slug-

gish economy limited consumption and nonOPEC supplies rose slightly, but at a slower rate than in 2010. Under one scenario, global stocks would fall by a mere three days of forward cover in 2011, the poll found, from around 61 now. Between 2005 and 2008, when oil prices were rising rapidly, industry stocks rarely climbed above 55 days of forward cover.

When will Iraq be drawn into OPECʼS quota system?

Following years of war, Iraq is the only one of the 12 OPEC members that does not have an output target and yet it has enormous potential to increase its production. Last year, it signed contracts with foreign firms to increase its capacity to 12 million barrels bpd in seven years’ time-almost matching Saudi capacity of 12.5 million bpd. For now, however, its output is around 2.5 million bpd and its oil minister has said there is no need to discuss a target until it reaches 4 million bpd.

“Iraq will not come under pressure to take a quota until it reaches parity with Iran on production,” said Lawrence Eagles of JP Morgan.

“Up to that point, most producers will expect Saudi Arabia to accommodate Iraq should demand prove inadequate as it was the main beneficiary of higher output levels following the first Gulf War.” Iran, OPEC’s second largest producer, has an implied output target of 3.34 million bpd, while Saudi Arabia’s is 8.05 million bpd.

Reserves bidding war Iraq also raised its proven reserves estimate earlier this month by a quarter, staking its claim for a high OPEC ceiling once it is given one. OPEC’s second biggest producer Iran responded yesterday by upping its oil reserves figure to 150 billion barrels, above Iraq’s figure of 143 billion barrels. Top exporter Saudi Arabia has reserves of more than 260 billion barrels and Venezuela lays claim to 211 billion barrels. Much of Venezuela’s oil is non-conventional heavy crude, which is costly and difficult to extract. — Reuters

STOCKHOLM/CAIRO: Sweden’s Electrolux has agreed in principle to buy Egypt’s Olympic Group, the biggest appliance maker in the Middle East and North Africa, in a push to capture growth in emerging markets. The world’s second-biggest maker of fridges, vacuum cleaners and cookers has had a commercial partnership with Olympic in the region for the last 30 years, letting it distribute brands such as Electrolux, AEG, Frigidaire and Zanussi.

Electrolux said yesterday it had tentatively agreed to pay owner Paradise Capital 45.30 Egyptian pounds ($8) per share for a 52 percent stake and launch an offer for the rest of the company on completion of the deal at the same price.

Based on Olympic’s 60 million listed shares, that

makes the initial purchase price worth around $480 million before Paradise buys back two noncore units. Olympic shares had closed on Oct 7 at 30.06 pounds. “(The deal) means that investors can sell at a premium of 50 percent from current prices...it is a huge premium,” said Hamed Hashem, equities analyst at investment bank Beltone Financial. “I don’t know if (investors) will opt to stay or get out of (Olympic Group), but it’s a very good opportunity to cash in on the company. If they opt to stay, the company has very good potential,” Hashem said.

Olympic’s shares surged nearly 43 percent on the news and were up 37.1 percent at 41.20 pounds by 1020 GMT, while Egypt’s main index was flat. Electrolux shares gained 4 percent, out-

pacing an 0.5 percent rise in Stockholm’s bluechip index. “(The deal) is an implicit move (by Electrolux) into emerging markets and obviously it is good to buy your own agent. You don’t need to do any rebranding or anything like that. So you can say it is positive,” said Peter Naslund, analyst at Swedbank. Following announcement of the mandatory tender offer for up to 100 percent of Olympic Group, Paradise will launch a tender offer to re-acquire two Olympic non-core assets, Namaa and B-Tech, for 13.88 and 3.44 Egyptian pounds per share respectively. Namaa and Btech combined contributed around 26 percent of first-half group revenue and around 6 million pounds of the group’s 89.2 million pound profit in the half. —Reuters

Regional mandatory sharia finance body ‘years away’

MUMBAI: Indian Bollywood film actress Sushmita Sen unveils the latest Fiat Linea T-Jet yesterday. — AFP

ABU DHABI: The formation of a Gulf-wide sharia council with the mandate to set industry rules, rather than just issue guidelines in its present form, is still “years away”, a senior executive at regulatory body AAOIFI yesterday. Speaking on the sidelines of an industry conference, Assistant Secretary General Khairul Nizam said few expect such a centralized sharia council to be in place before 2013.

“It’s an idea at the moment. It can help the Islamic finance industry because, if the committee has some regulatory bite to it, it can make AAOIFI standards mandatory,” said Nizam. Currently, standards set by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) board are considered guidelines, rather than rules. Some countries such as Bahrain, however, require Islamic institutions to follow the standards. Nizam said the Bahrain-based body is currently working to issue regulatory guidance for sharia scholars serving on the boards of Islamic institutions, which the regulatory body hopes to finalize by the end of 2011. “It’s going to be a long process because we have to make sure to get it right the first time,” he said. He said the industry body has had five meetings already to discuss key issues facing scholars that could be regarded as a conflict of interest in the growing $1 trillion Islamic finance industry. Nizam said there is discussion over whether scholars should have a limit on the number of boards they sit on. —Reuters

BUSINESS

22

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

BA announces autumn sale as premium traffic rebounds

Paolo De Renzis, British Airways’ Area Commercial Manager

Holiday Inn celebrates five successful years in Kuwait KUWAIT: Celebrating five years of its success in Kuwait, the management and the marketing team of the Holiday Inn Salmiya had a media event, where top members of the press were welcomed at Tang Chao Chinese restaurant. Ramy Haykal, the General Manager of the hotel warmly greeted the guests, along with the marketing team of the hotel. In his speech, Ramy Haykal thanked the media for its lion share efforts towards strengthening the hotel brand in Kuwait.

On this special occasion, Ramy Haykal also announced the launch of two new promotions of the hotel - the unique wedding package and an age - based discount at the restaurants. The wedding package features five offers: the wedding stage decor, music DJ, makeup and hairdo at the exclusive Franck Provost, one room night stay and a 3 - layered cake of choice. Each

offer corresponds to a year of the hotel. At the restaurants, you will get a discount equal to your age each time you visit, till the end of the year.

At present, the hotel boasts of 189 rooms, which includes Business suites, Executive Rooms and I Royal Suite. In addition to the current favorites of L’Aroma Cafe, Ayam Zaman and Tang Chao, the all - day buffet restaurant AlDiwan, Rib Eye Steakhouse with the best steaks in town, the finest Japanese cuisine served at Sakura Xpress and a cafÈ for meeting and enjoying the your coffee at leisure, Sucre has been opened.

With the state-of-the-art equipment installed in the newly done ballrooms of Al-Danah and Al-Amwaj, these conference rooms have fast become the top choices for all events and gatherings.

With the hotel being the popular prefer-

ence for meeting places, 5 new meeting rooms are due to be opened on the occasion of this anniversary. The newly expanded 24-Hour Health Club and Spa is completely equipped to satisfy all levels of fitness training, including Cardiovascular, aerobics, strength training, massage and swimming lessons for beginners.

The members of the media enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Al-Diwan International Buffet restaurant, featuring all the specialties of the restaurant, and the expertise of the chefs. A lovely cake prepared for the occasion was cut and the joy shared with all present. The cheerful atmosphere pervading the hotel combined with the excellent quality of service and warm hospitality enjoyed by the guests, created joy and colorful memories with photos taken, for all the invitees.

KUWAIT: Just days after reporting a 4.3 percent rise in September premium traffic and determined to keep demand high, the UK’s flagship carrier, British Airways, has announced a reduction in fares on services to Europe and North America. The discount fares will be available until October 31, 2010 and are valid for travel up until March 31, 2011, in Club World business class, World Traveller Plus premium economy and World Traveller economy cabins.

With return trips to Europe including all taxes, fees and surcharges - available for as little as KD167, and to North America for KD273, the UK carrier looks set to continue experiencing growth.

Fares to Europe in premium economy also start from just KWD 314 and business class from just KD783 all inclusive return.

Paolo De Renzis, British Airways’ Area Commercial Manager, Middle East said, “British Airways is determined to consistently offer our regional customers value for money. The Middle East remains a key growth market for us so it is important that we can compete effectively on price. De Renzis added, “With the new Boeing 777-300 set to become a frequent feature on regional routes, we are committed to maintaining our high standard of both products and services.”

The airline, which launched a new transatlantic routes alliance with merger partner, Iberia and American Airlines last week, is increasing frequency on its Dubai route when the winter schedule kicks in later this month with the introduction of an additional daily service which will be operated by a Boeing 767. A full timetable of these routes and new fares is available online at ba.com where customers can book, pay and check-in online for their flights.

Driver Dan’s story train pulls into ME KUWAIT: twofour54 yesterday announced a broadcasting deal with Al-Jazeera Children’s Channel preschool arm, Baraem TV, to air Captain Karim Qitar Al-Hekayat, a brand new Arabic language production, adapted from existing hit children’s TV series Driver Dan’s Story Train. Driver Dan’s Story Train is the first CGI animated/live action property to be produced in both English and Arabic. Captain Karim Qitar Al-Hekayat is set to air on Baraem TV at the beginning of next year.

Captain Karim Qitar Al-Hekayat is being produced by Blink Studios - a leading UAE-based animation and production company - who have established their new, long-form animation production studio at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi. Blink Studios have produced 52 episodes that reflect the cultures of the Arabic-speaking world; the

production’s live action sequences feature local children, auditioned with the help of schools in the UAE. The post production work is being carried out using the new state-of-the-art facilities at twofour54 intaj, twofour54’s production, post-production, media asset management and broadcast division.

This deal aligns with twofour54’s ambition to build a regional children’s brand with commercial appeal across a number of media platforms. To complement the television series, twofour54 is launching an interactive Arabic language website in November and is in discussions with Arabic language publishers to develop an Arabic language book publishing program.

The roll out of home entertainment and consumer products will follow in 2011.

Captain Karim Qitar Al Hekayat can

provide a blueprint for emerging content creators working in children’s programming. Utilizing the image of a popular Arabic children’s character, media companies can enjoy great success through a range of platforms to include, books, toys, games, stationery and other products.

Since premiering earlier this year in the UK on CBeebies, Driver Dan’s Story Train has established itself as a ratings hit, winning a 40 percent audience share.

Macmillan Children’s Books has successfully released a range of books in the UK to accompany the series alongside the launch of an interactive English language website.

Wayne Borg, COO, twofour54 says: “To establish and build a brand that connects with the Arabic-speaking world has always been at the heart of twofour54’s ambitions. Given that 35 percent of the

region’s 340 million population is children under the age of 14, this indicates that the children’s market is one which has great potential in the region. This acquisition deal is testament to the production quality that is possible across the MENA region and we look forward to working with the team at JCC to make Captain Karim a much loved character for Arabic children.”

Malika Alouane, Director of Channels’ Programming at Al-Jazeera Children’s Channel stated: “We are pleased to witness and support the development of a high quality Arabic long form animation production in our region; I would like to believe that Captain Karim Qitar Al-Hekayat will bring additional programming value to Baraem TV which is highly viewed in millions of homes around the Arab world and highly respected by parents.”

KUWAIT: Musaed Al-Mazyed, Acting Area Manager congratulates the AlDanah weekly winner, Amro Hassan Sabri Abdo Ibrahim.

Gulf Bank announces Al-Danah weekly winners KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its thirty-sixth Al-Danah draw on October 10, 2010, announcing a total number of 10 Al-Danah weekly prize draw winners, each awarded with prizes of KD1,000. The winners were: Fay Mohammad Daifallah Hayef Sharar, Mohammed Moussa Abdullah Shamsah, Yahya Jassem Mohammed Awad, Abdelkhaleq Hashem Khudheer, Abdullah Abdulrahman Abdullah Nazzal, Amro Hassan Sabri Abdo Ebrahim, Aqbal Essa Salman Al-Attar, Ameera Mohammed Ali Maqdes, Yousef Abdullatif AlBusairi, and Shaikha Abdulla Alothman AlRashed.

Gulf Bank encourages everyone in Kuwait to open

an Al-Danah account or increase their deposits to gain more opportunities to become the next lucky AlDanah Millionaire. The last date to open an account or deposit is October 31, 2010.

To qualify for the AlDanah Millionaire draw and the weekly Al-Danah draws, a minimum deposit of just KD200 is needed to open an account. Not only does Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah allow customers to win, but it also encourages customers to save money.

Chances increase the more money is deposited and the longer it is kept in the account.

Al-Danah also offers a number of unique services including the Al-Danah Deposit Only ATM card

which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator which is now in operation to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an Al-Danah winner.

To be part of the AlDanah draws customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 52 branches, transfer on line, or call the Telebanking service 1805805 for assistance and guidance. Customers can also log on to www.e-gulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s bilingual website, to find all the information regarding Al-Danah or any of the Bank’s products and services or log on www.e-gulfbank.com/aldanah, to find out more about Al-Danah and who the winners are.

Samsung aspires to expand leadership position in Kuwait KUWAIT: Samsung Electronics, a leading name in the world of consumer electronics and information technology, hosted its dealers and partners from across Kuwait as part of the company’s continued efforts to invest in the State. Attendees were briefed on Samsung’s new product offerings, stronger go-to-market strategies, future plans and expected growth in Kuwait.

Attendees were briefed on Samsung’s current and future products, the company’s plans to strengthen its leadership position in the market in such categories as LED TVs, 3D TVs and smartphones, in addition to growing its brand equity in the Kuwait market by supporting the local community and connecting with consumers on all levels.

“The Kuwaiti market has always represented a key area for business potential and growth for Samsung, and with the continued support of our already strong channel of dealers and partners, we will continue to experience significant growth and exceed our targets,” said Sachin Somkumar, Head of Sales for Kuwait, Samsung Gulf Electronics.

The launch of new products like the Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S smartphones, a new range of 3D TVs including the world’s largest 65-inch 3D LED TV, as well as an innovative line of home appliances, notebooks and netbooks, have succeeded in positioning Samsung as a leader across the majority of segments in Kuwait.

“Having witnessed continued growth over the past 3 years, Samsung plans on becoming a US $200 million operation in Kuwait by 2013. Our ambitious goals are matched by our dealers’ and partners’ dedication to providing the best value proposition products in the market, while our constantly evolving offerings continue to set the standard across all product segments,” continued Somkumar.

The three-year growth plan will rely on a stronger new channel approach, which aims to ensure better go-to-market strategy and in turn better customer interaction, in addition to a more comprehensive operations management plan that guarantees added value and support to Samsung’s partners and dealers throughout Kuwait.

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Philippine peso Egyptian pounds US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian dollars Danish Kroner Swedish Kroner Australian dlr Hong Kong dlr Singapore dlr Japanese yen Indian Rs/KD Sri Lanka rupee Pakistan rupee Bangladesh taka UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi Riyal/KD Omani riyals Philippine Peso US Dollar Sterling pounds Swiss Francs Saudi Riyals

.2770000 .4460000 .3910000 .2900000 .2760000 .2750000 .0045000 .0020000 .0764870 .7451940 .4020000 .0750000 .7305310 .0045000 .0500000 CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2816500 .4488590 .3934910 .2926320 .2786470 .0527720 .0424760 .2778120 .0363050 .2157080 .0034250 .0064010 .0025310 .0032840 .0040520 .0767230 .7474860 .3983440 .0751570 .7323300 .0065500 TRANSFER CHEQUES RATES .2837500 .4520320 .2947070 .0756370

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.472 6.381

.2870000 .4560000 .3980000 .3000000 .2850000 .2820000 .0075000 .0035000 .0772560 .7526840 .4180000 .0790000 .7378730 .0072000 .0580000 .2837500 .4520320 .3962720 .2947070 .2806230 .0531460 .0427770 .2797760 .0365620 .2172380 .0034500 .0064460 .0025490 .0033080 .0040810 .0772130 .7522580 .4011680 .0756370 .7370050 .0065960

Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

3.286 2.528 4.004 217.110 36.487 4.022 6.505 9.464 0.296 0.310 GCC COUNTRIES Saudi Riyal 75.492 Qatari Riyal 77.784 Omani Riyal 735.490 Bahraini Dinar 751.910 UAE Dirham 77.092 ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 52.150 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 49.688 Yemen Riyal 1.328 Tunisian Dinar 204.170 Jordanian Dinar 399.770 Lebanese Lira 189.900 Syrian Lier 6.151 Morocco Dirham 35.640 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 282.980 Euro 396.600 Sterling Pound 452.200 Canadian dollar 281.150 Turkish lire 200.700 Swiss Franc 295.390 Australian dollar 278.910 US Dollar Buying 282.645 GOLD 20 Gram 260.000 10 Gram 130.000 5 Gram 67.000

Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria Norwegian krone Omani Riyal Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal 10 Tola Sterling Pound US Dollar

SELL CASH 283.000 752.340 4.260 283.600 555.600 14.100 53.800 167.800 52.000 399.100

37.000 6.385 0.033

399.860 0.190 94.420 4.020 215.900

SELL DRAFT 281.500 752.340 4.022 282.100

218.000 49.730 397.600

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Cyprus Pound Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees

287.500 280.729 449.241 375.734 286.606 704.798 761.106 78.268 78.962 76.649 405.769 50.446 6.214 3.359

Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees

2.552 4.152 6.476 3.368 9.278 6.273 3.881

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency

734.660 3.305 6.510 77.820 75.530 218.030 43.960 2.529 453.100 296.100 6.300 9.640 77.090 282.900

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash

37.150 6.520 0.033 0.264 0.247 3.540 401.740 0.191 94.420 47.500 4.430 217.400 1.928 49.700 734.840 3.440 6.680 78.250 75.530 218.030 43.960 2.694 455.100 43.500 297.800 6.300 9.800 198.263 77.190 283.300 1.360 GOLD 1,427.180 TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 453.100 282.900

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Nepali rupee Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Candaian Dollars

282.800 3.300 6.395 2.540 4.025 6.535 77.095 75.620 751.800 49.685 456.300 0.00003280 3.990 1.550 401.700 5.750 400.800 285.500

Al Mulla Exchange Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Transfer rate 282.500 395.500 452.500 281.750 3.475 6.385 49.725 2.528 4.020 6.525 3.295 751.000 77.050 75.505

BUSINESS

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

23

HH Sheikh Ahmed Al-Maktoum inaugurates Dubai Logistics Corridor Transport and logistics corridor seamlessly links sea, land, air routes KUWAIT: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, the Dubai Logistics Corridor was officially inaugurated yesterday. The Dubai Logistics Corridor, which links sea, land and air, is spread out over an area of approximately 200 square kilo-

KUWAIT: Kuwait Energy Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Manssour Aboukhamseen is seen with other officials.

Kuwait Energy eyes IPO KUWAIT: Kuwait Energy Company KSCC, one of the fastest growing independent oil and gas companies in the Middle East, announced yesterday that its shareholders approved an increase to the company’s authorized share capital from KD103,562,483 to KD127,000,000 for the purposes of a rights issue of 198,323,540 shares at 155 fils/share (at a nominal value of 100 fils per share with a premium of 55 fils per share) to existing shareholders.

Kuwait Energy Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Manssour Aboukhamseen, said: “The rights issue will enable Kuwait Energy to pursue organic growth in our expansion plans, to develop recent discoveries and explore additional wells in our assets in the region, especially in Egypt.”

Kuwait Energy is targeting an initial public offering (IPO) on the London and/or Kuwait stock markets within the next nine months, subject to market conditions. Once listed, the Company will become one of the few publicly available investment opportunities directly connecting investors to the Middle East’s exploration and production sector.

Kuwait Energy has been profitable since establishment in 2005 and currently operates in Egypt, Yemen, Oman, Ukraine, Latvia, Russia, and Pakistan. Kuwait Energy’s proven and probable reserves at year end 2009 were 51.2 million barrels of oil equivalent and its current production is approximately 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

M&A keeps bankers busy in Q3 KUWAIT: The third quarter was the busiest period on record for Middle Eastern targeted merger and acquisition activity with $15 billion in deals, increasing fees generated by Middle Eastern banks according to Thomson Reuters Q3 Middle East Investment Banking Analysis.

Thomson Reuters released its review of the Middle East investment banking industry for the third quarter, which covers the region’s M&A, debt and equity capital markets. The review includes rankings of banks and advisors operating in the Middle East based on deal activity and fees and provides and independent assessment of the market.

Managing Director of Thomson Reuters Middle East & Africa, Russell Haworth commented: “The first nine months of the year has seen banks in the region kept busy with high profile merger and acquisition transactions in the Middle East.

This, along with buoyant loan activity has outshone equity and debt issuance which are both down year-on-year.”

Analysis of the Thomson Reuters Middle East

Investment Banking data for Q3 revealed: Q3 Middle East targeted M&A reached $15 billion, 10 times more than the same quarter last year Fees for the first nine months of 2010 grew 16 percent for Middle Eastern banks to $444.8 million, compared with the same period last year Middle Eastern debt issuance reached $22 billion for the first nine months of the years, down 7 percent Equity issuance fell 2.3 percent compared with the first nine months of last year Loan activity for Middle Eastern issuers and borrowers fell in Q3 but at $18.9 billion for the year to date it is up 47 percent compared with 2009.

M&A accounts for more than half of banking fees for the first 9 months of the year, followed by Debt Capital Market transactions and loans. Credit Suisse topped the M&A fee rankings, HSBC topped fees for DCM, while NCB Capital was first for ECM generated fees and Standard Chartered secured the highest fees for syndicated loans.

Etisalat’s acquisition of a

46 percent stake in Zain Group resulted in the telecommunications sector and Kuwait being named as the most targeted industry and country respectively during Q3.

Equity issuance was marginally down for the first 9 months of the year to $5.2 billion. Financials was the most active sector followed

by Materials and Real Estate.

EFG Hermes and NCB Capital Corp ranked highest.

HSBC topped the Middle Eastern bond ranking with 12 issues totalling $4.4 billion. A $3.5 billion bond issued by Qatari Diar Government ranks as the largest so far this year. The most active industry for loan issuance in the Middle East was the financials industry followed by telecommunications. The largest loan for the year to date was issued

by IPIC worth $3.58 billion.

The bookrunners for the deal included Banco Santander de Negocios SA, Bank of TokyoMitsubishi UFJ, HSBC holdings and National Bank of Abu Dhabi. WestLB took the highest ranking for loans by value for the Middle East, followed by HSBC and JP Morgan.

MIDEAST STOCKS

UAE bourse at 5-month high DUBAI: Stocks in the United Arab Emirates rose to a fivemonth high yesterday, buoyed by firmer global markets and investors optimism over thirdquarter earnings. Dubai’s index advanced 0.3 percent to its highest close since April 26, while Abu Dhabi’s benchmark reached its highest closing level since May 24. Other Middle East markets ended mixed, with Qatar and Bahrain closing higher, while Kuwait, Oman, Egypt and Saudi Arabia declined.

Traders said that investors in Dubai are building positions on hopes that third-quarter earnings may be better than expected, especially for banks, and that the expected new regulations on loan classification will hurt lenders’ results.

“We do not believe that the enforcement of revised regulations on NPL (non-performing loans) classification and general provisioning, expected by end-2010 are likely to have any significant impact on the UAE banks,” said EFG Hermes.

“We believe that banks are likely to be asked to maintain a general provisioning buffer at 1.25 percent of gross loans (ex-sovereign) by the end of the year. Most of the UAE banks are already at or close to meeting this requirement,” the investment bank said in a note. Oil prices fell yesterday on signs that the fillip to prices

caused by expectations of further US monetary easing (QE2) were running out of steam. [O/R] World stocks rose and the dollar slipped yesterday as investors bet on further asset buying by the US Federal Reserve and a continuation of global currency flows towards emerging markets. Emaar Properties dominated trading in Dubai, rising for a fifth straight session to reach its highest level since April 25.

“If you want to invest in Dubai, if you believe in this market, you invest in Emaar,” said a local trader.

Orascom Telecom closed 2 percent lower after Algeria’s finance ministry launched a tender to choose an adviser for its planned acquisition of Orascom’s Algerian unit, pushing Egypt’s main index down 0.3 percent. In Oman, industrial stocks declined, led by Oman Cable Industries which fell 3 percent, as investors focused on banks which they hope will show strong results.

“Industrial stocks (especially Oman Cables and Raysut Cement are pulling down the Muscat index,” said Gunjan Gupta at Oman Arab Bank.

Raysut fell 1.6 percent. “(The market is) still in anticipation of better quarterly results and banking stocks remain investors favorite,” Gupta added. Ahli Bank rose 1.1 percent. Saudi banks con-

tinued to trade lower, dragging down the index, while petrochemical stocks advanced thanks to higher oil prices.

Banque Saudi Fransi and Riyad Bank fell 1.9 percent and 1.1 percent respectively, with traders speculating that banks will have to raise their provisioning level in the second half of this year.

Yesterday’s highlights Dubai The index gained 0.3 percent to 1,756 points.

Abu Dhabi The benchmark climbed 0.7 percent to 2,722 points.

Egypt The index slid 0.3 percent to 6,805 points.

Qatar The measure gained 0.8 percent to 7,830 points.

Oman The benchmark fell 0.2 percent to 6,498 points.

Saudi The index fell 0.8 percent to 6,368 points.

Bahrain The measure edged up 0.04 percent to 1,460 points.

Kuwait The index eased 0.06 percent to 7,009 points. —Reuters

Bringing together for the first time in the Middle East all of the components needed to create a true multimodal logistics platform, today’s event underscores the city’s long-term commitment to facilitating the growth and development of regional and global commerce.

This corridor will facilitate increased and more efficient trade flows in the emirate, significantly enhancing the economic competitiveness of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates as a whole.

“The opening of the Dubai Logistics Corridor is a milestone event,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “Building upon our existing world-class infrastructure, the Dubai Logistics Corridor’s further increase Dubai competitiveness as a global logistics hub.”

“The launch of the Dubai Logistics Corridor demonstrates our focus on creating synergies that enhance the flow of goods and services within the emirate and, indeed, across the world,” added Khalifa Al-Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Dubai World Central. “This is another important step in fulfilling Dubai’s vision to assume a leading position in the network of global logistics hubs.”

“The corridor bridges and leverages the strengths of Dubai’s major logistics enablers. What makes this initiative truly ambitious is that it aligns various organisations, people, processes, services, standards and systems to create the region’s largest and finest logistics hub,” said Salma Hareb, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Zones World, and Chairman of the Board, Dubai Logistics Corridor.

“One of the important outcomes of the launch of the corridor is the improvement in the flow of sea-to-air cargo by eliminating the processes of exit and entry from one zone to another. Additionally, there will be a potential elimination of double customs inspection.

This is just one step forward, and our plan remains to further integrate, ultimately resulting in the greatest possible efficiency,” said Ms. Hareb Addressing a gathering of more than 60 key public and private-sector decision-makers, Rashed Buqara’a, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Dubai World Central, noted that the Dubai Logistics Corridor complements perfectly Dubai World Central’s drive to deliver speed and connectivity.

“Cities with greater logistics capabilities attract more foreign direct investment,” he noted. “With the launch of the Dubai Logistics Corridor, and as a consequence of creating a unique multimodal platform, Dubai will attract even higher levels of foreign investment.

“The Dubai Logistics Corridor board structure and framework allow for sustainability, project development and engagement with stakeholders such as Dubai Customs, Dubai Airports and DP World. Together, we will provide customers with seamless, fast-cycle logistics solutions,” said Buqara’a.

Among those who attended today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony were heads of organizations such as Dubai Airports, DNATA, Dubai Customs, DP World, Dubai Department of Economic Development, FDI Dubai, Dubai Export Development, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai Department of Finance and the Executive Council.

The streamlining of logistics processes will play a key role in achieving further economic development within the corridor, which already collectively represents more than 25 per cent of Dubai’s GDP.

metres. The corridor bridges Jebel Ali Port, the sixth-largest container port in the world; Jebel Ali Free Zone, host to more than 6,500 companies; and Dubai World Central, home to Al-Maktoum International Airport, which, upon completion, will be the world’s largest airport in both size and volume.

DUBAI: Officials are pictured at the Dubai Logistics Corridor’s inauguration ceremony.

NBK WEEKLY MONEY MARKET REPORT

Greenback reaches new lows KUWAIT: The dollar continued to fall against a basket of currencies last week reaching new lows, pressured by weak employment data and heightened expectations of further quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve. The euro reached a high of 1.4028, breaching the 1.4000 level, before closing the week at 1.3940. The Sterling Pound reached a high of 1.6017.

The yen strengthened against the dollar towards the end of the week, reaching a 15-year high of 81.74 on Friday before trading at a low of 83.98 on Tuesday. The Swiss Franc reached an all-time high at 0.9556. The Aussie reached a 28-year high at 0.9920 with a low of 0.9542 earlier during the week. Finally, spot Gold hit a new record high of $1,364.60.

Signs of stability in the housing market The number of contracts to purchase existing homes in the United States increased for a second month, a sign the housing market is beginning to stabilize.

Pending home sales index rose 4.3 percent in August, more than the expected 2.8 percent rise. Home sales have steadied after dropping dramatically in the months following the expiration of the housing tax credit.

Growth in the service sector Service companies in the US expanded at a faster pace than estimated in September, indicating the economic recovery is picking up. The ISM NonManufacturing index, which covers about 90 percent of the economy, rose to 53.2 from 51.5 in August, where any measurement above 50 indicates growth.

The job report The US suffered another month of weak job growth in September, adding to the pain of Democrats as they campaign for mid-term elections to Congress and increasing the chances that the Federal Reserve will restart quantitative easing.

The private sector created 64,000 jobs in September, but overall payrolls fell by 95,000 as the government laid off census workers. The unemployment rate held steady at 9.6 percent.

The number of Americans claiming new jobless benefits fell by 11,000 last week to its lowest level since July, giving some hope that hiring may be steadying,

though at a still-depressed level. The US department of labor reported that 445,000 US workers requested benefits from the government last month, extending the streak of declines in claims to four weeks.

The less-volatile four-week moving average of claims fell to 455,750, also its lowest since July.

Europe The ECB leaves rates unchanged The European Central Bank left its main interest rate unchanged at a record low of 1 percent, as widely expected, for the 17th consecutive month amid concerns over the economic outlook. The ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet said that, “more than ever, exchange rates should reflect economic fundamentals;” he also added that “excess volatility and disorderly moves have adverse implications for economic and financial stability” even as his reluctance to consider easier policy helped push the Euro to a ninemonth high against the dollar.

Retail sales European retail sales unexpectedly declined in August as government austerity measures and signs of easing global growth deterred spending. Retail sales in the euro region fell 0.4 percent in august from the previous month, when they rose 0.1 percent.

German industrial production and factory orders Industrial production in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, increased more than forecasted in August, led mainly by demand for investment goods such as machinery. Production jumped 1.7 percent from a previous 0.1 percent in July, and jumped 10.7 percent from a year earlier. Factory orders surged in August by 3.4 percent, much higher than the forecasted 0.9 percent, another sign that Germany’s slowdown from the fastest growth in almost two decades in the second quarter may be limited.

United Kingdom The BoE keeps rates unchanged The Bank of England kept its emergency stimulus unchanged and left its key lending rate at a record low as officials debated whether to join a global push to pump more aid into the world economy.

The nine-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), led by Governor Mervyn King, held the target for asset purchases at £200 billion as widely expected by the market. The MPC also kept benchmark interest rate at 0.5 percent.

House prices plunge UK house prices plunged in September, the most since 1983, adding to evidence that the housing market faces a renewed slump as the government readies the biggest spending cuts since World War II. The Halifax Home Price Index showed that the average cost of a home fell 3.6 percent from August to £160,096.

Manufacturing production Manufacturing output rose for the fourth consecutive month in August, leaving annual growth at its highest level in nearly 16 years. Manufacturing production increased by 0.3 percent monthly and by 6 percent annually. The rise in the year to August was the highest since December 1994, showing the strength of the recovery in the sector since the beginning of the crisis.

Japan The BoJ rate decision The Bank of Japan pledged to keep its benchmark interest rate at “virtually zero” until the end of deflation is in sight and to expand its balance sheet as an effort to support a slowing economic recovery. The key lending rate was changed to a range between 0.0 percent 0.1 percent, the lowest level since 2006, from the previous 0.1 percent target. In addition, policy makers will set up a •5 trillion fund to buy government bonds and other assets, inflating the balance sheet.

Australia The RBA Rate Decision The Reserve Bank of Australia left its lending rate unchanged, at 4.50 percent for the fifth consecutive month confounding with market expectations for a hike, although it did emphasize that higher rates would likely be needed to contain inflation.

Kuwait Dinar at 0.28230 The USDKWD opened at 0.28230 on Sunday morning.

MARKAZ MONTHLY UPDATE

Options activity at KSE KUWAIT: Option market witnessed an increase in trading activity for the month of September on the back of positive underlying equity markets which got more boost lately on the announcement of Etisalat’s offer to buy 46 percent of Zain telecom. Option trading activity however still remain near the year low levels and the increase in trading activity is marginal despite that the trend in underlying equity markets has stayed quite positive for the month. Total premium value traded increased marginally from KD0.82 million to KD0.87 million which is an increase of 5.21 percent compared to last month. Similar mar-

ginal increase was seen in volume numbers in Option market as total volume traded for the month stood at 41 million shares, up by almost 4.7 percent compared to the volumes seen last month of 39.2 million shares.

Number of contracts however has actually decreased by half a percent to 786 compared to 790 contracts traded last month.

Option on stocks of Kharafi group has remained active during the month due to the potential acquisition of Zain Telecom shares by Etisalat as Kharafi group is considered to be one of the major sellers of the stake. Kuwait Pipes Industries & Oil Services (PIPE) was

the top traded stock in the Option market with a total premium value traded of KD87,827. Total numbers of shares traded as Options in the stock were 3.2 million shares comprising 59 contracts.

It was followed by Options on National Industries stock with a premium value traded of KD70,030 and volume of 2.8 million shares. Among others stocks which figured in top 5 in terms of total premium value traded were Boubyan petrochemicals, Agility and National Investment Company. Options on shares of National Investment and AlMal Investment Company were the top rewarding Options for the investors during the month.

24

BUSINESS

KSE price index ends action in red GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Trading on the KSE took a sideways pattern yesterday, with the market benchmark indices closing near unchanged. At some point, Kuwaiti stocks appeared headed for yet another positive day, before it pulled back down towards the end of the trading session.

Market indices Global General Index (GGI) closed 0.09 points down (0.04 percent) during the day at 219.49 point as the market capitalization was down for the day reaching KD35.51 million. On the other side, Kuwait Stock Exchange Price Index closed down shedding a 4.50 point to its value and closed at 7,008.7 point.

Market breadth During the session, 134 companies were traded.

Market breadth was skewed towards decliners as 32 equities advanced versus 65 that retreated, while 114 stocks remained unchanged during the trading session.

Daily trading activity Trading activities ended on a positive note yesterday as volume of shares traded on the exchange increased by 43.57 percent to reach 377.74 million shares, and value of shares traded increased by 109.28 percent to stand at KD91.05 million.

The investment sector was the volume leader for the day, accounting for 31.24 percent of total shares traded.

The banking sector was the value leader, accounting for 38.55 percent of total market value.

Jeezan Holding Company was the volume leader yesterday, with a total traded volume of 37.80 million shares. Kuwait Finance House (KFH) was the value leader, with a total traded value of KD15.70 million.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Saudi Aramco, Total eye $1bn sukuk Refinery expected to be operational in 2013 ABU DHABI: State-owned Saudi Aramco and France’s Total will launch a $1 billion Islamic bond, or sukuk, in the fourth quarter, for their joint venture in the kingdom, a banker at a lead arranger said yesterday.

The sukuk is related to the financing of a venture between the oil majors to build a 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) crude refinery in Jubail, on the Gulf coast.

“The long delayed $1 billion sukuk, which was part of the financing for the Jubail refinery, will launch in the fourth quarter,” Simon Eedle, global head of Islamic banking at Credit Agricole, said at a conference. Credit Agricole, Deutsche Bank and Samba

Financial Group are the lead arrangers for the sukuk.

The Jubail refinery, 62.5 percent owned by Saudi Aramco and 37.5 percent by Total, is scheduled to begin operating in 2013, and is among the new plants planned by Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, as it looks to boost domestic refining capacity. Last year, it was estimated that the Jubail refinery could cost more than $12 billion and funding for the project may include an Islamic bond portion to meet demand from Saudi investors. In June, Saudi Aramco and Total said they had completed an $8.5 billion financing for the refinery from multiple sources. —Reuters

Algeria seeks advisers on nationalizing Orascom unit

Top gainers and biggest decliners In terms of top gainers, United Gulf Bank was the biggest gainer for the day, adding 6.77 percent and closed at KD0.395. On the other hand, Al-Mowasat Healthcare Co was the biggest decliner, dropping by 13.16 percent and closed at KD0.132.

Sectors wise Sector-wise, Global indices were generally negative yesterday as 5 out of 8 sectors reported daily losses led by Global Banking Index, with investors engaged in some more profit-booking. The Banking Index was the highest decliner shedding 1.24 percent on account of Gulf Bank, which was the biggest loser in the sector, which decreased by 3.70 percent. Furthermore,

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), declined by 1.39 percent.

Global Non Kuwaiti Index followed, shedding 0.45 percent. Ahli United Bank, largest stock among the sector in terms of market cap, was the major contributor in the index’s losses as it lost 1.83 percent to close at KD0.214.

On gainers’ side, Three Global indices witnessed gains led by Services Index, which was the highest gainer adding 1.69 percent mainly supported

by Mobile Telecommunication Co. (ZAIN), soaring 2.99 percent. Also, Combined Group Contracting Co added 5.56 percent to close at KD1.900.

Global Special Indices were mixed. Global Islamic Cap Index was the biggest losoer shedding 1.42 backed by

Kuwait Finance House (KFH), Boubyan Bank & Ahli United Bank. Global High Yield Index was the biggest gainer adding 2.42 percent backed by Mobile Telecommunication Co. (ZAIN).

Oil news The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $79.95 a barrel on Friday, compared with $81.07 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Corporate news Two new closed medical companies have been established with a total capital of two million Kuwaiti dinars, Kuwait’s official gazette “AlKuwait Al-Youm” reported yesterday.

Al-Ashraf Healthcare and Al-Muthanna for Medical Services have been founded as Kuwaiti closed

companies with a capital of KD1 million each involving 10 million shares worth 100 fils/share, the gazette said. The new firms are active in setting up, running and owning hospitals and offering household medical services to all public and private corporations, it added. They can contract doctors, nurses and technicians for working with them or for others both at home and abroad, and can even establish specialized technical workshops as well as carry out maintenance works for medical equipment.

Furthermore, the freshly created businesses are entitled to own real estate necessary for their activities, but this should be only within the allowed limits as per law, and invest available financial surplus in financial portfolios.

ALGIERS: Algeria said yesterday it was seeking investment banks and consultancies to advise on a nationalization of Djezzy, the local unit of Egyptian group Orascom Telecom and its biggest source of revenue. Russian mobile phone operator Vimpelcom had

hoped to acquire Djezzy as part of a $6.6 billion deal to gain control over Orascom Telecom assets, but Algeria’s announcement suggested that possibility was receding.

A notice in Algeria’s official El Moudjahid newspaper said the ministry of finance wanted

Agricole sees $3bn in Islamic bond issuance ABU DHABI: Credit Agricole expects to close two or three Islamic bond deals worth up to $3 billion in the next six months, the head of its Islamic finance unit said yesterday. Simon Eedle said the deals will include the long-awaited $1 billion Islamic bond, or sukuk, to finance the Jubail refinery — a joint venture between state-owned Saudi Aramco and France’s Total. He said the other two deals will be benchmark offerings. Benchmark issues are usually around $500 million. “We would be disappointed to not close two or three deals in the next six months,” he said.

Eedle added that the larger Gulf sukuk market will likely see at least $10 billion in issuances, led by financials, in the next six months. He said most issuances will come from high credit-quality markets such as Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. “We know that there are plenty of deals mandated in the region and deals to be won,” he said. Eedle added that the time is also right for sukuk issuances outside of the Gulf region and he expects more investment money from the West to tap the Islamic finance market in 2011. —Reuters

“to select a partner to assist the Algerian state in the process of acquiring the ‘Orascom Telecom Algeria’ company”. It said the deadline for bids was Nov 24 and the winner would be announced the same day. A deal between Vimpelcom and Orascom Telecom chairman Naguib Sawiris would create the world’s fifth biggest mobile phone operator, but analysts have said uncertainty over Djezzy could scupper the deal.

“Interviewing potential advisers makes a compromise (with Vimpelcom) less likely,” said Dalibor Vavruska, emerging market telecoms analyst at ING. “If the Russians (do not get Djezzy) they should really rethink their position towards the entire deal.” Djezzy has been the subject of a bitter dispute with Algerian authorities during which it has been hit with back taxes and barred from moving cash overseas. Earlier this year, Algeria vetoed the sale of Djezzy to South African group MTN and said it was exercising its right to buy the unit for itself. —Reuters

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

BUSINESS

25

HK, Shanghai climb as volume up CNOOC ends at 3-yr high after acquisition

SYDNEY: A foreign money exchange office does a brisk trade. The Australian dollar fell back to 98.02 US cents after hitting a record high of 99.18 overnight, stalling its expected march towards parity with the greenback. —AFP

Kleinwort Benson names new CEO from Swiss rival LONDON: British wealth manager Kleinwort Benson Bank has named Sally Tennant from Swiss rival Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch as its new chief executive as its private equity owners move to build a European financial services group.

Tennant was previously CEO of Lombard Odier’s London private banking operation. Kleinwort Benson, which private equity firm RHJ International (RHJI) acquired from Commerzbank last year, said yesterday she will replace Robert Taylor, who will step down in January, said.

Taylor joined the firm as CEO in 2004.

“We are looking forward to working with Sally as she brings her considerable experience to bear in further developing the Kleinwort Benson franchise,” Kleinwort Benson Chairman Leonhard Fischer said in a statement. Fischer is also CEO

of RHJI, which is a Brussels-listed spinoff of US private equity group Ripplewood Holdings LLC. Kleinwort Benson, a long established City of London banking name that traces its origins back to the 1850s, is at the core of RHJI’s efforts to build a financial services group.

The bank also announced yesterday it had completed the acquisition of the Dublin asset management business of Belgian banking and insurance group KBC, now renamed Kleinwort Benson Investors Dublin. Kleinwort Benson repeated it had assets under management of more than 10 billion euros. In July, the company said it planned to double that figure within five years. RHJI acquired Kleinwort Benson last year from Commerzbank for 225 million pounds. —Reuters

SYDNEY: Gail Kelly, CEO of Westpac Banking Corporation, gestures during her address to the Australia Chamber of Commerce business forum yesterday. Kelly, age 54, was named by Forbes magazine as the world’s eighth most powerful woman after becoming the first Australian woman to lead a top-four bank and the first female chief executive of a top 10 Australian company. —AFP

S Korea urges G20 leaders to solve currency disputes SEOUL: South Korea warned G20 leaders yesterday that failure to settle disputes about currency policy could fuel protectionism and damage the world economic recovery. President Lee Myung-Bak, in a lunch with foreign correspondents before next month’s Seoul G20 summit, urged members not to pursue only national interests. “If the world fails to reach agreement on matters such as foreign exchange policy and insists on its own interests at a time when the global economy is in recovery phase, it will bring about trade protectionism and cause very difficult problems to the global economy,” he said.

Lee avoided further comment on heated currency disputes pitting China against the United States and Europe, which argue that Beijing keeps the yuan undervalued to favour its exporters. IMF policymakers meeting in Washington Saturday failed to reach agreement on measures to avert what some see as a looming currency war. But they pledged to keep working toward easing global economic imbalances.

The currency battle looks set to be rejoined when G20 finance ministers meet in South Korea on October 22-23 in preparation for the summit.

Lee said through a translator he would seek a “win-win solution for everybody” and hoped many issues could be agreed before the Seoul summit. He said the G20 was formed during what was widely seen as an unprecedented global eco-

nomic crisis, and members then had a common goal. Now there were signs of recovery, competing national interests were coming to the fore.

“That’s only natural... but that’s our greatest challenge as host,” Lee said. The Seoul meeting will be the fifth summit by the Group of 20 top world economies, but the first to be hosted by a non-G7 member. Lee said South Korea wants to make the G20 — whose members account for 85 percent of global gross domestic product-the world’s leading economic forum, but to remain mindful of non-members especially in Africa.

He said South Korea, the first country to turn from international aid recipient to donor after its rapid post-war development, could help both advanced and developing nations. “The summit will not be just a talking shop. It must take action,” he said. Lee also spoke of his “close personal relationship” with President Barack Obama. But he expressed apparent impatience at US delays in ratifying a free trade agreement signed three years ago with South Korea. Asked whether a deal could be reached before the summit, he replied: “I’m not so sure. It’s really up to the Americans. We already reached a complete deal three years ago.” The FTA has been held up in Congress, with Democratic lawmakers contending that the deal does not give enough access for US cattlemen and carmakers to Asia’s fourthlargest economy. —AFP

HONG KONG/SHANGHAI: Hong Kong and China stocks surged yesterday as investors injected more funds with US dollar weakness expected to continue. China’s key stock index yesterday closed up 2.49 percent in its biggest two-day surge in more than 12 months, buoyed by commodity issues such as Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd (Baosteel) on strong corporate earnings and expectations of another flood of liquidity in global markets.

The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 2,806.94 after closing up 3.1 percent on Friday. Volume leapt to a 10month high of 252 billion yuan ($38 billion) from 166 billion yuan. Traders said investors ploughed cash back into the market after waiting on the sidelines for the past two months. But China’s stock market is still down 14 percent on the year after government steps to clamp down on bank lending and a series of property controls spooked investors.

The index has broken through the half-year 125-day moving average, a level that local investors consider demarcates a bearish or bullish market. Analysts said the index had the potential for further gains to test the yearly 250-day moving average now at 2,888 points. Baosteel, the country’s biggest listed steel mill, gained 4.7 percent after it said net profit for the first nine months of the year was likely to outstrip previous forecasts. Xining Special Steel Co Ltd and coal miner Shan Xi Guo Yang New Energy Co Ltd rose by their 10 percent trading limits.

“Expectations for higher inflation, increasing liquidity and a weaker dollar are buoying commodities and agricultural issues. These in turn are lifting the broader index,” said Chen Shaodan, analyst at China Development Bank Securities.

A marked weakness in the US currency has helped boost commodities such as gold and oil, which are priced in dollars.

“There has been a turnaround in market expectations.

Previously the biggest drag was concern over the severity of property controls, but investors are more positive on the sector,” said Cheng Yi, analyst at Xiangcai Securities in Shanghai.

Heavyweight banks and financials helped bolster gains for the index yesterday, reversing their lacklustre performance for most of the past two months. Citic Securities Co Ltd and Everbright Securities Co Ltd jumped their 10 percent limit.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd (ICBC) gained 2.2 percent.

Beijing had raised reserve requirements by 50 basic points for six large commercial banks, aiming to drain liquidity, fours sources told Reuters yesterday.

CNOOC at three-year high Tracking the strength of Shanghai market, the benchmark Hang Seng Index climbed 263.13 points or 1.15 percent to close at 23,207.31, its highest close since June 18, 2008. The China Enterprises Index of top locally listed mainland stocks was up 1.52 percent at 12,951.90. Turnover increased for a second straight session to HK$95.21 billion ($12.3 billion), from Friday’s HK$86.6 billion.

“The overall market continued to trend up as investors did not want to hold cash because of the weak (US) dollar,” said Alex Wong, a director at Ample Finance Group. “Instead of sitting on cash, investors preferred to make a bet in the market, and that helped demand for resources and oil shares after the recent strength of precious metals,” Wong said. CNOOC Ltd ended at HK$16.80, up 4.48 percent, its highest close since Oct 30, 2007, after the company agreed to buy a third of Chesapeake Energy Corp’s acreage in the Eagle Ford shale in South Texas for $1.08 billion.

Property stocks remained firm in anticipation that a land auction in Hong Kong today could draw strong interest from developers, sending the Hang Seng property sub-index up 1.02 percent. Henderson Land Development Co Ltd and Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd each gained 0.8 percent. Despite the strong market, Chinese coking coal logistics debutant Winsway Coking Coal Holdings Ltd, which raised $473 million in an IPO, weakened on debut to HK$3.38 from the issue price of HK$3.70. —Reuters

MUMBAI: Indian workers stitch clothes for export, at a garment factory in a shanty town yesterday. The rush of money across emerging Asia as investors seek a haven of high-growth amid miserably low returns in the developed world has pushed the Indian rupee up 5.5 percent since Sept 1 to its highest in more than two years. —AP

Asian currency tensions simmer as dollar sinks MUMBAI: It’s boom time in Asia, only Premal Udani, who runs an Indian apparel exporting company, says he has little to show for it. A surging tide of foreign cash has helped drive stocks in Indonesia and the Philippines to record highs, while India’s market has been flirting with a lifetime peak, but as Udani - whose company Kaytee Corp sells to Wal-Mart and Macy’s - knows there can be danger in plenty.

That rush of money - replicated across emerging Asia as investors seek a haven of highgrowth amid miserably low returns in the developed world has pushed the Indian rupee up 5.5 percent since Sept. 1 to its highest in more than two years.

That, plus surging cotton prices, is wiping out his profit margin, which usually hovers under 5 percent. The rupee’s rise is the “final nail in the coffin,” said Udani, who also chairs India’s Apparel Export Promotion Council. “We are just trying to stay afloat and ride this out.” With currencies in many Asian countries at export-bruising highs, policymakers in the region have started to intervene to keep their exchange rates competitive, especially as China keeps a tight

rein on its yuan. Many fear a quiet trade war is brewing, fought not through tariffs but through currency.

From April to August, revenues from India’s apparel industry, which employs 24 million Indians, slid 11 percent from the same period last year, due to sluggish global demand and a strong rupee, which Udani says is helping neighboring China and Bangladesh win orders. “The steep appreciation of the rupee erodes our competitiveness, especially when in neighboring countries we have currencies which are depressed,” he said.

“The government has to intervene.” That’s the kind of tit-fortat language that has people like International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega warning of a brewing currency war as countries scramble to stem currency appreciation and keep their exports competitive.

In the US, record low interest rates have dragged down the dollar. Because China effectively pegs its yuan to the dollar - even after promising more flexibility back in June - a weak greenback hurts China’s export competitors

across Asia. After the yen hit a 15-year high against the dollar, the Japanese government last month bought dollars to weaken the yen - its first intervention in six years. The Japanese central bank has also said it will, like the US Federal Reserve, buy government bonds and other assets to lower Japanese interest rates, another way to lower the yen’s value.

Those left standing - highgrowth countries with currencies less tightly controlled than China’s - are bearing the brunt of appreciation. The Thai baht is trading at a 13-year high against the dollar. Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia have all seen their currencies rise more than five percent against the dollar this year. “If you’re in a currency war situation and you’re the minority not devaluing your currency, you’ll really be badly off,” said Ajit Ranade, the Aditya Birla group’s chief economist in Mumbai. “It’s not possible to have a win-win situation where everybody devalues. This will need some coordinated response.” So far that hasn’t happened. Instead, many countries are intervening quietly - and unilaterally - in forex mar-

Deaths go unrecorded in the mining industry Major disasters in China, Colombia, Russia, US in 2010 GENEVA: Many fatalities go unrecorded in the mining industry, where many workers face deadly hazards underground and potential cover-ups by management and authorities if accidents occur, experts said yesterday. The saga of 33 miners trapped in Chile since an Aug. 5 cave-in in a tunnel 2,300 feet (700 meters) below the surface has exposed perilous labour conditions in a booming sector chasing strong prices for gold, coal and copper.

The men caught in the San Jose copper and gold mine, whom Chilean officials hope to start evacuating tomorrow, have set a world record for the length of time workers have survived underground after a mining accident. There are no reliable global statistics for deaths in one of the world’s most dangerous jobs, but a Genevabased trade unions federation estimates there are 12,000 fatalities per year. “These are only recorded ones that we are able to track,” said Dick Blin, spokesman of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM). “A lot of mining deaths aren’t recorded. It is really hard to put a number of it. In a lot of countries, management will go to the widows or family and give them money and make them sign statements not to talk about it. The problem is very prevalent in China,” he told Reuters.

China tops deaths table Major mining accidents claiming dozens of lives each have occurred this year in China, Colombia, Russia and West Virginia in the United States, while at least 200 died in Sierra Leone. Mines require both regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency.

“There are a lot of dangers inherent to min-

ing. They are working underground in an environment which might not be stable. There are possible rock slips, inrushes of water and gases like methane,” Martin Hahn, ILO mine safety expert told Reuters. Coal-mining tends to be most dangerous because of the likely presence of methane, a toxic asphyxiating gas that can be explosive, depending on the concentration, he said.

Large companies tend to have a good system of inspections in place, but in many countries the sector is marked by small-scale mining where workers labor in appalling conditions outside state control, according to Hahn, who declined to name names. Mines in China-the world’s largest coal producer and consumer which employs 5.5 million coal miners —- are “definitely recognized as the world’s deadliest” despite government pledges to shut or consolidate many small or unsafe operations, said ICEM’s Blin.

China’s official mining death toll last year was 2,631, down from some 7,000 in 2002.

This year, a fire at a colliery in Hunan in January killed at least 25 while a fire at a gold mine in the east killed 16 in August. Russia, one of the world’s top five coal exporters, is conducting an in-depth mine safety campaign following a blast at the Raspadskaya coking coal mine in Siberia in May that killed some 90 people. Only 24 countries have ratified the ILO Safety and Health in Mines Conventionincluding major industry players such as the United States, Brazil, Peru and South Africa.

But Chile-the world’s top copper producer-as well as Australia, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Russia and Ukraine are among those who have shunned the 1995 pact. —Reuters

kets, and some are already toying with capital controls, which Thailand and Malaysia implemented in the past to stem the tide but with mixed results.

Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan have all been buying dollars, according to analysts at Citigroup, Nomura and UBS. Indonesia in July imposed a minimum holding period on foreign investment in short-term government debt to deter speculative capital, and Nomura analysts say there is a “relatively high risk” Taiwan and Thailand will introduce minor capital controls as well. Thailand’s baht weakened slightly yesterday amid news the government was considering a 15 percent tax on foreign investment in Thai government bonds.

South Korea’s financial authorities announced measures in June to help stabilize the country’s currency and financial system, including limits on how much domestic and foreign banks can invest in foreign exchange derivatives trading - a measure meant to curb the flow of hot money.

Last week, South Korea’s financial regulators announced they, along with the Bank of Korea, will inspect banks’ handling of foreign currency - a move Nomura analysts said “was clearly designed” to help resist appreciation of the Korean won.

India, so far, has been an exception to the interventionist trend. That may be because unlike its Asian neighbors which run surpluses, India needs foreign money to fund a growing current account deficit and fund its huge infrastructure needs. A rising rupee also helps India, which imports some 70 percent of its oil, cover its sizable import bill. But Indian policymakers seem increasingly uncomfortable with the rupee’s rise.

Last week, top central bank official Subir Gokarn called foreign capital flows “a potential threat,” and on Saturday the bank’s governor Duvvuri Subbarao told a panel at the International Monetary Fund in Washington that India will intervene if volatile inflows “disrupt” the economy. “Macroeconomic fundamentals suggest the currency should be weaker,” said Ranade, the Aditya Birla economist. “Inflation has been in the double digits for two years. The internal value of the rupee for the average Indian consumer is going down. How can it be that simultaneously externally the rupee is appreciating?” The answer is simple: Foreign capital.

Ultra-low interest rates in the developed world and expectation that the US Federal Reserve will resume buying Treasury bonds to push longterm interest rates even lower has driven investors to fastgrowing Asian countries. Fund managers say these markets are getting larger allocations in their global investment portfolios, pushing in huge volumes of passive investment. —AP

26

BUSINESS

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Schwarzenegger leads Russian trade mission Analysts urge more transparency, less corruption in Russia

MOSCOW: California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks during a meeting with Russian businessmen yesterday. —AP

France faces more strikes Train and air traffic disruption expected today PARIS: French unions geared up for more protest strikes this week over planned pension reforms, as the second of two key clauses of a bill to raise the retirement age was rushed through the Senate. Transport workers planned to disrupt train and air travel today and street protests were expected in a fifth wave of unrest over President Nicolas Sarkozy’s push to make people work longer to ease the deficit in the pension system. Across Europe, austerity measures to trim budget deficits have sparked public anger and protests.

Sarkozy’s flagship pension bill is turning into one of the biggest battles of his presidency, pitting him against powerful unions who crushed a previous attempt to reform pensions in 1995 and weighing on his already low popularity ratings. Already approved by the lower house of parliament, the reform is aimed at safeguarding France’s cherished AAA credit rating, which enables it to borrow at low market rates.

The Senate is due to vote later yester-

day on the second main provision of Sarkozy’s pension reform, which would raise the age people can retire on a full pension to 67 from 65. The upper house passed a provision late on Friday to increase the minimum retirement age to 62 from 60. Parliamentary approval of the entire reform is expected by late October, after which the bill goes to France’s constitutional council for a final rubber stamp.

Sarkozy made a small concession in the pension bill last week to middle-aged women who had given up work to raise children, but his office says he has no intention of backing down on the essentials and is betting on protests waning.

Trains and planes Paris’s RATP urban transport network said on Sunday the metro would be disrupted and some suburban trains would be hit.

National rail operator SNCF expected around one in three high-speed TGV trains to run. Around eight out of 10 Thalys trains to destinations including Brussels were expected to run, while Eurostar services

were expected to operate as usual. Flights would be cut by 50 percent at Paris’s Orly airport today and by 30 percent at CDGRoissy and Beauvais airports, the DGAC civil aviation authority said yesterday.

Port strikes in southern France continued yesterday, as workers denounced port reforms as well as the pension bill. A strike at the Fos-Lavera oil port entered its 15th day with no talks yet planned with port management, a CGT union spokesman said yesterday. Some transport and energy unions have made more radical calls for rolling strikes from today, and the big trade unions have called a further day of protest on Oct. 16. “This is one of the last chances to make the government retreat,” Francois Chereque, head of the CFDT, one of France’s main unions, told French iTele on Sunday. A survey of just over 1,000 people published in Le Parisien newspaper yesterday showed 61 percent were in favor of a “continuous and lasting” strike, while 69 percent supported the planned strikes today. —Reuters

Fears grow of emerging market ‘bubble’ WASHINGTON: Fears are growing that the flood of cash into emerging markets could provide kindling for the next economic crisis and has already fueled simmering currency disputes. Amid sclerotic growth in the traditional strong markets of Europe, Japan and the United States, emerging giants like Brazil, China and India have become an increasingly attractive proposition to investors. Billions have been poured into Brazilian bonds, Chinese real estate and Indian equities, which promise better returns than can be found in New York, Tokyo or London.

The Institute of International Finance has projected that around 825 billion dollars will gush into emerging economies this year, up 30 percent from 2009. While rapidly developing economies might welcome new investors, the sudden rush of cash is poising a host of problems from rising home prices to stronger currencies that make exports less competitive. “Already a very significant amount of money is following into some emerging economies,” Haruhiko Kuroda, the head of the Asian Development Bank, told AFP. “If this situation intensifies it may become more difficult to manage,” he warned. But is not just the volume of cash that makes Latin American and Asian countries jittery. “A lot of money flowing into emerging markets is short term, portfolio investment, bank loans and so on, which could quickly be reversed,” Kuroda said. If the economies of Europe, Japan and the United States were to pick up or any number of local crises struck, the bubble could quickly pop. Facing these risks, ever-more countries have begun to take matters into their own hands. —AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO: A woman passes by an electronic board showing dollar rates in Rio de Janeiro on October 07. Brazilian government has raised the financial operations tax (IOF in Portuguese) on foreign investment inflows from two percent to four percent, applied to capital purchases except those on the stock market. The move was part of Brazil’s strategy to try to deflate the national currency, the real, which has soared to a two-year high against the dollar, making Brazilian exports increasingly uncompetitive. —AFP

EBS sale enters closing stage as EU starts probe DUBLIN/BRUSSELS: Ireland’s sale of EBS is moving into its final stage despite European Union regulators launching a probe of the building society’s restructuring plans, the Irish finance ministry said. Ireland nationalized EBS, the country’s largest building society, when it injected 350 million euros into it earlier this year and Brussels said on Monday it wanted to review whether the group’s restructuring plan addressed the competitive edge this aid gave it.

“Ireland has taken decisive action to strengthen EBS,” Joaquin Almunia, Commission Vice-President in charge of competition policy, said in a statement.

“The amount of aid received by EBS, however, justifies that we give interested third parties the opportunity to comment on whether the distortions of competition are adequately addressed.” Under the review,

third parties have one month to comment. Ireland’s finance ministry said the EU probe would not slow down the sale of EBS, which like all Irish lenders, was brought to the brink of collapse by a disastrous property bubble.

“The sales process is expected to move to its final stage with a reduced number of bidders in the coming days,” the ministry said in a statement. Bancassurer Irish Life & Permanent and three private equity groups-Dublin-based Cardinal Asset Management, JC Flowers and Doughty Hanson-have been holding talks with EBS about a deal. Sources told Reuters last month that Irish Life & Permanent and Cardinal Asset Management, which is receiving backing from the Carlyle Group and US investor Wilbur Ross will likely be selected as the final two bidders. —Reuters

MOSCOW: California Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger praised Russia yesterday as a “gold mine” for foreign investors, during a trade mission intended to help expansion of Silicon Valley companies. Schwarzenegger has taken a delegation of Silicon Valley business leaders and venture capitalists in his tow to help them establish connections in Russia, which is trying to create its own technological hub.

Schwarzenegger praised Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as “one of those great visionaries” and hailed Russia’s investment opportunities.

The Russian president visited Silicon Valley in June and has launched the nation’s version of it in Moscow’s suburb of Skolkovo. “The potential for growth is so extraordinary, it’s like looking at a gold mine,” said Schwarzenegger, who was to tour Skolkovo with Medvedev later yesterday. “All you’ve got to do is to go in there and get it.”

Analysts have been more skeptical about Skolkovo, warning that Russia needs to offer more transparent rules for business and to reform its corruption-tainted judicial system to attract more foreign investment.

Schwarzenegger didn’t address any of these concerns during a breakfast with US businessmen, putting emphasis instead on Russia’s vast potential.

“The Russian people are extraordinary, and it comes to ingenuity and technology and sciences,” he said. “So with those minds and our minds put together, one and one becomes three, magical things. California is a state that has a lot to offer.”

Officials from Internet search engine Google Inc, softwaremakers Oracle Corp and Microsoft Corp, biotechnology company Amgen Inc, and fuel-cell technology startup Bloom Energy are among those accompanying Schwarzenegger on his trip.

“In the 21st century to assume that innovation will happen in one small spot only isn’t such a great idea, but you can have that spot as a catalyst for action and networking out to the rest of Russia, not just here in Moscow,” said Craig Barrett, former chief executive of Intel.

Viktor Vekselberg, a Russian energy and metals tycoon whom the Kremlin put in charge of the Skolkovo project, said yesterday that it will need 180-200 billion rubles ($6-6.7 billion) over the next five years, half of it provided by the state and the rest coming from the private sector.

“This project will only be successful if hundreds of independent companies join in,” he said.

Schwarzenegger faced criticism for his weeklong trade mission last month to China, Japan and South Korea, which came in the midst of a months-long deadlock over solutions to address California’s $19 billion shortfall. Schwarzenegger signed a new budget into law Friday after it passed both houses of the state legislature. It came 100 days into the start of the fiscal year.

“I’m very happy that the Democrats and Republicans came together finally to approve the budget so I could come on this trade mission,” Schwarzenegger told Medvedev, who congratulated him on passing the budget during their meeting at the Russian president’s suburban residence. Medvedev then drove Schwarzenegger to Skolkovo in his vintage car: a Soviet-made, cream-colored Chaika designed in the 1950s.

Schwarzenegger said he was thrilled to be back in Moscow, which he visited while starring as a Soviet cop in the 1988 movie “Red Heat.” “I never thought at that point that I would be back as governor,” Schwarzenegger said. “It’s really fun to be back here and meet the president.” —AP

BEVERLY HILLS: Beverly Hills mayor Jimmy Delshad poses a print that shows the city’s logo. The City of Beverly Hills will be selling its own fragrance line featuring the trademarked Beverly Hills shield sign. The three luxury perfumes will be launched worldwide today. —AP

Two teams try lining up Potash Corp bids Potash Corp considers spin-offs to foil BHP MUMBAI/LONDON: Reported fresh attempts to outdo BHP Billiton’s $39 billion bid for Canadian group Potash Corp look unwieldy, analysts said, suggesting the world’s biggest miner still has the field to itself. Bernstein analyst Paul Galloway said getting the financial clout needed to improve on the terms of the biggest takeover bid this year required either aligning a diverse consortium or relying on the politically contentious backing of China.

The latest in weeks of speculation about ways BHP could be stymied saw reports that Canadian and Singaporean funds were talking about a possible deal, that China’s preferred counterbidder was canvassing an Indian partner, and that Potash itself was examining a huge payout. On the latter point, Galloway said Potash would find it challenging to demonstrate it can deliver more value by returning cash to shareholders.

Liberum Capital analysts said it was hard to see “a testosterone-filled bidding war” over Potash. “With six weeks to go before the BHPB offer closes it is clear that the Chinese look unlikely to enter the fray and the schemes being tabled now are becoming increasingly political, complex and difficult to execute,” they said in a note. Still, Potash stock is more than 13 percent above BHP’s $130 per share offersignaling investors anticipate a sweetened offer from BHP or a rival. BHP has set a Nov. 18 bid deadline. Potash has rejected BHP’s bid as too cheap, and said it expected other investors to enter the fray. Paul Cliff, head of European metals and mining research at Nomura, said the reports seemed to be “clutching at straws” and his base-case assumption remained a successful BHP takeover at a raised $150-$160.

Ontario British newspaper The Sunday Times reported Canada’s Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP) was talking to Singapore investment fund Temasek about launching an offer for Potash, possibly with Canadian miner Teck Resources. The Sunday Times and rival The Sunday Telegraph also both said Potash was

considering defensive moves, including a breakup. Both said Potash could sell its nitrogen and phosphate operations and return up to $70 per share to investors. The Telegraph said Potash was talking to OTPP and others, which had received strong support from the Canada.

Teachers and Teck were not available to comment on Sunday, but both have said previously they would not be interested in bidding.

Potash and Temasek declined to comment.

“Everybody is talking to everyone,” said a person familiar with the situation, who did not deny that Temasek had been approached.

Temasek was previously approached by Chinese group Sinochem . China is wary of BHP taking control over 25 percent of the world’s supplies of potash, a commodity crucial for boosting food production to feed its huge population. Temasek has made no decision on those talks, the person familiar with the situation said. Indian newspaper The Economic Times reported Sinochem, hoping to overcome political hurdles, had approached Indian state-run miner NMDC to join a bid-a claim denied by NMDC. “There is no such proposal. In any case this is a very expensive property,” NMDC chairman Rana Som Som told Reuters.

Political hurdles Sinochem will not bid for Potash unless Canada signals it would approve a deal led by the state-owned chemicals group, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday. A spokesman for Sinochem declined to comment. An Asia-based investment banker with direct knowledge of the matter said China wanted to avoid a public takeover battle and would prefer a negotiated deal. China is nervous after previous backlashes in Canada and the United States forced the withdrawal of bids for Canadian miner Noranda and US oil company Unocal. “They recognize there are potentially significant challenges. The chances of this happening are pretty low,” the investment banker said. BHP Billiton’s London-listed shares were down 0.1 percent to 2,159 pence by 1145 GMT. —Reuters

Oil rises to near $83, boosted by weak dollar Dollar falls on QE2 expectations LONDON: Oil rose for a second straight session yesterday, boosted by the dollar’s continuing fall against a range of currencies, which outweighed the news that China had tightened its monetary policy. Weakness in the greenback boosts the dollar value of oil, which is usually traded in the U.S. currency.

Traders said the prospect of further US quantitative easing (QE2) was applying upward pressure to oil prices, by putting the dollar under downward pressure.

Oil was “in a kind of winwin situation”, where weak economic data supported prices by increasing expectations of QE2, but strong economic data boosted oil by bolstering expectations of economic growth, said Carsten Frisch, commodities analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

Fritsch said: “(QE2) is the reason why the poor US jobs data on Friday didn’t do any harm to commodity prices.”

China, the world’s largest energy user according to the International Energy Agency, has tightened monetary policy by raising the required reserves of big banks, sources told Reuters yesterday.

However, reacting to the news, Amrita Sen, commodities analyst at Barclays

Capital in London, said: “Given how energy intensive the Chinese economy is, even with some soft landing we do not expect this to change.” US crude for November was 12 cents up on the day at $82.78 a barrel at 1035 GMT. Prices touched a five-month intra-day high of $84.43 last week. ICE Brent gained eight cents to $84.11.

Weak US jobs data on Friday firmed expectations for further monetary stimulus to boost the struggling economy, as world financial leaders over the weekend sought to defuse mounting tensions over currencies. The market will seek further clues to developments in the US economy from the release of the minutes for the last Fed meeting on Tuesday, China trade data on Wednesday, and US retail sales for September on Friday.

Iran boosts reserves figure OPEC member Iran increased its official reserves estimate by 18 billion barrels to 150 billion barrels yesterday, ahead of Thursday’s OPEC meeting in Vienna. The move followed the decision a week ago by Iraq, a fellow member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, to raise its reserves figure to 143 billion barrels. However, Olivier

Jakob of consultants Petromatrix in Zug, Switzerland, was skeptical that Iran’s news would have much effect on oil prices, saying: “Everything out of Iran is taken with a pinch of salt. It was a little bit of a reaction to the Iraqi announcement.”

OPEC is unlikely to change oil output targets at this week’s meeting, delegates told Reuters on Sunday, while Qatar said current oil prices posed no harm to the world economy. Oil has stayed in a price range of $70 to $80 a barrel for most of this yearjudged by OPEC to be high enough for producers who need to invest and low enough not to damage the world’s economy.

Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s top crude exporter, will supply full contracted volumes of crude oil in November to at least five term buyers in northeast Asia, steady with October levels, traders with the refiners said yesterday.

Total’s La Mede oil refinery in the south of France was partially shut on Sunday as Marseille port workers continued their strike. Total said the lack of crude oil had also started to affect its 117,000 barrels per day Feyzin refinery in the Lyon region. The strike continued into its 15th day yesterday. —Reuters

TECHNOLOGY

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

27

Microsoft hopes to claw back share from Apple, Google

New software unveiled on nine mobile phones CALIFORNIA: In this photo released by Virgin Galactic, the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo, or VSS Enterprise, glides toward the earth on its first test flight after release from the mothership, WhiteKnight2, also known as VMS Eve, over the Mojave, California, area early Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. —AP

Private spaceship makes first solo glide flight CALIFORNIA: Virgin Galactic’s space tourism rocket SpaceShipTwo achieved its first solo glide flight Sunday, marking another step in the company’s eventual plans to fly paying passengers.

SpaceShipTwo was carried aloft by its mothership to an altitude of 45,000 feet (13,715 meters) and released over the Mojave Desert. After the separation, SpaceShipTwo, manned by two pilots, flew freely for 11 minutes before landing at an airport runway followed by the mothership. The entire test flight lasted about 25 minutes. “It flew beautifully,” said Virgin Galactic chief executive George Whitesides.

The six-passenger SpaceShipTwo is undergoing rigorous testing before it can carry tourists to space. In the latest test, SpaceShipTwo did not fire its rocket engine to climb to space.

Until now, SpaceShipTwo has flown attached to the wing of its special jet-powered mothership dubbed WhiteKnightTwo. Sunday was the first time the spaceship flew on its own. “It’s a very big deal,” Virgin president Sir Richard Branson told The Associated Press. “There are a number of big deals on the way to getting commercial space travel becoming a reality. This was a very big step. We now know that the spaceship glides.

We know it can be dropped safely from the mothership and we know it can land safely. That’s three big ticks.” SpaceShipTwo will make a series of additional glide flights before rocketing to space.

“The next big step will be the rocket tests actually on the spacecraft itself,” Branson said.

“We’ve obviously have done thousands of rocket tests on the ground, the next big test is in the air.

We’ll be doing gentle rocket tests in the air, ultimately culminating into taking the spaceship into space.” SpaceShipTwo, built by famed aircraft designer Burt Rutan, is based on a prototype that won a $10 million prize in 2004 for being the first manned private rocket to reach space. Tickets to ride aboard SpaceShipTwo cost $200,000. Some 370 customers have plunked down deposits totaling $50 million, according to Virgin Galactic.

Commercial flights will fly out of New Mexico where a spaceport is under construction. Officials from Virgin Galactic and other dignitaries will gather at the spaceport Oct. 22 for an event commemorating the finished runway. The event will also feature a flyover by SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo. Online: Virgin Galactic: http://www.virgingalactic.com —AP

SEATTLE/NEW YORK: Microsoft Corp unveiled a new line of phones running its Windows software yesterday, as it attempts to pull back market share from Apple Inc’s iPhone and Google Inc’s Android system in the fast-growing market for multi-featured “smartphones.”

The world’s largest software company is hoping that the new phones, from handset makers Samsung, LG, HTC and Dell Inc, will propel it back into the mobile market, which many see as the key to the future of computing. The new phones, initially available on AT&T Inc’s network in the United States, are much closer in look and feel to Apple’s iPhone, with colorful touchscreens and “live tiles” for easy access to email, the Web, music and other applications.

Some analysts say they represent Microsoft’s last chance to catch up in the smartphone market with rivals who overtook it in the past few years.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for some time,” said Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, showing off nine phone models at a launch event in New York.

Ballmer, who has admitted that his company “missed a generation” with its recent unpopular phone offerings, said the new phones would eventually be available from 60 mobile operators in 30 countries. The first phone from AT&T, priced at $200, will be available on Nov. 8, said Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T

NEW YORK: Attendees test devices running Windows Phone 7. —AFP Mobility and Consumer Markets. The new range of phones, which are built on the Snapdragon processor made by Qualcomm Inc, represent Microsoft’s best attempt yet to introduce live connections with its other products and the Web. Users will be able to play Xbox games on the phones, link to Windows Office, use the Bing search engine and download and play music

through its Zune music software. TV episodes are also available for download via AT&T’s U-verse service.

Updates from Facebook will be incorporated into a user’s contacts. Game maker Electronic Arts Inc said it will introduce a wave of games for the new phone software this holiday season. Microsoft has a market share of only 5 percent in the global smartphone market,

according to research firm Gartner, compared with 9 percent a year ago. Google’s Android system has a 17 percent market share, jumping from only 2 percent a year ago.

The market for multi-feature phones that allow users to email, surf the Web and play games, as well as have access to music and video, is set to expand massively. Gartner expects almost 270 million

smartphones to be sold around the world this year, up 56 percent from last year.

In comparison, Gartner expects only a 19 percent increase in worldwide PC sales to 368 million units this year.

Microsoft shares were unchanged at $24.57 on the Nasdaq yesterday morning.

AT&T shares were up 15 cents at $28.37 on the New York Stock Exchange. —Reuters

The networking tools you need for business WASHINGTON: Have the Facebooks and Twitters of the world passed you by? Are e-mail and telephone the primary ways you can be reached or that you reach out? If so, you’re probably wondering at this point whether it even matters be keep up with the latest social networking sites and tools. The short answer: It does at least if your business success is tied in some part to your ability to remain accessible.

That’s not to say, though, that all of the social networks are perfect for everyone. But if you’ve been too busy to look into them up to now, it’s probably time to see what they can do for you. The good news is that a basic understanding what these tools and sites are good for - and what they’re not - is easy to acquire.

Read on to find out.

Facebook Facebook has over 500 million users for a reason: it’s the single best way to get in touch - and stay in touch - with people you may have lost track of over the years and that includes former colleagues or business associates who might be in a great position to help you when you need it.

The key to Facebook’s success - and yours - is the site’s sheer number of users combined with its ability to hook you up with others you probably know based upon what you’ve done, where you’ve studied, where you’ve worked, and who you’ve known. Plenty of people turn to Facebook to hunt up old romantic flames or to chat with current friends and family. But there are plenty of essential business uses for Facebook as well. Keeping abreast of past co-workers and bosses, for example, could tie you in to future employment. Starting a Facebook page not only for yourself but for your business or interests can likewise reap benefits through increased exposure.

Don’t be afraid that if you sign up for Facebook, you’ll run into people you no longer want to see - or that your personal Facebook page will turn up embarrassing information about you in the search engines. There are easy ways around both of those concerns. The first is by simply ignoring or rejecting “friend” requests that come your way from those you don’t want to contact. The second is by establishing privacy settings that will keep

iad updates about your connections’ latest family pictures or the YouTube video they found fantastic. It’s bad because sometimes those personal connections to people - the ones that do not come through purely business relations - are what really matter when you are looking for work.

So look at LinkedIn and Facebook as complementary, and get an account with both. your Facebook page your own.

Twitter Despite the media’s fascination with Twitter, many business people may not need what it has to offer. There are, though, exceptions - and important ones at that. Twitter can be genuinely useful for those who want to trade ideas, comments, and updates around specific gatherings, interests, or intellectual pursuits. In such cases, Twitter can be a great way of keeping abreast of what’s happening in your area of interest or your field. Because the essence of Twitter is the 140character “tweets” that members send to one another, the tool can be an efficient way of communicating small bits of information quickly. And the many apps that let you tie in Twitter to your smartphone mean that you can get Twitter updates wherever you are.

Key to the productive use of Twitter, however, is keeping your circle of Twitter friends well defined. Start following the wrong people on Twitter, and your account will quickly begin to seem like a 24-hour spam inbox, constantly beckoning your attention with peremptory, annoying “tweets” in which you have no interest.

LinkedIn LinkedIn was created solely for the purpose of allowing people to establish a social network among business associates, and its success is now without question. Like Facebook, once you provide the site with some details about what you’ve done and where you’ve worked, LinkedIn suggests colleagues or associates you may have forgotten about - and who could recommend you and your work to others.

Unlike Facebook, LinkedIn is all business, which is both good and bad. It’s good because you won’t have to wade through myr-

Instant messaging Instant messaging (IM) grew up in the 90s, and it’s far from dead. In fact, it’s a vital communications medium that serves a purpose that no other internetbased mode of communication can: real time conversations that are more efficiently conducted online than by either e-mail or telephone.

So to stay fully connected today, you need at least one instant messaging account, and if your activities require that you be easy to reach, you should have an IM account with all of the major providers: MS Live, Yahoo!, Google, and perhaps even AOL. Don’t worry, either, about having to keep track of all of your accounts by having multiple chat clients open. An IM aggregator such as Digsby (http://www.digsby.com) can pull them all together neatly and allow you to chat with anyone using one familiar interface.

Skype Skype isn’t just for internet telephone conversations, although it handles that job exceedingly well. Businesses are increasingly using the tool as a way to conduct interviews - both voice-only and video based - with potential job candidates. Whether the candidates are far away or close by, a preliminary Skypebased interview makes a lot of sense from both a time and cost perspective.

Signing up for any or all of the services mentioned here takes only minutes, and those will be minutes well spent. If you’re worried about getting a lot of spam as a result, use a free e-mail address that you create for the purpose of handling your social networking accounts. Set up these services right, though, and you won’t be dealing with spam.

Instead, you’ll be expanding your opportunities. —DPA

NEW YORK: Devices running Windows Phone 7 (WP7) are on display, a new mobile phone operating system as Microsoft seeks to regain ground lost to the iPhone, Blackberry and devices powered by Google’s Android software, during an event in New York yesterday. Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer unveiled WP7. —AFP

Music fades for young people in Facebook era: Survey SYDNEY: Music is no longer the number one way for young people to define themselves as they embrace social networks such as Facebook, according to an Australian survey released yesterday. Asked “What defines you?” the most popular response from young adults was “my friends”, pipping music for the first time in the seven-year history of the annual Urban Market Research study. “That came to us as a bit of a surprise,” said Dion Appel, chief executive of the LifeLounge Group, which commissioned the survey of more than 1,750 Australians aged 16 to 30. “What’s not a surprise is the popularity of Facebook. But I suppose how that’s influencing how young people

actually define themselves is a pretty powerful insight. “They are relying a lot more on friends to help define themselves.” Facebook was the number one website visited by those polled, with a massive 47 percent saying they spent five or more hours each week on the social networking site. And while every young adult had at least one email address, this method of communication was on the wane, according to the study conducted with Sweeney Research.

Young adults associate email more with their professional or school life than their personal affairs and so prefer to communicate with peers via Facebook, text messaging, Skype and

Instant Messenger, Appel said. With a simple status update on their social networking pages, young people can “just put in how they are feeling and let technology deliver the messages” without needing to dig up people’s email addresses, he said.

The research also confirms that most young people have a frantic digital life, with more than 80 percent “doing other things” while surfing the Internet or posting on social networks-like watching television or messaging. But the barrage of information is also forcing youngsters to take some time out by “pressing pause” on the multimedia deluge, the survey said. The most popular offline pastime was reading, with

about 56 percent of those interviewed doing this for at least an hour a week.

Cooking and going to art exhibitions were also popular.

“They are certainly not switching off. The one thing they claim they can’t live without is the Internet. So what they are doing is just pausing momentarily and taking a breath,” Appel said.

However he said social media were definitely on the rise. “There are a number of ways for young people to get their kudos, or as we call it urban capital, and this is largely through social media now. They’ve got a voice that they can really properly broadcast in ways they have not been able to do in the past.” —AFP

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

NewYork Presbyterian Hospital - an integrated, cosmopolitan academic medical center KUWAIT: NewYork Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH), the largest private, not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital in the United States with 2,242 beds, more 19,000 employees and over 6,000 physicians, providing service to nearly 2 million inpatients and outpatients annually was one of the two Diamond Sponsors at the First International Conference and Exhibition for Best Hospitals, which took place in Kuwait from Oct 7 - 9.

Since its establishment, NYPH has cemented its reputation as a premier academic medical center with the expertise to enhance healthcare delivery, quality and patient safety around the world.

Affiliated with two Ivy League medical schools, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Cornell University’s WeillCornell Medical College, NYPH has been at the forefront of clinical research, working on the latest medical innovations and finding groundbreaking procedures to treat and cure diverse diseases and disorders. Spread across five campuses the hospital has been offering leading edge treatment options and providing the highest quality comprehensive healthcare to people from all over the globe.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Conference and Exhibition, Susan Mascitelli, Senior Vice President, Patient Services at NYPH said, “We are extremely pleased and honored to be in Kuwait at the gracious invitation of the Ministry of Health and the organizing committee of this

Best Hospitals exhibition. For the last ten years running, NYPH has been ranked among the top best hospitals in America. This ranking is the outcome of our unrelenting commitment to putting patients first.

Our compassionate treatment of patients and their families in a service-oriented and caring environment is a clear demonstration of this commitment.”

Detailing the international ser-

vices of the hospital, Jose Francisco Nunez, Vice President, International and Corporate Health at NYPH, added, “Every year at NYPH we treat thousands of patients from more than 70 countries around the

world; of these patients, 25 to 30 percent are from the Middle-East region. It is a misnomer to call these patients medical tourists, more appropriate would be medical travelers. Often these medical travelers

are seeking solutions for critical medical situations that require complex medical procedures, which may not be available, or the outcome of which they may not feel confident of, in their home country.

While highlighting our cuttingedge services and facilities at the exhibition, we also presented our perspective on some of things that people should be aware of when selecting hospitals and physicians abroad, including metrics like the number of experienced physicians at the hospital, the number of medical procedures undertaken, how often the procedures are successfully performed and how good is the hospital in delivering a full medical experience to the patient.”

“As an academic medical center with direct access to two Ivy League medical colleges, which are renowned for their leading edge research, we pride ourselves on being able to deliver the latest clinical procedures and treatments in a continuum of medical specialties, and to provide the best integrated medical experience for our patients,” continued Mr. Nunez.

“Being a private, not-for-profit medical institution all our revenues are reinvested in the hospital for maintaining its leading edge in technologies, patient care and education. We are proud to be an academic medical center that trains physicians of the future, for the future. Our mission is to excel in patient care, excel in medical education and excel in medical research,” he added.

Elaborating on the academic medical center’s wide experience in treating international patients from all over the world, Ms. Mascitelli said, “We are highly tuned to the cultural sensitivity of our international patients, whether it relates to their religious, linguistic or dietary requirements.

Along with the superior quality of healthcare provided by NYPH, we also provide our international patients the assistance of a team of skilled coordinators who deliver unrivaled levels of personalized attention and customized service that starts from the moment of patient admittance and continues through until discharge from the hospital.”

Speaking on the initiative by Kuwait’s Ministry of Health to enhance the level of health care in the country through collaboration with best international hospitals, Mr. Nunez explained, “Fundamentally we are in full agreement with the government initiative and believe it is the right thing to do.

At NYPH we look forward to entering into dialogue with select hospitals in Kuwait for establishing strategic relationships. We hope that by implementing “best practices” between physicians, administrators, technicians and nurses and through exchanging ideas, sharing information and transferring knowledge, we can help hospitals and medical centers in Kuwait deliver enhanced healthcare to their patients.”

Brazil eyes microchips in trees for forest management

INDIA: A housefly sits on the head of a man as he smokes a “bidi” on the banks of the River Ganges in Allahabad, India, Monday, Oct. 11, 2010.

“Bidis,” are small, cheaply made cigarettes which contain about one-fourth the tobacco of a regular cigarette. Bidis are popular among poor Indians because they are significantly cheaper. A packet of 10 costs about 2 rupees (about 5 US cents; euro0.03) while the cheapest cigarettes cost 1 rupee (2 US cents; euro0.01) a piece. —AP

BRAZIL: A chainsaw buzzes, branches snap, and an Amazon tree crashes to the ground. It could be just another of the thousands of trees felled each year in Brazil’s portion of the world’s largest forest except for one detail: a microchip attached to its base holding data about its location, size and who cut it down. With a hand-held device, forestry engineer Paulo Borges pulls up the tree’s vital statistics from the chip-a 14-meter-high (46-foot) tree known as a “mandiocao” cut down in Mato Grosso state, the southern edge of the Amazon where the forest has largely been cleared to create farmland. It is only a small pilot project, but its leaders say the microchip system has the potential to be a big step forward in the battle to protect the Amazon. The chips allow land owners using sustainable forestry practices to distinguish their wood from that acquired through illegal logging that each year destroys swathes of the forest. Each microchip tells a tree’s story from the point it was felled to the sawmill that processed and sold the wood, key information for buyers who want to know where it came from. “People talk a lot these days about wood coming from sus-

tainable forestry practices-this is a system that can prove it,” said Borges, of the organization Acao Verde, or Green Action, which is managing the project on a large farm.

Brazil is under international pressure to reduce deforestation that destroys thousands of square miles of the Amazon each year and make the country one of the world’s biggest sources of greenhouse gasses. The project is part of a growing trend toward lumber certification that gives buyers a guarantee the wood was produced without damaging the forest it came from. Unlike illegal slash-andburn logging, selectively cutting trees can generate timber revenues without damaging forests, and, according to forestry experts, can in some cases even increase the amount of carbon dioxide the forests trap.

Acao Verde says widespread use of chips in trees would help eliminate corruption that allows illegally harvested wood to be “cleaned up” through bogus certification papers, and aid in spurring Brazil’s sustainable forestry movement.

Similar projects in Bolivia and Nigeria use technology such as bar codes readers or

satellite tracking to help crack down on illegal logging and preserve delicate ecosystems.

Such technology can help isolate fraud originating where the trees are cut, said Gary Dodge, director of science and certification at the nonprofit Forest Stewardship Council, which has led a global push for lumber certification.

“If there is fraud taking place between the forest owner and the mill, then a microchip would be great help in combating illegal logging,” said Dodge. Higher costs are a disadvantage to high-tech tracking systems, according to the Council, though a stronger certification system can help increase the selling price of the wood in some markets. Acao Verde collected data on trees in 100 hectares (247 acres) of forest on the Caranda farm, which produces soy and corn but maintains native vegetation on a third of the land as required by law. Forestry engineers attach chips contained in white plastic squares similar to office I.D. cards to each tree. Landowners who adopt the system could cut down on time-consuming paperwork and reduce the need for inspections by environmental authorities,

which for years have had tense relations with agribusiness in the region. Farmers in Mato Grosso, many of whom were encouraged by Brazil’s military government in the 1970s to turn forest into farmland, are warming to conservation and bristle at accusations they have no regard for the natural world. “People out there still think farmers like us are destroying the environment. It’s not true and we want to show that it’s not true,” said Patrik Lunardi, 26, whose family allowed the project to be carried out on their farm.

The state’s main agribusiness organization this year began conducting audits of farm properties to determine which ones could sell carbon credits in exchange for maintaining forest standing on their property. The microchips project has even won approval from those often least expected to support forest conservation measures- loggers.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Aristides Ferrari, 52, a logger. “We don’t want to cut down all the forests, on the contrary-we want to make sure forests remain standing so we can continue working.” —Reuters

Newborns with jaundice more likely to develop autism: Study WASHINGTON: Infants born with jaundice are at much greater risk of developing autism, a study published Monday showed.

The study published in the US journal Pediatrics found full-term infants born in Denmark between 1994 and 2004 who had jaundice were 67 percent more likely to develop autism. Neonatal jaundice is usually caused by elevated production of bilirubin, a substance found in bile that results from the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Jaundice is seen in 60 percent of term infants and usually resolves within the first week of life, but prolonged expo-

sure to high bilirubin levels is neurotoxic and can cause lifelong developmental problems, the study says.

In this study researchers found the risk of autism was higher if the mother had had previous children, or, somewhat oddly, if the child was born between October and March.

The risk for autism disappeared if the child was a firstborn child or was born between April and September. Authors suggest the seasonal difference may be due to different levels of exposure to daylight, which has an effect on jaundice, or

due to infections.

The difference in risk in firstborn versus subsequent children could be due to different levels of antibodies in women who have had multiple pregnancies, or it could reflect different levels of access to health care in the first days after delivery.

In Denmark, women with healthy term newborns who have already had children are discharged soon after delivery. Women having their first child remain in the hospital for three to four days, and so jaundice may be diagnosed while the infant is still in the hospital. —AFP

Scientists find sign cave dwellers took care of elderly MADRID: Scientists said yesterday they had uncovered evidence suggesting cave dwellers who lived in northern Spain some 500,000 years ago took care of their elderly and infirm. University of Madrid paleontologists discovered the partial skeleton of a male of a European species ancestral to the Neanderthals who suffered from a stoop and possibly needed a stick to remain upright, they said in a statement.

“This individual would be probably impaired for hunting, among other activi-

ties. His survival during a considerable period with these impairments allows us to hypothesize that the nomadic group of which this individual was part would provide special care to aged individuals,” it said.

The remains suggested the cave dweller died when he was over 45. They were found at Atapuerca in northern Spain’s Burgos province, the site of several caves containing evidence of prehistoric human occupation. The results of the study have been

accepted for publication in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, the scientists said.

An earlier study carried out at the same site in 2009 concluded that the cave dwellers who lived there were cannibals who valued the flesh of children and adolescents. In 1994, paleontologists also unearthed at Atapuerca the fossilized remains of Homo antecessor, or “Pioneer Man”, believed to date back 800,000 years.

Too much screen time psychologically harms kids: study WASHINGTON: Hiding the TV remote and games console controller is a good thing to do to kids if it’s the only way to limit the time they spend in front of a screen, according to a study published yesterday. The study, published in the US journal Pediatrics, found that kids who spend hours each day in front of the TV or games con-

sole have more psychological difficulties like problems relating to peers, emotional issues, hyperactivity or conduct challenges, than kids who don’t. And contrary to what earlier studies have indicated, the negative impact of screen time was not remedied by increasing a child’s physical activity levels, says the study conducted

by researchers from the University of Bristol in Britain. The researchers got 1,013 children between the ages of 10 and 11 to self-report average daily hours spent watching television or playing-not doing homework-on a computer.

Responses ranged from zero to around five hours per day. —AFP

GORGONA: Undated picture of a blue anole (Anolis gorgonae), a highly threatened lizard that is found only on the island of Gorgona, about 50 km off the Colombian Pacific coast and part of the municipality of Guapi, in the department of Cauca, Colombia. The island functioned as a prison until 1985 when it became a National Natural Reservation turning into an ecological paradise and an ideal place for observing the whales called “humpback”. — AFP

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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in the news New J & J drug extends patients life MILAN: Men with advanced prostate cancer lived nearly four months longer on a new drug from Johnson & Johnson, according to keenly awaited study data that cancer experts said would change clinical practice. Abiraterone, which could reach the market next year, provides a new option for treating men with an aggressive type of prostate cancer.

Obese? Apple or pear shaped?

It may be your genes LONDON: Scientists have found more than 30 new gene variations linked to obesity and fat in research they say could help explain why some people get so overweight, and why some are apple shaped and some shaped like pears. An international team of more than 400 scientists from 280 research institutions said their results give more insight into the biological processes that can lead to obesity and may in future help in developing new ways to treat or prevent it.

New melanoma drug may shrink brain tumors MILAN: An experimental melanoma drug from GlaxoSmithKline managed to shrink secondary tumors in the brains of nine patients with advanced disease, according to results of a small clinical trial on Sunday. The development is encouraging because secondary tumors, or metastases, in the brain are a major problem in the deadly form of skin cancer.

New Alzheimer’s guidelines aim for early diagnosis LONDON: Experts on Alzheimer’s disease are proposing new criteria for diagnosing the dementia which would pick it up at an earlier stage and should get more patients onto treatment or into trials of new drugs. An international expert group said the new guidelines would revise the definition of Alzheimer’s to take into account recent scientific developments — including the use of so-called biomarkers, or biological signals, which can show if a person is at risk of the disease before they have any symptoms.

Novartis drug helps rare tumors, filing this year MILAN: Patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors, a rare type of cancer, lived 5.1 months longer without their disease worsening when given Novartis’s drug Afinitor, researchers said on Monday. The new data add to the case for using the potential blockbuster in this niche area, following its approval as a treatment for kidney cancer last year.

Western Pacific faces toll from ‘lifestyle’ diseases KUALA LUMPUR: Western Pacific countries face an increasing economic toll from mainly preventable illnesses such as strokes, heart disease and diabetes, a World Health Organization official said on Sunday. Dr Shin Young-soo, the WHO’s director for the Western Pacific said 75 percent of deaths in the region were due to Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Roche drugs point to personalized lung cancer care MILAN: Roche’s experimental drug MetMab and its established product Tarceva showed impressive results in lung cancer trials on Saturday, highlighting how treating the disease is becoming much more focused. Cancer experts meeting Milan said personalized treatment, first seen in breast cancer, was now emerging as a major theme in lung cancer. The shift could reduce the use of less targeted drugs, including Roche’s own top-selling Avastin. — Reuters

TUNISIA: Picture taken on October 10, 2010 shows a parrot in a cage during the Moncef Bey weekly animal market on October 10, 2010 in Tunis. —AFP

US treats first patient with human embryonic stem cells WASHINGTON: US doctors have begun treating the first patient with embryonic stem cells as part of the first human study of the controversial treatment authorized by the government, the Geron Corporation said yesterday.

The patient was enrolled at the Shepherd Center spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, where Geron began clinical trials of their GRNOPC1 human embryonic stem cells in treating patients with devastating spinal cord injuries.

The trial comes just 11 years after Geron began working with human embryonic stem cells in 1999, when “many predicted that it would be a number of decades before a cell therapy would be approved for human clinical trials,” said Thomas Okarma, Geron’s president and CEO. “Initiating the GRNOPC1 clinical trial is a milestone for the field of human embryonic stem cell-based therapies,” Okarma said.

Geron got clearance in January last year to conduct human trials of GRNOPC1 embryonic stem cells, which are highly versatile, primitive cells capable of developing into any tissue. Preclinical studies have shown that GRNOPC1 significantly improved locomotor activity of animals with spinal cord injuries when injected seven days after the injury. Participants in the study must be newly injured and receive GRNOPC1 between seven and 14 days of sustaining their injury. David Apple, Shepherd Center’s medical director, said the clinical trial was a key step forward in attempts to find a cure for paralysis in people with spinal cord injury.

The ultimate goal is to inject GRNOPC1 cells into the spines of paralyzed human volunteers in the hope that this will prompt damaged nerve cells to regrow, enabling the patients to eventually recover feeling and movement. — AFP

Stem cells: A factfile PARIS: Embryonic stem cells have crossed a threshold with the announcement Monday that this novel but also contested treatment has moved out of the lab and into a clinical trial. Stem cells are primitive cells that diversify into the roughly 200 types of cell that comprise the body’s tissues. The dream is to use these cells to replenish tissue damaged by disease, accident, war or normal wearand-tear. Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes are among the many disorders that could be targeted, according to champions of this research.

EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS are by far the most versatile stem cells, as they are “totipotent,” or able to differentiate into any cell type. They come from fertilised eggs that typically are allowed to grow for three to five days. The harvested cells are then kept in self-replicating “lines” for study. But their use has come under fire from religious conservatives

who contend that a human life begins at conception and destroying the embryo is thus tantamount to murder. Their clout in the United States led to a seven-year ban on federal research funding for new cell lines that was overturned in 2009 by President Barack Obama. His decision has been legally challenged. The first trial of embryonic stem cells is being conducted by the US biotech company, the Geron Corporation, on a patient enrolled at a spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. In its first phase, the treatment will be assessed for safety and tolerance, Geron said.

The other source of stem cells are ADULT STEM CELLS, which while still immature are genetically programmed to differentiate into specific cell types. Adult stem cells have traditionally attracted far less publicity than embryonic stem cells.

But in recent years they have been found to be more versatile than thought and to

exist in a wider range of tissues, including the brain, bone marrow, peripheral blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, skin and liver. Researchers in 2007 said they had found a way to make pluripotent stem cells by “reprogramming” adult stem cells taken from skin. And in January 2008, a team led by Robert Lanza at Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), a Massachusetts biotech company, announced they had created the first human embryonic stem cells without destruction of the embryo.

Biomedical experts caution that several big questions remain to be answered before stem cells fully deliver on their great promise. Still unclear is exactly how a stem cell “differentiates” into a specialized cells and ensuring that transplanted stem cells are not attacked as alien by the immune system. One area of work is to clone stem cells so that they carry the DNA signature of the patient and thus are not treated as foreign. — AFP

WHAT’S ON IN KUWAIT

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

KTAA monthly presentation

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he Kuwait Textile Arts Association (KTAA) under the auspices of Sadu House cordially invites you to the monthly presentation “Islamic Motifs in The al-Sabah Collection of Art from the Islamic World” given by Susan Day and Katherine Baker today at 7pm in Sadu House, Arabian Gulf Street, on the corner of the National Museum, Kuwait City. More information available from wovenpieces@yahoo.com

Tug of war

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asaragod Expatriates Association of Kuwait (KEA-Kuwait) is organizing a tug of war competition on Friday, 15th October 2010 @ 2:00 pm at Touristic Park in Jleeb Al-shyoukh.

We cordially solicit the presence of all the members of your organization.

Anmatt exhibition

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Gandhidharsan 2010 mesmerizes spectators

andhidharsan 2010 photo & books exhibition organized by Indian Overseas congress in fact mesmerized thousands of people in Kuwait.

The exhibition which lasted for two days was inaugurated by H.E. Indian Ambassador Shri. Ajay Malhotra on 7th Oct. 2010 at Indian Central School auditorium witnessed by distinguished guests,

Principals, teachers and hundreds of school students. Mr. Geevarghese Abraham presided over and General Convenor K. J. John gave an introction of the program. Gen. Convenor Adv. John Thomas welcomed the gathering. Gen. Secretary Somu Mathew, Indian Central School principal Mrs. Santa Maria James and United Indian School Principal Mrs. Susan Roy gave felicitations.

Secretary Raju Zakarias gave away the vote of Thanks. More than 4000 students witnessed the exhibition before noon on the same day.

The exhibition was continued at United Indian school for public from 5 pm

Nair Service Society (NSS) to host initiation day air Service Society, Kuwait (NSS Kuwait) to host the “Vidhyarambham Day” for the Eighth consecutive year on Sunday, 17 October 2010, 4:00AM onwards until 7:00AM (early morning) at the Indian Community School, Amman Branch, Salmiya.

On the Vidhyarambham day, young children between the age of 2 and 3 yrs are introduced into the world of alphabets or letters and they take the first step into the world of knowledge.

NSS Kuwait’s Vidyarambham Day is a very special annual event to be held in Kuwait every year on the Vijayadashami day.

For this initiation of children into the world of learning, NSS Kuwait invites renowned and leading personalities and scholars associated with literature, medicine, education, arts, engineering etc to adorn the role of Guru to the children.

This year, NSS Kuwait has invited Dr.Narayanan Nampoory, Senior Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician in Kuwait to perform the role of the Guru. This program is open for all Indians and requires pre-registration.

Registration is free and can be done by calling Riggae/Farwaniya: 97601637, Abbasiya/Hasawi: 99636472, Abu Halifa/Mahboula: 94067350, Salmiya/Hawally/Kuwait City: 66387400, Fahaheel/Mangaf/Ahmadi: 97953488, 66059471.

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onwards on Thursday till Friday evening.

250 photos were exhibited. Photos from the childhood of Gandhiji to his tragic death which were exhibited touched thehearts of the children. His African life, India’s freedom struggle and other exclusive photos were there at the exhibition.

As per the organisers, the show was organised to encourage the new generation to study and disseminate the thoughts, values and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. The organisers believe that it is the duty of every Indian citizen to spread the ideals of non-violence which is highly relevant at this time where violence, murders and terrorism prevails.

The yearly Arts competitions were also organised in connection with the Gandhidharsan program. About 800 students and adults participated in various competitions. A huge crowd witnessed throughout the two day program. Arts competition was inaugurated by M.K.Pothen, Advisory committee chairman of IOC.

Indian Embassy notice The Embassy of India will remain closed on Sunday, October 17, 2010 on account of ‘Dussehra’.

Argentine Embassy notice The Embassy of the Argentine Republic to the State of Kuwait wants to inform that the embassy will be closed tomorrow and work will resume on Tuesday, October 12, 2010.

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Sec. John Abraham, Treasurer Tony Mathew, Tom Chirayil, Reji. C. Ninan, Thajudeen, Raju Karunakaran, Thampan

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dents. Parents and students started assembling at the school for consulting the progress of their children but also the progress of the institution. Mr F M Basheer Ahmed, the principal of the school and Mrs Narender

Mani, Shaji Kavalam, George Joseph, M.P. Sen and Dr. George Varkey led the various committees.

Kaur, vice-principal of the school discussed with the parents and the students the various issues connected with the academic and co-curriculur activities. More than 90 percent of parents attended the event enthusiastically.

outh Recreation Center (Rising Stars), on the completion of 30 glorious years in Kuwait has organized a maiden/mega Singing Competition, the “Gulf Voice of Mangalore 2010” on October 17, 2010 and Kuwait’s very own voice, Vinay Lewis was declared the winner of ‘Gulf Voice of Mangalore 2010. After the super success of this event we are back again with Gulf Voice of Mangalore 2010’.

The auditions/preliminary rounds for Kuwait already held on June 11, 2010 under the leadership of Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues and 12 semifinalists (six male and females each) were chosen to compete for the semi-finals in Kuwait on October 8, 2010 at the American International School - Hawalli.

On this day two finalists, one male and one female each will be chosen to enter the grand-finale. Famous personalities in the music field will arrive from Mangalore to judge the semi-finalists. There will be an entertainment program by visiting artists from Mangalore as well as the local artists, Twelve finalists from six Gulf countries will be fighting for the coveted title in the grand-finale to be held in Dubai on October 22, 2010.

For further information about this competition, contact Lawrence - 99803755, Louis - 66561184. Wilson 99719938.

Founder’s Day

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ll Algerians are invited for dinner to commemorate Founder’s Day on October 28, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Al-Murjan Hall) at 7:30 pm. Event will have a Fancy dress competition for children up to 1st standard and drawing competition for children from 2nd standard to 8th standard. For the fancy dress competition, children are requested to come prepared from home and those participating in the drawing competition are requested to bring crayons/coloring pencils/sketch pens with them, paper sheets will be provided at the venue. For confirming your presence and for queries, please contact: Ikram on 97611788; Tariq Sibte on 99638779; Usman on 66629904; or Sabihuddin on 97210594.

TIES Center announces Winter schedule

Canadian Embassy notice The Embassy of Canada is open from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm from Sunday through Thursday.

Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm on Sunday through Wednesday. 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.

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.

Gulf Voice of Mangalore 2010

IIS holds successful parent-teacher meeting

PTA meeting was held at India International School for the classes from KG to V Standard on September 30 between 5 to 7 pm. All the class teachers were ready with the report cards of the stu-

bdullah Al-Awadi’s exhibition opens tomorrow at 7:00 pm at Dar Al-Funoon. The exhibition will run till October 15 and the showcasing hours are from 10 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm (Closed on Fridays) at Behbehani Compound House 28, Al-Wattiyah, Kuwait. Ph: 22433138.

Geometry, icons calligraphy, vintage images, songs, repetition, drama, irony, and comedy. A whimsical concoction of ideas, images and sometimes secret coded messages come together to create this exhibition. A juxtaposition of seemingly polar topics from Islamic patterns to pop art merged with Arab songs and calligraphy, A mind twisting tour de force or just an eye-pleasing superficial object d’arte: Abdulla was trained as an architect in Miami, furthermore he is a designer of contemporary clothes, theatrical costumes, large format photography jewelry indoor and outdoor installations and plastic art.

Exclusively for this exhibit, he was united by Sarah Baydon, designer and founder of Sarah’s Bag to produce an exclusive collection inspired by this show They have joined forces to create this celebration of their knowledge and joie de vive an pop culture from East to West and back. Pattern being the key element is sometimes read as geometrical pattern, cultural pattern or behavioral pattern.

Scratch your head hide a smile or just blush at this collection of images, ideas, and accessories.

Recent exhibitions include a solo photography exhibition at Beit Lothan, Kuwait and a jewelry exhibition for The Sultan Gallery, Kuwait.

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IES Center announces its schedule of Winter Arabic Courses which will extend from October 29, 2010 through December 23, 2010. The courses are offered with the following options: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 The Arabic courses at TIES Center are designed according to the students’ needs and requirements. These courses are intended for all expatriates who wish to learn the Arabic language

Berchmans Annual Day celebrations lumni Association of St. Berchmans’ College (AASBCO) Kuwait Chapter is celebrating its 13th Annual Day on Friday, 15th October 2010 at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Hall, Jleeb Al Shuwaikh. The program will start at 6.30 PM and H. E. Mr. Ajay Malhotra, Hon. Ambassador of India to Kuwait will inaugurate the function, in the presence of

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Prof. Dr. Ruble Raj, Principal of Marian College Kuttikanam, besides several other dignitaries from India and Kuwait.

AASBCO has been conducting several competitions every year, for the students of Indian Schools in Kuwait, mainly the Extempore Speech Competition and the Basketball Tournaments for both boys and girls. Trophies

and certificates for the winners of these events will be given away at this function.

AASBCO invites the presence of all its members and other alumni of St. Berchmans’ College living in Kuwait, on this auspicious occasion. Please call Mr. Shibu Pallickal (99852331) Mr. Thomas Varghese (97676277) or mail to aabsco.kuwait@gmail.com

and culture. Upon completion of these courses the student will have a) Confidence in conducting basic Arabic communication (speaking, reading & writing) b) A basis for developing Arabic as a second language c) A better understanding of Arabic Culture d) Ability to interact with their classmates and learn about their background and culture For more information please contact us on 97144138 or visit our website www.tiescenter.net.

AWARE Center Diwaniya

“F

orty Days and Forty Nights in Yemen: A Journey to Tarim, the City of Light” by Journalist Ethar El-KatatneyTuesday 12 October at 7:00pm Ethar El-Katatney is an awardwinning journalist, a blogger, and an author. She is currently a staff writer at Egypt Today, the leading current affairs magazine in the Middle East. Her story “The Business of Islam” won the Economics and Business award in the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year 2009 award, making her the first Egyptian to win one of the prestigious awards.

Join us at AWARE as we welcome Ms. Ethar El Katatney, to speak about her unique experience in South Yemen.

Filipino Badminton Committee

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he Filipino Badminton Committee is inviting all badminton enthusiast to join its 20th Badminton Tournament for-A cause that will start on November 5 until December 10 at the Kuwait Disabled Club , Hawally every Friday from 8:00 AM until 5 PM. The tournament will be a Team event compose of 5 players. Each team must have Level 1 & 2 (Men’s), Level 1& 2 (Ladies’) and Level 3 (Ladies’). Deadline for submission of line up will be on Octobr 15. Special prie will be given for Best Uniform, Best Team. For more information, call 97197268.

Football For All

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he Premier Goal Academy in association with Everton F.C. launches its ‘Football For All’ programme at Shaab Park in October 2010. Expert guidance from professional English F.A./UEFA coaching team. Coaching courses for 314 years are held Fridays 0900-1100 and Saturdays 1500-1700. Advanced coaching for Centre of Excellence players aged 8 to 18 years also takes place on Fridays and Saturdays plus Mondays (8-12 years), Tuesdays (12-14 years) and Wednesdays (14-18 years) 1700-1900. Regular fixtures against Kuwait Club teams and tournaments in the Gulf, USA and Europe are also available for selected players. The Premier Goal Academy also offers coaching courses in Salwa, Hawally, Mangaf, Sharq (Girls Only) and Freestyle courses (13-18 years) at Shaab Park on Mondays. For further details of any of the P.G.A. Courses contact; Mike Finn, Director of Football Tel.99981327(English), Baker al Nazer, Director of Administration Tel.66918666(Arabic) or Daniel Christensen 99128010.

Email; premier_fa_kuwait@yahoo.com

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

WHAT’S ON IN KUWAIT

Safir Hotel & Residences Fintas launches Chit Chat Cafe Restaurant new menu T

he newly opened Safir Hotel & Residences located in Fintas, Kuwait celebrated the launching of Chit Chat Cafe Restaurant’s new menu in the presence of the local media representatives and a number of guests. The new lively and attractive international dishes are a result on continues improving of taste and eye catching presentations.

Mr. Urs Weisskopf General Manager of Safir Hotel & Residences Kuwait along with the entire management team welcomed the local media representatives and the guests upon their arrival to an evening of warm hospitality and friendly service. The ambience was reflected in the impressive décor, soothing music, lighting and the aromatic flavors from the new dishes.

Chit Chat Restaurant Cafe offers guests a unique casual dining experience, a place for lounging, socializing and networking. Its new menu is full of a rich selection of appetizers, delightful food prepared with the freshest of the inhouse ingredients and novelties from around the world that make it better than ever before.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Urs Weisskopf - General Manager of Safir Hotel & Residences Fintas - Kuwait said “We are delighted to have the local media and our guests tasting the new items that surely added value to the already delectable menu. At Chit Chat Cafe Restaurant we will ensure guests are completely satisfied with our various culinary offerings and services to be the best place to socialize and enjoy unique flavors in the surrounding area.”

The launch of the new menu of Chit Chat Café Restaurant is a part of its strategy to realign the look and feel of the brand more closely with its benefit. The new menu is a step towards further strengthening its position in the market and performs as a powerful silent salesman that creates the tangible ‘first impression’ among guests.

Imam Malek honors former principal on Teachers’ Day

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n celebration of the International Teachers’ Day and in appreciation for his significant role and life-time career in teaching, Imam Malek Secondary School for boys, of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational Zone, recently honored its former principal Jum’a Bilal Al-Obaidi, who retired by the end of last year. Al-Obaidi was warmly received by the new principal Abdullah Ahmed Al-Jassim, his assistants, Abdul Ameer Hassan and Mohammed Abdul Rahman, the teaching staff and all students during the morning parade when he was honored as a role model, as a teacher, a boss and, above all, a father. Thanks Abu Meshari for all what you have given, and a very happy retirement!

31 Embassy information EMbaSSy OF US The United States Department of State announces the increase in various visa fees to ensure sufficient resources to cover the increasing cost of processing nonimmigrant visas (NIVs).

US law requires the Department to recover the cost of processing non-immigrant visas through the collection of the application fees. The increased fees are to take effect June 4, 2010. Under the new rule, applicants for all visas that are not petition-based, including B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange-visitor visas, will pay a fee of $140. Applicants for petition-based visas will pay an application fee of $150, as each of the below categories requires a review of extensive documentation and a more in-depth interview of the applicant than other categories, such as tourists.

These categories include: H visa for temporary workers and trainees L visa for intra-company transferees O visa for aliens with extraordinary ability P visa for athletes, artists and entertainers Q visa for international cultural exchange visitors R visa for religious occupations The application fee for K visas for fiance(e)s of US citizens will be $350. The fee for E visas for treaty-traders and treaty-investors will be $390.

EMbaSSy OF INDIa The Embassy of India has further revamped and improved its Legal Advice Clinic at the Indian Workers Welfare Center, and made the free service available to Indian nationals on all five working days, i.e. from Sunday to Thursday every week. Kuwaiti lawyers would be available at the Legal Advice Clinic daily from Monday to Thursday, while Indian lawyers would be available on Sundays.

Following are the free welfare services provided at the Indian Workers Welfare Center located at the Embassy of India: [i] 24x7 Helpline for Domestic Workers: Accessible by toll free telephone no. 25674163 from anywhere in Kuwait, it provides information and advice exclusively to Indian domestic sector workers (Visa No. 20) as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters. [ii] Help Desk: It offers guidance to Indian nationals on routine immigration, employment, legal, and other issues (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iii) Labour Complaints Desk: It registers labor complaints and provides grievance redressal service to Indian workers (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iv) Shelters: For female and male domestic workers in distress; (v) Legal Advice Clinic: Provides free legal advice to Indian nationals (Embassy premises; Kuwaiti lawyers 3 PM to 5 PM, Monday to Thursday; Indian lawyers 2 PM to 4 PM on Sunday); and (vi) Attestation of Work Contracts: Private sector worker (Visa No. 18) contracts are accepted at the Embassy; 9 AM to 1 PM; Sunday to Thursday; Domestic sector worker (Visa No. 20) contracts are accepted at Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor Offices (KUDLO), Hawally, Al-Othman Street, Kurd Roundabout, Al-Abraj Complex, Office No 9, Mezzanine Floor; 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday to Thursday; 5 PM to 9 PM on Friday.

EMbaSSy OF baNGLaDESH The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kuwait has taken up an initiative to update the database of Bangladesh nationals residing in the State of Kuwait. For inclusion in the database all the Bangladesh nationals are requested to collect the Registration Form from the Labour Wing of the Embassy.

The forms can also be collected sending request to bdoot@kems.net e-mail address. The filled-in forms can also be submitted by hand, by email or by fax (number 2491-3204).

Announcements Theater & Music All level music classes: ‘Treasure of Talents’ (est in 1992) music education program invites all level music classes on piano, theory of music, vocal, flute.

Academic Level teachers help prepare for international exams, children concerts, yearly ‘Treasure of Talents’ Festival and music competitions.

Contact Prof Cezary, Tel. 25320427, 66549009 of Ms Yasmeene - Berlitz Institute Tel: 22542212. 22512533 or email: treasureoftalents@yahoo.com treasureoftalents@hotmail.com ✦✦✦ Call to classical music lovers: Are you a lover of music? Would you like to promote the traditional Indian classical music in Kuwait? If your answer is in the affirmative, please write ton more details to music_karnatic@yahoo.co. in (that is, music underscore karnatic) with your contact details or call 7978286.

Oct 14 Tulukoota Kuwait announces its

“Decennial Parba “on October 14th & 15th. 2010 at American International School Hawally. We invite all Tulukoota Kuwait members to join us for fun filled and exciting events planned to celebrate the milestones throughout Tulukoota Kuwait’s 10 years journey. 14th October Rasamanjari - musical show by Star performer Anuradha Bhatt, Prakash Mahadevan Naveen Koppa & others, Vismaya Jadoo by Mega Magic Star Ganesh Kudroli & troupe. Dr. Mohan Alva Cultural Performances & King of Comedy Navin D Padil presents tulu drama “ Paniyerla aath Panande Budiyerla aath” This is a fun tilled evening for entire family! Join us for a great time. For more information call : Swarna C Shetty - 99006934; Pascal Pinto - 9953 1557; Sathya Narayan 66585077: Suresh Salian - 99161228; Chandrahasa Shetty - 55941955.

OCT 21 Rendezvous 2010: The Kuwait Chapter of the St. Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA KUWAIT) have announced that “Rendezvous”

their hallmark event will be conducted on 21st October at Asia Asia Restaurant, Souk Al Watiya, Kuwait City from 8 pm onwards. This year, SACAA Kuwait celebrates five years of its existence in Kuwait. SACAA-Kuwait has been synonymous with various fund raising initiatives through which they consistently supported various needs of their Alma Mater and its students back in Mangalore, India. Through Rendezvous-2010, SACAA-Kuwait intends to help generate funds for the Poor Students Fund of St. Aloysius institutions where numerous needy students look forward to assistance to subsidize their costs.

SACAA Kuwait calls upon all Aloysians, their families and also like minded people to join this noble cause and help make life a little better for those needy students back home. For entry passes and further information, kindly contact - 66731828, 66746425, 66181041, 94093275, 66699857, 66091962.

OCT 28 Colva feast: Colva United Centre -

Kuwait invites all Colvenkars and wellwishers to attend Feast Mass at Holy Family Cathedral Kuwait - on 28th Oct 2010 at 6.30 pm.

OCT 29 Onathanima tug of war: Thanima is conducting its annual Onam celebrations along with its celebrated tug of war competitions on October 29 at Central School compound, Abbasiya.

Cultural procession, concert and other attractive cultural items will add glitter to the evening function in which many prominent personalities are expected to be present. Those teams wishing to participate in the tug of war competition, please contact 99865499 / 97253653 / 66071276 / 99703872.

NOv 17 Trend setter Udupi Restaurant, Kuwait proudly presents “ Gandharva Ganam” a live carnatic classical concert by living legend & maestro Padmabooshan Dr. K.J.Yesudas with his troupe on 17th Nov. 2010 at American International School, Kuwait. Sri. Nagai

Murali on violin, Sri. Bakthavalsalam on Mridangam and Sri. Thripunithura Radhakrishnan on Ghatam. For more details, please contact 66752462 or 66784867.

OCT 22 ‘Jashn e Bahara’n: Indian Cultural Society (ICS) presents “Jashn e Bahara’n” with Ghazal singer Talat Aziz & famous Poets on 22nd October 2010 Friday at 7.30 pm sharp. The Chief Guest for the event will be H.E. AJAI MALHOTRA Ambassador of India and the Guest of honor will be renowned personalities from Kuwait. Young talents from Kuwait will be another attraction of the evening. So, join us for entertainment on 22nd October, 2010 Friday, at the Auditorium Al Jeel Al Jadeed School, Tunees Street, Opp- Al Bahar Center (Canary Restra.) Hawally. For more details. Please contact: 97690035, 66568147, 94450833, 99812832, 97296577, 99788692, 94068099 & 24716004 Email ics.kuwait@gmail.com Web Page: www.nazarkesamne.webs.com

EMbaSSy OF THaILaND All foreigners who apply for Tourist Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies and the Royal Thai Consulate General worldwide, including eligible foreigners who apply for Visa on arrival at designated checkpoints, will be exempted from tourist visa fees until 31 March 2011. Such arrangement is for Tourist Visa only.

EMbaSSy OF SwazILaND The Embassy of the Kingdom of Swaziland to the State of Kuwait is promoting investment, tourism and trade between the Kingdom of Swaziland and the State of Kuwait.

A business expo will be held on the 13th and 14th of October in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. All businessmen and members of the diplomatic corps and the public are hereby invited to the expo which will be held at the offices of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry commencing at 12 PM until late on both days.

TV PROGRAMS

32

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Orbit / Showtime Listings

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

Sons of Anarchy Dollhouse Drop Dead Diva GMA Live RPT White Collar The Philanthropist The Ellen de Generes Show Drop Dead Diva Dollhouse Sons of Anarchy Good Morning America Live White Collar The Philanthropist The Ellen de Generes Show Without a Trace House Supernatural Sons of Anarchy Nip/Tuck The Ellen de Generes Show GMA Live RPT

00:30 Animal Cops Houston 01:25 Lions Of Crocodile River 02:20 Untamed And Uncut 03:10 Wildlife SOS 03:35 Rspca: Have You Got What It Takes?

04:00 Austin Stevens Adventures 04:50 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 05:40 Project Puppy 06:35 In Too Deep 07:00 Into The Pride 07:55 Monkey Life 08:20 Rspca: Have You Got What It Takes?

08:50 Miami Animal Police 09:45 E-Vets: The Interns 10:10 Pet Rescue 10:40 Animal Cops Phoenix 11:35 Wildlife SOS 12:00 Rspca: Have You Got What It Takes?

12:30 Dogs 101 13:25 Cats 101 14:20 All New Planet’s Funniest Animals 14:45 All New Planet’s Funniest Animals 15:15 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 16:10 Deadly Waters 17:10 Dogs 101 18:05 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 19:00 Escape To Chimp Eden 19:55 Animal Cops Phoenix 20:50 Deadly Waters 21:45 Untamed And Uncut 22:40 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 23:35 Escape To Chimp Eden

00:15 00:45 01:20 01:45 02:05 02:25 02:45 03:10 03:30 03:50 04:10 04:35 04:55 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:20 06:40 07:10 07:40 08:25 09:10 09:40 10:10 11:10 12:40 13:25 14:10 14:40 15:10 16:10 17:00 17:45 18:15 18:45 19:45 20:35 21:25 22:10 23:10 23:40

Doctors Only Fools And Horses Teletubbies Me Too Balamory Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Balamory Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Balamory Tweenies Teletubbies Me Too Balamory Only Fools And Horses Only Fools And Horses The Weakest Link Doctor Who Doctors Eastenders Holby City Only Fools And Horses Doctor Who The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Holby City Doctor Who The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Holby City Mutual Friends The Jonathan Ross Show The Weakest Link Holby City Eastenders The Jonathan Ross Show

00:35 Come Dine With Me 01:25 Daily Cooks Challenge 02:30 10 Years Younger 03:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 04:10 Antiques Roadshow 05:00 What Not To Wear 05:25 What Not To Wear 05:45 Bargain Hunt 06:30 Hidden Potential 06:55 Cash In The Attic USA 07:15 Saturday Kitchen 2008/09 08:05 House Swap 08:50 Cash In The Attic 09:35 Come Dine With Me 10:20 What Not To Wear 10:45 What Not To Wear 11:10 House Swap 11:55 Saturday Kitchen 2008/09 12:20 Cash In The Attic 13:05 Saturday Kitchen 2008/09 13:30 Antiques Roadshow 14:20 MasterChef: The Professionals 14:50 Daily Cooks Challenge 15:50 Come Dine With Me 16:40 MasterChef: The Professionals 17:10 Big Chef Takes On Little Chef 18:00 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:50 Cash In The Attic 19:35 Come Dine With Me 20:20 MasterChef: The Professionals 21:15 What Not To Wear 22:05 Big Chef Takes On Little Chef 22:55 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 23:45 Cash In The Attic

00:10 00:35 01:00 01:25 01:50 02:15 02:40 03:05 03:30 04:00 04:25 04:55 05:20 05:45 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:25 08:50 09:15 09:40 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:20 11:45 12:10 12:35 13:00 13:20 13:45 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:20 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:00 18:25 18:50 19:15 19:40 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:05 22:30 22:55 23:20 23:45

The Jetsons Top Cat Tom And Jerry Popeye Classics Scooby Doo Where Are You! Tom And Jerry Kids A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Yogi’s Treasure Hunt Droopy And Dripple Tom And Jerry Looney Tunes The Flintstones The Jetsons Tom And Jerry Kids The Garfield Show Duck Dodgers The Scooby Doo Show Wacky Races Dastardly And Muttley King Arthur’s Disasters Help! It’s The Hair Bear Bunch A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Popeye Scooby Doo Where Are You! Top Cat Hong Kong Phooey Duck Dodgers The Jetsons The Flintstones Looney Tunes Tom And Jerry Top Cat Wacky Races Dastardly And Muttley The Scooby Doo Show Johnny Bravo Dexter’s Laboratory Looney Tunes Duck Dodgers The Garfield Show The Flintstones The Jetsons Looney Tunes Tom And Jerry The Scooby Doo Show Hong Kong Phooey Top Cat The Garfield Show The Scooby Doo Show Wacky Races Dastardly And Muttley Help! It’s The Hair Bear Bunch Popeye The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo Looney Tunes The Flintstones

00:00 The Powerpuff Girls 00:15 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 00:40 The Secret Saturdays 01:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 01:30 Ben 10 01:55 Best ED 02:20 Samurai Jack

02:45 Cramp Twins 03:10 Eliot Kid 03:35 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 04:00 Codename: Kids Next Door 04:25 Chowder 04:50 Best ED 05:15 Chop Socky Chooks 05:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 06:05 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 06:30 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 06:55 Eliot Kid 07:20 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 07:30 Squirrel Boy 07:55 Robotboy 08:20 Camp Lazlo 08:45 The Powerpuff Girls 09:10 Class Of 3000 09:35 Ed, Edd N Eddy 10:00 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 10:25 Codename: Kids Next Door 10:50 Ben 10 11:15 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 11:40 Squirrel Boy 12:05 Eliot Kid 12:35 Casper’s Scare School 13:00 Skunk Fu! 13:25 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 13:50 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 14:15 The Secret Saturdays 14:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 15:05 Hero 108 15:30 Chop Socky Chooks 16:00 Best ED 16:25 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 16:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 17:05 The Powerpuff Girls 17:30 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 17:45 Ben 10: Alien Force 18:10 Ed, Edd N Eddy 18:35 Robotboy 19:00 Camp Lazlo 19:25 Samurai Jack 19:50 Megas Xlr 20:15 Out Of Jimmy’s Head 20:40 Chowder 21:05 Cow And Chicken 21:30 Cramp Twins 21:55 George Of The Jungle 22:20 Adrenalini Brothers 22:45 Eliot Kid 23:10 Ed, Edd N Eddy 23:35 Ben 10: Alien Force

00:00 Scream Of The Ants-PG15 02:00 Frozen River-PG15 04:00 Northern Lights-PG 06:00 Nights In Rodanthe-PG15 08:00 Ambrose Bierce: Civil War Stories-PG15 10:00 Disco-PG 12:00 Farrah’s Story-PG 14:00 Meet Bill-PG15 16:00 Pavilion Of Women-18 18:00 Punch-Drunk Love-18 20:00 Shallow Grave-18 22:00 Blessed-R

00:25 01:20 02:15 02:40 03:05 04:00 04:25 05:15 06:10 07:05 08:00 08:55 09:25 09:50 10:20 11:15 12:10 13:05 14:00 14:55 15:50 16:15 16:40 17:05 17:35 18:00 18:55 19:50 20:45 21:40 22:35 23:30

Extreme Engineering Mythbusters How It’s Made How Stuff Works Dirty Jobs Fifth Gear Extreme Engineering Chop Shop: London Garage Mythbusters Ultimate Survival - The Pilot Overhaulin’ Border Security How It’s Made How Stuff Works Mythbusters Miami Ink Ultimate Survival Dirty Jobs Overhaulin’ Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security The Gadget Show How Stuff Works How It’s Made Miami Ink La Ink Police Women Of Broward County Deadly Women Chop Shop: London Garage Dirty Jobs Miami Ink

00:25 How Stuff’s Made 00:50 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman

01:45 Robotica 02:40 Weird Connections 03:10 Nextworld 04:00 Thunder Races 05:00 Ten Ways 06:00 Mega World 06:55 Stunt Junkies 07:20 The Gadget Show 07:50 Nextworld 08:45 How Stuff’s Made 09:15 Da Vinci’s Machines 10:10 Weird Connections 10:35 Mega World 11:30 Superships 12:25 The Gadget Show 12:55 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 13:50 Building The Biggest 14:45 Brainiac 15:40 Mean Green Machines 16:05 Mean Green Machines 16:30 Ecopolis 17:20 How It’s Made 17:45 The Gadget Show 18:10 Nasa’s Greatest Missions 19:00 Mean Green Machines 19:25 Mean Green Machines 19:50 Ecopolis 20:40 Nasa’s Greatest Missions 21:30 The Gadget Show 21:55 Building The Biggest 22:45 Mean Green Machines 23:10 Mean Green Machines 23:35 Ecopolis

03:00 03:25 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:05 05:30 06:00 06:25 06:50 07:15 07:40 08:05 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:25 11:50 12:15 12:45 13:15 13:40 14:05 14:30 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:10 16:35 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:25 18:55 19:20 20:00

00:15 Extreme Hollywood 01:10 Sexiest 02:05 Battle of the Hollywood Hotties 02:30 Streets of Hollywood 03:00 THS 03:55 THS 04:45 Behind the Scenes 05:10 Behind the Scenes 05:35 E! News 06:00 The Daily 10 06:25 Denise Richards: It’s Complicated 06:50 Kourtney & Khlo√© Take Miami 07:15 15 Most Infamous Child Star Mugshots 09:00 E! News 09:25 The Daily 10 09:50 Behind the Scenes 10:15 Pretty Wild 10:40 Keeping Up with the Kardashians 11:05 Kendra 11:30 E!ES 12:25 E!ES 13:15 Behind the Scenes 13:40 Behind the Scenes 14:10 Kourtney & Khlo√© Take Miami 14:35 Kourtney & Khlo√© Take Miami 15:00 E! News 15:25 The Daily 10 15:50 Keeping Up with the Kardashians 16:15 Pretty Wild 16:40 E!ES 17:30 Kendra 17:55 Chelsea Lately 18:20 Holly’s World 18:45 Holly’s World 19:10 E! News 19:35 The Daily 10 20:00 Chelsea Lately 20:25 Kendra 20:50 Kourtney & Khlo√© Take Miami 21:15 Pretty Wild 21:40 Dr 90210 22:30 Wildest TV Show Moments 22:55 Reality Hell 23:20 E!ES

00:20 01:10 02:00 02:50 03:40 04:30 06:00 08:30 08:55 09:45 10:35 11:25 12:15 13:05 13:55 14:45 17:15 17:40 18:30 19:20 20:10 21:00 21:50 22:40 23:30

Appaloosa on Show Movies

K9 Adventures American Dragon Kid Vs Kat Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Kick Buttowski Pokemon Zeke And Luther Zeke And Luther I’m In The Band The Super Hero Squad Show Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Aaron Stone Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Kid Vs Kat Kid Vs Kat The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody Zeke And Luther The Super Hero Squad Show Kick Buttowski I’m In The Band Suite Life On Deck Zeke And Luther Zeke And Luther Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Kick Buttowski Pokemon American Dragon Aaron Stone Kid Vs Kat Phineas And Ferb I’m In The Band The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody Shreducation Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA

Mantracker Fantasy Factory Fim World Motorcross Tread Bmx Untracked I-Ex Bmx Megatour Rebel Tv 17 Extreme Sports 2010 Fantasy Factory Mantracker Tread Bmx Eds Up Extreme Sports 2010 Fantasy Factory Bmx Megatour Rebel Tv 17 Mantracker Fantasy Factory Extreme Sports 2010 Eds Up Mantracker Extreme Sports 2010 Tread Bmx Eds Up

00:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 00:30 Unwrapped 01:00 Iron Chef America 02:00 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 02:30 Guy’s Big Bite 03:00 Chopped 04:00 Paula’s Best Dishes 04:25 Good Deal With Dave Lieberman 04:50 Guy’s Big Bite 05:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 05:40 Everyday Italian 06:05 30 Minute Meals 06:30 Tyler’s Ultimate 07:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 07:30 Barefoot Contessa 08:00 Unwrapped

08:30 Paula’s Party 09:30 Guy’s Big Bite 10:00 Good Deal With Dave Lieberman 10:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 11:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 11:30 Everyday Italian 12:00 30 Minute Meals 12:30 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 13:00 Iron Chef America 14:00 Barefoot Contessa 14:30 Unwrapped 15:00 Paula’s Best Dishes 15:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 16:00 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 16:30 Good Deal With Dave Lieberman 17:00 Iron Chef America 18:00 Barefoot Contessa 18:30 Everyday Italian 19:00 Chopped 20:00 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 20:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 21:00 Food Network Challenge 22:00 30 Minute Meals 22:30 Tyler’s Ultimate 23:00 Iron Chef America

02:30 Sport Central 03:00 Global Golf Adventure 03:30 Golf Central International 04:00 The Golf Channel - TBA 06:30 World of Athletics 07:00 MLB: Divisional Playoffs - Teams TBA (if necessary), all times/dates tentative, check local listings OR Big Ten Football #23 Teams TBA 10:00 Golf Central International 10:30 Rolex Spirit of Yachting Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup/Rolex Swan Cup 11:00 MLB: Divisional Playoffs - Teams TBA (if necessary) OR PGA HL #29 & LPGA #50 14:00 PGA Tour Highlights: Viking Classic 15:00 ARCA Racing Series: American 200 Rockingham, NC 17:30 Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour 18:30 Major League Soccer Chivas USA v Toronto FC 21:30 LPGA Tour: Navistar LPGA Classic Rd. 2 Prattville, AL 23:30 MLB: Divisional Playoffs - Teams TBA (if necessary), all times/dates tentative, OR NHL #4 Colorado v Detroit

00:05 01:00 01:55 02:20 03:10 03:35 04:00 04:50 05:40 06:30 07:20 08:10 09:00 09:25 09:50 10:40 11:30 12:20 13:10 14:00 14:50 15:40 16:30 16:55 17:20 18:10 19:00 19:50 20:40 21:30 22:20 23:10

03:00 03:25 03:45 04:10 04:15 04:40 05:05 05:10 05:35 06:00 06:05 06:30 06:55 07:20 07:45 08:10 08:30 08:55 09:20 09:45 10:10 10:35 11:00 11:25 11:50 12:15 12:40 13:05 13:10 13:15 13:40 14:05 14:30 14:50 15:15 15:20 15:35 16:00 16:20 16:45 17:10 17:30 18:00 18:25 18:50 19:10 19:35 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:00

Forensic Justice Forensic Detectives Ghosthunters Dr G: Medical Examiner Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls Forensic Detectives FBI Files Disappeared Solved Forensic Detectives Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls Diagnosis: Unknown Final Days of an Icon Forensic Detectives FBI Files Disappeared Solved Forensic Detectives Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls Diagnosis: Unknown Final Days of an Icon True Crime Scene Solved Dr G: Medical Examiner A Haunting FBI Files True Crime Scene

Dennis The Menace Beverly Hills Teen Club Pelswick Boo and Me Fat Dog Mendoza The Fairly OddParents The Beach Crew Cyberchase Birdz The Beach Crew Heathcliff Ned’s Newt New Adventures of Madeline Rupert Babar Max and Ruby Corduroy Rupert New Adventures of Madeline Ned’s Newt Corduroy Max and Ruby Babar Rupert Ned’s Newt Beverly Hills Teen Club Sabrina The Animated Series The Beach Crew Boo and Me New Adventures of Ocean Girl Dino Squad The Future is Wild Rescue Heroes Even Stevens The Beach Crew Boo and Me Fat Dog Mendoza Sonic Underground Dino Squad The Future is Wild Rescue Heroes Ace Lightning Even Stevens Sabrina The Animated Series Tales from the Cryptkeeper Rescue Heroes Ace Lightning New Adventures of Ocean Girl Sabrina The Animated Series Sonic Underground Fat Dog Mendoza Tales from the Cryptkeeper Beverly Hills Teen Club Marathon

01:25 03:00 04:35 06:05 07:40 09:05 10:40 12:00 13:30 15:35 17:15 19:00 20:55 22:35

The Donor The Favor The Whales Of August Cornbread, Earl And Me Haunted Honeymoon Canadian Bacon Napoleon Once Bitten Man Of La Mancha Untamed Heart The World Of Henry Orient Assassination Tango Madison Cool Blue

00:00 01:00 01:30 02:00

Monday night Stand Up Life & times of Tim Cougar Town Cougar Town

Adventureland on Super Movies 02:30 Yes Dear 03:00 Frasier 03:30 The Drew Carey Show 04:00 Best of Late night with Jimmy Fallon 05:00 Two and half men 05:30 Yes Dear 06:00 Frasier 06:30 The Drew Carey Show 07:00 Will & Grace 07:30 Better off Ted 08:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:30 Frasier 09:00 Best of Tonight Show with Jay Leno 10:00 Two and half men 10:30 Yes Dear 11:00 Frasier 11:30 Community 12:00 Better Off Ted 12:30 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Global Edition) 13:00 Colbert Report Global 13:30 The Drew Carey Show 14:00 Late night with Jimmy Fallon 15:00 Two and half men 15:30 Will & Grace 16:00 The Office 16:30 Community 17:00 Tonight Show with Jay Leno 18:00 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 18:30 The Colbert Report 19:00 Boondocks 19:30 Free Radio 20:00 Life & times of Tim 20:30 The Office 21:00 Community 21:30 Two and half men 22:00 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 22:30 The Colbert Report 23:00 Late night with Jimmy Fallon

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 PG15 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Appaloosa-PG15 Eva-PG15 Up-FAM Three Investigators-PG15 12 Rounds-PG15 Keith-PG15 Up-FAM Hellboy II: The Golden ArmyIn The Electric Mist-PG15 Zombieland-18 Adulthood-18 God Grew Tired Of Us-PG15

00:00 02:10 PG15 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Hide-PG15 Fracture-PG15 Ice Twisters-PG15 Ba’al-PG15 Fracture-PG15 Noble Things-PG15 Smokin’ Aces-18 Tears Of The Sun-18 28 Days Later-18 Smokin’ Aces-18

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

Scrooged-PG Baby Mama-PG Girl’s Best Friend-PG15 Americanizing Shelly-PG Mad About Mambo-PG15 Splinterheads-PG15 Zero Effect-PG15 Death Becomes Her-PG15 Ghost Town-PG15 Tomcats-18 The Frighteners-PG15 Death Becomes Her-PG15

19:00 Ulysses-PG 21:00 Christmas In New York-PG 23:00 Rugrats Go Wild-FAM

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 03:30 04:00 05:00 05:30 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 23:00

Mercy The View What’s Good For you Emmerdale Coronation Street Mercy Yes Dear Yes Dear What’s Good For you Mercy The View Emmerdale Coronation Street Yes Dear CSI: Miami Lost Special What’s Good For you The View Emmerdale Coronation Street Ugly Betty Mercy The View What’s Good For you Ugly Betty Yes Dear

01:00 01:30 02:00 04:00 05:00 05:30 06:00 06:30 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 12:00 13:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 21:00

World Hockey FEI Equestrain World Currie Cup European PGA Tour Highlights World Sport Futbol Mundial ICC Cricket World Rugby Union World Hockey FEI Equestrain World Sea Master Currie Cup PGA European Tour Highlights Euro 2012 Qualifier World Hockey World Sport ICC Cricket World PGA European Tour Highlights Brazil League Highlights Futbol Mundial Live Football Special Live Euro 2012 Qualifier Euro 2012 Qualifier

01:00 02:00 02:30 03:00 03:30 04:00 05:00 05:30 09:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 15:00 18:00 20:00 20:30 21:00

PGA European Tour Highlights Sea Master Futbol Mundial ICC Cricket World World Sport World Pool Masters World Hockey Premier League Snooker PGA European Tour Highlights Euro 2012 Qualifier European Challenge Cup European PGA Tour Highlights Masters Football Live Euro 2012 Qualifier Brazil League Highlights Futbol Mundial Premier League Snooker

00:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 07:30 09:00 10:00 10:30 12:00 13:00 13:30 15:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

UFC 119 UFC Unleashed WWE NXT WWE Smackdown Planet Power Boats FIA GT1 World Championship WWE Bottom Line Planet Power Boats Red Bull X-Fighters UAE National Race Day Le Mans Series Magazine FIA GT1 World Championship UFC 119 UFC Countdown UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed Le Mans Series Highlights UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Countdown

Se7en -PG15 Thor: Hammer Of The Gods-

01:00 Max Keeble’s Big Move-PG 03:00 Space Buddies-PG 05:00 Christmas In New York-PG 07:00 Max Keeble’s Big Move-PG 09:00 Ulysses-PG 11:00 Hey Arnold! The Movie-PG 13:00 Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths-PG 15:00 Rugrats Go Wild-FAM 17:00 Wonder Woman-PG15

00:00 Fab Five : The Texas Cheerleader Scandal-PG15 02:00 Witness To Waco-PG15 04:00 Creation-PG15 06:00 Hannah Montana Movie-PG 08:00 The Christmas Clause-PG 10:00 Love Happens-PG15 12:00 From Time To Time-PG15 14:00 Hannah Montana Movie-PG 16:00 Imagine That-PG 18:00 Adventureland-PG15 20:00 Forgetting Sarah Marshall-18 22:00 Kisses-18

00:00 00:55 01:50 02:40 03:30 04:20 05:10 06:00 06:55 07:50 08:40 09:30 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:55 13:50 14:40 15:30 16:20 17:10 18:00 18:55 19:50 20:40 21:30 22:20 23:10

Life After People The Universe Ax Men Engineering Disasters Ice Road Truckers 2 Dogfights Ancient Discoveries Life After People The Universe Ax Men Engineering Disasters Ice Road Truckers 2 Dogfights Ancient Discoveries Life After People The Universe Ax Men Engineering Disasters Ice Road Truckers 2 Dogfights Ancient Discoveries Battle Of Britain Battle 360 World War II: Lost Films Battle Stations Man Moment Machine Evolve Dead Men’s Secrets

00:00 Hollywood and Vines 00:30 The Thirsty Traveler 01:00 Working Holiday 02:00 Globe Trekker 03:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 04:00 Chef Abroad 04:30 Flavours Of Mexico 05:00 Globe Trekker 06:00 Travel Oz 06:30 Travel Today 07:00 Exotic Lives 08:00 Chef Abroad 08:30 Opening Soon 09:00 The Big Fish 09:30 Skier’s World 10:00 Globe Trekker 11:00 Planet Food 12:00 Flavours Of Mexico 12:30 Grannies On Safari 13:00 Exotic Lives 14:00 Globe Trekker 15:00 Travel Oz 15:30 Chef Abroad 16:00 Flavours Of Mexico 16:30 Opening Soon 17:00 Globe Trekker 18:00 Essential 18:30 48 Hours In 19:00 Down the Line 20:00 Word Travels 20:30 Culture Shock 21:00 Globe Trekker 22:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 23:00 Essential 23:30 48 Hours In

01:00 01:25 04:00 06:00 07:40 09:20 12:00 13:40 15:20 17:20 19:00 20:25 22:25

The Screening Room Where Eagles Dare Never So Few Hearts Of The West To Have And Have Not Raintree County The Wizard Of Oz Welcome To Hard Times Little Women The Time Machine Cohen And Tate I Want To Live!

The Screening Room

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

33 ACCOMMODATION Room available in a flat in Farwaniya from 1st Nov., for a couple or two spinsters, visitors, kitchen, A/C, gas cooker, satellite, room cupboard + kitchen cupboard.

Super market + bus routes convenience. Contact: 97449272 / 66021273.

(C 2751) One big master bedroom with attached bathroom available, immediately for family or 2 decent executive bachelors in 2 BR flat CA/C, satellite, kitchen facility W&E free, near Shara Aman Nasser Al-Bather St. Salmiya, Opp. Appolo Hospital. Call: 99761807.

(C 2755) 12-10-2010 Sharing accommodation available for one executive Indian bachelor, near United Indian School, Abbassiya.

Contact: 94917087.

(C 2745) Flat for rent in Khaitan near Pakistani International School. 2 bedrooms + big hall + 2 bath + big kitchen & balcony, good location. Call: 99322585. (C 2749) Sharing accommodation available for small family or couple in a 2 BHK flat near Hi-dine supermarket at Abbassiya.

Contact: 99396714 after 5 pm.

(C 2750) 11-10-2010 Sharing accommodation available for executive bachelor(s)/couple in a two bed & two bathroom flat with all facilities at Abbassiya, near United Indian School. Please Call: 97552140. (C 2742) Sharing accommodation available for couple & small family, 2 bedroom flat in New Riggai. Contact: 66889615. (C 2736) Sharing accommodation available for families/working ladies in Abbasiya in a new building with two rooms and two toilets (near United Indian School) from November 1st onwards. Please contact: 66772421 / 66552412. (C 2738) 9-10-2010

FOR SALE 2010 Toyota Corolla 1.6 XLi, colour white, KM done 14,000, excellent condition, new brand car, option C.D sensor wood dicore and ele. folding mirror, service only Sayer. Cash Price KD 4,100. Cont. 99934965.

(C 2740) Furnished CA/C flat for sale as from 01-11-2010 in front of Masjid in Khaitan.

Interested please contact: 99854094/94928732.

(C 2743) 9-1-2010

MATRIMONIAL Proposals are invited for Hindu Nair girl, BSc Nurse, 24 years old working in Amrutha Hospital, from well educated Nair boys working in Kuwait or aboard. Contact with biodata thru Email: t_pillai10@yahoo.com (C 2737) 11-10-2010

Bride needed - Inviting proposal for a Malankara Catholic boy, working in Kuwait as an Accountant, will be going for vacation 2nd week of November.

Interested please contact : alexlukose@hotmai.com (C 2744) 10-10-2010 A bride wanted for a Roman Catholic young man (42 yrs), now working in Kuwait for PSA company at American Army Base.

Unmarried/Widows preferred, religion no bar.

Please contact through my Email address: sunnyfrancis66@yahoo.com (C 2739) Proposals are invited for Hindu Nair girl BSC nurse, 24 year working in Amrutha Hospital, well educated Nair boys working in Kuwait or abroad contact with BioData. Email ID: t_pillai10@yahoo.com (C 2737) 9-10-2010 NRI Marthomite parents for their daughter 26/153 cm MA, residing in Kuwait seeking educated working

boys in India / abroad.

Email: proposal1203@gmail.com (C 2729) Looking for a bride preferably R/C or Christian, age between 37-40. Gentlemen R/C (Single) age 45 (Tamil) working as a Technical Professional in Kuwait. Send details through email: Wonderfullapple@yahoo.com (C 2730) 7-10-2010 Seeking alliance for Muslim girl 27/149, MBA (Mkt. & Finc.) C.F.A level-1 candidate, working in Kuwait p r o f q u a l i f i e d ( M . Te c h / MBA) grooms settled abroad are invited. Email: abdulksahib@hotmail.com (2726) 5-10-2010

SITUATION WANTED

Indian storekeeper having 12 years experience seeks immediate employment.

Contact Alex Vargheeses thru Mob: 55424472.

(C 2754) 12-10-2010 Small Indian family requires maid preferably Indian, Nepali, Indonesian, Ethiopian. English speaking, good cook, good household work, experienced baby-sitter.

Contact 66014855, Fax: 24839128, E-mail: buildermerchants@yahoo.com

(C 2746) I am an IT ProfessionalSoftware & web Development (Java, PHP, .NET), holding MCA & M.Phil. CS, with one year experience, transferable visa (No.18) and in search for a job in IT sector. Contact: 97796702 or samjohn2u@gmail.com (C 2748) 11-10-2010

teach drawing of portraits, caricature, story books, as well as designing logos and posters. Tel: 60986750.

(C 2741) 9-10-2010 Indian male, Accountant having six years experience in Kuwait looking for suitable opening. Can handle accounts up to finalization and good working experience in Accounting Modules. Interested please contact: 65067919. (C 2725) 9-10-2010 A qualified full time / part time accountant with 20 years of experience in Kuwait available for accounting, finance management, budgeting, auditing, costing, banking, jobs and up finalization. Please Call: 66467800 (C 2728) 6-10-2010

CHANGE OF NAME

No: 14876

I Syed Sahib Peer Baba Syed Ayzaz Hussain s/o Syed Sahib Peer holding Indian Passport No. A9109107, resident of Bangalore, India, change my name to BABA SYED AYZAZ HUSSAIN. (C 2747) 11-10-2010

SITUATION VACANT

Urgently need a young, healthy Indian driver for a very good Kuwaiti Doctor family at Surra residential area. If need residence, visa or driving license, we can help. Please call immediately: 66329575 / 60714456.

(C 2756) 12-10-2010

Accountant with good experience in Kuwait with good knowledge of all Accounts / Finance functions and business planning and support, looks for suitable job. Tel: 66126258.

(C 2723) I need full / Part time job as Accountant. 4 years experience in Kuwait, B.Com + MBA, Kuwaiti driving license, good oracle reporting and software skills, can handle field work like bank and payment collection etc.

Please call: 55355954.

(C 2724) 5-10-2010

A Jordanian artist who can

FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 161

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers to use seats Airlines Jordanian Wataniya Airways Jazeera Kuwait Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Turkish Ethiopian Egypt Air Jazeera DHL Emirates Etihad Qatari Air France Jazeera Kuwait Jazeera British Kuwait Jazeera Falcon Jazeera Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Fly Dubai Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Emirates Arabia Iran Air Qatari Etihad Jazeera Iran Air Jazeera Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Wataniya Airways Jazeera Wataniya Egypt Air Kuwait United Jordanian Wataniya Airways Fly Dubai Jazeera Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Saudia

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 12/10/2010 Flt Route 802 Amman 188 Bahrain 263 Beirut 544 Cairo 305 Cairo 434 Damascus 408 Beirut 211 Bahrain 772 Istanbul 620 Addis Ababa 614 Cairo 267 Beirut 370 Bahrain 853 Dubai 305 Abu Dhabi 138 Doha 6782 Paris 503 Luxor 412 Manila/Bangkok 527 Alexandria 157 London 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 529 Assiut 201 Bahrain 613 Lahore 206 Islamabad 382 Delhi 302 Mumbai 332 Trivandrum 053 Dubai 676 Dubai 286 Chittagong 284 Dhaka 855 Dubai 121 Sharjah 605 Isfahan 132 Doha 301 Abu Dhabi 425 Bahrain 619 Lar 497 Riyadh 182 Bahrain 213 Bahrain 102 Dubai 165 Dubai 422 Amman 610 Cairo 672 Dubai 982 Washington DC Dulles 800 Amman 432 Damascus 057 Dubai 521 Alexandria 332 Alexandria 422 Amman 562 Amman 512 Tehran 500 Jeddah

Time 00:05 00:30 00:40 00:50 00:50 00:55 01:05 01:05 01:15 01:45 02:05 02:10 02:15 02:25 02:55 03:25 03:25 05:50 06:15 06:20 06:30 06:35 06:40 07:00 07:05 07:15 07:20 07:50 07:55 07:55 08:00 08:05 08:10 08:25 08:40 08:55 09:00 09:25 10:25 10:40 10:40 10:45 10:45 11:05 11:15 12:50 12:55 13:15 13:35 13:35 13:35 13:50 14:00 14:05 14:10 14:20 14:20 14:30

Kuwait Syrian Air Jazeera Qatari Kuwait Mihin Etihad Emirates Rovos Gulf Air Wataniya Airways Saudia Arabia Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera SriLankan Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Rovos Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Jazeera Jazeera Air Arabia Egypt Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Singapore Kuwait Fly Dubai Indian Oman Air Middle East Wataniya Airways Jet A/W Egypt Air KLM Wataniya Airways DHL Gulf Air Jazeera Emirates Rovos Qatari United AlMasria Universal Lufthansa Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera Egypt Air Egypt Air India Express Pakistan Wataniya

744 Dammam 341 Damascus 525 Alexandria 134 Doha 546 Alexandria 403 Colombo/Dubai 303 Abu Dhabi 857 Dubai 095 Kabul/Muscat 215 Bahrain 402 Beirut 510 Riyadh 125 Sharjah 493 Jeddah 239 Amman 367 Deirezzor 227 Colombo/Dubai 304 Cairo 104 London 166 Paris/Rome 093 Kandahar/Dubai 106 Dubai 502 Beirut 542 Cairo 786 Jeddah 618 Doha 481 Sabiha 177 Dubai 555 Alexandria 614 Bahrain 674 Dubai 774 Riyadh 458 Singapore/Abu Dhabi 552 Damascus 061 Dubai 993 Chennai/Mumbai 647 Muscat 402 Beirut 612 Sabiha 572 Mumbai 618 Alexandria 0443 Amsterdam 404 Beirut 372 Bahrain 217 Bahrain 459 Damascus 859 Dubai 091 Baghdad 136 Doha 981 Bahrain 1407 Alexandria 636 Frankfurt 449 Doha 185 Dubai 429 Bahrain 612 Cairo 2134 Cairo 389 Kozhikode/Mangalore 205 Lahore/Peshawar 108 Dubai

14:40 14:45 15:00 15:05 15:30 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:00 17:15 17:15 17:20 17:40 17:40 17:40 17:55 18:00 18:35 18:35 18:40 18:45 18:45 18:50 18:50 18:55 19:00 19:00 19:05 19:15 19:20 19:20 19:25 19:25 19:40 20:05 20:15 20:15 20:20 20:20 20:30 20:35 20:40 20:50 21:00 21:05 21:15 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:55 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:40 22:45 22:55 23:00 23:10 23:55 23:55

Airlines Jazeera Tunis Air Indian Pakistan Lufthansa Turkish Ethiopian Egypt Air DHL Emirates Etihad Qatari Air France Wataniya Airways Jordanian Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Wataniya Airways Wataniya Rovos Rovos Jazeera Wataniya Airways British Kuwait Fly Dubai Kuwait Wataniya Airways Kuwait Arabia Kuwait Emirates Iran Air Kuwait Qatari Etihad Jazeera Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Iran Air Kuwait Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Wataniya Airways Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera Kuwait Kuwait Egypt Air Egypt Air Kuwait Jordanian

Departure Flights on Tuesday 12/10/2010 Flt Route 528 Assiut 328 Dubai/Tunis 576 Goa/Chennai 240 Sialkot 637 Frankfurt 773 Istanbul 620 Bahrain/Addis Ababa 615 Cairo 371 Bahrain 854 Dubai 306 Abu Dhabi 139 Doha 6782 Dubai/Hong Kong 101 Dubai 803 Amman 520 Alexandria 164 Dubai 496 Riyadh 422 Bahrain 331 Alexandria 212 Bahrain 181 Bahrain 421 Amman 094 Dubai/Kandahar 096 Muscat/Kabul 524 Alexandria 431 Damascus 156 London 545 Alexandria 054 Dubai 671 Dubai 421 Amman 561 Amman 122 Sharjah 101 London/New York 856 Dubai 604 Isfahan 511 Tehran 133 Doha 302 Abu Dhabi 480 Sabiha 401 Beirut 214 Bahrain 618 Lar 165 Rome/Paris 303 Cairo 743 Dammam 541 Cairo 611 Sabiha 238 Amman 366 Deirezzor 492 Jeddah 501 Beirut 785 Jeddah 611 Cairo 1611 Cairo 551 Damascus 801 Amman

Time 00:05 00:25 00:50 01:10 01:15 02:15 02:30 03:05 03:15 03:45 04:00 05:00 05:15 06:50 07:00 07:00 07:05 07:15 07:30 07:30 07:45 07:50 07:50 08:00 08:00 08:00 08:10 08:25 08:35 08:40 09:00 09:10 09:15 09:20 09:30 09:40 09:55 10:00 10:00 10:05 11:20 11:35 11:35 11:40 11:45 11:50 11:55 12:00 12:05 12:10 12:15 12:15 13:00 13:30 13:55 14:05 14:20 14:30

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Wataniya Airways Fly Dubai United Jazeera Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Saudia Syrian Air Jazeera Kuwait Qatari Kuwait Etihad Mihin Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Emirates Rovos Arabia Jazeera Saudi Jazeera Jazeera SriLankan Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Jazeera Air Arabia Egypt Kuwait Jazeera Kuwait Fly Dubai Singapore Kuwait Kuwait Oman Air Middle East Jet A/W Wataniya Airways Egypt Air KLM Gulf Air Kuwait DHL Kuwait Emirates Falcon Kuwait Qatari Kuwait AlMasria Universal Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera United Kuwait Egypt Air

105 058 982 176 403 673 617 501 342 458 773 135 613 304 404 306 216 858 092 126 184 511 522 448 228 407 433 107 321 428 556 283 266 361 062 457 343 351 648 403 571 187 619 0443 218 801 373 675 860 102 381 137 301 1408 526 636 502 981 411 613

Dubai Dubai Bahrain Dubai Beirut Dubai Doha Jeddah Damascus Damascus Riyadh Doha Bahrain/Doha Abu Dhabi Dubai/Colombo Cairo Bahrain Dubai Baghdad Sharjah Dubai Riyadh Alexandria Doha Dubai/Colombo Beirut Damascus Dubai Sharm El Sheikh Bahrain Alexandria Dhaka Beirut Colombo Dubai Abu Dhabi/Singapore Chennai Cochin Muscat Beirut Mumbai Bahrain Alexandria Bahrain/Amsterdam Bahrain Cairo Bahrain Dubai Dubai Bahrain Delhi Doha Mumbai Alexandria Alexandria Aleppo Luxor Washington DC Dulles Bangkok/Manila Cairo

14:30 14:35 14:50 14:55 15:10 15:10 15:35 15:45 15:45 15:50 16:05 16:20 16:20 17:35 17:40 18:05 18:05 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:30 18:35 18:40 18:50 19:10 19:25 19:30 19:40 19:45 19:50 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:20 20:50 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:15 21:20 21:30 21:35 21:35 21:40 21:55 22:00 22:00 22:10 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 23:15 23:20 23:35 23:40 23:40 23:40 23:55

SPECTRUM

34 CROSSWORD 107

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Calvin Aries (March 21-April 19) This may be a challenging day in which you will need to put in a little extra effort into doing what is asked of you. One of the problems could be a teammate or co-worker is absent and you have the work schedule or the knowledge that is needed for a successful day. You will do so well that you may gain the attention of a supervisor. Easy does it; there is no reason to over extend your energies and make yourself exhausted. This will be a successful day. It is ideas that count for you now, more than narrowly personal concerns. The new and the unusual are the things that instinctively appeal to you this afternoon and on the way home you might consider stopping at the library to get a grasp on some writer’s intelligent viewpoint. Get out-of-doors to exercise today.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) There are many more rewarding days this month than challenging. You will be reaping the rewards of your hard work, even though it may only be the good feeling that comes when you do your best. You are at your most practical when it comes to dealing and working with others, so don’t hold back. You know just what to do and can act without haste and emotion. You may be called on to make use of your common sense. This is a day when you can expect good results from your hard work. A visit to a friend’s home or neighbor’s home this afternoon give you ideas on how you can expand your storage space.

You may even get to display someone’s art or hobby if you learn how to build a few shelves along one wall of your family room.

Pooch Cafe

ACROSS 1. A Turkish unit of weight equal to about 2.75 pounds.

4. English theoretical physicist who applied relativity theory to quantum mechanics and predicted the existence of antimatter and the positron (1902-1984).

9. A flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces.

13. A periodic paperback publication.

14. A statistical method for making simultaneous comparisons between two or more means.

15. Any group or radical of the form RCO- where R is an organic group.

16. Black tropical American cuckoo.

17. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

18. An informal term for a father.

19. Scottish geneticist (son of John Haldane) who contributed to the development of population genetics.

21. Issue an injunction.

22. Regional and archaic.

23. A public promotion of some product or service.

24. A crystal of snow.

27. (botany) Outer tissue of bark.

32. An independent agency of the United States government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest.

35. A long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur.

36. A very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms.

38. A linguistic element added to a word to produce an inflected or derived form v 1.

40. A member of a Slavic people who settled in Serbia and neighboring areas in the 6th and 7th centuries.

42. The capital and largest city of Ghana with a deep-water port.

43. Earlier a god.

45. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh.

49. Of or relating to or measured in ohms.

52. Harmed or injured or spoiled.

55. An archaic name for Easter or Passover.

57. West Indian tree having racemes of fragrant white flowers and yielding a durable timber and resinous juice.

58. (Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology.

59. English theologian whose objections to Roman Catholic doctrine anticipated the Protestant Reformation (1328-1384).

62. An adult male person (as opposed to a woman).

63. An acute inflammatory disease occurring in the intestines of premature infants.

64. A large fleet.

65. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

DOWN 1. A member of the Siouan people formerly living in the Missouri river valley in NE Nebraska.

2. Valuable fiber plant of East Indies now widespread in cultivation.

3. Moving quickly and lightly.

4. The capital and chief port and largest city of Senegal.

5. Complacently or inanely foolish.

6. Dressed or clothed especially in fine attire.

7. 100 avos equal 1 pataca.

8. United States writer of satirical novels (1879-1958).

9. A landlocked mountainous republic in southeast central Asia north of Afghanistan.

10. The United Nations agency concerned with civil aviation.

11. An ancient region on the coast of western Asia Minor.

12. Either of two large African antelopes of the genus Taurotragus having short spirally twisted horns in both sexes.

20. Tropical woody herb with showy yellow flowers and flat pods.

25. The sixth month of the civil year.

26. Liquid containing proteins and electrolytes including the liquid in blood plasma and interstitial fluid.

28. A tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long handle.

29. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium.

30. 16 ounces.

31. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was formed by an explosion.

33. Being one more than one.

34. An edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle.

37. Any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae.

39. Bringing death.

41. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Dali region of Yunnan.

44. A neutral middle vowel.

45. Used of a single unit or thing.

46. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of the Old World.

47. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

48. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

50. A person who possesses great material wealth.

51. One thousandth of a second.

53. Harsh or corrosive in tone.

54. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

56. Relating to or characteristic of or occurring in the air.

60. A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter.

61. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily.

Yesterday’s Solution

Gemini (May 21-June 20) This could be a challenging day. There is an open door to success and you will find it.

Quick answers, great wit and a surplus of insights and solutions are available to you. You have a good attitude and others notice your willingness to lend a helping hand, regardless of your own progress. Balance is very important. It is good to perform well on the job but it is equally good to give some of your energies toward building a balance in your life. If you take long workdays and bring your work home, you may find little or no life is built around relationships or just enjoying other things besides work. When you leave work, leave your work behind. Tonight would be an excellent time to talk about or plan a vacation.

Non Sequitur

Cancer (June 21-July 22) A round-table discussion this morning may spur your own thinking toward improving your surroundings or life situations. The business for which you work may be planning to make some updates in office space or perhaps placement of offices. Ideas are flowing and new, inexpensive equipment or furniture gives you ideas that will help your office and your own home environment. Talking with a coworker friend this afternoon you may consider a class to expand your philosophy. Perhaps a creative writing class, oil painting, skydiving, in-line skating, astrology, astronomy or many other subjects would help to peak your interest. Interior design is certainly a consideration. You may find yourself enjoying a long conversation with your family.

Leo (July 23-August 22) This is the time to improve your health or begin a preventive health care program. The root cause of any physical problem can be found and eliminated now. It may be hard to organize or persevere in matters of importance this morning. Everything may seem to have hidden parts that bog down the progress of completion. Do not force things.

Be patient and let the chaos blow itself out. New understandings about responsibilities, expectations and authorization with authorities or someone older make a step in the positive direction. Perhaps there are fewer responsibilities and a better pay scale. The afternoon energies are more geared toward solving and completing work issues. Plan an evening alone with your loved one—perhaps dinner out.

Zits

Virgo (August 23-September 22) A short trip or a vacation may be enjoyed this Tuesday. If working, you may find some unfinished business needs your attention. A puzzle has an easy answer if you step back to look at the whole picture. You really want to achieve and your determination may lead you to be too strict with yourself. Laugh and use this awareness to learn and grow. Deeper concentration this afternoon will allow you to rise above your own capabilities. Superiors are impressed with your work. This afternoon and evening are favorable for dealing with friends and family members regarding personal matters. It could be that simply giving people the attention they need is where your time will be best spent. Chatting or cooking together could be a fun part of this.

Libra (September 23-October 22) Things are happening and your career or path depending upon your own ambition and drive, is strong at this time. You are able to use good common sense and can feel the trends and make the right moves. You get ahead by taking action. A partner or coworker is attuned to your goals—you will find working together very productive. This should be a fairly easy, calm day that finds everything running in a smooth manner. A shopping trip this afternoon will give you an opportunity to find just what you want for a special friend. This friend may be moving and you will want to share good wishes for their future in a new place. In this great time of technical equipment, you will be as close as a phone call away. Smile . . . it is contagious.

Mother Goose and Grimm

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) If you are looking for some professional advice this Tuesday, you will find an interested person tuned to your frequency. Help or advice is available for the asking. You appreciate others who have been successful and may surround yourself with those in power—be they politicians, officials or what-have-you. Your sense of quality and discrimination may amount to some sort of livelihood for you. You could make your living with your good taste. In addition, you have an innate sense of how to work with and guide others in making decisions. You become more insightful and innovative in your ideas and ability to communicate. Unique and unconventional approaches to study or research may be in the future. Try a new fish recipe this evening.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You may be thinking of dieting today, but you might look through some of the recommended diets for your particular life style. Make your nutrition as balanced as possible—start on your new diet today! There is no lack of energy or drive here—nothing can stand in your way. Everything is poured into making the right moves and the correct decisions. You are outgoing, enthusiastic and always diplomatic—everybody’s favorite. You have a natural instinct for making the correct move at the right time. Politics or some public career seems certain. A co-worker may need your advice. You have a no-nonsense approach and are willing and able to lend others your rational advice. You penetrate to the realities and see the necessity for accepting life as it is.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You are driven when it comes to fulfilling your ambitions and carving out a career. Your enthusiasm is high and you are motivated to be successful. You set the example for others to follow and if you are in retail you may find that your customers come to you just to gain a little insight into their life as well as to purchase an item or two. Your noon break may be a little later than usual today. A friend or co-worker wants to join you and the conversation may prove to be insightful. Life becomes a little easier as you mature or as the planets move through the cycle, you learn to ask yourself questions that pertain to truth and realistic thinking. Guard your flow of thinking toward a healthy balance of study, work, amusement and relaxation.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Others want to

Yesterday’s Solution

show their appreciation for your ability to act and get things done. Expressing your talents in the working world is very important for you. It is time to put aside the things that occupy your space or slow your progress. Make a determined effort to gain some progress on a specific path. You will begin to see results and be pleased at your hard work. Outer circumstances are favorable and it should be easy for you to push forward in projects and in all aspects of your life. Things may seem almost magical in the way they work out in positive ways. A new romantic attraction can be quite intense right now. Stay aware of your real needs and stay away from the temptations that may lead you away from your goals.

Word Sleuth Solution

Pisces (February 19-March 20) You have excellent drive to accomplish your personal goals all the way through the end of this month. It is time for a little pat on the back but it is not time for you to relax just yet; there is more to be done.

If you work with a group of people in a team sort of atmosphere, pace yourself so that you can accept a leader’s role as well as a follower’s role; you will get a turn at both. You may be communicating with others through your psychic mind instead of orally. One of your most important jobs this month is to clear away anything that does not help you or your team, to move forward. Relationships this evening are an intricate part of your life.

You do what you can to understand, help or share in some quest or venture that will benefit the family.

INFORMATION

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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Dr Anil Thomas

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Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

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22633135

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36

SPECTRUM

he ‘Outside’ singer left Highpoint Prison in Suffolk, East England, yesterday morning after serving four weeks of an eight-week sentence for driving under the influence of drugs and possession of cannabis. The 47-year-old star - real name Georgios Panayiotou - began his sentence at London’s tough Pentonville Prison but was eventually moved to the softer, category C jail, where he revealed he was treated “with kindness” by fellow inmates. He said: “During my time

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here in prison, I think it’s only fair to my fans, family and friends to respond in some way, even though I will be home soon. So please believe me when I tell you that in the last three weeks there have been no tears, no anxiety, no bullying, in fact not so much as a sleepless night for me. On the contrary, I have been treated with kindness by fellow inmates and prison staff alike and as far as I can tell, have received no special treatment of any kind whatsoever. “Most

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

of my days have been spent reading thousands of letters and postcards of incredible support from people around the world.

I promise to repay their kindness with new music as soon as I possibly can.” George - who is expected to serve the rest of his sentence under the supervision of the probation service was also banned from driving for five years and heavily fined after pleading guilty to the offences, which stem from when he crashed his car into a shop window in July.

ustin Bieber wishes he could go back to having a “normal” life. The teen pop star is one of the most famous people on the planet but he admits it would be fantastic to be able to escape the limelight and spend some time relaxing at home with his mother Pattie in Canada. In his upcoming autobiography ‘First Step 2 Forever’, Justin revealed: “Now that I’m here, I sometimes wish I could just go back home and chill. “But if I was at home and I wasn’t doing this, I’d wish that I was in this position.” Justin’s parents Pattie and Jeremy separated before his first birthday and although he always wanted to have a regular upbringing when he was younger, the 16-year-old singer now appreciates his childhood. He explained: “When I was little I longed for a ‘normal’ life with a ‘normal’ family. Mom worked her b**t off at whatever job she could get to keep a roof over our heads.

There no luxuries but it never occurred to me that we were poor. We had each other, which was everything.” Justin’s autobiography ‘First Step 2 Forever’ is out this week.

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ictoria Beckham has been matchmaking for Kelly Brook. The former Spice Girls singerturned fashion designer who has three sons, Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and five-year-old Cruz, with husband David Beckham - is keen to set the stunning actress up on a few dates as she knows how lonely life can be in Hollywood. A source close to Los Angelesbased Victoria told the Daily Star newspaper: “Victoria knows how lucky she and David are. She’d hate to date, especially in Los Angeles, so she’s offering some sisterly support to Kelly. “They’ve met a few times but really bonded during a string of fashion shows. They share a very cheeky sense of humour and get on really well. “Victoria saw Kelly and felt really bad for her being thrust back into the dating game. She’s apparently got David checking out all his mates and has some crackers lined up for Kelly. It’s tough in Hollywood and a girl needs a mate.” However, Kelly who split from rugby player Danny Cipriani in June isn’t keen on starting a new relationship and just wants to have fun as she attempts to launch her career in Hollywood. An insider said: “Kelly’s not ready for a relationship, she’s going into it with an open mind. “But she’s thinking she’ll meet new people, she’s really looking forward to meeting Victoria’s girlfriends, too.

She thinks Victoria is a diamond.”

V

he 22-year-old actor - who has been dating his ‘High School Musical’ co-star since 2005 - revealed while he often feels uncomfortable next to the brunette beauty, she is the only person who he doesn’t drive mad. He explained: “Dating Vanessa makes many things much easier, because you understand each other without having to explain a lot. In terms of planning, I am very picky - worse than any woman. I drive everyone mad, except for Vanessa, she is always very understanding. “The only

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disadvantage is that she is always dressed so stunningly that I look awkward and stand out.” The ‘Charlie St Cloud’ actor admitted while he knows 21-year-old Vanessa is the one for him, he won’t be rushing down the aisle anytime soon, and plans to wait until he is at least 40 until he gets married. He added to German magazine Joy: “We definitely won’t be getting married anytime soon. I definitely feel much too young. When I am going to get married it will happen at the age of 40 at the earliest.”

M

ika’s sister is fighting for her life in hospital after falling from a window and impaling herself on railings. Paloma Penniman - the pop star’s 28-year-old sibling - was believed to be sitting on a window-ledge three floors up in her home in Kensington, west London, when she lost her balance and fell on a spiked barrier below in the early hours of Sunday morning . Both her legs were impaled on the railings, and another spike pierced her abdomen. Mika -

who had been out for dinner with his sister earlier in the evening and was at the apartment at the time of the incident - frantically called emergency services, who arrived at approximately 5am. A family friend told The Sun newspaper: “To say he’s traumatized by this doesn’t even come close. “It’s the stuff of nightmares. Paloma had surgery today on her abdomen and legs - but she is critically ill. Mika is out of his mind with worry. “No one really knows what happened.

One minute Paloma was sitting on the window-ledge, the next she had fallen on to the railings.” It is thought that firefighters had to cut a section of the railings and take them to hospital with the stylist. A Metropolitan police spokesperson said: “Police were called to an address at 5.15 this morning, after reports a woman was impaled on railings after falling from a window.” A spokesman for the 27-year-old singer added: “She is in a critical but stable state. The family have asked for privacy at this time.”

umer Willis is dating ‘Glee’ star Chord Overstreet. The 22-year-old actress - the daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore was seen holding hands and kissing the blonde hunk at a party in Beverly Hills on Saturday night , less than a week after it was announced she had split from her boyfriend of two years Micah Alberti.

It is not the first time Rumer and Chord have been spotted getting close. Last weekend the pair were seen out in Las Vegas with his fellow ‘Glee’ star Mark Salling, with insiders claiming they seemed “flirtatious” before she had announced her split with Alberti. The source told People magazine: “Chord was flirtatious with Rumer. They had a lot of fun.” However, a friend of Rumer’s claimed she was “very sensitive about the break-up” with Micah and had gone to Las Vegas to get away for the weekend. The pal revealed: “They decided it wasn’t working. They’re moving on. She is very upset. “She went to Las Vegas this past weekend with a few friends to try and cheer up and have fun, but she’s very sensitive about the break-up.”

Chord is a new addition to the ‘Glee’ cast, having joined as a member of the soccer team - he is rumored to be the love interest for gay character Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) later in the current series. — Bang Showbiz

R

Cent has been asked to become the “godfather” of a rhinoceros. The ‘Baby By Me’ rapper was urged

by South African charity eBlockwatch to adopt Phila, an endangered black rhino who has been shot nine times by poachers. The group think 50 will be able to relate to the animal’s plight, as he was also shot nine times on the streets of New York when he was an up-and-coming rapper.

Andre Snyman of eBlockwatch told South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper: “We want to ask him if he wants to become the godfather of our rhino so that he can create awareness worldwide about rhino poaching.” Andre also joked that, as the animal is bigger than the rapper - whose real name is Curtis Jackson - she could be renamed One Pound if he does adopt her. Poachers in South Africa target rhinos for their horns, which are then sold to the Far East for a high price, where they are used in traditional medicines.

Phila was shot twice in July by poachers, prompting her owner to cut off her horn in an attempt to protect the creature - only for hunters to return and shoot her another seven times while trying to hack out the stub of the horn. eBlockwatch has already taken moves to protect Phila, by issuing her a bodyguard - a trained security lion. 50 has yet to respond to say if he would be willing to sponsor or adopt

50

the rhino. Poaching of the animals is a huge problem in South Africa and is on the rise, with 227 slaughtered so far this year, compared to 122 last year.

SPECTRUM

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

37

Music & Movies

Thirteen Asian movie directors compete for top Pusan award

By Mathew Scott hirteen novice Asian directors are competing at the region’s premier film festival this week for an award they hope will kick-start their careers and grab international attention. The 15th Pusan International Film Festival’s main award, which will be presented on Friday, is known as New Currents and offers two 30,000 dollar prizes for first- or second-time Asian directors. This year it has attracted an eclectic selection of productions from across the region, with South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, mainland China, the Philippines, India and Iraq all represented.

“It is an award that puts the film-maker in the public eye and in the eye of the international film community,” said New Currents jury head Emi Wada, the Oscar-winning Japanese costume designer. Among the early front-runners for the award is the atmospheric Thai production “Eternity” by firsttime director Sivaroj Kongsakul. “As a young independent director you are trying to get noticed,” he said. “The films are often very personal so it might be hard to find an audience in commercial cinemas but screening at this festival, and being accepted for

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this award, puts you in touch with an audience and with important members of the international film community such as foreign producers.”

The Thai director’s film is, he said, a chance to ponder the relationship with his father who died when he was a young boy. Set in three parts, it looks at a man searching for his hometown, the man’s first contact with his future wife, and what happens to the wife after the man dies. “It was made for relatively no money at all,” said Sivaroj. “I am hoping that through the attention we get here we will be able to take this film to other film festivals all around the world.”

For China’s Lu Yang-another first-timer whose “My Spectacular Theatre” follows the tale of a criminal who finds himself working in a cinema set up for the blind-the New Currents award has presented a chance not found in his homeland. “People have only really recently started going to the cinema in China,” he said. “And they want to spend their money on big budget blockbusters, not on small films that might make them think or might reflect on their own hardships.

“So I am just happy to get anyone to see my film.” Iraqi-Kurd Hassan Ali Mahmoud is hoping

that by screening his film “The Quarter of Scarecrows” in Busan, the audience and the film world at large might be exposed to a story that up until recently might never have been told. Hassan readily offered that his film-about a farmer desperate to keep a flock of crows off his field-was a reflection on the recent politics of his country. “With the trouble in my homeland over the past few decades we have had stories to tell-but no way of telling them,” he said.

“About 85 percent of the films that come out of my country now are about its recent history and what we have lived through. And without festivals the world might never get to see them.” New Currents jury member Murali Nair, a director whose “Marana Simhasanam” picked up the prestigious Camera d’Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, said just being included in the running for the award could be considered a major achievement.

“It is more than just the award,” he said. “It is about turning people’s heads towards what you are doing as a filmmaker.” By the time the curtain comes down on the festival, 308 films — 103 of which are world premieres-will have been screened. — AFP

(From Left) Indian actress Aishwarya Rai and director Mani Ratnam take part in an audience “meet and greet” session during the 15th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) on October 8, 2010 in Pusan. — AFP

International Experimental Theatre Festival

Participants in Cairo’s International Experimental Theatre Festival pose on stage with Culture Minister Faruq Hosni during the opening ceremony of the annual theatre event at the Egyptian capital’s Opera House late on October 10, 2010. — AFP

Review

n a world of inspiring real-life sports stories, the tale of Secretariat is one of a kind. It’s too bad the Hollywood version about the legendary racehorse is just another one of the pack. “Secretariat” does what the horse and its caretakers never did on the way to Triple Crown glory in 1973. The movie plays it completely safe, offering a classy but standard Disney-fication of the tale, whose thrilling race scenes are offset by some of the blandest “you can do it if you try” dialogue you’re likely to encounter on film. Cheery performances from Diane Lane as the housewife-turned-horse-owner and John Malkovich as Secretariat’s oddball trainer help rein in some of the movie’s sentimental excesses.

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Yet they’re more cheerleaders than characters, rooting on the sidelines with utterly predictable slogans in an utterly predictable manner. Formulaic storytelling is a given in most sports dramas, particularly those from Disney, which scored hits by following the recipe with such hopeful athletic sagas as “The Rookie” and “Miracle.” Still, sports flicks such as “Seabiscuit” or even last year’s “The Blind Side” manage to inspire while digging deeper into characters and offering something more than yet another pep rally for underdogs and unlikely heroes.

To be fair, “Secretariat” can be an exhilarating pep rally, especially in director

Randall Wallace’s rousing re-creations of the horse’s runs in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and particularly, a breathless finale at the Belmont Stakes.

And Lane, though limited by the greetingcard cliches of Mike Rich’s screenplay, is a grandly indefatigable competitor as Penny Chenery, a Denver wife and mom who took over her family’s Virginia stable from her dying father (Scott Glenn).

Needing a winner to turn around the stable’s finances, Penny hires the flashy-dressing, sometimes cantankerous trainer Lucien Laurin (Malkovich) and banks her fortunes on Big Red, a chestnut thoroughbred that became an international sensation under his racing name, Secretariat. The movie jumps hastily from the horse’s birth to his unspectacular start on the race course, then settles in for a prolonged buildup to the Triple Crown bid. With pluck and optimism that occasionally strains credibility, Lane’s Penny overcomes every hurdle, hatching a savvy scheme to cover the stable’s debts, nursing the horse through sickness, holding her family together amid the vexation of her husband (Dylan Walsh).

Lane and Malkovich forge a touching onscreen friendship, and it’s especially nice to see him goof it up as the garish Laurin.

The genial supporting cast includes James Cromwell as a rival owner, Margo Martindale as Penny’s assistant, Nelsan Ellis as the horse’s groomer and real-life jockey Otto Thorwarth as Secretariat’s rider.

Give credit also to the five horses used to play Secretariat in various guises, though the filmmakers cannot resist injecting petty human bluster into the four-legged co-stars.

In one silly moment as they head toward the starting gate, Secretariat and his key opponent give each other such a taunting glare, you almost expect them to break out in a bout of trash-talking like heavyweights preparing for a title fight.

Anyone remotely familiar with the story of Secretariat knows the outcome before the movie begins, but that Belmont climax still is intoxicating to watch. There’s little suspense once the race starts, yet for that moment, at least, we’ll wager that almost everyone in the theater will be glad they laid their money down on “Secretariat.”

“Secretariat,” a Walt Disney release, is rated PG for brief mild language. Running time: 116 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four. — AP

ew Zealand Prime Minister John Key said yesterday he was hopeful a union row threaten to force Peter Jackson’s “Hobbit” movies out of the country could be resolved within a week. Key said Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee met those involved in the dispute late last week and was cautiously optimistic progress was being made in the tense negotiations. “I wouldn’t want to predict an outcome but we’re hopeful that we will get the right result, that those Hobbit movies are made in New Zealand,” Key told reporters.

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“But there’s still ongoing, quite tense, negotiations ... it needs to be resolved reasonably quickly, I’m hopeful in the next week or so.” Jackson has threatened to move his latest of the Tolkien saga from New Zealand over alleged “bully boy” tactics from unions, prompting allegations from actors that workers on his sets are being short-changed. The Hollywood studios backing Jackson have said they are scouting alternative locations because of the dispute, with Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia and eastern Europe all potentially in the frame.

But the union, NZ Actors Equity, has called for an international boycott of “The Hobbit” after accusing producers of refusing to recognize its right to negotiate minimum standards for its members. Jackson says the union, which is linked to Australia’s Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, is unfairly targeting his production as part of a campaign to muscle in on the New Zealand film industry. “The Hobbit” has already been delayed by financial woes at studio MGM, prompting director Guillermo del Toro to quit the project in May. — AFP

Cee Lo riding high atop UK singles chart S rapper Cee Lo Green reached No 1 on the UK singles charts this week, robbing a longawaited duet by Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams of the top spot, the Official Charts Company said Sunday. Cee Lo Green is from Atlanta, and his No 1 hit, “Forget You,” was inspired by a relationship breakup.

“Shame” came in at No 2 and marks the first time Williams and Barlow have worked together since Williams’ departure from the successful boy band Take That in 1995. Slipping two places from last week’s top spot, Tinie Tempah’s “Written in the Stars” settled at No 3. The London rapper has had a strong year on the singles chart, scoring two No 1 songs and a No 2.

Rockers Kings of Leon scored a new top 10 hit with “Radioactive” at No 7. Tempah’s success continues in the album charts, with “Disc-Overy” coming in at the top this week. The only other new entry in the album top 10 was A-Ha’s greatest hits collection “25” at No 10. — Reuters

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“Hereafter” Actors Matt Damon, Bryce Dallas Howard, Cecile de France and director director/producer Clint Eastwood pose for photos at the closing night premiere of “Hereafter” during the 48th New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall on October 10, 2010 in New York, New York. — AFP

‘Lost’ actress Kim Yun-jin makes Korean homecoming “L Kim Yun-jin

Sappy ‘Secretariat’ mixes mush and thrills

New Zealand PM hopeful Hobbits will stay

ost” actress Kim Yun-jin is making a homecoming of sorts this week at South Korea’s Pusan International Film Festival. The 36-yearold Korean-American actress recently completed her six-year stint on the hit American TV series, which aired its finale in May. She is now plunging back into the Asian movie industry where she first made her name. At Pusan, Asia’s leading film festival, she is serving as a juror for the event’s New Currents prize for emerging Asian filmmakers.

“American audiences have very little knowledge of Asian film in general. ...

Hopefully international film festivals such as Pusan will change that in the future,” Kim told a news conference on Friday, appearing with her fellow jurors.

Kim, who was born in Seoul but moved to the US at age 10, shot to fame

in her native land by playing an undercover North Korean spy in the hit 1999 thriller “Shiri.” She kept working on South Korean productions while juggling her “Lost” duties. “It was always a pleasure coming back and working on a Korean movie,” she said. Her most recent Korean release came in January with the drama “Harmony,” about four female prisoners who bond over a choir group.

Looking back at “Lost,” the convoluted, time-jumping tale of a group of plane crash survivors facing mysterious phenomena, Kim called the experience “lifechanging.” “It was a new type of drama,” she said. “In my humble opinion, when there is a discussion about US television shows in the 21st century, ‘Lost’ will be one of them, so I’m really proud to be part of that TV show.”—AP

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By Rob Bryan ll eyes in the Yangon restaurant were on glamorous celebrity Chan Chan Clare, a pioneer in Myanmar’s burgeoning fashion scene, as she glided across to the table in a tiny sequined dress. “Sorry I’m late,” said the bubbly 22-year-old model and singer, ordering a soft drink from the hovering, rapt waiters before sitting down to discuss the latest sartorial trends in the army-ruled country. She is busy promoting her first solo album and named singing stars Beyonce and Celine Dion as her main influences, but Chan Chan made her name through clothes modeling, a job she claimed “every girl” in Myanmar wants.

“More and more girls like to wear short skirts. We’re growing every day and finding every new fashion. We go on the Internet and chat and see lots of fashion from the West and Asia,” she said. “So in the last three years we’ve had more confidence to wear these kind of things. No one looks at you if you wear short pants... It’s not a problem now.” The military regime appears to disagree. “Decadent alien culture such as scanty dresses is unacceptable in Myanmar society,” said a recent comment piece in the New Light of Myanmar newspaper, a junta mouthpiece.

“Appropriate measures need to be taken by one and all to protect own culture,” the English language article warned. Myanmar’s traditional dress, which is still mandatory in high schools, universities and most state workplaces, is the demure “longyi”-a sheet of cotton or silk cloth wrapped around the waist which runs to the feet. Sported by the country’s detained democracy icon Aung San

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This picture shows a Myanmar woman wearing a short skirt talking on her mobile phone as she walks past a fashion store in Yangon. — AFP Suu Kyi in her rare public appearances, the often intricately patterned and brightly colored longyi is still widely worn by both men and women across the country.

But the younger generation, especially urbanized young women, are increasingly shunning the national garb and embracing unconventional alternatives as they brush aside concerns about morals and modesty.

“Now they know the fashion has developed in our country and now they feel very comfortable wearing short skirts. They know the free-

doms. They believe in themselves and they’ve got lots of self-confidence,” said Chan Chan.

Male fashions are evolving toothere’s a growing taste for the rock music-inspired youth style known as “emo”, for example-but women’s changing dress sense has unsurprisingly drawn more attention in the conservative nation. One expatriate worker suggested the noticeable development began in the commercial hub Yangon af ter the regime moved the seat of government and its officials away from the city in 2005.

The timing coincided with the “Korean wave”-the South Korean cultural invasion that has swept up Myanmar as it floods much of Asia and the wider world with its soap operas, films, “K-pop” and clothing.

“South Koreans look so fabulous and stylish in our eyes,” enthused Chan Chan, who said the top K-wave fashion items-such as little skirts and jackets, shorts and leggings-were easy to buy and wear in Myanmar.

The craze for all things Korean is particularly striking in a nation widely known for its impoverished and isolat-

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

ed status after decades of military rule. Even Korean celebrity lookalike contests are now held in Yangon.

“The problem is that Myanmar’s traditional fashion cannot overcome the Korean fashion,” said designer Ma May Myo. “It can’t compete because young girls want to wear something light and different and cute.

“They want to show off and you can’t do that in a longyi.” The 34year-old dressmaker, who set up her popular label in Yangon five years ago, said the demand from her customers for Korean-influenced styles shows no signs of abating. “The situation has changed a lot,” she said. “We can see through the Internet what is happening abroad: what designers are doing and the latest trends. It’s not difficult like it was before.”

In November, Myanmar is holding its first election in two decades, but observers are widely expecting an unfree and unfair poll that will keep the army regime in charge under a cloak of civilian rule. Aung Naing Oo, a Myanmar analyst based in Thailand, said that the lack of political change was unlikely to curtail the evolution of fashion or the desire of Myanmar’s youngsters to emulate their more affluent Asian neighbors.

“I don’t think the military can actively stop something like that, a cultural invasion,” he said. “The new generation is wanting something different af ter being choked for so long.”

Ma May Myo said there have been attempts to modernize the style of the longyi, with Myanmar’s officials sponsoring designers to promote the traditional dress. “But the people don’t listen. They put on the clothes they want,” she said. “It’s a good, exciting time for fashion in Myanmar.”— AFP

This photo shows a young Myanmar woman wearing a colorful outfit walking on a bridge at a park in Yangon. — AFP

Models display Spring/Summer 2011 creations by Portuguese fashion designer Maria Gambina during the 35th Edition of Moda Lisboa at Mercado da Ribeira in Lisbon on October 10, 2010. — AFP

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

op stars Miley Cyrus and Taylor Momsen wear rosary necklaces, sometimes four at a time over a slinky corset dress or vintage rock T-shirt. “Eat Pray Love,” whose protagonist travels to India in search of enlightenment, has spawned a collection of charms, rings and bracelets. And the reality-bending Kardashian sisters are designing jewelry based on Armenian religious icons.

It’s official: The practice of incorporating religious or spiritual symbols in jewelry has become ubiquitous among smaller niche designers as well as more commercial, mass brands. With the public’s growing interest in yoga, meditation and personal talismans that offer protection or courage, jewelry and accessory designers are picking up the theme and adorning their work with icons deeply rooted in ancient beliefs and religions.

Jewelry designed around religious symbols or the use of religious tokens as jewelry may not seem like anything new. Who doesn’t remember Madonna writhing around on a stage draped in rosaries during the 1980s? In 2004 it was David Beckham, shirtless (natch) with a delicate rosary hanging from his neck down his chest, on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. But the trend is bigger and bolder than ever today, with icons steeped in spirituality coming in all forms of familiar (and perhaps not so familiar) symbols dangling from bangles, necklaces, earrings and even belt buckles.

A sign that society is becoming more religious?

Actually, it might be just the opposite. While there will always be jewelry and tokens worn to literally show one’s faith-such as a Star of David for Judaism or a crucifix for Christianity-the rise in jewelry carrying evil eye charms, Hamsa hand pendants and Hindu Om symbols caters to people who are expressing their personal spirituality rather than an affiliation with organized religion.

“We are in a moment in American religion where the emphasis is on the spiritual, not the religious,” says professor Stephen Prothero from the department of religion at Boston University.

He defines the vague term “spiritual” as “not being part of an organized religion, an assertion of self-reliance in spiritual things.”

“I think it’s more about ‘who I am’ and jewelry is often that,” he says. “What can be more intimate than something like a tattoo or jewelry?

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Brooklyn-based jewellery designer Jessica Elliott has her own takes on the traditional idea of the rosary.

Virgins, Saints and Angels uses religious symbols purely for their aesthetic value.

Something that’s close to your body.” Prothero adds that although expressing spirituality through body decoration may seem natural, there is also an irony. “Jewelry is about materialism, and the spiritual message is the opposite. It’s not supposed to be about things of this world.”

Regardless, there is an undeniable surge in jewelry based on spiritual symbols that customers can’t seem to get enough of. Rachel Smith, owner of www.givingtreejewelry.com, stocks lines such as Me + Ro and Good Charma, which incorporate elements such as Sanskrit and prayer beads in their work. “Spiritual jewelry gives people a sense of the individual within. As an individual they can find some sort of thread to something higher,” she

says “In the last five years I realized the need for jewelry with meaning. Now 85 percent of the jewelry I carry has some sort of meaning or inscription.”

Southern California-based Dogeared Jewels and Gifts makes spiritually based pieces that are popular as gifts and sentimental tokens. Their wares include “Karma” pendants displayed on a card that reads “What goes around, comes around.

Wear your necklace as a reminder to keep the circle positive, peaceful and loving,” and a Travel Charm necklace that boasts a compass pendant, a heart pendant and a St. Christopher medallion.

The latter comes mounted on a card that says “Let your icons be a reminder to navigate peacefully,

with a loving heart, and a saint that’s got your back!” The company also recently created an officially licensed line of jewelry tied to the release of the movie version of “Eat Pray Love,” complete with lotus pendants and meditation charms.

For fall, Tory Burch has included blue and white evil eye charm jewelry, designed by Kara Ross, which seems an exotic choice for Burch, whose brand has a more conservative sensibility.

“It’s just part of the interchange of cultures and the globalization of culture that we are all a part of,” Prothero says. “Nobody owns religious symbols. The positive side is that it gets people to think about different religions and symbols.” More intensely religious symbols are still making their way onto jewelry, though most designers won’t claim their pieces as religious, but say they are more spiritual and ultimately open to interpretation.

Take, for example, a Mexico City-based brand called Virgins, Saints and Angels, which is designed by a former image consultant for Levi’s named Cheryl Finnegan who moved from California to Mexico after a divorce. “I guess it was sort of my ‘Eat Love Pray’ moment,” she says. Finnegan uses the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe on most of her pieces. Crosses adorn cuffs and rosary beads are made into multi-layer necklaces. But even with her brand’s very specific name and the religious iconography, Finnegan uses these symbols purely for their aesthetic value.

“It’s whatever you want to make of it,” she says, “because it really all came from somewhere else.” She adds that she is careful not to throw any of the religious iconography in anyone’s face. “If someone wants to wear a St. Benedict pendant because they are a member of the St. Benedictine monks, then good! If someone likes something because it looks Celtic, they can wear it,” she says.

In May, Finnegan debuted a collaboration with the Kardashian sisters of TV-reality show fame who tapped their Armenian heritage to create a collection. Elements from the Armenian cross and infinity symbol were turned into earrings and bracelets, some combined with spikes to create an edgier look.

Rosary beads are also being used or deconstructed in order to create a drapey Y-shaped silhouette. Designers such as Brooklyn-based Jessica

Elliott and a line called Twisted Faith have their own takes on the traditional idea of the rosary.

Elliot has a collection for fall called the “Rosary” line: Y-shaped necklaces made of colored beads, anchored a third of the way down with different symbols, such as a “mesh clover” or “Istanbul diamond.” “For me, religion is not something I choose to express through jewelry because I feel it alienates people,” she says. “It’s more about expressing spirituality and wearing these things as a personal talisman, not religious icons.” Elliott made what she called the “Unity” necklace five years ago, consisting of one chain carrying a Jewish star, a Buddha and a cross. “It didn’t sell,” she says, “I think people were afraid to put it in their stores.” Elliott’s intent was not to send a mixed message but to add some levity to symbols that have otherwise intensely religious roots.

The religious message is “less clear when you wear an Om and you have no idea what it means,” Prothero says. “Smooshing the Buddha together with a cross and star of David has a clearer message of someone who is spiritual and doesn’t belong to one religion.”

He adds that even though all of these symbols may be floating through the fashion world on shiny gold bangles or set with diamonds, people should be religiously literate and know what the symbols they’re wearing stand for. “I’m torn.

Sometimes I do get annoyed when venerable religious symbols get dumbed down, but when has it never been like that?

Besides, all religions are just different paths up the same mountain.” Amen to that. — MCT

Models display Spring/Summer 2011 creations by Portuguese fashion designer Nuno Baltazar during the 35th Edition of Moda Lisboa at Mercado da Ribeira in Lisbon on October 10, 2010. — AFP

Virgin of Guadalupe iconography provides much of the imagery for religious jewelry.

www.kuwaittimes.net

Rie Akitani and her dog Gyadi pose for photographers.

A Yorkshire terrier Chuta hides behind the owner.

(From Right) Pomeranians, two-yearold omeranian Michael and three-year-old Queenie, pause in their wedding grown during a dog competition in Penang, Malaysia.—AP

Two dogs jump rope with a trainer at a performance during a break of dog fashion show in Tokyo yesterday. Some 30 dogs and their owners displayed the latest pet fashions at the event. —AFP photos

Dog trainer Hiroaki Uchida and Ieyasu perform.

A Chihuahua wears a knitted sweater and scarf.

A dog and his trainer perform push-ups.

By Alice Ritchie igaro, Figaro, Figaro!” sang the baritone in the opening scene of ‘The Barber of Seville’, as the 120-strong audience looked on rapt, sipping their beers. A new English translation of Rossini’s comic opera opened this week in an unlikely venue-the back room of a north London pub, which has become the British capital’s first new opera house in more than 40 years. It is at the vanguard of a drive to make opera more accessible to those who think it is stuffy and only for the rich, by staging shows in intimate venues for a fraction of the price charged in the palatial theatres of Covent Garden.

“Opera still has a serious image problem,” said Robin Norton-Hale, director of the Barber, which is showing at the King’s Head Theatre in north London for 15 pounds (17 euros, 24 dollars) a ticket. “The reason we want operas in these kind of venues is so that people can experience opera in a completely different way.” Her version of Rossini’s masterpiece is certainly different. She has translated it into

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modern English, slimmed it down to two hours, relocated it to the city of Salisbury and added a healthy dose of slapstick humor.

But the new opera house has some well-established patrons, including one of the world’s leading directors, Jonathan Miller, and there is no compromising on the performers, who are all professionals.

The owners of the 19th century King’s Head set up a theatre in its back room in 1970, where stars such as actor Hugh Grant and playwright Tom Stoppard cut their teeth, but it has now been transformed into a full-time opera and musical theatre venue.

The first show under the new ‘Little Opera House’ is a tale of a young woman and her lover, a wealthy aristocrat who enlists the help of the barber of Seville (or Salisbury) to outwit her overbearing guardian and win her hand. When the sixperson cast breaks into song, the sound roars through the packed little room, but when they want to whisper, they can still be heard- giving the rapt audience a unique experience. “It’s an extraordinary thing to

be that close to an opera singer, to a tenor or a soprano that’s really going for it, to really see the magic of the human voice,” said Adam Spreadbury-Maher, artistic director of the theatre. The small venue also gives young singers an invaluable chance to develop.

“Opportunities in London are very rare,” said cast member John Savournin, who trained at Trinity College of Music in London. He enthused about the intimacy of the performance, saying: “It’s a way of keeping opera alive.” Judith Mitchell, who came to the first night with her husband Tim despite not being a big opera fan, agreed, saying: “You almost feel part of it.”

The contrast with the Royal Opera House, Britain’s premier opera venue located just a few miles away in Covent Garden, could not be more stark.

There, more than 2,000 people a night pay up to 388 pounds (616 dollars, 443 euros) for a ticket to see some of the world’s top singers and musicians perform in a spectacular auditorium clad in red and gold. Where the pub singers have only an upright piano to accompany them, the

opera house performers are backed by a world-class orchestra as they sing the fulllength libretto in its original language-in Rossini’s case, Italian. “We do grand opera on a grand scale,” said the ROH’s creative director, Deborah Bull.

But she admitted traditional opera was not to everyone’s liking, and praised the new venture for allowing people “to look at the art form through a different lens”. She said: “You’re still looking at a great piece of work.” With this in mind, the ROH has taken pains to open its doors to the wider public, offering discounted student, family and same-day tickets, streaming its shows live on the Internet and playing them for free on big screens nationwide.

It has also commissioned musicians to write contemporary, short operas performed in its smaller theatres, with next year’s clutch including works by Monty Python’s Terry Jones and Stuart Copeland of The Police. “We’re working at both ends of the scale, always aware that audience behavior is changing-people want to discover things differently from (how) our grandparents did,” Bull said. — AFP

he British comic is the latest star to be honored with his own replica figure by famous museum Madame Tussauds and the model was unveiled in London yesterday. Russell’s stylish double wears a fitted Ted Baker grey suit, open black shirt and his trademark silver jewellery. The waxwork can be found in the A-list party area which includes doubles of Dame Helen Mirren, Robert Pattinson and Angelina Jolie. Liz Edwards, PR Manager at Madame Tussauds, said: “We are delighted to welcome Russell to the attraction. He is a one off; a uniquely eccentric English entertainer with interna-

T n auction of some 100 items of Michael Jackson memorabilia has fetched more than $1 million, with a basketball autographed by the late singer and Michael Jordan netting $245,000.Showing the lingering appeal of the “King of Pop,” the sale Saturday in the southern Chinese city of Macau drew bidders from around the world.

An unidentified Internet bidder paid $180,000 for a black crystal-studded glove and an arm brace Jackson wore while filming a promotional video for his 1995 album “HIStory.” An Internet bidder also bought the basketball.

Of the 435 total items up for sale, other non-Jackson items sold included a costume worn by Bruce Lee during the filming of “Game of Death” and a costume Madonna donned during her Girlie Show world tour. — AP

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In this Aug 26, 2010 file photo, pianist Liu Wei takes off one of his socks to play a piano before his practice session in Shanghai. —AP

n armless young man who plays the piano with his toes has won China’s version of an internationally popular TV talent show, Chinese media reported yesterday. Liu Wei, 23, wowed the audience by singing the song “You’re Beautiful” as he worked the piano keys with his feet in the final of “China’s Got Talent” on Sunday at the Shanghai Stadium, the Shanghai Daily reported.

Liu has already been compared to Susan Boyle, the unemployed Scottish spinster who became a global phenomenon last year when she stunned judges on “Britain’s Got Talent” with her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables”. The Beijing native, who lost his arms at the age of 10 after touching a high-volt-

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age wire during a game of hide-and-seek, defeated other finalists including Zhang Fengxi, a sevenyear old comedian who took second place. Liu moved the audience in the stadium and TV viewers when he said “at least I have a pair of perfect legs”, according to the report.

Liu started playing the piano at 19 to pursue his childhood dream of being a musician. His first teacher quit because he thought it was impossible for someone to play with their toes, the newspaper said previously. But Liu, who was studying music theory, persisted and taught himself in secret how to play, creating his own technique. At the ceremony on Sunday, Liu was invited by Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai to be a guest performer during her overseas tour. —AFP

(From left) Belinda Evans who plays ‘Rosina,’ Gareth Dafydd Morris, (2nd L) who plays the ‘Marquis of Bath,’ John Savournin, (2nd R) who plays ‘Dr Bartleby,’ and Stephen Svanholm, who plays ‘Figaro the Barber,’ perform during a photocall for Rossini’s comic opera of ‘The Barber of Seville’ at the King’s Head theatre in London, on October 7, 2010.—AFP

tional box office hits under his belt and an everexpanding fan base.

We know they are going to love the chance to get up close to one of the most recognizable men in show business and with his distinctive style he will undoubtedly be one of the most visually striking figures here at Madame Tussauds London.” The ‘Arthur’ star - who is engaged to singer Katy Perry was closely involved in the creation of his waxwork and gave a sitting for the Madame Tussauds team in Los Angeles earlier this year. The model took four months to make and cost £150,000. — Bangshowbiz

A new waxwork figure of Russell Brand is prepared, as it is unveiled at Madame Tussaud’s yesterday, in north London. The figure took four months to create at a cost of £150,000. — AP